U.S. patent application number 11/529588 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for modular system for assembling electromechanically adjustable supporting devices for upholstery of furniture for sitting or reclining.
Invention is credited to Eckhart Dewert, Johannes Schneider.
Application Number | 20070067913 11/529588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34961848 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070067913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dewert; Eckhart ; et
al. |
March 29, 2007 |
Modular system for assembling electromechanically adjustable
supporting devices for upholstery of furniture for sitting or
reclining
Abstract
Modular system for assembling electromechanically adjustable
supporting devices for upholstery of furniture for sitting or lying
upon, particularly for bed mattresses. The supporting devices, when
assembled, have at least two supporting parts, which can be
displaced relative to one another and which serve to support the
upholstery. Modular system includes first and second longitudinal
member subassemblies joined together, forming a base body of
supporting device. Modular system includes an electromechanical
drive for displacing the supporting parts relative to one another,
and a control device for controlling the electromechanical drive.
First and second electromechanical drive units are assigned to
respective first and second longitudinal member subassemblies, and
the first and second electromechanical drive units are usable
together and brought into active connection with the same
supporting part of the supporting device for displacing it, and the
control device synchronously controls the first and second
electromechanical drive units.
Inventors: |
Dewert; Eckhart; (Zurich,
CH) ; Schneider; Johannes; (Kirchlengern,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHLESINGER, ARKWRIGHT & GARVEY LLP
1420 KING STREET
SUITE 600
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
34961848 |
Appl. No.: |
11/529588 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP05/02043 |
Feb 26, 2005 |
|
|
|
11529588 |
Sep 29, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/618 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 19/005 20130101;
A47C 20/08 20130101; A47C 20/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/618 |
International
Class: |
A47B 7/02 20060101
A47B007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 1, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 016 048.1 |
Dec 6, 2004 |
DE |
20 2004 018 913.5 |
Claims
1. Modular system for the assembly of an electromechanically
adjustable supporting device for upholstery of furniture for one of
sitting and lying upon, the modular system, when assembled, in use,
with the supporting device, comprising: a) at least two supporting
parts for supporting the upholstery and that can be adjusted
relative to one another; b) a first longitudinal member
subassembly; c) second longitudinal member subassembly; d) the
first and second longitudinal member subassemblies being
connectable together, laterally spaced apart, by a connecting
element to form a base body for the supporting device; e) an
electromechanical drive device for adjusting the supporting parts
relative to one another; f) a control device for actuating the
electromechanical drive device; g) the electromechanical drive
device including first and second electromechanical drive units; h)
the first electromechanical drive unit being assigned to the first
longitudinal member subassembly, and the second electromechanical
drive unit being assigned to the second longitudinal member
subassembly; i) the first electromechanical drive unit and the
second electromechanical drive unit are placeable in active
connection with the same supporting part of the supporting device
for adjusting the same; and j) the control device including an
electric control circuit for the substantially synchronous
actuation of the first electromechanical drive unit and the second
electromechanical drive unit.
2. Modular system according to claim 1, wherein: a) the first
electromechanical drive unit is placeable in active connection with
a first pivoting shaft assigned to the first longitudinal member
subassembly; and b) the second electromechanical drive unit is
placeable in active connection with a second pivoting shaft
assigned to the second longitudinal member subassembly; c) the
first pivoting shaft and the second pivoting shaft are placeable in
active connection with the same supporting part of the supporting
device for the purpose of adjusting the same; and d) the control
circuit actuates the first electromechanical drive unit and the
second electromechanical drive unit such that the first pivoting
shaft and the second pivoting shaft pivot substantially
synchronously with one another.
3. Modular system according to claim 1, wherein: a) the control
circuit has a memory device for storing a respective position of
adjustment of the supporting part which has been adjusted using the
first and second electromechanical drive units.
4. Modular system according to one claim 1, wherein: a) the control
circuit has a programmable circuit.
5. Modular system according to claim 1, wherein: a) the first
electromechanical drive unit is arranged n the first longitudinal
member subassembly and the second electromechanical drive unit is
arranged on the second longitudinal member subassembly.
