CONVERTIBLE BED WITH DESK

Abstract

An apparatus for transforming between a bed, a desk, and a cabinet, including an upper structural section, a moveable sleeping section, and a base section. The upper structural section includes a rear cabinet panel, a cabinet top, a cabinet side, and a cabinet floor. The moveable sleeping section includes a front cabinet panel, a desk panel attached to the front cabinet panel, and an inside front panel. The front cabinet panel and the inside front panel are moveable between a closed cabinet position and an open cabinet position. The base section includes a base side panel and a base drawer, the base drawer moveable between a closed drawer position and an open drawer position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to convertible or foldable beds, and particularly to convertible beds in combination with desks that can be stored within a finished piece of furniture.

BACKGROUND

Beds and desks can occupy relatively large areas of floor space within a room. When beds and desks are not required frequently, or when space occupied by either a bed or a desk is otherwise needed, it is helpful to have a bed and a desk that can be stored in a smaller footprint, such as within a cabinet.

There exists a need for a convertible or collapsible bed and a collapsible desk that are comfortable and functional when used as intended, but can also be folded or converted into a piece of furniture that occupies a relatively small area. In this way, a total occupied floor space area for multiple pieces of furniture can be reduced. For example, a relatively large footprint area of a bed can be reduced when the bed is not in use by converting or transforming the bed into a cabinet.

SUMMARY

The application relates to a space-saving piece of furniture that can be transformed or converted to and from a cabinet, a bed, and a desk. The apparatus can be used as a cabinet, a bed, or a desk as desired without requiring available floor space for all three of a cabinet, a bed, and a desk as separate furniture pieces.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for transforming between a bed, a desk, and a cabinet includes an upper structural section. The upper structural section includes a rear cabinet panel and a cabinet top orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel. The cabinet top is attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edge. The upper structural section also includes a cabinet side orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and orthogonal to the cabinet top. The cabinet side is attached to the rear cabinet panel along a side edge, and the cabinet side is attached to the cabinet top along a top edge. The upper structural section further includes a cabinet floor orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and orthogonal to the cabinet side. The apparatus also includes a moveable sleeping section. The moveable sleeping section includes a front cabinet panel hingedly attached to the cabinet floor along a bottom edge. The moveable sleeping section also includes a desk panel hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel and an inside front panel hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel along a top edge. The front cabinet panel and the inside front panel are moveable between a closed cabinet position and an open cabinet position. When in the closed cabinet position, the front cabinet panel and the inside front panel are orthogonal to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and parallel to the rear cabinet panel. When in the open cabinet position, the front cabinet panel and the inside front panel are parallel to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel. The apparatus further includes a base section. The base section includes a base side panel. The base section also includes a base drawer having a front drawer face. The base drawer is coupled to the base side panel. The drawer is moveable between a closed drawer position and an open drawer position. When in the closed drawer position, the front drawer face is located a first distance from the front cabinet panel when the front cabinet panel is in the closed cabinet position. When in the open drawer position, the front drawer face is located a second distance from the front cabinet panel when the front cabinet panel is in the closed cabinet position. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Embodiments of the disclosure may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.

The apparatus may include a desk panel that is attached to an exterior side of the front cabinet panel.

The apparatus may include a desk panel that is rotatably moveable between a stowed desk position parallel to the front cabinet panel and a deployed desk position orthogonal to the front cabinet panel.

The apparatus may also include a desk support that is selectively moveable between a first support position and a second support position. When in the first support position, the desk support does not limit rotation of the desk panel from a deployed desk position toward a stowed desk position. When in the second support position, the desk support limits rotation of the desk panel from the deployed desk position toward the stowed desk position.

In some examples, the apparatus may have a cabinet side that includes a cabinet side first portion and a cabinet side second portion. The cabinet side second portion is selectively moveable between a closed cabinet position and an open cabinet position. When the cabinet side second portion is in the closed cabinet position, the cabinet side first portion is coplanar with the cabinet side second portion. When the cabinet side second portion is in the open cabinet position, the cabinet side first portion is not coplanar with the cabinet side second portion.

