(19)
(11) EP 2 338 382 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
29.06.2011 Bulletin 2011/26

(21) Application number: 10382342.3

(22) Date of filing: 21.12.2010
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A47C 19/00(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME

(30) Priority: 22.12.2009 ES 200931239

(71) Applicant: Herrera Seco, Fidelio
28016 Madrid (ES)

(72) Inventor:
  • Herrera Seco, Fidelio
    28016 Madrid (ES)

(74) Representative: ABG Patentes, S.L. 
Avenida de Burgos 16D Edificio Euromor
28036 Madrid
28036 Madrid (ES)

   


(54) Lifting mechanism for a storage bed base and storage bed base provided with the same


(57) The present invention relates to a lifting mechanism for a storage bed base comprising two pairs of arms (6, 3, 2, 5), articulated to one another and in turn, respectively, to a base part (4) intended to be integral with the fixed structure of the box of the storage bed base and to an upper part (1) intended to be fixed to the inner face of the upper cover of the storage bed base, the mechanism being provided to perform a substantially vertical lifting of the cover of the storage bed base, the cover being maintained in a horizontal plane during the lifting, as well as to maintain said stable cover in a lifted position, corresponding to an open position of the storage bed base.




Description

Object of the Invention



[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting mechanism for a storage bed base, specifically provided to perform a substantially vertical lifting of the cover of the storage bed base, the cover being maintained in a horizontal plane during the lifting, as well as to maintain said stable cover in a lifted position, corresponding to an open position of the storage bed base.

[0002] The object of the invention is to allow the opening of a storage bed base, the mattress and bed linen being immovably maintained thereon, which further allows making the bed with complete comfort. Another object of the invention is to provide a structurally simple and functionally efficient mechanism to carry out the opening of storage bed bases or vertical lifting of the cover, moving the latter vertically but in horizontal arrangement.

Background of the Invention



[0003] Beds that incorporate storage bed bases are much more advantageous and practical than conventional beds because the storage bed base forms a box in which objects, clothes, etc. can be stored, therefore, the storage bed base today provides a solution to various problems, among those are economic and living space problems, since a storage bed base establishes in itself a space complementary to that of closets, but without occupying useful space of the room where it is placed.

[0004] Nevertheless, traditional storage bed bases present a series of limitations and drawbacks because on one hand, making the bed is uncomfortable, and on the other hand, to access the space available in the storage bed base, i.e., the space under the upper cover thereof on which the mattress is supported, said mattress must be removed to subsequently open said cover, which is performed in a pivoting manner, said cover being inclined until handling the inside of the box of the storage bed base is allowed.

[0005] These problems and drawbacks have led storage bed base manufacturers to search for solutions so that instead of the upper cover supporting the mattress and bed linen opening by pivoting, it is moved vertically, being maintained in a horizontal plane. Two favorable effects are achieved with this, because on one hand it is not necessary to remove the bed linen to open the storage bed base, and on the other hand, the task of bed making is aided, as it will be performed comfortably and without bending over because it allows placing the cover of the storage bed base with the mattress at an appropriate height to carry out this work.

[0006] Although there are mechanisms which allow lifting the cover of the storage bed base in a vertical movement, and therefore in a horizontal position, they are complex and even questionably efficient mechanisms.

Description of the Invention



[0007] The present invention solves the existing drawbacks by means of a lifting mechanism for a storage bed base according to claim 1 and a storage bed base according to claim 5. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] In a first aspect a lifting mechanism for a storage bed base is presented which comprises a fixed base part to which a pair of connecting rods or arms are articulated which, together with the base part, form three of the sides of a deformable polygon the other three sides of which are formed by a second pair of connecting rods or arms and an upper part known as a cantilever which closes the polygon. The arms of the first pair are articulated to the base part that is to be integral with the box or lower fixed structure of the storage bed base, while the arms of the second pair are articulated to the cantilever that is to be made integral with the moveable upper cover of the storage bed base.

[0009] The geometry and position of the points of articulation and the sides forming the polygon are calculated such that upon deformation of the polygon formed by the arms with the fixed base part and the moveable cantilever, the cantilever moves according to a substantially vertical trajectory, in which the cantilever is maintained substantially horizontal, successively occupying equipollent positions on a vertical trajectory.

[0010] The lifting mechanism can be complemented with supporting means for maintaining the cover of the storage bed base in its open position, i.e., lifted position. These supporting means may not by themselves open the storage bed base but collaborate by reducing the personal force that must be made for carrying out the lifting or opening in question. The supporting means may comprise pneumatic cylinders or springs of the gas spring type which cars, for example, have in the door of the trunk for keeping the door lifted once it is open.

[0011] In a second aspect, a storage bed base comprising the lifting mechanism of the invention is presented.

[0012] In one embodiment, the storage bed base of the invention comprises a lifting mechanism located in a substantially central longitudinal plane of the box, preferably moved towards one end to leave as much free space as possible in the box.

[0013] In a second embodiment, the storage bed base of the invention comprises two lifting mechanisms, located in respective opposite sides of the box of the storage bed base. The two mechanisms will be joined by stabilizing means forcing them to move simultaneously so that the cover of the storage bed base that they support moves up or down maintaining a substantially horizontal position. The stabilizing means may be a substantially horizontal bar or the like which connects the two lifting mechanisms. In an alternative embodiment, the stabilizing means can be integrated in a single part with respective elements of the two lifting mechanisms, for example, respective arms of the mechanism.

[0014] In an embodiment of the invention, in the case of the storage bed base with a double lifting mechanism, the incorporation of respective complementary mechanisms the purpose of which will be to project and lower self-orienting caster wheels to the floor is provided, such that when the cover of the storage bed base is lifted, the assembly rests on the floor on said wheels so that it can be easily moved from one side to the other with little effort, thus improving the functionality of the assembly.

[0015] The proposed mechanism presents novelty features leading to complete efficiency and operation, without any jamming problems or functional failures, and is based on a simple solution.

Description of the Drawings



[0016] To complement the description that will be made below and for the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the invention according to a preferred practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of this description in which the following has been depicted with an illustrative and non-limiting character:

Figures 1A-1C show different views of an embodiment of the lifting mechanism according to the invention.

Figures 2 and 3 schematically show the geometry of the lifting mechanism in a preferred embodiment.

Figure 4 shows a schematic depiction of a storage bed base provided with two lifting mechanisms in an open position.

Figure 5 shows the storage bed base of Figure 4 in a closed position.

Figure 6 shows another view of the storage bed base of Figure 4 without the cover.

Figure 7 shows an embodiment variant of the storage bed base of the invention provided with two lifting mechanisms in an open position.

Figure 8 shows the storage bed base of Figure 7 in a closed position.

Figures 9A-9C show different views of a first embodiment of the projectable wheel mechanism of the storage bed base.

Figure 10 shows a depiction of the double drive crank.

Figure 11 shows a depiction of the double driven crank.

Figure 12 shows a second embodiment of the projectable wheel mechanism of the storage bed base.

Figure 13 shows an assembly of ram, splined shaft and geared sector according to the second embodiment of the projectable wheel mechanism.


Preferred Embodiment of the Invention



[0017] Figures 1A-1C show different views of a schematic depiction of a lifting mechanism for a storage bed base according to the invention. Said lifting mechanism is provided for vertically lifting the upper cover of a storage bed base. It must be noted that the elements depicted in the figures are not necessarily depicted to scale.

[0018] Said figures show a base part (4) intended to be fixed to the box or fixed part of the storage bed base, an upper part or cantilever (1), intended to be fixed to the lower face of the cover of the storage bed base, which cover must be opened to access the inside of the storage bed base. A first pair of arms (3, 6) is articulated to the base part (4), the first pair of arms articulated at their other end to a second pair of arms (2, 5) articulated at their other end with the cantilever (1), as will be described below.

[0019] The base part (4) is articulated with a lower arm (6), which is articulated in turn with a higher arm (2). Furthermore, the fixed base (4) is articulated with a ram (3), which is articulated at its other end with the higher arm (2). In addition, the lower arm (6) is articulated with a tie rod (5) which is articulated at its other end with the cantilever (1). Thus, the lower arm (6) and the ram (3) form the first pair of arms articulated to the base part (4) and the higher arm (2) and the tie rod (5) form the second pair of arms articulated to the cantilever (1). The movement of the cantilever (1) has one degree of freedom for vertical movement, therefore if the base part (4) is fixed, the assembly of the mechanism only has one degree of freedom and any other part except the base part (4), which is fixed by definition, can decide the movement of the assembly.

