US1849023A - Combination couch and bed - Google Patents

Description

March 8, 1932. .I4 MARTIN COMBINATION coUcH AND BED Filed Jan. 7, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR ATTORNEY March 8, 1932.

J. MARTIN COMBINATION COUCH AND BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, 1950 ATTORNEY u Patented Mair. S, 1932 PATENT OFFICE L JOSEPH MARTIN, OF NEW YORK, NY., ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES CABINET BED CO., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK COMBINATION COUCH AND BED Application led January 7, 1930. Serial No. 419,012.

l My invention relates to combination bed and couch structures, that is, -to beds having an extensible section foldable under the main section to thus provide a couch or bed of a Vsingle or double Width.

'The present structure is generally similar to that disclosed in my prior application, vSer. No. 391,587. filed September 10, 1929, which matured into Patent No. 1,811,057 on l@ June Q3, 1931; that is, as shown in said application, tlielpresent bed structure. includes a main bed traine and bed bottom revolubly mounted therein, an auxiliary or extension bed frame with an extension bed bottom thereon, and means for moving the extension bed bottom down into its frame as the latter is moved or `telescoped into the main frame, with concurrent rotation of the main bed bottom, which finally lies in inverted position over the axiliary or extension bed bottom, with substantially-reverse movements in opening the structure to double width.

The present invention consists principally in improvements in the supporting and opei'ating` means for the extension or auxiliary frame and bed bottom, and-especially to improvements in the operating linkage connecting the auxiliary and main bed bottoms, so designed as to prevent inadvertent'collapse of the structure when in extended or double -widtli position; an improved operating element of bail formation, or including a long hand piece extending alongside the auxiliary bed bottom when extended, which may be conveniently grasped and moved up oven the auxliarybottom inthe collapsing orv folding action, and when in final position overlies the mattresses enclosed between the main and auxiliary bed-bottoms and assists 49 materially iii retaining bedclothes. between the mattresses during the collapsing or folding action and until vthe auxiliary bed bottom again extended and positioned for use;

and also an improved, positive and conveniently operated locl; -foi maintaining the outer portion of the extensible bed bottoni in locked position, against inadvertent collapsing or folding movement.

`These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the invention will appear from the subjoiiied detail description of one embodiment tliereof,`illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a. vertical, transverse section of a :Foldable structure embodying the. invention in one form, the section plane lbeing just inside one of the main frame end uprights head or foot board) and looking toward the other end of the bed.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the structure folded or collapsed to single Width.

Fig. 3 is an elevation from the side, of one end of the structure in open or extended position.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the structure, folded.

Fig. 5 is a. detail in side elevation, of the looking device.

The main frame includes end` uprights (head or toot boards) 1, which have legs 2 connected by cross rails 3 and also by longitudinal frame structures, substantially as in' the above identilied application. An auxiliary or extension fran'ie is arranged to slide in and out from the main frame. lThis auxiliary frame includes bottom end members 6 to slide on the main frame cross rails 3 and provided with casters 7,'and has at its outward side a front board 8 secured to the end uprights 9 and forming the front of the couch when' the structure is closed. The upper edge 10 of the -front board is designed to tit against a side edge of the main bed bottom as later referred to.

lThe main frame supports a bed bottom structure l5including a frame having end members 16 mounted in the main frame on trunnions 17 so that the entire'main bed bottom structure may rotate on the trunnions as an axis. The frame has springs 18 properly arranged to carry the seat or cushion 19.v

which serves as the seat or mattress of theposition, as in Fig. 2, being then uppermost, and also has to carry the mattress supporting frameQO to support mattress 21 when the structure is in open or double Width position,

bed -or couch when in folded or single Width in folding action the main mattress 21 may first be folded over upon the other one. They are desirably connected at adjacent edges by a fabric hinge 75, thus providing for their more convenient manipulation, and retention of the bed covers between the mattresses.

