Abstract:
A folding cabinet bed includes a cabinet of sufficient size to enclose a standard size folded futon mattress, and allows the mattress to be deployed as a bed. Hinges on the front wall of the cabinet enable the front wall to fold down vertically. An extension panel attached to the front wall helps to create a sleeping platform that accommodates the mattress. A drawer with a plurality of nesting telescoping rails between the sidewalls of the cabinet and the sidewalls of the drawer is provided at the bottom of the cabinet. The telescoping rails enable the drawer to be extended away from the cabinet and support the front wall and extension panel to create a level sleeping surface. The drawer may include storage space for pillows and bedding. Latching means holds the cabinet closed to withstand outward pressure of the folded mattress. A safety chain or strap may be provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is based upon and claims benefit of copending and co-owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/670,170 entitled “Folding Cabinet Bed”, filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Apr. 11, 2005 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 mattress and allows the mattress to be deployed as a bed. 
   2. Background of the Prior Art 
   The broad concept of a cabinet bed is not new. Nevertheless, prior cabinet beds tended to suffer from one or more of several disabilities that limited their usefulness; for example, bulky and un-prepossessing appearance, complicated mechanism and inconvenient operation to deploy into a bed rendering it difficult to fold and unfold the bed and compounding its costs, unstable sleeping platform upon deployment, lack of storage drawers, significant lack of comfort, and other problems. 
   These disabilities are obvious to the extent that, though the demand for space-saving beds is high, there is a dearth of cabinet beds available today. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,249 to Katsigarakis, as well as several other U.S. and foreign patents, suffer from the similar disability of having the front and back panels of the cabinet hinged to a central base from which deployment of the sleeping platform is accomplished, with or without mechanical mechanisms, by folding the front and back panels into a horizontal position to create a mattress platform. This basic method of deployment is such that there can be no functioning storage drawers and that any objects placed on top of the cabinet when in the closed position must be removed prior to deployment into a bed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 186,632 to Smith; U.S. Pat. No. 189,303 to Crosby; and U.S. Pat. No. 239,805 to Knapp all describe a cabinet bed in which the front of the cabinet folds out into a horizontal position to create a sleeping platform supported by a ‘foot’ at the end of the front panel. The ‘foot’ is hinged to the front panel and is folded downward and held in place to support the mattress platform at the same height as the base of the cabinet. These suffer from the similar disability of deploying the bed, such that the mattress deploys with the front panel thereby creating additional weight in addition to which, once in the horizontal position, the person deploying the bed must support the weight of both the panel and mattress while ensuring that the ‘feet’ are securely in place. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,170,149 to Gustafson is a cabinet bed that deploys using a two-piece platform that nests into each other. The cabinet mattress platform is supported by a pair of hinged legs that rotate downward to provide support where the two-pieces of the platform nest. Another piece on a hinge and spring rotates out and down to support the foot of the bed. The Gustafson cabinet suffers from a number of disabilities including: a complicated mechanism requiring stop pins and angle irons to prevent the foot from going beyond the vertical position; lack of storage drawers; lack of continuous support of the mattress platform, a mattress platform that deploys close to the floor; and an overall design that requires any number of independent actions to safely deploy the platform and mattress, making it unwieldy and difficult to deploy. 
   While each of the above mentioned devices may be effective to some degree in providing a folding cabinet bed, none of the references disclose a simple cabinet with few moving parts that can open to reveal a platform bed of any height supporting a variety of mattresses in a variety of sizes and containing storage drawers accessible in an open or closed position. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a solution to the above and other problems by enabling a simply designed folding cabinet bed with a telescoping drawer/bed frame assembly in an attractive piece of furniture that opens into a full-length platform bed of any height off the floor that can be configured to fit a mattress of any size. 
   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 presents a decorative appearance in the closed configuration. A further related object of the present invention is to enable a folding cabinet bed having a simple design. 
