FRAME FOR HEADBOARD OR FOOTBOARD

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a headboard or footboard frame for mounting on a mattress frame of a bed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates a frame for a headboard or footboard of a bed. A headboard or footboard is a decorative part of a bed that is both normally detachably attached to and extends perpendicularly from a head or foot end of a normally horizontal mattress frame. This mattress frame supports a mattress and extends horizontally whereas, the headboard is at one end of the mattress frame and typically extends vertically and has feet supporting that end of the mattress frame on the floor. The footboard is at the other end of the mattress frame and normally extends vertically and has feet supporting its end of the mattress frame on the floor. The mattress frame, headboard frame, and footboard frame are separate relatively bulky parts normally assembled together by the end user to form a bed frame, and are shipped to the user separately.

In the prior art, the headboard and/or footboard are bolted or fitted with some type of robust fastener to the respective end of the mattress frame. In addition they are decorative items because in use they are visible. The mattress frame, which typically has slats or some sort of support elements carrying the mattress, is however out of sight and covered by the eventually used bedding. Depending on the design and attachment of the headboard or footboard to the mattress frame, there is in addition to its decorative properties a support function for people who, for example, sit up in bed against an inner face of the headboard or rest their feet on a confronting inner face of the footboard. Thus, the headboard and footboard are pieces of furniture that must be presentable or even match the other bedroom furniture. Also in some cases the mattress frame has its own feet and the headboard and/or footboard have no feet and are simply bolted to the respective ends of the mattress frame.

The headboard or footboard often consists of a wooden panel, for example a chipboard panel, that is covered with padding and a cover stretched over the padding. The cover is attached to the chipboard with staples, preferably in an area that is not visible after assembly. The padded inner faces of the headboard and footboard are also usually covered with a corresponding cover that is attached to the frame with staples. It is no longer possible to remove the cover, for example for cleaning purposes, without damaging it. Instead of wood a metal frame may form the rigid structural core of the headboard or footboard frame.

In order to further enhance the appearance of at least the inner face of the headboard or footboard, indentations can be provided to visually enhance their visible inner faces. The inner face of the headboard or footboard is always visible whereas the outer face at least of the headboard often faces a room wall.

The headboard or footboard frame is fitted with the upholstery and cover before being stored and then placed in a warehouse until they are shipped to the customer. The disadvantage of this is that a large number of bulky headboards and footboards of different colors and shapes must be stored in order to be able to respond as quickly as possible to customer requests, resulting in correspondingly high storage costs. Transporting a headboard or footboard is also complex and expensive, as it is large and heavy.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved frame for a headboard or footboard.

Another object is the provision of such an improved frame that overcomes the above-given disadvantages, in particular that reduces transport and storage costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a headboard or footboard mountable on an end of a mattress frame and adapted to carry a detachable headboard or footboard frame that, in an intended use position, forms a decorative support at a right angle to a support surface of the mattress frame and projecting from a head or foot end of the mattress frame. This headboard or footboard frame is detachably attached/attachable to the head or foot end of the mattress frame. According to the invention the headboard or footboard frame has two subframes pivotally connected to each other for movement between a transport position with the subframes on folded top of each other and a use position in which the subframes are folded apart next to each other and lie in a common plane. Each such subframe is comprised of a dimensionally stable frame to whose outer edge are attached first bars that are offset in the transport position to a frame part plane spanned by the respective frame part and that in the use position project at a right angle from the common plane of the frame parts. Furthermore according to the invention, first bars are connected in the use position by second strip parts and the first bars form with the second strip parts and a circumferential tensioning strip surrounds of the headboard or footboard frame.

The frame of the headboard or footboard can thus be detachably attached to a mattress frame, thus enabling the headboard or footboard to be replaced. In particular, parts of frames of this type are universally interchangeable with each other, so that a sustainable system can be provided.

For transport and storage purposes, the headboard or footboard frame is folded up so that its volume in the transport position is reduced by at least half compared to the use position. This is achieved by folding the support and decorative wall in half for transport and storage, and by folding or collapsing the first bars that form the outer circumferential tensioning strip. This results in a significant reduction in transport and storage costs.

It is preferable that the second strip parts comprise corner connectors with which two first bars are connected across the corner so that a stable corner connection is ensured. These corner connectors have rounded corners, which serves to visually redesign the headboard or footboard frame.

It is also preferred that the second strip parts comprise straight connectors, each of which connects two adjacent first bars at the hinge between the subframes. The connecting parts form a stable surrounding tensioning strip. In addition, unwanted folding of the first bars and pivoting of the subframes is prevented.

It is preferable that the second strip parts are detachably fastened to the first bars so that the connecting strip parts are initially separated from the first bars for transport purposes and the first bars can be pivoted. Only when the intended use position is set are the second strip parts (connecting parts) inserted between two first bars and connected to them such that the first bars can no longer move and a stable circumferential tensioning strip is formed.

It is particularly preferable that the second strip parts are made of plastic, as such connecting parts are sufficiently stable and can be manufactured inexpensively.

It is preferably provided that each frame part is reinforced by a flat grid.

This grid reinforces the subframes. In addition, the grid serves to apply upholstery and a cover to the headboard or footboard frame. According to the invention the frame parts, the first bars, and the grid are made of metal so that a stable and at the same time lightweight headboard or footboard frame can be provided.

It is also preferable for the headboard or footboard frame to have in the intended use position a cover surrounding the frame part and preferably the grid. The surrounding tensioning strip is covered and enclosed by the edges of the cover and the free edges cover have clamping elements with which the cover is detachably fastened to parts of the tensioning strip. Such a cover can be easily replaced at any time for cleaning purposes or in the event of damage. In addition, covers can be stretched over the headboard or footboard frame, resulting in considerable savings in storage space, since it is no longer necessary to keep a large number of headboard or footboard frames covered with fabric, for example, as was previously the case, but only a large number of covers, which saves space.

Preferably each subframe has at least two adjacent first transverse and/or longitudinal struts between which a clamping gap is formed and the cover has a clamping strip fittable into the clamping gap in the use position. The transverse and/or longitudinal struts also stiffen the subframe and make it easy to create a recess at the front of the headboard or footboard frame by simply inserting the cover with a clamping strip into the gap and clamping it in place.

It is preferable that the first bars have holes in which electrical parts are fastened or through which electrical parts are fed. For example, USB sockets can be attached in the holes or cables for lighting can be fed through the holes.

In addition, the headboard or footboard frame comprises at least two adapter plates with pins that detachably secure the headboard or footboard to the mattress frame. These adapter plates are fastened to parts of the subframes, preferably to second transverse and/or longitudinal struts of the subframes, and the pins are inserted into parts, preferably sleeves, of the mattress frame and are detachably fixed therein. The adapter plates can, for example, be screwed to the cross and/or longitudinal struts and are detachably fixed with the pins in a holder on the mattress frame. The adapter plates and pins are preferably made of metal in order to provide sufficient stability. Preferably the adapter plates are detachably fastened to the second cross and/or longitudinal struts by fasteners, and the second cross and/or longitudinal struts have at least two, preferably three or four, holes for fastening and variable positioning of the adapter plates. For example, the headboard or footboard can be attached to the mattress frame by selecting appropriate available holes in such a way that it also serves as a support foot for supporting the mattress frame on the floor.

It is also particularly preferred that the first bars have cutouts that enclose the first and/or second transverse and/or longitudinal struts in the transport position. This makes it possible to arrange the first bars in the transport position in a space-saving manner in the frame part plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 a headboard or footboard frame in a folded transport position;

FIG. 2 is a view of a detail of the inventive headboard or footboard frame; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are front and back isometric views of the headboard or footboard frame in a use position ready for mounting on a mattress frame.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawing shows a headboard or footboard frame 1 that can be detachably attached to an end of an unillustrated mattress frame. For transport and storage purposes, parts of the headboard or footboard frame 1 can be folded together so that the overall volume of the resulting frame package is reduced by at least half compared to the use position. To do this, the headboard or footboard frame 1 is folded in half and attachments, such as first bars 4, are folded into the frame structure of the headboard or footboard 1. This results in a significant reduction in transport and storage volume and thus in a reduction of transport and storage costs.

More precisely, the headboard or footboard frame 1 consists of two substantially identical subframes 2 and 3 that are pivoted on each other, e.g., by hinges 14, and that are pivoted toward each other in a transport position and arranged closely on top of each other. This transport position is shown in FIG. 1.

In a use position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the subframes 2 and 3 are pivoted apart and arranged next to each other in a common plane, forming the frame 1.