The auxiliary bed bottom is supported and operated by crossed bars 40, 41, at each end of its frame structure, these bars being fulcrumed or pivotally `connected together at their mid-length at 42. The upper ends of bars are pivotally connected at fixed points 43 to end rails 31, and the lower ends of bars 41 arelsimilarly connected at 44 to the lower end frame members 6. The upper ends of bars 41 are slidably mounted in slots 45 in the end rails 31, and the lower ends of bars 40 are similarly mounted in slots in the lower frame members 6. V

To operate the stated cross bar mechanism, which as so far described is substantially similar to that disclosed in the above menmechanism includes at each end of the aux- .iliary frame structure an arm or lever 50.

pivotally connected at a fixed point 51 on the corresponding end rail 31,. The outward ends of these two arms or levers are connected by a hand bar or bail 52 which extends along the entire length ofthe auxiliary frame structure at the outer side thereof, in a position where it may easily be grasped and manipulated as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The arms or levers are econnected to the upper ends of bars'41 of the cross bar mechanism by vlinks 54, these links being pivotal-ly connected to the levers at 55, and at the other ends being pivotally connected to the upper ends of bars 41 at56,that is to say, at the points Where the ends of these bars slide in slots 45, suitable slide and pivot structures being provided, the details of which may vary and are not a part of the invention in a specific sense.

For the concurrent operation of the main bed bottom structure, the following connections or linkage is provided v:-

At each end of the bed structure a lever is fulcrumed on a fixed pivot point- 61 at the uinward end of one of the corresponding botlevers is pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 62, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to the lower end of bar 40 of the crossed bar mechanism at a point 63, which is the point at which the bar is slidably mounted in the lower guide slot 46. Another link 64 is pivotally connected at 65 to the corresponding lever60 at a point relatively near its pivotal connection tothe link 62. The upper or inward end of each of the links 64 is pivotally connected at 66 to a bracket fixed on ,the frame of the main bed bottom.

i Springs tensioned between bars 40 near their lower ends, and the lower frame member 6, are stretched when the structure is folded. and as it is unfolded assist in the unfolding action, reducing the manual effort required by tending to move the cross bar structures 40.I 41 to the position of Fig. 1. Shock absorbing springs 71 are also desirably mounted in the auxiliary frame structure to cushion the descending movement of the auxiliary or extension bed bottom, these spring arrangements being substantially as in the above mentioned application.

As an important feature of the invention I provide an improved lock to positively retain the structure in extended position, and prevent inadvertent collapse by upward pulling on the hand rail 52 or otherwise. This lock mechanism comprises a longitudinal bar 80, located below the longitudinal outer side rail 81 of the auxiliary bed bottom frame, and slidably supported at one point by a stud 82 on a bracket S3 depending from'said frame member and engaging in slot 84 of the locking bar 80. At one end the bar is supported by a bell crank lever 85 fulcrumed at 86 on another bracket and pivotally connected at 87 to the locking bar. Near one end the bar is slotted to accommodate the upper end portion of the adjacent frame end upright 9, and is there provided with a locking dog 88 having a lower beveled face 89 and engaging in a slot 90 in the frame upright 9, Figs. 1 and 5. At its other end the locking bar has a similar dog 91 engaging in a slot 92 at the upper end of the other extension frame upright 9. The outer end of bell crank 85 has connected to it a suitable handle, such as a strap 92 extending upward at oneend of the auxiliary bed bottom, in a position (Figs. 4 and 5) to be readily grasped and pulled up to release the locking bar from engagement with the uprights 9, and thereupon the auxiliary. or extension structure may be moved back to folded or collapsed position bymanipulation of the bail or hand rail 52.

lVhile the parts are in extended position, Fig. 1, collapse of the structure by weight applied near the center of the combined bed bottoms is prevented bythe position of the supporting and operating linkage of the revoluble main bed bottom structure, including level' 60, and links 62 and 64. Evidently any weight so applied tends to move the supportwith the lower frame members 6, rigid tripods reventine anv downward movement of links 64 and positively supporting the respective bed bottoms.

To fold the structure, after the. locking bar has been released as above explained, hand rail 52 is grasped and swung upward, the

arms or levers turning on theirfulcrums 51.4

Links 54 thereupon act on the upper ends of `bars 4l causing them to slide in slots 45, and

simultaneously the lower ends of bars`40 are caused to slide in slots 46, as the crossed bar structures are folded to approximately parallel position as shown'inFig. 2. Simultaneously the movement of links 62 and levers 60 acting through links 64 cause rotation ofthe vbed bottom frame structure, and finally all the links and levers are in the position of Fig.I 4 and the main bed bottom is inverted, bringing its cushion 19 upward, while the auxiliary bed bottom is in lower position in the extension frame and-the latter has-been moved or telescoped into the main frame. To open or extend the structure, substantially reverse operations are performed, the user first starting -the rotationof'the upper or main bed bottom and then as handle 52 becomes accessible that may be moved to complete the extension operation.

