US3803643A - Convertible sleep lounge - Google Patents

Abstract

A convertible sleep lounge comprises a stationary frame and a movable frame moving between forward and retracted positions with respect to the stationary frame. The stationary frame includes a pair of parallel channels which trap rollers attached to the movable frame enabling it to be easily moved between respective positions. A pair of spring members are attached at the rear of respective channels which maintain the rollers in the channels when the movable frame is in the retracted position and depress when a vertical load is placed on the seat of the sofa. The rollers, when this vertical load is applied, are moved into a blocking recess position preventing forward motion thereof.

Description

United States Patent [191 Benoit CONVERTIBLE SLEEP LOUNGE [75] Inventor: Roland A. Benoit, Danielson, Conn.

[73] Assignee: InterRoyal Corporation, New York,

[22] Filed: May 17, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 254,165

3,321,778 5/1967 Vogel 5/17 [451 Apr. 16, 1974 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg [5 7] ABSTRACT A convertible sleep lounge comprises a stationary frame and a movable frame moving between forward and retracted positions with respect to the stationary frame. The stationary frame includes a pair of parallel channels which trap rollers attached to the movable frame enabling it to be easily moved between respective positions. A pair of spring members are attached at the rear of respective channels which maintain the rollers in the channels when the movable frame is in the retracted position and depress when a vertical load is placed on the seat of the sofa. The rollers, when this vertical load is applied, are moved into a blocking recess position preventing forward motion thereof.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED APR 1 6 I974 SHEEI 1 BF 3 CONVERTIBLE SLEEP LOUNGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a convertible article of fumiture, and more particularly, a convertible sofa-bed, or sleep-lounge.

Convertible articles of furniture, such as sofa-beds, have long been used where the sofa is used by day and the bed by night. These articles are specially useful as space-saving devices and are finding increasing widespread use.

Convertible articles include a separate movable frame section which is attached to a stationary frame section and is movable between retracted and forward positions. When the movable frame is retracted for use as a sitting piece, lounge or sofa, the seat thereof inclines rearwardly and downwardly for optimum sitting comfort, and when the movable frame section is advanced or extended to form a bed, the frame and its mattress are supported in a horizontal plane.

Prior art convertible sofa-beds have significant disadvantages. Frequently, great strength is required to move the movable frame section from either of the retracted or forward positions to the other. In addition, complex manipulations are often required to accomplish the abovesaid movement. Further, in. conventional structures, people sitting on the seat portion leaning against the back of the sofa tend to push the seat portion forward away from the back creating a sliding sensation, detracting from its proper use as a couch and causing a dangerous condition. Complex locking mechanisms have been provided to ensure that the movable frame remain in its retracted position when the convertible article of furniture is to be used as a couch. These locking mechanisms are accompanied by detailed operating instructions thus making them relatively inconvenient for most people to use.

The weight of the movable frame is significant and when moved between respective positions causes significant shock to be felt by the elements of the convertible sofa-bed. In addition, most prior art sofa-beds are made of a large number of separate parts which must be fastened or joined together to form the convertible piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved means for moving the movable frame between positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an improved means which is easy to operate.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a means which minimizes shock on the elements of the mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a means which ensures against inadvertent sliding from the retracted position when the convertible article is used as a sofa.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a convertible sofa-bed, which when used as a sofa, has the seat in a rearwardly inclined position and, when used as a bed, has the support forthe mattress in a horizontal position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent in the following description.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a convertible sitting and sleeping article of furniture having a stationary frame and a separate movable frame slidably mounted therein to be movable from a retracted to a forward position. The movable. frame is provided with pairs of front and rear legs, with therear legs terminating in respective rollers which are trapped and movable in respectivesloped channels fixed to. the stationary frame. A spring member is secured to the rear of each of the channels and absorbs shock as the movable frame reaches its retracted position with the rollers pushing against the spring. members.

The stationary frame may be anchored to the flooror wall and is provided with a cabinet supporting 'a backrest when the article is to be used as a lounge or sofa. The sloped channel provides a rearwardly inclinedposition for the seat portion of the sofa to provide comfortable seating.

