GB2461407A - Convertible bed frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A convertible bed frame 1 that may easily and reversibly be converted from a conventional bed frame to a four poster bed frame. The bed frame comprises a base 2 for supporting a mattress; a plurality of substantially vertical supports 3 for supporting the base 2 each attached to an edge or corner of the base 2 and being extendible from a shorter length to an extended length; and a removable top frame 4,5; wherein the bed frame 1 may be reversibly converted from a conventional bed frame to a four7poster bed frame by extending the supports 3 from their shorter length to their extended length and removably attaching the top frame 4,5 to upper ends of the supports 3. Strengthening members (26, figure 10) may reinforce the bed frame in use. The bed frame 1 may comprise various other features that make it particularly suitable for BDSM, such as restraints, folding footboards and headboard-mounted seats.

Description

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TITLE

Convertible Bed Frame

DESCRIPTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention provides a bed frame that can be easily reversibly converted from a conventional bed frame into a four-poster bed frame. The bed frame may also comprise various additional features that make it suitable for BDSM activities, particularly when in its four-poster form ko4 Bed frames are available in a number of forms. A conventional bed frame consists of a base for supporting a mattress and four substantially vertical supports, each attached to a corner of the base, for supporting the base off the ground. The bed frame may additionally comprise a headboard and/or a toothoard A four postei bed frame is similar to conventional bed. frame except that each of the vertical supports extends a substantial distance above the bed frame and a top frame joins the upper ends of the vertical supports such that a canopy can be supported above and around the bed.

Typically, the top frame of a four poster bed frame will be supported Im or more above a mattressplaced on the base.

Conventional bed frames may be used for BDSM activities such as bondage or other similar activities. However, specialised bondage bed frames are also available. A bondage bed frame may be a substantially conventional bed frame with a few discrete features or attachment points that that facilitate BDSM Typically a bondage bed frame formed of this type may be used as a normal bed and can be relatively inconspicuous when in a normal bedroom. An uninformed persQn may well assume that a bondage bed frame of this type is simply a conventional bed Alternatively bondage bed frames that arC thueh more conspicuous and obviously intended fbr use in BDSM are also available These bondage bed frames are typically sturdy four-poster bed frames formed with a plurality of attachinent points positioned about the frame and may contain a number of additional features that enable various bondage positions to be attained, Comparatively, the first of these types of bondage bed frames tend to be much less functional, In particular; as these bed frames are not four poster bed frames, they do.

not comprise a top frame and therefore it is not possible to restrain a person substantially above a mattress positioned upon the bed frame or to use elevated accessories, such as swings, with the bed frame However, as these bed frames are nmch more discrete and can be usid as conventional beds they are often preferred to the more obvious four poster bondage bed frames. This is particularly true if the owner of the bondage bed frame does not want visitors to be immediately aware of their recreational activities but does not have a room in which conspicuous BDSM equipment can be stored.

In light of the above there is a need for a bed frame that is statable fbi use in BDSM but that may also pass as a conventional bed frame to an uninformed person. It is necessary that, when used for BDSM, the bed frame allows restraint of a person above the base of the bed frame and is suitable for use with elevated accessories,

Summary of the InventiQn

The present invention provides a convertible bed frame comprising a base for supporting a lii attress; a pluiality of substantially vertical supports each attached to an edge or corner of the base and being extendible from a shorter length to an extended length, and areniovable top.frame; wherein the bed frame may be Ieversibly converted from a conventional bed frame to a four-poster bed frame by extending the supports from their shorter length to their extended length and removably attaching the top frame to upper ends of the supports.. -3-.

The present invention is advantageous as it provides a bed frame that can be simply and reversibly converted from a conventional bed frame to a four poster bed frame when desired. This might be done simply to provide a different ambience and appearance to a bedroom.

The convertibile bed frame of the present invention is particularly suitable for use in BDSM. When in the form of a conventional bed frame the uninformed person may assume that it is simply a conventional bed frame. Therefore, when not being used for BDSM the bed may be left in the form of a conventional bed frame and used as such.

However, when desired, the bed frame can be converted to a tour poster bed frame When in its four poster form the bed frame of the present invention is particularly suitable for BDSM as the presence of the top frame allows restraint of a user substantially above the base of the bed frame and allows the use of elevated accessories such as swings. However, it is to be appreciated that the four poster form of the convertible bed frame may simply be used as a four poster bed in a conventional manner. Similarly, the conventional bed frame fonn of the present invention may he used for BDSM although the advantages of the presence of the top frame will not be available in such a situation.

