CONVERTIBLE BED

Abstract

A bed includes a footboard, headboard, and side rails extending between the footboard and headboard. The bed also includes removable mattress-support slats that can be mounted on the side rails to support a mattress between the footboard and headboard.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/186,707, filed Jun. 30, 2015, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to beds and in particular to beds that can be varied in size. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a frame that is configured to support a mattress and that can be reconfigured to support mattresses of various sizes.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a bed including a mattress-support frame. In illustrative embodiments, the mattress-support frame can be reconfigured in the field by a person to change the size and shape of the frame so that a relatively smaller mattress can be supported on the frame to establish a toddler-bed mode of the bed or a relatively larger mattress can be supported on the frame to establish a twin-bed mode of the bed. It is within the scope of the present disclosure to convert the frame to support mattresses of all sizes.

In illustrative embodiments, a convertible bed includes a mattress-support frame comprising components that can be moved relative to one another by a person in the field to change the width and/or the length of the frame. The convertible bed also includes a releasable lock system for locking movable pieces included each of those components relative to one another to establish, for example, a toddler-bed mode in which the frame has a relatively narrow width and short length that is sized to support a toddler-bed mattress, or, at the option of the user, to establish, for example, a twin-bed mode in which the frame has a relatively wider width and longer length that is sized to support a twin-bed mattress.

In illustrative embodiments, the convertible bed includes a variable-width headboard, a variable-width footboard, and variable-length side walls arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to one another and to interconnect the headboard and footboard. The convertible bed also includes a variable-width mid-section arranged to interconnect the side walls. In illustrative embodiments, the headboard, footboard, side walls, and mid-section are part of a convertible bed kit that also comprises a set of relatively short toddler-bed slats for underlying and supporting a toddler-bed mattress when a toddler-bed mode of the bed is established and a set of relatively longer twin-bed slats for underlying and supporting a relatively larger twin-bed mattress when a twin-bed mode of the bed is established.

In illustrative embodiments, each of the variable-width headboard, footboard, and mid-section comprise first and second movable segments that can be moved relative to one another when unlocked to vary the width of the headboard, footboard or mid-section. The headboard comprises interlocking E-shaped and Pi-shaped movable headboard segments while the footboard comprises interlocking C-shaped and T-shaped movable footboard segments.

In illustrative embodiments, the convertible bed kit in accordance with the present disclosure also includes a headboard segment-motion lock comprising top and bottom toddler-bed headboard caps and relatively longer top and bottom twin-bed caps. In the toddler-bed mode, the relatively short toddler-bed headboard caps are selected from the kit and mounted by the caregiver on the drawn-together first and second movable headboard segments to lock those segments to one another to establish a narrow-width headboard. Alternatively, in the twin-bed mode, the relatively longer twin-bed headboard caps are selected from the kit and mounted by the caregiver on the spread-apart first and second movable headboard segments to lock those segments to one another to establish a wide-width headboard. Similarly, the convertible bed kit also includes short top and bottom toddler-bed footboard caps and relatively longer top and bottom twin-bed footboard caps for use in locking the movable footboard segments of the footboard together when drawn together to establish a narrow-width footboard or when spread apart to establish a wide-width footboard.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a convertible bed that has been configured to assume a toddler-bed mode in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure and that can be widened and lengthened in the field by a caregiver to assume a twin-bed mode shown in FIG. 2 and suggesting that the convertible bed includes a variable-width headboard, a variable-width footboard, variable-length side walls arranged to interconnect the headboard and footboard, and a variable-width mid-section arranged to interconnect the side wall and suggesting that each of the headboard and footboard includes two interlocking movable segments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible bed of FIG. 1 after a caregiver has: (1) unlocked headboard, footboard, and side-wall locks included in a releasable lock system provided in the convertible bed, (2) expanded the variable-width headboard, mid-section, and footboard from the narrow toddler-bed mode shapes shown in FIG. 1 to the relatively wider twin-bed mode shapes shown in FIG. 2, (3) moved a mobile head unit including the headboard and headboard portions of the side walls in a direction to the right away from the relatively stationary foot unit including the footboard and footboard portions of the side walls to lengthen the convertible bed, and (4) replaced the set of relatively short toddler-bed slats shown in FIG. 1 with a set of relatively longer twin-bed slats shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is an exploded plan view of components that cooperate in accordance with the present disclosure to provide a convertible bed kit comprising SHARED ITEMS used in each of the toddler-bed and twin-bed modes of the bed, TODDLER-BED ITEMS only for toddler-bed mode, and TWIN-BED ITEMS only for twin-bed mode and suggesting that (1) several TODDLER-BED ITEMS (e.g., relatively short toddler-bed slats, footboard caps, and headboard caps) can be combined with SHARED ITEMS and then assembled by a caregiver in the field to establish the toddler-bed mode of the bed shown in FIG. 1 and (2) several TWIN-BED ITEMS (relatively longer twin-bed slats, footboard caps, and headboard caps) can be combined with the SHARED ITEMS and then assembled by a caregiver in the field to establish the twin-bed mode of the bed shown in FIG. 2 and showing that an illustrative variable-width headboard includes an E-shaped (movable) headboard segment and a Pi-shaped movable headboard segment configured to interlock with and move relative to the E-shaped movable headboard segment as suggested in FIGS. 4A-B and also showing that an illustrative variable-width footboard includes a C-shaped movable footboard segment and a T-shaped movable footboard segment configured to interlock with and move relative to the C-shaped movable footboard segment as suggested in FIGS. 5A-B;

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective assembly view showing top and bottom headboard caps (included in the TODDLER-BED ITEMS shown in FIG. 3) before they are mounted to lock the E-shaped and Pi-shaped movable headboard segments to one another to establish a narrow-width headboard suitable for use in the toddler-bed mode of the convertible bed as shown, for example, in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective assembly view showing relatively longer top and bottom headboard caps (included in the TWIN-BED ITEMS shown in FIG. 3) before they are mounted to lock the E-shaped and Pi-shaped movable headboard segments to one another to establish a wide-width headboard suitable for use in the twin-bed mode of the convertible bed as shown, for example, in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective assembly view showing top and bottom footboard caps (included in the TODDLER-BED ITEMS shown in FIG. 3) before they are mounted to lock the C-shaped and T-shaped movable footboard segments to one another to establish a narrow-width footboard suitable for use in the toddler-bed mode of the convertible bed as shown, for example, in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5B is an exploded perspective assembly view showing relatively longer top and bottom footboard caps (included in the TWIN-BED ITEMS shown in FIG. 3) before they are mounted to lock the C-shaped and T-shaped movable footboard segments to one another to establish a wide-width footboard suitable for use in the twin-bed mode of the convertible bed as shown, for example, in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6A-B are perspective views of the convertible bed in the toddler-bed mode suggested in FIG. 1 from a front higher perspective and, a front lower perspective respectively;

