Foldable Bed

Abstract

A foldable bed includes an upstanding cabinet; a bed frame assembly; and a pair of shifting mechanisms for pivotally supporting the bed frame assembly to the cabinet so the bed frame assembly can be shifted between a raised, closed position and a lowered, open position. Each of the shifting mechanisms includes a hinge plate pivotally connected to the cabinet and integrally formed with a portion of the bed frame assembly and a piston coupled between the hinge plate and the cabinet for assisting with shifting of the bed frame assembly between the raised and lowered positions. The bed frame assembly broadly comprises a tray; a metal frame positioned on top of and attached to the tray; and a plurality of metal legs positioned below and attached to the tray and the metal frame.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Family members and friends often wish to stay with their loved ones as they recover from surgeries, births, and other medical procedures in hospitals and other care centers. Most hospital rooms aren't large enough to accommodate separate beds for visitors, so the visitors often must sleep on chairs or even on the floor. Some hospital rooms are equipped with folding beds, pull-out couches, and other similar types of furniture, but known versions of these devices occupy almost as much floor space as conventional beds and are difficult to install and operate. Many of these devices are also unstable and uncomfortable.

SUMMARY

[0002] The present invention solves the above-described problems by providing a foldable bed that occupies less space than many prior art beds, is simple to install and operate, and is more stable, secure, and comfortable than many prior art beds.

[0003] An embodiment of the foldable bed of the present invention broadly comprises an upstanding cabinet; a bed frame assembly for supporting a mattress; and a pair of shifting mechanisms for pivotally supporting the bed frame assembly to the cabinet so the bed frame assembly can be shifted between a raised, closed position and a lowered, open position. The shifting mechanisms cooperate with other components of the bed to permit the bed frame assembly to occupy as little floor space as possible when opened and when being shifted between its closed and opened positions. The shifting mechanisms and other components of the bed also direct substantially all the weight of the bed to the bed's legs rather than to an adjacent wall so that the bed can be used virtually anywhere and does not have to be bolted or otherwise anchored to the studs in a wall.

[0004] In one embodiment, each of the shifting mechanisms comprises a hinge plate and a piston mechanism. Each hinge plate is pivotally connected to the cabinet and is integrally formed with a portion of the bed frame assembly. Each piston mechanism is coupled between its hinge plate and the cabinet for assisting with the lowering and raising of the bed and is oriented to maintain the stability of the bed

[0005] The bed also includes a novel bed frame assembly design that supports more weight than conventional fold-out beds while also providing a more stable and comfortable base for a mattress. One embodiment of the bed frame assembly broadly comprises a tray; a metal frame positioned on top of and attached to the tray; and a plurality of metal legs positioned below and attached to the tray and the metal frame.

[0006] An embodiment of the tray is formed of synthetic resin material and comprises a plurality of spaced-apart, raised, air-filled cushions for supporting a mattress. The cushions firmly support the mattress and provide a cushioning effect similar to that of a box spring. The tray also comprises a plurality of raised, elongated ridges positioned between the cushions for coupling with the metal frame and a raised outer edge for securing the mattress within the tray.

[0007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a foldable bed constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention and shown in its raised, closed position.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the foldable bed shown in its raised, closed position.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the bed shown with one of its side panels removed to expose portions of one of its shifting mechanisms.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bed shown in its lowered, open position and with one of its side panels removed.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a side view of the bed, shown in its lowered, open position with one of its side panels removed.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the metal frame of the cabinet, the metal frame of the bed frame, and the shifting mechanisms shown removed from the other components of the bed.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view of the metal frames and shifting mechanisms when the bed is in its lowered, open position.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the metal frames and pivot mechanisms when the bed is approximately half way between its lowered and raised positions.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a side view of the metal frames and shifting mechanisms when the bed is in its raised, closed position.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bed frame's tray shown removed from the other components of the bed.

[0019] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following detailed description of embodiments of the invention references the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0021] In this description, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0022] Turning now to the drawing figures, and initially FIG. 3, a foldable bed 10 constructed in accordance with various embodiments is illustrated and broadly comprises an upstanding cabinet 12; a bed frame assembly 14; and a pair of shifting mechanisms 16, 18 for pivotally supporting the bed frame assembly to the cabinet so the bed frame assembly can be shifted between a raised, closed position shown in FIGS. 1-3, and a lowered, open position, shown in FIGS. 4-6. The bed 10 is especially suited for use in hospital rooms and other medical rooms, but may also be used in college dormitories, apartments, nursing homes, military barracks, or anywhere else where beds are required but space is limited.

