Folding Bed Base Apparatus and Related Method of Use

• US 20190045938A1
• Filed: 08/10/2017
• Published: 02/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dockter China Limited
• Original Assignee: Dockter China Limited
• Inventors: Skaggs, Robert William
• Granted Patent: US 10,638,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/025 Direct mattress support frames, Cross-bars
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/122 foldable head to foot only

Abstract

A folding bed base apparatus may include a central frame assembly, a head section, and a foot section. The head section and foot section may be pivotally attached to the central frame assembly such that the folding bed base apparatus may fold to a folded configuration and unfold to an unfolded configuration. The central frame assembly may include a first U-shaped foot rest and a second U-shaped foot rest. The U-shaped foot rests may allow the folding bed base apparatus to stand upright when in the folded configuration. The head section may include a first pivot bar and pivot bar stops which frictionally-obstruct the head section from unfolding past the unfolded configuration. The foot section may include a second pivot bar and pivot bar stops which frictionally-obstruct the foot section from unfolding past the unfolded configuration. Methods for unfolding a folded folding bed base apparatus are disclosed.

Claims

1. A folding bed base apparatus comprising:

a first hinge body comprising;

a first vertical bar;

a first upper horizontal member coupled to a superior end of the first vertical bar;

a first lower horizontal member coupled to an inferior end of the first vertical bar; and

a first medial leg support coupled to an inward-facing face of the first vertical bar;

a second hinge body comprising;

a second vertical bar;

a second upper horizontal member coupled to a superior end of the second vertical bar;

a second lower horizontal member coupled to an inferior end of the second vertical bar; and

a second medial leg support coupled to an inward facing face of the second vertical bar;

a first upper frame comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the first upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a first medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface of the proximal side bar of the first upper frame, and a lower surface wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the first upper frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the first upper frame is pivotally attached to the second upper horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the first medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the first upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a second medial-facing end aperture-area, an-upper surface of the distal side bar of the first upper frame, and a lower surface wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the first upper frame;

wherein the distal side bar of the first upper frame is pivotally attached to the first upper horizontal member of the first hinge body via a bolt inserted through the second medial-facing end aperture-area;

a second upper frame, comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the second upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a third medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface of the proximal side bar of the second upper frame, and a lower surface wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the second upper frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the second upper frame is pivotally attached to the second upper horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the third medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the second upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a fourth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface of the distal side bar of the second upper frame, and a lower surface;

wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the second upper frame;

wherein the medial-facing end of the distal side bar of the second upper frame is pivotally attached to the first upper horizontal member of the first hinge body

via a bolt inserted through the fourth medial-facing end aperture-area;

a first lower frame, comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the first lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a fifth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface and a lower surface of the proximal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the first lower frame is pivotally attached to the second lower horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the fifth medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the first lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a sixth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface and a lower surface of the distal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the medial-facing end of the distal side bar of the first lower frame is pivotally attached to the first lower horizontal member of the first hinge body via a bolt inserted through the sixth medial-facing end aperture-area;

a second lower frame, comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the second lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a seventh medial facing end aperture-area, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the proximal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the second lower frame is pivotally attached to the second lower horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the seventh medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the second lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having an eighth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the distal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the medial-facing end of the distal side bar of the second lower frame is pivotally attached to the first lower horizontal member of the first hinge body via a bolt inserted through the eighth medial-facing end aperture-area;

a central support bar, wherein a distal end of the central support bar is coupled to the first hinge body and a proximal end of the central support bar is coupled to the second hinge body; and

,

a first U-shaped foot rest, wherein the first U-shaped foot rest is removably attached to the first medial leg support;

a second U-shaped foot rest, wherein the second U-shaped foot rest is removably attached to the second medial leg support;

a first pivot bar comprising

a first pivot support bar having a first proximal lateral end and a first distal lateral end;

a first distal vertical bar coupled, by a superior end of the distal vertical bar, to the first distal lateral end of the pivot support bar, an inferior end of the first distal vertical bar comprising a first distal vertical bar hinge;

wherein the first distal vertical bar hinge is pivotally attached to a first pivot bar aperture-area of the first lower frame; and

,

a first proximal vertical bar coupled, by a superior end of the proximal vertical bar, to the first proximal lateral end of the pivot support bar, an inferior end of the first proximal vertical bar comprising a first proximal vertical bar hinge;

wherein the first proximal vertical bar hinge is pivotally attached to first pivot bar aperture-area of the first lower frame; and

,

a second pivot bar comprising

a second pivot support bar having a second proximal lateral end and a second distal lateral end;

a second distal vertical bar coupled, by a superior end of the second distal vertical bar, to the second distal lateral end of the second pivot support bar, an inferior end of the second distal vertical bar comprising a second distal vertical bar hinge;

wherein the second distal vertical bar hinge is pivotally attached to a second pivot bar aperture-area of the second lower frame; and

,

a second proximal vertical bar coupled, by a superior end of the second proximal vertical bar, to the second proximal lateral end of the pivot support bar, an inferior end of the second proximal vertical bar comprising a second proximal vertical bar hinge;

wherein the second proximal vertical bar hinge is pivotally attached to second pivot bar aperture-area of the second lower frame;

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the upper surface of the proximal side bar of the first upper frame comprises a beveled edge;

wherein the-upper surface of the distal side bar of the first upper frame comprises a beveled edge;

wherein the upper surface of the proximal side bar of the second upper frame comprises a beveled edge;

wherein the upper surface of the distal side bar of the second upper frame comprises a beveled edge;

wherein the lower surface of the proximal side bar of the first lower frame comprises a beveled edge;

wherein the lower surface of the distal side bar of the first lower frame comprises a beveled edge;

wherein the lower surface of the proximal side bar of the second lower frame comprises a beveled edge; and

, wherein the lower surface of the distal side bar of the second lower frame comprises a beveled edge.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of the beveled edges each comprise a beveling angle;

wherein the plurality of beveling angles each comprise an acute angle disposed between a horizontal line tangent to a longitudinal edge of the side bar and a) a line tangent to the beveled edge, when the beveled edge is curved, or b) a line parallel to a longest portion of a beveled edge, when the beveled edge is not curved;

wherein the angle measure of each beveling angle is between 30 degrees and 75 degrees.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each beveling angle of the plurality of beveling angles is between 35 degrees and 55 degrees.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each beveling angle of the plurality of beveling angles is between 42 degrees and 53 degrees.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each beveling angle of the plurality of beveling angles is between 48 degrees and 52 degrees.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each beveling angle of the plurality of beveling angles is 50 degrees.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least two of the beveled edges are defined by an arc of a circle.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein at least two of the beveled edges are defined by an arc of an ellipsis.

10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein all of the beveled edges are defined by an arc of a circle.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein all of the beveled edges are defined by an arc of an ellipsis.

12. The folding bed base apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first lower frame further comprises a first pivot bar stop and a second pivot bar stop, wherein the first pivot bar stop is coupled to the distal side bar of the first lower frame and the second pivot bar stop is coupled to the proximal side bar of the first lower frame, wherein the first pivot bar stop and the second pivot bar stop frictionally-obstruct the first pivot bar from rotating clockwise past a twelve-o-clock position in which a proximal vertical bar of the first pivot bar is orthogonal to the proximal side bar of the first lower frame;

the second lower frame further comprises a first pivot bar stop and a second pivot bar stop, wherein the first pivot bar stop is coupled to the distal side bar of the second lower frame and the second pivot bar stop is coupled to the proximal side bar of the second lower frame, wherein the first pivot bar stop and the second pivot bar stop frictionally-obstruct the second pivot bar from rotating counterclockwise past a twelve-o-clock position in which a proximal vertical bar of the first pivot bar is orthogonal to the proximal side bar of the second lower frame.

13. The folding bed base apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a fabric covering. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each beveling angle of the plurality of beveling angles is between 48 degrees and 52 degrees.

14. The folding bed base apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a fabric covering engulfing the first upper frame, the second upper frame, the first lower frame, and the second lower frame;

wherein each beveling angle of the plurality of beveling angles is between 48 degrees and 52 degrees.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the first U-shaped foot rest is between 15% and 90% of a main length of the first U-shaped foot rest;

wherein the height of the second U-shaped foot rest is between 15% and 90% of a main length of the second U-shaped foot rest.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a height of the first U-shaped foot rest is between 30% and 70% of a main length of the first U-shaped foot rest;

wherein the height of the second U-shaped foot rest is between 30% and 70% of a main length of the second U-shaped foot rest.

17. A method for using a folding bed base apparatus comprising:

providing a folding bed base apparatus comprising

a first hinge body comprising;

a first vertical bar;

a first upper horizontal member coupled to a superior end of the first vertical bar;

a first lower horizontal member coupled to an inferior end of the first vertical bar; and

a first medial leg support coupled to an inward-facing face of the first vertical bar;

a second hinge body comprising;

a second vertical bar;

a second upper horizontal member coupled to a superior end of the second vertical bar;

a second lower horizontal member coupled to an inferior end of the second vertical bar;

a second medial leg support coupled to an inward facing face of the second vertical bar;

a first upper frame comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the first upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a first medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface of the proximal side bar of the first upper frame, and a lower surface wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the first upper frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the first upper frame is pivotally attached to the second upper horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the first medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the first upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a second medial-facing end aperture-area, an-upper surface of the distal side bar of the first upper frame, and a lower surface wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the first upper frame;

wherein the distal side bar of the first upper frame is pivotally attached to the first upper horizontal member of the first hinge body via a bolt inserted through the second medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the first upper frame is substantially vertically-aligned;

a second upper frame, comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the second upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a third medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface of the proximal side bar of the second upper frame, and a lower surface wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the second upper frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the second upper frame is pivotally attached to the second upper horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the third medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the second upper frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a fourth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface of the distal side bar of the second upper frame, and a lower surface;

wherein the lower surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the second upper frame;

wherein the medial-facing end of the distal side bar of the second upper frame is pivotally attached to the first upper horizontal member of the first hinge body via a bolt inserted through the fourth medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the second upper frame is substantially vertically-aligned;

a first lower frame, comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the first lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a fifth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface and a lower surface of the proximal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the first lower frame is pivotally attached to the second lower horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the fifth medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the first lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a sixth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface and a lower surface of the distal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the first lower frame;

wherein the medial-facing end of the distal side bar of the first lower frame is pivotally attached to the first lower horizontal member of the first hinge body via a bolt inserted through the sixth medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the first lower frame is substantially vertically-aligned;

a second lower frame, comprising a proximal side bar, a distal side bar, and a lateral end bar, wherein the proximal side bar of the second lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having a seventh medial facing end aperture-area, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the proximal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the proximal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the proximal side bar of the second lower frame is pivotally attached to the second lower horizontal member of the second hinge body via a bolt inserted through the seventh medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the distal side bar of the second lower frame further comprises a medial-facing end having an eighth medial-facing end aperture-area, an upper surface, and a lower surface of the distal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the upper surface comprises a beveled edge of the distal side bar of the second lower frame;

wherein the medial-facing end of the distal side bar of the second lower frame is pivotally attached to the first lower horizontal member of the first hinge body via a bolt inserted through the eight medial-facing end aperture-area;

wherein the second lower frame is substantially vertically-aligned;

wherein the first lower frame further comprises a first pivot bar stop and a second pivot bar stop, wherein the first pivot bar stop is coupled to the distal side bar of the first lower frame and the second pivot bar stop is coupled to the proximal side bar of the first lower frame, wherein the first pivot bar stop and the second pivot bar stop frictionally-obstruct the first pivot bar from rotating clockwise past a twelve-o-clock position in which a proximal vertical bar of the first pivot bar is orthogonal to the proximal side bar of the first lower frame;

the second lower frame further comprises a first pivot bar stop and a second pivot bar stop, wherein the first pivot bar stop is coupled to the distal side bar of the second lower frame and the second pivot bar stop is coupled to the proximal side bar of the second lower frame, wherein the first pivot bar stop and the second pivot bar stop frictionally-obstruct the second pivot bar from rotating counterclockwise past a twelve-o-clock position in which a proximal vertical bar of the first pivot bar is orthogonal to the proximal side bar of the second lower frame;

a central support bar, wherein a distal end of the central support bar is coupled to the first hinge body and a proximal end of the central support bar is coupled to the second hinge body;

wherein the central support bar is horizontally-aligned; and

,

a first U-shaped foot rest, wherein the first U-shaped foot rest is coupled to the first medial leg support;

a second U-shaped foot rest, wherein the second U-shaped foot rest is coupled to the second medial leg support;

a first pivot bar comprising a first hinge and a second hinge, wherein the first hinge of the first pivot bar is pivotally attached to a first pivot bar aperture-area of the first lower frame;

the second hinge of the first pivot bar is pivotally attached to a second pivot bar aperture-area of the first lower frame;

a second pivot bar comprising a first hinge and a second hinge, wherein the first hinge of the second pivot bar is pivotally attached to a third pivot bar aperture-area of the second lower frame; and

, the second hinge of the second pivot bar is pivotally attached to a fourth pivot bar aperture-area of the second lower frame.

18. The method of claim 17;

wherein providing the folding bed base apparatus further comprises providing a fabric covering having a zipper, wherein the fabric covering engulfs the folding bed base apparatus.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

rotating the first upper frame from being vertically-aligned to being horizontally-aligned while almost simultaneously rotating the first pivot bar from being substantially horizontally-aligned to being substantially vertically-aligned wherein a plurality of positions of the first pivot bar, the first pivot bar stop, and the second pivot bar stop when the pivot bar is vertically-aligned is such that the first pivot bar is frictionally obstructed by the first pivot bar stop and frictionally obstructed by the second pivot bar stop from a) rotating, in a direction away from the nearest lateral end bar, greater than 15 degrees past being vertically-aligned;

rotating the first lower frame from being vertically-aligned to being horizontally-aligned;

rotating the second upper frame from being vertically-aligned to being horizontally-aligned wherein the step of rotating the second upper frame from being vertically-aligned to being horizontally aligned;

rotating, almost simultaneously with respect to the step of rotating the second upper frame, the first pivot bar from being substantially horizontally-aligned to being substantially vertically-aligned wherein the relative positions to each other of the first pivot bar, the first pivot bar stop, and the second pivot bar stop when the pivot bar is vertically-aligned is such that the first pivot bar is frictionally obstructed by the first pivot bar stop and frictionally obstructed by the second pivot bar stop from rotating, in a direction away from the nearest lateral end bar, greater than 15 degrees past being vertically-aligned and;

rotating the second lower frame from being vertically-aligned to being horizontally-aligned;

rotating the first pivot bar from being horizontally-aligned to being vertically-aligned;

rotating the second pivot bar from being horizontally-aligned to being vertically-aligned;

placing a mattress having a mass so that the mass of mattress substantially rests on the first upper frame and on the second upper frame.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of rotating the second upper frame from being vertically-aligned to being horizontally-aligned wherein the step of rotating the second upper frame from being vertically-aligned to being horizontally aligned further comprises contacting both the first U-shaped foot rest and a second U-shaped foot rest to the ground.