Adjustable bed riser

A bed riser assembly for providing a plurality of elevations for a bed frame leg is disclosed. The assembly includes a hollow base and a support piece insertable therethrough. The base has an outer longitudinal surface, a first end portion having a first edge surface, a second end portion having a second edge surface, and at least one set of apertures. Each aperture extends through the outer longitudinal surface. The support piece has a side surface, a top end portion defining a top cavity, and a bottom end portion defining a bottom cavity. A set of forks protrudes from the support piece side surface generally toward the bottom end portion. Each of the set of forks is removably insertable into one of the apertures, such that the base and the support piece are coaxially aligned. A user may manipulate the assembly to provide up to seven different elevations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable bed riser, and more particularly, to an adjustable bed riser assembly for raising either one or both ends of a bed to a plurality of selectable elevations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most beds conventionally include a mattress, or a mattress and box spring combination, resting upon a bed frame having four legs. In a normal position, the mattress and frame provide a horizontal platform for enjoyment by a user.

Bed risers may be used to raise the elevation of either one or both ends of a bed frame. It may be necessary to incline the head of the bed for medical reasons, such as to improve the breathing of a person sleeping in the bed. In addition, all four legs of a bed may be raised for certain functional reasons, such as to increase under bed storage, to raise the bedding above floor level, or merely for aesthetic reasons.

A variety of bed risers are known in the art. The most rudimentary risers are simply solid blocks of wood or blocks of wood with a drilled cavity in one face. Although risers of this type provide elevation, these designs do not offer adjustable features. Certain commercially available risers may include two or more stackable blocks or pieces that can be used alone or nested to raise the height of a bed frame leg. Some designs require a large number of blocks to reach substantial heights, e.g., in excess of 4 inches. Still other designs are susceptible to failure or disengagement under significant weight due to insufficient locking structure.

Therefore, what is needed in the art is an adjustable bed riser assembly that has a minimum number of parts, provides a large number of different elevations and is not susceptible to failure or disengagement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an illustrated embodiment of the invention, a bed riser assembly for providing a plurality of selectable elevations for a bed frame leg is disclosed. The assembly includes a hollow base and a support piece that is insertable therein. A user may select up to seven height elevations for a bed frame leg.

The hollow base has an outer longitudinal surface, a first end portion having a first edge surface, a second end portion having a second edge surface, and at least one set of apertures, wherein each aperture extends through the outer longitudinal surface. The support piece is insertable within the base and has a side surface, a top end portion defining a top cavity, and a bottom end portion defining a bottom cavity. A set of forks protrudes from the support piece side surface generally toward the bottom end portion. Each of the set of forks is removably insertable into one of the at least one set of apertures, such that the base and the support piece are coaxially aligned.

In one embodiment, the hollow riser may be tube shaped and consequently, the outer longitudinal surface is cylindrical shaped.

Each of the set of forks may be removably insertable into one of the at least one set of apertures in either a direction generally toward the first end portion or toward the second end portion. Each of the set of forks may be removably insertable into one of the at least one set of apertures in either of two opposing directions.

The top cavity may be adequately sized to allow insertion of an end of a bed frame leg therein. Likewise, the bottom cavity may be adequately sized to allow insertion of an end of a bed frame leg therein.

The base first end portion may include a tapered annular rim, wherein the rim is removable insertable between each of the set of forks and the side support side surface. The support piece may be insertable within the base through either the first end portion or the second end portion.

Each of the least one set of apertures may include at least two apertures, wherein each of the at least two apertures is equidistant from the first edge surface. Each of the at least one set of apertures may include at least two apertures, wherein each of the at least two apertures is essentially identical is size and shape.

Each of the at least one set of apertures may include three apertures, wherein each aperture is essentially identical is size and shape, and is equidistant from the first edge surface. The base may balance upon a horizontal surface by either the first edge surface or by the second edge surface.

Each of the set of forks may be equidistantly disposed about a circumference of the support piece side surface. Each of the at least one set of apertures may be equidistantly disposed about a circumference of the base outer longitudinal surface.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, a bed riser assembly10constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The bed riser10is used to provide adjustable elevation to one or more ends of a bed. It should be understood that the present invention will be described in connection with a metal bed frame having four legs with wheels at the end of each leg. This description is for exemplary purposes only, and the present invention may be practiced in connection with any bed type, including metal frames without wheels and fixed furniture beds.

