Foldable Composite Bed Frame
A bed frame which can be assembled without the use of additional tools and may be collapsed for shipping. The bed frame comprises a pair of side rail assemblies, three cross rail assemblies and mounting brackets. Each of the cross rail assemblies is adjustable in length and comprises multiple movable members. Each cross rail member has a projection which fits inside a cavity of a leg assembly secured to one of the side rails. To disassemble the bed frame, the cross rail assemblies may be removed from the side rail assemblies without any tools.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/188,112 filed Jun. 21, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/192,227 filed Jul. 14, 2015, which is fully incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to bed frames and, more particularly, to a bed frame that is capable of being shipped in a smaller container than a standard bed frame.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA conventional bed frame has two opposed side rails with a plurality of cross support members, or slats, extending across the side rails for supporting a box spring or bedding foundation. Each side rail is typically formed from an elongated piece of metal having an L-shaped cross-section. Thus, each side rail typically includes a horizontal flange for supporting a portion of the box spring and a vertical flange to help prevent deflection of the side rail under the weight of the box spring, mattress, and any person lying on the mattress. Although such angular arrangement provides structural integrity, each side rail terminates in a sharp lower corner that may cause injury to the ankle or skin of a person making the bed or moving around the bed.
Conventional bed frames may further include several other components. For example, metal support leg assemblies are usually secured to the side rails or cross members to support the bed frame about the floor. Oftentimes, the support leg assemblies are positioned inwardly from the side rails to avoid a person making the bed or moving around the bed from striking his or her foot on one of the metal support leg assemblies and injuring the foot. Also, mounting brackets are typically provided at one or both ends of each side rail to mount the bed frame to a headboard or footboard.
In order to facilitate transportation and assembly, the components of a conventional bed frame are typically shipped in a cardboard box and assembled on site. Due to the length of the side rails of the bed frame, such a shipping container may exceed the size limits of shipping companies. Therefore, the shipping company may charge one or more additional fees to ship such a long container. Another disadvantage of a long packaged bed frame is that the shipping container may not fit inside a small vehicle.
Additionally, due to the exposed metal of the bed frame, one or more of the bed frame components may make its way through the cardboard of the shipping package and get lost or damaged.
Thus, there is a need for a bed frame which may be partially collapsed so it may be packaged into a shorter container than standard bed frames. The shorter container will avoid additional shipping fees and allow the container to be transported in small vehicles.
There is further a need for a bed frame which may be disassembled and does not have exposed metal so as to avoid damage to the package or bed frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention comprises a bed frame assembly comprising a pair of collapsible side rail assemblies, cross rail assemblies extending between the side rail assemblies, leg assemblies secured to each side rail assembly and mounting brackets. The cross rail assemblies may be adjusted in length to fit standard bed sizes in the industry such as full, queen, California king and king.
Each of the collapsible side rail assemblies comprises two side rail sections. Each side rail section is secured to a center leg assembly, such that the side rail sections may pivot relative to the center leg assembly. Each side rail section comprises a straight member having a hollow metal core covered with a plastic coating and an outer leg assembly secured to one end of the side rail section. A mounting bracket may be secured to either end of the straight member of each side rail section for securing a headboard or a footboard to the side rail assembly.
Each leg assembly of each side rail assembly comprises multiple pieces, including one piece having a cavity therein. The cavity is sized to receive one of the projections of one of the cross rail assemblies. In one embodiment, the cavity is generally T-shaped along with the projection located at the end of one of the cross rails.
The bed frame assembly further comprises multiple cross rail assemblies extending between the leg assemblies of the side rail assemblies. In the preferred embodiment, the bed frame assembly has three cross rail assemblies. However, any number of cross rail assemblies in accordance with the present invention may be used, provided enough leg assemblies are provided. Each cross rail assembly comprises two cross rails movable relative to each other to adjust the cross rail assembly to one of multiple predetermined lengths. In one embodiment, the cross rail assemblies may be adjusted to one of four predetermined lengths corresponding to the widths of standard beds in the industry including full, queen, California king and king. Each of the cross rails of each of the cross rail assemblies has a projection sized to fit into one of the cavities of one of the leg assemblies.
