DK181439B1 - A convertible furniture system for optionally providing a chair and a sleeping pad and method for providing the chair or the sleeping pad. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a convertible furniture system (1) and method for optionally providing a chair (2) and a sleeping pad (3). It comprises a number of cushions (4) and at least two cushions (4) are hinged to each other to provide a cushion unit (5). At least one cushion (4) is a separate cushion (10), and the cushion unit (5) and the separate cushion (10) each comprise a number of sets (11) of straps (12). Each set (11) consists of two straps (12) placed on the cushions' side surfaces (9) diametrically opposite each other. The convertible piece of furniture (1) also includes a number of flexible bands (13) which are designed to slide into the straps (12). The ends of each band (13) are designed to lock each other in a position and thereby fix the cushions (4) in a defined position to provide a chair (2) or a sleeping pad (3).

Description

DK 181439 B1 1

The invention relates to a convertible furniture system for the optional provision of a chair and a sleeping pad comprising a number of cushions, each cushion comprising an upper surface and an opposite lower surface as well as delimiting side surfaces that connect the upper and lower surfaces to each other, which convertible furniture also comprises a number of flexible bands which are adapted to slide into the straps and that the ends of each band are adapted to lock each other in a position and thereby fix the cushions in a defined position to provide a chair or a sleeping pad, and that at least one cushion is a separate cushion.

The invention also relates to a method for providing the chair or the sleeping pad.

US 2019/0269253 A1 relates to a collapsible mattress consisting of three cushions that are hinged to each other. The cushions can be folded in such a way that a chair comprising a seat and a backrest appears.

However, the backrest is required to stand up against a wall when using it to ensure it does not collapse.

US 39022759 A describes a foldable mattress consisting of a number of cushions hinged to each other, which can be converted into a chair.

The support function of the backrest itself is made up of an underlying cushion and the other stiffness of the mattress material. The back support depends on the stiffness of the cushions and the support. There will thus be a great risk of insufficient back support, as the backrest can yield to a reclining back.

US 3787909 A describes a modular furniture system comprising rectangular modules which can be put together to form different pieces of furniture such as a mattress/bed and a chair. Each module comprises a foam core covered with a fabric cover. At least two straps are sewn on

DK 181439 B1 2 the cover on one longitudinal side surface of the module, and at least one additional strap is sewn to the transverse side of the module. The furniture system also includes flexible bands which can be passed through one or more straps on two or more adjacent modules to fasten them together.

There is thus a need for a convertible furniture system that makes it possible with a number of cushions to easily position these in relation to each other to form a sleeping pad or a chair with a stable backrest. Such a furniture system is very advantageous, as it makes it possible, in a limited space, to optionally furnish a room with a chair or a bed with a few components: cushions and fixing bands. This makes it possible to furnish a room cheaply, and when desired, it can be changed by combining the cushions into a completely new arrangement, as the cushions can of course also be used without being fixed to each other with the bands.

It is the purpose of the present invention to improve known convertible furniture systems, where the above disadvantages and shortcomings are overcome, or at least a useful alternative is provided. The present invention makes it possible to create a chair or a sleeping pad from the same basic modular units/cushions, without the need to use tools or the like to provide the various pieces of furniture, as the fixing bands provided ensure the fixing of the cushions in the desired configuration . By providing the chair, a stable backrest is obtained, and by providing the sleeping mat, the cushions are stable in relation to each other.

According to the invention, there is provided a convertible furniture system as indicated in the introduction, in which at least two cushions are hinged together by a hinge to provide a cushion unit, and that the cushion unit and the separate cushion each comprise a number of sets of straps, each set consisting of two straps placed on the side faces opposite each other.

DK 181439 B1 3 the preferred embodiment, the system consists of a separate cushion and a cushion unit as well as three flexible bands, two of which have the same length while the third, which is used to design the chair, is longer. The flexible bands are made of a fabric material and are all separate units.

A separate cushion means that the cushion is physically separated from the other cushions and thus not permanently connected to the other cushions, a loose unit.

The chair is produced by bringing the two upper surfaces of the cushion unit into contact with each other by bending them around the hinge. The upper surface of the separate cushion is placed against one side surface of the cushion unit, which does not include the straps. The cushions - which have the same mutual dimensions in the preferred embodiment - are now positioned for a chair, but the backrest is unstable as it simply rests on one side surface of the separate cushion and with the upper surface against the cushion unit. To get a stable backrest, the long flexible band is now used. The strap is passed through the lower set of straps on the separate cushion so that one free end is passed through one strap and the other free end is passed through the opposite second strap. The tape is then fed through the straps of the cushion unit, after which the free ends are fed back towards the separate cushion and through the second set of straps on the cushion unit. The upper set is spaced from the lower set. The free ends of the band are brought towards each other and tightened and locked to each other in a Velcro band, whereby the cushions are positioned in a chair position. The lower set of straps on the separate cushion lies beyond the set of straps of the cushion unit so that maximum tension can be achieved.

