GB2300805A

GB2300805A - A bedstead

Info

Publication number: GB2300805A
Application number: GB9510819A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mu-Shih Tsai
Original assignee: TSAI MU SHIH
Current assignee: TSAI MU SHIH
Priority date: 1995-05-19
Filing date: 1995-05-19
Publication date: 1996-11-20
Also published as: GB9510819D0

Abstract

A bedstead for beds includes a plurality of posts and plates assembled together, consisting of four longitudinal posts 1, a plurality of first connecting elements 2, four first side elements 3, four second side elements (4), a plurality of positioning elements (5), a plurality of plug elements (6), a plurality of second connection elements 7, a plurality of partition elements 8 and covering elements 9. These elements are fitted or screwed together and positioned in place to form a rectangular bedstead frame having a plurality of horizontal partitions. The parts are preferably of aluminium. Connectors 2 slot into undercut grooves 121 in the corner parts. They have holes 24A which accept screws for fastening to thread holes 34, 35 in the side elements 3. Connection of the other parts is also described.

Description

TITLE: BEDSTEAD ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to an aluminum bedstead assembly.

(b) Description of the Prior Art: Conventional bedsteads are usually made of wood, steel or copper materials. Due to the consideration of weight and strength, the components of the beds are assembled and secured in position at the factories prior to delivery. The space occupied by the assembled beds are therefore considerably large, and they cannot be packed like ordinary commodities. Similarly, such a large and heavy bed is difficult to be moved freely. Nowadays, when people are after the vogue of DIY, a light-weighted bedstead assembly with sufficient strength which may be easily packed is therefore necessary.

Besides, the existing bedstead assembly for beds have to be secured by screws using a hand tool. In some bedstead assemblies, holes have to be drilled in order to adjust the height of the bedstead, which is very troublesome and time- consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a bedstead assembly for beds which eliminate all of the above problems. The bedstead assembly is light-weighted and has sufficient strength, and may be packed easily. In addition to satisfying those people who love to do things themselves, the bedstead assembly of the present invention is also convenient to carry since it can be disassembled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a longitudinal post of a preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first connecting element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a first side element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second side element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a positioning element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention;; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a plug element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second connecting element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a partition element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a covering element of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a first step of assembling the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. Ii is a diagram showing a second step of assembling the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention;; Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a third step of assembling the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth step of assembling the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a fifth step of assembling the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a sixth step of assembling the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the bedstead of the present invention in an assembled state; and Fig. 17 is a sectional view of Fig. 15 taken along line XVI XVI.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figs. 1 to 9 show a preferred embodiment of the bedstead according to the present invention. The bedstead is an assembly of a plurality of aluminum posts and plates, comprising four longitudinal posts 1, a plurality of first connecting elements 2, four first side elements 3, four second side elements , a plurality of positioning elements 5, a plurality of plug elements 6, a plurality of second connecting elements 7, a plurality of partition elements 8 and covering elements 9.

Referring to Fig. 1, each of the longitudinal posts 1 has a plurality of notches 11 and two grooves 12 paced apart by 90 degrees on its peripheral surface. Each groove 12 is configured to be narrow on the outside and wider on the inside to form a longitudinal insert space 12run. A plurality of insert grooves 14 are provided on the periphery of the longitudinal post 1 for receiving a plurality of strip-like plates 15 (as shown in Fig. 15).

With reference to Fig. 2, the first connecting element 2 consists of a horizontal plate 21 provided with two parallel longitudinal plates 22 at suitable positions. A lateral end of each longitudinal plate 22 extends outwardly to form a flange 23, so that each longitudinal plate 22 may be inserted via any end of the groove 12 of the longitudinal post 1, preventing the two longitudinal plates 22 from disengaging horizontally from the grooves 12. Two through holes 24A and a through hole 24B are provided in the horizontal plate 21.

As shown in Fig. 3, the first side element 3 has a hollow rectangular cross section. A longitudinal reinforced element 31 is provided at an inner side thereof. A flange 32 extends outwardly from one side of its bottom end, and on the same side of the first side element 3, screw holes 33 are also provided at pre-determined positions, while a first screw hole 34 oriented in a longitudinal direction is provided on the other side thereof. A second screw hole 35 oriented in a longitudinal direction is also provided on that other side.

The first screw hole 34 and the second screw hole 35 of the first side element 3 and the corresponding through holes 24A of the first connecting element 2 are fastened together by screws. An inverted U-shaped element 37 extends from a lateral side of a top side 36 thereof to form a first longitudinal insert space 371. Additionally, the inverted Ushaped element 37 rises from the top side 36 and the inverted U-shaped element 37.

The second side element 4 shown in Fig. 4 is also a hollow rectangular structure. A third screw hole 41 oriented in a longitudinal direction is provided at one side of a bottom end thereof. The third screw hole 41 and the through hole 24B of the first connecting element 2 are fastened together by a screw. A U-shaped element 42 extends upwardly therefrom to form a second longitudinal insert space 421 such that an open end 422 of the U-shaped element 42 and an open end of the inverted U-shaped element 37 face each other in a longitudinal direction.

With reference to Fig. 5, the positioning element 5 consists of a connecting section 51, the two ends thereof extending perpendicularly therefrom to form two L-shaped sections 52. A through hole 53 is provided at a predetermined position of the connecting section 51 for fastening with the through hole 33 of the first side element 3. Also, a bottom end of said positioning element 5 is touched said flange 32 of the first side element 3.

With reference to Fig. 6, the plug element 6 consists of a post 61 and a block 62. The post 61 is plugged into an insert space 73 at either ends of the partition element with the block 62 exposed on the outside.

A plurality of second connecting elements 7 can be seen in Fig. 6. Each of the second connecting element 7 have a central connecting portion 71, two second grooves 72, and two second flanges 73. The two second grooves 72 extend from one side of the central connecting portion 71 for longitudinally engaging with the L-shape sections 52 of the positioning elements 5 and further preventing the positioning elements 5 from horizontally disengagement. And, the two second flanges 73 extend from the other side of the central connecting portion 71. The second flanges 73 being substantially parallel to each other and have a space between these two second flanges 73.

The partition element 8 shown in Fig. 8 is a longitudinal hollow rectangular structure. Flanges are respectively provided on the inner and outer sides of the partition element 8 near a top side thereof. The height from the outer supporting flanges 81 to the top side is equivalent to that from the top side 36 of the first side element 3 to the top side of the inverted U-shaped element 37, so that bed plates 86 (see Fig. 17) may be horizontally inserted between the top s;de 36 of the first side element 3 and the outer flanges 81 of the partition element 8. The inner flanges 82 and the top side of the partition element 8 form the insert space 83 for receiving the post 61 of the plug element 5.The width of the cross section of the partition element 8 1S equivalent to that of the two second flanges 73 of the second connecting element 7, so that the partition element 8 may be inserted between the two second flanges 73, and the two outer supporting flanges 81 contact the top side of the second connecting element 7. Then the second flanges 73 and the positioning element can be assembled firmly by the pins 74.

Referring to Fig. 9, the covering element 9 has an opening 92 and a plurality of projections 91 for insertion into the notches 11 in the top side of the longitudinal post 1. The periphery of the covering element 9 covers a part of the top side of the first side element 3 connected thereto.

Reference is now made to Figs. 10 to 17 which show the steps of assembling the above-described bedstead according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 10, the third screw hole 1 in either ends of the second side element 4 and the through holes 24B of two of the first connecting elements 2 are fastened together by screws. An ornamental plate 39 is inserted with its lower end into the second longitudinal insert space 421 of the U-shaped element 42. After the first longitudinal insert space 371 of the inverted U-shaped element 37 of the first side element 3 is fitted onto an upper end of the ornamental plate 39, the first screw hole 34 and the second screw hole 35 of the first side element 3 are respectiveiv screwed together with the corresponding through holes 24A of the first connecting element 2 to form an integral side of the bedstead.

