US3910630A

US3910630A - Seat and couch structure

Info

Publication number: US3910630A
Application number: US385822A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilbur D Runyon; Carl Dudugjian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-08-06
Filing date: 1973-08-06
Publication date: 1975-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-07

Abstract

A convertible seat structure comprises a pair of internally reinforced, dual-faced cushion members pivotally supported on spaced parallel axes by supports adapted to rest on a generally horizontal surface, the spacing between the axes accommodating the presentation of either cushion member between the axes in a generally horizontal or seating position. The other cushion member may be pivotally brought to a backrest position, and with either cushion member being usable in a seating or backrest attitude, there is provided a chair or bench adjustable to face in either of two opposite directions without any change in the position of the supports. Two such assemblies of cushion members may be juxtaposed and their cushion members variously adjusted to horizontal or inclined positions to provide a chaise, a recliner, or a couch or bed.

Description

United States Paten 1191 Runyon et al.

[4 Oct. 7, 1975 SEAT AND COUCH STRUCTURE 22 Filed: Aug. 6, 1973 211 App]. No.: 385,822

[52] US. Cl 297/63; 297/92 [51] Int. Cl. A47C 1/026; A47C 13/00 [58] Field of Search 297/63-67, 297/233, 92, 108, 109, 363, 364, 257; 5/42, 110, 111

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 189,964 4/1877 Stevens 297/109 X 242,997 6/1881 Simonson... 297/92 1,366,330 l/1921 Mackie 5/111 X 2,348,407 5/1944 ONeiIL... 297/67 2,911,245 4/1959 Kurz 5/111 X 3,193,324 7/1965 Stock 297/64 3,227,488 1/1966 Kosbab 297/330 3,232,136 2/1966 Bahmuller 5/111 X 3,423,127 1/1969 Shankman 51112 X Janssen 297/92 Koziol 297/64 Primary Examiner-Francis K. Zugel Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Knobbe, Martens, Olson, Hubbard & Bear [57] ABSTRACT A convertibleseat structure comprises a pair of internally reinforced, dual-faced cushion members pivotally supported on spaced parallel axes by supports adapted to rest on a generally horizontal surface, the spacing betweenthe axes accommodating the presentation of either cushion member between the axes in a generally horizontal or seating position. The other cushion member may be pivotally brought to a backrest position, and with either cushion member being usable in a seating or backrest attitude, there is provided a chair or bench adjustable to face in either of two opposite directions without any change in the position of the supports. Two such assemblies of cushion members may be juxtaposed and their cushion mem-' bers variously adjusted to horizontal or inclined positions to provide a chaise, a recliner, or a couch or bed.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 1 of 3 3,910,630

SEAT AND COUCH STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Public acceptance of the recreational vehicle, whether of the self-propelled type or the trailer type, as a mobile facility for daytime living and nighttime lodging, has given rise to numerous approaches to the ac commodation of human beings, whether seated or recumbent. Much effort has been devoted to the achievement of compact arrangements employing seating facilities that are convertible to sleeping accommodations. The achievement of compactness makes recreational vehicles available to familes of modest means. Even in spacious vehicles in the luxury class, compactness and convertibility of seating and sleeping arrangements makes space available for the accommodation of furnishings generally found and enjoyed in the home but not classifiable as essential to life in a recreational vehicle. The present invention relates to a convertible seating arrangement and the recreational vehicle field is one, but not the only, field of utilization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the preferred embodiment of the invention there are provided double faced cushions reinforced internally by a rigid framework so that the cushions may be supported pivotally along one edge. Either face of the cushion may provide comfortable support for the human body and the internal framework enables the cushion to be disposed in a horizontal position, or a sloping or vertical position, while maintaining its intended shape. One edge of the framework serves as the axis for pivotal mounting of the cushion on support members. The support members may be secured to or rest upon a generally horizontal surface such as a floor, and the cushions are pivotally mounted at their opposite ends on spaced support members, each support member being arranged to pivotally support a pair of cushions on parallel axes spaced apart a distance substantially equaling the dimension of a cushion in a direction normal to its pivoting axis.

Each of the two cushions supported by a pair of support members is provided with pivot locking means for locking the cushion in a number of angular positions about its axis and each cushion has a pivoting range preferably of at least 180 from horizontal to horizontal position.

