Support frame for a mattress
In one embodiment, a support frame for a mattress is provided that can easily be broken down for storage and is easily constructed of a number of individual support members such that the size of the frame is easily variable. The frame includes a plurality of the individual support members that are arranged in an interlocking manner to form the support frame. Each support member has one or more interlocking features that permit each support member to mate with one or more other support member in an interlocking manner, with the support members being mated together by orientating the support members in a grid-like pattern with the features aligned. The two support members are then interlocked with respect to one another by inserting one support member into features of another support member such that the two support members are effectively interlocked with respect to one another, wherein each end of the support members includes a first locking feature. The support frame also includes a locking member that is configured to mate with the first locking features so as to result in the locking member being disposed around a border of the frame for enclosing sides of the frame. The locking member has a second locking feature and a complementary receiving feature that mates therewith for securely attach the locking member around the frame.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/546,444, filed Feb. 19, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to support members, and more particularly to a support member that is constructed of individual interlocking members that can be easily stored and is intended for use as a support frame for a mattress.
BACKGROUNDThere are a number of different pallet constructions that are commercially available for purchase. A pallet is basically designed as a load support member that is constructed to make it easier for transporting and/or storing bulk matter that is placed on a load bearing surface thereof. For example, industrial type pallets have features formed therein that permit a fork lift truck to carry a pallet that may contain a number of boxes or other types of containers (e.g., sacks) that are arranged in a predetermined pattern on the load bearing surface.
Pallets are often made of wood. The weight and bulk of wooden pallets results in high costs for transporting, storing and disposal of the pallets. Another problem is handling and storing pallets after use. Often they must be transported for reuse or refurbishment, further adding to their cost. Often, they are destroyed after use, further adding to already overloaded landfill facilities.
It is also known to construct a pallet of corrugated paperboard. Although use of corrugated paperboard is advantageous with respect to weight, bulk and recycling issues, new complications are introduced. The added complexity of corrugated pallets required to provide adequate stiffness and load support strength complicates use with lift apparatus such as fork lift trucks. Also, a large number of different pieces are often required to assemble the pallets, especially if used with different sized containers. Large numbers of parts adds to the cost of inventory and assembly costs of the pallets.
In addition to industrial type pallets, pallets can be designed for applicability more in a residence or small office. More specifically, many people store items in boxes that are placed in a cellar or garage. While, the consumer can simply box such items and place them on the ground surface, this may lead to damage or destruction of the boxes themselves since paperboard boxes attract moisture and as the reader will appreciate, basement floors and garage floors tend to be damp. In addition, in areas that are prone to flooding and/or rodent infestation, it is advantageous to elevate the boxes off of the ground surface. By placing the boxes or containers on the pallet, the items are elevated from the ground surface.
It is therefore desirable to provide a pallet that its formed of smaller individual parts that can easily be interlocked to form the pallet and disassembled for storage thereof.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, a support frame for a mattress is provided that can easily be broken down for storage and is easily constructed of a number of individual support members such that the size of the frame is easily variable. The frame includes a plurality of the individual support members that are arranged in an interlocking manner to form the support frame. Each support member has one or more interlocking features that permit each support member to mate with one or more other support member in an interlocking manner, with the support members being mated together by orientating the support members in a grid-like pattern with the features aligned. The two support members are then interlocked with respect to one another by inserting one support member into features of another support member such that the two support members are effectively interlocked with respect to one another, wherein each end of the support members includes a first locking feature. The support frame also includes a locking member that is configured to mate with the first locking features so as to result in the locking member being disposed around a border of the frame for enclosing sides of the frame. The locking member has a second locking feature and a complementary receiving feature that mates therewith for securely attach the locking member around the frame.
Further aspects and features of the exemplary apparatus disclosed herein can be appreciated from the appended Figures and accompanying written description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:
Referring first to
The pallet support members 20 are mated together by orientating the pallet support members 20 in a grid like pattern with the notches 30 aligned and then two pallet support members 20 are interlocked with respect to one another by inserting one pallet support member 20 into another pallet support member 20 such that the two horizontal walls 34 seat against one another. In this position, the two pallet support members 20 are effectively interlocked with respect to one another. The pallet 10 itself is constructed by interlocking the various pallet support members 20 in the aforementioned manner. This size of the pallet 10 is variable as shown in the figures. It will be appreciated that this type of interlocking pallet 10 can easily and quickly be constructed and then taken apart by disengaging the pallet support members 20 from one another.
The pallet support members 210 are mated together by orientating the pallet support members 210 with the notches 220 aligned and then two pallet support members 210 are interlocked with respect to one another by inserting one pallet support member 210 into another pallet support member 210 such that the two horizontal walls 224 seat against one another and the beveled surfaces 223, 225 engage one another. In this position, the two pallet support members 210 are effectively interlocked with respect to one another. The pallet 200 itself is constructed by interlocking the various pallet support members 210 in the aforementioned manner. This size of the pallet 10 is variable as shown in the figures. It will be appreciated that this type of interlocking pallet 200 can easily and quickly be constructed and then taken apart by disengaging the pallet support members 210 from one another.
The locking member 400 is a flexible locking member that assumes a square or rectangular shape when it is assumes a locked position. The locking member 400 is formed of a number of wall segments 415 that are arranged to that they pivot or flex about a hinge section 417 formed between and connecting adjacent wall segments 415. In other words, the locking member 400 can be opened into a long, elongated member that can be folded about hinge sections 417 to form the closed locking member 400. One end of the member 400 includes a locking feature 420, such as a tab, that is constructed to mate with a complementary receiving feature 422 formed at the other end of the member 400. When the locking feature 420 mates with the receiving feature 422 and the member 400 is folded about the hinge sections 417 and the locking member 400 mates with the pallet 410, the locking member 400 serves and provides a border that extends around the outer walls of the pallet 410. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving feature 422 is merely a slot and the locking feature 420 is in the form of a protruding locking tab that is received within the slot 422 so as to maintain the form and shape of the locking member 400.
In order to mate the locking member 400 with the pallet 410, a number of slots or slits 423 are formed between the two ends of the member 400. The slits 423 are complementary to the locking tabs 413 formed at the ends 412 such that the locking tabs 413 can be received therethrough so as to couple each side of the pallet 410 to a respective side of the locking member 400 as is shown in
The locking member 400 thus serves to lock the pallet 410 in place to produce a very strong and durable pallet or riser which can easily be assembled and disassembled by the consumer by merely unlocking and decoupling the individual components.
In this application, the support structure 500 is easily broken down and assembled since it is formed of a number of smaller subcomponents that can be mated with each other and then assembled to form a structure that can easily support a mattress and one or more persons using the mattress. Because the structure 500 can be broken down into a number of smaller parts, it can easily be stored when it is not desirable or there is no need to have the mattress 600 out in a room.
The mattress 600 can be of any number of types of mattresses, including but not limited to an inflatable air mattress, a regular mattress, a futon mattress, or any other type of mattress. When the mattress 600 is of an inflatable type, the mattress 600 can be stored in a folded manner with the disassembled, broken-down support structure 500. After the support structure 500 has been assembled to the desired size, the user simply places the mattress 600 on an upper face of the support structure 500. Preferably, a substantial amount of the mattress 600 if not the entire mattress 600 rests on the upper face of the support structure 500 as shown on
It will be understood that any of the other pallet members that are shown in
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A support frame for a mattress that can easily be broken down for storage and is easily constructed of a number of individual support members such that the size of the frame is easily variable, the frame comprising:
- a plurality of the individual support members that are arranged in an interlocking manner to form the support frame, wherein each support member has one or more interlocking features that permit each support member to mate with one or more other support member in an interlocking manner, the support members being mated together by orientating the support members in a grid-like pattern with the features aligned and then two support members are interlocked with respect to one another by inserting one support member into features of another support member such that the two support members are effectively interlocked with respect to one another, wherein each end of the support members includes a first locking feature; and
- a locking member that is configured to mate with the first locking features so as to result in the locking member being disposed around a border of the frame for enclosing sides of the frame, the locking member having a second locking feature and a complementary receiving feature that mates therewith for securely attach the locking member around the frame.
2. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the interlocking features of each support member comprises a plurality of notches that are formed at predetermined locations along the length of each support member.
3. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the first locking features are in the form of locking tabs that mate with complementary openings formed through the locking member.
4. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the locking member is an elongated structure in an open position that is bendable about a plurality of hinge folds formed therein to define side wall sections of the locking member, the second locking feature being a second locking tab formed at one end of elongated structure and the receiving feature is in the form of a slit that frictionally receives the second locking tab.
5. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the locking member includes a plurality of openings formed therethrough for receiving and mating with the first locking features.
6. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the mattress is of an inflatable type.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2005
Publication Date: Sep 8, 2005
Inventor: Douglas Polumbaum (New York, NY)
Application Number: 11/061,373