IMPROVEMENTS IN BED ENSEMBLES

Technical Field

[001] The present invention relates to domestic furnishings. More particularly, although not exclusively, it discloses devices for use with bed ensembles and an improved construction for bed ensembles.

Background Art

[002] Traditional bed ensembles use a castor mounted sprung base which provides the advantage of comfort to the user of the bed. However, there are disadvantages to such an arrangement.

[003] For example, fabric valance or flounce which is normally fitted around a base of an ensemble provide a finished appearance, but also get caught within the castors when the bed is moved for cleaning. Additionally, the fabric valance or flounce attracts dust and dirt and many become frayed and stained over time.

[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a device that can overcome alleviate one or more of the above-mentioned problems.

[005] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Disclosure Of Invention

[006] In one aspect there is provided a skirting for a bed ensemble, wherein the skirting includes: a frame for substantially concealing side surfaces of the bed ensemble; and

a support arrangement for engaging the bed ensemble such that the skirting is clear of the floor.

[007] In one form, the frame is configured to tight fittingly receive the side surfaces of the bed ensemble.

[008] In another form, the frame includes an assembly of panels.

[009] In one embodiment, the assembly of panels form a rectangular structure.

[010] In another embodiment, wherein the support arrangement is a shoulder arrangement which rests upon at least a portion of a top surface of the ensemble.

[011] In an optional form, the shoulder arrangement engages corner sections of the ensemble to support the skirting clear of the floor.

[012] In another optional form, the shoulder arrangement includes a plurality of support panels, wherein each support panel extends between corner sections of the frame.

[013] Optionally, each support panel extends between an upper proximity of neighbouring panels of the frame.

[014] In one form, each support panel is a triangular panel.

[015] In another form, each triangular panel is a triangular gusset.

[016] In one embodiment, the support arrangement has a planar profile.

[017] In another embodiment, a portion of the frame protrudes above each support panel to form a railing about the periphery of the skirting, wherein the railing tight fittingly receives a base portion of a mattress rested upon the ensemble.

[018] In optional form, the frame includes a furniture grade wood appearance.

[019] In another optional form, the frame is made from at least one of: wood;

Medium Density Fibreboard; Laminate; and Malmime,

[020] In another aspect there is provided a kit for assembling a skirting for a bed ensemble, wherein the kit includes: a plurality of side panels, wherein the side panels are fitted together to form a frame for substantially concealing side surfaces of the bed ensemble; and a plurality of support panels, wherein each support panel is fitted to extend across a portion of the frame such that the support panels engage the bed ensemble to maintain the skirting clear of the floor.

[021] In one form, the kit is provided in a flat-packed form.

[022] In another aspect there is provided a bed ensemble including: a frame for supporting thereon a bed mattress; one or more drawers moveable between a stowed position, wherein the drawers extend within the frame, and a deployed position, wherein the drawers extend outwardly from the frame.

[023] In one form, the bed ensemble includes a plurality of drawers.

[024] In another form, the bed ensemble is made from at least one of: wood; Medium Density Fibreboard;

Laminate; and

01

- A -

Malmime.

[025] In an optional form, the frame has a rectangular profile including a set of short side frame panels and a set of long side frame panels, wherein the drawers at located at one or more of the long side frame panels.

Brief Description Of Figures

[026] An example embodiment of the present invention should become apparent from the following description, which is given by way of example only, of a preferred but non- limiting embodiment, described in connection with the accompanying figures.

[027] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an example of a skirting for an ensemble bed;

[028] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic perspective view of an example of a complete ensemble bed incorporating the skirting of Figure 1 ;

[029] Figure 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the bed of Figure 2;

[030] Figure 4 illustrates a magnified sectional view of a further example of a skirting for an ensemble bed;

[031] Figure 5 illustrates a schematic perspective vie of an example of a bed ensemble with drawers in the stowed position and a bed mattress resting upon the bed ensemble; and

[032] Figure 6 illustrates a schematic of the bed ensemble and bed mattress of Figure 2 with the drawers of the ensemble in the deployed position.

Modes for Carrying Out The Invention

[033] The following modes, given by way of example only, are described in order to provide a more precise understanding of the subject matter of a preferred embodiment or embodiments.

[034] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of an example embodiment, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout the figures.

[035] Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a skirting 10 for a bed ensemble 3. The skirting 10 includes a frame 11 and a support arrangement 12. The frame 11 is configured for substantially concealing side surfaces of the bed ensemble 3. The support arrangement 12 is configured engaging the bed ensemble 3 such that the skirting 10 is clear of the floor. The frame is preferably made from a rigid material.

[036] As shown in Figure 2, the frame 11 is configured to closely enclose or tight fittingly receive the side surfaces of the bed ensemble 3. As a conventional bed ensemble 3 has a rectangular profile, the frame 11 includes a rectangular profile slightly larger than the bed ensemble 3 such as to create a tight fitting relationship between the bed ensemble 3 and the skirting 10.

[037] Referring back to Figure 1, the frame 11 includes an assembly of panels 1, 2. The assembly of panels can include side panels 1 and end panels 2. The assembly of panels 1, 2 form a rectangular structure, which as earlier indicated, can tight fittingly receive or closely enclose a conventional rectangular profiled bed ensemble 3. The assembly of panels 1, 2 can be joined at corners 3 A by right angled mitres or other suitable carpentry joint. Whilst, as illustrated, the corners 3 A are relatively sharp to form a right angle, it will be appreciated that the corners 3 A may include a rounded profile. Other aesthetically pleasing designs may also be incorporated into the corner section 3 A which join neighbouring panels. The panels are preferably made from a rigid material.

