US3345651A - Sofa bed - Google Patents

Description

M. FGX

SOFA BED Oct. l0, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 23, 1966 M. FOX

SOFA BED Oct. 10, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 23, 1966 NM1 QW Oct. 10, 1967 M. Fox 3,345,651

soFA BED Filed Aug. 23, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 M. FOX

SOFA BED oa. 1o, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 23, 1966 Oct. l0, 1967 M. Fox 3,345,651

SOFA BED Filed Aug. z5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 Y 6,6 3,52 Ilm l United States Patent O 3,345,651 SOFA BED Martin Fox, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Seng Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 23, 1966, Ser. No. 574,429 11 Claims. (Cl. 5 13) This invention relates in general to a sofa bed, land in particular to `a th-ree section sofa bed wherein the sleeping surface extends longitudinally between the sofa arms.

One of the most important recent innovations in the design of sofa beds is the so-called unitary front rail construction. Prior to this innovation, sofa beds were of split-rail construction, wherein a first iixed rail member extended longitudinally across the lower portion of the sofa frame, and a second movable rail member was carlried by an intermediate or hinge bed sectionl In the sofa position of a split-rail sofa bed, the convertible nature of the sofa bed is apparent, because the separation of the rail members is readily visible. In the unitary front rail construction, a single relatively high rail member eX- tends longitudinally across the front of the sofa frame, and because of this, the convertible nature of the sofa bed is effectively masked.

While sofa beds of unitary front rail construction are aesthetically desirable, they have created many problems for sofa bed designers. Great difficulty has been encountered in providing a suitable mechanism for allowing the sofa bed mechanism to move from a fully folded position within the restricted space provided behind the unitary front rail and below the backrest of the sofa frame, to an extended position wherein the sofa bed frame structure is positioned above the front rail and outwardly of the sofa bed frame. This problem has been successfully solved by the structure disclosed and claimed in the patent to Fox 3,209,377, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved support fixture of the type disclosed in the above mentioned Fox patent. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a three section sofa bed of unitary front rail construction, with improved means facilitating movement of the bed frame into and out of a folded position.

Another problem that has beset designers of three section sofa beds is to provide a structure that is substantially uncluttered in the fully extended bed position, yet which provides an extremely stable support for the bed structure. Heretofore, it has been conventional to provide first and second longitudinally spaced legs to support the folding bed structure in the fully extended bed position, and this arrangement has not only presented a somewhat cluttered appearance, but also it has materially increased the cost of the unit by necessitating separate structure for folding each of the legs. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a three section sofa bed with a novel single supporting leg.

A further problem that has confronted those concerned with the advancement of the sofa bed art has been the provision of a suitable deck structure that will provide a support for sofa -cushions in the fully folded position of sofa bed frame, and which will not alter the feel of the bed when the bed sections are in the fully extended bed position. Accordingly, a further object of the invention is to provide a novel deck structure for a foldable sofa bed, wherein the deck structure provides a firm, level support for sofa cushions in the fully folded position of the bed frame, with the deck structure being moved to an out of the way position spaced from the bed yframe in the fully extended bed position so as to provide a comfortable sleeping surface.

In the past it has been conventional too provide folding sofa bed frames with means for locking the outer bed section in parallelism with the inner bed section during folding of the bed frame to maintain the bedding in a compressed condition. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a three section folding sofa bed frame with an improved locking mechanism. A related object is to provide a three section folding sofa bed frame with dual locking means to positively insure that the outer bed section cannot move relative to the inner bed section as the bed frame is moved into a fully folded position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description taken in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along line 1 1 of FIG. 2, and illustrating an embodiment of the invention in the bed of fully extended position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view taken generally along line 2 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the folding bed structure in an intermediate position between the fully extended position and the Ifully folded position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 3, but with the folding bed structure in fully folded position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view taken generally along line 5 5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally valong line 6 6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged along line 7 7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged along line 8 8 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a View similar to FIG. 3, but taken from the other side of the folding bed structure;

FIG. l0 is a fragmentary, enlarged side elevational view taken from the same side as FIG. i9, and illustrating the bed frame supporting structure in the fully extended position;

FIG. al1 is a view taken generally along line 11 11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View illustrating one portion of the dual locking mechanism; and

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View illustrating :a portion of the seat deck structure.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment sectional view taken generally sectional view taken generally of the invention with the understanding that the present` disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the `drawings in greater detail, -a base, indicated generally .at "20, has a pair of parallel end rails such as, the end rail 21, a back rail 22 and a front rail 23. Base 10 also includes arms such as arm 14, at opposite ends thereof; an-d an inclined backrest 25 is secured between uprights 26 that extend between side rails 21 and arms 24. A generally L-shaped bracket l27 is secured to each side rail 21 and to the front rail 23, and a foldable bed frame includes identical fixtures '30 each mounted on a bracket 27 for movement of the frame between va fully folded or sofa position (FIG. 4) and a bed position `(FIG. 1). Because the fixtures 30v yare identical, only one will be described in detail. herein.

