US3049724A - Convertible bed construction - Google Patents

Description

. GOODMAN CONVERTIBLE BED CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT GOODMAN BY @Qu/v Filed April 1961 ATTORNEY glug. 2a, 1962 R. GOODMAN CONVERTIBLE BED CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 3, 1961 INVENTOR. ROBERT GOODMAN BY i ATTORNEY Aug. 21, 1962 R. GOODMAN CONVERTIBLE BED CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 5, 1961 INVENTOR ROBERT GOODMAN BY C W E Q C ATTORNEY Aug. 21, 1962 R. GOODMAN CONVERTIBLE BED CONSTRUCTION 4 SheeOs--SheeiI 4 Filed April 5, 1961 INVENTOR. ROBERT GOODMAN ATTORNEY tts 3,049,724 CNVERTIBLE BED CONSTRUCTION Robert Goodman, S325 Westminster Ave.,

Philadelphia, Pa. Filed Apr. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 100,232 Claims. (Cl. 5-35) This invention relates to a convertible bed and it more particularly relates to a bed assembly which is convertible `from a bed to an ottoman or table.

Collapsible or foldable beds have been increasingly popular because of the relatively compact nature of modern homes, be they houses or apartments. However, closet `or other storage space is lgenerally at a premium in such homes so that it is often not feasible to find sufficient room to store such collapsible beds when not in use. Furthermore, `it is more economical to be able to utilize the bed as a piece of furniture even when not in use as a bed. For these reasons, various types of convertible bed structures have heretofore been devised, such convertible structures being adapted to be utilized either as beds or as another type `of furniture. rIlhis was accomplished either by simply fitting a fabric `cover `over the bed or by making the bed collapsible into other forms such as a sofa, chair or the like.

However, these prior types of convertible beds were limited in the choice of size and shape in the collapsed position so that even in such collapsed position, they still had to assume the shape of either sofas, divans or large chairs. This not only often rtook up an undesirably large amount of room but also often clashed with the surrounding decor. On the other hand, lwhere )attempts were made to collapse the device into a relatively small space, it was necessary to either first remove the mattress 4and store it separately or to divide the mattress into two or more separate sections so that only a part of the mattress could be collapsed with the ibed frame itself.

In addition, prior type converti-ble bed structures were often insufficiently supported in .the collapsed position so that, if used as a seat, they would tend to sag or buckle under Ithe weight of the sitter.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome the above and other disadvantages of the prior types of convertible beds rby providing a convertible 'bed which is collapsible from a full sized, rm land steady extended bed position .into a compact folded position wherein the device may be utilized in various selected lforms in accordance with the size, shape and decor of the room.

Another object of the present yinvention is to provide a convertible bed of the aforesaid type which is lirm and sturdy .in its various collapsed positions so that it may be `advantageously used in such positions to etliciently support a person or various other types of objects such as lamps, vases, etc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible bed of the aforesaid type which incorporates a unitary mattress which extends .the full length of the bed when the bed :frame is in extended position and which easily folds in-to and out of collapsed position along with the bed frame.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description ywhen considered in connection ywith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective View of a bed, embodying the present invention, in fthe fully collapsed position and arranged in the lform of an ottoman.

FIG. 2 is a perspective View similar to FIG. l but showing the Abed arranged fin the :form of Ia table or bench.

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of a bed embodying .the

present invention, showing the -bed in partially collapsed position and arranged to iform a step-table.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational View of the bed utilized with the outer coverings removed and in the fully collapsed position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bed just prior to the fully folded position -of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a View similar yto FIG. 4 Ibut showing the bed in -a partially collapsed position.

FIG. 7 is a view similar `to FIGS. 4 and 6 but show-` ing the fbed in its Ifully extended position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, top plan view on line S-S of FIG. 7A

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the brace bar locking means.

FIG. 110 Iis .a fragmentary side elevational View of a modified form ofthe invention.

FIG. l1 lis a side elevational view of a `further modifi cation shown in the closed position.

FIG. l2 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but showing the device in the open position.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures yof the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 a convertible lbed in the 4form of a generally square-shaped ottoman 10. The ottoman 10 comprises .a cover portion which includes a cushion 12 from which depends a skirt 14. The cushion l2 sits on top of the fully collapsed bed frame which is supported by casters y16 for easy movement of the device, while ythe skirt 14 encloses and conceals the frame of the bed. The cushion and skirt may be made of leather, plastic, textile fabric, etc. and of any desired. color or design.

