Intensive Use Furniture

Abstract

The invention is directed to a ligature proof wall mounted bed having a bed body molded of plastic or the like attached to a bed frame on a wall. The bed frame may comprise end supports having sloping surfaces attached to the wall by end plates. The sloping surfaces may extend up above the frame or down below the frame. The end supports may have molded outer shells adapted to receive the bed body in a ligature proof engagement. The frame may comprise support members extending normal to the wall to provide a support for the body. A mattress may be removably disposed on the bed body.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to beds for use in intensive use facilities and institutional settings such as hospitals, military housing, prisons, jails, colleges, public transportation facilities, detention centers and psychiatric facilities. More particularly, the present invention comprises a wall mounted bed that is ligature proof with no pinch points and may securely support a mattress thereon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modular furniture such as beds have traditionally been attached to a floor in sleeping rooms to prevent the bed from being moved. Facilities having large quantities of people who may have special needs use furniture designed for intensive use for safely and durability. Assembled furniture may present certain hazards in use in intensive use settings where furniture components and fasteners may be removed and turned into weapons. Plastic and fiberglass construction has replaced wood and metal by its ability to be formed into three-dimensional shapes without external fasteners. Fiberglass and plastic is generally more aesthetically appealing than steel or wood, and more resistant to damage.

Beds in such settings are generally the biggest item in the room taking up large areas of floor space. The room must be configured to be large enough to accommodate the bed and allow the user to move about in the room, especially if the user is restricted to the room for long periods of time. Intensive use beds may be ballasted or bolted directly to the floor to reduce rearranging, tipping or moving. Securing or ballasting the bed to the floor reduces the safety concerns on both the visitors and staff and may result in a safer environment.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a wall mounted bed that is ligature proof and will support the user on a mattress. The bed may be molded of plastic having a single piece molded base for attaching to a wall for supporting a mattress.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the present invention is directed to a wall mounted bed having a wall plate attached to a wall. A bed end piece on the wall plate may extend perpendicularly from the wall to support a mattress in a generally horizontal position. A ladder adapted to allow a user to climb onto the bed may be attached to the bed or the adjacent wall. The bed frame may be a flat pan, a skeletal frame or opposing brackets attached to the wall back. The bed on the frame is molded of plastic having integrally molded tubular frame work for attaching to the bed frame. Tamper resistant fasteners are disposed through fastener holes in frame and bed to hold the frame to the wall and the bed to the frame. A mattress may be disposed on top of the bed to provide a cushioned sleep surface. The mattress may be a intensive use mattress formed of plastic and having an enclosed center with vent to allow air release.

The rigid bed frame may be formed by structural members attached to and extending from the wall for supporting the bed body. The bed body may be a rotomolded hollow bed body having steel support members insert molded therein. The bed body may be adapted to attach to the frame or directly to the wall. Accessories such as storage boxes or restraints may be attached to the bed body or the bed frame. In a one piece configuration having a wall mount on the wall side and a mattress retainer on the outside, the bed frame is attached to the wall having the bed body supported thereon. In the event the ligature proof wall mounted bed is mounted in a corner having two adjacent walls, a bed support may be used to support the first end of the bed body while the integral steel support member may be attached directly to the second wall or to a wall plate on the second wall.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the first embodiment of a wall mounted bed from FIG. 1, with an alternate ladder arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the first embodiment of a wall mounted bed attached to the second wall bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top right perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the fifth embodiment of FIG. 8 having ligature resistant covers.

FIG. 10 is a top right perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the sixth embodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top right perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the seventh embodiment of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top right perspective view of a third alternate ladder arrangement.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an eighth embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of a ninth embodiment of a wall mounted bed.

FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of the ninth embodiment of a wall mounted bed of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the ninth embodiment of a wall mounted bed of FIG. 16 showing a spacer between levels.

FIG. 19 is perspective view of a first embodiment of the bed body.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the bed body of FIG. 20.

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the bed body of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the first embodiment of the bed body of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is an end view of the first embodiment of the bed body of FIG. 20.

FIG. 24 is a detail perspective view of the first embodiment of the bed body of FIG. 20.