FIGS. 7A-B are perspective views of the convertible bed in the twin-bed mode suggested in FIG. 2 from a front higher perspective and, a front lower perspective respectively;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a toddler mattress supported on a convertible bed in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure that has been configured to assume a toddler-bed mode, and showing that the convertible bed includes a variable-width headboard and a variable-width footboard each having a number of horizontally movable vertical members held in spaced-apart relation to one another by relatively shorter toddler-bed caps, which movable vertical members can be moved relative to one another by a caregiver in the field as suggested in FIG. 9 to widen the headboard and footboard respectively to establish a twin-bed mode of the convertible bed;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the convertible bed of FIG. 8 after the convertible bed has been reconfigured by a caregiver in the field to assume a widened and lengthened twin-bed mode, and showing that a twin-bed mattress is supported on the convertible bed and suggesting that each of the headboard and footboard has a number of movable vertical members that are held in spaced-apart relation to one another by relatively longer twin-bed caps to establish the twin-bed mode; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a convertible bed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure that has been configured to assume a toddler-bed mode (on the right-hand side) and showing that the convertible bed includes a variable-width headboard and a variable-width footboard each having a number of horizontally movable vertical members in short spaced-apart relation to one another, which movable vertical members can be moved relative to one another by a caregiver in the field as suggested on the left-hand side to a widen the headboard and footboard respectively to establish a twin-bed mode of the convertible bed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to the present disclosure, a convertible bed 10 in accordance with a first embodiment can be configured in the field by a caregiver to assume either a toddler-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 1) or a twin-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 2). A convertible bed kit 45 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 3. Kit 45 comprises a collection of components 49 such as, for example, SHARED ITEMS 58 that are used to form part of bed 10 whether bed 10 is in toddler-bed mode or twin-bed mode, TODDLER-BED ITEMS 54 that are used only in toddler-bed mode of bed 10, and TWIN-BED ITEMS 56 that are used only in twin-bed mode of bed 10. A convertible bed 210 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, for example, in FIGS. 8 and 9. A convertible bed 310 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, for example, in FIG. 10.

A convertible bed 10 that has been configured to assume a toddler-bed mode in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. The convertible bed 10 that has been configured to assume the toddler-bed mode as shown in FIG. 1 can be widened and lengthened in the field by a caregiver to assume a twin-bed mode shown in FIG. 2 at the option of the caregiver. Convertible bed 10 includes a variable-width headboard 12, variable-length side walls 14, 16, a variable-width mid-section 18, a variable-width footboard 20, and a bed lock system 50 as suggested in FIGS. 1-3.

Variable-width portions of convertible bed 10 include variable-width headboard 12, mid-section 18, and footboard 20 as suggested in FIG. 1. Each of these variable-width portions 12, 18, 20 include segments which can be moved by a caregiver in the field to change each variable-width portion 12, 18, 20 between a narrow width for use in a toddler-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 1) and a wide width for use in a twin-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 2).

Variable-length portions of the convertible bed 10 include variable-length side walls 14, 16 as suggested in FIG. 1. Each of these variable-length portions 14, 16 include rails 46, 48 which can be moved by a caregiver in the field to change each side wall 14, 16 between a short length for use in a toddler-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 1) and a long length suitable for use in a twin-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 2).

In order to configure the convertible bed 10 to assume a desired mode, a caregiver unlocks bed locks 50, expands or contracts variable-width portions 12, 18, and 20 of convertible bed 10 between narrowed and widened configurations, and expands or contracts variable-length portions 14, 16 of convertible bed 10 between shortened and lengthened configurations. Next the caregiver combines TODDLER-BED ITEMS 54 or TWIN-BED ITEMS 56 with SHARED ITEMS 58 and then locks bed locks 50. By changing the configuration of convertible bed 10 between a toddler-bed mode and a twin-bed mode, the convertible bed 10 can be adapted in the field by a caregiver to accommodate different mattress sizes.

Variable-width headboard 12, mid-section 18, and footboard 20 can be varied in width in the field by a caregiver to change the width of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2. Variable-length side walls 14, 16 can by varied in length in the field by a caregiver to change the length of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Variable-width headboard 12 of convertible bed 10 includes a first movable headboard segment 22 and a second movable headboard segment 24 as suggested in FIGS. 1-3 and 4A-B. First movable headboard segment 22 is configured to interlock and move relative to second movable headboard segment 24 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-B. Toddler-bed headboard caps 26, 28 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable headboard segments 22, 24 as suggested in FIG. 4A to lock movable headboard segments 22, 24 relative to one another to establish a narrow-width headboard 12N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 1. Twin-bed headboard caps 30, 32 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable headboard segments 22, 24 as suggested in FIG. 4B to lock movable headboard segments 22, 24 relative to one another to establish a wide-width headboard 12W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 2.

Variable-width footboard 20 of convertible bed 10 includes a first movable footboard segment 34 and a second movable footboard segment 36 as suggested in FIGS. 1-3 and 5A-B. First movable footboard segment 34 is configured to interlock and move relative to second movable footboard segment 36 as suggested in FIGS. 5A-B. Toddler-bed footboard caps 38, 40 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable footboard segments 34, 36 as suggested in FIG. 5A to lock movable footboard segments 34, 36 relative to one another to establish a narrow-width footboard 20N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 1. Twin-bed footboard caps 42, 44 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable footboard segments 34, 36 as suggested in FIG. 5B to lock movable footboard segments 34, 36 relative to one another to establish a wide-width footboard 20W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 2.

Each of first side wall 14 and second side wall 16 is connected to headboard 12 and footboard 20 as suggested in FIGS. 1-3. First and second rails 46, 48 of each of first side wall 14 and second side wall 16 can be arranged in the field by a caregiver to establish a shortened length of each of the side walls 14, 16 suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of the convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 1. First and second rails 46, 48 of each of first side wall 14 and second side wall 16 can be arranged in the field by a caregiver to establish lengthened length of each of side of walls 14, 16 suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of the convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 2.

