Width Adjustable Electric Bed Frame

Abstract

A width-adjustable electric bed frame includes a base frame and support units on the base frame. Each support unit includes a main frame body, two sliding connectors, and an extension frame. The main frame body includes first front and rear rods, and two first longitudinal rods connected at top sides thereof with the first front and rear rods. The sliding connectors connect the first front and rear rods, forming front and rear sliding grooves, respectively. The extension frame includes second front and rear rods, and a second longitudinal rod disposed at outer ends of the second front and rear rods, with inner ends of the second front and rear rods passing through the front and rear sliding grooves, respectively. The electric bed allows for reduced packaging or storage volume and enables consumers to adjust the width of the bed frame as needed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63 / 715,061, filed on Nov. 1, 2024, and fully incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not ApplicableTHE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not ApplicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

[0004] Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to electric beds frames, and more particularly to a width-adjustable electric bed frame.Description of the Related Art

[0006] Conventional electric bed frames generally comprise a base frame, multiple support units positioned above the base frame, and several actuators connected with the base frame and the support units. These support units can be driven by the actuators to swing upward or move to different positions. An example can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 11,399,998, which discloses a fixed base frame and movable support units for the back, thigh, and calf of the user. Due to the inclusion of actuators and related electronic devices, as well as the need for additional connecting rods between the support units and the base frame, electric beds and bed frames are not only relatively heavy but also have larger packaging dimensions. This increases the transportation and storage costs, making it difficult to reduce the product price.

[0007] Electric beds and their frames come in various sizes, such as single, queen, and king sizes. Manufacturers or retailers need to prepare packaging in different sizes and store electric beds and their bed frames of different specifications in separate areas, which requires considerable manpower for management.

[0008] From a consumer perspective, the mechanism of an electric bed frame is more complex than that of a non-electric bed frame. Additionally, there are currently no designs of electric bed frames with adjustable width. If consumers want to change the bed frame width, they have no choice but to purchase a new bed frame, which can be a financial burden. It is also not environmentally friendly, as the old bed, including frame and mattress, must be discarded.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-noted circumstances. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a width-adjustable electric bed frame, which can reduce packaging volume and allow beds of different specifications to be packaged by using the same size packaging materials.

[0010] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a width-adjustable electric bed frame, which enables consumers to adjust the width of the bed frame as needed, making it both economical and environmentally friendly.

[0011] To attain the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a width-adjustable electric bed frame comprising a base frame and a plurality of support units. The base frame defines a front-back direction and a left-right direction perpendicular to each other. The support units are located above the base frame and arranged along the front-back direction. The support units are adjustable while the base frame is, generally, not adjustable. Each of the support units have the following width adjustment components: a main frame body, two sliding connectors, and an extension frame. The main frame body comprises a first front rod, a first rear rod parallel to the first front rod, and two first longitudinal rods respectively located at left and right ends of the first front rod and the first rear rod. The first longitudinal rods each have a top side connected with bottom sides of the first front rod and the first rear rod.

[0012] The two sliding connectors each have a top wall, a side wall extending downward from a side of the top wall, and a bottom wall extending laterally from a bottom side of the side wall. The two sliding connectors are respectively connected at the top and bottom walls with the first front rod and the first rear rod in a way that a gap is left between the side wall of each of the two sliding connectors and each of the first front and rear rods, forming a front sliding groove and a rear sliding groove. The two sliding connectors are spaced from one of the first longitudinal rods at a distance. The extension frame comprises a second front rod, a second rear rod parallel to the second front rod, and a second longitudinal rod disposed at outer ends of the second front and rear rods. An inner end of the second front rod is inserted through the front sliding groove, and an inner end of the second rear rod is inserted through the rear sliding groove in a way that the second front and rear rods are supported by the top side of one of the first longitudinal rods. As a result, the width-adjustable electric bed of the present invention can reduce packaging volume and allows beds of different specifications to be packaged by using the same size packaging materials.

[0013] Each extension frame is connected to two sliding connectors which slide on the first front rod and first rear rod, and which allow the extension frame to slide out and away from the support units to extend the width of the overall bed frame. This can, for example, allow a consumer to extend the frame from a queen sized frame to a king sized frame. This allows the producer to sell a single frame that can be used for both, for example, queen sized and king sized mattresses. Additionally, consumers can adjust the width of the bed frame as needed, making it both economical and environmentally friendly.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a width-adjustable electric bed frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame showing the extension frames in the extended position.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame with the various extension frames in the extended position.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 2 detailing the components of one representative extension frame.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame showing the various support units of the electric bed frame in the upward position and with the extension frames extended.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame, showing the frame folded, and with the extension frames retracted.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, and that there may be a variety of other alternate embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specified structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the varying embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] The structure and technical features of the present invention will be described hereunder by an embodiment and accompany drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , a width-adjustable electric bed frame 1, provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is composed of a base frame 10, five support units 20, and two actuators 50.

