AU2011253617B2 - Slat bed system - Google Patents

Abstract

A support means for a slat bed system, said support means having an elongated structure including: two opposing support beams a plurality of receiving portions on opposing parts of the support beams for receiving an end of a beam such as a bed slat; and one or more spacing means spacing the receiving portions to allow spacing of a plurality of beams each able to be received respectively in one of said plurality of receiving portions

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art: Name of Applicant: Coast RV Pty Ltd Actual Inventor(s): David Fealy Address for Service and Correspondence: PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: SLAT BED SYSTEM Our Ref: 929643 POF Code: 510382/510382 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): - 1- 2 SLAT BED SYSTEM This application is a divisional application claiming priority from Australian Application 2007231610 filed 23 October 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by 5 reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a slat bed for supporting a bed base. 10 BACKGROUND ART Generally in the field of bedding, slat beds are formed by two elongated beams each with their own special formations on opposing internal surfaces to hold respective ends of the bed slats. Usually this is achieved by a formation comprising ledges being specially moulded into the beam. 15 The assembly of slat beds is often time consuming and applicant has recognised a desirability to improve the ease of assembly. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a slat bed that provides an improved 20 bedding product. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention there is provided a slat bed including a pair of spaced apart, parallel, elongate side rails between which a plurality of elongate bed slats extend, the bed 25 slats extending substantially perpendicular to the side rails and opposite ends of the bed slats being supported by each side rail, each side rail having opposite ends and each end being connected to a support, the connection between the ends of the side rails and the supports being by a bracket arrangement which comprises a first bracket component which is connected to the end of the side rail and a second bracket component which is connected to the support, 30 the first bracket component comprising a first portion which is connected to the end of the side rail and a second portion that projects from the first portion at an angle to the first portion to extend away from the side rail, the second portion including a plurality of slots which are open at an edge of the second portion and which are closed inboard of the edge, the second bracket component projecting from the support and including a connection face which is inclined SPEC-929643 do 3 complementary to the angle at which the second portion of the first bracket component extends from the first portion of the first bracket component and the second bracket component further including a plurality of screws that project from the connection face for removable receipt within the slots of the first portion of the first bracket component so that the 5 second portion of the first bracket component can be secured to and supported by the second bracket component in facing relationship with the connection face of the second bracket component by receipt of the plurality of screws within the slots. The advantage of the present invention is that the angle of the first portion and the connection 10 face allows easy access to secure the first bracket component to the second bracket component. Where screws are used to secure the first bracket component to the second bracket component, the assembly personnel can easily access the screw heads with a screw driver for the connection to be made. 15 In other forms of the invention which are not claimed in this divisional application, support means are provided having an elongated structure including: A plurality of receiving portions for receiving an end of a beam such as a bed slat; And one or more spacing means spacing the receiving portions to allow spacing of a plurality of beams each able to be received respectively in one of said plurality of receiving 20 portions. The support means can have one or more ledge means attached to one side of said elongated structure adjacent each of the plurality of receiving portions. The support means can have an elongated strip attached to an elongated beam in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions to extend along the beam and the one or 25 more ledges to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion. The elongated support means can be formed as an integral article. The article can be a continuous strip that is cut to the appropriate length and can be attached to a support beam to form a bed support means. SPEC-929543.doc 4 In accordance with the invention there is provided a slat bed system having an elongated structure being roll formed to provide a substantially consistent lateral cross section including a support portion forming a strength basis able to be attached to side rails or the like of a slat bed system and further including a protruding portion forming a ledge means able to extend 5 inwards from the side rails and allowing a planar part of a bed base to be supported. The slat bed system can have one or more spacing means spacing a plurality of beams each able to be received respectively in one of formed plurality of receiving portions between said spacing means. In one form the spacing means can be pegs formed of metal, wood, synthetic 10 rubber or other sturdy material. In another form the spacing means