Fixture 30 includes an L-shaped channel member derrining the side of an inner bed section 31, an L-shaped channel member defining the side of van intermediate or hinge bed section 32, and an L-shaped channel member defining the side of an outer bed section 33. Bed sections 3'1-33 are pivotally connected to one another in end to end relationship, An L-shaped channel member 31a extends across the forward end of inner bed section 31, and a tubular cross member 33a extends across the outer end of the outer bed section '33. As is well 'known in the art, a link network (not shown) is connected between bed frame members 31, 31a, 32, 33 and 33a, and a mattress (also not shown) rests upon the :above mentioned bed frame members and link network.

The foldable Ibed fixture 30 is mounted on support bracket 27 by a linkage means 40 which includes a forward support link 41 and a rearward support link 42. A rearwardly inclined mounting link 43 is fixed to bracket 27 adjacent the rearward end thereof slightly forwardly of backrest 2S, and the lower end of rear support link 42 is connected to the upper end of mounting link 43 at pivot 44. The upper end of rear support link 42 is connected to the rearward end of inner bed section 31 at pivot 4S, 4and link 42 is positioned in a downwardly and rearwardly inclined position in the fully folded position of the bed frame (IFIG. 4) and an upwardly and forwardly inclined position in the fully extended position of the bed frames (FIG. l). Link 42 travels through an angular range of slightly less than 180 in moving between the fully folded position of FIG. `4 and the fully extended position of FIG. 1.

Front support link 41 is connected adjacent its lower end to mounting bracket 27 by pivot 50, and the upper end of link 41 is connected to an intermediate portion of inner bed section 431 by a pivot 5'1. In the fully folded position of the bed frame, link 41 extends rearwardly and is inclined slightly downwardly from horizontal, while in the fully extended position of the folding bed frame, link 41 extends upwardly and is inclined slightly rearwardly from vertical. Thus, link 41 travels through an angular range of approxi-mately 90 as the bed structure moves between the fully folded position and the fully extended position.

A rst spring mounting bracket `52 is secured to front support link 41 -below lower pivot 50, and a second spring mounting bracket 53 is secured to link 4l1 below upper pivot 1. A spring mounting bracket 54 is secured to rear support link 42, and a first spring 55 is connected between the lower end of mounting link 43 and spring mounting bracket 52, while a second slightly weaker spring 56 is connected between end portions of spring mounting brackets :53 and A54. Spring 55 constantly urges front support link `41 in a clockwise direction about pivot 50, while spring 56 constantly urges link 42 in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 44, and thus it will be readily appreciated that springs 55 and `56 ease the initial movement of the folding bed structure 30 from the fully folded position of FIG. 4 to the intermediate position of FIGS. 3 `and 9.

During initial movement of the folding bed structure from the fully folded position, the front support link 41 pivots in a clockwise direction to a near horizontal position while the rear support link 42 remains substantially stationary. As the unfolding movement continues, rear support link 42 pivots in a counterclockwise direction to a vertically downwardly disposed position, while front support link 41 pivots in a counterclockwise direction to a slightly rearwardly and upwardly inclined position. During this last mentioned increment of movement, the junction between the inner bed section 31 and the intermediate bed section 32 is swung generally vertically upwardly to a position disposed above the top surface of the front rail `23. As pivotal movement of links 41 and 42 continues, the folding bed structure 30 is swung to a steeply inclined position disposed at `approximately 60 with respect to the horizontal, as link 42 reaches a location substantially midway between the vertically downwardly disposed position and a horizontally disposed position, and link 41 reaches a location approximately midway between the horizontal position and a vertically upwardly extending position.

