GB2404369A

GB2404369A - Low profile mattress elevator

Info

Publication number: GB2404369A
Application number: GB0317884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Dale; Ivor Ponting
Original assignee: Proto Magic Innovations Ltd
Current assignee: Proto Magic Innovations Ltd
Priority date: 2003-07-31
Filing date: 2003-07-31
Publication date: 2005-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-31
Also published as: GB0317884D0; GB2404369B

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical Mattress Elevator that allow it to shut down to a lower profile than is normal. This is achieved by the addition of a lever 7 that provides lift when the Mattress Elevator is in its flattest position. An actuator 1 is pivotally connected to a frame 3 and a base 4 via lever 7 at pivot points 5 and 7 8. The lever 7 carries rollers 9 and 10 which abut against the frame 3, one followed by both followed by the other during the lift (Figs 3-6). The lever in this instance acting in the manner of a cam.

Description

HISTORY

The use of Mattress Elevator's is well known. One common construction of such device embodies the use of an electrically operated actuator. Fig 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of the mechanical system commonly used.

Referring to Fig 1. The line (1) with an arrow head at each end represents the electrically operated actuator that is in compression and is lengthened electrically in order to effect the lifting action of the Mattress Elevator. The actuator (1) is pivotally connected at (5) to the base (4) and at (6) to the elevating member (3). The elevating member (3) is pivotally connected to the base (4) at pivot (2). When the elevating member (3) is at an angle of about 30 degrees or more the actuator (1) has a reasonable mechanical effect on lifting the elevating member (3). But, however when the elevated angle is lower then the mechanical advantage of the actuator (I) becomes increasingly reduced as the angle is reduced. The position of the elevating member as drawn in Fig 1 is such that an extremely high force is required on the actuator (1) in order to lift a small weight applied to the elevating member (3). If the elevating member were lowered a small amount then the actuator (1) would not be able to lift any weight on the moving member (3) at all. Improvements could be made if the pivot (6) could be raised or the pivot point (5) lowered. Such improvements are restricted due to the mechanical dimensions of the actuator (1).

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the addition of a mechanical system to provide lift to the elevating member when the elevating member is in a low position. In order that the invention may be better understood reference will now be made to Figs 2-10. Figs 2-8 show the device diagrammatically in various stages of lift from fully shut Fig 2 to fully elevated Fig 9. Fig 9,10 show the device in two positions in three dimensions.

The invention consists of the addition of lever (7) which is pivoted on the base (4) at pivot (8). The actuator (1) is pivotally connected to the lever (7) at pivot (5). When the actuator (1) extends the lever (7) rotates such that roller (9) engages the underside of the elevating member (3) at surface (12) providing lift to the elevating member. After a short lift roller (10) engages the underside of the elevating member (3) lifting it further. The lever (7) is prevented from further rotation when the stop face ( 11) contacts the base (4). Further extension of the actuator results in conventional raising of the elevating l 5 member to its highest position.

Further embodiments of the invention include alternative variations of the cam mechanism for example the use of only one roller (9) or the addition of further rollers. Alternatively the lever (7) with rollers (9) (10) may be replaced by a cam form that reacts with the contact surface (12) on the elevating member (3) Further the cam (7) can be replaced by any other lever mechanism to provide lift when the device is aLrnost flat. Yet another embodiment of the invention can be constructed by the use of a similar mechanism at the other end of the actuator (1) i.e. at the end that is pivotally connected to the elevating member 2' (3) Accordingly the present invention comprises a mattress elevator in combination with an additional mechanism that provides substantial lift when the mattress elevator is at its lowest position.

Claims

1. A mattress elevator in combination with an additional mechanism that provides substantial lift when the mattress elevator is at its lowest positions.

2. A claim as in claims 1 where additional rollers are added.

2. A claim as in claim 1 where the additional mechanism comprises a lever (7) that is pivotally connected at pivot (8) to the base (4) and said lever (7) being acted on at pivot (5) by the actuator (1), said actuator also being pivotally connected to the elevating member (3) at pivot (6), such that when the actuator (1) is extended it rotates the lever (7) causing roller (9) to push upwards at (12) raising the elevating member (3), further extension of the actuator (1) causes further rotation of the lever (7) bringing roller (10) into contact with the surface ( 12) of the elevating member (3) effecting fw ther lift until the lever (7) is restrained from further rotation by the stop face (8) at which point further extension of the actuator causes the elevating member (3) to raise in a more conventional manner until it reaches its fully elevated position.

3. A claim as in claims 1 and 2 where the two rollers (9) (10) are replaced with a single roller.

4. A claim as in claims 1-2 where additional rollers are added.

5. A claim as in claims 1-2 where the two rollers (9) (10) are replaced by a carn.

6. A claim as in claims 1-5 where the described mechanism is replaced by an alternative mechanism that has a similar lifting action.

7. A claim as in claims 1-6 where any of the mechanisms are removed from its present position and placed at the other end of the actuator (I) i.e. at the end that lifts the elevating member (3) directly.

8. A claim as in claims 1-7 where a combination of mechanisms are used at each end of the actuator (1). /

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

1. A mattress elevator in combination with an additional mechanism that provides substantial lift when the mattress elevator is at its lowest positions where the additional mechanism comprises a lever (7) that is pivotally connected at a pivot (8) to a base (4) and said lever (7) being acted on at a pivot (5) by an actuator (1), said actuator also being pivotally connected to an elevating member (3) at a pivot (6), such that when the actuator (1) is extended it rotates the lever (7) causing a roller (9) thereon to push upwards at a surface (12) thereby raising the elevating member (3) ,,,,; further extension of the actuator (1) causes further rotation of the lever (7) bringing a further roller (10) into. contact with the surface (12) of the elevating member (3) effecting further lift until the lever (7) is restrained from further rotation by a stop face (12) at.., which point further extension of the actuator causes the elevating member (3) to continue to rise until it reaches its fully elevated position.