WO1995003730A1

WO1995003730A1 - Hinged link mattress deck

Info

Publication number: WO1995003730A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/007986
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Stevens
Original assignee: L & P Property Management Company
Priority date: 1993-08-03
Filing date: 1994-07-15
Publication date: 1995-02-09
Also published as: AU7363594A; US6678904B1

Abstract

A support deck (12) for a sofa bed (10) having a plurality of support members (110, 111) interconnected at joints such that when a force is applied to one side of the deck (12) the deck (12) will yield but when a force is applied to the opposite side, the deck (12) will be relatively resilient. The support members (110, 111) consist of molded plastic links which are serially and pivotally interconnected to form the deck from a number of generally parallel longitudinal columns of links. Each link includes a planar support surface (120) for supporting the mattress and a reinforcing rib (121) on the lower surface for added strength. Pivot pins (112) are used to interconnect the links and a stop (117) is provided on each end of the link to restrict the upward flexing or movement of the joined links. The links are economically and easily manufactured thereby providing a commercially competitive sofa bed (10) without detrimental aspects associated with prior sofa bed structures.

Description

HINGED LINK MATTRESS DECK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for providing support deck for a mattress or a seat. The support deck of thi

invention is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, use in sofa beds In the past, sofa bed mattress decks have been made with metal lin fabrics or polypropylene which are attached to an outside frame wit hooks or helical connectors. The link fabric decks have an inherent fla

in that they are comprised of a grid of wires which are free to pivot o yield, thereby offering little resistance when a person sits or rests on th unfolded sofa bed. This yielding effect is known in the bedding industr as "hammocking" .

Sofa bed decks which are made from polypropylene likewise suffe from the same inherent flaw in that they consist of a canvas-typ

material attached to a frame with hooks or helical connectors which ar insufficiently resilient to provide proper support for a person sitting, reclining or resting on the sofa bed.

Another problem associated with currently existing decks commonly

referred to in the industry as "crowning". Crowning occurs when the

sofa bed mattress, after having been folded and recessed back into the

sofa, pushes upward against the sofa bed deck to cause a bulge. This crowning effect is particularly a problem with thick mattresses. The bulge is generated because the sofa bed deck is not sufficiently strong

enough to resist and contain the folded and compacted mattress.

The bulge created by the crowning of the mattress inhibits the seat

cushions from laying flat on the sofa; a condition referred to in the industry as cushion "smiling". Sitting on a sofa with "smiling" cushions is unpleasant in that one teeters back and forth while sitting on the firm mattress bulge.

One proposed solution to these problems has been to manufacture a deck from serially interlocked metallic wire-like link members

interconnected by metal rectangular plate-like members such that the resulting deck resists upward force when in a horizontal configuration, but yields to downward force under the weight of one sitting or reclining thereon. Problems associated with this proposed solution include great

difficulty in manufacturing the various component parts and, therefore, increased expense in manufacturing a sofa bed or the like with such a

deck structure. This is particularly troublesome in the highly competitive bedding and mattress industry in which production and manufacturing costs often distinguish the successful designs from the many comparable alternatives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the this invention is to provide an improved deck structure for use in sofa beds or other seating or bedding support

systems.

A further objective is to provide a sofa bed mattress deck that eliminates the problems of "hammocking," "crowning" and cushion

"smiling".

A further objective is to provide a sofa bed mattress deck that can

accommodate a thicker sofa bed mattress while providing for neat and compact storage or folding of the mattress into the sofa bed.

A further objective is to provide a sofa bed mattress deck that will achieve the above objectives and yet is relatively inexpensive to

manufacture. ^'Z

These objectives are obtained by a support deck attached to a sofa bed frame. The deck is formed from a series of serially hinged links joined together such that when the deck is pushed from the bottom side it resists and maintains its flat surface (i.e. it is in a locked position).

However, when the deck is pushed or forced from the top side it yields or bows. As a result, when the sofa bed is unfolded, a firm mattress deck is provided that contours to the user's body without excessive sagging. When folded and stored within the sofa bed, the deck provides

a flat surface upon which the sofa bed cushions can be placed without smiling or bulging. In this folded condition, the mattress is pushing upward and outward against the side of the deck that is in a locked

position and thereby resists the upward force of the mattress.

