Abstract:
A multi-angle hook fastened to an extension member, that is used to stop the extension from completely pulling out of the frame it sits in. When fully extended, the multi-angle hook allows at least three different holding positions, seen as three different angles that the extension sits at while using the multi-angle hook as its fixed point of pivot. The multi-angle hook is a metal, plastic, or wood plate bent along several parallel lines, across its width, at varying angles. An L-shaped hinge which is used to secure a side rail-less frame member to another frame member, to avoid undue stress on the side rail-less frame member. The L-shaped hinge is a metal, plastic, or wood plate which substantially conforms to a portion of a side rail-less frame member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/917,857, filed on Jul. 31, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,473, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/761,108, filed on Jan. 17, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,693, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Filed of the Invention 
   The present invention is generally directed to a multi-angle hook and an L-shaped hinge and more particularly, to a multi-angle hook and an L-shaped hinge for use with a furniture extension. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Futon frames come in one of at least two different configurations, bi-fold, and tri-fold. In a bi-fold configuration illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a convertible futon sofa-bed frame allows the futon mattress to fold once along its length. Typically, bi-fold configurations are utilized for larger width furniture, such as sofas, so that one or more persons may lie on the futon sofa-bed frame, with the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   The tri-fold configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is more commonly utilized for narrower futon frames (for example a 28″ wide chair or 54″ wide loveseat). In a tri-fold, the futon mattress is folded twice along its usually shorter width. A futon mattress may hang over the back of the frame or be folded under the seat itself, or lay flat as a chaise lounge style seat. A person lies on the tri-fold in the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   An extension  10  may be added to the seat platform  12  of a futon frame to form a leg-rest (as an ottoman) as well as giving extra length to smaller size futon frames to allow the user to form the full length bed illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   The extension  10  may be a framed platform including outer frame members and inside slat components. The slats of the extension  10  commonly “nest” into the slats of the seat platform  12 ; in other words, the extension slats slide in between the slats of the seat platform  12 , sliding in and out in relation to them. 
   The extension  10  may be fastened to the seat in various ways but most commonly there is a bar of wood or metal on the underside of (and at the rear of) the extension slats which holds the extension slats together as fixed group. This bar also serves to stop the extension  10  from being pulled completely out of the seat platform  12 . The bar is below the slats and stops firmly against the frame of the seat platform  12  keeping the extension  10  from pulling out completely. This bar is permanently fixed to the extension  10  and makes removal of the extension  10  from the rest of the frame impossible. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention changes the nature of the attachment of the extension to the seat platform by allowing easy and complete removal of the extension from the seat platform. 
   The present invention utilizes a multi-angle hook that allows the extension platform to be freely lifted off the seat platform and alternately lowered and set into place. 
   This flexibility is advantageous in the following ways: 
   1) conversion of the futon frame into its various positions (bed, recliner, and upright-sofa) is easier to do as the frame is easier to manipulate with the extension removed; 
   2) defective parts are easily replaced; and/or 
   3) parts management in manufacturing is simpler thereby saving production cost. 
   Additionally, the multi-angle hook is stepped at its holding points to allow for at least two positions most extensions require: 
   1) Horizontal: flat for straight-legged position, such as a bed position; and 
   2) angled to the floor: a “steamer” position. 
   Further, the present invention allows the seat platform to not include side rails. The present invention utilizes an L-shaped hinge, attachable to the seat platform, for securing the side rail-less seat platform to a back platform. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional bi-fold configuration. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the typical orientation of person(s) lying on a bi-fold futon bed-frame. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a conventional tri-fold configuration. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the typical orientation of a person lying on a tri-fold futon bed-frame. 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  illustrate the multi-angle hook in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  illustrate the relationship between the extension, the seat platform, and the multi-angle hook of the present invention in several exemplary positions. 
       FIGS. 7   a - 7   c  illustrate the lounger position, the steamer position, and the bed position, respectively, from additional angles. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a seat platform and an L-shaped hinge in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  illustrate the L-shaped hinge in an assembled futon frame, from various angles, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  illustrate the L-shaped hinge from various perspectives and  FIGS. 10   e - 10   f  illustrates a securing device for securing the L-shaped hinge to a frame component in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  illustrate the multi-angle hook  20  in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5   a  illustrates a side view,  FIG. 5   b  a front view,  FIG. 5   c  a foldout view, and  FIG. 5   d  an additional view. As illustrated in  FIG. 5   a , the multi-angle hook  20  includes a member  22  and a member  24 , which, as shown, are at a right angle or substantially a right angle to each other, although this is not essential. In fact, the angle between members  22  and  24  can be any angle as long as the angle is capable of a portion of the seat platform  12 , which will be discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d . The multi-angle hook  20  also includes a member  26  and a member  28 . In a preferred embodiment, the multi-angle hook  20  is formed as a single piece, preferably of metal, but also possibly of any type of rigid, sturdy, plastic, wood or any other suitable material. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   d , the angle between members  22  and  24  is obtuse, in particular, approximately 135° and the angle between members  26  and  28  is a right angle or substantially a right angle to each other, although these values are also not essential. In fact, similar to the angle between members  22  and  24 , the angles between members  24  and  26  and members  26  and  28  can be any angle as long as the angles are capable of catching a portion of the seat platform  12 , which will be discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d.    
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d , the multi-angle hook  20  includes at least one hole  30  for securing the multi-angle hook to the extension  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the at least one hole  30  is counter-sunk. In another preferred embodiment, the number of holes  30  is three, although any number of holes may be used. Further, the manner in which the multi-angle hook  20  is secured to the extension  10 , such as, screws, bolts, nails, rivets, pins, staples, snaps, (or any other suitable fastener), glue (which might obviate the need for holes altogether), etc., is not significant, as long as the multi-angle hook  20  and the extension  10  are secured together. 
     FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  illustrate the relationship between the extension  10 , the seat platform  12 , and the multi-angle hook  20  in several positions.  FIG. 6   a  illustrates the bed position, where the extension  10 and the seat platform  12  are both substantially parallel to the floor. As illustrated in  FIG. 6   a , the multi-angle hook  20  is secured to the extension  10  and the multi-angle hook  20  is arranged such that it catches the seat platform  12 . As illustrated, member  22  of the multi-angle hook  20  contacts and is substantially parallel to a top side of the seat platform  12  and member  24  of the multi-angle hook  20  contacts and is substantially parallel to a front side of the seat platform  12 . In this manner, the extension  10  is supported by the seat platform  12  at one end and via legs  11  at the other end. Further, the multi-angle hook  20  enables the extension to temporarily engage the seat platform  12 , when in the bed position. 
     FIG. 6   b  illustrates the steamer position, where the extension  10  and the seat platform  12  are both substantially tilted with respect to the floor. As illustrated in  FIG. 6   b , the multi-angle hook  20  is secured to the extension  10  and the multi-angle hook  20  is arranged such that it again catches the seat platform  12 . As illustrated, member  26  of the multi-angle hook  20  contacts and is substantially parallel to a top side of the seat platform  12  and member  28  of the multi-angle hook  20  contacts and is substantially parallel to a front side of the seat platform  12 . In this manner, the extension  10  is supported by the seat platform  12  at one end and via the floor on the other end. Further, the multi-angle hook  20  enables the extension to temporarily engage the seat platform  12 , when in the steamer position. It may also be advantageous for member  22  to have a notch or indent  21 , at one end to further secure the seat platform  12 . It is further noted that member  28  is optional 
     FIG. 6   c  illustrates the lounger position, which is somewhat of a hybrid between the bed position and the steamer position in that the extension  10  may be parallel or substantially parallel to the floor as in the bed position (although the seat platform  12  is not) or the extension  10  may be tilted with respect to the floor, but less tilted than the seat platform  12  in the steamer position. As illustrated in  FIG. 6   c , the multi-angle hook  20  is secured to the extension  10  and the multi-angle hook  20  is arranged such that it again catches the seat platform  12 . As illustrated, member  24  of the multi-angle hook  20  contacts the side of the seat platform  12  and member  22  and/or the extension  10  itself contact the top side of the seat platform  12 . In this manner, the extension  10  is supported by the seat platform  12  at one end and via the legs  11  on the other end. Further, the multi-angle hook  20  enables the extension to temporarily engage the seat platform  12 , when in the lounger position. It may also be advantageous for member  24  and/or member  22  (or the extension  10  itself) to have a notch or indent  21 , to further secure the seat platform  12 . 
     FIG. 6   d  illustrates the closed or unextended position, where the slats of the extension  10  are nested within the slats of the seat platform  12 . The extension slats slide in between the slats of the seat platform  12 , sliding in and out in relation to them. As illustrated in  FIG. 6   d , the extension  10  and the seat platform  12  are both substantially tilted with respect to the floor. As illustrated in  FIG. 6   d , the multi-angle hook  20  is arranged in front of a rear rail of the seat platform  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6   d , there is little or no interaction between the multi-angle hook and the seat platform  12  in the closed or unextended position. 
     FIGS. 7   a - 7   c  illustrate the lounger position, the steamer position, and the bed position, respectively, from additional angles. 
   In order to facilitate the attachment of the legs  11  of the extension  10  to the extension  10  itself, it may be advantageous to eliminate side rails from the seat platform  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6   a , the extension  10  includes side rails (as does the back platform  13 ), but the seat platform  12  does not. This arrangement allows easy and secure attachment of the legs  11  to the extension  10 . 
   Further, hinging of the seat platform  12  and the back platform  13  may be better achieved by not utilizing the conventional futon frame pivot connection. The conventional connection for futon frames is a clevis pin passing through a hole on the back platform side rail  13 ′ and again through a hole in the seat platform side rail thereby coupling the two platforms together. Without a seat platform side rail to connect to, the clevis pin passing through the back platform side rail  13 ′ has only the end of the seat long rail to be inserted into. The stress on a wood rail, created in this manner, may be excessive and could subject the seat long rail to cracking along the wood grain. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates a solution to this problem, namely an L-shaped hinge attachable to the seat platform  12  for the purpose of coupling the seat platform  12  and the back platform  13  together, allowing the seat platform  12  and the back platform  13  to pivot freely and securely in relation to each other. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the seat platform  12  includes a rear long rail  80 , a front long rail  81 , slats  82 , and no side rails. The L-shaped hinge  90  gives the required support to the end of the rear long rail  80 , when secured to the back platform side rail  13 ′ of  FIG. 6   a.    
   The seat platform  12  is coupled to the back platform  13  by inserting a clevis pin  100  through a hole in the back platform side rail  13 ′ and into the seat rear long rail  80 , first passing through the L-shaped hinge  90 , which is securely attached to the seat rear long rail  80 . 
   With the clevis pin  100  fully inserted as described, the clevis pin  100  is then locked into place with a conventional locking pin. The locking pin is fit through one of one or more holes ( 102  shown in  FIGS. 10   e - 10   f ) in and through (substantially perpendicular to) the far tip (away from the head) of the clevis pin  100 . 
   To allow access by the locking pin to the hole at the far tip of the clevis pin  100  while the clevis pin  100  is fully inserted into the seat rear long rail  80 , an access hole  101  is provided in and through (substantially perpendicular to) the surface of the seat rear long rail  80 . The relationship between the seat rear long rail  80 , the L-shaped hinge  90 , and the access hole  101  is further illustrated in  FIGS. 9   a - 9   d.    
     FIGS. 10   a - 10   f  illustrate an exemplary L-shaped hinge  90  and associated clevis pin  100 , in more detail.  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c , and  10   d  illustrate top, isometric, front, and outside views, respectively, of the L-shaped hinge  90 . The L-shaped hinge  90  includes at least two flanges  92 ,  94 , which form around the end of the seat rear long rail  80 . The flanges  92 ,  94  include one more holes  91  to secure the L-shaped hinge  90  to the seat rear long rail  80 . The holes  91  may be countersunk. The flange  94  also includes a hole  93  for the clevis pin  100 . As most clearly illustrated in  FIG. 10   b , the hole  93  is not countersunk, and in fact, may extend outwardly.  FIGS. 10   e - 10   f  illustrate top and isometric views, respectively of the holes  102  of the clevis pin  100 , in more detail. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 10   e - 10   f , to allow easy insertion of the locking pin into the clevis pin  100 , the clevis pin  100  includes holes  102 , in substantially the same transverse plane, but approximately 90° apart. The holes  102  allows easy access for the locking pin to a hole in the clevis pin  100 , regardless of the clevis pin&#39;s random rotation in the seat rear long rail  80 . 
   Although each of  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  and  7   a - 7   c  illustrate two multi-angle hooks, any number of hooks  20  may be utilized. Further, although the multi-angle hook  20  of  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  and  7   a - 7   c  contacts top and front sides of the front rail of the seat platform  12 , the multi-angle hook  20  may contact any surface of the seat platform  12  or the extension  10  to accomplish the desired goal. Still further, although the multi-angle hook  20  of  FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  and  7   a - 7   c  is shown as being attached to the extension  10 , the multi-angle hook could also be attached to the seat platform  12 . Still further, the multi-angle hook  20  may be configured so that in the lounger position, the extension  10  is inclined with respect to the floor ( FIG. 6   c ) or parallel to the floor ( FIG. 7   a ). 
   It is obvious from  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   c  that member  28  is unnecessary in both the bed and lounger positions. It is less obvious that member  28  is also not necessary (although helpful) in the steamer position of  FIG. 6   b . The weight of the futon mattress can keep the multi-angle hook  20  in place in the steamer position. Accordingly, the inclusion of member  28  is considered desirable, but not necessary. 
   As described the present invention is directed to a multi-angle hook and a method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together. The multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention changes the nature of the attachment two frame components of a futon bed by allowing easy and complete removal of one frame component from another. The multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention allow one frame component to be freely lifted off another frame component and alternately lowered and set into place. 
   The multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention facilitates conversion of the futon frame into its various positions (bed, steamer, lounger) because the futon frame is easier to manipulate with one of the frame components removed. Further, defective parts are easily replaced using the multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention. Still further, parts management in manufacturing is simpler using the multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention, thereby saving production cost. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the L-shaped hinge  90  is formed as a single piece, preferably of metal, but also possibly of any type of rigid, sturdy, plastic, wood or any other suitable material. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the at least one hole  91  is counter-sunk. In another preferred embodiment, the number of holes  91  is four, although any number of holes may be used. Further, the manner in which the L-shaped hinge  90  is secured to the back platform  12 , such as, screws, bolts, nails, rivets, pins other than clevis pins, staples, snaps, (or any other suitable fastener), glue (which might obviate the need for holes altogether), etc., is not significant, as long as the L-shaped hinge  90  and the back platform  12  are secured together. 
   It is further noted that, although in the embodiments described above, the seat platform  12  does not include side rails, it may be the back platform  13  or extension  10  (or any combination thereof) which does include side rails. 
   It is further noted that the hinge need not be L-shaped or even substantially L-shaped, but merely of a shape to substantially conform to the end of the seat platform  12 , back platform  13  or extension  10 . 
   As described the present invention is directed an L-shaped hinge and a method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together. 
   The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.