US2985894A - Collapsible bed frame construction - Google Patents

Description

May 30, 1961 N. c. GOLDBERG COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAME CONSTRUCTION 3 SheetsSheet 1 Filed March 25, 1959 IN ENTOR MrHA/v BY May 30, 1961 N. c. GOLDBERG COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAME CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1959 w Y Ra .2 N? R we Mm [1A 4 M. Y M M W N. c. GOLDBERG 2,985,894

COLLAPSIBLE BED FRAME CONSTRUCTION May. 30, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 25, 1959 INVENTOR. Nathan C. Goldberg ATTORNEY? CGLLAPSHSLE BED FRAME CONSTRUCTION Nathan C. Goldberg, 825 West End Ave., New York, NY.

Filed Mar. 25, 1959, set. No. 801,744

13 Claims. c1. -176) This invention relates to foldable metallic bed frames and to hinge constructions therefor.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 746,153 filed July 2, 1958, now abandoned.

One general type of foldable bed frame for supporting a bed spring, such as a steel spring or a box spring, comprises four rails arranged in rectangular relationship and made up of two parallel side rails and two parallel end rails, the bed frame being supported on legs near each corner. The end rails are split to divide the bed frame into two U-shaped units, each frame unit comprising a side rail, two opposite end rail sections and a leg near each end of the side rail. These two end rail sections are pivotally connected to the side rail near opposite ends thereof to permit said end rail sections to be folded against and along the side rail for compact storage and transportation. For assembling, the two collapsed rail end sections are swung outwardly to extended positions at right angles to the side rails and the end rail sections of the two bed frame units are secured together to form the rectangular bed frame.

Because of the pivotal connection at each corner of the bed frame, this corner is weak and the side and end rails do not receive the mutual support and the support from the legs they should.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved collapsible bed frame unit of the general character described, which has simple but nevetheless strong corner hinge and leg constructions.

Pursuant to the invention in certain of its broader aspects, the leaves of the hinges which pivotally connect the side rails to the end rail sections are coaxially pivotally mounted, not only at their upper portions, but also at their lower portions, on the post of a caster or other swivel supporting means so as to themselves serve as the legs of the bed frame and provide mutual support both at their upper portions and their lower portions.

In accordance with certain features of the present invention, each U-shaped bed frame unit has a side rail, two opposed end rail sections, and a hinge at each corner between the side rail and each end rail section comprising a pair of hinge leaves, with intermeshing post receiving knuckles, these leaves being rigidly connected to the side rail and the end rail section respectively, so that both of these structural units receive direct support from this hinge. This hinge serves not only as a means for pivotally connecting the side rail and the end rail section together for folding action, but also serves as a leg for the bed frame, so that at each corner of the bed frame, the leg directly supports both the side rail and the end rail section.

As an additional feature, there is provided a caster at each corner, comprising a swivel wheel on a stem extending into the hinge knuckle and supported therefrom coaxial with the hinge post. This stem may thereby serve as a hinge post or aid the hinge post in its function.

As another feature, abutment means are provided for lee automatically limiting each end rail section into position at right angles to the side rail when fully extended, to assure the proper squaring of the end rail sections in relation to the side rail and to assist in holding the four rails of the assembled bed frame in rectangular relationship.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective of the bed frame embodying one form of the present invention and shown in assembled set up condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective of a corner section of the bed frame of Fig. 1 but shown in exploded condition;

Fig. 3 is a vertical detail section through the axis of the hinge and the caster;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the corner structure of the bed frame shown in full lines in fully extended position and shown in dot and dash lines in partly folded condition;

Fig. 5 is a detail section of the corner structure taken on lines 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective of a bed frame embodying another form of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the bed frame of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a corner of a bed frame similar to that of Figs. 6 and 7, but showing a means for spacing the hinge knuckles from the side rail and the end rail section at a corner;

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing another form of caster-and-hinge construction;

Fig. 10 is a similar view of still another form thereof;

Fig. 11 is a similar view of a particularly simple form thereof; and

Fig. 12 is a fragment of a similar view showing a further modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is shown as one embodiment of the present invention a bed frame of the type adapted to support a bed spring of the steel or box type. This bed frame, when assembled as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a pair of side rails 10, an end rail 11 at the foot end of the frame and an end rail 12 at the head end of the frame, the rails being set up in rectangular relationship. The bed frame is shipped and stored in folded or collapsed condition. For that purpose, the bed frame is split in two across the end rails 11 and 12 to form two similar U-shaped bed frame units, each unit comprising a side rail 10, an end rail section 11a near one end and an end rail section 12a near the other end. These end rail sections 1112 and 12a are pivotally secured to the side rail 10 in a manner to be described, to permit said end rail sections to be folded against and along the side rail when the bed frame unit is shippedor stored and to be extended into positions at right angles to the side rails when the bed frame is to be assembled. With the end rail sections 11a and 12a of each bed frame unit fully extended as described, two of such units are placed opposite each other to form a rectangle, and the end rail sections of the two units are connected together, either by telescopically overlapping them and connecting them with fastening members, such as bolts 13, as shown in Fig. 1, by applying clamps to abutting ends of the end rail sections, or by any other means Well known in the art.

In Figs. 2 to 5, one corner of the bed frame at the head end is shown, and only this corner will be specifically described, but it must be understood that the other three corners of the bed frame are the same as that shown and described, except as otherwise noted.

The side rail lil is .of structural steel orotherwsuitable metal having a flange or weband is specificallywshown'in the form of an angle ironhaving a top horizontal flange and a vertical flange 16 on its inner side depending therefrom, and the end rail section 12a is also preferably of structural steel or other suitable metal having a flange or web and is also specifically shown in the form of an angle iron having a top horizontal flange 17 and a vertical flange 18 on its inner side depending therefrom. Between the side rail 10 and the end rail section 12a is a hinge 20 shown of the butt type having hinge leaves 21 with intermeshing knuckles 22 to receive a hinge post or pin 23. The hinge leaves 21 are rigidly connected to the vertical inside flanges 16 and 18 of the side rail 10 and the end rail section 12a respectively, as for example, by rivets 2.4.

The connection between the hinge 20 and the side rail 10 and end rail section 12a is such, that the top surfaces 25 and 26 of the horizontal rail flanges l5 and 17 respectively are substantially flush in a horizontal plane in set up condition of the bed frame unit, and no substantial part of the hinge 20 projects above said plane, so that the steel spring or box spring will rest stably on the bed frame in assembled condition. For the latter pur pose, the top edges 27 of the hinge leaves 21 are located substantially flush with the top flange surfaces 25 and 26, the only deviation if any therefrom being to compensate for the thin head of the hinge post 23, by locating said edges below said top flange surfaces just sufliciently to bring the top of said post head flush with said top flange surfaces, as shown in the drawings.

At the head end of the bed frame, each side rail 10 may have an end section 3x) projecting beyond the end rail section 12a to support and secure the head bed board (not shown) in the well known manner, and this projecting end section of the side rail may have mounting holes 31 and may be otherwise shaped in any well known manner, to secure this head board thereto.

As an additional feature of the present invention, the hinge 20 serves not only as a means for pivotally securing the side rail 10 and the end rail section 12a together for collapsing or folding action, but also as a supporting leg for the set up bed frame. For that purpose, the lower parts of the hinge leaves 21 project below the side rail 10 and end rail sections 12a a distance suflicient to support the set-up bed frame the required distance above the floor. To afford portability, there is mounted on the hinge 20 a wheel device 32, shown in the form of a caster of the well-known type usually employed in connection with bed frames. Since the caster 32, per se, forms no part of the present invention, but is a staple well known article of commerce, it will be described only sufliciently to show its connection with the other parts of the bed frame construction.

