DK181259B1

DK181259B1 - Headboard with integrated backrest and system

Info

Publication number: DK181259B1
Application number: DKPA202101276A
Authority: DK
Inventors: N Nielsen Henning; Rasmussen Keld; Falck Legaard Jesper; Schøler Grøndahl Thomas
Original assignee: Smart Elevation Aps
Priority date: 2021-12-30
Filing date: 2021-12-30
Publication date: 2023-06-12
Also published as: DK202101276A1; WO2023126096A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headboard with an integrated backrest capable of moving between a retracted position and an extended oblique position. This solution allows any type of bed to obtain backrest elevation.

Description

DK 181259 B1 1

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to headboards for beds.

Background of the invention

Quality of sleep and relaxation is essential to good human health and well-being.

Many types of beds have been developed for that purpose, including box spring beds, water beds, air mattresses, elevation beds, and memory foam mattresses. In spite of the wide diversity of beds that are available, only a few of them solves the problem of wanting to sit comfortable in the bed. Some try to solve this problem by filling the bed with cushions and pillows, but they take away the space in the bed, and are annoying to remove at night and even more annoying to refit in the morning.

Elevation beds do solve the problem to some extent, but when used as a bed for two persons, or when two beds are used together with a single top mattress, one person will annoy or disturb the other, or specially developed top mattresses and sheets will have to be used. Furthermore, elevation beds are expensive and thus rarely used at e.g., hotels. A further problem with elevation beds is that the mattress is worn in the areas where the mattress is bent.

EP1260161 discloses a top part of a backrest or head part that is pivotally guided in a rail, which can be raised or lowered. An arm below the backrest is hinged pivotally to the furniture piece. Two rollers engage a U-shaped rail in a guide fixed to the furniture. The far end of a telescoping plate hinged to the backrest is pivoted on the arm or the furniture. The rail can be arrested at pre-set intervals.

DE102018119585 discloses a bed, in particular a waterbed, having a base frame with a substantially horizontal reclining surface and a substantially vertical back part, which adjoins the reclining surface. An increase in comfort is achieved according to the invention in that the back part has an existing base and an adjusting part which is adjustable relative to the base, and in that the adjusting part is adjustable from an approximately vertical base position into a supporting position which is inclined to the horizontal.

DK 181259 B1 2

GB739389 discloses headboard for a divan bed hinged at to the top of rods telescoping into sockets on the divan frame so that it can be raised and then tilted to act as a backrest with its lower edge on the bedding. Uprights are secured to the bed frame and have each of their upper end pins pivoting and sliding in grooves formed in battens secured to the headboard. In a further modification, a batten is hinged to the top of each upright and slides between guide rails fixed to the headboard. — Description of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for beds without integrated elevation.

A first aspect relates to a headboard for a bed, said headboard comprising: - a frame adapted for being wall mounted, bed mounted, or free standing, behind the head end of a bed; and - a first panel with an upper part and a lower part, and adapted for being moved between a first vertical position to a second or an alternative further oblique position, relative to said frame, wherein the upper part of said first panel is hingedly mounted to said frame, thereby allowing the first panel to tilt back and forth relative to said frame.

By integrating a backrest in a headboard, any bed may be used with it. Furthermore, as the backrest can be returned to a vertical position, preferably within the headboard, no space of the bed is lost. Preferably, the backrest, here in the form of a first panel, can be moved into several oblique positions, just like an elevation bed, thereby securing a continuous backrest elevation of e.g., within the range of 10-90 degrees, preferably within the range of 20-90 degrees, and more preferably within the range of 30-90 degrees. A backrest elevation O degrees can obviously be obtained by not using the headboard as a backrest. A backrest elevation of 90 degrees is when the backrest is returned to the vertical position.

DK 181259 B1 3

The first panel may be upholstered, such as covered with a textile, padding, and/or cushion. This may also be the case for other panels described below.

In one or more embodiments, the frame comprises a first frame part and a second frame part, wherein said first frame part is movably connected to said second frame part — preferably in a vertical direction. Preferably, one or more hinges are operably connected to the first frame part and the upper part of the first panel, thereby allowing the upper part of the first panel to be hingedly mounted to said frame.

In one or more embodiments, the headboard further comprises a mechanism adapted for activating the one or more hinges to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration. This mechanism may take several forms, and a few non- limiting examples are discussed below.

In one or more embodiments, the mechanism comprises a first guide tube or rail (e.g., a U-profile) formed in the second frame part, a first guide rod formed in the first frame part and adapted for moving up and down within said first guide tube.

Preferably, one or more hinges are operably mounted to the first guide rod such that the one or more hinges moves a) from a closed configuration to an open configuration when said first guide rod moves into said first guide tube or rail, and b) from an open configuration to the closed configuration when said first guide rod moves out of said first guide tube or rail.

In one or more embodiments, the mechanism comprises a first guide tube or rail (e.g., a U-profile) formed in the second frame part, a first guide rod formed in said first frame part and adapted for moving up and down within said first guide tube or rail, wherein an end edge of said first guide tube or rail functions to force the one or more hinges from a closed configuration into an open configuration as said first guide rod moves into said first guide tube or rail.

In one or more embodiments, the headboard further comprises an actuator, preferably electrical, configured for vertically moving the first frame part up and down relative to the second frame part.

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In one or more embodiments, both the upper part and the lower part of said first panel are adapted for being moved downwards while being moved between said first vertical position to said second or alternative further oblique position.

In one or more embodiments, both the upper part and the lower part of said first panel are adapted for being moved downwards while being moved between said first vertical position to said second or alternative further oblique position, and for being moved upwards while being moved between said second or alternative further oblique position and back to said first vertical position.

The first panel is adapted for being moved downwards while being moved between said first vertical position to said second or alternative further oblique position, and for being moved upwards while being moved between said second or alternative further oblique position and back to said first vertical position.

In one or more embodiments, the headboard further comprises an electrical actuator configured for directly or indirectly moving said first panel between said first vertical position to said second or said alternative further oblique position, relative to said frame.

A second aspect relates to a bed system comprising: - one or more beds; and - one or more headboards according to the present invention.

In one or more embodiments, the bottom edge of the first panel, when the first panel is in its retracted position, is positioned at least 10 cm above the mattress of the bed, such as within the range of 10-20 cm above the mattress of the bed, preferably 12-15 cm above the mattress of the bed.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value

DK 181259 B1 and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. 5 It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a bed system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the headboard is in a use position.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a bed system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where the headboard is in a retracted position.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a headboard in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of a headboard in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 5 shows a side view of a headboard in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a rear view of a headboard in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a headboard in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, where parts of the frame have been removed.

Detailed embodiments of the invention

The following description is to be seen as non-limiting examples of a bed system 100, 200 and headboard 200 according to various embodiments of the present

DK 181259 B1 6 invention. Referring to Figure 1, the general scheme of the invention is shown, where a bed system is shown comprising a bed 100 and a headboard 200. The headboard is shown in a use position, whereas Figure 2 shows the headboard in a retracted position.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a headboard 200 in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The headboard 200 comprises a frame 210 and a first panel 220. The frame 210 is adapted for being bed mounted behind the head end of a bed by use of brackets 216, although in general, the frame 210 may just as well be configured as wall mounted, or free standing. The first panel 220 defines whether the headboard 200 is in a use position (as shown, where the first panel 220 is in an extended oblique position), or in a retracted position (as shown in Figure 2, where the first panel 220 is in a retracted position). The first panel 220 comprises an upper part 222 and a lower part 224. The upper part 222 includes the top edge 223 of the first panel 220, and the lower part 224 includes the bottom edge 225 of the first panel 220. The upper part 222 of the first panel 220 is mounted to the frame 210 with two hinges 230 (easier seen in Figure 4), thereby allowing the first panel 220 to tilt back (into a retracted position) and forth (into an extended oblique position) relative to the frame 210. The frame 210 is shown with two side panels 218, each with a guide recess adapted for guiding and supporting the side edges 226 of the first panel 220. A mechanism, which is exemplified in an embodiment below, is adapted for activating the hinges 230 to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration. The frame 210 comprises a first frame part 212 and a second frame part 214 (see Figure 7, where the two side panels 218 have been removed). The first frame part 212 is movably connected to the second frame part 214. Two guide tubes are formed at each side of the second frame part 214 and a two guide rods are formed at each side of the first frame part 212. The hinges 230 are each mounted to each first guide rod. The first guide rods are each adapted for moving up and down within each first guide tube. An end edge 215 of the first guide tube functions to force a hinge 230 from a closed configuration into an open configuration as the first guide rod moves into the first guide tube.

The headboard 200 is also shown with a second panel 250 positioned below the first panel 220. This second panel 250 is preferably of a height corresponding to a pillow and/or a duvet, thereby securing that the first panel will not push a pillow and/or

DK 181259 B1 7 duvet lying on the bed 100. In this way, the headboard may be operated while the bed is made.

In some embodiments, the first panel 220 may be operated such that the bottom edge 225 of the first panel 220 is positioned in front of the second panel 250 while moved to an extended oblique position.

This configuration allows the user a more comfortable lower back support.

An actuator 240, preferably electrical,

together with other components of the mechanism, is configured for moving and directing the first panel 220 between a first vertical position to an extended oblique position, relative to the frame 210. A third panel 260 may be present to secure that a user will not get their hands or fingers squeezed in the two hinges 230 during operation of the first panel.

The third panel 260 may be configured to move up and down together with the first panel 220. This movement may be aided by a rear plate 219 with guide slots as well as, or alternatively, by the two side panels 218 via their guide recesses adapted for guiding and supporting the side edges of the third panel 260.

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References 100 Bed 200 Headboard 210 Frame 212 First frame part 214 Second frame part 215 Edge 216 Bracket 218 Side panel 219 Rear panel 220 — First panel 222 Upper part 223 Top edge 224 > Lower part 225 Bottom edge 226 Side edge 230 Hinge 240 Actuator/piston unit 250 Second panel 260 Third panel

Claims

o DK 181259 B1 PATENT CLAIM

1. Headboard (200) for a bed (100), where the headboard (200) comprises: - a frame (210) adapted to be wall-mounted, bed-mounted or free-standing behind the head end of a bed; - a first panel (220) having an upper part (222) and a lower part (224) and arranged to be moved between a first vertical position to a second or an alternative further inclined position relative to the frame (210), where the upper part (222) of the first panel (220) is hingedly mounted on the frame (210), thereby allowing the first panel (220) to tilt back and forth relative to the frame (210); wherein both the upper portion (222) and the lower portion (224) of the first panel (220) are adapted to be moved downwardly while being moved between the first vertical position to the second or alternate further inclined position, and to being moved upwardly while being moved between the second or alternate further inclined position and back to the first vertical position; characterized in that the main fence (200) further comprises: - a third panel (260) placed above the first panel (220) and configured to move up and down together with the first panel (220).

2. Head fence (200) according to claim 1, where the frame (210) comprises a first frame part (212) and a second frame part (214), where the first frame part (212) is movably connected to the second frame part (214), and where one or more hinges (230) are functionally connected to the first frame part (212) and the upper part (222) of the first panel (220), whereby it is possible for the upper part (222) of the first panel (220) to be hingedly mounted on the frame (210).

3. Headboard (200) according to claim 2, which further comprises a mechanism adapted to activate the one or more hinges (230) to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

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4. Hovedgeerde (200) according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism comprises a first guide tube or rail formed in the second frame part (214), a first guide rod formed in the first frame part (212) and arranged to move up and down inside the first guide tube or rail, wherein the one or more hinges (230) are functionally mounted on the first guide rod such that the one or more hinges (230) move a) from a closed configuration to an open configuration when the first guide rod moves into the first guide tube or rail, and b) from an open configuration to the closed configuration when the first guide rod moves out of the first guide tube or rail.

5. Head rail (200) according to claim 3, wherein the mechanism comprises a first guide tube or rail formed in the second frame part (214), a first guide rod formed in the first frame part (212) and arranged to move up and down inside the first guide tube or rail, wherein an end edge (215) of the first guide tube or rail functions to force the one or more hinges (230) from a closed configuration to an open configuration as the first guide rod moves into the first guide tube or rail.

6. Hovedgeerde (200) according to any one of claims 2-5, which further comprises an electric actuator (240) arranged to vertically move the first frame part (212) up and down in relation to the second frame part (214).

7. — Head fence (200) according to any one of claims 1-6, which further comprises a second panel (250) placed below the first panel (220) and where the lower part (224) of the first panel (220 ) is arranged to be positioned in front of the second panel (250) while it is being moved to the second or alternative further inclined position.

8. Main fence (200) according to any one of claims 1-7, which further comprises an electric actuator (240) arranged to directly or indirectly move

1 DK 181259 B1 the first panel (220) between the first vertical position to the second or alternative further inclined position relative to the frame (210).

9. Bed system comprising: - one or more beds (100); and - one or more head fences (200) according to any one of claims 1-8.