Adjustable Bed

Abstract

A bed having a plurality of independently adjustable, resilient, horizontal, body-supporting surfaces that can be vertically positioned to provide a sleeping surface for supporting a person in a sleeping position so that the spine is maintained in substantially linear alignment for a variety of sleeping positions and localized body pressure and fatigue reduced. The sleeping surface includes a stationary lower-torso support, a pair of vertically adjustable leg supports, a vertically adjustable upper-torso support, a vertically adjustable head support, and a pair of vertically adjustable arm supports.

Parent Case Text

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 148,110, filed May 28, 1971, now abandoned.

Description

This invention relates to sleeping beds, and particularly to sleeping beds having independently adjustable body-supporting surfaces.

The development of a sleeping bed that provides comfort and rest for a person, with a minimum of turning due to an uncomfortable body position, has been long sought after. One major problem encountered is that because of the configuration of the human body, when placed upon the normal flat sleeping surface, the spinal column is distorted causing discomfort and muscle fatigue, particularly in the neck and lower back. Also, the body weight is not uniformly distributed and localized pressures, particularly in the shoulders, torso and hips, restrict the circulation of blood and impair breathing.

Prior efforts to overcome these problems have been mainly confined to providing a curved sleeping surface shaped to conform to the shape of the human body, or to adjust the hardness of the sleeping surface by appropriate modification of the firmness of the mattress and supportive springs. Also, various structural changes in the mattress and springs have been proposed to provide more independent support of the body. While certain benefits have been achieved, these devices do not provide the necessary degree of spinal alignment to eliminate muscle fatigue and do not distribute the weight sufficiently uniformly to avoid restriction of the circulation of blood and impairment of breathing. Thus, need exists for an improved sleeping device that provides lineal spinal alignment and more uniformly distributes the body weight to reduce localized body pressure.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is to provide a sleeping bed that supports the body in a more comfortable and restful sleeping position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sleeping bed that supports the body in a position such that the spinal column is substantially lineally aligned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sleeping bed that more uniformly distributes the weight of the body to reduce localized pressures.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the sleeping bed of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially cut away, isometric view illustrating the vertically extendable support for the vertically adjustable members; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric view illustrating the vertically extendable, pivotable support for the arm supporting members.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the sleeping bed of this invention is comprised of an open, box-like, rectangular frame 10 consisting of a bottom member 12, head-end member 14, foot-end member 16, and side members 18 and 20. A false bottom 22, supported by longitudinal partitions 24 and transverse partitions 26, provides a base for lower-torso support 30 so that its surface is supported in a stationary position approximately level with the top of frame 10. Lower-torso support 30 is a generally T-shaped member having a transverse section extending across the middle of the bed and a longitudinal section extending down the center of the bed from the transverse section to the foot. Vertically adjustable leg supports 32 and 34 are disposed at either side of lower-torso support 30 in juxtaposition thereto so as to extend from the transverse section of lower-torso support 30 to the foot of the bed. Vertically adjustable upper-torso support 36 extends transversely across the central portion of the bed immediately adjacent the transverse section of lower-torso support 30. A vertically adjustable head support is located transversely across the head of the bed and can consist of a single unit, or alternatively, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, two separate elements 40 and 42. Arm supports 44 and 46 are mounted at either side of the bed adjacent to upper-torso support 36.

Lower-torso support 30 can be a conventional innerspring mattress, a foam mattress, or a water or air mattress, or the like, of the appropriate size and shape. Vertically adjustable leg supports 32 and 34, upper-torso support 36, head supports 40 and 42, and arm supports 44 and 46 each consist of a rigid base member of the appropriate size and shape and a mating mattress of the type employed for lower-torso support 30, or a combination of mattress types. Lower-torso support 30, leg supports 32 and 34, upper-torso support 36 and head supports 40 and 42 each provide resilient horizontal body-supporting surfaces which in combination mate to form a rectangular sleeping surface. Preferably, upper-torso support member 36 and the abutting members have a flared shape to provide additional arm room. Lower-torso support 30 is maintained in a stationary position, and leg supports 32 and 34 are mounted on vertically extendable mounts 52 and 54, respectively; upper-torso support 36 is mounted on a pair of vertically extendable mounts 56, only one of which is shown; head rest 40 is mounted on a vertically extendable mount, not shown, and head support 42 is mounted on vertically extendable mount 58. As shown in the drawings, each of the vertically adjustable body-supporting members can be positioned to individually adjust the height of the member with respect to lower-torso support 30 and to each other to provide comfortable support for a person in a sleeping position. Also, these members can be positioned in the same horizontal plane to provide a substantially flat surface that extends across the bed.

