Convertible furniture item

The present invention is directed to a furniture item having user-support frames that are convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration. In one embodiment, user-support frames include a head-support frame anchored by a link assembly to a furniture-item base and a back-support frame pivotably coupled to the head-support frame. The link assembly facilitates both pivoting and lateral shifting of the head-support frame relative to the furniture-item base. In the bed configuration, a cam and cam follower are disposed under the user-support frames, such that when the user-support frames laterally shift, the cam contacts the cam follower, thereby upwardly moving a junction at which user-support frames are hinged to one another.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a furniture item that is convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration. Examples of such furniture items include a sofa-bed and a futon.

Often, convertible furniture items include springs that do not provide a desired level of user support. Moreover, some convertible furniture items include a design that is complex and/or unstable. For example, a convertible furniture item including a frame that is folded in its entirety into a base portion of the furniture item might have numerous moving parts. Such convertible furniture items might be complex to manufacture, heavy, and not user friendly.

Accordingly, a convertible furniture item that provides a better support structure and that is less complex to operate and manufacture would be beneficial.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a furniture item having user-support frames that are convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration. In one embodiment, user-support frames include a first support frame anchored to a furniture-item base and a middle support frame pivotably coupled to the first support frame. In a further embodiment, a link assembly couples the first support frame to the furniture-item base. A pin couples the link assembly to the furniture-item base, and a pivot mechanism couples the link assembly to the first support frame. As such, the combination of the link assembly, the first pin, and the pivot mechanism facilitates both pivoting and lateral shifting of the first support frame relative to the furniture-item base.

In a further embodiment, a cam block and a cam-follower block are disposed under the user-support frames when the user-support frames are in the bed configuration. When the user-support frames laterally shift, the cam block contacts the cam-follower block, thereby upwardly moving a junction at which user-support frames are hinged to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to a furniture item10. In a folded (i.e., retracted) position depicted inFIG. 1, the furniture item10might be used for sitting, and this configuration might be referred to herein as a “seat configuration.” In an unfolded (i.e., extended) position depicted inFIG. 2, the furniture item10might be used as a bed on which to lie down, and this configuration might be referred to herein as a “bed configuration.” Although the labels “seat configuration” and “bed configuration” suggest a specific use of furniture item10, such labels are only used to distinguish between various configurations of furniture item and should not be interpreted to limit the use of furniture item10when in a particular configuration. For example, the seat configuration could be used to lie down and the bed configuration could be used to sit.

Generally, furniture item10is convertible from the seat configuration ofFIG. 1to the bed configuration ofFIG. 2by sliding or pulling a front portion11from the retracted position ofFIG. 1, into an extended position depicted byFIG. 2. For example, front portion11might be slid or rolled using wheels13. As front portion11is slid outward from the retracted position to the extended position, portions15and17(portion17is not visible inFIG. 1) are extended from a relatively vertical position to a relatively horizontal position. Further, the furniture item10is convertible from the bed configuration ofFIG. 2to the seat configuration ofFIG. 1by sliding or pushing front portion11from the extended position ofFIG. 2, into a retracted position depicted byFIG. 1. As front portion11is slid inward from the extended position to the retracted position, portions15and17are folded from a relatively horizontal position to a relatively vertical position.FIG. 2depicts an embodiment in which a bed cushion (e.g., foam, mattress, air mattress, etc.) has been positioned on top of portions15and17.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a user-support frame20is depicted that serves as an underlying structure of furniture item10. That is, whileFIGS. 1 and 2depict an upholstered furniture item,FIG. 3depicts a frame that functions to support the upholstered furniture item. More specifically,FIG. 3depicts user-support frame20in a seat configuration.

Furniture item10might include various structure components. For example,FIG. 3depicts a rear base board23and a hood member25. Rear base board23might generally define the rear of furniture item10and function as a base onto which other components attach. Moreover, the rear base board23and the arm rests22aand22bmight cover any mechanisms that are preferably hidden from view. Hood member25might extend over and cover a junction19between the panels when the furniture item10is in the seat configuration. In an embodiment of the present invention, furniture item10includes armrests22aand22b, each of which includes a respective internal support structure36. Internal support structure36might be fabricated from wood, metal, or any other suitable material used to construct furniture-support structures.

With continued reference toFIG. 3, and also toFIG. 6, a user-support frame is a combination of various components, such as frames160,168,16,14, and12. More specifically, frame160is substantially u-shaped and is preferably made from bent tube steel, but other materials could also be suitably used. As best seen inFIG. 6, frame160has forwardly extending arms162. An attachment bracket164is coupled to the outward side of each arm162. Brackets164are used to couple the frame160to the armrests, such as to an armrest internal frame36. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) brackets might be arranged on other positions of frame160, such as along a distal end50of frame160, and used to couple frame160to baseboard23. A pair of rearward supports166is attached to the frame160and extends downwardly from the frame160to support the frame against a ground surface. A forward u-shaped frame168is attached to the frame160, such that the arms142(seen inFIG. 6) of the frame168extend opposite the arms162. Frames160and168thus form a generally rectangular frame when coupled together. A pair of forward supports170is attached to frame168and extends downwardly from frame168to support the frame against a ground surface. The frames160and168, along with the supports166and170, provide support to other portions of furniture item10, as is more-fully described below.

