Bed Lifting System

Abstract

A bed lifting system for lifting a bed comprises a bed lifting mechanism and a switch remotely located from the bed lifting mechanism. The switch is adapted to enable selective and remote actuation of the bed lifting mechanism. The mechanism can be provided in kit form through the use of frame connectors which can also improve the interconnection and interoperability of frame members of the mechanism. The mechanism may also comprise adjustable lands to accommodate varying bed types.

1 . A bed lifting system for lifting a bed, the system comprising:
 a portable bed lifting mechanism that is separate from and positionable under a base of the bed when the base is located on a floor; and   a switch remotely located from the bed lifting mechanism, the switch being adapted to enable selective and remote actuation of the bed lifting mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the switch comprises at least one of:
 a keypad that is positionable on a wall of a room in which the bed to be lifted is located; and   a hand-held remote controller that can be accessed on entry to a room in which the bed to be lifted is located.   
     
     
         3 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a user may enter a room, engage the keypad or controller, cause the bed to be lifted, access the bed, and thereafter the user can re-engage the keypad or controller to lower the bed. 
     
     
         4 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the keypad is key-activated with at least one of a physical key and a touch pad, together with an activation code, to activate the keypad, and thus selectively actuate the bed lifting mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bed lifting mechanism comprises:
 a base for location on the floor;   a support for location at and engagement with an underside of the bed base; and   an actuator for operation between the base and support to move the support relative to the base and thereby selectively raise or lower the bed.   
     
     
         6 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the actuator comprises a pantographic linkage extending between and pivotally coupled to each of the base and support for moving the support towards or away from the base, and for moving the support laterally with respect to the base. 
     
     
         7 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the pantographic linkage is actuated to be moved by a ram. 
     
     
         8 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ram is driven by an electrical motor. 
     
     
         9 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the electrical motor is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         10 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ram and a ram drive are mounted to extend between the base and at least one link in the pantographic linkage. 
     
     
         11 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a free first end of the ram is pivotally coupled to a member that laterally extends from and between two opposing linkage arms of the pantographic linkage of the actuator and a second opposed end of the ram is pivotally coupled to a lateral member that extends from and between two opposing frame members of the base. 
     
     
         12 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein each of the support and base comprises a rectangular frame having a dimension that corresponds to a width and length dimension less than that of the bed to be lifted. 
     
     
         13 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the support frame and the base frame each comprise a plurality of hollow members. 
     
     
         14 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the support is provided with a plurality of discrete and spaced-apart lands on which the bed base underside can rest for support in use. 
     
     
         15 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein during bed raising, the bed is also lifted laterally away from and out of abutment with at least one surface such that a user may then access that side of the bed. 
     
     
         16 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bed is liftable to a height such that, when making the bed, a user does not need to bend over. 
     
     
         17 . A bed lifting system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bed lifting system is configured to lift the bed to a waist height of most average users. 
     
     
         18 . A bed lifting mechanism comprising:
 a base for location on a floor;   a support for location at and engagement with an underside of the bed; and   an actuator for operation between the base and support to move the support relative to the base and thereby selectively raise or lower the bed;   wherein each of the base, support and actuator are releasably attached to each other such that the mechanism can be supplied as a kit form, with the releasable attachment being facilitated by employing elongate members in a frame-like construction for each of the base, support and actuator, and by employing push-in connectors that push into respective ends of the elongate members in a friction or interference fit, and that extend between and connect together the elongate members.   
     
     
         19 . A bed lifting mechanism as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the actuator comprises a pantographic linkage extending between and pivotally coupled to each of the base and support for moving the support axially and laterally relative to the base. 
     
     
         20 . A bed lifting mechanism comprising:
 a base for location on a floor, the base comprising a frame formed from a plurality of interconnected elongate base members;   a support for location at and engagement with an underside of the bed, the support comprising a frame formed from a plurality of interconnected elongate support members; and   an actuator for operation between the base and support to selectively move the support away from or towards the base and thereby raise or lower the bed, the actuator comprising a plurality of elongate actuator members, and with each elongate actuator member extending between the base and the support;   wherein each actuator elongate member is pivotally mounted at a respective end to either the base or support by at least one connector that also interconnects two elongate members of the base and support frame respectively.   
     
     
         21 . A bed lifting mechanism as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein each of the base and support frames are rectangular and each comprise four elongate members, with each connector interconnecting the two elongate members in the base and support frame at a respective corner of each frame. 
     
     
         22 . A bed lifting mechanism as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein each connector is configured such that, as the support moves away from or towards the base, each actuator elongate member pivots in a manner whereby it does not align with any elongate member in the support and the base. 
     
     
         23 . A bed lifting mechanism as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the actuator comprises a pantographic linkage extending between and pivotally coupled to each of the base and support for moving the support axially and laterally with respect to the base. 
     
     
         24 . A bed lifting mechanism comprising:
 a base for location on a floor;   a support for location at and engagement with an underside of the bed; and   an actuator for operation between the base and support to selectively move the support away from or towards the base and thereby raise or lower the bed;   wherein the support is provided with a plurality of discrete and spaced-apart lands on which the bed underside can rest and be supported in use, wherein the position of each land is adjustable.   
     
     
         25 . A bed lifting mechanism as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the actuator comprises a pantographic linkage extending between and pivotally coupled to each of the base and support.