GB2187380A

GB2187380A - Linking devices for linking together beds or parts of beds

Info

Publication number: GB2187380A
Application number: GB08605586A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bran Stace
Original assignee: VI SPRING Ltd
Current assignee: VI SPRING Ltd
Priority date: 1986-03-06
Filing date: 1986-03-06
Publication date: 1987-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2006-03-06
Also published as: GB2187380B; GB8605586D0

Abstract

The invention provides a device (3) for linking together twin beds (1 and 2) or the separately made top and bottom parts of a double bed. The device has attachment parts (4 and 5), for permanent attachment to the beds or bed parts, and a link (6) which comprises rigid parts hinged together, or is made flexible in some other manner. The device enables the beds or bed parts to be swung apart (as for bedmaking or cleaning) unless they are restrained from doing so by a second linking device at the opposite end or side of the bed. The device may be such as to be movable between a linking state, in which it secures the beds or parts together, and a release state in which it does not. Thus, one end of the link may be pivoted to one attachment part (4) about a horizontal axis, while the other hand has a slot for hooking onto a headed pin (9) on the other attachment part (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Linking devicesforlinking together beds or parts of beds This invention relates to linking devices for linking together beds or parts of beds, the term bed being used herein ion a broad senseso asto include such structures as divan bases used to support mattresses.

It has long been the practice to provide linking devicesforconnecting twin beds in such a manner thatthey are held together side by side and form what is in effect a double bed, butwhich can be released when necessary. This enables twin beds to be used either as two separate single beds oras a double bed, as may be required.

Divan basesfordoublebedsareusuallyrnadein two parts, one partforming a supportforthe upper half of a mattress (that isthe half nearerthe head) and the other part forming a support for the lower half of the mattress (that is the part nearerthe foot). In many instances the two parts are permanently connected together in such a manner that they can be pivoted about a horizontal transverse axis atthe top of the divan base. This enables the two parts to be folded face to face so that they can then be manoeuvred into a room into which it would be impossible or at least very difficult to manoeuvre a unitary divan base of a size equal to that of the folded parts.In other constructions the two parts of a divan base are completely seper able.This enablestheseparate partsto be manoeuvred still more readily. Linking devices are provided to connect the two parts together in a releasable manner.

The present invention is applicable to devices for linking togethertwin beds and to devices for linking togethertwo separate parts of a divan base for a double bed.

One known kind of linking device that is currently employed in linking together twin beds (hereinafter referred to as a linking device ofthe standard kind} comprises a first attachment memberfor permanent attachment to the adjacent end ofthe other-or secondone of the twins beds, and a rigid link pivotally connected to the first attachment member so that it can be pivotally raised from a lower or linking position or state, in which it engages the second attachment member to prevent separation ofthe beds at that end, to an upper or release position or state in which it is disengaged from the second attachment member and no longer prevents such separation of the beds.

It is usual to provide one linking device of that kind at the head ends ofthe beds and another, similar linking device atthe foot ends thereof. If it is desired to separate the beds for any purpose, such as for floor-cleaning and bed-making, it is first necessaryto move the links to their release positions. If, as is often the case, the beds are so positioned that their head ends are close to a wall, it is often awkward to reach the link ofthe linking device at the head end and to move itto its release position. The beds may have to be pulled awayfromthewall, orsomeone may have to clamber over the beds and reach down, in orderto obtain access to the link.

The present invention aims to provide a linking device such that such difficulties can be overcome or at least reduced.

From a first aspect the present invention consists in a linking devicefor beds or parts of beds,the linking device being such that it can be attached to first and second beds or bed parts and that in use it allows the bed or bed parts to which it is attached to be swung apart unless they are restrained from so doing by other means.

From a second aspect the present invention consists in a linking device ofthe standard kind for linking together beds or parts of beds, but with the modification that the link is flexible.

From a third aspect the present invention consists in beds or bed parts to which is attached a linking device in accordance with eitherthefirst aspect or the second aspect ofthe present invention.

A linking device in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention may be such that in use it permanently secures the two beds or bed parts together, but it is preferably such that in use it can be varied at will between a linking state in which it secures adjacent portions of the beds or bed parts together and a release state in which it does not secure those portions together.

When, as is preferred, two beds or bed parts are linked together by first and second linking devices which are at opposite sides or ends of the linked beds or bed parts, the arrangement is preferably such that at least the first of the linking devices is in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention and at least the second linking device is such that in use it can be varied at will between a linking state in which it secures adjacent portions ofthe beds or bed parts together and a release state in which it does not secure those portions together.If desired, not only the first but also the second linking device may be in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention; and, if desired, not only the second but also the first linking device may be such that in use it can be varied at will between a linking state and a releasestate.

A linking device in accordance with the first aspect ofthe present invention preferably comprises a first attachment memberfor permanent attachmentt a first bed or a first part, a second attachment member for permanent attachment to a second bed or a second bed part and a linkwhich interconnects or which can interconnectthefirstand second attachmentmembers.

Preferably the link is permanently secured to the first attachment member. It may also be permanently secured to the second attachment member or it may be releasably secured to the second attachment member.

To permitthe beds or bed parts to be swung apart the link itself may be flexible. For example it may comprise two or more link portions hinged together, or it may comprise a strap or band made offlexible material such as a textile material or a plastics material. Alternatively the link may be secured to one orto each of the attachment members in a manner such asto permit relative movement, for example by means of a hinge orby means of a universal joint such as a ball-and -socketjoint.

One way in which the invention can be of value will now be described by way of example. A pair twin beds are linked attheir head ends by a linking device in accordance with the present invention and attheirfoot ends by a linking device ofthe standard kind. The head ends ofthe beds are located close to a wall. If it is desired to separate the beds, wholly or partially, the link of the linking device at the foot end ofthe beds is released. The foot ends ofthe beds are then pushed so thatthe beds swing apart. While this occurs the linking device or the head end ofthe beds still linksthe beds together. A gap is thus formed between the beds, the gap tapering from the foot ends ofthe beds to the linked head ends.This gap maywell be all that is required for some purposes. Ifcomplete separation of the beds is required, however, it is necessaryforthe linking device atthe head ends ofthe beds to be ofthe kind that can be varied from a linking stateto a release state. When thisis so is usually possible for someone to walk along the gap between the beds and to release the link atthe head ends.

An embodiment ofthe present invention will now be described in more detail, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic plan view of twin beds, linked at their head ends by a linking device in accordance with both the first and second aspects of the present invention.

Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 but shows the beds in another position.

Figure3is an elevation ofthe head ends of the beds, to a larger scale, as viewed in the direction of the arrow Ain Figure 1,and Figure4is a viewsimilarto Figure 3 but showing the link in a release position.

In the Figures, 1 and 2 are twin beds. They can be linked together to serve as a double bed as shown in Figure 1. They are held together at their head ends by a linking device 3. This comprises afirst attachment plate 4 permanently attached to the bed 2 and a second attachment plateS permanently attached to the bed 1. A metal linkS is permanently pivoted at one end to the attachment plate 4 by means of a pivot pin 7.

This enablesthe.link 6to be swung abouta horizontal pivot axis at right angles to the length ofthe link. At its other end the link is formed with a downwardly opening slot 8. When the link is in a linking position, as shown in Figure 3, the shank of a headed pin 9 on the second attachment plate5 extends through the slot 8.

This prevents the head ends of the beds being parted.

However the link 6 can be swung upwards to a release position, as shown in Figure 4. When it is in this release position itno longer preventsthe head ends of the beds being parted.

The link6 informed in two rigid parts which are hinged together end to end at 10. This enables the two parts ofthe linkto flex relative to each other about a vertical axis when the link is in its linking position.

Suchfiexureofthe link occurs when the foot ends of the beds are moved apart, as shown in Figure 4. This leaves a triangular gap 11 between the beds. As described above, this partial separation ofthe beds may be sufficient for some purposes but should complete separation be required it is easy for a person to walk to the narrow end ofthe gap 11, and reach down to liftthe link6to its release position.

The linking device 3 resembles a linking device of the standard kind, and differsfrom it only in thatthe link6isflexible instead of rigid.

If desired there may be a further linking device at the foot ends ofthe beds, though this is not illustrated.

The further linking device may be similarto the linking device 3 or it may differ from it in having a rigid link ratherthan aflexible link. In the latter case the further linking device is, of course, a linking device of the standard kind.

Itwill be appreciated that two separable parts of a divan base may be interconnected by a linking device or linking devices in a mannersimilarto anyofthose outlined above in relation to the interconnection of twin beds, the only difference being that the device or each device is situated at a side ofthe assembled parts ratherthan et an end of the twin beds.

Claims

1. A linking device for beds or parts of beds, the inking device being such that it can be attached to first and second beds or bed parts and that in use it allows the beds or bed parts to which it is attached to be swung apart unless they are restrained from so doing by other means.

2. A linking device according to claim 1 which is such that in use it permanently securesthetwo beds or bed parts together.

3. A linking device according to claim 1 which is such that in use it can be varied at will between a linking state in which it secures adjacent portions of the beds or bed parts together and a release state in which it does not secure those portions together.

4. A linking device according to claim 1 comprising a first attachment member for permanent attachment to a first bed or a first bed part, a second attachment member for permanent attachment to a second bed or a second bed part and a link which interconnects or which can interconnect the first and second attachment members.

5. A linking device according to claim 4 in which the link is permanently secured to the first attachment member.

6. A linking device according to claim Sin which the link is permanently secured to the second attachment member.

7. A linking device according to claim 5 in which the link is releasably secured to the second attachment member.

8. A linking device according to any one of claims4 to 7 in which the link is flexible.

9. Slinking device ofthe standard kind (as hereinbefore defined) for linking together beds or parts of beds, butwith the modificationthatthe link is flexible.

10. A linking device according to either of claims 8 and 9 inwhichthe linkcomprisestwo ormore link portions hinged together.

11. Alinking device for linking together beds or parts of beds, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Beds orbed parts to which a linking device in accordance with any one ofthe preceding claims is attached.

13. Beds or bed parts according to claim 12thatare orthat can be linked together by first and second linking devices, at opposite ends ofthe beds or at opposite sides ofthe bed parts, at least the first of the linking devices being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11, and at least the second ofthe linking devices being such that in use it can be varied at will between a linking state in which it secures adjacent portionsofthebedsorbed partstogetheranda release state in which it does not secure those portions together.

14. Beds or bed parts provided with at least one linking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.