Bed frame and a method of assembly

Abstract

The bed frame has top, bottom and side panels, each having a ribs 201, 202 attached to the inside surface to define respective channels 221. A respective connection member 512 at each corner is perman

Description

Ottoman style bed frames are known, as disclosed in WO 2017 / 041 149, in which a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel define a box having a suitable size to constitute a single or double bed etc. A problem with bed frames of this type is that, given their space-saving capabilities, they are often deployed in areas with restricted access and as such tend to be supplied as a flatpack and assembled in situ. A problem therefore arises in terms of maintaining the integrity of the structural frame while at the same time optimising the available space within the bed frame. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a first panel of a bed frame to a second panel of a bed frame, comprising the steps of: locating a first rib on an inner surface of the first panel, substantially parallel with upper and lower edges of the first panel; locating a second rib on said inner surface substantially parallel to said first rib, thereby defining a first channel; locating a third rib on an inner surface of the second panel, substantially parallel with upper and lower edges of the second panel; locating a fourth rib on the inner surface of the second panel, substantially parallel to the third rib, thereby defining a second channel; permanently securing a first end of a first connection member in the first channel, such that a second end of the first connection member extends away from the plane of the first panel; and inserting said second end into the second channel. In an embodiment, the second end of the connection member is secured after the inserting step. A first cover board may be attached over the first rib and the second rib to substantially enclose the first channel. A second cover board may be attached over the third rib and the fourth rib to substantially enclose the second channel. In an embodiment, a corner piece is attached with a circular profile, wherein a first edge of the corner piece abuts an end of the first panel and a second edge of the corner piece abuts an end of the second panel. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bed frame apparatus, comprising: a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel; a respective upper rib and a respective lower rib attached to the inside surface of each said panels to define respective channels; and a respective connection member at each corner permanently secured within a first channel and insertable within an abutting second channel. Embodiments of the invention will be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed embodiments show the best mode known to the inventor and provide support for the invention as claimed. However, they are only exemplary and should not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims. Their purpose is to provide a teaching to those skilled in the art. Components and processes distinguished by ordinal phrases such as “first” and “second” do not necessarily define an order or ranking of any sort. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a first panel providing a side panel of a bed frame; Figure 2 shows ribs attached to the first panel identified in Figure 7; Figure 3 shows the application of corner piece; Figure 4 shows the deployment of a cover material; Figure 5 shows the addition of a first connection member; Figure 6 shows the application of a securing element; Figure 7 shows the attachment of a cover board; Figure 8 shows a second panel; Figure 9 illustrates the connection of the first panel with the second panel; Figure 10 shows the securing of panels using a bolt; Figure 11 shows the establishment of a bed frame apparatus; Figure 12 shows the location of a baseboard; Figure 13 shows the attachment of hinges; Figure 14 shows a mattress support frame in a closed configuration; Figure 15 shows the mattress support frame of Figure 14 in an open configuration; and Figure 16 shows the application of a mattress support board. Figure 1 A first panel 101 is shown in Figure 1, having a length suitable for providing a side panel of a bed frame. In an embodiment, the panel 101 is formed from plywood having a thickness of between ten millimetres (10mm) and twenty millimetres (20 mm). The plywood material has the advantages of being structurally rigid, strong and lightweight. Figure 2 The panel 101 is shown in Figure 2, with a first rib 201 and a second rib 202 located on an inner surface 203 of the first panel 101. The first panel 101 also presents a first end 211, an upper edge 212 and a lower edge 213. The first rib 201 and a second rib 202 define a first channel 221. Figure 3 A corner piece 301 is shown in Figure 3 that has a circular profile, as described with reference to Figure 11. A first edge of the corner piece 301 abuts the first end 211 of the first panel. A second edge 302 of the corner piece 301 is arranged to abut an end of a second panel, as described with reference to Figure 9. As described with reference to Figure 7, a cover board is applied over the first rib 201 and the second rib 202, to enclose the channel 221. Figure 4 A portion of cover material 401 is deployed against the internal surface 203 above the first rib 201; primarily for aesthetic reasons. In an embodiment, this cover material is substantially similar to a cover board described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 5 A first connection member 501 is shown in Figure 5, that has a hole 502 to facilitate non-permanent connection to a second panel, as described with reference to Figure 10. A first end 511 of the first connection member 501 is permanently secured in the first channel 221. In this way, a second end 512 of the first connection member 501 extends away from the plane on the first panel. Subsequently, as described with reference to Figure 9, the second end 512 is inserted into a similar channel of a second