US2570743A - Slat structure for beds and the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 9, 1951 E. H. ANDERSON 2,570,743

SLAT STRUCTURE FOR BEDS AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 9, 1945 2 SheetsSheet l WWW/ E. H. ANDERSON SLAT STRUCTURE FOR BEDS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 9, 1945 Patented Oct. 9, 1951 SLAT STRUCTURE FOR BEDS AND THE LIKE Ernest H. Anderson, Jamestown, N. Y.

Application January 9, 1945, Serial No. 571,975

' A 1 Claim. (Cl. 236) This invention relates to improvements in beds, couches and the like, and more particularly to the frame and slat structure thereof.

With the exception of periodic change in design and some improvement inthe means for fastening the side rails to the end members, the structure of beds has undergone little or no development. Today, as for a long period of time, beds consist principally of a pair of end members connected by side rails, the side rails having cleats on which to mount a number of spring supporting slats. Since the slats, for the most part, are merely laid in place on the cleats by way of loosely bridging the space between the side rails, they serve no other purpose than a loose support or mounting for a spring and mattress and, in particular, they do not provide any structural stability or rigidity for the bed frame. Of course, the

relatively loose fasteners or rail hooks commonly employed to secure end boards and rails lend little or no rigidity to the bed frame and allow it to twist out of its normal rectangular shape. In this type of structure, it is only after mounting a spring and mattress that the bed frame acquires any stability and will remain in nearly its normal rectangular shape.

. The present invention contemplates a structure that is applicable to any bed or couch frame; that is, any frame that comprises ends connected by side rails. More particularly, the invention serves both to rigidify a bed frame and constitute an adequate support for a spring and mattress. To this end the invention discloses a frame construction which consists of two or more slats rigidly connected by cross members. The slats are of a length sufficient to span thespace between the side rails of a given bed frame, and their ends are adapted to rest on or be located above the side rail cleats. Additionally, each frame includes means that is adjustable to an extent and in such a manner as to transmit rigidity of the frame to the bed frame. Furthermore, the invention discloses the use of one or more slat frames that are applicable to bed or couch frames in such a manner as to accommodate a spring and mattress in either of two positions of use.

The invention, therefore, has for its principal objects provision of convenient, inexpensive, removable structures for bed or couch frames which serve to rigidify the bed frame and properly support a spring and mattress in either of two positions of use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view of a bed frame in which is mounted a slat frame embodying one form of the invention;

application of a single frame fitted with a sufficient number of slats to provide full spring support;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing use of two frames by which to provide full spring support;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, partly in section, showing an adjustable member of the slat frame engaged with a cleat of one of the side rails;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 4, showing the adjustable member in inverted position to serve both to engage the rail cleat and cooperate with the slat ends to support the slat frame;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentar perspective view of a bed frame in which the slat frame of the invention occupies a raised position;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially as suggested by line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing a slat frame mounting bracket in position of use; and

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 8, showing the mounting bracket in another position of use. 7

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral I0 is employed to generally designate a conventional bed or couch frame. This frame includes the usual end boards I I that are permanently joined to posts I2. Side rails I3 are removably attached, in any conventional manner, to the posts I2, such, for example, as with common rail hooks (not shown). Each side rail I3 is provided, along its lower inside edge,

with a cleat I4. In common practice, a number.

of slats are merely set into the bed frame to bridge the space between rails I3, the slat ends spaced, parallel relationship by at least two mem- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing the bers I8 which are arranged at right angles to the slats and normally disposed lengthwise of the bed frame and in fairly close proximity with the cleats I4. Any suitable means may be used to permanently join slats I1 and members I8. Of course, the slat ends extend beyond the sides of the members in order that they may, when the slat frame is mounted, engage or overlie the cleats I4. It is to be particularly noted that each of the members I8 mounts, on its upper surface, a number of brackets I9. Each of these brackets. includes a flat body portion H in which a slot 22 is made. One end of this portion terminates in a rightangle flange 23. Suitable means, such as a bolt 24 and wing nut 26, may be employed to secure the bracket to the member 18 in such a manner that the bracket may be moved within the limits of the length of slot 22 in order that the flange 23, when the slat frame is mounted, may occupy a position of contact with the vertical edge of rail cleat l4 (see Figs. 4 and 5). A variation of use of the bracket 19 is shown in Fig. 6 wherein the bracket is inverted and, by reason of the length of slot 22, it may be moved to a position such that the flange 23 thereof abuts the side rail I3 and the body portion rests on the cleat M. the bracket, it serves a common purpose; namely, that of preventing relative lateral movement or displacement of the slat frame with respect to the bed frame.

