STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to camp beds and particularly to bunk beds for camping.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For many years people have relied on camp cots for sleeping in tents while camping, and in military field work. These cots have typically consisted of a wooden or metal frame and a cot bed, typically made of canvas or cotton duck. They are designed to fold up for storage and transport. They have universally been made in single height configurations. Children often prefer bunk beds and, where families are concerned, efficient use of space in a tent is important. However, presently there are few options for stacking camp cots. One such example is the “Disc-O-Bed Cam-O-Bunk Xl Cot”, which is a modified structure that ties two single cots together to make a bunk bed. The two cots can be used a singles or as a bunk bed. however, this is not a true dedicated bunk bed system.
Therefore, a dedicated bunk bed cot system is needed to accommodate those campers that wish to have dedicated bunk beds for their children, or for others.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention solves this problem. In one embodiment, the invention is a portable, easy to assemble, camp bunk bed that is designed to be used with any camp cot bed that uses 0.375-inch diameter support pins, and has a width of 28 or 32 inches. The system features 2 frame assemblies, each frame assembly consists of 2 vertical stanchions and 2 lateral support rods. The vertical stanchions each have two cot bed support blocks with longitudinal support pins installed. Each stanchion has two 1-inch diameter holes drilled at precise locations and match drilled to accommodate the lateral support rods. One stanchion of the set also has a lateral tension stop installed which provides the lateral rod a base to press against when tightening.
The lateral support rods have a tensioner installed on one end, which allows the user to increase the overall width of the stanchions. The ability to increase stanchion width allows the user to compensate for small variations in cot width upon assembly. This feature also allows the user to adjust the cot to desired firmness. Assembly is accomplished by placing the stanchion with the tension stop on the ground and the non-tensioner end of the rods are placed in the first stanchions 1-inch diameter holes. Then the second stanchion is placed on top of the rods while aligning the rods so that they slip into the 1-inch diameter holes, making sure the tension is at its lowest setting. Next, the second frame is assembled. The cots beds are installed onto the pins and then the tensioners are adjusted to desired positions. Disassembly accomplished in the reverse order. In this embodiment, the frame is secured with hook and loop type fastener straps.
In the preferred embodiment, a modified cot that it is designed specifically for the preferred bunk bed system is used. In the preferred embodiment the tension assemblies of the first embodiment are no longer needed. This embodiment also eliminates the straps, using a new fastening system for the cot and has modified rails. Finally, adapter pegs are provided to allow the bunk bed to be converted to a singe cot, if desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of the first embodiment of the assembled bunk bed.
FIG. 2 is an end view the first embodiment of the assembled bunk bed.
FIG. 3 is an assembled view the first embodiment of the bunk bed frame, with the cot beds removed.
FIG. 4 is a side detail view the first embodiment of one of the support pin assemblies.
FIG. 5 is a front detail view the first embodiment of one of the support pin assemblies.
FIG. 6 is a side detail view the first embodiment of one of the tension lever and block assemblies.
FIG. 7 is a detail view the first embodiment of one of the tension stops.
FIG. 8 is a top detail view the first embodiment of one of the support rods showing the tension lever.
FIG. 9 is a detail view the first embodiment of a pin assembly with a piece of hook and loop fastener attached.
FIG. 10 is a detail view the first embodiment of the pin assembly showing the hook and loop fastener wrapped around the cot rails.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cot of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a front detail view of one of the cot rail assemblies of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a detail perspective view of one of the vertical frame members of the preferred embodiment showing the cot mount studs and hand knobs.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the lateral supports for the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 16a is a detail portion of FIG. 16.
FIG. 17 is a detail showing one end of the lateral support installed in a vertical frame member.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an assembled single cot of the preferred embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a detail view of the support post for the single cot option of the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a side view of the assembled bunk bed 10 of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The bunk bed 10 has two bunk frame assemblies 11 that support two cot beds 12, as discussed below. The cot beds are available commercially as part of a standard single cot such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,556, or equivalent.
