Patent ID: 7941879

Claim:
A bed with an automatic mattress lifting system, comprising: a frame defining an open interior region, the frame including an upper edge; a mattress supporting platform having opposed upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface being sized to substantially encompass the open interior region and being adapted for supporting a mattress; a substantially U-shaped bar secured to the lower surface of the mattress supporting platform, the substantially U-shaped bar being adapted for receiving and supporting a longitudinal free end of a top sheet covering the mattress; at least one first support having opposed upper and lower ends, the upper end thereof being pivotally joined to the lower surface of the mattress supporting platform; at least one second support having opposed upper and lower ends, the upper end thereof being pivotally joined to the lower surface of the mattress supporting platform; first and second shafts extending laterally within the open interior region of the frame and being rotatably secured to the frame, the lower end of the at least one first support being attached to the first shaft and the lower end of the at least one second support being attached to the second shaft; a user-actuatable drive; a rod driven by the user-actuatable drive; a lever arm having opposed first and second ends, the first end of the lever being attached to the second shaft, the second end of the lever being pivotally attached to the rod; and at least one bracket secured to the lower surface of the mattress supporting platform, the at least one bracket having a slot formed therethrough, the upper end of the at least one second support having a projecting member formed thereon, the projecting member being slidable and pivotal in the slot, wherein driven motion of the rod causes the lever arm to rotate, driving rotation of the second shaft, rotation of the second shaft causing the at least one second support to rotate, thereby driving upward movement of the mattress supporting platform, whereby the platform clears the upper edge of the frame and subsequently permits the projecting member to slide in the slot, resulting in a fully raised platform position; and wherein the top sheet can be trapped between the mattress supporting platform and the frame when the mattress supporting platform is lowered to rest on the frame.