GB2094138A

GB2094138A - Adjustable headboards for beds

Info

Publication number: GB2094138A
Application number: GB8106896A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: COOKE BROTHERS BIRMINGHAM Ltd; SLUMBERKING Ltd
Current assignee: COOKE BROTHERS BIRMINGHAM Ltd; SLUMBERKING Ltd
Priority date: 1981-03-05
Filing date: 1981-03-05
Publication date: 1982-09-15
Also published as: GB2094138B

Abstract

A bed (10) having a headboard (15) wherein the angle of the headboard (15) to the vertical can be varied comprises a headboard structure (11) and mounting means such as a linkage mechanism (14) carried solely by the headpost structure (11) to mount the headboard (15) on the bed (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bed having a headboard which is adjustable This invention relates to a bed having a headboard..

It is desirable to provide a bed wherein the angle of the headboard to the vertical can be varied easily and conveniently and preferably by a person in the bed. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a bed in which this desire is fulfilled.

According to the invention, we provide a bed having a headboard comprising, a headpost structure, mounting means carried solely by the headpost structure to mount the headboard on the bed so that the angle of the headboard to the vertical can be varied.

Said mounting means may comprise a linkage mechanism.

Said linkage mechanism may comprise a first mounting plate connected to the headpost structure, a second mounting plate connected to the headboard, a first link pivotally connected at its ends to the first and second mounting plates and a second link pivotally connected at its ends to the first and second mounting plate.

Preferably, the first link is longer than the second link and is connected to the first and second mounting plates below the second link and the distance between the pivotal connections of the links to the first mounting plate being greater than to the second mounting plate.

The second mounting plate may be mounted on a lower part of the headboard, preferably so that the pivotal connection of the second link to the second mounting plate is below the mid point of the headboard.

Two such linkage mechanisms may be provided at transversely spaced positions of the headboard.

Preferably, a torsion element is provided to torsionally interconnect the linkage mechanisms.

The torsion element may be non-rotatably connected to each second link to rotate therewith about its respective axis pivotal connection to its respective second mounting plate.

A bed embodying the present invention has the facility that the headboard can be adjusted between a position in which it lies in a vertical plane to any desired angle up to a maximum where it is inclined to the vertical plane. By virtue of providing the linkage mechanism described above, the bottom of the headboard follows a path which is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane and that it can be adjusted without rising to any significant extent relative to the mattress of the bed. In addition, the top of the headboard moves a smaller distance in a direction rearwardly of the headpost structure than would be the case if a simple pivot were used adjacent the mid point of the headboard, and hence a bed embodying the present invention does not have to be spaced a great distance from a wail.

By providing the torsion bar, it is ensured that the headboard pivots easily and conveniently even when it is manually grasped only at one side.

Preferably a friction resistance to movement is provided at at least one of the pivotal connections of at least one of the linkage mechanisms so that the headboard is maintained in any position to which it is adjusted.

Stop means may be provided to prevent movement of the second link beyond a position in which it lies horizontal so as to limit the extent of movement of the headboard from a vertical plane.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a bed embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of part of the bed of Figure 1, showing the headboard in a vertical position; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 showing the headboard in its maximum displacement from vertical position; and Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view showing part of the linkage mechanism of the bed of Figure 1.

Referring now to the Figures, a bed comprises a bedstead 10 of conventional form supporting a conventional mattress 1 Oa. The bedstead 10 carries a pair of headposts 11 which are, in conventional manner, removably mounted on the beadstead by means of screws projecting from the bedstead engaged in vertical slots 12 in each headpost 11 and there being a nut and washer 13 engaged with each screw to clamp the headposts to the bed. Thus the height of the headposts can be adjusted initially to suit the headboard to be used and the thickness of mattress.

Each headpost 11 carries a linkage mechanism 14which mounts a headboard isontotheheadposts.The headboard 15 may be of any desired construction and in the present example comprises a rigid board 16 and an upholstered portion 17.