First side wall 14 includes a first rail 46 and a second rail 48 as suggested in FIG. 2. A side-wall lock 52 is associated with first side wall 14. First rail 46 of first side wall 14 is configured to engage and move relative to second rail 48 of first side wall 14 to vary (i.e. increase) the length of first side wall 14 during a change of convertible bed 10 from toddler-bed mode shown in FIG. 1 to twin-bed mode shown in FIG. 2.

Second side wall 16 includes a first rail 46 and a second rail 48 as suggested in FIG. 2. A side-wall lock 53 is associated with second side wall 16. First rail 46 of second side wall 16 is configured to engage and move relative to second rail 48 of the second side wall 16 to vary (i.e. increase) the length of second side wall 16 also during a change of convertible bed 10 from toddler-bed mode shown in FIG. 1 to twin-bed mode shown in FIG. 2.

Bed locks 50 include first and second side-wall locks 52, 53, a mid-section lock 54, a headboard segment-motion lock 55, and a footboard segment-motion lock 57 as suggested diagrammatically in FIG. 2. It is within the scope of this disclosure to use any suitable locking mechanism to create locks 52, 53, 54, 55, and 57.

First side-wall lock 52 is positioned on first side wall 14 as suggested in FIG. 2 and is configured to lock first and second rails 46, 48 of side wall 14 to block relative movement of those first and second side rails 46, 48. Second side-wall lock 53 is positioned on second side wall 16 as suggested in FIG. 2 and is configured to lock first and second side rails 46, 48 of second side wall 16 to block relative movement of those first and second side rails 46, 48. Side-wall locks 52, 53 can be locked in the field by a caregiver to lock the companion first and second rails 46, 48 to one another to establish a fixed length of the side walls 14, 16.

Headboard segment-motion lock 55 includes toddler-bed headboard caps 26, 28, and twin-bed headboard caps 30, 32 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-B. Toddler-bed headboard caps 26, 28 can be mounted in the field by a caregiver to movable headboard segments 22, 24 of headboard 12 to lock the movable headboard segments 22, 24 in stationary positions relative to each other to establish a narrow-width headboard 12N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 1. Alternatively, twin-bed headboard caps 30, 32 can be mounted in the field by a caregiver to movable headboard segments 22, 24 of headboard 12 to lock the movable headboard segments 22, 24 in stationary positions relative to each other to establish a wide-width headboard 12W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 2.

Footboard segment-motion lock 57 includes toddler-bed footboard caps 38, 40, and twin-bed footboard caps 42, 44 as suggested in FIGS. 5A-B. Toddler-bed footboard caps 38, 40 can be mounted in the field by a caregiver to movable footboard segments 34, 36 of footboard 20 to lock the movable footboard segments 34, 36 in stationary positions relative to each other to establish a narrow-width footboard 20N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 1. Alternatively, twin-bed footboard caps 42, 44 can be mounted in the field by a caregiver to movable footboard segments 34, 36 of footboard 20 to lock the movable footboard segments 34, 36 in stationary positions relative to each other to establish a wide-width footboard 20W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 2.

Components 49 cooperate in accordance with the present disclosure to provide a convertible bed kit 45 as suggested in FIG. 3. Components 49 include several TODDLER-BED ITEMS 54, TWIN-BED ITEMS 56, and SHARED ITEMS 58. TODDLER-BED ITEMS 54 include relatively short toddler-bed slats 62, toddler-bed headboard caps 26, 28, and toddler-bed footboard caps 30, 32. TWIN-BED ITEMS 56 include relatively long twin-bed slats 64, straps A₁ and A₂ for slats 64, side rails B₁ and B₂ for supporting the wider twin-bed slats 64, twin-bed headboard caps 38, 40, and twin-bed footboard caps 42, 44. Twin-bed slats 64 are attached to the straps A₁, A₂ in spaced-apart relation from each other to maintain a position and orientation of the slats 64 relative to each other. Side rails B₁ and B₂ illustratively support the twin bed slats 64 near the footboard 20 in the twin-bed mode as suggested in FIG. 7B. SHARED ITEMS 58 include variable-width headboard 12, variable-length side walls 14, 16, variable-width mid-section 18, and variable-width footboard 20.

TODDLER-BED ITEMS 54 can be combined with SHARED ITEMS 58 and then assembled in the field by a caregiver to establish a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 1. TWIN-BED ITEMS 56 can be combined with SHARED ITEMS 58 and then assembled in the field by a caregiver to establish a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 2.

To change convertible bed 10 from an existing mode into a desired one of the toddler-bed mode or twin-bed mode in accordance with the present disclosure, a caregiver unlocks first and second side-wall locks 52, 53, mid-section lock 54, headboard segment-motion lock 55, and footboard segment-motion lock 57. The caregiver moves the companion rails 46, 48 of each of side walls 14, 16 relative to each other to establish a length of side walls 14, 16 and width between side walls 14, 16 suitable for use in the desired bed mode. The caregiver unlocks headboard and footboard segment-motion locks 55, 57 by removing fasteners 72, 74 and headboard and footboard caps of the previous bed mode. The caregiver arranges movable headboard segments 22, 24 of headboard 12 and movable footboard segments 34, 36 of footboard 20 to establish a width suitable for use in the desired bed mode. The caregiver then selects the TODDLER-BED or TWIN-BED ITEMS 54, 56 associated with the desired bed mode (including the associated slats, headboard caps, and footboard caps) from the kit 45. The caregiver fastens the selected headboard caps and footboard caps with fasteners 72, 74 to the movable segments of the respective headboard 12 and footboard 20 to lock the established width of the respective headboard 12 and footboard 20 to a width of the respective headboard 12 and footboard 20 suitable for use in the desired bed mode of convertible bed 10. The caregiver locks mid-section lock 54 to lock the established width of mid-section 18 to a width suitable for use in the desired bed mode of convertible bed 10. The caregiver locks first and second side-wall locks 52, 53 to lock the established length of side walls 14, 16 to a length suitable for use in the desired bed mode of convertible bed 10. The caregiver mounts the slats associated with the desired bed mode between the side walls 14, 16. Convertible bed 10 can be re-configured by a caregiver in the field to assume the previous bed mode of the convertible bed 10 in a similar manner while using the dimensions suitable for use with the previous bed mode and the items associated with the previous bed mode.

To configure headboard 12 in the field to be suitable for use in a desired one of a toddler-bed mode or a twin-bed mode, a caregiver unlocks the headboard segment-motion lock 55 and positions first and second movable headboard segments 22, 24 relative to each other to establish a width of headboard 12 suitable for use in the desired bed mode. The caregiver selects and attaches the headboard caps associated with the desired bed mode with fasteners 72, 74 to the movable headboard segments 22, 24 to lock the relative position of the first and second movable headboard segments 22, 24 to the established width of headboard 12.

First movable headboard segment 22 of variable-width headboard 12 is shown in FIGS. 1-4B and 6A-B. In illustrative embodiments, first movable headboard segment 22 includes a vertical member 66 and a number of fingers 68 extending horizontally from a side of vertical member 66 for interlocking engagement with second movable headboard segment 24 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-4B. A leg 78 is illustratively attached to a side of vertical member 66 of first movable headboard segment 22 opposite fingers 68 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-B.

Second movable headboard segment 24 of variable-width headboard 12 is illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-4B and 6A-B. In illustrative embodiments, second movable headboard segment 24 includes a vertical member 66 and a number of fingers 68 extending horizontally from a side of vertical member 66 for interlocking engagement with first movable headboard segment 22 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-4B. A leg 78 is illustratively attached to a side of vertical member 66 of second movable headboard segment 24 opposite fingers 68 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-B.

In illustrative embodiments, first movable headboard segment 22 of variable-width headboard 12 is an E-shaped member having three fingers 68 and second movable headboard segment 24 is a Pi-shaped member having two fingers 68, as suggested in FIGS. 4A-B. First and second movable headboard segments 22, 24 of headboard 12 are arranged in slidable-interlocking engagement with each other to permit configuration of the variable-width headboard 12 to have a narrow width w (suggested in FIGS. 1, 4A and 6A) or a wide width W (suggested in FIGS. 2, 4B and 7A) suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode or a twin-bed mode, respectively, of the convertible bed 10.

In illustrative embodiments, movable headboard segments 22, 24 of the headboard 12 are configured such that when arranged with each other to configure headboard 12 to have a narrow width w, fingers 68 of each movable headboard segment 22, 24 abut vertical member 66 of the other movable headboard segment 22, 24 as suggested in FIG. 4A. In some embodiments, movable headboard segments 22, 24 are configured such that when arranged with each other to configure headboard 12 to have a wide width W, fingers 68 of each movable segment 22, 24 are in a spaced-apart relation with vertical member 66 of the other movable headboard segment 22, 24 as suggested in FIG. 4B. In some embodiments, movable headboard segments 22, 24 of the headboard 12 may have any shape and or any number of fingers suitable for slidable-interlocking engagement with each other. In illustrative embodiments, movable headboard segments 22, 24 are locked in position relative to each other by headboard caps 26, 28 or by headboard caps 30, 32 to establish a length of headboard 12.

Toddler-bed headboard caps 26, 28 are suggested in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4A. Twin-bed headboard caps 30, 32 are suggested in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4B.

Top toddler-bed headboard cap 26 includes a strip 70 and fasteners 72, 74 as suggested in FIG. 4A. Strip 70 is configured for attachment to a top side of movable headboard segments 22, 24 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable headboard segments 22, 24 relative to each other to determine the width of headboard 12 to establish a narrow-width headboard 12N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 4A.

Bottom toddler-bed headboard cap 28 includes a strip 71 and fasteners 72, 74 as suggested in FIG. 4A. Strip 70 is configured for attachment to a bottom side of movable headboard segments 22, 24 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable headboard segments 22, 24 in stationary positions relative to each other to determine the width of headboard 12 to establish a narrow-width headboard 12N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 4A.

Top twin-bed headboard cap 30 includes a strip 170 and fasteners 72, 74 as suggested in FIG. 5A. Strip 170 is configured for attachment to a top side of movable headboard segments 34, 36 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable headboard segments 34, 36 relative to each other to determine the width of headboard 12 to establish a wide-width headboard 12W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 4B.

Bottom twin-bed headboard cap 32 includes another strip 171 configured for attachment to a bottom side of movable headboard segments 34, 36 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable headboard segments 34, 36 in stationary positions relative to each other to determine the width of headboard 12 to establish a wide-width headboard 12W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 5A.

In illustrative embodiments, toddler-bed top headboard strips 70 have a length corresponding to the width of a top side of narrow-width headboard 12N and toddler-bed bottom headboard strips 70 have a length corresponding to the width of a bottom side of the narrow-width headboard 12N less the width of each of legs 78 as suggested in FIG. 4A. In illustrative embodiments, twin-bed top headboard strips 170 have a length corresponding to a width of a top side of wide-width headboard 12W and twin-bed bottom headboard strips 171 have a length corresponding to a width of a bottom side of wide-width headboard 12W less the width of each of legs 78 as suggested in FIG. 4A.

To configure footboard 20 in the field to be suitable for use in a desired one of a toddler-bed mode or a twin-bed mode, a caregiver unlocks the footboard segment-motion lock 57 and positions first and second movable footboard segments 34, 36 relative to each other to establish a width of footboard 20 suitable for use in the desired bed mode. The caregiver selects and attaches the footboard caps associated with the desired bed mode with fasteners 72, 74 to the footboard movable footboard segments 34, 36 to lock the relative position of the first and second movable footboard segments 34, 36 in the established width of footboard 20.

First movable footboard segment 34 of variable-width footboard 20 is illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-3, 5A-B and 6A-B. First movable footboard segment 34 of footboard 20 includes a vertical member 66 and a number of fingers 68 extending horizontally from a side of vertical member 66 for interlocking engagement with second movable footboard segment 36 of footboard 20 as suggested in FIGS. 5A-B. A leg 78 is attached to a side of vertical member 66 of first movable footboard segment 34 opposite fingers 68 as suggested in FIGS. 5A-B.

Second movable footboard segment 36 of variable-width footboard 20 is illustratively shown in FIGS. 1-4B and 6A-B. Second movable footboard segment 36 of footboard 20 includes a vertical member 66 and a finger 68 extending horizontally from a side of vertical member 66 for interlocking engagement with first movable footboard segment 34 of footboard 20 as suggested in FIGS. 5A-B. A leg 78 is attached to a side of vertical member 66 of second movable footboard segment 36 opposite fingers 68 as suggested in FIGS. 5A-B.

In illustrative embodiments, first movable footboard segment 34 of footboard 20 is a C-shaped movable footboard segment having two fingers 68 and second movable footboard segment 36 is a T-shaped movable footboard segment having one finger 68, as suggested in FIGS. 4A-B. First and second movable footboard segments 34, 36 of footboard 20 are arranged in slidable-interlocking engagement with each other to permit configuration of the variable-width footboard 20 to have a narrow width w (suggested in FIGS. 1, 5A, 6A) or a wide width W (suggested in FIGS. 2, 5B, 7A) suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode or a twin-bed mode, respectively, of the convertible bed 10. In illustrative embodiments, movable footboard segments 34, 36 of footboard 20 are configured such that when arranged with each other to configure footboard 20 to have a narrow width w, fingers 68 of each movable footboard segment 34, 36 abut vertical member 66 of the other movable footboard segment 34, 36 as suggested in FIG. 5A. In illustrative embodiments, movable footboard segments 34, 36 of the footboard 20 are configured such that when arranged with each other to configure footboard 20 to have a wide width W, fingers 68 of each movable footboard segment 34, 36 are in a spaced-apart relation with vertical member 66 of the other movable footboard segment 34, 36 as suggested in FIG. 5B. In some embodiments, movable footboard segments 34, 36 of footboard 20 may have any suitable shape and or any suitable number of fingers suitable for slidable-interlocking engagement with each other. In illustrative embodiments, movable footboard segments 34, 36 are locked in position relative to each other by footboard caps 38, 40 or by footboard caps 42, 44 to establish a length of footboard 20.

Toddler-bed footboard caps 38, 40 are suggested in FIGS. 1-3 and 5A. Twin-bed footboard caps 42, 44 are suggested in FIGS. 1-3 and 5B.

Top toddler-bed footboard cap 38 includes a strip 170 and fasteners 72, 74 as suggested in FIG. 5A. Strip 170 is configured for attachment to a top side of movable footboard segments 34, 36 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable footboard segments 34, 36 in stationary positions relative to each other to determine the width of footboard 20 to establish a narrow-width footboard 20N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 5A.

Bottom twin-bed footboard cap 44 includes a strip 171 that is configured for attachment to a bottom side of movable footboard segments 34, 36 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable footboard segments 34, 36 in stationary positions relative to each other to determine the width of footboard 20 to establish a narrow-width footboard 20N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 5A.

Top twin-bed footboard cap 42 includes a strip 170 configured for attachment to a top side of movable footboard segments 34, 36 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable footboard segments 34, 36 in stationary positions relative to each other to determine the width of footboard 20 to establish a wide-width footboard 20W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 5B. Bottom footboard cap 44 of twin-bed footboard caps 42, 44 includes a strip 171 and more fasteners 72, 74 as suggested in FIG. 5B. Strip 171 is configured for attachment to a bottom side of movable segments 34, 36 by fasteners 72, 74 to lock movable footboard segments 34, 36 in stationary positions relative to each other to determine the width of footboard 20 to establish a wide-width footboard 20W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 5B.

In illustrative embodiments, toddler-bed top footboard strips 70 have a length corresponding to the width of a top side of narrow-width footboard 20N and toddler-bed bottom footboard strips 71 have a length corresponding to the width of a bottom side of the narrow-width footboard 20N less the width of each of legs 78 as suggested in FIG. 5A. In illustrative embodiments, twin-bed footboard strips 170 have a length corresponding to a width of a top side of wide-width footboard 20W and twin-bed footboard strips 171 have a length corresponding to a width of a bottom side of wide-width footboard 20W less the width of each of legs 78 as suggested in FIG. 5B.

Fastener's 72, 74 include a number of short fasteners 72 and a number of long fasteners 74 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-5B. Short fasteners 72 are configured to extend from an outer surface of a respective cap and into one of movable segments 22, 24, 34, 36 for attachment of a strip 70, 71, 170, or 171 thereto. Long fasteners 74 are configured to extend from an outer surface of a respective cap through finger 68 of one of movable segments 22, 24, 34, 36 of one of the headboard 12 or footboard 20 and into finger 68 of another movable segment 22, 24, 34, 36 of the same one of the headboard 12 or footboard 20 as suggested in FIGS. 4A-5B. In some embodiments, headboard caps 26, 28, 30, 32 may include any suitable number and/or length of fasteners 72, 74 suitable for attaching strips 70, 71, 170, or 171 to the movable segments 22, 24, 34, 36 to lock the relative positions of the respective headboard 12 and footboard 20.

To configure one of side walls 14, 16 in the field to be suitable for use in a desired one of a toddler-bed mode or a twin-bed mode, a caregiver unlocks the side-wall lock 52 of first side wall 14 and positions first and second rails 46, 48 of first side wall 14 relative to each other to establish a length suitable for use in the desired bed mode. The caregiver then locks the first side-wall lock 52 of first side wall 14 lock the relative position of the first and second rails 46, 48 of the first side wall 14 to the established length of the first side wall 14. The caregiver configures the second side wall 16 in a similar manner.

First rail 46 of first side wall 14 has a first end that is configured to connect with headboard 12 and a second end that is configured to engage with second rail 48 of first side wall 14 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2. Second rail 48 of first side wall 14 has a first end configured to engage with first rail 46 of the first side wall 14 and a second end that is configured to connect with footboard 20 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2.

First rail 46 of second side wall 16 has a first end that is configured to connect with headboard 12 and a second end that is configured to engage with second rail 48 of second side wall 16 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2. Second rail 48 of second side wall 16 has a first end configured to engage with first rail 46 of the second side wall 16 and a second end that is configured to connect with footboard 20 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2.

First rail 46 of each of the side walls 14,16 is illustratively arranged to overlap and connect with second rail 48 of the same side wall 14, 16 for use in the convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 6B and 7B. Each second rail 48 has a leg 82 attached to an end 80 thereof positioned away from footboard 20. Variable-width mid-section 18 is connected to each of legs 82 as suggested in FIGS. 6B and 7B.

In illustrative embodiments, variable-width mid-section 18 includes a number of short mid-section segments 84 and a long mid-section segment 86 as shown in FIGS. 3, 6B, and 7B. Each of short mid-section segments 84 is configured on one end to attach to leg 82 of second rail 48 of different ones of side walls 14, 16 and to attach to long mid-section segment 86 on the other end. Short mid-section segments 84 can be arranged and assembled with the long mid-section segment 86 by a caregiver in the field to place the position of the short mid-section segments 84 relative to the long mid-section segment 86 to establish a narrow-width mid-section 18N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 6B. Short mid-section segments 84 can be arranged and assembled with the long mid-section segment 86 by a caregiver in the field to place the position of the short mid-section segments 84 relative to the long mid-section segment 86 to establish a wide-width mid-section 18W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 7B. A mid-section lock 54 is associated with mid-section 18 and is configured to lock the arrangement of the mid-section segments 84, 86 relative to each other as suggested diagrammatically in FIGS. 2, 6B, and 7B.