[0023] The cabinet 12 is provided for enclosing and partially concealing the bed frame assembly 14 when it is in its raised, closed position and for helping to support and stabilize the entire bed 10 while the bed frame assembly 14 is being raised and lowered. The cabinet 12 may be of any size and shape, and in one embodiment comprises a metal frame 20; and a plurality of panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 that attach to and partially cover the frame.

[0024] As best illustrated in FIG. 6, the metal frame comprises a pair of spaced-apart vertically-extending side rails 32, 34, the lower ends of which form two rear legs 36, 38 for the cabinet. Two horizontally-extending attachment brackets 40, 42, 44, 46 are attached to each side rail 32, 34, the purpose of which is described below. A horizontally-extending top rail 48 is connected between the side rails and secured by a pair of angle braces 50, 52. A pair of L-shaped mounting plates 54, 56 are attached to opposite ends of the top rail for use in connecting the panels 26, 28, 30 as described below. A horizontally-extending lower rail 49 is connected between the side rails 32, 34 and secured by a pair of angle braces 51, 53. A horizontally-extending bottom rail 58 is spaced from and connected to the side rails 32, 34 by a pair of brackets 60, 62. A pair of front cabinet legs 64, 66 depend from the bottom rail 58. The various rails, brackets, etc. of the frame 20 may be constructed of any metal or other suitable materials and may be bolted, welded, or otherwise connected together by any conventional means.

[0025] The panels 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 attach to and partially cover the metal frame 20 as best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. In one embodiment, the panels consist of a rear panel 22, shown in FIG. 2, and a shortened front panel 24, shown in FIG. 1. The front and rear panels may be formed of thin plastic or plywood. The panels also include a top panel 28 and two side panels 26, 30 connected to the plates 54, 56 and brackets 60, 62 of the metal frame, as shown. The panels 26, 28, 30 may be formed of plastic or other synthetic resin materials in a blow-mold process. The panels 22-30 not only improve the appearance of the bed, but also increase the strength and rigidity of the cabinet 12 so that it can securely support the bed frame assembly 14 as it is being raised and lowered as described in more detail below.

[0026] The bed frame assembly 14 supports a mattress as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4 and can be raised or lowered relative to the cabinet as described generally above and in more detail below. The bed frame assembly 14 is designed to support more weight than conventional fold-out beds while also providing a more stable and comfortable base for the mattress. One embodiment of the bed frame assembly 14 broadly comprises a tray 68; a metal frame 70 (best shown in FIG. 6) positioned on top of and attached to the tray 68 (best shown in FIGS. 4 and 10); and a plurality of metal legs 72, 74, 76 positioned below and attached to the tray and the metal frame.

[0027] The tray 68 may be formed of plastic or other synthetic resin materials and may be formed in a blow mold process. An embodiment of the tray 68 is best shown in FIG. 10 and comprises a plurality of spaced-apart, raised, air-filled cushions 78. Each cushion may be rectangular-shaped and includes an array of depressions or cavities 80. The cushions 78 and their integral depressions 80 firmly support a mattress on the bed frame and provide a cushioning effect so the bed can be used without a separate box spring. The tray 60 also comprises a plurality of raised, elongated ridges 82 positioned between the cushions 78 for coupling with the rails of metal frame 70 and a raised outer edge 84 for securing the mattress within the tray.

[0028] The tray 68 also includes recessed front corners 86, 88 and recessed rear corners 90, 92 for accommodating components of the metal frame as described below. Openings 94, 96, 98 are formed through the front corners and near the center of the front edge of the tray for use in attaching the legs 72,74, 76 as described below.

[0029] The metal frame 70 adds strength to the bed frame assembly 14 and allows it to support 500 pounds or more. An embodiment of the metal frame 70 is best shown in FIG. 6 and comprises two rear corner plates 100, 102; two front corner plates 104, 106; a left side rail 108 connected between the corner plates 100, 104; a right side rail 110 connected between the corner plates 102, 106; a rear rail 112 connected between the rear corner plates 100, 102; and a front rail 114 connected between the front corner plates 104, 106.

[0030] An embodiment of the rear corner plates 100, 102 are planar and square or rectangular-shaped and are integrally formed with a component of the shifting mechanisms 16, 18 as described in more detail below. As best shown in FIG. 4, the rear corner plates 100, 102 fit within and are bolted or otherwise fastened to the recessed rear corners 90, 92 of the tray. Similarly, an embodiment of the front corner plates 104, 106 are planar and square or rectangular-shaped. The front corner plates 104, 106 fit within and are bolted or otherwise fastened to the recessed front corners 86, 88 of the tray.

