WO1996041558A1

WO1996041558A1 - Retractable bed

Info

Publication number: WO1996041558A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/008435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bradley Meyer
Original assignee: Bradley Meyer
Priority date: 1995-06-08
Filing date: 1996-06-03
Publication date: 1996-12-27
Also published as: AU5970596A

Abstract

A retractable furniture unit, preferably a retractable bed (10) is disclosed having a frame (12), a platform (14) connected to the frame and means for moving (16) the platform between raised and lowered positions. Braces (30) secured to the frame support the platform when in the lowered position, preferably at a height sufficient to permit furniture to be situated thereunder. End members (24a and 24b) inhibit movement of the platform while the platform is in the lowered position. A collapsible desktop may also be secured to the retractable bed.

Description

RETRACTABLE BED

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to retractable furniture and, more particularly, to retractable beds. The increasing cost of housing, along with a trend toward reducing the average room size, particularly in more populated urban areas, has lead to a situation in which individuals often have less personal living space than was previously customary. The increasing frequency of apartment sharing and the habit of grown children returning home to live with their parents have created even more situations in which a bedroom becomes the only private living space for many people. Often, this limited space is also needed for such things as computer workstations, home business equipment, exercise equipment and other fixtures and possessions. These competing demands on limited floor or living space have made it more important to make efficient use of such space and have made it desirable for such space to be usable for two or more purposes. Many attempts have been made to create furniture that makes efficient use of limited living space. For example, folding beds have been created that fold into couches or chairs. Retractable beds which may be raised or lowered as needed are also known in the art. Although these beds may generally be raised when not in use to open additional floor space for other uses, these beds are not without problems or disadvantages. For example, many of these beds are designed so that they must be built into the ceiling of the premises. Free-standing designs have also been disclosed, but these beds typically call for the bed platform to be lowered to rest at or near the floor, which prevents the underlying space from being used for the permanent placement of such things as desks, computer workstations or other furniture or possessions. Further, the beds are often supported in the lowered position by only cables or cords and typically make no provision for lateral stability. Finally, free-standing designs have in the past generally used complex, bulky lifting mechanisms and counterweights to raise and lower the beds. These cumbersome, bulky mechanisms add to the cost and complexity of the beds while making them more difficult to move, assemble and disassemble. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a retractable furniture unit with improved support and stability.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a retractable furniture having a platform movable between raised and lowered positions that provides sufficient room for furniture to be located under the platform even when the platform is moved to the lowered position.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a retractable furniture unit of the above type having a simple construction that is easy to assemble, disassemble, and move.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a retractable bed having the above advantages.

Toward the fulfillment of these and other objects and advantages, the retractable furniture unit of the present invention comprises a frame, a platform connected to the frame and movable between raised and lowered positions and means for moving the platform between the raised and lowered positions. The furniture unit is preferably a retractable bed and may be provided with braces secured to the frame to support the platform when the platform is in the lowered position. The braces support the platform at a height sufficient to permit furniture, such as a desk, to be placed under the platform even when the platform is in the lowered position. End members inhibit lateral movement of the platform while the platform is in the lowered position, thereby providing lateral stability. In an alternate embodiment, a collapsible desk top is secured to the retractable furniture unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above brief description, as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is an elevated, perspective view showing a retractable platform of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged, schematic view showing a pulley and winch system that may be used in connection with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevated, perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a sectional, front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 , the numeral 10 refers in general to a retractable furniture unit, preferably a retractable bed, of the present invention having a frame 12, a platform 14 and means 16 for raising and lowering the platform 14. The frame 12 comprises front columns 18a and 18b, rear columns 20a and 20b and members 22a and 22b. Additional members 24a-24f provide additional support and structural integrity and serve additional functions as discussed in more detail below. For example, members 24a, 24d and 24f provide convenient locations for anchoring the retractable bed 10 to the studs of an adjacent room wall. End members 24a and 24b are disposed between front and rear columns 18a and 20a and 18b and 20b, respectively, and are positioned to inhibit lateral movement of the platform 14 when the platform is in a lowered position, thereby providing lateral stability. Although the end members 24a and 24b are shown as being disposed substantially horizontally, it is understood that end members 24a and 24b may be disposed in any number of alignments and may provide lateral support to the platform 14 through some or all of its range of motion between raised and lowered positions. Further, although end members 24a and 24b are shown as connecting front and rear columns 18a to 20a and 18b to 20b, respectively, end members 24a and 24b need not connect the columns in this manner. It is sufficient that at least a portion of end members 24a and 24b are disposed to inhibit lateral movement of the platform when the platform 14 is the lowered position.

