Abstract:
The present invention relates to a bed having a rigid deck supported over the base. Four sections can be provided, with three of the sections comprising rigid grids that lie in respective planes. The sections can be coplanar when the deck is in a flat position. Several cross members can be provided to support the deck sections. Holders, which can be comprised of slots that are formed in the cross members, provide bidirectional support to side rails. In this regard, the bed rails can be removably positioned within the slots to maintain the position of the bed rails and eliminate rail migration.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design application having Ser. No. 29/331,033 filed on Jan. 17, 2009 now U.S. Pat. No. Des. 616,666, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a bed having a rigid deck having holders for bidirectionally maintaining a position of one or more bed rails. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Beds with wire grid decks have been known for years. Typically, the wire grids are supported by perimeter frames. Bed rails can be positioned between segments of the wire grids. 
     One drawback of this existing bed type is that the wire frame is not directly supported under the user. 
     Another drawback of this existing bed type is that there are no mechanisms for preventing migration of the bed rails. The bed rails are longitudinally supported in only a single direction by segments of the wire grid. While this practice may be acceptable for some, it definitely can be improved upon. 
     A further drawback of this existing bed type is a lack of structural rigidity. 
     Thus there exists a need for a bed with a grid deck that solves these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bed having a rigid deck supported over the base. Four sections can be provided, with three of the sections comprising rigid grids that lie in respective planes. The sections can be coplanar when the deck is in a flat position. Several cross members can be provided to support the deck sections. Holders, which can be comprised of slots that are formed in the cross members, provide bidirectional support to side rails. In this regard, the bed rails can be removably positioned within the slots to maintain the position of the bed rails and eliminate rail migration. 
     According to one advantage of the present invention, the deck is comprised of rigid grids. This structural rigidity improved performance and durability of the bed. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, the cross members support the grid sections. In a preferred embodiment, the cross members comprise angle members, which provide a high degree of longitudinal support. 
     According to yet a further advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross members can comprise slots at their ends. Bed rails can have tabs that are supported by the slots. The slots provide longitudinal support to the bed rails, and therefore prevent migration of the bed rails. 
     According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, holders or slots may be formed around the perimeter of the bed in the absence of cross members. 
     Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in a flat position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1  shown with bed rails attached. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1  shown with alternative bed rails attached. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , shown in an inclined position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred deck of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the preferred deck of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred deck of the present invention taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the preferred deck of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 9  is an end view of the preferred deck of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 10  is an opposite end view of the preferred deck of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 . Looking now to  FIGS. 1-4 , it is seen that a bed  5  is illustrated. The bed  5  has a base  10  with a head piece  20  and a foot piece  30 . A deck  40  is also shown. The deck  40  has sections  50 ,  100 ,  150  and  200 . Each of these are described in detail below. These components may be made of a variety of materials, such as steel or aluminum or any other suitable material. 
     The base  10  has a first end  11  and a second end  12 . A first side  13  and an opposed second side  14  are also provided. Further, the base  10  has a top  15  and a bottom  16 . The head piece  20  and the foot piece  30  are supported by the base. The deck  40  is also supported by the base  10 . The base  10  can be comprised of two individual members that are fastened, fixed or otherwise connected together. The base can generally lie in and define a plane. 
     The head piece  20  has a top  21  and a bottom  22 . Sides  23  and  24  are also provided. Castors  25  are shown at the bottom  22  of the head piece. The head piece may be altered, integrated into the base or even deleted without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The foot piece  30  has a top  31  and a bottom  32 . Sides  33  and  34  are also provided. Castors  35  are shown at the bottom  32  of the foot piece. The foot piece may be altered, integrated into the base or even deleted without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the head piece is preferably generally parallel to the foot piece, and each of the foot piece and the head piece preferably lie in planes that are generally perpendicular to the base plane. 
     Looking now to  FIGS. 5-10 , it is seen that a preferred embodiment of a deck  40  is provided. 
     A first section  50  has ends  51  and  52 , sides  53  and  54 , a top  55  and a bottom  56 . A gird  57  is provided. The grid  57  is preferably generally rigid, and lies in a plane  58 . Cross beams  60  and  70  are provided. Cross beam  60  has and end  63  with a slot  64  therein, and an opposite end  65  with a slot  66  therein. Cross beam  70  has an end  73  with a slot  74  therein, and an opposed end  75  with a slot  76  therein. Cross beams  60  and  70  are preferably generally parallel to each other, and preferably span completely between sides  53  and  54  of the section  50 . Each cross beam is preferably constructed of an angle member comprising a generally vertical section and a generally horizontal section. The horizontal section has a surface that directly supports the grid  57 . The vertical section provides structural support, and preferably depends from, or is located below, the horizontal section. 
