Private Cloud: Is It A Functional Design For A Bed?

by Toby

If I don't like a design, I usually don't write about it. But in the case of the Private Cloud bed, I think there are some functional elements that may have been overlooked. The Private Cloud, or something liike it, could be improved to be really ergonomic and help you sleep too.

The Private Cloud, designed by Manuel Kloker, is a patented rocking frame for a bed that moves back and forth like a rocking chair. It sells for an average of about $6,800 depending on the size ordered, without the mattress.

Assuming there is a mattress on the frame, the Private Cloud rocks best when one is dangling his legs over the bed or when someone is pushing the bed like a swing, from the back. Neither of these positions are sleep-conducive, are they? And, if they were, would the forward-back motion of the boat, I mean bed, lead to a restful sleep or seasickness?

Rocking chairs are made with a back and forth motion; but cradles are made with side to side motion, and no one sleeps better than a baby, at least metaphorically. When you are treated for a back injury by physical and massage therapists, they rock your hips from side to side, very gently, to relieve the stress on your muscles and, not only does that motion relieve back pain, but it relaxes your whole body "like a baby."

Good design needs to consider function, as well as line and color. And, especially when it comes to beds, some research needs to be conducted on the physics of movement and relaxation. How far can something sway or swing before it is uncomfortable and counter-functional? Which direction - side to side or back and forth - is most relaxing, and how great should be the distance from the extremes? How much effort does the user need to contribute to the movement of the bed? (Why not build a switched-on bed in its optimal direction?) What is the perfect width of a rocking bed?

These are questions I would like answered before shelling out $7,000 for a bed frame. And if you want to answer these questions with research, and build such a bed, I will not claim prior disclosure; but I would like a healthy discount on the bed!

Toby
Design UnLeashed!
InventorSpot.com

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Comments

in a way

Submitted on October 7th, 2008 by Anonymous

I would like to try one but I couldn't afford it and besides I don't think I could sleep if it was moving! But as said I would still like to try both versions.

cloud bed

Submitted on October 8th, 2008 by Anonymous

I have terrible vertigo so I rock every night for free. No way I would pay for that problem!

Um...

Submitted on October 8th, 2008 by Anonymous

What would happen when people have sex? The frame would rock far too much!!! It would probably end up scooting across the room too! ??? Not the greatest idea in the world.

hmm

Submitted on October 8th, 2008 by Anonymous

that would be a lot of fun to have sex on =)

Actually...

Submitted on October 8th, 2008 by Toby

I neglected to mention that the bed does have feet that you can use to position it at a certain angle, or to keep it from rocking.

Toby
Design UnLeashed!
InventorSpot.com

Yeah the feet/chocks look

Submitted on October 9th, 2008 by Anonymous

Yeah the feet/chocks look pretty interesting. I also like that there are cutouts on the side so you could lie on it sideways and hang your legs out when you need to rocked a little while. Well they have a datasheet available with measurements. Once I get a non-rented place I might practice some wood bending and get back to you on how it works.

90º

Submitted on October 10th, 2008 by Anonymous

a friend for whom i house sat has one of these; it is supposed to be an early "Private Cloud" and bears both that name and "Kloker" on a small screwed-on plate. it's a little odd though because his bed was oriented 90º from the one pictured, and had ramped side boards on three sides, not two.

i was there over a month and hated it for four or five nights then loved it. rocking side to side (crib-like) was incredibly easy, requiring a slight roll left to right to start the motion (i remember that rolling from right to left seemed not to work as well, and have no idea why not). and yes, rolling over in your sleep was enough to start the gentle rock. the oval shape by the way prevented it from rocking too far.

sex? un-freaking-believable (and i am actually a bit of a freak)! across the bed (side to side) there was little if any rock; top to bottom the rock was incredible, doing all the work for us or providing force to work against (almost centrifugal in feel). even at our most athletic it was never enough to skip us across the loft floor, although we suspect the restraints (inward force from four equidistant points on the frame) may have had something to do with that.

p.s. if you get the frame i highly recommend clear b-lights ("twinkle" or "christmas" lights) on a dimmer on the top side of the canvas canopy.

Cloud Bed

Submitted on October 19th, 2008 by Anonymous

I think this is one of the most beautiful beds I have seen!
Gorgeous!
Well designed.
x
www.groovycart.co.uk