US3795022A - Adjustable bed rail member having locking arm - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved adjustable cross frame member for use in a bed frame having side frame members and another such adjustable cross frame member, and including first and second elongate L-shaped elements having mutually perpendicular legs. The first element is provided with a plurality of pairs of longitudinally spaced positiondefining round openings in one leg, and longitudinally elongated slots on the other leg each located between each pair of the round openings. The second elongate element is provided with a pair of rivets, longitudinally spaced to match the spacing of the round openings and matching the round openings in diameter so that upon bringing the rivet pair into registration with one of the round opening pairs corresponding to the desired position and positioning the elements in leg-abutting engagement, the rivets engage that opening pair. The second element also includes an arm pivoted on the one leg of the second element and carrying a cam portion. When the elements are in leg-abutting engagement, the cam portion is inserted through an access slot in the other leg of the second element and into engagement with a slot on the other leg of the first element to lock the elements in the selected position of adjustment.

Description

United States Patent [1 Harris Mar. 5, 1974 ADJUSTABLE BED RAIL MEMBER HAVING LOCKING ARM [75] Inventor: George M. Harris, Chicago, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Harris-Hub Company Inc., Harvey,

Filed: Mar. 9, 1973 Appl. No.: 339,871

[56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 7/1973 Harris 5/181 9/1973 Harris et a1. 5/200 R Primary Examiner.lames C. Mitchell [57] ABSTRACT An improved adjustable cross frame member for use in a bed frame having side frame members and another such adjustable cross frame member, and including first and second elongate L-shaped elements having mutually perpendicular legs. The first element is provided with a plurality of pairs of longitudinally spaced position-defining round openings in one leg, and longitudinally elongated slots on the other leg each located between each pair of the round openings. The second elongate element is provided with a pair of rivets, longitudinally spaced to match the spacing of the round openings and matching the round openings in diameter so that upon bringing the rivet pair into registration with one of the round opening pairs corresponding to the desired position and positioning the elements in leg-abutting engagement, the rivets engage that opening pair. The second element also includes an arm pivoted on the one leg of the second element and carrying a cam portion. When the elements are in leg-abutting engagement, the cam portion is inserted through an access slot in the other leg of the second element and into engagement with a slot on the other leg of the first element to lock the elements in the selected position of adjustment.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE BED RAIL MEMBER HAVING LOCKING ARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to bed frames of the knock-down type and in particular to frame members comprised of two or more elements to be fastened together.

As is detailed in US. Pat. No. 3,646,623 to A.E. Harris and WE. Behnke for Bed Frame Assembly, and in the related commonly assigned application of GM. Harris and WE. Behnke for Adjustable Bed Frame Member, Ser. No. 232,474 filed Mar. 7, 1972, a problem has long existed in the art because conventional bed frames of the above type have not provided positive interlocking engagement between cross frame members, and have required the use ofa large number of fasteners, making it time-consuming to assemble and disassemble the bed frame assembly. Furthermore, with the advent of king size and queen size bedding, bed frame manufacturers have found it necessary to stock undesirably large inventories of bed frame assemblies of a given size, because of the complete lack of an easily manipulable and reliable means for adjusting the width of the bed frame assembly. The inventions of the above-referenced patent and application have solved such problems quite well, and have met with a very considerable degree of commercial success in so doing.

In order to further accommodate the quite evident demand for bed frames responsive to the above problems, it has also become desirable to furnish an adjustable bed frame member having the advantages of the above-referenced patent and application and which at the same time is even more conveniently and rapidly adjustable, and assembled and diassembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the bed frame member of the present invention also solves the problem encountered in the prior art by providing a secure but readily releasable interlocking relationship between bed frame elements which allows the bed frame to be quickly and easily assembled to one of a plurality of desired widths. The bed frame member is useful both as a side frame member as well as a cross frame member.

The improved adjustable bed frame member of the present invention is adapted to be fastened transversely between a pair of horizontally disposed further bed frame members so as to hold said further bed frame members in spaced parallel relationship. The improved member includes a first elongate L-shaped element adapted at one end to be fastened to one of the pair of further bed frame members and comprised of first and second mutually perpendicular flat legs, the first leg of which is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced position-defining openings.

Also provided is a second elongate L-shaped elementadapted at one end to be fastened to the other of the pair of further frame members and comprised of first and second mutually perpendicular flat legs. Provided on the first leg of said second element is at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the first leg and adapted for respective insertion within one of the openings when like legs of the elongate elements are positioned in face-abutting engagement. Depending on which of the plurality of longitudinally spaced openings is chosen for cooperation with the protrusion, one or another of a plurality of possible positions of adjustment is chosen in order to give the overall member the desired length.

In order to complete the assembly of the respective first and second elements at the selected position of adjustment, the improved adjustable member further includes means for retaining the first and second elements in a selected position of adjustment. Such means includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced lock apertures in the second leg of the second elongate element, with one of the position-defining apertures being associated with each of the openings. The retaining means also includes a singleclearance aperture provided in the corresponding second leg of the second elongate element, as well as an arm pivotally mounted at a fixed location on the first leg of the second elongate element so as to be movable toward and away from the second leg of the second element.

The arm has at the end opposite the pivot location a cam portion protruding therefrom extending transversely to the axis of the arm and to the second leg of the second element when the arm is moved toward the second leg. With such movment, the cam portion is brought into registry with the clearance aperture. Further, the cam portion is adaptable to be inserted through the clearance aperture and engaged within one of the lock apertures, the clearance aperture being positioned in registry with a selected one of the lock apertures when the protrusion is positioned within the opening associated with the selected lock aperture.

The arm has a manually graspable portion for effecting its pivoting movement so that upon the placement of the elongate elements in faceabutting engagement with one another and the engagement of the protrusion within the opening associated with the desired position of adjustment, the graspable portion is manipulableto move the arm and bring the transverse cam portion into engagement through the clearance aperture within the selected lock aperture. Upon such engagementof the cam portion, the first and second elements are locked in positively held together relationship in the selected position of adjustment. The bed frame member which is thereby formed is indefinitely held together in the desired adjustment and may be loaded just as a continu ous one-piece member would be. Yet upon manipulating the graspable portion to withdraw the cam portion from the lock aperture, the protrusion may be withdrawn from the associated opening and the member quickly and easily disassembled or readjusted to another desired length.

The above-described adjustable frame member is at once very easily and inexpensively fabricated, yet when used in a complete bed frame provides very strong and reliable support for box springs and mattresses of various typical sizes. The elongate L-shaped elements may be provided by conventional commercially available angle iron stock, and the rivets may also be common commercially available items. The arm used to lock the elements in a selected adjustment may be fabricated from angle iron stock and secured in the same operation as one of the rivets. In this manner the numerous above-described desirable advantages are obtained with a significant reduction in cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the improved bed frame member of the present invention,

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a complete bed frame which includes the bed frame member of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the improved memher with its elements locked in a selected position of adjustment;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the structure in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, showing the manner in which the elements of the improved member are locked together in the selected position of adjustment; and

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 44 of FIG. 3, showing the position of the elements just prior to being locked together in the selected position of adjustment. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, the improved adjustablebed frame member 1 is shown both separately (FIG. 1), and in a complete bed frame assembly (FIG. 1A) as a cross member thereof, together with another identical parallel spaced member 1', and with a pair of perpendicular side frame members 2 and 3. Legs with casters 5 and box spring confining means 7 are preferably provided near the ends of side members 2 and 3. Other types of side members or legs may also be used, or the improved member of the invention may itself be used as a side member. In the illustrated usage, however, themember 1 is a cross frame member and provides for a rapid and positive adjustment of the bed frame assembly (as shown by the dotted-line position) to accommodate bedding of various sizes, including king, queen, regular, and twin sizes, as will be described below.

