GB2517311A

GB2517311A - Folding and Unfolding Structure for Electric Folding Bed

Info

Publication number: GB2517311A
Application number: GB1414343.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chu-Chang Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-12
Filing date: 2012-01-12
Publication date: 2015-02-18
Also published as: WO2013104126A1; GB201414343D0

Abstract

A folding and unfolding structure for an electric folding bed, comprising two vertical endboards (1), two outer bed frames (2), two inner bed frames (3), two electric pressure rods (4) and a bolt (5); the two outer bed frames (2) are mutually pivoted to form a bed surface (21); the two vertical endboards (1) are respectively pivoted at the two ends of the bed surface (21), forming a structure that the bottoms of the vertical endboards (1) are in supporting contact with the ground and the two outer bed frames (2) span between the two vertical endboards (1); the two outer bed frames (2) can also be pivoted upwards relative to the vertical endboards (1) with the mutual pivot position of the two outer bed frames (2) as a central point, so that the two vertical endboards (1) are then adjacent to each other; the inner bed frames (3) are disposed in the outer bed frames (2), and are pivotably combined with the outer bed frames (2) at the end away from the vertical endboards (1); the electric pressure rods (4) are disposed under the inner bed frames (3), are pivoted on the vertical endboards (1) at one end, and are pivoted on the inner bed frames (3) at the other end; the inner bed frames (3) and the outer bed frames (2) are respectively provided with a pin hole (22, 32) at the side for inserting the bolt (5); the inner bed frames (3) are fixed by the bolt (5); and the electric pressure rods (4) drive the inner bed frames (3) to mutually fold the outer bed frames (2) and the vertical endboards (1).

Description

FOLDING AND UNFOLDING STRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC FOLDING BED

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a folding structure for a power-driven folding bed, and more particularly to a bed design with a foldable function for easy storage.

Background of the Invention

Generally, a hospital bed is a common bed used in a hospital, a nursing home or at home, and specially designed for hospitalized patients to get in or out of the bed or for the convenience of health care workers who may have to feed medicine or perform wound treatment to the patients. The hospital beds are equipped with a bed frame and an elevating device so that the bed frame can be raised and lowered at the head for the convenience of performing the aforementioned actions. It is therefore that the hospital bed plays an important role in health care and has been highly developed and improved in the industry.

* . ....: Please refer to Taiwan Patent No. M3 10706, in which a conventional hospital bed structure is disclosed and titled "improved hospital bed structure". The patent *s * c is directed to an improved hospital bed structure, comprising a base, an elevating portion and a bed frame. The base has two inverted U-shape rods parallel to one another. Each of the inverted U-shape rods has opposite ends respectively connected to two horizontal frames to which castors are attached. The elevating * : portion is composed of two supporting frames arranged in a cross manner and *:. pivotable to one another. The bed frame is disposed on top of the two supporting frames. Each of the two supporting frames has a vertical post of a height corresponding to that of the inverted U-shape rod. The vertical posts are mounted to the respective horizontal frames. Thus, a space is defined by and under each of the inverted U-shaped rods; the castors are mounted on opposite sides of the base; and the elevating portion has the vertical posts with their height corresponding to that of the inverted U-shaped rods. With these features, when the bed frame is lowered to a lowest position, the bed frame may be placed right on top of the base, and therefore decreases the volume of the hospital bed and fulfill the criteria for transportation.

However, although this type of hospital bed can help to adjust the patient's posture on the bed, the hospital bed is not foldable for easy storage. Moreover, because the hospital bed is generally large and heavy, it is inconvenient for transportation. If the hospital bed cannot be smaller in volume for storage, the hospital bed can be undesirably blocked by a door frame or others from moving further. If the hospital bed is not in use or is about to be discarded, it is not easy to find a room for the hospital bed. Accordingly, the prior art hospital bed is limited in its usefulness, and there is a need to develop a foldable bed structure for easy storage.

Summary of the Invention

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a folding siructure for a power-driven folding bed, for improving the inconvenience the conventional non-foldable bed may cause while moving.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the folding structure includes two upright end frames, two outer side rail sections, two inner support frame parts, two electric rod-style actuators and a bolt.

Specifically, the two outer side rail sections are pivoted to one another to form a bed plane. The two upright end frames are respectively pivoted at two ends of the bed plane in a manner that bottoms of the upright end frames are in supporting contact with a ground and the two outer side rail sections interconnect the two upright end frames. The two outer side rail sections are pivotable upward at a junction between the two outer side rail sections so as to draw the two upright end :" frames closer to one another.

* : * The inner support frame parts are enclosed by the outer side rail sections respectively, and each is pivotably connected to the respective outer side rail section with one end that is away from the related upright end frame. The electric *.: rod-style actuators are disposed under the inner support frame parts. Each of the electric rod-style actuators has one end pivotably connected to the respective * ** upright end frame and the other end pivotably connected to the respective inner ** support frame part. And, each of the inner support frame parts and the outer side rail sections defines a pin hole at a side thereof for insertion of a bolt.

In this manner, once the bolt is inserted in the pin hole, the inner support frame part is locked by the bolt and therefore is not allowed to be pivoted with respect to the associated outer side rail section. At this time, the electric rod-style actuators, under remote control, drive the inner support frame parts which in turn drive the outer side nil sections in such a way that the two outer side rail sections are pivoted with respect to each other and the outer side rail sections are pivoted with respect to the upright end frames respectively, and finally the two upright end frames are drawn closer to each other for easy storage.

On the contrary, when the bolt is withdrawn from the pin hole, the inner support frame part is allowed to be pivoted with respect to the associated outer side rail section, and at this time, the electric rod-style actuators, under the remote control, drive the inner support frame parts upward so as to change a position for recumbence.

This invention further comprises at least one castor mounted on a bottom of each of the upright end frames. The castor enables the invention to slide or move smoothly.

Each of the upright end frames of this invention includes an outer sleeve pivotably connected to the associated outer side rail section, an inner brace rod and an electric elevating device. The inner brace rod is slidabic in the outer sleeve.

The electric elevating device has one end joined to the outer sleeve and the other end joined to the inner brace rod such that the electric elevating device, under remote control, can adjust a height of the outer sleeve with respect to the inner brace rod.

Each of the inner support frame parts of this invention includes a plurality of cross bars to form a support for the bed plane.

This invention further comprises a Iästening bracket disposed under the outer side rail section for storage of the bolt.

This invention further comprises a remote controller for control of the electric rod-style actuator and the electric elevating device. Each of the electric rod-style * * actuator and the electric elevating device has a receiver corresponding to the remote controller.

* **..* * This invention further comprises two supporting rods disposed under the bed plane. Each of the supporting rods has one end pivotably connected to the *: associated upright end frame, and the other end extending over one of the outer side rail sections to the other and being pivotably connected to the other outer side rail * ** section. The two supporting rods are symmetric to each other and disposed in a * cross manner so as to strength the bed plane. Thus, when the two upright end *. frames are drawn closer to each other, they can hold still without falling down inwardly or outwardly. Besides, the two outer side rail sections have a total length of 208 cm while each of the supporting rods has a length of 105 cm.

Brief Description of the Drawin2s

FIG 1 is a perspective view of this invention.

FIG 2 is a perspective view of this invention, showing an inner support frame part is raised up.

FIG 3 is a plan view of this invention.

FIG 4 is a perspective view of the invention in a folded manner.

FIG 5 is a plan view of the invention in a folded manner.

Brief Description of the Reference Numbers Shown in the Fieures 1 upright end frame 11 castor 12 outer sleeve 13 outer brace rod 14 electric elevating device 2 outer side rail section 21 bed plane 22 pin hole 23 fastening bracket 3 inner support frame part 31 cross bar 32 pin hole 4 electric rod-style actuator 41 receiver 5 bolt 6 supporting rod 7 remote controller I) total length of two outer side rail sections L length of supporting rod

Detailed Description of Embodiments

This invention relates to a folding structure for a power-driven folding bed.

Please refer to FIGS. 1 through 3, which are directed to the preferred embodiment of this invention, comprising two upright end frames 1, two outer side rail sections 2, two inner support frame parts 3, two electric rod-style actuators 4 and a bolt 5.