The support provided to a person sitting or resting on the sofa bed in the sofa configuration simulates that of a standard sofa with a spring seat. This is due to the fact that the deck, while locked against upward movement, will yield in downward movement in response to a person's

weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and features of the invention will become -more

readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a sofa bed in an open position which incorporates a deck of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the sofa bed of Fig. 1 in a closed position with portions removed to show internal parts;

Fig. 3 is a fragmented view of a mattress supported on a conventional deck to illustrate hammocking;

Fig. 4 is a view generally similar to Fig. 2, but of a conventional sofa and deck to illustrate "crowning";

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the deck;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the deck shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of links for use in the deck of this invention; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of links according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Fig. 1 , a sofa bed 10 incorporating a support deck

1 2 in accordance with this invention for supporting a mattress 13 for

movement between a bed position as shown in Fig. 1 and a sofa

position as shown in Fig. 2. The sofa bed 10 may has, for illustrative purposes only, a conventional frame structure including a backrest

frame 1 6 upstanding from a base frame 20 supported on the floor by legs 18, and a front rail 14 as shown in Fig. 2. The frame defines a cavity for receiving the sofa bed in the sofa position as shown in Fig. 2 and for allowing the bed to be unfolded from the sofa position into the bed position shown in Fig. 1 . It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that any conventional sofa bed frame may be

utilized in conjunction with the deck of this invention. In addition, the deck may be mounted to the frame by any suitable linkage shown for example by a hinged two bar linkage 22 joined by a pin 23 or other suitable structure and a single bar linkage 24 for movement between the sofa and bed positions. The terminal ends of each linkage 22, 24 are pivotally attached to the frame base 20 as with pivot pin 25 or

other suitable mechanisms. In addition, a conventional leg arrangement such as shown by a foot end leg 27 may be employed to support the deck in the bed

position shown in Fig. 1 and yet at the same time to be foldable with

the deck into the sofa position shown in Fig. 2.

The mattress 13 itself may also be of any conventional design and configuration. However, the deck of this invention enables the use of mattresses of greater depths with standard sofa beds than have heretofore been possible.

Fig. 3 shows a conventional mattress 3 supported on a conventional deck 2 of the prior art to illustrate the problem of

"hammocking". Hammocking results from the fact that the deck 2 has insufficient strength to resist the weight of the mattress and an

occupant (not shown) resting, sitting or reclining atop the mattress. Fig. 4 discloses the conventional deck 2 as shown in Fig. 3, but with the sofa bed in the folded or sofa position. Due to the inadequate strength of the deck 2, the mattress 3 bulges upwardly to form a crown with a convex plane or surface 2ε. The sofa bed cushions do not lay flat on such an uneven or crowned surface. This

provides both an unsightly appearance and uncomfortable seat. These problems are solved by the unique deck of this invention which may be incorporated into any suitable perimeter frame. The deck is arranged in the sofa bed such that when the sofa bed is in the

bed position, the deck will not yield in a downward direction under the weight of the mattress and/or the occupant of the mattress, but provides a firm, flat, and generally planar support surface. However, when the deck is moved into the sofa position and the portion of the deck at the foot end of the mattress is folded into the overlying position represented by 12a in Fig. 2, the portion of the deck associated therewith will yield downwardly under the weight of the occupant of the sofa so as to provide a soft and comfortable seat.

However, this portion of the deck will not be movable upwardly into a crowned or convex position under expansive forces of the mattress,

but will remain in a generally horizontal position as shown in Fig. 2. This not only provides a comfortable seating surface but also allows the sofa cushions to lie flat on the deck rather than "smile".

In such a position, which is also shown in Fig. 2, the upper top

layer 12a of the deck shown in Fig. 2 will be free to yield downwardly to provide a soft seat for one sitting, resting, or reclining thereon while the lower layer of the deck will be nonyielding to provide a substantially

rigid planar support.

The deck support of this invention may also be employed internally to form a support in a box spring. It may also be made without a foldable frame, that is, for a mattress or seat that does not fold as disclosed above, or may be useful as is apparent by one of ordinary skill

in the art.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, there is shown a preferred form of

the invention wherein the support members 1 10 and 1 1 1 are linked together by pivot pins 1 12 in the opposite ends thereof which have recessed portions 1 1 3, 1 14 for accommodating the adjacent projecting end portion 1 15 and 1 16 of the neighboring support member. In this

embodiment, the projecting end portions 1 1 5 and 1 1 6 are formed as a

hinge barrel for receiving pivot pins 1 1 2 for pivotally linking the support members together. Apertures 109 extend through the end portions 1 1 5,

1 1 6 to receive the pivot pins 1 12 therethrough.

Pins 1 12a are provided for receiving links 85 which connect to a

frame 83 of the sofa bed via a mounting bracket plate 84. Links 85 are received in the bracket 84 on the frame 83. The bracket 84 has a series of apertures 81 provided at predetermined locations. Specific apertures

81 are offset from each other to control the tension in the support members to provide uniform tension across the deck. Links 85 have

their opposite ends formed with hook portions 89, 90. The hook portion 89 is received in an aperture of the bracket 84; whereas hook portion 90 is engaged about the pivot pin 1 12a.

