Beds – Sofa bed – Reverting back
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-23
2001-10-09
Grosz, Alexander (Department: 3628)
Beds
Sofa bed
Reverting back
C005S047000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298504
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a two frame assembly sofa bed recliner having a simple interlock between the seat frame assembly and the back frame assembly. The sofa bed recliner has removable arm rests. In another embodiment the arm rests or side arms and the back frame are connected by guide means for guiding the recliner from a fully upright position to a fully reclined position and vice verse. The recliner may be made of either wood or metal.
The present invention is a unique combination of many elements including some known in the art to provide an inexpensive to produce, easy to use, space saving, sturdy light weight, two frame assembly sofa bed recliner preferably made of wood or metal with an improved structure and case of conversion and reconversion over the prior art.
In converting from a recliner to a sofa bed it is preferable to have the arm rests disengaged. To convert from recliner to a sofa bed the engaged back frame assembly and seat frame assembly are moved upward from the recliner position. The back frame assembly allowing the seat frame assembly once horizontal on the floor is unlinked from the seat from assembly allowing the seat from assembly to be lowered to a horizontal position and locked against jackknifing. The structure has the advantage of being able to simply interact to transform from recliner to sofa bed.
The arm rests are engagable to the back frame assembly and seat frame assembly once the sofa bed recliner is in recliner position.
The seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are pivotally linked free of any main frame and when in horizontal position support themselves elevated from the floor.
A simple system is provided for reconverting the sofa bed to a recliner position. The seat frame assembly is pulled backward disengaging it from its locked position, then lifted to a substantially vertical position. The seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are then interlockable for simultaneous rotation to a recliner position.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length and width of the back frame assembly and the seat frame assembly are such that, when opened into a sofa bed horizontal position, the bed portion is like a full double bed or larger.
The present invention is particularly adapted for use with a futon. Futons have become popular, offering the advantage of convertible structure adaptable for both sitting and sleeping. The present invention acts as a support structure for a futon, having the combined advantage of being a sturdy sofa bed and recliner.
The present invention has the advantage of the space saving of a futon supported on a structure, which also saves space. The futon serving as a recliner cushion and as a mattress. The simplicity of the structure is economical without sacrificing utility. As a recliner there is no separate main frame, as a sofa bed the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are properly supported without special supporting parts.
The elements are simplified over the prior art, combined and improved to provide a simple to construction, inexpensive to produce, easy to use two frame assembly sofa bed recliner.
The present invention also is a simple alternative for U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,611. The sofa bed recliner provides an inexpensive simple means for the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly to interengage to easily convert and reconvert to a sofa bed position and to a recliner position. Lifting of the seat frame assembly to a substantially vertical position enables easy interengaging of the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly are rotated upward again from the recliner position, then the seat frame assembly is disengaged from the back frame assembly and moved downward.
The structural simplicity is enabled by a slot in the seat frame assembly and the configuration of the bases of the seat frame assembly and back frame assembly and the slot in the seat frame assembly which enables locking in both recliner and sofa bed positions.
The present invention also provides embodiment in which the armrests or side arms have grooves or slots therein for by pins extending from upper and lower portions of the back frame. To guide means provide a mechanism for shifting the position of the recliner from an upright vertical position to a fully reclined position and vice verse. Securing means are further provided to prevent the recliner from jackknifing up from its fully reclined position when some places pressure or weight on it. Further a counter absorbing element is provided on each side of the recliner and is tightly affixed therein to release pressure or stress on the grooves or slots during the shifting of the recliner from one position to another.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,611 to Fireman, et.al, applicant of the present invention and co-inventor of this cited patent, discloses a “kicker” or detent. However, this patent does not teach counter absorbing elements nor address the problem of relieving stress on the slots by uniformly distributing the stress or pressure along a surface of the recliner's frame as does the present invention. Further, the present invention provides securing means to prevent the aforementioned jackknifing by the recliner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The prior art is replete with complex two piece structures for sofa beds mounted on main frames where the seat frame and back frame may be laid flat for use as a bed. Exemplary of such structures are U.S. Pat. No. 2,796,987 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,982,930 where complex structures convert the back frame of the sofa bed recliner from the recliner to a usable bed.
A relatively simple structure, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 715,114 still requires support arms and an awkward pushing to have the seat frame and back resume their prior position and does not have the uncomplicated engaging means of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,244 discloses a sofa bed recliner with a seat frame and back frame mounted on a base. The back frame has support arms. The seat frame and back frame have a complex tether spring and counter absorbing element mechanism, which enables a seat frame and back frame interlock. The seat frame and back frame also have a complex interlock when in the horizontal position, so that there is no likelihood of jackknifing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,244 discloses another interlock system for reconverting a main frame wooden sofa bed recliner including guide means and a bell like tent.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,634,893 discloses a metal track system for a hinged three piece sofa bed recliner with a pivotal free floating bell shaped tent interactable with a metal reaction plate. A support arm for the back frame enables conversion of the sofa bed, including a main frame, from a sofa bed to a recliner. The seat frame is supported on legs.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,470 discloses a sofa bed on a low main frame with a back having a bracket to provide a two position lock for a back frame. The back frame has a hinged support and a typical wheel arrangement. The back frame has a pivot stud with a notch to engage a separate bracket spaced from the main frame by means of rivets and a collar. The bracket has a right angulated projection for receiving the notch and a vertical guide for receiving the pivot. All locking and movement is an interaction between the bracket and the notched pivot.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,611 provides a pivotable tent for interlocking a main frame mounted seat frame and back frame. The patent discloses a complex multi-groove guiding system in an end support leg for the seat frame and back frame and means for locking against jackknifing when the wooden sofa bed recliner is in its horizonal position.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,294,475 provides a pivotable metal plate set for interlocking a main frame mounted seat frame and back frame. The patent discloses a complex multi-groove guiding system and a groove for in an end support.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,333 discloses a sofa bed recliner mounted on a base. The back frame has support arms. The seat frame and back frame have complex ends with grooves and notches and p
Grosz Alexander
Klar, Esq. Richard B.
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