A central support can be provided on top of the cabinet floor, and the central support is sized and structured to support an underside of the cabinet top.

A locking mechanism can be provided to secure the desk panel to the cabinet front panel when the desk panel is in a stowed desk position. Additionally, a locking mechanism can be employed to secure the side panel to the cabinet front panel.

In some examples, wheels may be attached to at least one of an underside of the drawer base or an underside of the base side panel.

The apparatus may include a leg assembly attached to the inside front panel. The leg assembly can be configured to support the inside front panel above a floor surface when the inside front panel is in a position extended away from the front cabinet panel.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for transforming between a bed, a desk, and a cabinet includes an upper structural section. The upper structural section includes a rear cabinet panel and a cabinet top orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel. The cabinet top is attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edge. The upper structural section also includes a cabinet side orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and orthogonal to the cabinet top. The cabinet side is attached to the rear cabinet panel along a side edge. The upper structural section further includes a cabinet floor. The apparatus also includes a moveable sleeping section. The moveable sleeping section includes a front cabinet panel hingedly attached along a bottom edge to the cabinet floor. The moveable sleeping section also includes a desk panel hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel. The moveable sleeping section further includes an inside front panel hingedly attached along a top edge to the front cabinet panel. The front cabinet panel and the inside front panel are moveable between a closed cabinet position orthogonal to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and parallel to the rear cabinet panel to an open bed position parallel to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel. The apparatus further includes a base section. The base section includes a base side panel and a base drawer slidingly attached to at least one of the rear cabinet panel or the base side panel. The base section also includes wheels attached to an underside of the base drawer. The wheels are configured to reduce a coefficient of friction between the base drawer and a floor surface during motion of the base drawer between the closed cabinet position and the open bed position.

Another embodiment of the disclosure includes a method of transforming the apparatus from a cabinet to a bed, the method including pulling out the base drawer. The method also includes rotating the front cabinet panel down onto a side drawer face of the base drawer and unfolding a leg assembly attached to the inside front panel. The method further includes rotating the inside front panel to extend away from the front cabinet panel such that the leg assembly extends from a floor surface to the inside front panel. The method still further includes forming a flat platform defined by the front cabinet panel, the inside front panel and the cabinet floor.

The method may include rolling the base drawer on the floor surface as part of pulling out the base drawer.

The method may include removing at least one of a pillow or a bedding material from the base drawer. The method may also include unlocking a locking mechanism securing the front cabinet panel to a side panel. Some examples may include unfolding a mattress from within the apparatus and placing the mattress onto the flat platform.

Other examples of the method may include making the bed by putting at least one of the bedding material or the pillow on the mattress.

Still further examples may include placing the front cabinet panel on a felt pad on a topmost surface of the side drawer face as a part of forming a flat platform.

The method may also include gripping a handle secured to the inside front panel to assist in rotating the inside front panel such that the inside front panel extends away from the front cabinet panel as a part of rotating the inside front panel.

Some examples of the method may include extending telescopic rails connecting the base drawer to a rear cabinet panel as part of pulling out the base drawer or extending telescopic rails connecting the base drawer to a base side panel.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of transforming the apparatus from a cabinet to a desk includes rotating the desk panel away from the front cabinet panel. The method also includes moving a desk support from a first support position to a second support position wherein the desk support limits rotation of the desk panel away from the deployed desk position.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative embodiments. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the disclosure may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features according to aspects of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The annexed drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosed apparatus in a closed cabinet position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a front cabinet panel and an inside front panel in an open position;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a desk panel in a deployed position;

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the desk panel of FIG. 3 and a desk support;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 1 showing a base drawer in a position between a closed cabinet position and an open bed position;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 showing a support rail in a second position to support the front cabinet panel;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the support rail in a first position;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 showing the support rail in the second position;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 6 showing a portion of a cabinet top in an open position;

