US3862454A

US3862454A - Divan having adjustable catenary and horizontal layout positions

Info

Publication number: US3862454A
Application number: US385977A
Authority: US
Inventors: Vittorio Mazzucconi
Original assignee: ICF DE PADOVA Srl
Current assignee: ICF DE PADOVA Srl
Priority date: 1972-08-26
Filing date: 1973-08-06
Publication date: 1975-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-28
Also published as: JPS4987473A; IT964304B

Abstract

The invention disclosed relates to a divan having a resting surface which may be adjusted between a catenary configurated position and a horizontal layout configurated position by simple manipulation of pivotal support members and relative movement of two longitudinally extending parallel members between which is disposed a flexible supporting surface.

Description

United States. Patent 1 1 Mazzucconi DIVAN HAVING ADJUSTABLE CATENARY AND HORIZONTAL LAYOUT POSITIONS [75] Inventor: Vittorio Mazzucconi, Milan, Italy [73] Assignee: ICF De Padova S.r.1., Milan, Italy [22] Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 385,977

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 26, 1972 Italy 28549/72 [52] US. Cl 5/47, 5/37 R, 5/61 [51] Int. Cl. A47c 17/16 [58] Field of Search 297/63, 64, 457, 458;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Traver 5/236 B Jan. 28, 1975 2,769,987 11/1956 Thai 5/37 R 3,013,281 12/1961 Steiner.... 5/62 3,458,877 8/1969 Edwards. 5/47 3,565,482 2/1971 Blodee.... 297/458 3,695,685 10/1972 Lamb 5 37 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 636,114 8/1962 Belgium 5/37 Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kurt Kelman 1 I ABSTRACT The invention disclosed relates to a divan having a resting surface which may be adjusted between a catenary configurated position and a horizontal layout configurated position by simple manipulation of pivotal support members and relative movement of two longitudinally extending parallel members between which is disposed a flexible supporting surface.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures DIVAN HAVING ADJUSTABLE CATENARY AND HORIZONTAL LAYOUT POSITIONS This invention relates to a divan having adjustable catenary and horizontal layout positions. More particularly, the present invention provides a divan having pivotal bracket members which simply and efficiently adjust the rest or support surface between a catenary configurated position for seating use and a horizontal layout configurated position for bedding use. Thus, the present divan may be utilized either as a resting couch or as a bed as desired.

Divans or the like are well known in the art such as those wherein the inclination of the back rest can be adjusted to a horizontal position while keeping unchanged the relative position of the seat portion. Such prior art divans have a number of disadvantages including the non-uniform distribution of the users weight in the seating position from both the resting surface in horizontal positions and the adjustable inclined back portion in upright position. An uncomfortable seating arrangement is thus presented by such divans. Furthermore, because greater firmness or support is received from the more sturdily constructed seat portion relative to the more simply constructed adjustable back rest portion, there again results non-uniform distribution of weight of the user in the bedding position with resulting loss of comfort.

During conversion of divans of the prior art into beds, annoying drawbacks are frequently encountered. For example, when the bed is formed using the seat portion, its width is insufficient and moreover, the seat is spaced from the back rest portion, both seat and back portions joining to different contrivances or devices for opeation. When the bed surface is formed by the seat along with the tilted back, the tilted back is supported by pliable frames, or by retractable feet members or the like, which heavily increase the weight, overall sizes and costs of such a piece of furniture.

It has now been found that by practice of the present invention, there is provided a divan which simply and efficiently converts from a catenary seating position to a horizontal layout bedding position by simple manipulation of pivotal bracket means and relative movement of two longitudinally extending parallel cross members between which is disposed a flexible supporting surface.

According to the present invention, the adjustable divan includes two longitudinally extending, parallel cross members between which is firmly secured a flexible supporting surface which may be formed of one or more lengths of canvas, bands, belts or the like, and which takes the shape of a catenary curve according to the position of the parallel cross members. One of the parallel members may be moved pivotally from a horizontal plane, with the supporting surface stretched horizontally, to a plurality of elevated positions obtained by detaining one of the parallel cross members, while lifting the other cross member along a curved path. Thus, a catenary shape is imparted to the supporting surface which becomes suitable for the use as a divan, with a more or less steeply inclined back as desired.

