초록 ▼

An articulating bed frame includes a main frame; a back section connected to the main frame by first and second linkage assemblies, each of the first and second linkage assemblies being pivotally connected at first and third ends to the back section and pivotally connected at opposing respective sec

An articulating bed frame includes a main frame; a back section connected to the main frame by first and second linkage assemblies, each of the first and second linkage assemblies being pivotally connected at first and third ends to the back section and pivotally connected at opposing respective second and fourth ends to the main frame; an upper leg section connected to the main frame by a third linkage assembly and a support link assembly, the third linkage assembly being pivotally connected at opposing fifth and sixth ends to the upper leg section and the main frame, respectively, and the support link assembly being rigidly connected at a seventh end to the upper leg section and being slidably and pivotably connected at an opposing eighth end to the main frame; a seat section pivotally connected at opposing ends to the back section and the upper leg section; a lower leg section pivotally connected to the upper leg section and freely supported atop a forward end of the main frame; and, a drive assembly connected at first and second connection ends to and between the back section and the third linkage assembly, the drive assembly being operable to extend and retract to move the first and second connection ends away and toward each other.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bed frame, comprising:a main frame;a back section;a seat section pivotally connected to said back section;an upper leg section pivotally connected to said seat section;a lower leg section pivotally connected to said upper leg section;a first linkage assembly pivotally connected at an upper end

1. A bed frame, comprising:a main frame;a back section;a seat section pivotally connected to said back section;an upper leg section pivotally connected to said seat section;a lower leg section pivotally connected to said upper leg section;a first linkage assembly pivotally connected at an upper end to said back section and pivotally connected at an opposite lower end to said main frame;a second linkage assembly pivotally connected at an upper end to said back section and pivotally connected at an opposite lower end to said main frame;a third linkage assembly pivotally connected at an upper end to said upper leg section and pivotally connected at an opposite lower end to said main frame;a support link assembly connecting said upper leg section for sliding and pivoting movement relative to said main frame;first means for movably supporting said lower leg section atop said main frame; and,a drive assembly connected between said back section and one of said main frame and said third linkage assembly for articulating said bed frame between a fully reclined position and a fully inclined position. 2. The bed frame of claim 1 wherein said drive assembly is connected at a first end with said back section and at a second end to said main frame. 3. The bed frame of claim 2 wherein said drive assembly comprises a worm gear assembly mounted at the second end to said main frame and having a follower nut connected at the first end with said back section, the worm gear assembly being operable to move the first end toward and away from the second end to articulate said bed frame. 4. The bed frame of claim 1 wherein said drive assembly is connected at a first end with said back section and is connected at a second end to said third linkage assembly. 5. The bed frame of claim 4 wherein said drive assembly is a linear actuator operable to selectively retract and extend its first and second ends toward and away from each other to articulate said bed frame. 6. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein said drive assembly includes a first drive linkage assembly rigidly connected at a first end to said back section and extending generally downwardly therefrom to an opposing distal second end that is pivotally connected with the first end of said linear actuator. 7. The bed frame of claim 5 wherein said drive assembly includes a second drive linkage assembly that is pivotally connected at a first end to said third linkage assembly and is pivotally connected at an opposing distal second end to the second end of said linear actuator. 8. The bed frame of claim 1 wherein said main frame includes at least one roller channel, and said support link assembly includes at least one support link rigidly connected at a first end to said upper leg section and extending generally downwardly therefrom to an opposing distal second end that is sized and configured to engage with and follow in the roller channel. 9. The bed frame of claim 8 wherein the at least one roller channel is generally C-shaped and the at least one support link includes a roller rotatably mounted at the distal second end, the roller being sized and configured to ride within the at least one C-shaped roller channel. 10. The bed frame of claim 8 wherein said main frame includes first and second opposing side rails and said at least one roller channel includes first and second roller channels mounted to the first and second side rails. 