[0020] Figure 2 schematically shows the geometrical relationships between the different elements for a preferred embodiment of the lifting mechanism of the invention. The diagram depicted in Figure 2 corresponds to a substantially half stroke intermediate position of the mechanism. The diagram defines a self-intersecting polygon. The triangular-shaped figures represent the higher arm (2) and lower arm (6) of the mechanism. Figures of length M correspond to the ram (3) and tie rod (5). The segments which are not drawn depicted by the CC dimension schematize parts (1) and (4) respectively. In a compass opening intermediate position, segments CC and dd are parallel to one another and at the same time perpendicular to the line of length M, although this condition will not be met when the mechanism occupies other positions.

[0021] As is observed, the lower arm (6) in this embodiment has a bent shape. One of its ends is articulated to the base part (4), another one of its ends is articulated to the higher arm (2) and it is articulated with the tie rod (5) at the bend, the lower arm (6) having a length L between the articulations to the base part (4) and to the higher arm (2) and a length dd between the bend and the articulation with the higher arm (2).

[0022] The higher arm (2) also has a bent shape. It is articulated at one of its ends to the cantilever (1), at its other end to the lower arm (6) and at the bend to the ram (3). The higher arm (2) has a length L between the articulations to the cantilever (1) and to the lower arm (6) and a length dd between the bend and the articulation with the lower arm (6).

[0023] The lower arm (6) of length L is triangular-shaped with rounded vertexes and at the vertex of its obtuse angle it articulates with the tie rod (5) which in turn articulates with the upper part (1). The higher arm (2) articulates with the ram (3) which in turn articulates with the base part (4). The lengths L of the higher arms (2) and lower arms (6) must be equal, as must the lengths M of the tie rod and the ram. The same condition must be met with the length dd in the higher and lower arms (2, 6) and the distance CC in the base part (4) and the upper part (1).

[0024] Figure 3 schematically depicts how the shape and dimensions of the articulated elements of the lifting mechanism for a storage bed base can be determined in one embodiment. The OVA compass represents the position of the compass formed by the two pairs of arms with the storage bed base lowered. As the compass opens upon lifting the cover of the storage bed base, the end A of the compass will occupy positions A' and A" while the position OV'A' corresponds to half of the lifting stroke. Quadrangle RBV'A' is plotted in this position to determine the point B of the lower arm (6) to which the tie rod (5) articulates. Side CC is arbitrarily fixed to plot the quadrangle RBV'A' and depending on it, the distance dd is calculated by using the expression

where α is the angular path of the higher arm (2) between the positions A and A'.

[0025] Nevertheless, an alternative to the preceding calculation is given approximately by the condition that dd is greater than half of CC.

[0026] The quadrangle A'RBV' is plotted once the dd value is determined, taking into account that the sides A'R and V'B must be substantially parallel to one another and perpendicular to RB. Once point B is established, it must be joined to the lower arm (6), the schematized OBV' triangle thus being determined. Point B is the center of the shaft to which the tie rod (5) articulates while its other end is point R. Points A and R are in turn the centers of the shafts of the upper part (1) to which the lower arm (2) and the tie rod (5) articulate, respectively. If the upper part (1) is formed such that the cover of the storage bed base joined thereto is at that horizontal point, such cover will be maintained substantially horizontal in other positions of its vertical stroke.

[0027] In practice, it is preferable for the dimension CC to not be greater than one-tenth of L. However, it must be taken into account that this relationship cannot be exaggerated because as CC decreases the stresses on all the bars, both those working under compression and those working under traction, increase.

[0028] Since the cantilever (1) is integral with the cover of the storage bed base, when said cover is lifted it can only be done with the single degree of freedom allowed by the mechanism. Thus, since the mechanism is arranged forming a deformable polygon the geometry of which is determined such that the cantilever (1) can only be moved following a substantially vertical trajectory, while being maintained substantially parallel thereto, the cover of the storage bed base will be moved in the same way, i.e., it can only be vertically lifted and lowered.