[0023] The base frame 10 can be defined with a front-back direction D1 and a left-right direction D2 perpendicular to each other. For ease of illustration, the left side of the front-back direction D1 in FIG. 1 is designated as the front, and the right side of the front-back direction D1 is designated as the rear, but this should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the patent. The base frame 10, as best seen in FIG. 3, includes a front frame 12 and a rear frame 14 pivotally connected at the front side thereof to the front frame 12, and six leg posts 16 disposed respectively at the front frame 12 and the rear frame 14. The front frame 12 and the rear frame 14 can be pivotally swung relative to each other, allowing the base frame 10 to fold, as shown in FIG. 6. The leg posts 16 may be installed or removed as needed. In general, beyond folding as described, the base frame 10 is not otherwise adjustable.

[0024] The support units 20 are located above the base frame 10 and arranged along the front-back direction D1. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 5, there are four support units 20 that support the user's body, and include the back support unit which can be raised to support the user's back in a sitting position, the hip support unit which typically does not move and which supports the user's hips and buttocks, the movable thigh support unit and attached calf support unit. The back support unit 20 can be rotated upward by means of one of the two actuators. The thigh support unit 20 can be similarly rotated upwardly by means of the other actuator, and the calf support unit is rotatably attached to the thigh support unit. The hip support unit is attached to the base frame. U.S. Pat. No. 11,399,998, details each of these support units and describes how they move on the base frame 10.

[0025] Each support unit 20 includes a main frame body 22, four sliding connectors 30, and two extension frames 40, one on the left side and one on the right side of the main frame body 22. Each of the support units 20 is the same width from left to right, and adjustably by means of the extension frames 40 as described below. As best seen in FIG. 5, each of the support units 20 has different lengths. The two extension frames 40 are slidably attached to the main frame body 22 by means of two sliding connectors 30 for each extension frame, and each sliding connector 30 is fixedly attach to the main frame body 22, and allows the extension frames 40 to slide outwardly from the main frame body 22 to extend the width of the support unit 20 and hence the entire bed frame 1. Since the structures of the support units 20 are similar, the second support unit 20, counted from the front, will be used as an example for illustration.

[0026] As best seen in FIG. 2, the main frame body 22 includes a first front rod 23, a first rear rod 24 parallel to the first front rod 23, and two first longitudinal rods 25 disposed at the left and right ends of the first front rod 23 and the first rear rod 24, respectively. The first two longitudinal rods 25 are perpendicular to the first front rod 23 and first rear rod 24, and conventionally attached, for example by welding or bolting. This creates a rectangular main frame body 22. The first longitudinal rod 25 connects the bottom side 232 of the first front rod 23 and the bottom side 242 of the first rear rod 24 at its top side 251. The first front rod 23 may be a straight rod or a rod that is bent in the middle with straight end portions, as shown as the first front rod 23 of the fifth support unit 20 counted from the front in FIG. 2. The first rear rod 24 may also be a straight rod or a rod that is bent in the middle with straight end portions, as shown as the first rear rod 24 of the fourth support unit 20 counted from the front in FIG. 2. Each of the rods, 23 and 24, are elongated metal rods, and in the preferred embodiment are made of steel and have rectangular cross sections. Because the bed frame 1 is a standard width, each of the first front rods 23 and first rear rods 24 are the same length, but because each of the support units 20 are different lengths, the two first longitudinal rods 25 of each of the different support units 20 are different lengths.

[0027] As best seen in FIG. 4, each of the extension frames 40 slide within two sliding connectors 30 that are fixedly attached to the main frame body 22, which allows the extension frames 40 to move in towards and away from the main frame body 22 to extend the overall width of the bed frame 1. Each sliding connector 30 has a top wall 32, a side wall 34 extending downward from one side of the top wall 32, and a bottom wall 36 extending laterally from the bottom side of the side wall 34, forming a U-shaped member having the opening facing the front-back direction D1. In the preferred embodiment the sliding connector 30 is made from steel and fixedly attached to the first front rod 23 and first rear rod 24 near the far left and right side of the rods 23 and 24, and near where the first longitudinal rods 25 are attached. In this embodiment, two sliding connectors 30 are fixedly attached and located at left and right sides of the first front rod 23 and connected at the top wall 32 and the bottom wall 36 thereof with the top side 231 and the bottom side 232 of the first front rod 23, respectively. This creates a channel that allows the extension frame 40 to slide on the first front rod 23 and the first rear rod 24 to allow the extension frame 40 to move in relation to the main frame body 22. The other two sliding connectors 30 are located at left and right sides of the first rear rod 24 and connected at the top wall 32 and the bottom wall 36 thereof with the top side 241 and the bottom side 242 of the first rear rod 24, respectively. The side walls 34 of these sliding connectors 30 each have a gap with each of the first front rod 23 and the first rear rod 24, forming two front sliding grooves 38 and two rear sliding grooves 39. The sliding connectors 30 are spaced from adjacent one of the first longitudinal rods 25 at a distance S.

