US3451073A - Box spring bed assembly - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1969 Z M, SURLETT ET AL 3,451,073

BOX SPRING BED ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 11, 1967 sheet of 2 INVENTORS z. M. SURLETTA ET AL 3,451,073

` Box SPRING BED ASSEMBLY June 24, 19694 eff m .f .f 5 m im www 2 @y M w02/ m @MZ im 9M@ @3M m6 g f@ m ,w/ 1, J WWF@ wfxw WQ i United States Patent O U.S. Cl. -230 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bed assembly including; side members, end members, corner pieces interconnecting the side and end members, a plurality of cross members connected between the side members by a flange and groove arrangement, the cross members being shaped to retain a plurality of springs.

This invention relates to a bed Iassembly and, more specifically, to a bed assembly utilizing a novel box spring.

Bed assemblies known in the prior art typically utilize head and foot boards having legs for engaging the oor and include side rails which interconnect the head and foot boards. Wood slats normally rest upon and extend between the side rails for supporting a box spring. Other bed assemblies include al metal support frame having legs attached directly thereto for support on the iloor with slats extending between the lside rails of the frame for supporting a box spring. In the latter assemblies, head and foot boards may or may not be attached to the support frame.

There are disadvantages associated with such prior art assemblies. For example, the slats which extend between the rails for supporting the box springs frequently break or slip off the rails, thus allowing the box springs to drop. Furthermore, in shipping the prior art assemblies, it is necessary to not only ship a box spring, but, in addition, it is necessary to ship a support frame also. Moreover, the box springs are normally made at one location and shipped to a Ifurniture manufacturer for incorporation into an entire bed assembly including the support frame.

Accordingly, lit is an object and feature of this invention to provide a novel box spring assembly including leg assemblies adapted to be attached directly thereto to eliminate the necessity for separate support frames and slats.

Another object and feature of this invention is to provide a novel box -spring assembly comprising components fabricated such that they may be shipped in a knockdown or disassembled condition and readily assembled into a box spring assembly at the destination.

In general, these and other objects and features of this invention may be attained in a preferred embodiment including a frame means having a pair of side members, a pair of end members, and corner pieces for interconnecting the side members and the end members. A plurality of cross members extend between the -side members and legs are removably attached adjacent the corner pieces. Each of the side and end members has a cross section including a base for supporting the ends of the cross members and an upper portion which presents a downwardly extending ange terminating in spaced relation to the base. Each of the cross members has a cross section including a at section with arms extending away from the flat section and a projection extending away from each arm at an acute angle 'and toward the at section, the ends of the projections being in spaced relation to the ilat section and the arms. Each of the cross members has a groove in each end thereof for receiving the ilanges of the side members whereby the cross mem- 3,451,073 Patented June 24, 1969 ice bers Iare retained in mechanical interlocking engagement with the -side members. A plurality of springs are attached to the cross members preferably by having the lowermost coils thereof disposed on the ilat sections of the cross members and retained there by the arms of the cross members. Such components may be shipped in a compact package and readily assembled into a box spring at the destination. In addition, the cross section of the side and end members includes a lower portion presenting an acute ange extending generally toward the base and a cover including a bead about its periphery is disposed over the springs and retained in position by the bead being disposed in mechanical interlocking engagement with the acute ange.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the lfollowing detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view partially broken away of a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan View of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged `fragmentary cross-sectional View taken 'substantially along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view disclosing an -alternative embodiment;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 5 5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one of the corners of the box spring assembly of the instant invention;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 7 7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIGURE 6 but eliminating most of and showing only the central portion of the member 78 for clarity;

FIGURE 9 -is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 9--9 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 10-10 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment of a bed assembly including the box spring of the instant invention is generally shown at 10.

The assembly 10 includes a metal frame means comprising a pair of side members generally indicated at 12, a pair of end members generally indicated at 14, and corner means generally indicated at 16 for interconnecting the side members 12 'and the end members 14.

As best illustrated in FIGURE 3, each of the side members 12 and end members 14 have a cross section including an inwardly extending base 18, and an upper portion which extends upwardly at 20 from the base, then inwardly at 22, and then downwardly to present a downwardly extending ange 24. The ilange 24 terminates in spaced relation to the base 18. The cross section also includes a lower portion which extends downwardly at 26 from the base, then inwardly at 2S, and then upwardly and outwardly to present an acute flange 30. The flange 30 terminates in spaced relation to and is at an acute angle to the base 18 and the inwardly extending section 28.

The assembly 10 also includes a plurality of cross members, generally indicated at 32. The cross members 32 extend between the side members 12. As best illustrated in FIGURE 10, each of the cross members 32 has a cross section including a flat section 34, arms 36 extending perpendicularly away from the flat section 34, and a projection 38 extending away from each arm 36 at an acute angle and toward the flat section 34. The ends of the projections 38 are in spaced relation to both the flat section 34 and the arms 36. As shown in FIGURE 3, each of the cross members 32 has a groove 40 therein adjacent each end. Thus, the ends of the cross members 32 are disposed on the bases 18 of the side members 12 and the downwardly extending flanges 24 are disposed in the respective grooves 40 to mechanically interconnect the cross members 32 and the side members 12. Metal screws, rivets, or the like, may be utilized between the cross members 32 and the side members 12 to prevent the cross members 32 from moving along the `side members 12, although in final configuration the springs 42 will be tied together in a manner to limit movement of the cross members 32.

A plurality of springs 42 are supported on the cross members 32. Preferably, each of the springs 42 has at least one coil retained to one of the cross members 32 by being disposed between the flat section 34 and the projections 38, as illustrated in FIGURE l0. In such an embodiment, the flat sections 34 of the cross members 32 are disposed on the bases 18 of the side members 12 and the grooves 40 extend through the arms 36 and the projections 38. Therefore, the assembly may be shipped in a disassembled position and after arriving at the destination where it is to be assembled, the springs 42 may be slid into the cross members 32 and thereafter the cross members 32 may be slid along two side members 12 to the proper positions and thereafter the corner means 16 and the end members 14 may be attached. As alluded to above, the cross members 32 may be either welded or riveted to side members 12, or the side members 12 may be crimped, or other appropriate means may be utilized to secure the cross members 32 to the side members 12 to prevent relative movement therebetween.

In the alternative embodiment, which is disclosed in FIGURES 4 and 5, springs 42 are utilized. Springs 42 are in the shape of double cones, whereas the springs 42 are single cones. When the springs 42 are utilized, the cross members 32 are inverted to form the cross members 32' and means comprising the lance portions 44 are utilized to secure the springs 42' to the cross members 32'. The cross members 32' have the Same cross section as the members 32 except for the lanced portions 44, but they are inverted and the grooves for receiving the flanges 24 extend through the arms 38 and all of the way across the flat section 34. Thus, when assembled, the arms 36 are disposed on the bases 18 at their juncture with the projections 38.

The corner means 16, which is disposed at each corner of the assembly, comprises an arcuate member having tongues 46 for engaging the upwardly extending portions 20 of the side and end rails 12 and 14. In addition, each corner means 16 includes second tongues 48 which engage the downwardly extending portions 26 of the side and end members 12 and 14 respectively. Each of the corner means 16 includes a slot 47 -between the tongues 46 and the tongues 48 for receiving the base 18 of the side and end members 12 and 14 respectively. Also, each corner means 16 includes an inwardly extending flange 50 upon which the bases 18 of the side and end members 12 and 14 are disposed. Preferably, the corner means 16 are secured to the side and end rails 12 and 14 by screws 52; however, other appropriate means such as rivets may be utilized.

The assembly also includes headboard means, generally indicated at 60, and footboard means, generally indicated at 62, and which are attached to the frame means in parallel relationship to the end members 14. More specifically, members 64 are attached by the screws 66, or any other appropriate means, to the side members 14. The members 64 are attached by the screws 68 to the angle members 70 which in turn support the head and foot boards through the screws 72. The headboard 74 is shown thus supported in FIGURES 6 and 7.

There is also included leg assemblies, generally indicated at 76. Each leg assembly 76 is attached to the frame means adjacent each of the corner means 16. More specifically, each leg assembly 76 includes a brace member 78 which is attached by the screws 80, or other appropriate means, between the side and end members 12 and 14. Each brace member 78 engages the underside of the base 18 of the side members 12 and the end members 14 and screws 80 or the like extend through the bases 18 and through the member 78. In FIGURE 8 the member 78 has been substantially eliminated and is only shown as a fragment for the purposes of clarity in showing the attachment of the corner members 16 to the side rails 12 and end members 14. A leg 82 is removably attached thereto by a thread. Normally, each leg 82 has a threaded stud attached thereto which in turn threadedly engages a female nut or thread in a cross member 78.

