Patent Publication Number: US-2023157465-A1

Title: Foldable bed

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/282,465, filed on Nov. 23, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There exists a tremendous need for drivers of day cab tractors and other types of work trucks to have a way to rest and relax during their shifts. Too often, drivers are left slumped over the steering wheel, leaning against the window or in any variation of uncomfortable positions while attempting to rest and recharge. While it may seem like a person is able to drift off to sleep in some positions, it is very frequently poor, low-quality sleep that may not recharge a driver&#39;s energy levels any more than those levels would have been without sleep. 
     Truck drivers, in particular, are not only required to operate on a minimum amount of sleep for safety purposes, but carry the extra burden of operating some of the largest vehicles on the road and bearing the responsibility of their own safety as well as all the vehicles, fellow drivers, and infrastructure around them. Drivers may also be out on the road at all hours of the day, and may not have access to temporary resting facilities, such as hotels. Thus, sleeping in their trucks may not only be the most optimal location to rest, but may be the only option available. In order to achieve quality rest within the confines of the truck, a bed must be properly sized with appropriate dimensions to comfortably fit a person&#39;s body, while still fitting within the truck for proper placement and positioning. 
     Another issue that arises from use of a sleeping apparatus while out on the road is storage of the object. Storing the apparatus anywhere aside from the cabin of the day cab may not always be an option. Therefore, the apparatus may need to fit within the cab of the vehicle in order to be transported around with the driver. Developments in technology addressing each of the issues described above are therefore desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The apparatus described in the present disclosure is a folding bed that allows a person, e.g., the driver of the vehicle, to rest and relax while the vehicle is safely parked to recharge before setting out on the road again. The apparatus is sized to specifically fit the dimensions of a cabin of a truck, laid across the driver&#39;s and passenger&#39;s seats, while having folding capabilities for fitting within the driver&#39;s cabin for easy storage and access. 
     In one aspect of the disclosure, a foldable bed may include a first outer panel defining a length and a width; a middle panel hingedly coupled to the first outer panel along an inner edge of the first outer panel, the middle panel defining a length and a width and defining a cut-out having a length and a width; and a second outer panel hingedly coupled to the middle panel opposite the first outer panel and along an inner edge of the second outer panel, the second outer panel defining a length and a width. Each of the first outer panel, the middle panel, and the second outer panel may include a rigid block with a cushion coupled thereto, and the panels are hingedly coupled by a webbing extending across a lower surface of the foldable bed. The middle panel may be sized and shaped to contact and rest on a driver&#39;s seat and a front passenger&#39;s seat of a vehicle and span a gap between the driver&#39;s seat and the front passenger&#39;s seat. 
     A length of the bed may be defined by the sum of the length of the first outer panel, the length of the middle panel, and the length of the second outer panel, the length of the bed measuring between about 58 inches and about 64 inches. The width of the first outer panel may be equal to the width of the middle panel, which may be equal to the width of the second outer panel, and the width of each panel may measure between about 20 inches and about 23 inches. The length of the first outer panel and the length of the second outer panel may each measure between about 14 inches and about 15.5 inches. The length of the middle panel may measure between about 30 inches and about 33 inches. The length of the cut-out may measure between about 11 inches and about 14 inches. The width of the cut-out may measure between about 4 inches and about 6 inches. 
     The first outer panel may be configured to fold relative to the middle panel about a hinge located between the inner edge of the first outer panel and a first edge of the middle panel to transition from a flat position to a folded position, and wherein the first outer panel includes an adhesive on a lower surface of the first outer panel configured to contact a lower surface of the middle panel to hold the first outer panel in the folded position. The second outer panel may be configured to fold relative to the middle panel about a hinge located between the inner edge of the second outer panel and a second edge of the middle panel to transition from a flat position to a folded position, and wherein the second outer panel includes an adhesive on a lower surface of the second outer panel configured to contact the lower surface of the middle panel to hold the second outer panel in the folded position. The middle panel may extend along a first plane, and when the first outer panel and the second outer panel are in the folded positions, the first and second outer panels extend along a second plane parallel to the first plane. 
     The foldable bed may further include an upper panel extending from an inner edge to an outer edge, the inner edge coupled to the first outer pan. The first outer panel may extend along a first plane, and the upper panel extends along a second plane oblique to the first plane. The upper panel may include at least a first support rod extending between the first plane and the second plane to hold the upper panel in an upright position. The upper panel may include an adhesive material along a portion of the inner edge contacting the first outer panel to hold the upper panel in place relative to the first outer panel. The upper panel may have a length extending between the inner edge and the outer edge, the length may measure between about 18 inches and about 21 inches. The upper panel may be configured to transition from an upright position to a flat position, wherein in the flat position, the upper panel extends along a third plane parallel to the first plane. When the upper panel is in the flat position, the upper panel may be adjacent the first outer panel, and the first outer panel may be configured to fold along a hinge between the inner edge of the first outer panel and an adjacent edge of the middle panel. The upper panel may be configured to be decoupled from the first outer panel. At least a portion of the upper panel may define a curvature. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a kit may include a foldable bed and an upper panel attachment. The foldable bed may include a first outer panel extending along a first plane; a middle panel hingedly coupled to the first outer panel along an inner edge of the first outer panel, the middle panel defining a cut-out; and a second outer panel hingedly coupled to the middle panel opposite the first outer panel and along an inner edge of the second outer panel. The upper panel attachment may be configured to be detachably coupled to the first outer panel or the middle panel such that the upper panel attachment extends along a second plane oblique to the first plane. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a top view of a foldable bed in an unfolded position according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a bottom perspective view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a top view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1    in a first partially folded position; 
         FIG.  4    is a top view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1    in a second partially folded position; 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1    in a fully folded position; 
         FIG.  6    is a bottom view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1    in the fully folded position; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1    in the fully folded position; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1    in the fully folded position; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the foldable bed of  FIG.  1    in an unfolded position disposed within a cabin of a vehicle; 
         FIG.  10    is a front view of a foldable bed with an upper panel according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a front view of a foldable bed with an upper panel having a support rod according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  12    is a top view of another foldable bed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the terms “about,” “generally,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are intended to mean that slight deviations from absolute are included within the scope of the term so modified. 
     A foldable bed as described in the present disclosure is intended to be placed in the cabin of a vehicle, specifically a truck, such as all major brands of day cab tractors. Although the foldable bed described herein is intended for such use, it is not limited to the intended use. That is, the foldable bed may be sized to fit in the cabin of any vehicle, anywhere within a passenger cabin, such as across the front row including the driver&#39;s and front passenger&#39;s seats, or across a middle row of seats, a back row of seats, or in the trunk or cargo bed of a vehicle if available. Furthermore, the bed may be removed from the vehicle altogether and used as a bed anywhere outside of the vehicle. 
     A foldable bed  100  as illustrated in  FIG.  1    includes a first outer panel  110 , a middle panel  120 , and a second outer panel  130 . Each panel  110 ,  120 ,  130  is generally rectangular in shape. The first outer panel  110  includes an inner edge  112  and an outer edge  114 , and the second outer panel  130  includes an inner edge  132  and an outer edge  134 . The middle panel includes a first edge  122  adjacent the inner edge  112  of the first outer panel  110 , and the middle panel further includes a second edge  124  opposite the first edge  122  and adjacent the inner edge  132  of the second outer panel  130 . The first outer panel  110  is hingedly coupled to the middle panel  120  such that the first outer panel  110  is able to rotate relative to the middle panel  120 , i.e., the first outer panel  110  is able to rotate about an axis extending generally on or between the inner edge  112  of the first outer panel  110  and the first edge  122  of the middle panel  120 . The second outer panel  130  is hingedly coupled to the middle panel  120  in the same manner that the first outer panel  110  is coupled to the middle panel  120 . That is, the second outer panel  130  is hingedly coupled to the middle panel  120  such that the second outer panel  130  is able to rotate relative to the middle panel  120 , i.e., the second outer panel  130  is able to rotate about an axis extending generally on or between the second edge  124  of the middle panel  120  and the inner edge  132  of the second outer panel  130 . For example, as described in greater detail herein, a first hinge  115   a  can be positioned between the first outer panel  110  and the middle panel  120  and a second hinge  115   b  can be positioned between the middle panel  120  and the second outer panel  130 . The foldable bed  100  has a length defined by the distance between the outer edge  114  of the first outer panel  110  and the outer edge  134  of the second outer panel  134 . The foldable bed  100  further has a width defined in a direction perpendicular to the length from a first side edge  106  to a second side edge  108 . 
     The middle panel  120  includes a cut-out  125  which is also generally rectangular in shape. The cut-out  125  is centered along the length of the middle panel  120  and offset along the width of the middle panel  120  such that the cut-out  125  is adjacent the first side edge  106  of the middle panel  120 . 
     The foldable bed  100  is shown in  FIG.  1    in an unfolded configuration or an unfolded position. In the unfolded position, each of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  extends along a single plane. In other words, the middle panel  120  extends along a first plane and, when the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  are in the unfolded position, the outer panels also extend along the first plane. In the unfolded position, the foldable bed  100  is configured to be positioned in the cabin of a vehicle, such as that of a cargo truck, over the driver&#39;s and passenger&#39;s seats. For example, as shown in  FIG.  9   , at least a portion of the first outer panel  110  may be placed on top of the driver&#39;s seat  151  and at least a portion of the second outer panel  130  may be placed on top of the passenger&#39;s seat  152  in the same row as the driver&#39;s seat  151 . It is also contemplated that at least a portion of the middle panel  120  may be placed on top of the driver&#39;s seat and the passenger&#39;s seat (e.g., a portion of the middle panel  120  proximate the first outer panel  110  may be disposed on the driver&#39;s seat  151  and a portion of the middle panel  120  proximate the second outer panel  130  may be disposed on the passenger&#39;s seat  152 ). In some examples, at least a portion of the middle panel  120  may be suspended between the driver&#39;s seat  151  and the passenger&#39;s seat  152 . In other examples, the truck may include seating or support extending across the entire row from the driver&#39;s seat  151  to the passenger&#39;s seat  152 , and the foldable bed  100  may be placed thereon. 
     The cut-out  125  is carved out of the middle panel  120  so that the middle panel  120  is generally contoured around potentially interfering elements such as a gear shifter  153 , as also shown in  FIG.  9   . As such, the gear shifter  153  may pass through the cut-out  125  when the foldable bed  100  is in the unfolded position placed on top of the driver&#39;s seat  151  and passenger seat  152  so that the foldable bed  100  may lay substantially flat on the seats without any protrusions or interruptions. The foldable bed  100  may lay across the width of the vehicle, approximately from the interior of a driver&#39;s side door (or proximate thereto) to the interior of a passenger&#39;s side door (or proximate thereto) when the doors of the cabin are closed. Such positioning allows a person, such as the driver, to comfortably lay across the width of the vehicle (i.e., along the length of the bed) to rest while the vehicle is parked and stationary. 
     Although the foldable bed  100  may have any dimensions suitable for fitting the bed within any sized vehicle, the foldable bed  100  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 12    has particular dimensions for fitting within the cabin of a particularly sized truck, such as all major brands of day cab tractors. The foldable bed  100  has a length extending from the outer edge  114  of the first outer panel  110  to the outer edge  134  of the second outer panel  130  measuring between about 58 inches and about 64 inches, preferably about 61 inches. The first outer panel  110  has a length extending from outer edge  114  to inner edge  112  measuring between about 14 inches and about 15.5 inches, preferably about 14.75 inches. The middle panel  120  has a length extending from the first edge  122  of the middle panel  120  to the second edge  124  of the middle panel  120  measuring between about 30 inches and about 33 inches, preferably about 31.5 inches. The length of the middle panel  120  is preferably sufficient to span length of a gap between a driver&#39;s seat and a passenger&#39;s seat such that the middle panel  120  at least contacts both seats and a load applied to the middle panel  120  can be distributed between both seats. The second outer panel  130  has a length extending from the inner edge  132  of the second outer panel  130  to the outer edge  134  of the second outer panel  130  measuring between about 14 inches and about 15.5 inches, preferably about 14.75 inches. 
