Title:
Fold-open convertible occupant-receiving unit of furniture
United States Patent 3890658
Abstract:
A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture characterized by being constructed for easily converting to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portion for use as a bed, ottoman or the like, as follows. A first member, preferably a block of foam, of predetermined shape generally defining one half of the folded-open outside configuration of the unit of furniture is hinged, preferably by upholstery, to a second member, preferably a block of foam, having the same general outside configuration and shape as the first member for being generally symmetrical therewith and defining the other half of the folded-open configuration of the unit of furniture when placed in side-by-side position therewith and having a cut out therein to define a void therethrough for pivotal movement of the second member to and from a folded-close, superimposed position on top of the first member wherein the first member provides an upstanding side and back portion, the cut out in the second member provides an occupant receiving void in the second member and the portion of the first member contained within the cut out of the second member provides an occupant-receiving seat portion and to and from a folded-open position in side-by-side relation with the first member for providing a flat unit of furniture with no upstanding portions. A third member, preferably the cut out block of foam, is provided for being positioned within the cut out of the second member when the second member is in the folded-open position for filling the cut out and to be utilized as an ottoman when the unit of furniture is in the folded-close position thereof.
US Patent References:
Round double bed of the type convertible into a single or double couch
Radel - January 1967 - 3298040
Round double bed of the type convertible into a single or double couch
Radel - January 1967 - 3298040
Application Number:
05/501623
Publication Date:
06/24/1975
Filing Date:
08/29/1974
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Investments and Innovative Concepts, Inc. (Boone, NC)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
5/12.100, 5/902, D06/335, 5/722
International Classes:
A47C17/165; A47C17/00; A47C17/00; A47B83/00
Field of Search:
5/2R,2B,12R,352,357 297/456
Primary Examiner:
Gilliam, Paul R.
Assistant Examiner:
Calvert, Andrew M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Parrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture characterized by being constructed for easily converting to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like; said unit of furniture comprising:
2. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for being positioned within said cut out of said second member when said second member is in the folded-open position thereof comprises
3. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furnitue, as set forth in claim 2, in which said third member comprises a detached, separate member for manual movement to desired positions when used as an ottoman in the folded-close condition of said unit of furniture and when used to fill said cut out in the folded-open condition of said unit of furniture.
4. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 2, in which said third member comprises an integral member forming a part of and an extension of said first member.
5. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for being positioned within said cut out of said second member when said second member is in the folded-open position thereof comprises
6. A folded-open convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for hingedly connecting said first member to said second member comprises upholstery separately covering at least a portion of said first and second members and being connected for hingedly joining said first and second members.
7. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 6, in which said upholstery covers the side surfaces of said first and second members and forms a open pocket means around the upper peripheral edge of said first and second members when in the folded-open position thereof for receiving and holding bed sheets therein.
8. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
9. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally heart shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
10. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally rectangular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
11. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, characterized by being constructed for easily converting to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like; said unit of furniture comprising:
12. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said third foam block comprises a detached, separate member for manual movement to desired positions when used as an ottoman in the folded-close condition of said unit of furniture and when used to fill said cut out in the folded-open condition of said unit of furniture.
13. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said third foam block comprises an integral part of and an extension of said first foam block.
14. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said third foam block is divided and comprises a pair of separate, detached, symmetrical members which when placed in side-by-side relation are of the shape and configuration of said cut out in said second foam block for filling said cut out when said unit of furniture is in the folded-open position and for use as individual detached ottomans which may be manually placed in desired positions when the unit of furniture is in the folded-close position.
15. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said upholstery covers the side surfaces of said first and second foam blocks and forms an open pocket means around the upper peripheral edge of said first and second foam blocks when in the folded-open position thereof for receiving and holding bed sheets therein.
16. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
17. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally heart shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
18. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally rectangular shape in plan when in the folded-open positioned thereof.
1. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture characterized by being constructed for easily converting to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like; said unit of furniture comprising:
2. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for being positioned within said cut out of said second member when said second member is in the folded-open position thereof comprises
3. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furnitue, as set forth in claim 2, in which said third member comprises a detached, separate member for manual movement to desired positions when used as an ottoman in the folded-close condition of said unit of furniture and when used to fill said cut out in the folded-open condition of said unit of furniture.
4. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 2, in which said third member comprises an integral member forming a part of and an extension of said first member.
5. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for being positioned within said cut out of said second member when said second member is in the folded-open position thereof comprises
6. A folded-open convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said means for hingedly connecting said first member to said second member comprises upholstery separately covering at least a portion of said first and second members and being connected for hingedly joining said first and second members.
7. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 6, in which said upholstery covers the side surfaces of said first and second members and forms a open pocket means around the upper peripheral edge of said first and second members when in the folded-open position thereof for receiving and holding bed sheets therein.
8. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
9. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally heart shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
10. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 1, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally rectangular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
11. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, characterized by being constructed for easily converting to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like; said unit of furniture comprising:
12. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said third foam block comprises a detached, separate member for manual movement to desired positions when used as an ottoman in the folded-close condition of said unit of furniture and when used to fill said cut out in the folded-open condition of said unit of furniture.
13. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said third foam block comprises an integral part of and an extension of said first foam block.
14. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said third foam block is divided and comprises a pair of separate, detached, symmetrical members which when placed in side-by-side relation are of the shape and configuration of said cut out in said second foam block for filling said cut out when said unit of furniture is in the folded-open position and for use as individual detached ottomans which may be manually placed in desired positions when the unit of furniture is in the folded-close position.
15. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said upholstery covers the side surfaces of said first and second foam blocks and forms an open pocket means around the upper peripheral edge of said first and second foam blocks when in the folded-open position thereof for receiving and holding bed sheets therein.
16. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
17. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally heart shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof.
18. A fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving unit of furniture, as set forth in claim 11, in which said unit of furniture comprises a generally rectangular shape in plan when in the folded-open positioned thereof.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture which is specifically characterized by being constructed for easily converting to and from a fold-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like.
Heretofore, various constructions of convertible, occupant-receiving furniture have been proposed for converting to and from a sofa, chair, or the like to and from a bed or the life. Sofa-bed furniture units have long been popular for consumers who have limited floor space available in their dwellings and desire a unit for furniture which can function as a sofa during the daytime and as a bed at night. These previously designed sofa-beds have, for the most part, been of a heavy, cumbersome and complicated design which required considerable effort and often strength in converting the unit of furniture from a sofa to a bed and vice versa.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a new construction of convertible, occupant-receiving furniture units which is characterized by ease of conversion and simplicity of construction.
It is a further more specific object of this invention to provide a convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture which may be converted to and from a sofa, chair or the like, to and from a bed, ottoman or the like.
By this invention, it has been found that the above objects may be accomplished by providing such a unit of furniture which is of a fold-open construction for easily converting to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair and the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like, as follows.
A first member, preferably a block of foam material, of predetermined shape generally defining one half of the folded-open outside configuration of the unit of furniture is provided. A second member, preferably also a block of foam material, having the same general outside configuration and shape as the first member for being generally symmetrical therewith and defining the other half of the folded-open configuration of the unit of furniture when placed in side-by-side relation therewith and having a cut out therein to define a void therethrough is provided.
Means, preferably upholstery, hingedly connects the first member to the second member for pivotal movement of the second member to and from a folded-close superimposed position on top of the first member wherein the first member provides an upstanding side and back portion, the cut out in the second member provides an occupant-receiving void in the second member and the portion of the first member contained within the cut out of the second member provides an occupant-receiving seat portion and to and from a folded-open position in side-by-side relation with the first member for providing a flat unit of furniture with no upstanding portions.
