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EP 1 169 948 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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09.04.2003 Bulletin 2003/15 |
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Date of filing: 22.05.2001 |
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Sofa-bed
Sofabett
Canapé-lit
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR |
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Priority: |
06.07.2000 IT TO200680
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Date of publication of application: |
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09.01.2002 Bulletin 2002/02 |
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Proprietor: SPIRALFLEX S.N.C. DI PACCAGNELLA E RINALDO |
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10038 ROLANDINI DI VEROLENGO (TO) (IT) |
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Inventor: |
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- Rinaldo, Amedeo
10038 Rolandini di Verolengo (To) (IT)
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Representative: Garavelli, Paolo |
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A.BRE.MAR. S.R.L.,
Via Servais 27 10146 Torino 10146 Torino (IT) |
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References cited: :
EP-A- 0 808 590 FR-A- 893 847 GB-A- 386 433
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EP-A- 0 868 870 FR-A- 1 392 662 US-A- 1 543 103
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention refers to an improved sofa-bed, in particular to a sofa-bed
of the type in which the cushions of the back, when opening the sofa-bed as a bed,
occupy a position that is located under the bed plane.
[0002] Sofa-beds of this type, that allow saving space and operations, not having to remove
the cushions from the sofa itself, are known in the art (for example from document
EP-A-0.808.590, that is the preamble of Claim 1). A sofa-bed is also known from document
GB-A-386433 that has a fixed support frame with a support for the back adapted to
receive vertical cushions.
[0003] Known sofa-beds of this type, though being easily assembled and with a reduced final
encumbrance, have the major problem of being too heavy (having in fact to lift the
sofa with all its cushions, both those for the back and those for the bottom), requiring
high efforts for the user both when opening them, and when closing them. When the
user is not a person that is physically strong, such opening and closing operations
could be a serious problem, if not an unsolvable one.
[0004] Object of the present invention is solving the above prior-art problems, by providing
a sofa-bed that allows an opening in its bed position and a new closure in its sofa
position that require minimum efforts for being actuated, further dividing the opening
phase into two sub-phases, in order to further reduce the necessary efforts.
[0005] A further object of the present invention is providing a sofa-bed that allows the
opening and closing movement operations without damaging the fabric of the cushions
contained therein, since they must necessarily be displaced with the sofa-bed with
which they are integral.
[0006] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will appear from
the following description, are obtained by a sofa-bed as claimed in Claim 1. Preferred
embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are claimed in the
dependent Claims.
[0007] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof,
given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view on an embodiment of the sofa-bed according to the present
invention in its sofa position;
- Figure 2 is a side view of Fig. 1;
- Figure 3 is a side view showing a first part of the first opening phase of the sofa-bed
in Fig. 1;
- Figure 4 is a side view showing a second part of the first opening phase of the sofa-bed
in Fig. 1;
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of Fig. 4, that shows the open sofa-bed at the end
of the first opening phase;
- Figure 6 is a side view showing a first part of the second opening phase of the sofa-bed
in Fig. 1;
- Figure 7 is a side view showing a second part of the second opening phase of the sofa-bed
in Fig. 1;
- Figure 8 is a side view showing a third part of the second opening phase of the sofa-bed
in Fig. 1;
- Figure 9 is a side view showing the completion of the second opening phase of the
sofa-bed in Fig. 1;
- Figure 10 is a perspective view of the sofa-bed in Fig. 9;
- Figure 11 is a detailed view showing two of the peculiar characteristics of the sofa-bed
of the present invention;
- Figure 12 is a detailed view showing another of the peculiar characteristics of the
sofa-bed of the present invention;
- Figure 13 is a detailed view showing another of the peculiar characteristics of the
sofa-bed of the present invention; and
- Figure 14 is a detailed view of one of the characteristics of Fig. 11.
[0008] With reference to the Figures, a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the sofa-bed
1 of the present invention is shown therein.
