Extension Seat Patents (Class 5/41)
  • Patent number: 11992126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to toddler bunk beds which are a space-saving furniture assembly that is ideal to accommodate multiple children in a single room. The toddler bunk beds comprise multiple beds independently mounted at safe heights and feature side rails to prevent toddlers from falling out and sustaining serious injuries. The toddler bunk beds include a storage drawer at the bottom area of the furniture assembly to keep the belongings of children and to conserve space. The toddler bunk beds are toddler friendly with appropriately sized beds to accommodate toddlers. The present invention offers a safe and comfortable bunk bed furniture assembly for toddlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Inventor: Cursonia Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9622587
    Abstract: A foldable sofa-bed includes: a base with an internal cavity and a rear member; a foldable bed that includes separate and distinct head, intermediate and seat sections, each with a respective cushion, wherein in a folded position, the intermediate and seat sections are generally horizontally disposed and positioned in vertically stacked relationship, with the intermediate and seat cushions facing generally upwardly, and the head section is generally vertically disposed and positioned adjacent the rear wall of the base, and in an unfolded position, the head, intermediate and seat sections are generally horizontally disposed in serial alignment; and a bed folding mechanism that is attached to the base and the head, intermediate and seat sections that controls the movement of the bed between the folded and unfolded positions. In moving from the folded to the unfolded position, the intermediate section maintains generally the same orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: ULTRA-MEK, INC.
    Inventor: Marcus L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8782825
    Abstract: An extendable system for sofas and armchairs uses a moveable seat and moveable head piece to travel along a curved head piece and stationary base. Frame members of the moveable seat and stationary base use a system of rails, ruler guides, notches and other wood components to facilitate the fluid movement and safe locking of the moving and stationary components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Fausto Barbero Schimmelpfeng
  • Patent number: 8468621
    Abstract: A furniture product includes a folding mechanism that folds into a seat frame. The folding mechanism includes a rear section, a middle section, and a front section, with the rear and middle sections being received in a cavity in the back of the seat frame when the product is in a stowed, seating position. Upon receiving a user input, a position motor deploys the folding mechanism into a sleeping position. Upon achieving the sleeping position, an inflation switch is engaged. An air pump disposed in or near the furniture product is activated in response to engagement of the inflation switch. To return the product to a stowed, seating position, a user input causes the air pump to deflate the mattress and the position motor to fold the folding mechanism into the seat frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Charles Steers, Niels Mossbeck, Justin Brunnert
  • Patent number: 8387176
    Abstract: A rotational mechanism for extending a sofa sleeper from an upright sitting position to a fully reclining and fully extended sleep position, having: a first rotatable member configured to rotate about a first axis; a second rotatable member configured to rotate about a second axis; a link mechanism attached to both the first and second rotatable members, the link mechanism being moveable along a length of both of the first and second rotatable members; and a drive mechanism configured to position the moveable link at positions along the length of at least one of the rotatable members such that movement of the link mechanism causes both the first and second rotatable mechanisms to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Elite Leather Company
    Inventors: John A. Contreras, Michael A. Galardo
  • Patent number: 7591028
    Abstract: An automatically adjustable futon frame includes a back and a seat pivotally joined to one another for folding about a transverse axis extending between opposite sides of the frame. A single motor is mounted on the seat and includes a transversely extending drive shaft on which a pair of pinions are mounted. The pinions are arranged to mate with a pair of toothed racks fixed to the opposite sides of the frame. The drive shaft may be arranged to extend through opposite side members of the seat, and ends of the drive shaft may be received in channels in the sides of the frame. A pair of link arms are provided on each side of the frame to pivotally connect the back to the sides of the frame. The motor is operable to adjust the frame between a sofa position and a bed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Otis Bed Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roma, Paul J. Morgante, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7383596
