Touring car sofa bed and touring car
By introducing movable sofa cushions and extension devices into the RV sofa bed, the problem of mattress storage taking up space in existing technologies has been solved, achieving efficient use of space and improved comfort.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520147211.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-22
AI Technical Summary
When existing RV sofa beds are converted into beds, their structure is complex and the mattress storage takes up a lot of space, affecting comfort and space utilization.
Design a sofa bed for RVs, featuring movable sofa cushions and an extension device. The movable sofa cushions can be embedded in storage slots for use as backrests, the height-adjustable table is adjustable, the extension device expands the bed's area, and the stability is enhanced through support and limiting structures.
The sofa bed structure has been simplified, saving mattress storage space, improving space utilization, enhancing the stability and comfort of the bed, and the conversion process is convenient.
Smart Images

Figure CN223618643U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sofa beds, and in particular to a motorhome sofa bed and motorhome. Background Technology
[0002] As a high-end RV, how to make it more comfortable is the main core of its development direction. However, the main problem of RVs is space. Various functional needs have fully occupied its small space. Take the sofa dinette as an example. Even if a regular sofa dinette can be converted into a simple bed, its sitting and lying space cannot meet the normal rest of the users, which seriously affects the comfort of high-end RVs.
[0003] Currently, a Chinese patent application with publication number CN209987812U and publication date of January 24, 2020, proposes a modular sofa bed for RVs, which includes a lift-up table and a sofa. The sofa is provided on both sides of the lift-up table, and the surface of the sofa is hinged with a cover plate. The front of the sofa is provided with a side panel, and the interior of the sofa and the back of the side panel are provided with a pull-out mechanism.
[0004] When in use, the side panel is pulled outward, causing the entire pull-out mechanism to slide out from the inside of the sofa along the first slide rail. Then, the horizontal panel is pulled toward one side of the lifting table. The second slide rail and the second slider slide against each other, causing the horizontal panels to separate and widen the width of the entire device. At the same time, the horizontal panel moves toward the lifting table, filling and expanding the distance between the widened part of the horizontal panel and the lifting table. The structure is complex and has low reliability.
[0005] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, when converting a sofa into a bed, multiple sofa cushions need to be placed on the extension device to be used as mattresses. However, when the mattresses are stored away to be used as sofas, the storage of the mattresses will occupy most of the storage space inside the RV, thereby reducing the original storage space of the RV. Utility Model Content
[0006] In order to simplify the structure of the sofa bed, reduce the storage space occupied by the mattress, and improve the space utilization of the RV, this utility model provides an RV sofa bed and RV.
[0007] First aspect: This utility model provides a sofa bed for a motorhome, adopting the following technical solution:
[0008] A sofa bed for motorhomes includes a first sofa, a second sofa, and a lift-up table. The first sofa and the second sofa are arranged opposite each other, and the lift-up table is positioned between the first sofa and the second sofa. The backrests of the first sofa and / or the second sofa are provided with storage slots, and movable sofa cushions are placed in the storage slots. When used as a sofa, the movable sofa cushions are embedded in the storage slots. When used as a bed, the lift-up table is lowered, and the movable sofa cushions are supported on the lift-up table.
[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, when the sofa bed of this application is used as a sofa, the movable sofa cushions are first stored in the storage slots provided on the backrests of the first and / or second sofas, and finally the lifting table is raised, thus it can be used as a booth-style sofa. When the sofa bed of this application is used as a bed, the lifting table is first lowered, then the movable sofa cushions are taken out of the storage slots, and finally the movable sofa cushions are supported on the lifting table, thus the whole can be used as a bed. In this way, when the sofa bed is used as a sofa, the movable sofa cushions can be used as sofa back cushions to increase the comfort of the sofa; when the whole is used as a bed, the movable sofa cushions can be used as mattresses, saving the cost of an extra spare mattress and the space required to store an extra spare mattress.
[0010] Optionally, the movable sofa cushion includes a first movable sofa cushion and a second movable sofa cushion.