With one of the cushions locked in a generally horizontal position and extending toward the axis of pivoting of the other cushion, and the other cushion in an upright position, the assembly forms a seat or bench. The direction in which the seat or bench faces may be reversed by reversing the positions of the two cushions about their pivoting axes. A second assembly of support members and pivotally mounted cushions may be secured or merely positioned in alignment with the first assembly and spaced from it a distance substantially equal to the dimension of a cushion in a direction normal to its pivoting axis. With this arrangement the two cushions of each of the assemblies may be adjusted to provide two seats with backrests or benches with backrests facing toward each other, two seats with backrests or benches with backrests facing in the same direction, or two seats with backrests or benches with backrests back to back. Alternatively, one of the four cushions of the two assemblies may be brought into an upright position and the other three cushions adjusted to generally horizontal positions with these three positioned edge to edge, to provide a chaise. Another alternative is to lower the single upright cushion of the chaise to a generally horizontal position to provide a bed. Various other arrangements may be achieved as will be described more fully hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS usable positions through the instrumentality of the frame; I

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembly of cushions and support members similar to that of FIG. 1 but with split cushions whereby seating arrangements differing from those of FIG. 1 may be achieved;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are schematic elevational views showing cushions without support members to illustrate various arrangements that may be achieved with the combination of two cushions and support member assemblies in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing an arrangement for pivotally supporting cushions that is generally applicable to all embodiments of the invention, but especially to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an extension of the concept embodied in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 the reference numeral 20 designates one of two support members for a pair of

cushions

22 and 24. The support member 26 at the other end of the

cushions

22 and 24 is merely indicated in dotted outline. The

support members

20 and 26 may rest upon or be secured to a floor of a vehicle, such as a motor home or recreational trailer, or of a fixed structure such as a compact residential unit which is popularly called a mobile home but is not ordinarily used in a vehicular way, or the

support members

20 and 26 may under certain utilizations of the invention be secured to or rest on the ground. Details of the various uses to which the embodiments of the present invention are adapted will be set forth more fully hereinafter. At its upper end the support member 20 and also the support member 26 mounts spaced cars 28 (not shown in the case of the support member 26) which serve as pivot mountings for

cushions

22 and 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the reference numeral 30 designates generally a reinforcing frame around which the cushion, such as 22, is built. The frame is generally rectangular in configuration and its structural components are longitudinally extending

bars

32 and 34 and the transversely extending

bars

36, 38 and 40. Preferably the longitudinally extending bar 32 which forms the axis of pivoting of the cushion 22 extends, beyond the

transverse bars

36 and 40 and it is convenient to have the longitudinally extending bar 32 in the shape of a hollow tube. As indicated in FIG. 2 it is also convenient to form the longitudinally extending bar 34 and the transversely extending

bars

36 and 40 as a single structural member, also preferably comprised of hollow tubing, and bent into a U-shape to form the transversely extending

bars

36 and 40, with the free ends of those bars secured to the transversely extending bar 32 a short distance from the ends of that bar, as by welding. The intermediate transverse bar 38 may also be in the form of a hollow tube and secured to the

bars

32 and 34, again preferably by welding. The reinforcing frame 30 may be pivotally mounted on the ears 28 of spaced support members and 26 by pivot pins 42 that enter the ends of bar 32 of the cushion frame through apertures 44 in the cars 28. It may be desirable to provide a bearing 41 at each end of the bar 32 to be entered by the pin 42.

As a means of locking the frame in any one of a number of fixed positions, such as from horizontal through various sloping positions to vertical there is shown secured to the ends of the bar 32 a disc 46. The disc 46 is provided with a plurality of indexing apertures 48, which, when brought into alignment with an aperature 50 in the ear 44, may receive a locking pin 52 to lock the frame 30 against rotation from a desired position of utilization. Locking means comprising disc apertures 48, ear aperture 50 and locking pin 52 have been shown at only one end of the frame 30 in FIG. 2 but it will be understood that similar locking facilities could, if desired, be provided at the other end of the frame. It is to be understood that the specific locking arrangement comprising the apertured disc 46 and locking pin 52 forms no part of the present invention but merely indicates a species of locking mechanism that might be employed and that other known types of locking devices for accomplishing the same purpose may be substituted.