The spring members located at the end of each channel maintain the rollers in the channels to facilitate movement of the movable frame from the retracted to the forward positions. When a person sits onthe couch, weight placed on the sofa causes the rollers to force the respective. spring members downwardly depressing the spring and moving the-rollers to a position which blocks the inadvertent forward motion of the movable frame. When this load is removed, the spring members return the rollers into the channel. The complex lock mechanisms previously required to maintain the movable frame in the retracted position are eliminated with the present invention, and further, the present invention provides for improved slidability since the rollers are always in the sloped channels when the position of the movable frame is changed.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the convertible sofa;- bed of the present invention shown in its retracted position.

FIG. 2 is an assembly drawing of the present invention FIG. 3 is an end view-of the convertible sofa-bed of the present invention illustrating the two positions thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a spring-member at the rear of a respective sloped channel.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5 -5, of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the FIGS., and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown the convertible sofa-bed of the present invention. The convertible article of furniture is shown with the movable frame section 10 in the retracted position 12 to form a sofa. In this position, the seat cushion 14 is in a rearwardly downwardly inclined position to provide a comfortable sitting configuration. When in the retracted position, a back bolster or seatback 16 is fitted into a recess 18 to form a comfortable back rest. The movable frame 10 is moved with relation to a stationary frame 20 which is enclosed within a decorative back housing 22 including side members 24 which hide the unsightly movably mechanism. The back housing 22 may be an integral article, molded of a plastic or a component assembly joined together.

The sofa-bed comprises the stationary frame and the movable frame 10, movable with relation to the stationary frame from a forward position 26 to the retracted position 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The seat cushion 14 also serves as a mattress when the movable frame is moved to its forward position. As indicated in FIG. 3, it will be noted that the sofa seat cushion 14 is pitched or inclined rearwardly, as is customary in articles of furniture of this character, and the seat cushion is moved to .a horizontal configuration when the movable frame 10 is moved to its forward position. In the forward position, the entire width of the seat is used as a mattress, while in the retracted position, a portion of the seat is hidden underneath the back housing so that the conventional width for sofa seats is provided.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bed frame 10 which is also the frame for the sofa seat is substantially rectangular in plan view and may-be formed of longitudinal iron members 29 connected at their ends by crossbar angle iron members 30. The frame l0.is provided with a plurality of flat support members (not shown) attached to the frame by means of coiled springs 31 in the conventional manner. The seat cushion or mattress 1 4 is supported on the frame and the necessary resilience therefore is provided by the flat supports and spring members. The crossbarangle iron members 30 terminate at their forward ends in legs. 32 and'at the back ends in legs 34 being shorter than forward legs 32. Casters 35 or the like .are provided at the bottom of forward legs 32 to assist the floor movement of the movable frame between the forward and retracted positions. An additional cross strut 36 is provided between the longitudinal angle iron members 29 to provide additional support for the movable frame. Rear legs 34 terminate in rotating or movable member or rollers 37 adapted to be trapped and move in the guide or channel means 39 which is part of the stationary frame 20.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, an equalizer assembly '38 is connected between the movable frame 10 and stationary frame20. The equalizer assembly is provided with a pair-of crossed-support members 38 with one end of each member fexedly joined to parallel angle iron members 40 and 41. Angle iron members 40 and 41 are provided with slots or guideways 42 and 43 in which the other ends of support members 38 are movable, the function of which will be described hereinafter. The angle iron member 41 of the equalizer assembly 38 is connected to a front angle iron support member 44 of the sloped channel assembly 45, while angle iron member 40 of the equalizer assembly is connected to the rear longitudinal angle member 29. of moveable member 10.

The stationary member or frame is formed of the headboard or back housing assembly 22 previously described and attachable sideboards or members 24. The headboard includes the recess or cabinet 18 for the back bolster. The channels 39 are part of a stationary channel frame 47 which is provided with longitudinal iron members 44 and 50 connected at their ends by channel members 52 and 54. The ends of longitudinal iron members 44 are connected to side members 24 with members 44 being elevated with respect to member 50 to provide a downward incline for channel members 52 and 54 and are movable between the forward and retracted positions in the channels. Sufficient lubri cation is provided to facilitate this movement between the respective positions. The rollers move along the inclined channel members as the sofa-bed is moved between respective positions and the channels prevent the rollers from being separated from the stationary member.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, flat spring members 56 and 58 are provided at the ends 60 and 62, respectively, of each channel. As the rollers move towards the rear of the channels, they touch the spring members at the ends of the channels, and the spring members absorb the shock. This minimizes damage to the other members of the sofa-bed and prolongs the operativeness of the mechanism. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the flat spring members are joined to the bottom of the respective channels and terminate in a recess area 64. The spring members normally keep the respective rollers in the channels thus facilitating the movement of the movable frame between positions. When a person sits on the seat and the convertible article is in the retracted position 12, the rear legs are pushed downwardly forcing the rollers against the re spective spring members causing the spring members to bend allowing the rollers to move into recess 64, as indicated in FIG. 5 thereby locking the rollers and preventing them from being moved forwardly. The recess 64 is formed by member 50 and channel members 52 and 54 being attached thereto. The spring member therefore acts to cushion the shock of the rollers moving into its retracted position and further serves as a locking mechanism preventing the movable frame from being moved to a forward position.

