EP3537933B1

EP3537933B1 - Articulated liftable bed

Info

Publication number: EP3537933B1
Application number: EP17807937.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gianfranco Pessotto
Original assignee: Pessottoreti Sas
Current assignee: Pessottoreti Sas
Priority date: 2016-11-10
Filing date: 2017-11-08
Publication date: 2020-09-16
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-08
Also published as: EP3537933A1; WO2018087672A1; IT201600113765A1

Description

The invention refers to an articulated liftable bed.
Articulated beds with lifting mechanisms are known that allow to lift and maintain the net (or slates) of the bed (i.e. the so-called bedspring) at a certain height from the ground, thereby allowing housewives to make the bed comfortably without bending and to have access to the space underneath the net.
EP2160961 shows an example of such a bed with a bedspring liftable via an electric motor. The bedspring is hinged to a rectangular basal big-drawer (also called container) that delimits a closed volume for use as a storage space.
A common problem of these beds is how to clean under the container and/or under the objects it contains. To this aim, mechanisms that lift the container have been invented, but they are bulky, expensive and require muscular effort or additional drive means. And the objects inside the container must be moved by hand.
US 907 342 describes a box-couch with a liftable tray.
The main object of the invention is to improve this state of art.
Another object is to solve or mitigate the above problem and/or to propose a liftable bed with more features.
It is then proposes a bed as defined in claim 1 comprising:

a hollow base container,
a flat platform tiltable relative to the container,
a support for objects which remains housed in the base container when the platform is in a position maximally close to the base container, and
a lifting device for lifting the support with respect to the base container and holding it in a raised position.

A first advantage of the bed is that the mechanics or the drives to be used must not be complicated or expensive, for example staying the same as a pre-existing motorized bed.
A second advantage is to exploit the bedspring's inclination to raise the support for objects to a height that is both comfortable for the user and sufficient to allow the cleaning of the inside.
A linear upward lifting of the platform involves not only some mechanics for reaching the required height, also having to compensate for the thickness of the object-holder which during cleaning of the hollow base container would in fact be an obstacle, but also a greater height for the whole platform. A tiltable platform, on the other hand, always maintains a side of its own either near or inside the hollow base container, so the articulation connecting it to the base hollow container is less stressed, while the opposite side gets up a lot.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method as defined in claim 12 for accessorizing a bed comprising a base
hollow container and a flat platform tiltable relative to the container, wherein a support for objects is arranged inside the base container so that it can be raised with respect to the base container for remaining stably in a raised position,
wherein the support for objects is connected or connectable only to the platform for being liftable together with it.
Another aspect relates to a method for producing a bed provided with a hollow base container and a flat platform tiltable with respect to the container,
wherein a support for objects is mounted inside the base container so that it can be lifted with respect to the base container to stay steadily in a raised position, and the support for objects is connected or can be connected only to the platform to be liftable together with it.
Another aspect relates to a method for providing a bed, which comprises a hollow base container and a flat platform tiltable with respect of the container, with a support for objects,
wherein the support is placed in the base container so that it can be raised with respect to the base container to remain stably in a raised position, and the support for objects is connected or can be connected only to the platform to be lifted together with it.
This gives the advantage and effect of exploiting the platform's lifting to raise at a comfortable level items stored on/in the support, and the user no longer needs to bend to reach them. Another advantage is that during cleaning there is no need to manually move objects in the container, one being able to take advantage of the platform's lifting to temporarily get rid of them.
In said bed, the object support is connected or can be connected only to the platform to be lifted together with it.
Even more preferably, in said bed the support for objects is hanged solely to the platform.
Thus the lifting device may e.g. consist of

one or more suspending elements for rigidly constraining the platform and the support for objects to each other, or
one or more suspension elements to hang the support for objects, e.g. wires or flexible elements in general.

Thus, the components of the lifting device are minimized and the platform movement is exploited to lift the support for objects.
Likewise, in the method for accessorizing a bed it is preferable to connect the support for objects to the platform so that the second can be lifted together with the first.
Likewise, in the method for producing a bed it is preferable to arrange the support for objects in such a way that it can be lifted together with the platform.
Likewise, in the method for providing a bed, the support is mounted under the platform so that it can be lifted together with the platform.
As a variant for one or each of the methods:

the support for objects is mounted under the platform; and/ or
the support for objects is mounted hinged under the platform or hinged to the lower surface of the platform; and/or
the support for objects is mounted cantilevered with respect to the lower surface of the platform; and/or
the support for objects is mounted under the platform so that it can oscillate around an horizontal axis, said axis being preferably parallel to the axis around which the platform rotates to tilt or to the rotation axis of the lifting arms of the platform; and/or
the support for objects is mounted under the platform so that it can be engaged to or disengaged from the platform.

