WO2016126197A1

WO2016126197A1 - An adjustable hardness bed

Info

Publication number: WO2016126197A1
Application number: PCT/SE2016/050086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomas MATTSON
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-05
Filing date: 2016-02-04
Publication date: 2016-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-05
Also published as: EP3253257A1; SE1550120A1; SE540591C2; EP3253257A4; ES2753166T3; EP3253257B1

Abstract

Adjustable bed comprising a bed frame comprising a primary base plate (2) a resilient mattress (7) arranged on top of the primary base plate (2), and at least a lifting arrangement (6) comprising a secondary base plate (5), arranged between the primary base plate (2) and the resilient mattress (7). At least one motor (8) is arranged for lifting the secondary base plate (5), and the lifting arrangement (6) further comprises first and second lever arm mechanisms (9, 10), connected to the motor (8) and arranged to lift the secondary base plate (5) in relation to the primary base plate (2), Guiding arrangements (24) are arranged to connect the secondary base plate (5) to the primary base plate (2) and to guide the secondary base (5) during a lifting operation between first, second and third positions.

Description

AN ADJUSTABLE HARDNESS BED

Technical field

[0001 ] The present invention relates generally to an adjustable bed according to the preamble of claim 1 .

Background art

[0002] In many beds, the hardness of the mattress surface is uniform throughout the whole upper surface. A person lying in the bed gives rise to different

depression depending on which body part that is supported, so if the internal stress throughout the complete mattress is constant a depression depth depend on the weight of the body it is supporting.

[0003] Beds in e.g. hotels, medical services etc., used by several different persons need universal properties which may suit the majority of their users.

Different users need different personal properties of the mattress to suit their personal needs and to achieve good sleeping comfort. One such personal property is the stiffness of the mattress which may depend on the user's weight, length and is also a matter of personal opinion. Further, there is also the need of more or less support for different body parts, e.g. shoulders, back, hip, legs which depend on body shape and weight. The sleeping or resting position the user has taken, on the back, the side etc., is another factor needed to take into

consideration when the personal properties of the mattress of a bed shall be established.

[0004] In prior art there are known beds with adjustable surface hardness, i.e. the internal stiffness of the mattress, such that a person lying in the bed may adjust the mattress support for the back, hip, legs etc. to correspond to their personal needs. Drawbacks with a majority these prior art documents are that their design are complicated, include several parts that shall interact with each other, and as a consequence of this they are expensive to manufacture. Summary of invention

[0005J An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable bed intended to solve the above mentioned drawbacks.

[0006] The adjustable bed according to the invention comprises a bed frame comprising a primary base plate, a resilient mattress arranged on top of the primary base plate, at least a lifting arrangement comprising a secondary base plate, arranged between the primary base plate and the resilient mattress, and at least one motor arranged for lifting the secondary base plate. The lifting

arrangement further comprises first and second lever arm mechanisms, connected to the motor and arranged to lift the secondary base plate in relation to the primary base plate and guiding arrangements arranged to connect the secondary base plate to the primary base plate and to guide the secondary base during a lifting operation between first, second and third positions.

[0007] The guiding arrangements comprises scissor arms which are pivotally arranged in one end to the primary base plate and the secondary base plate and slidably arranged in one end to the primary base plate and secondary base plate in elongated slots. The scissor arms are pivotally attached to each other.

[0008] The primary base plate or the primary and secondary base plates of the lifting arrangements are provided with elongated second apertures through which the scissor arms may extend in the first position, the second position and the third position.

[0009] The first and second lever arm mechanisms of the lifting arrangement are arranged in the vicinity of or along longitudinal sides of the bed frame. Further the first and second lever arm mechanisms of the lifting arrangement, are arranged below the primary and secondary base plates, in a rest position, and below and partially above the primary base plate, in an active position.

[0010] The primary base plate is provided with elongated first apertures through which the lever arms protrude and abut against the secondary base plate in the active position. [001 1 ] The lifting arrangement comprises an axle shaft connected to and driven by the motor and is arranged to drive both the first and second lever arm mechanisms. The lever arm mechanisms comprises first and second lever arms which are provided with wheels arranged to abut against the secondary base plate, during a lifting motion.

[001 2] The resilient mattress is preferably a pocket spring mattress or a viscoelastic foam mattress or a cold foam mattress.

