Beds – Bedsteads – Extension
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-09
2001-08-07
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Bedsteads
Extension
C005S184000, C005S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269498
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to bed support mechanisms and, more particularly, to a bed support mechanism having at least two substantially identical members that are adjustably connected for supporting a variety of bed widths.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Bed frames provide a pleasing appearance while supporting the mattress and/or bedspring resulting in longer life for the bed and a more comfortable feel for the user. The traditional western bed design includes a frame having two side rails running between a headboard and a footboard that support the mattress and bedspring along its edges. Slats extend between the side rails providing support for the bed interior, which is particularly necessary as a majority of the weight placed upon the bed, is in the middle, away from the edges. However, previously available bed support mechanisms have a number of disadvantages.
There are currently numerous different bed width designs available on the market. For example, common bed widths include a double having about a fifty-four inch width, a queen having about a sixty-inch width, a California king having about a seventy-six inch width, and a king having about a seventy-eight inch width. Therefore, a manufacturer who makes these four separate bed designs is required to manufacture and stock four separate sizes of bed supports. Additionally, there may be manufacturing variances in the widths which require the support mechanisms to be adjustable. For example, a sixty inch bed may have manufacturing variances resulting in the width actually extending between about fifty-nine to sixty-one inches.
Another drawback of previous support mechanisms is placing an interior foot or feet that extend from the bed slats to the floor to help support the bed. Many previous designs require the user to place the interior feet at the proper position along the length of the support length to support the interior of the bed. If the placement is incorrect, such as too far or too close to the side rails, there is little support which may result in the bed slat failing. Additionally, many previous designs utilized pivotable interior feet. The drawback of this design is that if the bed were to slide laterally, the interior feet may pivot upward so as not to support the interior of the bed.
Thus, there remains a need for a new and improved bed support mechanism which provides support for beds of various widths while, at the same time, includes adjustable height interior feet to provide support to the interior of the bed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a bed support mechanism. The mechanism includes: at least two substantially identical L-shaped support members each including a top section and a leg section, the top sections being adjacently positioned to one another and each of the leg sections extending downward at opposite ends of the adjacently positioned L-shaped support members to support the bed. In the preferred embodiment; an adjustable foot is connected to the distal end of each of the leg sections to provide adjustment for beds of different heights.
The L-shaped support members may be selectively positioned to provide support for a bed having a width in the range of between about 54 inches to about 78 inches. Specifically, the length of the top section of each of the L-shaped support members is greater than about one half the width of the widest accommodated bed width while, at the same time, the length of the top section of each of the L-shaped support members is less than the width of the smallest bed size.
In the preferred embodiment, the L-shaped support members are connected together by bolts and wing nuts which extend through a plurality of apertures spaced along the length of the top section wherein the apertures align at pre-selected positions along the length of the L-shaped support members for inserting the fasteners. In the preferred embodiment, the position of the apertures is the same for each of the pair of the L-shaped support members thereby allowing a single design to serve for each of the pair. In an alternative embodiment, the L-shaped support members are connected together by one or more conventional C-clamps or U-shaped brackets which, may provide sufficient strength for many applications.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a bed support mechanism including at least two substantially identical L-shaped support members each including a top section and a leg section, the top sections being adjacently positioned to one another and each of the leg sections extending downward at opposite ends of the adjacently positioned L-shaped support members to support the bed.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a bed support mechanism. The mechanism includes: at least two substantially identical L-shaped support members each including a top section and a leg section, the top sections being adjacently positioned to one another and each of the leg sections extending downward at opposite ends of the adjacently positioned L-shaped support members to support the bed; and an adjustable foot connected to the distal end of each of the leg section and extending to the floor to provide adjustment for beds of different heights.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a bed support mechanism. The mechanism includes: at least two substantially identical L-shaped support members each including a top section and a leg section, the top sections being adjacently positioned to one another and each of the leg sections extending downward at opposite ends of the adjacently positioned L-shaped support members to support the bed; an adjustable foot connected to the distal end of each of the leg sections to provide adjustment for beds of different heights; and means for selectively positioning the L-shaped support members to provide support for a bed having a width in the range of between about 54 inches to about 78 inches.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings.
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Browne Lynne H.
Conley Fredrick
Rhodes & Mason P.L.L.C.
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