It is evident from the foregoing description that any bed frame may be provided with the slat frame of the invention, and that following inserting the slat frame into the bed frame with the slat ends on cleats M, the brackets 59 may be moved to abut cleats M or rails l3 and so secured by turning down nuts 26. Thus the rigidity inherent in the slat frame is transmitted to the bed frame, preventing the bed frame from being twisted from its normal rectangular form. These brackets also serve to prevent any displacement of the slat frame other than in a direction of removal and, in consequence, a spring and mattress may be readily mounted thereon in proper relationship to the bed ends and side rails. A comparison of Figs. 2 and 3 suggests that the invention is applicable to a bed frame in one or more units. That is, in Fig. 2, four slats ll are permanently joined to members 18 that extend nearly the length of the bed, whereas in Fig. 3, two slat frames are provided, the members i8 being substantially half the length of the single frame member. Regardless of the, number of slat units, each unit includes it own set of at least four adjustable brackets and may be made to transmit its rigidity to the bed frame with which it is associated and be prevented from displacement.

Reference is now more particularly had to Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, in which is shown a modification of the invention. The bed frame and slat frame are identical with the structure previously described and corresponding parts thereof bear like reference numerals. It is the purpose of this modification to locate the slat frame in an elevated position in order that the top surface of slat ll may be substantially flush with the top edges of the side rails l3. It frequently occurs in display rooms and in use, that the mattress is positioned too low. More suitable display of the bed structure, spring, and mattress, or more convenient use of the bed might be made if the slats, spring, and mattress were to be elevated several inches. To this end, each of the slats is provided with a mounting bracket 21. The bracket includes a body portion 28 in which a longitudinally extending slot 29 is made. At one end the bracket terminates in a right angle flange 3!, and a small opening is formed in this flange. It is proposed to attach each mounting bracket to the under side of each slat in any suitable manner, as by a bolt and wing nut 32 and 33. The nut 33 preferably is located beneath the slat so that it will not interfere with locating the spring on top of the slat frame. In the showing of Figs. 8 and 9, the mounting bracket 27 is located in abutment with the entire vertical face of the rail l3, the lower end of the body portion 28 resting on the cleat l4. Should it be desired to permanently dispose the slat frame in this raised position, the mount- However, in both positions of use of 4 ing brackets need not be attached in the manner shown to the slat ends, but can be permanently joined to the side rail by projecting one or more wood screws through the slot 29; Thus, the slat frame would be removable from the bed frame and the mounting brackets 2'! would be permanently joined to the rails 13.

It will be noted that although the slat frame in this second modification is in an elevated position, the adjustable brackets I9 function in a manner already described. Each of these brackets is adjustable to a position in which the flange 23 abuts side rail 13, and thus the slat frame, even though elevated, serves to transmit its rigidity to the bed frame and will not be readily susceptible of displacement.

In Fig. 10, a variation of use of the mounting bracket is shown. Herein it is proposed to locate this bracket on top of the slat with the flange 3| engaging the outer vertical face of the rail 13. In this manner the top edge of the rail, rather than the cleat l4, carries the weight of the slat frame, spring, and mattress, and by adjusting the bracket I9, a clamping effect on the rail is produced.

Although applicant has shown and described two modifications of his invention and some variation in their application, it will be understood that other variations of use or modifications in the particular bracket structure may be made and are contemplated insofar as they are within the spirit and scope-of the invention as set out in the annexed claim.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

In a bed frame structure having connected end and side rails and cleats carried by and forming ledges on adjacent faces of said side rails; a slat frame comprising several parallel spaced apart slats disposed transversely of the direction of the length of said side rails, said slats being of such length that their ends overlie and rest upon the ledges formed by said cleats, members permanently joined to and serving to secure said slats in their spaced apart relationship, said members being disposed lengthwise of said bed frame structure and in near proximity with said cleats, brackets on said slat frame, flanges on said brackets, means mounting said brackets for adjustment in a direction to cause abutment of said flanges with the innerv faces of said cleats, said mounting means having parts operable to secure said bracket flanges against movement out of their position of abutment with said cleats, said flanges being of such proportions as to provide a suflicient area of contact with said cleats and transmit the rigidity of said slat frame to said bed frame.

ERNEST H. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 5,656 Hinckley July 5, 1848 676,652 Barker June 18, 1901 791,388 Whitaker May 30, 1905 1,209,175 Lathrop Dec. 19, 1916 1,600,524 Stackhouse Sept. 21, 1926 1,823,013 Wanz Sept. 15, 1931 1,958,088 Johnston May 8, 1934 2,226,172 Massacese Dec. 24, 1940

Images