Patent Application
20180078045
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to convertible furniture pieces and, more particularly, to a 3-in-1 convertible furniture piece that converts between a couch, bed, and table.
The combination of furniture functions in a single unit to provide various uses and reduce expense is generally known. Such “convertible furniture” pieces are practical and useful in small living spaces, such as dorms, small apartments or mini-homes, as the convertible furniture allows for a single furniture piece to have multiple uses/functions while taking up a small amount of space. One example of a convertible furniture piece is the well known “sleeper” sofa—which can be converted from a sofa to a bed and generally require the removal of a portion of a sofa's cushions, and the unfolding of a bed frame and mattress.
Other known convertible furniture pieces are constructed to provide 3-way functionality—such as functioning as a sofa, bed, and desk. However, existing furniture pieces typically provide such 3-way functionality only via the use of completely separate and distinct elements in which none of the elements provide functional versatility. That is, with these furniture pieces, one or more elements must typically be completely removed from the piece (and another element added) when converting from one function to another. In sum, existing convertible furniture pieces in the prior art are typically little more than an aggregation of distinct components that provide little versatility and are often cumbersome to manage when switching between the functionalities of the furniture piece.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a convertible furniture piece that enables a combination of furniture functions via the use of versatile components therein, so as ease the transformation of the piece into its different respective functional states and minimize the cost of the piece. It would also be desirable for such a convertible furniture piece to not require the complete removal of specific components during the transformation of the piece, so as to eliminate the need for storing such components when not in use.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a convertible furniture piece includes a base frame having a pair of end frames and a cross-frame, a pair of pivotable arms rotatably connected to the base frame, with a respective pivotable arm being connected to each of the end frames, and a back member rotatably connected to the pair of pivotable arms, the back member comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled together by a linkage system provided on each of opposing sides thereof and being selectively joined and rotated relative to one another via movement of the linkage system. The connection of the pair of pivotable arms to the base frame comprises a first pivot point in the convertible furniture piece, the first pivot point enabling translation of the back member between a generally upright couch position and a horizontal table position, with the first and second portions of the back member being joined in each of the couch position and the table position. The connection of the back member to the pair of pivotable arms comprises a second pivot point in the convertible furniture piece, the second pivot point enabling translation of the back member between a generally upright couch position and a bed position, with the first and second portions of the back member being rotated relative to one another in the bed position, with the first portion being in a horizontal position when the back member is in the bed position.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a convertible furniture piece is provided that is operable in each of a couch position, a bed position, and a table position. The convertible furniture piece includes a base frame having a pair of end frames and a cross-frame, a pair of pivotable arms rotatably connected to the base frame, with a respective pivotable arm being connected to each of the end frames, and a back member rotatably connected to the pair of pivotable arms, the back member comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled together by a linkage system provided on each of opposing sides thereof and being selectively joined and rotated relative to one another via movement of the linkage system. The convertible furniture piece also includes a latch formed on each of opposing sides of the first portion of the back member and being movable between a protruded position and a retracted position. Each of the latches, when in the protruded position, holds its respective linkage system in a locked position so as to cause the first and second portions of the back member to remain joined. Each of the latches, when in the retracted position, releases its respective linkage system from the locked position so as to allow the first and second portions of the back member to be rotated relative to one another. The convertible furniture piece is operable in the couch position and the table position when the linkage systems are in their locked position and is operable in the bed position when the linkage systems are released from their locked position.
Various other features and advantages will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.
The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.
In the drawings:
Embodiments of the invention provide a convertible furniture piece that folds from a couch to a bed and flips from a couch to a table. The convertible furniture piece includes two pivot points—a first pivot point to swing the backrest of the couch down into a bed position and a second pivot point for swinging the couch into a table position. There are also legs for the bed that function as a support for the backrest of the couch, with the legs folding out in place automatically as the backrest is lowered. The backrest of the couch is also part of the table on the reverse side, and the furniture piece must be secured in couch position before it is folded up into a table—with the couch being swung into a table via the second pivot point.
Referring to
As can be seen in
Each of the end frames 24 of the base frame 12 is formed of a bottom member 34 and a rail member 36. The bottom member 34 of the end frame 24 is joined to the base/floor boards 28 and the seat boards 32 of cross-frame 26 to collectively provide a stable base for the convertible furniture piece 10. The rail member 36 extends upwardly from a top surface of the bottom member 34 to a height that provides a comfortable arm rest for the convertible furniture piece 10 when being utilized as a couch. The rail member 36 also services as a support for the back member 16 when the convertible furniture piece 10 is being utilized as a table, as will be explained in greater detail below.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the end frames 24 includes one or more wheels 38 thereon that is/are affixed to a back edge of the bottom member 34. When the front of the convertible furniture piece 10 is picked up while in the couch mode, the convertible furniture piece 10 is tipped back onto the wheels 38—thereby allowing the convertible furniture piece 10 to be wheeled around and provide mobility to the piece. Incorporation of the wheels 38 on the end frames 24 allows for the convertible furniture piece 10 to be pulled easily away from a wall to make room for transition of the convertible furniture piece 10 into a bed.
