A device for raising or lowering an object

Abstract

 A device for raising and lowering an object comprises a frame (1) and two articulate (16) arms (5,15) which are spaced apart. A first arm (5) is pivotal relative to the frame. The second arm (15) is also pivotal relative to the frame (an axis 20) and further displaceable along guidances (19). A power-generating mechanism (8) is connected to an element (11) adapted to initially rotate the arms (5,15) upwardly through wedge action from a lowered position. The element (11) is provided with a slit (25) in which a power-receiving section (22) is displaceably received, which section is pivotally fastened to the second arm (15). Until the power-receiving section (22) abuts one end of the slit, the elevational rotation is established by the arms through wedge action and thereupon through lever action.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device of the type defined in the preamble of the below independent Claim 1.

[0002] A device of this type is known from e.g. EP Patent No. 0 109 423 (EP Patent Application No. 83901738.1). The device according to the above EP Patent has proven commercially to be extremely successful. However, a continuous development has given origin to realizations regarding possible improvements of the guidance of the element providing the wedge action, still accomplishing good and even improved conditions regarding the power transmission between the element and the first and the second arm.

[0003] According to the structure known from EP Patent No. 0 109 423, the element providing the upward wedge action co-operating with sections of the first and the second arm is constituted by an angle bracket which is mounted on top of a transverse bar of the second arm in such a manner that a section of the angle bracket extends substantially horizontally, whereas another section of the angular bracket extends substantially vertically, provided the device is in its lowered position. The vertical section of the angle bracket is adapted to constitute an abutment relative to the second arm. The structure known from EP Patent No. 0 109 423 is exposed to the risk that the element may be disengaged from its correct position, e.g. during transportation of the device which may result in that during subsequent operation for raising the device, the element is not properly positioned between the frame and the first arm for generating a raising or elevation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide solutions to the above-mentioned drawbacks. More precisely, it is a partial object of the present invention to provide a solution providing an improved guidance and maintenance of the movable element. A further partial object is to accomplish conditions rendering it possible to establish adequate power transmission conditions for transmitting power from the element to the power-receiving component and to the other arm.

[0005] The above objects and other objects obtainable by means of the present invention are obtained by means of a device having the characteristics defined in the below claims.

[0006] The implementation of the power-receiving component as a component which is pivotally fastened to the second arm results in practice in that the power-receiving component during the elevational action is pivoted, whereby it is accomplished that the power-receiving component is located so as to locate its most stable cross-sectional dimension along the element.

[0007] A particularly advantageous guidance and fixation of the element is obtained, provided the power-receiving component is implemented as an element movably received in a slit of the element. By adequately fitting the power-receiving component into the slit, a pivoting of the element and the power-receiving component in mutual locking relationship is received which means that during raising and lowering the device no substantial mutual pivoting between the element and the power-receiving component is generated.

[0008] Additional advantages and features obtained by the device according to the present invention will be evident from the claims and the below description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] An embodiment of the device according to the present invention is to be described below in greater detail with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a view of the device according to the present invention in lowered position, viewed from above,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of components of the device according to the present invention in partially elevated state,

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the device in fully raised or elevated state, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a component of the device in the state or position shown in Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0010] A device for raising and lowering objects according to the present invention and shown in the drawings comprises a frame 1 provided with two longitudinal bars 2 and transversal bars 3 arranged at the ends of the bars 2. The frame is in a manner conventional per se provided with feet, wheels or the like, designated the reference numeral 4 for supporting the frame on a supporting surface. A first arm 5 is journalled pivotally to the frame relative to a substantially horizontal axis. The object to be handled, e.g. a frame of a bed, a working table or the like, is fastened in a manner known per se to the upper end of the arm 5 and to a transversal bar 7 arranged at the upper end. A power-generating means 8 is adapted to cause the arm 5 to rotate or pivot. The means 8 is in the embodiment shown in the drawings of the longitudinally extendable type and may e.g. comprise a piston cylinder means, a threaded device or the like.

[0011] The means 8 is connected partly with the frame 1 and partly with an element 11 inserted between sections 9 and 10 of the frame 1 and the frame 5, which element 11 co-operating with said sections 9 and 10 provides a wedge action urging the arm 5 to rotate upwardly from the frame.

[0012] The element 11 is displaceable substantially perpendicular to a journalling shaft 6 of the arm 5 and is in the present embodiment provided with a wedge-formed front part 12. The front part 12 is provided with two surfaces 13 and 14 diverging from the point of the wedge for contacting the sections 9 and 10, respectively.

[0013] A second arm 15 is connected to the arm 5 through a journalling shaft 16 which is parallel with the shaft 6. The arm 15 is provided with a section 17 extending from the journalling shaft 16, which section 17 is provided with means 18 at its outer end, e.g. rollers or sliding bodies which are received in guidings 19 arranged spaced apart at the inner surfaces of the longitudinal bars 2 so as to allow the means 18 to be displaced reciprocatingly received within the guidings 19 to and from the journalling shaft 6 of the arm 5. The means 18 further co-operates with the guidings 19 and the arm 15 so as to allow the latter to be pivoted relative to an axis 20 which is substantially parallel with the journalling shaft 6 of the arm 5.

[0014] The means 8 and the element 11 are connected to one another through an abutment 21 which is adapted to abut a power-transmitting component 22 connected to the second arm 15 after displacement of a front part 12 of the element 11 to a certain extent inserted between the sections 9 and 10 in order to apply the force generated by the mechanism or means 8 for the final elevational rotation of the arms 5 and 15.

[0015] Preferably, the arms 5 and 15 are mounted scissors-like relative to the articulate shaft 16 between the ends of the arms so that even the arm 15, e.g. by means of a transversal bar 23 mounted at the opposite end of the power-receiving component 22 may participate in the supporting of the objects in question. Guiding surfaces 24 may preferably be provided on the power-receiving component 22 and a part of the element 11 extends between the guiding surfaces in order to provide transversal guidance of the element 11. The guiding surfaces 24 may e.g. consist of flanges extending from the power-receiving component 22. These flanges may constitute part of the angle brackets fastened to the component 22.

[0016] The power-receiving component 22 is pivotally fastened to the second arm 15, and more precisely fastened to the end of the arm 15 provided with means 18 co-operating with the guidings 19. The power-receiving component 22 is adequately constituted by a bar extending transversally relative to the element 11.

[0017] The power-receiving component 22 is received displaceably within a slit 25 of the element 11. The slit 25 may at its upper and lower surfaces be provided with friction-reducing surface coatings 26.

[0018] The power-receiving component 22 is fastened pivotally to the second arm 15 round a shaft extending substantially parallel with the rotational shafts and axes 6 and 20 of the arms 5 and 15, respectively, and arranged concentrically relative to the rotational axis 20.

[0019] The power-receiving component 22 is, consequently, mounted so as to receive the power or the force from the mechanism 8 and transmit the power to the second arm 15.

[0020] The power-receiving component 22 and the slit 25 co-operate with one another in guiding relationship so as to prevent that the component 22 is to any substantial extent caused to rotate relative to the slit 25. The longitudinal direction of the slit 25 is substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the element 11 and further substantially parallel with a connecting line connecting the junctions of the mechanism to the frame and to the element 11.

[0021] The power-receiving component 22 has a dimension in the longitudinal direction of the slit 25 exceeding the dimension thereof in the transversal direction. Consequently, the largest power-receiving capability of the power-transmitting component 22 is present in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the slit 25 which is normally most advantageous.

[0022] The abutment 21 is constituted by a section of the element 11 constituting one end of the slit 25.

[0023] The element 11 comprising the abutment 21 and the wedge-formed front part 12 is preferably constituted by an integral, rigid component. The mechanism 8 is articulately connected to the element 11 by means of an articulate joint 27 provided below the zone of contact between the abutment 21 and the component 22 in order to induce an elevational rotation of the front part 12 of the element 11 during elevational motion of the device by rotating the element (11) and the component 22.

[0024] The sections on which the wedge surfaces 13 and 14 act are constituted by the stationary section 9 of the frame 1 and the section 10 constituted by the section of the articulate shaft 16 positioned between the arms 5 and 15. The section 9 may e.g. be constituted by a roller adapted to co-operate with the element 11 in low-friction relationship. The roller 9 may be arranged on a transversal bar 28 extending between the longitudinal bars 2 of the frame. The roller 9 is operatively supported by the wedge surface 13 of the element 11. The section 10 is appropriately constituted by a roller rotatably journalled round the articulate shaft 16. The roller 10 is adapted to contact the wedge surface 14 of the element 11. One of the rollers 9 and 10, or both rollers 9 and 10, may as illustrated be provided with flanges 29 adapted to fixate the front section of the element 11 between the two flanges. The section or the roller 11 need not be mounted in connection with the articulate shaft 16 but may be mounted at the ends of the arms 5 and 15 spaced apart relative to the articulate shaft 16. For structural purposes, the mounting of the section or the roller at the articulate shaft is, however, advantageous.

[0025] As is evident from Figs. 1 and 2, the arms 5 and 15 are substantially parallel with the outer surface of the frame, provided the device is folded down. From Fig. 2, it is evident that the front part 12 of the element 11 is positioned fixated between the sections or the rollers 9 and 10, as the element 11 is withdrawn to its extreme position by means of the mechanism 8. As shown in Fig. 5, the second arm 15 is provided with two arm sections 30 arranged spaced apart, between which arm sections the power-receiving component 22 is arranged pivotally. Externally relative to the arm sections 30, the means 18 is arranged, which means co-operates with the guidings 19 of the second arm 15. The arm sections 30 are connected to one another through the above-mentioned transversal bar 23. The articulate shaft 16 extends between the arm sections 30 of the arm 15.

[0026] The arm 15 also comprises, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, two arm sections 31 arranged spaced apart between which arm sections the section or the roller 10 is arranged.

[0027] Preferably, the slit 25 is annularly terminated, which means that the power-receiving component 22 is engageable within and disengageable from the respective recesses of the slit 25 by a movement in the longitudinal direction of the component 22 which is pivotally connected to the arm 25 at its ends, and more precisely connected to the arm sections 30 of the arm 15.

[0028] The device functions in the following way: provided an object supported by the transversal bar 7 and 23 is to be raised from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the mechanism 8 is prolongated, resulting in that the wedge-formed front part 12 initiates to extend into and between the sections 9 and 10 and separate the sections as shown in Fig. 3. Although the rotational axis 6 of the arm 5 is stationary relative to the frame 1, the guiding means 18 of the arm 15 is displaced within the guidings 19 of the frame. Through the implementation of the wedge section 12, a fairly small amount of power is required from the mechanism 8 for generating the initial elevational rotation of the arms 5 and 15. Since the element 11 is provided with the lower wedge surface 13 co-operating with the section 9 of the frame, the element 11 is caused to have its front section rotate or swing upwardly, and at the same time, the section 22 received within the slit 25 is rotated relative to the arm 15. The element 11 is further displaced relative to the section 22 so that the position of the latter relative to the slit 25 is altered. After further expansion of the mechanism 8 basically in the position shown in Fig. 3, the abutment 21, i.e. one of the stops of the slit 25, is abutting the component 22 so as to substantially apply the power from the mechanism 8 to the component 22. By further prolongation of the mechanism 8, the arms 5 and 15 are rotated relative to one another to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The front section 12 of the element 11 is kept in an elevated position abutting the section or roller 10 through the torque applied to the element 11 by the positioning of the element 27 below the zone of contact between the abutment 21 and the component 22.

[0029] The present invention is by no means limited to the embodiment described above. Numerous modifications are perceivable within the inventive concept. As an example, the element 11 need not constitute the element provided with one or more wedge surfaces corresponding to the wedge surfaces designated 13 and 14 in the above described embodiment. The wedge surfaces 13 and 14 may alternatively be provided on the frame 1 and/or the arm 5 and/or the arm 15 or a component interconnecting these components. The basic concept resides in that the element 11 in combination with one or more sections of the frame, and/or at least one of the arms 5 and 15 co-operating with the element 11, gives origin to a wedge action so that the arms 5 and 15 are initially caused to swing or rotate upwardly due to the wedge action. Other modifications and technical equivalences are deduceable within the inventive scope.

Claims

1. A device for raising and lowering an object, e.g. a bed frame, a working table or the like, comprising a frame (1), at least two arms (5,15), of which at least one is adapted to support the object in question, wherein a first arm (5) is pivotally journalled relative to the frame, and wherein a second arm (15) is articulately connected to the first arm and is provided with a means (18) at an end section facing away from the first arm, which means co-operates with a guidance (19) provided in the frame, relative to which guidance the second arm (15) is displaceable and rotatable, a power-generating mechanism (8) for providing a pivoting of the arms and an element (11) connected to the mechanism, which element is displaceable by means of the mechanism (8) substantially transversely relative to a rotational axis (6) of the first arm (5) and which is adapted to provide a wedge action in co-operation with a section (10) so as to cause the section, and consequently the arms, to rotate or pivot from the frame, wherein the mechanism (8) and the element (11) are connected to an abutment (21) which is adapted to, from an initial, maximum lowered position of the device and after an initial displacement of the element and consequently initial elevational rotation of the arms, abut a power-receiving section (22) connected to the second arm, and thereupon apply the power generated by the mechanism for the final rotational elevation of the arms, CHARACTERIZED in that the power-receiving section (22) is pivotally fastened to the second arm (15).

2. A device according to Claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the power-receiving section (22) is displaceably received within a slit (25) of the element (11).

3. A device for raising and lowering an object, e.g. a bed frame, a working table or the like, comprising a frame (1), at least two arms (5,15), of which at least one is adapted to support the object in question, wherein a first arm (5) is pivotally journalled relative to the frame, and wherein a second arm (15) is articulately connected to the first arm and is provided with a means (18) at an end section facing away from the first arm, which means cooperates with a guidance (19) provided in the frame, relative to which guidance the second arm (15) is displaceable and rotatable, a power-generating mechanism (8) for providing a pivoting of the arms and an element (11) connected to the mechanism, which element is displaceable by means of the mechanism (8) substantially transversely relative to a rotational axis (6) of the first arm (5) and which is adapted to provide a wedge action in co-operation with a section (10) so as to cause the section, and consequently the arms, to rotate or pivot from the frame, wherein the mechanism (8) and the element (11) are connected to an abutment (21) which is adapted to, from an initial, maximum lowered position of the device and after an initial displacement of the element and consequently initial elevational rotation of the arms, abut a power-receiving section (22) connected to the second arm, and thereupon apply the power generated by the mechanism for the final rotational elevation of the arms, CHARACTERIZED in that the power-receiving section (22) is displaceably received within a slit (25) of the element (11).

4. A device according to Claim 3, CHARACTERIZED in that the power-receiving section (22) is pivotally fastened to the second arm (15).

5. A device according to any of the preceding Claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the power-receiving section (22) is pivotally fastened to the second arm (15) round a shaft which is arranged substantially concentrically relative to the axis (20) round which the second arm (15) is pivotally journalled relative to the frame (1).

6. A device according to Claim 2 or 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the power-receiving section (22) and the slit (25) cooperate with one another guided so as to prevent that the section (22) is to any substantial extent pivoted relative to the slit.

7. A device according to Claim 6, CHARACTERIZED in that the power-receiving section (22) has a sectional dimension in the longitudinal direction of the slit (25) exceeding the sectional dimension of the section in a transversal direction relative to the slit.

8. A device according to any of the preceding Claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the abutment (21) is constituted by a section of the element (11) constituting one end of the slit (25).

9. A device according to any of the preceding Claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the element (11) is articulately connected to the power-generating mechanism (8) and in that the junction (27) between the element and the mechanism is positioned below the zone of contact between the abutment (21) and the power-receiving section (22) for promoting a tendency of rotation of the element (11) and the power-receiving section (22) for elevational rotating the front section of the element during the elevational motion of the device.

10. A device according to any of the preceding Claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the second arm (15) comprises two arm sections (30) arranged spaced apart, between which arm sections the power-receiving section (22) is arranged pivotally and at the exterior side of which arm sections the means (18) of the second arm co-operating with the guidance (19) is arranged.

Drawing