Abstract:
A furniture member adapted to act as a versatile headboard is disclosed. The furniture member has a substantially vertical back member, two side members, a substantially vertical, lower front member and an angled front member collectively defining an interior space with the angled front member extending upward at a slope between the front lower member and a top edge of the vertical back member. The furniture member is placed against a mattress and box spring arrangement allowing people on the mattress to sit up by leaning against the angled front member. Adjustment of the angled front member is also disclosed. Use of the furniture member permits people to comfortably read, eat, use a laptop and conduct various other activities while in seated in bed. The furniture member also provides storage space.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/690,178 filed Jun. 13, 2005. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The embodiments of the present invention relate to a furniture member for use with a bed. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a piece of furniture that acts as a backrest, headboard and storage unit. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Headboards come in many shapes, sizes and configurations. In most instances, headboards are decorative rather than functional; other than maintaining the stability of the corresponding bed. Also, headboards tend to interfere with one&#39;s ability to comfortably sit up in the bed. That is, headboards are fabricated of hard materials, like wood or iron, are positioned ninety degrees in relationship to the mattress, and/or incorporate shelving or ornate workmanship which collectively make headboards uncomfortable to sit up and rest or lean against. 
   Headboards also fail to provide, other than shelving, any significant storage space. Rather, many bedrooms utilize dressers and/or night stands to accommodate items which are occasionally useful in the bedroom but not desirous of display. Unfortunately, smaller bedrooms may become overcrowded with numerous pieces of furniture. 
   Thus, there is a need for a more versatile headboard overcoming the deficiencies associated with prior ubiquitous headboards. 
   SUMMARY 
   Accordingly, a first furniture member of the present invention comprises a substantially vertical back member, two side members, a substantially vertical, lower front member and an angled front member collectively defining an interior space, said angled front member extending upward at a slope between the front lower member and a top edge of the vertical back member. 
   In practice, the furniture member acts as a headboard and is positioned between a wall and a mattress and box spring arrangement. In such a configuration, the front angled member provides back support for a user sitting up in bed. The front angled member provides an ideal back support for users to read, write, eat, watch television or conduct countless other activities while seated in bed. In other embodiments, portions of the front angled member provides space for those items (e.g., lamps) typically placed on nightstands. 
   Another benefit of the furniture member of the present invention is the available concealed storage space. Drawers integrated in the lower section and the front angled member provide access to large amounts of storage space in a convenient location at a head of the bed. 
   Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the present invention with a mattress and box spring in place; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention with a mattress and box spring in place; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective view of the present invention with a front angled member attached using a first means; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of the present invention with the front angled member attached using a second means; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a means for adjusting the front angled member; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective transparent view of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a portion of the front angled member supporting certain bedtime items; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective front view of a first alternative of the front angled member; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective front view of a second alternative embodiment of the front angled member; 
       FIG. 10  illustrates outer portions of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a system for attaching television to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
   Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.  FIG. 1  shows a perspective front view and side view, respectively, of a first embodiment of the present invention wherein the furniture member is generally referred to by reference numeral  100 . As shown, the furniture member  100  is positioned between a wall  105  and a mattress  110  and box spring  115  arrangement. While a mattress  110  and box spring  115  arrangement is discussed throughout, any arrangement, including a mattress or a mattress stacked on another mattress, is conceivable. The furniture member  100  comprises a lower section  120  and an upper section  130 . The lower section  120  is substantially rectangular in shape while the upper section  130  is substantially triangular in shape. The lower section  120  and upper section  130  may be a single unit or comprise two separate units. If formed of two separate units, the upper section  130  may simply rest on the lower section  120  or may be connected (e.g., bolted) thereto. In addition, for ease of moving, the furniture member  100  may comprise two sections separated vertically (i.e., two side-by-side sections). In such an embodiment, the two side-by-side sections are bolted together when positioned at the desired location. Wheels (not shown) may be placed on the lower section  120  to facilitate easy movement of the furniture member  100 . 
   The upper section  130  includes a generally vertical rear member  135  and a front member  140  forming an acute angle (&lt;A) therebetween. In such a configuration, the angled front member  140  slopes away from a head of the mattress  110  allowing a user to sit upright comfortably on the mattress  110 . Ideally, pads  145  provide a cushioned section for the user to rest or lean against. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the angled front member  140  can be opened to access a first storage area  150  optionally separated by a horizontal member from a storage area defined by the lower section  120 . In  FIG. 3 , hinges  155  join the angled front member  140  at its lower edges to the lower section  120 . It will understood by those skilled in the art that the angled front member  140  may be moveably connected to the lower section  120  by any suitable means, including by means of a slider arrangement as shown in  FIG. 4 . The slider  160  permits the angled front member  140  to be moved along its bottom edge in directions represented by arrows A. Ideally a stop  170  prevents the angled front member  140  from being moved to far in either direction. A locking mechanism  165  prevents the angled front member  140  from sliding unintentionally. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the angled front member  140  may be moveably integrated into the furniture member  100  along any of its edges and not only the bottom edge. In such alternative configurations, the angled front member  140  may open upwards or to the sides instead of downward in the case of the hinges  155  at its lower edge. Therefore, the angled front member  140  or sections thereof, may be connected to the upper section  130  or the lower section  120 . 
   Moreover,  FIGS. 8 and 9  each show alternative angled front members  140 ′,  140 ″ configurations each comprising two separate sections or doors  175 ′,  175 ″,  180 ′ and  180 ″ which open, by means of hinges  155 , in different directions. With respect to the angled front member  140 , any number of separate sections and configurations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Regardless of the configuration of the angled front member  140 , in some embodiments, the angled front member  140  or separate sections thereof are adjustable such that the slope of the angled front member  140  or the separate sections can be adjusted.  FIG. 5  shows one exemplary means for adjusting the slope of the angled front member  140  with reference to interior portions of the rear member  135  and the angled front member  140 . The means comprises a series of cavities  310 - 1  through  310 - 3 , having varied depths, positioned along a top, interior edge of the rear member  135  and a pair of slidable, spaced pins  320  positioned along a top, interior edge of the front angled front member  140 . The pins  320  may be adjusted laterally along a groove  330  to multiple positions corresponding to the positions of the cavities  310 . To adjust the angle, one selects the desired corresponding cavities  310 - 1  through  310 - 3 , positions the pins  320  laterally (as represented by the arrows) and places the pins  320  into the corresponding cavities  310 - 1  through  310 - 3  thereby modifying the angle at which the angled front member  140  rests. The varying depths of the cavities  310 - 1  through  310 - 3  dictate at what angle the front angled front member  140  rests. More or less than the three cavities  310 - 1  through  310 - 3  may be integrated into the rear member  135 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any suitable adjustable means may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6  shows a transparent view of the furniture member  100 . The lower section  120  provides significant storage space via multiple drawers  185 ,  190 . Similar drawers may be integrated at both, opposite ends of the lower section  120 . That is, those ends that face outward from the furniture member  100 . A pull out table  195  is also positioned at both ends such that users may place items (e.g., laptop, papers, etc.) temporarily thereon as needed. The number and size of drawers and tables integrated into the lower section  120  can take on countless configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Depending on the length of the drawers  185 ,  190 , there may be space available therebetween for certain items such as a subwoofer that works in conjunction with speakers mounted to outer portions of the angled front member  140  as described in more detail below. It is also conceivable that a large cupboard, cutout or similar concealed opening may be integrated into the lower section in place of, or in combination with, the drawers. For example, a large concealed opening may permit a computer tower to be positioned within the confines of the lower section  120 . 
   Now referring to  FIGS. 7 ,  9  and  10 , in one embodiment, outer portions  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  of the angled front member  140  are not padded and provide space for attaching or placing desired nighttime items such as phones, lights, MP3 players, drinking glasses, clocks, speakers, etc. The outer portions  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  may be pre-configured to receive specific items or may be configured to receive numerous items having a range of configurations and dimensions. As shown, from top to bottom, a first outer portion  200 - 1  supports a lighting unit  210 , cordless telephone  220 , light control  230  and an MP3 player  240  and a second outer portion  200 - 2  supports a lighting unit  210 , remote control device  250 , light control  230  and cellular telephone  260 .  FIG. 11  shows speakers  270  integrated to the outer portions  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  of the angled front member  140 . The supported items listed herein are exemplary and not intended to be exhaustive. The outer portions  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  may also include shelves or slots for the placement of desired items. 
   In practice, the furniture member  100  is positioned, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , between the wall  105  and mattress  110  and box spring  115  arrangement. Therefore, the wall  105 , along with the furniture member  100 , provides the necessary support for one or more people to simultaneously lean against the angled front member  140 . It is also conceivable that the furniture member  100  itself can support multiple people without being positioned against the wall  105 . Also, the mattress  110  and box spring  115  may be pushed up against the furniture member  100  in an unconnected manner or may be securely attached to the furniture member  100  by means of conventional bed railings (not shown) and screws or bolts. If utilized, the bed railings extend between, and are connected to, the furniture member  100  and a foot member  175  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In position, the bed railings support the box spring  115  and elevate the mattress  110  and box spring  115  arrangement. 
     FIG. 11  shows a system for attaching a television to the upper section  130  of the furniture member  100 . The system comprises an elongated rod  300  attached at a first end to a rear surface of the upper section  130  and a second end to a rear surface of a flat panel television  310 . The elongated rod  300  may be a single unit or comprise multiple sections. In a wired system, wires  320  (e.g., power cord) can be run along the rod  300  or within the rod  300  to conceal the same and extended to a power outlet behind the furniture member  100 . Ideally, the rod  300  is rotatably attached to the rear surface of the upper section  130  so that the rod  300  and television  310  may be moved out of the way when not in use. Alternatively, the rod  300  may be formed of telescoping members allowing it to be shortened for better viewing or storage. Also, the television  310  may be rotatably attached to the rod  300  so that a screen of the television  310  may be positioned or angled as desired. 
   In a similar manner, a food tray (not shown) may be rotatably attached to the upper section  130  such that the food tray may allow users to eat conveniently while in the bed. Such an embodiment is especially useful and beneficial for the elderly or others confined to bed. With bed configurations as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the food tray and a corresponding support rod, when not in use, may be placed in a vertical opening between the two sections or doors  175 ′,  175 ″,  180 ′ and  180 ″. In this manner, the food tray and rod are concealed and out of the way when not in use. When needed, the rod and food tray extend from the space and the food tray is swiveled to provide a generally horizontal surface for food and drinks. 
   Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.