The cot beds 12 are designed to roll for storage and to be opened and stretched onto a frame for use. Note that in this embodiment, as in the preferred embodiment, the overall height of the bunk beds H is 34.5 inches, and the height above the ground h is 8 inches. FIG. 2 is an end view of the assembled bunk bed of the first embodiment. Here, details of the bunk frame assemblies 11 are shown as well as the two cot beds 12. Each of the two frames 11 has a pair of upright stanchions 11a and 11b (for left and right). Two support rods 11c are placed into the stanchions 11a and 11b as shown. As discussed below, the right stanchion lib has a tension stop 11d to keep the rod in place and to allow the tension system to operate, as discussed below. Each stanchion has a pair of support blocks lie that form part of the support pin assembly (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). The cod beds 12 have side rails 12a that have holes that align with the pins such that when the cot beds are installed, they are held securely in the frame. As discussed below, there is a tensioning system 14 that allows for slight variations in the width of the cot beds as well as acting to tighten or loosen the cot bed to adjust the firmness of the cot bed. Finally, the ends of the tubes 11a and 11b are sealed with plastic caps 11j. The end caps prevent the tubes from pushing into the ground when the bed is set up as well as finish the look of the tubes. FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the bunk bed frame, with the cot beds removed. In this figure, the pins 11f are visible. These pins support the cot bed side rails 12a as discussed above. Note that the end caps 11j are shown exploded. Each end cap has an insert portion and a cover portion. The insert portion is pushed into the tubing and the cover portion abuts against the tubing (as shown in FIG. 2) FIG. 4 is a side detail view of one of the support pin assemblies. Each of the support pin assemblies 11 has support blocks 11e. In the preferred embodiment, the support blocks are made of 1.5-inch square aluminum tube having a thickness of 0.125 inches. The support block is drilled to accept the support pin 11f as shown. The support pin is made of 0.375-inch diameter steel and is threaded on the bottom as shown. A pair of ⅜×16 nuts 11g secures the pin to the block.
FIG. 5 is a front detail view of one of the support pin assemblies. Each of the support block assemblies is welded to the stanchions. Stanchion 11b shows the block is welded to the stanchion using 5356 aluminum fillet welds 11h.
In this embodiment, a tensioning system is used to compensate for the possible variances in cot dimensions. FIG. 6 is a side detail view of one of the tension lever and block assemblies. When assembling the bunk bed, the tension lever 14a is rotated so that it is at right angles with respect to the support rod 11c (see FIG. 8). The tension lever 14a is held in place with a screw 14b as shown. In this embodiment, the screw 14b is a ¼×20 machine screw that is fitted into a threaded hole formed in the support rod 11c. If additional tension is needed, the lever can be rotated 90 degrees so that it parallel with the support rod 11c. That will expand the frame by 0.25 inches. If more tension is needed, the support rod 11c can be rotated 180 degrees so that the tension lever 14a is below the support rod 11c. Now, when the lever is rotated, it contacts the tension block 14c, which provides for additional lateral movement of the frame. To provide the ability for the frame to expand, the opposite end of the support rod 11c must be blocked. This is achieved by using a tension stop. FIG. 7 is a detail of one of the tension stops 11i. The tension stop is formed of ½ inch×1½ inch 6061 aluminum channel 7 that is fillet wielded to the outside surface of the stanchion 11b. In use, the support rod 11c is simply placed in the stanchion 11b until it contacts the tension stop securely.
FIG. 8 is a top detail view of one of the support rods showing the tension lever. Here, the support rod 11c is shown with the tension handle 14a in the parallel position and in dashed line, in the 90-degree position.
Once the frame is built, and the cots are installed, the bed is finished and can be used. There is a possibility, however, if sufficient end pressure is applied, the side rails 12a may disengage from the pins 11f. To prevent this, a hook and loop strap 11k, discussed below, is used.
FIGS. 9 and 10 are detail views of construction of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a detail view is a pin assembly with a piece of double sided hook and loop fastener attached. Here, the pin assembly is as before. However, a length of hook and loop fastener 11k is attached. This is accomplished by removing the lower nut 11g and placing the hook and loop fastener 11k over the threaded portion of the pin 11f and replacing the nut 11g.
FIG. 10 is a detail view of the pin assembly showing the hook and loop fastener wrapped around the cot rails. With the cot side rail 12a in place, the user pulls the strap 11k along the side of the support block 11e and then the user wraps the strap 11k over the cot side rail 12a as shown and presses double sided the hook and loop strap 11k against the side of the support block 11e as shown. This ensures that the cot side rails remain in place on the frame despite pressures or movements of the frame.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. In this view, the bunk bed 20 is shown. This bunk bed is similar to that of the first embodiment in that it has two frame assemblies 21 that include two vertical members 21a and two lateral supports 21b, two cot rail assemblies, and two cot assemblies 22.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the preferred embodiment. Here, one of the cot assemblies 22 is shown. In the preferred embodiment, each cot assembly has a width of 29 inches and a length of 74 inches. Also in the preferred embodiment, the cot fabric 23 is 1300 denier PVC coated polyester. The ends of the cot 24 are folded into a one-inch hem. As shown, the cot fabric is cut at four places 25 to expose four holes 26 used to secure the cots to the frames, as discussed below. Note that the each cot has a pair of cot rail assemblies 27 (see also, FIG. 13) that run the length of the cot as shown.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cot of the preferred embodiment, taken along the lines 13-13 of FIG. 12. In this view, the cot fabric 23 is shown. The cot fabric 23 is folded over the cot rail assemblies 27 as shown and is double stitched using #135 polyester thread 28. Note too, that four number 12 screws 29 and washers 30 are used to secure the cot to the cot rail assemblies 27 with one screw being placed at each corner of the cot.
FIG. 14 is a front detail view of one of the cot rail assemblies 27 of the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the preferred cot rail assembly 27 uses two rails that are slid into a slider tube. The first is a short rail 27a; the second is a long rail 27b. These are connected together with a slider tube 27c as shown. A stop rivet 27d is placed in the slider tube as shown to restrict the inner movement of the long rail 27b. Both the short and long rails have high density polyethylene (HDPE) fillers 27e. Note too that the short rail 27a has a 0.375-inch diameter hole 27f and the long rail has a 0.375-inch diameter hole 27g at the locations shown.
Both the short rail and long rail are attached to the fabric cot member via the screws and washers 29 and 30 on each of the cot as shown in FIG. 13. Thus, the short and long cot rails become permanently attached to the cot.
The slider tube 27c only slides onto the long rail until the rivet 27d contacts the end of the rail, as discussed above. When that occurs, the slider has slid off of the short rail enough to expose the 0.375-inch mount hole in the short rail. When fully assembled the slider can no longer retract back toward the short rail 27a because that rail it has been placed on the 0.375-inch mount stud of the frame assembly (see FIG. 15). Thus, when the cot is attached to the frame, the both the cot rail assemblies and the cot (via hole 26) are attached to the cot mount studs 21c (see FIG. 15 below).
The solid HDPE internal fillers 27e, into which the 0.375-inch mounting holes 27f and 27g are drilled, prevent the rail from potentially collapsing or deforming when the hand knobs are tightened. They also aid in the alignment/guiding of the stud fitting through the mount hole during assembly.
FIG. 15 is a detail view of one of the frame rail vertical portions 21a of the preferred embodiment showing the cot mount studs 21c and hand knobs 21d. Each of the frame rail vertical portions 21a also has two holes 21e into which the ends of the lateral supports 21b are placed.
As discussed above, the cot (and the cot rail assemblies) has four 0.375-inch mount holes 26, which fit onto the 0.375-inch studs 21c on the frame assemblies. Once the cot is placed onto the frame studs the four hand knobs 21d are installed and tightened. This procedure is then repeated for the 2nd cot. Tightening of the hand knobs provides longitudinal support for the bunk assembly.
Unlike the lateral supports for the first embodiment, which have a tension adjustment mechanism, the lateral supports for the preferred embodiment do not. This is because the frame of the first embodiment is designed to be used with any cot bed. As such, the lateral supports are adjustable to allow for different width cot beds. In the preferred embodiment, the cot beds are all made to the same specifications. Therefore, no such adjustments are needed.
FIG. 16 is a side view of the lateral supports 21b for the preferred embodiment. Here, the lateral supports have a center tube 31 that is 28.6 inches long (of course, these dimensions can be changed; however, this length works with the preferred cot width). In the preferred embodiment, the tube 31 is 1.250 inches in diameter having a 0.125 inch wall thickness and is made of type 6061 aluminum tube.
It has two end rods 32 that extend 2 inches from the end of the tube 31 as shown.
FIG. 16a is a detail portion of FIG. 16. Here, details of the end rods 32 are shown. The end rods 32 are preferably 1 inch diameter 6061 aluminum solid rods that are press fit 3 inches into the center tube 31. To further secure the rods in place, a safety crimp 33 is formed in the center tube as shown.
FIG. 17 is a detail showing one end of the lateral support installed in a vertical frame member. In this figure, a vertical member 21a is shown with a lateral support 21b in place. Note that the end rod 32 is placed in the vertical member 21a until the center tube contacts the wall of the vertical member 21 as shown. In this way, the lateral support is locked into vertical member and there is no need for a lateral stop as in the first embodiment.
In the preferred embodiment, provision has been made to allow the cot portion to be used as a single cot, if desired. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an assembled single cot 40 of the preferred embodiment. In this design, one cot with the cot rail assemblies 41 is used. Two lateral supports 42 are used as well. In addition, four single cot support posts 43 are used. The single cot is assembled as shown.
FIG. 19 is a detail view of a support post 43 for the single cot option of the preferred embodiment. This post is shorter in the preferred embodiment—7.5 inches in height. A 1.015 inch diameter hole 44 is drilled near the bottom of the post as shown. This hole accepts the lateral support 42. A cot mount stud 45 and hand knob 46 are used as described above.
In use, the single cot assembly is identical to that of the bunk bed-without the upper bunk and associated structure and hardware.
Both embodiments are designed to disassemble for transport and storage. Each kit consists of two cot assemblies, two frame assemblies and two carrying pouches.
For the preferred embodiment, the bunk is divided between two carrying bags, each bag holding one cot and one frame assembly. For the preferred embodiment, after removing the contents of the bags, the frame is assembled by placing the two lateral rods into the 1-inch holes on a vertical stanchion. The second vertical stanchion is then placed onto the other end of the lateral rods. The lateral rods fit in the 1-inch hole is a precise fit and provides lateral support. The second frame assembly is assembled in the same manner.
The cots are then unrolled. The center slider tube is slid to one end, making all three cot tubes rigid. This procedure is done on both rails of each cot assembly.
The cot itself has four 0.375-inch mount holes which fit onto the 0.375-inch studs on the frame assemblies. Once the cot is placed onto the frame studs the four hand knobs are installed and tightened. This procedure is repeated for the second cot. Tightening of the hand knobs provides longitudinal support for the bunk assembly.
The carrying bags can then be installed on the frames, using the attached hook and loop fastener straps. The bags can then used for storage of the user's personal items.
As noted above, the bunk bed has an option to be used as a single cot. This is achieved by using the optional single leg kit. This kit consists of four 7.5″ legs. These legs have the same precise holes for lateral rod engagement. The legs also have the same cot support block and 0.375-inch cot mount studs with hand knobs. A single cot is constructed by using two lateral rods, and one cot from the bunk bed assembly. Lateral and longitudinal support is achieved using the same methods as the bunk assembly.
The present disclosure should not be construed in any limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the invention without departing from the concept thereof.
Patent Grant
11311110
