Articulating bed frame

• US 6,006,379 A
• Filed: 04/22/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hill-Rom Services Incorporated (Baxter International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Patmark Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Hensley, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melius, Terry Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hewitt, James M.
• Application Number:
  US09/064,292
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 5/613, 5/616, 5/617, 5/618, 297/344.18, 297/440.24, 248/188.5, 248/188.4, 248/188.8
• US Class Current: 5/618
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/041 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/08 with means for adjusting two or more rests simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 5/915 with vibrating means

Abstract

The bed frame includes a base frame and an articulating upper frame. The base frame includes a head end, a foot end and oppositely-disposed longitudinally extending sides. The articulating upper frame or deck comprises an upper body section, a seat section, a thigh section, and a lower leg section. These frame sections are longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extended, and at least the upper body, thigh and lower leg sections are movable with respect to the seat section to provide for the articulating movement. The articulating upper frame is mounted on the base frame for longitudinal shifting of the articulating upper frame relative to the base frame. A drive assembly for raising and lowering the upper body section relative to the base frame includes linkage connected to the upper body section such that, tilting movement of the upper body section shifts the articulating upper frame longitudinally relative to the base frame. A second drive assembly for raising and lowering the thigh section relative to the base frame includes linkage connected to the lower leg section such that, when the thigh section tilts upwardly, the lower leg section tilts downwardly. In accordance with further aspects of the bed frame, a drive assembly for longitudinal shifting of the upper frame relative to the base frame includes linkage connected to the upper body section such that longitudinal shifting of the upper frame relative to the base frame results in tilting movement of the upper body section.

Claims

1. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides,

(b) a carriage mounted on the base frame for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame mounted on the carriage and comprising an upper body frame section, a seat frame section, a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section, the upper body, seat, thigh and lower leg frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending with at least the upper body frame section movable relative to the base frame to provide for articulating movement thereof,

(d) a first drive assembly for raising and lowering the upper body frame section relative to the base frame, the first drive assembly including a first linkage assembly connected to the articulating upper frame such that, tilting movement of the upper body frame section shifts the articulating upper frame longitudinally relative to the base frame,

wherein the base frame includes four corner posts rigidly attached to the longitudinally extending sides to form a floor engaging base frame, wherein the floor engaging base frame, carriage and articulating upper frame are separable to be assembled upon delivery, wherein each corner post includes an outer sleeve rigidly attached to the floor engaging base frame and a telescoping inner sleeve which is movable downwardly to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor, wherein each telescoping inner sleeve has a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, wherein each outer sleeve includes a selector pin disposed on a leaf spring mounted on the outer sleeve, wherein the selector pin engages a selected one of the openings in the inner sleeve to allow raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to the floor, wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an adjustable pad leveler, and wherein each pad leveler includes a threaded stem secured to an insert mounted to an end of each of the inner sleeves.

2. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides,

(b) a carriage mounted on the base frame for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame mounted on the carriage and comprising an upper body frame section, a seat frame section, a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section, the upper body, seat, thigh and lower leg frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending with at least the upper body frame section movable relative to the base frame to provide for articulating movement thereof,

(d) a first drive assembly for raising and lowering the upper body frame section relative to the base frame, the first drive assembly including a first linkage assembly connected to the articulating upper frame such that, tilting movement of the upper body frame section shifts the articulating upper frame longitudinally relative to the base frame,

wherein the base frame includes four corner posts rigidly attached to the longitudinally extending sides to form a floor engaging base frame, wherein the floor engaging base frame, carriage and articulating upper frame are separable to be assembled upon delivery, wherein each corner post includes an outer sleeve rigidly attached to the floor engaging base frame and a telescoping inner sleeve which is movable downwardly to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor, wherein each telescoping inner sleeve has a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, wherein each outer sleeve includes a selector pin disposed on a leaf spring mounted on the outer sleeve, wherein the selector pin engages a selected one of the openings in the inner sleeve to allow raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to the floor, wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an isolation pad assembly to isolate the floor engaging base frame from the floor, and wherein each isolation pad assembly comprises a housing forming a cavity, an elastomeric material disposed in the cavity, a load bearing washer coupled to the elastomeric material and secured to the respective inner sleeve.

3. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides and, at each of its sides, a longitudinally extending guide track,

(b) a carriage mounted on the guide tracks for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame mounted on the carriage and comprising an upper body frame section, a seat frame section, a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section, the upper body, seat, thigh and lower leg frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending with at least the upper body, thigh and lower leg frame sections hinged together to provide for articulating movement thereof,

(d) a drive assembly for raising and lowering the upper body frame section relative to the seat section, the drive assembly including linkage connected to the base frame and the articulating body frame section such that, tilting movement of the upper body frame section shifts the articulating upper frame longitudinally relative the base frame,

wherein the base frame includes four corner posts rigidly attached to the longitudinally extending sides to form a floor engaging base frame, wherein the floor engaging base frame, carriage and articulating upper frame are separable to be assembled upon delivery, wherein each corner post includes an outer sleeve rigidly attached to the floor engaging base frame and a telescoping inner sleeve which is movable downwardly to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor, wherein each telescoping inner sleeve has a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, wherein each outer sleeve includes a selector pin disposed on a leaf spring mounted on the outer sleeve, wherein the selector pin engages a selected one of the openings in the inner sleeve to allow raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor, wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an isolation pad assembly to isolate the floor engaging base frame from the floor, and wherein each isolation pad assembly comprises a housing forming a cavity, an elastomeric material disposed in the cavity, a load bearing washer coupled to the elastomeric material and secured to the respective inner sleeve.

4. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides and, at each of its sides, a longitudinally extending guide track,

(b) a carriage mounted on the guide tracks for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame mounted on the carriage and comprising an upper body frame section, a seat frame section, a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section, the upper body, seat, thigh and lower leg frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending with at least the upper body, thigh and lower leg frame sections hinged together to provide for articulating movement of at least the upper body, thigh and lower leg frame sections,

(d) a drive assembly for raising and lowering the upper body frame section relative to the seat frame section and for raising and lowering the thigh frame section relative to the seat frame section, the drive assembly being connected to the base frame and the upper frame such that, tilting movement of the upper body frame section upwardly will shift the upper frame longitudinally toward the head end of the base frame and tilting movement of the upper body frame section downwardly will shift the upper frame longitudinally toward the foot end of the base frame,

wherein the base frame includes four corner posts rigidly attached to the longitudinally extending sides to form a floor engaging base frame, wherein the floor engaging base frame, the carriage and the articulating upper frame are separable to be assembled upon delivery, wherein each corner post includes an outer sleeve rigidly attached to the floor engaging base frame and a telescoping inner sleeve which is movable downwardly to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor, wherein each telescoping inner sleeve has a plurality of vertically spaced apart openings therein, wherein each outer sleeve includes a selector pin disposed on a leaf spring mounted on the outer sleeve, wherein the selector pin engages a selected one of the openings in the inner sleeve to allow raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to the floor, wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an isolation pad assembly to isolate the floor engaging base frame from the floor, and wherein each isolation pad assembly comprises a housing forming a cavity, an elastomeric material disposed in the cavity, a load bearing washer coupled to the elastomeric material and secured to the respective inner sleeve.

5. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides,

(b) a carriage mounted on the base frame for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame comprising at least an upper body frame section and a seat frame section, the upper body and seat frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending with the upper body frame section movable relative to the seat frame section to provide articulating movement thereof with respect to the seat frame section and with the seat frame section being mounted on the carriage for motion therewith,

(d) a first drive assembly, operatively connected between the carriage and the base frame, for longitudinally shifting the carriage relative to the base frame, and

(e) a first linkage assembly connected to the upper body frame section and the base frame such that longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame results in articulating movement of the upper body frame section with respect to the seat frame section.

6. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein the upper body frame section is hinged to the seat frame section about an axis disposed between the upper body frame section and the seat frame section.

7. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein the first linkage assembly connected to the upper body frame section and the base frame causes the upper body frame section to tilt upwardly when the carriage shifts longitudinally toward the head end of the bed, and causes the upper body frame section to tilt downwardly when the carriage shifts longitudinally toward the foot end of the bed.

8. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein at least the upper body and seat frame sections comprise a frame section and a removable panel section to be assembled in the frame section upon delivery to provide a platform for supporting a mattress.

9. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein the base frame, the carriage and the articulating upper frame are separable to be assembled upon delivery, the first drive assembly being mounted on one of the carriage and the base frame to be connected to the other one of the carriage and the base frame during assembly, and the first linkage assembly being mounted on one of the upper body frame section and the base frame to be connected to the other one of the upper body frame section and the base frame during assembly.

10. The bed frame of claim 9 wherein the longitudinally extending sides of the base frame are configured to form inwardly opening channels serving as guide tracks for rollers mounted on the carriage to facilitate assembly of the carriage to the base frame and to accommodate longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame.

