BEDBUG INFESTATION-RESISTANT FURNITURE

Abstract

Bedbug infestation-resistant furniture items comprise one or more substantially horizontal platform member each with one or more relatively vertical downwardly-depending leg members. Each platform member typically includes a frame surrounding an interior region and an infill expanse extending across the interior region and overlapping a relatively horizontal portion of the frame. Each of leg members typically includes a substantially lubricious surface portion substantially encircling the leg member to frustrate bedbug travel along the leg member. The legs may be splayed outwardly and may be provided with stops therealong to facilitate relatively dense stacking during stowage, and to simplify unstacking. Bedbug infestation-resistant furniture items can additionally include one or more vertical support members extending upwardly from a platform member, and one or more connecting members extending horizontally between adjacent such vertical support members along a side and/or end of the platform member, providing for example safety barriers and/or enabling a user to easily mount an elevated platform member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/798,497 filed Apr. 5, 2010, and further is a Continuation-in-Part of and claims the benefit of priority to Patent Cooperation Treaty patent application PCT/US11/31076 filed Apr. 4, 2011, the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of furniture. More particularly, the invention relates to bedbug infestation-resistant furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Invasive and parasitic bedbugs are an especially common pest. Adult bedbugs are difficult to detect visually, and are nearly invisible to the naked eye in their larva stage of development. Bedbugs are masters at hiding in crevices and recesses wherever present in an environment. Mature bedbugs and their even tinier larvae notoriously and insidiously harbor in box-spring mattresses, pillows, bedding, and other penetrable and enclosed or other hiding places.

Bedbugs are voracious and nocturnal feeders that find a human host on whose blood to engorge in the dark, typically at night. Evidence of such feeding is more often felt (painfully, the next morning, in the form of bites) than seen. Further, bedbugs can live for over a year without feeding on a host, and are quite prolific. Therefore once established in an environment, bedbugs are extremely difficult to eradicate without employing banned substances (e.g., DDT) or expensive and disruptive techniques (e.g., whole-building thermal treatment to temperatures exceeding 113 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-60 minutes).

Institutional and some commercial settings settings—e.g. homeless shelters, low-income housing, prisons and jails, dormitories, apartments, hospitals, motels and hotels, and the like—are fraught with infestation by bedbugs. In such settings, high-density and short-term or otherwise turnover-prone use is common. Therefore, even if an institution is able to eradicate bedbugs, an entirely new infestation can begin with the arrival of any subsequent occupant. Further, users unknowingly provide transit for bedbugs from setting to setting, thus proliferating the spread and persistence of an initially localized infestation.

Prior art attempts to either capture, repel or kill bedbugs include the use of chemical insecticides or repellents, or adhesive materials attached to structural surfaces. Some such chemicals are toxic, and/or can affect human health via inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and therefore may not be suitable for use indoors or where people otherwise spend significant periods of time (particularly children). In any event, insecticides generally must be reapplied periodically to maintain effectiveness. In addition to bedbugs, adhesive materials also tend to collect lint, dirt, and many other materials with which they come into contact, loading the adhesive with adhered matter. Eventually, the adhesive loses its bedbug trapping adhesive properties, and must be cleaned, replaced, reapplied, or otherwise renewed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b depict a plan view and a side elevation view, respectively, of a bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item configured as a table according to an exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1c depicts a sectional view of an angled metal boundary member taken along line A-A in FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment.

FIGS. 2a-2c depict plan, side elevation and rear elevation views, respectively, of a bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item configured as a chair according to an exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention

FIG. 3a depicts a sectional plan view of the bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of FIGS. 3b-3d taken along line B-B, according to an exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment.

FIGS. 3b-3d depict side, end and obverse side elevation views, respectively, of a bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item configured as a bunk bed according to an exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4a and 4b depict a plan view and a side elevation view, respectively, of a bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item configured as a table according to another exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4c depicts a sectional plan view of the bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of FIGS. 4a-4b taken along line C-C. FIG. 4d depicts a similar sectional plan view of an alternatively-configured bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item, according to two exemplary but non-exclusive embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4e depicts a sectional view of a horizontal support member and a boundary member taken along line D-D in FIG. 4A, according to an alternative embodiment of the table depicted in FIGS. 4a-4b.

FIGS. 5a and 5b depict a plan view and a side elevation view, respectively, of a bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item configured as table according to another exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5c and 5d depict a plan view and a side elevation view, respectively, of a bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item configured as a table according to another exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To combat bedbug infestations and their parasitic nocturnal feeding habits, whether in residential or institutional settings, a first step is to frustrate their normal activities. The inventive embodiments described herein include alternative arrangements and structural configurations of the bedbug infestation resistant features and furniture items first disclosed in U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/798,497 ('497), the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein for descriptive concision and convenience throughout.

As described in '497, changes in application or method of use or operation, configuration, method of manufacture, shape, size, or material, which are not specifically listed within the detailed written description or illustrations in '497 yet would be understood by one skilled in the art, are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, any suitable variation of fabrication, use, or application is described in '497 as being a contemplated alternative embodiment, and thus is within the spirit and scope, of the invention. The embodiments described herein are considered to be within the scope of the invention, although not expressly described in '497.

The several embodiments described herein recognize that bedbug infestation rarely affects only to a single furniture item (e.g., a bed) in a room, home, institution, building, etc. Other furniture items can also harbor bedbugs, frustrating eradication efforts, facilitating bedbug population expansion, and extending the scope and duration of an infestation. Therefore, numerous bedbug infestation-resistant characteristics and structures first disclosed in '497 are alternatively configured and/or utilized in the additional embodiments described below. While one or more of the embodiments may not be expressly described in its entirety within '497, the embodiments described herein are nonetheless intended to be alternative embodiments and/or arrangements of the invented bedbug resistant features underlying '497.