The present invention allows a user to raise a bed leg to one of up to seven different elevations. The bed riser is adjustable with minimal operation of only two parts, does not require any auxiliary tooling, and maintains structural integrity under anticipated operational conditions.

Referring now toFIG. 1, three bed riser assemblies10are shown installed under a bed frame12(a fourth assembly is not shown). The bed frame12is illustrated with the head13aand foot13bof the bed in the same elevated position. Alternatively, only two assemblies may be used to elevate just one end of the bed. Further, the head13aand foot13bof the bed frame may each be elevated, but to different heights.

The frame12supports a conventional mattress14and box spring16combination. The bed frame as shown is a conventional two-rail metal frame connected by perpendicular supports. The frame12has four legs18. A rotatable wheel20is mounted to the end of each leg. When the bed frame12is not elevated, the bed may be moved across a horizontal surface by rotation of the wheels.

An exploded assembly view of the bed riser10is shown inFIG. 2. The two-piece bed riser includes a hollow base22and a support piece24. The two pieces are designed to be assembled by a user to provide a plurality of selectable elevations for a bed frame leg. The support piece24may be used be itself to provide two elevations, while the base22and support piece24may be used in combination to produce five additional elevations. In combination, the base22and support piece24are concentrically aligned about a common center axis Ac.

As mentioned, the hollow base22is used in combination with the support piece24to provide five elevations. In the embodiment illustrated, the base22is a cylindrical-shaped tube having an outer longitudinal surface26, a first end portion28, and a second end portion30. The first end portion28includes an annular first edge surface36. When placed upon a horizontal surface, such as a bedroom floor, the base22will balance at rest upon the first edge surface36without tipping or rocking. The base itself may be constructed of a material that is resistance to slipping so that the first edge surface36maintains contact with the horizontal surface upon which it rests. Similarly, the second end portion30includes an annular second edge surface38upon which the base22balances upon when placed on a horizontal surface.

Referring again toFIG. 2, the base22includes two sets of apertures, a first set32a,32b,32cand a second set34a,34b,34c. As shown, each set has three apertures. It should be understood by others with ordinary skill in the art, that various numbers of sets, and various numbers of apertures per set, may be utilized in the practice of the present invention.

Each aperture32a,32b,32c,34a,34b,34cextends through the outer longitudinal surface26of the base22. As shown, the apertures32a,32b,32c,34a,34b,34care identical in shape and size. The apertures are essentially rectangular shaped with curved corners. Although any particular shape and size is not required, the apertures must be shaped to cooperatively join with portions of the support piece24, to be discussed further in greater detail. Further, to allow a rigid mating connection with the support piece24, each aperture32a,32b,32cof the first set is equidistantly disposed from the first edge surface36and also equidistantly disposed from the second edge surface38. Likewise, the each aperture34a,34b,34cof the second set is also equidistantly disposed from the first edge surface36and from the second edge surface38. As shown, the first set of apertures32a,32b,32cis disposed a distance from the first edge surface36that is shorter than the distance the second set34a,34b,34cof apertures are disposed from the second edge surface38. To be discussed in more detail, the offset placement of the two aperture sets allows for a larger variety of elevations to be achieved by a user of the bed riser assembly10. Still in regard to the apertures, the apertures within the first set and within the second set are equidistantly disposed about the circumference of the base22outer longitudinal surface26. As shown, the apertures within each set are disposed approximately 120° apart.

As discussed, the bed riser10includes a support piece22. The support piece is the part of the bed riser10that contacts the end or wheel20of the bed frame leg18. The support piece may be used by itself to support a bed frame leg, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. Alternatively, the support piece may be assembled with the base22to support a bed frame leg, as shown inFIGS. 8–12.

The support piece24is a unitary molded piece and has a generally cylindrical-shaped side surface40, a top end portion42and a bottom end portion44.FIGS. 4 and 5are top and bottom views of the support piece24. As best seen inFIGS. 4 and 7, the top end portion42defines a top cavity46. The top cavity46is adequately sized and shaped to house a bed frame leg wheel18as illustrated inFIG. 1. Further, the bottom end portion44defines a bottom cavity48. The bottom cavity48is also adequately sized and shaped to house a bed frame leg. In the embodiment shown, the bottom cavity includes a pattern of raised ribs50which act to stabilize a leg inserted into the cavity48.

