Abstract:
A toddler bed frame system is convertible for use with either a twin or full size bed, and includes a toddler side wall having detachable components for this purpose. A first supporting leg is connected to one end of the toddler side wall, and a toddler headboard is detachably and pivotally mounted about the first supporting leg A second supporting leg is connected to the opposite end of the toddler side wall, and a toddler footboard is detachably and pivotally mounted about the second supporting leg. A third supporting leg is connected to the opposite end of the toddler headboard, and a side rail panel is detachably and pivotally mounted about the third supporting leg. A fourth supporting leg is connected at a free end of the side rail panel. A fifth supporting leg is connected at a free end of the toddler footboard.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to bed frame systems, and more particularly, to a bed frame system that can easily convert from a toddler bed frame to a twin or full size bed frame. 
         [0002]    When a child becomes too large for a crib and/or is able to climb out of a crib, it becomes necessary to place a child in a bed. However, conventional twin and full size beds are often too big for a small child, and the change from a crib to a conventional twin or full size bed is often overwhelming to a small child. 
         [0003]    For this reason, the child is often placed in a toddler bed, which is smaller than a conventional twin or full size bed. The toddler bed uses the same crib mattress to which the child has become accustomed, but is lower to the floor than a conventional twin or full size bed. The toddler bed is also equipped with a headboard and footboard, and may optionally include low safety side rail panels so that the child will stay snugly in bed. In such case, the side rail panels are attached to the headboard but only extend part of the way along the length of the bed, for example, one-half the length of the bed. This provides safety for the child so as to prevent the child from falling out of the bed, while also providing openings near the foot of the bed to allow the child to easily get out of the bed. Such a bed also makes the child feel grown up. 
         [0004]    When the child gets older, for example, four to five years old, the child is then ready for a conventional twin or full size bed. In such case, the toddler bed is discarded and is replaced by a conventional twin or full size bed. This, however, results in additional costs, since the conventional twin or full size bed will also have a separate headboard and footboard, which are larger than that of the toddler bed, thereby further increasing the costs of purchasing a new bed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bed frame system that overcomes the aforementioned problems. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a bed frame system which can easily convert from a toddler bed to a conventional twin or full size bed. 
         [0007]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a bed frame system that is easy to assemble and/or disassemble with respect to a toddler bed, a twin size bed and a full size bed. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a toddler bed frame system convertible for use with at least one of a twin and full size bed, includes a toddler side wall convertible to a headboard for the twin and/or full size bed. The toddler side wall has a length substantially equal to a width of the twin or full size bed. A toddler headboard is adapted to be detachably connected to one end of the toddler side wall, and a first supporting leg is connected to one end of the toddler side wall at a juncture of the toddler side wall and one end of the toddler headboard. A second supporting leg is connected at an opposite end of the toddler side wall, and a third supporting leg is connected at the opposite end of the toddler headboard. 
         [0009]    The toddler side wall includes a center section having opposite sides, a first outer section detachably connected to one of the sides of the center section, and a second outer section detachably connected to an opposite side of the center section. In this manner, the toddler side wall comprised of the connected center section, first outer section and second outer section is adapted to be used as a full size headboard for a full size bed, while the first outer section and the second outer section when detached from the center section are adapted to be connected together along inner ends thereof to be used as a twin size headboard for a twin size bed. 
         [0010]    The toddler side wall includes a mattress support rail at a lower end thereof. Specifically, the first outer section includes a first mattress support rail at a lower end thereof, the second outer section includes a second mattress support rail at a lower end thereof and the center section includes a third mattress support rail at a lower end thereof. There is also a second mattress support rail at an opposite side of the bed frame system and connected with at least one of the third supporting leg and the headboard. 
         [0011]    The first supporting leg is connected to an end of the first outer section and the second supporting leg is connected to an end of the second outer section. The first and second mattress support rails engage the third mattress support rail, the first mattress support rail is connected with the first supporting leg and the second mattress support rail is connected with the second supporting leg. A further supporting leg is connected to the center section, and the third mattress support rail is also connected with the further supporting leg. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the first and second outer sections have upper edges that are inclined upwardly toward the center section. 
         [0013]    There is also a connecting arrangement for connecting the full size headboard to a frame of the full size bed and a connecting arrangement for connecting the twin size headboard to a frame of the twin size bed. 
