ADJUSTABLE BED

Abstract

An adjustable bed including a base frame unit, a front bed frame unit and a lumbar support unit. The front bed frame unit includes a back board which is hingedly connected relative to the base frame unit, and which is convertible between a back normal position, where an end of the back board is proximate to the base frame unit, and a back elevated position, where the end of the back board is distal from the base frame unit. The lumbar support unit includes a lumbar support, and is movably connected to the base frame unit such that in response to movement of the back board to the back elevated position from the back normal position, the lumbar support is moved to a remote position from a close position relative to the back board.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Utility Model Patent Application No. 109209288, filed on Jul. 21, 2020.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to an adjustable bed, and more particularly to an adjustable bed having a lumbar support unit.

BACKGROUND

A conventional adjustable bed disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. US20140041121 includes a head board, a back board, a thigh board, a calf board and a lumbar support, all of which are adjustable for comfort of the user.

However, to provide such adjustability, the conventional adjustable bed includes a total of four motors to drive movements of the head board, the back board, the calf board and the lumbar support, respectively, which can be quite power-consuming and cost-ineffective.

SUMMARY

Therefore, the object of the disclosure is to provide an adjustable bed that can alleviate the drawback of the prior art.

According to the disclosure, an adjustable bed includes a base frame unit, a front bed frame unit, a first jack member and a lumbar support unit.

The base frame unit extends in a longitudinal direction. The front bed frame unit includes a back board which is hingedly connected relative to the base frame unit at a first axis extending in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction. The back board is convertible between a back normal position, where an end of the back board distal from the first axis is proximate to the base frame unit, and a back elevated position, where the end of the back board is distal from the base frame unit.

The first jack member is coupled between the front bed frame unit and the base frame unit so as to permit the back board to be driven by the first jack member to convert between the back normal position and the back elevated position.

The lumbar support unit includes two linking bars, a lumbar support and two lever bars.

The linking bars are disposed at a side of the back board same as the base frame unit, and are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. Each of the linking bars extends lengthwise to terminate at a first bar end and a second bar end which is pivoted to the base frame unit at a second axis extending in the transverse direction.

The lumbar support extends in the transverse direction and is disposed at another side of the back board opposite to the linking bars.

The lever bars are spaced apart in the transverse direction, and extend respectively through two apertures of the back board. Each of the lever bars has a pivot end, a connected end and a middle region.

The pivot end is connected pivotally to the first bar end of a respective one of the linking bars. The connected end is connected to the lumber support. The middle region is disposed between the pivot end and the connected end, and is pivoted to the back board at a third axis extending in the transverse direction such that in response to movement of the back board to the back elevated position from the back normal position, the lumbar support is moved to a remote position from a close position relative to the back board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view of an embodiment of an adjustable bed according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment, illustrating a back board at a back elevated position and a rear bed frame unit at a leg elevated position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the embodiment, illustrating a front portion of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is another fragmentary exploded perspective view of the embodiment, illustrating a rear portion of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating the back board at a back normal position and the rear bed frame unit at a leg normal position; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, an embodiment of an adjustable bed according to the disclosure is shown to include a base frame unit 1, a front bed frame unit 2, a first drive mechanism 4 and a lumbar support unit 6.

The base frame unit 1 extends in a longitudinal direction (X). In an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base frame unit 1 may include a rectangular base frame 11 and six legs 12 which may be detachably mounted beneath the rectangular base frame 11 to elevate and place the base frame 11 in a stationary state.

The front bed frame unit 2 includes a back board 21 which is hingedly connected relative to the base frame unit 1 at a first axis (A1) extending in a transverse direction (Y) relative to the longitudinal direction (X). The back board 21 is convertible between a back normal position (see FIG. 6) and a back elevated position (see FIG. 2). When at the back normal position, an end of the back board 21 distal from the first axis (A1) is proximate to the base frame unit 1. When at the back elevated position, the end of the back board 21 is distal from the base frame unit 1.

The first drive mechanism 4 includes a first jack member 43 which is coupled between the front bed frame unit 2 and the base frame unit 1 so as to permit the back board 21 to be driven by the first jack member 43 to convert between the back normal position and the back elevated position.

The lumbar support unit 6 includes two linking bars 61, a lumbar support 63 and two lever bars 62.

