Retainer bar assembly

Abstract

Retainer bar assemblies are provided for use is an adjustable base of a support cushion. The retainer bar assemblies include a retainer bar having a horizontal rod and two legs connected to the horizontal rod with an end portion that extends from each leg in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod. The retainer bar assemblies further include a pair of brackets where each bracket defines at least one channel for receiving the end portion of the two legs. Each channel has a vertical segment and an angled segment such that each channel is configured to allow the horizontal rod to be moved upward and rotated away from each bracket. Adjustable support cushions or bed assemblies that include the retainer bar assemblies are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retainer bar assembly for use with an adjustable base for a support cushion, comprising:
 a retainer bar configured to secure a support cushion on an adjustable base, the retainer bar having a horizontal rod and two legs connected to the horizontal rod, each of the two legs having an end portion extending therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod; and   a pair of brackets, each bracket defining at least one channel for receiving the end portion of each of the two legs, and each channel having a vertical segment and an angled segment such that each channel is configured to allow the horizontal rod to be moved upward and rotated away from each bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two legs further includes an upright portion and a lower curved portion, the lower curved portion configured to slide over a rounded surface of each bracket as the horizontal n rod is rotated away from each bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each bracket defines a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and the second channel positioned on opposite sides of each bracket. 
     
     
         4 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap for covering an open top of each bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the cap defines at least one slot having a length and extending longitudinally along a top surface of the cap, such that a particular leg moves along the length of the slot as the horizontal rod is rotated away from each bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the cap defines a first slot and a second slot, which are substantially parallel to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein one of the two legs of the retainer bar is housed in the first slot of one cap and the second of the two legs of the retainer bar is housed in the second slot of a second cap. 
     
     
         8 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the cap i eludes a lip for securing the cap to a corresponding rim of each bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the cap includes a fin extending down downwardly from the cap such that, upon using the cap to cover the open top of each bracket, the fin extends into each bracket and secures the end portion of a particular leg in a particular channel of each bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The retainer bar assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each bracket defines a first channel and a second channel, the first channel and the second channel positioned on opposite sides of each bracket, and
 wherein the cap further comprises as first fin and a second fin extending downwardly from the cap, such that, upon using the cap to cover the open top of each bracket, the first fin extends into each bracket adjacent to the first slot and the second tin extends into each bracket adjacent to the second slot to secure the end portion of a particular leg in either the first channel or the second channel.   
     
     
         11 . An adjustable support cushion assembly, comprising:
 an adjustable base having an upper surface; and   a retainer bar assembly positioned at a lower end of the upper surface of the adjustable base, the retainer bar assembly including
 a retainer bar having a horizontal rod and two legs connected to the horizontal rod, each of the two legs having an end portion extending therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod, and 
 a pair of brackets, each bracket defining at least one channel for receiving the end portion of each of the two legs, and each channel having a vertical segment and an angled segment such that each channel is configured to allow the horizontal rod to be moved upward and rotated away from each bracket. 
   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable support cushion assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustable base includes two support members extending longitudinally along opposite sides of the adjustable base, and wherein one bracket is attached to one of the two support members and the second bracket is attached to the other support member. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable support cushion assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a cap for covering an open top of each bracket. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable support cushion assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the cap defines at least one slot having a length and extending longitudinally along a inn surface of the cap, such that a particular leg moves along the length of the slot as the horizontal rod is rotated away from each bracket. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable support cushion assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more slots each include an open end adjacent to an upper edge of a foot board of the adjustable base, such that the two legs are rotated against the upper edge of the foot board as the horizontal rod is rotated away from each bracket. 
     
     
         16 . An adjustable bed assembly, comprising:
 as mattress;   an adjustable base having an upper surface; and   a retainer bar assembly positioned at a lower end of the upper surface of the adjustable base, the retainer bar assembly including:
 a retainer bar having a horizontal rod and two legs connected to the horizontal rod, each of the two legs having an end portion extending therefrom in a direction substantially parallel to the horizontal rod; and 
 a pair of brackets, each bracket defining at least one channel for receiving the end portion of each of the two legs, and each channel having a vertical segment and an angled segment such that each channel is configured to allow the horizontal rod to be moved upward and rotated away from each bracket. 
   
     
     
         17 . The adjustable bed assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the mattress is comprised of a flexible foam. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable bed assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible foam is a visco-elastic foam. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable bed assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising a comfort layer positioned atop the mattress. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable bed assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the comfort layer has a density less than that of the mattress. 
     
     
         21 . The adjustable bed assembly of claim  36 , wherein each of the two legs have a height such that the horizontal rod of the retainer bar rests against the mattress when the retainer bar is in a lowered position.