Single motor fully adjustable bed

• US 6,000,077 A
• Filed: 07/14/1998
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David R. Cyr
• Original Assignee: David R. Cyr
• Inventors: Cyr, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grosz, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US09/114,375
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 5/618, 5/613, 5/616, 5/617, 5/611, 5/600, 74/665 F, 74/89.17, 192/48.2
• US Class Current: 5/618
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/041 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/042 by means of screw-and-nut mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18808 with rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19074 Single drive plural driven

Abstract

A drive unit for adjustable beds of the type which have movable head and leg sections, and adjustable height, comprises a unidirectional, rotary motor, and a drive shaft for each adjustable bed function. The driveshafts are selectively rotated in opposite directions by the motor. A pair of solenoids operably couple the motor with the driveshafts, interchangeably, or alternatively with a linear tracking gear, and thereby adjust the configuration of the bed.

Claims

1. A fully adjustable bed having an adjustable head section, and adjustable leg section and adjustable overall height, the bed comprising:

a linearly movable motor;

at least three separate drive shafts, a first drive shaft for controlling the adjustable head section, a second drive shaft for controlling the adjustable leg section, and a third drive shaft for controlling the height of the platform of the bed;

means for positioning the motor adjacent a selected drive shaft; and

means for selectively coupling the motor with the selected drive shaft, whereby the motor accomplishes desired adjustment of head section, leg section and overall height.

2. The bed of claim 1 wherein the means for positioning the motor adjacent a selected drive shaft comprises a linear track extending between the drive shafts and a gear portion coupled to the linear track and engageable with the motor, whereby upon engagement of the gear portion and the motor, the motor can be positioned along the track adjacent the selected drive shaft as desired.

3. The bed of claim 1 wherein the means for positioning the motor adjacent a selected drive shaft comprises a sub-drive assembly.

4. The bed of claim 1 further comprising a controller which prevents simultaneous linear motion of the motor while coupled to any one of the drive shafts adjusting the head section, leg section or overall height of the bed.

5. The bed of claim 4 in which the controller comprises a synchronized, opposing action pair of solenoid switches.

6. The bed of claim 1 in which the at least three driveshafts have distinctively shaped ends and the means for selectively coupling the motor with the selected drive shaft includes correspondingly distinctively shaped connecting portion, thereby securely coupling the motor and the selected driveshaft.

7. The bed of claim 1 in which the at least three driveshafts have tapered ends, thereby securely coupling the motor and the selected driveshaft.