The linking bars 61 are disposed at a side of the back board 21 same as the base frame unit 1, and are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction (Y). Each of the linking bars 61 extends lengthwise to terminate at a first bar end 611 and a second bar end 612 which is pivoted to the base frame unit 1 at a second axis (A2) extending in the transverse direction (Y). The lumbar support 63 extends in the transverse direction (Y) and is disposed at another side of the back board 21 opposite to the linking bars 61. The lever bars 62 are spaced apart in the transverse direction (Y), and extend respectively through two apertures 211 of the back board 21 (see FIG. 3, only one of the apertures 211 can be seen).

Specifically, each of the lever bars 62 has a pivot end 621, a connected end 622 and a middle region 623.

The pivot end 621 is connected pivotally to the first bar end 611 of a respective one of the linking bars 61. The connected end 622 is connected to the lumber support 63. The middle region 623 is disposed between the pivot end 621 and the connected end 622, and is pivoted to the back board 21 at a third axis (A3) extending in the transverse direction (Y) such that in response to movement of the back board 21 to the back elevated position from the back normal position, the lumbar support 63 is moved to a remote position (FIG. 2) from a close position (FIG. 6) relative to the back board 21.

Furthermore, a first angle (01) formed between the base frame unit 1 and the back board 21 may range from 0 to 100 degrees (e.g., 0 degree in FIGS. 6 and 45 degrees in FIG. 2). A fourth angle (04) formed between each of the lever bars 62 and the respective one of the linking bars 61 may range from 0 to 100 degrees; specifically, when the back board 21 is at the back normal position (see FIG. 6), the fourth angle (04) ranges from 0 to 10 degrees, and when the back board 21 is at the back elevated position (see FIG. 2), the fourth angle (04) ranges from 80 to 100 degrees.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the first back frame unit 2 may further include two mount pieces 23 which are mounted on a back surface of the back board 21 in proximity to the apertures 211, respectively, and which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction (Y). The middle region 623 of each of the lever bars 62 is pivotally connected to a respective one of the mount pieces 23, to thereby permit the middle region 623 to be pivoted to the back board 21 through the respective mount piece 23.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the first drive mechanism 4 may further include two first support units 41 and a first actuated beam 42.

The first support units 41 are disposed between the base frame unit 1 and the front bed frame unit 2, and are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction (Y). Each of the first support units 41 includes a first arm 411 having one end which is pivotably connected to the base frame unit 1 at a fourth axis (A4) extending in the transverse direction (Y), and another end which is coupled to be slidable relative to the front bed frame unit 2 between a first distal position and a first proximate position. When at the first distal position, as shown in FIG. 6, the another end of the first arm 411 is distal from the first axis (A1) to support the back board 21 at the back normal position. When at the first proximate position, as shown in FIG. 2, the another end of the first arm 411 is proximate to the first axis (A1) to support the back board 21 at the back elevated position.

The first actuated beam 42 extends in the transverse direction (Y) to interconnect the first arms 411 of the first support units 41. The first jack member 43 is coupled between the first actuated beam 42 and the base frame unit 1 so as to permit the first actuated beam 42 to be actuated by the first jack member 43 to turn about the second axis (A2), thereby moving the another end of the first arm 411 between the first distal and first proximate positions.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the front bed frame unit 2 may further include a head board 22 hingedly connected to the end of the back board 21 at a fifth axis (A5) extending in the transverse direction (Y).

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, each of the first support units 41 may further include a rail 412 disposed between the front bed frame unit 2 and the first arm 411.

The rail 412 of each of the first support units 41 has a first rail end 4121 pivotally connected to the back board 21, a second rail end 4122 configured to slidably support the head board 22, and a rail body 4123 disposed between the first and second rail ends 4121, 4122 to permit the another end of the first arm 411 to be slidable relative thereto.

Specifically, each of the first support units 41 may further include a first roller 413 and a second roller 414. The first roller 413 is rotatably connected to the another end of the first arm 411, and is in rolling contact with the rail body 4123 of the rail 412 so as to permit the another end of the first arm 411 to be coupled to slidable relative to the front bed frame unit 2. The second roller 414 is rotatably connected to the second rail end 4122 of the rail 412, and is in rolling contact with the head board 22 so as to permit the second rail end 4122 to slidably support the head board 22. A second angle (02) formed between the head board 22 and the back board 21 may range from 120 to 180 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees in FIGS. 6 and 160 degrees in FIG. 2). It should be noted that the head board 22 is normally supported by the support units 41 to permit the second angle (02) to be kept to be less than 180 degrees (see FIGS. 2 and 7). When the back board 21 is in the back normal position (FIGS. 6 and 7), a user's head (not shown) resting on the head board 22 may cause moving down of a free end of the head board 22 so as to permit the head board 22 to be substantially coplanar with the back board 21 (i.e., the second angle (02) is 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 6).

