US3041634A - Convertible bed - Google Patents

Description

July 3, 1962 s. c. WILLIS 3,041,634

CONVERTIBLE BEDv Filed May 2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 54 ,Sumner ct mmf S. C. WILLIS CONVERTIBLE BED July 3, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2 1958 lNvErtn-ola Sumner C mlls ATTNEYs f me @www July 3, 1962 S. C. WILLIS CONVERTIBLE BED 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 2, 1958 INVENTOR Sum/mer C'. WLZZLS LV1/1w ATTOR admit Patented VJuly 3, 1962 Filed May 2, 1958, Ser. No. 732,714 Claims. (Cl. 5-13) This invention relates to a convertible bed, such as a sofa-bed.

An object of this invention is to provide ina sofabed an improved mattress-supporting mechanism having superior operating efficiency and permitting the very best appearance, comfort and convenience.

Another object is to provide such a bed mechanism which is less complicated yand less expensive but which at the same time is sturdier, more rugged and more reliable than previous sofa-bed mechanisms.

A further object is to provide a convertible bed mechanism which does not require critical tolerances in manufacture and which can be mass produced at relatively low cost with uniformly excellent quality.

A more specific object is to provide a four-section sofabed mechanism for use with a full or even an extra length mattress and which together with lthe mattress can be folded easily and very compactly with a minimum of waste space into a sofa frame.

These and other objects will in part be pointed out in and in part understood from the following decsription.

A particularly popular style of sofa today is that having a length suicient to seat no more than two or three persons. Because the length of the frame in such a sofa is not as long as a full length bed it is necessary,

vwhen Amaking a convertible sofa-bed in this style of frame, to provide a bed mechanism which unfolds from the frame and supports a mattress extending with its length at right angles to the frame. One of the most d'u'iicult problems in the past with this kind of unit has been to provide a folding bed mechanism which is suiciently compact, lightweight and easy to operate and yet suiciently strong and sag free.

When a bed mechanism is folded within a furniture frame to make a sofa, it is desirable for best seating comfort for the seat cushion platform provided by the bed mechanism to have a limited depth .from front to rear, to` have a certain height off the floor, to have a slight tilt downward to the back, and'to be firm and sag lfree without being so solid and unyieding as to be uncomfortable as a sofa. It is also desirable that the back edge of the seat platform lie very closely beneath the lower edge of the fixed back Icushion of the sofa frame so that when a person sits on the unit there will -be no gapping in this region to spoil the appearance of the unit or to permit the seat cushions to creep in under the back. Furthermore, with some models it is desirable to have the frame raised olf the floor on short legs. This means that the bed mechanism when folded the frame must -be supported high enough above the floor so that it is above the top of these short legs and thus remains effectively hidden. So far as is known no previous sofa bed mechanism of suiiicient simplicity, rigidity, and sturdiness has been able to meet all of these requirements.

The mechanism provided according to the invention and described herein does, however, possess all of the above desirable qualities. Moreover this mechanism can be made long enough to accommodate a full '.78 inch mattress and support it in hed position so that it is usable throughout its full length. A sofa-bed incorporating this mechanism has, when closed, the appearance and comfort of a most stylish conventional sofa and gives no hint of its dual purpose, while in open or bed position it provides a full width, full length double rbed.r

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sofa bed unit having a matress supporting mechanism consisting of four sections, an inner, an intermediate, a connecting, and an end section, seiiallypivoted to each other. The inner and intermediate sections are suspended by links from a stationary sofa frame and, with the connecting and end sections, are adapted when in bed position to extend outward from the sofa lframe and be supported horizontally above the floor to support a mattress. When folded, the inner section is positioned at the rear of the unit, generally vertically and closely behind and within the fixed back cushion of the sofa frame. The intermediate section `then extends forwardly from the lower end of the inner sectiony approximately horizontally just above the floor. The connecting section extends therefrom upward vertically behind the front of the sofa frame. Finally, the end section is folded back generally at rightV angles to the connecting section and approximately parallel to the intermediate section so that its upper side forms a platform for the sofa seat cushions. With the sections so folded, the forward part of the :bed mattress is ydoubled-over between the intermediate and end sections while itsy rear portion extends vertically upward n front of the inner section. When folded,

