U.S. patent application number 09/777517 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-27 for bed elevating device.
Invention is credited to Becker, Richard Douglas, Burchett, Javonni.
Application Number | 20010023509 09/777517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26876530 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010023509 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Becker, Richard Douglas ; et
al. |
September 27, 2001 |
Bed elevating device
Abstract
A system of base blocks and attachment blocks used to securely
elevate the head of various bed frames, including bed legs and
straight back bed frames. Both the base blocks and the attachment
blocks have a well disposed within their top surface, which allows
for support of a bed leg. The wells of each of the base block and
attachment block have removable first and second side pieces, which
allow for a straight back bed frame to be securely elevated. The
remaining front and rear walls of the well provide a support
mechanism for the straight back bed frame, thus providing stability
to the elevated bed. The wells on the attachment blocks have a
retaining side wall formed therearound, extending past the bottom
surface of the attachment block. The retaining side wall of the
well is of a size and shape to match the well of the base block or
another attachment block, providing a stable nesting feature, thus
allowing for the elevation of a bed to be easily adjusted.
Inventors: |
Becker, Richard Douglas;
(St. Charles, IL) ; Burchett, Javonni; (Flat Rock,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Laura M. Hagan
KERRICK, GRISE, STIVERS & COYLE
1025 State Street
P.O. Box 9547
Bowling Green
KY
42102-9547
US
|
Family ID: |
26876530 |
Appl. No.: |
09/777517 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60180648 |
Feb 7, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/509.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 19/045 20130101;
A47C 19/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/509.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 023/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A bed elevating device, comprising: a base block having a top
surface, and a front and rear wall; a well formed within said top
surface; said first and second side wall of said well removably
retained within said well.
2. The bed elevating device of claim 1 further comprising an
attachment block, said attachment block having a top surface with a
well formed therein, said well having a retaining side wall formed
therearound, said retaining side wall extending downward below a
bottom surface of said attachment block.
3. The bed elevating device of claim 2 wherein said retaining side
wall of said well of said attachment block is removably retained
within said well of said base block.
4. The bed elevating deice of claim 1 wherein said base block has a
predefined height, said well of said base block formed in said top
surface extending downward into said base block a depth of said
predefined height.
5. The bed elevating device of claim 1 further comprising an
insert, said insert removably retained within said well.
6. The bed elevating device of claim 5 wherein said well is further
comprised of a well bottom surface, said well bottom surface having
a plurality of apertures formed therein, said insert having a
plurality of extension, said extensions removably retained within
said apertures of said well bottom surface.
7. The bed elevating device of claim 5 wherein said insert is an
inclined insert.
8. The bed elevating device of claim 5 wherein said insert is
received in said well of said base block after removal of said
first and second side wall of said well.
9. The bed elevating device of claim 2 wherein said attachment
block has a first and second side wall of said well, said first and
second side wall of said well removably retained on said attachment
block.
10. The bed elevating device of claim 3 further comprising an
insert, said insert removably retained within said well of said
attachment block.
11. The bed elevating device of claim 3 wherein said well is
further comprised of a well bottom surface, said well bottom
surface having a plurality of apertures formed therein, said insert
having a plurality of extension, said extensions removably retained
within said apertures of said well bottom surface.
12. The bed elevating device of claim 3 wherein said insert is an
inclined insert.
13. The bed elevating device of claim 7 wherein said inclined
insert is further comprised of a padded top surface.
14. The bed elevating device of claim 12 wherein said inclined
insert is further comprised of a padded top surface.
15. A bed elevating system for raising the height of a bed,
comprising: a base block having a top surface and a well formed
therein, said well having a first and second side wall; zero or
more attachment blocks removably retained within said well of said
base block, each of said zero or more attachment blocks having a
top surface and a well formed therein, said well having a retaining
wall formed therearound and extending downward through said
attachment block, said retaining wall of said well of said
attachment block removably retained within said well of said base
block; wherein said well of said attachment block is further
comprised of a first and second side wall, said first and second
side wall removably retained within said well of said attachment
block.
16. The bed elevating system of claim 15 further comprising an
insert removably retained within said well of said attachment
block, said insert having an inclined top surface.
