Device for separating a mattress from a bed base, with a retainer system for bed linen

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for beds with a base, which are also equipped with a lifting system for lifting the mattress and the base together, said device allowing the mattress to be separated from the base, and a system of retainers (3) for securing bed linen, providing a practical and functional solution to facilitate bed linen changing tasks and offer greater convenience.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention is part of the manufacturing and marketing sector of resting equipment and furniture, and more specifically the field of bed lifting systems.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a device for separating the mattress from the base, once the latter is lifted by a lifting platform and, in particular, but not exclusively, to a system of retainers for securing bed linen to the mattress, when the latter is separated from the base, in order to facilitate bed linen changing.

[0003] The invention can be applied to any lift-up bed model available on the market and is intended to improve the convenience and functionality of this equipment, providing an added improvement to the existing system of lifting the bed to change bed linen.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In the current state of the art, there are numerous bed models that include lifting systems to lift the mattress, by means of hydraulic, electrical or mechanical systems, to a higher position to facilitate cleaning tasks.

[0005] However, these lifting systems are usually designed to lift the bed as a whole, which leads to the problem that when the mattress is lifted, it remains in contact with the base and cannot be separated to facilitate the placement of the bed linen, and the mattress has to be manually raised to remove the bed linen.

[0006] Some of these systems also raise the base so that the structure is visible, but only to facilitate cleaning and not the bed linen changing task. No references to devices have been found that include a set of retainers for securing bed linen so that it does not move out of its position.

[0007] The invention described in document number ES 2 193 827 A1 describes a lifting system for bases, intended to allow easy access to the floor surface underneath for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

[0008] In the case of the invention in document number ES 2 610 227 T3, a system for lifting the bed, but without subsequently separating the mattress from the base, is disclosed.

[0009] Document DE 103 42 140 A1 shows a lifting mechanism for pivoting an upper part of a bed with a mattress, wherein the mechanism for pivoting the mattress comprises a torsion spring or a gas pressure spring.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need in the market for a system that allows the mattress to be separated from the base in a simple and effective way in order to facilitate the bed linen changing task.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention relates to a device consisting of a platform that is installed on bed-lifting equipment and that allows the mattress to be lifted and separated from the base, allowing access to the space between the mattress and the base, facilitating bed linen changing, as well as a system consisting of a set of retainers that secure the bed linen, preventing it from moving out of its position.

[0012] The invention consists of two main parts: the platform separating the mattress from the base, and the set of retainers.

[0013] The separating platform is designed so that it can be inserted into the lifting arms of any existing bed-lifting model on the market.

[0014] There are stems underneath the platform which are inserted into the lifting arms of the lift-up beds so that they form an extension and thus lift and separate the mattress from the base when the bed is lifted.

[0015] The device also consists of a set of retainers located on the sides of the platform, which allow the bed linen to be secured and retained when the equipment is in the lifted position, with the mattress separated from the base, making it easier for the person in charge of changing the bed linen to carry out their work without the effort of having to lift the corners and sides of the mattress an average of 20 times per bed.

[0016] The retainers have two positions: one in which they are extended to retain the bed linen between the mattress and the retainers, so that they are secured and do not move due to the airflow that is generated between the mattress and base when the mattress is lowered; and another in which they are retracted when the mattress is in its lowered position, resting directly on the base.

[0017] The retainers move horizontally outwards from the centre of the mattress when the assembly is lifted so that the worker can change the bed linen easily, and retract horizontally towards the centre of the mattress when the assembly is lowered, achieving a slight stretching effect on the bed linen.

[0018] The present invention has several advantages over the prior art. Firstly, it allows the mattress to be lifted and separated from the base, which facilitates the cleaning and maintenance of the bed. Furthermore, the set of retainers prevents the bed linen from moving out of its position, providing greater convenience to the user and reducing the need to readjust the bed linen.

[0019] Lastly, the device is compatible with existing bed-lifting equipment on the market, making it easily adaptable to any lift-up bed model.

[0020] The workers in charge of cleaning rooms in hotels under normal conditions may have to carry out a daily average of six to nine hundred lifts of corners and sides of mattresses, which in many cases weigh more than fifty kilograms.

[0021] This device makes it possible for the worker to save up to two minutes per bed and avoids the heavy physical strain and possible injuries caused by lifting mattresses.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] To complement the description that is being made and in order to help make the features of the invention more readily understandable, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description wherein, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a schematic view with a possible embodiment of the device according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic view with a possible embodiment of the device according to the present invention, assembled and prepared to be coupled to a bed lifter. Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the device, showing the exploded view of the coupling with existing lifters. Figure 4 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the device, showing the assembly mounted on a bed with the bed lifter in the initial or lowered position. Figure 5 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the device, showing the assembly mounted on a bed with the bed lifter in the lifted position with the mattress separated from the base. Figure 6 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of a part of the platform on which the mattress rests with the U-shaped grip for the stems, a flat U that houses one of the retainers and a U-shaped rod that acts as a pulley for the belt that collects the set of retainers. Figure 7 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the platform on which the mattress rests. In this figure, the device is in the lowered position and thus the retainers are retracted. Figure 8 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the platform on which the mattress rests. In this figure, the device is in the lifted position and thus the retainers are extended. Figure 9 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of a part of the platform on which the mattress rests. This figure shows in detail the U-shaped rod that acts as a pulley for one of the belts that extends the set of retainers in the lifted position. Figure 10 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of a part of the platform on which the mattress rests. This figure shows in detail several U-shaped rods that act as a pulley for the belts that extends the set of retainers in the lifted position. This is in addition to the fastening of the belts to the base. Figure 11 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the mounted assembly showing the lifter in a lifted state and thus the separation of the mattress from the base. The profile of the retainers is also shown. Figure 12 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the mounted assembly showing the lifter in a lifted state and the separation of the mattress from the base. It shows how the bed linen is retained between the mattress and the retainer. Figure 13 shows a detailed view of a possible embodiment of the mounted assembly showing the lifter in a lowered state and thus the mattress rests on the base. It shows how the retainer is in the retracted position and the bed linen is retained between the mattress and the base. Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the mounted assembly showing the lifter in a lowered state and thus the mattress rests on the base. Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the mounted assembly showing the lifter in a lifted state and thus the mattress is separated from the base. Figure 16 shows a detailed view of an existing bed-lifting model on the market. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The present invention relates to a device that is mounted on bed-lifting equipment to lift and separate the mattress from the base, and a system of movable retainers for securing and retaining the bed linen while the equipment is in the lifted position.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises the following elements: Lifting and separating platform for lifting and separating the mattress from the base (1): The platform (1) consists of a rectangular structure of platens forming a frame with two or three reinforcing platens in the centre, depending on the size of the bed on which the device is to be installed. This platform (1) is made of metal or, failing that, a reinforced plastic polymer. Four U-shaped fastenings (2) are mounted on the platform (1). A stem (3) is secured between the sides of each "U", which oscillates due to a pin or screw with a locking nut (13). The four stems (3), preferably made of metal or reinforced plastic polymer, have the necessary length to achieve adequate lifting and separation of the mattress from the base. At one end, the stems (3) have a hole for being secured to the "U" of the platform, while at the other end they are inserted into (4) the lifting profiles (5) that make up the lifting sides of the bed-lifting devices. The stems are secured with the existing pin or screw (6) of the bed lifter to which it is coupled and they are prepared with specific measurements to be able to be mounted on the different models on the market.

[0025] System of retainers: The system of retainers that is mounted on the platform (1) consists of rectangular parts preferably made of plastic polymers or plywood (7). The retainers (7) are secured to the platform by means of extended U-shaped platens (8), so that they can slide outwards or inside the platform perimeter. The retainers (7) consist of sets of three units joined together (9) at the rear by a profile having the same width and thickness. The retainers (7) are equally spaced along each side of the platform (1), and each platform has four independent sets (9). Each set of retainers (9) has a wide rubber strap (10) secured to its rear profile and to the reinforcement profile of the platform (1), said strap having the function of retracting the set of retainers (9) inwards, in the horizontal plane of the bed, when the lifter is in its lowered position (figure 1). Two belt straps (11) are also secured to the rear profile of each set of retainers (9), said straps in turn passing through two U-shaped rods (12) which inner opening width coincides with the width of the belts, acting as pulleys. The function of the belts (11) is to push the sets (9) of retainers (7) towards the edge of the mattress, so that they can perform the function of retaining the bed linen while the assembly is in the lifted position and the mattress is separated from the base (figure 8). The rods (12) are secured to the inside of the platens of the platform sides and to their central reinforcement profile, so that they can act as pulleys for the belts (figures 1 and 9). The belts (11), at the other end, are secured to the base with a plastic piece (16) screwed to the same (figure 10). With this system of retainers (7), as shown in figure 12, it is possible to retain the bed linen (14), being retracted and stretched (15) under the mattress when the bed is made and in a lifted position. Once the bed-lifting assembly, according to figure 13, and the platform (1) separating the mattress from the base are in the lowered position, the retainers (7) are retracted and the bed linen (15) is secured between the mattress and the base.

Claims

1. A device for separating a mattress from a base, for mounting on bed lifters with lifting arms formed by rods (5), comprising: - a platform (1) for lifting and separating the mattress from the base, and - retainers (7) that secure and retain the bed linen, the device being characterised in that it further comprises: - stems (3) intended to be inserted into the rods (5) of the lifting arms, and - retainers (7) intended to secure and retain the bed linen.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the retainers (7) are configured to alternate between an extended position for securing the bed linen, when the mattress is in the lifted position, and a retracted position, when the mattress is in its lowered position, resting directly on the base.

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