The cushion is built upon and around the frame 30 in such a way that the frame 30 is generally centered between faces of the cushion, the bar 32 being just inside the lower or inner edge of the cushion, the bar 34 being just inside the outer or upper edge of the cushion and the

bars

36 and 40 being just inside the ends of the cushion. Preferably the cushion is double faced, its two faces being spaced outwardly several inches from the centrally located frame 30 and with padding and other cushioning materials so located within the cushion as to provide comfort for a portion of a human body resting upon or against either face of the cushion. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 the spacing between the axes of two cushions supported by a pair of support members 20, which is represented by the locations of the pins 42 in the apertures 44 in the two cushions, is generally equal to the width or height of the cushions, this being the dimension normal to the axis of pivoting, so that when the two cushions are adjusted to generally horizontal position and extending in the same direction from their respective axes of pivoting the confronting edges of the two cushions will be generally or actually in contact with negligible space between them. This relationship is clearly indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 a second cushion assembly 18-2 may be positioned, and if desired secured, in alignment with the assembly 18-1. The cushion assembly 18-2 is comprised of the support members 20' and the pivotally mounted cushions 22' and 24, and the spacial relation of the assembly 18-2 to the assembly 18-1 is such that when the cushions 22' and 24' of assembly 18-2 are in horizontal positions extending in the same direction relative to their pivoting axes as the cushions 22 to 24 of assembly 18-1 the confronting edges of the cushion 24'of the assembly 18-2 and of cushion 22 of assembly 18-1 will be in abutting relation or with negligible space there between.

In the solid line showing of the cushions in FIGS. 1 and 3, in which all four are in horizontal position, they form a resilient surface with no more than negligible gaps between cushions and become in effect a mattress capable of restfully supporting one or more human bodies in recumbent position. It will be understood that the overall extent of the four cushions positioned side by side will approximately equal to that of a bed of normal length.

When the cushion at one end of the row of cushions, such as the cushion 24 in FIGS. 1 and 3, is raised from a horizontal position to an upwardly sloping position the structure is changed from the configuration of a bed to that of a chaise, in which the back of a person is a generally sitting position rests against the upwardly extending cushion and the remainder of the body from the hips to the feet is supported in a generally horizontal position by the two or three horizontally positioned cushions. Because of the provision of a number of cushion locking apertures 48 in the disc 46 the cushion that serves as a backrest may be adjusted to the optimum position of comfort for the person being supported.

FIG. 5 shows in schematic form how the four cushions of the two assemblies 18-1 and 18-2 may be arranged to provide seats facing each other. This is accomplished by positioning the

cushions

22 and 24 of the assembly 18-1 in positions corresponding with the position of the cushion 22 and the dotted outline position of the cushion 24 in FIG. 1, namely with the cushion 22 horizontal and extending leftwardly from its pivot and the cushion 24 upright but sloping leftwardly. The cushions of the assembly 18-2 are placed in an opposite attitude, namely the cushion 24' extending rightwardly from its pivot and the cushion 22' upright and leaning to the right. This leaves a space between the confronting edges of the cushion 22 and the cushion 24' where the lower legs of seated occupants of the chairs or benches thus formed may be extended downwardly toward the floor, and it also provides for the positioning of a footed or pedestal table (not shown) that could be used for dining, card playing or any other purpose.

FIG. 6 shows the four cushions in horizontal attitudes, such as for providing a bed, and the arrangement is similar to the solid line showing of FIGS. 1 and 3 exceptthat the four cushions extend rightwardly from their pivots in FIG. 6 instead of leftwardly as in FIG. 1. Under the circumstance that the

support members

20 and 20' are secured to a supporting surface, such as a floor, the four cushions may be arranged in the configuration of a bed or couch in either of two positions which differ by the width of one cushion in a direction longitudinally of the bed. This could be advantageous in a recreational vehicle, for example, under the circumstance that it becomes desirable to provide space alternatively at one end of a bed or the other for another object. It will also be recognized with reference to the showing in FIG. 6 that the cushion 22' may be raised to a backrest position, similar to the dotted line showing in FIGS. 1 and 3 to provide a chaise facing in the opposite direction from the showing of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 7 shows an alternative arrangement of the four cushions, as compared with the showing in FIG. 5, to provide two seats facing in the same direction. In FIG. 7 the

cushions

22 and 24 of assembly 18-1 occupy generally the same positions that they do in FIG. 5, cushion 22 being positioned horizontally and cushion 24 being positioned generally upright. The

cushions

22 and 24 of the assembly 18-2 are reversed, the cushion 24' being rotated counterclockwise from a, horizontal position to a position leaning leftwardly and the cushion 22' being rotated counter-clockwise intoa horizontal posi tion. The term upright as used throughout this specification includes but is not limited to a vertical position.

FIG. 8 shows an arrangement of the cushions to provide seating in the opposite direction by comparison with FIG. 7, the two cushions 24 and 24' that are in backrest positions in FIG. 7 being rotated clockwise into seat positions in FIG. 8,.and the cushions 22 and 22- that are in seat position in FIG. 7 being rotated clockwise into backrest positions in FIG. 8.