'i these `sections are rigidly held vrelative to each other and to the frame. The rearwardly extending end of the end section'lies just beneath the -lower edge of the stationary back cushion of lthe sofa frame. Because the top surface of the lfolded end section forms a platform for the L sofa seat cushions, the Weight of a person on the seat cushions is thus transmitted through the folded mechanism to the'sofa vframe andthere is no sagging or slipping of the seat cushions, although the doubled-:over mattress compressed beneath the end section provides a comfortable amount of resilience under the seat cushions. The end section in the nal stages of folding-up this bed mechanism moves mainly horizontally to its final position so that the amount of clearance necessary between the rearwardly extending end of this end section and the bottom of the backrest ofthe sofa frame can be made very small, for example, of the order of one inch. :The

suspending links which pivotally connect the bed sections tothe sofa frame are proportioned so that the inner section when completely foldedV is almost exactly vertical thereby utilizing to best -advantage Ithc-,limited space available the sofa frame. When the bed sections are being folded and unfolded the suspending 'links act to keep the lowest portions of the mechanism from passing too near the lloor or from rubbing against portions of the sofa frame itself. When the bed is unfolded these links,

together with legs which unfolded and extend down to the oor, support the four articulated sections rigidly in line at a convenient height above the floor. When the 'bed is being folded a unique corner linkage arrangement, closely similar to that disclosed and claimed in the inventors ccs-pending application, Serial No. 693,637, now Patent No. 2,991,484, with great force pulls the end section over and down parallel to theV intermediate section, thereby compressing the forward part of the mattress in doubled-over relation between them.- As a vconsequence, the unit moves witheifortless ease into fully closed position and there is no necessity for manually operating locks or latching cams, or of wrestling against the mattress to fold it over. This bed functions so easily that even a little girl can operate it.

A lbetter understanding of the invention together with a fuller appreciation of its many advantages will best be gained from the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

- s FIGURE' 1 isa perspective view of a ing features ofthe invention and showing the unit in its completely folded position wherein it does not reveal its dual purpose; 'Y Y l,

FIGURE 2 istan'other view of the unit of FIGUREl but shown here vwiththefseat cushion removedand the bed mechanisnpartly unfolded; i FIGURE 3 isstill anotherv-iewv of the unit showingthe sofa bed embodybed mechanism completely unfolded and with the .Vmattri-ess shown in dottedoutline;

FIGURE 4 is across-sectionview-of the unit in FIG- URE 1 slightlyenlarged and showing'one side of the bed mechanism in completely 'folded position, it fbeing understood that the oppositeside is a miirrorimagev of this '-*FroURE 5 is a View similar to' FIGURE 4 but showing l.the bed mechanism slightly unfolded and corresponding to its position in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 isa view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing the mechanism still more. unfolded;

Y FIGURE. 8 is anV opposite side view cfa-portion of the mechanism taken in the position Vof FIGURE 7;-

FIGURE 9-is aside view of the mechanismshowing it completely unfolded andcorresponding to itsposition in FIGURE 3; and e Y Y FIGURE 10.is a side view FIGURE 7- is a view showing the mechanism still more unfolded than in FIGURE 6;

ofV a'portion of a modified f front end of this connecting section 44 is pivoted to the end `section 46 at 45. When this bed mechanism 14 is unfolded then these four sections extend horizontally in line outward from frame 12 to support the mattress on a tau-tbed spring 48 (see FIGURE 3) which is attached to them along their inner edges and `along a front tubular cross brace 50Vand varearrail 5-1. 'The rear rail 5'1, when thebed is unfolded, lies forward of and approximately on a level withthe front bottom edge '52 of the stationary back cushion 18. lIr'hus, no partfof the mattress is obstructed so that its full length is usable. The distance between the front brace tube 50 and rear rail 51 can be made suic-ient to accommodate a mattress 78 inches long, for example. t

When the bed is unfolded as seen in FIGURE 9, inner section 24 is supported horizontally above the floor by swing link 26 and by intermediate section 40. The front end of the latter is supported by a foldable leg 54 pivoted at 56 to a tab 58 iixed to this section. Similarly, the front end of endv section 46 is supported by a foldable leg 60 pivoted to it at 6 1. To prevent the forward end of inner section 24 Afrom sagging under a load, long link 35 in the position shown in-FIGURE 9 is rigidly held parallel to. and'above section 24 and'section 40, the front end bedvmechanism also embodying features of the invention.

Y .A sofa bed 10, shown completely folded as a sofa in FIGURE 1, generally comprises a stationary Vframe 12 in which is suspended a mattress-supporting mechanism, generally'indicatedat 14. ARemovably.positioned' on top of this' mechanism arey :the seat cushions 1-6 whose rear edges abut a back cushion'lV permanently axed to the frame. To unfold the unit and make a bed, therseat cushionsare removed and, as-seen in FIGURE 2, the rontjof the rfolded bed mechanism is lifted up and swung outward, being unfolded progressively, as indicated in FIGURlESi 5 through 7, to the completely unfolded posi` non indicator` in FIGURES 3 and 9.

lWhen the seat cushions 16 have been removed from thefsofa-bed 10 and mattress-,supporting bed mechanism 14 .`is partially unfolded', as shownin FIGURE 2, a mat*- rnechanism 14.

Y tress 20.1may be seen foldedback uponitsel-f withinth'eof link 55 being pivoted at 62 to an angle link 64 which inturn is pivoted at 65 to section 40, Part of any weight resting on the rear of section 40 is transmitted to the j yframe through link l by its attachment lnear its front end at point 66 to asupporting'link 68. The lower end :of the latter is pivoted at 70 to a strap 72 fixed on the side of the frame.

In the position shown in FIGURE 9, upward thrust Y of supporting'link 68 against link 35 tends to rotate angle 3, the mattress 20 Vis supported a convenient Vdis n above the VHoor "by theA unfolded bed mechanismY 14, as shown in the dotted lines in this drawing The width Vand length ofthe mattress-and its supporting mechanism are proportioned so that one or tvvopz-vr-Y sons can` sleep on the bed lying along the directionY of link6-4 clockwise. YThe latter, however, is locked in the position shown -by the push of a thrust link 74 pivoted to it at point75, yand by the pull of link 35. The distance between pivots 62 and 65, and theV distance between pivot 34' at the rear of link 35 and pivot 39 joining sections'24 and 40, are such thatwhen the sections are being folded or unfolded, as indicated `for example in FIGURE 5, link 35 moves closely parallel to and beneath end section 46. This provides a double safeguard against the end section sagging under a heavy weightwhen in final folded position.

As seen in FIGURE 9, the forward end of thrust link 74 isrpivoted Vat 76 to the upper portion of a short pivoted crank-arm 78, which here extends vertically, downward below a point `80 at whichv it is pivoted to section 40. Forward thrust of link74 `against pivot 76 tends to rotate arm 78 clockwise around pivot 80, but this in turn is resisted by a forward pull on the lower end of larm 78 by an articulated linkage 82 pivoted to it at 83. Linkage 82,

1 which comprises two short iengths 84 and 85 pivoted the doable anew e2, te. perpendicular Ito the length or frame 12.

As seen in FIGURES 3 and 9; the bed meohanism14 includes-four sections, an inner section, an intermediate section, aV connecting section and anend section, -gen-y *,'vReferr-ing to FIGURE 9, the Yinnermost of these -sections, inner section 24,is suspendedfor outward and upf Ward movement Vto. the positionshownY by 'a rear-swing 2 6 pivoted at28r to section 2.4 andfpivoted at '3 0 tojY a bfvaCkct 32 fastened to stationary frame 12. Nearjthe forward-end of sectionl24 is atab 53 Vto which-is pivotedA at 34 along link 35. The-rear end of the latter is curved downward and is pivoted at 36 to, a' connecting or Y strut-link 37 whose rearend inl-turn is pivoted at- 38 to VswinglinkZ,`

together at V86, pulls against its own forward pivot point 88 on a rigid corner plate 90. The latter at its upper end is pivoted at 92 to end section 46. n

. The pull by linkagel 82 on corner plate 90, which pull tends to rotate it clockwise 'about pivot 92, is resisted by a counter thrust ona pin 94 carried by corner 90 just yabove pivot 92. This pin rides in a slot 98 in the rear end of a link, 100 and, in the position shown in FIGURE 9, abuts the 'front end of the slot, -thus preventing clockwisefrotation of corner plate 90. The forward end'of link 100 is pivoted `at point 104 to a leg link 106. The rear'en'd of the latter is pivoted at 108 to connecting section 44 and the forward end of this link 106 is pivoted at V110. tov leg 60.

Atrthe beginningof folding of the bed as seen in FIG- URE'7, end section 46 is manually lifted from. the iloor and pivots around its point of attachment to connecting` section 44. v "I'hiscauses leg link 106 to shift forward relative to end section 46 and in so doingfto fold leg 60. During final folding or initial unfolding of the bed, as indicated in FIGURES4 and 5,:leg link 106 lies at 1a slight angle beneath 'end section` 46-with long link 35 moving parallel to and just beneath and in the same vertical plane.

- In the positions shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, end section 46 and intermediate 4section 40 are rigidly held `approximately parallel to each other but with `the rear end of the end section 46, i.e. the end of this section nearest back cushion 1S, an inch or so lower than its forward end relative to section 4t). The rigid locking of these sections is accomplished by corner plate 9i) and linkage 82 whose action in cooperation with other elements will be described shortly.

In the position shown in FlGURE 4, both of the foldable legs 54 and 6i) lie generally parallel to each other and to their respective sections 4d `and 46, leg S4 being held flush against the under side of intermediate section 4t) so that no part of the folded mechanism is visible beneath sofa frame 12. During the initial stages of the opening of the bed, as indicated in FIGURES 2 and 5, the unfolding of leg 54 is controlled so that its lower end clears a rail 112 which is xed across the lower front of the sofa frame and rigidly connects its two sides. To accomplish this unfolding, leg 54 has a longitudinal slot 114 in it which engages a pin 116 projecting from. a tab 118 on crank-arm 73. As the latter is rotated, by the pull of thrust link 74, from parallel position relative to section 44B as shown in FIGURE 4 through the position shown in FIGURE 5 to the perpendicular position asl seen in FIGURE 6, pin 116 moves upward along slot 114. This unfolds leg 54 at a rate such that the lower end of this leg easily clears cross-rail 112 without requiring the forward end of intermediate section 4@ to swing up and out at an angle too steep for easy opening.

As the bed sections are unfolded beyond the position shown in FIGURE 6 to that shown in FIGURE 7, connecting section 44 moves about its pivot 42 into straight line relation with intermediate section 4t). 'In moving from the position shown in FIGURE 6, the connecting section, which near its upper end (see also FIGURE 8) is pivoted at 126 to a throat link 122, draws the rear end of the latter forward, this rear end having a projecting pin 124 which slides in a longitudinal slot 126 in section 40. When sections 46 and 44 have reached a straightline relationship, as shown for example in FIGURE 7, pin 124 will be pulled against the rear of crank-arm 7S thereby doubly locking it in this position. When these elements are in the position shown in FIGURE 5, for example, pin 124 abuts the rear end of slot 126 and prevents further inward folding of connecting section 44 yabout its pivot 42.

As the bed sections are unfolded further to the position shown in FIGURE 7, corner plate 0 swings about its upper pivot 92 so that it extends down beneath the bed sections. In doing this, the plate draws downward with itself a short strut 13) whose upper end (see .also FIG- URE 8) is pivoted at 332 to a tab 134 on connecting section 44. This strut is coupled to the plate 9@ by a pin 136 projecting from the plate and riding in a longitudinal slot BS in the strut L36. As seen in FIGURES 2 and 7, the struts it?, one on each side of the bed mechanism, are rigidly joined together by cross braces 14d which help to insure that the two sides of the bed mechanism i4 move as a rigid unit. When the bed is folded these struts 134i and their connecting braces 146 are folded flush against connecting section 44. However, when the bed is open, to prevent the braces from interfering with the bedspring as it deflects under the weight of the mattress and a person upon it, the braces and struts are swung downward away from section 44 in the manner just described. As seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the folding legs 54 carry .a similar pair of braces 141. These members along with brace 50 and rail 51 give great transverse rigidity to the bed mechanism 14 and insure that the two sides move in unison during folding and unfolding of the bed.

