WHITE, Lance, Geoffrey (354 Whorouly/Bowmans Road, Bowmans Forest, VIC 3735, AU)
TAYLOR, Marc, Thomas (14 Bacon Close, Toormina, NSW 2452, AU)
WHITE, Lance, Geoffrey (354 Whorouly/Bowmans Road, Bowmans Forest, VIC 3735, AU)
THE CLAIMS DEFINING THIS INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. A bed assembly comprising: a first portion having a first base extending between a first bed head member and a first bed end member; and a second portion having a second base extending between a second bed head member and a second bed end member; wherein the first portion and the second portion are movably connected and moveable between a first position, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged in a substantially vertical formation with their respective bases in spaced parallel planes, and a second position, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged in a substantially horizontal formation with their respective bases substantially in one plane.
2. The bed assembly of claim 1 wherein, in use, when the first portion and the second portion are in the first position, one of the first and second portions is supported above the other of the first and second portions such that the first and second portions form a bunk bed arrangement.
3. The bed assembly of claim 2 wherein, in use, the first bed head member and the first bed end member of the first portion are supported by the corresponding second bed head member and the second bed end member of the second portion, when in the first position. 4. The bed assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the first portion and the second portion are movably connected through a movable connection provided between the first bed head member and the second bed head member and/or the first bed end member and the second bed end member, such that the first portion is rotated through substantially 180° from the first position to the second position. 5. The bed assembly of claim 4 wherein the movable connection comprises one or more hinges.
6. The bed assembly of claim 5 wherein the one or more hinges connect the first bed head member to the second bed head member and/or the first bed end member to the second bed end member. 7. The bed assembly of claim 6 wherein, when the first portion and the second portion are in the second position, the first portion is located beside the second portion with the first and second bed head members adjacent to one another and the first and second bed end members adjacent to one another.
8. The bed assembly of claim 7 wherein the one or more hinges are positioned along a common side of the first and second portions such that the first portion may be rotated into the second position beside the second portion.
9. The bed assembly of claim 8 wherein, when in the second position, the first and second portions combine to form a double, king or queen sized bed unit with the first and second bases of the corresponding first and second portions arranged such that they form a combined base surface.
10. The bed assembly of claim 9 wherein a pair of hinges are provided one connecting the first and second head end members and the other connecting the first and second foot end members.
11. The bed assembly of claim 9 or 10 wherein the combined base surface carries a mattress extending over the entire combined surface..
12. The bed assembly of claim 7, 8, 9 or 10 wherein the combined base surface carries two mattress each extending over one half of the entire combined surface. 13. The bed assembly of claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 12 wherein after moving the assembly to the second position the hinges are removable or disengageable allowing the first and second portions to be separated, and each portion carries one mattress.
14. The bed assembly of claim 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 wherein the first and second bed head members are in the form of a frame having two support members, which are vertical in use, and one or more cross members extending between the support members.
15. The bed assembly of claim 14 wherein the first and second bed end members are in the form of a frame having two support members, which are vertical in use, and one or more cross members extending between the support members. 16. The bed assembly of claim 12 wherein the support members of the first and second bed head members and the first and second bed end members are configured such that when the bed assembly is in the first position, the support members of the first bed head member and the first bed end member are supported atop the support members of the second bed head member and the second bed end member respectively. 17. A bed assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
"Bed assembly"
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2006904458 filed on 16 August 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bed, in particular to a bed arrangement which can be readily adjusted to provide a variety of bedding requirements.
Background Art
A variety of types and styles of beds exist to cater for the varying sleeping needs and preferences of the population. The type and style of bed most suitable to an individual is generally dictated by personal preference as well as by space requirements in the individual's residence.
Typically, individuals spend their infant years sleeping in a cot and as they grow their bedding requirements also change and they move into a larger bed. Larger bedding alternatives exist in various forms from single and double beds, through to Queen or King sized beds. The size of bed is generally a decision of personal comfort and choice, as well as economic affordability.
The wide variety of bedding options available and the associated variety of personal preferences for such options is a particular issue in the tourism industry, in particular the accommodation industry which is represented by establishments such as hotels, motels, hostels and other type of guest houses. Typically, many such establishments aim to provide a wide variety of bedding options to cater for their guests varying preferences, whilst maximising occupancy rates and utilisation, of the space available. For the more expensive and up-market accommodation establishments this is achieved by fitting out a variety of rooms with a variety of bedding options and pricing the hiring rates for such rooms accordingly. In this regard, rooms having a king or queen sized bed may be more expensive than a room having multiple single beds, with the availability of the rooms being dependant on the number of guests and their individual preferences.
For establishments such as hostels, motels and the like which provide a more budget or low cost accommodation option, the ability to dedicate specific higher-priced rooms with dedicated bedding arrangements may result in the rooms being vacant for
extended periods. This can in turn result in financial losses to the operators of the establishment.
Further, most guests who frequent such budget accommodation establishments are seeking to minimise accommodation costs and as such are willing to forego some comfort and luxury to achieve this end. As such, many hostel establishments offer share accommodation rooms consisting of a variety of single bunk beds capable of sleeping a plurality of people per room.
Whilst such accommodation is suitable for budget travellers such as backpackers, there are many budget travellers, such as couples, families, elderly travellers or the like who seek the comfort of a separate room and larger bed, without the price tag of an exclusive hotel. It is difficult for many low cost accommodation operators to offer such an option as to do so would require the purchase of double, queen and/or king sized beds as well as the traditional bunk or single beds, increasing operating costs associated with the establishment and requiring storage to the bedding when not being used.
As such, there is a need to provide a bed arrangement that can be easily employed in the home or in an accommodation establishment that is readily convertible to provide bedding of different sizes and types as applicable by the user.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.
Summary of the Invention
Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
According to a first aspect, the present invention is a bed assembly comprising: a first portion having a first base extending between a first bed head member and a first bed end member; and a second portion having a second base extending between a second bed head member and a second bed end member; wherein the first portion and the second portion are movably connected and moveable between a first position, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged in a substantially vertical formation with their respective bases in spaced parallel planes, and a second position, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged in a substantially horizontal formation with their respective bases substantially in one plane.
In one embodiment, when the first portion and the second portion are in the first position, one of the first and second portions is supported above the other of the first and second portions. In this regard, when the bed assembly is in the first position, the first and second portions for a bunk bed arrangement. In the first position, the first bed head member and the first end member of the first portion may be supported by the corresponding second bed head member and the second bed end member of the second portion. The first portion and the second portion may be movably connected through a movable connection provided between the first bed head member and the second bed head member and/or the first bed end member and the second bed end member.
In one embodiment, the movable connection comprises one or more hinges. The one or more hinges may connect first bed head member and the second bed head member and/or the first bed end member and the second bed end member. The one or more hinges may be positioned along a common side of the first and second portions such that the first portion may be rotated into the second position. The first portion may be rotated through substantially 180° from the first position to the second position
In a further embodiment, when the first portion and the second portion are in the second position, the first portion is located beside the second portion. The first and second portions may combine to form a bed unit when in the second position. The bed unit may be a double, king or queen sized bed unit. In the second position, the first and second bases of the corresponding first and second portions are arranged such that they form a combined base surface. The combined base surface may be a substantially level surface for receiving a mattress or the like.
When in the second position the first and second portions may also be separated by removing or disengaging the hinges.
The first and second bed head members may be in the form of a frame having two support members, extending vertically when in use and one or more cross members extending between the support members. The first and second bed end members may also be in the form of a frame having two support members, extending vertically when in use and one or more cross members extending between the support members The support members of the first and second bed head members and the first and second bed end members may be configured such that when the bed assembly is in the first position, the support members of the first bed head member and the first bed end member are supported atop the support members of the second bed head member and the second bed end member respectively.
Brief Description of the Drawings
By way of example only, the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figs. IA - 1C show front back and side views of the bed arrangement of one embodiment of the present invention in bunk bed configuration;
Fig. 2 shows the bed arrangement of Figs. IA - 1C during conversion from the bunk bed arrangement to a double/queen/king sized bed;
Fig. 3 shows the double/queen/king sized bed of Fig. 2 following conversion; Fig. 4 shows the steps associated with converting the bed arrangement of Figs.
IA - 1C to a double/queen/king sized bed and to a pair of single beds; and
Fig. 5 shows the steps associated with converting an alternative embodiment of the bed arrangement of the present invention from a single bed to a double/queen/king sized bed and to a pair of single beds.
Detailed Description of an Exemplary Embodiment of the Present Invention
One embodiment of the bed arrangement 10 of the present invention is shown with respect to the accompanying Figures.
Referring to Figs IA to 1C, the bed arrangement 10 is shown in a first vertical formation in the form of two single beds arranged one above the other in what will be referred to as bunk beds 12, 14. Each of the bunk beds 12, 14 comprise a base 13 extending between a bed head 15 and an bed end 16 to form the frame of the bunk bed
12, 14.
In the embodiment as shown, the base 13 is in the form of a slatted, bed base comprising a series of parallel slats 11 extending orthogonally along the length of the bunk bed 12, 14. The base 13 provides a surface for receiving a mattress 17 and for
supporting the mattress 17. The base 13 of the upper bunk bed 14 is substantially identical to the base 13 of the lower bunk bed 12 with respect to the thickness of the base 13 as well as the spacing of the slats 11. The purpose for having substantially identical bases 13 for the upper 14 and lower 12 bunk beds will become apparent below.
As shown more clearly in Fig. 1C, the upper bunk bed 14 is supported above the lower bunk bed 12 through interaction between the corresponding bed heads 15 and bed ends 16. In this regard, each of the bed heads 15 and bed ends 16 comprise a pair of upright posts 18 between which the bed heads 15 and bed ends 16 extend. The posts 18 are of substantially identical length and each post 18 has a top portion and a bottom portion. As shown in Figs IA and IB, the upper bunk bed 14 is positioned such that the bottom portion of the posts 18 align with and are supported by the upper portion of the posts 18 of the lower bunk bed 12. In this regard, upper bunk bed 14 is securely retained in position above the lower bunk bed 12 at four points, defined by the posts 18. The manner in which the posts 18 of the bunk beds 12, 14 inter-engage will be described in more detail below.
As shown in Fig. IB, the bed ends 16 are substantially identically configured such that when the bunk beds 12, 14 are positioned in the manner as shown, the ends 16 form a ladder for a user to scale and access the upper bunk bed 14. This is achieved by providing cross members 19 that extend substantially orthogonal to the posts 18. It will be appreciated that other end 16 configurations may also be employed to provide a user access to the upper bunk bed 14.
As shown in Fig. 1C, the upper bunk bed 14 comprises guard rails 20 which extend between posts 18 of the bed end 16 and bed head 15 of the upper bunk bed 14. The guard rails 20 provide safety to the user of the upper bunk bed 14, by enclosing the user in the upper bunk bed 14 and preventing the user from rolling out of the bunk bed 14 whilst sleeping.
It will be appreciated that the bed ends 16; bed heads 15 and guard rails 20 of the bed arrangement 10 are designed and manufactured according to appropriate standards such that they do not pose a substantial risk to the health and safety of the users of the bed arrangement 10. In this regard, the clearances between the various parts of the bed assembly 10 and the materials used in construction of the bed assembly 10 are designed according to such standards.
As alluded to above, the posts 18 of the bunk beds 12, 14 inter-engage to ensure that the upper bunk bed 14 is stable and securely supported above the lower bunk bed 12. In this regard, as shown in Figs. IA and IB, the posts 18 are hingedly connected at
the bed heads 15 and bed ends 16 along one side of the bed arrangement 10 by way of a hinge connector 22. The hinge connector 22 can be disengageable from the posts 18 to enable assembly of the bed arrangement 10 in the manner as shown in Fig. 4D, however once secured to the posts, the hinge connector 22 substantially prevents relative movement between the posts 18 of the bunk beds 12, 14. The posts 18 may be further secured along the other side of the bed arrangement 10 by locking members (not shown) which act to further secure and stabilise the upper bunk bed 14 in position above the lower bunk bed 12.
Referring to Fig. 2, the bed arrangement 10 as described above can be readily converted from the single bunk bed configuration of Figs. IA to 1C into a horizontal formation such as a double/queen/king sized bed 25 as shown in Fig. 3. This is achieved by rotating the upper bunk bed 14 through 180°, in the manner as shown. The hinge connector 22 allows such pivotal movement between the bunk beds 12, 14 such that the conversion can be easily performed by a single person without the need for substantial lifting and carrying of the bunk bed 14.
As the distance X between the base 13 and the lower surface of the posts 18 of bunk bed 12 is substantially equal to the distance Y between the base 13 and the upper surface of the posts 18 of bunk bed 14 (Fig. 2), when the bunk bed 14 is rotated into the position as shown in Fig. 3, the bases 13 align to form a common flat surface for receiving the mattress 24. Mattress 24 may be in the form of a double/queen/king sized mattress depending upon the specific construction of the bed assembly 10. In a preferred form, the mattress 24 may comprise the two mattresses 17 of the bunk beds 12, 14 joined together, thereby overcoming the need to provide a separate mattress 24. In this regard, the mattresses 17 may be connectable through a zip element or other type of fastener to form the mattress 24. In such an arrangement, prior to rotating the bunk bed 14 (Fig. 2) into position such that it is laterally adjacent the lower bunk bed 12 (Fig. 3), the mattress 17 may be removed from the upper bunk bed 14. When the bed arrangement 10 is in the position as shown in Fig. 3, the mattress can be replaced upon the surface of the base 13 and connected to the other mattress 17 to form a common mattress 24.
The converted bed 25 (Fig. 3) provides a sleeping surface having a width far greater than that provided by the individual bunk beds 12, 14 of Figs. IA to 1C. The converted bed 25 is able to accommodate a couple or an individual in greater comfort than is the case with the bunk bed arrangement 12, 14, thereby providing a bedding option that can be readily prepared through minimal effort and expense. Due to the
nature of the bed heads 15 and bed ends 16, the converted bed 25 resembles a standard double/queen/king sized bed, having a slatted base 13.
Fig. 4 shows the steps associated with converting the bed arrangement 10 from a pair of bunk beds 12, 14 to a double/king/queen sized bed 25, and then to a pair of separate single beds 30, 32. As discussed above, the bunk beds 12, 14 (step A) are hingedly attached at the bed end and the bed head along a common side, enabling the upper bunk bed 14 to be easily rotated through 180° (step B) to form the double/queen/king sized bed of step C. The double/queen/king sized bed 25 may then be further converted (step D) into two separate single beds by merely removing or disengaging the hinged attachment between the corresponding bed heads and bed ends, thereby separating the beds, as required. It will be appreciated that through the following the steps as shown in Fig. 4, the bed arrangement can be readily converted to form a variety of bedding styles desired by the user. Conversion between the different bedding styles is not labour intensive and can be performed by an individual with minimal effort.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 5. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Fig. 4, however in step A" the bed is in the form of a single bed 35 rather than a pair of bunk beds 12, 14. The single bed 25 comprises an upper portion 36 and a lower portion 38 which are hingedly connected by a hinged connector 22 in the same way as the bunk beds 12, 14. Similarly, the upper portion 36 and lower portion 38 each comprise a base 37 which may be slatted in the same manner as that previously described. The bases 37 extend between bed heads 39 and bed ends (not shown) in much the same manner as that described above with respect to the bunk beds 12, 14. The bed ends and bed heads 39 of the bed 35 have a considerably smaller height in comparison to the bunk beds 12, 14 and are arranged such that when the upper portion 36 is positioned on the lower portion 38 such that the posts 18 interconnect in the manner as described previously, the bases 37 are disposed proximal one another to receive a folded double mattress or two stacked single mattresses 40.
In step B\ the upper portion 36 is then pivoted through 180° such that it is positioned laterally beside the lower portion 38 to form a double/queen/king sized bed 42 as shown in step C\ In the same manner as discussed in relation to Fig. 4, the double/queen/king sized bed 42 can then be converted into two separate single beds by removing or disengaging the hinged attachment between the portions 36, 38 and separating the two beds.
As will be readily appreciated, the bed arrangement of the present invention provides a variety of bedding styles in accordance with individual preferences and needs, without requiring purchase of a variety of beds of varying styles. Such a bed arrangement has particular application for use in hotel/hostel establishments whereby accommodation styles may change depending upon the guest preferences. As such, a hostel operator can employ a bed arrangement of the present invention to provide single bed accommodation, bunk bed accommodation and/or double/queen/king sized bed accommodation, without requiring the purchase and storage of specific bed styles and types. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.