1. Filed of the Invention
The present invention is generally directed to a multi-angle hook and an L-shaped hinge and more particularly, to a multi-angle hook and an L-shaped hinge for use with a furniture extension.
2. Description of the Related Art
Futon frames come in one of at least two different configurations, bi-fold, and tri-fold. In a bi-fold configuration illustrated in
The tri-fold configuration, illustrated in
An extension 10 may be added to the seat platform 12 of a futon frame to form a leg-rest (as an ottoman) as well as giving extra length to smaller size futon frames to allow the user to form the full length bed illustrated in
The extension 10 may be a framed platform including outer frame members and inside slat components. The slats of the extension 10 commonly “nest” into the slats of the seat platform 12; in other words, the extension slats slide in between the slats of the seat platform 12, sliding in and out in relation to them.
The extension 10 may be fastened to the seat in various ways but most commonly there is a bar of wood or metal on the underside of (and at the rear of) the extension slats which holds the extension slats together as fixed group. This bar also serves to stop the extension 10 from being pulled completely out of the seat platform 12. The bar is below the slats and stops firmly against the frame of the seat platform 12 keeping the extension 10 from pulling out completely. This bar is permanently fixed to the extension 10 and makes removal of the extension 10 from the rest of the frame impossible.
The present invention changes the nature of the attachment of the extension to the seat platform by allowing easy and complete removal of the extension from the seat platform.
The present invention utilizes a multi-angle hook that allows the extension platform to be freely lifted off the seat platform and alternately lowered and set into place.
This flexibility is advantageous in the following ways:
1) conversion of the futon frame into its various positions (bed, recliner, and upright-sofa) is easier to do as the frame is easier to manipulate with the extension removed;
2) defective parts are easily replaced; and/or
3) parts management in manufacturing is simpler thereby saving production cost.
Additionally, the multi-angle hook is stepped at its holding points to allow for at least two positions most extensions require:
1) Horizontal: flat for straight-legged position, such as a bed position; and
2) angled to the floor: a “steamer” position.
Further, the present invention allows the seat platform to not include side rails. The present invention utilizes an L-shaped hinge, attachable to the seat platform, for securing the side rail-less seat platform to a back platform.
a-5d illustrate the multi-angle hook in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
a-6d illustrate the relationship between the extension, the seat platform, and the multi-angle hook of the present invention in several exemplary positions.
a-7c illustrate the lounger position, the steamer position, and the bed position, respectively, from additional angles.
a-9d illustrate the L-shaped hinge in an assembled futon frame, from various angles, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
a-10d illustrate the L-shaped hinge from various perspectives and
a-5d illustrate the multi-angle hook 20 in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in
a-6d illustrate the relationship between the extension 10, the seat platform 12, and the multi-angle hook 20 in several positions.
b illustrates the steamer position, where the extension 10 and the seat platform 12 are both substantially tilted with respect to the floor. As illustrated in
c illustrates the lounger position, which is somewhat of a hybrid between the bed position and the steamer position in that the extension 10 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the floor as in the bed position (although the seat platform 12 is not) or the extension 10 may be tilted with respect to the floor, but less tilted than the seat platform 12 in the steamer position. As illustrated in
d illustrates the closed or unextended position, where the slats of the extension 10 are nested within the slats of the seat platform 12. The extension slats slide in between the slats of the seat platform 12, sliding in and out in relation to them. As illustrated in
a-7c illustrate the lounger position, the steamer position, and the bed position, respectively, from additional angles.
In order to facilitate the attachment of the legs 11 of the extension 10 to the extension 10 itself, it may be advantageous to eliminate side rails from the seat platform 12. As illustrated in
Further, hinging of the seat platform 12 and the back platform 13 may be better achieved by not utilizing the conventional futon frame pivot connection. The conventional connection for futon frames is a clevis pin passing through a hole on the back platform side rail 13′ and again through a hole in the seat platform side rail thereby coupling the two platforms together. Without a seat platform side rail to connect to, the clevis pin passing through the back platform side rail 13′ has only the end of the seat long rail to be inserted into. The stress on a wood rail, created in this manner, may be excessive and could subject the seat long rail to cracking along the wood grain.
The seat platform 12 is coupled to the back platform 13 by inserting a clevis pin 100 through a hole in the back platform side rail 13′ and into the seat rear long rail 80, first passing through the L-shaped hinge 90, which is securely attached to the seat rear long rail 80.
With the clevis pin 100 fully inserted as described, the clevis pin 100 is then locked into place with a conventional locking pin. The locking pin is fit through one of one or more holes (102 shown in
To allow access by the locking pin to the hole at the far tip of the clevis pin 100 while the clevis pin 100 is fully inserted into the seat rear long rail 80, an access hole 101 is provided in and through (substantially perpendicular to) the surface of the seat rear long rail 80. The relationship between the seat rear long rail 80, the L-shaped hinge 90, and the access hole 101 is further illustrated in
a-10f illustrate an exemplary L-shaped hinge 90 and associated clevis pin 100, in more detail.
As illustrated in
Although each of
It is obvious from
As described the present invention is directed to a multi-angle hook and a method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together. The multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention changes the nature of the attachment two frame components of a futon bed by allowing easy and complete removal of one frame component from another. The multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention allow one frame component to be freely lifted off another frame component and alternately lowered and set into place.
The multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention facilitates conversion of the futon frame into its various positions (bed, steamer, lounger) because the futon frame is easier to manipulate with one of the frame components removed. Further, defective parts are easily replaced using the multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention. Still further, parts management in manufacturing is simpler using the multi-angle hook and method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together of the present invention, thereby saving production cost.
In a preferred embodiment, the L-shaped hinge 90 is formed as a single piece, preferably of metal, but also possibly of any type of rigid, sturdy, plastic, wood or any other suitable material.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one hole 91 is counter-sunk. In another preferred embodiment, the number of holes 91 is four, although any number of holes may be used. Further, the manner in which the L-shaped hinge 90 is secured to the back platform 12, such as, screws, bolts, nails, rivets, pins other than clevis pins, staples, snaps, (or any other suitable fastener), glue (which might obviate the need for holes altogether), etc., is not significant, as long as the L-shaped hinge 90 and the back platform 12 are secured together.
It is further noted that, although in the embodiments described above, the seat platform 12 does not include side rails, it may be the back platform 13 or extension 10 (or any combination thereof) which does include side rails.
It is further noted that the hinge need not be L-shaped or even substantially L-shaped, but merely of a shape to substantially conform to the end of the seat platform 12, back platform 13 or extension 10.
As described the present invention is directed an L-shaped hinge and a method of temporarily securing two frame components of a futon bed together.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/917,857, filed on Jul. 31, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,473, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/761,108, filed on Jan. 17, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,807,693, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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1248138 | Larson | Nov 1917 | A |
2279748 | Deak | Apr 1942 | A |
4113397 | Snyder | Sep 1978 | A |
4875244 | Tremblay | Oct 1989 | A |
5519902 | Meade | May 1996 | A |
5628076 | Newton | May 1997 | A |
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6427261 | Chadbourn | Aug 2002 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20040177440 A1 | Sep 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09917857 | Jul 2001 | US |
Child | 10751896 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09761108 | Jan 2001 | US |
Child | 09917857 | US |