US2326196A - Convertible bed - Google Patents

Description

3- J. D. BELL 2,326,196

CONVERTIBLE BED Filed Aug. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Slgeet 1 Z: zg. 1 7 7 M; 44 24 37 g IN VEN TOR.

Aug. 10, 1943. J. D. BELL 2,326,196

CONVERTIBLE BED Filed Aug. 28, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR,

pended.

V semi-reclining position;

- upholstery omitted;

. 7 While I have shown only th s atented Aug. it), 1943 UNITED STATES FA'EENT OFFICE? i2,326,19c I Q 1" CONVERTIBLE BED Joseph D. Bell, S311 Francisco, "caiir. Application August 28,1940, Serial No. 354,467

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in a convertible bed, and its principal object is to provide a bed that may be readily converted into a chair, and also into a lounge, which expression is used to indicate a rest intermediate a bed and a chair. V

More particularly, it is proposed to provide a convertible bed of the character described in which all the changes may be made without changing the position of a rear supporting-member, which latter therefor, may be placed close to ,a wall, without making it necessary to move the device as a whole for eflecting any desired change. I i fit is further proposed to provide, in a [conventibie bed of the character described, an L- shaped frame whichhas run-ways lying on the floor to serve asa track for a portion of the structure, and which has a back adaptedto serve as a support for a mattress when arranged in bed position, with a superstructure rising from the back to serve as a head piece for the bed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a convertible bed that is economical of space, is decorative in appearance, makes the roomap} pear larger whenmoved into seat or semi-reclining position, gives a fuller view of the rug, allows twin beds to be used, where ordinarily there would only be room for. one bed, and in which all oper ating parts are concealed. And finally it is proposed to provide a convertible bed that may be operated with'the greatest of ease, yielding to a slight touch of the human hand for effecting desired changes. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds and the novel features of my new convertible bed will be fully pointed out in the claims-hereto ap- The preferred forms are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which: i

Figure '1 shows a side elevation of one form of my convertible bed in bed position; i

Figure 2, a side elevation of the same bed in Figure 3, a side elevation of the same bed in chair position;

Figure 4, a fragmentary perspective view of a rear edge portion of myconvertible bed, with the e preferred forms of my invention,I wish to have it understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto appended, without departing from the spirit of-my invention, i

Referring to the drawings in detail, and par.- ticularly to the form shown in the Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, my convertible bed 1 comprises in its principal features, a supporting frame ,2, ,a mat tress 3 and an operating mechanism whereby the mattress is supported with respect to the frame with freedom of various adjustments to be described hereafter. V p H The frame 2, when viewed in side elevation, may be described as being L-shaped, and comprises two horizontal run-ways or wear plates 4, arranged in parallel relation to lie on the fioor surface, so as to form a track, 'and uprights 5 edge ll of the back member free to. serve as a support for the mattress when the. latter, is in bedposition, as indicated in Figure 1. l The head piece in this position projects above the mattress and serves as a' means for holdin the pillow in-place, as in conventionalbed structure.

The mattress 3, which is intended to, be full length for bed size,that is about six feet, is made in two sections i2 and i3 hingedtogether, as at M, and covered by a suitable upholstery 5 to form an absolutely fiat sleeping surface when the frame sections i2 and 63. are alined, as shown in Figure l; r l

The frame sec and preferably made of Wood, maybe swung on the hinge M, intoanyudesired angularity, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. V p

When in chair position, as indicated in Figure 3, the mattress 3 is supported by means ofa pair of legslfi projecting downwardly from the front edge of the seat, and provided with large rollers ll adapted to roll on the floor surface in front of the run-ways .4. 1 V

In the same position, the rear section ofthe mattress is supported by means of twoypairs of links, indicated at [8 and l9. 'These two pairs of links are supported on horizontal pivots 20 and 2| carried by horizontal brackets 22 secured to the rear ends of the run-ways and areattached tions, however, which are rigid L 7 than the front legs l8;

, front legs by means of links 42.

and that they :run substantially parallel. r I When theback is pushed forward to the position of Figure 2 by means of a forward pusho-n t the upper'edge of the back, the rollers H roll forward, guiding the front edge of the seat section, and the pivots and 25 at the upper ends of the links also move forward, at the same time carrying out a turning movement about each other, which causes the links iii to partly cross the links 68, as shown in Figure 2 and which places the springs 29 and 38 under tension.

