U.S. patent application number 17/145660 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-06 for furniture objects for storing foldable beds.
This patent application is currently assigned to Night and Day Furniture LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Night and Day Furniture LLC. Invention is credited to Joel GROSSMAN, Howard PORTER.
Application Number | 20210127843 17/145660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005329940 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210127843 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PORTER; Howard ; et
al. |
May 6, 2021 |
FURNITURE OBJECTS FOR STORING FOLDABLE BEDS
Abstract
A chest configured to transition between an open position and a
closed position may include a front panel, side panels and a top
panel, the front panel including a first and second portions, the
side panels including first and second sub-side panels, the first
portion of the front panel being hingably connected to a base of
the chest, and the second portion of the front panel hingably
connected to the first portion of the front panel and fixed to the
first sub-side panels, wherein the second portion of the front
panel is stored within an enclosure formed by at least the first
portion of the front panel, the side panels and the top panel when
the chest is in the closed position, and the first portion and the
second portion of the front panel form a portion of a sleeping
platform when the chest is in the open position.
Inventors: |
PORTER; Howard; (Kuala
Lumpur, MY) ; GROSSMAN; Joel; (Petaling Jaya,
MY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Night and Day Furniture LLC |
Vancouver |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Night and Day Furniture LLC
Vancouver
WA
|
Family ID: |
1000005329940 |
Appl. No.: |
17/145660 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16519687 |
Jul 23, 2019 |
10888170 |
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17145660 |
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16429477 |
Jun 3, 2019 |
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16519687 |
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15983347 |
May 18, 2018 |
10349750 |
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16429477 |
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14809736 |
Jul 27, 2015 |
9993088 |
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15983347 |
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15828913 |
Dec 1, 2017 |
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16519687 |
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61999876 |
Aug 8, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 17/58 20130101;
A47C 19/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 17/58 20060101
A47C017/58; A47C 19/12 20060101 A47C019/12 |
Claims
1. A chest configured to transition between an open position and a
closed position, the chest comprising: a front panel, side panels
and a top panel, the front panel including a first portion and a
second portion, the side panels including first sub-side panels and
second sub-side panels, the first portion of the front panel being
hingably connected to a base of the chest, and the second portion
of the front panel hingably connected to the first portion of the
front panel and fixed to the first sub-side panels, wherein the
second portion of the front panel is stored within an enclosure
formed by at least the first portion of the front panel, the side
panels and the top panel when the chest is in the closed position,
and the first portion and the second portion of the front panel
form at least a portion of a sleeping platform when the chest is in
the open position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/519,687, filed on Jul. 23, 2019, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/828,913, filed
on December 1, 2017 and a continuation-in-part of U.S. application
Ser. No. 16/429,477, filed on Jun. 3, 2019, which is a continuation
application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/983,347, filed on May
18, 2018, which is a continuation application of U.S. application
Ser. No. 14/809,736, filed on Jul. 27, 2015, which claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/999,876 filed on Aug. 8, 2014, the entire contents of each of
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to furniture
objects configured to store foldable beds.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background
information related to the present disclosure and may not
constitute prior art.
[0004] Often, furniture apparatuses capable of more than one
function are used in environments (e.g., residential, commercial,
etc.) where space is limited. For example, futon beds or other like
foldable beds may be used in such environments as sitting furniture
(e.g., couches, sofas, etc.) and lying and/or sleeping furniture
(e.g., beds, etc.). In these environments, futon beds may make more
efficient use of the limited space and may relieve the need for
additional furniture. However, even futon beds may take up too much
space in certain environments.
SUMMARY
[0005] Some example embodiments relate to a chest configured to
transition between an open position and a closed position.
[0006] In some example embodiments, the chest includes a front
panel, side panels and a top panel, the front panel including a
first portion and a second portion, the side panels including first
sub-side panels and second sub-side panels, the first portion of
the front panel being hingably connected to a base of the chest,
and the second portion of the front panel hingably connected to the
first portion of the front panel and fixed to the first sub-side
panels, wherein the second portion of the front panel is stored
within an enclosure formed by at least the first portion of the
front panel, the side panels and the top panel when the chest is in
the closed position, and the first portion and the second portion
of the front panel form at least a portion of a sleeping platform
when the chest is in the open position.
[0007] In some example embodiments, the chest further includes
blocks configured to maintain a gap between the first portion of
the front panel and a ground during at least a portion of a
transition of the chest from the closed position to the open
position.
