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Home | Alpha Telephone | Domain Names | Web Hosting | Get Traffic | xrEvidence | xrSoccer United States Patent
SLEEP-INDUCING DEVICE An improved sleep-inducing device is disclosed for attachment to a bed, particularly a hospital bed, of the type having a frame, a coil spring assembly supported by the frame and a mattress supported on the spring assembly. The device comprises a base member, a motor mounted on the base member, a clamp for connecting the base member to the bed frame, a crank disc mounted on a telescoping support member permitting vertical adjustment of the disc with respect to the base member, a drive assembly associated with the motor to drive the crank disc and a link arm connecting the crank disc to the spring assembly. For use on a hospital bed, the machine is provided with a special elevating stand, a frame-like member adapted to fit over any of the sections into which a hospital bed is divided and a horizontally adjustable means to attach the link arm to the spring in order to accommodate the presence of a guardrail on the bed.
What is claimed is: 1. A sleep-inducing device for attachment to a bed of the type having a frame, a spring assembly supported by the frame and a mattress supported on the spring assembly, comprising a base member, a motor mounted on said base member, means for connecting said base member to the bed frame, a crank disc, a telescoping support member connecting said crank disc to said base member and permitting said crank disc to be displaced vertically with respect to said base member, means driveably and adjustably coupling said motor to said crank disc and a link arm connecting said crank disc to said spring assembly and being arranged to oscillate said spring assembly in response to rotation of said crank disc. 2. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 1, wherein said means for connecting said base member to the bed frame is vertically adjustable. 3. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 2, wherein said means for connecting said base member to the bed frame comprises a generally U-shaped clamping device rotatably supported for 180.degree. rotation about a horizontal axis from a normal, downwardly directed clamping position. 4. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 3, further comprising a generally rectangular frame-like member fitting over the bed spring assembly between the spring assembly and the bed mattress and being adapted for receiving the upper portion of the spring assembly and engaging the four sides thereof, said frame-like member further having means to connect said link arm thereto. 5. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 4, wherein said frame-like member is adjustable in size both longitudinally and laterally and comprises downwardly depending flange portions on all four sides to engage the spring assembly. 6. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 5, wherein said link arm is continuously longitudinally adjustable by means of a threadable connection. 7. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 6, wherein said crank disc contains a plurality of apertures, each lying on a different radius of said disc and each lying at a different radial distance from the center of said disc. 8. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 4, wherein said bed is a hospital bed having its spring assembly divided into a plurality of segments lying along the longitudinal axis of said bed, and said rectangular frame-like member is adapted to fit over any of said spring segments. 9. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 8, wherein said means on said rectangular frame-like member for connecting the link arm are vertically adjustable to accommodate the presence of a guardrail on said hospital bed. 10. A sleep-inducing device according to claim 9, further comprising a detachable stand upon which said sleep-inducing device rests to provide elevation necessary for attachment of the device to said hospital bed. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a sleep-inducing device for attachment to a bed assembly, particularly a hospital bed, and more especially to an improved sleep-inducing device of the same general type as that disclosed in my prior issuing U.S. Pat. No. 2,895,468. The original sleep-inducing device disclosed in my prior U.S. patent mentioned above suffered from certain drawbacks which seriously limited its scope of application. One severe limitation, for example, resulted because the sole means of vertical adjustment for the device involved changing the elevation of the entire supporting frame by means of the adjustable leg members. This constituted not only an extremely cumbersome procedure involving the separate adjustment of each leg member, but also resulted in the situation where the distance between the clamping member utilized for attachment to the bed frame and the oscillating linking arm which attaches to the bed spring was always necessarily constant. Thus, because it was impossible to adapt the prior machine to fit a wide variety of bed styles and sizes, it would not be used in connection with a hospital bed. Similarly, the design of the clamping member itself prevented attachment of the device to certain bed designs. In other aspects, the frame-like member designed to fit over the top of the spring assembly of a bed and provide the connection from the oscillating linking arm to the spring assembly suffered from the drawback that it did not fully encompass the spring assembly from all sides and it was therefore found to be dimensionally unstable, thus producing an unsatisfactory connection between the source of oscillation and the bed spring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved sleep-inducing device which is adaptable to be attached to a bed of virtually any size and/or design. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved sleep-inducing device which is adapted particularly for atachment to a hospital-type bed. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved sleep-inducing device wherein the vertical distance between the linking arm providing oscillation to the bed spring and the means for clamping the device to the bed frame is adjustable over a wide range by means of individual adjustment mechanisms for both the linking arm and the clamping device. Another object of the present invention resides in providing an improved sleep-inducing device having an improved frame-like member for securing to the bed spring assembly in order to more effectively transmit oscillation to the bed spring assembly and mattress resting thereon. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved sleep-inducing device which is extremely mobile, compact, quiet operating and exteriorly both functional and pleasing to the eye. In accomplishing the foregoing objects, there has been provided according to the present invention an improved sleep-inducing device for attachment to a bed of the type having a frame, a coil spring assembly supported by the frame and a mattress supported on the spring. The device comprises a base member, a motor mounted on this base member, a clamping means for connecting the base member to the bed frame, a crank disc supported on a telescoping support member which permits the crank disc to be displaced vertically with respect to the base member, apparatus for driving the crank disc with the motor and a linking arm connecting the crank disc to the spring assembly. The linking arm is connected to the spring assembly and arranged so as to oscillate the spring assembly in response to rotation of the crank disc. Preferably, the clamping means for connecting the base member to the bed frame is mounted so as to be both vertically adjustable and rotatable 180.degree. about a horizontal axis from its normally downwardly directed clamping position. The device also comprises a generally rectangular frame-like member which fits over the bed spring assembly between the spring assembly and the bed mattress and is adapted for receiving the upper portion of the spring assembly and engaging the four sides thereof. This frame-like member is preferably adjustable in size both longitudinally and laterally and has downwardly depending flange portions on all four sides to engage the spring assembly. When the device is to be employed in connection with a hospital bed, the frame-like member is of a size and shape so as to fit over any of the three sections into which such a bed is normally subdivided. This frame-like member is also provided with vertically adjustable means to connect the linking arm in order to accommodate the presence of a guardrail. A separate detachable elevating stand is also provided. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is an external perspective view, partially cut away, of the sleep-inducing device according to the present invention illustrated in its normal operating position connected to a hospital bed, with the potential position of adjustment of the bed being shown in phantom lines; FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 shown with the exterior cover and stand removed; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view taken on the line 4--4 in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a detail isolated view of the preferred crank disc employed in the sleep-inducing device of the invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adjustable frame element forming a part of the sleep-inducing device illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5; and FIG. 7 is a detail view of a vertically adjustable plate bearing pivot brackets for attachment of the sleep-inducing device to a hospital bed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, in FIG. 1 is illustrated the sleep-inducing device which is designated generally by reference numeral 10 in its normal position of attachment to a bed 5, which in the illustrated embodiment is a hospital bed, consisting of frame 6 which supports a coil spring assembly 7 which in turn supports the mattress 8. The spring assembly 7 is divided into three sections which lie along the longitudinal axis of the bed 5 and which are capable of being adjusted as illustrated by the phantom lines. The entire sleep-inducing device 10 is enclosed within a cabinet 3 of metal, plastic or the like, preferably containing a sound insulating lining material, with the top surface 4 of the cabinet 3 being of appropriate size and height to serve as a convenient bedside table. The top surface preferably contains raised edges, thereby making the overall design both extremely safe and functional. Also, the cabinet preferably has a door to provide easy access for adjusting the device. In FIG. 1, because use of the device in connection with a hospital bed is depicted, the optional feature of a separate stand 90 is employed to support the device 10 at a sufficient elevation from the floor to permit attachment to the higher than normal level of the hospital bed. The stand 90 consists of a frame 92, into which the sleep-inducing device 10 exactly fits, and four upstanding legs 94 which are provided at their lower ends with casters 96 to render the device mobile even when in the elevated position. In FIG. 2, the sleep-inducing device 10 is illustrated in detail showing the flat base member 11 upon which the entire device rests, the base member having casters 12 attached to the bottom side thereof to render the device easily mobile. A motor 13 is secured to the top of the base member 11, and the small pulley on the drive shaft of the motor drives the flexible slotted belt 14 which in turn drives large toothed pulley 15 journaled on transverse shaft 16. At the opposite end of shaft 16 there is journaled a small, toothed pulley 17 which drives a second flexible slotted belt 18 and this belt in turn drives a second large pulley 19. Pulley 19 is journaled to one end of a second transverse shaft 20, and to the opposite side of shaft 20 is journaled a crank disc 25 shown in detail in FIG. 5. Crank disc 25 contains a plurality of apertures 26 projecting therethrough which are each located on a different radius of the crank disc and are also each located at a different radial distance from the center of the crank disc. Apertures 26 are designed to receive a pin pivotally connecting one end of adjustable link arm 28 to the crank disc 25, and because of the different radial distances of each aperture a variety of degrees of oscillation of the link arm 28 are possible. Link arm 28 consists of two sections, 29 and 30, which are adjustably connected together by means of a telescoping threaded screw arrangement to provide for continuous adjustment in length. At the distal end of section 30 of link arm 28 is an aperture 31 adapted to provide a connection between the link arm and a bed spring. Mounted in the approximate center of base portion 11 is a hollow tubular member 35 which together with vertically standing bar 37, also mounted on and secured to the base member 11 but at the forward end and in he center thereof, and horizontal longitudinally extending plate 38 secured to both tubular member 35 and vertical bar 37 make up a rigid base assembly. Connection of plate 38 to vertical bar 37 is an optional strengthening measure. Laterally extending shaft 16 is supported upon plate 38 by means of bearing brackets 40 and 41. Also supported upon plate 38 is a belt tightening apparatus 43 consisting of bell crank 44 carrying at one end pulley 45 resting in contact with flexible belt 18 and being spring biased at the other end by means of spring 46 attached to plate 38. Slidably positioned inside of tubular member 35 is a second telescoping tubular member 50 which may be positioned at different heights within tubular member 35 by means of a set screw or the like 51. At the top of the telescoping tubular member 50 is secured a second horizontal plate 54 which for added stability may optionally be further secured at the top portion of vertical bar 37. Horizontal plate 54 carries the upper laterally extending shaft 20 which is mounted thereon by means of bearing brackets 56 and 57. If horizontal plate 54 is secured to the upper portion of vertical bar 37, it is necessary that the securing arrangement be designed in a manner to permit vertical motion along bar 37 in response to vertical adjustment of telescoping members 50 and 35. This may be accomplished by providing a slot 58 in bar 37 wherein a bolt 59 or the like utilized to secure plate 54 to bar 37 may be vertically displaced. The positioning of slot 58 in bar 37 is seen more clearly in FIG. 4. Vertical bar 37 carries in its center portion the clamping device for connecting the base member 11 to bed frame 6. The clamping device, shown in detail in FIG. 4, consists of a generally U-shaped member 60 normally aligned in a downwardly directed position to hook over the edge of a bed frame. Within the U-shaped member is positioned a movable clamping plate 61 which is adapted to be moved across the gap of the U-shaped member 60 by means of a set screw or the like 62 in order to firmly grasp any shape of bed frame. The clamping mechanism is secured to vertical bar 37 by means of two bolts 64 and 65 which are slidable within vertically arranged slot 68 cut through bar 37 in order to permit vertical adjustment of the entire clamping mechanism. Base plate 69 of the clamping mechanism is provided with a pair of semi-circular slots 70 and 71 which permit the U-shaped member 60 of the clamping device to be rotated 180.degree. from its normally downwardly directed position about a horizontal axis. In this way, the sleep-inducing device can be adapted for use in connection with beds, such as hospital beds, wherein the frame design does not permit clamping of the frame from above. The end of link arm segment 30 is pivoted to a side bar 75 of an adjustable frame member 74 which is adapted to be placed over the spring assembly of a bed between the spring 7 and the mattress 8. In FIG. 1 the frame member 74 is designed especially for use on a hospital bed and is adapted to fit over any of the three sections of the bed as is desired by the user. On the other hand, there is illustrated in FIG. 6 a frame member which is designed to be used on any standard bed, or optionally on a hospital bed where adjustment of the bed is not necessary. In FIG. 6, the frame member 74 consists of longitudinally extending side bars 75, each consisting of an angular cross-section bar as shown in FIG. 6, with the downwardly directed side flanges of the side bars 75 preferably being approximately 3 inches long in order to secure the spring assembly in a stable manner. The top flanges of the side bar 75 are adjustably connected by two or more transverse, adjustable cross bars 76, each cross bar consisting of a pair of overlapping bar segments 77 and 78 having spaced apertures 79 which permit the bar segments to be fastened together in an overlapping relationship by bolts or the like extending through selected pairs of the apertures 79. One or both side bars 75 is provided with opposing apertured pivot brackets 80 between which the end of the linking bar segment 30 is received and is pivotally connected by a transverse pivot bolt passing through aperture 31. The adjustable frame member 74 is also constructed so as to be longitudinally adjustable by means of a pair of longitudinally extending bars 82 which are adjustably fastened transversely to each cross bar 76. Bars 82 have downwardly depending L-shaped extensions on each end and are made in two overlapping segments containing pairs of apertures 84 by which the length of the bars can be adjusted. Thus, the downwardly depending L-shaped legs of bar members 82 are designed to fit over the end of the spring assembly 7 illustrated in FIG. 1, and the longitudinal spacing between these downwardly depending portions may be adjusted to accommodate any size spring assembly in the same manner as the lateral distance between downwardly depending flanges 75 on longitudinally extending side bars 74 may be adjusted to accommodate a spring assembly of any width. A further feature of the invention, particularly in the embodiment where the device is used on a hospital bed, is illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings and resides in the provision of a plate on the vertical face of either of side bars 75 of frame 74, the plate 100 being vertically adjustable by virtue of its attachment with four bolts 102 which are slideable within vertical slots 104 in the plate. Two sets of pivot brackets 80 are provided on plate 100, and with this arrangement coupled with the vertical adjustability of plate 100, a height may be chosen for attachment of link arm 28 which will not interfere with the placement of a guardrail on the bed, for example, like that identified with reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1. As will be readily understood, the device is attached to a bed by suitably adjusting the frame 74 to receive the spring unit of the bed, the frame 74 being placed between the spring unit of the bed and the mattress which rests thereon, so that the spring unit is received in the enclosure defined between the dependent flanges of longitudinally extending side bars 75 and, if desired, the downwardly directed ends of L-shaped bars 82 of the frame. The device 10 is then rolled-up adjacent to the bed, and the height of link arm 28 is adjusted to correspond to the level of frame member 74 by sliding telescoping member 50 within tubular member 35 and repositioning horizontal plate 54 along vertical bar 37. U-shaped bracket member 60 is then adjusted to the proper height by sliding bolts 64, 65 within slot 68, placed over the bed frame and secured thereto by moving plate 61 snugly into contact with the bed frame. Link arm 28 is then attached to the frame 74 by being pivotally connected between the apertured pivot brackets 80. When the motor 13 is energized, its torque is transmitted through the respective coupled pulleys 15, 17 and 19 to the crank disc 25, whereupon it is then tramsmitted by the link arm 28 to frame 74. As will be apparent from FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotation of the crank disc 25 causes the frame 74 to be oscillated in a substantially horizontal direction, providing corresponding horizontal oscillation of the mattress 8 thereby producing a gentle, sleep-inducing oscillating effect on the occupant of the bed. While the improved sleep-inducing device according to the present invention has been described with reference to several specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that various modifications falling within the spirit of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be limited only by the claims appended hereto. For U.S. patent law, rules, and procedures see MPEP. Disclaimer. Information presented on this page while believed to be reliable, is provided "as is" with no warranties of its accuracy or timeliness. For legal advice seek help of a licensed professional. |