The present application relates to a lifting apparatus for a bed and a method of use of said apparatus.

Although the following description disclo ses a device for lifting a bed, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be used to lift or raise other furniture whilst keeping the same substantially level or stationary in respect to the horizontal axis.

It is a recognised problem that beds occupy a large amount o f floor space in the average home. As the co st of accommodation and housing increases, usable floor space is at a premium and a number of methods of enabling the use of the floor space taken up by a bed have been disclosed. Traditionally, fold-down beds are utilised to make floor space available when the bed is not in use. However, the main disadvantage to a fold-down bed is that the bedding and any other items placed on the bed have to be removed as the bed is moved from a horizontal in-use position to the substantially vertical storage position. In addition, when stored, the bed takes up space adjacent to a wall which could otherwise be used for decoration, additional storage and/or the like.

Apparatuses which raise beds whilst the bed remains sub stantially level or in a horizontal orientation have been disclo sed. However, these apparatuses use counterbalanced weights to offset the weight of the bed. This is a particular disadvantage as the weights are heavy and therefore difficult and expensive to transport. This problem is exacerbated because the majority of these apparatuses are used in city centre hotel rooms, apartments and flats, where floor space is most expensive. As such, the weights have to be transported up a number of floors which increases installation time and costs, as well as including the risk of injury to the installers.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus which addresses the aforementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using said apparatus which addresses the abovementioned problems.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus suitable for lifting a bed and/or mattress between a first in-use position and a second raised storage position, said apparatus including at least one support means on which said bed and/or mattress is located in use and at least one sub stantially upright recess or channel means, within which one or more portions of the support means are located, wherein the inner and/or outer surfaces of the at least one recess or channel means are used to maintain the support means in a sub stantially horizontal orientation when at, and/or moving between, the first and second positions.

In one embodiment it is solely the contact between the support means and the recess or channel means which maintains the sub stantially horizontal orientation or position of the support means when moving towards and/ or at the second storage position.

In one embodiment the inner and/or outer surfaces of the one or more recess or channel means are used to hold the support means sub stantially horizontal. Typically the force generated in holding the support means in the horizontal orientation or position is borne by the inner and/or outer surfaces of the one or more recess or channel means. Further typically no counterbalances and/or counterweights are used in maintaining the support means substantially horizontal and/or moving the support means between the first and second positions.

In one embodiment the recess or channel means form runners and/or rails along which at least part of the support means can run when moving between the first and second positions.

In the substantially horizontal orientation at least a portion of the support means is sub stantially level and/or aligned with a horizontal axis and/or located on a sub stantially horizontal plane.

In one embodiment the support means is provided in a cantilever arrangement in respect of the recess or channel means.

In one embodiment at least a portion of the support means is engaged within the substantially upright channel or recess means. Typically a portion of the support means is received in the recess or channel means.

In one embodiment at least a portion of the recess or channel means is attached to a wall of the room in which the apparatus is located. Typically the recess or channel means is bolted to at least one wall.

In one embodiment at least a portion of the recess or channel means is attached to the floor and/or ceiling joists. Typically, if the ceiling is formed by a concrete floor above the recess or channel means extends between the same. Further typically the apparatus includes an adjustable right angled bracket that is bolted to the floor and ceiling joists and attaches to the channel means in such an arrangement.

In one embodiment the portion of the support means received by and/or engaged with the recess or channel means is a carriage means.

In one embodiment a portion of the carriage means and/or a portion of the support means in contact with the inner and/or outer surfaces of the recess or channel means includes one or more friction reducing means. Typically the friction reducing means are one or more lubricants.

In one embodiment the friction reducing means include one or more bearings, rollers, ball-bearing and/or the like.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes a motor means. Typically the motor means is an electrically powered motor which provides the power to move the support means between at least the first and second positions. Preferably the motor means provides power for the movement of raising the bed and lowering the same.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes a pulley or hoist system. Typically the pulley or hoist system includes one or more wires, cables and/or the like. Further typically the wires, cables and/or the like are attached to one or more winding means at one end thereof, and at least a portion of the support means at the other end thereof.

In one embodiment the motor means is connected to the winding means. Typically the motor means drives and/or actuates at least a portion of the winding means. In one embodiment the motor means drives at least a portion of the winding means to rotate about an axis. Typically the winding means includes a shaft or spindle means about which the wire and/or cable can be substantially wrapped, coiled, wound and/or the like when the motor means is driving the winding means. Further typically the winding means includes one or more pulley wheels located on the shaft or spindle about which the wire and/or cable can be wound and/or unwound.

In one embodiment the motor means can drive the winding means and/or spindle means in at least two directions. Typically when being driven in the first direction the winding means wraps, winds and/or substantially coils the wire thereby raising the support means from the first position towards the second. Further typically when being driven in the second direction the winding means unwraps, unwinds and/or sub stantially uncoils cable thereby lowering the support means from the second position towards the first.

