EP0397451A1

EP0397451A1 - Bed unit

Info

Publication number: EP0397451A1
Application number: EP90304949A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Russel Graham
Original assignee: Youth Hostel Association (england & Wales)
Current assignee: Youth Hostel Association (england & Wales)
Priority date: 1989-05-08
Filing date: 1990-05-08
Publication date: 1990-11-14
Also published as: GB9010300D0; GB2231788A; GB8910571D0

Abstract

A bed unit of modular construction comprises at least first and second rectangular base panels (15, 18) and support panels (8, 16, 17) by which each of the base panels is supported at each of its ends. The base panel provides support for a mattress, and can provide a storage unit for items of value. Additional panels (19) may be provided for increased privacy. Preferably, the width of each base panel is approximately half of its length to allow two support panels (16, 19) to be positioned side by side along a long edge of a base panel.

Description

This invention relates to a bed unit and to a kit for making a bed unit.
In order to maximise use of space taken up by beds, for example in hostels, dormitories, hotels and the like where space is of a premium, bed units comprising more than one bed have been extensively used. In particular, it is known to use an assembly which comprises two beds, one of which is positioned directly above the other, the upper bed being reached by means of a ladder or some other form of steps. Such an assembly makes it possible for two people to be accommodated on the floor space which would otherwise be needed to accommodate a single person.
It is known to provide such an assembly in a modular construction, in which the component parts can be assembled in more than one configuration. For example, the assembly may be provided in the form of two separate beds which may, when required, be positioned one on top of the other to minimise occupied floor space.
The present invention provides a bed unit which comprises base panels on which mattresses may be supported, and support panels. By appropriate selection of base panels and support panels. which can be considered to be modular components, bed units having a wide range of configurations can be assembled.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides a bed unit which comprises at least first and second rectangular base panels on which respective matresses can be supported, each of the base panels being supported at each end by a vertical support panel. the second base panel being positioned above the first base panel.
It is an advantage of the bed unit of the present invention that, by appropriate selection of support panels for association with the first and second base panels, the bed unit may be configured either with the long edges of the base panels approximately parallel to one another or with those long edges approximately perpendicular to one another. To this end, each support panel is preferably provided with a number of formations which allow base panels to be fastened to it in a number of different positions.
The arrangement of the base panels in which their long edges are approximately parallel has the advantage that the space occupied by the bed unit is relatively small. The arrangement in which the long edges of the base panels are approximately perpendicular to one another has the advantage that, while the space occupied by the unit is significantly less than that occupied by two separate beds, the occupant of the lower bed (when the unit is in use) is significantly less closed in.
Preferably, the length of each of the base panels is approximately twice its width. This has the advantage that support panels may be positioned either at the short edge of a base panel, or at the long edge of a base panel. In particular, two support panels may be positioned side by side at the long edge of the base panel. One of the two support panels may be used to support a second base panel which is positioned above a first base panel and which extends substantially perpendicular to the first base panel.
Preferably the base panel is configured so that a mattress can be received within a recess. For example, the base panel may have the form of an open box in which the mattress can be received. This minimises the possibility of a mattress becoming dislodged from its respect base panel. The base of such a box may be provided by a mesh or lattice structure, which may be sprung. This has the advantage of allowing air to circulate to a mattress positioned within the box.
Preferably, the base panel comprises a mattress support portion which occupies a first portion of the width of the base panel, and a storage portion which occupies a second portion of the width of the base panel, the mattress support and storage portion extending substantially the full length of the base panel. For example, the storage portion may take the form of a closed box. A top surface of the box may provide a stepping surface to allow access to a bed provided by an upper base panel. For example, the top of a part of a storage portion may be fixed to provide such a stepping surface, while the top of the remainder of the storage portion may be openable for example by sliding or through a hinge.
The depth of the storage portion of the base panel may be greater than the depth of the mattress support portion thereof. The depth provided by the storage portion alongside the mattress support portion can increase the privacy for an occupant of a bed provided by the base panel when the bed unit is in use.
In order to provide privacy for the occupant of a bed when the bed unit is in use, at least one of the base panels of the bed unit may have two or more support panels mounted against its long edge.
In a preferred embodiment, a third rectangular base panel may be provided above the first and second panels. Preferably, the long edge of one of the three base panels extends substantially perpendicular to the long edges of the other two panels. For example, a second base panel may be positioned above a first base panel which is supported on a floor, the long edge of the second panel being approximately perpendicular to the long edge of the first panel. A third base panel may be provided above the second panel with its long edge approximately parallel to the long edge of the first panel.
A particular advantage of this configuration of the bed unit is that three people can be accommodated on little more than the floor space which would otherwise be occupied by a single person. The L-shaped configuration means that the depth between successive base panels can be kept sufficiently small that the uppermost base panel is not too high above the floor surface. Furthermore, it can be possible to ascend to a bed provided by the uppermost base portion when the unit is in use simply by using stepping surfaces provided by the lower two base portions, thus removing any need for a separate set of stepping surfaces (such as might otherwise be provided by a ladder).
The bed unit of the invention will generally include as many mattresses as there are base panels.
The support panels of the bed unit are preferably constructed from a high density fibre board. Preferably, such board is provided with a laminate surface, which can be easily cleaned.
The base panels and support panels may be secured to one another by means of rivets, or by nuts and bolts. Suitable brackets may be used to link the panels to one another.
When two or more support panels are to be positioned along a long edge of a base panel, it is preferred that the bed unit includes means by which the support panels may be connected to one another.
A support panel, whether positioned along a short edge or a long edge of a base panel, may be provided with openings within it which may be used as foot or hand holds to facilitate access to a bed provided by an upper base panel when the bed unit is in use.
In another aspect, the invention provides a kit of parts for making the bed unit of the invention. The kit will comprise at least two rectangular base panels, and support panels on which each base panel can be supported at each of its ends. The number of base panels to be included in a kit will depend on the configuration of the bed unit which is to be constructed. For example, when the bed unit comprises two base panels whose long edges are approximately parallel to one another, two support panels will generally be required, although additional support panels may be provided along at least one of the long edges of the unit for additional privacy. When the base panels are to be positioned with their long edges approximately perpendicular to one another, at least four support panels will be required.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a base panel for use in the bed unit of the invention;
Figure 2 is an isometric view of another embodiment of base panel;
Figure 3 is an elevational view of a support panel;
Figure 4 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of bed unit;
Figure 5 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of bed unit;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of bed unit; and
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the bed unit shown in Figure 6, showing the third relative heights of the three constituent based panels.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a base panel 1 which may be formed from a metal frame onto which panels of a high density fibre board, preferably having a polymeric laminate surface, are secured. The total width 2 of the panel is approximately equal to half its length 3. The base of the panel is provided by a sheet of a fibre board, and is of such dimension as to accommodate snugly a mattress. A storage unit 5 runs the length of the base panel. The storage unit consists essentially of a box with two flat panels 5a, 5b extending along its upper surface. One of the panels is fixed so as to provide a stepping surface to allow access to beds provided by upper base panels when the bed unit is in use. The other of the two panels can be slid along the length of the base panel, to allow access to the inside of the storage unit. The slidable panel may be locked in its closed position for security.
It is preferred that storage unit has a triangular cross section for effective load bearing. The base panel, especially a surface of the storage unit, may incorporate a lamp to be used as a bedside reading lamp.
Figure 2 shows a base panel similar to that shown in Figure 1, in which the lower surface of the base panel is provided by a mesh 7, which is sprung along its edges. The use of such a mesh allows air to circulate to a mattress which is supported on the base panel, and the provision of springs increase the comfort for a user of the bed unit.
Figure 3 shows a support panel for use in the bed unit of the invention. The support panel is constructed of a high density fibre board, which is provided at least on its major surfaces with a polymeric laminate surface. The width of the panel support 8 is approximately equal to the width of the base panel shown in Figures 1 and 2, and has a heigh sufficient to support 3 base panel arrange one above the other.
Figure 4 shows an assembled bed unit which comprises lower 10 and upper 11 base panels. Two support panels 8, as shown in figure 3, support the bases panels, so that one is positioned directly above the other. A ladder panel 12 is secured to one side of the bed unit to allow an occupant to gain access to the bed provided by the upper base panel 11. A further support panel 14, identicle to the support panels 8 which support the upper and lower base panels, is secured to a side of the bed unit to provide a certain amount of screening for occupants. Yet another support panel may be provided in the position shown by the dotted line 13.
Figure 5 shows a bed unit similar to that shown in Figure 4, in which the long edges of the upper and lower base panels 15, 18 are approximately perpendicular to one another. The upper base panel 15 is supported by support panels 8, and the lower base panel 18 is support by support panels 16, 17. One of the support panels 16 by which the lower base panel 18 is supported also functions as a side- screen for part of the length of the upper base panel 15. This is also true of one of the support panels 8 for the upper base panel, which functions as a side-screen for part of the length of the lower base panel 18. Additional panels may also be provided for increased privacy, in the positions shown by dotted lines 19.
Figure 6 shows a bed unit which comprises 3 base panels. First and third base panels 20, 22 are supported by end panels 8, with their long edges approximately parallel to one another. A second base panel 21 is supported by support panels 23, 24, one at each of its ends. The second base panel 21 is positioned between the first and third base panels 20, 22, with its long edge running approximately perpendicular to the long edges of the first and third panel 20, 22. Some screening for occupants of beds provided by the base panels is provided by the support panels 8, 23 and 24. Additional screening may be provided by further panels secured in the positioned indicated by dotted lines 25. The storage units 5 provide stepping surfaces to enable occupants to climb to beds provided by the second and third base panels 21, 22.
Additional storage space may be provided below the lower base panel of any of the bed units which has been described above.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the bed unit shown in Figure 6, showing the relative heights of the three base panels 20, 21 and 22. This figure shows the preferred heights for mattresses 26,28 and 30 provided on the three base panels, and also the preferred heights of lower, middle and upper stepping surfaces 27, 29 and 31 which are provided by the upper surfaces of the storage units.

Claims

1. A bed unit which comprises at least first and second rectangular base panels on which respective matresses can be supported, each of the base panels being supported at each end by a vertical support panel, the second base panel being positioned above the first base panel.

2. A bed unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the long edges of the base panels are approximately perpendicular to one another.

3. A bed unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the length of each of the base panels is approximately twice the width of that panel.

4. A bed unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which each base panel is in the form of a box in which a mattress can be received.

5. A bed unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which each base panel comprises two portions, a first portion for supporting a mattress, and a second portion for storage of items, the two portions extending substantially the entire length of the base panel.

6. A bed unit as claimed in claim 5, in which a top surface of the storage portion of each base panel provides a stepping surface.

7. A bed unit as claimed in claim 6, in which part of the top surface of the storage portion is fixed, and another part of that top surface can be slid along the length of the storage portion.

8. A bed unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the width of the support panel is approximately equal to the width of the base panel.

9. A bed unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in which at least one of the base panels has at least one support panel mounted against its long edge.

10. A bed unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, which includes a third base panel positioned above the first and second base panels.

11. A bed unit as claimed in claim 10, in which the long edge of the third base panel is approximately parallel to the long edge of the first base panel.

12. A bed unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, which includes at least two mattresses, one associated with each base panel.

13. A kit of parts for making a bed unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, which comprises at least two rectangular base panels, and support panels on which each base panel can be supported at each of its ends.