EP1523257B1 - Adjusting device and adjustable support device for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

The adjustment mechanism, for beds and mattresses and seats and the like, has beams (16) on both sides and supports across the adjustment direction which together form a support plane. At least one operating system sets the angle of the support plane through a setting lever (14). The swing setting lever works with a number of separate beam links (16A-16D) for the side beams of the mattress/seat support surface. The beams have a housing structure with two beam sides (16',16) to shroud the setting lever between them, which has projections (18B) to act on the beam links.

Description

The invention relates to an adjustment for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, consisting of extending transversely to the adjustment, together a support plane spanning support elements or Holmengliedern and at least one drive means for inclination change of the support plane, in which at least one pivotal set-up lever is provided or at the Holmenglieder form a link chain. It further relates to an adjustable support device for mattresses or cushions, beds, armchairs and the like, consisting of pivotable spars, with extending between the spars, a support plane spanning support elements.

Such adjusting devices are known, inter alia, for the support of bed mattresses. A frame or at least lateral spars carry the supporting elements, which span the support plane for the mattress or the like. In addition to fabric covers, metal mesh and the like, mainly spring strips are in use, forming a so-called slatted frame. The adjustment is intended to comfort and relaxation serve in a reclining, sitting or halbbliegender position.

It is, for example for hospital beds, known to use to change the inclination of the support level by hand or motorized swiveling set-up. These are usually rigid in themselves. Most of these deployment levers have the disadvantage of being visible in the semi-reclining or seated positions and therefore visually disturbing. There are also security risks. Moreover, with them it is only possible to pivot two straight-stretched areas (head part and foot part) relative to a middle part. On the other hand, it is not possible to further influence the course of the lateral spars defining the support level, ie to adapt more to the human back and buttocks.

As an alternative solution has therefore been proposed to make the side rails as a link chain and to pivot the members relative to each other. Such pivoting tracked by means of pressure bands or preferably by Zugbändem or handlebars. However, such an adjustment is extremely complex and consists of many items if you want to achieve a body-like semi-recumbent or sitting position starting from the extended lying position. This becomes particularly clear from WO 01/26509 A1. Although such adjustment allow a very elegant appearance of the finished product, because support, adjustment and drive elements in the bars or even in a mattress or upholstery are fully integrated. However, a disadvantage is - in addition to the complex structure - that the sequence or simultaneous Relativverschwenkung the various tie bars comparatively only inaccurate can be controlled. However, it is desirable that the adjustment device also assures the various intermediate positions between the extended resting or reclining position and the strongly erected sitting position, respectively, of an optimal back and buttocks and, if appropriate, leg support of the human, i. especially to support the spine optimally.

Based on this, the present invention seeks to realize a particularly simple adjusting device. Another object of the invention is to make the mechanical structure of such an adjustment robust and still allow a more appropriate multi-membered adjustment. Another object of the invention is to make the adjustment robust and yet elegant, ie without outwardly projecting or protruding headboard or backrests. An increase in safety is also desirable. Finally exists an object in the invention is to specify the mutual adjustment of Holmengliedern in any general inclination between a lying and an upright position of the user exactly or compulsorily.

According to the invention an adjusting device with the features of claim 1 or 2 and an adjustable support device with the features of claim 3 is proposed. The core of the invention is therefore a combination of at least one pivotable raising lever and a plurality of relatively pivotable Holmenglieder, so that the general erection movement and the body-appropriate detail movement are combined. Such adjustment leads to a robust, very simple design, visually appealing and targeted corporeal overall solution, as apparent from the embodiment described below casually.

According to claim 1 is - starting from the known and available on the market for a long time concept pivotable bars plus rigid setting lever - the bars divided into a plurality of bar members, the individual bar members are separated from the pivotal opening lever and in relation to each other different pivot. According to claim 2 take - starting from the known from WO 01/26509 A1 adjusting devices for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, which have two parallel link chains as spars - the spars together a rigid in itself, the mutual adjustment of the spars serving pivotal set-up (essentially complete) in itself. According to claim 3 consist - in adjustable support devices for mattresses or upholstery of beds, armchairs and the like with swiveling spars - the spars of rigid in itself pivotable setting levers; these carry a link chain of relative to each other pivotable Spriegeltraggliedern, in this solution, the set-up lever is the dominant pivoting wooden part, which is superimposed on a fine structure in the form of a chain with relatively pivotable members.

Since the load on the free end of the foot part is considerable when the foot part is raised, a foot piece support usually provides for the interception of these forces on a fixed base, such as on a bed frame. Such footrests are usually simple handlebars, which are pivotally mounted at one end to the slatted frame and the other end on the support member, such as the bed frame. This arrangement, e.g. for hospital beds, complicates the realization of an elegant and inconspicuous design and makes an exact tuning, e.g. between the slatted frame and a bed frame required. In addition, it prevents pivoting of the foot by hand, which is unfavorable for practical use. - In order to create a simple and inconspicuous, uncomplicated in handling foot support for generic devices, an adjusting device with the features of claim 17 is proposed, which is independent of the features of claims 1 to 3 of independent inventive importance. Accordingly, at least one of the bar members has a driven extensible support member for supporting the bar member on a base surface. Preferably, the drive of the extendable support element is carried out simultaneously by the adjustment of the bar members. This preferably by means of a pivotally driven deployment lever. A particularly simple drive transmission for the extension and retraction of the support element is an integrated into the affected beam member rocker.

In order to more effectively use electric drive motors of the drive device for generic adjusting devices with inconspicuous accommodation, a pair of housing each two drive motors in each of two, in particular fixed, opposite Holmengliedern the adjustment proposed according to the features of claim 23. This achieves, inter alia, that the head or foot part of the adjusting device are raised or lowered synchronously on both sides of the bar, without resulting in torsional tilting between the bar members of the head part and / or the foot part. This makes it possible, even with comparably wide beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like. Get along with small-sized drive motors and simple gearboxes and consuming To dispense with anti-torsion devices. Such adjusting is independent of the adjusting devices according to claims 1 to 3 and 17 of independent inventive importance.

The above-mentioned and the claimed components to be used according to the invention described in the exemplary embodiments are not subject to special conditions of size, shape, material selection and technical design, so that the selection criteria known in the field of application can be used without restriction.

Fig. 1 A

einen verstellbaren Lattenrost für Bettmatratzen in aufgestellter Position-perspektivisch;

Fig. 1 B

denselben verstellbaren Lattenrost in flachliegender Position - perspektivisch;

Fig. 2

von demselben Lattenrost den Kopfbereich eines Holmen in Explosionsdarstellung - perspektivisch;

Fig. 3A

von den Holmen nach Fig. 2 eine vereinfachte Darstellung/Ausführungsform in Seitenansicht des inneren Holmenteils - in Strecklage;

Fig. 3B

denselben inneren Holmenteil in leicht gehobener Position;

Fig. 3C

denselben inneren Holmenteil in deutlich angehobener Position;

Fig. 3D

denselben inneren Holmenteil in fast vollständig aufgerichteter Position;

Fig. 4A

von den Holmen von Fig. 3A bis 3D eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung (entsprechend Fig. 2)

Fig. 4B

denselben Holmen im zusammengebauten Zustand - zum Teil aufgebrochen;

Fig. 5A bis D

von dem Holmenteil nach Fig. 3A bis 4B den Fußbereich in einer Sequenz verschiedener Aufstellungsstadien;

Fig. 6A

von einer alternativen Ausführungsform eines verstellbaren Lattenrostes für Bettmatratzen eine Seitenansicht in das Innere der das Fußteil bildenden Holmenglieder - und zwar in der gestreckten Ruhelage des verstellbaren Lattenrostes;

Fig. 6B bis 6E

eine Sequenz desselben Details in unterschiedlichen Verstellpositionen des Lattenrostes;

Fig. 7A

eine weitere alternative Ausführungsform einer Verstellvorrichtung für Bettenmatratzen, Sessel und dergleichen in Draufsicht im nicht verstellten Ruhezustand;

Fig. 7B

von derselben Verstellvorrichtung eine Detailvergrößerung im Bereich der Motoraufnahme an einer Längsseite;

Fig. 8A

von derselben Verstelleinrichtung wie in Fig. 7A/B ein verbundenes Verstellhebelpaar für das Kopfteil in perspektivischer Darstellung sowie

Fig. 8B

von derselben Verstelleinrichtung wie in Fig. 7A/B ein verbundenes Verstellhebelpaar für das Fußteil in perspektivischer Darstellung.

Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims and from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which - by way of example - several embodiments of the adjusting device according to the invention are shown. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 A

an adjustable slatted frame for bed mattresses in an erected position-perspective;

Fig. 1 B

the same adjustable slatted frame in flat position - in perspective;

Fig. 2

from the same slatted frame, the head portion of a spar in exploded view - in perspective;

Fig. 3A

of the spars of Figure 2 is a simplified representation / embodiment in side view of the inner beam part - in an extended position.

Fig. 3B

the same inner spar part in a slightly raised position;

Fig. 3C

the same inner beam part in a clearly raised position;

Fig. 3D

the same inner beam part in almost fully upright position;

Fig. 4A

of the bars of FIGS. 3A to 3D is an exploded perspective view (corresponding to FIG. 2)

Fig. 4B

the same spars in the assembled state - partially broken up;

Fig. 5A to D

from the spar part according to FIGS. 3A to 4B, the foot area in a sequence of different installation stages;

Fig. 6A

of an alternative embodiment of an adjustable bed base for bed mattresses a side view into the interior of the foot part forming Holmenglieder - in the extended rest position of the adjustable slatted frame;

Fig. 6B to 6E

a sequence of the same detail in different adjustment positions of the slatted frame;

Fig. 7A

a further alternative embodiment of an adjustment for bed mattresses, armchairs and the like in plan view in the non-adjusted idle state;

Fig. 7B

from the same adjusting a detail magnification in the field of motor mount on one longitudinal side;

Fig. 8A

of the same adjusting device as in Fig. 7A / B a connected Verstellhebelpaar for the head part in a perspective view and

Fig. 8B

of the same adjusting device as in Fig. 7A / B a connected Verstellhebelpaar for the foot part in a perspective view.

Figures 1A and 1B show a slatted bed for mattresses, on which the invention is realized. A rigid bed frame 30 consists of parallel side rails 30A and parallel cross beams 30B, e.g. wooden. An adjustable slatted frame 30 is accommodated between the longitudinal members 30A, wherein a multiply pivotable head portion 32A and a multiply pivotable foot portion 32B are articulated by respective sides to a central portion 32C. The middle part 32C is fixed to the side rails 32A of the rigid bed frame 30, e.g. by screws, connected. The slatted frame 32 is composed essentially of two articulated bars 16 at the parallel longitudinal edges and the bars 16 connecting spring strips or brackets 34 together. The two bars 16 are composed in the illustrated and thus preferred embodiment of a total of seven bar members 16A to 16G, which are pivotally connected to each other, as will be apparent from the following description.

Fig. 2 shows from a spar 16 the head area. From the illustration it can be seen that the bars 16, ie each individual bar member, is divided longitudinally in a vertical plane and a box-like with the Holmenkopfbereich about the same length, in itself rigid setting lever 14 takes in him and him between the inner frame member 16 'and the outer beam part The box-like bar 16 or the box-like bar members 16A to 16D have as an integral part adjusting members 18A, which make it possible when pivoting or lowering the head portion 32A by pivoting the setting lever 14 ', the individual bar members relative to each other and in the same or different sense of rotation to each other pivot. These and other features of the adjusting device according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the second embodiment with Figures 3A to 5D:

As is apparent from the sequence of Figs. 3A to 3D in conjunction with the perspective views of Figs. 4A and 4B, the positioning lever 14 for the head portion 32A of the slatted frame 32 is pivotable about the axis of a torsion tube 14A. For the pivot drive in the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, a quarter-circle toothed segment 14B is provided, at its aufstellhebelseitigem segment end via a bore 14C, a link chain engages with its one end. The other end of the link chain, not shown in the drawing, known from German Patent Application No. 102 31 290.7 is pulled by a drive motor which extends in the spine member 16E in the region of the central part 32C. The torsion tube 14A may, if desired, be mounted with its end portions in respective bearings or bores of the side members 30A of the rigid bed frame 30 and / or the tie bar member 16E. The sector gear 14B can fulfill the function of a gusset plate. The rigid setting lever 14 is preferably made of metal or another comparatively rigid material. He contributes to a, as shown in the drawing and in so far preferred, pairwise adjusting 18B in the form of laterally projecting pins, which - as explained below - have the function of sliding or sliding blocks. Furthermore, the set-up lever 14 is characterized by at least one angled portion 14D, so that its course is not necessarily straight. Preferably, the at least one angled portion 14D is oriented in the direction of the general adjustment A. It allows, as will be explained below, a disproportionate upward pivoting, especially in the top head area, without thereby the fully integrated position of the raising lever 14 within the housing or box-shaped spar 16 is lost.