Preferably in folding the structure the mattress 2l is lirstfolded over on the outer mattress 33, and the bedclothes may be folded and retained between the mattresses. Thereupon in the folding action as above described the handle or bail 52 moves up over the two mattresses and finally rests upon mattress 21, as shown in Fig. 2, thus retaining the mattresses and the enclosed bedclothes in proper position.

It is obvious that various vchanges and modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing` from the general spirit of the invention set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A foldable bed or couch structure comprising a main frameA` a main bed bottom structure revolubly mounted therein.I an auxiliary frame slidable into and from the main 'fi-ame, an auxiliary bed bottom structure therein, means supporting the auxiliary bed bottom for vertical movement in its frame. said supporting means including -crossed bars pivotally and slidably connected to the auxiliary frame and auxiliary bed bottom structures, levers pivotally connect-ed toV ends of the auxiliary bed bottom, a longi.

tudinal bail handle connecting the levers, and

This force is resisted by le links connecting the levers'to certain of the crossed bars.

2. A foldable bed or couch structure comprisingca main frame, a main bed bottom structure revolubly, mounted therein, an auxiliary frame slidable into and from .,the main frame, an auxiliary bed bottom structure therein, means supporting th-e auxiliary bed bottom for vertical movement `in its frame, said supporting` means including crossed bars pivotally and slidably connected to the auxiliary vframe and auxiliary bed bottom structures, and a linkage connecting lower end portions of certain of the crossed bars to the main bed bottom structure, said linkage comprising levers fulcrumed at fixed points on the auxiliary frames, links connecting upper ends of the levers to lower ends of two of said crossed bars, and other links connecting the levers to the main bed bottom structure.

3. A foldable bed or couch structure comprising a main frame,a main'bed bottom structure revolubly mounted therein, an auxiliary frame slidable into and from the main frame, an auxiliary bed bottom structure therein, means supporting the auxiliary bed bottom for vertical movement in its frame, said supporting means including crossed bars pivotally and slidably connected to the, auxiliary frame and auxiliary bed bottom structures, and a linkage connecting lower end portions of certain ofthe crossed bars to the main bed bottom structure, said linkage comprising levers fulcrumed at lixed points on the auxiliary frames, links connecting upperends of the levers to lower ends lof two of said crossed bars` and other links connecting the levers to the main bed bottom structure, said levers and links last named being so positioned in the extended position of the structure as to positively support the central portions of the main and auxiliary bed bottom structures.

4. A foldable bed or couch structure comprising a main frame, a main bed bottom structure revolubly mounted therein, an auxiliary frame slid able into and from the main frame, an auxiliary bed bottom structure therein, means supporting the auxiliary bed bottom for vertical movement in its frame, said supporting means including crossed bars pivotally and slidably connected to the auxiliary frame and auxiliary bed bottom'structures, levers pivotally connected to ends of the auxiliary bed bottom, a longitudinal bail handle connecting the levers, and links con necting the levers to certain of the crossed bars, said bail handle in the folding move ment passing above and finally lying upon superposed mattresses located on the auxiliary bed bottom structure.

5. A foldable bed or couch structure comprising a main frame, a main bed bottom structure revolubly mounted therein, an

auxiliary frame slidable into and from the main frame, an auxiliary bed bottom structure therein, means supporting the auxiliary bed bottom for vertical movement in its frame, a linkage connecting said means to the main bed bottom structure and to the auxiliary frame and constructed and arranged to operate it and also When the structure is in extended position to support adjacent portions of the main and auxiliary bed bottoms and prevent downward displace ment by Weight thereto applied, and locking means acting between the auxiliary bed bottom structure and its frame and retaining the structure in extended position, said locking means including a longitudinal barrreciprocably mounted in relation to the auxiliary bed bottom, means for operating it including a handle accessible at one end of said structure,

and dogs on the bar adapted to engage in i sockets on end portions of the auxiliary or extensible frame.

' JOSEPH MARTIN.

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