[0028] The two extension frames 40 for each support unit 20 are respectively located at left and right sides of the main frame body 22, as can best be seen in FIG. 5.. The two extension frames 40 are made of the same material as the rods 23, 24, 25 as described above. The two extension frames 40 for each support unit 20 are the same length as the main frame body 22 of the support unit 20 that they are attached to. Due to their similar structure, one of the extension frames 40 on the left side will be used as an example for illustration. As shown in the detail drawing of FIG. 4, the extension frame 40 includes a second front rod 42, a second rear rod 45 parallel to the second front rod 42, and a second longitudinal rod 48 disposed at an outer end 43 of the second front rod 42 and an outer end 46 of the second rear rod 45. These longitudinal rods 48 are the outside left and right edge of the support units 20 as best seen in FIG. 5, and form the outside of the adjustable bed frame 1. The second front rod 42 runs parallel to and slides against the first front rod 23 and slides through the sliding connector 30. Likewise the second rear rod 45 runs parallel to and slides against the first rear rod 24 and slides through the sliding connector 30. An inner end 44 of the second front rod 42 and an inner end 47 of the second rear rod 45 are respectively inserted through the front sliding groove 38 and the rear sliding groove 39, and both the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45 are supported by the top side 251 of the first longitudinal rod 25. When the extension frame 40 are pulled to extend from the main frame body 22, it can increase the width of the support unit 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. At this extended stage, the inner end 44 of the second front rod 42 and the inner end 47 of the second rear rod 45 are restricted by the sliding connectors 30, and both the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45 are supported by the first longitudinal rod 25, allowing the extension frame 40 to support a significant weight even if its outer end is suspended. When the extension frame 40 retracts, it can reduce the width of the support unit 20, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] To provide a stable support surface for the extension frame 40, the top side 231 of the first front rod 23 is designed to be flush with the top side 421 of the second front rod 42, and the top side 241 of the first rear rod 24 is designed to be flush with the top side 451 of the second rear rod 45. Additionally, to give the skeleton a solid appearance or conceal internal mechanisms, the height H2 of the second longitudinal rod 48 is designed to be greater than or equal to the height H1 of the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45.

[0030] To ensure proper positioning of the extension frame 40, for example, when extended, the width of the support unit 20 is increased to a king-sized bed size, and when retracted, the width of the support unit 20 is reduced to a queen-sized bed size, a through hole 341 is provided at the side wall 34 of the sliding connector 30, and two positioning holes 422 are provided at corresponding positions at the second front rod 42 of the extension frame 40. By inserting a pin 49 through the through hole 341 and one of the positioning holes 422, the extension frame 40 can be positioned and fixed relative to the main frame body 22. The through hole 341 may be designed to be located on the top wall 32 or the bottom wall 36. For more precise positioning, two positioning holes 452 can also be provided at corresponding positions at the second rear rod 45, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] The extension frames 40 and associated sliding connectors 30 are attached on the left and right outsides of the support units 20, and therefore do not conflict with the actuators 50 that move the support units. Each of the two actuators 50 are connected with the main frame body 22 of one of the support units 20 to drive the associated support unit 20 to swing upward relative to the base frame 10. As shown in FIG. 3, which shows the support units 20 in the flat position and in FIG. 5, which shows the support units 20 in the extended upright positions, the two actuators 50 are located away from the extending frames 40 and sliding connectors 30 so do not conflict with their movement. This allows the extension frames 40 to be moved with the bed frame in either the upright or flat position, and also allows the moving support units 20 to be moved when the extension frames 40 are either extended or retracted.

[0032] To summarize, in the preferred embodiment, on the base frame 10 there is a back support unit, a hip support unit, a thigh support unit and a calf support unit. Each of these support units 20 has a left and a right side, so there is a back support unit left side and a back support unit right side, a hip support unit left side and a hip support unit right side, a thigh support unit left side and a thigh support unit right side, and a calf support unit left side and a calf support unit right side. There is an extension frame slidably attached to each of the left and right side of each of the support units, so there is a back left extension frame and a back right extension frame, a hip left extension frame and a hip right extension frame, a thigh left extension frame and a thigh right extension frame, and a calf left extension frame and a calf right extension frame. In the preferred embodiment when the extension frames are slid inwardly against the support units the frame is sized to hold a queen sized mattress, and then the extension frames are slid outwardly the frame is sized to hold a king sized mattress. Each of the support units 20 has a main frame body 22, and each main frame body 22 is constructed by attaching two first longitudinal rods 25 to a first front rod 23 and a first rear rod 24 at the left and right side of each support unit.

[0033] There is a sliding connector 30 attached on each support unit at the first front rod and the first rear rod on both the left and right side. For the back support unit there is a back support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a back support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a back support unit right first rod sliding connector and a back support unit left first rear rod sliding connector. For the hip support unit there is a hip support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a hip support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a hip support unit right first rod sliding connector and a hip support unit left first rear rod sliding connector. For the thigh support unit there is a thigh support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a thigh support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a thigh support unit right first rod sliding connector and a thigh support unit left first rear rod sliding connector. For the calf support unit there is a calf support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a calf support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a calf support unit right first rod sliding connector and a calf support unit left first rear rod sliding connector.