Holmenseitig there consist of adjusting members 18A there from slotted guides within each of the two Holmenteile (inner beam part 16 'and outer beam part The slotted guides of the inner and outer beam parts 16 'and 16 "are mirror-symmetrically constructed and arranged and extend on both sides of the vertical longitudinal division plane of the bar 16, so that they each slidably receive one of the pins of each pair of pins of the set-up lever-side adjusting members 18B.

The operation of the adjusting device in detail arises in connection with Figures 3A to 3D described below: From these figures it can be seen that the single pivot point of the deployment lever 14, which, as mentioned above coincides with the axis of the optional torsion tube 14A, approximately in the lower quarter of the box or box-shaped spars 16 at the (left in the drawing) end portion of the bar member 16E, which defines the rigid center portion 32C of the slatted frame 32. In contrast, pivot joints 22 for pivoting the adjacent tie bar members 16A-16E relative to each other are approximately in a substantially single height near the upper tie bar plane. This becomes particularly clear from the extended position shown in FIG. 3A. If now the set-up lever 14 is swung up from its horizontal position shown in FIG. 3A into one of the swivel positions shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D, a relative longitudinal displacement takes place between the strut members and the set-up lever. Characterized in that a positive guidance is provided between the Aufstellhebelseitigen adjustment members 18B and the spar-side adjusting members 18A, at this relative longitudinal displacement, the bar members must also undergo a relative transverse displacement with respect to the setting lever, if - as shown in the drawing and so far particularly preferred - the bar side adjusting members 18A are designed as gate guides and have an oblique inclination of their course with respect to the longitudinal direction of the individual spar member. Such inclinations are realized in the embodiment, this even with along the backdrop changing slope gradients. These gradients are adapted to the desired movement or inclination sequence. As can be seen from FIG. 3B, z. B. the uppermost bar member 16A when pivoting up of the raising lever 14 initially alone a Relativverschwenkung to the other Holmen members execute. This is determined by the degree of

Inclined inclination of the adjusting members 18A reinforced on the beam members 16B and 16C. This slight oblique inclination, which widens upwards from the adjusting member to the adjusting member, causes the raising lever 14 to be inclined slightly within the bar members 16B and 16C in comparison with the rest position (FIG. 3A).

Upon further pivoting of the raising lever 14 in the position shown in Fig. 3C but increasingly occurs a relative pivoting between the adjacent tie bars 16B and 16C. This happens in one of the upwardly directed adjustment direction A of the raising lever 14 opposite direction of rotation to produce a so-called lumbar support. The latter opposite pivoting movement is achieved by correspondingly different inclination profiles of the various adjusting members 18A. This is particularly clear when comparing FIGS. 3C and 3D.

As can be seen from the sequence of FIGS. 13A to 13D, therefore, the pivotable setting lever 14 is provided with a plurality of bar members which can be pivoted differently from the pivoting movement of the setting lever. It can also be seen that the tie bar members together substantially in itself a rigid, the mutual adjustment of the bar members serving pivotal setting lever absorb in itself completely. Finally, it can also be seen that the supporting or supporting loads of the pivotable spars are completely absorbed by the inherently rigid setting lever, wherein the setting lever carries a link chain of relatively pivotable support members of bows or spring strips.

FIGS. 3A to 4B also show that at least one of the pivotable bar members has at least one longitudinal and transverse guide and for this purpose preferably a slide guide between the bar members and the pivotable setting lever is effective. Finally, it can be seen that anti-pinch protection means 26 are provided between adjacent pivotable bar members. These are preferably located on the side opposite the pivot joints 22 Holmenseite. You can z. B. be executed as a gap-sealing circular segments, as can be seen from the detail magnification in Fig. 3D. A simple assembly of the spring strips / bow 34, or of their recording heads, can be achieved by receiving openings 28. These are preferably incorporated in the upper housing wall of the beam members - preferably as unilaterally open slots in the outer and / or inner beam part, as shown in Fig. 4A / 4B can be seen.

Finally, the sequence of Figs. 5A to 5D shows another embodiment of preferably box-like tie bars 16F and 16G which function via integrally integrated adjustment members 18A for longitudinal displacement relative to a raise lever 14 'and slidably receive its adjustment members 18B in the form of a sliding block pair. For simplicity, a footrest 20 pivotally mounted to the side rail 30A may receive a portion of the lever loads at that long end of the lever, with a recess 20A receiving and / or bridging the longitudinal beam center of gravity in the rest position Fig. 5D.

FIGS. 6A to 6E show the foot region of an alternative leg 16. Since each individual bar member is split longitudinally in a vertical plane and is composed of a housing like the inner bar part 16 'shown in the drawing and a corresponding outer bar part, FIGS. 6A to 6E allow a side view of the inner bar part 16'. It can also be seen that a stand-up lever 14 ', which is rigid in itself, is received by the bar 16 "between the inner bar part 16' and the outer bar part 16" and practically completely encloses it.

As can be seen from the sequence of FIGS. 6A to 6E, the raising lever 14 'for the foot part 32B of the slatted frame 32 is pivotable about the axis of a torsion tube 14A. For the pivot drive, a quarter-track toothed segment, not shown, is provided on which a link chain engages. The other end of the link chain known from German Patent Application No. 102 31 290.7 is pulled by a drive motor which extends in the cross member 16E in the region of the central part 32C. The torsion tube 14A may, if desired, be mounted with its end portions in respective bearings or bores of the side members 30A of the rigid bed frame 30 and / or the tie bar member 16E. The rigid raising lever 14 'is preferably made of metal or another relatively rigid material. He contributes to a, as shown in the drawing and in so far preferred, pairwise adjusting 18B in the form of laterally projecting pins, which have the function of sliding or sliding blocks. Furthermore, the raising lever 14 'is characterized by at least one angled portion 14D', so that its course is not necessarily straight. Preferably, the at least one angled portion 14D 'is oriented in the direction of the general adjustment A. It offers, as will be explained below, in addition to an overload protection of the knee joint zone of the spars 16, a drive function for the extension of the support element according to the present invention, which is independent of the features of claims 1 to 3, own inventive importance.

Notwithstanding the fact that in the illustrated preferred embodiment, the thigh member (spine member 16F) upon pivoting of the set-up lever 14 'by means of a cam assembly 18A / 18B performs a relative movement with respect to the deployment lever and the rest, a kink compensation element 40 is inserted between the spine member 16F and 16G, the outermost member of the foot part 32B (bar member 16G) has at its end nearest the adjacent bar member 16F a pivot joint 22 in the upper bar area. This pivot joint 22 is formed by a pair of cams 36 of the raising lever 14 'by these cams rotatably engage in corresponding recesses of the bar member 16G. This arrangement causes the hinge point 22, 36 is raised at a pivoting of the raising lever 14 '. Due to the rotatable mounting of the pins 36 and the weight of the lower leg part, so the two parallel bar members 16G, the connecting them supporting elements 12 and possibly lying mattress leaves the outermost (in the drawing right) end of the bar member 16G always on its stationary base, like the side member 30A, remain. However, under certain circumstances, a shift in the direction D along the support plane, such as the longitudinal member 30A takes place.

In order to achieve that the crossbar member 16G is raised altogether by a certain distance during the pivoting up of the setting lever 14 ', an extendable supporting element 20 in the form of a footrest is provided. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the extensible support element is a toggle lever with two fixed angles to each other provided legs 20A and 20B, which is pivotally mounted about a common pivot axis 20D in the knee area at the end and in the lower region of the bar member 16G.

While in the extended rest position of the foot part according to FIG. 2A the support element 20 is completely immersed in the uprights 16, pivoting about the knee joint 20C causes the leg 20A to move downwards so that the stile element 16G supports itself when supporting the free end of the leg Leg 20A on a base as the side member 30A raises the right end of the leg member 16F in the drawing. This lifting is done by actively driving the leg 20A:

For this purpose, a rocker 50 is provided on the one end, the bend 14D 'of the raising lever 14' and the other end the free end of the leg 20B of the support member 20 pivotally attack. The rocker 50 is rotatably mounted within the spine member 16F about pin 50C of the rocker 50. In the illustrated embodiment, this rocker 50 consists of a straight elongated metal rod made of flat material with double-sided slots 50A and 50B. In turn, a pivot pin 14E of the setting lever 14 and 20D of the support element 20 engage in these slots. Thus, by raising the deployment lever 14 'and causing the angled portion 14D' to pivot significantly about the beam member 16G about the pivot 22, 36, the rocker 50 is pivoted about its pivot 50C within the beam member 16F. This apparent from the sequence of Figures 2A to 2E rocker movement leads to a forced pivoting of the with the Rocker 50 coupled support member 20 and thus to a driven extension of the support member from the bar member 16G. When lowering the raising lever 14 'drives the support member 20 forcibly back into the bar member 16G.

This eliminates any coupling of the support element to another component. Rather, an integrated into the bars 16 pedal drive is created. Moreover, this is not dependent on a permanent rest on a base or base area, but is independent of it. It is therefore possible inter alia to move the foot part upwards beyond the maximum lifting position shown in Figure 6E - e.g. also by hand. It is also possible to perform the extension movement and / or the contact of the support element 20 to a base only in a certain angular position of the setting lever 14 'or a certain angular range.

In principle, a tie-link chain according to the invention can also consist only of a tie bar member for the head piece, a tie bar member for the middle piece and a tie bar member for the foot piece.

In the further alternative embodiment according to FIGS. 7A to 8B, the same reference numbers are used again for equivalent components. This further embodiment, which can also be used very favorably in the context of the preceding embodiments, is characterized in that the rigid beam part 16E of the middle part 32C has two electric motors 60A and 60B arranged parallel to one another in the rail part 16E, whose output shafts 62A, 62B extend extend approximately parallel to the bar member 16E. The external electric motors 60A drive z. B. via a drive spindle to a linearly guided carriage 63A, which tows a engaging on a toothed segment 14B link chain 64A, as shown in German Patent Application 102 31 290.7 from 10 July 2002 in detail and by double arrows in Fig. 7A and 8A and 8B is shown. The quarter-circle toothed segments 14B which are preferably used for this purpose, which are non-rotatable with the torsion tube 14A and 14A 'are arranged for the head region in the plane of the two setting levers 14 and in the foot region offset from the two setting levers 14', so that the moving bar members extend in a single vertical plane.

Although a synchronization of the pairwise associated electric motors 60A and 60B in the opposite Holmen also possible by electrical or electronic means, but has caused by the connection with torsion pipes forced coupling has proven to be particularly simple and effective.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

A

adjustment

D

displacement direction

10

adjustment

12

support elements

12A

support level

14

erecting

14A

torsion

14B

toothed segment

14C

drilling

14D

angulation

14D '

angulation

14 '

erecting

16

Holmen

16 '

inner part

16 "

outer part

16A-16G

rail members

18

adjusting members

18A

Holmenseitige adjusting members

18B

set-up-side adjustment

20

Footrest (support element)

20A

leg

20B

leg

20C

knee

20D

swivel axis

20E

recess

22

swivel joints

24

driving means

26

Einklemmschutzmittel

28

Receiving perforations

30

rigid bed frame

30A

longitudinal beams

30B

crossbeam

32

slatted

32A

headboard

32B

footboard

32C

midsection

34

Spring strips / bows

40

Knick compensation element

50

seesaw

50A

slots

50B

slots

50C

spigot

60A

electric motor

60B

electric motor

62A

output shaft

62B

output shaft

63A

carriage

63B

carriage

64A

link chain

64B

link chain

Claims (27)

1. Adjusting apparatus (10) for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, comprising support elements (12), which extend transversely of the adjusting direction (A), in particular on both sides, and jointly define a support plane (12A), and at least one drive device (24) for altering the inclination of the support plane, having at least one inherently rigid, pivotable positioning lever (14),
   characterized in that
   the at least one inherently rigid pivotable positioning lever (14) is provided with a plurality of rail members (16A-G), which are differently pivotable separately from the inherently rigid, pivotable positioning lever.
2. Adjusting apparatus (10) for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, comprising rail members (16), which extend transversely of the adjusting direction (A), in particular on both sides, and jointly define a support plane (12A), having at least one drive device (24) for altering the inclination of the support plane, wherein the rail members form a link chain,
   characterized in that
   the rail members (16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E, 16F, 16G) jointly substantially completely accommodate within them an inherently rigid, pivotable (rigid) positioning lever (14), which is used for mutual adjustment of the rail members.
3. Adjustable support apparatus for mattresses or upholstery, beds, armchairs and the like, comprising pivotable rails, having support elements (12) extending between the rails and defining a support plane (12A),
   characterized in that
   the pivotable rails are formed by at least one inherently rigid positioning lever (14) each, and that the positioning lever carries a link chain of support-element carrying members (rail members), which are pivotable relative to one another.
4. Adjusting apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the pivotable rail members form a link chain.
5. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustable rail members are longitudinally and transversely displaceable relative to and by means of the pivotable positioning lever (14).
6. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the pivotable rail members has at least one longitudinal and transverse guide (18A).
7. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rail members by virtue of pivoting of the pivotable positioning lever are pivotable in a different direction of rotation to one another.
8. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that for pivoting at least one rail member, in particular all rail members, a link guide is provided, which is effective between said members and the pivotable positioning lever.
9. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the rail members or rail member pairs are an integral component of a device for different pivoting of the rail members relative to the positioning lever (14).
10. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the adjustable rail members are housing-like.
11. Adjusting apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the adjustable housing-like rail members integrally form the housing adjusting means.
12. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the adjustable rail members are divided in two.
13. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the pivotable positioning lever (14) extends in the rail members (16A to 16G).
14. Adjusting apparatus according to claims 1 to 13, characterized by restricted guidance between the pivotable positioning lever (14) and at least one of the rail members.
15. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the positioning lever (14, 14') is fashioned as a cantilever arm and pivotably supported on a central or base part of the adjusting apparatus such as on a rail member (16E), a slat grid (32) and/or on a frame (30).
16. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that between at least two adjacent rail members an anti-trap device (26) is provided.
17. Adjusting apparatus for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, comprising rail members (16), which extend transversely of the adjusting direction (A) on both sides and jointly define a support plane (12A) formed by support elements (12), having at least one drive device for altering the inclination of the support plane, wherein the rail members form a link chain, according to one of claims 1 to 16,
    characterized in
    that one of the rail members has a driven, extendable supporting element (20) for supporting the rail member on a base surface.
18. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the rail member (16G) having supporting element (20) has a rocker (50), which transmits the driving force for the extension/retraction movement.
19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that a driven positioning lever (14') lifts and/or lowers one end of the rail member (16F) having the extendable supporting element (20).
20. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the positioning lever (14') pivots the rocker (50), upon pivoting of the positioning lever (14'), positively about a rocker bearing.
21. Apparatus according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the rocker (50) is disposed inside and/or on the rail member (16G) having the extendable supporting element (20).
22. Apparatus according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the extendable supporting element (20) takes the form of a toggle having rigid limbs (20A, 20B), wherein the toggle is supported pivotably about a toggle joint (20C) relative to the rail member (16G) accommodating it.
23. Adjusting apparatus for beds, mattresses, armchairs and the like, comprising rail members (16), which extend transversely of the adjusting direction (A) on both sides and jointly define a support plane (12A), having a plurality of drive devices for altering the inclination of the support plane, wherein the rail members form a link chain, at least comprising a head part (32A), a foot part (32B) and a central part (32C), according to one of claims 1 to 22,
    characterized in
    that as a drive device each of the two rail members (16E) defining the central part (32C) accommodates a pair of electric motors (60A, 60B) in such a way that the output shafts (62A, 62B) extend substantially parallel to the respective rail member (16E) and are disposed in a plane extending substantially through the rail members (16E).
24. Adjusting apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the rail members (16E) comprise housings, which accommodate the two juxtaposed electric motors (60A, 60B) and exceed the remaining rail width.
25. Adjusting apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the two ones electric motors (60A) of the rail members (16E) on both sides and/or the two other electric motors (60B) of the two opposite rail members (16E) are drive-connected by synchronizing means, in particular torsion tubes (14A, 14A').
26. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that swivelling means, in particular positioning levers (14 and/or 14') of the rail members (16) are disposed parallel offset to the output shafts (62A and/or 62B) of the electric motors (60A and/or 60B).
27. Adjusting apparatus according to one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that two positioning levers (14 and/or 14'), which are associated with the mutually opposite rails of the head part and/or of the foot part, are jointly pivotable by means of a torsion tube (14A and/or 14A') and are pivotably drive-connected at their torsion-tube-side end regions in each case to drive transmission means of the electric motors (60A and/or 60B).

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