BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to furniture construction and storage. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to furniture that may be embedded into a space within a floor of a structure when not in use.
2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Storage space within a home can be limited, especially in smaller homes, mobile homes, recreational vehicles or foldable homes. Some furniture items may be useful only during certain times of the day (such as a bed) or may be used only under certain circumstances, such as a dining table or desk.
Typically, a user could fold these items to minimize their size, however, such folded items still require storage space within the home. Further, this method requires a user to move or carry items into the desired storage space.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a furniture construction that can permit the furniture items to be easily stored without occupying conventional storage spaces, such as closets, within the structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention aim to solve the aforementioned problems in conventional furniture.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for raising and lowering a furniture item comprising first and second sliding plates, wherein each of the first and second movable members are disposed in a recess in a floor of a structure; and each of the first and second movable members operable to slide outward and away from each other along a linear track within the recess to move the furniture item from a retracted state to a raised state.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for raising and lowering a furniture item comprising first and second sliding plates; first and second legs pivotably attached, at a lower end thereof, to respective first and second sliding plates, wherein the first and second legs extend upward, above a plane of a floor in a raised state; first and second sliding guides movable along a guide track, the guide track having a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the linear track, the first and second sliding guides attached to the first and second sliding plates; and a furniture item top of the furniture item pivotably attached to an upper end of each of the first and second legs, wherein each of the first and second movable members are disposed in a recess in the floor of a structure; each of the first and second movable members operable to slide outward and away from each other along a linear track within the recess to move the furniture item from the retracted state to a raised state; and the first and second sliding plates move uniformly and equally away or toward each other during movement between the retracted state and the raised state.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for raising and lowering a furniture item comprising first and second sliding plates, wherein each of the first and second movable members operable to slide outward and away from each other along a linear track within a recess in a floor of a structure to move the furniture item between a retracted state to a raised state; first and second legs pivotably attached, at a lower end thereof, to respective first and second sliding plates, wherein the first and second legs extend upward, above a plane of the floor in the raised state; a belt spanning between pulleys at opposite ends of the linear track, wherein each of the first and second sliding plates engages with the belt to guide movement thereof; and a furniture item top of the furniture item pivotably attached to an upper end of each of the first and second legs, wherein the first and second sliding plates move uniformly and equally away or toward each other during movement between the retracted state and the raised state.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.
FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a room having an embedded furniture system, in a retracted state, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of the room of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the room of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the room of FIG. 1A, with the embedded furniture mechanism illustrated;
FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of the room of FIG. 2A;
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a mechanism for raising and lowering furniture items according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the frame structure of the furniture item, but removing a top portion of the furniture item for clarity;
FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a bed frame as the furniture moved by the mechanism of FIG. 3;
FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the bed frame of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 4C illustrates an end view of the bed frame of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 3, without the frame structure or furniture item, in an expended state;
FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of the mechanism of FIG. 5A;
FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the room of FIG. 1A, with the mechanism of FIG. 3 shown in an exploded state;
FIG. 6B illustrates a detailed view taken along circle VI of FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7A illustrates a perspective view of the room of FIG. 1A with the structure of the mechanism removed, showing the floor design for placement of a lifting/lowering mechanism;
FIG. 7B illustrates a side view of the room of FIG. 7A;
FIG. 7C illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 7C;
FIG. 7D illustrates a detailed view taken along circle VII-2 of FIG. 7C;
FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of a bed frame with the plates of the mechanism of FIG. 3;
FIG. 8B illustrates a side view of the bed frame and plates of FIG. 8B;
FIG. 8C illustrates a bottom perspective view of the bed frame and plates of FIG. 8A;
FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the bed frame of FIG. 8A;
FIG. 10A illustrates a perspective view of a bed frame main surface structure of the bed frame of FIG. 8A;
FIG. 10B illustrates a top view of the bed frame main surface structure of FIG. 10A;
FIG. 10C illustrates a bottom perspective view of the bed frame main surface structure of FIG. 10A;
FIG. 11A illustrates a perspective view of a rotatable leg of the bed frame of FIG. 8A;
FIG. 11B illustrates a side view of the rotatable leg of FIG. 11A;
FIG. 12A illustrates a perspective view of a sliding plate used with the bed frame of FIG. 8A and the mechanism of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12B illustrates a top view of the sliding plate of FIG. 12A;
FIG. 12C illustrates a side view of the sliding plate of FIG. 12A;
FIG. 12D illustrates an end view of the sliding plate of FIG. 12A;
FIG. 13A illustrates a perspective view of a table embedded into a floor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13B illustrates a top view of the embedded table of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 13C illustrates a side view of the embedded table of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 14A illustrates a perspective view of the embedded table of FIG. 13A with the tabletop removed to show the associated structure thereunder;
FIG. 14B illustrates a top view of the embedded table of FIG. 14A;
FIG. 15A illustrates a perspective view of the embedded table of FIG. 13A in an expanded state;
FIG. 15B illustrates a side view of the expanded state embedded table of FIG. 15A;
FIG. 15C illustrates an end view of the expanded state embedded table of FIG. 15A;
FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view showing the movement of the embedded table of FIG. 13A into the expended state;
FIG. 17 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the embedded table of FIG. 13A;
FIG. 18A illustrates a bottom perspective view of a sliding plate of the mechanism of FIG. 16A;
FIG. 18B illustrates a side view of the sliding plate of FIG. 18A;
FIG. 18C illustrates an end view of the sliding plate of FIG. 18A; and
FIG. 18D illustrates a bottom view of the sliding plate of FIG. 18A.
The illustrations in the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale.
The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a design of furniture and floor structures in a room that allows a large piece flat furniture to be hidden in the floor. This design includes two interchangeable mechanisms, both achieving the same result, which is allowing the furniture to be risen out of the floor and collapsed into the floor. This design allows the room to have more space for placing items and helps extendable/foldable houses to have more furniture stored in a limited space. Examples of such furniture include a bed frame and a dinner table, but the two mechanisms can also be used on furniture other than these two examples. The mechanisms are interchangeable and neither of them are limited to a certain type of furniture. The first mechanism includes two sets of sliding blocks and several rotatable linkages while the second mechanism includes one set of sliding blocks and a pulley-belt system.
The figures are briefly described below, followed by a broader discussion of each figure and the components therein.
FIGS. 1A through 2B show an overview of a bed frame embedded in the floor of a room and the mechanism under it when the bed frame is lowered. The bed frame can be completely hidden in this state as it fits perfectly in the floor without any extrusions. In other words, the bed frame may rest generally flush with the surround floor when in the retracted state. The mechanism under the bed can include two set of sliding blocks connected with diagonal linkages as described in greater detail below. The horizontal linkages (horizontal as shown in FIG. 3) that are connected to the legs of the bed frame can control the rising and lowering motion of the bed frame, while the vertical sliding block are used for ensuring both horizontal sliding block move simultaneously and equally. The bed can be lifted either by hand or by electric motors (not shown). This mechanism should be able to be used on any custom-made embedded furniture, such as a table, desk or the like, and not only on the bed frame.
FIG. 3 shows the motion of the mechanism when the bed frame is rising. In this case, the vertical sliding block are moved toward the middle of the mechanism. This causes the linkages to rotate and thus moves the horizontal sliding blocks to the side. This, in turn, rotates the leg of the bed frame and lifts it up.
FIGS. 4A through 5B show the mechanism when the bed is fully lifted. In this state, the horizontal sliding blocks are all the way to the side of the mechanism. The legs of the bed frame are perpendicular to the floor, so the bed does not collapse when there are weights on it. The rotating linkages are horizontal so even if the legs of the bed frame exert some horizontal forces, the linkages can provide the full support as the vertical sliding block can be locked in this state. It should also be noted that the frame can include three side rails that can be lifted to prevent the mattress from sliding off.
FIGS. 6A through 7D show the details of the mechanism under the bed frame, as well as the rail ingrained in the floor. The rails for both types of the sliding blocks (the ones shown here, as well as the ones in FIGS. 14A through 18D) are designed to prevent the blocks from being lifted off the ground and always follow the direction they are intended to move.
FIGS. 8A through 9 show the full assembly of the bed frame when taken out of the floor. The legs of the bed frame are connected by two different types of shafts.
FIGS. 10A through 12C show some of the individual parts of the bed frame. The frame itself can have a grid like formation on its underside. This is made for reducing the weight of the frame while keeping the structural integrity and strength of the frame.
FIGS. 13A through 14B show the table and the mechanism under it when it is lowered into the floor. This mechanism is like the other mechanism with the rotating linkages and vertical sliding blocks as both mechanisms effectively achieve the same function. However, this mechanism includes a rubber belt and two pulleys, and the motion of the blocks are constrained by them instead of the vertical blocks and linkages. This mechanism should be able to be used on any custom-made embedded furniture, such as the bed frame, and not only on the table.
