Abstract:
An articulated furnishing system consisting of a reconfigurable mattress and a foundation composed of multiple separable components. The articulated furnishing system is adaptable between a bed configuration, a seating area configuration, and a work surface configuration through re-arrangement and re-orientation of the multiple separable components. A light box associated with the foundation is configured with one or more light sources to provide illumination, and to provide one or more surfaces adapted for article storage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/794,212 filed Mar. 5, 2004, hereby incorporated by reference, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/452,626 filed Mar. 6, 2003, hereby incorporated by reference.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     Not Applicable. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention is related to multi-functional room furnishings, and in particular, to an articulated furnishing system suitable for use in a hotel room, which includes a multifunctional unit including separable components configurable for sleeping, working, and relaxing.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Briefly stated, in a first embodiment of the present invention an articulated furnishing system includes a reconfigurable mattress and a foundation, which is composed of multiple separable components. The articulated furnishing system is adaptable between a bed configuration, a seating area configuration, and a work surface configuration through re-orientation and re-arrangement of the multiple separable components. A light box associated with the foundation is configured with one or more light sources to provide illumination, and provides surfaces adapted for storage.  
         [0005]     In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the above-described furnishing system further comprises a retractable duvet cover. The duvet cover includes at least one channel, which runs from one end of the cover to the other end. The channel has a distal end and a proximal end. A string is attached to the distal end of the at least one channel, and lies within the channel. The string is of a length sufficient to extend beyond the proximal end of the channel to allow the user access thereto.  
         [0006]     The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention as well as embodiments thereof will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a off-axis perspective view of the first embodiment of the articulated furnishing system of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1  configured for re-arrangement;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 , configured for seating;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a right plan view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a left plan view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a front plan view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 , illustrating occupant sleeping arrangements; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a front plan view of the articulated furnishing system of  FIG. 1 , illustrating sight lines for various configurations. 
     
    
       [0018]     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0020]     Turning to  FIGS. 1-10 , the articulated furnishing system of the present invention is shown generally as  10  and comprises a base unit  2  and a plurality of separable components  4 . The base unit  2  has a fixed configuration. The separable components  4  are each adapted for operative association with the foot of the base unit  2  in multiple configurations, including at least a first configuration ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and a second configuration ( FIG. 4 ).  
         [0021]     Generally, the system  10  in a first configuration is a bed having a sleeping surface  20  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). However, the system  10  is adapted to transform using a configurable mattress  12  and foundation  14 . The configurable mattress  12  and foundation  14  can separate out three separable components  4 , which roll out from the base unit  2  to arrange in a second configuration ( FIG. 4 ). In the depicted embodiment, the separable components  4  comprise casters  8 , which aid in moving components  4  about. In the second configuration, the base unit  2  can act like a chaise lounge and a sofa. In addition, the base unit  2  may include a duvet  26  that acts like a bolster or backrest, which is described in further detail below. The three smaller separable components  4  roll out on casters  8  in such a way that they may form a seating area  18  with seating surfaces  19 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the seating area  18  can be configured in multiple arrangements to meet the user&#39;s needs and wants. For example, the separable components  4  can be flipped over or otherwise configured to reveal hard surfaces  21  that can be used as a work surface or a table surface. In addition, the separable components  4  can pivot using hinges  22  to a substantially vertical orientation to act as a backrest  23 . In addition, the base unit  2  can be removeably connected to the separate components  4  by magnets  16 .  
         [0022]     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the separable components can be arranged to have any number of configurations. For example, in another embodiment all the separable components  4  can comprise seating surfaces  19 . In another embodiment, all the separable components  4  can comprise table surfaces  21 . In yet another embodiment, the separable components  4  are adapted to provide a plurality of sleeping surfaces. In yet another embodiment, the separable components  4  can pivot using hinges  22  to a substantially vertical orientation to reveal a storage unit.  
         [0023]     The system  10  further includes at least one shelf surface  24  coupled to the foundation  14 , which is disposed in operative relation to the sleeping cushion  12 . The shelf surface  24  is adapted generally to hold accessories.  
         [0024]     In a further embodiment of the invention ( FIGS. 5-10 ), the system  10  includes a lightbox  34  having at least one illumination source  6  coupled to the foundation  14 , which is disposed in operative relation to the sleeping cushion  12 . The illumination source  6  will provide enough light so that no other lamps will be needed.  
         [0025]     As mentioned above, the system  10  includes a duvet cover  26 , which can be retracted similarly to a roman blind or shade, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . The duvet cover  26  comprises at least one channel  28  therethrough, which runs from one end of the cover to the other end. In the depicted embodiment there are two channels, but there may be more. The channels  28  are adapted to allow a string  30  or similar device to lie therein. The channels  28  have a distal end, which is away from the user and a proximal end, which is closer to the user. The string  30  is generally longer than the channels  28  and should be connected to the distal end of the channel one end. The string  30  should extend out of the proximal end of the channel  28  to allow the user access thereto. When a user desires to retract the comforter, the strings  30  are pulled and the duvet cover  26  retracts toward the user who is pulling the strings  30 , thereby retracting the cover  26 . The retractable duvet cover  26  may be used with the system  10  of the invention, or without the system  10 .  
         [0026]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to the configuration and dimensions of the first embodiment shown in the various Figures. In alternate embodiments, components of the articulated furnishing system of the present invention may be adapted for arrangement in different configurations and corresponding dimensions. Similarly, the number of multiple separable components  4  may be varied from that shown in the various Figures as required to accommodate greater or lesser numbers of anticipated occupants.  
         [0027]     Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.