Abstract:
This invention presents a foldable cot. The foldable cot includes a foldable frame and a flexible sheet having a generally rectangular shape. The peripheral portions of the flexible sheet are secured to the foldable frame. The foldable frame has two-pairs of hingedly connected longitudinal bars, which allows the foldable frame to be folded in a longitudinal direction. A middle support structure is mounted to the hinge connectors. The middle support structure includes a pair of crossbars having a general X-shape. Upper ends of the crossbars are pivotably connected to the hinge connectors. There is provided a pair of vertical poles connecting the upper ends and lower ends of the crossbars, respectively. The vertical poles are extendible between a retracted position and an extended position, which allows the X-shaped crossbars to have a scissors-like motion so that the foldable frame can be folded in a transverse direction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       APPENDIX  
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates generally to cots, and more particularly to a foldable cot. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    Portable beds or cots have been used for many years. Such cots are widely used in conjunction with out door activities such as mountain climbing, fishing, boating, hunting, camping, flying, and the like. Foldable cots of existing types are not as satisfactory as could be desired. Such cots can also be used as an extra bed for home use. 
         [0008]    A typical foldable cot includes a body-supporting sheet and a frame. Some of existing cots can be folded by dissembling the frame. Others utilize foldable frames. However, foldable cots of existing types are not as satisfactory as could be desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One aspect of the present invention is a foldable cot that includes a foldable frame having a folded position and an unfolded position and a flexible sheet secured to the foldable frame. The foldable frame includes a first longitudinal bar and a second longitudinal bar hingedly connected with each other via a first middle hinge connector the foldable frame also has a third longitudinal bar and a fourth longitudinal bar hingedly connected with each other via a second middle hinge connector. The foldable frame includes a middle support structure mounted to the first and second middle hinge connectors. The middle support structure has a first crossbar and a second crossbar together forming a general X-shape when in the unfolded position. The upper ends of the crossbars are pivotably connected to the middle hinge connectors. The middle support structure further has a first vertical pole and a second vertical pole each having a top end attached to the middle hinge connectors. The lower ends of the crossbars are pivotably connected to a bottom end of the vertical poles. The vertical poles are extendible between a retracted position and an extended position. 
         [0010]    In a preferred embodiment, the crossbars are connected in the middle to each other such that the crossbars are rotatable relative to each other. 
         [0011]    In a preferred embodiment, each of the vertical poles has a first pole member and a second pole member. The first pole member of the first and second vertical poles is attached to the first and second middle hinge connectors, respectively. The second pole member is slidable along the first pole member. Preferably, the first pole member is a hollowed member, and the second pole member is an inner rod slideably disposed within the hollowed member. In this preferred embodiment, the first and second vertical poles are in the extended position when the inner rods are extended out of the hollowed members. The first and second vertical poles are in the retracted position when the inner rods are retracted into the hollowed member. In a preferred embodiment, the hollowed members and inner rods have angled cross-section such that the inner rods are not allowed to rotate within the hollowed members relative to the hollowed members. 
         [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the first and second crossbars are pivotably connected to the first and second middle hinge connectors and to the bottom end of the first and second vertical poles via L-shaped crossbar hinge brackets. 
         [0013]    In a preferred embodiment, the foldable frame also has a first transverse bar removably connected between the first and third longitudinal bars and a second transverse bar removably connected between the second and fourth longitudinal bars. In this preferred embodiment, the first and second transverse bars are identical and each of the longitudinal bars has a mount for removably attaching the first and second transverse bars thereto. 
         [0014]    In a preferred embodiment, the foldable frame further has a first leg pivotably attached to the first longitudinal bar, a second leg pivotably attached to the second longitudinal bar, a third leg pivotably attached to the third longitudinal bar, and a fourth leg pivotably attached to the fourth longitudinal bar. Preferably, the legs are pivotably connected to the respective longitudinal bars via leg hinge brackets. The leg hinge brackets allow the legs to pivot between a folded position and an untolded position. The unfolded position and folded position define therebetween an angle substantially larger than 90° but substantially less than 180°. In a preferred embodiment, the first second, third, and fourth legs are pivotable independently of one another. In a preferred embodiment, the foldable frame further has a first leg connecting bar removably connected between the first and third legs and a second leg connecting bar removably connected between the second and fourth legs: Preferably, the first and second leg connecting bars are identical. Each of the first, second, third, and fourth legs has a mount for removably attaching the first and second leg connecting bars thereto. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the flexible sheet has a plurality of longitudinal sleeves in its peripheral portions for receiving the first, second, third, and fourth longitudinal bars therein. In the embodiment where the foldable frame has transverse bars, the flexible sheet has a plurality of transverse sleeves in the peripheral portions for removably receiving the first and second transverse bars therein. 