6. Electromechanically adjustable supporting device for upholstery
of furniture for one of sitting and lying upon, the supporting
device, comprising: a) at least two supporting parts for supporting
the upholstery and that can be adjusted relative to one another; b)
a first longitudinal member subassembly; c) second longitudinal
member subassembly; d) the first and second longitudinal member
subassemblies being connectable together, laterally spaced apart,
by a connecting element to form a base body for the supporting
device; e) an electromechanical drive device for adjusting the
supporting parts relative to one another; f) a control device for
actuating the electromechanical drive device; g) the
electromechanical drive device including first and second
electromechanical drive units; h) the first electromechanical drive
unit being assigned to the first longitudinal member subassembly,
and the second electromechanical drive unit being assigned to the
second longitudinal member subassembly; i) the first
electromechanical drive unit and the second electromechanical drive
unit are in active connection with the same supporting part of the
supporting device for adjusting the same; and j) the control device
including an electric control circuit for the substantially
synchronous actuation of the first electromechanical drive unit and
the second electromechanical drive unit.
7. Supporting device according to claim 6, wherein: a) the first
electromechanical drive unit is in active connection with a first
pivoting shaft assigned to the first longitudinal member
subassembly; b) the second electromechanical drive unit is in
active connection with a second pivoting shaft assigned to the
second longitudinal member subassembly; c) the first pivoting shaft
and the second pivoting shaft are in active connection with the
same supporting part of the supporting device for the purpose of
adjusting the same; and d) the control circuit actuates the first
electromechanical drive unit and the second electromechanical drive
unit such that the first pivoting shaft and the second pivoting
shaft pivot substantially synchronously with one another.
8. Supporting device according to claim 6, wherein: a) the control
circuit has a memory device for storing a respective position of
adjustment of the supporting part which has been adjusted using the
first and second electromechanical drive units.
9. Supporting device according to one of claim 6, wherein: a) the
control circuit has a programmable circuit.
10. Supporting device according to one of claim 6, wherein: a) the
first electromechanical drive unit is arranged on the first
longitudinal member subassembly and the second electromechanical
drive unit is arranged on the second longitudinal member
subassembly.
11. Supporting device according to claim 10, a) the first and
second electromechanical drive units are connected in one of a
fixed and separable manner to the respective first and second
longitudinal member subassembly.
12. Supporting device according to claim 8, a) the memory device
includes a permanent memory unit.
13. Supporting device according to claim 6, wherein: a) the
adjustable supporting device for upholstery of furniture for one of
sitting and lying upon is configured as a bed mattress.
14. Supporting device according to claim 6, wherein: a) the
electric control circuit includes an electronic control circuit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application no.
PCT/EP2005/002043, filed 26 Feb. 2005, which claims priority of
German application no. 10 2004 016 048.1, filed 1 Apr. 2004, and
which claims priority of German application no. 20 2004 018 913.5,
filed 6 Dec. 2004, and each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a modular system for the assembly
of an electromechanically adjustable supporting device for
upholstery of furniture for one of sitting and lying upon. The
invention further relates to an electromechanically adjustable
supporting device for upholstery of furniture for one of sitting
and lying upon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electromechanically adjustable supporting devices for
upholstery of items of furniture for sitting and/or lying upon are
generally known, for example, in the form of slatted frames, for
example from DE 0 372 032 B2, DE 38 42 078 C2, DE 199 62 541 C3, DE
100 46 751 A1, DE 100 62 538 A1, and DE 100 46 751 A1.
[0004] A submattress is known from EP 0 445 325 B1, and a
physiotherapeutic table is known from DE 32 16 559 A1.
[0005] Electromechanically adjustable supporting devices for
upholstery of furniture for sitting and/or lying upon are further
known from EP 778 016 A2, WO 96/29970, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,065
B1.
[0006] From EP 0 642 753 A1 a modular system of the relevant type
is known, which comprises a first longitudinal member subassembly
and a second longitudinal member subassembly, which can be
connected to one another, laterally interspaced, via connecting
elements to form a base body of the supporting device. The modular
system known from the publication further comprises
electromechanical drive elements, which can be placed in active
connection with supporting parts of the supporting device for the
purpose of adjusting the same. Further, the known modular system in
the publication has control elements that are not described in
detail, designed for actuating the electromechanical drive
elements. In the known modular system, a dual-arm control lever is
pivotably mounted on each of the longitudinal member subassemblies,
with the assigned supporting part, for example an upper body
supporting part, being movably supported on one end of the lever.
