WO2005034687A1

WO2005034687A1 - Armchair-sofa which by pulling out the seat forward is automatically converted into a bed

Info

Publication number: WO2005034687A1
Application number: PCT/YU2004/000025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Slavko Marinkovic
Original assignee: Slavko Marinkovic
Priority date: 2003-10-17
Filing date: 2004-10-14
Publication date: 2005-04-21

Abstract

The invention relates to an armchair-sofa (1) which by, pulling out the seat forwards is automatically converted into a bed and which consists of the movable posterior back rests (2,3) and seat (4), left and right armrests (6, 7) and mechanism (8) for moving the backrest (2). The mechanism (8), which is situated in the right armrest (6), consists of two-directional electric motor (9), pair of sprockets (11, 13) fixed to the guiding shaft (12) and the sprocket (15), which together with the lever (17) is fixed to the guided shaft (16) whereby the electric motor (9) and the sprocket (11) are interconnected by a chain (10) whereas the sprocket (13) and the sprocket (15) are interconnected by the chain (14) The lever (17) is fixed by a free end to the frame of the back rest (2) The back rest (2) and the back rest (3) are interconnected by two-way folding hinges (19), whereas the anterior back rest (3) and the seat (4) are interconnected by three-way folding hinges (18), Under the seat (4) there is a box-like case (5) for bed-clothes mounted on four small wheels (5').

Description

ARMCHAIR-SOFA WHICH BY PULLING OUT THE SEAT FORWARD IS AUTOMATICALLY CONVERTED INTO A BED

TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION REFERS

Generally, the invention belongs to the field related to the appliances needed for activities of daily living i.e. to the field of objects needed for personal and house use or more specifically to the field of furniture and objects or equipment for household, i. e. the field of chairs, sofas and beds. The subject of invention, generally, may belong to the field of general mechanical engineering i.e. the field of mechanical elements and more specifically to the field of devices for connecting and fixing of structural elements.

According to International Patent Classification (IPC-7) the subject of invention is designated and classified by basic classification symbols A 47 C 17/14 which refers to sofas, beds, divans and alike with movable parts, i.e. to armchairs-beds which are converted into beds only by pulling out parts, A 47 C 17/86 which refers to elements or components of the beds, sofas or beds, and F 16 B 12/00 which refers to furniture fittings.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Technical problem to be solved by the subject invention consists of the following: how to make an armchair from construction point of view, i.e. sofa which would automatically, by pressing the button or by remote controller, by pulling out the seat forward, convert into a bed, where the armchair i.e. sofa would be simple in design, practical and easy for assembly, maintenance and operation, whereby the moving mechanism would be noiseless, stable, safe, durable, economically profitable and would meet strict standards for the objects for personal and house use of this type and purpose. In this way an armchair will be obtained, i.e. a sofa without heavy duty springs, ideal in proportion which would facilitate, particularly to elderly and diseased people, folding and unfolding of this type of furniture from one into another position.

TECHNICAL STATE OF THE ART

There are a large number of solutions for armchairs, sofas, beds, divans or beds both in respect to design and construction. A great number of these solutions is, due to a contemporary manner of dwelling and relatively small apartments, is constructed in the way to be unfoldable so that during the day it serves for sitting and during the night it serves as a bed. Mechanisms and modes of unfolding - folding are different but there are two basic types: unfolding by drawing out the furniture components forwards by sliding, i.e. rail elements, and unfolding by raising and lowering seat mainly by spring mechanisms - fittings mounted on wooden or metal frames. Armchairs, i.e. sofas, which can be unfolded by pulling the upper seat by sliding over the lower case and by revolving the mattress for setting the bed in the function, are simple in construction and are impractical given that they require physical effort for pulling out whereby the seat often sticks within the frame, the upholstery is damaged and the frame becomes loose.

Armchairs, i.e. sofas, that by fittings and mainly by metal frame and angular spring mechanism unfold so that the upper half of the seat is raised, pulled out and lowers overcoming spring force in order to set two parts of the seat in horizontal position, are clumsy, heavy, require metal wire mattresses by which upholstery is easily and quickly torn. Here are known two types of fittings: a. Metal mechanisms that are composed of complicated system of levers and joints, which overlap during converting the armchair into the bed. The drawback is the need of large operating space and the bed itself is not durable. Each bed dimension requires its own construction of the metal mechanism, which additionally makes manufacture and maintenance costlier. b. Fittings for three-parts or four-parts couches, which by folding of these parts make a sitting set or beds. This type of fittings has shown an array of advantages but their drawback is that at folding most of the load is born by the seat, the rest and scissors-hinges so that they often break, whereas during opening/closing of the bed they stick. In addition to the fact that unfolding i.e. more specifically opening, of such a bed - armchair, requires an exceptional physical effort, particularly by the old and the diseased, these beds are anatomically unsuitable and uncomfortable for lying due to the multi-part construction itself.

By searching literature on patents and non-patents it has been established that there is a large number of solutions with constructions of unfolding armchairs-beds. In domestic literature on patent there were found several solutions of armchairs-beds, which by pulling out or by lifting of the seat forwards are converted into beds.

