U.S. patent application number 12/355764 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-23 for bed assemblies.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Miller, Vy Nguyen.
Application Number | 20090183311 12/355764 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40875247 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090183311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nguyen; Vy ; et al. |
July 23, 2009 |
Bed Assemblies
Abstract
Provided are, among other things, bed assemblies, components
thereof, and systems, methods and techniques for constructing the
same. According to one representative embodiment, a bed assembly
includes an upper frame having a perimeter and also having a
lateral support that extends across the perimeter of the upper
frame and that is hinged so that the upper frame can be folded; a
lower frame having a perimeter and also having a lateral support
that extends across the perimeter of the lower frame and that is
hinged so that the lower frame can be folded; and a number of
vertical supports, each attached at one end to the upper frame and
at an opposite end to the lower frame, so as to provide a mattress
box foundation.
Inventors: |
Nguyen; Vy; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Miller; Jeffrey; (Whittier, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOSEPH SWAN, A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
1334 PARKVIEW AVENUE, SUITE100
MANHATTAN BEACH
CA
90266
US
|
Family ID: |
40875247 |
Appl. No.: |
12/355764 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61021982 |
Jan 18, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/174 ; 5/482;
5/690 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 19/021 20130101;
A47C 19/024 20130101; A47C 19/122 20130101; A47C 19/005 20130101;
A47C 23/061 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/174 ; 5/690;
5/482 |
International
Class: |
A47C 19/12 20060101
A47C019/12; A47C 27/14 20060101 A47C027/14; A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. A bed assembly, comprising: an upper frame having a perimeter
and also having a lateral support that extends across the perimeter
of the upper frame and that is hinged so that the upper frame can
be folded; a lower frame having a perimeter and also having a
lateral support that extends across the perimeter of the lower
frame and that is hinged so that the lower frame can be folded; and
a plurality of vertical supports, each attached at one end to the
upper frame and at an opposite end to the lower frame, so as to
provide a mattress box foundation.
2. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lateral support
of the upper frame is provided with a plurality of hinges, and the
lateral support of the lower frame is provided with a plurality of
hinges.
3. A bed assembly according to claim 2, wherein all of the hinges
are disposed on one of an upper surface of the lower frame and a
lower surface of the upper frame.
4. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hinged lateral
support of the upper frame permits the upper frame to be folded to
approximately one half its length.
5. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hinged lateral
support of the lower frame permits the lower frame to be folded to
approximately one half its length.
6. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper frame is
provided with a plurality of slats extending across its width.
7. A bed assembly according to claim 6, wherein the upper frame
further comprises a plurality of receptacles and each of the
plurality of slats has each of its ends removably inserted into one
of the receptacles.
8. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least some of
the vertical supports are attached at corresponding corner
positions near the perimeter of the upper frame and the perimeter
of the lower frame.
9. A bed assembly according to claim 8, wherein at least some of
the vertical supports are attached at corresponding positions along
the lateral support of the upper frame and the lateral support of
the lower frame.
10. A bed assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a foam
mattress disposed on top of the mattress box foundation.
11. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vertical
supports are bolted to the upper frame and to the lower frame.
12. A bed assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a
fabric cover stretched over the mattress box foundation.
13. A bed assembly according to claim 12, further comprising a
mattress disposed on top of the mattress box foundation and a
mattress cover that covers the mattress, and wherein the fabric
cover over the mattress box foundation matches the mattress
cover.
14. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein the perimeter of
the upper frame and the perimeter of the lower frame are rectangle
are in shape.
15. A bed assembly according to claim 14, wherein at least some of
the vertical supports are attached to diagonal corner braces, which
are located at corners of the upper frame and the lower frame.