[001 3] The motor is a conventional motor used for vertically adjustable beds. Brief description of drawings

[0014] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[001 5] Fig. 1 shows a plan view from below of a bed according to the invention,

[001 6] Fig. 2 shows a section view A-A, according to Fig. 1 , in a first position, seen from a longitudinal side of the bed according to the invention,

[001 7] Fig. 3 shows a section view A-A, according to Fig. 1 , in a second position, seen from a longitudinal side of the bed according to the invention, and

[001 8] Fig. 4 shows a view A-A, according to Fig. 1 , in a third position, seen from a longitudinal side of the bed according to the invention.

Description of embodiments

[001 9] In the description below, various directions will be given with reference to a bed standing on its legs. Example of such directions may be up, down etc..

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a bed from below according to the invention. The bed comprises a frame 1 arranged around the bed. The bed frame 1 comprises a primary base plate 2 arranged as a supporting structure for a mattress (not shown) and arranged on top of the primary base plate 2. Preferably the primary base plate 2 extends along longitudinal inner sides 3 and transversal inner sides 4 of the bed frame 1 . Further, the bed comprises at least a secondary base plate 5 and a lifting arrangement 6 for each secondary base plate 5, The numbers of secondary base plates 5 depend on the number of zones of the bed that shall be possible to adjust. The lifting arrangement 6 is arranged to lift and adjust the secondary base plate 5 in an essentially vertical direction in relation to the bed frame 1 . In Fig. 1 there are shown two lifting arrangements 6 which are inverted in relation to each other, this in order to comply with a general motor 8.

[0021 ] The mattress 7 (see Fig. 2} is arranged on top of the bed frame 1 .

Preferably, the mattress 7 is also fixedly attached to the bed frame 7, this to remain in position on top of the bed frame 1 during a lifting operation. The mattress 7 is a resilient mattress e.g. a pocket spring mattress, a viscoelastic foam mattress etc.

[0022] The lifting arrangement 6 comprises at least one motor 8 arranged for lifting of the secondary base plate 5 in relation to the primary base plate 2. The motor 8 is preferably an electrical motor. The motor 8 is preferably a mass produced conventional motor, which normally is used for vertically adjustable beds.

[0023] The motor 8 is arranged to operate the lifting arrangement 6 between a first, a second and a third position. The first position is a rest position for the lifting arrangements 6, i.e. when the secondary base plate 5 is in its lowermost position, abutting against or in the vicinity of the primary base plate 2. The second position is an active position for the lifting arrangements 6, i.e. when the secondary base plate 5 is lifted by any amount above the primary base plate 2 and located anywhere above the lowermost position and the third position which is the uppermost position. Further, the upper most position is defined by the

configuration of the lifting arrangement 6.

[0024] The lifting arrangement 6 further comprises first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10, connected to the motor 8 and arranged to lift the secondary base plate 5 in relation to the primary base plate 2 and to regulate the internal pressure of the mattress 7. The first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10 are of identical design, arranged on both sides of the motor 8. The first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10 are connected to each other by means of an axle shaft 1 1 which is connected to and driven by the motor 8. In other words, the axle shaft 1 1 is arranged to drive both the first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10 in a synchronous manner. The axle shaft 1 1 may for example be provided with a gearwheel (not shown) and the motor 8 with a rack (not shown), which mesh in with each other when the motor 8 is operated.

[0025] Each of the first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10 comprises at least first and second lever arms12, 13, whereof each is provided with a wheel 14, 15 in its outermost end, arranged to abut against a lower side 18 of the secondary base plate 5, when a lifting motion is performed.

[0026] The first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10 are arranged in the vicinity of or along longitudinal sides of the bed frame 1 , this to create a stabile configuration during a lifting operation. The primary base plate 2 is provided with elongated first apertures 17 through which the first and second lever arms 12, 13 protrude and abut against the secondary base plate 5 when a lifting operation is performed. The elongated first apertures 17 are arranged above the first and second lever arms 12, 13, such that the first and second lever arms 12, 13 may protrude through the elongated first apertures 17, when a lifting motion is performed.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows a section view A-A, in a first position of the lifting

arrangement 6, seen from a longitudinal side of the bed. The section view of Fig. 2 shows one of the first or second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10, which are arranged below the primary and secondary base plates 2, 5 in the first position. The primary and secondary base plates 2, 5 are arranged to abut against each other or be in the vicinity of each other with a minor distance in between, in the first position.

[0028] The first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10, comprise several lever arms 12, 13. A first 12 of the lever arms of the first and second lever arms mechanisms 9, 10 is fixedly attached to the axle shaft 1 1 , driven by the motor. A second 13 of the lever arms of the first and second lever arms mechanisms 9, 10 is fixedly attached to a pivot shaft 18. The axle shaft 1 1 and the pivot shaft 18 are attached to the primary base plate 2 of the bed frame 1 by means of brackets 19 (shown in Fig. 1 ). The axle shaft 1 1 and the pivot shaft 18 are connected to each other by means of a linkage mechanism 20. The linkage mechanism 20 comprises a first linkage arm 21 which is fixedly attached to the axle shaft 1 1 and a second linkage arm 22 which is fixedly attached to the pivot shaft 18. The first and second linkage arms 21 , 22 are connected to each other by means of a connecting linkage arm 23, which connecting linkage arm 23 is pivotally attached to the first and second linkage arms 21 , 22 of the linkage mechanism 20. The first and second lever arms 12, 13 are provided with wheels 14, 15 in their outermost free ends. The wheels 14, 15 may protrude into the elongated first apertures provided in the primary base plate, in the first position.

[0029J The first and second lever arms 9, 10 and the linkage mechanism arms 21 , 22, 23 are attached to their respective shaft 1 1 , 18 in an angular relationship, which is defined by the stroke of the engine 8. The amount of vertical adjustment is determined by the length of the lever arms 3, 10. The maximal length of a stroke for the lifting arrangement is preferably between 50-150 mm.

[0030] The primary and secondary base plates 2, 5 are coupled to and guided in relation to each other by means of a guiding arrangement 24. The guiding arrangement 24 comprises two pairs of scissor arms 25, 31 arranged on each of the longitudinal sides of the bed. The scissor arms 25, 31 are pivotally arranged in one end to the primary base plate 2 and the secondary base plate 5 and slidably arranged in one end to the primary base plate 2 and the secondary base plate 5 in elongated slots 26. Thus, the elongated slots 26 are provided in brackets 27, and the elongated slots 26 comprise a first end and a second end 28, 29. The pivotable attachment and the slidable attachment of the scissor arms 25, 31 to the primary and secondary base plates 2, 5 are made by means of the brackets 27, 32 attached to the primary and the secondary base plate 2, 5. Further, the scissor arms 25, 31 are pivotally attached to each other. [0031 ] In the first position the scissors arms 25, 31 are arranged in the area of the first end 28 of the elongated slots 26 and in the second position the scissor arms 25, 31 are located somewhere in between the vicinity of the first end 28 and the second end 29 of the elongated slots 26.

[0032J The first and second lever arm mechanisms 9, 10 are arranged to lift the secondary base plate 5, and the guiding arrangement 24 in the form of the scissor arms 25, 31 is arranged to physically connect the secondary base plate 5 to the primary base plate 2. The guiding arrangement 24 is also arranged to guide and stabilize the secondary base plate 5, during a lifting operation, both in longitudinal and transversal direction in relation to the bed frame 1 ,

[0033] The primary base plate 2 or the primary and the secondary base plates 2, 5 are provided with elongated second apertures 30 through which the scissor arms 25, 31 may extend in the first and/or the second position, see Fig, 1 ,

[0034] Fig. 3 shows the section view A-A, in the second position with a medium elevation, seen from a longitudinal side of the bed, and Fig. 4 shows the section view A-A, in the third position with a maximum elevation, seen from a longitudinal side of the bed.

[0035] In use the adjustable bed is operated between the first position seen in Fig. 2 and second and third positions seen in Fig. 3 and 4. In the first position the wheels 14, 15 in the outer ends of the first and second lever arms 12, 13 are not in contact with a lower side 16 of the secondary base plate 5. Thus, in the first position the bed is as an ordinary bed. When the motor runs the axle shaft 1 1 is turned, and the lifting arrangement 6 is activated and the wheels 14, 15 of the first and second lever arms 12, 13 protrude through the first elongated apertures 17 and will abut and roll against the lower side 16 of the secondary base plate 5, and the secondary plate 5 is raised in a vertical direction, and will thus press the mattress 7 (not shown in Fig. 3 and 4) against a person lying in the bed. During the lifting motion the guiding arrangement 24 will protrude through the first elongated apertures 17 when maneuvered between the first and second position. Thus, the guiding arrangement 24 will only guide the second base plate 5 during the vertical movement, and does not in any way carry up any weight. Thus, it is the lifting arrangement 6 that is carrying the load from the mattress 7 and the weight of the occupant of the bed.

