Patent Application
20230157465
There exists a tremendous need for drivers of day cab tractors and other types of work trucks to have a way to rest and relax during their shifts. Too often, drivers are left slumped over the steering wheel, leaning against the window or in any variation of uncomfortable positions while attempting to rest and recharge. While it may seem like a person is able to drift off to sleep in some positions, it is very frequently poor, low-quality sleep that may not recharge a driver's energy levels any more than those levels would have been without sleep.
Truck drivers, in particular, are not only required to operate on a minimum amount of sleep for safety purposes, but carry the extra burden of operating some of the largest vehicles on the road and bearing the responsibility of their own safety as well as all the vehicles, fellow drivers, and infrastructure around them. Drivers may also be out on the road at all hours of the day, and may not have access to temporary resting facilities, such as hotels. Thus, sleeping in their trucks may not only be the most optimal location to rest, but may be the only option available. In order to achieve quality rest within the confines of the truck, a bed must be properly sized with appropriate dimensions to comfortably fit a person's body, while still fitting within the truck for proper placement and positioning.
Another issue that arises from use of a sleeping apparatus while out on the road is storage of the object. Storing the apparatus anywhere aside from the cabin of the day cab may not always be an option. Therefore, the apparatus may need to fit within the cab of the vehicle in order to be transported around with the driver. Developments in technology addressing each of the issues described above are therefore desirable.
The apparatus described in the present disclosure is a folding bed that allows a person, e.g., the driver of the vehicle, to rest and relax while the vehicle is safely parked to recharge before setting out on the road again. The apparatus is sized to specifically fit the dimensions of a cabin of a truck, laid across the driver's and passenger's seats, while having folding capabilities for fitting within the driver's cabin for easy storage and access.
In one aspect of the disclosure, a foldable bed may include a first outer panel defining a length and a width; a middle panel hingedly coupled to the first outer panel along an inner edge of the first outer panel, the middle panel defining a length and a width and defining a cut-out having a length and a width; and a second outer panel hingedly coupled to the middle panel opposite the first outer panel and along an inner edge of the second outer panel, the second outer panel defining a length and a width. Each of the first outer panel, the middle panel, and the second outer panel may include a rigid block with a cushion coupled thereto, and the panels are hingedly coupled by a webbing extending across a lower surface of the foldable bed. The middle panel may be sized and shaped to contact and rest on a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat of a vehicle and span a gap between the driver's seat and the front passenger's seat.
A length of the bed may be defined by the sum of the length of the first outer panel, the length of the middle panel, and the length of the second outer panel, the length of the bed measuring between about 58 inches and about 64 inches. The width of the first outer panel may be equal to the width of the middle panel, which may be equal to the width of the second outer panel, and the width of each panel may measure between about 20 inches and about 23 inches. The length of the first outer panel and the length of the second outer panel may each measure between about 14 inches and about 15.5 inches. The length of the middle panel may measure between about 30 inches and about 33 inches. The length of the cut-out may measure between about 11 inches and about 14 inches. The width of the cut-out may measure between about 4 inches and about 6 inches.
The first outer panel may be configured to fold relative to the middle panel about a hinge located between the inner edge of the first outer panel and a first edge of the middle panel to transition from a flat position to a folded position, and wherein the first outer panel includes an adhesive on a lower surface of the first outer panel configured to contact a lower surface of the middle panel to hold the first outer panel in the folded position. The second outer panel may be configured to fold relative to the middle panel about a hinge located between the inner edge of the second outer panel and a second edge of the middle panel to transition from a flat position to a folded position, and wherein the second outer panel includes an adhesive on a lower surface of the second outer panel configured to contact the lower surface of the middle panel to hold the second outer panel in the folded position. The middle panel may extend along a first plane, and when the first outer panel and the second outer panel are in the folded positions, the first and second outer panels extend along a second plane parallel to the first plane.
