DK179817B1

DK179817B1 - A system, a leg, and a method for providing a bed frame with décor strips

Info

Publication number: DK179817B1
Application number: DKPA201870134A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Budde Lautrup Peter; Isaksen Kristensen Peter
Original assignee: Hilding Anders Danmark A/S
Priority date: 2018-02-28
Filing date: 2018-02-28
Publication date: 2019-07-08
Also published as: DK201870134A1

Abstract

A system and a method for providing a bed frame with décor strips is disclosed. Each leg is provided with two perpendicular cavities, which are open at rear sides of the leg and closed at front sides of the leg. Opposite ends of each décor strip can be inserted into the cavities if the strip is held in a first rotational position about its longitudinal axis. Each inserted strip end is then moved towards aclosed front end of the cavity where the strip is rotated to a second rotational position in order to assume a final mounted position. The system allows for compensation in dimensional variations of the bed frame and/or the strips, and also prevent visible gaps between the strip ends and the legs.

Description

A SYSTEM, A LEG, AND A METHOD FOR PROVIDING A BED FRAME WITH DECOR STRIPS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of bed frames, and especially a system and a method for mounting décor strips to bed frames. Such décor strips may be attached or mounted to a bed frame for providing the bed frame with a pleasing aesthetic. Optionally, décor strips may also be used for supporting parts of the bed frame. The present inventive concept relates mainly to décor strips for aesthetic purposes only, i.e. primarily not for supporting purposes.

BACKGROUND

Décor strips or beams for bed frames are commonly rigidly attached to the legs of the bed frame by means of conventional fasteners, e.g. screws, nails and bolts. The connection points for such fasteners may be provided on the backside of the décor strip. Such fasteners have a disadvantage in that they do not provide any possibility of compensating for variations in the distance between the legs and/or variations of the strip length in relation to a nominal strip length. Specifically, the distance between two adjacent legs may often vary from one bed to the other. Such variations in the dimensions of the bed frame may be caused by moisture and temperature variations resulting in variations in the dimensions of the wooden bed frame. Variations in the structural dimensions may also occur during the manufacturing and assembly of the bed frame when the different parts of the bed frame are put together. The dimensional variations may be in the order of ± 3 cm in relation to a nominal dimension. As a result, a décor strip being of the correct length for one bed frame may be too short or too long for a second bed frame. Such prior art designs thus present the disadvantage that the strips may in worst cases be impossible to mount, and that unwanted and unaesthetic gaps appear between the strip ends and the legs and are visible from the front sides of the bed.

NO 339 022 discloses a system for attaching décor strips to a bed frame by means of L-shaped brackets. One part of the L-shaped bracket is attached by screws to an upper side of the strip end and the other part of the L-shaped bracket is inserted into a groove provided in the top of the leg. The groove extends perpendicular to the strip and is open towards the front side of the leg. This system suffers also from the disadvantages mentioned above, i.e. it does not allow for dimensional variations, such as variations in the distance between the legs, and the interface between the strip ends and the legs may present unwanted gaps since the strip length has to exactly match the distance between the legs.

Other prior-art systems allow a user to connect strips or beams to legs before the legs are attached to a bed frame. The beams of such systems are normally loadbearing beams and not décor strips as such. Such systems have the disadvantage of requiring that the strips or beams are attached to the legs before these are attached to the bed frame.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In the light of the above, it is an object of the present inventive concept to provide a system for providing a bed frame with décor strips, a leg for use in such a system, a bed frame provided with such a system, and a method for providing a bed frame with décor strips, wherein the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art are addressed.

According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a system for providing a bed frame with décor strips, comprising a plurality of legs, and a plurality of décor strips each having a longitudinal direction; wherein:

each strip, at opposite ends thereof, has a strip height and a strip thickness which is smaller than the strip height, and each strip is arranged, in a mounted position thereof, to extend between two of said legs;

each leg has an upper attachment side, a first front side and an opposite first rear side mutually spaced in a first transverse direction of the leg, and a second front side and an opposite second rear side mutually spaced in a second transverse direction of the leg substantially perpendicular to the first transverse direction;

each leg has a first cavity, which extends along the first transverse direction from an open rear end of the first cavity at the first rear side of the leg to a closed front end of the first cavity at the first front side of the leg, and which first cavity has an open side towards the second rear side of the leg;

each leg has a second cavity, which extends along the second transverse direction from an open rear end of the second cavity at the second rear side of the leg to a closed front end of the second cavity at the second front side of the leg, and which second cavity has an open side towards the first rear side of the leg;

the rear open end of each cavity has a height which is smaller than the strip height but at least equal to the strip thickness for allowing a strip end to be inserted into the cavity at the rear open end thereof while the strip is being held in a first rotational position about its longitudinal direction; and the closed front end of each cavity has a height which is at least equal to the strip height for allowing the strip to be rotated about its longitudinal direction into its mounted position at the closed front end of said cavity.

According to a second aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a leg for use in a system for providing a bed frame with décor strips, said leg comprising:

an upper attachment side, a first front side and an opposite first rear side mutually spaced in a first transverse direction of the leg, and a second front side and an opposite second rear side mutually spaced in a second transverse direction of the leg substantially perpendicular to the first transverse direction;

a first cavity which extends along the first transverse direction from an open rear end of the first cavity at the first rear side of the leg to a closed front end of the first cavity at the first front side of the leg, and which has an open side towards the second rear side of the leg;

a second cavity which extends along the second transverse direction from an open rear end of the second cavity at the second rear side of the leg to a closed front end of the second cavity at the second front side of the leg, and which has an open side towards the first rear side of the leg;

wherein each cavity has a first height at the rear open end for allowing a strip end of a décor strip to be inserted into the cavity at the rear open end thereof while the strip is being held in a first rotational position about a longitudinal direction of the strip; and each cavity has a second height at the closed front end which is larger than the first height, for allowing the strip to be rotated about its longitudinal direction into a mounted position at the closed front end of said cavity.

According to a third aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a method for mounting a décor strip to a bed frame, each strip having a longitudinal direction and two strip ends, and the bed frame having legs, said method comprising:

arranging each strip end, while holding the strip in a first rotational position thereof about its longitudinal direction, adjacent to a cavity provided in a rear side of an associated leg;

while maintaining the strip in said first rotational position, inserting each strip end into its associated cavity by moving the strip in an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal direction;

moving each strip end in said insertion direction to a closed front end of the associated cavity; and rotating the strip about its longitudinal direction into a second rotational position for bringing the strip into a mounted position.

The order of the above actions may be varied. Furthermore, some actions may be performed partly simultaneously. Especially, the final rotation of the strip to its second rotational position may be performed during a final movement of the strip end to the closed front end of the cavity.

According to a fourth aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a bed frame provided with a system according to the first aspect of the inventive concept, wherein:

each one of the décor strips is in its mounted position and extends between two associated legs attached to the bed frame, with each strip end of the strip being received in an associated cavity at the closed front end thereof, such that the strip ends are hidden and not visible; and the length of each strip is selected in relation to a distance between the two associated legs and a width of said cavities such that there is a play in the longitudinal direction of the strip at at least one of the strip ends.

Preferred embodiments of the inventive concept are set out in the dependent claims.

When using a system and a method according to the inventive concept, the legs are first attached to the bed frame, and thereafter the décor strips are mounted in the cavities of the legs while the bed frame is standing on the ground or floor in its normal upright position. The mounting of each strip is quickly and easily done, and without the need for any tools, and without the need for any separate fixation means, such as metal brackets, for attaching the décor strips to the legs. Each décor strip is mounted by first manually holding the strip in a first rotational position along its longitudinal axis, with the strip ends positioned on the rear side of two associated legs, and aligned with two associated cavities. This first rotational position of the strip may be essentially 90 degrees in relation to the second or final rotational position of the strip in the mounted position.

The strip height and the strip width of the strip ends are selected in such a way in relation to the height of the open rear ends of the cavities that the strip end can be inserted into the cavity only if the strip is held in said first rotational position, e.g. with the strip front side being essentially horizontal or only slightly inclined in relation to a horizontal plane. The whole strip is thereafter moved in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strip, i.e. towards the front side of the bed. Each strip end is thereby moved inside the associated cavity towards the closed front end of the cavity. The cavity has a larger height at its closed front end, at least equal to the strip height, allowing the strip to be rotated into its final mounted position, where the strip end is resting on the bottom of the cavity and where the strip end is hidden from the front side of the leg. Thereby, any gap or play in the longitudinal direction at the strip end is not visible from the front side of the bed frame.

Depending on the shape of the cavity, the rotation of the strip towards its final rotational position may be performed gradually during the whole insertion procedure, or alternatively during a final part of the insertion movement only, i.e. when the strip end is near the closed front end of the cavity.

No separate fastening or fixation means are needed. The strip is prevented from leaving the cavity accidentally since a mounted strip has to be both rotated in the reverse direction and simultaneously moved rearwards in order to be disconnected from a cavity.

Since the strips, when in their mounted position, may be held in place in both the horizontal and the vertical direction without the use of any separate fastening means, the inventive concept allows for a compensation for tolerances in the bed frame dimensions. In a first case where the distance between two legs is somewhat larger than a nominal distance (e.g. 1 cm larger than a nominal leg-to-leg distance), a correspondingly smaller part of the strip will be received in the cavities. In a second case where the distance between two legs is slightly smaller than a nominal distance (e.g. 1 cm smaller than a nominal distance), a correspondingly larger part of the strip will be received in the cavities. This is accomplished without any visible gaps. Although it would be possible to fix the strip in its mounted position, such fixing would normally not be advantageous since the system may compensate for dimensional variations occurring not only before assembly but also after assembly, i.e. dimensional variations in the bed frame and/or the strips after assembly, due to e.g. humidity and temperature variations.

The inventive concept presents at least the following advantages over the prior-art systems for providing a bed frame with décor strips:

- The system according to the inventive concept may absorb or compensate for dimensional variations or tolerances of the bed frame and/or the strip length. The position of each strip end inside the associated cavity in the longitudinal direction of the strip, i.e. the strip position in the width direction of the cavity, is not fixed in advance. The width of the cavities is selected to allow for a smaller or larger part of the strip ends to be located inside the cavities, thereby absorbing or compensating for dimensional variations. Thus, dimensional variations may be compensated for by the décor strip being mounted inside the two cavities, being freely positioned, and preferably also freely movable after mounting, along its longitudinal direction between two extreme positions essentially defined by the width of the cavity in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The system is preferably designed such that it may absorb dimensional variations of more than ±5 mm at each cavity, preferably more than ±10 mm at each cavity.

- The inventive concept avoids visible gaps - in the longitudinal direction of the strip - between the strip ends and the legs. The strip ends are located and hidden inside the legs, and are not visible from the front sides of the legs. Dimensional variations in the bed frame and/or the strips before and/or after assembly can be absorbed of compensated for by a smaller or larger play at one or both strip ends. These plays or gaps are thus hidden inside the legs, and are not visible from the front sides of the leg.

- The inventive concept allows a user to efficiently and quickly provide a bed frame with décor strips.

- The bed frame may be provided with décor strips after the legs have been connected thereto and while the bed is standing on the ground or floor, allowing a more convenient and easy assembly.

- The system of the inventive concept has a comparatively simple yet ingenious construction that is cheap and easy to manufacture, thus providing additional benefits over prior-art solutions.

- The inventive concept allows for self-centering or self-alignment of the décor strips in the cavities into which they are mounted, thus facilitating correct placement of the décor strips in relation to the legs. With prior art-solutions, there is the risk of attaching the décor strips in incorrect positions.

- The mounting of the décor strips to the legs is simplified compared to prior art solutions. No tools are required, such as drills, screwdrivers, hammers, glue guns or similar, and no separate mounting brackets are needed.

Embodiments of the inventive concept

In preferred embodiments, each cavity of said first and second cavities is formed by a mounting cavity part, which is located at the closed front end of the cavity and which is arranged to receive a strip end of a strip in the mounted position thereof, and an insertion cavity part, which extends from the open rear end of the cavity to the mounting cavity part of the cavity. When a strip end is mounted in a cavity, the strip end is first inserted into the insertion cavity part and then moved along the insertion cavity part towards the mounting cavity part. At the interface between the two cavity parts, the strip may be gradually rotated into its second rotational position in order to assume its final mounted position in the mounting cavity part. By this arrangement, a first strip end mounted in a first cavity of the leg will not block or hinder the mounting of a second strip ends in the second cavity of the same leg.

In such embodiments, the mounting cavity part may have a bottom groove which extends in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction along which the cavity extends, and which bottom groove tapers downwards, and each strip end may have a correspondingly tapered lower part.

The strip end having a correspondingly tapered part is to be understood as not being limited to the strip having a part which has a taper that is necessarily a mirror image of the taper of the bottom groove. For example, the bottom groove may have a V shaped taper while the strip end is provided with a truncated taper, such that a lowermost portion of the bottom groove is left untouched by the strip end when the strip is in the mounted position thereof.

The tapered configuration is preferably such that the strip is automatically, under the action of gravity, moved towards the closed front end of the cavity, in order to ensure that no unwanted gaps are visible at the front side of the strip at the location where the strip enters into the leg.

The insertion cavity part may be arranged to guide the strip end from the rear side of the leg to the mounting cavity part. Furthermore, the insertion cavity part may additionally or alternatively be arranged to prevent the strip end from accidently leaving the mounting cavity part.

In preferred embodiments, the bottom groove has a constant cross-section along its longitudinal extension. Additionally, or alternatively, the bottom groove may have a smooth surface for allowing a strip end held therein to move freely in its longitudinal direction.

In preferred embodiments, a width of the first cavity in the second transverse direction may be 1 to 10 % of the length of an associated strip, and a width of the second cavity in the first transverse direction may be 1 to 10 % of the length of an associated strip, for allowing substantial differences between the strip length and the distance between two adjacent legs to be compensated for.

In preferred embodiments, the closed front end of each cavity is defined by a rear side of a wall having an opposite front side forming part of an associated one of said front sides of the leg.

In preferred embodiments, each leg has a connection means at its upper attachment side for attaching the leg to a bed frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive concept and further advantages thereof will now be described with reference to the drawings showing non-limiting embodiments.

Figs 1A and 1B are perspective views of a leg forming part of a system according to the inventive concept.

Figs 2A and 2B schematically illustrate a first and a second cavity provided in the leg in Figs 1A and 1B.

Figs 3A to 30 Fig. 4	are side and top views of the leg in Figs 1A and 1B. is a perspective view of a leg and parts of two décor strips being in a mounted position in the leg.
Figs 5A to 5C	schematically illustrate a mounting method according to the inventive concept.
Figs 6A to 6C	are perspective views of a bed frame being provided with legs and décor strips.
Figs 7A to 7C	are top views illustrating a leg, and a strip end received at different degrees within a cavity of the leg.
Fig. 8 Fig. 9	is a side view of a bed having been provided with décor strips, shows a cross section of a décor strip.

Fig. 10A and 10B illustrate an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present inventive concept relates in general to a system for providing a bed frame with décor strips. Such décor strips may be desired in order to achieve a pleasing aesthetic of a bed. Providing a bed frame with a décor strip that tolerates differences of the distance between adjacent legs is beneficial as visible gaps between the décor strips and the legs may be avoided, which gaps would otherwise have been detrimental to the aesthetic appearance.

The material of the décor strip may be chosen such that it mimics or is identical with the material of the legs, the material of the bed frame, or both. The legs and the strips may be made of wood, but other materials such as metal or plastic may also be used. The strips may be covered by suitable materials, such as cloth, leather, etc.

In the present disclosure, any reference to an upward direction, downward direction, front, rear, bottom or top side, or any similar directional or spatial reference is to be interpreted in their ordinary meaning in view of the orientation of the components of the system when the system is in use and attached to a bed frame standing on the ground or floor.

Figs 1A and 1B are perspective views of a leg 1 forming part of a system according to the inventive concept. As a non-limiting example, the leg 1 may be used in a system for providing a bed frame with décor strips 2. The system may also be used for providing other pieces of furniture with décor strips. Fig. 1A is a perspective view illustrating the leg 1 from a primarily rear perspective, while Fig. 1B is a perspective view illustrating the leg 1 from a primarily front perspective.

As shown in Figs 1A and 1B, the leg 1 has an upper horizontal attachment side 101, a first front side 103 and an opposite first rear side 105 mutually spaced in a first transverse direction A of the leg 1, as well as a second front side 107 and an opposite second rear side 109 mutually spaced in a second transverse direction B of the leg 1 substantially perpendicular to the first transverse direction A. In use, the first and second transverse directions A and B will be substantially parallel to the ground or floor, i.e. directed in a horizontal plane.

In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, and as best shown in Figs 3A and 3B, the front sides 103, 15 are substantially vertical, while the rear sides 107, 109 are slightly inclined such that the leg 1 tapers downwards. However, straight legs, upwardly tapered legs, and legs with an irregular cross-section are also possible within the scope of the inventive concept.

As illustrated in Figs 3Ato 3C, the upper attachment side 101 of the leg 1 is a flat surface arranged to be attached to and support the weight of a bed frame 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment of the leg 1 to the bed frame 3 is accomplished by connection means 111 between the bed frame 3 and the leg 1. In the following, these connection means 111 are illustrated as a threaded stud bolt extending from the center of the upper attachment side 101 of the leg 1. The threaded stud bolt 11 is arranged to engage a correspondingly threaded bore in a bed frame 3 or a separate mounting bracket presenting an inner thread. However, other conventional connection means 111, such as snap-fits, bayonet mounts, etc., may be used in connection with the inventive concept.

Each leg 1 has a first and a second cavity 130, 150 provided in the rear sides 105, 109 of the leg. If the leg 1 is made of wood, the cavities 130, 150 may be shaped by suitable tools from a solid piece of wood. If other materials are selected, the cavities 130, 150 may be formed by molding. For explanation purposes only, the first cavity 130 is illustrated by bold lines in Figs 2A, while the second cavity 150 is illustrated by bold lines in Fig. 2B. It will be noted that the two cavities 130, 150 partly overlap at the rear inner corner of the leg 1. In this embodiment, the two cavities 130, 150 thus form together one bigger essentially L-shaped cavity which is open towards the top and the rear sides of the leg, but which is closed towards the front sides of the leg.

The first cavity 130 extends in the first transverse direction A from an open rear end of the cavity 130 at the first rear side 105 of the leg 1 to a closed front end 131 of the cavity 130 at the first front side 103 of the leg 1. The first cavity 130 is open towards the upper attachment side 101, open towards the first rear side 105, and open towards the second rear side 109. The first cavity 130 is closed at the first front side 103 of the leg 1 by a first wall 115. The inner side of the first wall 115 defines the closed front end 131 of the first cavity 130, while an opposite front side of the wall forms part of the first front side 103 of the leg 1. In the illustrated embodiments, the inner and front sides of the first wall 115 are vertical.

Conversely, the second cavity 150 extends in the second transverse direction B from an open rear end of the cavity 150 at the second rear side 109 of the leg 1 to a closed front end 151 of the cavity 150 at the second front side 107 of the leg 1. The second cavity 150 is open towards the upper attachment side 101, open towards the second rear side 109, and open towards the first rear side 105. The second cavity 150 is closed at the second front side 107 of the leg 1 by a second wall 117. The inner side of the second wall 117 defines the closed front end 151 of the second cavity 150, while an opposite front side of the second wall 117 forms part of the second front side 107 of the leg 1. In the illustrated embodiments, the inner and front sides of the second wall 115 are vertical.

When the leg 1 is in its attached position on the bed frame 3 (Figs 6A to 6C), the first and second cavities 130, 150 are accessible from the two rear sides 105, 109 of the leg 1, but hidden when the leg 1 is viewed from its two front sides 103, 107.

Furthermore, the first cavity 130 is closed towards the second front side 107 by a first cavity side wall 133 (Fig. 1A) extending in the first transverse direction A. Conversely, the second cavity 150 is closed towards the first front side 103 by a second cavity side wall 153 extending in the second transverse direction B. The first and second cavity side walls 133, 153 extend from a side wall corner region 170, at which the two side walls 133, 153 intersect, towards their associated closed front ends 131, 151. Ina vertical direction, each one of the two cavity side walls 133, 153 extends from a bottom of its associated cavity 130, 150 to the upper attachment side 101 of the leg 1.

Between the two cavity side walls 133,153 and the two front sides 103,107 of the leg 1, the leg 1 is preferably solid in order to increase its load bearing capacity. This is to be understood as the solid portion of the leg 1 is not being provided with cavities for receiving strips 2. In the illustrated embodiment, this solid portion is made in a single piece with the entire leg 1. However, in alternative embodiments, the leg 1 may be segmented and made from a number of interconnected portions collectively forming a leg 1. It is in this solid portion 119 of the leg 1 that the abovementioned threaded stud bolt 111 is arranged.

From a functional point of view, each cavity 130,150 may be considered to be made up by two cavity parts: a first cavity part P1, here termed “insertion cavity part”, and a second cavity part P2, here termed “mounting cavity part”. These two cavity parts P1 and P2. As will be described in detail below, during the mounting procedure a strip end 201 of a décor strip 2 will first be inserted into an insertion cavity part P1, and then moved along the insertion cavity P1 towards its final mounted position in which the strip end 201 is located in, and in preferred embodiments, occupies most of the mounting cavity part P2.

As shown in Fig. 9, each strip 2, at least at opposite ends 201 thereof, has a strip height H in a vertical direction and a strip thickness T in a horizontal direction. The strip thickness T is smaller than the strip height H at least at the strip ends 201. In preferred embodiments, each strip 2 may have a constant cross-sectional shape and constant cross-sectional dimension along its entire length. However, it may also be possible to have a first cross-sectional shape/dimension at the strip ends and a different cross-sectional shape/dimension along the rest of the strip.

The first cavity 130 has a longitudinal direction along the first transverse direction A, and a width direction along the second transverse direction B. The second cavity 150 has a longitudinal direction along the second transverse direction B, and a width direction along the first transverse direction A. In the illustrated embodiment, each cavity 130, 150 has a bottom groove 139, 159, respectively, which is located at the front closed end of the cavity and which forms a lower portion of the mounting cavity part P2. Each bottom groove 139, 159 extends in the width direction of the associated cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-section of each bottom groove 139, 159 taken perpendicular to the groove direction tapers downwards, i.e. such that the groove width of each bottom groove 139, 159 decreases downwards. This downwardly tapered bottom groove 139, 159 is arranged to receive and hold a correspondingly tapered portion 203 of a strip end 201 as will be described below. In the illustrated embodiment, each bottom groove 139, 159 is formed by an inclined bottom and a lower part of the associated front wall 115, 117, respectively.

In Fig. 3A, the two cavity parts P1 and P2 of the second cavity 150 are indicated. The first cavity 130 is identical. The insertion cavity part P1 extends from the open rear end of the cavity 150 at the rear side 109 of the leg 1 to the mounting cavity part P2. In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion cavity part P1 has a constant height hi, which is smaller than a maximum height h2 of the mounting cavity part P2, for allowing a strip end to be mounted inside the mounting cavity part 137, 157 in accordance with the method illustrated in Figs 5A to 5C. Accordingly, each cavity 130, 150 has a larger height h2 at its closed front end than the height hi at its open rear end. The larger height h2 is at least equal to the strip height H of the strip end to be mounted therein, thus allowing the strip to be rotated about its longitudinal direction into its mounted position. The smaller height hi is smaller than the strip height H but at least equal to the strip thickness T.

Fig 3B illustrates a front view of the leg 1 of the inventive concept, showing an uninterrupted front surface of the leg 1. Since the cavities 130, 150 for receiving the strip ends 201 are accessible from the rear sides of the leg 1, and not from the front sides, there is no interruption of the front side surfaces of the leg. This allows for a pleasing aesthetic appearance, and the possibility of hiding gaps at the strip ends.

An embodiment of a method for mounting décor strips 2 to a bed frame 3 using the inventive system will now be described with reference to Figs 4, 5A to 5C, and 6A to 6C. Typically, a bed frame 3 may be delivered to a customer with the legs and the décor strips unmounted. A separate package or kit, comprising for instance four identical legs 1 and three décor strips 2, may be delivered together with the bed frame 3. The head end of the bed frame facing a wall will normally not be provided with any décor strip.

