Ultra-compact profile actuation system for an adjustable bed

An articulating support structure for a bed comprising:

• a support frame with a head end, a foot end and having side frame members;
• a carriage having a seat support and carried by the side frame members, said carriage mounted with wheels engaging the side frame members to translate from a first position through a range progressing toward the head end to a fully translated second position;
• a first actuator connected to the support frame and operably engaging the carriage for translation;
• an upper body support rotatably connected to the carriage and carrying a mattress support;
• at least one rotation strut attached at a first end and rotating through about an axle pivotally attached to the side frame members, said at least one rotation strut engaging at a second end the upper body support whereby translation of the carriage from the first position compressively urges the upper body support against engages the at least one rotation strut thereby reacting in compression and rotating the at least one rotation strut and upper body support during a first range of motion of the carriage;
• at least one rotation arm carried at a first end by a rotating tube and pivotally attached to the upper body support at a second end, said rotating tube mounted on wheels constrained in a track, said rotating tube translating laterally in the track during the first range of motion and contacting a the track end proximate the head end of the frame at a termination of the first range of motion, said at least one rotation strut approaching a vertical orientation at the termination of the first range of motion transferring reaction forces of translation of the carriage to the at least one rotation arm to fully articulate the upper body support section through a second range of motion until the carriage reaches the fully translated second position, said first actuator, at least one rotation strut and at least one rotation arm shielded within a vertical profile of the support frame in the first position.

An articulating support structure for a bed comprising:

• a support frame with a head end, a foot end, and side frame members;
• a carriage having a seat support and carried by the side frame members, the carriage being mounted with wheels engaging the side frame members to translate from a first position through a range progressing toward the head end to a second position;
• a first actuator connected to the support frame and operably engaging the carriage for translation;
• an upper body support rotatably connected to the carriage;
• at least one rotation strut attached at a first end and configured to rotate about an axle pivotally attached to the side frame members, the at least one rotation strut configured to engage at a second end the upper body support whereby translation of the carriage from the first position engages the at least one rotation strut thereby reacting in compression and rotating the at least one rotation strut and upper body support during a first range of motion of the carriage;
• at least one rotation arm pivotally attached to the upper body support,
• wherein the at least one rotation strut is configured to approach a vertical orientation at the termination of the first range of motion transferring reaction forces of translation of the carriage to the at least one rotation arm through a second range of motion to fully articulate the upper body support until the carriage reaches the second position.