17. The bed elevating system of claim 15 further comprising an
insert having a plurality of extensions, said well of said
attachment block having a plurality of matching apertures, said
plurality of extensions of said insert retained within said
apertures of said well.
18. The bed elevating system of claim 15 further comprising a
center bed post support block, said center bed post support block
having a height about one-half the height of said base block.
19. The bed elevating device of claim 1 where in said base block is
further comprised of a bottom surface, said bottom surface having a
plurality of apertures with rollers removably retained within said
apertures of said bottom surface.
20. A bed-elevating system for raising the height of a bed,
comprising; a base block having a top surface, with a well formed
therein, said well having a removably retained first and second
side wall; one or more attachment blocks, said attachment blocks
having a top surface with a well formed therein, said well having a
side wall formed therearound, said retaining side wall extending
downward below a bottom surface of said attachment block and
removably retained within said well of said base block or said well
of an attachment block; wherein said well of said attachment blocks
have a first and second side wall, removably retained on said well
of said attachment blocks; wherein an insert having a top and
bottom surface is removably retained within said well of said
attachment block.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent
application 60/180,648 filed on Feb. 7, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a bed elevating device, capable of
receiving and securely elevating various types of headboards for
beds, including straight-back bed frames as well as other types of
legs of beds.
[0004] 2. Review of the Prior Art
[0005] Persons with certain medical conditions, such as
gastro-esophageal reflux disease, are often advised by their
physicians to raise the head of their beds, to introduce a tilt to
their sleeping surface, which can have beneficial physiological
effects. For example, when gastro-esophageal reflux disease is
present in an individual, the tilting of a sleeping surface
utilizes gravity to decrease the likelihood that acidic stomach
contents will pass upward through the esophageal sphincter.
Elevation of the head of a bed may also be useful to assist
individuals with other physical ailments such as sinusitis, allergy
symptoms and other conditions. Depending on the nature and severity
of the condition, doctors may give different advice as to the
degree of tilt necessary to alleviate a condition. Doctors may also
advise an individual to initially start with a greater tilt and
gradually taper the degree of tilt as the condition improves. For
this reason, it is advantageous to have a system that allows for an
individual to easily and securely adjust the head of a bed to
various specific heights.
[0006] There are many inventions disclosed in the prior art capable
of elevating furniture or bed frames; however, none of the prior
art has the adaptive capability to elevate all types of bed frames,
including a straight back bed frame in a secure fashion.
Additionally, the prior art does not provide for a system of
elevating the head of a bed, along with providing support for the
elevated middle support post of the bed to a proportional height.
Finally, other bed elevating devices do not allow for the bed to be
easily moved once it is in the elevated position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a bed
elevating device that is capable of adaptively receiving and
securely elevating legs of beds or the bottom portion of a straight
back bed frame. This objective is achieved by utilizing a base
block having a well disposed within its top surface, capable of
receiving most legs of beds. The top surface of the base block also
has first and second side walls which can be removed, leaving
raised walls capable of receiving and securely elevating and
retaining a straight back bed frame or an unusually large or unique
shaped leg of a bed. The raised walls serve to retain the bed frame
in an elevated position and thus prevents the bed frame from
slipping off of the bed elevating device.
[0008] The present invention also allows a bed in the elevated
position to be easily moved, since the leg or straight back bed
frame is securely retained when in the elevated position. Also, the
bottom surface of the base block is created of a non-frictional
material capable of sliding easily across a floor and the bottom
surface of the base block may also be adapted to receive rollers,
thus facilitating the ease of movement.
[0009] An attachment block can also be utilized in conjunction with
the base block to provide for increased elevation of a bed. An
attachment block has a top surface with a well formed therein, a
retaining side wall formed therearound, extending downward below
the bottom surface the attachment block. The retaining side wall of
the well is of a size and a shape to match the well in the base
block or another attachment block, thus providing for a stable
nesting of the blocks. The well of the attachment block also has
first and second side walls which can be removed, leaving a raised
front and rear wall capable of receiving and securely elevating a
straight back bed frame or a unusually large or unique shaped leg
of a bed.
[0010] Another object of this invention is to provide a bed
elevating device with features that prevent damage from occurring
to the leg of a bed or bed frame that is elevated. The present
invention utilizes inserts that fit within the well of the base
block or attachment block to allow for minute adjustments to the
elevation height of the bed. These inserts may also have an
inclined or tilted surface so as to provide that the bottom of the
bed leg or bed frame lay flush on the bed elevating device, thus
preventing the possibility that damage will occur to the bed frame
or leg of the bed. Additionally, these inserts may be padded, thus
further providing additional protection for the bed leg or
frame.
[0011] Finally, this invention utilizes a system wherein the middle
support posts of a bed may also be supported at a proportionate
height to the elevation of the head of the bed. A combination of
all these factors provides an easily adjustable and secure means
for elevating a bed.
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base block of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base block of the
present invention with the first and second side walls of the well
removed.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the first and
second side walls of the well and the base block of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an attachment
block of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the attachment block of FIG.
4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an insert and a base block of
the present invention with the first and second side walls of the
well removed.
[0018] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a tilted insert and a base
block of the present invention with the first and second side walls
of the well removed.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a base block nested with two
attachment blocks of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a base block nested with an
attachment block of the present invention that has the first and
second side walls of the well removed, and supporting a straight
back bed frame.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a base block and an
attachment block of the present invention with the first and second
side walls of the well retained supporting a leg of a bed.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a side view of a bed elevated by a base block and
an attachment block of the present invention at the head and
proportionately shorter base block and attachment block at the
middle support post.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a side view of a head of a bed frame elevated by
a base block of the present invention with a tilted insert.
[0024] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the bottom surface of a base
block of the present invention with rollers.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a tilted insert showing a
padded top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] The initial component of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 1, which discloses a rectangular shaped base block 1 with a
well 2 disposed within its top surface 3. The well 2 has a first
and second side wall, 4, 5 and a front and rear wall 6, 7. The
disclosed shape of the base block 1 is a rectangle, but the shape
may vary to include, but not limited to, a round, square, oval or
other design shape. The bottom surface 15 of the base block 1 is
flat and is comprised of a non-frictional surface, thus enabling it
to slide easily across any type of flooring, including carpet. In
its preferred embodiment, the base block 1 would be constructed of
a hard plastic material; however, it may also be constructed of
wood, metal or another comparable material. Additionally, the
bottom surface 15 of the base block 1 may contain apertures 16, as
shown in FIG. 13 to allow for the insertion of rollers, 17 to
additionally facilitate ease of movement of an elevated bed. The
apertures 16 may be placed along the four corners of the bottom
surface 15 of the base block 1, and the rollers 17 may be attached
to the bottom surface 15 similar to a self-locking dowel
system.
[0027] The well 2 of the base block 1 is sufficient depth into
which the leg of a bed 71, shown in FIG. 11, may be placed and
securely maintained by the well 2. The well 2 is typically a depth
of at least one to one-half inches, but the depth may be varied.
The well 2, as is shown in FIG. 1, is the shape of a rectangle;
however, this shape may vary to include, but not be limited to,
other shapes, such as round, square, oval or other design.
[0028] The first and second side walls 4, 5 of the well 2 of the
base block 1 are removable, as is shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 shows
that once these first and second side walls 4, 5 are removed, the
base block 1 is capable of receiving a straight back bed frame 70,
shown in FIG. 9, which is securely retained by the raised front and
rear walls 6, 7. The raised front and rear walls 6, 7 provide a
support structure that prevents a straight back bed frame 70 from
inadvertently sliding off of the base block 1. The additional
support provided by the raised front and rear walls 6, 7 also allow
for a bed to be moved while in an elevated position.
[0029] The well 1 may be defined by many shapes, in which case the
side walls 4, 5 may merely be portions of the surrounding structure
of well 2. This may also be utilized in design of the corresponding
attachment blocks 20.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows the first and second side walls 4, 5 of the
well 2 attached to the base block 1 by means of two mortise
structures 8, 9 on the first and second side walls of the well 4, 5
of the base block 1 and two tenon structures 10, 11 on the raised
front and rear walls 6, 7 of the well 2. Similar connecting
devices, such as a dovetail or flared insert design, could also be
utilized for attaching the first and second side walls 4, 5 to the
base block 1 when necessary. FIG. 3 also shows the bottom surface
12 of the well 2 of the base block 1, which has a plurality of
apertures 13 formed therein. The first and second side walls 4, 5
have a plurality of extensions 14 on the bottom surface of each
first and second side wall 4, 5, which are removably retained by
the apertures 13 of the bottom surface 12 of the well 2, thus
providing for additional support to retain the first and second
side walls 4, 5 of the well 2 to the base block 1. Recessed bolts,
screws, clamps or other means could also be utilized to secure the
first and second side walls 4, 5 of the well 2 to the base block
1.
