EP0648453A1 - A device for handling the bedding of a wall bed - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism for operating the base and bedding of a wall bed that pivots on a first fixed pivot (2) between the down position and the up position, said bed having a housing (15) in which the base and bedding (21, 22) can be installed. This mechanism makes it possible to fit part of the base and bedding (21, 22) in the interior of the housing (15) when the wall bed is in the up position and to move it out of the housing when the bed is in the down position. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to foldaway beds and more particularly to a device for actuating the bedding of such foldaway beds.

These devices are well known in the state of the art. They are used in private homes or in hotels and allow a significant saving of space.

They include, in a conventional manner, a support structure having the shape of a piece of furniture such as a wardrobe, a bed being pivotally mounted at the bottom of this structure, by means of an appropriate system. Thus, a retractable bed is movable between two positions: a raised position, in which the bed is inside the cabinet and a lowered position, in which the bed rests on the floor.

A Murphy bed is generally provided with a decorative element so that in the raised position, the supporting structure has the external appearance of a wardrobe.

The depth of this supporting structure corresponds to the thickness of the bed base and the mattress of the bed, which can thus be folded back inside the cabinet.

This depth is therefore relatively large, which has drawbacks in terms of space.

The object of the invention is to solve the problems posed by the devices of the state of the art by proposing a device for actuating the bedding of a retractable bed, pivotally mounted around a first fixed axis, between a position lowered and a raised position, said bed comprising a box in which the bedding can be placed.

• au moins une pièce disposée sensiblement parallèlement aux parois longitudinales du caisson et mobile autour d'un deuxième axe également fixe, parallèle au premier axe et excentré par rapport à ce dernier, et
• au moins un élément associé à chaque pièce, le(s) dit(s) élément(s) étant disposé(s) entre la (les)dite(s) pièce(s) et ladite literie et étant mobile(s) entre une position haute correspondant à la position abaissée du lit et une position basse correspondant à la position relevée dudit lit.

The actuation device comprises:

• at least one part disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal walls of the box and movable around a second axis which is also fixed, parallel to the first axis and eccentric with respect to the latter, and
• at least one element associated with each room, said item (s) being disposed between said room (s) and said bedding and being movable between a high position corresponding to the lowered position of the bed and a low position corresponding to the raised position of said bed.

It is thanks to the relative position of the two axes and to the appropriate position of the element (s) that the position change of the element (s) takes place, which entails the entry or output of part of the bedding in the box depending on whether the bed is in the raised or lowered position.

Thus, the position of said element (s) is automatically modified by the rotation of the retractable bed around said first axis.

The implementation of the actuating device does not require other interventions than those due to the use of the bed itself.

In a particular embodiment, the said element (s) is (are) in the form of a cross comprising two branches linked by an articulation.

Preferably, one end of the first branch of each cross is fixed to the workpiece while the other end of the first branch is fixed to the bed base, and one end of the second branch is fixed to said box while the other end of the second branch can move parallel to the room.

Also preferably, two return springs are provided between the first and second branches of the element (s).

Preferably, the end of the second branch of a cross is arranged to slide in an opening, parallel to the said part (s).

In a particular embodiment, the said piece (s) has (have) the shape of a rod.

In a preferred embodiment of the actuating device, it comprises two parts, each being arranged near a longitudinal wall of the box and two elements being associated with each part.

• la figure 1 représente un lit escamotable présentant le dispositif d'actionnement selon l'invention, le lit étant en position relevée et,
• la figure 2 représente le lit escamotable de la figure 1, en position abaissée.

The invention will be better understood and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a retractable bed presenting the actuation device according to the invention, the bed being in the raised position and,
• 2 shows the retractable bed of Figure 1, in the lowered position.

The elements common to the different figures will be designated by the same references.

The figures show a retractable bed 1 which is, conventionally, movable around an axis 2, perpendicular to the plane of the figures. The systems allowing the rotation of the bed 1 around the axis 2 can be any and are not shown in detail in the figures.

To allow its operation, the bed 1 is fixed by means of an appropriate fixing system, to the wall 3 and to the floor 4. The fixing system can also be arbitrary.

In the example shown in the figures, this system consists of two parts 5 each comprising an element 6 substantially in the form of a square and a reinforcing wall 7.

The pieces 5 are fixed to the wall 3 and to the floor 4 by means of conventional fixing means 8 which pass through the element 6 in the form of a square.

The two parts 5 are thus fixed at a determined distance from each other which corresponds to the width of the bed 1.

The system ensuring the pivoting of the bed 1 is then mounted, at its ends, in the reinforcing walls 7. The ends of the pivoting system thus rest in parts 9, fixed on the reinforcing walls 7 and which have a part curved 10. Thus, the axis 2 around which the bed can pivot, is fixed relative to the parts 5 of the fastening system.

The pivoting system is fixed in the structure of the bed 1, by suitable means which are not shown in the figures.

When using such a fastening system, it is not necessary to provide a supporting structure.

However, the invention is not limited to retractable beds fixed in the manner which has just been described. One can also provide fixing systems consisting of a supporting structure in the form of a cabinet which is fixed to the wall, at its upper part, by suitable fixing means. In this case, the pivot system is fixed to the side walls of this support structure. We can consider any other fixing system.

The reference 11 designates a bedside table, which can be placed on one side of the bed and the reference 12 designates the headboard. It will be noted that the rear face of the headboard 12 has hooking means 13 which cooperate with corresponding means 14 provided on the vertical part 39 of the element 6 in the form of a square.

The bed 1 consists of a box 15 comprising a bottom 16, transverse walls 17 and 18 as well as longitudinal walls which do not appear in the figures.

The bottom 16 is generally provided with a decorative element. Thus, it is this decorative element which is visible when the bed is in the raised position. Classically, this decorative element is comparable to a wardrobe.

In this regard, it can be noted that the transverse walls of the bed also serve as decorative elements, when the fixing system illustrated in the figures is used. These longitudinal walls are no longer necessary when the bed is fixed in a support structure already having vertical walls.

For aesthetic reasons also, the part 5 is preferably provided with a flange 19, on the side opposite to the vertical part 39 of the bracket 11. A decorative element 20 can be fixed on this flange 19 and it is then in the extension of the bottom 16 when the bed 1 is in the raised position.

In this box 15, a box spring 21 is placed, on which a mattress 22 rests. The bed base can be of any kind, slatted or metallic.

In the box 15 is also provided a foot 23 which can pivot about an axis 24, perpendicular to the plane of the figures. In FIG. 1, the foot 23 is shown in the folded position inside the box 15, while it is in the unfolded position, outside the box 15, in FIG. 2.

The actuating device 25 according to the invention comprises at least one part 26, arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal walls of the box 15. In the example shown in the figures, the actuating device comprises two parts 26 which take the form of a rod, each being arranged substantially parallel to a longitudinal wall of the casing 15 and substantially close to the latter.

The rods 26 are movable around an axis 27 perpendicular to the plane of the figures and fixed relative to the parts 5.

Thus, the axes 2 and 27 are fixed relative to the parts 5 but they are offset from one another.

As stated above, the device actuator can be used with foldaway beds using any fastening system. Thus, when the fastening system does not include parts 5, the axis 27 is for example fixed directly on the supporting structure of the bed, like the ends of the system ensuring the pivoting of the bed.

The actuating device 25 also comprises, associated with each part 26, at least one element 28 disposed between the part 26 and the bedding 21, 22.

These elements can be of any kind but are designed to be movable between a low position, as shown in Figure 1, in which the bed is in the raised position and a high position, as shown in Figure 2, in which the bed is in the lowered position. As will be seen later, the position of the element (s) 28 is automatically modified by the rotation of the retractable bed around its axis of rotation 2.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the actuating device comprises two elements 28 associated with each part or rod 26. This embodiment is chosen for a better distribution of the forces.

Also in this example, the elements 28 have the shape of a cross comprising two branches 30 and 33, connected by a hinge 40.

