Leg assembly for a support frame

• US 9,451,833 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2015
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ascion LLC
• Original Assignee: Ascion LLC
• Inventors: Rawls-Meehan, Martin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Santos, Robert G
• Application Number:
  US14/754,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20150296991A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 531/0, 528/5, 527/91, 520/01, 520/1, 520/2, 511/4, 550/91, 565/8, 566/0, 248/188.2, 248/188.4
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 91/022 using screw means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/024 Legs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 19/025 Direct mattress support frames, Cross-bars
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/041 by electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 20/08 with means for adjusting two or more rests simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 21/026 Pillow holders; Mattress holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/12 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/34 for pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/012 raising or lowering of the whole mattress frame A61G7/005, A61G7/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/015 divided into different adjustable sections, e.g. for Gatch position
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/018 Control or drive mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05 Parts, details or accessories of beds devices for prevention against falling out A47C21/08, A47D7/00 ; mattresses A47C27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05769 with inflatable chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0142 Beds
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5002 Means for controlling a set of similar massage devices acting in sequence at different locations on a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5097 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/0443 substantially horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive

Abstract

A support system includes a support frame and at least one modular leg assembly mounted to and supporting the support frame. The leg assembly includes a first leg member and a second leg member. The second leg member has a top-to-bottom length that is greater than the top-to-bottom length of the first leg member. The first and second leg members are connected individually or in combination to the support frame such that at least three leg heights are selectably provided. The leg members may each have a threaded connecting element extending therefrom for connecting the leg member to another leg member or to the support frame. The support system may be a mattress support frame. The at least one modular leg assembly may be a plurality of modular leg assemblies.

Claims

1. A support system, comprising:

a support frame; and

at least one modular leg assembly mounted to and supporting the support frame, the leg assembly comprising;

a first leg member having a body portion with an outer surface, a top end and an opposite bottom end, the top end having a top surface and the bottom end having a substantially horizontal bottom surface, the outer surface extending beyond the top surface and having a top edge such that the top surface is recessed relative to the top edge, body portion having a first top-to-bottom length defined between the top edge and bottom surface; and

a second leg member having a body portion with an outer surface, a top end and an opposite bottom end, the top end having a top surface and the bottom end having a substantially horizontal bottom surface, the outer surface extending beyond the top surface and having a top edge such that the top surface is recessed relative to the top edge, the body portion having a second top-to-bottom length defined between the top edge and bottom surface, the second top-to-bottom length being greater than the first top-to-bottom length;

wherein the first and second leg members are connected individually or in combination to the support frame such that at least three leg heights are selectably provided; and

wherein when the first and second leg members are connected in combination, the top edge of the outer surface of one of the leg members is disposed against and under the bottom surface of the other of the leg members such that the outer surfaces are continuous with one another.

2. The support system of claim 1, wherein the first and second leg members each have a connecting element extending from the top surface thereof for connecting the leg member to another leg member or to the support frame.

3. The support system of claim 2, wherein the connecting elements are threaded elements.

4. The support system of claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a base frame and an articulating frame supported by the base frame, the leg members being connectable to the base frame.

5. The support system of claim 1, wherein the support frame is a mattress support frame.

6. The support system of claim 1, wherein the at least one modular leg assembly comprises a plurality of modular leg assemblies.

7. The support system of claim 1, wherein:

the body portions of each of the leg members have a circular cross section; and

the circular cross sectional size of one of the leg members at the top surface is equal to the circular cross sectional size of the other of the leg members at the bottom surface.

8. The support system of claim 7, wherein the body portions are cylindrical.

9. A bed foundation, comprising:

a mattress support frame having a base frame and an articulating frame supported on the base frame; and

a plurality of modular leg assemblies, each leg assembly comprising;

a first threaded member having a body portion with an outer surface, a top end, an opposite bottom end and a threaded element extending from the top end, the top end having a top surface and the bottom end having a substantially horizontal bottom surface, the outer surface extending beyond the top surface and having a top edge such that the top surface is recessed relative to the top edge, the body portion having a first top-to-bottom length defined between the top edge and bottom surface; and

a second threaded member having a body portion with an outer surface, a top end, an opposite bottom end and a threaded element extending from the top end, the top end having a top surface and the bottom end having a substantially horizontal bottom surface, the outer surface extending beyond the top surface and having a top edge such that the top surface is recessed relative to the top edge, the body portion having a second top-to-bottom length defined between the top edge and bottom surface, the second top-to-bottom length being greater than the first top-to-bottom length;

wherein a plurality of the first threaded members are each connected to the base frame to provide a first leg length for the bed foundation, a plurality of the second threaded members are each connected to the base frame to provide a second leg length for the bed foundation, and a plurality of threaded together first and second threaded members are connected to the base frame to provide a third leg length greater than the first or second leg length; and

wherein the threaded together first and second threaded members have the top edge of one of the threaded members disposed against and under the bottom surface of the other of the threaded members such that the outer surfaces are continuous with one another.

10. The bed foundation of claim 9, wherein:

the body portions of each of the threaded members have a circular cross section; and

the circular cross sectional size of one of the threaded members at the top surface is equal to the circular cross sectional size of another of the threaded members at the bottom surface.

11. The bed foundation of claim 10, wherein the body portions are cylindrical.

12. A modular leg kit for a bed foundation having a base frame, the modular leg kit comprising;

a plurality of first leg members each having a body portion with an outer surface, a top end and an opposite bottom end, the top end having a top surface and the bottom end having a substantially horizontal bottom surface, the outer surface extending beyond the top surface and having a top edge such that the top surface is recessed relative to the top edge, the body portion having a first top-to-bottom length defined between the top surface and bottom surface; and

a plurality of second leg members each having a body portion with an outer surface, a top end and an opposite bottom end, the top end having a top surface and the bottom end having a substantially horizontal bottom surface, the outer surface extending beyond the top surface and having a top edge such that the top surface is recessed relative to the top edge, the body portion having a second top-to-bottom length defined between the top surface and bottom surface, the second top-to-bottom length being greater than the first top-to-bottom length;

wherein a plurality of the first leg members are each connected to the base frame to provide a first leg length for the bed foundation, a plurality of the second leg members are each connected to the base frame to provide a second leg length for the bed foundation, and a plurality of connected together first and second leg members are connected to the base frame to provide a third leg length greater than the first or second leg length; and

wherein the connected together first and second leg members have the top edge of the outer surface of one of the leg members disposed against and under the bottom surface of the other of the leg members such that the outer surfaces are continuous with one another.

13. The modular leg kit of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second leg members have a connecting element extending therefrom for connecting the leg member to another leg member or to the bed foundation.

14. The modular leg kit of claim 13, wherein the connecting elements are threaded elements.

15. The modular leg kit of claim 12, wherein:

the body portions of each of the leg members have a circular cross section; and

the circular cross sectional size of one of the leg members at the top surface is equal to the circular cross sectional size of another of the leg members at the bottom surface.

16. The modular leg kit of claim 15, wherein the body portions are cylindrical.