EP1190649A1

EP1190649A1 - Mechanism for sofa-beds and the like

Info

Publication number: EP1190649A1
Application number: EP00830629A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Renato Zorzetto
Original assignee: Stema Srl
Current assignee: Stema Srl
Priority date: 2000-09-21
Filing date: 2000-09-21
Publication date: 2002-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-21
Also published as: DE60031674T2; ES2273660T3; PT1190649E; EP1190649B1; DE60031674D1; ATE343951T1

Abstract

Mechanism for sofa-beds and the like, which comprises at least one frame (22) suitable for supporting a back (23), one frame (25) suitable for supporting a seat (26), a framework (1) having a substantially parallelepiped shape, a bedspring (2) which is suitable for supporting at least one mattress (4) and is divided into at least four frames (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) mutually hinged two by two, as well as a plurality of lever systems (A, A', B, B') suitable for lifting and extending said bedspring (2) from the parallelepiped framework (1), at least one lifting lever system (A, A') of said lever systems (A, A', B, B') suitable for lifting and extending said bedspring (2) being provided with a first lever (6) which is hinged to the parallelepiped framework (1), to the second frame (2b) of the bedspring (2) and to a second lever (16) in turn hinged to the third frame (2c) of the bedspring (2), wherein said lifting lever system (A, A') comprises a third lever (11) which is hinged to the parallelepiped framework (1) and to the first frame (2a) of the bedspring (2), said first lever (6) and third lever (11) of the lifting lever system (A, A') being connected in a rotatable manner by a connecting rod (10) so that these levers (6, 11) can rotate at the same time in the same direction.

Description

The present invention relates to a mechanism for sofa-beds and the like, which is capable of lifting and extending a mattress supporting bedspring divided into several frames hinged to one another. The present invention further relates to a chair-bed and a sofa-bed which comprise such a mechanism.
It is known that among the many kinds of opening mechanisms for sofa-beds or chair-beds some comprise a bedspring divided into several frames hinged to one another, which may be lifted and mutually rotated by means of suitable lever systems for being longitudinally extended toward the front portion of the sofa-bed or chair-bed. In such known mechanisms, when the bedspring is folded, also the bed mattress is folded, partially under the seat and partially behind the back of the sofa or the chair, so that neither the seat nor the back are part of the mattress itself. By this arrangement, both the aesthetics and the comfort of the sofa- or chair-bed are obviously improved, since the seat and the back thereof may have different shape, fabric and springs with respect to the mattress.
In particular, EP-B-808590 discloses a mechanism comprising a bedspring divided into four frames mutually hinged two by two, the first of which, in the folded position, is arranged in a vertical position behind the supporting frame of the back. Always in the folded position, the second and the fourth frame of the bedspring are arranged in a horizontal position one under the other, while the third frame is hinged in a vertical position between the second and the fourth frame.
In order to obtain the lifting and the contemporary extension of the bedspring with a single operation of the user, said known mechanism comprises a plurality of lifting and extending lever systems for the bedspring, which are arranged between each pair of mutually hinged frames, as well as a fixed supporting structure which comprises a parallelepiped framework and a vertical frame arranged behind supporting frame of the back. Since the first frame of the bedspring is hinged to this rear vertical frame and the second frame is connected to the parallelepiped framework through a lever, the articulated system made up of this lever, the first two frames and the fixed supporting structure cannot allow a smooth motion of the mechanism during its extension, with possible jamming thereof during the use.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which is free from said drawback. Said object is obtained with a mechanism, the main features of which are disclosed in the first claim and other features are disclosed in the subsequent claims.
Thanks to the particular articulated system of the lifting lever systems of the mechanism according to the present invention, the lifting or the lowering of the bedspring, as well as the mutual rotation of the first two frames of the bedspring, become smoother with respect to said known mechanism.
Furthermore, the mechanism according to the present invention is not provided with the vertical frame which is fixed to the parallelepiped framework and is necessary for the working of the known mechanism, so that the manufacturing costs and the depth of the present mechanism are advantageously decreased.
According to a particular aspect of the invention, the extending lever systems of the bedspring comprise a new articulated system of levers which allows an easy folding of the supporting leg of the bedspring, when the latter is also folded.
Finally, the bedspring lifting and extending lever systems of the mechanism according to the present invention are simpler and therefore more reliable of the lever system of the known mechanism thanks to the particular arrangement and conformation of the levers and of the other members thereof.
Further advantages and features of the mechanism according to the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of an embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a side view in a longitudinal cross-section of the mechanism according to said embodiment in the night position, i.e. with the extended bedspring;
figure 2 shows a partial top view of the mechanism of figure 1;
figure 3 shows a side view in an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of the lifting lever systems of the mechanism of figure 1;
figure 4 shows a side view in an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of the extending lever systems of the mechanism of figure 1;
figure 5 shows a side view in a longitudinal cross-section of the mechanism of figure 1 during the change from the night position, i.e. with the extended bedspring, to the day position, i.e. with the folded bedspring;
figure 6 shows a side view in an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of the lifting lever systems of the mechanism of figure 5;
figure 7 shows a side view in an enlarged longitudinal cross-section of the extending lever systems of the mechanism of figure 5; and
figure 8 shows a side view in a longitudinal cross-section of the mechanism of figure 1 in the day position, i.e. with the folded bedspring.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, it is seen that the mechanism according to the present embodiment of the invention comprises in a known way a framework 1 having a substantially parallelepiped shape acting as a fixed supporting structure, into which a bedspring 2 divided into at least four frames 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d, mutually hinged two by two, can be folded. The first frame 2a and the fourth frame 2d are preferably provided with edges 3, 3' for containing a mattress 4 which can be arranged onto bedspring 2. The parallelepiped framework 1 may be closed by one or more side walls 5 having an aesthetic function.
Framework 2 is connected to the parallelepiped framework 1 by means of a pair of lifting lever systems A and A', both comprising in a known way a lever 6 which is hinged to the parallelepiped framework 1 and to the second frame 2b. Due to the substantial horizontal symmetry of the mechanism according to the present embodiment of the invention, the figures with side views only show the lever system A of the pair of the lifting lever systems A, A', which are symmetrically arranged at the two sides of bedspring 2. Further, figure 2 shows for simplicity only the lever system A' of the pair of lever systems A, A' of the mechanism according to the present embodiment of the invention.
Levers 6 of the lifting lever systems A, A' are mutually connected by a transversal bar 7 which allows their contemporary parallel motion. A tongue 8 is diagonally soldered to lever 6 of both lifting lever systems A, A'. One end of tongue 8 is connected to the parallelepiped framework 1 through a tension spring 9 which makes the upward rotation of lever 6 easier, while the other end of tongue 8 is suitably hinged to an end of a rod 10. The other end of rod 10 is instead hinged close to the angle of a lever 11 bent with an obtuse angle. The ends of lever 11 are respectively hinged to the parallelepiped framework 1 and to a tongue 12 which is fixed to the first frame 2a of bedspring 2 and projects upward.
The articulated system comprising levers 6 and 11 connected to rod 10 in order to rotate at the same time in the same direction allows the lifting lever systems A, A' to lift and mutually rotate the first frame 2a and the second frame 2b of bedspring 2. A pair of tension springs 13, 14 may be arranged in an opposing position with one end fastened to the parallelepiped framework 1 and the other end fastened to a tongue 15 fixed to rod 10. Springs 13 and 14 make the lifting of rod 10 easier during the upward rotation of levers 6 and 11.
Lever 6 is preferably bent with an obtuse angle close to the hinging point to the second frame 2b of bedspring 2 and is suitably extended beyond this hinging point.
Referring now also to figure 4, it is seen that the ends of a rod 16 are respectively hinged to the free end of lever 6 and to a tongue 17 which is fixed to the third frame 2c of bedspring 2 and projects upward. Also the second frame 2b, close to the hinging point to the third frame 2c, comprises a tongue 18 which projects upward.
The second frame 2b, the third frame 2c and the fourth frame 2d are further mutually connected by means of a pair of extending lever systems B and B', both symmetrically arranged at the two sides of bedspring 2 and comprises a lever 19 hinged to tongue 18 of the second frame 2b and to the end of a lever 20 preferably bent in two points with an obtuse angle. Lever 20 is hinged to the third frame 2c close to the first obtuse angle, while the second obtuse angle is comprised between the hinging point to the third frame 2c and the free end of the lever itself. A lever 21 bent with an obtuse angle is instead hinged to the free end of lever 20 close to the latter angle. Figure 2 shows for simplicity only the lever system B' of the pair of lever systems B, B' of the mechanism according to the present embodiment of the invention.
A frame 22 which can support the back 23 of the sofa-bed or of the chair-bed is fixed to one end of lever 21. A tongue 24 fixed to lever 21, close to its hinging point to lever 20, is in turn hinged to a frame 25. The latter can support the seat 26 of the sofa-bed or of the chair-bed, which is arranged above back 23 and under bedspring 2, when the latter is extended.
The free end of lever 21 is hinged to one end of a tongue 27 diagonally fixed to the fourth frame 2d of bedspring 2. The upper portion of a leg 28, which can support bedspring 2 when extended, is hinged to the other end of tongue 27. The ends of a lever 29 are further respectively hinged to the central portion of leg 28 and to lever 21, close to its obtuse angle and opposite to the hinging point of lever 20.
The articulated system made up by levers 19, 20 and 21 allows the extending lever systems B, B' to mutually rotate the second frame 2b, the third frame 2c and the fourth frame 2d of bedspring 2, thereby obtaining at the same time the motion of back 23, seat 26 and leg 28.
Referring now also to figures 5 to 7, it is seen that for closing the mechanism according to the present embodiment of the invention and folding bedspring 2 into the parallelepiped framework 1, it is sufficient to rotate upward in the direction of arrow 30 the fourth frame 2d, so that the latter slightly rotates in the same direction with respect to the third frame 2c and the latter in turn slightly rotates in the same direction with respect to the second frame 2b. The mutual rotation of the second frame 2b and the third frame 2c involves the motion of rod 16 toward the first frame 2a and the resulting downward rotation of lever 6.
The rotation of lever 6 involves the lowering of second frame 2b and, thanks to the motion of rod 10 and to the downward rotation of lever 11, also the rotation of the first frame 2a with respect to the second frame 2b in the direction of arrow 31. For completely folding bedspring 2, it is sufficient to rotate upward in the direction of arrow 32 back 23, so that the latter rotates together with lever 21 with respect to the fourth frame 2d. The rotation of lever 21 around the fourth frame 2d involves, thanks to lever 29, the rotation of leg 28 with respect to the fourth frame 2d in the direction of arrow 33. Furthermore, the rotation of lever 21 around the fourth frame 2d involves the rotation of lever 20 with respect to the third frame 2c and the rotation of lever 19 with respect to the second frame 2b, with the resulting further mutual rotation of the second frame 2b, the third frame 2c and the fourth frame 2d. Finally, the rotation of lever 21 around the fourth frame 2d involves also the motion of tongue 24, with the resulting translation of the supporting frame 25 of back 26 toward the free end of the fourth frame 2d, parallel to the latter.
In figure 8 the mechanism according to the present embodiment of the invention is shown with bedspring 2 completely folded into the parallelepiped framework 1. In this position, the first frame 2a is arranged in a substantially vertical position behind the supporting frame 22 of back 23, the second frame 2b and the fourth frame 2d are arranged in a substantially horizontal position one under the other, while the third frame 2c is arranged in a substantially vertical position between the second frame 2b and the fourth frame 2d. Mattress 4 is substantially bent in three portions: a first portion substantially vertical arranged between the first frame 2a and the supporting frame 22 of back 23, as well as a second and a third portion substantially horizontal comprised between the second frame 2b and the fourth frame 2d of bedspring 2. Leg 28 is substantially parallel to the fourth frame 2d, while the supporting frame 25 of seat 26 is arranged above the fourth frame 2d.
For opening the mechanism according to the present embodiment of the invention it is sufficient to carry out the above mentioned operation in an inverse way, so that by rotating back 23 to the front and then the fourth frame 2d, the two pairs of lever systems A, A' and B, B' lift and extend bedspring 2.
It is obvious that in other embodiments of the mechanism according to the present invention the bedspring may have a size suitable for supporting two or more mattress placed side by side. It is also obvious that other embodiments of the mechanism according to the present invention may comprise two or more bedsprings which can be extended in a way one independent from the other by means of lever systems of the above described kind.

Claims

Mechanism for sofa-beds and the like, which comprises at least one frame (22) suitable for supporting a back (23), one frame (25) suitable for supporting a seat (26), a framework (1) having a substantially parallelepiped shape, a bedspring (2) which is suitable for supporting at least one mattress (4) and is divided into at least four frames (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) mutually hinged two by two, as well as a plurality of lever systems (A, A', B, B') suitable for lifting and extending said bedspring (2) from the parallelepiped framework (1), wherein in the folded position of the bedspring (2) the first frame (2a) of the bedspring (2) is arranged in a substantially vertical position behind the supporting frame (22) of the back (23), the second frame (2b) and the fourth frame (2d) of the bedspring (2) are arranged in a substantially horizontal position one under the other and the third frame (2c) is arranged in a substantially vertical position between the second frame (2b) and the fourth frame (2d), while in the extended position of the bedspring (2) the supporting frame (25) of the seat (26) is arranged above the supporting frame (22) of the back (23) and under the bedspring (2) itself, at least one lifting lever system (A, A') of said lever systems (A, A', B, B') suitable for lifting and extending said bedspring (2) being provided with a first lever (6) which is hinged to the parallelepiped framework (1), to the second frame (2b) of the bedspring (2) and to a second lever (16) in turn hinged to the third frame (2c) of the bedspring (2), characterized in that said lifting lever system (A, A') comprises a third lever (11) which is hinged to the parallelepiped framework (1) and to the first frame (2a) of the bedspring (2), said first lever (6) and third lever (11) of the lifting lever system (A, A') being connected in a rotatable manner by a connecting rod (10) so that these levers (6, 11) can rotate at the same time in the same direction.
Mechanism according to the previous claim, characterized in that the third lever (11) of the lifting lever system (A, A') is bent with an obtuse angle and is hinged to the connecting rod (10) close to this obtuse angle.
Mechanism according to any previous claim, characterized in that the third lever (11) of the lifting lever system (A, A') is hinged to a tongue (12) which is fixed to the first frame (2a) of the bedspring (2) and projects upward.
Mechanism according to any previous claim, characterized in that the lifting lever system (A, A') comprises a tongue (8) soldered to the first lever (6), wherein one end of the tongue (8) is connected to the parallelepiped framework (1) through a tension spring (9), while the other end of the tongue (8) is hinged to the connecting rod (10).
Mechanism according to any previous claim, characterized in that a pair of tension springs (13, 14) is arranged in an opposing position with one end fastened to the parallelepiped framework (1) and the other end fastened to the connecting rod (10).
Mechanism according to any previous claim, characterized in that at least one extending lever system (B, B') of said lever systems (A, A', B, B') suitable for lifting and extending the bedspring (2) comprises a first lever (19) hinged to the second frame (2b) of the bedspring (2) and to a second lever (20) hinged to the third frame (2c) of the bedspring (2).
Mechanism according to the previous claim, characterized in that the second lever (20) of the extending lever system (B, B') is hinged to a third lever (21) hinged to the fourth frame (2d) of the bedspring (2), the hinging point of the second lever (20) to the third frame (2c) of the bedspring (2) being comprised between the hinging points to the first lever (19) and to the third lever (21).
Mechanism according to the previous claim, characterized in that the second lever (20) of the extending lever system (B, B') is bent with an obtuse angle close to the hinging point to the third frame (2c) of the bedspring (2), as well as between this hinging point and the hinging point to the third lever (21).
Mechanism according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the supporting frame (22) of the back (23) is fixed to the third lever (21) of the extending lever system (B, B').
Mechanism according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the supporting frame (25) of the seat (26) is hinged to the third lever (21) of the extending lever system (B, B').
Mechanism according to the previous claim, characterized in that the supporting frame (25) of the seat (26) is hinged to a tongue (24) fixed to the third lever (21) of the extending lever system (B, B').
Mechanism according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the third lever (21) of the extending lever system (B, B') is hinged to a fourth lever (29) hinged to the central portion of a leg (28) suitable for supporting the bedspring (2) when the latter is extended, the upper portion of this leg (28) being hinged to the fourth frame (2d) of the bedspring (2).
Mechanism according to the previous claim, characterized in that the third lever (21) of the extending lever system (B, B') is hinged to one end of a tongue (27) fixed to the fourth frame (2b) of the bedspring (2), and that the leg (28) is hinged to the other end of this tongue (27).
Mechanism according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the third lever (21) of the extending lever system (B, B') is bent with an obtuse angle between the hinging points to the second lever (20) and to the fourth lever (29).
Sofa-bed, characterized in that it comprises at least one mechanism according to any previous claim.
Chair-bed, characterized in that it comprises at least one mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 14.