can be formed integral with the ledge of the slat bed system such as by stamping or welding or other deformation of the material or attachment of material. In one particularly improved form there is a slat retainer with a receiving structure having a 15 first open side shaped for receiving a slat for a slat bed and the receiving structure having a second opposing side with at least part of an attachment means for positioning the receiving structure on a side rail of the bed base. The receiving structure can include a substantially U shape first side with a first part attachment means protruding from the opposing side of the receiving structure and able to engage with a second part attachment on the side rail of the slat 20 bed. In one form the receiving structure is a rectangular U shaped with a central part the width of the slats and a height sufficient to extend up the sides of the slats to hold the slat in a relative fixed position but removable. The receiving structure has on the opposing side to the central part of the U shape a projection which is able to be received in an opening in a side rail of the slat bed, The receiving part can be on an internal shelf of the side rail formed simply by 25 an elongated ledge rail to a more substantial side rail structure. By this means the slats are not seen. The receiving structure also removes the need for a castellated side rail or other complex structure. The removable receiving structure can also be retrofitted to other slat beds or used on wooden or metal side rail structures. 30 The slat bed system can have an elongated strip attached to an elongated beam in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions to extend along the beam and the one or more ledges to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion. C :pofemp\SPEC-929643 doc 5 The elongated slat bed system can be formed as an integral article. The article can be a continuous form that is cut to the appropriate length and can be attached to a support beam to form a bed base. 5 The invention also provides an elongated slat bed system, for supporting bed slats to form a bedding base, the elongated slat bed system having: a first and second elongated slat bed system spaced apart and extending the length of the bed; one or more ledge means formed by roll forming of a metal sheet as said first and 10 second elongated slat bed systems; a plurality of spacing means each spaced along said first and second elongated slat bed systems and spaced along the length of the slat bed system to form a plurality of receiving portions therebetween; wherein an elongated slat bed systems can be attached to an elongated beam in a 15 manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions to extend along the beam and the one or more ledges to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion and form a substantially planar bed base. The elongated slat bed system is formed as an integral article. 20 Also in accordance with the invention there is provided an elongated slat bed system which can in one form be made from a single piece of metal by the steps of: (i) selecting a metal strip of suitable length and width (ii) roll forming the elongated means along its length through a central portion so as 25 to form a bent ledge means between upper and lower support portions that add to the overall strength of the elongated slat bed system The invention can also provide an elongated slat bed system including the steps of (iii) adding spacing means at spaced locations as required to form predetermined spaced receiving portions for receiving the ends of the bed slats; 30 (iv) attaching connectors to the roll formed elongated means for engaging and fixing along the length of side rails. The roll forming of the metal strip can be a simple V shaped protrusion so as to form a substantially omega shaped profile. The roll forming though may include a further roll in the V shaped protrusion that extends along its length so as to form a consistent profile. That C:\poftemp\SPEC-929643.doc 6 profile can be a saw tooth V shaped structure with a rectilinear extension connected to the flat base by a U shape. A straight angle part extends from the tip of the rectilinear extension back to the base. Such a deviation from the plain V shaped structure substantially and unexpectedly adds strength to the structure. 5 The side rail may include cut-outs to form spacing means for slats or may have holes for receiving protrusions of slat retainers which are able to be positioned and held on the side rails to hold the slats in position. In one form the invention provides an elongated support means which can in one form be 10 made from a single piece of metal by the steps of: (i) selecting a metal strip of suitable length and width (ii) cutting out openings at spaced locations as required to form the predetermined spaced receiving portions for receiving the ends of the bed slats, the openings having the required width to receive the width of the bed slat but a height greater than the height of the bed slat; 15 (iii) bending the elongated means along its length through the cut out openings so as to form a bent spacing means that adds to the overall strength of the elongated support means as well as forming a ledge means along the length of each spaced receiving portion. The elongated slat bed system when particularly in the form of a steel cleat has many 20 advantages for a furniture manufacturer. The one form can be used on all bed sizes (single, double, king single, queen or king). In situations with single bed construction, the slat bed system will replace the need to either produce expensive and time-consuming construction of castellated timber cleats or it will replace the specially sized and constructed cloth tape holding system. The bedding manufacturer can produce all side rails for beds as a common 25 item rather than have special rails for single beds and other rails for double beds. A very important consideration in the design of this support member is in the strength of the section of the steel cleat. This will allow manufacturers to use thinner material for the side rails rather than the usual 35 millimetre timber lengths. The design and strength of the slat bed 30 system will eliminate the problem of slats bowing and causing the side rails to push out resulting in the slats falling to the floor. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a bed base component that can be used for slat beds and provides an improved bedding product. Cpofemp\SPEC-929643 4oc 7 In accordance with the invention there is provided a bed base component having an elongated structure being roll formed to provide a substantially consistent lateral cross section including a support portion forming a strength basis able to be attached to side rails or the like of a slat bed system and further including a protruding portion forming a ledge means able to extend 5 inwards from the side rails and allowing a planar part of a bed base to be supported. The bed base component can have one or more spacing means spacing a plurality of beams each able to be received respectively in one of formed plurality of receiving portions between said spacing means. In one form the spacing means can be pegs formed of metal, wood, 10 synthetic rubber or other sturdy material. In another form the spacing means can be formed integral with the ledge of the bed base component such as by stamping or welding or other deformation of the material or attachment of material. The bed base component can have an elongated strip attached to an elongated beam in 15 a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions to extend along the beam and the one or more ledges to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion. The elongated bed base component can be formed as an integral article. The article can be a continuous form that is cut to the appropriate length and can be attached to a support 20 beam to form a bed base. The invention also provides an elongated bed base component, for supporting bed slats to form a bedding base, the elongated bed base component having: a first and second elongated bed base component spaced apart and extending the length 25 of the bed; one or more ledge means formed by roll forming of a metal sheet as said first and second elongated bed base components; a plurality of spacing means each spaced along said first and second elongated bed base components and spaced along the length of the bed base component to form a plurality of 30 receiving portions therebetween; wherein an elongated bed base components can be attached to an elongated beam in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions to extend along the beam and the one or more ledges to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion and form a substantially planar bed base. C poftemp\SPEC-929643.doc 8 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be more readily understood an embodiment will be described by way of illustration with reference to the drawings wherein: 5 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed using the slat bed system in use in accordance with the invention; Figure 2a is a perspective inside view of a first embodiment of the side structure of the slat bed system shown in Figure 1; Figure 2b is a perspective view of the spacing means of the first embodiment of the side 10 structure of the slat bed system shown in Figure 2a; Figure 3 is a perspective inside view of the slat bed system shown in Figure 2a and 2b; Figure 4 is a plan view of the slat bed system shown in Figure 2a, 2b and 3; Figure 5 is a vertical cross section of the support means of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective inside view of a second embodiment of the side structure of the slat 15 bed system shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the side structure of the slat bed system shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective inside view of the second embodiment of the side structure of the slat bed system shown in Figure 6 with the slats removed; Figure 9 is an section of the side structure of the slat bed system shown in Figure 6; 20 Figure 10 is a perspective view of a first spine system able to be used in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a dampening means and a second spine means able to be used in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a third spine system able to be used in combination with the 25 supporting means of Figure 1 or 6; Figure 13a and 13b are end cross sections of fourth and fifth spine means able to be used in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a slat bed system in accordance with a third embodiment of a side support of the invention with a slat retainer system able to be used in combination; 30 Figure 15 is a perspective view of a slat retainer of the slat retainer system of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a side support rail of the slat bed system of Figure 14; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the side support system of the slat bed system of Figure 14; Figure 18 is a perspective view of a fourth side rail system able to be used in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6 or the slat retainer system of Figure 14; C:pof\em\SPEC-929643.doc 9 Figures 19a and 19b are opposing perspective views of a side support rail of the slat bed system of Figure 18; Figure 20 is a perspective view of a slat bed system in accordance with a fifth embodiment of a side support of the invention with a slat retainer system able to be used in combination; 5 Figure 21a and 21b are vertical cross sectional views of the side support rail of the slat bed system of Figure 20; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the end support system of the slat bed system of Figure 20; Figure 23 is a perspective view of a second end support system of the slat bed system of Figure 20; 10 Figure 24 is a perspective view of a third end support system of the slat bed system of Figure 20; Figure 25 is a perspective view of a fourth spine system able to be used in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6, 14 or 20; Figure 26 is a perspective view of a fifth spine system able to be used in combination with the 15 supporting means of Figure 1 or 6, 14 or 20; Figure 27 is a perspective view of a sixth spine system able to be used in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6, 14 or 20; Figure 28 is a perspective view of a seventh spine system in use in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6, 14 or 20; 20 Figure 29 is a plan view of the spine of the seventh spine system of Figure 28; Figure 30 is a partial perspective view of the spine of the seventh spine system of Figure 28; Figure 31 is a perspective view of a part of an eighth spine system in use in combination with the supporting means of Figure 1 or 6, 14 or 20; Figure 32 is a perspective view of a ninth spine system in use in combination with the 25 supporting means of Figure 1 or 6, 14 or 20; Figure 33 is a partial perspective view of the spine of the ninth spine system of Figure 32; Figure 34 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a spine bracket system of the invention in use in a slat bed system; Figure 35 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a spine bracket of the spine bracket system of 30 Figure 34; Figure 36 is a diagrammatic overhead plan view of a portion of spine bracket system of Figure 34; Figure 37 is a photographic perspective view of a spine bracket system of the invention in use in a slat bed system; C:Xpoftemp\SPE-929643.doc 10 Figure 38 is a photographic perspective view of a spine bracket of the spine bracket system of Figure 34; Figure 39 is a photographic overhead plan view of a portion of spine bracket system of Figure 34.0. 5 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION a) General Structure Referring to the drawings there is shown a slat bed system 11 having an elongated structure being roll formed to provide a substantially consistent lateral cross section including a support 10 portion 12, 13 forming a strength basis able to be attached to side rails or end rails or the like of a slat bed system and further including a protruding portion forming a ledge means 17 able to extend inwards from the support portion 12, 13 allowing a planar part of a bed base to be supported. 15 b) Side Structure Referring to Figure 3, a corner post 1 is shown separated from a side rail 11 and a bracket arrangement is shown comprising a first bracket component 7 which is connected to the end of the side rail 11 and a second bracket component 5 which is connected to the corner post 1. The first bracket component 7 comprises a first portion which is connected to the end of the 20 side rail by screws and a second portion that projects from the first portion at an angle to the first portion to extend away from the side rail 11. In Figure 3, the second portion of the first bracket component 7 extends from the first portion at an angle of about 450 (see also Figure 5). 25 The second bracket component 5 projects from the support 1 and includes a connection face which is inclined complementary to the angle at which the second portion of the first bracket component 7 extends so that the second portion of the first bracket component 7 can be secured to the second bracket component 5 in facing relationship with the connection face of the second bracket component. 30 The first bracket component 7 include a plurality of slots 14 which are open at an edge of the second portion and which are closed inboard of the edge. The slots 14 are linear slots which slope downwardly from inboard of the edge to the edge. Figure 22 shows different shaped slots that are curved and slope downwardly from inboard of the edge to the edge. Figures 22 SPEC-929643,doc 10a and 23 show different shaped slots that include a narrow opening at the edge and a broad opening inboard of the edge. The broad opening extends vertically and the narrow opening opens into the broad opening midway between upper and lower ends of the broad opening. 5 Referring to drawings 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 there is shown an elongated support means 111 attachable to side rails 121 and having a plurality of receiving portions 131 for receiving an end 142 of a beam 141 such as a bed slat. One or more spacing means 135 spacing the receiving portions 131 to allow spacing of a plurality of beams 141 each able to be received in one of the plurality of receiving portions 131. 10 The support means 111 has a ledge 147 fixed to side of the elongated support means 111 adjacent each of the plurality of receiving portions 131. The support means 111 is formed in as an integral article and has a first and second elongated strips 125, 126 spaced apart and extending the length of the support means 111. A plurality of spacing means 135 each extend 15 between the first and second elongated strips 125, 126 and are spaced along the length of the support means 111 to form the plurality of receiving portions 131 therebetween. The ledge 147 is attached to the first lower elongated strip 125 and extends adjacent to the lower edge of each of the plurality of receiving portions 131. 