As the swinging movement of the folding bed structure 30 proceeds, link 42 assumes a generally horizontally disposed position `and link 41 assumes a generally vertically disposed position, and the folding bed structure 30 is translated forwardly to a position disposed above the upper surface of the front rail 23. During the final inerement of movement to the intermediate position of FIGS. 3 and 9, link 42 pivots upwardly and rearwardly, and spring 56 pulls link 41 rearwardly to position the inner bed section 31 horizontally. From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that spring 56 not only functions to ease the movement of the folding bed structure 30 from the fully folded position of FIG. 4 to the intermediate position of FIGS. 3 and 9, but also serves to locate the inner bed section 31 in a horizontal disposition. A stop member 60 (FIG. 6) is secured between rear support link 42 and spring mounting `bracket 54, and the upper surface 60a of member 60 provides a stop surface engageable with the under surface of a link `61 to be hereafter described to accurately locate the inner bed section 31 in the horizontal position. Links 41 Iand 42 converge upwardly toward one another in the bed position, as is evident from FIG. l.

In moving from the intermediate position of FIGS. 3 and 9 to the fully folded position of FIG. 4, the elements of the folding bed structure 30 move in a manner generally opposite to that described above. During this movement, springs 55 and 56 provide a degree of resistance, thus cushioning the folding bed structure and minimizing the danger of injury to a person folding the same. Means to be immediately described are provided for locking the outer Ibed section 33 in parallelism with the inner bed section 31 during movement from the intermediate position of FIGS. 3 and 9 to the fully folded position of FIG. 4 to maintain the bedding folded therebetween in a compressed condition.

The locking structure includes an overcenter leg locking mechanism similar to that disclosed in Mikos application Ser. No. 555,599, led June 6, 1966, and :assigned to the assignee of the present application. Reference may be made to the Mikos application for a more complete understanding of the overcenter leg locking mechanism, particularly as applied in a four section sofa bed.

Said mechanism includes a support leg 86 in the form of a U-shaped member, that is secured to the outer bed section 33 by linkage means 87, as best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. Linkage means 87 includes a rst link 88 connected at one end by a pivot 89 to outer bed section 33, and the opposite end of link 89 is connected by a pivot 90 to leg 86. Linkage means 87 includes a second link 91 connected 4at one end by pivot 92 to the upper end of leg 86, and connected intermediate its ends by a pivot 93 to outer bed section 33. The opposite end of link 91 is connected to one end of a third link 94 of linkage means S7 by a pivot 95, and the opposite end of link 94 is connected to the intermediate bed section 324 by a pivot 96. Linkage means 87 further includes a fourth link 97 connected at one end by a pivot 98 to link 94 intermediate the ends thereof and adjacent to pivot 96. The opposite end of link 97 is connected by a pivot 99 to a fifth link 100 of linkage means 37, and link 100 has one end pivotally connected at the junction between intermediate bed section 32 and outer bed section 33, and the opposite end of link 100 is connected by a lost motion connection means 101 to the inner bed section 31.

The lost motion connection means 101 includes an elongate slot 102 in inner bed section 31, which slidably receives a pin 103 carried by one end of link 100. The pivotal connection 99 of link 97 to link 100 is adjacent to, but spaced from, pin 103. The outer bed section 33 may be locked in parallelism with inner bed section 31 `by pivoting leg 86 to move pivot 90 to a position in alignment with, or past, a line between pivots S9 and 92. In i this position, an upward lifting force on outer bed section 33 tends to pivot link 91 in a clockwise direction, and this force cannot pivot leg 86 because of the location of pivot 90. If leg 86 is lifted to move pivot 90 past the line between pivots 89 and 92, the clockwise pivoting of link 91 caused by the lifting of the outer bed section 33 will pivot link 89 in a clockwise direction, to begin unfolding of leg 86 and allowing the inner bed section 33 to be pivotcd relative to the inner bed section 31.

Additional locking means are provided to positively insure that the outer bed section 33 is held against movement relative to inner bed secti-on 31, and this additional locking means includes the aforementioned link 61. Link 61 is connected at one end by a pivot y62. to a portion of spring mounting bracket 54 that extends past rear support link 42, and the opposite end of link 61 is connected by a pivot 63 to a locking link 64. Link 64 is connected to the inner 'bed section 31 at pivot 51 and includes an undercut portion `64a defining a hook member. Guide links 65 and 66 `are connected respectively to outer bed section 33 and intermediate bed section 32 by pivots V67 and 68, and links 65 and 66 are connected to one another by pivot 69. Pivot 69 is defined by a pin that impales aligned openings adjacent the ends of links 65 yand 66, and as can be best seen in FIG. l2, pivot pin 69 extends a substantial distance outwardly of links 65 and 66 into the plane of movement of link 64. Thus, when the folding of the bed structure 30 is initiated by folding outer bed section 33 into parallelism with inner bed section 31, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 4and 9, links `65 and 66 will pivot pin 69 to a position immediately adjacent inner bed section 31. As the bed structure 30 is moved from the intermediate position of FIGS. 3 and 9 to the fully folded position of FIG. 4, link 42 moves in a clockwise direction and pivot 45 moves downwardly and rearwardly from a position substantially immediately forwardly of pivot 62 to a position generally therebehind and slightly therebelow. This movement translates link 61 forwardly, and -hook portion 64a of link 64 moves into overlying engagement with pin 69 thereby cooperating with the leg locking means to positively prevent movement of the outer bed section 33 relative to the inner bed section 31.

