The present invention may be included in the field of furniture elements, specifically in the bed sector. In particular, the object of the invention relates to a multifunctional piece of furniture which allows a user to lean back while sitting on said piece of furniture.

Within the aforementioned field of the art there are different types of pieces of furniture where each is indicated for certain uses and, therefore, is subject to certain limitations. In particular, for example: beds are destined for lying down, due to which they do not incorporate a backrest, as a result of which they are uncomfortable to use as a piece of furniture on which to sit down; chairs incorporate a backrest but the seat does not have sufficient length to lie down; non-folding or non-sleeper sofas make it possible to sit and lie down but are narrower than a bed; folding or sleeper sofas (also called "sofa beds") adopt sufficient width so as to sleep comfortably, but the mattress is of poorer quality than that of a bed, as it must be discontinuous, or too flexible.

The present invention describes a multifunctional piece of furniture comprising: a frame and a soft resting body supported by and/or housed in the frame, to enable a user to rest, for example, lying down or sitting on said resting body.

The multifunctional piece of furniture is characterised in that it additionally comprises a folding backrest which in turn comprises a chassis and at least one leaning element connected to the chassis, wherein the chassis of the backrest is pivotally connected to the frame of the multifunctional piece of furniture, through folding means, to position the backrest with respect to the frame in at least two positions. The leaning element allows a user to rest different parts of his or her body, in particular, different regions of the spine.

The multifunctional piece of furniture of the invention is designed to preferably be a bed, wherein the resting body is materialised in a mattress. However, it may be any other piece of furniture which enables a user to rest upon said piece of furniture without loss of generality. In particular, by way of an alternative, most preferred example, the piece of furniture is envisaged to be a bed bench, where the resting body is materialised in the seat of the bed bench.

Through the incorporation of the backrest and folding means, a user may use the multifunctional piece of furniture in accordance with multiple functions, depending on whether the backrest is in a retracted position or in a deployed position, as will be explained below in the description of a preferred embodiment.

In particular, the multifunctional piece of furniture of the present invention has, in addition to the basic functionalities, such as lying down or sitting without a backrest, a broad range of added functionalities, namely:

• sitting or reclining, leaning against the backrest;
• reading, studying, watching television or untying shoes;
• sitting to use a nearby desk;
• holding objects;
• reading or watching television in bed without disturbing our partner, etc.

In order to complement the description being made and with the object of helping to better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, said description is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of drawings where, in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following has been represented:

• Figure 1 shows a view of an embodiment of a multifunctional piece of furniture in accordance with the invention, materialised in the form of a bed, wherein the backrest is oriented towards the interior of the bed in the deployed position.
• Figure 2 shows a view of an embodiment of a bed in accordance with the invention wherein the backrest is oriented outwards from the bed in the deployed position.
• Figure 3 shows a detailed view of another embodiment of a bed in accordance with the invention.
• Figure 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the invention, wherein a lamp and an armrest mounted on the chassis of the backrest can be observed.
• Figure 5 shows a side view of an embodiment of the invention, wherein a suspension element wherefrom a carrycot is suspended can be observed.
• Figure 6 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention, wherein a fan fixed to the chassis and electrically connected through a connection box also fixed to the chassis can be observed.
• Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention wherein a user may watch television or read in bed without disturbing his or her partner.
• Figure 8 shows a schematic view of an example of embodiment of the invention wherein the incorporation of a mosquito net can be observed.
• Figure 9 shows a schematic view of an example of embodiment of the invention wherein the backrest is retractable by sections.
• Figure 10 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the backrest comprises separable portions.
• Figure 11 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention wherein the folding means is displaceable along the frame of the piece of furniture.
• Figure 12 shows a schematic view of an embodiment shown in figure 5, where the backrest additionally includes a supporting foot for resting on the ground.

Following, with the help of figures 1 to 12, is a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the present description of a preferred example, a multifunctional piece of furniture in accordance with the present invention is represented, where the piece of furniture is a bed, due to being the most preferred example of the multifunctional piece of furniture in accordance with the present invention. Another, less preferred example and, thus, not represented, is a bed bench. The invention may be implemented, in general, in any type of piece of furniture destined, or adaptable, for being used as a resting piece of furniture.

