U.S. patent application number 12/030792 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for fold-out bed frame.
This patent application is currently assigned to RBW Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Tibor Olah.
Application Number | 20090106896 12/030792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40580947 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090106896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olah; Tibor |
April 30, 2009 |
Fold-Out Bed Frame
Abstract
In one embodiment, a bed framework is described which includes
an upper bed frame and a lower bed frame that can fold between a
usable position and a stowed position. The upper bed frame is
connected to a stationary support frame so as to pivot and slide,
minimizing the height of the upper bed frame in the stored
position.
Inventors: |
Olah; Tibor; (Covina,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INSKEEP INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP, INC
2281 W. 190TH STREET, SUITE 200
TORRANCE
CA
90504
US
|
Assignee: |
RBW Industries, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40580947 |
Appl. No.: |
12/030792 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60889711 |
Feb 13, 2007 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 17/80 20130101;
A47C 19/20 20130101; A47C 17/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/118 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/80 20060101
A47C017/80 |
Claims
1. A bed support system for a vehicle comprising: a first bed frame
pivotally connected to a support structure to fold upwards; and a
second bed frame pivotally connected to said support structure
above said first bed frame to vertically slide and thereby minimize
a height in a stowed position.
2. The bed of claim 1, wherein said support structure includes a
first vertical guide channel.
3. The bed of claim 2, wherein one end of said second bed frame
includes a first guide member configured to slide within said first
guide channel.
4. The bed of claim 3, wherein said support structure includes a
second vertical guide channel and a second guide member configured
to slide within said second guide channel.
5. The bed of claim 4, further comprising a ladder pivotally
connected to a first end of said second bed frame.
6. The bed of claim 5, further comprising a lock disposed on said
second bed frame to releasably engage an aperture of said first
guide channel.
7. The bed of claim 6, further comprising support members disposed
on said first bed frame to releasably engage said ladder.
8. The bed of claim 6, further comprising a locking mechanism to
selectively release said first bed frame from a vertical
position.
9. A bed framework for a vehicle comprising: a stationary support
framework; a lower bed frame, pivotally connected to said
stationary support framework; and an upper bed frame pivotally and
slidably connected to said stationary support framework; wherein
said upper bed frame includes a first stored position in which a
first end of said upper bed frame is positioned within proximity of
a floor, and a second usable position wherein said upper bed frame
is generally horizontal.
10. The bed framework of claim 9, wherein said upper bed is at
least partially supported by a pivoting brace.
11. The bed framework of claim 10, wherein said upper bed is at
least partially supported by a ladder.
12. The bed framework of claim 11, wherein said upper bed is at
least partially supported by two guide channels disposed on said
stationary support framework.
13. The bed framework of claim 12, wherein said upper bed includes
at least two guide members, each of said guide members positioned
to slide within one of said two guide channels.
14. The bed framework of claim 13, further comprising an elevation
lock disposed on said upper bed frame to maintain an elevation of
said upper bed frame.
15. The bed framework of claim 14, wherein said ladder is
selectively engagable with said lower bed frame.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/889,711 filed Feb. 13, 2007 entitled
Fold-Out Bed Frame which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recreational vehicles, boats and trailers (collectively,
"RV's"), there is an ever present need for lifting mechanisms.
While such lifting devices are rarely a necessity in RV's, they
nevertheless maintain an important functional role with respect to
space maximization and storage.
[0003] Generally, RV's are constrained in size by their safety to
drive, ease to maneuver, and affordability to the average traveler.
Further, RV manufacturing companies have strived to provide the
greatest number of features in the least amount of space.
Consequently, improvements have been made over the years to
increase the amount of usable space within the vehicle.
[0004] Some designs attempt to maximize space by way of lifting
devices. Thus, to the extent feasible, the used space can be
convertible for dual or even multiple purposes by lifting furniture
or other objects out of the way.
[0005] One of the largest pieces of furniture within an RV is the
bed. Many designers have maximized usable space by designing a bed
that lowers and raises within an RV. Examples of such designs
include U.S. Publication No. 20050001444 and U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,557,190; 6,231,114; and 3,266,062, all herein incorporated by
reference.