[038] The panels 1, 2 may have a width of 10mm to 20mm to substantially conceal sides and ends of the ensemble 3, however, it will be appreciated that the frame 11 is not limited

to any particular dimensions.

[039] Still referring to Figure 1, the support arrangement 12 serves to both reinforce the frame 11 and also to engage the upper surface of the ensemble 3 whereby the frame 11 , as shown in Figure 3, is suspended slightly above and clear of the floor 4 A,

[040] The support arrangement 12 can be provided in the form of a shoulder arrangement 13 which rests upon at least a portion of a top surface of the ensemble 3. As shown in Figure 1, the shoulder arrangement 13 can be configured to engage corner sections of the ensemble 3 to support the skirting clear of the floor 4A which the ensemble 3 rests upon. However, it will be appreciated that it is only preferable that the shoulder arrangement 13 engage corner sections of the ensemble 3 as it is possible that the shoulder arrangement 13 may engage the ensemble 3 across at least a portion of a longitudinal or latitudinal length of the ensemble 3.

[041] In one form, the shoulder arrangement 13 can be provided in the form of a plurality of support panels 14. Each support panel 14 can extend between corner sections of the frame 11. In one form, as shown in Figure 1, each support panel 14 extends between an upper proximity of neighbouring panels 1 , 2 of the frame 11. In this form, each support panel 14 has a triangular profile. Each triangular panel may be provided as a triangular gusset 4 which is located at the corner between neighbouring panels 1, 2. In one form, the size and position of the gussets 4 are chosen to provide the necessary bearing surface on the ensemble 3 to support the skirting 10 while also avoiding the central area of the ensemble 3 to comfortably carry the user's weight on the mattress 5.

[042] Referring to Figure I ₅ the support arrangement 12 has a planar profile. The support arrangement 12 may be relatively thin. This thereby allows the bed mattress 5 to rest upon the engaged bed ensemble 3 without the bed mattress 5 bulging or lifting due to the addition of the support arrangement 12 between the mattress 5 and the ensemble 3.

[043] Referring to Figure 2 and 3, the skirting 10 is shown engaged with the bed

ensemble 3 and the bed mattress 5 rests upon a top surface of the skirting 10 and ensemble 3. With the mattress 5 in place as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the ensemble 3 has the appearance of a modern conventional bed frame. Additionally, as the ensemble is substantially concealed from view by panels 1 , 2, there is substantially no fabric valance or flounce to deteriorate, become entangled with the sheets or catch on the castors 6 when the bed is moved during cleaning or furniture rearrangement.

[044] The frame 11 can include a furniture grade wood appearance. In particular, the frame 11 can be made from at least one of: wood; Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF); Laminate; and Malmime. Finishes for the exposed areas of the frame panels 1, 2 may include Polyurethane, paints or stains.

[045] Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a variation of the skirting 10. In particular, a portion of the frame 10, in particular the side and end panels 1, 2, can protrude above the support arrangement 12, in particular each support panel 14, to form a railing 15 about the periphery of the skirting 40. The periphery of the railing 40 has a profile which closely corresponds to a base portion of a mattress 5. The railing 40 is configured to tight fittingly receive or closely enclose the base portion of a mattress 5 which is rested upon the ensemble 3, thereby reducing lateral movement of the mattress 5 relative to the ensemble 3.

[046] A kit for assembling the skirting 10 can also be provided. The kit includes a plurality of side panels 1, 2, wherein the side panels 1, 2 are fitted together to form a frame 11 for substantially concealing side surfaces of the bed ensemble 3. The kit additionally includes a plurality of support panels 14, wherein each support panel 14 is fitted to extend across a portion of the frame 11 such that the support panels 14 engage at least a portion of the bed ensemble 3 to maintain the skirting 10 clear of the floor 4A. In a preferable, but non-limiting, embodiment, the kit is provided in a flat-packed form. The kit may be provided with one or more securing elements such as bolts, screw, adhesives, and the like.

[047] Referring to Figure 5 and 6 there is provided a bed ensemble 50. In particular, the

bed ensemble 50 includes a frame 55 for supporting thereon a bed mattress 5. Additionally, the bed ensemble 50 includes one or more drawers 51 moveable between a stowed position, as shown in Figure 5, wherein the drawers 51 extend within the frame 55, and a deployed position, as shown in Figure 6, wherein the drawers 51 extend outwardly from the frame 55.

[048] As drawers 51 are provided within the ensemble 50, the ensemble 50 can more effectively serve two purposes, that being supporting the bed mattress 5 and whilst additionally providing storage space.

[049] In one form, the bed ensemble 50 includes a plurality of drawers 51 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In an optional form, the frame 55 has a rectangular profile including side panels 57 and end panels 58. In this arrangement, the drawers 51 are located at one or more of the side panels 57. However, it will be appreciated that the drawers 55 can be located at the end panels 58 or in both the side and end panels 57, 58.

[050] The bed ensemble 50 can be made from at least one of wood; MDF; Laminate; and Malmime.

[051] Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[052] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.