The present invention includes means for compressing the mattress and bedding associated therewith in the fully folded position of the sofa bed to provide a fiat supporting surface for loose sofa cushions, not shown. This means includes a seat deck member 74 formed of a suitable fabric material, such as canvas, and secured to cross member 33a by a plurality of helical springs 75. The opposite looped end of deck member 74 extends around a transversely extending tubular mem-ber 73, and member 73 is secured to the bed structure by hanger links 70 fixed at opposite ends of member 73. Each link 70 includes an outwardly extending finger that is secured to link 100 by pivot 71, and each link 70 further includes a second tinger 72 bent inwardly and positioned to engage the intermediate bed section 32 in the intermediate and fully folded positions. Member 73 and links 70 define a weighted assembly, and in the fully extended bed position of the folding frame structure 30, the weighted assembly pivots downwardly about pivot 71 in a clockwise direction (FIG. l) allowing deck member 74 to sag a substantial distance below the bed frame structure. If the links 70 and member 73 do not fall of their own weight when the sofa bed isin the fully extended position, the weight of a person lying on the bed will jar links 70 and cause the same to pivot and position seat deck member 74 in spaced relationship to the bed structure. Thus, it is believed readily apparent that the seat deck structure will in no way alter the comfortable feel of the sofa bed structurewhen it is in the bed position.

When the folding bed frame structure is moved into the intermediate position shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, link 19t) pivots and the pin 103 thereon moves rearwardly in slot 102 to pivot the members 70 until the stops 72 there- 6 on engage the intermediate bed sections 32. It will be appreciated that in the fully folded position the helical springs 75 are tensioned, so that the deck member 74 is taut and ilattens and compresses the upper portion of the mattress thereunder to provide a level cushion supporting surface.

Iclaim:

1. A sofa bed comprising, in combination: a base having end rails, Ia rear rail, and a front rail; a folding bed frame having an inner bed section; a mounting link xed to each end rail; and supporting link means pivotally connected to said end rails and to said inner bed section to move the latter between a bed position above the front rail and a folded position behind and a substantial distance below a plane at the top of the `front rail, said link means including a pair of rear supporting links and a pair of front supporting links, said rear links each being pivotally mounted on a mounting link, said rear links and front links in folded position extending downwardly and rearwardly, and their lengths and pivotal connections to the base and the inner bed section being `so related that during a first part of their movement toward bed position the front links swing forwardly to a nearly vertical position as the rear links swing forwardly past horizontal dead center and the inner bed section assumes a steeply inclined position, while during a second part of said movement said rear links swing upwardly and rearwardly to elevate the rear of the inner bed section and the front links swing rearwardly to lower the front of said bed section, said rear and front links converging upwardly in bed position; first spring means connected between said mounting links and said front links for constantly urging said front links toward bed position; and second spring means connected between said rear links and said front links for constantly urging said rear links toward ybed position, said second spring means swinging said front links rearwardly during said second part of said movement.

2. A sofa bed as set forth in `claim 1 wherein said mounting links are inclined rearwardly and upwardly, with said first spring means being `conn-ected adjacent the lower ends of said mounting links, and said rear links being pivotally connected adjacent the upper ends of said mounting links.

3. A sofa `bed as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first spring means is stronger than said second spring means.

4. A sofa bed as set forth in claim. 1 in which said bed frame further includes an intermediate bed section pivotally connected to said inner bed section and an outer bed section pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, said `bed sections being coplan-ar in bed position, and said inner and outer bed sections being parallel with said intermediate bed section extending therebetween in folded position; and wherein means are provided for locking said outer bed section in parallelism with said inner bed section including, a support leg pivotally connected to said outer bed section and linkage means actuable by said support leg to provide a first locking means, linkage means connected to said inner and outer `bed sections, hook means connected to said inner bed section, and linkage means actuable by movement of said rear links to folded position for moving said hook means into engagement with said linkage means to provide a second locking means.

