US2783480A

US2783480A - Convertible bed couch

Info

Publication number: US2783480A
Application number: US165240A
Authority: US
Inventors: Shankman Martin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-05-31
Filing date: 1950-05-31
Publication date: 1957-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 1974-03-05
Also published as: GB754969A

Description

CONVERTIBLE BED COUCH Filed May 31, 1950 s Sheets-Shet 1 JNVENTOR. .5, a0 MARTIN'5HANKMAN,

A TTORNEY.

March 5, 1957 M. SHANKMAN CONVERTIBLE BED comes 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1950 INVENTOR. MARTIN SHANKMAN, BY g) Pics] Arron/5r March 5, 1957 M. SHANKMAN CONVERTIBLE BED coucn 3 Sheets -Sheet 3 Filed May 31, 1950 -INVENTOR. MART\N 'sHANKMAN,

flu... y

4 rromvrx CONVERTIBLE BED COUCH Martin Shanltman, Miami, Fla.

Application May 31, 1950, Serial No. 165,240

3 Claims. (Cl. -18) This invention relates to improvements in convertible couch beds and has particular reference to a couch that is extensible in a novel manner to form full size twin beds spaced from each other.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an upholstered couch having a fixed back section and a pair of divided seat sections, each seat section carrying upholstered arms, with the seat sections being shiftable in a generally circular path outwardly from the back section to be subsequently extended to form a pair of spaced apart and parallel twin beds, or the seat sections may be partially shifted outwardly to angularly dispose the sections or fully shifted outwardly to form a pair of spaced opposed seats at right angle to the back section.

Another object of the invention resides in a back section having a centrally arranged upholstered and normally recessed arm rest, with the arm rest being swingably sup ported to swing outwardly for forming a flat top table between the extended seat sections.

A further object of the invention resides in novel support means for the shiftable seat sections, embodying trackways and antifriction means to facilitate the shifting of the seat sections in a predetermined path outwardly from the fixed back section, whereby the seat sections in their normal retracted position lie in snug end to end engagement with their attached arms in snug engagement with the ends of the back section, providing in appearance a conventional upholstered couch, with the trackways so arranged as to guide the seat sections in a horizontal circular path outwardly of the back section to a maximum position where the seatsare arranged at a right angle to the back and in spaced parallel position with respect to each other and means whereby the seat sections may then be extended to form a full length pair of twin beds, spaced from and parallel with each other, with the cushions of the seat sections extended to form a mattress.

Further and important objectsand advantages of the invention will be readily apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated one preferred form thereof and wherein like characters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a couch constructed in accordance with the invention and in the closed position,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the couch with one seat section fully movedand extended to' form a bed,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the couch showing the seat sections shifted to an angular position from the back,

Figure 4 is a top plan view showing the seat sections shifted to form a pair of spaced opposed parallel seats,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the couch with the seat section shifted and extended to form a bed,

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the supporting and shifting structure for the seats, with one seat structure shifted parallel side channels 25 closed at one end by an angle,

2,783,480 PatentedlVlar. 5, 1 957 tion in the fully. retracted position, with the back section in horizontal cross section,

Figure 7 is a central vertical section through the'back with oneseat section extended and with its arm in section,

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the back section and attached trackways with the upholstering removed,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one seat section,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a companion extensible seat section, and

Figure 11 is a detail section through the companion telescopic frames of the seat illustrating antifriction means.

Referring specifically to the drawings, numera15 designates a back section as a whole, and 6 designates seat sections as a whole. Each seat section includes arms 7 and double pad sections 8. The seat sections in a retracted position are engaged with each other at their abutting ends with the arms 7 lying in snug engagement with the ends of the back section 5. The back section 5 and seat section 6, together with their attached arms position, as shown in Figure 1, partially underlie the back section 5, for a purpose to be described.