Up to this point nothing has been said concerning lengths of the cushions, the length being arbitrarily considered as the dimension parallel to the pivoting axis, considering the cushion merely as an object apart from any combinations, and when cushions are combined to accommodate a human body or bodies, such as accommodations for a seated or recumbent person, the length of a cushion becomes the width of the body accommodating facility. Generally speaking a sleeping person requires a greater width of body supporting surface than does a seated person and it is reasonable to suppose that under circumstances ofcompact seating and sleeping arrangements two persons may be seated side by side reasonably comfortably in a width that would accommodate one sleeping person comfortably but that would be quite uncomfortable'for two persons sleeping side by side. Hereinbefore the combinations of cushion arrangements have been variously described as chairs, benches, chaises, couches or beds. FIG. 4 illustrates a concept somewhat different from those of FIGS. 1 and 3. The difference resides in the splitting of each of the two cushions of an assembly into two cushions to provide a total of four cushions. In FIG. 4 the assembly is designated generally by the reference numeral 18-3 and it has cushion support members designated by the

reference numerals

20 and 26, as in FIG. 1. However, the

members

20 and 26, instead of supporting

single cushions

22 and 24, now support two pairs of cushions, there being, instead of the single cushion 24 the two

cushions

24A and 24B. It will be understood, of course, that each of the four cushions will contain its own reinforcing frame comparable with the frame 30 and each frame will require at its outer end a locking disc comparable with the disc 46 in FIG. 2. It will also be apparent that an arrangement different from the pivot pins 42 in FIG. 2 will be required for seated side by side and yet facing each other as for conversational purposes. The seating arrangement is similar to that of a piece of furniture now found generally only in collections of antique furniture, which was called by a name descriptive of its purpose, namely, tete-a-tete. It may be observed that two persons seated in the seating arrangement shown in FIG. 4 might be provided with lap boards for dining or card playing.

FIG. 9 shows an arrangement of the four cushions of the two-cushion assemblies 18-1 and 18-2 which is a variant of the arrangement shown in FIG. 5. The cushions of the seating assembly 18-1 are shown with the cushion 22in a horizontal position as a seat and the cushion 24 in a vertical position as a backrest. In the showing of the seating assembly 18-2 the cushion 22' is in the position of a backrest cushion but is tilted far- 7 ther back than the showing of the cushion 22' in FIG.

supporting the pairs of cushions in FIG. 4, and details 5. The cushion 24 is shown sloping downwardly as a seat cushion so that the positions of the two

cushions

22 and 24"correspond to the backrest and seat cushions of a recliner chair in a semi-recliner attitude as compared with its generally upright seating attitude. It will be understood that any one of the four cushions may be moved to slope downwardly for either of its horizontal positions and be locked in the downwardly sloping positions, by providing locking apertures 48 in the locking disc 46 distributed over an angular distance exceeding In FIG. 10 the presentation of the four cushions of a pair of seating assemblies 18-1 and 18-2 into recliner attitude is shown. This is accomplished by positioning the cushions 22 and 24' of the seating assembly 18-2 in positions similar to those shown in FIG. 9, positioning the cushion 22 of the seating assembly 18-1 sloping upwardly with its free edge confronting the edge of the cushion 24' with cushion 24 in a horizontal position. This will be recognized as a variant of the chaise arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 but being more completely a true recliner than the showing of the cushions 22' and 2 4 in FIG. 9 by virtue of the extent of the angle between the upper surfaces of the cushions 22 and 24' in FIG. '10, which is greater than 180. It is unlikely that the feet of a person seated on the cushion 24' in FIG. 10 with the back resting against the cushion 22' would extend beyond the left hand edge of the legrest cushion 22, so that the position of the cushion 24 would be immaterial. The showing of the surface contact between the right hand edge of the cushion 22 and the left hand edge of the cushion 24 in FIG. 2 indicates that there may be sufficient resilience or yield along the edges of the cushions to permit mutual compression of two cushions coming into engagement in this manner. If the cushions are so firm along their edges as to preclude compression it will be understood that the spacing of their pivots from one another must be sufficient to accommodate presentation of each cushion in any of the desired positions. It will be recognized that if the distance between the pivots for the

cushions

22 and 24, as viewed in FIG. 10, were sufficient that there were a slight space between their confro confronting edges when in the positions shown in FIG. 10 the space would be insignificant and would not be a source of discomfort for a person seated on the cushion 24'.