Means, preferably the cut out foam block portion from said second member, is provided for being positioned in and filling the cut out in the second member when the second member is in the folded-open position thereof to provide a generally flat continuous surface for the unit of furniture in the folded-open position thereof, and for use as an ottoman or ottomans in the unit of furniture when the first and second members are in the folded-close position thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other object will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and being in the folded-close position thereof for use as a sofa;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the unit of furniture of FIG. 1 illustrating the folding open thereof;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unit of furniture of FIG. 1 in the folded-open position thereof for use as a bed and illustrating bedsheets being tucked into a specially designed pocket construction of the upholstery covering;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the furniture unit of FIG. 1 in the folded-open position thereof for use as a bed;
FIG. 5 is an elevational, cross-sectional view through the furniture unit of FIG. 1, with the ancillary pillows removed therefrom;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the unit of furniture of FIG. 2 as it is being folded-open;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of a portion of the unit of furniture of FIG. 1 illustrating the pocket construction of the upholstery covering;
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally heart shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a sofa, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as a bed;
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a sofa, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as a bed;
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally rectangular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a chair, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as a bed; and
FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a chair, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as an ottoman.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-4 firstly, there is shown therein a fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, constructed in accordance with this invention. As may be seen, this unit of furniture 10 is constructed for positioning in a folded-close condition for use as a sofa, as shown in FIG. 1, and for positioning in a folded-open condition for use as a bed, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
The unit of furniture 10 comprises a first member 12 of predetermined shape generally defining one-half of the folded-open outside configuration of the unit of furniture. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the folded-open unit of furniture 10 is generally circular shaped in plan and the member 12 defines one-half of this circular shape or is generally semi-circular shaped.
The unit of furniture 10 further includes a second member 14 having the same general outside configuration and shape as the first member for being generally symmetrical therewith and defining the other half of the folded-open configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, of the furniture unit 10 when placed in side-by-side position therewith. The second member 14 has a cut out 15 therein to define a void therethrough.
Preferably, the members 12 and 14 are constructed of block foam material which has been cut to the desired shape and configuration, described above. It has been found that a commercial form of foam material suitable for use in this invention is polyurethane foam of the firm to medium density range and of the injection molded slab or block type. It is to be understood that other types of foam materials are also suitable.
The first and second members 12 and 14 of the furniture unit 10 are hingedly connected for pivotal movement of the second member 14 to and from a folded-close position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, for use as a sofa in which the second member 14 is in superimposed position on top of the first member 12 and provides upstanding side and back portions for the sofa. In this position, the cut out 15 in the second member 14 provides an occupant-receiving void in the second member 14 and the portion of the first member 12 contained within the cut out 15 or void of the second member 14 provides an occupant-receiving seat portion, as shown in FIG. 1. Suitable supplementary pillows may be used within the occupant-receiving portion of the cut out in the second member 14 and on top of the first member 12 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-close position for use as a sofa, as shown in FIG. 1. However, these supplementary or ancillary pillows form no part of the present invention and will not be described or illustrated with respect to other figures of the drawings or supplementary embodiments of this invention and it is to be understood that supplementary or ancillary pillows may be used with the unit of furniture 10 in any desired manner.
The means for hingedly connecting the first and second members 12 and 14 further allows pivotal movement of the second member 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 ad 3, to a folded-open position in side-by-side relation of the first and second members 12 and 14 for providing a flat unit of furniture 10 with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, as shown in FIG. 4. The means for hingedly connecting the first and second members 12 and 14 may comprise upholstery, generally indicated at 20 which separately covers at least a portion of the first and second members and is connected together at 20a for hingedly joining the first and second members, as shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The blocks of foam forming the members 12 and 14 are preferably about 12 to 13 inches in thickness so that the overall unit of furniture 10 in the folded-close condition for use as a sofa, chair or the like is approximately 25 inches high and, if supplementary pillws are used, the seat of the unit of furniture would be approximately 16 inches high.
The unit of furniture 10 further comprises a third member 25, which preferably is the portion of the foam block cut from the second member 14 when forming the cut out 15 therein, and is of the shape and configuration of the cut out 15 for use as an ottoman or ottomans in the unit of furniture 10 when the first and second members 12 and 14 are in the folded-close position, as shown in FIG. 1, for use as sofa and are positioned within the cut out 15 when the second member14 is folded-open and placed in the folded-open position thereof for use of the unit of furniture 10 as a bed, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The member or members 25 completely fill the void formed by the cut out 15 in the second member 14 to provide a flat surface for the member 14 in the folded-open position thereof when the unit of furniture 10 is being used as a bed. The third member 25 may be suitably covered with the same upholstery 20 to match the remaining portions of the furniture unit 10 and may be a single piece integrally formed with the first member 12, a separate detached piece for manual movement, or divided into a pair of members 25 for use as separate ottomans, as will be discussed more fully below.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the upholstery 20 may completely enclose the members 12 and 14, as shown therein, and be joined together at 20a along the lateral edges of the abutments of the members 12 and 14 when positioned in side-by-side relationship when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition thereof, or the upholstery 20 may partially cover the members 12 and 14 and be combined with a cheaper muslin or other type of covering for the portions of the members 12 and 14 which are not seen when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-close condition thereof with supplementary cushions or the like thereon.
The upholstery 20 may include a zipper 30 around the outside of each of the members 12 and 14 to allow removal of the upholstery covering 20 from the members 12 and 14 for cleaning and the like.
In accordance with this invention, a specially designed pocket construction is formed around the outer periphery of each of the members 12 and 14 by the upholstery 20 when the members 12 and 14 are positioned in the folded-open condition thereof for receipt of bedsheets for use with the unit of furniture 10 when used as a bed. This specially designed pocket construction comprises a flap 35 of upholstery 20 which may be integral with other upholstery 20 and which extends from below the zipper 30 up and around the upper peripheral corner or edge portions of the members 12 and 14 to overlie the top surface thereof when the members 12 and 14 are positioned in the folded-open condition thereof. A piece of elastic 36 may be secured around the upper edge of the flap 35 of upholstery 20 for forming a snug pocket construction. Bedsheets may be positioned within this pocket construction, as shown in FIG. 3, for conveniently making up the unit of furniture 10 when used as a bed for sleeping by an occupant, as shown in FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, these Figures illustrate the unit of furniture 10 in a general heart shape when viewed in plan and when opened up to the folded-open condition thereof for use as a bed, as clearly shown in FIG. 10. The construction of this heat shaped unit of furniture 10 is the same described above with respect to FIGS. 1-7 and will not be repeated herein. The third member 25 of this embodiment of the unit of furniture 10 is one piece and is separate and detached from the members 12 and 14 so as to form a manually movable member for positioning in desired locations for use as an ottoman when the unit of furniture is in the folded-close condition for use as a sofa and may be manually positioned for filling the cut out 15 in the second member 14 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition for use as a bed, as shown in FIG. 10.
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 relate to the circular shaped unit of furniture 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and illustrate this unit of furniture in the various conditions for use thereof in the folded-close position for use as a sofa and the folded-open condition for use as a bed and illustrates the third member 25 in a separate and detached form and divided into two components for use as twin ottomans when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-close position for use as a sofa and positoined within the cut out 15 of the second member 14 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition thereof for use as a bed.
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment of the unit of furniture containing the same basic members as the previously discussed embodiments, as indicated by the common reference numerals terein, and in which the unit of furniture 10 in the folded-close condition thereof is utilized as a chair and in the folded-open condition thereof is utilized as a single bed. The third member 25 in this embodiment is integral with and forms an extension of the first member 12 in the folded-close condition of the unit of furniture 10 when used as a chair for use as an integrally extending ottoman and is used to fill the void formed by the cut out 15 of the second member 14 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition thereof for use as a single bed.
In FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, still another embodiment of the unit of furniture 10 is illustrated therein and which has the same or similar components as the previously described embodiments of the units of furniture 10 and have been given like reference characters. In this embodiment, the unit of furniture when in the folded-close condition thereof is utilized as a chair with an integrally extending ottoman 25 attached to the first member 12 to form an integral extension thereof. In the folded-open condition, this unit of furniture 10 may be used as an ottoman, hassock or the like and if desired, the dimensions thereof may be large enough so that the unit of furniture may be used as a circular bed.
Thus it may be seen that this invention has provided a fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture 10 which may be easily and quickly converted to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a chair, sofa, lounge or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman, hassock or the like.
In the drawings and specification there has been set forth preferred embodiments of this invention and, although specific terms have been employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
This invention relates to a fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture which is specifically characterized by being constructed for easily converting to and from a fold-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like.
Heretofore, various constructions of convertible, occupant-receiving furniture have been proposed for converting to and from a sofa, chair, or the like to and from a bed or the life. Sofa-bed furniture units have long been popular for consumers who have limited floor space available in their dwellings and desire a unit for furniture which can function as a sofa during the daytime and as a bed at night. These previously designed sofa-beds have, for the most part, been of a heavy, cumbersome and complicated design which required considerable effort and often strength in converting the unit of furniture from a sofa to a bed and vice versa.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a new construction of convertible, occupant-receiving furniture units which is characterized by ease of conversion and simplicity of construction.
It is a further more specific object of this invention to provide a convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture which may be converted to and from a sofa, chair or the like, to and from a bed, ottoman or the like.
By this invention, it has been found that the above objects may be accomplished by providing such a unit of furniture which is of a fold-open construction for easily converting to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a sofa, chair and the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman or the like, as follows.
A first member, preferably a block of foam material, of predetermined shape generally defining one half of the folded-open outside configuration of the unit of furniture is provided. A second member, preferably also a block of foam material, having the same general outside configuration and shape as the first member for being generally symmetrical therewith and defining the other half of the folded-open configuration of the unit of furniture when placed in side-by-side relation therewith and having a cut out therein to define a void therethrough is provided.
Means, preferably upholstery, hingedly connects the first member to the second member for pivotal movement of the second member to and from a folded-close superimposed position on top of the first member wherein the first member provides an upstanding side and back portion, the cut out in the second member provides an occupant-receiving void in the second member and the portion of the first member contained within the cut out of the second member provides an occupant-receiving seat portion and to and from a folded-open position in side-by-side relation with the first member for providing a flat unit of furniture with no upstanding portions.
Means, preferably the cut out foam block portion from said second member, is provided for being positioned in and filling the cut out in the second member when the second member is in the folded-open position thereof to provide a generally flat continuous surface for the unit of furniture in the folded-open position thereof, and for use as an ottoman or ottomans in the unit of furniture when the first and second members are in the folded-close position thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other object will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and being in the folded-close position thereof for use as a sofa;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the unit of furniture of FIG. 1 illustrating the folding open thereof;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unit of furniture of FIG. 1 in the folded-open position thereof for use as a bed and illustrating bedsheets being tucked into a specially designed pocket construction of the upholstery covering;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the furniture unit of FIG. 1 in the folded-open position thereof for use as a bed;
FIG. 5 is an elevational, cross-sectional view through the furniture unit of FIG. 1, with the ancillary pillows removed therefrom;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the unit of furniture of FIG. 2 as it is being folded-open;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of a portion of the unit of furniture of FIG. 1 illustrating the pocket construction of the upholstery covering;
FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally heart shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a sofa, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as a bed;
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a sofa, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as a bed;
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally rectangular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a chair, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as a bed; and
FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 are perspective views of a specific geometric shape of a unit of furniture in accordance with this invention and which is generally circular shape in plan when in the folded-open position thereof and illustrating the unit of furniture in the folded-close position in FIG. 8 for use as a chair, the unit of furniture as it is being folded-open in FIG. 9 and the unit of furniture in the folded-open position in FIG. 10 for use as an ottoman.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-4 firstly, there is shown therein a fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture, generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, constructed in accordance with this invention. As may be seen, this unit of furniture 10 is constructed for positioning in a folded-close condition for use as a sofa, as shown in FIG. 1, and for positioning in a folded-open condition for use as a bed, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
The unit of furniture 10 comprises a first member 12 of predetermined shape generally defining one-half of the folded-open outside configuration of the unit of furniture. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the folded-open unit of furniture 10 is generally circular shaped in plan and the member 12 defines one-half of this circular shape or is generally semi-circular shaped.