In one embodiment the pulley system includes a break means. Typically when the break means is employed the support means can be lowered from the second position towards the first using gravity and/or the winding means, said break means controlling the rate of decent of the support means.

In one embodiment each recess or channel means includes a winding means.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes one or more gear means. Typically the gear means is in communication with the motor means and/or the winding means. Further typically the gear means includes one or more gears located between the motor means and the winding means. In one embodiment the gear means allows the speed or rate at which the support means is raised and/or lowered to be selected or adjusted.

In one embodiment the spindle means is located substantially at or towards the top of the one or more recess or channel means.

In one embodiment the wire or cable runs substantially within the recess or channel means.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes at least one control means. Typically the control means includes any one or any combination of buttons, keys, switches and or the like to start and/or stop the movement of the support means.

In one embodiment the support means includes a frame on which a bed and/or mattress is supported in use. Typically the frame includes a number of frame members. Further typically the frame members form a substantially planar framework on which the bed and/or mattress is supported in use.

In one embodiment the support frame members include first frame members which form a substantially rectangular or square outer frame.

In one embodiment the support frame members include second frame members which are positioned substantially between the first frame members. Typically the second frame members form lathes or slats which are supported on the first frame members.

In one embodiment the support means includes at least one leg member.

In one embodiment the leg member is movable between a first storage condition and a second in use position. Typically the leg member is pivotally and/or hingedly connected to the frame. Further typically at least a portion of the leg member is a sub stantially elongate and movable about an axis between the first storage condition and the second in use position.

In one embodiment the first storage condition of the leg member is sub stantially horizontal and/or the second in use condition is substantially upright or vertical. Typically in the in use position, the leg member is po sitioned substantially between the support means and the ground.

Preferably the leg member bears at least some of the weight of a person using the bed and/or mattress. Typically the leg member is located between the support means and the ground or floor in use. Further typically the leg member is swung into the in use position whilst the support means is in the first position to support the weight of one or more persons.

In one embodiment the apparatus includes at least one sensor means. Typically the sensor prevents the apparatus from being moved and/or actuated when people and/or animals are on the bed or support means. Typically if the sensor detects someone on the bed the power to the motor is cut and/or the control means is deactivated.

In one embodiment the sensor means includes an infra red sensor that detects the heat of one or more persons and/or animals on the support means.

In one embodiment the sensor means includes a contact or pressure sensor that detects the presence of one or more persons on the support means. In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus capable of raising a bed and/or mattress from a first in use position to a second storage position, said apparatus including a support means on which the bed and/or mattress is located in use wherein at least a portion of the support means remains sub stantially horizontal or otherwise level when at, and/or being raised towards the second storage position.

Preferably the support means is sub stantially horizontal when at, and/or moving between, the first and second positions.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus suitable for moving a bed and/or mattress between a first in-use position and a second raised storage position, said apparatus including at least one support means on which said bed and/or mattress is located in use and at least one sub stantially upright recess or channel means, within which one or more portions of the support means are located, wherein it is solely the contact between the at least one recess or channel means and the support means which maintains the support means in a sub stantially horizontal orientation.

In a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of raising a bed and/or mattress from a first in use position to a second raised storage position using an apparatus, said apparatus including at least one support means on which said bed and/or mattress is located in use and at least one sub stantially upright recess or channel means, within which one or more portions of the support means are located, where the inner and/or outer surfaces of the at least one recess or channel means are used to maintain the support means in a sub stantially horizontal orientation when at, and/or moving between, the first and second positions, said support means at least raised by a motor means and said method including the step of: a user actuating the motor means to raise the support means from the first position towards the second position.

Preferably the apparatus does not include counterbalances, counterweights and/or the like.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the following figures.

Figures l a- l c show side, plan and font cro ss sectional views o f the apparatus in the first in use position;

Figure 2a-2c show side, plan and front cross sectional views of the apparatus in the second storage position; and

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

The present invention addresses the problem of making the floor space underneath a bed available when the bed is not in use. The invention provides an apparatus which raises the bed from the in use po sition to a storage position at, and/or adjacent to the ceiling or roof of the room in which the bed is located. It is envisaged that this invention will have particular application where floor space is most expensive, for example in inner city apartments and/or the like. Advantageously, when compared to the prior art, the present invention is much simplified as it does not use counterweights or counterbalances therefore installation and maintenance is much safer, quicker and less expensive. Indeed, the system as a whole is much safer, quicker and less expensive compared to prior art examples.

Turning now to figure 1 which shows side (a), front (b) and plan (c), cross sectional views of the apparatus 2 in the first, 'in use' position. The apparatus includes a support means or platform 4 on which a mattress 6 is placed, and on which a user lies when in the in use po sition. The apparatus also includes a pair of upright or substantially vertical recesses or channels 8a, 8b which are attached to a wall 10 in this example. However, if the bed frame is to be fastened to a stud partition that is of a light construction, for example a thin metal stud system designed only to create a dividing wall, the metal recesses or channels 8a, 8b are securely fastened to the floor and ceiling joists, or if the ceiling is formed by a concrete floor above they will extend the channels and include an adjustable right angled bracket, suitable in strength, the will be bolted to the floor and ceiling joists.

