EP3222169B1 - Mechanical system for lifting a multi-height bed - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of bed support frame. The present invention relates more particularly to a bed support frame whose lifting height can be controlled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A problem in the field of bed support frame is the possibility of controlling the height of the bed during cleaning operations or changing of the beds such as sheets, blanket, duvet and others, to facilitate the work of maintenance staff in to put the bed at a working height they want.

We seek a bed frame incorporating a mechanical means of autonomous energy lifting, without the need for excessive efforts of the operator, to adjust the level of the bed to a height of comfort for the maintenance staff. This height of comfort being different for each person, there is a need therefore to be able to control and adjust closely, or even millimeters, the height of the bed frame.

It would be advantageous to obtain a bed frame easily usable, simplified design and inexpensive, incorporating a locking and damping of the frame without additional device to introduce.

It would also be advantageous for the frame to be of adjustable width to support different bed sizes.

It is known in the prior art a bed frame of simple mechanical design for raising or lowering the bed for maintenance operations as presented in the patent application EN 2,798,053 . The device the bed incorporates a gas cylinder for lifting the bed from a low position to a high position. But this device does not allow to position the bed at selected heights between these two extreme positions. In addition, it requires a manual pulse given by the user to initiate the lifting of the frame.

It is known in the prior art that the bed lifting means can be positioned at one or two intermediate heights between the low position and the high position such as the chassis presented in the patent application. FR 2 972 105 . This device comprises return means in the high position and a damping means and mechanical locking devices for stabilizing the frame at intermediate levels. However, it does not make it possible to position at determined heights that depend on the choice of the user.

It is also known in the prior art a device presented in the application WO 94/05843 to lift the bed mechanically using only a system of mechanical jacks. The lifting of the device is notch in notches, requiring the user to act by successive support on a pedal.

It is also known in the prior art the use of electromechanical cylinders as presented in the patent application. FR 2 868 674 allowing to raise the frame to a desired height but requiring a motor and a power supply and are therefore expensive. Other bedframes are known from WO2012136868 A1 and FR2602655 A1 .

• pouvoir contrôler aux millimètres près la hauteur du lit aussi bien en levage qu'en descente du châssis,
• d'être de conception mécanique simple, fiable et peu couteuse
• d'être facile d'utilisation par l'opérateur
• d'être autonome en énergie, à savoir autosuffisante
• d'incorporer un système de verrouillage en position basse et d'amortissement du châssis en position haute.

These lifting systems have disadvantages, they do not allow to combine all the desired features namely:

• be able to control millimeters the height of the bed as well as lifting and lowering the chassis,
• to be of simple, reliable and inexpensive mechanical design
• to be easy to use by the operator
• to be self-sufficient in energy, ie self-sufficient
• to incorporate a locking system in the low position and depreciation of the frame in the high position.

In this context, it is interesting to propose a solution that can combine all the features mentioned above.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to overcome some disadvantages of the prior art by providing a lifting system to control the height of the bed millimeters on the rise as well as the descent, simple design, inexpensive and easy maintenance , incorporating a locking of the chassis in the low position and damping of the chassis in the high position. The invention also allows the adaptation of the frame to different widths of bedding.

This object is achieved by a bed frame comprising at least one lower structure disposed on the ground comprising two parallel bars connected by a cross member, an upper structure comprising two bars parallel to the bars of the lower structure, four arms, two left side and two side members pivotally mounted around the lower structure making it possible to make the upper structure relative to the lower structure movable by translation in planes parallel to the ground, between a plane situated at a minimum height with respect to the ground and defining a low position and a plane located at a maximum height relative to the ground defining a high position, a brake cylinder fixed between the cross member of the lower structure and a cross member connecting the right side arms to pull the movements of the two deformable parallelograms upwards to lift the upper structure when deploying the cylinder character risé in that it comprises an actuating means connected to said cylinder for acting mechanically on the opening of a valve of said cylinder connecting the two chambers of the piston during the support of the user on the means of actuation, which controls the passage of the working fluid from a room to the other of said piston during the actuation of the frame upwards, stopping the support on the actuating means stops the movement of said cylinder piston and locks said frame to a position determined by the user between the low position and the high position.

