Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02540423 2006-03-20
File number : 11089-001
Revision : As Filed
Date : 2006/03/20
Title of the Invention
[0001] Support Frame for a Headboard.
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0002] There are no cross-related applications.
Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to bed and bed frame assembly.
More
particularly, the present invention relates to a stand alone support frame for
a headboard
which does not require an external bed frame.
Background of the Invention
[0004] Nowadays, beds come in a plethora of shapes and styles. It is now
possible to
find metal beds, wood beds, superposed beds, baldaquin beds and so on and so
forth.
There is however one generally common element to all beds, they generally
comprise a
rectangular bed frame for supporting a mattress and often a box-spring.
[0005] The bed frame allows for other structures to be mounted to the bed.
Thus, it is
possible to mount or attach a headboard and/or a footboard to the frame of the
bed.
However, when a bed comes without a bed frame, for example, when a mattress
and its
corresponding box-spring are directly laid on the floor, it difficult to
provide the bed with
a headboard or a footboard, or any other similar apparatus since there is no
structural
attaching point to mount these elements.
[0C106] To circumvent this major drawback, numerous devices and apparatuses
have been
proposed.
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[0007] For example, Poyer (US Patent No. 2,709,817) discloses an apparatus for
corlverting a bed into a couch. The apparatus of Poyer comprises a plurality
of the L-
sha.ped support members connected together by a top panel and an angled panel.
The
vertical portions of the L-shaped support members are designed to be
sandwiched
between the side of the mattress and the box-spring and a wall. Therefore,
this apparatus
cannot be used on a bed located away from a wall. Moreover, this device is not
designed
to be used as a headboard.
[0008] In US Patent No. 3,981,031, Schacht discloses an inclined bedrest. The
bedrest of
Schacht comprises a laterally extending L-shaped frame. The horizontal portion
of the
fraime is generally sandwiched between the mattress and the box-spring. A
slant sheet of
fabric is mounted to upper edge of the vertical portion of the frame. Yet, the
size of the
bectrest of Schacht cannot changed according to mattress of different size.
[0009] More recently, Thim Jr. (US Patent No. 6,374,440) proposes a back
support
system for mounting to the side of a bed. The system comprises a frame having
two L-
shaped structures for mounted the back support between the mattress and the
box-spring.
However, the system of Thim Jr. has the same drawback as Schacht, namely its
size
carinot be changed. Moreover, and as for Poyer, the back support of Thim Jr.
is not
designed and adapted to be used as a headboard.
[0010] In the International Patent Application No. PCT/GB02/04013 (published
under
no. WO 03/020080), Collins proposes what is probably the prior art closest to
the
invention. In his application, Collins discloses a headboard for a bed wherein
the
headboard further comprises two integral horizontal portions, adapted to be
disposed
between the mattress and the box-spring, for supporting the headboard. Even
though the
headboard of Collins is a simple device, it has the same drawback as the prior
art, namely
that the headboard is sized for a particular bed size and that it cannot be
resized a
posteriori.
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[0011] There is thus a need for a support frame for a headboard which obviates
the
abcive-mentioned shortcomings.
Objects of the Invention
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel support frame
structure for
supporting the headboard of a bed which does not require to be attached to a
bed frame.
[00, 13] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a support frame
structure for
supporting the headboard of a bed which can be easily mounted and dismounted.
[0014] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a support
frame structure
for supporting the headboard which is modular and which can be adapted for
beds of
dif Eerent sizes.
[0015] Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will
be obvious
upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or
will be
indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to
herein will occur
to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
Suimmary of the Invention
[0016] To attain these and other objects which will become more apparent as
the
description proceeds according to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a
support frame for supporting the headboard for a bed.
[0017] As used hereinafter, the expression "headboard" is not strictly limited
to
headboard per se and therefore encompasses other similar structures such as
footboard,
backrest, bedrest and other similar elements, which can be usefully mounted to
a mattress
or a box-spring lying directly on a floor.
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Revision : As Filed
Date : 2006/03/20
[0018] The support frame of the present invention is adapted to be mounted
under a
mattress or a box spring without the need of a bed frame. In other words, the
support
frame for the headboard is adapted to be used with a mattress or box spring
which are
directly lying on the floor.
[0019] The support frame preferably comprises at least two support structures
and at least
one frame member.
[0020] Each support structure of the support frame of the present invention is
generally
L-shaped when viewed from the side. The horizontal portion of the L-shaped
support
structure defines an elongated and preferably flat portion which is adapted to
be disposed
between the box spring (or the mattress) and the floor upon which the box
spring (or the
mattress) rests. The horizontal portion provides support for the support frame
and
gerierally prevent the headboard from falling away from the bed.