The equalizer assembly 38 maintains the seat in a position parallel to the frame assembly 20 when the movable frame is in its forward position. This is achieved by an force being exerted by the equalizer 38 against the rear longitudinal angle member 29, as seen in FIG. 3. The crossed members 38' move in a scissor-like fashion in slots 42 and 43 as the movable frame moves between positions and insures equal movement of both sides of frame 10.

It may be appreciated that the present convertible sofa-bed provides for easy movement between the forward and retracted positions, absorbs shock thus minimizing damage, maintains the seat in a rearwardly inclined position when used as a sofa and in the horizontal position when used as a bed.

These functions are all accomplished in a simple manner with a minimum of parts. Further, the sofa-bed may easily and simply be moved and operated by almost anyone without resort to complex locking mecha nisms or instructions. In addition, when in the retracted position the rollers of the movable frame are maintained in the sloped channel, except when a person sitson the sofa, which actuates the locking mechanisms described above.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above method and apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A convertible sofa-bed comprising a stationary frame and a movable frame movable between a forward and a retracted position with respect to said stationary frame, said stationary frame including a pair of parallel channels, first and second spring members attached to respective ones of said pairs of channels to contact said movable frame when said movable frame is in said retracted position, said movable frame including a pair of rollers, each of said pair of rollers being movable in respective ones of said channels and contracting said spring members when said movable frame is in said retracted position, said channels being inclined rearwardly downwardly to cause said seat to slope rearwardly downwardly when said movable frame is in said retracted position, and including a seat and a pair of recesses below respective ones of said spring members, said rollers being moved into said recesses when said movable frame is in said retracted position and a vertical load is placed on said seat whereby said movable frame is prevented from moving in a forward direction.

2. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 1 including means to maintain said seat in a horizontal position when said movable frame is in said forward position.

3. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stationary frame includes a longitudinal rear member and said recesses are formed between respective ones of said channel members and said longitudinal rear member.

4. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means includes are equalizer assembly, a bed frame, said equalizer assembly being connected between said stationary frame and said bed frame.

5. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 4, wherein said bed frame including a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs, said pair of front legs being longer than said pair of rear legs, respective ones of said pair of rear legs terminating in respective rollers.

6. A convertible sofa-bed as set'forth in claim 5, wherein said spring members are flat spring members attached to the bottom of respective ones of said channels.

Claims (6)

1. A convertible sofa-bed comprising a stationary frame and a movable frame movable between a forward and a retracted position with respect to said stationary frame, said stationary frame including a pair of parallel channels, first and second spring members attached to respective ones of said pairs of channels to contact said movable frame when said movable frame is in said retracted position, said movable frame including a pair of rollers, each of said pair of rollers being movable in respective ones of said channels and contracting said spring members when said movable frame is in said retracted position, said channels being inclined rearwardly downwardly to cause said seat to slope rearwardly downwardly when said movable frame is in said retracted position, and including a seat and a pair of recesses below respective ones of said spring members, said rollers being moved into said recesses when said movable frame is in said retracted position and a vertical load is placed on said seat whereby said movable frame is prevented from moving in a forward direction.

2. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 1 including means to maintain said seat in a horizontal position when said movable frame is in said forward position.

3. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stationary frame includes a longitudinal rear member and said recesses are formed between respective ones of said channel members and said longitudinal rear member.

4. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means includes are equalizer assembly, a bed frame, said equalizer assembly being connected between said stationary frame and said bed frame.

5. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 4, wherein said bed frame including a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs, said paiR of front legs being longer than said pair of rear legs, respective ones of said pair of rear legs terminating in respective rollers.

6. A convertible sofa-bed as set forth in claim 5, wherein said spring members are flat spring members attached to the bottom of respective ones of said channels.

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