RETROFIT FOOTBOARD APPARATUS

Abstract

A retrofit footboard apparatus (100) for a bed comprises a footboard (108) for housing a media device (114) therein. The apparatus also comprises a retrofit engagement arrangement (200) coupled to the footboard (108) for maintaining location of the footboard (108) at a foot of a base of a bed.

Description

The present invention relates to a retrofit footboard apparatus of the type that, for example comprises a footboard, the footboard residing, when installed, at the end of a bed.

A so-called “television bed” is a bed having a television disposed in a footboard of the bed, the footboard being constructed such that, in a stowed state, the television can be concealed within the footboard and, in a deployed state, a viewable area of the television is above a top surface of the footboard so that the television can be viewed. Consequently, the concealment of the television when in the stowed state results in an otherwise technically enhanced item appearing as a normal item of furniture. Additionally, the ability to conceal the television within the bed results in the integrated television and bed having a tidier appearance and a bedroom in which the television bed is located having an uncluttered overall appearance.

In order to stow and deploy the television with respect to the footboard of the bed, the footboard of the bed is known to comprise an opening and a hinged lid to close the opening when the television is in the stowed state. In this respect, when the television is being deployed, the lid opens to allow the television to pass through the opening in order to assume the deployed state. When the television is being stowed, the lid closes once the television is within the footboard in order to substantially conceal the opening and provide the top surface of the footboard with a pleasant appearance.

An electromechanical lift mechanism is provided within the footboard of the bed in order to execute the deployment and stowage of the television. The lift mechanism therefore similarly has a retracted or lowered state and an extended or raised state corresponding to the stowed and deployed states of the television. The retraction and extension of the television is controlled by a control unit activatable by a switch, usually provided in the side of the base of the bed within easy reach of a user when lying on the bed. It is known for the television to be coupled to the lift mechanism by a bracket or frame, the bracket being coupled to a translatable base portion of the lift mechanism and the television being secured to the bracket by fixing screws or bolts.

In order to open and close the lid, a guide bar is coupled to the frame supporting the television and a buffer or stopper is coupled to an underside of the lid. The guide bar has an arcuate portion and the stopper is disposed on the lid at a location such that when the television is raised by the lift mechanism, the guide bar carried by the rising frame is brought into abutment with the stopper and, as the frame continues to rise, the stopper rides over the guide bar and the lid, to which the stopper is coupled, is urged away from a closed state to an open state.

However, in some situations, an owner of a bed may wish to acquire a footboard having a television within it without having to purchase a television bed. For example, it may be that use of an existing bed may have specific orthopaedic qualities and so a specific type of bed is required that lacks any media capability. Nevertheless, the owner may want a media capability, for example to watch television whilst lying on the existing bed. Similarly, expenditure on a bed for a child is generally less than for an adult and so a parent may not wish to purchase a television bed for the child, although the functionality of the television bed may be desired.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a retrofit footboard apparatus for a bed, the apparatus comprising: a footboard for housing a media device therein; and a retrofit engagement arrangement coupled to the footboard for maintaining location of the footboard at a foot of a base of a bed.

The apparatus may further comprise a side arm coupled to the footboard.

The retrofit engagement arrangement may comprise a wall bracket. The wall bracket may be pivotable.

The side arm may be adjustable in length. The side arm may be telescopically adjustable.

The wall bracket may be pivotable relative to a distal end of the side arm; the distal end of the side arm may be distal relative to the footboard.

The wall bracket may be arranged to pivot about a first axis for horizontal alignment with a wall.

The wall bracket may be arranged to pivot about a second axis for vertical alignment with a wall.

The apparatus may further comprise another side arm coupled to the footboard;

wherein the side arm and the another side arm may extend substantially in parallel away from the footboard. The footboard, the side arm and the another side arm may surround, when in use, three sides of the bed.

The retrofit engagement arrangement may comprise a switch site formation for receiving a switching device.