As an additional feature of the present invention, the caster 32 is supported on the hinge 20 with its swivel axis coextensive with the axis of the hinge. This caster 32 comprises a wheel 33 supported for rotation on the usual frame 34 rigidly connected to a stem 35 extending into the lower knuckles of the hinge 20 with a free swivel fit. For that purpose, the hinge post 23 extends only partly into the knuckles 22 to clear at least the lowest knuckle, and is shown clearing the lower two knuckles. Fitted into these two lower knuckles 22 is the usual socket or bearing sleeve 36 for the caster stem 35 adapted to receive said stem with a free swivel fit. This socket sleeve 36 has a lining 37 press-fitted thereinto for permanent retention therein and terminating short of the top of the sleeve to form a chamber 38 to receive an enlarged head 40 at the upper end of the caster stem 35 with a free rotative fit. The head 40 is large enough in di ameter, so that it fits very tightly in the lining 37, but this lining has enough resiliency to permit said stem to be forced upwardly therein, until the flange reaches the chamber 38, whereupon the stem flange snaps into said chamber and the caster stem is thereby retained in the socket sleeve 36 while said stem is permitted to turn freely therein. The upper end wall of the sleeve 4 36 may be depressed to form an end thrust hearing between the stem 35 and said sleeve.

The socket sleeve 36 may be retained in position in the two lower knuckles 22 against axial fall out in any suitable manner. For example, the sleeve 36 may be press-fitted into the lower knuckle 22 forming an integral part of the hinge leaf 21 rigidly connected to the side rail 10, while it extends with a free rotative fit into the lower knuckle 22 forming an integral part of the other hinge leaf 21 rigidly connected to the end rail section 12a, to permit the latter hinge leaf to turn about said sleeve for folding and unfolding actions.

The socket sleeve 36 and the hinge post 23 are coaxial, the socket sleeve serving not only as part of the caster 32 but serving also partly as a hinge post. All of the hinge knuckles 22 may be substantially of the same diameter as shown, or, if desired, the upper knuckles 22 which receive the hinge post 23 may be of smaller diameter than the lower knuckles receiving the caster socket sleeve 36, to permit the use of a hinge post of smaller diameter.

Also, if desired, the caster socket 36 may be made long enough to be embraced by all of the hinge knuckles 22, in which case. the hinge post 23 may be dispensed with.

Although the caster 32 is described as being mounted with its swivel axis coextensive with the axis of the hinge 20, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, the caster may be mounted on some other part of the hinge spaced from the hinge axis, as for example on one of the hinge leaves 21 with its swivel axis spaced from but parallel to the hinge axis.

The arrangement of Figs. 1 to 5 has the advantage of providing means by which the end rail section 12a, when extended from folded position, will be positively stopped in position substantially at right angles to the side rail 10. For that purpose, the end 42 of the end rail section 12a extends sufliciently to bring said end into alignment with the surface 43 of the depending flange 16 of the side rail It), automatically when the end rail section 12a reaches a position substantially at right angles to the side rail. The flange 16 of the side rail 10, therefore, serves as a limiting stop, assuring the automatic squaring of the end rail section 12a with respect to the side rail.

To interlock positively and directly the side rail 10 and the end rail section 12a against relative twisting or bending, there is provided a tongue and slot connection between these parts which come automatically into operative interengagement when the end rail section 12a is extended fully into position at right angles to the side rail 10. To that end, the depending flange 16 of the side rail 10 has an elongated slot 45 disposed directly below the top horizontal flange 15 with the top edge of said slot substantially flush with the bottom surface 46 of said top flange and located in line with the end rail section 12a in fully extended position of said end rail section. Rigidly secured to the end of the end rail section 12a is a tongue 47 adapted to fit in the slot 45 when the end rail section is swung into fully extended position. This tongue 47 is shown consisting of a plate or bar separate from the end rail section 12a and rigidly secured to the underside of the top horizontal flange 17 thereof. as for example, by welding. The tongue 47 is just slightly thinner than the height of the slot 45 to fit therein with a snug fit and may have its end bevelled to facilitate its entry into the slot. When the end rail section 12a has been extended fully into position at right angles to the side rail, the tongue 47 extending fully and snugly into the slot 45 will be in contact with the bottom surface 46 of the top horizontal flange 15 of the side rail 1!). The tongue and slot connection 47, 45 will, therefore. act as a brace at each corner of the assembled bed frame unit, holding the parts of said unit at said corner rigidly together against relative twisting.

Although the tongue 47 is shown as constituting a piece separate from the'end rails'ection 12a and rigidly connected thereto, as far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, this tongue may be formed integral with said end rail section and may constitute an "end extension of the top flange 17 of said end rail section offset downwardly to align it with the slot 45. In that case, the shoulder formed by this offset may serve as a limiting stop to assure the positioning of the end rail section 12a at right angles to the side rail when said end rail section has been fully extended.

To support a bed spring on the assembled bed frame against lateral sidewise displacement, there are secured to the side rails 10 of the bed frame brackets 50* shown in the form of angle pieces rigidly secured to the top flanges of the side rails, as for example, by rivets or welding.

For storage and transportation, the end rail sections 11a and 12a of each of two bed frame units are folded about their binge axes against and along the side rail 10. For setting up the bed frame, each folded end rail section 11a and 12a in each bed frame unit is extended outwardly into position at right angles to the side rail 10. As the end railsection 12a in each bed frame unit is so extended, the tongue 47 on this end rail section projects into the slot 45 in the side rail 10 until the end 42 of the end rail section abuts the depending flange 16 of the side rail '10, whereupon the end rail section will be squared off into proper right angle position in relation to the side rail. This limiting interengagement of the end rail sections 12a with the side rail 10 in conjunction with the tongue and slot connection 45, 47 between these parts, serves to form a strong stable corner in each bed frame unit. This strong corner connection is produced automatically by the mere unfolding of the end rail section 12a without the necessity of additionally manipulating and/or applying a brace, locking bracket or the like.

After the two bed frame units have been unfolded as described, the end rail sections 11a and 12a of the two units are connected together by clamps or bolts as described to form a rigid rectangular bed frame as shown in Fig. l. I

In the construction of Figs. 1 to 5, each side rail 10 is arranged with a horizontal flange '15 and a vertical inside flange 16 depending therefrom. Since this arrangement provides no means for holding the bed spring to be supported on the bed frame against sidewise displacement, brackets 50 are rigidly secured to the top flanges 15 of the side rails. In the construction of Figs. 6 and 7, the side rails 10b are arranged in a manner to obviate the necessity of such brackets. To that end, each of the side rails 10b of angle form has a horizontal flange 15b for'supporting the bed spring and a vertical upstanding flange 16b on the outside serving to hold the bed spring against sidewise displacement. The endrail section 12b, also of angle form, is arranged with a horizontal flange 17b and a vertical depending flange 18b, and is pivotally connected to the side rail 10b by means of a hinge 20b.

For effecting the connection of the hinge 20b to the side rail 10b, there is secured to the side rail a bracket 60 as shown in the form of an angle piece, having a horizontal flange 61 rigidly connected to the horizontal rail flange 15b as for example, by rivets 63, and a vertical depending flange 62 on the inside of the side rail, rigidly connected to a leaf 21b of the hinge 20b, as for example, by rivets 64. The vertical depending flange 18b of the end rail section 12b is rigidly connected to the other leaf 21b of the hinge 20b, as for example, by rivets 65. The end rail section 12b is located so that the top surface 66 of its horizontal flange 17b is substantially flush with the bottom surface 67 of the horizontal side rail flange 15b.

If desired, the bracket 60, instead of being a piece separate from the hinge leaf 21b to which it is connected, may constitute a horizontal flange of said hinge leaf in- 6 tegral with the upper edge of said leaf and rigidly connected to the horizontal rail flange.

At the head end of the 'bed frame, each side rail 10 may have an end section 30b projecting beyond the end rail section 12b to support and secure the head bed board (not shown) in the well known manner, and this projecting end section of the side rail may have mounting holes and may be otherwise shaped in any well known manner, to secure this head board thereto.

As in the construction of Figs. 1 to 5, the hinge 20b in the construction of Figs. 6 and 7 extends below the side rail 10b and the end rail section 12b to form a leg for floor support and similarly receives a caster (not shown) with its swivel axis coextensive with its hinge post axis.

The end rail section 12b is positively stopped automatically when it reaches fully extended position. This limiting action is effected by the engagement of the vertical face 70 of the end rail section 12b with the end 71 of the bracket 60, when said end rail section reaches its fully extended position substantially at right angles to said side rail.

The construction of Figs. 6 and 7 is also provided with a tongue and slot connection between the side rail 10b and the end rail section 12b for bracing the corner structure against the twisting of its parts. To that end, the depending flange 18b of the endrail section 12b has an elongated slot 45b disposed directly below the top horizontal flange 17b of the siderail section with the top edge ofsaid slot substantially flush with the bottom surface 73 of said top flange. Rigidly secured to the top flange 15b of the side rail 10b on the under side thereof, as for example, by the rivets 63, is a tongue 47b in the form of a plate or bar slightly thinner than the height of the slot 45b and in alignment therewith when the end rail section 12b is in fully extended position to fit therein with a snug fit. The end of this tongue 47b may have its end bevelledto facilitate its entry into the slot 4511 as the end rail section 12b is extended from folded position. When the end rail section 12b has been extended fully into position at right angles to the side rail 10b, the tongue 47b extending fully and snugly into the slot-45b, will be in contact with the bottom surface 73 of the top horizontal flange 17b of the side rail section 12b. The tongue and slot connection 47b, 45b will, therefore, act as a'brace'at' each corner of the assembled bed frame unit holding the parts of said unit at said'corner rigidly together against relative twist- As in the construction of Figs. 1 to 5, although "the tongue 47b is shown as constituting a piece'separ'ate from the side rail 10b and rigidly connected thereto, as faras certain aspects of the invention are concerned, this tongue may be formed integral with the bracket 60 and may constitute an end extension of the top flange '61 offset downwardly to align it with the slot 45b. In that case, the shoulder formed by this offset may serve as the limiting stop to assure the positioning of the end rail section 12b at right angles to the side rail 10b when said end rail section has been fully extended.

In the construction of Figs. 6 and 7, instead of extending each end rail section 12b across the side rail 1e11, the bracket 60 may be extended along the side rail and the end rail section may be foreshortened, whereby in fully extended position at right angles to the side rail, the end of the end rail section will be flush with the surface of the vertical bracket flange 62 facing said end of the end rail section, so that said surface serves as a limiting stop to square off said end rail section at right angles to said-side rail in fully extended position of said end rail section. In this alternative construction, theslot may be provided inthe vertical bracket flange 62 and the tongue may be connected to the end r'ail section 12b fandlproject'th'erefrom for extension into said slot to form a tongue and slot bracing connection between the side rail 10b'and the 7 end rail section 12b in fully extended position of said end rail section.

In the construction of Figs. 6 and 7, the hinge b is shown with its leaves 21b flat and the knuckles 22]) at the intersection of these leaves. Although these knuckles 22b will be in substantially tangential relation to the depending flanges 62 and 18b of the bracket and the end rail section 12b respectively, there is not sufficient friction between the knuckles and these flanges to interfere with the folding or unfolding of the bed frame unit. However, if the specific design and dimensions of the corner construction are such that the knuckles 22b may be too close to the bracket and rail flanges 62 and 18b to permit free hinge movement of the parts or to permit the hinge leaves 21b to be placed flat against the depending flanges 62 and 18b of the bracket 60 and the end rail section 12b respectively, then shims may be employed to space the hinge leaves from these depending flanges 62 and 18b and thereby to space the hinge knuckles 22b from these flanges or spacing washers may be provided around the rivets 64 and 65 for the same purpose. As another alternative, the hinge leaves 210 (Fig. 8) may have offsets near the knuckles 220 as shown in Fig. 8, to locate these knuckles at a distance from the depending flanges 62 and 18b of the bracket 60 and the end rail section 1211 respectively.

The alternative hinge locating constructions described including that shown in Fig. 8 can also be applied to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5, to space the hinge knuckles 22 away from the depending flanges 16 and 18 of the side rail 10 and end rail section 12a respectively.

A particularly compact and effective hinge-and-caster construction is shown in Fig. 9 wherein there is provided a hinge-leaf 76 formed of sheet metal. An extension from an upper portion of its inner vertical edge is turned on itself at 77 to provide a bearing 78 for a hinge pin 79 and then extended back over the leaf 76, a hole 80 being provided therethru for a rivet which, together with a rivet extending thru a hole 82, will secure the leaf 76 to a rail of a bed frame. An extension from a lower portion of the vertical edge of the leaf 77 is turned on itself at 83 to form a bearing 84, coaxial with the bearing 77, for the post 85 of a swivel caster 86 having a roller 87. The leaf 76 is bent over at 88 to provide a flange. The other leaf 89 of the hinge is formed with an extension from the upper portion of the inner vertical edge which is turned on itself at 90 to provide a hole 91 for the reception of the hinge pin 79 and adapted to lie above bearing 78 and then extend back along the leaf 89, a hole 93 being provided therethru for a rivet which, together with a rivet extending thru hole 94, will secure the leaf 89 to a bed rail which is to be hingedly connected to the bed rail which is carried on the hinge 76. An extension 96 from the middle portion of the inner edge of the leaf 89 and below the bearing 77 is turned upon itself to form a hole 97 to receive and grip the pivot pin 79, a rivet 99 being provided for securing the end of the extension to the leaf 89. At the lower end of the inner edge of the leaf 89 there is provided an extension turned upon itself at 100 to provide, below the bearing 84, a bearing 101 for the post 85. The leaf 89 is formed with a flange 102 adapted to fit inside the flange 88.

in the form of construction shown in Fig. 10, the hinge leaf 105 has welded thereto outside the upper portion of its inner edge the base 108 of a U-shaped metal bracket 109 the legs 110 and 112 of which are curved forwardly and outwardly at their forward inner edge and are formed, respectively, with bearings 113 and 114 for a hinge pin 115 having a flanged head 116. Holes 118 and 119 are provided for riveting the leaf 105 to one of a pair of end and side rails of a bed frame. The other leaf 120 of the hinge has welded thereto the base 121 of a bracket 122 the legs 124 and 125 of which are disposed under the legs 110 and 112 and likewise have forwardly-and-outwardly-curved inner edges and holes 126 and 129 providing bearings for the pin 115. Holes 128 and 129 are provided for riveting the leaf 120 to the other of the pair of end and side rails of the bed frame. Lower down, the leaves 105 and 120 have welded thereto respectively similar brackets 130 and 131 the former having legs 133 and 134 which are above legs 135 and 136 on the latter, all of these legs being formed with holes providing bearings 137 which are coaxial with the bearings 113, 114, 126, and 127 and which are adapted to receive the post 139 of a caster 140 similar to the caster 86.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 11, bearings for a hinge pin similar to the pin 115 are provided by holes 146 and 147 respectively in a downwardly bent extension 148 from the top edge of a sheet metal hinge leaf 150 and a cut-out and downwardly-bent piece 152 of a similar hinge leaf 153 and bearings 156 and 157, coaxial with the bearings 146 and 147, are provided for the post 159 of a caster 160 similar to the caster 86 in a cut-out and upwardly-bent piece 162 of the leaf 150 and in an upwardly bent extension 163 on the lower edge of the leaf 153. In this manner, only three pieces are required for the hinge and only four for the hinge-andcaster construction. The members '147, 148, 162, and 163 are shaped similarly to the legs 110 and 124, for example.

In Fig. 12 there is shown a construction wherein the extension 148 of the hinge leaf 150 is secured to an extension 162, cut out of and bent upwardly from the upper portion of a hinge leaf 163 and having a bearing hole similar to the hole 147, by a rivet 165 the stem of which extends thru the holes in the extensions 148 and 162. The hinge leaf 163 otherwise corresponds to the hinge leaf 153, and the remainder of the construction is the same as that shown in Fig. 11.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A collapsible bed frame unit comprising side rails and end rail sections, means to interconnect each side rail to each of two end rail sections, each such means comprising a pair of hinge leaves extending downward from a side rail and an end rail section respectively, a pivotal connection on a vertical axis for the lower portions of said hinge leaves and comprising a pivot element and bearing means on the hinge leaves extending about said pivot element, a supporting foot carried by each pivot element and providing with said hinge leaves and said pivotal connection a swivel foot and a supporting leg for said bed frame, and an upper pivotal connection comprising a pivot element separate from but coaxial with each of the first-mentioned pivot elements.

2. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said supporting feet comprises a wheel.

3. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of at least certain of said pivot elements is encircled by extensions of each hinge leaf of a pair.

4. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 3 wherein at least certain of said extensions continue outwardly and lie against and are secured to their respective leaves.

5. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of at least certain of said pivot elements pass thru bearings in elements extending laterally from the inner portions of the hinge leaves of a pair.

6. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein at least certain of said laterally-extending portions are laterally bent cut-out tongues integral with their respective hinge leaves.

7. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein at least certain of said laterally-extending portions are in the form of the legs of U-shaped members the bases of which are secured to their respective hinge leaves.

8. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim wherein the corners of said laterally-extending portions proximate to the other hinge leaves of each pair are of reduced extent to permit free swinging movement.

9. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said side rails and said end rail sections are in the form of angle irons having respective flanges extending horizontally in set up assembled condition of the bed frame for the support of a bed spring thereon, and having respective flanges extending vertically and depending from the horizontal flanges in set up assembled condition of the bed frame, the depending flanges of a side rail and the end rail section near each end of the side rail being parallel to the leaves respectively of the hinge near the corresponding end of the side rail and being rigidly connected to said leaves respectively.

10. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are provided on each pair of binge leaves stop means for limiting the movement of the swinging movenment when each end rail section is at right angles to a side rail when said end rail sections are fully extended.

11. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein each side rail has two flanges one of which extends horizontally and the other extending vertically and depending from the horizontal flange when the bed frame is in set up assembled condition, the vertical flange having a vertical surface facing the end of the end rail section near each end of the side rail in set up assembled condition of the bed frame, and wherein the end of each end rail section abuts the vertical flange surface when the end rail section reaches an extended position at right angles to said side rails, whereby the end rail section is limited by said flange surface in said extended position.

12. A collapsible bed frame unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein a stop member is provided near each end of the side rail rigidly connected to the side rail, and wherein each of said end rail sections is in the form of an angle iron defining two flanges, one of which extends horizontally and the other extends vertically and depends from the horizontal flange when the bed frame is in set up assembled condition, the vertical flange having a vertical surface facing said stop member in set up assembled condition of the bed frame, and wherein said vertical surface abuts said stop member near each end of the side rail when the corresponding end rail section reaches an extended position at right angles to said side rails, whereby the end rail section is limited by said stop member in said extended position.

13. A collapsible bed frame unit as in claim 1 wherein each of the first-mentioned pivot elements is in the form of a socket which is non-rotatably mounted in the bearing means on one hinge leaf and is rotatably mounted in the bearing means on the other hinge leaf, and wherein the supporting foot carries a pin which fits rotatably within said socket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 150,703 Olds May 12, 1874 1,090,675 Bell Mar. 17, 1914 2,607,051 Jackson Aug. 19, 1952 2,772,424 Roche et al Dec. 4, 1956 2,851,702 Imber et al Sept. 16, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 21,327 Switzerland Sept. 8, 1906

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