U.S. patent application number 14/910380 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for retainer bar assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to TEMPUR-PEDIC MANAGEMENT, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is TEMPUR-PEDIC MANAGEMENT, LLC. Invention is credited to Leslie Ann Burton, Horace Robert Eskridge, III.
Application Number | 20160174724 14/910380 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52461795 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160174724 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eskridge, III; Horace Robert ;
et al. |
June 23, 2016 |
RETAINER BAR ASSEMBLY
Abstract
Retainer bar assemblies are provided for use is an adjustable
base of a support cushion. The retainer bar assemblies include a
retainer bar having a horizontal rod and two legs connected to the
horizontal rod with an end portion that extends from each leg in a
direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod. The
retainer bar assemblies further include a pair of brackets where
each bracket defines at least one channel for receiving the end
portion of the two legs. Each channel has a vertical segment and an
angled segment such that each channel is configured to allow the
horizontal rod to be moved upward and rotated away from each
bracket. Adjustable support cushions or bed assemblies that include
the retainer bar assemblies are also provided.
Inventors: |
Eskridge, III; Horace Robert;
(Paris, KY) ; Burton; Leslie Ann; (Lexington,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TEMPUR-PEDIC MANAGEMENT, LLC |
Lexington |
KY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TEMPUR-PEDIC MANAGEMENT,
LLC
Lexington
KY
|
Family ID: |
52461795 |
Appl. No.: |
14/910380 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
August 6, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2013/053729 |
371 Date: |
February 5, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/613 ;
5/658 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 20/04 20130101;
A47C 21/026 20130101; A47C 21/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 21/02 20060101
A47C021/02; A47C 20/04 20060101 A47C020/04 |
Claims
1. A retainer bar assembly for use with an adjustable base for a
support cushion, comprising: a retainer bar configured to secure a
support cushion on an adjustable base, the retainer bar having a
horizontal rod and two legs connected to the horizontal rod, each
of the two legs having an end portion extending therefrom in a
direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod; and a pair
of brackets, each bracket defining at least one channel for
receiving the end portion of each of the two legs, and each channel
having a vertical segment and an angled segment such that each
channel is configured to allow the horizontal rod to be moved
upward and rotated away from each bracket.
2. The retainer bar assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the two
legs further includes an upright portion and a lower curved
portion, the lower curved portion configured to slide over a
rounded surface of each bracket as the horizontal n rod is rotated
away from each bracket.
3. The retainer bar assembly of claim 1, wherein each bracket
defines a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and
the second channel positioned on opposite sides of each
bracket.
4. The retainer bar assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cap
for covering an open top of each bracket.
5. The retainer bar assembly of claim 4, wherein the cap defines at
least one slot having a length and extending longitudinally along a
top surface of the cap, such that a particular leg moves along the
length of the slot as the horizontal rod is rotated away from each
bracket.
6. The retainer bar assembly of claim 5, wherein the cap defines a
first slot and a second slot, which are substantially parallel to
one another.
7. The retainer bar assembly of claim 6, wherein one of the two
legs of the retainer bar is housed in the first slot of one cap and
the second of the two legs of the retainer bar is housed in the
second slot of a second cap.
8. The retainer bar assembly of claim 4, wherein the cap i eludes a
lip for securing the cap to a corresponding rim of each
bracket.
9. The retainer bar assembly of claim 4, wherein the cap includes a
fin extending down downwardly from the cap such that, upon using
the cap to cover the open top of each bracket, the fin extends into
each bracket and secures the end portion of a particular leg in a
particular channel of each bracket.
10. The retainer bar assembly of claim 6, wherein each bracket
defines a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and
the second channel positioned on opposite sides of each bracket,
and wherein the cap further comprises as first fin and a second fin
extending downwardly from the cap, such that, upon using the cap to
cover the open top of each bracket, the first fin extends into each
bracket adjacent to the first slot and the second tin extends into
each bracket adjacent to the second slot to secure the end portion
of a particular leg in either the first channel or the second
channel.
11. An adjustable support cushion assembly, comprising: an
adjustable base having an upper surface; and a retainer bar
assembly positioned at a lower end of the upper surface of the
adjustable base, the retainer bar assembly including a retainer bar
having a horizontal rod and two legs connected to the horizontal
rod, each of the two legs having an end portion extending therefrom
in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod, and a
pair of brackets, each bracket defining at least one channel for
receiving the end portion of each of the two legs, and each channel
having a vertical segment and an angled segment such that each
channel is configured to allow the horizontal rod to be moved
upward and rotated away from each bracket.
12. The adjustable support cushion assembly of claim 11, wherein
the adjustable base includes two support members extending
longitudinally along opposite sides of the adjustable base, and
wherein one bracket is attached to one of the two support members
and the second bracket is attached to the other support member.
13. The adjustable support cushion assembly of claim 11, further
comprising a cap for covering an open top of each bracket.
14. The adjustable support cushion assembly of claim 13, wherein
the cap defines at least one slot having a length and extending
longitudinally along a inn surface of the cap, such that a
particular leg moves along the length of the slot as the horizontal
rod is rotated away from each bracket.
15. The adjustable support cushion assembly of claim 14, wherein
the one or more slots each include an open end adjacent to an upper
edge of a foot board of the adjustable base, such that the two legs
are rotated against the upper edge of the foot board as the
horizontal rod is rotated away from each bracket.
16. An adjustable bed assembly, comprising: as mattress; an
adjustable base having an upper surface; and a retainer bar
assembly positioned at a lower end of the upper surface of the
adjustable base, the retainer bar assembly including: a retainer
bar having a horizontal rod and two legs connected to the
horizontal rod, each of the two legs having an end portion
extending therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to the
horizontal rod; and a pair of brackets, each bracket defining at
least one channel for receiving the end portion of each of the two
legs, and each channel having a vertical segment and an angled
segment such that each channel is configured to allow the
horizontal rod to be moved upward and rotated away from each
bracket.
17. The adjustable bed assembly of claim 16, wherein the mattress
is comprised of a flexible foam.
18. The adjustable bed assembly of claim 17, wherein the flexible
foam is a visco-elastic foam.
19. The adjustable bed assembly of claim 16, further comprising a
comfort layer positioned atop the mattress.
20. The adjustable bed assembly of claim 19, wherein the comfort
layer has a density less than that of the mattress.
21. The adjustable bed assembly of claim 36, wherein each of the
two legs have a height such that the horizontal rod of the retainer
bar rests against the mattress when the retainer bar is in a
lowered position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a retainer bar assembly for
use with an adjustable base for a support cushion. In particular,
the present invention relates to a retainer bar assembly that
includes brackets having channels configured to allow a retainer
bar to be moved upward and rotated away from an adjustable base,
such that a support cushion lying on the adjustable base can then
be easily manipulated.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bed assemblies that make use of adjustable bases are
becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional bed
assemblies. Unlike traditional bed assemblies that make use of
rigid box springs or other similar bases, a bed assembly that makes
use of an adjustable base cart readily be adjusted by articulating
the base into a desired ergonomic position. In other words, by
articulating the adjustable base, a user can readily change the
position of the mattress lying on the adjustable base and,
consequently, can quickly match the position of the mattress to
their specific preferences and, at least partially, individualize
his or her level of sleep comfort.
[0003] Despite the readily adjustable nature of such bed
assemblies, the use of adjustable bases frequently leads to
difficulties in manipulating the mattresses lying on top of the
bases. More particularly, in a bed assembly that makes use of an
adjustable base, the adjustable base often includes a retainer bar
rigidly secured to the foot of the base that holds the mattress
firmly in position atop the base and prevents the mattress from
sliding off of the base when it is articulated. In using such a
rigid retainer bar, however, the retainer bar also acts to prevent
the mattress from easily being manipulated, such as what may be
necessary to rotate the mattress or change the sheets covering the
mattress.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention relates to a retainer bar assembly for
use with an adjustable base for a support cushion. In particular,
the present invention relates to a retainer bar assembly that
includes brackets having channels configured to allow a retainer
bar to be moved upward and rotated away from an adjustable base,
such that a support cushion lying on the adjustable base can then
be easily manipulated. Thus, the retainer bar assemblies of the
present invention allow a User to obtain the benefits of a bed
assembly having an adjustable base, but without the difficulty that
is frequently encountered in manipulating a mattress around a rigid
retainer bar to rotate the mattress or change the sheets covering
the mattress.
[0005] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
retainer bar assembly is provided as part of a bed assembly that
includes an adjustable base and a support cushion in the form of a
mattress. The retainer bar assembly is positioned at a lower end of
the upper surface of the adjustable base. The retainer bar assembly
includes a retainer bar that is configured to secure the mattress
on the adjustable base when the retainer bar is in a lowered
position. In, this regard, the retainer bar includes a horizontal
rod as well as two legs, which each include an upright portion, a
curved lower portion, and an end portion that extends in a
direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod. The two
legs are connected to the horizontal rod and have a height that
allows the horizontal rod to rest against the mattress when the
retainer bar is in the lowered position to assure that the mattress
remains secured to the adjustable base when the base is
articulated.
[0006] To secure the retainer bar to the adjustable base, the
retainer bar assembly further includes a pair of brackets that are
attached to two support members extending longitudinally along the
opposite sides of the adjustable base, with one bracket being
attached to one of the two support members and the second bracket
being attached to the other support member. Each bracket generally
defines a first channel and a second channel that are positioned on
opposite sides of each bracket and are configured to receive the
end portions of each of the two legs. Unlike the rigidly-attached
retainer bar assemblies traditionally used with adjustable bases,
however, each channel of the brackets of the retainer bar
assemblies of the present invention includes a vertical segment and
an angled segment, such that each channel is configured to allow
the horizontal rod to be moved (e.g., pulled) upward and then
rotated away from each bracket.
[0007] To secure the retainer bar in each bracket and prevent the
disengagement of the end portions of the two legs of the retainer
bar from the channels in the brackets, as well as from the brackets
themselves, the retainer bar assembly further includes a cap for
covering an open top of each bracket. Each of the caps defines a
first slot and a second slot, with one of the two legs of the
retainer bar typically housed in the first slot of one cap and the
second of the two legs of the retainer bar typically housed in the
second slot of the second cap. The slots of the caps are
substantially parallel to one another and have a length that
extends longitudinally along a top surface of the cap. In this
regard, when the horizontal rod of the retainer bar is moved upward
and rotated away from each bracket, the slots are configured to
allow the legs to move along the length of the slots as the
horizontal rod is rotated away from each bracket. In some
embodiments, to further facilitate the rotating of the horizontal
rod of the retainer bar away from each bracket, the slots also
include an open end adjacent to an upper edge of a foot board of
the adjustable base, such that the two legs are rotated against the
upper edge of the foot hoard as the horizontal rod is rotated away
from each bracket.
[0008] To further secure the retainer bar in each bracket and, in
particular, the end portions of the legs of the retainer bar, each
cap further comprises at least one fin that extends downwardly from
the cap into each bracket and acts to secure the end portion of a
particular leg in a particular channel of a bracket. In some
embodiments, the cap includes a first fin and a second fin
extending downwardly from the cap, such that, upon using the cap to
cover the open top of each bracket, the first tin extends into the
bracket adjacent to the first slot and the second fin extends into
the bracket adjacent to the second slot to secure the end portion
of a particular leg in either the first channel or the second
channel.
[0009] With further respect to the caps of the retainer bar
assembly of the present invention, each cap also generally includes
a lip for securing the cap to a corresponding rim of each bracket.
In some embodiments, the cap further defines an opening for
inserting a fastener through the cap. In such embodiments, once the
fastener has been inserted through the opening in the cap, the
fastener can then be placed in a corresponding bore in each bracket
to thereby further secure the cap to each bracket and prevent the
cap and the retainer bar from being pulled from the adjustable base
as the horizontal bar is being pulled upward and rotated away from
the brackets.
[0010] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a
study of the description, figures, and non-limiting examples in
this document.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary adjustable bed
assembly with the mattress removed from the bed assembly to show an
exemplary retainer bar assembly made in accordance with the present
invention in a lowered position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exemplary
adjustable bed assembly of FIG. 1, but with the retainer bar
rotated away from the brackets of the retainer bar assembly;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary
retainer bar assembly of FIGS. 1-2:
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the exemplary
bed assembly of FIG. 1, but with the mattress, a portion of the
adjustable base, and a portion of one of the brackets removed to
show the interior of the bracket;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the exemplary bed
assembly of FIG. 1, but with the mattress and a portion of the
adjustable base removed to show the retainer bar in a lowered
position in the one of the brackets of the retainer bar assembly;
and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the exemplary bed
assembly of FIG. 1, but with the mattress and a portion of the
adjustable base removed to show the retainer bar in a raised
position in the one of the brackets of the retainer bar
assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0017] The present invention relates to a retainer bar assembly for
use with an adjustable base for a support cushion. In particular,
the present invention relates to a retainer bar assembly that
includes brackets having channels configured to allow a retainer
bar to be moved upward and rotated away from an adjustable base,
such that a support cushion lying on the adjustable base can then
be easily manipulated. Thus, the retainer bar assemblies of the
present invention allow a user to obtain the benefits of a bed
assembly with an adjustable base without the difficulty that is
frequently encountered in manipulating a mattress around a rigid
retainer bar in order to change the sheets or otherwise move a
portion of the mattress.
[0018] Referring first to FIGS. 1-2, in one exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, a retainer bar assembly 17 is provided as
part of a bed assembly 10 that further includes an adjustable base
12 and a support cushion in the form of a mattress 14. The mattress
14 rests on an upper surface 13 of the adjustable base 12 and
includes a body supporting portion 15 and an optional comfort layer
16. The body supporting portion 15 of the mattress 14 is generally
comprised of a flexible foam having a density suitable for
distributing pressure from a user's body, or portion thereof,
across the body supporting portion 15 of the mattress 14. Such
flexible foams include, but are not limited to latex foam;
reticulated or non-reticulated visco-elastic foam (sometimes
referred to as memory foam or low-resilience foam); reticulated or
non-reticulated non-visco-elastic foam; high-resilience
polyurethane foam; expanded polymer foams (e.g., expanded ethylene
vinyl acetate, polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene); and
the like. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-.2, the body
supporting portion 15 is comprised of a visco-elastic foam that has
a low resilience, but sufficient hardness and density so that
pressure is distributed evenly across the both supporting portion
15 of the mattress 14.
[0019] With respect to the hardness of the visco-elastic forms used
in the body supporting portion 15, suitable visco-elastic foams for
the body supporting portion 15 have a hardness of at least about 10
N to no greater than about 80 N, as measured by exerting pressure
from a plate against a sample of the material to a compression of
at least 40% of an original thickness of the material at
approximately room temperature (i.e., 21.degree. C. to 23.degree.
C.), where the 40% compression is held for a set period 01 time as
established by the International Organization of Standardization
(ISO) 2439 hardness measuring standard. In some embodiments, the
visco-elastic foam that comprises the body supporting portion 15
has a hardness of about 10 N, about 20 N, about 30 N, about 40 N,
about 50 N, about 60 N, about 70 N, or about 80 N to provide a
desired degree of comfort and body-conforming qualities.
[0020] With respect to the density of the visco-elastic foams used
in the had supporting portion 15, suitable visco-elastic foams for
the body supporting portion 15 have as density that also assists in
providing a desired degree of comfort and body-conforming
qualities, as well as an increased degree of material durability,
in some embodiments, the density of the visco-elastic foam that
comprises the body supporting portion 15 of the mattress 14 has a
density of no less than about 30 kg/m3 to no greater than about 150
kg/m3. In sonic embodiments, the density of the visco-elastic foam
that comprises the body supporting portion 15 of the mattress 14 is
about 30 kg/m3, about 40 kg/m3, about 50 kg/m3, about 60 kg/m3,
about 70 kg/m3, about 80 kg/m3, about 90 kg/m3, about 100 kg/m3,
about 110 kg/m3m, about 120 kg/m3, about 130 kg/m3, about 140
kg/m3, or about 150 kg/m3. Of course, the selection of a
visco-elastic foam having a particular density will affect other
characteristics of the foam, including its hardness, the manner in
which the foam responds to pressure, and the overall feel of the
foam, but it should be appreciated that a visco-elastic foam having
a desired density and hardness can readily be selected for a
particular application or mattress assembly as desired.
[0021] Referring still to FIGS. 1-2, in this exemplary embodiment,
the mattress 14 further includes an upper comfort layer 16 that is
positioned atop the body supporting portion 15 and provides a level
of comfort to to body of a user or a portion of thereof that is
resting on the mattress 14. The comfort layer 16 is also preferably
comprised of a visco-elastic foam. However, the comfort layer 16
typically has a density, hardness, or both that is less than that
of the body supporting portion 15 of the mattress 14, such that the
comfort layer 16 provides a softer surface on which to rest the
body of a user or a portion thereof. For example. In some
embodiments, the mattress 14 includes a body supporting portion 15
that is comprised of visco-elastic foam with a density of about 80
kg/m3 and a hardness of about 13 N, while the comfort layer 16 is
comprised of a visco-elastic foam with a density of about 35 kg/m3
and a hardness of about 10 N.
[0022] Regardless of the particular hardness and density of the
materials (e.g., the foams) used, the body supporting portion 15
and the comfort layer 16 of the mattress 14 are preferably secured
to one another to create an integrated mattress 14 and to prevent
the body supporting portion 15 and the comfort layer 16 from
unnecessarily moving relative to one another during use.
Nevertheless, in creating such an integrated mattress 14, when the
mattress 14 is placed on the adjustable base 12, and the base 12 is
articulated, as shown in FIG. 2, the weight of the mattress 14, or
a user lying on the mattress 14, will often cause the mattress 14
to slide downward across the upper surface 13 of the adjustable
base 12. To prevent such movement of the mattress 14 relative to
the adjustable base 12, the retainer bar assembly 17 is positioned
at a lower end 11 of the upper surface 13 of the adjustable base 12
and includes a retainer bar 20 that is configured to secure the
mattress 14 on the adjustable base 12 when the retainer bar 20 is
in a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 1. Unlike the
rigidly-attached retainer bar assemblies traditionally used with
adjustable bases, however, the retainer bar 20 is configured such
that the retainer bar 20 can be pulled upward and then rotated away
from the mattress 14 lying on the adjustable base 12 to thereby
allow a user to easily manipulate or otherwise move the mattress
14, such as, for example, to rotate the mattress 14 or change the
sheets covering the mattress 14.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, to provide a retainer bar
assembly 17 that can be moved in such a manner, the retainer bar 20
includes a horizontal rod 21 as well as two legs 22, 26. Each of
the teas 22, 26 includes an upright portion 27 as curved lower
portion 24, 28, and an end portion 25, 29 that extends in a
direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod 21. The two
legs 22, 26 are connected to or are ml with the horizontal rod 21