The sleeping mat is provided by removing the flexible band and placing the separate cushion with the lower surface against the mat/floor.

The cushion unit is unfolded so that the lower surface of the two connected cushions is also placed against the base and positioned in relation to the separate cushion so that the bounding side surfaces with straps are exposed.

DK 181439 B1 4

A bounding side face of the separate cushion abuts a bounding side face of the cushion unit. A Velcro strap is now passed through the straps on each side of the cushions and gathered/tightened so that the three cushions function as a coherent unit: a sleeping pad.

The cushions can take different shapes such as polygonal, elliptical, square. But they have the same dimensions and shape among themselves.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the separate cushion comprises two sets of straps, where the straps of the first set are positioned with their longitudinal axis at an angle of 30-60°, preferably 45° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the side surfaces, and the straps of the second set are positioned with their longitudinal axis parallel to that of the side surfaces longitudinal axis, and that the cushion unit comprises at least one set of cushion unit straps placed on the side surfaces of one cushion and with the longitudinal axis of the straps parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side surface.

By placing the straps as indicated, a good, stable position is obtained when the flexible straps are to be passed through to provide either a chair or a sleeping pad. The placement ensures that the joining of the cushion unit and the separate cushion takes place optimally, and without there being any slippage between the two units, or that the units are twisted in relation to each other.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the cushion unit of the convertible furniture comprises two cushions which are hinged to each other along an edge between a side surface and an upper or lower surface.

The hinge is produced by the cushions being covered with a cover which along an edge between a side surface - which does not include the straps - and an upper/lower surface is sewn together to provide the hinge. This could also be produced in another way, for example with ribbons that connect two cushions to each other.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the cushion unit comprises a set of straps located in an area close to the hinge on the side surfaces of one cushion.

DK 181439 B1

The straps are placed on the cushion that forms a chair seat when the chair is provided. One set is sufficient to tie the cushion unit and the separate unit together, regardless of whether a chair or a sleeping pad is being made. 5 According to an exemplary embodiment, the flexible bands comprise a first band side and an oppositely situated second band side, and the band comprises a Velcro band placed at the ends of the bands such that the ends of the first side comprise Velcro hooks and that the ends of the second side comprise Velcro loops.

The locking of the bands could also be provided by means of buttons or press locks.

However, the Velcro is the most appropriate, as the cushions and straps are flexible and it can therefore be different how much is tightened and thus where the closure on the two ends must take place. If the locking consists of push locks, there is a risk over time that the clamping will become too loose. This problem is not seen with the Velcro, which has some stretch.

The burr's loops are understood to mean the part of a burr that consists of "hair"/the threaded material that the hooks from the other part of the burr can engage.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the convertible piece of furniture comprises several strips, and that at least two strips have the same length I1, and that the convertible piece of furniture comprises at least one further strip with a length greater than |1. the preferred design example comprises the system three bands, the longest of which is used to manufacture the chair, while two shorter bands of the same length 11 are used when the sleeping pad is manufactured. The longest band has a length of 3.10 metres, while the two shorter ones have a length of 1.60 metres.

The bands have the same width of 50 mm and the same thickness of 1-3 mm.

According to one embodiment, the cushions have a rectangular or square outer circumference and have the same mutual dimension and shape, and the cushions are made of foam rubber material and covered with a cover.

In everyday speech, foam rubber is a common term for both polyether and

DK 181439 B1 6 cold foam materials with open / closed cells in many qualities. Quality is known i.a. on bulk density/hardness (kg. per m3 foam), tensile strength, elasticity and fire-retardant properties.

A suitable foam rubber material is thus polyether foam rubber material.

The fibers in polyether foam are softer fibers compared to a cold foam and thus often provide a softer comfort. The polyether foam is distinguished by being moisture-resistant, flexible, thermally and sound-insulating and light. It can be surface treated and adhesive applied.

An alternative is cold foam. It is a highly elastic foam type with a high load-bearing capacity. Cold foam provides good sitting and lying comfort, it breathes well and has high sweat transpiration. Cold foam is fire retardant.

A special type of cold foam is CMHR foam. It is a cold foam that has been made extremely fire retardant. CMHR foam is used for mattresses and furniture in ships, institutions, etc., where special legal requirements apply.

The system in the preferred embodiment thus consists of three cushions. Each cushion will preferably have the same thickness as the other cushions.

The cover is used to make the hinge by sewing together along one edge.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the straps comprise a first end part and an oppositely located second end part, which end parts are attached to the cushions, and that the distance between the end parts essentially corresponds to the width of the flexible bands, and that the straps are attached to the cushions in such a way , that the distance between the surface of the straps facing the cushion and the surface of the cushion essentially corresponds to the thickness of the flexible bands.

By the fact that the straps lie relatively tightly against the substrate, it is achieved that it is easier to press the cushion unit and separate cushion against each other, without any slippage occurring between them. Likewise, it is avoided that the joint between the cushion unit and the separate cushion becomes too flexible. A flexible and loose assembly leads to poor sitting comfort when the chair is manufactured, and poor

DK 181439 B1 7 lying comfort when the sleeping pad is manufactured.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the convertible furniture system consists of a cushion unit and a separate cushion as well as three flexible bands, all with a Velcro band located at the free ends of the bands.

This is the preferred embodiment, which is simple and meets the basic need for creating a chair or a sleeping pad. Of course, the system can be supplied with several cushions and several cushion units as well as bands.

The invention also relates to a method for providing a chair or a sleeping pad using a convertible furniture system according to the preceding, where the sleeping pad is produced by unfolding the cushion unit to its full length and the cushion unit and the separate cushion are placed in extension of each other so that the straps of the cushions lie accessible and free, and that two separate straps engage each strap of the cushion unit and each strap of the separate cushion on one accessible and free side surface and the other accessible and free side surface of the cushion unit and on the separate cushion, respectively, and which band is locked in a tight position at the ends of the band, and that the chair is produced by bringing the two upper surfaces of the cushion unit into contact with each other by bending them around the hinge, and that the upper surface of the separate cushion is placed against one side surface of the cushion unit, which does not include the straps, and that a band is passed through the straps of the separate unit so that one free end is passed through one strap and the other free end is passed through the opposite strap and subsequently through the straps of the cushion unit, after which the free ends are passed back towards the separate cushion and through the second set of straps and the free ends are brought towards each other and tightened and locked together whereby the cushions are positioned in a chair position.

The invention must then be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, in which:

DK 181439 B1 8

FIG. 1 shows the components included in the convertible furniture system comprising a separate cushion and a cushion unit as well as three flexible bands.

FIG. 2 shows it in fig. 1 showed the cushion unit in the unfolded position.

FIG 3 shows a chair produced using the furniture system according to the invention and seen obliquely from the front.

FIG. 4 shows it in fig. 3 shows the chair seen obliquely from behind.

FIG. 5 shows it in fig. 3 and 4 show the chair seen directly from behind towards the back of the chair's backrest.

FIG 6 shows a sleeping pad made using the furniture system according to the invention in perspective, and where the cushions are fastened together using a band.

FIG 7 shows the clamping of the cushions using a band to provide the sleeping pad shown in FIG. 6

FIG 8 shows the sleeping pad shown in FIG. 6, and where the tensioning of the cushions can be seen, which takes place using two bands that are passed through the straps on either side of the sleeping mat.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to fig. 1 which shows the various components that the convertible furniture system 1 according to the invention comprises: 3 flexible bands 13 with Velcro at the ends, cushions 4 and in this preferred embodiment a separate cushion 10 and a cushion unit 5 which consists of two hinged cushions 4. The cushions 4 are rectangular or square, but all have the same mutual dimension and include a flat upper surface 7 an oppositely located flat lower surface 8

DK 181439 B1 9 as well as 4 delimiting side surfaces 9. The separate cushion 10 comprises two sets of straps 12 and each set consists of 2 straps 12. The straps 11 of the first set are positioned with its longitudinal axis at an angle of 30-60° preferably 45° ratio to the longitudinal axis of the side surfaces 9, and the straps 12 of the second set are positioned with the longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side surfaces 9.

Each strap set 11 is placed with a strap 12 on the same side surface 9 and with a strap 12 on the diametrically opposite side surface 9 and in the same position.

FIG. 2 shows it in fig. 1 showed cushion unit 5 with the two cushions 4 in the unfolded position. The two cushions 4 are hingedly connected to each other via a hinge connection 6 located along an edge between the upper 7 or lower 8 surface and a side surface 9 on one cushion 4 and the upper 7 or lower 8 surface and a side surface 9 on the other cushion 4. Said side surfaces 9 are side surfaces 9 which do not include straps 12.

Straps 12 on the cushion unit 5 are only placed on the opposite side surfaces 9 of one cushion 2 and placed close to the hinge 6.

The actual hinge 6 results from the fact that the cushions consist of a foam rubber material, each of which is covered with a cover. These covers are sewn together across the entire width of the cushion 4 in the area where the hinge 6 is to be placed. The hinge 6 could also be provided by the two cushions 4 being hinged to each other via press locks/buttons or Velcro. But the preferred method is to perform said stitching.

Provision of a chair 2 using the furniture system 1 according to the invention is explained with reference to fig. 3,4,5.

Fig. 3 shows a chair 2 produced using the furniture system according to the invention and seen obliquely from the front and fig. 4 same chair 2 seen obliquely from behind, while fig. 5 shows the chair 2 seen directly from behind towards the back of the chair 2 backrest 27, which is made up of the separate cushion 10.

DK 181439 B1 10

The chair 2 is produced by bringing the two upper surfaces of the cushion unit 5 into contact with each other by bending them around the hinge 6. The upper surface 7 of the separate cushion 10 is placed against the side surface 9 of the cushion unit 5, which does not include the straps 12. The cushions 4 are now positioned to a chair 2, but the backrest 27 is of course not stable, as it simply rests on one side surface 9 of the separate cushion 10 (which does not include the straps 12) and with the upper surface 7 against the cushion unit 5. To obtain a stable backrest 27 is now used the flexible band 13 belonging to the system, where the one that is the longest is used. This has a length of 3.10 meters and a width of 50 mm, which essentially corresponds to the 12 length of the straps. The system includes two additional bands 13, which are shorter and which are used to fasten the cushions 4 when a sleeping pad 3 is to be provided.

The flexible bands 13 comprise a first band side and an opposite second band side. The straps comprise a Velcro strap 23 placed at the ends of the straps 13 so that the ends of the first side comprise Velcro hooks 25 and the ends of the second side comprise Velcro loops 26. When these engage with each other, the Velcro strap 23 is created.

The straps 13 comprise a first end part 24a and an oppositely located second end part 24b, which end parts 24a,b are attached to the cushions 4.

The distance between the end parts 24a,b essentially corresponds to the width of the flexible bands 13, so that it can be passed through the straps 12. The straps 12 are attached to the cushions 4 in such a way that the distance between the surface of the straps 12 that faces the cushion 4 and the surface of the cushion, essentially lie flat against the surface to which the straps 12 are attached (corresponds to the thickness of the flexible bands.) This ensures that when the band 13 is tensioned, it tightens the separate cushion 10 against the cushion unit 5 without a significant release of the straps 12, since the straps 12 are just stretched against the substrate.

DK 181439 B1 11

The band 13 is passed through the straps 12 on the separate cushion 10 so that one free end is passed through one strap 12 and the other free end is passed through the opposite strap 12 (ie same set of straps 11) and subsequently through the straps 12 on the cushion unit.

The free ends are then brought back towards the separate cushion 10 and through the second set of straps 11 placed at a suitable distance from the first set, and the free ends are brought towards each other and tightened and locked to each other in the Velcro 23, whereby the cushions are positioned in a chair position.

This can be seen in fig. 5.

Provision of a sleeping pad using the furniture system according to the invention is explained with reference to fig. 6,7,8.

FIG 6 shows a sleeping mat 3 produced using the furniture system 1 according to the invention in perspective, and where the cushions 4 are fastened together using a band 13 placed on each side of the lying mat 3, and each band 13 is guided through straps 12. This is evident from fig . 8 while fig. 7 shows details of the clamping

The sleeping pad 3 is produced by placing the cushions 4 in extension of each other so that the straps 12 of the cushions 4 are accessible and free, i.e. that the straps 12 are not covered by a cushion surface that adjoins them. The cushion unit 5 is thus unfolded to its full length, and the separate cushion 10 is placed in extension thereof. Two separate straps 13 are fed into each strap 12 of the cushion unit 5 and into each strap 12 of the separate cushion 10 on the one accessible and free side surface 9 and the other accessible and free side surface 9, respectively. The straps 13 are locked in a tight position at the ends of the tape in the same way as when providing the chair.

The convertible furniture system 1 is described with a cushion unit and a separate cushion, but there is of course nothing to prevent a system from

DK 181439 B1 12 include several of each kind.

However, what is described constitutes the basic unit, but additional units can be purchased if desired.

If the sleeping pad is to be expanded in length, the cushion unit will be expanded with several straps so that tensioning is possible.

