Beds – Invalid bed or surgical support – Sectional user supporting surface
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-17
2001-08-21
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Invalid bed or surgical support
Sectional user supporting surface
C005S613000, C005S617000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276011
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to an adjustable bed and specifically an adjustable frame for the bed which is utilized in conjunction with a mattress such that the bed can be adjusted from a substantially horizontal planar position to one of several positions in which a backrest and/or a leg rest or both are adjusted for comfort while a person thereon sleeps, eats, might watch television or is required to spend considerable lengths of time in bed for therapeutic purposes, as might occur should such a person be injured or suffering from physical or mental problems. Typical of such adjustable or articulated beds are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,381,571; 4,385,410; 4,407,030; 5,537,701 and 5,870,784. As is perhaps best illustrated and disclosed in the latter patent, such articulated beds are extremely complicated in both construction and operation, particularly because of the multiplicity of brackets, linkages, lost motion connections, etc. The complexity of such adjustable beds requires relatively intelligent workers to manufacture, assemble and ship the same, and if not shipped in an operative condition, end users must likewise be relatively intelligent to assemble such adjustable beds from individual unassembled components thereof. Obviously, the more complex the construction of such beds, the greater the costs not only in manufacturing, but also the greater the costs in shipping because of added weight and bulk/size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with the foregoing, a primary object of this invention is to provide an adjustable bed frame which is extremely economical to manufacture due to the construction thereof from a multiplicity of standard components, such as angle irons, channels, etc., which can be readily assembled by unskilled labor in a readily simple and straightforward manner which achieves a relatively lightweight, yet strong construction of a relatively modest size readily accommodated for low-cost shipping and subsequent simplicity in use. The adjustable bed frame preferably includes a backrest frame and a thigh/leg frame, each articulately connected to a seat frame, and all frames being normally disposed in a substantially horizontal first position while being selectively moved to “uptight” second positions for supporting a patient or person upon a mattress in substantially a seated position with the person's back adjustably angled to the horizontal, as might be found necessary or desirable. The thigh/leg frame can be selectively adjusted to, for example, elevate one's legs which is particularly desirable in conjunction with treatment of certain physiological problems particularly associated with the circulatory system. However, persons and patients find laying in a bed with legs elevated to be both comfortable and therapeutic.
A drive assembly is associated with the adjustable back frame and the adjustable thigh/leg frame, and the drive assemblies are essentially identical, as are associated connections and connecting links which further simplifies manufacturing and assembly cost, as well as any subsequent costs of repair. The backrest frame is also pivotally connected to a seat frame such that the drive assembly for articulating the backrest frame also automatically moves the seat frame such that the position of a patient upon the mattress of the associated bed is maintained essentially at the same relationship to bedside facilities, such as tables, benches, chairs or the like, irrespective of the position of the backrest frame or the seat frame. Furthermore, the head portion or head edge of the mattress is basically maintained at the same position relative to a vertical plane in the first and all second positions which allows the bed to be positioned with the head end thereof immediately adjacent a wall of a room and the latter will not interfere with the operation of the bed or the bed frame irrespective of any adjustments rendered thereto.
In further accordance with this invention, electric drive motors are provided, one for moving the thigh/leg frame from a substantially planar first position to an essentially upright second position and a like electric drive mechanism is connected between head arms and back arms of the backrest frame which are pivotally connected to each other and one each to a head end of the frame and to the seat frame. The latter drive mechanism includes relatively extendable and retractable members which are preferably extended in the first substantially horizontally planar position of the backrest and its associated head and back arms whereupon energization and retraction of one of the members relative to the other member effects smooth pulling forces which are applied between the head and back arms resulting in smooth non-jerking movement thereof from the first to the second position with attendant smooth sliding movement of the seat frame.
In further accordance with this invention, the seat frame is preferably part of a slide frame having opposite slide rails carrying rollers which are rollingly supported upon opposite side guides of a first or main support frame of the bed. The side guides preferably include slots or openings through which the rollers can be introduced into or withdrawn from the side guides or guide rails to achieve rapid assembly and disassembly of the slide frame relative to the first or main frame.
The various linkages associated with the backrest frame and the thigh/leg frame are also designed to reduce overall height of the bed frame when in the first position, namely, the position at which all frames of the bed frame, such as the backrest frame, the seat frame, and the thigh/leg frame are in a substantially horizontal position. This allows the bed to be constructed of a conventional height which in turn permits storage thereunder of appropriate objects, such as suitcases, shoes, slippers, etc. absent interference from linkages, drive assemblies, drive motors, etc.
With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3593350 (1971-07-01), Knight
patent: 3821821 (1974-07-01), Burst et al.
patent: 4381571 (1983-05-01), Elliott
patent: 4385410 (1983-05-01), Elliott et al.
patent: 4407030 (1983-10-01), Elliott
patent: 5537701 (1996-07-01), Elliott
patent: 5577279 (1996-11-01), Foster et al.
patent: 5870784 (1999-02-01), Elliott
patent: 6006379 (1999-12-01), Hensley
patent: 6088853 (2000-07-01), Jansen
patent: 6101647 (2000-08-01), Stroud et al.
Diller Ramik & Wight
Trettel Michael F.
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