Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a linkage base adapted to be secured to a portion of a furniture sidewall, an elongate first linkage arm, and an elongate second linkage arm. The hinge assembly may also include an insert member assembly that includes an elongate first insert member, an elongate second insert member, a pivot assembly to pivotably couple the first insert member to the second insert member, and an insert linkage arm that is coupled to the first insert member. The first linkage arm and the second linkage arm are each pivotally coupled to the linkage base and the insert linkage arm. The first insert member may be releasably coupled to a first rear receiving member secured to a first furniture portion and the second insert member may be releasably coupled to a first front receiving member secured to a second furniture portion.

Abstract: A linear actuator device for pieces of furniture, e.g. beds, is described which include an adjustable section (2, 3) pivotally embedded in a frame (1). The section (2, 3) is raised and lowered by at least one rod (23, 24) mounted on a pivot shaft (4, 6). The actuator comprises a housing (8) with a bushing (10) receiving the pivot shaft (4, 6), and a spindle (14) driven by a low-voltage DC motor (11). The spindle (14) carries a spindle nut (12) fixed against rotation which in one direction of motion operates an arm (5, 7) mounted on the pivot shaft (4, 6) for adjusting the section within the piece of furniture. By designing the arm (5, 7) such that, when it engages the spindle nut (12), it will rest against an area (17) of the nut's end which faces farthest away from the shaft, an expedient moment curve for pivoting the section is obtained, as a large moment occurs at the beginning and the end of the section's movement just when needed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a furniture item having user-support frames that are convertible between a seat configuration and a bed configuration. In one embodiment, user-support frames include a head-support frame anchored by a link assembly to a furniture-item base and a back-support frame pivotably coupled to the head-support frame. The link assembly facilitates both pivoting and lateral shifting of the head-support frame relative to the furniture-item base. In the bed configuration, a cam and cam follower are disposed under the user-support frames, such that when the user-support frames laterally shift, the cam contacts the cam follower, thereby upwardly moving a junction at which user-support frames are hinged to one another.

Abstract: A sofa is convertible to a bed. An air mattress normally stored in deflated condition in the sofa, is automatically deployed upon opening a folded framework into a bed. An electric pump inflates or deflates the mattress. A bag enclosing the bottom and sides of the mattress, is zipped onto the mattress, and has hook-and-loop fasteners securing it to strategic locations on the framework. The conversion from sofa to bed, and back to sofa, is done without removing any cushions and without moving the sofa away from anything behind it.

Abstract: An arrangement pertaining to aircraft seats (1) includes a seat cushion (2) and a backrest (3), with a number of aircraft seats (1A-D) juxtaposed. The seat cushions (2) of the juxtaposed aircraft seats (1A-D) can be raised or lowered to form a long, generally continuous bed surface, and a further bed section (9) which is normally located beneath the seat cushions or hoisted into the cabin ceiling structure can form a further bed section (9).

Abstract: A sofa bed includes a plurality of individual cushions supported by a rigid metal frame. The frame includes a plurality of multiply articulated frame members which cooperate to configure the cushions in either of two selected positions. The first defines a sofa configuration and the second defines a bed configuration in which the cushions are coplanar arranged in a horizontal plane. A latching mechanism is provided which produces a positive locking of support position in either of two configuration without the use of retaining springs or overcenter articulated arm combinations.