The vertically extendable mounts are illustrated in FIG. 4 and consist of a base plate 60 welded or otherwise rigidly attached to vertical tube 62. Tube 64 slidably fits inside of tube 62 and is rigidly attached to top plate 66. Base plate 60 is attached to bottom member 12 of frame 10, and the top plate is attached to the rigid base member of the respective body-supporting member. A close tolerance fit between the outside diameter of tube 64 and the inside diameter of tube 62 permits a sliding action and minimizes side play. A compression spring 68 of sufficient length and strength to bias the body-supporting member is mounted inside the tubular members. Tube 64 is provided with a plurality of peripheral slots 70 to receive pawl 72 which latches tube 64 in a fixed position with respect to tube 62. Pawl 72 is maintained in the latched position by means of spring 74. Pawl 72 is unlatched, or disengaged, by rotating rod 76 which is attached to the pawl. Upon disengagement, spring 68 forces slidable tube 64 upwardly, raising the respective body-support member to a high position. The body-support member can be lowered by disengaging pawl 72 and applying a small downward force to the body-support member to overcome the upward force of the spring.

Rods 76 of the various vertically extendable mounts extend outwardly through the side members of frame 10 and terminate in handles to facilitate operation. Handles 80 and 82 operate mounts 52 and 54, respectively. The dual mounts 56 supporting upper-torso support 36 are operated by a single rotatable rod extending through the bed and terminating in a handle 84 at each side. The vertically extendable mount supporting head support 40 is operated by a handle extending through side member 20, not shown, and mount 58 is operated by handle 86.

Arm supports 44 and 46 are mounted on vertically, extendable, rotatable mounts 90 and 92, respectively, which provide vertical adjustment for the arm-supporting members and permit the arm supports to be pivoted back over head supports 40 and 42, respectively, when not in use. The vertically extendable, rotatable mounts are illustrated in FIG. 5 and consist of a tubular socket 100 inserted into the side member, such as member 18. A second smaller diameter tubular member 102 slidably fits into socket 100 and is biased upwardly by spring 104. Tube 102 has a plurality of grooves 106 extending around its periphery adapted to receive pawl 108, which latches tube 102 in a vertically fixed, but rotatable position. Pawl 108 is attached to the bed frame by bracket 110, and is maintained in the latched position by spring 112.

The various vertically adjustable body-support members can be readily adjusted to provide comfortable support for a person in various sleeping positions. For example, a person may lay on his left side on lower-support member 30 with his right leg resting on leg support 34, his shoulder and left arm on upper-torso support 36, his right arm on arm support 46, and his head on head support 42. With proper vertical positioning of the vertically adjustable members, the spine is in substantially linear alignment and the body weight is substantially uniformly distributed. Alternatively, the person can reverse his position and lay on his right side with his left leg supported on leg support 32, his shoulder and right arm on upper-torso support 36, his left arm on arm support 44, and his head on head support 40.

The sleeping bed of this invention can be made in a variety of sizes to fit the desires of the user, such as the conventional twin size, double size, queen size, king size, and the like.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications, which are considered within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Having now described the invention, I claim:

1. A sleeping bed having a plurality of adjustable body-supporting surfaces, which comprises:

a stationary lower-torso supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface;

a first leg supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface, said member being juxtaposed to said lower-torso supporting member at the side thereof and adjacent to the foot-end of said bed, said member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

an upper-torso supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface juxtaposed to said lower-torso supporting member and extending transversely across said bed in a central portion thereof, said upper-torso supporting member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

a head supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface juxtaposed to said upper-torso supporting member and extending transversely across the head-end of said bed, said head supporting member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member; and

means to adjustably support said leg supporting member, said upper-torso supporting member, and said head supporting member whereby the height of each of said members with respect to said lower-torso supporting member is selectively adjustable.

2. The device defined in claim 1 including a second leg supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface, said member being juxtaposed to said lower-torso supporting member at the side thereof opposite said first leg supporting member and adjacent to the foot-end of said bed, said member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member; and means to adjustably support said second leg supporting member whereby the height of said member with respect to said lower-torso supporting member is selectively adjustable.

