TECHNICAL FIELD

A device for lifting a furniture item is disclosed that finds particular, although not exclusive applications in commercial (e.g. hotels, motels, inns etc) and in domestic contexts.

BACKGROUND ART Furniture items need to be lifted for a user to access the surface area hidden below the item (e.g. for cleaning, retrieval, cabling etc) . In these circumstances, users must lift and then support the furniture item in a new position, or enlist the assistance of a second user to hold the item temporarily in an elevated position so as to provide a gap for the user to access the areas beneath the furniture item. This can cause undue strain to the user, particularly in the case of commercial users who must lift furniture items such as beds or cupboards regularly to clean the surfaces beneath these items (e.g. hotel maids) .

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a first aspect, there is provided a device for lifting a furniture item comprising a frame having a first end and a second end such that, in use, when the first end is moved downwardly, the second end is pivoted upwardly to lift the furniture item, and an element located with respect to the second end, wherein the element comprises a face that is arranged to maintain a close facing arrangement with the furniture item during the lifting thereof .

The device allows a user to lift a furniture item such as a bed or cupboard into an elevated position and thereby provide access to the areas beneath the bed or cupboard without having to exerting a direct lifting force onto the item. This is of particular advantage in that the downward movement exerted on the device used to lift the item is a much more ergonomic movement for a user and can reduce the risk of undue strain on a user.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the face of the element is defined by a planar surface. Further, the element can be arranged to pivot with respect to the second end of the frame such that the face can flushly engage with the furniture item and maintain this engagement during lifting, thereby maintaining secure support for the furniture item. By having a planar surface to engage the furniture item, which can also pivot, the element can maintain a secure engagement to the item during the lifting process. This is of particular advantage as the lifting of heavy items can result in the risk of injuries if the device is not adequately engaged with the item, which can cause it to fall on to the user.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the element has a stop member arranged to limit the pivotal movement of the element.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the frame has a pair of opposed wheel members located between the first and second ends of the frame .

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the first and second ends of the frame substantially form an L- shape in side profile. However, the frame can curve in an arc between the first and second ends, and can "pivot" on this arc in use .

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the frame is constructed from tubular members.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the frame is demountable (e.g. the tubular members can be detached from each other, for packing, storage and transportation) .

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the element has a resilient layer on the face and arranged for deformably engaging the furniture item in use .

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the resilient layer has a plurality of grooves.

In one embodiment of the first aspect, the first end of the frame is arranged to support the furniture item elevated from a surface whereupon the furniture item has been lifted by the second end off the surface.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method for lifting a furniture item comprising the steps of positioning a device in accordance with the first aspect adjacent to the furniture item, tilting the frame such that the second end of the frame is raised upwardly to engage the furniture item and thereby lift the furniture item off a surface.

In a third aspect, there is provided a device for lifting a furniture item comprising a member adapted for engaging the furniture item, the member being rotatably secured to a frame, the arrangement being such that in use, when the member engages the furniture item and thereby enables the lifting of the item, upon further lifting the frame can tilt away from the item whilst the member remains engaged thereto .

The device of the third aspect can otherwise be as defined in the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a device for lifting a furniture item comprising, a frame having an engagement means arranged to engage the furniture item, and a pivotal portion arranged to pivot the frame into a lifted position to lift the furniture item such that when in use, the frame is arranged to remain in the lifted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the device for lifting a furniture item as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments of the device and components thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device for lifting a furniture item according to a first aspect of the device;

Figure 2a and Figure 2b shows the rear and side view of the device in accordance with figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device for lifting a furniture item;

Figure 4a and Figure 4b shows the rear and side view of the device in accordance with figure 2 ; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a device for lifting a furniture item comprising an embodiment of a stop member;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the device for lifting a furniture item; and Figure 7A and 7B shows an embodiment of the device for lifting a furniture item during use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figure 1, Figures 2a and 2b, an embodiment of the device for lifting a furniture item is illustrated. This embodiment provides a device for lifting a furniture item comprising a frame having a first end and a second end, wherein an element is located with respect to the second end, the element comprising a face that is adapted for being maintained in a close facing arrangement to the furniture item during the lifting thereof, the arrangement of the frame being such that in use, when the first end is moved downwardly, the second end is pivoted upwardly to lift the engaged item.

In the example embodiment, the frame 10 comprises a first end 12 and a second end 12 arranged such that the first and second end is demountably connected together to provide a side profiled L-shape to the frame 10. In some examples, the frame 10 is made of tubular members although other shapes are possible. The frame has a cross element 16 which is coupled to the second end 14 of the frame 10. In this embodiment, the cross element 16 is rotatably engaged to the second end 14 of the frame 10 by means of a rotatable hinge 24. The engagement between the frame and the cross element 16 allows the cross member to be rotated about the second end 14 of the frame 10.

The frame may include a traverse arm 20 located between the tubular members of the frame 10. The traverse arm 20 in this embodiment is secured by a bolt, although other forms of fastening means are possible. The traverse arm 20 provides reinforcement and added strength to the frame 10.

The frame may also have a support arm secured to the first end of the frame and the second end of the frame to distribute the load on the second end 14 of the frame to the first end 12 of the frame 10 during use. This is particularly advantageous when the device is used to lift heavy items.

In the embodiments as shown in Figures 1 to 7, the frame is constructed of tubular members which can be made of metal, plastic or wood. As the person skilled in the art can appreciate, other materials and shapes of the members are possible, including the usage of solid steel beams or timber planks to construct the frame 10.