As a first step illustrated in fig. 6A, the four legs 1 are attached in a conventional manner to the underside of the bed frame 3 by engaging the threaded bolts 111 into corresponding threads provided in the bed frame 3 or in separate mounting brackets (not shown) attached to the underside of the bed frame 3. Each leg 1 is rotated into a position in which the cavities 130, 150 are facing rearwards. The bed frame 3 with the legs 1 attached thereto is then positioned on the ground or floor as illustrated in Fig. 6B.

As a second step illustrated in Fig. 6B, each strip 2 is manually held in first rotational position between two legs, at the rear sides thereof. The position of the strip 2 in Fig. 6B is such that its front side 102, which will be vertical in the final mounted position, is facing upwards and is essentially horizontal, and such that the tapered portion 203 of each strip end 201 is facing towards and is aligned with the open rear end of an associated cavity 130, 150.

From the position in Fig. 6B, each strip 2 is now moved forward in a direction transverse to the strip direction, as indicated by an arrow in Fig. 6B and Fig. 5A. The two strip ends 201 are thereby inserted into and moved essentially horizontally along the insertion cavity part P1 as illustrated in Fig. 5A, while the strip 2 is still being in its first rotational position.

As shown in Fig. 5B and indicated by an arrow, as the strip end 201 is gradually moved into the mounting cavity part P2, the strip 201 can be gradually rotated towards its final rotational position, i.e. its vertical orientation. In this embodiment, the rotation is essentially 90 degrees. It will be noted that the inclined bottom of the bottom groove and the correspondingly inclined side 203 of the strip end 201 may facilitate this rotation of the strip 2.

In the final mounted position of the strip shown in Figs 4 and 5C, the strip end 201 occupies essentially the entire mounting cavity part P2, with the tapered portion 203 of the strip end 201 being received in a matching bottom groove cavity 139, 159. The advantage of this tapered configuration is that the strip end 201, due to gravity, will position itself automatically into the proper final mounting position. In the illustrated embodiment, the inclined bottom of the bottom groove cavities 139, 159 will ensure that the strip end 201 is automatically positioned into direct engagement with the inside of the associated front wall 115, 117, thereby avoiding any horizontal gaps between the strip 2 and the front wall 115, 117, as shown at reference numeral 116 in Figs 4, 6C, and 8 illustrate the bed frame 3 with the mounted décor strips 2.

It will be noted that two strip ends 201 can be mounted in each leg 1, although the two cavities 130, 150 partly overlap. This is due to the fact that the strips 1 are not merely inserted into each cavity and then directly rotated therein. Instead, the firstly inserted strip end is moved over a distance along the insertion part P1 to such an extent that the other cavity will not be blocked by the firstly inserted strip. Thus, if a strip end 201 of a first strip 2 is first inserted into the first cavity 130 and moved along the insertion cavity part P1 thereof to the mounting cavity part P2, then the second cavity 150 will thereafter not be blocked by the first strip 2, and will thereby be free to receive the strip end 201 of a second strip 2.

A major advantage of system according to the inventive concept is its ability to compensate for substantial variations in the distance between the legs and/or in the strip length. If the length and width dimensions of the bed frame may vary within certain tolerances during the manufacture thereof, the system can be designed to be able to absorb or compensate for dimensional variations at least within such tolerances. Fig. 7A, Fig. 7B and Fig. 7C illustrate three different positions of a strip end 201 inside a cavity, with different distances d1, d2, and d3, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the strip 2 between the strip end 201 and the inner side wall of the cavity. Fig. 7B may for instance illustrate a situation with nominal dimensions of the bed frame 3 and the strip 2, whereas Figs 7A and 7C may illustrate situations where the dimensions of the bed frame 3 and/or the strip 2 vary from their nominal values. In preferred embodiment, no separate attachment means are used for fixing the strips 2 in their mounted position. The system is such that the strip 2 automatically assumes, and remains in, its correct position relative to the leg 1 in the vertical direction as well as in the horizontal rear-front direction, while the strip 2 is still free to move in relation to the leg 1 in the longitudinal direction of the strip 2.

The strip 2 cannot easily be disconnected from the legs 1, for instance by accidentally pushing against the strip in the horizontal direction, since disconnection requires a combined rotational and translational movement. In order to further reduce the risk of any unwanted disconnection of the strips 2, the dimensions of the cavities 130, 150 and of the strip ends 201 may be selected such that the strip end 201 in Fig. 5B is squeezed past its contact with the bottom side of the bed frame 3, i.e. by making the strip 2 a little too big for a completely free rotation in relation to the bed frame 3.

Another major advantage of the system according to the inventive concept is that the above “loose” mounting in the longitudinal direction of the strip may be accomplished without the required compensation gaps or play between the strip end 201 and the leg 1 being visible. In the mounted state shown in Fig. 4, the strip ends 201 of both the strips 2 are hidden from view from the front sides of the leg 1, and the play or gap present at the distances d1, d2 and d3 in Figs 7A to 7C cannot be seen.

