| 42138.1 | |
| Hello All, Just want to share with you a new furniture idea and product that I have been working on for the last 1.5 years. It is a bed system that creates new space by storing the bed high overhead when not in use, while creating space below for a variety of supplemental furniture arrangements. It is a free standing piece of furniture, can be placed anywhere (including in front of windows) – unlike murphy/wall beds, and uses any style of mattress desired. This bed system can turn tiny spaces into comfortable, livable places – of turn any room in larger homes into a suite. I just got a web site up ( www.DoubleSpaceBeds.com ) , and hope to manufacture this in the next few months. I will be focusing my efforts on making a hardware kit (consisting of an inner framework, manual movement system, and assembly parts) to be sold to other carpenters, furniture makers and companies to be combined with their own outer panels (similar to cupboard doors) and furniture to make their own styles of Double Space Beds. The beds were all made in my little workshop and in my carport, by myself in Tucson, AZ. enjoy! |
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Replies
JG,
Nice work. Thanks for sharing.
Have you looked into "Auton Lifts". I think you will sell more units by automating the system.
http://www.auton.com/faq.html
Chuck S
Stevent1,
Thanks for the input and link. I researched the possibility of a purely motorized lift system, and while it would be cool to have , there are significant down sides to it; first, with the Auton "ball screw" type lifts - they move really slow, and second there is the factor of having as much as 350 lbs. overhead - and I would not like to rely on brakes or other finer mechanical components to keep it in place. My system is primarilly balanced, naturally stays in any position (when you cease manual movement force), the bed neither wants to ascend or descend without operator force, which adds an important safety factor. I have considered an optional assist motor to my (patent pending) system that is already in place.
John Gudenkauf
So if it's balanced that closely, what happens when someone changes the weight of blankets, etc. to make the bed lighter or heavier?
Don
DonNH,
Thank you for your question. The bed is balanced, although it takes about 10 lbs to upset the weight. When you take off bedding, lets say a heavy winter comfortor, there is a proprietary adjustment in the movement system that takes about 10 to 20 seconds to perform to compensate for the weight imbalance. More significant weight adjustments for mattress changes, for instance going from a standard queen size innerspring mattress to a queen size memory foam mattress (which would make a 60 or so lb. differential) would require more time and effort, but can easily be done by the homeowner in 5 to 10 minutes or so. Thanks!
John Gudenkauf
think we could rig it up for a waterbed
Is there a similar product in Japan? You could sell alot of these there.
Popawheelie,
I have extensively researched the marketplace and 1.5 years ago when I started this project, the was not anything out there except for the ones in motorhomes/travel trailers. This year two systems debuted in Europe (that have to be substantially mount onto or built into the dwelling structure, whereas the Double Space Bed is a completely free standing unit that can be placed and oriented anywhere in any position - even in front of windows), but I do not know of any in Japan. In little spaces, these would be wonderful.
John Gudenafauf
I like it. You know, I thought of a similar concept when I was living in the college dorm back in the 1970s...my idea was to have the bed frame connected to a series of ropes, pulleys and counterweights, so that when you got out of bed in the morning, it would automatically zip up to the ceiling. Then, at night you'd just pull it down by hand and get back in. Besides saving floor space, I figured as an added bonus you'd never have to make the bed. :)
Stuart,
Thanks for the comment, I am working on a base model that might have a good place in dormatories, your idea was a good one as well. My sons (20 and 22) have both spent time in the room with the twin Double Space Bed, and both of them loved getting up and just moving the bed up and out of the way, although after investing a lot of money into the design, patenting, prototyping, showroom set-up, manufacture engineering and marketing, I would of rather the make the bed and treat the space as a shrine to their fathers work. :)
John Gudenkauf
<in the college dorm back in the 1970s...my idea was to have the bed frame connected to a series of ropes, pulleys >
Yeah, me too, but I could never get her to go for it . . .
Forrest
I think I just broke a rib laughing so hard!!!
You're sick, but don't ever change. !-)Constructing in metric...
every inch of the way.
I like it!
I could envision quite a few places where that would be beneficial.
I didn't spend much time on the site that you linked, is the hardware kits available now? if not when do you think it will?
Doug
Hello DougU,
Thank you for your interest in the Double Space Bed System.
I am at the stage of setting up manufacturing for the hardware kit, all of the manufacturing engineering is done and I am close to getting my finances together to set up this operation. I am going to be making them here in Tucson, AZ on a relatively small scale at first. I expect that there will be a 2 - 3 month time table before I can start shipping any product.
If you are interested in receiving information about when the hardware kit becomes available and pricing, please leave me your contact information (on the contact form) on our web site at http://www.DoubleSpaceBeds.com , or you can email me at [email protected] . Thank you!
John Gudenkauf
very nice
mikeroop,
Thank you
Wow, that beats the 'lofts' we used to make in the dorm, with 4x4's and threaded rod!
You've really found a 'niche' for yourself!
bad joke...
I checked out your product and I really like the concept. I like that fact that it ISN'T moterized - one less thing to fail.
One thought I had though: The 4 post system is great, as long as your room is big enough to accomidate it. But if the room is already big enough... you may not need it. I live in a 1400sqf ranch (1700 total with the added on 2nd story). I've got bedrooms that are 9x10. This would seem like a perfect application for your system. Unfortunatly, that would put a post somewhere within the "middle" of the room - OK, more to a side, but every bit of openness matters in a room this small.
Would it be possible to make the mattress pan span a longer distance? For a small room, having the hardware posts against the walls instead of 2' or 3' away from the wall would really make it a more funtional system for my home.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
Hello xxPaulCPxx,
Thank you for your interest and questions.
The Double Space Bed really only seems big and bulky, but since the sides are open, there is a pretty nice open feel. This, coupled with the fact that the underside of the bed platform is is 6'6" to 7' high makes it a nice comfortable room, especially as a lot of space can be freed up. The other thing is that the bed can be placed anywhere, and takes on a whole new look and character when it is placed in front of windows. The queen size Double Space Bed's overall dimensions will be right at 62"W X 100"L (a queen size mattress is 60" x 80") X 7'6" to 8'H
As for the extended mattress platform that would span longer distances; I have been working on a bracket system that would accomodate this set up. It would offset the bed to one side or the other (toward one set of columns), so it could still rest upon the lower side cabinetry for support, legs would then have to drop down on the other end of the bed to support the greater distance. The extra space then could be used for other lightweight items such as extra blankets and pillows. This extension would add extra weight to the platform and limit the mattress weight, but not too badly, as there is a target mattress weight allowance of 250 lbs currently - so you may not be able to use a memory foam mattress on it with this type of set up.
Last thing, the extension would require one additional custom mechanical component only, and that is the timing/leveling channel (seen in the images as the upper - rear bar; with the bed in the lower position. This would obviously affect the pricing as well.
If you have any more questions, or would like me to keep you informed about our progress, target production dates and pricing, please contact me through the contact submit form on my web site @ http://www.DoubleSpaceBeds.com
Thank you!
Nice concept, but several of the pictures are definately photoshopped. How many have you actually sold?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Hello FastEddie,
Thank you for taking the time to comment on the Double Space Bed System. I have been working on this project since November, 2006. I have designed, built two prototypes (that were installed into two professionally designed showrooms in my home), patented, financed, and done all the marketing research and promotional work myself. The promotional work does include many Photoshopped images, as I can not afford to build multiple units for imaging purposes only, they were not meant to decieve anyone. My web site http://www.DoubleSpaceBeds.com lists the concept images as such.
I have not sold any of these units. I am working on the last details to start manufacturing these in the next couple of months, and my main focus is to produce a hardware kit that will be sold to other space saving furniture companies (such as Murphy/wall bed companies), cabinet shops and individuals to easily make and retail their own styles of Double Space Beds.
John Gudenkauf
Below is a copy of my original post:
42138.1
Hello All,
Just want to share with you a new furniture idea and product that I have been working on for the last 1.5 years. It is a bed system that creates new space by storing the bed high overhead when not in use, while creating space below for a variety of supplemental furniture arrangements. It is a free standing piece of furniture, can be placed anywhere (including in front of windows) - unlike murphy/wall beds, and uses any style of mattress desired. This bed system can turn tiny spaces into comfortable, livable places - of turn any room in larger homes into a suite. I just got a web site up ( http://www.DoubleSpaceBeds.com ) , and hope to manufacture this in the next few months.
I will be focusing my efforts on making a hardware kit (consisting of an inner framework, manual movement system, and assembly parts) to be sold to other carpenters, furniture makers and companies to be combined with their own outer panels (similar to cupboard doors) and furniture to make their own styles of Double Space Beds.
The beds were all made in my little workshop and in my carport, by myself in Tucson, AZ. enjoy!
Edited 6/16/2008 11:36 am ET by jgdesign1
>> It is a bed system that creates new space by storing the bed high overhead when not in useNo, you've got it all backwards. We'll be using it in the "up" position.So every morning I just step outta the way as I pull the pin, and in a wink my teenage son is up and at 'em. Brilliant!
Edited 6/16/2008 6:13 pm ET by tom21769
Cool idea. I could see a sibling cranking the bed up in the middle of the night to the surprise of their brother or sister.
You might consider selling the hardware package to Hafele. http://www.hafele.com/us/
Or Rockler. http://www.rockler.com/index.cfm?keyword=rockler&gclid=CKHUusKF-pMCFQoDGgodEl69VA
Have you seen this: http://www.decadrages.com/fra/BEDUP/BEDUP_accueil.html
And you should share it with this web site: http://www.inhabitat.com/category/furniture/
They may give you some free press.
"How do you know when an elephant is under your bed?"
"Yer head is really close to the ceiling"
Forrest - remembering the classics
Reinvent,
Thank you for your comment, and the links to other sites - I will look into them all.
As for the concern of cranking the sibling up into the bed; The bed movement system is a balanced and is operated by using a small amount of manual force (that is applied to the bed platform) in either ascending or descending direction to move the bed, it is easy enough for my 3 year old neice to move. When the weight of a person sleeping on the bed is added onto the mattress, you would then have to lift that added weight as well. It would be unlikely (short of abusive use) for one to lift another up to the ceiling, and if you did, the bed would just lower back down.
>It would be unlikely (short of abusive use) for one to lift another up to the ceiling, and if you did, the bed would just lower back down.
So where's the fun in that?
That was my thought.
If you had guest staying over wouldn't you want to mess with them a little?
Well, I guess if you subscribe to the "no child left unharmed" theory of a good nights sleep, it is surely no fun:)