Bed with relatively movable parts

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the general art of beds, and to the particular field of beds with relatively movable parts.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Making a bed can be a difficult operation. The sheets and blankets must be removed and then replaced with new sheets and blankets. The old bedding must be pulled away from the box spring and mattress, and the new bedding must be inserted between the box spring and mattress.

[0005] This operation is difficult enough, but if the bed is in a hospital, and the operation must be carried out while a patient is in the bed, the difficulty of the operation is increased.

[0006] While some form fitting bedding makes placement easier than other bedding, the person making the bed is still required to move around the bed to secure the bedding to the bed. This can be difficult under any circumstances, but is exacerbated if the bed is located near a wall.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a bed which can be made and unmade in an efficient manner.

[0008] Still further, there is a need for a bed that can be easily made and unmade even if it is located in a difficult-to-reach location. This would be especially helpful if the person changing the bed is disabled.

[0009] It is a main object of the present invention to provide a bed which can be made and unmade in an efficient manner.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed that can be easily made and unmade even if it is located in a difficult-to-reach location.

[0011] These, and other, objects are achieved by a bed which comprises a base frame unit; and a mattress/box spring elevator unit which is mounted on the base frame unit and which includes a plurality of links pivotally mounted on the base frame unit, a first subframe unit mounted on the links and movable between a first position located adjacent to a plane containing the base frame unit and a second position spaced apart from the plane containing the base frame unit, a second subframe unit, a turntable rotatably connecting the first subframe unit and the second subframe unit so the second subframe unit is rotatable with respect to the first subframe unit, and a plurality of springs connecting the first subframe unit and the base frame unit and biasing the first subframe unit towards the second position thereof.

[0012] Using the bed embodying the present invention permits a bed to be made in an efficient manner. The person making the bed is not required to move around the bed thereby making the bed easier to make up even if it is located in a difficult-to-reach location.

[0017] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Referring to the Figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a bed 10 that achieves the above-stated objectives.

[0019] Bed 10 comprises a base frame unit 12 which has legs, such as leg 14, two side frame elements 16 and 18, two cross frame elements 20 and 22, a longitudinal axis 24 which extends between the two cross frame elements 20, 22, and a transverse axis 30 which extends between the two side frame elements 16, 18. The side frame elements 16, 18 and the cross frame elements 20, 22 are all co-planar with each other.

[0020] A mattress/box spring elevator unit 40 is mounted on base frame unit 12 and includes a plurality of links, such as link 42. Each link has a first end 44, which is a proximal end when elevator unit 40 is in use, and a second end 46, which is a distal end when elevator unit 40 is in use. Each link further includes a longitudinal axis 48 which extends between first end 44 and distal end 46 of each link. Each link further includes a proximal end pivot pin 50 which pivotally connects the proximal end 44 of each link 42 to a side frame element 16, 18 of base frame unit 12. Each link is movably mounted on base frame unit 12 to move between a stored position, indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 3, having longitudinal axis 48 extending in the direction of longitudinal axis 24 of base frame unit 12 and being located in the plane containing the side frame elements 16, 18 and the cross frame elements 20, 22 and a deployed position, shown in FIG. 1, having longitudinal axis 48 extending away from the plane containing the side frame elements 16, 18 and the cross frame elements 20, 22 with the distal end 46 of each link located spaced apart from the plane containing the side frame elements 16, 18 and the cross frame elements 20, 22. Each link further includes a distal end pivot pin 60.

[0021] A first subframe unit 70 is mounted on links 42 to be movable therewith as indicated by arrows 72 in FIG. 3. First subframe unit 70 includes two side frame elements 74 and 76. Each side frame element 74, 76 of the first subframe unit 70 is pivotally connected to the links by the distal end pivot pins 60.

[0022] A plurality of cross frame elements, such as cross frame element 78, are connected to the two side frame elements 74, 76 of first subframe unit 70. Side frame elements 74 and 76 and cross frame elements 78 of first subframe unit 70 are located in a common plane with each other.

[0023] As indicated by arrow 80, first subframe unit 70 is movable between a stored location closely adjacent to the plane containing the side frame elements 16, 18 and the cross frame elements 20, 22 of base frame unit 12 and a deployed position shown in FIG. 3, spaced apart from the plane containing the side frame elements 16, 18 and the cross frame elements 20, 22 of base frame unit 12.

[0024] A second subframe unit 90 includes two side frame elements 92 and 94 and a plurality of cross frame elements, such as cross frame element 96. The side frame elements 92, 94 and cross frame elements 96 of second subframe unit 90 are located in a common plane with each other.

[0025] A turntable element 100 rotatably connects first subframe unit 70 to second subframe unit 90 so that the first subframe unit 70 can rotate with respect to the second subframe unit 90 as indicated in FIG. 1 by arrow 102. Turntable element 100 can be a thrust bearing or like element.

[0026] Mattress/box spring elevator unit 40 further includes a plurality of springs, such as spring 110. Each spring has a first end 112 attached to base frame unit 12 and a second end 114 attached to first subframe unit 70. Each spring is biased to bias first subframe unit 70 towards the deployed position. A stop, such as stop 116, can be located adjacent to each link to control movement of that link.

[0027] Use of bed 10 can be understood from the foregoing teaching, and thus will only be briefly discussed. A mattress M and a box spring S are supported on mattress/box spring elevator unit 40 as shown in FIG. 4. When bedding is to be changed, mattress/box spring elevator unit 40 is elevated in the direction indicated by arrows 72 in FIG. 3, and then second subframe unit 90 is rotated with respect to first subframe unit 70 as indicated by arrow 102 in FIG. 1 to orient the mattress and box spring in a desired position and orientation. After the bedding is changed, the process is reversed to replace the mattress and box spring in position on base frame unit 12.

[0028] It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.