panel. Figure 6 The first end of the first connection member 512 is secured in the first channel 221 by means of a securing element 601 located between the first rib 201 and the second rib 202, such as to be within the channel 221. The securing element 601 has the same depth as the ribs 201 / 202 and its inner surface is therefore flush with the inner surfaces of the ribs. Figure 7 In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, a first cover board 701 is attached over the first rib 201 and the second rib 202 to substantially enclose the first channel 221. In this embodiment, the cover board 701 is made of a material that is substantially similar to that of the cover material 401. Figure 8 A second panel 802 is shown in Figure 8. A third upper rib 803 is located on the inner surface of the second panel and is again substantially parallel with upper and lower edges of the second panel. A fourth lower rib 804 is also located on the inner surface of the second panel, substantially parallel with the third rib 803, thereby defining a second channel 812. In an embodiment, the second channel 812 is again enclosed by a second cover board 822. Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9, the second end 512 of the first connection member 511 is inserted into the second channel 812, as indicated by arrow 901. Figure 10 After insertion of the connection member 501 into the second channel 812, as described with reference to Figure 9, the second end of the connection member may be secured by the provision of a bolt 1001. In this way, a strong and resilient connection is made while allowing the whole bed frame to be dismantled for transportation or storage purposes. The procedure facilitates the construction of a complete bed frame in which a third panel and a fourth panel are provided with similar procedures being performed for assembling the second panel to the third panel, the third panel to the fourth panel and the fourth panel to the first panel. The third panel includes a third channel and the fourth panel includes a fourth channel; and a second connection member is permanently secured in the first channel for insertion within the fourth channel. Similarly, a third connection member is permanently secured in the third channel for insertion within the second channel and a fourth connection member is permanently secured in the third channel for insertion within the fourth channel. Figure 11 The assembly method, described with reference to Figures 1 to 10, facilitates the establishment of a bed frame apparatus as shown in Figure 11. The apparatus has a top panel 1101, a bottom panel 1102, a first side panel 1111 and a second side panel 1112. A respective upper rib and a respective lower rib, as described with reference to Figure 2, are attached to the inside surface of each of these panels to define respective channels. A respective connection member is then provided at each corner to be permanently secured within a first channel, such that the member is then insertable within an abutting second channel. In an embodiment, the apparatus further includes cover boards, such as a first cover board 1121, for covering each of the channels defined by the parallel ribs. As described with reference to Figure 3, the apparatus further includes corner pieces, including a first corner piece 1131, a second corner piece 1132, a third corner piece 1133 and a fourth corner piece 1134. Referring to the second corner piece 1132, it can be seen that this defines a substantially circular profile. In an embodiment, the apparatus also includes substantially triangular corner supports, of which the fourth corner support 1144 is shown in Figure 11. Each corner support is secured to the underside of abutting lower ribs. In an embodiment, respective leg elements are attached to each corner support to raise lower edges of the panels above ground level. A fourth leg 1154 is shown in Figure 11. To provide additional strength, particularly for larger bed sizes, a cross member 1155 is located between the first side panel 1111 and the second side panel 1112. The cross member 1155 is secured to the lower edge of respective lower ribs. In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, additional feet are provided on the cross member 1155, including a central leg 1156. Figure 12 In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, a base board 1201 is located within an internal space 1202 defined by the internal surface of the cover boards, including the first cover board 1121. The base board 1201 is supported by the corner pieces 1144 etc and the lower crossmember 1155. Figure 13 In the embodiment as shown in Figure 13, a first hinge 1311 is attached to the first side panel 1111 and a second hinge 1312 is attached to the second side panel 1112. These hinges facilitate the attachment of a mattress support frame and allow the mattress support frame to be adjustable from a closed configuration to an open configuration; where the open configuration facilitates the storage of articles in the internal space 1202. Figure 14 A mattress support frame 1401 is shown in Figure 14, in its closed configuration. The hinges 1311 / 1312 include pistons that deploy a bias forcing the mattress support frame upwards into its open configuration. In use, this force is substantially balanced by the weight of the mattress, such that the mattress support frame 1401 remains in its closed configuration. However, opening the mattress support frame 1401 is facilitated by the provision of these pistons. Movement is also facilitated by the provision of a handle 1402. As illustrated in Figure 14, it is also possible for a headboard 1403 to be attached to the top panel 1101. Figure 15 The mattress support frame 1401 is shown in its open configuration in Figure 15. Movement to achieve this open configuration is facilitated by the 5 provision of a first piston 1511 and a second piston 1512. Figure 16 To facilitate the application of a mattress, the mattress support frame 1401 may be covered with a mattress support board 1601 as shown in Figure 16. 10

Claims

1. A method of assembling a first panel of a bed frame to a second panel of a bed frame, comprising the steps of:locating a first rib on an inner surface of the first panel, substantially parallel with upper and lower edges of the first panel;locating a second rib on said inner surface substantially parallel to said first rib, thereby defining a first channel;locating a third rib on an inner surface of the second panel, substantially parallel with upper and lower edges of the second panel;locating a fourth rib on the inner surface of the second panel, substantially parallel to the third rib, thereby defining a second channel;permanently securing a first end of a first connection member in the first channel, such that a second end of the first connection member extends away from the plane of the first panel; andinserting said second end into the second channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of securing the second end of the connection member after said inserting step.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising the step of attaching a first cover board over the first rib and the second rib to substantially enclose the first channel.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of attaching a second cover board over the third rib and the fourth rib to substantially enclose the second channel.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the step of attaching a corner piece with a circular profile, wherein a first edge of the corner piece abuts an end of the first panel and a second edge of the cornerpiece abuts an end of the second panel.

6. A method of constructing a bed frame, in which:a first panel and a second panel are assembled according to claim 1;the bed frame includes a third panel and a fourth panel;a substantially similar procedure is performed for assembling the second panel to the third panel;a substantially similar procedure is performed for assembling the third panel to the fourth panel; anda substantially similar procedure is performed for assembling the fourth panel to the first panel.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the third panel includes a third channel and the fourth panel includes a fourth channel; anda second connection member is permanently secured in the first channel for insertion within the fourth channel.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a third connection member is permanently secured in the third channel for insertion within the second channel; anda fourth connection member is permanently secured in the third channel for insertion within the fourth channel.

9. A bed frame apparatus, comprising:a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel;a respective upper rib and a respective lower rib attached to the inside surface of each said panels to define respective channels; anda respective connection member at each corner permanently secured within a first channel and insertable within an abutting second channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising respective coverboards for covering each channel defined by substantially parallel ribs.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 or claim 10, further comprising respective corner pieces for attachment at each corner to define a substantially circular profile.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 9 to 11, comprising substantially triangular corner pieces, wherein each said corner piece is secured to the underside of abutting lower ribs.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a respective leg element attached to each corner piece to raise lower edges of said panels above ground level.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a lower cross member located between the first side panel and the second side panel and secured to the lower edge of respective lower ribs.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a base board located within an internal space defined by the internal surfaces of coverboards and supported by said corner pieces and said lower cross member.

16. The apparatus of any of claims 9 to 15, further comprising a left strut attached to said first panel and a second strut attached to said second panel.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a mattress support frame attached to said first strut and said second strut, such that said mattress support frame is adjustable form a closed configuration to an open configuration to facilitate the storage of articles.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a mattress support board attached to the top of said mattress support frame.

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