The rear portion of the seat of the mat-tress frame as provided with short legs. 31 carrying rouerssz which strike'the run-ways when the position of Figure -2 has been reached and thus serve to'support the hinge sections of the mat; tress-in the intermediate or lounging position of Figural s It'will be noted that, during the movement of front legs are swung backward, the rear legs are swung forward, as shown in Figure 2, and when the front legs are swung forward into vertical position,the rear legs are swung backwards into vertical position, as shown in Figure 1.

Since the legs 33 and'fit are longer than the legs Hi and 3:, the latter will be lifted bodily with the seat section of the mattress, and the seat section itself will be raised so that its bottom is in the plane of the upper edge of the back nember 6, the legs 33 and 3G being dimensioned to produce this efiect.

The hinge it, of course, riseswith the seat section, and causes the back section to execute what the mattress from the chairposition of Figure 3 j to the semi-inclined, or lounging, position of Bigu're '2, the mattress advances considerably, while the L'-shaped frame retains its position.

The-back section of the mattress crosses the vertica1=planes passing through the pivots 2e and 21 while substantially retaining its upright .posidiom-but changes its angularity toward the end of-the m'oveme'nt, asishownin Figure 2. In this position, the mattress is fairly well balanced besection to register with the back member ii when it comes to rest thereon, as indicated in l.

4 My convertiblebed is cperated asio'llows: s Beginning with the position of Figure 3, to change to the position of Figure 2, it is only necessary to eigei t slight forward pressure on the upper end of the back. normally causes the parts to assume the position of Figure 2, the le s 16 riding forwardly and thelin ks it and i9 swinging forwardly, the latter crossing the former, as indicate". The legs 3'! may either clear or lightly rest on thefrirn-wbays but are ready to support any weight added by an'occupant-seating himself To move from the position of Figure 2 to that of :Figure l, ;s light downward pressure is brought to bear on the upper-end'o f the back section of V the mattress, which causes the pivots 2d and tween the front legs and the rear supports 24 a'ridfii'i, so thatrthe legs 3! rest very lightly oil the run-ways when. the chair is unoccupied. When weight is applied by an occupant, thelegs 31, ofcourse serveto'firmly support th rear edge of the'seat12. Y N

- But without weight, the mattress is ;so well balanced that a slight pressure on'the upper end of the back section inia downward direction will raise the hinge, wanna. supporting legs 53 i, and cause :the two -m'a-ttress sections to assume, a position of approximate alinement,but with aslig-ht general'upward slant from front to rear, since the two links it and l e furnish a highersupport If a person should'si-t down-onthe mattress 'in that position, the'mattress-would automatically -fall backinto the posi- 'seat section, as shown at 3%,and are provided -with'a bell crank lever connection =3? having a transverse-connecting'rod '33, by meanseof which Etna-norm; legs maybe-moved from theinolin'ed bositibn- 'of Figure 2 to the vertical iposition of rigor-ea; a. a

The horizontal rod 38 is preferably "formed with a crank or handle 6% for facilitatingfthe mampmaum i tl'l'erleofa The rear legs 34 are' pivplied to the r ear'end-of'thes'eat sectionby 0f cross-pins! "supported in the fixed legs 3%, thespins; also serving as supports for the rollers i32,*and"they have: extensions-4| connected -to-the Thus, when the to executefifurt'her turning-movement about one another,;-and causes Ethe legs E 6 to admnceslightly i-urthenwhiie the hinge it is raised to bring the two mattress sectionsinto an approximate state of alinen entin aninclihedplane. The operator now grips the handle 33 and pulls-upwardly, whereby the legs c dand are swung into vertioal position, and-the seat is raised :into horizontal position, while the back moves into aline ment with the seatandeomes tol-rest,Y-at -its rear end, on the-back-me1nbe1'-.- t

