Bed with storage compartment and bed base tilting and raising mechanism

Abstract

 A bed (1) is disclosed, which comprises a storage compartment (2) with two side panels (2a, 2b) and a bed base (3), having a top side (3a) for supporting a mattress (5) and a bottom side (3b), and a mechanism (4, 4) for moving said bed base (3), which involves:
- a first step for moving the bed base (3) from a substantially horizontal lowered configuration to an upwardly inclined configuration for access to said storage compartment (2);
- a second step for moving said bed base (3) from an upwardly inclined configuration to a substantially horizontal raised configuration;

characterized in that said mechanism (4) for moving the bed base (3) comprises a pair of synchronized five-sided linkages (4, 4), each five-sided linkage (4, 4) comprising:
- a frame (40) integral with said side panel (2a, 2b) of said container (2);
- a first lever (41a, 41b) hinged to said frame (40);
- a second lever (42) hinged to said first lever (41a, 41 b);
- a third lever (43), hinged to said second lever (42), said third lever (43) being integral with said bottom side (36) of said bed base (3);
- a fourth lever (44) hinged to said third lever (43) and said frame (40);

and in that lock means (14a, 14b) are provided for locking said first lever (41 a, 41b) to hold said first lever (41 a, 41b) locked during said first step;
and in that stop means (12) are provided for stopping the movement of each moving mechanism (4) when said bed base (3) reaches a substantially horizontal raised position.

Description

[0001] There is disclosed herein a bed base tilting and raising mechanism.

[0002] There is also disclosed herein a bed with storage compartment having a bed base tilting and raising mechanism.

[0003] In modem dwellings, problems of space shortage are highly felt.

[0004] In an attempt to obviate this problem, it is known to use beds with storage compartments, in which the space under the bed base may be utilized for storage of items such as blankets, sheets, pillows, etc.

[0005] EP 1 374 741 B1 discloses a bed with storage compartment having a mechanism whereby two successive movements are used to tilt the bed base for accessing the storage compartment under the bed base and then to move it to a horizontal position, raised from the lying plane of the bed, for easier bed making.

[0006] Prior art beds with storage compartments having bed base moving mechanisms suffer from certain drawbacks.

[0007] For example, prior art bed base moving systems are not easy to handle for elder people.

[0008] Also, prior art bed base moving mechanisms have problems in terms of reliability with time and high costs.

[0009] The object of this invention is to obviate at least some of prior art problems.

[0010] This object is fulfilled by a bed according to the principle of claim 1.

[0011] Further advantages may be achieved by the additional features of the dependent claims.

[0012] A possible embodiment of the invention will be now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed in normal conditions of use;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bed as shown in Figure 1, with the bed base tilted for access to the underlying storage compartment;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bed as shown in Figure 1, with the bed base in a raised and substantially horizontal position;
• Figure 4 is a partially sectional side view of a detail of the bed with the bed base in a horizontal lowered position;
• Figure 5 shows the detail of Figure 4 with the bed base in an inclined (tilted) position;
• Figure 6 shows the same detail of Figure 4 with the bed base in a substantially horizontal raised position;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of the articulated mechanism only, with the bed in the configuration of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a perspective view of a first variant embodiment of the articulated mechanism as shown in Figure 4;
• Figures 9, 10 and 11 show three operating positions of a second variant embodiment of the mechanism as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6;
• Figures 12, 13 and 14 show three operating positions of a third variant embodiment of the mechanism as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

[0013] Numeral 1 generally designates a bed comprising a storage compartment 2 with two side panels 2a, 2b.

[0014] A bed base 3 is provided, having a top side 3a for supporting a mattress 5 and a bottom side 3b.

[0015] The bed comprises a mechanism 4, 4 for moving the bed base 3, in two successive steps.

[0016] In the embodiments that are shown in the accompanying drawings, the moving mechanism 4, 4 is located proximate to the bed headboard.