[0008] In some example embodiments, the blocks are pivotably
attached to the chest, the blocks configured to pivot outwards
beyond an outer surface of the first portion of the front panel
during the transition of the chest from the closed position to the
open position.
[0009] In some example embodiments, the blocks are pivotably
attached to the first portion of the front panel such that the
blocks are configured to support at least the first portion of the
front panel during a period of the transition of the chest from the
closed position to the open position.
[0010] In some example embodiments, the first sub-side panels each
include legs connected thereto, the legs including front legs and
rear legs.
[0011] In some example embodiments, the rear legs include rollers
attached to a bottom surface thereof, the rollers configured to
allow the rear legs to move in a first direction when a connection
point between the first portion and the second portion moves in a
second direction, the second direction being substantially
perpendicular to the first direction.
[0012] In some example embodiments, the second portion of the front
panel is configured to form a lever to assist in transitioning the
chest between the closed position and the open position.
[0013] In some example embodiments, rear legs attached to the first
sub-side panels act as a fulcrum of the lever.
[0014] In some example embodiments, the chest further includes a
rear foldable leg assembly connected to the first sub-side panels,
the rear foldable leg assembly configured to transition from a
folded state to an unfolded state such that, in the unfolded state,
the rear foldable leg assembly is configured to support at least a
lower portion of the sleeping platform.
[0015] In some example embodiments, the rear foldable leg assembly
includes a pair of rear legs such that, in the unfolded state, the
pair of rear legs are directly under a hinge connecting the second
portion of the front panel to the first portion of the front
panel.
[0016] In some example embodiments, the chest further includes a
folding deck within the enclosure, the folding deck configured to
transition between an unfolded state and a folded state such that
the folding deck separates the enclosure into a top portion and
bottom portion when the folding deck is in the unfolded state, and
combines the top portion and the bottom portion of the enclosure
into a single usable space when the folding deck is in the folded
state.
[0017] In some example embodiments, the second portion and the
first portion of the front panel form a lower portion and a middle
portion of the sleeping platform, respectively, when the chest is
in the open position, and the folding deck forms an upper portion
of the sleeping platform when the folding deck is in the unfolded
state.
[0018] In some example embodiments, the chest is configured to,
store a foldable mattress in the single usable space when the
folding deck is in the folded state, and receive the foldable
mattress on the sleeping platform when the chest is in the open
position and the folding deck is in the unfolded state.
[0019] In some example embodiments, when the chest is in the closed
position, an outer surface of the first portion of the front panel
is visible, and when the chest is in the open position, the
sleeping platform is configured to support the foldable mattress
such that the foldable mattress rests on the folding deck, an inner
surface of the first portion of the front panel and the second
portion of the front panel, the inner surface of the first portion
of the front panel being opposite the outer surface.
[0020] In some example embodiments, the top panel includes a first
sub-top panel and a second sub-top panel, the second sub-top panel
and the second sub-side panels forming at least part of the base of
the chest.
[0021] In some example embodiments, the first sub-side panels are
configured to abut respective ones of the second sub-side panels to
form the side panels when the chest is in the closed position, and
the first sub-top panel is configured to abut the second sub-top
panel to form the top panel when the chest is in the closed
position.
[0022] In some example embodiments, while the chest is
transitioning from the closed position to the open position, the
first sub-side panels are configured to move relative to the base
of the chest while the second sub-side panels remain
stationary.
[0023] In some example embodiments, the chest further includes a
back panel fixed to the second sub-side panels, the back panel
configured as a headboard when the chest is in the open
position.
[0024] In some example embodiments, the chest further includes a
strap attached to the second portion of the front panel, the strap
configured to transfer a force exerted by a user thereon to the
second portion of the front panel to unfold the second portion of
the front panel from on top of the first portion of the front panel
while the chest is transitioning to the open positon and to fold
the second portion of the front panel on top of the first portion
of the front panel while the chest is transitioning to the closed
position.
[0025] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description and figures provided herein. It should be understood
that the description and specific examples are intended for
purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the
scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes
only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure in any way.
