Patent Publication Number: US-9848710-B2

Title: Foldable bed frame with vertical and crossed bars and bed having same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to Chinese Utility Model Application CN 201620314845 filed Apr. 15, 2016. The disclosure of the application is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to bed frames and beds, and more particularly, relates to bed frames with vertical and crossed bars and beds having such bed frames. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Foldable beds are suitable not only for use at homes but also for outdoor activities such as camping. There are a variety of foldable bed frames and beds in the market. Some of existing bed frames include longitudinal bars and crossed bars disposed under the longitudinal bars. Examples of such bed frames are disclosed in Chinese utility model applications CN 200620055538.3 and CN 201020226725.X, the disclosure of each application is incorporated herein for all purposes by reference in its entirety. 
     In many cases, the crossed bars are relied upon to bear the load or majority of the load when the beds are in use. As such, the intersections (e.g., pivotal connection points) of the crossed bars often get damaged or broken, making the beds unstable. In some cases, the beds may collapse and are not safe to use. 
     Given the current state of the art, there remains a need for bed frames and beds that address the abovementioned issues. 
     The information disclosed in this Background section is provided for an understanding of the general background of the invention and is not an acknowledgement or suggestion that this information forms part of the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides foldable bed frames and beds that are stable, safe to use and easy to fold and unfold. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a foldable bed frame including left and right longitudinal bars, front, middle and rear supporting assemblies, left and right front links, and left and right rear links. The left and right longitudinal bars are disposed respectively at a left side and a right side of the foldable bed frame when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. Each of the left and right longitudinal bars includes first and second longitudinal bars pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent end portions. 
     The front, middle and rear supporting assemblies are disposed respectively at a front portion, a middle portion and a rear portion of the foldable bed frame and support the left and right longitudinal bars when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. Each of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies includes left and right vertical bars, a crossed bar pair, and left and right bases. 
     The left vertical bar has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, with the upper end portion pivotally connected to the left longitudinal bar at a front portion, a middle portion, or a rear portion of the left longitudinal bar. The right vertical bar has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, with the upper end portion pivotally connected to the right longitudinal bar at a front portion, a middle portion, or a rear portion of the right longitudinal bar. 
     The crossed bar pair includes a first crossed bar and a second crossed bar pivotally connected to each other at their middle portions. Each of the first and second crossed bars has an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The upper end portion of the first crossed bar is pivotally connected to the upper end portion of the left vertical bar or pivotally connected to the left longitudinal bar at the front portion, the middle portion, or the rear portion of the left longitudinal bar. The upper end portion of the second crossed bar is pivotally connected to the upper end portion of the right vertical bar or pivotally connected to the right longitudinal bar at the front portion, the middle portion, or the rear portion of the right longitudinal bar. 
     The left base is coupled to the lower end portion of the left vertical bar and the lower end portion of the second crossed bar, and the right base is coupled to the lower end portion of the right vertical bar and the lower end portion of the first crossed bar, when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. 
     Each of the left and right front links has an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The upper end portion of the left or right front link is pivotally connected to the first longitudinal bar of the left or right longitudinal bar, and the lower end portion of the left or right front link is pivotally connected to the left or right base of the front supporting assembly. Each of the left and right rear links has an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The upper end portion of the left or right rear link is pivotally connected to the second longitudinal bar of the left or right longitudinal bar, and the lower end portion of the left or right rear link is pivotally connected to the left or right base of the rear supporting assembly. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, of a respective supporting assembly in one or more of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies, the left or right base includes a first slot and a second slot. In an exemplary embodiment, the left or right vertical bar is fixedly coupled to the first slot, and the first or second crossed bar is removably coupled to the second slot. In an exemplary embodiment, the left or right base includes a first slot and a second slot, the left or right vertical bar is removably coupled to the first slot, and the first or second crossed bar is fixedly coupled to the second slot. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, of a respective base in the left and right bases of the front and rear supporting assemblies, a bracket is coupled to the respective base or the respective base is formed with a third slot. In such embodiments, the link corresponding to the respective base is pivotally connected to the bracket or the third slot. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket is fixedly or pivotally coupled to the respective base. 
     In many exemplary embodiments, a respective supporting assembly in one or more of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies further includes one or more guides. Each guide has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the respective supporting assembly, and a second end portion pivotally connected to a lower middle portion of the first or second crossed bar of the respective supporting assembly. In some exemplary embodiments, a respective guide in the one or more guides includes a first guiding piece and a second guiding piece disposed respectively on a front side and a rear side of the respective supporting assembly when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. Each of the first and second guiding pieces has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the respective supporting assembly, and a second end portion pivotally connected to a lower middle portion of the first or second crossed bar of the respective supporting assembly. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the foldable bed frame further includes left and right front guides. Each of the left and right front guides has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the front supporting assembly and a second end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of the left or right front link. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, the foldable bed frame further includes left and right rear guides. Each of the left and right rear guides has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the rear supporting assembly and a second end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of the left or right rear link. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the foldable bed frame further includes left and right front guides, and left and right rear guides. Each of the left and right front guides has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the front supporting assembly and a second end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of the left or right front link. Each of the left and right rear guides has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the rear supporting assembly and a second end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of the left or right rear link. In such an embodiment, the middle supporting assembly further includes one or more guides. A respective guide in the one or more guides includes a first guiding piece and a second guiding piece disposed respectively on a front side and a rear side of the respective supporting assembly when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. Each of the first and second guiding pieces has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the respective supporting assembly, and a second end portion pivotally connected to a lower middle portion of the first or second crossed bar of the respective supporting assembly. 
     In many exemplary embodiments, the foldable bed frame further includes left and right connectors. The left connector pivotally connects the adjacent end portions of the first and second longitudinal bars of the left longitudinal bar, and the right connector pivotally connects the adjacent end portions of the first and second longitudinal bars of the right longitudinal bar. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a foldable bed including a bedding and a foldable bed frame of the present invention disclosed herein to support the bedding. 
     The foldable bed frames and beds of the present invention have other features and advantages that will be apparent from, or are set forth in more detail in, the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the Detailed Description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary foldable bed in an unfolded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary foldable bed frame in an unfolded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a partially enlarged view taken along circle A of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view illustrating the exemplary foldable bed frame of  FIG. 2A  in a first partially folded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating the exemplary foldable bed frame of  FIG. 2A  in a second partially folded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating the exemplary foldable bed frame of  FIG. 2A  in a third partially folded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating the exemplary foldable bed frame of  FIG. 2A  in a folded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary foldable bed frame including some alternative, additional or optional components in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic view illustrating the exemplary foldable bed frame of  FIG. 7  in a partially folded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a partially enlarged view taken along circle B of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary foldable bed frame including some alternative, additional or optional components in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a partially enlarged view taken along circle C of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating the exemplary foldable bed frame of  FIG. 9A  in a partially folded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating an exemplary foldable bed frame including some alternative, additional or optional components in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view illustrating the exemplary foldable bed frame of  FIG. 11  in a partially folded state in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the following detailed description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having benefit of this disclosure. 
     In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will be appreciated that, in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Many modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments set forth in this disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific exemplary embodiments described herein are offered by way of example only, and the disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of bed frames and beds. The bed frames and beds can be of various sizes including but not limited to twin, full, queen and king sizes, and of various shapes including but not limited to rectangles and squares. Also, the bed frames can be made of various materials including but not limited to metals such as iron and steel, plastics and woods. In most cases, the bed frames of the present invention can be used alone by placing them on a floor or a ground. 
     Generally, a bed frame of the present invention includes longitudinal bars, a plurality of supporting assemblies and a plurality of links. The plurality of supporting assemblies is coupled to the longitudinal bars, and supports the longitudinal bars when the bed frame is unfolded and in use. The plurality of links couples one or more supporting assemblies with longitudinal bars, and makes it easy to fold and unfold the bed frame. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted an exemplary foldable bed in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the exemplary foldable bed includes a bedding such as bedding  1  and a foldable bed frame such as foldable bed frame  2  (e.g.,  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  or  2   d ). When unfolded and in use, bedding  1  is coupled to and supported by foldable bed frame  2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , there is depicted an exemplary foldable bed frame in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, exemplary foldable bed frame  2   a  includes left and right longitudinal bars disposed at the left side and the right side of the foldable bed frame respectively when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. In various embodiments, the left and right longitudinal bars are substantially the same as each other and parallel to each other when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. In many exemplary embodiments, each of the left and right longitudinal bars includes a first longitudinal bar and a second longitudinal bar pivotally connected to each other at their adjacent end portion. By way of example,  FIG. 2A  illustrates each of left and right longitudinal bars  10  having substantially identical first and second longitudinal bars  11 . It should be noted that the first and second longitudinal bars can be but does not necessarily need to be the same as each other. For instance, the first and second longitudinal bars can be different from each other in length, width, or other features. 