Ji it is desired 'to change from the position 01 Figure 3 to that of Figure 1 without .staying in theintermediate position, the 'alining of the two mattress sections may be carried outdna single movement by exenting forward ,pressure on the upper end of the back, followedby a slight downward pressure; FFhe operation is completed by raising the handle in the manner previously described 7 I r I -For reversing the pei'ation, the handle "$53 :is depressed from the position of Figure 1' force]- lapsing the legs 43 3 and-3e and thepositions of Figure 2 and Figure 3 array be readily obtained by pushing backward on the frorzt edge ef seat. r t

It should be observed, ipa'rticulari y by :reference to Figurefe, that all theoperating partsnre confined within the outer margin of the mattress frame, which latter corresponds =subst'aiitialiy to the outer margin of the supportingiiranie. 'Tnis snows the mattress to be "covered with *sheets and blankets "in the conventional manner, and allows the entire assembly to bec'cvered-"by'awed spread :pro'viue n "sides "and ends completely 'enciesing the a atlhg mechanism "or "the "con"- vertible ted. fi'nrcmnmercrarus -the head piece 9 couldbe upholstered "and covereiwith mategive support to the hinge connection when the "rial matching the bed-spread or interior decora+ tions. a 1 A My convertible bed is intended forigeneral use in, alltypes of bedrooms indwellings, apart ment houses and hotels, but it is also particularly adapted for use in auto camps and the so-called station wagon type of motor vehicles where it has been installed without requiring anymodification or installation expense. w

Iclaim: v1 I :1. In a-convertible bed, an L frame comprising ahorizontal wear, plate anda rear vertical member, a mattress framecomprising a front section and a rear section hinged together for movement between. bed and. chair positions,

end of the frame resting on the vertical mem-' ber. I 2. In a COi'lV6lT'Gib18'b8d,y& frame comprising a horizontal wear plate, a back rest, means for sup porting the back rest over the wear, plate with 1 freedom of movement from an'upright, position over the rearend of the wear plate to a sube' stantially upright positionover the front endof the wear plate, and means cooperable withthe front end of the'wear plate for arrestingthe said movement, fthe back rest supporting means being operable to guide the back restfrom its advanced upright position into horizontal position for use as a bed. o

3. In a convertible bed, an L frame comprising a horizontal wear plate, a rear vertical mem-' -ber and a head piece rising from the vertical member and forming an off-set therewith, a

"mattress frame comprising a front section and a rear section hinged together for movement between bed and chair positions, means for supporting the mattress frame over the wear plate with freedom of movement substantially in chair position from apoint adjacent the rear vertical member in a forward direction, and means cooperable with the front end of the wear plate for arresting the forward movement of themattress frame, the mattress'frame supporting means be ing operable to guide the mattress from advanced chair position to bed position with the rear end of the mattress frame resting on the offset and the end face up against the head piece.

4. In a convertible bed, an L frame comprising a horizontal track member and a vertical head member, a mattress frame comprising two secs tions, one a back section and the other a seat section, hinged together with freedom of movement between bed and chair positions, means for supporting the mattress framein chair position comprising a leg for supporting the front edge of the seat section and two pairs of links carried by the track member and supporting the back section in upright position adjacent the head member, the links being operable to guide the back section forward on an arc and in upright position to a predetermined point on the down grade of the arc, and to then rock the same toward horizontal position, and arelativelyshort leg projecting from the rear edge of the seat section over the track so as to strike the latter and back has reached said predetermined position.

-5.Ina convertible bed, an L-frame-comprising ahorizontal track, a rear vertical member and, a head piecerising from the vertical member and forming an ofi-settherewith, a mattress frame comprising two sections, one a back section and the other seat section, hinged together, with freedom of movement between bed andchairpositions, means for supporting the mattress frame in chair position comprising a 7 leg for supporting the front edge of the seat section and two pairs of links carried by the track and supporting the back section in upright position adjacent the head member, the'links be ing operable to guide the back-section forward on an arc and in upright position toa predetermined point on,the downgrade of the arc and to then rock the same toward horizontal posi tion, and a relatively short leg; projecting: from the rear edge of the seat section over the track sofas to strike the latter and to give support to the hinge connection when the back has reached said predetermined point, the links bemg operable to position the rear end ofthe mattress frame 'on the off-set with the rear face thereof up against the head piece. and'the latter being sufficiently high to form a cushion-retaining abutment for the horizontal mattress frame.

6. In a convertible bed, an L-frame comprising a horizontal member and a vertical head membar, a mattress frame comprising'two sections, one aback section and the other a seat'section, hingedltogether with freedom of movement between bed and chair positions, means for sup- 7 porting the mattress frame in chair position comprising a leg carried by the seat for supporting the front edge of the seat section and means carried by the horizontal member forwardly of a the head member for supporting the back sectermined point of advance and to then rock the back section into approximately horizontal position with one end of the back section adjacent the head member and movable means carried by the seat section operable to lift the seat into a position of alinement with the horizontal back section.

'7. In a convertible bed, an L-frame comprising a horizontal member and a vertical head memher, a mattress frame comprising two sections,

one a back section and the other a seat section, hinged together with freedom of movement between bed and chair positions, means for supporting the mattress frame in chair position comprising a leg carried by the seat for supporting the front edge of the seat section and means carried by the horizontal member substantially midway of the length thereof for suv porting the back section adjacent the head member, the latter means being operable to guide the mattress section forward substantially in chair position to a point where the hinge islspaced from the head rest substantially bythe length of the back section and to rock the back rest thereafter into approximately horizontal position with one end of the back section adjacent 'the head member, the latter having an off-set for supporting the free end of the back section in the latter position and the seat havingflmeans operable-to lift the seat into a position of alinement with the horizontal back. A 8. In a convertible bed, an L-frame comprismember, a mattress 'frame comprising a back section and a seatsection hinged together with freedom of movement between chair and bed 7 positions, and means for stipporting the mattress frame substantially in ohair position forwardly of and with its hinge spaced from the head member substantially by the length of the V back section, comprising a'le'g carried by-the-seat and supporting the front of the seat section, a leg supporting the rear ofthe seat and resting on the horizontal member and supporting me'ans for l the back section positioned forwardly of thehead member,- the latter means being operable to guide the mattress in chair position toward the head gular and alined positions, a front leg supportin-gtheiront edge of theiseat section, .a'rear leg resting on the horizontal member and supporting anjinterrnecliate section of the'mattress frame, means carried by the'horizontal member for supporting the back section in upwardly inclined position, and means carried by the seat operable for bodily lifting the seat to raised horizontal position directly above the former position including means for supporting the seat in said raised position, the back-supporting means being operable to wing the back into a position of'horg V 7 2,328,196 ing a horizontal member and a vertical head izontal aline'ment with the seatwhen the latter is raised. 7

10. In a convertible bed, a main frame having a horizontal member, a mattress frame comprising a seat section and a backsection hinged tov gether with freedom of movement between angular and aiined positions, a front leg supporting the front edge of the seat, a rear leg shorter than the front legsupporting' the rear edge of the seat and having support on the horizontal member, the two legs supporting the seat in rearwardly declining position, a pair of links carried by the horizontal 'member and supporting the back in inclined position with freedom of rocking movement; and means carried by the seat operable for bodily lifting the seat to raised horizontalposition directly above its former posi tion including means for supporting the seat in said raised position, the back-supporting means being operable to aline the back and'the seat when the latter is raised. v

ll.- In a convertible bed, a mattress frame comprising a seat section and a back section hinged together with freedom of movement betweenchair and :bed positions, means'for supporting-the mattress in bed position comprising a leg supportng the front of the seat, a leg supporting the rear of the seat and lockable means for supportingthe back-section, means for collapsing the two legs whereby the seat is lowered and the back section is rocked intoinclined position, and meanfor stopping the downward movement of the'seat when the mattress reaches a lounge position. a q

- J QSEPH D. BELL.

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