In illustrative embodiments, long mid-section segment 86 is arranged to greatly overlap with short mid-section segments 84 to define a length suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 6B. In illustrative embodiments, short mid-section segments 84 are sized to together define a length suitable for use in the toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 when arranged such that an inner-end surface 96 of one short mid-section segment 84 are in short spaced-apart arrangement, which may include an abutting relation, with an inner-end surface 96 of the other short mid-section segments 84 suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10.

In illustrative embodiments, long mid-section segment 86 includes holes 88 positioned on one end thereof as suggested in FIGS. 68 and 7B. Segment 86 is formed to include one innermost hole 88, one central hole 88, and one outermost hole 88, positioned in a spaced-apart relation as suggested in FIG. 6B. Long mid-section segment 86 illustratively includes, on the other end, holes 90. Segment 86 is formed to include one innermost hole 90, one central hole 90, and one outermost hole 90, positioned in a spaced-apart relation as suggested in FIG. 6B. Holes 88, 90 are illustratively positioned symmetrically along the length of long mid-section segment 86 with innermost holes 88 and 90 being adjacent to each other and having shorter spaced-apart relation than other adjacent ones of holes 88, 90 as shown in FIG. 6B. Holes 88 are illustratively arranged for attachment to one of short mid-section segments 84 and holes 90 are illustratively arranged for attachment to another one of short mid-section segments 84 as suggested in FIG. 6B.

One of the short mid-section segments 84 illustratively includes two end holes 92, and one central hole 92 as suggested in FIG. 3, positioned for selectable alignment with holes 88 of the long mid-section segment 86. The other one of the short mid-section segments 84 illustratively includes two end holes 92, and one central hole 92 as suggested in FIG. 3, positioned for selectable alignment with holes 90 of the long mid-section segment 86. A fastener 94 illustratively extends through at least two of the aligned holes 88 and 92 and through at least two of the aligned holes 90 and 92 to fix the position of the mid-section segments 84, 86 relative to each other into first and second arrangements of the mid-section 18 as suggested in FIGS. 6B and 7B.

Illustratively, in the first arrangement of the mid-section 18, short mid-section segments 84 along the majority of their lengths overlap with long mid-section segment 86 to establish a narrow-width mid-section 18N suitable for use in the toddler bed mode as suggested in FIG. 6B. Inner-end surfaces 96 of short mid-section segments 84 are illustratively arranged in short spaced-apart relation with each other (which may include abutting relation) to define a narrow length to establish a narrow-width mid-section 18N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 6B. In the first arrangement, one end hole 92 of one of the short mid-section segments 84 aligns with the outermost hole 88 of the long mid-section segment 84 and the other end hole of the same short mid-section segment 84 aligns with the innermost hole 88 of the long mid-section segment as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 6B. In the first arrangement, one end hole 92 of the other short mid-section segment 84 aligns with the outermost hole 90 of the long mid-section segment 86 and the other end hole 92 of the same other short mid-section segment 84 aligns with the innermost hole 90 of the long mid-section segment 86. In the first arrangement, such alignment of the holes 92 with the holes 88, 90 thus defines a narrow length to establish a narrow-width mid-section 18N suitable for use in the toddler-bed mode as suggested in FIG. 6B.

Illustratively, in the second arrangement of the mid-section 18, short mid-section segments 84 along only a portion of their lengths overlap with long mid-section segment 86 to establish a wide-width mid-section 18W suitable for use in the toddler-bed mode as suggested in FIG. 7B. Inner-end surfaces 96 of short mid-section segments 84 are illustratively arranged in longer spaced-apart relation with each other to define a wide length to establish a wide-width mid-section 18W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIG. 7B. In the second arrangement, one end hole 92 one of the short mid-section segments 84 aligns with the central hole 88 of the long mid-section segment 86 and the central hole 92 of the same short mid-section segment 84 aligns with the outermost hole 88 of the long mid-section segment as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 7B. In the second arrangement, one end hole 92 of the other short mid-section segment 84 aligns with the central hole 90 of the long mid-section segment 86 and the central hole 92 of the same other mid-section segment aligns with the outermost hole 90 of the long mid-section segment 86 as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 7B. In the second arrangement, such alignment of the holes 92 with the holes 88, 90 thus defines a wide length to establish a wide-width mid-section 18W suitable for use in the twin-bed mode as suggested in FIG. 7B.

Convertible bed 10 includes a head unit 98 comprising headboard 12 and first rails 46, and a foot unit 100 comprising footboard 20, second rails 48, and mid-section 18 as suggested in FIG. 2. Head unit 98 is configured to engage and move relative to foot unit 100 to establish a length of convertible bed 10. Side-wall locks 52, 53 cooperate to lock a position of head unit 98 relative to foot unit 100 to lock an established length of convertible bed 10. A caregiver can unlock side-wall locks 52, 53 and move one of the head unit 98 and foot unit 100 relative to the other to establish either of a short length or a lengthened length of the combined units 98, 100, and lock the side-wall locks 52, 53 to lock an established length of the combined units 98, 100 to lock a length of the convertible bed 10 suitable for use in the toddler-bed mode or twin-bed mode, respectively, as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 2.

A convertible bed 210 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured in the field by a caregiver to assume a toddler-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 10) or a twin-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 11). In order to configure the convertible bed 210 in a desired mode, a caregiver unlocks bed locks 250, moves variable-width portions of the convertible bed 210 between narrowed and widened configurations, moves variable-length portions of convertible bed 210 between shortened and lengthened configurations, combines bed mode-specific parts with common parts, and locks bed locks 250. By changing the configuration of convertible bed 210 between a toddler-bed mode and a twin-bed mode the convertible bed 210 can accommodate different mattress sizes.

Variable-width portions of convertible bed 210 include variable-width headboard 212, mid-section 18, and footboard 220 that each include segments which can be moved by a caregiver in the field to configure each variable-width portion between a narrow-width for use in a toddler-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 8) and a wide-width for use in a twin-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 9). Variable-length portions of the convertible bed 210 include variable-length side walls 14, 16 that each include rails which can be moved by a caregiver in the field to configure side wall 14, 16 between a short-length for use in a toddler-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 8) and a long-length suitable for use in a twin-bed mode (as suggested in FIG. 9).

