Loft bed and loft bed system

Abstract

A loft bed readily configured into expanded assembled and collapsed disassembled positions to facilitate shipping, transport, and/or storage. The loft bed includes a mattress support having a plurality of separable supports for supporting a mattress, a frame including a plurality of multi-piece, bed support rails assemblable into a frame for supporting the mattress support, and a plurality of legs for supporting the mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg including separate upper and lower leg portions. The legs and the bed support rails are attachable to form an expanded assembled position capable of supporting a user and detachable to form a collapsed disassembled position for shipping, transporting, and/or storage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/598,874, filed on Aug. 4, 2004, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed generally to a loft bed and, more particularly, to a loft bed usable in a dorm or similar location that may benefit from more efficient use of space. In another aspect, the invention is directed to an easily collapsible and easily transportable bed, such as a loft bed, which may have greatly reduced dimensions in its collapsed position to facilitate shipping and/or storage and is usable in a dorm or similar location.

2. Related Art

Many conventional beds, such as loft beds or dorm beds have long rails, long legs, and long mattress support structures that make it difficult for the loft bed to be transported from one location to another and/or stored in small spaces. Moreover, many loft beds are very unattractive and do not provide an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance and are not designed to be integrated with wired technology.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved loft bed that collapses into a compact position to facilitate transportation, shipping, and/or storage, and is easy to assemble. Moreover, there is a need for a loft bed that is attractive and that readily accommodates wired technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention meets the foregoing need by providing a construction of a loft bed that may be easily collapsed into a compact position, and is small enough such that it may be easily transported in a car, car trunk and/or elevator or stored. Moreover, the bed is easy to assemble while being aesthetically pleasing.

In this regard, the loft bed of the invention may be configured such that it is easily transported in the back seat or trunk of a car, for example, a 2-door Sedan. In particular, the loft bed may have a size equivalent to a large golf bag. Moreover, the loft bed of the invention has an intuitive, easy, and quick assembly. In particular, the loft bed is constructed in such a way that it is fun to assemble, and has an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance. Moreover, the loft bed has a stable construction, without requiring a support or attachments for sidewalls, floors, or ceilings. Furthermore, the loft bed of the invention allows for the use of standard mattresses, such as 72″ or 80″ mattress lengths. Additionally, the loft bed of the invention has a limited number of fasteners for assembly. In particular, it is desired to be limited to two types of fasteners for assembly and disassembly of the loft bed. Moreover, the loft bed may have an integrated ladder built into the structure of the bed so that a user can get into the bed easier and includes the ability to integrate with current and future wired technology.

The invention may be implemented in a number of ways. According to one aspect of the invention a loft bed having expanded assembled and collapsed disassembled positions includes a mattress support that includes a plurality of separable supports for supporting a mattress, a frame including a plurality of multi-piece bed support rails for supporting the mattress support, and a plurality of legs for supporting the mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg including an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion, the upper leg portion being separable from the lower leg portion. The legs and the bed support rails are attachable to form an expanded assembled position capable of supporting a user and detachable to form a collapsed disassembled position for shipping, transporting, and/or storage.

According to another aspect of the invention a disassembled loft bed includes a mattress support that includes a plurality of supports for supporting a mattress, a plurality of bed support rails configurable to form a frame for supporting the mattress support and at least one of the bed support rails including multiple pieces, and a plurality of legs for supporting the mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg including an upper leg portion and a separate lower leg portion, the upper leg portion being connectable to the lower leg portion. The loft may include a container holding the mattress support, the bed support rails, and the legs in a compact position for shipping, transport and/or storage.

In yet another aspect of the invention a method of assembling a loft bed includes the steps of forming a frame by connecting a plurality of disassembled, multi-pieces together to form at least two bed support rails and connecting the bed support rails together, connecting a plurality of upper leg portions and lower leg portions together to form a plurality of legs, connecting the legs to the frame, and combining a plurality of separable supports to form a mattress support for supporting a mattress on the frame.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a loft bed constructed according to the principles of the invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show lower leg assemblies constructed according to the principles of the invention for use with the loft bed of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show upper leg assemblies constructed according to the principles of the invention for use with the loft bed of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show rail assemblies constructed according to the principles of the invention for use with the loft bed of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a corner connecting assembly constructed according to the principles of the invention for use with the loft bed of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a leg cover constructed according to the principles of the invention, which may be used with the leg assemblies of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B;

FIG. 7 shows a mattress support constructed according to the principles of the invention; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams showing accessories and a transport device constructed according to the principles of the invention, which may be used with the loft bed of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a loft bed 100 constructed according to the principles of the invention. In particular, the loft bed 100 includes four leg assemblies for supporting the upper portion of the bed, including bed rail support assemblies and mattress supports described subsequently, on a support surface such as a floor. Each leg assembly includes a lower leg assembly 200 and an upper leg assembly 300. In FIG. 1, only the interior of one of the four leg assemblies 200, 300 is shown, as the leg assemblies are covered with leg covers 600, discussed below, which cover the lower legs 200 and the upper legs 300 to provide an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance.

The loft bed 100 also includes cross members 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 114 for providing lateral support and bracing to the loft bed by connecting the short dimension between the adjacent legs together. Cross member 114 opposite cross member 112 is not visible in FIG. 1. Cross members 112 and 114 connect the top portions of adjacent leg assemblies together along the short dimension, while member 102, 104, 106, and 1 10 are spaced intermediate the top and bottom of the legs. The cross members 102, 104, 106, and 108, in particular, also form a ladder assembly that is built into the loft bed 100. In particular, the user or sleeper can climb up into the loft bed 100 by utilizing the cross members 102, 104,106, and 108 as a ladder. Although a particular number of cross members 102, 104, 106, 108, and 112 are shown, any number of cross members may be used. Moreover, any number of cross members, and/or any type of cross member structure(s) may be used to connect the four legs of loft bed 100 as long as it provides a horizontal connection, or connecting strength between the four leg assemblies 200 and 300 to increase stability of the loft bed 100. In particular, the cross members 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 114 may be mechanically fastened to the upper and lower leg assemblies of the loft bed 100. In this regard, any type of mechanical fastener may be used including nuts, bolts, rivets, pins, key-hole slots, for example only.

FIG. 1 also shows a plurality of bed support rail assemblies 402, 404 for connecting the long dimension between adjacent legs at the top of the bed's leg assemblies. In the loft bed 100, there are at least two bed support rail assemblies 402, 404, as the rail assembly at the upper back of the bed is not visible in FIG. 1. The two rail assemblies are at each long side of the bed and the cross members 112, 114 form an upper frame for supporting the bed. A mattress support 700, described below in more detail, may rest upon or be connected to the rail assemblies 404, 402 and cross members 112,114 of the loft bed 100 for supporting a mattress on the bed. Intermediate the top and bottom of the leg assemblies along the long dimension of one side (back) of the bed, longitudinal support members 103,105 are provided. The structure of 103, 105 may be similar to rail assemblies 402, 404 described above.

The loft bed 100 may further include one or more guard rail assemblies 120, 122,124, 126,128,130, and 132, which provide a structural fence around the loft bed 100 so that the user, or sleeper, will not roll out of the bed accidentally. Although, a particular number of rail structures 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are shown, any number of rail structures may be utilized to provide a safety structure for the user or sleeper of the loft bed 100. Alternatively, cross members 112, 114, together with bed support rails 402, 404 may further be modified to be taller and provide the same function.

In one particular embodiment, guard rail assemblies 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may be constructed from 0.75 inch diameter 20 gauge cold rolled steel tubing that are, for example only, welded to one another. The guard rail assemblies 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may moreover be powder coated in order to reduce corrosion thereof and create a more attractive appearance. Any metallic, synthetic man-made, and/or natural material may be used to construct guard rails 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. In particular, the guard rails 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are shown in FIG. 1 with only an exemplary outward appearance. Any aesthetically pleasing appearance, together with a construction that safely restrains a sleeper in the sleeping area of the loft bed 100 is contemplated by the invention.

