WO2009109899A1

WO2009109899A1 - Automatic device to make the bed

Info

Publication number: WO2009109899A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/050832
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico Berruti
Original assignee: Enrico Berruti
Priority date: 2008-03-03
Filing date: 2009-03-02
Publication date: 2009-09-11
Also published as: WO2009109898A1; ITPV20080003A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bed provided with a device suitable for realizing the complete automation of the entire operation for making the bed itself, that is, stretching out, aligning, tucking up the covers normally used (top sheets, blankets, duvet covers, quilts and other forms of cover for beds), carrying out the operations without needing any manual action, once the covers themselves have been partially constrained to one or more zones of the structure or to any other part of the 'bed' system.

Description

AUTOMATIC DEVICE TO MAKE THE BED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a bed provided with a device suitable for realizing the complete automation of the entire operation for making the bed itself, that is, stretching out, aligning, tucking up the covers normally used (top sheets, blankets, duvet covers, quilts and other forms of cover for beds), carrying out the operations without needing any manual action, once the covers themselves have been partially constrained to one or more zones of the structure or to any other part of the "bed" system. Some inventions are known relative to devices for beds designed to facilitate and/or automate the daily routine operation of "making and/or re-making the bed", which are aimed for the most part at facilitating individual phases of the operation of "making and/or re-making the bed", for example lifting of the mattress (US 5,313,679, Yamaguchi, 1994), changing the lower or upper sheet (Kaith, 2003), straightening and adaptation of the lower sheet on the mattress (US 7,032,262 B2, Creech 2006, US 5,201 ,086, Decker et al., 1993, US 4,809,376, Boldra, US 5,029,353 Kimball et al 1991), fixing of the sheets to the mattress (US 4,486,909, McKneelan, 1984). Only the invention described by the patent US 5,926,874, (Browder, 1999) represents a real automated system for making the bed, straightening, aligning and tucking in a bed-cover assembly by insufflation of air into a bladder. The system devised by Browder, however, limits the materials that can be used for producing the inflatable sheet and, due to the presence of the bladder, requires the provision, in the bed cover, of an extra double layer consisting of the two sides of the bladder. The object of the present invention is to overcome the limits described by providing a bed, according to claim 1 , provided with a device that allows carrying out the operation of stretching out the covers without needing any manual action, once the covers themselves have been partially constrained to one or more zones of the structure of the bed itself, and once the device according to the invention has been actuated.

When the covers need not be changed, and therefore they are already partially constrained to the bed, there is no need for manual operations but starting the device.

The device object of the invention, which is provided with first means for fixing the covers to the bed feet and second means, suitable for stretching out said covers up to their upper edge, is characterized in that said second means, suitable for stretching out said covers, interact with the longitudinal edges of said covers, so as to progressively align them with the longitudinal edges of the bed structure.

Said second means, which may be of various types, as better specified hereinafter, after having stretched out the covers may optionally accompany the upper edge of said covers so as to tuck them up under the mattress, like the bottom sheet, in direct contact with the mattress itself, or fold them on the blanket, like the top sheet.

The device object of the invention therefore allows stretching out, aligning, folding and tucking up any kind of cover, like all of those mentioned above, using all the standard fabrics and materials normally used such as sheets, blankets, bedspreads, quilts, duvets and duvet covers, etc. without resorting to additional fabric layers or superstructures to those normally used, but only in very limited parts of said covers, with obvious advantages in terms of user's comfort and aesthetics.

The invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example, according to a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying figures in which: • figures 1 to 6 show the bed provided with the automatic device in the various operating phases;

• figures 7 (a, b) show a bed provided with device for straightening several bed covers simultaneously and turning the edge of the lower cover over the upper one; • figures 8 (a, b) show a preferred variation of the bed-making device;

• figures 9 and 10 show a device for straightening the bed covers subject of the invention on the mattress and the operation thereof;

