GB2195078A

GB2195078A - Counter balanced heated bed cover

Info

Publication number: GB2195078A
Application number: GB08622136A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Cyril Seeney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-15
Filing date: 1986-09-15
Publication date: 1988-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-15
Also published as: GB2195078B; GB8622136D0

Abstract

A counterbalanced heated bed cover 1 is positionable, over a bed 7, to form a sleeping enclosure. The cover portion 1 is joined to a counterbalance portion 2, which is pivoted to a floor mounted support unit 3, and which contains an electric heater unit 5 for heating air in the sleeping enclosure. The combined cover portion, and counterbalance portion, is pivotable to a second position, to allow access to the bed. Flexible material is draped downwardly, from the cover to the bed, to minimise heat loss. Helical springs 4 fixed between the counterbalance portion and the support unit, are in tension when the cover is positioned over the bed and in compression when the cover is in its second position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Counter balanced heated bedcover This invention relates to a counter balanced heated bed cover, for use with a bed.

Traditionally sleeping requires a sheet and a number of blankets, or a quilt, to cover a person, to prevent loss of heat from the body, but there are disadvantages in this arrangement.

The sheet, or quilt cover, requires frequent cleaning, and considerable time and energy is required each day for bedmaking, which also sometimes causes, or agravates, a back injury, blankets and sheet prevent freedom of movement, and access to the full width and length of a bed is not possible, because of the tuck in, at sides and end. Blankets and quilts hinder air contact with the body, and so prevent skin breathing. There are many people for whom the pressure of bed clothes is uncomfortable, and even painful. Blankets spread a lot of fluff and dust about, which is unhygienic.

A previous invention, Pat. No.953370, has a number of arrangements of air conditioned bed covers, invented to overcome the said disadvantages. The systems specified would be expensive to operate, and rather noisy.

The two arrangements, shown in Figs. 7 and 8, would also be heavy and awkward to manipulate, and could fall back from the open position, and possibly cause injury.

According to the present invention, there is a counter balanced heated bed cover, for positioning over a bed, to form a sleeping enclosure. The cover portion is joined to a counter balance portion which is pivotted to a floor mounted support unit, and which contains an electric heater unit, for heating air in the sleeping enclosure. The combined cover portion, and counterbalance portion, is pivotable to a second position, to allow access to the bed. Flexible material is draped downwardly, from the cover to the bed, to minimise heat loss. Helical springs, fixed between the counter balance portion and the support unit, absorb kinetic energy, and diminish effect of inertia.

The counter balance portion overhangs the bedside, and is designed to balance, approximately, with the cover portion, when the combined pair are in a horizontal position, which is named position 1. To gain access to the sleeping enclosure, the occupant lifts the cover, by its outer side wall, to position 2, at which the counter balance portion makes contact with the support unit, where it is retained for as long as desired.

The kinetic energy, due to the movement of the combined two portions, from position 1 to position 2, or from position 2 to position 1, is absorbed by helical springs, as used in spring mattresses. Said springs are fastened, at one end, to the counter balance portion, and at the other end, to the support unit. Said springs are in tension for position 1, and in compression for position 2. At both positions said springs diminish the effect of inertia.

In order to keep the amount of overhang to a minimum, the side of the counter balance portion is made relatively thick. In addition a sheet of denser material may be fixed to said side.

An opening may be provided, at the head end of the cover portion, to allow occupant's head to protrude. A detachable flexible flap, similar to a roller towel in principle, is held in position, preferably, by plastic covered curtain wire, inside the cover portion, above the opening, extending downwardly to the mattress. Said flap can form an air seal, around occupant's neck, to minimise heat loss through the opening, and can be adjusted, or removed, for cleaning with ease. Preferably, in addition, there is another opening and flap at the other end of the cover portion, to make possible the use of the cover at either side of the bed, and this also allows occupant's feet to protrude if desired.

Preferably, heat insulating flexible material is draped from the inside face of the side wall of the cover portion, at the counter balance side, and also from the outside faces of the other side wall, and of the two end walls. Said material is preferably suspended from plastic covered curtain wires, and extends downwardly to the mattress level, when the cover portion is in position 2. Said arrangement allows occupant, whilst completely within the enclosure, to have more space for movement, and allows occupant to do physical exercises, to bask in the radiant warmth, or read. A view, of the outside of the enclosure, is obtained by withdrawing the material at the head end side wall The air of the sleeping enclosure is heated, preferably, by a unit in the counter balance portion, said unit being protected from contact by a mesh guard.The heat level is controlled by switching and thermostat. The heat generator may consist of pairs of electric lamps, connected electrically in series, for unlimited life, and brought into use, as required, by the switches and thermostat. Lamps have a large area of heat surface, which removes the possibility of over heating. Said lamp are easily replaced by ones of different wattage, thus providing. A convenient means of increasing, or decreasing, the heat output. The lamps also serve to illuminate the enclosure.