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first drive mechanism 4 may further include two first angle pieces 45 each having a first coupling end 451 which is coupled to the first actuated beam 42, and a second coupling end 452 which is opposite to the first coupling end. The first jack member 43 may include a first cylinder 431, a first piston rod 432 and a first motor 44.

The first cylinder 431 is pivotally connected to the base frame unit 1. The first piston rod 432 is slidably received in the first cylinder 431, and is flanked between and pivotally connected to the second coupling ends 452 of the first angle pieces 45 so as to permit the first actuated beam 42 to be actuated by the first jack member 43 through the first angle pieces 45. The first motor 44 is coupled to drive sliding movement of the first piston rod 432.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the adjustable bed may further include a middle frame unit 7, a rear bed frame unit 3 and a second drive mechanism 5.

The middle frame unit 7 is fixedly mounted on the base frame unit 1, and has a front panel 71 to which the back board 21 is hingedly connected about the first axis (A1), and a rear panel 72 opposite to the front panel 71 in the longitudinal direction (X).

The rear bed frame unit 3 is disposed on the base frame unit 1 rearwardly of the middle frame unit 7, and includes a thigh board 31 and a calf board 32. The thigh board 31 is hingedly connected to the rear panel 72 at a sixth axis (A6) that extends in the transverse direction (Y). The calf board 32 has a front end 321 hingedly connected to a rear end 311 of the thigh board 31 distal from the sixth axis (A6) at a seventh axis (A7) that extends in the transverse direction (Y).

The second drive mechanism 5 includes a second jack member 54 coupled between the rear bed frame unit 3 and the base frame unit 1 so as to drive the rear bed frame unit 3 to convert between a leg normal position and a leg elevated position. When at the leg normal position, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear end 311 of the thigh board 31 is proximate to the base frame unit 1. When at the leg elevated position, as shown in FIG. 2, the rear end 311 of the thigh board 31 is distal from the base frame unit 1. A third angle (03) formed between the calf board 32 and the thigh board 31 may range from 120 to 180 degrees (e.g., 180 degrees in FIGS. 6 and 120 degrees in FIG. 2).

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the adjustable bed may further include two link bars 8 each having two bar ends 81, 82. The bar end 81 is pivotally connected to the base frame unit 1, and the bar end 82 is pivotally connected to a rear end 322 of the calf board 32 so as to guide conversion of the rear bed frame unit 3 between the leg normal position and the leg elevated position.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second drive mechanism 5 further includes two second arms 51, a second actuated beam 53 and two second angle pieces 56.

The second arms 51 are disposed between the base frame unit 1 and the rear bed frame unit 3, and are spaced apart from the rear bed frame unit 3 in the transverse direction (Y). Each of the second arms 51 has one end which is pivotably connected to the base frame unit 1 at an eighth axis (A8) extending in the transverse direction (Y), and another end which is slidable relative to the calf board 32 between a second distal position and a second proximate position. When at the second distal position, as shown in FIG. 6, the another end of each of the second arms 51 is distal from the sixth axis (A6) to support the rear bed frame unit 3 at the leg normal position. When at the second proximate position, as shown in FIG. 2, the another end of each of the second arms 51 is proximate to the sixth axis (A6) to support the rear bed frame unit 3 at the leg elevated position.

The second actuated beam 53 extends in the transverse direction (Y) to interconnect the second arms 51. Each of the second angle pieces 56 has two opposite coupling ends 561, 562. The coupling end 561 is coupled to the second jack member 54, and the coupling end 562 is coupled to the second actuated beam 53 so as to permit the second actuated beam 53 to be driven by the second jack member 54 to turn about the eighth axis (A8), thereby moving the another ends of the second arms 51 between the second distal position and the second proximate position.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second drive mechanism 5 may further include two third rollers 52. Each of the third rollers 52 is rotatably connected to the another end of a respective one of the second arms 51, and is in rolling contact with the calf board 32 so as to permit the another ends of the second arms 51 to be slidable relative to the calf board 32.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second jack member 54 includes a second cylinder 541, a second piston rod 542 and a second motor 55. The second cylinder 541 is pivotally connected to the base frame unit 1. The second piston rod 542 is slidably received in the first cylinder 541, and is flanked between and pivotally connected to the coupling ends 562 of the second angle pieces 56. The second motor 55 is coupled to drive sliding movement of the second piston rod 542.