The apparatus may further comprise a channel for cables to pass therethrough.

The apparatus may further comprise a conduit for cables to pass therethrough.

The footboard, the side arm and the another side arm may define an open enclosure for locating the bed therein.

The apparatus may further comprise a cross-member arranged to be coupled to the side arm and the another side arm so as to close the open enclosure. The cross-member may be releasably coupleable to the side arm and the another side arm at at least one end thereof.

It is thus possible to provide a retrofit footboard apparatus capable of augmenting an existing bed lacking a footboard and a bed purchased without a television in the footboard thereof, with a television viewing capability. In this respect, it is possible to locate the footboard at the foot of the bed in a secure manner, thereby ensuring safe use of the television or other media device. Additionally, the facility to locate a control button or switch at a suitable location within arm's reach of a person lying on the bed is possible, thereby providing the same convenience of use as a television bed. Furthermore, the retrofit footboard apparatus enables cables necessary for the operation of the footboard to be run and concealed, thereby ensuring that, when the apparatus is fitted with respect to the bed, the combination retains a pleasant appearance.

At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bed and a retrofit footboard apparatus constituting an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the retrofit footboard apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the retrofit footboard apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retrofit footboard apparatus of FIG. 1 in greater detail;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a distal end of a securing arm of the retrofit footboard apparatus FIG. 4 in greater detail;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the securing arm constituting another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a part of the securing arm of FIG. 6 in greater detail;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the securing arm constituting a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of the securing arm of FIG. 8 in greater detail;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the retrofit footboard apparatus constituting another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is an isometric inner view of an end portion of a securing arm of the retrofit footboard apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 (a) to (e) are isometric, side, end, and plan views of an adjustment bracket of FIG. 11 and a schematic diagram of a blank therefor;

FIG. 13 is an isometric outer view of the end portion of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the retrofit footboard of FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevation of the retrofit footboard apparatus of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a retrofit footboard apparatus of FIG. 10.

Throughout the following description identical reference numerals will be used to identify like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a bed 100 comprises, in this example, a base 102 and a mattress 104. A retrofit footboard apparatus 106 extends around, for example, three sides of the bed 100. At a foot end 110 of the bed 100, the retrofit footboard apparatus 106 comprises a footboard 108 having a lid portion 112. The lid 112 is coupled to the footboard 108 and hinged at one side thereof. The footboard 108 constitutes a housing for a television 114 and defines a cavity (not shown) therein. In this respect, the television 114, when in a stowed state, is located within the footboard 108. An upper surface 116 of the footboard 108 comprises an opening 118 therein, the opening 118 being covered by the lid 112 when the lid 112 is in a closed state. When in an open state, the opening 118 provides a port through which the television 114 can pass.

In the stowed state, the television 114 is concealed within the footboard 108, whereas when the television 114 is in a deployed state, as shown in FIG. 1, a viewable area 120 of the television 114 is located beyond the upper surface 116 of the footboard 108.

Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the retrofit footboard apparatus 106 also comprises a first securing arm 200 coupled to a first side 202 of the footboard 108, for example by screws. Although not shown, a second securing arm is coupled to a second side of the footboard 108. The first securing arm 200 extends away from the footboard 108 in a substantially perpendicular manner. Similarly, although not shown, the second securing arm also extends away from the footboard 108 in a substantially perpendicular manner. Consequently, in this example, the first and second securing arms extend away from the footboard 108 substantially in parallel.

The first securing arm 200 comprises an aperture or port 203 for siting a switching device to control the deployment and stowage of the television 114 housed by the footboard 108. In this respect, the aperture 203 is disposed at a point along the length of the first securing arm 200 such that, when the retrofit footboard apparatus 106 is installed, the switching device or switch sited in the aperture 203 is within arm's reach of a user lying on the bed 100.

A control unit (not shown) is, in this example, located within the footboard 108. In this example, the control unit is disposed within the footboard 108, although the skilled person should appreciate that the control unit can be located external to the footboard 108. The control unit is located within the footboard 108 in a recessed manner with respect to an internally-facing surface of the footboard 108, ports for example as provided by connectors necessary for coupling the control unit to other devices, for example media devices, such as a DVD player, are exposed in the recess for ready access thereto for connection to the other devices. The first securing arm 200 is substantially hollow so as to define a channel or conduit therein. Wires or cables necessary to couple the switching device to the control unit can therefore be run through the conduit and exit the first securing arm 200 via a wire exit port 204 at a distal end 206 of the first securing arm 200. Although not shown, the control unit is coupled to a lift mechanism (not shown) also located within the footboard 108 for controlling deployment and stowage of the television 114. As mentioned above, the television 114 is coupled to the lift mechanism by a bracket. However, as the contents of the footboard 108 are not directly relevant to the embodiments described herein, the structure of the lift mechanism and the bracket will not be described in further detail in order not to distract from the core teachings herein.

Additionally, a wall bracket 208 is provided at the distal end 206 of the first securing arm 200. Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, a pivot aperture 210 constituting a pivot point is also provided at the distal end of the first securing arm 200 about which the wall bracket 208 pivots in order to enable the wall bracket 208 to lie substantially parallel in the vertical direction with a wall to which the wall bracket 208 is to be connected, irrespective of any unevenness of the wall. In this example, the wall bracket 208 is substantially L-shaped and carries a corresponding pivot aperture (not shown) that lies in registry with the pivot aperture 210. The orientation of the wall bracket 208 can be fixed by use of a nut and bolt or any other suitable fixing arrangement that passes through the pivot aperture in order to trap the wall bracket 208 between sides of the first securing arm 200 at the distal end thereof at a desired angle relative to the wall.

A wall-abutting portion 211 of the wall bracket 208, in this example, has a pair of apertures formed therethrough in spaced relation to enable suitable fixings to pass through the wall bracket 208 in order to secure the wall bracket 208 and hence the first securing arm 200 to the wall at a first side of the bed.

Although not shown, the second securing arm also comprises another wall bracket and another pivot point for coupling the second securing arm to the wall in a like manner to that described above in relation to the first securing arm 200, irrespective of any unevenness of the wall. The second securing arm can therefore be secured to the wall at a second side of the bed. In another embodiment, the sides of the first (and second) securing arm can be arranged so as to provide the wall bracket with side-to-side or lateral play in order to enable the plane of the wall-abutting portion 211 to pivot about another axis substantially perpendicular to the axis about which the wall-abutting portion 211 pivots as a result of the pivoting aperture 210, thereby providing further compensation for unevenness of the wall when coupling the wall bracket 208 to the wall.

Consequently, in use, the first securing arm 200, the footboard 108 and the second securing arm serve to surround three sides of the base of the bed and hence the bed. The head of the bed, the fourth side of the bed, is adjacent the wall and so the bed is surrounded by the combination of the wall, the first and second securing arms and the footboard 108. The bed is therefore contained by the retrofit footboard apparatus 106.

In another embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 7), the first and second securing arms are adjustable in length. In this example, the first securing arm 200 comprises an outer sheath portion 214 that slides over an inner portion 216 of the first securing arm 200. The first securing arm 200 is therefore telescopic. The outer sheath portion 214 is substantially C-shaped and carries a downwardly depending portion 218 that comprises a guide slot 220. The inner portion 216 of the first securing arm 200 also comprises a pair of threaded apertures (not shown) in registry with the guide slot 220, the pair of threaded apertures being spaced apart and arranged to receive a pair of securing screws 222 that serve to limit translation of the outer portion 214 and hence prevent removal thereof, and to secure the outer portion 214 relative to the inner portion 216 once a desired length of the first securing arm 200 has been found.

In this embodiment, the second securing arm is formed, in a like manner to the first securing arm 200 so as also to be adjustable, for example extendible.