Referring to Fig. 5, the recessed end portions 1 13 and 1 14

terminate at a stop surface 1 17 which is engageable with a projecting stop surface 1 1 8 formed on the adjacent end portions 1 1 5, 1 1 6 in order

to limit the relative pivotal movement between the support members 1 10, 1 1 1 about pivot pin 1 12 in one angular direction when subjected

to forces represented by the arrow 1 30 in Fig. 5. The support members 1 10, 1 1 1 however are free to pivot relative to each other in the opposite angular direction as illustrated by the phantom lines in Fig. 5. ln one preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross-section of the recessed portions 1 13, 1 14 is arcuate as indicated at 1 32 to complement and provide a seat for the arcuate surface of the mating end portion 1 1 5, 1 16 of the adjacent support member. Moreover it is

preferred that the support members 1 10, 1 1 1 be molded as an integral piece from a suitable plastic, such as polypropylene or the like. It is further preferred that the support members have a generally flat elongated rectangular surface on one side 120 which will receive a seat

cushion when the deck is folded in the sofa mode when in use in a bed

as shown in Fig. 5. The underside of each support member is provided with an integral reinforcing rib 1 21 extending longitudinally along the axis from end to end as best shown in Fig. 6. In the sofa configuration, the support members provide a substantially continuous planar surface as a result of the similarly oriented planar surfaces 120 which will be

presented to the cushions of the associated sofa bed. However, the support members will yield downwardly to provide comfort but are resistant to yielding upwardly to prevent crowning.

In a modification of the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the

opposite ends of support members 48 are not bifurcated as shown in Fig. 6 but instead have a single recess 50 and a single projection 52 on each end which mate with a similarly configured support member having the projection 52 and recess 50 on an adjacent end as shown in Fig. 7.

A third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 8 in

which a support member 46 has a single projection 54 centered on one end thereof and flanked on each side by a recess 56. The opposite end of the support member has a single center recess 58 which is flanked by

a pair of projections 60. When linked together as shown in Fig. 8, the

single projection 54 is coupled to the adjacent support member between

the pair of projections 60 in the recess 58 to provide the support and bending capabilities required of the invention.

It will thus be seen that in all of the different embodiments

described above, support members are pivotally interconnected to allow relative movement in one angular direction but stops are provided to prevent or limit movement in the opposite or counter direction.

From the above disclosure of the general principles of this invention and the preceding detailed description of preferred embodiments, those

skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the this invention is susceptible. Therefore, I desire to be limited

only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

I claim:

1 . A deck for seating or bedding comprising a plurality of support members extending generally in the same direction to form a support, said support members having adjacent ends connected to each other for

movement relative to each other, and stops on said members arranged

such that upon movement of said members in one direction the stops will engage a support member to limit movement and upon movement of the members in a direction opposite said one direction the stops will be spaced from the support member to permit movement in said

opposite direction, wherein the opposite ends of each support member

are provided with at least one recess and at least one projection mating with said recess and projection on adjacent support members.

2. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein said stops are provided at opposite ends of said support members.

3. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein said stops include pivot pins in the ends of the support members.

4. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein the opposite ends of each of

the support members are bifurcated and receive mating bifurcated end portions of adjacent support members.

5. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein said support members have planar surfaces on one side thereof.

6. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein said support members are made from molded plastic.

7. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein said support members are made from extruded plastic.

8. The deck defined in claim 1 including a border frame having a series

of apertures spaced along the frame with several apertures offset

outwardly of the frame relative to other apertures, and a plurality of links received in said apertures and connected to support members for suspending the support members from the frame.

9. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein each support includes a body

having on each of its opposite ends a projection and recess for receiving a complementary recess and projection on an adjacent support member, an aperture extending in said projection receiving a pivot pin to connect the body to an adjacent support member, and said stops are on the opposite ends of the body for engaging stops on an adjacent support member when in a generally copianar position relative to the adjacent support member, said body being integrally formed and having a generally planar surface on one side thereof.

10. The deck defined in claim 1 wherein each said support member has a pair of projections spaced apart by a recess on a first end and a projection positioned between a pair of recesses on a second end such that adjacent support members mate with said pair of projections of said support member being positioned within said pair of recesses of an adjacent support member.

1 1 . The deck defined in claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing rib extending longitudinally on said support member.

1 2. In a sofa bed having a frame movable between a folded position for

sofa use and an unfolded position for bed use, said frame including a

deck for supporting bedding, said deck having an end portion adapted to

overly bedding when the frame is in the folded position and to underlay

the bedding when the frame is in the unfolded position, said deck portion yielding in a downward direction and relatively resistant to yielding in an

upward direction when the frame is in the folded position, said deck

portion including a plurality of support members pivotally connected to

each other and having stop means for limiting movement of said members in said upward direction, each said support member having at least one projection and at least one recess on each end thereof to facilitate the coupling of adjacent support members.

1 3. The sofa bed defined in claim 12 wherein said stop means are located at opposite end portions of said members.

14. The sofa bed defined in claim 12 wherein said support members are coupled with adjacent support members with a pivot pin extending

through an aperture in the opposite ends of said support members.

1 5. The sofa bed defined in claim 12 wherein said deck portion

includes support members connected to each other at joints and wherein

there is included means preventing movement of the support members

at the joints when forces are applied to the joints in said upward direction when the frame is in the folded position.