20 In use the elongated strip 111 can be attached to an elongated side rail 121 in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions 131 to extend along the side rail 121 and the one or more ledges 147 to support a plurality of bed slats 141 each in a respectively spaced receiving portion 131. SPEC-929643.doc 11 The elongated support means 111 is formed as an integral article from a single piece of metal by selecting a metal strip of suitable length and width, cutting out openings at spaced locations as required to form the predetermined spaced receiving portions 131 for receiving the ends of 5 the bed slats, the openings 131 having the required width to receive the width of the bed slat 141 but a height greater than the height of the bed slat and bending the elongated means 11l along its length through the cut out openings 131 so as to form a bent spacing means that adds to the overall strength of the elongated support means as well as forming a ledge 147 means along the length of each spaced receiving portion. 10 Referring to Figure 11 there is shown a dampening sleeve attachable around the end of the bed slats and insertable into the plurality of receiving portions. Movement and noise and vibrations are dampened. Further there is an improved fitting of the bed slats into the receiving portions. The dampening sleeve is formed of rubber. Other variations of the dampening sleeve can be 15 used and other shapes such an end stopper which not only covers the side ends but also the very end of the slats. The slat bed system 11 can have one or more spacing means 135 spacing a plurality of beams 141 each able to be received respectively in one of formed plurality of receiving portions 26 20 between said spacing means 35. In one form the spacing means 35 can be pegs formed of metal, wood, synthetic rubber or other sturdy material. In another form the spacing means 35 can be formed integral with the ledge of the slat bed system It such as by stamping or welding or other deformation of the material or attachment of material. The slat bed system 11 therefore provides an elongated beam in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions 25 26 to extend along the beam and the ledgel 7 to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion. The elongated slat bed system 11 is formed as an integral article by roll forming to provide an article with a continuous form that is cut to the appropriate length and can be attached to a 30 support rail or end post to form a bed base. The vertical cross section is a vertical planar shape with a triangular indent forming a flat planar surface normal to the vertical planar shape so as to form a ledge 17 providing a planar horizontal base for the bed base. Such bed base is preferably in the form of slats as shown in Figure 1 but can be a joined slat structure which will not require the spacing means or other planar bed base means. C:1poNemp\SPEC-929843.doc 12 The elongated bed base formed for supporting bed slats has a first and second elongated slat bed system 11 spaced apart and extending the length of the bed, a ledge means 17 formed by 5 roll forming of a metal sheet as said first and second elongated slat bed system 11, a plurality of spacing means 35 each spaced along said first and second elongated slat bed system 11 and spaced along the length of the slat bed system 11 to form a plurality of receiving portions therebetween. The elongated slat bed system 11 can be attached to an elongated side rail in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions to extend along the beam and the one or 10 more ledges to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion and form a substantially planar bed base. However side rails are not required as the elongated slat bed systems 11 can be formed from a single piece of metal roll forming the elongated means along its length through a central 15 portion so as to form the bent ledge means 17 between upper and lower support portion 12, 13 that add to the overall strength of the elongated slat bed system 11 adding spacing means 35 at spaced locations as required to form predetermined spaced receiving portions for receiving the ends of the bed slats and attaching connectors to the ends of the roll formed elongated means for engaging and fixing to end posts or legs of the bed base. 20 The elongated slat bed system 11 when particularly in the form of a steel cleat has many advantages for a furniture manufacturer. The one form can be used on all bed sizes (single, double, king single, queen or king). In situations with single bed construction, the slat bed system 11 will replace the need to either produce expensive and time-consuming construction 25 of castellated timber cleats or it will replace the specially sized and constructed cloth tape holding system. The bedding manufacturer can produce all side rails for beds as a common item rather than have special rails for single beds and other rails for double beds. A very important consideration in the design of this support member is in the strength of the 30 section of the steel cleat. This will allow manufacturers to use thinner material for the side rails rather than the usual 35 millimetre timber lengths. The design and strength of the slat bed system 11 will eliminate the problem of slats bowing and causing the side rails to push out resulting in the slats falling to the floor. C %potenp\SPEC-929643.doc 13 c) Spine Structures Referring to Figures 10, 11, 12, 13a and 13b, 25, 26, and 27 there are shown spine structures 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157 and 158. In order to maintain the bed slats spaced and minimise the stress on the end connections of the bed slats to the side rails it is beneficial to 5 include a spine system. Figure 10 shows a substantially rectangular cross section spine structure whereby two longitudinal wires hold a plurality of spaced inverted U shaped wire structures. A further longitudinal wire is connected to the outer top portion of each respective inverted U shape to increase the strength of the structure. The spacing of the inverted U shape is sufficient to allow a tight fit of slats and have the required spacing between adjacent slats. 