BED FRAMES COVERS AND COVER ASSEMBLIES

Abstract

Bed frame covers and cover assemblies have structural panels and attachment fittings or fasteners for attachment to bed frame members, and additional components or materials in combination with the structural panels.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no applications related to this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is in the general field of home and hospitality furnishings, and sleep furnishings in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bed frames that are used to elevate and support conventional sleep sets of the western world—including a foundation or box spring underlying a mattress—are in the general form of orthogonally arranged frame members, including two longitudinal and parallel frame members configured to run along and underneath longitudinal edges of the foundation, and two or more cross members which extend between the longitudinal members and transversely across a width of the foundation. The longitudinal members are commonly formed of angle iron, for example in the form of L-angle steel rails with a horizontal flange for positioning under a side longitudinal edge of a foundation, and the corresponding vertical flange extending upward adjacent to and parallel with a longitudinal side of the foundation. The cross members may be L-shaped or T-shaped in cross section, with a flat horizontal upper surface for bearing against the underside of a foundation. Legs are attached to the frame, to either the longitudinal members or cross members or at the intersections thereof to elevate the frame.

The head ends of the longitudinal members are generally positioned at the head end of the sleep set and aligned with a head board if provided, and the length of the longitudinal members is conventionally five or six feet, and generally shorter than the length of the foundation positioned thereon. Therefore the sleep set extends over the bed frame at the foot end. Bed frames of this type are generally visible, particularly the vertical flange of the longitudinal members, which may be covered only by a bed spread of comforter which hangs over the sides of the mattress and foundation. In showrooms of sleep set and furniture retailers, the bed frames are fully exposed. Although the steel of the frames is finished and coated or painted, the appearance is utilitarian and non-aesthetic.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure and related inventions describe various embodiments of cover assemblies for bed frames which are both structural and aesthetic, and which provide a wide variety of bed frame cover assemblies. The bed frame cover assemblies are in preferred embodiments removably attached to longitudinal members of a bed frame. The bed frame cover assemblies include structural panels which support additional components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the bed frame with a bed frame cover assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a bed frame and bed frame cover assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an end view of a cap component of a bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a profile view of a bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the bed frame cover assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the bed frame cover assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective assembly view of a portion of a bed frame and bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the bed frame cover assembly of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of a bed frame and bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of a bed frame and bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure, and

FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of an alternate embodiment of a bed frame and bed frame cover assembly of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure and related inventions provides improved bed frames and bed frame cover assemblies, including structural bed frames in combination with frame covers and frame cover systems. As shown in the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 through 13, a bed frame, indicated generally at F in FIGS. 1 and 9, has longitudinal members L1 and L2 and interconnected and transversely disposed cross members C1 and C2. The frame F may be elevated and supported by one or more legs LG and casters CS attached to lower distal ends of the legs LG. The legs LG may be attached to the longitudinal members L1 and L2 or to the transverse member C1 and C2 or both.

Each longitudinal member L1 and L2 has a horizontal flange, L1H, L2H, and a vertical flange L1V, L2V. In general and as known in the art, the horizontal flanges L1H, L2H provide contact and support surfaces for the bottom edges of a sleep set, such as for example a box spring or foundation which underlies a mattress, and the vertical flanges L1V, L2V extend upward proximate to the longitudinal edges of the box spring or foundation.

A cover assembly, indicated generally at CA (also referred to herein as a “bed frame cover assembly” or “bed frame cover”), and shown in further detail in FIGS. 2 through 8 and FIGS. 10 through 13, is configured for attachment to each of the longitudinal frame members L1, L2, and in this particular embodiment to the vertical flanges L1V, L2V of each longitudinal frame member L1, L2. In an exemplary embodiment, a cover assembly CA includes a generally planar panel CA1, which has a profile or height dimension generally equal to or greater than a height dimension of the vertical flange L1V, L2V, and a length dimension equal to or greater than or less than a length dimension of the vertical flange L1V, L2V. A primary interior surface 10 of the cover assembly panel is configured to be positioned parallel to and immediately adjacent or proximate to the outer facing surface of each vertical flange L1V, L2V, as shown for example in FIG. 2, whereby the longitudinal member L1V is substantially or entirely covered by the cover assembly CA.

As shown in FIG. 3, one or more engagement structures 110 can be provided to extend from, or be integrally formed to extend from the interior side 10 of the cover panel CA1 for engagement with corresponding openings 111 in the vertical flanges L1V, L2V. The engagement structures 110 may be further secured with or otherwise fastened to the vertical flanges L1V, L2V by fasteners 112. This is one representative configuration for securing the cover assembly panel CA1 to the vertical flanges L1V, L2V. Other attachment mechanisms, structures, devices and configurations are possible, in particular at the interface of the interior side 10 of the cover assembly panel CA1 and the exterior side of the vertical flanges L1V, L2V. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a hook-and-loop material 120A such as Velcro may be applied to the interior side 10 of the cover assembly panel CA1 for corresponding alignment and attachment to mating grip material 120B applied to the exterior side of the vertical flanges L1V, L2V. By this arrangement the cover assembly panel CA1 can be held in position, and/or removably held and re-positionable, on and cover the vertical flanges L1V, L2V of the longitudinal members L1, L2.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an alternate embodiment in which a single engagement tab CA2, configured to engage with the vertical flange L1V, L2V and specifically to fit over a top edge of the flange L1V, L2V as illustrated, is integrally formed or otherwise attached to the interior side 10 of the cover assembly panel CA1. Other embodiments include clips which are fastened to the panel CA1 and configured for engagement with the vertical flanges L1V, L2V; and other fasteners which mechanically engage or attach the cover assembly panel CA1 to the longitudinal members L1, L2 in any suitable manner, including but not limited to adhesive, magnetic or mechanical bonding of the panel CA1 to the longitudinal members L1, L2 or to the vertical flanges L1V, L2V only or to the horizontal flanges L1H, L2H only; apertures in the vertical flanges L1V, L2V or to the horizontal flanges L1H, L2H to receive a fastening projection that extends from the panel CAL.

An exterior side 100 of the cover assembly panel CA1 can serve as the primary exposed surface of the bed frame cover assembly CA, or be configured to receive a cover panel insert, indicated as CAP, that fits over and substantially flush against the exterior side 100 of cover assembly panel CA1. The cover assembly panel CA1 may further include structural features such as projections CA3 for engaging and holding a cover panel insert CAP, and preferably holding the cover panel insert CAP in a removable manner, whereby the cover panel insert CAP can be quickly and easily installed with the cover assembly panel CA1 and removed and interchanged with a different insert CAP. In preferred embodiments, the cover panel insert CAP is a generally flexible thin sheet material that substantially covers the exterior side CAX of panel CAI, and made of any suitable material of any color, texture or with any other structural or aesthetic attributes and features. When made of flexible sheet material, such as in the form of an extrusion of plastic, the insert panel CAP may be flexed in different dimensions to facilitate engagement and dis-engagement with panel CA1. Also, the insert panel CAP can be dimensioned to bow slightly outward from the generally planar exterior surface CAX of panel CA1, for example with the upper and lower edges biased against the projection CA3. Alternatively or additionally, an edge structure or component, indicated as CAE and also referred to as a “cover assembly edge”, can be attached to or formed integrally with the cover panel CA1, to run along one or both edges of the panel CA1. The cover assembly edge CAE can fit over the insert panel CAP as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, or the edges of the insert panel CAP can butt against the edges CAE. Other edge structures and arrangements for edges of the cover assembly CA in general are contemplated.

As shown in FIGS. 4-7, cover assembly caps, indicated as CAC, can be provided on one or both ends of the panels CA1. The caps CAC are configured to attach to the panels CA1 and to extend over the ends of any insert panel CAP and any edge structure of component CAE. One embodiment of caps CAC is shown in FIGS. 4-7, and is generally planar and orthogonal to panel CA1 and insert panel CAP. A foot end section of the cover assembly CA could be provided between the distal ends of the opposing end caps CAC shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate additional alternate embodiments of the bed frame cover assemblies of the present disclosure and related inventions. These embodiments include a single-piece or monolithic bed frame cover, indicated generally at 200, including a main vertical panel 13, a top leg 12 which extends generally perpendicularly from the vertical panel 13, and an internal leg 11 which extends generally perpendicularly and downward from the top leg 12, and generally parallel to and spaced from the vertical panel 13. A gap or slot between the interior side of the vertical panel 13 and the internal leg 11 is dimensioned to receive a top edge of the vertical flange L1V, L2V, as illustrated, and is preferably approximately equal to or greater than a thickness dimension of the vertical flanges L1V, L2V. The bed frame covers 200 are thereby engaged or otherwise supported by or suspended from the bed frame longitudinal members L1, L2. As noted, the slot between the vertical panel 13 and the internal leg 11 is preferably closely dimensioned to a thickness of the vertical flange L1V, L2V in order to fit closely therewith. The internal leg 11 may be biased toward the vertical panel 13 to provide greater frictional grip of the cover assembly upon the bed frame.

Alternate embodiments of the bed frame cover 200 include, as shown in FIG. 11, a bottom leg 14 which extends generally perpendicularly from the vertical panel 13 at the bottom of the vertical flange L1V, L2v and beneath and closely adjacent to the horizontal flange L1H, L2H. In other words, an inside dimension from the top leg 12 to the bottom leg 14 is the same as or only slightly larger than a height dimension of the vertical flange L1V, L2V so that the cover 200 tightly fits on the exterior of the longitudinal member L1, L2 to cover the exterior of the vertical flange L1V, L2V. The exterior side and surface of the vertical panel 13 may carry additional material or materials, such as one or more decorative and/or protective layers or additional components for structural or decorative or protective purposes.