The following applies to all of the examples above.
The hollow base container serves as a storage room and preferably:

is of parallelepiped shape, with square or rectangular plan; and/or
comprises vertical side walls, and optionally a bottom; and/or
is open at the top to receive the platform; and/or
the platform closes it at the top when the platform is lowered.

Another advantage of the invention is that the hollow base container no longer has to necessarily have a bottom that covers all of its plan (condition needed before so that the contained objects would not touch the ground or would not disperse). When the platform is lowered, said support stays housed inside the base container and keeps the objects together and separated from the floor, and it can raise them grouped. Therefore, cleaning operations are facilitated and the bottom of the hollow base container can be absent or reduced to a minimum, its vertical side walls being enough.
By platform here it is meant a rigid plane, like also for example a bedspring, capable of supporting a mattress or at least a supine person. The platform's dimensions can be variable, e.g. single or double.
The platform preferably

is movable or articulated to the hollow base container so as to be able to only tilt with respect to it, or in addition it is movable or articulated to the hollow base container so as to be also translatable with respect to it while remaining substantially parallel to the hollow base container (i.e. to the ground on which the hollow base container is resting); and/or
is made of staves or a metallic net; and/or
it can be lifted with respect to the container by means of lifting arms which are hinged to both the container and the platform. In particular, the arms form an articulated parallelogram or quadrilateral and/or one of the two arms is extendable, e.g. through two segments telescopically mounted one inside the other, so that the elongation of the arm results in an inclination of the bedspring with respect to a horizontal plane. The extensible arm is replaceable with a linear actuator having a piston extractable relative to a cylinder.

Terms such as top, below, bottom, horizontal, etc. are referred to the bed or the support as in use.
The support for objects can be produced in many variants, e.g. comprising or consisting of a horizontal or oblique rod, and/or a box and/or a shelf and/or a drawer and/or a bowl and/or a net basket and/or a tray and/or a case and/or a container (to distinguish the latter from the base container we will call it liftable container).
The rod serves for example as a coat rack, while the liftable container or the shelf constitute a compartment of the bed wherein to store objects like clothes and accessories.
The support for objects may be permanently connected to the platform, becoming an integrated part of the bed, or non-permanently, if it is configured as a bed accessory to be attached to or detached from the platform if necessary. About this subject, reference is made to the variant described above in which the support for objects is said to be connected only to the platform to be lifted together with it.
Preferably, the support is connected only to the platform and in such a way to remain hanged below the platform at a certain distance from it, so that the support gets concealed inside the inner volume of the container when the platform is lowered and horizontal, while it rises to "eye level" when the platform is tilted or raised remaining horizontal. Since the support can be lifted with all the objects it contains or supports, it is no longer necessary to remove them from the container during cleaning.
The connection between the support for objects and the platform is open to many variants. For example, the connection may comprise

suspension cables or rings, to hang the support from the platform; and/or
a hinge between the support and the platform, so that the support (especially if it is a shelf or liftable container) is hinged to the platform about a horizontal axis to oscillate vertically or rocking with respect to the platform (said axis being e.g. substantially parallel to, or coinciding with, the lying plane of the platform). The hinge may also be either of the living type or simulated with a labile or unstable support point (e.g. as a rocking element), and/or
rigid arms to connect the support to the platform. The rigid arms may be formed by various segments articulated to each other or extendable, to vary their own shape and/or length in order to allow a movement of the support.

In a variant the platform can be raisable and tiltable with respect to the base container.
Preferably, the support is connected to the platform so that it remains suspended only below the portion of the platform that upon tilting goes higher (so the objects come to a more comfortable level). In this case, preferably the area covered horizontally by the support is about half that of the platform.
Advantageously, it is preferred that the bed comprises an electric motor or actuator to move and/or tilt the platform, so as to reduce to zero the user's effort, who does not have to lift the weight of the objects. In particular, a variant envisages that the bed comprises an electric motor or actuator for moving and/or tilting the platform, the electric motor or actuator cooperating with an articulated quadrilateral that supports the platform. The articulated quadrilateral preferably comprises two rigid, unextendable members, of different length, hinged at one end to the base container and at the other end to the platform. A different variant envisages that the bed comprises two electric motors or actuators for moving and/or tilting the platform, an electric motor or actuator constituting a side of an articulated parallelogram that supports the platform, while the other electric motor or actuator being connected to one side of the articulated parallelogram to raise such side by rotating it relative to a fulcrum located at a lower end of such side.
Another variant, of manual type, for moving and/or tilting the platform envisages one or more gas springs hinged between the platform and the hollow base container. In an advantageous variant, the force generated by one or each of the gas springs is adjustable, so as to calibrate them on the weight of the objects, and/or - for the same purpose - one or each of the gas springs has connection points to the platform and/or to the hollow base container that are adjustable in their position.
For other motorized variants, see below.
Preferably the lifting device or the connection between the support for objects and the platform may comprise an automatic tilting mechanism or system with the function of maintaining horizontal or substantially horizontal the support during the lifting movement or at least in the raised position, irrespective of the platform inclination. So the objects do not overturn or they do not fall from the support (advantageous especially if the support is a shelf or a liftable container).
As preferred embodiments of said mechanism or system, we cite:

two pairs of suspension cables, respectively connected (i) at one end to four points of the support (especially in the case it is a shelf or a liftable container), the points being placed, for example. like the vertices of a regular quadrilateral, and at the other end (ii) to the platform, wherein the cables of a pair have equal length or length different than that of the other pair. The pair of longest cables is connected to the portion of platform that while sloping comes higher, so that when the platform is maximally inclined the support hangs under the platform via the tensioned cables, staying horizontal. The pair of shortest cables may also be replaced with a hinge between the support and the platform;
a hinge between the support and the platform, so that the support (especially if it is a shelf or a liftable container) is hinged to the platform about a horizontal axis and can oscillate vertically or tilt with respect to the platform; and a device for varying the relative inclination between the support and the platform, while the platform is tilted, in order to maintain the support always horizontal;
a hinge between the support and the platform, so that the support (especially if it is a shelf or a liftable container) is hinged to the platform about a horizontal axis and can swing or oscillate with respect to the platform; and a device to vary the relative position of the support with respect to the platform, while the platform is being tilted, to keep the support all the time horizontal.

Specifically, to dynamically vary the tilt or position of the object-holder support, the bed may comprise a system that makes
a shortening or an elongation of a suspending cable, and/or
a shortening or an elongation of a suspending rigid arm, and/or
a rotation of the object-holder support about said hinge,
correspond to a variation of the platform's inclination.
The above-mentioned preferred embodiments of said mechanism or system are however usable even if the inclination of the object-holder support is not compensated for.
The hinge axis is preferably parallel to the horizontal rotation axis of the platform about which its lifting movement occurs, or to the axis of its lifting arms.
The support for objects may be made in many sizes and shapes, just being enough that it can be housed inside the base container (e.g. a criterion is that the support has a vertical bulk equal to or less than the height (of the side walls) of the container).
Preferably, the support has a width at least equal to half the width of the platform (looking at the platform from the front foot-side of the bed); and/or the support has a depth less than or equal to half length of the platform (looking at the platform from a side of the bed).
The bed preferably comprises a second support mounted inside the base container and movable in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis of the platform or the rotation axis of the lifting arms of the platform. The advantage is to make the most of the base container's compartment when only half or less of the container's volume is filled by the object-holder support.
The second support preferably has an area approximately complementary to that of the support, so that the two cover all or most of the area of the base container.
The second support is e.g. mounted inside the base container so that it can slide into the area of the base container left clear by the (first) support when the latter is raised together with the platform. Thus, the second support can end up under the (first) raised support and the user has comfortably available all the items stored in the container.
The rotation axis of the platform's lifting arms is preferably a horizontal axis.
Preferably, the second support is slidably guided inside the base container through, e.g. linear, guides or is sliding on wheels, e.g. sliding directly onto the floor supporting the hollow base container.
Preferably, the support for objects and/or the second support for objects comprises

one or more (e.g. electric) light sources, so as to facilitate the user while handling the objects: and/or
an electronic utility device, such as a television, a radio, a phone, a hairdryer, a computer or a home appliance.

The second support shares all the variants of the first support, mutatis mutandis, and here they are not repeated.
One or each aspect of the invention may be expanded if in place of said object-holder support an electronic household appliance, such as a television, a radio, a telephone, a hairdryer, a computer or an appliance, is substituted.
The upward lifting of the platform can occur, as mentioned, either manually or through (preferably electric) actuators.
In particular, since the support for objects can be an accessory that completes a pre-existing liftable bed, such as, for example, that in EP2108288 , an intelligent control is needed for the actuators, to be able to properly control the actuators both when there is the support for objects, and when it is not there. For example, one can exploit a drive system as in EP2160961 , which allows to lift the platform relative to the hollow base container when the platform is in a position maximally close to the hollow base container. A variant of the invention then solves the problem of how to properly control the actuators to allow the use of the lifting device both when the support for objects is installed in the bed, and when it is not.
This problem is resolved if the bed comprises:

