Title:
ADJUSTABLE BED FRAME
United States Patent 3824638
Abstract:
A bed frame for use in supporting a spring and mattress assembly in a Hollywood type bed which is foldable and adjustable to receive different sizes of bedding and provided with an insertable center support for use when supporting the largest standard size bedding.
US Patent References:
Expansible bedframe and the like
Moeller - March 1951 - 2544274
Center support unit for bedframes
Blanke et al. - July 1953 - 2644960
Bed frame
Imber et al. - September 1958 - 2851702
Adjustable and foldable bed frame
Brandlin et al. - August 1963 - 3100304
Adjustable table structure
Johnston - April 1965 - 3179071
Expansible bedframe and the like
Moeller - March 1951 - 2544274
Center support unit for bedframes
Blanke et al. - July 1953 - 2644960
Bed frame
Imber et al. - September 1958 - 2851702
Adjustable and foldable bed frame
Brandlin et al. - August 1963 - 3100304
Adjustable table structure
Johnston - April 1965 - 3179071
Application Number:
05/282006
Publication Date:
07/23/1974
Filing Date:
08/21/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
5/202, 5/184
International Classes:
A47C19/04; A47C19/00; A47C19/04
Field of Search:
5/181,184,185,2R,201,202,176R,285,286 108/144 248/423
US Patent References:
| 3736602 | ADJUSTABLE WIDTH KING SIZE BED FRAMES | June 1973 | Miller |
Primary Examiner:
Mitchell, James C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
O'brien, Clarence Jacobson Harvey A. B.
Claims:
What is claimed as new is as follows
1. In a bed frame having a pair of side rails interconnected by a pair of cross members, a center support rail disposed between and generally paralleling the side rails, and means connecting the ends of the center support rail to the cross members, said means including an interlocking connecting means to enable assembly and disassembly of the center support rail, said connecting means including a pair of upstanding headed pins on each end of the center support rail, a pair of slots in each cross member with one of the slots in each pair being L-shaped to enable interengaging of one of the pins therewith, the other slot being parallel to the entrance portion of the L-shaped slot and spaced therefrom a distance less than the space between the headed pins to lock the center rail to the cross members when the pins are interengaged with the slots.
2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each cross member includes a central insert to vary the space between the side rails to a maximum distance, interlocking means interconnecting the central insert and the end portions of the cross members, and depending support means on each end of the center support rail.
3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said interlocking means interconnecting the central insert and the end portions of the cross members including pairs of slots and headed projections with each of said slots including an entrance slot communicating with the edge of the member in which the slot is formed thereby enabling assembly of the headed projections into the slots by lateral movement, said entrance slot being located in acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the slot and in spaced relation to the ends of the slot for retaining the headed projections within the slot regardless of which end of the slot the headed projection is positioned in.
4. A bed frame comprising a pair of generally parallel side rails, a pair of cross members interconnecting the side rails, means supporting the bed frame from a supporting surface, each of said cross members including a pair of telescopically oriented members, and interlocking means interconnecting the telescopic members at longitudinally spaced points for locking the telescopic members in predetermined positions in order to space the side rails a predetermined distance from each other, said interlocking means including a pair of headed projections on one of the telescopic members and a plurality of pairs of slots in the other of the members, each of said slots including an entrance slot communicating with the edge of the member in which the slot is formed thereby enabling assembly of the headed projections into the slots for interlocking the telescopic members, each of said slots being elongated and the entrance slot thereto being oriented in acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the slot and in spaced relation to the ends of the slot thereby retaining the headed projections within the slot, each of said telescopic members having its outer end pivotally attached to the side rail, said means supporting the frame including depending bracket plates attached to the telescopic members adjacent the point of pivotal connection with the side rails, supporting surface engaging means on the lower end of each plate, each of the plates including a laterally extending plate on the upper end thereof, each side rail including means engaging the lateral plate when the telescopic member is in perpendicular relation therewith thereby providing rigidity between the side rails and telescopic members, and a center support rail interposed between the side rails generally in parallel relation thereto for supporting bedding when the side rails are spaced at a maximum distance apart, depending support means at each end of the center support rail for engaging a supporting surface, an end member at each end of the center support rail in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, headed pins and slot means detachably interconnecting the center support rail and the end members, each of said end members including headed projections and slots which are duplicates of the headed projections and slots on the telescopic cross members for interlocking engagement therewith whereby the end members are inserted into and interconnect the telescopic cross members, said headed pin and slot means interconnecting the end members and center support rail including a pair of slots in each end member with one of the slots in each pair being L-shaped, a pair of headed pins on the center support rail, the other slot in each pair being parallel to the entrance portion of the L-shaped slot and spaced therefrom a distance less than the space between the headed pins to lock the center support rail to the end member when the pins are interengaged with the slots.
5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said interlocking projections and slots enable limited adjustment of the length of the cross members in each of their predetermined locked positions.
6. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said interlocking projections and slots require two distinct relative movements oriented in angular relation to each other with one movement terminating intermediate the endmost points of the other movement.
7. A bed frame comprising a pair of generally parallel side rails, a pair of cross members interconnecting the side rails, means supporting the bed frame from a supporting surface, each of said cross members including a pair of telescopically oriented members, and interlocking means interconnecting the telescopic members at longitudinally spaced points for locking the telescopic members in predetermined positions in order to space the side rails a predetermined distance from each other, said interlocking means including a pair of headed projections on one of the telescopic members and a plurality of pairs of slots in the other of the members, each of said slots including an entrance slot communicating with the edge of the member in which the slot is formed thereby enabling assembly of the headed projections into the slots for interlocking the telescopic members, each of said slots being elongated and the entrance slot thereto is oriented in acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the slot and in spaced relation to the ends of the slot thereby rotating the headed projections within the slot, and a center support rail interposed between the side rails generally in parallel relation thereto for supporting bedding when the side rails are spaced at a maximum distance apart, depending support means at each end of the center support rail for engaging a supporting surface, an end member at each end of the center support rail in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, headed pins and slot means detachably interconnecting the center support rail and the end members, each of said end members including headed projections and slots which are duplicates of the headed projections and slots on the telescopic cross members for interlocking engagement therewith whereby the end members are inserted into and interconnect the telescopic cross members, said headed pin and slot means interconnecting the end members and center support rail including a pair of slots in each end member with one of the slots in each pair being L-shaped, a pair of headed pins on the center support rail, the other slot in each pair being parallel to the entrance portion of the L-shaped slot and spaced therefrom a distance less than the space between the headed pins to lock the center support rail to the end member when the pins are interengaged with the slots.
1. In a bed frame having a pair of side rails interconnected by a pair of cross members, a center support rail disposed between and generally paralleling the side rails, and means connecting the ends of the center support rail to the cross members, said means including an interlocking connecting means to enable assembly and disassembly of the center support rail, said connecting means including a pair of upstanding headed pins on each end of the center support rail, a pair of slots in each cross member with one of the slots in each pair being L-shaped to enable interengaging of one of the pins therewith, the other slot being parallel to the entrance portion of the L-shaped slot and spaced therefrom a distance less than the space between the headed pins to lock the center rail to the cross members when the pins are interengaged with the slots.
2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each cross member includes a central insert to vary the space between the side rails to a maximum distance, interlocking means interconnecting the central insert and the end portions of the cross members, and depending support means on each end of the center support rail.
3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said interlocking means interconnecting the central insert and the end portions of the cross members including pairs of slots and headed projections with each of said slots including an entrance slot communicating with the edge of the member in which the slot is formed thereby enabling assembly of the headed projections into the slots by lateral movement, said entrance slot being located in acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the slot and in spaced relation to the ends of the slot for retaining the headed projections within the slot regardless of which end of the slot the headed projection is positioned in.
4. A bed frame comprising a pair of generally parallel side rails, a pair of cross members interconnecting the side rails, means supporting the bed frame from a supporting surface, each of said cross members including a pair of telescopically oriented members, and interlocking means interconnecting the telescopic members at longitudinally spaced points for locking the telescopic members in predetermined positions in order to space the side rails a predetermined distance from each other, said interlocking means including a pair of headed projections on one of the telescopic members and a plurality of pairs of slots in the other of the members, each of said slots including an entrance slot communicating with the edge of the member in which the slot is formed thereby enabling assembly of the headed projections into the slots for interlocking the telescopic members, each of said slots being elongated and the entrance slot thereto being oriented in acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the slot and in spaced relation to the ends of the slot thereby retaining the headed projections within the slot, each of said telescopic members having its outer end pivotally attached to the side rail, said means supporting the frame including depending bracket plates attached to the telescopic members adjacent the point of pivotal connection with the side rails, supporting surface engaging means on the lower end of each plate, each of the plates including a laterally extending plate on the upper end thereof, each side rail including means engaging the lateral plate when the telescopic member is in perpendicular relation therewith thereby providing rigidity between the side rails and telescopic members, and a center support rail interposed between the side rails generally in parallel relation thereto for supporting bedding when the side rails are spaced at a maximum distance apart, depending support means at each end of the center support rail for engaging a supporting surface, an end member at each end of the center support rail in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, headed pins and slot means detachably interconnecting the center support rail and the end members, each of said end members including headed projections and slots which are duplicates of the headed projections and slots on the telescopic cross members for interlocking engagement therewith whereby the end members are inserted into and interconnect the telescopic cross members, said headed pin and slot means interconnecting the end members and center support rail including a pair of slots in each end member with one of the slots in each pair being L-shaped, a pair of headed pins on the center support rail, the other slot in each pair being parallel to the entrance portion of the L-shaped slot and spaced therefrom a distance less than the space between the headed pins to lock the center support rail to the end member when the pins are interengaged with the slots.
5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said interlocking projections and slots enable limited adjustment of the length of the cross members in each of their predetermined locked positions.
6. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said interlocking projections and slots require two distinct relative movements oriented in angular relation to each other with one movement terminating intermediate the endmost points of the other movement.
7. A bed frame comprising a pair of generally parallel side rails, a pair of cross members interconnecting the side rails, means supporting the bed frame from a supporting surface, each of said cross members including a pair of telescopically oriented members, and interlocking means interconnecting the telescopic members at longitudinally spaced points for locking the telescopic members in predetermined positions in order to space the side rails a predetermined distance from each other, said interlocking means including a pair of headed projections on one of the telescopic members and a plurality of pairs of slots in the other of the members, each of said slots including an entrance slot communicating with the edge of the member in which the slot is formed thereby enabling assembly of the headed projections into the slots for interlocking the telescopic members, each of said slots being elongated and the entrance slot thereto is oriented in acute angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the slot and in spaced relation to the ends of the slot thereby rotating the headed projections within the slot, and a center support rail interposed between the side rails generally in parallel relation thereto for supporting bedding when the side rails are spaced at a maximum distance apart, depending support means at each end of the center support rail for engaging a supporting surface, an end member at each end of the center support rail in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, headed pins and slot means detachably interconnecting the center support rail and the end members, each of said end members including headed projections and slots which are duplicates of the headed projections and slots on the telescopic cross members for interlocking engagement therewith whereby the end members are inserted into and interconnect the telescopic cross members, said headed pin and slot means interconnecting the end members and center support rail including a pair of slots in each end member with one of the slots in each pair being L-shaped, a pair of headed pins on the center support rail, the other slot in each pair being parallel to the entrance portion of the L-shaped slot and spaced therefrom a distance less than the space between the headed pins to lock the center support rail to the end member when the pins are interengaged with the slots.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a bed frame employed in a Hollywood type bed which is foldable and adjustable as to width and provided with an insertable center support to enable all of the standard widths of bedding to be effectively supported.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the bed industry, bed spring and mattress assemblies have been standardized as to their size. A single bed has bedding that is 3 feet 3 inches in width, a double bed has bedding 4 feet 6 inches in width, a queen size bed has bedding 5 feet in width and a king size bed has bedding 6 feet 6 inches in width. Many efforts have been made to provide supporting bed frames which are adjustable as to width in order to accommodate the different sizes of bedding. Such bed frames used in a Hollywood bed assembly include a pair of side rails interconnected by a pair of end rails or cross members that are adjustable in length and pivotally attached to the side rails to enable the bed frame to be stored and transported in a folded condition. Depending supporting legs, usually with casters, glides or the like are provided on the frame for supporting the frame from a floor. Conventionally, the side rails and cross members are of angle iron construction and the cross members are telescopically adjusted by the use of clamps or the like. Exemplary of the patents illustrating this type of construction are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,882,535, issued Apr. 21, 1959; 2,900,649, issued Aug. 25, 1959; 2,939,157, issued June 7, 1960 and 3,510,887, issued May 12, 1970.
Prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,117 discloses an adjustable bed frame employing a center support parallel to the side rails and adjustably connected to the cross members for supporting the central portion of a spring and mattress assembly supported thereon. While such devices have been used, the manner of locking the frame in adjusted position has produced several problems including improper adjustment which results in the frame improperly fitting the bedding and insecure locking of the frame in adjusted position which enables the frame to open up with the bedding falling between the rails. Some effort has been made to enable adjustment of the side rails to predetermined spatial relation by providing horizontally interlocking fastener elements that do not rely upon a screw-threaded type of clamp. Prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,304, issued Aug. 13, 1963 discloses such an arrangement and other arrangements have been provided in which a pin and slot connection is provided for the cross members to adjustably interconnect the adjustable components of the cross members.
While adjustable bed frames have been previously patented and have been marketed with some success, various problems still exist including weakness in the supporting connection between the components of the frame, insecurity in the adjustment of the components and the inability of the components to be adjusted to receive all standard sizes of bedding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a bed frame that is adjustable to effectively fit and receive all standard sizes of bedding with a headed pin and unique slot arrangement enabling the frame to be set up or adjusted in a very short time without the use of nuts, bolts, clamps or tools with the pin and slot connection effectively securing the frame in adjusted position.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable bed frame having an insertable center support connected with the components of the cross members by the same unique pin and slot connection employed for adjusting the width of the frame.
A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable and adjustable bed frame having a novel corner locking construction interconnecting the side rails, cross members and supporting legs to provide additional strength for rigidity for all four legs to retain the frames perfectly rigid and square at all times.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a bed frame in accordance with the preceding object in which the pin and slot connection is repeated at desired intervals along the overlapping cross members to enable the side rails and thus the bed frame to be adjusted to predetermined standard sizes.
Still another significant object of the invention is to provide a bed frame in accordance with the preceding objects in which the pin and slot connection enables adjustment of the frame so that it will fit against the box spring in a snug relationship even though there may be some variation of the size of the box spring from its standard size.
A further important object of this invention is to provide a foldable and adjustable bed frame which can be quickly and easily set up without requiring tools or skilled labor with the adjustment being secure and positive and with the structure being rigid but yet relatively simple and dependable.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bed frame of the present invention adjusted to an intermediate position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bed frame in its widest position with the center support incorporated therein;
FIG. 3 is a transverse, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3--3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the structural details of the components of the center support and the cross member;
FIG. 4 is an exploded group perspective view illustrating fragmentally the relationship between the center support and its associated components;
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an initial step in the connection between the center support and the cross member at the end thereof;
FIG. 6 is a fragmental plan view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the next step in the assembly of the center support and its cross member;
FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the center support and its cross member assembled and illustrating the relationship of the cross member on the center support to the cross member attached to the side rail prior to assembly;
FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating the final assembly of the crosspiece on the center support and the crosspiece on the side rail; and
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the connection between the side rail and a cross member illustrating the association of the structural components thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now specifically to the drawings, the bed frame of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and includes substantially parallel side rails 12 and 14 and end members or cross members 16 and 18. Each of the side rails 12 and 14 is of angle iron construction with a horizontal flange 20 and a vertical flange 22. Attached to at least one end of each of the side rails 12 and 14 is a vertically disposed bracket 24 of angle iron construction provided with apertures, slots or the like for connection with a headboard or footboard. The particular construction of the bracket and manner of attaching it to the side rail and the manner of attaching it to the headboard or footboard may be varied and forms no particular part of the present invention.
Each of the end members or cross members 16 and 18 includes angle iron members 26 and 28 with the angle iron member 26 overlapping and engaging the angle iron member 28. As illustrated, the rail 12 includes one angle iron member 26 and one angle iron 28 so that when the two side rails 12 and 14 are assembled, the angle iron member 26 on one of the side rails will be received in overlaying and overlapping relation to the angle iron member 28 on the other side rail. The members 26 and 28 are adjustably interconnected in a manner described hereinafter and the end of the angle iron members 26 and 28 attached to the side rail is pivotally connected thereto by a rivet or other fastener 30 which extends through the horizontal flange 20 of the side rail and the horizontal flange of the corresponding angle iron member 26 or 28. Attached to the vertical flange of each of the angle iron members 26 and 28 adjacent the outer end thereof is a vertical mounting plate 32 which has a vertical tubular socket member 34 depending therefrom for detachably mounting a caster wheel assembly 36 for supporting the bed frame in a well known manner. The plate 32 is secured to the vertical flange of the respective angle iron members 26 or 28 by rivets or other suitable fastening members and the upper end of the plate 32 is provided with a rigid horizontally extending lock plate 38 that has an arcuate outer edge 40 provided with end corner notches 42 for receiving and engaging the shank of a headed rivet 44 rigidly secured to the horizontal flange of the side rail with the portion of the plate 38 adjacent the notch 42 being received between the bottom surface of the flange 20 and the head on the rivet 44 thus providing a rigid connection between the side rail and the members 26 and 28 and providing added strength for all four legs thus retaining the frame in a rigid and square condition at all times with the structure also enabling the angle iron members 26 and 28 to pivot to a position underlying the horizontal flange 20 of the side rail. FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates the construction and relationship of these components.
The top flange of the angle iron member 28 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced headed rivets 46 rigid therewith while the top flange of the angle iron member 26 is provided with a plurality of pairs of longitudinally spaced slots 48 with each slot being elongated and provided with semi-circular ends and an entrance slot 50 is provided which is of a dimension to receive the reduced shank of the headed pin 46 and which is located closer to the end of the slot adjacent to the side rail to which the angle iron member 26 is pivoted and which is angled in a direction away from the side rail on which the angle iron member 26 is pivoted. The space between the slots in each pair is equivalent to the space between the headed pins 46 so that by registering the pins and slots and moving the pins through the angled entrance slots 50 into the longitudinal slots and moving the angle iron members 26 and 28 longitudinally in relation to each other, the angle iron members 26 and 28 will be interconnected and interlocked. As illustrated, three pairs of slots 48 are provided in each of the angle iron members 26 thus enabling adjustment of the side rails to fit single, double and queen size bedding. The length and configuration of the slots is such that the side rails can be adjusted within the limits of the lengths of the slots to accommodate for variations in the size of the bedding and also, if the angle iron members 26 and 28 move longitudinally in relation to each other, the headed pin 46 will not slip out of the entrance slot but rather move on into the opposite end of the slot 48 thereby providing a connection that will not accidentally become disengaged when the members 26 and 28 are moved longitudinally in relation to each other.
If the bedding to be supported is wide, such as king size, an insertable center support generally designated by the numeral 60 is provided for incorporation into the bed frame as illustrated in FIG. 2. The center support 60 includes a longitudinal rail 62 formed by two angle iron members 64 and 66 which have their vertical flanges in engagement with each other and riveted together by rivets which also secure a vertical supporting plate 68 having a caster assembly 70 mounted thereon for providing support for each end of the center support rail 62. The end of each rail 64 and 66 is provided with a headed rivet or pin 72 thereon and the headed pins or rivets detachably receive and mount an insert angle iron member 74 by engagement with the horizontal flange thereof. The horizontal flange of the insert cross member 74 is provided with a pair of spaced headed pins or rivets 76 adjacent the end thereof for engagement with the slots 48 in the angle iron member 26 and the opposite end of the insert member 74 is provided with slots 78 which receive the headed pins or fasteners 46 on the angle iron member 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
The connection between the insert cross member 74 and the rail 62 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and includes a substantially L-shaped slot 80 and an adjacent lateral slot 82 communicating with the inner edge of the horizontal flange of the insert cross member 64. In assembling the cross member 74 with the rail 62, the entrance to the slot 80 is engaged with the headed rivet 72 on the angle iron member 64 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The member 74 is then moved longitudinally to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 and then pivoted inwardly so that the notch 82 is engaged with the headed pin or rivet 72 on the angle iron member 66 thus locking the insert member 74 in perpendicular relation to the rail 62. Then, by engaging the angle iron member 26 with the headed pins 76 and engaging the slots 78 in the angle iron member 74 with the headed pins 46 on the angle iron member 28, the components of the bed frame will be secured in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 so that wide bedding such as king size bedding may be supported by the bed frame.
