BACKGROUND Hanging sleeping surfaces including hammocks and the like are known for comfort and for occupying minimal floor space. Conventional hanging sleeping surfaces however are not suitably firm nor large enough for regular sleeping for either one or two persons.

US Patent 4,058, 860 to Daidone provides an example of a hanging bed in which a conventional mattress may be suspended by cables from the ceiling. Adjustment of the position of the bed however is limited because all four corners of the bed must be adjusted simultaneously using a powered winch mechanism.

SUMMARY According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bed frame comprising: a rigid frame for supporting a bed mattress thereon; a plurality of suspension mechanisms, each including a ceiling anchor at a top end for securement to a ceiling and a frame anchor at a bottom end opposite the ceiling anchor for securement to the rigid frame; at least one of the suspension mechanisms being adjustable in length between the respective top and bottom ends thereof independently of the remaining suspension mechanisms By providing at least one suspension mechanism which is operative independently of the others, the bed can be adjusted into numerous positions including both variations in height and variations in inclinations of the bed relative to the ground. The bed frame may thus be positioned in an inclined sleeping position for persons with various medical conditions aided by supporting the person at an inclination for varied blood flow and the like. Permitting such varied adjustment of the sleeping surface further assists in love making by persons with back problems and the like by providing an adjustable positioned surface for facilitating contact between partners.

The suspension mechanisms secured at one end of the rigid frame may be adjustable in length independently of the suspension mechanisms secured at an opposing end of the rigid frame, but preferably the suspension mechanisms are each adjustable in length independently of one another. The suspension mechanisms may be manually adjustable in length.

In the preferred embodiment, each suspension mechanism comprises a cable and pulley configuration which may be configured so as to provide a mechanical advantage when manually adjusting a length of the suspension mechanism. This can be arranged by providing a pulley which is fixed in relation to the frame anchor and a cable having a fixed end which is fixed in relation to the ceiling anchor.

The cable of each suspension mechanism preferably further includes a free end opposite the fixed end which includes a locking member for securement of the free end to the cable at an intermediate position between the top and bottom ends of the suspension mechanism.

The locking member may comprise a slide mechanism supported on the cable for selective sliding movement along the cable. The slide mechanism may include an aperture for slidably receiving the cable therethrough spaced in a lateral direction from a point at which the free end of the cable is secured to the slide mechanism. The aperture preferably comprises a bore projecting through the slide mechanism transversely to the lateral direction, at an axial inclination of approximately 45 degrees to the lateral direction.

The slide mechanism may further include a strap member coupled thereto for additional securement of the free end to the cable.

Preferably, the cable is generally at least 12 feet in length between the free end and fixed end thereof to provide adequate length to reduce the risk of accidental injury by a person caught between the cables on either side of the pulley.

The cable preferably comprises pliable rope or some other suitably strong yet flexible material.

When the rigid frame is rectangular, preferably there is provided four suspension mechanisms secured to the rigid frame adjacent respective corners of the rigid frame.

A header anchor may be connected between the ceiling anchors of two suspension mechanisms supported at a head end of the rigid frame.

Accordingly, a footer anchor may be connected between the ceiling anchors of the two suspension mechanisms supported at a foot end of the rigid frame.

Each suspension mechanism is preferably contained within a generally tubular shroud spanning between the top and bottom ends of the suspension mechanism.

The rigid frame preferably comprises a rigid rectangular peripheral frame member and a plurality of transverse support members spanning across the peripheral frame member for supporting a mattress thereon. The transverse support members may comprise a webbing of pliable members supported under tension or rigid interlocked strips of plywood type material supported on edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the bed frame.

Figures 2 and 3 are respective side and end elevational views of the bed frame according to Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are respective enlarged side and end elevational views of a corner of the bed frame according to Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the bed frame in a tilted position.

Figure 7 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the bed frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a hanging bed frame generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The bed frame 10 is arranged for supporting a mattress 12 and persons thereon at varying positions relative to the ground or ceiling for better sleeping positions and for facilitating love making for persons with back problems and the like. The hanging nature of the bed frame may also be used to import a rocking motion to promote the onset of more restful sleep.

The bed frame 10 is a rigid frame including a head end 14 and a foot end 16 and a pair of sides 18 spanning therebetween to define a generally rectangular periphery formed of peripheral members. The peripheral members comprise upright wooden joists which are coupled at the respective corners 20 of the frame.

Adjacent a bottom side of the frame, there is provided a shelf 22 projecting inwardly from the periphery for supporting a box spring mattress having integral supporting joists or a plurality of transverse supports spanning laterally across the frame between opposing peripheral members.

When using transverse supports, sheeted material in the form of planks may be supported above the transverse supports for evenly supporting the mattress 12 thereon.

Four suspension mechanisms 30 are provided for suspending the bed frame from the ceiling. Each suspension mechanism 30 is supported at a bottom end 32 on a respective corner 20 of the bed frame by a frame anchor 34.

A top end 36 of each suspension mechanism 30 is supported on the ceiling by a respective ceiling anchor 38. Each suspension mechanism includes a cable 40 and a pulley 42 arranged in a configuration so as to provide a mechanical advantage whereby weight at a free end 44 of the cable 40 is only half of the weight supported at the corner 20 of the bed.

The pulley 42 is supported rotatably on the frame anchor 34 at a fixed height relative to the bed frame upon which it is secured. The frame anchor 34 generally comprises an L-shaped bracket including first and second open ended channels 34A and 34B supported at right angles relative to one another.

Each of the first and second channels slidably receives an end of a respective one of the peripheral members therein. Mounting apertures are located in the channels to permit fasteners to secure the peripheral members into the channels once slidably received therein. The bracket is formed of a rigid metallic material to provide structural rigidity to the construction at the corners of the bed frame.

Each of the joists forming the peripheral members of the frame includes elongate slots 34C located at each end thereof to extend in the longitudinal direction of the member. The slots 34C comprise mounting apertures which permit fasteners to be secured to the corner brackets therethrough at any one of plural selected positions along the slots so as to permit some adjustment of the overall length and width of the bed frame as desired by selecting the position along the slot at which the fastener is tightened.

A fixed end 46 of the cable 40 of each suspension mechanism, is mounted in fixed position relative to the ceiling by the ceiling anchor in use. The cable then extends downwardly from the fixed end 46 and loops around the respective pulley 42 to the free end 44 thereof which is selectively slidably mounted on the cable between the fixed end at the top end of the suspension mechanism and the pulley at the bottom end by a sliding lock mechanism 48.

The sliding lock mechanism 48 generally comprises a block of wooden material having an aperture therethrough to fixedly mount the free end of the cable thereon by knotting the end of the cable to prevent return sliding of the cable through the aperture. The block further includes a bore 50 extending therethrough which is spaced in a lateral direction from the aperture mounting the fixed end of the cable therein. The bore extends through the block of material at an inclination of 45 degrees relative to both the surface of the top and bottom sides of the block of material and to the lateral direction in which the mounting location of the free end of the cable is located. The top side 52 of the block faces upwardly in the direction of the fixed end of the cable while the bottom side 54 faces downwardly opposite the top side.

The intersection of the bore with the top side 52 is located closer to the mounting of the free end of the cable in the lateral direction then the intersection of the bore 50 with the bottom side 54. When no weight is applied to the free end of the cable, the cable passes through the bore 50 in alignment with the axial direction of the cable spanning between the top and bottom ends of the suspension mechanism. When weight is applied to the suspension mechanism however, the free end of the cable is deflected downwardly causing rotation of the sliding lock mechanism 48 so that the bore 50 is oriented in a generally horizontal configuration, thus forcing the cable to follow a generally S- shaped path.

Intersection of the bore 50 with the top and bottom sides of the block at an inclination of 45 degrees thereto defines a pair of opposing wedge like surfaces 56 for gripping opposing sides of the cable passing through the bore.

Increased weight applied to the bed pulls downwardly on the free end of the cable to rotate the block even further which tightens the wedge like surfaces 56 further against the cable. The cable is a pliable corded rope for ease of gripping of the sliding lock mechanism 48 thereon.

The free end of the cable is knotted on a top side of the block so that leveraging of the block is concentrated at the bottom side where the free end of the cable emerges from the block towards the pulley. Beyond the knotted free end of the cable, a strap 58 is formed for additional securement of the free end of the cable to the intermediate length of cable by wrapping the two sections of cable together directly below the sliding lock mechanism.

The length of cable is preferably in the order of at least twelve feet between the fixed end and free end thereof so that even when the bed is at its lowest point supported on the floor, with the fixed end of the cable supported on a conventional eight foot ceiling, the resulting looped portion of the cable about the pulley between the free end of the cable and the pulley is at least two feet in length to prevent accidental choking and the like between the two sections of cable. Greater length is preferred for added safety.

A shroud 70 is provided about each of the suspension mechanisms for surrounding and enclosing the mechanisms independently of one another.

Each shroud 70 generally comprises a pliable cloth material which is formed in a tubular configuration about a respective suspension mechanism 30. Each shroud 70 includes a longitudinally extending seam spanning between the top and bottom ends of the suspension mechanism which is enclosed by conventional fastening means in the form of buttons, hook and loop fasteners or a zipper for selective access to the suspension mechanisms.

For securement to the ceiling, a header anchor 74 and a footer anchor 76 are provided for securement to the ceiling at plural spaced positions.

Each anchor 74 and 76 comprises an elongate beam upon which ceiling anchors 38 of two suspension mechanisms at a respective end of the bed are secured at spaced positions thereon. Mounting apertures are located in the beam of both the header and footer anchors at evenly spaced positions corresponding to conventional spacing of ceiling joists for securement of the beam directly to ceiling joists using suitable threaded fasteners.

As shown in the accompanying figures, independent adjustment of the suspension mechanisms permits either one end of the bed to be raised or lowered in relation to the other as well as permitting one side of the bed to be raised or lowered in relation to the other. Furthermore, the overall height may be adjusted by manual adjustment of the suspension mechanisms at a common setting. Using independent manual adjustment of the length of each of the suspension mechanism, the height at either one corner or along one side of the bed may be adjusted. This arrangement is particularly useful for love making for persons with back problems and the like as one partner may stand beside the bed while permitting adjustment of the bed to facilitate contact with the other partner supported on the bed.

In Figure 7, an alternate embodiment of the rigid frame is illustrated in which a set of transverse support members span the outer peripheral members in addition to a webbing of mesh like material formed of pliable rope which is woven between opposing peripheral members under tension. A suitable mattress may then be supported on the webbing formed by the rope under tension.

While some embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.