Patent Document

PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 12/197,384, filed Aug. 25, 2008, now U.S. patent Ser. No. ______ and also claims priority to divisional patent application Ser. No. 12/777,536, filed May 11, 2010, and incorporates these priority applications herein in their entireties by reference thereto. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Use of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to a portable bed assembly. This invention also relates to components for a bed assembly particularly including a disc and elongate support. This invention further relates to a portable assembly for a double-decker bed having a disc and elongate support construction. 
         [0004]    2. Background and Discussion of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    A collapsible bed is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,833, issued May 29, 1990 to Bonatz, which patent disclosure is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto (the “Bonatz prior art construction”). The Bonatz prior art single bed construction included tubular frame members, a canvas bed and discs which when assembled formed a single bed. The Bonatz prior art construction was only operable as and suitable for a single bed function. Further, the Bonatz prior art construction components were difficult to transport. 
         [0006]    It is a principal object of the present invention to provide improved functionality for a portable bed assembly component. 
         [0007]    It is another principal object of the present invention to provide an improved lock construction for inter-locking portable bed assembly components. 
         [0008]    It is a further principal object of the present invention to provide an assembly for a double-decker bed or alternatively two single beds. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide lockable portable bed support components for the assembly of the aforesaid beds. 
         [0010]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kit including carry bags for the ready transport of the components for the alternate assembly of a double-decker bed or two single beds. 
         [0011]    The foregoing objects are achieved by the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention, in one embodiment, is a kit for the storage and transport of a bed assembly. The kit includes two carry bags with cooperable construction components in each bag, which components when assembled provide a double-decker bed or alternatively two single beds. The kit includes flexible material construction foot lockers for the ready assembly and disposition under the double-decker bed or separately under each single bed. The foot lockers are folded to a flat storage disposition. The construction components include novel heavy duty assembly discs and cooperable connectable tubular frame members. The head and foot assembly discs and tubular frame member constructions are pre-assembled and stowed as a kit in respective carry bags. The heavy duty discs have asymmetrically disposed reinforcing ribs in a specific disposition with respect to the connected tubular frame members. The double-decker bed has two unfolded foot lockers disposed beneath the lower bed and an accessories pouch removably attached to and depending from the lower bed frame. The carry bags with the bed assembly components stowed therein are readily carried from one location to another for ready assembly of the double-decker bed or two single beds. The present kit construction and bed assembly is particularly useful in, but not limited to, military applications. 
         [0013]    The present invention, in a second embodiment, is a portable bed disc, and portable bed assembly including an elongate portable bed support. The disc has a body having a central hole, and the elongate support has cooperable means for locking the elongate support in the disc body. The means for locking includes an extendably retractable lock pin operably disposed on the elongate support. The retracted lock pin is aligned with a transversely disposed hole in the disc body, with the one end of elongated support slidably disposed inside the disc body central hole. The lock pin is radially outwardly disposed in the transversely disposed hole so as to lock the elongate support in the disc body. 
         [0014]    The present invention, in a further embodiment is a disc which alternately locks a first elongate support in a rotatable locking action and locks a second elongate support in a non-rotatable locking action as immediately afore-described. 
         [0015]    The invention is a further embodiment in a swaged elongate support in combination with a non-rotatable locking action in the disc body with improved guidance and quick positive locking action. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective partial assembly view of the double-decker bed of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective partial assembly view of the single lower bed; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective partial assembly view of the single upper bed; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of one foot locker in the closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the foot locker as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the foot locker of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the foot locker of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of the foot locker of  FIG. 4  in the open position showing the assembled partitions; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is the foot locker as shown in  FIG. 8  showing the foldable disassembly of the partitions; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is the foot locker as shown in  FIG. 8  showing the initial foldable disassembly of the foot locker; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8C  is the front foot locker as shown in  FIG. 8B  showing the further foldable disassembly of the foot locker; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8D  is the foot locker as shown in  FIG. 8C  showing the further foldable disassembly; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8E  is the foot locker as shown in  FIG. 8D  showing the still further foldable disassembly; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8F  is the foot locker as shown in  FIG. 8E  in the fully folded flat disposition; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the assembly disc of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a rear elevational view of the assembly disc of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the assembly disc of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the assembly disc of  FIG. 9  and a tubular frame member in the unassembled position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is the assembly disc and tubular frame member of  FIG. 12  in the assembled position; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is an outer side elevational view of the frame member and disc construction of the lower bed; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is an inner side elevational view of the frame member and disc construction of the upper bed; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of one of the two carry cases in the closed position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of one carry case in the open position principally showing the upper bed assembly construction; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a plan view of the other carry case in the open position principally showing the lower bed assembly construction; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a an exploded assembly view of the portable bed assembly of the second embodiment; 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is a fragmented perspective view of the assembled portable bed assembly of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  is a rear elevational view of the disc of the second embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is a front elevational view of the disc of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  is a sectional view taken along the line  23 - 23  of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 24  is an enlarged perspective assembly view of the elongate support engaging the front of the disc as in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the assembly on  FIG. 24  shown in the assembled locked position; 
           [0047]      FIG. 26  is an enlarged perspective view of the locking member; 
           [0048]      FIG. 27  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  27 - 27  of  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 27A  is an enlarged sectional view of lined section  27 A of  FIG. 27 ; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 28  is an assembly view as in  FIG. 24  with a modified construction elongate support. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the double-decker bed or bed assembly  10  of the present invention. Bed  10  includes an upper bed or cot  11  and a lower bed or cot  12 . The bed construction in general includes eight assembly discs  13 , four tubular assembly side members or assemblies  14 , two upper bed tubular head assembly  15 , has lower bed head and foot assemblies  16 , two horizontally disposed cross members or supports  17 , two vertically disposed integrating connecting straps  18 , four angularly disposed reinforcing struts  19 , and two canvas or like flexible material bed support pieces  22 . A pair of foot lockers  20  and a hanging accessories pouch  21 , in general, completes the double-decker bed assembly  10 , as will be more fully discussed hereinafter. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown the lower bed or cot  12  in the single bed disposition. Bed  12  has four assembly discs  13  and two tubular foot assemblies  16  and two tubular frame assemblies  14  interconnected with canvas support piece  22  to in general from the assembled single lower bed  12 . One foot locker  20  is slidably disposed under the bed. Accessories pouch  21  is Velcro® attached to the flexible cover  22  portion surrounding tubular frame assembly  14 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown upper bed or cot  11  in the single bed disposition. Bed  11  has four assembly discs  13 , two tubular assemblies  15 , two tubular frame assemblies  14  with canvas support piece  22  to in general form the assembled single (upper) bed  11 . Tubular assemblies  15  include lock cylindrical tubular members  15   a  and conjoined rectilinear tubular members  17  and  97 . One foot locker  20  is slidably disposed under the bed. Foot pads  210  cap the rectilinear ends of vertically disposed tubular members  97 . 
         [0054]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , lower support member  197  inter-fittingly engages depending tubular frame member  97  as at  199 . Lower support members also include depending semicircular tubular end piece  198  which slidably inter-fits within the annular circumferential recess or track of lower disc  13 . Integrating or locking strap  18  surrounds bottom tubular frame member  78  and upper tubular frame member  15   a  and the tighten strap  18  provides a locking tension force between lower assembly  16  and upper assembly  15 . 
