GB2172954A

GB2172954A - Fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member

Info

Publication number: GB2172954A
Application number: GB08605024A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Cowan
Original assignee: JOYCE IND Pty Ltd
Current assignee: JOYCE IND Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1985-02-28
Filing date: 1986-02-28
Publication date: 1986-10-01
Also published as: GB8605024D0

Abstract

A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member, comprising a plate (17) adapted to be affixed to the first member (15) in spaced relationship therewith, a slot (25) formed in the plate and an aperture of larger diameter than the width of the slot at one end of the slot, and at least one fastening element, e.g. a bolt 33, having an enlarged head, the fastening element being adapted to secure the second member to the plate wherein the head of the fastening element is locatable in the slot through the aperture with the head of the fastening element being adapted to engage against the marginal portion of the plate surrounding the slot. In an alternative embodiment an attachment is fixed to the plate (17) to provide a spigot and socket joint between the first and second members.

Description

SPECIFICATION Fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member THIS INVENTION relates to a fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member.

In one form the invention resides in a fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member, comprising a plate adapted to be affixed to the first member in spaced relationship therewith, a slot formed in the plate and an aperture of larger diameter than the width of the slot at one end of the slot, and at least one fastening element having an enlarged head, the fastening element being adapted to secure the second member to the plate wherein the head of the fastening element is locatable in the slot through the aperture with the head of the fastening element being adapted to engage against the marginal portion of the plate surrounding the slot.

Preferably there are two fastening elements with enlarged heads.

In circumstances where the first member is of generally circular cross section, the plate may be defined by the web of a channel member, the channel member being adapted to be affixed to the first member with the free edges of the side walls of the channels being in abutting engagement with the first member.

The invention has been devised particularly, although not solely for mounting a bed base onto a bed end. In these circumstances, the plate is adapted to be affixed to a bed and support post of a bed and the fastening elements are attached to the mattress supporting frame. In this application, the fitting is particularly intended for mounting an upholstered base onto a support frame instead of the present arrangement whereby upholstered bed bases are generally supported on legs which are located below the bed base.

There are beds which do not empioy an upholstered base and they generally comprise a metal bed frame incorporating outwardly and downwardly projecting spigots at each end adapted to locate in sockets mounted on end frames. The fitting according to the present invention may be modified to permit it to be used with bed frame of this latter type. In this connection, the plate is fitted with a socket which is adapted to receive one of the spigots on the bed frame. With this arrangement, a bed manufacturer is able to use the one fitting for both types of bed construction.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of two specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a part of the fitting according to the first embodiment affixed to a post of a bed end frame; Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a fitting according to the first embodiment mounting an upholstered bed base onto a bed and frame; Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a part of a fitting according to the second embodiment mounted onto a post of a bed end frame; and Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a fitting according to the second embodiment mounting a metal bed frame onto a bed end frame.

The first embodiment, which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, is directed to a fitting 11 for mounting an upholstered bed base 13 onto a bed end frame 15.

The fitting 11 includes a plate 17 which is adapted to be mounted onto the end frame 15 in spaced relationship therewith. The plate 17 is defined by the web of a channel member 19 which is adapted to be affixed to a tubular upright element 21 of the bed end frame 15. The channel 19 is affixed in an inwardly facing relationship with the tubular member 21 whereby the free ends of the side walls 23 of the channel are in abutting relationship with the tubular element 21. The channel 19 is affixed to the tubular element 21 by welding.

A slot 25 is formed in the plate 17. The orientation of the slot 25 is such that the longitudinal axis of the slot is substantially vertical when the channel member 19 is affixed to the tubular element 21 of the bed frame. At the upper end of the slot 25 there is provided a circular aperture 27 the diameter of which is greater than the width of the slot, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

A mounting bracket 31 which is incorporated in the upholstered bed base 13 is adapted to be connected to the plate by means of two fastening elements 33 having enlarged heads 35. Conveniently, the fastening elements 33 are in the form of bolts.

Each bolt 33 is sized so that it may pass through the aperture 27 at the top of the slot 25 but only its shank may pass through the slot 25.

To connect the bracket 31 to the plate 17, it is first necessary to position the bolts 33 in the slot 25. This is done by inserting the head 35 of each bolt through the aperture 27 and then moving the bolt downwardly into the slot 25 so that the head 35 of the bolt is located on the inner side of the plate 17 and the shank of the bolt extends through the slot 25. The bracket 31 is then brought into abutting engagement with the plate 17 with the respective shanks of the two bolts being received in mounting holes 37 formed in the bracket. A nut 39 is then threaded onto the free end of each bolt 33 to secure the bracket 31 to the plate 17. The head 35 of each bolt engages against the marginal portion of the plate surrounding the socket 25 and thus maintains the bolt in position.

To disconnect the bed frame 13 from the end frame 15, it is merely necessary to disengage the nuts 39 from the bolts 33 and then separate the bed frame and the end frame.

The bolts 33 may be removed from within the slot 25 by moving them upwardly into register with the aperture 27 and then withdrawing them through that aperture.

The second embodiment, which is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, is directed to a fitting which is similar to that disclosed in the first embodiment with the exception that it is modified so as to permit it to be used to mount a metal bed frame 43 onto a bed end frame 45. The modification comprises the mounting of a socket member 47 onto the outer face of the plate 17. The socket member 47 has a slot 48 adapted to receive a spigot 49 mounted on the end of the bed frame. The socket 47 includes upper and lower mounting faces 51 and 53 which are adapted to abut against the plate 17 and are secured thereto by means of fixing screws 55 or any other suitable fixing means.

From the foregoing, it is evident that a manufacturer may use the same bed end frames for beds with upholstered bases and beds with metal bases. This enables the manufacturer to reduce costs because for bed frames which are to be used with metal bases, it is merely necessary to modify the fitting for use with upholstered bed bases by attaching the socket member 47 to the face 17 as described.

Claims

1. A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member, comprising a plate adapted to be affixed to the first member in spaced relationship therewith, a slot formed in the plate and an aperture of larger diameter than the width of the slot at one end of the slot, and at least one fastening element having an enlarged head, the fastening element being adapted to secure the second member to the plate wherein the head of the fastening element is locatable in the slot through the aperture with the head of the fastening element being adapted to engage against the marginal portion of the plate surrounding the plot.

2. A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are two fastening elements with enlarged heads.

3. A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first member is of generally circular cross section, said plate being defined by the web of a channel member, said channel member being adapted to be affixed to the first member with the free edges of the side walls of the channels being in abutting engagement with the first member.

4. A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims wherein the said plate is adapted to be affixed to a bed end support post of a bed and the fastening element/elements are attached to a mattress supporting frame.

5. A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member as claimed in claim 4 wherein a socket member is mounted onto the outer face of the said plate, said socket member being provided with a slot adapted to receive a spigot mounted on the end of a bed frame.

6. A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member substantially as hereindescribed and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A fitting for mounting a first member onto a second member substantially as hereindescribed and as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.