US2797742A - Two-piece slipcover for a davenport-bed combination - Google Patents

Description

July 2, 1957 A. T. CLEARY 2,797,742

TWO-PIECESLIPCOVER FOR A DAVENPORT-BED COMBINATION Filed Aug. 12, 1955. 3 Sheets-Sheet l July 2, 1957 A. T. CLEARY 2,797,742

TWO-PIECE SLIPCOVER FOR A DAVENPORT-BED COMBINATION Filed Aug. 12, l955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 2, 1957 A. T. cLEARY 2,797,742

TWO-PIECE SLIPCOVER FOR A DAVENPORT-BED COMBINATION F'iled Aug. 12, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Fatent Ofifice 2,797,742 Patented July 2, 1957 TWO-PIECE SLHPCGVER FER A DAVENPORT-BED C(DMfiINATlQN Ann T. Cleary, Chicago, Ill.

Application Angnst 12, 1955, Serial No, 527,999

1 Claim. (Cl, 155-432) The present invention relates generally to slipcovers. More particularly, the invention relates to a slipcover which is especially designed for use in connection with a davenport-bed combination of the type that comprises: 1) an upholstered, rigid, main frame which is shaped or constructed to form a horizontally elongated, substantially vertical back rest and a pair of oppositely disposed, forwardly extending side arms at the ends of the back rest; (2) a rectangular, mattress-equipped frame which consists of a horizontal inner section and an outer section, embodies a pivotal connection between the two sections in order that the outer section may be swung back and forth between an extended bed-forming position wherein it extends outwards from, and lies in the same plane as, the inner section and a folded davenport-forming position wherein it overlies the inner section, and has pivotally mounted legs on the outer corners of the inner section and pivotally mounted legs on the outer corners of the outer section; (3) a first pair of linkage arrangements which extend between the lower portions of the side arms of the main frame and the sides of the inner section of the mattress-equipped frame, operate to support the inner section so that it is bodily shiftable in an arc back and forth between a retracted position wherein it is disposed directly in front of the back rest and wholly within the confines of the side arms and an extended position wherein it is disposed an appreciable distance forwards of the back rest, and are so designed or constructed that they operate automatically to swing the legs on the outer corners of the inner section downwards into an operative position when the inner section is shifted outwards into its extended position and to swing such legs upwards into a folded or inoperative position when the inner section is shifted rearwards into its retracted position; (4) a second pair of linkage arrangements which are located at the sides of the outer section, extend between the legs on the outer corners of the inner section and the legs on the outer corners of the outer section and are so designed orconstructed that they operate automatically to swing the legs on the outer corners of the outer section downwards into an operative position when the outer section is swung forwards into its bed-forming position and to swing the last mentioned legs upwards into a folded or inoperative position when the outer section is swung rearwards into its davenport-forming position; (5) an up holstered horizontally elongated panel which extends between the second pair of linkage arrangements and is so carried or controlled by the latter that after swinging of the outer section into its davenport-forming position and subsequent rearward shifting of the inner section into its retracted position it assumes a vertical position wherein it extends between the lower portions of the front ends of the side arms of the main frame, and covers the adjacent outer portions of the inner and outer sections and when the outer section is swung forwards into its bed forming position after previous forward shifting of the inner section into its extended position it assumes a folded position wherein it underlies the outer portion of the outer section; and (6) seat cushions which are adapted to rest on the outer section of the mattress-equipped frame when such section is in its davenport-forrning position.