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the bed body.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the bed body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention comprises a anti-ligature wall mounted bed 10 having a molded body 12 and a wall mounted frame 15. Molded body 12 may have a top 14, a first end 16 and second end 17. First end 16 may be attached to a first trapezoid bracket 18. Second end 17 may be attached to a second trapezoid bracket 20. Second trapezoid bracket 20 may be attached to second end 17. First trapezoid bracket 18 and a second trapezoid bracket 20 each have a wall edge 38, a generally horizontal top edge 34, an outside edge 40 and an angled support edge 27. Wall edge 38 comprises fastener holes 32 for attaching first trapezoid bracket 18 and a second trapezoid bracket 20 to wall 22. Ladder 24a may comprise rounded top ligature proof frame 26a and closed steps 28. First trapezoid bracket 18 and a second trapezoid bracket 20 are molded to integrally engage bed body 12 to eliminate pinch points and ligature holds.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1-5, a manufactured ladder 42 having a ligature proof frame 26b may be attached to wall 22 or bed 10 to eliminate pinch points and ligature holds. Ladder 42 may be formed of plastic having closed steps. First trapezoid bracket 18 and a second trapezoid bracket 20 may be reversed supporting bed body 12 with generally horizontal surface 34 bearing against bed body 12. Sloped support edge 28 may be disposed above body 12 to thereby eliminate pinch points and ligature holds. Frame 15 may comprise T-support 44 comprising a wall plate 46 on wall 22. First bed support 48a extends generally perpendicular to wall 22 to engage bed 12 at first end 16. First bed support 48a may have first end 50 on wall plate 46 and second end 52 spaced from first end 50. First bed support 48 may be attached to first end 16. Second bed support 48b may be attached to second end 17. Alcove ladder 54 may be integrally molded or manufactured of wood or metal having integral steps and adapted to be attached to bed 12. Second support 20 may attach to frame members 74 disposed in bed body 12.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the fourth embodiment comprises wall mounted bed 60 having an arched wall plate 62 attached to wall 22 with top tab 64 disposed above bed body 12 and extending below bed body 12 to arch support 66 attached with screws 68 to wall 22. Arch support 66 comprises support arch 70 extending from bottom of wall plate 62 to bed bottom 80. Arch support 66 may have bed surface 75 attached to bed body 12. Bed surface 75 is generally horizontal. Bed body 12 may have integral frame 74 of metal or plastic adapted to attach to arch support 66. Integral frame 74 may be insert molded in bed body 12 or inserted in molded openings in molded bed body 12.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 beam support 84 may comprise molded side panels 88, 90 adapted for attachment to wall 22. Bed pan 86 may extend between molded side panels 88, 90 Bed pan 86 may be molded of plastic or formed of metal or other plank like material. Molded side panels are adapted to engage bed pan 86 or bed 12 by a indentation 132 receiving each of a first or second end 94, 96 to prevent ligature holds or pinch points. A beam 98 extends between side panels 88, 90 to hold side panels 88, 90 in spaced relation and support bed pan 86. Molded side panels 88, 90 may have sloped top surfaces 89, 91 respectively to prevent ligature holds

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, bed support 100 may comprise top tab 102 adapted to be attached to wall 22. end supports 108, 109 may be attached to optional interconnecting wall edge support 104 and front edge support 106 forming an open rectangle adapted to receive bed 12 (not shown) thereon. End supports 108 each have top 110 disposed in a generally horizontal manner with angular support side 112 extending from wall 22 to proximate front edge support 106. Wall edge support 104 may have screw holes adapted to receive fasteners for attachment of bed support 100 to wall 22. Wall panel 122 may extend between end supports 128 and wall edge support 104. Fastener holes 114 may be adapted to attach bed support 100 to wall 22. T-support 144 may comprise a wall plate 146 adapted to attach to wall 22 with U-shaped bed support 140 disposed in a generally horizontal orientation extending therefrom. U shaped bed support 140 may comprise front support 146 attached to foot support 147 and head support 148 to form a rectangular three sided box type frame having bed body mounted on top of U-shaped bed support 140.

Referring to FIG. 14, wall mounted bed support with integrated ladder 156 may comprise a molded end support 158 having closed steps 160 integrally molded therein. A tapering arch 162 may be disposed between wall 22 and front cross member 126. Top ladder tab 164 is disposed above bed frame 16 and adapted for attachment to wall 22.

Referring to FIG. 15, hanging wall mount frame 196 may comprise top hanging support 198 and lower hanging support 200. Bed retainer 190 is disposed at adjacent the outside of bed 12. Top hanging support may have bottom rest 208 adapted to engage and bear against top rest 210 on lower hanging support 200.