Generally, the embodiments further presented herein are suitable for private and/or institutional use alike. For example, the described bunk bed embodiments increase a number of users that can be accommodated within a limited footprint of a facility, therefore extending the efficacious bedbug deterring benefits of the furniture described first '497. For descriptive convenience, structural features are consistently numbered where they appear in the several embodiment described and depicted herein, as will be apparent to an ordinarily skilled artisan.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment 100 includes a frame 102 comprising a first substantially horizontal platform member 104. The frame 102 in turn comprises one or more elongate, open-angled, preferably metallic boundary members 106 surrounding an interior region 108. The one or more boundary members 106 can be formed of angle iron, for example, but the embodiments are limited neither to iron (or even to metals), nor to only a right angled configuration.

Boundary members 106, and most other structural features in the disclosed embodiments, can likewise be formed of nearly any suitable material that provides sufficient structural rigidity for the normal use of each furniture embodiment disclosed. For example, suitable alternative materials can include rigid plastics and other polymers (e.g., polycarbonate, high-density polyethylene, etc.), metallic alloys, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or others that an ordinarily skilled artisan would understand to be suitable in light of this description. Likewise, suitable boundary members may be formed with either obtuse or acute inner angles, as a flat bar, or as a combination of several configurations varying along a length of the elongate boundary member, although a right-angled boundary member is a more typical configuration.

When positioned in a typical orientation during use and relative to an underlying, supporting substrate, a first elongate (‘side’) portion 110 of the one or more boundary members 106 extends relatively vertically, while a second elongate ('base') portion 112 extends relatively horizontally. As will be readily recognized, the side 110 and base 112 portions meet at a vertex 114, as shown in FIG. 1c, and each extends longitudinally along a length of the boundary member 106. However, a width of either of a side 110 portion or base 112 portion (as measured along a plane of the side or base portion perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the boundary member) can vary from that of the other portion in alternative embodiments, or can vary along a length of the elongate member.

Additionally, the platform member 104 includes, or can be later fitted with, a supportive infill expanse 118 (shown in fragmentary view) typically extending across the interior region 108 from at least one to another portion of the frame 102. In a typical but not exclusive embodiment, the infill expanse 118 extends in a relative planar arrangement across the entire interior region 108 and overlaps a horizontal base portion 112 of the one or more boundary members 106, deriving support and/or attachment therefrom. The infill expanse 118 can be permanently attached, as by welding; semi-permanently attached, as by an adhesive material; removably attached, as by removable fasteners or latching features; or can simply rest in place under it own weight, whether or not also frictionally engaged with one or more portions of the frame 102.

An infill expanse 118 in several embodiments typically comprises a supportive, substantially rigid, substantially open material network, whether woven, stamped, expanded, molded, drilled, extruded, or otherwise formed, much as is described in '497. A preferred embodiment comprises expanded metal. However, other examples include but are not limited to wire mesh, grating, and/or another suitable structural, functional, and/or material equivalent. By “substantially open,” it is meant that at least 50% of the surface area of the infill expanse is open (e.g., perforated, etc.), and in a preferred embodiment, greater than 80% of the surface area is open. By “substantially rigid,” it is meant that the network, when configured in a platform member as described and not subjected to an additional load, can support itself with little or no deflection.

In other embodiments, an infill expanse 118 can comprise a supportive, substantially rigid, substantially closed sheet material. Such sheet material can be likewise perforated to some extent, but generally the perforations will comprise less than 50% of the surface area of the infill expanse. Overall, the embodiments can include any suitably rigid and supportive material for a particular embodiment, including but not limited to glass, metal, wood, plastics or other polymers, carbon fiber, or another suitable material or combination of materials, as would be recognized by an ordinarily skilled artisan. A preferred embodiment, however, comprises a metal material, such as but not limited to steel, stainless steel, and/or aluminum.

The platform member 104 further includes one or more relatively vertical leg members 120. When configured (e.g., assembled) for use, the leg members 120 (legs) are typically coupled with and depend downwardly from the first platform member 104, extending between the platform member and a supporting environmental substrate (e.g., a floor). A suitable length for one or more of the legs 120 can differ from one embodiment the next, and may depend primarily upon an intended height of the platform member 104 above a supporting substrate. All dimensions and other configurations described in '497 apply in one or more of the embodiments, although one or more of the furniture item embodiments described herein also incorporate alternative dimensions and/or entirely new configurations.

A total number of legs 120 can also vary according to alternative embodiments, from as few as one to as many as may be employed to assure and/or enhance support, stability or other functional or aesthetics characteristics of a furniture item. In a preferred embodiment, the number of legs will be minimized to conserve weight, cost, bedbug access avenues, and for other reasons that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize. For example, with respect to a rectangular platform, legs 120 may be disposed only at the corners of a platform member 104, and the intermediate span(s) derive sufficient support—e.g., to bear a load, whether static or dynamic, reasonably expected to be placed thereupon during use, without significant downward deflection or structural failure—from the rigidity of the frame and infill expanse.

As described in '497, leg members 120 may comprise a rigid, preferably metallic material having great shear or weight-bearing strength and robustly designed with a load-bearing capacity of 300 pounds or more to support the weight of one or more persons. The legs may be disposed at or proximate to the periphery of the frame, or may be disposed at any point within the periphery of the frame, or some combination of both. For example, a leg may be disposed midway between two other legs, whether along a length of a boundary member or within the interior region and below the infill expanse, to provide support an otherwise unsupported span.

