Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C17/00—Sofas; Couches; Beds
  • A47C17/86—Parts or details for beds, sofas or couches only not fully covered in a single one of the sub-groups A47C17/02, A47C17/04, A47C17/38, A47C17/52, A47C17/64, or A47C17/84; Drawers in or under beds
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C20/00—Head -, foot -, or like rests for beds, sofas or the like
  • A47C20/04—Head -, foot -, or like rests for beds, sofas or the like with adjustable inclination
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C19/00—Bedsteads
  • A47C19/02—Parts or details of bedsteads not fully covered in a single one of the following subgroups, e.g. bed rails, post rails
  • A47C19/021—Bedstead frames
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C20/00—Head -, foot -, or like rests for beds, sofas or the like
  • A47C20/08—Head -, foot -, or like rests for beds, sofas or the like with means for adjusting two or more rests simultaneously
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C21/00—Attachments for beds, e.g. sheet holders, bed-cover holders; Ventilating, cooling or heating means in connection with bedsteads or mattresses
  • A47C21/04—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating
  • A47C21/042—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling
  • A47C21/044—Devices for ventilating, cooling or heating for ventilating or cooling with active means, e.g. by using air blowers or liquid pumps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C31/00—Details or accessories for chairs, beds, or the like, not provided for in other groups of this subclass, e.g. upholstery fasteners, mattress protectors, stretching devices for mattress nets
  • A47C31/12—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons
  • A47C31/123—Means, e.g. measuring means for adapting chairs, beds or mattresses to the shape or weight of persons for beds or mattresses

Definitions

• Present embodiments relate to an adjustable base for a bed. More specifically, present embodiments relate to a safeguard for an adjustable base, wherein the safeguard prevents access to a space or area between the articulated portions of the base and a stationary frame.
• Prior art articulating beds may be moved typically by adjusting a head portion to raise the head, for example, in order to read in bed, and a moveable feet portion which allows for raising or lowering of the feet depending on the sleep, reading, or other desired position of the user.
• Present embodiments relate to a safeguard for an adjustable or articulating base.
• the safeguard inhibits or eliminates access to a space between an articulating deck and a frame and further precludes entry into these spaces by an animal or small child.
• a safeguard for an adjustable base comprises a frame having at least one peripheral member, an adjustable deck operably connected to the frame, having at least a head portion, a feet portion and at least one intermediate portion therebetween . At least one of the head portion, intermediate portion, or the feet portion may be movable relative to the frame, a barricade may extend between the at least one movable head portion or feet portion, to the frame. The barricade may preclude access between the frame and the at least one movable head portion or feet portion.
• the safeguard may further comprise a plurality of legs depending from the at least one peripheral member.
• the safeguard may further compri se a barricade extending between a bottom of the adjustable deck and the frame.
• the barricade may be connected to an inside of the frame.
• the barricade may be connected to an outer edge of the frame.
• the barricade may be extending from an upper edge of the adjustable deck to the frame.
• the barricade may be removably connected to at least one of the adjustable base and the frame.
• the barricade may be a fabric and the fabric may be one of stretchable or foldable.
• the safeguard barricade may be one of a vinyl, plastic, or textile.
• the safeguard may further comprise a second barricade material extending across the frame between the at least one peripheral member.
• the safeguard may further comprise at least one actuator connected to the frame.
• the safeguard may further comprise at least one linkage on the frame.
• a method of safeguarding a space between an articulating base and a frame of a bed comprising articulating a deck from a first position to a second position, expanding a barricade from a first barricade position to a second barricade position during the articulating, and inhibiting access to a space between the articulating deck and the frame with the barricade.
• a safeguard for an adjustable base comprises a frame having at least one peripheral member, an adjustable deck operably connected to the frame, having at least a head portion, a feet portion and at least one intermediate portion therebetween. At least one of the head portion, intermediate portion, or the feet portion may be movable relative to the frame, a barricade extending across an opening defined by the peripheral member of the frame.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable base
• FIG. 2 is a perspecti ve view of a second embodiment of an alternate
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a further alternate
• FIGS. 4 A and 4B are perspective views of alternative embodiments of safeguard which extend horizontally across an opening of the base.
• an adjustable base with safeguard is shown.
• the instant embodiments provide that the safeguard is formed by a barricade or barrier which extends between articulated portions of a deck and the frame. As a result of the barricade, the spaces are either inaccessible or the likelihood of access to such is greatly reduced.
