Abstract:
The present invention comprises a futon frame having a seat and a backrest, two arms and two legs. The six parts can be assembled by the user without the use of tools or small parts, this being a major distinguishing feature of the invention. Parts are held securely in place through the use of sockets into which are inserted corresponding parts of the arms legs and backrest. The backrest is maintained in a couch position by chains which extend from the arms to the backrest and which can be disconnected in order to allow the backrest to be lowered so that the futon frame forms a bed, these chains also allow for the adjustment of the backrest&#39;s angle of inclination. This is done by modification of the distance between the armrests and backrest through selection and placement on the backrest of various individual links of the chain.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to futon frames, specifically a type of futon frame which can be assembled easily by the end user without the use of tools or small parts. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Those familiar with the art are aware that some confusion exists concerning the terms futon, and futon frame, which are often used interchangeably. For the purposes of this patent application, the term futon refers to a type of mattress or cushioning device and the term futon frame refers to an article of furniture for supporting a futon. 
     Futon frames have been widely used for decades. Like sofas they provide a place to sit. They also can be converted into a bed by causing the seat portion and the back portion to become coplanar. In almost all cases they must be purchased unassembled and then assembled in the home of the end user, by the end user. 
     Whether manufactured from wood or metal, machine screws and/or wood screws are used to secure the various parts to one another. This is one of the features that makes them difficult and time consuming to assemble, so much so that often one skilled in the assembly of futon frames must be employed by the end user for that purpose. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,491 to Olender (1999), U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,062 to Woll et al. (2002), U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,858 to Dodge (1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,907 to Stoler et al. (1999), U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,638 to Newton (1996), U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,076 to Newton (1997), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,398 to Dodge (1996), all show futon frame designs that must incorporate machine screws and/or wood screws in their assembly. 
     In practice, these designs are also quite flimsy, in addition to being difficult for those not mechanically inclined to assemble. Also these designs tend to require the efforts of at least two people for assembly. Additionally, these types of futon frames do not lend themselves to repeated disassembly. Wooden parts get broken, wooden and metal threads become stripped or cross threaded, pre-drilled holes in thin metal parts become misshapen thereby causing a deterioration of structural integrity. The numerous nuts bolts and screws often become lost. 
     The mechanisms, through which prior art wooden and metal futon frames are converted from a sofa to a bed, tend to be stiff and complicated requiring a certain amount of practice to affect. If done improperly, the act of converting prior art futon frames from bed to sofa and vice-versa can and often does damage them. 
     Many prior art futon frames, and almost all in common use have a maximum of two positions to which the backrest can be adjusted. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     (a) To provide the user with a very sturdy difficult to damage futon frame; 
     (b) To provide the user with a futon frame that can be assembled and disassembled very quickly and easily by almost any one person with no special abilities or skills; 
     (c) To provide the user with a futon frame that can be assembled without tools; 
     (d) To provide the user with a futon frame that is very portable due to the fact that it quickly and easily can be broken down into six easily manageable pieces; 
     (e) To provide the user with a futon frame which utilizes no small parts; 
     (f) To provide the user with a futon frame, the backrest portion of which can be adjusted to several reclining positions; 
     (g) To provide a stylish metal futon frame that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture; 
     (h) To provide the user with a reclining mechanism that is simpler and easier to use than those of prior art futon frames; 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention comprises a futon frame having a seat, a backrest, two arms, and two legs. The backrest and the seat are secured to one another by means of permanently attached sockets and corresponding posts which allow the backrest to articulate with respect to the seat and which allow for easy removal of the backrest from the seat. The arms and legs are attached to the seat by means of sockets permanently attached to the seat and into which corresponding parts of the arms and legs can be inserted. The backrest is maintained in an upright position by means of chains permanently attached to the arms and attached to the backrest in a removable manner. 
     Attached to the backrest is a permanently attached support device capable of articulating with respect to the backrest, for maintaining the backrest in a position parallel to a supporting surface, such as a floor when the futon frame is in a bed position. 
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       10 ) BACKREST 
       10 A through  10 K) slats 
       10 N and  10 P) backrest chain hooks 
       10 U and  10 V) backrest support receiver sockets 
       10 W) backrest support 
       10 X and  10 Y) female half slip hinges 
       10 Z) backrest perimeter 
       10 AA and  10 BB) backrest support floor protectors 
       12 ) SEAT 
       12 A through  12 K) slats 
       12 L,  12 M,  12 N and  12 P) leg receiver sockets 
       12 U and  12 V) armrest receiver sockets 
       12 W) center support 
       12 X and  12 Y) male half slip hinges 
       12 Z) seat perimeter 
       14 )RIGHT ARMREST 
       14 )A right backrest support chain 
       16 ) LEFT ARMREST 
       16 A) left backrest support chain 
       18 ) RIGHT LEG 
       18 A and  18 B) right leg floor protectors 
       20 ) LEFT LEG 
       20 A and  20 B) left leg floor protectors 
       26 ) FUTON 
     All parts referred to by numbers and letters are sub-parts of parts referred to by numbers only. 