FIG. 12 shows the duplicate the single seating assembly with split cushions as shown in FIG. 4, one of the two assemblies being designated by the reference numeral 18-3, as in FIG. 4, and the other identified by the reference numeral 18-4. In their locations with respect to each other the seating assemblies 18-3 and 18-4 in FIG. 12 correspond to the locations of the seating assemblies 18-1 and 18-2 in FIGS. 1 and 3. The four cushions of the seating assembly 18-3 in FIG. 12 have the same reference numerals as those of FIG. 4. The cushions of the seating assembly 18-4 in FIG. 2 are identified 22C and 22D for the cushions corresponding to the

cushions

22A and 22B, and 24C and 24D for the cushions corresponding to the

cushions

24A and 24B.

It will be apparent that the eight cushions of the arrangement shown in FIG. 12 may be adjusted to positions for seating four or perhaps six persons in correspondence with the seating arrangements shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 or may be adjusted to accommodate four persons seated in two seating assemblies arranged as in FIG. 4. Also, in a bed configuration as in FIG. 6, and in a chaise configuration as in FIGS. 1 and 3 they may be arranged to accommodate two persons, or in a recliner arrangement as in FIG. 10 they may be arranged to accommodate two persons. In FIG. 12 the

cushions

22B, 24B, 22D and 24D have been shown in the configuration of a recliner corresponding to FIG. 10, whereas the

cushions

22A, 24A, 22C and 24C are arranged in the configuration of a bed. The split cushion feature of FIG. 12 enables one set of four cushions to accommodate a person resting in a recumbent position while the other set of four cushions may accommodate another person resting in a recumbent position or seated in accordance with the configuration of a chaise or recliner, or accommodate two persons seated facing each other, facing in the same direction, in either of two directions, or seated back to back.

In connection with the description of FIG. 4 reference was made to the need for a different cushion supporting arrangement than that shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 11 shows one embodiment of such an arrangement. In FIG. 1 1 the frames individual to cushions adapted to be pivotally supported on a commonaxis, the frames being designated generally by the

reference numerals

30A and 30B for cushions such as the

cushions

24A and 24B, have their lower tubular frame members commonly supported on a rod 54 which in turn is mounted in the ears at the top of the support members for the two cushions 24A and 248, these ears not being shown in FIG. 11 because FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view. A

spacer disc or washer 56 may serve as a bearing surface for the confronting inner ends of the tubular frame members 30A and 308. In such a structure, the locking discs 46 secured to the outer ends of the cushion frame members 30A and 303 would be rotatable with the

frames

30A and 30B upon the rod 54. This modified type of support for a split-cushion embodiment of the invention would also be applicable to the arrangement shown in FIG. 12.

As set forth hereinbefore the convertible seating equipment hereinbefore described in detail is particularly adapted to use in recreational vehicles, such as motor homes and travel trailers, where optimum utilization of space must be effected and compactness of all components comensurate with comfort of the users is very important. For example a pair of assemblies iden tified herein by the reference numerals 18-1 and 18-2 may be secured to the floor of a motor home or travel trailer in the relative positions indicated in FIG. 1. For nighttime use the cushions may be adjusted to the posimay desire to be seated in the interior of the vehicle facing forward, as contrasted with a seat in the driving compartment, in order to observe the scenery while the vehicle is traveling from one place to another. The cushions may then be arranged in the positions shown in FIG. 7. Also, for resting or observing the scenery from a moving vehicle the cushion 24 in the FIGS. 1 and 3 may be raised to the dotted line position to dispose the cushions in the configuration of a chaise. Instead of employing convertible seating assemblies such as those designated by the reference numerals 18-1 and 18-2, the split cushion version, identified by the reference numeral 18-3 in FIG. 4 may be employed in pairs for providing sleeping or seating arrangements, or singly for providing seating accommodations only.

Another field of utilization or convertible seating arrangements in accordance with the present invention is the so-called mobile home, which is not generally mobile in the sense of a vehicle but is usually kept in one location and mounted on a semipermanent foundation. Living quarters of the mobile home type may, of course be fitted with wheels and towed from one place to another. The same considerations as to compactness and multiple utilization of space apply to the equipment in a mobile home in generally the same manner as to the recreational vehicle and all of the various utilizations hereinbefore described are applicable in the case of the mobile home.

Another area of utilization of the invention, particularly in light weight versions, is the porch or patio of residential premises. In such usages it is likely that convertible seating assemblies such as 18-1, 18-2 and 18-3 would not be secured to the supporting surface but would be movable from one place to another as desired.

Still another field of usage for convertible seating structures embodying the present invention is the motor coach field, whether for sightseeing coaches or point to point transporation coaches and railway cars, and in the case of the latter, situations in which the seating arrangements must be reversed without turning the coach end to end. For example there are in operation in many parts of the country commuter railway trains which operate into and out of a terminal without turning the train or any of its cars. In such a situation it becomes necessary to reverse the seating in order that passengers shall not be required to ride backward, whether inbound or outbound. Railway coaches for this service could be provided with a row of seat assemblies 18-1 along each side of a center aisle so that one cushion could serve as the seat and the other as the backrest for travel in one direction and the utilization of the two cushions could be reversed for travel in the opposite direction. For this purpose the locking facility would require only provision for locking each cushion in either of the two positions. As set forth hereinbefore a locking arrangement shown herein forms no part of the present invention but typifies any of a number of usable, multi-position locking devices and for railway coach service a self-engaging locking device would be provided.

A specialized situation in which seating equipment in accordance with the invention would have application is typified by at least one known and currently operative scenic railway. The coaches of this railway are provided with chairs that are not secured to the floor of the coach, and as the passenger enters the coachhefinds the chairs lined up side by side along the two sides of the coach for seating facing the center aisle. It is the custom of passengers to reverse the positions of some of the chairs 180 so that they may sit with their backs to the aisle facing the window through which they view the scenery. It will be apparent that movably mounted chairs in such a railway coach could be replaced by seating assemblies 18-1 placed end to end on two rows on opposite sides of a center aisle and secured to the floor of the car. With the railway coach so equipped any one of the assemblies could be adjusted for seating facing the center aisle or facing a window.

What is claimed is:

1. A convertible body supporting structure comprismg:

four cushions having generally the same dimensions and each having at least one pair of generally parallel edges;

means pivoting each cushion on one of four fixed parallel axes spaced from one another a distance substantially matching the distance between said pair of generally parallel edges;

means supporting said cushions and said pivoting means on said axes in an elevated relation to a hori zontal reference; means locking each of said pivotally supported cushions in either of two opposite horizontal positions and in other positions above and between the two opposite horizontal positions whereby positioning and locking of the cushions is available to provide a choice of: 1. two chair-like structures facing each other; 2. two chair-like structures back to back; 3. two chair-like structures facing in the same direction; and I 4. a surface to support a recumbent body. 2. A convertible body supporting structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

each cushion contains an internal reinforcing frame establishing the shape of the cushion and imparting to it body supporting properties. 3. A convertible body supporting structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

the axis of pivoting of the cushions is closely adjacent to an edge of the cushions and the spacing between the axes of pivoting is at least as great as the dimension of a cushion in a direction normal to the axis of pivoting, whereby concurrent positioning of the cushions horizontally in the same direction relative to their axes of pivoting is accommodated.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said locking means includes means for locking at least some of said cushions in at least one position below a horizontal position.

5. A convertible body supporting structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said support surface is longitudinally transferable by said pivoting means said distance, said supporting means remaining stationary, said support surface maintaining a constant size.

Claims

1. A convertible body supporting structure comprising: four cushions having generally the same dimensions and each having at least one pair of generally parallel edges; means pivoting each cushion on one of four fixed parallel axes spaced from one another a distance substantially matching the distance between said pair of generally parallel edges; means supporting said cushions and said pivoting means on said axes in an elevated relation to a horizontal reference; means locking each of said pivotally supported cushions in either of two opposite horizontal positions and in other positions above and between the two opposite horizontal positions whereby positioning and locking of the cushions is available to provide a choice of: 1. two chair-like structures facing each other; 2. two chair-like structures back to back; 3. two chair-like structures facing in the same direction; and 4. a surface to support a recumbent body.

2. two chair-like structures back to back;

2. A convertible body supporting structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein: each cushion contains an internal reinforcing frame establishing the shape of the cushion and imparting to it body supporting properties.

3. A convertible body supPorting structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the axis of pivoting of the cushions is closely adjacent to an edge of the cushions and the spacing between the axes of pivoting is at least as great as the dimension of a cushion in a direction normal to the axis of pivoting, whereby concurrent positioning of the cushions horizontally in the same direction relative to their axes of pivoting is accommodated.

3. two chair-like structures facing in the same direction; and

4. a surface to support a recumbent body.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said locking means includes means for locking at least some of said cushions in at least one position below a horizontal position.