Such well-known solution is presented in YU patent application number P-565/99 entitled "Universal armchair". This anatomical armchair has an immobile frame, which through levers is connected to another frame so that the levers enable that the frames are stretched or contracted in the position of the armchair for sitting or sleeping. To the frames is tied a mattress so that it my turn by an angle of 90°. To the mattress is tightly connected a bridge and everything is balanced by the springs and rests on the ground by the legs and the head of the bed. On the armchair lever is mounted driving electromotor for placing the armchair in the position for sitting or in the position for sleeping. Electromotive drive is composed from helical reduction gear on which two-directional electromotor is mounted and is connected to the shaft by a pin and girder, and everything is fixed on the girder and bound to the frame. Two micro switches that are installed on corresponding position limit the terminal position of the frame. Switching of electromotor drive to manual or vice versa is realized by a coupling.

Hereunder are listed several characteristic patents available in domestic literature on patents: patent application number P-2451/76 entitled "Mechanisms for lifting and lowering of movable bed components", patent application number P-537/79 entitled "Armchair-bed", - patent application number P-l 202/80 entitled " Articulated bed", - patent application number P-40794 entitled "Revolving motor driven girder for foldable wall beds", - patent application number P-l 648/82 entitled " Foldable bed with a cabinet and hall- stand", - patent application number P-l 70/86 entitled "Couch equipped with opening device", - patent application number P-49/87 entitled " Mechanism for bed opening", - patent application number P-l 812/84 entitled " Multi-purpose fitting for sitting furniture that can be converted into a bed", - patent application number P-1907/89 entitled " Foldable framework with four frames for a sofa - bed".

The main shortcomings of the known solution, and some of them are mentioned above, are the complexity of the construction, weight, large outlines, requirement of great physical effort for unfolding/folding, high price.

GIST OF THE PATENT

The patent is concerned with an armchair-sofa, which by pulling out the seat forwards is automatically converted into a bed and which consists of three movable parts: Posterior backrest, anterior backrest, seat and mechanism for moving the mentioned seat. Under the seat there is a box-like case for bedclothes. The case is mounted on four small wheels for an easy and noiseless pulling out the seat forwards. The armchair is also equipped with right and left lateral armrests.

In the right armrest there is a mechanism that serves for moving the posterior backrest and simultaneously the anterior backrest and the seat forwards and i.e. for armchair's converting into a bed. This moving mechanism consists of the pair of sprockets fixed on the guiding shaft and the sprocket, which is, together with the lever, fixed on the guided shaft. Two-directional electric motor and the larger sprocket are linked with a chain, whereas a smaller sprocket and larger sprocket, which is mounted on the guided shaft, are connected by another chain. The lever is fixed on its free end to the frame of the posterior backrest. Both shafts of the mechanism are seated and fixed within the frame of the right armrest. Posterior backrest and anterior backrest are interlinked by two-directional folding hinges, so that one hinge arm is fixed on the frame of the posterior backrest, and another arm on the frame of the anterior backrest. The anterior backrest and the seat are interconnected with 3 -directions folding hinges so that one hinge arm is fixed on the frame of the anterior backrest, another arm is fixed on the seat frame and the third arm on the case by which seat lifting and case opening is enable in any position of the armchair.

A specific novelty of the solution and the aim of the invention is that the armchair-sofa is converted automatically, noiselessly and safely, into a bed by pressing a button or remote controller. Ratios of the components of the armchair, being either in the position for lying or sitting, are such to provide an armchair-bed with all parameters of anatomical armchair i.e. bed.

The invention - armchair-sofa, which by drawing out the seat forwards is converted automatically into a bed- according to this application of the petty patent, has many advantages the most imported being listed hereunder: ideal dimension ratios in each position, sufficient thickness of the mattress, - there are no superfluous parts and functionally is extremely practical, reliable and safe, its purpose is universal, e.g. for nursing the patients, simple construction, easy and quick assembly and noiseless operation, no maintenance whatsoever is needed, practically its duration is unlimited, its serial production is possible, relatively low production price.

SHORT DES CREPTION OF FIGURES

For easier understanding of the invention, as well as for presenting how it is realized in practice, the applicant refers the user to the enclosed Figures: - Figure 1 shows an armchair-sofa, which by drawing out the seat forwards, is automatically converted into a bed, according to the invention, in folded position and in axonornetric projection, - Figure 2 represents the appearance of the armchair-sofa from Figure 1 on another side and a partial cross-section, - Figure 3 shows the armchair-sofa from Figure 1 in unfolded position, - Figure 4 shows a mechanism for seat moving from Figure 2, - Figure 5 shows mechanism for seat moving from Fig. 4 in horizontal projection, - Figure 6 shows a three-directions folding hinge for linking the parts of armchair seat, - Figure 7 shows a two -directions folding hinge for linking the parts of armchair seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An armchair-sofa 1 , according to the invention, which by drawing out the seat forwards, is automatically converted into a bed, according to the invention and Figures 1, 2 and 3, is composed of basic elements 1 to 7 and of the mechanism 8 for moving the seat.

