Mattress support and method

Abstract

Pivotal mattress support comprises a pair of pivotal longitudinal members for replacing conventional wooden slats. The terminal ends of each longitudinal member includes a thin flange for attachment to the side rails of a conventional bed frame to allow a mattress to rest substantially flush on the cleat of the side rail. In one embodiment an extendable leg provides additional support for the slats. Legs are included with the support and the height of the legs can be adjusted by hand while mounted to the mattress support. The method of use consists of pivoting the longitudinal members of the mattress support to accommodate the particular width of the side rails of a selected bed frame.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A mattress support comprising: a pair of slats, said slats formed from angle iron, each of said slats comprising a pair of longitudinal members, a center divider, said center divider attached to each of said slats.  
     
     
         2 . The mattress support of  claim 1  wherein said center divider has opposing planar ends, said slats attached at said opposing planar ends.  
     
     
         3 . The mattress support of  claim 1  wherein slats are pivotally attached to said center divider to fold coincidentally therewith.  
     
     
         4 . The mattress support of  claim 1  wherein each of said longitudinal members are pivotally attached to said center divider to fold coincidentally therewith.  
     
     
         5 . The mattress support of  claim 1  wherein each of said longitudinal members includes a flange to rest on the bed frame side rails.  
     
     
         6 . The mattress support of  claim 1  further comprising an adjustable leg, said leg attached to said center divider.  
     
     
         7 . The mattress support of  claim 6 , wherein said adjustable leg is removably attached to said center divider.  
     
     
         8 . The adjustable leg of  claim 6 , wherein the height of said leg can be adjusted by hand while attached to said center divider.  
     
     
         9 . The adjustable leg of  claim 6 , wherein said leg comprises a base, said base connected to a threaded member, a wing nut, said wing nut threadably connected to said threaded member, a tubular section having an upper end and a lower end, said tubular section threadably received by said threaded member at said lower end of said tubular section at a point above said wing nut, and means for connecting said leg to said mattress support at the upper end of said tubular section.  
     
     
         10 . The adjustable leg of  claim 6 , wherein said leg comprises a base, said base connected to a first threaded member, a wing nut, said wing nut threadably connected to said first threaded member, a first tubular section having an upper end and a lower end, said first tubular section threadably connected to said first threaded member at said lower end of said first tubular section at a point above said wing nut, a second tubular section having an upper end and lower end, a threaded stud, said threaded stud to said lower end of said second tubular section and protruding therefrom, said second tubular section connected to said first tubular section via said threaded stud, and means for connecting said leg to said mattress support, said connecting means positioned at the upper end of said second tubular section.  
     
     
         11 . The mattress support of  claim 2  further comprising first and second adjustable legs, said first and second legs attached at said opposing ends of said center divider.  
     
     
         12 . The mattress support of  claim 11  further comprising a third adjustable leg, said third adjustable leg attached at the proximate mid point of said center divider.  
     
     
         13 . The mattress support of  claim 4 , wherein said longitudinal members are parallel to said center divider so that said mattress support is of a straight, compact shape.  
     
     
         14 . The mattress support of  claim 13  in combination with a box, said box having a size sufficient to contain said mattress support when so positioned.  
     
     
         15 . A method for installing a mattress support having a pair of slats and contained in a box, each of said slats having a pair of longitudinal members pivotally connected to opposing ends of a center divider, and an adjustable leg capable of being removably attached to said center divider, comprising the steps of: 
 a) removing said mattress support from said box,    b) attaching said adjustable leg to said center divider,    c) adjusting said leg to a desired height,    d) placing said mattress support in an upright position on the floor supported by said leg,    e) pivoting said longitudinal members of said slats so as to form a V-shape with each slat,    f) tightening the pivotal connection between said slats and said center divider so as to hold said slats in respective V-shapes, and    g) placing a mattress on said mattress support.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of connecting said slats to side rails of a bed frame.  
     
     
         17 . A method for installing a mattress support having a pair of slats and contained in a box, each of said slats having a pair of longitudinal members pivotally connected to opposing ends of a center divider, and an adjustable leg removably attached to said center divider and having multiple tubular sections releasably connected to each other, comprising the steps of: 
 a) removing said mattress support from said box,    b) connecting a desired number of tubular sections of said adjustable leg so as to obtain a desired height of said leg,    c) attaching said adjustable leg to said center divider,    d) placing said mattress support in an upright position on the floor supported by said leg,    e) pivoting said longitudinal members of said slats so as to form a V-shape with each slat,    f) tightening the pivotal connection between said slats and said center divider so as to hold said slats in respective V-shapes, and    g) placing a mattress on said mattress support.