To fold the bed back into the frame from the extended position shown in FIGURES 3 and 9, the end section 46 is lifted back through the position shown in FIGURE 7 to that in FIGURE 6 wherein the end section 46 is section.

disposed approximately at right angles to connecting section 44 and wherein this section 44 is being brought up toward right-angle relationship with intermediate section 40. Progressing to the position in FIGURE 5, the latter section 4i) is by now shifted somewhat back into the frame 12 so that the crank-arm 7S has rotated an amount clockwise about point Sil. In so doing, this arm, pulling on linkage 82 with great force, draws an upper flange 142 (see also FIGURE 8) of cornerplate 90 into extended contact with end section 46 and also (see FIG- URE 8) draws a front or lower tab 144 of plate 90 against strut 130 which thereby is forced tightly against connecting section 44. This yaction of corner plate 90 thus draws the connecting section 44 and the end section 46, as well as the connecting section 44 and the intermediate section 4tl into approximately right angle relationship. vThe forward part of the mattress (not shown here) is thus compressed and folded double upon itself, and the end and connecting sections are held with great rigidity in folded position relative to the intermediate Because of the powerful drawing together of these sections produced by the action of corner plate 90, upon movement of intermediate section 40 back and down within frame 12, a person closing the bed is saved the strenuous effort of folding the end section 46 over the intermediate section against the resistance of the doubled-over mattress 20.

To complete the folding of the bed, the sections 40, 44 and 46 now folded as shown in FIGURE 5 are lowered as a rigid unit from this position to that in FIGURE 4 wherein they .are fully seated within frame 12. rtheir weight is largely counterbalanced by tension springs 146 (see FIGURE 5) xed to the rear end of frame strap 72 at l48 and connected at 150 to the lower end of supporting link 68. These springs are stretched when link GS swings counterclockwise .about its pivot from the position in FIGURE 5 to that in FIGURE 4.

Even though during this nal folding the crank-arm 78 continues to rotate from the position in FIGURE 5 clockwise into side-by-side relation with section 40 as shown in FIGURE 4, the inward and downward pulling movement of linkage 82 against corner plate 90 ends when the mechanism in folding from the position shown in FIGURE 6 reaches the position in FIGURE 5. Here, crank .arm 78 is parallel with linkage 82, the lower portion S4 of the linkage lying side-by-side along arm 78 with the linkages pivot 86lying generally opposite and on the same axis with the arms pivot 80. As crank armv 7S continues to rotate clockwise from the position in FIGURE 5 to that in FIGURE 4, a raised flap 152 (see also FIGURE 6) integral with it bears against thetop side of the lower portion 84 of linkage 82. This rotates portion S4 in unison with crank-arm 78 around its pivot 8 3 and the linkage pivot 86, which two pivots in all positions between FIGURES 4 and 5 have effectively a common axis. As a consequence, the tension force developed 1n the upper portion 85 of linkage 82 can be brought to a maximum in the position thereafter be maintained Without further increase even though the lower pivot point 83 of the linkage moves'past the'line of centers of pivots 86 and 88. Thus, the very desirable self-locking action of a toggle is obtained but without encountering an excessive and possibly destructive build-up and then wasteful decrease in the link ten? sion as the pivots move past center. abutment of pin 124 at the rear end of slot 126 insures that connecting section 44 will come to generally rightangle relationship with intermediate section 40 and then stop and stay rigid under the tension of linkage 82.

When the bed is in the fully folded position shown in FIGURE 4, the rear end of intermediate section 40 is suspended by inner section 24 which is now substantially vertical, being held in this vertical position by link 37 acting between pivots 36 and 38 to lock swing link 26 relative to the inner section. The weight of the front end of the folded sections at each side is borne by the Throat link 122 by shown in FIGURE 5 and heavy weight.

Y additionally Vattractive to prospective buyers.

vto each other is allowed by corner 9G and linkage S2,

theseV sections are held almost as rigid relative to cach other and 4frame 12 Vas though they were'welded in this y position. They therefore provide a steady, comfortable and saglessjsupport'for'the sofacushions. The presence of link 35, in the fully folded position in FIGURE 4, closely beneath leg` link lti additionally prevents Ysagging of theV rear end .of the end section when subjected to y As seen'in FIGURE 4, the top surface of the inner or rearmost end of folded end section 46 is spaced atV 156 by only a very short distance beneath the lower edge of the stationary back cushion 18. The leaving of such a small clearance here is possiblebecausethe end section even before the b ed is finally closed has already been drawn down fullyrelative to the intermediate section. Also, this top end Vmoyessubstantially only horizontally backward yduringthe final sea-tingV of the mechanism within frame '12,. Thus, since the end section 45 is so rigidly held relativeto intermediate section 40,.effectively no allowance here Ifor up and down play ofthe end'section is necessary.

As seen only in FIGURE 3 there is resiliently fastened ltothe top end of corner plate at 16) and stretched to extend just behind along the top edge of frontboard 154,- ay flexible sheet 162 of a suitable padded material. When thel bed is folded this sheet serves to cover the top of bedspring 48 and to protect and support the seat/cushions., The forward'end of sheet 162 extends around transverse brace 50 and is fastened to the bedspring. The

' general ,way thisy sheet is attached to the bed mechanism and the positionit lhas when the bed is folded are com-v pletely described in U.S'. Patent No. 2,752,613.

- FIGURE 10 shows a slightly different bed mechanism 110 which also embodies features of the invention. Mem-- bers and elements the same as those in mechanism 14 shown in .thepreceding figures are given the same reference numbers. In FIGURE 10, the member correspondingY to leg 54 and crank-arm 78 in FiGURE 9, is a' one piece leg-arm V172 which when unfolded extends down tofthe floor. To permit adequate clearance for this leg i 172 when folding and unfolding, the member (not shown) corresponding to the fixed transverse rail112 in FIGURE 9 can be made very low above the door. In FIGURE l0, corner plate 90V has a punched-out integral tab 174 to which is rigidly fastened one end of a transverse brace 176, tab v174 and thisV brace being provided in place of strut 130 and braces 140'in FIGURE 9.

y Ltywill now be apparent that each bed mechanism described herein is simplified in design and streamlined in appearance relative to previous bed mechanismsf When Vfully open, there are no metal parts or sharp corners projectingup to the level of the mattress along its sides and the mechanismV has a clean, low silhouette making it Only a moderate number of parts are needed in this mechanism and this 'means-an appreciable savings'in cost and a rethe back cushion, and theV pitch of the seat platform can befslightly'downward andjback,l as in a conventional sofa. Nolargeand wasteful*internalgspaces or clearance gaps btween. frame andmechanismrare required to permit foldingi and unfolding of the bed;

FIGURES 4 through`9Y were drawn to. scale from an actual bed mechanism and they show substantially exactly the relative sizes, shapes andpositions ofthe various parts and elements.

The description of the invention given Vherein is in- Vtendedv in illustration and not in limitation of it. Various changes or modifications in the structure described may occur to those skilled in the art and these can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth.

i I claim:

l l. 'An improved convertible bed comprising a stationward above said second section from the upper end of said third section and sloping slightly downward'with its rear end extending closely beneath said back rest, along link pivoted near its rear end to the lower part of said iirst section, a crank link pivoted below its upper end just rearwardV of the front end of said second section, means connectingthe front end of said long link and the upper end of said crank link, a folding leg pivoted to said second section immediately'in front of said crank link and coupled thereto by a pin and slot connection to fold and unfold so `as' to clear said frontrrail, a rear swing link pivoted at its rear end to the upper end of said irst section and at its forward end pivotedY to said frame behind said back rest, a strut link pivoted at its upper end near the middle of said swing link andY at its lower end pivoted to the rear endof said long link, forward swing link means pivoted at one end to said frame and pivoted at its other end near the forward end of said long link, a corner plate pivoted at its upper rear end to said fourth section rearward of its pivot connection to said third section, said plate having two transverse shoulders at right angles to each other and adapted to bear against said fourth and third sections respectively to hold them generally Vperpendicular when folded, two short links serially pivoted together at a central point and with their front end pivoted to said plate near its lower forward end and pivoted at their rear end to said crank link near its lower end, n Vsaid central pivot point of said short links when said sections are folded lying opposite the pivot connection of said crank link to said second section, said short links pullingsaid second and third sections generally perpendicular and pulling said plate against said third and fourth sections to hold them generally perpendcular, a second folding leg pivoted to said fourth section near its outer end, and a leg actuating link pivoted between said second leg and said third section to fold and unfold said leg.

V2. The structure as in claim l wherein said long link and said leg actuating link when said sections are folded lie closely parallel to each other in the same vertical plane and abut when an excessive load is placed on the folded over fourth section.

3. The structure as in claim 2 in further combination with a strut pivoted Vto said third section near its upper end and adapted to fold down against said sections, a cross brace carried by said'strut, and a pin and slot connection coupling said strut and said plate.

4; An improved convertible bed comprising a stationary frame having a back rest, two sides and a lower front rail connecting said sides, a first, a second, a third anda fourth bed section serially pivoted end to, end, said sections when folded lying with said first section generally verticalY at the back'of said frame behind said back rest,

said second section extending forward generally horizontally from the lower end of said first section, said third section extending upward from the front end of said second section and with saidfourth section extending backward above said second section from the upper end of said. third section and sloping slightly downward with its rear end extending closely beneath said back rest, a long link pivoted near its rear end to the lower part of said first section, a folding arm pivoted below its upper end just rearward of the front end of said second section, a crank link pivoted near the middle of said second section and having its upper end pivoted to the forward end of said long link, linkage means connecting said crank link and the upper end of said folding arm, a rear swing link pivoted at its rear end to the upper end of said irst section and at its forward end pivoted to said frame behind said back rest, a connecting link pivoted at its upper end near the middle of said rear swing link and at its lower end pivoted to the rear end of said long link, forward swing link means pivoted at one end to said frame and pivoted at its other end -near the forward end of said long link, a corner plate pivoted at its upper rear end to said fourth section rearward of its pivot connection to said third section, said plate having two transverse shoulders at right angles to each other and adapted to bear against said fourth and third sections respectively to hold them generally perpendicular when folded, two short links serially pivoted together at a central point and with their front end pivoted to said plate near its lower forward end and pivoted at their rear end to said folding arm near its downward end, said central pivot point of said short links when said sections are folded lying opposite the pivot connection of said folding arm to said second section, said short links pulling said second and third sections generally perpendicular and-pulling said plate against said third and fourth sections to hold then generally perpendic` ular, a folding leg pivoted to said fourth section near its outer end, and a leg actuating link pivoted between said leg and said third section to fold and unfold said leg, said long link and said leg actuating link Iwhen said sections are folded lying closely adjacent each other in the same vertical plane whereby an excessive load on said folded-over fourth section causes them to abut and prevent sagging.

5. In an improved sofa bed mechanism of the character described, an intermediate section, a connecting section, an end section, said'sections being pivoted serially together and adapted when folded to lie with the intermediate section generally horizontal the end section generally parallel above it and with the connecting section generally vertical and perpendicular to said intermediate and end sections, and when unfolded being adapted to lie generally horizontally ina straight line, a front swing link and a rear swing member connected to said mechanism to suspend it from a stationary frame, a crank member pivoted at a rst point to said intermediate section near its forward end, means for swinging said crank member downward and forward to generally perpendicular relation with said intermediate section when said sections are unfolded and backward and up beneath or alongside said inner section when said sections are folded, a first leg pivoted to said end section and adapted when said sections are unfolded to extend down to support said endV -section horizontally above the floor, and a second leg connected to said crank member for folding and unfolding, said second leg being pivoted to said intermediate section immediately in front of said crank member and being coupled thereto by a pin and slot connection to fold and unfold so as to clear a front portion of the frame, said pin sliding along said slot as said crank member folds so that said second leg folds at a faster rate than said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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