The other end of the control lever is in active connection with the
electromechanical drive elements. In addition, the ends of the
control lever (which is allocated to one supporting part such as
the upper body supporting part) that are closest to the
electromechanical drive elements are connected to one another via a
rod that extends transversely relative to the longitudinal
direction of the supporting device, with a push element lying
adjacent to the rod, which is linearly adjustable via a spindle
actuator with a spindle nut. The spindle of the spindle actuator
can be rotary actuated via an electric motor, which is mounted
between the longitudinal member subassemblies. To adjust, for
example, the upper body supporting part, the electric motor
actuates the threaded spindle such that the spindle nut presses via
the push element against the rod that connects the ends of the
control lever, so that the control levers pivot around their
pivoting axis, thereby raising the upper body supporting part.
[0007] One disadvantage of the known modular system consists in the
fact that, because of the mechanics required to produce an
introduction of force into the respective supporting part that is
symmetrical relative the longitudinal center plane of the
supporting device, the system is very costly and thus expensive to
produce.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a modular system
for the assembly of an electromechanically adjustable supporting
device for upholstery of furniture for one of sitting and lying
upon that does not have the disadvantages, as described above, and
that thus can be more simply and cost-effectively produced.
[0009] This object is achieved by the teachings set forth
below.
[0010] This object is also achieved by an embodiment of the
invention which includes a modular system for the assembly of an
electromechanically adjustable supporting device for upholstery of
furniture for one of sitting and lying upon, which modular system,
when assembled, in use, with the supporting device, includes at
least two supporting parts for supporting the upholstery and that
can be adjusted relative to one another. There is likewise a first
longitudinal member subassembly and a second longitudinal member
subassembly, the first and second longitudinal member subassemblies
being connectable together, laterally spaced apart, by a connecting
device to form a base body for the supporting device. An
electromechanical drive device for adjusting the supporting parts
relative to one another is provided, and a control device for
actuating the electromechanical drive device is likewise provided.
The electromechanical drive device includes first and second
electromechanical drive units, the first electromechanical drive
unit being assigned to the first longitudinal member subassembly,
and the second electromechanical drive unit being assigned to the
second longitudinal member subassembly. The first electromechanical
drive unit and the second electromechanical drive unit are
placeable in active connection with the same supporting part of the
supporting device for adjusting the same, and the control device
includes an electric or electronic control circuit for the
substantially synchronous actuation of the first electromechanical
drive unit and the second electromechanical drive unit.
[0011] The basic idea of the teaching of the invention includes
allocating two drive units to one of the supporting parts to be
adjusted, which are in active connection with this supporting part
for the purpose of adjusting the same. In this manner, a first
electromechanical drive unit is assigned to and preferably arranged
on a first longitudinal member subassembly and a second
electromechanical drive unit is allocated to and preferably
arranged on the second longitudinal member subassembly, so that the
drive force of the first electromechanical drive unit is introduced
into a part of the supporting part to be adjusted that is adjacent
to the first longitudinal member subassembly, and the drive force
of the second electromechanical drive unit is introduced into the
part of the supporting part to be adjusted that is adjacent to the
second longitudinal member subassembly. In this manner, without
costly mechanics, an introduction of force into the supporting part
to be adjusted that is symmetrical in relation to the longitudinal
center plane of the supporting device is enabled, so that during
adjustment of the same, twisting, distortion, or the like can be
prevented.
[0012] The electric or electronic control circuit that is provided
according to the invention effects a synchronous or essentially
synchronous actuation of the electromechanical drive units. In this
manner it is ensured that the electromechanical drive units, which
preferably have the same construction, can be placed in operation
synchronously to adjust a supporting part, and operate
synchronously, for example in such a way that the output elements
or devices of the electromechanical drive units execute the same
adjusting movement. If the output elements of the electromechanical
drive units are, for example, spindle nuts, then, on the basis of
the synchronized actuation of the drive units, the spindle nuts
travel the same path along their linear axis of motion per unit of
time. If the output elements of the electromechanical drive units
are, for example, pivoting shafts, then the two pivoting shafts
pivot synchronously with one another by the same pivoting
angle.