The platform 4 is essentially a frame comprising a number of linear frame members. The outer frame members 9a-c form a square in this example and are made of relatively lightweight metal. The inner frame members 1 1 are typically wooded slats on which the mattress is supported. The slats are positioned to lie substantially in the same plane as the outer frame members 9a-c, bridging between members 9a and 9c, to form a sub stantially flat platform on which the mattress 6 lies. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that further frame members could be incorporated to form a complete bed structure. However, this example is substantially lighter in comparison.

First portions 12', 12" of the platform 4 are located within the channels 8a, 8b and span horizontally across from one channel to the other, one portion located above the other. Second portions 14a, 14b of the platform vertically span the first portions, securing the same together. It is only the cantilevered contact between the channels 8a, 8b and the first portions 12', 12" which keeps the platform (and therefore the mattress) level or horizontal. It is intended that users will only be supported on the platform 4 when the same is in the in use po sition. When the bed is to be raised, the person alights so as not to place undue strain on the motor 1 6. The mattress, bed, bedding and other articles can remain on the bed. In conventional systems any change in bedding or mattress weight has to be taken into account and the counterweights rebalanced.

In this example a foot 26 is placed at the distal or unsupported end of the platform to support the additional weight of one or more persons using the bed. The leg 26 is foldable and can be folded to a storage position when the platform is raised, as shown in figure 2.

Figure 2 shows side (a), front (b) and plan (c), cross sectional views of the apparatus 2 in the second storage position. In this position the platform 4 is stored in, or adjacent to the ceiling (not shown) of the room in which the bed is located.

The platform 4 is raised by a motor 16 and pulley 1 8 system. The motor is attached to a shaft or spindle 20 which has pulleys 22a, 22b axially po sitioned thereon. The motor in this example is a 24 volt motor which can run off domestic electricity supplies. The pulleys 22a, 22b are po sitioned such that they are located at the top of each channel 8a, 8b. Cable 24 runs in the channels 8a, 8b and is attached at one end to the first portions 12', 12" of the frame members. The cable 24 is wound or unwound around the pulleys by the motor rotating said shaft or spindle 20 and therefore the pulleys. Thus it is the cable 24 attached to the platform 4 and the tension in the same, controlled by the motor 16 which raises the platform 4 and the bed. In addition, it is the force between the first portions 12', platform level during this movement. In this example the platform is raised and lowered between the first and second positions by using a motor and/or gearing which allows the shaft or spindle 20 to be rotated in either direction about its longitudinal axis. Therefore, the bed/mattress 6 is horizontally raised or lowered depending on the direction of rotation.

It should be further noted that the apparatus can be operated without counterbalance or counterweights, thus simplifying the apparatus.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the apparatus can be decorated to fit in with the surroundings in which it is situated. For example the bottom of the platform and/or the channels can have decorated inserts which improve the appearance of the apparatus and/or are sympathetic to the room in which it is located.

Turning to figure 3 where there is shown a perspective view of the right corner of the apparatus. In this example, the platform 4 includes an additional frame member 30 which lies parallel to frame member 9b and the ends of which are attached to frame members 9a and 9c. The frame members are attached to the first portions 12', 12", the ends of which are located in and engage with the channels 8a, 8b. Located at the top of the apparatus is the motor 16 which is attached to the spindle 20 and the pulley or winding wheel 22b. In use the cable 24 is attached at one end to the pulley wheel 22b and the other end is attached to the platform 4 via the second pulley wheel 32 located towards the foot of channel 8b. In this embodiment the motor 1 6 powers movement in both the upwards and downwards directions. The frictional forces between the first portions 12 and the channels 8 are sufficient to hold the platform in place should the cable 24 or motor 16 fail. Typically the motor is an AC motor with worm/wheel reduction. For application in the UK the motor specifications are typically; 230V 350Hz with 2 Amps producing a motor power of 0.37 KW. In this particular example the output torque is 150Nm with an output speed of 17 rev/min. As a result the time taken for the bed to rise or fall is usually approximately ten seconds.

The main benefits of the present invention are that the whole system can be installed and assembled using only two people in a standard size room (ceiling height of 2.4 m) . In addition, the system can be easily transported through domestic premises and is assembled on site. The factory set weight lift limit to prevent overload of the motor provides an additional element of safety and the system is easy to install into any type of room and the can be plugged into a domestic electricity supply.

Although it is envisaged that the present system will be predominately used for beds it is anticipated that other items could be lifted such as model train sets, tables including dressing tables or other uses where a need to create a dual space would be required.