* . Specifically, the two outer side rail sections 2 are pivoted to one another to *....: form a bed plane 21. The two upright end frames I are respectively pivoted at * two ends of the bed plane 21 in a manner that bottoms of the upright end frames 1 are in supporting contact with a ground and the two outer side rail sections 2 interconnect the two upright end frames 1. The two outer side rail sections 2 are *:** pivotable upward at a junction between the two outer side rail sections 2 so as to draw the two upright end frames 1 closer to one another. As shown in FIGS. 1 * : and 3, the upright end frames 1 and the outer side rail sections 2 are substantially *:. rectangular. Under the bottom of each of the upright end frames is at least one * castor. The castor enables the invention to slide or move smoothly. And the upright end frames 1 and the outer slide rail sections 2 may both be forced in order to have the two outer slide rail sections be pivoted or folded with each other, and whereby the outer slide rail sections 2 are pivoted upward at their junction with respect to the upright end frames 1 so as to draw the outer slide rail sections 2 and the upright end frames 1 closer for easy storage.

Besides, each of the upright end frames 1 includes an outer sleeve 12 pivotably connected to the associated outer side rail section 2, an inner brace rod 13 and an electric elevating device 14. The inner brace rod 13 is slidable in the outer sleeve 11 The electric elevating device 14 has one end joined to the outer sleeve 12 and the other end joined to the inner brace rod 13 such that the electric elevating device 14, under remote control, can adjust a height of the outer sleeve 12 with respect to the inner brace rod 13, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. More specifically, each of the electric elevating devices 14 is disposed along a centerline of the associated upright end frame 1, and has one end secured to the outer sleeve 12 and the other end secured to the inner brace rod 13. Thus, the electric elevating device 14 can be operated to adjust the height of the outer sleeve 12 with respect to the inner brace rod 13 (Note that the electric elevating device 14 may be a conventional

S

pneumatic or hydraulic device, which may be controlled by a remote controller as known in the art; and the objective of this invention is to provide a folding function for a bed; thus, the electric elevating device 14 will not be discussed in detail further).

Each of the inner support frame parts 3 is enclosed by the associated outer side rail section 2, and is pivotably connected to the associated outer side rail section 2 with one end that is away from the related upright end frame 1. The electric rod-style actuators 4 are disposed under the inner support frame parts 3.

Each of the electric rod-style actuators 4 has one end pivotably connected to the respective upright end frame 1 and the other end pivotably connected to the respective inner support frame part 3. And, each of the inner support frame parts 3 and the outer side nil sections 2 defines a pin hole 32 or 22 at a side thereof for insertion of a bolt 5, as shown in FIGS. I through 3. Each of the inner support frame parts 3 includes a plurality of cross bars 31 to form a support for the bed plane 21. Each of the electric rod-style actuators 4 has opposite ends respectively secured to the associated upright end frame 1 and the associated inner support frame part 3. In this manner, once the bolt 5 is inserted in the pin hole 22 or 32, as * shown m FIGS. 4 and 5, the mner support frame part 3 is locked by the bolt 5 and therefore is not allowed to be pivoted with respect to the associated outer side rail section 2. At this time, the electric rod-style actuators 4, under remote control, can drive the inner support frame parts 3 which in turn drive the outer side rail sections 2 ( Note that the electric rod-style actuators 4 may be a conventional * ii". pneumatic or hydraulic device, which may be controlled by a remote controller as * : known in the art; and the objective of this invention is to provide a folding function o for a bed; thus, the electric rod-style actuators 4 will not be discussed in detail further) in such a way that the two outer side rail sections 2 are pivoted with respect to each other and the outer side rail sections 2 are pivoted with respect to the upright end frames 1 respectively, and finally the two upright end frames 1 are drawn closer to each other for easy storage.

As shown in FIG 2, when the bolt 5 is withdrawn from the pin hole 22 or 32, the inner support frame part 3 is allowed to be pivoted with respect to the associated outer side rail section 2. At this time, the electric rod-style actuators 4, under the remote control, can drive the inner support frame parts 3 upward so as to change a position for recumbence.

