Reversible bed frame

Abstract

A reversible bed frame with a horizontal and an inclined position is disclosed herein. Its angular disposition is transformed from horizontal to inclined by turning it upside down. The bed frame preferably comprises multiple load-bearing elements (140) that are connected to and between two side rails (110) thus providing a top surface (150) and a bottom surface (210) of rectangular shape, with both surfaces able to withstand a load. Elevating members (120, 130) provide elevation for both surfaces. In accordance with one embodiment, the elevating members are of varying height so that the top surface is horizontal when facing upwards and the bottom surface is inclined when facing upwards. In accordance with another embodiment, different measurements and positioning of the load-bearing elements provide a horizontal top surface and an inclined bottom surface.

Claims

1. A bed frame, comprising: two side rails; one or more load-bearing elements; and two or more elevating members; wherein the load-bearing elements being rigidly connected to and between the side rails, thus providing a top surface and a bottom surface of rectangular shape and of sufficient resistance to withstand a load, for example of a mattress and a human; wherein the bottom surface is parallel to the upper surface; wherein the elevating members being rigidly connected to the side rails, and extending above the top surface and below the bottom surface; wherein each elevating member having a predetermined height, such that the top surface is horizontal when facing upwards, and the bottom surface is inclined when facing upwards whereby a human may transform the angular disposition of the bed frame from horizontal to inclined by turning it upside down.

2. The bed frame of claim 1 wherein the load-bearing elements are rigidly connected to the side rails by means of mortises and tenons.

3. The bed frame of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface, when facing upwards, is inclined at a predetermined angle from about 2 degrees to about 7 degrees.

4. A bed frame, comprising: two side rails; one or more load-bearing elements; and two or more elevating members; wherein the load-bearing elements being rigidly connected to and between the side rails, thus providing a top surface and a bottom surface of rectangular shape and of sufficient resistance to withstand a load, for example of a mattress and a human; wherein the bottom surface is inclined relative to the top surface; wherein the elevating members being rigidly connected to the side rails, and extending above the top surface and below the bottom surface; whereby a human may transform the angular disposition of the bed frame from horizontal to inclined by turning it upside down.

5. The bed frame of claim 4 wherein the load-bearing elements are rigidly connected to the side rails by means of mortises and tenons.

6. The bed frame of claim 4 wherein the bottom surface is inclined at a predetermined angle from about 2 degrees to about 7 degrees.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view in the horizontal position of a first embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view in the inclined position of the first embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3 shows an orthogonal view in the horizontal position of the first embodiment, with details on the relationship between various measurements.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view in the horizontal position of the first embodiment, with details on example fixtures.

[0017] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view in the horizontal position of a second embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view in the inclined position of the second embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 7 shows an orthogonal view in the horizontal position of the second embodiment, with details on possible positioning of the load-bearing elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First Embodiment—FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a perspective view of one embodiment is shown, in the horizontal position in FIG. 1 and in the inclined position in FIG. 2.

[0021] The opposite ends of two side rails 110 are connected to a first elevating member, or leg 120 and to a second leg 130, forming a rectangular shape. Multiple load-bearing elements 140 are rigidly connected to and between side rails 110, thus providing a top mattress-support surface 150, as shown in FIG. 1, and a bottom mattress-support surface, as shown in FIG. 2. A conventional mattress 160 is shown, which can be placed either on top surface 150 or on bottom surface 210.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows an orthogonal view of this embodiment. Load-bearing elements 140 are positioned along the length of side rails 110, with gaps 310 in between. Gaps 310 should be less than 6 cm when a conventional mattress (not shown) is placed directly onto top surface 150 or onto bottom surface 210 to prevent the mattress from sagging.

[0023] Leg 120 and leg 130 extend below bottom surface 210 to an equal length so that when facing upwards top surface 150 is horizontal. Leg 120 and leg 130 also extend above top surface 150 so that when facing upwards bottom surface 210 is inclined at a predetermined angle 320.

