GB2107977A - Double beds - Google Patents

Abstract

A double bed consisting of a base formed of two sections 12, 14 each extending for the full length of the bed and a mattress disposed on and extending over the full width and length of the two sections of the base of the bed. The sections 12, 14 may have supporting surfaces of differing hardness to suit the individual requirements of the users of the bed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to furniture This invention relates to furniture and more particularly to a double bed.

A conventional double bed comprises a base which is arranged to have a mattress disposed thereon. It is usual for the base to be formed of two sections to facilitate transportation and installation of the double bed. In such a conventional double bed, one section forms the head portion of the base, the other section forms the foot portion of the base, and the joint between the two sections extends transversely of the bed.

This conventional double bed suffers from the disadvantage that after a period of time the central portion of the mattress tends to sag and a permanent depression extending longitudinally of the bed forms in the central area of the mattress.

In addition, it is often desirable, in order to meet the requirements of the two persons who sleep in a double bed, to provide different hardnesses or spring rates on each side of the bed. It is difficult with a conventional double bed to provide this facility and although it is known to provide a mattress having different spring rates on each side thereof, this type of arrangement suffers from the disadvantage that after a period of use a longitudinally extending ridge is formed in the mattress where the two sides of different spring rates meet one another.

According to this invention, a double bed comprises a base formed of two sections and a mattress disposed on and extending over the full width and length of the two sections of the base, wherein each of the two sections of the base extend for the full length of the bed.

Preferably, each section of the base extends across half or substantially half of the overall width of the base and the joint line between the two sections extends longitudinally of the base.

Preferably, also, the hardness or spring rate of each section is selectable from two or more hardnesses or spring rates.

Each section is, preferably, provided with securing means for releasably securing the sections together in side-by-side relationship.

Preferably, each section is provided with connecting means at one end thereof to enable a head board to be releasably connected thereto at the head of the bed so that the head board extends across the full width of the bed.

Preferably, also, one or both sections of the base is or are provided with one or more storage drawers or cupboards.

Each section of the base is, preferably, provided with castors at least at or adjacent to the four corners thereof.

Preferably, the mattress is of a uniform spring rate across the full width thereof.

A preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic perspective view of a double bed.

Referring now to the drawing, a double bed comprises a base indicated generally at 10 which is formed of two sections 1 2, 14. Each section 12, 14 forms one half of the bed and extends for the full length thereof so that the joint line therebetween extends longitudinally of the bed down the centre thereof.

The two sections 12, 14 are each provided at their head and foot ends with inserts (not shown) having a screw-threaded bore. A metal strap 1 6 for releasably securing the sections 12, 14 together in side-by-side relationship is connected to the inserts in the associated ends of the sections 12, 14 by means of setscrews. The setscrews 1 8 are of the type provided with a head having a wing arrangement pivotally connected thereto to facilitate manual tightening thereof whilst enabling the wing arrangement to be folded when not in use to lie flush with the surface of the metal strap 1 6.

Further similar inserts (not shown) are provided in the ends of the sections 12, 14 at the head of the base 10 and a head board 20 is secured thereto in conventional manner so as to extend across the full width of the bed. The lower portion of each section 12, 14 has two spaced-apart storage drawers 22 formed therein and it will be appreciated that storage cupboards could be provided instead of the storage drawers 22. Each section 12, 14 is provided at or adjacent to the corners thereof with castors 24 to enable the bed to be readily moved.

The sections 12, 1 4 which are to be secured together to form the base 10 are selected from a series of hardnesses or spring rates to suit the individual requirements of the person who are to sleep in the double bed. These alternative hardnesses or spring rates are determined by not only variation in the springs used therein but also by the particular type of construction of each section 12, 14.

For example, five different conventional forms of construction can be used and these are, in decreasing rates of hardness, as follows:- (a) A boarded top construction in which the upper surface thereof comprises a plane board covered with fabric.

(b) A slatted top construction in which the upper surface comprises a series of transversely extending spaced-apart wooden slats having webbing straps extending longitudinally therebetween.

(c) A firm edge sprung construction in which the edges of each section of the base are unspring and a series of conventional springs are inserted therebetween so as to provide a sprung surface for the remaining portion of the section between the edges thereof.

(d) A fully sprung construction in which the entire width and length of the upper surface of each section is provided with a series of conventional springs to constitute a sprung surface.

(e) A foam construction in which the entire width and length of the upper surface of the section has a slab of foam material covered with fabric formed thereon.

A mattress 26 indicated in broken lines in the drawing is disposed on the sections 12, 14 and extends over the full width and length of the base 10. The mattress 26 is of a conventional sprung type having a uniform spring rate across the width and length thereof.

The selection of sections 12, 14 of different spring rates for each half of the bed and the subsequent assembly of the sections 12, 14 together to form the base 10 in combination with a mattress 26 of conventional type enable a double bed to be provided which suits the individual requirements of the persons who are to sleep in the bed without the need to resort to a special type of mattress having different spring rates for each half thereof.

Furthermore, the central area of the mattress 26 is provided with additional support down the centre line of the bed where the two sections 12, 14 abut against one another and this additional support reduced the tendency of the mattress 26 to sag thus prolonging the useful life thereof.

Claims (9)

1. A double bed comprising a base formed of two sections and a mattress disposed on and extending over the full width and length of the two sections of the base, wherein each of the two sections of the base extends for the full length of the bed.

2. A double bed according to Claim 1, wherein each section of the base extends across half or substantially half of the overall width of the base and the joint line between the two sections extends longitudinally of the base.

3. A double bed according to Claim 2, wherein the hardness or spring rate of each section is selectable from two or more hardnesses or spring rates.

4. A double bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each section is provided with securing means for releasably securing the sections together in side-by-side reiationship.

5. A double bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each section is provided with connecting means at one end thereof to enable a head board to be releasably connected thereto at the head of the bed so that the head board extends across the full width of the bed.

6. A double bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or both sections of the base is or are provided with one or more storage drawers or cupboards.

7. A double bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each section of the base is provided with castors at least at or adjacent to the four corners thereof.

8. A double bed according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mattress is of a uniform spring rate across the full width thereof.

9. A double bed constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawing.