Patent Grant
10349750
The present disclosure relates generally to furniture objects configured to store foldable beds.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Often, furniture apparatuses capable of more than one function are used in environments (e.g., residential, commercial, etc.) where space is limited. For example, futon beds or other like foldable beds may be used in such environments as sitting furniture (e.g., couches, sofas, etc.) and lying and/or sleeping furniture (e.g., beds, etc.). In these environments, futon beds may make more efficient use of the limited space and may relieve the need for additional furniture. However, even futon beds may take up too much space in certain environments.
Example embodiments relate to a furniture object configured to store foldable beds.
Example embodiments relate to a chest, cabinet, coffer, trunk or other like furniture object configured to store a foldable bed.
At least one example embodiment relates to a chest configured to store a foldable bed.
According to one example embodiment, a chest is configured to be in one of an open position and a closed position. When the chest is in the closed position, the chest is configured to form an enclosure. When the chest is in the open position, the chest is configured to form a sleeping platform.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the closed position, the chest is configured to store a foldable mattress in the enclosure, the foldable mattress being in a folded position when being stored in the enclosure, and in the open position, the chest is configured to support the foldable mattress on the sleeping platform, the foldable mattress being in an unfolded position when being supported by the sleeping platform.
At least one example embodiment provides that the enclosure includes a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, and a bottom section.
At least one example embodiment provides that the front panel is configured to be a portion of the sleeping platform when the chest is in the open position.
At least one example embodiment provides that the bottom section includes a removable piece, the removable piece configured to form a bottom enclosure when the removable piece is within the bottom section and the chest is in the closed position, and form a footboard when the removable piece is within the bottom section and the chest is in the open position.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the closed position, the removable piece includes a drawer, the drawer being configured to be drawn out horizontally when the removable piece is within to the bottom section.
At least one example embodiment provides that the first side panel includes a first sub-side panel and a second sub-side panel, the first sub-side panel is configured to connect to the second sub-side panel to form the first side panel, the first sub-side panel is connected to the front panel and the second sub-side panel is connected to the back panel; the second side panel includes a third sub-side panel and a fourth sub-side panel, and the third sub-side panel is configured to connect to the fourth sub-side panel to form the second side panel, the third sub-side panel is connected to the front panel and the fourth sub-side panel is connected to the back panel; and the top panel includes a first sub-top panel and a second sub-top panel, the first sub-top panel is configured to connect to the second sub-top panel to form the top panel, the first sub-top panel is connected to the front panel and the second sub-top is connected to the back panel.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the open position, the first sub-side panel is configured to detach from the second sub-side panel, the third sub-side panel is configured to detach from the fourth sub-side panel, and the first sub-top panel is configured to detach from the second sub-top panel; the first sub-side panel, the third sub-side panel, and the first sub-top panel are configured to support the weight of the sleeping platform; and the second sub-side panel, the fourth sub-side panel, and the second sup-top panel are configured to form a headboard.
At least one example embodiment provides that the first sub-side panel includes a first set of legs, each of the first set of legs being configured to support the weight of the sleeping platform in the open position, and at least one of (i) align the first sub-side panel with the second sub-side panel in the closed position, and (ii) connect the first sub-side panel to the second sub-side panel in the closed position, and the third sub-side panel includes a second set of legs, each of the second set of legs being configured to, support the weight of the sleeping platform in the open position, and connect the third sub-side panel to the fourth sub-side panel in the closed position.
At least one example embodiment provides that the first sub-top panel is configured to connect to the removable piece in the open position.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the open position, the removable piece is configured as a drawer such that that the removable piece is configured to be drawn out horizontally.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the open position, the first sub-top panel is configured to support the weight of the sleeping platform in a center portion of the sleeping platform.
At least one example embodiment provides that the front panel is connected to the bottom section via a hinge and the first sub-top panel is connected to the front panel via a hinge.
At least one example embodiment provides that a bottom section of the front panel is connected to the bottom section via a hinge and a top section of the front panel is connected to the first sub-top panel via a hinge.
