GB2518900A

GB2518900A - Bed base

Info

Publication number: GB2518900A
Application number: GB1317690.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence Edward Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-10-07
Filing date: 2013-10-07
Publication date: 2015-04-08
Also published as: GB201317690D0

Abstract

A bed base comprising first and second parallel side rails, 2 and 4, with a wooden appearance, a pair of metal side rails, 16 and 18, with one attached to an inner face of each of the side rails, 2 and 4, a pair of metal cross rails 20 running between the metal side rails, 16 and 18, and a central rail 24 running between the metal cross rails 20 and parallel to the side rails 2 and 4. There may be three cross rails 20 with one at each end of the side rails, 16 and 18, and they may be attached to the underside of the side and central rails. Head 6 and foot 8 boards may be provided attached only to the wooden side rails 2 and 4. The metal frame is designed to remove the need for a central supporting leg.

Description

Bed Base This invention relates to a bed base having outer frame members which support a platform, on which a mattress rests. Some bed bases of this type are called bedsteads.

A common double bed base (i.e. base for a double bed) has a wooden rectangular frame made up of a head rail, a foot rail, and two side rails, with a central rail running from the head rail to the foot rail. Slats are mounted across the two gaps, between the central rail and each side rail. The slats directly support the mattress, when placed on them. Commonly the central rail has a leg in its middle region to provide support in the centre of the bed. However, a problem is that such a leg is easily displaced from the vertical, for example when moving the bed. For example when the leg is on a carpet and the central leg is doing its job properly, and taking a proportion of the weight of the bed, it will sit in a depression in the carpet and will be easily displaced from its upright orientation when the bed is moved. Furthermore the central leg is a hindrance to the storage of items, for example suitcases, under the bed.

Such a central rail is usually mounted directly to the head rail and the foot rail, and these parts then necessarily serve as structural members. There are such beds without the central leg but then the central rail must be adequately robust and substantial.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a double bed base having first and second side rails of wooden appearance, parallel to each other; a first metal rail fitted to the inner face of the first side rail of wooden appearance; a second metal rail fitted to the inner face of the second side rail of wooden appearance; at least two metal cross-rails! each metal cross-rail being connected between the metal side rails; and a metal central rail between and parallel to the side rails, and connected to the metal cross-rails.

The metal cross-rails may be set at an oblique angle to the metal side rails, for

example diagonally.

Preferably! however, each metal cross rail is transverse to the metal side rails; preferably perpendicular.

Preferably there are at least three metal cross-rails, and more preferably at least four. Preferably there is one metal cross-rail extending transversely between the metal side rails at or adjacent to the head end of the metal side rails; another metal cross-rail extending between the metal side rails at or adjacent to the foot end of the metal cross-rails. Any remaining metal cross-rail or cross-rails are preferably at a spaced location, or locations, between the aforementioned metal cross-rails.

Preferably the metal central rail is substantially equidistant between the metal side rails.

Preferably the first metal side rail is the same length as the second metal side rail and is opposed throughout its length by the second metal side rail. That is to say, they are aligned with each other, and are not staggered.

Preferably the metal central rail is of the same length as the first and second metal side rails and is opposed by both the first metal side rail and the second metal side rail throughout its length. That is to say, these three metal rails are aligned with each other, and are not staggered. Thus, suitably none of the metal side rails and metal central rail projects beyond any of the others.

Preferably the metal cross-rails are connected to the underside of the metal side rails and of the metal central rail. Preferably the metal side rails and metal central rail are adapted to receive mattress-supporting parts. The mattress-supporting parts, as is conventional may be sprung slats fitted to end pieces which have downward-facing pegs. The upper surfaces of the metal side rails and metal central rail suitably have holes into which such pegs are fitted.

The connections between the respective parts, for example between the metal rails and the wooden side rails, and between the metal side rails and the metal cross rails, and between the metal cross rails and the metal central rail, may suitably be by means of bolts or screws.

The side rails of wooden appearance may be solid wood or may be of a different material, such plastics or compressed fibre board, to which a wood appearance is applied, for example by means of a foil or veneer. Preferably the side rails of wooden appearance are of solid wood.

A head rail may be provided, at one end of the bed. Suitably the head rail is connected to the side rails of wooden appearance, at one end thereof. Suitably the head rail is of wooden appearance; suitably to match the appearance of the side rails.

The head rail of wooden appearance may be solid wood or may be of a different material, such plastics or compressed fibre board, to which a wood appearance is applied, for example by means of a foil or veneer.

Preferably the head rail, where provided, is not connected to any of the metal ra i Is.

A head rail may be provided which projects above the side rails of wooden appearance, to present as a headboard. Such a headboard may be decorative, rather than merely functional. Such a headboard may be of wooden appearance; suitably to match the appearance of the side rails. A headboard of wooden appearance may be solid wood or may be of a different material, such plastics or compressed fibre board, to which a wood appearance is applied, for example by means of a foil or veneer.

Preferably the headboard is of solid wood. Alternatively it may be of cushioned or plush fabric material, at least in its upper regions against which users in bed may rest.

A foot rail may be provided, at one end of the bed. Suitably the foot rail is connected to the side rails of wooden appearance, at one end thereof. Suitably the foot rail is of wooden appearance; suitably to match the appearance of the side rails.

The foot rail of wooden appearance may be solid wood or may be of a different material, such plastics or compressed fibre board, to which a wood appearance is applied, for example by means of a foil or veneer.

Preferably the foot rail, where provided, is not connected to any of the metal ra i Is.

A foot rail may be provided which projects above the side rails of wooden appearance, to present as a footboard. Such a footboard may be decorative, rather than merely functional. Such a footboard may be of wooden appearance; suitably to match the appearance of the side rails. A footboard of wooden appearance may be solid wood or may be of a different material, such plastics or compressed fibre board, to which a wood appearance is applied, for example by means of a foil or veneer.

Preferably the footboard is of solid wood.

Preferably the metal parts described above, i.e. the parts provided between the wooden side rails, do not carry any legs. The legs of the bed base are suitably provided only at the four corners. The side rails of wooden appearance may carry the feet of the bed, at their respective ends. Alternatively, a head rail and I or a foot rail, when such are present, may carry feet, and the side rails of wooden appearance may be without feet.

A head rail and a foot rail may be present for reasons of comfort and aesthetics, but do not provide any structural function, except that they may in some embodiments provide the four legs of the bed. However, as noted above, in principle these can be provided by the side rails of wooden appearance. A head rail or foot rail could be dispensed with, or could be designed in a new way, having regard to the fact that they need not perform any structural function.

It will be seen that the metal rails, once connected together, form a frame, and function as a bracing member between the side rails of wooden appearance, holding the side rails of wooden appearance parallel to each other. Suitably they have no direct connection to a head rail, where provided, and no direct connection to a foot rail, where provided. The metal frame is suitably connected to the side rails of Thus the bed may be seen as a strong metal structure shrouded or clad in parts of wooden appearance. Side rails of wooden appearance are secured to the metal side rails and utilise the rigidity of the metal structure, in serving as parts to which an optional head rail and an optional foot rail may be secured.

To construct the bed base the metal frame may first be built, and then secured to the side rails of wooden appearance. Alternatively, and preferably, the first metal rail is fitted to the first side iail of wooden appearance, the second metal rail is fitted to the second side rail of wooden appearance, the metal cross-rails are then fitted between the respective metal side rails! and the longitudinal or central metal rail is then fitted. A head rail (which may comprise a headboard) and I or a foot rail (which may comprise a footboard), when either or both of these parts are provided, may be fitted to the side rails of wooden appearance as required.

Preferably the metal rails are of steel.

Preferably the metal rails are formed as box-section lengths using steel of gauge at least 1 mm. Suitably coated mild steel is used.

Preferably the metal side rails extend along at least 80% of the length of the wooden side rails, and preferably at least 90%.

Preferably the bed base is for a double bed which is at least 120cm wide. The term double as used herein embraces such sizes as small double' (or three-quarter'), standard double', king size', queen size' and emperor size'.

Preferably sprung slats are fitted above the metal rails, one set from the metal central rail to the first metal side rail, the other set from the metal central rail to the second metal side rail.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a bed base in which an array of metal rails can be seen inside a wooden surround; Fig. 2 is an alternative perspective view; Fig. 3 is an expanded detailed view of part of the bed base in Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 4 shows sprung slats fitted to the metal array of Figs. 1-3 (but without the The bed base, for a double bed of width 150 cm, comprises an external wooden frame provided by wooden side rails (2) and (4), a wooden foot rail (6) extending upwards in the form of a decorative footboard (8), and a wooden head rail (10) extending upwards into a decorative headboard (12). Within these parts is a metal frame generally indicated as (14). The metal frame (14) has a first metal side rail (16) bolted to the inner face of the wooden side rail (2) and a second metal side rail (18) bolted to the inner face of the second wooden rail (4). The securement between the metal side rails (16, 18) and the wooden side rails (2, 4) is the only connection between the metal frame and the wooden surround.

There are four metal cross-rails (20) extending transversely between the metal side rails (16, 18). Each metal cross-rail is bolted underside of the undersides of the metal side rails, as can be seen particularly clearly in Fig. 3, at connection (22). It will be seen from Fig 1 that there are metal cross-rails adjacent to the head end of the bed, and to the foot end of the bed, and two further metal cross-rails at intermediate positions.

There is a metal central rail (24) which is between the metal side rails (16, 18), equidistant from them, parallel to them, and aligned with them along their entire length. The metal central rail is on top of each metal cross-rail and is bolted to each of them.

The metal rails are of box-section painted steel of 1.2 mm gauge, pre-drilled with the various holes which are needed for securement to other parts.

It will be seen that the head rail and foot rail have no direct connection to any part of the metal framework. The head rail and foot rail provide the four bed legs (26).

Technically those legs can be provided at the ends of the wooden side rails. The bed base could function without the headboard and footboard. However a headboard and footboard are desired by many customers for reasons of comfort or aesthetics.

It can be seen that the upper surfaces of the metal side rails and the metal central rail (16, 18, 24) are perforated, having pairs of holes (28) located at regular intervals. The person skilled in this art will recognise that these holes are provided for the mounting of sprung slats (30). This is a conventional arrangement and need not be further described.

Thus in the embodiment described a simple, relatively lightweight steel frame provides the strength of the bed base, but is clad in a more attractive wood surround.

The frame is mounted only to the respective wooden side rails on the bed base, and is sutficient to provide the necessary structural support. It can be seen that there is no central leg. The under-space of the bad base, being without this obstruction, is more suitable for storage purposes, and this potential source of damage on moving the bed is eliminated. Moreover there is no need to provide a very robust central rail between the foot rail and head rail.

Claims

BClaims 1. A double bed base having first and second side rails of wooden appearance, parallel to each other; a first metal rail fitted to the inner face of the first side rail of wooden appearance; a second metal rail fitted to the inner face of the second side rail of wooden appearance; at least two metal cross-rails, each metal cross-rail being connected between the metal side rails; and a metal central rail between and parallel to the side rails, and connected to the metal cross-rails.
2. A bed base as claimed in claim 1 wherein each metal cross rail is transverse to the metal side rails.
3. A bed base as claimed in claim 1 or 2, having at least three metal cross-rails.
4. A bed base as claimed in claim 3, having a first metal cross-rail extending transversely between the metal side rails at or adjacent to the head end of the metal LI') side rails; a second metal cross-rail extending between the metal side rails at or 0 adjacent to the foot end of the metal cross-rails; and a third metal cross-rail at a CO location spaced between the aforementioned first and second metal cross-rails.
5. A bed base as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the metal cross-rails are connected to the underside of the metal side rails and of the metal central rail; and wherein the metal side rails and metal central rail are adapted to receive mattress-supporting parts.
6. A bed base as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a head rail of wooden appearance is provided, at one end of the bed, the head rail being connected to the side rails of wooden appearance at said one end thereof; and not being connected to any of the metal rails.
7. A bed base as claimed in claim 6 wherein a foot rail of wooden appearance is provided, at the opposite end of the bed to the head rail, the foot rail being connected to the side rails of wooden appearance at said opposite end thereof; and not being connected to any of the metal rails; wherein the bed base comprises an exterior frame of wooden appearance, made up of the first and second side rails of wooden appearance and the head and foot rails of wooden appearance, and the said metal rails being carried by the first and second side rails of wooden appearance and not by the head rail or foot rail.
8. A method of constructing a bed base as defined in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first metal side rail is fitted to the first side rail of wooden appearance, the second metal side rail is fitted to the second side rail of wooden appearance, the metal cross-rails are then fitted between the respective metal side rails, and the longitudinal or central metal rail is then fitted.
9. A double bed base or a method of constructing a double bed base, substantially as herein described and defined with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. LtD Co r