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 showing a portion of a cabinet side partially rotated and the front cabinet panel partially rotated;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 showing the front cabinet panel in the open bed position;

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 showing a leg assembly with a pair of legs rotated for the open bed position;

FIG. 13 is a detail view of a hinge connecting a leg assembly to the inside front panel; and

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the apparatus in the open bed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the present described apparatus and methods can take many different forms, for the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the described apparatus and methods as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of an embodiment of the disclosed apparatus is illustrated in a closed cabinet position. The apparatus can be described as a foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 including an upper structural section 102, a moveable sleeping section 104, and a base section 106. In the closed cabinet position, the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 can be used as a piece of furniture used to store various items. As such, the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 can include exterior profiles and finishes to suit various décor needs or preferences. The foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 also includes a desk panel 108, shown here in a stowed position. The closed cabinet position can be considered the cabinet formation of the disclosed apparatus.

The base section 106 includes a base drawer 110 which will be described below. The base drawer 110 includes a drawer front 112 that may feature any knobs or handles 114 of suitable decor, which may be chosen to match or coordinate with other handles or hardware located anywhere on the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100. The moveable sleeping section 104 includes a front cabinet panel 116 that may further feature one or more decorative front contours 118 such as an inward bevel or an outward bevel to provide the appearance that the front cabinet panel 116 is divided into two or more sections such as cabinet doors or drawers.

Referring to FIG. 2, an isometric view of the apparatus of the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 is illustrated showing the front cabinet panel 116 and an inside front panel 200 in an open position. The upper structural section 102 includes a cabinet top 202, a cabinet side 204, a cabinet floor 206, and a rear cabinet panel 208. In some examples, a hinge 210 may separate two portions (e.g., halves) of the cabinet top 202 and a hinge 212 may be configured to separate two portions (e.g., halves) of the cabinet side 204.

The cabinet top 202 is orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel 208 and the cabinet top 202 is attached to the rear cabinet panel 208 along a top edge of the rear cabinet panel 208. Similarly, the cabinet side 204 is orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel 208 and orthogonal to the cabinet top 202. The cabinet side 204 is attached to the rear cabinet panel 208 along a side edge, the cabinet side 204 is attached to the cabinet top 202 along a top edge of the cabinet side 204. Additionally, the cabinet floor 206 is orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel 208 and orthogonal to the cabinet side 204.

In some examples, a central support 220 is provided on top of the cabinet floor 206. The central support 220 can be engineered and constructed to support an underside of the cabinet top 202.

Referring to FIG. 3, an isometric view of the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 is illustrated showing the desk panel 108 in a deployed position. The deployed position as shown can be a position of the desk panel 108 rotated about 90° from the stowed position as shown in FIG. 1. The rotational motion is represented by arrow 300. The rotational motion used to selectively move the desk between the deployed position and the stowed position can be facilitated by a hinge (not shown) attached to the desk panel 108 and at least one of the front cabinet panel 116 or an intermediate structure (e.g., a spacer block) that is attached to the front cabinet panel 116. The deployed desk position as shown in FIG. 3 can be considered the desk formation of the disclosed apparatus.

The stowed position of the desk panel 108 as shown in FIG. 1 can be considered having a top side of the desk panel 108 to be parallel or about parallel to the front cabinet panel 116. In this example, the term “about parallel” can be considered to mean within 5° of parallel. The deployed desk position as shown in FIG. 3 can be considered having a top side of the desk panel 108 to be orthogonal or about perpendicular to the front cabinet panel 116. In this example, the term “about perpendicular” can be considered to mean within 5° of perpendicular.