     The exemplary foldable bed frame also includes a plurality of supporting assemblies, such as front, middle and rear supporting assemblies  3 , coupled to the left and right longitudinal bars and supporting the left and right longitudinal bars when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. Front, middle and rear supporting assemblies  3  are disposed respectively at a front portion, a middle portion and a rear portion of the foldable bed frame when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, each of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies includes a left vertical bar, a right vertical bar, a crossed bar pair, a left base and a right base. In some exemplary embodiments such as those illustrated in  FIG. 2 , left and right vertical bars  30  are substantially the same as each other or symmetric to each other with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane of the foldable bed frame. Left vertical bar  30  has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, with the upper end portion pivotally connected to left longitudinal bar  10  at a front portion, a middle portion, or a rear portion of the left longitudinal bar. Similarly, right vertical bar  30  has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, with the upper end portion pivotally connected to right longitudinal bar  10  at a front portion, a middle portion, or a rear portion of the right longitudinal bar. 
     The crossed bar pair includes a first crossed bar and a second crossed bar pivotally connected to each other at their middle portions. The first crossed bar has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, with the upper end portion pivotally connected to the upper end portion of the left vertical bar or pivotally connected to the left longitudinal bar at the front portion, the middle portion, or the rear portion of the left longitudinal bar. The second crossed bar has an upper end portion and a lower end portion, with the upper end portion pivotally connected to the upper end portion of the right vertical bar or pivotally connected to the right longitudinal bar at the front portion, the middle portion, or the rear portion of the right longitudinal bar. In some exemplary embodiments such as those illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the crossed bar pair  20  includes substantially the same first and second crossed bars  21 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the upper end portions of the first and second crossed bars of the front supporting assembly are pivotally connected to the front portion of the left and right longitudinal bars. The upper end portions of the first and second crossed bars of the rear supporting assembly are pivotally connected to the rear portion of the left and right longitudinal bars. The upper end portions of the first and second crossed bars of the middle supporting assembly are pivotally connected to the upper end portions of the left and right vertical bars. 
     In some exemplary embodiments such as those illustrated in  FIG. 2 , left and right bases  40  are substantially the same as each other or symmetric to each other with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane of the foldable bed frame. Left base  40  is coupled to the lower end portion of the left vertical bar and the lower end portion of the second crossed bar when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. Right base  40  is coupled to the lower end portion of the right vertical bar and the lower end portion of the first crossed bar when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, base  40  includes a first slot such as first slot  41  for coupling with vertical bar  30  and a second slot such as second slot  42  for coupling with crossed bar  21 . The coupling of the base with the vertical bar and the crossed bar can be either fixed or removable. In various exemplary embodiments, the base is fixedly coupled with one and removably coupled with the other of the two bars. 
     For instance, in some exemplary embodiments, of a respective supporting assembly in one or more of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies, the left or right vertical bar is removably coupled to the first slot, and the first or second crossed bar is fixedly coupled to the second slot. In some exemplary embodiments, of a respective supporting assembly in one or more of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies, the left or right vertical bar is fixed to the first slot, whereas the first or second crossed bar is removably coupled to the second slot. By way of example,  FIGS. 2A-6  illustrate the left or right vertical bar of each supporting assembly removably coupled to the first slot and the first or second crossed bar of each supporting assembly fixedly coupled to the second slot. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, base  40  of the front or rear supporting assembly includes a bracket such as bracket  60  for coupling with the lower end portion of front or rear link  50 . Bracket  60  can be formed at or attached to the base. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket is attached (either fixedly or pivotally) to the base, and the lower end portion of front or rear link  50  is pivotally coupled to the bracket. 
     It should be noted that the bases of two supporting assemblies can be but does not necessarily need to be the same. It should also be noted that the left and right bases of the same supporting assembly can be but does not necessarily need to be the same. It should be further noted that the left or right base of the middle supporting assembly can be but does not necessarily need to be the same as the base of the front or rear supporting assembly (e.g., the left or right base of the middle supporting assembly does not necessarily need to have a bracket). 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the exemplary foldable bed frame further includes a plurality of links such as left and right front links, and left and right rear links  50 . In some exemplary embodiments, each of the left and right front links has an upper end portion pivotally connected to the first longitudinal bar of the left or right longitudinal bar, and a lower end portion pivotally connected to the left or right base of the front supporting assembly. Similarly, each of the left and right rear links has an upper end portion pivotally connected to the second longitudinal bar of the left or right longitudinal bar, and a lower end portion pivotally connected to the left or right base of the rear supporting assembly. Like the first and second longitudinal bars, the left and right front links, and left and right rear links can be but does not necessarily need to be the same as each other. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, a respective supporting assembly in one or more of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies further includes one or more guides such as guide  70  to guide relative movement of the vertical bars and the crossed bars. Guide  70  has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar  30  of the respective supporting assembly, and a second end portion pivotally connected to a lower middle portion of the first or second crossed bar  21  of the respective supporting assembly. As used herein, the term “lower middle portion” of a crossed bar refers to a portion of the crossed bar between the lower end and the crossed pivot point of the crossed bar. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies include a left guide and a right guide corresponding to the left and right vertical bars, respectively. 
