Height adjustable bed and automatic leg stabilizer system therefor

• US 6,920,656 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carroll Healthcare Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Carroll Healthcare Incorporated
• Inventors: Roussy, Richard Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Trettel, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/380,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172459A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 296/20, 561/1, 5 8/61, 16/19, 16/32, 16/34
• US Class Current: 5/611
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/0528 Steering or braking devices for castor wheels

Abstract

A vertically adjustable bed includes a bed frame attached to movable legs powered by a motor. Operation of the motor causes the legs to move longitudinally along a guide rod, collapsing the legs beneath the bed and moving the bed frame vertically. Collapsing the bed to its substantially lowermost position compresses a spring. The energy stored by the compression of the spring is used to raise the bed from its substantially lowermost position. Pivotally attached to the legs is a caster and foot arrangement. During normal operation, the foot engages the floor. When the bed frame moves to its substantially uppermost position, a pin extending from the leg engages one end of a slot, causing the caster to pivot and engage the floor, rendering the bed horizontally mobile.

Claims

1. A bed that can be supported on a floor, having a bed frame and a pair of motor powered leg mechanisms operable to vertically raise and lower the bed frame between a lowermost and an uppermost position, each one of the pair of leg mechanisms including rolling means, the rolling means comprising a fixed leg member, the fixed leg member engaging the floor when the bed frame is in the lowermost position and disengaging the floor when the bed flame is raised to thereby render the bed horizontally mobile on the rolling means only at substantially the uppermost position;

wherein said bed frame comprises a pair of spaced apart transverse frame elements inward of each end of the bed frame, having a pair of rod guide means there between rigidly connected at each end to said transverse frame elements, said guide means having a bearing element and a spring element circumferentially mounted thereon, said bearing element movable along the length of the guide means to engage as well as to compress the spring element at one end thereof against said transverse frame element and wherein said motor power consists of a linear actuator operatively attached to the bearing element.

2. A bed that can be supported on a floor, having a bed frame and a pair of motor powered leg mechanisms operable to vertically raise and lower the bed frame between a lowermost and an uppermost position, each one of the pair of leg mechanisms including rolling means, the rolling means comprising a fixed leg member, the fixed leg member engaging the floor when the bed frame is in the lowermost position and disengaging the floor when the bed frame is raised to thereby render the bed horizontally mobile on the rolling means only at substantially the uppermost position;

wherein each of said leg mechanisms comprises a substantially inverted U shaped leg frame member having a pair of downwardly extending legs, collapsibly attached to the underside of said bed frame by means of a first pinned connection at the top thereof between the leg frame member and the bearing element and a second pinned linkage connection between one end of the bed frame and substantially the midpoint of the leg frame member.

3. The bed as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fixed leg member is a foot and said rolling means further comprises a castor member.

4. The bed as claimed in claim 2, wherein said rolling means comprises a flange having a slot therethrough and opposite ends, said flange rotatably attached to the bottom of each said leg of the leg frame member and constrained to rotationally pivot with respect thereto by means of a pin member extending from the bottom of each said leg and passing through said slot, each said opposite end having attached thereto respectively a fixed leg member and a caster member.

5. The bed as claimed in claim 4, wherein said slot in said flange has a convex arcuate shape with reference to the floor.

6. The bed as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said downwardly extending legs is rigidly connected at its bottom end by a transverse leg frame member and said rolling means is rotationally attached to said transverse leg frame member.

7. The bed as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rolling means comprises a flange having a slot therethrough and opposite ends, said flange rotatably attached to either end of the transverse leg flame member and constrained to rotationally pivot with respect thereto by means of a pin member extending from said transverse leg frame member and passing through said slot, each said opposite end having attached thereto respectively a fixed leg member and a caster member.

8. The bed as claimed in claim 7, wherein said slot in said flange has a convex arcuate shape with reference to the floor.

