US3596984A - Convertible furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

A convertible seat and bed structure which features simplicity of construction in the absence of complex and costly linkages, ease of operation, and a range of adjustments to various use positions. The arrangement is such that upholstered surfaces utilized for seating are different from surfaces utilized for sleeping, and therefore, double-duty surfaces are eliminated and wear is reduced.

Description

U United States Patent 3,596,984

[ 72] Inventors Melvin R. Jones [56] Reiarences Ci d si f' g F t we J h C UNlTED STATES PATENTS rcor eruzzi, oresv ;0sep Perm Fomvme' all of Md. 3,504,940 4/1970 Fnese 297/105 [21] Appl. No. 818,266 FOREIGN PATENTS [22] Filed Apr. 22,1969 562,542 9/1958 Canada 5/29 [45] Patented Aug. 3, 1971 Primar y Examiner-James C. Mitchell [73] Asslgnee Victor Stanley, Inc. k

Dunkirk, Md. Attorney Mason, Fenwic 8: Lawrence ABSTRACT: A convertible seat and lbed structure which fea- [54] :Y tures simplicity of construction in the absence of complex and costly linkages, ease of operation, and a range of adjustments [$2] U.S. Cl. 297/105 to various use positions. The arrangement is such that uphol- [51] Int. Cl. A47c 13/00 stered surfaces utilized for seating are different from surfaces [50] Field olSearch 297/105, utilized for sleeping, and therefore, double-duty surfaces are eliminated and wear is reduced.

PATENIED ms 3 I97! SHEET 1 [IF 2 PATENTED AUG 3 l9?! SHEET 2 BF 2 CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A need exists for a convertible seat and bed unit which is economical and substantially free of awkward mechanical linkages and therefore entirely practical. Similar devices of the prior art have suffered from complexity of construction and operation and therefore have been expensive to manufacture and generally too costly to interest a consumer. The present invention overcomes these and other difficulties of the prior art through the provision of an extremely sturdy convertible seat and bed unit which is lightweight and very easy to manipulate and has a variety of use positions rendering the furniture article highly versatile and also neat and attractive. It may serve as an upholstered chair which is adjustable to the users leg length. as a chaise lounge and as a fully extended bed having a level and even cushioned sleeping surface. The structure possesses a unique folding and sliding mode of operation which is the essence ofthe simplified adjustability of the furniture article. Other features and advantages of the structure will appear during the course of the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. I is a perspective view of a convertible seat and bed structure arranged in the seat or chair use position.

FIG. 2 is a partly exploded perspective view, with parts broken away, illustrating the manipulation ofthe structure.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure, partly in section, showing an intermediate use position.

FIG. 4 is a similar view showing an extended use position of the structure as a lounge.

FIG. 5 is a further side elevational view, partly in section, showing the device arranged for use as a bed.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 2 and illustrating a bearing track means utilized in the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals designate like parts, the numeral 10 designates a main frame which is essentially U-shaped and consists of a back 11 and spaced parallel sides 12 which serve as arm portions, FIG. 1, when the device is used as a chair. The forward side of the main frame 10 is open and unobstructed as shown clearly in FIGS. I and 2. The main frame 10 is readily constructed of sturdy lumber and is upholstered in a desirable manner and constitutes the basic support for adjustable components, to be described. The frame sides 12 include intermediate height horizontal rails 13 which support an extensible and retractable low friction track unit 14 on each side of the main frame whose details and operation will be further described.

The furniture unit further comprises an articulated support assembly 15 comprising a first rectangular cushioned and upholstered section 16 and a second rectangular cushioned and upholstered section 17. The two sections 16 and I7 have suitable conventional rigid frames. The two sections 16 and 17 of support assembly 15 are hingedly connected as at 18 by a hinge means which extends transversely across the two sections at their lower edges, see FIG. 4. The support section 17 has a frontal leg, panel 19 rigid therewith and depending therefrom as shown substantially at right angles thereto. Adjacent the hinge '18 on opposite sides of the support assembly 15, folding leg. braces 20 are provided, each consisting of a pair of bars 21 hingedly connected at their lower ends by a hinge 22 and having their upper ends connected to the bottoms of sections 16 and 17 by hinges 23 disposed on opposite sides ofthe hinge 18, FIG. 4. The leg braces 20 are adapted to open up and assume supporting positions beneath the hinge 18 when the assembly 15 is extended, FIG. 4, and to close and lie between the support sections 16 and 17 toward the rear thereofwhen the assembly 15 is folded as in FIG. 3.

The foldable support assembly 15 is connected adjustably with the main frame 10 through a transverse trunnion shaft 24 anchored to the frame 25, FIG. 6, of support section 16 close to the bottom and rear end thereof. The ends of trunnion shaft 24 are received in sleeve bearings 26 lying immediately above track units 14 and preferably welded to the upper track section 27 of each track unit as shown clearly in FIG. 6. The support section 16 is therefore pivotally supported on track section 27 at each side of the structure and in turn each track unit is supported on one of the rails 13 of the main frame.

Each track unit 14 further includes a lower track section 28 secured fixedly to the underlying rail .13 and the two track sections 27 and 28 are interconnected for relative movement with minimum friction by ball bearing means 29, as shown. Each track unit is therefore extensible and retractable forwardly and rearwardly with respect to the supporting main frame 10. The entire support assembly 15 will therefore be shifted forwardly and rearwardly relative to the frame 10 as the track units are extended and retracted.

The structure further comprises a cushion or bolster 30 which is an important component in the convertible seat and bed device utilized in all use positions of the device although in a different attitude in some of the use positions. As shown, the bolster 30 is in the form of a truncated right triangle as viewed from the end, FIG. 4, and has parallel top and bottom faces 31 and 32, the lower face being considerably wider than the top face, a rear face 33 perpendicular to the faces 31 and 32 and a front diagonal or inclined face 34 which forms a backrest when the convertible assembly is employed as a chair or seat. As shown in FIG. I, the bolster 30 is sufficiently long to span the entire distance between the frame sides 12 or arms. The bolster 30 is a free element and can be removed readily and manipulated as desired. FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 show the bolster 30 employed as a backrest when the convertible assembly is in use as a chair or lounge. In this situation, the bottom surface 32 of the bolster rests directly on the support section 16 or 17 and the surface 33 is vertically disposed against the back ll of main frame I0.

The structure further comprises a depressed horizontal shelf member 35 near and slightly above the bottom of the main frame 10 and rigid therewith. The shelf member 35 extends forwardly from the back ll of the main frame but terminates near the longitudinal center of the main frame as at 36. The shelf 35 is at an elevation considerably below the rails 13 and associated tracks 14. The shelf 35 serves a twofold purpose in the invention. When the support assembly 15 is folded as in FIGS. I and 3 to a chair-forming position, the underlying section 16 of this assembly lies upon and is supported by the sturdy shelf 35 and the broad area of contact between the shelf and section I6 avoids marking or disfiguring the upholstered surface of the section 16. Secondly, when the assembly is extended to bed-forming position, FIG. 5, the shelf 35 serves to support the bolster 30 in the second use position of the bolster wherein its face 33 is uppermost and level and in a common horizontal plane with the top faces of the extended support sections 16 and 17. At this time, the bolster face 31 is abutting the back I] of the main frame and the face 32 is opposing and substantially abutting the rear edge ofsupport section 16, FIG. 5. The diagonal face 34 is arranged lowermost and the corner or apex of the bolster is engaging the shelf 35. A transverse horizontal ledge support member 37 is also provided as an integral part ofthe main frame 10 at an elevation above the shelf 35 and near the tracks 14 and this ledge support member engages and supports the rear portion of the bolster 30 while the same is positioned to form part ofa bed surface. The structure in FIG. 5 produces a full length, deeply cushioned sleep support or bed and the frame sides 12 serving as arms in the chair of FIG. I constitute protective sides or guards for the sleeper. An ordinary pillow may, if desired, be used on top of the bolster 30 in FIG. 5.

In view of the foregoing description and drawings, it is believed that the operation of the convertible structure is substantially clear. Howeven'to summarize, the support assembly is folded by breaking the hinge l8 upwardly, FlG. 2, and pivoting around the axis of trunnion shaft 24 until the section 17 is superimposed on the section 16 and the latter rests upon the shelf 35. At this time, the folded assembly 15 may be pushed rearwardly until there is contact with the main frame back 1 l and the leg panel 19 is flush with the front of the chair as in FIG. 1. There will then be substantially no gap beneath the bolster, such as the gap 38 in FIG. 3.

This gap, shown in FIG. 3, does no harm and is developed when the folded assembly 15 is pulled forwardly slightly on the track assemblies 14 to lengthen the seating surface which may be more comfortable for very tall individuals. The tracks 14 allow easy forward and rear shifting of the assembly 15 at all 7 times.

FIG. 4 shows the next possible use position of the device where the support assembly 15 has been unfolded or extended so that the sections 16 and 17 are horizontal and in the same plane. The trunnion shaft 24 is near the rear limit of its movement with track section 27 and the leg 19 and brace legs are engaging the floor. The bolster 30 remains essentially in the same position shown in FIG. 3. The device now serves as a chaise lounge where the user may sit up with his or her legs supported horizontally. FIG. 2 clearly shows how the support assembly 15 is folded and unfolded by hand and with the aid of the foot on a small tread plate 39. This figure also shows how the unfolded support assembly can move forwardly or rearwardly relative to the main frame 10, by virtue of the linear track structure.