     In some exemplary embodiments, guide  70  includes a first guiding piece and a second guiding piece disposed respectively on a front side and a rear side of the respective supporting assembly when the foldable bed frame is unfolded. Each of the first and second guiding pieces has a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the respective supporting assembly, and a second end portion pivotally connected to a lower middle portion of the first or second crossed bar of the respective supporting assembly. The first and second guiding pieces can be the same as or different from each other. By way of illustrations,  FIG. 2B  illustrates two substantially the same guide pieces  71 . 
     In some exemplary embodiments, foldable bed frame  2   a  further includes left and right connectors such as connector  12 . The left connector pivotally connects the adjacent end portions of the first and second longitudinal bars of the left longitudinal bar. The right connector pivotally connects the adjacent end portions of the first and second longitudinal bars of the right longitudinal bar. 
     Foldable beds and bed frames of the present invention can include alternative, additional and/or optional components. As an example,  FIGS. 7-8A  illustrate exemplary foldable bed frame  2   b , in which each of the front, middle and rear supporting assemblies has its left or right vertical bar fixedly (instead of removably) coupled to the first slot of base  40 , and the first or second crossed bar removably (instead of fixedly) coupled to the second slot of base  40 . 
     As another example,  FIGS. 9A-10  illustrate exemplary foldable bed frame  2   c , in which one or more bases  40  do not include bracket  60  to couple with the lower end portion of link  50 . Instead, in exemplary foldable bed frame  2   c , base  40  of the front or rear supporting assembly includes a third slot such as third slot  43  to pivotally couple with the lower end portion of front or rear link  50 . 
     As a further example,  FIGS. 11-12  illustrates exemplary foldable bed frame  2   d , in which the front or rear supporting assembly does not include guide  70 . Instead, exemplary foldable bed frame  2   d  includes a front or rear guide connected to vertical bar  30  of the front or rear supporting assembly and front or rear link  50 . In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary foldable bed frame  2   d  includes left and right front guides  72 , each having a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the front supporting assembly and a second end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of the left or right front link. In an exemplary embodiment, exemplary foldable bed frame  2   d  includes left and right rear guides  72 , each having a first end portion pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the left or right vertical bar of the rear supporting assembly and a second end portion pivotally connected to a middle portion of the left or right rear link. In some exemplary embodiments, exemplary foldable bed frame  2   d  includes left and right front guides as well as left and right rear guides. 
     It should be noted that the front guide can be but does not necessarily need to be the same as the rear guide. For example, the front guide can be different from the rear guide in length, width, or materials. By way of illustration,  FIGS. 11 and 12  show substantially the same front and rear guides. 
     Folding and unfolding the bed frames of the present invention is easy and convenient. For instance, to fold exemplary bed frame  2   a , remove vertical bars  30  from first slots  41  of bases  40 , and push left and right longitudinal bars  10  toward each other as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As the left and right longitudinal bars move toward each other, the first and second crossed bars  21  of each crossed-bar pair  20  get closer to each other. Through front and rear links  50  and/or guides  70 , the front and rear supporting assemblies are pulled (e.g., folded) toward left and right longitudinal bars  10 . Eventually, the front and rear supporting assemblies are folded onto the left and right longitudinal bars as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Afterwards, fold first and second longitudinal bars  11  (along with the front and rear supporting assemblies) toward the middle supporting assembly to complete the folding process. Reversing the folding process will unfold exemplary bed frame  2   a . Similar processes can be used to fold and unfold other exemplary bed frames of the present invention, description of which are omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     As disclosed herein, the bed frames and beds of the present invention include supporting assemblies, each of which includes vertical and crossed bars. When the beds are unfolded and in use, the vertical bars support longitudinal bars and bear majority of the load. As such, the bed frames and beds of the present invention are stable and safe to use. The bed frames and beds of the present invention also include links and guides to facilitate easy folding and unfolding of the supporting assemblies. As such, the bed frames and beds of the present invention are convenient to use. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the implementations and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms “left” and “right”, “front” and “rear”, “upper” and “lower”, etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first longitudinal bar could be termed a second longitudinal bar, and, similarly, a second longitudinal bar could be termed a first longitudinal bar, without changing the meaning of the description, so long as all occurrences of the “first longitudinal bar” are renamed consistently and all occurrences of the “second longitudinal bar” are renamed consistently.