[0021] The vertical portion of the L-shaped support structure is also
preferably flat. This
second portion further generally comprises a first section and a second
section. The first
section of the vertical portion preferably substantially vertically extends
between the
horizontal portion and the mattress top surface. For its part, the second
section extends
from the first section. In a preferred embodiment, the second section extends
generally
upwardly and at an angle from the first section. However, the exact shape of
the second
section can vary in order to support headboard of different shapes.
[0022] When supporting a headboard, the support structures are generally
disposed near
the side of the head portion of the mattress and/or box-spring.
Understandably, if the
support frame is used to support a footboard instead, the support structures
shall be
disposed accordingly, in this case, near the side of the foot portion of the
mattress and/or
box-spring.
[0023] In order to maintain the structural integrity of the support frame, at
least one and
preferably two laterally extending frame members are fixedly mounted to the
first section
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Revision : As Filed
Date : 2006/03/20
of ithe vertical portion of the support structures via nuts and bolts
assemblies or other
equivalent fasteners. A headboard, having preferably fastener receiving
apertures, is then
mounted, also via nuts and bolts assemblies, screws or other equivalent
fasteners, albeit
this time to the second sections of the support structures vertical portions.
[0024] Understandably, additional L-shaped support structures could be added
to the
fralne structure to provide additional support.
[0025] As for the headboard, it can be of any shape and size as long as it can
be fixedly
mounted to the support structures. Still, as stated above, the support frame
of the present
invention is not limited to support only headboard and can be used to support
other
similar structures.
[0026] According to an aspect of the invention, the support frame is modular
and
gerierally comes unassembled. Therefore, depending on the size of the bed, the
user can
choose amongst headboards of different sizes and shapes, amongst frame members
of
different sizes and shapes and amongst support structures also of different
sizes and
shapes. The user can then adapt his or her current support frame to a new bed
size by
only buying a new headboard, at least one new and larger (or smaller) frame
member and,
if necessary, supplementary support structures.
[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, the second
section of the
vertical portion is slightly angled away from the mattress in order to create
a comfortable
resting position for a person.
[0028] The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel
are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims.
Briief Description of the Drawings
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[0029] Other aspects and many of the attendant advantages will be more readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the
following detailed
description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0030] Figure 1 is a exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the
support frame
and the headboard of the present invention.
[0031] Figure 2a is a combined side and front view of one embodiment of the
support
structure of the support frame of the present invention.
[0032] Figure 2b is a combined side and front view of a variant of the
embodiment of the
support structure shown in Fig. 2a.
[0033] Figure 3a is a front view of the an embodiment of the frame member of
the
support frame of the present invention.
[0034] Figure 3b is a front view of a variant of the embodiment of the frame
member
shown in Fig. 3a.
[0035] Figure 3c is a front view of another variant of the embodiment of the
frame
member shown in Fig. 3a.
[0036] Figure 4a is side view of the support structures of Fig. 2a and frame
members as
mounted to a mattress and a box-spring as per the invention.
[0037] Figure 4b is side view of the support structures of Fig. 2b and frame
members as
mounted to a mattress and a box-spring as per the invention.
[0038] Figure 5 is a side view of an example of a variant of the support
structure of the
present invention.
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File riumber : 11089-001
Revision : As Filed
Date : 2006/03/20
[0039] Figure 6 is a side view of another example of a variant of the support
structure of
the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0040] Referring now to Fig. 1, we can see an exploded view of one embodiment
of the
support frame assembly 10 for supporting a headboard as per the present
invention.
[0041] The assembly 10 comprises at least two support structure 100, at least
one but
preferably two frame members 200 and, for the sake of the preferred
embodiment, a
headboard 300 albeit, as mentioned above, the support frame assembly 10 could
be used
to support other similar structures.
[0042] The headboard 300 shown in Fig. I has the form of a rectangular panel.
However, the headboard 300 shown in Fig. 1 is for example purpose only. The
skilled
adclressee will readily understand that headboard 300 of different size and/or
shape could
be used instead and that the present invention is not limited to headboard 300
as shown in
Fig. 1. Therefore, headboard 300 having other size and/or shape as well as
other similar
elements could be used with the assembly 10 of the present invention without
departing
from the scope of the invention.
[0043] Referring now to Figs. 2a and 2b, we can see, in more details, two
similar variants
of the support structure indicated as 100 and 100'. The only notable
difference is the
difference in length of sections 120 and 120'. This is due to the fact that,
as stated above,
the present invention could be used with headboards 300 of different sizes and
shapes.
