Patent Application
20140196208
The present invention is directed to a combination couch and trundle bed.
One of the earliest U.S. patents, if not the first, relating to a combination couch and bed was issued over 100 years ago, namely U.S. Pat. No. 493,418 which issued in 1893. Since then, over 50 patents have been issued in the U.S. relating to a combination couch/chair and bed. Despite the numerous patents that have been issued in this field, couch bed combinations are still generally inferior to a traditional couch and bed. At this time, there are generally three types of couch bed combinations available on the market: the sleeper sofa with a concealed pull-out bed, the futon, and the daybed. All of these couch bed combinations suffer from deficiencies.
In the case of the sleeper sofa, it makes for a poor couch and an even worse bed. The couch seat cushions rest on the pull-out bed frame making the sleeper sofa generally stiffer to sit on as compared with a traditional couch. The pull-out bed uses a flimsy mattress so that it can be folded to conceal it when not in use. Such a mattress is inferior to a normal mattress. In addition, the metal frame on which the pull-out mattress rests can be felt in places while sleeping (or attempting to sleep). The pull-out bed also takes some time and effort to get out and put away.
In the case of a futon, while it may represent a slight improvement over the sleeper couch in terms of the quality of sleep due to a generally thicker mattress and the use of a wooden frame, it still results in a couch and bed that is generally less comfortable than a traditional couch and bed. People generally prefer a bed that is more film than a couch. By using the same cushion for both the couch and the mattress, the futon does not offer a bed that is more firm than a couch. Given that a futon mattress must fold, it is generally inferior to a more traditional mattress. A futon is also not an option for people who want a more traditional looking couch. A futon is also not a good couch for certain guests who may be uncomfortable sitting directly where a person sleeps.
In the case of a daybed, while it may make a good bed, it does not make for a good couch. The daybed typically sits higher than a traditional couch and does not have the same seating cushions as a traditional couch. Like a futon, it too does not offer the look of a traditional couch and some guests may be uncomfortable using it as a couch.
The object of the invention is to provide a couch bed combination that has the same appearance as a traditional couch while also offering a level of comfort that is comparable to that of a traditional couch for seating or lounging and a traditional bed for sleeping. Another object of the invention is to provide a couch bed combination that can be quickly and easily converted from one to the other.
The invention is a traditional looking couch with a trundle bed wherein the trundle bed mattress serves as support for someone sitting or lying on the couch by virtue of the fact that the couch seating cushions rest on a layer of flexible/stretchable mesh material which in turn rests on the trundle bed mattress when the trundle bed is concealed within the couch. When the trundle bed in concealed within the couch, the trundle bed mattress functions similar to the springs used in the base of a high-quality traditional couch resulting in a feeling comparable to that of a traditional couch. The couch as taught herein also has the appearance of a traditional couch that a person would place in a living room and guests would feel comfortable sitting on.
When the trundle bed is pulled out, it offers the comfort of a mattress of traditional thickness that does not need to be unfolded to use. The preferred embodiment uses a twin size mattress which is 39″ wide by either 75″ long (standard) or 80″ long (XL). Such mattresses can be concealed within a couch without making the couch appear abnormally wide or long given that many couches are 39″ deep and over 80″ wide. Also, unlike other bed couch combination mattresses which are difficult to find bedding for due to the use of an irregular size mattress, this embodiment of the invention accommodates the use of standard sized sheets and bedding. This invention also accommodates those who prefer not to make the bed and instead push in the trundle bed when not in use and place the bedding in a trunk or some other means of storage. Of course, the bottom sheet can remain on the bed when it is concealed within the couch, and the layer of mesh material is such that it will not tear the bed sheet when the two rub against each other as the trundle bed is moved in and out.
Because the seating cushions are supported by the layer of mesh material, the trundle can be quickly pulled out without having to remove any of the cushions from the couch. Likewise, the trundle can be quickly concealed within the couch. In order to aid consumers in easily moving the trundle in and out while also ensuring that the mesh material rests solidly on the trundle bed mattress when it is pushed in, the portion of the frame with the mesh can be lifted on the end where the bed goes in and out. In addition or alternatively, the trundle bed frame can be designed to raise and lower once concealed to allow the trundle bed to support the layer of mesh material while also allowing it to be pulled out easily. In addition, the trundle bed frame may be designed such that the bed can be raised to the height of a normal bed once it is pulled out. The preferred embodiment is one in which the trundle bed stays at a fixed height and the frame containing the layer of mesh material is raised on one end to allow the trundle bed to be pulled out or pushed in more easily. The trundle bed frame in the preferred embodiment has wheels, is connected to the couch frame via rails, and has a locking mechanism to make sure the bed does not move once it is fully pulled out or concealed within the couch.
The mesh material can be made to flex/stretch in several ways. The material itself can he made of a flexible material such as a synthetic fiber. In addition or alternatively, the mesh material can be connected to the couch frame by flexible/stretchable ties similar to the way a trampoline functions. This second option is the preferred embodiment. The layer or mesh material should not be constructed of materials that can be felt when sitting on the couch. One example of what not to use would he the traditional wire mesh supported by springs that were commonly used in beds prior to the use of box springs. At the same time, the layer of mesh material and the supporting frame should also be strong enough to support one or more persons lying on the couch when the trundle is removed. In fact, one person could sleep on the couch while someone else sleeps on the pulled out trundle bed.
In addition to offering a couch bed combination that has the appearance of a traditional couch, the comfort of a traditional couch and bed, and can be quickly converted, the couch trundle bed combination can also save consumers money in various ways. For those consumers who would otherwise buy a couch and bed separately, they will likely save money by buying the couch trundle bed combination instead. In addition, consumers may decide that they no longer need as much living space once they have a couch trundle bed combination. For example, someone who is single may decide to switch from a one bedroom apartment to a studio apartment or switch from a two bedroom apartment, in which one is used as a study, to a one bedroom apartment. In addition to saving on rent, such a consumer would also avoid the cost of additional furnishings in the additional bedroom and would save on reduced energy usage from having a smaller living space. The couch trundle bed combination may also lead consumers to add a bed to a room where one did not exist before such as in a living room, study, or office.