         [0055]    The tubular frame members  14  ( FIGS. 17-18 ) are inter-fitted and then passed through canvas support opening  221 , and then forced-filled into the circular hub  222  of discs  13  ( FIGS. 1 ,  12 - 13 ). Similarly, the tubular inter-fitting of lower support member  97  with and between upper assembly  15  and lower assembly  16  is likewise readily accomplished. Stabilizer bars  19  are also readily clipped onto stabilizer pin  19   a , to stabilize the assembled double-decker cot. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-7  and  8 - 8 F, there is shown foot locker  20 . Foot locker  20  is generally of the flexible material foldable construction. Foot locker  20  includes front  31 , sides  32  and  33 , rear  34 , bottom  39  and openable top  36 . Top  36  is hinged to side  33  as at  37 . Velcro® pads  45  secure top  36  in the closed position ( FIGS. 4 and 8 ). The inside bottom portion  39  of foot locker  20  includes assembled vertically disposed partitions  46 . Partitions  46  are Velcro® pad secured to the inner walls of foot locker  20  ( FIG. 8 ). Partitions  46  are of foldable disassembly construction together with bottom  39  ( FIGS. 8A-8C ). Flexible material pockets  41  (typical) are fixedly secured or sewn on the outside wall of side  32 . Side  33  includes net construction storage pocket  43 , elongate item storage pocket  44  and Velcro® pads  45  (typical ( FIG. 5 ). Pads  45  attach to other cooperatively disposed pads such as on a second foot locker or to carry bag pads when in the folded stowed construction for ready transport. Rear  34  includes flexible handle  46  for ready transport of the foot locker  20  with or without its contents ( FIG. 6 ). Bottom surface  35  includes four thermoplastic reinforcing ribs  48  fixedly glued or thermoplastically bonded to bottom surface  35  to support the upright foot locker  20  on a floor surface. 
         [0057]    Foot locker  20  is readily folded in a step wise manner to a fully folded flat disposition ( FIGS. 8A-8F ) for ready for transport in the carry bag, as will be more fully discussed hereinafter. 
       The First Disc and Elongate Support Embodiment 
       [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-13 , there is shown assembly disc  13 , including central hub  222 , peripheral concave seat  13 A, and a plurality of ribs  55 A- 55 J. Ribs  55 A- 55 J are asymmetrically disposed. Ribs  55 A and  55 B are immediately oppositely juxtaposed to one rib  55 C. Ribs  55 A- 55 B are not radially disposed. Ribs  55 C- 55 J are symmetrically radially disposed. The specific asymmetrical construction  55 A- 55 B is juxtaposed to and straddles partial circumferential slot  60 . Slot  60  is sized to receive locking cam or wing  65  of tubular member or assembly  14 . In this manner of construction, tubular elongate support or member wing  65  engages slot  60  and is rotated in race  63  to a locked position. The asymmetrical rib construction  55 A- 55 C maintains the integrity and operability of the interconnected metal tubular member  14 /wing  65  disposed in thermoplastic disc slot  60 /race  63  construction, as well as providing durability in heavy duty use. Tubular elongate support or member  14  is preferably formed of two inter-fitted swaged tubular frame members for improved support strength in heavy duty environments. The foregoing constructions are particularly useful in military environments 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIGS. 14-15 , there is shown the pre-assembled foot assembly  16  ( FIG. 14 ) and pre-assembled head assembly  15  ( FIG. 15 ). Foot assembly  16  includes integral tubular assemblies  70  and  75  and two inter-fitted discs  13 . Tubular assembly  70  is formed of a horizontally disposed cross member  71  with semi-circular portions or wings  72  having circular ends  73 . Tubular foot support  75  includes downwardly outwardly disposed legs  76  with curvilinear tubular feet  77  and bottom tubular cross piece  78  of integral construction. Tubular foot support  75  is integrally bonded or welded to tubular assembly at  79 . A pair of stabilizer pins  19   a  for connection to stabilizers  19  ( FIG. 1 ). Disc  13  and particularly annular circumferential recessed seats or tracks  13 A are force fitted into wings  72 . Disc  13  as assembled to integral assemblies  70  and  75  forms foot assembly  16 . Foot assembly  16  as shown in  FIG. 14  is readily stowed in a carry case. 