An embodiment of the invention is described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective end view of the invention, in conjunction with a bed (shown chain dotted), in position 1.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view, taken along line A-A of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an end view of the invention, in conjunction with a bed (shown chain dotted), in position 2.

Referring, firstly, to Fig. 1, the cover portion 1 is in conjunction with the counter balance position 2. Said portion 2 is pivotable to support unit 3.

Fig. 2 shows the hinges 8 fixed to the counter balance portion 2, and to the support unit 3. The counter balance side 11, is shown relatively thick and a plate of denser material 19, is shown dotted, one end. Of each spring 4, is fixed to portion 2, and the other end is fixed to support unit 3. Said springs are of appropriate size and quantity, to be in the correct tension, so that the cover portion side wall 6, rests lightly on the mattress 7, when portions 1 and 2 are in position 1. When said portions 1 and 2 are in position 2, each spring 4, will be compressed, and side 11 will rest lightly against support unit 3. The mattress 7 may be 6" wider than the cover portion 1, to facilitate the occupant's access to the enclosure, heat unit 5, is connected to the switch unit 14, which is positioned, on the counter balance portion end, for easy operation.The electrical system may be connected to the nearest point, by flexible cable. Holes 12, each end of the counter balance portion 2, allow air to be drawn into the enclosure by convection. Flow of air may be increased by a small blower. An opening, which may have a sliding shutter 13, may be provided in side wall 6. A screw 18 is guard Fig. 3 shows the side 11, of cover portion 2, in contact with the support unit 3, to hold the combined portion 1 and 2 in position 2, in this position the springs 4 are in compression.

Heat insulating flexible curtains 15 and 17, are draped downwardly from cover portion 1 to mattress 7, and may be supported by plastic covered curtain wires, to reduce heat loss from the enclosure when the occupant is engaged in physical exercise, reading, or viewing outside of the enclosure. An angle piece 9 is fixed to each end of the counter balance portion 2, the cover portion 1, may be joined to said conter balance portion 2 by screws and nuts in said angle pieces. Heat insulating flexible material (shown dotted) 16, seals opening 20, from heat loss. The foot 10, of the sup -port unit 3, extends sufficiently for stability, and to prevent counter balance portion 2 making contact with, for instance, a wall.

Claims

1-. A counter balanced heated bed cover, having a heat insulating cover portion, which has two side walls, two end walls, and a top, for use in conjunction with a bed, to form a sleeping enclosure, an over hanging counter balance portion, which is pivotable to a floor mounted support unit, springs, each of which, is fixed to the counter balance portion at one end, and to the support unit at the other end, for absorbing kinetic energy, and reducing inertia effects, a means of raising the temperature of the air in the said sleeping enclosure, and a variable opening in the cover portion, to allow impure air to escape.

2. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter balance portion is a structure with a top, one side, a bottom, and two ends, and contains the means of raising the temperature of the enclosed air, there being an opening between the cover portion, and the counter balance portion, for heat transfer, and the side of counter balance portion is sufficiently thick, so as to minimise the necessary over hang, for approximate balance, with the cover portion

3. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the counter balance portion, can seperate from the cover portion, and can be joined to it, by screws and nuts in angle pieces, fixed to said counter balance portion.

4. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in any previous claims, wherein the heating means is electric.

5. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in claim 4, wherein heat is controlled by switches and thermostat.

6. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in any previous claim, wherein removable lengths of flexible heat insulating material, are draped from the sides and ends of the cover portion, to reduce heat loss there from.

7. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in any previous claim, wherein there is an opening at one, or each end, of the cover portion, and there is a detachable flexible flap, held in position above said opening, by plastic covered curtain wire, to form a heat seal with occupant's body

8. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in claims 2 to 7, wherein there are holes in the counter balance portion, to allow free, or forced air, to enter.

9. A counter balanced heated bed cover substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings Figs.

1 to 3.

9. A counter balance heated bed cover, substantiall as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1,4,5,6,9 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:- 1. A- counter balanced heated bed cover, with a heat insulating cover portion, which has two side walls two end walls and a top for use in conjunction with a bed to form a sleep-.

ing enclosure, an overhanging counter balance portion, which is pivotable to a floor mounted support unit, springs, each of which is fixed to the counter balance portion at one end and to the support unit at the other end, for ab sorbing kinetic energy, and reducing inertia effects, a means of raising the temperature of the air in the said sleeping enclosure, and a variable opening in the cover portion to allow impure air to escape.

4. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the two portions are balanced so as to be easily rockable between terminal positions 1 and 2 by the bed occupant.

5. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in any previous claim, wherein there are feet on the support unit which extend for stability and to prevent the counter balance portion contacting a wall 6. A counter balanced heated bed cover, as claimed in any previous claim, wherein removable lengths of flexible heat insulating material are draped from the sides and ends of the cover portion, to reduce heat loss therefrom.