[0024] A bed length 330 is the usable length for placing a conventional mattress (not shown) onto load-bearing elements 140. A bottom elevation 340 is equal to the shortest distance between top surface 150 and the lower end of leg 130. A foot elevation 350 is equal to the shortest distance between the upper end of leg 130 and bottom surface 210. A head elevation 360 is equal to the shortest distance between the upper end of leg 120 and bottom surface 210.

[0025] The values for angle 320, bed length 330, bottom elevation 340, foot elevation 350, and head elevation 360 depend upon the needs and comfort of the user. Referring to angle 320, a value between 2.5° and 3.5° provides a gentle incline and may be particularly suitable for children, while a higher value may be more beneficial for adults. The value of angle 320 should not be greater than around 7°. Bed length 330 is determined by the desired mattress size. Lower values for bottom elevation 340 and foot elevation 350 provide a bed frame that is safer for use by younger children. Higher values may be more comfortable for adults. To ensure airflow, the value for bottom elevation 340 should not be lower than around 1 cm. This recommendation may vary and depends upon the type of surface on which the bed frame will be placed.

[0026] An elevation difference 370 is the difference between head elevation 360 and foot elevation 350. When bed length 330 and angle 320 have been determined, the value for elevation difference 370 may then be calculated using the tangent ratio, as shown below:

tangent(angle 320)=elevation difference 370/bed length 330

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, this embodiment is shown in an exploded perspective view. Leg 120 and leg 130 are shown having notches 410 on two opposite ends. Notches 410 are of such shape and size to accommodate the opposite ends of side rails 110. To determine the exact positioning of notches 410 the reader may refer to paragraphs [0024] through [0026] also taking into consideration the thickness of load-bearing elements 140, which depends on intended use and choice of materials.

[0028] While notches 410 may provide adequate vertical support, load-bearing elements 140 may be further secured to leg 120 and leg 130 by bed bolts 420. The use of a rigid but non-permanent connection, such as bed bolts 420, is convenient as it allows disassembly.

[0029] In alternative to notches 410, side rails 110 may be connected to leg 120 and leg 130 by bed bolts, pocket-hole joinery, tongue and groove joints, mortise and tenon joints, or the like. Under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, structural requirements, cost, etc., other connection and/or attachment arrangements such as, for example, glue, latches, pins, screws, dowels, dovetail joints, etc., may be sufficient.

[0030] Side rails 110 are shown having multiple mortises 430 that are positioned on the inner side along the length of each side rail 110. The number of mortises 430 on each side rail 110 is equal to the number of load-bearing elements 140. Mortises 430 are of such shape and size to accommodate either the opposite ends of load-bearing elements 140 directly or tenons thereof. The depth of mortises 430 should be sufficient so that additional means of support for load-bearing elements 140 may be omitted. To permit disassembly, load-bearing elements 140 may be inserted into mortises 430 without the use of glue or other permanent fixture.

[0031] In alternative to a mortise/tenon joint, load-bearing elements 140 may be attached to side rails 110 employing additional elements, for example upright fitting plates, which can be positioned to provide support for load-bearing elements 140 from above and from below. Under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, structural requirements, cost, etc., other connection and/or attachment arrangements such as, for example, glue, bolts, pocket-hole joinery, latches, pins, screws, dowels, dovetail joints, etc., may be sufficient.

[0032] When considering the choice of materials for the construction of the reversible bed frame, it should be noted that a suitable material is solid wood, which has many advantages, such as being readily available, simple to work with, and usually economical. However other materials may be used, for example, metal, medium density fiber, particleboard, plastic, etc., or a combination thereof.

Second Embodiment—FIGS. 5, 6, and 7

[0033] A perspective view of another embodiment is shown in the horizontal position in FIG. 5 and in the inclined position in FIG. 6.

[0034] FIG. 7 shows an orthogonal view. Load-bearing elements 140 are positioned along the length of side rails 110 in a way that top surface 150 is horizontal. The height of each load-bearing element 140 gradually decreases from one end of the bed frame to the other so that bottom surface 210 is inclined at angle 320.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] A human may change the angular disposition of the reversible bed frame from horizontal to inclined by turning it upside down.

CONCLUSION

[0036] While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations of the scope, but rather as an exemplification of embodiments thereof. Many other modifications and variations are possible that achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.