WO2001060212A1

WO2001060212A1 - Convertible sofa bed

Info

Publication number: WO2001060212A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/000474
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Durin
Original assignee: Jacques Durin
Priority date: 2000-02-16
Filing date: 2001-02-16
Publication date: 2001-08-23
Also published as: FR2804849B1; FR2804851A1; FR2804849A1; EP1259141A1; AU2001240736A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a convertible sofa bed comprising: three mutually hinged panels (81, 82, 83) forming the bedspring, a first panel (81) forming the sofa seat, a second panel (82) forming the sofa back, and a third panel (83) forming a rear surface of the back; a mount (1) whereto is linked the third panel, and a frame (2) mobile relative to the mount and supporting the first panel; a pivoting plane frame (4) hinged on the mount and on the third panel; at the hinge line (C) between the second panel and the third panel or proximate to said axis; a first set of actuators (5) linking the mount to the third panel, arranged so as to be able to modify the height of the first edge of the third panel located proximate to its hinge line (C) with the second panel, by swivelling said pivoting plane frame; a second set of actuators (7) linking the mount to the third panel, arranged so as to be able to modify the inclination of the third panel, by swivelling it relative to said pivoting plane frame.

Description

Convertible sofa bed.

The present invention relates to a convertible sofa bed, also called a convertible sofa bed.

We already know different types of sofas convertible into beds, and vice versa.

In certain systems, such as for example those described in documents GB 2215997 or FR 2623067, the back of the sofa folds down horizontally at the level of the seat and next to it, to form the right side and the left side of a bed, the length of which therefore corresponds to the width of the sofa.

In other systems, as described in documents US 4628551 or EP 0074107, the bed base consists of three panels hinged together, a first panel forming the seat of the sofa, a second forming the front face of the backrest, and the third forming a rear face of the backrest. The sofa bed also comprises a frame to which the part constituting the backrest of the sofa is linked, and a frame movable relative to the frame, in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of the sofa bed, this frame carrying the seat of the sofa. . When this frame is distant from the frame, this causes a relative pivoting of the panels forming the backrest, until bringing them in the same horizontal plane as the seat, thus forming the bed whose width corresponds to the width of the sofa.

These manually transformable systems frequently have the disadvantage of difficult, awkward handling for children, adults with low back pain problems, the elderly, or the physically handicapped. Furthermore, the various manual systems require an effort of concentration on the user to find the user manual for the deployment of such a bench seat. The present invention aims to solve these problems and aims in particular to provide a sofa bed for easy handling and moreover having new functionalities such as in particular the possibility of transforming into an assembly comprising a sofa and a table, the latter can be used independently of each other.

With these objectives in view, the invention relates to a sofa convertible into a bed comprising:

- a set of three panels hinged together and forming the bed base, a first panel constituting the seat of the sofa, a second panel, or central panel, constituting the back of the sofa, and a third panel constituting a rear face of the back from the sofa,

- A frame to which the third panel is linked, and a frame movable relative to the frame and which supports the first panel. According to the invention, this sofa is characterized in that it comprises:

a pivoting frame articulated on the one hand on the frame and on the other hand on the third panel, at the level of the axis of articulation between the second and the third panel or near this axis,

a first set of jacks connecting the frame to the third panel, arranged so as to be able to modify the height of the edge of the third panel located near its axis of articulation with the second panel, by pivoting said pivoting frame,

- A second set of jacks connecting the frame to the third panel, arranged so as to be able to modify the inclination of the third panel, by rotating it relative to said pivoting frame.

Through the use of cylinders, preferably remote-controlled electric cylinders, the operations of handling the convertible sofa are considerably facilitated. The particular arrangement of the swivel frame and the jacks ensures the displacements required to move from the sofa position to the bed position, and vice versa. It also makes it possible to obtain comfortable sleeping positions, where the third panel is inclined to serve as a backrest, and even the inclined central panel and the first raised panel, to properly hold the user's pelvis wedged in the hollow as well. formed between the second and third panel, and put his legs, resting on said first panel, in an elevated position. Finally, after uncoupling between the second and third panels, it allows the latter to be used as an adjustable height and tilt table. All these possibilities, which will be better understood in the description which follows, ensure great modularity in the use of the convertible sofa according to the invention, which is particularly practical in premises with a reduced floor area.

According to a particular arrangement, the jacks of the first set of jacks have one end articulated on the frame and the other end articulated on the axis of articulation between the second and the third panel. This provision is not, however, limiting, the jacks can also be connected to the pivoting frame at a location different from said hinge axis.

Preferably, the jacks or jacks of the second set of jacks have one end articulated on the third panel, at a distance from the first edge of the third panel, and the other end articulated on a slide movable relative to the frame substantially in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the 'axis hinge frame. This arrangement makes it possible in particular, as will be better understood below, to ensure free movement of the connection of said second set of jacks on the frame during a pivoting of the third panel resulting from a command on the first set of jacks , such a pivoting being able to move relative to the frame the point of articulation of the cylinders of the second cylinder assembly on the third panel.

According to another preferred arrangement, the slide is guided in a slide, one end of which is furthest towards the rear of the sofa is raised relative to the end situated towards the front. This arrangement makes it possible to increase the height of the table when the third panel is used to form such a table, as will also be seen later.

In this case, more preferably still, the slide comprises front and rear end stops of the slide travel and an automatically engaging lock to hold the slide when it is in abutment against the rear stop, the jacks of the second set of jacks being then substantially vertical, this in order to prevent an inadvertent sliding of said jacks, to avoid tilting of the table.

According to other particular provisions, which will be better understood later on in the description of the examples: the second panel is connected to the third panel by removable pins constituting the articulation axis. This makes it possible to easily separate these panels, allowing the use of the third panel as a table, and the use of the first and second panels, which have remained linked together, as a seat or bench. - The sofa includes means for limiting the distance of the movable frame relative to the frame, for example a connecting cable, to allow the relative movement of the first panel relative to the movable frame, during the transformation of the seat into a bed , the first panel being, in particular for this purpose, connected to the movable frame by a set of articulated links constituting substantially with said first panel and said movable frame a deformable quadrilateral such that the first panel can be lifted or inclined relative to the frame movable by pivoting of said rods, stop means being provided to limit said pivoting in a position corresponding to a high stable position of the front edge of the first panel.

- The frame comprises a rail which can be placed in a position of longitudinal extension at ground level and the movable frame comprises a caster positioned so as to roll on said rail when the movable frame moves relative to the frame, on at least one part of its travel, this arrangement making it possible to improve the stability of the frame during operations for changing from the bench position to the bed position, and vice versa. the frame comprises on one side rolling means on the floor, and on the other side gripping means for moving the frame by rolling on the floor, to facilitate the mobility of the entire sofa bed.

Other characteristics and advantages will appear in the description which will be given of two alternative embodiments of a convertible sofa in accordance with the invention.

Reference is made to the appended drawings in which: FIGS. 1 to 5 are schematic views illustrating different positions of the sofa between the bed position and sofa position, and showing the kinematics of the corresponding displacements,

- Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the sofa, the bed base elements having been removed for clarity of the drawing, Figure 7 is a view of an alternative embodiment, in which only the frame and the movable frame have been represented,

FIG. 8 is a detailed view, in section along line XX of FIG. 7, of the guide slide of the slide on which the jack of the second set of jacks is articulated,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but in which the pivoting frame and the control jacks are also shown, and in a variant where the guide slide of the slide is inclined,

FIG. 10 is a view, in this second variant, of the only frame with the third panel, intended to form a table, in the inclined position FIG. 11 is a similar view where the third panel has been brought back to the horizontal,

FIG. 12 is a view of the bench that can be used simultaneously at the table, and obtained from the movable frame and from the first and second panels,

FIG. 13 is a side view of the table,

FIG. 14 is a side view of the elements not used to form the table, arranged so as to form a bench different from that of FIG. 12.

The sofa convertible into a bed has a frame 1 and a movable frame 2, mounted for example on casters

3. In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the frame 1 has a U-shape, and essentially comprises a transverse beam 11 on which are connected two lateral beams 12 forming the two branches of the U.