[0031] The frame 70 also includes a plurality of inner rails 116 parallel to and spaced between the left side rail 108 and the right side rail 110 and a central rail 118 parallel to and spaced between the front rail 114 and the rear rail 112. The rails 108-118 are positioned over and attached to the elongated ridges 82 in the tray as shown. The rails may be formed of U-shaped or L-shaped aluminum or steel channels and may be welded, bolted, or otherwise fastened together.

[0032] The metal legs 72, 74, 76 fit within similar recessed regions on the opposite side of the tray and are bolted or otherwise fastened to the front corner plates 104, 106 and the front rail 114 through the openings 94, 96, 98 in the tray. The legs may fold inwardly when the bed frame assembly 14 is closed as depicted in FIG. 1 and may operate latches or locks when closed to lock the bed frame assembly in the cabinet.

[0033] The shifting mechanisms 16, 18 assist in the lowering and raising of the bed frame assembly 14 and mattress as described above and cooperate with other components of the bed to permit the bed frame assembly 14 to occupy as little floor space as possible. The shifting mechanisms 16, 18 and other components of the bed also direct all of the weight of the bed to the legs positioned on the cabinet and the bed frame assembly, rather than to an adjacent wall, so the bed can be used virtually anywhere without requiring that it be bolted or otherwise anchored to wall studs or other structural supports.

[0034] In one embodiment, each of the shifting mechanisms comprises a hinge plate 120, 122 and a piston mechanism 127, 129. Each hinge plate 120, 122 is pivotally connected to one of the brackets 42, 46 of the cabinet frame by a bushing 124, 126 or similar pivot and includes an angled leg 128, 130 for attachment to one of the pistons. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the pivot point of each hinge plate 120, 122 is above and between the front and rear legs of the cabinet so the legs support virtually all the weight of the bed frame assembly and mattress as they are being raised and lowered. Each hinge plate 120, 122 is also integrally formed with or attached to one of the rear corner plates 100, 102. Each piston mechanism is coupled between one of the hinge plates and one of the support brackets and is oriented to maintain the stability of the bed.

[0035] When the bed is in its raised, closed position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, the pistons 124, 126 are fully extended and substantially all of the weight of the bed is supported on the legs of the cabinet. The bed may be locked in this position by any suitable latches or locking mechanisms coupled with the legs 72, 74, 76. The bed frame assembly 14 may then be lowered by activating the latches and slowing pulling the bed frame assembly 14 from the cabinet 12. As the bed frame assembly 14 is lowered as depicted in FIG. 8, the pistons resist the movement and provide a ballast against the weight of the bed. Because of the configuration and mounting arrangement of the shifting mechanism, the pistons 127, 129 remain mostly vertical over the entire path of travel of the bed frame assembly so that much of the weight of the bed frame assembly remains nearly centered over the front and rear cabinet legs 36, 64 and 38, 66. When the bed is fully lowered as shown in FIGS. 4-7, the legs of the bed frame assembly assist in supporting the weight of the bed and its occupants. The above-described steps may be reversed whenever it is desired to close or raise the bed frame assembly.

[0036] Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. For example, the principles of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated central pivot irrigation systems but may be implemented in any type of irrigation system including linear move irrigation systems.

Claims

1. A foldable bed comprising: an upstanding cabinet; a bed frame assembly; and a pair of shifting mechanisms for pivotally supporting the bed frame assembly to the cabinet so the bed frame assembly can be shifted between a raised, closed position and a lowered, open position; each of the shifting mechanisms comprising-- a hinge plate pivotally connected to the cabinet and integrally formed with a portion of the bed frame assembly; and a piston coupled between the hinge plate and the cabinet for assisting with shifting of the bed frame assembly between the raised and lowered positions.

2. The foldable bed of claim 1, the cabinet comprising: a metal frame; and a plurality of panels that attach to and partially cover the metal frame.

3. The foldable bed of claim 2, the cabinet metal frame comprising: a pair of spaced-apart vertically-extending side rails, the lower ends of which form two rear legs; a horizontally-extending top rail connected between the side rails; a horizontally-extending bottom rail spaced from and connected to the side rails by a pair of short side rails; and a pair of front legs extending from the bottom rail.

4. The foldable bed of claim 3, wherein the hinge plate has a pivot point above and between the rear legs and the front legs of the cabinet.

5. The foldable bed of claim 3, wherein the pistons are positioned above and between the rear and front legs of the cabinet and remain generally vertically-disposed over the entire path of travel of the bed frame assembly.

6. The foldable bed of claim 1, the bed frame assembly comprising: a tray formed of synthetic resin material; a metal frame positioned on top of and attached to the tray; a plurality of metal legs positioned below and attached to the tray and the metal frame.