• FIG. 1 a perspective view of one embodiment of the
• the adjustable base 10 comprises a deck 12 and a frame 14 wherein the deck 12 is operably connected to the frame 14.
• a mattress is not shown, but one skilled in the art will understand that a mattress is disposed on, and supported by, an upper surface of the deck 12.
• the frame 14 may include fixed elements and movable elements wherein the movable elements may move relative to the fixed portions of the frame 14.
• the deck 12 may be connected to movable frame elements or components and the fixed elements wherein the deck moves with movable frame elements and other portions of the deck are fixed with the fixed elements of the frame 14.
• actuators and/or linkages may connect articulating portions of the deck 12 to the frame 14.
• the frame 14 may be defined by a single structure or one or more sub-frame structures. This can be defined in a plurality of ways, and the construction of the frame and/or deck is not limited. Any of various deck portions individually or collectively may be adjustable for movement to adjust the mattress (not shown). Some non-limiting examples are provided in U.S. Application 16/047,725, which are incorporated by reference herein.
• the deck 12 may be formed of a plurality of support portions including a head portion 20, a feet portion 22, and an intermediate portion 24. At least one of the portions 20, 22, 24 is moveable or articulates relative to the frame 14.
• the head portion 20 is moveable in order to raise the head, for example if the user wants a reading position.
• the feet portion 22 is also shown as moveable in order to raise the feet or adjust to a comfortable position for reading or any other relaxing activity.
• the intermediate deck portion 24 may, in some embodiments, be fixed relative to the frame 14 so that it does not raise or otherwise move relative to the frame 14.
• an additional deck portion 26 is shown as moveable and corresponds to the thigh portion of the legs, for example between the waist and the knees in order to adjust this portion of the user’s body for comfort.
• Various numbers of deck portions may be used.
• the head portion 20 may be formed of numerous portions.
• the feet portion 22 and the intermediate portion 24 are also, for example, where some portion of the
• the deck 12 may be formed of a plurality of support substrates or portions slats or sheets including, but not limited to, wood, MDF, or plastic material which can support a mattress positioned upon the deck 12.
• a webbing or woven material may be used and alternatively a corrugated cardboard, sometime referred to corrugate.
• Thin sheet materials for example carbon or mixtures of carbon may be laminate or wovens may be used to define the deck 12.
• Each of the one or more deck portions 20, 22, 24, 26 may be pivotally connected to one another by a hinge structure or for example, may be connected to sub-frames which are pivotally connected.
• the deck portions 20, 22, 24 may also be pivotally connected to the frame 14 of the deck 12 and may be movable toward or away from the frame 14.
• the deck 12, or portions thereof may move between an unarticulated position, for example flat, and a fully articulated position depicted.
• the fully articulated position may be used as a maximum movement position, away from the unarticulated position, for purpose of determining how to size a barrier 40.
• the barricade 40 may have an unstretched length at any given position which is less than the distance of the fully articulated position at the same given position.
• the barricade 40 may also comprise an additional elastic to tighten the barricade as the deck 12 returns to a flat position, for example, a bungee cord, spring, or other elastic.
• the deck and any movable portions of the frame 14 or one or more frame components may be movable by use of one or more actuators and/or linkages which move the deck portion 20, 22, 24, 26 relative to the frame 14, or in some embodiments, a sub-frame.
• actuators may be utilized including but not limited to electric, electromechanical actuators, fluid (hydraulic or pneumatic) actuators, spring, manual actuators, magnetic drive or others which provide for motion of the deck 12 or portion(s) of the deck relative to the frame
• the deck portions 20, 22, 24, 26 may be covered with a padding, foam, or other cushioning material and/or may also include a fabric cover 23 of some sort to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the deck portions 20, 22, 24, 26. Further, each of the deck portions 20, 22, 24, 26 may comprise a cushion or padding 25 extending about the peripheral edge of the deck 12 in order to also provide a pleasing appearance while also inhibiting accidental injury from bumping into the edge of the deck 12.
• the deck portions may be defined by an MDF material, covered in foam and further surrounded by a fabric material in some embodiments.
• the deck 12 may also include alignment and/or retaining features for the mattress (not shown). Further, hinge structures disposed between the deck portions may also be covered in foam to further reduce any change of pinching of a user.
• the frame 14 may be formed of at least one member 30 defining a substantially rectangular shape.
• the frame 14 may be inboard, outboard, or aligned with the deck 12.
• a plurality of members 30, 32, 34 are shown wherein the frame comprises two longitudinal members extending in the head to toe direction of the bed and two lateral members which are perpendicular to the longitudinal members.
• An opening or open area is defined within the periphery of the members.
• the members 30, 32, 34 are generally fixed and may be connected together by a fasteners or other structures and/or may be welded or permanently connected together defining the at least one member.
• the members 30, 32, 34 may be various cross-sectional shapes and may for example be an angle-iron structural shape, or other open (unenclosed) cross-sectional shape.
• the frame members may be an enclosed cross-sectional shape such as, square, rectangular, circular or other such closed shape.
• the frame members may all be of the same shape or cross-section, or alternatively, may be of differing cross-sections for example between the longitudinal and lateral directions.
• the frame 14 may also be defined by one or more sub-frames which define the frame 14.
• the frame 14 may be formed of any upper and lower sub-frame wherein one of the upper and lower frame defines the support structure to allow pivot therefrom.
• the frame 14 may also comprise actuators or linkages which may be connected to the fixed portions of the frame 14 and may also be connected to the deck 12 to move portions thereof.
• legs 38 may be one or more optional of legs 38.
• the legs 38 provide support and lift the frame 14 off of the ground below.
• the legs 38 may be formed of one or more segments in order to provide the height and while the legs 38 are shown as a cylindrical shape, the cross-section shape may be continuous or may vary along its axial direction. Likewise, the cross-sectional shape may be some shape other than circular which may or may not vary in the axial direction of the leg.
• the frame 14 may be placed on an existing bed
• the frame 14 may be placed on such bed accessory, without the use of legs 38.
• the frame 14 may be sized to have a vertical dimension wherein any mechanicals such as actuators, blowers or other components may fit and operate therein without interfering with such bed accessory below frame 14.
• the barricade 40 may also be added to such bedding accessory in order to further inhibit access into areas which may result in pinching or crushing.
• a barricade 40 also referred to as a barrier which functions as a safeguard.
• the barricade 40 extends between the frame 14 and the deck 12.
• the barricade 40 may be formed of various materials and may be in various forms.
• the barricade 40 may be formed of an elastomeric material, which may be defined as any material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, that is able to resume its original shape when a deforming force is removed.
• the elastomeric material may also include but is not limited to, fabric, vinyl, plastic, any of which may be stretched to expand when the deck 12 is spaced apart from the frame 14.
• the barricade 40 may also be formed of foams or polymers, or any combination of the preceding materials.
• the elastomeric may be, in some embodiments, an elastomeric fabric which may be defined by a fabric having some percentage of elastomeric fibers.
• an elastomeric fabric may include at least 10% elastic fiber content to provide a desired amount of stretch.
• the barricade 40 allows for some amount of stretch, or amount of deformation, and may provide for between about 50% stretch up to about 300% stretch or 3x increase from its un-deformed length. The amount of stretch may be used to size the barrier relative to a size of gap between the deck and frame.
• a barricade of 12 at 100% stretch may be utilized.
• the percentage of stretch may be varied and therefore may be used to size the barricade 40.
• the barricade 40 may be sized so that the un-stretched barricade 40 length, in the direction between deck 12 and frame 14, is less than the fully-articulated or maximum gap size.
• the barricade 40 may retract or fold away when the deck 12 is returned to the frame 14, for example in a flat orientation. In some embodiments, the barricade 40 may fold like an accordion when retracting.
• the barricade may be in the form of a netting or net-like material or may be in the form of a fabric.
• the net material may have relatively small openings or may be in the form of a cargo- net with relatively larger holes, and which may be stretchable, for example like a bungee material, or may not be stretchable.
• stretchable for example like a bungee material
• Various may be used to the extent that the form precludes access of a small child for example to areas of possible pinch-hazard.
• the barricade 40 may include various treatments.
• the barricade may include a fire resistant (FR) treatment.
• This FR treatment may be provided by way of the types of fibers or materials used, may be by way of chemical treatment, or a combination.
• various acrylics or kevlars may have fibers or chemicals that may have a spray on or bath type application.
• a backing sheet of FR material may be applied to the barricade 40.
• the barricade 40 may be also have some amount of glass content which acts as a flame barrier. These products and applications may be used individually or in combination.
• the FR material should be capable of passing known flame resistant tests suitable for bedding products for example as found in 16 CFR ⁇ 1632 and 1633.
