FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to beds and more particularly to beds that provide movement for the person occupying the bed.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Beds generally consist of a platform that is to support a person in a lying or reclining position.

[0003] In addition to supporting the person on the bed, some beds also provide a vibration function, as well as being able to adjust various portions of the platform so as to locate the occupant of the bed in a desired position.

[0004] However the above described beds suffer from the disadvantage that they do not provide a rocking motion.

OBJECT

[0005] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] There is disclosed herein a bed assembly including:

a platform to support a person in a lying and/or reclined position;

a support member fixed to the platform so as to extend downwardly therefrom;

a base;

a linkage assembly supporting the member on the base for movement about two space first pivots providing first pivot axes that are generally parallel, horizontal and transversely spaced about which the member moves to cause movement of the platform. [0007] Preferably, the bed assembly includes a motor means to cause movement of the linkage assembly and therefore cause movement of the platform .

[0008] Preferably, the assembly includes two spaced second pivots providing second pivot axes that are generally parallel, horizontal and transversely spaced, and parallel to the first pivot axes, with the platform being supported so as to move angularly about the first and second pivot axes.

[0009] Preferably, the first pivots are upper pivots, and the second pivots lower pivots, with the first pivots being transversely spaced by a predetermined distance, with said distance being adjustable.

[0010] Preferably, the assembly includes an adjustment mechanism to alter said distance, the adjustment mechanism moving the first pivot in unison either toward or away from each other.

[001 1 ] Preferably, the adjustment mechanism includes springs that maintain the adjustment mechanism in tension.

[0012] Preferably, the assembly includes a plurality of links, with each link extending between a respective one of the upper pivots and a respective one of the lower pivots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic end elevation of a bed assembly;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic end elevation of a modification of the bed assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation of a linkage assembly employable in the bed assemblies of Figures 1 and 2;

[0017] Figure 4 is a modification of the linkage assembly of Figure 3; [0018] Figure 5 is a further modifi cati on of the linkage assembly of Figure 3; [0019] Figure 6(A) is a schematic top plan view of the bed assembly of Figures 1 to 5;

[0020] Figure 6(B) is a schematic side elevation of the assembly as shown in Figure 6(A)'

[0021 ] Figure 7 is a schematic end elevation of a modificati on of the linkages of Figure 3:

[0022] Figure 8(A) is a schematic top plan view of a modification of the assembly as shown in Figure 6( A);

[0023] Figure 8(B) is a schematic side elevation of the assembly as shown in Figure 8(A);

[0024] Figure 9 is a schematic end elevation of a modification of the linkage assembly shown in Figure 3;

[0025] Figure 10 is a further schematic end elevation of the linkage of Figure 3;

[0026] Figure 1 1 is a schematic end elevati on of the linkage assembly of Figure 3:

[0027] Figure 12 is a schematic end elevation of the linkage assembly of Figure 1 1 ;

[0028] Figure 13 is a schematic top plan view of portion of the bed of Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 14 is a schematic side plan view and side elevation of the bed assembly of Figure i ;

[0030] Figure 15 are schematic end and side elevations of portions of the bed assembly of Figure i ;

[0031] Figure 16 are schematic side and end elevations of a modification of the assembly as shown in Figure 16;

[0032] Figure 17 are schematic end elevations of portions of the assemblies as shown in Figures 16 and 17; [0033] Figure 18 is a schematic end elevation of a modification of the bed assembly of Figure 1 ; and

[0034] Figure 19 is a schematic side elevation of the bed assembly of Figure 18.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a bed assembly 10. The assembly 10 includes a platform 1 1 that would typically receive a mattress so that the platform 11 can support a person in a lying position. In that respect it should be appreciated the platform 1 1 could be shaped so that the person is supported in a reclining position or any other desired position.

[0036] The assembly 10 also includes a base 12, that would rest on a floor surface, having end members 13 providing at their upper portions pivot brackets 18. The pivot brackets 18 engage a linkage assembly 14 that includes a beam 15. Fixed to the beam 15 is at least one post 16 that extends upwardly from the beam 15 to be fixed to an under portion of the platform 1 1 so that the platform 1 1 is supported thereby.

[0037] It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, and the following embodiments, the assemblies illustrated are located at one longitudinal end of the bed, with an identical assembly being provided at the opposite end of the bed. In such an arrangement the platform 1 1 sways transversely of the longitudinal direction of extension of the bed. In alternative embodiments, the assembly 10 could be arranged so that the platform 1 1 moves in the longitudinal direction of the bed.