         [0016]    Another aspect of the present invention is a foldable cot frame having a folded position and an unfolded position. The foldable cot frame includes a first longitudinal bar and a second longitudinal bar hingedly connected with each other via a first middle hinge connector. The foldable cot frame also includes a third longitudinal bar and a fourth longitudinal bar hingedly connected with each other via a second middle hinge connector. A middle support structure is mounted to the first and second middle hinge connectors. The middle support structure has a first crossbar and a second crossbar together forming a general X-shape when the foldable frame is in the unfolded position. Upper ends of the crossbars are pivotably connected to the middle hinge connectors. The middle support structure also has a first vertical pole and a second vertical pole each having a top end attached to the first and second middle hinge connectors, respectively. Lower ends of the first and second crossbars are pivotably connected to a bottom end of The first and second vertical poles, respectively. The first and second vertical poles are extendible between a retracted position and an extended position. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second vertical poles comprises a first pole member and a second pole member. The first pole member of the first and second vertical poles is attached to the first and second middle hinge connectors, respectively. The second pole member is slidable along the first pole member. Preferably, the first pole member is a hollowed member, and the second pole member is an inner rod slideably disposed within the hollowed member. The first and second vertical poles are in the extended position when the inner rods are extended out of the hollowed members. The first and second vertical poles are in the retracted position when the inner rods are retracted into the hollowed member. 
         [0018]    In a preferred embodiment, a first transverse bar is removably connected between the first and third longitudinal bars and a second transverse bar is removably connected between the second and fourth longitudinal bars. 
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, a first leg is pivotably attached to the first longitudinal bar, a second leg is pivotably attached to the second longitudinal bar., a third leg is pivotably attached to the third longitudinal bar, and a fourth leg is pivotably attached to the fourth longitudinal bar. 
         [0020]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a top front perspective view of a foldable cot according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a bottom front perspective view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, partial view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, partial view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, partial view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged, partial view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a partial, bottom perspective view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 1  where the transverse bars and the leg connecting bars are removed and the legs are in the folded position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the leg connecting bar removed from the foldable cot of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a partial, bottom perspective view of the foldable cot of  FIG. 1  where the transverse bars and the leg connecting bars are removed, the legs are in the folded position, and the middle support structure is in the folded position. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a partial, bottom perspective view of the folding cot of  FIG. 1  where the longitudinal bars are in the folded position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    Shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a foldable cot  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The foldable cot  1  comprises a flexible sheet  10  and a foldable frame  20 . The flexible sheet  10  furnishes support for a user (not shown) lying thereon. In  FIG. 2 , the foldable cot  1  includes optional pockets  17 ,  18  attached to peripheral portions of the flexible sheet  10 . The foldable frame  20  can be folded from an unfolded position for use to a folded position for storage or carrying as further explained below. In  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the foldable frame  20  is shown in its fully unfolded position. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the foldable frame  20  has a first longitudinal bar  21 , a second longitudinal bar  22 , a third longitudinal bar  23 , and a fourth longitudinal bar  24 . The first and second longitudinal bars  21 ,  22  are hingedly connected to each other via a first middle hinge connector  25 . The third and fourth longitudinal bars  23 .  24  are hingedly connected to each other via a second middle hinge connector  26 . This configuration allows the foldable frame  20  to be folded in its longitudinal direction. 
         [0035]    In the illustrated embodiment as best seen in  FIG. 4 , the first and second middle hinge connectors  25 ,  26  are T-shaped. The first and second middle hinge connectors  25 ,  26  are attached to a first vertical pole  51 , and a second vertical pole  52 . The first and second vertical poles  51 ,  52  are further explained below. The first longitudinal bar  21  is pivotably connected to the first middle hinge connector  25  such that the first longitudinal bar  21  can rotate around a first pivot axis  25   a  of the first middle hinge connector  25 . The second longitudinal bar  22  is pivotably connected to the first middle hinge connector  25  such that the second longitudinal bar  22  can rotate around a second pivot axis  25   b  of the first middle hinge connector  25 . Likewise, the third longitudinal bar  23  is pivotably connected to the second middle hinge connector  26  such that the third longitudinal bar  23  can rotate around a first pivot axis  26   a  of the second middle hinge connector  26 . The fourth longitudinal bar  24  is pivotably connected to the second middle hinge connector  26  such that the fourth longitudinal bar  24  can rotate around a second pivot axis  26   b  of the second middle hinge connector  26 . 
         [0036]    This configuration allows the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  to pivot between a folded position and an unfolded position. While  FIG. 4  shows the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  in the unfolded position,  FIG. 11  shows the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 .  24  in the folded position. In the folded position as in  FIG. 11 , the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  are parallel with the vertical poles  51 ,  52 . In the unfolded position as in  FIG. 4 , the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  are perpendicular to the vertical poles  51 .  52 . This configuration allows the foldable frame  20  to be folded in its longitudinal direction. 