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a futon sofa sleeper having a sofa frame, a folding mechanism and a mattress assembly. The a sofa frame has a back with a cavity and a pair of opposed arms. The folding mechanism folds into and out of the sofa frame and is extendable from a first position to a second position. The folding mechanism includes a frame with a rear section rotatably coupled with the sofa frame, a middle section pivotally coupled with the rear section, and a front section pivotally coupled with the middle section. The mattress assembly is supported on the folding mechanism and contains a shell and an inner support received within the shell. The inner support including an innerspring construction and an air bladder, wherein in the first position, the rear and middle sections of the folding mechanism are located within the cavity and the front section is used as a seating surface and wherein in the second position, the rear, middle, and front sections are used as a sleeping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: L & P Property Management Company
    Inventors: H. Keith James, Dennis E. Arft
  • Patent number: 7373675
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible sofa bed including a seat frame, a back frame, a support structure, a first and second linkage assembly pivotally coupling the seat frame to the back frame pivotally coupling the seat frame to the support structure and pivotally coupling the back frame to the support structure, and an electrical drive assembly coupled to the first and second linkage assemblies. The electrical drive assembly includes a motor mounted to the support structure, a first and second cable drive rotatably coupled to and extending from the motor, first and second threaded drive screws having an external thread, and first and second right angle gear boxes mounted to first and second aft portions of the support structure. The electrical drive assembly also includes first and second drive nut assemblies mounted to respective first and second linkage assemblies and respective threaded drive screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Flexsteel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry A. Thurow
  • Patent number: 7168111
    Abstract: A combination jackknife bed and couch for a mobile vehicle. The jackknife bed and couch allows drivers to wake up and fold their sheets and pillow away from a seamless sleeping surface without the need to remove the sheets, blankets, pillows or other bedding materials. The sheets stay made within the folded up bed now turned into the couch. The couch may be unfolded with the sheets fully made so the driver may catch some well deserved post socializing rest without having to re-install the sheets. These features are made possible by folding the bed in and half and keeping it in the backrest of the couch. The sheets are held in place by stretchable retaining surface that may be extended over the bedding materials. When returned to the bed mode, the stretchable retaining surface must be released and potential energy in the winder may be used to retract the retaining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: William M. Bernstein, Derek Blitz, Andrew Kilb, Megan M. Stanton, David M. Wynne, Deepshikha B. Antes, Edwin K. Chan, Benjamin G. Morris, Scott Raven
  • Patent number: 7134153
    Abstract: A cradle conversion system having a cradle moveable between at least one sofa position and a bed position. The system comprised of a cradle having a first and second deck and a locking mechanism for selectively securing the decks in a set angular position to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lifestyle Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Abedan Kanthasamy
  • Patent number: 6785919
    Abstract: The futon sofa bed frame featuring a quick assembly system and method for fitting the back-deck into position between the arm panels. A futon sofa bed frame featuring a quick assembly system and method for attaching the seat-deck to the back-deck that may be converted between seating, lounging, and bed positions while standing at the front of the futon frame and the method of assembling a futon sofa bed that is easier to manipulate and is more durable in operating than conventional futons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Grossman Product Services SDN.
    Inventors: Joel Grossman, Howard Porter
  • Patent number: 6782569
    Abstract: The futon sofa bed frame featuring a quick assembly system and method for fitting the back-deck into position between the arm panels. A futon sofa bed frame featuring a quick assembly system and method for attaching the seat-deck to the back-deck that may be converted between seating, lounging, and bed positions while standing at the front of the futon frame and the method of assembling a futon sofa bed that is easier to manipulate and is more durable in operating than conventional futons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Grossman Product Services SDN.
    Inventors: Joel Grossman, Howard Porter
  • Patent number: 6715166
    Abstract: The futon sofa bed frame featuring a quick assembly system and method for fitting the back-deck into position between the arm panels. A futon sofa bed frame featuring a quick assembly system and method for attaching the seat-deck to the back-deck that may be converted between seating, lounging, and bed positions while standing at the front of the futon frame and the method of assembling a futon sofa bed that is easier to manipulate and is more durable in operating than conventional futons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Grossman Product Services SDN
    Inventors: Joel Grossman, Howard Porter
  • Patent number: 6349431
    Abstract: A furniture frame convertible from a seat to a bed is disclosed. The furniture frame includes side frame members spaced-apart by a supporting rail and a body-supporting member including two sections pivotally connected together and connected to the side frame members substantially toward the rear of the furniture frame. In the disclosed furniture frame the two sections are movable relative to each other between at least a first and second sitting orientations and a bed orientation wherein the second sitting orientation is less upright than the second sitting orientation. The two sections provide a seat section and a back section having transversely spaced apart side section members and upper surfaces inclined relative to each other when the two sections are in one of the first and second sitting orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas L. Meade, Christopher O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 6138299
    Abstract: A futon frame includes a pair of linear actuators mounted at opposing sides thereof for driving a folding seat and back of the frame to automatically and continuously adjust the seat and back between a sofa position and a bed position. The back is connected to opposing sides of the frame by upper and lower follower bearings arranged for travel within corresponding upper and lower guide channels in each opposing side of the frame. A motor controller is mounted to the underside of the seat for connecting a user interface to the linear actuator motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Otis Bed Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roma, James D. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6138300
    Abstract: A futon frame is convertible between a bed position and a sitting position and includes a back portion and a seat portion. The back portion is oriented generally upright when the frame is in the sitting position and is oriented horizontally when the frame is in the bed position. The seat portion is hingedly attached to the back portion to permit relative movement of the back portion with respect to the seat portion. A connector releasably connects the back portion and seat portion to cause the back portion to move on movement of the seat portion in a first direction about a pivot point. A support supports the back portion with respect to a supporting surface and the back portion includes a pair of opposed outer edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Renelle Furniture, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Burch, Dane Jones
  • Patent number: 6061848
    Abstract: A futon frame includes a seat having a pair of electric motors mounted at opposing sides thereof for driving a pair of pinions arranged to engage inclined toothed racks mounted on each side of the frame for automatically and continuously adjusting the seat and a pivotally connected back between a sofa position and a bed position. The back is connected to opposing sides of the frame by upper and lower follower bearings arranged for travel within corresponding upper and lower guide channels in each opposing side of the frame. A motor controller is mounted to the underside of the seat for connecting a user interface to the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Otis Bed Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roma, James D. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6015186
    Abstract: A folding bench seat is provided, particularly for vehicles. It consists of a bench seat frame with a restraint system and comprises a base frame secured to the floor and a top structure. The top structure has an upright column unit, a back unit and a seat unit, and the column unit is supported via a horizontal pivot on the base frame and can be folded down from the upright position to a flat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Aguti Produktenwicklung & Design GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Grieger
  • Patent number: 5913770
    Abstract: A folding sofa-bed frame includes a horizontal base frame section, a planar backrest frame section, a planar connecting frame section, a horizontal foot frame section, and a variable-length telescopic unit. The backrest frame section is disposed above the base frame section and has a rear end mounted pivotally on the base frame section. The connecting frame section has a rear end connected pivotally to a front end of the backrest frame section. The foot frame section has a rear end connected pivotally to a front end of the connecting frame section. The telescopic unit has one end mounted on a front end of the foot frame section, and an opposite end coupled to the base frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Shin Yen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuen-Jong Tseng
  • Patent number: 5904401
    Abstract: A recliner chair which converts from a chair configuration to a bed configuration in a single motion. The chair includes a frame, a seat, a back, an intermediate member and a linkage which provides the conversion from chair configuration to bed configuration upon forward movement of the seat relative to the frame. The linkage is comprised of two crossed links, each pivotally attached to the frame, one of which is slideably connected to the underside of the seat, the other of which is pivotally attached to the intermediate member. The links are interconnected by a bushing which is slideably attached to one link and rotatably attached to the other link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: R.M. Wieland Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel D. Alberda, Donald E. Newfer