The present example, therefore, presents a multifunctional bed which enables a user (16) to sit on the bed keeping his or her back leaning.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, the multifunctional bed of the invention comprises a frame (1), for example of the bed base or sofabed type, or of any other known type, as well as comprising a resting body (2) which, in the represented example, is a mattress housed in, or leaning on, the frame (1). The bed additionally comprises a folding backrest (3) pivotally connected to the frame (1), and folding means (4) for positioning the backrest (3) with respect to the frame (1) in at least two positions. The backrest (3) comprises a chassis (5) pivotally connected to the bed frame (1) through folding means (4). The backrest (3) additionally comprises at least one support element (6), connected to the chassis (5), which is preferably soft enough to allow the user (16) to lean certain regions of the spine, such as the lumbar region, dorsal region or cervical region. The support element (6) or support elements (6) are preferably pivotal with respect to the chassis (5) for increased user comfort (16).

When the bed frame (1) comprises frame centre bars and frame cross bars (not represented), for example in the case of frames (1) destined for supporting a bed base, the backrest (3) is preferably connected to the frame centre bars or frame cross bars.

The positions comprise a retracted position (not represented) wherein the backrest (3) is retracted, such that it does not prevent the user (16) from using the bed for lying down. Preferably, in the retracted position, the backrest (3) is folded towards the exterior of the bed and, more preferably, oriented towards the floor. In this regard, the backrest (3) may be folding, in order to occupy less space in the retracted position.

The positions additionally comprise at least one deployment position wherein the backrest (3) is deployed, enabling a user (16) to lean his or her back against the backrest (3) while sitting on the mattress (2), as shown in figures 1 and 2. In the deployed position, the backrest (3) may be oriented towards the interior of the bed (as shown in figure 1) or towards the exterior of the bed (see figure 2). Likewise, the folding means (4) are preferably configured to define a plurality of deployment positions selectable by the user (16), wherein the backrest (3) is oriented at different angles to the frame (1), allowing the user (16) to adopt different inclination angles for increased comfort.

The backrest (3) is preferably mounted on one end of the bed frame (1), whether oriented lengthwise or transverse (according to width) to the frame (1) wherein, in the latter case, the backrest (3) may be mounted either at the foot or head of the bed. Figures 1 and 2 represent solutions wherein the backrest (3) is mounted at the foot of the bed.

According to figure 3, the chassis (5) of the backrest (3) preferably adopts a gantry configuration, wherein the chassis (5) comprises: chassis side bars (7) articulated with the bed frame (1) and one or more chassis cross bars (8) that connect the chassis side bars (7) and may also serve as a support for the leaning elements (6). The chassis cross bars (8) may also serve for other additional uses, such as, for example, for hanging clothes, when the backrest (3) is not being used as a backrest (3).

In accordance with an alternative embodiment, not represented, the chassis (5) may be configured in a P-shaped configuration, with a single chassis side bar (7), where the chassis side bar (7) is pivotal to a longitudinal direction of the chassis side bar (7) itself, making it possible to free space at will, which is useful, for example, when the multifunctional piece of furniture is a bed, since it makes it easier to make the bed. Likewise, in accordance with a variant, two backrests (3) may be disposed, each with its corresponding P-shaped chassis (5), disposed in opposition to each other on opposite sides of the multifunctional piece of furniture, independently operable from each another, in order to enable their use by different users, although they may also be connectable therebetween if desired.

The operation of the folding means (4) may be manual or, if desired, may be electric. In the case of electric operation, the folding means (4) may comprise a hand control (not represented), whether cable or wireless or, if desired, may incorporate a start/stop switch.

Additionally, the bed preferably incorporates a counterweight (9) (see figures 1 and 2) associated with the frame (1), for example, housed in the frame (1) and/or fixed to said frame (1) to prevent the bed from overturning due to the weight borne by the chassis (5) of the backrest (3).

Likewise, figure 3 shows that the bed may incorporate at least one separator (22), preferably a plurality of separators (22), disposed along one of the sides of the frame (1), to keep the bed separated from an adjacent wall. The arrangement of the separators (22) provides various advantageous effects, such as:

• determining a space between the bed and the wall to house the bed linen hanging from the lateral sides of the bed;
• facilitating the position of the bed with respect to the wall at a desired distance; and
• preventing the elements of the backrest (3) that protrude from the bed base from grazing the wall.