In addition, a fastening bracket 23 is employed under the outer side rail section 2 for storage of the bolt 5. Thus, when not in use, the bolt 5 may be placed at the fastening bracket 23. That is, the fastening bracket 23 is provided for avoiding losing the bolt 5 while the bolt 5 is not in use. This invention further comprises a remote controller 7 for control of the electric rod-style actuator 4 and the electric elevating device 14. Each of the electric rod-style actuator 4 and the electric elevating device 14 has a receiver 41 corresponding to the remote controller 7 for the remote control.

This invention fUrther comprises two supporting rods 6, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, disposed under the bed plane 21. Each of the supporting rods 6 has one end pivotably connected to the associated upright end frame 1, and the other end extending over one of the outer side rail sections 2 to the other and being pivotably connected to the other outer side rail section 2. The two supporting rods 6 are symmetric to each other and disposed in a cross manner so as to strength the bed plane 21. And, the two outer side rail sections 2 have a total length D of 208 cm while each of the supporting rods 6 has a length L of 105 cm (Note that the aforementioned lengths are found to be the best mode). *04** * . * *

*.**.* * S * ** * S * * S. * * .5

Claims

Claims 1. A folding structure for a power-driven folding bed, comprising two upright end frames, two outer side rail sections, two inner support frame parts, two electric rod-style actuators and a bolt, wherein: the two outer side rail sections are pivoted to one another to form a bed plane; the two upright end frames are respectively pivoted at two ends of the bed plane in a manner that bottoms of the upright end frames are in supporting contact with a ground; the two outer side rail sections interconnect the two upright end frames; and the two outer side rail sections are pivotable upward at a junction between the two outer side rail sections so as to draw the two upright end frames closer to one.another; the inner support frame parts are enclosed by the outer side rail sections respectively, and each is pivotably connected to the respective outer side nil section with one end that is away from the related upright end frame; the electric rod-style actuators are disposed under the inner support frame parts, and each has * :m: one end pivotably connected to the respective upright end frame and the other end pivotably connected to the respective inner support frame part; and each of the OC** . . mner support frame parts and the outer side rail sections defines a pm hole at a side * thereof for insertion of a bolt ****** * * * ** whereby once the bolt is inserted in the pin hole, the inner support frame part is locked by the bolt and therefore is not allowed to be pivoted with respect to the associated outer side rail section, and at this time, the electric rod-style actuators, under remote control, drive the inner support frame parts which in turn drive the outer side rail sections in such a way that the two outer side rail sections are pivoted with respect to each other and the outer side nil sections are pivoted with respect to the upright end frames respectively, and finally the two upright en4 frames are drawn closer to each other for easy storage; and when the bolt is withdrawn from the pin hole, the inner support frame part is allowed to be pivoted with respect to the associated outer side rail section, and at this time, the electric rod-style actuators, under the remote control, drive the inner support frame parts upward so as to change a position for recumbence.
2. A folding structure for a power-driven folding bed as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one castor mounted on a bottom of each of the upright end frames.
3. A folding structure for a power-driven folding bed as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the upright end frames includes an outer sleeve pivotably connected to the associated outer side rail section, an inner brace rod slidable in the outer sleeve, and an electric elevating device having one end joined to the outerSsleeve and the other end joined to the inner brace rod such that the electric elevating device, under remote control, can adjust a height of the outer sleeve with respect to the inner brace rod.
4. A folding structure for a power-driven folding bed as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the inner support frame parts includes a plurality of cross bars.
5. A folding structure for a power-driven folding bed as recited in claim 1, thrther comprising a fastening bracket disposed under the outer side rail section for storage of the bolt.
6. A folding structure for a power-driven folding bed as recited in claim 1, fbrther comprising two supporting rods disposed under the bed plane, wherein each of the supporting rods has one end pivotably connected to the associated upright end frame and the other end extending over one of the outer side rail sections to the other and being pivotably connected to the other outer side rail section; the two supporting rods are symmetric to each other and disposed in a cross manner so as to strength the bed plane; and the two outer side rail sections have a total length of 208 cm while each of the supporting rods has a length of 105 cm.
7. A folding structure for a power-driven folding bed as recited in claim 3, fltrther comprising a remote controller for control of the electric rod-style actuator *:" : and the electric elevating device, wherein each of the electric rod-style actuator and *: *:: the electric elevating device has a receiver corresponding to the remote controller. * s