10 The height of the inverted U shapes is sufficient to allow the slats to slide between the longitudinal bottom wires at the base of the inverted U shape and the top longitudinal wire at the top of the inverted U shapes. Figure 11 and 12a and 12b show variations including where the general cross section is triangular. 15 Figures 14 and 15 show a slat retainer 235 with a receiving structure having a first open side shaped 236 for receiving a slat 241 for a slat bed and the receiving structure having a second opposing side with at least part of an attachment means 238 for positioning the receiving structure on a side rail of the bed base, The receiving structure can include a substantially U shape first side 236 with a first part attachment means 238 protruding from the opposing side 20 of the receiving structure and able to engage with a second part attachment 230 on the side rail 211 of the slat bed. In one form the receiving structure is a rectangular U shaped with a central part 236 the width of the slats 241 and a height 237 sufficient to extend up the sides of the slats to hold the slat in a relative fixed position but removable, The receiving structure has on the opposing side to the central part of the U shape a projection 238 which is able to be 25 received in an opening 230 in a side rail 211 of the slat bed. The slat retainer's receiving part can be fitted on an internal shelf of the side rail formed simply by an elongated ledge rail 211 to a more substantial side rail structure 221. By this means the slats 241 are not seen when mattress is placed thereon. The receiving structure also 30 removes the need for a castellated side rail or other complex structure. The removable receiving structure can also be retrofitted to other slat beds or used on wooden or metal side rail structures. C:\oNemp\SPEC-929643.doc 14 Figure 16 shows a roll formed metal strip 211 which can be a simple V shaped protrusion so as to form a substantially omega shaped profile. The roll forming though as shown in Figure 17 may have the metal strip 21 IA including a further roll in the V shaped protrusion that extends along its length so as to form a consistent profile. That profile can be a saw tooth V 5 shaped structure with a rectilinear extension connected to the flat base by a U shape. A straight angle part extends from the tip of the rectilinear extension back to the base. Such a deviation from the plain V shaped structure substantially and unexpectedly adds strength to the structure. 10 Referring to Figures 20 and 21a and 21b there is shown a bed base system having an elongated structure of a wooden support beam 321 to which is attached a steel cleat 311 being roll formed to provide a substantially planar strip with a longitudinal top rolled edge. A ridge 322 is cut out of the wooden support beam and the bottom flat edge of the steel cleat is positioned within the ridge so that the top roll formed edge forms a protruding portion forming a ledge 15 means able to extend inwards from the support portion allowing a planar part of a bed base to be supported. The steel cleat is held in position by spaced cleat locators 391 having part which hooks over the top roll form of the steel cleat and second part fitting between the top surface of the angled inward steel cleat and the inner surface of the wooden support beam 321 above the cut-out ridge 322. The second part includes a screw receiving hole at a non perpendicular 20 angle to the wooden support beam so a screw 392 can be inserted at an angle to hold the steel cleat attached to the side wooden support. The cleat locator does not need to hold the weight put on the slats resting on the top rolled part of the steel cleat as this is transferred to the ridge of the side wooden support along its entire length. The structure and arrangement allows substantial reductions in the required thickness of the side wooden support. 25 Also the slats can be received in a spine or slat divider so as to provide a sheet of bed slats. Only some of the bed slats 341 need to be located relative to the side support beam 321 in order to prevent sliding of the slats. This can be achieved by a centre slat key 360 looping over the top rolled edge of the steel cleat 311 and having an upwards facing protrusion which fits 30 into a hole 342 near the end of the slat 341. The side support 321 is fitted by mounting bracket 370 to the end cross members and legs of the bed. The bed base component 11 can have one or more spacing means 21 spacing a plurality of beams 25 each able to be received respectively in one of formed plurality of receiving portions C:\ooftemPSPEC-929643.doc 15 26 between said spacing means 21. In one form the spacing means 21 can be pegs formed of metal, wood, synthetic rubber or other sturdy material. In another form the spacing means 21 can be formed integral with the ledge of the bed base component 11 such as by stamping or welding or other deformation of the material or attachment of material. The bed base 5 component 11 therefore provides an elongated beam in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions 26 to extend along the beam and the ledgel 7 to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion. The elongated bed base component 11 is formed as an integral article by roll forming to 10 provide an article with a continuous form that is cut to the appropriate length and can be attached to a support rail or end post to form a bed base. The vertical cross section is a vertical planar shape with a triangular indent forming a flat planar surface normal to the vertical planar shape so as to form a ledge 17 providing a planar horizontal base for the bed base. Such bed base is preferably in the form of slats as shown in Figure 1 but can be a joined slat structure 15 which will not require the spacing means or other planar bed base means. The elongated bed base formed for supporting bed slats has a first and second elongated bed base component 11 spaced apart and extending the length of the bed, a ledge means 17 formed by roll forming of a metal sheet as said first and second elongated bed base component 11, a 20 plurality of spacing means 21 each spaced along said first and second elongated bed base component 11 and spaced along the length of the bed base component 11 to form a plurality of receiving portions therebetween. The elongated bed base component 11 can be attached to an elongated side rail in a manner allowing the plurality of receiving portions to extend along the beam and the one or more ledges to support a plurality of bed slats each in a respectively 25 spaced receiving portion and form a substantially planar bed base. However side rails are not required as the elongated bed base components 11 can be formed from a single piece of metal roll forming the elongated means along its length through a central portion so as to form the bent ledge means 17 between upper and lower support portion 30 12, 13 that add to the overall strength of the elongated bed base component ii adding spacing means 21 at spaced locations as required to form predetermined spaced receiving portions for receiving the ends of the bed slats and attaching connectors to the ends of the roll formed elongated means for engaging and fixing to end posts or legs of the bed base. C:poftemp\SPEC-929643.doc 16 Referring to Figures 34 to 39 there is disclosed a slat bed system, for supporting bed slats to form a bedding base. Like in other configurations the slat bed system has a first and second elongated side supports spaced apart and extending the length of the bed and one or more ledge means on said first and second side supports and a plurality of planar elongated bed slats 5 of substantially equal length. However in this form there are a plurality of spine brackets each having at least one opening for receiving one or more of a plurality of parallel and planar arranged slats positionable on the ledge means of the opposing first and second side supports. The elongated slat bed systems 10 allows one or more ledge means to support a plurality of the bed slats each in a respectively spaced receiving portion and form a substantially planar bed base for receiving a mattress, The plurality of spine brackets are constructed and/or interact to maintain the slats at the required spacing. 15 The slat bed system has a plurality of spine brackets which each are able to receive one or more bed slats, the plurality of spine brackets able to link together to provide the required spacing of the bed slats along the length of the bed. The plurality of spine brackets includes first and second locating portions and a spacing means 20 connected between and spacing the first and second locating portions respectively a distance equal to or greater than the width of a bed slat and the spacing means connected with the locating portions and extending normal thereto such that the spacing means can be positioned over the bed slat and the locating portions can extend downward between the bed slats. 25 The first and second respective locating portions are shaped to engage with a longitudinally extending frame member beneath the plurality of bed slats. In particular the plurality of spine brackets includes the first and second locating having first, second and third arms extending from the spacer means to form an enclosed opening through which the longitudinally extending frame member beneath the plurality of bed slats can be received such that the spine 30 bracket is maintained in a vertical position such that the bed slats are maintained substantially constant position vertically along the length of the bed base. The spine brackets further include linking means having a tongue extending from either end and able to link with linking means of respective adjacent spine brackets. Generally this can be C :pofemnp\SPEC-929643 4c 17 a pin engaging holes of respective overlapping tongues of longitudinally adjacent spine brackets. The spine brackets receive a bed slat within the first and second locating portions and the 5 spacing means and the spine bracket is maintained in longitudinal position by its linking with other spine brackets and is maintained in lateral position by its engagement with a longitudinally extending frame member beneath the plurality of bed slats such that the bed slats are maintained spaced along the length of the bed base. 10 It should be understood that the above embodiment is by way of illustration only. Clearly there are modifications and variations, which would be understood by a person skilled in the art without any inventive effort, and these are included within the scope of this invention. C:\pofemp\SPEC-929043 doc

Claims (12)

1. A slat bed including a pair of spaced apart, parallel, elongate side rails between which a plurality of elongate bed slats extend, the bed slats extending substantially perpendicular to 5 the side rails and opposite ends of the bed slats being supported by each side rail, each side rail having opposite ends and each end being connected to a support, the connection between the ends of the side rails and the supports being by a bracket arrangement which comprises a first bracket component which is connected to the end of the side rail and a second bracket component which is connected to the support, the first bracket component comprising a first 10 portion which is connected to the end of the side rail and a second portion that projects from the first portion at an angle to the first portion to extend away from the side rail, the second portion including a plurality of slots which are open at an edge of the second portion and which are closed inboard of the edge, the second bracket component projecting from the support and including a connection face which is inclined complementary to the angle at 15 which the second portion of the first bracket component extends from the first portion of the first bracket component and the second bracket component further including a plurality of screws that project from the connection face for removable receipt within the slots of the first portion of the first bracket component so that the second portion of the first bracket component can be secured to and supported by the second bracket component in facing relationship with 20 the connection face of the second bracket component by receipt of the plurality of screws within the slots.

2. A slat bed according to claim 1, the second portion of the first bracket component extending from the first portion of the first bracket component at an angle of about 45'. 25

3. A slat bed according to claim 1 or 2, the slots sloping downwardly and linearly from inboard of the edge of the second portion to the edge of the second portion.

4. A slat bed according to claim , the slots being curved and sloping downwardly from 30 inboard of the edge of the second portion to the edge of the second portion.

5. A slat bed according to claim 2, the slots including a narrow opening at the edge of the second portion and a broad opening inboard of the edge of the second portion. <filename> 19

6. A slat bed according to claim 5, the broad opening extending vertically and the narrow opening opening into the broad opening midway between upper and lower ends of the broad opening. 5

7. A slat bed according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the second portion of the first bracket component including two slots.

8. A slat bed according to any one of claims I to 6, the second portion of the first bracket component including three slots. 10

9. A slat bed according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the side rails and the supports being connected at 900 and the screws extending at 450 between the side rails and the supports.

10. A slat bed according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the first portion of the first bracket 15 component being a plate portion which sits flush against a facing surface of the side rail and which is secured to the facing surface.

11. A slat bed according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the supports being corner posts of the slat bed. 20

12. A slat bed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3, 5, 20 and 22 to 24. <filename>