     The foldable bed  100  has a width extending from a first side edge  106  to a second side edge  108  measuring between about 20 inches and about 23 inches, preferably about 21.5 inches. Each of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  has approximately the same width. The cut-out  125  is carved out of the first side edge  106  of the middle panel  120  along approximately the center of the length of the middle panel  120  and the foldable bed  100  such that the foldable bed  100  is symmetrical about a center axis extending across the width of the bed  100 . The cut-out  125  has a length measuring between about 11 inches and about 14 inches, preferably about 12.5 inches. The cut-out  125  has a width measuring between about 4 inches and about 6 inches, preferably about 5 inches. The particular dimensions of the foldable bed  100  are critical for fitting within the confines of the desired vehicle to ensure the driver is provided with effective and sufficient rest to be able to resume driving. Although not limited to the disclosed dimensions, the precise size disclosed herein optimizes the surface area of the foldable bed  100  which can be used within the vehicle to comfortably support a person&#39;s weight, while simultaneously remaining capable of being stored neatly and out of the way. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , each panel  110 ,  120 ,  130  can be formed of a rigid block, substrate, panel or the like (hereinafter, substrate  107 ), such as panel of wood, plastic, or other suitable material, sized accordingly for the respective panel. As shown in  FIG.  1   , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  of the present disclosure can each include a respective rigid support member  119   a - c  (together, support members  119 ) configured to provide enhanced structural rigidity where the panels are required to support an enhanced load (e.g., a heavier driver). The rigid support members  119  can be formed from metal (e.g., ⅛″×¼″ extruded steel stock), or any other similarly rigid structural members. The substrate  107  for each panel  110 ,  120 ,  130  may include a cushion or cushioning material  109  (such as foam or other suitable material) applied to an upper surface thereof and a cover  111  (such as nylon or other suitable material) sewn, stapled, or otherwise attached about the substrate  107  and cushion  109  to hold the cushion  109  to the substrate  107 . The cushion  109  may have any variation or any degree of firmness. The thickness of the cushion  109  may range between about one inch to about two inches to provide sufficient support for a person to lay comfortably on the foldable bed  100 , while still maintaining the ability to fold the bed  100  and keep it space-efficient. Each of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  can held together by a webbing  113  spanning across the lower surfaces  104   a - c  of each of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  and coupled thereto (e.g., by sewing, stapling, or other suitable means). The webbing  113  can be formed of nylon, plastic or other strong and flexible material suitable for holding the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  together and forming hinges  115   a ,  115   b  such that the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  can rotate with respect to the middle panel  120  as described above. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, piano hinges, or other suitable mechanical hinge-type devices, can be positioned between adjacent panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  affixed (e.g., by, nails, screws, staples, adhesives, or other suitable means) thereto, thereby coupling the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  together and providing for rotational movement thereabout. According to additional embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the substrates  107  of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  can be integrally formed (e.g., through an injection molding process or the like) from a plastic, or other suitably rigid and flexible material. According to such embodiments, the hinges  115   a ,  115   b  can be living hinges formed between adjacent panels  110 ,  120 ,  130 , providing for rotational movement thereabout, as described above. 
     The components from which the foldable bed  100  is constructed (e.g., a rigid substrate  107  with a covered cushion  109  and webbing  113  coupling each of the rigid panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  to one another) provide unique advantages to the foldable bed  100 . For instance, the rigid panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  provide support to bear load while maintaining a minimal thickness of the foldable bed  100 . This allows the bed  100  to be folded with the flat rigid panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  abutting each other, and the minimized thickness of the panels reduces the total thickness of the bed  100  in the folded position relative to a bed formed entirely of cushion. The cushion  109  of the present invention is sufficiently thick to optimize comfort for the user while also optimizing the thickness of the bed  100  in the folded position for storage. Further, the webbing  113  extending across the lower surface  104  of the bed  100  is a strong, lightweight material able to hold the panels together and hinge with respect to each other without interference, and with a minimal risk of malfunction. 