Preferably the bed frame will have four supports, each attached substantially at a different corner of the base. ITo wever, it is to be understood that the bed frame may have a different nmnber of supports and the supports need not be attached subtantiail> at a corner of the base The supports of the bed frame may be formed in any manner that is apparent to the person skilled in the art, However, it may be prcferabie that each of the supports comprise a lower support member for supporting the base that is attached to an edge or corner of the base and a shdable member received therein, wherein the shdahle member may be moved from a lower position to an upper position where it may be fixed in position in order to extend a support from its shorter length to its extended length.

A slidable member may be fixed in an upper position using any suitable fixing means.

For example, the slidable member and the lower support member may have cooperative apertures formed therethrough that are in alignment with one another when the slidable member is in an upper position. A fixing bolt Or other similar means may then be fixed through the cooperative apertures in order to fix the slidable member in the upper position.

A support formed by a lower support member and a slidable member may be formed such that each lower supporting member is substantially tubular and the slidable member of each support is substantially contained within the lower supporting member when a support is in its lower position. If a support is formed in this manner it is important that, when the slidable member is n its lower position it is easy to move from that position to an upper position In partieulai, it is necessary that the slidable member is not complete contained within the lower supporting member such that it cannot be raised when it is desirable to do so. Therefore, the slidable member may extend slightly from the top of the lower suppOrt member when it is in the lower position. Additionally or alternatively, the slidabie member may comprise lifting means that extinds outwards from the. slidable member and that may be positioned wrthin a slot tonned in the upper end of the lower support member to allow the slidablemember to be simply and easily raised. Suitable lifting means may be one or more rods or protrusions extending outwards from the slida'ole member substantially at its upper end.

The foui poster form of the bed frame may be strong enough to function adequately without farther reinforcement However if the top frame or supports are subject to substantial forces then it may be necessary for the bed frame to further comprise reinforcing support members, For example, a bed frame may further cOmprise a plurality of reinforcing support members that may be removably attached substantially at a first end to a support or to the base and attachable at a distance away from the first end to the other of the support or the base in order to reinforce the bed frame I'hese reinforcing members may oc work by providing diagonal reinforcing struts between the base and the supports As the reinforcement may only be necessary when the bed frame is in the four poster form, the bed frame may be formed such that the reinforcing support members may only he attached when the bed frame is in the four poster form. However, reinforcement may be necessary when the bed frame is in a conventional foim Therefoie, teinforcing support members may be attachable hen the bed frame is either the four poster of cons entional form In a preferred embodiment each reinforcing support member is pivotally attached to the base at a second end and may he rotated between a reinforcing position where it may be removably attached at a fist end to a support and a hidden position where It extends along and is supported by the base The hidden position is a position that is not necessarily hidden from view but is a position wherein the reinforcing member extends along the base and is therefore inconspicuously positioned. In an alternative embodiment, each reinforcing support member may be pivotally attached to the support at a first end and may be rotated between a reinforcing position where it may be removably attached at a second end to the basu and a hidden position where it extends along and is supported by a support.

The top frame of the present invention may be fonned in any manner apparent to a person skilled in the art, For example, the top frame may be a rectangular frame of substantially the sante length and width as the base of the bed frame However, it is to be understood that the top frame may be any suitable size and shape as preferred If the top frame is a substantially rectangular frame it may be formed such that it is permanently in that form and cannot be disassembled and assembled when required.

In this situation the top frame may need to be stored separate from the rest of the bed frame when the bed frame is in its conventional form and the top frame is not in use However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the top frame is modular and comprises two cross pieces and two longitudinal pieces that may be removably joined to one another and to the supports in order to form the four poster bed frame. Each of the cross pieces and longitudinal pieces may substantially comprise a rigid bar. The advantage of ha ing a modular top flame is that when it is not in use it can be disassembled and easily stored. For example, the disassembled top frame may be stored under the bed frame when the bed frame is in its conventional form.