• figures 11 and 12 show bed covers according to the invention (sheet or blanket) suitable for being used with the automatic bed-making device. With reference to the accompanying figures, (1 , 1a) indicates a bed, which is provided with a device (2) suitable for straightening the bed covers (sheets and blankets), in accordance with the present invention, on the mattress (3). The device (2) is shown in the rest position in fig. 1 and in the working position in fig. 2. According to a preferred embodiment, said device (2) comprises a pair of symmetrical frames, each consisting of three rods (2a, 2b, 2c), hinged to the structure (4) of the bed (1) so that they can rotate around their respective axes (5). Said axes (5) are horizontal, longitudinal with respect to the bed and positioned near the longitudinal sides of the mattress (3). At the two ends of the longitudinal rods (2c) the same number of fixing means (6a, 6b) are positioned, while straightening means (7) run on said rods (2c) (one for each rod) which have the function of straightening the covers on the bed. Said straightening means (7) comprise a slide (20), running on said rod (2c), which acts as a support for a structure (21) containing specific means suitable for straightening the covers. A detailed description of the characteristics and operation of said straightening means (7) is provided below.

Figures 1 to 6 show in sequence the procedure according to which the bed (1 ) is made via use of the device (2), which fully straightens a cover (8) and makes the bed ready for use. Said sequence consists of the following phases. Phase 1 - The longitudinal rods (2c) are raised from the rest position (fig. 1 ) to the working position (fig. 2), by rotation around the axes (5) of the relative frames. Phase 2 - Via use of the fixing means (6a), the sections (8a) of the bottom edge (8¹) of the cover (8) are secured to the structure (4), then the straightening parts (8b) of the cover (8) are arranged with respect to the straightening means (7), so as to position the cover (8) as illustrated in fig. 3. Once these operations have been performed, a mechanism of known type (not shown) is started which causes the straightening means (7) to run along the respective rods (2c), towards the upper ends of said rods (2c). The function of the sections (8a) and the fixing means (6a), positioned on the lower ends of the longitudinal rods (2c), is to secure the cover, with respect to the structure (4), at the feet of the bed. In practice the bottom edge (8¹) of the cover (8) is secured to the bed, in its natural position.

By straightening parts (8b) we mean the portions of the cover, i.e. the lateral edges or the portions near them, that interact with the straightening means (7), in order to straighten the cover fully over the mattress. From this moment onwards the straightening parts (8b) of the cover (8) are progressively aligned with the rods

(2c), gradually starting from the fixing means (6a), by the straightening means (7) which run along said rods (2c).

Phase 3 - The straightening means (7) move forward on the rods (2c) from the point nearest the fixing means (6a) to the point farthest from said fixing means (6a)

(fig. 4).

Fig. 4 shows a phase in which the straightening parts (8b) have already been partially straightened along the longitudinal axes (2c), in the portion between the fixing means (6a) and the position reached at that moment by the straightening means (7), while for the remaining portions the above-mentioned straightening parts (8b) are still free of constraints.

Once phase 3 (fig. 5) has been performed, straightening of the cover is complete.

If desired, the sections (8c) of the top edge (8") of the cover (8) can be fixed to the corresponding fixing means (6b). It should be noted that the straightening parts (8b) of the cover (8) do not have any connection or link with the longitudinal rods (2c) but simply interact with the straightening means (7), only for the portion involved in the passage of said means.

Phase 4 - At this point the straightening means (7) move back along the longitudinal rods (2c), returning in the vicinity of the fixing means (6a), to permit normal use of the bed.

Phase 5 - The longitudinal rods (2c) rotate with their frames around the respective axes (5), moving from the work position to the rest position. If the sections (8c) of the cover (8) were previously secured on the respective fixing means (6b), they are now released to permit correct use of the bed. According to a preferred embodiment, the bed (1) can be provided with two or more devices (2) for the straightening of covers. In this way each cover is straightened by the specific device (2) to which it is connected. Fig. 7 (a, b) show an example in which straightening means (7a) run on the rods (2c), said straightening means being characterised in that the slide (20) supports two structures (21 ). Said means (7a) are therefore suitable for simultaneously straightening two covers, for example an upper sheet and a blanket. In this case the lower cover can be turned over the upper cover, according to a known embodiment. This is obtained by a specific embodiment of the fixing means (6b), which are mounted on corresponding rods (10) rotating around a horizontal axis (11 ), transverse with respect to the bed and situated in the area of the pillows, the length of said rods (10) being equal to the width of the turnover. In fact, once the sheet has been straightened as far as the corresponding securing means (6b) and the blanket has, in turn, been straightened on the sheet, but for a shorter length, i.e. as far as the axis (11 ), the two rods (10) rotate by 180° turning the top part of the sheet over the blanket. In fig. 7a the fixing means (6b) are shown in the rest position, while in fig. 7b said fixing means (6b) are shown while they are rotating to turn the top part of the sheet over the blanket. The fixing means (6b) will be opened and the sheet consequently released only after completion of said operation.

More than two structures (21) can be mounted on the slide (20), so that an equal number of covers can be straightened simultaneously.

In order to tuck the cover (in this case the lower sheet) under the mattress, at the head of the bed, the straightening means (7) reach stroke end, the rods (2c) rotate downwards and the mattress (3) is raised a few centimetres by lifting means of known type (not shown). The movement of the mattress which is raised combined with that of the rods which are lowered a few centimetres means that the sheet envelops the top edge of the mattress. At this point a brief return of the straightening means (7) produces the effect of inserting the top edge of the sheet below the mattress, where it is secured when the mattress is lowered.

If one wants to tuck up the cover under the mattress (3), at the longitudinal sides of said mattress (3), the stretching out means (7) reach the travel end, the upper ends (8c) of the cover (8) are fixed by said fixing means (6b). At this point, the cover (8) is coupled at the four corners since before the stretching out operation, it was already coupled to said fixing means (6a), then rotating the bars (2c) downwards about the respective axes (5), the longitudinal edges of the cover (8) are moved under the longitudinal edges of the mattress (3) which in the meantime, is lifted by a few centimetres by lifting means of known type (not shown). The mattress (3) is then lowered again, locking the longitudinal edges of the cover (8). According to a preferred variant of the invention, shown in figs. 8 (a, b), a bed (1a) is provided with a device (2a) suitable for stretching out the covers (8) (sheets and blankets) on the mattress (3). Said device (2a) differs from the device (2) described above in the possibility of rotating en bloc about a horizontal axis (5a), crosswise with respect to the bed and located in the proximity of the head of the bed itself.

The device (2a) is used as device (2), as it is provided with fixing means (6a, 6b) and stretching out means (7) as well. The fact of being able to incline the device (2a) allows taking advantage of the force of gravity the cover (8) is subject to for decreasing the strain applied by the stretching out means (7) to the cover itself. In the marginal case where the device (2a) is moved to a position (fig. 8b) thanks to which the cover (8) is completely suspended in vertical position, the strain applied by the stretching out means (7) to the cover (8) is minimized. Fig. 9 shows one of said stretching out means (7) that comprises said carriage (20), sliding on one of the bars (2c), that supports said structure (21), on which two rollers (22a, 22b) are mounted, which rotate on respective axes parallel to one another (23a, 23b), said axes determining a plane vertical and orthogonal to the bar (2c) on which said carriage (20) slides. When the device (2) is in working position, said axes (23a, 23b) are substantially horizontal as well. The rollers (22a, 22b) are shaped so as to retain an ogive-shaped element (24) within a cavity obtained by two interfacing grooves obtained on the rollers (22a, 22b), said ogive (24) arranging along an axis (25), parallel to the bar (2c), equidistant from the two axes (23a, 23b) and lying on the cross symmetry plane of the rollers (22a, 22b). As is clearly seen from fig. 9, the ogive-shaped element (24) has no stiff constraints with the structure (21 ). As is seen in the next fig. 10, the ogive-shaped element (24) is inserted in the tubular stretching out part (8b) of the cover (8). In this way, the sliding of the carriages (20) on the respective bars (2c), towards the head of the bed (1 ), causes the alignment of said edges (8b) with the respective bars (2c) and thus, the stretching out of the cover (8) on the mattress (3). This happens as a result of the interaction between the rollers (22a, 22b) and the ogive-shaped element (24), through the tubular edges (8b) of the cover (8), said edges (8b) having been fixed at the bottom end (8a) by the fixing means (6a).

