Patent Publication Number: US-2017354264-A1

Title: Pin channel headboard

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/348,225, filed Jun. 10, 2016, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Case goods sold to institutions (such as schools and colleges, but not limited to) often include furniture consisting of headboards made from wood or metal. Usually the furniture is a bed and the term “headboards” typically includes both headboards and footboards, since they are often identical at least in dimension. Consequently, beds can optionally be stacked atop one another to form bunk beds and save space. Also, in colleges especially, it is common to mount the headboards on extenders so that the bed will be elevated, providing space beneath the bed for furniture pieces such as a variety of storage boxes, bed frames, work surfaces, shelves, wardrobe components and the like. 
     The construction of integrated headboards and furniture pieces is sometimes referred to as modular furniture, which can be arranged in a plurality of configurations. Typically, modular furniture is constructed by mounting beds and furniture pieces directly into the headboards using brackets, screws, bolts, and the like. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a body defining a first side and a second side and a set of at least three spaced pin channels operably coupled within the body and where pin channels thereof include spaced walls creating a channel there between with horizontal pins located within the channel, wherein the channel is open to allow access to the horizontal pins from both the first side and the second side and wherein the pin channels extend along at least a portion of a height of the headboard and enable height adjustment of objects operably coupled to at least one of the pin channels 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a modular furniture unit, comprising a first headboard having a first body defining a first exterior side and a first interior side and a set of at least three first spaced pin channels operably coupled within the first headboard and where pin channels thereof include spaced walls creating a channel there between with horizontal pins located within the channel, wherein the channel is open to allow access to the horizontal pins from both the first exterior side and the first interior side and wherein the pin channels extend along at least a portion of a height of the first headboard, a second headboard having a second body defining a second exterior side and a second interior side and where the second headboard is spaced from the first headboard such that the first interior side and the second interior side face each other, the second headboard further includes a set of at least three spaced second pin channels operably coupled within the second headboard and where pin channels thereof include spaced walls creating a channel there between with horizontal pins located within the channel, wherein the channel is open to allow access to the horizontal pins from both the second exterior side and the second interior side and wherein the pin channels extend along at least a portion of a height of the second headboard, and a bed frame spanning between the first interior side of the first headboard and the second interior side of the second headboard and where the bed frame comprises hooks at its first and second ends that are configured to operably couple with at least some of the at least three spaced first pin channels and at least some of the at least three spaced second pin channels and is height adjustable thereon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a headboard having pin channels according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the headboard of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the headboard of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bed frame according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bed frame according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a headboard having pin channels according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6A  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a headboard having pin channels according to another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of the headboard of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of headboards of  FIG. 7  configured to form a bunk bed. 
         FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional enlarged view of a hook assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of headboards of  FIG. 7  configured to form modular furniture. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary stabilizer rail that can be utilized in the modular furniture of  FIG. 10   
         FIG. 12  is an elevation view of a headboard having pin channels according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an exemplary coupling mechanism that can be used in the headboard of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a furniture frame in the form of a headboard  10  having pin channels  16 . In the illustrated example, the headboard  10  is made up of a unitary or a single piece  11  of material. By way of non-limiting example, such a single piece  11  can be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to, wood, metal, or composite. The configuration of the headboard  10 , including, the height H, width W, depth D, crosspieces  22  and resulting open regions  20  is shown here by way of example only. It will be understood that the headboard  10  including the height H, width W, depth D, crosspieces  22  and resulting open regions  20  can be configured in any suitable manner. For example, the crosspieces  22  and resulting open regions  20  can be arranged in any desired configuration for aesthetic or structural preferences. By way of non-limiting examples, crosspieces  22  can be utilized as steps or the open regions  20  can allow access to either side of the headboard  10 . 
     A set of pin channels  16  are included in the headboard  10 . The illustrated set of pin channels  16  includes three pin channels  16 . It will be understood that while headboard  10  is shown having three pin channels  16 , it is possible for the headboard  10  to have more or less than three pin channels  16 . For example, additional pin channels  16  could be included depending on the configuration of the crosspieces  22  and resulting open regions  20 . Pin channel walls  12  and pins  14  are included in the pin channels  16 . The pin channel walls  12  are mounted to the single piece  11  and extend the depth D of the headboard  10 . The pin channel walls  12  are spaced apart, creating an open space, or channel  18 . A plurality of pins  14  are disposed horizontally within the channel  18 . The plurality of pins  14  can be integrally formed with the pin channel walls  12  or otherwise mounted thereto. As shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 , the channel  18  and the plurality of pins  14  located therein are accessible from either side of the headboard  10 . Pin channels  16  can be formed from any suitable material including, but not limited to metal or composite. The pins  14  and pin channel walls  12  may be formed from the same material or different materials. 
