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US 4,324,010 AGranted
Drive unit for adjustable beds
AssigneeJoerns Furniture Company
InventorsDon M. Houlberg, Larry D. Anderson, Frank M. Damico
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drive unit for adjustable beds, such as hospital beds and the like, of the type which have movable head and foot sections, and/or other adjustment functions, comprises a single, unidirectional, rotary motor, and a drive shaft for each adjustable bed function. A pair of drive wheels are rotatably mounted on each of the drive shafts, and are rotated thereon in opposite directions by the motor. A pair of spring clutches are operably associated with each pair of drive wheels, and alternatively engage or connect selected drive wheels with their associated shafts to rotate the shafts, and thereby adjust the position and/or configuration of the bed.
Claims22
In an adjustable bed having at least one movable support portion, the improvement comprising:
- a unidirectional rotary drive motor;
- a rotatable drive shaft operably connected with said movable bed portion and adapted for moving the same in a first direction when rotated in one direction, and in the opposite direction when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction;
- first and second drive wheels rotatably mounted on said drive shaft;
- means for operably connecting each of said drive wheels with said motor and rotating the same in opposite directions on said drive shaft;
- first and second clutches alternatively connecting said drive wheels with said drive shaft for rotation therewith, whereby said first clutch is engaged with said drive shaft and said second clutch is disengaged therefrom to move said bed portion in the one direction, and said first clutch is disengaged from said drive shaft and said second clutch is engaged therewith to move said bed portion in the opposite direction.
2 more elements
In a hospital bed with adjustable functions, including a pivoting head section, a pivoting foot section, and means for varying the elevation of the bed, the improvement comprising:
- a unidirectional, rotary drive motor;
- first, second and third drive shafts respectively connected with said head section, said foot section, and said elevation means, and manipulating the same;
- a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on each of said shafts;
- means for operably connecting each of said drive wheels with said motor, and rotating the wheels of each pair in opposite directions on the associated drive shaft;
- a pair of clutches operably associated with each pair of drive wheels and alternatively connecting the drive wheels with the associated drive shaft, whereby one of each pair of clutches is engaged to adjust the associated bed function in one direction, and the other of each pair of clutches is engaged to adjust the associated bed function in the other direction.
2 more elements
A drive unit for hospital beds having adjustable bed functions, including pivoting head and foot sections, and means for varying the elevation of the bed, said drive unit comprising:
- a unidirectional, rotary drive motor;
- first, second and third drive shafts adapted for connection with said head section, said foot section, and said elevation means respectively, and for manipulating the same;
- a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on each of said shafts;
- means for operably connecting each of said drive wheels with said motor, and rotating the wheels of each pair in opposite directions on the associated drive shaft;
- a pair of clutches operably associated with each pair of drive wheels and alternatively connecting the drive wheels with the associated drive shaft, whereby one of each pair of clutches is engaged for adjusting the associated bed function in one direction, and the other of each clutch pair is engaged for adjusting the associated bed in the other direction.
2 more elements
In an adjustable bed, the improvement comprising:
- a frame having independently vertically adjustable supports at head and foot ends of said frame for raising and lowering the same;
- first means for extending and retracting said head support;
- second means for extending and retracting said foot support independently of said head support extending and retracting means, whereby said bed can be adjusted to a Trendelenburg position from any bed position;
- and means for simultaneously moving said head and foot supports in either the same or opposite directions;
- said first and second means comprising a rotary drive motor;
- first and second drive shafts operably connected with said head support and said foot support respectively;
- a drive wheel rotatably mounted on each of said drive shafts;
- means for operably connecting each drive wheel with said motor and rotating the same;
- and a clutch operably associated with each drive wheel and connecting the same with the associated drive shaft for selectively and independently manipulating said head and foot frame supports.
6 more elements
In an adjustable bed, the improvement comprising:
- a frame having independently vertically adjustable supports at head and foot ends of said frame for raising and lowering the same;
- first means for extending and retracting said head support;
- second means for extending and retracting said foot support independently of said head support extending and retracting means, whereby said bed can be adjusted to a Trendelenburg position from any bed position;
- and means for simultaneously moving said head and foot supports in either the same or opposite directions;
- a unidirectional, rotary drive motor;
- first and second drive shafts operably connected with said head and foot supports respectively, and adapted for moving the same in a first direction when rotated in one direction, and in the opposite direction when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction;
- a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on each of said drive shafts;
- means for operably connecting each of said drive wheels with said motor and rotating the wheels of each pair in opposite directions on the associated drive shaft;
- and
- a pair of clutches associated with each pair of drive wheels and alternatively connecting said drive wheels with the associated drive shaft for rotation therewith, whereby one of each pair of clutches is engaged to adjust the associated frame support in one direction, and the other of each pair of clutches is engaged to adjust the associated frame support in the opposite direction.
7 more elements
In an adjustable bed having at least one movable support portion, the improvement comprising:
- a unidirectional rotary drive motor;
- a rotatable drive shaft operably connected with said movable bed portion and adapted for moving the same in a first direction when rotated in one direction, and in the opposite direction when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction;
- first and second drive wheels rotatably mounted on said drive shaft;
- means for operably connecting each of said drive wheels with said motor and rotating the same in opposite directions on said drive shaft;
- first and second clutches alternatively connecting said drive wheels with said drive shaft for rotation therewith, whereby said first clutch is engaged with said drive shaft and said second clutch is disengaged therefrom to move said bed portion in the one direction, and said first clutch is disengaged from said drive shaft and said second clutch is engaged therewith to move said bed portion in the opposite direction;
- and
- means for positively retaining one of said clutches in a disengaged position when the other of said clutches is in an engaged position.
4 more elements
A drive unit for hospital beds having adjustable bed functions, including pivoting head and foot sections, and means for varying the elevation of the bed, said drive unit comprising:
- a unidirectional, rotary drive motor;
- first, second and third drive shafts adapted for connection with said head section, said foot section, and said elevation means respectively, and for manipulating the same;
- a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on each of said shafts;
- means for operably connecting each of said drive wheels with said motor, and rotating the wheels of each pair in opposite directions on the associated drive shaft;
- a pair of clutches operably associated with each pair of drive wheels and alternatively connecting the drive wheels with the associated drive shaft, whereby one of each pair of clutches is engaged for adjusting the associated bed function in one direction, and the other of each clutch pair is engaged for adjusting the associated bed in the other direction;
- and
- means for positively retaining one clutch of each pair in a disengaged position when the other clutch of the pair is in an engaged position.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.