[0013] In this manner, an introduction of force into the supporting
parts to be adjusted that is symmetrical in relation to the
longitudinal center plane is achieved with a very small number of
mechanical components, so that the modular system according to the
invention can be produced especially simply and thus
cost-effectively. Furthermore, due to the reduced number of
mechanical components the assembly of the modular system according
to the invention is facilitated.
[0014] One particularly advantageous further development of the
teaching of the invention provides that the first electromechanical
drive unit can be placed in active connection with a first pivoting
shaft that is assigned to the first longitudinal member
subassembly, and the second electromechanical drive unit can be
placed in active connection with a second pivoting shaft that is
assigned to the second longitudinal member subassembly, wherein the
first pivoting shaft and the second pivoting shaft can be placed in
active connection with the same supporting part of the supporting
device to allow adjustment of the same, wherein the control circuit
actuates the first electromechanical drive unit and the second
electromechanical drive unit such that the first pivoting shaft and
the second pivoting shaft pivot essentially synchronously with one
another. With this embodiment, a particularly simple, sturdy and
cost-effective construction results. The pivoting shafts can be
especially and for example non-rotatably connected to pivoting
levers, on which the supporting part to be adjusted is movably
supported, or which form a component of the supporting part to be
adjusted.
[0015] Another advantageous further development of the teaching of
the invention provides that the control circuit has a memory unit,
especially a permanent memory unit, for storing the respective
position of adjustment of the supporting parts that have been
adjusted by means of the electromechanical drive units. By using a
permanent memory unit it is ensured that the drive units can be
placed in operation in a manner that corresponds to the respective
control commands, even in the event of a loss of power.
[0016] Expediently, according to the invention the control circuit
can have a programmable circuit. Programmable circuits of this type
are available as simple and cost-effective standard components.
[0017] Another advantageous further development of the teaching of
the invention provides that the first electromechanical drive unit
is arranged on the first longitudinal member subassembly and the
second electromechanical drive unit is arranged on the second
longitudinal member subassembly. In this manner the drive units are
preassembled on the longitudinal member subassemblies, so that the
number of components required for the assembly of a supporting
device using the modular system of the invention is further
reduced. In addition, according to the invention at least one of
the longitudinal member subassemblies can be configured as a
preferably closed hollow profiled section or a hollow profiled
section that is open on one side, with the respective drive unit
being completely or at least partially accommodated within the
hollow profiled section. For example, a spindle actuator of the
respective electromechanical drive unit, including a reduction
gear, can be accommodated in the hollow profiled section, while the
electric motor is arranged outside the hollow profiled section and
can be in drive connection with parts of the drive unit that are
arranged in the interior of the longitudinal member subassembly
through a recess in the hollow profiled section.
[0018] A supporting device according to the invention is likewise
disclosed herein. Advantageous and expedient further developments
and embodiments of the supporting device according to the invention
are disclosed throughout.
[0019] Below, the invention is described in greater detail with
reference to the attached set of drawings, in which an exemplary
embodiment of a modular system according to the invention is
represented. In this, all characterizing features of the invention
that are described or represented in the drawing define and achieve
the objects of the invention, alone or in any combination, are as
described herein, and are independent of their formulation or
representation in the description or in the drawings.
[0020] Relative terms such as left, right, up, and down are for
convenience only and are not intended to be limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components of an exemplary
embodiment of a modular system according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first longitudinal member
subassembly of the modular system according to FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the longitudinal
member subassembly according to FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a part of a longitudinal section through an
exemplary embodiment of a supporting device according to the
invention, assembled using the modular system according to the
invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of control device for
actuating electromechanical drive devices of the supporting device
according to FIG. 4; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supporting device
according to FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] In FIG. 1, components of a modular system 2 according to the
invention are illustrated, which in this exemplary embodiment
includes a first longitudinal member subassembly 4 and a second
longitudinal member subassembly 6, which can be detachably
connected to one another via connecting elements that are not shown
in FIG. 1, to form a base body for a supporting device 8, the
supporting device 8 in this exemplary embodiment being configured
as a slatted frame. The connecting elements for connecting the
longitudinal member subassemblies 4, 6 can be formed, for example,
by cross rails that connect the longitudinal member subassemblies
4, 6 and extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the
supporting device 8.
