US3160895A

US3160895A - Structural elements for beds

Info

Publication number: US3160895A
Application number: US214241A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stafford John Neville
Original assignee: STAFFORD PATENTS AND HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: STAFFORD PATENTS AND HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 1962-02-22
Filing date: 1962-08-02
Publication date: 1964-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1981-12-15

Description

Dex. 15, 1964 J. N. STAFFORD 3,160,895

STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS FOR BEDS Filed Aug. 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 15, 1964 J. N. STAFFORD 3,160,895

sssssssssssssssssssssss 0s Fi 11111 11111 e2 Dec. 15, 1964 J. N. STAFFORD STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS FOR BEDS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 2, 1962 United States Patent Filed Aug. Claimspriority, application Gregt Britain, Feb. 22, 1962,

17 ciaim. c1. -286 This invention relates to bed frames, and in particular to rails forming said bed frames.

In particular, this invention has for an object to pro vide a structural rail from which a wide variety of different-bed frames may be simply constructed, and on to which rail bed springing and other attachments may be rapidly and simply mounted.

The invention pertains to a bed frame at least the parallel, longitudinal sides of which are formed from a substantially rectangular rail having a longitudinal groove in at least one wall, which groove is inclined to an adjacent wall, the rail also having a T-section slot or undercut channel in the other wall adjacent to that having said groove. 7

According to a feature of the invention, the rail may be hollow and may include an internal partition dividing it into two compartments bounded respectively by the walls adjacent to that having said groove.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, various embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a'fragmentary underneath perspective view of a preferred form of structural element or rail for incorporation in a bed frame in accordance with this invention, 7

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of one end of one embodiment of a bed frame in accordance with the invention and incorporating the structural element of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view of theattachment of a leg to the bed frame of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of a bed frame in accordance with the invention and incorporating the structural element of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a bed frame in accordance with the invention and incorporating the structural element of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are'perspective views of supporting devices or attachments for use in conjunction with bed frames in accordance with the invention and incorporating the structural element of FIGURE 1, FIGURE 8 being an exploded perspective view.

A preferred form of structural element which is incorporated in all the bed frame embodiments to be described, is shown in FIGURE 1 and consists of an'extruded or rolled rail of suitable material such' as metal, e.g. aluminum or any alloy thereof, or a thermoplastic synthetic resin. This rail is hollow and is approximately rectangular in cross-section, the height of the rail being greater than its width.

A horizontal transverse partition l extends between the side walls 2 and 3 of the upper hollow section or compartment 4 anda lower compartment 5, the compartment 4 being the larger of the two. The side wall 2 of the rail 'is formed with an inclined channelor groove 6, the purpose of which will be' explained hereinafter. The top wall 52 extendsbeyond side wall 2 and isprovided with a depending flange 53 which cooperates with the side wall to define groove 6.

Side wall extensions 'or

flanges

2a, 3a dep ending'from by rail 11 by means of T-bolts 16, these bolts eachcon- -sisting of a screw-threaded shank 17 and a transverse rail and divides it into an partition 1 which forms the lower wall of section 4, have t 3,160,895 Patented Dec. 15, 1964 ice grooves6 therein" extend around the exterior of the frame plugs 12 which are inserted 5 of the abutting ends of nected by means of die-cast into the lower compartment the rail lengths. 1

The springing ofthe bed frame is provided by elastic. e.g. rubber, webs 13 which are secured to the frame 10 by having their ends attached to individual U-section metal hooks 14, these hooks then being inserted into the groove 6 I extending around so that the webs are tensioned between such rails.

The tension generated by such springing is sufficient to hold the bed frame together without having to resort to welding or bolting the abutting rail ends together.

The legs 15 of the'bed are attached to the lengths headpiece 18 similar in length to the width of the lower compartments of the side rail. The headpiece 18 is also sufficiently narrow to be capable of beingpassed through the slot v8 into the lower compartment 5. Each leg 15 is provided at its uppermost point with a pair of horizontal lugs 19 each formed with an aperture.- In order to attach a leg to the frame 10, two T-bolts 16 are slidden sideways through the slot 8 into 5 and are then turned through so as to lie transversely of such slot. The-lugs 19 of the leg 15 are then passedover the dependent shanks 17 of the bolts 16 and are bolted on to these shanks by nuts 20, the compressive pressure generated between the heads-18 of the bolts and the nuts being sufficient to hold the bolts and the legs in their correct positions.