Each subframe 2, 3 consists of a dimensionally stable, rectangular frame part to whose outer peripheries first bars 4 are attached. The peripheries are understood to be the edges that in the intended use position form the outer edge of the headboard or footboard frame 1, so that the first bars 4 are only on three sides of each of the rectangular subframes 2, 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first bars 4 are folded in the transport position to flank a plane lying between the subframes 2 and 3. To enable this, the first bars 4 are pivotally attached to the subframes 2, 3 by hinges 15.

In the intended use or mounting position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first bars 4 project at right angles from the common plane formed by the two subframes 2, 3 so as to project oppositely outward in the folded FIG. 1 position. In the intended use position, the first bars 4 are connected to each other by second strip parts 5, 6 in the corner areas and in the hinge 15, so that the first bars 4 form an outer circumferential tensioning strip with the second strip parts 5, 6. Corner connectors 5 are provided for connecting the first bars 4, with each connector connecting two first bars 4 at a corner, thus ensuring a stable corner connection. The ends of the first bars 4 closer to the central pivot are connected together via straight parts 6. The connecting parts 5, 6 connect the first bars 4 to each other in a stable manner. In addition, unwanted folding of the first bars 4 and swiveling of the frame parts is prevented. The connecting parts 5 and 6 are made of plastic.

In order to be able to connect the connecting parts 5, 6 to the first bars 4 in a detachable manner, the first bars 4 and the connecting parts 5, 6 have a dovetail connection. The slat parts 5 serving as corner connectors are rounded, although other designs are also possible.

The second strip parts 5, 6 are detachably fastened to the first bars 4 so that the connecting parts 5, 6 can first be separated from the first bars 4 for transport purposes and the first bars 4 can be pivoted. Only when the desired use position is set are the second strip parts 5, 6 (connecting parts) inserted between two first bars 4 and connected to them, so that the first bars 4 can no longer be moved and a stable surrounding tensioning strip is formed.

The frame parts are each reinforced by a grid 7. This grid 7 is intended to reinforce the subframes 2, 3. It is also possible to apply upholstery to the grid 7, which is covered with a cover together with the frame and strip parts.

The frame parts, as well as the first bars 4 and the grid 7, are made of metal, so that a stable and lightweight headboard or footboard frame 1 can be provided.

The headboard or footboard frame 1 has covers containing the frame parts and the grid 7 in the intended use position, and the surrounding tensioning strip is covered and enclosed by the edges of the cover and the free end areas of the edges have clamping elements with which the cover is detachably fastened to parts of the tensioning strip. The cover is attached to the outer face of the headboard or footboard frame 1 and can be detached at any time, so that the cover can be easily removed for cleaning or in the event of damage. In addition, the cover can be stretched over the frame structure of the headboard or footboard frame 1, resulting in considerable savings in storage space, since it is no longer necessary to keep a large number of fabric-covered headboard or footboard frames 1, as was previously the case, but only a large number of covers, which can be stored in a space-saving manner.

The drawing shows that the subframes 2, 3 have respective longitudinal struts 8, 9, between which a clamping gap is formed. The cover, which is pulled over the frame structure, can have a clamping strip fittable in their clamping gaps, in the desired position, thus forming a tuck. In this way, tucks can be created particularly quickly and easily, and such tucks can also be removed when the cover is pulled off without damaging the cover.

Some of the first bars 4 have holes 10 in which electrical parts such as USB sockets can be attached or through which electrical parts such as cables can be fed. Alternatively, holders for decorative or design elements or fasteners for such holders can also be inserted into the holes 10 and mounted on the strip parts 4.

The support/decorative wall 1 is preferably attached to a mattress frame using two adapter plates, each of which has a pin with which the adapter plate is inserted into a sleeve on the mattress frame. The adapter plates are not shown in the figures. These are attached to the second longitudinal and transverse struts 11, 12 of the subframes 2, 3, preferably by screws. The second cross and longitudinal struts 11, 12 have several holes so that the adapter plates can be attached in various positions, for example to adjust the height of the headboard or footboard frame 1. For example, the headboard or footboard frame 1 can be attached to the mattress frame in such a way that it also serves as a support foot for the mattress frame.

The first bars 4 have cutouts 13 in the areas of the first longitudinal strut and the second cross and longitudinal struts 8, 9, 11, 12 that in the transport position enclose the first and second cross and/or longitudinal struts 8, 9, 11, 12, so that the first bars 4 are optimally arranged in the frame part plane.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments, but is variable in many ways within the scope of the disclosure. All individual and combined features disclosed in the description and/or drawings are considered essential to the invention.