         [0014]    The toddler headboard is pivotally mounted relative to the toddler side wall about an axis of the first supporting leg. In this regard, the first supporting leg is detachably connected to the one end of the toddler side wall, and the toddler headboard is removably mounted about the first supporting leg for pivoting movement relative to the toddler side wall about the axis of the first supporting leg. 
         [0015]    The toddler bed frame system may optionally include s side rail panel adapted to be connected with an opposite end of the toddler headboard, with the third supporting leg connected at a juncture of the side rail panel and the opposite end of the toddler headboard, and a fourth supporting leg connected at a free end of the side rail panel. 
         [0016]    In like manner, the side rail panel is pivotally mounted relative to the toddler headboard about an axis of the third supporting leg. The third supporting leg is detachably connected to the opposite end of the toddler headboard, and the side rail panel is removably mounted about the third supporting leg for pivoting movement relative to the toddler headboard about the axis of the third supporting leg. 
         [0017]    In addition, the toddler bed frame system includes a toddler footboard adapted to be connected with the opposite end of the toddler side wall, with the second supporting leg connected at a juncture of the toddler side wall and the toddler footboard. A fifth supporting leg is connected at a free end of the toddler footboard. Specifically, the toddler footboard is pivotally mounted relative to the toddler side wall about an axis of the second supporting leg. The second supporting leg is detachably connected to the opposite end of the toddler side wall, and the toddler footboard is removably mounted about the second supporting leg for pivoting movement relative to the toddler side wall about the axis of the second supporting leg. 
         [0018]    Preferably, each of the toddler footboard and the toddler headboard have an upper surface that is inclined upwardly toward the toddler side wall. 
         [0019]    The toddler headboard and the toddler footboard are adapted to be connected together along inner ends thereof to be used as a full size footboard for the full size bed. 
         [0020]    There is also a connecting arrangement for connecting the full size footboard to a frame of the full size bed. 
         [0021]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of converting a toddler bed frame system of the type described above to a headboard of a full size bed, includes the steps of detaching the toddler headboard from the toddler side wall, and mounting the toddler side wall to a frame of the full size bed as a full size headboard thereof. The method further includes the step of detaching the toddler footboard from the toddler side wall prior to the step of connecting. 
         [0022]    In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of converting a toddler bed frame system of the type described above to a headboard of a twin size bed, includes the steps of detaching the toddler headboard from the toddler side wall, detaching the first outer section and the second outer section from the center section, connecting inner edges of the first outer section and the second outer section together, and mounting the connected together first outer section and second outer section to a frame of the twin size bed as a twin size headboard thereof. The method further includes the steps of detaching the toddler footboard from the toddler side wall prior to the step of connecting, connecting inner edges of the toddler headboard and the toddler footboard together, and mounting the connected together toddler headboard and toddler footboard to a frame of the full size bed as a full size headboard thereof. 
         [0023]    The above and other features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional toddler bed with a headboard, footboard and side rail panels; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is an unfolded front elevational view of a bed frame system according to the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the bed frame system of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of the bed frame system of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the bed frame system of  FIG. 2  in a folded, operative condition, viewed from the open side thereof; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the folded bed frame system of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the folded bed frame system of  FIG. 5 , viewed from the footboard side; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of the folded bed frame system of  FIG. 5 , viewed from the headboard side; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a conventional bed frame for use with a twin or full size bed; 
           [0033]      FIG. 9A  is a side elevational view of a conventional twin bed using elements of the bed frame system of  FIG. 5  as a headboard; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the twin bed of  FIG. 9A , viewed from the headboard side; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a conventional full bed using elements of the bed frame system of  FIG. 5  as a headboard and footboard; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  is an elevational view of the full bed of  FIG. 11 , viewed from the headboard side; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 13  is an elevational view of the full bed of  FIG. 11 , viewed from the footboard side. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to  FIG. 1  thereof, a conventional toddler bed  10  is shown which includes a headboard  12  having two downwardly extending headboard support legs  14  at opposite sides thereof. Only one such headboard support leg  14  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Toddler bed  10  further includes a footboard  16  having two downwardly extending footboard support legs  18  at opposite sides thereof. The spacing between headboard support legs  14  and the spacing between footboard support legs  18  are the same, and a mattress support frame  20  is connected between headboard support legs  14  and footboard support legs  18  for supporting a mattress  22  thereon. 
         [0039]    Optionally, two side rail panels  24  may be connected to opposite sides, respectively, of headboard  12  and extend along the side of toddler bed  10 , but only for part of the way along the length of the bed, for example, one-half the length of the bed. This provides safety for the child so as to prevent the child from falling out of the bed, while also providing opening areas  26  between the free ends of side rail panels  24  and footboard  16  to allow the child to easily get out of bed  10 . Side rail panels  24  preferably each have a side rail supporting leg  28  at the free end thereof. 
         [0040]    However, as discussed above, when the child gets older, for example, four to five years old, and is ready for a conventional twin or full size bed, the toddler bed must be discarded and replaced by a conventional twin or full size bed, resulting in additional costs, including the purchase of a new headboard and/or footboard. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2-8 , a bed frame system  30  according to the present invention for a toddler bed is shown in an unfolded view in  FIGS. 2-4  and in an assembled view in  FIGS. 5-8 . Bed frame system  30  includes, starting from the left side in  FIG. 2 , a toddler footboard  32 , a toddler side wall  34  and a toddler headboard  36 . An opposite toddler side rail panel or front fence  38  may optionally also be provided, but is not required with the present invention. 
         [0042]    Side wall  34  is formed in three sections, namely, a first outer section  40 , a second outer section  42  and a center section  44  interposed between and which connects together first outer section  40  and second outer section  42 . In this regard, as shown best in  FIG. 4 , the inner side edge of first outer section  40  can overlap one side edge of center section  44 , and removable bolts  46  can be inserted in overlapping openings thereof. In like manner, the inner side edge of second outer section  42  can overlap the opposite side edge of center section  44 , and removable bolts  46  can be inserted in overlapping openings thereof. 
         [0043]    First and second outer sections  40  and  42  and center section  44  each include a relatively flat, generally rectangular panel  40   a,    42   a  and  44   a,  respectively, with the upper surfaces  40   b  and  42   b  of panels  40   a  and  42   a  sloping upwardly in a curved arc toward center section  44 . A first outer section supporting leg  48  is connected to the free outer side edge of first outer section  40 , and a second outer section supporting leg  50  is connected to the free outer side edge of second outer section  42 , for providing support on a floor surface. In this regard, the free outer side edge of first outer section  40  and second outer section  42  each include a recess  39 . The upper wall section defining the recess  39  of first outer section  40  and second outer section  42  each includes an opening  41  for receiving the upper end of each supporting leg  48  and  50 , respectively, and each supporting leg  48  and  50  is removably connected to the lower wall section defining the recess  39  by a removable bolt  43 . A center section supporting leg  52  extends down from the lower edge of center section  44 , at the center thereof, for providing additional support on a floor surface. 
         [0044]    In addition, a mattress support rail  54  is connected at one end by rivets, bolts or the like  56  to first outer section supporting leg  48  in a cantilevered manner below and parallel to the lower edge of first outer section  40 . The free end of mattress support rail  54  is also connected by a bracket  58  to the lower edge of first outer section  40 . In like manner, a mattress support rail  60  is connected at one end by rivets, bolts or the like  62  to second outer section supporting leg  50  in a cantilevered manner below and parallel to the lower edge of second outer section  42 . The free end of mattress support rail  60  is also connected by a bracket  64  to the lower edge of second outer section  42 . A mattress support rail  66  is connected at its center by rivets, bolts or the like  68  to center section supporting leg  52  below and parallel to the lower edge of center section  44 . In this manner, when first outer section  40 , second outer section  42  and center section  44  are connected together, mattress support rails  54  and  60  engage with mattress support rail  66  to provide continuity thereof, in order to support a crib mattress thereon. 
         [0045]    In order to provide different decorative effects, each panel  40   a,    42   a  and  44   a  is provided with a large central opening  40   c,    42   c  and  44   c,  respectively, and a respective decorative insert panel  70 ,  72  and  74  is removably inserted in the respective large central opening. In this manner, the aesthetic appearance of each panel  40   a,    42   a  and  44   a  can be easily changed. Preferably, each decorative insert panel  70 ,  72  and  74  is formed by a flat decorative section  76  having a surrounding side wall  78  extending perpendicular to decorative section  76  so that side wall  78  is friction fit within the respective large central opening  40   c,    42   c  and  44   c,  and a flat circumferential section  80  is connected to the opposite end of side wall  78  for fitting in an outer recess  82  in surrounding relation to each large central opening  40   c,    42   c  and  44 c. Of course, any other means of securing each decorative insert  70 ,  72  and  74  in the respective large central opening  40   c,    42   c  and  44   c,  can be provided. Each flat decorative section  76  is preferably formed as a padded insert on a medium density fiberboard (MDF), although the present invention is not limited thereby. 
         [0046]    Footboard  32  includes a flat, generally rectangular panel  84  with a lower edge generally at the same height as mattress support rails  54 ,  60  and  66 , and with an upper edge generally at the same height as the upper end of first outer section supporting leg  48 . Preferably, as shown, the upper surface  84   a  of panel  84  has a gentle slope upwardly toward first outer section  40 . In order to provide different decorative effects, panel  84  is provided with a large central opening  86  and a decorative insert panel  88  is removably inserted in large central opening  86 . In this manner, the aesthetic appearance of panel  88  can be easily changed. Preferably, decorative insert panel  88  is formed by a flat decorative section  90  having a surrounding side wall  92  extending perpendicular to decorative section  90  so that side wall  92  can be friction fit within large central opening  86 , and a flat circumferential section  94  is connected to the opposite end of side wall  92  for fitting in an outer recess  96  in surrounding relation to large central opening  86 . Of course, any other means of securing decorative insert panel  88  in large central opening  86  can be provided. Flat decorative section  90  is preferably formed as a padded insert on a medium density fiberboard (MDF), although the present invention is not limited thereby. 
         [0047]    Footboard  32  further includes a cylindrical bushing  98  at the side thereof corresponding to its greater height and which is mounted about first outer section supporting leg  48  to provide rotatable motion, and thereby to permit footboard  32  to pivot thereabout between the coplanar orientation with respect to first outer section  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , and a perpendicular orientation with respect to first outer section  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . Bushing  98  can be inserted over first outer section supporting leg  48  when supporting leg  48  is removed from first outer section  40  by removing bolt  43 . When first outer section supporting leg  48  is secured again to first outer section  40 , bushing  98  is positioned in recess  39  thereof. A footboard supporting leg  100  is connected to the free outer side edge of panel  84  of footboard  32  for providing further support on a floor surface. 
         [0048]    Headboard  36 , in like manner, includes a flat, generally rectangular panel  104  with a lower edge generally at the same height as mattress support rails  54 ,  60  and  66 , and with an upper edge generally at the same height as the upper end of second outer section supporting leg  50 . Preferably, as shown, the upper surface  104   a  of panel  104  has a gentle slope upwardly toward second outer section  42 . In order to provide different decorative effects, panel  104  is provided with a large central opening  106  and a decorative insert panel  108  is removably inserted in large central opening  106 . In this manner, the aesthetic appearance of panel  108  can be easily changed. Preferably, decorative insert panel  108  is formed by a flat decorative section  110  having a surrounding side wall  112  extending perpendicular to decorative section  110  so that side wall  112  can be friction fit within large central opening  106 , and a flat circumferential section  114  is connected to the opposite end of side wall  112  for fitting in an outer recess  116  in surrounding relation to large central opening  106 . Of course, any other means of securing decorative insert panel  108  in large central opening  106  can be provided. Flat decorative section  110  is preferably formed as a padded insert on a medium density fiberboard (MDF), although the present invention is not limited thereby. 
         [0049]    Headboard  36  further includes a cylindrical bushing  118  at the side thereof corresponding to its greater height and which is mounted about second outer section supporting leg  50  to provide rotatable motion, and thereby to permit headboard  36  to pivot thereabout between the coplanar orientation with respect to second outer section  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , and a perpendicular orientation with respect to second outer section  42 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . Bushing  118  can be inserted over second outer section supporting leg  50  when supporting leg  50  is removed from second outer section  42  by removing bolt  43 . When second outer section supporting leg  50  is secured again to second outer section  40 , bushing  118  is positioned in recess  39  thereof. 