     As illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 3 , the pin channel walls  12  can include flanges  12   a  extending from an end of the pin channel walls  12 . The flanges  12   a  can include screw holes  13   a . Screws  13  can be utilized to mount the flanges  12   a , and thus the pin channel walls  12 , to one side of the headboard  10 . The screws  13  can be covered or camouflaged to make the screws  13  less noticeable. 
       FIG. 3  also more clearly shows the headboard  10 . The headboard  10  accommodates the flanges  12   a  within insets  15  located in the single piece  11  that are configured such that the flanges  12   a  are disposed on the single piece  11  and are flush with the surfaces of the single piece  11 . Openings  17  in the single piece  11  allow for insertion of the pin channel walls  12  and are wide enough to provide space for the channels  18 . Screw holes  13   a  on flanges  12   a  align with screw holes  13   b  located on insets  15 . It will be understood that not all of the screws  13  are illustrated in the figures for clarity reasons. Alternatively, it will be understood that no flanges need be included and the pin channels  16  can be mounted within the openings  17  to the headboard via the pin channel walls  12  or via any other suitable alternative. The pin channels  16  span most of the height H of the headboard  10 , but it is within the scope of the disclosure for the pin channels  16  to span more of the height H or less of the height H. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate exemplary bed frames  54  having hooks  46 , which can, but need not, be used with headboards  10 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a bed frame  54  comprising a pair of cross supports  56  attached to each end of two single piece side rails  36 . The cross supports  56  can be welded to the side rail  36 , but can also be attached by using fasteners or by other methods. Preferably, at least one cross support  56  has a lip  57  and support ledge  59  sized roughly equivalent to a width of the side rails  36 . Additionally or alternatively, at least one cross support  56  can be angle stock  61 . A pair of cross braces  63  serves to keep the side rails  36  roughly parallel. A number of support ledge holes  58  can be created at various spots in the support ledge  42  which can allow a system of springs  60  to be attached through the support ledge holes  58  to the bed frame  54 . The system of springs  60  are coils of metal or any other material of any shape that can be drawn between two or more side rails that can support a mattress. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative to the system of springs  60 , wherein a series of boards  64  form a foundation in the bed frame  54 . The series of boards  64  define a flat support surface that can consist of a single board or multiple boards made out of wood, metal, plastic, or other materials. An indentation or projection  66  can be fabricated in various locations in the side rail  36  to space the boards in the series of boards  64  apart from each other. The indentations  64  can be any elevation made by distorting or adding additional material to a section of the support ledge  42 . The series of boards  64  can support a mattress. Lips can be included and prevent the boards and any mattress thereon from moving laterally, retaining them over the bed frame  54 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a headboard  110  according to another aspect of the present disclosure. The headboard  10  and the headboard  110  include like parts, the like parts will be identified with like numerals increasing by 100, with it being understood that the description of the like parts of the headboard  10  applies to the headboard  110 , unless otherwise noted. 
     One difference is that the pin channel walls  112  do not have flanges, as can be more clearly seen in the enlarged portion. Instead, the pin channels  116  are located within openings in the single piece  111  and the pin channel walls  112  are mounted to the single piece  111  with bolts  114   a  or any other suitable fastener such as screws. The bolts  114   a  enter side  124  of the single piece  111  and locate horizontally into the pins  114 . It is not necessary for every pin  114  to comprise a bolt  114   a . The bolts  114   a  may be spaced evenly along the side  124  of the single piece, or with varying spaces between the bolts  114  as portrayed in  FIG. 6 . Alternatively, the fasteners can be inserted through the pin channel walls  112  into the side of the opening in the headboard  110 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show another aspect of the present disclosure. Headboard  210  and headboard  10  include like parts, therefore the like parts will be identified with like numerals increasing by 200, with it being understood that the description of the like parts of the headboard  10  applies to the headboard  210 , unless otherwise noted. 