Instead of the ottoman arrangement of FIG. l, the same fully collapsed position of the bed may be utilized in the form of a 'table or bench. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 where the table 18 comprises a cover including a at top 20 with its sides overhanging a generally square, hollow body portion 22. The top 20 and tbody portion Z2 may be made of wood, metal, rigid plastic material or any other desired material. The body portion 22 is provided with an open bottom so that it may be placed over or lifted olf of the fully collapsed bed frame.

The fully collapsed bed is illustrated in FIG. 4, and its partially collapsed and fully open or extended positions are illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively. The bed comprises a frame which includes a base section 26, a front or head section 2.8, a front intermediate section 30, a rear intermediate section 32 and a rear or foot section 34. The sections 28-34 are illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 by the corresponding side bars comprising angle bars designated respectively as 36, 38, and tubular bar 42 on one side of the frame. Similar bars (not shown) are provided on the opposite side of the frame and are connected to the illustrated side bars by transversely extending springs 44 having hook ends secured in holes 46 in the horizontal portions of the respective side bars.

The angle bars 40 on opposite sides of the section 32 are connected by a transverse tubular rod 48 having flattened ends 50 riveted at 52 to the corresponding bars 40. Angularly extending between each of the two bars '40 (only one being shown) and the adjacent portion of rod 43 is a brace bar 54 comprising two offset portions separated by a shoulder 56 and having its ends riveted at 53 and 60 to the bar 40 and rod 48 respectively. The brace rod 48 and brace bars 54 serve as additional strengthening means, especially when the device is in the fully or partially folded positions illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6.

The base section 26 comprises a pair of oppositely arranged angle bars 62 (only one of which is shown) and each of these angle bars 62 is integral with a front upstanding or vertical angle bar 64. The upper portion of each bar 64 is provided with an aperture to receive a pivot pin 66. This pivot pin 66 is received in a corresponding aperture in the front portion of the corresponding bar 36 of section 28 to provide a pivotal connection between the base section 26 and front section 28. The base section itself is supported by the casters 16.

The bars 36 of section 28 are pivotally connected at their rear portions, by means of pivot pins 68, to the corresponding bars 38 of the section 30. The bars 3S are, in turn, pivotally connected to the front ends of the corresponding bars 40 of section 32 by means of pivot pins 70. The bars 40 are then connected at their opposite ends to the corresponding bars 42 of section 34 by means of pivot pins 72.

The bars 62 of base section 26 are each provided with an upstanding arm or bracket 74 adjacent the rear end. These brackets 74 are provided with pivot pins 76 at their upper ends. Pivoted at its median portion to each bracket 74 by means of the pivot pin 76 is a crank arm 78 having portions 80 and 82 extending substantially perpendicularly to each other. The arm portion 80 is offset at its end by means of a shoulder 84 and is pivoted at 86 to the intermediate portion of the corresponding bar 38 of section 30. The other arm portion 82 is provided with an aperture 88 at its free end, and secured in this aperture 88 is a hook portion at one end of a coil spring 90. The opposite end of spring 90 is provided with a hook portion secured around a rivet or the like 92 extending laterally from the corresponding bar 62 of the lbase section 26.

A cross-rail 93 extends between the oppositely-disposed bars 62 to act as a stop or support for the section 32 in the fully closed position (as in FIGS. 4 and 5).

[The bars 62 of base section 26 are also each provided with a rotatable key 94 which is adapted to fit through a key slot 96 adjacent one end of a pivoted brace bar 98 (note FIG. 7). The brace bar 98 is pivoted at 100 to an intermediate portion of the corersponding angle bar 3S of section 30 and, as shown in FIG. 7, rmly supports the forward sections of the bed when it is in the open position.

In the fully or partially collapsed positions (as in FIGS. 4 and 6), the brace bar 98 is swung into the opposite direction, after being released from the key 94, and its key slot 96 is engaged with the rotatable key 102 on the corresponding bar 42 of section 34. The brace bar therefore firmly supports the assembly not only in the fully opened position but also in both the fully folded and partially folded positions.

.In the open position of the bed, the base section 26 supports the front portion of the bed, being connected to the front section by the pivot pins 66 and the brace bars 98.