In a further embodiment (FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9), the wall bracket 208 has a pair of keyhole apertures 224 as part of a keyhole fastener arrangement. The pair of keyhole apertures 224 is disposed in spaced relation to each other. A counterpart plate 226 carries a pair of apertures 228 for securing the counterpart plate 226 to the wall using any suitable fixing, for example screws. The counterpart plate 226 carries a pair of pins or studs 230 having respective heads of enlarged diameter as compared with shafts of the studs 230; the studs 230 are also disposed in a spaced relation with each other in a like manner and corresponding to the pair of keyhole apertures 224.

In use, the wall bracket 208 can simply be hooked over the studs 230 of the counterpart plate 226 and allowed to drop under gravity or light force so that the studs lie within respective narrow portions of the keyhole apertures 224 and so the wall bracket is prevented from being pulled away from the counterpart plate 226 by the heads of the studs 230. Consequently, the first securing arm 200 is fixed to the wall.

It should be appreciated that, in this embodiment, the second securing arm is formed in a like manner to the first securing arm, the wall bracket thereof carrying like keyhole apertures and a corresponding counterpart plate also being provided and secured to the wall. Hence, the retrofit footboard apparatus 106 can be easily disconnected from the wall for various reasons, for example replacement or temporary movement of the bed, such as when cleaning needs to take place and the bed needs to be moved.

In the above embodiments contemplating an ability to detach one or both securing arms, one or both securing arms can be pivotally mounted to the footboard 108 in order to enable a given securing arm to be swung out, laterally, in order to allow access to allow, for example, temporary access to the side of the bed. This feature is particularly, but not exclusively, useful where the bed comprises a divan base and access to a divan drawer is required, but normally impeded by the securing arm when the retrofit footboard apparatus 106 is installed. Similarly, it may simply be necessary to provide some space to move the bed for cleaning purposes of the retrieve an item from beneath the bed. Where this feature is implemented, the securing arm can be provided with a quick-release mechanism to detach the securing arm temporarily and allow the securing arm to swing outwardly. The quick release mechanism, for example a latch mechanism, can be provided not only where the keyhole fastener arrangement of FIGS. 6 to 9 is implemented, but also where one or both securing arms are fixed to the wall by screws or like fixings.

As implied above, the bed or bed base need not necessarily be surrounded by the retrofit footboard apparatus only on three sides. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 16, a first side arm 300 and a second side arms 302 are coupled to the footboard 108, defining three sides of a quadrilateral in plan view. The fourth side of the quadrilateral between the first and second side arms 300, 302, at the opposite end 232 of the bed 100 to the footboard 108, is bridged by a head-end cross-member 234.

Turning to FIG. 11, an adjustable bracket 238 is provided at a footboard end of the securing arm 200. Referring to FIGS. 12 (a) to (e), the adjustable bracket 238 comprises an end-plate portion 240 and an arm-engaging portion 242, the arm-engaging portion 242 extending away from the end-plate portion 240 in a substantially perpendicular manner. In order to provide the adjustable bracket with mechanical strength, a cross-member portion 244 extends diagonally between the end-plate portion 240 and the arm-engaging portion 242. With particular reference to FIG. 12 (c), the end-plate portion 240 comprises an array of apertures 246.

Referring back to FIG. 11, in this example, four spaced threaded holes are respectively provided at both lower corners of an inwardly facing surface 248 of the footboard 108. The array of apertures 246 carried by the adjustable bracket 238 enables the adjustable brackets to be secured, respectively, at each side of the footboard 208 to the footboard 108 by the four spaced threaded holes at desired height with respect to the base of the footboard 108. Hence, at the footboard end, the height at which the securing arms 300, 302 can be attached to the footboard 108 can be selected. Each set of four spaced threaded holes are respectively set back from the lateral side edges 249 of the footboard 108 so that, when connected to the footboard 108, the arm-engaging portion 242 of each adjustable bracket 238 does not extend laterally substantially beyond the respective lateral side edge 249 of the footboard 108.

At the footboard end thereof, the spacing maintained between the footboard 108 and the head-end cross-member 234 by the first and second side arms 300, 302 is adjustable by virtue of adjustment apertures 250 (FIGS. 12 (a) and (b)) disposed in the side of the arm-engaging portion 242 and corresponding apertures formed in the first and second side arms 300, 302, further details of which will be described later herein. In this example, each end of the first and second side arms 300, 302 are each sized and shaped in a complementary manner to receive the arm-engaging portion 242 so that inner surfaces at ends of the side arms 300, 302 respectively and substantially abut outer surfaces of the arm-engaging portions 242. As mentioned above, the side arms 300, 302 comprise a pair of lateral apertures 256 (FIG. 13) to receive fixings therethrough, for example nuts and bolts or any other suitable fixing arrangement. In this respect, the adjustment apertures 250 of the adjustable bracket 238 can be internally threaded. Consequently, prior to securement, first ends 258 of the side arms 300, 302 are slidable over the arm-engaging portions 242, respectively. In order to further secure the side arms 300, 302 to the arm-engaging portions 242, the adjustable bracket 238 comprises a plurality of apertures 252 (FIGS. 12 (a) and (d)), in this example linearly aligned apertures, formed in a tongue portion 254. The plurality of apertures 252 lie in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the adjustment apertures 250 lie. Although not shown, the side arms 300, 302 respectively comprise one or more apertures on undersides thereof in a region of the undersides of the side arms 300, 302 respectively adjacent the tongue portion 254 when the arm-engaging portions 242 are respectively received by the side arms 300, 302. The side arms 300, 302 can therefore be additionally secured to the adjustable bracket 238 by nuts and bolts or other suitable fixings. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of apertures 252 can be internally threaded to receive a correspondingly externally threaded bolt or other suitable fixing, which passes through the aperture(s) formed in the undersides of the side arms 300, 302. If desired the adjustable bracket 238 can be formed from a blank (FIG. 12 (e)) having apertures formed therein.

The side arms 300, 302 are substantially C-shaped in cross section, although other cross-sectional shapes can be employed. As suggested above, the side arms 300, 302 are translatable relative to the arm-engaging portions 242, but are securable to the arm-engaging portions 242 in order to prevent removal of the side arms 300, 302 from the adjustable bracket 238 once a desired distance between the ends of the side arms 300, 302 and the footboard 208 has been achieved.

Turning to FIG. 16, the first side arm 300 and/or the second side arm 302 comprises the aperture or port 203 for siting the switching device to control the deployment and stowage of the television 114 housed by the footboard 108. In this respect, the aperture 203 is disposed at a point along the length of the first side arm 300 and/or the second side arm 302 such that, when the retrofit footboard apparatus 106 is installed, the switching device or switch sited in the aperture 203 is within arm's reach of a user lying on the bed 100. Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16, the head-end cross member 234 is coupled at either side thereof to the ends of the side arms 300, 302 distal from the footboard 108. In a like manner described above, the adjustable brackets 238 can be used to couple the side arms 300, 302 to the head-end cross-member 234.

It is thus possible to ensure that the footboard 108 is held against the bed without removing making modifications to a wall against which or adjacent which the bed normally lies. The retrofit footboard apparatus 106 of this type avoids the necessity to interfere with the wall in a manner undesirable to a home owner. Additionally, the ability to select the height of the side arms 300, 302 enables the side arms 300, 302 to be set at a suitable height so as to be clear of, for example, divan drawers, so that the opening of the divan drawers is not impeded by the presence of the side arms 300, 302 adjacent the side of the bed 100.

In another embodiment, the cross-member 234 can be, but not essentially, attached to one of the first and second side arms 300, 302 in a pivotal manner, the cross-member 234 being releasably coupled to the remaining side arm 300, 302 by any suitable coupling mechanism. For example, a coupling of keyhole fastener type described above, or a mechanical latch mechanism, optionally one that is spring-loaded. Alternatively, the releasable coupling can be implemented at both ends of the cross-member 234 where coupling to the first and second side arms 300, 302. Additionally or alternatively, this releasable coupling facility can be implemented at the footboard end of the retrofit footboard apparatus 106.

By way of further example, the cross-member 234 can be coupled to the first and second side arms 300, 302 by respective sliding dovetail joints or any other suitable like joint that provides a channel or slot in one piece part that engages a complementary elongate protrusion of another piece part in a manner that prevents the parts being separated other than by a sliding motion.

It should be appreciated that the footboard, the first side arm and the second side arm defines an open enclosure for locating the bed therein. The cross-member is therefore coupled to the side arm and the another side arm so as to close the open enclosure. As suggested above, the cross-member can be releasably coupleable to the first side arm and the second side arm at at least one end thereof.

In all of the above embodiments, a switching device is thus provided within arm's reach of a user lying on the bed, the switching device being coupled to the control unit. The control unit is, of course, electrically coupled to the lift mechanism and the television 114. In this example, the control unit is disposed within the footboard 108 as mentioned above. However, if desired, the control unit can be disposed within another housing instead of the footboard, for example a bedside “table” unit or the like, and cabling for the switching device run through a port (not shown) formed in the bedside table and via the wire exit port 204 to the aperture or port 202 for siting the switching device.

Hence, an otherwise ordinary bed is now converted to a television bed by virtue of the surrounding of the ordinary bed by the retrofit footboard apparatus 106. In operation, the television 114 is in the stowed state, for example, and therefore concealed within the footboard 108 of the bed 100. Upon actuation of the switch by a user, the control unit responds by controllably raising a base of the lift mechanism to which the television 114 is coupled via a bracket. In this respect, as the base of the lift mechanism rises under the power of an electric motor (not shown), causing the lid 112 to open, the television 114 rises so as to be completely visible (FIG. 1) when the television 114 reaches a completely deployed state, whereupon the control unit ceases to raise the television 114. The control unit then awaits actuation of the switch, which serves as an instruction to stow the television 114.

When the control unit receives an instruction to lower the television 114, the control unit responds to the actuation of the switch by powering the electric motor of the lift mechanism so as to lower the television 114 in order to stow the television 114 within the footboard 108. The base of the lift mechanism therefore lowers until the television 114 reaches the completely stowed state, whereupon the lid 112 is in a completely closed state so as to reinstate the appearance of a normal bed footboard and hence bed.

Claims

1. A retrofit footboard apparatus for a bed, the apparatus comprising:

a footboard for housing a media device therein; and

a retrofit engagement arrangement coupled to the footboard for maintaining location of the footboard at a foot of a base of a bed.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a side arm coupled to the footboard.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retrofit engagement arrangement comprises a wall bracket.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the side arm is adjustable in length.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the side arm is telescopically adjustable.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the wall bracket is pivotable.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein a side arm is coupled to the footboard and wherein the wall bracket is pivotable relative to a distal end of the side arm, the distal end of the side arm being distal relative to the footboard.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wall bracket is arranged to pivot about a first axis for horizontal alignment with a wall.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wall bracket is arranged to pivot about a second axis for vertical alignment with a wall.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

another side arm coupled to the footboard; wherein

the side arm and the another side arm extend substantially in parallel away from the footboard.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the footboard, the side arm and the another side arm surround, when in use, three sides of the bed.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retrofit engagement arrangement comprises a switch site formation for receiving a switching device.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a channel for cables to pass therethrough.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a conduit for cables to pass therethrough.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the footboard, the side arm and the another side arm define an open enclosure for locating the bed therein.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a cross-member arranged to be coupled to the side arm and the another side arm so as to close the open enclosure.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the cross-member is releasably coupleable to the side arm and the another side arm at at least one end thereof.

18. (canceled)