OSCILLATING BED STRUCTURE

Abstract

 Described is an oscillating bed structure (1) comprising a base (2), a cradle (3) slidably supported by said base (2), movement means (6) for imparting an oscillating movement to said cradle (3) relative to said base (2), means (12) for guiding said oscillating movement.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an oscillating bed structure.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a bed structure, which allows the mattress supported by it to perform an oscillating motion.

[0003] The oscillating motion makes it possible to give the user a feeling of comfort and relaxation.

[0004] There are various prior art technical solutions which allow a relative movement between the mattress and the floor to be obtained in order to give a certain comfort for the user.

[0005] The prior art solutions comprise movement systems, either manual or automatic, which are able to perform a sort of rocking action to the user, for example to encourage sleep.

[0006] However, all the prior art solutions comprise very complex mechanisms to be made and for this reason are very expensive and not very efficient.

[0007] The term "efficient" means a structure designed to obtain a movement which is, at the same time, large with respect a fixed point and as fluid as possible.

[0008] It is known that any discontinuities in the movement cause an opposite effect with respect to the comfort of a fluid movement.

[0009] The complexity of the movements used in the prior art structures also makes synchronisation between the various components difficult, which generates potential frequent jamming and greater wear.

[0010] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0011] More specifically, the aim of the invention is to provide an oscillating bed structure which is able to move with oscillating motion a mattress in a uniform and uninterrupted manner.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to provide an oscillating bed structure which is easy to and simple to construct and make.

[0013] Yet another aim of the invention is to provide an oscillating bed structure which is reliable in use and which allows a long life of the movement system to be achieved, minimising the risk of inducing discontinuous movements which are not comfortable for the user.

[0014] The technical features of an oscillating bed structure which is simple and inexpensive to make and easy and safe to install according to the above aims may be easily and easily inferred from the appended claims.

[0015] The advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept of an oscillating bed structure, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective side view of an oscillating bed structure according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a structure of an oscillating bed according to the invention; and
• Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the cross-section C-C of Figure 2.

[0016] Hereinafter in this description, the numeral 1 generically denotes an oscillating bed structure according to the invention.

[0017] Described with reference to the accompanying drawings is a structure 1 of oscillating beds which comprises a base 2 designed to be stably positioned on a floor, and a cradle 3 which is operatively connected and slidably supported by the base 2.

[0018] The base 2 advantageously comprises respective supporting elements 15 for a correct and stable positioning on the floor.

[0019] The supporting elements 15 advantageously comprise respective adjustment means, not illustrated in the drawings, configured for adjusting the relative height, that is to say, adjusting the perfect levelling of the base 2 relative to the floor.

[0020] The term "levelling" means the possibility of positioning the base 2 and the respective lying plane on parallel planes, for example the floor of a room.

[0021] Advantageously, each single supporting element 15 comprises respective and independent adjustment means, for example of the threaded male-female type.

[0022] The structure 1 also comprises movement means 6 which are configured to impart an oscillating movement of the cradle 3 relative to the base 2.

[0023] The cradle 3 performs an oscillating movement according to the direction of the arrows F indicated in Figure 3, relative to the base 2, which remains clearly stationary relative to the floor.

[0024] The oscillating movement therefore extends transversally relative to a longitudinal direction (the one relative to the head-feet of a user lying on the structure 1) of the base 2.

[0025] The structure 1 also comprises guide means 12 configured to determine the amplitude and the direction of the above-mentioned oscillating movement.

[0026] Advantageously, the movement means 6 comprise a kinematic mechanism of the connecting rod 9 - crank 10 type.

[0027] The foot of the connecting rod 9 is connected to the cradle 3 whilst the crank 10 is connected to the end of a transmission shaft 8a, 8b which is, in turn, operatively connected to a respective gearmotor 7.

[0028] Advantageously, therefore, the movement means 6 comprise a gearmotor 7.

[0029] Advantageously, the gearmotor 7 is a brushless type motor.

[0030] The adoption of a brushless motor allows the structure 1 to operate in a very silent and uniform manner.

[0031] It is clear that the reduced noise and the greater uniformity of movement are very important for the user of the structure 1 in order to rest properly.

[0032] Moreover, advantageously, as shown for example in Figure 2, the movement means 6 comprise two kinematic mechanisms of the connecting rod 9 - crank 10 type which are positioned at two opposite ends of the cradle 3.

[0033] In this case, the gearmotor 7 is operatively connected to two transmission shafts 8a and 8b which are connected to the two respective connecting rods 9 - crank 10 kinematic mechanisms.

[0034] Advantageously, the movement means 6 comprise at least one adjustment device 11 configured to allow the variation of the amplitude of the oscillating movement of the cradle 3 relative to the base 2.

[0035] Advantageously, the adjustment device 11 is positioned on the connecting rod 9 and is configured for modifying the relative length, that is to say, the distance of the foot of the connecting rod with respect to the connection with the crank 10, so as to increase or decrease the amplitude of the oscillating movement of the cradle 3 relative to the base 2.

[0036] The adjustment device 11 comprises, for example, a telescopic element which can be locked in predetermined reciprocal positions, each of which corresponding to an amplitude of the oscillating movement obtained by the structure 1.

[0037] The adjustment device 11 therefore makes it possible to adjust the amplitude of the oscillating movement by the user according to his/her requirements.

[0038] The guide means 12 comprise at least one track 13 positioned on the base 2 or on the cradle 3 and a respective sliding element 14 positioned on the other of either the base 2 or the cradle 3.

[0039] Advantageously, the sliding element 14 comprises a wheel 14 designed to engage in a rolling fashion on the track 13.

