Bed Lift System With a Flexible Drive Member

Abstract

A bed lift system includes a first moving member and a second moving member coupled to a bed. A flexible drive member is coupled to the first moving member and the second moving member. The bed lift system is configured so that raising the first moving member exerts tension on the flexible drive member which raises the second moving member. Also, lowering the first moving member releases tension on the flexible drive member which lowers the second moving member.

1 . A bed lift system comprising:
 a first moving member configured to be coupled to a bed;   a second moving member configured to be coupled to the bed;   a flexible drive member coupled to the first moving member and the second moving member, the flexible drive member including a first portion extending downward from the first moving member and a second portion extending upward from the second moving member;   wherein raising the first moving member lengthens the first portion and shortens the second portion which raises the second moving member; and   wherein lowering the first moving member shortens the first portion and lengthens the second portion which lowers the second moving member.   
     
     
         2 . The bed lift system of  claim 1  wherein the length of the flexible drive member between the first moving member and the second moving member remains the same as the first moving member and the second moving member are raised and lowered. 
     
     
         3 . The bed lift system of  claim 1  wherein the first moving member and the second moving member are configured to be coupled to the same side of the bed. 
     
     
         4 . The bed lift system of  claim 1  comprising a bed lift assembly including the first moving member and the second moving member, the bed lift assembly being configured to be coupled to a first wall of a vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The bed lift system of  claim 1  wherein the flexible drive member extends downward from the first moving member to a first rotatable member, upward from the first rotatable member to an intermediate rotatable member, sideways from the intermediate rotatable member to a second rotatable member, and downward from the second rotatable member to the second moving member. 
     
     
         6 . The bed lift system of  claim 1  comprising a motor configured to move the first moving member vertically. 
     
     
         7 . The bed lift system of  claim 6  wherein the motor rotates a toothed wheel to move the first moving member vertically. 
     
     
         8 . The bed lift system of  claim 1  comprising a guide member that cooperates with the first moving member to guide vertical movement of the bed. 
     
     
         9 . The bed lift system of  claim 8  wherein the guide member includes a channel and at least a portion of the first moving member moves in the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The bed lift system of  claim 1  wherein gravity moves the second moving member lower. 
     
     
         11 . A bed lift system comprising:
 a first moving member configured to be coupled to a bed;   a second moving member configured to be coupled to the bed;   a flexible drive member coupled to the first moving member and the second moving member;   wherein raising the first moving member exerts tension on the flexible drive member which raises the second moving member; and   wherein lowering the first moving member releases tension on the flexible drive member which lowers the second moving member.   
     
     
         12 . The bed lift system of  claim 11  wherein the length of the flexible drive member between the first moving member and the second moving member remains the same as the first moving member and the second moving member are raised and lowered. 
     
     
         13 . The bed lift system of  claim 11  wherein the first moving member and the second moving member are configured to be coupled to the same side of the bed. 
     
     
         14 . The bed lift system of  claim 11  comprising a bed lift assembly including the first moving member and the second moving member, the bed lift assembly being configured to be coupled to a first wall of a vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The bed lift system of  claim 11  wherein the flexible drive member extends downward from the first moving member to a first rotatable member, upward from the first rotatable member to an intermediate rotatable member, sideways from the intermediate rotatable member to a second rotatable member, and downward from the second rotatable member to the second moving member. 
     
     
         16 . The bed lift system of  claim 15  wherein the intermediate rotatable member and the second rotatable member each include a pulley. 
     
     
         17 . The bed lift system of  claim 15  wherein the flexible drive member includes a cable that extends from the second moving member to at least the intermediate rotatable member. 
     
     
         18 . The bed lift system of  claim 11  comprising a guide member that cooperates with the first moving member to guide vertical movement of the bed. 
     
     
         19 . The bed lift system of  claim 18  wherein the guide member includes a channel and at least a portion of the first moving member moves in the channel. 
     
     
         20 . The bed lift system of  claim 11  wherein gravity moves the second moving member lower when tension on the flexible drive member is released.