FASTENING SYSTEM FOR CONNECTING TWO FRAME ELEMENTS OF A BED FRAME AND BED FRAME

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening system for connecting two frame elements of a bed frame, in particular for an adjustable bed, wherein the two frame elements each comprise a hollow profile, the fastening system comprising: a mounting element, which is firmly attachable to an end of the first frame element, and a connector part, which is insertable into the hollow profile at an end of the second frame element and firmly connectable to second frame element, wherein the mounting element comprises at least one mounting hole, the connector part comprises at least one mounting spigot corresponding to the at least one mounting hole, which is designed to be plugged into the at least one mounting hole, the connector part comprises at least one mounting mechanism for a detachable, firm connection of the mounting element and the connector part.

Claims

1. Fastening system for connecting two frame elements of a bed frame, in particular for an adjustable bed, wherein the two frame elements each comprise a hollow profile, the fastening system comprising: a mounting element, which is firmly attachable to an end of the first frame element, and a connector part, which is insertable into the hollow profile at an end of the second frame element and firmly connectable to second frame element, wherein the mounting element comprises at least one mounting hole, the connector part comprises at least one mounting spigot corresponding to the at least one mounting hole, which is designed to be plugged into the at least one mounting hole, the connector part comprises at least one mounting mechanism for a detachable, firm connection of the mounting element and the connector part.

2. The fastening system of claim 1, comprising a cover element, whichin an connected state of the first and the second frame element via the fastening systemis detachably attachable to the first frame element and/or the second frame element and covers the mounting element and the connector part.

3. The fastening system of claim 2, wherein the cover element comprises a latching mechanism in order to be releasably attached to the first and/or second frame element.

4. The fastening system of claim 2 or 3, wherein the cover element is designed such that, in the connected state of the first and second frame element, the outer areas of the cover element are flush with corresponding outer areas of the first and second frame element.

5. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism is captive connected to the connector part, at least in an attached state in which the connector part is attached to the second frame element.

6. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the mounting element comprises a thread and the mounting mechanism of the connector part comprises a screw in order to be screwed into the thread of the mounting element for a screw connection of the connector part and the mounting element.

7. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the connector part comprises at least one abutment element in order to limit an insertion of the connector part into the hollow profile of the second frame element.

8. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the connector part has at least two mounting spigots and the mounting element has at least two corresponding mounting holes.

9. The fastening system of claim 8, wherein the at least two mounting spigots comprise a different length.

10. The fastening system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least two mounting spigots each comprise a length which is smaller than 2 cm.

11. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism of the connector part does not extend beyond a mounting spigot of the connector part in a state in which the connector part is not connected to the mounting element.

12. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the mounting element does not extend beyond the hollow profile of the first frame element in the attached state in which the mounting element is attached to the first frame element.

13. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the connector part does not extend beyond the hollow profile of the second frame element in the inserted state in which the connector part is inserted into the second frame element, apart from the at least one mounting spigot and the mounting mechanism.

14. Bed frame, in particular for an adjustable bed, comprising: at least a first frame element and a second frame element, wherein the two frame elements each comprise a hollow profile, a fastening system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting element is firmly attached to an end of the first frame element, the connector part is partially inserted into the hollow profile at an end of the second frame element and firmly attached to the second frame element, the at least one mounting spigot of the connector part is plugged into a corresponding at least one mounting hole of the mounting element, and the connector part and the mounting element are detachably and firmly connected via the least one mounting mechanism of the connector part.

15. The bed frame of claim 14, wherein the mounting element is screwed or welded to the first frame element.

16. The bed frame of claim 14, wherein the connector part is attached to the second frame element by pressing, glueing or screwing.

17. The bed frame of claim 14, wherein the fastening system comprises a cover element, which is detachably attached to the first frame element and/or the second frame element by a latching mechanism and covers the mounting element and the connector part.

18. The bed frame of claim 14, wherein the mounting mechanism is a screw, which screw is inserted into the connector part, wherein the screw is at least partially covered by the hollow profile of the second frame element such thatin an attached state in which the connector part is attached to the second frame elementthe screw is captive arranged.

Description

[0036] Further features and advantages are explained in greater detail by the exemplary embodiment with reference to the attached figures. In the figures, like or similar components are denoted with the same reference numerals. Features that have already been described using reference numerals are not necessarily provided with reference numerals throughout all the figures.

[0037] The figures show in:

[0038] FIG. 1 a schematical, perspective view of the fastening system and two frame elements of a bed frame;

[0039] FIG. 2 a schematical side view of the bed frame according to FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 a schematical, perspective view of a frame element comprising the connector part of the fastening system;

[0041] FIG. 4 a schematical, perspective view of the bed frame comprising the fastening system;

[0042] FIG. 5 a schematical, perspective view of the bed frame in a plugged but unconnected state;

[0043] FIG. 6 a schematical, perspective view of the bed frame in a plugged and connected state;

[0044] FIG. 7 a schematical, perspective view of the bed frame with the fastening system; and

[0045] FIG. 8 the bed frame with the fastening system and a cover element in a fully mounted state.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a perspective partial view of a bed frame 1 for an adjustable bed. The bed frame 1 comprises two longitudinal frame elements 2 and at least one transverse frame element 3 which are also referred to as a first and a second frame element of the bed frame 1. In FIG. 1 only parts of one longitudinal frame element 2 and one transverse element 3 are shown. The least one longitudinal frame element 2 comprises an adjustment mechanism 4 for adjusting the adjustable bed (partially indicated). Both the longitudinal frame element 2 and the transverse frame element 3 comprise a hollow profile and are made from metal. The profiles can be polygonal or comprise any other form.

[0047] In order to connect the longitudinal frame element 2 and the transverse frame element 3 a fastening system 5 is provided, which comprises a mounting plate 6 (mounting element) and a connector part 7 as well as a cover element 8. The fastening system 5 and the cover element 8 are described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 2 to 8. It is noted that in the following only one fastening system 5 connects a transverse frame element 3 with a longitudinal frame element 2. Of course, the same transverse frame element 3 may be connected to another longitudinal frame element via an additional fastening system 5.

[0048] The mounting plate 6 is firmly attached to an end 9 of the longitudinal frame element. For example, the mounting plate 6 is welded or screwed firmly to the longitudinal frame element 2. The mounting plate 6 is made from metal and does not extend beyond the hollow profile of the longitudinal frame element 2 in the attached state as shown in FIG. 1 or 2, for example. Moreover, an edge of the mounting plate 6 is slightly offset towards the inside in order that the cover element 8, which is described later, can be attached in order to be flush with the outer area or surfaces of the longitudinal frame element 2.

[0049] The connector part 7 is an insert part and is exemplarily made from plastics. The connector part 7 is at least partially inserted into the hollow profile of the transverse frame element 3. In order to limit an insertion of the connector part 7, the connector part 7 comprises at least one abutment element which limits the insertion. After the insertion of the connector part, the connector part, which is also shown perspectively in FIG. 3, is firmly attached to the transverse frame element by pressing the transverse frame element 3 from outside. As an example, FIG. 3 shows two pressing points 10.

[0050] The connector part 7 is designed for frame elements of different length. E.g. during production, the strand material for the frame element is cut in the desired length (e.g. bed width) and two connector parts 7 are plugged into ends of the transverse frame element. At the same time the openings, which may have cutting burrs, are closed, which minimizes risk of injury. Likewise, the longitudinal frame element 2 is closed by the mounting plate 6.

[0051] A mounting side 11 of the connector part 7 which is configured for facing the mounting plate 6 comprises at least two mounting spigots 12. The mounting plate 6 comprises two corresponding mounting holes 13, which are adapted for receiving the mounting spigots 12. The number of spigots 12 (pins) and holes 13 in the mounting plate 6 does not necessarily have to be the same size. The pins are typically cylindrical, possibly with a rounded tip, and the holes allow the snug fit of the pins. In principle, however, the pins could also have other angular shapes. The holes 13 are drilled or punched. When using multiple pins, the connection is more stable.

[0052] The mounting spigots 12 have different lengths but do not extend beyond 2 cm from the mounting side 11. The longer spigot 12 can also be called guiding spigot and simplifies insertion of the spigots 12 when using a plurality of spigots. This longer spigot 12 serves as a guide pin and after insertion of the longer spigot 12 a minimal alignment of the remaining spigots 12 is possible and the remaining spigots are easier to insert.

[0053] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 4, the connector part 7 additionally comprises a mounting mechanism 14 in the form of a screw 15. FIG. 2 shows two end positions 16a and 16b of the screw, wherein the first end position 16a corresponds to an unconnected state of the connector part 7 and the mounting plate and wherein the end position 16b shows the fully screwed position of the screw 15, if the connector part 7 is fully mounted on the mounting plate 6, as is described below.

[0054] As can be further seen from FIG. 4, in the inserted state of the connector part 7, the screw 15 is at least partially covered by the hollow profile of the transverse frame element 3. During production, the screw 15 is firstly inserted into a corresponding bore hole 16 of the connector part 7. The screw 15 is slightly moveable within the bore hole 16 of the connector part 7. Secondly, the connector part 7 is inserted into the hollow profile of the transverse frame element 3 until the connector part 7, in particular its abutment element 19, abuts against the hollow profile. In this state, the screw 15, in particular a screw head, is at least partially covered by the hollow profile of the transverse frame element 3 such that the screw 15 is secured between the hollow profile and the connector part 7 but is still accessible in order to be screwed afterwards with the mounting plate 6.

[0055] As can be seen from at least FIG. 2, the connector part 7, as well as the mounting plate 6 of the longitudinal frame element 2, do not extend beyond the hollow profile of the transverse frame element 3, besides the spigots 12 and the screw 15 which extend from the connector part 7 at the mounting side 11.

[0056] In following the connection of both frame elements 2 and 3 is described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0057] The connector part 7, attached to the transverse frame element 3, is plugged into the mounting plate 6 of the longitudinal frame element 2. Firstly, the longer spigot 12 is plugged into the corresponding hole 13 and secondly the shorter spigot 12 is placed into its corresponding mounting hole 13 (see also FIG. 2). The holes 13 are arranged so that the transverse frame element 3 cannot be mounted upside down (Poka Yoke). The spigots 12 are provided with sufficient length so that the transverse frame element 3 is already held by the spigots after plugging into the longitudinal frame element 2 until the screw 15 is tightened. After plugging the transverse frame element 3 to the longitudinal frame element 2, the screw 15 is tightened with a simple tool and a stable connection between the frame elements 2 and 3 is established.

[0058] In FIGS. 5 and 6 at least one abutment element 19 of the connector part 7 is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, a bottom horizontal bar 20 of the connector part 7 projects beyond the lower end of the hollow profile of the transverse frame element 3 and thus forms a stop.

[0059] After the connection a cover element 8 is attached on the respective corner in order to hide the fastening system 5 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In FIG. 7, the longitudinal frame element 2 is hidden for the sake of visibility of the mounting plate 6 from inside.

[0060] The cover element 8 is typically made of plastic and serves the purpose of visual enhancement as well as protection of a user from unwanted access to the fastening systems 5. The cover element 8 covers, on the one hand, the mounting plate 6 and, on the other hand, the connector part 7 with the screw 15. The cover element 8 is flush with both frame elements 2 and 3, in particular the outer areas of the cover element 8 are arranged flush. The cover element 8 is attached with the help of a latching mechanism 18.