     One difference is that the height H of the headboard  210  is greater than that of the headboard  10 . The headboard  210  can be used for constructing modular furniture with multiple furniture pieces in the same vertical space including, but not limited to, a variety of storage boxes, bed frames, work surfaces, shelves, and wardrobe components. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the headboards of  FIG. 7  configured to form a bunk bed  200 . The bunk bed  200  comprises headboards  210 , bed frames  54 , and hooks  46 .  FIG. 9A  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the hooks  46  showing the hooks  46  hooked onto a pin  214  of the pin channels  216 . Bed frames  54  are hooked onto the pin channels  216  with hooks  46  in the same horizontal position, and are therefore height-adjustable along the pin channels  216  and forming the bunk bed  200 . In order to construct a loft bed, only one bed frame  54  is mounted to headboards  210 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the headboards of  FIG. 7  configured to form modular furniture  205  including a loft bed having added furniture pieces. In addition to the bed frame  54 , the furniture pieces include a desk  240 , a support bar or stabilizer rail  235 , a tray  250 , a cubby  280 , and insert panels  290  and  292 . The insert panels  290  and  292  can be, by way of non-limiting example, press fit inside of the open regions  220 . The insert panels  290  and  292  have been illustrated as being flush with the single piece  211  but this need not be the case. The insert panels  290  can be cushioned or tackable or as illustrated with the insert panel  292  can be writable, but are not limited to these examples as the insert panels  290  and  292  can have a variety of features. The furniture pieces hook onto the pin channels  216  in the same way as the bunk bed  200 . The configuration of the furniture pieces is not critical to the invention, and is shown here by way of example only. Other examples of configurations can include, no furniture pieces, additional furniture pieces, and also furniture pieces not shown such as work surfaces, shelves, wardrobe components, a lounge, an ottoman, a ladder, a table, or any other suitable furniture pieces. 
     To construct the modular furniture, furniture pieces such as the desk  240  have hooks and are hung from the pins  214  in the headboard  210 . Since the pin channel walls  212  extend the depth D of the frame and are spaced apart, the pin channels  216  are accessible via two opposite sides of the headboard  210  and the furniture pieces can be hung from either side of the headboard  210 . Since the pin channels  216  comprise a plurality of pins  214  disposed horizontally within the channel  218 , the furniture pieces are height adjustable along the pin channels  216 . Moreover, in the case that the headboard  210  comprises three or more pin channels  216  and the furniture pieces hook onto two adjacent pin channels  216 , the furniture pieces can be arranged in different horizontal positions (i.e. the right side or left side of the headboard). The accessibility of opposite sides of the headboard  210 , the height adjustability of the furniture pieces, and the horizontal positioning of the furniture pieces allows for numerous configurations for the modular furniture without the use of tools. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of another exemplary stabilizer rail  235   a  that can be utilized in the above described modular furniture. One difference is that stabilizer rail  235   a  includes a top surface  237  having openings  239 . The openings  239  can be shaped in any suitable fashion and provide a catch upon which other pieces of the modular furniture can be hung. An optional cover piece has been illustrated as forming the top surface  237  but need not be included. In the exemplary illustration an alternative desk  240   a  has been illustrated as being mounted to the stabilizer rail  235   a  via hooks  46   a . It will be understood that openings could be provided on another face of the stabilizer rail  235   a  from which alternative modular furniture could be hung. 
     Further still, a rod can be attached to the stabilizer rail. Such a rod can allow for unlimited positioning options for the other pieces of the modular furniture to be hung. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates yet another embodiment of the present disclosure wherein headboards  10  similar to those described in  FIGS. 1-3 , are coupled together to construct a taller headboard  310  with a coupling mechanism  370 , similar to headboards  210  in  FIGS. 2-10 . The coupling mechanism  370  may include fasteners such as pins, hooks, bolts, dowels, and the like. Alternatively, the coupling mechanism  370  can include a protrusion extending from the single piece of material forming the lower portion of the headboard  310  into a corresponding opening in the single piece of material forming the upper portion of the headboard  310 . While the pieces of material forming the taller headboard  310  are shown as having equal heights it will be understood that this need not be the case. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an exemplary coupling mechanism  370   a  that can be used to couple vertical headboard bodies as described above. The coupling mechanism  370   a  includes an H-shaped body  372  having a set of legs  374 . The legs  374  define upper and lower channels  376 . Located within each channel and extending from the H-shaped body are pins  378 . It will be understood that the coupling mechanism  370   a  can be included between the upper and lower portions of the headboard  310  such as at each distal end. The corresponding upper and lower portions of the headboard  310  can be received in the corresponding channels  376  and be configured to be retain on the corresponding pins  378 . 
     To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature is not illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. All combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.