US2503527A - Chair convertible to bed - Google Patents

Description

April 11, 1950 J. E. VAN CAMP CHAIR CONVERTIBLE TO BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1945 I T m r \\L V A [MA 2% .T M m 0 3 a M a w v M a 1 April 1950 J. E. VAN CAMP 2,503,527

CHAIR CONVERTIBLE T0 BED Filed Jan. 29, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HVVENTUR.

BY MM/M Patented Apr. 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHAIR-CONVERTIBLE TOBED John E. Van Camp, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application January 29, 1945, 'Serial'No. 575,028

3 Claims.

1 llhis invention relates to-an article ofi'urniture andhas particular reference to :an article of furniture useful either as a chair or as a bed or couch. It is a general object of my present invention to provide an article of furniture :of the general character referred to which .is comfort- .zable when usedeither as a bed or as a chair, and

which "parts are interconnected and related so thatthey are operable between a position where they form a continuous horizontal structure in the form of a :bed, and a position where the front extension is perpendicular and forms the front of the chair while the back is substantially perpendicular and forms the back of the chair.

A general object of my present invention is to provide an extremely simple, inexpensive mechanism-for mounting andinterconnecting the principal parts of the structure above referred to. By my present invention I provide few simple inexpensive parts which serve to pivotally mount the front extension and the back and to inter-- connect these parts so that they'work together.

Another object of .my present invention is to provide a unique, automatically operated drop leg in .connection with the back, which serves to support the outer end portion of the back when the back is horizontally disposed to act as a part of the bed.

The various objects and features .of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the .ac- ,companying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view illustratingthe structure of the present invention as a chair. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional view illustrating the mechanism of the present "invention being a view taken substantially as indicated by line 22 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of one part of the structure, being a view taken as indicated by line .3--3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlar ed .detailed sectional view of the :springlatch shown in Fig. 2. .Fig. 4 is .a-view similar to Fig. 11 showing the structure in the term of a bed. Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. .2, showing the structure in the other position or in the ,form shown in :Fig. 4, and :Fig. =6 is .an en'- E-larged, detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line*6.6 on Fig.5.

The construction "that I have provided involves primarily three principal parts, namely a main or center part A, a front extension 13, and aback C. The center section A is formed primarilyof a rectangular base supported at thedesired height and having vertical extensions at either side, which form the arms of the chair, as shown in Fig. -1. The front extension B is, in effect,"a rectangular panel shiftable between a folded or Vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, where it forms the front of the chair, and an extended or horizontal position as shown in Fig. '4, where it forms a horizontal continuation of the seat portion of the center section. The back C is a rectangular frame-like structure operable between an up position where it extends upward and somewhat rearward from the rear portion of the center section to form the back of thechair, as shown in Fig. 1, and a horizontal position where it forms :a continuation of the seat of the center section, as shown in Fig. 4.

In addition to the general or principal parts hereinabove named the construction that I have provided involves means Ill pivotally connecting the extension B to the center section A, means H pivotally connecting the back C with the-center section A, means 12 supporting the outer end of the back when it is in the horizontal position, means i3 normally-releasably holding the means l2 in a folded or collapsed position, as shown in Fig. '2, means 14 operable to release the latch as the back is lowered to the horizontal position; means :I 5 interconnecting the extension and back so they work together .or in unison, latch means it normally releasably holding the parts in position tof-orm a chair, as shown in Fig. .2, and ,a control means H for releasing the latch 16.

The :center section A of the structure, which is the main or principal element to which :the other parts are attached, involves primarily a main frame which is substantially rectangular inform and which involves side rails 20, a front rail 2| joining-the front ends of the :side rails, and a rearrail 22 joining the :rear ends of the side rails. The frame formed by the .severalrails just mentioned :is supported at a suitable height above the front and in a horizontal position by means of legs .23 located at the corners of the frame. The legs preferably project upward "above the frame toformQcjorner posts .24 at the corners of the. :frame and stop rails 25 extend substam .tiaily parallel with =the-side5tai1s :29 between .the

upper ends of the posts 24. The posts 24 and top rails 25 form the foundation or frame structure for sides S of the chair, as shown in Fig. 1. It is to be understood, of course, that the frame construction formed by the posts and top rails can be supplemented by other frame construction, as may be necessary depending upon the chair design, and that the structure thus formed can be covered with suitable padding 26 and facing or covering 21, as may be desired.

The main frame formed by the rails 29, 2! and 22, as above described, acts as the main frame of a chair to carry a spring base or platform 28 on which is supported a suitable cushion or seat 29. In the drawings I have indicated a typical chair construction wherein the plat form construction carried by the frame involves helical springs and a suitable pad supported on the springs. The seat cushion 29 may be of any suitable construction, that is, it can be a mere pad or it can be a spring pad in the manner common to chair construction. The seat cushion in general is a rectangular cushion fitting between the sides S of the chair and extending to the front of the chair and to a suitable point between the rear portions of the sides S, that is, to a point where it joins the back C as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. In practice the seat cushion 29 may be fastened to or formed as a part of the platform supported by the frame, or it may be a detachable cushion such as is ordinarily employed in a chair of the general type illustrated.

The 'front extension B is a rectangular framelike element in the nature of a flap located at the front of the main section A to be movable from a collapsed or folded position where it is vertically disposed, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and an extended or horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The front extension may be of simple construction involving a rectangular frame 30, a pad 3| at one side of the frame, that is, at the side which forms the front of the extension or the top of the extension, as the case may be, and a cover 32 over the pad. The pad 3| of the front extension may, if desired, be spring reinforced or it may be a simple pad, as shown in the drawings, made sufliciently thick to form a satisfactory extension of the seat cushion when the structure is used as a bed, as shown in Fig. 4.

In the particular design illustrated the rectangular frame-like structure of the front extension B fits between the front legs of the main section A and engages under the forward end portion of the cushion 29, so that when it is positioned as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 it appears as the front of the main section A. To properly accommodate the extension B the front rail 2! of the main frame is set a suitable distance from the extreme forward faces of the front legs.

The means l pivotally connecting sections A and B includes a pivotal connection at each end of the extension B connecting the extension with the front posts 24 of the section A. Each pivotal connection includes a U-shaped hinge bracket 34 having the forward end of its lower leg fixed to the end of the extension B at 35 to project rearwardly from the extension when the extension is in the horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4, and having the forward end of its upper leg attached to post 24 by a pivot pin 35. The bracket 34 is shaped and proportioned and is connected to the extension and to the frame so that when the extension is folded in or is in the vertical position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, its upper end is immediately below the forward end portion of the seat cushion 29 whereas when the extension is in the extended or horizontal position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the said end is immediately adjacent the forward end of the seat cushion.

The back C is a suitably shaped and padded element preferably substantially rectangular in shape and padded to form an effective, comfortable back for the chair, as shown in Fig. 1, and rest or extension of the seat cushion 29 as shown in Fig. 4. In the preferred construction the back C includes a frame substantially rectangular in form carrying suitable padding 4| covered by a suitable cover 42. The lower or imier end portion of the back C fits between the sides S of the center section A and is pivotally connected to the center section A by the means I l The means ll includes a pivotal connection at each side or edge of the back where it fits between the sides S and, in practice, each connection may include a plate 43 fixed to the side of or edge of the back and a pivot pin 44 projecting from a rear post of the main frame and pivotally engaging the plate. The pivotal axis of the pivot pin 44 is removed somewhat from the extreme end 45 of the back and is located vertically so that when the back is in the extended position, as shown in Fig. 4, its top or forward face X joins and extends horizontally from the top of the seat cushion 29. When the back is up, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the end 45 is located a substantial distance below the top of the seat cushion which is desirable in that it allows for the seat cushion to be depressed a substantial amount without passing below the back.

The means l2 provided for supporting the outer end of the back when it is in the horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4, includes a drop leg 46 pivotally connected to the outer or upper portion of the back. In the preferred construction the frame of the back has a cross member 56 located across it at a point spaced a substantial distance below the top of the frame so that there is a recess 5| in the upper end portion of the back at its rear side. The drop leg is in the form of a panel that normally occupies the recess when the back is up, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the rear side 52 of the drop leg forms a continuous surface with the back surface 53 of the main portion of the back. The panel-like leg 46 is pivotally connected to the frame part defining the upper end of the recess by a hinge 56, and it is free to swing or drop down to a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 4. A suitable tie such as a stop chain or the like 51 may be provided to limit the rearward movement of the drop leg as it swings down.

The latch means I 3 provided to normally yieldingly hold the drop leg in the recess 5| may include a spring latch, such as is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, carried by the cross member of the back frame to hold the leg in the recess 5f, as shown in the drawings. A stop bar 5 I on the frame of the back limits inward movement of the leg in the recess 5 I.

The means I4 provided for automatically releasing the latch I 3 when the back is lowered may involve a line or cord having one end attached to the latch and the other end attached to a suitable part of the frame of section A. The line 60 is arranged over a fixed stop 6| located with reference to the axis of the pivot pins 44 so thatthe line 60 is put-under strain or is pulled. .as the back is lowered, thus causing the latch to be operated as the back is lowered. A tension sprint-3:63 is preferably included in theline 60 to prevent overstraining of the line in the-course'of the operation just described.

The :means .55 provided to interconnect the back C and'the extension B so that they work or move together may involve a mechanism at either side of the structure connecting the back with the extension or there may be two units of such mechanism, one at each side of the structure. Each unit of the connecting means It may include a connecting bar I slidab'ly mounted in a horizontally disposed guideway H in a horizontal :frame part 72 extending between front and rear posts 24, a forward link 73 connecting the con- .necting bar with a hinge bracket, and a; rear Blink 1.4 connecting the bar In with the frame of the-back. The connecting bar 10 :may bea simple elongate bar mounted in the guideway ill to :slide or reciprocate between the positions shown in Figs. .2 and 5 of the drawings. The forward .link T3 is pivoted at Bil to the forward end of the bar and at 8! to the hinge bracket :34, the point of pivotal connection Bl being somewhat below the axis of the pivot pin 35 which connects the bracket 34 to the post 24. The rear link 14 is pivotally connected at-82 to the rear end of the connecting bar 80 and the linkextends from the connecting bar to the framedt of the back where it is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 85. The parts are arranged and proportioned so that the pivotal connection 85 is spaced a substantial distance below the axis of pivotal connection of the back to the center section A, or in other words, below the pivot pins 44 and when the parts are in position to form a chair, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. the rear link l4 extends upward and forward from the pivot connection 85 to the point where it connects to the rear end of the connecting bar Hi. As the back swings down from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 4 the pivotal connection 85 moves forward and up, causing the link 14 to be forced forward, thus causing the connecting bar 10 to be correspondingly moved forward. The forward movement of the connecting bar 18 causes the forward link I3 to be moved forward, which in turn swings the bracket 34 forward, causing the front extension B to be swung up to the position shown in Fig. 4. When the back is moved up from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 1 the reverse operation occurs, that is, the link 14 is moved down and rearward so that the connecting bar H! is moved rearward carrying with it the link 13 which in turn moves the bracket 34 carrying the extension B.

The latch 16 serves to catch and retain the parts in the position in which they form a chair, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The latch means, as shown, involves a pivoted dog or latch member 90 supported by a suitable bracket 9| and arranged to cooperate with ratchet teeth 92 provided in the connecting bar Ill. A spring 93 normally yieldingly urges the latch 90 to a position to cooperate with the ratchet teeth and the ratchet teeth are located so that as the structure approaches the chair position the teeth are engaged by the latch holding it against return to the bed position. In the arrangement illustrated the spring 93 has one end connected to the frame and the other end to arm 94 of a pivoted rocker, the other arm 95 of which is connected to the latch 90 by a connecting link 96. The control means ill ornament such as atassel, as shown in the draw.- ings. From the foregoing description :it will be apparent that when the structure is in the chair position, as shown in Figs. .1 and 2, the latch it effectively holds it in that position and the structure forms a comfortable, conventional type of chair. When it is desired to form a bed it is merely'necessary to release the latch Ill through the means i! and then depress the back C to-the horizontal position, in the course of which.operation th back-C releases the latch l3 and the sup port 12 drops to operating position .at the same time that the connecting means l5 operates the extension B from the position shown in Fig. i to that shown in Fig. 4. When the parts are extended, as shown in Fig. 4, the structure forms .a comfortable couch or :bed, since the seat cushion of the center section, the extension 13 and the back cooperate to form one continuous horizontal surface. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the severalparts that .I have described can be constructed with suitable padding so that they form a comfortable, convenient bed. It is also to be noted that the latch means 16, by including a number of ratchet teeth 92 allows the back to be set at different angles to suit the wishes of the user, and that if the back is set at an appreciable angle the front extension will be extended somewhat, with the result that the structure forms a comfortable reclining chair including the front extension as a foot rest.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those sklled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a center section including a frame carrying a seat and having arms at the sides of the seat, a front extension pivotally connected to the center section and operable between a folded position forming a front for the center section and an extended position forming a continuation of the seat, a back pivotally connected to the center section and operable between an up position where it forms a back for the seat and a down position where it forms a continuation of the seat, and means connecting the extension and back so they operate together, a folding support for the back hinged thereto to depend from the back when it is down and to fold against the back when it is up, a releasable latch for holding the said support to the back when the back is up, and means operating to release the latch as the back is moved from the up position to the down position.

2. In a device of the character described, a center section including a frame carrying a seat and having arms at the sides of the seat, a front extension pivotally connected to the center section and operable between a folded position forming a front for the center section and an extended position forming a continuation of the seat, a back pivotally connected to the center section on a transverse pivotal axis and operable between an up position where it forms a back for the seat and a down position where it forms a continuation of the seat, and means connecting the extension and back so they operate together including a connecting bar slidably supported by the center section above said axis, a link having one end pivotally connected to the bar and the other end pivotally connected to the extension at av point below its point of pivotal connection with the center section, and a link having one end pivotally connected to the bar and having its other end pivotally connected to the back at a point below its point of pivotal connection with the center section.

3. In a device of the character described, a center section including a frame carrying a seat and having arms at the sides of the seat, a front extension pivotally connected to the center section and operable between a folded position forming a front for the center section and an extended position forming a continuation of the seat, a back pivotally connected to the center section and operable between an up position where it forms a back for the seat and a down position where it forms a continuation of the seat, and means connecting the extension and back so they operate together and including a connecting bar mounted to slide horizontally at each side of the 8 center section and located above said axis and a link at each end of each bar, the link at the rear end of each bar extending downwardly and rearwardly from the bar and connecting directly to the back at a point below said axis, and the link at the forward end of each bar extending downward and forward from the bar to the extension.

JOHN E. VAN CAMIP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 118,368 Hubbard Aug. 22, 1871 166,566 Squires Aug. 10, 1875 246,556 Reich Aug. 30, 1881 470,251 Morrison Mar. 8, 1892 607,538 Bergman July 19, 1898 682,119 Seibert Sept. 3, 1901 791,295 Sennett May 30, 1905 792,207 Francis June 13, 1905 911,205 Campbell Feb. 2, 1909 941,555 Berzon Nov. 30, 1909 2,233,797 Potter Mar. 4, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 122,691 Germany July 20, 1901 679,644 France Jan. 13, 1930

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