Furniture frame and coupler therefor

Abstract

The disclosure provides coupling mechanisms for attaching to a furniture frame. The coupling mechanism comprises a coupler flange, having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange, having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being couplable to an inside face of a furniture frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face, and comprising a fastener member clampingly extending through the coupler flange and the furniture frame element and the reinforcing flange, said fastener member being arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

Description

[0001] FURNITURE FRAME AND COUPLER THEREFOR

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure concerns furniture frames. More particularly the disclosure is directed to a furniture frame and a modular coupling mechanism therefor.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

[0006] - US 4,030,846

[0007] - US 4,846,079

[0008] - US 5,425,520

[0009] - US 8,215,246

[0010] - US 10,362,861

[0011] Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0012] BACKGROUND

[0013] US 4,030,846 discloses a knock-down sectional furniture frame incorporating two frame members and a coupling for fixing the two frame members together with the end of one member abutting the side of the other member. The coupling comprises a metal fitting which fits in the angle between the two members and which is rigidly fixed to a connector element that is insertable into a transverse bore in the one member. One bolt extends transversely through the other member and into an aligned bore in the end of the one member and engages the connector element. Another bolt extends transversely through the other member and engages with the metal fitting at a position spaced from the one member.

[0014] US 4,846,079 discloses an apparatus for mating a structural element to a pair of frame members. The mating apparatus includes a stud carried by the element, a pin carried by each of the frame members, a brace positioned, during mating, so that inwardly turned portions formed at each lateral end of the brace engage a corresponding pin carried by the frame members. Structure is provided to urge the brace progressively closer to the structural element. As this urging occurs, the pins carried by the frame members are driven toward the structural element by the corresponding associated inwardly turned portions of the braces until the pins can be urged no farther. As this occurs, tightening of the frame members to the structural element occurs.

[0015] US 5,425,520 describes on a side face of a corner bracket are formed a common insertion hole for a bolt, a stepped portion having a contact face and a contact edge which come to contact with a side wall of a strut and a side board of a shelf board, a strut projected portion engageable with an engaging hole defined in the side wall of the strut, and a board projected portion engageable with an engaging hole defined in the side board of the shelf board. The stepped portions are formed so as to extend entirely over a lower portion of the side face and to project outward. The side face of the comer bracket extends outside a line connecting between the strut projected portion and the board connecting portion formed thereon. Accordingly, the corner bracket is capable of reinforcing effectively a joint portion of the shelf board and the strut in a simple construction, and of preventing effectively an undesirable shaking of this joint portion.

[0016] US 8,215,246 discloses a portable staging system adjustable for quick assembly and disassembly and inherent sturdiness. The portable staging system includes a bracket assembly for detachably coupling a support member to the platform of the portable stage. The bracket assembly includes a bracket sleeve adapted to receive the support member, a brace member shiftable within the bracket sleeve between a support member engaging position and a support member clearing position, and an actuator assembly for simultaneously shift first and second drivers of the brace member.

[0017] US 10,362,861 discloses a table having a table top, a bracket secured to the table top, a latching device coupled to the bracket, the latching device having a retaining wedge coupled to a draw latch via a cam device, and a table leg. The draw latch is configured to move the retaining wedge between a first position securing the table leg to the bracket and a second position unsecuring the table leg from the bracket. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present disclosure is directed to a coupling mechanism attachable to a furniture element and configurable for attaching two or more furniture elements to one another and / or for articulating to the furniture element a utility element.

[0019] A first aspect of the disclosure is directed to a furniture frame coupling mechanism, the coupling mechanism comprising: a coupler flange having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being couplable to an inside face of a furniture frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face and comprising a fastener member clampingly extending through the coupler flange and a furniture frame element and the reinforcing flange, said fastener member being arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

[0020] According to a specific embodiment of the disclosure, the coupling mechanism further comprises a construction member having a construction member outside face and a construction member frame face; wherein the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange is couplable over the outside face of the construction member and the frame face of the construction member is couplable over an outside face of the furniture frame; and wherein the fastener member of the at least two couplers clampingly extends also through the construction member.

[0021] According to a particular example of the disclosure, the furniture is a bed.

[0022] The coupling mechanism can be used for securing two bed frames to one another.

[0023] The two bed frames can be secured to one another at a planar configuration, or at a bunk bed configuration, i.e. placed one above the other. At the bunk bed configuration the construction member can be a support post extending at respective corners of the beds.

[0024] The two bed frames can be secured to one another at a neighboring siderail configuration.

[0025] The two bed frames can be secured to one another at a neighboring footb oard / headb oard configurati on .

[0026] The reinforcing flange can comprise a first arm segment and a second arm segment, said arm segments disposed at a right angle with respect to one another, wherein the first arm segment is articulable to a side rail of a bed and the second arm segment is articulable to a headboard / foot board rail of a bed. The coupler flange can comprise a first coupler flange arm and a second coupler flange arm, wherein said first coupler flange arm second coupler flange arm can extend at a right angle with one another or can extend coplanar to one another.

[0027] The construction member can be a bed support leg.

[0028] The construction member can be an element of a utility module. According to examples of the disclosure, the utility module is a support leg of a bunk bed, a canopy support member, a shade, a tent, a gun stand, binoculars stand, a support leg of support structure (e.g. gun stand).

[0029] A second aspect of the disclosure is directed to a bed comprising a bed frame, said bed frame having at each comer thereof a coupling mechanism, said coupler mechanism comprising: a coupler flange having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being couplable to an inside face of a bed frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face and comprising a fastener member clampingly extending through the coupler flange and a bed frame element and the reinforcing flange, said fastener member being arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

[0030] According to a specific embodiment, the coupling mechanism further comprises a construction member having a construction member outside face and a construction member frame face, wherein the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange is couplable over the outside face of the construction member and the frame face of the construction member is couplable over an outside face of the frame, and wherein the fastener member of the at least two couplers clampingly extends also through the construction member.

[0031] Yet an aspect of the disclosure is directed to a kit comprising a bed, at least one coupling mechanism and at least one construction member; the bed comprising a bed frame with four corners; the at least one coupling mechanism comprising a coupler flange having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being couplable to an inside face of the bed frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face and comprising a fastener member; the at least one construction member having an outside face and a frame face; wherein the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange is couplable over the outside face of the construction member, and the frame face of the construction member is couplable over an outside face of the bed frame; and wherein the fastener member of the at least two couplers clampingly extends through the coupler flange and the bed frame element and the reinforcing flange and the construction member, and wherein said fastener member is arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

[0032] Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be associated with any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof:

[0033] • The bed can be a folding bed;

[0034] • The bed can have a set of folding legs, for standalone configuration, irrespective of construction members;

[0035] • The reinforcing flange can be an element of the bed frame;

[0036] • The reinforcing flange can be secured at faces of the bed frame element;

[0037] • The fastener mechanism can be releasable, facilitating removal of the fastener member and removal of elements of the fastener mechanism;

[0038] • The coupler flange can be secured to the construction member; such securing can be, for example, by fasteners / screws / bolts / welding, etc.;

[0039] • The reinforcing flange can be secured to a corner of the bed frame; such securing can be, for example, by fasteners / screws / bolts / welding, etc.;

[0040] • At least one of the first coupler flange arm of the coupler flange can extend parallel with a respective first arm segment and a second arm segment of the reinforcing flange;

[0041] • The coupler flange and the reinforcing flange;

[0042] • The construction member can have an L-shaped cross section, wherein faces of said construction member can extend parallel with faces of the coupler flange and of the reinforcing flange;

[0043] • Faces of the construction member and the coupler flange and the reinforcing flange and the furniture frame can overlap one another;

[0044] • The construction member and the coupler flange and the reinforcing flange and the furniture frame can have a 90° cross-section;

[0045] • The coupler flange can be a flat element extending at 180°; • An inside coupler flange face can extend flush with an outside face of a furniture frame;

[0046] • An inside coupler flange face can extend flush with an outside face of the construction member;

[0047] • A frame face of the construction member can extend flush against an outside face of a furniture frame;

[0048] • An inside coupler flange face can extend flush against an inside face of the furniture frame;

[0049] • The coupling mechanism can be applied over a comer of the furniture frame;

[0050] • The couplers can be toggle couplers, wherein the fastener member comprises a free end arrestable over the fastener face of the reinforcing flange;

[0051] • Bed comers can comprise throughgoing openings disposed in register with openings at the reinforcing flange, for a fastener member of the coupler to extend therethrough;

[0052] • The bed comers can comprise throughgoing openings disposed in register with openings at the reinforcing flange, for a fastener member of the coupler to extend therethrough;

[0053] • The coupler flange can comprise openings extending in register with throughgoing openings of the bed frame and throughgoing openings of the reinforcing flange.

[0054] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a folding bed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, at a deployed position, with a mattress;

[0057] Fig. IB illustrates the bed of Fig. 1A, the mattress removed;

[0058] Fig. 1C illustrates the bed of Fig. IB, at a folded position;

[0059] Fig. 2A is an enlargement of the portion marked 2A in Fig. IB;

[0060] Fig. 2B is a section at the plane marked 2B - 2B in Fig. 2A; Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a two-story bunk bed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0061] Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a three-story bunk bed, according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0062] Fig. 3C is a partially exploded view of the bunk bed of Fig. 3B;

[0063] Fig. 3D is an enlarged exploded view of the portion marked 3D in Fig. 3B;

[0064] Fig. 3E is an enlargement of the section marked 3D in Fig. 3B, sectioned along line 3E - 3E;

[0065] Fig. 4A is a left side perspective view of a bed according to an embodiment of the disclosure, fitted with a utility module being a gun stand;

[0066] Fig. 4B is a right-side perspective view of Fig. 4A, the mattress removed;

[0067] Fig. 4C is a left side perspective view of a bed according to an embodiment of the disclosure, fitted with a utility module being a canopy;

[0068] Fig. 5A is an enlargement of the portion marked 5A in Fig. 4A;

[0069] Fig. 5B is an enlargement of the portion marked 5B in Fig. 4B;

[0070] Fig. 5C is a section along line 5C - 5C in Fig. 5A;

[0071] Fig. 5D is a top planar view of Fig. 5C;

[0072] Fig. 5E is an exploded view of the portion illustrated in Fig. 5C;

[0073] Fig. 5F is the same as Fig. 5C, prior to locking the toggle mechanism;

[0074] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of two beds articulated with one another, using coupling mechanisms according to an aspect of the disclosure;

[0075] Fig. 6B is an enlargement of the portion marked 6B in Fig. 6A;

[0076] Fig. 6C is a planar view of Fig. 6B, sectioned along line 6C - 6C;

[0077] Fig. 6D is a perspective view taken in direction of arrow 6D in Fig. 6B;

[0078] Fig. 6E is an exploded view of the portion illustrated in Fig. 6D; and

[0079] Fig. 6F is the same as Fig. 6E, however with reinforcing flanges articulated within the bed frame.

[0080] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0081] Attention is first made to Figs. 1A to 1C, illustrating a furniture item, namely a folding bed, according to an example of an embodiment of the disclosure, the bed generally designated 20. Whilst in the examples the furniture item is a bed, it is appreciated that the term furniture item should be used in a broad sense, including field beds, stretchers, armchairs, benches, etc.

[0082] Bed 20 comprises a light metal frame 22, composed of two foldable frame sections 24A and 24B pivotally articulable to one another by linkage assembly 28. Each of the frame sections 24A and 24B comprises two side rails 30 connected by a footrail / headrail 32 and a center beam 34, with a plurality of reinforcing slats 38 extending between the side rails 30, defining together a planar bed surface. Furthermore, the bed 20 comprises four support legs 40 (interconnected by a reinforcing bar 42), the legs 40 are pivotally secured to an outside face of the side rails 30, and are displaceable between a deployed position (Figs 1A, IB) and a folded, stowed position (Fig. 1C). Side rails 30 and foot rails / headrails 32 have a polygonal crosse section shaped profiles, for increased rigidity thereof, with an inside face of a frame element is designated 301 (inside face of side rail 30) and 321 (inside face of head / foot rail 32); likewise, an outside face of a frame element is designated 300 (outside side face of side rail 30) and 320 (outside face of head / foot rail 32).

[0083] At the stowed position, the legs 40 extend along the respective side rails 30, with the frame sections 24A and 24B disposed substantially parallel, overt appingly, over one another.

[0084] Further noted, the frame 22 comprises a pair of handles 45 attached to side rails 30, and a mattress 48 (Fig. 1 A) is applied over the bed surface, wherein the mattress can be a unitary item or segmented, where it can be folded with the frame into the stowed position (not shown). The mattress can be fixable over the bed surface.

[0085] Further attention is directed to Figs. 2A and 2B, four corners 47 of the bed 20 comprise a reinforcing flange 50, having a frame face 52 and a fastener face 54, said reinforcing flange 50 being secured to respective inside frame members 301 and 321 by bolts 56, wherein frame face 52 bears flush against inside frame members 301 and 321. Reinforcing flanges 50 have an L-shaped cross section, with two arms disposed at a right angle, in conformity with the right angled bed corners 47.

[0086] Further noted, each of head / foot rail 32 and side rail 30, at bed corners 47, comprise a throughgoing opening 55 (rectangular in the illustrated example) wherein at the assembled position said opening 55 coincides with a respective opening 57 of the reinforcing flange 50, i.e. wherein said openings 55 and 57 are in register with one another. Further attention is now directed also to Figs. 3A to 3E, in which Fig. 3A illustrates a two-story bunk bed 60 comprising two beds 20, and Fig. 3B illustrates a three- story bunk bed 62, comprising three beds 20, the beds of bunk beds 60, 62 are the same as bed 20 exemplified in Figs 1 A - 1C. It is noted that in Fig. 3 A the four support legs 40 are deployed, though as will be explained, the bed 62 is not supported over the folding legs 40, whilst in Fig. 3B the four support legs 40 are folded.

[0087] The bunk beds 60, 62 are supported over construction members 70, each articulated at a respective corner 47 of a bed 20, and constituting bunk bed legs, supporting the beds above one another, as will be explained. Construction members 70 are elongate members made of metal, having a generally L-shaped cross section, with a plurality of apertures 72 formed at predetermined distances from one another, to facilitate positioning beds 20 at different spaces above one another and for connecting thereto different utility elements, such a ladder 74, a head / foot board, etc. Construction members 70 have an outside face 76 and a frame face 78, with recesses 79 at edges thereof, such that when applied over a bed comer 47, said recesses 79 extend in register with openings 55 of the bed fame members. Hereinafter, ‘recess ’ and ‘recesses ’ are interchangeable with ‘opening’ and ‘openings ’, respectively.

[0088] Several coupler flanges 80 are secured to the construction members 70, each corresponding with a bed comer location. The coupler flanges 80 have an L-shaped cross section, comprising an external coupler flange face 82 and an inside coupler flange face 84, with recesses 86 at edges of the coupler flange 80, such that when a coupler flange 80 is applied over a construction member 70 said recesses 86 are disposed in register with recesses 79 of the construction member 70.

[0089] At the assembled position, the inside coupler flange face 84 extends flush with the outside face 76 of the construction member 70, and at the illustrated example, coupler flanges 80 are removably secured to the construction members 70 by bolts 85 (though such securing can be by other ways, such as welding, fasteners, etc.).

[0090] Coupling of the beds 20 to form a bunk bed 60, 62 is facilitated by a coupling mechanism comprising the reinforcing flange 50, the bed frame elements 30, 32, the construction members 70, and coupler flanges 80, constituting together a coupling mechanism generally designated 100.

[0091] Locking arresting of the coupling / fastener mechanism 100 is facilitated by a fastener mechanism comprising two couplers 112 (disposed over the external coupler flange face at respective arms of the coupler flanges 80), each coupler 112 being a toggle type clamp, comprising a locking lever 116 and a fastener member 120. Fastener member 120 is hook-shaped with a locking tab 122 at its free end.

[0092] The arrangement is such that at a locked position (Fig. 3E; side rail 30 associated coupler) said fastener member 120 clampingly extending through recess 86 of the coupler flange, and through the recess 79 of the construction member 70, and through the opening 55 of the bed frame 22, and through the opening 57 of the reinforcing flange 50, wherein the locking tab 122 of fastener member 120 is arrestable at the fastener face 54 of the reinforcing flange 50, applying compression locking force to tightly clamp all said members together.

[0093] Disassembly of the bunkbeds 60, 62 takes place by simply unlocking the couplers 112, disengaging the fastener member 120 from the respective openings 55, 57 and removing the bed frames.

[0094] Figs. 4A to 4C illustrate examples of beds according to the disclosure (‘furniture items’), however wherein rather than articulating beds above one another to form a bunk bed as previously discussed, in Figs. 4A to 4C a construction member is an element of a utility module, articulated to the furniture frame (namely bed frame), as explained herein below. In these figures the beds are the same as in the previously discussed example, hence like elements are designated with same reference numbers.

[0095] In Figs. 4A and 4B the bed 20 comprises a gun stand 130 mounted at a head / foot end of bed 20, (bed 20 is the same as that disclosed in connection with Figs. 1A - 1C), wherein said gun stand 130 is mounted over two construction members 132 (support posts). Said construction members 132 are in fact similar to construction members 70 (support legs of the bunk beds 60, 62), though they are not used for supporting the bed 20, as it is self supported over legs 40 (though according to another embodiment, not shown, the bed can be supported over such construction members extending to the ground).

[0096] Gun stand 130 comprises a gun board 134 articulated to the construction members 132 through openings 72, with a gun 138 moveably secured to gun board 134. Whilst this is a mere example, other utility modules can be articulated to the furniture frame 22, such as a binocular stand (not shown), or a sun / rain shade / canopy 140 (fully or partially extending over the bed) as in Fig. 4C. Further reference is now directed to Figs. 5A to 5F of the drawings, directed to the coupling mechanism of the embodiments of Figs. 4A - 4C, wherein elements of the coupling mechanism similar to those of the previous example are designated with same reference numbers, with a (‘) indication.

[0097] Same as discussed in connection with the example illustrated in connection with Figs. 3A to 3E, the bed 20’ comprises at its four comers 47’ a reinforcing flange 50’, having a frame face 52’ and a fastener face 54’, said reinforcing flange 50’ secured to respective inside frame members 301’ and 321’ by bolts 56’, wherein frame face 52’ bears flush against inside frame members 301’ and 321’ . Reinforcing flange 50’ has an L-shaped cross section, with two arms disposed at a right angle, in conformity with the right angled bed comers 47’.

[0098] Head / foot rail 32’ and side rail 30’, at bed comers 47’, comprise a throughgoing opening 55’ (rectangular in the illustrated example) wherein at the assembled position said opening 55’ coincides with a respective opening 57’ of the reinforcing flange 50’, i.e. wherein said openings 55’ and 57’ are in register with one another.

[0099] Construction members 70’ also has a generally L-shaped cross section, with a plurality of apertures 72’, for connecting thereto different utility elements. Construction members 132 have an outside face 76’ and a frame face 78’, with recesses 79’ at edges thereof, such that when applied over a bed comer 47’, said recesses 79’ extend in register with openings 55’ of the bed fame members (and with openings 57’ of the reinforcing flange 50’).

[0100] Two coupler flanges 80’ are secured to the construction members 132, each corresponding with a bed comer location. The coupler flanges 80’ also have an L-shaped cross section, comprising an external coupler flange face 82’ and an inside coupler flange face 84’, with recesses 86’ at edges of the coupler flange 80’, such that when a coupler flange 80’ is applied over a construction member 132 said recesses 86’ are disposed in register with recesses 79’ of the construction member 132.

[0101] At an assembled position, the inside coupler flange face 84’ extends flush against an outside face 76’ of the construction member 130. As mentioned hereinabove, coupler flanges 80’ can be secured to the construction members 130 by bolts 85’, or otherwise.

[0102] Securing the construction members 132 for sake of attaching a utility module to bed 20 is facilitated by a coupling mechanism comprising the reinforcing flange 50’, the bed frame elements 30’, 32’, the construction members 132, and coupler flanges 80’, constituting together a coupling mechanism generally designated 100’.

[0103] Locking arresting of the fastener mechanism 100’ is facilitated by fastener mechanism 110’ comprising two couplers (disposed over the external coupler flange face 82’ at respective arms of the coupler flanges 80’), each coupler being a toggle type clamp, comprising a locking lever 116’ and a fastener member 120’. Fastener member 120’ is hook-shaped with a locking tab 122’ at its free end.

[0104] The arrangement is such that at a locked position said fastener member 120’ clampingly extending through recess 86’ of the coupler flange, and through the recess 79’ of the construction member 132, and through the opening 55’ of the bed frame 22’, and through the opening 57’ of the reinforcing flange 50’, wherein the locking tab 122’ of fastener member 120’ is arrestable at the fastener face 54’ of the reinforcing flange 50’, applying compression locking force to tightly clamp all said members together.

[0105] Further attention will now be directed to Figs. 6A to 6E, directed to yet an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which two beds of the aforementioned disclosure, designated 20A and 20B are coupled to one another forming a double bed 20D. For sake of simplicity, in the following example, elements similar to those described in connection with the previous embodiment will be designated with same reference number, with a (“) indication.

[0106] Beds 20A and 20B are the same as bed 20 discussed hereinabove, wherein said beds 20A, 20B are attachable along their respective side rails 30”, though it is appreciated that they can be attached to one another along their head / foot rails (this embodiment is not shown, though it is similar to the embodiment discussed hereinafter).

[0107] Beds 20A and 20B are identical to one another, including the provision of L- shaped reinforcing flange 50” having a frame face 52” and a fastener face 54”, and said reinforcing flange 50” secured to respective inside frame members 301” and 321” by bolts 56”, wherein frame face 52” bears flush against inside frame members 301” and 321”. Reinforcing flanges 50” have an L-shaped cross section, with two arms disposed at a right angle, in conformity with the right angled bed corners 47”.

[0108] However, unlike previous embodiments described hereinabove, in the present example the coupling mechanism 100” is devoid of a construction member and further, the coupler flange is planar and bears directly over the furniture frame (bed’s frame), as illustrated and described. Rather, a coupler flange 150 is provided, said coupler flange extending flat, with its two arms 150A and 150B coplanar and having a flat inside coupler flange face 156. A pair of spacer tongues 160 project from the coupler flange 150, in between the two arms 150A and 150B, wherein upon assembly, said tongues 160 extend between the neighboring side rails 30” of the beds 20A and 20B, giving rise to a space therebetween (for accommodating the beds’ legs 40”).

[0109] Mounted on the external coupler flange face 82” there are two fastener mechanism 110” comprising two couplers 112”, each coupler 112” being a toggle type clamp, comprising a locking lever 116” and a fastener member 120” being hook-shaped with a locking tab 122” at its free end.

[0110] The coupler flange 150 comprises at each of its respective side edges a recess 86”, wherein once assembled, said recesses 86” are disposed in register with openings 55” of the headrail 32” and opening 57” of the reinforcing flange 50”.

[0111] The arrangement is such that at a locked position (Figs 6C, 6D) said fastener member 120” clampingly extending through recess 86” of the coupler flange 150”, and through the opening 55” of the bed frame 22, and through the opening 57” of the reinforcing flange 50”, wherein the locking tab 122” of fastener member 120” is arrestable at the fastener face 54” of the reinforcing flange 50”, applying compression locking force to tightly clamp all said members together.

[0112] The present disclosure calls also for a kit for articulating any utility module to a furniture frame (e.g. bed frame) and for connecting two or more beds to one another. Such a kit comprises at least one furniture item (e.g. a bed), at least one coupling mechanism and at least one construction member; the bed comprising a bed frame with four comers; the at least one coupling mechanism comprising a coupler flange having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being couplable to an inside face of the bed frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face and comprising a fastener member; the at least one construction member having an outside face and a frame face; wherein the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange is couplable over the outside face of the construction member, and the frame face of the construction member is couplable over an outside face of the bed frame; and wherein the fastener member of the at least two couplers clampingly extends through the coupler flange and the bed frame element and the reinforcing flange and the construction member, and wherein said fastener member is arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A coupling mechanism attachable to a furniture frame, the coupling mechanism comprising: a coupler flange, having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange, having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being couplable to an inside face of a furniture frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face, and comprising a fastener member clampingly extending through the coupler flange and the furniture frame element and the reinforcing flange, said fastener member being arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

2. The coupling mechanism of claim 1, further comprises a construction member having a construction member outside face and a construction member frame face; wherein the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange is couplable over the outside face of the construction member, and the frame face of the construction member is couplable over an outside face of the furniture frame; and wherein the fastener member of the at least two couplers clampingly extends also through the construction member.

3. The coupling mechanism of claim 2, wherein the construction member is a bed support leg.

4. The coupling mechanism of claim 2, wherein the construction member is a support leg of a bunk bed.

5. The coupling mechanism of claim 2, wherein the construction member is an element of a utility module, articulated to the furniture frame.

6. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the construction member has an L-shaped cross section, wherein the outside face and the frame face of said construction member extend parallel with faces of the coupler flange and of the reinforcing flange.

7. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the outside face and the frame face of the construction member, the external coupler flange face and the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange, and the frame face and the fastener face of the reinforcing flange, and faces of the furniture frame overlap one another.

8. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the construction member, the coupler flange, the reinforcing flange, and the furniture frame have a 90° cross section.

9. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the inside coupler flange face extends flush with an outside face of the construction member.

10. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the frame face of the construction member extends flush against an outside face of a furniture frame.

11. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the fastener mechanism is releasable, facilitating removal of the fastener member and removal of elements of the fastener mechanism.

12. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the coupler flange comprises a first coupler flange arm and a second coupler flange arm, wherein said first coupler flange arm second coupler flange arm extending at a right angle with one another or extending coplanar to one another.

13. The coupling mechanism of claim 12, wherein the first and second coupler flange arms extend parallel with respective first and second arm segments of the reinforcing flange.

14. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the coupler flange is a flat element extending at 180°.

15. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the inside coupler flange face extends flush with an outside face of the furniture frame.

16. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the inside coupler flange face extends flush against an inside face of the furniture frame.

17. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the coupling mechanism is applied over a comer of the furniture frame.

18. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the couplers are toggle couplers, and wherein the fastener member comprises a free end arrestable over the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

19. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the furniture frame is a bed frame.

20. The coupling mechanism of claim 19, wherein the coupling mechanism is used for securing two bed frames to one another.

21. The coupling mechanism of claim 20, wherein the two bed frames are secured to one another at a planar configuration, or at a bunk bed configuration placed one above the other.

22. The coupling mechanism of claim 21, wherein at a bunk bed configuration, the construction member is a support post extending at respective corners of the beds.

23. The coupling mechanism of claim 21, wherein at a planar configuration, the two bed frames are secured to one another at a neighboring siderail configuration.

24. The coupling mechanism of claim 21, wherein at a planar configuration, the two bed frames are secured to one another at a neighboring footboard / headboard configuration.

25. The coupling mechanism of claim 19, wherein the bed is a folding bed.

26. The coupling mechanism of claim 19, wherein bed comers comprise throughgoing openings disposed in register with openings at the reinforcing flange, for a fastener member of the coupler to extend therethrough.

27. The coupling mechanism of claim 26, wherein the coupler flange comprises openings extending in register with throughgoing openings of the bed frame and throughgoing openings of the reinforcing flange.

28. The coupling mechanism of claim 26 or 27, wherein the construction member comprises openings extending in register with openings of the coupler flange.

29. The coupling mechanism of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the reinforcing flange comprises a first arm segment and a second arm segment, said arm segments disposed at a right angle with respect to one another, and wherein the first arm segment is articulable to a side rail of a bed frame, and the second arm segment is articulable to a headboard / foot board rail of a bed frame.

30. A bed comprising a bed frame, said bed frame having at each comer thereof a coupling mechanism, said coupler mechanism comprising: a coupler flange having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being coupleable to an inside face of a bed frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face and comprising a fastener member clampinglyextending through the coupler flange and a bed frame element and the reinforcing flange, said fastener member being arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

31. The bed of claim 30, wherein the coupling mechanism further comprises a construction member having a construction member outside face and a construction member frame face; and wherein the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange is couplable over the outside face of the construction member and the frame face of the construction member is couplable over an outside face of the frame; and wherein the fastener member of the at least two couplers clampingly extends also through the construction member.

32. The bed of claim 30 or 31, wherein the bed comprises a set of folding legs, for standalone configuration, irrespective of construction members.

33. The bed of any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the reinforcing flange is integrated with the bed frame.

34. The bed of claim 33, wherein the reinforcing flange is secured at inside faces of the bed frame.

35. The bed of claim 33, wherein the reinforcing flange is secured to a corner of the bed frame.

36. A bed coupling kit comprising: a bed, at least one coupling mechanism and at least one construction member; the bed comprising a bed frame with four comers; the at least one coupling mechanism comprising a coupler flange having an external coupler flange face and an inside coupler flange face; a reinforcing flange having a frame face and a fastener face, said frame face being couplable to an inside face of the bed frame; and a fastener mechanism comprising at least two couplers, each coupler mounted over the external coupler flange face and comprising a fastener member; the at least one construction member having an outside face and a frame face; wherein the inside coupler flange face of the coupler flange is couplable over the outside face of the construction member, and the frame face of the construction member is couplable over an outside face of the bed frame; and wherein the fastener member of the at least two couplers clampingly extends through the coupler flange and the bed frame element and the reinforcing flange and the construction member, and wherein said fastener member is arrestable at the fastener face of the reinforcing flange.

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