5. A sofa bed as set forth in claim 1 in which said bed frame further includes an intermediate bed section pivotally connected to said inner bed section and an outer `bed section pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, said bed sections being coplanar in bed position, and said inner and outer bed sections being parallel with said intermediate bed section extending therebetween in folded position; a seat deck member; tensioning springs connecting one end of said member to the outer end of said outer bed section; and swingable pivot means connecting the other end of said member to said bed frame for movement of said member from a position sagging below said outer bed section in bed position to a position Immediately above said outer bed section when it is folded in parallelism with said inner bed section.

6. A davenport bed comprising, in combination: a base having end rails, a rear rail, and a front rail; a folding bed frame having an inner bed section, a hinge section, and an outer section which are pivotally connected for movement between a coplanar bed position and an intermediate position with the hinge section upright at the front and the outer section inverted above the inner section; supporting link means pivotally connected to said end rails and to said inner bed section to move the bed frame bodily between its intermediate position and a folded position behind and substantially entirely below the front rail, said link means including a pair of rear supporting links and a pair of front supporting links, said rear links and said front links in folded position extending downwardly and rearwardly, and their lengths and pivotal connections to the base and the inner bed section being so related that during a rst part of their movement toward bed position the front links swing forwardly to a nearly vertical position as the rear links swing forwardly past horizontal dead center and the inner bed section assumes a steeply inclined position, while during a second part of said movement said rear links swing upwardly and rearwardly to elevate the rear of the inner bed section and the front links swing rearwardly to lower the front of said bed section, said rear and 4front links converging upwardly in bed position; a leg adapted to support said bed frame in said bed position, said leg being movable to a locking position when said bed frame is in said intermediate position, a guide link pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, a support link pivotally connected at one end to said leg intermediate the ends thereof and pivotally connected at the other end to said outer bed section, and a leg drivin-g link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said outer bed section and having one end pivotally connected to one end of said leg and the other end pivotally connected to one end of said guide link7 the pivotal connection between said support link and said leg being movable to a position at least in alignment with a line between the pivotal connection of said support link to said outer bed section and the pivotal connection of said leg to said driving link in response to movement of said leg to locking position, whereby said outer bed section may be locked relative to said outer bed section by moving said leg to locking position; hook members pivotally mounted on the inner lbed section; locking links on bed frame having portions engageable by said hook members during movement between intermediate and folded positions; and lock actuating links pivotally connected to the rear support links adjacent the inner bed section and to said hook members so as to rotate said members into locking engagement with said locking links during movement toward folded position and rotate the members out of said locking engagement `during movement toward intermediate position.

7. In a sofa bed having a folding bed frame including a plurality of bed sections movable between a bed position wherein the bed sections are generally coplanar and a sofa position wherein an outer bed section is folded over on top of an inner bed section, a seat deck structure for supporting sofa cushions comprising: a seat deck member; spring means connecting one end of said seat deck member to one end of said outer bed section; and weighted pivot means connecting the other end of said deck member to said bed frame, said weighted pivot means being arranged to position said -deck member in spaced relation with respect to said outer bed section in bed position and to tauten said deck member and posi-tion the same immediately above said outer bed section in folded position to provide a flat cushion supporting surface.

3. The combination of claim 7 wherein said weighted -pivot means includes first and second hanger links each pivotally connected to said bed rframe at one side thereof,

3 and a transversely extending member connected to said links outwardly of their pivot connection to the bed frame, the other end of said deck member being connected to said transversely extending member.

9. The combination of claim 8 in which linkage means are associated wit-h said bed frame, and wherein said hanger links are each pivotally connected to a motion transmitting link of said linkage means, said motion transmitting links being arranged to pivot said hanger links when said outer bed section is folded over said inner bed section to move said transversely extending member away from said one end of said outer bed section and thereby tauten said deck member.

1). The combination of claim 9 in which said bed frame includes an intermediate bed section connecting said inner and outer bed sections, said intermediate bed section being 4disposed generally upright in the folded position of said bed frame; and wherein stop means are provided on said hanger links engageable with said intermediate bed section in folded position to limit the pivoting movement of said hanger links.