In the embodiment as shown in Figures 1, 2a and 2b the frame 10 has a set of wheel members 22. In this example, the wheel members 22 are plastic wheels having a center shaft housed partially within the frame. In this embodiment, the wheels provide the frame with a pivotal point which allows the frame 10 to be tilted during use such that when a downwards force is exerted on the first end 14 of the frame 10, the second end 12 of the frame 10 will be moved upwardly, thereby transferring the downwards force from the first end into a lifting motion on the second end of the frame 10. The wheels also provide for the device to be moved without the frame being dragged along a surface.

The frame also may include a cross element 16 which in this embodiment is rotatably engaged to the second end of the frame by means of a hinge 24 attached to the second end 14 of the frame. When in use the cross element 16 will engage the underside of a furniture item such that the surface of the cross member can locate securely onto the underside of a piece of furniture such as, without limitation, a bed or cupboard. In some examples, the cross element may have a resilient or elastomeric material on the contact surface to provide superior (i.e non-slip) engagement with the furniture item. In other examples, the surface of the cross element 16 has a plurality of grooves which also serve to provide superior engagement between the element 16 and the item.

Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the frame 10 can be dimensioned in accordance with the furniture type that it is intended to lift. For example, if the device is to be used primarily for lifting bed frames the length of the second end may be sized to be approximately 350mm in length, in order to create an adequate clearance for a user to access the area under the bed. In this example, the first end 12 of the frame 10 is approximately 700mm in length, which is a suitable height for a standing user and allowing adequate leveraging length to lift furniture items. In some examples as is shown in Figures 2B, the first and second ends 12, 14 of the frame 10 are inclined towards each other to provide superior ergonomics for the user.

Referring to Figures 3, 4A and 4B another embodiment of the device for lifting a furniture item is illustrated. In this embodiment the frame 10 comprises a first end 12 and a second end 12 to define a frame and a cross element 16 similar to the abovementioned embodiments. However, this embodiment does not have wheel members 22 but has a curved portion between the first and second portion of the frame 10. The curved portion is sufficiently curved to provide a satisfactory pivotal movement as earlier described. In this example, the curved portion may be additionally strengthened with thicker materials or may have an elastomeric surface to protect the body of the frame 10.

Referring to Figures 5A to 5C, an embodiment of the stop member 52 is illustrated. When the device is not in use, the cross element 16 may rotate to a face down position on the frame 10, which requires the user to move the cross element 16 into an upwards position prior to using the device. In this embodiment, the cross element 16 has a stop member 52 which provides a limitation to the range of rotation of the cross element 16 'relative to the frame 10. In this embodiment shown, the stop member 52 takes the form of a flange portion attached to the side wall of the cross element 16. When the cross element 16 is freely rotated forward as illustrated in Figures 5B and 5C, the flanged portion 52 will connect with the second end of the frame 10 and thereby restrict the movement of the cross element 16. Other examples of stopping members such as limiting pins placed within the hinge 24 can be utilized to stop the cross element 16 without hindering the engagement between the cross element 16 and a furniture item during use .

Referring to Figure 6, another embodiment of the device for lifting a furniture item is illustrated. In this embodiment, the cross element 16 is cylindrical in shape. As the element 16 is circular, the element is able to provide a constant contact surface between the cross element and the furniture item as the first end is pushed downward, to thereby maintain a constant engagement between the furniture item and the element. This embodiment is advantageous in that it does not require the use of any additional hinges in order to maintain an adequate level of engagement between the cross member and the furniture item. In some examples, the surface of the element is smooth, in order to reduce wear on the furniture item.

Referring to Figures 7A and 7B, when a user wishes to lift a furniture item 70 into an elevated position, the user can position the device near the furniture item 70. Once the device is positioned in a suitable location, the user can exert a downward force on the first end 12 of the frame 10. The force causes the second end 14 of the frame 10 to move upwardly. During this process the cross element 16 contacts an underside surface of the furniture item and rotatably adjusts in its position (by rotating in accordance with the tilting movement of the frame 10) . The rotation of the cross element 16 is such that the cross element 16 continues to engage the furniture item during the lifting process. As the user continues to exert a downward force on the first end of the frame 10, the second end of the frame lifts the item 70 into an elevated position as shown in Figure 7B .

Once the furniture item has been lifted into an elevated position as illustrated in Figure 7B, the user can then push the frame 10 into a position beneath the furniture item 70 as shown in Figure 7B. During this process, the frame 10 may contact the surface to provide a new pivot point . As the user continues to push the frame 10, the new pivot point will transfer the pushing force exerted by the user to the cross element 16 as a lifting force. Once the user has pushed the frame into position beneath the item 70, the item 70 will rest on the cross element 16, thereby transferring the weight of the item 70 onto the frame. This will allow the furniture item 70 to remain elevated from the surface as the item 70 is supported by the frame through the cross element 16. That is, the item 70 will remain elevated without any continued force being applied by the user. As the item 70 is in an elevated position, the frame creates a gap between the furniture item 70 and the floor approximately equal to the length of the second end 14. As shown in Figure 7B, the frame can be further pushed into a position such that a substantial portion of its body is beneath the furniture item 70 and lying horizontally on the surface. In this position, a substantial portion of the frame may rest on the surface to allow the frame to remain in a stable position beneath the furniture item 70. This provides an advantage in that a user can access the gap created between the furniture item and the floor.

While specific embodiments of the device for lifting a furniture item and components thereof have been described, it should be appreciated that the device can be embodied in many other forms . In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.