US3550168A - Folding bed - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 29, 1970 F. w. WOODFORD 3,550,153

FOLDING BED Filed June 10, 1968 2 Sheets She t 1 FIG 1 FIG 2 .li -11 J 1 1'7 2s 26 2 k n E1..*b\

28 10 Q 27 30 FIG 3 1 r Q1 1 1/ Dec. 29, 1970 Filed June 10, 1968 FIG 4 F. W. WOODFORD FOLDING BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent O 3,550,168 FOLDING BED Frank W. Woodford, 78 Haley Road, Warwick, RI. 02889 Filed June 10, 1968, Ser. No. 735,820 Int. Cl. A47c 19/06 US. Cl. '137 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A folding bed that is movable from a vertical storage position to a horizontal position of use and that includes a bed frame that is pivotally connected to a fixed frame structure, a link and spring assembly interconnecting the bed frame to the fixed frame and providing for easy controlled movement of the bed with the bedding in place to and from the storage position and the position of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the conventional style bedroom, the bed is usually arranged such that it occupies the center of the room and thus consumes the major portion of the available room space. Prior to the instant invention some efforts have been made to remove the conventional bed from the center of the room by providing folding beds of some variety. Folding beds for use in the bedroom have been known for some time but generally have been constructed in an enclosure, such as a closet, or in some form of a permanent installation that required the use of a cabinet or the like. These prior known folding beds were also complicated in construction, requiring gears, levers and other mechanical parts that not only increased the overall cost of the device but added considerably to the weight thereof. If the heretofore known folding beds were not enclosed within a cabinet or the like, they were not normally provided with any means for concealing the operating parts and, therefore, were not desirable for use as everyday furniture in a bedroom. From the point of View of efficiency, the prior known folding beds required more space to use and store than was desirable and thus could not be accommodated in a bedroom of limited size; nor could the prior known folding beds be moved to different locations since the folding beds that were not enclosed in a cabinet were necessarily bolted or fixed to the wall or floor in some manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a folding bed that is designed to be used in the bedroom so as to provide for the most efiicient use of the space therein. The folding bed of the present invention is formed with a headboard to which spaced legs are joined and that define the base of the unit. Pivotally interconnected to the legs is a bed frame that carries a conventional mattress thereon, the bed frame being movable from a vertical to a horizontal position with respect to the headboard and legs. In order to positively retain the bed frame and mattress as carried thereby in the vertical or storage position, a link and spring assembly is provided and interconnects the head portion of the bedframe to the fixed legs. When the bed frame is moved from the vertical or storage position to the horizontal position of use, the springs are tensioned and thus counter the tendency of the bed frame to fall as a dead weight to the horizontal position. Although the folding bed embodied herein is adapted to be fixed in position, the use of bolts or other permanent fixtures is avoided. Further, because of the compactness of the bed, cleaning and maintenance are facilitated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a folding bed that is attractive in appearance and that is easily movable from a storage position to the position of use as required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding bed that is movable to a vertical storage position with the bedding in place and that includes an outer paneling that is visible in the storage position, thereby avoiding the requirement of using a bed covering with the bed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a folding bed that includes a series of links and springs that define an assembly that enables the bed to be easily moved from a storage position to a position of use.

Still another object is to provide a folding bed that is firmly held in a fixed position but may be movable as required to any suitable position without the requirement of replacing or using bolting or other permanent connections.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the folding bed embodied in the present invention showing the bed in the folded or storage position;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the folded bed illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged rear elevational view with sections broken away showing the position of the link and spring assembly when the folding bed is located in the position of use;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the folding bed in the storage position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the folding bed after it has been moved to the position of use; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the folding bed after it has been moved to the position of use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, the folding bed embodied in the present invention is illustrated and includes a bed frame defined by a base unit 33 to which spaced head portions 32 are joined. Fixed to the spaced head portions 32 of the bed frame is a mattress retaining board 19, a panel 10 being secured to the base unit 33 and forming the underside of the bed frame when it is in the horizontal position of use. As will be further described, the panel 10 defines a decorative outer surface when the bed frame is folded to the storage position, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Located on the base unit 33 of the bed frame and held in place by the mattress retaining board 19 is a conventional style mattress 13 that is preferably formed of a foam material, although it is understood that any suitable mattress may be employed with the folding bed as desired.

