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. The wedge may be comprised of a plurality of wedge segments that enter into a plurality of openings in the receiver. 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.

What is claimed: 
     
         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 or wedges affixed thereto, each receiver having an interior cavity wherein the at least one cross member has metal wedges or receivers at the opposed ends thereof, wherein the side rails and at least one cross members are joined together by nesting a wedge within a receiver. 
     
     
         2 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wedges are comprised of a formed metal. 
     
     
         3 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the wedges are comprised of a cast metal. 
     
     
         4 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein an exterior surface of at least one wedge is protected by a plastic cover. 
     
     
         5 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein the plastic cover is comprised of a first and a second plastic cover that protects an exterior surface of the wedge. 
     
     
         6 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 4  wherein the cross member is a T-shaped member having a horizontal flange and a vertical flange and wherein the wedge has an inset that receives a portion of the vertical flange. 
     
     
         7 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 6  wherein the wedge and at least one of the one of the first and second plastic cover has insets and the vertical flange of the cross member is sandwiched between the insets of the first and second plastic cover. 
     
     
         8 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 1  wherein the shape of the wedge is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         9 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 8  wherein the side rail has a horizontal flange and where the receiver has a flange with a depressed upper surface that receives the horizontal flange of the side rail. 
     
     
         10 . 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 at least one cross member having least two receivers or wedges affixed thereto, each receiver having an interior cavity, the side rails each having wedges or receivers at the opposed ends thereof that nest within the receivers to join the at least one cross member to the side rails wherein the wedges and receivers are cylindrical. 
     
     
         11 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 10  wherein the side rail has a horizontal flange and where the receiver has a flange with a depressed upper surface that receives the horizontal flange of the side rail. 
     
     
         12 . 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 at least one cross member having least two receivers or wedges affixed thereto, each receiver having a plurality of openings, the side rails having wedges or receivers at opposed ends thereof, each wedge comprising a plurality of wedge segments that nest within the plurality of openings of the receivers to join a cross member to a side rail. 
     
     
         13 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein the receivers are comprised of two halves, each half having an opening and together forming an upper saddle. 
     
     
         14 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 13  wherein the upper saddle has side surfaces that taper outwardly in the downward direction. 
     
     
         15 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of wedge segments that straddle the upper saddle to force the two halves of each receiver toward each other. 
     
     
         16 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 15  wherein the cross member has a vertical flange and the halves of each receiver have flanges that sandwich the vertical flange therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 16  wherein the flanges are affixed to the vertical flange by rivets. 
     
     
         18 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of openings in each receiver taper inwardly in the downward direction. 
     
     
         19 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein the plurality of wedge segments are triangular in lateral cross section. 
     
     
         20 . The bed frame assembly of  claim 12  wherein there are two wedge segments and two openings in the receivers.