Improvements relating to headboard struts

Abstract

A headboard strut 1 for attaching a bed head to a bed frame, comprising an elongate strut element having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A slot 5 is formed from the proximal end through the p

Description

Field of the invention

[001] The invention relates to an improved headboard strut. In particular, the invention relates to a headboard strut with improved strength and resilience due to 5 an additional fixing hole. Background of the invention

[002] A headboard is typically fixed to a bed using struts, which are screwed at an upper portion into the back of the headboard, and which are screwed or otherwise fixed at a lower portion to the head of a bed base. A prior art example of such a 10 strut is shown in Figure 1. Typically, two struts are used to fix a headboard to a bed, but this can vary depending on the size of the bed and the size of the headboard.

[003] Some headboards can be very large and / or very ornate, which can make them relatively heavy. One solution to securely fixing a heavier headboard to a bed 15 is to use additional struts. This increases the cost. Furthermore, many bed base units have fixed internal structural elements to which headboard struts are fixed, and typically only two such internal structural elements are provided, making it impossible to use more than two struts.

[004] Another solution is to make the struts stronger, for example by making 20 them from a stronger material than typical struts. Typically, struts are made of wood. A stronger strut might be made of metal, or a more expensive wood. The struts could also be made stronger by being made thicker, and longer fixing screws cold be provided. Both of these methods increase the cost.

[005] A solution is required to strengthen the fixing of a headboard to a bed, 25 without increasing the cost by an appreciable amount. 09 12 24 Summary of the invention

[006] As can be seen in Figure 1, prior art struts typically have two wholes in the support portion for fixing to a bed head. The inventor has found that the fixing is made much stronger and more secure by replacing the two-hole configuration of 5 the prior art with a hole slot hole configuration, such as that depicted in Figure 2.

[007] An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3, comprising a hole-slot-slot configuration, wherein the lower slot is shorter than the first slot.

[008] Using slots rather than holes provides much more flexibility. For example, many bed heads have pre-drilled holes in their backs for receiving the screws by 10 means of which the struts are attached. Providing slots instead of holes provides a single strut configuration which is compatible with a variety of bed head pre-drilled hole configurations.

[009] Therefore, in accordance with the invention, a strut for fixing a bed head to a bed is provided as defined by claim 1. 15 Brief description of the drawings

[010] The invention will now be described, by way of invention only, with reference to the following drawings: [Oil] Figure 1 depicts a prior art strut for attaching a bed head to a bed.

[012] Figure 2 depicts an exemplary strut. 20

[013] Figure 3 depicts a strut according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the drawings

[014] Figure 1 depicts a prior art strut. The strut comprises a length of wood 1 having cut into it a first hole 2, a second hole 3 and a slot 4. The holes 2 and 3 are disposed in a first portion of the strut, which is the upper portion when the strut is 25 in use. The slot 4 is disposed in the second portion of the strut, which is the lower 09 12 24 portion when the strut is in use, and extends from the in-use bottom edge of the strut to a position proximate the centre of the strut.

[015] In use, holes 3 and 4 are used to fix the strut to a bed head. Typically this is done by screwing the stmt through the holes 3, 4. The slot 2 is used to fix the 5 strut to a bed. Typically, this is done by means of a screw. The screw may have an enlarged head and / or diameter in order to clamp the stmt to the bed frame. Because the slot extends from the bottom edge of the stmt to a central portion of the stmt, the height of the upper portion of the stmt, and therefore of the bed head, can be adjusted with respect to the bed frame. 10

[016] Figure 2 depicts a strut which is instructive for understanding the princples of the invention. The stmt comprises a length of wood 1 having cut into it a first hole 2, a second hole 3, a third hole 4 and a slot 5. The holes 2, 3 and 4 are disposed in a first portion of the stmt, which is the upper portion when the stmt is in use. The slot 5 is disposed in the second portion of the stmt, which is the lower 15 portion when the strut is in use, and extends from the in-use bottom edge of the strut to a position proximate the centre of the strut.

[017] The second hole 3 is elongated, so as to form a slit through the wood 1. The first and third holes 2, 4 are substantially circular. The elongated slit 3 provides greater flexibility when fixing the stmt to the bed head. The third hole 4 20 provides improved strength to the connection between the strut and the bed head.

[018] Preferably, the first 2 and third 4 holes are 8 mm in diameter. The slit 3 is 8 mm by 60 mm, and is aligned with the length of the stmt, as shown in Figure 2.

[019] Also preferably, the stmt is 610 mm long, 45 mm wide and 16 mm thick. The slot 5 is 237 mm long and 12 mm wide. At least 25 mm clearance should be 25 left between the in-use top edge of the stmt and the first hole 2, to reduce the risk of the stmt breaking. 09 12 24

[020] Figure 3 depicts a strut according to an embodiment of the invention. The strut comprises a length of wood 1 having cut into it a first hole 2, a second hole 3, a third hole 4 and a slot 5. The holes 2, 3 and 4 are disposed in a first portion of the strut, which is the upper portion when the strut is in use. The slot 5 is 5 disposed in the second portion of the strut, which is the lower portion when the strut is in use, and extends from the in-use bottom edge of the stmt to a position proximate the centre of the stmt.

[021] The and third holes 3, 4 are elongated, so as to form slits through the wood 1. The first hole 2 is substantially circular. The elongated slits 3, 4 provide greater 10 flexibility when fixing the strut to the bed head. The third hole (the second slit) 4 provides improved strength to the connection between the stmt and the bed head.

[022] Preferably, the first hole 2 is 8 mm in diameter. The first slit 3 is 8 mm by 60 mm, and the second slit 4 is 8 mm by 20 mm. The slits are aligned with the length of the stmt, as shown in Figure 3. 15

[023] In this preferred embodiment, the strut is 610 mm long, 45 mm wide and 16 mm thick. The slot 5 is 237 mm long and 12 mm wide. At least 25 mm clearance should be left between the in-use top edge of the strut and the first hole 2, to reduce the risk of the stmt breaking.

[024] Although the embodiments described above have been formed of lengths of 20 wood having dimensions 610 mm by 45 mm by 16 mm, other typical sizes include: a. 760 mm by 50 mm by 17 mm; b. 812 mm by 50 mm by 17 mm; c. 915 mm by 55 mm by 18 mm.

[025] The skilled reader will appreciate that any other suitable dimensions might 25 be selected, depending on the intended use of the stmts. The slots would typically be scaled up in length with the wood. ^t CM

[026] Although the struts described above have been made of wood, this is not a limiting feature. Any other suitable material may be used, such as plastics or metals.

[027] The embodiments described above do not limit the invention. The 5 invention is limited by the claims.

Claims

1. A strut for attaching a bed head to a bed frame, comprising an elongate strut element having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein: a slot is formed from the proximal end through the proximal portion in the lengthwise direction of5 the strut element; three holes are formed through the distal portion, aligned in the lengthwise direction of the stmt element; the second hole in sequence from the distal end is elongated so as to form a slit; the third hole in sequence from the distal end is elongated so as to form a slit; and the second hole in sequence from the distal end forms a longer slit than the third hole in sequence from the distal10 end.

2. A strut according to any preceding claim, wherein the stmt element is made of wood.^tCM

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