FIGS. 15A through 15C show the table when it is lifted out of the floor. The horizontal sliding blocks are constrained to prevent the table from collapsing, as similar to the mechanism under the bed frame.
FIG. 16 shows the motion of the table when it is rising. In this motion, the belt is rotating clockwise, and the sliding blocks are moving toward the side of the floor as each of the blocks are connected to only one side of the belt.
FIG. 17 shows the parts of the mechanism and the components embedded in the floor. The rail for the sliding block is placed between the belt, and the shaft of the pulley are placed in the floor.
FIGS. 18A through 18D show the sliding block for the belt mechanism. Beside the holes for the fitting the blocks onto the rails, the blocks also have one wide and one thin hole for fitting the blocks onto the belt. The holes are different in size so that each the two horizontal sliding blocks is constrained onto one side of the belt. As such, the blocks will travel against the motion of the other block.
Referring to FIGS. 1A through 12D, a room 10 can include a lifting and lowering mechanism 12 (also simply referred to as mechanism 12) for raising and lowering a furniture item, such as bed frame with a bed frame top 30, that can be embedded into a floor in a retracted state as shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C. In the retracted state, the furniture item can be substantially flush with the surrounding floor structure. In some embodiments, an additional component, such as a mattress (not shown) may be stored in a cubby 14 and released onto the bed frame 30 when the use of a bed is desired. FIGS. 2A and 2B show the mechanism 12, as described in greater detail below, since the bed frame top 30 is removed.
Referring to FIG. 3, the mechanism 12 can include first and second sliding plates 14 that move away from each other, as indicated by arrows 20, as the furniture item is moved from the retracted state into the expanded state. The first and second sliding plates 14 may move in respective directions generally parallel with each other. First and second sliding guides 18 may slide along a guide rail 28 in a direction generally perpendicular with the direction of movement of the first and second sliding plates 14. When moving into the expanded state, the first and second sliding guides 18 may move toward each other, as indicated by arrows 22. In inside end 14A of each of the first and second sliding plates 14 can pivotably attach to a set of first and second linkages 16 at a top and bottom portion of the inside end 14A. Thus, the first sliding plate can attach to one set of first and second linkages 16 at opposite ends of the inside end 14A, and the second sliding plate can attach to another set of first and second linkages 16 at opposite ends of the inside end 14A thereof. The linkages 16 at the upper end of each of the first and second sliding plates 14 can attach to one of the first and second sliding guides 18, while the linkages 16 at the lower end of each of the first and second sliding plates 14 can attach to the other of the first and second sliding guides 18.
The outside ends 14B of each of the first and second sliding plates 14 can attach to respective retractable legs 24 at a pivot axis 26A. The retractable legs 24 can each attach to the bed frame top 30 (see FIG. 8A) at a pivot axis 26B.
FIGS. 4A through 4C show the bed frame in an expanded (raised) state with a mattress 32 disposed on the bed frame top 30. Further, side rails 30A are illustrated in an expanded configuration, where these rails 30A may be retracted by the user before moving the bed frame back into the retracted state. FIGS. 5A and 5B show the mechanism in the expanded/raised state, with the bed frame removed for clarity purposes. Further, this illustrates that other furniture items may be attached to the first and second sliding plates 14.
FIGS. 6A and 6B show an exploded view of the bed frame and its lifting/lowering mechanism. The outer ends 14B of the first and second sliding plates 14 can include a connection protrusion 38 that can receive a shaft 40 therein. The shaft 40 can further secure the bed frame retractable legs 24 (not shown, sese FIG. 8A, for example). The first and second sliding plates 14 can slide along a path 36 formed in a bottom 36A of a recess 36B formed in the floor 36C. As can be seen in FIG. 7D, the bottom 36A of the recess formed in the floor can include one or more protruding rails 42 on which each of the first and second sliding plates 14 can engage. In some embodiments, the protruding rails 42 can fit into slots 15 (see FIG. 12D) formed in an underside of the first and second sliding plates 14. This configuration can prevent the sliding plates 14 from being lifted upward, away from the bottom 36A of the recess.
FIG. 8C illustrates an underside of the bed frame, where the first and second sliding plates 14 are pivotably attached to the retractable legs 24. The first and second sliding plates 14 can includes holes 48 for pivotably attaching the linkages 16 (see FIG. 3).
Referring to FIG. 9, the bed frame is shown in an exploded view, where filler panels 50 may form part of the bed frame top 30 to provide a flush connection between the bed frame top 30 and the floor surrounding the bed frame top 30 when the bed frame is in the retracted state.
FIG. 10C shows the bottom of the bed frame top 30, where a frame structure 50 may be provided to provide proper support, while reducing the overall weight of the bed frame top 30 if a solid structure were to be used.
FIGS. 11A and 11B show the rotatable leg 24 in detail, where an opening 54 may be formed therein to create the pivot axis 26B (see FIG. 3), while a space 52 may be provided for connection to the first and second sliding plates 14 at the pivot axis 26A (see FIG. 3).
FIGS. 12A through 12D show the sliding plates 14 in detail, where a hole 56 in the connection protrusion 38 can permit the pivoting connection with the retractable legs. The sliding plates 14 can include an increased thickness portion 58 at the outside end 14B, that spans across the width of the sliding plate 14. Two legs 14A can extend from this increased thickness portion 58, with a space therebetween. This design may decrease the weight of the sliding plates 14, without changing it structural integrity or function. As discussed above, slots 15 may be formed on the bottom of the sliding plate 14 to receive the track formed in the bottom surface of the recess formed in the floor.
Referring now to FIGS. 13A through 18D, a tabletop 70 may fit into a recessed portion of a floor 68, where, as shown in FIG. 13C, the top of the tabletop 70 may be generally flush with the surface of the floor 68 when the tabletop 70 is in the retracted state as shown in FIGS. 13A through 13C.
FIGS. 14A and 14B show the table with the tabletop 70 removed, thus showing a mechanism 60 for raising and lowering the tabletop 70. Sliding plates 64 can pivotably attach to a lower side 62A of the legs 62 of the table. One sliding plate 64 can attach to each of the two legs 62 of the table. An upper side 62B of the legs 62 of the table can pivotably attach to the bottom of the tabletop 70 (not shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B). Like the embodiment described above (in FIGS. 1A through 13C), the sliding plates 64 can slide along a path 36 formed in the bottom surface 36B of the recess in the floor.
However, in this embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 16, in addition to the track 42 (see FIG. 7D), a belt 76 can extend between pulleys 78 disposed at opposing ends of the path 36. When the tabletop 70 is raised, the sliding plates 64 can move away from each other as shown by arrows 72. Further, the belt 76 can turn clockwise as shown by arrows 74. The pulleys 78 and belt 76 can keep the sliding plates 64 aligned in a similar manner as the sliding guides 18 (see FIG. 3), discussed above.
FIG. 17 shows an exploded view, where a pin 80 can be used to form a pivoting axis between the tabletop 70 and the legs 62.
FIGS. 18A through 18D show details of the sliding plate 64. Similar to the sliding plate 14, described above, the underside of the sliding plate 64 can include slots 96 for receiving the rail 42 formed along the path 36, as described above. On one side of the slots 96, a first channel 92 may be formed. On the other side of the slots 96, a second channel 94 may be formed. A groove 98 may be formed in the underside of the sliding plate 14 so that the slots 96 and the first and second channels 92, 94 communicate from a leading edge to a trailing edge (with respect to the intended movement of the sliding plate 64) of the sliding plate 64. In some embodiments, in place of the groove 98 the slots 96, and the first and second channels 92, 94 may extend along the entirety of the width (from the trailing edge to the leading edge) of the underside of the sliding plate 64. Of course, the slots 96 and the first and second channels 92, 94 do not extend fully through the sliding plate 64, as shown.
The first channel 92 may be wider than the second channel 94, so that the first channel 92 permits the belt 76 to freely move therethrough without requiring the uniform movement of the sliding plate 64 with the movement of the belt 76. The second channel 94 engages with the belt 76, where the movement of the belt 76 moves the sliding plate 64. When the sliding plates are arranged with their leading edges facing away from each other, the configuration of the first and second channels 92, 94 permit the sliding plates 64 to move in opposite directions, as shown, for example, in FIG. 16.
The sliding plates 64 can further include a hole 88 for pivotably connecting the lower side 62A of the legs 62 thereto, as described above.
While the above discusses specifics of tables and bed frames, it should be understood that the present invention may be used with various flat furniture items with legs, as discussed above.
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.
The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
Patent Application
20240156275
