GB2397760A - Double bed comprising folding support members - Google Patents

Abstract

A double bed frame assembled from a foldable headboard 1, tailboard 2 and side struts 3, all parts being braced by subdividable cross struts 5, 6, and a centre support 4, together supporting foldable slats (7, Fig 14), such that all parts reduce to a modest sized flat-pack. Preferably the headboard 1, tailboard 2 and two side struts 3 fold in half by means of piano hinges 8, lock open with latch-hooks 9, and slot together using cross-halving joints (13, 14, Fig 2 and Fig 8). The slats 7 ideally fold in half by means of butt hinges (12, Fig 14). The lengthways support strut (5, Fig 13) and sideways centre strut (6, Fig 12) may each be two halves slotted together and bolted to the frame, each other and the centre support. Major components (but not slats) may be studded with light-reflecting features.

Description

Double bed The invention relates to a double bed, of the slatted frame

type, which can be sited in an appropriately secure location, the main components of which form a frame intended to support a suitably sized mattress.

Many double bed frames consist of a solid headboard, tailboard, side struts or sub-frame with direct mattress support from a row of slats or various combinations of straps, meshes and springs. All of these parts are usually not only unwieldy but also not easy to store; an important consideration with people moving house more frequently. Also, few beds allow for the low light conditions in a typical sleeping area, and any solid protuberances might cause injury when unseen.

The main object of this invention is to provide a double bed, consisting of large components that can subdivide easily, which are therefore convenient to transport, assemble or store.

This invention provides a double bed frame assembled from a foldable headboard, tailboard and two side struts, all four parts being braced by two subdividable cross struts and a centre support, together supporting foldable slats, such that all parts reduce to a modest sized flat-pack.

The bed frame is studded with a regular pattern of light-reflecting features, which are recessed into the surface of the major components, such that any user will be more aware of the assembled bed outline, in low light conditions.

Preferably the bed is made of sustainable-source plywood sheets, but it may instead be made in metal, glass, plastic materials or solid timber, in any combination that might match the furniture of a room. The equivalent alternatives to the metal piano and butt hinges, as described below, may involve tough but bendable fabric or plastic strips, performing the same function.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side view of the assembled bed, with a dashed line indicating the position of a mattress when in use; FIGURE 2 shows a side view (outer side) of a hinged side strut; FIGURE 3 is a side view (inner side) of a hinged side strut showing the slat support rails with positioning notches; FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a hinged side strut also showing the slat notches; FIGURE 5 is a side view of the centre support showing cross-dowel bolt positions and central cut-out; FIGURE 6 is a section through the centre support again showing cross-dowel bolt positions and central cut-out; FIGURE 7 is a front view of the assembled bed, with a dashed line indicating the position of a mattress when in use, and showing the reflective-stud features explained below; FIGURE 8 is a rear view (outer side) of the hinged headboard showing the cross- halving joints and cut-outs; FIGURE 9 is a rear view (inner side) of the hinged tailboard showing the crosshalving joints and cut-outs; FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the hinged tailboard (this is almost identical to a plan view of the hinged headboard) showing the cross-halving joints; FIGURE 11 is a plan view of the assembled bed, with a dashed line indicating the position of a mattress when in use, and showing the layout of the slats; FIGURE 12 is a plan view of the two-piece centre strut showing the interlocking jigsaw'style joint explained below; FIGURE 13 is a plan view of the two-piece support strut showing a thinner version of the interlocking'jigsaw'-style joint explained below; FIGURE 14 is a plan view underneath a hinged slat, as a one piece unit, showing the butt-hinge position; FIGURE 15 is a plan view underneath a hinged slat, as separate pieces, showing the interlocking profile at the end of each half; As shown in Figures 2, 3, 8 and 9, the bed mainly comprises of a headboard 1, tailboard 2, and two identical side struts 3, which all slot together by the cross- halving joints 13 and 14, opposed at each end. These components are the four main stressed members of the assembly, each one can fold in half by means of a piano hinge 8 (or an equivalent), as seen in Figures 1, 2 and 7 (except for the headboard 1 which needs the longer piano hinge 10, seen in Figure 8). Figures 3, 7 and 9 show all four members locked open using their latch-hooks 9, which are located in a column on each inner side, across the joint.

Figures 1, 7 and 11 show the fully assembled bed as side, front and plan views respectively, they all include a dashed line to indicate a mattress 18, positioned for normal use. As Figure 7 is a front view, it shows the studded light-reflective features 11 (eg reflective road studs in different colours), which mark out the shapes of the headboard 1 and tailboard 2.

In Figures 1 and 7 the centre support 4 can be seen located under the middle of the bed, its'function is to support the two-piece centre strut 6, and the two- piece support strut 5, which it clamps by means of three cross-dowel bolts (or equivalents). In Figures 11, 12 and 13 the interlocking 'jigsaw- style' joints 17, on struts 5 and 6, define these bolt positions and facilitate a five-piece junction at the core of the bed assembly. Struts 5 and 6 are then anchored to the main stressed members 1, 2 and 3's with a further four pairs of cross-dowel bolts (or equivalents), which can also be seen in Figure 11.

Figure 3 indicates the slat notches 15, which locate all the standard slats 7, and the two-piece centre strut 6 (see also Figure 11). The standard slats 7 can also fold in half with a butt hinge 12 (or an equivalent), which is shown in Figures 14 and 15. The interlocking profile at the end of each slat half prohibits any shearing motion from the hinge.

Most of the Figures (ie 1-3, 5, 7-9, 11 and 12) show the weight-reducing cut- outs 16, which form a structural pattern in each of the main members 1, 2, 3's, centre support 4 and the centre strut 6.

Claims (8)

1. A double bed frame assembled from a foldable headboard, tailboard and two side struts, all four parts being braced by two subdividable cross struts and a centre support, together supporting foldable slats, such that all parts reduce to a modest sized flat-pack.

2. A double bed as claimed in Claim 1 where the headboard, tailboard and two side struts fold in half by means of piano hinges (or equivalents), and are locked open with latch-hooks.

3. A double bed as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the headboard, tailboard and side struts slot together using cross-halving joints.

4. A double bed as claimed in Claim 3 where all the slats fold in half by means of butt hinges (or equivalents).

5. A double bed as claimed in any preceding claim including a lengthways support strut and a sideways centre strut, each formed of two halves slotted together, which are then bolted to the frame, each other and a centre support.

6. A double bed as claimed in any preceding claim in which some of the major components (but not the slats) are studded with light-reflecting features.

7. A double bed as claimed in any preceding claim, which is made from metal, glass, plastics material or wood, or a combination of these materials.

8. A double bed substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.