[0034] Each extension frames 40 consists of a second longitudinal rod 48 that will, when attached, be the outside of the overall bed frame and will slide inwardly and outwardly to change the overall width of the frame 1. There are two perpendicular rods extending outwardly from the second longitudinal rod 48, which are the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45, which are spaced and configured to correspond to the first front rod 23 and first rear rod 24 of the main body frame 22 and slide through the sliding connector 30 as described above. That means that the back left extension frame has a back left extension frame second front rod that engages and slides within the back support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a back left extension frame second rear rod that engages and slides within the back support unit left first rear rod sliding connector to allow the back left extension frame to slide inwardly and outwardly on the left side of the main body frame 22 of the back support unit. The same holds true for the back right extension frame, and the left and right extension frames for each of the hip support unit, the thigh support unit, and the calf support unit. As can be appreciated, and as set out above, since each extension frame has the same components and operations, they were only described once.

[0035] With the above-described structural features, consumers can adjust the width of the bed frame according to their needs without having to purchase a new bed, making the electric bed frame 1 of the present invention both economical and environmentally friendly. For manufacturers, by retracting the extension frames 40 before packaging, the electric bed frame 1 can be packaged as a queen-size bed, as shown in FIG. 6. In this way, whether for transportation or storage, there is only a single size, which simplifies management. During display or sale, simply pulling out the extension frames 40 can convert the electric bed frame 1 into a king-size bed, essentially allowing beds of different specifications to be packaged with the same size packaging materials. This can also be regarded as reducing the packaging volume for the king-sized bed, thus achieving the objectives of the present invention.

[0036] The present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain both the ends and the advantages mentioned, as well as other benefits inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation to the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the present invention is intended to be limited only be the spirit and scope of the claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0021]Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, and that there may be a variety of other alternate embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specified structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the varying embodiments of the present invention.

[0022]The structure and technical features of the present invention will be described hereunder by an embodiment and accompany drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , a width-adjustable electric bed frame 1, provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is composed of a base frame 10, five support units 20, and two actuators 50.

[0023]The base frame 10 can be defined with a front-back ...

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63 / 715,061, filed on Nov. 1, 2024, and fully incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not ApplicableTHE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not ApplicableINCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

[0004] Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to electric beds frames, and more particularly to a width-adjustable electric bed frame.Description of the Related Art

[0006] Conventional electric bed frames generally comprise a base frame, multiple support units positioned above the base frame, and several actuators connected with the base frame and the support units. These support units can be driven by the actuators to swing upward or move to different positions. An example can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 11,399,998, which discloses a fixed base frame and movable support units for the back, thigh, and calf of the user. Due to the inclusion of actuators and related electronic devices, as well as the need for additional connecting rods between the support units and the base frame, electric beds and bed frames are not only relatively heavy but also have larger packaging dimensions. This increases the transportation and storage costs, making it difficult to reduce the product price.

[0007] Electric beds and their frames come in various sizes, such as single, queen, and king sizes. Manufacturers or retailers need to prepare packaging in different sizes and store electric beds and their bed frames of different specifications in separate areas, which requires considerable manpower for management.

[0008] From a consumer perspective, the mechanism of an electric bed frame is more complex than that of a non-electric bed frame. Additionally, there are currently no designs of electric bed frames with adjustable width. If consumers want to change the bed frame width, they have no choice but to purchase a new bed frame, which can be a financial burden. It is also not environmentally friendly, as the old bed, including frame and mattress, must be discarded.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-noted circumstances. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a width-adjustable electric bed frame, which can reduce packaging volume and allow beds of different specifications to be packaged by using the same size packaging materials.

[0010] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a width-adjustable electric bed frame, which enables consumers to adjust the width of the bed frame as needed, making it both economical and environmentally friendly.

[0011] To attain the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a width-adjustable electric bed frame comprising a base frame and a plurality of support units. The base frame defines a front-back direction and a left-right direction perpendicular to each other. The support units are located above the base frame and arranged along the front-back direction. The support units are adjustable while the base frame is, generally, not adjustable. Each of the support units have the following width adjustment components: a main frame body, two sliding connectors, and an extension frame. The main frame body comprises a first front rod, a first rear rod parallel to the first front rod, and two first longitudinal rods respectively located at left and right ends of the first front rod and the first rear rod. The first longitudinal rods each have a top side connected with bottom sides of the first front rod and the first rear rod.

