Adjustable bed frame system

• US 5,996,145 A
• Filed: 10/15/1997
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keller H. Thomas, Taylor Corporation (Middleby Corporation), Rosemary P. Keller, Rusher T. Michael
• Original Assignee: Keller H. Thomas, Taylor Corporation (Middleby Corporation), Rosemary P. Keller, Rusher T. Michael
• Inventors: Taylor, Harry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRETTEL, MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/950,960
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 5/184, 5/185, 5/236.1, 5/238, 5/200.1, 5/201, 5/202, 5/282.1, 5/285, 5/286, 5/296, 5/304, 5/310
• US Class Current: 5/200.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/005 dismountable
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/024 Legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/04 Extensible bedsteads, e.g. with adjustment of length, width, height for children's beds A47D7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/045 with entire frame height or inclination adjustments

Abstract

A bed frame system for supporting a mattress. The bed frame system includes length and height adjustable bed rails. A groove is provided in each bed rail for receiving the end of a transverse support slat. A length adjustable support slat is provided. Unique height adjustable support feet are removably coupled to the bed rails and/or slidably mounted beneath the slats. Preferably, the bed rails, the slats and the support feet are formed of moldable polymeric material.

Claims

1. An end member for use with a rail member of the type having first and second ends and including a vertical rail wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends and a horizontal rail wall integrally formed with the vertical rail wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends to form a bed rail for supporting a mattress or the like in a bed of the type having a headboard, said end member comprising:

(a) a body having;

(1) an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end;

(2) a vertical body wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(3) a horizontal body wall integral with said vertical wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(b) means disposed on said outer end, said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard;

(c) a cavity formed in said body, said cavity extending inwardly from an opening in said inner end and into said vertical body wall and into said horizontal vertical wall; and

(d) wherein when a first portion of the rail member is slidably disposed in said cavity such that a portion of the vertical rail wall is disposed within said vertical body wall and a portion of the horizontal rail wall is disposed within said horizontal body wall, a remainder portion of the rail member extends outwardly from said end opening of said body, whereby the length of the bed rail may be selectively adjusted.

2. The end member of claim 1 wherein said end member is formed of polymeric material.

3. The end member of claim 1 including a second horizontal body wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said first horizontal body wall, said first and second horizontal body walls defining a longitudinally extending slat groove.

4. The end member of claim 3 including a cut out located in at least one of said first and second horizontal walls for receiving an end of a slat and restricting movement of the end of the slat along said slat groove.

5. The end member of claim 1 including means for removably coupling a foot to said body.

6. The end member of claim 1 wherein said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard includes:

(a) a pair of vertically extending, spaced apart, opposed side walls on said outer end and defining a vertical channel therebetween, each of said side walls having a plurality of locator holes formed therein;

(b) a mounting plate and a headboard engagement structure arranged and configured to couple said end member to the headboard, said mounting plate slidably disposed in said channel and having a plurality of positioning holes;

(c) at least one pin removably extending through a locator hole of each side wall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate; and

(d) whereby the vertical position of said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard with respect to said sidewalls may be selectively adjusted by removing said pin, repositioning said plate along said channel, and reinserting said pin through a locator hole of each sidewall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate.

7. An end member for use with a rail member of the type having first and second ends and including a vertical rail wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends, a horizontal rail wall integrally formed with the vertical rail wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between the first and second ends, and a rail passage formed in the rail member, the rail passage extending from the first end toward the second end and into each of the vertical and horizontal rail walls, to form a bed rail for supporting a mattress or the like in a bed of the type having a headboard, said end member comprising:

(a) a body having;

(1) an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end;

(2) a vertical body wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(3) a horizontal body wall integrally formed with said vertical body wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(b) means disposed on said outer end, said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard;

(c) an extension including;

(1) a vertical extension wall having one end thereofjoined to said vertical body wall on said inner end of said body and an opposite end of said vertical extension wall being free;

(2) a horizontal extension wall integrally formed with said vertical extension wall, said horizontal extension wall having one end thereof joined to said horizontal body wall on said inner end of said body and an opposite end of said horizontal extension wall being free; and

(d) at least a portion of said extension slidable into the rail passage such that at least a portion of said vertical extension wall is disposed within the vertical rail wall and at least a portion of said horizontal extension wall is disposed within the vertical rail wall, whereby the length of the bed rail may be selectively adjusted.

8. The end member of claim 7 wherein said end member is formed of polymeric material.

9. The end member of claim 7 including a second horizontal body wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said horizontal body wall, said first and second horizontal body walls defining a longitudinally extending slat groove.

10. The end member of claim 7 including a pair of partition walls extending vertically between said first horizontal body wall and said second horizontal body wall, said partition walls arranged and configured to receive an end of a slat and restrict movement of the end of the slat along said slat groove.

11. The end member of claim 7 including means for removably coupling a foot to said body.

12. The end member of claim 7 wherein said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard includes:

(a) a pair of vertically extending, spaced apart, opposed side walls on said outer end and defining a vertical channel therebetween, each of said side walls having a plurality of locator holes formed therein;

(b) a mounting plate and a headboard engagement structure arranged and configured to couple said end member to the headboard, said mounting plate slidably disposed in said channel and having a plurality of positioning holes;

(c) at least one pin removably extending through a locator hole of each side wall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate; and

(d) whereby the vertical position of said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard with respect to said sidewalls may be selectively adjusted by removing said pin, repositioning said plate along said channel, and reinserting said pin through a locator hole of each sidewall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate.

13. A bed rail for supporting a mattress or the like in a bed of the type having a headboard, said bed rail comprising:

(a) at least one end member including;

(1) a body having;

(i) an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end;

(ii) a vertical body wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(iii) a horizontal body wall integral with said vertical wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(2) means disposed on said outer end, said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard; and

(3) a cavity formed in said body, said cavity extending inwardly from an opening in said inner end and into said vertical body wall and into said horizontal vertical wall;

(b) a rail member having first and second ends and including;

(1) a vertical rail wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends; and

(2) a horizontal rail wall integrally formed with said vertical rail wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends; and

(c) wherein a first portion of said rail member is slidably disposed in said cavity such that a portion of said vertical rail wall is disposed within said vertical body wall and a portion of said horizontal rail wall is disposed within said horizontal body wall, a remainder portion of said rail member extending outwardly from said end opening of said body, whereby the length of said bed rail may be selectively adjusted.

14. The bed rail of claim 13 including a second said end member slidably mounted on an end of said rail member opposite said first said end member.

15. The bed rail of claim 13 wherein at least said rail member is formed of polymeric material.

16. The bed rail of claim 15 wherein said at least one end member and said rail member are formed of polymeric material.

17. The bed rail of claim 13 including a second horizontal body wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said first horizontal body wall, said first and second horizontal body walls defining a longitudinally extending slat groove.

18. The bed rail of claim 17 including a cut out located in at least one of said first and second horizontal walls for receiving an end of a slat and restricting movement of the end of the slat along said slat groove.

19. The bed rail of claim 13 including a second horizontal rail wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said first horizontal rail wall, said first and second horizontal rail walls defining a longitudinally extending slat groove.

20. The bed rail of claim 13 including means for removably coupling a foot to said body.

21. The bed rail of claim 13 wherein said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard includes:

(a) a pair of vertically extending, spaced apart, opposed side walls on said outer end and defining a vertical channel therebetween, each of said side walls having a plurality of locator holes formed therein;

(b) a mounting plate and a headboard engagement structure arranged and configured to couple said end member to the headboard, said mounting plate slidably disposed in said channel and having a plurality of positioning holes;

(c) at least one pin removably extending through a locator hole of each side wall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate; and

(d) whereby the vertical position of said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard with respect to said sidewalls may be selectively adjusted by removing said pin, repositioning said plate along said channel, and reinserting said pin through a locator hole of each sidewall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate.

