US3255466A

US3255466A - Convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit

Info

Publication number: US3255466A
Application number: US366195A
Authority: US
Inventors: Weizer Sigmond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-05-08
Filing date: 1964-05-08
Publication date: 1966-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 1983-06-14

Description

June 14, 1966 s. WEIZER 3,255,466

CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOP SLEEPER AND CHAISE LONGUE UNIT Filed May 8, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY S. WEIZER June 14, 1966 CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOP SLEEPER AND CHAISE LONGUE UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 8, 1964 FIG.I2

FIG. l4

FIG.|3

INVENTOR.

IGMO

United States Patent 3,255,466 CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOP SLEEPER AND CHAISE LON GUE UNIT Sigmond Weizer, Box 900, Rte. 2, Jupiter, Fla. Filed May 8, 1964, S61. N0. 366,195 7 Claims. (Cl. 119) This invention relates to a novel auto top sleeper, and more particularly to an auto top sleeper that may be easily and quickly converted into a chaise longue, or to a sitting lounge.

Auto top sleepers, which have been on the market for a number of yeans, have not attained the popularity that might be expected. They afford a very convenient device which can be used as a bed at night while travelling, without the worry of looking for a desirable motel which may be difficult to find at certain times of the year. If a bed is not needed, the sleeper affords a convenient luggage compartment outside the car.

Notwithstanding these advantages, auto top sleepers are not as much in demand as one would imagine, for the principal reason they are only seasonal in use, and when not in use require storage space to keep them out of the way. Many people do not consider the initial investment involved in the purchase justifies the limited use merely as a sleeping device or as a luggage compantment for a few trips a year.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel auto top sleeper that is useful the year around,vand does not require any or as much storage space when not used as previously known auto top sleepers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a novel auto top sleeper having unique structural features enabling it to be quickly and easily converted from an auto sleeper to other uses, such as a chaise longue, and vice versa.

It is a still further object to provide a novel convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit having a number of novel constructional features making it eminently outstanding for its intended purpose.

The attainment of the above and other advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows my convertible auto top sleeper andchaise longue unit in its closed position, mounted atop an automobile, while travelling;

FIG. 2 shows my convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit in its open position, mounted atop an automobile, for sleeping;

FIG. 3 is a detailed elevation view of my convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit, in open position;

FIG. 4 is an end view of FIG. 3, as seen looking toward the left of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail of the convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit illustrating a locking latch thereon;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the canopy section of the convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit, looking upwardly from the interior thereof;

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view through the canopy section taken along the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view through the canopy section taken along the line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the bed section;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view through the bed section showing a detail thereof, taken along the line lib-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail view illustrating one of the props;

FIG. 12 illustrates one of the uses of my convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit to form a sitting lounge;

FIG. 13 illustrates an end view of the sitting lounge of FIG. 12 as seen from the left thereof; and

Patented June 14, 1966 FIG. 14 illustrates the unit when used as a chaise longue.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit is designated in its entirety to the reference numeral 10, and is shown mounted atop an automobile 12 by automobile top carrier brackets 14 of vacuum cup type.

The convertible unit 10 comprises a lower bed section 16 and an upper canopy section 18, interconnected at one end by a pair of separable hinge means 20, each having a readily removable hinge pin 22 of a type well known. A pair of latches, one being shown in FIG. 5 and designated 23, are connected with the free end of the bed section 16 and canopy section 18 to secure the free ends together in closed position.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the bed section 16 comprises a framework made up from a plurality of parallel spaced long wooden strips 24 and a plurality of parallel spaced shorter wooden strips 26, interconnected by gluing and/or nailing in a well known manner, and covered with a plywood panel 28 forming the base of the bed section. The

framework

24 and 26 is securely attached to a pair of sides 30 and ends 32, forming a generally rectangular bed section. Angles 34 are attached at each inner corner to provide additional strength.

A pair of props 38 (FIG. 11) are pivotally supported by bolts 40 passing through apertures 42 adjacent one end of each prop, the bolts also passing through an aperture in each side 30 near the end thereof opposite the hinged end, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer end of the bolt receiving a cotter pin 44. In lowered position each prop rests on the outer wooden strip 24 in close proximity to the sides 30. Adjacent the outer end of each prop 38 there is an aperture 46 for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. A pair of legs 36 are attached to the hinge corners.

A handle construction is provided on the hinge end of the bed section 16, which consists of a pair of outer strips 48, one end of which may be screwed (or bolted) onto the outer face of the sides 30 so that the free end projects beyond the hinged end 32. A pair of in' ner strips 50 are secured inside the outer strips 48, the strips 50 being of such length that one end abuts the outer surface of hinge end 32 while the outer end projects the same distance as the outer end of the strips 48. The outer ends of the

strips

48 and 50 are rounded, as shown in FIG. 3, and the outer end of each strip 50 is apertured at 52 to receive one end of a handle 54. In assembly, a strip 50is permanently secured to a strip 48. One pair of strips 4850 are attached to the side 30 by screws or bolts, one end of the handle 54 is inserted into the aperture 52 of the attached strips, the other end of the handle is inserted into the aperture 52 of the other pair of strips 48-50 and said other pair of strips are thensecured to the side 30 by screws or bolts. This construction permits easy and quick removal of the handle assembly, if desired, when the unit is used as an auto top sleeper, and likewise permits easy and quick assembly when the unit is to be converted to a chaise longue unit.

A pair of axle supporting brackets 56 are attached to the bottom edges of the sides 30 on the ends opposite the hinge end, as shown in FIG. 3, each bracket having an axle receiving aperture to receive an axle 58. A wheel 60 is mounted on each end of the axle and held in place by a wedge 62 on each end of the axle.

The canopy section 18 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8), comprises an outer shell or roof 64 of molded Fiberglas, being slightly longer and wider than the bed section 16 so that the depending side and end edges thereof overlap the upper edges of the sides 30 and the free end 32 of the attached to the strip 92 (FIGS. 6 and 7).

bed section 16 with the inner surface of the overlapping depending edges of the roof 64 abutting the outer surfaces of the overlapped sides 30 and end 32, to form a water tight, dust tight, and moisture tight closure. A pair of side frame pieces 66 and a pair of end frame pieces 68 are secured inside the depending edges of the roof 64, being contoured to fit within the curved surface of the roof, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The side and

end pieces

66 and 68 have the same length as the sides and ends 30 and 32, respectively, to overlie the sides and ends 30 and 32 when the canopy section is lowered over the bed section.

A corner block 70 is secured in each end corner opposite the hinged end, each block having a metal pocket 72 therein opening in a downward direction. Each pocket 72 has a felt lining 74 for a purpose to be explained later herein. A slide bolt assembly 76 is secured to the lower surface of each block 70 in a position wherein the bolt slides across the outer end of the pocket. When in open position, the props 38 are swung upwardly so that the upper ends of the props are received within the pockets 72. In this position, the slide bolts 76 are moved to engage the apertures 46 in the free ends of the props, to secure the canopy in position and to prevent the canopy from being raised by the wind. The felt lining 74 within the pockets 72 eliminates noises if the canopy is vibrated by the wind.

The depending edge of the hinge end of the roof 64 carries a flexible sealing strip 78, of rubber or plastic, the strip extending the width of the roof, being attached to the lower end of the depending edge by an aluminum strip 80, and having a free portion overlying the outer ends and hinge pins 22 of the hinge means 20 and the joint between the upper edge of the hinge end of the bed section and the lower edge of the hinge end of the canopy section. This construction prevents rain and dust from entering the interior of the unit through the hinge end joint. Weatherproofing and noise eliminating material 82 is attached to the lower edges of the side frame pieces 66 and end frame pieces 68, except at those areas 7 occupied by the hinge means 20, to form a dust tight, weather proof seal between the bed section and the canopy section when closed, and to eliminate noise.

A number of wooden strips 84 are secured to the inner surface of the roof 64, each strip having a plurality of snaps 86 for a purpose to be set forth later. The number of strips 84- and snaps 86, and their spacing, can be varied to fit any installation.

A flexible water proof wall 88 and a screen 98 (FIG. 4) form a closure for the end of the unit opposite the hinge end. The wall 88 is made of canvas or other suitable flexible waterproof material, and the screen 90 is made of flexible material, which may be cotton mesh or the like. The upper ends of the wall 88 and screen 90 are attached, as by staples, to a wooden strip 92, and the screen being inside the wall and being first The strip 92 is secured to the end framepiece 68 opposite the hinge end, between the corner blocks 70. That portion of the screen 90 which extends laterally beyond the strip 92 is attached to the corner blocks 70 as more clearly shown in FIG. 6. The walls are cut long enough to form hems at the bottom and side edges to receive snap fasteners 94 and 114 (FIG. 3). The screen 90 is made long enough to tuck under the mattress when in open position, and has snaps n the lower end thereof to be snapped onto the companion snaps 86 in the roof 64 when it is desired to fold the screen out of position. The wall 88 may be rolled up and held in raised position by straps, in a well known manner, as illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 3.

The wall 88 includes a screened opening 96 to permit ventilation when the wall is closed down. A flexible flap 98, of semicircular form, is stitched to the inner side of the wall 88 along the straight portion of the flap, and.

is of sufficient size to cover the screened opening 95. The flap may be made of the same material as used for the wall 88. The free edge of the flap 98 carries a slide fastener 100 which may be operated, from the interior of the unit, to close and to open the screened opening 9-6.

Each side wall of the unit is provided with a flexible waterproof wall 102 (FIG. 3), which may be made of the same material used for the wall 88. Each side wall has a slide fastener 104 extending from a point near the hinged end, following a generally straight line and then curving upwardly to a point near the roof. The slide fastener may be operated to provide an access opening, which may be closed from the inside to assure privacy and protection against inclement weather. A screen 106 is disposed inside the wall 102, the upper end of the screen 1% and wall 102 being attached to strips 108 in the same manner as the wall 88 and screen 98 are secured to the strip 92, and the strips 108 are secured to the side frame pieces 66 in the same manner as the strip 92 is secured to the end frame piece 68.

The side flexible waterproof walls 102 and the side screens 106 are generally triangular in form, as shown in FIG. 3. The screens 106 are sufliciently long to be tucked under the mattress when in lowered position, and the vertical edge, remote from the hinged end of the unit, carries a slide fastener 110 adapted to be attached to a mating portion attached to the wall 102.

The lower ends of the walls 102 are hemmed and carry a number of snap fasteners 112 adapted to engage mating fasteners on the outer side of the sides 30 to secure the walls down when the canopy is raised, and to engage the mating fasteners 86 in the roof 64 when it is desired to fold the screens and walls within the unit in closed position. When it is desired to use the screens 106 without the walls 182, the walls may be rolled up and held out of place, as shown on the right of FIG. 4 in broken lines by straps in a well known manner, or they may be folded and snapped in such position as shown in broken lines on the left hand side of FIG. 4.

In open position, extensions on the sides of the end wall 88 are brought around the ends of the side walls 102, having snaps 114 thereon to engage mating snaps on the side walls, as shown in FIG. 3.

From the above, it is seen that I have provided a novel convertible unit in which the axle and wheels may be quickly and easily removed to serve as an auto top sleeper. The unit is compact, and the walls and screens are conveniently stored inside the closed unit in such a manner that they can be quickly and readily placed in position, when the unit is opened, to give protection against the weather and insects, as well as assuring privacy. Having served as a sleeper, the walls may be readily stored within the unit, the props are lowered, and the canopy section is lowered over the bed section and locked thereon.

Instead of storing the unit when not in place on top of an automobile, as is the case with usual top sleepers, the canopy section, which carries the screens, side walls and end wall, can be easily detached by withdrawing the hinge pins 22, permitting ready separation of the canopy section from the bed section. The axle and wheels may be readily connected, and if the handle assembly were previously removed, that assembly can be readily attached by replacing the screws or bolts which held it in place. It is not necessary to remove the handle assembly when using the unit as an auto top sleeper, as the handle assembly is useful in handling the unit when placing it atop the auto and when removing it. However, if desired, the handle assembly can be readily removed.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the manner in which the unit can be converted to a sitting lounge. For this purpose, the wheels may be retained, or, as shown, the axle and wheels can be removed and a pair of legs 121 can be substituted. A back rest 116 can be provided and held in position by a pair of braces 120. Seat cushions 122 and back cushions 124 complete the seat arrangement. The

canopy section 18 is supported by four props 126 attached at their lower ends to the ends 32, and at their upper ends to the canopy section 18. For ornamentation, a valance 118 may be connected with the canopy section. A pair of end tables 128 may be attached to the ends of the bed section, if desired.

FIG. 14 illustrates the manner in which the bed section 16, with the canopy section 18 removed, serves as a chaise longue. A mattress 130 and a pair of bolsters 132, covered with waterproof material, are placed on the bed section. The mattress 130 and bolsters 132 can also be used when the unit is used for an auto top sleeper.