According to another aspect of this invention, the collapsible bed frame assembly comprises two side rail assemblies. Each of the side rail assemblies comprises two side rail sections. Each side rail section is hinged to a center leg assembly and secured to an outer leg assembly. Each leg assembly of each side rail section has a cavity therein.
The collapsible bed frame assembly further comprises multiple cross rail assemblies extending between the side rail assemblies. Each cross rail assembly comprises two cross rails movable relative to each other to adjust the cross rail assembly to one of multiple predetermined lengths. Each of the cross rails comprises a projection sized to fit into one of the cavities of one of the leg assemblies, an inner leg and a middle member extending between the projection and inner leg. The middle member comprises a hollow metal member. A portion of each cross member passes through the inner leg of the other cross member.
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to
As best shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As best shown in
The molded plastic inner leg section 64a of center leg assembly 86 has an upper lip 72a through which are located three holes 74a and two openings 91. Fasteners 66 pass through the holes 74a of upper lip 72a before being secured inside threaded regions 76 of the molded plastic outer leg section 62. The molded plastic inner leg section 64a also has an outer wall 80a and bottom 82a defining a generally T-shaped bucket 78a extending downwardly from the upper lip 72a and a hollow interior cavity 84a. The size of the generally T-shaped bucket 78a is slightly smaller, but similarly shaped, so it fits inside the receptacle 70 of the molded plastic outer leg section 62 when the outer and inner leg sections 62, 64a, respectively, of each center leg assembly 86 are secured together. Although three fasteners are illustrated securing the outer and inner leg sections 62, 64a of center leg assembly 86 together, any number of fasteners may be used.
As best shown in
As shown in
As best shown in
As best shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In order to increase the length of the cross rail assembly 18, an operator pulls on the locking pin assemblies 130 to disengage the locking pins 144 from the openings 152. The end members 104 of the cross rail 20 are then moved away from each other to increase the length of the cross rail assembly 18. If the bed frame assembly 10 is for a queen size box spring, then the locking pins 144 are allowed to engage the next outermost openings 154 (closer to the inner leg assembly 106 of each cross rail 20). If the bed frame assembly 10 is for a California king size box spring, then the locking pins 144 are allowed to engage the second innermost openings 156. If the bed frame assembly 10 is to be locked to fit a king size box spring, then the locking pins 144 are allowed to engage the openings 158 (closest to the inner leg assembly 106 of each cross rail 20). In this manner, the length of the cross rail assemblies 18 can be locked in one of four predetermined lengths. One may adjust the length of a cross rail assembly 18 simply by pulling on the locking pin assemblies 130 of both cross rails 20, such that the locking pins 144 disengage from corresponding openings of the cross rails 20. See
Although the legs are shown having a certain size and shape, any of them may be other sizes or shapes. Similarly, the mounting brackets may be any desired shapes or sizes. Although we have described one preferred embodiment of the invention, we do not intend to be limited except by the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A bed frame assembly comprising:
- a pair of collapsible side rail assemblies, each of the collapsible side rail assemblies comprising a center leg assembly and two side rail sections, the center leg assembly comprising a generally T-shaped connector having openings, each side rail section having an end portion comprising two lips with a gap therebetween, a portion of the generally T-shaped connector of the center leg assembly fitting inside each of the gaps of each of the end portions of each of the side rail sections, each of the lips of each of the end portions of each of the side rail sections having an opening therethrough, each side rail section being pivotally secured to the center leg assembly such that each of the side rail sections is pivotal relative to the center leg assembly about a pivot axis defined by a fastener extending through each of the lips of the side rail section and through an associated one of the openings in the T-shaped connector of the center leg assembly;
- an outer leg assembly secured to each side rail section, each outer leg assembly having a hollow interior cavity therein;
- multiple cross rail assemblies extending between the side rail assemblies, each of the cross rails having an end member sized to fit into one of the hollow interior cavities of one of the center and outer leg assemblies.
2. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each side rail section comprises a straight body portion comprising a hollow metal core at least partially covered with plastic.
3. The bed frame assembly of claim 2 wherein each leg assembly comprises multiple sections.
4. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein the bed frame assembly comprises three cross rail assemblies.
5. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each cross rail assembly has at least one spring-loaded pin adapted to fit into openings of the cross rail assembly to fix the length of the cross rail assembly.
6. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each cross rail assembly has four predetermined lengths.
7. The bed frame assembly of claim 1 wherein each cross rail assembly has at least two predetermined lengths.
8. A collapsible bed frame assembly comprising:
- two collapsible side rail assemblies, each of the side rail assemblies comprising a center leg assembly having a generally T-shaped connector and two side rail sections, each side rail section having an end portion comprising two lips with a gap therebetween, a portion of the generally T-shaped connector of the center leg assembly fitting inside the gap of the end portion of the side rail section, a fastener extending through each of the lips of the end portion of the side rail section, through the generally T-shaped connector of the center leg assembly and being received in a threaded opening in a molded plastic outer leg section of the center leg assembly, each fastener defining a pivot axis about which the side rail section pivots when the side rail assembly is collapsed, each side rail section further comprising a second end to which an outer leg assembly is secured, each outer and center leg assembly having a cavity therein;
- multiple cross rail assemblies extending between the side rail assemblies.
9. The bed frame assembly of claim 8 wherein each cross rail assembly comprises two cross rails movable relative to each other to adjust the cross rail assembly to one of multiple predetermined lengths wherein each of the cross rails comprises a straight member, an end member secured to one end of the straight member and an inner leg secured to an opposed end of the straight member, a portion of the end member being sized to fit into one of the cavities of one of the outer and center leg assemblies.
10. The bed frame assembly of claim 9 wherein each of the straight members of each of the cross rails comprises a metal core at least partially surrounded by plastic.
11. The bed frame assembly of claim 9 wherein each cross rail assembly has four predetermined lengths.
12. The bed frame assembly of claim 9 wherein each cross rail assembly has at least two predetermined lengths.
13. The bed frame assembly of claim 9 wherein the cavity of each leg assembly is generally T-shaped.
14. The bed frame assembly of claim 9 wherein each of the inner legs has a passage through which extends the straight member of the other cross rail of the cross rail assembly.
15. A collapsible bed frame assembly comprising:
- two side rail assemblies, each of the side rail assemblies comprising a center leg assembly and two side rail sections, each side rail section having an end portion comprising two lips with a gap therebetween, a portion of a generally T-shaped connector of the center leg assembly fitting inside the gap of the end portion of the side rail section, a fastener extending through each of the lips of the end portion of the side rail section, through the portion of the generally T-shaped connector of the center leg assembly inside the gap of the end portion of the side rail section and being received in a threaded opening in the molded plastic outer leg section of the center leg assembly, each fastener defining a pivot axis about which the side rail section pivots when the side rail assembly is collapsed, each side rail section further comprising an outer leg assembly, each outer leg assembly of each side rail section having a cavity therein;
- multiple cross rail assemblies extending between the side rail assemblies.
16. The bed frame assembly of claim 15 wherein each cross rail assembly comprises two cross rails movable relative to each other to adjust the cross rail assembly to one of multiple predetermined lengths wherein each of the cross rails comprises an end member having a projection sized to fit into one of the cavities of one of the leg assemblies and an inner leg wherein a portion of each cross member passes through the inner leg of the other cross member.
17. The bed frame assembly of claim 16 wherein each of the cross rails further comprises a middle member extending between the end member and the inner leg.
18. The bed frame assembly of claim 17 wherein the middle member comprises a hollow metal core at least partially surrounded by plastic.
19. The bed frame assembly of claim 15 wherein each cross rail assembly has four predetermined lengths.
20. The bed frame assembly of claim 15 wherein the center leg assembly comprises a molded plastic outer leg section and a molded plastic inner leg section, the molded plastic inner leg section having a bucket extending downwardly from an upper lip, a hollow interior cavity, the generally T-shaped connector being located above the upper lip of the molded plastic inner leg section, the bucket of the molded plastic inner leg section fitting into a receptacle of the molded plastic outer leg section, the molded plastic inner and outer leg sections being secured together.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 6, 2017
Publication Date: Oct 26, 2017
Inventors: Robert A. Bartelsmeyer (High Point, NC), John J. Case (Plymouth, MI), Philip E. Herrin (Bremen, GA)
Application Number: 15/642,730