[0006] Some bed lift designs, such as the design of U.S. Pat. No.
5,984,404, the contents of which are herein incorporated by
reference, use straps and pulleys to increase or decrease the
height of the bed. Lift systems such as these that use retractable
straps are often desirable due to their overall low weight,
inexpensive components, and lifting efficiency.
[0007] While these strap designs operate with general satisfaction,
their strap supports typically allow the bed to move and swing
horizontally when the vehicle is in motion or when in use by the
user. In some circumstances, this horizontal movement may cause the
bed to contact portions of the vehicle's interior, possibly
resulting in damage. Further, the straps used to support the bed
are typically fully exposed to the vehicle's interior, allowing for
possible snags or damage, as well as undesirable aesthetics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one preferred embodiment according to the present
invention, a bed framework is described which includes an upper bed
frame and a lower bed frame that can fold between a usable position
and a stowed position. The upper bed frame is connected to a
stationary support frame so as to pivot and slide, minimizing the
height of the upper bed frame in the stored position. The upper bed
frame is also supported by pivoting braces and a fold-out ladder,
distributing the weight of the user and thereby reducing the
likelihood of failure of the framework due to stress. Additionally,
the various components of the bed framework can be locked into
different positions, preventing movement and possible damage when
the vehicle is in motion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a bed frame in
a folded position according to the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates a slide plate of the bed frame of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates the bed frame of FIG. 1 in a folded out
position;
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a guide channel of the bed frame of FIG.
3;
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a lock pin of the bed frame of FIG.
3;
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a brace hinge of the bed frame of FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates a locking pop pin of the bed frame of
FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a folding ladder of the bed frame of
FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates a swing down lower bed leg of the bed
frame of FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates the bed frame of FIG. 1 with the top bed
frame folded for storage and the bottom bed frame folded out for
use;
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged view of the bed frame of
FIG. 12;
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged view of the bed frame of
FIG. 12;
[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates a locking pop pin of the ladder of the
bed frame of FIG. 12;
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates sidewall receiving brackets of the bed
frame of FIG. 12; and
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates stop angle blocks of the bed frame of
FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIGS. 1-17 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a bed frame
system 100 that can fold away to a lengthwise (i.e., vertical)
storage position, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, to maximize space
within a recreational vehicle. As seen in FIGS. 3-11, a top bed
frame 106 and a bottom bed frame 104 fold down, providing two
sleeping areas or, as seen in FIGS. 12-17 only one frame may be
folded down (e.g., lower frame 104).
[0027] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the height of the bed frames when
in its folded storage position is relatively low due to the guide
channels 128, seen best in FIG. 6 and described in further detail
below, which allow the end of the upper bed frame 106 to slide
downwards for storage. Thus, the bed frames 104 and 106 fold for
storage so that their ends are very close to each other and the
vehicle's floor, thereby minimizing the overall height of the
system 100.
[0028] The bed frame system 100 includes a stationary support
framework 102 having two L-shaped side members connected by support
members. The stationary support framework 102 preferably is secured
(e.g., via bolts or screws) to a floor and wall of the vehicle,
however, it may also be built into the vehicle (i.e., the surfaces
of the support framework 102 may simply be part of the walls and
floors of the vehicle.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, the lower bed frame 104 is pivotally
mounted at joint 134, allowing the frame 104 to pivot between an
upright position (e.g., about a 90 degree position seen in FIG. 1)
and a horizontal position (e.g., about a 0 degree position seen in
FIG. 12).
[0030] The lower bed frame 104 is maintained in the upright
position by a latch mechanism seen best in FIGS. 2 and 16. The
latch mechanism includes a biased lock slide plate 132 having a
latching hook portion that engages with locking pin 133 on the
lower bed frame 104. The lock slide plate 132 is preferably spring
biased into a locking position (i.e., a position that will lock the
locking pin 133). The locking pin 133 can be released from the lock
slide plate 132 by pulling on the handle 130. In this respect, the
lower bed frame 104 can be releasably locked in the upright
position and moved to the desired horizontal position.
[0031] A lower bed support 124 can be folded out via pivotal joints
120 to support one end of the lower bed frame 104. As seen in FIG.
