Three dimensional connection system for bed frame

Abstract

A connection system for use in joining structural members of a bed frame together. One of the structural members has a wedge and the other of the structural members has a cavity formed in a receiver. The wedge has a plurality of exterior surfaces that contact with a plurality of interior surfaces formed in the cavity. There may be four interior and exterior surfaces of the wedge and receiver and at least two of the surfaces taper inwardly in the downward direction. The interfitting of the wedge into the receiver make a solid connection that is enhanced by weight of the bedding positioned thereon. The connection resists twisting forces as well as lateral and fore and aft forces.

1 . A bed frame assembly for supporting a mattress or mattress set, the bed frame assembly comprising side rails and at least one cross member, the side rail having least two receivers affixed thereto, each receiver having an interior cavity with a plurality of inner surfaces, at least two of the inner surfaces begin tapered inwardly in the downward direction, the at least one cross member having wedges at the ends thereof, each wedge having a plurality of exterior surfaces, and wherein in at least two of the exterior surfaces are tapered inwardly in the downward direction so as to complementarily interfit with the interior cavity of the receivers to connect the at least one cross member to a side rail forming a three dimensional connection. 
     
     
         2 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein four interior surfaces of the interior cavity of each receiver taper inwardly and four exterior surfaces of each wedge taper inwardly. 
     
     
         3 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the receiver is comprised of a lower leg section and an insert section that are nestable together. 
     
     
         4 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 3  wherein the interior cavity is formed in the insert section. 
     
     
         5 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 3  wherein the lower leg section is rounded in configuration 
     
     
         6 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cross member comprise three cross member having wedges located at the ends thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein one of the interior surface of a receiver and one of the mating exterior surfaces of a wedge are generally vertically oriented. 
     
     
         8 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the shape of the wedge is substantially trapezoidal. 
     
     
         9 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the cross member has a downward vertical flange and there is a slot formed in the receiver to receive the vertical flange. 
     
     
         10 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  further including a center receiver affixed at about the center or each of the cross members and a center member having a wedge at each end thereof that is adapted interfit into the center receivers of the cross members forming a three dimensional connection. 
     
     
         11 . A side rail for a bed frame, the side rail comprising an elongated member having a receiver affixed thereto, the receiver having an interior cavity with interior surfaces, at least two of the interior surfaces being tapered inwardly direction in the downward direction. 
     
     
         12 . The side rail of  claim 11  wherein the receiver has four interior surfaces tapered inwardly in the downward direction. 
     
     
         13 . The side rail of  claim 11  wherein the elongated member is an L-shaped angle iron. 
     
     
         14 . The side rail of  claim 11  wherein the receiver is affixed to the elongated member by means of rivets. 
     
     
         15 . The side rail of  claim 11  wherein the receiver is comprised of a lower leg section and an insert section that are nestable together 
     
     
         16 . A cross member for joining two side rails of a bed frame, the cross member comprising an elongated member having a wedge located at both ends thereof, each wedge having a plurality of exterior surfaces, at least two of the exterior surfaces being tapered inwardly in the downward direction. 
     
     
         17 . The cross member of  claim 16  wherein the wedge has four exterior surfaces that are tapered inwardly in the downward direction. 
     
     
         18 . A method of connecting a first structural bed frame member to a second structural bed frame member comprising the steps of:
 providing the first structural member with a wedge facing downwardly, the wedge having a plurality of exterior surfaces, at least two of such exterior surfaces tapering inwardly in the downward direction;   providing the second structure with a receiver having a cavity with a plurality of interior surfaces, at least two of the surfaces tapering inwardly in the downward direction;   connecting the first and second structural members together by inserting the wedge into the cavity such that the at least two tapering surfaces of the wedge contact the at least two tapering surfaces of the cavity to provide a three dimensional connection therebetween.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the steps of providing the first structural member and providing the second structural member comprises providing, respectively, a cross member and a side rail of a bed frame. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the steps of providing the first structural member and providing the second structural member comprises providing a first and second structural member having four surfaces tapering inwardly.