[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the movable sofa cushion is divided into a first movable sofa cushion and a second movable sofa cushion. The movable sofa cushion can be flexibly spliced according to the space of the RV, so that the movable sofa cushion can be used in a variety of RV models and the cost required to replace a single movable sofa cushion is reduced.
[0012] Optionally, it also includes an extension device, which includes an extension plate and an extension pad; the side of the first sofa is also provided with a storage compartment, and the extension plate is slidably installed in the storage compartment; when used as a sofa, the extension plate is stored in the storage compartment; when used as a bed, the extension plate is pulled out from the storage compartment, one side of the extension pad is supported on the extension plate, and the other side is supported on the floor by its own support structure, the first movable sofa cushion is supported on the lifting table, and the second movable sofa cushion is supported on the lifting table and the extension pad.
[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, when the sofa bed of this application is used as a sofa, firstly, the extension pad is folded up; secondly, the extension device is slidably stored into the storage compartment, and the first movable sofa cushion is stored in the first sofa, and the second movable sofa cushion is stored in the second sofa. Finally, the lifting table is raised, and it can be used as a booth-style sofa. When the sofa bed of this application is used as a bed, firstly, the extension device is slid out of the storage compartment, and the lifting table is lowered. Secondly, one side of the extension pad is supported on the extension device, and the other side of the extension pad is supported by its own support structure. Finally, the first movable sofa cushion is supported on the lifting table, and the second movable sofa cushion is supported on the lifting table and the extension pad. The whole can then be used as a bed. When the two movable sofa cushions and the extension mat are used together as a bed, the extension board and the height-adjustable table work together to support the extension mat and movable sofa cushions, improving the stability of the mattress. On the other hand, the addition of the extension board and the extension mat increases the usable area of the bed and mattress, thereby increasing the comfort when used as a bed. At the same time, when converting the sofa into a bed, you only need to pull the extension device out of the sofa's storage compartment. The conversion process is simple and quick, increasing the convenience of use.
[0014] Optionally, the support structure is rotatably connected below the expansion pad.
[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, when the expansion pad is used on the height-adjustable table and expansion board, the support structure under the expansion pad is rotated and unfolded. The two ends of the expansion pad are supported by the expansion device and the support structure respectively, which can effectively improve the stability and load-bearing capacity of the expansion pad after it is supported. When the expansion pad is not in use, the support structure can be rotated and folded to store the expansion pad, which can effectively reduce the storage space of the expansion pad.
[0016] Optionally, the expansion pad has a support portion at one end where the support structure is located, and the second movable sofa cushion is supported on the support portion.
[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the support part is designed so that when one end of the second movable sofa cushion is supported on the lifting table, the other end can be supported on the support part of the extension pad, thereby supporting both ends of the second movable sofa cushion, increasing the stability of the second movable sofa cushion when it is used as a mattress, and thus increasing the comfort of the mattress.
[0018] Optionally, the expansion plate is also equipped with a lock, which is used to lock in conjunction with the storage compartment.
[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the lock can increase the stability of the expansion board when it is stored in the storage compartment, and reduce the probability that the expansion board will slide out of the storage device on its own.
[0020] Optionally, the expansion plate includes a vertically arranged support side plate, a vertically arranged limiting side plate, a horizontally arranged support plate, and a baffle. The support side plate and the limiting side plate are respectively fixedly arranged on both sides of the support plate. The top of the support side plate is flush with the support plate, and the top of the limiting side plate is higher than the support plate. The expansion plate is slidably connected to the storage compartment through the support side plate and the limiting side plate. The baffle is fixedly installed on the side of the support plate facing the outside of the storage compartment.
[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, both the vertically arranged support side plate and the vertically arranged limiting side plate are slidably installed on the inner wall of the storage compartment via pull-out slide rails, and provide support on both sides of the support plate, which can achieve a more stable support effect. The top of the support side plate and the support plate are flush, which can more stably support the expansion pad. The top of the limiting side plate is higher than the support plate, which can abut the end of the expansion pad against the limiting side plate when the expansion pad is supported on the support plate, thereby limiting the end of the expansion pad, reducing the probability of the expansion pad sliding when supported on the expansion device, and increasing the stability of the expansion pad when supported on the expansion device.