7. The foldable bed of claim 6, the tray comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart, mattress-engaging raised cushions for supporting a mattress on the bed frame; a plurality of raised, elongated ridges positioned between the cushions for coupling with the metal frame of the bed frame assembly, a raised outer edge for securing the mattress within the tray.

8. The foldable bed of claim 7, the metal frame of the bed frame assembly comprising: a pair of rear corner plates, a pair of front corner plates, a left side rail connected between one of the rear corner plates and one of the front corner plates, a right side rail connected between the other of the rear corner plates and the other of the front corner plates, a rear rail connected between the two rear corner plates, a front rail connected between the two front corner plates, a plurality of spaced-apart inner rails positioned between the left side rail and the right side rail and connected between the front rail and the rear rail, and a central rail positioned between the front rail and the rear rail and connected between the left side rail and the right side rail.

9. The foldable bed of claim 8, wherein the left side rail, right side rail, rear rail, front rail, inner rails, and central rail are positioned over and attached to the elongated ridges in the tray.

10. A foldable bed comprising: an upstanding cabinet; a bed frame assembly; and a pair of shifting mechanisms for pivotally supporting the bed frame assembly to the cabinet so the bed frame assembly can be shifted between a raised, closed position and a lowered, use position; the bed frame assembly comprising-- a tray formed of synthetic resin material; a metal frame positioned on top of and attached to the tray; a plurality of metal legs positioned below and attached to the tray and the metal frame.

11. The foldable bed of claim 10, each of the shifting mechanisms comprising: a hinge plate pivotally connected to the cabinet; and a piston coupled between the hinge plate and the cabinet for assisting with shifting of the bed frame assembly between the raised and lowered positions.

12. The foldable bed of claim 11, the cabinet comprising: a metal frame; a plurality of plastic panels that attach to and partially cover the metal frame.

13. The foldable bed of claim 12, the cabinet metal frame comprising: a pair of spaced-apart vertically-extending side rails, the lower ends of which form two rear legs for the cabinet; a horizontally-extending top rail connected between the side rails; a horizontally-extending bottom rail spaced from and connected to the side rails by a pair of braces; and a pair of front legs extending from the bottom rail.

14. The foldable bed of claim 10, the tray comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart, raised, mattress-engaging cushions for supporting a mattress on the bed frame; a plurality of raised, elongated ridges positioned between the cushions for coupling with the metal frame of the bed frame assembly, a raised outer edge for securing the mattress within the tray.

15. The foldable bed of claim 10, the metal frame of the bed frame assembly comprising; a pair of rear corner plates, a pair of front corner plates, a left side rail connected between one of the rear corner plates and one of the front corner plates, a right side rail connected between the other of the rear corner plates and the other of the front corner plates, a rear rail connected between the two rear corner plates, a front rail connected between the two front corner plates, a plurality of spaced-apart inner rails positioned between the left side rail and the right side rail and connected between the front rail and the rear rail, and a central rail positioned between the front rail and the rear rail and connected between the left side rail and the right side rail.

16. The foldable bed of claim 13, wherein the hinge plate has a pivot point above and between the rear legs and the front legs of the cabinet.

17. The foldable bed of claim 16, wherein the pistons are positioned above and between the rear and front legs of the cabinet and remain generally vertically-disposed over the entire path of travel of the bed frame assembly.

18. A foldable bed comprising: an upstanding cabinet the cabinet comprising: a metal frame; and a plurality of plastic panels that attach to and partially cover the metal frame; a bed frame assembly comprising: a tray formed of synthetic resin material; a metal frame positioned on top of and attached to the tray; a plurality of metal legs positioned below and attached to the tray and the metal frame; and a pair of shifting mechanisms for pivotally supporting the bed frame assembly to the cabinet so the bed frame assembly can be shifted between a raised, closed position and a lowered, use position; each of the shifting mechanisms comprising: a hinge plate pivotally connected to the cabinet; and a piston coupled between the hinge plate and the cabinet for assisting with shifting of the bed frame assembly between the raised and lowered positions.

19. The foldable bed of claim 18, the cabinet metal frame comprising: a pair of spaced-apart vertically-extending side rails, the lower ends of which form two rear legs for the cabinet; a horizontally-extending top rail connected between the side rails; a horizontally-extending bottom rail spaced from and connected to the side rails by a pair of braces; and a pair of front legs extending from the bottom rail.

20. The foldable bed of claim 18, the tray comprising: a plurality of spaced-apart, raised, mattress-engaging cushions for supporting a mattress on the bed frame; a plurality of raised, elongated ridges positioned between the cushions for coupling with the metal frame of the bed frame assembly, a raised outer edge for securing the mattress within the tray.