IP Library Granted Patent US 6,959,463
Granted Patent B2
US 6,959,463 · App. 10/755,704 · Granted Nov 1, 2005

Bed guard assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,959,463
App. No.
10/755,704
Granted
Nov 1, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bed guard assembly includes a number of end panels, flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress, and connection pieces. The connection pieces connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel opposes another end panel when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress. The end panel includes a rigid frame, a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame, and a fabric cover. The connection pieces are adjustable, and include a mechanism for pulling taut the connecting material.

Claims (165)

1. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame; and

wherein the flexible connecting material includes strips of webbing.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rigid outer frame is made from removably connected rigid tubes.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment includes a plurality of removably connected rigid tubes.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of end panels are two end panels.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the strips of webbing include a first strip of webbing connected to first ends of the end panels, and a second strip of webbing connected to second ends of the end panels.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the strips of webbing are made of a material including nylon.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rigid outer frame is metal.

8. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rigid outer frame is steel.

9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rigid outer frame includes a number of segments that are removably attached to each other.

10. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection pieces are rigid structures, and each said connection piece forms a substantially right angle with the respective connected end panel.

11. The assembly of claim 10 , wherein the connection pieces are removably attached to the end panels and to the connecting material.

12. The assembly of claim 11 , wherein the connection pieces are attached to the end panels by a connection mechanism.

13. The assembly of claim 12 , wherein each said connection piece includes a rigid footing attached to the connecting material.

14. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection pieces include a mounting plate that is removably attached to one of the end panels.

15. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the assembly further comprises fasteners that fix a position of the substantially horizontal rigid segment with respect to the substantially parallel opposing side portions.

16. The assembly of claim 15 , wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is slidably coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions.

17. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the assembly further comprises a plurality of fasteners, selected ones of which fix the substantially horizontal rigid segment at a selected position with respect to the substantially parallel opposing side portions, corresponding to the selected ones of the fasteners.

18. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the assembly further comprises:

first fastener portions coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

second fastener portions, coupled to the substantially horizontal rigid segment, which mate with corresponding ones of the first fastener portions to fix a position of the substantially horizontal rigid segment with respect to the substantially parallel opposing side portions.

19. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the assembly further comprises fasteners coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment includes apertures that mate with corresponding ones of the fasteners to fix a position of the substantially horizontal rigid segment with respect to the substantially parallel opposing side portions.

20. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment includes a tubular horizontal portion having first and second end portions that couple with the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the tubular horizontal portion includes a plurality of slidably attached tubular segments.

21. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment includes a tubular horizontal portion having first and second end portions that couple with the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the first and second end portions are substantially vertically-oriented tubes that slide over the respective substantially parallel opposing side portions.

22. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment includes a tubular horizontal portion having first and second end portions that couple with the substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the assembly further comprises fasteners coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the first and second end portions include apertures that communicate with the fasteners to fix a position of the substantially horizontal rigid segment with respect to the substantially parallel opposing side portions.

23. The assembly of claim 22 , wherein the substantially parallel opposing side portions include apertures through which the fasteners communicate with the apertures in the first and second end portions.

24. The assembly of claim 23 , wherein each said fastener includes a spring portion and a button, wherein the spring portion provides a bias that pushes the button through a respective one of the apertures in the substantially parallel opposing side portions and a respective one of the apertures in the first and second end portions to fix a position of the substantially horizontal rigid segment with respect to the substantially parallel opposing side portions.

25. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame; and

wherein the rigid outer frame includes a top portion and first and second side portions, and at least one extension that extends at a substantially right angle to a plane defined by the top portion and the first and second side portions.

26. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the rigid outer frame includes substantially parallel opposing top and bottom portions connected to substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment is coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment includes a tubular horizontal portion having first and second end portions that couple with the substantially parallel opposing side portions;

wherein the assembly further comprises fasteners coupled to the substantially parallel opposing side portions; and

wherein the first and second end portions include a plurality of apertures, including selected ones that communicate with the fasteners to fix the substantially horizontal rigid segment at a position with respect to the substantially parallel opposing side portions corresponding to the selected ones of the plurality of apertures.

27. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the at least one extension provides a base that allows the respective end panel to stand upright.

28. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the rigid outer frame is made from removably connected rigid tubes.

29. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the substantially horizontal rigid segment includes a plurality of removably connected rigid tubes.

30. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the plurality of end panels are two end panels.

31. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the rigid outer frame is metal.

32. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the rigid outer frame is steel.

33. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the rigid outer frame includes a number of segments that are removably attached to each other.

34. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the connection pieces are rigid structures, and each said connection piece forms a substantially right angle with the respective connected end panel.

35. The assembly of claim 34 , wherein the connection pieces are removably attached to the end panels and to the connecting material.

36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the connection pieces are attached to the end panels by a connection mechanism.

37. The assembly of claim 36 , wherein each said connection piece includes a rigid footing attached to the connecting material.

38. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein each said connection piece includes a first end connected to the connecting material and a second end connected to the end panels, and an angled joint between the first and second ends.

39. The assembly of claim 38 , wherein the first end is removably attached to the connecting material and the second end is removably attached to the end panels.

40. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the connection pieces include a mechanism for decreasing the length of connecting material disposed between the end panels.

41. The assembly of claim 40 , wherein the mechanism is a buckle.

42. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the connection pieces include a mechanism for reducing an amount of slack of connecting material disposed between the end panels when the end panels are disposed in fixed positions.

43. The assembly of claim 42 , wherein the mechanism is a buckle.

44. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the connection pieces include a mechanism for reducing an amount of slack of connecting material disposed between the end panels when the connecting material is disposed beneath the mattress and the end panels are placed against opposite sides of the mattress.

45. The assembly of claim 44 , wherein the mechanism is a buckle.

46. The assembly of claim 45 , wherein the mechanism includes a strap tensioner in communication with the connecting material, which provides releasable attachment of the mechanism with the connection material.

47. The assembly of claim 46 , wherein the mechanism further includes a ratchet device in communication with the strap tensioner, which controls travel of the connecting material with respect to the mechanism.

48. The assembly of claim 25 , wherein the connection pieces include a mounting plate that is removably attached to one of the end panels.

49. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the end panel includes a fabric portion framed by the rigid outer frame.

50. The assembly of claim 49 , wherein the fabric portion includes netting.

51. The assembly of claim 50 , wherein the fabric portion includes a nylon border on an outer periphery.

52. The assembly of claim 51 , wherein the nylon border includes a sleeve that accepts components of the rigid outer frame.

53. The assembly of claim 49 , wherein the fabric portion is removably attached to the rigid outer frame.

54. The assembly of claim 53 , wherein the fabric portion is fitted over the rigid outer frame.

55. The assembly of claim 54 , wherein the fabric portion is fitted over the substantially horizontal rigid segment.

56. The assembly of claim 54 , wherein the fabric portion includes a stretch material that provides a tension fit with the rigid outer frame.

57. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein each said connection piece includes a first end connected to the connecting material and a second end connected to the end panels, and an angled joint between the first and second ends; and

wherein the first end is removably attached to the connecting material and the second end is removably attached to the end panels.

58. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the connection pieces include a mechanism for decreasing the length of connecting material disposed between the end panels; and

wherein the mechanism is a buckle.

59. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattress;

wherein the end panels include a rigid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the connection pieces include a mechanism for reducing an amount of slack of connecting material disposed between the end panels when the end panels are disposed in fixed positions; and

wherein the mechanism is a buckle.

60. A bed guard assembly, comprising:

a plurality of end panels;

flexible connecting material for placement beneath a mattress; and

connection pieces that connect the flexible connecting material to the end panels such that at least one end panel of the plurality of end panels opposes another end panel of the plurality of end panels when the flexible connecting material is disposed beneath a mattres;

wherein the end panels include a raid outer frame and a substantially horizontal rigid segment spanning an interior of the outer frame;

wherein the connection pieces include a mechanism for reducing an amount of slack of connecting material disposed between the end panels when the connecting material is disposed beneath the mattress and the end panels are placed against opposite sides of the mattress; and

wherein the mechanism is a buckle.

61. The assembly of claim 60 , wherein the mechanism includes a strap tensioner in communication with the connecting material, which provides releasable attachment of the mechanism with the connection material.

62. The assembly of claim 61 , wherein the mechanism further includes a ratchet device in communication with the strap tensioner, which controls travel of the connecting material with respect to the mechanism.

Assignments (12)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2024
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SUMMER INFANT (USA),INC.
Reel/Frame 067804/0307 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 21, 2024
From: WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL, INC.
To: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
Reel/Frame 067804/0839 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 22, 2022
From: KIDS2, INC.; GOT I, LLC; GOT II, LLC; SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 060413/0821 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
To: WYNNEFIELD CAPITAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 058833/0744 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 16, 2020
From: PATHLIGHT CAPITAL LLC
To: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
Reel/Frame 054075/0190 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2018
From: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
To: PATHLIGHT CAPITAL LLC
Reel/Frame 046231/0516 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2015
From: SALUS CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC
To: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
Reel/Frame 035488/0811 →
GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN UNITED STATES PATENTS Recorded Mar 5, 2013
From: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 029924/0506 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 1, 2013
From: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
To: SALUS CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 029904/0416 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2013
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
Reel/Frame 029900/0318 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2011
From: MACARI, JASON
To: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
Reel/Frame 026024/0835 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 22, 2009
From: SUMMER INFANT (USA), INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 022137/0361 →