Both of the longitudinally extending, parallel cross members may be pivoted by the same, or different amounts, whereby different positions are available for the supporting surface. One or both of the parallel members may be pivotally supported for movement along a required path which may be a portion of an arc of a circle. The pivoted support may consist of brackets, leaf springs, props, stays, levers or the like. Also,

the pivoted support is desirably configurated such that 5 it may be controlled at will by the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the divan includes two rigid oppositely disposed shoulder members joined by a longitudinally extending tubular shaped cross member. Recesses are provided at convenient locations on the shoulder members for receiving and securing two longitudinally extending, parallel cross members between which is disposed a flexible supporting surface. At least one of the longitudinally extending, parallel members is pivotally joined by 5 a pivoted support bracket to the tubular shaped cross member. Desirably, the flexible supporting surface is formed of a plurality of bands, belts or the like, having a length which is substantially equal to the distance, between the two parallel members when they are engaged with said recesses. Thus, in the horizontal position for bedding, the flexible support surface is tightly drawn or taut whereas in the seating position the support surface is flexible and in catenary position.

The rest surface for the user may be formed by members such as self-supporting cushions, coverings, paddings, mattresses or the like positioned on the flexible supporting surface.

According to the invention, a rear cross member, supported by pivoted brackets extending from the central cross member, can be brought to most any station ary position within a limited curved arch having as its center the axis of said central cross member. The limited arch starts from the point in which the rear cross parallel member is supported by the shoulder recesses to a near vertical position. Such motion is imparted to the cross member by the pivotal brackets, by means of a self-locking mechanism. Such a self-locking mechanism may include a worm gear, or a clutch with front or peripheral claws or the like, adapted to angularly adjust the pivotal brackets to a required position, and to firmly retain the cross member at such position.

The linear shape of the flexible supporting member extending between outer parallel cross members is maintained unchanged in horizontal bedding position. The different, more or less bent shapes of a catenary curve, results in sitting position under no-load conditions, while under the weight of user, a shape results which corresponds to the distribution of load.

Therefore, it can be readily appreciated that a continuous rest surface, without any separation resulting between the seat and the back rest portions, is available by the present divan, which back rest can be adjusted or tilted as previously indicated.

The forward cross member may be also supported by pivotal brackets such that the position thereof can be controlled from the central cross-member in similar fashion to the rear cross-member; thus, it is possible to occupy nearly all possible required positions across a semicircle shaped between the recesses of the shoulder members. The divan may have a more or less high seat, or have a more or less inclined back, to that of a longitudinally extending bed, i.e., when both outer parallel cross-members are at the same level in the recesses of the shoulder member. One or both of these parallel cross members may be higher than the lower ends of said recesses, and with the flexible supporting surface disposed therebetween.

The pivotal brackets, by which one or both outer parallel cross-members are supported, may be rigid or resilient, according to the particular material of which they are made, or to their given shape.

Practice of the present invention will be better appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a divan of the present invention without covering, cushions, lining or the like.

FIG. 2 is a partial horizontal section taken along sectional lines IIII of FIG. 1, showing the detail of a seating and control of the central cross-member, and of brackets fastened thereto.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section, taken along sectional lines of III-III of FIG. 2, showing internal elements of a trim adjusting device.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the divan of FIG. 1 in inclined seating position.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the divan of FIG. 1 in extended horizontal layout position for bedding use.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention in inclined seating position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in horizontal layout position for bedding usage.

Referring to FIG. 1, the divan illustrated includes two elongated side shoulder members 1 and 2 having a small height as desired. A longitudinally extending central cross-member 3 is firmly supported near the centers and between both side shoulders, thus being prevented from turning about its own axis. Forward recesses 4 and 5, and rear recesses 6 and 7, having axes parallel to the axis of the central cross member 3, are disposed on the shoulder members for receiving and seating ends of fore cross member 8 and rear cross member 9.