Referring to FIG. 16-18, stack-able wall mount support 170 may have top tab 172 above bed frame 174 and adapted to attach to wall 22. stack-able support may further comprise an upper support 176 and lower support 178. Upper support 176 bears against lower support 178. Upper support 176 may have foot 194 adapted to engage stacking surface 180 on lower support 178. each of upper support 176 and lower support 178 may have wall surface 182 on top tab 172 and bed surface 174 adapted to engage molded bed 12 and support arch 186 along outside of support panel 188. Support panel 188 is adapted to hold wall surface 192 and bed surface 174 in a generally perpendicular orientation. Arch 190 may extend along wall 22. spacer 192 may be used between foot 194 and stacking surface 180. Bed retainer 190 may be formed on upper support 176 or lower support 178. Bed retainer 190 is disposed on upper support 176 to prevent bed body 12 from inadvertently falling. Bed retainer 190 may extend the entire perimeter of the wall mounted bed frame 16 thereby preventing a ligature hold on the wall mounted bed 10.

Referring to FIGS. 20-24 molded bed body 12 may be rotationally molded as a hollow shell 212 having top 214, first end 216, second end 217 front 225 and back 227. Drainage holes 202 are formed to provide vertical wall support between top 14 and bed bottom 204. Frame members 74 may be disposed in hollow bed body 12. Frame members may have a connection end 220 adapted to attach to frame 15 (FIGS. 1 and 5) at frame attachment 222. Bed frame members 74 may extend between first and second ends 216, 217 and/or between front 225 and back 227 of bed body 12.

Referring to FIG. 25, bed body 312 may be formed using vacuum molding, blow molding or similar sheet forming method known in the art to create a hollow bed shell 314 having an open side 316. Steel frame 326 may be assembled by welding or similar method known in the art to provide structural support to hollow bed body 312. Steel frame 326 may be adapted to be inserted into shell 314 at open side 316. Steel frame 326 may comprise longitudinal supports 328, vertical supports 332 and horizontal supports 334. Steel frame 326 is adapted to attach to bed frame 16. Cover 340 may be adapted to close open side 316 by being disposed on shell 314 and attached by adhesive, welding or Very High Bonding Tape or other method for connecting.

Referring to FIG. 26 bed body 412 may be formed of Polyethylene or Polypropylene foam having structural supports 74 integrated therein. The structural supports 74 adapted to attach to bed frame 16.

Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given. Further, the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that other forms, details, and embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A ligature proof wall mounted bed adapted to attach to a wall comprising:

a bed frame attached to the wall, the bed frame comprising a first support on the wall, the first support comprising a sloping support wall;

a hollow bed body on the bed frame, the hollow bed body having a first end and a second end, attached to the bed frame.

2. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 1, further comprising a molded cover on the sloping wall.

3. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 1, wherein the bed body further comprises a first end support, the first end support attached to the wall plate, the first end on the first end support.

4. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 1, wherein the sloping wall extends above the wall plate.

5. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 1, wherein the sloping support wall extends below the wall plate.

6. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 1, wherein the sloping support wall further comprises a horizontal edge, the horizontal surface attached to the bed body.

7. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 3, further comprising a first bed support member, the first bed support member disposed in the hollow bed body, the first bed support member on the frame.

8. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 4, further comprising a second bed support in the hollow bed body, the second bed support generally parallel to the first bed support wherein the sloping wall further comprise an arcuate edge.

9. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 1, wherein the bed body is molded with an integral steel support member, the steel support member attached to the wall plate.

10. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 7, wherein the bed body is molded with the first support member, the bed support member attached to the first end support.

11. A ligature proof wall mounted bed attached to a wall, The wall mounted bed comprising:

a bed body, the bed body having a support member, a first end, a bottom and a bed top, the support member disposed in the bed body between the bottom and the top;

a wall plate, the wall plate having a top tab and a fastener hole; and

a first end support on the wall plate, the first end support extending generally perpendicular to the wall plate, the first end support having a wall plate side, a support top, a bottom, an inside and a front end, the wall plate side on the wall plate, the inside on the first end, the support top adjacent to the bed top.

12. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 11, wherein the steel support member has a first end, the steel support member first end is attached to the first end support.

13. The ligature proof wall mounted bed of claim 12, further comprising a second wall adjacent the wall mounted bed and a second end on the steel support member, the second end attached to the second wall.

molded with an integral steel support member, the steel support member attached to the wall plate.