     According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more secondary panels  117   a - c  (together, secondary panels  117 ) can be affixed to the webbing  113  on the underside of the foldable bed  100  (see  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  8   ), thereby sandwiching the webbing  113  between the substrates  107  and the secondary panels  117 . The secondary panels  117 , in combination with the webbing  113 , function to providing additional structural rigidity to the hinges  115  of the foldable bed  100 , thereby preventing the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  of the foldable bed  100  from twisting about a longitudinal axis of the foldable bed  100  or pivoting in an unwanted direction about the hinges  115 . The secondary panels  117  can be formed from a thermoplastic, or another similarly durable and resilient material, and the webbing  113  can be formed of a flexible polypropylene material, such as Propex Curv® sold and distributed by Rockywoods Fabrics LLC, or another similarly flexible and resilient material. It is contemplated that the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  may be any shape, such as square, trapezoidal, rhombus, etc. The panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  may be shaped and sized to fit within any vehicle. It is contemplated that the cut-out  125  may be any shape (e.g., semi-circular, triangular, square, trapezoidal, etc.) and may be located anywhere along the middle panel, including along an edge or between the edges. A cut-out may also be included on either or both of the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  to accommodate any other potential elements from interfering with the foldable bed  100  from lying flat across the seats. 
     The foldable bed  100  may be transitioned from the unfolded position to a folded configuration or position. The first outer panel  110  may be rotated about its hinge axis such that a lower surface  104   a  of the first outer panel  110  is rotated toward a lower surface  104   b  of the middle panel  120  until the lower surfaces  104   a ,  104   b  abut one another, as shown in  FIG.  3   , which illustrates the foldable bed  100  in a partially folded position. The lower surfaces  104   a ,  104   b  of the first outer panel  110  and the middle panel  120  may each include corresponding adhesives or fixation devices  105   a ,  105   b , such as a hook and loop material, magnets, or the like, to detachably couple the first outer panel  110  and the middle panel  120  by their respective lower surfaces  104   a ,  104   b  and hold the foldable bed  100  in the folded position. Further, the second outer panel  130  may be rotated about its hinge axis such that a lower surface  104   c  of the second outer panel  130  is rotated toward the lower surface  104   b  of the middle panel  120  until the lower surfaces  104   b ,  104   c  abut one another, as shown in  FIG.  4   , which illustrates the foldable bed  100  in a partially folded position. The respective lower surfaces  104   c ,  104   b  of the second outer panel  130  and the middle panel  120  may each include corresponding adhesives or fixation devices  105   c ,  105   b , such as a hook and loop material, magnets, or the like, to detachably couple the second outer panel  130  and the middle panel  120  by their respective lower surfaces  104   c ,  104   b  and hold the foldable bed  100  in the folded position. 
     The foldable bed  100  is in the folded position when the lower surfaces  104   a ,  104   c  of both the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  abut the lower surface  104   b  of the middle panel  120 , as shown in  FIGS.  5 - 6   . In the folded position, the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  no longer extend along the first plane (i.e., the plane along which the middle panel extends), but instead the outer panels  110 ,  130  extend along a same second plane which is parallel to the first plane. In the folded position, the length of the foldable bed  100  is reduced so that the bed  100  is more compact and takes up less space in the longitudinal direction. The folded position optimizes the size of the foldable bed  100  so that it can be placed and stored in a convenient location without being a nuisance or interference while the bed  100  is not in use. For example, a driver can fit the foldable bed  100  in the folded position behind the passenger&#39;s seat or behind the driver&#39;s seat within the cabin. The ability to store the foldable bed  100  in a convenient location such as behind one or both of the seats allows for easy access to the bed  100  to deploy onto the seats or stow the bed away without hassle. It is also contemplated that the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  may be configured to rotate in the opposite direction such that upper surfaces  102   a ,  102   c  of the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  abut an upper surface  102   b  of the middle panel  120  in the folded position. However, in some examples, as in the example described above, the nylon webbing  113 , or other hinge mechanism (e.g., hinges  115   a ,  115   b ), holding the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  together may only allow the first and second outer panels  110 ,  130  to rotate in the direction in which their lower surfaces  104  face, and may prevent the panels from rotating in the opposite direction beyond the flattened (unfolded) configuration of the foldable bed  100  in which each of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  lies in the same first plane. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the foldable bed  100  may optionally include an upper panel  140  extending from an inner edge  142  to an outer edge  144 . The upper panel  140  may be formed in substantially the same manner as the other panels  110 ,  120 ,  130 , e.g., including a rigid block, substrate, panel or the like, such as wood or plastic, with a cushioning applied thereon, such as foam, and a cover sewn or otherwise attached to the rigid panel over the cushion to maintain the placement of the cushion (see, e.g.,  FIG.  8   ). The upper panel  140  has a length extending between the inner edge  142  and the outer edge  144  measuring between about 18 inches and about 21 inches, preferably about 19.5 inches. The upper panel  140  may be coupled to the foldable bed  100  along the inner edge  142  of the upper panel  140 , and the inner edge  142  may be coupled anywhere along the bed, e.g., the first outer panel  110 . The upper panel  140  is shown in an upright position in  FIG.  10   . In the upright position, the upper panel  140  extends along a third plane, the third plane being oblique to and intersecting the first plane along which the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  extend in the unfolded position. In some examples, such as the example shown in  FIG.  10   , the upper panel  140  may be detachably coupled to the first outer panel  110  at the inner edge  142  of the upper panel  140  and the outer edge  114  of the first outer panel  110 . The upper panel  140  may be attached to the first outer panel  110  by an adhesive or fixation device of any kind, such as a hook and loop material, and the upper panel  140  may then be placed in an upright position as shown in  FIG.  10    to lean against the interior of the driver&#39;s side door when the door is closed. 
     The upper panel  140  may alternatively be coupled to the outer edge  134  of the second outer panel  130  and lean against the interior of the passenger&#39;s side door when the door is closed. One or more of the upper panel  140  may be included in a kit or as an additional attachment piece either together with or separate from the foldable bed  100 , and the upper panel  140  may extend from the foldable bed forming an angle anywhere between 0 and 90 degrees relative to the first plane along which the panels of the bed extend in the unfolded position. The upright positioning can improve comfort for a user and thereby improve quality of rest by providing an inclined surface for a person to lay at a more natural angle rather than completely flat across a single plane, with the interior of the door bearing the weight of the person laying on the foldable bed  100 . It is also contemplated that the upper panel  100  may have any degree of curvature to further improve the positioning angle or cater to a user&#39;s preferred sleeping position. 
     In other examples, the upper panel  140  may be detachably coupled to any one of the panels  110 ,  120 ,  130  or a portion therebetween. For example, as shown in  FIG.  11   , the inner edge  142  of the upper panel  140  may be detachably coupled at the hinge or axis (e.g., at edge  112 ) between the first outer panel  110  and the middle panel  120 . The inner edge  142  of the upper panel  140  may include an adhesive or fixation device applied thereon, such as a hook and loop material, that can be used to place the upper panel  140  in a desired position to detachably fix the inner edge  142  of the upper panel  140  relative to the foldable bed  100 . The upper panel  140  may then be held in the upright position by a support rod  145  as described below in greater detail. When use of the foldable bed  100  with the upright panel  140  attachment is finished, the upper panel  140  may be decoupled from the foldable bed  100  and stored away in a location such as those described above, wherein in the detached upper panel  140  may be placed adjacent the foldable bed  100  in the folded position such that the upper panel  140  lies in a plane extending parallel to the planes of the panels of the foldable bed  100 . Alternatively, because the upper panel  140  is detachable, it may be stored completely separately from the foldable bed  100  to improve space efficiency of the vehicle in which the foldable bed  100  is used in. 
     In some examples, the upper panel  140  may be hingedly coupled to any one of the first outer panel  110 , the middle panel  120 , or the second outer panel  130  or anywhere therebetween. For example, the inner edge  142  of the upper panel  140  may be hingedly coupled at the hinge or axis between the first outer panel  110  and the middle panel  120 . In such examples, the upper panel  140  may be fixed to the other panels and adapted to fold with the bed as the foldable bed  100  transitions to the folded position. That is, when the first outer panel  110  is in the folded position as described above with the lower surface  104  of the first outer panel  110  abutting the lower surface  104  of the middle panel  120 , the upper panel  140  may also rotate about its hinge and fold in a first direction such that the lower surface  148  of the upper panel  140  follows the first outer panel  110 , and the lower surface  148  of the upper panel  140  abuts the upper surface  102  of the first outer panel  110  in the folded position. Alternatively, the upper panel  140  may rotate about its hinge in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that an upper surface  146   a  of the upper panel  140  is rotated toward the upper surface  102   b  of the middle panel  120  and the surfaces abut one another in the folded position. In either manner of folding described above, the length of the foldable bed  100  is reduced so that the bed is more compact and takes up less space in the longitudinal direction. The folded position optimizes the size of the foldable bed  100  so that it can be placed and stored in a convenient location without being a nuisance or interference while the bed is not in use. For example, a driver can fit the foldable bed  100  in the folded position behind the passenger&#39;s seat or behind the driver&#39;s seat within the cabin. The ability to store the foldable bed  100  in a convenient location such as behind one or both of the seats allows for easy access to the bed to deploy or stow the bed away without hassle. 
     In some examples, the upper panel  140  may include a means for remaining in the upright position, particularly when a load is applied to the upper panel  140 , such as the weight of at least a portion of a person&#39;s body, and in examples in which the upper panel  140  is not positioned to lean against the interior of the door of the vehicle. For example, the foldable bed  100  may include at least one support rod  145  extending between a lower surface  146   b  of the upper panel  140  and the upper surface  102   a  of the first outer panel  110 , as shown in FIG.  11 . In some examples, the foldable bed  100  may include a single support rod  145  positioned to extend from the first outer panel  110  generally in the middle along the length and width of the first outer panel  110 . Alternatively, the foldable bed  100  may include a plurality of support rods  145  extending from one of the side edges  106 ,  108  of the first outer panel  110  or the outer edge  114  of the first outer panel  110  up to a surface or edge of the upper panel  140 . The support rod  145  may extend perpendicular to the first plane (i.e., the plane along which the first outer panel  110  extends) or oblique to the first plane, e.g., perpendicular to the third plane (i.e., the plane along which the upper panel  140  extends). 
     At least one support rod  145  may be detachably coupleable to the upper panel  140  to hold the panel in the upright position. Alternatively, at least one support rod  145  may be hingedly coupled to the lower surface  146   b  of the upper panel  140  such that the support rod  145  can be adjusted to transition from a protruding position to a folded position. That is, in the folded position, the support rod  145  may have a length which extends generally parallel to plane along which the upper panel  140  extends, and the support rod  145  may abut the lower surface  146  of the upper panel  140 , with a first end of the support rod  145  hingedly coupled to an edge or the lower surface  146   b  of the upper panel  140 . Any portion of the support rod  145 , such as a second end opposite a first end, may be pulled to separate the support rod  145  from the lower surface  146  of the upper panel  140  such that the support rod  145  rotates about its hinge. The support rod  145  may rotate anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees, e.g., approximately 90 degrees so that its length extends along an axis oblique to the plane along which the upper panel  140  extends, and thus the second end of the support rod  145  is able to contact a structure below, such as the first outer panel  110 , to hold the upper panel  140  in the upright position. When it is then desired to transition the upper panel  140  from the upright position to the folded position (or remove the upper panel  140  altogether), the upper panel  140  may simply be lifted to remove the load applied to the support rod  145 , and the support rod  145  may thereafter be folded in the opposite direction it was unfolded to revert the support rod to its folded position flush against the lower surface  146   b  of the upper panel  140 . 
       FIG.  12    is a top view of another foldable bed according to present disclosure (hereinafter, foldable bed  200 ). Foldable bed  200  can be substantially similar in both form and function to foldable bed  100 , discussed in connection with  FIGS.  1 - 11   , except for distinctions noted herein. Accordingly, foldable bed  200  can include a first outer panel  210  coupled to a middle panel  220  by way of a hinge  215   a  and a second outer panel  230  coupled to the middle panel  220  by way of a hinge  215   b . An exterior periphery of the foldable bed  200  is defined by a right edge  214 , a left edge  234 , a front edge  206 , a rear edge  208 , and a cut-out  225  disposed on the front edge  206  of the middle panel  220 . The foldable bed  200  can also include a power supply  250  (e.g., a 12V DC male power connector for receiving electrical power from a 12V DC female power socket of a vehicle and/or a battery, such as a rechargeable battery pack) for providing electrical power to one or more electrical components of the foldable bed  200 . 
     According to one example, the power supply  250  can provide power to one or more sensors  252  disposed within one or more of the panels  210 ,  220 ,  230  for determining when the foldable bed  200  is bearing weight (e.g., determining when a user is resting on the foldable bed  200 ). As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the sensor  252  can be a weight sensor, pressure sensor, proximity sensor, switch, or any other means configured to determine when a user is resting on the foldable bed  200 . The sensor  252  can also include a communications interface (e.g., serial interface, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) for transmitting sensor data to another device, such as, but not limited to, a memory disposed within the foldable bed  200 , a driver&#39;s mobile device, an electronic log device (ELD) associated with the driver and/or vehicle, a computer system or server of a trucking company, a computer system or server controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), or any other computing device. Accordingly, the sensor  252  can record data that can be stored and later analyzed to determine periods of time when the driver of the vehicle is resting on the foldable bed  200 . Furthermore, this sensor data can be accessed by the FMSCA during an audit to determine if a driver and/or trucking company is complying with federally mandated guidelines related to maximum driving times. Further still, by using the sensor  252  to record periods of rest, drivers can “split their time” between periods of rest to increase the maximum amount of driving time in a given week by up to twenty-one (21) hours. 
     According to another example, the power supply  250  can provide power to a heating element  254 , which can be disposed within one or more of the panels  210 ,  220 ,  230  and can be adjustably activated to heat the foldable bed  200  when desired. Similarly, the power supply  250  can provide power to one or more massaging elements or features  256 , which can be disposed within one or more of the panels  210 ,  220 ,  230  and can be adjustably activated to provide a massaging action when desired. The electrical components of the foldable bed  200  can also include, but are not limited to, one or more of a cigarette lighter, a heated or cooled cup holder, a reading light and one or more USB ports, a wireless charging pad, an AC power inverter, or other means for providing power to another electronic device (e.g., mobile device, laptop, gaming device, or the like). The foldable bed  200  can also include one or more of a keychain holder and a storage bag, tray, caddy, or lockbox configured to hold and/or organize one or more of a driver&#39;s wallet, sunglasses, pens, and other personal items. 
     According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the foldable bed  200  can include a modular connection interface  258  for coupling one or more modular attachments  260  to the foldable bed  200 . The modular connection interface  258  can be disposed about the periphery of the foldable bed  200 , defined by the right edge  214 , the left edge  234 , the front edge  206 , the rear edge  208 , and the cut-out  225 , and includes a coupling mechanism for attaching one or more of the modular attachments  260  to the foldable bed  200 , for example, by way of a reciprocal coupling mechanisms disposed on the modular attachments  260 . The modular connection interface  258  can also include an electrical communication interface coupled to the power supply  250  and configured to provide power to one or more of the modular attachments  260 , for example, by way of reciprocal electrical communication interfaces of the modular attachments  260 . Accordingly, the modular attachments  260  can be mechanically and electrically coupled to the foldable bed  200  and can include one or more of the cigarette lighter, the heated or cooled cup holder, the reading light, the USB ports, the wireless charging pad, the AC power inverter, the keychain holder, and the storage bag, tray, caddy, or lockbox described above. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.