[0038] The linkage assembly 14 provides pivots 19 and 20, with the pivots 19 and 20 providing generally horizontal parallel and transversely spaced pivot axes including an upper two axes provided by the pivots 19, and lower axes provided by the pivots 20. The assembly also provides links 17 that extend between pivots 19 and 20 so as to support the beam 15.

[0039] Extending between the base 12 and the beam 15 is a motor means 21 that causes reciprocation in the direction 22 of the beam 15 thereby providing the platform 1 1 with a similar motion. [0040] The motor means 21 may be an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor, or a linear actuator.

[0041] Preferably the motor means 21 would be operatively associated with a controller 23 that is programmable to provide adjustment of the displacement of the beam 15, that is amplitude and frequency of the rocking motion of the platform 1 1.

[0042] In Figure 2 there is schematically depicted a modification of the bed assembly 10. In this embodiment a crank assembly 24 is provided that includes a crank member 25 that is pivotally supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Extending from the crank member 25 so as to be fixed to the beam 15 is a linkage 26 so that upon rotation of the crank member 25 the beam 15 is caused to oscillate in the direction 22. There is also provided a resistance member 27 to resist motion of the beam 15 to provide a resistance in respect of the movement thereof to compensate for any lost motion in the drive mechanism in respect of the beam 15.

[0043] In Figure 3 (and Figures 10 to 12) there is schematically depicted a modified linkage assembly 28. The linkage assembly 28 has the purpose of providing an adjustment for the position of the pivots 19, to thereby adjust the amplitude the beam 15, and therefore platform 1 1 moves through. Additionally the slope of the platform 1 1 changes with the movement of the pivots 19.

[0044] The linkage assembly 28 includes a pair of flanges 29 that are pivotally fixed to the base 12 for angular movement about pivots 30.

[0045] Joining the flanges 29 are linkages 31 , 32 and 33, with the linkages 31 to 33 being pivotally attached, and in turn being pivotally attached to the flanges 29. The linkage 31 is of an "L" configuration and cooperates with the linkages 32 and 33 to couple the flanges 29 so that the flanges 29 move in unison when being adjusted. The adjustment of the assembly 28 is provided by angular movement of the shaft 34. Angular movement of the linkage 31 causes movement of the flanges 29 angularly along the paths 35. By operation of the shaft 34, the amount of angular movement (amplitude) the platform 1 1 can be adjusted. [0046] If so required springs 36 may be provided (Figure 4). The springs 36 extend between the flanges 29 and the base 12 to urge the assembly 28 to a desired position, that is the assembly 28 would be preloaded. Preferably, and as shown in Figure 5, a linear actuator 37 may act on a lever 38 fixed to the shaft 34 to (a) in taking up lost motion, and in particular inhibiting backlash.

[0047] In Figure 6(A) there is schematically depicted in plan view the modification as shown in Figure 3, with a linear actuator or other drive mechanism 39, used to push or pull a lever 40 fixed to the shaft 34. By operation of the mechanism 39, preferably via the control 23, the degree of angular movement (amplitude) of the platforms 1 1 can be adjusted.

[0048] In Figure 7 there is schematically depicted a threaded rod 41 that is angularly operated either by motor or manually, to cause angular movement of a lever 42 to cause angular movement of the shaft 34 and therefore angular movement of the flanges 29 to adjust the position of the pivots 19. This arrangement is shown in plan view in Figure 8(A) and the side elevation in Figure 8(B).

[0049] In a still further embodiment as shown in Figure 9, a flange 42 may be provided, and a lever 43 fixed to the shaft 34 and moved angularly relative to the flange 32 so that a pin may pass through the flange 42 and lever 43 to fix the shaft 34 in a desired position and therefore have the pivots 19 located in a desired position.

[0050] With reference to Figures 13 and 14, there is extending between the base 12 and platform 1 1, stabilising bars 45 that are pivotally attached to the platform 1 1 and base 12 to aid in stabilising movement of the platform 1 1.

[0051] In Figures 15 and 16 there is schematically various safety strips or covers 46 that extend between the platform 1 1 and base 12 to inhibit access to any gaps therebetween that may cause injury should a persons hand or foot become located therein.

[0052] In Figure 18 there is schematically depicted a modification of the assembly 28. In this embodiment there is provided a pivotally mounted flange 49 attached to the flanges 29 by linkages 48. By operation of a lever 49 and connecting rod 50, the flange 47 is moved angularly to adjust the position of the flanges 29 and therefore the position of the pivots 19. [0053] As best seen in Figure 19, the linkage assembly 28 may be arranged so that the platform 11 is suspended thereby, with the assemblies 28 located in enclosed chambers 51.