   It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed with a telescoping frame to support the sleeping platform that closes into a compact configuration within the cabinet and extends to the desired length of the sleeping platform. A related object is to enable a folding cabinet bed having a telescoping drawer/bed frame assembly that is compact and easy to construct. A further related object is to enable a folding cabinet bed having a telescoping drawer/bed frame assembly in which the telescoping rail mechanism can be constructed using readily available hardware such as drawer slides or similar mechanisms, or can be constructed using dadoes with mating runners in and on the rails themselves with a pin-in-dado or other mechanism to ensure that the rails extend to the proper length to accomplish the telescoping and accommodate the mattress platform. 
   It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed with a telescoping frame in which the telescoping frame can be easily configured to adapt to any desired height for the sleeping platform. A related object of the present invention is to enable a folding cabinet bed with a telescoping frame in which the telescoping rails provide continuous support for the sleeping platform and are configured to support the sleeping platform on both sides and in the middle. A further related object is to enable a folding cabinet bed having a telescoping drawer/bed frame assembly in which the telescoping frame houses drawers that nest into the frame when in the closed position, and that are easily accessible whether the cabinet is closed or in a fully opened position. 
   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 mattress. It is a related object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed that has an internal latching mechanism to prevent accidental deployment of the mattress platform. 
   It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed wherein the interior of the cabinet is configured with an interior stretcher between side panels that can hold the mattress inside the cabinet while the frame and platform are being deployed thus removing the additional weight of the mattress during bed deployment. 
   It is another object of the present invention to enable a folding cabinet bed having a damper, spring, or other such device that can be easily installed to assist in the deployment of the front panel. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to enable a folding, telescoping frame cabinet bed that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. A related object of the present invention is to enable a folding, telescoping frame 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, telescoping frame cabinet bed comprising an attractive cabinet enclosure and a mattress. 
   In accordance with the above and other objects, a cabinet bed having a telescoping frame and separately deploying platform 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 top cabinet that houses a mattress and a base assembly that houses a support mechanism, which allows the mattress to be deployed as a bed. The cabinet is deep and tall enough to enclose a folded mattress and of sufficient width to accommodate standard sizes of mattresses, with or without a separate mattress platform. Hinges on the bottom of the front wall of the cabinet enable the cabinet to be opened vertically so that the front wall folds down to a sleeping position. A separate extension panel, connected to the front wall, further deploys to create a sleeping platform of desired length to accommodate the mattress. Dampers, springs, or other mechanical devices can be installed to assist in lowering or raising the front cabinet wall. When folded down, the front cabinet wall and extension panel rest on a frame consisting of a plurality of nesting rails attached to the sidewalls and center support of the cabinet that telescope outward. Drawers are provided that nest within the telescoping rails. The rails and drawers are supported by casters to enable the drawers and rails to be extended away from the cabinet and to create a level frame to support the sleeping platform. In a closed position, the drawers and rails slide into the cabinet base. The drawers may also include storage space for pillows, bedding, and the like. Latching means holds the cabinet securely closed to withstand the outward pressure of the folded mattress. A safety chain may be provided to prevent the front cabinet wall from falling if accidentally opened. 
   When closed, the cabinet conceals and protects a mattress and bedding in an attractive false-fronted chest with practical tabletop surface and well-appointed hardware. When opened, the cabinet provides twin, full, queen, or king-size sleeping comfort. The cabinet front, extension panel, and rails become the sleeping platform. The rails rest on casters on the floor and support the platform off the floor thereby providing further comfort. After use, simply fold the mattress, extension panel, and front wall into the cabinet, lock the side catches, and push the drawers and rails into the cabinet base. 
   When closed, the cabinet conceals and protects a mattress and bedding in an attractive false-fronted chest with practical tabletop surface and well-appointed hardware. When opened, the cabinet provides twin, full, queen, or king-size sleeping comfort, complete with headboard. The cabinet front, extension panel, and rails become the sleeping platform. The rails rest on casters on the floor and support the platform off the floor thereby providing further comfort. After use, simply fold the extension panel and front wall into the cabinet, lock the side catches, and push the drawers and rails into the cabinet base. 
   The various features of novelty that characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims of this application. 

