GB2267216A - Convertible seat assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A convertible seat assembly has a box-like base 1 spanned by a relatively narrow element 4 which can be shifted across on guides (13 - Fig. 4 - not shown) between two extreme positions. Frames 5, 6 are hinged to opposite sides of this element 4 and panels 7, 8 are hinged within the frames, their hinge axes being transverse to those of the frames. In one extreme position, one frame 6 and its panel 8 covers the base 1 to form a seat whose back rest is provided by the hinged up other frame 5 and panel 7. In the other extreme position both frames 5, 6 with their panels 7, 8 are level to form a bench or bed, the previous backrest 5, 7 then covering the base 1. Said one frame 6 and its panel 8 may then overlie and be supported on a pull-out extension 2 of the base 1. Access to the interior of the base, and to the extension in the bench mode, is either by hinging up the overlying frame with its panel or by hinging up the panel alone. <IMAGE>

Description

'Improvements relating to Convertible Seat Assemblies" This invention relates to convertible seat assemblies and it is primarily concerned with those for caravans or motor caravans. However, it could have applications to boats or anywhere where there is restricted space and adaptability is required.

It is common to have seats with backrests which convert into benches or beds and vice versa. It is also usual to use the space below for storage. Often, space is so restricted that it is not practical to have doors or drawers that open or pull out into the adjacent space, which means that access must be gained from above, by lifting up the seat or bench.

This invention is concerned with such assemblies and the aim is to provide simple and easy convertibility and simple and easy access to the storage space below the seat or bench.

According to the present invention there is provided a convertible seat assembly comprising a pair of frames coupled at adjacent sides and adjustable between a seat position in which one frame is upright and the other is horizontal and located over a storage space and a bed position in which both frames are horizontal with said one frame over said storage space, said other frame being moved horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the bed to achieve this conversion, wherein each frame has a hinged panel to open or close the frame and thereby allow access to said storage space in either the seat mode or the bed mode.

Since said one frame can be swung upright, there is an alternative, larger access to the storage space in the bed mode by lifting that frame complete with its panel.

The hinge axes of the panels will preferably be longitudinal of the bed. If, as will be normal, the bed is alongside a wall of the vehicle, these hinges will conveniently be adjacent that wall so that a user will lift the panels in an "up and away" motion.

The frames may be hinged directly together, in which case said other frame may be confined to the horizontal. However, that would give only one mode of entry to the storage space in the seat mode, using the hinged panel. It will generally be preferred to have the frames hinged to an intermediate member extending transversely of the seat/bed, this intermediate member having guided horizontal movement longitudinally of the bed over said storage space. Then access to that space in the seat mode is also available by lifting up said other frame complete with its panel.

Preferably, the storage space is expandible in the longitudinal direction of the bed to underlie both frames in the bed mode. Structure defining the expanded space can also serve to support said other frame in the bed mode. Of course, access to this further space is by hinging up the panel of said other frame, or by raising that frame itself, if that is hinged.

For a better understanding of the invention, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a convertible seat assembly in a seat mode, Figure 2 is a perspective view of that assembly being converted from a seat to a bed or bench, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly with the conversion completed, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the supporting structure of the assembly without the parts that actually form the seat or bench, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly in the bench mode showing access to the space beneath, and Figure 6 is a perspective view of the assembly in the seat mode showing access to the space beneath.

The convertible seat assembly has a base in the form of a box 1 which provides a storage space. One wall 2 of this is adjustable, as will be described later, but otherwise it is a fixed structure, substantially square in plan view and with one edge portion of the top permanently covered by a board 3. This will usually be next to an outside wall of a caravan or motor caravan. That side of the assembly will be referred to as the far side and the opposite side as the near side, while the wall 2 will be assumed to be at the front.