  • Patent number: 5860702
    Abstract: A fold-down seat frame for a motor vehicle is provided. The seat includes a seat bottom disposed in a predominantly horizontal position and a seat back adapted for movement between a predominantly vertical seating position and a predominantly horizontal reclined position. The seat back and seat bottom share an adjacent edge that forms a vertex between the two. An auxiliary section is adapted for movement between a seated position and a reclined position. When in the seated position, the auxiliary section is located substantially below the seat bottom, and when in the reclined position, the auxiliary section is interposed between the seat back and seat bottom and aligned in substantially horizontal fashion therewith. A hinging assembly interconnects the seat back, and the seat bottom, and the auxiliary section and operates to controllably and concertedly move the seat back, the seat bottom, and auxiliary section between the seated and reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Atwood Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin Robert Pilarczyk, Paul Barbee, Larry E. Gray
  • Patent number: 5790993
    Abstract: A futon frame includes a seat having a pair of electric motors mounted at opposite sides thereof for driving a pair of pinions arranged to engage inclined toothed racks mounted on each side of the frame for automatically and continuously adjusting the seat and a hingedly connected back between a sofa position and a bed position. Follower pins fixed relative to the seat are arranged to slidably engage matching guide surfaces above the toothed racks. The back is connected to opposite sides of the frame by a pair of link arms pivotal at each point of connection. A motor controller is mounted to the underside of the seat for connecting a user interface to the motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Otis Bed Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roma, James D. Stuart
  • Patent number: 5788329
    Abstract: A fold-down seat frame for a motor vehicle is provided. The seat includes a seat bottom disposed in a predominantly horizontal position and a seat back adapted for movement between a predominantly vertical seating position and a predominantly horizontal reclined position. The seat back and seat bottom share an adjacent edge that forms a vertex between the two. An auxiliary section is adapted for movement between a seated position and a reclined position. When in the seated position, the auxiliary section is located substantially below the seat bottom, and when in the reclined position, the auxiliary section is interposed between the seat back and seat bottom and aligned in substantially horizontal fashion therewith. A hinging assembly interconnects the seat back, and the seat bottom, and the auxiliary section and operates to controllably and concertedly move the seat back, the seat bottom, and auxiliary section between the seated and reclined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventors: Ervin Robert Pilarczyk, Paul Barbee, Larry E. Gray
  • Patent number: 5628076
    Abstract: The present invention is for a futon frame which, in combination with a futon, will serve as a sofa or couch when in the closed position and a bed when in the open position. One embodiment of the futon frame has a base having a pair of base end serpentine slots. A back is provided which has a pair of back pivot pins which slidably engage the base end serpentine slots. A pair of back supports pivotably attach to the back and the base. A seat is pivotably attached to the back and a pair of seat supports pivotably attach to the seat and the base. Preferably, the seat is fitted with supplemental support legs which are automatically concealed within the frame during closing. In a second embodiment an additional pair of back pivot pins are provided which, in combination with an additional pair of base end serpentine slots, replace the back supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Nordic Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Newton
  • Patent number: 5485638
    Abstract: The present invention is for a futon frame which, in combination with a futon, will serve as a sofa or couch when in the closed position and a bed when in the open position. The futon frame has a base having a first end with a first base end slot and a second end with a second base end slot. A back is provided which has a first back side member and a second back side member. A first back pivot pin attaches to the first back side member and a second back pivot pin attaches to the second back side member, with the first back pivot pin slidably engaging the first base end slot while the second back pivot pin slidably engages the second base end slot. Preferably, the base end slots define a serpentine path. A first back support pivotably attaches to the first back side member and the base while a second back support pivotably attaches to the second back side member and the base. A seat having a first seat side member and a second seat side member pivotally attaches to the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Inventor: John H. Newton
  • Patent number: 5474359
    Abstract: A sofa or love seat that is convertible to a bed and includes at least one inclining seat section, and optional footrests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Inventor: James V. Muffi
  • Patent number: 5345626
    Abstract: An improved frame for a futon sofa/chair having a first base end and a second base end. The base ends have guide slots which engage guide posts, the guide posts are mounted to a back, which is pivotably attached to a seat. The improvement resides in providing backstops attached to the first base end and the second base end which further support the back of the sofa/chair when the back is upright and when the back is horizontal. In another embodiment of the invention, the frame additionally has a rear deck panel which is pivotably attached to the back and a pair of rear deck supports which are pivotably mounted to the rear deck panel and to the base ends. In a further preferred embodiment, the rear deck supports have deck segment supports which pivotably attach to the rear deck panels and base segment supports, which pivotably attach to the base. The rear deck supports and the rear base segment supports are in turn pivotably connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Nordic Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Newton