         [0060]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 15 , there is shown head assembly  15 . Head assembly  15  includes tubular cross member  94  with outwardly dispose semi-circular wings  95  having circular ends  96 , and downwardly vertically disposed rectilinear tubular members  97  terminating in rectilinear end  98 . A cross-piece  99  interconnects and braces members  97 . Stabilizer pieces  19   a  are disposed at one end on member  97 . Foot pads  210  ( FIG. 3 ) are clipped onto ends  98  of members  97  to provide a protective bearing surface for the floor. Head assembly  15  is of integral bonded or welded construction as at  101  and  102 . Disc  13  is force fitted onto semi-circular ends  95 , in a manner similar to that for foot assembly  16 . Head assembly  15  as shown in  FIG. 15  is readily stowed in a carry case. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , there is shown carry case  80 . Carry case  80  is formed of flexible material or fabric. Case  80  includes straps  81  and handle  82 . Carry case  80  includes panels or sides  83 , hinge  84  and zipper  85  which selectively encloses sides  83 . Straps  81  are stitched or bonded to sides  83  as at  86 . Carry case  80  is provided in two embodiments  80 A and  80 B, respectively, for the head assemblies ( FIG. 17 ) and foot assemblies  16  ( FIG. 18 ) as well cooperating construction elements. In this manner of construction, the two carry cases  80 A and  80 B contain all the construction components and elements required to assemble the double-decker bed or cot  10 . A person of average strength can readily transport both fully complemented carry cases  80 A and  80 B to a location and readily assemble the double-decker cot  10 . 
         [0062]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 17 , there is shown carry case  80 A. Carry case  80 A contains two head assemblies  15 , held in place by Velcro® tab straps  91 . A plurality of inter-fitting tubular members  14  are retained in place on the inside of panel  83  by straps  92 . Lower support members  197  include part-circular tubular end piece  198  for engaging disc  13  as at  201 . Members  197  are held in place by retainers  202 . 
         [0063]    Netted pockets  100  are fixedly secured to the inside of carry case panel  83 . Rectilinear plastic footings  210  are held in net pockets  100 . Footings  210  frictionally fit onto tubular member  97  at  199  when the upper bed is utilized as a singled bed in contradistinction to the double-decker construction. A plurality of stabilizer bars  19  are retained in elongate pocket or sleeve  215 . 
         [0064]    The folded accessories bag  21  is stowed between the folded case panels  83 . The folded foot locker  20  is stowed between the folded case panels  83 . The integrating or locking strap  18  is also stowed between the folded case panels  83 . 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , there is shown carry case  80 B. Carry case  80 B is similar in overall construction to carry case  80 A. However, carry case  80 B retains the foot assemblies  16 . The assemblies  16  are retained by means of Velcro® straps or tabs  91 . Carry case  80 B in a like manner to carry case  80 A contains lower support members  197 , an accessories pocket  21 , a foot locker  20  and an integrating or locking strap  18 . 
       The Second Disc and Elongate Support Embodiment 
       [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 19-27A , there is shown a second embodiment of a portable bed assembly  300 . The second embodiment in general, includes disc  310 , elongate support  320  and locking construction  330 . 
         [0067]    Disc  310  has a body  311  having a central hub  315 , and a central hole  331  having a centerline or axis  332 . Disc body  311  is formed with a peripheral groove  312  for receiving a curvilinear support (not shown) in the manner discussed with respect to the first embodiment. Disc body is formed with a plurality of symmetrically disposed ribs  313  (typical), and asymmetrically disposed ribs  313   a ,  313   b  and  313   c . Hub  315  has a tapered groove  316  extending rearwardly or inwardly from the front of disc body  311 . A transversely disposed through hole  333  is formed in hub  315 . Through hole  333  has a centerline or axis  334  which is perpendicularly disposed to central hole axis  332  ( FIG. 23 ). Through hole  333  is congruent with rearwardly tapered groove  316  for purposes hereinafter appearing. A clearance groove  380  is formed in the disc body  311  to permit removal of a mold core (not shown) which is used in the formation of transversely disposed through hole  333 . Disc  310  is formed or of molded durable thermoplastic or thermoset material and construction by means well known in the art. The mold core (not shown) may be a multiple component for molding the disc as is well known in the molding art and within the contemplation of the present invention. 
         [0068]    Elongate support  320  is a tubular member having open ends  321  and  322 . Two aligned holes  323  and  324  are formed in support  320  adjacent end  321  for purposes hereinafter appearing. End  322  is swaged as at  329  and includes annular lip  323 . An intermediate elongate support  324  frictionally inter fits swaged portion  329  and abuts lip  323 . The one-side portable bed support assembly  300  includes two discs  310 , two elongate end supports  320 , and an intermediate elongate support  324  ( FIGS. 19 and 20 ). 
         [0069]    Referring now to  FIGS. 26-27A , there is shown locking construction or member  330 . Member  330  is preferably a unitary one-piece flexible construction, particularly a one-piece sheet metal or leaf spring construction. Member  330  includes a U-shaped portion having a lower flex leg  331 , transverse portion  332  and an upper flex leg  334 . A pair of pins, namely lock pin  335  and second pin  336  are formed from and extend upwardly from upper flex leg  334 . Pins  335 ,  336  are formed with rounded tops  337   a  and  337   b . Pin  336  is more elongate than pin  335 . The pins  335 ,  336  have flex relief inverted V-grooves  375  (typical). In this manner of construction, member  330  is flexibly inserted into elongate support end  322  so as to flexibly pressingly engage the inside surface of elongate support  320 , with pins  335 ,  336  slidably received in holes  323 , 324 , respectively so as to extend radially outwardly adjacent elongate support end  321 . In the aforesaid manner of construction, elongate support  320  with assembled retained locking member  330  is facingly disposed to the front of disc  310  ( FIG. 24 ). The user then depresses second pin  336 , as shown by arrow A in  FIG. 24 . This depression of second pin  336  in turn causes the retraction of lock pin  335  into elongate member  320 , with rounded top  337   a  exposed. Top  337   a  is aligned with groove  316 , and the elongate support  320  by pin to  337   a  is slidably guidedly received in groove  316  ( FIG. 25 ). The lock pin  335  is thereby aligned with transversely disposed hole  333 . The user then releases second pin  336 , so that second pin  336  and in turn lock pin  335  extend radially outwardly, with lock pin  335  seated in hole  333 . The elongate support  320  is thereby non-rotatably locked in disc  310 . 
         [0070]    Disc  310  further includes congruent grooves  371  and  372  ( FIG. 23 ) for rotatably receiving and locking the first embodiment elongate support in the manner as previously described in connection with the first disc and elongate support embodiment. That is, disc  310  is alternatively operable with the first and second embodiment elongate supports. 
       The Third Disc and Elongate Support Embodiment 
       [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 28 , there is shown a second embodiment of a portable bed assembly  400 . The second embodiment in general, includes disc  310 , modified elongate support  420  and locking construction  330 . 
         [0072]    Elongate support  420  is a tubular member has open end  421 . Two aligned through holes  423  and  424  are formed in support  420  adjacent end  421  for purposes hereinafter appearing. End  421  is swaged as at  429  in this third embodiment for improved guidance and inter fit with disc body  311 . This provides a quick positive locking action. 
         [0073]    Lock pin  335  and second pin  336  extend upwardly from elongate support  420  and are operable in the manner described in the previous embodiments. 
         [0074]    The present invention thereby provides a disc construction, and particularly a disc and elongate support assembly, wherein the elongate support is locked in the disc in one of the two modes or dispositions, wherein the second embodiment disposition the elongate support is non-rotatably locked in the disc body, and in the first embodiment disposition the elongate support is rotatably locked in the disc body. 
         [0075]    In the afore-discussed construction, two essentially uniform construction carrying cases  80 A and  80 B effectively stow all the components for assembling a double-decker bed or two separate single beds. Canvas bed supports  22  may be separately transported or provided, as these may need to be periodically washed or replaced with extended use. 
         [0076]    In the afore-described construction, a double-decker bed or two separate single beds can be readily assembled and disassembled. While the foregoing describes a construction assembly for one double-decker bed or two single beds, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide further expanded construction assemblies such as for a triple-decker bed. 
         [0077]    The foregoing description is intended to be merely illustrative and not limiting of the invention, which invention is defined by the adjoined claims.

Technology Category: 4