[0031] When the first and second side walls 4, 5 of the well 2 are
secured to the base block 1, as depicted in FIG. 1, the base block
1 is capable of receiving an attachment block 20, shown in FIG. 4,
to provide for additional elevation of a bed. The attachment block
20 has a top surface 21 that contains a well 22 formed by a
retaining side wall 23, which extends downward though the
attachment block 20. The well 22 extends throughout the width of
the attachment block 20 and past the bottom surface 31 of the
attachment block 20, as is shown in FIG. 5. The depth of the well
22 of the attachment block 20 may vary, but does not extend past
the bottom surface 31 of the attachment block 20. The retaining
wall 23 of the well 22 of the attachment block 20, which extends
throughout the attachment block 20 and past the bottom surface 31
of the attachment block 20, is a solid piece.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates that the well 22 on the attachment block
20 also has first and second side walls 24, 25 that are removably
retained by the attachment block 20. When the first and second side
walls 24, 25 of the well 22 of the attachment block 20 are
retained, the attachment block 20 is capable of securely receiving
and elevating the leg of a bed 71, as is shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 9
shows that once these first and second side walls 24, 25 are
removed, the attachment block 20 is capable of receiving a straight
back bed frame 70, which is then securely supported by raised front
and rear walls 26, 27 of the attachment block 20.
[0033] As is illustrated in FIG. 4, each of these first and second
side walls 24, 25 of the attachment block 20 are connected to the
attachment block 20 by two mortise structures 28, 29 on the first
and second side walls 24, 25 of the attachment block 20 and two
tenon 30, 31 structures on the front and rear walls 26, 27 of the
well 22 on the attachment block 20. The well 22 of the attachment
block 20 also has a bottom surface 32 that has a plurality of
apertures 33 formed therein. The first and second side walls 24, 25
of the attachment block 20 additionally have a plurality of
extensions 34 on the bottom surfaces, which are removably retained
by the apertures 33 of the bottom surface 32 of the well 22 of the
attachment block 20, which provides additional support for the
first and second side walls 24, 25 when they are retained by the
attachment block 20. Recessed bolts, screws, clamps or other means
could also be utilized to secure the first and second side walls
24, 25 of the well 22 to the attachment block 20. Both the base
block 1 and the attachment blocks 20 may be constructed without the
ability to remove the first and second side walls 4, 5, 24, 25, of
the wells 2, 22.
[0034] When a bed frame is to be elevated to a level greater than
the height of a combined base block 1 and attachment block 20, a
second attachment block 40, as is shown in FIG. 8, may be used to
increase the level of elevation. If a second attachment block 40 is
utilized with a combined base block 1 and attachment block 20, the
first and second side walls 4, 5 of the well 2 on the base block 1
must be retained, along with the first and second side walls 24, 25
of the well 22 of the attachment block 20. The second attachment
block 40 may then have the first and second side walls 44, 45 of
the well 42 removed or retained, depending on the type of bed frame
needing elevation. If the first and second side walls 44, 45 of the
well 42 are removed to accommodate a straight back bed frame 70,
then the raised front and rear walls 46, 47 assist in securely
maintaining the bed frame.
[0035] FIG. 8 illustrates how the retaining side wall 43 of the
well 42 of the second attachment block 40, which extends beyond the
bottom surface 51 of the second attachment block 40, is designed to
fit securely into the well 22 of the attachment block 20.
Accordingly, the retaining side wall 23 of the well 22 of the
attachment block 20 must correspond to the shape of the well 2 of
the base block 1 into which it is to be inserted. Once two or more
attachment blocks 20 are utilized in this stacking manner, the
stacked attachment blocks 20 are all retained within the well 2 of
the base block 1. Although the well 22 of the attachment block 20
and well 42 of the second attachment block 40 are both shown in the
accompanying drawings in the shape of a rectangle, its shape can
vary to include, but not be limited to, round, square, oval or
other design. If increased elevation is required, more than two
attachment blocks 20 may be utilized.
[0036] Base blocks 1 and attachment blocks 20 of varying heights
may also be used to elevate the middle support post 73 of a bed. As
is shown in FIG. 11, the base block 1 or combination of base block
1 and attachment blocks 20 used to elevate the middle support post
73 of the bed should be proportionately shorter than the base block
1 or combination of base block 1 and attachment blocks 20 used at
the head of a bed by a factor of approximately one-half, since the
middle support posts for beds are typically approximately midway
between the top and bottom of the frame, and is thus raised
approximately one-half as high as the front of the bed.
[0037] The height to which a bed is elevated by the present
invention may vary. For example, a base block 1 of four inches in
height along with an attachment block 20 of four inches may be
utilized to raise the head of the bed. In this situation, if a
middle support bar was present on the bed, a base block 1 or a
combination of a base block 1 and an attachment block 20 could be
utilized to elevate the middle support post 73. For example, the
middle support post 73 could be supported by a base block 1 of four
inches in height or a combination of a base block 1 of two inches
and an attachment block 20 of two inches in height. It is
anticipated that base blocks 1 and attachment blocks 20 of varying
heights could be produced to allow for beds to be raised to
numerous desired increments.
[0038] The bottom surfaces of the wells 12, 32 of both the base
block 1 and the attachment block 20 may be covered with a non-slip
material 61, as is shown in FIG. 2, to prevent the resting leg,
roller or straight back frame of the bed from slipping off the base
block 1 or attachment block 20. This non-slip material 61 increases
the stability of the elevated bed and assists in ensuring that the
bed leg or frame does not slip off the bed elevating device.
[0039] The height of the blocks may be minutely adjusted by use of
inserts 80, as is shown in FIG. 6. These inserts 80 have a top
surface 81 and a bottom surface 82, which fit on the bottom
surfaces of the wells 12, 32 of either the base block 1 or the
adjustment block 22. These inserts 80 can be utilized either with
the first and second side walls 4, 5, 24, 25 of the wells 2, 22
retained or with the first and second side walls 4, 5, 24, 25
removed. If utilized with the first and second side walls 4, 5, 24,
25 retained, the insert 80 would be designed to fit within the well
2, 22 structure itself If the insert 80 is utilized with the first
and second side walls 4, 5, 24, 25 removed, then the insert 80
would be designed to cover the entire bottom surface of the well
12, 32, as is shown in FIG. 6, which illustrates an insert 80
utilized with a base block 1 with the first and second side walls
4, 5 of the well 2 removed. The insert 80 has a plurality of
extensions 83 on its bottom surface 82, designed to fit within the
plurality of apertures 16, 36 formed on the bottom surfaces of the
well 12, 32 on the base block 1 or attachment block 20. The inserts
80 could also be attached to the base block 1 or attachment block
20 by means of recessed bolts, screws, clamps or other means.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows how tilted inserts 85 may also be used in
conjunction with the base block 1 or an attachment block 20. The
tilted inserts 85 have an inclined top surface 86, resembling a
ramp-type structure, and attach to the base block 1 or attachment
block 20 in the same fashion as the inserts 80 previously
discussed. The tilted inserts 85 serve to provide an inclined
structure on which to rest the frame or leg of the bed, as is shown
in FIG. 12, providing that the bottom of the bed frame will rest
flush on the bottom surface of the well 12, 32, thus reducing the
possibility that damage to the bed may occur with use of the bed
elevating device. The degree of incline on the top surface 86 of
the tilted inserts 85 may be varied to provide various degrees of
angles. Additionally, the inserts 80 and tilted inserts 85 may also
contain a pad 90 on their top surfaces 81, 86, as is shown in FIG.
14, to further provide protection from damage to the bed frame or
leg of the bed.
[0041] The inserts 80 and the tilted inserts 85 may be covered with
a non-slip material 61 to assist in preventing the bed frame or leg
from slipping off of the base block 1 or attachment block 20. Also,
the exterior shape of the inserts 80 and tilted inserts 85 may be
varied to accommodate the shape of the well 2, 22 of the base block
1 or the attachment block 20 with which it is to be utilized.
[0042] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
shown and described, modifications thereof can't be made by one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *