US2880448A

US2880448A - Adjustable frame support

Info

Publication number: US2880448A
Application number: US649214A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maguire John
Original assignee: DUO BED CORP
Current assignee: DUO BED CORP
Priority date: 1957-03-28
Filing date: 1957-03-28
Publication date: 1959-04-07
Anticipated expiration: 1976-04-07

Description

April?, 1959 K .LMAGIRE l 2,880,448

ADJUSTABLE FRAME SUPPORT Filed March 28, 1957 United States Patent O ADJUSTABLE FRAME SUPPORT John Maguire, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Duo-Bed Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application March 28, 1957, Serial No. 649,214

4 Claims. (Cl. 16-19) This invention relates to an adjustable frame support which is particularly adapted for beds and sofa beds.

It is well known that a conventionally formed mattress will pack to a certain degree through use and its thickness will accordingly diminish over a period of time. If such a mattress is used as part of a sofa bed, the height of the sofa bed with respect to the floor will come to be less than that originally provided and desired by the manufacturer. This causes the sofa bed to become less comfortable for persons seated upon it.

Another diiculty which arises is an undesirable variation in the height of the sofa bed seat with respect to tables, holsters, storage compartments and similar related equipment which is attached to or associated with the sofa bed in use.

It is an object of my invention to overcome these di'liculties through the provision of an adjustable frame support. It is more particularly an object of my invention to provide a frame support which is easily and manually adjustable to increase or 4decrease the height of the bed frame with respect to the floor. This adjustment in turn increases or decreases the height of the sofa bed seat with respect to the floor and also with respect to the related articles of furniture and equipment.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such a device which is simple and economic to manufacture and install and which is easy and substantially fool proof to use. It is among the further objects of my invention to provide such a device which can be adjusted while the sofa bed is fully assembled and which requires no disassembly of the sofa bed or frame and which requires no tools or equipment of any kind for its adjustment.

It is another object of my invention to provide such a frame support which is adapted to facilitate the pivotal movement of a bed or sofa bed along an arcuate path. My frame support is particularly adapted to provide such movement along a iixed path without resulting in excess wear or damage to the carpet across which the bed is moved.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective view of my adjustable framesupport mounted on the under portionof a bed frame;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational View of my frame support, with the rods in the top set of grooves;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the same, with the rods in the top set of grooves;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the same, with the rods in the bottom set of grooves; v

Fig. 5 is an end view of the opposite end plate alone.

A preferred embodiment which has been selected to 2,880,448 Patented Apr. 7, 1959 illustrate my invention comprises a support member which is adapted to be used in connection with a substantially oblong bed frame 10, which is customarily formed of angle irons. My support member includes a at top plate 11a, which is adapted to be welded, bolted or otherwise suitably attached to the under portion of the frame 10.

Formed integrally with the top plate 11a and depending downwardly at a right angle from the opposite ends thereof are a pair of end plates 11 and 12. The lower portions of the end plates 11 and 12 are provided with centrally disposed upwardly directed substantially U-shaped cutaway portions. 13 and 14, respectively.

The end plate 11 iscutaway on one side thereof to form a plurality of .

spaced grooves

15, 16, 17 and 18, which are separated by

intermediate lands

19, 20 and 21. All of the grooves open intov a passage 22, one side of which extends along 'thcgrooves and lands and the other side 'of which comprises a diagonal line extending substantially parallel to the side edge of the end plate 11.

The end plate 11 is cut away on its opposite side to form a plurality of similar

spaced grooves

23, 24, 25 and 26, which are directed oppositely from and are aligned with the grooves 15-18. The grooves 23-26 are separated by lands 27, 28 and 29.` The grooves 23-26 open into a passage 30, one side of which connects with the grooves while the opposite side extends diagonally and substantially parallel to the opposite side edge of the end plate 11.

The opposite end plate 12 is provided at one side thereof with similar grooves 31-34 separated by lands 35-37 and joined by a passage 38. The other side of the end plate 12 has oppositely vdirected grooves 39-42 separated by lands 43-45 and joined by a pasasge 46. All of the grooves in the end plate 11 are aligned with the corresponding grooves in the end plate 12.

A pair of elongated rods 50 and 51 extend between the end plates 11 and 12 beneath and substantially parallel to the top plate 11a and to each other. The rods 50 and 51 are substantially circular in cross section and the portions adjacent the opposite ends thereof are adapted to t within the grooves described above. The rod 50 extends between one set of grooves in end plate 11 and the corresponding set of grooves in end plate 12. The other rod 51 extends between the other set of grooves in end plate 11 and the corresponding set of grooves in end plate 12. The rods 50 and S1 are always positioned so that they lie in the same horizontal plane.

One end of the rod 50 extends beyond the end plate 11 and through a circular opening adjacent one end of an arm 52 which is disposed adjacent the end plate 11. The corresponding end of the rod 51 extends beyond the end plate 11 and through a circular opening adjacent one end of another similarly formed arm 53 which is directly adjacent to the arm 52. The opposite ends of the

arms

52 and 53 cross and are provided with aligned openings through which extends one end of an axle S5. An elongated oor engaging roller 56 is rotatably mounted on the axle 55. The yroller 56 is preferably formed of hard rubber and is substantially frusta-conical in shape, having a considerably larger diameter adjacent one end of the axle 55, than adjacent the opposite end.

One end of a hairpin spring 57 extends through an opening in the end of rod 50 beyond arm 52. The midportion of the spring 57 extends through an opening n the end of the axle S5 beyond the

armsl

52 and 53. The opposite end of the spring 57 extends through an opening in the end of rod 51 beyond arm 53. The spring 57 exerts pressure normally urging the rods 50 and 51 outwardly into the above described grooves in end plates 11 and 12 and away from the passages. Suitable washers, bearings and the like which are conventional in their structure and purpose may also be provided, the description ice of such means beingl omitted since they lie within the ordinary skill of the art.

The opposite ends of the rods 50 and 51 extend beyond the end plate 12 and are connected to one end of similariy formed

arms

58 and 59,' the opposite ends of which are connected to the opposite end of the axle 55. A hairpin spring 60 is connected to the ends of the rods 50 and 51 and the end of the axle 55.A The spring 60 normally urges the rods 50 and 51 into the grooves in the end plate 12.

In use, the ends of the rods 50 and 51 are adapted to fit within any of the four spaced sets of grooves in the end plates 11 and 12 in order to adjust the height of the roller 56 to any of four distances from the top plate 11a. The springs 57 and 60 normally hold the rods 50 and 51 within any set of grooves in which they are placed. Movement of the rods 50 and 51 from one set of grooves to another is accomplished by exerting manual pressure on the rods 50 and 51 to move them simultaneously toward each other against the pressure of the springs 57 and 60. This pressure is continued until the rods 50 and 51 move out of the grooves and into the passages, where they engage the diagonal side walls of the passage. The rods 50 and 51 can then be moved smoothly along the passages until they are disposed adjacent the desired set of grooves. The manual pressure is then released and the springs 57 and 60 urge the ends of the rods 50 and 5l into the grooves.

When the rods 50 and 51 are moved to their uppermost position, the ends of the axle 55 fit within the cutaway portions 13 and 14 of the end plates 11 and 12 to permit upward movement of the roller 56 even beyond the bottom edge of the end plates 11 and 12.

Because the roller 56 is fru'sto-conical in shape, it is particularly adapted for use in facilitating the pivotal movement of sofa bed frames along a fixed arcuate path with a minimum amount of friction and resulting carpet wear. In such uses, four rollers are mounted adjacent the corners of the frame and oriented so that the axes yare pointed toward the axis of rotation. The degree of frusto-conicality of the rollers is preferably commensurate to the distance of the rollers from the axis of rotation. My adjustable frame support is particularly designed and adapted for use with an elongated roller of such type and provides the added benefit of height adjustability of the frame with respect to the oor.

I claim:

l. An adjustable support, said support comprising a top plate, a first end plate depending downwardly from one end of said top plate, a second end plate depending downwardly from the other end of said top plate, said first end plate having a first row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a first passage extending along the inner edge of said Vfirst row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said first end plate having a second row of vertically spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a second passage extending along the inner edge of said second row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, the grooves in said second row being substantially aligned vertically with the grooves in said rst row, said second end plate having a third row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a third passage extending along the inner edgek of said third row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said second end plate having a fourth row of vertically spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a fourth passage extending along the inner edge of said 'fourth row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, a first elongated horizontal. rod extending between and through said first and second end plates, one end of said first rod being disposed within one of the grooves in vsaid first row and the other end of said first rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said third row, a second elongated horizontal rod extending between and through said first and second end plates, one end of said second rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said second row and the other end of said seco-nd rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said fourth row, a first pair of arms disposed adjacent the outer end of said first end plate, one end of one of said first pair of arms being attached to one end of said first rod, one end of the other of said first pair of arms being attached to one end of said second rod, a second pair of arms disposed adjacent the outer end of said second end plate, one end of one of said second pair of arms being attached to the other end of said first rod, one end of the other of said second pair of arms being attached to the other end of said second rod, a horizontal axle extending between and beyond said end plates, one end of said axle being secured to the other ends of said first pair of arms and the other end of said axle being secured to the other ends of said second pair of arms, an elongated floor engaging roller rotatably mounted on said axle, spring means extending between each end of said axle and the adjacent ends of said rods adjacent each `of said pair of arms, said spring means normally urging said rods outwardly with respect to each other to hold the end portions of said rods within said grooves, said rods upon the exertion of manual pressure thereon urging said rods toward each other being movable against the urging of said spring means to move said rods substantially simultaneously out of said grooves and into said passages, whereby said rods may be moved along said passages until they are aligned with any of the grooves in said rows, said spring means upon the release of said rods urging their end portions back into said grooves, the movement of said rods from one set of grooves to another adjusting the height provided by said support with respect to the floor.

