Abstract:
A folding cabinet bed is described for providing a piece of furniture that opens to a full-length bed in an attractive chest with a small footprint. The invention comprises a cabinet that houses a mattress, such as a futon, and allows the futon to be deployed as a bed. The cabinet is deep and tall enough to enclose a folded futon and of sufficient width to accommodate standard sizes of futon mattresses, without a separate mattress platform. Hinges on the bottom of the front and back walls of the cabinet enable the cabinet to be opened vertically so that the front and back walls fold down to a sleeping position, without mechanical devices to assist in deploying the bed. The top of the cabinet can become a headboard for the bed in the open configuration. Decorative handles or other protrusions on the front and back walls of the cabinet are sized to extend outward from the cabinet the same distance as the feet/supports of the cabinet to create a level sleeping surface when unfolded. Latching means holds the cabinet securely closed to withstand the outward pressure of the folded futon.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is based upon and claims benefit of now abandoned and co-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/423,423 entitled “Fu-Chest”, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Nov. 4, 2002 by the inventors herein, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to furniture and more particularly pertains to a cabinet that can house a folding futon mattress and allows the futon to be deployed as a bed. 
     2. Ground of the Prior Art 
     The broad concept of a cabinet bed is not new. However, prior cabinet beds tended to suffer from one or more of several disabilities; for example bulky and un-prepossessing appearance, complicated mechanism rendering it difficult to fold and unfold the bed and compounding its costs, significant lack of comfort, and other problems. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,249 to Katsigarakis discloses a cabinet bed having a box mounted on a base. The front and back panels are hinged to the base to permit the box to be opened to reveal a bed within. In operation, the box has a flap on the front and back that extends when the box is opened to support the bed. The bed includes an articulated spring mattress support that unfolds with the front and back panels to form the bed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 431,825 to Sundback discloses a folding bed having pivoted front and back panels. The invention concentrates on a spring roller assembly that aids in the opening and closing operation of the bed cabinet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,414 to Walker discloses a self-contained folding bed. A foldable mattress is stored inside a suitcase enclosure. The suitcase may be a soft body or hard shell case and may include bed clothing as well as cushioning within. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,498 to Boni and U.S. Pat. No. 2,788,528 to Hansen disclose a folding bed assembly designed to be stored within an upright cabinet. Support means fold out of the bedspring frame to provide legs. Hinged support members assist in folding the bed for storage within the cabinet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,253 to Lauzon discloses a piece of furniture that is designed to be convertible to a bed. An upper panel of the furniture is hinged to permit the panel to be pivoted downward to constitute the base of the bed. Springs attached to the pivoting panel assist in raising and lowering the bed portion. 
     While each of the above-mentioned devices may be effective to some degree in providing a folding bed, none of the references, however, disclose a simple cabinet with few moving parts, that can open to reveal a thin futon mattress and does not require a separate mattress support. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a solution to the above and other problems by enabling a simply designed, easy to construct, folding cabinet bed that provides an attractive piece of furniture that opens to a full-length bed. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed that is compact and easy to construct. A related object is to enable a folding cabinet bed that presents a decorative appearance in the closed configuration. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed having a simple design. It is a related object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed having no separate mattress platform internal to the cabinet. A further related object of the present invention is to enable a folding cabinet bed in which the cabinet top becomes a headboard in the open configuration. A still further related object of the present invention is to enable a folding cabinet bed wherein the decorative cabinet hardware is sized to work in conjunction with the cabinet feet to create a raised level platform in the open configuration. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed comprising removable side panels, such that the bed is safe and attractive in the open configuration. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed that can be securely latched when closed to withstand the outward pressure of the folded futon. It is a related object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed that has no mechanical devices to assist in deploying the bed to an open configuration. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. A related object of the present invention is to enable a folding cabinet bed that is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a folding cabinet bed economically available to the buying public. 
     It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed comprising an attractive cabinet enclosure and a futon mattress. 
