Simplicity bed

Abstract

An adjustable bed is provided that includes a bed frame defined by a pair of side rails, a rear rail, and a front rail. A mattress support is disposed on top of the bed frame and includes a plurality of support panels, coupled in succession using hinges such that at least one support panel can be articulated, causing the panel to pivot about the hinge connection with an adjacent panel. An adjustment mechanism is provided that includes torque tubes that each include a torque shaft and lift links. The torque tubes are removably attachable to the side rails of the bed frame by inserting bushings on the ends of the torque shafts into slots running along the insides of the side rails. A motor is coupled to the torque tubes, locking the torque tubes in place. A set of foot links is provided for supporting a foot panel during articulation of an adjacent leg panel.

1 . An adjustable bed comprising:
 a mattress support comprising a plurality of support panels arranged end-to-end, wherein each pair of consecutive support panels are pivotably connected to each other by a hinge;   a base comprising a pair of parallel opposed side rails, a front rail, and a rear rail such that the side rails, front rail, and rear rail generally extend about the perimeter of the mattress support, wherein a first support panel is attached on one side to one of the pair of side rails and on an opposite side to the other side rail; and   an adjustment mechanism coupled to the base and adapted to manipulate at least one support panel, the adjustment mechanism comprising at least one torque tube extending between the side rails and engaging the at least one support panel, each side rail having a slot configured to receive and hold in place one side of the torque tube.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable bed of  claim 1 , wherein the slot comprises an L-shaped slot disposed along the side rail. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable bed of  claim 2 , wherein the L-shaped slot comprises a void disposed within the rail having a first portion running along the rail parallel to the rail and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion, the second portion extending between a first end of the first portion and a lower surface of the rail. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable bed of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one torque tube comprises:
 a torque shaft extending between the two side rails;   a first lift link perpendicular to the torque shaft and extending between a first end of the torque shaft and a first support panel; and   a second lift link perpendicular to the torque shaft and extending between a second end of the torque shaft and the first support panel.   
     
     
         5 . The adjustable bed of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one torque tube further comprises a bushing attached to each end of the torque shaft, the bushing comprising a cylinder having a channel running along a diameter of the cylinder, thereby defining an inner cylindrical portion situated between the end of the torque shaft and a first edge of the channel, and an outer cylindrical portion adjacent to a second edge of the channel, wherein the channel is adapted to fit within the slot. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable bed of  claim 5 , wherein the side rails comprise generally rectangular hollow tubes, and the outer cylindrical portion of the bushing is adapted to be positioned within the tube when the channel is disposed within the slot. 
     
     
         7 . An adjustable bed comprising:
 a frame comprising a pair of parallel opposed side rails, a front rail, and a rear rail;   a mattress support comprising a stationary center panel attached on a first side to one of the side rails and on a second side to the other side rail and pivotably coupled by a hinge on a third side to an articulating head support panel and pivotably coupled by a hinge on a fourth side to one side of an articulating leg panel, wherein the articulating leg panel is pivotably coupled by a hinge on an opposite side to an elevating foot panel;   an adjustment mechanism comprising a first and a second torque tube adapted to articulate the head panel and leg panel, respectively, each torque tube having a torque shaft that comprises a bushing at either end configured to slide into and be supported by an L-shaped slot disposed within the adjacent side rail and a pair of parallel lift links extending away from the torque shaft, wherein the lift links of the first torque tube engage the head panel and the lift links of the second torque tube engage the leg panel; and   a pair of parallel opposed foot links rotatably coupled to the frame at a first end and rotatably coupled to the foot panel at a second end, wherein the foot links support the foot panel as the foot panel is elevated in response to articulation of the leg panel.   
     
     
         8 . The adjustable bed of  claim 7 , further comprising an electric motor extending between the first and second torque tubes and adapted to rotate the torque shafts of each torque tube to articulate the head and leg panels, respectively, wherein the electric motor is coupled at one end to the first torque tube and at an opposite end to the second torque tube, thereby locking the first and second torque tubes in place. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable bed of  claim 8 , wherein the bushing comprises a cylinder having a channel running along a diameter of the cylinder, thereby defining an inner cylindrical portion situated between the end of the torque shaft and a first edge of the channel, and an outer cylindrical portion adjacent to a second edge of the channel, wherein the channel is adapted to fit within the slot. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable bed of  claim 7 , wherein the side rails comprise generally rectangular hollow tubes, and the outer cylindrical portion of the bushing is adapted to be positioned within the tube when the channel is disposed within the slot. 
     
     
         11 . The adjustable bed of  claim 7 , wherein the stationary center panel is attached to the side rails using fasteners. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable bed of  claim 11 , wherein fasteners comprise at least one of screws and bolts. 
     
     
         13 . An adjustable bed comprising:
 a frame comprising a pair of parallel opposed side rails, a front rail, and a rear rail;   a mattress support comprising a stationary center panel attached on a first side to one of the side rails and on a second side to the other side rail and pivotably coupled by a hinge a third side to an articulating head support panel and pivotably coupled by a hinge on a fourth side to one side of an articulating leg panel, wherein the articulating leg panel is pivotably coupled by a hinge on an opposite side to an elevating foot panel;   a head panel adjustment mechanism comprising a first torque tube adapted to articulate the head panel, the first torque tube comprising a first torque shaft having a bushing at each end that is adapted to fit into and slide along an L-shaped slot extending along an adjacent side rail and a pair of parallel lift links attached to and extending away from the first torque shaft, wherein the lift links of the first torque tube engage the head panel such that the lift links cause the head panel to articulate in response to a rotation of the first torque shaft;   a leg panel adjustment mechanism comprising a second torque tube adapted to articulate the leg panel, the second torque tube comprising a second torque shaft having a bushing at each end that is adapted to fit into and slide along an L-shaped slot extending along an adjacent side rail, and a pair of parallel lift links attached to and extending away from the second torque shaft, wherein the lift links of the second torque tube engage the leg panel such that the lift links cause the leg panel to articulate in response to a rotation of the second torque shaft;   an electric motor coupled to the first torque tube at one end and to the second torque tube at an opposite end, thereby holding the first and second torque tubes in place, wherein the electric motor is adapted to causing rotation of the first and second torque shafts; and   a pair of parallel opposed foot links pivotably coupled to the frame at a first end and pivotably coupled to the foot panel at a second end, wherein the foot links support the foot panel as the foot panel is elevated in response to articulation of the leg panel.   
     
     
         14 . The adjustable bed of  claim 13 , the bushing comprises a cylinder having a channel running along a diameter of the cylinder, thereby defining an inner cylindrical portion situated between the end of the torque shaft and a first edge of the channel, and an outer cylindrical portion adjacent to a second edge of the channel, wherein the channel is adapted to fit within the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable bed of  claim 13 , wherein the side rails comprise generally rectangular hollow tubes, and the outer cylindrical portion of the bushing is adapted to be positioned within the tube when the channel is disposed within the slot. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable bed of  claim 13 , wherein the bushing comprises bronze. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable bed of  claim 13 , wherein the frame, the head adjustment mechanism, the leg adjustment mechanism, the motor, and the mattress support can be assembled and disassembled using simple tools. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable bed of  claim 13 , wherein the stationary center panel is attached to the side rails using fasteners, the fasteners comprising at least one of bolts and screws. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable bed of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of legs attached to a lower side of the frame. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable bed of  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of legs is welded to the lower side of the frame.