[0036J The person lying in the bed will act as an anvil for the lifting arrangement 6 in operation. When the secondary base plate 5 is moved in a vertical direction, the compression of the mattress is increased and changed and thus the material of the mattress 7 becomes more dense and stiff. Thus, the user will experience the mattress 7 as more firm and stiff, and the mattress 7 will give more stabilizing support for that particular body part, that is placed above the raised secondary base plate 5 in question. Thus, the personal properties of the mattress 7 may be adjusted independently of the original stiffness of the mattress 7. Similarly, the compression of the mattress may be decreased when the lifting arrangement 6 is lowered, between first, second and third position.

[0037J By means of the lifting arrangement 6 the scale of hardness for the mattress may be changed from soft to hard, and vice versa, where a number one may be hard and a number five may be soft on that scale, or vice versa. Thus, when the lifting arrangement 8 is activated the hardness of the mattress may be stiff, more or less, in one part and soft in another part of the bed, or in any other desirable configuration.

Claims

1 . An adjustable bed comprising:

- a bed frame (1 ) comprising a primary base plate (2),

- a resilient mattress (7) arranged on top of the primary base plate (2),

- at least a lifting arrangement (6) comprising a secondary base plate (5), arranged between the primary base plate (2) and the resilient mattress (7), and

- at least one motor (8) arranged for lifting the secondary base plate (5), characterized in that

the lifting arrangement (6) further comprises

- first and second lever arm mechanisms (9, 10), connected to the motor (8) and arranged to lift the secondary base plate (5) in relation to the primary base plate (2), and

- guiding arrangements (24) arranged to connect the secondary base plate (5) to the primary base plate (2) and to guide the secondary base (5) during a lifting operation between first, second and third positions.

2. Adjustable bed according to claim 1 , wherein the guiding arrangements (24) comprises scissor arms (25, 31 ) which are pivotally arranged in one end to the primary base plate (2) and the secondary base plate (5) and slidably arranged in one end to the primary base plate (2) and secondary base plate (5) in elongated slots (26),

3. Adjustable bed according to claim 2, wherein the scissor arms (25, 31 ) are pivotally attached to each other,

4. Adjustable bed according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the primary base plate (2) or the primary and secondary base plates (2, 5) of the lifting arrangements (6) are provided with elongated second apertures (30) through which the scissor arms (25, 31 ) may extend in the first position, the second position and the third position.

5. Adjustable bed according claim 1 -4, wherein the first and second lever arm mechanisms (9, 10) of the lifting arrangement (6) are arranged in the vicinity of or along longitudinal sides (3) of the bed frame (1 ).

8. Adjustable bed according to claim 1 -5, wherein the first and second lever arm mechanisms (9, 10) of the lifting arrangement (6), are arranged below the primary and secondary base plates (2, 5), in a rest position, and below and partially above the primary base plate (2), in an active position.

7. Adjustable bed according to claim 1 -6, wherein the primary base plate (2) is provided with elongated first apertures (17) through which the lever arms (12, 13) protrude and abut against the secondary base plate (5) in the active position,

8. Adjustable bed according to claim 1 -7, wherein the lifting arrangement (6) comprises an axle shaft (1 1 ) connected to and driven by the motor (8) and is arranged to drive both the first and second lever arm mechanisms (9, 10).

9. Adjustable bed according to claim 1 -8, wherein the lever arm

mechanisms (9, 10) comprises first and second lever arms (12, 13) which are provided with wheels (14, 15) arranged to abut against the secondary base plate (5), during a lifting motion.

10. Adjustable bed according to claim 1 -9, wherein the resilient mattress (7) is a pocket spring mattress or a viscoelastic foam mattress or cold foam mattress

1 1 . Adjustable bed according claim 1 -10, wherein the motor (8) is an electrical motor used for vertically adjustable beds.