Patent GB-431570-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to convertible furniture
IPC: A47C17/26
Filed: 1934-01-09
Abstract: 431,570. Convertible bed - settees. KREBS, H., 18, Leighton Place, Kentish Town, London. Jan. 9, 1934, Nos. 853, 1838, 15288, and 23167. [Class 52 (ii)] In convertible bed-settees of the kind comprising a structure rotatable about an axis to present different surfaces for sitting upon or sleeping upon, the supporting framework comprises side members parallel to the axis of rotation which are normally disposed in the path of rotation of the rotatable structure but are adapted to move to permit the rotation. For example, the sides 3, Fig. 1, of the frame carrying the structure 1 which is rotatable about an axis 2, are hinged at their lower edges, and may be linked by a rod 6 so as to move outwardly at the same time when the mattress structure 1 is to be rotated. In a modification, one side 3<1>, Fig. 3, is telescopic in its own plane, and comprises a spring- urged top bar 10, which may be provided with locking means such as struts 12. Both sides may be hinged and telescopic. Provision may be made for lifting the mattress structure during rotation in order to obtain a low seating surface. The shaft 2, Fig. 5, is located in vertical guides 15 in the end members 16 of the base frame, and on each end of the structure 1 at a distance from the shaft 2 is a projecting roller 17 which when the mattress 1 is rotated rides on a cam plate 20 and causes the shaft to rise in the guides 15 and lift the mattress. A spring 19 may be provided to initiate the rotation. In a settee construction, the arm rests are hinged to the end members of the fixed frame so as to pivot outwardly, and the back rest 23, Fig. 6, is hinged at 24 to the rotatable seat structure 1 and provided at each end with a guide bar 25 which during rotation engages with rollers 26 on the fixed end and so folds the back under the rotating seat. Alternatively the back may be mounted to pivot on a fixed part of the frame and linked to the rotatable mattress so as to be moved during conversion. The rotatable mattress comprises a frame 29, Fig. 9, of which the end members on which the stub shafts 30, 31 are mounted are deeper than the side members. Coil springs 32 are flexibly anchored by chains to each other and to the frame so as to provide a spring surface on each side. On the bed side is provided an overlay 5, and bedding, preferably secured by straps. The supporting means for the mattress frame may comprise parts of the end members of the fixed frame instead of the sides 3. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 13, the shafts 31 are carried on levers 37 pivoted at 38 to the fixed frame, springs 39 being provided partly to counterbalance the weight of the mattress. The hinged side member 3 is connected to the lever 37 by a link 40 so as to be pushed outwards when the mattress is raised before rotation. According to the first Provisional Specification, the hinged side members may be linked to means for rotating the mattress frame, such means comprising, e.g. a rack-bar engaging a pinion on the shaft of the frame. The shaft may be journalled eccentrically in rotatable discs which are rotated to raise the mattress frame simultaneously with the outward movement of the sides. The whole may be operated by a pedal. According to the second Provisional Specification, the mattress frame is mounted to rotate in one direction only by means of a ratchet wheel on the shaft engaged by a pawl operated by a handle.