[0022] Optionally, the top of the baffle is higher than the support plate, and the baffle is used to limit the position of the expansion pad.
[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the top of the baffle is set higher than the support plate, which can abut the edge of the expansion pad against the baffle when the expansion pad is supported on the support plate, so that the expansion pad is clamped between the baffle and the sofa. This can limit the expansion pad on the side, reduce the probability of the expansion pad sliding when supported on the expansion device, further increase the stability of the expansion pad when supported on the expansion device, and improve the overall comfort of the mattress.
[0024] Secondly, this utility model provides a motorhome, which adopts the following technical solution:
[0025] A motorhome, including a motorhome sofa bed as described in any of the first aspects.
[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, when the RV sofa bed described in the first aspect is installed in the RV compartment, it is possible to convert the sofa bed between a sofa and a bed, and the sofa cushions can also be used as a mattress, which can save valuable space in the RV to the greatest extent; the setting of the extension device and extension mat can also increase the area when used as a bed, increasing the comfort level.
[0027] In summary, this utility model has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:
[0028] 1. Set the cushions in the sofa backrest to be detachable from the backrest and use them as movable sofa cushions. This allows the movable sofa cushions to be used as both sofa cushions and mattresses. This saves the cost of extra spare mattresses and also saves valuable space inside the RV that would otherwise be used to store mattresses, thus improving space utilization.
[0029] 2. By installing a pull-out extension device on the side of the sofa, an extension mat can be placed on the extension device after it is extended. The extension mat and the movable sofa cushion can be used together as a bed, which can increase the usable area of the bed. This integrated use of sofa and bed can transform the sofa into a bed to provide a comfortable sleeping area, save the space occupied by the bed, and further improve the utilization of the valuable space inside the RV. At the same time, the pull-out design of the extension device provides a simple switching mechanism for switching between sofa and bed, improving the convenience of use.
[0030] 3. A foldable support structure is installed under the expansion pad. The support structure, when used in conjunction with the expansion device and the lifting table, can support the expansion pad at both ends, further increasing the stability of the expansion pad when it is supported. The foldable design of the support structure allows it to be folded away when the expansion pad is stored, reducing the space occupied by the expansion pad and improving space utilization.
[0031] 4. The extension device is equipped with multiple limiting structures. These limiting structures can restrict the slippage of the extension pad after it is supported, thereby improving the stability of the extension pad and thus enhancing the overall stability and comfort of the bed. Attached Figure Description
[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the bed body according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the sofa in an embodiment of this utility model;
[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the expansion device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the expansion pad according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. First sofa; 11. First movable sofa cushion; 12. Storage compartment; 13. Storage slot; 2. Second sofa; 21. Second movable sofa cushion; 3. Adjustable table; 4. Extension device; 41. Extension plate; 411. Supporting side plate; 412. Limiting side plate; 413. Support plate; 414. Baffle; 415. Lock; 42. Extension pad; 421. Support structure; 422. Support part. Detailed Implementation
[0037] The following combination Figures 1 to 4 The present invention will be described in further detail below.