[0029] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a storage bed base comprising the lifting mechanism of the invention in its open position. In this embodiment, the storage bed base comprises two lifting mechanisms, located on two opposite sides of the storage bed base, in this case the longest sides of the storage bed base. The mechanisms are provided in this embodiment with supporting means, specifically respective gas springs (12), which allow maintaining the cover in its lifted position, in addition to facilitating the lifting. In this embodiment, the storage bed base comprises a substantially horizontal stabilizer bar (22) connecting the two lifting mechanisms to favor the synchronization of their movements. Figure 5 shows the storage bed base of Figure 4 in the closed position. Figure 6 shows the storage bed base of Figure 4 without the cover.

[0030] Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment variant of the storage bed base of the invention provided with two lifting mechanisms. In this embodiment variant, the higher arms (2) of the two lifting mechanisms are formed in a single part through a substantially horizontal upper portion made from bent sheet metal, allowing the synchronization of the movement of the mechanisms of both sides.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage bed base provided with two lifting mechanisms incorporates a projectable wheel mechanism the purpose of which will be to project and lower self-orienting caster wheels (13) to the floor, such that when the cover of the storage bed base is lifted, the assembly rests on the floor on said wheels so that it can be easily moved from one side to the other with little effort, thus improving the functionality of the assembly.

[0032] Figures 9A-9C show a first embodiment of the projectable wheel mechanism. Said projectable wheel mechanism can also be seen in the lifting mechanisms shown in Figures 4-6. Figures 9A-9C show how the end of the ram (3) articulated with the base part (4) is linked with a transverse shaft (14) with which it is made integral, which is in turn articulated with the base part (4), intended to be placed against the inner face of one side of the box of the storage bed base to which it is fixed by conventional fixing means, such as screws or the like. The transverse shaft (14) passing through the base part (4) is integral at its other end with a first cam or double drive crank (10) which is articulated with two horizontally arranged elongated parts (8, 9). The first elongated part (9) substantially has at its ends free wheels (13) for being oriented and rolling on the floor when the storage bed base is pushed for minor rearrangements. The wheels can be arranged in the first elongated part (9) by any conventional means. In the example of the figures, small pins bent at a right angle underneath which vertical cylindrical appendages are welded to which respective small commercial wheels (13) are coupled have been provided in a lower part of the first elongated part (9). The length of the first elongated part (9) in relation to the dimensions of the storage bed base will be sufficient so that the wheels coupled thereto can stably support the storage bed base.

[0033] The base part (4), the first elongated part (9) and the second elongated part (8) can be manufactured from sheet metal or another similar material. Said parts are related to one another at their other end by a double driven crank (11), similar to the double drive crank (10), from which it differs in that rather than being integrally fixed to a transverse shaft (14), it can rotate freely on a smooth shaft (15), in turn fixed to the other end of the base part (4). The double drive crank (10) and driven crank (11) can be observed in Figures 10 and 11, respectively.

[0034] The transverse shaft (14) may be integral with the ram (3) by means of splining, key slot or another equivalent mechanical resource.

[0035] When the mechanism moves by opening or closing the storage bed base, the ram (3) rotates about and drives the transverse shaft (14) which in turn rotates the double drive crank (10) which drives the elongated parts (8, 9) which, since they are articulated at their other end to the double driven crank (11), are forced to perform an oscillating movement in the vertical plane, always being maintained parallel. This movement has a vertical component which is used so that the commercial wheels (13) can be concealed in the box of the storage bed base or projected downwards to touch the floor and so that the assembly remains supported on them. As a complement to the aforementioned, this mechanism will preferably be provided with gas springs (12) that not only reduce the force for lifting the cover of the storage bed base, but also allow the cover to remain lifted once it has been lifted, in a manner similar to that of the hoods of cars.