2. An adjustable support, said support comprising a top plate, a first end plate depending downwardly from one end of said top plate, a second end plate depending downwardly from the other end of said top plate, said first end plate having a first row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a first passage extending along the inner edge of said first row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said first end plate having a second row of vertical-ly spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a second passage extending along the inner edge of said second row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, the grooves in said second row being substantially aligned vertically with the grooves in said first row, said second end plate having a third row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a third passage extending along the inner edge of said third row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said second end plate having a fourth row of vertically spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a fourth passage extending along the inner edge of said fourth row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, a first elongated horizontal rod extending between and through said first and second end plates, one end of said first rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said first row and the other end of said first rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said third row, a second elongated horizontal rod extending between and through said first and second end plates, one end of said second rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said second row and the other end of said second rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said fourth row, a horizontal axle extending between and beyond said end plates, one end of said axle being connected to one end of each of said first and second rods, the other end of said axle being connected to the other end of each of said first and second rods, an elongated floor engaging roller rotatably mounted on said axle, spring means extending between each end of said axle and the adjacent ends of said rods, said spring means normally urging said rods outwardly with respect to each `other to hold the end portions of said rods within said grooves, said rods upon the exertion of manual pressure thereon urging said rods toward each other being movable against the urging of said spring means to move said rods substantially simultaneously out of said grooves and into said passages, whereby said rods may be moved along said passages until they are aligned with any of the grooves in said rows, said spring means upon the release of said rods urging their end portions back into said grooves, the :movement of said rods from one set of grooves to another adjusting the height provided by said support with respect to the oor.

3. An adjustable support, said support comprising a top plate, a first end plate depending downwardly from one end of said top plate, a second end plate depending downwardly from the other end of said top plate, said rst end plate having a first row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a first passage extending along the inner edge of said first row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said first end plate having a second row of vertically spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a second passage extending along the inner edge of said second row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, the grooves in said second row being substantially aligned vertically with the grooves in said first row, said second end plate having a third row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a third passage extending along the inner edge of said third row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said second end plate having a fourth row of vertically spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a fourth passage extending along the inner edge of said fourth row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, a irst elongated horizontal rod extending between and through said rst and second end plates, one end of said first rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said first row and the other end of said irst rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said third row, a second elongated horizontal rod extending between and through said first and second end plates, one end of said second rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said second row and the other end of said second rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said fourth row, a horizontal axle extending between and beyond said end plates, said axle being connected to each of said rods, an elongated floor engaging roller rotatably mounted on said axle, spring means engaging each of said rods normally urging said rods outwardly with respect to each other to hold the end portions of said rods within said grooves, said rods upon the exertion of manual pressure thereon urging said rods toward each other being movable against the urging of said spring means to move said rods substantially simultaneously out of said grooves and into said passages, whereby said rods may be moved along said passages until they are aligned with any of the grooves in said rows, said spring means upon the release of said rods urging their end portions back into said grooves, the movement of said rods from one set of grooves to another adjusting the height provided by said support with respect to the door.

4. An adjustable support, said support comprising a top plate, a first end plate depending downwardly from one end of said top plate, a second end plate depending downwardly from the other end of said top plate, said first end plate having a first row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a irst passage extending along one edge of said first row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said first end plate having a second row of vertically spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a second passage extending along one edge of said second row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, the grooves in said second row being substantially aligned vertically with the grooves in said rst row, said second end plate having a third row of vertically spaced grooves in one side thereof, a third passage extending along one edge of said third row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, said second end plate having a fourth row of vertically spaced grooves in the opposite side thereof, a fourth passage extending along one edge of said fourth row and connecting all of the grooves in said row, a lirst elongated horizontal rod extending between and through said first and second end plates, one end of said first rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said Iirst row and the other end of said first rod being disposed Within one of the grooves in said third row, a second elongated horizontal rod extending between and through said first and second end plates, one end of said second rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said second row and the other end of said second rod being disposed within one of the grooves in said fourth row, a horizontal axle extending between and beyond said end plates, said axle being connected to each of said rods, an elongated floor engaging roller rotatably mounted on said axle, spring means engaging each of said rods normally urging said rods to hold the end portions of said rods within said grooves, said rods upon the exertion of manual pressure thereon being movable against the urging of said spring means to move said rods substantially simultaneously out of said grooves and into said passages, whereby said rods may be moved along said passages until they are aligned with any of the grooves in said rows, said spring means upon the release of said rods urging their end portions back into said grooves, the movement of said rods from one set of grooves to another adjusting the height provided by said support with respect to the oor.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,342,500 Finch June 8, 1920 1,482,956 Tideman Feb. 5, 1924 1,860,103 Kusterle May 24, 1932 2,774,986 Moorehouse Dec. 25, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 459,767 Canada Sept. 20, 1949 874,910 France Aug. 31, 1942 1,016,887 France Nov. 25, 1953