[0038] This utility model discloses a motorhome. (Refer to...) Figures 1 to 4 A motorhome includes a cabin and a sofa bed. The sofa bed is installed inside the motorhome and mainly includes a first sofa 1, a second sofa 2, an extension device 4, and a lift-up table 3. The first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2 are arranged opposite each other, and the lift-up table 3 is located between the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2. The backrests of the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2 are respectively provided with storage slots 13, in which a first movable sofa cushion 11 and a second movable sofa cushion 21 are respectively arranged. The side of the first sofa 1 is also provided with a storage compartment 12. The extension device 4 includes an extension plate 41 and an extension pad 42, with the extension plate 41 slidably installed in the storage compartment 12. When the sofa bed of this application is used as a sofa, the lift-up table 3 is first raised to support items, and at the same time... The extension device 4 is slidably stored into the first sofa 1, and then the extension cushion 42 is stored away. Finally, the first movable sofa cushion 11 and the second movable sofa cushion 21 are respectively embedded into the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2 as sofa cushions. When using the sofa bed of this application as a bed, firstly, the lifting table 3 is lowered, then the extension device 4 is slid out from the side of the sofa, and finally the first movable sofa cushion 11 and the second movable sofa cushion 21 are removed from the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2 respectively. The extension cushion 42 is also removed. According to the shape of the extension cushion 42 and the movable sofa cushion, the extension cushion 42 and the movable sofa cushion are respectively supported on the lifting table 3 and the extension device 4, and the empty area between the two sofas is filled. The whole is used as a bed.
[0039] Thus, the sofa bed in this application can be used as a sofa during the day and at night. When used as a sofa, the movable sofa cushions serve as backrests; when used as a bed, the movable sofa cushions serve as mattresses, making full use of the space in the sofa bed area and increasing the utilization rate of valuable space in the RV.
[0040] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2 are arranged opposite each other, and both the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2 are provided with a support part 422 at the bottom. The top of the support part 422 is set as the seat cushion area of the sofa. A storage compartment 12 is set on the side of the support part 422 of the first sofa 1. An extension device 4 is slidably installed in the storage compartment 12. The extension device 4 is designed as a drawer and is slidably set in the storage compartment 12 via a slide rail. The side of the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2 that is relatively far apart is provided with a backrest. The backrest is supported by a wooden board. A cushion is set on the inner side of the wooden board. The wooden board and the cushion together form the sofa backrest. The middle part of the cushion is a movable sofa cushion. The movable sofa cushion can be removed from the backrest. After the movable sofa cushion is removed from the backrest, the original area of the first movable sofa cushion 11 on the backrest of the first sofa 1 forms a storage groove 13. The original area of the second movable sofa cushion 21 on the backrest of the second sofa 2 also forms a storage groove 13. After the movable sofa cushion is embedded in the storage groove 13, it is used as the backrest of the sofa.
[0041] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The expansion device 4 includes an expansion plate 41, a pull-out slide rail, and a lock 415. Two sets of pull-out slide rails are provided, each set positioned on one side wall of the storage compartment 12. The slide rails are oriented along the depth of the storage compartment 12 and are three-fold, high-load-bearing, bottom-mounted, damped pull-out slide rails. The expansion plate 41 includes a supporting side plate 411, a limiting side plate 412, a supporting plate 413, and a baffle 414. The supporting side plate 411 and the limiting side plate 412 are vertically oriented, while the supporting plate 413 is horizontally oriented. The supporting side plate 411 and the limiting side plate 412 are positioned on opposite sides of the supporting plate 413. Connecting the relatively distant sides of the supporting side plate 411 and the limiting side plate 412 to the pull-out slide rail allows for... The supporting side plate 411, the limiting side plate 412, and the supporting plate 413 are slidably installed in the storage compartment 12. The baffle 414 is located on the side of the supporting plate 413 facing the outside of the storage compartment 12 and is fixedly connected to the side of the supporting side plate 411 and the limiting side plate 412, forming a drawer-type structure. At the same time, the lock 415 is provided on the baffle 414 so that the expansion device 4 can be locked after it is stored in the storage compartment 12. In other embodiments, the lock 415 can also be installed on any part of the storage compartment 12, such as the side wall or the top, or on the supporting side plate 411 or the limiting side plate 412 of the expansion device 4, depending on whether it can lock the expansion device 4 in the storage compartment 12.
[0042] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3To increase the contact area between the expansion pad 42 and the expansion plate 41 when the expansion pad 42 is supported on the expansion plate 41, thereby making the expansion pad 42 more stable, the support side plate 411 is located on the side of the support plate 413 near the lifting table 3, and the top of the support side plate 411 is flush with the surface of the support plate 413. To reduce the relative sliding between the expansion pad 42 and the expansion plate 41 when the expansion pad 42 is supported on the expansion plate 41, the tops of the limiting side plate 412 and the baffle 414 are both higher than the surface of the support plate 413, and the expansion pad 42 is supported on one side of the support side plate 411. In this way, the limiting side plate 412 can limit the expansion pad 42 at its end, and the baffle 414 can limit the expansion pad 42 on its side, reducing the probability of the expansion pad 42 sliding relative to the expansion plate 41.
[0043] Reference Figure 4 The expansion pad 42 is a mattress filled with soft materials such as sponge, cotton, or fiber filling. A support structure 421 is provided at one end of the expansion pad 42. The support structure 421 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the expansion pad 42 via a hinge, pivot, or other rotating mechanism. Specifically, the support structure 421 can be a support board, support legs, or support frame, or any structure that can provide support. On the side of the expansion pad 42 where the support structure 421 is provided, a support part 422 extends from the side of the expansion pad 42. The support part 422 is a plate-like structure with its bottom flush with the expansion pad 42 and its top lower than the expansion pad 42. When the sofa bed in this application is used as a bed, one end of the expansion pad 42 is supported on the expansion board 41, and the support structure 421 at the other end of the expansion pad 42 will automatically flip under the action of gravity. Fold it open, support the other end of the expansion pad 42, lower the lifting table 3, then take out the second movable sofa cushion 21 and support one end of the second movable sofa cushion 21 on the lifting table 3, support the other end of the second movable sofa cushion 21 on the support part 422, take out the first movable sofa cushion 11 and support the first movable sofa cushion 11 on the lowered lifting table 3. The expansion pad 42, the first movable sofa cushion 11 and the second movable sofa cushion 21 fill the area between the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2. In this way, the two ends of the expansion pad 42 are supported by the expansion device 4 and the support structure 421 respectively, and the two ends of the second movable sofa cushion 21 are supported by the lifting table 3 and the support part 422 respectively, which can effectively improve the stability of the mattress when the expansion pad 42 and the movable sofa cushions are used together.
[0044] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The movable sofa cushions are provided with a first movable sofa cushion 11 and a second movable sofa cushion 21. The shapes of the first movable sofa cushion 11 and the second movable sofa cushion 21 are designed according to the shape of the sofa so as to fill the empty area between the two sofas and reduce the gaps left when used as a mattress. One or more movable sofa cushions can also be provided as needed, specifically to fill the area between the first sofa 1 and the second sofa 2. One or more storage slots 13 are also provided on the back of the second sofa 2 and the second sofa 2, respectively, for storing the movable sofa cushions as sofa back cushions.
[0045] In other embodiments, the first movable sofa cushion 11 and the second movable sofa cushion 21 may both be set in the first sofa 1 or the second sofa 2, and the corresponding storage slot 13 should also be set in the first sofa 1 or the second sofa 2. The specific setting position and number of the movable sofa cushion and the storage slot 13 are not limited to this embodiment, but are based on the ability to embed the movable sofa cushion into the storage slot 13 and form a sofa back.
[0046] The implementation principle of a RV sofa bed according to this utility model embodiment is as follows: When used as a bed, firstly, the lifting table 3 is lowered, and the extension device 4 is pulled out from the storage compartment 12. Next, one end of the extension pad 42 is supported on the support plate 413, and the other end of the extension pad 42 abuts against the support side plate 411. The support side plate 411 and the baffle 414 will limit the movement at the end and side of the extension pad 42. The support structure 421 at the other end of the extension pad 42 will automatically fold out under gravity, providing support at the other end of the extension pad 42. Finally, the first movable sofa cushion 11 and the second movable sofa cushion 21 are taken out of the storage compartment 13 respectively, and... The first movable sofa cushion 11 is supported on the lifting table 3, one end of the second movable sofa cushion 21 is supported on the lifting table 3, and the other end of the second movable sofa cushion 21 is supported on the support part 422, so that the expansion pad 42, the back cushion and the sofa are used as a whole. When used as a sofa, firstly, the first movable sofa cushion 11 and the second movable sofa cushion 21 are stored in the storage slot 13 respectively and used as the back cushion of the sofa. Secondly, the support structure 421 of the expansion pad 42 is folded and stored. Finally, the expansion device 4 is slid into the storage compartment 12 and locked with the expansion device 4 to increase the stability of the expansion device 4 when stored.