[0040] The wheel 14 is made of material with a high sliding coefficient (low friction), at least in its portion in contact with the respective track 13.

[0041] The wheel 14 is advantageously made of Teflon, at least in a portion of it which is in contact with the respective track 13.

[0042] The wheels 14 advantageously comprise respective adjustment means to allow mutual positioning between the four wheels 14 completely independently between each of the wheels 14.

[0043] The means for adjusting the individual wheels 14, which are not shown in the drawings, are advantageously formed directly on the central pin of the wheel 14.

[0044] The central pin comprises, for example, an eccentric element such that it is possible to obtain a movement of the wheel 14 with respect to the relative track 13.

[0045] The track 13 comprises in a possible embodiment a profile inclined relative to the lying plane of the base 2.

[0046] The shape of the track 13 is the one which determines the direction and form of the oscillating movement obtained by the structure 1.

[0047] In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the guide means 12 comprise four rails 13 shaped like slots inside of which the above-mentioned wheel 14 can slide.

[0048] The tracks 13 are advantageously coated with a material with a high sliding coefficient (low friction) such as, for example, Teflon.

[0049] The solution which allows the maximum silence of the structure 1 to be obtained comprises both the wheels 14 and the respective tracks 13 which are at least coated with Teflon.

[0050] In detail, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the four slots 13 are each positioned on a respective vertex of the cradle 3 whilst the respective wheels 14 are positioned on the base 2.

[0051] In this solution, the wheels 14 do not vary their position in use (rotating on their own axis) whilst the respective slots 13 move, generating the oscillating movement.

[0052] The cam profile of the slots 13 makes it possible to obtain a fluid movement in the oscillation of the cradle 3 relative to the base 2.

[0053] Moreover, in detail, the cam profile of the slots 13 determines the trajectory of the oscillating movement (as indicated by the arrows F in Figure 3).

[0054] Advantageously, the oscillating bed structure 1 according to the invention also comprises a frame 4 configured for supporting a mesh for mattresses, not illustrated in the drawings.

[0055] The frame 4 comprises respective portions 5 for fixing the mesh for mattresses to the frame 4 and, advantageously, positioned at the four corners of the frame 4.

[0056] The mesh may be of any type, for example wire mesh or slats.

[0057] Advantageously, moreover, the mesh may be a mesh with electrical movement.

[0058] The mesh for mattresses is positioned and supported by the cradle 3 so as to oscillate together with it.

[0059] In order to increase the ease of use of the structure 1 according to the invention, it may also comprise remote control means for the movement means 6.

[0060] The above-mentioned remote control means, which are not shown in the drawings, comprise a receiving unit of the wired or wireless type, positioned on the base 2 and a control (or remote control) positioned in such a way that it can be easily used by a user positioned on the mattress above the respective network.

[0061] A structure 1 for oscillating beds according to the invention has important advantages and overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0062] An important advantage consists in the fact that a structure 1 for oscillating beds according to the invention makes it possible to move the mattress positioned on the respective mesh, in turn positioned integral with the cradle 3, according to an oscillating motion, which allows a general relaxation of the user positioned on the mattress.

[0063] A further advantage consists in the fact that an oscillating bed structure according to the invention comprises a very simple kinematic system (connecting rod-crank) which makes it possible to reduce to the maximum extent the risk of jamming and at the same time reducing the general wear and the noise generated during operation of the entire structure.

Claims

1. An oscillating bed structure (1) comprising: a base (2), a cradle (3) slidably supported by said base (2), movement means (6) for imparting an oscillating movement to said cradle (3) relative to said base (2), said movement means (6) comprising a kinematic mechanism of the connecting rod (9) - crank (10) type configured to impart said movement, means (12) for guiding said oscillating movement comprising at least one track (13) positioned on one of either said base (2) or cradle (3) and a respective sliding element (14) positioned on the other of either said base (2) or cradle (3).

2. The structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein said movement means (6) comprise a gearmotor (7).

3. The structure (1) according to claim 2, wherein said gearmotor (7) is a brushless motor.

4. The structure (2) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the foot of said connecting rod (9) is connected to said cradle (3) and the crank (10) of said connecting rod (9) is connected to the end of a transmission shaft (8a, 8b), said transmission shaft (8a, 8b) being operatively connected to said gearmotor (7).

5. The structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein said movement means (6) comprise two kinematic mechanisms of the connecting rod (9) - crank (10) type located at opposite ends of said cradle (3).

6. The structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein said sliding element (14) comprises a wheel designed to engage in rolling fashion on said track (13) .

7. The structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said wheel is made of Teflon at least in its portion for contact with said track (13).

8. The structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein said track (13) comprises a profile inclined relative to the lying plane of said base (2).

9. The structure (1) according to claim 1, wherein said movement means (6) comprise an adjustment device (11) for adjusting the amplitude of said oscillating movement.

10. The structure (1) according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment device (11) is positioned on said connecting rod (9) and is configured for modifying the length of said connecting rod (9).

11. The structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said guide means (12) comprise four cam-shaped slots (13) each positioned on a respective vertex of said cradle (3).

12. The structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a frame (4) configured for supporting a mesh for mattresses, said frame (4) being stably connected to said cradle (3) .

13. The structure (1) according to claim 12, wherein said frame (4) comprises portions (5) for fixing said mesh for mattresses to said frame (4), said portions (5) being designed to stably fix said mesh for mattresses to said frame (4).

14. The structure (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said mesh for mattresses is an electrical mesh.

15. The structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising means for remotely controlling said movement means (6).

Drawing