9. A bed, having a bed frame and a pair of motor powered leg mechanisms operable to vertically raise and lower said bed frame over a range of heights between a lowermost and uppermost position:

(a) wherein said bed frame comprises a pair of spaced apart transverse frame elements inward of each end of the bed frame, having a pair of rod guide means therebetween rigidly connected at each end to said transverse frame elements, said guide means having a bearing element and a spring element circumferentially mounted thereon, said bearing element movable along the length of the guide means to engage as well as to compress the spring element at one end thereof against said transverse frame element;

(b) wherein said motor power consists of a linear actuator operatively attached to the bearing element to thereby move said bearing element longitudinally along said guide means;

c) wherein each of said leg mechanisms comprises a substantially inverted U shaped leg frame member having a pair of downwardly extending legs, collapsibly attached to the underside of said bed frame by means of a first pinned connection at the top thereof between the leg frame member and the bearing element and a second pinned linkage connection between one end of the bed frame and substantially the midpoint of the leg frame member.

10. The bed as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said downwardly extending legs includes rolling means attached to the bottom thereof.

11. The bed as claimed in claim 10, wherein each of said downwardly extending legs is rigidly connected at its bottom end by a transverse leg frame member and wherein said rolling means is attached to the end of said transverse leg frame member.

12. The bed as claimed in claim 9, wherein said bearing element is made of a dry lubricant plastic.

13. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame;

first and second legs disposed at opposite ends of the bed that support the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions;

each one of the first and second legs having a respective upper end portion movably connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end pardon that includes a wheel and a foot, the lower end portion being movable vertically relative to the bed frame upon movement of the leg relative to the bed frame;

the wheels of the first and second legs engaging the floor when the bed frame is in the uppermost position and being spaced upward from the floor when the frame is in the lowermost position; and

the feet of the first and second legs engaging the floor when the bed frame is in the lowermost position and in the plurality of intermediate positions;

wherein the upper end portions of the first and second legs are movable in a direction along the length of the bed frame during vertical movement of the bed frame.

14. A bed as set forth in claim 13 wherein, in response to movement of the upper end portions of the first and second legs in a direction along the length of the bed frame, the lower end portions of the first and second legs change over between a first condition in which the wheels and not the feet are in engagement with the floor and a second condition in which the feet and not the wheels are in engagement with the floor.

15. A bed as set forth in claim 14 wherein the lower end portions of the legs change over in response to movement of the bed frame into and out of the uppermost position.

16. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame;

first and second legs disposed at opposite ends of the bed that support the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions;

each one of the first and second legs having a respective upper end portion movably connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end portion that includes a wheel and a foot, the lower end portion being movable vertically relative to the bed frame upon movement of the leg relative to the bed frame;

the wheels of the first and second legs engaging the floor when the bed frame is in the uppermost position and being spaced upward from the floor when the frame is in the lowermost position; and

the feet of the first and second legs engaging the floor when the bed frame is in the lowermost position and in the plurality of intermediate positions;

wherein at least one end portion of each one of the first and second legs moves longitudinally when the bed frame moves vertically.

17. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame;

first and second legs disposed at opposite ends of the bed that support the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions including an upper intermediate position;

each one of the first and second legs having a respective upper end portion movably connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end portion that includes a wheel and a foot, the lower end portion being movable vertically relative to the bed frame upon movement of the leg relative to the bed frame;

each one of the lower and portions of the legs including a leg member and a support member that is rockably connected to the leg member at an attachment point, the foot and the wheel being supported on the support member on opposite sides of the attachment point for rocking movement with the support member.

18. A bed as set forth in claim 17 wherein the support member is a flange.

19. A bed as set forth in claim 17 wherein:

the feet and not the wheels of each of the first and second legs engage the floor when the bed is in the lowermost position; and

the wheels and not the feet of each of the first and second legs engage the floor when the bed is in the uppermost position.

20. A bed as set forth in claim 17 wherein the leg member includes a portion that engages the support member to cause rocking movement of the support member in response to movement of the bed frame into and out of the uppermost position.

21. A bed as set forth in claim 20 wherein the leg member portion is a pin that engages in a slot in the support member to cause rocking movement of the support member.

22. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame;

first and second legs disposed at opposite ends of the bed that are connected to the bed frame for movement relative to the bed frame through a range of motion and that support the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions including an upper intermediate position;

each one of the first and second legs having a respective upper end portion connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end portion that is for engaging the floor and that includes a wheel and a foot, on each leg the foot and the wheel being alternatively engageable with the floor in response to movement of the leg through its range of motion relative to the bed frame;

wherein the lower end portion of each leg includes a leg member and a rockable support member that is connected with the leg member and that supports the foot and the wheel.

23. A bed as set forth in claim 22 wherein the leg member includes a portion that engages the support member to cause rocking movement of the support member relative to the leg member in response to movement of the bed frame into and out of the uppermost position.

24. A bed as set forth in claim 22 wherein on each one of the first and second legs the wheel and the foot are connected to the support member on opposite sides of the point of attachment of the support member to the leg member.

25. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame;

first and second legs disposed at opposite ends of the bed that are connected to the bed frame for movement relative to the bed frame through a range of motion and that support the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions including an upper intermediate position;

each one of the first and second legs having a respective upper end portion connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end portion that is for engaging the floor and that includes a wheel and a foot, on each leg the foot and the wheel being alternatively engageable with the floor in response to movement of the leg through its range of motion relative to the bed frame;

wherein the legs are connected to the frame for pivotal movement relative to the frame and wherein the upper end portions of the leg are also movable along the length of the bed frame.

26. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame;

first and second legs disposed at opposite ends of the bed that are connected to the bed frame for movement relative to the bed frame through a range of motion and that support the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions including an upper intermediate position;

each one of the first and second legs having a respective upper end portion connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end portion that is for engaging the floor and that includes a wheel and a foot, on each leg the foot and the wheel being alternatively engageable with the floor in response to movement of the leg through its range of motion relative to the bed frame;

wherein, in response to movement of the upper end portions of the first and second legs in a direction along the length of the bed frame the lower end portions of the first and second legs change over between a first condition in which the wheels and not the feet are in engagement with the floor and a second condition in which the feet and not the wheels are in engagement with the floor.

27. A bed as set forth in claim 26 wherein the lower end portions of the legs change over in response to movement of the bed frame into and out of the uppermost position.

28. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame; and

first and second leg mechanisms disposed at opposite ends of the bed for supporting the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions including an upper intermediate position, said first and second leg mechanisms being connected to the bed frame for movement relative to the bed frame through a range of motion;

each one of the first and second legs mechanisms having a respective upper end portion connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end portion that is for engaging the floor and that includes a wheel and a foot, on each leg the foot and the wheel being alternatively engageable with the floor in response to movement of the leg through its range of motion relative to the bed frame;

wherein the leg mechanisms are connected to the frame for pivotal movement relative to the frame and wherein the upper end portions of the leg mechanisms are also movable along the length of the bed frame.

29. A bed for use on a floor, comprising:

a bed frame; and

first and second leg mechanisms disposed at opposite ends of the bed for supporting the bed frame for vertical movement relative to the floor between an uppermost position and a lowermost position and a plurality of intermediate positions including an upper intermediate position, said first and second leg mechanisms being connected to the bed frame for movement relative to the bed frame through a range of motion;

each one of the first and second legs mechanisms having a respective upper end portion connected to the bed frame and having a respective lower end portion that is for engaging the floor and that includes a wheel and a foot, on each leg the foot and the wheel being alternatively engageable with the floor in response to movement of the leg through its range of motion relative to the bed frame;

wherein, in response to movement of the upper end portions of the first and second leg mechanisms in a direction along the length of the bed frame, the lower end portions of the first and second leg mechanisms change over between a first condition in which the wheels and not the feet are in engagement with the floor and a second condition in which the feet and not the wheels are in engagement with the floor.

30. A bed as set forth in claim 29 wherein the tower and portions of the leg mechanisms change over in response to movement of the bed frame into and out of the uppermost position.