[0009] The sofa-bed 1 shown in the Figures is of the type with overturnable back without
removing the cushions, and substantially comprises:
- a fixed carrier structure 2 that internally defines at least one housing space 5 and
that has at least one rear vertical frame 3 arranged outside of a set of vertical
cushions forming the sofa back 4;
- at least three main moving frames 6, 7, 8 in a consecutive and rotating engagement
one with the other, where the moving frames 6, 7, 8 are adapted to be displaced with
a roto-translating movement between a closed position, in which they are mutually
bent one onto the other and are substantially arranged inside the housing space 5
and an open position in which the moving frames 6, 7, 8 are consecutively aligned
one to the other outside of the housing space 5 in order to define a resting plane;
- at least one first auxiliary frame 12 with which a first horizontal set of cushions
is associated, and at least one second auxiliary frame 13 with which a vertical set
of cushions is associated that form the back of the sofa-bed 1;
- a kinematic control mechanism 10 operatively interposed at least between every moving
frame and the following moving frame, where the kinematic control mechanism 10 has
a first lever that forms an abutment foot 15 operatively engaged with the moving frame
8 and adapted to be overturned between a starting position, where the sofa-bed 1 is
in a sofa configuration, in which the first lever is substantially parallel to the
moving frame 8, and a final position in which it is substantially perpendicular to
the moving frame 8, and comprising synchronisation means adapted to displace at least
all the moving frames 6, 7, 8 from the closed position to the open position and vice
versa.
[0010] In order to realise all the characteristics of the invention, the sofa-bed 1 of the
above-mentioned type is realised so that the synchronisation means are adapted to
displace the moving frames 6, 7, 8 from the closed position to the open position through
a double working phase (respectively shown in Fig.s 1 to 5 as first phase and in Fig.s
6 to 10 as second phase), and from the open position to the closed position through
a single working phase, since the phase shown in Fig.s 6 to 10 is automatically performed
by suitable elastic means (described below).
[0011] Moreover, the sofa-bed 1 of the invention provides that the kinematic control mechanism
10 is equipped with elastic means 20 adapted to realise a thrust to facilitate the
passage from the closed position to the open position when transforming said sofa-bed
1 into a bed: the elastic means 20 further operate as cushioning means in the final
phase of snap-opening the sofa-bed 1.
[0012] In particular, the elastic means 20 are composed of at least one (and preferably
two, one for each side) spring 20 hinged in 22 and 24 to the kinematic control mechanism
10. Such spring 20, after having facilitated the opening of the sofa-bed 1, is compressed
during the last opening movement (Fig.s 8 and 9) thereby also performing the cushioning
function.
[0013] The sofa-bed 1 of the invention is further equipped with elastic means 30 (that can
be well seen in Fig. 12) connected to the abutment foot 15: such elastic means 30
operate as recalling element of the first and second auxiliary frames 12, 13 of the
sofa back 4 when closing the sofa-bed 1 in its sofa position. In particular, the elastic
means 30 are composed of at least one (and preferably two, one on each side) spring
30 hinged in 32 to the abutment foot 15.
[0014] As further functional characteristic, the sofa-bed 1 of the invention is further
equipped with holding means 40 (that can be better seen in Fig. 14) adapted to keep
unmovably open the sofa-bed 1 in its bed position after its opening. In particular,
the holding means 40 are composed of at least one (and preferably two, one on each
side) plate 40 secured to one (the central frame 7) of the moving frames 6, 7, 8:
the plates 40 are equipped with at least one recess 42 adapted to abut against and
to house the hinging screw stem 44 of a linkage 46 of the moving frame 7.
[0015] Moreover, the sofa-bed 1 of the invention is further equipped with at least one (and
preferably two, one on each side) lever 50 respectively hinged in 52, 54 to the third
moving frame 8 and the first auxiliary frame 12. Such lever 50 is adapted to prevent
the rubbing of the moving frames 6, 7, 8 and the cushions for the back against the
cushions for the bottom of the sofa-bed 1, in order to prevent any wear for the cushions
themselves.
[0016] Still more, the sofa-bed 1 of the invention is further equipped with at least one
pin 60 connected to the kinematic control mechanism 10 and adapted to abut against
a respective abutment foot 15 to keep the back abutted against the foot 15 when opening
the sofa-bed 1 as a bed.
[0017] Finally, the sofa-bed 1 of the invention is further equipped with at least one slotted
member 70 connected to the abutment foot 15 to keep the sofa-bed 1 suspended when
opening it.
[0018] The operation of the sofa-bed 1 according to the present invention is shown in Fig.s
1 to 10, that respectively show the first opening phase (Fig.s 1 to 5) and the second
opening phase (Fig. s 6 to 10) of the sofa-bed 1 itself; obviously, by performing
in reverse the operations shown in Fig.s 10 to 1, the sofa-bed 1 is closed again,
taking it back into its sofa position. Both opening and closing positions of the sofa-bed
1 of the present invention are performed in a simple and quick way and above all without
any notable effort by a user, that is guided and facilitated in both operations by
the presence of the elastic means 20 and 30.
1. Sofa-bed (1) of the type with overturnable back without removing cushions, comprising:
- a fixed carrier structure (2) that internally defines at least one housing space
(5) and that has at least one rear vertical frame (3) arranged outside of a set of
vertical cushions forming a sofa back (4);
- at least three main moving frames (6, 7, 8) in a consecutive and rotating engagement
one with the other, said moving frames (6, 7, 8) being adapted to be displaced with
a roto-translating movement between a closed position, in which they are mutually
bent one onto the other and are substantially arranged inside said housing space (5)
and an open position in which the moving frames (6, 7, 8) are consecutively aligned
one to the other outside of said housing space (5) in order to define a resting plane;
- at least one first auxiliary frame (12) with which a first horizontal set of cushions
is associated, and at least one second auxiliary frame (13) with which a vertical
set of cushion is associated that form the back of said sofa-bed (1);
- a kinematic control mechanism (10) operatively interposed at least between every
moving frame and the following moving frame, said kinematic control mechanism (10)
having a first lever that forms an abutment foot (15) operatively engaged with said
moving frame (8) and adapted to be overturned between a starting position, where the
sofa-bed (1) is in a sofa configuration, in which said first lever is substantially
parallel to the moving frame (8), and a final position in which it is substantially
perpendicular to the moving frame (8), and comprising synchronisation means adapted
to displace at least all said moving frames (6, 7, 8) from the closed position to
the open position and vice versa;
characterised in that:
- said synchronisation means are adapted to displace said moving frames (6, 7, 8)
from said closed position to said open position through a double working phase, and
from said open position to said closed position through a single working phase; and
in that
- said kinematic control mechanism (10) is equipped with elastic means (20) adapted
to realise a thrust to facilitate the passage from the closed position to the open
position when transforming said sofa-bed (1) into a bed, said elastic means (20) further
operating as cushioning means in the final phase of snap-opening the sofa-bed (1).
2. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that said elastic means (20) are composed of at least one spring hinged (in 22 and 24)
to said kinematic control mechanism (10).
3. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it is further equipped with elastic means (30) connected to said abutment foot (15),
said elastic means (30) operating as recalling element of said first and second auxiliary
frames (12, 13) of said sofa back (4) when closing said sofa-bed (1) in its sofa position,
preventing a second phase from being performed when closing.
4. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 3, characterised in that said elastic means (30) are composed of at least one spring hinged (in 32) to said
abutment foot (15).
5. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it is further equipped with holding means (40) adapted to keep unmovably open said
sofa-bed (1) in its bed position after its opening.
6. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 5, characterised in that said holding means (40) are composed of at least one plate (40) secured to one (7)
of said moving frames (6, 7, 8), said at least one plate (40) being equipped with
a recess (42) adapted to abut against and to house the hinging screw stem (44) of
a linkage (46) of one (7) of said moving frames (6, 7, 8).
7. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it is further equipped with at least one lever (50) respectively hinged (in 52, 54)
to said third moving frame (8) and said first auxiliary frame (12), said at least
one lever (50) being adapted to prevent the rubbing of the moving frames (6, 7, 8)
and the cushions for the back against the cushions for the bottom of the sofa-bed
(1).
8. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it is further equipped with at least one pin (60) connected to said kinematic control
mechanism (10) and adapted to abut against a respective abutment foot (15) to keep
said back abutted against said foot (15) when opening said sofa-bed (1) as a bed.
9. Sofa-bed (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it is further equipped with at least one slotted member (70) connected to said abutment
foot (15) to keep said sofa-bed (1) suspended when opening it.
1. Schlafcoach (1) des Typs mit Umklappen der Rückenlehne ohne Entfernung der Sitzkissen,
bestehend aus:
- einer festen Tragestruktur (2), die intern wenigstens einen Aufnahmeraum (5) definiert
und wenigstens einen hinteren, vertikalen Rahmen (3) hat, mit einer vertikalen Kissengruppe
aussen, die die Rückenlehne(4) bildet;
- wenigstens drei beweglichen Hauptrahmen (6, 7, 8), die rotierend miteinander verbunden
sind. Diese drei beweglichen Rahmen (6, 7, 8) sollen geeignet sein, um durch eine
rotierende Verlagerung aus der geschlossenen Stellung, in der sie in einem Aufnahmeraum
(5) übereinander liegen, in die geöffnete Stellung gebracht zu werden, in der die
beweglichen Rahmen (6, 7, 8) - einer nach dem anderen - ausserhalb des obigen Aufnahmeraumes
(5) neben einander zu liegen kommen und so eine Liegefläche bilden;
- wenigstens einem ersten Hilfsrahmen (12) mit einer ersten horizontalen Kissengruppe
und wenigstens einem zweiten Hilfsrahmen (13) mit einer vertikalen Kissengruppe, die
die Rückenlehne der Schlafcoach (1) bildet;
- einem kinematischen Steuerungsmechanismus (10), der operativ wenigstens zwischen
einem und dem darauffolgenden beweglichen Rahmen vorgesehen werden muss. Dieser kinematische
Steuermechanismus (10), der einen ersten Hebel in Form eines operativ mit dem genannten
beweglichen Rahmen (8) verbundenen Stützfußes (15) hat, wird aus einer ersten Position,
in der sich die Schlafcoach (1) in der Sitzstellung befindet und der obige erste Hebel
parallel zum beweglichen Rahmen (8) ist, in eine zweite Stellung gekippt, in der der
Hebel vertikal zum beweglichen Rahmen (8) ist. Der Mechanismus umfasst Synchronisierungsmittel,
damit alle beweglichen Rahmen (6, 7, 8) aus der geschlossenen in die geöffnete Stellung
und umgekehrt gebracht werden;
charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass:
- die obigen Synchronisierungsmittel geeignet sind, um die beweglichen Rahmen (6,
7, 8) mittels einer doppelten Arbeitsphase aus der geschlossenen in die geöffnete
Stellung zu bringen und mittels einer einzigen Arbeitsphase aus der geöffneten in
die geschlossene Stellung, und zwar auf Grund der Tatsache, dass
- der betreffende kinematische Steuerungsmechanismus (10) mit Federelementen ausgestattet
(20) ist, die durch die Ausführung eines Schubs den Übergang aus der geschlossenen
in die geöffnete Stellung bei der Umwandlung der obigen Schlafcoach (1) in eine Liege
erleichtern. Diese Federelemente (20) arbeiten auch als Stossdämpfer am Ende der Öffnungsphase
bei Einrasten der Schlafcoach (1).
2. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 1, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass diese
Federelemente (20) aus wenigstens einer Scharnierfeder (in 22 und 24) für den kinematischen
Steuerungsmechanismus (10) bestehen.
3. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 1, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass darüber
hinaus Federelemente (30) vorgesehen sind, die mit dem Stützfuß (15) verbunden sind.
Diese Federelemente (30) arbeiten auch als Rückzugelemente für den ersten und zweiten
Hilfsrahmen (12, 13) der Rückenlehne (4), wenn die Schlafcoach (1) in die Sitzstellung
geklappt wird, wodurch eine zweite Phase bei Verschluss vermieden wird.
4. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 3, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass die
Federelemente (30) aus wenigstens einer Scharnierfeder (in 32) für den Stützfuß (15)
bestehen.
5. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 1, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass darüber
hinaus auch Stützmittel (40) vorgesehen sind, um die Liegeposition der betreffenden
Schlafcoach (1) nach Öffnung zu gewährleisten.
6. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 5, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass die
Stützmittel (40) aus wenigstens einer Platte (40) bestehen, die an einem (7) der beweglichen
Rahmen (6, 7, 8) befestigt ist. Diese wenigstens eine Platte (40) ist mit einem Einschnitt
(42) für den Anschlag und die Aufnahme des Schraubenschaftes des Scharniers (44) eines
Hebels (46) von einem (7) der beweglichen Rahmen (6, 7, 8) versehen.
7. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 1, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass sie
mit wenigstens einem Hebel (50) versehen ist, der durch Scharniere (in 52, 54) mit
dem dritten beweglichen Rahmen (8) und dem ersten Hilfsrahmen (12) verbunden ist.
Dieser wenigstens eine Hebel (50) soll die Reibung der beweglichen Rahmen (6, 7, 8)
und der Kissen der Rückenlehne gegen die Kissen am Ende der Schlafcoach (1) vermeiden.
8. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 1, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass darüber
hinaus wenigstens ein Stift (60) mit dem genannten, kinematischen Steuerungsmechanismus
(10) verbunden ist und als Anschlag für den betreffenden Stützfuß (15) dient, damit
die Rückenlehne bei Öffnung der Schlafcoach (1) in Liegestellung auf diesem Fuß (15)
aufliegt.
9. Schlafcoach (1) laut Beanspruchung 1, charakterisiert durch die Tatsache, dass wenigstens
eine Öse (70) vorhanden ist, die mit dem Stützfuß (15) verbunden ist, um die Schlafcoach
(1) während des Öffnungsvorganges in schwebender Position zu halten.
1. Canapé-lit (1) à dossier rabattable mais sans enlever les coussins, et qui comprend:
- une structure porteuse fixe (2) à l'intérieur de laquelle est aménagé au moins un
espace de logement (5) et possédant au moins un bâti vertical arrière (3) placé à
l'extérieur d'un ensemble de coussins verticaux formant un dossier (4);
- au moins trois bâtis mobiles principaux (6, 7, 8) en dépliage successif et pivotant
l'un sur l'autre, dénommés bâtis mobiles (6, 7, 8) et qui peuvent être dépliés en
un mouvement louvoyant entre la position fermée, position dans laquelle ils se replient
l'un sur l'autre et sont essentiellement présents à l'intérieur dudit espace de logement
(5) et une position ouverte où les bâtis mobiles (6, 7, 8) se retrouvent alignés l'un
à la suite de l'autre à l'extérieur dudit espace de logement (5) de manière à former
un plan d'appui;
- au moins un premier bâti auxiliaire (12) auquel est associé un premier ensemble
horizontal de coussins, et au moins un second bâti auxiliaire (13) auquel est associé
un ensemble vertical de coussins formant le dossier du canapé-lit (1);
- un mécanisme de commande cinématique (10) opérationnellement interposé au moins
entre un bâti mobile et le bâti mobile qui suit, ledit mécanisme de commande cinématique
(10) présentant un premier levier formant un pied d'appui (15) solidaire audit bâti
mobile (8) et qui peut être basculé entre une position initiale, où le canapé-lit
(1) se trouve en configuration de divan, et où ledit premier levier est essentiellement
parallèle au bâti mobile (8), et une position finale en configuration de lit où ledit
levier se trouve essentiellement perpendiculaire au bâti mobile (8), et comprenant
des éléments de synchronisation capables de mouvoir au moins tous les bâtis mobiles
(6, 7, 8) de la position fermée à la position ouverte et vice-versa;
caractérisé en ce que:
- lesdits éléments de synchronisation sont capables de mouvoir lesdits bâtis mobiles
(6, 7, 8) de la position fermée à la position ouverte à travers une double phase de
travail, et de la position ouverte à la position fermée à travers une seule phase
de travail; et en ce que
- ledit mécanisme de commande cinématique (10) est muni d'éléments élastiques (20)
capables de réaliser une poussée pour faciliter le passage de la position fermée à
la position ouverte pendant la phase de transformation dudit canapé-lit (1) en lit,
lesdits éléments élastiques (20) faisant en outre office d'éléments amortisseurs dans
la phase initiale d'ouverture à déclic du canapé-lit (1).
2. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments élastiques (20) sont constitués d'au moins un ressort articulé (dans
22 et 24) audit mécanisme de commande cinématique (10).
3. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est en outre équipé d'éléments élastiques (30) reliés audit pied d'appui (15),
lesdits éléments élastiques (30) se comportant comme éléments de rappel desdits premier
et second bâtis auxiliaires (12, 13) du dossier (4) pendant la phase de fermeture
dudit canapé-lit (1) en configuration de divan, évitant ainsi l'exécution d'une seconde
phase lors de la fermeture.
4. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments élastiques (30) sont constitués d'au moins un ressort articulé (en
32) audit pied d'appui (15).
5. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est en outre équipé d'éléments de maintien (40) capables de maintenir le canapé
ouvert, de manière inamovible en configuration de lit, ledit canapé-lit (1) après
son ouverture.
6. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments de maintien (40) sont constitués d'au moins une plaque (40) fixée
à un (7) desdits bâtis mobiles (6, 7, 8), ladite plaque (40) présentant un creux (42)
contre lequel faire butée et capable de loger la tige de la vis d'articulation (44)
d'un groupe leviers (46) d'un (7) desdits bâtis mobiles (6, 7, 8).
7. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est en outre muni au moins d'un levier (50) articulé (en 52, 54) respectivement
au troisième bâti mobile (8) et audit premier bâti auxiliaire (12), ledit levier (50)
étant capable d'empêcher le frottement des bâtis mobiles (6, 7, 8) et des coussins
pour le dossier contre les coussins pour le fond du canapé-lit (1).
8. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est en outre muni d'au moins un axe (60) relié audit mécanisme de commande cinématique
(10) et pouvant faire butée contre un respectif pied d'appui (15) pour maintenir en
appui ce dossier contre ledit pied (15) en phase d'ouverture dans la configuration
de lit du canapé-lit (1).
9. Canapé-lit (1) suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il est en outre muni d'au moins un organe à boutonnière (70) relié audit pied d'appui
(15) pour maintenir ledit canapé-lit (1) suspendu en phase d'ouverture.