Foldout Bed

Abstract

A foldout bed having two frames is described. Two frames are hingeably coupled with each other at a pivot point, by which the two frames are transitionable between a coplanar configuration and a non-coplanar configuration. Two frames are also coupled by a counterbalance mechanism, which couples one frame to a lower member of the other frame such that the counterbalance mechanism does not extend beyond a front-most surface of the other frame. The foldout bed also has two panels, each of which couples with one of the two frames, respectively. The distance between two panels forms a gap that is sized and dimensioned to allow the two frames to transition between the coplanar and non-coplanar configuration without encumbrance. The gap is covered by a gap cover.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/027,077 filed Jul. 21, 2014. Where a definition or use of a term in a reference that is incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein is deemed to be controlling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is furniture, more particularly foldout beds.

BACKGROUND

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

In the early 1900's, a California inventor named William K. Murphy invented a space-saving bed that can be folded when not in use. Foldout beds, or “Murphy” beds, have been popular since then. Foldout beds can be mounted to the floor, secured to the wall behind the bed, or housed in free-standing cabinets. Foldout beds typically require a series of high-tension springs that serve as a counterweight to the bed frame to which they are attached.

In the time since Murphy's invention in the early 1900's, foldout beds have fit into one of two general categories. Beds in the first category, often called “closet beds,” “cabinet beds,” or “door beds,” are similar to Murphy's original design, taught in U.S. Pat. No. 1,007,596. These designs have a counterbalance mechanism attached to both the bed frame and a support frame. These traditional bed assemblies are generally easy to install. However, the frame must be housed in a closet-style cabinet with doors to hide the counterbalance mechanism when in an upright position. Unfortunately, these closet-style cabinets can be quite cumbersome and expensive. Additionally, the doors are aesthetically undesirable when the bed is in an unfolded position because it makes the user feel like he/she is sleeping in a closet. The doors also occupy room space. As a result, the traditional “closet bed” has somewhat fallen out of favor with consumers.

The other category, called “panel beds,” solves the aesthetic problems of “closet beds” by placing the counterbalance mechanism within the housing along the sides of the bed frame, rather than between the bed frame and support frame. This counterbalance configuration allows for a panel to be directly attached to the underside of the bed frame, which eliminates the need for a door. When the bed is in a folded, upright position, all components of the bed assembly are hidden either within the housing or behind the panel, which can be stylized to look like a cabinet. Eliminating the need for a set of doors to conceal the bed makes “panel beds” less expensive overall than “closet beds” because there are less moving parts. However, although “panel beds” are aesthetically preferred and less complex than “closet beds,” they are often very difficult to install without a risk of injury to the bed frame or to the installer because of both the location and complexity of the spring mechanism.

An ideal foldout bed would combine the benefits of both types of beds. In particular, an ideal foldout bed would be inexpensive to manufacture, would be capable of being shipped and stored in compact packaging, and would be easy to install. Ideally, the foldout bed could be assembled and installed by the consumer instead of requiring professional installation. Furthermore, the ideal foldout bed would be aesthetically pleasing, meaning it integrates well into the room. An ideal foldout bed would have a compact design to utilize all available space, meaning that when the bed is unfolded or folded, it occupies as little space in the room as possible. For example, when it is unfolded, an ideal bed has little space as possible between the mattress and the wall that the support frame is attached to, which ensures that the bed does not extend further than necessary into the room.

Previous solutions have failed to reconcile the advantages of both categories of foldout beds. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,398,566 to Merritt teaches various embodiments of a foldout bed. However, the designs disclosed in Merritt are overly complicated, do not use all available space, and do not address the issues above.

Murphy, Merritt, and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

Thus, there is a need for a foldout bed assembly that incorporates the simple installation of “closet beds” and the aesthetic appeal of “panel beds.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides a foldable frame assembly for a foldout bed. The foldable frame includes a first frame (e.g., “bed frame” or “main frame”) hingeably coupled with a second frame (e.g., “support frame” or “base frame”) at a pivot point. The first frame and the second frame are transitionable between a coplanar and non-coplanar configuration. When in the coplanar configuration, the front-most surfaces of the first frame are substantially flush with the front-most surfaces of the second frame. The foldable frame assembly also includes at least one counterbalance mechanism (e.g., a spring, a damper, etc.) that couples the first frame to the second frame such that the counterbalance mechanism does not extend beyond the front-most surface of the second frame. In a preferred embodiment, the counterbalance mechanism couples the bed frame to the support frame by coupling one end of the counterbalance mechanism with an attachment bar in the first frame, and the other end of the counterbalance mechanism with the back surface of the lower bar of the of the second frame.