One end 29 of the first branch 30 of the crosses 28 is fixed to a rod 26 while the other end 31 is fixed to the bed base 21.

One end 32 of the second branch 33 of the crosses 28 is fixed to the bottom 16 of the box 15 by appropriate means 34 while the other end 35 of the second branch 33 can slide in an opening 36 of elongated shape provided in the bed base 21. Movements of the end 35, parallel to the rod 26, are thus authorized.

Return springs 37 and 38 are also provided between the two branches 30 and 33.

The bed base 21 therefore rests on the crosses 28 which are on the other hand fixed to the rods 26 and to the bottom 16 of the box 15.

The operation of the actuation system will now be described.

Consider first of all FIG. 1 which represents the bed in the raised position and denote by D the distance between the ends 29 and 34 of the crosses 28.

When the bed 1 is unfolded to bring it into the position shown in FIG. 2, the value of this distance D decreases, due to the offset between the axes 2 and 27.

If we now refer to Figure 2, which shows the bed in the lowered position, we see that the value of the distance D is actually less than that of the distance D corresponding to the bed in the raised position (Figure 1).

Therefore, when the bed is brought from the raised position to the lowered position, the end 35 of the crosses 28 slides in the openings 36 so as to approach the corresponding end 31. The elements 28 are then placed in the high position.

This movement causes the bed base 21 to separate from the bottom 16 and the mattress 22 thus appears outside the box 15.

It can be noted that, in this lowered position of the bed, the ends 35 of the crosses 28 and therefore the actuating device itself, are blocked since the ends 34, respectively 29 of the crosses are themselves fixed relative to the bottom 16 , respectively with respect to axis 27.

Conversely, when the bed 1 passes from the lowered position of Figure 2 to the raised position of Figure 1, the distance D increases. This causes movement of translation of the ends 35 of the crosses 28 opposite the corresponding ends 31. The elements 28 are then placed in the low position.

By this movement, the bed base 21 approaches the bottom 16 and the mattress thus completely penetrates inside the box 15.

This actuating device therefore makes it possible to place the mattress 22 inside the box 15 when the bed is in the raised position. In this position, the depth of the retractable bed is therefore considerably reduced, compared to conventional devices.

For example, the conventional depth of a retractable bed is of the order of 600 cm while it can be of the order of 250 cm when using the actuation device according to the invention.

It should also be noted that the actuating device operates automatically. It is the rotation of the retractable bed between its two stable positions which ensures the operation of the actuating device. No additional intervention is required.

The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics mentioned in the claims, have the sole purpose of facilitating the understanding of the latter, and in no way limit their scope.

Claims (8)

Device for actuating the bedding of a retractable bed mounted to pivot about a first fixed axis (2), between a lowered position and a raised position, said bed comprising a box (15) in which the bedding can be placed ( 21, 22), said device comprising: - at least one part (26) disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal walls of the bed and movable around a second axis (27) also fixed, parallel to the first axis (2) and eccentric relative to the latter, and - at least one element (28) associated with each part (26), the said element (s) being disposed between the said part (s) (26) and said bedding (21,22) and being movable between a high position corresponding to the lowered position of the bed and a low position corresponding to the raised position of said bed. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the position of the said element (s) (28) is automatically modified by the rotation of the retractable bed around said first axis (2). Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said elements (28) are in the form of a cross comprising two branches (30,33) linked by a joint (40). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that one end (29) of the first branch (30) of each cross (28) is fixed to the part (26) while the other end (31) of the first branch is fixed on the bed base (21), and one end (34) of the second branch (33) is fixed to said box (15) while the other end (35) of the second branch can move parallel to the rod ( 26). Actuation device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that two springs of reminder (37,38) are provided between the first and second branches (30,33) of (s) the element (s) (28). Actuation device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the end (35) of the second branch (33) of a cross (28) is arranged to slide in an opening (36), parallel to said part (s) (26). Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said part (s) (26) has (have) the form of a rod. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises two parts (26), each being arranged near a longitudinal wall of the box, two elements (28) being associated with each part (26) .

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