In an embodiment of the present invention, brackets164allow the framework of furniture item10to be placed within a furniture-item shell, such that the framework can easily be secured to the shell using only the brackets164. That is, in an embodiment of the present invention, only the brackets164are used to secure user-support frame (including frames160,168,16,14, and12), which converts from a seat configuration to a bed configuration, to the shell. When user-support frame20is secured within furniture item10, frames160and168effectively function as furniture-item base. Such an embodiment of the present invention is in contrast to other types of furniture items, which require mounting brackets (such as brackets164), in addition to other hardware that couples other portions of user-support frame20(such as frame16) to the furniture shell.

In an embodiment of the present invention a combination of frames16,14, and12attaches to frame160and/or frame168and is convertible between a retracted configuration (depicted inFIG. 3) and an extended configuration (depicted inFIG. 5). More specifically, a first support member16is hinged to a second support member14, which is hinged to a third support member12, and the first support member16is coupled to frame160and/or frame168, thereby attaching the combination thereto. Because second support member14is coupled between first support member16and third support member12, second support member14might also be referred to herein as a “middle support member.”

As can be seen inFIG. 3, in a seat configuration, third support member12is substantially parallel with a ground surface, and second support member14and first support member16are substantially angled with respect to a ground surface. More specifically,FIG. 3depicts that second support member14is positioned at a slight recline, such as might be found in a seatback of a furniture item (e.g., sofa). Accordingly, in the seat configuration, third support member12is usable to support a buttocks and legs of a user sitting on furniture item10, and second support member14is usable to support a back of the user. Furthermore, first support member16is retracted into a back portion of furniture item10. As can be seen inFIG. 5, in a bed configuration, first support member16, second support member14, and third support member12are substantially coplanar. As such, in a bed configuration, first support member16is usable to support a head of a user lying on furniture item10; second support member14is usable to support a mid-section of a user; and third support member is usable to support feet and lower legs of a user. Based on the respective functionalities of each of the support members, and for descriptive purposes herein, first support member16might also be referred to as “head-support member”; second support member14might be referred to as “back-support member”; and third support member12might be referred to as “leg-support member”. Although labels “head-support member,” “back-support member,” and “leg-support member” suggest a specific functionality, such labels are only used to distinguish between various support members of furniture item10and should not be interpreted to limit the functionality of each support member.

In a further embodiment, a hard flat member (e.g., plywood or particle board) might be attached to each of support members16,14, and12to provide a surface upon which cushions might rest upon. Alternatively, a plurality of rigid boards (e.g., wood slats21) might be attached to the support members, as depicted inFIGS. 3 and 5. The hard flat member and/or wood slats21provide support beneath a user when the user is lying or sitting on the furniture item10.

Referring now toFIG. 4, which depicts an enlarged view of a circle depicted inFIG. 3, in an embodiment of the present invention, the head-support member16is coupled to frame168by a link assembly171. More specifically, link assembly171includes a pair of links172that are positioned substantially parallel to one another and that are pivotally coupled to an arm142of frame168by a pin173. A roller174is also pivotably coupled between the links172. Roller174operates not only to space the links172apart, but also provides a rolling support as the linkage moves (i.e., pivots on pin173). Tops of the links172are pivotably coupled to the first support member16(i.e., head-support member) by a pivot mechanism177. In one embodiment, the pivot mechanism177includes a shaft176, a pair of bushings178, and an attachment bracket180coupled to first support member16. Links172, together with pin173and the pivot mechanism177, enable the first support member16to pivot and move laterally with respect to frames160and168. That is, pivoting of the link assembly171about pin173allows the first support member16to move laterally with respect to frame168. In addition, pivoting of the first support member16and link assembly171about pivot mechanism177allows the first support member16to pivot with respect to frame168. For example, first support member16might pivot and move laterally with respect to frames160and168when first support member16is converted between a seat configuration (FIG. 3) and a bed configuration (FIG. 5). In an embodiment of the present invention (seen inFIG. 6), furniture item10includes a respective links172coupled to each of arms142of frame168.

Referring briefly toFIGS. 5 and 6, head-support member16and back-support member14are in a bed configuration and are substantially coplanar. In one embodiment, head-support member16and back-support member14are hinged to one another at a junction19, such as by a hinge positioned at the junction19. An example of a hinge31at junction19is depicted inFIG. 9. Because head-support member16and back-support member14are hinged to one another at junction19, when force is applied in an upward direction (e.g., opposite to a ground surface), the plane of members14and16is broken, thereby allowing head-support member16and back-support member14to be retracted into a seat configuration, as depicted inFIG. 3.FIG. 3depicts junction19when both head-support member16and back-support member14are substantially upright in the seat configuration.

Referring now toFIGS. 6 and 7, in an embodiment of the present invention, a pair of cam blocks182are coupled beneath back-support member14, proximate to junction19. For example, cams182might be coupled to an underneath side of back-support member14and close to junction19at which back-support member14is hinged to head-support member16. In one embodiment, each cam182has an arcuate surface184, which is oriented facing downwardly when back-support member14is in an extended position (bed configuration) and rearwardly when back-support member14is in the upright retracted position (seat configuration).

In a further embodiment, a respective cam-follower block186is aligned with each of cams182. For example, cam-follower blocks186might be coupled to a top of frame168directly above the location of the forward supports170. Each cam-follower block186is thus aligned with a corresponding cam182when back-support member14is in the extended position (bed configuration). In one embodiment, when back-support member14and head-support member16are in the extended position, cam-follower blocks186provide support for the junction19. That is, in a bed configuration, at least a portion of members14and16are supported by cam-follower blocks186.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 8, a series of spring brackets190are rigidly secured to the distal end50of the head-support member16. As shown in the figures, three spring brackets190might be used; however, more, or fewer, spring brackets190could also be used. Each spring bracket190extends away from the distal end50, parallel to the plane of the head-support member16. A series of adjustment holes192are formed in each spring bracket190. The holes192provide adjustment for a corresponding spring194. One end of spring194is secured to the spring bracket190using one of the holes192, and as seen inFIG. 8, the other end of spring194is secured to back-support member14near the junction19. The springs194operate to bias furniture item10to the retracted position, and aid a user in moving furniture item10from the extended to the retracted position.

In operation, with furniture item10in the seat configuration, a user might move furniture item10to the bed configuration by pulling outwardly the leg-support member12, which is hinged to back-support member14. As leg-support member12is pulled outward, thereby also extending back-support member14, head-support member16pivots about the pivot mechanism177and laterally shifts when link assembly171pivots on pin173. For example, in the bed configuration,FIG. 6depicts that the links172have pivoted about pin173, allowing the head-support member16(as well as the back-support member14and leg-support member12) to move laterally away from the distal end50of frame160. Also in the extended position, the junction19rests upon blocks186, with the cams182positioned slightly in front of the blocks186.

In further operation, to move furniture item10from the bed configuration to the seat configuration, a user might apply a force in the direction of arrow196. In response to the force, link assembly171allows support members16,14, and12to move laterally rearward towards the distal portion50of frame160. This lateral movement allows each cam182to contact its corresponding block186. That is, arcuate surface184contacts block186, which exerts a force against surface184, thereby causing junction19to buckle and move upwardly, assisting the user to fully retract furniture item10. The springs194assist the user in moving the foot-support member12to a fully-retracted position. That is, in a bed configuration, springs194are stretched between brackets190and back-support member14, thereby creating tension in the springs that biases the head-support member12and the back-support member14toward a retracted position. The adjustment holes192can be used to vary the amount of assistance provided to a user.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a locking mechanism is included to secure furniture item10in the retracted position. For example, a locking block198might be provided on the underside of foot-support member12. Locking block198is positioned such that a groove in the block198corresponds to the shape and location of the forward frame168. In the retracted position, a portion of the frame168is positioned within this groove. As shown inFIG. 3, foot-support member12is not yet in the fully-retracted position, as frame168is not positioned within the groove of locking block98. An angled face (seen inFIG. 6) of block198assists with pushing block198onto frame168, such that frame168is positioned within the grove. To move furniture item10to the extended position (i.e., to pull foot-support member12from the locked position) a user might slightly lift the foot-support member12to clear frame168from the groove.

Described above is a furniture item that is convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration. The present invention includes various advantageous components, such as (but not limited to) link assembly171, a combination of cam block182and cam-follower block186, brackets164, and locking block198. For example, link assembly171provides an advantageous mechanism, which includes fewer moving parts that might fail or break, by which head-support member16pivots and laterally shifts to assist with converting between a bed configuration and a seat configuration. Moreover, link assembly171attaches to a furniture-item base (e.g., frame168), instead of to an armrest (or other portion of the shell), which allows the internal framework (e.g., frames160,168,16,14, and12) to be more easily coupled to a shell using brackets164. In addition, cam block182and cam-follower block186provide an advantageous mechanism (e.g., fewer moving parts that might fail or break) to initiate an upward movement of a junction between head-support member16and back-support member14. Furthermore, locking block198provides an advantageous mechanism to secure furniture item10in a retracted position.