         [0037]    The first middle hinge connector  25  is designed to allow the first and second longitudinal bars  21 ,  22  to rotate around the pivot axis  25   a ,  25   b , respectively, only to a restricted extent so that the longitudinal bars cannot pivot beyond the unfolded position where the first and second longitudinal bars  21 ,  22  are perpendicular to the vertical pole  51 . Likewise, the second middle hinge connector  26  is designed to allow the third and fourth longitudinal bars  23 ,  24  to rotate around the pivot axis  26   a ,  26   b , respectively, only to a restricted extent so that the longitudinal bars cannot pivot beyond the unfolded position where the third and fourth longitudinal bars  23 ,  24  are perpendicular to the vertical pole  52 . Preferably, the first and second middle hinge connectors  25 ,  26  are identical. 
         [0038]    The foldable frame  20  also has a first transverse bar  31  and a second transverse bar  32 . The first transverse bar  31  is removably connected between the first and third longitudinal bars  21 ,  23 . The second transverse bar  32  is removably connected between the second and fourth longitudinal bars  22 ,  24 . When connected as shown in  FIG. 3 , the transverse bars  31 ,  32  together with the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  maintain tension on the flexible sheet  10 . The transverse bars  31 ,  32  are removed before the foldable frame  20  can be folded in its transverse direction as further explained below. Preferably, the First and second transverse bars  31 ,  32  are identical. 
         [0039]    As best seen in  FIG. 7 , the first longitudinal bar  21  has a mount extrusion  27  attached to its outer end. Likewise, each of the second, third, and fourth longitudinal bars  22 ,  23 ,  24  also has an extrusion  27  attached to its outer end. Each of the mount extrusions  27  has an enlarged head portion  27   a . The first transverse bar  31  has a pair of identical mount cavities  33  at its end portions for removably receiving the enlarged head portion  27   a  of the first and third longitudinal bars  21 ,  23 , respectively. Likewise, the second transverse bar  32  also has a pair of identical mount cavities  33  at its end portions for removably receiving the enlarged head portion  27   a  of the second and fourth longitudinal bars  22 ,  24 , respectively. 
         [0040]    The flexible sheet  10  has longitudinal sleeves  11   a ,  11   b ,  12   a ,  12   b ,  13   a ,  13   b ,  14   a ,  14   b  in its peripheral portions for receiving the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , respectively. The flexible sheet  10  also has transverse sleeves  15 ,  16  along its periphery for removably receiving the transverse bars  31 ,  32 , respectively. Accordingly, when connected with the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , the transverse bars  31 ,  32  together with the longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  can maintain tension on the flexible sheet  10 . The transverse bars  31 ,  32  can be disconnected from the respective longitudinal bars  21 .  23 ;  22 ,  24  and then removed from the respective transverse sleeves  15 ,  16 . 
         [0041]    The foldable frame  20  also has a first leg  41 , a second leg  42 , a third leg  43 , and a fourth leg  44 . The first leg  41  is pivotably connected to the first longitudinal bar  21  via a first leg hinge bracket  45 . The second leg  42  is pivotably connected to the second longitudinal bar  22  via a second leg hinge bracket  46 . The third leg  43  is pivotably connected to the third longitudinal bar  23  via a third leg hinge bracket  47 . The fourth leg  44  is pivotably connected to the fourth longitudinal bar  24  via a fourth leg hinge bracket  48 . 
         [0042]    As best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the leg hinge brackets  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48  are fixedly attached to their respective legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 , and pivotably attached to their respective longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 . The legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  together with their respective leg hinge brackets  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48  are pivotable around their respective pivot axes  45   a ,  46   a ,  47   a ,  48   a  between a folded position and an unfolded position relative to the respective longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  are shown in the unfolded position. 
         [0043]    The leg hinge brackets  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48  are designed to allow their respective legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  only to a restricted extent such that the legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  cannot pivot beyond the unfolded position. Accordingly, an angle a defined between the legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  and their respective longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  can vary between 0° (in the folded position) and α max  (in the unfolded position). The maximum angle α max  is preferably sufficiently larger than 90° but sufficiently less than 180°. In the unfolded position as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , this configuration helps prevent the legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  from accidentally pivoting to the folded position (α=0°) because of the weight of the user (not shown). Accordingly, the legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  and their respective leg hinge brackets  45 ,  46 ,  47 ,  48  can be maintained in the unfolded position supporting their respective longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , without needing leg locking means. In  FIGS. 5 and 6  where the legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  are shown in the unfolded position, the angle α is α max  (α=α max ). 
         [0044]    In the unfolded position as shown in  FIG. 3 , the first and third legs  41 ,  43  are connected by a first leg connecting bar  61 . The first leg connecting bar  61  is removably connected between the first and third legs  41 ,  43 . In the unfolded position, the second and fourth legs  42 ,  44  are connected by a second leg connecting bar  62 . The second leg connecting bar  62  is removably connected between the second and fourth legs  42 ,  44 . In  FIG. 8 , the foldable cot  1  is shown with the first and second leg connecting bars  61 ,  62  removed. In  FIG. 8 , the first and second transverse bars  31 ,  32  are also removed and the first, second, third, and fourth legs are all in the folded position (α=0°). 
         [0045]    As seen in  FIG. 8 , the first, second, third, and fourth legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  each has a male mount  49  having an enlarged head portion. As best seen in  FIG. 9 , the first and second leg connecting bars  61 ,  62  each has a pair of identical female mounts  63  at its ends for removably receiving the enlarged head portion of the male mount  49  of the legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 . 
         [0046]    The foldable frame  20  also has a middle support structure  50 . The middle support structure  50  allows the foldable frame  20  to be folded from an unfolded position to a folded position in its transverse direction. The middle support structure  50  has the first vertical pole  51 . The first vertical pole  51  has a top end fixedly attached to the first middle hinge connector  25 . The middle support structure  50  also has the second vertical pole  52 . The second vertical pole  52  has a top end fixedly attached to the second middle hinge connector  26 . The first and second vertical poles  51 ,  52  are extendible from a retracted position to an extended position.  FIG. 8  shows the vertical poles  51 ,  52  in the retracted position. When the vertical poles  51 ,  52  are in the retracted position as in  FIG. 8 , the middle support structure  50  is in the unfolded position. 
         [0047]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first vertical pole  51  is comprised of a hollowed member  51   a  attached to the first middle hinge connector  25  and an inner rod  51   b  slideably disposed within the hollowed member  51   a . The second vertical pole  52  is also comprised of a hollowed member  52   a  attached to the second middle hinge connector  26  and an inner rod  52   b  slideably disposed within the hollowed member  52   a.    
         [0048]    The middle support structure  50  also has a first crossbar  53  and a second crossbar  54 . In  FIG. 8 , the first and second crossbars  53 ,  54  form a general X-shape. An upper end of the first crossbar  53  is pivotably connected to the first middle hinge connector  25 . A lower end of the first crossbar  53  is pivotably connected to the bottom end of the inner rod  52   b  of the second vertical pole  52 . An upper end of the second crossbar  54  is pivotably connected to the second middle hinge connector  26 . A lower end of the second crossbar  54  is pivotably connected to the bottom end of the inner rod  51   b  of the first vertical pole  51 . The first and second crossbars can be pivotably connected to each other in the middle via a pivot pin  59 . 
         [0049]    In the illustrated embodiment, a first L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  55  is attached to the first middle hinge connector  25 . A second L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  56  is attached to the bottom end of the inner rod  52   b  of the second vertical pole  52 . A third L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  57  is attached to the second middle hinge connector  26 . A fourth L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  58  is attached to the bottom end of the inner rod  51   b  of the first vertical pole  51 . The upper end of the first crossbar  53  is pivotably connected to the first middle hinge connector  25  via the first L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  55  and the lower end of the first crossbar  53  is pivotably connected to the bottom end of the inner rod  52   b  of the second vertical pole  52  via the second L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  56 . The upper end of the second crossbar  54  is pivotably connected to the second middle hinge connector  26  via the third L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  57 , and the lower end of the second crossbar  54  is pivotably connected to the bottom end of the inner rod  51   b  of the first vertical pole  51  via the fourth L-shaped crossbar hinge bracket  58 . 
         [0050]    While  FIG. 8  shoves the middle support structure  50  in the unfolded position,  FIG. 10  shows the middle support structure  50  in the folded position. When the first and second vertical poles  51 ,  52  are brought close to each other, the crossbars  53 ,  54  stand upright rotating relative to each other and the inner rods  51   b ,  52   b  are slidingly extended out of the hollowed members  51   a ,  52   a , extending the length of the vertical poles  51 ,  52 . In other words, the combination of the rotating motion of the crossbars  53 ,  54  and the extension of the inner rods  51   b ,  52   b  allows the vertical poles  51 ,  52  to move toward each other, collapsing the middle support structure  50 . 
         [0051]    The longitudinal bars  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  and the transverse bars  31 ,  32  arc preferably made hollow to reduce the weight. The vertical poles  51 ,  52  and the crossbars  53 ,  54  are preferably made hollow to reduce the weight. The legs  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44  and the leg connecting bars  61 ,  62  are preferably made hollow to reduce the weight. 
         [0052]    As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, as described above with reference to the corresponding illustrations, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.