Furniture Support Structure

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a furniture support structure that can be used, for example, on beds, desks, tables, chairs, and other furniture. In some embodiments, a furniture support structure comprises a hollow elongated metal tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is crimped and comprises a hollow circular cross-section and wherein at least a portion of the inner surface of the hollow circular cross-sectional portion of the first end is threaded. Some embodiments of the present invention also relate to devices for adjusting the height of a furniture item.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A furniture support structure comprising:
 a hollow elongated metal tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is crimped and comprises a hollow circular cross-section and wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the hollow circular cross-sectional portion of the first end is threaded.   
     
     
         2 . The furniture support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an externally-threaded member configured to be coupled to the hollow circular cross-sectional portion of the metal tube. 
     
     
         3 . The furniture support structure of  claim 2 , wherein a first end of the threaded member is threaded and a second end of the threaded member is coupled with a leveling device or floor protector. 
     
     
         4 . The furniture support structure of  claim 2 , wherein a first end of the threaded member is threaded and comprises a leveling device or floor protector at a second end. 
     
     
         5 . The furniture support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube has a rectangular, a circular, or a polygonal cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The furniture support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube is constructed from steel or aluminum. 
     
     
         7 . The furniture support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube has a metal thickness that is at least 120% of a depth of the threads on the inner surface of the hollow circular cross-sectional portion. 
     
     
         8 . A bed support comprising the furniture support structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         9 . A furniture item comprising the furniture support structure of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A device for adjusting the height of a furniture item, comprising:
 a hollow elongated metal tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is crimped and comprises a hollow circular cross-section and wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the hollow circular cross-sectional portion of the first end is threaded;   a threaded member coupled to the threaded hollow circular cross-sectional portion of the metal tube;   
       wherein the threaded member can be rotated to adjust a distance from which the threaded member extends from the first end of the metal tube. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube has a rectangular, a circular, or a polygonal cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube is constructed from steel or aluminum. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube has a metal thickness that is at least 120% of a depth of the threads on the inner surface of the hollow circular cross-sectional portion. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein a first end of the threaded member is externally threaded and a second end of the threaded member is coupled with a leveling device or a floor protector. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein a first end of the threaded member is externally threaded and comprises a leveling device or floor protector at a second end. 
     
     
         16 . A bed support comprising the device of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         17 . A furniture item comprising the device of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         18 . A method for manufacturing a device for adjusting the height of a furniture item, comprising:
 surrounding a hollow elongated metal tube with a plurality of hydraulic crimping jaws;   positioning a thread forming tap in the tube, wherein the thread forming tap has a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the tube;   crimping at least a portion of a length of the tube around the thread forming tap with the hydraulic crimping jaws so as to fully form threads along at least a portion of an inner surface of the tube;   removing the thread forming tap; and   releasing the hydraulic crimping jaws.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube is constructed from steel or aluminum. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the hollow elongated metal tube has a rectangular, a circular, or a polygonal cross section. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising coupling an externally threaded member to the tube by rotating the externally threaded member relative to the threaded inner surface of the tube. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising coupling the externally threaded member to a leveling device or a floor protector.