As shown in
As can be seen in
Referring still to
In order to facilitate transitioning of the convertible furniture piece 10 between the couch, bed, and table modes, a latching system 62 is provided on the back member 16 that interacts with the linkage system 52. The latching system 62 includes thereon two door style latches 64 that are provided on opposing sides of the first portion 48 of back member 16 (i.e., formed in the end boards 60 of first portion 48), as well as a release member or latch 66 formed on a front edge 68 of the first portion 48 of back member 16—at, for example, a mid-point along the front edge 68. In an exemplary embodiment, the release member 66 is operatively connected to the door-style latches 64 via connecting cables 70 such that, when the release member 66 is actuated by a user, the connecting cables 70 cause the door-style latches 64 to move. This movement caused by connecting cables 70 causes the door-style latches 64 to retract inwardly from a protruded position to a retracted position where the door-style latches 64 do not extend out from the end boards 60. When the door-style latches 64 are in the retracted position, they release the linkage system 52 and enable rotation between the first and second links 54, 56. That is, the first and second links 54, 56 of each linkage system 52 are locked in a linear arrangement relative to one another and relative to the back member 16 by the door-style latches 64 when they are in their protruded position—thereby causing the first and second portions 48, 50 of the back member 16 to be retained together and present a flat back member 16. But when the door-style latches 64 are moved to their retracted position, the linkage systems 52 are released by the door-style latches 64 and the links 54, 56 thereof are allowed to rotate relative to one another, thereby enabling the first and second portions 48, 50 of the back member 16 to be rotated relative to one another.
As shown in
Following now, the positioning and use of the convertible furniture piece 10 in each of a couch mode, bed mode, and table mode will be described in more detail. Referring first to
When transforming the convertible furniture piece 10 from the table mode to the couch mode, the translation of the back member 16 entails the user first releasing a pin 72 that locks the convertible furniture piece 10 in the table position. Upon releasing of the pin 72, the user pushes the back member 16 in a backward (away from the user) and upward motion, such as might be accomplished by pushing on a central location on the back member 16 on a front edge thereof—i.e., on a front edge 68 of the first portion 48 of back member 16. Upon a pushing of the back member 16 by the user, the back member 16 begins to rotate toward the upright position, with the first and second links 54, 56 of the linkage system 52 remaining locked relative to one another in a linear arrangement (i.e., the first and second links 54, 56 are aligned). The first link 54 on each end of the back member 16 interacts with its respective door-style latch 64 when the back member 16 moves toward the upright position and is locked in place by the door-style latch 64 upon reaching the upright position—thereby securing the back member 16 in the upright position and putting the convertible furniture piece 10 in the couch mode/position.
Referring now to
Referring now to
According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, additional features may be incorporated into convertible furniture piece 10 that provide ease in shipping of the device and provide storage capabilities for the device. In one embodiment, and as shown in
While the convertible furniture piece 10 illustrated and described above is formed of wood beams and framing, it is recognized that embodiments of the invention are not meant to be limited to such a construction and such materials. The structural support and frame can be made from various materials such as wood, metal, or appropriate plastic or composite material.
Beneficially, embodiments of the invention thus provide a 3-in-1 convertible furniture piece that folds from a couch to a bed and flips from a couch to a table. The convertible furniture piece enables a combination of furniture functions via the use of versatile components therein, so as ease the transformation of the piece into its different respective functional states and minimize the cost of the piece. The convertible furniture piece does not require the removal of any components during the transformation of the piece, such that it eliminates the need for storing such components when not in use and is practical for use in small living spaces such as dorms, small apartments and mini homes.
Therefore, according to one embodiment, a convertible furniture piece includes a base frame having a pair of end frames and a cross-frame, a pair of pivotable arms rotatably connected to the base frame, with a respective pivotable arm being connected to each of the end frames, and a back member rotatably connected to the pair of pivotable arms, the back member comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled together by a linkage system provided on each of opposing sides thereof and being selectively joined and rotated relative to one another via movement of the linkage system. The connection of the pair of pivotable arms to the base frame comprises a first pivot point in the convertible furniture piece, the first pivot point enabling translation of the back member between a generally upright couch position and a horizontal table position, with the first and second portions of the back member being joined in each of the couch position and the table position. The connection of the back member to the pair of pivotable arms comprises a second pivot point in the convertible furniture piece, the second pivot point enabling translation of the back member between a generally upright couch position and a bed position, with the first and second portions of the back member being rotated relative to one another in the bed position, with the first portion being in a horizontal position when the back member is in the bed position.
According to another embodiment, a convertible furniture piece is provided that is operable in each of a couch position, a bed position, and a table position. The convertible furniture piece includes a base frame having a pair of end frames and a cross-frame, a pair of pivotable arms rotatably connected to the base frame, with a respective pivotable arm being connected to each of the end frames, and a back member rotatably connected to the pair of pivotable arms, the back member comprising a first portion and a second portion coupled together by a linkage system provided on each of opposing sides thereof and being selectively joined and rotated relative to one another via movement of the linkage system. The convertible furniture piece also includes a latch formed on each of opposing sides of the first portion of the back member and being movable between a protruded position and a retracted position. Each of the latches, when in the protruded position, holds its respective linkage system in a locked position so as to cause the first and second portions of the back member to remain joined. Each of the latches, when in the retracted position, releases its respective linkage system from the locked position so as to allow the first and second portions of the back member to be rotated relative to one another. The convertible furniture piece is operable in the couch position and the table position when the linkage systems are in their locked position and is operable in the bed position when the linkage systems are released from their locked position.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