[0017] In the first moving step the bed base 3 is moved by a rotational and translational movement from a substantially horizontal lowered configuration (see Figures 1, 4, 9 and 12) to an upwardly tilted configuration (see Figures 2, 5, 10 and 13) for access to the underlying storage compartment 2.

[0018] In the second step, the bed base 3 is moved from an upwardly tilted configuration (see Figures 2, 5, 10 and 13) to a substantially horizontal raised configuration (see Figures 3, 6, 11 and 14).

[0019] Both movements of the bed base 3 may be easily controlled by holding the bed base 3 at the end that faces the bed footboard or using a lifting handle attached to the bed base 3.

[0020] During the first step (tilting of the bed base), the user lifts the end of the bed base and during the second step (moving the bed base to a horizontal raised position) the user pulls the end of the bed base towards him/herself.

[0021] The bed base moving mechanism 4 comprises a pair of five-bar linkages 4, 4.

[0022] Each five-bar linkage 4 and 4 comprises a frame 40 integral with the side panel 2a, 2b of the bed with storage compartment 2.

[0023] Each frame 40 is preferably stiffened by a raceway 15.

[0024] There are also provided a first lever 41 a, 41 b, hinged to the frame 40, a second lever 42, hinged to the first lever 41 a, 41 b, a third lever 42, hinged to the second lever 42 and a fourth lever 44 hinged to the third lever 43 and the frame 40.

[0025] The third lever 43 of the five-bar linkage is integrated with the lower bottom side 3b of the bed base 3.

[0026] The two five-bar linkages 4, 4 are synchronized by a transverse bar 3c, whose ends are fixed, for instance, to the second levers 42, 42.

[0027] The moving mechanism 4 also has lock means 14a, 14b, 16b for locking the first lever 41a, 41 b in a substantially horizontal orientation (i.e. parallel to the direction of extension of the bed base 3) during the first bed base 3 moving step, in which the bed base 3 is moved from a horizontal lowered position to a tilted position.

[0028] Due to the presence of the lock means 14a, 14b, 16b for locking the first lever 41a, 41b during the first bed base 3 moving step (tilting step), each linkage 4, 4 operates as a four-bar linkage.

[0029] Therefore, during the first pivoting step, the bed base 3 performs a rotational and translational movement to an inclined (tilted) position, preferably at an angle of about 45° (see Figures 2, 5, 10 and 13).

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the first lever 41a, 41b comprises two parallel rods 41a, 41b, one of which (rod 41 b) is longer than the other (rod 41 a).

[0031] The use of two parallel rods 41 a and 41 b to form the first lever 41 a, 41 b of the five-bar linkage adds stability to the bed when the bed base 3 is horizontally raised relative to the bed with storage compartment 2.

[0032] The moving mechanism 4 preferably includes an actuator 8 to provide energy during the first bed base 3 moving step.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 8 comprises a gas piston which is hinged to the third lever 43 and the fourth lever 44 of the five-bar linkage.

[0034] The gas piston 8 assists the lifting movement of the bed base 3 during the first moving step (i.e. as the bed base is opened), and stores energy when the bed base 3 is closed, thereby also acting as a damper as the bed base 3 is closed.

[0035] In a possible embodiment, the lock means 14a, 14b, 16b for locking the first lever 41, 41b include a spring device 14a, 14b which is integral with the side panel 2a, 2b of the bed with storage compartment 2, which is adapted to engage a pin 16b integral with the first lever 41a, 41b.

[0036] The spring device 14a, 14b may include a pair of substantially and/or generally S-shaped flex springs 14a, 14b, in mirror-like arrangement and attached to a support 14c.

[0037] In practice, the two S springs 14a, 14b act as two elastic branches which help to hold the pin 16d during the first bed base 3 moving step, thereby causing the two linkages 4, 4 to operate as four-sided linkages.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the two springs 14a, 14b are fixed to a support 14c by a screw 13 which forms one piece with a washer 14e, a rotation lock 14d and a bolt 14f.