Additionally, the guard rail assemblies 120, 122, 124, 126, 128 and 130 can further include rail clips that interconnect each of the respective rails to one another. In particular, such rail clips can be formed of nylon 6 or any other known plastic, synthetic man-made, metallic, or natural material. The rail clips preferably are structured and arranged such that they keep the rails at a consistent distance from one another.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show one embodiment of a lower leg assembly that may be used with the loft bed 100. In particular, lower leg assembly 200 includes a first cylindrical section 206 and a second cylindrical leg section 208. The cylindrical leg sections 206, 208 provide a reinforcing structure and increase the rigidity of the lower leg 200 while minimizing sharp corners. Furthermore, cylindrical leg sections 206 and 208 are connected with an angled intermediate section 210, which also increases rigidity and strength of the lower leg assembly 200. The lower leg assembly 200 additionally includes protruding leg connectors 202, 204. The leg connectors 202, 204 have a reduced diameter and are used to connect to recesses provided in the upper leg assembly 300, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In a preferred embodiment of the lower leg assembly 200, the cylindrical sections 206, 208 and the intermediate section 210 may be formed of a metallic material. In particular, the leg sections 208, 206, and intermediate section 210 may be extruded from a material, such as steel or aluminum. Alternatively, and preferably, the leg sections 208, 206 and intermediate section 210 can be formed of 16 gauge cold rolled steel. However, any particular metallic, man-made or natural material that provides sufficient rigidity and thickness to support the loft bed 100 may be employed.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an upper leg assembly 300 that may be used in conjunction with the loft bed 100 of FIG. 1 and matingly fit with the lower leg assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2. In particular, the upper leg assembly 300 has a substantially similar construction to the lower leg assembly 200. The upper leg assembly 300 includes a cylindrical section 306 and a second cylindrical section 308. The cylindrical sections 306, 308 are connected with an angled intermediate section 310. In particular, the cylindrical sections 306, 308 and intermediate section 310 can be constructed of a single piece of metallic material that is formed therefrom. The cylindrical sections 306, 308 form a recess that receives the leg connectors 202, 204 of the lower leg assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2B. The upper leg assembly 300 and the lower leg assembly 200 are fitted together snugly such that leg connectors 202, 204 are inserted into cylindrical sections 308, 306, so that a single full length leg assembly is constructed. This constructed leg assembly is shown as leg assembly 200, 300 in FIG. 1. Any type of engagement between 202, 204 and 308, 306 that provides a secure, but easily detachable connection may be employed.

The upper leg assembly 300 may be constructed of any known material providing strength to support the loft bed 100 and the user sleeping in the loft bed 100. In particular, the upper leg assembly 300 can be formed of metallic materials, such as 16 gauge cold rolled steel. The upper leg assembly 300 can be formed of steel or some other metallic materials through extrusion. Again, however, it should be understood that any material, including metal, natural material, or any other synthetic man-made material, may be used and constructed with any configuration and thickness such that it provides a strong support for the loft bed 100 that may be separated for ease of transport.

The leg assemblies 200, 300 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are formed as two separate sections in order to allow for a complete disassembly of the leg assemblies thereof. In particular, by configuring the leg assembly 200 to separate from leg assembly 300, the legs, and, in particular the loft bed 100, can be easily transported, shipped, and/or stored in a smaller space than a normal bed.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show one embodiment of the bed support rail assemblies 402 and 404 of the invention. In particular, the bed support rail assembly 402, 404 is a two-part assembly. This two-part assembly allows for the easy transportation, storage, and/or shipping of the loft bed 100 because the bed support rail assemblies 402, 404 can be disassembled into shorter lengths than that of a typical bed support rail. In particular, bed support rail assembly 400 includes a first rail assembly 402 and a second rail assembly 404 connected to one another through rail connectors 406, 408. The rail assemblies 402, 404, together with rail connectors 406, 408, are assembled and connected with a series of mechanical fasteners. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4B, mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, key-hole slots, for example only, that provide for a strong inter-connection between rail assembly 402, 404 and rail connectors 406 and 408 may be used. It should be noted that although a specific arrangement of fasteners is shown, any combination of fasteners may be used and any type of fastener is contemplated for use in the invention to facilitate assembly and disassembly. It is however, preferred that only two types of sizes of fasteners be used. Moreover, any number or type of rail connectors 406, 408 may be used in connecting bed support rails 402, 404 as long as the two bed rail assemblies 402, 404 safely support the mattress and hold a user of the bed.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a corner connection assembly 500 for use with the loft bed of FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 5 shows the upper leg assembly 300 extending vertically up to be connected to bed support rail 402, 404 and to connect to cross member 112, 114. Additionally shown in FIG. 5 is connector assembly 508. Connector assembly 508 is used to strengthen the connection between bed support rail 402, 404, cross member 112, 114 and upper leg assembly 300. Together the FIG. 5 construction creates a corner connection assembly 500. The corner connection assembly 500 uses a series of mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, key-hole slots, for example only, in order to connect upper leg assembly 300, to connector assembly 508, to bed support rail 402, 404, and to cross member 112, 114. In the FIG. 5 embodiment, the bed support rail 402, 404 and cross member 112, include bolts extending therefrom that are inserted in holes of the upper leg assembly 300 and are bolted thereto with nuts. The connector assembly 508 extends below and is bolted to the bed support rail 402, 404 and the cross member 112. It should be noted, however, that any type and number of mechanical fasteners with any arrangement thereof is within the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show one embodiment of the cover 600 that may be used in conjunction with the leg assemblies 200, 300 of the loft bed 100. In particular, the cover 600 includes an attachment section 610. The attachment section 610 is structured and arranged such that it will snap attach to the leg assemblies 200, 300 of the loft bed 100 without mechanical fasteners. However, mechanical fasteners may be used instead of or in addition to in order to form a stronger attachment. The cover 600 further includes an outer covering 620. C-shaped channels 640 at ends of the outer covering 620 also may be employed to snap/connect the covers to suitable structure on the legs. The outer covering 620 may include any sort of texture, color, or other aesthetically pleasing outer arrangement. In particular, it is within the scope of the invention to have any number of ribs, colors, and/or textures that may result in an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance. Moreover, the cover 600 includes a channel or an area 630 between the attachment section 610 and the outer covering 620. This area 630 between the connection 610 and the outer covering 620 allows for wires, such as electrical wires, internet connection wires, telephone wires, conduits, etc. to be routed up and down the loft bed 100. This allows for a more aesthetically pleasing outward appearance, while allowing the user of the loft bed 100 to use electrically connected equipment in one manner or another in bed. In a particular embodiment, the cover 600 may be formed of plastic and the cover is sized such that each leg assembly 200, 300 of loft bed 100 will require two covers 600.

As noted above, the loft bed 100 includes a mattress support assembly 700 to support a mattress. In addition to the mattress support assembly 700, additional central supports 750, 752 and other structural supports can be included in the loft bed 100 to support the mattress and/or support assembly 700 in or above the upper rail assemblies 402, 404 as shown in FIG. 1.

In particular, mattress support assembly 700 includes four separate sub-support assemblies 712, 714, 716, and 718. The separate support assemblies allow for easier transport, shipping and/or storage thereof. Each of the mattresses support assemblies 712, 714, 716, and 718 may be constructed of a frame assembly 722, 724, 726, or 728. The frame assemblies 722, 724, 726, and 728 are used to support the mattress in the loft bed 100, and may include internal mattress supports 702, 704, 706, and 708. The internal supports 702, 704, 706, and 708 in one particular exemplary embodiment include a mesh screen. However, any suitable material to form the mattress support assemblies may be used.

The mattress support assemblies 712, 714, 716, and 718 are supported on the bed support rails 402, 404 with the supports 750 and 752. The supports 750 are bar shaped and extend from one set of longitudinally extending (long dimension) bedrails 402, 404 to the other set of bedrails 402, 404. The other support 752 extends from a first transversely extending (short dimension) cross member 112 to the opposite cross member 114. Accordingly, the mattress support assemblies 712, 714, 716, and 718 may be easily and quickly disassembled. Moreover, their size allows for easy transport, shipping and/or storage thereof.

Further in the invention, it is contemplated that the loft bed 100 can further include various accessories that will enable the loft bed 100 to be more useful in, for example, the college dorm setting as shown in FIG. 8A. In particular, it is contemplated that the space below mattress support 700 can include any various tables having substantially horizontal surfaces 810 which can form a desk for the user of loft bed 100. Moreover, it is additionally or alternatively contemplated that various horizontal surfaces can be added to the mattress support area 700, or bed support rails 402, 404 to support additional desk-like horizontal surfaces 820, 825. Each of the surfaces 810, 820, and 825 may further include support structure and suitable fasteners to maintain or allow storage thereof. Moreover, storage devices can be included in loft bed 100 including hooks 830 and laundry baskets/bags 840.

In addition to the particular arrangement of the bed 100 being easily assembled, disassembled and transportable, loft bed 100 may also further include a transport vehicle, container, or structure. As shown in FIG. 8B, one such exemplary transport structure or containment structure 800 is shown. Such a transport structure 800 may be formed with soft or hard material sides 800. Additionally, a handle or handles 850 may be formed on the container 800 together with wheels 870 to transport loft bed 100 which may be easily maneuvered and transported in and out a user location.