At least one example embodiment provides that the front panel includes a set of slats, the set of slats being connected to the first sub-side panel, the third sub-side panel, and the top section of the front panel, and the front panel is configured as a foldable panel such that in the open position, the set of slats are configured to extend from the top section via the hinge between the top section and the first sub-top panel, and in the closed position, the set of slats are configured to be brought towards the front panel via the hinge between the top section and the first sub-top panel.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the closed position, the set of slats are enclosed in the enclosure, and in the open position, the set of slats and the front panel form the sleeping platform.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the open position, the removable piece is configured to form a footboard of the sleeping platform.
At least one example embodiment provides that the bottom section includes a removable piece and a set of rails, and the removable piece is configured to, in the closed position, form a bottom enclosure when the removable piece is within the bottom section, and in the open position, form a footboard when the removable piece is within the bottom section; and the set of rails are configured to, in the closed position, surround the bottom enclosure when the removable piece is within to the bottom section, and in the open position, support the weight of the sleeping platform.
At least one example embodiment provides that in the closed position, the removable piece is configured as a drawer such that that the removable piece is configured to be drawn out horizontally when the removable piece is within to the bottom section.
At least one example embodiment relates to a folding bed chest device.
According to an example embodiment, a folding bed chest device includes a chest and a sleeping platform; the chest being configured to store a foldable mattress and the sleeping platform when the folding bed chest device is in a folded position, the sleeping platform being configured to support a weight of the foldable mattress when the folding bed chest device is in an unfolded position, and the weight of the foldable mattress and a weight of the sleeping platform not being supported by telescoping rails.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description and figures provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
The following description is merely example in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, portions, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, portions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, portion, or section from another element, component, region, portion, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, portion, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, portion, or section without departing from the scope of the example embodiments.
Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, and thus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “top,” “bottom,” “upward,” “downward,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forward,” “rearward,” and the like refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Terms such as “front,” “back,” “rear,” “bottom,” “side,” and the like describe the orientation of portions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text and the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms “first,” “second,” and other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.
Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Example embodiments relate to a furniture object configured to store a foldable bed. Example embodiments provide that the furniture object may be a chest, cabinet, coffer, trunk or any other like furniture object configured and/or adaptable to store a foldable bed. The furniture object described herein may be constructed, manufactured, or otherwise built in a variety of shapes include any rectangular shape, square shape, and/or any other like shape. The furniture objects described herein may be constructed, manufactured, or otherwise built using a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, metal, minerals and/or any combination thereof.
Referring to
The first side panel 110 includes a first sub-side panel 110A and a second sub-side panel 110B. The first sub-side panel 110A is configured to connect to the second sub-side panel 110B to form the first side panel 110. The first sub-side panel 110A is connected to the front panel 105 and the second sub-side panel 110B is connected to the back panel 115.
The second side panel 120 includes a third sub-side panel 120A and a fourth sub-side panel 120B. The third sub-side panel 120A is configured to connect to the fourth sub-side panel 120B to form the second side panel 120. The third sub-side panel 120A is connected to the front panel 105 and the fourth sub-side panel 120B is connected to the back panel 115.
The first sub-side panel 110A, the second sub-side panel 110B, the third sub-side panel 120A, and/or the fourth sub-side panel 120B may include a latch 111, 121 and/or any other like mechanism that allows the sub-side panels to connect to one another as discussed above. Furthermore, the first sub-side panel 110A and the third sub-side panel 120A may include legs or other like protrusions (as shown in
The top panel 125 includes a first sub-top panel 125A and a second sub-top panel 125B. The first sub-top panel 125A is configured to connect to the second sub-top panel 125B to form the top panel 125. The first sub-top panel 125A is connected to the front panel 105 and the second sub-top panel 125B is connected to the back panel 115. The first sub-top panel 125A may include one or more handles 125X. Handles 125X may be any type of handle, knob, latch, hook, and/or any other like protrusion that facilitates the first sub-top panel 125A to be detached from the second sub-top panel 125B thereby allowing the chest 10 to transition from the closed position to the open position. In some embodiments, first sub-top panel 125A may include any another type of mechanism by which to manipulate the first sub-top panel 125A, including one or more holes cut into the first sub-top panel 125A, a hollowed-out area to insert a user's fingers into the first sub-side panel 110A, and the like.
The bottom section 130 may include a removable piece 135. When the chest 10 is in the closed position and the removable piece is within the bottom section, the removable piece 135 is configured to form a bottom enclosure. In various embodiments, the removable piece 135 is configured as a drawer 135A, the front face of which is shown in
It should be noted that the removable piece 135 may be considered an optional component of the chest 10.