a) an articulated parallelogram mechanism to lift the platform to a certain height from the ground relative to the base container, the mechanism comprising
- two substantially parallel segments, each hinged at one end to one side of the container and at the other end to the platform so as to form as a whole an articulated parallelogram; wherein
- the first segment consists of a first linear actuator (comprising, for example, a movable piston relative to a cylinder), which is hinged to the base container and has a movable part hinged to the platform in order to be able to lift the platform by making it rotate pivoted on the other segment, and the second segment consists of a fixed-length rigid element, and
- a second linear actuator mounted for rotating the two segments with respect to their pivoting fulcrum on the base container;
b) an electronic unit connected to the two linear actuators to manage the working thereof;
c) a sensor for detecting within the base container the presence of the support-for-objects.

The articulated parallelogram of the mechanism therefore has an extensible side, the one constituted of the first linear actuator. The mechanism then allows the platform to be raised to a certain height from the ground relative to the container in two ways or with two trajectories:

1. by lifting the platform while keeping it parallel to the ground, and then in case tilting it after it has been lifted (i.e. first only or mainly the second actuator is activated, leaving the first one idle or by moving it slightly, and then if needed the first actuator is activated); or
2. by tilting the platform without first lifting it vertically, that is, only or mainly the first actuator is activated.

For the above-mentioned "activation" of the first and second actuators we intend their extension. The term "mainly" means that in some cases, although an actuator is the main responsible of the lifting movement, it is also necessary to briefly activate the other, e.g. to get out of a position of mechanical stall or to slightly modify the shape of the articulated quadrilateral or parallelogram in order to limit the internal stresses thereinto. The stroke of the briefly activated actuator is much lower than, for example less than 1/5 or 1/10 of, that of the mainly activated actuator.
The second actuator is preferably a linear actuator such as the first one, but not necessarily. It can be e.g. a rotary electric motor.
Note that movement 1) implies for the platform a composite trajectory, given by the sum of a horizontal translation and a vertical translation.
In general, there is an electronic unit (e.g. a programmable microprocessor) to control and/or program the activation of the actuators.
In particular, the electronic unit is programmed to drive the actuators with a sequence of steps that accomplishes the aforementioned movements 1) and 2).
According to the above-mentioned variant of the invention, the electronic unit is programmed for
detecting a signal from said sensor,
processing said signal to determine the presence of the support for objects within the base container,
inhibiting the movement 1) if the presence of the object support inside the base container is determined, i.e. only allowing the movement 2) (if necessary - for maximum safety - bypassing external commands from a user).
In this way the electronic unit prevents that movement 1) damages the bed. In fact, if movement 1) took place when the support for objects is present, such support would heavily collide against the edge or wall of the container. The additional thrust of the actuators would then cause damage to the components of the bed.
The platform returns to its lowered position, maximally close to the base, with a reverse sequence of running the actuators.
The advantages of the above-mentioned control are well understood when the bed comprises an (optional) user interface that is connected to the electronic unit and through which a user can send drive commands to the electronic unit for the actuators. Specifically, the user interface allows the user to command the start of movements 1) or 2) (or the inverse movements to bring back the platform lowered down on the base container). If the user carelessly pressed, for example. a button to command the beginning of movement 1) in a bed with an installed support for objects, without the constraint imposed by the electronic unit the bed would be damaged during the movement.
Preferably, for maximum ease of use, the sensor works without manual intervention or at least so that the user does not have to worry about it.
Then, a variant envisages that the sensor is installed on one or each connecting element that non-permanently connects the support to the platform. For example, the sensor is a weight sensor or a presence sensor for the support.
In another variant, the sensor is installed on the platform at the coupling points between one or each said connecting element and the platform.
Thus, when the user connects the support to the platform, he/she automatically (and without any other action) signals the presence of the support to the electronic unit.
The sensor can be realized in many ways. It may be e.g.:

a proximity sensor or an infrared or ultrasound sensor (such as in burglar alarms), e.g. mounted inside the base container; and/ or
a load cell mounted to measure the weight of the support for objects when present; and/or
a switch or an electric contact or a micro-switch, e.g. mounted in order to be actuated by direct contact, or indirectly, by the support-for-objects or by the weight thereof when the support is installed inside the base container, and/or
a switch or an electrical contact or a micro-switch installed on one or each of said connecting members; and/or
a switch or an electric contact or a micro-switch installed on the platform at the coupling points between one or each of said connecting members and the platform.