For reasons to be described, the locations of members 22a and 22b may be reversed, and the locations of members 24a and 24b may be reversed. Aids for getting up to the platform 14, such as steps 26 or a bar 28 may also be provided.

Braces 30 may be secured to columns 18a, 18b, 20a and 20b to provide support for the platform 14 when the platform 14 is in the lowered position. The braces 30 are disposed to support the platform 14 so that, when the platform 14 is in the lowered position, the platform is located at a sufficient height to permit furniture, such as a desk and furnishings, to be located under the platform 14.

The platform 14 is preferably a bed frame for supporting bedding such as a mattress, and possibly box springs, and has a bed floor 32, side boards 34 and end boards 36. Lower, outer portions 38 of end boards 36 (FIG. 4) are beveled to help guide the platform

14 between members 24a and 24b as the platform is moved to the lowered position.

Although the platform 14 is described as being a bed frame, it is understood that the platform 14 may take many forms, such as a work floor, furniture platform or shelf.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the means 16 for raising and lower the platform 14 comprises a winch 40, a bracket 42, a line or cable 44 operatively connecting the bracket

42 to the winch 40, cables 46 extending between the platform 14 and the bracket 42 and pulleys 48, preferably swiveling pulleys, for routing the cables 46 between the platform 14 and the bracket 42. Grommets or eyelets 50 are used to secure the cables 46 to the platform 14, and eyehooks 52 are used to support the pulleys 48 from members 22a and 22b.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a collapsible desk 54 is also provided. A desktop 56 is pivotally secured to member 24f by hinges 58 to permit the desktop 56 to move between a substantially horizontal, raised position and a substantially vertical, lowered position. The front of the desktop 56 is supported by folding legs 60 which fold out of the way to permit the desktop 56 to be placed in the lowered position.

The desktop 56 is disposed so that, when the desktop 56 is in the raised position, the desktop 56 is still at a height lower than the height of the platform 14 when the platform 14 is in the lowered position. It is understood that any number of desk configurations may be used. For example, the desktop 56 need not be collapsible and, if collapsible, need not be disposed lower than the lowered position of the platform 14.

In operation, the winch 40 is used to wind and unwind the line 44 which in turn draws in or lets out the bracket 42 and cables 46 to raise or lower the platform 14, respectively. In the raised position, the platform 14 is at a height at or near the top of the retractable bed 10, opening up the entire underlying floor space or floor print for any number of uses. To lower the platform 14, the winch 40 is used to unwind the line 44, playing out the bracket

42 and cables 46. The use of the bracket 42 permits the winding and unwinding of the four cables 46 to be controlled by a single line 44. This permits the cables 46 to be drawn in or played out at equal rates, thereby assuring that the four corners of the platform 14 will be raised or lowered evenly and consistently, and therefore, that the platform 14 will be maintained substantially level or horizontal as it is raised or lowered.

As the platform 14 approaches the lowered position, the beveled edges 38 of the end boards 36 guide the platform 14 between end members 24a and 24b, so that the platform 14 is nested snugly within an area defined by columns 18a, 18b, 20a and 20b and end members 24a and 24b. Thus, the end members 24a and 24b, as well as columns 18a, 18b, 20a and 20b inhibit lateral movement of and provide lateral stability for the platform 14.

