US2835901A - Convertible sofa or passenger seat - Google Patents

Description

E. K. MILLS, JR

CONVERTIBLE SOFA OR PASSENGER SEAT May 27, 195s 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 6, 1955 .m *A mls, 0L. Q v um mk.

A M, w R mm. l WA m \-o o 0 ..Quweo a CL M l DW |i|| @C m mm Uilm w/Ilmm May 27, 1958 E. K. MILLS, JR

CONVERTIBLE soEA 0R PASSENGER SEAT 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6. 1955 May 27, 1958 E. K. MILLS, JR

CONVERTIBLE SOFA OR PASSENGER SEAT 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 6, 1955 INVENTOR fou/ARD KAI/us, JR. -BYf/o/ @my ATTORNEYS.

May 27, 1958 E. K. MILLS, JR

CONVERTIBLE som 0E PASSENGER SEAT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 6. 1955 R. RM, d s.. OL n mm N M mK m m M m E h \l$w Mw xlw 11mm )Sw Q May 27, 1958 E. K. MILLS, JR 2,835,901

CONVERTIBLE soEA 0R PASSENGER SEAT lNVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

May 27, 1958 E. K. MILLS, JR

CONVERTIBLE soEA 0R PASSENGER SEAT 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 6, 1955 United States Patent O i CONVERTIBLE SOFA R PASSENGER SEAT Edward K. Mills, Jr., Morristown, N. J.

Application April 6, 1955, Serial No. 499,678

6 Claims. (Cl. 5 9) The present invention relates generally to convertible seatingand sleeping devices, and more particularly to a sofa or passenger seat which may readily be converted into a doubleddecker bed and which provides storage facilities as well as sleeping accommodations.

The conventional double berth installation, such as is found in railroad sleepers, involves a relatively elaborate procedure 'before the passenger seats can be made to provide sleeping accommodations. The floor area required for such berths is far greater than that taken by the passenger seats. Moreover, such berths afford little storage space for clothing, blankets and similar items.

In air travel, the current tendency toward long distance ights has created a need for convertible seating and sleeping accommodations. The reclining chair, while suitable for short flights, does not constitute a suitable all-night bed. On the other hand, convertible seats presently available for this purpose in planes are relatively difficult to operate under the limited space conditions prevailing in a typical passenger cabin.

While sofas convertible to double-decker beds have heretofore been suggested for use in the home or in cabins and camps, such sofas have been excessively complicated and cumbersome from the mechanical standpoint and have provided inadequate sleeping room, particularly where the reclining occupant is of .above average height.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of my invention to provide an improved convertible sofa or passenger seat of relatively simple mechanical design which may be transformed quickly to a double-decker bed and which furnishes comfortable seating and sleeping accommodations fortwo. A convertible sofa in accordance with the invention is useful not only in trains, passenger planes and ships, but will nd application in homes, apartments and cabins to afford ample seating and sleeping facili-ties in a limited space.

More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide -a convertible sofa or passenger seat wherein the door space required by the structure when operative as a double berth is not substantially greater than that entailed when making use of the sofa as a seat.

Still another object of the invention is to provide `a convertible sofa or passenger seat includinga built-in bed under removable sofa seat cushions, the sofa including fold-over sofa arms which are operativeto extend the effective length of the bed. t

A further object of the inventionfis to provide a highback sofa or passenger seat wherein the cushioned front portion of the `sofaback is upwardly liftable to form an upper berth. Animportant feature of the invention resides in the use of extensions for the upper "berth affording ample sleeping quarters comparable to that available in the lower berth. A further feature of the invention resides in storage facilities to which access is had when the front portion of the sofaback is raised.

l Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lowback convertible 'sofauorpas'senger `seat whereintheback `Wall ofthe sofa `is constitutedby hinged sections which rice may be unfolded to provide an upper berth support, and wherein removable sofa seat cushions and sofa back cushion-s are adapted to form the mattress for the upper berth without the need of additional equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible sofa or passenger seat of sturdy and efficient construction which may be manufactured `and sold at reasonable cost.

lFor a better understanding of my invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description thereof to 'be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like components in the several views are identified by like reference characters.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a high-back sofa or passenger seat in accordance with the invention as it appears when converted into a double-decker bed.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the double-decker sofa bed or passenger seat illustrated in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of the sofa when collapsed to form a passenger seat.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the high-back sofa as it appears when used as a passenger seat.

Fig. S is a front elevational view of a low-back sofa in accordance with the invention when used as a passenger seat.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the low-back sofa shown in Fig. 5 when adapted to operate as a doubledecker bed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the t double-decker bed shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 i-s a top plan view of the double-decker bed shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing a detail in Fig. 6.

Fig. l0 is an end elevational view of a preferred modification of a low-back sofa in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 11 is `a fragmentary front elevational view of the modified low-back sofa shown in Fig. l0.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. l to 4, the convertible sofa of the present invention comprises a rectangular base 10 having a box-like frame 11 in which is supported a built-in mattress 12. Mattress 12 may be formed with the usual inner spring construction, or, if desired, may be fabricated of foam rubber. Below frame 11 is a compartment 13 into which is inserted a pull-out drawer 14 for storage purposes. Extending upwardly from the rear of frame 10 is a high back wall 15, topped by an inwardly extending horizontal ledge 16.

As best seen in Figs. l and 4, lyingabove mattress 12 at either end thereof are suitably cushioned fold-over sofa arms 17 and 18, the arms being pivotally secured to the frame of the sofa by hinges 19 and 20. The bottom portion of each arm is padded with a mattress section 21 (note Fig. 1) such that when the arms are folded down, the overall length of the mattress 12 is extended on either side to provide ample lower berth sleeping room. Resting on mattress 12 between arms-17 and 18 are two removable cushions 22 and 23. Hingedly secured to the front edge of ledge 16 by means of a hinge 40 is a backrest 24, which is also designed to function, when lifted degrees upwardly, as a mattress for the upper berth of the device. The back rest when in the folded downposition occupies a vertical position behind cushions 22 and 23.

Pivotally attached to the ends of back rest 24 bymeans of hinges 25 and 26 are cushioned extension flaps 27 and 28. Rods 29 and `30 are provided at either end of thesofa to support the back rest 24 in its raised position,

aesaaoi The rods are coupled at their upper ends to the front edge of extension aps 27 and 28 by means of coupling heads 31 and 32, each having two mutually perpendicular pivot points 31a and 31b, and 32a and 3211, respectively, to permit the rods to swing in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the raised back rest 24 and to rotate about an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. The lower ends of rods 29 and 30 are receivable within sockets 33 and 34, mounted on the front edge of side arms 17 and 18.

It will be noted in Fig. 3 that when the side flaps 27 and 28 are folded against the ends of back rest 24, the rods 29 and 30 may be swung inwardly about pivots 31a and 32a so that the rods are tucked in below the foldeddown back rest 24, the rods being then disposed in parallel relation by movement about pivot points 31h and 32h.

As best seen in Fig. 1, mounted on the front face of rear wall in the space defined between the rear wall and the folded-down back rest 24 are a medicine cabinet 35, a drawer 36, shelves 37, and several spaced hooks 38 for supporting clothes hangers, such as hanger 39. These facilities can, of course, be used to store articles of apparel, toilet articles, etc.

The operation of the convertible sofa and the positions assumed by the various components thereof in the course of their adjustment will now be considered.

When the sofa is collapsed to serve as a seating accommodation, the sofa has the appearance shown in Fig. 4, where it will be seen that the two side arms 17 and 18 lie above the built-in mattress 12 and the two cushions 22 and 23 are placed on the mattress between the two side arms. The back rest 24 occupies its folded-down or vertical position, Vthereby concealing the back wall storage space. The flaps 27 and 28 are folded against the ends of back rest 24, and the rods are hidden behind the back rest so that the sofa presents a neat, compact appearance. It is to be understood that conventional means, such as snap buttons or sliding bolts, may be used to hold the various elements of the convertible sofa in the positions occupied when the sofa serves as a seat.

In order to provide double berth facilities, the pillows 22 and 23 are rst removed and stored away in drawer 14, for example. Side arms 17 and 18 are then folded down to extend the length of the lower berth, back rest 24 is raised upwardly 90 degrees, the side flaps 27 and 28 are elevated, Vand rods 29 andl 30 are swung to their vertical position and inserted in sockets 33 and 34. Thus, by this very simple procedure the sofa is converted to a double-decker berth.

It will be appreciated that the total amount of floor space pre-empted by the double-decker berth exceeds that of the structure acting as a seating sofa only by the space required for the side arms and flaps. In a practical embodiment the sofa may be made in a 5 foot length, while the side arms are designed to provide 8 inch extensions, such that the total length of the bed is 6 feet -4 inches. Similarly, the back rest 24 may be made in a 5 foot length with the side aps adding 8 inches to either side thereof. The width of both the mattress 12 and the back rest 24 is preferably 32 inches to provide ample sleeping space. These dimensions may, of course, be varied to suit particular requirements. Where, for example, the convertible sofa is intended for children, then the dimensions will be considerably smaller than those suggested above. I

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 9, there is shown a lowback convertible sofa, in accordance with the invention, comprising a rectangular base 41 provided with a boxlike frame 42 supporting a built-in mattress 43. Arranged below frame 42 in base 41 is a pull-out drawer 44. Disposed above mattress 43 between a pair of foldable side arms 45 and 46 is a removable one piece seat Vcushion 47, whose length is sumcient to seat two.

As shown in Fig.' 6, base 41 is provided with a back wall constituted by two hinged sections 48 and 49, the sections having complementary inwardly extending ledges 48a and 49a which are joined together by a hinge 50. Pivotally connected to the upper end of back wall section 49 by means of a hinge 51 is a bedplate constituted by a pair of sections 52 and 53 joined together by a hinge 54. In the collapsed condition of the convertible sofa, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, section 53 of the bedplate is folded against section 52, While section 49 of the back wall is folded down to provide a channel between the parallel back wall sections 48 and 49, which channel is occupied by the folded bedplate 52, 53.

Detachably mounted on the back wall section 49 are back rest cushions 55 `and 56, which cushions are removed when the sofa is erected to form a double-decker bed. To support the foldable bedplate 52, 53, a pair of rods are provided, one of which rods 57 is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The lower end of the rods is received within suitable sockets 58 and 59 mounted on the front wall of base 41. The upper end of the rods is inserted in recesses formed in the underside of bedplate section 53. When the sofa is converted into a double-decker bed the mattress for the upper berth is made up by combining the seat cushion 47 with the back rest cushions 55 and 56.

As shown separately in Fig. 9, the back cushions are tixedly mounted in rigid rectangular frames, such as frame 55a. The frames are provided at their underside with dovetail members, such as dovetail 55b, which are slidable within grooves formed in the bedplate, such as groove 52a. The seat cushion is secured to the bed plate by means of pegs projecting from the underside of the cushion and inserted in appropriately placed holes in the bedplate (note peg 47a in Fig. 7).

Thus, the seat cushion 47 is centrally mounted on bcdi plate 52, 53 and the back rest cushions 55 and 56 extend from either end thereof, wherebyfthe overall dimensions of the mattress thus formed is sucient to provide an adequate and comfortable sleeping surface. When the back rest cushions 55 and S6 are attached to back wall section 49 in the collapsed or seating condition of the sofa, they are inserted in suitable grooves 49!) therein.

The procedure for converting from the seating state, as shown in Fig. 5, to the double-decker state,vas shown in Fig. 6, is as follow-s: The side arms and 46 are rst folded down to provide an extension `for the builtin lower berth mattress 43. The back rest cushions and 56 are then detached from the back wall section 49, and the section 49 is raised above section 48 and locked thereto by means such as a hook and pawl combination 60.

The bedplate sections S2 and 53 are then unfolded and secured in place by the vertical rods 57, which are mounted in sockets 58 and 59. The seat cushion 47 is placed centrally on the bedplate and the back cushions are added thereto at either end. Thus, the bed may be quickly and easily assembled. When used as a sofa, the rods may be stored in the channel between back walls 48 and 49.