[0047] In summary, the sofa bed of this application can be used as both a sofa and a bed, saving space occupied by the bed frame; the dual-purpose design of the movable sofa cushion allows it to be used as both a sofa backrest and a mattress, eliminating the need for an extra mattress and saving valuable storage space inside the RV; the drawer-type extension device 4 provides support for the mattress while offering a simple mechanism for switching between the bed and sofa, enhancing the convenience of the sofa bed; the limiting structure on the extension device 4 restricts the sliding of the extension pad 42, improving the stability of the extension pad 42 during use, thereby enhancing the stability of the entire bed frame and increasing its comfort.
[0048] The above are all preferred embodiments of this utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape and principle of this utility model should be covered within the scope of protection of this utility model.
Claims
1. A sofa bed for a motorhome, comprising a first sofa (1), a second sofa (2), and a lift-up table (3), wherein the first sofa (1) and the second sofa (2) are arranged opposite to each other, and the lift-up table (3) is arranged between the first sofa (1) and the second sofa (2), characterized in that, The first sofa (1) and / or the second sofa (2) are provided with a storage groove (13) on their backs, and a movable sofa cushion is provided in the storage groove (13); When used as a sofa, the movable sofa cushion is embedded in the storage slot (13); When used as a bed, the lifting table (3) is lowered and the movable sofa cushion is supported on the lifting table (3).
2. The RV sofa bed according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable sofa cushion includes a first movable sofa cushion (11) and a second movable sofa cushion (21).
3. A sofa bed for a motorhome according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes an extension device (4), which includes an extension plate (41) and an extension pad (42). The first sofa (1) is also provided with a storage compartment (12) on its side, and the extension plate (41) is slidably installed in the storage compartment (12); When used as a sofa, the extension board (41) is stored in the storage compartment (12); When used as a bed, the extension board (41) is pulled out from the storage compartment (12), the extension pad (42) is supported on one side of the extension board (41) and on the other side by its own support structure (421) on the floor, the first movable sofa cushion (11) is supported on the lifting table (3), and the second movable sofa cushion (21) is supported on the lifting table (3) and the extension pad (42).
4. A sofa bed for a motorhome according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support structure (421) is rotatably connected below the expansion pad (42).
5. A sofa bed for a motorhome according to claim 3, characterized in that: The expansion pad (42) has a support part (422) at one end of the support structure (421), and the second movable sofa cushion (21) is supported on the support part (422).
6. A sofa bed for a motorhome according to claim 3, characterized in that: The expansion plate (41) is also provided with a lock (415), which is used to lock the storage compartment (12) in conjunction with the lock.
7. A sofa bed for a motorhome according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that: The expansion plate (41) includes a vertically arranged support side plate (411), a vertically arranged limiting side plate (412), a horizontally arranged support plate (413), and a baffle (414). The support side plate (411) and the limiting side plate (412) are respectively fixedly arranged on both sides of the support plate (413). The top of the support side plate (411) is flush with the support plate (413), and the top of the limiting side plate (412) is higher than the support plate (413). The expansion plate (41) is slidably connected to the storage compartment (12) through the support side plate (411) and the limiting side plate (412). The baffle (414) is fixedly installed on the side of the support plate (413) facing the outside of the storage compartment (12).
8. A sofa bed for a motorhome according to claim 7, characterized in that: The top of the baffle (414) is higher than the support plate (413), and the baffle (414) is used to limit the expansion pad (42).
9. A motorhome, characterized in that: Including the RV sofa bed as described in any one of claims 1-8.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Sofa bed for combined recreational vehicle
CN209987812U