Patent Application
20060249998
The present invention relates in general to furniture members and more specifically to a device and method for converting furniture members for alternate uses.
Convertible furniture members include sofas, reclining chairs, sleep sofas, interchangeable sectional furniture, and the like. Convertible furniture members can also include pullout underneath storage devices. For purposes of simplicity, sofas, including sleep sofas will be herein described in reference to typical hardware packaging. Hardware to convert a sleep sofa unit for alternate (extended mattress) use is often a complex mechanism, having multiple linkages, multiple fasteners, and extensive, heavy tubing or structure. The typical mechanism set for a sleep sofa extends outwardly from an interior sofa storage section to the full length of the mattress. The mechanism volume can occupy a substantial portion of the below-seat-cushion space of the sleep sofa, leaving a decreased volume for the mattress or other uses.
The volume of mechanism hardware to be stored when the mattress is not in use generally also commonly requires a sleep sofa to have a vertical rear panel rather than the more conventional styling of a curved or sloped rear panel of non-convertible or stationary sofas. The vertical rear panel is less attractive and can interfere with use of items such as electrical plugs positioned behind the sleep sofa.
Conventional stationary sofas, although not having the mechanism of a sleep sofa, commonly have cushion support members and framework that supports the sofa cushions. Although sofa cushions are commonly removable for cleaning, the support members and framework positioned below the sofa cushions are commonly not intended to permit access to the space below the sofa cushions. This space is typically inaccessible and therefore goes unused by the sofa owner.
According to a preferred embodiment for an access and support system for convertible furniture of the present invention, a furniture seating support system includes furniture support structure and a frame having tubular elements connected to the support structure. First and second tubular elements are positioned parallel to each other. A tubular cross member is connected to the frame between the first and second elements. A pair of pivot joints each connect first element ends to the support structure, permitting first element rotation. Elastically flexible support straps are connected to the first and second elements to support seating cushions and an occupant. A furniture member cavity is accessible by raising the first element.
According to another preferred embodiment, the cross member position is adjustable to vary strap stiffness. A plurality of apertures are provided in the support frame and fasteners are inserted through the cross member and selected ones of the apertures to vary a span between the furniture support structure and the cross member.
According to still another preferred embodiment, sinuous wire springs are interwoven with each of the support straps. The sinuous wires are located between the furniture support structure and the cross member. The sinuous wires provide additional stiffness for the straps and also provide a resilient force which helps maintain the support frame in the raised position.
According to yet still another preferred embodiment, a method for creating a rotatable support frame for a furniture member is provided. The method includes a step of adjustably positioning a cross member between first and second tubular elements to control a stiffness of the support straps. The method further includes rotating the first element about pivoting joints to permit access to a furniture member cavity by a user.
An access and support system for convertible furniture of the present invention offers several advantages. A rotatable support frame positioned below the seating area is rotatable to permit access to the space below the seating area. Seating support straps are connectable across spaced tubular members of the support frame. An adjustable frame cross member is located proximate to the support bands to provide a variable support point which allows varying the seating support stiffness. By optionally providing sinuous wire support members interwoven with the seating support straps, which extend for only a portion of the length of the seating support straps, the resiliency of the sinuous wires helps support the support frame in a rotated or open position. The reduced complexity and volume of the support frame of the present invention also permits the sofa rear frame to be curved inwardly, without interfering with the operation of the mechanism.
The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present inventions or may be combined in yet other embodiments.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.
According to a preferred embodiment of an access and support system for convertible furniture of the present invention and referring generally to
A support frame 26 is created from a plurality of substantially rectangular or circular shaped metallic tubing and is operable to support a plurality of occupant support webs or straps 28. Other shapes such as L-channel, U-shaped channel, T or H-shaped channel, etc. can also be used for support frame 26. Alternate materials can also be used for support frame 26 such as polymeric material or composite material. Support straps 28 are provided of a material such as a woven polymeric material, a woven cloth material, or a composite material, and preferably provides at least a limited amount of elastic flexibility. Support frame 26 is partially supported to front frame member 24 using at least one bracket 30. In one embodiment, two brackets 30 connected to front frame member 24 are used.
According to one embodiment, support frame 26 is also partially supported using a plurality of side rail brackets 31 each connected to one of first and second side frame members 14, 15. Side rail brackets 31 provide for pivotal support of a portion of support frame 26. A support frame cross member 32 is fixedly connected to support frame 26 at distal ends of cross member 32 using each of a plurality of fixed joints 34. In one embodiment, cross member 32 is positioned generally below each of support straps 28 as shown in
Support frame 26 further includes a first tube member 36 which in the embodiment shown is positioned as a forward-most tube member of support frame 26. A second tube member 38 is positioned substantially parallel to and to the rear of first tube member 36. Second tube member 38 is also positioned to the left or rear of frame lumbar support member 35. Each of first tube member 36, second tube member 38 and cross member 32 are positioned substantially parallel to each other. First tube member 36 is shown in
Each of the plurality of support straps 28 are connected to both first and second tube members 36, 38. When support frame 26 is in the first or support position shown, access to a cavity 42 is substantially prevented by support straps 28. Because support frame 26 occupies only a fraction of cavity 42, however, when first tube member 36 is rotated, access is provided to a substantial portion of cavity 42. Cavity 42 is generally defined as the available volume created between the various members of support structure 11.
Referring now to
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the support straps 28 curve upwardly from each of first and second ends 40, 41 to a maximum arc height “D”. In this configuration, arc height “D” allows deflection of support straps 28 without the weight of the occupant causing support straps 28 to extend significantly below first or second ends 40, 41. This maximizes the usable volume of cavity 42. The curvature or arc provided for support straps 28 generally extends from first tube member 36 to approximately cross member 32. The configuration of support straps 28 is thereafter substantially flat between cross member 32 and second tube member 38 in the first or down position.
Referring now to
Each of the support straps 28 have an elastomeric element 48 coupled to or interwoven in an over/under fashion to support straps 28. According to one preferred embodiment, elastomeric elements 48 are sinuous wires. Elastomeric elements 48 can also be a plurality of coiled wires. In another preferred embodiment, support straps 28 are completely replaced by elastomeric elements 48 in the form of sinuous wires. A total length of the elastomeric elements 48 is predetermined and according to one preferred embodiment each elastomeric element 48 extends from proximate to first tube member 36 to a position proximate to cross member 32. Distal ends of each of the elastomeric elements 48 are therefore substantially supported by first tube member 36 and cross member 32. In another preferred embodiment, the length of elastomeric elements 48 in the form of sinuous wires is reduced such that each sinuous wire is positioned only between but not supported by either first tube member 36 or cross member 32.
As further shown in reference to
Referring next to
In an alternate embodiment, a curved rear frame member 55 (shown in phantom) can be used for support structure 11 due to the limited volume required for support frame 26. Curved rear frame member 55 provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and is similar to the geometry commonly found on furniture members which are not convertible for other use.
As best seen in reference to
Referring now generally to
Referring now to
Furniture support system 70 further includes a dampening device 82. According to one preferred embodiment, dampening device 82 is a fluid assisted dampening device which is rotatably connectable to one or both of side tube sections 74 using a rod connector 84. An opposite end of dampening device 82 is fastenably connected to either first or second side frame member 14, 15 at side rail brackets 80. A plurality of occupant support webs or support straps 86, similar to support straps 28, are connected between both front tube cross member 76 and a rear support member 88. Furniture support system 70 includes a modification from support system 10 with regard to the mounting of occupant support webs 86. Rear web support member 88 is directly connected or supported between each of first and second side frame members 14, 15. Additional tubing is therefore not required, reducing the number of tubing component parts for support frame 72.
In place of cross member 32, furniture support system 70 provides a rod 90 extending between first and second side frame members 14, 15. Rod 90 is positioned above each of support straps 86 in contrast to the support method provided by cross member 32. Deflection of support straps 86 for furniture support system 70 from the weight of an occupant is therefore generally downward as viewed in
As best seen in reference to
Referring next to
As best seen in
Referring now to
Referring now generally to
Opposed ends 43 of second tube member 38 are fixedly supported to each of the U-shaped brackets 122 using a fastener 132. Fasteners 132, which can include rivets, also operably provide for rotation of both second tube member 36 and U-shaped brackets 122. Fasteners 132 are each disposed within an aperture 136 created through both first and second bracket walls 124, 126 of U-shaped bracket 122 and opposed ends 43 and can extend through first and second side frame members 14,15. Fasteners 132 further define an axis of rotation 130 for first tube member 36. A tube end face 140 of both first and second ends 40, 41 of first tube member 36 are each spatially separated from a tube end face 142 of each of the opposed ends 43 to provide clearance for rotation of first tube member 36 about axis of rotation 130. A spacer block similar to spacer block 47 can also be positioned between opposed ends 43 and first and second side frame members 14,15 to provide clearance for rotation of first tube member 36 and the U-shaped brackets 122. One or more additional fasteners such as first fastener 45 can be used as necessary to fix opposed ends 43.
Cross member 120 is modified from cross member 32 to delete the bends and distal ends and replace those members with an opposed pair of flattened portions 144. Flattened portions 144 abut to a lower wall 146 of each of opposed ends 43. Each flattened portion 144 includes an aperture (not visible in this view) which is aligned with one of a plurality of apertures 148 created in lower wall 146 of each of opposed ends 43. A fastener (not shown) is inserted through flattened portion 144 and through one of apertures 148 to adjustably position cross member 120. By using one of the plurality of apertures 148, cross member 120 is adjustable in either a direction “R” or an opposite direction “S”. This adjustability allows the designer and/or furniture manufacturer to adjust the support provided by straps 28 (shown in phantom only for clarity). Cross member 120 otherwise provides a similar function to cross member 32 being positioned below and therefore in support of each of the plurality of support straps 28.
Referring now generally to
Opposed ends 43 of second tube member 38 are fixedly supported to each of the U-shaped brackets 152 using first and second fasteners 162,164. Fasteners 162,164 are each disposed within an aperture 166,168 created through both first and second bracket walls 154, 156 of U-shaped bracket 152 and opposed ends 43, and extend through first and second side frame members 14,15. A tube end face 170 of both first and second ends 40, 41 of first tube member 36 are each spatially separated from a tube end face 172 of each of the opposed ends 43 and can be rounded to provide clearance for rotation of first tube member 36 about axis of rotation 160.
Flattened portions 144 of cross member 120 abut to a lower wall 176 of U-shaped channels 152. Each flattened portion 144 includes an aperture (not visible in this view) which is alignable with one of a plurality of apertures 174 created in lower wall 176. A fastener (not shown) is inserted through the aperture in flattened portion 144 and through one of apertures 174 to adjustably position cross member 120. Cross member 120 is thereby adjustable in either direction “R” or opposite direction “S” and is positioned below and therefore in support of each of the plurality of support straps 28.
Referring generally to
An access and support system for convertible furniture of the present invention offers several advantages. A support frame positioned below the seating area, including the seating cushions, is partially rotatable to permit access to the space below the seating area. Seating support straps are connected across spaced tubular members of the support frame. An adjustable frame member is located proximate to the support straps to provide a variable support point which allows varying the seating support stiffness. By optionally providing sinuous wire support members interwoven with the support straps, which extend for only a portion of the length of the support straps, the elasticity of the sinuous wire support members help support the frame in a rotated or open position. The reduced complexity and volume of the support frame of the present invention also permits the furniture member rear frame to be moved or curved inwardly, without interfering with the operation of the support frame.
While various preferred embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications or variations which might be made without departing from the inventive concept. The examples illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit it. Therefore, the description and claims should be interpreted liberally with only such limitation as is necessary in view of the pertinent prior art.