3. The device defined in claim 1 including a first arm supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface, said member being mounted at the side of said bed adjacent to said upper-torso supporting member, and said member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member and pivotable about a vertical axis; and also including means to adjustably support said first arm supporting member whereby the height of said member with respect to said lower-torso supporting member is selectively adjustable.

4. The device defined in claim 3 including a second arm supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface, said member being mounted at the side of said bed adjacent to said upper-torso supporting member opposite said first arm supporting member, and said member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member and pivotable about a vertical axis; and also including means to adjustably support said second arm supporting member whereby the height of said member with respect to said lower torso-supporting member is selectively adjustable.

5. A sleeping bag for supporting a person in a sleeping position so that the spine is maintained in substantially linear alignment for a variety of sleeping positions and localized body pressure and fatigue reduced, which comprises:

a stationary lower-torso supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface;

first and second leg supporting members having resilient horizontal supporting surfaces, one of said members being juxtaposed to said lower-torso supporting member at either side thereof and adjacent to the foot end of said sleeping bed, each of said members being individually vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

an upper-torso supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface juxtaposed to said lower-torso supporting member and extending transversely across said bed in a central portion thereof, said upper-torso supporting member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

a head supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface juxtaposed to said upper-torso supporting member and extending transversely across the head end of said bed, said head supporting member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

first and second arm supporting members having resilient horizontal supporting surfaces, one of said members being pivotably mounted at either side of said bed adjacent to said upper-torso supporting member, each of said arm supporting members being individually vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member and individually pivotable about a vertical axis; and

means to adjustably support said first and second leg supporting members, said upper-torso supporting member, said head supporting member, and said first and second arm supporting members whereby the height of each of said members with respect to said lower-torso supporting member is selectively adjustable.

6. The device defined in claim 5 including a frame to support said members.

7. The device defined in claim 5 wherein said head supporting member is comprised of two separately adjustable members positioned side by side at the head of said bed, and including means to individually adjust the height of each of said members with respect to said lower-torso supporting member and to each other.

8. A sleeping bed for supporting a person in a sleeping position so that the spine is maintained in substantially linear alignment for a variety of sleeping positions and localized body pressure and fatigue reduced, which comprises:

a box-like frame comprised of a bottom member, head end member, foot end member, and a pair of side members;

a stationary lower-torso supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface;

means to support said lower-torso supporting member in a stationary position approximately level with the top of said frame;

first and second leg supporting members having resilient horizontal supporting surfaces, one of said members being juxtaposed to said lower-torso supporting member at either side thereof and adjacent to the foot end of said sleeping bed, each of said members being individually vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

an upper-torso supporting member having a resilient horizontal supporting surface juxtaposed to said lower-torso supporting surface and extending transversely across said bed in a central portion thereof, said upper-torso supporting member being vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

first and second head supporting members having resilient horizontal supporting surfaces positioned in abutting relationship at the head of said bed and extending transversely across the bed, said head supporting members being individually vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member;

first and second arm supporting members having resilient horizontal supporting surfaces, one of said members being pivotably mounted at either side of said bed adjacent to said upper-torso supporting member, each of said arm supporting members being individually vertically adjustable relative to said lower-torso supporting member and individually pivotable about a vertical axis; and

means to adjustably support said first and second leg supporting members, said upper-torso supporting member, said first and second head supporting members, and said first and second arm supporting members whereby the height of each of said members with respect to said lower-torso supporting member is selectively adjustable.

9. The device defined in claim 8 wherein said means to adjustably support said first and second leg supporting members, said upper-torso supporting member and said first and second head supporting members each includes a base plate attachable to said bottom member of said frame, a first vertical tubular member attached to said base plate, a second tubular member adapted to slidably fit within said first tubular member and having a top plate attached at its upper end, biasing means to bias said second tubular member upwardly, and latching means to latch said second tubular member in a fixed vertical position with respect to said first tubular member.

10. The device defined in claim 9 including means projecting outwardly through said frame to disengage said latching means.

11. The device defined in claim 8 wherein said means to adjustably and pivotably support said first and second arm support members each includes a cylindrical socket mounted in the side member of said frame, a tubular member adapted to slidably fit within said socket, said tubular member having a plurality of peripheral grooves longitudinally disposed along its length, biasing means to bias said tubular member upwardly, and means releasably engaging said peripheral grooves to latch said tubular member in a vertically fixed, rotatably relationship with respect to said socket.