As will be apparent to an ordinarily skilled artisan in light of the described embodiments, the use of additional supporting legs, such as to reduce the length of one or more otherwise unsupported structural spans, can enable the use of less rigid materials and/or less robust structural members (e.g., infill expanse, boundary member, etc.) in an embodiment, thus reducing furniture weight, cost and/or size, while improving structural robustness.

With regard to robustness, legs can be configured as tubular members (with nearly any cross-sectional shape), angular members (e.g., angle iron, etc.), solid rod or bar members, and/or other configurations or combinations of configurations. Robustness may be increased by increasing a width and/or thickness of one or more of the portions extending from the vertex of the angled member, and/or by using a material that is more resistant to deformation and/or structural failure in response to expected loading, whether static or dynamic, even over extended periods of time and use.

To frustrate bedbug concealment, tubular leg members will generally have sealed ends, and/or will either be substantially imperforate, or any or all perforations will generally be either filled, covered or otherwise sealed against bedbug entry. Accordingly, an ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the robustness, material, placement, quantity and/or other characteristics of the one or more of the legs can be varied, enabling corresponding changes in one or more of the other characteristics.

One or more of the leg members 120 depend perpendicularly from (at a right angle relative to) the substantially horizontal platform member 104 in an embodiment, while in another embodiment, the legs may splay outwardly relative to the platform member, as described in '497 and as depicted in FIGS. 1a-1b. Such splayed arrangement of the several legs enables close stacking of numerous similarly configured furniture items within the spatial footprint of a single furniture item. Therefore, to enable stacking as in '497, a stop 122 may be coupled at an inwardly-orientated surface of one or more of the leg members, intermediate an upper and lower extent of each leg member, as described in '497.

Additionally, because the distal terminal end 124 (foot) of a splayed leg 120 can be configured to extend beyond the outer perimeter of the frame 102, splayed legs disposed in contact with the base of a wall or other vertical structure act as a spacer, maintaining a spatial separation between the platform member 104 and the wall, and eliminating an addition avenue for bedbug access to the invented bedbug infestation-resistant furniture items.

Further, one or more of the leg members 120 are tapered in an embodiment. For example, a width of a tapered leg member may be greater at a portion proximate to the first platform member than at a portion distal from the first platform member (wider on top and narrower at the foot 124). Such tapering reduces weight, and provides a smaller contact area with a supporting substrate thus reducing the size of a possible bedbug access avenue.

In an embodiment, exposed surfaces of each of the one or more leg members 120 are coated with a durably bonded, substantially lubricious surface portion. A “substantially lubricious surface portion” is a portion of a surface that is coated or otherwise treated to frustrate and/or prevent a bedbug (and potentially other pests, parasitic or otherwise), from gaining sufficient purchase (e.g., traction) to easily climb the legs, for example, or to similarly traverse a suitably coated or treated structural member. An exemplary substantially lubricious surface portion will be smooth, with few or no pores, bubbles, ridges or other miniature recesses or projections, either individually or collectively, which could provide sufficient purchase and/or leverage to enable a bedbug to traverse the surface. Additionally, a substantially lubricious surface may be sufficiently hard that exoskeletal features of a bedbug's legs and/or body cannot penetrate the surface, therefore denying an additional method by which a bedbug could grip an otherwise smooth surface.

Thus, initial infestation—and/or maintenance or proliferation of an existing infestation—is frustrated by surfaces that are inhospitable to bedbug travel between a human food source and places of concealment. As an ordinarily skilled artisan will readily recognize in by this description, a substantially lubricious vertical or otherwise upwardly-sloped surface will generally frustrate bedbug travel more effectively than will a likewise treated horizontal surface.

Unlike chemical insecticides or repellents, a lubricious surface coating or treatment generally is not harmful to humans or pets, and will not dissipate and lose effectiveness over time. Unlike an adhesive, a lubricious surface coating will not load up with extraneous environmental materials and thus require periodic cleaning, replacement, reapplication, or other renewal. For example, as also noted in '497, the surfaces of bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item in the various embodiments can be powder coated and painted to reduce frictional resistance with the feet of a bedbug attempting to traverse such surfaces.

In addition to powder coating, any other coating, finish (e.g, polishing), treatment, texture, or other means or method that provides a substantially lubricious surface portion at any or all structural members of the furniture items disclosed herein, is within the scope and spirit of the invented embodiments (e.g., porcelain, fused silicates, etc.). In an embodiment, the lubricious surface portion substantially encircles a leg member or other structural member, forming a contiguous barrier about the structural member and foreclosing any avenue of secure travel by a bedbug along the length of the structural member.

The encircling lubricious surface portion can be simply a contiguous band extending entirely around a leg or other structural member, or can be as extensive as to entirely cover all exposed surfaces of a structural member. In a preferred embodiment, all exposed surfaces of the entire platform member 104, including the frame 102, infill expanse 118, and leg(s) 120, are provided with a suitably lubricious condition and/or coating to substantially interfere with access by bedbugs and/or other such pests.

In addition to being substantially lubricious, surfaces of an exemplary furniture item embodiment are also chromatically configured to provide a substantially visually-contrasting background relative to an ordinarily-colored adult bedbug disposed thereupon. As an ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize, bedbugs ordinarily change color during the course of their life cycle. Newly hatched and relative young bedbug nymphs are relatively colorless, or may be light yellow-white in color. However, as they grow to their actively-feeding adult stage, bedbugs ordinarily darken until achieving a brown or reddish-brown color. Bedbugs may also appear bright red in color after engorging on blood during feeding. Therefore, a substantially visually-contrasting background will generally be white, off-white, light tan, light yellow, or some similar light-colored hue against which an ordinarily-colored adult bedbug will visually stand out quite clearly.