11. The bed frame of claim 1 wherein said first means is a track and guide assembly connected with said lower leg section and said main frame to permit said lower leg section to ride freely along the forward end of main frame. 12. The bed frame of claim 11 wherein the track and guide assembly includes at least one roller rotatably mounted to a forward end of said main frame and at least one roller bar mounted to said lower leg frame to ride atop the at least one roller. 13. The bed frame of claim 1 further including a transport position wherein said lower leg section is fold ed about 180 degrees and from the fully reclined position, and rests substantially flat against said upper leg frame. 14. An articulating bed frame, comprising:a main frame;a back section, an upper leg section, a seat section pivotally connected at opposing ends to said back section and said upper leg section, and a lower leg section pivotally connected to said upper leg section;a first linkage assembly being pivotally connected at opposing first and second ends to said back section and said main frame;a second linkage assembly being pivotally connected at opposing third and fourth ends to said back section and said main frame;a third linkage assembly being pivotally connected at opposing fifth and sixth ends to said upper leg section and said main frame, respectively;a support link assembly connecting said upper leg section for sliding and pivotal movement with said main frame;first means for movably supporting said lower leg frame atop said main frame; and,a drive assembly connected between said back section and one of said main frame and said third linkage assembly, said drive assembly being operable to extend and retract to articulate said bed frame between a fully reclined position and a fully inclined position. 15. The bed frame of claim 14 wherein said drive assembly is connected at a first connection end to said back section and at a second connection end to said main frame. 16. The bed frame of claim 15 wherein said drive assembly comprises a worm gear assembly mounted at the second connection end to said main frame and having a follower nut connected at the first connection end with said back section, the worm gear assembly being operable to move the nut and first connection end toward and away from the second connection end to articulate said bed frame. 17. The bed frame of claim 14 wherein said drive assembly is connected at a first end with said back section and at a second, opposing end with said third linkage assembly. 18. The bed frame of claim 14 wherein said drive assembly comprises a linear actuator operable to selectively retract and extend its first and second ends toward and away from each other. 19. The bed frame of claim 18 wherein said drive assembly includes a first drive linkage assembly that is rigidly connected at a first end to said back section and extends generally downwardly therefrom to an opposing distal second end that is pivotally connected with the first end of said linear actuator. 20. The bed frame of claim 18 wherein said drive assembly includes a second drive linkage assembly that is pivotally connected at a first end to said third linkage assembly and is pivotally connected at an opposing distal second end to the second end of said linear actuator. 21. The bed frame of claim 14 wherein said main frame includes at least one roller channel and said support link assembly includes at least one support link that is rigidly connected at a first end to said upper leg section and that extends generally downwardly therefrom to an opposing distal second end that is sized and configured to engage with and follow in the roller channel. 22. The bed frame of claim 21 wherein the at least one roller channel is generally C-shaped and the at least one support link includes a roller rotatably mounted at the distal second end, the roller being sized and configured to ride within the at least one C-shaped roller channel. 23. The bed frame of claim 21 wherein said main frame includes first and second opposing side rails and said at least one roller channel includes first and second roller channels mounted to the first and second side rails. 24. The bed frame of claim 14 wherein said first means is a track and guide assembly connected with said lower leg section and said main frame to permit said lower leg section to ride freely along the forward end of main frame. 25. The bed frame of claim 24 wherein the track and guide assembly includes at least one roller rotatably mounted to a forward end of said main frame and at least one roller bar mounted to said lower leg frame to ride atop the at least one roller. 26. The bed frame of claim 14 further including a transport position wherein said lower leg section is folded about 180 degrees and from the fully reclined position, and substantially rests flat against said upper leg frame. 27. The bed frame of claim 1 further including a transport position wherein said lower leg section is folded about 180 degrees from the fully reclined position, and rests substantially flat against said upper leg frame. 