Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for coupling beds or bed frames together,
and more particularly a device for coupling two single beds or bed frames together
without using tools.
Background of the invention
[0002] In some instances it may be desirable to combine two smaller or single beds into
one big bed, such as a double bed or for forming a so-called continental bed.
[0003] Different ways for joining two beds can range from easy quick methods like tying
the legs together to more permanent methods like bolting the frames together.
[0004] However, the quick solutions, such as a rope, clamp, clip or the like for keeping
the beds or bed frames next to each other will not present a secure connection. On
the other hand, the secure connections normally involve bolting the bed frames to
each other, which can be cumbersome, as the bolt connections have to be placed under
the middle section of a double size bed.
[0005] For some use, it is desirable to provide a secure connection between two beds or
bed frames that can be easily detached, e.g. in hotels where some guests want a double
bed, while others request two single beds. At the present, the two beds are merely
pushed into each other. If one of the persons lying in the bed move onto the middle
of the double bed, she might push the beds from each other by her weight and eventually
fall between the beds. There is therefore a need for a way to couple two beds to each
otherin an easlily releasable manner.
[0006] For privat use, there are situations where two beds formerly used as single beds
are combined to form a double bed a certain time after acquiring the beds. There is
a lack in the market for a single and simple device that can securely couple such
two beds or bed frames to each other to form a larger bed. There is also a need for
a device that can join two beds and bed frames in an easily releasable way.
Summary of the invention
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device that can releasably
connect two beds or bed frames. It is further an object to present such a device that
can be used without tools.
[0008] This is achieved in a coupling device according to the present invention for coupling
two beds or bed frames together. The coupling device comprises a foot with height
adustment means and a bed or bed frame holding device. The device is further characterised
in that the foot support a stem comprising a spindle and a sleeve. The stem support
a support bracket comprising a base element and three wall elements protruding from
the base element, thereby defining two spaces between the wall elements, the spaces
being adapted to accommodate sections of the frames of said two beds or bed frames.
The stem and foot provide support for the coupling device. A frame section of the
two beds or bed frames being connected are set into each of the spaces. The outer
wall elements will hold the two beds or bed frames in a secure connection. As no tool
is required to arrange the frame sections into the assigned spaces in the support
bracket, the coupling device provides a secure connection between two beds without
the need for tools.
[0009] In one aspect, the support bracket includes three parallel wall elements perpendicularly
arranged on the base element, thereby defining the two spaces therebetween, the spaces
being adapted to accommodate the frame sections of said two beds or bed frames. With
this device, or a number of such devices, it is very simple to join two beds or bed
frames without using any tools or any particular instalment or coupling arrangements
in the bed frames or bed structures.
[0010] The height of the coupling device may be adjusted by means of a threaded connection
between the spindle and the sleeve. By rotating the spindle and sleeve in relation
to each other by means of the threads, the length of the stem can be easily adjusted,
either prior to mounting the bed or when only one of the bed frames are arranged in
the coupling device.
[0011] In other words, the height of the coupling device may be adjusted by turning the
foot. This allows the device to be adapted to beds of different heights.
[0012] The foot may include a layer made of a protective material. The protective material
is preferably a material with a soft surface, i.e. a surface that will not form scratches
on a floor material when the foot is moved or rotated while supporting one or two
beds or bed frames.
[0013] In one aspect the foot may include a layer made of a rubber like material. This design
allows the foot to be moved or turned on a floor without scratching the floor, and
will also dampen any sound from the device.
[0014] In one aspect, said wall elements include a first outer element, an intermediary
element and a second outer element. When the device is arranged under one or two beds
or bed frames, the wall elements will form vertical elements supporting the bed frame
sections arranged between the vertical wall elements.
[0015] In one aspect, the first and second outer elements of the device have pointed, rounded
or bevelled end sections or tops. Such end sections will simplify correct placement
of the frame sections in the coupling device.
[0016] In one aspect the outer elements have end sections that are angled outwards. This
embodiment of the outer elements, will give the outer end of the coupling device a
funnel resembling shape, that will help entering the frame sections into the assigned
spaces between the wall elements on the support bracket of the coupling device.
Brief description of the drawings
[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description
[0018] In the description the term "bed" is used for any mattress containing device, that
is a traditional bed with frame, bedboards and mattress or a box mattress, where the
bed frame is integrated in the mattress.
[0019] The coupling device as shown in Fig. 1 includes a foot 1 supporting a stem at a first
end, with a support bracket at the opposite end of the stem. The stem includes a threaded
spindle 2 engaging an internally threaded sleeve 3. Alternatively, the stem may be
configured the opposite way with the foot attached to the sleeve and the spindle attached
to the support bracket. It is also conceivable to use a spindle and sleeve with smooth
surfaces, where the height adjustment means are a releasable friction coupling or
a biased stud-type connection similar to the ones used e.g. on crutches.
[0020] The support bracket includes three parallel wall elements 4-6 protruding from a base
element 7, i.e. a base element onto which a first outer element 4, an intermediate
element 5 and a second outer element 6 are perpendicularly arranged with a distance
between the elements, 4-6, thereby defining two spaces therebetween. The outer elements
4,6 thereby form outer support walls, while the intermediate element 5 form a partition
wall between the two spaces. In a preferred embodiment the intermediary element is
a flat element. The outermost elements can be pointed, chamfered, or bevelled at the
outermost end sections or top or the wall elements. It is also envisageable that the
ends sections of the outer wall elements are angled outwards.
[0021] In use, two beds may be interconnected by placing the inventive device, or rather
a number of such devices, on the floor next to a first bed, and locating the edge
of the frame of the first bed in one of the spaces between the vertical wall elements
4-6. The height of the device may be adjusted to suit the bed by twisting the bottom
part of the device. Then, the other bed may be placed next to the first bed with the
frame of the second bed entering the second space. The inventive coupling device or
preferable devices will then hold or even lock the two beds together, while simultaneously
supporting the joint vertically.
[0022] To further enhance the stability of the present invention the frames of the two beds
may include grooves into which the two outermost elements will fit.
[0023] The elements of the coupling device can be made in plastic material. A plastic device
has a low weight while providing sufficient strength to hold the bed frames together
during normal use. A plastic device is also easy to manufacture without the need of
complicated production processes.
[0024] However, it is also conceivable that the foot, stem and sleeve are be made of plastic,
while the support bracket is made of steel or another metal. As metals are generally
stronger and to some extent more elastic that plastic material, a metal support bracket
will withstand larger stresses and wear and tear during use of the support bracket.
It is of course also conceivable to produce the coupling device in metal. A metal
coupling device is also likely to withstand numerous coupling and releasing processes,
which would be an advantage e.g. in a hotel.
[0025] The foot of the device may include a resilient outer layer that will engage with
the floor during use. This layer may be made of rubber or a rubber like material or
another suitable polymer providing a smooth or soft surface towards the floor under
the coupling device when in use.
[0026] The coupling device according to the invention is especially suited for coupling
two box mattresses to each other, even box mattresses that have slightly different
heights. The device can also connect box mattresses from different manufacturers,
as coupling of the bed is independent on any inner structures in the frame of the
bed. The only requirement is that there is a sufficiently broad space between the
wall elements in the support bracket to accommodate the frame sections.
1. A coupling device for coupling two beds or bed frames together, said device comprising
a foot with height adjustment means and a bed or bed frame holding device
characterized in that the foot support a stem comprising a spindle (2) and a sleeve (3), the stem support
a support bracket comprising a base element (7) and three wall elements (4-6) protruding
from the base element (7) defining two spaces between the wall elements, the spaces
being adapted to accommodate sections of the frames of said two beds or bed frames.
2. A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the support bracket includes three
parallel wall elements (4-6) perpendicularly arranged on the base element (7).
3. A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the height of the device may be adjusted
by means of a threaded connection between the spindle (2) and the sleeve.
4. A coupling device according to claim 3, wherein the height of the device may be adjusted
by turning the foot.
5. A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the foot (1) may include a layer made
of a protective material.
6. A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the layer is a rubber like material.
7. A coupling device according to claim 1, wherein said wall elements include a first
outer element (4), an intermediary element (5) and a second outer element (6).
8. A coupling device according to claim 7, wherein the first and second outer elements
(4, 6) have pointed, rounded or bevelled end sections.
9. A coupling device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said outer elements (4, 6) have
end sections that are angled outwards.
10. A coupling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elements of
the device are made in a plastic material or metal.
11. A coupling device according to any of the preceding claims 1-9, wherein the elements
of the device are made in plastic and metal.