GB2485676A

GB2485676A - Pedal operated lever arrangement for lifting bed bases

Info

Publication number: GB2485676A
Application number: GB1119979.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Middleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-19
Filing date: 2011-11-18
Publication date: 2012-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2031-11-18
Also published as: GB201119979D0; GB2485676B; GB201019654D0

Abstract

A lifting apparatus 10 for use with a sleeping assembly having a base, e.g. a cot [100, Fig. 1], comprises a lever arrangement 16,18 upon which the bed base can be supported, and an operating member, e.g. foot operated pedal 20, connected to the lever arrangement 16,18. The operating member 20 can move the lever arrangement 16, 18 between a retracted condition in which the base is at a lower position, and an extended condition in which the base is raised above the lower position. Preferably, the lever arrangement includes a first lever 22 and two elongate guide means 26,28, wherein the first lever 22 extends from the pedal 20 to a first of the guides 26, the lever movable along the first guide 26, and wherein the lever is pivotally connected to a second of the guides 28. The lifting apparatus may further include: a stabilising lever 24 pivotally connected to the first lever 22; a support frame 11 for the lever arrangement; a dampening means 64 to slow movement of the levers; bracing means 74; and a second lever 54 which is connected to the pedal and the second guide 28.

Description

Lifting Apparatus This invention relates to lifting apparatus. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to lifting apparatus for lifting the base of a child's sleeping assembly, such as a cot or cot bed. This invention also relates to sleeping assemblies incorporating lifting apparatus.

Cots and cot beds often have high sides in order to provide safety for the child when in the cot or cot bed. However, present designs of cots and cot beds can cause problems when it is desired to lower the child into the cot, or when it is desired to lift a child from a cot or cot bed. Medical evidence has indicated that this can cause, or contribute to, lower back pain.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a lifting apparatus for lifting a load, the lifting apparatus comprising a support arrangement upon which the load can be supported, a lever arrangement, and an operating member connected to the lever arrangement to move the lever arrangement between a retracted condition in which the load is at a lowered position, and an extended condition in which the load is raised above the lowered position.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a lifting apparatus for use with a sleeping assembly, such as a bed, a cot or a cot bed, the sleeping assembly comprising a base for supporting a mattress, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises a lever arrangement upon which the base can be supported, and an operating member connected to the lever arrangement to move the lever arrangement between a retracted condition in which the base is at a lower position, and an extended condition in which the base is raised above the lower position.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a sleeping apparatus comprising a base for supporting a mattress, and a lifting apparatus, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises a lever arrangement upon which the base is supported, and an operating member connected to the lever arrangement to move the lever arrangement between a retracted condition in which the base is at a lower position, and an extended condition in which the base is raised above the lower position.

The lever arrangement may comprise a first lever member and may include first and second elongate guide means. The first lever member may extend from the operating member to the first guide means.

The first lever member may be movable along the first guide means. The first lever member may be pivotally connected to the second guide means. The first lever member may be pivotally connected to the second guide means at a point between the opposite ends of the first guide means.

The lever arrangement may be configured so that a single operation of the operating member raises the base.

The first guide means may comprise a first elongate guide member. The second guide means may comprise a second elongate guide member.

The lever arrangement may further include a stabilising member, which may extend from the first guide means to the second guide means. The stabilising member may be movable along the second guide means. The stabilising member may be pivotally connected to the first guide means.

Roller members may be provided to facilitate movement of the first lever member along the first guide means, and to facilitate movement of the stabilising member along the second guide means.

The first lever member may have a first end pivotally connected to the operating member, and a second end movable along the first guide means. The stabilising member may have a first end pivotally connected to the first guide means, and a second end movable along the second guide means.

Each of the first and second guide means may define a respective guide track along which the respective ends of the first lever member and the stabilising member can move. Each guide track may comprise a guide channel.

The first lever member and the stabilising member may extend across each other, and may be pivotally connected to each other at a central region of each of the first lever member and the stabilising member.

The lever arrangement may comprise a second lever member extending from the operating member to the second guide means. The second lever member may have a first end pivotally connected to the operating member, and a second end pivotally connected to the second guide means. The first and second lever members may extend substantially parallel to each other.

The operating member may comprise a connecting member which connects the first ends of the first and second lever members to each other. The first and second lever members may be pivotally attached to the connecting members.