The unit of furniture 10 further includes a second member 14 having the same general outside configuration and shape as the first member for being generally symmetrical therewith and defining the other half of the folded-open configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, of the furniture unit 10 when placed in side-by-side position therewith. The second member 14 has a cut out 15 therein to define a void therethrough.
Preferably, the members 12 and 14 are constructed of block foam material which has been cut to the desired shape and configuration, described above. It has been found that a commercial form of foam material suitable for use in this invention is polyurethane foam of the firm to medium density range and of the injection molded slab or block type. It is to be understood that other types of foam materials are also suitable.
The first and second members 12 and 14 of the furniture unit 10 are hingedly connected for pivotal movement of the second member 14 to and from a folded-close position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, for use as a sofa in which the second member 14 is in superimposed position on top of the first member 12 and provides upstanding side and back portions for the sofa. In this position, the cut out 15 in the second member 14 provides an occupant-receiving void in the second member 14 and the portion of the first member 12 contained within the cut out 15 or void of the second member 14 provides an occupant-receiving seat portion, as shown in FIG. 1. Suitable supplementary pillows may be used within the occupant-receiving portion of the cut out in the second member 14 and on top of the first member 12 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-close position for use as a sofa, as shown in FIG. 1. However, these supplementary or ancillary pillows form no part of the present invention and will not be described or illustrated with respect to other figures of the drawings or supplementary embodiments of this invention and it is to be understood that supplementary or ancillary pillows may be used with the unit of furniture 10 in any desired manner.
The means for hingedly connecting the first and second members 12 and 14 further allows pivotal movement of the second member 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 ad 3, to a folded-open position in side-by-side relation of the first and second members 12 and 14 for providing a flat unit of furniture 10 with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, as shown in FIG. 4. The means for hingedly connecting the first and second members 12 and 14 may comprise upholstery, generally indicated at 20 which separately covers at least a portion of the first and second members and is connected together at 20a for hingedly joining the first and second members, as shown particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The blocks of foam forming the members 12 and 14 are preferably about 12 to 13 inches in thickness so that the overall unit of furniture 10 in the folded-close condition for use as a sofa, chair or the like is approximately 25 inches high and, if supplementary pillws are used, the seat of the unit of furniture would be approximately 16 inches high.
The unit of furniture 10 further comprises a third member 25, which preferably is the portion of the foam block cut from the second member 14 when forming the cut out 15 therein, and is of the shape and configuration of the cut out 15 for use as an ottoman or ottomans in the unit of furniture 10 when the first and second members 12 and 14 are in the folded-close position, as shown in FIG. 1, for use as sofa and are positioned within the cut out 15 when the second member14 is folded-open and placed in the folded-open position thereof for use of the unit of furniture 10 as a bed, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The member or members 25 completely fill the void formed by the cut out 15 in the second member 14 to provide a flat surface for the member 14 in the folded-open position thereof when the unit of furniture 10 is being used as a bed. The third member 25 may be suitably covered with the same upholstery 20 to match the remaining portions of the furniture unit 10 and may be a single piece integrally formed with the first member 12, a separate detached piece for manual movement, or divided into a pair of members 25 for use as separate ottomans, as will be discussed more fully below.
As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, the upholstery 20 may completely enclose the members 12 and 14, as shown therein, and be joined together at 20a along the lateral edges of the abutments of the members 12 and 14 when positioned in side-by-side relationship when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition thereof, or the upholstery 20 may partially cover the members 12 and 14 and be combined with a cheaper muslin or other type of covering for the portions of the members 12 and 14 which are not seen when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-close condition thereof with supplementary cushions or the like thereon.
The upholstery 20 may include a zipper 30 around the outside of each of the members 12 and 14 to allow removal of the upholstery covering 20 from the members 12 and 14 for cleaning and the like.
In accordance with this invention, a specially designed pocket construction is formed around the outer periphery of each of the members 12 and 14 by the upholstery 20 when the members 12 and 14 are positioned in the folded-open condition thereof for receipt of bedsheets for use with the unit of furniture 10 when used as a bed. This specially designed pocket construction comprises a flap 35 of upholstery 20 which may be integral with other upholstery 20 and which extends from below the zipper 30 up and around the upper peripheral corner or edge portions of the members 12 and 14 to overlie the top surface thereof when the members 12 and 14 are positioned in the folded-open condition thereof. A piece of elastic 36 may be secured around the upper edge of the flap 35 of upholstery 20 for forming a snug pocket construction. Bedsheets may be positioned within this pocket construction, as shown in FIG. 3, for conveniently making up the unit of furniture 10 when used as a bed for sleeping by an occupant, as shown in FIG. 4.
Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, these Figures illustrate the unit of furniture 10 in a general heart shape when viewed in plan and when opened up to the folded-open condition thereof for use as a bed, as clearly shown in FIG. 10. The construction of this heat shaped unit of furniture 10 is the same described above with respect to FIGS. 1-7 and will not be repeated herein. The third member 25 of this embodiment of the unit of furniture 10 is one piece and is separate and detached from the members 12 and 14 so as to form a manually movable member for positioning in desired locations for use as an ottoman when the unit of furniture is in the folded-close condition for use as a sofa and may be manually positioned for filling the cut out 15 in the second member 14 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition for use as a bed, as shown in FIG. 10.
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 relate to the circular shaped unit of furniture 10, illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and illustrate this unit of furniture in the various conditions for use thereof in the folded-close position for use as a sofa and the folded-open condition for use as a bed and illustrates the third member 25 in a separate and detached form and divided into two components for use as twin ottomans when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-close position for use as a sofa and positoined within the cut out 15 of the second member 14 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition thereof for use as a bed.
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate an embodiment of the unit of furniture containing the same basic members as the previously discussed embodiments, as indicated by the common reference numerals terein, and in which the unit of furniture 10 in the folded-close condition thereof is utilized as a chair and in the folded-open condition thereof is utilized as a single bed. The third member 25 in this embodiment is integral with and forms an extension of the first member 12 in the folded-close condition of the unit of furniture 10 when used as a chair for use as an integrally extending ottoman and is used to fill the void formed by the cut out 15 of the second member 14 when the unit of furniture 10 is in the folded-open condition thereof for use as a single bed.
In FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, still another embodiment of the unit of furniture 10 is illustrated therein and which has the same or similar components as the previously described embodiments of the units of furniture 10 and have been given like reference characters. In this embodiment, the unit of furniture when in the folded-close condition thereof is utilized as a chair with an integrally extending ottoman 25 attached to the first member 12 to form an integral extension thereof. In the folded-open condition, this unit of furniture 10 may be used as an ottoman, hassock or the like and if desired, the dimensions thereof may be large enough so that the unit of furniture may be used as a circular bed.
Thus it may be seen that this invention has provided a fold-open, convertible, occupant-receiving, unit of furniture 10 which may be easily and quickly converted to and from a folded-close unit of furniture with an upstanding side and back portion for use as a chair, sofa, lounge or the like and to and from a folded-open, flat unit of furniture of a predetermined geometric shape with no upstanding portions for use as a bed, ottoman, hassock or the like.
In the drawings and specification there has been set forth preferred embodiments of this invention and, although specific terms have been employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.