[0028] In this exemplary embodiment, the first longitudinal member
subassembly 4 has a center supporting section 10, with which an
upper body supporting section 12 is connected such that it can
pivot around a horizontal pivoting axis; and a headrest section 14
is pivotably connected to the supporting section at its end that
faces away from the center supporting section 10, such that it can
pivot around a horizontal pivoting axis. A leg supporting section
16 is pivotably connected to the end of the center supporting
section 10 that is opposite the upper body supporting section 12,
such that it can pivot around a horizontal pivoting axis, and a
calf supporting section 18 is pivotably connected to its end that
is opposite the center supporting section 10 such that it can pivot
around a horizontal pivoting axis.
[0029] The second longitudinal member subassembly 6 is constructed
in a corresponding manner, and its components are provided with
reference symbols which are analogous to the reference symbols of
the first longitudinal member subassembly 4.
[0030] Slat mounts or supports for resilient slats that are not
shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the upper surface of the
supporting sections 10 through 18, or 10' through 18' , of the
longitudinal member subassemblies 4, 6, wherein in FIG. 1 in each
case only one slat support is indicated by the reference symbols 20
or 20'.
[0031] When the supporting device is assembled, in each case the
center supporting sections 10, 10' together form a center
supporting part 10'', the upper body supporting sections 12, 12'
form an upper body supporting part 12'', the headrest or head
supporting sections 14, 14' form a headrest part 14'', the leg
supporting sections 16, 16' form a leg supporting part 16'', and
the calf supporting sections 18, 18' form a calf supporting part
18''of the supporting device 8. The supporting parts 10'' through
18'' formed in this manner can be adjusted between an adjustment
position that corresponds to a sitting position of the supporting
device 8 and a lying position not shown in the drawing, in which
the supporting parts 10'' through 18'' span an essentially
horizontal support plane.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows the first longitudinal member subassembly 4,
the center supporting section 10 which in this exemplary embodiment
is configured as a closed hollow profiled section and as a housing
configured to accommodate parts of a first drive unit 22. The first
drive unit 22 in this exemplary embodiment has a first electric
motor 24, which in this exemplary embodiment is in drive connection
with a pivoting shaft 26 that is pivotably mounted on the first
longitudinal member subassembly 4. The first pivoting shaft 26 is
non-rotatably connected, in a manner described further below in
reference to FIG. 3, to the upper body supporting section 12 of the
first longitudinal member subassembly 4, so that when the pivoting
shaft 26 is pivoted by means of the electric motor 24, the upper
body supporting section 12, and thereby the upper body supporting
part 12'', is pivoted.
[0033] Next to the first drive unit 22, an additional drive unit 28
with an additional electric motor 29 is arranged on the first
longitudinal member subassembly 4, which motor serves to pivot the
leg supporting section 16 and the calf supporting section 18
relative to the center supporting section 10. The additional drive
unit 28 is configured in a manner that corresponds to the first
drive unit 26 and is not described in further detail here.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the first
longitudinal member subassembly 4 and serves to illustrate the
construction of the first drive unit 22. The first drive unit 22
has an electric motor that is arranged outside of the center
supporting section 10 of the first longitudinal member subassembly
4, the output shaft 32 of which is configured as a worm and is in
engagement with a worm gear 34 that is rotatably mounted in the
interior of the center supporting section 10 of the first
longitudinal member subassembly 4, and a threaded spindle 36, which
is rotatably mounted in the interior of the center supporting
section 10, is non-rotatably engaged with the worm gear. A spindle
nut 38 with internal threading that is mounted in a manner fixed
against rotation in the first longitudinal member subassembly 4 is
arranged on the threaded spindle 36. One end of an actuator arm 42
is connected to the spindle nut 38 via a disengagement device 40
that is of no further interest here. The other end of the actuator
arm 42 is eccentrically connected to an articulated lever 46, which
is non-rotatably connected to the first pivoting shaft 26, by a
pivoting axis 44, and around which the first pivoting shaft 26 is
pivotably mounted on the first longitudinal member subassembly
4.