The operating member may have an upper surface, which may be substantially planar. The operating member may be attached to the lever arrangement in a manner that maintains the upper surface in a predetermined orientation during operation of the lever arrangement. The aforesaid predetermined orientation may be an orientation in which the aforesaid upper surface is substantially horizontal.

The lever arrangement may be configured so that upper surface of the operating member is maintained in the aforesaid predetermined orientation during said movement of the lever arrangement. The first and second lever members and the first and second connecting members may be configured so that upper surface of the operating member is maintained in the aforesaid predetermined orientation during said movement of the lever arrangement.

The distance between the points of pivotal attachment of the first and second lever members to the first connecting member may be substantially the same as the distance between the points of pivotal attachment of the first and second lever members to the second connecting member.

The distance between the points of pivotal attachment of the first lever member to the first and second connecting members may be substantially the same as the distance between the points of pivotal attachment of the second lever member to the first and second connecting members.

Thus, in the embodiment described herein, the first and second lever members remain parallel to each other during movement of the operating member, thereby maintaining the upper surface in said predetermined orientation The lifting apparatus may comprise a support arrangement for supporting the lever arrangement. The support arrangement may be arranged to support the base.

The lifting apparatus may include two lever arrangements, which may be arranged at opposite each other on the support arrangement. Each lever arrangement may comprise the features of the first mentioned lever arrangement described above.

Each lever arrangement may comprise a respective first lever member and may include respective first and second elongate guide means. Each first lever member may extend from the operating member to the respective first guide means.

The first lever members may be movable along the respective first guide means.

Each first lever member may be pivotally connected to a respective one of the second guide means.

Each lever arrangement may further include a respective stabilising member, which may extend from the first guide means to the second guide means. The stabilising member may be movable along the second guide means. The stabilising member may be pivotally connected to the first guide means.

Roller members may be provided to facilitate movement of the first lever members along the first guide means, and to facilitate movement of the stabilising members along the second guide means.

Each first lever member may have a first end pivotally connected to the operating member, and a second end movable along the first guide means. The stabilising member may have a first end pivotally connected to the first guide means, and a second end movable along the second guide means.

Each first lever member and the respective stabilising member may extend across each other, and may be pivotally connected to each other at a central region of each of the first lever member and the stabilising member.

Each lever arrangement may comprise a respective second lever member extending from the operating member to the respective first guide means. Each second lever member may have a first end pivotally connected to the operating member, and a second end pivotally connected to the respective second guide means.

The first and second lever members of each lever arrangement may extend substantially parallel to each other.

The operating member may comprise two connecting members to connect the first ends of the first and second lever members to each other. The first and second lever members may be pivotally connected to the connecting members.

The lifting apparatus may comprise a bracing arrangement for bracing the base when raised by the lever arrangement. The bracing arrangement may be provided on a front and/or rear edge region of the support arrangement. The bracing arrangement may comprise first and second elongate bracing elements, which may be pivotally connected to each other at central regions thereof.

The bracing arrangement may further comprise upper and lower guide means.

The first bracing element may be pivotally connected to the upper guide means, and may be movable along the lower guide means. The first bracing element may have a first end pivotally connected to the upper guide means, and a second end which may be movable along the lower guide means.

The second bracing element may be pivotally connected to the lower guide means, and may be movable along the upper guide means. The second bracing element may have a first end which is pivotally connected to the lower guide track and a second end which may be movable along the upper guide means.

Roller members may be provided to facilitate movement of the first bracing element along the lower guide means, and to facilitate movement of the second bracing element along the upper guide means.

The lifting apparatus may comprise damping means to dampen or slow down the movement of the lever arrangement between the raised and lowered conditions.

A movable assembly may be provided, wherein the movable assembly comprises the lever arrangement. A non-movable assembly may be provided, wherein the non-movable assembly comprises the support arrangement. The non-movable assembly may further include one of the first and second guide means. The damping means may extend between the movable assembly and the non-movable assembly.

The damping means may comprise a hydraulic piston assembly. The damping means may be connected between the lever arrangement and the support arrangement, desirably between the first lever member and the second guide means. Desirably, the pivotal connection of the damping means to the first lever member may be at or adjacent the pivot between the first lever member and the stabilising member.

In one embodiment, the piston assembly may comprise a piston member, which may be pivotally connected to the second guide means, and a chamber assembly, which may be pivotally connected to the first lever member.

Alternatively, the piston member may be pivotally connected to the first lever member, and the chamber assembly may be pivotally connected to the second guide means.

The support arrangement may comprise a support frame and support members extending downwardly from the support frame.

The sleeping assembly may comprise a cot, bed or cot bed. The sleeping assembly may be supported on the support members, or may have support legs to support the sleeping assembly.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a sleeping assembly comprising a sleeping apparatus having a base and a lifting apparatus as described above.

The sleeping apparatus may be a cot, bed or cot bed, to which the lifting apparatus is fitted after manufacture of the sleeping apparatus.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sleeping assembly incorporating a lifting apparatus; Figure 2 is a view of the sleeping assembly shown in Figure 1 with components omitted for clarity, and with a lever arrangement in a retracted condition; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with the lever arrangement in an extended condition; Figure 4 shows a lifting apparatus used in the sleeping assembly shown in Figure 1, with the lever arrangement in a retracted condition; Figure 5 shows the lifting apparatus shown in Figure 4 with the lever arrangement in an extended condition; Figure 6 shows a view similar to Figure 5, but with a support arrangement omitted; Figure 7 is a close up of a lever arrangement; Figure 8 shows an end of a first lever member; Figure 9 shows an end of the first lever member with a roller member received in a guide channel; and Figure 10 shows a bracing arrangement.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, a sleeping assembly in the form of a cot 100 for an infant is shown. The cot 100 comprises a base 102 for supporting a mattress 104. The cot 100 also includes four panels defining therebetween a space in which the mattress is disposed, and in which the infant sleeps.

The panels consist of two main panels 106, 108, arranged opposite each other, and two end panels 110, 112 also arranged opposite each other.

The panels 106, 108, 110, 112 are attached to four support members 114 arranged at respective corners of the cot 100. Suitable fasteners, for example bolts attach the panels 106, 108, 110, 112 to the support members 114.

The cot 100 also includes a lifting apparatus 10 for lifting the base 102 from a lowered position shown in Figures 1 and 2 to a raised position shown in Figure 3.

In Figures 2 and 3, the main panel 106 and the mattress 104 are omitted to show the base 102.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the lifting apparatus 10 in more detail. The lifting apparatus 10 comprises a support arrangement 11 comprising a support frame 12 and four support elements 14 extending downwardly from the support frame 12. The support elements 14 support the support frame 12.

Alternatively, or in addition, the support frame 12 could be attached to, and supported by, the panels 106, 108, 110, 112. Suitable bolts (not shown) could be used to attach the support frame to the panels 106, 108, 110, 112.

The support frame 12 includes elongate attaching members 12A, 12B, and 12C.

The attaching members 12A, 12B are arranged at opposite end regions of the support frame 12 and are substantially parallel to each other.

The attaching member 120 extends between the attaching members 12A, 12B and is substantially orthogonal to each of the attaching members 12A, 12B. The attaching member 12C is provided adjacent one of the sides of the support frame.

First and second lever arrangements 16, 18 are arranged opposite each other on the support frame 12. An operating member, in the form of a pedal 20, is connected to the first and second lever arrangements 16, 18. The pedal 20 extends between the first and second lever arrangements 16, 18. The pedal 20 has a substantially planar upper surface 21.

Each of the lever arrangements 16, 18 comprises a first elongate lever member 22, an elongate stabilising member 24, and first and second elongate guide means 26, 28. The first guide means comprises an elongate first guide member 27. The second guide means comprises an elongate second guide member 29.

The first lever member 22 has a first end 30 pivotally connected by a pivot 31 to the pedal 20 at a first connecting member in the form of a first connecting bracket 32. The second guide means 28 are attached to the support frame 12 at the attaching members 12A, 12B respectively.

The first lever member 22 has an opposite second end 34, which is movably associated with the first guide means 26 such that the second end 34 of the first lever member 22 can move along the first guide means 26. To this end, the second end 34 of the first lever member 36 is provided with a roller member 36, shown in more detail in Figures 8 and 9 The roller member 36 is rotatably mounted on an axle 38, which is received in a first guide track in the form of a first guide channel 40 defined by the first guide means 26. The roller member 36 is held captive within the first guide channel 40 by overhanging wall members 42, 44.

The stabilising member 24 has a first end 46 pivotally connected to the first guide means 26. The stabilising member 24 extends across the first lever member 22 to a second end 48, upon which a further roller member 36 is mounted in the same way as described above.

The roller member 36 in the stabilising member 24 is received in a second guide track in the form of a second guide channel 50 defined by the second guide means 28.

The first guide means 26 and the stabilising member 24 cross each other and are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot 52.

The second guide means 26 further includes a second connecting member in the form of a second connecting bracket 60 attached to one end of the second guide member 29. The second connecting bracket 60 extends downwardly from the second guide member 29.

Each lever arrangement 16, 18 comprises a second lever member 54 which extends parallel to the first lever member 22.

The second lever member 54 has a first end 56 which is pivotally attached at a pivot 57 to the first connecting bracket 32 on the pedal 20. The second lever member 54 has a second end 58, which is pivotally attached at a pivot 59 to the second connecting bracket 60 on the second guide member 29.

The first lever member 22 is pivotally attached to the second connecting bracket at a pivot 62 part way along the first lever member 22.

The second lever member 54 is connected to the first and second connecting brackets 32, 60. The distance between the pivots 31 and 62 on the first lever member 22 is substantially equal to the distance between the pivots 57 and 59 along the second lever member 54.

In addition, the distance between the pivots 31 and 57 along the first connecting bracket 60 is substantially equal to the distance between the pivots 62 and 59 along the second connecting bracket 60.

Thus, the first and second lever members 22, 54 extend substantially parallel to each other, and the first and second connecting brackets 32, 60 also extend substantially parallel to each other.

The lever arrangements 16, 18 are moveable between a retracted condition, shown in Figure 2, and an extended condition, shown in Figure 3. When the lever arrangements 16, 18 are in the retracted condition, the pedal 20 is in a first position. When the lever arrangements 16, 18 are in the extended condition, the pedal 20 is in a second position.

In the retracted condition of the lever arrangements 16, 18, the operating pedal is raised in the first position, and the first and second guide means 24, 26 are adjacent each other, and lie substantially flush with the support frame 12. In this condition, the base 102 lies on, and is supported by, the support frame 12.

In the extended condition of the lever arrangements 16, 18, the operating pedal is lowered in the second position, and the second guide means 26 are moved upwardly relative to the first guide means 24, thereby lifting the base 102. Thus, by depressing the operating pedal 20, the lever arrangements 16, 18 are operated to move the base 102 from its lowered position to its raised position.

The pedal 20 is pivotally attached to the first connecting bracket 32, so that it can be rotated between an upright position, shown in broken lines in Figure 1, and an operating position shown in solid lines in Figure 1, in which the pedal is oriented such that the planar surface 21 extends substantially horizontally.

The feature that the first and second brackets 32, 60 are maintained parallel with each other, as described above, ensures that the planar surface 21 of the pedal is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation during movement of the pedal 20 between the first and second positions.

Damping means 64 is provided to dampen or slow down movement of the lever arrangements 16, 18 from the extended conditions to the retracted conditions, i.e. when the base 102 is being lowered.

The damping means 64 comprises two hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangements 66, each having a first end 68 pivotally connected to a respective one of the second guide means 26 at a connecting bracket 70.

Each piston and cylinder arrangement 66 has a second end 72 pivotally connected to a respective one of the first lever members 22. As shown in the drawings, the second end 72 of each piston and cylinder arrangement 66 is pivotally connected to the first lever member 22 at the pivot 52 at which the first lever member 22 is connected to the stabilising member 24.

The lifting apparatus further includes a bracing arrangement 74 which is mounted on the support frame 12 adjacent the main panel 106 at a front or rear edge region of the support frame 11. The bracing assembly 74 comprises upper and lower elongate guide means 76, 78 and first and second elongate bracing elements 80, 82, which extend across each other, as shown in Figure 10.

The first and second bracing elements 80, 82 are pivotally connected to each other at a pivot 84 provided substantially centrally of each bracing member 80, 82.

The upper guide means 76 defines an upper guide track in form of an upper guide channel 86. The lower guide means 78 defines a lower guide track in form of a lower guide channel 88. Each of the upper and lower guide means 76, 78 has overhanging wall members 90, 92 which overhang the respective upper and lower guide channels 86, 88 to keep roller members captive in the respective channels 86, 88.

The first bracing element 80 has a first end 93, which is pivotally connected to one end of the upper guide means 76. The first bracing element 80 has a second end 94 upon which a roller member (not shown) is rotatably mounted, in the same way as described above. The roller member is rotatably received in the lower guide channel 88.

The second bracing element 82 has a first end 95, which is pivotally connected to one end of the lower guide means 78. The second bracing element has a second end 96 upon a roller member 36 is rotatably mounted. The roller member 36 is rotatably received in the upper guide channel 86.

Brackets 98 secure the lower guide means 78 to the support frame 12 at the attaching member 120. Although not shown, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that similar brackets are used to attach the second guide means 28 of the first and second lever arrangements 16, 18 to the respective attaching members 1 2A, 1 2B of the support frame 12.

In operation, the pedal 20 is depressed, which causes the first and second lever members 22, 54 to pivot about the second connecting brackets 60 on the second guide means 28, so that the second ends 34 of the first lever members 22 slide relative to the respective first guide means 26. At the same time, the first ends 46 of the stabilising members 24 pivot about the respective first guide means 26, and the second ends 48 of the stabilising members 24 slide relative to the second guide means 28, thereby causing the first guide means 26 to be lifted.

The sliding of the second ends 34, 48 of the first lever members 22 and of the stabilising members 24 is effected by the rolling of the roller members 36 in the respective first and second guide channels 40, 50.

During movement of the lever arrangements 26, 28, the bracing arrangement also moves to ensure that the base 102 is braced and the mattress 104 kept horizontal.

The first end 93 of the first bracing element 80 pivots relative to the upper guide means 76, and the second end 94 of the first bracing element 80 slides relative to the lower guide means 78. At the same time, the first end 95 of the second bracing element 82 pivots relative to the lower guide means 78, and the second end 96 thereof slides relative to the upper guide means 76.

As a result of the above operation, the first guide means 26 and the upper guide means 76 are moved to the extended condition, thereby raising the base 102.

When the person operating the lifting apparatus 10 removes his or her foot from the pedal 20, the lever arrangements 16, 18 move from the extended condition to the retracted condition, thereby lowering the base 102. The damping means 64 acts between each of the second guide means 28 and the respective first lever member 22, to slow down the speed at which the lever arrangements 16, 18 move from the extended condition to the retracted condition, thereby gently lowering the base 102.

There is thus described an embodiment of a lifting apparatus 10 which can be used with a cot or cot bed.

The lifting apparatus 10 described above has the advantage that it can lift the mattress 104 upon which a child is to be lain to a height at which the person holding the child can easily lay the child on the mattress 104 without causing injury to his or her back.

The lifting apparatus 10 has the further advantage that it allows a child lying on the mattress 104 to be lifted easily out of the cot or cot bed, by simply raising the base 102 in the manner as described above while the child is lying on it.

Furthermore, by having an elongate operating pedal 20, as shown, which operates two lever arrangements 16, 18 at opposite end regions of the cot 100 or cot bed, the person can simply push down on the operating member at any point along its length by using his or her foot.

The sleeping assembly may be a cot, a cot bed, or other suitable sleeping assembly. The lifting apparatus may be provided as part of the cot, cot bed or other suitable sleeping assembly. Alternatively, the lifting apparatus may be fitted to an existing cot, cot bed or other suitable sleeping assembly.

The lifting arrangement may be arranged so that it can be supported by the legs 114 of the cot, bed or cot bed in which it is incorporated. Alternatively, the lifting arrangement may be arranged so that it is supported by the support members 14.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, for example, the lifting apparatus may comprise a rear stabilising assembly attached to the rear edge of the support, so that the lifting apparatus has a pair of stabilising assemblies. In another modification, a single damping means could be provided to replace the damping means described above. In this modification, the single damping means is provided on the bracing arrangement 74, and is connected between the lower guide means 78 and the pivot 84. The single damping means may be in the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement, similar to the piston and cylinder arrangements 66 described above.

In a further modification damping means could be provided on the lever arrangements and on the bracing arrangement. Each damping means may be in the form of a hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement, similar to the piston and cylinder arrangements 66 described above.

Claims

Claims 1. A lifting apparatus for a sleeping assembly comprising a base, the lifting apparatus comprising a lever arrangement for supporting the base, and an operating member connected to the lever arrangement to move the lever arrangement between a retracted condition in which the base is at a lower position, and an extended condition in which the base is raised above the lower position.
2. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the lever arrangement comprises a first lever member and includes first and second elongate guide means, the first lever member extending from the operating member to the first guide means, and the first lever member being movable along the first guide means, and wherein the first lever member is pivotally connected to the second guide means.
3. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the lever arrangement further includes a stabilising member, which extends from the first guide means to the second guide means, the stabilising member being movable along the second guide means, and the stabilising member being pivotally connected to the first guide means.
4. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the stabilising member has a first end pivotally connected to the first guide means, and a second end movable along the second guide means.
5. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, including roller members to facilitate movement of the first lever member along the first guide means, and to facilitate movement of the stabilising member along the second guide means.
6. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein each of the first and second guide means defines a respective guide track along which the respective ends of the first lever member and the stabilising member can move.
7. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the first lever member and the stabilising member extend across each other, and are pivotally connected to each other at a central region of each of the first lever member and the stabilising member.
8. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 7, comprising a support arrangement for supporting the lever arrangement, wherein the support arrangement comprises a support frame and support members extending downwardly from the support frame.
9. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 8, comprising damping means to slow down the movement of the lever arrangement between the raised and lowered conditions.
10. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein the damping arrangement extends between the lever arrangement and the support arrangement.
11. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the damping means comprises an hydraulic assembly comprising a piston member pivotally connected to the second guide means, and a chamber assembly pivotally connected to the stabilising member at the pivot between the first lever member and the stabilising member.
12. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 11, wherein the lifting apparatus comprises a bracing arrangement, the bracing arrangement comprising first and second elongate bracing elements pivotally connected to each other at central regions thereof.
13. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 12, when dependent upon any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the bracing arrangement is provided on a front and/or rear edge region of the support arrangement,
14. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the bracing arrangement further comprises upper and lower guide means, the first bracing element being pivotally connected to the upper guide means, and movable along the lower guide means.
15. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 14, wherein the first bracing element has a first end pivotally connected to the upper guide means, and a second end movable along the lower guide means.
16. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 14 or 15, wherein the second bracing element is pivotally connected to the lower guide means, and is movable along the upper guide means.
17. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the second bracing element has a first end which is pivotally connected to the lower guide means and a second end movable along the upper guide means.
18. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 14 to 17, including roller members to facilitate movement of the first bracing element along the lower guide means, and to facilitate movement of the second bracing element along the upper guide means.
19. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 18, wherein the first lever member has a first end pivotally connected to the operating member, and a second end movable along the first guide means.
20. A lifting apparatus according to any of Claims 2 to 19, wherein the lever arrangement comprises a second lever member extending from the operating member to the second guide means, the second lever member having a first end pivotally connected to the operating member, and a second end pivotally connected to the second guide means.
21. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 20, wherein the first and second lever members extend substantially parallel to each other.
22. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 20 or 21, wherein the operating member comprises a first connecting member which connects the first ends of the first and second lever members to each other, and the second guide means includes a second connecting member to connect a central region of the first lever member to the second end of the first lever member.
23. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 22, wherein the first and second lever members extend substantially parallel to each other during said movement of the lever arrangement.
24. A lifting apparatus according to any Claim 22, wherein the first and second lever members are pivotally connected to the first and second connecting members.
25. A lifting apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating member is movable between a first position, in which the lever arrangement is in the retracted condition, and a second position, which the lever arrangement is in the extended condition.
26. A lifting apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the operating member has a substantially planar upper surface which is maintained in a predetermined orientation during movement of the operating member.
27. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 26, wherein the lever arrangement is configured so that upper surface of the operating member is maintained in the aforesaid predetermined orientation during said movement of the operating member.
28. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 26 when dependent upon Claim 22, wherein the first and second lever members and the first and second connecting members are configured so that upper surface of the operating member is maintained in the aforesaid predetermined orientation during said movement of the operating member.
29. A lifting apparatus according to Claim 26, 27 or 28 wherein the aforesaid predetermined orientation is an orientation in which the aforesaid upper surface is substantially horizontal.
30. A sleeping assembly comprising a base and a lifting apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim.
31. A lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
32. A sleeping assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.