US20220160137A1

US20220160137A1 - Bed legs

Info

Publication number: US20220160137A1
Application number: US17/528,252
Authority: US
Inventors: Wei Wang; Jian Xie; Yifan Mao
Original assignee: Nisco Co Ltd China
Current assignee: Nisco Co Ltd China
Priority date: 2020-11-20
Filing date: 2021-11-17
Publication date: 2022-05-26
Also published as: CN213640283U

Abstract

A bed leg for connecting to a bed frame includes one or more leg sections. Each of the one or more leg sections includes a central column having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a connecting bolt attached to the first end; and a decorative shell configured to detachably sleeve on the central column.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/118,161, filed Nov. 25, 2020, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
This application also claims priority to and benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 202022719245.3, filed Nov. 20, 2020, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a bed, and more particular to bed legs for a bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sleep is critical for people in every aspect of their lives. Beds are necessary furniture for people to sleep on. A bed generally includes a bed frame and a mattress placed on the bed frame. In order to meet different needs, electric beds and fixed and non-adjustable beds are available. With the improvement of the quality of life, people have higher requirements for the comfort of daily life products. Therefore, there are diversified requirements for various components of the existing beds. For example, different people may have different requirements for the height of a bed, the appearance of the bed, and even the appearance of the legs of the bed.
Thus, it is beneficial and desirable for people to have bed legs that are adjustable in the height, and changeable in appearance based on user's preference. In addition, it is also beneficial and desirable that the bed legs can be easily assembled to improve assembly efficiency and increase the user's assembly experience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention relates to a bed leg for connecting to a bed frame, comprising one or more leg sections. Each of the one or more leg sections comprises a central column having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a connecting bolt attached to the first end; and a decorative shell configured to detachably sleeve on the central column.
In one embodiment, the central column has a bolt hole formed in the second end.
In one embodiment, the one or more leg sections comprises two or more leg sections, wherein the connecting bolt of one central column of the two or more leg sections is fixedly received in the bolt hole of another central column of the two or more leg sections, thereby connecting said two or more leg sections.
In one embodiment, a length of each of the one or more leg sections is same.
In one embodiment, a length of each of the one or more leg sections is different.
In one embodiment, an outer diameter of the decorative shell of each of the two or more leg sections is same.
In one embodiment, an outer diameter of the decorative shell of each of the two or more leg sections is different.
In one embodiment, an outer diameter of the central column of each of the two or more leg sections is same.
In one embodiment, the central column comprises a hollow tubular structure, and has two covers respectively attached to the first and second ends of the central column, wherein the connecting bolt and the bolt hole are respectively arranged on the two covers.
In one embodiment, the decorative shell has an exterior shape in a form of a cylinder, a cylindrical cone, or a polygonal column.
In one embodiment, the decorative shell is formed in a single piece.
In one embodiment, the decorative shell is formed in multiple pieces, wherein the multiple pieces are configured to detachably attach to one or another.
In one embodiment, the decorative shell comprises a single-layer tubular structure.
In one embodiment, the decorative shell comprises a double-layer tubular structure having an inner layer and an outer layer, and has connecting ribs arranged between the inner and outer layers of the double-layer tubular structure.
In one embodiment, at least one of the decorative shell comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) for providing night light.
In one embodiment, the exterior surface of at least one of the decorative shell comprises patterns or drawings.
In one embodiment, the central column and the decorative shell are made of a same material or different materials.
In one embodiment, the central column is made of a metallic material.
In one embodiment, the decorative shell is made of a plastic material, or a wood material.
These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows schematically a perspective view of one leg section of the bed leg shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows schematically a perspective view of another leg section of the bed leg shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows schematically a perspective view of one central column of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows schematically another perspective view of the central column of the bed leg shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows schematically a rear view of the central column of the bed leg shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows schematically a perspective view of one decorative shell of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows schematically a front view of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows schematically perspective views of first and second central columns of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows schematically front views of first and second leg sections of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows schematically an assembly process of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 shows schematically another assembly process of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 shows schematically partially exploded views of first and second leg sections of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows schematically perspective views of the first and second leg sections of the bed leg shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows schematically a partially perspective view of a bed leg according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 shows schematically a perspective view of the bed leg shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows schematically a front perspective view of a bed having a plurality of bed legs mounted according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 shows schematically a rear perspective view of the bed having the plurality of bed legs shown in FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting and/or capital letters has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term are the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted and/or in capital letters. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting,” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” to another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below can be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or “top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation shown in the figures. For example, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on the “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of lower and upper, depending on the particular orientation of the figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprise(s)” and/or “comprising,” or “include(s)” and/or “including” or “has (have)” and/or “having” or “contain(s)” and/or “containing” when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
As used herein, “around,” “about,” “substantially” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the terms “around,” “about,” “substantially” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.
As used in this specification, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical OR. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in detail hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings. The description below is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention includes particular examples, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the invention.
The description will be made as to the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-18. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to bed legs for connecting with a bed frame with bolt holes.
Referring to FIGS. 1-12, a bed leg 100 is shown according to one embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the bed leg 100 comprises a first leg section 110 and a second leg section 120. The two leg sections 110 and 120 are connected to each other by connecting means such as, but is not limited to, connecting bolts and bolt holes. For example, the connecting bolt 122 of the central column 121 of the second leg section 120 is fixedly received in the bolt hole 114 of the central column 111 of the first leg section 110, thereby connecting the first and second leg sections 110 and 120, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10-12. It should be noted that the bed leg sections are selected according to customer needs to meet the height adjustment of the bed frame, and thus the bed leg can have one leg section, or three or more leg sections. Each of the multiple leg sections has the same size or a different size.
Each leg section 110/120 comprises a central column 111/121 and a decorative shell 116/126 configured to detachably sleeve on the central column 111/121, as shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 10.
In some embodiments, the central columns 111 and 121 of the first leg section 110 and the second leg section 120 are essentially same. In other embodiments, the central columns 111 and 121 of the first leg section 110 and the second leg section 120 are substantially same, except that the lengths of the central columns 111 and 121 may be different. In some embodiments, the outer diameter of each central column 111/121 is same. For the concise purposes of illustration and description, the following description of the central columns is particularly referred to the central column 111. It should be noted that such description is also suitable to the central column 121.
The central column 111 has a first end, an opposite, second end, a connecting bolt 112 attached to the first end, as shown in FIGS. 4-5. The central column 111 also has a bolt hole 114 formed in the second end, as shown in FIGS. 5-6. The central column 121 may also have a bolt hole formed in the second end, or may not have a bolt hole formed in the second end if the central column 121 is a central column of the very last leg section.
As shown in FIGS. 4-6, in some embodiments, the central column 111 comprises a hollow tubular structure, which can reduce the weight of the bed. The central column 111 has first and second covers 113 and 115 respectively attached to the first and second ends of the central column 111. The connecting bolt 113 and the bolt hole 114 are respectively arranged on the first and second covers 113 and 115. The central column 111 in some embodiments can be cut from a steel pipe. The covers 113 and 115 can be clamped in the cut steel pipe or welded onto the cut steel pipe. The covers 113 and 115 are arranged to facilitate fixing of the connecting bolt 2 and the setting bolt hole 61, which is convenient for the installation of the bed leg and the bed frame, and also for the connection of multiple leg sections.
In some embodiments, the decorative shells 116 and 126 of the first leg section 110 and the second leg section 120 are essentially same. In other embodiments, the decorative shells 116 and 126 of the first leg section 110 and the second leg section 120 are substantially same, except that the lengths and the outer diameters of the decorative shells 116 and 126 may be different. For the concise purposes of illustration and description, the following description of the central columns is particularly referred to the decorative shell 116. It should be noted that such description is also suitable to the decorative shell 126.
The decorative shells 116 and 126 can be designed to have an exterior shape in a form of a cylinder (or round column shapes, not shown), a cylindrical cone (or truncated cone shapes, FIGS. 1-3, 7 and 10), a polygonal column (prismatic shapes, FIGS. 13-16), or any desired curve shapes. In addition, the exterior surfaces of the decorative shells can include different patterns or drawings. Furthermore, at least one of the decorative shells may include lighting members such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) for providing night light.
In some embodiments for cylinder type decorative shells, an outer diameter of the decorative shell of each of the two leg sections 110 and 120 is same. In other embodiments for cylindrical cone type decorative shells shown in FIGS. 1-3, 7 and 10, an outer diameter of the decorative shell of each of the two leg sections 110 and 120 is different.
In some embodiments, the decorative shell 116 comprises a double-layer tubular structure having an inner layer 117 and an outer layer 118, and connecting ribs 119 arranged between the inner and outer layers 117 and 118 of the double-layer tubular structure, as shown in FIG. 7. The design of the double-layer structure can reduce the weight, and strengthen its stability through the connecting ribs 119. In this embodiment, the inner tubular sleeve layer 117 is tightly fitted with the central column 111, and the outer tubular sleeve layer 118 is used as a shape carrier. Different shapes, such as a cylinder, a cylindrical cone, or a polygonal column, can be designed.
In some embodiments, the decorative shell can also be a single-layer tubular sleeve structure, which is designed on the outer peripheral surface to realize different geometric shapes as a whole.
In some embodiments, the decorative shell is formed in a single piece, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 7-8 and 10-12.
The assembly and disassembly of the bed leg are very easy. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 11, one can place the first and second central columns 111 and 121 into the first and second decorative shells 116 and 126 to obtain the first and second leg sections 110 and 120, respectively, and then connect the first and second leg sections 110 and 120 by tightening/screwing the connecting bolt of the second central column 121 of the second leg section 120 into the bolt hole of the first central column 111 of the first leg section 110 to have the bed leg 100 assembled. Reversed procedures lead to disassemble the bed leg 100. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, one can screw the connecting bolt of the second central column 121 of the second leg section 120 into the bolt hole of the first central column 111 of the first leg section 110, and then sleeve the first and second decorative shells 116 and 126 on the first and second central columns 111 and 121 to have the bed leg 100 assembled. Reversed procedures lead to disassemble the bed leg 100.
Referring to FIGS. 13-16, a bed leg 200 is shown according to another embodiment of the invention. The beg leg 200 is substantially same as the bed leg 100 shown in FIGS. 1-12, except that each decorative shell 216/226 is formed in a shape of polygonal columns with multiple pieces, e.g., two pieces 216 a/226 a and 216 b/226 b. In this exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-16, the polygonal column is a square column or a slanted square column. In other embodiments, the polygonal column is a pentagonal column, or a hexagonal column, and so on.
In one embodiment, at least one (e.g., the decorative shell 216) of the decorative shells 216 and 226 includes a lighting member 219 such as LEDs for providing night light, as shown in FIG. 14. Also referring to FIG. 14, at least one (e.g., the decorative shell 226) of the decorative shells 216 and 226 may also include a pattern 218, or drawings.
The multiple pieces 216 a/226 a and 216 b/226 b are configured to detachably attach to one or another by mate-female connecting means or the likes. Such design of the decorative shells makes a user to replace or change the appearance of the bed legs of the bed even much easier.
Similarly, the assembly and disassembly of the bed leg according to this embodiment are also very easy. In one embodiment as shown in FIGS. 13-14, one can attach the first and second pieces 216 a and 216 b of the first decorative shell 216 to the first central column 111 to assemble the first leg section 210, and the first and second pieces 226 a and 226 b of the second decorative shell 226 to the second central column 121 to assemble the second leg section 220, respectively, and then connect the first and second leg sections 210 and 220 by tightening/screwing the connecting bolt of the second central column 121 of the second leg section 220 into the bolt hole of the first central column 111 of the first leg section 210 to have the bed leg 200 assembled. Reversed procedures lead to disassemble the bed leg 200. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 15-16, one can screw the connecting bolt of the second central column 121 of the second leg section 220 into the bolt hole of the first central column 111 of the first leg section 210, and then attach the first and second pieces 216 a and 216 b of the first decorative shell 216 to the first central column 111, and the first and second pieces 226 a and 226 b of the second decorative shell 226 to the second central column 121 to have the bed leg 200 assembled. Reversed procedures lead to disassemble the bed leg 200.
In some embodiments, the central column and the decorative shell are made of a same material or different materials. In some embodiments, the central column is made of a metallic material, e.g., aluminum, steel, or an alloy. In some embodiments, the decorative shell is made of a plastic material, or a wood material.
As shown in FIGS. 17-18, the bed legs (e.g., legs 100) can be easily installed on the bed (e.g., bed frame 101 with bolt holes) by simply tightening/screwing the connecting bolt of the first central column of the first leg section of each bed legs into a corresponding bolt hole, or detached the bed legs 100 from the bed by the reverse procedure.
According to the invention, the bed legs have the decorative shells designed in desired shapes and even with different patterns that can meet the different needs of different customers for external shapes, which can be of truncated cone, prismatic or other curved shapes, thereby bringing customers different aesthetic experience. In addition, when assembling, only need is to tighten the connecting bolt 2 with the bed frame. The height of the bed legs can be selected according to the needs, which can be one leg segment/section, or two or more leg segments/sections.
The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bed leg for connecting to a bed frame, comprising: one or more leg sections, wherein each of the one or more leg sections comprises:

a central column having a first end, an opposite, second end, and a connecting bolt attached to the first end; and

a decorative shell configured to detachably sleeve on the central column.

2. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the central column has a bolt hole formed in the second end.

3. The bed leg of claim 2, wherein the one or more leg sections comprises two or more leg sections, wherein the connecting bolt of one central column of the two or more leg sections is fixedly received in the bolt hole of another central column of the two or more leg sections, thereby connecting said two or more leg sections.

4. The bed leg of claim 3, wherein a length of each of the one or more leg sections is same.

5. The bed leg of claim 3, wherein a length of each of the one or more leg sections is different.

6. The bed leg of claim 3, wherein an outer diameter of the decorative shell of each of the two or more leg sections is same.

7. The bed leg of claim 3, wherein an outer diameter of the decorative shell of each of the two or more leg sections is different.

8. The bed leg of claim 3, wherein an outer diameter of the central column of each of the two or more leg sections is same.

9. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the central column comprises a hollow tubular structure, and has two covers respectively attached to the first and second ends of the central column, wherein the connecting bolt and the bolt hole are respectively arranged on the two covers.

10. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the decorative shell has an exterior shape in a form of a cylinder, a cylindrical cone, or a polygonal column.

11. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the decorative shell is formed in a single piece.

12. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the decorative shell is formed in multiple pieces, wherein the multiple pieces are configured to detachably attach to one or another.

13. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the decorative shell comprises a single-layer tubular structure.

14. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the decorative shell comprises a double-layer tubular structure having an inner layer and an outer layer, and has connecting ribs arranged between the inner and outer layers of the double-layer tubular structure.

15. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein at least one of the decorative shells comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) for providing night light.

16. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of at least one of the decorative shells comprises patterns or drawings.

17. The bed leg of claim 1, wherein the central column and the decorative shell are made of a same material or different materials.

18. The bed leg of claim 17, wherein the central column is made of a metallic material.

19. The bed leg of claim 17, wherein the decorative shell is made of a plastic material, or a wood material.