GB2191682A - Suitcase/leisure bed or chair combination - Google Patents

Abstract

A suitcase/leisure chair or bed combination comprises a framework (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17) manipulable to a first position in which it provides a frame for a chair or bed and manipulable to a second position as shown in which it provides the frame of a suitcase. A cover is provided for covering the framework in its second position so as to retain clothing or personal items. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Suitcaselleisure bed or chair combination This invention relates to a suitcase/leisure bed or chair combination.

When travelling, a suitcase is normally used to carry clothing and personal items. On arriving, for example, at a holiday location, the initial requirement of the suitcase to transport clothing and other personal items has been completed. From then on there is often a need for a chair or a bed on which to reiax on a beach or in the countryside or the like. On completion of the holiday and on return of the traveller to his home, the traveller then requires once again a suitcase to carry his clothing or personal items.

It is an object of this invention to provide a suitcase/leisure chair or bed combination.

According to this invention there is provided a suitcase/leisure chair or bed combination comprising a framework manipulable to a first position in which it provides a frame for a chair or bed manipulable to a second position in which it provides the or part of the frame for a suitcase, and a cover for covering the framework in its second position so as to retain clothing or personal items.

In the first position of the framework the cover or a part thereof may become a surface on which to sit or lie.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which c Figure 1 shows the framework of a suitcase/sunbed combination in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 Shows the framework of Figure 1 folded to be usable as a sun-bed; Figure 3 shows the framework of Figure 1 folded to the suitcase mode with the fabric cover in position; Figure 4 shows a detail of the combination of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows the framework of another suitcase/sun-bed leisure combination folded for use as a suitcase but without a fabric cover; Figure 6 shows the framework of Figure 5 folded to form a sun-bed; Figure 7 shows the suitcase/sun-bed combination of Figures 5 and 6 with the framework folded to form the suitcase with a fabric cover in position;; Figure 8 shows the framework of a suitcase/chair combination, folded to form the framework of a chair; Figure 9 shows the frameworks, as shown in Figure 8, each folded to form part of a framework of a suitcase and fitted together; Figure 10 shows a suitcase formed of a pair of frameworks shown in Figure 9 with a fabric cover; Figure 11 shows a partly folded framework of a further suitcase/sun-bed combination in accordance with this invention; Figure 12 shows that the framework of Figure 11 is folded to form a framework of a sun-bed; Figure 13 shows the framework of Figures 11 and 12 folded to form a suitcase and covered to the fabric cover; Figure 14 and Figure 15 show alternative hinges of the framework shown in Figures 8 to 10 in different positions; Figure 16 shows alternative details of combination shown in Figures 11 to 13; and Figure 17 shows an alternative hinge applicable to any of the frameworks described.

Referring first to the embodiment of Figures 2 to 3, a suitcase/sun-bed combination has a framework made up of two parallel U-shaped frames 10 and 11, joined together at their corners by parallel frame members 12 and 13. The ends of the U-shaped frame members 11 and 12 joined together by further frame members 14 and 15.

Two further U-shaped members 16 and 17 are hinged by locking ratchet hinges 18 at their ends to the ends of the U-shaped members 10 and 11 respectively and the ends of the frame members 14 and 15. The lengths of the arms of the U-shaped members 16 and 17 being approximately the same as the length of the frame members 12, 13, 14 and 15.U-shaped frame member 10 is covered by a fabric panel C, U-shaped frame member 11 is covered by a fabric panel A, the rectangular area defined by the arms of the frame members 10 and 11 and the frame members 12 and 14 is covered buy a fabric panel B, the rectangular area defined by the arms of the frame members 10 and 11 and the frame members 13 and 15 is covered by a fabric panel D, and the larger rectangular area defined by the bases of the U-shaped frame members 10 and 11 and the frame members 12 and 13 is covered by a fabric panel E; fabric panels A, B, C, D and E, all being permanently fixed in position. The suitcase has a fabric lid F.

The frame members 16 and 17 are covered by fabric panels K and J respectively.

Figure 1, for the sake of clarity, does not show any of the fabric panels, whereas Figure 2 only shows the fabric panels J and K.

To form the suitcase after the frame has been folded to the position shown in Figure 1, the lid F is placed in position and is secured in position by three zips 19, 20 and 21. Zip 19 secures the lid Fto panel A, zip 20 secures the lid F to panel B, and zip 21 secures the lid to panel C and it is possible to replace the three zips 19, 20 and 21 by a single continuous zip provided that the zip extends between the edges of the panels A, B, C, and of the lid F.

Straps G and H extend around the suitcase and acts as an anchor for a carrying handle 22. Buckles (not shown) are fitted to the straps G and H on the surface of panel B between the handle 22 and the zip 20, to release the straps.

Once the lid has been removed, the frame can be folded to a sun-bed mode in which case the frame members 16 and 17 are folded outwardly, as can be seen in Figures 2; the flaps 16 and 17 are locked in the position shown in Figure 2 by the locking ratchet hinges 18.

A "matress" is secured between the frame members 14 and 15 and consists of parallel rubber suspension strips S extending between the frame members 15 and frame member 22, only shown in Figure 4. For the sake of clarity, the "matress" is not shown at all in either Figure 1 or Figure 2. Hooks 23 are secured to the frame member 22 and to complete the "bed" the matress is extended, stretching the rubber suspension strips S and the hooks 23 are attached to the frame member 14 so that the matress fills the space between the frame members 14 and 15, thereby forming a sun-bed together with the panels J and K.

Of course, to remove the lid the zips have to be undone and when undone, zip 20 is totally removed and zips 19 and 21 may be tucked under J and K.

A rubber seat may be incorporated at each corner of panel E, i.e. at the corners of the frames 10 and 11 which will protect that panel when the combination is used in its sun-bed mode.

Special rubber or plastical reinforcement may be required to protect the fabric cover where it passes over each ratchet hinge.

Each of the frame members 10,11,12,13,14,15, 16 and 17 is desirably of tubular section.

Referring now to Figures 5,6 and 7, the embodiment shown has a somewhat different frame consisting of two parallel frame members 30 and 31 to the ends of which are hinged short frame members 32,33 and 34,35, respectively. To the ends of the the frame members 32 and 34, are hinged the ends of a U-shaped member 36, whereas to the ends of the U-shaped frame members 33 and 35 are hinged a U-shaped frame member 37. The length of each arm of the frame member 36 added to the length of each arm of the frame member 37 is approximately equal to the length of each of the frame members 30 and 31. All the hinges may be locking ratchet hinges or simple pin hinges.

Two U-shaped support frames 39 and 40 are rigidly attached to frame members 30 and 31. Two similar U-shaped support frames 38 and 41 are hinged at their ends at the points where frame member 37 hinges to 33 and 35 and where frame member 36 hinges to 32 and 34. The length of the arms of the frame members 38,39,40 and 41 are similar and support the entire frame member on the ground, as can readily be seen in Figure 6. Short adjustable struts 200 are operable to maintain the frame members 30,31,32,33,34,35,36 and 37 parallel to the ground with the frame members 38, 39,40 and 41 at right angles thereto. The frame members are tubular.

Afabric covers the whole of the rectangular area defined by the frame members 30,31,32,33,34,35, 36 and 37 and is attached to those frame members so that the combination in the position of the frame members shown in Figure 6 acts as a sun-bed. Of course it could be arranged that, for example, one of the frame members 36 and 37 is designed not to be completely horizontal so as to provide the equivalent to a cushion for the head.

To form the suitcase the frame members 30,31, 32,33,34,35,36 and 37 are manipulated to the positions shown in Figure 5 and the frame members 38 and 41 also manipulated to the position shown in Figure 5. To complete the suitcase, a fabric cover is put into position, as shown in Figure 7. The fabric cover consists of three components, that denoted at 201 which is the fabric cover used as part of the sunbed and two end rectangular fabric cover pieces 202 secured in position by zips 203 and 204 which are undone in the direction of the arrows on the lines visible in Figure 7.

Alternatively, instead of having a fabric cover acting as the "matress" when the combination is used as a sun-bed as shown in Figure 6, rubber webbing or nylon netting extends between the frame members 30 and 31 and between the facing frame members 32,33,36 and 37 on the one hand and that frame members 34,35,36 and 37 on the other hand. In this case, the fabric cover portion 201 shown in Figure 7 is only used when the combination is used as a suitcase and the ends of this fabric cover portion 201 are secured together by securing devices 205 (Figure 7).

Referring now to Figures 8, 9 and 10, these show a suitcase/leisure chair combination and in this case the suitcase frame is made up of two chair frames manipulated in the manner which will be described in due course. Referring first to Figure 8 which shows the frame in its chair mode, the frame has a U-shaped frame 50 which forms the "seat" of the chair from which downwardly depend legs 51, 52, 53 and 54 at the four corners.

The four legs are all tubular as is the U-shaped member 50 and the two front legs 52 and 53 receive telescopically the ends of a U-shaped frame 55; in like manner the rear legs 51 and 54 receive the ends of a U-shaped frame member 56. When extended the frame members 55 and 56 ensure that a fabric cover (not shown) covering the U-shaped frame member 50 is at the proper height from the ground to provide a seat of a chair at a comfortable height.

The ends of the arms of a tubular U-shaped member 57 are hinged by a locking hinge to the ends of the arms of the U-shaped frame member 50, the frame member 57 being covered by a fabric to provide the back of the chair. A strut 58 is provided for securing the frame member 57 at an appropriate angle to the frame member 50 to provide the maximum comfort when the frame is used as a chair.

To provide a suitcase, the arms of the frame members 55 are inserted to the extent possible into the legs 52 and 53 and frame members 56 removed and stowed in the bottom of the suitcase (not shown for clarity). Further, the frame member 57 is manipulated at the position in which it is in line with the frame member 50, being held in that position by the locking hinges. Two similar frames manipulated to the position just described are fitted together as shown in Figure 9 to constitute the frame of the suitcase and are secured together. For this purpose clips 58 are provided for securing the base of the Ushaped frame member 55 of one chair frame to the base of the U-shaped frame member 57 of the other chair frame and in so doing form a hinge to permit entry in the suitcase mode. Afabric cover is fitted around the frame shown in Figure 9 and can be seen in Figure 10.

The fabric cover consists of three portions, a rectangular tubular frame 60 which fits around the narrow ends of the frame as shown in Figure 9 and carries a handle 63. To each of its edges a rectangular fabric panel 61 is secured by means of zips 62 and 64 which can be pulled along a line indicated by the arrows.

The suitcase/sun-bed combination shown in Figures 11 to 13 has two frame members 71 and 72 hinged at points 80 and 81 to links 75 of which there are two. Two leg struts 73 are rigidly secured to frame member 72 as is a leg frame 74. A leg frame of U-shape is denoted at 76 and is hinged at points 80 to the hinges between frame 71 and links 75.

When the frame is configured as a suitcase, leg frames 74 and 76 and the links 75 are secured in relation to each other by suitable clips or struts which are not shown. Frame 71 acts as a lid and when it is closed two lugs 77 engage the corresponding ends of the leg struts 73 to provide a rigid box structure which can be readily understood from Figure 11, which shows the frame member 71 about to be brought into position in which the lugs 77 engage the leg struts 73. The frame members are tubular. Fabric panels 90, 91 and 92 are secured, respectively, to the frame 71, the struts 75 and the frame 72 and can be of a single length of fabric. The method of securing is not illustrated but could be based on the use of springs, elastics or elastic loops or the like.As can be seen from Figure 13, the fabric panels 90 and 92 cover the two relatively large rectangular sides of the case whereas the fabric panel 91 covers the relatively narrow rectangular side between them. Fabric panels 93, 94 and 95 which again may be parts of a single length of fabric, cover the other three narrow sides of the case, and are secured to the other length of fabric by means of a zip fastener. As illustrated in Figure 13, engagement of the zip fastener begins at the point 95 and ends at that point following the path indicated by the arrows shown in Figure 13. As a result, panel 90 covering frame member 71 which is effectively the lid of the case may be opened by unfastening three of its sides only.

Straps 78 surround the case when it is being carried and carry a handle 82.

To convert two the sun-bed configuration the straps 78 and handles 82 are removed as is the length of fabric providing panels 93, 94 and 95. The lid is opened and the devices securing the leg frames 74, the links 75 and the leg frames 76 are released. The frame 71 and the links 75 are then rotated around hinges 80 and 81 until they lie flat in the same plane as the frame 72. The leg frame 76 is then rotated about the hinges 80 and secured relative to the leg frame 74 by stays 79 (visible in Figure 12). The complete assembly is then inverted and the unrestrained frame 71 is set to the desired position (perhaps as illustrated in Figure 12) by attachment of the straps 78 at suitable points on the frames 71 and 72. As illustrated, this gives rise to the reclining position.It wou Id of course be possible to provide a totally flat sun-bed for example, by engaging the handles 82 into lugs 77.

It will also be appreciated that the legs 73 could be part of a U-shaped frame member, and the reclining angle of frame 71 adjusted by means of a hinged Ushaped frame 150 and stays 151 as shown in Figure 16. In this case U-shaped frame 150 and stays 151 fold within the plane of U-shaped frame 71 when in suitcase mode.

Figures 14 and 15 illustrate alternative hinges usable in the embodiment of Figures 8 to 10.

Referring to Figure 14, a sector plate 127 is rigidly secured to frame 122. A securing device such as a pin passes through a hole 128 in both the sector plate 127 and a leg 124 thereby holding the frames 121 and 122 in the same plane. When the pin is removed from the hole 128 the frame 122 rotates about the hinge pin 130 until a hole 129 is in line with a hole in the leg 124 when the pin may be reinserted, thus locking the frame 122 relative to the frame 121.

In the further alternative shown in Figure 15, side plates 132 are rigidly secured to the frame 122 and are hinged at pin 130. The angle joint 131 is such that the extreme angular movement of frame 122 relative to frame 121 is limited. With this type of hinge, in the chair mode, struts are utilised and are secured to suitable points on the frames 121 and 122 in order to maintain the relative angular positions.

A removable shaped liner may be provided in the suitcase mode. The liner may have inherent stiffening to maintain its shape and may be secured to the frames or fabric by means of press studs or similar.

In Figures 11 and 12, the frame members may be provided with push-infeetto prevent sinking into soft ground.

A suitcase as shown in Figure 10 could fit inside a suitcase as shown in Figures 3,7 or 13 of suitable size.

In all cases nylon netting or similar material secured to appropriate frame members may provide the surface on which to sit or lie when the covering material is totally or partially removed, or may provide reinforcementforthe covering material when such is left in position as the sitting or lying surface.

Figures 17 and 18 shows an alternative locking hinge arrangement which may be applied to any of the combinations previously described. The figure shows three frame members joined but the arrangement is equally applicable when two members are joined.

Each frame member 300, 301 and 302 each terminate in and are rigidly attached to a flat disc 305,306 and 307 respectively. A common pivot 303 passes through the centre of each disc. Holes 304 pass through each disc and by inserting a pin (not shown) locks the discs and therefore the frame members relative to each other. Obviously by orienting a number of holes in the various discs the relative angles can be varied.

Claims (16)

1. A suitcase/leisure chair or bed combination comprising a framework manipulable to a first position in which it provides a frame for a chair or bed and manipulable to a second position in which it provides the or part of the frame for a suitcase, and a cover for covering the framework in its second position so as to retain clothing or personal items.

2. A combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein support material is secured to the framework so as to provide support for a person using the chair or bed when the framework is in its first position.

3. A combination as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover is of fabric.

4. A combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fabric cover is made up of a plurality of parts separable by at least one zip.

5. A combination as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 3 or ciaim 4 as appendant to claim 1 wherein the framework comprises a rectangular portion to opposite edges of which are hinged frame members covered with support material and manipulable to positions in which they are parallel to the ground when the framework rests on the ground.

6. A combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein each flap is covered by a fabric panel.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 which comprises support means positionable in the same plane as the first and second flaps when they are parallel with the ground for supporting a person lying on the combination.

8. A combination as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the framework comprises first and second parallel similar sized and straight frame members the ends of which are in line, third and fourth similar sized and straight frame members hinged at corresponding ends to corresponding ends of the first and second frame members movable within first and second parallel planes, fifth and sixth similar sized and straight frame members hinged at corresponding ends to the opposite corresponding ends of the first and second frame members so as to be movable within said first and second parallel planes, a first U-shaped frame member hinged at the ends of its arms to the opposite ends of the third and fourth frame members and a second U-shaped frame member hinged at the end of its arms to the opposite ends of the fifth and sixth frame members, and leg members hinged to said frame members.

9. A combination as claimed in claim 8 as appendantto claim 2 wherein the support material is a length of fabric secured to the frame members.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 which comprises first means for maintaining the first, third and fifth frame members and the arms of the U-shaped frame members hinged thereto in line and second means for maintaining the second, fourth and sixth frame members and the arms of the U-shaped frame members hinged thereto in line.

11. A combination as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 which comprises first and second frameworks, each framework comprising a first frame member carrying support material constituting a seat of a chair, first and second front leg members depending from said frame member, first and second rear leg members depending from said frame member, said front and rear leg members being telescopic and a second frame member constituting a back of a chair, hinged to the first frame member, said first and second frameworks being securable together to constitute the frame of a suitcase.

12. Acombination as claimed in claim 11 wherein each leg member is tubular and each framework comprises a front U-shaped frame member the arms of which are slidable into the front leg members and a rear frame member the arms of which are slidable into the rear leg members.

13. A combination as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 comprising first and second parallel, straight and in line frame members, each having first and second ends, a first U-shaped frame member, the ends of the arms of which are hinged to said first ends of said first and second frame members, and a second U-shaped frame member, the ends of the arms of which are hinged to the said second ends of said first and second frame members, means for holding said first and second U-shaped frame members in a particular orientation, and leg members depending from said first U-shaped frame member.

14. A combination as claimed in claim 11 wherein at least one leg member depends from said first and second frame members.

15. A combination as claimed in claim 13 and claim 14 wherein said leg members are such that when said first and second U-shaped frame members are manipulated in a particular position in relation to said first and second frame members said leg members maintain said U-shaped frame members parallel.

16. A suitcase/leisure chair or bed combination substantiaiiy as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.