A convertible sofa-bed structure

Abstract

 A convertible sofa-bed structure (1) which is versatile, structurally simple and easy to operate, comprises a base (2), a backrest (14) extending like a bridge over the base (2) and having a predetermined thickness equal to the difference between half of the length of the bed and the depth of a sofa, and a telescopically-extendible platform (6) comprising a first and a second plate-like element (7, 8) each having a depth equal to half of the length of a bed, the first element (7) being extractable from the base (2) like a drawer for a predetermined travel equal to the thickness of the backrest, between a position in which it constitutes a platform of a sofa and an extended position in which it constitutes a platform of a lounger, and the second element (8) being movable like a drawer from a position in which it is disposed on top of the first element (7) to a position in which it is arranged substantially as an extension thereof, to form the platform of a bed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a convertible sofa-bed structure.

[0002] There are many known convertible sofa-bed structures which, although they fulfil their purpose, are complex, difficult to produce and awkward to operate.

[0003] The problem upon which the present invention is based is that of devising a structure of the type specified which has structural and functional characteristics such as to overcome the aforementioned problems mentioned with reference to the prior art.

[0004] This problem is solved by a structure of the type specified which is characterized in that it comprises a telescopically-extendable base.

[0005] Further characteristics and the advantages of the convertible sofa-bed structure according to the present invention will become clear from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a convertible sofa-bed structure at one stage of its operation, that is, in the sofa configuration,

Figure 2 is a partially-sectioned side elevational view of the structure of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a convertible sofa-bed structure at another stage of its operation, that is, in the lounger configuration,

Figure 4 is a partially-sectioned side elevational view of the structure of Figure 3,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a convertible sofa-bed structure at yet another stage of its operation, that is, in the bed configuration,

Figure 6 is a partially-sectioned side elevational view of the structure of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a detail of the convertible sofa-bed structure according to the invention,

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a detail of the structure of Figure 7 on an enlarged scale, and

Figure 9 is a front view showing a detail of the structure of Figure 7 in section.

[0006] With reference to the appended drawings, a convertible sofa-bed structure is generally indicated 1.

[0007] The structure 1 comprises a rectangular base 2 having long sides of a length substantially equal to the width of a double bed and short sides of a length equal to half of the length of a bed, reduced by a predetermined amount, indicated A.

[0008] The base 2 is supported on the ground by legs 3 disposed substantially at the ends of the sort sides.

[0009] On the short sides, the base 2 carries respective rails, both indicated 4. Each rail 4 has a depression 5 disposed at a front end 4a.

[0010] The structure 1 comprises a telescopically-extendable platform 6 which comprises a first substantially rectangular, plate-like element 7, and a second substantially rectangular, plate-like element 8.

[0011] The elements 7 and 8 have long sides of a length substantially equal to the width of a double bed and short sides of a length substantially equal to half of the length of a bed and defining a depth, indicated P.

[0012] The first element 7 projects from the base 2 with a overhang of the above-mentioned amount A, and can be pulled out of the base 2 like a drawer from a retracted position to an extended position, for a predetermined travel S equal to the difference between half of the length of a bed, indicated P, and the depth of a sofa, indicated D.

[0013] The second plate-like element 8 can be moved like a drawer relative to the first plate-like element 7 between a position in which it is disposed substantially on top of the first element 7 and an extended position in which it is arranged substantially as an extension thereof.

[0014] The first element 7 has, at a rear end, a thin head portion 9 having a limited height substantially equal to twice the thickness M of a mattress 10.

[0015] The mattress 10 is formed by two identical rectangular mattresses 10a and 10b each having a length equal to the width of a double bed and a width equal to half of the length of a bed. The two mattresses 10a and 10b are connected to one another in a substantially hinged manner by suitable stitching 11 extending along two respective long edges 12a and 12b.

[0016] The two mattresses 10a and 10b open like book to form, when opened out, a bed mattress 10, completed by pillows 13, when the element 8 is pulled out of the element 7 to form a bed platform 6 which, in the embodiment shown, is for a double bed.

[0017] The two mattresses 10a and 10b are folded onto one another to form a folded sofa pad 10 when the element 8 is superimposed on the element 7 to form a sofa platform 7.

[0018] The structure 1 is completed by a backrest 14 and by opposed arms 15 fixed to the base 2 by means of brackets 16.

[0019] It is important to note that the backrest 14 extends over the base 2 like a bridge so as to define a passageway 17 for housing the rear end of the element 7 with the head portion 9 and the rear end of the element 8, as well as the folded-up mattress 10.

[0020] It is also important to note that the backrest 14 has a thickness B substantially equal to the travel S. Cushions 14a lean on the backrest 14a, if desired.

[0021] The first plate-like element 7 is constituted by a rectangular metal frame 18 with an L-shaped cross-section having vertical and horizontal flanges 18a and 18b, respectively. The frame 18 comprises, on each short side, two aligned wheels 19 and 20 engaged on respective rails of the two rails 4, and a further, tyred wheel 21, which is engaged on the ground and is set back relative to the front end of the element 7 in the region of the projecting portion A and is also set back inwardly relative to the respective shorter side, so as to be hidden from view.

[0022] When the element 7 performs the travel S from the retracted position in the base 2 to the position in which it extends from the base 2, the wheel 20 falls into the depression 5 and thus constitutes a member for stopping the element 7 in the extended position.

[0023] By virtue of the presence of the wheels 19 and 20, the element 7 is coupled for rolling movement on the base.

[0024] The first element 7 comprises a plurality of strips 22 extending parallel to the short sides and arranged lying flat at regular intervals.

[0025] The second element 8 comprises a rectangular frame 23 with a box-like cross-section. On each short side, in the vicinity of the rear end, the frame 23 has a wheel 24 which is engaged on the horizontal flange 18b of the L-shaped cross-section of the frame 18. The frame 23 also comprises a tyred wheel 25 which bears on the ground in a position set back relative to a respective short side and set back relative to the front end of the element 8.

[0026] The tyred wheels 25 are disposed beside the tyred wheels 21 on the inner sides thereof when the elements 7 and 8 are disposed on top of one another, and are thus also hidden from view.

[0027] By virtue of the presence of the wheels 24, the element 8 is coupled for rolling movement on the element 7.

[0028] The second element 8 comprises a plurality of strips 26 which extend parallel to the short sides and are arranged lying flat at regular intervals so as to fit between the strips 22, forming a substantially continual surface therewith when the elements 7 and 8 are disposed on top of one another.

[0029] When the element 8 is in the extended position, arranged substantially as an extension of the element 7, a rear side 23a of the frame 23 abuts a front side 18c of the frame 18 in a mutual stopping arrangement, thus preventing removal of the element 8 from the element 7.

[0030] A suitable opening 27 is formed in the vertical flange 18a of the front side 18c of the frame 18 for the sliding of the box-like cross-section of each short side of the frame 23.

[0031] It should be noted that, when the second plate-like element 8 is in the position in which it is arranged substantially as an extension of the first plate-like element 7, it is connected in a substantially hinged manner such that any incorrect operation to lift the front end of the second element 8 can freely be translated into an angular movement of the second element 8 relative to the first element 7, this movement being generally of no use but in any case being completely free of any danger of breakage of the structure.

[0032] In operation, the structure 1 adopts the sofa configuration la when the element 7 is retracted in the base 2 and the element 8 is superimposed thereon, the mattress being in the folded-up position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0033] If the element 7 is pulled out by its travel S, the structure 1 adopts the lounger configuration 1b in which the platform has an increased depth equal to half of the length of a bed, this configuration thus being particularly suitable for supporting the user's extended legs, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4.

[0034] If the element 8 is also pulled out and the mattress 10 is arranged in the opened-out position, the structure 1 adopts the bed configuration lc, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0035] The main advantage of the structure according to the present invention lies in its structural simplicity and ease of operation.

[0036] The structure according to the invention is also favourable from the safety point of view since the moving parts are always in stable positions and there is no possibility of sudden undesired movements not related to the user's wishes.

[0037] A further advantage of the structure according to the present invention lies in its versatility, by virtue of which the structure can be transformed from a sofa to a bed and vice versa, passing through a further configuration, that is, through a lounger configuration.

[0038] A further advantage of the structure according to the present invention is that it can give rise to a sofa, to a lounger and to a bed, all of which also have an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0039] Finally, the structure according to the invention can also give rise to an arm-chair, to a single lounger, and to a single bed.

[0040] Naturally, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, an expert in the art may apply to the above-described structure many modifications and variations all of which, however, are included within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A convertible sofa-bed structure (1), characterized in that it comprises a telescopically-extendible platform (6).

2. A structure (1) according to Claim 1,
characterized in that the platform (6) comprises a first plate-like element (7) having a depth equal to half the length of a bed, and a second plate-like element (8) which has the same depth and is movable like drawer relative to the first element (7) between a position in which it is disposed substantially on top of the first element (7) and a position in which it is arranged substantially as an extension of the first element in order to constitute the platform of a bed.

3. A structure (1) according to Claim 2,
characterized in that it comprises a base (2) supported on the ground and a backrest (14) extending like a bridge over the base (2) and having a predetermined thickness equal to the difference between half of the length of a bed and the depth of a sofa, in which the first plate-like element (8) can be pulled out of the base (2) like a drawer for a predetermined travel equal to the thickness of the backrest (14), between a retracted position in which it constitutes the platform of a sofa and an extended position in which it constitutes a platform of a lounger.

4. A structure (1) according to Claim 2,
characterized in that the second plate-like element (8) is coupled for rolling movement on the first plate-like element (7).

5. A structure (1) according to Claim 3,
characterized in that the first plate-like element (7) is coupled for rolling movement on the base (2).

Drawing