GB2335355A - Sun bed - Google Patents

Abstract

A sun bed 24 is mounted for rotation about an axis, a linear spring is provided for rotation of the sun bed and hydraulic means are provided to govern the speed of rotation of the sun bed so as to maintain the sun bed in alignment with the sun. An umbrella or other sun-shade may be provided.

Description

SUN BEDS The present invention relates to sun beds.

2335355 With conventional sun beds, in order to maintain alignment with the sun, it is necessary periodically to physically move the bed around. Even when lying in the shade of an umbrella, movement of the sun bed and/or umbrella is necessary periodically as the sun moves.

The present invention provides a sun bed which moves around with the sun, thereby maintaining alignment and avoiding the need to reposition the sun bed periodically.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a sun bed is mounted for rotation about an axis, means being provided to rotate the sun bed, said means including means to govern the speed of rotation of the sun bed, so as to maintain the sun bed in alignment with the sun.

Preferably the sun bed is mounted on a turntable mounted for rotation about a central pivot. A turntable may be provided with castors spaced angularly around its outer periphery, the castors being guidingly located in a track formed by a base.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair of sun beds are located in juxtaposed relationship on the turntable. A table area and lockable storage compartment may also be provided, located, for example between the beds.

Shade means may also be mounted for rotation with the sun bed or sun beds, so that the shade means is also maintained in alignment with the sun bed and sun.

mounted on the base 10, the guide post 56 being located radially inwardly of the spool 52, so that as the spring is unwound by rotation of the turntable 12 in the direction opposite to movement of the sun, the spring 50 will engage the guide posts 56, as illustrated in Figure 2.

An arcuate track 60 is mounted on the base 10 and a hydraulic damper 62 is mounted on the turntable 12. The hydraulic damper comprises a cylinder 64 in which a plunger 66 is slidingly mounted, the plunger 66 sealingly engaging the side walls of the cylinder 64. The stem 68 of the plunger 66 extends through the end wall of the cylinder 64 and is sealed with respect thereto. At the end of the stem 68 remote from the sun 64, a pair of rollers 70 are rotatingly mounted with respect to the stem 68, the rollers 70 engaging one on either side of the track 60.

The plunger 66 has a non-return valve 72 which permits flow of fluid in the direction of arrow A, and a restricted orifice 74 which will permit flow of fluid in either direction.

To use the sun bed, at the beginning of the day, the turntable 12 is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of movment of the sun, to unwind the spring 50 from the spool 52, to the position illustrated in Figure 2. Engagement between the track 60 and rollers 70 will during this movement, cause the damper 62 to extend, the non-return valve 72 permitting hydraulic fluid to flow past the plunger 66 in unrestricted manner.

Once the spring 50 has been extended, its tendency to coil will impose a load on the platform 12 causing it to rotate in the direction of movement of the sun. As platform 12 rotates, engagment between rollers 70 and track 60 will force plunger 66 into the cylinder 62. The non-return valve 72 prevents flow of hydraulic fluid when the plunger 66 is moving turntable 12 rotatably mounted to the base 10 by means of a stub axle 14 which is mounted on the turntable 12 and engages a bearing formation 16 on the base 10.

A plurality of castors 18 are located around the periphery of the turntable 12 and engage in a track formation 20 formed by the base 10.

A pair of sun beds 24 are mounted in juxtaposed relationship on the turntable 12. The sun beds 24 are preferably made in three parts 26, 28, 30, the relative inclination of which is adjustable so that the contour of the bed may be adjusted as required. Alternatively, however, the sun beds 24 may be of fixed contour, being moulded, for example, from glass reinforced plastic. A detachable mattress 32 is provided on the sun bed, the mattress preferably being segmented, to allow it to conform with the contour of the sun beds 24.

A table formation 34 and lockable stowage compartment 36 are provided on the turntable 12 between the sun beds 24. Apertures 38 may be provided in the table to accommodate drinks bottles and glasses.

An umbrella 40 is mounted on support 42 attached to the table formation 34.