11. The bed frame of claim 10 wherein at least the upper body and seat frame sections comprise a frame section and a removable panel section to be assembled in the frame section upon delivery to provide a platform for supporting a mattress.

12. The bed frame of claim 11 wherein each of the upper body and seat frame sections comprises inwardly and upwardly opening frame elements forming a well for receiving a removable panel section.

13. The bed frame of claim 12 wherein each of the panel sections is made from a plywood or chipboard base.

14. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein each of the upper body and seat frame sections comprises a panel section, the panel sections being hinged together to provide a platform for supporting a mattress and for permitting the articulating movement of the upper body frame section.

15. The bed frame of claim 14 wherein each of the panel sections is made from a plywood or chipboard base.

16. The bed frame of claim 5 for use with a conventional bed frame, wherein the base frame is proportioned and designed to be mounted on top of a conventional bed frame to replace a conventional box spring.

17. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein the base frame includes four corner posts attached to the longitudinally extending sides to form a floor engaging base frame, the floor engaging base frame, the carriage and the articulating upper frame being separable to be assembled upon delivery.

18. The bed frame of claim 17 wherein each corner post includes an outer sleeve attached to the floor engaging base frame and a telescoping inner sleeve which is movable downwardly to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor.

19. The bed frame of claim 18 wherein each telescoping inner sleeve has a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, and wherein each outer sleeve includes a selector pin disposed on a leaf spring mounted on the outer sleeve, the selector pin engaging a selected one of the openings in the inner sleeve to allow raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to the floor.

20. The bed frame of claim 19 wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an adjustable pad leveler.

21. The bed frame of claim 20 wherein each pad leveler includes a threaded stem secured to an insert mounted to an end of each of the inner sleeves.

22. The bed frame of claim 18 wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an isolation pad assembly to isolate the floor engaging base frame from the floor.

23. The bed frame of claim 22 wherein each isolation pad assembly comprises a housing forming a cavity, an elastomeric material disposed in the cavity, a load bearing washer coupled to the elastomeric material and secured to the respective inner sleeve.

24. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein the longitudinally extending sides of the base frame are configured to form inwardly opening channels serving as guide tracks for rollers mounted on the carriage to accommodate longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame.

25. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein the articulating upper frame also includes a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section which the thigh and lower leg frame sections are also movable with respect to each other to provide for articulating movement thereof, the bed frame further including a second drive assembly for raising and lowering the thigh frame section relative to the seat frame section and a second linkage assembly connected to the lower leg frame section such that tilting movement of the thigh frame section tilts the lower leg frame section relative to the base frame.

26. The bed frame of claim 25 wherein the second linkage assembly is connected between the lower leg frame section and the carriage such that when the thigh frame section is tilted upwardly, the second linkage assembly tilts the lower leg frame section downwardly and such that when the thigh frame section is tilted downwardly, the second linkage assembly tilts the lower leg frame section to a horizontal position.

27. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides and, at each of its sides, a longitudinally extending guide track,

(b) a carriage mounted on the guide tracks for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame comprising an upper body frame section, a seat frame section, a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section, the upper body, seat, thigh and lower leg frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending with at least the upper body, thigh and lower leg frame sections movable to provide for articulating movement thereof, the seat frame section being mounted on the carriage for motion therewith,

(d) a first drive assembly, operatively connected between the carriage and the base frame, for longitudinally shifting the carriage relative to the base frame, and

(e) a first linkage assembly connected to the upper body frame section and the base frame such that longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame results in the articulating movement of the upper body frame section with respect to the seat frame section.

28. The bed frame of claim 27, wherein the upper body frame section is hinged to the seat frame section about an axis disposed between the upper body frame section and the seat frame section.

29. The bed frame of claim 27, wherein the first linkage assembly connected to the upper body frame section and the base frame causes the upper body frame section to tilt upwardly when the carriage shifts longitudinally toward the head end of the bed, and causes the upper body frame section to tilt downwardly when the carriage shifts longitudinally toward the foot end of the bed.

30. The bed frame of claim 27 wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section includes a removable panel section respectively wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section comprises inwardly and upwardly opening frame elements forming a well for receiving said respective removable panel section, wherein the frame elements and the removable panel sections provide a platform for supporting a mattress.

31. The bed frame of claim 27 wherein the base frame, the carriage and the articulating upper frame are separable to be assembled upon delivery, the carriage comprising rollers which engage and roll in the guide tracks to accommodate longitudinal shifting of the carriage, the first drive assembly being mounted on one of the carriage and the base frame to be connected to the other one of the carriage and the base frame during assembly, and the first linkage assembly being mounted on one of the upper body frame section and the base frame to be connected to the other one of the upper body frame section and the base frame during assembly.

