EP1155670A2

EP1155670A2 - Frame, in particular bed frame, adjustable in height

Info

Publication number: EP1155670A2
Application number: EP01111641A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Berto Vassilli
Original assignee: Vassilli SRL
Current assignee: Vassilli SRL
Priority date: 2000-05-16
Filing date: 2001-05-14
Publication date: 2001-11-21
Also published as: IT1317334B1; EP1155670A3; ITPD20000129A1

Abstract

It is a frame, in particular a bed frame, whose variation in height is obtained by varying the inclination of legs (4,13). The legs are connected to the frame by means of hinged rods (6,14) with functions of bracings, which can, by means of shoes (12, 15) connected to the top of legs (4,13) slide along the rails (17) integral with the frame. By letting the shoes (12, 15) slide alon the rails (17), the inclination of legs (4, 13) is modified, so having consequently the variation of frame height. With a pair of legs situated at the ends of the frame, which are independent, besides variation of frame height it can be obtained either horizontal lying postures or reclined lying postures of the frame on both directions (Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg positions) The transfer of shoes (12, 15) along the rails (17) is obtained by using normal kinematic mechanism driven by normal actuators

Description

This invention is referred to frames, in particular to bed frames, adjustable in height.
The beds, in particular the beds for stay in hospital and/or for care, to be used for various purposes, are many times provided with adjusting of height and/or incline (Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg).
The means or the actions adopted for the lifting can be multifarious. The known systems are the hydraulic piston devices, the mechanical devices, the screw systems, the crossed rods system, pantograph type etc. In the different solutions, the practicity and the reliability of the lifting / lowering operation of the bed bearing surface are taken into account.
The same performances being ensured, it appears to be determinant the execution simplicity of the lifting equipment and its economical feature, which involves in the end a cost reduction.
Under this patent a system is achieved to obtain the adjustable height or the Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position in a fully new bed and simple as well, so as to present all advantages of the equipments adopted up to now and at the same time reducing the costs.
The lifting of the bed frame considered in the patent occurs without the aid of a base frame and by operating exclusively on the legs inclination. Each leg is connected to the frame by means of a rod with bracing. function, hinged at the ends and, by means of a shoe, connected to its top, which can slide along a rail integral with the frame.
Said rail generally concurs to the frame side member solidity and is a part thereof.
By letting the shoe slide along the rail, you will modify the inclination of the leg, so consequently varying the frame height.
With a pair of legs situated on frame ends being independent, you will get, besides frame height variation, horizontal or inclinded lying postures of the frame iself and on both directions (Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg position).
For the sliding movement of shoes connected on top of legs along the rails, you shall operate on them by means of rods or bars , mechanically driven (screw and screw nut) or hydraulically - manually or motor driven.
One of the two pairs of legs of one end is provided on foot with wheels and the other pair of legs of the opposite end is equipped with normal supports.
The legs of this last pair are equipped at a certain distance from the supports and fitted on the internal side of pivoting wheels.
With the frame totally lifted, the rest on floor is given by the two wheels of a pair of legs and by the two supports of the other pair
The frame, i.e. the bed is steady and to move it you need to keep it raised from the side of the legs resting directly on floor.
When the frame is lowered, that is, the legs being inclined, it ensues that also the wheels situated at an intermediate height on the legs with no wheel on foot, come to contact on floor and the supports result to be at a distance from floor.
In said lowered position, the whole frame is supported by the wheels and it is possible therefore to move it whenever it might be necessary, by letting it slide on the wheels.
Whenever the frame under consideration should form the frame of a bed, it is completed on ends of head and foot panels.
This bed frame can be equipped with plane elements hinged between them (generally consisting of three plane elements) to carry out suitable lying postures for the persons (patients) who lie on them.
As an advantage, said frame, due to its construction simplicity, can be detached in two parts, since the connection has been obtained through two plates, fixed by screws in the two internal ends set one near the other.
This ensues to be important for the storage, transport and delivery to the final user.
What stated above can be clarified better by the examination of the drawing tables attached.
Fig. 1 shows axonometrically. the frame of the patent in maximum height position. It can be noticed the inclined legs connected to the frame by means of the bracing rods hinged and connected on top to the shoes engaged in the splined rails, being part of the section bars running with the frame itself. It can be noticed the rods connected to the actuators for the movement of the shoes along the splined rails. It can also been observed the pair of wheel resting on floor and the pair of pivoting wheels fixed midway of the legs equipped on the lower ends with normal supporting caps.
The frame appears to be steady on floor and, for handling, it requires to be raised from the side of the resting legs.
Fig. 2 shows axonometrically the frame of Fig. 1 in fully lowered position.
It can be noticed that also the wheels fixed midway of the legs fitted with caps on feet are resting on floor. The caps fitted to the legs feet appear to be raised.
It is possibe to handle the frame.
Fig. 3 shows axonometrically the frame of Fig. 2 lowered only on one end, and namely on the side where the legs are provided midway with wheels. The frame so inclined appears resting on legs caps and appears steady for handling purposes.
Fig. 4 shows sideways a frame in lowered position as it was in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 shows sideways a frame in reclined position as it was in Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 shows the frame according to a median lenghtwise section, in raised position.
It is marked the system for the movement of legs equipped with wheels on feet. It can also be noticed at the centre of the bearer, the plate with screw connecting the two symetric parts of the frame.
Fig. 7 shows the frame according to a median lengthwise section in reclined position.
Fig. 8 shows a median lengthwise section reclined on the opposite side of the frame compared to that illustrated in Fig. 7.
It has been marked with 1 the bearers of the frame, profiled so as to include the rails 17 for sliding of shoes 12 and 15 integral with cross bars 5 and 16 engaged respectively on the top of legs 4 and 13.
It has been marked by 3 and 4 the cross bars which, with the bearers 1, make up the two halves of the frame, kept lined up by the screwed down plates 26.
It has been marked by 6 and 14 the hinged rods which, like bracings, keep the legs 4 and 13 connected to the bearers 1 of the frame; it has been marked by 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 the elements which represent the kinematic chain for the movement of shoes 12; by 18, 19, 20 , 21 and 22 the elements which make up the kinematic chain for the movement of shoes 15; by 23 the supporting caps of legs 13; by 24 the pivoting wheels fixed midway of the legs 13; with 25 the wheels situated on lower ends of legs 4.
From what described above, it appears the validity of the invention, concerning the frame which is the object of this patent.
Therefore, any achievement, even improved, which an expert person of the field would carry out, falls within the protection of the present patent, should the teaching concerning this invention be fulfilled.