As illustrated in greater detail in Figures 3 to 5, the turntable 12 is rotated relative to the base 10, by means of a constant force linear spring 50.

This spring 50 is formed from a strip of stainless steel or high carbon texturised spring steel which is prestressed and thermally processed so that it exhibits a powerful tendency to coil uniformally throughout its length. The spring 50 is mounted at one end to a spool 52 which is rotatably mounted to the turntable 12. The other end of the spring 50 is anchored to a post 54 mounted on the base 10. Guide posts 56 are also central portion 88. The wings 90 may consequently be independently pivoted between a lowered position in which it will shade one of the sun beds 24 and a raised position in which the occupant of the sun bed 24 will be fully exposed to the sun.

The wings 90 are preferably biased to the lowered position by spring or other suitable means, latch means 92 being provided to maintain the wing 90 in the raised position. As illustrated in greater detail in Figure 7, the latch means 92 may comprise a striker plate 94 secured to the wing 90, which is engaged by a bolt 96 secured to the frame of the central portion 88 of the shade 80, when the wing 90 is in its raised position. Spring means 98 urges the bolt 96 into engagement with the striker plate 94. A cable 100 is connected between the bolt 96 and an automatic release mechanism 102 which is secured to the post 82 The automatic release mechanism 102 comprises a lever 104 mounted on pivot 106 intermediate of its ends. The cable 100 is connected to the lever 104 intermediate of the pivot 106 and the outer end of the lever 104, so that downward movement of the lever 104 will cause the bolt 96 to disengage the striker plate 94 and release the wing 90, so that it will move from its raised to its lowered position under the influence of biasing means (not shown).

A spring 11 0/damper 112 assembly is secured to the other end of lever 104 so that the spring 110 will urge that end of lever 104 upwardly. The damper 112 comprises a hydraulic cylinder and plunger similar to the damper 62 described above. The damper 112 is however arranged to permit unrestricted compression of the plunger and controlled expansion of the plunger. The spring 110 acts between the hydraulic cylinder 114 of the damper 112 and a collar 116 adjacent the end of the plunger 118 attached to the lever 104. The damper 112 will thereby control the inwardly. Movement of the plunger 66 is consequently controlled by flow of hydraulic fluid through the restricted orifice 74. This is arranged to govern the speed of rotation of the turntable 12 to maintain the turntable 12 and sun bed 24 mounted thereon in alignment with the sun.

In order to provide adjustment if, for example, the sun bed is rotated too far, a bypass may be provided on the damper 62 between the opposite sides of the plunger 66, this bypass being controlled by valve means so that the speed of rotation in the direction of the sun may be increased until the turntable is in the appropriate position.

With the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the umbrella 40 may be mounted so that it's axis corresponds to the axis of rotation of the turntable 12. In this position, the umbrella 40 will not move with the turntable 12 and readjustment may be required, as the sun moves.

In an alternative embodiment, the umbrella 40 may be mounted at a position offset from the axis of axle 14, for example adjacent to the foot end of the bed 24. In this position, the umbrella 40 will move round with the platform 12 providing continuing alignment with the sun and sun bed 24.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, a sun shade 80 is mounted parallel to and above the sun beds 24, on posts 82 and 84 located at diametrically opposed ends of the turntable 12 adjacent the head and foot of the sun beds 24. The shade 80 is preferably inclined with respect to the turntable 12 being higher at the head end of the bed 24. The shade 80 comprises a rectangular aluminium frame 86, with fabric secured thereto. The frame 86 preferably has a central portion 88 corresponding with the space between the sun beds 24 and pair of wings 90, each wing 90 being hinged to one of the longitudinal edges of the

Claims (1)

1. A sun bed mounted for rotation about an axis, means being provided to rotate the sun bed, said means including means to govern the speed of rotation of the sun bed so as to maintain the sun bed in alignment with the sun.

2. A sun bed according to Claim 1 in which the sun bed is mounted on a turntable, the turntable being pivotally mounted with respect to a base.

3. A sun bed according to Claim 2 in which castors are provided around the periphery of the turntable, the castors being guidingly located in a track formed by the base.

4. A sun bed according to any one of preceeding claims in which the bed is rotated by spring means.

5. A sun bed according to Claim 4 in which the bed is rotated by means of a constant force linear spring.

6. A sun bed according to Claim 5 in which the constant force linear spring comprises a coiled metal strip, the strip being connected at one end to a spool which is rotatingly mounted to the sun bed or a base unit, the other end of the strip being anchored to the other of the base unit or sun bed.

7. A sun bed according to Claim 6 in which the spring is tensioned by unwinding the strip from the spool by rotation of the sun bed in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the sun.

8. A sun bed according to any one of the preceeding claims in which expansion of the spring 110.

The spring 110 under control of the damper 112 will thereby act on the lever 104 and cable 100 to release the bolt 96 and permit the wing 90 to move from its raised to its lowered position. The time taken to perform this operation will depend upon the degree of compression of the spring which may be set manually by lever 104. A bypass 120 is provided between the two sides of the plunger 118, the bypass including valve means 122 which may be controlled manually to override the automatic release mechanism 102.

The occupant of the sun bed 24 may consequently raise the shade 90 and set it to release automatically after a specified time, thereby avoiding over exposure even if the occupant falls asleep. Movement of the wing 90 between the raised and lowered position upon release of the latch means 92, may be controlled by a gas strut or similar means, in order to avoid abrupt movement.

In a further alternative, the shade means may be in the form of a roller blind. This again may be biased to the extended position and latch means provided to hold the roller blind in the closed position.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that the spool 52 of spring 50 may alternatively be mounted to the base 10 and the other end 54 to the turntable 12. Similarly, the damper 62 may be mounted with respect to the base 10 and the track 60 provided on the turntable 12.

17. A sun bed according to Claim 16, in which the shade means moves with the sun bed.

18. A sun bed according to Claim 17, in which the shade is mounted parallel to and above the sun bed, the sun shade being supported on posts located at opposite ends of the bed.

19. A sun bed according to Claim 18 in which the sun shade is inclined with respect to the sun bed, being higher at the head end of the bed.

20. A sun bed according to Claim 18 or 19 in which the sun shade comprises a rectangular frame with fabric secured thereto.

21. A sun bed according to Claim 20 in which the sun shade has a central fixed portion and a pair of wings, each wing being hinged to one of the longitudinal edges of central portion, the wings being moveable between and raised and a lowered position.

22. A sun bed according to Claim 21 in which the wings are latchable in the raised position.

23. A sun bed according to Claim 22 in which the wings are biased from the raised position to the lowered position.

24. A sun bed according to Claim 22 or 23, in which automatic release means is provided for releasing the latch means.

25. A sun bed according to Claim 24, in which the automatic release means is adjustable to delay release of the latch means for a predetermined period.

guide posts are provided on said other of said base or sun bed around which the metal strip will engage as the spring is unwound.

9. A sun bed according to any one of the Claims 4 to 8 in which movement of the bed is governed by a hydraulic damper.

10. A sun bed according to Claim 9 in which the hydraulic damper comprises a hydraulic ram, the ram being mounted with respect to the sun bed or a base, movement of a plunger of the hydraulic ram being controlled by a track associated with the other of the base or the sun bed.

11. A sun bed according to Claim 10 in which rollers are provided on the plunger to engage the track.

12. A sun bed according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 in which the damper permits unrestricted movement of the sun bed relative to the base, when the sun bed is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the sun.

13. A sun bed according to any one of the preceeding claims in which a pair of sun beds are mounted on a turntable in juxtaposed relationship.

14. A sun bed according to Claim 13 in which a table is provided on the turntable.

15. A sun bed according to Claim 13 or 14, in which a lockable storage compartment is provided on the turntable.

16. A sun bed according to any one of the preceeding claims in which shade means is provided.

26. A sun bed substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.