[0027] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a chest configured to store a
foldable bed in a closed or folded position according to example
embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a strap used to convert the chest between
a closed or folded position and an open or unfolded position
according to example embodiments;
[0029] FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate a chest in an open or unfolded
position according to example embodiments;
[0030] FIGS. 10 to 28 illustrate a method of unfolding a chest from
an closed or folded positon to an open or unfolded position
according to example embodiments;
[0031] FIGS. 29 to 31 illustrate a kit including a chest configured
to store a foldable bed and a mattress according to example
embodiments;
[0032] FIGS. 32 to 34 illustrate a method of folding a chest from
an open or unfolded position to a closed or folded positon
according to example embodiments; and
[0033] FIGS. 35 to 42 illustrate a chest configured to store a
foldable bed according to some other example embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The following description is merely example in nature and is
not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.
It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding
reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and
features.
[0035] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as
being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be
directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening
elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred
to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another
element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words
used to describe the relationship between elements should be
interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly
between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.).
[0036] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an"
and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes"
and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of
stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or
components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or
more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items.
[0037] It will be understood that, although the terms first,
second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
components, regions, portions, and/or sections, these elements,
components, regions, portions, and/or sections should not be
limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish
one element, component, region, portion, or section from another
element, component, region, portion, or section. Thus, a first
element, component, region, portion, or section discussed below
could be termed a second element, component, region, portion, or
section without departing from the scope of the example
embodiments.
[0038] Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference
only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms
such as "upper," "lower," "above," "below," "top," "bottom,"
"upward," "downward," "upwardly," "downwardly," "forward,"
"rearward," and the like refer to directions in the drawings to
which reference is made. Terms such as "front," "back," "rear,"
"bottom," "side," and the like describe the orientation of portions
of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of
reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the
associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such
terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above,
derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the
terms "first," "second," and other such numerical terms referring
to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly
indicated by the context.
[0039] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as being limited to the example embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the concept of
the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0040] Example embodiments relate to a furniture object configured
to store a foldable bed. Example embodiments provide that the
furniture object may be a chest, cabinet, coffer, trunk or any
other like furniture object configured and/or adaptable to store a
foldable bed. The furniture object described herein may be
constructed, manufactured, or otherwise built in a variety of
shapes include any rectangular shape, square shape, and/or any
other like shape. The furniture objects described herein may be
constructed, manufactured, or otherwise built using a variety of
materials, such as wood, plastic, metal, minerals and/or any
combination thereof.
[0041] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a chest configured to store a
foldable bed in a closed or folded position according to example
embodiments;
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a chest 100 includes side panels
110, a top panel 120, a front panel 130, a back panel 140, and a
base 150 which may be visible when the chest 100 is in the closed
position.
[0043] The side panels 110 may include a first sub-side panels 110A
and second sub-side panels 110B. Each of the first sub-side panels
110A are configured to secure to a corresponding one of the second
sub-side panels 110B via a clasp 111. The side panels 110 may be
provided in plural such that one of the side panels 110 is provided
on each side of the chest 100.
[0044] The top panel 120 includes a first sub-top panel 120A and a
second sub-top panel 120B. The first sub-top panel 120A may include
a first portion 120A-1 and a second portion 120A-2 connected, for
example, via a first hinge 121. In some example embodiments, the
second hinge 121 may be a piano hinge. However, example embodiments
are not limited thereto. The first sub-top panel 120A may be
connected to each of the first sub-side panels 110A. For example,
the first portion 120A-1 of the first sub-top panel 120A may be
connected to the each of the first sub-side panels 110A and the
second portion 120A-2 of the first sub-top panel 120A may extend
therefrom such that the second portion 120A-2 of the first sub-top
panel 120A extends beyond the face of the front panel 130. Further,
the second sub-top panel 120A-2 may be connected to each of the
second sub-side panels 110B.
[0045] The front panel 130 includes an outer front panel (e.g. a
first portion) 130A and an inner front panel (e.g. a second
portion) 130B. The inner front panel 130B may be fixed to the first
portion 120A-1 of the first-sub-top panel 120A and the outer front
panel 130A may be fixed to the second portion 120A-2 of the
first-sub-top panel 120A such that the outer front panel 130A and
the inner front panel 130B are connected via the first hinge 121.
The outer front panel 130A may be connected to the base 150 via a
second hinge 131. In some example embodiments, the second hinge 131
may be a piano hinge. However, example embodiments are not limited
thereto.