In the modification shown in Figs. 10 and 1l, the bedplate is eliminated andthe upper berth mattress is supported on the back wall and on vertical supporting rods. Thus, in this modification, the back wall of the sofa is constituted by two pivotally connected sections 60 and 61, the upper section being coupled to the lower section by a hinge 62. The seat 63, as Well as the back rest cushions, such as cushion 64, are each provided with a rigid mounting frame 63a and 64a, respectively. The back cushions are provided at the underside of the frame with dovetails, such as 64b. l p

In order to support the upper berth mattress, a rail 65 is provided having coupling sockets 65a to receive the supporting rods 57. The upper end of the back wall section 61, as Well as rail 65, is vprovided with suitable grooves for receiving the dovetails on the back rest cushions. The seat cushion 63 is provided at the underside with pegs 63h which are insertable in suitable holes in the rail and in the upper section of the back Wall to support the seat cushion centrally, the back rest cushions serving as extensions therefor.

Thus, in assembling the double-decker sofa, the side arms are rst folded down to extend the built-in lower berth mattress. The back rest cushions 64 are removed, the back wall section 61 is elevated above section 60, the rods 57 are inserted in the side sockets 58 on the sofa base, the rail 65 is mounted between the rods, and the seat cushion and back rest cushions are mounted above the rail to provide the upper berth mattress.

While there have been shown what are considered at present to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible sofa comprising a base, a built-in lower berth mattress mounted in said base, side arms pivotally connected to said base and resting on either end of said mattress, said arms being foldable downwardly to provide cushioned extensions for said mattress, said base further including a back wall, a back rest cushion hingedly secured to the upper end of said back wall, said back rest cushion when elevated forming an upper berth mattress, a pair of extension flaps pivotally connected to either end of said back rest cushion and foldable thereagainst, said flaps when extended outwardly forming an extension of said upper berth mattress, and removable rods extend` ing upwardly from said downwardly folded side arms to said outwardly extended flaps to support said upper berth mattress.

2. A convertible sofa comprising a base, a built-in lower berth mattress mounted in said base, side arms pivotally connected to said base and disposed at either end of said mattress, said arms being foldable downwardly to provide cushioned extensions for said mattress, said base further including a back wall, said back wall terminating at the upper end in an inwardly extending ledge, a back rest cushion hingedly secured to said ledge and being spaced from said back wall to dene a storage space, a pair of extension ilaps pivotally connected to either end of said back rest cushion and foldable thereagainst, said back rest cushion when elevated forming an upper berth mattress, said flaps when extended outwardly forming an extension of said upper berth mattress, and removable rods extending upwardly fum said downwardly folded side arms on said lower berth to the outwardly extended flaps thereby to support said upper berth.

3. A convertible sofa comprising a base: including a rectangular frame, a pull-out drawer below said frame and a relatively high back wall terminating in an inwardly extending ledge, a mattress supported in said frame, side arms on either end of said mattress and hingedly connected to said base, said arms being foldable downwardly to provide extensions for said mattress, a back rest cushion hingedly connected to said ledge to form a storage space between said back wall and said rest `cushion which is exposed when said back rest cushion is elevated to form an upper berth mattress, side aps hingedly connected to said rest cushion and foldable thereagainst, said side flaps when extended outwardly forming an extension of said upper berth mattress, rods pivotally connected at one end to said aps, and sockets mounted in said side arms to receive the free ends of said rods when said rods extend upwardly from the downwardly folded side arms and the outwardly extended flaps to support said upper berth mattress.

4. A convertible sofa, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said rods are pivotally connected to said flaps by coupling heads having mutually-perpendicular pivot points, whereby when said back rest cushion is lowered, said rods are foldable into said storage space.

5. A convertible sofa, as set forth in claim 4, further including cabinets and shelves mounted on said back wall within said storage space.

6. A convertible sofa, as set forth in claim 5, further including a pair of removable seat cushions disposed between said side arms.

'References Cited in the file of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 569,679 Stokes Oct. 20, 1896 2,739,319 Keller Mar. 27, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,646 Great Britain 1875 24,569 Great Britain 1898 216,201 Great Britain May 2l, 1924 377,496 France July 12, 1907

Images