Each linkage mechanism 14 comprises a first mounting plate 18 of angle cross-section comprising a mounting limb 19, provided with apertures whereby it can be attached to a headpost 11 by means of bolts and nuts 20, and a limb 21 extending normal thereto provided with apertures 22, 23 in which are received rivets 24 to pivotally connect a first link 25 and a second link 26 respectively to the apertures 22, 23. The first link 25 is longer than the second link and is connected by a rivet 27 at its other end to a limb 28 of a second mounting plate 29 which has a similar angle cross-section, thus having a mounting limb 30 connected by fasteners 31 to the rigid board 16 of the headboard 15 The link 26 has a flange 32 which engages the top part 33 of the mounting plate 18 to prevent movement of the link 26 downwardly beyond the horizontal position shown in Figure 3 and also has flanges 34 at its other end which prevent rotation of a plastics connector 35 relative to the link 26.

The plastics connector 35 is of square external cross-section; at one end has a cylindrical bore 35a to receive a bolt 36b and towards its other end is provided with a counterbored region 35c of hexagonal cross-section which is aiso provided with longitudinally extending slots 35dso that this end portion is inwardly compressible and so can be engaged within a square bore tube 36 which provides a torsion element and interconnects the two linkage mechanisms 14 since the tube 36 is rotatably fixed to the plastics connector 35, which is itself prevented from rotation relative to the link 26 by means of the flanges 34.

A fibre washer in interposed between each link and mounting plate, and in addition a spring washer 35e is interposed between the head of the bolt and the second mounting plate. The bolt has a nut 35f which engages the end of the plastics connector 35.

The fibre washers provide a frictional resistance to movement of the linkage to ensure that the headboard stays in a position to which it has been adjusted, and in addition by adjusting the tightening of the nut at the connection between the second link and second mounting plate, an adjustment of the frictional resistance to movement of the headboard can be achieved.

If desired, spring washers may be provided at all the pivotal interconnections of the links and mounting plates.

In the present example, the distances between the axes of pivotal connection of the links to the mounting plates are as follows: On the first link 7 inches On the second link 3.375 inches On the second mounting plate 4.2 inches On the first mounting plate the vertical distance is 7.875 inches but the connection of the second lever is displaced horizontally in the rearward direction from the vertical plane in which the axis of connection to the first link lies by 0.70 inches.

The above described linkage mechanism achieves a line of movement of the bottom edge of the headboard which is illustrated by the dashed line A in Figure 3 and it will be seen that this is substantially horizontal and thus the position of the bottom of the headboard 15 relative to the mattress does not change significantly in use so that no gap arises which could cause discomfort to a user.

In addition, the top edge of the headboard 15 moves in a direction rearwardly of the headpoststructure considerably less than would be the case if a simple hinge were used adjacent the mid point of the headboard and so the bed can be placed relatively close to a wall.

It is to be noted that the pivotal interconnection between the second link and second mounting plate is at a position spaced slightly below the mid point of the headboard.

Figure 2 shows the linkage mechanism when the headboard 15 is in a vertical position, and it will be seen that the two mounting plates lie adjacent and parallel to each other.

Although the case of two separate headposts 11 providing a headpost structure has been described, if desired, any other headpost structure may be provided. For example a single member of a width similar to the distance between the headposts 11 or of other smaller width consistent with providing adequate regidity to the headboard, having regard to the desire for the linkage mechanisms to be spaced adequately far apart.

CLAIMS (filed 2 March 1982) 1. A bed having a headboard comprising, a headpost structure, mounting means carried solely by the headpost structure to mount the headboard on the bed so that the angle of the headboard to the vertical can be varied.

2. A bed according to Claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a linkage mechanism.

3. A bed according to Claim 2 wherein said linkage mechanism comprises a first mounting plate connected to the headpost structure, a second mounting plate connected to the headboard, a first link pivotally connected at its ends to the first and second mounting plates and a second link pivotally connected at its ends to the first and second mounting plate.

4. A bed according to Claim 3 wherein the first link is longer than the second link and is connected to the first and second mounting plates below the second link and the distance between the pivotal connections of the links to the first mounting plate is greater than to the second mounting plate.

5. A bed according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the second mounting plate is mounted on a lower part of the headboard.

6. A bed according to Claim 5 wherein the pivotal connection of the second link to the second mounting plate is below the mid point of the headboard.

7. A bed according to any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein two such linkage mechanisms are provided at transversely spaced positions of the headboard.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. shown in Figure 3 and also has flanges 34 at its other end which prevent rotation of a plastics connector 35 relative to the link 26. The plastics connector 35 is of square external cross-section; at one end has a cylindrical bore 35a to receive a bolt 36b and towards its other end is provided with a counterbored region 35c of hexagonal cross-section which is aiso provided with longitudinally extending slots 35dso that this end portion is inwardly compressible and so can be engaged within a square bore tube 36 which provides a torsion element and interconnects the two linkage mechanisms 14 since the tube 36 is rotatably fixed to the plastics connector 35, which is itself prevented from rotation relative to the link 26 by means of the flanges 34. A fibre washer in interposed between each link and mounting plate, and in addition a spring washer 35e is interposed between the head of the bolt and the second mounting plate. The bolt has a nut 35f which engages the end of the plastics connector 35. The fibre washers provide a frictional resistance to movement of the linkage to ensure that the headboard stays in a position to which it has been adjusted, and in addition by adjusting the tightening of the nut at the connection between the second link and second mounting plate, an adjustment of the frictional resistance to movement of the headboard can be achieved. If desired, spring washers may be provided at all the pivotal interconnections of the links and mounting plates. In the present example, the distances between the axes of pivotal connection of the links to the mounting plates are as follows: On the first link 7 inches On the second link 3.375 inches On the second mounting plate 4.2 inches On the first mounting plate the vertical distance is 7.875 inches but the connection of the second lever is displaced horizontally in the rearward direction from the vertical plane in which the axis of connection to the first link lies by 0.70 inches. The above described linkage mechanism achieves a line of movement of the bottom edge of the headboard which is illustrated by the dashed line A in Figure 3 and it will be seen that this is substantially horizontal and thus the position of the bottom of the headboard 15 relative to the mattress does not change significantly in use so that no gap arises which could cause discomfort to a user. In addition, the top edge of the headboard 15 moves in a direction rearwardly of the headpoststructure considerably less than would be the case if a simple hinge were used adjacent the mid point of the headboard and so the bed can be placed relatively close to a wall. It is to be noted that the pivotal interconnection between the second link and second mounting plate is at a position spaced slightly below the mid point of the headboard. Figure 2 shows the linkage mechanism when the headboard 15 is in a vertical position, and it will be seen that the two mounting plates lie adjacent and parallel to each other. Although the case of two separate headposts 11 providing a headpost structure has been described, if desired, any other headpost structure may be provided. For example a single member of a width similar to the distance between the headposts 11 or of other smaller width consistent with providing adequate regidity to the headboard, having regard to the desire for the linkage mechanisms to be spaced adequately far apart. CLAIMS (filed 2 March 1982)

1. A bed having a headboard comprising, a headpost structure, mounting means carried solely by the headpost structure to mount the headboard on the bed so that the angle of the headboard to the vertical can be varied.

8. A bed according to Claim 7 wherein a torsion element is provided to torsionally interconnect the

linkage mechanisms.

9. A bed according to Claim 8 wherein the torsion element is non-rotatably connected to each second link to rotate therewith about its respective pivotal connection to its respective second mounting plate.

10. A bed according to any one of Claims 2 to 9 wherein a friction resistance to movement is provided at at least one of the pivotal connections of the or at least one of the linkage mechanisms so that the headboard is maintained in any position to which it is adjusted.

11. A bed according to any one of Claims 2 to 10 wherein stop means are provided to prevent movement of the second link beyond a position in which it lies horizontal so as to limit the extent of movement of the headboard from a vertical plane.

12. A headboard for a bed according to any one of Claims 1 to 11.

13. A bed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

14. A headboard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.