AU603563B2 - A bed base - Google Patents

Description

AUbIKALIA PATENTS ACT COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Complete-After-Provisional Specification No. PH 5050 FOR OFFICE USE: Application Number: Lodged: 7c~,3sA1 Class Int. Class Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published.-,,.

Priority: Reiated Art: 6 O 3 5 6 3 rNzraie of Applicant(s): C C C 0 C tt C C C C C V C SANMEER ENGINEERING PTY LTD 18 Clapham Street CANNINGTON, Western Australia, Australia, 6107 c c Actual Inven,,or(s): C C( Address for Service: This docuniert containis thc amendrients ma u n d.r Section 4 9 a Is, -er, ct for 11Piti Kelvin Lord Co., 4 Duro Place, WEST PERTH, Western Australia 6005.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "A BED BASE" The following statement nsa full description of this invention, including the best methSod of performing it known to mc/ s 2 The present invention relates to a bed base.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a bed base comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending slats, in which there are two outer longitudinally extending slats, and one or more intermediate longitudinally extending slats generally parallel to the outer slats, the outer longitudinally extending slats each comprising an outer substantially vertical wall and an inner face spaced from the outer wall by means of upper and lower horizontal walls.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a bed base in c, 15 accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the bed base of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the bed base of Figure 1; c cli ,CclFigure 4 is a side elevation of the bed base of Figure 1; C eC C 20 Figure 5 is an end elevation of the bed base of Figure 1; C t Figure 6 is a schematic sectional elevation through a member marked A in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a schematic sectional elevation through a member marked B in Figure i.

Figures 8(a) and 8(f) are schematic sectional elevations through various alternative members to that shown in Figure 6; eFigures 9(a) to 9(f) are schematic sectional elevations through various alternative members to that shown in 3 Figure 7; Figure 10 is an upper perspective view of an alternative form of end or side member of the bed base Figure 11 is a section along the line 11-11 of Figure Figure 12 is a side elevation of a step used in analternative form of the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11; Figure 13 is an upper perspective view of a still further alternative end or side member of the bed base Sc 10 i E Figure 14 is an upper perspective view of a plastics step to be used with the member of Figurel3; and r cc r 1 ^c Figure 15 is an upper perspective view of an alternative plastics step to be used with the member of Figure 13.

C c I t 1 1 -4- In the accompanying drawings, there is shown a bed base of generally rectangular shape. The bed base 10 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending outer members or slats 12.

Each longitudinal member 12 has a sectional profile as shown in Figure 6. As can be seen in Figure 6, each member 12 comprises an outer substantially vertical wall 14 and an inner face 16.

The -uter wall 14 and the inner face 16 are spaced from t c 1i0 one another by upper and lower substantially horizontal ec r walls 19. The inner face 16 in the embodiment shown in r Figure 6 is discontinuous.

ctr The inner face 16 is interrupted by an aperture means which is arranged to receive a laterally extending slat

CCI

CC 15 22 as will be described. Further, as can be seen in Figure 6, of the slat 12 the upper wall 19 is longer C C C C S than the back wall 19. Further, flaps 21 extend inwardly from the inner ends of the upper and lower parts of the inner face 16.

C 20 The bed base 10 also comprises a plurality of intermediate longitudinally extending slats 24 which extend generally parallel to the slats 12. As can be seen, each slat 12 and 24 is spaced from adjacent slats so that there is a small gap between them. The slats 24 each have a sectional profile as shown in Figure 7. As can be seen in Figure 7, each slat 24 has a profile in which it has a pair of opposed side walls 26 spaced by an upper substantially horizontal wall 28. Further, to enhance the rigidity of the slats 24 there is provided inturned longitudinal flanges 30 from the lower ends of the walls 26 remote from the wall 28.

The slats 12 and 24 are all of the same length and extend from end to end of the bed base 10. At each end of the bed base 10, each slat 12 and 24 is nested in and C cc welded to a channel shaped laterally extending member 32.

Further, to provide intermediate stiffening of the bed c base the laterally extending slat 22 has its ends

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rcCC inserted in opposed aperture means 20 of the slats 22.

The slat 22 has a profile similar to the profile of the slats 24. The aperture means 20 could be a single, longitudinally extending, continuous aperture in each C Cc slat 12 or it could be a single small aperture sized C c to receive snugly the slat 22 or it could be a number of small apertures arranged to receive ends of respective v, ones of a number of slats 22.

It is found that the use of the shaped slats 12, 22 and 24 gives the bed base 10 greater strength and resistance to bending compared to angle members for example.

However, the channel shaFped member 32 could be replaced by an angle member or a plain flat member.

Further, longitudinal slats 12 can take various forms as shown in Figure 8.

6 For example, the slats 12 could have a profile as shown in Figure 8(a) in which the slat 12 comprises an outer wall 50 and an inner face 52. The outer wall 50 and the inner face 52 are spaced from one another by upper and lower substantially horizontal walls 54. The inner S face 52 in the embodiment shown in Figure 8(a) is discontinuous. The inner face 52 is interrupted by an aperture means 56 which is equivalent to the aperture means 20 described above.

r Further, the upper wall 54 is shorter than the lower wall 1z 0 54. Thus, the lower part of the inner face 52 is further away from the outer wall 50 than the upper part of the inner face 52. Further, a substantially horizontal c flap 58 extends outwardly of the slat 12 from the upper c end of the lower parts of the inner face 52. In the cc embodiments of Figure 8(a) the flap 58 provides a C support for the laterally extending slat 22 adjacent the aperture 56 and gives the slat 12 greater strength.

The slats 12 could also have a profile as shown in Figure 8(b) in which the slat 12 is of similar profile to that of Figure Like reference numerals are used in Figure 8(b) to denote equivalent parts to those found in Figure The main difference between Figures 8(b) and 8(a) is that in the former the connections between the vertical wall 50 and the horizontal walls 54 are rounded off.

i -7- The slats 12 could also have a profile as shown in Figure Like reference numerals are used to denote equivalent parts to those found in Figure In this II embodiment the lower horizontal wall 54 is considerably I longer than the upper horizontal wall 54. Further, the K 5 flap 58 extends inwardly from the upper end of the lower part of the inner face 52.

H The slats 12 could also have a profile as shown in Figure Like reference numerals denote equivilent parts to those found in Figure In this embodiment 1 0 the aperture 56 is omitted and the inner face 52 is

C

S CCL continuous. Further, the upper and lower walls 54 are C of the same length. Further, the flap 58 is of double il thickness taking parts from both the upper and lower parts of the inner face 52 which are joined together by an suitable means. The flap 58 provides the sole i means of support for the slats 22 in view of the c absence of the aperture 56.

The slats 12 could also have a profile as shown in i Figure like reference numerals denote equivalent 2 20 parts to those found in Figure In this embodiment, the upper horizontal wall 54 is longer than the lower horizontal wall 54, further, there is no flap 58. In this embodiment, the slat 22 is received in the aperture 56 and rests on the upper edge of the lower part of the inner face 52.

-1 -8 The slats 12 could also have a profile as shown in Figure In this embodiment the slat 12 is simply of angle section and comprises a substantially vertical wall A substantially horizontal wall 62 extends from the upper end of the wall 62. In this embodiment, the slat 22 is connected to the lower face of the wall 62 and, optionally, also to the adjacent portion of the wall Still further, the slats 12 could be plain flat members.

The configuration of the slats 12 is less critical than that of equivalent members of previously known bed bases because in the present invention the slats 12 r are not the major members conferring mutual strength cc G on the bed base.

COC Thus, it can be seen that whilst retaining the concept ZC

C

C 15 of having longitudinally extending slats it is possible c ecc for wide variations to be made in the configuration of the slats 12 and also in the lateral end members 32.

I C Also, the profile of the slats 24 can be varied widely.

cc For example, the slats 24 could have a profile as shown

CC

in Figure 9(a) in which the slat 24 comprises an upper substantially horizontal wall 70 and a pair of opposed substantially vertical walls 72 depending from respective sides of the wall 70. Further, a substantially horizontal flap 74 extends outwardly from the lower ends of each wall 72. The flaps 74 contact the slat 22 and are connected thereto.

9 The slats 24 could also have a profile as shown in Figure Like reference numerals are used in Figure 9(b) to denote equivalent parts to those found in Figure In this case, the joints between the various parts are rounded. Further, the flaps 74 extend inwardly from the lower ends of the walls 72 instead of outwardly.

The slats 24 could also have a profile as shown in Figure Like reference numerals are used in Figure 9(c) to denote equivalent parts to those found in Figure In this case, the profile is quite similar to that of Figure 7 except that at the inner ends of the f .00.

000 flaps 74 thre are found upwardly extending flanges 76 00 0 0 0 o S0o which increase the rigidity of the slat 24.

e;.o 0 The slats 24 could also have a profile as shown in oo.0 o 15 Figure Like reference numerals are used in S ooao Figure 9(d) to denote equivalent parts to those found in Figure 9(a).