28. An articulating bed frame, comprising:a main frame;a back section;first and second linkage assemblies, each being pivotally connected at spaced apart first and third ends to said back section and pivotally connected at opposing, spaced apart and respective second and fourth ends to said main frame;an upper leg section;a third linkage assembly pivotally connected at opposing fifth and sixth ends to said upper leg section and said main frame;a support link assembly connecting said upper leg section for sliding and pivotal movement with said main frame;a seat section pivotally connected at opposing ends to said back section and said upper leg section;a lower leg section pivotally connected to said upper leg section and freely supported atop a forward end of said main frame; and,a drive assembly connected between said back section and said third linkage assembly and operable to extend and retract to articulate said bed frame between a fully reclined position and a fully inclined position. 29. A method for articulating a bed frame between fully reclined and fully inclined positions, comprising the steps of:providing a bed frame including:a main frame,a back section connected to the main frame by first and second linkage assemblies, each of the first and second linkage assemblies being pivotally connected at first and third ends to said back section and pivotally connected at opposing respective second and fourth ends to said main frame,an upper leg section connected to the main frame by a third linkage assembly and a support link assembly, the third linkage assembly being pivotally connected at opposing fifth and sixth ends to the upper leg section and the main frame, respectively, and the support link assembly being rigidly connected at a seventh end to the upper leg section and being slidably and pivotably connected at an opposing eighth end to said main frame,a seat section pivotally connected at opposing ends to the back section and said upper leg section,a lower leg section pivotally connected to said upper leg section and freely supported atop a forward end of said main frame, anda drive assembly connected at first and second connection ends to and between the back section and one of the main frame and the third linkage assembly, the drive assembly being operable to extend and retract to move the first and second connection ends away and toward each other; and,from the fully reclined position, actuating the drive assembly to move the first and second connection ends away from each other to articulate the bed frame toward the fully inclined position, and from the fully inclined position, actuating the drive assembly to move the first and second connection ends toward each other to articulate the bed frame toward the fully reclined position. 30. The method for articulating a bed frame of claim 29 wherein the step of providing a bed frame includes the drive assembly being connected at its first connection end to the back section and at its second connection end to the third linkage assembly. 31. The method for articulating a bed frame of claim 30 wherein the step of providing a bed frame includes the drive assembly being pivotally connected at its second connection end to the third linkage assembly. 32. The method for articulating a bed frame of claim 31 wherein the step of providing a bed frame includes the drive assembly including a first drive linkage assembly that is rigidly connec ted at a first end to said back section and extends generally downwardly therefrom to an opposing distal second end that is pivotally connected with the first connection end of said linear actuator. 33. The method for articulating a bed frame of claim 31 wherein the step of providing a bed frame includes the drive assembly including a second drive linkage assembly that is pivotally connected at a first end to said third linkage assembly and is pivotally connected at an opposing distal second end to the second connection end of said linear actuator. 34. An articulating bed frame, comprising:a single main frame having a front end and a rear end;a back section having a forward end and a rearward end;first and second linkage assemblies, each being pivotally connected at first and third ends to said back section and pivotally connected at opposing and respective second and fourth ends to said main frame;an upper leg section;a third linkage assembly pivotally connected at opposing fifth and sixth ends to said upper leg section and said main frame, respectively;a support link assembly connecting said upper leg section for sliding and pivotal movement with said main frame;a seat section pivotally connected to said back section and said upper leg section;a lower leg section pivotally connected to said upper leg section and supported at one portion atop said main frame; and,a drive assembly connected between said back section and said third linkage assembly and operable to extend and retract to articulate said bed frame between a fully reclined position and a fully inclined position. 35. The articulating bed frame of claim 34 wherein, during articulation between the fully reclined position and the fully inclined position, the rearward end of said back section moves horizontally about 25% or less of what the forward end of said back section moves horizontally. 36. The articulating bed frame of claim 34 wherein, during articulation between the fully reclined position and the fully inclined position, the rearward end of said back section remains substantially vertically aligned with the rear end of said main frame.