Patent ID: 8225438

Claim:
A seating unit convertible into a bed, comprising: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a rear support pivotally interconnected with the base, the rear support having a rear support cushion that faces rearwardly in the folded position; a backrest having a backrest cushion; a seat having a seat cushion; a seat carriage; and a folding mechanism attached to the rear support, backrest and seat, the folding mechanism comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected links that are configured and arranged to move the rear support, backrest and seat between a folded position, in which the rear support is generally upright, the backrest is generally upright and positioned forwardly of the rear support, the seat is generally horizontal and positioned forwardly of the backrest, and the seat carriage is positioned above the base and below the seat, and an unfolded position, in which the rear support, the backrest, and the seat are substantially horizontal and serially aligned with each other, the rear support is above the base, and the seat carriage is positioned below the seat and forward of the base; wherein the folding mechanism includes a folding leg that resides between the rear support and the backrest in the folded position and that rests directly on the underlying surface in the unfolded position; and wherein the rear support cushion is exposed to the rear when the seating unit is in the folded position.