Forward recesses 4 and 5 extend symmetrically, in respect of central cross member 3, to rear recesses 6 and 7. The rear cross member 9 is supported by the pivotal brackets 10 and 11, which are arcuate and extend from the central cross member 3. The brackets can be swung by a self-locking gear 12 which is designed to be driven by the user, either manually or by motor, through a handle 13. A canvas, or a row of bands, belts or the like, as shown in FIG. 1 by element 14, i.e., a flexible supporting surface, extends between the fore cross member 8 and the rear cross member 9. The length of the flexible supporting surface is equal to the horizontal distance between the fore recesses 4 and 5 and the rear recesses 6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 2, one of the ends of brackets 10 and 11 are rotatably journaled on tubular shaft 15. Both ends of inner shaft 15 of cross member 3 are rigidly connected with bearing elements 311 which are secured to shoulder members 1 and 2 by crosswise extending plates 16 that are firmly engaged therewith.

Also fastened to inner shaft 15 is an outer casing of mechanism 12 by which brackets 10 and 11 are driven. This mechanism may be of any conventional selflocking type and, as shown in the FIGS. 2 and 3, preferably has an outer casing made of two sections 12a and 12b. Worm screw 17, driven by handle 13, is disposed in two-part casing 12 and is seated in bearings 17a and 17b. Worm screw 17 is in mesh with worm gear 18 which is rigidly connected with the outer tubular shaft 19 extending in coaxially spaced relation to the inner shaft 15. The outer tubular shaft 19 may be rotated about shaft 15 by operation of worm gear 17. 18 to pivot brackets 10 and 11 about shaft 15. Also, the worm wheel 18 is revolvingly supported by the inner stationary shaft 15 by which all loads weighing on rear cross members 9 are likewise supported.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a side view of the divan of FIG. 1 is presented, complete with cushions or paddings 20 or the like, while in FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment of the divan of FIG. 1, wherein the forward cross member 8 is supported in like fashion as the rear cross member 10 and 11 by brackets 10a and Ila. fitted in a similar manner to cross member 3. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the pivotal members may be moved by either one or two mechanisms 12 and handle 13, to obtain either a simultaneous or independent pivotal motion of the brackets by which the parallel cross members 8 and 9 are supported.

The operation of the present divan will become more apparent from the following description.

The two shoulder members 1 and 2, resting on a floor, are kept spaced from each other by the central cross member 3 which is secured to the shoulder members by crosswise extending plates 16 that can be positioned into the shoulders by an amount sufficient to take up the torque pressure exerted onto the cross member 3 by the rear member 9 and the brackets 10 and 11, when the divan is utilized as a seat. As previously indicated and shown with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cross member 3 consists of a central shaft 15, whose ends 3a are secured to shoulder members I and 2, and by which the vertical load weighing upon the rear cross member 9 is taken up. When the inclination of the back portion, i.e., member 9, and the position of the flexible supporting surface are to be adjusted or changed, handle 13 is operated whereby, through the

worm gear

17, 18 and the outer tubular shaft 19, the brackets 10 and 11 are pivoted into the required position. The gearing l7 and 18 should be of the selflocking type, i.e., after having turned the brackets 10 and 11 to the required position, they must steadily remain in such position even under a load. The divan in bedding position is shown in FIG. 5, with the flexible supporting surface taut in horizontal position, wherein it can be utilized as either a temporary resting couch or as a bed. In this position, bands 14 are stretched between the side members 8 and 9, and may sag under the users weight by an amount as desired, dependent upon the material of which they are made, and the tension applied thereto.

FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show the divan in a to seating position and in use as a bed. In this embodiment, the forward cross member 8 is also supported by pivotal brackets 10a-l la, similar to those by which the cross member 9 is supported, and which may be turned by drives similar to those previously described, or by equivalent means. Thus, the possibility is also presented whereby the forward member 8 may be positioned at a higher level, or alternately to bring both members 8 and 9 to the same level in order to obtain a resting couch with a greater amount of sag, the latter being shown by dash lines in the FIG. 7.

In each case, the outer ends of the brackets run through arcs as shown by dot and dash lines in the figures, and can be stopped in any point thereof. Brackets 10 and 11 and 10a and 11a may be made of a resilient material such as metal leaf springs, and by a suitable selection of materials and of spring shapes, slight translatory motions can be performed by the outer cross members. Also, the brackets may be formed of other materials such as plastic, wood or the like as desired. Other types of drives may be utilized in place of those previously described, or no drives need be used.

It is understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merely by way of illustration and that many variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable divan comprising 1. a pair of horizontally extending, substantially parallel cross members defining a first plane,

2. a flexible supporting surface disposed between,

and suspended from, the cross members,

3. a third horizontally extending cross member intermediate, and substantially parallel to, the pair of cross members defining the plane,

a. the third cross member extending in another plane lower than the first plane when the latter is horizontal, and

4. bracket means pivotally mounting one cross member of the pair on the third cross member for positioning the one cross member at a continuous succession of levels between a first postiion wehrein the first plane defined bythe pair of cross members extends substantially horizontally to continuously successive positions wherein the one cross member is elevated to successively higher levels above the horizontal plane,

a. the flexible support surface having a length permitting it to be stretched between the pair of cross members in the first position thereof to form a bed and b. the flexible support surface defining a catenary curve in the continuously successive positions to form a combined unitary seat and back rest.

2. The adjustable divan of claim 1, wherein the flexible supporting surface comprises a plurality of parallel bands having respective ends affixed to the pair of cross members.

3. The adjustable divan of claim 1, further comprising means on the third cross member for pivoting the bracket means into the first and successive positions and for locking the bracket means in each of the positions.

4. The adjustable divan of claim 1, further comprising a pair of shoulder members extending in planes substantially perpendicular to the cross members, the third cross member being affixed to the shoulder members, and the shoulder members defining recessed seats arranged to receive the ends of the pair of cross members for support thereof.

5. The adjustable divan of claim 1, further comprising a second bracket means pivotally mounting the other cross member of the pair on the third cross member for positioning the other cross member at a continuous succession of levels between a first position wherein the plane defined by the pair of cross members extends substantially horizontally to continuously successive positions wherein the other cross member is elevated to successively higher levels above the horizontal plane.

Claims

1. An adjustable divan comprising 1. a pair of horizontally extending, substantially parallel cross members defining a first plane, 2. a flexible supporting surface disposed between, and suspended from, the cross members, 3. a third horizontally extending cross member intermediate, and substantially parallel to, the pair of cross members defining the plane, a. the third cross member extending in another plane lower than the first plane when the latter is horizontal, and 4. bracket means pivotally mounting one cross member of the pair on the third cross memBer for positioning the one cross member at a continuous succession of levels between a first postiion wehrein the first plane defined by the pair of cross members extends substantially horizontally to continuously successive positions wherein the one cross member is elevated to successively higher levels above the horizontal plane, a. the flexible support surface having a length permitting it to be stretched between the pair of cross members in the first position thereof to form a bed and b. the flexible support surface defining a catenary curve in the continuously successive positions to form a combined unitary seat and back rest.

2. a flexible supporting surface disposed between, and suspended from, the cross members,

3. a third horizontally extending cross member intermediate, and substantially parallel to, the pair of cross members defining the plane, a. the third cross member extending in another plane lower than the first plane when the latter is horizontal, and

4. bracket means pivotally mounting one cross member of the pair on the third cross memBer for positioning the one cross member at a continuous succession of levels between a first postiion wehrein the first plane defined by the pair of cross members extends substantially horizontally to continuously successive positions wherein the one cross member is elevated to successively higher levels above the horizontal plane, a. the flexible support surface having a length permitting it to be stretched between the pair of cross members in the first position thereof to form a bed and b. the flexible support surface defining a catenary curve in the continuously successive positions to form a combined unitary seat and back rest.