The chassis (5) of the backrest (3) may be used to additionally support certain accessories, as shown in figures 4, 5 and 6. For example:

• armrests (10) articulately connected to the chassis (5) (see figure 4); preferably, the armrests (10) are articulated, allowing a change in the direction of use of the backrest (3);
• lighting means (11), such as lamps (see figure 4);
• suspension elements (12) such as hooks, hangers or similar, to hang objects, such as baby (33) carrycots (13) (see figure 5), bags with objects, etc.
• a fan (14);
• boxes (15) for electric or electronic connections (see figure 6), such as connection to the mains (19), telephone connection (not shown), Internet connection (20), connection to a radio or television antenna (21), Ethernet connection (not shown), etc., in order to, for example, be able to watch television on a small screen (17) or be able to connect a computer. In the example represented in figure 6, the box (15) has pins (18) for fixation thereof to the corresponding bar (7);
• a mosquito (25) net (24); in accordance with the example represented in figure 8, the chassis side bars (7) incorporate protruding rods (26), preferably made of flexible material, whereon a first end of the net (24) is mounted. Preferably, the net (24) may be suspended at a second end opposite the first end, for example, hanging from a wall or similar, such as by means of a hook (27). The installation of the net (24) prevents the user (16) from being annoyed by mosquitoes (25).

Other accessories not mentioned can also be borne by the chassis (5), depending on the functionality to be given to the multifunctional piece of furniture of the invention.

Likewise, the multifunctional piece of furniture, in particular, the bed, may incorporate a folding footrest (23), as shown in figure 7. Preferably, the footrest (23) is retractable inside the frame (1).

A multitude of solutions known to the person skilled in the art of the field of articulated joints are applicable for defining folding means (4) and their connection to the bed frame (1). In particular, by way of illustrative example, the following are mentioned, although not represented, in the figures: gears, interlocking mechanisms (for example, of the ratchet type), threaded joints, springs, etc.

Similar considerations are applicable, for example, in the case of joints, to the chassis (5), of the leaning elements (6) or armrests (10). Preferably, joints comprising a plurality of interlocking points, such as ratchet mechanisms (not represented), are selected, although there are other possible solutions within reach of the person skilled in the art.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the leaning elements (6) are connected to the chassis (5) in a preferably detachable manner.

Figure 9 shows an embodiment, which is compatible at least with any of the embodiments shown in figures 1-5, wherein the backrest (3) is retractable by sections. Specifically, figure 9 illustrates a particular example wherein the chassis (5) of the backrest (3) comprises at least two sections (28) telescopically displaceable with respect to each other in order to retract one of the sections (28) with respect to the other. By means of the aforementioned characteristic, a reduction in the volume occupied by the backrest (3) is obtained, whereupon a greater amount of available space is obtained, which is particularly useful in small rooms, while providing a less invasive visual appearance. In order to enhance space savings, when a pair of adjacent sections (28) comprise respective leaning elements (6), some of said leaning elements (6) may incorporate housings (34) or cavities for housing the leaning element (6) of the adjacent section (28) at least partially.

Figure 10 illustrates an additional embodiment, compatible with all the described embodiments, wherein the backrest (3) comprises at least two separably connected portions (29, 30). Specifically, figure 10 shows a particular example of embodiment wherein the backrest (3) comprises: a first portion (29), connected to the folding means (4), and a second portion (30) which is separably connected to the first portion (29), for example, by means of clipping.

Likewise, figure 11 shows an additional preferred embodiment, also compatible with all the previously described embodiments, to the extent that they refer to a P-shaped backrest (3), i.e. having a chassis (5) endowed with a chassis side bar (7) only on one side. In the case mentioned in figure 11, in addition to, as mentioned in more general embodiments, the folding means (4) being connected to the chassis (5), enabling the chassis (5) to rotate about a horizontal axis, the folding means (4) are displaceably connected along the bed frame (1), in order to arrange the backrest (3) selectively on either of the two adjacent sides of the frame (1), for example, on either side of the head/foot, in the case of a bed.

Even more preferably, the frame (1) additionally comprises, in one corner (31), guides (36), wherein the folding means (4) are displaceable along the guides (36). By way of illustrative example, the folding means (4) may incorporate releasable fixations (37, 38) which cooperatively enable the fixation of folding means (4) to the guides (36) in the desired positions.

Lastly, figure 12 describes an additional embodiment compatible with the embodiment shown in figure 5, to enable a baby (33) to sleep next to its parents' bed within minimum space requirements. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in figure 5, the carrycot (13) is suspended by means of cables (35), chains or similar so as to enable rocking thereof. Additionally, it may be complemented, in accordance with that shown in figure 12, with a supporting foot (32) which allows the backrest (3) to lean on the floor to ensure the baby's (33) safety. The embodiment shown in figure 12 is preferably more compatible with those in which the backrest (3) is P-shaped. In the case of the particular example of figure 12, the leaning elements (6) are preferably disassembled, although it is not essential, and it is possible to adapt the configuration and horizontal rotation of the leaning elements (6) so as to provide sufficient space to rock the carrycot (13).