Headboard with base that slips under mattress

Abstract

One embodiment relates to a headboard design that offers an alternative to the conventional headboards that are available in the marketplace today. I have found through observation that most headboards work fine considering their design and use, however some consumers just want to have a headboard that is extremely easy to install without the hassle of using tools and/or the expense of having to purchase complete bed frame packages that include a footboard with rails.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS—CANADA

Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Jun. 26, 2008

Title of Invention: The Slipper Headboard

Application number: 2,634,154

Applicant and Inventor: McArthur, Wayne D. B.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates to headboards, specifically to those that require no tools for installation and no other devices to support them at the head of a bed.

BACKGROUND

2. Prior Art

A mattress in a bedroom can be supported by a box spring on a metal frame and dressed up with a headboard bolted to a flat plate on the end of the metal bed frame. There is a segment of consumers that do not enjoy using tools to bolt a headboard to the flat plate at the end of the metal bed frame; to them it is awkward and frustrating work.

Another choice is a headboard with a footboard and connecting rails; again assembling this bed frame raises objections from some consumers. Another concern with this type of bed frame is the higher cost of the package and there are many consumers that refuse to spend more than they have to.

For some a “captain's” or “mate's” bed is the answer to a headboard system, but not for many consumers as the price tag of these types of bed packages becomes prohibitive. Another deterrent with these bed packages is that they may be large solid boxes that are difficult to move or are unassembled requiring hours to put them together

With regard to headboards of this nature there's one that proposes something similar, filed by Michael David Collins in 2001, Great Britain ((WO 2003/020080) 13.03.2003 A47C 19/02 PCT/GB2002/004013). His invention lacks the indented foot base that saves fingers from injury while putting sheets or blankets on the bed and tucking them under the mattress; and his also lacks a height adjuster to accommodate the various thickness sizes of mattresses in the market.

After viewing Collins diagrams it is probable to conclude that being made in the fashion depicted such a headboard would not have the same consumer visual appeal and the choice of construction material depicted would raise questions to the weight and therefore cost of shipping.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a headboard, a headboard height adjuster and a headboard support base with indented edges.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a bare frame with a square headboard shape and a slipper base and the point where they are joined together.

FIG. 2 shows an overhead view of the slipper base without the headboard attached.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the headboard and slipper base, having the base slid under a mattress.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the headboard and slipper base with a magnified view of the joint and a simple drawing of the headboard extender component.

FIG. 5 shows one means of strengthening the bends in the pipe by inserting a smaller diameter pipe inside the larger pipe prior to making a bend.

FIG. 6 shows the side view diagram in comparison to the frontal view diagram.

FIG. 7 shows an example of foam padding installed on the piping for those frames that will be covered with fabric.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the padded pipe with foam padding in the center area of the headboard for those frames that will be covered with fabric.

FIG. 9 shows netting that may be used to cover the foam materials to help keep that foam in place.

FIG. 10 shows an example of one of numerous patterned fabrics that may cover the padded frame.

FIG. 11 shows an alternate shape to the headboard frame that could be one of many chosen for use.

FIG. 12 shows an example of one of many designs that the headboard metal frame may be made in when no padding or fabric is to be used.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

1	headboard frame metal piping	2	base frame metal piping
3	foam cover for headboard piping	4	foam padding for headboard
5	headboard height extension pipe	6	fabric headboard cover
7	joint between headboard	8	netting material
	and foot base
9	optional reinforcing piping	10	mattress
11	box spring	12	metal piping with no
			fabric cover
13	cross member for extra strength

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1 TO 13—FIRST EMBODIMENT

In drawings that illustrate the embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1 shows a simplified view of the metal headboard upper frame 1 (This upper portion will be designed in several patterns and differing materials to offer the consumer choice in color and look.) and the slipper metal foot base lower frame 2 and the dashed lines 9. Where 1 and 2 join it is indicated with the number 7 in all diagrams. Dashed lines with the accompanying number 9 in all diagrams indicate optional pieces that will be used for structural strength for the larger beds. Pipe cross member 13 is only depicted in this diagram, however it may be in place on every slipper metal foot base lower frame 2 and it's purpose is to add strength to the total unit and provide a place to tie the bottom of fabrics in place from the metal headboard upper frame 1.