A convertible bed 210 that has been configured to assume a toddler-bed mode in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 8. Convertible bed 210 as shown in FIG. 8 can be widened and lengthened in the field by a caregiver to assume a twin-bed mode shown in FIG. 9. Convertible bed 210 includes a variable-width headboard 212, variable-length sidewalls 14, 16, a variable-width mid-section 18, and a variable-width footboard 220 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Variable-width headboard 212, mid-section 18, and footboard 220 can be varied in width in the field by a caregiver to change the width of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. Variable-length side walls 14, 16 can by varied in length in the field by a caregiver to change the length of convertible bed 10 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Variable-width headboard 212 of convertible bed 210 includes a number of movable headboard segments 266 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. Movable headboard segments 266 are configured to move relative to each other as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. Toddler-bed headboard bars 268, 270 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable headboard segments 266 to lock movable headboard segments 266 relative to one another to establish a narrow-width 212N headboard suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 8. Twin-bed headboard bars 272, 274 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable headboard segments 266 to lock movable headboard segments 266 relative to one another to establish a wide-width headboard 212W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 9.

In illustrative embodiments, movable headboard segments 266 of headboard 212 of convertible bed 210 are arranged to abut adjacent movable headboard segments 266 to establish a narrow-width headboard 212N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 8. In illustrative embodiments, movable headboard segments 266 of headboard 212 of convertible bed 210 are arranged in spaced-apart relation from adjacent movable headboard segments 266 to establish a wide-width headboard 212W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 9.

Variable-width footboard 220 of convertible bed 210 includes a number of movable footboard segments 276 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. Movable footboard segments 276 of the footboard 220 are configured to move relative to each other as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. Toddler-bed footboard bars 278, 280 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable segments 276 to lock movable footboard segments 276 relative to one another to establish a narrow-width footboard 220N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 8. Twin-bed footboard bars 282, 284 can be mounted by a caregiver in the field to movable footboard segments 276 to lock movable footboard segments 276 relative to one another to establish a wide-width footboard 220W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 9.

In illustrative embodiments, movable footboard segments 276 of footboard 220 of convertible bed 210 are arranged to abut adjacent movable footboard segments 276 to establish a narrow-width footboard 220N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 8. In illustrative embodiments, movable footboard segments 276 of footboard 220 of convertible bed 210 are arranged in spaced-apart relation from adjacent movable footboard segments 276 to establish a wide-width footboard 220W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 9.

Side walls 14, 16 are each connected to headboard 212 and footboard 220 and each include a first side wall 14 and a second side wall 16 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. First side wall 14 and second side wall 16 each includes a first rail 46 and a second rail 48, and a side wall lock 52. First rail 46 of first side wall 14 is configured to engage and move relative to second rail 48 of the first side wall 14 to vary the length of first side wall 14 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. First rail 46 of second side wall 16 is configured to engage and move relative to second rail 48 of the second side wall 16 to vary the length of second side wall 16 as suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. First and second rails 46, 48 of each of first side wall 14 and the second side wall 16 can be arranged in the field by a caregiver to establish shortened-length side walls 14, 16 suitable for use in suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 8. First and second rails 46, 48 of each of first side wall 14 and second side wall 16 can be arranged in the field by a caregiver to establish lengthened-length side walls 14, 16 suitable for use in suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of the convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 9.

Side wall-locks 52, 53, mid-section lock 54, and bars 268, 270, 272, 274, 278, 280, 282, 284 are included in convertible bed 210 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Side wall-locks 52 are configured to lock first and second rails 46, 48 of the same side wall relative to one another. Side wall-locks 52, 53 can be locked in the field by a caregiver to lock the first and second rails 46, 48 of the same side wall 14, 16 relative to one another to establish a length of the side walls 14, 16. Toddler-bed bars 268, 270, 278, 280 can be mounted in the field by a caregiver to their respective headboard 212 and footboard 220 to lock the width of headboard 212 and footboard 220 to establish a narrow-width headboard 212N and narrow-width footboard 220N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 8. Twin-bed bars 272, 274, 282, 284 can be mounted in the field by a caregiver to their respective headboard 212 and footboard 220 to lock the width of headboard 212 and footboard 220 to establish a wide-width headboard 212W and wide-width footboard 220W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 210 as suggested in FIG. 9.

A convertible bed 310 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured in the field by a caregiver to assume a toddler-bed mode (as suggested on the right-hand side of FIG. 10) or a twin-bed mode (as suggested on the left-hand side of FIG. 10). In order to configure the convertible bed 310 in a desired mode, a caregiver unlocks bed locks 350, moves variable-width portions of the convertible bed 310 between narrowed and widened configurations, moves variable-length portions of convertible bed 310 between shortened and lengthened configurations, combines bed mode-specific parts with common parts, and locks bed locks 350. By changing the configuration of convertible bed 310 between a toddler-bed mode and a twin-bed mode the convertible bed 310 can accommodate different mattress sizes.

Convertible bed 310 is substantially similar to the description of convertible bed 210 except in instances when it conflicts with the specific description and drawings of the convertible bed 310. Unlike the convertible bed 210, in the toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 310 (as suggested on the right-hand side of FIG. 10) the movable headboard segments 366 of movable headboard 312 are arranged in short spaced-apart relation (and not in abutting relation) to each other to establish a narrow-width headboard 312N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 310. The movable segments 366 can be configured in the field by a caregiver to assume wider spaced apart relation to each other to establish a wide-width headboard 312W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 310 as suggested on the left-hand side of FIG. 10.

Also unlike the convertible bed 210, in the toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 310 (as suggested on the right-hand side of FIG. 10) movable footboard segments 376 of movable footboard 320 are arranged in short spaced-apart relation (and not in abutting relation) to each other to establish a narrow-width footboard 320N suitable for use in a toddler-bed mode of convertible bed 310. The movable segments 366 can be configured in the field by a caregiver to assume wider spaced apart relation to each other to establish a wide-width footboard 312W suitable for use in a twin-bed mode of convertible bed 310 as suggested on the left-hand side of FIG. 10.

Claims

1. A convertible bed comprising

a mattress-support frame including a variable-width headboard having a narrow width in a first mode of the bed and a relatively wider width in an alternative second mode of the bed, a variable-width footboard having a narrow width in a first mode and a relatively wider width in the alternative second mode of the bed, a first and second variable-length side walls arranged to lie in laterally spaced-apart relation to one another, the first variable-length wide wall being arranged to interconnect companion first sides of the variable-width headboard and footboard and having a short length in the first mode of the bed and a relatively longer length in the alternative second mode of the bed, the second variable-length side wall being arranged to interconnect opposite companion first and second sides of the variable-width headboard and footboard, and having the short length in the first mode of the bed and the relatively longer length in the alternative second mode of the bed, and

releasable lock means for blocking variation in width of each of the variable-width headboard and variable-width footboard and blocking variation in length of each of the variable-length side walls in the first mode to provide the mattress-support frame with a small size to support a narrow and short first mattress and, alternatively, in the second mode to provide the mattress-support frame with a relatively larger size to support a relatively wider and longer second mattress.

2. The convertible bed of claim 1, wherein each short slat in a set of relatively short slats included in the convertible bed is arranged to interconnect the first and second variable-length side walls in the first mode of the bed to support the narrow and short first mattress on the mattress-support frame between the variable-width headboard and footboard and, alternatively, wherein each long slat in a set of relatively longer long slats is arranged to interconnect the first and second variable-length side walls in the second mode of the bed to support the relatively wider and longer second mattress on the mattress-support frame between the variable-width headboard and footboard.

3. The convertible bed of claim 1, wherein the variable-width headboard includes a first movable headboard segment and a second movable headboard segment that is mounted for movement relative to the first movable headboard segment when unlocked to vary the width of the variable-width headboard.

4. The convertible bed of claim 3, wherein the first movable headboard segment is E-shaped and the second movable headboard segment is Pi-shaped and arranged to engage the E-shaped first movable headboard segment in interlocking relation during relative movement therebetween between drawn-together and spread-apart positions.

5. The convertible bed of claim 4, wherein the releasable lock means comprises a headboard segment-motion lock including a relatively short headboard cap that is coupled to the first and second movable headboard segments in their drawn-together positions to establish a narrow-width headboard and a relatively longer long headboard cap that is coupled to the first and second movable headboard segments in their spread-apart positions to establish in wide-width headboard.

6. The convertible bed of claim 1, wherein the variable-width footboard includes a first movable footboard segment and a second movable footboard segment that is mounted for movement relative to the first movable footboard segment when unlocked to vary the width of the variable-width footboard.

7. The convertible bed of claim 6, wherein the first movable footboard segment is C-shaped and the second movable footboard segment is U-shaped and arranged to engage the C-shaped first movable footboard segment in interlocking relative during relation movement therebetween between drawn-together and spread-apart positions.

8. The convertible bed of claim 7, wherein the releasable lock means comprises a footboard segment-motion lock including a relatively short footboard cap that is coupled to the first and second movable footboard segments in their drawn-together positions to establish a narrow-width footboard and a relatively longer long footboard cap that is coupled to the first and second movable footboard segments in their spread-apart positions to establish in wide-width footboard.

9. The convertible bed of claim 1, further comprising a variable-width mid-section arranged to interconnect the variable-length side walls and lie between the variable-width headboard and footboard and wherein the variable-width mid-section has a short width in the first mode of the bed and a relatively wider width in the second mode of the bed.

10. The convertible bed of claim 9, wherein the variable-width section remains coupled to the variable-length side walls during a change in length of the variable-length side walls.

11. (Embodiment of FIGS. 10-8) The convertible bed of claim 1, wherein each of the variable-width headboard and footboard includes a plurality of vertically oriented movable segments arranged to be moved relative to one another to vary the width of said variable-width headboard and footboard.

12. A bed kit including components capable of being assembled in the field in one way to produce a mattress-support frame having a small size to support a narrow and short first mattress to provide a small bed and in another way to produce a mattress-support frame having a relatively larger size to support a relatively wider and longer second mattress to provide a large bed, the bed kit comprising

a variable-width headboard including interlocking and relatively movable first and second movable headboard segments, the second movable headboard segment being mounted for movement relative to the first movable headboard segment to expand or contract the width of the variable width headboard, a first bed leg coupled to the first movable headboard segment, and a second bed leg coupled to the second movable headboard segment,

a variable-width footboard including interlocking and relatively movable first and second movable footboard segments, the second movable footboard segment being mounted for movement relative to the first movable footboard segment to expand or contract the width of the variable-width footboard, a third bed leg coupled to the first movable footboard segment, and a fourth bed leg coupled to the second movable footboard segment,

a first variable-length side wall including a first rail associated with the headboard and a second rail associated with the footboard and mounted for movement relative to the companion first rail to expand or contract length of the first variable-length side wall,

a second variable-length side wall including a first rail associated with the headboard and a second rail associated with the footboard and mounted for movement relative to the companion first rail to expand or contract the length of the second variable-length side wall,

a headboard segment-motion lock comprising a short headboard cap configured to provide means for locking the first and second movable headboard segments of the variable-width headboard in a drawn-together first relative position to establish a narrow width of the variable-width headboard and a relatively longer long headboard cap configured to provide means for locking the first and second movable headboard segments of the variable-width headboard in a spread-apart second relative position to establish a relatively wider wide width of the variable-width headboard,

a footboard segment-motion lock comprising a short footboard cap configured to provide means for locking the first and second movable footboard segments of the variable-width footboard in a drawn-together first relative position to establish a narrow width of the variable-width footboard and a relatively longer long footboard cap configured to provide means for locking the first and second movable footboard segments of the variable-width footboard in a spread-apart second relative position to establish a relatively wider wide width of the variable-width footboard,

a first side-wall lock arranged to lock the first and second rails of the first variable-length side wall in a drawn-together first relative position to establish a short length of the first variable-length side wall and in a spread-apart second relative position to establish a relatively longer long length of the first variable-length side wall,

a second side-wall lock arranged to lock the first and second rails of the second variable-length side wall in a drawn-together first relative position to establish a short length of the second variable-length side wall and in a spread-apart second relative position to establish a relatively longer long length of the second variable-length side wall,

a set of relatively short slats, and

a set of relatively longer long slats,

wherein only short slats in the set of relatively short slats are arranged to interconnect opposing rails in the first and second variable-length side walls to establish a first mode of the bed when the narrow width is established for each of the variable-width headboard and footboard and the short length is established for each of the variable-length side walls, and

wherein only long slats in the set of relatively longer long slats are arranged to interconnect opposing rails in the first and second variable-length side walls to establish an alternate second mode of the bed when the relatively wider wide width is established for each of the variable-width headboard and footboard and the relatively longer long length is established for each of the variable-length side walls.

13. The bed kit of claim 12, wherein the narrow and short mattress is a toddler-bed mattress and relatively wider and longer second mattress is a twin-bed mattress.