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a slipcover which is designed completely to cover a davenportbed combination of the aforementioned type when the combination is in its davenport-forming position, consists of but two fabric pieces, and is characterized by the fact that the pieces thereof are so constructed and detachably connected together that after the pieces are detached from one another the combination may be manipulated into its bed-forming position without relocating or disturbing the normal position of the pieces. Generally speaking, the slipcover comprises a composite main piece and an auxiliary piece. The main piece comprises a horizontally elongated hollow open bottom back rest enveloping part and a pair of forwardly extending hollow open bottom side arm enveloping parts at the ends of the back rest enveloping part and embodies on the bottom margin of the front member of its back rest enveloping part a forwardly extending full length extension which is adapted when the davenport-bed combination is in its davenportforming position to rest on the inner portion of the folded outer section of the mattress-equipped frame. The auxiliary piece of the slipcover extends across, and serves as a covering for, the outer surface of the panel of the davenport-bed combination, is provided with means for releasably securing it in place, and embodies at its upper margin a normally rearwardly extending full length extension which is adapted when the combination is in its davenport-forming position to rest on the front portion of the folded outer section of the mattress-equipped frame and has means for detachably connecting its free side margin to the free or front side margin of the forward extension on the lower margin of the front member of the back rest encircling part of the main piece when the combination is in its davenport-forming position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a twopiece slipcover which is generally of new and improved construction, may be applied and removed with facility, effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose, and is capable of being produced at a comparatively low cost.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present slipcover will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by the claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a front perspective View of a davenportbed combination having applied thereto a slipcover embodying the invention, the combination being shown in its davenport-forming position and with the seat cushions removed and the main and auxiliary pieces of the slipcover being shown as having the free side margins of the extensions thereof connected together by the zipper; v I Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal section on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view showing the da've'nport-bed combination after the zipper has been opened in order to disconnect the free side margins of the extensions of the main and auxiliary pieces of the slipcover and after the inner section of the mattress-equipped frame has been shifted forwards into its extended position but before swinging of the outer section into its bed forming position;

