US2257754A - Couch - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, J. 1

COUCH Filed June 23, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COUCH Application June 23, 1939, Serial No. 280,746

22 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible couches in general, such as disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 244,910, filed December 10, 1938, and more especially to a combination chair bed having a seat section and an interchangeable back and bed section.

With the combination chair bed disclosed in my co-pending application, it was found necessary when converting the combination from chair formation into couch formation fully to raise the outer bed section about waist high before the same was in position to descend into floor engaging relationship. This, therefore, required the attendant to stoop down to engage the outer edge of the outer bed section and to raise it to the aforesaid waist altitude and in turn when reconverting the combination from bed formation into chair formation it was again necessary for the attendant to stoop down to engage the outer edge of the bed section before folding it up to collapsible back forming position. In view of the foregoing, it was an object of the present invention to provide an improved collapsible couch where with practically the same linkage, but with different relative lengths or sizes and operative positions, it is possible to actuate the combination from chair formation into bed formation by merely engaging the outer bed section by the foot of the operator and drawing it outwardly until it automatically descends into floor engaging position.

In view of the foregoing, it is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved combination chair bed in which when converting the combination from bed formation into chair formation, it is only necessary for the attendant to engage the outer end of the outer section and slightly raise it by the attendants foot and then press it toward the seat section until it is fully collapsed into back forming position.

It is still another objectv of the present invention to provide an improved combination chair bed having interchangeable back and bed sections whereby the interchangeable sections when disposed in chair formation may be engaged by the foot of the attendant and drawn outwardly without requiring the attendant to stoop'down and engage the lower portion of the interchangeable section and whereby in turn the interchangeable sections may be converted from bed formation into back formation by the simple expedient of calling upon the attendant to engage the lower end of the outer bed section'with his or her foot, slightly raise the same andthen press it toward the seat section.

These, and other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subjointed detail description of specific embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an end elevation of the chair bed in chair formation with a part thereof broken away. c

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the chair bed in chair formation but on a slightly larger scale than that of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a fragmental end elevation showing the interchangeable back and bed section in its elevated position before being moved into bed formation.

Fig. 4 is another fragmental end elevation showing the interchangeable back and bed section, in full lines, fully elevated before descending into floor engaging position and, in dash and dot lines, descended into initial floor engaging position.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation on a slightly smaller scale, showing the combination bed chair in bed formation, and

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 5, the combination bed chair consists essentially of a seat section A, an intermediate bed section B and an outer bed section C. The section A has a permanently attached upholstered portion I secured to a frame 2 having front legs 3 mounted on casters 4 and rear legs or downward extensions 5 having the caster brackets 6 secured thereto with casters 1 supported thereby as shown in Fig. 5.

It is optional whether to use arm rests although arm rests 8 and 9 mounted on the brackets l0 and II are provided in the present instance, the brackets I0 and II being secured to the sides of the frame 2. The section B as shown in Fig. 5, has mounted thereon in bed formation, a removable, upholstered cushion l2 which may or may not be hingedly connected to the upholstered portion I although in the present instance it is shown as hingedly connected to such upholstered portion I. This cushion l2 in bed formation rests on the intermediate bed frame l3 and in chair formation as shown in Fig. 1, rests upon the upholstered portion I. The section C includes a cushion l4 inbed formation resting on the outer bed section l5 and in chair formation, see Fig. 1, is supported upright on the cushion l2 adjacent the frame members l3 and I5 then folded against one another.

The intermediate frame I3 consists essentially of angle iron side bars l6 connected at their upper ends in chair formation by the angle iron bar I! and connected at their lower ends in chair formation by the tubular U-shaped reenforcement I8.

The inwardly extending webs of the angle iron bars l6 and II have connected thereto a spring fabric designated generally by the reference character 19. The U-shaped reenforcement I8 is slightly spaced from the free ends of the side bars l which free ends, see particularly Figs. 2 and 3, have formed thereon the studs or pins 23 which are slidably mounted in the vertical slots 25 formed in the forwardly extending webs 22 of the angle iron brackets 23. outwardly extending webs 24 of the brackets 23 have screws 25 extending therethrough into the OutWardly'extending webs 26 of the uprights 5 with spacers such as the nuts 21 on the screws 25 disposed between the webs 2d and 26. Thescrews 25 preferably have their heads engaging the inner faces of the webs, 2 8 and wing nuts 28 engaging the outer ends of the screws2-5 and resting against the rear faces of-the webs 24, preferably as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. There are two screws 25 for each bracket spaced from one another with their wing nuts 28 secured to the outer ends thereof as shown. Preferably below the upper screw 25 of each bracket, there is provided an angle iron supporting bracket 29 with its outwardly extending web-33 secured to the outwardly extending web" 24 of theangle iron 23 and its forwardly extending web. 3i positioned inwardly of an adjacent web 22 of a bracket 23. Pivotally connected, to the inner faces of the webs 3|, there are provided the links 32 which are in turn connected to the intermediate legs 33 each of which has one end pivotally connected to the inner face of the downwardly extending web, in bed formation, of a side bar 16. The samepivot pin in the present instance-to wit, the pin 34 by which a link is connected to a leg 33, also pivotally connects an end of a link The rearward ends of the links 35 in bed formation, see Fig. '5, are connected to One another by the cross bar 35 to the ends of which, adjacent the inner faces of the links 35,

there arejournaled the large rollers or support ing wheels 31-.

In the present instance it will be seen that the pivotal connection of the legs 33 with the side bars "5 is slightly beyond the middle thereof and in bed formation is rearward of the middle thereof. The outer frame is preferably composed of 'two lateral angle iron side bars 38 having their upper webs in bed formation extending toward one another and connected to a spring fabric designated generallyby the-reference character 33.; The outer or rear ends of the side bars 38 in bed formation are connected by the angle iron 43- having its horizontal web in bed formation extending inwardly and resting on the upper faces of the side bars 38 and its vertical web 4!, in bed'formation, extending upwardly to form a limiting stop or a positioning stop for the pillow id in bed formation, that shown in Fig. 5.

The links- 35 are connected to the side bars 38 by the links 42, Each link 42, in bed formation, has its pivotal connection with a side bar 38 disposed slightly rearward of the'middle of the side. bar 38 and inclines forwardly and has its other end pivotally connected to a link 35 just forwardly of the connecting bar 36. i

The wheels, 3? may consist of a small bushing 531' with an enlarged hard rubber or composition tread forming. the disc I38 as shown in Figs. 3 and4.

In the operation or conversion of this combination chair bed from chair position, that shown in Fig. 1, into bed formation, that shown in Fig. 5, it will only be necessary with the present construction for the attendant to place the instep of his foot or toe under the bar 38 and draw it outwardly into the position shown in Fig. 3, which is the position where the slack in the several cooperating parts will have been taken up and then to continue to draw on the same until the position shown in Fig. 4 has been reached where, upon allowing the rollers 31 to descend and engage the floor 43, the frames l3 and I5 will automatically spread out into bed formation, that shown in Fig. 5, the weight of the frame elements exercising pressure on the several levers and facilitated by the rollers 31 to move the several parts into the position shown in Fig. 5. In the present instance, the angle assumed by the frames [3 and I5 relative to one another in the position shown in Fig. 3 when the slack between the several cooperating parts has been taken up and the frame 13 has been raised from the dashand-dot line. positionof Fig. 3 to the full line. position is approximately twenty-five degrees and the angle between these frames [3 and I5, in the position shown in Fig. 4, when the frame it has been sufficiently raised to. permit the automatic'opening of the frames [3 and I5 into bed formation is about forty-one degrees. With a full-size bed chair, having a seat width of about twenty-six and oneehalf inches. and a depth of about twenty-eight and one-half inches for the upholstered portion l and an altitude from the floor level 43 to the upper face of the upholstered portion of about eleven inches, it has been found that with the anglesaforesaid and the dimensions aforesaid, the foot of the attendant need not be raised more than six and one-half inches above the ground at any time when engaging the bar 36 and drawing it outwardly during the operation aforesaid.

On the other hand, by experiment, it has been. found that while the aforesaid respective angles twenty-five degrees and forty-one degrees with the proportions mentioned are particularly desirable, an angle as great as sixty degrees between.

the frames l3. and I5, where the foot of the attendant of average height need not rise more than eight inches from the floor level 43 when drawing the bar 36 outwardly, will be practical and satisfy the requirements of the present invention. In other words, in order to satisfy the requirements of the present invention, the relation of parts must be such that the foot of the operator need not be raisedv more than twelve.

inches from the floor when actuating the interchangeable. back and bed section into bed formation and preferably not more than. eight inches from thefloor.

It willalso be seen that the range of movement. of thebar 36, see Fig. 4,'in the particular preferred arrangement is in an area between six and one-half inches at. the highest from the floor, that.

shown in Fig. 4, and: five and one-half inches at the lowest, that shown in. Fig. 1. In other words,,

in its ideal condition the; rise in. a. vertical direction does not exceed one. inch and, this one inchv vertical movement startsf-rom a point as low as five and one-half inches from the floor so that there is little danger of the attendant being thrown off. balance when operating this structure by foot as is the case with the structure of my 00- pending applicationSerial No. 244,910, where the lowermost position, in back formation, of the outer end of the outer bed section. is disposed above the face of the main bed frame 2 that'is over seven inches and as a matter of fact about eleven inches above the floor level, which position may be convenient for initially engaging the same by the foot of the attendant but requires a very low stoop if the hand of the operator is required to engage this end. Consequently, if the uppermost position of the outer end of the outer bed section exceeds twenty-four inches or approaches a position that is waist high before descending into floor engaging position, it is of course impossible to operate such structure with the foot and require the operator to use his hand so than an initial low stoop is necessary.

In the present instance, as is also thecase with the structure in applicants co-pending application for back formation the side bars I6 of the intermediate section i3 engage the webs 3!) of the supports 29 and also the abutments 44 on the webs 45 extending upwardly from the rear ends of the side bars 46 of the main frame 2, and in turn in bed formation the lower faces of the side bars it of the intermediate frame l3 rest upon the upper edges of the webs 3d of the supports 29. Similarly here too, while no upward movement of the intermediate frame [3 ordinarily occurs when the bar 36 is moved outward initially where the slack between the several cooperating parts is taken up, the upward movement of the intermediate section Hand outward swing in the direction of the arrow H36 as shown in Fig. 3 commences immediately after the initial slack between the several cooperating parts is taken up. In fact, as shown in Fig. 3, after taking up the initial slack and the frame I 3 has been raised from the dash-and-dot line position to the full line position shown in Fig. 3, the frame I3 may clearthe rearward faces of the abutments 44 and the front faces of the webs 30.

As clearly shown in Fig. l, the weight of the frame lit in erect position through the leg 33 and link 32 rests on the pivot pinconnecting the link 32 to the bracket 29, see Fig. 6.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a support having upwardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of saidintermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to the sides of said intermediate bed section at points removed from the ends thereof, linkspivotally connected at one of their ends to said support and at their other ends pivotally connected to said leg bars at points removed from the ends of said leg bars, second links pivotally connected to said leg bars at the pivotal points with said first links, third links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of the outer bed section at points removed from the ends of said outer bed section and at their other ends to said second links, a cross bar connecting the outer ends of said second links to-one another and rollers at the ends of said cross bar to serve as rollingsupports for said outer bed section in bed formation.

2, The combination of a support adapted to be supported on a floor having upwardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bedsection having pivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, first links'pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, a cross bar having rollers adjacent the ends thereof, second links connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, the leg bars being pivotally connected to the side bars of said intermediate bed section at points sufficiently spaced from the ends of said intermediate bed section to enable the intermediate bed section when being spread out to be elevated into position automatically to descend into bed formation without appreciably raising the outer bed section from the supporting floor.

3. The combination of a support adapted to be supported on a floor having vertically extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at oneend thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, a cross bar having rollers adjacent the ends thereof, second links connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, the leg bars and short links being pivotally connected to the side bars of said bed sections at points sufiiciently. spaced from the ends of said bed sections to enable the intermediate bed section when being spread out to be elevated into position automati-' cally to descend into bed formation without appreciably raising the outer bed section from the supporting floor.

4. The combination of a support having vertically extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section. having pivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section. first links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at theother of their ends to said support, a cross bar having rollers adjacent the ends thereof, second links connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed. section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, the leg bars being pivotally connected to the side bars of said intermediate bed section at points sufficiently spaced from the ends of said intermediate bed section to enable theintermediate bed section when being spread out to be elevated into position automatically to descend into bed formation while the intermediate andv outer bed sections still assume an acute angle to one another.

5. The combination of a support having vertically extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at one end, thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, a cross bar having rollers adjacent the ends thereof, second links connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, the leg bars and short links being pivotally connected to the side bars of said bed sections at points sufficiently spaced from the ends of said bed sections to enable the intermediate bed section when being spread out to be elevated into position automatically to descend into bed formation while the intermediate and outer bed sections still assume an acute angle to one another.

6. The combination of a seat section having a support with upwardly extending slots therein, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section and an outer bed section foldable at one time into erect position in back formation and extensible at an other time into horizontal bed formation, pivot pins slidably mounted in said slots formed along one of the ends of said intermediate bed section, the other ends of said intermediate bed section being pivotally connected to one of the ends of said outer bed section, and means including leg bars pivotally connected to said bed sections for limiting outward movement of said outer bed section from said intermediate bed section when moving from back formation into bed formation before raising the pins of said intermediate bed section in said slots into position to enable said intermediate and outer bed sections automatically to descend into bed formation in which first mentioned position the intermediate and outer bed sections still assume an acute angle to one another.

, 7. The combination of a seat section having a support with upwardly extending slots therein and adapted to be supported on a floor, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section and an outer bed section foldable at one time into erect position in back formation and extensible at another time into horizontal bed formation, pivot pins slidably mounted in said slots formed along one of the ends of said intermediate bed section, the other ends of said intermediate bed section being pivotally connected to one'of the ends of said outer bed section, and means including leg bars pivotally connected to said bed sections for limiting the upward movement of said outer bed section from the supporting floor when moving the same from back formation into bed formation before raising the pins of said intermediate section in said slots into position to enable said intermediate and outer bed sections automatically to descend into bed formation so that stooping on the part of the attendant may be eliminated when performing the conversion.

8. The combination of a seat section having a support with vertically extending slots therein and adapted to be supported on a floor, an inter'changeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section and an outer bed section foldable at one time into erect position in back formation and extensible at another time into horizontal bed formation, pivot pins slidably mounted in said slots formed along one of the ends of said intermediate bed section, the other ends of said intermediate bed section being pivotally connected to one of the ends of said outer bed section, and means including leg bars pivotally connected to said bed sections for limiting the upward movement of said outer bed section from the supporting floor to one inch when moving the same from back formation into bed formation before raising the pins of said intermediate section in said slots into position to enable said intermediate and outer bed sections automatically to descend into bed formation so that stooping on the part of the attendant may be eliminated when performing the conversion.

9-. The combination of a seat section having a support with upwardly extending slots therein, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section and an outer bed section foldable at one time into erect position in back formation and extensible at another time into horizontal bed formation, pivot pins slidably mounted in said slots and formed in one of the ends of said intermediate bed section, the other ends of said intermediate bed section being pivotally connected to one of the ends of said outer bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to the sides of said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected to said support at one of their ends and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section at the other of their ends to said second links, a cross bar connected to the free ends of said second links, and rollers at the ends of said cross bar, engagement of said cross bar to pull the interchangeable section from back formation into bed formation maintaining said short links in alignment with said outer bed section and limiting the upward movement of said outer bed section before raising the pins of said intermediate section in said slots into position to enable automatic descent of said interchangeable section into bed formation so that stooping on the part of the attendant may be eliminated when performing the conversion.

10. The combination of a seat section having a support with vertically extending slots therein, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section and an outer bed section foldable at one time into erect p0sition in back formation and extensible at another time into horizontal bed formation, pivot pins slidably mounted in said slots and formed in one of the ends of said intermediate bed section, the other ends of said intermediate bed section being pivotally connected to one of the ends of said outer bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to the sides of said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected to said support at one of their ends and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected atone of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section at the other of their ends to said second links, a cross bar connected to the free ends of said second links, and rollers at the ends of said cross bar,-

engagement of said cross bar to pull the interchangeable section from back formation into bed formation maintaining saidshort links in alignment with said outer bed section and limiting the upward movement of said outer bed section to one inch before raising the pins of said intermediate section in said slots into position to enable automatic descent of said interchangeable section into bed formation so that stoopin on the part of the attendant may be eliminated when performing the conversion.

11. The combination of a support having upwardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at one end thereof;

slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to the sides of said intermediate bed section at points removed from the ends thereof, links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said support and at their other ends pivotally connected to said leg bars at points removed from the ends of said leg bars, second links pivotally connected to said leg bars end of said outer bed section in back forming position, and 'a cross bar connecting the outer ends of said second links to one another.

l2;The combination of a support having upwardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed .section having pivot pins at one end thereof slid- .ably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to the sides of said intermediate bed section at points removed from the ends thereof, links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said support and at their other ends pivotally connected to said leg bars at points re- .moved from the ends of said leg bars, second links pivotally connected to said leg bars at the pivotal points with said first links, third links vpivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of the outer bed section at points removed from the ends of said outer bed section and at .their other ends to said second links, saidthird links extending to and beyond the outer end of said outer bed section in back forming position, and a cross bar connecting the outer ends of said 1 second links to one another at a point beyond the outer end of said outer bed section so that it will clear the same and be disposed beyond the outer end thereof in back forming position.

13. The combination of a support having upwardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pitovally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to the sides of said intermediate bed section at points removed from the end thereof, links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said support and at their other ends pivotally connected to said leg bars at points removed from the ends of said leg bars, second links pivotally connected to said leg bars at the pivotal points with said first links, third links said second links to one another.

pivotally connected. at one" of theirv ends to" the sides of the outer bed section at points removed from the ends of said outer bed section and at their other ends to said secondlinks, said second links extending to. and beyond the outer end of said outer bed section in back forming position, and across bar connecting the outer ends of 14. The combination of a support having upwardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg

bars pivotally connected to the sides of said intermediate bed section at points removed from the ends thereof, links pivotallyconnected at one of their ends to said support and at their other ends pivotally connected to said leg bars at points removed from the'ends of said leg bars,

second linkspivotally, connected to said leg bars at the pivotal points with said first links, third links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of the outer bed section at points removed. from the ends of said outer bed section and'at their other ends to said second links, and a cross bar connecting the outer ends of said second links to one another at a point beyond the outer end of said outer bedsection so that 'it will clear the same and be disposed beyond the outer end thereof in back forming position.

15. The combination of a support having upwardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section havingpivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section,.leg barspivotally connected to said intermediate bed section,

.first links pivotally. connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, across bar, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to' said cross bar and pivotally'connected at their other I -ends to said legbars, short links pivotally con- :nected at one of their ends to the sides of said wardly extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins'at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected at one of their {ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, across bar, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, said short links extending to and beyond the outer end of said outer bed section in back forming position to enable said cross bar to clear the outer end of said outer bed section in back forming position.

17. The combination of a support having vertically extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotallly connected to said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, a cross bar, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, said second links being substantially long to enable said cross bar to clear the outer end of said outer bed section in back forming position.

18. The combination of a support having vertically extending slots, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section having pivot pins at one end thereof slidably mounted in said slots, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, a cross bar, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, the pivotal connection between said short links and said second links being disposed at a point beyond the outer end of said outer bed section in back forming position.

19. The combination of a support, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section slot and pin connected to said support, an outer bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, a cross bar, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, the pivotal connection between said short links and said second links being disposed at a point beyond the outer end of said outer bed section in back forming position.

20. The combination of a support adapted to be supported on a floor, an interchangeable back and bed section including an intermediate bed section slot and pin connected to said support, anouter bed section pivotally connected at one end to the other end of said intermediate bed section, leg bars pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, first links pivotally connected at one of their endstosaid leg bars and at the other of their ends to said support, a cross bar having rollers adjacent the ends thereof, second links pivotally connected at one of their ends to said cross bar and pivotally connected at their other ends to said leg bars, short links pivotally connected at one of their ends to the sides of said outer bed section and at their other ends pivotally connected to said second links, the leg bars and short links being pivotally connected to the side bars of said bed sections at points sufficiently spaced from the ends of said bed sections to enable the intermediate bed section when being spread out to be elevated into position automatically to descend into bed formation without appreciably raising the outer bed section from the supporting floor.

21. The combination of a bracket, a first bed section, pin and slot connected to said bracket, a second bed section pivotally connected to said first bed section, a support extending from said bracket and supporting the adjacent end of said first bed section in horizontal position, legs pivotally connected to said first bed section at points removed from the pivotal connection between said bed sections, short links pivotally connected to said second bed section at points removed from the pivotal connection between said bed sections, one pair of links pivotally connecting said legs to said support, a second pair of links pivotally connecting said legs to said short links, a bar connecting said second pair of links to one another at their outer extremities, and supporting means secured to said bar to engage the supporting surface when the bed sections are in horizontal or bed forming position.

22. The combination of a bracket, a first bed section, pin and slot connected to said bracket, a second bed section pivotally connected to said first bed section, a support extending from said bracket and supporting the adjacent end of said first: bed section in horizontal position, legs pivotally connected to said first bed section at points removed from the pivotal connection be-.

tween said bed sections, short links pivotally connected to said second bed section at points removed from the pivotal connection between said bed sections, one pair of links pivotally connecting said legs to said support, a second pair of links pivotally connecting said legs to said short links, a bar connecting said second pair of links to one another at their outer extremities, and casters secured to said bar to engage the supporting surface when the bed sections are in horizontal or bed forming position.

JOSEPH MARTIN.

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