Adjustable bed with an actuator safety slot

• US 9,737,150 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2012
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
• Original Assignee: Martin B. Rawls-Meehan
• Inventors: Rawls-Meehan, Martin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Santos, Robert G
• Assistant Examiner(s): THROOP, MYLES A
• Application Number:
  US13/352,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20120110738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,043 Days
• Field of Search: 5600, 5607-610, 5613, 5616, 5618, 5617, 5619
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/12 Folding bedsteads travelling or camp beds A47C17/64
• 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: A47C 21/003 Lighting, radio, telephone or the like connected to the bedstead
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/006 Oscillating, balancing or vibrating mechanisms connected to the bedstead for children's beds A47D9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/04 Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/081 of pneumatic type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 27/082 with non-manual inflation, e.g. with electric pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• 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: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0443 substantially horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 : electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

Aspects of this invention relate to an adjustable bed frame assembly that includes a first frame that includes two substantially parallel side frame members and at least one connector member between the parallel side frame members, a second frame comprising two substantially parallel side frame members, each of the side frame members having a lower end pivotally attached to one of the at least one connector member of the first frame, a bracket that includes a sliding slot, where in the bracket is securely attached to the second frame; and an actuator with a first end pivotally attached to the first frame and a second end that is slidably connected to the sliding slot of the bracket, wherein, when the actuator extends or retracts, the second end travels within the sliding slot without moving the second frame until an extent of the sliding slot is reached.

Claims

1. An adjustable bed frame assembly, comprising:

a first frame that includes two substantially parallel side frame members and at least one connector member between the parallel side frame members, the first frame having a fixed horizontal orientation relative to the adjustable bed frame assembly;

a second frame comprising two substantially parallel side frame members, each of the side frame members having a lower end pivotally attached to one of the at least one connector member of the first frame;

a bracket that includes a sliding slot, where in the bracket is securely attached to the second frame;

an actuator with a first end pivotally attached to the first frame and a second end that is slidably connected to the sliding slot of the bracket, wherein, when the actuator extends or retracts, the second end travels within the sliding slot without moving the second frame until an extent of the sliding slot is contacted; and

a sensor positioned at the extent of the sliding slot nearest to the actuator.

2. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 1, wherein during the actuator extension, the second end contacts the sliding slot extent and moves the second frame.

3. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 1, wherein during the actuator retraction, the second end remains between the sliding slot extents during the second frame descent.

4. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 3, wherein during the actuator retraction, the second frame descends at a same rate as the actuator second end.

5. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 4, further comprising at least one support connected to the second frame and adapted to control descent of the second frame.

6. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 1, wherein a sensor is associated with the extent of the sliding slot.

7. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 6, wherein when the second end contacts the extent sensor at least one action is to stop the actuator.

8. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor is adapted to stop retraction of the actuator when the actuator first end contacts the extent of the sliding slot nearest to the actuator.

9. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising a means for providing an indication to a user when the actuator first end contacts the extent of the sliding slot nearest to the actuator.

10. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a sub-frame positioned beneath the first frame, the first frame being slidably connected to the sub-frame such that the first frame is capable of sliding horizontal motion relative to the sub-frame.

11. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 10, wherein the sub-frame comprises a non-rigid interface with the first frame.

12. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 11, wherein the non-rigid interface is selected from the group consisting of tracks, grooves, “

C”

channels, and combinations thereof.

13. The adjustable bed frame assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one vibration motor mounted to at least one of the first frame and the second frame.