[0012] The two sliding connectors each have a top wall, a side wall extending downward from a side of the top wall, and a bottom wall extending laterally from a bottom side of the side wall. The two sliding connectors are respectively connected at the top and bottom walls with the first front rod and the first rear rod in a way that a gap is left between the side wall of each of the two sliding connectors and each of the first front and rear rods, forming a front sliding groove and a rear sliding groove. The two sliding connectors are spaced from one of the first longitudinal rods at a distance. The extension frame comprises a second front rod, a second rear rod parallel to the second front rod, and a second longitudinal rod disposed at outer ends of the second front and rear rods. An inner end of the second front rod is inserted through the front sliding groove, and an inner end of the second rear rod is inserted through the rear sliding groove in a way that the second front and rear rods are supported by the top side of one of the first longitudinal rods. As a result, the width-adjustable electric bed of the present invention can reduce packaging volume and allows beds of different specifications to be packaged by using the same size packaging materials.

[0013] Each extension frame is connected to two sliding connectors which slide on the first front rod and first rear rod, and which allow the extension frame to slide out and away from the support units to extend the width of the overall bed frame. This can, for example, allow a consumer to extend the frame from a queen sized frame to a king sized frame. This allows the producer to sell a single frame that can be used for both, for example, queen sized and king sized mattresses. Additionally, consumers can adjust the width of the bed frame as needed, making it both economical and environmentally friendly.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a width-adjustable electric bed frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame showing the extension frames in the extended position.

[0017] FIG. 3 is an underside perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame with the various extension frames in the extended position.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 2 detailing the components of one representative extension frame.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame showing the various support units of the electric bed frame in the upward position and with the extension frames extended.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the width-adjustable electric bed frame, showing the frame folded, and with the extension frames retracted.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, and that there may be a variety of other alternate embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specified structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the varying embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] The structure and technical features of the present invention will be described hereunder by an embodiment and accompany drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , a width-adjustable electric bed frame 1, provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is composed of a base frame 10, five support units 20, and two actuators 50.

[0023] The base frame 10 can be defined with a front-back direction D1 and a left-right direction D2 perpendicular to each other. For ease of illustration, the left side of the front-back direction D1 in FIG. 1 is designated as the front, and the right side of the front-back direction D1 is designated as the rear, but this should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the patent. The base frame 10, as best seen in FIG. 3, includes a front frame 12 and a rear frame 14 pivotally connected at the front side thereof to the front frame 12, and six leg posts 16 disposed respectively at the front frame 12 and the rear frame 14. The front frame 12 and the rear frame 14 can be pivotally swung relative to each other, allowing the base frame 10 to fold, as shown in FIG. 6. The leg posts 16 may be installed or removed as needed. In general, beyond folding as described, the base frame 10 is not otherwise adjustable.

[0024] The support units 20 are located above the base frame 10 and arranged along the front-back direction D1. As perhaps best seen in FIG. 5, there are four support units 20 that support the user's body, and include the back support unit which can be raised to support the user's back in a sitting position, the hip support unit which typically does not move and which supports the user's hips and buttocks, the movable thigh support unit and attached calf support unit. The back support unit 20 can be rotated upward by means of one of the two actuators. The thigh support unit 20 can be similarly rotated upwardly by means of the other actuator, and the calf support unit is rotatably attached to the thigh support unit. The hip support unit is attached to the base frame. U.S. Pat. No. 11,399,998, details each of these support units and describes how they move on the base frame 10.

[0025] Each support unit 20 includes a main frame body 22, four sliding connectors 30, and two extension frames 40, one on the left side and one on the right side of the main frame body 22. Each of the support units 20 is the same width from left to right, and adjustably by means of the extension frames 40 as described below. As best seen in FIG. 5, each of the support units 20 has different lengths. The two extension frames 40 are slidably attached to the main frame body 22 by means of two sliding connectors 30 for each extension frame, and each sliding connector 30 is fixedly attach to the main frame body 22, and allows the extension frames 40 to slide outwardly from the main frame body 22 to extend the width of the support unit 20 and hence the entire bed frame 1. Since the structures of the support units 20 are similar, the second support unit 20, counted from the front, will be used as an example for illustration.

[0026] As best seen in FIG. 2, the main frame body 22 includes a first front rod 23, a first rear rod 24 parallel to the first front rod 23, and two first longitudinal rods 25 disposed at the left and right ends of the first front rod 23 and the first rear rod 24, respectively. The first two longitudinal rods 25 are perpendicular to the first front rod 23 and first rear rod 24, and conventionally attached, for example by welding or bolting. This creates a rectangular main frame body 22. The first longitudinal rod 25 connects the bottom side 232 of the first front rod 23 and the bottom side 242 of the first rear rod 24 at its top side 251. The first front rod 23 may be a straight rod or a rod that is bent in the middle with straight end portions, as shown as the first front rod 23 of the fifth support unit 20 counted from the front in FIG. 2. The first rear rod 24 may also be a straight rod or a rod that is bent in the middle with straight end portions, as shown as the first rear rod 24 of the fourth support unit 20 counted from the front in FIG. 2. Each of the rods, 23 and 24, are elongated metal rods, and in the preferred embodiment are made of steel and have rectangular cross sections. Because the bed frame 1 is a standard width, each of the first front rods 23 and first rear rods 24 are the same length, but because each of the support units 20 are different lengths, the two first longitudinal rods 25 of each of the different support units 20 are different lengths.

[0027] As best seen in FIG. 4, each of the extension frames 40 slide within two sliding connectors 30 that are fixedly attached to the main frame body 22, which allows the extension frames 40 to move in towards and away from the main frame body 22 to extend the overall width of the bed frame 1. Each sliding connector 30 has a top wall 32, a side wall 34 extending downward from one side of the top wall 32, and a bottom wall 36 extending laterally from the bottom side of the side wall 34, forming a U-shaped member having the opening facing the front-back direction D1. In the preferred embodiment the sliding connector 30 is made from steel and fixedly attached to the first front rod 23 and first rear rod 24 near the far left and right side of the rods 23 and 24, and near where the first longitudinal rods 25 are attached. In this embodiment, two sliding connectors 30 are fixedly attached and located at left and right sides of the first front rod 23 and connected at the top wall 32 and the bottom wall 36 thereof with the top side 231 and the bottom side 232 of the first front rod 23, respectively. This creates a channel that allows the extension frame 40 to slide on the first front rod 23 and the first rear rod 24 to allow the extension frame 40 to move in relation to the main frame body 22. The other two sliding connectors 30 are located at left and right sides of the first rear rod 24 and connected at the top wall 32 and the bottom wall 36 thereof with the top side 241 and the bottom side 242 of the first rear rod 24, respectively. The side walls 34 of these sliding connectors 30 each have a gap with each of the first front rod 23 and the first rear rod 24, forming two front sliding grooves 38 and two rear sliding grooves 39. The sliding connectors 30 are spaced from adjacent one of the first longitudinal rods 25 at a distance S.

[0028] The two extension frames 40 for each support unit 20 are respectively located at left and right sides of the main frame body 22, as can best be seen in FIG. 5.. The two extension frames 40 are made of the same material as the rods 23, 24, 25 as described above. The two extension frames 40 for each support unit 20 are the same length as the main frame body 22 of the support unit 20 that they are attached to. Due to their similar structure, one of the extension frames 40 on the left side will be used as an example for illustration. As shown in the detail drawing of FIG. 4, the extension frame 40 includes a second front rod 42, a second rear rod 45 parallel to the second front rod 42, and a second longitudinal rod 48 disposed at an outer end 43 of the second front rod 42 and an outer end 46 of the second rear rod 45. These longitudinal rods 48 are the outside left and right edge of the support units 20 as best seen in FIG. 5, and form the outside of the adjustable bed frame 1. The second front rod 42 runs parallel to and slides against the first front rod 23 and slides through the sliding connector 30. Likewise the second rear rod 45 runs parallel to and slides against the first rear rod 24 and slides through the sliding connector 30. An inner end 44 of the second front rod 42 and an inner end 47 of the second rear rod 45 are respectively inserted through the front sliding groove 38 and the rear sliding groove 39, and both the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45 are supported by the top side 251 of the first longitudinal rod 25. When the extension frame 40 are pulled to extend from the main frame body 22, it can increase the width of the support unit 20, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. At this extended stage, the inner end 44 of the second front rod 42 and the inner end 47 of the second rear rod 45 are restricted by the sliding connectors 30, and both the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45 are supported by the first longitudinal rod 25, allowing the extension frame 40 to support a significant weight even if its outer end is suspended. When the extension frame 40 retracts, it can reduce the width of the support unit 20, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] To provide a stable support surface for the extension frame 40, the top side 231 of the first front rod 23 is designed to be flush with the top side 421 of the second front rod 42, and the top side 241 of the first rear rod 24 is designed to be flush with the top side 451 of the second rear rod 45. Additionally, to give the skeleton a solid appearance or conceal internal mechanisms, the height H2 of the second longitudinal rod 48 is designed to be greater than or equal to the height H1 of the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45.

[0030] To ensure proper positioning of the extension frame 40, for example, when extended, the width of the support unit 20 is increased to a king-sized bed size, and when retracted, the width of the support unit 20 is reduced to a queen-sized bed size, a through hole 341 is provided at the side wall 34 of the sliding connector 30, and two positioning holes 422 are provided at corresponding positions at the second front rod 42 of the extension frame 40. By inserting a pin 49 through the through hole 341 and one of the positioning holes 422, the extension frame 40 can be positioned and fixed relative to the main frame body 22. The through hole 341 may be designed to be located on the top wall 32 or the bottom wall 36. For more precise positioning, two positioning holes 452 can also be provided at corresponding positions at the second rear rod 45, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] The extension frames 40 and associated sliding connectors 30 are attached on the left and right outsides of the support units 20, and therefore do not conflict with the actuators 50 that move the support units. Each of the two actuators 50 are connected with the main frame body 22 of one of the support units 20 to drive the associated support unit 20 to swing upward relative to the base frame 10. As shown in FIG. 3, which shows the support units 20 in the flat position and in FIG. 5, which shows the support units 20 in the extended upright positions, the two actuators 50 are located away from the extending frames 40 and sliding connectors 30 so do not conflict with their movement. This allows the extension frames 40 to be moved with the bed frame in either the upright or flat position, and also allows the moving support units 20 to be moved when the extension frames 40 are either extended or retracted.

