U.S. patent application number 11/196246 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for loft bed and loft bed system.
Invention is credited to G. L. Huff, Eric M. Kaltenmark, Harrell D. JR. Ward, Douglas G. Wright.
Application Number | 20060026754 11/196246 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35755925 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060026754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ward; Harrell D. JR. ; et
al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Loft bed and loft bed system
Abstract
A loft bed readily configured into expanded assembled and
collapsed disassembled positions to facilitate shipping, transport,
and/or storage. The loft bed includes a mattress support having a
plurality of separable supports for supporting a mattress, a frame
including a plurality of multi-piece, bed support rails assemblable
into a frame for supporting the mattress support, and a plurality
of legs for supporting the mattress support above a floor or
ground, each leg including separate upper and lower leg portions.
The legs and the bed support rails are attachable to form an
expanded assembled position capable of supporting a user and
detachable to form a collapsed disassembled position for shipping,
transporting, and/or storage.
Inventors: |
Ward; Harrell D. JR.;
(Greeneville, TN) ; Huff; G. L.; (Afton, TN)
; Kaltenmark; Eric M.; (Chuckney, TN) ; Wright;
Douglas G.; (Morristown, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGUIREWOODS, LLP
1750 TYSONS BLVD
SUITE 1800
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
35755925 |
Appl. No.: |
11/196246 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60598874 |
Aug 4, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/9.1 ;
5/2.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 19/207 20130101;
A47C 19/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/009.1 ;
005/002.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 19/00 20060101
A47C019/00 |
Claims
1. A loft bed having expanded assembled and collapsed disassembled
positions, said loft bed comprising: a mattress support that
includes a plurality of separable supports for supporting a
mattress; a frame including a plurality of multi-piece bed support
rails for supporting said mattress support; and a plurality of legs
for supporting said mattress support above a floor or ground, each
leg including an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion, said
upper leg portion being separable from said lower leg portion,
wherein said legs and said bed support rails are attachable to form
an expanded assembled position capable of supporting a user and
detachable to form a collapsed disassembled position for shipping,
transporting, and/or storage.
2. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
support members that connect between at least two of said plurality
of legs, at least some of said support members being configured to
form an integral ladder to provide access to said mattress
support.
3. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising a detachable
connection that extends between each upper leg portion and each
lower leg portion.
4. The bed according to claim 3 wherein said detachable connection
comprises a protrusion in each upper leg portion and a receptacle
in each lower leg portion configured to receive said
protrusion.
5. The bed according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs
comprise two at least partially hollow portions detachably
connected together.
6. The bed according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of legs
comprise at least one of cold rolled steel, extruded aluminum,
powder coated cold rolled steel, synthetic materials, and natural
materials.
7. The bed according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
leg covers attachable to said plurality of legs.
8. The bed according to claim 7, further comprising a connector
portion that snap fits each of said plurality of leg covers to one
of said plurality of legs.
9. The bed according to claim 8 wherein said leg covers include
spaces to route wires out of sight in an area between at least one
of said leg covers and at least one of said plurality of legs.
10. The bed according to claim 1 wherein at least two of said
plurality of bed support rails comprise first and second portions
that are detachably connected by a separate connector member.
11. The bed according to claim 10 wherein said connector member is
a bed support rail connector.
12. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising guard rails
arranged substantially above said bed support rails to confine the
space above said mattress support.
13. The bed according to claim 1 further comprising at least one
horizontal work surface supported by said bed support rails.
14. A portable bed system comprising the loft bed according to
claim 1 and at least one of a storage device and a transport device
configured to hold said loft bed in its collapsed disassembled
position.
15. A disassembled loft bed comprising: a mattress support that
includes a plurality of supports for supporting a mattress; a
plurality of bed support rails configurable to form a frame for
supporting the mattress support, at least one of said bed support
rails including multiple pieces; and a plurality of legs for
supporting the mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg
including an upper leg portion and a separate lower leg portion,
said upper leg portion being connectable to said lower leg
portion.
16. The bed according to claim 15, further comprising a container
holding said mattress support, said bed support rails, and said
legs in a compact position for shipping, transport and/or
storage.