     In accordance with the above and other objects, a folding cabinet bed is described for providing a piece of furniture that opens to a full-length bed in Ian attractive chest with a small footprint. The invention comprises a cabinet that houses a mattress, such as a futon, and allows the futon to be deployed as a bed. The cabinet is deep and tall enough to enclose a folded futon and of sufficient width to accommodate standard sizes of futon mattresses, without a separate mattress platform. Hinges on the bottom of the front and back walls of the cabinet enable the cabinet to be opened vertically so that the front and back walls fold down to a sleeping position, without mechanical devices to assist in deploying the bed. The top of the cabinet can become a headboard for the bed in the open configuration. Decorative handles or other protrusions on the front and back walls of the cabinet are sized to extend outward from the cabinet the same distance as the feet/supports of the cabinet to create a level sleeping surface when unfolded. Latching means holds the cabinet securely closed to withstand the outward pressure of the folded futon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a folding cabinet bed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed in the closed configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom plan view of the folding cabinet bed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of internal guide members of the folding cabinet bed, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a partial view of internal reinforcements of the folding cabinet bed, in perspective, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8   a  illustrates a partial side elevational view of sidewalls of the folding cabinet bed showing additional features of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8   b  illustrates a top plan view of the sidewalls of  FIG. 8   a;    
         FIG. 8   c  illustrates an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of  FIG. 8   b;    
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top plan view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to another alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a top plan view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed of  FIG. 11  showing additional features; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to a further alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers are used for like parts. This description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the enumerated claims, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiments disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a cabinet of the present invention, indicated generally as  10 , is constructed of solid wood, plywood, wood laminate, MDF, particleboard, or other common furniture construction materials. The cabinet  10  comprises a top panel  12 , front wall  15 , back wall  18 , sidewalls  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and base  27 . In one embodiment, top panel  12  is attached to back wall  18  and the top edge of sidewalls  21 ,  23 , only. In another embodiment, top panel  12  is attached to front wall  15  and the top edge of sidewalls  22 ,  24 , only. The invention is described herein with reference to the embodiment in which top panel  12  is attached to the back wall  18 . It is understood that such other embodiment is included, as well. Front wall  15  is pivotably attached to the front edge of base  27  by one or more hinges  30  at the bottom of front wall  15 . Back wall  18  is pivotably attached to the back edge of base  27  by one or more hinges  30  at the bottom of back wall  18 , as shown in FIG.  3 . Such hinges  30  may be attached to the edges of front wall  15 , back wall  18 , and base  27  instead of the broad surface of such panels. 
     A plurality of knobs  33  protrude from the front wall  15  and a plurality of cleats  34  protrude from the back wall  18 . A plurality of supports  36  are attached to the bottom surface of base  27 . Each knob  33  and each cleat  34  protrudes the same distance from the surface of the front wall  15  and back wall  18 , respectively, as the distance the supports  36  extend from the base  27 . Furthermore, the edge  39  of top panel  12  overlaps back wall  18  the same distance the support  36  extends from the base  27 . In an open configuration, the distal ends of the knobs  33 , cleats  34 , and the edge  39  of top panel  12  fall in the same plane as the bottom of support  36  such that front wall  15 , back wall  18 , and base  27  form a common plane above the floor or surface upon which cabinet  10  is placed in the open configuration. 
     A pair of latching mechanisms  42 ,  43  connects sidewalls  21 ,  22  and  23 ,  24  respectively, near the top portion of such sidewalls. Such latching mechanisms  42 ,  43  hold the sidewalls  21 ,  22 , and  23 ,  24  adjacent to each other in the closed configuration. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cabinet  10  of the present invention is sized and configured to enable a futon  45  to be enclosed within such cabinet  10 . Cabinet  10  can be configured to hold a single-size, full-size, or queen-size futon and may optionally include space for one or more pillows and bedclothes. Front wall  15  may be decorated to present an attractive appearance for a false cabinet or to mimic a piece of furniture, such as a chest of drawers, credenza, bureau, dresser, and the like. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a plurality of supports  36  are attached to the bottom surface of base  27 , generally near the corners of such base  27 . Each such support  36  may further comprise a slider  48 , caster, wheel, or the like. Such slider  48  may be made of plastic, Teflon, felt, or like material. 
