Beds – Sofa bed – Extension
Patent
1997-06-06
1999-10-26
Trettel, Michael F.
Beds
Sofa bed
Extension
5 121, 5182, A47C 1713
Patent
active
059705388
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a pantographic support control mechanism and specifically to a mechanism for controlling a support surface associated with a pantographic mechanism. The mechanism finds use with furniture and will be described primarily with reference to its use in convertible sofa beds, but it should be appreciated that the invention has much wider application. For example, the invention can find application with cupboards, armchairs, cabinets etc and, in addition, may find application beyond that of furniture.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Pantographic mechanisms for use with furniture are known. The mechanisms are primarily used to transform a piece of furniture from one function into another function, usually the latter function being that of a bed. The pantographic mechanism is stored in a contracted position within the furniture piece in its primary function, and is released therefrom and moved into an extended position to transform the furniture piece into a second function (eg. as a bed, footrest, etc).
With some of the existing pantographic mechanisms employed with furniture, when the mechanism is brought into the extended position a plurality of transverse support planks or slats mounted to the mechanism may be brought into a horizontal orientation. The resulting upper surface then forms the basis of a support surface for a mattress, cushion(s) etc. Existing arrangements require the fastening of the support planks to and between respective arms of a pantographic linkage in a constrained manner so that in the extended position the support planks move into the horizontal orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pantographic support control mechanism for use with furniture including: rearward ends such that extension of the linkage causes relative movement of the forward and rearward ends away from each other whereas contraction of the linkage causes relative movement of the forward and rearward ends towards each other; respect to the pantographic linkage; and the pantographic linkage and a respective support in a manner such that extension of the pantographic linkage causes each urging element to act on its respective support to cause it to pivot upwardly and in the same way as an adjacent support, from an inoperative position to an operative position.
Certain advantages follow from having the support pivotally mounted to the mechanism, for example, the support can be readily detached from the pantographic mechanism (eg. by employing a releasable pivotal mounting) for the purpose of replacement, repair etc. Also, the urging elements can function to stabilise the supports in the operative position. For example, where the support incorporates support slats forming a sofa-bed support surface for a mattress, the urging elements can function to stabilise this support surface in use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a side elevation detail of one preferred pantographic support control mechanism
FIG. 2 shows a side elevation detail of another preferred pantographic support control mechanism according to the invention.
FIG. 3 shows a side elevation of another preferred pantographic support control mechanism according to the invention, similar in principle to the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, and when used on a sofa-bed and in the extended position;
FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of the mechanism of FIG. 3, but when in the contracted position;
FIG. 5 shows a side elevation detail of another preferred pantographic support control mechanism according to the invention, and similar in principle to the mechanism of FIG. 2, but without the employment of support posts;
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show respectively side, front and plan detail elevations of the mechanism of FIG. 5 when in the contracted position;
FIG. 9
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"Combination bed and bedside table", SU-A-1764621, Derwint Abstract. No. 93-318596/40, Sep. 30, 1992.
Borthwick Industries Pty Ltd.
Trettel Michael F.
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