In some embodiments, the foldable frame assembly has a first panel coupled with the first frame, and a second panel coupled with the second frame. In these embodiments, a distance between the first and the second decorative panels comprises a gap, and the gap is sized and dimensioned to be sufficient to allow the transition from the coplanar to the non-coplanar configuration to be unencumbered. The gap can be covered by a gap cover.

The inventive subject matter also provides a method of installing a foldable frame assembly. The method includes the steps of: (i) attaching a second frame to a support structure (e.g., a wall, the ground, a column, a piece of furniture, etc.); (ii) rotatably coupling a first frame to the second frame by inserting pins on the first frame into slots on the second frame; and (iii) attaching a counterbalance mechanism to the first frame and the second frame. In some embodiments, the counterbalance mechanism is attached to the first frame and the second frame such that the counterbalance does not extend beyond the front most surfaces of the first frame or the second frame. In another aspect of some embodiments, the second frame fits within the width and thickness of the first frame and the front-most surfaces of the first frame and second frame are coplanar when the first frame is in a vertical orientation.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a foldable bed assembly in a coplanar position.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of the foldable bed assembly of FIG. 1A in a non-coplanar position.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the foldable frame assembly separated from the mattress and housing of the foldable bed assembly of FIG. 1A. The foldable frame assembly is in a coplanar position.

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the foldable frame assembly of FIG. 2A in a coplanar position.

FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the foldable frame assembly of FIG. 2A in a non-coplanar position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up front view of the foldable frame assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up side perspective view of the foldable frame assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up top perspective view of the pivot point configuration of the foldable frame assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate front and back perspective views of the first frame of the foldable frame assembly of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 7A-C illustrate various embodiments of a second frame of a foldable frame assembly.

FIGS. 8A-B illustrate side views of various embodiments of an attachment bar of a foldable frame assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One should appreciate that the disclosed techniques provide many advantageous technical effects including providing foldable frame assemblies for foldout beds that are easy to manufacture and install and are esthetically pleasing.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of a foldable bed assembly 100 in a coplanar position and a folded position. Foldable bed assembly 100 includes a housing (e.g., a cabinetry, etc.) 110, which is movably coupled (e.g., rotatably coupled, translatably coupled, etc.) with a foldable frame assembly 200 (see FIG. 1B). The housing 110 includes a top panel 126, and side panels 122, 124, which form a space to house the foldable frame assembly 200 when the housing 110 and the foldable frame assembly 200 are in a coplanar position. In some embodiments, the housing 110 includes a back panel (not shown) coupled with the top panel 126 and side panels 122,124. In other embodiments, the housing 110 (without a back panel) is coupled with a wall, a panel, or a fixture (e.g., a piece of furniture, a column, etc.), which serves to enclose the back side of assembly 100.

In the coplanar position, a front panel 120 is orientated vertically and is coplanar with a bottom front panel 130 of the foldable frame assembly 200. Front panel 120 and front panel 130 make up the front face of assembly 100 and are visible from the outside of the foldable bed assembly 100. Front panel 120 and front panel 130 are separated from each other by a gap 140. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the gap 140 is covered by a gap cover 142. In some embodiments, gap cover 142 is a flexible piece of material, such as a fabric, can has an appearance (color, texture, etc.) that resembles the material and appearance of front panel 120 and front panel 130.

FIG. 1B shows assembly 100 in a non-coplanar position (an unfolded position) 106. In the non-coplanar position front panel 120 and front panel 130 are non-coplanar relative to one another. Front panel 120 has been rotated downward relative to the housing 110 into a substantially horizontal position relative to the ground.

As used herein, “folded position” means a configuration in which the first frame and the second frame of the foldable bed assembly 100 are positioned and oriented to form an enclosure for storing a mattress when not in use. In some embodiments, the folded position provides a substantially complete enclosure (e.g., 80%, 85%, 90% enclosed, etc.) when the foldable bed assembly 100 is installed against a support structure such as a wall. In other embodiments, the folded position provides a substantially complete enclosure even when the foldable bed assembly 100 is not installed against a wall. In some embodiments, the term “folded” additionally means that the front panels of the cabinet are in a substantially vertical position such that the mattress 210 is substantially perpendicular to the ground, or parallel to the direction of gravity if the ground is not level with respect to gravity, within 5 degrees, more preferably less than 2 degrees, most preferably less than 0.5 degrees.

