Abstract:
A two frame sofa bed recliner has a seat frame, a back frame, and a pair of arm frames connected to both sides of the recliner. Vertical and horizontal slots are located in each of the arm frames. A first pin connected to a side of an upper portion of the back frame extends into the vertical slot. A second pin connected tog a lower portion of a side of the back frame extends into the horizontal slot. The pins move along the slots to guide the recliner from an upright to a fully reclined position and vice verse. An enlarged corner of the vertical slot securely engages the first pin when the recliner is in the fully reclined position preventing the recliner from jackknifing upward. Counter absorbing elements are fixedly attached to the side of the seat frame absorbs stress or pressure from the slots as the pins move therein and this stress is transferred uniformly along the attached surface of the seat frame.

Description:
The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/621,559, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,785, filed on Mar. 25, 1996 which in turn is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/164,443 filed on Dec. 9, 1993 which however issued on Apr. 23, 1996 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,151. Priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/621,559 is claimed here 35 U.S.C. 120. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a two frame assembly sofa bed recliner having a simple interlock between the seat frame assembly and the back frame assembly. The sofa bed recliner has removable arm rests. In another embodiment the arm rests or side arms and the back frame are connected by guide means for guiding the recliner from a fully upright position to a fully reclined position and vice verse. The recliner may be made of either wood or metal. 
     The present invention is a unique combination of many elements including some known in the art to provide an inexpensive to produce, easy to use, space saving, sturdy light weight, two frame assembly sofa bed recliner preferably made of wood or metal with an improved structure and case of conversion and reconversion over the prior art. 
     In converting from a recliner to a sofa bed it is preferable to have the arm rests disengaged. To convert from recliner to a sofa bed the engaged back frame assembly and seat frame assembly are moved upward from the recliner position. The back frame assembly allowing the seat frame assembly once horizontal on the floor is unlinked from the seat from assembly allowing the seat from assembly to be lowered to a horizontal position and locked against jackknifing. The structure has the advantage of being able to simply interact to transform from recliner to sofa bed. 
     The arm rests are engagable to the back frame assembly and seat frame assembly once the sofa bed recliner is in recliner position. 
     The seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are pivotally linked free of any main frame and when in horizontal position support themselves elevated from the floor. 
     A simple system is provided for reconverting the sofa bed to a recliner position. The seat frame assembly is pulled backward disengaging it from its locked position, then lifted to a substantially vertical position. The seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are then interlockable for simultaneous rotation to a recliner position. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length and width of the back frame assembly and the seat frame assembly are such that, when opened into a sofa bed horizontal position, the bed portion is like a full double bed or larger. 
     The present invention is particularly adapted for use with a futon. Futons have become popular, offering the advantage of convertible structure adaptable for both sitting and sleeping. The present invention acts as a support structure for a futon, having the combined advantage of being a sturdy sofa bed and recliner. 
     The present invention has the advantage of the space saving of a futon supported on a structure, which also saves space. The futon serving as a recliner cushion and as a mattress. The simplicity of the structure is economical without sacrificing utility. As a recliner there is no separate main frame, as a sofa bed the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are properly supported without special supporting parts. 
     The elements are simplified over the prior art, combined and improved to provide a simple to construction, inexpensive to produce, easy to use two frame assembly sofa bed recliner. 
     The present invention also is a simple alternative for U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,611. The sofa bed recliner provides an inexpensive simple means for the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly to interengage to easily convert and reconvert to a sofa bed position and to a recliner position. Lifting of the seat frame assembly to a substantially vertical position enables easy interengaging of the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are rotated upward again from the recliner position, then the seat frame assembly is disengaged from the back frame assembly and moved downward. 
     The structural simplicity is enabled by a slot in the seat frame assembly and the configuration of the bases of the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly and the slot in the seat frame assembly which enables locking in both recliner and sofa bed positions. 
     The present invention also provides embodiment in which the armrests or side arms have grooves or slots therein for by pins extending from upper and lower portions of the back frame. To guide means provide a mechanism for shifting the position of the recliner from an upright vertical position to a fully reclined position and vice verse. Securing means are further provided to prevent the recliner from jackknifing up from its fully reclined position when some places pressure or weight on it. Further a counter absorbing element is provided on each side of the recliner and is tightly affixed therein to release pressure or stress on the grooves or slots during the shifting of the recliner from one position to another. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,611 to Fireman, et.al, applicant of the present invention and co-inventor of this cited patent, discloses a “kicker” or detent. However, this patent does not teach counter absorbing elements nor address the problem of relieving stress on the slots by uniformly distributing the stress or pressure along a surface of the recliner&#39;s frame as does the present invention. Further, the present invention provides securing means to prevent the aforementioned jackknifing by the recliner. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The prior art is replete with complex two piece structures for sofa beds mounted on main frames where the seat frame and back frame may be laid flat for use as a bed. Exemplary of such structures are U.S. Pat. No. 2,796,987 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,982,930 where complex structures convert the back frame of the sofa bed recliner from the recliner to a usable bed. 
     A relatively simple structure, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 715,114 still requires support arms and an awkward pushing to have the seat frame and back resume their prior position and does not have the uncomplicated engaging means of the present invention. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,244 discloses a sofa bed recliner with a seat frame and back frame mounted on a base. The back frame has support arms. The seat frame and back frame have a complex tether spring and counter absorbing element mechanism, which enables a seat frame and back frame interlock. The seat frame and back frame also have a complex interlock when in the horizontal position, so that there is no likelihood of jackknifing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,244 discloses another interlock system for reconverting a main frame wooden sofa bed recliner including guide means and a bell like tent. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,634,893 discloses a metal track system for a hinged three piece sofa bed recliner with a pivotal free floating bell shaped tent interactable with a metal reaction plate. A support arm for the back frame enables conversion of the sofa bed, including a main frame, from a sofa bed to a recliner. The seat frame is supported on legs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,470 discloses a sofa bed on a low main frame with a back having a bracket to provide a two position lock for a back frame. The back frame has a hinged support and a typical wheel arrangement. The back frame has a pivot stud with a notch to engage a separate bracket spaced from the main frame by means of rivets and a collar. The bracket has a right angulated projection for receiving the notch and a vertical guide for receiving the pivot. All locking and movement is an interaction between the bracket and the notched pivot. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,611 provides a pivotable tent for interlocking a main frame mounted seat frame and back frame. The patent discloses a complex multi-groove guiding system in an end support leg for the seat frame and back frame and means for locking against jackknifing when the wooden sofa bed recliner is in its horizonal position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,294,475 provides a pivotable metal plate set for interlocking a main frame mounted seat frame and back frame. The patent discloses a complex multi-groove guiding system and a groove for in an end support. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,333 discloses a sofa bed recliner mounted on a base. The back frame has support arms. The seat frame and back frame have complex ends with grooves and notches and pins which enable a seat frame and back frame interlock. The seat frame and back frame also have an interlock when in the horizontal position, so that there is no likelihood of jackknifing. There are grooves and guide followers in the end frames enabling the conversion and reconversion. A camber on the back frame&#39;s end plate guides pins to selected lock notches enabled by the seat frame&#39;s end plate groove. 
     A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a simple convertible wooden sofa bed having only a seat frame assembly and back frame assembly. The frame assemblies are pivotally linked at extending portions which overlap, for the converting and reconverting from sofa bed to recliner. The seat frame assembly and back frame assembly include wide support beams which serve to elevate them from the floor. The wide support beam for the back frame assembly elevates it from the floor when the sofa bed recliner is in sofa bed horizontal position or during reconversion. The support beams overlap and link the back frame assembly and end frame assembly with interactive pivots, pins, a groove and a notch at their overlap portions. The overlap portions interlock and can interlock to prevent jackknifing when the sofa bed recliner is in horizontal position. 
     From the recliner position the seat frame assembly and the back frame assembly may be rotated backward so that the back frame assembly rests on the floor for conversion from recliner to sofa bed horizontal position and reconversion back to recliner position. 
     In a preferred embodiment detachable arm rests are optionally engagable with the sofa bed recliner of the present invention for additional comfort and convenience. 
     According to the present invention, a sofa bed recliner has a seat frame and back frame. Each frame has supports. The supports have portions extending beyond the frame portions. The extending portions are overlapping and are interactively engaged. There is a tent on the back frame extending portions, a retainer on the seat frame extending portions, and interactive guides and a second tent between the extending portions of each frame. 
     The interactive engagement may be brought about by first and second counter absorbing elements on the back frame extending portions and a retainer and guide on the seat frame extending portions or the interactive engagement may include interactive interlocking engagable when the sofa bed recliner is in sofa bed position. 
     The interactive interlocking system may include an interactive guide and a second counter absorbing element between the extending portions or there may be extending portions and a guide on the seat frame extending portions. 
     The interactive guide may be a groove and the retainer may be a declivity. The seat frame support may have a front portion and a rear portion tapered down from front to rear and the seat frame extending portion may have a bearing surface such as a camber. One end of the back frame support may be an angulated portion to hold the back frame tilted rearward when back frame rests on the floor when the sofa bed recliner is in recliner position. 
     The frame portions may have slats. 
     The sofa bed recliner may include a removable arm rest engagable with the back frame and seat frame on their slats. The arm rests may have counter absorbing elements. 
     Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and the manner in which it may be carried out may be further understood by reference to the description following and the accompanying drawings. 
     In still other embodiments of the present invention, the present invention has guide means and arm frames or side arms. The guide means include preferably two slots in each of the arm frames and preferably two pins connected to the back frame&#39;s upper and lower portions, respectively, which extend therefrom into the two slots. The upper slot has a low corner portion that is enlarged to securely engage the upper or first pin in place when the recliner is in its fully extended reclined position. 
     A counter absorbing element is fixedly mounted onto the sides of the seat frame and one end of each counter absorbing element abuts the bottom portion of the sides of the back frame. The counter absorbing element is contoured at the abutting end when making contact with the bottom portion of a side of the back frame. By fixedly fastening the counter absorbing elements along the axis of the side of the seat frame preferably by either nailing or screwing it therein stress is relieved for the slots of the guide means. Other features will become apparent from the drawings and the foregoing description in which: 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a left side elevation or the sofa bed recliner in recliner position, with a futon and with an arm rest. 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the inside of arm rest of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the sofa bed recliner of FIG. 1, without an arm rest and futon. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the sofa bed recliner of FIG. 3, with the back frame assembly rotated to rest on the floor in the first step of conversion to a sofa bed horizontal position. 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation of FIG. 4 showing the second step, the release of the seat frame assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation of FIG. 5 showing the third step, the rotation of the seat frame assembly to horizontal position. 
     FIG. 7 is a side elevation of FIG. 6 showing the fourth step of interlocking the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly in horizontal position. 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan of FIG. 7 with the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly interlocked. 
     FIG. 9 is a detail front elevation viewed from the left of FIG. 4 showing the seat frame support beam and back frame support beam before disengagement. 
     FIG. 10 is a detail, partially sectioned, plan view of FIG. 7 showing the seat frame support beam and back frame support beam disengaged. 
     FIG. 11 is a detail, partially sectioned, plan view of FIG. 10 showing the seat frame support beam and back frame support beam interlocked. 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevated view of the futon in horizontal position; 
     FIG. 13 is a top view in horizontal position; 
     FIG. 14 is a section of the futon in horizontal position; 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the groove and first pin; 
     FIG. 16 is a section showing first pin in the extreme position; 
     FIG. 17 is a partial section showing positions of the first and second pins when the futon is flat. 
     FIG. 18 is a side elevated view showing the back frame being pulled left; 
     FIG. 19 is a partial section in which the second pin is in the extreme right position; 
     FIG. 20 is a side elevated view with the back frame being lifted and turned around the second pin; 
     FIG. 21 is the same with the back frame pushed all the way down; 
     FIG. 22 is a section showing detail F sitting on surface G; 
     FIG. 23 also shows a section showing detail F sitting on surface G; 
     FIG. 24 is a side elevated view showing the first stage of putting the futon in a back-rest position; 
     FIG. 25 is an enlarged sectioned view of the groove and the first pin when the seat frame is beginning to be lifted; 
     FIG. 26 is a side elevated view of the intermediate position; 
     FIG. 27 is a side elevated view in a back rest position; 
     FIG. 28 is a side elevated view with the back frame being pulled left, which causes the futon to move back to a flat position; 
     FIG. 29 is a side elevated view of the futon in horizontal position; 
     FIG. 30 is a top view in horizontal position; 
     FIG. 31 is a section of the futon in horizontal position, the back frame and the seat frame interlocked by means of the pins; 
     FIG. 32 is the same, with the back frame and seat frame disengaged. 
     FIG. 33 is a section, with the back frame being lifted, and the second in the extreme lower position; 
     FIG. 34 is the same as FIG. 33 with the back frame pushed down, and the second pin in the extreme upper position; 
     FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing the back frame being pivoted around the second pin, and the seat frame being pushed up toward the back-rest position; and 
     FIG. 36 is a side elevational sectional view with the futon locked in the back-rest position. 
    
    
     Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like reference number denote like parts in the various figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description of the figures includes description of one side of the sofa bed recliner  1 , it being understood that the parts are symmetrically distributed or mirror imaged throughout the sofa bed recliner  1 . 
     The sofa bed recliner  1 , as shown in the figures, is primarily concerned with use with a futon  5 . 
     The sofa bed recliner  1  is shown in FIG. 1 in recliner position. There is a seat frame assembly  10 , a back frame assembly  20  and an arm rest  30 . The seat frame assembly  10  includes a support beam  11  upon which it is mounted. There are end rails  13  on the seat frame assembly  10 . The seat frame assembly  10  includes slats  14  as can best be seen in FIG.  8 . 
     The arm rest  30  as shown in FIG. 2 has a top portion  31  and a base  33 . The top portion  31  and base  33  are joined by slats  32 . The rearmost slat  32  includes a horizontal counter absorbing element  34 . A vertical counter absorbing element  35  on forward slat  32 . The counter absorbing elements  34  and  35  are engagable between slats  14  of the seat frame assembly  10  and back frame assembly  20  respectively to firmly hold the arm rest  30  in position. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, sofa bed recliner  1  is in normal recliner position. The seat frame  10  is supported on support beam  11 . The back frame assembly  20  is supported on support beam  21 . As can best been in FIG. 8, the seat frame, the seat frame assembly  10  and back frame assembly  20  have end rails  13 , spaced apart by slats  14 . Intermediate support beams  6  rigidify the respective center portions of the seat frame assembly  10  and back frame assembly  20 . 
     The support beam  21  includes a pin  22 . As can best be seen in FIG. 9, the support beam  11  includes a groove  15 . A pin  23  on the support beam  21  is engaged in the groove  15 . The pin  22  on the support beam  21  is engaged in a declivity  12  in the support beam  11 . 
     OPERATION 
     In use, the sofa bed recliner  1  with the futon  5 , functions as complete unit, as shown in FIG. 3 in recliner position. 
     The support beam  11  elevates the seat frame assembly  10  to a comfortable distance above the floor  2 . In use the thickness of the futon  5  adds to the natural height above the floor  2  for convenience and comfort. 
     The support beam  11  is tapered backwards, effecting a recliner position of the sofa bed recliner  1  with the seat frame assembly  10  on the floor  2  and the back frame assembly  20  erect. The support beam  21 , supporting the back frame assembly  20 , supporting the back frame assembly  20 , has substantially parallel longitudinal edges, as distinguished from the taper of the support beam  11 . A pin  22 , which may be a dowel in support beam  21 , is engagable in a mating declivity  12  in support beam  11 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 9, the support beam  21  includes a pin  23 , which may be dowel, which is engaged in a groove  15  on the inside of the support beam  11 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the inner end  24  of the support beam  21  is angulated and rests on the floor  2 , providing the back frame assembly  20  with a rear tilt, commensurate with a recliner position. The back frame assembly  20  is held in position by the combination of the pin  22  and the pin  23 , which prevents the back frame assembly  20  from rotating out of control to a horizontal position the symmetry of the other support beams  11  being outside the support beams  21  maintains the pins  22  and  23  form disengagement. 
     The uniform width of the support beam  21  is equal to the width of the widest portion of the support beam  11 . Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 7, when the sofa bed recliner  1  is in horizonal position, slats  14  of the seat frame assembly  10  and back frame assembly  20  are parallel to the floor  2 . 
     The steps in the conversion and reconversion can be seen in FIGS. 4 through 7. In FIG. 4, the sofa bed recliner  1  is rotated in the direction of arrow A, lifting the seat frame assembly  10  and rotating the back frame assembly  20  to rest on the floor  2 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, a small movement of the seat frame assembly  10  in the direction of arrow B disengages the pin  22  from the declivity  12 . The rotation is about the pin  23  as a fulcrum. Once the pin  22  is out of the declivity  12 , a small movement, as shown in FIG. 6, in the direction of arrow C, releases the interlocking engagement of sea frame assembly  10  and back frame assembly  20 , so that the seat frame assembly may be freely rotated in the direction of arrow D to horizontal position, pivoting on pin  23 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, a movement of the seat frame assembly  10  in the direction of arrow E locks the support beam  11  between the pin  22  and the slats  14  of back frame assembly  20 . The support beam  11  cams on the cambered portion  16  of the support beam  11  and causes a locking engagement. 
     This locking engagement maintains the seat frame assembly  10  and back frame assembly  20  in their respective positions and also serve to prevent jackknifing of the sofa bed recliner  1  when in use in a horizontal position. 
     As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pin  23  in the groove  15 , when moved in the direction of arrow E, cams on the cambered portion  16  of the support beam  11 , giving and upward thrust for the locking engagement, as indicated in FIG. 7, as can be seen in FIG.  8 . 
     Support beams  6  span the seat frame assemblies  10  and back frame assemblies  20 , to rigidize the slats  14 . 
     They may (not shown) be shaped to conform to the their respective support beam  11  and  21 , so that they can rest on the floor  2 . 
     The reconversion from the sofa bed horizontal position is a reversal of the conversion steps. The seat frame assembly  10 , as shown in FIG. 7, is withdrawn in the direction opposite that of arrow E. The seat frame assembly  10  then is lifted in the direction opposite that of arrow D. The cambered portion  16  of the support beam  11  rotates about pin  23  and cams against pin  22  until the seat frame assembly  10  is vertical and the pin  22  is beyond the top of the support beam  11 . 
     At that point, the seat frame assembly  10  assembly drops downward in a direction opposite arrow C, guided by the groove  15 . 
     At that point, the declivity  12  is engagable with the pin  27 , as shown in FIG. 5, moving in the direction opposite arrow B. As shown in FIG.  4 . The sofa bed recliner  1 , is then rotatable in the direction opposite arrow A and is reverted to its recliner position, as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     Once back in this position, the optional arm rest  30  may be engaged with the horizontal counter absorbing element  34 , engaged between slats  14  of the back frame assembly  20  and the vertical counter absorbing element  35  engaged between two slats  14  of the seat frame assembly  10 . 
     Referring now to the embodiment in FIGS. 12-28 of the drawings, as can be seen from the side elevational view of FIG. 12, the futon recliner  101  is shown in its fully reclined position. FIG. 12 shows in side view, that one of the arm frames  130  is provided with two slots or grooves, one in a vertical section of the arm frame  130  for substantially vertically oriented slot  140  and a horizontally oriented slot  150  located in a horizontal section  132  of the arm frame  130 . The horizontally oriented slot  150  has a portion  155  that tapers downward in the direction of the vertical portion  135  of the arm frame  130 . A first pin  160  and a second pin  165  are extended into the vertical slot  140  and horizontal slot  150 , respectively, as can be seen in FIG.  12  and in the top view of FIG.  13 . These pins  160 ,  165 , extend from upper ( 122 ) and lower ( 124 ) portions of the back frame  120 . 
     FIGS. 14,  15 , and  16  show the recliner( 101 ). In FIG. 14 the recliner is again in its horizontal position. The counter absorbing elements  170  can be seen in FIG.  14 . FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of the pin in the slot. FIG. 16 again shows the pin in an extreme position in the slot. First and second pins  160 ,  165 , can be seen in relation to one another in position in FIG.  17 . Similar views of the pin are shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. 
     FIG. 20 shows the recliner with the back frame partially elevated. FIGS. 21-23 show of the recliner and its components where its moving in the direction of the arrow. Similarly, in FIGS. 24 and 25 one of the slots and its associated pin is shown when the back frame  120  begins moving upward. In FIG. 24, the counter absorbing element  170  has a surface  113  which when the back frame  120  moves in the direction of arrow A absorbs and transmits pressure along the length of the seat frame  110  from the pressure received at point  111  where the back frame  120  meets the seat frame  110 , and thus, minimal or no pressure is exerted on the pin and the slot at point  112 . Further the slot can be made larger by preferably {fraction (1/32)} of an inch at the point the pin is at in FIG. 24 to reduce or eliminate pressure at that point  2 . FIG. 26 also shows the counter absorbing elements with respect to the bottom portion of the back frame in relieving stress on the slot as the pin moves within the slot. FIG. 27 shows the recliner in a back rest position and then the movement of the pins  160 ,  165 , within the slots  140 ,  150  and the counter absorbing elements  170  position respective to the bottom portion  123  of the back frame  120 . FIG. 28 shows the recliner  101  as it is being pulled fully backward. It is preferable that the recliner is made of wood, although the invention is not limited to any particular material. 
     It is also understood that the invention could be made of two dowels(not shown) protruding from the bottom portion of the back frame  120  insert with two holes (not shown) on the opposing portion  118  of the seat frame  110  so as to lock the recliner  101  in to place when in the fully extended horizontal position to jackknifing of the recliner  101 . 
     Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 29-36, FIG. 29 shows a side elevational view in the fully reclined position of the recliner as seen from the top view. The recliner again  201  is provided with guide means. In this case, the guide means have pins  260 ,  265  which extend from the side portions of the back frame  220  into the slots  240 ,  250  on the opposing surface of the arm frames  230 . As shown in FIG. 31, the elements could be interlocked by means of the first and second pins  260 ,  265 . FIG. 32 shows this recliner  201  in its disengaged state. FIG. 33 shows the back frame being lifted with the second pin  265  in the extreme lower position. 
     As the frame is pushed downward, the second pin  265  travels through the horizontal slot  250  into the extreme upper position as shown in FIG.  34 . FIG. 35 shows the back frame  220  pivoted around the second pin  265  as the seat frame  210  is pushed upward. As can be seen from these figures, supports  280  are provided for the recliner  201 . FIG. 36 shows the futon recliner as it is locked in the backrest position. This embodiment is preferably made of metal, although it is not limited to any type of material. 
     The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of description; it is recognized, though, that various modifications are possible. 
     It is also understood the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described; and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language, might fall therebetween.