[0035] A pivoting lever 48 is non-rotatably connected to the first
pivoting shaft 26, and which is a part of the upper body supporting
section 10. When the electric motor 22 of the first drive unit 32
actuates the threaded spindle 36 such that the spindle nut 38 in
FIG. 3 moves toward the right, the spindle nut 38 moves the
actuator arm 42 along with it, so that given the connection of the
actuator arm 42 to the articulated lever 46, the connection being
eccentric relative to the pivoting axis 44, the first pivoting
shaft 26 in FIG. 3 is pivoted clockwise, so that the pivoting lever
48, and thereby the upper body supporting section 12, is also
pivoted clockwise in FIG. 3.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a part of a cross-section through the first
longitudinal member subassembly 4. As is apparent from FIG. 4, the
pivoting lever 48 is non-rotatably connected to a lever extension
50, which in turn is provided with a facing 52 that holds the slat
supports 20. Thus the pivoting lever 48 together with the lever
extension 50, the facing 52, the slat supports 20 and the slats,
which are not illustrated here, form a part of the upper body
supporting part 12'' of the supporting device 8.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a functional block diagram of control device 54
for actuating the drive units 22, 30. The control device can be
actuated, for example, via a manual switch 56, and has an electric
or electronic control circuit 58 for the essentially synchronous
actuation of the first drive unit 22 and the second drive unit 30.
In this exemplary embodiment the control circuit 58 has a permanent
memory unit 60 for storing the respective position of adjustment of
the upper body support part 12 achieved by means of the drive units
22, 30.
[0038] The manner of operation of the supporting device 8 of the
invention is as follows:
[0039] When a user actuates the manual switch 56 in order, for
example, to adjust the upper body supporting part 12'' of the
supporting device 8 from an essentially horizontal position of
adjustment to the position of adjustment shown in FIG. 1, the
control circuit 58 generates control signals for the synchronous
actuation of the drive units 22, 30. These control signals are sent
to the drive units 22, 30 via control cables 62, 64.
[0040] On the basis of the synchronous actuation with the control
signals, the first drive unit 22 starts up and pivots the first
pivoting shaft 26 in FIG. 4 clockwise, so that the upper body
supporting section 12 in FIG. 4 is also pivoted clockwise. At the
same time and synchronously the second pivoting shaft 26', which is
assigned to the second longitudinal member subassembly 6, is also
pivoted clockwise in FIG. 4 by the second drive unit 30, so that
the upper body supporting section 12 is also pivoted clockwise.
Because the drive units 22, 30 are synchronously actuated by the
control circuit 58, the upper body supporting section 12 pivots
synchronously with the upper body supporting section 12', so that
during pivoting, twisting/distortion of the upper body supporting
part 12'', which is formed by the upper body supporting sections
12, 12', is reliably prevented.
[0041] Because of the control-based synchronization of the drive
units 22, 30 achieved by means of the electric or electronic
control circuit 58, mechanical synchronization devices in principle
are unnecessary. However, if desired on the basis of relevant
requirements, the pivoting shafts 26, 26' can also be non-rotatably
connected to one another via a connecting shaft.
[0042] FIG. 6 shows the supporting device 8 that is assembled using
the modular system 2 of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment
the connecting elements configured to effect the separable
connection of the longitudinal member subassemblies 4, 6 are formed
by crossbars 66, 68, which are connected to longitudinal bars 70,
72 of an exterior frame 74 of the supporting device 8, with which
longitudinal bars the longitudinal member subassemblies 6, 4 are
separably connected via screws.
[0043] In FIG. 6, an additional electric motor 29' for an
additional drive unit 28' assigned to the second longitudinal
member subassembly 6 is illustrated. By means of the additional
drive units 28, 28' the leg supporting part 16'' together with the
calf supporting part 18'' can be adjusted, wherein the additional
drive units 28, 28' can be synchronously actuated via the control
circuit, in the manner already described in relation to the drive
units 22, 22'. The construction of the additional drive units 28,
28' corresponds essentially to that of the drive units 22, 22' and
thus will not be described in further detail here.
[0044] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further
modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and
following in general the principle of the invention and including
such departures from the present disclosure as come within the
known or customary practice in the art to which the invention
pertains, and as may be applied to the central features
hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention
or limits of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *