US2577223A - Wall bed - Google Patents

Description

E. E. WOLLER Dec. 4, 1951 WALL BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 16, 1946 E. E. WOLLER Dec. 4, 1951 WALL BED Filed May 16, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. E. WOLLER Dec. 4, 1951 WALL BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 16, 1946 Dec. 4, 1951 E. E. WOLLER 2,577,223

WALL BED Filed May 16f 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 E. E. WOLLER WALL BED 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' Filed May 16, 1946 Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES oer-ice;

2,577,223 WALL BED;

Edward'iEi WolIer, Kenosha, Wis; assignor tf Simmons Company, Kenosha, Wis., wcorpora tion of Delaware' Application May 16, 1946;;Serial-;Nov.670,1.67

9"CIaims. (C12 5-'16-0") This 1 invention relates to folding beds; of the Y type which are-.adaptedLto/be swungto a vertical positionior. concealment within a wall" recess when not in use. Such structures usually include al-linkage for. movably, supporting theihead end of-.the ,bed withinthe .wallrecess and apair of foldablelegs. for supportingthe foot end of the bed Wh'enit is. loweredinto .theroom.

The main. objects ,of Ithis invention. are to. provide an improvedio'rm ofiwall bed which may; be concealed fwithih a walljrecess ofjminimumidepth and .whichtis. particularly adap'ted;.for use on railroad..-P1illinan..cars and on .ships; toiprovide an improved-.linkage. for, movably. supportinggthe lieadend ofjthe bedi'within' the wallirecess; to A provid improvediautomatically actuated. means for extendingthele'gs when. the bed .is lowered and for ioldingtlielegs against .the bedwhenthe bed'is ,raisedlto its concealed position; to provide an improved j'wall paneliorming a door for dos--20: ing the recess to. conceal'the bedwh'enthe bed (is in'fo'lde'd 'position; to provide improved means for attaching the panel "to the bed; to provide improved" counter-balancing means to" facilitate raising ;and lowering of the bed; 7 and to "provide 5 a'simple and durable -wall bed of this: type .which will: accommodate: an innerspringg' mattress of standard thickness;

An illustrative embodiment, ofxthis invention is shown intheac-companyingdrawings wherein:

Figure '1 "isa fragmentary perspectiveview "of a wall-' and recess showing the' improved bed in partly lowered position,

Figure zis a view similar to Figured; but-showingvthe bed: loweredito horizontal. position:

Figure;3;is:-a fragmentary plamview of the inner-side of :the upperpend.oitherwalhpanel showing-the-latch mechanism nfor. lockinglthe panelto the frame of the recess. 7

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly brokenawayzw andpartly insection, .showingthe bedopened to horizontal position.

Figure .5 'is an enlarged detailinsectionoithe counter-balancing meanse.

Figures. 6 7. are enlargedjfragmentary vend? 45:?

elevations. of Ith'e bd,.. taken. from the ile'fti. and right, respectively, of." Figure 4,".sh'0wiiigthe mechanism forautomatically' folding and 'extending the slipporting lgs. v

nects the .panelftothe licadiend of the bedi Figurefi'isanenlarged transverse.sectionoi the panel latch operating mechanism, the. view being taken on the 1i I.1e.9 -.-9 of Figure; 7

The bed-'--is--suspended; by a pairiioi ishaped links" I3" having their upper. ends pivotallye secured to -the-=recessframei byipivotsnl 4 :engaging 5101334 5 inthe frame-. Th'efilower;.forwardiyzprojecti-rig ends of= 'the-..1inks. l 315 are :pivotallyzconnested-"to the-bed irame-by pins liiiwhichxengage Figuretliisl. an emargedffr'agmentary.side file-50..

. vation'jof the b'tedQjshbwing the linkage whioh conplates 1 l' 'extendingxbetween dhelmemhers 9:?and l D-0fthe frame 13 V 7 When the. bed isin'xopempositione as ishowneln Figures =2 and; 4; the-router. endthereof 1" i ;v supoorted 'on atpa votkfoldable; 1685il 8' which; are pivotallysecured tmtheir'amei member 10 byepins l9;

The automati'c'z actuating smeciiamismi iforcthe legsincludesa pair ofi longitudinally? extending rods zil rotatably supported .insthe' framezmember IMatvrespectively. oppositezsideszthereotz Rigidly ends of; which rare; pivotallmsecured tosthedegfiwla by shortvlinkse22 wherebygtheslegszmaya, be folded and extended by thezzrotationiofithesrods.

Pt-ot'ationcotithe rotds- ZHeiSxefieotedsby theeIIlechanism lustrated sins-Figure. 6.,2 Thenrea'ri: end of eacha nthesrodesZ flx-ha-scflxed' .the-reonzan arm 23 pivotallycJcQnnectedgtma link Zita-Which in turn iemivotadlyiiconnected to ailever 2.5:Which isipivotally z'supporteda ontemplates- 2sects-themed frame. 'Ilhezouter ;end:of theelever; 25:.coaotsnWitli aistop 27 on the recess frame 2 so that, when the-sinner endn'ofrthei be"d..-:movessupward"l3c:duringsthe: bedopeningaoperation; .the- -1ink:;2fl moves-downwardly to rotaterithez arm; 23 :andlits --rod-=.2 ilntherebmcausing thenar-m: 2 l at the forward end ofnthezromto unfold the leg 5| aloutwardlm-andndownwardly into bed supporting position. Connected to-the legs i {Landtha frame member I fl arasprings. 28.which he end of the bed moves downwardly so as to swing the links 25 away from the stop 21 to permit the springs 28 to retract the legs 18.

To facilitate movement of the bed to its closed and open positions, the structure includes the counter-balancing mechanism illustrated in Fig ures 4 and 5. This mechanism includes a hOllzontal shaft 29 which extends through the rear tube 39 of the bed frame member 9. The shaft 29 is journalled in ball bearings 3| supported in journal boxes 32 which are secured to the ends of the tube 39 by clamping rings 33. The journal boxes 32 and rings 33 are clamped together by screws 33a. Mounted on the shaft 29 is a series of short sleeves 34 embraced by a helical spring 35. One end of this spring is anchored to one of the journal boxes 32 and the other end thereof is secured to a sleeve 36 which is fixed on the shaft 29.

Fixed on the ends of the shaft 29 are pinions 31, which mesh with vertically disposed racks 38 mounted on respectively opposite sides of the recess frame 2 so that, when the bed is raised and lowered, the shaft 29 is rotated. The arrange- .ment is such that, when the bed is opened, the head end rises so as to rotate the shaft 29 in a direction which will contract the spring 35 and therefore the spring, having a tendency to unwind, will assist in raising the bed to the vertical position.

Also mounted on the ends of the shaft 29 are discs 39 which ride between a pair of spaced guide rails 4|], 4| for securing the pinions 31 in operative engagement with the racks 38.

To prevent the bed sheets from becoming entangled in the mechanism in the space behind the bed frame, a thin sheet metal cover plate 42 overlies the tube 30. Its rear edge is fixed on a rod 43 which is rotatably supported in the side members of the recess frame 2. Fixed on the rod 43 are arms 44 which are pivotally connected to the lower ends of vertical links 45. The upper ends of these links 45 are'connected to plates 46 which are pivotally supported on pins 41. A link 4B operatively connects each of the plates 46 with the adjacent L-shaped supporting link l3 so that,

*when the link l3 moves rearwardly as the bed is raised to vertical position, the link 451s lifted so as to swing the cover plate 42 rearwardly in contact with the face of the mattress.

' 'When the bed is folded to vertical position, it

is concealed within the wall recess by an improved door panel 49 which is sufficiently large to completely fill the opening. In order to permit folding and unfolding of the legs 18, it is necessary to support the panel by means which will permit a longitudinal shifting of the panel relative to the bed frame. This is accomplished by apair of links 50, located at each side of the 'bed for pivotally connecting the panel to the I frame member ID. Longitudinal shifting of the panel is effected by the links l3 which are operatively connected to the links 5| by links 52 having slots 53 for receiving pins 54 on the supporting links l3.

The construction is such that, in lowering the bed to horizontal position, the pins 54 engage the links 52 at the lower ends of the slots 53 for shifting the panel rearwardly so as to permit unfolding of the legs I8. In raising the bed to its concealed position, the pins 54 lift the links 52 and 1 5| so as to shift the panel upwardly for completely closing the wall recess. In this manner, the panel is shifted positively in either direction 4 by the link '52, although it will be understood that by properly positioning the links 50 and 5! on the frame member ID, the panel 49 may be shifted suificiently rearwardly by the force of gravity alone to clear the legs l8, in which case, the link 52 may function merely to lift the panel into recess-closing position as the bed is stowed.

Formed on the links 5| are rearwardly projecting shoulders 55 which are adapted to engage lugs 56 on the frame member I!) for securing the panel against any swinging action when the bed is open.

Mounted on the inner face of the door panel, is a locking mechanism comprising a pair of latch bolts 57 slidably mounted in guides 58 and adapted for engagement with keepers 59 at the sides of the recess frame 2. The latch bolts are retracted by a pair of links 69 pivotally connected to a rotary disc 6| having a square shaft 62 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 63 supported in a boss 64 0n a cup-shaped member 65 which is seated in an opening 66 of the panel. The shaft 62 is rotated for retracting by latch bolts by means of a handle 6i having a hub 68 provided with a square opening 99 for receiving the shaft 62. Located Within the hub 68 is a helical spring Hi which bears between the inner end of the hub and a headed screw H on the outer end of the shaft so as to normally hold the handle 6'! within the cup 65. The shaft 62 is secured against accidental turning by means of a pin 12 projecting from the hub 68 into a recess 73 of the .boss 54. To open the panel door 49, the handle 51 is pulled outwardly against the action of the spring l5 until the pin l2 has been withdrawn from the recess T3, whereupon the handle may be turned for retracting the latch bolts 51.

When the latch bolts 51 are retracted, the bed may be lowered to the horizontal position. During the lowering of the bed, the links 13, 52 and 5i shift the panel 49 rearwardly and the legs l8 are extended by the rotation of the rods 20 through the action of the members 23, 24, 25, and

F 21. 'Also, during the lowering of the bed to horizontal position, the pinions 3'1 riding on the racks 38 Wind the helical spring 35 so as to counterbalance the weight of the bed to facilitate closing of the bed.

To close the bed, its foot end is raised thereby automatically folding the legs l8 and raising the panel 49 into position to completely cover the wall recess for concealing the bed.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the construc- -tion shown may be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet having an opening, a bed frame, mounting means for supporting one end of said frame on a vertically movable fulcrum within said cabinet whereby said frame may be shifted to a vertical position within said cabinet or extended through said opening to horizontal bed position, a pair of foldable legs hinged on the outer end of said frame on, axes disposed longitudinally of said frame, a pair of rotatable rods extending longitudinally of said frame and operatively connected to said legs, and means actuated through the movement of said frame for rotating said rods to fold and extend said legs.

2. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet 5, havingan opening, a bed "framejmounting means fi' supportingone entll'of said frame-on a vertically movable fulcrum within said cabinet whereby saidgframe gmaygbegshifatedato a vertical position'within said cabinet or extended through saidopening to horizontal-bedposition, a" pair of fl'dableglegs' hinged on""th'e*ou-ter end 1 of said frame on; axes disposed longitudinally of said framewlfereby' said legs 'arefswingable; in ia verti'cal plane transverse to said iframe, automatical- 1y; actuated means for foldingand extending :said legs through themovementjof-said frame;1aEnd af door; panel carried by-said frame andjlnovable 'tli'ereby into position to" cloes. said opening for concealing said "frame and 'legsflwhen the ,bed; is disposedfvertically within said cabinetsaidpanel being shiftable longitudinally relative" tosaid frame to uncover said legsllwhen said frame is moved to horizontal position.

3: A bed comprising a vertical wall.- cabinet having an opening, a bed frame, mounting means for pivotally supporting one end of saidframe within said cabinet whereby said frame may be shifted from a vertical position within said cabinet through said opening to a horizontally extended bed position, a foldable leg hinged on the outer end of said frame, a door panel disposed beneath said frame when said frame is horizontally extended and movable therewith into position to close said openin for concealing said frame and leg when said frame is disposed vertically within said cabinet, links suspending said panel from said frame whereby said panel is shiftable lonigtudinally of said frame to permit the unfolding of said leg when said frame is horizontally extended, through the movement of said frame from said vertical position to said horizontally extended position for shifting said panel to uncover said leg to permit its unfolding, said last-mentioned means being operable by the shifting of said frame from said horizontally extended position to said vertical position to shift said panel into a position to cover said frame and leg and close said opening.

4. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet having an opening for stowing a bed frame in vertically disposed position, a vertically disposed guideway in said cabinet opening having a ear rack along one face thereof, a bed frame, a pair of links supporting said bed frame on said cabinet to permit a 90-degree swinging of said frame between said vertically-disposed stowed position and a horizontally-extended open position, a shaft journaled on the inner end of said frame and mounting a gear meshing with said rack to traverse the length thereof during the 90-degree swinging of said bed frame, and a torsion spring embracing said shaft and having its opposite ends anchored respectively to said shaft and said frame whereby the travel of said gear upwardly along said rack tensions said spring so as to counterbalance the weight of said frame moving toward its horizontally-disposed position.

5. A bed comprising a vertical wall cabinet having an opening, a bed frame, mounting means for supporting one end of said frame on a vertically movable fulcrum within said cabinet whereby said frame may be shifted to -a vertical position within said cabinet or extended through said opening to horizontal bed position, a'pair of foldable legs hinged on the outer end of said frame on axes disposed longitudinally of said frame whereby said legs are swingable in a vertical plane transverse to said frame, automaticaland means actuated war-mate's means forfoldingsandi extending said lgsthroug-lf the movement tof fsaid framep a? door panel carriedby said I frame; 1 means connecting saidfpanelto said -mounting means so -as:zto;be actuatedf b ythe-swinging of said frame to autoniatically-effect the opposite sl'iiftingof said panel longitudinally of said frametoremove said panel from thepath'of said legs and'thereby permit tha -transverse vertical movem-ent of said legs .as

10 said frame moves -into and out of its :horizontal bed position.

6'5 A1 bed comprising a: verticalwall cabinet having an opening for: stowing a bed frame in vertically disposed position, ave'rticallydisposed is guideway-in said cabinet opening-a bed frame, guide' -mea-ns -on said frame confined for vertical movement in said guideway, a pair of links suspending -=said bed frame from said cabinet to permit a lo-degree swinging of said frame between its vertically-disposed stowed position and a horizontally-extended open position, said" links having their upper ends fulcrumed within said cabinet openingand 'their lower ends pivoted to said frame forwardly of the inner end thereof a distance approximating the vertical travel of said guide means in said guideway, legs mounted at the outer end of said frame and shiftable into and out of position to support the outer end of said frame in its horizontally-disposed position, a door panel for closing the opening in said cabinet, a plurality of links suspending said door panel on said frame to permit a shifting of said panel longitudinally of said frame, and a link lever connecting said frame suspension links with one of said door panel suspension links whereby the swinging of said frame on its suspension links automatically effects a shifting of said door panel longitudinally of said frame to uncover said legs when said frame is in its horizontal position.

7. A concealed bed arrangement comprising a bed bottom unit adapted to be pivotally supported at one of its ends in a wall recess and shiftable from a vertical position in said recess to a horizontally extended bed position, said bed bottom unit including a mattress-supporting frame, a folding leg hinged to the outer end of said frame, and a closure panel for concealing said frame and leg in said recess, said panel and frame being relatively shiftable to uncover said leg when the unit is in horizontal position whereby said leg may be unfolded, and means operable by the shifting of said unit from said horizontally extended position into said recess to effect relative longitudinal movement of said panel and frame, into a position to cover said frame and leg and close said recess.

8. A concealed bed arrangement comprising a mattress supporting frame adapted to be pivotally supported at one of its ends in a wall recess and shiftable from a vertical position in said recess to a horizontally extended bed position, a foldable leg hinged on the outer end of said frame, a door panel disposed beneath said frame when said frame is horizontally extended and 5 movable therewith into position to close said recess for concealing said frame and leg when said frame occupies said vertical position, links suspending said panel from said frame whereby said panel is shiftable relative to said frame to uncover said leg when said panel is horizontally extended whereby said leg may be unfolded, and means operable by the shifting of said frame from said horizontally extended position into said recess to shift said panel relative to said frame to cover said frame and leg and close said recess,

shiftable from a vertical position within said re- 5 cess to a horizontal bed position, a foldable leg hinged on the outer end of said frame, a door panel disposed beneath said frame when said frame is horizontally extended and movable therewith into position to close said recess for concealing said frame and leg when said frame occupies said vertical position, links suspending said panel from said frame whereby said panel is shiftable relative to said frame toward said recess to uncover said leg when said frame is horizontally extended whereby said leg may be unfolded, and a connection between at least one of said links and said mounting means whereby the movement of said frame from its horizontal position into said recess is effective to shift said panel relative to said frame thereby to cover said frame and leg and to close said recess.

EDWARD E. WOLLER.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 458,089 Zimmerman Aug. 18, 1891 464,047 Sterenson Dec. 1, 1891 763,358 Brandt June 28, 1904 778,539 Hamilton Dec. 27, 1904 958,682 Tandy May 17, 1910 1,001,214 Mulvaney Aug. 22, 1911 1,064,858 Rundel June 17, 1913 1,100,757 Manz June 23, 1914 1,189,342 Bell July 4, 1916 1,542,766 Hall June 16, 1925 1,723,649 Heath Aug. 6, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS Number a Country Date 43,825 Denmark Jan. 9, 1931 2,258 Great Britatin of 1905

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