  • Patent number: 5249317
    Abstract: A convertible sofa-bed that includes a deck comprising three flat panels hinged to one another and foldably mounted on a horizontal support frame that permits their disposition either in a bed or a sofa configuration. As a sofa, the first, front panel constitutes the seat; the second, middle panel constitutes the front portion of the back; and the third, rear panel constitutes the rear portion of the back. As a bed, all three panels lay on the same horizontal plane. Conversion from the bed to the sofa configuration is achieved by folding the panels about their common hinges, which is initiated by an inverted-L mechanism pivotally mounted under the panels so as to cause the initial break of the plane between the middle an rear panels when the front panel is lifted. Once this initial break occurs, the folding of the panels is easily accomplished by pushing the front panel backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventor: Mark E. Farlow
  • Patent number: 5187820
    Abstract: A convertible seat-bed for a van or similar vehicle. The seat-bed includes a pivoting linkage which connects the seat support, back support, and the support frame. The linkage includes an over-center front link, and a dual scissors type linkage connected between the frame and back support. The seat frame includes a manually operated latch to secure the seat-bed in the seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Inventor: Andrew Froutzis
  • Patent number: 5103510
    Abstract: A folding sofa bed includes a back, a seat and a forward extension moveable between a generally horizontal, planar array when in the bed configuration and a sofa configuration, wherein the seat and back are generally transverse and in generally horizontal and vertical orientations, respectively, and the forward extension is disposed below a forward edge of the seat portion in a retracted position. Pivoting linkage couples the back and seat as well as the seat and the forward extension, with locking linkage and stops provided for (1) maintaining the extension in the extended, upraised position; (2) maintaining the seat and back in the horizontal, planar configuration; and (3) maintaining the seat and back in fixed relative orientation when in the sofa configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Flexsteel Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry A. Thurow
  • Patent number: 4996730
    Abstract: A sofa bed recliner with a back frame that has no rearward movement when converting from a sitting position to a horizontal position, is provided with simple support legs, which facilitate the ease of converting and reverting the sofa bed recliner and providing proper support against overbalancing. The legs drop from beneath the seat frame when it is pulled forward and retract over the base, beneath the seat frame, when reverting. The legs have a stop so that they cannot get entangled with the base when the seat frame us lifted. A tension spring biases the back frame to facilitate movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Inventors: Robert Fireman, Gary Shaffield
  • Patent number: 4939802
    Abstract: "SOFA-BED", comprising a basic structure (10) provided with a pair of upper rear supports (13); a back including a rear portion (20) and a front portion (30) articulated to each other, the rear portion (20) having its extreme lower edge articulated to the upper rear supports (13); a seat (40) having its rear edge articulated to the front extreme edge of the front portion of back (30) and having its front edge articulated to a footrest (50), seat (40) being supported on two pairs of rollers (41, 42) so as to be horizontally displaceable between a "sofa" and a "bed" condition, with the back portions and the footrest arranged horizontally and coplanar with seat (40). The rear portion of seat (20) may further assume different raised positions in respect of the horizontal, when the davenport is in the "bed" condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Inventor: Percival Lafer
  • Patent number: 4829611
    Abstract: A sofa bed recliner which provides a sturdy, simpler inexpensive structure for reverting a seat frame and back frame from a horizontal position to a reclining position by the engagement of a freely pivotable detent, which interlocks the frames, allowing the frames to be simultaneously moved from a horizontal to a reclining position. The detent is automatically released as the back frame resumes reclining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Inventors: Robert Fireman, Gary Shaffield
  • Patent number: 4803742
    Abstract: A convertible bed assembly is provided which is movable between a seating position and a bed position. The assembly includes foot, intermediate and head support sections, the latter being fixedly mounted to a frame assembly. The three sections are arranged in telescoping relation such that all may fit within the frame assembly. The foot and intermediate sections are both pivotably mounted with respect to the frame assembly. An inclined or curved rear wall is provided to urge a mattress supported by the sections downwardly as it is moved in the direction of the head support section. As the mattress moves in this direction, it is folded into a seating position including a seat portion and a back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Simmons U.S.A. Corporation
    Inventors: Glen L. Rasnick, Albert R. St. Clair
  • Patent number: 4756034
    Abstract: A seat-bed assembly is provided having a conversion linkage fixedly attached to the seat member and disposed so as to restrict movement of the seat member during conversion. The seat member is slidable along a path determined by a guide track and avoids excess vertical motion. The conversion driver is mounted to the supporting frame and connects directly to the conversion linkage. The fixed connection of the conversion linkage to the seat member occurs at a rearward extension of the seat member. The back member includes a support projection on its rear surface which rests on that rearward extension to provide increased stability to the back member in the bed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: David Stewart
  • Patent number: 4750222
    Abstract: A two or three section convertible sofa bed is provided for installation in vans, campers or recreational vehicles. The convertible sofa bed is adaptable to various configurations, including motor drive, yet is comparatively easy to manufacture and maintain. It has locking and stop mechanisms which combined with the arrangement of the linkage provide for a stiff, rigid structure in the seating and bedding positions. The versions with motor drive have the additional feature of providing recliner seating with variable positions. The seat frame and back frame are not directly pivotally connected to each other, thus avoiding a gap between the seat and back cushions when in the bed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Flexsteel Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Howard Quakenbush
  • Patent number: 4731888
    Abstract: A base frame is provided as well as a seat support and a seat back support. Mounting structure supports the supports from the frame for movement between first seat defining positions and second bed defining positions. The seat support is horizontally disposed and projects slightly forward of a forward marginal portion of the base frame when in the seat defining position and projects further forward from the base frame when in the bed defining position. The seat back support is disposed in horizontal position immediately rearward of the seat support when in the bed defining position and is disposed in an upstanding position spaced above and projecting upwardly from rear marginal portion of the seat support when in the seat defining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Inventor: Bobby L. Bridges
  • Patent number: 4696069
    Abstract: In general, sofa beds are complicated structures and are commonly difficult to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Ducan Steel Benders Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert P. Crosthwaite
  • Patent number: 4654902
    Abstract: A convertible seat-bed includes a pair of plates pivotally connected to the seat support and back support of the seat-bed. An arm is pivotally connected between the pivot plates and acts as a control link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventors: Fred J. Shrock, Rex D. Hall
  • Patent number: 4651363
    Abstract: A mechanism for a convertible seating/sleeping article of furniture has a base which moves on a floor, a seat support member supported on the base by a scissors linkage, and a back support member which is connected to the seat support member by a first pivot. A back-lowering link is pivotally connected at second and third pivots, respectively, to one of the scissors links and to the back support member. When the mechanism is in its seating configuration, the first pivot is near a line which extends between the second and third pivots to prevent inadvertent movement of the members to their seating positions.A support leg is pivoted at the rear of the back support member, and a link swings the support leg outwardly when the back support member moves to its sleeping position.The seat-supporting scissors linkage includes a first link which is in a same vertical plane as the base, and a pair of parallel links which are pivoted to and are on opposite sides of the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Ned W. Mizelle
  • Patent number: 4642823
    Abstract: A sofa bed recliner, particularly adapted for use with a futon as a mattress and seat cushion is adapted to move from a seat to a recliner to a bed without need to rearrange the futon. The back frame does not extend backward when moved. The sofa bed recliner is adapted to function as a full double bed with the seat frame and back frame supported and interlocked. An arm is adapted for the interengagement of the seat frame and back frame to facilitate the returning of the sofa bed recliner to its seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Robert Fireman's Furniture Gallery, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Wiggins
  • Patent number: 4543675
    Abstract: An improved seat-bed assembly for a vehicle. The assembly includes seat, back and extender supports and corresponding linkage to allow conversion from seat form to a full-sized bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Inventor: Fred J. Shrock
  • Patent number: 4480344
    Abstract: A divan-bed (10) has a frame (11) cooperating with side walls (14) and with a crosswise element (15) that connects said side walls, whereby the frame (11) consists of five consecutive, articulated leaves (12) covered with a one-piece mattress (13) and the two end leaves (12) are placed next to each other to form, in the divan position, the seat (20) and seat back (21) respectively of the divan. The intermediate leaves (12) with their relative portions of mattress (13) are folded and stored in crooked succession within a hidden zone in the base of the divan underneath the zone wherein said end leaves (12) are placed next to each other, all leaves and the mattress being extendable to form the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Alfio Padovan
  • Patent number: 4190911
    Abstract: A convertible couch, particularly for use in vans and other recreational or leisure vehicles, includes a seat and a back hinged relative to one another, and a pair of side supports having multiple supporting surfaces arranged to engage and support the seat and back in plural positions of the seat and back. The arrangement of the supporting surfaces is such that the seat and back are firmly held in position without requiring the use of separate fasteners or linkages and the like and thus, the convertible couch is both economical to make and safe to use in moving vehicles. Additionally, the arrangement of the supporting surfaces and their cooperation with the seat and the back is such that a balance is achieved which renders the convertible couch easy to manipulate in its movements from a couch position to a bed position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1980
    Inventor: Craig D. Wadsworth