17. A method of assembling a loft bed, the method comprising steps
of: forming a frame by connecting a plurality of disassembled,
multi-pieces together to form at least two bed support rails and
connecting the bed support rails together; connecting a plurality
of upper leg portions and lower leg portions together to form a
plurality of legs; connecting the legs to the frame; and combining
a plurality of separable supports to form a mattress support for
supporting a mattress on the frame.
18. The method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of
connecting a plurality of support members between at least two of
the plurality of legs, at least some of the support members being
configured to form an integral ladder to provide access to the
mattress support.
19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step
of attaching a plurality of leg covers to the plurality of
legs.
20. The method according to claim 19 further comprising the step of
routing wires in an area between at least one of the leg covers and
one of the plurality of legs.
21. The method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of
arranging guard rails substantially above the bed support
rails.
22. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of
attaching at least one horizontal work surface to the bed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/598,874,
filed on Aug. 4, 2004, the disclosure of which is expressly
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention is directed generally to a loft bed and, more
particularly, to a loft bed usable in a dorm or similar location
that may benefit from more efficient use of space. In another
aspect, the invention is directed to an easily collapsible and
easily transportable bed, such as a loft bed, which may have
greatly reduced dimensions in its collapsed position to facilitate
shipping and/or storage and is usable in a dorm or similar
location.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Many conventional beds, such as loft beds or dorm beds have
long rails, long legs, and long mattress support structures that
make it difficult for the loft bed to be transported from one
location to another and/or stored in small spaces. Moreover, many
loft beds are very unattractive and do not provide an aesthetically
pleasing outward appearance and are not designed to be integrated
with wired technology.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved loft bed that
collapses into a compact position to facilitate transportation,
shipping, and/or storage, and is easy to assemble. Moreover, there
is a need for a loft bed that is attractive and that readily
accommodates wired technology.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention meets the foregoing need by providing a
construction of a loft bed that may be easily collapsed into a
compact position, and is small enough such that it may be easily
transported in a car, car trunk and/or elevator or stored.
Moreover, the bed is easy to assemble while being aesthetically
pleasing.
[0008] In this regard, the loft bed of the invention may be
configured such that it is easily transported in the back seat or
trunk of a car, for example, a 2-door Sedan. In particular, the
loft bed may have a size equivalent to a large golf bag. Moreover,
the loft bed of the invention has an intuitive, easy, and quick
assembly. In particular, the loft bed is constructed in such a way
that it is fun to assemble, and has an aesthetically pleasing
outward appearance. Moreover, the loft bed has a stable
construction, without requiring a support or attachments for
sidewalls, floors, or ceilings. Furthermore, the loft bed of the
invention allows for the use of standard mattresses, such as 72''
or 80'' mattress lengths. Additionally, the loft bed of the
invention has a limited number of fasteners for assembly. In
particular, it is desired to be limited to two types of fasteners
for assembly and disassembly of the loft bed. Moreover, the loft
bed may have an integrated ladder built into the structure of the
bed so that a user can get into the bed easier and includes the
ability to integrate with current and future wired technology.
[0009] The invention may be implemented in a number of ways.
According to one aspect of the invention a loft bed having expanded
assembled and collapsed disassembled positions includes a mattress
support that includes a plurality of separable supports for
supporting a mattress, a frame including a plurality of multi-piece
bed support rails for supporting the mattress support, and a
plurality of legs for supporting the mattress support above a floor
or ground, each leg including an upper leg portion and a lower leg
portion, the upper leg portion being separable from the lower leg
portion. The legs and the bed support rails are attachable to form
an expanded assembled position capable of supporting a user and
detachable to form a collapsed disassembled position for shipping,
transporting, and/or storage.
[0010] According to another aspect of the invention a disassembled
loft bed includes a mattress support that includes a plurality of
supports for supporting a mattress, a plurality of bed support
rails configurable to form a frame for supporting the mattress
support and at least one of the bed support rails including
multiple pieces, and a plurality of legs for supporting the
mattress support above a floor or ground, each leg including an
upper leg portion and a separate lower leg portion, the upper leg
portion being connectable to the lower leg portion. The loft may
include a container holding the mattress support, the bed support
rails, and the legs in a compact position for shipping, transport
and/or storage.