• anti-microbial treatments may be provided to the barricade 40.
• the anti-microbial may inhibit mold and or bedbugs, for non-limiting example.
• the antimicrobials may also include anti-fungals and/or biocides.
• the instant embodiment provides that the barricade 40 is connected on the inside of the frame 14, for example on an inside surface or along an inside edge, and along the bottom of the deck 12.
• the barricade 40 may be connected in other manners.
• a barricade 140 is provided which differs from that of FIG. 1.
• the barricade 140 is attached under the deck 12 and extends along an outside edge or surface of the frame 14. In this way, when the deck 12 is raised from the frame 14, the barricade 140 again inhibits or eliminates access to the interior spaces of the adjustable base 110.
• the barricade 40 may be connected about the frame inner or outer edges.
• the adjustable base 210 is again similar in construction as that of the first and second embodiments and therefore, the description of such is incorporated by reference herein.
• the barricade 240 is connected along an upper edge or surface of the deck 12 and extends to the frame 14.
• the barricade 240 may be connected to the fabric cover 23 lowering the deck 12.
• the connection points may be varied from what is shown in the figure.
• the barricade 240 may also extend from the upper surface of the deck 12 to an inner surface or edge of the frame 14.
• the barricade 40, 140, 240 may be secured permanently to the deck 12 and/or to the frame 14 or alternatively, may be removably connected.
• the use of a removable system may allow for addition of the barricade as an after-market product or alternatively, as a product which may be originally manufactured.
• removal of the barricade allows for cleaning such as in a washing machine or dry cleaning, as needed by the user.
• Various connections include, but are not limited to, hook and loop, clips, string/ribbon, buttons, snaps, zippers, hooks, or other devices. Alternatively, the connections may be sewn or have other permanent connections, for example adhesive, which preclude removal.
• the barricade may be provided to fit like a fitted sheet for such removability.
• the upper and/or lower end of the barricade 40 may be connected to a wrap or pad which extends about an edge of the deck 12 or an edge of the frame 14. Such wrap or pad may disconnectably be attached to the frame 14 or the deck 12, or both
• FIGS. 1-3 depict the barricade 40 extending between the fixed portion of the frame 14 and the deck 12, other embodiments may provide for the barricade 40 to be located across an opening in the frame 14. That is, as opposed to, or in addition to, extending in a generally vertical direction, the barricade 40 may alternately, or additionally, extend horizontally across the open space of the frame 14.
• the frame 14 may be rectangular for example with an open area within the boundary or periphery of the frame 14, wherein movable and/or fixed portions of the frame 14 may be located.
• a barricade 40 is shown extending across a horizontal opening of the frame. In this embodiment, the barricade 40 is disposed wi thin the boundary of the frame 14.
• the barricade 40 is shown mounted from below the opening in the frame 14, such that the barricade 40 may extend upwardly along legs of the frame 14 and horizontally across the opening of the frame. In these embodiments, the barricade 40 is shown within the periphery of the frame 14. However, in other embodiments, it is within the scope of the disclosure that the barricade 40 extend over the outside of the frame 14 so that the frame 14 and the legs 38 are hidden from view. In either embodiment, would inhibit a small child from accessing the interior frame area from between the deck 12 and frame 14 or alternatively, inhibit access from below the frame 14.
• the barricade 40 may include a grommet, a slit in the material, a pass-thru passage or the like. Any of these pass-thru passages or structures may be located in the horizontal or vertical surfaces described and shown herein.
• inventive embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.
• inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.
• a reference to“A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as“comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
• the term“of’ as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e.“one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as“either, ''” one of,”“only one of,” or
• the phrase“at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
• This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase“at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
• “at least one of A and B” can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
• Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=73782100

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 2020
  • 2020-06-08 JP JP2021573235A patent/JP2022536895A/ja active Pending
  • 2020-06-08 US US17/618,053 patent/US20220304475A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-06-08 EP EP20823538.2A patent/EP3979878A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2020-06-08 AU AU2020290408A patent/AU2020290408A1/en active Pending
  • 2020-06-08 WO PCT/US2020/036648 patent/WO2020251896A1/en unknown
  • 2020-06-08 KR KR1020227000520A patent/KR20220018029A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2020-06-08 CN CN202080042959.5A patent/CN114007467A/zh not_active Withdrawn
  • 2020-06-08 CA CA3141236A patent/CA3141236A1/en active Pending

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