         [0050]    A headboard supporting leg  120  is connected to the free outer side edge of panel  104  of headboard  36  for providing support on a floor surface. In this regard, the free outer side edge of headboard  36  includes a recess  105 . The upper wall section defining the recess  105  of headboard  36  includes an opening  107  for receiving the upper end of headboard supporting leg  120 , and headboard supporting leg  120  is removably connected to the lower wall section defining the recess  105  of headboard  36  by a removable bolt  109 . 
         [0051]    Side rail panel  38  is a rectangular panel having an upper edge at the same height as the upper edge of headboard  36  at the lower height end thereof, and a lower edge which is at the same height as the lower edge of headboard  36 . Side rail panel  38  includes two cylindrical bushing grips  122  which are mounted about headboard supporting leg  120  to provide rotatable motion, and thereby to permit side rail panel  38  to pivot thereabout between the coplanar orientation with respect to headboard  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , and a perpendicular orientation with respect to headboard  36 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . Bushing grips  122  can be inserted over headboard supporting leg  120  when supporting leg  120  is removed from headboard  36  by removing bolt  109 . When headboard supporting leg  120  is secured again to headboard  36 , bushing grips  122  are positioned in recess  105  thereof. A side rail supporting leg  124  is connected to the free outer side edge of side rail panel  38  for providing support on a floor surface. Side rail supporting leg  124  corresponds to a standard toddler bed center leg support. 
         [0052]    In addition, a mattress support rail  126  is connected at one end by rivets, bolts or the like  128  to headboard supporting leg  120  below and parallel to the lower edge of headboard  36  and side rail panel  38 . Mattress support rail  126  has a length equal to the connected lengths of mattress support rails  54 ,  60  and  66 . The midpoint of mattress support rail  126  is connected by rivets, bolts or the like  130  to side rail supporting leg  124 . The free end of mattress support rail  126  is connected by rivets, bolts or the like  132  to a further supporting leg  133  that is adapted to be secured to footboard supporting leg  100  in order to provide a closed rectangular bed structure, as shown in  FIGS. 5-8 . 
         [0053]    It will be appreciated that mattress support rails  54 ,  60 ,  66  and  126  each have an L-shaped cross-sectional profile, as shown in  FIG. 4 , so as to include a first segment  134  oriented in a vertical plane and a second segment  136  connected to the lower edge of first segment  134  and which extends inwardly of assembled bed frame system  30  in a horizontal orientation for holding a mattress support  138  ( FIGS. 5-8 ) thereon. Mattress support  138  includes a rectangular frame  140  that seats on second segments  136  and is confined within first segments  134 , and a plurality of slats  142  on which a crib mattress can be supported. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a conventional twin/full bed frame  150  comprising a pair of spaced parallel elongated side frame members  152  spanned by a pair of spaced parallel cross frame members  154  extending generally perpendicular with respect to side frame members  152 . Cross frame members  154  may be of a conventional telescoping type. Side frame members  152  are each an elongated sheet metal or angle-iron member having an L-shaped cross-section with a horizontal inwardly facing coplanar leg portion  156  adapted to support a box spring and mattress on the upper surface thereof, and a generally vertically extending leg portion  158  adapted to confine the box spring and mattress on the coplanar leg portion  156 . 
         [0055]    Cross frame members  154  are also preferably each a sheet steel or angle-iron member having an L-shaped cross-section with a horizontal coplanar leg portion  160  and a downwardly extending vertical leg portion  162 . Cross frame members  154  extend generally perpendicular with respect to side frame members  152 , with horizontal coplanar portions  160  positioned immediately below horizontal leg portions  156  of frame members  152  when the frame is assembled. 
         [0056]    Side frame members  152  are detachably secured to cross frame members  154  by connecting means in a manner well known in the art and a detailed description thereof is omitted from the present application. Frame  150  is supported above a floor surface by two pairs of leg assemblies  164  which are positioned at the ends of cross frame members  154  and which extend downwardly with respect to the longitudinal extent of side frame members  152 . Each leg assembly  164  preferably includes a lockable wheel or roller  166  at the lower end thereof for support on a floor surface. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 10 , toddler bed frame system  30  is adapted to be used with bed frame  150  of a twin bed size. Specifically, bed frame  150  is shown in  FIGS. 9A and 10  with a box spring  168  and a mattress  170  thereon. In order to convert bed frame system  30  for use with conventional twin size bed frame  150 , first outer section  40  and second outer section  42  of side wall  34  are detached from center section  44  thereof, by removing bolts  46 . In addition, first outer section  40  is detached from footboard  32  by removing first outer section supporting leg  48  from first outer section  40  by removing the respective bolt  43 , and then reattaching first outer section supporting leg  48  to first outer section  40  after bushing  98  has been removed therefrom. In like manner, second outer section  42  is detached from headboard  36  by removing second outer section supporting leg  50  from second outer section  42  by removing the respective bolt  43 , and then reattaching second outer section supporting leg  50  to second outer section  42  after bushing  118  has been removed therefrom. 