[0039] The rotation lock 14d prevents any accidental rotation of the two springs 14a, 14b along the axis of the screw 13.

[0040] In a possible embodiment (see Figure 7) the mechanism 4 comprises at least one helical spring 9 having a first end 9b fixed to the fourth lever 44 of the five-sided linkage and a second end 9a fixed to the first lever 41b of the five-bar linkage 4 through an intermediate control 45 hinged thereto.

[0041] In the embodiment as shown in Figure 7, the first lever 41a, 41b is hinged to the frame 40 in an intermediate position between the fixation point of the second end 9a of the spring 9 and the hinging point of the second lever 42.

[0042] Once the tilting movement has been completed, the bed base 3 reaches a balance position which corresponds to the condition as shown in Figure 5.

[0043] In order to carry out the second moving step, the user shall pull the lifted end of the bed base 3 (the footboard end) towards him/herself, to lift the two pins 14a, 14b and release them from the hold of the elastic branches 14a, 14b.

[0044] During the second bed base 3 moving step (from the configuration of Figures 2 and 5 to the configuration of Figures 3 and 6), the at least one spring 9 (which is always under tension) operates as a damper.

[0045] Stop means 12 are also provided for locking the movement of the five-sided linkage 4 - during the second step - when the bed base 3 reaches a substantially horizontal raised position.

[0046] The stop means 12 may include an adjustable screw that locks the rotation of the first lever 41a, 41b; in the example of the figure, the adjustable screw locks the end of the longer rod 41b.

[0047] At the end of its travel 3, the bed base 3 assumes a horizontal raised position and is balanced by the weight of the base and mattress.

[0048] A safety rod 10 is also provided, which holds the bed base 3 locked in its tilted position (e.g. see Figure 2), or holds the bed base 3 locked when it is in is horizontal raised position (see Figure 3).

[0049] The rod 10 may be used for the purpose of horizontally locking the bed base 3 using a second lock stop member 2g attached to the side panel 2b of the bed for maximized safety of the movement (see Figure 6).

[0050] Therefore, the rod 10 prevents the bed base 3 from accidentally closing, for user safety.

[0051] For the reverse movement, the user shall lift the bed base 3 at its end; under the influence of gravity and the elastic effect of the spring 9, the bed base 3 will tend to move back to its 45° tilted position, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5.

[0052] As an effort is applied to the lifted end of the bed base 3, the latter moves back to the starting position (see Figure 1 and Figure 4).

[0053] In a first embodiment (see Figure 8), the lock means for locking the first lever 41a, 41b include a gas piston 7 hinged to the first lever 41 b and the frame 40 by connectors 7a and 7b.

[0054] In case of particularly heavy loads on the bed base 3, which has a decorative frame and a mattress in the embodiment of Figure 8, may be changed to the embodiment of Figures 9, 10 and 11.

[0055] This second variant embodiment uses at least one helical spring 9 fixed to the fourth lever 44 and the first lever 41 in addition to the gas piston 7.

[0056] In a third alternative embodiment (see Figures 12, 13 and 14), each bed base moving mechanism (4, 4) comprises, in addition to the gas piston, a hydraulic damper 71 hinged to one end of the first lever 41a, 41b (for instance to the end of the longer rod 41b) and to the fourth lever 44.

[0057] The hydraulic damper 71 slows down the movement of the bed base 3 from the intermediate (tilted) position to the final (horizontal and raised) position and vice versa.

[0058] This arrangement provides a smooth speed reduction irrespective of the weight of the mattress, and allows the bed base 3 in the horizontal position to be wholly stable and safe without using the second stop member attached to the side panel 2b which is thus an optional item.