Figurelia is a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 3a--3a of Figure 3; and

Figure 4 is a front perspective view showing the davenport-bed combination in its bed-forming position and illustrating the folded position of the panel to which is applied the auxiliary piece of the slipcover. I

The slipcover which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is especially designed for use in connection with a davenportbed combination and when in place serves as a temporary covering for the combination. The davenport-bed combination which is illustrated in the drawings is standard or conventional and is like that which is currently being manufactured and sold under the trade designation Hide-A-Bed by Simmons Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is essentially a unitary piece of furniture and comprises an upholstered rigid main frame 1 5, a rectangular, mattress-equipped frame 6, a first pair of linkage arrangements 7, a second pair of linkage arrangements 8, an upholstered horizontally elongated panel 9, and a pair of seat cushions 1h. The main frame 5 is shaped or constructed to form a horizontally elongated substantially vertical back rest 11 and a pair of oppositely disposed forwardly extending side arms 12 at the ends .of the back rest. As well understood in the art the rear ends of the side arms 12 are fixedly connected to the ends of the back rest 11. The rectangular mattress-equipped frame 6 is in connected and associated relation with the main frame 5 and consists of a horizontal inner section 13 and an outer section 14. Between the two sections of the mattress-equipped frame 6 is a pivotal connection (not shown) which permits the outer section 14 to be swung back and forth between an extended bedforming position wherein it extends outwards from, and lies in the same plane as, the inner section (see Figure 4) and a folded davenport-forming position wherein it overlies the inner section (see Figure l). The inner section 13 of the mattress-equipped frame 6 is provided at its outer corners with a pair of pivotally mounted legs 15, and the outer section 14 is provided at its outer corners with a pair of pivotally mounted legs 16. The linkage arrangements 7 of the davenport-bed combination extend between the lower portions of the side arms 12 of the main frame 5 and the sides of the inner sections 13 of the mattress-equipped frame 6, operate to support the inner section so that it is bodily and manually shiftable in an are back and forth between a retracted position wherein it is disposed directly in front of the back rest 11 and wholly within the confines of the side arms as shown in Figure 1 and an extended position wherein it is disposed an appreciable distance forwards of the back rest as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and are so designed and I constructed that they operate automatically to swing the legs on the outer corners of the inner section 13 downwards into an operative position when the inner section is shifted outwards into its extended position and to swing such legs upwards into a folded or inoperative position when the inner section is shifted rearwards into its retracted position. The linkage arrangements 8 are located at the sides of the outer section 14 of the mattressequipped frame 6, extend between the legs 15 on the outer corners of the inner section 13 and the legs 16 on the outer corners of the outer section 14, and are so designed or constructed that they operate automatically to swing the legs 16 downwards into an operative position when the outer section is swung forwards into its bed-forming position (see Figure 4) and to swing the legs upwards into a folded or inoperative position when the outer section is swung rearwards into its davenport-forming position (see Figure 3). The upholstered horizontally elongated panel 9 of the davenport-bed combination extends between the second pair of linkage arrangements 8 and is so carried and controlled by the latter that after swinging of the outer section into its davenport-forrning position and subsequent rearward shifting of the inner section 13 into its retracted position it assumes a vertical position wherein it extends between the lower portions of the front ends of the side arms 12 of the main frame and covers the adjacent outer portions of the inner and outer sections 13 and 14, and when the outer section is swung forwards into its bed-forming position after previous forward shifting of the inner section 13 into its extended position it assumes a folded position wherein it underlies the outer portion of the outer section 14. It is contemplated that when it is desired to manipulate the davenpoit-bed combination from its davenport-forming position into its bedforming position the inner section 13 of the mattressequipped frame 6 will first be shifted forwards into its extended position. This is accomplished by grasping the panel 9 and then applying an upward and outward force to the panel. In connection with shift of the inner section 13 into its extended position the linkage arrangements 7 as previously pointed out operate automatically to swing the legs 15 downwards into their operative position so that they support the outer portion of the inner section 13. After outward shift of the inner section into its extended position the outer section 14 of the mattress-equipped frame 6 is swung upwards, then forwards and then downwards into its bed-forming position. In connection with such swinging movement of the outer section 14 the linkage arrangements 3 operate automatically to swing the pivotally mounted legs 16 downwards into their operative position so that they support the outer portion of the outer section 14. In addition the linkages 8 operate automatically to swing the panel 9 downwards and inwards into its aforementioned folded position wherein, as shown in Figure 4, it underlies the outer portion of the outer section 14. The two seat cushions 10 of the davenport-bed combination are rectangular. They are u adapted when the combination is in its davenportforming position to rest on the inwardly folded outer section 14 of the mattress-equipped frame 6. As a preliminary to manipulation of the combination into its bed-forming position the seat cushions are removed and may, if desired, be placed against the side arms 12 of the main frame 5 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The Slipcover is of two-piece design or construction and consists of a composite main piece 17 and an auxiliary piece 18. Such pieces are formed of any suitable thin flexible fabric and are so designed and constructed that when the slipcover is in its operative or used position they serve fully to cover all exposed parts of the davenport-bed combination.

