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I'd seen a clip from a TV show that's about Orthodox Israelis in which a married couple has a bed that's one big frame, upon which two mattresses can either slide together or apart, depending on the time of the month.

As there's a common frame I strongly assume even when the mattresses are apart, you could feel something when the other person rolled over or moved around, so this is not a halachically valid option.

So where did the TV producers get this idea? Are there people that use this setup? Is there a halachic source (perhaps minority) for it? Or did someone in the props department just decide it looked cool, without checking their religion consultants?

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when you ass-u-me... – user1095 Jan 30 at 13:54
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"ASUM" = "Avno Sakino UMasao" -- it causes everyone to stumble. – Shalom Jan 30 at 14:35
How far do the beds move apart? Movement might be a geder against touching (compare with the halacha of placing an object between spouses on a moveable platform). If the beds move far enough apart, that might circumvent the problem. – YDK Jan 30 at 15:58
These types of beds are relatively common in stores in Israel; they're referred to as מיטה יהודית, a Jewish bed. You can see pictures here: google.com/… – ChaimKut Jan 31 at 10:21
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This article addresses the question. If the two mattresses share the same "base" (which I read as the commonly used term "bed-frame"), then it is a problem. It is only not a problem if the outer rim of the headboard/footboard of the bed are not connected to a common base. I don't know what show you are referencing, but if I understand you correctly, the beds are supported by the same physical structure, which merely allows the beds to slide apart. If that is the case, then it is not adequate for Niddah purposes. I would assume that it is either a mistake on the part of the props department, or else it is a common misconception that some religious couples in Israel rely upon and which was then employed by the show.

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A base is not a bedframe, a base is a base and a bedframe is a bedframe. Most beds consist of three parts, the bedframe (which may or may not contains the headboard and footboard), the base, and the mattress. In simple beds the base is a piece of wood that is the size of the matress or larger, in fancy beds, the base looks like a mattress but is hollow. Just for a point of reference, most California king sized beds come with two bases and one bedframe. – avi Jan 30 at 17:14
@avi In standard beds (ie., not full bedroom units with headboard, etc.) the "bed frame" is a metal frame on legs or wheels (often interchangeable) that support the mattress (and sometimes box spring). It looks like this: samsclub.com/sams/shop/… Not having seen the show, I cannot be sure what Shalom is referring to, but I'm pretty confident that the article is referring to something with this sort of thing supporting the actual mattresses. If they are separate, fine; if they are connected/shared, not so. – Seth J Jan 30 at 17:31
Cont... Whether it is metal or wood is inconsequential. What matters is whether or not some unit is jointly supporting both beds. If there is a surrounding unit enclosing the beds, which each has its own support structure, it is ok. If the enclosing unit is connected to them, or if the support structure itself is somehow connected, even if they slide apart on rails, it is a problem. – Seth J Jan 30 at 17:34
The slats of wood, or metal that goes across the bedframe to keep the mattress from sagging in the center would be the "base" – avi Jan 30 at 17:34
@avi I understand from several of your posts that you are in Israel, and I know that beds in Israel are generally different from beds here in the U.S. That's why I stated that I was interpreting "base" to refer to what we call here a "bed frame". Do a search on Google for "bed frame" and you get product listings like the one I linked. That's not the point. The point is what is the thing that we are talking about? We are talking about support structures for the mattresses. If the mattresses share one support, no good; if they are separate, ok. – Seth J Jan 30 at 17:41
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Two beds on one frame is permissible, as long as the beds themselves don't touch while the wife is in niddah.

I have even seen furniture companies make this type of bed specifically for the religious Jewish community.

http://www.yoatzot.org/question.php?id=6479

Also see here, #26 http://www.milknhoney.co.il/holy/7.html (this site also leaves a footnote, from where this list is derived).

Unfortunately, I can't find a picture of the two bed / one frame designs that I have personally seen in furniture stores. However, image #5 on the site below demonstrates another way that would work:

http://www.oddee.com/item_96939.aspx

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Will, the article you linked to contradicts your assertion in your answer. It says that if the two mattresses share the same "base" (which I read as the commonly used term "bed-frame") then it is a problem. It is only not a problem if the outer rim of the headboard/footboard of the bed are not connected to a shared base. I don't know what show Shalom is referencing, but if I understand him correctly, the beds are supported by the same physical structure, which merely allows the beds to slide apart. If that is the case, then it is not adequate for Niddah purposes. – Seth J Jan 30 at 14:18
I didn't see the same TV show that Shalom is talking about - but in the the two beds / one frame that I've seen, the beds each have their own base - they merely slide across grooved channels, together or apart, as needed. Thus, the two beds on one frame (again, the ones that I have seen) do not share a base, and are permissible to be used, pushed apart, with ones wife who is a niddah. – user1095 Jan 30 at 17:12
Are the grooves not considered a base? – Seth J Jan 30 at 17:26
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@SethJ no the grooves would be a frame... – avi Jan 30 at 17:36
But if the base is in some way connected via the frame, then it is a problem. How can they be sliding on a groove but not be connected? – Seth J Jan 30 at 17:43
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