22. A bed rail for supporting a mattress or the like in a bed of the type having a headboard, said bed rail comprising:

(a) at least one end member including;

(1) a body having;

(i) an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end;

(ii) a vertical body wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(iii) a horizontal body wall integrally formed with said vertical body wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

(2) means disposed on said outer end, said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard; and

(3) an extension including;

(i) a vertical extension wall having one end thereofjoined to said vertical body wall on said inner end of said body and an opposite end of said vertical extension wall being free;

(ii) a horizontal extension wall integrally formed with said vertical extension wall, said horizontal extension wall having one end thereofjoined to said horizontal body wall on said inner end of said body and an opposite end of said horizontal extension wall being free;

(b) a rail member having first and second ends and including;

(1) a vertical rail wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends;

(2) a horizontal rail wall integrally formed with said vertical rail wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends; and

(3) a rail passage formed in said rail member, said rail passage extending from said first end toward said second end and into each of said vertical and horizontal rail walls; and

(c) at least a portion of said extension slidably disposed in said rail passage such that at least a portion of said vertical extension wall is disposed within said vertical rail wall and at least a portion of said horizontal extension wall is disposed within said vertical rail wall, whereby the length of said bed rail may be selectively adjusted.

23. The bed rail of claim 22 wherein said rail passage is substantially fully enclosed except at said first and second ends of said rail member.

24. The bed rail of claim 22 including a second said end member slidably mounted on an end of said rail member opposite said first said end member.

25. The bed rail of claim 22 wherein at least said rail member is formed of polymeric material.

26. The bed rail of claim 23 wherein said at least one end member and said rail member are formed of polymeric material.

27. The bed rail of claim 22 including a second horizontal body wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said first horizontal body wall, said first and second horizontal body walls defining a longitudinally extending slat groove.

28. The bed rail of claim 27 including a pair of partition walls extending vertically between said first horizontal body wall and said second horizontal body wall, said partition walls arranged and configured to receive an end of a slat and restrict movement of the end of the slat along said slat groove.

29. The bed rail of claim 22 including a second horizontal rail wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said first horizontal rail wall, said first and second horizontal rail walls defining a longitudinally extending slat groove.

30. The bed rail of claim 22 including means for removably coupling a foot to said body.

31. The bed rail of claim 22 wherein said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard includes:

(a) a pair of vertically extending, spaced apart, opposed side walls on said outer end and defining a vertical channel therebetween, each of said side walls having a plurality of locator holes formed therein;

(b) a mounting plate and a headboard engagement structure arranged and configured to couple said end member to the headboard, said mounting plate slidably disposed in said channel and having a plurality of positioning holes;

(c) at least one pin removably extending through a locator hole of each side wall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate; and

(d) whereby the vertical position of said means adapted to couple said body with the headboard with respect to said sidewalls may be selectively adjusted by removing said pin, repositioning said plate along said channel, and reinserting said pin through a locator hole of each sidewall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate.

32. A bed rail connector assembly for connecting a bed rail to a headboard and/or footboard to vertically adjust and support a mattress or the like, said bed rail connector assembly comprising:

(a) an end portion of the bed rail including a pair of vertically extending, spaced apart, opposed side walls mounted on an end of said bed rail and defining a vertical channel therebetween, each of said side walls having a plurality of locator holes formed therein;

(b) a mounting plate and a headboard engagement portion arranged and configured to couple said bed rail to the headboard, said mounting plate slidably disposed in said channel and having a plurality of positioning holes;

(c) said engagement portion includes a vertically extending faceplate integral with and forming a substantially right angle with said mounting plate said, faceplate having a plurality of vertically spaced slots formed therein for receiving fasteners;

(d) at least one pin removably extending through a locator hole of each side wall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate; and

(e) whereby the vertical position of said connector with respect to said sidewalls may be selectively adjusted by removing said pin, repositioning said plate along said channel, and reinserting said pin through a locator hole of each sidewall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate.

33. The bed rail connector assembly of claim 32 wherein said engagement portion includes a plurality of vertically spaced hooks extending along a plane substantially parallel to the planes of each of said side walls and substantially coplanar with said mounting plate.

34. The bed rail connector assembly of claim 32 wherein said engagement portion includes a vertically extending faceplate integral with and forming a substantially right angle with said mounting plate, said engagement portion further including a plurality of vertically spaced hooks integral with said faceplate, said hooks extending away from said mounting plate and being disposed along a plane parallel to and laterally spaced from the plane of said mounting plate.

