Camp bunk bed

The invention is a portable, easy to assembly camp bunk bed. The invention has a bunk frame system that is designed to be used with any camp cot bed The basic system features 2 frame assemblies, each frame assembly consists of 2 vertical stanchions and 2 lateral support rods. The vertical stanchions each have two cot bed support blocks with longitudinal support pins installed. Lateral support rods are used to secure the vertical stanchions together. In one style, the frame is secured with hook and loop type fastener straps. In the preferred style, the straps are replaced with a new fastening system for the cot using threaded posts and knobs. The cot is also modified so that it is designed specifically for the preferred bunk bed system. Finally, adapter posts are used to allow the bunk bed to be converted to a singe cot, if desired.

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to camp beds and particularly to bunk beds for camping.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For many years people have relied on camp cots for sleeping in tents while camping, and in military field work. These cots have typically consisted of a wooden or metal frame and a cot bed, typically made of canvas or cotton duck. They are designed to fold up for storage and transport. They have universally been made in single height configurations. Children often prefer bunk beds and, where families are concerned, efficient use of space in a tent is important. However, presently there are few options for stacking camp cots. One such example is the “Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Bunk Xl Cot”, which is a modified structure that ties two single cots together to make a bunk bed. The two cots can be used a singles or as a bunk bed. however, this is not a true dedicated bunk bed system.

Therefore, a dedicated bunk bed cot system is needed to accommodate those campers that wish to have dedicated bunk beds for their children, or for others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention solves this problem. In one embodiment, the invention is a portable, easy to assemble, camp bunk bed that is designed to be used with any camp cot bed that uses 0.375-inch diameter support pins, and has a width of 28 or 32 inches. The system features 2 frame assemblies, each frame assembly consists of 2 vertical stanchions and 2 lateral support rods. The vertical stanchions each have two cot bed support blocks with longitudinal support pins installed. Each stanchion has two 1-inch diameter holes drilled at precise locations and match drilled to accommodate the lateral support rods. One stanchion of the set also has a lateral tension stop installed which provides the lateral rod a base to press against when tightening.

The lateral support rods have a tensioner installed on one end, which allows the user to increase the overall width of the stanchions. The ability to increase stanchion width allows the user to compensate for small variations in cot width upon assembly. This feature also allows the user to adjust the cot to desired firmness. Assembly is accomplished by placing the stanchion with the tension stop on the ground and the non-tensioner end of the rods are placed in the first stanchions 1-inch diameter holes. Then the second stanchion is placed on top of the rods while aligning the rods so that they slip into the 1-inch diameter holes, making sure the tension is at its lowest setting. Next, the second frame is assembled. The cots beds are installed onto the pins and then the tensioners are adjusted to desired positions. Disassembly accomplished in the reverse order. In this embodiment, the frame is secured with hook and loop type fastener straps.

In the preferred embodiment, a modified cot that it is designed specifically for the preferred bunk bed system is used. In the preferred embodiment the tension assemblies of the first embodiment are no longer needed. This embodiment also eliminates the straps, using a new fastening system for the cot and has modified rails. Finally, adapter pegs are provided to allow the bunk bed to be converted to a singe cot, if desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a side view of the assembled bunk bed10of the first embodiment is shown inFIG. 1. The bunk bed10has two bunk frame assemblies11that support two cot beds12, as discussed below. The cot beds are available commercially as part of a standard single cot such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,556, or equivalent.

The cot beds12are designed to roll for storage and to be opened and stretched onto a frame for use. Note that in this embodiment, as in the preferred embodiment, the overall height of the bunk beds H is 34.5 inches, and the height above the ground h is 8 inches.FIG. 2is an end view of the assembled bunk bed of the first embodiment. Here, details of the bunk frame assemblies11are shown as well as the two cot beds12. Each of the two frames11has a pair of upright stanchions11aand11b(for left and right). Two support rods11care placed into the stanchions11aand11bas shown. As discussed below, the right stanchion lib has a tension stop11dto keep the rod in place and to allow the tension system to operate, as discussed below. Each stanchion has a pair of support blocks lie that form part of the support pin assembly (seeFIGS. 3, 4 and 5). The cod beds12have side rails12athat have holes that align with the pins such that when the cot beds are installed, they are held securely in the frame. As discussed below, there is a tensioning system14that allows for slight variations in the width of the cot beds as well as acting to tighten or loosen the cot bed to adjust the firmness of the cot bed. Finally, the ends of the tubes11aand11bare sealed with plastic caps11j. The end caps prevent the tubes from pushing into the ground when the bed is set up as well as finish the look of the tubes.FIG. 3is an assembled view of the bunk bed frame, with the cot beds removed. In this figure, the pins11fare visible. These pins support the cot bed side rails12aas discussed above. Note that the end caps11jare shown exploded. Each end cap has an insert portion and a cover portion. The insert portion is pushed into the tubing and the cover portion abuts against the tubing (as shown inFIG. 2)FIG. 4is a side detail view of one of the support pin assemblies. Each of the support pin assemblies11has support blocks11e. In the preferred embodiment, the support blocks are made of 1.5-inch square aluminum tube having a thickness of 0.125 inches. The support block is drilled to accept the support pin11fas shown. The support pin is made of 0.375-inch diameter steel and is threaded on the bottom as shown. A pair of ⅜×16 nuts11gsecures the pin to the block.

FIG. 5is a front detail view of one of the support pin assemblies. Each of the support block assemblies is welded to the stanchions. Stanchion11bshows the block is welded to the stanchion using 5356 aluminum fillet welds11h.

In this embodiment, a tensioning system is used to compensate for the possible variances in cot dimensions.FIG. 6is a side detail view of one of the tension lever and block assemblies. When assembling the bunk bed, the tension lever14ais rotated so that it is at right angles with respect to the support rod11c(seeFIG. 8). The tension lever14ais held in place with a screw14bas shown. In this embodiment, the screw14bis a ¼×20 machine screw that is fitted into a threaded hole formed in the support rod11c. If additional tension is needed, the lever can be rotated 90 degrees so that it parallel with the support rod11c. That will expand the frame by 0.25 inches. If more tension is needed, the support rod11ccan be rotated 180 degrees so that the tension lever14ais below the support rod11c. Now, when the lever is rotated, it contacts the tension block14c, which provides for additional lateral movement of the frame. To provide the ability for the frame to expand, the opposite end of the support rod11cmust be blocked. This is achieved by using a tension stop.FIG. 7is a detail of one of the tension stops11i. The tension stop is formed of ½ inch×1½ inch 6061 aluminum channel7that is fillet wielded to the outside surface of the stanchion11b. In use, the support rod11cis simply placed in the stanchion11buntil it contacts the tension stop securely.

FIG. 8is a top detail view of one of the support rods showing the tension lever. Here, the support rod11cis shown with the tension handle14ain the parallel position and in dashed line, in the 90-degree position.

Once the frame is built, and the cots are installed, the bed is finished and can be used. There is a possibility, however, if sufficient end pressure is applied, the side rails12amay disengage from the pins11f. To prevent this, a hook and loop strap11k, discussed below, is used.

FIGS. 9 and 10are detail views of construction of the first embodiment.FIG. 9is a detail view is a pin assembly with a piece of double sided hook and loop fastener attached. Here, the pin assembly is as before. However, a length of hook and loop fastener11kis attached. This is accomplished by removing the lower nut11gand placing the hook and loop fastener11kover the threaded portion of the pin11fand replacing the nut11g.

FIG. 10is a detail view of the pin assembly showing the hook and loop fastener wrapped around the cot rails. With the cot side rail12ain place, the user pulls the strap11kalong the side of the support block11eand then the user wraps the strap11kover the cot side rail12aas shown and presses double sided the hook and loop strap11kagainst the side of the support block11eas shown. This ensures that the cot side rails remain in place on the frame despite pressures or movements of the frame.

FIG. 11is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this view, the bunk bed20is shown. This bunk bed is similar to that of the first embodiment in that it has two frame assemblies21that include two vertical members21aand two lateral supports21b, two cot rail assemblies, and two cot assemblies22.

FIG. 12is a top view of the preferred embodiment. Here, one of the cot assemblies22is shown. In the preferred embodiment, each cot assembly has a width of 29 inches and a length of 74 inches. Also in the preferred embodiment, the cot fabric23is 1300 denier PVC coated polyester. The ends of the cot24are folded into a one-inch hem. As shown, the cot fabric is cut at four places25to expose four holes26used to secure the cots to the frames, as discussed below. Note that the each cot has a pair of cot rail assemblies27(see also,FIG. 13) that run the length of the cot as shown.

FIG. 13is a cross-sectional view of a cot of the preferred embodiment, taken along the lines13-13ofFIG. 12. In this view, the cot fabric23is shown. The cot fabric23is folded over the cot rail assemblies27as shown and is double stitched using #135 polyester thread28. Note too, that four number12screws29and washers30are used to secure the cot to the cot rail assemblies27with one screw being placed at each corner of the cot.

FIG. 14is a front detail view of one of the cot rail assemblies27of the preferred embodiment. As shown inFIG. 14, the preferred cot rail assembly27uses two rails that are slid into a slider tube. The first is a short rail27a; the second is a long rail27b. These are connected together with a slider tube27cas shown. A stop rivet27dis placed in the slider tube as shown to restrict the inner movement of the long rail27b. Both the short and long rails have high density polyethylene (HDPE) fillers27e. Note too that the short rail27ahas a 0.375-inch diameter hole27fand the long rail has a 0.375-inch diameter hole27gat the locations shown.

Both the short rail and long rail are attached to the fabric cot member via the screws and washers29and30on each of the cot as shown inFIG. 13. Thus, the short and long cot rails become permanently attached to the cot.

The slider tube27conly slides onto the long rail until the rivet27dcontacts the end of the rail, as discussed above. When that occurs, the slider has slid off of the short rail enough to expose the 0.375-inch mount hole in the short rail. When fully assembled the slider can no longer retract back toward the short rail27abecause that rail it has been placed on the 0.375-inch mount stud of the frame assembly (seeFIG. 15). Thus, when the cot is attached to the frame, the both the cot rail assemblies and the cot (via hole26) are attached to the cot mount studs21c(seeFIG. 15below).

The solid HDPE internal fillers27e, into which the 0.375-inch mounting holes27fand27gare drilled, prevent the rail from potentially collapsing or deforming when the hand knobs are tightened. They also aid in the alignment/guiding of the stud fitting through the mount hole during assembly.

FIG. 15is a detail view of one of the frame rail vertical portions21aof the preferred embodiment showing the cot mount studs21cand hand knobs21d. Each of the frame rail vertical portions21aalso has two holes21einto which the ends of the lateral supports21bare placed.

As discussed above, the cot (and the cot rail assemblies) has four 0.375-inch mount holes26, which fit onto the 0.375-inch studs21con the frame assemblies. Once the cot is placed onto the frame studs the four hand knobs21dare installed and tightened. This procedure is then repeated for the 2ndcot. Tightening of the hand knobs provides longitudinal support for the bunk assembly.

Unlike the lateral supports for the first embodiment, which have a tension adjustment mechanism, the lateral supports for the preferred embodiment do not. This is because the frame of the first embodiment is designed to be used with any cot bed. As such, the lateral supports are adjustable to allow for different width cot beds. In the preferred embodiment, the cot beds are all made to the same specifications. Therefore, no such adjustments are needed.

FIG. 16is a side view of the lateral supports21bfor the preferred embodiment. Here, the lateral supports have a center tube31that is 28.6 inches long (of course, these dimensions can be changed; however, this length works with the preferred cot width). In the preferred embodiment, the tube31is 1.250 inches in diameter having a 0.125 inch wall thickness and is made of type 6061 aluminum tube.

It has two end rods32that extend 2 inches from the end of the tube31as shown.

FIG. 16ais a detail portion ofFIG. 16. Here, details of the end rods32are shown. The end rods32are preferably 1 inch diameter 6061 aluminum solid rods that are press fit 3 inches into the center tube31. To further secure the rods in place, a safety crimp33is formed in the center tube as shown.

FIG. 17is a detail showing one end of the lateral support installed in a vertical frame member. In this figure, a vertical member21ais shown with a lateral support21bin place. Note that the end rod32is placed in the vertical member21auntil the center tube contacts the wall of the vertical member21as shown. In this way, the lateral support is locked into vertical member and there is no need for a lateral stop as in the first embodiment.

In the preferred embodiment, provision has been made to allow the cot portion to be used as a single cot, if desired.FIG. 18is a perspective view of an assembled single cot40of the preferred embodiment. In this design, one cot with the cot rail assemblies41is used. Two lateral supports42are used as well. In addition, four single cot support posts43are used. The single cot is assembled as shown.

FIG. 19is a detail view of a support post43for the single cot option of the preferred embodiment. This post is shorter in the preferred embodiment—7.5 inches in height. A 1.015 inch diameter hole44is drilled near the bottom of the post as shown. This hole accepts the lateral support42. A cot mount stud45and hand knob46are used as described above.

In use, the single cot assembly is identical to that of the bunk bed-without the upper bunk and associated structure and hardware.

Both embodiments are designed to disassemble for transport and storage. Each kit consists of two cot assemblies, two frame assemblies and two carrying pouches.

For the preferred embodiment, the bunk is divided between two carrying bags, each bag holding one cot and one frame assembly. For the preferred embodiment, after removing the contents of the bags, the frame is assembled by placing the two lateral rods into the 1-inch holes on a vertical stanchion. The second vertical stanchion is then placed onto the other end of the lateral rods. The lateral rods fit in the 1-inch hole is a precise fit and provides lateral support. The second frame assembly is assembled in the same manner.

The cots are then unrolled. The center slider tube is slid to one end, making all three cot tubes rigid. This procedure is done on both rails of each cot assembly.

The cot itself has four 0.375-inch mount holes which fit onto the 0.375-inch studs on the frame assemblies. Once the cot is placed onto the frame studs the four hand knobs are installed and tightened. This procedure is repeated for the second cot. Tightening of the hand knobs provides longitudinal support for the bunk assembly.

The carrying bags can then be installed on the frames, using the attached hook and loop fastener straps. The bags can then used for storage of the user's personal items.

As noted above, the bunk bed has an option to be used as a single cot. This is achieved by using the optional single leg kit. This kit consists of four 7.5″ legs. These legs have the same precise holes for lateral rod engagement. The legs also have the same cot support block and 0.375-inch cot mount studs with hand knobs. A single cot is constructed by using two lateral rods, and one cot from the bunk bed assembly. Lateral and longitudinal support is achieved using the same methods as the bunk assembly.

The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.