[0046] While it may appear in FIG. 1 that the outer front panel
130A is attached to the first sub-side panels 110A, as will be
discussed later, the outer front panel 130A may be adjoined to the
first sub-side panels 110A when the chest 10 is in the closed
positon but may not be directly fixed to the first sub-side panels
110A.
[0047] The outer front panel 130A include one or more handles 132
provided to assist in transitioning the chest 100 from the closed
position to the open position. The handles 132 may be any type of
handle, knob, latch, hook or and/or any other like protrusion or
void that allows an operator to manually grip the top panel 110.
Further, the outer front panel 130A may include pivoting guards 160
therein. For example, the outer front panel 130A may include a pair
of the pivoting guards 160 in upper corners thereof. As will be
discussed in more detail below, the pivoting guards 160 may be
secured by pivot points to, for example, the outer front panel
130A.
[0048] The lower front panel 130B may include side portions
attached to each of the second sub-side panels 110B, where the
first sub-side panels 110A are configured to abut the side portions
of the lower front panel 130B when the chest 100 is in the closed
position such that a sum of the height of the side portions of the
lower front panel 130B and the first sub-side panels 110A is equal
to a height of the second sub-side panels 110B.
[0049] The chest 100 in the closed position is configured store a
foldable mattress 500 (see FIGS. 25 and 26) in an enclosure formed
by the side panels 110, the top panel 120, the front panel 130, and
the back panel 140. The foldable mattress 500 may be in a folded
position when stored in the enclosure.
[0050] As discussed in more detail below, the chest 100 may
transition from the closed position via movement of the outer front
panel 130A, the first sub-side panels 110A and the first sub-top
panel 120A from the closed position in which the outer front panel
130A is parallel to a surface of the base 150, to a downward
position in which the outer front panel 130A is perpendicular to
the surface of the base 150.
[0051] When the chest 100 is in the open position, the back panel
140 may function as a headboard for the foldable mattress 500.
[0052] Further, as discussed in more detail below, in addition to
the side panels 110, the top panel 120, the front panel 130, and
the back panel 140, which may be visible when the chest 100 is in
the closed position, the chest 100 may further include a folding
slat deck 200.
[0053] Further, as discussed in more detail below, in some example
embodiments, a rear folding leg assembly 300 may be connected to
the first sub-side panels 110A and selectively extend therefrom to
provide additional support to the sleeping platform.
[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates a strap used to convert the chest between
a closed or folded position and an open or unfolded position
according to example embodiments. FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate a chest
in an open or unfolded position according to example
embodiments
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, when the chest is in the open or
unfolded position, the first sub-side panels 110A are detached from
the second sub-side panels 110B, the first sub-top panel 120A is
detached from the second sub-top panel 125B and the front surface
of the outer front panel 130A is folded downwards such that the
front surface is parallel to a surface of the ground and
perpendicular to a position of the front surface when the chest 100
is in the closed position.
[0056] Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, in addition to the top
panel 110, the front panel 120, the side panels 140, and the back
panel 150, which may be visible when the chest 100 is in the closed
position, the chest 100 may further include the folding slat deck
200 in an inside thereof. Further, a strap 400 may be attached to
the inner front panel 130B.
[0057] The folding slat deck 200 may be attached to, for example,
the back panel 140 (or rear supports associated therewith) via one
or more third hinges 210. However, example embodiments are not
limited thereto. For example, the folding slat deck 200 may be
pivotally connected to the side panels 140 via protrusions
protruding from a rear of a first one of the second sub-side panels
110B and the folding slat deck 200 that are connected to respective
openings in a rear of a second one of the second sub-side panels
110B and the folding slat deck 200. Further, in other example
embodiments, the folding slat deck 200 may simply be manually
liftable and/or foldable without including any connection between
the folding slat deck 200 and the chest 100. By having the folding
slat deck 200 foldable between the folded position and the unfolded
position, the mattress 500 may sit substantially deeper in the
enclosure until needed, thus, substantially reducing the height of
the chest 100.
[0058] In regards to the upper sleeping platform, the folding slat
deck 200 may transition between a folded position (see FIG. 25) and
an unfolded position (see FIG. 30), where the folding slat deck 200
may rest against supports on the inside of at least the second
sub-side panels 110B in the unfolded position to form the upper
sleeping platform. The supports may extend towards an interior of
the enclosure an amount such that the supports do not interfere
with placement of the mattress 500 in the enclosure when the
mattress 500 is in the folded position.
[0059] The inner front panel 130B may be connected to the first
sub-side panels 110A and the first portion 120A-1 of the first
sub-top panel 120A such that the inner front panel 130B is
connected to the outer front panel 130A via the first hinge 121.
The inner front panel 130B may include a rail 133 connected between
the two first sub-side panels 110A and a plurality of slats 134.
The plurality of slats 134 may be secured between the first portion
120A-1 of the first-sub-top panel 120A and the rail 133. However,
example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the inner
front panel 130B may include a solid surface rather than the
plurality of slats 134.
[0060] Further, the inner front panel 130B may include front legs
135 and rear legs 136 attached thereto. The rear legs 136 may
include rollers 137 attached to a bottom surface thereof. In some
example embodiments, as illustrated in, for example, FIGS. 6 and 7,
the rear legs 136 may be secured a distance away from the first
portion 120A-1 of the first sub-top panel 120A and angled towards
the rear of the inner front panel 130B to allow sufficient
clearance between the rear legs 136 and the top panel 120 when the
inner front panel 130B is folded into the chest 100. However, as
discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 36-43,
example embodiments are not limited thereto.
[0061] At least the folding slat deck 200, the inside surface of
the outer front panel 130A and the slats 134 on the inner front
panel 130B may together form a sleeping platform to support a
weight of the mattress 500 thereon when the outer front panel 130A
is folded a downwards direction (e.g., 90 degrees), the folding
slat deck 200 is unfolded in a downwards direction (e.g., 90
degrees) and the lower support is unfolded (e.g., 180 degrees) such
that the front legs 135 and the rear legs 136 contact a ground. In
the open or unfolded position the combined weight of the sleeping
platform and the mattress 500 may be supported by the front legs
135, the rear legs 136 and the base 150 of the chest 100.
[0062] FIGS. 10 to 24 illustrate a method of unfolding a chest from
an closed or folded positon to an open or unfolded position
according to example embodiments;
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 28, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to
12, in a first operation to unfold the chest 100, the first
sub-side panels 110A, the first sub-top panel 120A, the outer front
panel 130A along with the inner front panel 130B attached thereto
may be folded downwards from a first position in which the outer
front panel 130A is substantially parallel with the front of the
base 150, towards a second position in which the outer front panel
130A is perpendicular to the front of the base 150. As the outer
front panel 130A moves from the first position to the second
position, the pivoting guards 160 attached to, for example, the
outer front panel 130A may pivot about a pivot point thereof. As
illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the pivot point of the pivoting
guards 160 may be offset towards a side thereof closest to the
second hinge 131 such that a weight of the pivoting guards 160
urges the pivoting guards 160 to automatically pivot outwards from
a first position to a second position as the outer front panel 130A
moves from the first position to the second position and may secure
the pivoting guards 160 in the second position against a force
applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to the outer
front panel 130A. However, example embodiments are not limited
thereto. For example, in some example embodiments, rather than
having pivoting guards 160, the chest 100 may include fixed guards
that extend from, for example, the outer front panel 130A to
inhibit (or, alternatively, prevent) the outer front panel 130A
from directly contacting the ground by maintaining a gap between
the outer front panel 130A and the ground.
[0064] Note also, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, that due to the
angling of the rear legs 136, a sufficient clearance may be secured
to allow the inner front panel 130B including the rear legs 136 to
extend from within the chest 100 without interacting with the top
panel 120.
[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, in a second operation to
unfold the chest 100, the first sub-side panels 110A, the first
sub-top panel 120A, the outer front panel 130A along with the inner
front panel 130B attached thereto may be further unfolded so that
the pivoting guards 160 contact a ground. As discussed above, the
pivot point of the pivoting guards 160 may be offset such that the
pivoting guards 160 are secured in the second position against a
force applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
outer front panel 130A. Therefore, the pivot guards 160 may inhibit
(or, alternatively, prevent) the outer front panel 130A from
directly contacting the ground, thus, enhancing the durability of
the chest 100 without the costs and weight associated with a set of
rails stored within the chest 100 to support the outer front panel
130A.