17, stop angle blocks 140 are included on the bed frame 104 to
support the lower bed support 124 in a desired position, thereby
maintaining the support 124 and bed in a safe and secure
position.
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the upper bed
frame 106 is pivotally connected to the guide channels 128,
allowing the frame 106 to slide along the length of the guide
channels 128 and pivot or rotate to between a vertical position
(e.g., FIG. 1) and a horizontal position (e.g., FIG. 3).
Specifically, the bed frame 106 includes a guide member 111 (i.e.,
one for each guide channel 128) that slides within the guide
channel 128.
[0033] Additionally, the frame 106 includes a biased lock pin 113,
seen best in FIGS. 6 and 7, that locks the guide member 111 at a
position (e.g., an elevation) within the guide channel 128.
Preferably, the lock pin 113 is a spring biased pin that moves into
and out of position within locking apertures of the guide channel
128.
[0034] The frame 106 also includes a pivoting brace 108 (seen best
in FIG. 8) that provides further support to the frame 106. The
brace 108 is pivotally connected to the support framework 102 by
pivoting joint 110 and is connected to the frame 106 by pivoting
joint 112.
[0035] One end of the frame 106 is further supported by a ladder
116, seen best in FIG. 10. The ladder is connected to the frame 106
via two hinges 118 and can be locked in a storage position against
the frame 106 by pin lock 120 (seen best in FIGS. 1, 9, 14 and 15).
Preferably, the pin lock 120 is located on the frame 106 and is
spring biased to releasably lock into an aperture near the bottom
of the ladder 116.
[0036] As best seen in FIG. 10, the feet 120 of the ladder 116 are
positioned into two mating cups or passages that prevent the ladder
116 from slipping out. Further, the cups 122 preferably include a
spring biased pin lock (not shown) that releasably lock into
apertures in the feet 120. Thus, a user can pull against the bias
of the pin lock, then pull the feet 120 out of the cups 122 to
remove the ladder 116.
[0037] In operation, the bed frame system 100 is expanded from a
storage position seen in FIG. 1 by first pulling on the handle 130
to cause the lock slide plate 132 to release the locking pin 133
and thereby unlock the lower bed frame 104. Next, the lower bed
support 124 is swung out from the bed frame 104 and the bed frame
104 is rotated to the ground (i.e., to the position seen in FIG.
12).
[0038] To fold out the upper bed frame 106, the lower end of the
frame 106 is slide up along the guide channels 128 and locket by
locking pin 113. Next, locking pin 120 is pulled to release the
ladder 116. The ladder 116 is pivoted away from the frame 106 so
that the feet 120 are placed into cups 122.
[0039] The bed frame system 100 is stored by following the reverse
procedure. In other words, the ladder 116 is released and locked
into a storage position, the upper frame is unlocked and slide into
a vertical position, the lower frame 104 is moved to a vertical
position and the lower bed support is folded to a storage position
against the lower bed frame 104.
[0040] It should be understood that the bed frame system 100 can
fold to a relatively compact space from the usable position (e.g.,
FIG. 3), especially since the upper bed frame 106 not only pivots
but slide between different elevations. This allows the upper bed
frame 106 to stow away so that one end of the upper bed frame 106
is positioned on or near the floor. Thus, the upper bed frame 106
does not require a relatively high ceiling as it otherwise would if
the upper frame 106 only pivoted when in a stored or stowed
position (e.g., the stowed position of FIG. 1). Additionally, the
multiple support features of the upper frame 106 (e.g., ladder 116,
brace 108 and guide channels 128) distribute the weight of a user
and therefore reduce the possibility of failure.
[0041] While not depicted in the Figures, it should be understood
that mattresses or cushions are specifically contemplated for use
on the bed frames 104 and 106.
[0042] While the bed frame system 100 has been depicted as folding
lengthwise (i.e., the bed frames 104 and 106 fold at their ends),
it is also contemplated that the frames could fold or pivot along
their side. In other words, the frames 104 and 106 could be
oriented and hinge sideways in the stationary framework 102.
[0043] Although the invention has been described in terms of
particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in
the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional
embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of
or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is
to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are
proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the
invention and should not be construed to limit the scope
thereof.
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