[0011] In yet another aspect of the invention a method of
assembling a loft bed includes the steps of forming a frame by
connecting a plurality of disassembled, multi-pieces together to
form at least two bed support rails and connecting the bed support
rails together, connecting a plurality of upper leg portions and
lower leg portions together to form a plurality of legs, connecting
the legs to the frame, and combining a plurality of separable
supports to form a mattress support for supporting a mattress on
the frame.
[0012] Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the
invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the
following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it
is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the
invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and
intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope
of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention, are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the detailed description serve to
explain the principles of the invention. No attempt is made to show
structural details of the invention in more detail than may be
necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention and the
various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a loft bed constructed according to the
principles of the invention;
[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B show lower leg assemblies constructed
according to the principles of the invention for use with the loft
bed of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B show upper leg assemblies constructed
according to the principles of the invention for use with the loft
bed of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B show rail assemblies constructed according
to the principles of the invention for use with the loft bed of
FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a corner connecting
assembly constructed according to the principles of the invention
for use with the loft bed of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a leg cover constructed according to
the principles of the invention, which may be used with the leg
assemblies of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a mattress support constructed according to the
principles of the invention; and
[0021] FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams showing accessories
and a transport device constructed according to the principles of
the invention, which may be used with the loft bed of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The embodiments of the invention and the various features
and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with
reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are
described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and
detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the
features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to
scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other
embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not
explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and
processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily
obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein
are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which
the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill
in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention.
Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be
construed as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined
solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is
noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts
throughout the several views of the drawings.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a loft bed 100 constructed according to the
principles of the invention. In particular, the loft bed 100
includes four leg assemblies for supporting the upper portion of
the bed, including bed rail support assemblies and mattress
supports described subsequently, on a support surface such as a
floor. Each leg assembly includes a lower leg assembly 200 and an
upper leg assembly 300. In FIG. 1, only the interior of one of the
four leg assemblies 200, 300 is shown, as the leg assemblies are
covered with leg covers 600, discussed below, which cover the lower
legs 200 and the upper legs 300 to provide an aesthetically
pleasing outward appearance.
[0024] The loft bed 100 also includes cross members 102, 104, 106,
108, 110, 112, and 114 for providing lateral support and bracing to
the loft bed by connecting the short dimension between the adjacent
legs together. Cross member 114 opposite cross member 112 is not
visible in FIG. 1. Cross members 112 and 114 connect the top
portions of adjacent leg assemblies together along the short
dimension, while member 102, 104, 106, and 1 10 are spaced
intermediate the top and bottom of the legs. The cross members 102,
104, 106, and 108, in particular, also form a ladder assembly that
is built into the loft bed 100. In particular, the user or sleeper
can climb up into the loft bed 100 by utilizing the cross members
102, 104,106, and 108 as a ladder. Although a particular number of
cross members 102, 104, 106, 108, and 112 are shown, any number of
cross members may be used. Moreover, any number of cross members,
and/or any type of cross member structure(s) may be used to connect
the four legs of loft bed 100 as long as it provides a horizontal
connection, or connecting strength between the four leg assemblies
200 and 300 to increase stability of the loft bed 100. In
particular, the cross members 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 114
may be mechanically fastened to the upper and lower leg assemblies
of the loft bed 100. In this regard, any type of mechanical
fastener may be used including nuts, bolts, rivets, pins, key-hole
slots, for example only.
[0025] FIG. 1 also shows a plurality of bed support rail assemblies
402, 404 for connecting the long dimension between adjacent legs at
the top of the bed's leg assemblies. In the loft bed 100, there are
at least two bed support rail assemblies 402, 404, as the rail
assembly at the upper back of the bed is not visible in FIG. 1. The
two rail assemblies are at each long side of the bed and the cross
members 112, 114 form an upper frame for supporting the bed. A
mattress support 700, described below in more detail, may rest upon
or be connected to the rail assemblies 404, 402 and cross members
112,114 of the loft bed 100 for supporting a mattress on the bed.
Intermediate the top and bottom of the leg assemblies along the
long dimension of one side (back) of the bed, longitudinal support
members 103,105 are provided. The structure of 103, 105 may be
similar to rail assemblies 402, 404 described above.