Improved adjustablebed frame member 1, as best appreciated from FIG. 1, comprises L-shapedelongated elements 11 and 12, withelement 11 including first and second mutuallyperpendicular legs 13 and 14 of similar transverse width, and withelement 12 also including first and second mutually perpendicular legs 13' and 14' of similar transverse width andmatching legs 13 and 14. Bothelements 11 and 12 are adapted to be fastened at theiropposed ends 15 and 16 to respective side frame members 2 and 3. In such use, theelements 11 and 12 are positioned so that bothleg portions 13 and 13 are vertically oriented, and bothleg portions 14 and 14' extend outwardly horizontally from the upper edges oflegs 13 and 13 respectively and in the same sense.Elements 11 and 12 may be formed of commercially available angle iron stock, and'hence are relatively inexpensive.

Element 11 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spacedpairs 19, 20, 21 and 22 of round openings orholes 18 lying along a common line invertical leg 13 generally medially of the leg. The spacing between the holes of each pair is the same, and a hole may in fact be common to two such pairs of holes as illustrated byhole pairs 20 and 21; likewise, the hole pairs may be longitudinally spaced from one another, as is pair 19 frompair 20. Each hole pair defines a position of adjustment; thushole pair 22 corresponds the widest position of adjustment ofmember 1, whilehole pair 21 corresponds to a first medial position of adjustment,hole pair 20 corresponds to a second medial position of adjustment, and slot pair 19 corresponds to the narrowest position of adjustment. These positions relate to bedding of king, queen, regular, and twin sizes, respectively.

Element 11 is further provided with a plurality of lock apertures orslots 24 onleg 14 all lying along a common line generally medially ofleg 14, parallel toleg 13, and elongated in the longitudinal direction. Each hole pair 19 through 22 has associated with it one of theslots 24, and in the illustrated embodiment aslot 24 is positioned generally midway between the holes of each of the pairs 19 through 22, although it should be recognized that theslots 24 may also be positioned elsewhere. Neither do thelock slots 24 necessarily need to be positioned medially ofleg 14, but rather they also may be positioned to one side or another of the leg, or transversely thereof.

A pair ofrivets 28 and 28 having cylindrical shanks are secured toelement 12 near the end oppositeend 16 so that the heads thereof are substantially flush with leg 13' on one side thereof, and the shanks thereof extend through leg 13', and outwardly of the other side thereof in the same sense as leg 14'. As in the case of theholes 18, the rivets are positioned generally medially ofleg 13 in a line parallel withleg 14, and are longitudinally spaced apart a distance equal to the holes of a pair, as may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theportions 30 and 30 of the shanks of each rivet which extend outwardly from leg 13' are slightly smaller in diameter than thecircular holes 18, while the height of the shank portions is preferably larger than the thickness of theleg 13, so that theshank portions 30 and 30' extend through and beyondleg 13 when fully inserted intoholes 18.

It should be recognized that the positions of therivets 28 and theholes 18 may be reversed, with the rivets secured toleg 13, while the holes are made withinleg 13; likewise, instead of the correspondinglegs 13 and 13' of themembers 11 and 12, the correspondinglegs 14 and 14 of the elements may instead be used for the rivets and holes. In addition, therivets 28, 28' and holes 18 need not necessarily be placed medially of their respective legs; rather, it is only necessary that rivets 28 and holes 18 be located in the same position relative to the longitudinal edges of theirrespective legs 13 and 13' so that upon positioning of thelegs 13 and 13 in abutting relationship, leg 14' also overliesleg 14 in abutting relationship. Furthermore, other similar male and female means, for example, protruding members of other configurations with corresponding matching receptacle provisions, may also be used with equal advantage.

Element 12 is further provided with aclearance slot 34 elongated longitudinally and of configuration similar to one ofslots 24, and located on leg 14' generally midway betweenrivets 28. Also,clearance aperture 34, likeslots 24, is positioned generally medially of its associated leg, so that when like legs of theelements 1 l and 12 are in face-abutting relationship and therivets 18 and 18 engage one of the hole pairs,clearance slot 34 will be generally in registration with one ofslots 24.Element 12 is further provided with a locking arm 32 (see FIGS. 4A and 4B particularly) having acam portion 33 which cooperates withclearance slot 34 and one of thelock slots 24 to lock the elements together in a selected position of adjustment. Although preferablyclearance slot 34 andlock slots 24 are of the same configuration, this is not necessary, but at least their corresponding inner longitudinal sides 24' nearest toarm 32 should be located in alignment when the elements are in faceabutting engagement.

Lockingarm 32 is comprised of two mutually perpendicular generally flatmain flanges 36 and 38, the former of which constitutes the main body portion of the arm, as well as acam portion 33 integral withflange 38, and a manuallygraspable tab 40 integral withflange 36.Member 32 is attached toelement 12 by means of main body portion orflange 36, which is longitudinally elongated and is pivoted at one end thereof above rivet 28' so that it is held against leg 13' and pivots in the plane of that leg in an arcuate path to move theflange 38 toward and away from leg 14'. At the end ofarm 32 opposite its pivot,cam portion 33 extends fromflange 38 generally parallel to and transversely spaced frommain body portion 36 generally matching the transverse distance from leg 13' toclearance slot 34. Thus,cam portion 33 is generally aligned withclearance slot 34; however, at least thelower section 33A ofcam 33 is inwardly offset toward main body portion orflange 36, with the longitudinal leading edge ortip 33B outwardly or reversely offset. The inward offset ofsection 33A causes it to be aligned at or slightly inwardly of aligned sides 24' ofslots 24 and 34, while the outward offset ofedge 33B permitscam 33 to smoothly engageslot 34 initially (see FIG. 4B) despite the inward offset ofsection 33A. Sincearm 32 must reach between its pivot mounting location atrivet 18 toclearance slot 34, its longitudinal length matches the distance between rivet 18' andclearance slot 34. Similarly, the longitudinal length ofcam portion 33 is somewhat smaller than that of theslots 24 and 34, with the length ofarm 32 and the placement ofcam portion 34 at its end insuring registration between the slots and cam.

Cam portion 33 ofarm 32 is of a generally rectangular configuration, but with the transverse leading edge 33C (FIG. 3) opposite rivet 28' being cut away to permit insertion and withdrawal ofcam 33 is the aforementioned arcuate path with the pivoting ofarm 32. The height ofcam portion 33 is at least equal to the combined thickness oflegs 14 and 14 and preferably greater so that the cam extends completely through bothlegs 14 and 14' and protrudes beyondleg 14 when fully inserted, as may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4A.Flange 38, which at one end thereof primarily serves as a bridge betweenflange 36 andcam 33, is also cut away near its other end adjacent the pivot location. Manuallygraspable tab 40 extends outwardly fromflange 36 at the end offlange 36 opposite the pivot location, and at the opposite edge and in the opposite sense fromflange 38. For ease of manipulation,tab 40 is inclined and semicircular in configuration as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, withflange 36 being slightly laterally offset so thattab 40 is aligned with rivet 28'.

Assembly of theelements 11 and 12 is a simple twostep operation which may be executed very rapidly. First,elements 11 and 12 are brought together so that like corresponding legs are in face-abutting engagement, and theshanks 30 and 30' ofrivets 28 and 28 are in engagement with one of the hole pairs 19 through 22. The particular hole pair which is selected for use with the rivet shanks is determined by the length adjustment which is desired to be selected for the complete member 10, with the shortest adjustment being that associated with hole pair 19, and the longest adjustment being that associated withhole pair 22. During this initial assembly step,arm 32 is maintained in a position away fromaccess slot 34, or at least in a position wherein its cam portion does not penetrate this slot to protrude beyondleg 14. It will be appreciated that with the engagement of the rivet shanks within a hole pair, relative longitudinal movement ofelements 11 and 12 is prevented, as well as the separation oflegs 14 and 14, although relative movement may still take place laterally along the rivet shanks and thus separation oflegs 13 and 13', as well as sliding movement betweenlegs 14 and 14 in connection therewith, is still possible.

In order to preclude such lateral movement in the direction of the rivets and thus fully lock themembers 11 and 12 in the selected position of adjustment, lockingarm 32 is grasped by means oftab 40 and pivoted toward leg 14' andclearance aperture 34. In its initial position (FIG. 4B), leadingedge 33B bears against the inner lateral edge ofclearance slot 34. With further movement,edge 33B moves laterally outwardly, spreading the remainder ofcam portion 33, which passes intoclearance slot 34 as well as the selected one of thelock slots 24, until finally flange 38 lies flat against leg 14'.Carn portion 33A at this point resiliently bears against aligned side 24' of the selected one oflock apertures 24, thereby positively biasinglegs 13 and 13 andelements 11 and 12 together in a clamplike manner betweencam 33 andmain body portion 36. When fully inserted,cam portion 33 protrudes from the opposite side ofleg 14 adjacent the protruding portions of the rivet shanks, as shown in FIG. 4A. As earlier indicated in connection withslots 24,cam 33 may be spaced fromflange 36 to a greater or lesser degree than shown, ifslots 24 and 34 are positioned to one side or another of their legs, rather than medially; similarly, the cam may be positioned transversely to its present longitudinal orientation, to accommodate transverse clearance and lock slots.

Oncecam portion 33 is in its fully inserted position, because of its biasing inward offset, themembers 11 and 12 are thus positively locked against separation in the position of adjustment previously selected by choosing one of the longitudinally spaced hole pairs 19-22 with which to engage rivet pair 18-18. The legs of the respective elements cannot separate nor move laterally nor longitudinally with resepect to each other, and the result is arigid cross rail 1 having a selected one of a plurality of available lengths whose rigidity and adjustment is maintained indefinitely yet which is instantly modifiable or disassembled by manipulatingtab 40 to swingarm 32 andcam 33 away fromslots 24 and 34 and withdrawingrivet shanks 30 and 30 from engagement with the selected hole pair, whereupon a new adjustment may be selected, if desired.

I claim:

1. An adjustable elongated bed frame member adapted to be fastened transversely between a pair of horizontally disposed further bed frame members so as to hold said further bed frame members in spaced parallel relationship, said adjustable member comprising: a first elongate L-shaped element adapted at one end to be fastened to one of said pair of further bed frame members and comprised of first and second mutually perpendicular flat legs, said first leg being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced positiondefining openings, a second elongate L-shaped element adapted at one end to be fastened to the other of said pair of further frame members and comprised of first and second mutually perpendicular flat legs, said first leg of said second element being provided with at least one protrusion extending outwardly from said first leg, said protrusion being adapted for respective insertion within one of said openings when like legs of said elongate elements are positioned in face-abutting engagement in a selected position of adjustment; and means for retaining said first and second elements in said selected position of adjustment, said means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, lock apertures provided in said second leg of said second elongate element, with one of said apertures being associated with each of said openings, and a single clearance aperture provided in the corresponding second leg of said second elongate element, said retaining means further including an arm pivotally mounted at a fixed location on said first leg of said second elongate element so as to be movable toward and away from said second leg of said second element, said arm having at the end opposite said pivot location a cam portion protruding therefrom transversely to the axis of said arm and to said second leg of said second element, said cam portion being brought into registry with said clearance aperture when said arm is moved toward said second leg of said second element, and being adaptable to be inserted through said clearance aperture and engage within one of said lock apertures, said clearance aperture being positioned in registry with a selected one of said lock apertures when said protrusion is positioned within said opening associated with said selected position-defining aperture, whereby said arm is manipulable to bring said transverse cam portion into engagement through said clearance aperture within said selected lock aperture to lock said first and second elongate elements in positively held-together relationship in a selected position of adjustment until release by pivotally moving said arm to withdraw said cam from said lock aperture and withdrawing said protrusion from the associated position-defining opening.

2. A bed frame member as inclaim 1, in which said plurality of position-defining openings are arranged in pairs, said firstleg of said second element is provided with a pair of protrusions spaced apart longitudinally by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the openings of one of said opening pairs, and one of said lock apertures is associated with each of said opening pairs.

3. A bed frame member as in claim 2, in which each one of said lock apertures is positioned between said openings of each pair, and at least two of said opening pairs share one of said openings in common.

4. A bed frame member as inclaim 1, in which each of said openings is of similar size and circular in form and said protrusion is cylindrical, with a diameter matching that of said openings.

5. A bed frame member as in claim 4, in which said pair of cylindrical protrusions is provided by a pair of rivets, with one of said rivets also pivotally mounting said arm.

6. A bed frame member as in claim 4, in which the height of the cylindrical protrusion is greater than the thickness of said first leg of said first element.

7. A bed frame member as inclaim 1, in which each of said position-defining apertures lies along a common line parallel to said first leg of said first element, and both said lock apertures and said clearance apertures are longitudinally elongated.

8. A bed frame member as inclaim 7, wherein the first and second legs of the elongate elements are of matching transverse width, both said clearance aperture and said lock apertures are positioned generally medially of their respective legs, and both said circular opening pairs and said rivet pairs are positioned generally medially of their respective legs.

9. A bed frame member as inclaim 1, in which said arm includes a first flange portion movable toward and away from a position parallel with said second legs of said second elongate element and extending to said clearance aperture, said first flange portion carrying said cam portion protruding perpendicularly therefrom as well as being positioned perpendicularly to said second leg of said second element when inserted through said clearance aperture.

10. A bed frame member as in claim 9, in which said arm further includes a longitudinally elongate second flange portion pivotally mounted at one end thereof upon said first leg of said second elongate element and pivoting in the plane of said first leg, said first and second flanges being mutually perpendicular, said cam portion and said second flange portion being generally parallel.

l l. A bed frame member as in claim 10, in which said access and lock apertures are in the form of longitudinally elongated slots parallel to said first legs of their respective elements, and said cam portion and second flange portion are separated by a transverse spacing matching the transverse spacing between said clearance aperture and said first leg.

12. An adjustable elongated bed frame member adjustable to a plurality of positions of differing length comprising: a first elongate L-shapedelement comprised of first and second flat legs; a second elongate L-shaped element comprised of first and second flat legs, one of said elements having a clearance opening, and the other of said elements having a plurality of lock apertures respectively corresponding to each of said positions; cooperating male and female means on each of said elements corresponding to said positions and engaged when said legs are positioned in face-abutting engagement to locate one side of said clearance opening in alignment with a corresponding side of one of said lock openings in a selected position of adjustment; means for locking said elements in said selected position of adjustment, said means including a locking arm with a main body portion pivotally mounted on said one angle iron, said arm having at the end opposite said pivot loation a cam portion spaced from said main body portion and generally aligned with said clearance open- 13. An adjustable elongated bed frame member as inclaim 12, in which said clearance aperture and said lock apertures are longitudinally elongated and similar in configuration, and the aligned sides of the apertures being the like inner longitudinal sides nearest said main body portion of said arm.

Claims (13)

1. An adjustable elongated bed frame member adapted to be fastened transversely between a pair of horizontally disposed further bed frame members so as to hold said further bed frame members in spaced parallel relationship, said adjustable member comprising: a first elongate L-shaped element adapted at one end to be fastened to one of said pair of further bed frame members and comprised of first and second mutually perpendicular flat legs, said first leg being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced position-defining openings, a second elongate L-shaped element adapted at one end to be fastened to the other of said pair of further frame members and comprised of first and second mutually perpendicular flat legs, said first leg of said second element being provided with at least one protrusion extending outwardly from said first leg, said protrusion being adapted for respective insertion within one of said openings when like legs of said elongate elements are positioned in face-abutting engagement in a selected position of adjustment; and means for retaining said first and second elements in said selected position of adjustment, said means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, lock apertures provided in said second leg of said second elongate element, with one of said apertures being associated with each of said openings, and a single clearance aperture provided in the corresponding second leg of said second elongate element, said retaining means further including an arm pivotally mounted at a fixed location on said first leg of said second elongate element so as to be movable toward and away from said second leg of said second element, said arm having at the end opposite said pivot locatioN a cam portion protruding therefrom transversely to the axis of said arm and to said second leg of said second element, said cam portion being brought into registry with said clearance aperture when said arm is moved toward said second leg of said second element, and being adaptable to be inserted through said clearance aperture and engage within one of said lock apertures, said clearance aperture being positioned in registry with a selected one of said lock apertures when said protrusion is positioned within said opening associated with said selected position-defining aperture, whereby said arm is manipulable to bring said transverse cam portion into engagement through said clearance aperture within said selected lock aperture to lock said first and second elongate elements in positively heldtogether relationship in a selected position of adjustment until release by pivotally moving said arm to withdraw said cam from said lock aperture and withdrawing said protrusion from the associated position-defining opening.

2. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which said plurality of position-defining openings are arranged in pairs, said first leg of said second element is provided with a pair of protrusions spaced apart longitudinally by a distance substantially equal to the distance between the openings of one of said opening pairs, and one of said lock apertures is associated with each of said opening pairs.

3. A bed frame member as in claim 2, in which each one of said lock apertures is positioned between said openings of each pair, and at least two of said opening pairs share one of said openings in common.

4. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which each of said openings is of similar size and circular in form and said protrusion is cylindrical, with a diameter matching that of said openings.

5. A bed frame member as in claim 4, in which said pair of cylindrical protrusions is provided by a pair of rivets, with one of said rivets also pivotally mounting said arm.

6. A bed frame member as in claim 4, in which the height of the cylindrical protrusion is greater than the thickness of said first leg of said first element.

7. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which each of said position-defining apertures lies along a common line parallel to said first leg of said first element, and both said lock apertures and said clearance apertures are longitudinally elongated.

8. A bed frame member as in claim 7, wherein the first and second legs of the elongate elements are of matching transverse width, both said clearance aperture and said lock apertures are positioned generally medially of their respective legs, and both said circular opening pairs and said rivet pairs are positioned generally medially of their respective legs.

9. A bed frame member as in claim 1, in which said arm includes a first flange portion movable toward and away from a position parallel with said second legs of said second elongate element and extending to said clearance aperture, said first flange portion carrying said cam portion protruding perpendicularly therefrom as well as being positioned perpendicularly to said second leg of said second element when inserted through said clearance aperture.

10. A bed frame member as in claim 9, in which said arm further includes a longitudinally elongate second flange portion pivotally mounted at one end thereof upon said first leg of said second elongate element and pivoting in the plane of said first leg, said first and second flanges being mutually perpendicular, said cam portion and said second flange portion being generally parallel.

11. A bed frame member as in claim 10, in which said access and lock apertures are in the form of longitudinally elongated slots parallel to said first legs of their respective elements, and said cam portion and second flange portion are separated by a transverse spacing matching the transverse spacing between said clearance aperture and said first leg.

12. An adjustable elongated bed frame member adJustable to a plurality of positions of differing length comprising: a first elongate L-shaped element comprised of first and second flat legs; a second elongate L-shaped element comprised of first and second flat legs, one of said elements having a clearance opening, and the other of said elements having a plurality of lock apertures respectively corresponding to each of said positions; cooperating male and female means on each of said elements corresponding to said positions and engaged when said legs are positioned in face-abutting engagement to locate one side of said clearance opening in alignment with a corresponding side of one of said lock openings in a selected position of adjustment; means for locking said elements in said selected position of adjustment, said means including a locking arm with a main body portion pivotally mounted on said one angle iron, said arm having at the end opposite said pivot loation a cam portion spaced from said main body portion and generally aligned with said clearance opening, with at least a section of said cam portion being offset toward said main body portion whereby when said locking arm is pivoted toward said one element, said cam portion moves through said clearance opening and said one aligned lock opening and the offset section of said cam portion bears against the aligned side of said lock opening to positively hold said other element against lateral movement relative to said one element.

13. An adjustable elongated bed frame member as in claim 12, in which said clearance aperture and said lock apertures are longitudinally elongated and similar in configuration, and the aligned sides of the apertures being the like inner longitudinal sides nearest said main body portion of said arm.

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