As used herein, “unfolded position” means a configuration in which the first frame and second frame of the foldable bed assembly 100 are positioned and oriented to provide a sleeping surface (i.e., substantially horizontal or substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity).

As used herein, “coplanar position” additionally means that the surfaces of the front panels (upper and bottom front panels) are coplanar relative to one another, preferably within 5 degrees, more preferably less than 1 degree, most preferably less than 0.5 degrees. For example, when the front panels have a major surface that is inset with respect to a raised trim/border, as shown in FIG. 1A, “coplanar” means that either the trim border or the inset major surfaces (or both) of the upper and bottom front panels are coplanar with one another. In other embodiments, in which the surfaces of the front panels have contours (e.g., curved surfaces), coplanar could either mean that (i) a hypothetical plane representing an average spatial occupation of the front panels are coplanar, (ii) the front most points on the front surface of the front panels are coplanar, (iii) the back-most points on the front surface of the front panels are coplanar, or (iv) any combination thereof. The objective of creating a front face on assembly 100 that has coplanar front panels is to create an esthetically pleasing cabinet-like (or furniture-like) housing for hiding a mattress. As used herein “substantially coplanar” means at least 51% of the surface area of a surface (e.g., an upper front panel) is in the same plane as at least 51% of the surface area of another surface (e.g., a bottom front panel).

As used herein, the term “non-coplanar” means not in a coplanar position.

The foldable frame assembly 200 is coupled with a mattress 210 via one or more types of fasteners 280 (e.g., straps, cords, hook and loop fasteners, etc.). Mattress 210 can be made of any material that provides a suitable surface area for sleeping or resting. Mattress materials are well known, and various designs and configurations have been utilized over the centuries. For example, cotton, foam (e.g., Tempur-Pedic™), springs, water, and air are all common mattress materials. Mattress 210 could also be a standard size (e g., king, California king, queen, full, twin, etc.). Mattress 210 is separated from the wall or a back panel by a space 240 when in the unfolded position, which provides clearance between mattress 210 and the wall when being rotated from a folded to unfolded position and vice versa.

Housing 110 furthers comprises a headboard 220. In some embodiments, headboard 220 is attached to at least one of the side panels 122 and 124. In addition, in some embodiments it may be advantageous to attach headboard 220 to the wall. In other embodiments, the headboard 220 can be detachably coupled with a back panel (not shown). It is also contemplated that the headboard 220 can be slidably coupled with side panels 122, 124 and/or with the back panel (not shown) to adjust the height of headboard 220.

In the non-coplanar and unfolded position, as shown in FIG. 1B, foldable frame assembly 200 is supported in a substantially horizontal position by a rotating foot 270, thereby providing a horizontal surface for lying down. Rotating foot 270 is rotatably coupled to side rails 344, 348 via a hinge 260. Rotating foot 270 allows for the foldable frame assembly 200 to be level with the ground when it is in an unfolded and non-coplanar position. In other embodiments, the foldable frame assembly 200 may have legs, which can fold on top of the mattress 210 when the foldable frame assembly 200 is folded and coplanar, and flip down to support the mattress 210 when the foldable frame assembly 200 is unfolded and non-coplanar. Alternatively the foot or legs may be permanently affixed to the foldable frame assembly 200. Additionally, the legs or foot may be adjustable in order to level the foldable frame assembly 200 if the ground is not level.

FIG. 2A shows foldable frame assembly 200 removed from housing 100 and in the coplanar position and folded position. FIG. 2B shows a side, cross-sectional view 206 of foldable frame assembly 200, enclosed in the housing 110 and in the coplanar and folded positions. The foldable frame assembly 200 includes a first frame 250 and a second frame 350. The first frame 250 has at least one first frame support member 340 (e.g., a cross-member, etc.) that extends from a first side rail 344 of the first frame 250 to a second side rail 348. The first side rail 344 and the second side rail 348 are hingeably coupled with a rotating foot 270 at the hinge 260.

Preferably, the first frame 250 also has one or more mattress support members 330 configured to support a mattress. Mattress support members 330 can comprise a first set of wires or cords and a second set of wires or cords, which is laid to intersect the first set of wires or cords to form a net of wires or cords. In some embodiments, the first set of wires and the second set of wires are coupled by one or more fastening means (e.g., adhesives, welds, magnets, rivets, dowels/holes, male-female engagements, hook and loop fasteners, etc.). The phrase “configured to support a mattress” as used herein means that the frame is at least strong enough to support a mattress. More preferably, mattress support members 330 are also configured to support the weight of at least one user (e.g., a child, an adult, a pet, etc.) in addition to the mattress 210.

The second frame 350 comprises a lower member 360 and a pair of support members 320. The support members 320 can be directly or indirectly coupled to a wall, a column, the floor, the ground, a fixture, or a freestanding housing (e.g., a piece of furniture) by one or more fastening means (e.g., screws, brackets, etc.). In some embodiments, the lower member 360 and the support members 320 are detachably coupled by one or more fastening means (e.g., screws, nuts and bolts, etc.). In other embodiments, the lower member 360 and the support members 320 are manufactured as two separate pieces, and later welded together to form one piece of structure once they are assembled. In still other embodiments, the lower member 360 and the support members 320 can be manufactured as one integral structure.

The lower member 360 further comprises a pair of pivot points 310, where the first frame 250 and the second frame 350 are hingeably coupled. The term hingeably coupled is synonymous with the terms rotatably coupled and pivotally coupled. The first frame 250 is also coupled to the second frame 350 via one or more counterbalance mechanisms 380, 382. The counterbalance mechanisms 380, 382 are attached to the first frame 250 at a first frame attachment bar 370 and are attached to the second frame 350 along the back side 390 of the lower member 360 such that the spring does not extend past the second front-most surfaces of either second frame 350 and/or first frame 250 when first frame 250 is in the coplanar position.

As referred to herein, the counterbalance mechanisms 380, 382 can be one or more of the following: a helical spring, a tension/extension spring, a compression spring, a torsion spring, a constant spring, a variable spring, a flat spring, a machined spring, a cantilever spring, a volute spring, a hairspring, a leaf spring, an elastic spring, a hydraulic or gas spring, a damper, a weight, a pulley system, or any other suitable counterbalance or spring mechanism, as well as any combination of the above.

In a preferred embodiment, the first frame 250 has a width 255 greater than the width 355 of the second frame 350, so that the second frame 350 can fit within the first frame 250. This allows the pair of pivot points 310 to be located inside of the first frame 250, thus allowing frame 250 and 250 to be coplanar and flush when in a vertical and folded position. In alternative embodiments, the second frame 350 may be wider than the first frame 250, and the pair of pivot point 310 are located on the outside of the first frame 250.

First panel 120 couples to the first front-most surface 245 of the first frame 250 and second panel 130 couples to the second front-most surface 345 of the second frame 350. It is further contemplated that the front-most face of first panel 120 and the front-most face of the second panel 130 are coplanar or flush, giving the appearance of a continuous front face of a cabinet.

At least one of the first and second panels 120, 130 may be fashioned to resemble cabinetry including but not limited to false doors, drawers, molded panels, raised panels, and either appearing as finished wood and/or painted wood. Alternatively, the panels may be composed of any combination of wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, dry-wall, or any other suitable material.

In some embodiments, the first panel 120 and the second panel 130 are separated such that the distance between the first panel 120 and the second panel 130 comprises the gap 140. Gap 140 allows the foldable frame assembly 200 to be unfolded (or lowered horizontally relative to the ground or the floor) without the first panel 120 touching the second panel 130. Gap 140 is also sized and dimensioned to prevent the first panel 120 from touching the ground or the floor and being damaged when the rotating foot 270 is not functional or in the event that the user accidently pushes the first frame to the floor or to the ground in a position beyond horizontal.

Gap 140 is covered with a gap cover 142. Gap cover 142 can be in any suitable material (e.g., a fabric, a plastic, a wood, a metal, etc.). Gap cover 142 can be attached to any one of the following via one or more fastening means (e.g., hook and loop fasteners, glue, tacks, staples, nails, screws, etc.): the first frame 250, the second frame 350, the first panel 120, the second panel 130, or the housing 110. Gap cover 142 can be attached to either the interior or the exterior side of the first frame 250, the second frame 350, the first panel 120, the second panel 130, or the housing 110.

FIG. 2C shows the embodiment of the foldable frame assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, in the non-coplanar position. In this position, the first frame 250 is rotated substantially perpendicularly relative to the second frame 350 at the pivot points 310. Upon rotating the first frame 250, the distance between the frame attachment bar 370 and the lower member 360 of the second frame 350 increases, resulting in substantial stretching of the counterbalance mechanisms 380, 382 at an angle between 45 degree and 90 degree relative to the first frame 250.

In a preferred embodiment, the first frame 250 has a mattress stop 395. The mattress stop 395 prevents the mattress 210 from sliding toward the floor as the foldable frame assembly 200 is moved between the coplanar position and the non-coplanar position. The mattress stop 395 can be any suitable shapes (e.g., a U-shaped bar, a tab, a board, etc.). The mattress stop 395 can be in any proper size and dimension (e.g., at least 5 cm high, at least 10 cm wide, etc.).

FIG. 3 is a front perspective close-up view of the foldable frame assembly 200 with the first panel 120 removed, showing mattress 210, counterbalance mechanisms 382 and pivot point 310. Counterbalance mechanisms 382 is attached to the first frame 250 at the attachment bar 370, which is generally C-shaped. However, it is also contemplated that in other embodiments, the counterbalance mechanisms 382 may be attached directly or indirectly to other parts of the first frame 250 having one or apertures to receive the counterbalance mechanisms 382 or via one or more fastening means (e.g., an eye bolt, a screw, a bolt, etc.). Yet, in these embodiments, it is preferred that the attachment point of the counterbalance mechanisms 382 in the first frame 250 is located behind pivot point 310 relative to the front face of assembly 100. The counterbalance mechanisms 382 are also attached to the second frame 350 at the back side 390 of the lower member 360. The counterbalance mechanisms 382 may be attached anywhere on the lower member 360 or the second frame 350. Yet, it is preferred that the counterbalance mechanisms 382 does not extend past the second front-most surface 345 of the second frame 350. In this manner, panels 120 and 130 can be attached directly to frames 250 and 350, respectively, and can be coplanar with one another.

FIG. 4 shows a side view support member 320 of second frame 350. The support member 320 is attached to the wall at attachment point 322 via one or more fastening means (e.g., an eye bolt, a screw, a bolt, etc.). The counterbalance mechanisms 382 are attached to the back side 390 of the lower member 360 of the second frame 350 such that counterbalance mechanisms 382 do not extend past the second front-most surface 345 of the second frame 350.

FIG. 5 shows a top plan view of one of the pivot points 310, showing how first frame 250 and second frame 350 are pivotably coupled. First frame 250 is pivotally coupled with second frame 350 by inserting the first pin 314 in the first slot 312 of the second frame 350 and inserting the second pin (not shown) in the second slot (not shown) of the second frame 350. It is preferred that the first slot 312 has at least one or more open sides so that the first pin can be inserted through the opening. In a preferred embodiment, the first slot 312 is a half-round shape. However, it is also contemplated that the first slot 312 can be in any other suitable shapes (e.g., a round, a square, a triangle, an ellipsoid, etc.).

While it is preferred that the pivot point 310 includes a pin and a slot, the pivot point 310 can be any other type of rotating coupling including a ball and socket, a ball-bearing joint, a condyloid joint, an ellipsoid joint, a saddle joint, or a hinge joint.

The distance from the pivot point 310 to the front most surfaces of the first panel 120 and the second panel 130 (see FIG. 1A) affects the size of gap 140 for providing a clearance space to rotate panel 120 from the coplanar position to the non-coplanar position. In addition, the vertical distance from the pivot point 310 to the gap 140 affects the horizontal gap that is created between the first frame 250 and the second frame 350 when in the unfolded position. Furthermore, the horizontal distance from the pivot point 310 to the wall and the vertical distance from the pivot point 310 to the bottom edge of frame 250 affect the size of space 240 when in the unfolded position. Thus, the location of the pivot point 310 determines the size and dimension (e.g., height, width, depth, etc.) of various clearance gaps and its selection is critical in providing an aesthetic cabinet-like housing.

The location of the pivot point 310 and the counterbalance mechanisms 382 are selected to minimize the size and dimension of the space 240 between the mattress 210 and the wall, when the foldable frame assembly 200 is in the coplanar position. This allows the foldable frame assembly 200 to fit into a space as small as possible in both the coplanar and non-coplanar positions (i.e., less footprint in a room).

FIG. 6A shows front perspective view and FIG. 6B shows rear perspective view of the first frame 250 separated from the rest of foldable frame assembly 200. In this embodiment, the first panel 120 is made to resemble a cabinetry having door handles or door knobs. The gap cover 142 is attached to the first panel 120. In a preferred embodiment, the gap cover 142 is attached on the exterior bottom surface of the first panel 120. However, it is also contemplated that the gap cover 142 is attached on the interior bottom surface (e.g., between the first panel 120 and the side rails 344, 348 etc.) of the first panel 120.

The first frame 250 includes fasteners 280 to stably couple mattress 210 with the first frame 250. It is preferred that at least two corners of the first frame are coupled with the fasteners 280. In one embodiment, two corners having fasteners 280 are located in parallel (e.g., upper left and right corners, bottom left and right corners, or upper and bottom right corners, etc.). In other embodiments, two corners having fasteners 280 are located diagonally (e.g., upper left corner and the bottom right corner, etc.). The first frame 250 also includes a rotating foot 270 at one end and the mattress stop 395 at the opposite end.

In some embodiments, the first frame has additional inner panels 349A, 349B to support mattress 210 instead of the mattress support members 330. In these embodiments, the left inner panel 349A is coupled with the side rail 348 and the right inner panel 349B is coupled with the side rail 344. The left inner panel 349A and the right inner panel 349B are coupled with each other via one or more fastening means (e.g., nails, magnets, staples, etc.) to form one substantially continuous panel to cover at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of the width between the side rails 348, 344.

FIG. 7A shows a base frame 700. Base frame 700 is an alternative embodiment of second frame 350. Base frame 700 comprises a support member 320 having the attachment point 322, and the lower member 360 having a vertical beam 701, a cross rail 703 and one or more support rails 702. The vertical beam 701 has, in its one end, the pivot point 310. In this embodiment, the cross rail 703 has a substantially C-shaped cross-section. However, it is contemplated that the cross-section of the cross rail 703 can be round-shaped, square-shaped, or in any other suitable shapes for coupling with the support rails 702.

The support rails 702 can be attached to the cross rail 703 and to the vertical beam 701 via various fastening means (e.g., adhesives, welds, magnets, rivets, dowels/holes, male-female engagements, hook and loop fasteners, etc.). The support rails 702 can be attached to the cross rail 703 and to the vertical beam 701 at any suitable place. For example, the support rails 702 can be attached to the exterior surface of the cross rail 703 and to side wall of the vertical beam 701. As another example, the support rails 702 can be attached to the interior surface of the cross rail 703 and to front wall of the vertical beam 701.

FIG. 7B shows another base frame 705 of the second frame 350 separated from the rest of foldable frame assembly 200. In this embodiment, the support rails 707 and the cross rail 708 are welded together to form one combined piece. The support rails 707 and the cross rail 708 are coupled with the vertical beam 706 by attaching to the front wall of the vertical beam 706. However, it is also contemplated that the support rails 707 and the cross rail 708 are coupled with the vertical beam 701 by attaching to the rear wall or side wall of the vertical beam 706.

In addition, support member 320, which has a attachment point 322, is detachably coupled with the lower member 360. In this embodiment, one end of the support member, which is not coupled with the attachment point 322, can slidably fit into the interior of the lower member 360. Once the support member 320 slides into the interior of the lower member 360, the support member 320 and the lower member 360 can be fastened together via one or more fastening means (e.g., adhesives, welds, magnets, rivets, dowels/holes, male-female engagements, hook and loop fasteners, etc.). Detaching support members 320 allows frame 705 to be packaged and shipped in smaller sizes.

FIG. 7C shows still another embodiment 710 of the second frame 350 separated from the rest of foldable frame assembly 200. In this embodiment, the cross rail 713 comprises a first wall and a second wall, which are perpendicular with each other to form a substantially L-shaped rail. The first face of the L-shaped cross rail 713 is attached to the bottom surface of the vertical beam 711 and the second face is attached to the front surface of the vertical beam 711. The second face of the L-shaped cross rail 713 is also attached with the supporting rail 712. The supporting rail 712 can be attached to either exterior surface of the second face or the interior surface of the second face of the L-shaped cross rail 713.

FIG. 8A shows a side view of one embodiment 800 of the foldable frame assembly 200. In this embodiment, the second frame 350 has the L-shaped cross rail 713 having one or more apertures 714, and the first frame 250 has an L-shaped attachment bar 801 having one or more apertures 802. The counterbalance mechanisms 382 are coupled with the L-shaped cross rail 713 by inserting one end of the counterbalance mechanisms 382 to the apertures 714. The counterbalance mechanisms 382 are further coupled with and with the L-shaped attachment bar 801 by inserting the other end of the counterbalance mechanisms 382 to the apertures 802.

FIG. 8B shows a side view of another embodiment 850 of the foldable frame assembly 200. In this embodiment, the second frame 350 has the C-shaped cross rail 703 having one or more apertures 704, and the first frame 250 has an C-shaped attachment bar 851 having one or more apertures 852. In some embodiments, the C-shaped attachment bar 851 has an extension 853, and the extension 853 has one or more apertures 852 at its free end. In these embodiments, the counterbalance mechanisms 382 are coupled with the C-shaped cross rail 703 by inserting one end of the counterbalance mechanisms 382 to the apertures 704. The counterbalance mechanisms 382 are further coupled and with the C-shaped attachment bar 851 by inserting the other end of the counterbalance mechanisms 382 to the apertures 852 at the end of the extension 853.

A method for assembling the foldable frame assembly 200 is also contemplated, which involves attaching the first frame 250 to the second frame 350. The first frame 250 has a first pin 314 and a second pin (not shown) and the second frame has a first slot 312 and a second slot (not shown). The first frame and second frame are rotatably (or hingeably or pivotally) coupled by inserting the first pin 314 in the first slot 312 and second pin in the second slot. Afterwards, one or more counterbalance mechanisms are attached to the first frame 250 at a point located behind the pivot point 310 and to the second frame 350 at a point behind the second front-most surface 345.

The method continues by attaching a first panel to a face of the first frame 250 and a second panel to a face of the second frame 350. The method further continues by attaching a gap cover to the first panel to cover the gap between the first panel and the second panel.

As used herein, “in front of” and “front-most” refer to a direction away from the wall to which the foldable frame assembly 200 attaches. “Behind” refers to the opposite direction of front.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value within a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. A foldable frame assembly for a foldout bed, comprising:

a first frame hingeably coupled with a second frame at a pivot point, wherein the first frame and second frame are transitionable between a coplanar configuration and a non-coplanar configuration;

a counterbalance mechanism coupling the first frame to a lower member of the second frame such that the counterbalance mechanism does not extend beyond a front-most surface of the second frame;

a first panel coupling with the first frame and a second panel coupling with the second frame;

wherein a distance between the first and the second panels comprises a gap, wherein the gap is sufficient to allow the transition to be unencumbered; and

a gap cover configured to cover the gap.

2. The foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises a first surface and the second frame comprises a second surface.

3. The foldable frame of claim 2, wherein the front surface of the first frame is coplanar with the front surface of the second frame in the coplanar configuration.

4. The foldable frame of claim 3, wherein the front surface of the first frame and the front surface of the second frame are flush in the coplanar configuration.

5. The foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the first frame is wider than the second frame, such that the second frame fits within the first frame.

6. The foldable frame of claim 5, wherein the pivot point is located on the inside of the first frame.

7. The foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the first frame further comprises a first side rail and second side rail.

8. The foldable frame of claim 7, wherein the first frame further comprises a first support member extending from the first rail to the second rail for supporting a mattress.

9. The foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the first frame is configured to support a mattress.

10. The foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the second frame is coupled to a wall.

11. The foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the first frame further comprises a first attachment bar.

12. The foldable frame of claim 11, wherein the first attachment bar is coupled with the counterbalance mechanism.

13. The foldable frame of claim 11, wherein the first attachment bar is L-shaped.

14. The foldable frame of claim 11, wherein the first attachment bar is C-shaped.

15. The foldable frame of claim 11, wherein the first attachment bar comprises at least one or more apertures.

16. The foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the pivot point comprises a ball and socket joint or a pivot joint.

17. A method of installing a foldable frame assembly comprising steps of:

attaching a second frame to a support structure;

wherein the second frame has a first slot and a second slot;

rotatably coupling a first frame having a first pin and a second pin to the second frame by inserting the first pin in the first slot and second pin in the second slot; and

attaching one or more counterbalance mechanisms to the first frame and second frame.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second frame has a lower member with a front surface and a back surface and wherein the step of attaching further comprises a step of attaching a counterbalance mechanism to the first frame and the back surface of the lower member of the second frame.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of attaching a first panel to a face of the first frame and a second panel to a face of the second frame.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising a step of attaching a gap cover to the first panel.