[0026] The loft bed 100 may further include one or more guard rail
assemblies 120, 122,124, 126,128,130, and 132, which provide a
structural fence around the loft bed 100 so that the user, or
sleeper, will not roll out of the bed accidentally. Although, a
particular number of rail structures 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130,
and 132 are shown, any number of rail structures may be utilized to
provide a safety structure for the user or sleeper of the loft bed
100. Alternatively, cross members 112, 114, together with bed
support rails 402, 404 may further be modified to be taller and
provide the same function.
[0027] In one particular embodiment, guard rail assemblies 120,
122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may be constructed from 0.75 inch
diameter 20 gauge cold rolled steel tubing that are, for example
only, welded to one another. The guard rail assemblies 120, 122,
124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 may moreover be powder coated in order
to reduce corrosion thereof and create a more attractive
appearance. Any metallic, synthetic man-made, and/or natural
material may be used to construct guard rails 120, 122, 124, 126,
128, 130, and 132. In particular, the guard rails 120, 122, 124,
126, 128, 130, and 132 are shown in FIG. 1 with only an exemplary
outward appearance. Any aesthetically pleasing appearance, together
with a construction that safely restrains a sleeper in the sleeping
area of the loft bed 100 is contemplated by the invention.
[0028] Additionally, the guard rail assemblies 120, 122, 124, 126,
128 and 130 can further include rail clips that interconnect each
of the respective rails to one another. In particular, such rail
clips can be formed of nylon 6 or any other known plastic,
synthetic man-made, metallic, or natural material. The rail clips
preferably are structured and arranged such that they keep the
rails at a consistent distance from one another.
[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B show one embodiment of a lower leg assembly
that may be used with the loft bed 100. In particular, lower leg
assembly 200 includes a first cylindrical section 206 and a second
cylindrical leg section 208. The cylindrical leg sections 206, 208
provide a reinforcing structure and increase the rigidity of the
lower leg 200 while minimizing sharp corners. Furthermore,
cylindrical leg sections 206 and 208 are connected with an angled
intermediate section 210, which also increases rigidity and
strength of the lower leg assembly 200. The lower leg assembly 200
additionally includes protruding leg connectors 202, 204. The leg
connectors 202, 204 have a reduced diameter and are used to connect
to recesses provided in the upper leg assembly 300, as shown in
FIGS. 3A and 3B.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the lower leg assembly 200, the
cylindrical sections 206, 208 and the intermediate section 210 may
be formed of a metallic material. In particular, the leg sections
208, 206, and intermediate section 210 may be extruded from a
material, such as steel or aluminum. Alternatively, and preferably,
the leg sections 208, 206 and intermediate section 210 can be
formed of 16 gauge cold rolled steel. However, any particular
metallic, man-made or natural material that provides sufficient
rigidity and thickness to support the loft bed 100 may be
employed.
[0031] FIGS. 3A and 3B show an upper leg assembly 300 that may be
used in conjunction with the loft bed 100 of FIG. 1 and matingly
fit with the lower leg assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2. In particular,
the upper leg assembly 300 has a substantially similar construction
to the lower leg assembly 200. The upper leg assembly 300 includes
a cylindrical section 306 and a second cylindrical section 308. The
cylindrical sections 306, 308 are connected with an angled
intermediate section 310. In particular, the cylindrical sections
306, 308 and intermediate section 310 can be constructed of a
single piece of metallic material that is formed therefrom. The
cylindrical sections 306, 308 form a recess that receives the leg
connectors 202, 204 of the lower leg assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2B.
The upper leg assembly 300 and the lower leg assembly 200 are
fitted together snugly such that leg connectors 202, 204 are
inserted into cylindrical sections 308, 306, so that a single full
length leg assembly is constructed. This constructed leg assembly
is shown as leg assembly 200, 300 in FIG. 1. Any type of engagement
between 202, 204 and 308, 306 that provides a secure, but easily
detachable connection may be employed.
[0032] The upper leg assembly 300 may be constructed of any known
material providing strength to support the loft bed 100 and the
user sleeping in the loft bed 100. In particular, the upper leg
assembly 300 can be formed of metallic materials, such as 16 gauge
cold rolled steel. The upper leg assembly 300 can be formed of
steel or some other metallic materials through extrusion. Again,
however, it should be understood that any material, including
metal, natural material, or any other synthetic man-made material,
may be used and constructed with any configuration and thickness
such that it provides a strong support for the loft bed 100 that
may be separated for ease of transport.
