The present invention relates to an adjustable bed riser, and more particularly, to an adjustable bed riser assembly for raising either one or both ends of a bed to a plurality of selectable elevations.
Most beds conventionally include a mattress, or a mattress and box spring combination, resting upon a bed frame having four legs. In a normal position, the mattress and frame provide a horizontal platform for enjoyment by a user.
Bed risers may be used to raise the elevation of either one or both ends of a bed frame. It may be necessary to incline the head of the bed for medical reasons, such as to improve the breathing of a person sleeping in the bed. In addition, all four legs of a bed may be raised for certain functional reasons, such as to increase under bed storage, to raise the bedding above floor level, or merely for aesthetic reasons.
A variety of bed risers are known in the art. The most rudimentary risers are simply solid blocks of wood or blocks of wood with a drilled cavity in one face. Although risers of this type provide elevation, these designs do not offer adjustable features. Certain commercially available risers may include two or more stackable blocks or pieces that can be used alone or nested to raise the height of a bed frame leg. Some designs require a large number of blocks to reach substantial heights, e.g., in excess of 4 inches. Still other designs are susceptible to failure or disengagement under significant weight due to insufficient locking structure.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is an adjustable bed riser assembly that has a minimum number of parts, provides a large number of different elevations and is not susceptible to failure or disengagement.
In an illustrated embodiment of the invention, a bed riser assembly for providing a plurality of selectable elevations for a bed frame leg is disclosed. The assembly includes a hollow base and a support piece that is insertable therein. A user may select up to seven height elevations for a bed frame leg.
The hollow base has an outer longitudinal surface, a first end portion having a first edge surface, a second end portion having a second edge surface, and at least one set of apertures, wherein each aperture extends through the outer longitudinal surface. The support piece is insertable within the base and has a side surface, a top end portion defining a top cavity, and a bottom end portion defining a bottom cavity. A set of forks protrudes from the support piece side surface generally toward the bottom end portion. Each of the set of forks is removably insertable into one of the at least one set of apertures, such that the base and the support piece are coaxially aligned.
In one embodiment, the hollow riser may be tube shaped and consequently, the outer longitudinal surface is cylindrical shaped.
Each of the set of forks may be removably insertable into one of the at least one set of apertures in either a direction generally toward the first end portion or toward the second end portion. Each of the set of forks may be removably insertable into one of the at least one set of apertures in either of two opposing directions.
The top cavity may be adequately sized to allow insertion of an end of a bed frame leg therein. Likewise, the bottom cavity may be adequately sized to allow insertion of an end of a bed frame leg therein.
The base first end portion may include a tapered annular rim, wherein the rim is removable insertable between each of the set of forks and the side support side surface. The support piece may be insertable within the base through either the first end portion or the second end portion.
Each of the least one set of apertures may include at least two apertures, wherein each of the at least two apertures is equidistant from the first edge surface. Each of the at least one set of apertures may include at least two apertures, wherein each of the at least two apertures is essentially identical is size and shape.
Each of the at least one set of apertures may include three apertures, wherein each aperture is essentially identical is size and shape, and is equidistant from the first edge surface. The base may balance upon a horizontal surface by either the first edge surface or by the second edge surface.
Each of the set of forks may be equidistantly disposed about a circumference of the support piece side surface. Each of the at least one set of apertures may be equidistantly disposed about a circumference of the base outer longitudinal surface.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, a bed riser assembly 10 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The bed riser 10 is used to provide adjustable elevation to one or more ends of a bed. It should be understood that the present invention will be described in connection with a metal bed frame having four legs with wheels at the end of each leg. This description is for exemplary purposes only, and the present invention may be practiced in connection with any bed type, including metal frames without wheels and fixed furniture beds.
The present invention allows a user to raise a bed leg to one of up to seven different elevations. The bed riser is adjustable with minimal operation of only two parts, does not require any auxiliary tooling, and maintains structural integrity under anticipated operational conditions.
Referring now to
The frame 12 supports a conventional mattress 14 and box spring 16 combination. The bed frame as shown is a conventional two-rail metal frame connected by perpendicular supports. The frame 12 has four legs 18. A rotatable wheel 20 is mounted to the end of each leg. When the bed frame 12 is not elevated, the bed may be moved across a horizontal surface by rotation of the wheels.
