Many opportunities arise where a traveler is in need of a place to sit or lie down, such as an airport when a lack of seating or bedding is available. Airports often provide seating; however, the seating is often uncomfortable and restricts the ability to lie down comfortably. U.S. Patent Application No. 2013/0256072 discusses a suitcase configured to transform to a bed. It includes a frame with a hinge. The frame is secured to a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is pivotally connected to a first portion about the hinge. The first portion and the second portion respectively include a first inner face and a second inner face. The first inner face includes a first mattress and the second inner face includes a second mattress. However, due to the positioning of the mattress in the storage compartment, clothes and other personal items are not able to be stored in the interior. Also, the mattress lies nearly flat on the floor, which can be undesirable, especially in situations in which a floor of an airport or bus terminal is unsanitary. The same is true with respect to the foldable portable dog bed discussed in German (DE) Patent No. 20 2014 007 476 U1.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,089 discusses a combination suitcase and chair apparatus. Hidden within the suitcase are four legs and a section leg that provide for the apparatus to be used as a chair. The four legs telescope and provide for the first section to be the adjustable height chair bottom. The section leg pivots and telescopes from the second section such that the second section is an adjustably angled chair back. The section leg is removably covered by a flap substantially like the flaps that cover the four legs of the first section. Both the first section and second section have a removable cushioned mat. However, a chair is unsuitable for lying down purposes.
According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a collapsible luggage bed is provided that may be beneficial for use in traveling situations, such as during delays in a train station, bus station, airport, or similar situation, as well as situations in which a standard bed is not typically available. The collapsible luggage bed may include, for example, a luggage body having a frame coupled to a surface of the luggage body. Receiver hinges may be pivotably coupled to the frame via hinge brackets. A first bed section and a second bed section may be provided that is configured to retract from the receiver hinges in a first lateral direction and second lateral direction, respectively. The first bed section may include a first set of legs configured to pivot downwards and support the first bed section. Similarly, the second bed section may include a second set of legs configured to pivot downwards and support the second bed section. A lying surface may include a fabric or other material being configured to couple to at least the first bed section and the second bed section. As such, a bed surface is provided that may have a width substantially similar to or larger than a width of the luggage body. Additionally, the bed surface may be raised from the ground by way of the bed legs and the luggage body.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The present disclosure relates to luggage configured to provide a collapsible cot or a bed that, in some embodiments, provides a lying surface raised from the ground. As noted above, many opportunities arise where a traveler is in need of a place to sit or lie down, such as an airport when a lack of seating or bedding is available. Airports often provide seating; however, the seating is often uncomfortable and restricts the ability to lie down comfortably.
Accordingly, in various embodiments of the present disclosure, a collapsible luggage bed is provided that may be beneficial for use in traveling or in other situations in which a standard bed is not typically available. Further, the collapsible luggage bed may include dimensions suitable for placement in an overhead bin on an airline while providing the ability to transform into a cot or a bed with a quick and minimal transformation. The term “collapsible” used herein can refer to the ability of the bed to transition between a ready-for-use state for sleeping or lying down and a not-in-use state such that the luggage can be used for standard travel.
In various embodiments, the collapsible luggage bed may include, for example, a luggage body having a frame coupled to a surface of the luggage body. Receiver hinges may be pivotably coupled to the frame via hinge brackets. A first bed section and a second bed section may be provided that is configured to retract from the receiver hinges in a first lateral direction and second lateral direction, respectively. The first bed section may include a first set of legs configured to pivot downwards to support the first bed section. Similarly, the second bed section may include a second set of legs configured to pivot downwards to support the second bed section. A lying surface (also referred to as a “bed surface”) may include a fabric cover configured to couple to at least the first bed section and the second bed section. As such, a bed surface is provided that may have a width substantially similar to or larger than a width of the luggage body. Additionally, the bed surface may be raised from a ground surface by way of the bed legs and the luggage body.
Referring now to
The collapsible luggage bed 100 may include a frame 106 that is configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of the luggage body 103, such as a rear surface of the luggage body 103 (or a surface not having storage pockets). In some embodiments, the frame 106 may have a substantially flat bottom surface. To this end, in some embodiments, the rear surface of the luggage body 103 may include a substantially flat surface to better receive the frame 106 in embodiments in which the frame 106 is also substantially flat.
The collapsible luggage bed 100 may further include receiver hinges 109a . . . 109d (collectively “receiver hinges 109”). The receiver hinges 109 may be pivotably coupled to the frame 106 in various embodiments. The receiver hinges 109 may pivot about a coupling mechanism, such as a screw or a bolt, to fold the components of the collapsible luggage bed 100 in towards the frame 106 (e.g., for when a bed component of the collapsible luggage bed 100 is not-in-use), or to fold out the components such that the bed of the collapsible luggage bed 100 can be used, as will be discussed.
The receiver hinges 109 may receive components of a first bed section 112 and a second bed section 115, as well as provide direct support for a third bed section 118 (e.g., a central bed section), as will be discussed. The first bed section 112, second bed section 115, and third bed section 118 may be described as, when retracted from the frame 106, collectively forming a lying surface 120, or a surface suitable for a human, pet, or other object to lie, sleep, or sit down thereon. The first bed section 112 may include the area (as well as the components of the collapsible luggage bed 100) between the luggage body 103 and a first distal end of the lying surface 120. Similarly, the first bed section 112 may include the area (and the components of the collapsible luggage bed 100) between the luggage body 103 and a second distal end of the lying surface 120 (e.g., the distal end opposite that of the first bed section 112). The third bed section 118, also referred to as a central bed section, may include the area directly above the luggage body 103 and directly supported between ends of the receiver hinges 109.
Better shown in
Referring back to
Each of the telescoping members 124 may include a plurality of tubes, such as two tubes, three tubes, or other suitable amount of tubes. Further, each of the telescoping members 124 may include an outer tube section and an inner tube section that is slidably disposed inside the outer tube section. The tube sections may be locked into position when pulled relative to each other by a packing washer or other component that is fitted around the inner tube section adjacent the open end of the outer tube, and a locknut that is fitted around an inner tube, as may be appreciated. The widest or most outer tube may be referred to as the base tube or the base of the telescoping member 124. In some embodiments, the longitudinally extending ones of the telescoping members 124a . . . 124d may have a base (or a tube base) coupled to the receiver hinges 109 by residing in the channels 121. In some embodiments, the longitudinally extending ones of the telescoping members 124a . . . 124d may include three or other suitable amount of tubes, while horizontally extending ones of the telescoping members 124e, 124f may include two or other suitable amount of tubes.
Horizontally extending ones of the telescoping members 124e, 124f may be coupled to the longitudinally extending ones of the telescoping members 124a . . . 124d through couplers 127a . . . 127d (collectively “couplers 127”) to form a rectangular frame or other frame of suitable shape and dimensions for supporting a weight of a person or animal. The horizontally extending ones of the telescoping members 124e, 124f may provide support for the lying surface 120 at distal ends of the lying surface 120. The couplers 127, in some embodiments, may provide a substantially 90 degree corner, although in other embodiments, corners having other shapes may be employed. The couplers 127 may include a lateral aperture and a horizontal aperture that act on a sleeve on the telescoping members 124, as shown in
The collapsible luggage bed 100 may also include legs 130a . . . 130f that support various portions of the lying surface 120, such as positions at corners formed by the telescoping members 124. More specifically, the first bed section 112 may include a first set of legs 130a, 130b configured to pivot downwards to contact the floor and support the first bed section 112. Similarly, the second bed section 115 may include a second set of legs 130c, 130d configured to pivot downwards to contact the floor and support the second bed section 115. The third bed section 118 may be supported by a third set of legs 130e, 130f in some embodiments. In other words, the third set of legs 130e, 130f may be configured to support a central bed section above the frame 106 on opposing sides of the luggage body 103.
It is understood that the components of the collapsible luggage bed 100 may collapse and compact to form a tight arrangement, as shown in
To permit the legs 130 to pivot, the collapsible luggage bed 100 may include pivot brackets 133a . . . 133f (collectively “pivot brackets 133”). As such, the legs 130 can transition from being substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending ones of the telescoping members 124a . . . 124d in a storage, not-in-use state to the extended and in-use state shown in
The lying surface 120, shown in
The lying surface 120 may be coupled to the telescoping members 124 after the first bed section 112 and the second bed section 115 are pulled away from the storage space of the frame 106 to the positions shown in
As the receiver hinges 109 are configured to rotate outwards from a storage position in the frame 106, shown outwardly extending in
Referring now to
In some embodiments, the horizontally extending one of the telescoping members 124e may also be positioned through an aperture 145 of a first portion 148 of the pivot bracket 133b. A second portion 152 of the pivot bracket 133b may include a cap 155, which may include a circular projection extending from a body of the second portion 152. In some embodiments, the cap 155 may have a diameter substantially similar to a diameter of a hollow interior 158 (or a channel) of the telescoping members 124. As such, the horizontally extending one of the telescoping members 124e, for example, can be positioned through the aperture 142 of the coupler 127b and the aperture 145 of the pivot bracket 133.
The cap 155 may be inserted into or otherwise positioned in the hollow interior 158 to join the coupler 127b, the pivot bracket 133b, the leg 130b, and the telescoping members 124b, 124e. For instance, by inserting the cap 155 into the hollow interior 158, a partial interference fit may be formed, while permitting the second portion 152 of the pivot bracket 133 to rotate along with the leg 130b coupled thereto. The aperture 142 of the coupler 127 and the aperture 145 of the pivot bracket 133 may traverse along the telescoping member 124, for instance, as the telescoping member 124 is pulled out from the frame 106 (e.g., to form the bed and lying surface 120 shown in
Turning next to
For instance, the receiver hinges 109 may include a hinge base 163 having a width substantially similar to a width positioned between respective pairs of the brackets 160. Further, the receiver hinges 109 may include a base channel 166 that permits a rod, screw, or other similar coupling mechanism to couple, or pivotably couple, the hinge base 162 of the receiver hinges 109 to the brackets 160 through the holes of the brackets 160. As such, the receiver hinges 109 may be described as pivoting about the coupling mechanism, such as a screw 169 and threaded binding barrel 170, such that various components can be retracted inwards or outwards from the frame 106.
The frame 106 may further include attaching holes 171 at various positions that permit screws or other coupling mechanisms to be employed to couple the frame 106 to the luggage body 103, as may be appreciated. As such, the components of the collapsible luggage bed 100 can be used to attach to different types and models of luggage bodies 103. In other words, a piece of standard luggage can be modified to become a collapsible luggage bed 100, for instance, by attaching the frame 106 and the associated components thereto.
The channels 121 of the receiver hinges 109 that may receive the telescoping members 124 are further illustrated in
Moving on to
Notably, in
Additionally, the first portion 148 and the second portion 152 of the pivot brackets 133 are shown disconnected in
Turning now to
As noted above, the components of the collapsible luggage bed 100 may collapse and compress to form a tight arrangement, as shown in
The telescoping members 124a . . . 124f collectively provide an outer frame for the lying surface 120. For instance, longitudinally extending ones of the telescoping members 124a . . . 124d may be at least partially positioned in the channels 121 of the receiver hinges 109 to provide support on longitudinal sides of the lying surface 120. Horizontally extending ones of the telescoping members 124e, 124f may be coupled to the longitudinally extending ones of the telescoping members 124a . . . 124d through the couplers 127. The horizontally extending ones of the telescoping members 124e, 124f may provide support for the lying surface 120 at distal ends of the lying surface 120. Further, the horizontally extending ones of the telescoping members 124e, 124f may provide support at distal ends of the lying surface.
To permit the legs 130 to pivot, the collapsible luggage bed 100 may include pivot brackets 133a . . . 133f (collectively “pivot brackets 133”). As such, the legs 130 can transition from being substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending ones of the telescoping members 124a . . . 124d in a storage state to the extended and in-use state shown in
Moving on to
Like traditional luggage cases, the luggage body 103 may include one or more handles 203 as well as a plurality of wheels 206a . . . 206d (collectively “wheels 206”) coupled to at least one end of the luggage body 103 that enable the luggage body 103 to be rolled when in the luggage state, as may be appreciated. Also like traditional suitcases or other luggage, in some embodiments, the luggage body 103 may include a set of two wheels 206, a set of four wheels 206, or other suitable number of wheels 206. In some embodiments, the wheels 206 may include swivel wheels capable of 360 degrees of rotation.
In further embodiments, at least one of the first bed section 112 or the second bed section 115 may double as a retractable luggage handle, as may be appreciated. Ideally, in the non-limiting example of
The lying surface 120 may include an amount of fabric suitable to support at least some of the body weight of the person 200 or an animal. The fabric may include a polyester fabric, a mesh fabric, or other suitable fabric. Additionally, the fabric may be padded to provide a comfortable surface. In some embodiments, at least one of the first bed section 112 or the second bed section 115 may include a built-in pillow at a respective end of the lying surface 120, for example, by having a padded portion raised from a normal surface of the lying surface 120.
In some embodiments, a rear side or surface of the luggage body 103, or the luggage body 103 itself, may be reinforced with an interior frame (not shown) to provide a greater distribution of the weight of the person 200 or an animal sitting or lying thereon. When not in use as a cot of bed, a pouch (not shown) on the luggage body 103 may be configured to store the first bed section 112, the second bed section 115, the third bed section 118, as well as any other components external to the luggage body 103. The pouch may include, for example, a Velcro® fastener, a zipper, or other fastener to hide the components of the collapsible luggage bed 100 while the bed or cot is not in use. In additional embodiments, the first bed section 112 and the second bed section 115 can fold over one another and attach to a rear side of the luggage body 103 using Velcro®, a zipper, or other suitable attachment means.
In instances in which the collapsible luggage bed 100 is used merely as luggage (and not as a folded-out cot or bed, as may be appreciated), the luggage body 103 may include dimensions below or equal to 45 linear inches (or 114 cm) in combined length, width, and height, including handles and the wheels 206. For instance, the collapsible luggage bed 100, including the frame 106 and associated components, may satisfy standard carry on size limits, which are approximately 22″×14″×9″ (or 56×35×23 cm).
The structural components of the collapsible luggage bed 100, such as the legs 130, the telescoping members 124, the couplers 127, the pivot bracket 133, the frame 106, the receiver hinges 109, and/or other components of the collapsible luggage bed 100 described herein, may be formed of lightweight aluminum, plastic, or other lightweight material that provides suitable support for a person 200 or animal. Ideally, in some embodiments, the collapsible luggage bed 100 supports at least 100 pounds, at least 250 pounds, or at least 300 pounds; however, various embodiments described herein are sufficient for supporting at least a body weighing up to 520 pounds depending on the selection of materials.
Turning now to
As discussed above with respect to
In some embodiments, the receiver hinge 109 may include a hinge base 163 having a width substantially similar to a width of the receiver hinge receptacles 161 or, in other words, substantially similar to a width between respective pairs of the brackets 160. In some embodiments, the width of the hinge base 163 is wider than a width of the body 215 of the receiver hinge 109. Further, the receiver hinges 109 may include base channels 166a, 166b that permits a rod, screw, or other similar coupling mechanism to couple, or pivotably couple, the hinge base 162 of the receiver hinges 109 to the brackets 160 through the holes of the brackets 160. As such, the receiver hinges 109 may be described as pivoting about the coupling mechanism, such as a screw 169 and threaded binding barrel 170, such that various components can be retracted inwards or outwards from the frame 106.
While embodiments shown and described herein include a piece of rolling luggage, in additional embodiments, a backpack or other type of bag may be employed. For example, the luggage body 103 may include a relatively loose material storage bag (not shown) traditionally employed in backpacks; however, the frame 106 can be included in an interior of the storage bag to support an intermediate portion of a cot or a bed. The frame 106 can also provide storage and retractability of the first bed section 112 and the second bed section 115. Additionally, shoulder straps and/or a waist strap may be coupled to the luggage body 103 in some embodiments.
Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/544,210 entitled “LUGGAGE CONVERTIBLE TO BED,” filed Aug. 11, 2017, the contents of which being incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62544210 | Aug 2017 | US |