The rear portion of the bed in the open position is supported by a pair of oppositely disposed legs 104 connected by an integral cross-bar y'105 and by a pair of oppositely disposed legs 106. The legs 104 are engaged at their upper ends in curved elbow brackets 108 that are themselves pivoted on pivot pins 70 connecting the bars 38 and 40. An elongated slot 110 is provided in each bar 38, and slidable in this slot 110 is a pivot pin or rivet 112. This rivet 112 pivotally connects one end of a link 114 to the corresponding end of a link 116 (best seen in FIG. 8). The opposite end of link 114 is conected at 118 to the bracket 108 while the opposite end of link 116 is connected at 120 to the vertical flange of bar 40. By means of this linkage, each leg 104 is automatically moved into the supporting position when the bed is fully open (as in FIG. 7) and into the folded position when the bed is fully or partially collapsed (as in FIGS. 4 and 6).

The legs 106 are pivoted to the corresponding bars 42 at 122 and a curved arm 124 is riveted at 126 to the upper portion of each of these legs. Each arm I124 is pivoted at 128 to one end of a link 130. The opposite end of the link 130 is pivoted at 132 to the corresponding bar 40. `Each link 130 is provided with a hook 134 intermediate its length. This hook 134 is adapted to engage over the corresponding bar 42 when the bed is in the open position (as in FIG. 7) to limit the rotational movement of the leg 106 about pivot 122 to prevent inadvertent collapse of the leg in its supporting position. Such inadvertent collapse is also prevented by the tension on the link 114 between the rivet 112 positioned at the end of the slot 110 'and the pivot pin 118.

Arranged over the bed frame in its open position is a one-piece mattress 136 which extends substantially the full length of the bed. When the bed is in the folded position, this mattress folds along with it into a neat, comfpact assembly (as shown in FIG. 4). In this folded position, because of the cup-shaped arrangement resulting from the vertical position of section 23 Within the connes of the base section, the mattress is not only easily stored but there remains sufficient space in the center to hold blankets, such as shown at 138, or even a pillow.

The loperation of the above-described device is apparent from the description. Essentially, when the bed is moved from the open position of FIG. 7, the rear or foot section 34 first pivots Varound points 72. This folds up the leg 106. Then, lboth sections 32 land 34 are pivoted as a unit around pivot points 70. This causes the links 114 and 116 to move the leg 104 into collapsed Y position. In this position, the load is substantially supported at pivot point-s 86 and this support is further braced by the tension between pivot points 66 and 86. The brace bar 98 is then disengaged from the base section and engaged with the key 102 lon bar `42 of section 34. To then move the -bed to fully collapsed position, the frame is pushed forward, whereby the section 28 pivots around pivot points 66 into the vertical position parallel to vertical portion 64 of the Abase section 26. This causes the section 30 to also move down Within the compass of the base section as it pivots at 68 relative to the section 28. The device is -then in the fully folded position (shown in FIG. 4). In this position, the spring 90 facts as a counterbalance to the force of gravity whereby it is almost but not quite suicient to overcome this force of gravity. This makes it easier fto lift the -bed from its folded position into its open position.

FIGS. 1 and 2, as described above, illustrate two different utilizations of the device in its fully folded position. In FIG. 3, the device is illustrated as being utilized to form a step-table when it is in the partially folded position of FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the steptable, generally designated 140, comprises a cover 142 which is made of wood, metal, plastic or the like and which includes a base portion 144 on ian offset upstandA ing portion 146. The cover 142 is hollow and openbottomed and the portions 144 and 146 may be integral or separable. As in the case of the structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when it is desired to open the bed, the cover 142 is lifted up and removed and the bed may then be opened. When it is desired to -form the steptable again, the lbed -is partially collapsed into the position of FIG. 6 and the cover 142 is replaced.

In FIG. 10 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention wherein instead of using a slot and linkage such as shown at 110, 114 and 116, there is provided a linkage comprising a link 148 .integral with but offset from the crank arm 150, which is similar to crank arm 78, and a link 152. The crank arm 150 is pivoted to the front intermediate section 154 at 156, whereby the link 148 is also pivoted at this point. The link 148 is also pivoted at 1158 to one end of the link 152 while the other end of link 152 is pivoted at 160 to the leg 162 which is otherwise similar to leg 104.