[0066] As illustrated in FIGS. 15-20, in a third operation to
unfold the chest 100, a user may begin to unfold the inner front
panel 130B by, for example, pulling on the strap 400 until the rear
legs 136 (e.g., the rollers 137 attached thereto) contact the
ground. At this juncture, the pivoting guards 160 may still contact
the ground and support a portion of the sleeping platform.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 20 in conjunction with FIGS. 15-19, after
performing the first to third operations to unfold the chest 100,
the sleeping platform will arrive at the position shown in FIG. 20,
which is a static state of rest for all components. For example,
the outer front panel 130A has been lowered to the floor with a
weight w1 thereof supported by the hingeable connection at one end
to the base 150 by the second hinge 131 and on the other end by the
pivoting guards 160 sitting on the floor. Accordingly after
performing the first to third operations, the outer front panel
130A is at rest and static under a force of gravity g. Likewise,
the inner front panel 130B is also at rest with the inner front
panel 130B being hingeably attached to the outer front panel 130A
by the first hinge 121 with the center of the weight w2 of the
inner front panel 130B supported between the roller 137 and the
first hinge 121.
[0068] In this rest state, the sleeping platform may form a lever
with the roller 137 considered a fulcrum of the lever with the
weight w2 of the inner front panel 130B acting on a left of the
fulcrum, and counter-balanced by a portion the weight w1 of the
outer front panel 130A acting through the second hinge 131 with the
remaining portion of the weight w1 of the outer front panel 130A
supported through the pivoting guards 160.
[0069] A lever may be defined based on a location of the input
force (effort), the fulcrum, and the resistance (the load) with a
class 1 lever having the fulcrum placed between the effort and
load, a class 2 having the load between the effort and the fulcrum
and a class 3 lever having the effort between the load and the
fulcrum. In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 20, the sleeping
platform may form a class 1 lever with the fulcrum defined by the
roller 137 being between the input force p and the resistance or
load provided a portion of the weight w1 of the outer front panel
130A.
[0070] In a fourth operation to unfold the chest 100, the user may
continue to unfold the inner front panel 130B by, for example,
pulling further on the strap 400 to provide an input force p to the
lever formed by the sleeping platform.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 20 in conjunction with FIGS. 21 to 24, to
bring the outer front panel 130A and the inner front panel 130B
into a single horizontal plane to form a portion of the sleeping
platform that supports the mattress 500, an external force p that
overcomes the weight w1 of the outer front panel 130A may be
applied by the user resulting in upward movement m of the outer
front panel 130A.
[0072] Due to the configuration of the lever, the external force p
applied by the user is aided by the force of the weight w2 of the
lower support since both forces are on a same side of the fulcrum
defined by the roller 137. As illustrated in FIG. 24, in this
position, the distance "a" between the center of the weight w2 of
the inner front panel 130B and the fulcrum (e.g., the roller 137)
is substantially larger than the distance "b" between the center of
the weight w1 of the outer front panel 130A and the fulcrum. As
such, the inner front panel 130B may provide a mechanical
advantage, to reduce (or, alternatively, minimize) the external
force p provided by the user to bring the outer front panel 130A
and the inner front panel 130B into the single horizontal plane.
The downwards motion of the inner front panel 130B and the lifting
of the outer front panel 130A in the fourth operation tends to move
the center of the weight w2 of the inner front panel 130B further
from the fulcrum such that the magnitude of the input force p
provided by the user decreases as the user continues to unfold the
inner front panel 130B until a transition point is reached at a
mid-angle, where the input force p will diminish to zero, and the
lever will be a perfect balance between the center of the weight w2
of the inner front panel 130B and the center of the weight w1 of
the outer front panel 130A acting through the first hinge 121.
[0073] Beyond this point, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the
direction of the input force p applied by the user changes to
support a portion of the weight w2 of the inner front panel 130B,
until the front legs 135 are lowered to the ground to support the
sleeping platform.
[0074] Referring to FIGS. 25 to 28, in the final static position,
the outer front panel 130A and the inner front panel 130B are
horizontal providing a portion of the sleeping platform for the
mattress 500 with the weight w1 of the outer front panel 130A
supported between the second hinge 131 and the first hinge 121, and
the inner front panel 130B stably supported by the front legs 135
and the rear legs 136 with the roller 137 having moved rearwards
coming to a final position almost under the first hinge 121.
[0075] Considering the inner front panel 130B as a lever with the
fulcrum at roller 137, with the weight w2 of the inner front panel
130B on one side of the fulcrum and the weight w1 of the outer
front panel 130A acting on the other side of the fulcrum, a
substantial difference may exist between a distance "c" from w2 to
the fulcrum as compared to a distance "d" of w1 to the fulcrum.
