U.S. patent application number 15/361340 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-25 for sofa convertible into bunk bed.
This patent application is currently assigned to Flexsteel Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Flexsteel Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to David E. WALLIS.
Application Number | 20170143130 15/361340 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58719393 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170143130 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WALLIS; David E. |
May 25, 2017 |
SOFA CONVERTIBLE INTO BUNK BED
Abstract
A sofa bed is convertible to a bunk bed using front and rear
links coacting with gas cylinders to lift a bunk frame from the
sofa position, in which it is used for seating, to a bunk bed
position where seat cushions are used on the bunk and a mattress is
available for a lower bunk, being lockable in a down, or seating
position and lockable in and up, or bunk bed position with a brace
and ladder deployable to secure the bunk.
Inventors: |
WALLIS; David E.; (Dubuque,
IA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Flexsteel Industries, Inc. |
Dubuque |
IA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Flexsteel Industries, Inc.
Dubuque
IA
|
Family ID: |
58719393 |
Appl. No.: |
15/361340 |
Filed: |
November 25, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62259956 |
Nov 25, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 17/13 20130101;
A47C 17/22 20130101; A47C 19/20 20130101; A47C 17/58 20130101; A47C
19/205 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/04 20060101
A47C017/04; A47C 19/20 20060101 A47C019/20 |
Claims
1. A sofa bed convertible into a bunk bed has a base frame assembly
formed with side frames interconnecting a rear transverse frame and
a front transverse frame, said base frame having a front and a back
thereby respectively defining a front and rear of said frame
assembly; said side frames have lower rear pivot mounting members
positioned near the rear and lower front pivot mounting members
positioned near the front of said side frames; an upper bunk
including a perimetrical frame has a bunk side frames and a top
rear guardrail assembly projecting upwardly from said perimetrical
frame and interconnecting said rear and top side frames, thereby
forming a bunk enclosed on the sides and rear, but with the front
open when in a lowered, seating, position; said lower front pivot
mounting members pivotally connect to a front link and said lower
rear pivot mounting members pivotally connect to a rear link at the
respective bottom link pivots of each front and rear link; said
bottom link pivots lie in different horizontal planes; said upper
bunk frame having placed thereon a front pivot mounting strut with
an upper front pivot mount thereon and a rear pivot mount said
upper pivot being pivotally connected to said front link and said
rear pivot being pivotally connected to said rear link; said upper
link pivots lie in different horizontal planes; each of said front
and rear links having a timing arm depending from said links
proximate said bottom link pivots, such that said arms depend
substantially vertically downwardly when said sofa has said bunk in
a lowered position; a timing link pivotally interconnecting said
arms to one another; said bunk being movable from said lowered
position to an upper bunk bed position through movement controlled
by said front, rear and timing links such that said bunk remains in
a substantially horizontal position through its range of
motion.
2. The sofa of claim 1 further comprising: movement of said bunk
through operative interconnection of said links is controlled as
said bunk moves from said lower position, slightly frontwardly and
upwardly and then after passing a crest of forward movement,
slightly rearwardly into a substantially vertically inline location
above said frame at said upper position, through said front links
rotating around said front link top pivot and said front link
bottom pivot in time with said rear links rotating around said rear
link top pivot and said rear link bottom pivot, said timing being
additionally controlled by said front and rear links having said
respective front and rear timing arms projecting downwardly, and
generally perpendicularly at a slightly obtuse angle to said front
and rear links, said arms being themselves interconnected by said
timing links to coordinate the rotation of said front and rear
links as said bunk is raised or lowered.
3. The sofa of claim 2 further comprising: said pivotally connected
front, rear and timing links and arms, comprising a linkage in
which a cylinder is connected at a cylinder upper to said rear link
and a cylinder lower pivot at said lower side frame so as to urge
said bunk upwardly and permit downward movement for stowing in a
seating position said urging exerted by directly urging the rear
link upward as the bunk is moved in that direction while resisting
closing from a bunk position to a seating position by weight or
imparted force, whereby said timing link and pivot arrangement
transfers forces to the entire linkage.
4. The sofa of claim 2 further comprising: mechanical advantage is
deploying said bunk from a sitting position to a bunk bed position,
and resisting forces tending to impart lowering from said bunk bed
position to said sitting position is accomplished by a mechanical
apparatus bearing on said linkage comprising one of pneumatic
cylinders, electric motors and power transmission; hydraulic motors
and power transmission; cable operation.
5. The sofa of claim 2 further comprising: a pivoting brace and
ladder assembly being mounted so as to substantially span said side
frames and rest in a folded position when said bunk is in a sofa
position and to deploy upwardly to support said bunk in a bunk bed
position.
6. The sofa of claim 2 further comprising: said front link is
connected to a front strut depending downwardly from a bunk frame;
said strut being mounted to permit cooperation with components
enabling both upward locking of said bunk frame by said brace and
ladder assembly at a latching mechanism and incorporating downward
locking such as lock plate which engages a lock plunger in a
downward locking position; said plunger is manually or
automatically engageable and disengageable.
7. The sofa of claim 1 further comprising: front and rear timing
connection arms are interconnected by a timing link; said side
frames support a lower portion of a linkage mechanism with rear and
front links pivotally mounted at a front link bottom pivot and a
rear link bottom pivot respectively; said rear links are formed and
arranged to permit gas cylinders to be recess mounted within the
link structure; said timing arms are formed and arranged so as to
permit a first member to abut said timing link and a second member
to permit spacing for timing link pivots thereby providing
clearance for operation while providing a more broad bearing
arrangement for said pivots; pivot mounts being formed and arranged
so as to provide spaced bearing surfaces for the respective pivots
they receive; a crossbar interconnecting the ends of left and right
rear links.
8. The sofa of claim 5 further comprising: said bunk bed frame is
secured to said base frame through the interaction of said lock
assembly in which said lock plate engages said lock plunger by said
plunger engaging an aperture in said plate and in which said plate
is angled such that engagement of said plunger is essentially
perpendicular to plate and to the direction of motion of said bunk
as it is raised said interaction accomplishing said release action
by, after a release control is actuated, said plunger disengages
said aperture thereby permitting said bunk to be lifted with the
assistance of a mechanical advantage mechanism to said bunk bed
position.
9. The sofa of claim 8 further comprising: said plunger is operated
by one of cable actuation being interconnected to a manually
operated lock release, cable actuation being interconnected to
pedal operated lock release, an electrically actuated lock release,
a pneumatically actuated lock release or a hydraulically actuated
lock release.
10. The sofa of claim 5 further comprising: a front guard is
pivotally mounted to the front of said bunk frame so that said
guard can be stowed underneath when said bunk is moved to and is in
the sitting position, but can be rotated through substantially 270
degrees so that, in combination with side and rear guards a total
of four guards extends around the perimeter of said bunk frame
enclosing it on three edges and substantially enclosing on the
fourth.
11. A sofa convertible into bunk bed comprising: a base frame
assembly having a side frame; an upper bunk frame; a front link and
a rear link rotatably connecting the base frame to the upper bunk
frame such that the upper bunk frame elevates between a bunk bed
position and a sofa position, wherein the front link and the rear
link rotatably connect the base frame to the upper bunk frame such
that the upper bunk frame moves vertically while also remaining in
a substantially horizontal orientation when the upper bunk frame
elevates between the bunk bed position and the sofa position; the
front link includes a top pivot connected to the upper bunk frame
and a bottom pivot connected to the side frame; and the rear link
includes a top pivot connected to the upper bunk frame and a bottom
pivot connected to the side frame; a rear cylinder including an
upper pivot pivotally connected to a median portion of the rear
link and a lower pivot pivotally connected to a fixed location on
the side frame.
12. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 11, further
comprising: a ladder rotatably connected to the base frame and
configured to be rotated to a vertical position and locked; a front
brace connected to the ladder and configured to be rotated to a
vertical position and in conjunction with said ladder, and being
locked with a locking mechanism.
13. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 12, wherein: the
ladder rests over an upper portion of the base frame when in the
sofa position, and rotates in a first direction to the vertical
position; a front guard mounted to said upper bunk frame so as to
be stowable underneath said upper bunk frame and deployed outwardly
and thence upwardly to lock in a vertical position; said front
guard rotates towards a second direction opposite the first
direction.
14. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 13, further
comprising a mattress positioned on the base frame; and one or more
cushions positioned on the upper bunk frame, wherein the mattress
and the cushions are arranged such that the mattress remains in the
same position when the upper bunk frame is in the bunk bed position
and the sofa position.
15. A sofa convertible into bunk bed comprising: a base frame
assembly having a side frame, the side frame having a pivot mount;
an upper bunk frame; a front link and a rear link rotatably
connecting the base frame to the upper bunk frame such that the
upper bunk frame elevates between a bunk bed position and a sofa
position; wherein the front link includes a top pivot pivotally
connected to the upper bunk frame and a bottom pivot pivotally
connected to the side frame; the rear link includes a top pivot
pivotally connected to the upper bunk frame and a bottom pivot
pivotally connected to the side frame.
16. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 15 further
comprising: a rear cylinder including an upper pivot pivotally
connected to a median portion of the rear link and a lower pivot
pivotally connected to a fixed location on the side frame.
17. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 16 further
comprising: a ladder rotatably connected to the base frame and
configured to be rotated to a vertical position and locked; a front
brace connected to the ladder and configured to be rotated to a
vertical position and locked with a locking mechanism.
18. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 15 further
comprising: Force is imparted to move said bunk bed from a sitting
position to a bunk bed position and to resist lowering, by one of
gas cylinders, electric motor and power transmission; cable
actuation.
19. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 17 further
comprising: a lock mechanism for positively locking said bunk in a
sitting position; a latch mechanism for latching said ladder and
brace in a bunk bed position.
20. The sofa convertible into bunk bed of claim 19 further
comprising: said lock mechanism can be actuated by one of cable
operated manual control, cable operated pedal control, electrical
control, pneumatic control or hydraulic control.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority on Provisional application
Ser. No. 62/259,956 filed Nov. 26, 2015, having the same title and
inventor as the present application and having attorney docket No.
CU-72546. This application claims priority on copending application
Ser. No. 15/360,791 filed Nov. 23, 2016.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a furniture
assembly, and more particularly, to a sofa bed convertible into a
bunk bed having a mechanism being compact and particularly
adaptable to placement in vehicles or dimensionally limited
locations.
[0004] Background
[0005] A sofa usually has a seating surface, a back surface, and
arms, while a bunk bed has a plurality of sleeping surfaces
oriented with at least a portion of a top sleeping surface
vertically displaced above a lower sleeping surface. The
convertible bunk bed stores the bed in the area above the seating
surface. In the prior art EP2110054 (A1) "Mechanism for bunk beds
and sofa-bed comprising this mechanism" appears to use curved links
to enable a bunk bed to be moved vertically to a position above the
lower bed. In the prior art CN202553068 (U) "Novel dual-use sofa"
the arms of the sofa are pivoted so that the top bunk is inverted
when the sofa is in the seating position and when rotated 180
degrees upwardly so that the frame inverts to present the opposite
surface for sleeping.
[0006] The former utilizes a mechanism of some complexity for ease
of deployment, but lacks a desirable level of rigidity and support
when in the bunk bed position. The latter requires a substantial
range of motion for movement of significant mass in directions
atypical to the user.
[0007] In the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 405,495 "Foldable Bunk Bed
Assembly" a hinged outer portion of a seat back converts to upper
bunk but requires mounting on a wall or bulkhead. U.S. Pat. No.
7,360,261 "Sofa" hinges the seat back to the seat back frame
pivoting upward to a bunk bed position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,101,
"Sofa-bunk bed combination with pivotable cushion" pivots and
elevates the seat back to be used as the top bunk. Published
application CN202553068U "Novel dual-use sofa" has a hinged front
and rear portion with overlapping platforms in which the front
portion rotates forwardly and upwardly and inverts, the upper
inverted platform forming the bunk bed and the lower platform
forming the lower bed. Published application EP2110054 (A1)
"Mechanism for bunk beds and sofa-bed comprising this mechanism"
uses complex linkage to raise and invert a lower seat platform so
that when inverted and fully raised it forms a top bed in a bunk
bed.
[0008] The present invention solves problems in the prior art
described above. The sofa convertible to a bunk bed described
herein provides superior sleeping surfaces in a more compact
footprint and range of motion, while additionally providing
structure for mounting in vehicles and clearance for mounting such
securement apparatus as seat belts and harnesses over that of the
prior art sofa bunk beds. Links acting in combination with
pneumatic cylinders or other telescoping struts provide mechanical
advantage and locking for a trussile support mechanism. The frame
design additionally incorporates guards and ladders in a unitary
assemblage.
[0009] Two main embodiments are shown, one with a front link having
a pivot carried in a track and a second having fixed pivot for the
front link. Each embodiment may have alternative embodiments within
the teaching of the main embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the
sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position.
[0012] FIG. 3 a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the
sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed with the front guard undeployed.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed in the mid-position.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the mid-position.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position taken
on line A-A of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
with mattress and cushions shown.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
with mattress and cushions shown with the bunk configured for
sleeping.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
back cushion. FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment
of the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the
sofa taken on line A-A of FIG. 1 having a first alternative track
and gas cylinder pivot location.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of an embodiment of the
sofa taken on line A-A of FIG. 1 having a second alternative track
and gas cylinder pivot location.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
sofa taken on line A-A of FIG. 1 having a third alternative track
and gas cylinder pivot location.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the
sofa taken on line A-A of FIG. 1 having a fourth alternative track
and gas cylinder pivot location.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position.
[0030] FIG. 21 a perspective view of another embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed with the front guard undeployed.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position.
[0035] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sofa
convertible to a bunk bed in the mid-position.
[0036] FIG. 27 is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the sofa position, taken on
line A-A of FIG. 19.
[0037] FIG. 28 is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the mid-position.
[0038] FIG. 29 is a sectional elevational view of an embodiment of
the sofa convertible to a bunk bed in the bunk bed position taken
on line B-B of FIG. 19.
[0039] FIG. 30 is a fragmentary perspective view of the left side
linkage assembly, looking from the rear towards the front.
[0040] FIG. 31 is a fragmentary perspective view of the right side
linkage assembly, looking from the rear towards the front.
[0041] FIG. 32 is a sectional view of a powered variation on an
alternative embodiment.
[0042] FIG. 33 is a fragmentary sectional view of a lock
mechanism
[0043] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an embodiment in the bunk
bed position.
[0044] Terms such as front, side, rear, left and right as may be
used herein are relative terms referring to the sofa convertible to
a bunk bed and are not limited to its mounting, installation or
arrangement to any particular position or space in a room or
vehicle or to which direction a person is oriented on the sofa or
bed. Unless otherwise qualified left and right refer to the point
of view of a person sitting on the sofa.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] Referring to the drawings, the sofa bed 10 of this invention
is generally shown. The sofa bed 10 includes base frame assembly 12
with side frames 14 and 16 interconnected by rear transverse frame
18 and front transverse frame 20. Side frames 14 and 16 may be
formed of perimetrical frame members, solid plates 22, 24, or a
combination. Each plate 22, 24 is formed and arranged so as to have
an angled, straight tracks or guide slots 26, 28.
[0046] Advantages to using solid sheet or plate could include the
substantial elimination of components requiring assembly; the
ability to be formed through automated manufacturing means such as
laser cutting or other appropriate machining, and the elimination
of braces between the tracks or guide slots 26, 28 which can be
more easily maintained in position by the presence of the solid web
between them.
[0047] The upper bunk frame 30 is formed with a lower perimetrical
frame 32 and a rear guardrail assembly 34. On each side is a side
guard 36, 38.
[0048] Upper bunk frame 30, when deployed in the bunk bed position
is primarily supported by right and left front links 40, 42 and
right and left rear links 44, 46. The right and left front links
40, 42 are dynamically actuated and statically fixed (when locked)
by right and left front cylinders, 48, 50. The right and left rear
links 44, 46 are dynamically actuated and statically fixed (when
locked) by right and left rear cylinders, 52, 54. Cylinders 48, 50,
52, 54 are preferably pneumatic cylinders but equivalents such as
hydraulic cylinders, or spring, screw or rack and pinion mechanisms
could be used to perform the function of assisting in raising bunk
bed frame 30 and maintaining it in the bunk bed position 56.
[0049] Front brace and ladder assembly 60 is pivotally mounted to
the front frame In the bunk bed position 56 ladder 58 is rotated to
a vertical position and locked, front brace 60 is rotated to a
vertical position and locked with locking mechanism 64. Front guard
62 is rotated to a vertical position and locked with locking
mechanism 64. Extending upwardly from side frames 14 and 16 are
tabs 66, 68. These may be formed with frame members or plate or a
combination.
[0050] In an embodiment, here described with reference to left
links 42, 46 and cylinders 50, 54, which are shown in the sectional
views of FIG. 10, 11 and 12, left front link 42 has a top pivot 70
and bottom pivot 72. Left rear link 46 has a top pivot 74 and a
bottom pivot 76. Left front cylinder 48 has an upper pivot which is
connected to the corresponding link and a lower cylinder pivot 82.
Left rear cylinder 54 has an upper pivot 84 and a lower pivot 84.
The relative terms top, bottom, upper and lower refer to the
orientation of the components when in the bunk bed position.
[0051] Front link bottom pivot 72 is formed and arranged to slide
in guide slot 28 thereby providing the range of motion needed to
permit the upper bunk frame 30 to move vertically, while also
remaining in a substantially horizontal orientation. Rear link
bottom pivot 76 is mounted to tab 68 in a fixed location so as to
permit link 46 to rotate about pivot 76. Front link top pivot 70
and rear link top pivot 74 are mounted in fixed front and rear
locations on upper bunk frame 30.
[0052] Left front cylinder 48 is mounted with front cylinder lower
pivot 82 in a fixed location on plate 22 and the front cylinder
upper pivot connected at front link bottom pivot 72. As pivot 72
slides in angled slot 28, pivot 82 causes compression of cylinder
48. However, as bunk frame 30 is moved first upwardly and
frontwardly and then continuing upwardly and rearwardly, cylinder
48 extends to aid in raising frame 30 to the bunk bed position 56.
This movement works together with rear cylinder 52 and rear link 44
through mounting rear cylinder lower pivot 86 on tab 66 with rear
cylinder upper pivot 84 mounted to the median portion of rear link
44. These references refer to the sectional views and the opposite
side will be a mirror image of that shown and described.
[0053] As frame 30 is moved from the sofa position toward the mid
position, left rear cylinder 54 compresses slightly, but as link 46
passes the axis of cylinder 54, then cylinder 54 urges link 46
upward toward bunk bed position 56. In bunk bed position 56 each of
right and left front cylinders, 48, 50 and right and left rear
cylinders, 52, and 54 may be locked. At this time the ladder 58 and
brace 60 are also locked at lock mechanisms 64. The bed is
converted to a sofa in substantially the reverse manner.
[0054] The geometry of links right and left front links 40, 42,
right and left rear links 44, 46 and their respective front link
top pivot 70 front link bottom pivot 72, rear link top pivot 74 ,
rear link bottom pivot 76, front cylinder upper pivot 80, front
cylinder lower pivot 82, rear cylinder upper pivot 84 and rear
cylinder lower pivot 86 is such that manual deployment may be
accomplished as described, while alternative cylinders and other
actuators and controls could be utilized for automatic
deployment.
[0055] The mattress 90 shown in FIGS. 3, 11, 12 and 13 and the
cushions shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 can advantageously be arranged so
that the mattress 90 remains in the same position, either under the
frame 30 when in the sofa position or available for sleeping in the
bunk bed position 56. Seat cushion 92 may be thick enough to serve
as a top mattress on the top bunk, or seat back cushion 94 could be
formed in a foldable manner and unfolded from the sofa seat back
configuration to a sleeping configuration. Cushion 92 could remain
and be combined with cushion 94 for double the thickness.
[0056] In the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and
18 sectional views at section A-A of FIG. 1, different
configurations of tracks and links provide properties that may be
tailored to specifically desired performance relative to the
movement, compactness, strength and mechanical rigidity, noting
sofa bed 10 right side frame 14 solid plates 22 guide slot 28 right
front link 40 right rear link 44, right front cylinders 48 and
right rear cylinder, 54 generally formed and arranged as described
above but with specific variations controlling the movement of the
bunk bed assembly as it is raised and lowered. In FIG. 15 and FIG.
16 slot 28 has a lower straight portion, a forwardly curving
intermediate portion and an upwardly curving upward portion. FIG.
16 has increased size component sections and reinforcing members on
plate 22. FIGS. 17 and 18 have some of the components removed for
clarity, but show slot 28 in different configurations. FIG. 17
shows slot 28 in a nearly vertical orientation, with a generally
straight lower portion an intermediate curve and a generally
straight upward portion. In FIG. 18 slot 28 has a near vertical
lower portion a forwardly curving intermediate portion and a
straight upper portion.
[0057] Two main embodiments are shown, one with a front link having
a pivot carried in a track and a second having fixed pivot for the
front link. In the second embodiment front and rear links each have
a lower pivot fixed on the side frame.
[0058] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19-22 sofa bed 10 has
a base frame assembly 212 formed with side frames 214 and 216
interconnecting rear transverse frame 218 and front transverse
frame 220. Side frames 214, 216 have rear pivot mounting members
222, 224 positioned near the rear and front pivot mounting members
226, 228 positioned near the front.
[0059] Upper bunk assembly 230 including perimetrical frame 232 has
top rear guardrail assembly 234 projecting upwardly from the rear
and top side frames 236, 238 at the side forming a bunk enclosed on
the sides and rear, but with the front open when in the lowered,
seating, position,
[0060] Pivotally connected to front pivot mounting members 226, 228
right and left front links 240, 242. Similarly, pivotally connected
to pivot mounting members 222, 224 are right and left rear links
244, 246.
[0061] In the down, or seating position, the bunk bed frame 230 is
secured to the base frame 212 through the interaction of a lock
assembly. In the embodiment show, lock plate 248, engaged with lock
plunger 250 engaging an aperture in plate 248. Plate 248 is angled
such that engagement of plunger 250 is essentially perpendicular to
plate 248 and to the direction of motion of the frame 230 as it is
raised. Plunger 250 can be cable actuated being interconnected to
lock release 251. Release 251 could be manually operated, pedal
operated, electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically operated.
Manual operation has advantages in the use of fewer and generally
more reliable parts. Electrical operation, such as by a solenoid
has advantages in the variable means for control whether by switch
or data processing controller.
[0062] After release 251 is actuated, plunger 250 disengages plate
248 thereby permitting upper bunk frame 230 to be lifted with the
assistance of right and left gas cylinders, 252, 254 to bunk bed
position 256.
[0063] Ladder 258 is, in this embodiment, part of the right side of
front brace frame 260. Frame 260 thus, has one ladder post at the
right side and another post at the left side. Frame 260 is
pivotally mounted to frame 212 so that it folds flat above mattress
290. When bunk frame 230 is fully raised, frame 260 is deployed to
as to latch to frame 260 thereby providing fixed vertical
support.
[0064] Front guard 262 is pivotally mounted to the front of frame
230 so that it can be stowed underneath when frame 230 is moved to
and is in the sitting position, but can be rotated through
substantially 270 degrees to provide a total of four guards around
the perimeter of frame 230.
[0065] In particular, front link mounting strut 263 depends
downwardly from frame 230 and in addition to providing structure to
which front links 240, 242 are pivotally connected (there is a
mounting strut 262 on each side of frame 230) additionally is
structurally supportive of plate 248 and ladder locking mechanism
264. Mechanism 264 I the embodiment uses projecting ladder locking
tabs 266 which receive frame rod 268. Other locking or other
engagement mechanisms could also be used.
