Abstrict A height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters
in which substantially vertical posts are fixedly attached to the
floor and ceiling of the living quarters. Each post includes a mating
structure for mating to a cross-member at a plurality of vertical
positions, the cross-member being utilized for holding a platform
substantially horizontally. The cross-member is releasable from
the mating structure without the use of tools.
Claims I claim:
1. A height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters,
comprising:
a cross-member for supporting a platform substantially horizontally,
said cross-member having an end, said platform having a plurality
of peripheral support positions;
at least one post corresponding to a peripheral support position
of said platform, said post including one or more end members adapted
for anchoring to at least one of the floor and the ceiling of the
living quarters, so as to hold said post in a substantially fixed,
vertical position; and
at least one support member adapted to releasably support said
end of said cross-member at said post at any of a plurality of vertical
positions, said platform also being supported at other peripheral
support positions by one or more members distinct from said post,
said cross-member being adapted to release from said support member
by pivoting said cross-member upwardly.
2. A height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters,
comprising:
a cross-member for supporting a platform substantially horizontally,
said platform having a plurality of peripheral support positions;
at least one post corresponding to a peripheral support position
of said platform;
at least one anchor associated with said post for holding said
post in a substantially fixed, vertical position; and
at least one support member adapted to releasably attach said cross-member
to said post at any of a plurality of vertical positions so as to
support said platform substantially horizontally, said platform
also being supported at other peripheral support positions by one
or more members distinct from said post, wherein said post has an
upper end and a lower end, a first anchor attached to said upper
end and to the ceiling of the living quarters.
3. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 2 wherein a second
anchor is attached to said lower end of said one post and to the
floor of the living quarters.
4. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 1 wherein a first
pair of said posts defines a major length of a bed space, at least
one anchor being associated with each post of said first pair, for
holding each post of said first pair in a substantially fixed, vertical
position.
5. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 4 wherein a second
pair of posts defines, with said first pair of posts, a bed space,
at least one anchor being associated with each post of said second
pair, for holding each post of said second pair in a substantially
fixed, vertical position.
6. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 1 wherein each
of said posts includes a first mating structure, for mating to a
complementary second mating structure of said cross-member.
7. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 6 wherein said
first mating structure is a channel extending substantially the
length of said post.
8. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 7 wherein said
second mating structure is an end of said cross-member, so that
mating of said cross-member to said post is by penetration of said
end of said cross-member into said channel of said post.
9. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 7 having a plurality
of support members, each support member associated with a different
one of said plurality of vertical positions.
10. A height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters,
comprising:
a cross-member for supporting a platform substantially horizontally,
said platform having a plurality of peripheral support positions;
at least one post corresponding to a peripheral support position
of said platform;
at least one anchor associated with said post for holding said
post in a substantially fixed, vertical position; and
at least one support member adapted to releasably attach said cross-member
to said post at any of a plurality of vertical positions so as to
support said platform substantially horizontally, said platform
also being supported at other peripheral support positions by one
or more members distinct from said post, wherein said post includes
a first mating structure, for mating to a complementary second mating
structure of said cross-member, wherein said first mating structure
is a channel extending substantially the length of said post, wherein
the bed and storage unit has a plurality of support members, each
support member being associated with a different one of said plurality
of vertical positions, and wherein said support members are fixed
to said post.
11. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 10 wherein said
support members are substantially flat metal plates and are welded
to said channels.
12. A height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters,
comprising:
a cross-member for supporting a platform substantially horizontally,
said platform having a plurality of peripheral support positions;
at least one post corresponding to a peripheral support position
of said platform;
at least one anchor associated with said post for holding said
post in a substantially fixed, vertical position; and
at least one support member adapted to releasably attach said cross-member
to said post at any of a plurality of vertical positions so as to
support said platform substantially horizontally, said platform
also being supported at other peripheral support positions by one
or more members distinct from said post, wherein said post includes
a first mating structure, for mating to a complementary second mating
structure of said cross-member, wherein said first mating structure
is a channel extending substantially the length of said post, wherein
the bed and storage unit has a plurality of support members, each
support member being associated with a different one of said plurality
of vertical positions, and wherein said support members are releasably
attached to said channels.
13. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 11 wherein each
of said posts includes at least one pair of apertures, said pair
of apertures being associated with one of said plurality of vertical
positions, wherein a first aperture of said pair extends through
said post, behind said channel, and a second aperture extends from
said channel, through said post, to meet said first aperture, a
threaded receptacle being disposed within said first aperture so
that a threaded axis of said threaded receptacle is substantially
concentric with said second aperture, and said threaded receptacle
receives a threaded fastener passing through a support aperture
in said support member for releasably fastening said support member
to said post.
14. A height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters,
comprising:
a pair of cross-members for supporting a platform substantially
horizontally, said platform having a plurality of peripheral support
positions;
a pair of posts corresponding to an associated pair of peripheral
support positions of said platform;
at least one anchor associated with each post of said pair for
holding each post in a substantially fixed, vertical position; and
a pair of support members adapted to releasably attach said pair
of cross-members to associated posts of said pair of posts at any
of a plurality of vertical positions so as to support said platform
substantially horizontally, said platform also being supported at
other peripheral support positions by one or more members distinct
from said pair of posts wherein said pair of posts defines a major
length of a bed space, wherein at least one anchor is associated
with each post of said pair for holding each post in a substantially
fixed, vertical position, wherein each post of said pair of posts
includes a channel extending substantially the length thereof, wherein
each post of said pair further includes a corresponding plurality
of pairs of apertures associated with said plurality of vertical
positions, wherein a first aperture of each of said pairs of apertures
extends through the respective said post, behind the respective
said channel, and wherein a second aperture extends from the respective
said channel, through the respective said post, to meet said first
aperture, a threaded receptacle being disposed within said first
aperture so that a threaded axis of said threaded receptacle is
substantially concentric with said second aperture, wherein said
threaded receptacle receives a threaded fastener passing through
a support aperture in said support member for releasably fastening
said support member to the respective said post, and wherein each
cross-member of said pair of cross-members is placed on the corresponding
said support member so that an end thereof penetrates the respective
said channel.
15. The adjustable bed and storage unit of claim 14 wherein at
least one of said posts includes an attachment to a first anchor
at an upper end thereof, said first anchor being attached to the
ceiling of the living quarters, and wherein at least one of said
posts includes an attachment to a second anchor at a lower end thereof,
said second anchor being attached to the floor of the living quarters.
16. A method for constructing an adjustable bed and storage unit
for small living quarters having a floor and a ceiling, comprising
the steps of:
attaching at least one post substantially vertically between at
least one of the floor and the ceiling of the living quarters, so
as to hold said post in a substantially fixed, vertical position;
selecting from one of a plurality of different vertical support
positions on said post;
providing a support mechanism at the selected said vertical support
position; and
releasably attaching to said post by said support mechanism one
end of a cross-member for supporting a platform substantially horizontally
at the selected said vertical position, the other end of said cross-member
being independently supported.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein said post includes a channel
extending substantially the length thereof, wherein said support
mechanism includes at least one pair of apertures, said pair of
apertures being associated with one of said plurality of vertical
positions on said post, wherein a first aperture of said pair extends
through said post, behind said channel, and wherein a second aperture
extends from said channel, through said post, to meet said first
aperture, a threaded receptacle being disposed within said first
aperture so that a threaded axis of said threaded receptacle is
substantially concentric with said second aperture, and further
comprising the steps of inserting a threaded fastener through a
support aperture in said support member and through said second
aperture, and threading said threaded fastener into said threaded
receptacle.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein said support mechanisms are
fixedly attached into said channel.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said support member is a substantially
flat metal plate, and wherein said support member is fixedly attached
into said channel by welding said metal plate to said channel.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein said post includes a channel,
and wherein releasably attaching said cross-member to said post
includes the step of inserting an end of said cross-member into
said channel.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to institutional furniture, particularly
a height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters.
In institutions, such as university dormitories, there is often
a need to accommodate the living requirements of two occupants in
a very small space. To utilize available space efficiently, a pair
of bunk beds has often been provided wherein the bunk beds are constructed
of a small number of simple wood components. This is so partly for
reason of cost; however, wood also provides a "soft" aesthetic
quality associated with the living areas of a home.
