U.S. patent application number 12/257177 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for folding bunk with ladder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Daimler AG. Invention is credited to Jochen BISINGER, Dieter Reckels, Holger Schleife, Kai Sieber.
Application Number | 20100101020 12/257177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42055233 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100101020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BISINGER; Jochen ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
FOLDING BUNK WITH LADDER
Abstract
A folding bunk with ladder is to save space and be easy to use
in a motor vehicle. The design layout therefore constitutes a
folding bunk with a support frame for placement of a mattress, a
folding axis that is arranged on a first side of the support frame
for pivoting the folding bunk, and a ladder mounted on the second
side of the support frame opposite the first side. The ladder is
mounted on the support frame in such a way that it can only pivot
on a pivot axis parallel to the folding axis and has no other
degrees of freedom. In this way, the ladder can be moved into the
useable position in one single operation. If required, the ladder
can be combined with a safety element to protect the person lying
on the folding bunk.
Inventors: |
BISINGER; Jochen;
(Esslingen, DE) ; Reckels; Dieter; (Portland,
OR) ; Schleife; Holger; (Stuttgart, DE) ;
Sieber; Kai; (Portland, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
Daimler AG
Stuttgart
DE
|
Family ID: |
42055233 |
Appl. No.: |
12/257177 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P 3/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
5/118 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/80 20060101
A47C017/80 |
Claims
1. A folding bunk for a vehicle comprising: a support frame for
placement of a mattress, a folding axis being arranged on a first
side of the support frame for pivoting the folding bunk, and a
ladder that is arranged on a second side of the support frame
opposite the first side, wherein the ladder, at the support frame,
is mounted on a pivot axis parallel to the folding axis such that
the ladder can only pivot and has no other degrees of freedom.
2. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ladder
can be folded into the support frame and secured in position to the
support frame to prevent the ladder from folding out.
3. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 2, wherein the ladder,
in a folded-in position, is arranged within a geometric envelope
enclosure of the support frame.
4. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support
frame has an integrated mechanism that transmits swivel motion of
the support frame about the folding axis to the ladder to enable a
swivel motion about the pivot axis in an opposite direction.
5. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ladder
is fixed to a safety element that serves to provide protection for
a person on the folding bunk.
6. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 5, wherein the safety
element has two parallel tubes that are joined at ends thereof.
7. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 5, wherein the ladder
and the safety element are made from the same tube material.
8. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 5, wherein the ladder
and the safety element are formed as one piece.
9. The folding bunk in accordance with claim 5, wherein the ladder
and the safety element each have an outer form of a rectangle,
wherein longitudinal directions of both rectangles are positioned
vertical with respect to each other, and wherein both components
are secured to each other at a corner of the respective
rectangle.
10. A motor truck with a folding bunk in accordance with claim 1.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Cross references are hereby made to commonly assigned U.S.
Patent applications ______, ______, and ______ (Attorney docket
nos. 60631US, 60630US, and 60629US), filed on the same date as the
present application.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a folding bunk for a motor
vehicle, featuring a support frame for a mattress, a folding axis,
which is arranged on a first side of the support frame for pivoting
the folding bunk, and a ladder, which is arranged on a second side
of the support frame opposite the first side. Such a folding bunk
can be used in the tractor or towing vehicle of a motor truck.
[0003] A loft bunk ladder for motor homes or caravans is known from
European publication EP 1 842 721 A2. The bunk features a lying
surface and a frame. In its upper stowed position, the ladder can
be stowed away under the support frame for the lying surface and,
from this upper stowed position, the ladder can be pulled out into
an upper intermediate position. From this upper intermediate
position, at least two pivot joints enable the ladder to be pivoted
about an approximately horizontal axis down into a lower useable
position.
[0004] European publication EP 1 842 720 A2 also describes a loft
bunk ladder for mobile homes and caravans. A corresponding
lift-away bunk exhibits a lying surface and a frame. In its upper
stowed position, the ladder can be stowed away under the frame of
the lying surface and, from this upper stowed position, can be
pulled out in the longitudinal direction of the ladder into an
upper intermediate position. From this upper intermediate position,
at least two pivot joints enable the ladder to be pivoted about an
approximately horizontal axis into a lower useable position around
a pivot axis parallel to the corresponding edge of the frame.
[0005] International publication WO 03/042484 A1 shows a folding
ladder that is also secured to a loft bunk. The upper ends of the
vertical struts of the ladder are secured to the front side of the
bunk. The ladder can be pivoted in a plane parallel to the front
side. When swung in, the folded ladder therefore represents a
bar-shaped body.
[0006] German publication DE 101 09 054 A1 discloses an access aid
for a bunk in a driver's cab of a motor truck. The access aid has a
ladder with two linear side sections that, starting from a common
head section, taper on an incline. Several rungs extend between the
two side sections. The access aid additionally features a mount
that is arranged on a frame of the bunk and on which the head
section is mounted such that it pivots and rotates.
[0007] A problem with such access aids or ladders for folding bunks
is that they are either difficult to use or require a large amount
of space for moving from the stowed position into the useable
position. In addition, it would be of advantage to provide a safety
element on a loft or folding bunk so that the user is prevented
from falling off while lying on the bunk.
[0008] One object of this invention is therefore to propose a
folding bunk that has a ladder which is easier to use.
[0009] This object is achieved by a folding bunk for a motor
vehicle with a support frame for a mattress, with a folding axis
arranged on a first side of the support frame for pivoting the
folding bunk, and a ladder, which is arranged on the second side of
the support frame opposite the first side. The ladder is mounted on
the support frame in such a way that it can only pivot on a pivot
axis parallel to the folding axis and, therefore, has no other
degrees of freedom.
[0010] In an advantageous layout it is possible to move the ladder
of the folding bunk into its useable position by means of simple
pivot motion. In addition, the ladder requires little space to
extend.
[0011] Advantageously, the ladder can be swivelled into the support
frame and secured to the support frame in position to prevent it
from swivelling out. Additional space is saved due to the fact that
the ladder can be swivelled into the support frame and is thus
located, at least partially, within an envelope enclosure of the
support frame. The envelope enclosure corresponds to a theoretical
envelope which would approximately form a closed flexible film that
completely envelops the support frame. Grooves and recesses in the
support frame generally do not, or only scarcely, influence the
form of the envelope enclosure.
[0012] In a folded-in position, the ladder can be arranged
completely within the geometric envelope enclosure of the support
frame. This arrangement not only makes it possible to save space
but also reduces the risk of injury.
[0013] In a particularly advantageous design, there is a mechanism
integrated in the support frame that transmits pivot motion of the
support frame about the folding axis to the ladder to enable pivot
motion in the opposite direction about the pivot axis. In this way,
the ladder automatically pivots into its useable position as the
bunk is folded down. The mechanism can be designed in such a way
that the ladder is always positioned vertically while folding down
the bunk.
[0014] In a further configuration, the ladder can be fixed to a
safety element that serves the purpose of protecting a person lying
on the folding bunk. In this way, the safety element can be pivoted
together with the ladder from a stowed position into a useable
position.
[0015] The safety element can exhibit two parallel tubes that are
joined at the ends. One tube can run along the pivot axis and
assume a bearing function while the other tube has a holding
function to protect a person.
[0016] In addition, the ladder and the safety element can be made
from the same tube material. For example, the combination of ladder
and safety element can be manufactured from stainless steel tubes
to guarantee a high degree of stability. It is particularly
advantageous when the ladder and the safety element are made as one
piece, thus further increasing the stability.
[0017] Furthermore, the ladder and the safety element can assume
the outer form of a rectangle where the longitudinal directions of
both rectangles are positioned vertical with respect to each other
and both components are secured to each other at a corner of the
respective rectangle. This results in an easy-to-use safety
element-ladder combination which requires less package space and
provides a high degree of operating convenience.
[0018] Advantageously, the folding bunk according to the invention
is used in a motor truck. It can, however, also be used in motor
homes, caravans, trains, and the like.
[0019] The invention is described in more detail in the following
based on the enclosed drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a folding bunk according to the invention in a
folded-down position;
[0021] FIG. 2 shows the bunk of FIG. 1 in a folded-up position;
and
[0022] FIG. 3 shows the bunk of FIGS. 1 and 2 during the folding
procedure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The embodiment described in more detail in the following
represents a preferred design of the invention.
[0024] The folding bunk 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is mounted on a
wall 2 of a motor vehicle in such a way that it can pivot. The
folding bunk features a frame and, if required, a slatted frame
(not illustrated here), which together form the support frame 3 for
a mattress 4. In this example, the folding bunk 1 is shown between
several other items of furniture such as cabinets, shelves, a lower
bunk, and similar items that have no relevance here.