In the lowered position, the platform 14 is still at a height sufficient to permit a desk and other equipment and furnishings to remain beneath the lowered platform 14. This opens up a number of opportunities for uses of the underlying floor space, such as for the permanent placement of a work desk or other equipment or furnishings. To raise the platform 14, the operation of the winch 40 is simply reversed to wind the line 44, thereby drawing in the bracket 42 and cables 46. Again, the use of the bracket 42 provides for maintaining the platform 14 substantially level or horizontal as the platform 14 is raised.

For stability, the retractable bed 10 is preferably positioned adjacent to one or more walls, and one or more members 24a, 24d and 24f are secured to interior vertical studs of one or more adjoining walls.

To provide flexibility in positioning the retractable bed 10 within a room, the means 16 for raising and lower the platform 14 may be easily reconfigured to permit placement of the winch 40 at either end of the retractable bed 10. This is done in a few simple steps. First, cables 46 are detached from eyelets 50 at the four corners of the platform 14 and are pulled free from the pulleys 48. Next, members 24a and 24b are swapped and reattached at opposite ends of the platform bed 10, with member 24b being rotated 180° so that the winch 40 is attached to member 24b near column 18a. Members 22a and 22b are also swapped, and the various pulleys 48 are turned on eyehooks 52 until they are appropriately realigned to route cables 46 between the relocated bracket 42 and four corners of the platform 14. Cables 46 are then rethreaded through the pulleys 48 and reattached to corresponding platform 14 corner eyelets 50. In the alternate embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a collapsible desk 54 is provided. To collapse the desktop 56 from the raised position to a lowered position, legs 60 are folded upwardly and inwardly, and the desktop 56 is pivoted from the raised, substantially horizontal position to the lowered, substantially vertical position. This process is reversed to return the desktop 56 to the raised position. The desktop 56 may be raised or lowered regardless of whether the platform 14 is in the raised or lowered position.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the desktop is divided into two half panels secured to the retractable bed by slide rails that permit the panels to be rolled to telescope out from under opposite ends of the platform so that the half panel desktop surfaces may be used even when the platform is in the lowered position. Front and rear slide rails, secured to the front and rear columns respectively, may be used, or a single rear slide rail may be used to slidably secure to the panels to the retractable bed. If desired, the rear slide rail may be secured to the rear columns by hinges so that the desktop remains collapsible. Folding legs with casters are used to support the desktop panels and to permit the panels to be rolled from between a retracted position in which the panels are aligned substantially under the platform in an extended position in which the panels extend outwardly from opposite ends of the retractable bed.

It is understood that variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the frame 12 is described as comprising front columns 18a and 18b, rear columns 20a and 20b and members 22a and 22b, it is understood that any number of frame configurations with any number of columns or members may be used. Further, although means 16 for raising and lowering the platform 14 is described as comprising a winch, a bracket, a line, cables and pulleys, any conventional means of raising and lowering the platform 14 may be used.

Similarly, although a collapsible desktop 56 is described, it is understood that the desktop 56 need not be collapsible. Further, although the lowered position of the platform 14 is preferably at a sufficient height to permit furniture to be disposed under the platform, the height of the platform 14 in the lowered position may vary greatly and need not accommodate underlying furniture.

Other modifications, changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiment as well as alternative applications of the invention will be suggested to persons skilled in the art by the foregoing specification and drawing. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A retractable furniture unit, comprising: a frame; a platform operatively connected to said frame, said platform being movable between a raised position and a lowered position in which said platform is located at a sufficient height to permit furniture to be disposed under said platform; means secured to said frame for moving said platform between said raised and said lowered positions; and a brace secured to said frame and disposed so that said platform rests on said brace when said platform is in said lowered position.

2. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein in said lowered position, said platform is located at a sufficient height to permit a desk to be disposed under said platform.

3. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises: first and second front columns; first and second rear columns; a first end member secured to and extending between said first front column and said first rear column and being disposed to inhibit lateral movement of said platform when said platform is in said lowered position; and a second end member secured to and extending between said second front column and said second rear column and being disposed to inhibit lateral movement of said platform when said platform is in said lowered position.

4. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein: said platform has a first end disposed substantially between said first front column and said first rear column and said platform has a second end disposed substantially between said second front column and said second rear column; and lower portions of said first end and said second end of said platform are beveled to assist in guiding said platform between said first and said second end members when said platform is lowered to said lowered position.

5. The furniture unit of claim 1 further comprising: a rear member secured to and extending between said first and second rear columns; and a desktop secured to said rear member.

6. The furniture unit of claim 5 wherein said desktop is pivotally secured to said rear member to permit said desktop to move between a substantially horizontal raised position and a substantially vertical lowered position.

7. The furniture unit of claim 6 wherein said desktop is disposed so that when said desktop is in said raised position, said desktop is at a height lower than said platform when said platform is in said lowered position.

8. The furniture unit of claim 1 wherein said means for moving said platform comprises: a winch secured to said furniture unit; a bracket; a line operatively connecting said bracket to said winch; a plurality of cables extending between said bracket and said platform; and a plurality of pulleys for routing said cables between said bracket and said platform.

9. A retractable bed comprising: a frame having first and second front columns and first and second rear columns; a platform for supporting bedding operatively connected to said frame, said platform being movable between a raised position and a lowered position; means secured to said frame for moving said platform between said raised and said lowered position; a first end member secured to and extending between said first front column and said first rear column and disposed to inhibit lateral movement of said platform when said platform is in said lowered position; and a second end member secured to and extending between said second front column and said second rear column and disposed to inhibit lateral movement of said platform when said platform is in said lowered position.

10. The retractable bed of claim 9 further comprising a brace secured to said frame and disposed so that said platform rests on said brace when said platform is in said lowered position.

11. The retractable bed of claim 9 wherein in said lowered position, said platform is located at a sufficient height to permit a desk to be disposed under said platform.

12. The retractable bed of claim 9 further comprising: a rear member secured to and extending between said first and second rear columns; and a desktop pivotally secured to said rear member to permit said desktop to move between a substantially horizontal raised position and a substantially vertical lowered position, said desktop being disposed so that when said desktop is in said raised position, said desktop is at a height lower than said platform when said platform is in said lowered position.

13. The retractable bed of claim 9 wherein said means for moving said platform comprises: a winch secured to said retractable bed; a bracket; a line operatively connecting said bracket to said winch; a plurality of cables extending between said bracket and said platform; and a plurality of pulleys for routing said cables between said bracket and said platform.

14. A retractable furniture unit comprising: a frame; a platform operatively connected to said frame and movable between a raised position and a lowered position; a winch secured to said furniture unit; a bracket; a line operatively connecting said bracket to said winch; a plurality of cables and pulleys operatively connecting said platform to said bracket so that said winch may be used to raise and lower said platform between said raised and lowered positions.

15. The furniture unit of claim 14 wherein: said bracket is disposed so that an upper portion of said bracket is substantially horizontal and said plurality of cables are secured to said bracket along said upper portion.

16. The furniture unit of claim 14 wherein said frame comprises: first and second front columns; first and second rear columns; a first end member secured to and extending between said first column and said first rear column and disposed to inhibit lateral movement of said platform when said platform is in said lowered position; and a second end member secured to and extending between said second front column and said second rear column and disposed to inhibit lateral movement of said platform when said platform is in said lowered position.

17. The furniture unit of claim 16 wherein said platform comprises a platform for supporting bedding.

18. The furniture unit of claim 17 further comprising a brace secured to said frame and disposed so that said platform rests on said brace when said platform is in said lowered position.

19. The furniture unit of claim 16 further comprising; a rear member secured to and extending between said first and said second rear columns; and a desktop secured to said rear member.

20. The furniture unit of claim 14 wherein in said lowered position, said platform is located at a sufficient height to permit a desk to be disposed under said platform.