Modular rocking bed with programmable control

Abstract

A modular rocking device which can be used in conjunction with an existing bed or cot, without structural alteration of the same, to enable the later to be rocked. The modular rocking device comprises two motion imparting legs, two passive legs, two pairs of connecting rods and a motion and communication control unit. The oscillatory motion is generated within the supporting legs in a horizontal plane using an actuator mechanism which comprise a worm gear reducer, or a timing pulley gear reducer. Motion sensors, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure sensors, brain activity sensors, and weight sensors detect the user presence and sleep status, and activate the rocking motion using an automated method. The motion parameters are user configurable through a control panel, or remotely from a terminal connected to a data communication network.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A motion imparting supporting leg which imparts a reciprocating rocking motion, in a horizontal plane to a rocking bed when mounted on the leg, comprising:
 a flat base;   a support structure on the flat base;   an electric motor;   a gear reducer connected to the electric motor, the gear reducer including either a worm gear reducer or a timing pulley gear reducer;   a leadscrew rod connected to the gear reducer;   a moving block connected to the leadscrew rod; and   a linkage assembly connected to the moving block for securing a bed frame to the motion imparting supporting leg.   
     
     
         17 . The motion imparting leg according to  claim 16 , wherein the leg further comprises the leadscrew rod being coupled to the worm gear toothed wheel or to the timing pulley, two guiding rods on which the moving block slides mounted on linear bearings, a U shape support structure on which two on/off switches are mounted on opposite sides, a frame supporting structure which is mounted on the moving block, and a decorative housing which covers the frame supporting structure, the linkage assembly being mounted on top of the decorative housing. 
     
     
         18 . The motion imparting leg according to  claim 16 , wherein motion is imparted by the assembly of the electric motor, the gear reducer and the leadscrew rod, forming an actuator mechanism that transforms the electric motor rotation motion into a linear motion. 
     
     
         19 . A passive leg for a rocking bed, comprising:
 a moving block;   a support structure;   a flat base; and   a linkage assembly for securing a bed frame to the passive leg, characterized in that the passive leg further comprises a motion blocking mechanism that prevents the moving block from moving freely before installation of the passive leg.   
     
     
         20 . The passive leg for a rocking bed according to  claim 19 , wherein the leg further comprises two guiding rods on which the moving block slides mounted on linear bearings, a U shape support structure on which two on/off switches are mounted on opposite sides, a frame supporting structure which is mounted on the moving block, and a decorative housing which covers the frame supporting structure, the linkage assembly being mounted on top of the decorative housing, and a sensor that detects the bed weight. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising:
 one of a motion imparting leg and a passive leg for a rocking bed,   wherein the motion imparting leg imparts a reciprocating rocking motion, in a horizontal plane to a rocking bed when mounted on the leg, comprising a flat base, a support structure on the flat base, an electric motor, a worm gear reducer, or a timing pulley gear reducer connected to the electric motor, a leadscrew rod connected to the gear reducer, a moving block connected to the leadscrew rod, and a linkage assembly connected to the moving block for securing a bed frame to the motion imparting supporting leg,   wherein the passive leg includes a moving block, a support structure, a flat base, and a linkage assembly for securing a bed frame to the passive leg, characterized in that the passive leg further comprises a motion blocking mechanism that prevents the moving block from moving freely before installation of the passive leg, and   wherein the motion imparting leg or the passive leg comprises a leg holder supporting structure, which replaces the leg's supporting structure, and the apparatus further contains an adjustable U-shaped holder which slides in and out of the supporting structure, in order to fasten and immobilize an existing bed leg against the supporting structure.   
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for rocking an adult or baby bed, comprising:
 (a) two motion imparting legs and two passive legs, and further comprises two pairs of connecting rod segments which connect each motion imparting leg to a passive leg; or   (b) four motion imparting legs;   in which each motion imparting leg is suitable for imparting a reciprocating rocking motion, in a horizontal plane to a rocking bed when mounted on the leg, and comprises a flat base, a support structure on the flat base, an electric motor, a worm gear reducer, or a timing pulley gear reducer connected to the electric motor, a leadscrew rod connected to the gear reducer, a moving block connected to the leadscrew rod, and a linkage assembly connected to the moving block for securing a bed frame to the motion imparting supporting leg, and   where provided, each passive leg is for a rocking bed, and comprises a moving block, a support structure, a flat base, and a linkage assembly for securing a bed frame to the passive leg, the passive leg further comprising a motion blocking mechanism that prevents the moving block from moving freely before installation of the passive leg, and   the apparatus including a motion control and communication unit, one or more motion sensors, one or more temperature, heart rate and blood pressure sensors, and one or more brain activity sensors.   
     
     
         23 . A motion control and communication unit for controlling a rocking bed, the unit being adapted for communicating with a data network and other connected devices, and the unit comprising:
 a microcontroller;   motor drivers for each controlling respective electric motors;   a communication module;   one or more user control potentiometers; and   one or more user switches, the microcontroller being configured to (a) maintain synchronization between the motors through motion control software, and (b) detect triggering of the end of path switches, which reverses the rotation sense of the motors at the end of the motion path.   
     
     
         24 . A method for controlling motion of a rocking bed, in which motion imparted to the bed is a reciprocating motion, and wherein a motion control and a communication unit, the method include steps of:
 maintaining the synchronization between a motor;   monitoring an end of path switches;   tracking activity of sensors;   reading a user control potentiometer and switch values; and   sending and receiving data towards a wired or wireless communication network, through a data communication module.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , which controls a rocking bed reciprocating motion, by changing the motors rotation sense at the end of the motion path, that is triggered by the end of path switches. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  for activating, deactivating and adjusting a bed rocking motion, wherein the motion control and communication unit uses the information from one or more sensors. 
     
     
         27 . The method in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein the sensors provide information about one or more of the following parameters: user motion, temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and brain activity, and this information is used for controlling the bed rocking motion characteristics. 
     
     
         28 . The method in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the bed reciprocating motion periodicity and speed is derived from the periodicity and level of wave signals that are captured by one or more brain activity sensors. 
     
     
         29 . The method in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein the bed rocking motion parameters include: reciprocating motion speed, reciprocating motion pattern, and reciprocating motion duration and are set using the device motion control and communication unit, or by means of a remote terminal. 
     
     
         30 . The method in accordance with  claim 29 , wherein the period of rocking motion or inactivity is triggered at a programmable time interval.