The foldable bed may further include an upper panel extending from an inner edge to an outer edge, the inner edge coupled to the first outer pan. The first outer panel may extend along a first plane, and the upper panel extends along a second plane oblique to the first plane. The upper panel may include at least a first support rod extending between the first plane and the second plane to hold the upper panel in an upright position. The upper panel may include an adhesive material along a portion of the inner edge contacting the first outer panel to hold the upper panel in place relative to the first outer panel. The upper panel may have a length extending between the inner edge and the outer edge, the length may measure between about 18 inches and about 21 inches. The upper panel may be configured to transition from an upright position to a flat position, wherein in the flat position, the upper panel extends along a third plane parallel to the first plane. When the upper panel is in the flat position, the upper panel may be adjacent the first outer panel, and the first outer panel may be configured to fold along a hinge between the inner edge of the first outer panel and an adjacent edge of the middle panel. The upper panel may be configured to be decoupled from the first outer panel. At least a portion of the upper panel may define a curvature.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a kit may include a foldable bed and an upper panel attachment. The foldable bed may include a first outer panel extending along a first plane; a middle panel hingedly coupled to the first outer panel along an inner edge of the first outer panel, the middle panel defining a cut-out; and a second outer panel hingedly coupled to the middle panel opposite the first outer panel and along an inner edge of the second outer panel. The upper panel attachment may be configured to be detachably coupled to the first outer panel or the middle panel such that the upper panel attachment extends along a second plane oblique to the first plane.
The foregoing features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
As used herein, the terms “about,” “generally,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are intended to mean that slight deviations from absolute are included within the scope of the term so modified.
A foldable bed as described in the present disclosure is intended to be placed in the cabin of a vehicle, specifically a truck, such as all major brands of day cab tractors. Although the foldable bed described herein is intended for such use, it is not limited to the intended use. That is, the foldable bed may be sized to fit in the cabin of any vehicle, anywhere within a passenger cabin, such as across the front row including the driver's and front passenger's seats, or across a middle row of seats, a back row of seats, or in the trunk or cargo bed of a vehicle if available. Furthermore, the bed may be removed from the vehicle altogether and used as a bed anywhere outside of the vehicle.
A foldable bed 100 as illustrated in
The middle panel 120 includes a cut-out 125 which is also generally rectangular in shape. The cut-out 125 is centered along the length of the middle panel 120 and offset along the width of the middle panel 120 such that the cut-out 125 is adjacent the first side edge 106 of the middle panel 120.
The foldable bed 100 is shown in
The cut-out 125 is carved out of the middle panel 120 so that the middle panel 120 is generally contoured around potentially interfering elements such as a gear shifter 153, as also shown in
Although the foldable bed 100 may have any dimensions suitable for fitting the bed within any sized vehicle, the foldable bed 100 illustrated in
The foldable bed 100 has a width extending from a first side edge 106 to a second side edge 108 measuring between about 20 inches and about 23 inches, preferably about 21.5 inches. Each of the panels 110, 120, 130 has approximately the same width. The cut-out 125 is carved out of the first side edge 106 of the middle panel 120 along approximately the center of the length of the middle panel 120 and the foldable bed 100 such that the foldable bed 100 is symmetrical about a center axis extending across the width of the bed 100. The cut-out 125 has a length measuring between about 11 inches and about 14 inches, preferably about 12.5 inches. The cut-out 125 has a width measuring between about 4 inches and about 6 inches, preferably about 5 inches. The particular dimensions of the foldable bed 100 are critical for fitting within the confines of the desired vehicle to ensure the driver is provided with effective and sufficient rest to be able to resume driving. Although not limited to the disclosed dimensions, the precise size disclosed herein optimizes the surface area of the foldable bed 100 which can be used within the vehicle to comfortably support a person's weight, while simultaneously remaining capable of being stored neatly and out of the way.
As shown in
The components from which the foldable bed 100 is constructed (e.g., a rigid substrate 107 with a covered cushion 109 and webbing 113 coupling each of the rigid panels 110, 120, 130 to one another) provide unique advantages to the foldable bed 100. For instance, the rigid panels 110, 120, 130 provide support to bear load while maintaining a minimal thickness of the foldable bed 100. This allows the bed 100 to be folded with the flat rigid panels 110, 120, 130 abutting each other, and the minimized thickness of the panels reduces the total thickness of the bed 100 in the folded position relative to a bed formed entirely of cushion. The cushion 109 of the present invention is sufficiently thick to optimize comfort for the user while also optimizing the thickness of the bed 100 in the folded position for storage. Further, the webbing 113 extending across the lower surface 104 of the bed 100 is a strong, lightweight material able to hold the panels together and hinge with respect to each other without interference, and with a minimal risk of malfunction.