As an illustrative non-limiting example, the following dimensions may apply:

Leg height: 140 mm

Leg top side: 100 mm

- Cavity length: 71 mm (P1) + 14 mm (P2) = 85 mm

Front wall thickness: 15 mm

Cavity width: 33 mm

Cavity height hi: 19 mm Cavity height h2: 33 mm Strip thickness T: 12 mm Strip height H: 28 mm Angle of tapered portions of grooves and strips: 45 degrees

Alternative embodiments

The embodiments described above and as shown in the figures may be varied in many ways without departing from scope of the claims.

Figs 10Aand 10B illustrate an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the two cavities 130, 150 of the leg 1 do not present a defined bottom groove at their closed front ends. Instead, each cavity (shown for cavity 150’ only) presents a planar bottom (Fig. 10A) which is inclined downwards from the open rear end of the cavity (hi) towards the closed front end (h2) of the cavity. Each insertion cavity part P1 has a gradually increasing height in a direction towards the corresponding mounting cavity part P2. The height dimensions hi and h2 are selected according to the same principle as in the first embodiment, i.e. such that the strips 2 have to be rotated in order for the strip ends 201 to be inserted into the cavity, and such that the strips thereafter may be rotated to the final rotational orientation at the closed front end of the cavities. In this alternative embodiment, it may be useful to insert a locking element 10, such as a locking wedge, behind the rear side of the strip end 201. The locking wedge is prevented from moving rearwards due to its engagement with the cavity bottom and the bottom side of the bed frame 3. Thereby, the locking wedge 10 may prevent the strip end 201 from moving rearwards in the cavity, but will still allow the strip end 201 to move in the longitudinal direction of the strip 2 in order to compensate for dimensional variations as in the first embodiment. Combinations of the two embodiments are possible. Non-planar bottoms of the cavities 130, 150 is also a possibility.

The shape of the bottom grooves may be different from the illustrated embodiment. Each bottom groove may comprise a defined bottom surface and two defined side walls. Alternatively, the bottom groove may comprise two side walls forming a V shaped bottom groove.

The height of the strips 2 may be different from as shown in the figures. As shown in Fig. 4 for example, the strip height H may be slightly less than the height h2, such that top side of the décor strips 2 are located slightly below the top surface of the front walls 115, 117. Such a strip height H may facilitate the strip rotation shown in Fig. 5B. In other embodiments, the strip height H may be larger, and especially equal 10 to the cavity height h2, such that the upper side of the strips 2 are flush with the upper side of the front walls 115, 117.

Claims

A system for providing a bed frame (3) with trim strips (2), the bed frame comprising a plurality of legs (1) and a plurality of trim strips (2), each having a longitudinal direction; where:

each strip (2) has at opposite ends (201) a strip height (H) and a strip thickness (T) which is less than the strip height (H), and each strip (2) is arranged, in a mounted position thereof, to extend between two of the legs (1);

each leg (1) has an upper fastening side (101), a first front side (103) and an opposite first back side (105) spaced apart in a first transverse direction (A) of the leg (1), and a second front side (107) and an opposite second rear side (109) spaced apart in a second transverse direction (B) of the leg (1) substantially perpendicular to the first transverse direction (A);

each leg (1) has a first cavity (130) extending along the first transverse direction (A) from an open rear end of the first cavity (130) at the first rear side (105) of the leg (1) to a closed front end (131) of the first cavity (130) at the first front face (103) of the leg (1), and wherein the first cavity (130) has an open side towards the second back side (109) of the leg (1);

each leg (1) has a second cavity (105) extending along the second transverse direction (B) from an open rear end of the second cavity (105) at the second rear side (109) of the leg (1) to a closed front end (105). 151) of the second cavity (105) at the second front side (107) of the leg (1), and the second cavity (105) has an open side towards the first rear side (105) of the leg (1);

the open rear end of each cavity (130, 150) has a height (h1) that is less than the strip height (H) but at least equal to the strip thickness (T) to allow a strip end to be inserted into the cavity (130, 150); ) at the open rear end thereof, while holding the strip (2) in a first rotational position about its longitudinal direction; and the closed front end (131, 151) of each cavity (130, 150) has a height (h2) which is at least equal to the strip height (H) to allow the strip (1) to be rotated about its longitudinal direction to its mounted position at the closed front end (131, 151) of the cavity (130, 150).

The system of claim 1, wherein each cavity of the first and second cavities (130, 150) is formed by a mounting cavity portion (P2) located at the closed front end (131, 151) of the cavity and adapted to receive a strip end (201) of a strip (2) in the mounted position thereof, and an insertion cavity portion (P1) extending from the open rear end of the cavity to the mounting cavity portion (P2) of the cavity.

The system of claim 2, wherein the mounting cavity portion (P2) has a bottom groove (139, 159) extending in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction along which the cavity extends and wherein the bottom groove (139, 159) tapers downward, and wherein each list end (201) has a corresponding tapered lower portion (203).