Chromatic configuring can include one or more of painting, fusing a silica material (e.g., porcelain, etc.), anodizing, or otherwise coating or bonding a colored material at a surface of a structural member. Alternatively, a material itself may inherently be suitably chromatically configured, or can have a pigment or other color-altering material integrated therein during or prior to formation (e.g., mixed in a resin before curing). In a broadest sense, any suitable method for chromatically configuring a structural member is intended to be encompassed within the scope and spirit of the invented embodiments.

As shown and described in '497 and in FIG. 3a herein, one or more exemplary embodiments also include one or more elongate, horizontal support members 330 underlying the infill expanse 118 and extending across the frame 102 to support the infill expanse. By “support”, it is meant that the horizontal support members 330 help

Horizontal support members 330 are typically coupled at each opposing end with one or more of the boundary members 106, and can likewise comprise angled metal or another suitably rigid and supportive material and/or configuration. As also described in '497, and as best seen in FIG. 3c, one or more exposed, angled portions 332 at an end of the one or more horizontal support members can be mitered, rounded or otherwise configured to remove sharp or pointed portions, thus helping to prevent injury to a user through inadvertent contact, for example.

When provided in plural, horizontal support members 330 are typically arranged in parallel with one another as shown in FIG. 3a, and the opposing ends of each horizontal support member 330 are attached at opposing sides of the frame. However, in at least the embodiment shown in FIG. 4a, two or more horizontal support members 430 are disposed perpendicularly relative to one another, and intersect at an approximate center of the platform member 404.

Several of the invented embodiments described herein further include one or more vertical support members 240 coupled at and extending upwardly from an upper side of and at a first end of the platform member 104, as shown in FIGS. 2b and 2c. A vertical support member 240 in a typical but not exclusive embodiment comprises a leg member extending upwardly from the platform member 104. The vertical support member 240 may typically also be disposed in longitudinal alignment with an approximately common long axis of a downwardly extending leg member 120, and approximately perpendicular to the relatively horizontal platform member 104. For example, a pair. (or more) of provided vertical support members 240 may extend upwardly from adjacent corners of the first platform member in at least one embodiment as shown in FIG. 2c.

Vertical support members 240 are typically arranged in parallel with one another. The vertical support members may be coupled with a platform member 104 in any of several ways. For example, in a preferred embodiment, each vertical support can be welded to one or more structures and/or surfaces presented at or proximate to the upper side of the platform member. Alternatively, attachment can be achieved via any one of or combination of penetrating fastener devices, such as rivets, bolts, pins, screws, etc., or non-penetrating fastener devices such as clips, clamps, or any other suitable fastening device as would be recognized by one having skill in the art.

In an embodiment, the fasteners are of a type that enable later removal for repeated assembly and disassembly of a furniture item, and perhaps reuse of the fastener(s). One such example would be a complimentary bolt and nut arrangement, including perhaps washers to help minimize damage to the furniture surface finish, and/or to prevent loosing of the bolts during extended use of the furniture item (e.g., lock washers).

Where a penetrating fastener is utilized, corresponding suitably-sized openings (e.g., holes) can be provided at each of, for example, a portion of a vertical support member disposed proximate the platform member and a portion of the platform member proximate a corner thereof (e.g., through the vertical portion of a boundary member). Such openings, when aligned for assembly, allow insertion and secure fastening of a fastener.

In a typical embodiment, the vertical support members 240 comprise elongate angled structures, generally similar in configuration to either or both of the boundary members 106 and the leg members 120, although the vertical support members 240 may not be tapered in width from top to bottom in all embodiments. In another embodiment, the vertical support members may be tapered, but narrowing progressively from bottom to top as at 240 in FIG. 2b rather than from top to bottom. As will be recognized in FIG. 2b, the vertical support members 240 may simply comprise an additional set of leg members disposed upwardly from an upper surface of the platform member 104, but in all other respects incorporate the same bedbug infestation-resistant configuration and features as described in '497.

Alternative embodiments may include similar features arranged somewhat differently, while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the invented embodiments. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2c, one or more connecting members 242 extend relatively horizontally between and coupled with adjacent vertical support

As depicted, the chair 200 embodiment of FIGS. 2a-2c includes most if not all of the structural features described in '497 (e.g., tapered angled metal legs, right-rectangular angled metal frame members, infill expanse, etc.), but also include a set of leg members arranged to extend upwardly as vertical support members. In either the chair embodiment or in a bedframe embodiment, the purpose of the several leg members, whether upwardly or downwardly extending from a platform member, is to support a user resting upon the platform member. Although an infill expanse 118 is not shown in FIG. 2a, an ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the platform member 104 of FIG. 2a is suitably configured with an infill expanse 118 as depicted in FIG. 1a and/or as otherwise described herein.

The furniture item depicted in FIGS. 3a-3d is an extension of a stacked bedbug infestation resistant bed embodiment of '497. In this case, the stacked bed functions as a bunk bed 300, and also includes several of the bedbug infestation resistant features described in '497. A bunk bed embodiment accommodates multiple users within approximately the same floor area footprint of a single platform member, thus increasing the beneficial utilization of a facility

As shown, a second substantially horizontal platform member 354 is disposed above the upper surface 305 of a first substantially horizontal platform member 104 for use, rather than for stowage as described in '497. The respective platform members in the exemplary bunk bed embodiment are referred to herein as a lower platform member 104 of a lower bedframe or bunk 380, and an upper platform member 354 of an upper bedframe or bunk 382, respectively, for descriptive convenience. The terms “bunk” or “bedframe” as used herein collectively means a platform member and its leg members.

An ordinarily skilled artisan will readily recognize the respective structures as described relative to the FIGS. 3a-3d. In such stacked configuration, a lower end 374 of each leg member 370 of the upper platform member 354 engages an upper surface 305 of the lower platform member 104 at or near a corner of the platform member, as with the non-splayed-leg platform bedframes of '497 when stacked for stowage. In a typical but non-exclusive embodiment, the lower end 374 of one or more leg members 370 of the upper bunk 382 are secured to the lower platform member 104 by welding, fasteners, or another means or method as described herein, thus avoiding unintentional separation of the upper bunk from the lower bunk during use, transportation, or otherwise.

In the embodiment depicted at FIGS. 3b-3d, the upper platform member 354 is a substantial duplicate of the lower platform member 104, except that the supporting leg members 370 extending downwardly and engaging the lower platform member 104 are lengthened relative to those of the lower platform member, providing increased separation between the substantially parallel-planar upper and lower platform members. In an embodiment described below, the lengthened leg members 370 of the upper platform member may be alternatively perceived as comprising vertical support members of the lower platform member.

While the respective leg members of the upper bunk need not be secured to the lower bunk in all instances, they will be secured in a preferred embodiment to prevent inadvertent dislocation of the upper bunk in the event of laterally-applied forces (e.g., due to a user's movements or an earthquake, etc.). When secured, any one or more of the means or methods described above relative to securing a vertical support member may be similarly employed to secure one or more of the leg members of the upper bunk to a portion of the lower bunk.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, one or more vertical support members 240 are provided and arranged so as to extend upwardly (e.g.,) from the upper side 355 of the upper platform member 354. The upwardly extending vertical support members 240 can be integral extensions of the several supporting leg members 370, or can be additional leg members provide at the upper surface of the upper platform member 354 as in FIGS. 2b-2c. The vertical support member(s) 240 are typically but not exclusively disposed at or proximate to one or more corners of the upper platform member.

Alternatively, the upper bunk 382 of FIGS. 3b-3d resembles a substantial duplicate of the lower bunk 380, except inverted (e.g., rotated 180 degrees about a horizontal axis) relative to the lower bunk. In fact, one embodiment is configured as two nearly identical platform bedframes, as described in '497, but with one inverted above the other, and with plural vertical support members securely coupled therebetween. As such, the several leg members of the upper bunk extend upwardly from the upper side of the upper platform member, substantially as shown in FIGS. 3b-3d.

Additionally, because simply inverting the upper bunk 382 would place the horizontal support members 330 at an upper surface of the infill expanse 118, the horizontal support members 330 are instead relocated to an opposing, lower side of the upper platform member 354 to underlie and support the infill expanse as intended in '497. An infill expanse 118 of the upper bunk 382 will also typically overlie not only the horizontal support members, but also will be disposed so as to overlie a horizontally-extending base portion 112 of the one or more boundary members 106 in at least one non-exclusive embodiment.

Whether the upper platform member 354 is configured as a typically-orientated platform member with lengthened leg members 370 stacked atop another platform member 104, or as an inverted platform member with leg members extending upwardly, any such distinction is merely conceptual rather than structural in at least one embodiment.

As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3c-3d, extending between and coupled with two or more adjacent vertical support members 240 (e.g., upwardly extending leg members) are one or more connecting members 242 extending relatively horizontally along and above one or more sides or ends of the upper platform member 354. Plural such connecting members 242 may be spaced apart vertically from one another and/or from the upper surface 355 of the upper platform member 354, presenting an effective barrier to prevent users of an upper bunk from inadvertently falling and injuring themselves. An amount of spacing between the connecting members can be configured to prevent passage therebetween of a smallest anticipated user (e.g., child), for safety. Spacing may also be configured to comply with applicable laws, much the same as the spacing between bars in a baby crib is prescribed by law in some jurisdictions.

Typically, the above described two or more adjacent vertical support members 240 are positioned at adjacent corners of the upper platform member 354, and the connecting members 242 extend along an entire side or end of the upper platform member to form a barrier. Alternatively and/or additionally, a barrier may extend only partially between two adjacent ‘corner’ vertical support members 240.

In an exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment, one or more additional vertical support (barrier) members 344 extend upwardly from a side of the upper platform member 354 intermediate two other vertical support members 240 disposed at adjacent corners. A first end of each of one or more horizontal connecting member(s) 242 is coupled with a first vertical barrier member 344, and a second end of such connecting member(s) 242 is coupled with either of a second vertical barrier member 344 or an upwardly extending corner vertical support member 240 of the upper platform member 354.

Further, in order to aid a user when mounting to the upper platform member, a ladder 390 is provided in an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3b. A ladder 390 is typically conventionally configured, as would be recognized by an ordinarily skilled artisan in view of FIG. 3b, but an exemplary embodiment is described briefly below for clarity.

A vertical ladder support member 392 (or ‘vertical ladder member’) extends between and is coupled with each of the lower 104 and upper 354 platform members. The vertical ladder member 392 is disposed intermediate two vertical support members (e.g., leg members 370 of the upper bunk 382) disposed at corresponding and adjacent corners of the platform members. One or more connecting members 394 extend relatively horizontally between and are coupled with each of the vertical ladder member 392 and one or the other of the adjacent vertical leg members 370, forming the ‘rungs’ 394 of the ladder 390. When plural rungs are present, each will be spaced apart from another, enabling a user to stepwise mount the upper bunk 382 via the ladder. In an embodiment, the rungs 394 simply comprise additional connecting members 242, and the vertical ladder members simply comprise additional vertical barrier members 344, except for their respective placement and use as part of a ladder 390.