       26 , is not part of our invention, but is included for illustrational purposes. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     In the drawings the terms right, left, front and back, above, below, rearward, forward, upward and downward, refer to the relationship of the named parts to a person seated on a fully assembled futon frame, configured in a couch position, their back resting against a backrest. 
     FIG. 1) Perspective view, of a futon frame from the front and the right side showing a futon frame fully assembled and in a couch position, supporting a futon. 
     FIG. 2) Perspective view of a futon frame from the back and right side, showing futon frame fully assembled, in a couch position, supporting a futon. The dotted line indicates the operation of the backrest support. 
     FIG. 3) Perspective view from the back and right side supporting a futon. Both armrests are removed, and the backrest support is fully extended. The backrest is partially lowered. 
     FIG. 4) Perspective view of futon a frame from above, supporting a futon showing the futon frame in a bed position. 
     FIG. 5) Perspective view of a seat from above partially detailing its construction. 
     FIG. 6) Perspective view of a seat from below detailing the remainder of its construction. 
     FIG. 7) Perspective view of a seat seen from above showing it fully assembled. 
     FIG. 8) Perspective view of a seat seen from below, showing it fully assembled. 
     FIG. 9) Perspective view of a backrest seen from the front, partially detailing its construction. 
     FIG. 10) Perspective view of a backrest seen from the back showing additional aspects of its construction. 
     FIG. 11) Perspective view of a backrest leg showing how its receiver sockets are placed prior to attachment of backrest leg assembly to a backrest. This view also shows the placement of floor protectors. 
     FIG. 12) Perspective view of a backrest from the back, showing final attachment of a backrest leg. 
     FIG. 13) Perspective view of a backrest from the front, showing it fully assembled. 
     FIG. 14) Perspective view of a backrest seen from the back and below showing it fully assembled. 
     FIG. 15) Perspective view of one leg showing the attachment of floor protectors. 
     FIG. 16) Perspective view of one armrest with backrest support chain attached. 
     FIG. 17) Perspective view of a seat seen from below showing how legs are assembled onto the seat. 
     FIG. 18) Perspective view of a seat seen from above with legs attached. A backrest is also shown. Lines indicate how a backrest is attached to a seat. 
     FIG. 19) Perspective view of a seat, legs, and backrest assembled seen from the front. Both armrests are also shown as well as the way in which they are attached to a seat. 
     FIG. 20) Perspective view of our invention fully assembled. This figure details the means by which backrest support chains are attached to backrest chain hooks. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows a futon of our invention fully assembled as it would appear in a couch position. A futon  26  is partially supported by a seat  12 . The remainder of the futon  26  rests against a backrest  10 . The upturned ends of legs  18  and  20  are inserted into leg receiver sockets  12 L,  12 M,  12 N, and  12 P, not visible in this drawing, which are welded or otherwise permanently attached to the underside of seat  12 . Said leg receiver sockets are of a dimension sufficient to allow a rigid fit when the legs  18  and  20  are inserted. 
     The lower aspects of arms  14  and  16 , are inserted into armrest receiver sockets  12 U and  12 V said armrest receiver sockets being welded or otherwise permanently attached to opposite ends of seat  12 . Armrest receiver sockets  12 U and  12 V are of a dimension sufficient to allow a rigid fit when the armrests  14  and  16  are inserted into them. 
     Backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A are welded or otherwise permanently attached to armrests  14  and  16  at the ends not inserted into armrest receiver sockets  12 U and  12 V. A link of each of said backrest support chains is looped over backrest chain hooks  10 N and  10 P, thereby supporting backrest  10  in an upright or couch position. The angle of inclination of backrest  10  is adjusted by choosing different links of backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A to loop over backrest chain hooks  10 N and  10 P. 
     FIG. 2 shows a futon frame of our invention fully assembled as explained above, and seen from the back. Additionally, a backrest support  10 W, associated backrest support receiver sockets  10 U and  10 V and their operation are indicated. Said backrest leg receiver sockets  10 U and  10 V, are placed over protrusions located on the uppermost portions of backrest leg  10 W. Backrest leg receiver sockets  10 U and  10 V are then welded or otherwise permanently attached to the upper and middle portion, and on the back side of backrest  10 . Said backrest support receiver sockets,  10 U and  10 V, are of a dimension sufficient to allow a rigid fit when the corresponding protrusions of backrest support  10 W are inserted, but not so rigid as to impede the articulation of said backrest support. In this way backrest support  10 W, can articulate from a position folded flat against backrest  10  to an extended position whereby it can support backrest  10  in a position above a floor, and coplanar with seat  12 , when the futon frame is in a bed position. Also shown are male half slip hinges  12 X and  12 Y, which are welded or otherwise permanently attached to seat  12 . Female half slip hinges  10 X and  10 Y are also shown and are permanently attached to backrest  10 , and fit over male half slip hinges  12 X, and  12 Y so that backrest  10 , can articulate relative to seat  12 . 
     FIG. 3 shows a futon frame of our invention partially disassembled. Armrests  14  and  16 , are removed, thereby releasing backrest  10 , leaving it free to be folded down into a position coplanar with seat  12 . Backrest support  10 W is shown fully extended so as to be able to support backrest  10  in a position coplanar with seat  12 . Center support  12 W, is shown providing support to backrest  10 , at a location where backrest  10  would otherwise have no support. 
     FIG. 4 shows a futon frame of our invention partially disassembled, viewed from above. Armrests  14  and  16  are removed. The futon frame is configured in a bed position supporting a futon  26 . Right leg  20  and backrest leg  10 W, can be seen supporting seat  12  and backrest  10 , above a floor. Left leg  18  also provides support in the same way but cannot be seen in this drawing. Also shown is armrest receiver socket  12 U. 
     FIG. 5 shows the assembly of sub-parts: seat perimeter  12 Z, male half slip hinges  12 X and  12 Y, slats  12 A through  12 K, and armrest receiver sockets  12 U and  12 V. These parts are welded or otherwise permanently attached to one another, in the locations indicated in FIG. 5 to partially construct seat  12 . 
     FIG. 6 shows a partially completed seat  12  from FIG. 5, as well as the placement of sub-parts: leg receiver sockets  12 L,  12 M,  12 N,  12 P, center support  12 W. These parts are welded or otherwise permanently attached where indicated in the drawing to complete seat  12 . 
     FIG. 7 shows a completed seat  12  seen from above. Viewed from this position all sub-parts are at least partially visible. 
     FIG. 8 shows a completed seat  12 . In this view all sub-parts are at least partially visible. 
     FIG. 9 shows the assembly of sub-parts: slats  10 A through  10 K, female half slip hinges  10 X and  10 Y, and seat perimeter  10 Z. These parts are welded or otherwise permanently attached to one another in the manner indicated to partially construct backrest  10 . 
     FIG. 10 shows a partially completed backrest  10  from FIG. 9, as well as the placement of sub-parts: backrest chain hooks  10 N and  10 P. These parts are welded where indicated in the drawing, further constructing backrest  12 . 
     FIG. 11 shows backrest support  10 W, and indicates the placement of backrest leg receiver sockets  10 U, and  10 V, onto posts protruding from upper parts of backrest support  10 W. FIG. 11 also shows the placement of floor protectors  10 AA, and  10 BB, made of rubber or some other suitable material, onto additional protrusions located on backrest support  10 W, at points where it contacts a floor when extended. 
     FIG. 12 shows a backrest support  10 W, with backrest leg receiver sockets  10 U, and  10 V, and floor protectors  10 AA and  10 BB in place. FIG. 12 further shows the placement of backrest support receiver sockets  10 U and  10 V onto a partially completed backrest  10  from FIG.  10 . Backrest support receiver sockets  10 U and  10 V are welded or otherwise permanently attached where indicated thus completing backrest  10  and leaving backrest support  10 W free to swing outward from backrest  10 . 
     FIG. 13 shows a completed backrest  10  viewed from the front. All sub-parts are at least partially visible with the exception of backrest support receiver socket  10 V, which is obscured by slat  10 C. 
     FIG. 14 shows a completed backrest  10  viewed from the back. All sub-parts are visible. Backrest support  10 W is folded into backrest  10 . 
     FIG. 15 depicts left leg  20 . Both legs are identical. FIG. 15 also shows the placement of floor protectors  20 A and  20 B. 
     FIG. 16 depicts left armrest  16 , both armrests are identical. The same figure shows the placement of backrest support chains  16 A. Both sub-parts  14 A and  16 A are welded or otherwise permanently attached to the uppermost and rearmost ends of armrests  14  and  16 . 
     FIG. 17 shows a seat  12  seen from below as well as legs  18  and  20 . Lines indicate the insertion of the uppermost ends of legs  18  and  20  into corresponding leg receiver sockets  12 L,  12 M,  12 N, and  12 P, to form a supporting base for the overall structure. 
     FIG. 18 shows a seat  12  with legs  18  and  20  in place. Additionally FIG. 18 shows a backrest  10  with lines indicating how female half slip hinges  10 X and  10 Y, are placed onto male half slip hinges  12   x  and  12 Y. One hinge pin of either  12 X or  12 Y is shorter than that of its counterpart. 
     FIG. 19 shows a seat  12  with legs  18  and  20  in place and with backrest  10  positioned onto seat  12 . FIG. 19 also shows armrests  14  and  16 . Lines indicate the insertion of the lower and rearmost ends of  14  and  16  into armrest receiver sockets  12 U and  12 V. Backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A are also shown. 
     FIG. 20 shows seat  12 , legs  18  and  20 , backrest  10 , and armrests  14  and  16 , assembled and in place. FIG. 20 also shows backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A attached to backrest support chain hooks  10 N and  10 P. An inset details the method their of attachment. 
     OPERATION 
     The manner of using the futon frame that assembles by means of sockets is substantially different from the manner in which prior art futon frames are used and assembled and is as follows. 
     A user assembles the futon frame by first inserting appropriate ends of legs  18  and  20 , into corresponding leg receiver sockets  12 L,  12 M,  12 N, and  12 P which are permanently secured to seat  12 . This step is illustrated in FIG.  17 . 
     A user then turns this assembly, comprised of seat  12  and legs  18  and  20 , so that legs  18  and  20 , rest on a floor and support seat  12  above said floor. 
     Next a user inserts the ends not having backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A attached, of armrests  14  and  16 , into the forward facing ends of armrest receiver sockets  12 U and  12 V, as shown in FIG.  19 . 
     The user then attaches backrest  10  to seat  12  by placing female half slip hinges  10 U and  10 V, onto male half slip hinges  12 U and  12 V. This is made easier by the fact that one of the male half slip hinge pins is shorter than the other. By this means the user can partially place one female half slip hinge onto the longer corresponding male half, stabilizing the backrest so that the user can more easily place the remaining female half slip hinge onto the shorter corresponding male half. This step in the assembly is illustrated in FIG.  18 . 
     The user can then configure the futon in a couch position by attaching one link of each of backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A, to its corresponding backrest chain hooks  10 N and  10 P, said backrest support chains thus supporting, in conjunction with armrests  14  and  16 , backrest  10  in an upright position. This step in the user assembly process is detailed in FIG.  20 . 
     A futon  26  is placed on the futon frame and folded to conform to a couch position. Once the futon frame is configured in a couch position the angle of inclination of the backrest can be easily adjusted to any of several positions. This is done by increasing or decreasing the distance between armrests  14  and  16 , and backrest chain hooks  10 N and  10 P. This is accomplished by unhooking backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A, from corresponding backrest chain hooks  10 N and  10 P, then reattaching backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A, to corresponding backrest chain hooks  10   n  and  10 P, using links different from those previously used. 
     Once assembled, the futon frame of our invention is made into a bed by first disconnecting backrest support chains  14 A and  16 A, from corresponding backrest chain hooks  10 N and  10 P. The user then grasps backrest leg  10 W and pulls, filly extending it to a position perpendicular to backrest  10 . This step is illustrated in FIG.  2 . Backrest  10  can then be lowered so that the lower portion of backrest leg  10 W rests on the floor maintaining, in conjunction with center support  12 W, backrest  10 , in a position coplanar with seat  12 . Finally armrests  14  and  16  are folded inward and underneath futon  26 , or are removed entirely by sliding their lower ends out of armrest receiver sockets  12 U and  12 V. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, SCOPE 
     The futon frame of our invention can be disassembled as easily as it is assembled in about two minutes simply by reversing the assembly process. No tools are required. This allows a far greater degree of portability than prior art futon frames. 
     Further, our invention, while it can be made of wood or thin metal tubing, is not likely to be. For this reason it offers an enormous advantage in terms of durability over prior art futon frames currently being sold. 
     The mechanisms which comprise our futon frame are far simpler than those of prior art futon frames, and are therefore much less frustrating for a user. The simplicity of the mechanisms comprising our invention makes it likely that it will remain operational far longer than prior art futon frames. 
     There are no small parts which can be lost, and the backrest can be adjusted to several reclining positions. 
     Although the description above contains much specificity, this should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention. For example the shapes of the arms might be different from those in the drawing figures such as angular or hemispherical; the sockets illustrated are circular in cross section, conceivably the armrests, legs, and sockets can have almost any cross sectional shape, square for instance. 
     Instead of crutch foot type floor protectors a manufacturer might opt for simple rubber tubing over the floor, contacting surfaces; chains might instead be cables or ropes with built in stops, a rigid extension of the armrests with stops, etc. The embodiment described above is constructed of metal; however, wood, plastic, or other material could be used. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.