Thus, a large headboard 300 would generally be mounted to support structures
100
having longer sections 120 (Fig. 2a) whereas a smaller headboard 300 would
generally be
mounted to support structures 100 having smaller sections 120' (Fig. 2b).
[0044] In any case, the skilled addressee will understand that support
structure 100 and
support structure 100' are functionally equivalent. Therefore, since both
support
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Revision : As Filed
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structure 100 and 100' are substantially similar, only support structure 100
shall be
described.
[0045] Fig. 2a simultaneously shows a side view (on the left) and a front view
(on the
right) of the support structure 100. When viewed from the side, the support
structure 100
generally defines a L-shaped structure. The support structure 100 therefore
comprises a
ger,terally horizontally extending portion 110 and a substantially vertically
extending
portion 115. In use, the portion 110 is adapted to be sandwiched between a box-
spring 20
ancl the floor as shown in Fig. 4a.
[0046] The portion 110 needs to be long enough to prevent the whole assembly
10 to fall
or tip over. In a preferred embodiment, portion 110 is coated with rubber or
any similar
anti-skid material to prevent unwanted movements of the assembly 10 once
installed.
The coating material should be chosen to simultaneous create friction between
the portion
110 and the box-spring 20 underside and between the portion 110 and the floor.
The
coating also acts as a protecting interface between the portion 110, the box-
spring 20
uncierside and the floor. The coating therefore protects the floor and the box-
spring 20
uncierside from scratching and/or damaging which might occur upon unwanted
movement of the assembly 10.
[0047] The portion 115, which generally vertically extends from the portion
115, itself
comprises two sections 120 and 130. Section 130 generally vertically extends
from the
portion 110 whereas section 120 extends, generally upwardly, from section 130.
In a
preferred embodiment, section 130 is connected to portion 110 via a rearwardly
protruding angular section 140 (best shown in Figs. 2a and 2b). Section 140 is
used to
adci structural rigidity to the support structures 100 and to slightly
displace the centre of
gravity of the assembly 10 above the portion 110 when the headboard 300 is
installed.
Section 140 can also prevent unwanted movemeints of the assembly 10 when there
is
movement on the bed. Section 140 also generally acts as a spring to
resiliently prevent
deformation of the support structures 100.
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[0048] The height of section 130 is preferably equal to the combined heights
of the
mattress 30 and the box-spring 20 as best shown in Figs. 4a and 4b.
[0049] As shown in Figs. 1, 2a and 2b, each section 130 further comprises at
least one
andi preferably two sets 132 and 134 of mounting holes 133 and 135
respectively. These
sets 132 and 134 of holes 133 and 135 are for receiving the nuts and bolts
assemblies (not
shown) used to mount the frame member 200 or members 200 to the support
structures
100 as shown in Fig. 1. The skilled addressee will understand that depending
upon the
necessary strength of the assembly 10, more or less frame members 200 could be
mounted and therefore, more or less sets 132 and 134 of holes 133 and 135
could be
provided.
[0050] In the preferred embodiment, each set 132 or 134 of holes 133 and 135
comprises
at least two holes 133 and 135. This disposition of the holes 133 and 135
prevents
pivoting movements of the frame member(s) 200 and the support structures 100
with
respect to each other. Understandably, the exact disposition of the holes 133
and 135
could vary and each set of holes 133 and 135 could comprise more than two
holes. Holes
having shapes other than circular could also be envisaged.
[0051] As explained before, when viewed from the side, portion 115 also
comprises a
section 120 which extends from the section 130. However, whereas section 130
was
sut-stantiall.y vertical, section 120 extends upwardly but also slightly
rearwardly to define
an angled section. Section 120 is preferably angled to define a better resting
position.
Understandably, section 120 could be provided with different angles, or with
no angle at
all, according to the needs of particular users and/or according to the shape
and size of the
headboard 300. Furthermore, section 120 could also be provided with other
shape if
necessary in order to support headboards 300 of particular shapes. For
example, section
120 could itself comprise two subsections, a first subsection extending
upwardly and a
second subsection extending rearwardly from the first subsection to define a
corner-
shaped section 1120, as in Fig. 5 for supporting a headboard 300 having a
shelf portion.
Another example is shown in Fig. 6 where section 2120 comprises three
subsections.
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[0052] Referring back to Figs. 2a and 2b, each section 120 comprises at least
one (e.g.
Fig. 2b) and preferably two sets 122 and 124 of mounting holes 123 and 125
respectively.