In this case the profile is quite similar to that of SFigure 9(c) except that one flap 74 extends inwardly and the other flap 74 extends outwardly.

TI-se slats 24 could also have a profile as shown in Figure Like reference numerals are used in Figure 9(c) to denote equivalent parts to those found in Figure In this case, the profile is quite similar to that of Figure 9(c) except that the flaps 74 are extended so as to be joined. Thus, the slat is -7 10 of box sect.on.

The slats 24 could also have a profile as shown in Figure Like reference numerals are used in Figure 9(f) to denote equivalent parts to those found in Figure In this case, the profile is quite similar to that of Figure 9(e) except that the joints between the various parts are rounded.

In Figures 10 and 11, there is shown an alternative construction for the members 32 and possibly also the members 12. In this case the member 32 or 12 is generally of angle section and contains an upper horizontal flange 80. The flange 80 is pushed out at c regular intervals to form a plurality of equispaced aligned slots 82. A U-shaped member 84 is pushed out from each slot 82 and is suspended therefrom. Each U-shaped member 84 is arranged to receive an end of a c slat 12 or 24. Of course if the member 32 or 12 was C cc ca member 12 this might only have a single slat 82 and U-shaped member 84 to receive an end of the slat 22.

The arrangement shown enables th. bed base to be sold j in kit form and assembled by a customer engaging the slats with the members 32 and 12 without any need for welding or other positive engagement means.

Further, the slats 82 and U-shaped members 84 could be replaced by a profiled member 86 shown in Figure 12 which contains a number of spaced U-shaped members 88

I-

11 with intervening connectors 90. The profiled member 86 could be adhered or welded or melted to the underside of the flange Still further, the slat 32 or 12 could be an angle member 92 as shown in Figure 13 with a lower horizontal flange 94. A plastics strip such as the plastics strip 96 shown in Figure 14 could be mounted on the upper face of the flange 94. The stii2 96 comprises a plurality of equispaced loops 98. The loops 98 are arranged to receive ends of slats supported on the flange 94 and to prevent the said ends movg laterally.

An alternative to that shown in Figure 14, is a plastics oo. stripl00 as shown in Figure 15, in which pai-s of

S°

9 o substantially parallel opposed slits 102 are cut in S.t 15 the strip 100. The regions 104 between the slits 102 can be pushed up to form loops equivalent to the loops 98.

Typically the members 12, 22 and 24 and equivalent 4tj members are formed of metal. Further, at the join with other members they are typically welded together to complete the bed base 10 although adjacent members can be connected together by other means such as pop rivets or bolting. In any event, with this type of construction, sufficient of the joining members are physically connected together for the bed base to be sifficiently rigid to perform its purpose.

12 Further, as discussed above, in an alternative mode of construction, the end members 32 and possibly the slats 12, could be so formed as to receive ends of slats so that the bed base can be assembled from a Kit without any need for welding or other physical connection.

I Still further, the members shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, S8(a) to and 9(a) to do not tend to bow when.welding Ij is carried out.This can happen with tubular or angle jI members which need to be pre-bowed. The need for pref1 10 bowing makes it more difficult to jig up the work and I more expensive to assemble the bed base.

c c Modifications and variations such as would be apparent c~ec to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of ccC the present invention.

ce c r c C t t C

Claims (6)

1. A bed base comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending slats, in which there are two outer longitudinally extending slats, and one or more intermediate longitudinally extending slats generally parallel to the outer slats, the outer longitudinally extending slats each comprising an outer substantially vertical wall and an inner face spaced from the outer wall by means of upper and lower horizontal walls, in which the inner face of each outer longitudinally extending slat contains an aperture means, and a laterally extending intermediate slat is located beneath the inner longitudinally extending slats and has ends received in the aperture means. S

2. A bed base according to Claim 1, wherein ends of the longitudinally extending slats are attached to laterally extending end members.

3. A bed base according to Claim 2, which is of S rectangular shape and the slat members are longer than the end members. S.

4. A bed base according to Claim 2 or 3, in which the end members are channel shaped and the slats are nested in the end members.

A bad base according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the intermediate longitudinally extending slats have an upper substantially horizontal upper wall, walls depending from either side of the upper wall and flaps extending substantially horizontally from lower ends _II 14 of the walls depending from the upper wall.

6. A bed base substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED AUGUST 24th 1990 SANMEER ENGINEERING PTY LTD By Their Patent Attorneys KELVIN LORD AND COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA C C "CC 'CC C C C C C C C C C i c C CI cc