In order to support the movement of the bed frame as it pivots from the horizontal position as illustrated in FIG. 5 to the vertical storage position as illustrated in FIG. 4, a support frame is provided and includes a headboard 14 to which vertically extending legs 17 and 18 are joined. Fixed to the legs 17 and 18 are flange portions 15 and 16, the purpose of which will hereinafter be described. Extending forwardly of the legs 17 and 1-8 and joined to the bottommost end thereof are foot portions that act to balance the folding bed, particularly when it is moved to the horizontal position of use as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Extensions 11 are also joined to the legs 17 and 18 at the upper ends thereof and extend above the headboard 14 for engagement with an abutment, such as a ceiling, located above the bed. By fixing the extensions 11 in some suitable manner to an abutment such as a ceiling, the folding bed will be located in a relatively fixed position but can pivotally move to and from the vertical and horizontal positions as required.

The bed frame is pivotally interconnected to the legs 17 and 18 of the support frame by means of links 20 and 21 which, as illustrated in FIG. 6, are joined to the bed frame and legs through pivot pins 30 and 31, respectively. Since the bed frame is adapted to be moved with respect to the support frame, it is desirable to promote freedom of movement thereof with respect to the support frame, and for this purpose spaced rollers 23 are joined to the head end of the bed frame and are located so as to be received in engagement on the legs 17 and 18. As seen in FIG. 6, the flanges and 16 restrict lateral movement of the rollers 23 and thus form guides for the rollers as they move over the legs 17 and 18 during movement of the bed frame.

Since the bed frame would normally swing as a dead weight from the storage or vertical position to the horizontal position, it is necessary to restrict the swinging movement thereof and control the bed frame as it moves to and from the horizontal and vertical positions. In order to provide for controlled movement of the bed frame, a link and spring assembly is interconnected between the bed frame and support frame and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes spaced links 27 and 28 that are pivotally connected to the rear side of the headboard 14 through hinge connections 29. interconnected to the links 27 and 28 are tension springs 24 and 25 that are joined at one end thereof to the lowermost ends of the legs 17 and 18. Interconnected to the connection between the links 27, 28 and springs 24 and 25 is a cross spring 26 which cooperates with t'he springs 24 and 25 and links 27 and 28 to define an effective structure for controlling movement of the bed frame as it is moved to and from the horizontal and vertical positions.

Although a footboard can be employed and incorporated as a part of the bed frame, it is contemplated that a detachable foot rest indicated at 34 will be moved into palce when the bed frame is lowered from the storage position to the horizontal or position of use. Such a foot rest as indicated in FIG. 5 may be in the form of a stool or other suitable piece of furniture.

In use of the device, it is first assumed that the folding bed is located in the storage position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the tension springs 24, 25 and 26 acting to retain the bed frame in the vertical position. Furthermore, the weight of the bed frame and the interconnection of the links and 21 to the bed frame and support frame act to positively locate the bed frame in this storage position. When it is desired to move the bed frame, including the mattress 13, to the position of use, the panel 10 or any suitable handle is grasped and pulled downwardly. As the bed frame pivots downwardly as indicated by the arow in FIG. 4, the springs 24, and 26 as interconnected to the rear of the headboard are tensioned thus counteract the downwardly moving bed frame. The bed frame is thus caused to slowly descend and with the foot rest 34 having been prelocated in proper position, the bed frame is brought to the horizontal position for engagement with the foot rest. The bed is then ready for use. It is understood that the rollers 23 move on the legs 17 and 18 and thus facilitate movement of the bed frame to the desired position.

Since the panel 10 is visible when the bed is located in the vertical or storage position, the outer surface of the panel may be formed with any suitable decorative finish. This also avoids the use of the conventional bed covering. Further, since it is contemplated that the folding bed will be located between articles of furniture as used in a bedroom, decorative side pieces for the bed frame and support frame have not been included in the invention as illustrated.

It is seen that the subject invention is simple to operate and eliminates the use of complicated gears, levers, and other operating structure known heretofore in the prior folding beds. Furthermore, the present invention is sufficiently compact as to be usable in a variety of locations and is designed specifically for use in a bedroom where space requirements may be critical. The use of permanent fixtures are avoided by the folding bed as described herein, thereby providing for repositioning of the bed as desired. Because the folding bed is relatively compact, it is seen that cleaning and maintenance are facilitated.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding bed construction, comprising a support frame, a bed frame having a mattress mounted thereon, means connected to said bed frame adjacent to the head thereof for pivotally interconnecting said bed frame to said support frame, wherein said bed frame is pivotally movable from a vertical storage position to a horizontal position of use, said support frame including a headboard to which vertical legs are joined, foot portions joined to the lowermost ends of said legs at right angles thereto and extending forwardly thereof, vertical members joined to said headboard and extending upwardly with respect thereto for engaging a fixed horizontal abutment remote and separate from said folding bed construction, said fixed vertical members cooperating with the foot portions to lock said support frame against movement during pivotal movement of said bed frame, resilient means interconnected to said support frame and said bed frame for normally retaining said bed frame in the vertical storage position and being tensioned upon pivotal movement of said bed frame from the vertical position to the horizontal position of use, thereby providing for controlled return of said bed frame to the vertical position when it is to be located in the storage position, guide means mounted on the head of the bed frame and engaging said vertical legs of said support frame for guiding said bed frame relative to said support frame during pivotal movement of said bed frame, and means for supporting the foot of said bed frame when it is located in the horizontal position of use.

2. In a folding bed construction as set forth in claim 1, said guide means including rollers that are mounted on said bed frame at the head end thereof, said rollers engaging said legs for rolling movement thereon as said bed frame is moved to and from the vertical and horizontal positions and thereby providing for ease of movement of said bed frame.

3. In a folding bed construction as set forth in claim 1, a panel joined to said bed frame and defining the underside thereof when said bed frame is in the horizontal position and defining a decorative wall when the bed frame is located in the vertical position thereof.

4. In a folding bed construction as set forth in claim 3, said legs having flange portions joined thereto along the length thereof and defining stops for preventing lateral movement of said rollers on said legs as said bed frame is moved to and from the vertical and horizontal positions.

5. In a folding bed construction, a support frame, a bed frame having a mattress mounted thereon, means connected to said bed frame adjacent to the head thereof for pivotally interconnecting said bed frame to said support frame, wherein said bed frame is pivotally movable from a vertical storage position to a horizontal position of use, linkage means pivotally connected to the head of said bed frame, resilient means interconnected to said linkage means and to said support frame and acting to normally retain said bed frame in the vertical storage position, said resilient means being tensioned upon pivotal movement of said bed frame from the vertical position to the horizontal position thereof, thereby providing for quick return of said bed frame to the vertical position when it is to be located in the storage position, guide means mounted on the head of said bed frame and engaging said support means for guiding said bed frame relative to said support frame during the pivotal movement of said bed frame, means for securing said support frame in position against movement during pivotal movement of said bed frame, and means for supporting the foot of said bed frame when it is located in the horizontal position of use, said support frame including a headboard to which vertical legs are joined, said means connected to said bed frame adjacent to the head thereof including spaced links, an end of each link being connected to a leg for pivotal movement with respect thereto, said resilient means including a pair of springs, each having an end connected to a leg at the lowermost end thereof, and a cross spring interconnected to the other ends of said pair of springs, said linkage means including a pair of links each of which is pivotally connected at one end to the rear of said bed frame and at the other end to the junction of said cross spring with one of the pair of springs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 442,725 12/1890 Hayes et al. 5l37 472,558 4/1892 Snyder 5-137 517,357 3/1894 Murphy 5137 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner

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