Referring to FIG. 4, partial exploded view of the desk panel 108 and a desk support 400 is illustrated. As previously discussed, the desk panel 108 can be rotated about a hinge (not shown) to move from the deployed position to the stowed position and back to the deployed position as desired. In some examples, a piano hinge can attach the desk panel 108 to an exterior side of the front cabinet panel 116. In other examples, such as the one shown, the piano hinge can be mounted to the spacer block 402 in order to provide adequate spacing of the desk panel 108 from the exterior side of the front cabinet panel 116. The spacer block 402 can be attached to the front cabinet panel 116 in any suitable manner. In some examples, the spacer block 402 provides a volume between the spacer block 402 and the base drawer 110 into which the desk supports can be rotated or folded inward. In some examples, a surface of the desk support 400 can be snugly fit to a surface of the front cabinet panel 116.

In some examples, a desk support 400 can be used to provide vertical support for the desk panel 108 during use such as for writing, reading, use of an electronic device, etc. The desk support 400 can be attached to the front cabinet panel 116 in any suitable manner. In some examples, the desk support 400 is attached to the front cabinet panel 116 using hinges 404. While the hinges 404 are shown only on the right side of FIG. 4, it is understood that the desk support 400 of the left side of FIG. 4 is also attached to the front cabinet panel 116 with hinges 404.

The desk support 400 can be selectively located at a first support position or a second support position as shown in FIG. 4. When the desk support 400 is located in the first support position, the desk support 400 does not limit rotation of the desk panel 108 from the deployed desk position toward the stowed desk position (e.g., downward rotation of the desk panel 108). With the hinged connection provided by hinges 404, the desk support 400 can be selectively moved or rotated into and between the first support position and the second support position. Each of the desk supports 400 are shown in the second support position in FIG. 4 in which the desk support 400 limits or inhibits rotation (e.g., prevents rotation) of the desk panel 108 from the deployed desk position toward the stowed desk position.

For the left desk support 400 of FIG. 4, the first support position would be rotated inward toward the front cabinet panel 116 according to arrow 408. This rotation would be counterclockwise when viewed from above. For the right desk support 400 of FIG. 4, the second support position would be rotated inward toward the front cabinet panel 116 according to arrow 410. This rotation would be clockwise when viewed from above. When all of the desk supports 400 are located in the first support position, the desk panel 108 can be rotated downward, away from the deployed position, and into the stowed position.

Other mounting methods and structures are contemplated. In some examples, the front cabinet panel 116 defines a slot or an aperture configured to cooperate with a tab (not shown) or other portion of the desk support 400 such that the desk support 400 can be supported by the front cabinet panel 116 as desired. As such, the desk support 400 can be selectively moveable between a first support position as shown on the right side of FIG. 4 wherein the desk support 400 does not limit rotation of the desk panel 108 from a deployed desk position toward a stowed desk position and a second support position as shown on the left side of FIG. 4 wherein the desk support 400 limits rotation of the desk panel 108 from the deployed desk position toward the stowed desk position.

Other mounting methods and structures for the desk support 400 are also contemplated. In some examples, the desk support 400 can also include a tab 406 or other structure configured to cooperate with an aperture defined by the desk panel 108. This cooperation can limit or eliminate undesired motion of the desk panel 108. In some examples, a locking mechanism is provided for securing the desk panel 108 to the cabinet front panel 116 when the desk panel 108 is in the stowed desk position. For example, a fastener or locking mechanism 412 can be a ball catch configured to cooperate with a ball-like structure (not shown) located on an underside of the desk panel 108. The ball-like structure can cooperate with the ball catch 412 to effectively hold the desk panel 108 in the stowed position until a user or operator applies a force to separate the ball-like structure from the ball catch 412.

Referring to FIG. 5, the base drawer 110 is illustrated in a position between a closed cabinet position and an open bed position. The base section includes a base side panel 500. In some examples, the base side panel 500 is set on a smaller footprint than the upper structural section 102 such that cabinet side 204 is offset therefrom. A support or brace may be used at the connection point of the cabinet side 204 and the base side panel 500 to increase stability and rigidity in the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 as it braces the offset difference between the location of the base side panel 500 and the cabinet side 204.