The back section 6 includes legs 9, of any desirable number, but here illustrated as three. The legs 9 carry an elevated and forwardly extending shelf-like structure 10, having ends 11 and a pair of spaced partitions 12, the forward edges ofwhich are curved upwardly and rearwardly, as clearly shown for providing a desirable contour for the back, over which is mounted suitable sup porting means for upholstery material. The partitions 12 form a recess 13 into which is hingedly supported, as at 14, an arm rest 15, having a flat inner surface 16 and with the outer surface shaped to conform with the con tour of the back section 5. The arm rest 15 is adapted to be swung outward-1y as indicated in Figures 2, 3, 4 Rigidly connected and 7, for forming a flat top table. with the legs 9 as by brackets 17, is a preferably T-shaped horizontal trackway 18. The trackway Isis rigidly sup ported in parallel relation. to the back through the medium of the bracket 17 and supported in elevated position from the floor by end legs 19. A centrally arranged bracket 20 is rigidly connected with the trackway 18 and extends upwardly for attachment to the under surface of the Rigidly attached to the tracks isadjacent its-center at a slightly lowerlevel are a pair of outwardly divergent preferably T-shaped tracks 21, supported at their outer ends upon legs 22. The angularity of the tracks 21 is maintained through the medium of brace bars 23, connected at the outer ends of the tracks 21 and with the: track 18 adjacent its ends, as clearly illustrated in Figure 8.

Telescopic seat frames

24 and 25 are adaptedto ibe" shiftably supported upon the

tracks

18 and 21. The

frame 24 is of general rectangular shape and includes y m n v a l q i ppo s pon ts l w r flange The cushion pads 8 are prefer 3 an-antifr'iction roller' dvi'c'e'29 having engagement over the mnapedaraek" 18. The" renter"deviaa'iaemds a frame having inwardly extending fingers 30 engaging beneath the head of the track 18 as a means to prevent vertical displacement.' The roller device 29' is pivbtall'y suppb'r'ted at 31 adj'acenfo'ne corner of'the frame 24.

A second roller device 32 is pivotally supported" zit-33' upon an inwardly extending bracket 34 carriedby" one channel 25". The 'roller device 32 is identical to the roller device 29 and engages the 'tracks'21 in a similar manner. The forward end of the frame 24 is supported upon legs 35 carrying, at their lower ends swivel casters 36. The'frame 24 of each seat section 6 is identical, but with the

roller devices

29 and 32 reversed. The 'sectio'ns24 in'use, are adaptedtobe" shifted outwardly from the back ma horizontal 'circular'path' indicated clearly in Figure 6lwith theforward'endjs of 'the frames 24 being supported in an antifrictional manner by the casters 3d and the inner ends of the frames beingfr'eely shiftable in' its'circular path over the tracl-:s 18"and 21 through the medium of the roller devices'29 and 32. The angle iron' 27 carries stop pins 37 for a'purpose t be' described.

Theframes 25 are adapted-to telescope within the frames '24, as clearly shown and the'frames 25 include parallel side channels 38 closed at their inner ends by a connecting angle iron 39. The opposite ends of the channels 38 are connected and closed by a channel 40. The channels 38 support any desirable mattress-supporting spring elements 41. The outer ends of the channels 38 carry rigid vertically arranged angle irons 42 serving as means whereby the box frames 43- of *the arms 7 is rigidly attached to the frames 25. The box frames 43 carry swivel casters 44 for facilitating the outward extension of the frames 25 with respect to the frames 24. As before stated, the frames 25 are'adapted to telescope within the frames 24 and arelimited in their outer extension by the abutment of the angle iron39 with the pins 37. Adjacent the inner end of the frame 25, the channels 38 are provided with antifriction rollers 45,"to facilitate the telescopic movement of the'frames with respect to each other. 7

Each seat section 8 includes mattress forming pad sections 46 hinged together at their abutting ends and adapted to be normally folded one upon the other, as shown in Figure l, and as shown in the extended position in Figure 5. Pad sections in the folded position provide a seat of the desired height and when the seats are in retracted position, partiallyunderlie the shelf '10 so as to provide a seat area of proper Width, but with the pads having an overall width suitable for forming a standard twin bed mattress, and the length of the pad sections'are such that they form a full length mattress when in the extended or unfolded position to jointly'lie upon the

spring section

28 and 41. One side of each frame 24 may be provided with a suitable upholstered board 47 for imparting a finished appearance to the couch. The

seatsections when in a retracted position, as in Figure 1, completely close the lower open portion of the back'S through the medium of the arm 7, wholly obscuring the under carriage and trackways.

In the use of the device with the parts in a retracted position, as shown in Figure l, the operator merely grasps one arm 7, swingingit outwardly in a circular path away from the back. 5 in a manner illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 6 with the roller device 29 shifting longitudinally of the track 18 and the roller device '32serving generally as the pivotal point around which the member shifts. The roller device 32 will obviously shift slightly outwardly along the track 21 to compensate for the archate movement of the frame and when the frame has been shifted to a full 90 degree angle, the roller device 29 will abut any suitable stop device (not shown) on the track 18, thus definitely positioning theseat in-its maximum turning movement. The roller device 32 obviously will" shift rearwardly along the track 21. With the seat shifted to the'full'90 degree anglefthe operator grasps the arm 7, moving it outwardly, permitted by the extensible telescopic movement of the

frames

24 and 25, being stopped in its maximum outward movement by the pins 37. The shifting of the seat is facilitated obviously by the

casters

36 and 44. After the frame 25 has been moved outwardly to its limit, the operator'extends the pads 46 as in Figure 5, thereby forming a full length'and conventional width of bed. If it is desired that twin beds be used, the operator proceeds with the opposite seat in an identical manner. Should a night table be desired, the operator merely swings the member outwardly upon its hinge 14 providing a'table having a flat top that is positioned between the beds, the beds in their extended position are suitably spaced in parallel relation with their outer sides in alignment with the ends of the back. When his desired to close the beds, the operator merely folds one pad upon the other, shifts the frames 24 and together through the medium of the arm 7 and then proceeds to swing the seat in an arc rearwardly to a point wherethe arm 7 contacts the end of the back 5. In a fully retracted position of both beds, their ends are in snug abutting relation with each other and partially underlying the back 5. It may be desirable at times to merely employ the seat sections in a manner illustrated in Figures 3 or 4 and in Figure 3, the angularity of the seats as shown is determined'by the wishes of the operator. In Figure 4 the operator has merely moved the seats'to a 90 degree angle, forming a pair of parallel opposed seat sections. The member 15 may or may not be swung outwardly when the invention is employed as in Figures 3 and 4. When extending frame 25, its movement is facilitated by the casters 44 and the engagement of the rollers upon the inner sides and bottom of the channels 25.

ltwill be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel and highly desirable form of convertible bed couch has been provided. The structure is'ornamental and easily and conveniently shifted in an arc to provide desirable full length beds requiring a minimum of area in which to operate. The parts are few and simple and are easily assembled or disassembled for shipping or assembling in various places. It will be further apparent, that while trackways have been provided for the arcuate swinging movement of the seat sections, fixed pivotal means may be employed for each frame 24 whereby-the seat sections may be swung outwardly in a fixed arc, all other parts remaining identical as to form an operation. The structure is simple, cheap to manufacture, is strong, durable, and highly efficient and desirable in use.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to as fall Within the scope of the invention or the terms of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A convertible bed couch including a back section having fioor' legs and an elevated forwardly extending upholstered back, trackways connected to the leg of the back section and supported in elevated horizontal position, certain of the'trackways being forwardly'extended and provided with floor legs, one of the trackways underlying and being parallel with the upholstered back, seat sections for the couch that includes each a pair of frame members telescopic with respect to" each" other, track rollers carried by'one frame member of each seat section for shiftable engagement with-the trackways, the other frame member of each seat sectionhaving" fixed thereto anend arm, the'seat sections adapted to be swung forwardly in an arcuate path from the back section and supported in their swinging movement by the *trackways, legs for one of'the frames that are provided with wheeled casters, wheeled casters for the end arms, mattress supporting springs fixed upon each frame, each seat section provided with a double cushion, each seat section when shifted forwardly of the back, adapted to have one frame member and its end arm extended forwardly to form a full length bed, the cushions adapted to be extended to fully overlie the length of the bed, the extended beds lying in parallel spaced relation and a member carried by the upholstered back adapted to be swung forward to provide a flat top table between the two beds.

2. A bed couch having an upstanding back section that is provided with floor legs and a forwardly projecting elevated upholstered portion having a shiftable center arm rest, a pair of seat sections each having an end arm, the seat sections adapted to normally partially underlie the upholstered portion, an elevated horizontal track underlying the projecting upholstered portion and being parallel with the back section, brackets connecting the track with the legs of the back section, a pair of forwardly extending and outwardly divergent trackways connected with the first named track, the trackways being in parallel spaced relation to the floor legs rigidly connected with each of the trackways to support the trackways in their parallel spaced relation to the floor, each seat section embodying a pair of rectangular frames that are telescopic with respect to each other, one of the frames of each seat section being supported at one end upon the trackways, antifriction means between the frame and the trackways, caster carrying legs for the support of the opposite end of the frame, the other frame of each seat section being telescopic and extensible with respect to the first named frame and having fixed thereto an end arm that is provided with floor casters, mattress springs carried by each frame, each seat section having a double folded cushion that is hinged together, each seat section adapted to swing outwardly in a horizontal are supported and limited in its swinging movement by the trackways,

the seat sections when fully swung outwardly lying at a right angle to the back, the telescopic frame adapted to be extended forwardly of its companion frame to form a full length bed frame supported at its outer end by the caster carrying end arm, the cushions adapted to be unfolded one from the other to fully overlie the bed frame, the seat sections when swung outwardly to their maximum position being at right angle to the back and in spaced parallel relation to each other.

3. A bed couch having an upright back section that is provided with floor engaging legs, the back section having an elevated and forwardly extending upholstered portion provided with a centrally arranged outwardly swinging arm rest, a horizontally arranged track underlying the upholstered portion and parallel therewith for the major portion of its length, brackets connecting the trackway to the back legs, a central bracket connected with the trackway and the underside of the upholstered portion, floor engaging legs rigidly connected to each end of the track, a pair of forwardly divergent trackways connected with the first named track, floor engaging legs rigidly connected to the outer ends of the divergent tracks, diagonal braces connected with the outer ends of the divergent tracks and with the first named track, a pair of seat sections of identical shape and size adapted to be positioned in end to end abutment and to partially underlie the upholstered portion of the back, the seat sections jointly being co-extensive with the back, each seat section embodying a support that includes a pair of rectangular frames telescopic with respect to each other, one frame being shiftably supported upon the trackways and provided with antifriction track rollers, the last named frame supported atits opposite end by legs that are rigidly connected thereto and with the legs having caster wheels, the second frame shiftable into and out of the first frame, anti-friction means between the frames, each frame provided with cross springs for the support of a mattress, the second frame provided with angle brackets at its outer end for rigid connection with an upholstered end arm for the couch, the end arm provided with wheeled casters, a cushion for the seat sections that comprises a pair of identical cushions hinged together transversely, the seat section adapted to be normally arranged parallel with the back with the pair of cushions partially underlying the back, each seat section adapted to be shifted forwardly in a horizontal are as determined by the engagement of the track rollers with the tracks to position the seat sections outwardly of the back at a right angle, the second frame adapted to be shifted outwardly of the first frame to provide a full length bed and the cushions adapted to be unfolded one from the other to extend entirely over the two frames, the beds in the fully extended position being parallel and spaced from each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 271,485 Lude Jan. 30, 1883 1,413,593 Kreuzkamp Apr. 25, 1922 2,081,374 Hall et a1 May 25, 1937 2,087,574 Kaufer July 20, 1937 2,523,987 Fox Sept. 26, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 81,432 Sweden Sept. ll, 1934 150,302 Great Britain Aug. 4, 1921 261,594 Switzerland May 31, 1949 264,248 Switzerland Oct. 15, 1949 581,530 Germany July 29, 1933