A second embodiment of a bed having a frame utilizing the rail described previously is shown in FIGURE 4. This bed is particularly suitable for use in hospitals since its height is adjustable. This bed comprises a base frame 22 having four legs 23 inter-connected by rigidlongitudinal and transverse members 24, these members being spaced downwardly on on the upper ends of each leg 23 is a bell-crank lever 25, and resting on the bell-crank levers is a'bed frame 26 formed frorn'four lengths 27 of the rail of FIGURE '1 joined together to form a rectangle. arranged so that the groove of each length is on the ex-j terior of the frame 26.

In this'embodirnent the lengths ends by weldingto four uprights each end pair of uprights being interconnected-by a bridge piece "29. .Each bell-crank lever 25 pivotally carries a stirrup-like member 30 having a T-piece slidably engaged in the lower compartment 5 of the associated rail length The bed frame 26 is shown in FIGURE 4 in its lowest 27 are secured at their position, the bell-crank levers ried by the stirrups 3i) sliding in the compartments '5 of the respective rail lengths 27. Furthermore,

thereof are. seated in the bed closely adjacent the pivotal axes slots- 8 of the lengths 27, thus helping to keep the The free ends of the lengths 11 are located or coni the periphery of the framethe lower compartment said legs 23. Pivotally mounted The lengths 27 are' 28, the upper" ends of the upwardly extending edges of the bell-crank levers 25 'which 'are 3 frame 26 in correct alignment with respect to its base frame 22.

If desired, means may be provided for locking the bed frame in intermediate positions between its highest and lowest positions, and such means may comprisea screw bolt carried by each stirrup 30, the shank of such bolt extending into the lower compartment 5. When the bed frame is to be locked in an adjusted position, each bolt is screwed so that the head of the shank thereof engages on the lower side of the partitions and prevents'further sliding movement of the T-pieces of the stirrups.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, the bed frame 31 comprises a single length of the rail of FIGURE 1,

, bent into a U with the groove 6 at the exterior of. the U.

The free ends of the U are connected to an end frame 32 comprising a pair of uprights33 joined at their upper ends by a bridge piece 34 and each provided at its'lower end with a horizontal limb (not shown) which fits into the lower compartment of the ends of the rail, the end frame 32 thus providing a handle by means of which the bed can be pushed, or, for example, when used as a hospital bed,'a head rest.

The legs 35 of the bed are each provided with ground wheels 36 and are secured to the frame in a manner similar to that described in the first embodiment;

All the embodiments of beds described are particularly suitable for use in hospitals as attachments may easily be secured to the bed frame for supporting, for example, plasma bottles and other surgical or medicinal equipment.

Three devices for supporting such attachments are shown in FIGURES 6, 7,-and 8 of the accompanying drawings. a

The device 37 shown in FIGURE 6 is approximately U-shaped incross-section and the upper limb'38 thereof is provided with a short vertical flange 39 adapted to be located in the groove 6 of a rail as shown in FIGURE 1 Whilst the lower limb is provided with an overturned flange 40 (shown partially in dotted lines) and adapted to extend around the outermost edge of the slot 8 of the rail. The support member 37 is locked in any desired position on the rail by means of a screw bolt 41 carrying a pressure-transmitting plate 42. A vertical rod 43 is welded to the member 37,'and the upper portion of this rod may be furnished with, for example, one or more clamps or trays.

The support device shown in FIGURE 7 is similar in shape to the device 37. However, the means for locking the device in position on the rail of FIGURE 1 comprise a lever 44 pivotally mounted in an aperture 45 and having a camming-surface 46 for engaging the side wallof the rail so that when the lever is depressed, the support member is locked in position on the rail.

The device 47 shown in FIGURE 8 differs from the devices of FIGURES 6 and 7 in that the lower limb 48 of this device is not provided with an overturned flange. Instead the limb 48 is adapted to extend across the slot 8 in the lower compartment 5 of a rail length. This lowerlimb carries a plug 49 having an elongated head 50 housed in the lower compartment 5. This plugcan be rotated by means of a handle 51 so'a s:to wedge-the head Sti'against the

side walls

2a, 3a of the compartment 5 and lock the device in any required position. Another form of a supporting device .(not shown) comprises a substantially L-shaped attachment plate having a horizontal limb for bolting to the underside of the rail of FIGURE 1 with T-b'olts and an angled flange,

for co-operation with the groove 6 of the rail.

Furthermore, the inclined grooves 6 in the rails of bed frames constructed from such rails maybe employed for other purposes than receiving' iwebs or flanges of supporting devices. For example, the grooves 6 may be used to support ordinary. bed springing of the linked'or' chain type when such springing'is provided with suitable hooks for engaging in the grooves.

Furthermore, fracture boardsmay .be slung between 4 the side rails of a bed by means of hooks engaging in these grooves 65.

If desired, the rails used in the construction of the beds described hereinbefore may have two inclined grooves 6, there being one groove on each side of the rail.

When the rails have two grooves 6, the frames formed from such lengths will have both an outwardly-directed peripheral groove and an inwardly-directed groove. The inwardly-directed groove can be used, for instance, to receive bracing bars which brace the bed frame.

The bed frames for the beds described hereinbefore are capable of considerable modification. For example, a rectangular bed frame may be made from four lengths of extruded rail i.e., from two end rails 11a and two side rails 11b. The rails are located together-by four corner pieces or plugs, each corner piece comprising a pair of arms at right angles to one another, these arms being adapted to be inserted into the lower compartments of a pair of respectively transversely and longitudinally arranged rails and to be bolted or welded in such compartments. Alternatively, when the springing of the bed frame is under high tension, the bed frame itself may be held together by this springing, there being no need to weld or bolt together the lengths of rail forming the bed.

The forms of the invention here described and illustrate'dare presented merely as examples of how the invention may be embodied and applied. Other forms, embodiments and applications of the invention, coming within the proper scope of the appended claims, will, of course suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim: a

1. A bed frame comprising side rails and end rails, said end rails being united to said side rails, at least said side rails each including a torsionally stiff, closed, substantially rectangular hollow section, dependent flanges with inturned lips thereon defining a continuous T-section slot disposed below the lower wall of said section and a second flange disposed on the outer side wall of said section, said second flange cooperating with said side wall to define a groove extending throughout the length of said rails, said groove being inclined relative to the horizontal.

2. A bed frame according to claim 1, including transversely disposed resilient members under tension, said resilient members interconnecting a pair of said side rails and a pair of said end rails, said slots and said grooves cooperating to secure the ends of said members to said rails, a longitudinal channel formed by said T-section slot in said rails, a right-angled spigot insertible into said channels to rigidly connect the ends of adjacent side and 3. A bed frame according 'to claim 1, including a pinrality of legs attached to said frame, at least one T-bolt having a solid head and a screw-threaded shank securing each said leg in position, said depending flanges, said intur ned lips and said slot defining an undercut channel, said head being proportioned for slideable engagement with the inner surfaces of said channel, said shank extending downwardly through said slot and inc-ans for second pair of sid bolting each'of said legs to said frame.

4. A bed comprising a first pair of side rails, a first pair of end rails, four legs, said first pairs of side and end' rails being connected and supported by said legs intermediate the top and bottom thereof to form a base frame, a bell-crank lever having a long and a short arm and pivotally mounted atits'vertex to the top of each said leg, a second pair of side rails and a second pair of end rails'j united theretoforming a bed frame, said erails each including a torsionally stiff, "closed substantially rectangular hollow section, depend ent flanges with inturned lips thereon defining an undercut channel having a continuous T-section slot=disposed groove inclined relative to the horizontal extending 5. A bed according to claim 4, wherein the short arms of said levers are seated in said slots to align said bed frame with said base frame when the former is in raised position, and said levers are angularly supported by said base frame when said bed frame is in lowered position.

6. A bed according to claim 4, including a pair of stirrups, each of said stirmps being hingedly connected at each end to an opposing pair of said T-pieces to maintain said second pair of side rails in mutually spaced relationship.

7. A bed frame comprising a pair of equal lengths of rails, said lengths having their ends bent through 90, means joining the free ends of said rails in abutting relationship, each length of said rails including a torsionally 1 stiff, closed, substantially rectangular hollow section, de-

pendent flanges with inturned lips thereon defining a continuous T-section slot disposed below the lower wall of said section and a second flange disposed on theouter side wall of said section, said second flange cooperating with said side wall to define a groove extending throughout the length of said rails, said groove being inclined relative to the horizontal.

section, said second flange cooperating with said side 8. A bed frame according to claim 7 wherein said means comprises a pair of plugs, each said plug disposed in an undercut channel, said channel being defined by said lower wall, said dependent flanges and said lips.

9. A bed frame according to claim 8, wherein said frame is held together by tension springing extending between said rail lengths.

10. A bed frame comprising a pair of equal lengths of rails and a pair of end frames holding said lengths in spaced parallel relationship, means joining the free ends of said lengths and said end frames, said rails including a I end frames each comprise a pair of upright members and a cross-bar, said cross-bar holding said upright members in parallel relationship each of said upright members being provided with a horizontal limb, saidlimbs being disposed in said T-section slot of at least one of said rail lengths. V

12. A bed frame according to claim 11, wherein said upright members provide legs to support said bed frame.

13. A bed frame comprising a single length of rail bent'into a U-shaped form and an end frame, said'e'nd frame holding the limbs of said form in spaced relationship, said rail including a torsionallystilf, closed, substantially reotangularhollow section, dependent flanges with inturned lips thereon defining a continuous T-section slot disposed below the lower wall of said section, and

a second flange disposed on the outer side wall of said wall to define a groove extending throughout the length of said rails, said groove being inclined relative to the horizontal.

14. A bed frame according to claim 13, wherein said J end frame comprises a pair of upright members and a cross-bar holding said members in parallel relationship,

each upright being provided with a horizontal limp disupright members supporting said side and end rails, said.

side and end rails being vertically displaceable relative to said upright members. 'i

16. A bed frame according to claim 15, wherein said slot defines an undercut channel and said bed frame includes displaceab-le means, said displaceable means comprising a bell-crank lever, one end of said lever being pivotally mounted at the top of each of said legs, a member carried by said lever slidably engaging said channel, 3

said levers being pivotal to and from a horizontal and. a vertical position to alternately raise and lower said bed frame into upper and lower positions.

17. A bed according to claim 16, including means for locking said bed frame in an intermediate position be; 4 tween said upper and lower positions.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6,390 4/49 Jacques 108144X 713,405 11/02 Crawford; 5. 314x 866,695 9/07 Taussig 108144X 1,041,147 10/12 Murphy 5314'X 1,133,848 3/15 Frank 5 -310x 2,501,878 3/50 Shapiro 5-310 2,749,196 6/56 Wolfe, 5 '332x. 3,043,640 7/62 Eames et al. 108-445 FRANK s. SHERRY, Primary Examiner, 7

Claims

1. A BED FRAME COMPRISING SIDE RAILS AND END RAILS, SAID END RAILS BEING UNITED SIDE RAILS, AT LEAST SAID SIDE RAILS INCLUDING A TORSIONALLY STIFF, CLOSED SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR HOLLOW SECTION, DEPENDENT FLANGES WITH INTURNED LIPS THEREON DEFINING A CONTINUOUS T-SECTION SLOT DISPOSED BELOW THE LOWER WALL SAID SECTION AND A SECOND FLANGE DISPOSED ON THE OUTER SIDE WALL OF SAID SECTION, SAID SECOND FLANGE COOPERATING WITH SAID SIDE WALL TO DEFINE A GROOVE EXTENDING THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF SAID RAILS, SAID GROOVE BEING INCLUDING RELATIVE TO THE HORIZONTAL.