The base drawer 110 includes a drawer front 502. The base drawer 110 is coupled to the base side panel 500 through any suitable structure which may include a telescoping slider, tongue and groove connection, etc. The base drawer 110 is selectively moveable between the closed cabinet position as shown in FIG. 1 and the open bed position as shown in FIG. 2. When the base drawer 110 is located in the closed cabinet position, an exterior surface of the drawer front 502 is located a first distance 504 (shown in FIG. 1) from the front cabinet panel 116 when the front cabinet panel 116 is in the closed cabinet position. In some examples, this first distance 504 may be equal to zero, such as when the exterior surface of the drawer front 502 is coplanar with the front cabinet panel 116. When the base drawer 110 is located in the open bed position, the exterior surface of the drawer front 502 is located a second distance 506 (shown in FIG. 2) from the front cabinet panel 116 when the front cabinet panel 116 is in the closed cabinet position. The second distance 506 is greater than the first distance 504. Returning to FIG. 5, arrows 508 represent movement of the base drawer 110 from the closed cabinet position to the open bed position.

In some examples, the base drawer 110 includes a drawer side 510 that further includes a support rail 512. The support rail 512 can be hingedly connected to the drawer side 510. When the base drawer 110 is located in the closed cabinet position or in motion, the support rail 512 can be in a first position to avoid contact with other structures. When the base drawer 110 is located in the open bed position, the support rail 512 can be rotated to a second position to provide both a positive stop for location of the front cabinet panel 116 and provide support for the front cabinet panel 116 when it is in the open bed position. FIG. 5 illustrates the support rail 512 in the first position. Additionally, rotation of the support rail 512 can also provide volume enabling the desk panel 108 to fit within the opening of the base drawer 110.

Referring to FIG. 6, the support rail 512 is illustrated in the second position to support the front cabinet panel 116 when it is eventually moved to the open bed position. The support rail 512 as shown in FIG. 6 has been rotated from the first position as shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a detail view of the support rail 512 in the first position is illustrated. A hinge 700 can be used to attach the support rail 512 to the drawer side 510, however, any suitable mounting structure or method can be utilized for this attachment.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a detail view of the support rail 512 in the second position is illustrated. An operator can rotate the support rail 512 about an axis of the hinge 700 to rotate the support rail 512 according to arrow 800 to move the support rail 512 from the first position to the second position. As shown, the support rail 512 can rotate about 180°, however this example is not meant to be limiting. In some examples, a further attachment may be located on the surface 802 such as a wear plate, a felt fabric, or other material to limit potential noise and/or wear of friction between the front cabinet panel and the support rail 512.

Referring to FIG. 9, a portion of the cabinet top 202 is illustrated in an open or a partially open position. In some examples, a portion 900 (e.g., half) of the cabinet top 202 may be rotated open around an axis of hinge 210 to reveal the cabinet top underside 902. In some examples, the cabinet top 202 portion 900 may only open part way as shown in FIG. 9, for example if tension or hydraulic hinges are chosen to soften the opening and closing of the cabinet top 202 portion 900. In some examples, the cabinet top 900 rotates completely back upon a rear portion of the cabinet top 202. Additionally, in some examples, the portion 900 may need to be rotated to release or unlock the ability to rotate a portion of the cabinet side 204 as part of the method of transforming the cabinet formation of the apparatus to the bed formation of the apparatus. Furthermore, in some examples, the portion 900 may need to be rotated as shown in FIG. 9 to release or unlock the ability to rotate the front cabinet panel 116 as part of the method of transforming the cabinet formation of the apparatus to the bed formation of the apparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 10, The upper structural section 102 may be further opened by rotating the cabinet side 204 outward on hinge 210 (shown in FIG. 2) attached to any suitable portion of the upper structural section 102. Rotation of a portion of the cabinet side 204 is represented by arrow 1000. In some examples, a locking mechanism (not shown) is provided to secure the cabinet side 204 to the front cabinet panel 116. As such, a portion of the cabinet side 204 may need to be rotated to release or unlock the ability to rotate the front cabinet panel 116 as part of the method of transforming the cabinet formation of the apparatus to the bed formation of the apparatus.