According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more secondary panels 117a-c (together, secondary panels 117) can be affixed to the webbing 113 on the underside of the foldable bed 100 (see
The foldable bed 100 may be transitioned from the unfolded position to a folded configuration or position. The first outer panel 110 may be rotated about its hinge axis such that a lower surface 104a of the first outer panel 110 is rotated toward a lower surface 104b of the middle panel 120 until the lower surfaces 104a, 104b abut one another, as shown in
The foldable bed 100 is in the folded position when the lower surfaces 104a, 104c of both the first and second outer panels 110, 130 abut the lower surface 104b of the middle panel 120, as shown in
As shown in
The upper panel 140 may alternatively be coupled to the outer edge 134 of the second outer panel 130 and lean against the interior of the passenger's side door when the door is closed. One or more of the upper panel 140 may be included in a kit or as an additional attachment piece either together with or separate from the foldable bed 100, and the upper panel 140 may extend from the foldable bed forming an angle anywhere between 0 and 90 degrees relative to the first plane along which the panels of the bed extend in the unfolded position. The upright positioning can improve comfort for a user and thereby improve quality of rest by providing an inclined surface for a person to lay at a more natural angle rather than completely flat across a single plane, with the interior of the door bearing the weight of the person laying on the foldable bed 100. It is also contemplated that the upper panel 100 may have any degree of curvature to further improve the positioning angle or cater to a user's preferred sleeping position.
In other examples, the upper panel 140 may be detachably coupled to any one of the panels 110, 120, 130 or a portion therebetween. For example, as shown in
In some examples, the upper panel 140 may be hingedly coupled to any one of the first outer panel 110, the middle panel 120, or the second outer panel 130 or anywhere therebetween. For example, the inner edge 142 of the upper panel 140 may be hingedly coupled at the hinge or axis between the first outer panel 110 and the middle panel 120. In such examples, the upper panel 140 may be fixed to the other panels and adapted to fold with the bed as the foldable bed 100 transitions to the folded position. That is, when the first outer panel 110 is in the folded position as described above with the lower surface 104 of the first outer panel 110 abutting the lower surface 104 of the middle panel 120, the upper panel 140 may also rotate about its hinge and fold in a first direction such that the lower surface 148 of the upper panel 140 follows the first outer panel 110, and the lower surface 148 of the upper panel 140 abuts the upper surface 102 of the first outer panel 110 in the folded position. Alternatively, the upper panel 140 may rotate about its hinge in a second direction opposite the first direction, such that an upper surface 146a of the upper panel 140 is rotated toward the upper surface 102b of the middle panel 120 and the surfaces abut one another in the folded position. In either manner of folding described above, the length of the foldable bed 100 is reduced so that the bed is more compact and takes up less space in the longitudinal direction. The folded position optimizes the size of the foldable bed 100 so that it can be placed and stored in a convenient location without being a nuisance or interference while the bed is not in use. For example, a driver can fit the foldable bed 100 in the folded position behind the passenger's seat or behind the driver's seat within the cabin. The ability to store the foldable bed 100 in a convenient location such as behind one or both of the seats allows for easy access to the bed to deploy or stow the bed away without hassle.
In some examples, the upper panel 140 may include a means for remaining in the upright position, particularly when a load is applied to the upper panel 140, such as the weight of at least a portion of a person's body, and in examples in which the upper panel 140 is not positioned to lean against the interior of the door of the vehicle. For example, the foldable bed 100 may include at least one support rod 145 extending between a lower surface 146b of the upper panel 140 and the upper surface 102a of the first outer panel 110, as shown in FIG. 11. In some examples, the foldable bed 100 may include a single support rod 145 positioned to extend from the first outer panel 110 generally in the middle along the length and width of the first outer panel 110. Alternatively, the foldable bed 100 may include a plurality of support rods 145 extending from one of the side edges 106, 108 of the first outer panel 110 or the outer edge 114 of the first outer panel 110 up to a surface or edge of the upper panel 140. The support rod 145 may extend perpendicular to the first plane (i.e., the plane along which the first outer panel 110 extends) or oblique to the first plane, e.g., perpendicular to the third plane (i.e., the plane along which the upper panel 140 extends).
At least one support rod 145 may be detachably coupleable to the upper panel 140 to hold the panel in the upright position. Alternatively, at least one support rod 145 may be hingedly coupled to the lower surface 146b of the upper panel 140 such that the support rod 145 can be adjusted to transition from a protruding position to a folded position. That is, in the folded position, the support rod 145 may have a length which extends generally parallel to plane along which the upper panel 140 extends, and the support rod 145 may abut the lower surface 146 of the upper panel 140, with a first end of the support rod 145 hingedly coupled to an edge or the lower surface 146b of the upper panel 140. Any portion of the support rod 145, such as a second end opposite a first end, may be pulled to separate the support rod 145 from the lower surface 146 of the upper panel 140 such that the support rod 145 rotates about its hinge. The support rod 145 may rotate anywhere between 0 and 180 degrees, e.g., approximately 90 degrees so that its length extends along an axis oblique to the plane along which the upper panel 140 extends, and thus the second end of the support rod 145 is able to contact a structure below, such as the first outer panel 110, to hold the upper panel 140 in the upright position. When it is then desired to transition the upper panel 140 from the upright position to the folded position (or remove the upper panel 140 altogether), the upper panel 140 may simply be lifted to remove the load applied to the support rod 145, and the support rod 145 may thereafter be folded in the opposite direction it was unfolded to revert the support rod to its folded position flush against the lower surface 146b of the upper panel 140.
According to one example, the power supply 250 can provide power to one or more sensors 252 disposed within one or more of the panels 210, 220, 230 for determining when the foldable bed 200 is bearing weight (e.g., determining when a user is resting on the foldable bed 200). As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the sensor 252 can be a weight sensor, pressure sensor, proximity sensor, switch, or any other means configured to determine when a user is resting on the foldable bed 200. The sensor 252 can also include a communications interface (e.g., serial interface, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular, etc.) for transmitting sensor data to another device, such as, but not limited to, a memory disposed within the foldable bed 200, a driver's mobile device, an electronic log device (ELD) associated with the driver and/or vehicle, a computer system or server of a trucking company, a computer system or server controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), or any other computing device. Accordingly, the sensor 252 can record data that can be stored and later analyzed to determine periods of time when the driver of the vehicle is resting on the foldable bed 200. Furthermore, this sensor data can be accessed by the FMSCA during an audit to determine if a driver and/or trucking company is complying with federally mandated guidelines related to maximum driving times. Further still, by using the sensor 252 to record periods of rest, drivers can “split their time” between periods of rest to increase the maximum amount of driving time in a given week by up to twenty-one (21) hours.
According to another example, the power supply 250 can provide power to a heating element 254, which can be disposed within one or more of the panels 210, 220, 230 and can be adjustably activated to heat the foldable bed 200 when desired. Similarly, the power supply 250 can provide power to one or more massaging elements or features 256, which can be disposed within one or more of the panels 210, 220, 230 and can be adjustably activated to provide a massaging action when desired. The electrical components of the foldable bed 200 can also include, but are not limited to, one or more of a cigarette lighter, a heated or cooled cup holder, a reading light and one or more USB ports, a wireless charging pad, an AC power inverter, or other means for providing power to another electronic device (e.g., mobile device, laptop, gaming device, or the like). The foldable bed 200 can also include one or more of a keychain holder and a storage bag, tray, caddy, or lockbox configured to hold and/or organize one or more of a driver's wallet, sunglasses, pens, and other personal items.
According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the foldable bed 200 can include a modular connection interface 258 for coupling one or more modular attachments 260 to the foldable bed 200. The modular connection interface 258 can be disposed about the periphery of the foldable bed 200, defined by the right edge 214, the left edge 234, the front edge 206, the rear edge 208, and the cut-out 225, and includes a coupling mechanism for attaching one or more of the modular attachments 260 to the foldable bed 200, for example, by way of a reciprocal coupling mechanisms disposed on the modular attachments 260. The modular connection interface 258 can also include an electrical communication interface coupled to the power supply 250 and configured to provide power to one or more of the modular attachments 260, for example, by way of reciprocal electrical communication interfaces of the modular attachments 260. Accordingly, the modular attachments 260 can be mechanically and electrically coupled to the foldable bed 200 and can include one or more of the cigarette lighter, the heated or cooled cup holder, the reading light, the USB ports, the wireless charging pad, the AC power inverter, the keychain holder, and the storage bag, tray, caddy, or lockbox described above.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/282,465, filed on Nov. 23, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63282465 | Nov 2021 | US |