Claims (10)

DK 181439 B1 13 REQUIREMENTS 1. A convertible furniture system (1) for optionally providing a chair (2) and a lying surface (3) comprising a number of cushions (4), each cushion (4) comprising an upper surface (7) and an opposite lower surface ( 8) as well as delimiting side surfaces (9) that connect upper (7) and lower (8) surfaces to each other, which convertible piece of furniture (1) also includes a number of flexible bands (13) that are designed to slide into the straps ( 12), and that the ends of each band (13) are arranged to lock each other in a position and thereby fix the cushions (4) in a defined position to provide a chair (2) or a sleeping pad (3), and that at least one cushion (4) is a separate cushion (10), characterized in that at least two cushions (4) are connected to each other by a hinge (6) to provide a cushion unit (5), and that the cushion unit (5) and the separate cushion (10) each comprising a number of sets (11) of straps (12), each set (11) consisting of two straps (12) placed on the side surfaces (9) facing each other, 2. A convertible furniture system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separate cushion (10) comprises two sets (11) of straps (12), where the straps (12) of the first set (11) are positioned with its longitudinal axis at an angle at 30-60? preferably 45? in relation to the longitudinal axis of the side surfaces (9), and the straps (12) of the second set (11) are positioned with the longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side surfaces (9), and that the cushion unit (5) comprises at least one set (11) of straps (12) positioned on the side surfaces (9) of one cushion (4) and with the longitudinal axis of the straps (12) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the side surface (9). 3. A convertible furniture system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cushion unit (5) of the convertible furniture (1) comprises 2 cushions DK 181439 B1 14 (4), at the hinge (6), the hinge is connected to each other along an edge between a side surface (9) and an upper (7) or lower (8) surface. 4. A convertible furniture system (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the cushion unit (5) comprises a set (11) of straps (12) located in an area close to the hinge (6) on the side surfaces of one cushion (4) (9) 5. A convertible furniture system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible bands (13) comprise a first band side and an opposite second band side, and that the band (13) comprises a Velcro band (23) located at the ends of the bands (13) so that the ends of the first side comprise burr hooks (25) and that the ends of the second side comprise burr loops (26). 6. A convertible furniture system (1) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the convertible furniture (1) comprises several bands (13) and that at least two bands (13) have the same length |1 and that the convertible furniture ( 1) comprises at least one additional band (13) with a length greater than I1. 7. A convertible furniture system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cushions (4) have a rectangular or square outer circumference and have the same mutual dimension and shape, and that the cushions (4) are made of foam rubber material and covered with a cover. 8. A convertible furniture system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the straps (12) comprise a first end part (24a) and an oppositely located second end part (24b), which end parts (24a,b) are attached to the cushions (4) side surfaces (9), and that the distance between the end parts (24a,b) essentially corresponds to DK 181439 B1 15 the width of the flexible bands (13), and that the straps (12) are attached to the cushions (4) in such a way that the distance between the surface of the straps (12) facing the cushion (4) and the surface of the cushion (4) essentially corresponds to the thickness of the flexible bands (13). 9. A convertible furniture system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the convertible furniture system (1) consists of a cushion unit (5) and a separate cushion (10) as well as three flexible bands (13) all with a Velcro band (23) ) placed in the free ends of the bands (13). 10. Method for providing a chair (2) or a sleeping pad (3) using a convertible furniture system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeping pad (3) is produced by the cushion unit (5) being unfolded in its full length, and the cushion unit (5) and the separate cushion (10) are laid in extension of each other so that the straps (12) of the cushions (4) are accessible and free, and that two separate bands (13) engage each other strap (12) on the cushion unit (5) and each strap (12) on the separate cushion (10) on the one accessible and free side surface (9) and the other accessible and free side surface (9) respectively on the cushion unit (5) and on the separate cushion (10), and which band (13) is locked in a tight position at the ends of the band (13), and that the chair (2) is produced by bringing the two upper surfaces of the cushion unit (5) into contact with each other by bend them around the hinge (6) and that the upper surface of the separate cushion (10) is placed against one side surface (9) of the cushion unit (5), which does not include the straps (12), and that a band (13) is passed through the straps ( 12) on the separate unit (10) so that one free end (24a) is passed through one strap (12), and the other free end (24b) is passed through the opposite strap (12) and subsequently through the straps ( 12) on the cushion unit (5), after which the free ends (24a,b) are fed back towards the separate cushion (10) and through the second set DK 181439 B1 16 straps (12) and the free ends (24a,b) are brought towards each other and tightened and locked to each other, whereby the cushions (4) are positioned in a chair position.