These holes 123 and 125 are for receiving the nuts and bolts assemblies or the
screws
used to mount the headboard 300 to the support structure 100. This disposition
of the
holes 123 and 125 prevents pivoting movements of the headboard and the support
structures with respect to each other. Understandably, the exact disposition
of the holes
123 and 125 could vary and each set of holes 123 and 125 could comprise more
(or less)
than four holes. Holes having shapes other than circular could also be
envisaged. In any
case, the number of sets of holes ultimately depends on the size of the
section 120 and the
size of the of headboard 300. Understandably, the headboard 300 preferably
comprises
corresponding fastener receiving apertures (not shown) corresponding to the
sets 122 and
124 of mounting holes 123 and 125.
[0053] To add structural strength to the assembly 10 and as shown in Fig. 1,
at least one
ancl preferably two frame members 200 are fixedly mounted to the support
structures 100,
more particularly to section 130 of the support structures 100, via nuts and
bolts
assemblies or other equivalents fasteners. Removable fasteners such as nuts
and bolts
are preferred since they allow the assembly 10 to be easily mounted and
dismounted.
[0054] Since the assembly 10 can be used with mattress and box-spring of
different width
(e.g. twin bed, queen bed, king bed, etc.), frame member 200 of different
width can be
chosen from. As shown in Figs. 3a to 3c, the frame member 200, 200' and 200"
are
relatively similar aside from the width difference and the difference in the
number of sets
of mounting holes.
[0055] As shown in Figs. 3a to 3c, each frame member 200, 200' and 200"
comprises at
least two sets 202 (202' and 202") and 204 (204' and 204") of mounting holes
203 (203'
an(i 203") and 205 (205' and 205") preferably located near the extremities of
the frame
member 200 (200' and 200"). As shown in Fig. 1, the disposition of holes 203
and 205
is nearly identical to the disposition of holes 133 and 135 of section 130 of
the support
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struicture 100 since they must be substantially aligned with each other to
allow the
passage of the bolt of the bolt and nut assembly upon assembly of the frame
structure.
[0056] As shown in Figs. 3b and 3c, frame members sized for larger bed, namely
frame
members 200' and 200", are generally provided with extra set (206') or sets
(206" and
208") of holes for mounting to supplementary support structures 100.
[0057] Moreover, the exact shape of the frame members 200, 200' and 200" can
vary
ancl is not limited to the embodiment of Figs. 3a to 3c.
[0058] Referring now to Figs. 4a and 4b, we can see two variants of the
assembly 10 of
the present invention (without the headboard 300) as installed with a mattress
30 and a
box-spring 20. As explained before, portion 110 (110') is sandwiched between
the box-
spring 20 and the floor. The frame members 200 are mounted to section 130 of
the
portion 115 and section 120 extends above the mattress 30 and box-spring 20
for
receiving the headboard 300.
[0059] As the skilled addressee will note, one of the main advantages of the
assembly 10
of the present invention is that when a person takes a seated position with
his or her back
resting on the headboard 300, much of the weight of the person will be located
near the
head portion of the bed (box-spring 20 and mattress 30) underneath which the
horizontal
portions 110 extend as shown in Figs. 4a and 4b. This localized additional
weight will
increase the pressure exerted by the bed (box-spring 20 and mattress 30) upon
the
portions 110 of the assembly 10, further preventing unwanted movements of the
assembly 10.
[0060] In the preferred embodiment of assembly 10, the support structures 100
(100')
anci the frame members 200 (200' and 200") are made of metal such as, but not
limited
to, steel and aluminium. However, other material having similar structural
strength are
also within the scope of the invention.
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[0061] The main advantage of this assembly 10 is that each component, namely
the
support structure 100 and the frame members 200, can be independently chosen,
in
nurnber and/or in dimension and/or in shape, to fit a particular bed and fit a
particular
headboard 300. Moreover, a user can upgrade his or her already owned assembly
10 for
a larger bed only by buying one or more supplementary support structures 100,
wider
fraine members 200' or 200" and a new headboard 300. Also the assembly 10 is
easily
mounted and dismounted via the bolts and nuts assemblies.
[0062] The support frame assembly 10 of the present invention can either be
sold in
individual components, wherein the potential buyer chooses amongst different
support
stnictures 100, different frame members 200 and different headboards 300, or
in kit
cornprising all the necessary components for a particular bed size and
headboard 300.
[0063] Understandably, the particular support structures 100 and 100', frame
members
200, 200' and 200" and headboard 300 have been presented for example purpose
only
ancl are by no means limitative in nature. It is therefore to be understood
that the
invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes
and
modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or
spirit of the
present invention.
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