A system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first and second cavities (130, 151) partially overlap at the insertion cavity portions (P1).

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a width of the first cavity (130) in the second transverse direction (B) is 1 to 10% of the length of an associated strip (2), and a width of the second cavity (105) in the first transverse direction (A) is 1 to 10% of the length of an associated strip (2).

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the closed front end (131, 151) of each cavity (130, 150) is defined by a rear side of a wall (115, 117) having an opposite front side forming part of an attached one of the front faces (103, 107) of the leg (1).

A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each leg (1) has a connecting means (111) at its upper fastening side (101) for fastening the leg (1) to a bed frame (3).

Leg (1) for use in a system for providing a bed frame (3) with trim strips (2), the leg (1) comprising:

an upper fastening side (101), a first front side (103) and an opposite first back side (105) spaced apart in a first transverse direction (A) of the leg (1), and a second front side (107) and an opposite second back side (107); 109) spaced apart in a second transverse direction (B) by the leg (1) substantially perpendicular to the first transverse direction (A);

a first cavity (130) extending along the first transverse direction (A) from an open rear end of the first cavity (130) at the first rear side (105) of the leg (1) to a closed front end (131) of the first cavity (130) at the first front side (103) of the leg (1) and having an open side towards the second back side (109) of the leg (1);

a second cavity (105) extending along the second transverse direction (B) from an open rear end of the second cavity (105) at the second rear side (109) of the leg (1) to a closed front end (151) of the second cavity (105) at the second front side (107) of the leg (1) and having an open side towards the first back side (105) of the leg;

each cavity (130, 150) having a first height (h1) at the open rear end to allow a strip end (201) of a trim strip (2) to be inserted into the cavity at the open rear end thereof while the trim strip (2) is held in a first rotational position about a longitudinal direction of the list (2); and wherein each cavity (130, 150) has a second height (h2) at the closed front end (131, 151), which is greater than the first height (h1), to allow the strip (2) to be rotated about its longitudinal direction to a mounted position at the closed front end (131, 151) of the cavity.

A leg (1) according to claim 8, wherein each cavity of the first and second cavities (130, 150) is formed by a mounting cavity portion (P2) disposed in the closed front end of the cavity and arranged to receive a strip end ( 201) of a strip (2) in the mounted position thereof, and an insertion cavity portion (P1) extending from the open rear end of the cavity to the cavity mounting cavity portion (P2).

A leg according to claim 9, wherein the mounting cavity portion (P2) has a bottom groove (139, 159) extending in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction along which the cavity extends and wherein the bottom groove tapers downward.

A leg according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first and second cavities (130, 151) partially overlap at the insertion cavity portions (P1).

A method of mounting a trim strip (2) on a bed frame (3), each strip (2) having a longitudinal direction and two strip ends (201), and the bed frame (3) having legs (1), the method comprising:

placing each strip end (201) next to a cavity (130, 150) provided in a rear side (105, 19) of an associated leg (1), while the strip (2) is held in a first rotational position thereof about its longitudinal direction;

while holding the strip (2) in the first rotational position, inserting each strip end (201) its associated cavity (130, 150) by moving the strip (2) in an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal direction;

moving each list end (201) in the insertion direction to a closed front end (131, 151) of the associated cavity (130, 150); and rotating the strip (2) about its longitudinal direction to another rotational position to bring the strip (2) into a mounted position.

The method of claim 12, wherein the first rotational position of the strip (2) is substantially perpendicular to the second rotational position.

A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein:

each cavity of the first and second cavities (130, 150) is formed by a mounting cavity portion (P2) located at the closed front end (131, 151) of the cavity and adapted to receive a list end (201) of a list ( 2) in the mounted position thereof, and an insertion cavity portion (P1) extending from the open rear end of the cavity to the cavity mounting cavity portion (P2), wherein the operations for inserting each list end (201) and moving each list end (201) comprise inserting each list end (201) in the insertion cavity portion (P1) of the associated cavity and moving the list end (201) through the insertion cavity portion (P1);

wherein the operations of rotating the strip (2) to a second rotational position are performed while the strip end (201) is moved from the insertion cavity part (P1) into the mounting cavity part (P2); and the list end (201) occupies the mounting cavity part (P2) in the mounted position.

A bed frame (3) provided with a system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

each of the trim strips (2) is in its mounted position and extends between two associated legs (1) attached to the bed frame (3), each strip end (201) of the strip (2) being received in an associated cavity (130, 150) at the closed front end (131, 151) thereof, so that the list ends (201) are hidden and not visible; and the length of each strip (2) is selected in relation to a distance between the two associated legs (1) and a width of the cavities (130, 150) so that there is a clearance (d1, d2, d3) in the longitudinal direction of the list (2) at at least one of the list ends (201).

Bed frame according to claim 15, wherein the strip (2) is unlocked relative to the two legs (1) in the longitudinal direction of the strip (2).