11. A sofa bed comprising: a base; bed frame structure including pivotally interconnected inner, intermediate and outer bed sections mounted on said base for movement from an extended position wherein said Sections are generally horizontally aligned to an intermediate position wherein said outer bed section is folded over said intermediate bed section in substantial parallelism therewith and said intermediate bed section extends generally upright therebetween; means for locking said outer bed section in substantial parallelism with said inner bed section including, a leg adapted to support said bed structure in said extended position, said leg being movable to a locking position when said bed structure is in said intermediate position, a guide link pivotally connected to said intermediate bed section, a support link pivotally connected at one end to said leg intermediate the ends thereof and pivotally connected at the other end to said outer bed section, and a leg driving link pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said outer bed section and having one end pivotally connected to one end of said leg and the other end pi-votally connected to one end of said guide link, the pivotal connection between said support link and said leg being movable to a position at least in alignment with a line between the pivotal connection of said support link to said outer bed section and the pivotal connection of said leg to said driving link in response to movement of said leg to locking position, whereby said outer bed section may be locked relative to said outer bed section by moving said leg to locking position; means for rotating said guide link upon movement of said leg out of locking position and pivoting of said outer bed section relative to said inner bed section, said last named means comprising, a motion transmitting link connected at one end to said intermediate bed section and connected at the other end to said inner bed section by lost motion means, and a drive link connected between said motion transmitting link and said guide link; a seat deck member; spring means connecting one end of said seat deck member to the outer end of said outer bed section; a hanger link pivotally connected to said motion transmitting link; a member extending transversely across said bed frame and connected to said hanger link outwardly of its pivotal connection to said motion transmitting link, the other end of said deck member being connected to said transversely extendin-g member; the weight of said transversely extending member and hanger link being sufficient to pivot said han-ger link and space said deck member below said outer bed section in said extended position; the lost motion means enabling said `motion transmitting link to move rearwardly as said outer bed section is folded upon said inner bed section, whereby said yhanger link is pivoted and moves said transversely extending member away from the outer end of said outer bed section to tauten said ldeck member and position the 9 same immediately above said outer bed section, whereby 2,960,699 a at cushion supporting surface is provided. 3,047,886y 3,209,377 References Cited y 3,239,852 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 3,247,526 2,803,019 8/1957 Fox 5-55 X 10 Fox et al. 5-13 Thierfelder et a1. 5---13` Fox 5-31 X Barabas et al. 5-13 Rogers 5-13 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A SOFA BED COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A BASE HAVING END RAILS, A REAR RAIL, AND A FRONT RAIL; A FOLDING BED FRAME HAVING AN INNER BED SECTION; A MOUNTING LINK FIXED TO EACH END RAIL; AND SUPPORTING LINK MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID END RAILS AND TO SAID INNER BED SECTION TO MOVE THE LATTER BETWEEN A BED POSITION ABOVE THE FRONT RAIL AND A FOLDED POSITION BEHIND AND A SUBSTANTIAL DISTANCE BELOW A PLANE AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT RAIL, SAID LINK MEANS INCLUDING A PAIR OF REAR LINKS EACH BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON A MOUNTING LINK, SAID REAR LINKS AND FRONT LINKS IN FOLDED SUPPORTING POSITION EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND REAR LINKS IN FOLDED POSITION EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY AND REARWARDLY, AND THEIR LENGTHS AND PIVOTAL CONNECTIONS TO THE BASE AND THE INNER BED SECTION BEING SO RELATED THAT DURING A FIRST PART OF THEIR MOVEMENT TOWARD BED POSITION THE FRONT LINKS SWING FORWARDLY TO A NEARLY VERTICAL POSITION AS THE REAR LINKS SWING FORWARDLY PAST HORIZONTAL DEAD CENTER AND THE INNER BED SECTION ASSUMES A STEEPLY INCLINED POSITION, WHILE DURING A SECOND PART OF SAID MOVEMENT SAID REAR LINKS SWING UPWARDLY AND REARWARDLY TO ELEVATE THE REAR OF THE INNER BED SECTION AND THE FRONT LINKS SWING REARWARDLY TO LOWER THE FRONT OF SAID BED SECTION, SAID REAR AND FRONT LINKS CONVERGING UPWARDLY IN BED POSITION; FIRST SPRING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID MOUNTING LINKS AND SAID FRONT LINKS CONSTANTLY URGING SAID FRONT LINKS TOWARD BED POSITION; AND SECOND SPRING MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID REAR LINKS AND SAID FRONT LINKS FOR CONSTANTLY URGING SAID REAR LINKS TOWARD BED POSITION, SAID SECOND SPRING MEANS SWINGING SAID FRONT LINKS REARWARDLY DURING SAID SECOND PART OF SAID MOVEMENT.

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