BED HAVING A TILTING MATTRESS DECK

Abstract

A bed has a bed frame and a tilting mattress deck for easy worker access. The deck comprises a mattress board for supporting the mattress and a frame to partially enclosure a bottom portion of said mattress so that the mattress is symmetrically retained on the mattress board when tilted. The bed frame comprises a vertical front panel, a vertical rear panel and least three bulkheads equally spaced between the vertical front panel and the vertical rear panel. The bulkheads form storage compartments within the bed frame. The storage compartments can be top loaded when the tilting mattress deck is tilted or they can be equipped with sliding drawers.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Patent Application #2747107 filed on Jul. 22, 2011 by the same inventor for the same invention.

FEDERAL FUNDING

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to the field of beds and more particularly to a bed having a tilting mattress deck.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations define musculoskeletal injury (MSI) as an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels or related soft tissue including a sprain, strain and inflammation, that may be caused or aggravated by work. Some of the tasks performed at work—such as lifting, reaching, and repeating the same movements—can strain our bodies. In some situations, these tasks can result in an injury to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, and joints of the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists, legs, and back. This type of injury is called a musculoskeletal injury, or MSI. MSI-related workers' compensation claims associated with overexertion and repetitive motion account for about one-third of compensation claims.

Nurses and hospitality workers such as cleaners and house-keepers are most at risk. For example, there are two main risk factors for back injury among nurses: lifting and transferring patients, and bed-making. Bed-making increases the risks of back injury because of the bending and stretching involved in putting sheets onto a bed.

Training is one method to reduce MSI but a more effective solution is to provide equipment that reduces the strain on the worker. For examples, beds having a mattress deck at a proper height to prevent over-reaching and related back injuries are required. However, insofar as the present inventor is concerned, there are no beds available that have been ergonomically designed to prevent or at least reduce the risk of MSI to workers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the problems noted above, my invention is a bed having a tilting mattress deck. The bed comprises a bed frame having a top surface for supporting the tilting mattress deck. The bed frame has a vertical front panel having an inside surface and a vertical rear panel having an inside surface parallel to said vertical front panel. The left side and the right side of the frame are enclosed. The tilting mattress deck is connected to the frame by an elongated hinge running the length of the mattress deck and connecting the tilting mattress deck to the bed frame. For easy lifting of the mattress deck and tiling towards a worker to change bedding there is provided a lifting mechanism connected between the bed frame and the tilting mattress. The lifting mechanism comprises a first gas charged lifting and telescoping piston connected between the inside surface of the vertical front panel and a front end of the mattress board bottom surface and a second gas charged lifting telescoping piston connected between the inside surface of the vertical rear panel and a rear end of the mattress board bottom surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional front elevation view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of the frame of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional left-side elevation view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front top perspective view of one embodiment of the invention with the tilting mattress deck raised.

FIG. 5 is a view of the bottom bracket of the piston in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view of the second piece of the locking mechanism of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of the two-finger pull handle of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a front top perspective view of one embodiment of the invention with the tilting mattress deck in a horizontal position and two drawers open.

FIG. 9 is the same view as FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is front top perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described; rather, this detailed description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a front elevation view of one embodiment of the invention which is a bed 10 comprising a bed frame 12 and a tilting mattress deck 14A shown in an elevated position. The view is a sectional view behind the front vertical panel 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 & 3 there is shown in FIG. 2 a plan view of the bed frame 12. In FIG. 3 there is shown an elevation left-side view of the bed frame 12. The bed frame 12 comprises a top surface 16 for supporting the tilting mattress deck 14B shown in the horizontal position. The bed frame further comprises a vertical front panel 18 having an inside surface 20 and an outside surface 22 and a vertical rear panel 24 comprising an inside surface 26 and an outside surface 28. The vertical rear panel 24 is parallel to vertical front panel 18. There is also an enclosed left side 30 and an enclosed right side 32.

FIG. 1 illustrates a hinge 34 connecting the elevated tilting mattress deck 14A to the bed frame 12. A lifting mechanism 36A connects the bed frame 12 to the tilting mattress deck 14A when elevated. The lifting mechanism 36B is shown in a telescoped position when the tilting mattress deck 14B is horizontal on the bed frame surface 16. FIG. 1 also illustrates a supporting member 40 to which the bed frame side of the hinge 34 is fixed.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 illustrate the tilting mattress deck 14 comprising a mattress board 42 comprising a bottom surface 44 and a top surface 46 for supporting a mattress 50. A mattress frame 52 surrounds the mattress board 42 so that there is a partial enclosure of a bottom portion 54 of the mattress 50 so that the mattress 50 is symmetrically retained on the mattress board 42 top surface 46.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive, there is illustrates the lifting mechanism 36 comprising at least one (and in the embodiment shown, two) gas charged lifting and telescoping pistons 56 and 58. The piston 56 connects the inside surface 20 of the vertical front panel 18 and a front end 60 of the mattress board 42 bottom surface 44. Piston 58 connects the inside surface 26 of the vertical rear panel 24 and a rear end 62 of the mattress board 42 bottom surface 44.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 the bed 12 further comprises a first 66 and second 68 top bracket for a pivoting connection between a respective upper end (70 & 72) of the first piston 56 and said second piston 58 and a respective front end 60 and rear end 62 of the mattress board 42 bottom surface 44. There are also a first 74 and a second 76 bottom bracket for a pivoting connection between a respective lower end (80 & 82) of the first piston 56 and the second piston 58.

Referring to FIG. 5, the bottom bracket 74 is fixed to a left-inside bottom portion 90 of the front vertical panel 18. The bottom bracket 76 is similarly fixed to the left-inside portion of the rear vertical panel 24.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 inclusive, the bed 12 further comprises a plurality of bulkheads (100, 102 and 104) disposed parallel to and equally spaced between the vertical front panel 18 and the vertical rear panel 24. In the embodiment shown there are three bulkheads and this is the most common configuration. Each of the three bulkheads (100, 102 & 104) comprises a pair of joined parallel and adjacent bulkhead panels (106/108, 110/112 & 114/116). The three bulkheads (100, 102 & 104) form four equally sized compartments (120, 122, 124 & 126) within the bed frame. In the embodiment shown there is also included a fourth bulkhead 128 disposed adjacent to the first gas charged strut 56 and a fifth bulkhead 130 disposed adjacent to the second gas charged strut 58. The fourth and fifth bulkheads are used to separate the contents of compartment 122 and 128 respectively (which might be clothing) to prevent the contents from interfering with the operation of the pistons. As well, in the unlikely scenario that the pistons leak oil the contents of these compartments will not be stained.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6 & 7) the bed 12 further comprising a locking system to lock the tilting mattress 14 deck in a horizontal position on the bed frame 12 top surface 15. The locking system comprises a locking latch comprising a first piece 140 fixed to the bottom surface 44 of the mattress board 42 and a second piece 142 fixed to a bulkhead 102 inside wall 110 for locking engagement with the first piece 140. To release the locking hatch there is provided a cable release mechanism 144 mechanically connected between the second piece 142 and a handle 146 in a pulling engagement so that when said cable release is pulled the first piece is released and the mattress deck is permitted to rise due to the gas pressure being exerted by the gas pistons 56 and 58. The release handle 146 is a two-finger pull handle mounted to the bed frame in an easily assessable position. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the release handle 146 is hidden behind a drawer 150.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the first bottom bracket 74 is accessible from within the bed frame through a first access way 160 cut into the fourth bulkhead 128. The second bottom bracket 76 is similarly accessible from within the bed frame through a second access way (not shown) cut into the fifth bulkhead 130.

In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the three bulkheads (100, 102 & 104) form four top loading storage compartments (122, 124, 126 & 128) within the bed frame 12. In this embodiment, there would be no access from any of the side panels. In the embodiment 170 illustrated in FIG. 8, there are four compartments below the tilting mattress deck 172. The two central compartments 174 & 176 house pull-out drawers 178 & 180. The drawers are mounted on sliding mechanism 190. The front compartment 182 and the rear compartment 184 are accessible by doors 186 & 188.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11 inclusive there is shown in FIG. 9 a right side sectional elevation view of one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 shows the left side of the invention from the front and FIG. 11 shows the right side of the invention from the front. One advantage of the invention is that it can be transported to a sight and assembled in-situ. The bed comprises a kit comprising a plurality of light weight and easily handled members which are easily fastened together using such fastening means as dowels, nuts and bolts. Another advantage of the invention is that it can be easily manufactured using the least number of different parts. For example, referring to FIG. 9, the front panel 200, rear panel 202 and intermediate panels 204 to 214 inclusive are identically sized and may have identical or similar patterns of through holes for attachment to each other and other components of the bed. Similarly, bottom panels 216 to 222 comprise similar sized panels for the floor of each compartment 224 to 230. Holes for nuts and bolts and for dowels would be placed in suitable positions and in suitable numbers to ensure that the bottom panels are adequately supported to bear the weight placed in the compartments. The mattress deck comprises a single supporting member 232 and the surrounding frame comprises four members 234 to 240 which are easily assembled and fixed to member 232. Bulkheads 242 and 244 are also identical in size.

Referring to FIG. 10, the left side panels 250 to 256 are identical and fixed to the front, back and intermediate panels using nuts, bolts and dowels. FIG. 10 illustrates one example of a fastener 260 which is a nut easily screwed into pre-drilled holes using a simple tool like an Allen wrench. Door panels 270 and drawer panels 272 are also standard sizes and easily assembled.

In the drawings and the specification, there has been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A bed having a tilting mattress deck, said bed comprising:

a. a bed frame having a top surface for supporting said tilting mattress deck on said top surface;

b. said bed frame comprising: i. a vertical front panel having an inside surface; ii. a vertical rear panel having an inside surface parallel to said vertical front panel; iii. an enclosed left side; iv. an enclosed right side;

c. a hinge connecting the tilting mattress deck to the bed frame;

d. a lifting mechanism connected between the bed frame and the tilting mattress.

2. The bed of claim 1 wherein the mattress deck comprises:

a. a mattress board having a bottom surface and a top surface for supporting a mattress;

b. a mattress frame surrounding said mattress board for partial enclosure of a bottom portion of said mattress so that the mattress is symmetrically retained on the mattress board.

3. The bed of claim 2 wherein said lifting mechanism comprises a first gas charged lifting and telescoping piston connected between said inside surface of the vertical front panel and a front end of said mattress board bottom surface and a second gas charged lifting telescoping piston connected between said inside surface of the vertical rear panel and a rear end of the mattress board bottom surface.

4. The bed of claim 3 further comprising a first and second top bracket for a pivoting connection between a respective upper end of said first piston and said second piston and a respective front end and rear end of the mattress board bottom surface.

5. The bed of claim 4 further comprising a first and a second bottom bracket for a pivoting connection between a respective lower end of the first piston and the second piston, and wherein said first bottom bracket is fixed to a left-inside bottom portion of the front vertical panel, and wherein said second bottom bracket is fixed to a left-inside portion of the rear vertical panel.

6. The bed of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of bulkheads disposed parallel to and equally spaced between the vertical front panel and the vertical rear panel.

7. The bed of claim 6 wherein said plurality of bulkheads comprises three bulkheads.

8. The bed of claim 7 wherein each of said three bulkheads comprises a pair of joined parallel and adjacent bulkhead panels.

9. The bed of claim 8 wherein the three bulkheads form four equally sized compartments within the bed frame.

10. The bed of claim 9 further comprising a fourth bulkhead disposed adjacent to said first gas charged strut.

11. The bed of claim 10 further comprising a fifth bulkhead disposed adjacent to said second gas charged strut.

12. The bed of claim 11 further comprising a locking system to lock the tilting mattress deck in a horizontal position on the bed frame top surface.

13. The bed of claim 12 wherein said locking system comprises:

a. a locking latch comprising a first piece fixed to the bottom surface of the mattress board;

b. a second piece fixed to a bulkhead inside wall for locking engagement with said first piece;

c. a cable release mechanism mechanically between said second piece and a handle in a pulling engagement so that when said cable release is pulled the first piece is released and the mattress deck is permitted to rise; and.

d. Wherein said handle is a two-finger pull handle mounted to the bed frame in an easily assessable position.

14. The bed of claim 13 wherein the first bottom bracket is accessible from within the bed frame through a first access way cut into said fourth bulkhead.

15. The wall bed of claim 14 wherein the second bottom bracket is accessible from within the bed frame through a second access way cut into said fifth bulkhead.

16. A bed comprising a bed frame and a tilting mattress deck, wherein said tilting mattress deck comprises:

a. a mattress board having a bottom surface and a top surface for supporting a mattress;

b. a mattress frame surrounding said mattress board for partial enclosure of a bottom portion of said mattress so that the mattress is symmetrically retained on the mattress board.

c. and wherein said a bed frame comprises: i. a top surface for supporting said tilting mattress deck on said top surface; ii. a vertical front panel having an inside surface; iii. a vertical rear panel having an inside surface parallel to said vertical front panel; iv. an enclosed left side; v. an enclosed right side;

d. a hinge connecting the tilting mattress deck to the bed frame;

e. a first gas charged lifting strut connected between said inside surface of the vertical front panel and a front end of said mattress board bottom surface and a second gas charged lifting strut connected between said inside surface of the vertical rear panel and a rear end of the mattress board bottom surface; and,

f. a locking system for locking the tilting mattress deck to the surface of the bed frame.

17. The bed of claim 16 further comprising at least three bulkheads disposed parallel to and equally spaced between the vertical front panel and the vertical rear panel, wherein said at least three bulkheads form four top loading storage compartments within the bed frame.

18. The bed of claim 17 wherein the at least three bulkheads form four side loading compartments are each accessible by a door.

19. The bed of claim 18 wherein the four side loading compartments each contain a drawer mounted on a sliding mechanism.

20. A bed comprising a bed frame and a tilting mattress deck pivotally fixed to said bed frame, wherein said tilting mattress deck comprises a mattress board having a bottom surface and a top surface for supporting a mattress, a mattress frame surrounding said mattress board for partial enclosure of a bottom portion of said mattress so that the mattress is symmetrically retained on the mattress board when tilted; and, wherein said bed frame comprises a top surface for supporting said tilting mattress deck, a vertical front panel having an inside surface, a vertical rear panel having an inside surface parallel to said vertical front panel, at least three bulkheads disposed parallel to and equally spaced between the vertical front panel and the vertical rear panel, wherein said at least three bulkheads form four top loading storage compartments within the bed frame, an enclosed multi-panel left side, an enclosed multi-panel right side, an elongated hinge connecting the tilting mattress deck to the bed frame in a pivoting relationship, a first gas charged lifting strut connected between said inside surface of the vertical front panel and a front end of said mattress board bottom surface and a second gas charged lifting strut connected between said inside surface of the vertical rear panel and a rear end of the mattress board bottom surface; and, a locking system for locking the tilting mattress deck to the horizontal surface of the bed frame.