If the top frame is modular it may be preferable that the base of the bed frame comprises retaining means for holding the cross pieces and longitudinal pieces For example, the base may include clips or supports on an inner side of any or all of its sidas such that the cross pieces and longitudinal pieces can be simply and easily stored on the inner side of the bed frame when not in use. In this manner the top frame can be stored out of sight when not in use TI he top frame may be attachable to the supports in any manner apparent to a person skilled in the art For example, the top frame may be attached to the supports using bolts or other similar attaching means. However, it is preferable that the top frame can be attached to the support without the need for additional attaching means such that the bed frame can be converted manually without the need for additional tools or equipment In a prefen ed embodiment of the invention the top frame niay be slotted onto or into the upper ends of the supports. That is the supports may have attaching portions formed at their upper ends that may slidably receive cooperating attaching portions formed at suitable postions on the supports such that the top frame can be lifted into and out of position on the supports. If the top frame is formed in this mariner position attaching means such as bolts, may not be necessary as the top frame will be held in position b its own weight The bed frame of the present invention may be formed of any suitable matérial.

However, in order to cnsure strength and rigidity it may be preferable that the bed is substantially formed of metaL A preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed of tubular steel.

The bed frame according to the present invention may or may not have a head board and/Or a foot hoard. If the bed frame has a head board it may be preferable that the head board is formed by joining the supports at a head end of the bed frame.

Similarly if the bed frame has a foot board it may be prefeiable that that the foot board is formed by the joining the supports at a foot end of the bed frame.

Alternatively, a head board or foot board may be formed entirely separate from the supports If the bed frame has a head board or foot board the present invention may further comprise a removable seat that may be mounted on the head board or foot board at a height above the base The seat may be mountable on the head board or foot board using any means apparent to a person skilled in the art In a preferred embodiment ol the invention the seat may be mountable on a head hoard or foot board using hooks that may be used to hang the seat on cooperative rails, holes or other mounting means formed at a suitable height on the foot board on head board. The head board or foot board may comprise a plurality of mountmg means, each at a diffeient height above the base, for mounting the removable seat A bed frame according to the present invention may have a hinged foot board. For example, the foot board may hinged at a point between an upper edge and the base of the bed frame such that at least an upper part of the foot board may be iotated from a substantially vertical position towards an opposing end of the bed frame and wherein the foot board may be fixed in the substantially vertical position A hinged toot board will normally be kept fixed in the substantially vertical position whether the bed is in its conventional form or the four poster form The hinged foot board may be used in BDSM in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. For example, a standing person may be secured to an outer side of the foot board using any suitable restraining means and the hinged foot board may then be rotated from the substantially vertical position towards the opposrng end of the bed frame such that the restrained person is forced to bend forwards.

If the bed frame of the present invention comprises a foot board, the foot board may comprise lockable restraining means. The lockable restraining means may be fonned in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention lockable restraining means are formed at an upper side of the foot board. The lockable restraining means may comprise one or more lockable apertures formed through the footboard of a size that is suitable for locking a person's ankle, wrist or neck in position Restraining means of this manner may be formed in substantially the same manner as a set of stocks. That is, each of the apertures niay be formed through a fixed lower member and a hinged upper member that is lockable to the lower member. A person may be restrained in one or more of the lockable holes by openmg the hinged upper member, placing the appropriate body part in position in a suitably sized aperture and then closing the hinged upper member and locking it to the lower member.

Additionally or alternatively, a lockable restraining means may be formed by forming a suitably sized aperture through a slidable member an.d a second member, wherein the shdable membei may be locked to the second member A restranung means formed in this way can be opened by slidrng the slidable member away from the second member in order to widen the aperture and thereby allow a suitable body part to be placed in the aperture. Once the body part has been placed in the aperture the slidahie member is brought back towards the second member and locked thereto.

A foot board of a bed framc according to the present invention may comprise a central removable and/or rotatable section That is, a central portion of the foot board may be formed such that it may be removed from the foot board and/or such that it niav be rotated outwards from the rest of the foot board from a normal substantially vertical position. Any central removable and/or rotatable section of the foot board would preferably be formed such that it may be locked in position as an integral part of the foot board A central iemovable and/or rotatable cection may or may not contain a head rcs1runt or ankle or wrist restraints A central rotatable section may be rotatable substantially at a top edge or substantially at a bottom edge or about both edges For example, a central rotatable section may be formed with a hinge or other suitable rotating means substantially at a top edge or a bottom edge and a locking means foi locking the rotatable section in position in the foot board substantially at the other of the top edge or bottom edge. If a central rotatable section is rotatable about both the top edge and the bottom edge then it may be formed with removable rotating means substantially at both the top edge and the bottom edge such that when the rotating means at the top edge are removed the central rotatable section may be rotated about the rotating means at the bottom edge, when the rotatIng means at the bottom edge are removed the central rotatabie section may be rotated about the rotating means at the top edge and when both the rotating means at the top edge and at the bottom edge are removed the section may be removed from the foot board. Suitable rotating means include threaded bolts removably mounted through each side of an edge of a central section and corresponding portions of the foot board or any other suitable means apparent to a person skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that, as an alternative to or in addition to being rotatable about a top and/or bottom edge a central rotatable section may be rotatable about one or both side edges.

A central removable or rotatable section may be formed between a top rail and a bottom rail of:a foot board such that the top rail and bottom rail of the foot board remain in position as part of the foot board when the central removable or rotatable section is rotated outwaids or removed from the rest of the foot board As will be readily understood, a central rotatable section may be used in BDSM. For example, if a person is restrained to the outer side of the foot board a central rotatable section may be rotated outwards, about either the top edge or bottom edge as appropriate, in order to force the restrained person to adopt a different position.

Similarly, a central remoable section of a foot board may provide additional functionahtv in BDSM For example removing a section of a foot board may allow a person to be positioned through the foot board.

A bed frame according to the present irnention may additionally comprise a plurality of fixing points for attachmg removable apparatus to the frame Suitable fixing points -10-may comprise holes formed through the bed frame or attachment fixings, such as mounting hooks or loops, mounted in the bed frame or any other suitable fixing means. Fixing points may allow various accessories to be attached to the bed frame.

Fixing points may be provided at any suitable location on the bed frame For example chains, cuffs, swings or decorative drapes could be attached to the bed frame using the suitable fixing points.

A bed frame comprising several of the optional features of the present invention, as set out above, is particularly advantageous as a piece of BDSM equipment This is because a bed frame having such features is a single discreet piece of equipment that may provide several different and varied BDSM thnctions, each of which would normally require n separate, much more obvious and possibly larger piece of equipment. When not in use, the bed frame of the present invention maybe stored discreetly, for example as a cons'entional bed in a normal bedroom In contrast, if several separate pieces of BDSM equipment are owned they ould typically require a much larger space and would be much less discreet thereby necessitating their own separate room.

Further features of the present invention will be apparent from the preferred embodiments of the invention as shown in the drawings and discussed below.

Pawins Figure I is an isometric drawing of a first preferred embodiment of a bed frame according to the present invention in its four poster form; Figure 2 is a side view of a section of a support of the bed frame of Figure i in its extended length; E igure 3 is a side view of the top of a support and the top frame of the bed frame of Figure 1 showing hov the top frame may be attached to the support, Figure 4 is a perspective view of hinged foot board of a bed frame according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figures 5 and 6 are partial side views showing details of the hinge of the foot board of the bed frame of Figure 4; 11-fl Figure 7 is a partial front view of the foot board of the bed frame of the second preferred embodiment of the invention; Figures 8 and 9 are partial front views showing operation of the lockable restraining means of the foot board of the second preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is a partial perspeetivc view of a bed frame according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the head board and the reinforcing support members; Figure 11 is a close-up side view showing details of the reinforcing support member of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a seat that may be mounted of the head board of the bed frame of the second preferred embodiment of the present inventioa, and Figure 13 is a side view of the seat of Figure 12 A bed frame I according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The bed frame I comprises a base 2, four supports 3 and a top frame The top frame is comprised of two cross pieces 4 and two longitudinal pieee The bed frame I is shown in its four postei form such that the supports 3 are all at their extended length and the top frame 4, 5 is attached to the uppei ends of the supports. Each of the supports 3 is attached to a corner of the base 2 and supports the base above the ground Similarly, the top frame 4, 5 is supported on the upper ends of the supports 3 at its corners That is, each of the cross pieces 4 and longitudinal pieceb are supported by a support 3 at each of their ends Figure 2 is a partial side view of a support 3 of the bed frame I of Figure 1 at its extended length. As can be seen the support 3 comprises a lower support member 6 and a slidable member 7 partially received therein, Both the lower support member 6 and slidable member 7 are made of tubular steel with a substantially square cross-section The slidable member 7 has a plurality of pairs of holes 8 formed through it, each pair of holes being at a different height The holes 8 comprising each pair of holes are at substantially the same height and are aligned with one another The holes 8 are used to extend the slidable member 7 from the lower support member. In particular, in oider to extend the support 3 the slidable member 7 is iaised from the -12-lower support member 6 to a suitable height and then a support pin 9 is passed completely through a pair of holes 8 such that the support pin 9 prevents the slidable member 7 taIling back down to a lower position As the shdable member 7 has a plurality of pairs of holes 8 the support may be extended to a number of difterent lengths each �fierent length corresponding to a diffeient pair of holes 8 The different lengths may be used to form four poster beds of different heights.