35. A bed rail member for supporting a mattress and a slat, said bed rail member having first and second opposed ends and including:

(a) a vertically disposed wall;

(b) upper and lower horizontally disposed walls extending outwardly from said vertical wall and along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends, said upper and lower horizontal walls spaced apart to define a longitudinally extending slat groove therebetween, said slat groove adapted to receive and support an end of the slat;

(c) a portion of said vertical wall extending upwardly from said upper horizontal wall for restricting lateral movement of the mattress;

(d) said bed rail member is;

(1) arranged and configured to support the mattress over said slat groove; and

(2) includes a cut out located in at least one of said horizontal walls for receiving an end of a slat and restricting movement of the end of the slat along said slat groove.

36. The bed rail member of claim 35 wherein said bed rail is arranged and configured such that the mattress may be directly supported by said upper horizontal wall.

37. The bed rail member of claim 35 is formed of polymeric material.

38. The bed rail member of claim 35 including a pair of partition walls extending vertically between said horizontal walls, said partition walls arranged and configured to receive an end of a slat and restrict movement of the end of the slat along said slat groove.

39. A length adjustable slat for supporting a mattress, said slat comprising:

(a) a male member including;

(1) a body having first and second opposed ends, said body having a first outer thickness at said first end;

(2) an extension integral with and extending longitudinally from said second end of said body, said extension having a second outer thickness being less than said first outer thickness;

(b) a female member having first and second ends and a longitudinal passage defined therein adapted to receive said extension, said passage communicating with an opening at said first end and having an inner thickness, said female member having a third outer thickness at said second end;

(c) wherein said inner thickness of said passage is substantially the same as said second outer thickness of said extension, and wherein a portion of said extension extends through said opening and is slidably disposed in said passage whereby the length of said slat may be selectively adjusted; and

(d) wherein said first and third outer thicknesses of said male member body and said female member are substantially the same whereby said slat assumes a substantially level orientation when said first end of said body and said second end of said female member are placed on respective supports of the same height.

40. The slat of claim 39 wherein said body has a substantially uniform thickness from said first end to said second end thereof and said female member has a substantially uniform thickness from said first end to said second end thereof.

41. The slat of claim 39 including a first locator hole formed through said body adjacent said first end thereof and a second locator hole formed through said female member adjacent said second end thereof.

42. The slat of claim 41 including a third locator hole formed through said extension adjacent an end thereof opposite said body.

43. The slat of claim 39 wherein at least said body and said female member have substantially trapezoidally shaped cross-sections.

44. The slat of claim 39 including a longitudinal slot formed in a lower wall of said female member and communicating with said passage, said slot having a prescribed width for receiving a support foot such that the foot is slidably retained in said slot.

45. The slat of claim 39 wherein at least one of said male and female members is formed of polymeric material.

46. The slat of claim 45 wherein each of said male and female members is formed of polymeric material.

47. A length adjustable slat for supporting a mattress, said slat comprising:

(a) a male member formed of polymeric material and including;

(1) a body having first and second opposed ends, said body having a first outer thickness at said first end, said body having a substantially uniform thickness from said first end to said second end thereof, said body having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section;

(2) an extension integral with and extending longitudinally from said second end of said body, said extension having a second outer thickness being less than said first outer thickness;

(b) a female member formed of polymeric material, said female member having first and second ends and a longitudinal passage defined therein adapted to receive said extension, said passage communicating with an opening at said first end and having an inner thickness, said female member having a third outer thickness at said second end, said female member having a substantially uniform thickness from said first end to said second end thereof, said female member having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section;

(c) wherein said inner thickness of said passage is substantially the same as said second outer thickness of said extension, and wherein a portion of said extension extends through said opening and is slidably disposed in said passage whereby the length of said slat may be selectively adjusted;

(d) wherein said first and third outer thicknesses of said male member body and said female member are substantially the same whereby said slat assumes a substantially level orientation when said first end of said body and said second end of said female member are placed on respective supports of the same height;

(e) a first locator hole formed through said body adjacent said first end thereof, a second locator hole formed through said female member adjacent said second end thereof, and a third locator hole formed through said extension adjacent an end thereof opposite said body; and

(f) a longitudinal slot formed in a lower wall of said female member and communicating with said passage, said slot having a prescribed width for receiving a support foot such that the foot is slidably retained in said slot.