       FIG. 6  shows an internal view of top panel  12  showing the connections to back wall  18  and sidewalls  21 ,  23 . As is conventional in the art, sidewalls  21 ,  23  may be attached to back wall  18  by dovetailing or notching the pieces together with tongue and groove, as shown at  49 . A suitable adhesive, such as wood glue and the like may be used. To connect top panel  12  to back wall  18  and sidewalls  21 ,  23 , internal reinforcements may be used. Guide cleats  50 ,  51  are firmly attached to sidewalls  21 ,  23  and top panel  12  using suitable fasteners, such as a plurality of screws  52 . Such guide cleats  50 ,  51  are slightly longer than sidewalls  21 ,  23  and have a rounded end for ease of fitment against sidewalls  22 ,  24  when the cabinet  10  is in the closed configuration. Additionally, back wall  18  is connected to top panel  12  using an elongated two-way cleat  53 . Such elongated two-way cleat  53  can be connected at the intersection of such back wall  18  and top panel  12  using suitable fasteners, such as a plurality of screws  52 . Other types of fasteners may also be used, such as cam locks that are not visible and may eliminate the need for some of the internal reinforcements. 
     It should be pointed out that the exposed corners  54  of top panel  12  (those corners facing toward front wall  15  when cabinet  10  is in the closed configuration and facing up when cabinet  10  is in the open configuration) should be rounded to form a smooth corner. The opposite corners  55  of top panel  12  (those corners closest to back panel  18  and that rest on the floor when cabinet  10  is in the open configuration) should be square corners. 
       FIG. 7  shows a partial view of front wall  15  in an open position. As is conventional in the art, sidewall  24  may be attached to front wall  15  by dovetailing or notching the pieces together with tongue and groove, as shown at  56 . A suitable adhesive, such as wood glue and the like may be used. Internal reinforcements may be used to provide strength for the sidewalls  22 ,  24 . Such reinforcements may include elongated connector piece  57  that can be connected at the intersection of such front wall  15  and sidewall  24 . Connector piece  57  is firmly attached to sidewall  24  and front wall  15  using suitable fasteners, such as a plurality of screws  52 . Angled brackets  58 ,  59  are attached to an inner surface of front wall  15  and sidewall  24 , respectively. In an alternate embodiment, angle irons or L-brackets, as are known in the art, can be used. Other types of fasteners may also be used, such as cam locks that are not visible and may eliminate the need for some of the internal reinforcements. 
     In some embodiments, a removable safety panel can be inserted between the sidewalls, when front wall  15  and back wall  18  are in the open position.  FIG. 8   a  shows a removable safety panel  60  installed between sidewalls  23 ,  24 . It is understood that a similar removable safety panel can be installed between sidewalls  21 ,  22 . Removable safety panel  60  is sized and configured to fit in the space between the sidewalls  23 ,  24  including whatever space may be necessary due to the hinges  30 . In a preferred embodiment, removable safety panel  60  is configured with an edge profile such as a tongue on each side to conveniently fit in complementary groove profiles in the ends of sidewalls  23 ,  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 8   b  and  8   c . It should be obvious that the grooved ends of sidewalls  23 ,  24  are at the bottom of such sidewalls when the cabinet  10  is in the closed configuration. 
     In use, cabinet  10  can be opened vertically from top to bottom by releasing latching mechanisms  42 ,  43  and permitting the front wall  15  and back wall  18  to fold down to expose futon  45 , and to allow the futon  45  to open to a sleeping position. In an open configuration, such as shown in  FIG. 9 , top panel  12  becomes the headboard for the bed. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the folding cabinet  10  can be assembled in an alternate folding option, as shown in FIG.  10 . In this embodiment, cabinet  10  comprises a top panel  12 , front wall  15 , back wall  18 , sidewalls  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and base  27 . Top panel  12  is attached to back wall  18 ; back wall  18  is rigidly attached to the back edge of base  27 ; and the bottom edges of sidewalls  21 ,  23  are rigidly attached to base  27 . Only front wall  15  is pivotably attached to the front edge of base  27  by one or more hinges at the bottom of front wall  15 . An extension, indicated generally as  65 , is pivotably attached to the free end of the front wall  15  by one or more hinges. Extension  65  comprises a bottom panel  67  and sidewalls  70 ,  71 . 
     Extension  65  is sized and configured such that the spacing between sidewalls  70 ,  71  is slightly narrower than the spacing between sidewalls  22 ,  24  so that extension  65  can fit inside such sidewalls  22 ,  24  and nest within the enclosure formed by top panel  12 , back wall  18 , and sidewalls  21 ,  22 , in the closed configuration. Sidewalls  70 ,  71  can be reinforced in a similar fashion as described with reference to FIG.  7 . 
     A plurality of knobs  33  protrude from the front wall  15  and the bottom panel  67  of the extension  65 . A plurality of supports  36  are attached to the bottom surface of base  27 . Each knob  33  protrudes the same distance from the surface of the front wall  15  and bottom panel  67  as the distance the supports  36  extend from the base  27 . In an open configuration, the distal ends of the knobs  33  fall in the same plane as the bottom of support  36  such that front wall  15 , bottom panel  67 , and base  27  form a common plane above the floor or surface upon which cabinet  10  is placed. 
     In use, cabinet  10  can be opened vertically from top to bottom. First, latching mechanisms  42 ,  43  are released. Then front wall  15  folds down and extension  65  is folded out to expose futon  45  to allow the futon  45  to open to a sleeping position. In an open configuration, back wall  18  becomes the headboard, with top panel  12  overhanging. In such alternate embodiment, the cabinet  10  need not be moved away from a wall to open and extend futon  45  to a full-sized bed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an alternate embodiment of cabinet  10  comprises a top panel  12 , front wall  15 , back wall  18 , sidewalls  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and base  27 . Back wall  18  is rigidly attached to the back edge of base  27  and the bottom edges of sidewalls  21 ,  23  are rigidly attached to base  27 . Front wall  15  is pivotably attached to the front edge of base  27  by one or more hinges  30  at the bottom of front wall  15 . Top panel  12  is pivotably attached to back wall  18  using one or more hinges  73 . The top edges of sidewalls  21 ,  23  are not attached to top panel  12 . When front wall  15  is moved to the open position, top panel  12  can be rotated on hinge  73  to enable clearance for sidewalls  22 ,  24 . 
     An extension panel  75  is pivotably attached to the free end of the front wall  15  by one or more hinges  78 , as shown in FIG.  12 . Extension panel  75  is sized and configured to fit between sidewalls  22 ,  24  so that extension panel  75  can fit inside such sidewalls  22 ,  24  in the closed configuration. There are no sidewalls on extension panel  75 , which enables extension panel  75  to fit flush against the inner surface of front wall  15  when cabinet  10  is in the closed configuration. 
     A plurality of knobs  33  protrude from the front wall  15  and a plurality of supports  36  are attached to the bottom surface of base  27 . Each knob  33  protrudes the same distance from the surface of the front wall  15  as the distance the supports  36  extend from the base  27 . Additional projections  80 , on the outer surface of extension panel  75 , also protrude the same distance from the outer surface of extension panel  75  as the distance the supports  36  extend from the base  27 . In an open configuration, the distal ends of the knobs  33  and projections  80  fall in the same plane as the bottom of support  36  such that front wall  15 , extension panel  75 , and base  27  form a common plane above the floor or surface upon which cabinet  10  is placed. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an alternate embodiment for top panel  12 . In this embodiment, cabinet  10  comprises a top panel  12 , front wall  15 , back wall  18 , sidewalls  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , and base  27 . Top panel  12  comprises two pieces: back piece  12   a , which is rigidly attached to back wall  18  and the top edge of sidewalls  21 ,  23 , and front piece  12   b , which is pivotably attached to back piece  12   a  using one or more hinges. When front wall  15  is moved to the open position, the front piece  12   b  of top panel  12  can be lifted to enable clearance for sidewalls  22 ,  24 . 
       FIG. 14  shows an alternate embodiment for deployment of extension panel  75 . In this embodiment, cabinet  10  comprises a top panel  12 , front wall  15 , back wall  18 , sidewalls  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 , base  27 , and extension panel  75 . Extension panel  75  may be slidably connected to the inner surfaces of sidewalls  22 ,  24  or to the inner surface of the front wall  15 , by appropriate slides. Extension panel  75  is sized and configured to fit between sidewalls  22 ,  24  so that extension panel  75  can fit inside such sidewalls  22 ,  24  in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, there are no sidewalls on extension panel  75 . 
     In use, cabinet  10  can be opened vertically from top to bottom. First, latching mechanisms  42 ,  43  are released. Then front wall  15  folds down and extension panel  75  is slid out, parallel to front wall  15 , to allow the futon  45  ( FIGS. 4 and 10 ) to open to a sleeping position. At the end of its travel, extension panel  75  drops down to form a common plane with front wall  15 . A pivoting bar  83 , at the distal end of extension panel  75 , is rotated to support the end of extension panel  75  such that front wall  15 , extension panel  75 , and base  27  form a common plane above the floor or surface upon which cabinet  10  is placed. 
     The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, materials and steps have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art can modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with such underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.