From the foregoing, it is evident that I have invented a novel device that can be easily and quickly converted from an auto top sleeper to a chaise longue or a sitting lounge, or vice versa, and that the device is eminently suitable for any or all of these purposes.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the arrangement of parts of the unit disclosed herein without departing from the principles of the invention and from the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim as new and wish to secure by letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit, comprising: a bed section and a canopy section; readily separable hinge means securing one end of said bed section with one end of said canopy section; prop means pivotally supported by the other end of one of said sections adapted to be raised to engage and to support, in open position, the canopy section, and when in lowered position, to permit the canopy section to be closed down over said bed section; a handle and legs on one end of said bed section; and a readily removable axle and wheels thereon on the end of said bed section opposite said handle, whereby said hinge means may be separated to provide a chaise longue, and whereby said axle and wheels may be removed to provide an auto top sleeper.

2. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined in-claim 1, wherein said handle is attached to said bed section end by readily removable means, whereby said handle may be removed when said unit is converted to an auto top sleeper.

3. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined in claim 1, including flexible waterproof wall means and screen means secured to said canopy section, whereby said wall means and said screen means may be folded within said unit when said canopy section is lowered over said bed section,-and whereby said wall means and said screen means are removed with said canopy section when said unit is converted to a chaise longue.

4. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said handle and said hinge means are mounted on the same end of the unit.

5. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit, comprising: a bed section and a canopy section; readily separable hinge means securing one end of said bed section with one end of said canopy section; prop means pivotally supported by the other end of said bed section adapted to be raised to engage and support, in open position, the canopy section, and when in lowered position, to permit the canopy section to be closed down over said bed section; legs and a readily removable handle on one end of said bed section; a readily removable axle and wheels thereon on the end of said bed section opposite said handle; a flexible screen and a flexible waterproof wall means on each of the sides and on the end opposite said hinged end, said screens being mounted inside said waterproof wall means, readily removable supporting strips mounted within the canopy section along each side and along the end opposite said hinged end, means securing the upper ends of said screens and said waterproof wall means to said supporting strips; snap fasteners on the lower ends of said screens and said wall means and associated snap fasteners on an inner wall of said canopy section, whereby said screens and said wall means may be folded and secured within said canopy section, said canopy section may be removed by separating said hinge means, and the wheels, axle and handle may be retained to provide a chaise longue unit, or the wheels and axle may be removed to provide an auto top sleeper.

6. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined in claim 5, including an elongated slot'in each of said side wall means, slide fasteners attached to said slots, a screened opening in said end wall means, a flexible flap on the inner side of said end wall means overlying said screen opening, and a slide fastener secured to said flap.

7. A convertible auto top sleeper and chaise longue unit as defined in claim 6, including a vertically disposed slide fastener on one end of each of said side screens and an adjacent end of each of said side wall means permitting the fastening of said screens to said side wall means, a pocket in each inside corner of said canopy section opposite said hinge means adapted to receive the upper ends of said prop means when the latter are in their raised position, an aperture in the free end of each of said prop means, and a slide bolt mounted adjacent each of said pockets adapted to engage said apertures in said prop means when said prop means are received within said pockets.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,222,636 11/1940 Strauss 1-35--1 2,291,900 3/1942 Jimmes 1s5- 1 2,896,650 7/1959 Eigner 13s 1 3,018,782 1/1962 I-Iershberger |1 3,021,852 2/1962 Hoffman "135-1 3,160,434 12/1964 Hedgepeth 135-1X FOREIGN PATENTS 618,404 4/1961 Canada.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

L. J. SANTISI, R. D. KRAUS, Assistant Examiners.

Claims

1. A CONVERTIBLE AUTO TOP SLEEPER AND CHAISE LONGUE UNIT, COMPRISING A BED SECTION AND A CANOPY SECTION; READILY SEPARABLE HINGE MEANS SECURING ONE END OF SAID BED SECTION WITH ONE END OF SAID CANOPY SECTION; PROP MEANS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED BY THE OTHER END OF ONE SAID SECTIONS ADAPTED TO BE RAISED TO ENGAGE AND TO SUPPORT, IN OPEN POSITION, THE CANOPY SECTION, AND WHEN IN LOWERED POSITION, TO PERMIT THE CANOPY SECTION TO BE CLOSED DOWN OVER SAID BED SECTION; A HANDLE AND LEGS ON ONE END OF SAID BED SECTION; AND A READILY REMOVABLE AXLE AND WHEELS THEREON ON THE END OF SAID BED SECTION OPPOSITE SAID HANDLE, WHEREBY SAID HINGE MEANS MAY BE SEPARATED TO PROVIDE A CHAISE LONGUE, AND WHEREBY SAID AXLE AND WHEELS MAY BE REMOVED TO PROVIDE AN AUTO TOP SLEEPER.