Additionally, the transport vehicle, container or structure 800 is contemplated to have additional uses to that of transporting loft bed 100. In particular, in one embodiment of the invention, the transport container 800 may also double as a laundry bag 840 shown in FIG. 8A, or other type of storage device that can be associated with loft bed 100. Additionally, the transport vehicle 800 may include components which also form the loft bed 100. In particular, the wheels 870 may form the bottom of the leg structure, the sides 860 of the container of the vehicle 800 may form part of the legs 200, 300 or other structure of loft bed 100.

It should be noted that although the description of the invention is directed to a loft bed, the invention is equally applicable to a non-loft bed configuration.

As described above, the loft bed 100 fulfils the need of allowing a typical bed to be more easily assemblable, transportable and, in particular, disassembled into a compact position, such that it may be easily moved in and out of living quarters, transported in vehicles for shipping, storage or the like. Moreover, loft bed 100 includes further aesthetically pleasing features, together with features that increase the efficiency of the use of space such that a smaller space can be more effectively used, such as for example, college dorms.

While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the invention.

Claims

1. A loft bed having expanded assembled and collapsed disassembled positions, said loft bed comprising:

a mattress support that includes a plurality of separable supports for supporting a mattress;

a frame including a plurality of multi-piece bed support rails for supporting said mattress support; and

a plurality of legs for supporting said mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg including an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion, said upper leg portion being separable from said lower leg portion,

wherein said legs and said bed support rails are attachable to form an expanded assembled position capable of supporting a user and detachable to form a collapsed disassembled position for shipping, transporting, and/or storage.

2. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of support members that connect between at least two of said plurality of legs, at least some of said support members being configured to form an integral ladder to provide access to said mattress support.

3. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising a detachable connection that extends between each upper leg portion and each lower leg portion.

4. The bed according to claim 3 wherein said detachable connection comprises a protrusion in each upper leg portion and a receptacle in each lower leg portion configured to receive said protrusion.

5. The bed according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs comprise two at least partially hollow portions detachably connected together.

6. The bed according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs comprise at least one of cold rolled steel, extruded aluminum, powder coated cold rolled steel, synthetic materials, and natural materials.

7. The bed according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of leg covers attachable to said plurality of legs.

8. The bed according to claim 7, further comprising a connector portion that snap fits each of said plurality of leg covers to one of said plurality of legs.

9. The bed according to claim 8 wherein said leg covers include spaces to route wires out of sight in an area between at least one of said leg covers and at least one of said plurality of legs.

10. The bed according to claim 1 wherein at least two of said plurality of bed support rails comprise first and second portions that are detachably connected by a separate connector member.

11. The bed according to claim 10 wherein said connector member is a bed support rail connector.

12. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising guard rails arranged substantially above said bed support rails to confine the space above said mattress support.

13. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising at least one horizontal work surface supported by said bed support rails.

14. A portable bed system comprising the loft bed according to claim 1 and at least one of a storage device and a transport device configured to hold said loft bed in its collapsed disassembled position.

15. A disassembled loft bed comprising:

a mattress support that includes a plurality of supports for supporting a mattress;

a plurality of bed support rails configurable to form a frame for supporting the mattress support, at least one of said bed support rails including multiple pieces; and

a plurality of legs for supporting the mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg including an upper leg portion and a separate lower leg portion, said upper leg portion being connectable to said lower leg portion.

16. The bed according to claim 15, further comprising a container holding said mattress support, said bed support rails, and said legs in a compact position for shipping, transport and/or storage.

17. A method of assembling a loft bed, the method comprising steps of:

forming a frame by connecting a plurality of disassembled, multi-pieces together to form at least two bed support rails and connecting the bed support rails together;

connecting a plurality of upper leg portions and lower leg portions together to form a plurality of legs;

connecting the legs to the frame; and

combining a plurality of separable supports to form a mattress support for supporting a mattress on the frame.

18. The method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of connecting a plurality of support members between at least two of the plurality of legs, at least some of the support members being configured to form an integral ladder to provide access to the mattress support.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of attaching a plurality of leg covers to the plurality of legs.

20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of routing wires in an area between at least one of the leg covers and one of the plurality of legs.

21. The method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of arranging guard rails substantially above the bed support rails.

22. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of attaching at least one horizontal work surface to the bed.