and have a height that allows the horizontal rod 21 to rest against
the body supporting portion 15 of the mattress 14 when the retainer
bar 20 is in the lowered position, as described below.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6, to secure the retainer
bar 20 to the lower end 11 of the upper surface 13 of the
adjustable base 12, the retainer bar 20 further includes a pair of
brackets 30a, 30b. The brackets 30a, 30b are typically made of a
sufficiently hard metal or plastic material to withstand the
movement of the retainer bar 20 or a force being applied to the
retainer bar 20 (e.g., as a result of the mattress pushing against
the retainer bar 20 when the adjustable base 12 is articulated),
and are attached to two support members 70a, 70b extending
longitudinally along opposite sides of the adjustable base 12. One
bracket 30a is attached to one support member 70a and the second
bracket 30b attached to the other support member 70b on the
opposite side of the adjustable base 12. Each of the brackets 30a,
30b, however, are identical to one another such that the brackets
32a, 32b can be used interchangeably on either of the support
members 70a, 70b. Further, each bracket 30a, 30b defines a first
channel 31a, 31b and a second channel 32a, 32b that are positioned
on opposite sides of each bracket 30a, 30b. Such channels 31, 31b,
32a, 32b are configured to receive the end portions 25, 29 of each
of the two legs 22, 26. In this regard, each channel 31a, 31b, 32a,
32b includes a vertical segment 33a, 33b, 35a, 35b and an angled
segment 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b, the importance of which is discussed
below.
[0025] By providing channels 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b with both a
vertical segment 33a, 33b, 35a, 35b and an angled segment 34a, 34b,
36a, 36b each channel 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b is configured to allow the
end portions 25, 29 of the two legs 22, 26 to be moved upward along
the length of the vertical segments 33a, 33b, 35a, 35b and then
along the length of the angled segments 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b to allow
the retainer bar 20 to be rotated. More specifically, by providing
channels 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b that allow the end portions 25, 29 of
the two legs 22, 26 to be moved in such a manner, when a user of
the bed assembly 10 grabs the horizontal rod 21 of the retainer bar
20 and pulls upward, the end portions 25, 29 of the two legs 22, 26
are moved upward along the length of the vertical segments 33a,
33b, 35a, 35b, as best shown in FIG. 5. Then, as the user pulls
back on the horizontal rod 21, the end portions 25, 29 of the two
legs 22, 26 are moved along the length of the angled segments 34a,
34b, 36a, 35b to thereby rotate the horizontal rod 21 away from
each bracket 30a, 30b and, consequently, rotate the horizontal rod
21 and the upright portion 23, 27 of the legs 22, 26 away from the
mattress 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6.
[0026] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, to further secure the retainer
bar 20 in each bracket 30a, 30b and prevent the disengagement of
the end portions 25, 29 of the two legs 22, 26 of the retainer bar
20 from the channels 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b in the brackets 30a, 30b,
as well as from the brackets 30a, 30b themselves, the retainer bar
assembly 17 further includes caps 40a, 40b that cover the open tops
37a, 37b of each bracket 30a, 30b. Similar to the brackets 30a,
30b, the caps 40a, 40b, are preferably made of a sufficiently hard
metal or plastic material to withstand the movement of the retainer
bar 20. As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3, each of the caps 40a, 40b
defines a first slot 42a, 42b and a second slot 43a, 43b, which are
substantially parallel to one another, and have a length that
extends longitudinally along a top surface 41a, 41b of the caps
40a, 40b. In this regard, and also similar to the brackets 30a,
30b, each of the caps 40a, 40b are identical to one another such
that the caps 40a, 40b can be used interchangeably with either of
the brackets 30a, 30b or on either side of the adjustable base
12.
