Beds – Berth or bunk
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-25
2002-03-12
Santos, Robert G. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Berth or bunk
C005S008000, C005S002100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06353945
ABSTRACT:
I. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to beds, and more particularly to a multi-positionable bunk bed assembly that includes a first and a second multi-positionable mattress frame assembly.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Beds of various types have existed since man discovered that interposing a cushioning means between his or her body and the ground made sleeping more comfortable than lying directly on the ground. The conventional bed usually consists of a generally vertically disposed headboard member placed at the head of the bed, a generally vertically disposed footboard member placed at the foot of the bed, and a generally horizontally disposed mattress frame that extends there between, and is coupled to each of the headboard and footboard. A box spring usually overlays the mattress frame, and a mattress overlays the box spring. The generally planar upper surface of the mattress comprises the sleeping surface on which the user lays while sleeping.
A bunk bed is a variant on the traditional bed that has the advantage of providing two individual sleeping surfaces, while requiring no more floor space than a traditional bed having a single sleeping surface. A bunk bed usually consists of an especially tall, (e.g. five to seven feet high) vertically disposed headboard and footboard. A mattress frame is attached to each of the headboard and footboard and extends there between in a relatively low position, usually between one and two feet from the floor surface. A second mattress frame is disposed above the first mattress frame, and also extends between the headboard and footboard. The second mattress frame is connected to the headboard and footboard approximately four feet to six feet from the floor. A first mattress is placed over the first mattress frame, and a second mattress is placed over the second mattress frame. The spatial separation between the first and second mattress frames should be sufficient to ensure that enough space between the upper surface of the lower mattress and the bottom of the second mattress frame exists to provide a non-clastrophobic atmosphere for the user sleeping on the lower mattress.
A ladder can be attached to the upper mattress frame to enable the occupant of the upper mattress to climb up to the elevated second mattress. Alternately, one or both of the headboard and footboard can be designed to include ladder-like cross members to enable the occupant of the second (upper) bunk to climb up the cross-member to gain ingress to the mattress surface.
Various types of mattress frames can be employed with a bunk bed. Probably the most common mattress frame is a twin-sized steel mattress frame having four connected perimetral steel rails that define a generally rectangular aperture. One or more cross members (or alternately a chain-link like web of metal wire) can extend between the perimetral rails to support the middle of the mattress. Further, some bunk beds contain double-bed sized frames, and one particularly popular form of bunk bed includes a double-sized lower mattress frame, and a twin-sized upper mattress frame.
A further known variant is to replace the lower mattress frame with a so-called “futon” frame. A futon frame generally comprises a jointed, double-bed sized mattress frame that can be moved between a generally planar “bed” position, and a “couch position,” where one of the two jointed sections of the mattress frame is disposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the other section of the jointed mattress frame to form a back rest.
A particularly flexible, bendable mattress is placed over the frame so that when the futon frame is placed in its couch position, a portion of the mattress rests against the back rest portion of the frame. When so configured, the mattress frame and mattress take on the general configuration of a couch having a back rest. Futon-type mattress frames provide the user with more flexibility than conventional, uni-positional frames, because, when the mattress frame is in its “couch” position, it provides a more comfortable seating surface than a conventional planar mattress.
The primary advantage of a bunk-type bed is that it provides two individual sleeping surfaces, while requiring the floor space of only a traditional single bed. As such, a bunk bed has particular applicability in situations where it is desirable to maximize useable floor space, and to minimize the floor space within a room that is occupied by the bed.
The usual domain of bunk-type beds are children's rooms, college dormitory rooms, and institutional dormitories, such as army barracks and jails. Older persons usually do not prefer bunk beds because of the inconvenience faced by the occupant of the upper bunk gaining ingress to, and egress from the upper bunk. However, bunk beds have gained an especially large amount of popularity for younger users in space-confined areas, such as college students in dormitories.
Typically, a college dormitory room is no larger than a standard bedroom. Notwithstanding the space constraints, a college dormitory room usually comprises the primary living space of two people, and serves, effectively, as a small studio apartment. To make the dorm room feel more like home, students often cram several articles of furniture and appliances within the small space, such as a pair of desks, upon which the students can study and prepare their homework assignments; a refrigerator and/or microwave oven for enabling the student to cook snacks such as pizza, and keep beverages cold; a computer stand on which to place the student's various computer components, and, of course, a television set. The limited area of most dorm rooms places floor space at a premium. As such, bunk beds have gained significant popularity, as the floor space freed-up by the use of a bunk bed helps to make a dorm room feel much less crowded.
As alluded to above, a typical college student uses his dorm room not only for sleeping, but also for entertaining herself and her guests. The small amount of floor space available in most dorm rooms prevents the room from comfortably accommodating two beds and a couch. Even with bunk beds, many dorm rooms do not have enough space to accommodate a couch, or more than one comfortable guest seating chair. Although a bed can serve as a seating surface, sitting on a planar bed is usually uncomfortable for long periods of time, as a traditional bed provides no back support. As such, one problem associated with traditional beds, and even traditional bunk beds, is that while they do provide a comfortable surface for sleeping, they provide a poor surface for sitting, and do not function well when the user desires a seating surface on which to sit while reading, watching television, or entertaining guests.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a bunk bed that not only can provide a generally planar surface for sleeping, but that also can provide a comfortable seating surface for the user.
One problem faced by college administrators is attracting students to, and retaining students within their particular institutions. One feature used by administrators to attract students is the quality of living space provided for the students by the university. Many administrators believe that the attractiveness (or lack thereof) of the students' dormitory is a significant factor in a student's decision to attend a particular institution. As such, the incorporation of a bunk bed into a dormitory room can help to make the dormitory room “feel” larger than a room with two twin beds, thus making the dormitory more attractive to a potential student by making it feel less confining and claustrophobic. Nonetheless, as almost all colleges offer bunk beds to their students, the mere provision of a bunk bed in a dormitory room does not provide the institution with any significant edge over its competitors.
Another problem faced by dormitory administrators is providing dormitory furniture that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a wide-range of tastes and personal prefer
Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Santos Robert G.
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