[0036] Figures 12-13 show a second embodiment of the projectable wheel mechanism, similar to that described in the previous embodiment except that the movement of the orienting wheels (13) is achieved from the rotating movement of the ram (3) which is joined by means of a splined shaft (16) (or similar means, such as the means mentioned in the previous embodiment) to a geared sector (17) meshing with a worm screw (18) which, through a rod (19), transmits its rotation to respective geared pinions (20) which in turn mesh with notched vertical elements in the rack (21). Commercial wheels (13) such as those described above are vertically articulated at the lower end of these rack elements (21). When the ram (3) rotates about the splined shaft (16) when the lifting mechanism opens or closes the lifting mechanism makes the geared sector (17) rotate with it and such geared sector (17), through the other meshed elements, determines the up or down movement of the orienting wheels.


Claims

1. A lifting mechanism for a storage bed base, applicable to the type of storage bed base comprising a box and an upper cover, the lifting mechanism comprising two pairs of arms, first ends of the arms (6, 3) of one pair being articulated to a base part (4) intended to be integral with the fixed structure of the box of the storage bed base, first ends of the arms (2, 5) of the second pair of arms being articulated to a cantilever (1) intended to be fixed to the inner face of the upper cover of the storage bed base, there being a distance CC between the articulations of each pair of arms to the base part (4) or to the cantilever (1), whichever applies; a first arm (6, 2) of each pair being articulated at a second end with a first arm (2, 6) of the other pair of arms and at an intermediate position with the second arm (5, 3) of the other pair of arms, said articulation of the first arm (6, 2) with the second arm (5, 3) of the other pair of arms not being collinear with the articulations located at the ends, the first arm (6, 2) of each pair of arms having a length L between the articulations to the first arm (2, 6) of the other pair of arms and to the base part (4) or to the cantilever (1), whichever applies, and a length dd between the articulations to the first arm (6, 2) and to the second arm (5, 3) of the other pair of arms, there being a distance M between the articulations of the second arm (5, 3) of each pair to the first arm (6, 2) of the other pair of arms and to the base part (4) or to the cantilever (1), whichever applies.
 
2. The lifting mechanism for a storage bed base according to claim 1, characterized in that:

the length dd is greater than substantially half of the length CC;

the length CC is less than substantially L/10; and

in each pair of arms, in a position substantially corresponding to the vertical half stroke of the mechanism, the segment of length CC and the segment of length dd are substantially perpendicular to the segment of length M.


 
3. The lifting mechanism for a storage bed base according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises supporting means (12) for maintaining the upper cover of the storage bed base in a lifted position.
 
4. The lifting mechanism for a storage bed base according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting means (12) for maintaining the upper cover of the storage bed base in its lifted position comprise a pneumatic spring or cylinder.
 
5. A storage bed base comprising at least one lifting mechanism according to any of the preceding claims.
 
6. The storage bed base according to claim 5, characterized in that the lifting mechanism is located inside the storage bed base in a substantially central area.
 
7. The storage bed base according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises two lifting mechanisms located in respective opposite sides inside the box of the storage bed base and stabilizing means (22) joining the two lifting mechanisms to one another for their synchronized movement.
 
8. The storage bed base according to claim 7, wherein the stabilizing means comprise a substantially horizontal stabilizer bar.
 
9. The storage bed base according to claim 7, wherein the higher arms (2) of the two lifting mechanisms are formed in a single part through a substantially horizontal upper portion, forming the stabilizing means for synchronizing the movement of the two lifting mechanisms.
 
10. The storage bed base according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the base part of each lifting mechanism comprises a projectable wheel mechanism.
 
11. The storage bed base according to claim 10, wherein the projectable wheel mechanism comprises a double drive crank (10) integral with the end of the ram (3) articulated with the base part (4), the double drive crank (10) being articulated with a first end of two elongated parts (8, 9), the second end of which is articulated to a double driven crank (11), such that upon rotating the double drive crank (10) the elongated parts (8, 9) are forced to perform an oscillating movement in the vertical plane, and one of the elongated parts being provided with wheels substantially arranged at its ends.
 
12. The storage bed base according to claim 10, wherein the projectable wheel mechanism comprises a geared sector arranged at an end of the ram (3), meshing with a worm screw (18), such that the rotation of the worm screw (18) caused by the movement of the ram (3) is transmitted through a rod (19) in which the worm screw (18) is arranged to respective rack and pinion systems arranged at the ends of the rod (19) to cause the retraction or projection of the wheels.
 




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