[0033] The leg assemblies 200, 300 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are
formed as two separate sections in order to allow for a complete
disassembly of the leg assemblies thereof. In particular, by
configuring the leg assembly 200 to separate from leg assembly 300,
the legs, and, in particular the loft bed 100, can be easily
transported, shipped, and/or stored in a smaller space than a
normal bed.
[0034] FIGS. 4A and 4B show one embodiment of the bed support rail
assemblies 402 and 404 of the invention. In particular, the bed
support rail assembly 402, 404 is a two-part assembly. This
two-part assembly allows for the easy transportation, storage,
and/or shipping of the loft bed 100 because the bed support rail
assemblies 402, 404 can be disassembled into shorter lengths than
that of a typical bed support rail. In particular, bed support rail
assembly 400 includes a first rail assembly 402 and a second rail
assembly 404 connected to one another through rail connectors 406,
408. The rail assemblies 402, 404, together with rail connectors
406, 408, are assembled and connected with a series of mechanical
fasteners. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4B, mechanical fasteners
such as screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, key-hole slots, for example
only, that provide for a strong inter-connection between rail
assembly 402, 404 and rail connectors 406 and 408 may be used. It
should be noted that although a specific arrangement of fasteners
is shown, any combination of fasteners may be used and any type of
fastener is contemplated for use in the invention to facilitate
assembly and disassembly. It is however, preferred that only two
types of sizes of fasteners be used. Moreover, any number or type
of rail connectors 406, 408 may be used in connecting bed support
rails 402, 404 as long as the two bed rail assemblies 402, 404
safely support the mattress and hold a user of the bed.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a corner
connection assembly 500 for use with the loft bed of FIG. 1. In
particular, FIG. 5 shows the upper leg assembly 300 extending
vertically up to be connected to bed support rail 402, 404 and to
connect to cross member 112, 114. Additionally shown in FIG. 5 is
connector assembly 508. Connector assembly 508 is used to
strengthen the connection between bed support rail 402, 404, cross
member 112, 114 and upper leg assembly 300. Together the FIG. 5
construction creates a corner connection assembly 500. The corner
connection assembly 500 uses a series of mechanical fasteners such
as screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, key-hole slots, for example only,
in order to connect upper leg assembly 300, to connector assembly
508, to bed support rail 402, 404, and to cross member 112, 114. In
the FIG. 5 embodiment, the bed support rail 402, 404 and cross
member 112, include bolts extending therefrom that are inserted in
holes of the upper leg assembly 300 and are bolted thereto with
nuts. The connector assembly 508 extends below and is bolted to the
bed support rail 402, 404 and the cross member 112. It should be
noted, however, that any type and number of mechanical fasteners
with any arrangement thereof is within the scope of the
invention.
[0036] FIGS. 6A and 6B show one embodiment of the cover 600 that
may be used in conjunction with the leg assemblies 200, 300 of the
loft bed 100. In particular, the cover 600 includes an attachment
section 610. The attachment section 610 is structured and arranged
such that it will snap attach to the leg assemblies 200, 300 of the
loft bed 100 without mechanical fasteners. However, mechanical
fasteners may be used instead of or in addition to in order to form
a stronger attachment. The cover 600 further includes an outer
covering 620. C-shaped channels 640 at ends of the outer covering
620 also may be employed to snap/connect the covers to suitable
structure on the legs. The outer covering 620 may include any sort
of texture, color, or other aesthetically pleasing outer
arrangement. In particular, it is within the scope of the invention
to have any number of ribs, colors, and/or textures that may result
in an aesthetically pleasing outward appearance. Moreover, the
cover 600 includes a channel or an area 630 between the attachment
section 610 and the outer covering 620. This area 630 between the
connection 610 and the outer covering 620 allows for wires, such as
electrical wires, internet connection wires, telephone wires,
conduits, etc. to be routed up and down the loft bed 100. This
allows for a more aesthetically pleasing outward appearance, while
allowing the user of the loft bed 100 to use electrically connected
equipment in one manner or another in bed. In a particular
embodiment, the cover 600 may be formed of plastic and the cover is
sized such that each leg assembly 200, 300 of loft bed 100 will
require two covers 600.
[0037] As noted above, the loft bed 100 includes a mattress support
assembly 700 to support a mattress. In addition to the mattress
support assembly 700, additional central supports 750, 752 and
other structural supports can be included in the loft bed 100 to
support the mattress and/or support assembly 700 in or above the
upper rail assemblies 402, 404 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] In particular, mattress support assembly 700 includes four
separate sub-support assemblies 712, 714, 716, and 718. The
separate support assemblies allow for easier transport, shipping
and/or storage thereof. Each of the mattresses support assemblies
712, 714, 716, and 718 may be constructed of a frame assembly 722,
724, 726, or 728. The frame assemblies 722, 724, 726, and 728 are
used to support the mattress in the loft bed 100, and may include
internal mattress supports 702, 704, 706, and 708. The internal
supports 702, 704, 706, and 708 in one particular exemplary
embodiment include a mesh screen. However, any suitable material to
form the mattress support assemblies may be used.
[0039] The mattress support assemblies 712, 714, 716, and 718 are
supported on the bed support rails 402, 404 with the supports 750
and 752. The supports 750 are bar shaped and extend from one set of
longitudinally extending (long dimension) bedrails 402, 404 to the
other set of bedrails 402, 404. The other support 752 extends from
a first transversely extending (short dimension) cross member 112
to the opposite cross member 114. Accordingly, the mattress support
assemblies 712, 714, 716, and 718 may be easily and quickly
disassembled. Moreover, their size allows for easy transport,
shipping and/or storage thereof.
[0040] Further in the invention, it is contemplated that the loft
bed 100 can further include various accessories that will enable
the loft bed 100 to be more useful in, for example, the college
dorm setting as shown in FIG. 8A. In particular, it is contemplated
that the space below mattress support 700 can include any various
tables having substantially horizontal surfaces 810 which can form
a desk for the user of loft bed 100. Moreover, it is additionally
or alternatively contemplated that various horizontal surfaces can
be added to the mattress support area 700, or bed support rails
402, 404 to support additional desk-like horizontal surfaces 820,
825. Each of the surfaces 810, 820, and 825 may further include
support structure and suitable fasteners to maintain or allow
storage thereof. Moreover, storage devices can be included in loft
bed 100 including hooks 830 and laundry baskets/bags 840.
[0041] In addition to the particular arrangement of the bed 100
being easily assembled, disassembled and transportable, loft bed
100 may also further include a transport vehicle, container, or
structure. As shown in FIG. 8B, one such exemplary transport
structure or containment structure 800 is shown. Such a transport
structure 800 may be formed with soft or hard material sides 800.
Additionally, a handle or handles 850 may be formed on the
container 800 together with wheels 870 to transport loft bed 100
which may be easily maneuvered and transported in and out a user
location.
[0042] Additionally, the transport vehicle, container or structure
800 is contemplated to have additional uses to that of transporting
loft bed 100. In particular, in one embodiment of the invention,
the transport container 800 may also double as a laundry bag 840
shown in FIG. 8A, or other type of storage device that can be
associated with loft bed 100. Additionally, the transport vehicle
800 may include components which also form the loft bed 100. In
particular, the wheels 870 may form the bottom of the leg
structure, the sides 860 of the container of the vehicle 800 may
form part of the legs 200, 300 or other structure of loft bed
100.
[0043] It should be noted that although the description of the
invention is directed to a loft bed, the invention is equally
applicable to a non-loft bed configuration.
[0044] As described above, the loft bed 100 fulfils the need of
allowing a typical bed to be more easily assemblable, transportable
and, in particular, disassembled into a compact position, such that
it may be easily moved in and out of living quarters, transported
in vehicles for shipping, storage or the like. Moreover, loft bed
100 includes further aesthetically pleasing features, together with
features that increase the efficiency of the use of space such that
a smaller space can be more effectively used, such as for example,
college dorms.
[0045] While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary
embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
invention can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and
scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely
illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all
possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the
invention.
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