A pivoting frame 4 is mounted articulated on the frame along an axis A, on lugs 13 secured to the transverse beam 11, towards the rear of the latter. For clarity of the drawing, this frame 4 has been symbolized in FIGS. 1 to 5 by a segment in dashed lines.

The frame 4 is also connected to the frame 1 by a set of two electric jacks 5, the body 51 of which is articulated along an axis B, distant from the axis A, on the transverse beam 11, towards the front thereof, and the end of the rod of which is articulated on an end cross member 41 of the pivoting frame 4, for example on an axis C, parallel to the axes A and B. The two jacks 5 are arranged in parallel and towards each side of the frame , to give good stability to frame 4 in all the positions it is likely to take.

A second frame 6 is mounted articulated on the pivoting frame 4 along the axis C. A second set of cylinders, comprising in the example shown a single electrically actuated cylinder 7, is placed in the middle position between the two cylinders 5, articulated by its rod 71, along an axis D on the edge 61 of the frame 6 opposite the axis C, its body 72 being itself mounted articulated, along an axis E, on a slide 73 sliding substantially horizontally in a slide, which will be better described below, fixed on the upper face of an arm 14 rigidly connected to the transverse beam 11, in the middle of the latter and between the two branches 12 of the U.

The jacks 5 and 7 are supplied with electricity from a socket 59 and controlled by a remote control 79 easily accessible by the user.

The movable frame 2 also has a general U shape, and comprises a cross member 21 connecting the two branches 22 of said U. This cross member carries a central caster 23 provided for rolling on a rail 15 located at ground level in extension of the lug 14, this in order to prevent any risk of tilting of the frame towards the rear when the movable chassis is moved from the position corresponding to the use on the sofa, as we will see later. The use of this rail and caster system is however optional in this variant, since the branches 12 of the frame already form a ballast sufficient to prevent the said risk of tilting.

In addition, a cable 24 connects the cross member 21 to the lug 14, in order to limit the travel of the chassis 2 relative to the frame 1.

The bed base, for example of the slatted base type, has three panels 81, 82, 83 hinged together respectively along axes C and F.

A first panel 81 is connected to the movable frame 2 and forms either the seat of the sofa or the leg rest part in the bed position. A second panel 82 is articulated along the axis F on the first panel 81 and forms the backrest in the sofa position and the central part, supporting the hips and the thighs, of the box spring in the bed position. The third panel 83 is articulated on the second along the axis C, in a removable manner, and alternately forms a rear face of the backrest in the sofa position, or the part of the bed base located under the torso and the head in the bed position, or a table top, after having separated the second and third panels at the level of axis C, as will be explained below.

The bed base can optionally include a fourth panel 84 articulated on the third, for example at the level of the axis D, to form a headrest which can be rotated manually and which can be locked in position by any locking means, not shown. of tvoe known per se. The first panel 81 is connected to the chassis 2 by connecting rods 25, 26 articulated on the branches 22 of said chassis. The links 25, located towards the front, that is to say the most towards the footboard, are pivotally mounted on the first panel along an axis G and on the chassis along an axis H. Stops 27 offset towards the front relative to the axis G limit the pivoting of these links, as can be seen clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. The links 26 are articulated on the bed base at the level of the axis F of articulation between the first panel 81 and the second panel 82, is passed with a certain freedom of pivoting and translation in yokes 28 fixed on the branches 22. This allows the simultaneous pivoting of the rods 26 with the rods 25, thus forming a kind of deformable parallelogram with the first panel and chassis 2, to raise said first panel, as seen in FIG. 3. This also makes it possible to obtain a lowering of the axis F while keeping the axis G in the high position, as shown in FIG. 5, for provide better comfort seat when the first panel 81, inclined backwards, serves as a seat in the sofa position. A stop 29 on the connecting rods 26 makes it possible to prevent the connecting rods 26 from inappropriately emerging from the yokes 28 upwards.

