초록 ▼

Latching motion transfer arrangements may be used to raise an object up and out of the engagement with the ground or other support surface and to lower the object back onto the ground or other support surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the mechanism is caused to lift and latch by applying force i

Latching motion transfer arrangements may be used to raise an object up and out of the engagement with the ground or other support surface and to lower the object back onto the ground or other support surface. In one exemplary embodiment, the mechanism is caused to lift and latch by applying force in a first direction, a first time, and is caused to release and lower by applying force in the first direction, a second time.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bed comprising: a bed frame;at least one caster assembly that supports the bed frame above a support surface;a latching lift mechanism connected to the at least one caster assembly;wherein moving a drive member of the lift mechanism in a first direction a first time causes a foot of the latchin

1. A bed comprising: a bed frame;at least one caster assembly that supports the bed frame above a support surface;a latching lift mechanism connected to the at least one caster assembly;wherein moving a drive member of the lift mechanism in a first direction a first time causes a foot of the latching lift mechanism to engage the support surface and lift the at least one caster assembly off of the support surface and latch;wherein moving the drive member of the lift mechanism a second time in said first direction causes the lift mechanism to unlatch and allow the at least one caster assembly to return to the support surface upon movement of the drive member of the lift mechanism in a second direction;wherein the latching lift mechanism comprises: a frame that comprises an elongated channel with first and second side walls;a first catch extending from the first side wall into the channel at a first position along a length of the channel;a second catch extending from the second side wall into the channel at a second position along the length of the channel;a plunger disposed in the channel;a biasing member coupled to the plunger such that the plunger is urged toward the first catch by the biasing member;a detent member disposed in the channel including a leg portion in contact with the drive member; anda latch portion in contact with the plunger having first and second latch projections extending from opposite sides of the leg portion. 2. The bed of claim 1 further comprising a drive bar that couples said latching lift mechanism with a second latching lift mechanism, wherein movement of the drive bar causes the latching lift mechanism and the second latching lift mechanism to lift two caster assemblies off of the support surface. 3. The bed of claim 1 wherein the latch portion is configured to slide across the channel between the side walls such that the first latch projection latches with the first catch when the first latch projection is in engagement with the first catch and the second latch projection latches with the second catch when the second latch projection is in engagement with the second catch. 4. The bed of claim 3 wherein an end of the leg portion is moveable between the first and second side walls of the channel to allow the latch portion to disengage from said first and second catches. 5. The bed of claim 4 wherein force applied to the detent member through the plunger by the biasing member when the first latch projection is latched to the first catch causes the leg portion to pivot toward the first side wall of the channel and wherein force applied to the detent member by the drive member after the leg portion has pivoted toward the first side wall causes the latch portion to slide across a surface of the plunger toward the second side wall. 6. The bed of claim 5 wherein force applied to the detent member through the plunger by the biasing member when the second latch projection is latched to the second catch causes the leg portion to pivot toward the second side wall of the channel and wherein force applied to the detent member by the drive member after the leg portion has pivoted toward the second side wall causes the latch portion to slide across a surface of the plunger toward the first side wall. 7. The bed of claim 1 wherein the drive member is moved by a pin and follower arrangement.