In a manually-operated variant, the sensor is e.g. an electric switch or micro-switch operable by a user when the support for objects is installed in the bed.
In a preferred variant, usable with a bed fitted with or without lifting actuators for the platform, even the connection between the support for objects and the platform does not require manual operations. For this purpose the bed comprises
an electronic unit, and
a member movable between two positions that is

mounted on the platform or on said connecting members or on the support for objects, and
operated by an electric actuator,
wherein the movable member
in the first position is able to stably couple the support to the platform, and
in the second position is able to permanently disengage the support from the platform, and
the electronic unit is programmed for
driving the electric actuator to move the movable member between the two positions.

Preferably, for maximum integration, the electronic unit controlling the movable member is the same which controls the platform's actuators.
The electronic unit is preferably programmed for
driving the movable member so that it moves to the first position, and then
activating only or mainly the first actuator to tilt the platform without lifting it vertically.
Preferably, the user interface comprises an element (e.g. a button) for sending a signal to the electronic unit in order to command it to execute the displacement of the movable member from one position to the other.
The movable member comprises, for example, a rotatable hook, a pin movable back and forth, an openable and lockable clamp, a hook or a piece movable between two positions.
The said movable member is replaceable with a generic electrically controlled engaging element, not necessarily movable, such as an electromagnet.
The user interface may comprise, for example, a keyboard and/or a touch-screen and/or electrical switches.
The advantages of the invention will be better understood by the following description of exemplary embodiments of bed, illustrated in the attached drawing wherein:

fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view from above of a bed with lowered platform;
fig. 2 shows a sectional view according to plane II-II of fig. 1;
fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the bed in a configuration intermediate to those of fig. 2 and 4;
fig. 4 shows a sectional view according to plane IV-IV of fig. 5;
fig. 5 shows a three-dimensional view from above of the bed with raised platform;
fig. 6 shows a sectional view of a first variant of bed;
fig. 7 shows a sectional view of a second variant of bed;
fig. 8 shows a sectional view of a third bed version:
fig. 9 shows a sectional view of a fourth variant of the bed;
fig. 10 shows a schematic side view of a bed version in a first configuration;
fig. 11 shows a schematic side view of the variant of fig. 10 in a second configuration
fig. 12 shows a schematic side view of a bed version in a first configuration;
fig. 13 shows a schematic side view of the variant of fig. 12 in a second configuration.

In the figures, same numbers indicate equal parts, and the arrows in Figs. 12-13 indicate lines of electrical signal connection, wired or wireless.
A bed MC comprises a fixed box-like frame 10 and a bed-plane 20 which can tilt with respect to the frame 10 (Figures 3 and 4).
The frame 10, the so-called container, is usually square or rectangular, and is formed by a front vertical wall 10b, two vertical side walls 10a, 10c, and a vertical rear wall 10d which delimit an inner empty compartment V useful to contain objects. Not necessarily the frame 10 has a bottom wall.
The bed-plane 20 is a platform or a support surface for example for a mattress or a supine person. In the illustrated example, the bed-plane 20 is a slatted net.
The bed MC further comprises a (manual or motorized) mechanism for the guided lifting of the bed-plane 20 relative to the frame 10.
Preferably, the mechanism is positioned at least inside the compartment V, and is preferably mounted in two equal and specular specimens, having function of articulation and guided inclination, mounted on the inner and opposite side walls 10a, 10c of the frame 10 and acting on opposite sides of the bed-plane 20. In the following, a single mechanism will be described for simplicity.
The mechanism (or each guided lifting group) comprises a plate 30 fixed internally on a vertical wall of the frame 10. To the plate 30 are hinged the ends of two rigid lifting arms 40, 50 (e.g. two rods), in turn hinged, at the other end, to the plane 20, preferably by means of an angular bracket 70 which allows an easier mating between them. The arms 40, 50 have different lengths and form altogether, along with the frame 10 and the plane 20, an articulated quadrilateral capable of guiding the bed-plane 20 to tilt it relative to the frame 10. Figures 2-4 show the sequence of tilting.
The arms 40, 50 have hinging axes which are all horizontal and parallel to each other.
The rotation of the bed-plane 20 is assisted by an electric linear actuator 60 having a linearly movable piston 62. The actuator is mounted near the arms 40, 50 and so as to push from below the bed-plane 20 when the piston 62 extends.
To counteract the weight of the bed-plane 20, it is however possible to do without one electric actuator, e.g. by using a gas spring instead of it. If the weights at play are not excessive, the arms 40, 50 can suffice.
It should be noted that the invention is also applicable to beds whose bedspring is not only tiltable, therefore also to beds with a bedspring which tilts and is lifted remaining horizontal like e.g. those in EP2160961 or EP2108288 or EP2387914 .
Below the portion of the bed plane 20 that goes higher, there is mounted an object-holder 80, preferably wide about like the bed-plane 20 (figure 5) and deep about half.
The object-holder 80 has the shape of a shelf having a bottom 82 from which two opposite side walls 84 and a rear wall 86 elevate.
By construction, the object-holder 80 moves along with the bed-plane 20, so when the bed-plane 20 is lowered (Figure 2), the holder 80 remains inside the frame 10, while when the bed-plane 20 is raised (Figure 4) the object holder 80 arrives at a raised position where the user can comfortably reach the objects.
The (bottom 82 of the) holder 80 is preferably maintained horizontal during the lifting movement or at least in the raised position, so as not to disorganize the objects. Among the favourite ways, the object-holder 80 may have the end closest to the center of the bed-plane 20 hinged to the bed-plane 20 about a horizontal axis X (parallel to the plane of the bed-plane 20) so that it can swing around such axis X. By springs or a controlled actuator (e.g. a rotary motor) the inclination of the object-holder 80 can then be adjusted.
In a simpler way, a cable 94 (shown in dashed lines) can be connected between the bed-plane 20 and a part of the object-holder 80 opposed to the axis X. The cable 94 is tensioned when the bed-plane 20 is maximally tilted (Figure 4) and has the right length to keep the object-holder 80 suspended and horizontal. The hinge at the X-axis can be eliminated by mounting a second cable 92 in place (shown in dashed lines) shorter that the cable 94. The cable 92 is tensioned when the bed-plane 20 is maximally inclined (Fig. 4) and has the right length to keep the object-holder 80 suspended and horizontal together with the cable 94. It should be noted that even if only the cables 92, 94 are used, the support 80 does not reach in practice an inclination capable of overthrowing its content.
Fig. 6 shows a connection variant between the bed-plane 20 and the object-holder 80, with the advantage that the object-holder 80 is kept horizontally during the lifting movement and at the raised position. Two points P1, P2 of the object-holder 80 are connected to a same point P3 of the bed-plane 20 through two inextensible elements 72, 74 (e.g. two rigid arms or two taut wires). Points P1, P2 are located, respectively, at the rear and front part of the object holder 80, and at the point P3 the two inextensible elements 72, 74 are hinged to the bed-plane 20 or mounted oscillating with respect thereto. The more the points P1, P2 are distant from each other, the less the weight or position of the objects will affect the inclination of the object-holder 80.
Therefore, the object-holder 80 can swing back and forth under the bed-plane 20. The two inextensible elements 72, 74 have the right length (e.g. they are of equal length) to maintain the object-holder 80 horizontal, and it remains so whatever the tilt of the bed-plane 20 is.
The two elements 72, 74 may optionally also have variable length or length adjustable by the user, so as to compensate for a weight distribution on the object holder 80 aiming at tilting it.
The two elements 72, 74 may optionally consist of a single wire that is inserted into a ring placed at point P3 and which is free to temporarily slide inside the ring. So, one can adjust the inclination of the object-holder 80. If the weights in the object holder 80 are balanced, the single cable can be always left free to slide inside the ring, thereby obtaining an automatic tilt correction of the object-holder 80 during the movement of the bed-plane 20.
To give greater stability to the object-holder 80, it is preferred to mount two pairs of said elements 72, 74 at two pairs of points P1, P2 placed at the sides of the object-holder 80. Each pair of elements 72, 74 is connected to a respective point P3.
Another variant envisages only two rigid suspension arms spaced apart from each other by about the width of the object-holder 80. Each of the two arms at one end is rotatably connected to a horizontal axis passing through P3 and at the other end to a point of the object-holder 80.
Regardless of the connection between the bed-plane 20 and the object-holder 80, the storage capacity of the bed MC can be improved with the variant of fig. 7.
Inside the frame 10 is mounted or placed a second object-holder 88, preferably having about the same size of the object-holder 80, which is horizontally slidable (see arrow F) inside the frame 10, e.g. via linear guides and/or wheels, toward the first object holder 80.
Thus, when the object holder 80 is inside the frame 10 (lowered bed-plane 20), the two object- holders 80, 88 are coplanar and adjacent, while when the object-holder 80 is raised (inclined bed-plane 20) the object-holder 88 can be moved under the object holder 80 to more conveniently access the objects contained in it.
Fig. 8 shows another variant MC2, which illustrates a different type of object-holder 100 and a different system to hang it under the bed-plane 20.
The object-holder 100 consists of an open-top box or drawer, formed by a quadrilateral-plan bottom 102 and four vertical walls that define a storage space for objects 106.
The wall 104b of the object-holder 100 closest to the center of the bed-plane 20 is hinged to the bottom of the bed-plane 20 around a horizontal axis X. The opposite wall 104f of the object-holder 100, that is, that located further away from the center of the bed-plane 20 or, in other words, the wall closest to the horizontal edge 20L of the bed-plane 20 which upon rotating arrives higher) is connected to the bottom of the bed-plane 20 by two wires 110. Preferably, the wires 110 are respectively fixed to two corners of the wall 104f and converge toward a point at the center of the bed-plane 20, or of the edge 20L, forming the sides of an angle. Instead of the two cables 110, a single cable can be used.
Fig. 9 shows another variant MC3. Compared to the previous one, the wires 112 suspending the object-holder 100 are fixed respectively to two corners of the wall 104f and each converges respectively toward a corner of the side 20L.
The suspension cables 110 and 112 may also be replaced by rigid arms.
Preferably, the bed comprises a system or means for varying the inclination of the horizontal object-holder as a function of the tilt of the bed-plane, so as to keep it horizontal.
A preferred embodiment of such a system comprises a mechanism for varying the inclination or the length of at least one of the rigid arms supporting the object-holder under the bed-plane.
In another preferred embodiment for such a system, the bed comprises a device for exerting a force to a suspension cable, so that the cable pulls the object-holder or a side of the object-holder toward the bed-plane. Such force may entail

a shortening or a variation of the length of the segment of suspension cable running from the bed-plane to the object-holder, or
a path variation for the suspension cable.

In both cases, the point fixing the cable to the object-holder and the support point of the cable comprised in the bed-plane, get closer.
Figures 10 and 11 show an example of the system.
Here, one end of the suspension cable 94 is fixed to the object-holder 80, from which the suspension cable 94 runs down the bottom of the bed-plane 20 where it is diverted along the bed-plane 10 up to a pulley 200, fixed on the frame 10. From the pulley 200 the suspension cable 94 continues to another pulley 220, integral to the bed-plane 20, from which it is diverted toward a fixed point 222.
The pulley 220 modifies the path of the suspension wire 94 as a function of its inclination. Particularly, when the bed-plane 20 is lowered, the pulley 220 presses on the cable 94 and increases the dimension of a bend thereof, with the result of increasing the tension on the cable 94 and, therefore, the segment of cable 94, which supports the object holder 80, shortens, thereby pulling the object holder 80 toward the bed-plane 10. During lifting of the bed-plane 20, the opposite occurs.
Note that - in general - any type of object-holder illustrated here, each system illustrated here for hanging the object-holder under the bed-plane 20 or any accessory of the bed, may be exploited independently one from the other, combining them. Therefore, for example, in the variant of fig. 7 one may replace the object-holder 80 with the object-holder 100, or in the variant of fig. 8 or 9 the second object-holder 80 may be installed.
To lift the support 80 independently of the platform 20 (i.e. without the means of suspension) one can e.g. use a swinging lifter arm (not forming part of the invention), indicated by a dashed line and by 300.
Fig. 12-13 show schematically another variant MC4.
A bed MC4 still comprises a fixed box-like frame 10, set still on ground, and a bed-plane 20 that can be inclined with respect to the frame 10.
The bed MC4 also comprises a motorized mechanism for the guided tilting of the bed-plane 20 with respect to the frame 10, wherein the mechanism comprises two actuators. The mechanism is mounted preferably in two equal and specular specimens, having function of guided articulation and inclination, mounted on the inner and opposite walls of the frame 10 and acting on opposite sides of the bed-plane 20. In the following we will describe a single mechanism for simplicity.
The mechanism (or each group of guided lifting) comprises two parallel lifting arms, wherein one is a rigid bar 500 and the other an extensible electric linear actuator 502.
The arms are hinged at one end to the bed-plane or platform 20 and at the other end to the container 10, thereby forming in idle position an articulated parallelogram, and have hinging axes that are all horizontal and parallel to each other.
There is then a second extensible electric linear actuator 504 which is hinged on one of the two arms to vary the inclination thereof.
The actuator 502 or 504 e.g. is made like the actuator 60.
Below the portion of the bed-plane 20 which lifts higher, there is mounted here also an object-holder 80 (shown only in Figure 13), applicable with all the variants described above.
The actuators 502, 504 are connected to and controlled by an electronic control unit CC, which is in turn connected to a sensor S and a keypad T with buttons P.
The sensor S can detect the presence of the object-holder 80 when the latter is mounted on the platform and/or installed inside the container 10.
The keypad T and the buttons P are a user interface with which a user can send commands to the control unit CC.
In the bed MC4, the articulated parallelogram can lift the platform 20 either by only tilting it (fig. 13), or by first lifting it while keeping it horizontal (dashed position in fig. 12, and e.g. as in EP2160961A1 , fig. 3) and then in case by tilting it. The first movement is obtained e.g. by only or mainly lengthening the actuator 502. The second movement is obtained e.g. by only or mainly lengthening first the actuator 504, which lifts the two arms simultaneously, and then in case only the actuator 502.
The control unit CC is programmed to regulate the user access to these two configurations. In fact, if the object-holder is present, the articulated parallelogram must move only passing from the configuration of fig. 12 to that of fig. 13 and vice versa, avoiding a or the transition to the third position shown here dashed or in EP2160961A1 , fig. 3. Otherwise, the object-holder 80 would collide with the container 10 and the parts would get damaged.
The control unit CC works as follows. When a user, through the keypad T, enters a command to lift the platform 20, the control unit CC receives the command, monitors the incoming signal from the sensor S, and determines whether or not the object-holder 80 is present.
If so, it drives the actuators 502, 504 to only tilt the platform 80 (Fig. 13), or it allows a single dynamics to the actuators 502, 504, if necessary ignoring conflicting commands from the keypad T.
If not, it can drive the actuators 502, 504 to only tilt the platform 80 or to bring it lifted while keeping it horizontal, and e.g. only then to tilt it if e.g. the unit CC receives another dedicated command. The choice between the two movements may depend on another user's command or by a pre-selected selection stored inside the control unit CC.
In any case, the system in the bed MC4 ensures that the user does not activate by mistake the sequence of movement that would cause damage.
Optionally, the bed MC4 comprises an electrical hooking element KK, controlled by the control unit CC. The hooking element KK is controllable to couple or not the object holder to the platform 20. For this purpose it may be, for example, a motorized movable element.
The control unit CC is programmed e.g. for