Preferably, a foam mat 84 is disposed over the springs and cover means, generally indicated at 86, is disposed over the mat and springs and includes lock means comprising a bead 88 which is disposed in mechanical interlocking engagement with the upwardly extending acute flanges 30 of the side and end members 12 and 14. The acute flanges 30 form interlock means disposed about the periphery of the frame means so that the bead 88 may be disposed in locking engagement with the flange 30 to retain the cover means 86 in position. Thus, the spring assembly may be positioned on the cover means and the springs compressed to bring the bead into position between the flanges 30 and the inwardly extending portions 28 of the side and end members 12 and 14, thus retaining the cover 86 in position. Normally, the dimensions of the bead 88 and the configuration of the flanges 30 are such that the bead 88 is retained in position; however, in some instances, it may be preferable to crimp the flanges 30 onto the bead 88. It will be understood, of course, that alternative embodiments may be utilized wherein the cover means 86 may take the form of a sack into which the box spring assembly is inserted with the end of the sack being sewn, or may take the form of a cover positioned over the box spring and including a bottom `sewn thereto.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner and it is to be understood that t-he terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present `invention are possible in light of the above teachings.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A bed assembly comprising: metal frame means including a pair of side members, a pair of end members, and corner means interconnecting said side members and said end members; each of said side and end members having a cross section including an inwardly extending base, an upper portion which extends upwardly from said base, then inwardly and then downwardly to present a downwardly extending flange which terminates in spaced relation to said base, and a lower portion which extends downwardly from said base, then inwardly, and then upwardly and outwardly to present a flange which terminates in spaced relation to and is at an acute angle to said base and the inwardly extending section of said lower portion; a plurality of cross members extending between said side members, each of said cross members having a cross section including a flat section, arms extending perpendicularly away from said flat section, and a projection extending away from each arm at an acute angle and toward said flat section, the ends of said projections being in spaced relation to said flat section and to said arms, each of said cross members having a groove therein adjacent one end thereof; the ends of said cross members being disposed on said bases of said side members with said downwardly extending anges being disposed in said grooves of said cross members; a leg assembly attached to said frame means adjacent each of said corner means; a plurality of springs supported on said cross members; and cover means disposed over said springs and including lock means disposed in interlocking engagement with said upwardly extending iiange of said lower portions of said side and end members.

2. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flat sections are disposed on said bases of said side members with said grooves being through said arms and said projections of said cross members, each of said springs has at least one end coil thereof retained to one of said cross members by being disposed Ibetween the ilat section and the projections thereof.

3. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lock means of said cover means comprises a bead disposed between said upwardly extending ange and the inwardly extending section f the lower portion of each of said side and end members.

4. A bed assembly as set forth in `claim 3 including head and foot board means attached to said frame means and in parallel relationship to said end members.

5. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said arms of said cross members are disposed on said bases of said side members and said grooves extend through said arms and said at sections of said cross members and including means on said flat sections of said cross members for retaining said springs.

6. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said lock means of said cover means comprises a `bead disposed between said upwardly extending flange and the inwardly extending section of the lower portion of cach of said side and end members.

7. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 6 including head and foot board means attached to said frame means and in parallel relationship to said end members.

8. A bed assembly comprising; frame means including a pair of side members, a pair of end members, and corner means for interconnecting said side members and said end members, a plurality of cross-members for extending between said side members, one of said side members and said cross-members having a flange and the other having a groove for disposing said flange in said groove to mechanically interconect said cross-members and said side members, a plurality of springs for retention on said cross-members, and a leg assembly for removable attachment to said frame means adjacent each of said corner means.

9. A bed assembly constructed as set forth in claim 8 and wherein said side and end members include interlock means and cover means disposed over said springs and including lock means in locking engagement with said interlock means.

10. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 8 including head and footboard means for attachment to said frame means in parallel relationship to said end members.

11. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said side and end members have a cross section including a base for supporting the ends of said cross members and an upper portion which presents said ange, said flange extending toward and terminating in spaced relation to said base.

12. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said cross members has a cross section including a flat section, arms extending away from said iiat section and a projection extending away from each arm at an acute angle and toward said at section, the ends of said projections being in spaced relation to said at section and said arms, each of said cross members having one of said grooves in each end thereof for receiving one of said flanges.

13. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said side and end members have a cross section which further includes a lower portion presenting a ange which is at an angle with and terminates in spaced relation to said base.

14. A bed assembly as set forth in claim 13 including a leg assembly for removable attachment to said frame means. adjacent each of said corner means.

15. A bed assembly comprising; frame means, a plurality of springs, interlock means disposed about the periphery of said frame means, and cover means disposed over said springs and including lock means formed thereon and in locking engagement with said interlocking means, said interlocking means comprising an acute llange for receiving and retaining said lock means of said cover means, said lock means comprising a bead about said cover means and retained within said acute flange.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 984,823 2/1911 Linden 5-286 XR 1,041,310 10/1912 Locklin 5 248 1,628,462 5/1927 Hanauer 5--248 2,359,451 10/ 1944 Stubnitz 5-353.3 2,712,137 7/1955 Hunter 5-310 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 228,701 6/ 1960 Australia.

ROY. D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner. RAYMOND D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiner.

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