48. A height adjustable support foot for supporting a bed rail or slat, said support foot comprising:

(a) a male member including;

(1) a shaft having upper and lower opposed ends;

(2) means formed on said upper end and adapted to engage the bed rail or slat; and

(3) an external thread formed about a portion of said shaft adjacent said lower end;

(b) a female member having upper and lower opposed ends, said female member;

(1) defining an internally threaded bore open at said upper end of said female member and extending downwardly toward said lower end of said female member, said thread of said bore being complementary to said thread of said male member; and

(2) including an enlarged base formed on said lower end of said female member and adapted to support the bed rail or slat;

(c) said lower end of said male member disposed in said bore with said external thread of said male member threadedly and rotatably engaging said internal thread of said female member, said upper end of said shaft extending upwardly from said female member, whereby the overall height of said support foot may be adjusted by selectively rotating said female member with respect to said male member.

49. The support foot of claim 48 wherein said female member has a substantially smooth outer surface.

50. The support foot of claim 48 wherein each of said male and female members is formed of polymeric material.

51. The support foot of claim 48 wherein said connecting means includes a head having a width greater than a width of said shaft and adapted to removably attach said support foot to the bed rail or slat.

52. A height adjustable bed rail assembly for supporting a mattress or the like, said bed rail assembly comprising:

(a) a rail member having first and second opposed ends and a horizontal wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends;

(b) a foot retainer formed on a lower portion of said horizontal wall, said foot retainer defining a sidewardly opening cavity and a sidewardly opening slot underlying said cavity and communicating with said cavity;

(c) a height adjustable support foot including;

(1) a male member including;

(i) a shaft having a prescribed width and upper and lower opposed ends;

(ii) means formed on said upper end and adapted to engage the bed rail or slat, said means including a head having a prescribed width greater than said width of said shaft; and

(iii) an external thread formed about a portion of said shaft adjacent said lower end;

(2) a female member having upper and lower opposed ends, said female member;

(i) defining an internally threaded bore open at said upper end of said female member and extending downwardly toward said lower end of said female member, said thread of said bore being complementary to said thread of said male member; and

(ii) an enlarged base formed on said lower end of said female member and adapted to support the bed rail or slat;

(3) said lower end of said male member disposed in said bore with said external thread of said male member threadedly and rotatably engaging said internal thread of said female member, said upper end of said shaft extending upwardly from said female member, whereby the overall height of said support foot may be adjusted by selectively rotating said female member with respect to said male member; and

(d) wherein said slot has a width greater than said width of said shaft and less than said width of said head, said cavity and said slot of said foot retainer sized and configured to laterally receive said head and said shaft, respectively, and such that, when said head is disposed in said cavity, said support foot may only be removed from said foot retainer by withdrawing said head laterally from said cavity.

53. A bed frame system for supporting a mattress or the like in a bed of the type having a headboard, said bed frame system comprising:

(a) a pair of spaced apart bed rails, each said bed rail including;

(1) at least one end member formed of polymeric material and including;

(i) an end member body having;

55. The bed rail of claim 53 including a second said end member slidably mounted on an end of said rail member opposite said first said end member.

56. The bed rail of claim 53 including a pair of partition walls extending vertically between said first horizontal body wall and said second horizontal body wall, said partition walls arranged and configured to receive an end of said slat and restrict movement of said end of said slat along said slat groove.

54. an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end;

2. a vertical body wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends;

3. first and second horizontal body walls each integrally formed with said vertical body wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said inner and outer ends, said second horizontal body wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said horizontal body wall, said first and second horizontal body walls defining a longitudinally extending end member slat groove;

(ii) means disposed on said outer end, said means adapted to couple said end member body with the headboard, said means including;

1. a pair of vertically extending, spaced apart, opposed side walls on said outer end and defining a vertical channel therebetween, each of said side walls having a plurality of locator holes formed therein;

2. a mounting plate and a headboard engagement structure arranged and configured to couple said end member to the headboard, said mounting plate slidably disposed in said channel and having a plurality of positioning holes;

3. at least one pin removably extending through a said locator hole of each side wall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate; and

4. whereby the vertical position of said means adapted to couple said end member body with the headboard with respect to said sidewalls may be selectively adjusted by removing said pin, repositioning said plate along said channel, and reinserting said pin through a said locator hole of each sidewall and a positioning hole of said mounting plate; and

(iii) an end member extension including;

1. a vertical extension wall having one end thereof joined to said vertical body wall on said inner end of said end member body and an opposite end of said vertical extension wall being free;

2. a horizontal extension wall integrally formed with said vertical extension wall, said horizontal extension wall having one end thereofjoined to said horizontal body wall on said inner end of said end member body and an opposite end of said horizontal extension wall being free; and

(2) a rail member formed of polymeric material, said rail member having first and second ends and including;

(i) a vertical rail wall extending along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends;

(ii) first and second horizontal rail walls each integrally formed with said vertical rail wall and extending along at least a portion of the distance between said first and second ends, said second horizontal rail wall disposed beneath and spaced apart from said first horizontal rail wall, said first and second horizontal rail walls defining a longitudinally extending rail slat groove;

(iii) a rail passage formed in said rail member, said rail passage extending from said first end toward said second end and into each of said vertical and horizontal rail walls; and

(3) at least a portion of said end member extension slidably disposed in said rail passage such that at least a portion of said vertical extension wall is disposed within said vertical rail wall and at least a portion of said horizontal extension wall is disposed within said vertical rail wall, whereby the length of said bed rail may be selectively adjusted;

(b) a length adjustable slat for supporting the mattress, said slat comprising;

(1) a male slat member formed of polymeric material and including;

(i) a slat body having first and second opposed ends, said slat body having a first outer thickness at said first end, said body having a substantially uniform thickness from said first end to said second end thereof, said slat body having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section; and

(ii) a slat extension integral with and extending longitudinally from said second end of said slat body, said slat extension having a second outer thickness being less than said first outer thickness;

(2) a female slat member formed of polymeric material, said female slat member having first and second ends and a longitudinal slat passage defined therein adapted to receive said extension, said passage communicating with an opening at said first end and having an inner thickness, said female slat member having a third outer thickness at said second end, said female slat member having a substantially uniform thickness from said first end to said second end thereof, said female slat member having a substantially trapezoidal cross-section;

(3) wherein said inner thickness of said passage is substantially the same as said second outer thickness of said extension, and wherein a portion of said slat extension extends through said opening and is slidably disposed in said slat passage whereby the length of said slat may be selectively adjusted;

(4) wherein said first and third outer thicknesses of said male slat body and said female member are substantially the same whereby said slat assumes a substantially level orientation when said first end of said slat body and said second end of said female slat member are placed on respective supports of the same height;

(5) a first locator hole formed through said slat body adjacent said first end thereof, a second locator hole formed through said female slat member adjacent said second end thereof, and a third locator hole formed through said slat extension adjacent an end thereof opposite said slat body; and

(6) a longitudinal slat slot formed in a lower wall of said female slat member and communicating with said slat passage, said slat slot having a prescribed width;

(c) a foot retainer formed on a lower portion of said second horizontal wall of said end member, said foot retainer defining a sidewardly opening cavity and a sidewardly opening foot slot underlying said cavity and communicating with said cavity;

(d) a height adjustable support foot including;

(1) a male foot member including;

(i) a shaft having a prescribed width and upper and lower opposed ends;

(ii) means formed on said upper end and adapted to engage said foot retainer and said slat passage or slat, said means including a head having a prescribed width greater than said width of said shaft; and

(iii) an external thread formed about a portion of said shaft adjacent said lower end;

(2) a female foot member having upper and lower opposed ends, said female foot member;

(i) defining an internally threaded bore open at said upper end of said female foot member and extending downwardly toward said lower end of said female foot member, said thread of said bore being complementary to said thread of said male foot member; and

(ii) an enlarged base formed on said lower end of said female foot member and adapted to support said bed rail or said slat;

(3) said lower end of said male member disposed in said bore with said external thread of said male foot member threadedly and rotatably engaging said internal thread of said female foot member, said upper end of said shaft extending upwardly from said female foot member, whereby the overall height of said support foot may be adjusted by selectively rotating said female foot member with respect to said male foot member;

(e) wherein said foot slot has a width greater than said width of said shaft and less than said width of said head, said cavity and said foot slot of said foot retainer sized and configured to laterally receive said head and said shaft, respectively, and such that, when said head is disposed in said cavity, said support foot may only be removed from said foot retainer by withdrawing said head laterally from said cavity; and

(f) wherein said prescribed width of said slat slot is greater than said width of said shaft and less than said width of said head, whereby said head of said support foot may be retained in said slat such that said foot is slidable along the length of said slat.