   
     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 an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed in the closed configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevational view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a plan view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the platform support structure of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a plan view of the platform support structure of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a plan view of support members of the folding cabinet bed in the closed configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a profile and elevational view of a nesting rail according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 9   a  and  b  illustrates a front and side elevational view of a folding cabinet bed in the closed configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a plan view of the folding cabinet bed in the open configuration according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   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 the drawings,  FIGS. 1-5  show a cabinet, indicated generally as  10 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Cabinet  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 , and bottom panel  25 . A stretcher  27  may be provided between sidewalls  21 ,  22  at the top of the cabinet  10 . Front wall  15  is pivotably attached to the front edge of bottom panel  25  by hinge  30  at the bottom of front wall  15 . In a preferred embodiment, a damper, spring, or other such device  32  can be installed to assist in the deployment of the front wall  15 . While the term “front wall” is used herein to describe a main panel of a sleeping platform, as described below, it is contemplated that the front wall is not necessarily externally exposed when the cabinet  10  is in the closed position. 
   An extension panel  35  is pivotably attached to the free end of the front wall  15  by hinge  38 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Hinges  30 ,  38  may comprise a single, long piano hinge or a plurality of smaller hinges. Extension panel  35  is sized and configured to fit between sidewalls  21 ,  22  so that extension panel  35  can fit inside the cabinet  10  in the closed configuration. 
   The cabinet  10  is mounted on a hollow base  37 . A drawer  40  is provided in the base  37  below front wall  15  and under the bottom panel  25 . At least one handle  43  is provided on the face  46  of drawer  40 . The face  46  of drawer  40  extends the entire width of cabinet  10 . A platform support structure  48  comprising a plurality of extendable telescoping rails  50  is provided within the base  37  between the sidewalls of the drawer  40  and the cabinet sidewalls  21 ,  22 . The extendable rails  50  can be pulled out of the base  37  in a telescoping fashion approximately perpendicular to the base  37  to hold a bed platform  51 , comprising the front wall  15  and extension panel  35 , above the floor. In a preferred embodiment, at least three sets of telescoping rails  50  are provided to support the outside portions and center of the bed platform  51 . A center support  52  may be provided under the bottom panel  25  between the sidewalls  21 ,  22 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  show the platform support structure  48  in the open configuration without the bed platform  51 . One rail, typically the innermost rail, is attached to either compartment  61 ,  62  and the outer rails are attached to each side of drawer  40 . The remaining rails  50  are nested together within the base  37 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , which shows the rails  50  in the closed configuration. The length of the platform support structure  48  depends upon the number of rails  50 , which is determined based upon the depth of the base  37  and the full open length of the bed platform  51 . Nesting of the telescoping rails  50  can be accomplished using a dovetail arrangement, as shown in  FIG. 8 . Other methods of nesting the rails  50  may be used. For example, the telescoping rail mechanism can be constructed using readily available hardware such as drawer slides or similar devices, or can be constructed using dadoes with mating runners in and on the rails themselves with a pin-in-dado or other mechanism to ensure that the rails  50  extend to the proper length to accomplish the telescoping and accommodate the mattress platform  51 . 
   Support structure  48  further comprises appropriate support mechanisms, such as casters  53 , that elevate and carry the telescoping rails  50 , and allow them to move easily in and out of the cabinet  10  by opening or closing the drawer  40 . In an open configuration, the casters  53  provide support such that front wall  15 , extension panel  35 , and bottom panel  25  form a common plane above the floor or surface upon which the cabinet  10  is placed. When fully extended, the drawer  40 , rails  50 , and casters  53  hold up the front wall  15  and extension panel  35 . 
   A pair of latching mechanisms  55  on each of sidewalls  21 ,  22  maintains the front wall  15  in the closed configuration. Drawer  40  may also be provided with a latching mechanism (not shown) to hold the drawer  40  in the open or closed position. Additionally, a safety chain  58  or strap may be provided to prevent the front wall  15  from falling if accidentally opened. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the cabinet  10  of the present invention is sized and configured to enable a mattress  60  to be enclosed within such cabinet  10 . Cabinet  10  can be configured to hold a single-size, full-size, queen-size, or king-size mattress and may optionally include space for one or more pillows and bedclothes. Such pillows and bedclothes may be stored in compartments  61 ,  62  in the drawer  40 . The stretcher  27  holds the mattress  60  inside the cabinet  10  while the support structure  48  and platform  51  are being deployed thus removing the additional weight of the mattress during bed deployment. 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. 
   In use, cabinet  10  can be opened vertically from top to bottom. First, the drawer  40  is pulled out to the full extent enabled by the rails  50 . Next, the latching mechanisms  55  are released. If provided, the safety chain  58  is unhooked. Then, front wall  15  folds down and extension panel  35  is folded out to complete the length of the bed. The mattress  60  is exposed and can be opened to a sleeping position. In an open configuration, back wall  18  becomes the headboard of the bed, with top panel  12  overhanging. In such an embodiment, the cabinet  10  need not be moved away from a wall to open the cabinet  10  and extend the bed platform  51  to a full-sized bed. The support structure  48  enables the sleeping platform  51  to be in a raised position above the floor on which the cabinet  10  is placed. 
   In an alternate embodiment, extension panel  35  need not be pivotably attached to the front wall  15  and, instead, may be slidably connected to the inner surface of the front wall  15 , by appropriate slides. When the front wall  15  is folded down to the sleeping platform  51 , the extension panel  35  is slid out, parallel to front wall  15 . At the end of its travel, extension panel  35  drops down or flips over to form a common plane with the front wall  15  on the sleeping platform  51 . 
   In an alternate embodiment, extension panel  35  need not be pivotably attached to the front wall  15  and, instead, may be slidably connected to the inner surface of the front wall  15 , by appropriate slides. When the front wall  15  is folded down to the sleeping platform  51 , the extension panel  35  is slid out, parallel to front wall  15 . At the end of its travel, extension panel  35  drops down to form a common plane with the front wall  15  on the sleeping platform  51 . 
     FIGS. 9   a  and  b  show cabinet  10  in an alternate configuration. The enclosure formed by the top panel  12 , sidewalls  21 ,  22 , and bottom panel  25  is closed by a pair of doors  65 ,  66  pivotably attached along a side edge of the doors  65 ,  66  to a forward edge of sidewalls  21 ,  22 , respectively. A stretcher  27  may be provided between sidewalls  21 ,  22  at the top of the cabinet  10 . Doors  65 ,  66  may include opening hardware, such as handles  69 ,  70 . The front wall  15  is enclosed by the doors  65 ,  66 . To create a sleeping platform, the front wall  15  is pivotably attached to the front edge of bottom panel  25  by hinge  30  at the bottom of the front wall  15 . In a preferred embodiment, a damper, spring, or other such device can be installed to assist in the deployment of the front wall  15 . In this configuration, the front wall  15  is sized and configured to fit between sidewalls  21 ,  22  so that the front wall  15  can fit inside the cabinet  10  in the closed configuration. A safety chain or latch may be provided to prevent the front wall  15  from falling when the doors  65 ,  66  are opened. Doors  65 ,  66  may be provided with a latching mechanism (not shown) to hold the doors  65 ,  66  in the open or closed position. 
   As in the previous configuration, the extension panel  35  is pivotably attached to the free end of the front wall  15  by hinge  38 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . Hinges  30 ,  38  may comprise a single, long piano hinge or a plurality of smaller hinges. Extension panel  35  is likewise sized and configured to fit between sidewalls  21 ,  22  so that extension panel  35  can fit inside the cabinet  10  in the closed configuration. A platform support structure  48 , as described above, is provided in the base  37  in this configuration, as well. 
   As described above, extension panel  35  need not be pivotably attached to the front wall  15  and, instead, may be slidably connected to the inner surface of the front wall  15 , by appropriate slides. When the front wall  15  is folded down onto the platform support structure  48 , the extension panel  35  is slid out, parallel to front wall  15 . At the end of its travel, extension panel  35  drops down or flips over to form a common plane with the front wall  15 . 
   To deploy the bed, the doors  65 ,  66  on cabinet  10  can be opened. First, the drawer  40  is pulled out to the full extent enabled by the rails  50  to deploy the platform support structure. Next, the latch or safety chain, if provided, is released. Then, front wall  15  folds down and extension panel  35  is folded out to complete the length of the bed and expose a mattress. The mattress can then be opened to a sleeping position. 
   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 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.