An armchair 1 consists of 3 movable parts: posterior backrest 2, anterior backrest 3 and seat 4. Under the seat 4 there is a box-like case 5 for bedclothes. The case 5 is mounted on 4 small wheels 5' for an easy and noiseless drawing out of the seat forwards. The armchair 1 also consists of the lateral right armrest 6 and lateral left armrest 7.

In the right armrest 6 a mechanism 8 is installed, as clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 3. Mechanism 8 s erves for moving the backrests 2 and 3 and the seat 4 of the armchair 1 forwards and its converting into a bed. Mechanism 8 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) is composed of 2- directions electric motor 9, which is linked with the chain 10 to a larger sprocket 11. On the guiding shaft 12 together with a sprocket 11 is fixed a smaller sprocket 13, which is with the chain 14 connected to a larger sprocket 15. On the guided shaft 16 along with sprocket 15 there is a fixed lever 17 that is with a free end fixed to the frame of the posterior backrest 2. Shafts 12 and 16 are seated and fixed within the frame of the armrest 6.

Posterior backrest 2 and anterior backrest 3 are interconnected by two-directions folding hinge 19 (Fig.7) so that the hinge arm 19.2 is fixed on the frame of the backrest 2 and the hinge arm 19.3 is fixed on the frame of the backrest 3. The anterior backrest 3 and the seat 4 are interlinked by three-directions folding hinge 18 (Fig.6) so that the hinge arm 18.3 is fixed on the frame of the backrest 3 and the hinge arm 18.4 is fixed on the frame of the seat 4 and the hinge arm 18.5 is fixed on the case 5. The way of the functioning of the armchair 1 is simple and is obvious from the above description and the Figures so that a detailed description is not needed. Thus, moving and converting of the armchair into a bed by pulling the seat forwards, from folded into extended position, may be done by pressing the buttons, which are situated on the armchair itself or by remote controller and the drawn out length may be controlled by micro switches. The moving may be performed while the user is lying or sitting on the armchair-bed. By turning on a two-directions electric motor 9 of the mechanism 8 the power is transmitted from the electric motor 9 and is reduced over the reduction gear 11 on the shaft 12 an connected by chain 10 and sprockets 13 and 15 that are interconnected by the chain 14. By turning the lever 17, which is by one end fixed to the shaft 16 and with the free end fixed to the frame of the posterior backrest 2, in one or the other direction the backrest 2 also revolves, so that dependent on the position of the backrest 2 the lever 17 has either horizontal or vertical position. As the lower part of the backrest 2 is seated in a revolving way into the armrests 6 and 7, the upper part of the backrest 2 descends, following arch-shaped course

As the backrest 2 and backrest 3, as well as the backrest 3 and the seat 4 are interconnected by their ends with a three-directions folding hinge 18 i.e. by two- directions folding hinge 19 consequently the backrest 3 also either descends or ascends, whereas at the same instant the seat 4 with the case 5 on the wheels 5' is drawn out forward or is drawn in backwards in the folded position. The bedclothes under the seat 4 are put in the box-like case 5 by raising the seat.

Electric motor, via transformer, is connected directly to electric network 220 V or to the battery in case of power failure.

The manner of invention application is based on the above description. Thus, for the industrial use of the registered invention no specific knowledge, instructions or experience are needed for the successful application of the invention. Only the knowledge, possessed by an average professional in the relevant field and the above given description are sufficient for the successful application of the mentioned invention. All characteristics regarding construction and function of the invention the inventor checked on the made prototype and they proved successful.

Besides, any kind of construction improvement or modifications in geometrical shape, which would be within the framework of the presented device and which would be for the purpose of its functional improvement, are considered to be encompassed by this application.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. An armchair-sofa, which by drawing out the seat forwards, is automatically converted into a bed is characterized in that of consisting of movable back backrests (2,3) and the seat (4) left and right armrest (6, 7) and mechanism, (8) for moving the backrest (2) that the mechanism (8) which is installed in the right armrest (6) is composed of two- directions electric motor (9), a pair of sprockets (11,13) fixed on the guiding shaft (12) and sprocket (15) that is along with the lever (17) fixed on the guided shaft (16) whereby the electric motor (9) and the sprocket (11) are interconnected by the chain (10) whereas the sprocket (13) and sprocket (15) interconnected by the chain (14) and the lever (17) is fixed by its free end to the frame of the posterior back rest (2).

2. Armchair-sofa according to the requirement 1 is characterized in that that the posterior backrest (2) and anterior backrest (3) are interconnected by two-directions folding hinge (19) so that the arm (1 .2) of the hinge (19) is fixed to the frame of the backrest (2) and the arm (19.3) to the frame of the backrest (3) and that the anterior backrest (3) and the seat (4) are interlinked by three-directions folding hinge (18) so that the arm (18.3) of the hinge (18) is fixed to the frame of the backrest (3), the arm (18.4) is fixed to the frame of the seat (4) and the arm (18.5) to the frame of the case (5).

3.Armchair-sofa according to the requirement 1 is characterized in that that under the seat (4) there is a box-like case (5) for bedclothes, mounted on small wheels (5').