As discussed below with reference to
The chest 10 in the closed position is configured to store a foldable mattress 11 in an enclosure formed by the front panel 105, the first side panel 110, the back panel 115, the second side panel 120, the top panel 125, and the bottom section 130. The foldable mattress 11 is in a folded position when being stored in the enclosure formed by the front panel 105, the first side panel 110, the back panel 115, the second side panel 120, the top panel 125, and the bottom section 130.
When the chest 10 is in the open and/or unfolded position, the first sub-side panel 110A detaches from the second sub-side panel 110B, the third sub-side panel 120A detaches from the fourth sub-side panel 120B, and the first sub-top panel 125A is configured to detach from the second sub-top panel 125B. The first sub-side panel 110A, the third sub-side panel 120A, and the first sub-top panel 125A are configured to support the weight of a sleeping platform 200. In this regard, the first sub-side panel 110A, the third sub-side panel 120A, and the first sub-top panel 125A may be considered to be, or otherwise act as “legs” and/or any other like support mechanism for the sleeping platform 200. The second sub-side panel 110B, the fourth sub-side panel 120B, and the second sup-top panel 125B are configured to form a headboard for the sleeping platform 200.
When the chest 10 is in the open and/or unfolded position and the removable piece 135 is a drawer, the removable piece 135 is configured to be drawn out horizontally.
The front panel 105 includes a set of slats 205. The set of slats 205 are connected to the first sub-side panel 110A and the third sub-side panel 120A. The first sub-top panel 125A is connected to the slats 205 via a hinge. When the chest 10 is in the closed position, the set of slats 205 are enclosed in the enclosure formed by the front panel 105, the first side panel 110, the back panel 115, the second side panel 120, the top panel 125, and the bottom section 130. When the chest 10 is in the open position, the set of slats 205 and the front panel 105 form the sleeping platform that supports the foldable mattress 11. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the removable piece 135 is configured to form a footboard of the sleeping platform 200.
When the chest 10 is in the open and/or unfolded position, the first sub-top panel 125A is configured to support the weight of the sleeping platform 200 in a center portion of the sleeping platform 200. The front panel 105 is connected to the bottom section 130 via a hinge and the first sub-top panel 125A is connected to the front panel 105 via a hinge. A bottom section of the front panel 105 is connected to the bottom section 130 via a hinge and a top section of the front panel 105 is connected to the first sub-top panel 125A via a hinge. According to various embodiments, the front panel 105 is a foldable panel such that when the chest 10 transitions from the closed position to the open position, the set of slats 200 are configured to extend from the top section of the front panel 105 via the hinge between the top section of the front panel 105 and the first sub-top panel 125A, and when the chest 10 transitions from the open position to the closed position, the set of slats 200 are configured to be brought towards the front panel 105 via the hinge between the top section of the front panel 105 and the first sub-top panel 125A.
The drawer 135A may be any container that fits into a piece of furniture (e.g., chest 10), and/or any other like object. In various embodiments, the drawer 135A may be designed such that a front face of the drawer 135A is flush with, or otherwise aligned with the side sections of the bottom section 130 when the drawer 135A is in a closed position or otherwise received by the bottom section 130.