Any suitable supporting structure may be provided including casters, glides or relatively wide rug rollers or runners. Also, the four legs may be of standard height so that the frame is supported uniformly in spaced relation to the floor surface at a convenient height such as a conventional 71/2 inches. Also, the components where they overlap may be provided with equally spaced sets of apertures to receive fasteners to permanently lock the frame in adjusted position. Also, each end of the frame may be provided with apertures spaced in a standard manner to receive various types of mounting plates or mounting brackets for headboards, footboards and the like.
With this construction, only a single frame may be kept in inventory or stock to satisfy all sizes of bedding such as single or twin, double or full, queen and king with the device being stored in a compact condition but yet easily and quickly set up by unskilled persons thereby greatly facilitating the delivery and quick and accurate set up of a bed. The particular construction of the unique slot and its association with the headed pins eliminates the possibility of the frame opening accidentally since it requires two separate and distinct movements to separate the components of this frame.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a bed frame employed in a Hollywood type bed which is foldable and adjustable as to width and provided with an insertable center support to enable all of the standard widths of bedding to be effectively supported.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the bed industry, bed spring and mattress assemblies have been standardized as to their size. A single bed has bedding that is 3 feet 3 inches in width, a double bed has bedding 4 feet 6 inches in width, a queen size bed has bedding 5 feet in width and a king size bed has bedding 6 feet 6 inches in width. Many efforts have been made to provide supporting bed frames which are adjustable as to width in order to accommodate the different sizes of bedding. Such bed frames used in a Hollywood bed assembly include a pair of side rails interconnected by a pair of end rails or cross members that are adjustable in length and pivotally attached to the side rails to enable the bed frame to be stored and transported in a folded condition. Depending supporting legs, usually with casters, glides or the like are provided on the frame for supporting the frame from a floor. Conventionally, the side rails and cross members are of angle iron construction and the cross members are telescopically adjusted by the use of clamps or the like. Exemplary of the patents illustrating this type of construction are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,882,535, issued Apr. 21, 1959; 2,900,649, issued Aug. 25, 1959; 2,939,157, issued June 7, 1960 and 3,510,887, issued May 12, 1970.
Prior U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,117 discloses an adjustable bed frame employing a center support parallel to the side rails and adjustably connected to the cross members for supporting the central portion of a spring and mattress assembly supported thereon. While such devices have been used, the manner of locking the frame in adjusted position has produced several problems including improper adjustment which results in the frame improperly fitting the bedding and insecure locking of the frame in adjusted position which enables the frame to open up with the bedding falling between the rails. Some effort has been made to enable adjustment of the side rails to predetermined spatial relation by providing horizontally interlocking fastener elements that do not rely upon a screw-threaded type of clamp. Prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,304, issued Aug. 13, 1963 discloses such an arrangement and other arrangements have been provided in which a pin and slot connection is provided for the cross members to adjustably interconnect the adjustable components of the cross members.
While adjustable bed frames have been previously patented and have been marketed with some success, various problems still exist including weakness in the supporting connection between the components of the frame, insecurity in the adjustment of the components and the inability of the components to be adjusted to receive all standard sizes of bedding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a bed frame that is adjustable to effectively fit and receive all standard sizes of bedding with a headed pin and unique slot arrangement enabling the frame to be set up or adjusted in a very short time without the use of nuts, bolts, clamps or tools with the pin and slot connection effectively securing the frame in adjusted position.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable bed frame having an insertable center support connected with the components of the cross members by the same unique pin and slot connection employed for adjusting the width of the frame.
A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable and adjustable bed frame having a novel corner locking construction interconnecting the side rails, cross members and supporting legs to provide additional strength for rigidity for all four legs to retain the frames perfectly rigid and square at all times.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a bed frame in accordance with the preceding object in which the pin and slot connection is repeated at desired intervals along the overlapping cross members to enable the side rails and thus the bed frame to be adjusted to predetermined standard sizes.
Still another significant object of the invention is to provide a bed frame in accordance with the preceding objects in which the pin and slot connection enables adjustment of the frame so that it will fit against the box spring in a snug relationship even though there may be some variation of the size of the box spring from its standard size.
A further important object of this invention is to provide a foldable and adjustable bed frame which can be quickly and easily set up without requiring tools or skilled labor with the adjustment being secure and positive and with the structure being rigid but yet relatively simple and dependable.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the bed frame of the present invention adjusted to an intermediate position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bed frame in its widest position with the center support incorporated therein;
FIG. 3 is a transverse, sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially upon a plane passing along section line 3--3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the structural details of the components of the center support and the cross member;
FIG. 4 is an exploded group perspective view illustrating fragmentally the relationship between the center support and its associated components;
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an initial step in the connection between the center support and the cross member at the end thereof;
FIG. 6 is a fragmental plan view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the next step in the assembly of the center support and its cross member;
FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the center support and its cross member assembled and illustrating the relationship of the cross member on the center support to the cross member attached to the side rail prior to assembly;
FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating the final assembly of the crosspiece on the center support and the crosspiece on the side rail; and
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the connection between the side rail and a cross member illustrating the association of the structural components thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now specifically to the drawings, the bed frame of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and includes substantially parallel side rails 12 and 14 and end members or cross members 16 and 18. Each of the side rails 12 and 14 is of angle iron construction with a horizontal flange 20 and a vertical flange 22. Attached to at least one end of each of the side rails 12 and 14 is a vertically disposed bracket 24 of angle iron construction provided with apertures, slots or the like for connection with a headboard or footboard. The particular construction of the bracket and manner of attaching it to the side rail and the manner of attaching it to the headboard or footboard may be varied and forms no particular part of the present invention.
Each of the end members or cross members 16 and 18 includes angle iron members 26 and 28 with the angle iron member 26 overlapping and engaging the angle iron member 28. As illustrated, the rail 12 includes one angle iron member 26 and one angle iron 28 so that when the two side rails 12 and 14 are assembled, the angle iron member 26 on one of the side rails will be received in overlaying and overlapping relation to the angle iron member 28 on the other side rail. The members 26 and 28 are adjustably interconnected in a manner described hereinafter and the end of the angle iron members 26 and 28 attached to the side rail is pivotally connected thereto by a rivet or other fastener 30 which extends through the horizontal flange 20 of the side rail and the horizontal flange of the corresponding angle iron member 26 or 28. Attached to the vertical flange of each of the angle iron members 26 and 28 adjacent the outer end thereof is a vertical mounting plate 32 which has a vertical tubular socket member 34 depending therefrom for detachably mounting a caster wheel assembly 36 for supporting the bed frame in a well known manner. The plate 32 is secured to the vertical flange of the respective angle iron members 26 or 28 by rivets or other suitable fastening members and the upper end of the plate 32 is provided with a rigid horizontally extending lock plate 38 that has an arcuate outer edge 40 provided with end corner notches 42 for receiving and engaging the shank of a headed rivet 44 rigidly secured to the horizontal flange of the side rail with the portion of the plate 38 adjacent the notch 42 being received between the bottom surface of the flange 20 and the head on the rivet 44 thus providing a rigid connection between the side rail and the members 26 and 28 and providing added strength for all four legs thus retaining the frame in a rigid and square condition at all times with the structure also enabling the angle iron members 26 and 28 to pivot to a position underlying the horizontal flange 20 of the side rail. FIG. 9 of the drawings illustrates the construction and relationship of these components.
The top flange of the angle iron member 28 is provided with a pair of longitudinally spaced headed rivets 46 rigid therewith while the top flange of the angle iron member 26 is provided with a plurality of pairs of longitudinally spaced slots 48 with each slot being elongated and provided with semi-circular ends and an entrance slot 50 is provided which is of a dimension to receive the reduced shank of the headed pin 46 and which is located closer to the end of the slot adjacent to the side rail to which the angle iron member 26 is pivoted and which is angled in a direction away from the side rail on which the angle iron member 26 is pivoted. The space between the slots in each pair is equivalent to the space between the headed pins 46 so that by registering the pins and slots and moving the pins through the angled entrance slots 50 into the longitudinal slots and moving the angle iron members 26 and 28 longitudinally in relation to each other, the angle iron members 26 and 28 will be interconnected and interlocked. As illustrated, three pairs of slots 48 are provided in each of the angle iron members 26 thus enabling adjustment of the side rails to fit single, double and queen size bedding. The length and configuration of the slots is such that the side rails can be adjusted within the limits of the lengths of the slots to accommodate for variations in the size of the bedding and also, if the angle iron members 26 and 28 move longitudinally in relation to each other, the headed pin 46 will not slip out of the entrance slot but rather move on into the opposite end of the slot 48 thereby providing a connection that will not accidentally become disengaged when the members 26 and 28 are moved longitudinally in relation to each other.
If the bedding to be supported is wide, such as king size, an insertable center support generally designated by the numeral 60 is provided for incorporation into the bed frame as illustrated in FIG. 2. The center support 60 includes a longitudinal rail 62 formed by two angle iron members 64 and 66 which have their vertical flanges in engagement with each other and riveted together by rivets which also secure a vertical supporting plate 68 having a caster assembly 70 mounted thereon for providing support for each end of the center support rail 62. The end of each rail 64 and 66 is provided with a headed rivet or pin 72 thereon and the headed pins or rivets detachably receive and mount an insert angle iron member 74 by engagement with the horizontal flange thereof. The horizontal flange of the insert cross member 74 is provided with a pair of spaced headed pins or rivets 76 adjacent the end thereof for engagement with the slots 48 in the angle iron member 26 and the opposite end of the insert member 74 is provided with slots 78 which receive the headed pins or fasteners 46 on the angle iron member 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.
The connection between the insert cross member 74 and the rail 62 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and includes a substantially L-shaped slot 80 and an adjacent lateral slot 82 communicating with the inner edge of the horizontal flange of the insert cross member 64. In assembling the cross member 74 with the rail 62, the entrance to the slot 80 is engaged with the headed rivet 72 on the angle iron member 64 as illustrated in FIG. 5. The member 74 is then moved longitudinally to the position illustrated in FIG. 6 and then pivoted inwardly so that the notch 82 is engaged with the headed pin or rivet 72 on the angle iron member 66 thus locking the insert member 74 in perpendicular relation to the rail 62. Then, by engaging the angle iron member 26 with the headed pins 76 and engaging the slots 78 in the angle iron member 74 with the headed pins 46 on the angle iron member 28, the components of the bed frame will be secured in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 so that wide bedding such as king size bedding may be supported by the bed frame.
Any suitable supporting structure may be provided including casters, glides or relatively wide rug rollers or runners. Also, the four legs may be of standard height so that the frame is supported uniformly in spaced relation to the floor surface at a convenient height such as a conventional 71/2 inches. Also, the components where they overlap may be provided with equally spaced sets of apertures to receive fasteners to permanently lock the frame in adjusted position. Also, each end of the frame may be provided with apertures spaced in a standard manner to receive various types of mounting plates or mounting brackets for headboards, footboards and the like.
With this construction, only a single frame may be kept in inventory or stock to satisfy all sizes of bedding such as single or twin, double or full, queen and king with the device being stored in a compact condition but yet easily and quickly set up by unskilled persons thereby greatly facilitating the delivery and quick and accurate set up of a bed. The particular construction of the unique slot and its association with the headed pins eliminates the possibility of the frame opening accidentally since it requires two separate and distinct movements to separate the components of this frame.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.