Claims

Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height, characterised in that it is equipped with legs (4,13) whose inclination variation appears to be adjustable to obtain the frame (1) height variability.
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to the claim 1, characterised in that the legs (4,13) are connected to the frame by means of rods (6,14) with bracing purposes, hinged on ends and by means of shoes (12, 15) connected to their ends and coupled in the rails (17) of which the bearers of the frame (1) are equipped.
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to claim 2, characterised in that by letting the shoes (12,15) move on the rails (17) the slope of the legs (4,3) and the frame (1) height are changed.
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to claim 1, characterised in that the action of the legs (4,13) to vary the frame (1) height directly occurs between frame (1) and floor.
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the transfer of shoes (12,15) connected to the top of legs (4,13) along the rails (17) is achieved by means of actuators of any type (mechanical, hydraulic, manual, motor driven etc.).
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the transfer of shoes (12, 15) connected to the top of legs (4,13) along the rails (17) is synchonized for all shoes (12, 15) so obtaining the variation in height of the frame (1) which is kept parallel to itself.
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the transfer of shoes (12, 15) connected on top of legs (4, 13) can occur by choice only for the shoes (12 or 15) of the legs (4 or 13) situated on one of the frame (1) ends, by keeping at stop the shoes (15 or 12) of the legs (13 or 4) situated at the opposite end of the frame (1) with the purpose of obtaining the inclination of the frame (1) (on one direction or on the opposite direction, so obtaining the Trendelenburg and reverseTrendelenburg position).
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that one pair of legs (4) situated on one of the two ends of the frame (1) is equipped on the lower part of wheels (25) and the pair of legs (13) situated at the opposite end is equipped on the lower part of caps (23), which ensures bed stability and avoids its moving on floor.
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to claim 8, characterised in that the pair of legs (13) equipped with caps (23) on the lower part, is provided on the side facing inside the frame (1) at a certain height of the supports of pivoting wheels (24) which, only once the frame is full lowered down, come to rest on floor, which ensures the easy handling of bed.
Frame, in particular bed frame, variable in height according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the frame (1) is made up of the two connected halves and kept lined up by plates (26) with screws; therefore, it is possible to divide and separate the two halves of frame (1) when required, according to different needs and situations.