Each panel has two lateral beams, respectively 85, 86, 87, on which parallel slats 88 are fixed. The articulations between panels are produced by pins or the like passing through the beams. In particular, the articulation along the axis C between the second and third panels is formed by pins 89 which can be relatively easily extracted axially to separate said panels. The panels could also be produced in the form of frames, hinged together and supporting bed base elements other than slats. In particular, the longitudinal members 87 of the third panel could constitute directly, totally or partially, the sides 62 of the frame 6.

In relation to FIGS. 1 to 5, we will now explain the different possible positions of the sofa according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows the bed position, all the panels 81 to 84 being aligned horizontally, the side members 85 and 86 resting on the branches 22 of the movable frame, and the third panel being supported by the jacks 5. The cable 24 is stretched between the movable chassis and the frame. In this position, the rod of the jacks 5 is not fully retracted.

From this position, the jack 7 can be controlled to pivot the panel 83 around the axis C, to form an inclined backrest as shown in FIG. 2.

From this last position, it is possible to control the retraction of the rod of the jacks 5, which has the effect of lowering the axis C, the frame 4 pivoting about its axis A. In so doing, the side members 86 are supported on the rear edge 221 of the branches 22 of the movable frame and pivot on this edge, causing the axis F to rise. As, simultaneously, the second panel 82 is slightly pulled back by the recoil of the axis C during the pivoting of the frame 4, and that moreover the oblique support of the side members 86 on the edge 221 retains the movable frame in its position furthest from the frame 1, the first panel 81 is also pulled backwards (towards the right in the drawing) constraining the pivoting of the rods 25 and 26, and therefore causing the assembly of the assembly of the first panel, as seen in FIG. 3, where the arrows illustrate the different movements. It will be noted that the links 25 have then tilted back beyond the vertical to come into abutment against the stops 27, so that the self-weight of the first panel 81 keeps it in this position, slightly lowered relative to its maximum elevation, and therefore locked, without the risk of inadvertently lowering itself under the weight of the user or any other charge.

To facilitate the pivoting of the side members 86 on the rear edge 221, and the slight relative sliding which results therefrom, this edge is preferably reinforced and protected by a metal profile of rounded section, or the like, which serves in particular to prevent tearing of the fabric used for covering the movable chassis by the friction of the side members 86.

The position of FIG. 3 constitutes a comfort position, with the user's pelvis wedged in the hollow between the panels 82 and 83, and the legs raised by the panel 81. In addition, the headrest 84 can be pivoted as shown to provide better head support. The transition from the bed position in FIG. 1 to the sofa position in FIG. 5 is carried out as follows, passing through the intermediate position in FIG. 4.

From the bed position, the output of the rods of the jacks 5 is controlled, which makes the frame 4 pivot around the axis A, and raises the axis C. This causes a displacement behind the panel 82 which pulls in turn the assembly of the first panel 81 and of the movable frame 2, which is inserted between the branches 12 of the frame. During this movement, the caster 23 engages on the rail 15 to prevent the frame from tilting backwards. Also, the frame 6 and the third panel 83 are driven with the frame 4, which causes a displacement of the axis D of articulation of the rod of the jack 7, the body 72 of the said jack can then slide to the right Dar sliding of the slide 73. By continuing to control the jacks 5, one arrives in the position of FIG. 5, the chassis 2 abutting against the frame 1, either directly or by means of shims 19 fixed on the frame for this purpose. From the moment the chassis is in abutment, an additional exit from the rods of the jacks 5 forces the second panel 82 to a complementary movement backwards, which causes the displacement of the first panel 81, the pivoting of the links 25, 26, and the rise of the front edge of the seat of the sofa thus formed, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 5, the bottom of the seat remaining in the low position, under the combined effect of the weight of the first two panels.

The return to the bed position is done in reverse by controlling the retraction of the rod of the jacks 5. which lowers the axis C by pivoting the frame 4, therefore pushes the panels 81 and 82 forward, thus driving the mobile chassis 2. At the end of the race, the cable 24 retains the said chassis, and the additional thrust forwards on the panels removes the links 25, 26 to bring the first panel back to the low position of FIG. 1.