         [0058]    Thereafter, the inner side edge of first outer section  40  is made to overlap the inner side edge of second outer section  42 , and removable bolts  46  can be inserted in overlapping openings thereof to secure first outer section  40  and second outer section  42  together. The connected structure forms a new twin size headboard  172  for twin size bed frame  150 . It will be appreciated that, with new twin size headboard  172 , mattress support rails  54  and  60  are engaged with each other. 
         [0059]    In order to secure twin size headboard  172  to twin size bed frame  150 , hollow cylindrical extension legs  174  are connected to one end of each side frame member  52  by mounting plates or brackets  176 , and supporting legs  48  and  50  are removably inserted in hollow cylindrical extension legs  174 . 
         [0060]    With this arrangement, there is no need to purchase a separate twin size headboard when the child moves from a toddler bed to a twin size bed. 
         [0061]    In like manner, as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , toddler bed frame system  30  is adapted to be used with bed frame  150  of a full bed size. Specifically, full size bed frame  150  is shown in  FIGS. 11-13  with a box spring  178  and a mattress  180  thereon. In order to convert bed frame system  30  for use with conventional full size bed frame  150 , first outer section  40  is detached from footboard  32  by removing first outer section supporting leg  48  from first outer section  40  by removing the respective bolt  43 , and then reattaching first outer section supporting leg  48  to first outer section  40  after bushing  98  has been removed therefrom. In like manner, second outer section  42  is detached from headboard  36  by removing second outer section supporting leg  50  from second outer section  42  by removing the respective bolt  43 , and then reattaching second outer section supporting leg  50  to second outer section  42  after bushing  118  has been removed therefrom. Thereafter, side wall  34  forms a new full size headboard  182  for full size bed frame  150 . 
         [0062]    In order to secure full size headboard  182  to full size bed frame  150 , hollow cylindrical extension legs  184  are connected to one end of each side frame member  52  by mounting plates or brackets  186 , and supporting legs  48  and  50  are removably inserted in hollow cylindrical extension legs  184 . 
         [0063]    Further, side rail panel  38  and side rail  126  are then detached from headboard  36 . Specifically, side rail  126  is detached from headboard  36  by removing bolts  128 . Side rail panel  38  is detached from headboard  36  by removing headboard supporting leg  120  from headboard  36  by removing the respective bolt  109 , and then reattaching headboard supporting leg  120  to headboard  36  after cylindrical bushing grips  122  have been removed therefrom. 
         [0064]    Thereafter, the inner side edge of footboard  32  is made to overlap the inner side edge of headboard  36 , and a locator pin  188  can be inserted in respective openings thereof for holding footboard  32  and headboard  36  in a fixed relation. In addition, the removed side rail  126  is connected by bolts  190  to supporting legs  100  and  120  in order to retain footboard  32  and headboard  36  in a fixed relation. Locator screws  191  can be inserted through side rail  126  into footboard  32  and headboard  36  to further retain side rail  126  in position. The connected structure forms a new footboard  192  for full size bed frame  150 . 
         [0065]    In this regard, as shown in  FIGS. 11-13 , hollow cylindrical extension legs  194  are connected to the opposite end of each side-frame member  52  by mounting plates or brackets  196 , and supporting legs  100  and  120  are removably inserted in hollow cylindrical extension legs  194 . 
         [0066]    With this arrangement, there is no need to purchase a separate footboard when the child moves from a toddler bed to a full size bed. 
         [0067]    It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made to the present invention within the scope of the claims. For example, the dimensions of first outer section  40  and second outer section  42  can be increased to eliminate center section  44 . In such case, bed frame system  30  would be convertible only to a full size bed. Also, in such case, first outer section  40  and second outer section  42  can be formed as a single integral section. 
         [0068]    Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.