32. The bed frame of claim 31 wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section comprises inwardly and upwardly opening frame elements forming a well for receiving a removable panel section, wherein the frame elements and the removable panel sections provide a platform for supporting a mattress.

33. The bed frame of claim 32 wherein each of the panel sections is made from a plywood or chipboard base.

34. The bed frame of claim 27 wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section comprises a panel section, the panel sections being hinged together to provide a platform for supporting a mattress and for permitting the articulating movement of at least the upper body frame section.

35. The bed frame of claim 34 wherein each of the panel sections is made from a plywood or chipboard base.

36. The bed frame of claim 27 for use with a conventional bed frame, wherein the base frame is proportioned and designed to be mounted on top of a conventional bed frame to replace a conventional box spring.

37. The bed frame of claim 27 wherein the base frame includes four corner posts attached to the longitudinally extending sides to form a floor engaging base frame, the floor engaging base frame, the carriage and the articulating upper frame being separable to be assembled upon delivery.

38. The bed frame of claim 37 wherein each corner post includes an outer sleeve attached to the floor engaging base frame and a telescoping inner sleeve which is movable downwardly to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor.

39. The bed frame of claim 38 wherein each telescoping inner sleeve has a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, and wherein each outer sleeve includes a selector pin disposed on a leaf spring mounted on the outer sleeve, the selector pin engaging a selected one of the openings in the inner sleeve to allow raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor.

40. The bed frame of claim 39 wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an adjustable pad leveler.

41. The bed frame of claim 40 wherein each pad leveler includes a threaded stem secured to an insert mounted to an end of each of the inner sleeves.

42. The bed frame of claim 38 wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an isolation pad assembly to isolate the floor engaging base frame from the floor.

43. The bed frame of claim 42 wherein each isolation pad assembly comprises a housing forming a cavity, an elastomeric material disposed in the cavity, a load bearing washer coupled to the elastomeric material and secured to the respective inner sleeve.

44. The bed frame of claim 27 wherein the bed frame further includes a second drive assembly for raising and lowering the thigh frame section relative to the seat frame section and a second linkage assembly connected to the lower leg frame section such that tilting movement of the thigh frame section tilts the lower leg frame section relative to the base frame.

45. The bed frame of claim 44 wherein the second linkage assembly is connected to the lower leg frame section and the carriage such that when the thigh frame section is tilted upwardly, the second linkage assembly tilts the lower leg frame section downwardly and such that when the thigh frame section tilts downwardly, the second linkage assembly tilts the lower leg frame section to a horizontal position.

46. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides and, at each of its sides, a longitudinally extending guide track,

(b) a carriage mounted on the guide tracks for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame comprising an upper body frame section, a seat frame section, a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section, the upper body, seat, thigh and leg frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending and disposed to provide for articulating movement of at least the upper body, thigh and lower leg frame sections, the seat frame section being mounted on the carriage for motion therewith,

(d) a first drive assembly, operatively connected between the carriage and the base frame, for longitudinally shifting the carriage relative to the base frame,

(e) a first linkage assembly connected to the upper body frame section and the base frame such that longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame results in tilting movement of the upper body frame section with respect to the seat frame section,

(f) a second drive assembly for raising and lowering the thigh frame section relative to the seat frame section, and

(g) a second linkage assembly connected to the lower leg frame section and the carriage such that tilting movement of the thigh frame section tilts the lower leg frame section relative to the base frame.

47. The bed frame of claim 46 wherein the first linkage assembly connected to the upper body frame section and the base frame causes the upper body frame section to tilt upwardly when the carriage shifts longitudinally toward the head end of the bed and causes the upper body frame section to tilt downwardly when the carriage shifts longitudinally toward the foot end of the bed.

48. The bed frame of claim 46 wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section includes a removable panel section respectively wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section comprises inwardly and upwardly opening frame elements forming a well for receiving said respective removable panel section, wherein the frame elements and the removable panel sections provide a platform for supporting a mattress.

49. The bed frame of claim 46 wherein the base frame, the carriage and the articulating upper frame are separable to be assembled upon delivery, the carriage comprising rollers which engage and roll in the guide tracks to accommodate longitudinal shifting of the carriage, the first drive assembly being mounted on one of the carriage and the base frame to be connected to the other of the two during assembly, and the first linkage assembly being mounted on one of the upper body frame section and the base frame to be connected to the other of the upper body frame section and the base frame during assembly.