bringing the element KK into a hooking condition when, from the keypad T, it detects a command to lift the platform 20 and, by means of the sensor S, it detects the presence of the object holder. Thus, the connection is assured between the platform and the object-holder before lifting it; and/or
bringing the element KK into a release-state when, from the keypad T, it detects a command of detaching the object-holder from the platform 20.

It is understood that the actuator 60 can be controlled by means of an electronic control unit, as e.g. the control unit CC. The hooking element KK is applicable to all the variants of Figs. 1-11, independently of the type, number or presence of electric actuators to lift the platform 20.

Claims

Bed (MC) comprising:
a hollow base container (10),

a flat platform (20) tiltable relative to the container,

a support for objects (80) which remains housed in the base container when the platform is in a position maximally close to the base container, and

a lifting device (72, 74) for lifting the support with respect to the base container and holding it in a raised position,

characterized in that

the support for objects is connected or hanged solely to the platform to be lifted together with it.
Bed according to claim 1, wherein the platform is movable or articulated to the base container so that the platform can only tilt with respect to the latter, or
the platform is movable or articulated to the base container so as to be also translatable remaining substantially parallel with respect to the base container.
Bed according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support for objects comprises or consists of a horizontal or oblique rod.
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support for objects comprises or consists of: a shelf (80) and/or a drawer and/or a tray.
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support for objects is connectable to the platform in a non-permanent manner, as an accessory to be attached or detached to/from the platform.
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising suspending wires or rings (72, 74) for suspending the support from the platform
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hinge (X, P3) between the support and the platform, so that the support is hinged to the platform about a horizontal axis to swing vertically or to rock with respect to the platform.
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support is connected to the platform so as to remain suspended only under the portion of the platform that upon tilting goes higher.
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an automatic tilting mechanism or system that, regardless of the inclination of the platform, holds the support horizontal or substantially horizontal during the lifting movement of the platform or at least in the raised position of the platform.
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform can be lifted with respect to the container by means of lifting arms which are hinged to both the container and the platform,
the arms forming an articulated parallelogram or quadrilateral and one of the two arms being extendable, e.g. through two segments telescopically mounted one inside the other, so that the elongation of the arm results in an inclination of the platform with respect to a horizontal plane.
Bed according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an electric motor or actuator to move and/or tilt the platform.
Method for accessorizing a bed (MC) comprising a base hollow container (10) and a flat platform (20) tiltable relative to the container, wherein a support for objects (80) is arranged inside the base container so that it can be raised with respect to the base container for remaining stably in a raised position,
characterized in that
the support for objects is connected or connectable only to the platform for being liftable together with it.
Method according to claim 12, wherein the support for objects is mounted hinged under the platform or hinged to the lower surface of the platform.
Method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the support for objects is mounted under the platform so that it can oscillate around an horizontal axis, said axis being preferably parallel to the axis around which the platform rotates to tilt or to the rotation axis of lifting arms of the platform which are hinged to both the container and the platform
Method according to claim 12 or 13 or 14, wherein the support for objects is mounted under the platform so that it can be engaged to or disengaged from the platform.