The top of this base can be covered in various ways by a sliding and folding structure which can provide a seat with a back or a bed or bench. It comprises a board 4 which extends transversely to the board 3 and which is guided as described below to be movable in the fore and aft direction, parallel to the board 3. To the opposite longitudinal edges of this board 4 there are hinged rectangular frames 5 and 6. The frame 5 can be closed by a panel 7 while the frame 6 can be closed by a panel 8, these panels being hinged to the far sides of the respective frames about axes perpendicular to those of the hinges that attach the frames to the board 4. Holes 9 are formed in the panels 7 and 8 to afford means for lifting them clear of their respective frames.

In Figure 1, the assembly is in a seat mode, with the panel 8 providing the portion on which a person sits and the panel 7 providing a backrest facing forwards. These panels may be padded for comfort. There will be means (not shown) for locking the assembly in this attitude.

It can be transformed into a bed or bench by releasing that lock and sliding the board 4 and the frame 6 with its panel 8 horizontally as shown in Figure 2. At the same time, the frame 5 with its panel 7 swings down as indicated by the arrows. When this operation is complete, the assembly is configured as shown in Figure 3 with the panels 7 and 8 horizontally coplanar and forming a bed or bench with the intermediate board 4.

There are various ways of supporting the frame 6 in its bed or bench mode, and one of them is shown in Figure 3 where there are legs 10 at the free corners. These may fold up in the seat mode. But the arrangement of Figure 4 may be perferred in which the end wall 2 is attached to the rest of the box base 1 by hinged folding walls 11. These are shown as attached to a fixed partition 12 parallel to and normally concealed by the wall 2, but this partition 12 is not essential. For the seat mode, these walls 11 are folded concertina fashion to be sandwiched between the wall 2 and partition 12, but when the bed or bench mode is required, the wall 2 is pulled out and the walls 11 extend and flatten to provide another box-like base on which the frame 6 can rest. The box base 1 will then support the frame 5. With the partition 12 there will be two separate compartments, while without it there will just be one long one.

The first arrangement is shown more fully in Figure 5, which also illustrates how access is available to both boxes by hinging up the panels 7 and 8. But access can also be obtained by hinging up the frames 5 and 6. If done both together they fold up together like the wings of a butterfly. Figure 6 illustrates the assembly in the seat mode where access is obtained to the box base 1 by folding up the frame 6 with its panel 8.

The support and guide for the board 4 is shown in Figure 4. It comprises two parallel rails or slides 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of the base and secured just within the box base 1, one on the far side and one on the near side. On its underside, the board 4 has guide members 14 which are captive to the rails 13 and guide it in the direction of the arrows.

It will be appreciated that as well as providing a forward facing seat, the assembly could convert into a rearward facing one, with the frame 6 raised and the frame 5 horizontal over the box base 1. There could also be another pull out wall similar to the wall 2 at the rear end of the box base 1, so that the bed or bench could be set further to the rear in the vehicle. Thus the same basic construction can be used whichever side of the vehicle it is going to be placed and there is no need to produce separate 'left-handed' and 'right-handed' models.

The intermediate board 4 could be dispensed with and the frames 5 and 6 hinged directly together. In that case, the frame 6 would act as the horizontally guided member. It could still be arranged to have that frame hinging up, but it is easier to achieve that by having the intermediate member 4.

Claims (8)

1. A convertible seat assembly comprising a pair of frames coupled at adjacent sides and adjustable between a seat position in which one frame is upright and the other is horizontal and located over a storage space and a bed position in which both frames are horizontal with said one frame over said storage space, said other frame being moved horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the bed to achieve this conversion, wherein each frame has a hinged panel to open or close the frame and thereby allow access to said storage space in either the seat mode or the bed mode.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the hinge axes of the panels are longitudinal of the bed.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said frames are hinged directly together.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said other frame is confined to the horizontal.

5. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the frames are hinged to an intermediate member extending transversely to the seat/bed, this intermediate member having guided horizontal movement longitudinally of the bed over said storage space.

6. An assembly as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the storage space is expandible in the longitudinal direction of the bed to underlie both frames in the bed mode.

7. An assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein structure defining the expanded space serves to support said other frame in the bed mode.

8. A convertible seat assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.