The composite main piece 17 of the slipcover comprises a horizontally elongated hollow open bottom part 19 for enveloping or covering the back rest 11, and a pair of forwardly extending hollow open bottom parts 20 for enveloping or covering the side arms 12 of the davenport-bed combination. The back rest enveloping part 19 consists of a rectangular front member 21, a rectangular back member 22 in spaced relation with the front mem ber 21 and an inverted U-shaped strip 23 between the front and back members. The upper and side margins of the front member 21 are stitched to the front side margin of the inverted U-shaped strip 23 and the upper and side margins of the back member 22 are correspondingly stitched to the rear side margin of the strip 23. The part 19 of the composite main piece 17 is shaped correspondingly to the back rest 11 in order that it fits snugly around the back rest when the composite main piece 17 of the slipcover is in its operative position. The horizontally elongated hollow open ended part 19 is adapted to be mounted on the back rest 11 by sliding it down wards thereover. It is adapted to be removed from the back rest merely by sliding it upwards. The forwardly extending hollow open bottom parts 20 of the composite main piece 17 are shaped conformably to, and are adapted snugly to fit around, the side arms 12 of the davenportbed combination. They extend forwards from the ends of the back rest enveloping part 19 and consist of recftangular inner members .24, rectangular outer members .25 in spaced relation with-the inner members, and L- .shaped connecting strips 26 between the innerand outer members. The upper and front margins of the inner members 24 are stitched to the inner side margins of the connecting strips 24, and the upper and front margins of the outer members are "stitched to the outer side margins of the aforementioned connectingstrips 26. The inner end portions of the side arm enveloping parts 25 are suitably'connected by stitching to the end parts of the back rest enveloping part 19 of the composite main piece 17 of the slipcover. The bottom margin of the front member 21 of the back rest enveloping part 1-9 isiprovide'd with an integral forwardly extending full length extension 27. The latter has its end=margins free or disconnected from the inner members 24 of the arm rest enveloping parts 20 and is adapted when the davenport-bed combination is in its daVenport-forming position as shown in Figure 1 to rest on and cover the rear portion of the folded outer section 14 of the mattress-equipped frame 6. Preferably, the extension 27 is of such width that when it rests on the outer section 14 it covers the rear half of such section. When the davenport-bed combination is in its bed-forming position, the extension 27 either fits loosely in the space between the lower portion of the back rest 11 and the rear portion of the inner section 13 or rests on the inner end portion of the inner section 13 as shown in Figure 4.

The auxiliary piece 18 of the slipcover extends across, and serves as a covering for, the outer surface of the horizontally elongated panel 9 of the davenport-bed combination. The ends of the auxiliary piece are folded rearwards and then inwards towards one another in order to form pockets in which the ends of the panel 8 fit. The

upper and lower corners of the auxiliary piece are cross- 0 connected by a pair of elastic cords 28. The latter extend across the inner surface of the panel and with the aforementioned pockets serve releasably to hold the auxiliary piece in place, i. e., its operative position. The upper margin of the auxiliary piece 18 is provided with an integral normally rearwardly extending full length extension 29 which is adapted when the davenport-bed combination is in its davenport-forming position to rest on the front portion of the folded outer section 14 as shown in Figure l. The extension 29 is in effect the complement of the extension 27 on the bottom margin of the front member 21 of the back rest enveloping part 19 and is of such width that when it rests on the front portion of the folded outer section 14 after manipulation of the combination into its davenport-forming position it covers the outer one-half of the outer section 14 and its free margin is disposed adjacent to the free side margin of the extension 27. If desired, the lower portion of the auxiliary strip 18 and the lower portions of the side arm enveloping parts 20 may be plaited as shown in the drawings.

In addition to the composite main piece 17 and the auxiliary piece 18, the slipcover comprises a zipper type fastener for releasably connecting together the free side margins of the extensions 27 and 29 when the davenport-bed combination is in its davenport-forming position. Such fastener is of standard or conventional construction and consists of a longitudinal series of equi-distantly spaced fastener members 31 on the free side margin of the extension 27, a longitudinal series of equi-distantly spaced fastener members 32 on the free side margin of the extension 29 and a slide member 33. The fastener members 31 are alternately arranged with respect to the fastener members 32, are adapted when the slide member 33 is slid in one direction lengthwise of the two series to be brought into interlocked and interfitting relation with the fastener members 32, and are further adapted when the slide member 33 is slid in the opposite direction to become disengaged or disconnected from the fastener members 32. When the zipper type fastener 30 is in its closed position, the free side margins of the extensions 27 and 29 are connected together and whentbe fastener is in its open position the free side marginsof the two extensions are disconnected or'free from one another.

When it is desired to manipulate the davenport-bed combination into its bed-forming position from its davenport-position, the seat cushions 10 are first removed from the folded outer section 14 of the mattress-equipped frame 6. Thereafter, the zipper type fastener 30 is-opened by sliding the member 33 in the proper direction torelease the fastener members 31 from the fastener members 32. As soon as the fastener 30 is opened, the extension 29 is disconnected from the extension 27 and hence it is possible to shift the inner section 13 into its extended position and then swing the outer section 14 upwards, forwards and downwards into its bed-forming position. When the outer section 14 is in its bed-forming position and the panel 9 is in its folded position under the outer portion of the outer section, the extension 29 hangs from the panel and rests on the floor on which the davenportbed combination rests. When it is desired to manipulate the combination into its davenport-forming position, the outer section 14 is swung upwards, rearwards and then downwards into its davenport-forming position. Thereafter, the inner section 13 is shifted rearwards into its retracted position. After shift of the inner section into its retracted position, the extension 29 is folded over the front portion of the outer section 14 and the extension 27 is positioned so that it overlies the rear end portion of the folded outer section 14. After properly manipulating the two extensions, the zipper type fastener 30 is closed by sliding the slide member 33 in the proper direction. Directly following closing of the zipper type fastener, the seat cushions 10 are placed on the folded outer section 14 in order that the combination is available for use as a davenport. When the zipper type fastener 30 is in its closed position, the extensions 27 and 28 being connected together prevent the davenport-bed combination from being manipulated into its bed-forming position.

The herein described two-piece slipcover effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and due to its particular design or construction may be produced at a comparatively low cost. t may be applied and removed with facility and is characterized by the fact that the respective positions of the main and auxiliary pieces 17 and 18 are not disturbed in connection with manipulation of the combination into either of its two normal positions.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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

In combination with a conventional davenport-bed combination of the type that comprises an upholstered main frame in the form of a horizontally elongated upstanding back rest and a pair of forwardly extending upstanding side arms at the ends of the back rest, a rectangular mattress-equipped frame consisting of a horizontal inner section and an outer section, arranged so that the inner section is normally disposed directly in front of the back rest and between the side arms, and embodying between the two sections a pivotal connection whereby the outer section is permitted to swing back and forth between an extended bed-forming position wherein it extends outwards from the inner section and a folded davenport-forrning position wherein it overlies the inner section, and a horizontal elongated panel associated with, and extending between the sides of, the outer section of the mattress-equipped frame and having means between it and said outer section whereby when the outer section is swung into its davenport-forming position while the inner section is normally disposed the panel is caused automatically to move into a vertical position wherein it extends hotizontally between the lower portions of the 7 A front ends of the side arms and covers the adjacent front portions of the inner and outer sections and when the outer section is swung into its bed-forming position the panel is caused automatically to move into a position wherein it underlies the outer portion of the outer section; a slipcover adapted completely to cover the davenport-bed combination when the latter is in its davenportforming position, and comprising a composite main piece formed of comparatively thin flexible material, shaped to form a horizontally elongated hollow open bottom part in enveloping relation with the back rest of the main frame and a pair of forwardly extending hollow open bottom parts in enveloping relation with the side arms, and embodying on the bottom margin of the front member of the back rest enveloping part a forwardly extending full length extension that is adapted when the davenport-bed combination is in its davenport-forming position to rest on the inner portion of the folded outer section of the mattress-equipped frame, and a horizontally elongated auxiliary piece extending across, and serving as a covering for, the outer surface of the panel and embodying at its upper margin a normally rearwardly extending full length extension that is adapted when the combination is in its said davenpOrt-forming position to rest on the front portion of said folded outer section and to have its free side margin disposed adjacent to the free side margin of the first mentioned extension, and a detachable connection whereby the free side margins of the two extensions may be connected together when the combination is in its davenport-forrning position and disconnected from one another as a preliminary to swinging of the outer section of the mattress-equipped frame into its bed-forming position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,344,093 Kotowicz Mar. 14, 1943 2,446,396 Waranch Aug. 3, 1948

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