[0025] A ladder 5 in folded-down position is located at the front
side of the folding bunk 1, i.e. on the side of the bunk 1 opposite
the wall 2. This ladder is made up of two parallel spars 50 and 51,
between which ladder rungs 52, 53, 54 and 55 are arranged. In the
useable position illustrated in FIG. 1, the rung 52 represents the
lowest rung on the ladder 5. The topmost rung 55 serves less as a
climbing aid, instead assuming the function of stabilizing the
ladder 5 and enabling the ladder 5 to pivot. For this purpose, the
topmost rung 55 exhibits a linear extension 56 that protrudes into
a corresponding bearing element in the support frame 3.
[0026] A safety element 6 is secured directly to the ladder 5. For
this purpose, the topmost rung 55 of the ladder 5 is extended by an
axis tube 60 in the direction opposite the extension element 56.
The safety element 6 also exhibits a safety tube 61 that runs
parallel to the axis tube 60. The axis tube 60 and the safety tube
61 are connected by means of a first spacer tube 62 at the ends
facing towards the ladder and with a second spacer tube, not shown
in FIG. 1, at the opposite ends. The first spacer tube 62
represents an extension of the left-hand spar 50 of the ladder 5.
The axis tube 60 has a linear extension 63 at the end opposite the
ladder 5. This extension 63 also protrudes into the support frame 3
and forms a part of the second pivot bearing of the ladder-safety
element combination. The pivot axis therefore extends from the
extension 56 through the tubes 55 and 60 to the extension 63. The
tube 60 constitutes a part of the safety element 6 and the tube 55
is a rung of the ladder 5.
[0027] The external dimensions of the ladder 5 are such that the
ladder forms a rectangle with rounded corners. This is essentially
characterized by the lowermost rung 52, the topmost rung 55 and the
two spars 50 and 51. The two rectangles of the ladder 5 and of the
safety element 6 are secured to each other at each of their
corners. This arrangement results in a mounting point 7, which
forms a cross in the center comprising the tubes 55, 62, and 60, as
well as the spar 50.
[0028] Here, the longitudinal direction of the rectangle of the
safety element 6 is positioned vertically with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the rectangle of the ladder 5.
[0029] In this example, the ladder 5 and the safety element 6 are
made from a welded tubular structure. The tubes can be made from
stainless steel, for example. In total, this makes up a one-piece
ladder-safety element component that can be pivoted.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows the folding bunk 1 in the folded-up position,
i.e. in the stowed or unused position. The underneath or bottom
surface 30 of the support frame 3 exhibits indentations 31, into
which the ladder 5 is completely folded. It therefore does not
protrude above the bottom surface 30 of the support frame 3. In
this way, the ladder 5 does not increase the space requirement of
the folding bunk 1. The safety element 6 protrudes with its tubes
61 and 62 vertically over the folding bunk 1. This, however, is of
no consequence, as the safety element 6 rests against the wall 2 of
the vehicle in this unused position.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a person folding down the folding bunk 1. The
folding bunk 1 is in an intermediate position between the useable
position and the unused position. The bottom surface 30 of the
support frame 3 thus forms an obtuse angle with respect to the wall
2 of the vehicle. The ladder 5 is aligned vertically even in this
inclined position. In a simple design layout, the ladder-safety
element combination can be moved independent of the folding bunk 1.
With the ladder 5 and safety element 6 correspondingly dimensioned,
gravity alone ensures that the combination automatically aligns
vertically about the pivot axis, represented by the tubes 55 and
60.
[0032] In a further developed design layout, however, the movement
of the folding bunk 1 is directly coupled to the movement of the
ladder-safety element combination. In the support frame 3, for this
purpose, a mechanism is provided that transfers the pivot motion of
the support frame 3 relative to the wall 2 into a movement of the
ladder-safety element combination relative to the support frame 3,
but in the opposite direction. The mechanism is designed in such a
way that the ladder-safety element combination is always arranged
parallel to the wall 2 as the support frame 3 moves. This mechanism
also has the added advantage that, both in the retracted position
(unused position) as well as in the extended position (useable
position) of the folding bunk 1, the ladder-safety element
combination is fixed in terms of its pivot movement, as the support
frame 3 is stationary in these positions. Otherwise, if such a
motion transmission mechanism is not provided, use is made of
corresponding locking facilities in the respective positions of the
support frame 3 in order to hold the ladder-safety element
combination in the required position.
[0033] The motion transmission mechanism in the support frame 3 can
be realized by a suitable gear system, a suitable linkage, or belts
and so on. With such a mechanism, the bunk, including the
ladder-safety element combination, can be lowered into the useable
position with one single movement.
[0034] Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those
skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody
within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as
reasonably and properly come within the scope of his contribution
to the art.
* * * * *