In another alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 12, friction fittings 15 are formed on the interior surfaces of the vertical panel 13 and the internal leg 11 as shown for frictional contact with the front and back sides of the vertical flange L1V and L2V. When made of material which has some flexibility, the frame cover 200 is frictionally engaged with the vertical flange L1V, L2V with the fittings 15 making primary contact.

The disclosure and related inventions thus provide various embodiments of cover assemblies for bad frames which are both structural and aesthetic, and which enable a wide variety of bed frame assemblies of unique construction. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Other features and aspects of this invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon reading and comprehending this disclosure. Such features, aspects, and expected variations and modifications of the reported results and examples are clearly within the scope of the invention where the invention is limited solely by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A bed frame cover assembly for attachment to a bed frame having first and second longitudinal parallel and spaced apart side members, first and second parallel and spaced apart transverse members arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal members, each of the transverse members extending between the first and second longitudinal members, the first and second longitudinal members having a horizontal flange and a vertical flange which extends upward from the horizontal flange, the first and second transverse members having at least one horizontal flange which is generally co-planar with the horizontal flanges of the longitudinal members;

at least four legs attached to the bed frame and extending downward in a direction opposite the vertical flanges of the longitudinal members, the legs being generally perpendicular to the bed frame and elevating the bed frame above a supporting surface;

a bed frame cover assembly configured for attachment to the longitudinal members of the bed frame, the bed frame cover assembly comprising a generally planar panel having a height dimension equal to or greater than a height dimension of the vertical flange of the longitudinal members, and length dimension approximately equal to or greater than a length dimension of the longitudinal members,

the generally planar panel having an internal side and an external side, the internal side positioned proximate to an external side of a corresponding vertical flange of each the longitudinal members;

a top leg which extends from a top edge of the generally planar panel in a direction toward the internal side of the generally planar panel;

an internal leg which extends from an edge of the top leg in a downward direction and generally parallel to the generally planar panel and spaced from the internal side of the generally planar panel;

the generally planar panel, top leg and internal leg together forming a slot for receiving a top edge of the vertical flange of the longitudinal members;

the external side of the generally planar panel extending over substantially an entire exterior side of the vertical flange of the longitudinal members.

2. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the internal leg has a height dimension which is less than a height dimension of the generally planar panel.

3. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the exterior side of the generally planar panel has a different configuration from the interior side of the generally planar panel.

4. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the slot formed by the generally planar panel, top leg and internal leg for receiving a top edge of the vertical flange of the longitudinal members has a width dimension which is approximately equal to or greater than a thickness dimension of the vertical flange of the longitudinal members.

5. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one additional component attached to the generally planar panel.

6. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the internal leg is biased toward the generally planar panel.

7. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one friction fitting on the internal side of the generally planar panel.

8. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bottom leg which extends from the internal side of the generally planar panel and is positioned to fit proximate to the horizontal flange of the longitudinal members of the bed frame.

9. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the internal leg has an upper portion which extends above the top leg.

10. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 1 wherein the generally planar panel extends substantially below the horizontal flange of the longitudinal members of the bed frame.

11. A bed frame cover assembly for attachment to a bed frame having first and second longitudinal parallel and spaced apart side members, first and second parallel and spaced apart transverse members arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal members, each of the transverse members extending between the first and second longitudinal members, the first and second longitudinal members having a horizontal flange and a vertical flange which extends upward from the horizontal flange, the first and second transverse members having at least one horizontal flange which is generally co-planar with the horizontal flanges of the longitudinal members;

at least four legs attached to the bed frame and extending downward in a direction opposite the vertical flanges of the longitudinal members, the legs being generally perpendicular to the bed frame and elevating the bed frame above a supporting surface;

a bed frame cover assembly configured for attachment to the longitudinal members of the bed frame, the bed frame cover assembly comprising a generally planar panel having a height dimension equal to or greater than a height dimension of the vertical flange of the longitudinal members, and length dimension approximately equal to or greater than a length dimension of the longitudinal members,

the generally planar panel having an internal side and an external side, the internal side positioned proximate to an external side of a corresponding vertical flange of each the longitudinal members;

at least one attachment device on the internal side of the generally planar panel configured to engage with the longitudinal members of the bed frame.

12. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least one attachment device is in the form of a protrusion from the internal side of the generally planar panel configured to fit with an opening on the longitudinal members of the bed frame.

13. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least one attachment device is in the form of a two part fastening system with a first part attached to the internal side of the generally planar panel and a second part attached to the longitudinal members of the bed frame.

14. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 13 wherein the two part fastening system is located along a substantial length of the generally planar panel.

15. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least one attachment device extends substantially through the longitudinal members of the bed frame.

16. The bed frame cover assembly of claim 13 wherein the two part fastening system is comprised of hook and loop type fasteners.