With reference to Fig. 11, the longitudinal plates 22 of the first connecting elements 2 at both ends of the abovedescribed side of the bedstead are respectively inserted into the longitudinal insert spaces 121 of the corresponding grooves 12 of the longitudinal posts 1. A footing seat 16 and footing 17 are set at the bottom of each longitudinal post 1 as to protect the longitudinal post 1. Also, the top of the inverted U-shape element 37 is higher than the top of first connecting elements 2 as well as the top of the four longitudinal posts 1.

With reference to Fig. 12, a plurality of positioning elements 5 are respectively screwed onto the corresponding through holes 33 of the first side elements 3 by screws passing through their through holes 52; the positioning elements 5 are spaced equally apart.

With reference to Fig. 13, a plurality of plug elements 6 are inserted with their posts 61 into the insert spaces 83 at either ends of the partition element 8, so that their blocks 62 are exposed on the outside. Each of the partition elements 8 is fitted between the two longitudinal second flanges 73 of the second connecting elements 7 which has the same height as the partition element 8. The two outer supporting flanges 81 contact the top side of the second connecting element 7.

Furthermore, in Fig. 14, the second grooves 72 of the second connecting element 7 is then inserted into the Lshaped sections 52 of the positioning element 5 with its bottom end touching against the flange 32 of the first side element 3, as well as the block 62 of the plug element 6 touching against the top side 36 of the first side element 3, forming a horizontal support frame of the bedstead.

With reference to Fig. 15, strip-like ornamental plates 15 of varying colors and grains are inserted into the insert grooves 14 at the outer periphery of each longitudinal post 1.

Then the projections 91 of the covering element 9 are respectively fitted into the plurality of grooves 11 via the top end of the longitudinal post 1, so that the peripheral edge of the covering element 9 covers a part of the top side of two first side elements 3 connected thereto, protecting the bed posts from damage.

All the four sides of the bedstead are espectively assembled in the manner described above, and the assembled rectangular bedstead is as shown in Fig. 16.

With reference to Fig. 17, the two sides of each of the bed plates 91 may be arranged on the outer supporting flanges 81 of the partition element 7 and the top side 36 of the first side element 3. A mattress may then be placed on the bed plates. Alternatively, in order to enhance the longitudinal support strength of the side elements 3 and the partition elements 7 of the bedstead according to the present invention, flanges 38, 85 may be respectively provided in the hollow interiors of the first side elements 3 and the partition elements 8 to form respective longitudinal insert spaces for receiving reinforced elements 93.

Prior to delivery ex factory, some of the elements may be assembled first. For instance, the first side elements 3, the second side elements 4, the ornamental plates 9 and the first connecting elements 2 may be assembled to form four integral sides of the bedstead. The partition elements 7 and the first connecting elements 2 may also be fastened together to form four integral horizontal support plates of the bedstead. Positioning elements 5 may also be fastened to the first side elements 3. In this way, the user need only to fit the four sides and the horizontal support plates of the bedstead into the four longitudinal posts 1 and the positioning elements 5 to complete the assembly procedures, without the need to use any hand tools.

There are various embodiments of the bedstead according to the present invention. For instance, screw holes may be provided in the bottom side of the longitudinal posts l for receiving legs with screws for adjusting the height of the bedstead.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that it is in no way limited to the details of such embodiment but is capable of numerous modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bedstead for beds comprising: four longitudinal posts, each of said longitudinal posts having a plurality of notches and two grooves which are spaced apart by 90 degrees on a peripheral surface thereof, each of said grooves being narrower on the outside and wider on the inside so as to form a longitudinal insert space; eight first connecting elements, each of said first connecting elements consisting of a horizontal plate provided with two parallel longitudinal plates, each of said longitudinal plates having a first flange extending outwardly from an end thereof, so that when each of said longitudinal plates is inserted into the corresponding groove of each of said longitudinal posts, said first flange prevents said longitudinal plate from horizontal disengagement, and each of said longitudinal plates having through holes provided at pre-determined positions;; four first side elements, each of said first side elements having a hollow rectangular cross section, a plurality of longitudinal reinforced elements being provided on an inner side thereof, a flange extending outwardly from one side of a bottom end thereof and through holes being provided on the same side thereof at suitable positions, and a plurality of screw holes oriented in a longitudinal direction being provided on the other side of each of said first side elements, said screw holes being fastened with said through holes in an upper portion of said horizontal plate of each of said first connecting elements by screws; a plurality of positioning elements, each of said positioning elements consisting of a connecting section either ends thereof respectively extending perpendicularly to form L-shaped sections, said connecting section having a plurality of through holes at pre-determined positions for fastening with said through holes on the side of said flange of each of said first side elements, and a bottom end of said positioning element being connected to said flange of the first side element; a plurality of second connecting elements, each of said second connecting element having (a) a central connecting portion, (b) two second grooves extending from one side of said central connecting portion for longitudinally engaging with said L-shape sections of the positioning elements and further preventing said positioning elements from horizontally disengagement, and (c) two second flanges extending from the other side of the central connecting portion, said second flanges being substantially parallel to each other and having a space between these two second flanges; a plurality of partition elements, each of said partition elements having a longitudinally oriented hollow rectangular cross section, two supporting flanges respectively extending from either sides of each of said partition elements near a top side thereof, and two screw holes being provided near either ends of each of said partition elements, said cross section of each of said partition elements having a width equivalent to that of said two second flanges of each of said second connecting elements, so that each of said partition elements may be inserted into the space between said two second flanges of each of said second connecting elements, with said two supporting flanges thereof touching a top side of each of said second connecting elements.

2. A bedstead for beds as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said first side elements extends upwardly from a top side thereof to form an inverted U-shaped element such that said inverted U-shaped element rises from said top side, said inverted U-shaped element having a first longitudinal insert space formed in an interior thereof.

3. A bedstead for beds as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the difference in elevation of the two top ends of said first side element is equal to that of said flange and said top side of each of said partition elements, so that bed plates may be horizontally places between said top side of said first side element and said flange of said partition element.

4. A bedstead for beds as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising four second side elements, each of said second side elements having a hollow rectangular cross section, a screw hole oriented in a longitudinal direction being provided at one side of a bottom end thereof for fastening with said through hole in a lower portion of each of said first connecting elements by a screw, a U-shaped element extending upwardly therefrom to form a second longitudinal insert space such that said U-shaped element and said inverted U-shaped element face each other in a longitudinal direction, so that an ornamental plate may be inserted between said first insert space of each of said first side elements and said second insert space of each of said second side elements.

5. A bedstead for beds as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a flange is provided in the hollow interior of each of said partition elements such that an insert space is defined between said flange and said top side of each of said partition elements for receiving a post of a plug element with a block of said plug element exposed on the outside.

6. A bedstead for beds as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said longitudinal posts is provided with a plurality of insert grooves on the outer periphery thereof for insertion of strip-like ornamental plates therein.

7. A bedstead for beds as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising four covering elements, each of said covering elements having an opening and a plurality of projections which are fitted into said notches of each of said longitudinal posts, with the peripheral edge thereof covering a part of the top ends of two first side elements connected thereto.

8. A bedstead for beds as claimed in Claim 1, wherein flanges are respectively provided in the hollow interiors of each of said first side elements and each of said partition elements for forming respective insert spaces for receiving reinforced elements to enhance the structural strength of each of said first side elements and each of said partition elements.

9. A bedstead constructed and arranged substantally as described herein and exemplified with reference to the drawings.