In another embodiment, the rungs 394 extend between adjacent leg members 370 intermediate the upper and lower platform members, without requiring an additional vertical ladder member 392—e.g., each of the adjacent leg members acts as one of a pair of vertical ladder members. In yet another embodiment, an entirely separate ladder 390 comprising one or more rungs 394 extending between two typically parallel vertical ladder members 392 is configured to be coupled securely with either or both of the upper 382 and lower 380 bunks, whether detachably with fasteners or relatively permanently such as by welding, and at either a side or an end thereof. General, any of the means or methods (e.g., welding, fasteners, etc.) discussed above for securing a vertical support member with a platform member can be likewise employed to secure a portion of a ladder with either or both of the upper and lower bunks.

An ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the ladder 390 shown in FIG. 3b is intentionally omitted in FIG. 3d for clarity. Likewise, the vertical barrier members 344 and connecting members 242 extending therebetween in FIG. 3b are omitted in FIG. 3d, and the connecting members 242 extending along a long axis of the upper bunk 382 in FIG. 3d are omitted in FIG. 3b, likewise in the interests of clarity.

As described above, the various ladder and barrier structures, as well as the upper and lower bunks, are generally configured chromatically to provide strong visual contrast relative to a typical adult bedbug, and may partially, substantially, or entirely be covered with a lubricious surface coating or treatment.

In a preferred embodiment, a supportive yet resilient pad member (e.g., mattress) 398 is disposed at an upper surface of each of the upper and lower platform members, to provide a comfortable and supportive sleep surface for a user. When disposed upon and relatively co-planar relative to an infill expanse of a platform member, a mattress 398 will typically but not exclusively be horizontally co-extensive with the infill expanse, as described in '497. Additionally, a mattress 398 will typically be configured chromatically to provide a strong visual contrast relative to an ordinarily-colored adult bedbug.

To further provide bedbug resistance, a mattress 398 is typically configured to minimize or eliminate seams, perforations or other recesses within which a bedbug may find concealment. A preferred mattress embodiment comprises either a closed-cell polymer material (e.g., memory foam), and/or may be covered with a contiguous, substantially imperforate ‘case’ surrounding a supportive and/or resilient inner pad. As used herein, “substantially imperforate” means that whatever openings are present in the case are generally either too small to permit bedbug entry, or are otherwise covered or filled in a manner that frustrates or prevents bedbug access and/or retention.

Although not shown in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2a-2c, a bedbug resistant furniture item configured as a chair can likewise include a padded member 398 similarly disposed upon an upper surface of a platform member 104, providing a comfortable and supportive surface for use, while deterring infestation by bedbugs. Additionally and/or alternatively, a padded member 398 can be disposed along an anterior surface(s) of the one or more connecting members, either individually or collectively, of chair 200, providing a comfortable and supportive back rest for a user.

FIGS. 4a-4d depict yet a further embodiment of the invented bedbug infestation-resistant furniture. A table 400 includes a platform member 404 (‘table top’), a base member 440 (‘base’), and one or more leg members 424 extending between and coupled with each of the base 440 and the top 404. As shown in the exemplary but non-exclusive embodiment, the top 404 is round, but could alternatively be rectangular, octagonal, or any of numerous geometric shapes as would be recognized by an ordinarily skilled artisan.

As discussed earlier, the table top 404 can include a frame 402 comprising one or more boundary members 406 configured to surround and support an infill expanse 418, and can further include two or more horizontal support members 430 underlying and intersecting beneath the infill expanse. The embodiments are not so limited, however. In an embodiment shown at FIG. 4e, the horizontal support members 430 and a horizontal portion 412 of the boundary member 406 are integrally formed from a sheet material by, for example, removing portions of the sheet material—e.g., by stamping, cutting, or another known method. A vertical portion 410 of the boundary member 406 is then formed of a strap material, for example, coupled with and about a circumference of the horizontal portion 412 of the boundary member, forming a vertex 412 therebetween as shown in FIG. 4e.

One or more relatively vertical leg members 420 are coupled with a lower side 403 of the platform member 404. As shown, rather than attaching at the corners of a platform member as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, each leg member 420 instead attaches outwardly relative to an approximate center 407 of the platform member 404, yet inwardly relative to a boundary member 406. When two or more leg members are present, they are typically distributed relatively uniformly about and adjacent to the approximate center 407 of the platform member, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4d.

The base member 440 is typically coupled with a lower extent 424 of the one or more leg members 420, and may typically but not exclusively have an outer circumference that is less than the outer circumference of the table top 404. A lower side 441 of the base member 440 includes one or more surfaces configured for substantially parallel-planar confrontation with a corresponding surface of an underlying substrate, providing a relatively broad and stable engagement with the substrate.

In an embodiment, the base 440 is formed of a relatively planar plate material, as shown in FIG. 4b. In alternative embodiments, a peripheral shape can be either contiguous and geometric (e.g., circular, square, octagonal, etc.) as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4c, or can be lobed with typically three or more relatively horizontal foot portions 443 each extending outwardly from the relatively more central and vertical legs, as shown in FIG. 4d. Note also that FIGS. 4c and 4d also depict alternative embodiments with two legs and four legs, respectively.

As will be recognized by an ordinarily skilled artisan, the contemplated and intended embodiments extend to similarly bedbug infestation-resistant furniture items formed by varying the dimensions, arrangement, and/or configuration of the several features disclosed herein and in '497. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5a-5d, varying the width and length dimensions of a platform member 104, and of the leg members 120, provide alternative embodiments configured as a desk, a dining table, a sofa table, a coffee table, or other such furniture items, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invented embodiments.

Leg members in one or more such embodiments can be splayed to enable stacking for stowage, as in FIGS. 5c-5d, or can instead be configured more perpendicularly relative to the platform member, as shown in FIGS. 5a-5b, to enable closer placement to a wall or similar vertical surface during use. When splayed, one or more legs may likewise be provided with stops 122 at an inward facing surface, to control stacking density and enable easy unstacking, as described in '497. Although an infill expanse 118 is not shown in either of FIG. 5a or 5c, an ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the platform members 104 of each of FIGS. 5a-5c are typically suitably configured with an infill expanse 118 as depicted in FIG. 1a and/or as otherwise described herein.

An ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize that the tables of FIGS. 5a-5d vary from the bedframes described in '497 primarily in the dimensions of the various structural features, although some embodiments can be either more or less robustly configured due to their dimensions and/or intended uses. For example, because structural members in some embodiments are configured with relatively shorter spans (e.g., small tables, chairs, etc.), horizontal support members may not be provided or necessary beneath an infill expanse in all embodiments, to prevent or minimize deflection under load.

Likewise, the contemplated embodiments are likewise intended to encompass numerous other embodiments that likewise employ the several bedbug infestation-resistant structural features described herein, although arranged and/or configured differently. For example, alternatively configured and/or dimensioned chairs (e.g., a couch, a loveseat, a rocking-chair, a bench, etc.) are also intended to fall within the scope of the invented embodiments. Likewise, alternatively arranged and/or dimensioned beds (e.g., a crib, a daybed, etc.) are also intended to fall within the scope of the invented embodiments. In a crib, the vertical support members themselves can be suitably numerous and spaced about a periphery of a bedframe to provide an effective barrier, prevent a baby from exiting the crib without assistance.

At least another embodiment includes a bedbug-resistant bedframe that is easily convertible for use as a sofa, for example. An exemplary embodiment includes a first platform member having two or more supporting leg members depending from adjacent corners of the frame along a first side of the platform. A second platform member is juxtaposed in an intimate, approximately co-planar, side-by-side alignment along a second side of the first bedframe opposite the first side thereof. The first platform member serves as a sleeping platform when configured as a bed, and as a seat portion when configured as a sofa. The second platform can also serve as an extension of the sleeping platform when configured as a bed, and typically serves as a backrest portion when configured as a sofa.

Coupled along the abutting boundary members of each of the juxtaposed first and second platform members, one or more hinge members enabling articulation of the second platform member relative to the first, thus facilitating bed-to-sofa conversion. Attached at a second side of the second platform member opposing the hinged side in an embodiment are one or more vertical translation members. In an exemplary embodiment, the vertical translation members comprise one or more wheels or rollers configured to engage with one or more guide member (e.g., a track, rail, receptacle, etc.; collectively ‘track’) disposed along an adjacent vertical surface, such as wall.

The track(s), the vertical translation member(s), and/or the second platform member may be configured to limited either or both of the upward and downward translation of the second side of the second platform member (proximate the vertical surface). For example, the second platform member may be prevented from downwardly departing from approximate co-planarity with the first platform member, will being free to translate upwardly toward or event to an approximately perpendicular position (‘vertical’) relative to the second platform member.

To offset the cumulative forces resisting easy manual conversion between the bed and sofa configurations (e.g., weight, friction, etc.), one or more assist mechanisms may be provided. For example, counter-weights, springs, or another conventionally known means can be provided and engaged with one or more of the track, the vertical translation member(s), and/or the second platform member, to reduce the amount of force

As an ordinarily skilled artisan will recognize, translating the second side of the second platform member upwardly from a relatively horizontal starting position, will concurrently draw the first platform member toward the wall. To facilitate such horizontal movement of the first platform member, one or more of the leg members coupled with the first platform member are provided at their lower termini, in an embodiment, with casters (wheels), low-friction pads, skids, or some other conventionally known means for facilitating translation of a furniture item along an underlying substrate surface.

A resilient pad member (e.g., mattress, pillows, etc.), as discussed above, will typically be provided at an upper surface of the infill expanse of one or both of the first and second platform members. Such pad member provides a supportive and comfortable surface for a user, whether seated or reclined upon the platform member(s). However, in order to enable free articulation of the second platform member relative to the first, the pad member will either be provided with a thinned portion aligned with the hinged, abutting boundary members, wherein the thinned portion acts as a ‘live hinge.’

Additionally, the upper portions of the pad member proximate to and along each side of the thinned portion may be configured to slope (e.g., beveled, radiused) inwardly toward the thinned portion. Sloping the pad material adjacent to the thinned portion helps to minimize or eliminate resistance to articulation that may otherwise result from confrontation and compression of the upper pad member portions on opposing sides of the thinned portion during upward articulation of the second platform member.

Alternatively, a first pad member provided for the first platform member may be entirely separate from a second pad member of the second platform member, enabling free and separate articulation of the respective platform members. In either embodiment, the pad member may be further fastened to or otherwise retained in position relative to the platform member(s) to prevent its dislocation during articulation of the platform member(s).

As described herein and in '497, the invented embodiments encompass numerous alternative embodiments of furniture items with bedbug infestation resistant properties. Such resistance results from features shared by the several embodiments, including but not limited to open structural members, limited recesses and chromatic contrast (frustrating bedbug concealment), lubricious surfaces (frustrating bedbug travel), reduced contact with surrounding environmental structures (reducing bedbug access avenues), and others. Additionally, the stable and durable construction of the described embodiments renders them suitable for extended use in any of a residential, commercial or institutional setting.

Therefore, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the method or detail of construction, fabrication, material, application or use described and illustrated herein. Indeed, any suitable variation of fabrication, use, or application is contemplated as an alternative embodiment, and thus is within the spirit and scope, of the invention in the same what that the configurations described herein comprise alternative embodiments of the furniture items first described in '497.

It is further intended that any other embodiments of the present invention that result from any changes in application or method of use or operation, configuration, method of manufacture, shape, size, or material, which are not specified within the detailed written description or illustrations contained herein yet would be understood by an ordinarily skilled artisan, are within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item, comprising:

a first substantially horizontal platform member, comprising: a frame surrounding an interior region of the platform member and comprising an open-angled metal boundary member, wherein the boundary member includes a first relatively vertical portion extending longitudinally about a periphery of the frame, and wherein the boundary member further includes a second relatively horizontal portion coupled with and extending inwardly from the first relatively vertical portion; and an infill expanse extending across the interior region and overlapping the relatively horizontal portion of the boundary member; and

one or more relatively vertical leg members coupled with and depending downwardly from the first platform member, wherein the one or more leg members each include a substantially lubricious surface portion substantially encircling the one or more leg members.

2. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, wherein the one or more relatively vertical leg members splay outwardly from a first end thereof proximate the first platform member toward a distal second end thereof.

3. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, wherein the one or more relatively vertical leg members are coupled with a lower side of the first platform member outwardly relative to an approximate center of the first platform member and inwardly relative to the boundary member.

4. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, further comprising:

a horizontal support member coupled at an end thereof with the boundary member, wherein the support member extends across the frame and underlies the infill expanse.

5. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more vertical support members coupled at and extending upwardly from an upper side of the platform member at a first end thereof.

6. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 3, further comprising:

a base member coupled with a lower extent of the one or more relatively vertical leg members, wherein a lower side of the base member includes one or more surfaces configured for substantially parallel-planar confrontation with a corresponding surface of an underlying substrate.

7. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 5, wherein the vertical support members comprise at least a pair thereof extending upwardly from adjacent corners of the first platform member.

8. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 7, further comprising:

one or more connecting members extending relatively horizontally between and coupled with the pair of adjacent vertical support members.

9. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, further comprising:

a second substantially horizontal platform member disposed above and coupled with the first substantially horizontal platform member.

10. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 9, wherein a lower extent of a leg member of the second platform member is secured to the first platform member.

11. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 9, wherein the second platform member is an inverted substantial duplicate of the first platform member coupled at an upward extent of the vertical support members, and wherein the one or more relatively vertical leg members of the second platform member extend upwardly from an upper side of the second platform member.

12. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 9, further comprising:

a ladder comprising plural relatively horizontal and vertically spaced-apart connecting members extending between and coupled with one or more vertical ladder support members, the ladder extending vertically between the first platform member and the second platform member.

13. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 9, further comprising:

at least a pair of vertical support members coupled at and extending upwardly from an upper side of the second platform member.

14. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 13, further comprising:

one or more relatively horizontal connecting members extending between and coupled with each vertical support member of the at least a pair of vertical support members of the second platform member.

15. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 9, further comprising:

a first vertical barrier member coupled with and extending upwardly from the second platform member along a side thereof and intermediate two adjacent corners thereof; and

one or more horizontal connecting members coupled at a first portion thereof with the first vertical barrier member, and further coupled at a second portion thereof with either of a second vertical barrier member or an upwardly extending vertical support member disposed proximate to a corner of the second platform member.

16. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, wherein a width of the one or more relatively vertical leg members is greater at a portion thereof proximate to the first platform member than at a portion thereof distal from the first platform member.

17. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, wherein the infill expanse comprises a substantially-open network.

18. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, wherein substantially all exposed surfaces of the first platform member and the one or more leg members are chromatically configured to provide a substantially visually contrasting background relative to an ordinarily-colored adult bedbug present thereupon.

19. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 2, further comprising:

a stop coupled at an inwardly-orientated surface of one or more of the relatively vertical leg members, the stop being disposed intermediate an upper and a lower extent of the one or more leg members.

20. The bedbug infestation-resistant furniture item of claim 1, further comprising:

a pad member disposed at an upper surface of and substantially co-extensive with the infill expanse, wherein the pad member comprises either or both of a closed-cell polymer exterior and a contiguous, substantially imperforate case.

21. A bedbug infestation-resistant bunk bed, comprising:

an upper platform member and a lower platform member, wherein the upper and lower platform members each comprise a substantially open interior infill expanse coupled with a surrounding open-angled frame;

a first set of plural leg members configured to depend downwardly from and support the lower platform member above a surface of an underlying substrate, wherein one or more leg members of the first set of leg members are wider at an end thereof disposed proximate to the first platform member than at an end thereof extended distally from the first platform member;

a second set of plural leg members configured to depend downwardly from and support the upper platform member above the lower platform member, wherein the second set of plural leg members are configured to define a greater separation between the upper and lower platform members than a corresponding separation between the lower platform member an the underlying substrate surface; and

one or more horizontal support members coupled with the frame and underlying the infill expanse of each of the respective upper and lower platform members.

22. The bedbug infestation-resistant bunk bed of claim 21, further comprising:

one or more vertical support members extending upwardly from the upper platform member proximate the frame thereof.

23. The bedbug infestation-resistant bunk bed of claim 22, wherein one or more relatively horizontally disposed elongate connecting members are coupled at each end thereof with one of a pair of the upwardly extending vertical support members.

24. The bedbug infestation-resistant bunk bed of claim 22, wherein the upper platform member is an inverted substantial duplicate of the lower platform member.

25. The bedbug infestation-resistant bunk bed of claim 21, wherein an exposed surface of one or more of the upper platform member, the lower platform member, the first set of plural leg members, and the second set of plural leg members includes a substantially lubricious surface portion chromatically configured to provide a substantially visually contrasting background relative to an ordinarily-colored adult bedbug disposed thereupon.