Bed frame

Abstract

A bed frame having a base portion and a mattress support portion articulated thereto and pivotable about an axis between an open position and a closed position. The base portion has exterior sidewalls and is adapted for use as a storage compartment. At least two sidewalls are covered with a plastic panel attached thereto.

1 . A bed frame having a base portion and a mattress support portion articulated thereto and pivotable about an axis between an open position and a closed position, the base portion having exterior sidewalls and being adapted for use as a storage compartment, wherein at least two sidewalls are covered with a plastic panel attached thereto.  
   
   
       2 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein each plastic panel comprises a side face being spaced from the respective sidewall.  
   
   
       3 . A bed frame according to  claim 2 , further comprising a support element in the space between the sidewall and the plastic panel.  
   
   
       4 . A bed frame according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the covered sidewalls is fully covered by portions of at least one of the plastic panels.  
   
   
       5 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic panels extend substantially along the length of its respective sidewall.  
   
   
       6 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , the plastic panel has a substantially C-like shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       7 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein a seam between an edge of the plastic panels and the base portion is covered by decorative tape.  
   
   
       8 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , comprising coverings over a seam between adjoining plastic panels.  
   
   
       9 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic panels is made of a vacuum formed thermoplastic.  
   
   
       10 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic panel is made of plastic-molded material.  
   
   
       11 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plastic panels comprises an indentation located adjacent to the mattress support portion when in its closed position.  
   
   
       12 . A bed frame according to  claim 11 , wherein said indentation is located on a sidewall being opposite the axis.  
   
   
       13 . A bed frame according to  claim 11 , wherein said indentation is located on a sidewall being adjacent the axis.  
   
   
       14 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein a top edge and a bottom edge of the plastic panels are adapted for fixedly securing over corresponding top and bottom edge of a respective sidewall.  
   
   
       15 . A bed frame according to  claim 13 , wherein the top edge and the bottom edge of the plastic panels are substantially parallel.  
   
   
       16 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic panel comprises ornamental depressions and/or protuberances.  
   
   
       17 . A bed fame according to  claim 1 , wherein the plastic panels are translucent, opaque, or transparent, or formed with combined such portions.  
   
   
       18 . A bed frame according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more illumination elements are fitted within the space, behind the plastic panel.  
   
   
       19 . A plastic panel for applying over an external surface of a sidewall of a bed box.  
   
   
       20 . A shell-like plastic panel according to  claim 19  adapted to be mounted to the sidewall such that a space is defined between the panel and the sidewall.  
   
   
       21 . A plastic panel according to  claim 19 , being of such a length so as to extend substantially along the length of the respective sidewall.  
   
   
       22 . A plastic panel according to  claim 19 , comprising an indentation adapted, at least when applied to the external surface of the sidewall of the bed box, to be located adjacent a mattress support portion of the bed box when in a closed position.  
   
   
       23 . A plastic element according to  claim 19 , further comprising ornamental depressions and/or protuberances.  
   
   
       24 . A plastic panel according to  claim 19 , being translucent, opaque, or transparent.  
   
   
       25 . A plastic panel according to  claim 19 , made of a vacuum-formed plastic material.  
   
   
       26 . A plastic panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the plastic panel is molded.  
   
   
       27 . A method for manufacturing a bed, the method comprising the steps of assembling a bed box and a mattress support portion articulated thereto, and attaching, at any stage, a shell-like plastic panel to an outside surface of at least two side walls of the bed box.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein a space is kept between the plastic panel and a respective side wall.  
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the plastic panels are retained spaced apart from the side walls by a support element secured to the side walls and the respective plastic panel.