Abstract:
A guard-style device intended to prevent or hinder access to under bed storage areas is herein disclosed, comprising a series of interlocking panels providing an adjustable rectangular structure that is approximately the size of a bed. The device can be placed under a bed at its perimeter and is held in place to the bed frame by a plurality of connecting features. In such a position, the device reduces dust and dirt from accumulating under a bed, provides an element of increased security for objects that are stored under the bed, and prevents pets such as dogs, cats, and the like from running under the bed during storms or when seeking seclusion. The device also provides a unique visual element; however, it can easily be covered by a dust ruffle should its appearance not be desired.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Feb. 28, 2008, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a bed frame and, more particularly, to an under bed barricade which easily attaches to said bed frame. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The area under a bed is often used as a storage area for many items such as off-season clothing, screens or storm windows, extra table leaves and the like. This area offers a conveniently accessible storage area where such articles can be out of sight and out of mind. Disadvantageously, many times these articles are often visible under the bed leading to an unattractive and cluttered appearance to an otherwise neat bedroom guestroom. Such spaces are also prone to attracting dust, dirt and “dust-bunnies”. Cleaning this under bed storage area properly is often a time consuming and tedious task which requires the removal or shifting of any stored articles. This problem often means that the cleaning tasks are generally not undertaken as often as they should. Such under bed areas area a favorite spot for pets such as dogs and cats who often hide there in response to thunder storms, fire works, or other loud noises. Pets can also hide under the bed when sick or injured making their care even more difficult. This under bed space can also create a tempting hiding or play area for toddlers and small children. Many times the dirt and dust collected in this space is unhealthy for small children and the objects stored under the bed may create a safety hazard for unaware and unfamiliar children. Various solutions to solve these problems have been attempted such as modular storage compartments, drawers, and locker devices. Each of these solutions can create their own disadvantages; including limiting the usable under bed storage area, complicated installation procedures, and heavy and obtrusive construction. 
     Various attempts have been made in the past to overcome these disadvantages and provide an under bed storage and barricade means without the aforementioned problems. Among the relevant attempts to address these problems are several U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,082,435 and 5,095,566. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,596, issued in the name of Copeland, describe a combined bed frame with storage compartments comprising side rails and end bars which adapt to and secure to the bed frame, lateral supports which adjustable oppose one (1) another and provide a rigid support means to a plurality of storage drawers. The Copeland device is mounted to the underside of the bed frame which creates a combined structure. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,258, issued in the name of Wallace, describes a mobile under bed storage container which can be situated under the frame of a bed supported off of the ground. The Wallace container comprises a rigid body structure having a bottom, side walls, and an open top; a flexible top cover; and a plurality of caster assemblies for rolling the body structure. The dimensions of the container are less than the overall dimensions of the bed frame. 
     Additionally, ornamental designs for under bed storage and frame devices exist, particularly, U.S. Pat. No. D 264,889; D 342,393; and D 525,790. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffers from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Accordingly, there is a need for a means by which access to the area under a bed can be controlled to address the situations as described above. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for an under bed security barricade and thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide an under bed security barricade, which provides a means for enclosing a storage area underneath a bed frame thereby providing a privacy guard to items stored under the bed having a pleasant appearance, preventing or hindering access by small animals, children, or the like and reducing the amount of dirt and dust which accumulates under the bed. 
     Another object of the security barricade is to provide a device generally comprising four (4) sides, each of which comprising two (2) interconnecting sections which provide a means of length adjustment to the sides in order to accommodate various sizes of bed frames and a length of floor stripping which provides a more effective seal between the barricade sides and an under bed floor surface. 
     Yet still another object of the security barricade is to provide a device comprising a first side, a second side, a head end, and a foot end. The first side comprises a first outer section and a first inner section which slidingly interconnected with one (1) another. The second side comprises a second outer section and a second inner section which slidingly interconnected with one (1) another. The head end comprises a third outer section and a third inner section which slidingly interconnected with one (1) another. The foot end comprises a fourth outer section and a fourth inner section which slidingly interconnected with one (1) another. 
     Yet still another object of the security barricade is to provide the first side, the second side, the head end, and the foot end comprising an attachment means which provide a rectangular barricade underneath the bed frame when each side is attached to each other side. 
     Yet still another object of the security barricade is to provide a means of adjusting the length of each side comprising a sliding interconnected outer section and inner section. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an attachment means comprising a plurality of fastening features which provide a means of connecting the sides of the device to one (1) another. The fastening features comprise an insertable male end having a snapping feature and a corresponding receiving female end. 
     Yet still another object of the security barricade is to provide an attachment means comprising a plurality of connection features which provide a means of securing the device to the underside of the bed frame. The connection features comprise an adjustable connecting feature and corresponding connection aperture attached to a top surface of each outer section of each side of the device. 
     Yet still another object of the security barricade is to provide a floor strip which is attached to the bottom surface of the each inner and outer section of each side of the device. 
     Yet still another object of the security barricade is to provide a ventilation means to the under bed storage area comprising a vent located in the third outer section and a vent located in the third inner section which can be aligned as the length of the head end is adjusted to allow air flow and cooling to the inner area of the barricade. 
     Yet still another object of the security barricade is to provide a method of utilizing the under bed security barricade which provides multiple protections and benefits where under bed storage areas are utilized by people or pets in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. 
     Further objects and advantages of the security barricade will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an under bed security barricade  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an under bed security barricade  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a section view taken along section line A-A of an under bed security barricade  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up view of a fastening feature  40  of an under bed security barricade  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 under bed security barricade 
               
               
                 20 
                 first side 
               
               
                 22 
                 second side 
               
               
                 24 
                 head end 
               
               
                 26 
                 foot end 
               
               
                 30 
                 first outer section 
               
               
                 31 
                 first inner section 
               
               
                 32 
                 second outer section 
               
               
                 33 
                 second inner section 
               
               
                 34 
                 third outer section 
               
               
                 35 
                 third inner section 
               
               
                 40 
                 fastening feature 
               
               
                 42 
                 female end 
               
               
                 44 
                 male end 
               
               
                 46 
                 snapping feature 
               
               
                 50 
                 connecting feature 
               
               
                 55 
                 connecting aperture 
               
               
                 60 
                 first floor strip 
               
               
                 65 
                 second floor strip 
               
               
                 70 
                 first vent 
               
               
                 75 
                 second vent 
               
               
                 80 
                 ridge 
               
               
                 85 
                 slot 
               
               
                 100 
                 bed frame 
               
               
                 105 
                 mattress 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an under bed security barricade (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for enclosing a storage area underneath a bed frame  100 , thereby preventing or hindering access thereto by small animals, children, or the like. The device  10  generally comprises four (4) sides, each of which comprises two (2) interconnecting sections which provide a means of length adjustment thereto the sides in order to accommodate various sizes of bed frames  100 . The device  10  is further secured thereto a lower surface of the bed frame  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , environmental and perspective views of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is preferably made of a light-weight, durable material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a vinyl polymer, fiberglass, or the like which provides a rigid means of enclosing the area under the bed frame  100  but also flexible such as to not injure a pet or child if either were to run or bump into said device  10 . The device  10  fits thereunder a lower end of a conventional bed frame  100  therebehind the legs of said frame  100 . The device  10  comprises four (4) inner rectangular sections and four (4) outer rectangular sections which connect theretogether to form a generally cuboidal shape approximately equivalent to the size of the bed frame  100 . A first side  20  and a second side  22  each comprise a first outer section  30  and a first inner section  31 . A head end  24  comprises a second outer section  32  and a second inner section  33 . A foot end  26  comprises a third outer section  34  and a third inner section  35 . The outer sections  30 ,  32 ,  34  and the inner sections  31 ,  33 ,  35  are slidingly interconnected and provide for a means of length and width adjustment thereto the device  10 . The outer sections  30 ,  32 ,  34  comprise an inverted “U”-shape through which the inner sections  31 ,  33 ,  35  are insertingly connected therein. The sections  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  are hingedly fastened together via a fastening feature  40  located thereon a free end of each section  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 . The first outer section  30  thereon the first side  20  attaches thereto the second outer section  32 , the first inner section  31  thereon said first side  20  attaches thereto the third inner section  35 , the first outer section  30  thereon the second side  22  attaches thereto the third outer section  34 , and the first inner section  31  thereon the second side  22  attaches thereto the second inner section  33 . The device  10  is secured thereto an underside of the bed frame  100  via a plurality of connecting features  50 . At least one (1) connecting feature  50  removably attaches thereto a top surface of each outer section  30 ,  32 ,  34  and is depicted here as an “L”-shaped member which may be placed therebetween the bed frame  100  and the mattress  105 . The connecting feature  50  is envisioned to be introduced in various forms depending on the type and material of the bed frame  100  to which connected; such as an eyelet which may be secured thereto a wooden bed frame  100  via a screw or other standard hardware, a clip or a clamp which may be secured thereto a metal bed frame  100 , an adjustable strap, or the like and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present device  10 . The second outer section  32  comprises a first vent  70  and the second inner section  33  comprises a second vent  75 . The vents  70 ,  75  are positioned such that when the second inner section  33  is insertingly attached thereto the second outer section  32  and adjusted to a desired length, said vents  70 ,  75  align, thus providing a means of ventilation and allowing for air to circulate thereunder the bed frame  100 . The vents  70 ,  75  are preferably a louvered design or a cross-hatched matrix made of the same material as that of the sections  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , a screen, or the like which will not interfere with the sliding adjustability therebetween the second outer  32  and second inner  33  sections. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a section view taken along section line A-A of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Although  FIG. 3  depicts the first outer section  30  and the first inner section  31 , the remaining outer sections  32 ,  34  and remaining inner sections  33 ,  35  are substantially similar in form and function to that which is depicted. The device  10  further comprises at least one connecting aperture  55  located therein a top surface of the outer sections  30 ,  32 ,  34 . The connecting aperture  55  comprises an internally threaded diameter and threadingly accepts the connecting feature  50  which further comprises a lower threaded end, thus providing interchangeability of said connecting feature  50  depending on the type and material of bed frame  100 . Each outer section  30 ,  32 ,  34  further comprise a length of first floor strip  60  which is attached thereto a bottom surface of the inverted “U” shape. Each inner section  31 ,  33 ,  35  further comprise a length of second floor strip  65  which is attached thereto a bottom surface of the same. The floor strips  60 ,  65  are preferably a rubber material or the like which make contact therewith the floor thereunder the bad frame  100 , thus creating a more durable contact surface which will prevent dirt, dust, and the like from reaching the storage area thereunder the bed frame  100 . A ridge  80  is located thereon both sides of each inner section  31 ,  33 ,  35  and slidingly engage corresponding slots  85  located thereon opposing inner surfaces of the inverted “U”-shape of the outer sections  30 ,  32 ,  34 . The slot  85  provides a guide track to the ridge  80  which traverses thereinside as the inner section  31 ,  33 ,  35  is adjusted thereto a desired length. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a close-up view of a fastening feature  40  of an under bed security barricade  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The fastening feature  40  is preferably molded thereinto a free non-slidingly engaged end of the sections  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  during the fabrication process. A male end  44  comprises a snapping feature  46  located thereon a distal end thereof. The snapping feature  46  is preferably an expanded portion of the male end  44  which provides for an interference fit therewith a female end  42  when inserted therein. The fastening feature  40  is depicted here comprising a insertingly connected hinge further comprising the female end  42  and the male end  44 , although it is understood that said fastening feature  40  may be introduced comprising various means of hingingly attaching the sections  30 ,  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 , such as slots, snaps, or other similar interference fits and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the present device  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: retrieving the four (4) outer sections  30 ,  32 ,  34  and the four (4) inner sections  31 ,  33 ,  35 ; inserting a first inner section  31  therein a first outer section  30  thereby making a first side  20 ; inserting the third inner section  35  therein the third outer section  34  thereby making the foot end  26 ; fastening a free end of said first inner section  31  thereto a free end of said third inner section  35  via engaging the fastening feature  40 ; inserting another first inner section  31  therein another first outer section  30 , thereby making a second side  22 ; inserting the second inner section  33  therein the second outer section  32 , thereby making the head end  24 ; fastening a free end of said first inner section  31  thereto a free end of said second inner section  33  via engaging the fastening feature  40 ; fastening a free end of said first outer section  30  thereto a free end of said second outer section  32  via engaging the fastening feature  40 ; fastening a free end of said first outer section  31  thereto a free end of said third outer section  34  via engaging the fastening feature  40 ; adjusting said device  10  to a desired size depending upon the size of the bed frame  100  by slidingly adjusting said inner sections  31 ,  33 ,  35  thereinside said outer sections  30 ,  32 ,  34 ; retrieving the appropriate type of connecting feature  50  depending on the type and material of said bed frame  100 ; threadingly inserting the connecting feature  50  therein a corresponding connecting feature aperture  55 ; engaging the connecting feature  50  thereto an underneath surface of said bed frame  100 ; and, benefiting from the increased safety, cleanliness, and peace of mind afforded a user of the present device  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.