The second variant is shown in Figures 7 and following. Note that the kinematics of movement between the bed and sofa positions is identical to what has just been explained and we will therefore not comment on it specifically.

In this variant, the frame 1 only comprises the transverse beam 11 and the tab 14 supporting the slide 16 in which the slide 73 slides. A transport wheel 17 is mounted on one end of the frame to facilitate its movement, by means of a handle 18 fixed on the other side.

In this variant, the roulette 23 and rail 15 system is almost mandatory to avoid the risk of the frame tilting, especially when the jacks 5 are controlled in rod return to pass from the bench position to the bed position, then exerting on the beam 11 a significant pivoting torque, the ballast, opposing this couple, formed by the branches 12 of the first variant then being deleted. This rail 15 can however be pivoted as seen in Figure 7, to reduce the size when used in table position that we will see later. The rail can also serve as a complementary handle to the handle 18 for moving the frame.

To further increase the stability of the frame, that is preferably provided with two complementary tabs 110, which can be seen in FIGS. 7, 11 and 13, towards the rear of the frame. The movable frame 2 and the systems of pivoting frames and box spring panels are essentially identical to the first variant.

We will now describe essentially the means used to use the third panel 83 as a table, as seen in Figures 11 and 13, after separation of the panels 82 and 83, obtained by removing the pins 89, as previously mentioned.

The bringing of the panel 83 in table position is ensured by controlling the exit of the rods of all the jacks, which has the effect of lifting said panel 83 from its low position corresponding to the bed position of FIG. cylinders 5 and 7 can be controlled simultaneously or not, but whatever the case, it is necessary at a moment to move the axis E of the body of the cylinder 7 rearward, by displacement of the slide 73 in the slide 16, if the maximum height position shown in FIG. 13 is to be obtained, it is however possible to obtain a low table position, represented in FIG. 11, without such displacement of the body of the jack 7, by acting only on the outlet of the rods of the jacks, so as to put the plate 83 at horizontal, or possibly tilted as needed.

The slide 16 preferably used is shown in FIG. 8. It is formed of a sectional section in C in which slides the slide 73 on which the cylinder 7 is articulated by its axis E. A front stop 75 and a rear stop 76 limit the slide stroke. The front stop 75 is used in particular to block the cylinder body 7 when this cylinder is used in thrust to raise the backrest in the lying position, illustrated in FIG. 2.

The slide is provided towards the rear with a raised spatula 74 which comes to press on a spring latch 77 adapted on the slide, to allow the slide to go up to the stop against the rear stop 76, and to lock automatically in this position. The return of the slide to the other end of the slide can only be done after having unlocked manually, therefore voluntarily, the lock 77. The advantage of this system will be explained later.

In order to obtain a table as high as possible, the slide 16 is extended rearward beyond the beam 11, so that, as can be seen in Figure 13, the cylinder 7, which is smaller that the jacks 5 for reasons of kinematics, can be brought into a substantially vertical position where, rod out, it brings the axis D in the highest position. In addition, preferably, the slide is itself inclined, so that its rear end is raised relative to the frame, as can be seen also in Figures 9 and 13, which allows to raise the table by several additional centimeters.

To bring the panel 83 into the table position, it is possible, for example, from its horizontal lower position, to actuate the jacks 5, to rotate the frames 4 and 6 as shown in FIG. 10. Then slides the slider 73, for example by controlling the retraction of the rod of the jack 7 and then continuing the movement manually, until it comes into abutment against the rear abutment 76, or it is automatically locked. The rod of the jack 7 is then extended as far as possible to bring the table top as high as possible as seen in FIG. 13, the legs 110 ensuring the stability of the table in this high position. Locking the slide prevents it from accidentally sliding into the slide, which would cause the table to tip over.

Although described only in the context of the second variant, similar kinematics for transforming the panel 83 into a table could also be used on the first variant.

When the panel 83 is detached from the panel 82, the movable frame carrying the two panels 81 and 82 can still be used as a seat, in two different ways illustrated respectively in FIGS. 12 and 14. In the case of FIG. 12, the panel 81 is used as a seat, possibly inclined by the set of links 25, as in the case of FIG. 5. The panel 82 is used as a backrest, and to keep it raised in the absence of connection with the panel 83, two additional arms 90 are connected to the side members 86, for example at the level of the axis C, and are supported by abutment means, not shown, adapted on the chassis 2.

