EP3009050B1

EP3009050B1 - Coupling device

Info

Publication number: EP3009050B1
Application number: EP15190219.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jon Anders Hoentorp
Original assignee: Ekornes ASA
Current assignee: Ekornes ASA
Priority date: 2014-10-17
Filing date: 2015-10-16
Publication date: 2018-02-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-16
Also published as: NO338977B1; NO20141248A1; DK3009050T3; LT3009050T; ES2662857T3; PT3009050T; PL3009050T3; EP3009050A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for coupling beds or bed frames together, and more particularly a device for coupling two single beds or bed frames together without using tools.

Background of the invention

In some instances it may be desirable to combine two smaller or single beds into one big bed, such as a double bed or for forming a so-called continental bed.
Different ways for joining two beds can range from easy quick methods like tying the legs together to more permanent methods like bolting the frames together.
However, the quick solutions, such as a rope, clamp, clip or the like for keeping the beds or bed frames next to each other will not present a secure connection. On the other hand, the secure connections normally involve bolting the bed frames to each other, which can be cumbersome, as the bolt connections have to be placed under the middle section of a double size bed.
For some use, it is desirable to provide a secure connection between two beds or bed frames that can be easily detached, e.g. in hotels where some guests want a double bed, while others request two single beds. At the present, the two beds are merely pushed into each other. If one of the persons lying in the bed move onto the middle of the double bed, she might push the beds from each other by her weight and eventually fall between the beds. There is therefore a need for a way to couple two beds to each other in an easily releasable manner.
For private use, there are situations where two beds formerly used as single beds are combined to form a double bed a certain time after acquiring the beds. There is a lack in the market for a single and simple device that can securely couple such two beds or bed frames to each other to form a larger bed. There is also a need for a device that can join two beds and bed frames in an easily releasable way.
From EP 1 437 069 A1 there is known a modular bed including a bed frame 1 supported by a number of legs. Each leg includes a foot 50 (Fig. 5) threaded into a stem 4, the stem 4 being bolted onto the frame. In case two beds should be joined, a U-formed bracket 12 is used, the bracket being mounted horizontally encompassing the frame of the second bed and being fastened with the bolt 9 bolting the stem 4 to the frame of the first bed. This arrangement has a number of disadvantages, one of which is that tools are necessary for mounting the bracket; another disadvantage being that the arrangement is proprietary in practise since the bracket only may be used for connecting frames with dimensions suiting the bracket.
US 2007/0210631 A1 discloses a connector bracket assembly for seating furniture. The bracket may have two or three arms, wherein the outer arms are bolted onto the frames of modules that are to be joined.

Summary of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device that can releasable connect two beds or bed frames. It is further an object to present such a device that can be used without tools.
This is achieved in a coupling device according to the present invention for coupling two beds or bed frames together. The coupling device comprises a foot with height adjustment means and a bed or bed frame holding device. The device is further characterized in that the foot supports a stem comprising a spindle and a sleeve. The stem support a support bracket comprising a base element and three wall elements protruding from the base element, thereby defining two spaces between the wall elements. The three wall elements are parallel and arranged perpendicularly on the base element, the spaces being adapted to accommodate sections of the frames of said two beds or bed frames.
The stem and foot provide support for the coupling device. A frame section of the two beds or bed frames being connected are set into each of the spaces. The outer wall elements will hold the two beds or bed frames in a secure connection. As no tool is required to arrange the frame sections into the assigned spaces in the support bracket, the coupling device provides a secure connection between two beds without the need for tools. With this device, or a number of such devices, it is very simple to join two beds or bed frames without using any tools or any particular instalment or coupling arrangements in the bed frames or bed structures.
The height of the coupling device may be adjusted by means of a threaded connection between the spindle and the sleeve. By rotating the spindle and sleeve in relation to each other by means of the threads, the length of the stem can be easily adjusted, either prior to mounting the bed or when only one of the bed frames are arranged in the coupling device.
In other words, the height of the coupling device may be adjusted by turning the foot. This allows the device to be adapted to beds of different heights.
The foot may include a layer made of a protective material. The protective material is preferably a material with a soft surface, i.e. a surface that will not form scratches on a floor material when the foot is moved or rotated while supporting one or two beds or bed frames.
In one aspect the foot may include a layer made of a rubber like material. This design allows the foot to be moved or turned on a floor without scratching the floor, and will also dampen any sound from the device.
In one aspect, said wall elements include a first outer element, an intermediary element and a second outer element. When the device is arranged under one or two beds or bed frames, the wall elements will form vertical elements supporting the bed frame sections arranged between the vertical wall elements.
In one aspect, the first and second outer elements of the device have pointed, rounded or beveled end sections or tops. Such end sections will simplify correct placement of the frame sections in the coupling device.
In one aspect the outer elements have end sections that are angled outwards. This embodiment of the outer elements, will give the outer end of the coupling device a funnel resembling shape that will help entering the frame sections into the assigned spaces between the wall elements on the support bracket of the coupling device.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description

In the description the term "bed" is used for any mattress containing device, that is a traditional bed with frame, bedboards and mattress or a box mattress, where the bed frame is integrated in the mattress.
The coupling device as shown in Fig. 1 includes a foot 1 supporting a stem at a first end, with a support bracket at the opposite end of the stem. The stem includes a threaded spindle 2 engaging an internally threaded sleeve 3. Alternatively, the stem may be configured the opposite way with the foot attached to the sleeve and the spindle attached to the support bracket. It is also conceivable to use a spindle and sleeve with smooth surfaces, where the height adjustment means are a releasable friction coupling or a biased stud-type connection similar to the ones used e.g. on crutches.
The support bracket includes three parallel wall elements 4-6 protruding from a base element 7, i.e. a base element onto which a first outer element 4, an intermediate element 5 and a second outer element 6 are perpendicularly arranged with a distance between the elements, 4-6, thereby defining two spaces there between. The outer elements 4, 6 thereby form outer support walls, while the intermediate element 5 forms a partition wall between the two spaces. In a preferred embodiment the intermediary element is a flat element. The outermost elements can be pointed, chamfered, or beveled at the outermost end sections or top or the wall elements. It is also envisageable that the ends sections of the outer wall elements are angled outwards.
In use, two beds may be interconnected by placing the inventive device, or rather a number of such devices, on the floor next to a first bed, and locating the edge of the frame of the first bed in one of the spaces between the vertical wall elements 4-6. The height of the device may be adjusted to suit the bed by twisting the bottom part of the device. Then, the other bed may be placed next to the first bed with the frame of the second bed entering the second space. The inventive coupling device or preferable devices will then hold or even lock the two beds together, while simultaneously supporting the joint vertically.
To further enhance the stability of the present invention the frames of the two beds may include grooves into which the two outermost elements will fit.
The elements of the coupling device can be made in plastic material. A plastic device has a low weight while providing sufficient strength to hold the bed frames together during normal use. A plastic device is also easy to manufacture without the need of complicated production processes.
However, it is also conceivable that the foot, stem and sleeve are be made of plastic, while the support bracket is made of steel or another metal. As metals are generally stronger and to some extent more elastic that plastic material, a metal support bracket will withstand larger stresses and wear and tear during use of the support bracket. It is of course also conceivable to produce the coupling device in metal. A metal coupling device is also likely to withstand numerous coupling and releasing processes, which would be an advantage e.g. in a hotel.
The foot of the device may include a resilient outer layer that will engage with the floor during use. This layer may be made of rubber or a rubber like material or another suitable polymer providing a smooth or soft surface towards the floor under the coupling device when in use.
The coupling device according to the invention is especially suited for coupling two box mattresses to each other, even box mattresses that have slightly different heights. The device can also connect box mattresses from different manufacturers, as coupling of the bed is independent on any inner structures in the frame of the bed. The only requirement is that there is a sufficiently broad space between the wall elements in the support bracket to accommodate the frame sections.

Claims

A coupling device for coupling two beds or bed frames together, said device comprising a foot with height adjustment means and a bed or bed frame holding device
characterized in that the foot supports a stem comprising a spindle (2) and a sleeve (3), the stem supporting a support bracket comprising a base element (7) and three wall elements (4-6) protruding from the base element (7) defining two spaces between the wall elements, the three wall elements (4-6) being parallel and arranged perpendicularly on the base element (7), the spaces being adapted to accommodate sections of the frames of said two beds or bed frames.
A coupling device according to claim 1, further including a threaded connection between the spindle (2) and the sleeve, allowing the height of the device to be adjusted.
A coupling device according to claim 3, wherein the height of the device is adjusted by turning the foot.
A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the foot (1) includes a layer made of a protective material.
A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the layer is a rubber like material.
A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein said wall elements include a first outer element (4), an intermediary element (5) and a second outer element (6).
A coupling device according to claim 6, wherein the first and second outer elements (4, 6) have pointed, rounded or beveled end sections.
A coupling device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said outer elements (4, 6) have end sections that are angled outwards.
A coupling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elements of the device are made in a plastic material or metal.
A coupling device according to any of the preceding claims 1-9, wherein the elements of the device are made in plastic and metal.