IBy means of this latter type of linkage, the leg 162 is automatically moved into and out of supporting position (shown in FIG. 10) upon pivot-al movement of the section 154 into and out of its horizontal position. This provides an automatic support for the assembly when it is in the partially folded as well as the fully open position.

enligne In FIGS. 11 and 12 there is shown a further embodiment of the device wherein it may be utilized as a table or bench as in FIG. 2. However, here, instead of requiring the manual application of a cover such as shown at 18, the table is automatically formed upon movement of the device into the fully folded position.

The assembly of FIGS. 11 and 12 comprises a framework, generally designated 164, identical to that disclosed above. However, a rigid, fiat panel or wall, as at 166, covers the sides and front end of the base section 168 while the head section 170, Which is pivoted to the base section `at 172, is provided at its front edge with a iiat panel 174. The panel 174 is rigidly secured to the front edge of section 178 and is provided on its inner surface, adjacent its free end, with a hinge 176 to which is connected -a fiat panel 178. The panel 178 is biased by gravity into the closed position (as in FIG. 11) when the section 170 is pivoted into its vertical folded position to bring the panel 174 into the horizontal position wherein it forms a top cover. A latch 180 is provided for releasably retaining -the panel 178, and therefore the panel 174, in the closed position. When the assembly is moved to the bed-opening position, the section 170 moves into the horizontal position and the panel 174 moves into the vertical position (as in FIG. l2). 1n this position, the panel 178 automatically moves into the gravity-biased vertical position. In the open position (as in FIG. 12) the panels 174 and 178 may serve as headboards for the bed.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that Within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specically described.

The invention claimed is:

1. A convertible bed assembly movable from ya folded closed position to ran extended open position, said assembly comprising `a sectional framework including a head section, a front intermediate section pivotally connected at one end to said head section, a rear intermediate section pivotally connected Iat one end to the `opposite end `of said front intermediate section, and a foot section pivotally connected to the yopposite end of said rear intermediate section, a generally square, hollow base section, said said head section being pivotally connected to said base section, a crank arm pivotally connected at diagonally spaced -pivot `points to said -front intermediate section and to said `.base section, spring means connecting said crank arm to said base section, the pivotal connection between said crank arm and said base section being between said spring and the pivotal connection between said crank larm and said front inter-mediate section, a brace bar pivotally connected to said front intermediate section, means on said base section `and on said foot section for selectively engaging said brace bar to retain said brace bar in a predetermined pivotal position, a

first collapsible leg pivotally connected to said front intermediate section, a second collapsible leg pivotally connected to said foot section, and means for moving said collapsible legs into and out of folded and bed-supporting positions simultaneously with the corresponding pivotal movements of said rear intermediate and foot sections, said last-mentioned means being constructed and arranged to `brace the corresponding collapsible legs when said collapsible legs are in bed-supporting position.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the sections of said sectional framework fold into an arrangement wherein the entire framework is substantially encompassed by said hollow base section.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for moving said first collapsible leg comprises at least one eiongated slot in said front intermediate section, a pivot pin movable within said slot, a -tirst link connected at one end to said pivot pin in said slot and at its opposite end to the corresponding leg, and a second link connected at one end to said pivot pin and at its opposite end to said rear intermediate section.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for moving said second collapsible leg comprises at least one link pivotally connected at one end to said rear intermediate section and at its opposite end to an odset arm connected to the corresponding leg, said last mentioned pivotal connections being aligned to position said link in substantial parallelism with said foot section in all positions of said framework from said closed to said open position.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the means for moving said rst collapsible leg comprises a first link rigidly connected to said crank arm adjacent the pivotal connection between said crank arm and said front intermediate section, and a second link pivotally connected at one end to said first link and pivotally connected at its opposite end to said iirst collapsible leg.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,408,914 Luppino Feb. 28, 1922 1,512,725 Thomas Oct. 21, 1924 1,951,805 Palmieri Mar. 20, 1934 2,258,364 Maxwell Oct. 7, 1941 2,577,741 Creveling et al Dec. l1, 1951 2,642,586 Piliero June 23, 1953 2,654,896 Coopersmith Oct. 13, 1953 2,666,210 Wiley Jan. 19, 1954 2,728,922 Feinstein Ian. 3, 1956 2,759,198 Mednick Aug. 21, 1956 2,785,416 Bebry Mar. 19, 1957 2,828,802 Maurer Apr. 1, 1958 2,911,655 Pokorny Nov. 10, 1959 FORETGN PATENTS 819,933 Great Britain Sept. 9, 1959

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