In such beds, space above the loft unit has generally remained
unexploited. In addition, bunk beds are often stacked atop one another;
thence, the loft unit is not as stable as is often desirable. Moreover,
it is sometimes necessary to accommodate only one occupant, whereupon
space either above the bunk unit or below the loft unit would ideally
be utilized for storage; however, again, this space is generally
not exploited in bunk beds. Further, it is often necessary to assemble
and disassemble units quickly and repetitively, to accommodate a
changing number of occupants and the differing preferences thereof.
Institutional furniture heretofore utilized for providing bedding
and storage in small living quarters has not very well accommodated
these needs. Designers of furniture of this type have generally
relied on one of two schemes for the on-site joining of wood beams.
A first installation scheme incorporates lag screws and threaded
holes cut into the wood. However, the repeated installation and
removal of lag screws degrades the threads, while the wood is weakened
at the holes.
A second installation scheme comprises the insertion of one or
more barrel nuts into laterally disposed holes drilled within a
first elongate wood beam. The barrel nuts are oriented to receive
corresponding machine bolts inserted through longitudinally disposed
holes in the elongate first wood beam. The longitudinally disposed
holes communicate with the laterally disposed holes and with corresponding
coaxial holes in a second wood beam to create a butt type "T"
or "J" joint between the wood beams.
At least two problems with this second installation scheme arise.
First, the wood beams in which the barrel nuts are inserted are
generally slender enough that the aforedescribed multiplicity of
holes drilled therein can cause serious weakening. Second, access
to the machine bolts attaching cross members in a bunk bed configuration
must be had from outside of the bed. Generally at least one side
and often two sides of the bed are against a wall so that access
to at least some of these bolts requires moving the bed.
Still further, typical bunk units do not provide for adjustments
in bed height that would, for example, allow a bunk unit to be adjusted
to accommodate a handicapped person, for whom the height would ideally
be at wheelchair seat level.
The present invention is directed to providing a height adjustable
bed and storage unit for small living quarters that overcomes the
aforementioned space utilization, repetitive assembly and adjustment
disadvantages of institutional furniture heretofore available, while
retaining the virtues of low cost and aesthetic appeal that have
been traditionally provided in wooden bunk furniture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a height adjustable bed and
storage unit for small living quarters is provided. The unit comprises
a pair of substantially vertical posts fixedly attached in substantially
parallel relationship at respective first and second ends thereof,
each post having a longitudinally running channel extending substantially
the length thereof. Each post includes provision for releasably
fastening a support member to the post by capturing the support
member within the longitudinal channel, the support member conforming
substantially to the shape thereof. Each support member provides
a resting top surface for a cross-rail captured, within the respective
channels and above the respective support members, between the posts
of the pair of posts. The cross-rails are adapted for the installation
of a utility surface therebetween. The utility surface rests on
ledges attached to the cross rails and may be utilized to support
a mattress or alternatively may be used for storage or as a surface
on which to work.
In accordance with other aspects of this invention, the provision
of each post for capturing the support member is available at a
plurality of predetermined height locations.
In accordance with still other aspects of this invention, the provision
of each post for capturing the support member includes a pair of
apertures wherein a first aperture of each pair passes through the
post, beneath the longitudinal channel, while a second aperture
of the pair passes through the post, from the first aperture to
the channel. A threaded receptacle is contained within the first
aperture and aligned with the axis of the second aperture. The support
member has a support aperture therethrough, wherein a threaded fastener
adapted for mating to the threaded receptacle may be installed.
In accordance with further aspects of this invention, the posts
are fixedly attached to the floor and to the ceiling of the living
quarters.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to
provide a novel and improved height adjustable bed and storage unit
for small living quarters and method of use thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a
height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters
and method of use thereof which provides ease of height adjustment.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such
a height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters
and method of use thereof which provides a height adjustment that
may be accomplished quickly and repetitively.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide
such a height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters
and method of use thereof which provides a height adjustment that
will not degrade the bed and storage unit.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such
a height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters
and method of use thereof which provides a height adjustment having
improved strength.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the
invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of
the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a height adjustable bed and storage
unit for small living quarters according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a post anchored to the ceiling and
floor of the living quarters, according to the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a pictorial view of a provision for attachment of a
support member to a post, according to the present invention.
FIG. 3B is a pictorial side view of an alternative provision for
attachment of a support member to a post, according to the present
invention.
FIG. 3C is a pictorial top view of the alternative provision for
attachment of FIG. 3B.
FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a cross-rail and support members
according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a pair of cross-rails and a utility
surface according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a second embodiment of a post-portion
of a height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters
according to the present invention, as viewed along direction A
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a third embodiment of a post-portion
of a height adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters
according to the present invention, as viewed along direction A
of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1 a preferred embodiment of a height adjustable
bed and storage unit for small living quarters 10 according to the
present invention comprises a plurality of peripheral support (positions)
such as a right-forward post 12 a left-forward post 14 a right-rear
post 16 and a left-rear post 18. Preferably, posts 12 14 16 and
18 are nominally 4".times.4" fir or pine. The posts are
arranged so that they stand substantially vertically and form the
corners of a horizontal rectangular bed space 19 that defines the
desired plan dimensions of a bed.
As shown in detail in FIG. 2 the posts 12 14 16 and 18 are attached,
at respective first ends 13 and second ends 15 thereof, to post
caps 17 wherein post caps 17 are further attached to anchors 9
and 11 which are attached to the ceiling and the floor of the living
quarters, respectively, for securing the unit 10 to the living quarters
and for providing a maximum of utilizable space. FIG. 2 shows a
generic anchor which is commonly known in the art for installing
a screw into a concrete surface, such as a concrete floor or ceiling;
however, other types of anchors 9 and 11 may be adapted for installation
into other construction materials as well are adapted for installation
into a concrete ceiling and floor, however they may be adapted for
installation into other construction materials as well.
Preferably, each of the posts 12 14 16 and 18 have four faces
20 each face 20 being oriented substantially 90 degrees from each
neighboring face 20 the four faces 20 being referred to for purposes
herein to aid in defining the structure of the unit 10. However,
the posts 12 14 16 and 18 may have any number of faces more than
two without departing from the principles of the present invention.
The four faces 20 of the preferred embodiment consist of a front
face 22 a rear face 24 an outside face 26 and an inside face 28
of each of the posts 12 14 16 and 18 wherein the meanings of
front, rear, outside and inside are to be taken for purposes herein
with respect to the posts 12 14 16 and 18 being in their aforementioned
assembled positions. For purposes of explanation, "outside"
is a direction facing away from the bed space 19 in the same direction
as the major length thereof, while "front" corresponds
to a direction from which the bed space 19 is normally or advantageously
approached for access thereto.
Posts 12 14 16 and 18 each have a first mating structure 29 (not
shown), such as a channel 30 the first mating structure being adapted
for complementary joining with a second mating structure 31 described
below. Although the channel 30 is the preferred embodiment of the
first mating structure 29 the first mating structure may be male
or female and may have other mating configurations. As will become
more clear, the first mating structure 29 preferably remains unconstrained
with respect to vertical movement relative to the second mating
structure.
Preferably, the channel 30 runs longitudinally the entire length
of each of the posts 12 14 16 and 18 the channel 30 extending
into the respective post from the inside face 28 thereof a depth
32. The channel 30 has a rectangular cross section in which a channel
back-surface 33 having a width 34 is substantially horizontal to
and displaced from the inside face 28 of the posts 12 14 16 and
18. Alternatively, the posts may have no channel 30 so that the
inside face 28 will function as the channel back-surface 33 or
the channel may be incorporated in a bracket mounted on the inside
face of the post, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 the channel 30 has a rectangular cross-section
for receiving a support member 36 having a generally orthorhombic
shape. The support member 36 when received by the channel 30 provides
a top surface 38 that is substantially horizontal and flat. The
support member 36 has a width 40 sized to fit within the receiving
width 34 of the channel 30. The support member also has a depth
37 that is preferably equal to or less than the depth 32 of the
channel 30. The depth 37 of the support member 36 may be greater
than the depth 32 however this may pose a risk of injury if the
support member 36 has sharp edges which thereby protrude from the
channel 30.
The support member 36 includes a support aperture 42 therethrough
which is substantially perpendicular to the direction defined by
the width 40 of the support member 36. Preferably, the support aperture
42 is a cylindrical hole.
Each of the posts 12 14 16 and 18 includes provision for releasably
fastening thereto the support member 36 when received by the channel
30 thereof. The provision includes a pair of apertures 44 45 associated
with, preferably, each of a plurality of predetermined vertical
positions 46. There may be any number of predetermined vertical
positions 46 including only one. A support member 36 is associated
with each predetermined height location 46. Preferably, a first
aperture 44 of the pair of apertures extends from the front face
22 of the post 12 14 16 and 18 through the post and to the rear
face 24. The first aperture 44 may alternatively extend from either
the front face 22 or the rear face 24 to a location 49 behind the
back-surface 33 of the channel 30. The first aperture 44 is displaced
from the channel 30 being behind the channel, toward the outside
face of the post 12 14 16 and 18 and is substantially parallel
to the direction defined by the width 34 of the channel 30.
The second aperture 45 of the pair of apertures extends from the
channel back-surface 33 through the post 12 14 16 and 18 to
meet the first aperture 44 in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the first aperture 44. A threaded receptacle 54 such as a barrel-nut,
is installed through and within the first aperture 44 at a location
therein such that the threaded axis of the threaded receptacle 54
is concentric with the second aperture 45 the threaded receptacle
thereby being behind the back-surface of the channel 30.
The threaded receptacle 54 is utilized in conjunction with a threaded
fastener 56 preferably a machine bolt, passing through the support
aperture 42 of the support member 36.
Referring to FIG. 4 the support members 36 being releasably attached
to the posts 12 14 16 and 18 at selected predetermined vertical
positions 46 provide top surfaces 38 for support of cross-members
58 resting thereon, each cross-member 58 extending between a pair
of the posts 12 14 16 and 18 associated with the major length
of the bed space 19. The cross-members 58 are secured to the posts
by partial interlocking of a second mating structure 31 on the cross-members
to the first mating structure 29 of the posts. Preferably, the second
mating structure 31 (not shown) is a first end 59 or second end
61 of the cross-members 58 mating with the channel 30 of the posts
12 14 16 and 18. The second mating structure 31 must act in mating
cooperation with the first mating structure 29 and, as noted above,
preferably so that relative vertical movement remains unconstrained
by either the first mating structure 29 or the second mating structure
31. However, the second mating structure 31 may be male or female
and have other configurations than described as preferred. For example,
the second mating structure 31 could be a channel and the first
mating structure 29 could be a tongue. The first mating structure
29 the second mating structure 31 and the support members 36 together
constrain movement of the cross-members 58 with respect to the posts
12 14 16 and 18 so that the cross-members may only move freely
upwardly. The width 60 of the cross-members 58 must be less than
the receiving width 34 of the channels 30 in order that the cross-members
may be inserted into the channels and contained thereby at the ends
59 and 61. The cross-members 58 preferably comprise nominally 2".times.4"
fir or pine.
Referring to FIG. 5 the cross-members 58 have ledges 60 attached
thereto for supporting a utility surface 62 between the cross-members
58. Ledges 60 are attached to the cross-members 58 by screws, or
by other means readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in
the art. The ledges 60 may be discrete pieces of wood, brackets
or other like hardware, and may extend along the cross-rail any
desired distance, however, preferably, the ledges 60 extend substantially
the entire length of the cross-rail 58. A mattress may be placed
upon the utility surface 62 or the utility surface 62 may be utilized
for storage or as a surface on which to work.
Returning to FIG. 1 there are, preferably, five predetermined
vertical positions 46 at which the support members 36 may be attached
to the posts 12 14 16 and 18. These are chosen so that the utility
surface 62 associated with the cross-members 58 may be held at,
preferably, any of the following heights, measured from the floor
of the living quarters: (1) a standard bed height of 18", (2)
a hostel bed height of 26" for accommodating a handicapped
person, (3) a desktop height of 30", (4) a loft bed height
of 65", and (5) a storage height of 76". Other heights
may be chosen, and more or fewer heights may be chosen, without
departing from the principles of the invention.
Ladder steps 64 may be rigidly attached across two of the posts
12-18 defining the minor length of the bed space 19 at one or the
other or both sides of the unit 10 to enable access to the loft
height and the storage height.
The aforedescribed preferred embodiment of a bed and storage unit
for small living quarters according to the present invention is
preferably assembled as follows: The posts 12 14 16 and 18 are
attached to the anchors 9 and 11 with, preferably, #6 sheet metal
screws, at respective first ends 13 and second ends 15 of the posts,
an anchor 9 being attached to the ceiling and an anchor 11 being
attached to the floor of the living quarters as described above.
The posts are arranged in parallel disposition to define the four
corners of the rectangular bed space 19. Ladder steps 64 may be
attached across two of the posts 12 14 16 and 18 defining the
minor length of the bed space 19.
At least one support member 36 is releasably attached to each of
posts 12 14 16 and 18 at a predetermined vertical location 46.
A cross-member 58 is associated with each pair of posts defining
the major dimension of the bed space 19. A first end 59 of a cross-member
58 corresponding to one of the pairs of posts 12 14 16 and 18
is first placed upon the top surface 38 of the support member 36
fastened to one of the posts of the pair. The first end 59 is caused
to penetrate the channel 30 of that post.
Final assembly requires further that the second end 61 of the cross-member
58 penetrate the channel 30 of the other post of the pair of posts
12-18 thereby containing the ends 59 and 61 of the cross-member
58 within the channels 30 of each post of the pair. However, the
cross-member 58 is longer than the space between the inside faces
24 of the pair of posts 12-18 so that, when lying horizontally,
the cross-member 58 has its first end 59 and second end 61 protruding
into and thereby contained within the depressions in the posts 12-18
composing the channels 30. Accordingly, the cross-member 58 must
be angled, if it cannot be sufficiently bent, prior to inserting
the second end 61 into the channel 30 of the other post of the pair
of posts 12-18 with respect to the horizontal in order to bring
the cross-member 58 into the vertical plane defined by the pair
of posts 12 14 16 and 18 for this purpose (see FIG. 4). Consequently,
the second end 61 of the cross-member 58 must be raised with respect
to the already inserted first end 59 in order to bring the cross-member
into the aforedescribed vertical plane. Thence, the second end 61
of the cross-rail 58 may be swung downwardly, onto the top surface
38 of a corresponding support member 36. An advantageous result
of this procedure is that the cross-member is releasable from the
post, for, e.g., height adjustment, without the use of tools. It
should be noted that if a channel 30 is not employed or the support
members 36 protrude from the inside face 28 of the posts, the need
for the foregoing procedure is obviated.
It is to be recognized that, while a specific embodiment of a height
adjustable bed and storage unit for small living quarters has been
shown as preferred, variations thereof could be utilized without
departing from the principles of the invention. For example, a second
embodiment will be next described.
Referring to FIG. 6 in a metal embodiment of the posts 12 14
16 and 18 according to the present invention, a pair of adjacent
posts corresponding to the minor length of the bed space 19 are
fixedly attached at respective first ends 13 thereof by a top support
66 and at respective second ends 15 thereof by a bottom support
94. Each of the pair of posts preferably comprises two flat metal
plates 68 that are rigidly attached, as by welding, in parallel
to the top support 66 and the bottom support 94 one of the pair
of posts being attached, as by welding, at a first end 70 of the
top support 66 and a first end 93 of the bottom support 94 and
the other of the pair being attached, as by welding, at a second
end 72 of the top support 66 and a second end 95 of the bottom support
94. 16 and 18 function as the aforedescribed channel 30. Support
members 36 are fixedly and rigidly attached to the inside surfaces
74 as by welding, at a plurality of predetermined vertical positions
46. The support members 36 include a top surface 39 for supporting
cross-members 58 the support members preferably being substantially
flat metal plates. The support members 36 also aid in fixing the
metal plates 68 in parallel relationship to one another. The posts
12 14 16 and 18 may include a third flat metal plate 78 attached
perpendicularly to the parallel metal plates 68 to form the channel
back-surface 33. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill
in the art that flat metal plates 68 and support members 36 may
be fixedly attached by means other than welding. The top support
66 includes apertures 76 such as holes, for attachment to the ceiling
of the living quarters by threaded fasteners 79 extending through
the holes 76 and into the anchors 9 installed in the ceiling.
Second ends 15 of the posts 12 14 16 and 18 are fixedly attached
with a base support 80 wherein the base support 80 and its attachment
to the posts may be a mirror image of the top support, or may provide
for height adjustment for living quarters having differing heights
from the floor to the ceiling as shown in FIG. 6. This latter provision
preferably comprises a hole 82 in either the posts or the base support
80 and a vertical slot 84 in, respectively, the base support 80
or the posts, providing for vertical sliding movement between the
base support 80 and the posts 12 14 16 and 18 the vertical sliding
movement being locked by tightening the base support against the
posts by means of a threaded fastener, inserted through the hole
and slot, and a nut (not shown).
While a hole and slot are preferred, other aperture shapes may
be employed for both the hole 82 and the slot 84 without departing
from the principles of the invention. The base support 80 may then
include perpendicular mounting portions 86 which fit either inside
the channel 30 (as shown, with incorporated support members 36)
or outside the posts as desired, wherein the perpendicular mounting
portions are parallel to the metal plates 68 and may include a back-surface
attachment portion 88 for attachment to the third metal plate 78
forming the channel back-surface 33. The back-surface attachment
portions 88 include either the hole 82 or the slot 84 as desired.
The base support 80 includes apertures, such as holes 76 for attachment
to the floor of the living quarters by threaded fasteners 79 extending
through the holes 76 and into the anchors 11 installed in the floor.
The space formed between the top surface 38 of one of the support
members 36 a bottom surface 90 of the support member 36 (or the
top support 66) immediately above the support member 36 and the
inside surfaces 74 of the metal plates 68 may be identified as portions
of the channel 30 or may alternatively be identified as an individual
channel 30 so that a single channel 30 is perceived not to extend
the entire length of the posts 12 14 16 and 18.
A metal embodiment of the cross-members 58 the ladder steps 64
and other components of the invention may also be constructed in
any of a number of manners readily apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art.
Referring to FIG. 7 in a second metal embodiment of the posts
12 14 16 and 18 according to the present invention, a pair of
adjacent posts corresponding to the minor length of the bed space
19 are fixedly attached at respective first ends 13 thereof by a
top support 66 and at respective second ends 15 thereof by a bottom
support 80. Each of the pair of posts preferably comprises two flat
metal plates 68 that are rigidly attached, as by welding, in parallel
to the top support 66 and the bottom support 80 one of the pair
of posts being attached, as by welding, at a first end 70 of the
top support 66 and a first end 71 of the bottom support 80 and
the other of the pair being attached, as by welding, at a second
end 72 of the top support 66 and a second end 73 of the bottom support
80. Inside surfaces 74 of the flat metal plates comprising the posts
12 14 16 and 18 function as the aforedescribed channel 30. Support
members 36 are removably installed between the surfaces 74 as will
be described below. Preferably, surfaces 74 are spacedapart slightly
more than two inches, for receiving a support member 36 therebetween,
the support member being a section of a two inch square tubing having
a top surface 39. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art that other sizes and configurations of the support members
36 may be employed and that the distance between the surfaces 74
may be modified accordingly. The posts 12 14 16 and 18 preferably
include a third metal plate 78 attached perpendicularly to the parallel
metal plates 68 to form the channel back-surface. The third metal
plate 78 includes an aperture 45 at a plurality of predetermined
vertical positions 46 the aperture preferably a three-eights course
threaded hole, for receiving a fastener 92 preferably a three-eights
by two inch machine screw. The support member 36 include an aperture
94 aligned with the aperture 45 of the plate 78 the support member
36 being removably installed in the post 12 14 16 and 18 by threading
the fastener 92 through the aperture 94 and into the aperture 45.
However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
that, alternatively, the aperture 45 may be in either of the flat
metal plates 68 and the plate 78 may be omitted.
Both the top support 66 and the bottom support 80 include apertures
76 such as holes, for attachment to the ceiling of the living quarters
by threaded fasteners 79 extending through the holes 76 and into
the anchors 9 and 11 (not shown) installed in, respectively, the
ceiling and the floor.
Referring back to the preferred, wood embodiment, further alternatives
may be realized. For example, alternative methods of releasably
fastening the support member 36 to the posts 12 14 16 and 18 could
be utilized. For example, the first aperture 44 may not be displaced
from the channel 30 and may instead align with a coaxial aperture
in the support member 36 for attaching a bolt through the aperture
44 directly into the support member 36 in the direction of front
to rear. Moreover, the support member 36 may be provided with a
downwardly depending pin for insertion into the second aperture
45 wherein the second aperture 45 is commensurately angled downwardly
to prevent the support member 36 from backing out of the post.
The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing
specification are used therein as terms of description and not of
limitation, and there is no intention of the use of such terms and
expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described
or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention
is defined and limited only by the claims which follow. |