The edges (8b) of the cover (8) are tubular and are open at least at one end, so as to insert the ogive-shaped element (24) from the open end and be completely crossed by the ogive itself up to the opposite end. The action of the structure (21 ) on the ogive-shaped element (24) mainly consists in applying, through the rollers (22a, 22b), a strain on the ogive itself in order to drag it when the carriages (20) are set in motion. The presence of the tubular stretching out parts between the rollers (22a, 22b) and the ogive-shaped element (24) does not impair their operation, as long as the friction between the ogive-shaped element (24) and the inner part of the tubular edge (8b) of the cover (8) is kept low. Secondarily, although not necessarily, the structure (21) has the function of preventing the ogive-shaped element (24) from being removed from its seat. According to another embodiment of the invention, said stretching out means (7) may take the shape (7b), illustrated in fig. 11, that comprise a round-shaped body (26) that slides within the tubular conduit (8b), formed by the stretching out parts of the cover (8), and moved by elements (27) that advance linearly within said stretching out parts (8b), for example telescopic rods. According to a further embodiment of the invention, said stretching out means (7) may take the shape (7c), illustrated in fig. 12, in which said carriage (20), sliding on the bar (2c), acts as support to a structure (28) shaped so as to embracing the stretching out part (8d) of the cover (8) from the exterior, said stretching out part (8d) and said structure (28) being shaped so as to realize a reciprocally sliding coupling. Of course, the same carriage (20) may support two or more structures (28), so as to stretch out a same number of covers at the same time.

Finally, in the case where one wants to use actions other than the mechanical ones described for carrying out the stretching out of the covers (8), for example of the hydraulic or pneumatic type, the tubular edges that constitute the stretching out parts (8b) should be sealed and connected to a source of fluid under pressure. In this way, the tubular edges will stretch out by the effect of the pressure and of their geometry and the stretching out means consist of the fluid used and of the circuit under pressure, since the pressure applied by the fluid to the stretching out parts (8b) causes their stretching out.

The invention has been described in detail, by way of a non-limiting example, according to a preferred embodiment and some of its variants. The man skilled in the art may find many other variants, all falling within the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

1. Bed provided with a device suitable for carrying out the operation of stretching out covers (8) on the mattress (3) of said bed, of the type provided with first fixing means (6a) of the bottom edge (8¹) of said covers (8) to the bed feet and second means suitable for stretching out said covers (8) up to the top edge

(8") of said covers (8), characterized in that said second means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c), suitable for stretching out said covers (8) up to the top edge (8") of said covers (8), are suitable for interacting with stretching out parts (8b, 8d) of said covers (8) so that said stretching out parts (8b, 8d) are progressively aligned with the longitudinal edges of the mattress (3) of said bed.

2. Bed according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second means (7, 7a) suitable for stretching out said covers (8) up to the top edge (8") of said covers (8), comprise a carriage (20), sliding along a bar (2c), positioned in the proximity of the longitudinal edges of said mattress (3) and parallel to them, said carriage (20) acting as support to one or more structures (21) on each of said structures (21) there being mounted two rollers (22a, 22b) which rotate on respective axes horizontal and parallel to one another (23a, 23b), which determine a plane vertical and orthogonal to the bar (2c) on which said carriage (20) slides, said rollers (22a, 22b) being shaped so as to retain an ogive-shaped element (24) within a cavity obtained from two interfacing grooves obtained on said rollers (22a, 22b) and said ogive-shaped element (24) arranging along an axis (25), parallel to the bar (2c), equidistant from the two axes (23a, 23b) and lying on the cross symmetry plane of the rollers (22a, 22b), said ogive-shaped element (24) being inserted in a tubular stretching out part (8b) of said cover (8), so that the sliding of said carriage (20) on said bar

(2c), towards the head of the bed, causes the alignment of said edge (8b) with the respective bar (2c) and thus, the stretching out of the cover (8) on the mattress (3), this happening as a result of the interaction between said rollers (22a, 22b) and said ogive-shaped element (24), through the tubular edge (8b) of the cover (8), said edge (8b) having been fixed at the bottom end (8a) by said first fixing means (6a).

3. Bed according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second means (7b) suitable for stretching out said covers (8) up to the top edge (8") of said covers (8), comprise a round-shaped body (26) suitable for sliding within said tubular conduit (8b), formed by the stretching out parts of the cover (8), said rounded body being set in motion along a rectilinear path, in the proximity of the longitudinal edges of said mattress (3) and parallel to them, by elements (27) that advance linearly within said stretching out parts (8b), so that the sliding of said round-shaped body (26) towards the head of the bed, causes the alignment of said edge (8b) along said rectilinear path and thus, the stretching out of the cover (8) on the mattress (3), said edge (8b) having been fixed at the bottom end 8a) by said first fixing means (6a).

