Patent Publication Number: US-6910234-B1

Title: Collapsible headboard

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to bed systems and more particularly pertains to a new collapsible headboard for providing a headboard for a mattress to inhibit pillows falling off of the mattress. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of bed systems is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,768 describes a system for providing a bed with a fixed headboard. Another type of bed system is U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,533 having a lounge that is convertible into a bed for a user to sleep on. U.S. Pat. No. 3,171,139 has a backrest that is coupled to a headboard for supporting a user in an inclined or sitting position of a user positioned on the bed. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that has certain improved features allowing for the headboard to the removed from the mattress and easily stored. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing a frame assembly with side portions of the side members that are pivotally coupled to each other to allow the frame assembly to be actuated between a deployed position and a collapsed position. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible headboard that is convenient for use with an air mattress to inhibit the pillows from being pushed off the mattress while the user is sleeping. 
   Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new collapsible headboard that is conveniently stored and transported for use in remote locations such as when the user is camping. 
   To this end, the present invention generally comprises a frame assembly being selectively actuated between a collapsed position and a deployed position. The frame assembly is designed for receiving the mattress when the frame assembly is in the deployed position. The frame assembly is actuated to the collapsed position for facilitating storage of the frame assembly when the frame assembly is removed from the mattress. A panel member is coupled to the frame assembly. The panel member is designed for being positioned against the mattress whereby the panel member is for inhibiting pillows from sliding off of the mattress when the frame assembly is in the deployed position. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a new collapsible headboard according to the present invention shown in use. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the present invention shown in the collapsed position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 3  thereof, a new collapsible headboard embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the collapsible headboard  10  generally comprises a frame assembly  11  being selectively actuated between a collapsed position and a deployed position. The frame assembly  11  is designed for receiving the mattress when the frame assembly  11  is in the deployed position. The frame assembly  11  is actuated to the collapsed position for facilitating storage of the frame assembly  11  when the frame assembly  11  is removed from the mattress. 
   A panel member  12  is coupled to the frame assembly  11 . The panel member  12  is designed for being positioned against the mattress whereby the panel member  12  is for inhibiting pillows from sliding off of the mattress when the frame assembly  11  is in the deployed position. 
   The frame assembly  11  comprises a pair of side members  13 . Each of the side members  13  is positioned in a spaced relationship whereby the panel member  12  extends between the side members  13  of the frame assembly  11 . Each of the side members  13  is designed for being positioned on opposite sides of the mattress whereby the side members  13  position the panel member  12  against the mattress to inhibit the pillows from falling off the mattress when the frame assembly  11  is in the deployed position. 
   Each of the side members  13  comprises a plurality of side portions  14 . Each of the side portions  14  is pivotally coupled to an adjacent one of the side portions  14  whereby the side portions  14  pivot with respect to each other to permit the frame assembly  11  to be actuated between the deployed position and the collapsed position. 
   The panel member  12  comprises a backing panel portion  15 . The backing panel portion  15  extends between the side members  13  of the frame assembly  11 . The backing panel portion  15  is designed for extending upwardly from a support surface whereby the backing panel portion  15  is positioned adjacent a head of the mattress to inhibit the pillows from being pushed off the head of the mattress when the frame assembly  11  is in the deployed position. 
   The panel member  12  comprises a bottom panel portion  16 . The bottom panel portion  16  extends between the side members  13  of the frame assembly  11 . The bottom panel portion  16  is designed for being positioned parallel to the support surface whereby the bottom panel portion  16  is for being positioned under the mattress to inhibit movement of the frame assembly  11  and the panel member  12  with respect to the mattress when the frame assembly  11  is in the deployed position. The bottom panel portion  16  of the panel member  12  comprises a friction enhancing material. The friction enhancing material is designed for increasing friction between the bottom panel portion  16  and the mattress to inhibit the mattress from sliding on the bottom panel portion  16 . 
   The panel member  12  comprises a pair of side panel portions  17 . Each of the side members  13  of the frame assembly  11  is positioned in the side panel portions  17  of the panel member  12  whereby the side panel portions  17  are designed for inhibiting portions of a user becoming pinched by the side members  13  when the frame assembly  11  is actuated between the deployed position and the collapsed position. 
   The frame assembly  11  comprises a plurality of frame members  18 . Each of the frame members  18  is extended through the side members  13  and the panel member  12  whereby the frame members  18  maintain the spaced relationship of the side members  13  of the frame assembly  11 . The frame members  18  are removed from the side members  13  and the panel member  12  when the frame assembly  11  is being actuated to the collapsed position. 
   Each of the frame members  18  comprises a plurality of frame portions  19 . Each of the frame portions  19  is selectively coupled to at least one other of the frame portions  19  of the associated one of the frame members  18  to form the associated one of the frame members  18  to be extended through the side members  13  and the panel member  12  when the frame assembly  11  is being actuated to the deployed position. The frame portions  19  of each of the frame members  18  are separated when the frame assembly  11  is actuated to the collapsed position. 
   Each of the frame members  18  comprises at least one elastic member  20 . The elastic member  20  is coupled to the frame portions  19  of each of the frame members  18 . The elastic member  20  is for inhibiting loss of one of the frame portions  19  from the associated one of the frame members  18  when the frame portions  19  are separated. 
   The panel member  12  comprises a flexible material. The flexible material is folded to facilitate storage of the panel member  12  when the frame assembly  11  is actuated to the collapsed position. 
   A bag member  21  selectively receives the panel member  12  and the frame assembly  11  when the frame assembly  11  has been actuated to the collapsed position. The bag member  21  facilitates storing of the panel member  12  and the frame assembly  11  when the frame assembly  11  and the panel member  12  are not in use. 
   In use, the user removes the frame assembly  11  and the pane member from the bag. The side portions  14  of each of the side members  13  is pivoted to the deployed position. The frame portions  19  of the associated frame members  18  are coupled together and inserted through the side members  13  and through the panel member  12  to provide more stability to the panel member  12 . The mattress is then positioned on the bottom panel portion  16  between the side members  13  with the backing panel portion  15  being positioned to provide a temporary headboard for a mattress. The procedure is reversed to collapse the headboard for transport and storage. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.