The drawer 135A is configured to be drawn out horizontally from the bottom section 130 when the chest 10 transitions from the closed position to the open position. In the open position, a user of the chest 10 may place objects inside the drawer 135A. In order to transition from the closed position to the open position (and vice versa), as shown in
Alternatively, in other example embodiments, the bottom section 130 may include sliders (not shown) upon which the drawer 135A slides as it is transitioned from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. The sliders may be friction sliders, ball-bearing sliders, roller-bearing sliders, progressive action slides, and/or any other like apparatus and/or mechanism that enables the drawer 135A to be drawn out and/or pushed in a substantially horizontal fashion. The sliders may be located within the enclosure formed by the bottom section 130 and/or the sliders may be attached to the drawer 135A. Additionally, the sliders and/or runners may be configured to allow the drawer 135A to detach/attach to the bottom section 130 such that the drawer 135A can be removed/inserted into the enclosure formed by the bottom section 130. It should also be noted that the drawer 135A may be placed in an open position using any other type of manipulation in addition to (or alternative to) a drawing-out motion.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The description of the disclosure is merely example in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/809,736, filed on Jul. 27, 2015, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/999,876 filed on Aug. 8, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93556 | Robinson | Aug 1869 | A |
| 157719 | Iverson | Dec 1874 | A |
| 179013 | Green | Jun 1876 | A |
| 189303 | Crosby | Apr 1877 | A |
| 215134 | Kiss | May 1879 | A |
| 218678 | Koskul | Aug 1879 | A |
| 225393 | Kendrick | Mar 1880 | A |
| 239805 | Knapp | Apr 1881 | A |
| 319083 | Farrar | Jun 1885 | A |
| 327076 | Farrar | Sep 1885 | A |
| 348643 | Strahan | Sep 1886 | A |
| 379449 | Condell | Mar 1888 | A |
| 394688 | Green | Dec 1888 | A |
| 445777 | Goodwillie | Feb 1891 | A |
| 474587 | Yeager | May 1892 | A |
| 791857 | Arnold | Jun 1905 | A |
| 1170149 | Gustafson | Feb 1916 | A |
| 1359337 | Culbertson | Nov 1920 | A |
| 1757068 | Wikman | May 1930 | A |
| 2356321 | Irick | Aug 1944 | A |
| 2544762 | Lochridge | Mar 1951 | A |
| 2577741 | Creveling | Dec 1951 | A |
| 3638249 | Katsigarakis | Feb 1972 | A |
| 3755832 | Bennett | Sep 1973 | A |
| 4277856 | Danin | Jul 1981 | A |
| 4793011 | Eve | Dec 1988 | A |
| 5101523 | Bright | Apr 1992 | A |
| 5353452 | Rulis | Oct 1994 | A |
| 5440768 | Danin | Aug 1995 | A |
| 5522102 | Vayda | Jun 1996 | A |
| 5652978 | Wiig | Aug 1997 | A |
| 5794283 | Vila et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5806248 | Kim | Sep 1998 | A |
| 6088849 | Lieber | Jul 2000 | A |
| 6463603 | Camfield | Oct 2002 | B1 |
| 6851139 | Arason et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
| 7574758 | Arason et al. | Aug 2009 | B2 |
| 8006327 | Burchett | Aug 2011 | B1 |
| 8572776 | Grubb | Nov 2013 | B2 |
| D712676 | Flora | Sep 2014 | S |
| D742136 | Flora | Nov 2015 | S |
| 9468305 | Flora | Oct 2016 | B2 |
| 20060031986 | Revels | Feb 2006 | A1 |
| 20060225210 | Arason et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
| 20080264723 | Tatum | Oct 2008 | A1 |
| 20160022048 | Flora | Jan 2016 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2857823 | Jan 2016 | CA |
| 2757674 | Feb 2006 | CN |
| 201557794 | Aug 2010 | CN |
| 536132 | Apr 1922 | FR |
| 953688 | Dec 1949 | FR |
| 1084476 | Jan 1955 | FR |
| 1589047 | Mar 1970 | FR |
| Entry |
|---|
| Antique Victorian Hand Carved wood Fold-up Murphy Bed Chest Dresser, sold on ebay on Feb. 26, 2016, retrieved on Feb. 4, 2019, (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Victorian-Hand-Carved-wood-Fold-up-Murphy-Bed-Chest-Dresser-/281922985462?hash=item41a3eb5df6:g:ZhlAAOSwZd1Vb2Oa). |
| Vintage Murphy bed, circa 1920s, Etsy photos, retrieved on Feb. 4, 2019, Sold on Dec. 22, 2018, (https://www.etsy.com/listing/630652228/vintage-murphybed?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-furniturebedroom_furniture-beds_and_headboards&utm_custom1=2e81fb16-fb6f-4098-96dc-34642e4931ca&utm_content=go_270948755_43325476758_194213642053_aud-301856855998:pla-308550201595_c_630652228&gclid=EAlalQobChMlubn6jcKL3wlVEZ7ACh3nzArREAkYliABEgLG6_D_BwE). |
| Invalidity Contentions of Defendant Atlantic Furniture, Inc. filed Dec. 19, 2018 in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Civil Action No. 3:18-CV-30104-KAR. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180263374 A1 | Sep 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61999876 | Aug 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14809736 | Jul 2015 | US |
| Child | 15983347 | US |