In the case of FIG. 14, the two panels 81 and 82 are held horizontally in the low position, additional feet 91 serving to maintain in abutment on the ground the edge of the panel 82 on the side of its articulation of axis C The mattress or futon 95 commonly used with the bed can then be partially rolled up and thus held by straps for example, to form the seat back. The invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants described above. In particular, the means for producing the various constituent elements of the sofa and the joints, and the control means may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention, as soon as the kinematics described above is carried out. In particular, two cylinders 7 can advantageously be used in parallel to ensure better rigidity of the panels and frames during movements and better stability of the table during this particular use.

Also, the fixing points of the jacks 5 on the frame 4 could be located elsewhere than at the level of the axis C of articulation between the panels 82 and 83. And similarly, the pivoting of the third panel 83 relative to the pivoting frame 4 could be produced by one or more jacks mounted directly between these elements 83 and 4, instead of being connected to the frame.

Claims

1. Sofa convertible into a bed comprising: a set of three panels (81, 82, 83) hinged together and forming the bed base, a first panel (81) constituting the seat of the sofa, a second panel (82), or central panel, constituting the back of the sofa, and a third panel (83) constituting a rear face of the back of the sofa,

- a frame (1) to which the third panel is linked, and a frame (2) movable relative to the frame and which supports the first panel, characterized in that it comprises:

- a pivoting frame (4) articulated (A) on the one hand on the frame (1) and on the other hand on the third panel (83), at the level of the axis (C) of articulation between the second and the third panel or near this axis,

- A first set of jacks (5) connecting the frame to the third panel, arranged so as to be able to modify the height of the first edge of the third panel located near its axis (C) of articulation with the second panel, by pivoting said pivoting frame,

- A second set of jacks (7) connecting the frame to the third panel, arranged so as to be able to modify the inclination of the third panel, by rotating it (at C) relative to said pivoting frame (4).

2. Sofa according to claim 1, characterized in that the jacks (5) of the first set of jacks have an articulated end (at B) on the frame (1) and the other articulated end on the axis (C) of of articulation between the second and the third panel.

3. Sofa according to claim 1, characterized in that the jack or jacks (7) of the second set of jacks have an articulated end (in D) on the third panel (83), at a distance from the first edge of the third panel, and the other articulated end (at E) on a slide (73) movable relative to the frame (1) substantially in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the axis of articulation (A) of the pivoting frame.

4. Sofa according to claim 3, characterized in that the slide (73) is guided in a slide (16), one end (161) located furthest towards the rear of the sofa is raised relative to the end situated towards forward.

5. Sofa according to claim 3, characterized in that the slide (16) comprises front (75) and rear (76) end stops of the slide (73) and a latch (77) with automatic engagement to maintain the slide (73) when it abuts against the rear stop (74), the jacks (7) of the second set of jacks then being substantially vertical.

6. Sofa according to claim 1, characterized in that the second panel (82) is connected to the third panel (83) by removable pins (89) constituting the axis of articulation (C) between said panels.

7. Sofa according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means (24) for limiting

1 distance from the movable frame (2) relative to the frame (1).

8. Sofa according to claim 1, characterized in that the first panel (81) is connected to the frame mobile (2) by a set of articulated links (25, 26) constituting substantially with said first panel and said mobile frame a deformable quadrilateral such that the first panel can be lifted or inclined relative to the mobile frame by pivoting of said links , stop means (27) being provided to limit said pivoting in a position corresponding to a high stable position of the front edge of the first panel.

9. Sofa according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises a rail (15) which can be placed in a position of longitudinal extension at ground level and the movable frame comprises a roller (23) positioned so to roll on said rail when the movable chassis moves relative to the frame, over at least part of its travel.

10. Sofa according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises on one side means (17) for rolling on the ground, and on the other side of the gripping means (18) for moving the frame by rolling on the ground.