Beds – Berth or bunk
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-08
2001-09-25
Trettel, Michael F. (Department: 3628)
Beds
Berth or bunk
C005S008000, C403S362000, C403S379300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292959
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed to a load-bearing scaffold or support structure for beds and the like which provides substantially one hundred percent unobstructed floor space in sleeping quarters and garages. The present invention discloses a unique system for adjustably securing the ceiling beams of the invention to the end supports thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Load-bearing scaffolds are well known in the construction arts. Such scaffolds are generally adapted for supporting workmen, construction equipment, and building materials.
Also known are bunks and berths adapted to provide sleeping accommodations for passengers, military personnel, students, or small children. These apparatus are often adapted to be supported from poles anchored to the floor and ceiling of a room. For example, apparatus of this general species are disclosed by Lein, U.S. Pat. No. 665,535; Rodrigues, U.S. Pat. No. 958,895; Gosso, U.S. Pat. No. 1,325,320; and Gosso, U.S. Pat. No. 1,089,545.
Also known to the art are bunks or berths adapted to be supported by anchoring the bunk or berth to a wall. For example, apparatus of this general species are disclosed by Lein, U.S. Pat. No. 669,175; Dowling, U.S. Pat. No. 822,592; Rodrigues, U.S. Pat. No. 860,941; Gumm, U.S. Pat. No. 1,001,946; Thompson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,215,387; Coomes, U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,254; and Trexler, Jr., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,276.
Inventions of this type are unsuitable for the present objects since their installation requires that they become room fixtures. Additionally, such bunks or berths necessarily require the dedication of otherwise useful floor space.
Freestanding bunk beds are also known to the bunk and berth art. Examples of this type of bed may be found disclosed by Lein, U.S. Pat. No. 631,962; Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 1,195,637; Weaver, U.S. Pat. No. 1,253,549; and Janson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 1,349,962.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,616 provided a support structure for beds and the like which derived at least some of its support from the interior surfaces of a room. Although the device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,616 represented an advance in the art, the invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,829 was an advance thereover due to the fewer components parts, ease of assembly, and superior strength.
It is believed that the instant invention represents an advance over the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,829 and other prior art due to the unique method of adjustably securing the ceiling beams to the end supports.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Many educational institutions provide dormitories in order to accommodate students who are required to live on campus. Dormitories are generally multistory buildings having a central elevator and stairway corridor. On either side of the central area is a hallway having a plurality of small rooms located on either side of the hallway. These small rooms generally do not have bathrooms.
Each room has a small closet and is usually furnished with two single beds, two desks, two lamps, two chairs, and a dresser or bureau. Even though each room contains a minimal amount of furniture, the rooms are small, and space is at a premium.
Since these rooms are small and sparse, it is difficult for two people to live comfortably within the room. This is true since most dorm rooms lack sufficient space to maintain a stereo, television, small refrigerator, or to store a bicycle and the like.
Students desiring a more livable environment often remove their beds or make the existing two single beds into a lower and upper berth bunk bed. With the same goal in mind, students also replace their beds with futon mattresses.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved load bearing scaffold capable of supporting beds or items to be stored while providing substantially one hundred percent unobstructed floor space therebelow.
Another object of the invention is to provide a load-bearing scaffold that does not require the scaffold to be attached to the room infrastructure or superstructure.
Another object of the invention is to provide a load-bearing scaffold that will not damage room surfaces.
Another object of the invention is to provide a load-bearing scaffold that is easy to assembly and disassemble.
Another object of the invention is to provide a load-bearing scaffold that is safe to use and durable in construction.
Another object of the invention is to provide a load-bearing scaffold that is low in cost and easy to manufacture.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable load-bearing scaffold adapted to fit in any size room.
Another object of the invention is to provide a load-bearing scaffold that frees existing floor space.
Another object of the invention is to provide a load-bearing scaffold capable of supporting beds, desks, shelves, and the like.
Another object of the invention is to provide a unique method of adjustably securing the ceiling beams to the end supports.
These and other objects will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a load-bearing scaffold adapted to support items to be stored or beds while providing one hundred percent unobstructed floor space therebelow. The scaffold of this invention is comprised of a plurality of component parts which are easily secured together in a minimum amount of time. Essentially, the scaffold is comprised of a pair of floor cross supports, four vertical legs, a pair of lower cross supports, a pair of left end supports, a pair of right end supports, bed cross pieces, a pair of ceiling beams, and a pair of upper cross supports. A unique method of adjustably securing the ceiling beams to the end supports is disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2850304 (1958-09-01), Wagner
patent: 4668000 (1987-05-01), Jokela
patent: 5150484 (1992-09-01), Whitten, Jr.
patent: 5483707 (1996-01-01), Meyer et al.
patent: 5701616 (1997-12-01), Rosenquist
patent: 6018829 (2000-02-01), Rosenquist
Thomte Dennis L.
Trettel Michael F.
Zarley McKee Thomte Voorhees & Sease
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