     A connector  80  is provided for movably connecting the first section  50  to the base  10 . The connector can comprise an arm that is pivotally connected to both the first section  50  and the base  10 . The section is movable between being flat and inclined. 
     While slots are illustrated, it is understood that other holders such as holes, clamps, pins may be utilized in place of slots without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Further, while the slots are shown in a preferred embodiment adjacent the ends of respective cross beams, it is understood that the location of the slots could be located on any structure that is at or near the side perimeter of the section, and even integrated into the side perimeter, without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. It is preferred that the slots be at or adjacent to the top  55  of the section  50 . 
     A second section  100  has ends  101  and  102 , sides  103  and  104 , a top  105  and a bottom  106 . A grid  107  is provided. The grid  107  is preferably generally rigid, and lies in a plane  108 . Cross beams  110  and  120  are provided. Cross beams  110  and  120  have opposed ends that extend to the sides  103  and  104 , respectively of the section  100 . Cross beams  110  and  120  are preferably generally parallel to each other. Each cross beam is preferably constructed of an angle member comprising a generally vertical section and a generally horizontal section. The horizontal section has a surface that directly supports the grid  107 . The vertical section provides structural support. 
     A connector  130  is provided for movably connecting the second section  100  to the base  10 . The connector  130  can comprise a first arm  131  having a first end  132  and a second end  133 , and a second arm  134  with a first end  135  and a second end  136 . The arms  131  and  134  are pivotally connected to each other, and the ends of opposed arms, respectively, are pivotally connected to the base  10  and to a cross tab  125 . In the preferred embodiment, there are two cross tabs  125 , each parallel to each other and spanning between the first cross beam  110  and the second cross beam  120 . The cross tabs  125  provide a structure for the connector  130  to attach to wherein the second section  100  is prevented from going over center during the elevating and/or flattening of the second section  100 . 
     A third section  150  is further provided. The third section  150  has a first end and a second end. A first cross beam  160 , a second cross beam  170  and a cross member  180  are provided. The first and second cross beams  160  and  170  each have a vertical section and a horizontal section. The horizontal sections are coplanar, and the vertical sections are preferably generally parallel to each other. The cross member  180  is preferably located below the cross beams  160  and  170 . The third section  150  is preferably a stationary section. 
     A fourth section  200  has ends  201  and  202 , sides  203  and  204 , a top  205  and a bottom  206 . A grid  207  is provided. The grid  207  is preferably generally rigid, and lies in a plane  208 . Cross beams  210  and  220  are provided. Cross beam  210  has and end  213  with a slot  214  therein, and an opposite end  215  with a slot  216  therein. Cross beam  220  has an end  223  with a slot  224  therein, and an opposed end  225  with a slot  226  therein. Cross beams  210  and  220  are preferably generally parallel to each other, and preferably span completely between sides  203  and  204  of the section  200 . Each cross beam is preferably constructed of an angle member comprising a generally vertical section and a generally horizontal section. The horizontal section has a surface that directly supports the grid  207 . The vertical section provides structural support. 
     A connector  240  is provided for movably connecting the fourth section  200  to the base  10 . The connector  240  can comprise a first arm  241  having a first end  242  and a second end  243 , and a second arm  244  with a first end  245  and a second end  246 . The arms  241  and  244  are pivotally connected to each other, and the ends of opposed arms, respectively, are pivotally connected to the base  10  and to the fourth section  200 . The section is movable between being flat and inclined. 
     Side rails  250 , or simply rails, can be provided. The rails  250  have a first end  251  and a second end  252 . A plurality of telescoping members  253  are provided. The sides of a pair of rails are connected with a cross member  255 . The cross member  255  has opposed ends. A tab  256 , plunger or other structure is preferably at or near each end of the cross member  255 . One example of a tab is illustrated in  FIG. 2A . Yet, it is understood that alternative structures may be utilized without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. The tabs  256  can be removably inserted into the slots on the deck  40 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the rail is a full rail that is removably held by slots in the first and fourth sections. The slots prevent bidirectional longitudinal movement of the rails. Hence, unwanted rail migration is eliminated. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an alternative rail  270  is provided. The rail  270  is a partial length rail having ends  271  and  272 , telescopic member  273  and cross members  274 . Tabs are provided for holding the rail in the intended location along the sides of the bed. 
     It is understood that the second section is pivotally connected to the first section and to the third section. The fourth section is pivotally connected to the third section. The second end of the first section and the first end of the second section rise to an inclined position and lower to a flat position the same amount during the operation of the bed. 
     Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a bed with a grid deck that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.