GB1581047A - Foldable divan assembly - Google Patents

Description

(54) FOLDABLE DIVAN ASSEMBLY (71) We, DUNLOP LIMITED, an English Company of Dunlop House, Ryder Street, St. James's, London S.W. 1., do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be partciularly described in and by the following statement : This invention relates to foldable divan assemblies and especially to a divan assembly comprising a foldable divan portion which is releasably associated with a storage amounting. Whilst the present invention will be described herein with particular reference to a foldable storage divan assembly for use in connection with a double bed, it will be appreciated that the invention may equally relate to other beds or divans.

Double beds, especially those having divan bases, are difficult to manoeuvre in confined spaces (e.g. in dwelling-houses). It has been proposed to provide divan bases with folding means and hitherto such folding means have been so arranged relative to the base that transverse folding of the base results. This transverse folding has been found to impose a severe strain on the divan base, leading to a reduction in sability and comfort when the base is used for sitting or lying down and to eventual failure of the folding means.

We have now found that the stability and comfort of a foldable diven base may be enhanced and that the useful life of the folding means may be prolonged if the divan base is adapted to be longitudinally foldable.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a divan assembly comprising a foldable divan base and a storage mounting, in which the diven base comprises two upholstered members foldably hinged together about a common longitudinal axis and is provided with: (i) means to releasably retain the base in its "unfolded" condition; and (ii) means to releasably engage the storage mounting and to retain the base thereon when the assembly is in use.

The means to retain the divan base in its " unfolded " condition may comprise one or more rigid plates or brackets (made, for example, of a metal), the plates or brackets being releasably secured across abutting edges of the components of the divan base.

Preferably, at least one of the rigid plates or brackets is secured to a peripheral edge surface of the divan base so that a portion of said plate or bracket stands "proud" of the base and provides a "stop" for a cushion or mattress.

The means to retain the divan base on the storage mounting may comprise one or more pairs of foldable members to engage (made, for example, of a metal) and each member may conveniently be of substan tially hook-shaped (e.g. U-shaped) transverse cross-section.

Conveniently, the storage mounting may comprise a substantially rectangular open topped box defining a storage cavity. The storage mounting is provided with one or more pairs of foldable members to engage the corresponding retaining members on the divan base when the assembly is in use.

A particular embodiment of the divan assembly of the present invention will now be described, merely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying draw ings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a diven base; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the divan base shown in Figure 1 in position on a storage mounting adapted to receive it.

Referring now to Figure 1, the divan base comprises two substantially rectangular upholstered components 10 and 11 which are hinged together along abutting edges 12 and 13 (hinging means not shown). The divan base is releasably secured in the " open " position (as shown in Figure 1) by means of brackets:'20B and 20B secured across the line of hinging and a plate 21 secured on an "outer" edge 14 of the base.

When the plate 21 is secured in position, a portion 22 of the plate stands "proud" of the divan base and provides a "stop" for á mattress when the divan is in use.

Referring now to Figure 1, the mounting comprises a flat, substantially rectangular ,base 30 and upstanding peripheral walls 31, 32, 33 and 34, the walls and the base together defining a storage cavity 40. On opposed walls (e.g. 32 and 34) one or more pairs of foldable members (one pair shown: 50 and 51) are provided, - these members being adapted to engage retaining members (one pair shown: 60 and 61) on the divan base when the assembly is in use.

When it is required to move the divan assembly retaining members 60 and 61 are disengaged from attachment members 50 and 51 respectively and the divan base is lifted clear of the mounting. The brackets 20A and 20B and the plate 21 are released from the divan base, which can then be folded along the line of hinging between abutting edges 12 and 13.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A divan assembly comprising a foldable divan base and a storage mounting, in which the divan' base comprises two up holstered--foldably hinged together about a common longitudinal axis and is provided with: (i) means to releasably retain the base in its "unfolded" condition; and (ii) means to releasably engage the storage mounting and to retain the base thereon when the assembly is in use.

2. A divan assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the means to retain the base in its "unfolded" condition comprises one or more rigid plates or brackets releasably secured thereto.

3. A divan assembly according to Claim 4, in which one of the rigid plates or brackets is secured to a peripheral edge surface of the base so that a portion of said plate or bracket stands "proud" of the base, whereby a "stop" for a cushion or mattress is provided.

4. A divan assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. divan base is releasably secured in the " open " position (as shown in Figure 1) by means of brackets:'20B and 20B secured across the line of hinging and a plate 21 secured on an "outer" edge 14 of the base. When the plate 21 is secured in position, a portion 22 of the plate stands "proud" of the divan base and provides a "stop" for á mattress when the divan is in use. Referring now to Figure 1, the mounting comprises a flat, substantially rectangular ,base 30 and upstanding peripheral walls 31, 32, 33 and 34, the walls and the base together defining a storage cavity 40. On opposed walls (e.g. 32 and 34) one or more pairs of foldable members (one pair shown: 50 and 51) are provided, - these members being adapted to engage retaining members (one pair shown: 60 and 61) on the divan base when the assembly is in use. When it is required to move the divan assembly retaining members 60 and 61 are disengaged from attachment members 50 and 51 respectively and the divan base is lifted clear of the mounting. The brackets 20A and 20B and the plate 21 are released from the divan base, which can then be folded along the line of hinging between abutting edges 12 and 13. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A divan assembly comprising a foldable divan base and a storage mounting, in which the divan' base comprises two up holstered--foldably hinged together about a common longitudinal axis and is provided with: (i) means to releasably retain the base in its "unfolded" condition; and (ii) means to releasably engage the storage mounting and to retain the base thereon when the assembly is in use.

2. A divan assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the means to retain the base in its "unfolded" condition comprises one or more rigid plates or brackets releasably secured thereto.

3. A divan assembly according to Claim 4, in which one of the rigid plates or brackets is secured to a peripheral edge surface of the base so that a portion of said plate or bracket stands "proud" of the base, whereby a "stop" for a cushion or mattress is provided.

4. A divan assembly, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.