The side piece24includes a single set of three forks52a,52b,52cprotruding from the support piece24side surface40. The forks extend generally toward the support piece24bottom end portion44. The forks are equally spaced about the side surface40approximately 120° apart. Any spacing is permissible in the practice of the present invention, although the forks must be cooperatively spaced with the apertures of the base22.

FIG. 3is a side view of the hollow base22and a support piece24ofFIG. 2, showing an assembled position as a result of this cooperative spacing. As shown, the set of forks52a,52b,52cis removably insertable into the first set of apertures32a,32b,32cin a direction generally toward the bottom end portion44(not shown), i.e., toward the second end portion30. To create this assembly, the support piece24is pressed into the base22through the second end portion30toward the first end portion28, or bottom to top as shown inFIG. 3. The forks52a,52b,52cbend inward until reaching the desired set of apertures. Alternatively, the support piece24may be inserted from an opposing direction such that the set of forks extends toward the first end portion28. Referring again toFIG. 3, the base22and support piece24are concentrically aligned in this assembled position and are sufficiently stable to not tip when supporting a bed frame leg.

One fork52awill be discussed in further detail for purpose of example. The fork52ais defined by two generally parallel slits54,56in the support piece24side surface40. The slits54,56allow the fork52ato bend inward toward the center axis Ac when the support piece24is pressed within the base22. The fork52aincludes a small rectangular-shaped tongue58aextending downward from the distal end of the fork. The tongue58aforms the outer side of a notch60a. The notch is adequately sized and shaped such that a portion of the base22sidewall that defines a portion of an aperture fits therein, as shown best inFIG. 3. Sectional views of this fit are shown inFIGS. 8–11. As shown inFIG. 12, the notches60a,60b,60care sized to fit on the base22first end portion28first edge surface36.

The illustrated embodiment allows a user to manipulate the support piece24and base22to created seven different elevations. The first two and shortest elevations are shown inFIGS. 6–7.FIG. 6is a side view, partially in section, of the support piece24ofFIG. 2in an inverted position, showing a first elevation H1. In this position, the bed frame leg rests upon a top surface70of the bottom cavity48.FIG. 7is a side view, partially in section, of the support piece ofFIG. 2in an upright position, showing a second elevation H2. In this position, the bed frame leg rests upon a top surface72of the top cavity46. As shown, H2is higher than H1.

FIGS. 8–11are side views, partially in section, of the bed riser10in a series of assembled positions.FIG. 8shows a third elevation H3,FIG. 9shows a fourth elevation H4,FIG. 10shows a fifth elevation H5andFIG. 11shows a sixth elevation H6. InFIGS. 8–11, the forks52a,52b,52cof the support piece24are inserted into one set of apertures of the base22. The four height combination are achieved by the use of two variables. First, two different insertion directions are used by inverted the base22in relation to an upright position shown inFIG. 2. Second, the forks52a,52b,52care inserted into the first set of apertures32a,32b,32cand alternatively, into the second set of apertures34a,34b,34c. These two variables with two combinations each create the four heights.

FIG. 12is a side view, partially in section, of the bed riser ofFIG. 1in a fifth assembled position, showing a seventh elevation H7. As mentioned, in this position the support piece24is inserted upon the annular first edge surface36of the base22.

The following chart details the elevations achieved by one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the base22is 4.45 inches in length. The bottom edge of the first set of apertures is 3.00 inches from the bottom of the base and the bottom edge of second set is 1.25 inches from the bottom. The top edge of the first set of apertures is 0.70 inches from the top of the base and the top edge of second set is 2.45 inches from the top. In regard to the support piece24, the bottom surface70of the bottom cavity48is 1.00 inches from the top of the support piece and the bottom surface72of the top cavity46is 1.85 inches from the bottom of the support piece. The distance from the bottom surface72of the top cavity46to the top inner surface of the fork notch is 1.55 inches.

It should be understood by others with ordinary skill in the art that the above-enumerated elevations are for exemplary purposes only, and by varying the location and number of the apertures, and the size of the support piece and riser, virtually any combination of elevations can be achieved.

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in considerable detail, the present invention is not to be considered limited to the precise constructions disclosed. Various adaptations, modifications and uses of the invention may occur to those skilled in the arts to which the invention relates. It is the intention to cover all such adaptations, modifications and uses falling within the scope or spirit of the claims filed herewith.