FIG. 2 offers an overhead view of the slipper metal foot base lower frame 2 demonstrating the indenting bends in the piping to help save anyone finger injury whilst performing the task of dressing the bed with sheets and blankets.

FIG. 3 is a simplified side view of a mattress 10 and box spring 11 with a slipper metal foot base lower frame 2 and a metal headboard upper frame 1 combination being slipped into place between the two bed (10 and 11) components.

FIG. 4 demonstrates the use of an optional use component, the headboard height extender 5; it will add extra height to the metal headboard upper frame 1 when needed to compensate for mattresses of extra thickness. This headboard height extender 5 will be placed between the slipper metal foot base lower frame 2 and the metal headboard upper frame 1 simply by sliding the pipe pieces together at join 7. The dashed lines of this diagram show the crimped reduction of pipe 1 to allow pipe 1 to be slid into pipe 2 thus joining the two metal pipes together.

FIG. 5 shows an insert (dashed lines inside slipper metal foot base lower frame 2) at the vertical bend points to add strength, one of the ways in which structural strength may be added at this stress point.

FIG. 6 correlates side views of the unit with the frontal view of the unit.

FIG. 7 shows with the dashed lines 3 and the magnification diagram of soft foam padding encasing the pipe of the metal headboard upper frame 1 only and not the slipper metal foot base lower frame 2, this foam will be on some frames that are padded and covered with fabric.

FIG. 8 depicts the metal frame components 1 and 2 with the soft foam pipe covering (dashed lines 3) and a foam centre panel 4 added that may be glued in place or otherwise fastened to the other foam and frame.

FIG. 9 shows the components from FIG. 8 covered with a fabric netting 8 that may be employed to help stop the foams from shifting.

FIG. 10 shows the components from FIG. 9 with a finishing designer fabric 6 covering the netting 8 to provide the desired color and patterned look that will enhance the look of the consumer's bedroom. This designer fabric 6 will have varying colors and patterns as decided at time of manufacture.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict just a couple of alternate design examples for the metal headboard upper frame 1, however there will be many styles and colors designed to join to the slipper metal foot base lower frame 2.

FIG. 12 depicts one example of how the frame may be made from light gauge metal piping (12) only with no covering padding or fabric. Patterns and designs will vary by customer requests.

Operation: This combined headboard and base is simply installed on a bed by sliding the metal foot base under the mattress that in turn holds the assembly in place.

Conclusions, Ramification, and Scope: With the segment of consumers that are unhappy with the present limiting variety of headboard options to them it is conceivable to manufacture this concept of headboard in unlimited styles to provide and satisfy the wants of those shoppers.

Claims

1. A headboard support base where said base is separate from the headboard, has a flat design and is slid under the head end of a mattress and is thus held in place and has no requirement of tools to set up the headboard on a bed.

2. The non-requirements of tools of claim 1 extends to the joining of the upper headboard and the lower supporting base; where the pipe ends of each piece push together, as one pipe end is larger than the other.

3. The self-supporting feature as indicated in claim 1 allows this headboard combination as in claim 2 to be non-reliant on other components such as footboards and rails or brackets of any type.

4. In claim 2 where the unit is shown to be in two (2) separate pieces, the upper headboard and the lower supporting base, it is thus that many different styles of headboards may be made and then jointed to just one design of support base.

5. Mattress thickness varies and claim 2 allows for a height adjuster to be placed between the upper headboard and lower support base where they join thereby allowing the headboard assembly the flexibility to accept different mattress types.

6. In a support base that is under a mattress, the edge of such a frame may come into painful contact with the fingers of a person dressing the bed; therefore the frame mentioned here is bent away from the edge of the bed thus lessoning the likelihood of such an accident.