When each of the first and second jack members 43, 54 is at its retracted state, the back board 21 is at the back normal position, the lumbar support 63 is at the close position, and the second bed frame unit 3 is at the leg normal position (see FIG. 6). That is, a top surface of the adjustable bed may be flat, and the adjustable bed at this state is suitable for a user to lie completely flat on his/her back.

When the first jack member 43 is driven by the first motor 44 to extend (i.e., the first piston rod 432 slides away from the first cylinder 431), the first arms 411 are actuated thereby to rotate about the fourth axis (A4), resulting in the first rollers 413 raising the rails 412 upwardly while simultaneously rolling on back surfaces of the rail bodies 4123 of the rails 412. Consequently, the back board 21 and head board 22 are elevated and the lumbar support 6, following the movement of the back board 21, is raised upwardly.

Finally, when the first jack member 43 reaches its fully extended state, the back board 21 is at the back elevated position, and the lumbar support 63 is at the remote position (see FIG. 2).

Similarly, when the second jack member 54 is driven by the second motor 55 to extend (i.e., the second piston rod 542 slides away from the second cylinder 541), the second arms 51 are actuated thereby to rotate about the eighth axis (A8), resulting in the second rollers 52 raising the calf board 32 and simultaneously rolling on a back surface of the calf board 32, which in turn elevates the thigh board 31 and decreases the third angle (03).

Finally, when the second jack member 54 reaches its fully extended state, the second bed frame unit 3 is at the leg elevated position (see FIG. 2). And the adjustable bed at this state is able to provide both upper and lower body support to the user in a sitting position.

In summary, in virtue of the above-mentioned configurations of the first drive mechanism 4 and the lumbar support unit 6, only one motor (i.e., the first motor 44) is needed to drive movements of the back board 21, the head board 22 and the lumbar support 63. In addition, movements of the thigh board 31 and the calf board 32 are driven by only one motor as well (i.e., the second motor 55). Thus, compared with the prior art, which includes four motors, the adjustable bed according to the disclosure is power-efficient and cost-effective.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects, and that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the exemplary embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. An adjustable bed comprising:

a base frame unit extending in a longitudinal direction;

a front bed frame unit including a back board which is hingedly connected relative to said base frame unit at a first axis extending in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction, said back board being convertible between a back normal position, where an end of said back board distal from the first axis is proximate to said base frame unit, and a back elevated position, where said end of said back board is distal from said base frame unit;

a first jack member coupled between said front bed frame unit and said base frame unit so as to permit said back board to be driven by said first jack member to convert between the back normal position and the back elevated position; and

a lumbar support unit including two linking bars disposed at a side of said back board same as said base frame unit, and spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, each of said linking bars extending lengthwise to terminate at a first bar end and a second bar end which is pivoted to said base frame unit at a second axis extending in the transverse direction, a lumbar support extending in the transverse direction and disposed at another side of said back board opposite to said linking bars, and two lever bars spaced apart in the transverse direction, and extending respectively through two apertures of said back board, each of said lever bars having a pivot end connected pivotally to said first bar end of a respective one of said linking bars, a connected end connected to said lumber support, and a middle region disposed between said pivot end and said connected end, and pivoted to said back board at a third axis extending in the transverse direction such that in response to movement of said back board to the back elevated position from the back normal position, said lumbar support is moved to a remote position from a close position relative to said back board.

2. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

two first support units disposed between said base frame unit and said front bed frame unit, and spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, each of said first support units including a first arm having one end pivotably connected to said base frame unit at a fourth axis extending in the transverse direction, and another end coupled to be slidable relative to said front bed frame unit between a first distal position, where said another end is distal from the first axis to support said back board at the back normal position, and a first proximate position, where said another end is proximate to the first axis to support said back board at the back elevated position; and

a first actuated beam extending in the transverse direction to interconnect said first arms of said first support units,

wherein said first jack member is coupled between said first actuated beam and said base frame unit so as to permit said first actuated beam to be actuated by said first jack member to turn about the second axis, thereby moving said another end of said first arm between the first distal and first proximate positions.

3. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 2, wherein said front bed frame unit further includes a head board hingedly connected to said end of said back board at a fifth axis extending in the transverse direction.

4. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said first support units further includes a rail disposed between said front bed frame unit and said first arm, and having:

a first rail end pivotally connected to said back board;

a second rail end configured to slidably support said head board; and

a rail body disposed between said first and second rail ends to permit said another end of said first arm to be slidable relative thereto.

5. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said first support units further includes:

a first roller rotatably connected to said another end of said first arm, and being in rolling contact with said rail body of said rail so as to permit said another end of said first arm to be coupled to slidable relative to said front bed frame unit; and

a second roller rotatably connected to said second rail end of said rail, and being in rolling contact with said head board so as to permit said second rail end to slidably support said head board.

6. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first angle piece having a first coupling end which is coupled to said first actuated beam, and a second coupling end which is opposite to said first coupling end, wherein said first jack member includes:

a first cylinder pivotally connected to said base frame unit;

a first piston rod slidably received in said first cylinder and pivotally connected to said second coupling end so as to permit said first actuated beam to be actuated by said first jack member through said first angle piece; and

a first motor coupled to drive sliding movement of said first piston rod.

7. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a middle frame unit fixedly mounted on said base frame unit, and having a front panel to which said back board is hingedly connected about the first axis, and a rear panel opposite to said front panel in the longitudinal direction;

a rear bed frame unit disposed on said base frame unit rearwardly of said middle frame unit, and including a thigh board hingedly connected to said rear panel at a sixth axis that extends in the transverse direction, and a calf board having a front end hingedly connected to a rear end of said thigh board distal from the sixth axis at a seventh axis that extends in the transverse direction; and

a second jack member coupled between said rear bed frame unit and said base frame unit so as to drive said rear bed frame unit to convert between a leg normal position, where said rear end of said thigh board is proximate to said base frame unit, and a leg elevated position, where said rear end of said thigh board is distal from said base frame unit.

8. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 7, further comprising two link bars each having two bar ends, one of which is pivotally connected to said base frame unit, and the other one of which is pivotally connected to a rear end of said calf board so as to guide conversion of said rear bed frame unit between the leg normal position and the leg elevated position.

9. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

two second arms disposed between said base frame unit and said rear bed frame unit, and spaced apart from said rear bed frame unit in the transverse direction, each of said second arms having one end which is pivotably connected to said base frame unit at an eighth axis extending in the transverse direction, and another end which is slidable relative to said calf board between a second distal position, where said another end of each of said second arms is distal from the sixth axis to support said rear bed frame unit at the leg normal position, and a second proximate position, where said another end of each of said second arms is proximate to the sixth axis to support said rear bed frame unit at the leg elevated position;

a second actuated beam extending in the transverse direction to interconnect said second arms; and

a second angle piece having two opposite coupling ends, one of which is coupled to said second jack member, and the other of which is coupled to said second actuated beam so as to permit said second actuated beam to be driven by said second jack member to turn about the eighth axis, thereby moving said another ends of said second arms between the second distal position and the second proximate position.

10. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 9, further comprising two third rollers, each of which is rotatably connected to said another end of a respective one of said second arms, and each of which is in rolling contact with said calf board so as to permit said another ends of said second arms to be slidable relative to said calf board.

11. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second jack member includes:

a second cylinder pivotally connected to said base frame unit;

a second piston rod slidably received in said first cylinder and pivotally connected to said a corresponding one of said coupling ends of said second angle piece; and

a second motor coupled to drive sliding movement of said second piston rod.

12. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first back frame unit further includes two mount pieces which are mounted on a back surface of said back board, and which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction, said middle region of each of said lever bars being pivotally connected to a respective one of said mount pieces, to thereby permit said middle region to be pivoted to said back board through said respective mount piece.

13. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first angle formed between said base frame unit and said back board ranges from 0 to 100 degrees.

14. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 3, wherein a second angle formed between said head board and said back board ranges from 120 to 180 degrees.

15. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 7, wherein a third angle formed between said calf board and said thigh board ranges from 120 to 180 degrees.

16. The adjustable bed as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a fourth angle formed between each of said lever bars and said respective one of said linking bars ranges from 0 to 100 degrees;

when said back board is at the back normal position, the fourth angle ranges from 0 to 10 degrees; and

when said back board is at the back elevated position, the fourth angle ranges from 80 to 100 degrees.