Single beds converted to bouble

[chuckd]

Good afternoon all:

I thought I had read a thread on here where someone had two single beds in back separated by an aisle, and he made slides or ?? to bring the two beds together for togetherness sake.  I am interested in doing same, can some one chime in and direct me to the link?  I have searched but to no avail.

Chuck

[David Anderson]

That was me.  What would you like to see?  They are really narrower than a twin and slide together to make a queen.  Two twins will make a king, too wide for the coach.  I wanted a 30" aisle in the middle.  They roll like drawers pushed by 12 volt linear actuators bought from WW Grainger.  When I lie down I push a button above my pillow and slide to the middle.  When wifey comes to bed she does the same and they dock together and we can snuggle in a queen size bed.  The covers  that hang over the edge are picked up and laid on top of the each mattress then when the beds are docked we just throw the covers over each other. 

The platform is also hinged with storage underneath. 

David

[busnut104]

Neat idea, I wish I would have heard of that when I was installing mine.

[Iceni John]

And here's an antipodean take on sliding beds:  http://www.robgray.com/graynomad/wothahellizat/wot1/photos/index.php -  scroll down to the 14th photo.   I guess his beds are singles, because they make a queen-size when conjoined.

How he made the shower is also ingenious.

John

[chuckd]

David:

My single beds measure 34 X 76, with a 24 inch wide isle in between.  Not sure what a 68 X 76 bed is, probably a short king.

Do you latch the two platforms together when they extend?  Strictly cantilevered or is there a leg down to the floor?

Chuckd

[David Anderson]

They are made with 2x2x1/8 angle iron frames rolling on standard drawer slides, beefed up with extra caster wheels to give them strength.  There is a bolt that slides into a V groove to lock them out when cantilevered, so there is no wiggle or wobble with weight on them.  It's in one of the pictures (jpg..  The actuator is stock sale in Grainger's catalog, something like this:  http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DUFFNORTON-Linear-Actuator-5FTE5?Pid=search The switch panel is made with 2 momentary push switches, one for extend, one to retract (jpg.7).  I home brewed the switch plate and box.  I used auto relays to carry the load to the actuators so I could run 20 gauge wire to the switches (to hide better).

The mattresses were custom made to be 1/2 of a queen.  You cannot feel the mattress joint when the two are together (jpg.10)  You can do this with two twins if you like, but it will give you a king size.   The whole plan is modified cabinetry skills and not to hard to put together.

David

[David Anderson]

and these

[David Anderson]

and more

[chuckd]

David, thanks so much for the pics, that is a nice job.  I cannot do that kind of work, but have a friend that does, and he would like to do something like this.

Thanks again
Chuckd

[babell2]

David
  That's just slick!!!   Where did you get the custom mattress made? Do you think a Mattress factory store would do them?  Just two weeks ago the decision on floor plan for my conversion was decided on and I think I could use this in my designs.

Thanks
Brice

[David Anderson]

I had them made at B & M Mattress Co in San Antonio.  I gave him the dimensions and he made them just like I wanted.  I imagine most big cities have a place that makes mattresses.  Check online yellow pages in a city near you.   My only regret is I had them made too firm.  I wish they were super soft.  Just my preference.  That is why they look so tall.  We added egg crates to soften them up.

David