[0032] To summarize, in the preferred embodiment, on the base frame 10 there is a back support unit, a hip support unit, a thigh support unit and a calf support unit. Each of these support units 20 has a left and a right side, so there is a back support unit left side and a back support unit right side, a hip support unit left side and a hip support unit right side, a thigh support unit left side and a thigh support unit right side, and a calf support unit left side and a calf support unit right side. There is an extension frame slidably attached to each of the left and right side of each of the support units, so there is a back left extension frame and a back right extension frame, a hip left extension frame and a hip right extension frame, a thigh left extension frame and a thigh right extension frame, and a calf left extension frame and a calf right extension frame. In the preferred embodiment when the extension frames are slid inwardly against the support units the frame is sized to hold a queen sized mattress, and then the extension frames are slid outwardly the frame is sized to hold a king sized mattress. Each of the support units 20 has a main frame body 22, and each main frame body 22 is constructed by attaching two first longitudinal rods 25 to a first front rod 23 and a first rear rod 24 at the left and right side of each support unit.

[0033] There is a sliding connector 30 attached on each support unit at the first front rod and the first rear rod on both the left and right side. For the back support unit there is a back support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a back support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a back support unit right first rod sliding connector and a back support unit left first rear rod sliding connector. For the hip support unit there is a hip support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a hip support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a hip support unit right first rod sliding connector and a hip support unit left first rear rod sliding connector. For the thigh support unit there is a thigh support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a thigh support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a thigh support unit right first rod sliding connector and a thigh support unit left first rear rod sliding connector. For the calf support unit there is a calf support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a calf support unit left first rear rod sliding connector, and a calf support unit right first rod sliding connector and a calf support unit left first rear rod sliding connector.

[0034] Each extension frames 40 consists of a second longitudinal rod 48 that will, when attached, be the outside of the overall bed frame and will slide inwardly and outwardly to change the overall width of the frame 1. There are two perpendicular rods extending outwardly from the second longitudinal rod 48, which are the second front rod 42 and the second rear rod 45, which are spaced and configured to correspond to the first front rod 23 and first rear rod 24 of the main body frame 22 and slide through the sliding connector 30 as described above. That means that the back left extension frame has a back left extension frame second front rod that engages and slides within the back support unit left first front rod sliding connector and a back left extension frame second rear rod that engages and slides within the back support unit left first rear rod sliding connector to allow the back left extension frame to slide inwardly and outwardly on the left side of the main body frame 22 of the back support unit. The same holds true for the back right extension frame, and the left and right extension frames for each of the hip support unit, the thigh support unit, and the calf support unit. As can be appreciated, and as set out above, since each extension frame has the same components and operations, they were only described once.

[0035] With the above-described structural features, consumers can adjust the width of the bed frame according to their needs without having to purchase a new bed, making the electric bed frame 1 of the present invention both economical and environmentally friendly. For manufacturers, by retracting the extension frames 40 before packaging, the electric bed frame 1 can be packaged as a queen-size bed, as shown in FIG. 6. In this way, whether for transportation or storage, there is only a single size, which simplifies management. During display or sale, simply pulling out the extension frames 40 can convert the electric bed frame 1 into a king-size bed, essentially allowing beds of different specifications to be packaged with the same size packaging materials. This can also be regarded as reducing the packaging volume for the king-sized bed, thus achieving the objectives of the present invention.

[0036] The present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain both the ends and the advantages mentioned, as well as other benefits inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such reference does not imply a limitation to the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the present invention is intended to be limited only be the spirit and scope of the claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0021]Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, and that there may be a variety of other alternate embodiments. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specified structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the varying embodiments of the present invention.

[0022]The structure and technical features of the present invention will be described hereunder by an embodiment and accompany drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , a width-adjustable electric bed frame 1, provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, is composed of a base frame 10, five support units 20, and two actuators 50.

[0023]The base frame 10 can be defined with a front-back ...

Claims

1. A width-adjustable electric bed frame, comprising:a base frame defining a front-back direction and a left-right direction perpendicular to each other; anda plurality of support units located above the base frame and arranged along the front-back direction;wherein each of the support units comprises:a main frame body, comprising a first front rod, a first rear rod parallel to the first front rod, and two first longitudinal rods respectively located at left and right ends of the first front rod and the first rear rod; the first longitudinal rods each have a top side connected with bottom sides of the first front rod and the first rear rod;two sliding connectors, each of which has a top wall, a side wall extending downward from a side of the top wall, and a bottom wall extending laterally from a bottom side of the side wall; the two sliding connectors are respectively connected at the top and bottom walls thereof with the first front rod and the first rear rod in a way that a gap is left between the side wall of each of the two sliding connectors and each of the first front and rear rods, forming a front sliding groove and a rear sliding groove;the two sliding connectors are spaced from one of the first longitudinal rods at a distance; andan extension frame, comprising a second front rod, a second rear rod parallel to the second front rod, and a second longitudinal rod disposed at outer ends of the second front and rear rods; an inner end of the second front rod is inserted through the front sliding groove, and an inner end of the second rear rod is inserted through the rear sliding groove in a way that the second front and rear rods are supported by the top side of one of the first longitudinal rods.

2. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 1, wherein the top walls of the two sliding connectors are connected with top sides of the first front rod and the first rear rod, respectively.

3. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 1, wherein the bottom walls of the two sliding connectors are connected with the bottom sides of the first front rod and the first rear rod, respectively.

4. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 1, wherein the sliding connector is provided with a through hole, and one of the second front rod and the second rear rod of the extension frame is provided with at least one positioning hole; a pin is inserted through the through hole and the positioning hole to fix the extension frame.

5. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 4, wherein the through hole is provided at the side wall of the sliding connector.

6. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 1, wherein a top side of the first front rod is flush with a top side of the second front rod.

7. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 1, wherein the second longitudinal rod has a height greater than or equal to that of the second front rod and the second rear rod.

8. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 1, further comprising an actuator connected with one of the support units for driving the one of the support units to swing upward relative to the base frame.

9. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 1, wherein the base frame comprises a front frame and a rear frame; the rear frame is pivotally connected at a front side thereof with the front frame, such that the front frame and the rear frame are pivotally foldable with respect to each other.

10. A width-adjustable electric bed frame comprising:a fixed base frame;a plurality of support units attached to said base frame, each of said support units having a left side and a right side;a multiplicity of extension frames slideably attached to each of said left side and said right side of said support units;wherein each of said extension frames can slide toward and away from each of said left side and said right side of said support units thereby extending the width of said electric bed frame.

11. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 10, wherein the plurality of support units comprise a fixed hip support unit fixedly attached to said base frame, an adjustable back support unit rotatably attached to a first side of said fixed hip support unit and driven by a first actuator, an adjustable thigh support unit rotatably attached to a second side of said fixed hip support unit and driven by a second actuator, and an adjustable calf support unit rotatably attached to said adjustable thigh support unit.

12. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of support units comprises a main frame body having a first front rod and a first rear rod parallel to the first front rod, and two longitudinal rods perpendicular to and fixedly attached between the first front rod and the first rear rod to create a main body frame;wherein said first front rod and said first rear rod have a left side and a right side, and wherein a sliding connector is attached to each of the first front rod left side and right side and each of the first rear rod left side and right side,and wherein each of the extension frames have a second front rod and a second rear rod fixedly attached;and wherein said second front rod slideably engages said sliding connector attached to said first front rod, and said second rear rod slidebably engages said sliding connector attached to said first rear rod, thereby allowing said extension frame to slideably move on said support units, with said second front rod parallel to and sliding against said first front rod, and said second rear rod parallel to and sliding against said first rear rod.

13. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 12, wherein a first of said two longitudinal rods is attached at the right side of the first front rod and first rear rod, and a second of said two longitudinal rods is attached at the left side of the first front rod and first rear rod.

14. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 13, wherein each sliding connector comprises a top wall, a side wall extending downwardly from a side of the top wall and a bottom wall extending laterally from a bottom side of said side wall to create a U-shaped member, wherein said U-shaped member of said sliding connector attaches to said first front rod such that a sliding groove is created and wherein said second front rod slidably engages within said sliding groove whereby said second front rod slides parallel to said first front rod,and wherein said U-shaped member of said sliding connector attached to said first rear front rod such that a sliding groove is created and wherein said second rear rod slidably engages within said sliding groove whereby said second rear rod slides parallel to said first rear rod;thereby allowing said extension frame to slide towards or away from said left or right side to alter the width of said electric bed frame.

15. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 12, wherein each of said multiplicity of extension frames consists of a second longitudinal member wherein the second front rod is attached perpendicular to said second longitudinal member and wherein the second rear rod is attached perpendicular to said second longitudinal member, and wherein further when said extension frames are slide towards and abut said support units it creates a first sized bed, and wherein when said extension frames are slide away from said support units it creates a second sized bed frame.

16. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 10, wherein the base frame comprises a front frame and a rear frame pivotally attached to said front frame wherein said front frame and said rear frame are foldable with respect to each other.

17. The width-adjustable electric bed frame of claim 15, including a through hole at the end of the second front rod and the second rear rod, and two through holes through each of the first front rod and the first rear rod, wherein a first through hole is located to correspond to, and secure said rods to create the first sized bed and the second through hole is located to correspond to and secure said second sized bed.

Images