EP0411233B1 - Folding framework with four frames for sofa-beds and the like - Google Patents

Folding framework with four frames for sofa-beds and the like Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0411233B1
EP0411233B1 EP89830418A EP89830418A EP0411233B1 EP 0411233 B1 EP0411233 B1 EP 0411233B1 EP 89830418 A EP89830418 A EP 89830418A EP 89830418 A EP89830418 A EP 89830418A EP 0411233 B1 EP0411233 B1 EP 0411233B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frame
pivoted
carrying structure
lever
framework
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89830418A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0411233A1 (en
Inventor
Stelio De Lorenzo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lampolet SpA
Original Assignee
Lampolet SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lampolet SpA filed Critical Lampolet SpA
Publication of EP0411233A1 publication Critical patent/EP0411233A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0411233B1 publication Critical patent/EP0411233B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C17/00—Sofas; Couches; Beds
    • A47C17/04—Seating furniture, e.g. sofas, couches, settees, or the like, with movable parts changeable to beds; Chair beds
    • A47C17/22—Seating furniture having non-movable back-rest changeable to beds with means for uncovering a previously hidden mattress or similar bed part
    • A47C17/225—Seating furniture having non-movable back-rest changeable to beds with means for uncovering a previously hidden mattress or similar bed part with hidden separate full size mattress frame unfolded out of the base frame

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a folding framework with four frames for sofa-beds and the like of the type comprising: a fixed carrying structure; first, second, third and fourth frames which are consecutively engaged with one another and simultaneously movable from a closed condition in which they are superposed on each other and disposed within the carrying structure, to an open condition in which they are consecutively aligned in coplanar relation; and a driving mechanism connecting the frames to the carrying structure and controlling the mutual displacements of said frames during their movement from the closed condition to the open condition and conversely.
  • sofa-beds or chair-beds the framework of which substantially comprises first, second, third and fourth frames consecutively pivoted to one another and mutually engaged by a driving mechanism connecting them to the fixed carrying structure resting on the floor.
  • the driving mechanism also performs the function of controlling the movements of the four frames during their displacements from the closed position, in which they are superposed on each other and disposed within the sizes of the carrying structure so that the framework may be used as a sofa or armchair, to an open condition in which they are aligned in coplanar relation, the framework being in this case used as a bed.
  • the driving mechanism for each of the framework sides comprises one lever, the lower end of which is pivoted to the carrying structure and the upper end of which is slidably engaged along the first frame forming the rear head of the bed when the framework is in its open condition. Also provided at each side of the framework is a foot which is pivoted at the upper part thereof to the fourth frame so that it may act in abutment on the floor and support the frame when the framework is in the open condition.
  • one tie rod Pivoted intermediate the length of the foot is one tie rod which on its side opposite that facing the foot is hinged to the third frame. Extending downwardly from the end of the first tie rod connected to the third frame is a connection end piece. A second tie rod is pivoted at one end to said end piece and at the other end to the front of the carrying structure.
  • Folding structures e.g. known from US-A-1384 932 or US-A-1612 687) have been found to have some drawbacks.
  • a further drawback resides in that the displacement of the framework from the closed condition to the open one and conversely does not take place according to a constant path, but the combination of at least two movements, that is a rotational movement and a pulling movement carried out on the fourth frame, is required.
  • the frameworks constructed as above described do not have a sufficiently stiff structure capable of withstanding the localised loads to which they can be submitted when the user for example sits down on one side of the framework in the open condition, that is used as a bed.
  • a folding framework with four frames for sofa-beds and the like according to the invention has been generally identified by reference numeral 1.
  • Framework 1 conventionally comprises a fixed carrying structure 2 which substantially has a rectangular shape and is supported by a pair of front feet 2a and a pair of rear feet 2b resting on the floor 3. Due to the structure of the carrying structure 2, additional elements can be fastened to the same such as for example a back and two arms (not shown as unimportant for the purposes of the invention) adapted to form a finished sofa-bed or chair-bed.
  • the longitudinal members 5a of the second frame 5 are hinged, by at least a second pivot 9, to the longitudinal members 6a of a third frame 6 which in turn are connected, through at least a third pivot 10, to the longitudinal members 7a of a fourth frame 7.
  • a front crosspiece 7b connects the longitudinal members 7a to each other on their sides opposite that provided with the third pivot 10.
  • a number of spring lathes 11 are engaged in a conventional manner between the longitudinal members 4a, 5a, 6a of the first, second and third frames 4, 5, 6. They are disposed in side-by-side relation and are designed to support a mattress 12, shown in dotted line in figure 3.
  • the fourth frame 7 is provided with spring lathes 11 too and they are operatively engaged between the front crosspiece 7b and an auxiliary crosspiece 7c mutually connecting the longitudinal members 7a in the vicinity of the third pivot 10.
  • Frames 4, 5, 6 and 7 are connected to the carrying structure 2 by a driving mechanism 13 controlling the reciprocal movements of the frames themselves in order to allow the framework 1 as a whole to pass from a closed condition in which the frames are mutually superposed (Fig. 1) so that said framework may serve as a sofa, to an open condition in which said frames are horizontally disposed in coplanar alignment with one another so that said framework may be used as a bed (Fig. 2).
  • che driving mechanism 13 for each of the framework sides comprises one lever 14 preferably having a curved extension and exhibiting a rear end 14a rotatably connected to the longitudinal member 4a of the first frame 4 and a front end 14b rotatably pivoted at 15 to the top of one of the front feet 2a of the carrying structure 2.
  • the rear end 14a of the first lever 14 is pivoted on a bracket 16 welded to the corresponding longitudinal member 4a.
  • a link 17 pivoted at the rear end 17a to the second frame 5 intermediate the extension of the longitudinal member 5a, and at the front end 17b to the front foot 2a at a location 18 disposed below the pivot point 15 of the first lever 14 to the carrying structure 2.
  • a second lever 19 Fixedly fastened to the third frame 6a close to the pivot point connecting it to the second frame 5, is the front end 19a of a second lever 19 the rear end 19b of which is pivoted to the top of the front foot 2a of the carrying structure 2.
  • the second lever 19 is pivoted on the front foot 2a at the same pivot point 15 connecting it to the first lever 14.
  • the driving mechanism 13 further comprises, still referring to each of the framework sides, a foot 20 the rear end of which 20a is pivoted to the fourth frame 7 at a point intermediate the extension of the corresponding longitudinal member 7a and the front end 20b of which rests on the floor 3 when the framework 1 is in the open condition.
  • Rotatably connected to foot 20 is the front end 21a of one tie rod 21 the opposite end 21b of which is pivoted to the third frame 6, close to the pivot point connecting it to the fourth frame 7.
  • second tie rod 22 having its front end 22a pivoted to the first tie rod 21 close to the rear end 21b of the latter.
  • the rear end 22b of the second tie rod 22 is rotatably pivoted to an attachment end piece 23 integral with the second frame 5 and extending forward from the longitudinal member 5a.
  • each of the framework sides is also a tractive spring 24 acting between the carrying structure 2 and the second frame 5.
  • said spring 24 has one end engaged with the lower part of one of the rear feet 2b and the opposite end connected to a pulling bar 25 which is pivoted to the second frame 5 at the same pivot point connecting the rear end 17a of the link 17 to said second frame.
  • the first frame 4 when the framework 1 is in its closed condition the first frame 4 is disposed horizontally at the base of the carrying structure 2.
  • the third frame 6 and fourth frame 7 are book-like folded one upon the other and disposed in a substantially horizontal direction at the upper part of the carrying structure 2.
  • the mattress 12 is folded so as to substantially form an "S" between the different frames 4, 5, 6 and 7.
  • the lifting of the fourth frame 7 by the front crosspiece 7b brings about through foot 20 a pulling action on the first tie rod 21 causing the raising of the third frame 6 due to its rotation about the pivot point 15 engaging the second lever 19 with the carrying structure 2.
  • the second frame too is compelled to rotate about point 15 while rotating at the same time about itself by effect of the engagement offered by link 17.
  • the first frame 4 is rotated about the pivot point 15 of the first lever 14 so that the rear crosspiece 4b is brought above the carrying structure 2, as shown in Fig. 2, ready to take a horizontal arrangement as soon as the framework is definitively brought to the open condition.
  • the structure has a high stiffness and can even withstand the weight of a user if he sits down at the pivot point between the third and fourth frames 6, 7.
  • the engagement offered by the first lever 14, the second lever 19 and the link 17 in the open condition also ensures an excellent resistance of the framework at the pivot point between the first frame 4, second frame 5 and third frame 6.
  • the spring 24 which is put under tension while the framework is passing from the closed to the open condition is adapted to facilitate the initial steps for closing the framework 1 starting from the open condition thereof.
  • the present invention attains the intended purposes.
  • the present framework is capable of efficiently withstanding the reaction exerted by the mattress in its closed condition while at the same time exhibiting a very stiff structure when it is open.
  • said framework can be brought from the closed condition to the open one very easily, by merely lifting and simultaneously moving forward the fourth frame.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nursing (AREA)
  • Special Chairs (AREA)
EP89830418A 1989-07-31 1989-09-26 Folding framework with four frames for sofa-beds and the like Expired - Lifetime EP0411233B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT8921383A IT1231493B (it) 1989-07-31 1989-07-31 Intelaiatura pieghevole a quattro telai per divani letto e simili.
IT2138389 1989-07-31

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0411233A1 EP0411233A1 (en) 1991-02-06
EP0411233B1 true EP0411233B1 (en) 1993-07-28

Family

ID=11180964

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89830418A Expired - Lifetime EP0411233B1 (en) 1989-07-31 1989-09-26 Folding framework with four frames for sofa-beds and the like

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0411233B1 (it)
DE (1) DE68907902D1 (it)
IT (1) IT1231493B (it)
YU (1) YU190789A (it)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1286917B1 (it) * 1996-04-17 1998-07-17 Lampolet Spa Divano letto

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1384932A (en) * 1919-01-11 1921-07-19 Whistance-Smith Thomas Folding bed
US1612687A (en) * 1924-12-06 1926-12-28 Young Richard George Couch bed
IT1048446B (it) * 1977-02-28 1980-11-20 Lampolet Spa Fusto per divano trasformabile inletto costituito da cinque telai articolati tra loro

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
YU190789A (sh) 1992-09-07
IT1231493B (it) 1991-12-07
DE68907902D1 (de) 1993-09-02
IT8921383A0 (it) 1989-07-31
EP0411233A1 (en) 1991-02-06

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