As described, the cabinet side can include a cabinet side first portion and a cabinet side second portion. The cabinet side second portion is selectively moveable between a closed cabinet position and an open cabinet position. When the cabinet side second portion is located in the closed cabinet position, the cabinet side first portion is coplanar with the cabinet side second portion as shown in FIG. 9. When the cabinet side second portion is located in the open bed position, the cabinet side first portion is not coplanar with the cabinet side second portion as shown in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, the front cabinet panel 116 is illustrated in the open bed position. The moveable sleeping section 104 includes the front cabinet panel 116 hingedly attached to the cabinet floor 206 along a bottom edge of the front cabinet panel 116. As previously discussed, the desk panel 108 (not shown in FIG. 11) is hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel 116. The inside front panel 200 is hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel 116 along a top edge 1100 of the front cabinet panel 116. The front cabinet panel 116 and the inside front panel 200 are moveable between a closed cabinet position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open cabinet position as shown in FIG. 11. The open cabinet position is slightly different from the open bed position, as will be described. When the front cabinet panel 116 and the inside front panel 200 are located in the closed cabinet position, the front cabinet panel 116 and the inside front panel 200 are oriented orthogonal to the cabinet floor 206 and the cabinet top 202 and parallel to the rear cabinet panel 208. When the front cabinet panel 116 and the inside front panel 200 are located in the open cabinet position, the front cabinet panel 116 and the inside front panel 200 are oriented parallel to the cabinet floor 206 and the cabinet top 202 and orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel 208.

The moveable sleeping section 104 also includes a leg assembly 1102 attached to the inside front panel 200. The leg assembly 1102 is configured to support the inside front panel 200 above a floor surface when the inside front panel 200 is in a position extended away from the front cabinet panel 116.

Referring to FIG. 12, a leg assembly 1102 is illustrated with a pair of legs 1200 rotated in preparation for the open bed position. The legs 1200 are rotated about an axis of a hinge in some examples. As shown, the rotation of the right-side legs 1200 is according to arrow 1204.

Referring to FIG. 13, a detail view of a hinge 1300 connecting the leg assembly 1102 to the inside front panel 200 is illustrated. The shown hinge is not meant to be limiting, and any suitable hinge or other attachment method can be utilized with the present disclosure. The leg assembly 1102 can be selectively rotated away from the inside front panel 200 as the cabinet formation of the apparatus is transformed to the bed formation of the apparatus. Similarly, the leg assembly 1102 can be selectively rotated toward the inside front panel 200 as the bed formation of the apparatus is transformed to the cabinet formation of the apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 14, the apparatus in the open bed position is illustrated. In the open bed position, the inside front panel 200 has been rotated to a position extended away from the front cabinet panel 116. The inside front panel 200 is supported above a floor surface by the legs 1200 to provide a relatively level and smooth surface upon which to place bedding materials such as a mattress and/or pillows. In the open bed position, a mattress or suitable cushioning material for sleeping may be placed on a platform-like surface created by cabinet floor 206, the front cabinet panel 116 and the inside front panel 200. The arrangement of the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 as shown in FIG. 14 can be considered the bed formation of the apparatus.

When rotating or unfolding the inside front panel 200 onto the leg assembly 1102, a handle secured to the inside front panel 200 can be gripped to assist in pivoting the inside front panel 200 away from the front cabinet panel 116 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

A mattress can be stored in the cabinet in the space between the front cabinet panel 116 and the rear cabinet panel 208 above the cabinet floor 206 and below the cabinet top 202. Any suitable mattress or similar material may be used. One option is to use a mattress made in three sections which can be hingedly attached by fabric so that it easily folds and unfolds in sections similar in size to the sections of the platform 206, 116 and 200.

The addition of a fastening mechanism such as easy to operate latches or bolts allow the cabinet side 204 to be securely fastened to the front cabinet panel 116 to minimize any danger of the front cabinet panel 116 falling open, which might otherwise result in an untidy appearance. Similarly, easy to operate latches or bolts allow the cabinet top 202, 900 to be securely fastened to the front cabinet panel 116.

Fasteners 1402 such as screws, glue or rivets can be used to hold various pieces together, including hinges and panels as appropriate.

Additional features can be added to the apparatus to improve ease of use and/or reduce wear on various parts. For example, the topmost surface of the support rail 512 and the bottommost surface of the legs 1200 may be coated with felt or other soft surface to reduce sound and to reduce wear on the front cabinet panel 116 and the legs 1200. Further, a handle may be added to inside front panel 200 to assist in folding the bed back into a cabinet. The handle on inside front panel 200 would be positioned to face downward in the open bed position and located in a position that would not touch the base drawer 110.

To transition the foldout cabinet desk and bed 100 between a closed cabinet position as shown in FIG. 1 and an open bed position, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, an operator may begin by pulling out the base drawer 110 and by unlocking a locking mechanism that secures a front cabinet panel 116 to a side panel 204 and/or to the portion 900 of the top panel 202. These steps can occur in either order. When the base drawer 110 is pulled out, the user may remove pillows and bedding from the drawer. The front cabinet panel 116 is folded down onto the topmost surface 802 of the support rail 512. At this point, the desk panel 108 fits into the volume defined by the open base drawer 110. The leg assembly(ies) 1102 can then be rotated to extend away from the inside front panel 200. The inside front panel 200 is then rotated or folded down onto the leg assembly(ies) 1102. A flat platform is formed out of the front cabinet panel 116, the inside front panel 200 and the cabinet floor 206. A folded mattress stored within the cabinet can be unfolded and laid onto the flat platform. Portions of the cabinet side panels 204 can be unfolded to reduce visible obstructions.

The topmost surface of the support rail 512 may be provided with a felt pad upon which the unfolded flat platform (e.g., front cabinet panel 108) can rest and be adequately supported.

A cabinet top panel 202 can be unfolded to further reduce visible obstructions. Pulling out the base drawer 110 is performed by rolling the base drawer 110 on a floor. The bed can be made by placing bedding previously stored in the drawer 110 on the mattress and placing pillows previously stored in the drawer 110 on the bed (i.e., the platform formed out of the front cabinet panel 116, the inside front panel 200 and the cabinet floor 206).

The step of pulling out the base drawer 110 could involve extending telescopic rails connecting the base drawer 110 to the rear cabinet panel 208 or to the base side panel 500.

In some examples, wheels can be attached to at least one of an underside of the base drawer 110 or an underside of the base side panel 500. It is to be appreciated that the wheels can reduce an expected coefficient of friction while moving the base drawer 110 and/or moving the entire foldout cabinet desk and bed 100.

Although the apparatus and methods have been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transforming between a bed, a desk, and a cabinet, comprising: an upper structural section comprising: a rear cabinet panel;a cabinet top orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edge;a cabinet side orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and orthogonal to the cabinet top, the cabinet side attached to the rear cabinet panel along a side edge, the cabinet side attached to the cabinet top along a top edge; anda cabinet floor orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and orthogonal to the cabinet side;a moveable sleeping section comprising: a front cabinet panel hingedly attached to the cabinet floor along a bottom edge;a desk panel hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel;an inside front panel hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel along a top edge, wherein the front cabinet panel and the inside front panel are moveable between: a closed cabinet position orthogonal to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and parallel to the rear cabinet panel, andan open cabinet position parallel to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel; anda base section comprising: a base side panel; anda base drawer having a drawer front, the base drawer coupled to the base side panel, the base drawer moveable between: a closed drawer position wherein the drawer front is located a first distance from the front cabinet panel when the front cabinet panel is in the closed cabinet position, andan open drawer position wherein the drawer front is located a second distance from the front cabinet panel when the front cabinet panel is in the closed cabinet position, the second distance is greater than the first distance.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the desk panel is attached to an exterior side of the front cabinet panel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the desk panel is rotatably moveable between: a stowed desk position parallel to the front cabinet panel; anda deployed desk position orthogonal to the front cabinet panel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a desk support selectively moveable between: a first support position wherein the desk support does not limit rotation of the desk panel from a deployed desk position toward a stowed desk position, anda second support position wherein the desk support limits rotation of the desk panel from the deployed desk position toward the stowed desk position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the cabinet side further comprising: a cabinet side first portion; anda cabinet side second portion wherein the cabinet side second portion is selectively moveable between: a closed cabinet position wherein the cabinet side first portion is coplanar with the cabinet side second portion, andan open cabinet position where the cabinet side first portion is not coplanar with the cabinet side second portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a central support provided on top of the cabinet floor, the central support being sized and structured to support an underside of the cabinet top.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the desk panel to the front cabinet panel when the desk panel is in a stowed desk position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism for securing the top panel to the front cabinet panel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising wheels attached to at least one of an underside of the drawer base or an underside of the base side panel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a leg assembly attached to the inside front panel, the leg assembly configured to support the inside front panel above a floor surface when the inside front panel is in a position extended away from the front cabinet panel.

11. An apparatus for transforming between a bed, a desk, and a cabinet, the apparatus comprising: an upper structural section comprising: a rear cabinet panel;a cabinet top orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edge;a cabinet side orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel and orthogonal to the cabinet top, the cabinet side attached to the rear cabinet panel along a side edge respectively; anda cabinet floor;a moveable sleeping section comprising: a front cabinet panel hingedly attached along a bottom edge to the cabinet floor;a desk panel hingedly attached to the front cabinet panel; andan inside front panel hingedly attached along a top edge to the front cabinet panel, wherein the front cabinet panel and the inside front panel are moveable between a closed cabinet position orthogonal to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and parallel to the rear cabinet panel to an open bed position parallel to the cabinet floor and the cabinet top and orthogonal to the rear cabinet panel; anda base section comprising: a base side panel;a base drawer slidingly attached to at least one of the rear cabinet panel or the base side panel; andwheels attached to an underside of the base drawer, the wheels configured to reduce a coefficient of friction between the base drawer and a floor surface during motion of the base drawer between the closed cabinet position and the open bed position.

12. A method of transforming the apparatus of claim 1 from a cabinet to a bed comprising: pulling out the base drawer;rotating the front cabinet panel down onto a support rail of the base drawer;unfolding a leg assembly attached to the inside front panel;rotating the inside front panel to extend away from the front cabinet panel such that the leg assembly extends from a floor surface to the inside front panel; andforming a flat platform defined by the front cabinet panel, the inside front panel and the cabinet floor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein pulling out the base drawer comprises rolling the base drawer on the floor surface.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: removing at least one of a pillow or a bedding material from the base drawer;unlocking a locking mechanism securing the front cabinet panel to a side panel;unfolding a mattress from within the apparatus; andplacing the mattress onto the flat platform.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising making the bed by putting at least one of the bedding material or the pillow on the mattress.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein forming a flat platform comprises placing the front cabinet panel on at least one of a felt pad on a topmost surface of a support rail or on the topmost surface of the support rail.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein rotating the inside front panel further comprises gripping a handle secured to the inside front panel to assist in rotating the inside front panel such that the inside front panel extends away from the front cabinet panel.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein rotating the front cabinet panel further comprises fitting the desk panel into a volume defined by the base drawer.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein pulling out the base drawer further comprises extending telescopic rails connecting the base drawer to a base side panel.

20. A method of transforming the apparatus of claim 1 from a cabinet to a desk comprising: rotating the desk panel away from the front cabinet panel to a deployed desk position; andmoving a desk support from a first support position to a second support position wherein the desk support limits rotation of the desk panel away from the deployed desk position.