A combined wall treatment and
bed, that is, a unit which resembles a decorative wall treatment, such as a painting, when in the upright and stowed position, but which can be lowered to provide a comfortable
bed. When the unit is in the upright and stowed position its appearance is that of a thin (4½″) wall treatment, the thickness of a large painting, and thus consumes practically no
living space. A fixed component can be attached to any standard wall construction without modification; it supports the lower edge of a movable portion and defines an axis about which the movable portion pivots to provide a functional and comfortable
bed. The fixed component of the unit comprises a lower horizontal element to conceal the support and pivot mechanism, and forms the lower component of a frame visually surrounding the center of the wall treatment; the corresponding upper element conceals a set of legs supporting the upper edge of the movable portion of the unit when in the lowered position. A planar center member between the upper and lower frame elements supports and conceals the sleep
system, and can be decorated with a façade of wood, cloth, or painted treatments to taste. The legs, which are concealed in the upper frame element, automatically articulate out to support the foot of the bed as it reaches the horizontal position. A thin yet very comfortable bed is provided by a sleep
system that utilizes a comfortable
hybrid air and foam mattress. An electric air
handling system automatically inflates the
hybrid air and foam mattress as the bed begins its descent and deflates the mattress as the bed is pivoted to the vertical position, and preferably allows for pressure adjustment after the bed is down. The sleep
system also uses thin flexible cambered slats, which both take up very little space and provide maximum comfort.