IL118746A - Adjustable bed - Google Patents

Abstract

A bed comprising a frame and a box spring (28), the box spring having a front, rear and two side (44) walls, the bed characterized in that the box spring consists of a first portion (32) fixed to the frame and at least one second portion (34) pivotally hinged to the first portion; the portions of the box spring comprise a plurality of compression springs (46) bearing at respective bottom ends thereof at the base (30) of the box spring and having their respective top ends articulated by a lattice-work (48), wherein at least the front and rear walls of the box spring do not extend beyond the top edge of the springs. 2965 י' בכסלו התשס" ב - November 25, 2001

Description

Adjustable bed Aminach Bedding & Furniture 0 3 "»ϊ»1 0>\?>m Ϊ1>¾>1»η n_i>OJ> Manufacturing Ltd. »"V3 C. 101332 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is in the field of beds and more specifically it is concerned with a bed having a box spring which has at least one portion which may be adjusted to a desired inclination with respect to another portion thereof. Such bed s are at times referred to as "adjustable beds" .

The term "box spring " as used hereinafter in the description and claims denotes a construction frame holding a plurality of bed springs, received within cushioning and covering layers, forming together a mattress.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has long been known to provide beds and sofas (collectively referred to as "beds ") with a mattress having at least one portion which may be inclined with respect to other portions thereof, for improved comfort of the user.

Such beds typically fall in two main categories. The first type consists of a bed frame having a platform with at least two portions which may be inclined with respect to one another and a mattress typically made of coated foam rubber, laid over the platform and allowed to conform with the platform's shape.

A second type of adjustable bed also has a platform consisting of at least two portions, at least one of which may be tilted with respect to the other.

However, unlike the first type, the platform is integral with a cushioning surface applied thereto (i,e, a mattress), said surface typically being made of foamed rubber or latex™ enclosed within a fabric cover, thus forming a mattress integral with the platform. In some cases it was known to add springs into specially formed pockets in the foamed rubber for increasing support, however the springs are not attached to the bed frame and do not provide ultimate body support.

The above described beds share a serious drawback, namely, the mattress is a simple foamed rubber mattress which does not provide adequate support for a person lying on it.

Furthermore, mattresses and even more so spring mattresses used with beds of the first type are easily displaced with respect to the platform and thus fastening means are required.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved adjustable bed comprising a box spring, wherein at least one portion may be tilted with respect to other portions thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a bed comprising a frame and a box spring, the bed characterized in that box spring consists of a first portion fixed to the frame and at least one second portion pivotally hinged to the first portion, and a displacement mechanism articulated to the frame and to each of the at least one second portion for pivotal displacement thereof.

Each portion of the box spring according to the present invention comprises a plurality of compression springs attached at their bottom end to a base member of the box spring and having their top end articulated by a lattice-work. Preferably, the compression springs are helical springs having their top ends linked to a lattice- work consisting of coiled wire.

The box spring comprises front, rear and two side walls, wherein at least the side walls do not exceeding beyond the top edge of the springs and the at least one second portion is pivotable with respect to the first portion over a transversal axis extending adjacent the top edge of the compression springs.

By a preferred embodiment, a cushioning layer is applied at least over the top ends of the springs of the box spring and wherein the box spring is covered with a cover, forming together a mattress. The cover comprises expandable side and bottom portions corresponding with the axis of rotation of the at least one second portion, so as to allow elongation of the covering material upon angular displacement thereof.

By still a preferred embodiment, the displacement mechanism is an electrically operated piston having one end thereof pivotally attached to the frame and an opposed end pivotally attached to the second portion of the box spring, wherein the displacement mechanism is activated by a cord or cord-less remote control system.

The arrangement is such that the displacement mechanism does not project below a bottom edge of the bed frame, so as to allow for accommodating a collapsible bed under the frame of the bed.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the at least one second portion is pivotally hinged to the first portion by a hinge comprising a first bracket for attaching to the first portion and a second bracket for attaching to the at least one second portion, the brackets hinged to one another at or above the top edge of the compression springs through which the axis of rotation passes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For better understanding, the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a bed according to the present invention in a flat position, also showing an inclined position in phantom lines, and with a collapsible bed accommodated under the bed; Fig. 2 is a side view of the bed according to the invention in its flat position, the collapsible be d removed; Fig. 3 is a top sectioned, partial view of the box spring used with the bed according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a side view of the box spring of the bed according to the invention, with the mattress cover partially removed; Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned front view of the box spring used with the bed according to the present invention, in a flat position; and Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of a box spring used with the bed according to the present invention, with the springs removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A SPECD7IC EMBODIMENT Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings in which a bed 2 consists of a metal frame work generally designated 4 constructed of two pairs of inverted U-like shaped legs 6 and a rectangular frame 8 secured by bolts 10 to the legs 6.