Claims

1. A bed (1) comprising:

a) a storage compartment (2) with two side panels (2a, 2b);

b) a bed base (3) located above said storage compartment (2), having a top side (3a) for supporting a mattress (5) and a bottom side (3b);

c) a mechanism (4, 4) for moving said bed base (3), which is adapted to carry out:

- a first step for moving the bed base (3) from a substantially horizontal lowered configuration to an upwardly inclined configuration for access to said storage compartment (2);

- a second step for moving said bed base (3) from an upwardly inclined configuration to a substantially horizontal raised configuration;

characterized in that said mechanism (4) for moving the bed base (3) comprises a pair of synchronized five-sided linkages (4, 4), each five-sided linkage (4, 4) comprising:

- a frame (40) integral with said side panel (2a, 2b) of said container (2);

- a first lever (41 a, 41 b) hinged to said frame (40);

- a second lever (42) hinged to said first lever (41a, 41b);

- a third lever (43), hinged to said second lever (42), said third lever (43) being integral with said bottom side (3b) of said bed base (3);

- a fourth lever (44) hinged to said third lever (43) and said frame (40);
and in that lock means (16a, 16b, 16c) are provided for locking said first lever (41a, 41b), to hold said first lever (41 a, 41b) locked during said first step, so that during said first step said moving mechanisms (4, 4) operate as four-bar linkages;
and in that stop means (12) are provided for stopping the movement of each moving mechanism (4, 4) when said bed base 3 reaches a substantially horizontal raised position.

2. A bed as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first lever (41a, 41b) comprises two parallel rods (41a, 41b).

3. A bed as claimed in claim 1 or 2, further comprising an actuator (8) which is adapted to provide energy for lifting said bed base (3) during said first step or for storing energy when said bed base (3) is moved back to said substantially horizontal lowered configuration.

4. A bed as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein said actuator (8) comprises a gas piston hinged to said third lever (43) and said fourth lever (44).

5. A bed as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said lock means (14a, 14b, 16b) for locking said first lever (41, 41b) include two elastic branches (14a, 14b) which are integral with the side panel (2a, 2b) of the storage compartment (2), which is adapted to engage a pin (16b) integral with said first lever (41a, 41b).

6. A bed as claimed in claim 3 or 4 or 5, wherein
each moving mechanism (4, 4) comprises at least one helical spring (9), said at least one helical spring (9) having a first end (9b) fixed to said fourth lever (44) and a second end (9a) fixed to an intermediate control (45) attached to the first lever (41b),
and wherein said first lever (41 a, 41 b) is hinged to said frame (40) in an intermediate position between the fixation point of the second end (9a) of said spring (9) and the hinging point to said second lever (42).

7. A bed as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second end (9a) of said spring (9) is joined to said first lever (41a, 41b) by means of an element (45) hinged to said first lever (41b).

8. A bed as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said stop means (12) for the moving mechanism (4, 4) include a gas piston (7) hinged to said first lever (41a, 41b) and to said frame (40).

9. A bed as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one helical spring (9) is provided, said at least one helical spring (9) having a first end (9b) fixed to said fourth lever (44) and a second end (9a) fixed to an intermediate control (45) attached to the first lever (41 b).

10. A bed as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a hydraulic damper (71) is provided, which is hinged to one end of the first lever (41a, 41b) and to the fourth lever (44) of the moving mechanism (4, 4).

11. A mechanism for moving a bed base (3) of a bed in two steps, said mechanism comprising a five-bar linkage (4) having:

- a frame (40);

- a first lever (41a, 41b) hinged to said frame (40);

- a second lever (42) hinged to said first lever (41 a, 41b);

- a third lever (43), hinged to said second lever (42), said third lever (43) being adapted to support a bed base (3);

- a fourth lever (44) hinged to said third lever (43) and said frame (40);

- lock means (14a, 14b, 16c) for supporting said first lever (41a, 41b) for holding said first lever (41a, 41b) locked during said first step for moving said mechanism (4); and

- stop means (12) for locking the movement of said mechanism (4) in said second moving step, when said third lever (43) reaches a predetermined position.

Drawing