According to another feature, the bed frame comprises in the cylinder a non-return valve of the chamber containing the rod of the piston to the chamber without rod allowing, under the effect of manual pressure on said frame, the working fluid to move from the rodless chamber to the chamber containing the piston rod causing the lowering of the height of the chassis in a controlled manner.

According to another feature, the bed frame comprises two resilient return means connecting the left side arms and the corresponding bars of the lower structure, said elastic return means tending to bring the frame to a high position imposing on the user to act with a minimum vertical force from top to bottom to lower said frame and in the low position the stretched elastic return means exert a restoring force countered by the blocking of the jack in its position as long as the opening valve is not actuated , said elastic return means initiate the lifting of the bed frame from its low position to an extended position, when the user bears on the actuating means.

According to another feature, the actuating means is a pedal acting by pressure through a cam on the opening of the valve between the two piston chambers of said cylinder.

According to another feature, the actuating means is a manual housing, preferably disposed under the bedding, acting by pressure through a cable on the opening of the valve between the two piston chambers of said cylinder.

According to another feature, the cylinder is a multi-chamber gas spring.

According to another feature, the working fluid of the jack is a hydraulic fluid, preferably an oil.

According to another feature, the elastic return means are traction springs.

According to another feature, the opening valve actuated by the actuating means and the non-return valve of the chamber containing the piston rod to the rodless chamber of the cylinder are combined

According to another feature, the bars of the upper structure have lateral notches for introducing sleepers to stabilize the bedding.

According to another feature, the sleepers are configured to slide between them and are provided with fixing holes to obtain variable and adjustable lengths to adapt to the width of the bedding.

In another feature, feet are attached to the end of the sleepers, said legs having a height to be placed on the ground when the system is in the low position to improve the stability of the bed.

According to another feature, an articulation connects the crossbar between the two right side arms and the cylinder.

In another feature, the bars of the upper structure has an inverted U-shape for the introduction of the tension springs.

According to another particularity, the elastic return means are connected to the bars of the lower structure by means of the studs fixed on said bars.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE FIGURES

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation du châssis de lit
• la figure 2a représente une vue de profil du châssis en position basse
• la figure 2b représente une vue de profil du châssis de lit en position haute
• la figure 3 est une vue du dessus d'un châssis incorporant des traverses

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents a perspective view of an embodiment of the bed frame
• the figure 2a represents a profile view of the chassis in a low position
• the figure 2b represents a profile view of the bed frame in a high position
• the figure 3 is a top view of a chassis incorporating sleepers

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bed lifting system.

The terms "left" and "right" are used in the present description in their meaning meaning "the two opposite sides of the frame" and should not be interpreted in a limiting manner.

The terms "high position" and "low position" are used in the present description in their meaning respectively meaning "the configuration of the frame in which the latter is at a maximum height and fully deployed" and "the configuration to which the frame is to a minimum height and completely lowered "and must not be interpreted in a limiting manner.

In general, the bed frame of the present invention is intended to support a bed base and a mattress to form a bed.

In some embodiments, this frame preferably comprises a lower structure (I) disposed on the ground and an upper structure (S) connected by four arms to the lower structure. The arms are pivotally mounted around the lower structure making it possible to make the upper structure with respect to the lower structure movable by translation in planes parallel to the ground, between a plane situated at a minimum height with respect to the ground and defining a low position and a plane located at a maximum height with respect to the ground defining a high position, according to the configuration of two deformable parallelograms.

In some embodiments, with reference to the figure 1 , the lower structure comprises at least two parallel bars (1, 2) connected by a cross member (3), preferably substantially eccentric from the middle to the left side, and the upper structure (S) comprising two parallel bars (4, 5). to the bars (1,2) of the lower structure. The lower structure and the upper structure are connected by four arms (6, 7, 8 and 9), two left lateral arms (6, 7) and two right lateral arms (8, 9), preferably placed close to the ends of the bars (1,2).