4. Bed according to claim 3, characterized in that said elements (27) that advance linearly within said stretching out parts (8b) of said covers (8), comprise telescopic rods.

5. Bed according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second means (7c) suitable for stretching out said covers (8) up to the top edge (8") of said covers (8), comprise said carriage (20), sliding along said bar (2c), positioned in the proximity of the longitudinal edges of said mattress (3) and parallel to them, said carriage (20) acting as a support to one or more structures (28), each embracing the stretching out part (8d) of a cover (8) from the exterior, said stretching out part (8d) and said structure (28) being shaped so as to realize a reciprocally sliding coupling, so that the sliding of said carriage (20) on said bar (2c), towards the head of the bed, causes the alignment of said edge (8b) with the bar (2c) and thus, the stretching out of the cover (8) on the mattress (3), this happening as a result of the interaction between said structure (28) and said stretching out part (8d), said edge (8d) having been fixed at the bottom end (8a) by said first fixing means (6a).

6. Bed according to claims 1 , 2 and 5, characterized in that each of said bars (2c), on which said carriages (20) of said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7c) slide, is connected through a pair of bars (2a, 2b), to the structure (4) of said bed, said bars (2a, 2b) being hinged to said structure (4) so as to rotate about the respective axis (5), said axes (5) being horizontal, longitudinal with respect to the bed and positioned in the proximity of the longitudinal sides of the mattress (3).

7. Bed according to claim 6, characterized in that two or more of said bars (2c), on which said carriages (20) of said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7c) slide, are connected to one another constituting a structure (2a) capable of rotating en bloc about a horizontal axis (5a), crosswise with respect to the bed and located in the proximity of the head of the bed itself, said structure (2a) being provided with the first fixing means (6a) and with the e second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b), said inclination allowing taking advantage of the force of gravity the cover (8) is subject to for decreasing the strain applied by said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) to the cover itself.

8. Bed according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) are suitable for tucking up a cover (8) under the mattress (3) at the head of the bed carrying out the following manoeuvre:

• said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) reach the travel end; • said bars (2c) rotate downwards while the mattress (3) is lifted by a few centimetres;

• said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) carry out a short return travel; • the mattress (3) is lowered again.

9. Bed according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it is provided with third fixing means (6b) suitable for fixing the top edges (8") of said covers (8) at the head of the bed.

10. Bed according to claim 9, characterized in that said third fixing means (6b), suitable for fixing the top edges (8") of said covers (8) to the head of the bed, are mounted on corresponding bars (10) rotating about a horizontal axis (11), crosswise with respect to the bed and located in the cushion zone, said bars (10), cooperating with said third fixing means (6b), being suitable for overturning the top part of a first cover (8) (sheet) on a second overlying cover (8) (blanket) by a 180° rotation, so as to realize a turn-up of said sheet on said blanket.

11. Bed according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) are suitable for tucking up a cover (8) under the mattress (3) at the longitudinal sides of said mattress (3) carrying out the following manoeuvre:

• said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) reach the travel end;

• said cover (8) is coupled to said third fixing means (6b), thus becoming coupled at the four comers, since before the stretching out operation it was already coupled to said first fixing means (6a); • said second stretching out means (7, 7a, 7b, 7c) carry out the return travel moving in the proximity of the first fixing means (6a); • said bars (2c) rotate downwards, about the respective axes (5), up to moving the longitudinal edges of the cover (8) under the longitudinal edges of the mattress (3), while this is lifted by a few centimetres;

• the mattress (3) is lowered again, locking the longitudinal edges of the cover (8).

12. Bed according to claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that it is provided with two or more devices (2, 2a) suitable for carrying out the stretching out operation on covers (8) on the mattress (3) of said bed.

13. Bed according to claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that said carriage (20), sliding on said bar (2c), supports two structures (21 ).

14. Bed according to claim 1 , characterized in that said second means suitable for stretching out said covers (8) up to the top edge (8") of said covers (8), comprise a source of fluid under pressure suitable for interacting with said stretching out parts (8b) of said cover (8), said stretching out parts (8b) determining sealed chambers, with a tubular shape and positioned along the side edges of said covers (8) which, by the effect of the pressure and of their geometry, stretch out aligning with the longitudinal edges of the mattress (3).