GB2605753A

GB2605753A - Improvements relating to headboard struts

Info

Publication number: GB2605753A
Application number: GB2101971.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aziz Asghar
Original assignee: Worldcomponents Ltd
Current assignee: Worldcomponents Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-13
Filing date: 2021-02-12
Publication date: 2022-10-19
Also published as: GB202002014D0; GB202101971D0

Abstract

A headboard strut 1 for attaching a bed head to a bed frame, comprising an elongate strut element having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A slot 5 is formed from the proximal end through the proximal portion in the lengthwise direction of the strut element. Three holes 2, 3, 4 are formed through the distal portion, aligned in the lengthwise direction of the strut element. The second hole in the sequence from the distal end may be elongated so as to form a slit. Third hole may be elongated so as to form a slit. The second hole may form a longer slit than the third hole. The strut element may be made from wood.

Description

Improvements relating to headboard struts Field of the invention 10011 The invention relates to an improved headboard strut. In particular, the invention relates to a headboard strut with improved strength and resilience due to 5 an additional fixing hole.

Background of the invention

10021 A headboard is typically fixed to a bed using struts, which are screwed at an upper portion into the back of the headboard, and which are screwed or otherwise fixed at a lower portion to the head of a bed base. A prior art example of such a strut is shown in Figure 1. Typically, two struts are used to fix a headboard to a bed, but this can vary depending on the size of the bed and the size of the headboard.

10031 Some headboards can be very large and/or very ornate, which can make them relatively heavy. One solution to securely fixing a heavier headboard to a bed is to use additional struts. This increases the cost. Furthermore, many bed base units have fixed internal structural elements to which headboard struts are fixed, and typically only two such internal structural elements are provided, making it impossible to use more than two struts.

10041 Another solution is to make the struts stronger, for example by making them from a stronger material than typical struts. Typically, struts are made of wood. A stronger strut might be made of metal, or a more expensive wood. The struts could also be made stronger by being made thicker, and longer fixing screws cold be provided. Both of these methods increase the cost.

10051 A solution is required to strengthen the fixing of a headboard to a bed, 25 without increasing the cost by an appreciable amount.

Summary of the invention

[006] As can be seen in Figure 1, prior art struts typically have two wholes in the support portion for fixing to a bed head. The inventor has found that the fixing is made much stronger and more secure by replacing the two-hole configuration of 5 the prior art with a hole-slot-hole configuration, such as that depicted in Figure 2.

R°1 Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3, comprising a hole-slot-slot configuration, wherein the lower slot is shorter than the first slot.

[8] Using slots rather than holes provides much more flexibility. For example, many bed heads have pre-drilled holes in their backs for receiving the screws by means of which the struts are attached. Providing slots instead of holes provides a single strut configuration which is compatible with a variety of bed head pre-drilled hole configurations.

[9] Therefore, in accordance with the invention, a strut for fixing a bed head to a bed is provided as defined by claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings

[10] The invention will now be described, by way of invention only, with reference to the following drawings: [11] Figure 1 depicts a prior art strut for attaching a bed head to a bed.

[12] Figure 2 depicts a strut according to a first embodiment of the invention. 20 [013] Figure 3 depicts a strut according to a second embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the drawings [014] Figure 1 depicts a prior art strut. The strut comprises a length of wood 1 having cut into it a first hole 2, a second hole 3 and a slot 4. The holes 2 and 3 are disposed in a first portion of the strut, which is the upper portion when the strut is 25 in use. The slot 4 is disposed in the second portion of the strut, which is the lower portion when the strut is in use, and extends from the n-usc bottom edge of the strut to a position proximate the centre of the strut.

10151 In use, holes 3 and 4 are used to fix the strut to a bed head. Typically this is done by screwing the strut through the holes 3, 4. The slot 2 is used to fix the strut to a bed. Typically, this is done by means of a screw. The screw may have an enlarged head and/or diameter in order to clamp the strut to the bed frame. Because the slot extends from the bottom edge of the strut to a central portion of the strut, the height of the upper portion of the strut, and therefore of the bed head, can be adjusted with respect to the bed frame.

10161 Figure 2 depicts a strut according to a first embodiment of the invention. The strut comprises a length of wood 1 having cut into it a first hole 2, a second hole 3, a third hole 4 and a slot 5. The holes 2, 3 and 4 are disposed in a first portion of the strut, which is the upper portion when the strut is in use. The slot 5 is disposed in the second portion of the strut, which is the lower portion when the strut is in use, and extends from the in-use bottom edge of the strut to a position proximate the centre of the strut.

[0171 The second hole 3 is elongated, so as to form a slit through the wood 1. The first and third holes 2, 4 are substantially circular. The elongated slit 3 provides greater flexibility when fixing the strut to the bed head. The third hole 4 20 provides improved strength to the connection between the strut and the bed head.

10181 Preferably, the first 2 and third 4 holes are 8 mm in diameter. The slit 3 is 8 mm by 60 mm, and is aligned with the length of the strut, as shown in Figure 2.

H-191 Also preferably, the strut is 610 mm long, 45 mm wide and 16 mm thick. The slot 5 is 237 mm long and 12 mm wide. At least 25 mm clearance should be 25 left between the in-use top edge of the strut and the first hole 2, to reduce the risk of the strut breaking.

[20] Figure 3 depicts a strut according to a second embodiment of the invention. The strut comprises a length of wood 1 having cut into it a first hole 2, a second hole 3, a third hole 4 and a slot 5. The holes 2, 3 and 4 are disposed in a first portion of the strut, which is the upper portion when the strut is in use. The slot 5 is disposed in the second portion of the strut, which is the lower portion when the strut is in use, and extends from the in-use bottom edge of the strut to a position proximate the centre of the strut.

[21] The and third holes 3, 4 are elongated, so as to form slits through the wood 1. The first hole 2 is substantially circular. The elongated slits 3, 4 provide greater 10 flexibility when fixing the strut to the bed head. The third hole (the second slit) 4 provides improved strength to the connection between the strut and the bed head.

[22] Preferably, the first hole 2 is 8 mm in diameter. The first slit 3 is 8 mm by 60 mm, and the second slit 4 is 8 mm by 20 mm. The slits are aligned with the length of the strut, as shown in Figrure 3.

[023] In this preferred embodiment, the strut is 610 mm long, 45 mm wide and 16 mm thick. The slot 5 is 237 mm long and 12 mm wide. At least 25 ram clearance should be left between the in-use top edge of the strut and the first hole 2, to reduce the risk of the strut breaking.

[024] Although the embodiments described above have been formed of lengths of 20 wood having dimensions 610 mm by 45 mm by 16 mm, other typical sizes include: a. 760 mm by 50 mm by 17 mm; b. 812 mm by 50 trim by 17 mm; c. 915 mm by 55 mm by 18 mm.

[025] The skilled reader will appreciate that any other suitable dimensions might 25 be selected, depending on the intended use of the struts. The slots would typically be scaled up in length with the wood.

[026] Although the struts described above have been made of wood, this is not a limiting feature. Any other suitable material may be used, such as plastics or metals.

10271 The embodiments described above do not limit the invention. The 5 invention is limited by the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A strut for attaching a bed head to a bed frame, comprising an elongate strut element haying a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein a slot is formed from the proximal end through the proximal portion in the lengthwise direction of 5 the strut element, and wherein three holes are formed through the distal portion, aligned in the lengthwise direction of the strut element.
2 A strut according to claim 1, wherein the second hole in sequence from the distal end is elongated so as to form a slit.
3. A strut according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the third hole in sequence 10 from the distal end is elongated so as to form a slit.
4. A strut according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the second hole in sequence from the distal end forms a longer slit than the third hole in sequence from the distal end.
5. A strut according to any preceding claim, wherein the strut element is made 15 of wood.