US1838292A - Folding bed structure - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 29, 1931. J. BASILE 1,838,292'

FOLDING BED STRUCTURE J. BASILE FOLDING BED STRUCTURE Dec. 29, 1931.

Filed June 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOP www,

, Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH BASILE, OF NEWVYORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO GREENPOINT METALLC BED CO., INC., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION. OF NEYV YORK ,romaine BED srnucrrnnn` Application filed .lune 16,

@ ing economically manufactured, strong and durable in service, easy to operate, and a substantial improvement in the art.

1n its broader aspects, the invention contemplates the provision of a stationary supporting frame, and a pair of movable bedspring sections adapted to be superimposed for use as a couch or single bed, and to be disposed side-by-side when opened out to form q a double bed. One of the bed-spring sec- 29 tions may preferably be supported at opposite ends by levers which are pivoted to the main frame to permit swinging movement of said section, and maintaining it in a. substantially horizontal plane during such swinging movement, while the other bedspring section may be capablev of vertical movement for positioning inthe same plane as the first bed-spring section when the device is opened out as a bed. More specifically, the invention comprehends the use of a plurality of bell-cranks for supporting the second mentioned spring section, said bell-cranks being connected together for movement in unison, and being operated by certain of the levers which support the other bed-spring section. A feature of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein the two bed-spring sections are normally spaced apart 1 when the device is folded in as a couch, and having counterbalancingmechanism of such a character that the spring sections may be sustained in an intermediate `position in the course of its manipulation; Y Anotherfeature of the invention is the provision of improved means for transmitting the weight of the spring sections to the main frame in such a manner as to prevent collapse of thev device when in use. f i

Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the following descripieee. semi No. 116,289.

tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration, and wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a couchbed built in accordance with the present invention, the parts being shown folded in for use as a couch or single bed;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the device, and showing the inner side of the mechanism at the opposite end of the couch;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2,' showing the parts in an intermediate position;

Figure l is an end elevation similar t0 Figure 1 with the parts folded out to position for use as a double bed;

Figure 5 lis a fragmentary top plan view thereof;

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 6--6 of Fig. 4, and

Figure 7 is a similar sectional view on line 7 7 of Fig. 4.

In carrying out the invention, a main frame is provided of any suitable material, that shown in the drawings comprising upright corner-posts or legs 10, formed from steel angle bars, Vconnected together at front and rear by longitudinal connecting members 11, and at the ends by transverse connecting bars 12. Bed- spring sections 13 and 14 are movably mounted on the main frame in such a manner that they may be selectively superimposed or disposed in lateral juxtaposition, dependent upon use of the device as either a couch or as a bed.

The outer bed-spring section 13 comprises transversely extending angle bars l5 at each end and having depending leg members 16 which may, if' desired, be formed integrally therewith.` The angle-bars at opposite ends of the device are connected by longitudinal bars 17 and. 1S and may, if desired, be equipped with diagonal braces or gussets 19 and 20, best shown in Figures 3 and 5. Any suitable form of bed-spring fabric may be ap plied to the frame between the angle-bars 15 Vand preferably each of the spring sections 13 and 14 are equipped with the same type of spring fabric. The spring section 13 is mounted for swinginv` movement to a position in 'front of the main frame of the couch, and for this purpose the angle bars 15 are pivoted, as at 21 and 22, to supporting arms 23 and 24, respectively, the lower ends of which are in turn pivoted at 25 and 26 to the transverse connecting bars 12. The pivoted arm 23 may preferably be formed of a straight metallic bar, while the arm 24 is provided with an offset 27 extending toward the arm 23 and providing means for firmly supporting the inner edge of the spring section 13 when it is swung to its outer position. It is of course to be understood that therarms 23 and 24 are duplicated at the opposite ends of the bed structure and it will be obvious that as force is applied to swinging the spring section 13 relative to the stationary frame it will be maintained in a substantially horizontal position throughout such movement. The proportions of the parts are such that when the spring section 13 reaches the position, as shown in Figure 4,

f wherein the leg member 1G rests upon the Hoor, the pivoted arms 23 and 24 coact to limit further movement of said section and to transmit a portion of its weight to the main frame. Such action is obtained by the abutment of the offset portions 27 of arms 24 with the opposing edges of the arms 23.

The inner spring section 14 is guided for vertical movement between the corner posts 10 of the main frame and comprises as a unit end members 28 which extend in a transverse direction and are connected by longitudinal bars 29 and 30. T he end members 28 are also preferably formed from steel angle bar stock and provided with vertical flanges 31 each of which has a pair of substantially horizontal slots 32 and 33 in which are operative portions of an eleva-ting mechanism.

The mechanism for elevating the inner spring section 14 may preferably include a pair of bell- cranks 34 and 35 at each end of the structure, said bell-cranks being pivoted at their elbows to the corresponding bars 12 of the main frame, as indicated at 36 and 37, respectively. The bell-crank 34 includes a relatively long arm 38 and a shorter arm 39 disposed at an acute angle toeach other and the upper end of the arm 38 is provided with a rivet 4G or other suitable connecting pin for engagement within the slot 32. The bellcrank 35 similarly includes a long arm 41 and a shorter arm 42 disposed at an obtuse angle relative to each other and the upper end of the arm 41 having a rivet or other suitable connection 43 with the slot 33. The outer ends of the arms 39 and 42 are connected together by links 44 in such a manner that the bell-cranks move in unison and the end of one'of said arms, for example, arm 39, is connected to the pivoted arm or lever 23 by means of links 39a.

iaaeea The normal positions of these parts when the structure is folded in for use as a couch or single bed are shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the other extreme position 1s shown in Figure 4. The inner spring section 14 is normally spaced a substantial distance below the spring section 13 in order to provide a convenient storage space for blankets and other bedding material and the elevating mechanism above described serves to raise said inner spring section to substantially the same plane as the outer spring section when in position for use as a double bed. The bellcranks 34 and 35 are so constructed and arranged that when the bed is opened out, as shown in Figure 4, the arms 38 and 41 are disposed vertically in such a manner that they firmly support the inner spring section 14 and transmit its weight in straight lines downwardly to the bars 12 of the main frame. In this manner the weight of said inner spring section does not tend to collapse the operative mechanism and said bellcranks are further held against collapse by their connection with the levers 23 supporting the outer spring section 13. As the parts are operated the rivets 40 and 43 have a relative sliding movement in their corresponding slots 32 and 33, and when the spring section 14 reaches its uppermost position, its end ianges 31 are engaged by deflected bearing members 45 on the rear corner-posts 10.

In order to assist in the movement of the parts in either direction, suitable counterbalancing springs are provided. In the specific embodiment illustrated the levers 23 carry substantially rectangular plates 46 which extend outwardly beyond the edges of said levers, and one extending portion of said plate is formed with an aperture 47 for reception of the end of a coiled spring 48, the opposite end of which is connected to a link 49 pivoted at 50 to the bar 12. rfhe other projecting portion of the plate 46 has pivoted to it a link 51 which is adapted for the connection of one end of a coiled spring 52, the opposite end of which is suitably secured to an extension 53 of the front corner-posts 10. lVhen the device' is folded in for use as a couch, the springs 52 at opposite ends of the structure are under tension exerting their force in such a manner as to assist in the opening movement of the device. At the same time the springs 48 are substantially out of action. It will be obvious from this that as the outer spring section 13 is swung outwardly to a position, as shown for example in Figure 3, theV forces of the springs 48 and 52 become neutralized and in such neutral position said outer spring section will be selfsustained. This feature is advantageous in manipulation-of the bed, since it permits free use of the persons hands for arranging the bedding material `upon the inner spring section '14. As the outward movement ofthe spring section 13 is continued, the tension ot the springs 52 is relieved and thereafter the springs i8 come into use to assist in overcoming the ei'lect of gravity in the linal movements or said outer swinging section. Also the springs i8 assist in returning said swinging section to normal position as will be obvious.

lt will be evident trom the foregoing that an improved folding bed structure has been produced which will be exceedingly simple and therefore economical to manufacture. 'lhe two normally superimposed spring sections may simultaneously move to either open or closed position with a minimum amount of t and it is to be noted that when the device is 'folded out for use as a double bed, the parts will be firmly held against accidental collapse. The structure may be used as a sample couch without embellishments or, it desired, the main supporting trame and associated parts may be embodied in a suitable wood and upholstery trame, such as known in the art as a davenport. The operation and advantages of the device are the same in either case.

rlhe invention is, of course, susceptible of numerous modilications in the details of contruction and arrangements 01"' parts, and the ight is herein reserved to make such changes claims without departing trom the spirit ot the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim, is:

l. A couch-bed structure including a main rame, a pair ot' bed-spring sections adapted o be selectively superimposed or disposed in ateral juxtaposition, levers pivoted to one Und ofthe main frame and supporting the corresponding end ot one of the bed-spring sections for lateral Cfwinging movement, bellcrnnh's pivoted at their elbows to the main and having two of their arms supportbed-spring section, said arms being substantially vertically disposed when the bed opened out and being permanently connected to said bed-spring section, and connecting means between one of the levers and the other arms or" the bell cranks whereby the two bed-spring sections may be moved simultaneously, said bell-cranks and connecting members being located at the same end of the main frame as said levers.

2. A couch bed structure including a main trame, a p ir ot bed-spring sections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposed in latrral juxtaposition, levers pivoted to one end ot the main frame and supporting the corresponding end oi one of the bed-spring sections for lateral swinging movement, bellcranks pivoted at their elbows to the main trame and having two of their arms supporting the other bed-spring section, said bell-cranks being connected in pairs at ops tall within the scope of the appended posite ends of the bed structure and said armsbeing permanently connected to said other bed-spring section and being substantially vertically disposed when the bed is opened out, and means connecting one of the levers at one end with the other arms ot the bell-cranks at that end whereby the two bedspring sections may be moved simultaneously, said bell-cranks and connecting members being located'at the same end of the main trames as said levers.

3. A couch-bed structure including a main frame, a pair of superimposed spring sections, pivoted arms for swinging the outer spring section to a. position in front ot the main frame and for supporting it in such position, bell-cranks pivoted to the main trame and having arms engaging with slots in the inner spring section, said bell-cranks being arranged in connected pairs at opposite ends of the device, links connecting the bell-cranks with said pivoted arms whereby they may be moved simultaneously, and springs Yfor assisting in movement of the parts in each direction.

il. a couch-bed structure including a stationary main frame, a pair of bed-spring sections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposed in lateral liuxtaposition, a pair ot levers pivoted to the main trame and supeorting one oft the bed-spring sections tor lateral swinging movement, a pair of bell-cranks also pivotcd to the main trame and having arms for supporting the other bed-spring section, a link connecting said bell-cranks tor simultaneous movement, and another link connecting one ot the bell-cranks with one ot the swinging' levers, whereby the two bed-spring sections may be moved simultaneously.

5. A couch-bed structure including a stationary main frame, a pair of bed-spring sections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposed in lateral juxtaposition, a pair ot levers pivoted to the main frame and supporting one ot the bed-spring sections for lateral swinging movement, a pair obellcranks also pivoted to the main trame, said bell cranks having arms for supporting the other bed-spring section, and additional arms for Y operating` them, the component arms ot' one of the bell-cranks being disposed at an acute angle and those of the other bell-crank being at an obtuse angle, a link connecting the extremities ot the second mentioned arms, and another link connecting one ot the second mentioned arms with one of the swinging levers, whereby the two bedspring sections may be moved simultaneously.

6. A couch-bed structure including a stationary main trame, a pair of bed-spring ysections adapted to be selectively superimposed or disposed. in lateral juxtaposition, a pair of levers pivoted to the main frame and supporting; one of the bed-spring sec# tions for lateral swinging movement, a pair of bell-cranks also piv-oted to the main frame and having arms for supporting the other bed-spring section, a link connecting said bell-cranks for simultaneous movement, and another link connecting one of the bellcranl-:s with one of the swinging levers, whereby the two bed-spring sections may be moved simultaneously, the bell-cranks being simultaneously movable in opposite di rections and having relative sliding connection with the inner bed-spring section.

7 A couch-bed structure including a main frame, superimposed inner and outer spring sections levers pivoted to the main frame for swingingthe outer spring section to a position in iront o the main frame, and elevatingl means for raising the inner spring section to substantiallf,7 the same plane as that of the outer spring section, said elevating` means comprising bell-cranks pvoted to the main iframe and having arms connected to slotted portions of the inner spring` section, a link connection between the bellcranks to render the same simultaneously movable in opposite directions, and means for operating said link from one of the swinging levers.

8. A couch-bed structure including` a main frame, superimposed inner and outer spring sections, levers pivoted to the main 'frame for swingingthe outer spring section to a position in front of the main frame, and elevating` means for raising the inner spring section to substantially the same plane as that of the outer spring section, .said elevating means comprising bell-cranks pivoted to the main iframe and having arms connected to slotted portions of the inner spring section, the pivots of said bell-cranks being equidistantly spaced from the front and rear edges of the main frame, a link connection between the bell-cranks to render the same simultaneously movable in opposite directions, and means for operating said links from one oi the. swinging levers.

JGSEPH BASILE.

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