In some embodiments, the two parallel bars (1, 2) and the crossbar (3), of the lower structure, are arranged on the ground, such a configuration allows the absence of foot on the lower structure and enhances the stability of the bed, especially when the floor is uneven. In addition, the weight of the system and the bed is distributed over the entire lower structure.

In some embodiments, a hydraulic brake cylinder (10) connects the cross member (3) of the lower structure and a cross member (14) connecting the right side arms (8) and (9). Preferably, the jack is fixed substantially to the middle of the cross members to balance the thrust force of the jack on the frame. The cylinder can be positioned according to the two possible configurations, namely the lower part of the cylinder piston is connected to either the crossbar (3) or the crossbar (14). Preferably the jack is positioned so that the ram piston is connected to the lower structure on the crosspiece (3) because this configuration allows to act on the piston by locating it near an actuating means (15). The arms (8) and (9) with the cross member (14) form an H-shaped structure. The deployment of the jack makes it possible to lift the upper structure by raising the H-shaped structure through the cross-member (14) which pivots the arms by opening the angle (α) between the lower structure and the arms. The cylinder thus pulls the movements of the two deformable parallelograms upwards. The cylinder forms an angle (β) with the ground which varies with the deployment of the cylinder. This jack has the advantage of being used to lift the structure without using electrical means that can lead to additional costs.

According to one variant, the brake cylinder is a multi-chamber gas spring. This means uses a compressible working fluid, preferably an inert gas. By way of non-limiting example, this gas may be, for example, nitrogen. This thrust cylinder acts by balancing the pressures in the piston chambers to deploy the cylinder and amortized naturally at the end of the stroke of the piston. This means has the advantage of being simple to implement and inexpensive.

According to a variant, advantageously the fluid of the jack is a hydraulic fluid, preferably an oil. This fluid is incompressible and allows the cylinder to obtain greater forces and more precise speeds. This means has the advantage of allowing to lift heavy weight allowing frames, bed bases and mattresses more robust and bulky.

In some embodiments, an actuating means (15) is mechanically connected to the jack, preferably at its base at the piston proximate to the lower structure. Preferably the actuating means is connected to the cylinder near the cross member (3). This actuating means makes it possible to act mechanically on the opening and closing of a valve connecting two chambers of the cylinder separated by the piston. When the user presses the actuating means, this valve opens and releases the passage between the two chambers of the cylinder and allows the working fluid constrained by differences in pressures or forces to move from one chamber to another causing the movement of the piston. When the user does not press the actuating means, this valve is closed, the movements of the fluid are stopped. The latter can not move from one chamber to another piston and cause the movement of the piston. The system becomes static and the chassis stops at a height corresponding to stopping the support on the actuating means. The system is then locked at a height determined by the user between the low position and the high position. Thus when lifting the chassis from the low position to the high position, it is possible to continuously monitor the deployment of the cylinder and stop, and therefore to control the height of the frame millimeters. The opening and closing of this valve by simply pressing the actuating means (15) by the user allows to unlock and lock the frame at selected heights.

According to a variant this actuating means is a pedal. Thus by pressing the pedal, the operator acts by pulling on a cable to move a cam to open the valve connecting the two chambers. This means has the advantage of being purely mechanical, easy to use and inexpensive. The pedal can be of different shapes to facilitate ergonomics and grip by the user. As non-limiting examples, this pedal can have a T-shape or a U.

According to a variant this actuating means is a manual housing that can act on the opening of the cylinder valve by pressure on the housing through a cable connected to the piston which acts by moving a cam. This means has the advantage of allowing manual control of the lifting of the chassis. Advantageously this box can be placed under the bed base allowing the user to maneuver two twin beds simultaneously to position them at the same height.

In some embodiments, the ram includes a non-return valve between the chamber containing the piston rod and the rodless piston chamber. Under the action of the user who exerts a manual pressure up and down on the bed disposed on the frame, the fluid in the cylinder is driven from the pistonless chamber of the piston to the chamber containing the piston rod, lowering the length of the cylinder which allows to adjust the height of the chassis.

Alternatively, the opening valve actuated by the actuating means and the non-return valve of the chamber containing the piston rod to the rodless chamber of the cylinder are merged. This has the advantage of limiting the number of openings between the two chambers so as not to weaken the mechanism of the jack.

In some embodiments, two elastic return means (11, 12) connect each left lateral arm (6, 7) and the corresponding bar (1, 2) of the lower structure. With reference to Figures 2a and 2b these elastic return means are in expanded configuration when the chassis is in the low position and in a stabilized configuration when the chassis is in the high configuration. Thus, these biasing means have the function of bringing the arms of the chassis to their configuration in the up position, then requiring the user to act with a vertical force from top to bottom minimum to lower the frame. With reference to the figure 2a , in the low position, these return means, by a contraction effect (R), exert a restoring force countered by the locking of the jack in its position as long as the opening valve is not actuated by the user. The elastic return means initiate the lifting of the bed frame from its low position to an extended position when the user is seated on the actuating means for opening the valve connecting the two chambers of the cylinder allowing the passage fluid chamber containing the piston rod to the rodless chamber thereby increasing the length of the cylinder and therefore the height of the frame. By deploying the length of the jack, the pressure exerted by the biasing means decreases and the rise of the frame is amortized naturally when the piston of the cylinder reaches the end of the stroke, namely when the fluid can no longer pass from one chamber to another due to a balancing of the stresses on the fluid.

Advantageously, the elastic return means are adjustable thus allowing the skilled person taking into account the weight of the frame and the bedding, as well as the specific features of the thrust cylinder used, to adjust the threshold pressure at which it is necessary to overtake in order to lower the chassis and adjust the chassis climb speed.

According to one variant, the elastic return means are traction springs. This mechanical elastic means has the advantage of being reliable and robust, requiring little maintenance, easily changeable, easily adjustable and inexpensive.

In some embodiments, the upper frame structure includes parallel bars (4,5). These bars have lateral notches, preferably near the ends, for introducing sleepers (19, 20). These last ones allow a better support of the bedding and stabilizes the bedding during the movements of the frame by distributing the forces applied on the whole of the surface. With reference to the figure 3 , advantageously these crosspieces are perpendicular to the bars and the two crosspieces of a flank, left (191, 192) or right (201, 202), are aligned to slide the sleepers (191, 192) and (201, 202) one on the other to obtain variable lengths. Advantageously, its sleepers are provided with fixing holes (21) to consolidate the assembly. These means have the advantage of incorporating into the frame sleepers adjustable lengths to adjust the width depending on the size of the bed. The chassis is therefore adaptable to all standard sizes of bed bases.

In some embodiments, legs (22) are mounted on the sleepers, preferably at their ends. Advantageously the feet have the height adapted to be placed on the ground when the system is in the low position. These means stabilize the bed base in the low position and allow to remove the feet of the bed frame and make the frame structure freestanding.

In some embodiments, a hinge connects the cross member (14) between the right side arms and the jack. This articulation (23) is adapted to the morphology of the cross member (14) resulting in a better grip of the latter to facilitate the lifting of the frame and promote the movement of the cylinder.

In some embodiments, the bars of the upper structure have an inverted U-shape for introducing the means of the tension springs.

In some embodiments, pads (24, 25) are attached to the lower bars and resilient biasing means are attached to the end of the pads. These means make it possible to raise the end of the return means in order to facilitate the adjustments and changes of the elastic return means by the user. Advantageously, its studs can be removable and adjustable along the lower bars, to allow the adjustment of the forces exerted by the elastic return means.

The present application describes various technical features and advantages with reference to the figures and / or various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the technical features of a given embodiment may in fact be combined with features of another embodiment unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned or it is evident that these features are inconsistent or that the combination does not provide a solution to the least one of the technical problems mentioned in this application. In addition, the technical features described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other features of this mode unless the opposite is explicitly mentioned.