An exploded assembly view of the bed riser 10 is shown in
As mentioned, the hollow base 22 is used in combination with the support piece 24 to provide five elevations. In the embodiment illustrated, the base 22 is a cylindrical-shaped tube having an outer longitudinal surface 26, a first end portion 28, and a second end portion 30. The first end portion 28 includes an annular first edge surface 36. When placed upon a horizontal surface, such as a bedroom floor, the base 22 will balance at rest upon the first edge surface 36 without tipping or rocking. The base itself may be constructed of a material that is resistance to slipping so that the first edge surface 36 maintains contact with the horizontal surface upon which it rests. Similarly, the second end portion 30 includes an annular second edge surface 38 upon which the base 22 balances upon when placed on a horizontal surface.
Referring again to
Each aperture 32a, 32b, 32c, 34a, 34b, 34c extends through the outer longitudinal surface 26 of the base 22. As shown, the apertures 32a, 32b, 32c, 34a, 34b, 34c are identical in shape and size. The apertures are essentially rectangular shaped with curved corners. Although any particular shape and size is not required, the apertures must be shaped to cooperatively join with portions of the support piece 24, to be discussed further in greater detail. Further, to allow a rigid mating connection with the support piece 24, each aperture 32a, 32b, 32c of the first set is equidistantly disposed from the first edge surface 36 and also equidistantly disposed from the second edge surface 38. Likewise, the each aperture 34a, 34b, 34c of the second set is also equidistantly disposed from the first edge surface 36 and from the second edge surface 38. As shown, the first set of apertures 32a, 32b, 32c is disposed a distance from the first edge surface 36 that is shorter than the distance the second set 34a, 34b, 34c of apertures are disposed from the second edge surface 38. To be discussed in more detail, the offset placement of the two aperture sets allows for a larger variety of elevations to be achieved by a user of the bed riser assembly 10. Still in regard to the apertures, the apertures within the first set and within the second set are equidistantly disposed about the circumference of the base 22 outer longitudinal surface 26. As shown, the apertures within each set are disposed approximately 120° apart.
As discussed, the bed riser 10 includes a support piece 22. The support piece is the part of the bed riser 10 that contacts the end or wheel 20 of the bed frame leg 18. The support piece may be used by itself to support a bed frame leg, as shown in
The support piece 24 is a unitary molded piece and has a generally cylindrical-shaped side surface 40, a top end portion 42 and a bottom end portion 44.
The side piece 24 includes a single set of three forks 52a, 52b, 52c protruding from the support piece 24 side surface 40. The forks extend generally toward the support piece 24 bottom end portion 44. The forks are equally spaced about the side surface 40 approximately 120° apart. Any spacing is permissible in the practice of the present invention, although the forks must be cooperatively spaced with the apertures of the base 22.
One fork 52a will be discussed in further detail for purpose of example. The fork 52a is defined by two generally parallel slits 54, 56 in the support piece 24 side surface 40. The slits 54, 56 allow the fork 52a to bend inward toward the center axis Ac when the support piece 24 is pressed within the base 22. The fork 52a includes a small rectangular-shaped tongue 58a extending downward from the distal end of the fork. The tongue 58a forms the outer side of a notch 60a. The notch is adequately sized and shaped such that a portion of the base 22 sidewall that defines a portion of an aperture fits therein, as shown best in
The illustrated embodiment allows a user to manipulate the support piece 24 and base 22 to created seven different elevations. The first two and shortest elevations are shown in
The following chart details the elevations achieved by one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the base 22 is 4.45 inches in length. The bottom edge of the first set of apertures is 3.00 inches from the bottom of the base and the bottom edge of second set is 1.25 inches from the bottom. The top edge of the first set of apertures is 0.70 inches from the top of the base and the top edge of second set is 2.45 inches from the top. In regard to the support piece 24, the bottom surface 70 of the bottom cavity 48 is 1.00 inches from the top of the support piece and the bottom surface 72 of the top cavity 46 is 1.85 inches from the bottom of the support piece. The distance from the bottom surface 72 of the top cavity 46 to the top inner surface of the fork notch is 1.55 inches.
It should be understood by others with ordinary skill in the art that the above-enumerated elevations are for exemplary purposes only, and by varying the location and number of the apertures, and the size of the support piece and riser, virtually any combination of elevations can be achieved.
While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in considerable detail, the present invention is not to be considered limited to the precise constructions disclosed. Various adaptations, modifications and uses of the invention may occur to those skilled in the arts to which the invention relates. It is the intention to cover all such adaptations, modifications and uses falling within the scope or spirit of the claims filed herewith.
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