50. The bed frame of claim 49 wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section includes a removable panel section respectively wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section comprises inwardly and upwardly opening frame elements forming a well for receiving said respective removable panel section, wherein the frame elements and the removable panel sections provide a platform for supporting a mattress.

51. The bed frame of claim 50 wherein each of the panel sections is made from a plywood or chipboard base.

52. The bed frame of claim 46 wherein each of the upper body frame section, seat frame section, thigh frame section and lower leg frame section comprises a panel section, the panel sections being hinged together to provide a platform for supporting a mattress and for permitting the articulating movement of at least the upper body frame section.

53. The bed frame of claim 52 wherein each of the panel sections is made from a plywood or chipboard base.

54. The bed frame of claim 46 for use with a conventional bed frame, wherein the base frame is proportioned and designed to be mounted on top of a conventional bed frame to replace a conventional box spring.

55. The bed frame of claim 46 wherein the base frame includes four corner posts attached to the longitudinally extending sides to form a floor engaging base frame, the floor engaging base frame, the carriage and the articulating upper frame being separable to be assembled upon delivery.

56. The bed frame of claim 55 wherein each corner post includes an outer sleeve attached to the floor engaging base frame and a telescoping inner sleeve which is movable downwardly to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to a floor.

57. The bed frame of claim 56 wherein each telescoping inner sleeve has a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein, and wherein each outer sleeve includes a selector pin disposed on a leaf spring mounted on the outer sleeve, the selector pin engaging a selected one of the openings in the inner sleeve to permit raising of the floor engaging base frame relative to the floor.

58. The bed frame of claim 57 wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an adjustable pad leveler.

59. The bed frame of claim 58 wherein each pad leveler includes a threaded stem secured to an insert mounted to an end of each of the inner sleeves.

60. The bed frame of claim 59 wherein each inner sleeve of each post carries an isolation pad assembly to isolate the floor engaging base frame from the floor.

61. The bed frame of claim 60 wherein each isolation pad assembly comprises a housing forming a cavity, an elastomeric material disposed in the cavity, a load bearing washer coupled to the elastomeric material and secured to the respective inner sleeve.

62. The bed frame of claim 46 wherein the second linkage assembly is connected between the lower leg frame section and the carriage such that when the thigh frame section is tilted upwardly, the second linkage assembly tilts the lower leg frame section downwardly and such that when the thigh frame section tilts downwardly, the second linkage assembly tilts the lower leg frame section to a horizontal position.

63. The bed frame of claim 46 wherein the seat frame section comprises a removable panel section to provide a platform for a longitudinal central portion of a mattress to be placed thereon, and wherein controls for the drive assemblies are mounted on the panel section for the seat frame section.

64. A bed frame comprising:

(a) a base frame having a head end, a foot end, and opposite longitudinally extending sides,

(b) a carriage mounted on the base frame for longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame,

(c) an articulating upper frame comprising an upper body frame section, a seat frame section, a thigh frame section and a lower leg frame section, the upper body, seat, thigh and lower leg frame sections being longitudinally spaced apart and transversely extending and disposed to provide for articulating movement of at least the upper body, thigh and lower leg frame sections, the seat frame section being mounted on the carriage for motion therewith,

(d) a first drive assembly operatively connected between the carriage and the base frame for longitudinally shifting the carriage relative to the base frame,

(e) a first linkage assembly connected between the upper body frame section and the base frame such that longitudinal shifting of the carriage relative to the base frame results in tilting movement of the upper body frame section with respect to the seat frame section, and

wherein the first drive assembly is mounted on the carriage to be connected to the base frame upon assembly.

65. The bed frame of claim 64 wherein the first linkage assembly is mounted on the upper body frame section to be connected to the base frame during assembly.

66. The bed frame of claim 64 wherein the first drive assembly includes a motor and a lead screw.

67. The bed frame of claim 64 further including a second drive assembly operatively connected between the carriage and the thigh frame section for raising and lowering the thigh frame section relative to the carriage and a second linkage assembly connected between lower leg frame section and the carriage such that tilting movement of the thigh frame section tilts the lower leg frame section relative to the base frame, wherein the second drive assembly is also mounted on the carriage to be connected to the thigh frame section during assembly.

68. The bed frame of claim 67 wherein the second linkage assembly is mounted on the lower leg frame section to be connected to the carriage during assembly.

69. The bed frame of claim 64 wherein the second drive assembly also includes a motor and a lead screw.