US2243680A - Studio couch - Google Patents

Description

May 27, 194-1. 1. M, PINK IVETAL 2,243,680

' STUDIO ooucn Filed July ,22, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 r V M75 15 jhzMPzh/r and V'czor Begsirom fl v I! y Patented May 27, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF! CE 9 Claims.

:The 1 present inventionrelates to improvements instudio couches, and has particularly reference to a '-newand improved studio couch having two relatively slidable sections adapted to be -posi tioned in nested or superimposed relation for use-ass. seat or lounge, and to-be movedinto relatively projected-positionto provide a double sleeping'surface.

One of theobjects of the invention is to provide a couch of the foregoing charaoterhaving a novel actuating'mecha'nism interconnecting the couch sections, and operable with a positivemeehanical action to effectmovement of the couch sections either into relatively projected position or relatively retracted position.

A :further object is to provide a twin section studio couch ofrthe foregoing character in which one of thesections isprovided with a swinging back connected to the actuating mechanism, and aciaptedin its swinging movements-to serve as an actuating levenmovable synchronously with the relative sliding movement of the sections."

Another object is to provide a'new andimproved actuating mechanism for relatively sliding the two sections of-a twin section studio couch into and; out of nested relation which is operable to lock the sections selectively in either of the two'extreme positions of relative adjustment.

A further object is to provide a novel actuating mechanism of I the foregoing character which .Argener-al objectof the invention is to provide,

a novel twin section studio couch having an actuating -mechanism interconnecting the'sections which is simple and inexpensive in construction, which is easy to operate, and which is substantially concealed-from viewwhen the'sections are in assembled relation.

Other-obiectsand advantages will become ap parent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a fragmentary transverse vertical-sectional" view,

stantially along line 2---2 of Fig. 3,-butillustrat ingthe couch sections in relatively projected positiorn Fig; 3'isairagmentaryplan viewof the couch with the sections in'relatively projected position.- I r *Fig. 4 is a-fra-gmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of the couch taken substantially along lined- 4 of-'Fig.1.

5 is a fragmentary view similar't'oFigl "l, but illustrating a modified form of-the invention.

Fig. 6 -is a fragmentary view similar'toFi-g. '1, but illustrating' another m-odified form of the invention.

Fig. Tisa view similar to Fig. 6, but illustrating the couch sections inrelatively projectedposition.-

While :the' invention is susceptible of various modifications and" alternative constructions, we have shown in'the drawings and will-herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understoodthat we' donut thereby intend to limit the invention to the specificform disclosed, but-intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scopeof the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring --more particularly to the drawings, the couch-illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, and-constituting one-embodiment of the invention, comprises two relatively slidable couch sections 1 and '2 adapted to benested or telescope'd inzvertic-ally superimposed relation-as illustrated 'in Figs: 1 and 4,. or to be adjusted intoseparated or relatively-projected position as"illustrat-ed"in Figs. 2 and 3. -One'of the sections, ior'exam1'ale, the bottom or inner-section I-, maybe stationaryand the-other section, for example, the top or outer section may be 'slidabl-e. In the present in stance; the's'tati-onary" section I is provided with a reetan'gular horizontal 'reenforc'ed frame 3' havmg v position on the floor, and' hav-ing a longitudinal frofit cilannelmemberjt'. A suitable spring truc ture 6 is mounted in the frame}, and is adapted to receive a sleeping pad or cushion I when the stationary section I is uncovered. .The top or movablecouch section Zcomprises a horderframeB ,openat .therear to receive the stationary. section I andmore particularly comprising a longitudinal frontchannel member! anduend channel-memberstl ll. :A'rear longitudinal angle bar tl spans and is secured to the tops of the 'rear' ends of the frame members 10..

cal corner leg-s I adapted" to rest in fixed I Each of the frame members 9 and in has upper and lower flanges l2 and i3 extending inwardly in vertically spaced relation.

The section 2 is supported by four corner legs 14 which are secured to the lower flanges l3 of the end members l0, and which are provided with casters t5 adapted to roll on the floor. Aprons I 6, also secured to the lower flanges l3 of the frame, serve to conceal the legs l4 substantially from view.

Mounted on the top of the frame 9, I9 is a box spring structure I! adapted to provide a seating surface or a sleeping surface. A cushion 1 may be interchangeably positioned on the spring structure I! when the couch sections l and 2 are in relatively retracted position, or on the spring structure 6 when the sections are in relatively extended position. The spring structure I I may be covered with upholstery material l8.

Secured to the outside of the frame end members l9 and rising therefrom are two upright arm rests I 9. Each of these rests consists of an end frame substantially in the form of an inverted U, with the upper rear corner rounded as indicated at 29, and with the leg portions connected by a horizontal crossbar 2|. The couch section 2 is provided with a longitudinal back rest 22 having generally L-shapedend members 23 pivotally connected adjacent their free ends, as at 24, respectively to the crossbars 2|. Attached to the vertical portions of the members 23 are two curved lugs or yieldable pads 25 adapted to seat respectively on the rear corners 29 of the arm'rests l9 to support the back rest 22 in rear position as shown in Fig. 1, when the sections I and 2 are in relatively retracted position. The back rest 22 is pivotal from its rear position into a forward position substantially against the front member 9 of the section 2 as shown in Fig. 2.

The two couch sections l and 2 are positively interconnected by a mechanical actuating mechanism operable by the back rest 22 in the capacity of a lever to move the section 2 in synchronism with the back rest into projected or'retracted position relative to the section I.

The actuating mechanism, at each end of the couch. comprises a lever 26 of the third order, one end of which'is pivotally connected at 21 to an inwardly extending bracketarm or lug 28 rigidly securedto the upper flange l2 of the adjacent frame end member ID, and the other end of which is pivotally connected by a pin 29 to the front channel member 5 of the couch section I. The pin 29 is rigidly fixed to the lever 26, and extends downwardly through an elongated slot 39 in the upper'forwardly projecting flange of an angle bracket'3l secured to the front of the frame member 5; The lower end of the pin 29 is flattened to provide a flared key 32 rotatable, as an incident to the swinging of the lever 26, into interlocking relation to the slot 30. Except when the couch section 2 issubstantially infully projected position, "the pin 29 is not readily accessible, and the locking key 32 is not in parallel alignment with the slot 39, and hence prevents separation of the lever 26,from the bracket 3|. The slot .30 permits relative shifting of the pin 29 to accommodatethe arcuate movement of the latter as the lever 26 is swung from either extreme position to theother. g The lever 26 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to a link 33 in turn pivotally connected to a slide bar 34 mounted on the adjacent frame member ID for longitudinal movement transversely of the couch section 2. To provide means for supporting and guiding the bar 34, two depending brackets 35 are fixed to the upper flange l2 of the frame member I0 at opposite sides of the bracket arm 28. Headed pins 36 extend through two longitudinal slots 31 in the bar 34, and confine the latter slidably against the brackets 35.

The rear end of the bar 34 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 38 which is bent to extend first upwardly, then forwardly and finally upwardly and forwardly at an angle, and the forward end of which is pivotally connected by a pin 39 tothe end of a lever arm 40 pivoted to the crossbar 2| at 24 and constituting an extension of the horizontal portion of the adjacent end member 23 of the back rest 22.

When the back rest 22 is in its rear position and also when it is in its forward position, the pin 39 is located substantially in the same horizontal plane as the pivot 24, and consequently the couch sections l and 2, when either in relatively projected position or relatively retracted position, are locked against relative movement except through swinging actuation of the back rest 22 acting as a lever of the first order.

The two levers 26 at the opposite ends of the couch are interconnected by equalizing means to insure straight line movement of the couch section 2. This means consists of two crossbars 4| secured respectively to the levers 26 adjacent the pivots 21, and cross cables 42 connecting the ends of each bar respectively to the reverse ends of the other bar.

In operation, when it is desired to project the couch section 2 from the couch section I, the back rest 22 is swung forwardly. The end mem bers 23 of the back rest 22 operate as levers of the first order, and act through the arms 49 and the links 38 to shift the bars 34 rearwardly on the frame members I0. As a result, the bars 34 act through the links 33, as represented in Fig. 3, to swing the levers 26 of the third order from their forward position (illustrated in dotted outline) to their rear position (illustrated in full outline), the slots 30 accommodating the arouate movement of the pins 29. Since the pivots defined by the pins 29 are fixed to the couch section I against movement laterally of the couch, the section 2 is forced or projected forwardly off of the section I in harmonic synchronization with the progressive forward swinging movement of the back rest 22. Upon returning the back rest 22 into its rear position, the action is reversed to move the couch section 2 into retracted position over the section I.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention in which the back rest is permitted a limited swinging movement before actuation of the upper or top couch section. In all other respects, the two forms are substantially alike in construction, and hence the parts of the second form are identified by the same reference numerals, with the addition of the letter a, as the corresponding parts of the first form, and only the structural and functional differences will be described.

In Figs. 1 to 4, the pivot pin 39 extends through a closely fitting hole" in the forward end of the link 38. 'In Fig.5, the pin '39 extends through a longitudinal slot 43 in the link 38 of such length that the back rest 22 will swing forwardly through a small angle, for example, into the dotted position indicated in Fig. 5, before the actuating mechanism will begin to project the couch section 2 into forward position, and likewise that the backrest will swing rearwardly through a small angle before the actuatingmechanism will begin to return the couch section 2 into retracted position.

Apart from the slight initial swinging: movement of the back rest 22* in projecting-the upper section 2 forwardly or in retracting the section 2 from projected position, the couch of Fig. 5 operates in the same manner as the couch of Figs. 1 to 4. Movement of the upper section 2*, throughout its entire range, is attended. and "causedby swinging movement, of the lever back 22 in timed relation.

Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate another'modified form of the invention which is closely similarto-the form of Figs. 1 to 4*, and of which the parts corresponding to parts of the first form are identified by the same reference numerals plus the letter b. In this form, the mechanical connection between the slide bars 34 and'the frame3 of the section l is exactly the same: as that between the bars 34 and frame 3 in Figs. 1. to 4,

but the connection between the bars. 34 and the end members 23 of the back rest ZZ 'isdifierent. More particularly, the rear" end of each bar 3.4 is connected through a generally horizontal; link 44 to the lower end of a generally vertical lever 45 pivoted intermediate its ends at 418. on slug 1 4 1- securedto the rear leg of the adjacent arm rest W A generally horizontal link 48 is connected at the rear end to the; upper end of the lever 45, andat the front: endby a pin to the associated end member 23 of the back rest 22*. In this instance, the pin 49 is spaced from the end of the member 23 which acts as a crank about the center 24 to oscillate the lever 45in synchronism with the swinging movements of the rest 22 We claim as our invention:

1. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary couch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinear movement into and out of position over said stationary section, a back rest having end members pivotally mounted on opposite ends of said movable section for swinging movement from a back position into a forward position, an

actuating mechanism at one end of said movable section comprising a lever pivoted to said movable section, a bracket fixed on said stationary section and. having a longitudinal slot, a pin on. said lever projecting slidably through said slot and formed with a key preventing separation. from said bracket except when said sections are in relatively extended position, and means interconnecting said lever with said back rest to swing said lever in timed relation to the swinging movement of said back rest, a duplicate actuating mechanism at the other end of said movable couch sect-ion, crossbars secured to said levers of said actuating mechanisms, and cross cables connecting the opposite ends of said bars to equalize the movement of said levers.

2. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary couch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinear movement into and out of position over said stationary section, a back rest having end section, a bracket fixed on-said stationary section and having a longitudinal slot, a pinon said lever projecting slidably through said slot and formed with a key preventing separation from saidbracket except when said sections are in relatively extended position, and means interconnecting said lever with said back rest to swing said lever in timed relation to the swinging movement of said back rest, a duplicate actuating mechanism at the other end of said movable couch. section, and means for; coordinating the operationv of said actuating mechanisms so as to equalize the movements of the opposite ends of said movable section.

3. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary couch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinear movement into and out of position telescoping with said stationary section, a back rest having end members pivotally mounted on opposite ends of said movable section for swinging movement from a back position into a forward position, an actuating mechanism at one end of said movable sectioncomprising a horizontal-inwardlyextending lever under said movable sec tion pivoted at one end to said movable section for swinging movement generally transversely of said sections. and pivoted at the other end through a longitudinal sliding connection to said. stationary section, and meansinterconnecting said lever with said back rest to swing said lever in timed relation to the swinging movement of said back rest whereby to effect relative transverse movementofsaid: sections, a duplicate actuating mechanism at the other end of said movable couch. section, and means for coordinating the operation of said actuating mechanisms so as to equalize the movements of the opposite ends of said movable section.

i. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary bottom couch section having alongitudinal. front frame member; a topcouch section slidably movable into and out. of position over said stationary section. and'havinga' frame with opposite end frame members and open at the rear to receive said stationary section, arm rests secured to the. ends of said last mentioned'frame, aback rest. having. end members pivoted respectively to said arm rests and being movable rearwardly into stop engagement with said arm. rests to define a normal back position and movable forwardly into a front position clear of. the top of said movable section, two actu ating mechanisms respectively at. opposite ends oi said movable section, each actuating mechanism comprising an inwardly extending lever connected at the outer end to. the adjacent end framemembe'r of said movable section and at the other end forpivotal and relative longitudinal sliding movement to: said front frame member, a slide bar mounted on the adjacent end frame member'for movement transversely of said Section, a pivotal link interconnecting said slide bar and said lever, a vertical lever pivoted on the rear of said movable section and pivotally connected at the lower end through a link to the rear end of said bar, and a link pivotally conmeeting the upper end of said vertical lever to the adjacentend member of said back rest eccentrically of the back rest pivot, and means for equalizing the swinging movement of said actuating levers. 7 I

5. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary bottom couch section having a longitudinal front frame member, a top couch section slidably movable into and out of position over said stationary'section and having a frame with opposite end frame members and open at the rear to receive said stationary section, a back rest having end members pivoted respectively to said end frame members and being movable rearwardly into a normal back position and movable forwardly into a front position clear of the top of said movable section, two actuating mechanisms respectively at opposite ends of said movable section, each actuating mechanism comprising an inwardly extending lever connected at the outer end to the adjacent end frame member of said movable section and at the other end for pivotal and relative longitudinal sliding movement to said stationary section, a slide bar mounted on said adjacent end frame member and connected to said lever for synchronous movement transversely of said movable section, and a pivotal link interconnecting said slide bar and the adjacent end member of said back rest for movement in timed relation.

6. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary bottom couch section having a longitudinal front frame member, a top couch section slidably movable into and out of position over said stationary section and having a frame with opposite end frame members and open at the rear to receive said stationary section, arm rests secured to the ends of said last mentioned frame, a back rest having end members pivoted respectively to said arm rests and being movable rearwardly into stop engagement with said arm rests to define a normal back position and movable forwardly into a front position clear of the top of said movable section, two levers of the third order pivoted to said end frame members and extending inwardly therefrom, pin and slot connections between said levers and said front member, two horizontal bars slidably confined for reciprocation transversely of said sections on said end frame members, two links pivotally connecting said levers to said bars, two links pivotally connected to the rear ends of said bars and pivotally connected to said end members eccentrically of the connections of said end members with said arm rests, and means equalizing the movements of said levers, whereby said back rest is operable in its swinging movement to effect movement of said movable section in timed relation.

7. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary couch section, a movable couch section mounted for rectilinear movement into and out of telescoping relation to said stationary section, a back rest mounted for swinging movement on said movable section either into a normal back position or into a forward position clear of the top of said movable section, said back rest including a back rest member extending longitudinally from one end to the other end of said couch, and mechanical means positively interconnecting said back rest and said stationary section and operable to slidably project said movable section forwardly from said stationary section upon swinging movement of said back rest into forward position and to slidably retract said movable section rearwardly upon swinging movement of said back rest into back position, said connection including a lost motion permitting a free initial movement of said back rest in either direction and thereafter effecting movement of said movable section in timed relation to the swinging movement of said back rest, whereby the forward movement of said movable section is delayed to avoid inconvenience to the operator in the forward swinging movement of said back rest member.

8. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary couch section, a couch section slidably movable into and out of position telescoping with said stationary section and having a frame with opposite end frame members, a back rest having end members with pivotal connections to said end frame members and being movable rearwardly into a normal back position and movable forwardly into a front position clear of the top of said movable section, a lever of the third order pivoted to one of said end frame members and extending inwardly therefrom, pin and slot connection between the other end of Said lever and said stationary section, a horizontal bar slidably confined for reciprocation transversely of said sections on said one end frame member, a link pivotally connecting said lever and said bar, and a link connecting said bar and the adjacent end member of said back rest, said last mentioned link having a pivotal pin and slot connection with said one end member of said back rest to permit independent swinging of said back rest over a predetermined range and then timed movement of said back rest and said movable section.

9. A twin studio couch comprising, in combination, a normally stationary couch section, a normally movable couch section mounted for rectilinear movement into and out of position over said stationary section, a back rest having end members pivotally mounted on opposite ends of said movable section for swinging movement from a back position into a forward position, an actuating mechanism at one end of said movable section comprising a lever pivoted to said movable section, a bracket fixed on said stationary section and having a longitudinal slot, a pin on said lever projecting slidably through said slot, and means interconnecting said lever with said back rest to swing said lever in timed relation to the swinging movement of said back rest, a duplicate actuating mechanism at the other end of said movable couch section, cross bars secured to said levers of said actuating mechanisms, and cross cables connecting the opposite ends of said bars to equalize the movement of said levers,

IRA M. PINK. VICTOR BERGSTROM.

Images