[0066] The movement of assembly 230 using links 240, 242, 244 and
245 is controlled as bunk 230 moves slightly frontwardly and
upwardly and then slightly rearwardly into a substantially
vertically inline location above frame 212. This is accomplished as
links 240, 242, rotate around front link top pivot 270 and front
link bottom pivot 272 and links 244, 245 rotate around rear link
top pivot 274 and rear link bottom pivot 276.
[0067] Movement is additionally controlled by links 240, 242, 244
and 245 having front timing arms 278, 279 and rear timing arms 280,
281 projecting downwardly, and generally perpendicularly although
at a slightly obtuse angle. Arms 278, 279, 280 and 281 are
themselves interconnected by timing links 282 283 that coordinate
the rotation of links 240, 242, 244 and 245 as bunk 230 is raised
or lowered.
[0068] The interconnection links 240, 242, 244 and 245, arms 278,
279, 280, 281 timing links 282 283 and pivots 270, 272, 274 and 276
enables the use of cylinders 252, 254 connected at cylinder upper
pivot 284 and cylinder lower pivot 286 (each side having said
pivots) so as to urge bunk 230 upwardly and permit downward
movement for stowing in the seating position.
[0069] Thus, a single gas cylinder 252, 254 on each side directly
urges the rear link 244, 246 upward while resisting closing from a
bunk position 256 to a seating position and the timing link and
pivot arrangement transfers those forces to the entire linkage
arrangement. Each link 244, 246 has a top pivot 274 (hidden in FIG.
28) the rear link top pivot 274 connected directly to the bunk 230
using appropriate reinforcement and mounting members.
[0070] The front link 240, 242 is connected to a front strut 260
depending downwardly from the bunk frame 230. Strut 263 may be
advantageously mounted in cooperation with components enabling both
upward locking of brace frame 260 at locking mechanism 264 and
incorporating downward locking such as lock plate 248.
[0071] Each of the front 240, 242 and rear 244, 246 links has a
timing connection arm 278, 279, 280, 281 and the front 278, 279 and
rear 280, 281 timing connection arms are interconnected by a timing
link 282, 283. As shown in FIG. 30, 31, fragmentary perspective
views looking from the back toward the front at each back corner.
Looking forwardly side frames 216, 214 support the lower portion of
the linkage mechanism showing left and right rear links 246, 244
and left right front links 242, 240, pivotally mounted at front
link bottom pivot 272L, 272R and rear link bottom pivot 276 L, 276
R respectively. It will be noted that rear links 244, 246 can be
advantageously formed from channel thereby permitting left right
and gas cylinders, 254, 252 to be mounted within the flanges of the
channel. Additionally, timing arms 278, 279, 280, 281 can be
similarly formed, permitting the outer flanges to abut timing link,
283, 282 while the inner flanges permit spacing for timing link
pivots 283 P, 282 P thereby providing clearance for operation while
providing a more broad bearing arrangement for pivots 283 P, 282 P.
Pivot mounting members 222, 224, 226, 228 can be configured as
generally "U" shaped brackets providing similarly spaced bearing
surfaces for the respective pivots they receive. A crossbar 296
interconnects the ends of left and right rear links 246, 244. At
the bottom of side frames 214, 216 appropriate members could be
included such as flanges or braces 299 for mounting to a floor or
deck.
[0072] Electric motor actuation could also be used as shown in FIG.
32. An electric motor 312 could drive cables 314, 316 that operate
a threaded thrust assembly 318, 320 or a rack arrangement that
moves thrust member 322 which bears on arms 278, 279.
[0073] FIG. 34 shows an upholstered sofa 10 in bunk bed
configuration. Right and left side frames 214 and 216 are
upholstered as are top side frames 236, 238. Top rear guardrail
assembly 234 is covered and can receive removable seat back
cushions which provide back support when in the seating position,
with greater sleep area when removed. Seat cushions 292 can
function as a sleep surface or they could be replaced with a stored
mattress. The platform which supports the seat cushions and
mattress could be formed with grid systems, convoluted springs
hybrid grid and coil systems or springs such as are taught in U.S.
Pat. No. 9,103,397 the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference as if fully set forth herein.
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