16. A bed assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vertical
supports are detachably attached to the upper and lower frames.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/021,982, filed on Jan. 18, 2008, and
titled "Mattress Foundations", which application is incorporated by
reference herein as though set forth herein in full.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains, among other things, to
various bed assemblies, such as mattress foundations, parts of
mattress foundations, and various structures that preferably can be
used in multiple different ways to create a mattress foundation, as
well as to methods for constructing a mattress foundation or other
bed assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A variety of different beds and other sleeping structures
exist. Probably the most common arrangement is a metal or wooden
frame into which a box spring is placed, with a mattress then laid
on top of the box spring. Other arrangements include pullout sofas,
futon frames and mattresses, platform beds, and waterbed frames and
mattresses. However, improved bed assemblies remain desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present inventors have observed that many conventional
bed assemblies are large and bulky, leading to difficulties in
storage and transportation. Further exacerbating these problems is
the fact that many conventional bed assemblies and components of
such assemblies have very limited uses and, in fact, often are
limited to just a single purpose.
[0005] In response to these problems, the present invention
concerns, among other things, bed assemblies that can be
constructed from relatively small and lightweight components. In
addition, in the preferred embodiments those components can be
configured in a variety of different ways to produce a
corresponding variety of different bed assemblies, thereby limiting
the number of components that must be kept in inventory. For
example, one approach according to the present invention is to use
frames that can be folded up for storage and/or transportation and
then subsequently unfolded and used to assemble different kinds of
bed platforms and/or box foundations, as desired by the user.
[0006] Thus, one embodiment of the invention is directed to a bed
assembly that includes: an upper frame having a perimeter and also
having a lateral support that extends across the perimeter of the
upper frame and that is hinged so that the upper frame can be
folded; a lower frame having a perimeter and also having a lateral
support that extends across the perimeter of the lower frame and
that is hinged so that the lower frame can be folded; and a number
of vertical supports, each attached (e.g., detachably attached,
such as by using bolts and nuts) at one end to the upper frame and
at an opposite end to the lower frame, so as to provide a mattress
box foundation.
[0007] By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, it often is possible
to provide a mattress foundation that is relatively easy to store,
transport and then later assemble. In addition, in various
embodiments of the invention, the individual components that are
used to assemble one particular kind of mattress foundation can
also be used (e.g., with different support hardware) to assemble a
different kind of mattress foundation. As a result, the
manufacturer and the seller often can maintain reduced inventories,
while at the same time providing the end user with flexibility in
terms of the particular type of mattress foundation that he or she
would like to construct and use.
[0008] The foregoing summary is intended merely to provide a brief
description of certain aspects of the invention. A more complete
understanding of the invention can be obtained by referring to the
claims and the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the following disclosure, the invention is described with
reference to the attached drawings. However, it should be
understood that the drawings merely depict certain representative
and/or exemplary embodiments and features of the present invention
and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any
manner. The following is a brief description of each of the
attached drawings.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a foundation frame.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of a
foundation frame.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a foundation frame
that has been partially folded.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a plurality of support
legs for attachment to a foundation frame.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing an exemplary installation
of a corner support leg onto a foundation frame.
[0015] FIG. 6 is an exploded view showing an exemplary installation
of a lateral support leg onto a foundation frame.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a mattress platform that
includes a foundation frame with support legs attached.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a mattress platform
supporting a foam mattress.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a bottom frame that has
been completely folded.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of a plurality of corner
and middle supports for attachment to top and bottom foundation
frames.
[0020] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a mattress box foundation
that includes a top frame, a bottom frame and a plurality of corner
and middle supports securing the top and bottom frames to each
other.
[0021] FIG. 12 is an exploded view showing an exemplary
installation of a corner support onto a foundation frame.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a corner support
secured to top and bottom frames.
[0023] FIG. 14 is an exploded view showing an exemplary
installation of a middle support onto a foundation frame.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a middle support
secured to top and bottom frames.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view showing a mattress box
foundation having a top side that is almost fully covered by a
removable cover.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view showing a mattress box
foundation having a top side that is fully covered by a removable
cover.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0027] In the preferred embodiments, a mattress foundation
according to the present invention uses one or two foundation
frames together with supporting hardware. An example of one such
frame 10 is shown in FIG. 1. Frame 10 has a main structure that
includes a perimeter portion 12, a lateral support 13 and a
longitudinal support 14, and preferably is fabricated from
rectangular-cross-section steel tubing or from a similarly strong
but relatively lightweight metal.
[0028] Extending across the width of the main structure is a number
of slats 15, which preferably are made of wood or plastic. As shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2, each slat 15 preferably is held in place by
removably inserting its ends into receptacles 16 which preferably
are securely attached to appropriate positions on the main
structure. As shown, in the preferred embodiments, for each slat 15
one of the end receptacles 16 is disposed on the perimeter 12 and
another is disposed on the longitudinal support 14, such that each
slat extends across half the width of the frame's main structure.
In the present embodiment, each of these slats 15 is slightly
larger than the distance between the end receptacles 16, so that it
bows upwardly a slight amount, thereby providing a certain amount
of springiness.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, one aspect of frame 10 is that lateral
support 13 is hinged along its entire length, using multiple hinges
100, so that the entire frame 10 can be folded, e.g., to half (or
approximately half) its length. As a result, the frame 10 can be
easily transported and stored. Although frame 10 instead could be
hinged along its longitudinal support 14, hinging along the lateral
support 13 generally results in a smaller maximum dimension,
thereby facilitating storage and transportation.
[0030] Frame 10 preferably is provided with mounting holes at its
corners and along its lateral support 13. More preferably, such
mounting holes preferably can be used in a variety of different
ways to produce a variety of different mattress foundations.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the main structure of frame 10
preferably is provided with a diagonal corner brace 37 at each of
its corners, and each such diagonal corner brace 37 preferably
includes a pair of mounting holes 39 for attaching a corner leg 34
(such as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). At the same time, each such
corner leg 34 preferably is provided with a cross member 35 that
includes a pair of holes 36 which are sized and spaced so as to
align with the holes 39 in any of the corner braces 37.
Accordingly, installation of each corner leg 34 preferably involves
simply dropping a pair of bolts through the holes 39 in corner
brace 37 and then through the holes 36 in cross member 35 of the
corresponding corner leg 34, and then using a wing nut to secure
the connection.
[0032] Each of the middle legs 32 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 6)
preferably has a pair of upwardly extending tabs 33 with
through-holes 31. Similarly, lateral support 13 preferably has
corresponding through-holes 30 at three approximately equally
spaced locations along its length. Accordingly, installing the
middle legs 32 preferably involves simply inserting a bolt through
one of the tabs 33, through lateral support 13 and then through the
other tab 33, and finally securing the attachment with a wing nut.
In addition to attaching the middle legs 32, the bolts used for
this purpose can help stabilize hinged lateral support 13.
[0033] Thus, in the present embodiment, a mattress platform 40
(e.g., as shown in FIG. 7) can be provided by simply: (1) unfolding
frame 10 so that it is substantially flat; and then (2) attaching
middle legs 32 and corner legs 34 to frame 10 in the manner
described above. Such a platform 40 can be used, e.g., for
supporting a memory foam mattress 42, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0034] In the preceding embodiment, a single frame 10 is used
together with relatively easily attachable/detachable legs 32 and
34 in order to construct a platform. In another embodiment, an
additional frame 70 (shown in FIG. 9 in its fully folded state also
is used. As also shown in FIG. 9, frame 70 preferably also is
hinged along its lateral support 83 (e.g., in the same manner as
frame 10, using four equally spaced hinges 100) so that it can be
folded (e.g., for transportation and/or storage) in the same manner
as frame 10. As with frame 10, frame 70 instead could be hinged
along its longitudinal support 84. However, unlike frame 10, frame
70 (which forms the bottom of box foundation 80) generally does not
need to be provided with slats.
[0035] In the present embodiment, the supporting hardware includes
a plurality of rigid middle supports 72 and rigid corner supports
74 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10), each preferably fabricated from
rectangular-cross-section steel tubing or from a similarly strong
but relatively lightweight metal. As discussed in more detail
below, in the present embodiment the middle supports 72 and the
corner supports 74 are used as vertical supports in a mattress box
foundation 80. Each middle support 72 preferably is similar to the
middle leg 32 (discussed above), but instead of terminating in a
leg bottom as does middle leg 32, middle support 72 preferably has
identical top and bottom portions (with upwardly extending tabs 33)
for attaching to similarly configured frames, e.g., frames 10 and
70 in the present embodiment. Each corner support 74 preferably is
similar to the corner leg 34 (discussed above), but again instead
of terminating in a leg bottom as does middle leg 34, middle
support 74 preferably has identical top and bottom portions (with a
cross member 35) for attaching to similarly configured frames,
e.g., frames 10 and 70 in the present embodiment, having similar
diagonal corner braces 37.
[0036] Generally speaking, the present embodiment involves the
attachment of two frames (e.g., frame 10 and frame 70 in the
present embodiment) in order to construct a box foundation. An
exemplary construction is illustrated in FIG. 11. As shown in FIGS.
11-13, corner supports 74 attach the corresponding diagonal corner
braces 37 of the two frames 10 and 70 to each other. As shown in
FIGS. 11, 14 and 15, middle supports 72 attach lateral support 83
of frame 70 to lateral support 13 of frame 10, one each near the
outer edges and one near the center of lateral supports 83 and 13.
The resulting structure is a mattress box foundation 80.
[0037] It is noted that several of the hinges 100 in frames 10 and
70 are visible in FIG. 15. Each such hinge 100 preferably is
directed toward the interior of the box foundation 80. Although
conventional door-style hinges are used in the embodiment shown
above, any other hinging mechanism instead may be used.
[0038] Thus, in the present embodiment, a mattress box foundation
80 can be provided by simply: (1) unfolding frame 10 and frame 70
so that each is substantially flat; and then (2) attaching frame 10
to frame 70 using middle supports 72 and corner supports 74 in the
manner described above. Such a platform 80 can be used, e.g., for
supporting a memory foam mattress 42.
[0039] Once the box foundation 80 has been constructed, it can be
covered using an optional fabric stretch-over cover 110, e.g., with
one or more underside straps 112 and corresponding clasps 114 to
secure the attachment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. In certain
embodiments, the foundation cover 110 matches a cover that is used
for the mattress (such as foam mattress 42), e.g., in color,
pattern and/or style.
[0040] In the preferred embodiments, each frame (e.g., 10 and 70)
is packaged and/or sold separately. Typically, due to the small
dimensions and light weight, the individual components can be taken
directly out of the store by the customer; no truck delivery is
required. Each major piece (e.g., frames 10 and 70) preferably
weighs less than 25 pounds (lbs), for a total weight when assembled
as a finished foundation of less than 50 lbs. Similar properties
can make the present product (as well as its individual components)
suitable for shipping via all conventional consumer freight
carriers, such as UPS and FEDEX, thereby facilitating Internet
and/or catalogue sales.
[0041] The design described above allows the product to be
configured as a standalone bed base, a platform to convert a
conventional bed to a platform bed, and a conventional foundation,
which can be used with many types of mattresses. The present
foundations are particularly suited for current memory foam type
mattresses. Moreover, using the simple bolt and wing-nut
construction described above, it often is possible to construct the
desired end product in less than 15 minutes.
Additional Considerations.
[0042] Several different embodiments of the present invention are
described above, with each such embodiment described as including
certain features. However, it is intended that the features
described in connection with the discussion of any single
embodiment are not limited to that embodiment but may be included
and/or arranged in various combinations in any of the other
embodiments as well, as will be understood by those skilled in the
art.
[0043] Similarly, in the discussion above, functionality sometimes
is ascribed to a particular module or component. However,
functionality generally may be redistributed as desired among any
different modules or components, in some cases completely obviating
the need for a particular component or module and/or requiring the
addition of new components or modules. The precise distribution of
functionality preferably is made according to known engineering
tradeoffs, with reference to the specific embodiment of the
invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0044] Thus, although the present invention has been described in
detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments thereof and
accompanying drawings, it should be apparent to those skilled in
the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present
invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and
the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not
limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings and
described above. Rather, it is intended that all such variations
not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as
within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *