GB2585233A

GB2585233A - Kit configured to be assembled into a bed frame

Info

Publication number: GB2585233A
Application number: GB1909648.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Boulton Gary; Twist Ian; Blackmore Danny
Original assignee: Silentnight Group Ltd
Current assignee: Silentnight Group Ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-04
Filing date: 2019-07-04
Publication date: 2021-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-04
Also published as: GB2585233B; GB201909648D0

Abstract

A kit configured to be assembled into a bed frame, the kit comprising two section 1a, 1b configured to form a base, where each section 1a, 1b may be no more than half the length of the assembled bed frame, and three supports 2, 3a, 3b configured to support the base which may span a width of the base and may have a height of a third or less of the length of one of the sections. One support 2 is configured to connect ends of sections 1a, 1b to each and the remaining two supports 3a, 3b are configured to connect to ends of the base. The kit may have a headboard configured to be connected to an end of the base and a removable trim. The kit could be flatpack. The size of the sections is so that the disassembled kit can be fitted into a regular car boot for transportation.

Description

KIT CONFIGURED TO BE ASSEMBLED INTO A BED FRAME

Field of the Invention

The invention concerns a kit configured to be assembled into a bed frame and a method of constructing a bed frame from the kit.

Background to the Invention

A common problem consumers are faced with following the purchase of a bed, which includes at least a bed frame and a mattress, is how best to transport the bed from the store where it was purchased to their home. Though transporting the bed in their own vehicle is often the cheapest means of doing so, a bed, in particular its bed frame, is too large to be transported by a car. While there are now mattresses available that can be rolled up, allowing them to be transported by car, there is no bed frame for which this means of transportation is yet possible. For example, a typically sized divan bed frame of approximately 2 metres in length and of a height of several tens of centimetres does not fit into the boot of a car. Even though some divan bed frames are available comprising two units that are fitted together to form the bed frame, these units are still too large to be transported in the boot of a car. Therefore, the expectation of consumers is that their chosen bed will be delivered to their residence by a lorry or the like. Moreover, once the bed frame has arrived at the home, in many cases it is difficult to manoeuvre bed frames up staircases to bedrooms.

Though some bed frames consist of multiple components which require assembly, which can make them easier to transport than beds which cannot be assembled from component parts, often at least one of these parts has a length equivalent to the length of the bed (i.e. approximately 2 metres). For example, the base (sometimes termed the foundation) of a bed frame may be constructed from two component parts whose lengths are equivalent to the length of the bed and two component parts whose lengths are equivalent to the width of the bed. As a result, even bed frames which consist of component parts to be assembled are difficult to transport in a regularly sized car because of the length of some component parts. Difficulties can also be experienced by the consumer as a result of having to assemble many component parts.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a bed frame that can be easily transported that, for example, can fit into the boot of a car and does not require assembly of many component parts. Providing such a bed frame with a roll up mattress would enable the transportation of an entire bed by car, reducing cost and increasing convenience for users.

It is an aim of example embodiments of the present invention to address one or more problems associated with traditional bedframes, whether identified herein, or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, there is provided a kit configured to be assembled into a bed frame, the kit comprising two sections configured to form a base, wherein each section is no more than half a length of the assembled bed frame; and three supports configured to support the base, wherein one support is configured to connect ends of different sections to each other, and two supports are configured to connect to ends of the base.

In one example, each section is less than half the length of the assembled bed frame.

In one example, the supports are configured to span a width of the base.

In one example, the support configured to connect ends of different sections to each other and the sections form a flat surface when connected, the flat surface comprising the support configured to connect ends of different sections to each other and the sections.

In one example, one or more of the supports and the sections form a flat surface when connected, the flat surface comprising the one more supports and the sections.

In one example, the sections are of equal length.

In one example, a height of each support is a third or less of the length of one of the sections.

In one example, the kit further comprises a headboard configured to be connected to an end of the base.

In one example, the kit further comprises a trim configured to be attached to the base.

In one example, the trim is removable.

In one example, the kit is a flat pack.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of constructing a bed frame, comprising assembling the kit.

Brief Introduction to the Figures

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a bed frame assembled from a kit according to an example embodiment; Figure 2 shows the underside of the bed frame of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the bed frame of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows alternative positions of supports of the bed frame according to example embodiments; and Figure 5 shows a method of assembling the bed frame of Figure 1.

Description of Example Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a bed frame assembled from a kit according to an example embodiment. The bed frame shown in Figure 1 comprises five components: two sections la, lb which form the base, which is for supporting a mattress, of the bed frame and three supports 2, 3a, 3b which support the base and elevate the base above the surface on which the bed frame is located. The components may comprise any light-weight material strong enough to support the weight of at least a mattress and person or persons. For example, the components may comprise wood, metal or plastic. The small number of components means that the bed frame is straightforward to assemble.

The base of the bed formed from the two sections la, lb is a structure for supporting a mattress. Each of the sections la, lb shown in Figure 1 has a length less than half the length of the assembled bed frame, and the dimensions of the two sections la, 1 b are the same. As shown in Figure 2, the sections la, lb may incorporate support-parts 4a, 4b, 4c on their undersides (i.e. the face of the sections la, lb opposite the face to be in contact with the mattress) for improved strength of the sections. Some support-parts 4a in Figure 2 span the length of a section 1 a, 1 b of the bed frame, being spaced at regular intervals, and some support-parts 4b in Figure 2 perpendicularly connect those support-parts 4a that span the width of the bed frame. Other support-parts 4c may be located in the corner of each section 1 a, 1 b.

As the base of the bed frame comprises two sections la, 1 b, the base is more easily fitted into, for example, the boot of a car and can be more easily transported along with the other components of the bed frame. Being the dimension of a bed frame of greatest magnitude regardless of the type of bed (i.e. whether a single, double, king-sized, etc.), easy transportation of the bed frame is linked to reducing the length of components which form the base.

Each support 2, 3a, 3b, as most easily seen in Figure 2, is a frame constructed from two sub-frames that each comprise long slats 5a, whose lengths are equal to the width of the base, connected by short slats 5b at each end so that each sub-frame is rectangular. The sub-frames are connected to form a support by a series a sub-frame-supports 5c. The sub-framesupports are sandwiched by each of the sub-frames. The sub-frame-supports 5c are perpendicular to the long slats 5a of both sub-frames and simultaneously connect the long slats 5a of the same sub-frame and the long slat 5a of one sub frame with the long slat 5a of another sub-frame. The sub-frame-supports 5c are spaced at regular intervals along the long slats 5a. The number of sub-frame-supports 5c can influence the strength of the supports 2, 3a, 3b. The exact structure of the supports 2, 3a, 3b is not important. For example, the supports 2, 3a, 3b may be panels.

Figure 2 shows the sections connected to the supports 2, 3a, 3b by bolts 6. The supports 2, 3a, 3b may be connected to the sections 1 a, lb of the base with any type a connector. The supports 2, 3a, 3b may comprise support attachment formations (not shown) and the sections of the base may comprise section attachment formation which are complementary in shape to the support attachment formations, meaning that the supports 2, 3a, 3b may be connected to the sections 1 a, 1 b without the need for tools or at least specialised tools. For example, the supports 2, 3a, 3b and the sections la, 1b may respectively comprise a mortise hole and a tenon tongue, such that they can be connected with a mortise and tenon joint.

The outward-facing faces 5d (see Figure 3) of the long slats 5a of one of the supports 2, 3a, 3b, herein termed the first support 2, are connected to respective sections la, 1 b of the base.

One connector, such as a bolt 6, may be used to connect both sections la, 1b to the first support 2, or each section la, 1 b may be connected to the first support 2 with a separate bolt 6. In Figures 1 and 2, the first support 2 is connected to the sections la, lb via one side face 7 (see Figure 3) of the width of each section 1 a, 1 b. The other two supports 3a, 3b are connected to either end of the bed frame: in the case of each of the other two supports 3a, 3b, one of the outward-facing faces 5d of the long slats 5a is connected to the side face of the width of the section la, 1 b not connected to the first support 2. By connecting the supports 2, 3a, 3b to the sections 1 a, 1 b in this manner, the top face 5e (see Figure 3) of each support 2, 3a, 3b forms a flat surface with the sections la, lb of the base on which a mattress can be placed, the supports 2, 3a, 3b each running the width of the base.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the bed frame of Figure 1 and further illustrates the configuration of the bed frame. Figure 3 may be regarded as showing the kit according to an

example embodiment.

Figure 4A is a simplified figure showing the bed frame of Figures 1, 2 and 3. As already described in relation to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in Figure 4A the two sections la, lb are connected by the first support 2 and the other supports 3a, 3b are connected to either end of the bed frame, whereby these five components la, 1b, 2, 3a, 3b form a continuous flat surface on which a mattress can be placed. In Figure 4A, both the sections la, 1 b are less than half the length of the bed frame.

In an alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 4B, the supports 2, 3a, 3b are connected to the sections la, lb via a connection between the top face 5e of the supports 2, 3a, 3b and the underside of the sections la, 1 b, whereby a flat surface is formed comprising the two sections la, 1 b. In Figure 4B, both the sections la, lb are half the length of the bed frame.

In another alternative embodiment some of the supports 2, 3a, 3b may be connected to the sections la, 1b as shown in Figure 4A and others as shown in Figure 4B. For example, the first support 2 may be connected as is shown in Figure 4A and the other two supports 3a, 3b may be connected as is shown in Figure 4B.

An advantage of the embodiment shown in Figure 4A over the embodiment shown in Figure 4B is that the length of each section 1 a, lb is shorter. However, the embodiment of Figure 4B has the advantage that the weight of the base is borne by the supports 1, 3a, 3b rather than the joint between the supports 2, 3a, 3b and the sections la, 1 b.

The height of each of the supports 2, 3a, 3b may be a third of less of the length of one of the sections la, 1 b. Consequently, when stacked on top of one another the total aggregate height of the supports 2, 3a, 3b is no more than the length of a section 1 a, 1 b. Maintaining this ratio between the dimensions of the sections la, lb and the dimensions of the supports 2, 3a, 3b means that the kit comprising the two sections la, lb and the three supports 2, 3a, 3b can be arranged in a flat pack of three layers, two layers respectively corresponding to a section la, 1 b of the bed frame and a third layer corresponding to the three supports 2, 3a, 3b arranged in parallel. The kit, is, therefore, provided to the consumer in a highly compact arrangement, such as a flat pack kit, and is easily transportable.

The kit may include a headboard. The headboard is configured to be attached to the base and/or supports 2, 3a, 3b. For example, the headboard may be configured to be attached to one of the two supports 3a, 3b at the end of the base.

The kit may include a trim which can be attached to the base and/or the supports 2, 3a, 3b.

The trim may be configured to be removed and reattached to the base and/or supports 3a, 3b, thereby allowing the appearance of the bed to be changed or refreshed. For example, the trim may be a sock configured to cover one or more of the supports 2, 3a, 3b. The trim may be attached to the base and/or the supports with velcro, hooks or clips. The trim could be used to screen items stored under the bed and may be decorative. The trim may be made of fabric, for example. In one example, the kit may include different trims for attaching to different supports 3a, 3b. For instance, typically one end of a bed frame is positioned against a wall and is not visible (hidden) to people in the room in which the bed is located, whereas the other end of the bed frame is visible to people in the room. Therefore, in the case of the present application, before the trim is attached, only one of the supports 3a, 3b may typically be visible, whereas the other support 3a, 3b is hidden. Consequently, a trim different to a trim provided to be attached to the hidden support 3a, 3b may be provided in the kit to be attached to the visible support 3a, 3b. The trim to be attached to the visible support 3a, 3b may be upholstered, include a flap or comprise decorative patterns or other decorative features, such as tassels.

The trim to be attached to the hidden support 3a, 3b may be a neutral colour, for example.

Different trims may be provided in the kit to be attached to different parts of the base of the bed frame.

The kit may include wheels, stands or feet that can be attached to the bottom of the supports 2, 3a, 3b, enabling the assembled bed to be moved easily.

A method of constructing a bed frame from the kit comprises, assembling the kit. The method is shown in Figure 5, which includes the step of assembling the kit (Si) The kit may further include basic tools, such as a hex key, for assembling the components of the bed frame.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A kit configured to be assembled into a bed frame, the kit comprising: two sections configured to form a base, wherein each section is no more than half a length of the assembled bed frame; and three supports configured to support the base, wherein one support is configured to connect ends of different sections to each other, and two supports are configured to connect to ends of the base.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein each section is less than half the length of the assembled bed frame.
3. The kit of claim 1 or 2, wherein the supports are configured to span a width of the base.
4. The kit of any one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the support configured to connect ends of different sections to each other and the sections form a flat surface when connected, the flat surface comprising the support configured to connect ends of different sections to each other and the sections.
5. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or more of the supports and the sections form a flat surface when connected, the flat surface comprising the one more supports and the sections.
6. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sections are of equal length.
7. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a height of each support is a third or less of the length of one of the sections.
8. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a headboard configured to be connected to an end of the base.
9. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a trim configured to be attached to the base.
10. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the trim is removable.
11. The kit of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the kit is a flat pack.
12. A method of constructing a bed frame, comprising assembling the kit of any one of claims 1 to 11.