The space between the rectangular frame 8 and the bottom end of the legs 6 being sufficient to accommodate a second bed 12 (shown only in Fig. 1) comprising a mattress 14 and a collapsible framework 16, as known per se.

As further seen in Fig. 1, the bed 2 comprises a mattress generally referred to as 18 and consisting of a first portion 20 fixed to the frame 8, and a second portion 22 pivotally hinged to the first portion. The second portion may be inclined with respect to the first portion 20 as represented by the phantom lines and designated 22', preferably, by means of an electric piston 24 as will hereinafter be described.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 6 of the drawings, the mattress 18 consists of a box spring 28 typically made of a wooden frame having a base 30 divided into a first portion 32 and a second portion 34 (see Fig. 5) hinged at 36 as will hereinafter be explained. As seen in Fig. 3, the box spring further comprises front wall portions 38 and 39, rear wall portions 40 and 41 and side walls 44.

An array of helical compression springs 46 is mounted in each portion of the box spring 28, the bottom end of the springs being stapled to the base portions 32 and 34 and their top ends being linked to a lattice-work made of coiled wire 48, as seen in Fig. 3. The arrangement is such that the front, rear and side walls do not exceed beyond the top edges of the springs 46.

As seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, a latex™ cushioning layer 50 is applied over the springs 46 and a fabric-made cover 54 encloses the assembled mattress 18. As can readily be understood, the cover 54 is fastened by a zipper or by hook and pile fastener (also known as Velcro™), so as to allow for cleaning and replacement thereof.

As further seen in Figs. 1 , 4 and 6, the cover 54 has an extendible portion 58 corresponding with the interfacing ends of the first and second portions 20 and 22, respectively. The extendible portion 58 is typically made of elastic material or pleated fabric, allowing for extension of the cover 54 when the second portion 22 is tilted.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, it can be seen how the second portion 22 is hinged to the first portion 20 at 36 by means of a hinge 51 consisting of a first L-like shaped bracket 52 attached by bolts 55 to the front and rear walls of the first portion 20 and a second L-like shaped bracket 56 attached by bolts 59 to the respective front and rear wall of the second portion 22. Leg portions 60 and 62 of the brackets 52 and 56 respectively, extend to the top end of the springs 46 and are hinged at 36, whereby when the second portion 22 is tilted with respect to the first portion 22, no pressure is applied on adjoining springs.

A displacement mechanism is provided for tilting the second portion 22 with respect to the first portion 20. The displacement mechanism seen in Fig. 1 consists of the electric piston 24 having a first end pivotaliy linked at 66 to the frame 8 and a second end pivotaliy linked at 68 to the second portion 22, whereby axial expansion of the electric piston 24 entails angular displacement of the second portion 22. Control of the electric piston 24 is by a cord or cord-less remote control system, as known per se.

However, it should be noted that the electric piston 24 does not project below frame 8, even when the bed is in the flat position, allowing for accommodation of the collapsible bed 12.

Claims (10)

6 118746/2 CLAIMS:

1. A bed comprising a frame and a box spring, the box spring having a front, rear and two side walls, the bed characterized in that the box spring consists of a first portion fixed to the frame and at least one second portion pivotally hinged to the first portion; the portions of the box spring comprise a plurality of compression springs bearing at respective bottom ends thereof at the base of the box spring and having their respective top ends articulated by a lattice-work, wherein at least the front and rear walls of the box spring do not exceed beyond the top edge of the springs.

2. A bed according to claim 1 further comprising a displacement mechanism articulated to the frame and to each of the at least one second portion for pivotal displacement thereof.

3. A bed according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second portion is pivotable with respect to the first portion over a transversal axis extending adjacent the top ends of the compression springs.

4. A bed according to claim 1, wherein a cushioning layer is applied at least over the top ends of the springs of the box spring and wherein the box spring is covered with a cover, forming together a mattress.

5. A bed according to claim 4, wherein side portions and bottom portion of the cover corresponding with interfacing ends of the first and second portions of the box spring are extendible, for allowing pivoting of the second portion.

6. A bed according to claim 2, wherein the displacement mechanism is an electrically operated piston having one end thereof attached to the frame and an opposed end attached to the second portion of the box spring.

7. A bed according to claim 2, wherein the displacement mechanism is activated by a remote control system.

8. A bed according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second portion is pivotally hinged to the first portion by a hinge comprising a first bracket for attaching to the first portion and a second bracket for attaching to the at least one second portion, the brackets hinged to one another at or above the top edge of the compression springs. 7 118746/2

9. A bed according to claim 2, wherein the displacement mechanism does not project below a bottom edge of the bed frame.

10. A bed according to claim 9, suitable for accommodating a collapsible bed thereunder. For the Applicants 101332-5-SPEC/DD/jg/ 16.08.99