This difference in distances may provide mechanical advantage to
aid resisting the sleeping platform from collapsing back to, for
example, the position of FIG. 24 due to an increase in weight from,
for example, the mattress 500 and the sleeping user.
[0076] FIGS. 29 to 31 illustrate a kit including a chest configured
to store a foldable bed and a mattress according to example
embodiments.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 29 to 31, the chest 100 may be included
in a kit along with the mattress 500 or may be separately provided
with the mattress 500 to form the kit.
[0078] In a fifth operation to unfold the chest 100, the mattress
500 may be removed from the enclosure inside the cabinet 100, and
the folding slat deck 200 may be unfolded so that the holding slat
deck 200 is substantially in the same horizontal position as the
outer front panel 130A and the inner front panel 130B, thus,
forming the sleeping platform for the mattress 500. Thereafter, the
mattress 500 may be unfolded and placed on the sleeping platform.
For example, as shown in FIG. 31, in an effort to avoid placing a
crease of the mattress in a middle of a user's body, the mattress
may include two separate folds located on an upper third and a
lower third of the mattress 500 such that the mattress 500 is
unfolded by unfolding the lower third and the upper third of the
mattress 500.
[0079] FIGS. 32 to 34 illustrate a method of folding a chest from
an open or unfolded position to a closed or folded positon
according to example embodiments.
[0080] Referring to FIGS. 32 to 34, to fold the chest 100, a user
may perform a reversal of the process discussed above with regards
to unfolding the chest 100. For example, in a first operation
associated with folding the chest 100, the user may provide an
upward force p lifting the full weight w2 of the inner front panel
130B.
[0081] Thereafter, the upwards motion of the inner front panel 130B
and the lowering of the outer front panel 130A, causes the rollers
137 to move away from the chest 100 (e.g., towards the user) such
that the center of the weight w2 moves closer to the fulcrum (e.g.,
the rollers 137), and, thus, the rollers 137 support more of the
weight w2 of the inner front panel 130B. The magnitude of the input
force p provided by the user decreases as the user continues to
fold the inner front panel 130B until a transition point is reached
at a mid-angle, where the input force p will diminish to zero, and
the lever will be a perfect balance between the center of the
weight w2 of the inner front panel 130B and the center of the
weight w1 of the outer front panel 130A acting through the first
hinge 121.
[0082] Beyond this transition point the user will not need to
provide any further forward force, only a light reverse force to
keep the motion of the inner front panel 130B under control until
the lower support is back at rest similar to that of FIGS. 13 and
14. As the outer front panel 130A moves back to a vertical position
as the chest 100 is closed, the pivoting guards 160 may remain
extended due to the offset of their pivot point. Thus, the user may
manually apply a force to the pivoting guards 160 to urge the
pivoting guards 160 to retract back into the enclosure.
[0083] FIGS. 35 to 42 illustrate a chest configured to store a
foldable bed according to some other example embodiments.
[0084] Referring to FIGS. 35 to 42, rather than the rear legs 136
angled towards the rear of the inner front panel 130B to allow
sufficient clearance between the rear legs 136 and the top panel
120 when the inner front panel 130B is folded into the chest 100,
in some example embodiments, the chest 100 may further include the
rear folding leg assembly 300. The rear folding leg assembly 300
may include the rear legs 136 having the rollers 137 extending from
a bottom thereof.
[0085] The rear folding leg assembly 300 may be connected to the
first portion 120A-1 of the first sub-top panel 120A. For example,
a first one of the first portion 120A-1 and the rear folding leg
assembly 300 may include a slot therein and the second one of the
first portion 120A-1 and the rear folding leg assembly 300 may
include a protrusion thereon, where the rear folding leg assembly
300 is configured to pivot from a closed position to an open
position by rotating of the slot about the protrusion, and
subsequently secured into place by applying a force to slide the
folding leg assembly towards the upper front panel 120A.
[0086] The rear folding leg assembly 300 may allow the rear legs
136 to be folded so that there is sufficient clearance between the
rear legs 136 and the top panel 120 when the inner front panel 130B
is folded into the chest 100 while placing the rear leg 136
directly under the first hinge 121 to increase a stability of the
sleeping platform by removing a lever action urging the inner front
panel 130B to fold.
[0087] The description of the disclosure is merely example in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of
the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the
disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *