Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing a center beam of a bed frame to the cross bars that enable the assembler to complete the assembly of the bed frame completely without the need for hand tools or securing implements to aid in the assembly. With a queen size bed frame or smaller, the cross bar members are joined together in overlapping manner to form cross bars and the center beam is secured to the cross bars by use of the present locking mechanism. In the case of a king size or a California king size bed frame, a universal extension bar is provided that can be used to join the cross bar members of either size bed frame and a extension cap is also provided that is affixed to the universal extension bar having indicia that instructs the assembler in the proper assembly of the particular bed frame.

Abstract: A comprehensive means of providing protection to a bed frame by covering various locations about the bed frame with plastic shields. The plastic shields are adapted to enclose the various locations about the bed frame including the ends of side rails, the junction of side rails and cross members, leg assemblies and the side rails themselves. The shields comprise a pair of housings joined together with a living hinge such that the free ends can be affixed together to surround and enclose the various locations where sharp edges are present. The use of the shields provides overall protection to all of the locations where there may be sharp edges that could harm a person striking the location and thus there is a comprehensive approach to full protection of the bed frame.

Abstract: A protective member, preferably an extruded plastic is used to enclose, at least partially, a component of a bed frame so as to provide protection against inadvertent injury to a user striking the otherwise sharp edges of the component. The components are normally a side rail and a center rail and the protective member is snapped fitted to that component by the presence of curved lips that at least partially encircle the external edges of the component. There are also ribs formed in the protective member and which position the protective member a predetermined distance away from the particular component. In the case of the center rail, the protective member is spaced away from the upper surface of the center rail so as to compensate for the lower position of that surface with respect to the head and foot cross members so that a box spring resting upon the side rails and the center rail is supported evenly and does not bow at its center due to a spatial difference between the center rail and the cross members.

Abstract: A cross member that can be used with a bed frame or bed rails to provide support for a box spring and mattress. The cross member is attachable to the side rail of the bed by a snap-in system where the ends of the cross member are comprised of slide ends that interfit into receptacles located along the side rails. A leg is used to support a bed frame member that is self adjusting by a mechanism that can be unlocked by a person to drop the leg downwardly by gravity to contact the floor and is then lockable in that extended length.

Abstract: A molded plug is provided that is used to lock structural members together where those members are joined together by the interengagement of a standoff rivet and a keyhole slot. In the normal interengagement of such structural members, a standoff rivet of one of the structural members is inserted into an enlarged portion of a keyhole slot on the other structural member and the structural members are moved relative to each other in order to slide the standoff rivet into the narrowed portion of the keyhole slot. When so positioned, the plug is inserted and locked into position within the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot and thus prevents any relative movement between the structural members to insure that the standoff rivet cannot again become aligned with the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot where inadvertent disengagement of the structural member could occur.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for securing a center beam of a bed frame to the cross bars that enable the assembler to complete the assembly of the bed frame completely without the need for hand tools or securing implements to aid in the assembly. With a queen size bed frame or smaller, the cross bar members are joined together in overlapping manner to form cross bars and the center beam is secured to the cross bars by use of the present locking mechanism. In the case of a king size or a California king size bed frame, a universal extension bar is provided that can be used to join the cross bar members of either size bed frame and a extension cap is also provided that is affixed to the universal extension bar having indicia that instructs the assembler in the proper assembly of the particular bed frame.

Abstract: A universal cross member that can be used with a bed frame or bed rails to provide support for a box spring and mattress. The universal cross member has a straight bar with telescoping ends so that the universal cross member can be used even where there are variances in the distance between the side rails and still be fitted to those side rails. A tensioning system is provided to add strength to the universal cross member to eliminate, in almost all instances, the need for some further support of the universal cross member from the floor, such as a caster or a glide. In the system, a tensioning bar has its ends affixed at or near the ends of the straight member and its center contacts a block at a finite distance from the straight member at or about the center of the straight member. By placing the tension bar in a predetermined tension, a force is created that acts through the block against the approximate center of the straight member.

Abstract: A caster assembly that can be used with furniture to support the furniture and to make the furniture mobile. The caster assembly has a housing with a stem that extends upwardly to be attached to the particular piece of furniture. Within the housing is a plurality of spherical rollers that are supported within the housing so as to be rotatable about their center points and therefore can rotate in any direction as the furniture is moved. In the preferred embodiment, there are three spherical rollers that are all equidistant from the center line or longitudinal axis of the stem so that the weight of the furniture that bears down upon the stem is supported equally by the spherical rollers contacting the floor. As a further feature, a glide cup is provided that can be readily attached and detached from the bottom of the housing and, whet attached, the glide cup covers the spherical rollers and presents a flat, planar surface that contacts the floor.

Abstract: A protective member, preferably an extruded plastic is used to enclose, at least partially, a component of a bed frame so as to provide protection against inadvertent injury to a user striking the otherwise sharp edges of the component. The components are normally a side rail and a center rail and the protective member is snapped fitted to that component by the presence of curved lips that at least partially encircle the external edges of the component. There are also ribs formed in the protective member and which position the protective member a predetermined distance away from the particular component. In the case of the center rail, the protective member is spaced away from the upper surface of the center rail so as to compensate for the lower position of that surface with respect to the head and foot cross members so that a box spring resting upon the side rails and the center rail is supported evenly and does not bow at its center due to a spatial difference between the center rail and the cross members.

Abstract: A caster assembly that can be used with furniture to support the furniture and to make the furniture mobile. The caster assembly has a housing with a stem that extends upwardly to be attached to the particular piece of furniture. Within the housing is a plurality of spherical rollers that are supported within the housing so as to be rotatable about their center points and therefore can rotate in any direction as the furniture is moved. In the preferred embodiment, there are three spherical rollers that are all equidistant from the center line or longitudinal axis of the stem so that the weight of the furniture that bears down upon the stem is supported equally by the spherical rollers contacting the floor. As a further feature, a glide cup is provided that can be readily attached and detached from the bottom of the housing and, whet attached, the glide cup covers the spherical rollers and presents a flat, planar surface that contacts the floor.

Abstract: A molded plug is provided that is used to lock structural members together where those members are joined together by the interengagement of a standoff rivet and a keyhole slot. In the normal interengagement of such structural members, a standoff rivet of one of the structural members is inserted into an enlarged portion of a keyhole slot on the other structural member and the structural members are moved relative to each other in order to slide the standoff rivet into the narrowed portion of the keyhole slot. When so positioned, the plug is inserted and locked into position within the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot and thus prevents any relative movement between the structural members to insure that the standoff rivet cannot again become aligned with the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot where inadvertent disengagement of the structural member could occur.

Abstract: A protective guard is disclosed that is particularly adapted for use with a bed frame. The guard is adapted to fit over an existing leg of the bed frame and has a specially shaped opening in the upper surface into which the leg of the bed frame can fit. A caster assembly has an upstanding stem that passes the existing leg in the leg structure and holds the protective guard in position affixed to the bed frame. The protective guard is shaped in a variety of configurations and surface markings so as to be adapted to fit the décor of the room in which it is used. In addition, the overall shape of the protective guard covers the leg of the bed frame to provide protection against injury from the inadvertent bumping of the bed frame leg by persons walking or standing near the bed frame. In one embodiment, the protective guard is an integrated shield and a caster assembly that is affixed to the leg of the bed frame and provides a protective plastic covering for the caster assembly as well as the leg.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical device and method for adjustably magnifying the visual displays on the screen of a computer monitor or the like, the invention comprising an adjustable arm for supporting at least one magnifying lens in front of the monitor, which adjustable arm is attached to a stationary support independent of an operator's body. The adjustable arm for supporting the magnifying lens between the viewer of the screen and the screen of the computer monitor is movable in a substantially axial and vertical direction with respect to the computer screen, so that the magnifying lens can be adjustably positioning to a desired position relative to said screen. The invention is especially useful for helping presbyopic computer operators to more clearly see the visual displays on the screen. A second embodiment of the invention further comprises a second lens that can be used to view a document held next to the monitor.

Abstract: A handheld ultraviolet inspection lamp that has a housing with a grippable handle portion with a first finger indentation with an on/off trigger switch received within a recess therein, a bulb chamber portion with a filter lens, and a bulb assembly with a bulb and a reflector, the bulb assembly being positioned within the bulb chamber portion.

Abstract: An electrical component (10, 110, 210, 310) for electrically connecting insulated electrical conductors (56) thereto comprises a dielectric housing (12, 112, 212, 312) including a first housing section (20, 118, 218, 318) and a second housing section (22, 120, 220, 320), first and second electrical contact members (42, 44, 158, 160, 240, 242, 334, 336) disposed in the dielectric housing and having first contacts (42a, 44a, 158a, 160a, 240a, 242a, 334a, 336a) extending into the second housing section and second contacts (42b, 44b, 158b, 160b, 240b, 242b, 334b, 336b) positioned within the first housing section, insulation-displacement contacts (42a, 44a, 158a, 160a, 248, 348) as part of the first contacts along which the insulated electrical conductors are positioned, and conductor-moving members (16, 18, 154, 156, 250, 346) for engaging the insulated electrical conductors and moving them into the insulation-displacement contacts thereby forming electrical connections between the insulation-displacement contact

Abstract: An electrical receptacle for electrical connection to insulated electrical conductors comprises a dielectric housing (12) including a first housing section (22) and a second housing section (24); first and second electrical contact members (38, 40) disposed in the dielectric housing (12) and having first contacts (38b, 40b) in alignment with slots (26, 28) of the dielectric housing and second contacts (38a, 40a) in alignment with openings (58) of the dielectric housing including insulation-displacement contacts; and conductor-moving members (16, 18) associated with the insulation-displacement contacts-for moving the insulated electrical conductors into the insulation-displacement contacts thereby effecting electrical connections between the insulation-displacement contacts and the insulated electrical conductors.