Figure 3 is a close-up side view of the top of a support 3 sho\%ing how the cross piece 4 and longitudinal piece 5 of the top frame are mounted upon the upper end of the support As can be seen in bigure 2, the upper end of a support 3 at an extended length is formed by the upper end of the slidable member 7. As discussed above, the slidable member 7 is a length of tubular steel with a substantially square cross-seclion. The longitudinal pieces 5 of the top frame have cooperatively-shaped vertical extending sleeve members 10 at each end that allow the longitudinal pieces to be slotted onto the upper ends of the supports: 3. The sleeve members 10 extend downward from the longitudinal pieces S and are closed at an upper end such that the upper end of the sleeve members 10 rest upon the upper end of the slidable member 7 when a longitudinal piece is mounted upon a support.

The longitudinal pieces 5 additionally have a mounting hole 11 formed centrally through their upper side at each end, directly above a corresponding sleeve member Each cross pieces 4 has an end plate 12 that is fixed to an upper side at each end The end plates 12 extend beyond the length of the cross piece 4 and have a downward extending fixing rod 13 fixed to a lower side at a point beyond the end of the cross piece. The fixing rods 13 are used to mount the cross pieces on to the longitudinal pieces In particular, after the longitudinal pieces 5 have been mounted upon the supports 3 by means sleeve members 10 the cross pieces 4 may be mounteci upon the longitudinal pieces 5 and the supports 3 in order to form a top frame by lowering the cross pieces onto the longitudinal pieces such that the fixing rods 13 at each end of the cross pieces are received into a corresponding mounting hole 11 formed in the longitudinal piece. -13 -

The bed frame 1 of Figure 1 can be converted from its four poster form into a conventional form in the following manner. First the cross pieces 4 of the top frame are lifted out of position and removed Then the longitudinal pieces 5 of the top frame are lifted out of position and removed. Finally, each of the supports 3 is shortened to their shorter length This is done by removing the support pin 9 from each support and allowing the slidable member 7 to fall to its lowest position. To convert the bed frame I back to the four poster form the process is ie\ersed Importantly, the entire conversion process can be carried out easily by a single pcrson with no need for any special tools.

It should be noted that in their lowest position the slidable members 7 still slightly protrude above the top of end of the lower support member 6 This allows the slidable members to be easily raised from their lowest position when the user wishes to extend the length of a support.

I be foot end of bed frame 1 according to a second preferred embodiment is shown in Figure 4. This embodiment of the invention has a hinged foot board 13. The foot board 13 is shown partially rotated from the substantially vertical position that it would normally he positioned in 1 he foot board 13 is fonned between upper portions of the supports 3 and comprises a steel framework A plurality of wrist or ankle restraints 14 and a head restraint 15 are formed along a top rail 16 of the foot board Figures 5 and 6 show details of the hinge 17 that hinge that allows the foot board 13 to be rotated. The foot hoard 13 has a bottom rail 18 that joins the lower supporting members 6 of the supports 3 at a lower end of the fOot board, which is immediately above the base 2 of the bed frame 1 when the foot board is in the substantially vertical position the bed frame 1 additionally comprises locking means 19 (not snown in Figure 4) for securing the foot board 13 in the substantially vertical position The locking means 19 comprises a plate 20 attached to the bottom rail 18 of the foot board 13 that extends over and may be bolted to the base 2 by means of a locking nut 21 extending through cooperatively located holes formed through the plate 20 and base 2.

The foot board 13 will normally be maintained in a substantially vertical position. In this position the bottom rail 18 will be locked to the base 2 using the locking means.

As the foot board 13 is integrally formed vith the supports 3 the foot board must be in the substantially vertical position when the bed framc 1 is in the four poster fonn S and the top frame 4 5 is attached to the upper end of the supports 3 However, the huged foot board 13 provides added functionality when the bed frame I is in its conventional form. Specifically, a person may be restrained to the foot board 13, either by additional means such as cuffs attached to the foot board or supports 3 and/or by means of the ankle or wrist restraints 14 and/or the head restraint 15 The footboard 13 may then be unlocked from the base 2 by removing the locking nuts 21 and rotated inwards towards the b4se 2 in the direction shown in Figure 4 This will have the effect of moving the retrained person towards the base 2 and may, for example, foiee a standing person into a bent-over position After use the hinged foot board 13 may be returned to the substantially vertical position and locked back into position using the locking nuts 21.

Figures 7 to 9 show details of the wrist or ankle restraints 14 and the head restraint 15 of the foot board 13 of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, As can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, the top rail 16 of the foot board 13 is formed of an upper bar 22 and a lower bar 23. The lower bar 23 is a solid bar that extends between the lower supporting members 6 of the supports 3 of the foot end of the bed flame 1 Semi-en eular curved sections of the lower bar 23 form the bottom halves of each of the ankle or wrist restraints 14 and the head restraint 15. The upper bar 22 extends between the lower supporting members 6 of the supports of the foot end of the bed 25. frame, The upper bar' 22 is attached to the lower supporting members at each end by means of a hinge 25 and is split into two separate lengths at a point between the head restraint 15 and one of the adjacent ankle or wrist restraints 14 Thc upper bar 22 is normally fixed in position directly above the lower hat 23 by means of two fixing bolts 24 positioned either side of the central head restraint 15. In this manner the top rail 16 appears to be a simple rail and the ankle or wrist restraints 14 and the head restraint may appear to be simple decorative features. When one of the fixing bolts 24 is removed from the top rail 16 the length of the upper bar 22 that was fixed in -15 position by the bolt 24 may be hinged upwards, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, in order to open any of the ankle ot wrist restraints 14 and head restraint 15 that are partially formed by that portion of the upper bar A person (not shown) may then be placed in position in the restraints 14, 15, the upper bar 22 may then be rotated back into its initial position and locked back into position by means of the fixing bolt 24 in order to restrain the peison in the foot board 13 Ankle or wrist restraints 14 and head restraints 15 formed in this manner can be used whether the bed frame I is in its conventional form or in its four poster form Figure 10 shows the head end of the bed frame 1 of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, A head board 25 is formed between the lower supporting members � of the supports 3 at the head end of the bed frame I Reinforcing support members 26 are rotatably mounted on the longitudinal sides of the base 2 In Figure the reinforcing members 26 are shown reinforcing the head board 25 having been rotated front the position shown in Figure 11, wherein the lie along and are supported by the base 2 and have been rotated about an end that is permanently and rotatably attached to the base and have been removably attached to the head board 25 at the other end In this manner the head board 25 is reinforced against bcing pulled inwards towards the base 2 This reinforcement is particularly useful when the bed frame I is in its four poster form and weight is being supported through the top frame 4, 5 for example by use of a swing (not shown) attached to the top frame The Figures show reinforcing members 26 only at the head end of the bed frame I. However, it is to be understood that reinforcing members constructed in substantially the same manner may also be provided at the foot end of the bed frame 1 and used to support the foot board 13.

Figures 12 and 13 show details of a scat 27 that may be removably mounted upon the head hoard 25, The seat 27 comprises an upholstered seat portion 28 that is mounted upon a frame 29. The frame has hooks 30 at a rear side that may be hooked over cooperatively positioned rungs 31 on the head board 25 in order to mount the seat 27 on the head board and stabilising portions 31 that extend downs ards from the scat portion 28 When the seat 27 is mounted on the head board 25 the stabilising portions -16 prevent the seat rotating forwards due to the presence of the rungs 31, as shown in Figure 13. The seat portion 28 of the seat 27 is bolted on to the frame 29 and may be moved into different positions along the frame by unbolting it and rebolting it is a different position The seat 27 may be used by a person to support themsehes a height above the base 2 of the bed frame 1