Patent Publication Number: US-7216380-B2

Title: Corner guard for box spring

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to box springs for bedding, and more particularly, relates to corner members suitable for use on box springs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mattresses and box springs have been known in the art for many years. Typically, the arrangement is such that the mattress is utilized to directly support one or more people, with a box spring being in position underneath the mattress and above a supporting frame or the like. The box spring provides additional cushioning and supports the mattress and will typically include a variety of springs within its interior. 
     In the manufacture of box springs, the outside is covered with a fabric material. Along the sides and ends of the box spring, the fabric material may easily be stretched and held in place without problem. However, on the corners, there is a tendency for the fabric to give either inwardly or outwardly when the box spring is in use. In order to overcome this, many manufacturers provide a stuffing of a material such as scrap fiber material at the corners. 
     A further problem at the corner of box springs and the like is that different sizes are utilized and thus a single piece of material is not suitable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a corner guard for box springs or the like and which corner guard is adjustable for different sizes. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a corner guard for box springs or the like and which corner guard has means for securing a fabric adjacent thereto. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a corner guard for box springs or the like and wherein the corner has provision for receiving extra material. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided, a corner guard arrangement for a box spring, the corner guard arrangement comprising a first member formed of a sheet material, a first end of the first member having attachment means for securing the member to a wire of the box spring, a second member formed of a sheet material, and first end of the second member having second attachment means for securing the member to a wire of the box spring, the first and second members each having interlocking means, the interlocking means being arranged to maintain the first and second members together when in an assembled condition while permitting sliding movement of the first and second members with respect to each other, the arrangement being such that when the first and second members are assembled, the first end of the first member and the second end of the second member can be secured to top and bottom wires respectively of the box spring. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, in a box spring having a plurality of wires forming a plurality of coils, with an outer perimeter wire extending about the top and bottom thereof, the improvement comprising a corner guard, the corner guard comprising a first member formed of a sheet material, a first end of the first member being secured to an upper perimeter wire of the box spring, a second member formed of sheet material, a second end of the second member being secured to a lower perimeter wire of said box spring, the first and second members being interlocked together, the interlocking means permitting sliding movement of the first and second members with respect to each other. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a corner guard for a box spring, the corner guard comprising a first member formed of a sheet material, a first end of the first member having attachment means for securing the member to a wire of the box spring, the first member being formed to have an arcuate configuration wherein that arcuate configuration has a radius which is larger than a radius of a box spring corner, the attachment means for securing the member comprising a plurality of retaining members extending outwardly from the first end of the first member, each of the retaining members comprising an outwardly extending portion and a downwardly extending portion defining, with the first member a U-shaped recess and at least one pointed member located on the outwardly extending portion to engage a fabric placed on the box spring. 
     In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a guard member for a box spring, the guard member comprising a first member formed of a sheet material, a first end of the first member having attachment means for securing the member to a wire of the box spring, the attachment means comprising a plurality of retaining members extending outwardly from the first end of the first member, each of the retaining members comprising an outwardly extending portion and a downwardly extending portion defining, together with the first member, a converted U-shaped recess, the first member having an arcuate configuration with a radius which is larger than a radius of a box spring corner and the first member having an aperture centrally located on the first member. 
     The corner guard arrangement, as set forth above, comprises first and second members which are formed of a sheet material and preferably of a plastic sheet material, many of which are well known to those skilled in the art. Each of the members is preferably formed to have a body portion which is arcuate in configuration, but has a greater radius than the radius of a box spring corner. In so doing, the member will exert a slight outward force when it is placed in position on the box spring corner. 
     The two members are interlocked in a relationship which permits sliding movement therebetween. Accordingly, the device can be adjusted for different sizes of box springs. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the corner guard includes upwardly extending relatively pointed members for retaining a fabric material which is placed thereover. While normally the corner guard will be placed on the exterior of the box spring, it can also be placed on the interior thereof for retaining the material. If desired, an additional corner guard could be placed on the exterior. 
     In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the corner guard may include downwardly extending relatively pointed members for retaining a fabric material which is placed thereon. 
     In a still further arrangement, the corner guard could include both downwardly and upwardly extending relatively pointed members for retaining a fabric material below the corner guard and a further fabric material placed over the corner guard. 
     In a still further aspect of the present invention, a corner guard is provided with a centrally located aperture, which centrally located aperture is suitable for receiving excess material such that a smooth arcuate appearance is maintained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view, partially in cut-away, of a corner portion of a box spring; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first member of a corner guard according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the second member; 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the corner guard of the present invention in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 5  is a front elevational view thereof in an extended position; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the first and second members; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along the lines  8 — 8  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view taken along the lines  9 — 9  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken along the lines  10 — 10  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a corner guard according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of a corner guard according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 14  is a front elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is a rear elevational view of a still further embodiment of a corner guard according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view thereof; and 
         FIG. 18  is a front elevational thereof. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail, the corner guard of the present invention comprises first and second members generally designated by reference numerals  10  and  110  respectively. 
     First member  10  has a main body portion  14  which is defined by a pair of side edges  16 ,  18  and a bottom edge  20 . Formed within main body portion  14  are two sets of vertically aligned slots  22 ,  24 . At an upper marginal edge  25 , main body portion  14  has a pair of outer legs  26  and a pair of inner legs  28 . Inner legs  28  each have of a flange  30  extending outwardly while outer legs  26  each comprise a retaining member  32 . 
     Each retaining member  32  comprises an outwardly extending portion  34  and a downwardly extending portion  36  which together with the main body of first member  10  defines a U-shaped configuration. Downwardly extending portion  36  includes a concave recess  38 . 
     Second member  110  also has a main body portion  114 . Main body portion  114  is defined by side edges  116 ,  118  along with a bottom edge  120 . Extending outwardly from main body portion  114  are two sets of vertically aligned projections  122 ,  124 . Each of the projections  122 ,  124  comprise a first perpendicular portion  144 , and a second portion  146  which together give each of projections  122 ,  124  a generally L-shaped configuration. 
     At a lower marginal edge  125 , main body portion  114  has a pair of outer legs  126  and a pair of inner legs  128 . Inner legs  128  each have a flange  130  extending outwardly while outer legs  126  each comprise a retaining member  132 . Each retaining member  132  has an outwardly extending portion  134  and a downwardly extending portion  136  which, together with main body portion  114 , define a U-shaped recess. A concave recess  138  is formed in downwardly extending portion  136 . 
     According to this embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a reinforcing member generally designated by reference numeral  122  and which reinforcing member  122  as a main body portion  124  formed of a sheet material. As in the previously described embodiment, body portion is of an overall arcuate configuration. 
     Extending outwardly from main body portion  24  at one end thereof is a flange  26 . In this embodiment, on flange  126 , there are provided a plurality of downwardly extending members  138 , each of which has a sharp end. 
     In use, the two members are assembled together as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  with the upper retaining members  32  being hooked on and retained by an upper perimeter wire  70  while retainer members  132  are hooked on lower perimeter wire  170 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 to 18 , there is illustrated a corner guard which is generally designated by reference numeral  210 . 
     Corner guard  210  has a main body portion  212  which is formed of a sheet material and which has an overall arcuate configuration. Main body portion  212  is defined by a first side edge  214 , a second side edge  216 , a bottom edge  218  and a top edge  220 . As may be seen in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , a plurality of apertures  222  are provided in the top portion of main body  212  along top edge  220 . 
     Extending outwardly from top edge  220  and substantially perpendicular thereto, is a flange  224 . 
     Flange  224  has two cut out portions generally designated by reference numeral  226  and which separate the flange into three different sections. Extending downwardly from each section of flange  224  is a tooth member  228 . 
     Turning to the embodiment of  FIGS. 15 to 18 , there is illustrated a flange similar to that of  FIGS. 11 to 14 . In this embodiment, there is provided a central aperture generally designated by reference numeral  232 . Aperture  232  is provided to allow excessive material to be placed therein. 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from spirit and scope of the invention.