US4223413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bedstead frame assembly
Assignee: Leggett and Platt Inc
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Filing: 1978-10-18
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Granted: 1980-09-23
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Expires: 1998-10-18
Abstract
Abstract A frame assembly for use in a bedstead, such as for the headboard thereof, includes a pair of lateral standards, at least one pair of tubular cross rails connected to the standards in transverse relation thereto, and one or more spindles connected to and between the cross rails transversely thereof. Each spindle has its opposite ends received within a pair of axially aligned openings formed in the cross rails and is retained in assembled relation by a pair of connector members each of which is inserted within one of the aligned openings and cooperates with the associated spindle to maintain it in relatively fixed relation to the associated cross members. The connector members are adapted for snap-fit connection with the cross rails so as to eliminate the need for tools in assembling the spindles and cross rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Max S. Dresher
- 👤 Glen E. Dresher
- 👤 Stanley E. Bontkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:19
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C19/00; A47C19/02; A47C19/021; A47C19/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
In a frame assembly for use in a bedstead or the like having a pair of lateral standards, and at least one pair of tubular cross rails disposed substantially transverse to said lateral standards and having opposite ends connected thereto, said cross rails having transverse openings fully therethrough so as to cooperate to define at least one pair of axially aligned openings; the improvement therewith comprising at least one spindle disposed between said cross rails and having tubular opposite ends proximate each opening of said at least one pair of axially aligned openings, and means connecting said opposite ends of said spindle to said cross rails, said connecting means including at least one connector member separate from said spindle and adapted to be inserted through one of said pair of axially aligned openings and axially into the corresponding proximate end of said spindle in close fitting relation therewith so as to maintain said corresponding end of said spindle in relatively fixed relation to the corresponding cross rail, said at least one connector member defining a stop surface cooperable with said corresponding end of said spindle for limiting insertion of said connector member and being adapted for snap-fit connection with said corresponding cross rail internally thereof so as to substantially prevent withdrawal of said connector member from said corresponding cross rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
In a frame assembly for use in a bedstead or the like having a pair of lateral standards, and at least one pair of tubular cross rails disposed substantially transverse to said lateral standards and having opposite ends connected thereto, said cross rails having transverse openings fully therethrough so as to cooperate to define at least one pair of axially aligned openings; the improvement therewith comprising at least one spindle disposed between said cross rails and having tubular opposite ends proximate each opening of said at least one pair of axially aligned openings, and means connecting said opposite ends of said spindle to said cross rails, said connecting means including at least one connector member separate from said spindle and adapted to be inserted through one of said pair of axially aligned openings and axially into the corresponding proximate end of said spindle in close fitting relation therewith so as to maintain said corresponding end of said spindle in relatively fixed relation to the corresponding cross rail, said at least one connector member defining a stop surface cooperable with said corresponding end of said spindle for limiting insertion of said connector member and being adapted for snap-fit connection with said corresponding cross rail internally thereof so as to substantially prevent withdrawal of said connector member from said corresponding cross rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 1 including a pair of said connector members associated with each spindle, each of said connector members being adapted to be inserted within a separate one of said pair of axially aligned openings in said cross rails and into the corresponding proximate end of said spindle so as to maintain both ends of said spindle in fixed relation to said cross rails.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said cross rails define a plurality of said transverse openings therethrough so as to define a plurality of pairs of axially aligned openings, and including a plurality of spindles disposed between said cross rails so as to be axially aligned with corresponding pairs of said axially aligned openings in said cross rails, each of said spindles having opposite ends proximate said cross rails, and including substantially identical connector means operatively associated with each end of each of said spindles for connecting said spindle ends to said associated cross rails, said connecting means including at least one of said connector members adapted to be inserted through each of said axially aligned openings and into the corresponding proximate end of a spindle so as to maintain said spindles in relatively fixed relation to said cross rails, each of said connector means being adapted for said snap-fit connection with its associated cross rail internally thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said spindles are connected to said cross rails in substantially identical fashion and are disposed in parallel spaced relationship coplanar with said cross rails.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said spindle is tubular, said connector member having a first body portion adapted to be received in sliding relation within said corresponding proximate end of said spindle and having an enlarged opposite end portion adapted for abutment with said associated cross rail exteriorly of said one of said pair of axially aligned openings through which said connector member is inserted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said connector member has an annular retainer boss thereon adapted for snap-fit passage into said one of said axially aligned openings so as to be disposed internally of said tubular cross member and cooperate with said enlarged opposite end portion of said connector member to fixedly position said connector member within said corresponding cross rail.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said first body portion of said connector member has longitudinal ribs formed thereon to facilitate escape of air from said spindle during insertion of said first body portion into said spindle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said spindle has its opposite ends inserted within said axially aligned openings from the ends thereof opposite said connector members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
219 words
A kit for making a frame assembly adapted for use in a bedstead or the like, said kit comprising a pair of elongate standards, at least one pair of tubular cross rails having opposite ends adapted for connection to said standards in substantially transverse relation thereto, said cross rails having transverse openings therethrough disposed so as to define axially aligned pairs of openings when said cross rails are connected to said elongate standards in substantial and transverse relation thereto, at least one spindle having opposite ends adapted to be disposed in proximate relation to said cross rails when connected to said standards with said spindle axially aligned with a pair of said axially aligned openings, and means for connecting said opposite ends of said spindle to said cross rails when said spindle is disposed with its opposite ends proximate said cross members in said axially aligned relation with said aligned openings, said connecting means including at least one connector member adapted to be inserted through one of said axially aligned openings and into a corresponding proximate end of a spindle, said connector member being adapted for snap-fit connection with the associated cross rail internally thereof so as to substantially prevent withdrawal of said connector member from said associated cross rail when assembled therein in connected relation with said spindle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
219 words
A kit for making a frame assembly adapted for use in a bedstead or the like, said kit comprising a pair of elongate standards, at least one pair of tubular cross rails having opposite ends adapted for connection to said standards in substantially transverse relation thereto, said cross rails having transverse openings therethrough disposed so as to define axially aligned pairs of openings when said cross rails are connected to said elongate standards in substantial and transverse relation thereto, at least one spindle having opposite ends adapted to be disposed in proximate relation to said cross rails when connected to said standards with said spindle axially aligned with a pair of said axially aligned openings, and means for connecting said opposite ends of said spindle to said cross rails when said spindle is disposed with its opposite ends proximate said cross members in said axially aligned relation with said aligned openings, said connecting means including at least one connector member adapted to be inserted through one of said axially aligned openings and into a corresponding proximate end of a spindle, said connector member being adapted for snap-fit connection with the associated cross rail internally thereof so as to substantially prevent withdrawal of said connector member from said associated cross rail when assembled therein in connected relation with said spindle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
A kit as defined in claim 9 wherein said cross rails include a plurality of transverse openings therethrough adapted to define a plurality of pairs of axially aligned openings when said cross rails are connected transversely to said standards, and including a plurality of said spindles, and connecting means adapted for connecting the opposite ends of each of said spindles to said cross rails in axial alignment with a pair of said axially aligned openings, said connecting means being adapted for snap-fit connection with said cross rails so as to facilitate connection of said spindles to said cross rails without need for tools.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
207 words
A frame assembly for use in a bedstead or the like, comprising a pair of lateral standards, at least one pair of cross rails connected adjacent their opposite ends to said lateral standards, said cross rails having transverse openings fully therethrough so as to define at least one pair of axially aligned openings, at least one spindle disposed between said cross rails and having opposite tubular ends proximate each of said at least one pair of axially aligned openings, and means connecting said opposite ends of said spindle to said cross rails, said connecting means including at least one connector member separate from said spindle and adapted to be inserted through one of said pair of axially aligned openings and into the corresponding tubular proximate end of said spindle in snug fitting relation therewith so as to maintain said corresponding tubular end of said spindle in relatively fixed relation to the corresponding cross rail, said at least one connector member defining a stop surface cooperable with said corresponding tubular end of said spindle for limiting insertion of said connector and being adapted for snap-fit connection with said corresponding cross rail internally thereof so as to substantially prevent withdrawal of said connector member from said corresponding cross rail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
207 words
A frame assembly for use in a bedstead or the like, comprising a pair of lateral standards, at least one pair of cross rails connected adjacent their opposite ends to said lateral standards, said cross rails having transverse openings fully therethrough so as to define at least one pair of axially aligned openings, at least one spindle disposed between said cross rails and having opposite tubular ends proximate each of said at least one pair of axially aligned openings, and means connecting said opposite ends of said spindle to said cross rails, said connecting means including at least one connector member separate from said spindle and adapted to be inserted through one of said pair of axially aligned openings and into the corresponding tubular proximate end of said spindle in snug fitting relation therewith so as to maintain said corresponding tubular end of said spindle in relatively fixed relation to the corresponding cross rail, said at least one connector member defining a stop surface cooperable with said corresponding tubular end of said spindle for limiting insertion of said connector and being adapted for snap-fit connection with said corresponding cross rail internally thereof so as to substantially prevent withdrawal of said connector member from said corresponding cross rail.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
A frame assembly as defined in claim 11 including a pair of said connector members associated with each spindle, each of said connector members being adapted to be inserted within one of said pair of axially aligned openings in said cross rails and into the corresponding proximate end of said spindle so as to maintain both ends of said spindle in fixed relation to said cross rails, each of said connector members having snap-fit connection to its corresponding cross rail.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-09-23 | 1984-03-24 | 1984-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-23 | 1988-03-24 | 1988-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-23 | 1992-03-24 | 1992-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |