A convertible sofa and sofa frame deployable between a sofa orientation and a bed orientation. The frame has a base frame with a seat extension frame comprising a seat frame and a mid-frame pivotally secured to the base frame. Cushioning is on one side of the base frame. A seat back frame is pivotally secured to the base frame, the second cushioning on what is a back side when in the sofa orientation. Removable seat back cushions engage the front side of the seat back frame in the sofa orientation. In the bed orientation, the seat frame is extended, the seat back portion is pivoted horizontally, and the removable seat back cushions are located on the mid-frame between the seat frame and the seat back frame.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the non-provisional filing of provisional application No. 61/592,204 filed Jan. 30, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to convertible sofas, and in particular to a convertible sofa deployable between a sofa orientation and a bed orientation, and the sofa frame therefor.

Convertible sofas are well known, and have been made and used for over a century. Sophisticated, complex foldable frameworks have been developed, as well as simple readily convertible structures. An example of a simple structure is U.S. Pat. No. 7,685,655. An example of a more complex structure is U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,287.

The present invention has been developed for use in a recreational vehicle, where space normally is very limited, although the invention could be used in any type of dwelling, as well. Given the need for compactness, all elements in the invention are included in the sofa orientation, and are used when it is converted to the bed orientation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is directed to a convertible sofa frame. The convertible sofa frame comprises a base frame having a first side and a second side, with a seat extension frame pivotally secured to the first side. The seat extension frame comprises a seat frame and a mid-frame, with the mid-frame being pivotally secured on one side edge proximate the first side of the base frame and on an opposite side edge to the seat frame. A seat back frame is pivotally secured to the second side of the base frame, with the seat back frame having an upright position and a prone position. The convertible sofa frame is deployable between a sofa orientation and a bed orientation.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the seat frame of the convertible sofa frame includes a pair of deployable legs. The legs are hingedly secured to the seat frame proximate opposite ends thereof.

In the bed orientation, the seat frame, the mid-frame and the seat back frame are generally co-planar. In the bed orientation, the mid-frame is situated between the seat frame and the seat back frame.

The seat back frame is hingedly secured to the base frame at a median location on the seat back frame. The median location permits proper orientation of the seat back frame when the sofa utilizing the seat back frame of the invention is in the sofa orientation.

The convertible sofa according to the invention is deployable between a sofa orientation and a bed orientation. The convertible sofa has a seating base, and a seat portion shaped to engage the seating base. The seat portion includes a seat frame and first cushioning on one side of the seat frame. A mid-frame is pivotally secured to the seat frame and the seating base. A seat back portion is pivotally secured to the seating base, with the seat back portion having a seat back frame and having second cushioning on a side of the seat back frame opposite the seat portion when the convertible sofa is in the sofa orientation.

In this form of the invention, the seat frame includes at least one deployable leg which is extendable from a side of the seat frame opposite the side on which the first cushioning is located. At least one removable seat back cushion is provided, shaped to engage the seat back frame on a side opposite the second cushioning, when the convertible sofa is in the sofa orientation.

The mid-frame is as in the first form of the invention, where the mid-frame is pivotally secured on one side edge proximate one side of the seating base and is pivotally secured at an opposite side edge to the seat frame.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the mid-frame includes a cushion foundation. The cushion foundation comprises a plurality of spaced slats.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 8illustrate the convertible sofa of the invention, when in the sofa orientation and extending to the bed orientation, andFIGS. 9-16illustrate the frame therefor. In the following description, reference will be made back and forth between the elements of the convertible sofa and the frame, since it is the frame that gives the convertible sofa the ability to be converted from the sofa orientation shown inFIG. 1to the bed orientation shown inFIG. 8.

A convertible sofa according to the invention is shown generally at10inFIG. 1. The corresponding convertible sofa frame for converting a convertible sofa10from a sofa orientation shown inFIG. 1to a bed orientation shown inFIG. 8is illustrated generally at12inFIGS. 9-16. In the preferred form of the invention, the frame12is covered with appropriate covering and padding as described in greater detail below, and for the purposes of a sofa, the convertible sofa10includes opposite arms14and16which are appropriately padded and covered with fabric or the like. The arms14and16are secured to opposite sides of the convertible sofa frame12when installed. In other forms of the invention, the arms14and16may be absent, particularly if space in which the convertible sofa10is installed is at a premium. The specific nature of the arms14and16forms no part of the invention, and the arms14and16, and how they may be connected to the frame12, are not described in further detail, it being well known to one skilled in the art how to form the arms and connect them to a frame.

The convertible sofa frame12comprises several elements. First, the convertible sofa frame12includes a base frame18having a first side20and a second side22. As best shown inFIG. 16, the base frame18may simply be a peripheral frame upon which other elements of the invention are folded, and the base frame18includes legs24and26which may be interconnected by a horizontal support28for rigidity. The elements of the base frame18are preferably metal, such as tubular metal, or similar material that is sufficiently robust to support adequate weight borne by the convertible sofa10.

A seat extension frame30is pivotally secured to the first side20of the base frame18. The seat extension frame30includes a seat frame32and a mid frame34. As shown inFIGS. 9-16, the mid frame34includes an extension36which pivotally secures one side edge of the mid frame34to the first side20of the base frame18. A further extension38pivotally connects the opposite side edge of the mid frame34to the seat frame32. The extensions36and38of the mid frame34may be integral portions of the mid frame34, or can be separate elements. The extensions36and38are appropriately shaped so that, when the frame12is in the sofa orientation shown inFIG. 9, the mid frame34is properly located beneath the seat frame32and extending through the base frame18, and with the seat frame32sitting atop the base frame16. The pivotal connections of the extensions of36and38to their respective elements of the convertible sofa frame12can be rivets, bolts or any connection that allows hinged, pivoting movement as shown inFIGS. 10-15.

The seat frame32and the mid frame34are formed to support weight bearing thereon. The seat frame32supports weight in both the sofa orientation shown inFIG. 1and the bed orientation shown inFIG. 8. To that end, the mid frame34includes a cushion foundation in the form of a plurality of spaced slats40. While the spaced slats40are preferred, other supports, such as a solid surface, a sling, springs or any other means of support could be employed, instead. Similarly, the seat frame32includes spaced springs42for supporting seat cushions, as described in further detail below. Again, other means of support of seat cushions such as those described immediately above, can be employed, instead.

The seat frame32includes a pair of deployable legs44and46. In the sofa orientation, the legs46and48are folded beneath the seat frame32. In the bed orientation, the legs44and46are extended as shown to support the seat frame and the mid frame34which extends between the seat frame32and the base frame18. Like the legs24and26, the legs44and46are preferably formed of metal, in a tubular form, or any other material sufficient to support weight borne by the convertible sofa10when in the bed orientation.

A seat back frame48is pivotally secured to the second side22of the base frame18as shown inFIGS. 9-16. The seat back frame48has an upright position as shown inFIGS. 9-14, and a prone position shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. The seat back frame48is hingedly secured to the base frame18at a median location on the seat back frame48. As best shown inFIGS. 16 and 16Athe seat back frame48includes a horizontal frame member50. The base frame18includes a horizontal bar52. Hinges54are bolted to the frame member50and the bar52to facilitate the pivotal movement of the seat back frame48. While a single hinge54is shown in detail, at least a pair of such hinges54is utilized for proper pivoting of the seat back frame48between the upright position and the prone position. Also, as is evident from the geometry of the seat back frame48, the upright orientation ofFIGS. 9-12is facilitated by the lower portion of the seat back frame48beneath the frame member50bearing against the legs24and26of the base frame18.

When the convertible sofa frame is in the bed orientation, and as best shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, the seat frame32, the mid frame34and the seat back frame48are generally co-planar. In that orientation, the mid frame34is located between the seat frame32and the seat back frame48.

The convertible sofa10is appropriately clad with fabric or other material to aesthetically cover the convertible sofa frame12. How that is done forms no part of the invention. The convertible sofa10also includes first seat cushioning56secured to the seat frame32. The seat cushioning56may be separate cushions, as illustrated, or a single cushion. Preferably, the seat cushioning56is appropriately affixed to the seat frame32, although, if desired, the cushioning56can be removable.

Second cushioning58is mounted on the seat back frame48. The cushioning58is on the “back” side of the seat back frame48; that is, the cushioning58is on a side of the seat back frame opposite the seat cushioning56when the convertible sofa is in the sofa orientation shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Removable seat back cushions60are shaped to engage the opposite or “front” side of the seat back frame48opposite the cushioning58when the convertible sofa10is in the sofa orientation shown inFIG. 1. The seat back cushions60are shaped aesthetically to form a back support for the convertible sofa10in the sofa orientation shown inFIG. 1, and are also sized to be a third cushioning forming the bed orientation of the convertible sofa10, as described below.

Steps of converting the convertible sofa10from the sofa orientation shown inFIG. 1to the bed orientation shown inFIG. 8are illustrated inFIGS. 2-7. InFIG. 2, the seat back cushions60have been temporarily removed. Then, inFIG. 3, commencement of moving the seat extension frame32to the bed orientation is shown, continuing inFIG. 4, and with extension of the legs24and26shown inFIG. 5.

InFIG. 6, the seat extension frame30has been extended fully in the bed orientation, and inFIG. 7, the seat back frame42with the seat cushioning58was pivoted to the horizontal or prone position. InFIG. 7, the mid frame34is in a gap between the cushioning56and the cushioning58. The gap is filled by placing the seat back cushions60between the cushioning56and the cushioning58, completing the sleeping surface of the convertible sofa10in the bed orientation shown inFIG. 8. The bed can then be completed with appropriate bed clothing (not illustrated) as required by the user.

Because the seat frame32, mid frame34and seat back frame48are essentially co-planar in the bed orientation as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16, their respective cushioning56,60and58is also essentially co-planar, providing a comfortable sleeping surface formed of three sets of cushioning. Preferably, only the seat back cushions60are removable from the convertible sofa10so that the seat back cushions60are properly sandwiched between the cushioning56and the cushioning58in the bed orientation. As will be evident from the geometry of the invention, the seat back cushions60should be formed in size and thickness to fit snuggly between the cushioning56and58in the bed orientation and create an essentially planar sleeping surface.

Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of the following claims.