FIG. 5 depicts the device positioned as a bed as previously described. After unfolding the support assembly 15, the same is pulled forwardly to a position such as shown in broken lines to allow easy placement of the bolster 30 onto the shelf 35. Following this, the assembly 15 is pushed rearwardly until the section 16 is substantially against the bolster surface 32.

The great versatility of the convertible unit and its simplicity and sturdy structure should now be readily apparent and it is thought that no further explanation is required.

We claim:

l. A convertible seat and bed structure comprising a main I relatively stationary U-shaped frame including a back portion and spaced side portions, a support assembly, said support assembly including a pair of hingedly connected support sections foldable one upon the other substantially within the confines of said main frame to provide a resultant seat, forwardly and rearwardly movable pivot connection means connecting said support assembly and said U-shaped frame so that said support assembly can be withdrawn from said U-shaped frame varying distances while either folded or unfolded, a bolster separate from the main frame and said support assembly and being in the form of a truncated substantially right triangle in cross section having parallel top and bottom faces, a rear face perpendicular to said top and bottom faces and a front inclined face, said bolster being positionable in a first-use position as a seat backrest in which said bottom face is placed upon the folded support assembly at the rearmost portion of said folded support assembly with said rear face engaging said back portion of said U-shaped frame and a second-use position as a headrest when said support assembly is unfolded and extended, a transversely extending shelf element on said U- shaped frame positioned adjacent the back portion and adjacent the bottom of said U-shaped frame and extending between said spaced side portions of said U-shaped frame for engaging and supporting the rearmost portion of said folded support assembly when said folded support assembly is within the confines of said main frame to provide a resultant seat and a horizontal ledge support in said back portion of said U- shaped frame positioned at a higher level than said shelf element whereby said bolster when placed in its second-use position is positioned so that the portion of said diagonal face of said bolster adjacent said top face is engageable with said horizontal ledge support and the other edge of said diagonal face adjacent said bottom face is engageable with said transversely extending shelf so that said rear face is oriented horizontally in substantial alignment with the upper surface of said support sections of said unfolded and extended support assembly.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said forwardly and rearwardly movable pivot connection means includes first and second horizontal linear track units mounted in said spaced side portions of said U-shaped frame, a trunnion shaft connected to one of said support sections along an edge of said support section opposite the pivotal connection of said support section to the other support section and a sleeve bearing connected to the opposite ends of said trunnion shaft and mounted for linear movement along said track units.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said bottom face of said bolster is substantially wider than said top face of said bolster and the top surface of said ledge support is spaced above the top surface of said transversely extending shelf a distance approximately equal to the difference in width of the top and bottom faces of said bolster.

Claims (3)

1. A convertible seat and bed structure comprising a main relatively stationary U-shaped frame including a back portion and spaced side portions, a support assembly, said support assembly including a pair of hingedly connected support sections foldable one upon the other substantially within the confines of said main frame to provide a resultant seat, forwardly and rearwardly movable pivot connection means connecting said support assembly and said U-shaped frame so that said support assembly can be withdrawn from said U-shaped frame varying distances while either folded or unfoldeD, a bolster separate from the main frame and said support assembly and being in the form of a truncated substantially right triangle in cross section having parallel top and bottom faces, a rear face perpendicular to said top and bottom faces and a front inclined face, said bolster being positionable in a first-use position as a seat backrest in which said bottom face is placed upon the folded support assembly at the rearmost portion of said folded support assembly with said rear face engaging said back portion of said U-shaped frame and a second-use position as a headrest when said support assembly is unfolded and extended, a transversely extending shelf element on said U-shaped frame positioned adjacent the back portion and adjacent the bottom of said U-shaped frame and extending between said spaced side portions of said U-shaped frame for engaging and supporting the rearmost portion of said folded support assembly when said folded support assembly is within the confines of said main frame to provide a resultant seat and a horizontal ledge support in said back portion of said U-shaped frame positioned at a higher level than said shelf element whereby said bolster when placed in its second-use position is positioned so that the portion of said diagonal face of said bolster adjacent said top face is engageable with said horizontal ledge support and the other edge of said diagonal face adjacent said bottom face is engageable with said transversely extending shelf so that said rear face is oriented horizontally in substantial alignment with the upper surface of said support sections of said unfolded and extended support assembly.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said forwardly and rearwardly movable pivot connection means includes first and second horizontal linear track units mounted in said spaced side portions of said U-shaped frame, a trunnion shaft connected to one of said support sections along an edge of said support section opposite the pivotal connection of said support section to the other support section and a sleeve bearing connected to the opposite ends of said trunnion shaft and mounted for linear movement along said track units.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said bottom face of said bolster is substantially wider than said top face of said bolster and the top surface of said ledge support is spaced above the top surface of said transversely extending shelf a distance approximately equal to the difference in width of the top and bottom faces of said bolster.

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