It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified within the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (15)

1. Bed frame comprising at least:

   - a lower structure comprising two parallel bars (1, 2) connected by a crossbar (3), and the two connected parallel bars (1, 2) as well as the crossbar (3) are disposed on the floor,

   - an upper structure comprising two bars (4, 5) parallel to the bars (1, 2) of the lower structure,

   - four arms (6, 7, 8 and 9), two left lateral arms (6, 7) and two right lateral arms (8, 9), mounted so as to be pivotable about the lower structure allowing the upper structure to be rendered translationally movable in planes parallel to the floor relative to the lower structure, between a plane situated at a minimum height relative to the floor, defining a bottom position, and a plane situated at a maximum height relative to the floor, defining a top position,

   - a brake cylinder (10) fixed between the crossbar (3) of the lower structure and a crossbar (14) connecting the right lateral arms (8, 9) in order to draw the movements of the two deformable parallelograms upwards, allowing the upper structure to be raised when the cylinder is extended, characterised in that it comprises:

   - an actuating means (15) connected to said cylinder making it possible to act mechanically on the opening of a valve of said cylinder connecting the two chambers of the piston when the user presses on the actuating means, which controls passage of the working fluid from one chamber to the other of said piston upon upward actuation of the frame, cessation of pressing on the actuating means stops the movement of said piston of the cylinder and locks said frame in a position determined by the user between the bottom position and the top position.
2. Bed frame according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises in the cylinder a non-return valve of the piston rod-containing chamber towards the chamber without rod, making it possible, under the effect of a manual pressure on said frame, for the working fluid to pass from the chamber without rod to the chamber containing the piston rod, causing the height of the frame to be lowered in a controlled manner.
3. Bed frame according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that it comprises two elastic return means (11, 12) connecting the left lateral arms (6, 7) and the corresponding bars (1, 2) of the lower structure, said elastic return means tending to return the frame to the top position, requiring the user to act with a minimum vertical downward force in order to lower said frame, and in the bottom position the stretched elastic return means exert a return force countered by blocking of the cylinder in its position as long as the opening valve is not actuated, said elastic return means initiate raising of the bed frame from its bottom position to an extended position, when the user presses on the actuating means.
4. Bed frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the actuating means is a pedal acting by pressure across a cam on the opening of the valve between the valve between the two chambers of the piston of said cylinder.
5. Bed frame according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the actuating means is a manual housing, preferably disposed beneath the mattress, acting by pressure across a cable on the opening of the valve between the two chambers of the piston of said cylinder.
6. Bed frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cylinder is a multi-chamber pneumatic spring.
7. Bed frame according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the working fluid of the cylinder is a hydraulic fluid, preferably an oil.
8. Bed frame according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that the elastic return means are tension springs.
9. Bed frame according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterised in that the opening valve actuated by the actuating means and the non-return valve of the piston rod-containing chamber towards the chamber without rod of the cylinder are one and the same.
10. Bed frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bars of the upper structure have lateral notches (18) allowing crossbars (19, 20) to be introduced in order to stabilise the mattress.
11. Bed frame according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said crossbars (191, 192, 201, 202) are configured to slide between each other and are provided with fixing holes (21), making it possible to obtain variable and adjustable lengths in order to adapt it to the width of the mattress.
12. Bed frame according to one of claims 10 to 11, characterised in that legs (22) are fixed to the ends of the crossbars, said legs having a height making it possible to be placed on the floor when the system is in the bottom position in order to improve the stability of the bed.
13. Bed frame according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a hinge joint (23) connects the crossbar (14) between the two right lateral arms (8, 9) and the cylinder.
14. Bed frame according to claim 8, characterised in that the bars of the upper structure have an inverted U shape, allowing introduction of the tension springs.
15. Bed frame according to claims 3 to 14, characterised in that the elastic return means are connected to the bars of the lower structure with the aid of the studs (24, 25) fixed to said bars.

Images