[0027] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, to secure
the retainer bar 20 in the brackets 30a, 30b, the end portion 25 of
the leg 22 is placed in the channel 31a of the bracket 30a, and the
end portion 29 of the other leg 26 is housed in the channel 32b of
the second bracket 30b. As such, when the caps 40a, 40b are placed
over the brackets, the leg 22 is housed within the first slot 42a
of one cap 40a and the other leg 26 is housed within the second
slot 43b of the other cap 40b. Thus, the caps 40a, 40b and, more
particularly, the slots 42a, 43b, prevent the legs 22, 26 of
retainer bar 20 from being pinched or otherwise pushed together and
the end portions 25, 29 from becoming disengaged from the channels
31a, 32b as the retainer bar 20 is moved.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, to further secure the retainer
bar 20 in the brackets 30a, 30b and, in particular, the end
portions 25, 29 of the legs 22, 26 of the retainer bar 20, each cap
40a, 40b further comprises at least one fin that extends downwardly
from the caps 40a, 40b and into each bracket 30a, 30b to secure the
end portions 25, 29 of the legs 22, 26 in the channels 31a, 32b of
each bracket 30a, 30b. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS.
3-4, the caps 40a, 40b include a first tin 46a, 46b and a second
fin 47a, 47b extending downwardly from the respective caps 40a, 40,
such that, upon using the caps 40a, 40b to cover the open tops 37a,
37b of each bracket, the first fin 46a of one cap 40a extends into
the bracket 30a adjacent to the first slot 42a and the second fin
47b of the other cap 40b extends into the other bracket 30b
adjacent to the second slot 42b. Thus, the first fin 46a and the
second in 47b, respectively, secure the end portions 25, 29 of the
legs 22, 26 in the first channel 31a of one bracket 30a and the
second channel 32b of the other bracket 30b. Of course, it is also
contemplated that other caps having fin configurations capable of
securing the end portions 25, 29 in the channels 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b
of the brackets 30a, 30b, including caps having a single unitary in
can also be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the
subject matter described herein.
[0029] With further respect to the caps 40a, 40b of the exemplary
retainer bar assembly 17 of the present invention, each cap 40a,
40b also generally includes a lip 44a, 44b that can be placed under
corresponding rims 38a, 38b of each bracket 30a, 30b to prevent the
caps from being pulled off each bracket 30a, 30b and to thereby
secure the caps 40a, 40b to each bracket 30a, 30b. To also secure
the caps 40a, 40b to the brackets 30a, 30b, each cap 40a, 40b
additionally defines an opening 45a, 45b for inserting a fastener,
such as the screws 50a, 50b shown in FIG. 3, through each cap 40a
40b. In such embodiments, once the particular screw 50a, 50b has
been inserted through the particular opening 45a, 45b in the cap
40a, 40b, the particular screw 50a, 50b can then be inserted, in a
corresponding bore 39a, 39b in each bracket 30a, 30b to thereby
further secure each cap 40a, 40b and prevent the caps 40a, 40b and
the retainer bar 20 from being pulled from the adjustable base 12
as the horizontal rod 21 is being pulled upward and rotated away
from the brackets 30a, 30b.
[0030] As an additional refinement to the caps 40a, 40b used in the
retainer bar assembly 17 of the present invention, and referring
now to FIGS. 2-3, each of the slots 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b of the caps
40a, 40b further include open ends 48a, 48b, 49a, 49b that are
adjacent to the upper edge 18 of the toot board 19 of the
adjustable base 12. In this regard, when the horizontal rod 21 is
pulled upward and the lower curved portion 24, 28 of the legs 22,
26 of the retainer bar 20 is slid over the rounded surface 51a, 51b
of each bracket, the legs 22, 26 extend along the length of the
slots 42a, 42b and the two legs 22, 26 are rotated against the
upper edge 18 of the foot board 19 of the adjustable base 12 to
allow a user to more fully rotate the retainer bar 20 away from the
mattress 14 and thereby allow the mattress 14 to then be easily
manipulated.
[0031] Throughout this document, various references are mentioned.
All such references are incorporated herein by reference, including
the references set forth in the following list:
[0032] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
additional embodiments or implementations are possible without
departing from the teachings of the present invention or the scope
of the claims which follow. This detailed description, and
particularly the specific details of the exemplary embodiments and
implementations disclosed herein, is given primarily for clarity of
understanding, and no unnecessary limitations are to he understood
therefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled
in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention.
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