Folding bed, especially for children

Abstract

TITLE: Foldable bed, especially for children The foldable bed comprises a foldable frame, with two longitudinal members (110) and two articulated crosspieces (140). The frame comprises four corner joints (170C), as well as four elongated legs (200C) and four associated connecting devices (400C). Each of the connecting devices is independent of the other three, is adapted to connect the leg to the frame in a movably manner between a service position, where the leg is fixed and supports the frame, and a storage position, where the leg is free to be folded longitudinally against the frame, comprises a housing (402C), integral with the frame and adapted to receive a longitudinal end (202C) of the leg, and comprises an elastic cable (403C), which permanently connects the frame and the leg, passing through the housing and through the corner joint, and which is adapted to pull, by elastic return, the leg from its storage position to its service position. Figure for abstract: Figure 7

Description

Title of the invention: Folding bed, especially for children

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding bed, in particular for a child.

[0002] Folding beds are commonly used to sleep a child, especially a baby or a young child, in particular when the child is temporarily away from his or her usual living space, for example when traveling or on vacation. Multiple embodiments exist for such folding beds and differ from each other in particular by their folding structure, the unfolding and folding of which require more or less complex and tedious maneuvers.

[0003] The aim of the present invention is to provide a folding bed whose unfolding / re-folding is particularly simple, quick and practical.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to a foldable bed, comprising a frame which can be folded between a deployed state and a folded state, the frame comprising two side members, as well as two cross members which each connect the two side members to each other by forming four junctions between the two side members and the two cross members, the two side members and the two cross members extending lengthwise substantially in the same geometric plane in the deployed state of the frame.Each crossmember comprises two crossmember rods which are hingedly connected to each other by a crossmember joint defining a hinge axis about which the two crossmember rods pivot relative to each other to pass between an extended configuration, in which the crossmember joint positions the two crossmember rods aligned with each other in their longitudinal direction, and a folded configuration, in which the crossmember joint positions the two crossmember rods juxtaposed longitudinally against each other, the hinge axis being substantially perpendicular to the geometric plane.The frame also comprises four corner joints, which are arranged respectively at the four junctions, each corner joint connecting in an articulated manner to each other that of the side members, associated with the corresponding junction, and that of the cross members, associated with the corresponding junction, and being adapted to pass between a deployed configuration, in which the corner joint positions this side member and this cross member substantially perpendicular to each other, and a folded configuration, in which the corner joint positions this side member and this cross member juxtaposed longitudinally against each other. The folding bed further comprises four elongated legs, as well as four connecting devices, which are respectively associated with the four legs, each of the connecting devices: - being independent of the other three connecting devices, . - being adapted to connect the associated foot and the frame to each other in a manner movable between a foot service position, in which the foot is fixed to the frame supporting the frame in the extended state, and a foot storage position, in which the foot is free to be folded longitudinally against the frame, - comprising a housing, which is integral with the frame and which is adapted to receive in a complementary manner a longitudinal end of the associated foot in the service position while the associated foot in the storage position is released from the housing, the respective housings of the four connecting devices being arranged respectively at the level of the four junctions, and - further comprising an elastic cable, which permanently connects the frame and the associated foot, passing both through the housing of the relevant connecting device and through the corner joint arranged at the junction associated with this housing, and which is adapted to pull, by elastic return, the associated foot from its storage position to its service position with respect to the housing of the relevant connecting device.

[0005] One of the ideas underlying the invention is to propose a simple folding bed structure, by combining a folding frame, at least two crosspieces of which are each foldable on themselves, and four feet which, in the deployed state of the frame, support the latter, in particular on the ground. In addition, the invention provides for the feet to be put in place in a manner that is both rapid and practical in relation to the frame, thanks to four connecting devices independent of each other, which each allow their associated foot to be fixed and thus support the frame in an “automatic” manner.To do this, the frame and each leg are permanently connected by an elastic cable of the corresponding connecting device so that, by elastic return effect, this elastic cable tends to pull the leg towards the frame so that the leg is inserted, by a longitudinal end of the latter, into a housing of the connecting device and thus the leg occupies a service position where the leg is fixed to the frame by supporting the latter in the deployed state. This elastic cable thus acts on the leg so that the latter tends to move into the service position by itself, in particular without the need on the part of the user seeking to unfold the folding bed for manipulations dedicated to the legs, other than ensuring that each of the legs is not hindered in the pulling movement imposed on it by the elastic cable so that this leg moves from a storage position, where the leg is foldable against the frame, to the service position.When folding the folding bed, the user easily releases each leg from the corresponding housing, by easily applying a relative force between the leg and the frame, which counteracts the elastic return effect generated by the elastic cable, so as to move each leg from its service position to its storage position. The presence of the four elastic cables does not induce any operational constraint for the user, in the sense that these . four elastic cables remain in respective dedicated regions of the folding bed according to the invention, each elastic cable passing for this purpose through the corresponding housing and through a corner joint of the frame, which in particular avoids incorrectly positioning the elastic cable and / or pinching the elastic cable during the deployment / folding of this corner joint. The four connecting devices of the folding bed according to the invention thus prove to be particularly ingenious, making the unfolding of the folding bed quick and easy while making the folding of the folding bed practical and simple. Furthermore, the interest of these connecting devices is reinforced by additional advantageous characteristics which will be detailed later.

[0006] Thus, according to additional characteristics of the folding bed according to the invention, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0007] - Each connecting device comprises a sleeve, which internally delimits the housing and which extends from the corner joint associated with the connecting device in a direction transverse to the geometric plane.

[0008] - The elastic cable of each connecting device includes (i) a first end which is secured to the frame, (ii) a second end which is secured to the associated leg, and (iii) a running portion, which connects the first and second ends to each other and which runs both in the housing of the connecting device concerned and through the corner joint arranged at the junction associated with this housing.

[0009] - The first end of the elastic cable of each connecting device is so lidarized to the spar associated with the junction at which the connecting device is arranged.

[0010] - The first end of the elastic cable of each connecting device is so lidarized to the frame by a fastener of the connecting device, which is fixedly attached to one side of the frame, which is turned downwards when the frame in the deployed state is supported by the feet in the service position.

[0011] - The second end of the elastic cable of each connecting device is so lidarized at said longitudinal end of the associated foot, being slidably retained inside said longitudinal end of the associated foot.

[0012] - Each connecting device further comprises a locking member, which is manually activatable / deactivatable and which is adapted, when the locking member is activated, to prevent the associated foot from moving from its service position to its storage position.

[0013] Furthermore, according to a preferred additional aspect of the folding bed according to the invention, each crossbar joint comprises a locking member: - which is controlled by a pull tab of the crossbar joint, which can be manually actuated by moving the pull tab, relative to to the frame, in translation parallel to the geometric plane, and - which, when the pull tab is not actuated, prevents the crossbar joint from moving from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration.

[0014] Thanks to this aspect, each cross member joint is lockable in the deployed configuration, while being unlockable to move to its folded configuration by manually actuating a dedicated pull tab which is movable relative to the frame in translation parallel to the geometric plane formed by the side members and cross members of the frame in the deployed state of the latter. This pull tab is particularly clever, in particular due to its kinematics which is simple and intuitive, and due to its shape which is practical to grip and drive by the user's fingers.

[0015] It will also be noted that the aforementioned aspect of the folding bed is independent of the corner joints, as well as the feet and connecting devices, mentioned above. Thus, an alternative object of the invention consists of a folding bed, comprising a frame which is foldable between a deployed state and a folded state, the frame comprising two side members, as well as two cross members which each connect the two side members to each other by forming four junctions between the two side members and the two cross members, the two side members and the two cross members extending in length substantially in the same geometric plane in the deployed state of the frame.Each cross member comprises two cross members which are hingedly connected to each other by a cross member joint defining a hinge axis about which the two cross members pivot relative to each other to pass between an extended configuration, in which the cross member joint positions the two cross members aligned with each other in their longitudinal direction, and a folded configuration, in which the cross member joint positions the two cross members juxtaposed longitudinally against each other, the hinge axis being substantially perpendicular to the geometric plane. In addition, each cross member joint comprises a locking member: . - which is controlled by a pull rod of the crosspiece joint, which can be manually actuated by moving the pull rod, relative to the frame, in translation parallel to the geometric plane, and - which, when the pull tab is not actuated, prevents the crossbar joint from moving from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration.

[0016] In all cases, according to additional advantageous characteristics, relating to the aforementioned aspect and applicable to the folding bed according to the invention, these characteristics being taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations:

[0017] - Each crossbar joint, said movement of the pull rod to operate the pull tab is oriented towards the outside of the frame while the crossbar joint moves from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration by means of its drive manual towards the inside of the frame relative to the two crossbars connected by the crossbar joint.

[0018] - Each crosspiece joint further comprises a base and a plate, which are respectively kinematically linked to the two crossbar rods connected by the crossbar joint, and which are rotatable relative to each other around the articulation axis; for each crossbar joint, the locking member of the crossbar joint is a drawer which (i) is slidably mounted between the base and the plate, being kinematically linked to the pull rod following said movement of the pull rod, (ii) is linked in rotation around the articulation axis to the base both when the pull rod is actuated and when the pull rod is not actuated, and (iii) is linked in rotation around the articulation axis to the plate when the pull rod is not actuated but is free to rotate around the articulation axis relative to the plate when the pull rod is actuated.

[0019] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a folding bed in accordance with the invention; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view similar to [Fig.l], showing only some components of the folding bed of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view on a larger scale than the previous figures, showing a zone III of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view according to the direction of observation indicated by arrow IV in [Fig.3]; - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is an exploded perspective view of the folding bed part, shown in [Fig.4]; - [Fig. 6) Figure 6 is a perspective view on a larger scale than that of Figures 1 and 2, showing a zone VI of Figure 2; and - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view similar to [Fig.6], illustrating a state of use of the folding bed, different from that illustrated in [Fig.6].

[0020] In [Fig.l] a folding bed 1 is shown. The folding bed 1 is preferably for children, in the sense that it is adapted, in particular sized, to accommodate a child, in particular a baby or a young child.

[0021] The folding bed 1 comprises a frame 100 and four legs 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D, this frame and these four legs being shown alone in [Fig.2], while, in [Fig.l], the frame 100 is hidden by a cover 300 of the folding bed 1, attached to the frame 100.

[0022] The frame 100 is foldable between a deployed state, illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and a folded state, not illustrated in the figures, the frame in the folded state having a smaller footprint than in the deployed state. Before describing the frame 100 and its improvements in more detail making it foldable, it will be noted that the feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D are designed to support the frame 100 in the deployed state, in particular on the ground, and each has for this purpose an elongated shape, here generally cylindrical, so that each foot 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D includes two opposite longitudinal ends along the longitudinal direction of the foot, namely a longitudinal end 201A, 201B, 201C, 201D, capable of being supported substantially along the longitudinal direction of the foot against the ground or a similar surface, and a longitudinal end 202A, 202B, 202C, 202D by which the rest of the foot is connected to the frame 100, as detailed below.It will also be noted that when the frame 100 is in the deployed state and the feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D support the frame 100 on the ground, the foldable bed 1 is functional for sleeping a child there, in the sense that the cover 300 then delimits a volume 301 in which the child is received, in particular lying down, for example on a mattress 302 placed at the bottom of the volume 301. The corresponding specificities of the cover 300 are not limiting of the invention and will therefore not be described here further.

[0023] Returning to the description of the frame 100, and as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the frame 100 comprises two side members 110 and 120 which, in the deployed state of the frame 100, extend lengthwise parallel to each other. The frame 100 also comprises two cross members 130 and 140 which each connect the two side members 110 and 120 to each other by forming four junctions between the two side members and the two cross members, these four junctions being respectively referenced A, B, C and D in the figures. In the deployed state of the frame 100, the two cross members 130 and 140 extend in length parallel to each other and the two side members 110 and 120 and the two cross members 130 and 140 extend in length substantially in the same geometric plane P. When the frame 100 is in the deployed state and is supported by the feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D on the ground or a similar surface, the geometric plane P is substantially parallel to the ground or to the aforementioned similar surface.

[0024] In the embodiment considered here, in the deployed state of the frame 100, the side members 100 and 120 have the same longitudinal dimension, which is greater than the same longitudinal dimension that the two cross members 130 and 140 have. This being the case, dimensional variants are possible.

[0025] According to an optional aspect, which is implemented here, each spar 110, 120 is foldable on itself and comprises for this purpose two spar rods 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122, which are rectilinear and rigid. The two spar rods 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122, are hingedly connected to each other by a spar joint 115, respectively 125, which is adapted to pass between a deployed configuration, which is illustrated in [Fig. 2] and in which the spar joint 115, respectively 125, positions the two spar rods 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122, aligned with each other along the longitudinal direction of these spar rods, and a folded configuration, which is not shown as such and in which the spar joint 115, respectively 125, positions the two spar rods 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122, juxtaposed longitudinally against each other. The spar rod 111 extends from the spar joint 115 to junction B, the spar rod 112 extends from the spar joint 115 to junction C, the spar rod 121 extends from the spar joint 125 to junction D, and the spar rod 122 extends from the spar joint 125 to junction A. In the deployed state of the frame 100, the spar joints 115 and 125 are in their deployed configuration, while in the folded state of the frame 100, the spar joints 115 and 125 are in their folded configuration.

[0026] The embodiment of the spar joints 115 and 125 is not limiting: for example, each of these spar joints 115 and 125 comprises a hinge mechanism or the like. In practice, whatever the embodiment of the spar joints 115 and 125, each of these spar joints 115 and 125 advantageously defines a hinge axis XI15, respectively XI25, around which the two spar rods 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122, pivot relative to each other to pass between the deployed configuration and the folded configuration of the spar joint 115, respectively 125.Here, each of the articulation axes XI15 and X125 preferably extends both perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the spar rods 111 and 112, respectively 121 and 122, and parallel to the geometric plane P, the articulation axes XI15 and X125 being advantageously substantially aligned with each other: each spar 110, respectively 120, is thus foldable on itself, in other words passes from the deployed configuration to the folded configuration, by pivoting about the articulation axis XI15, respectively XI25, as illustrated by arrows F11 and F12, respectively F121 and F122, it being understood that the arrows F111, F112, F121 and F122 illustrate the respective corresponding pivotings of the spar rods 111, 112, 121 and 122.

[0027] Turning now to a more detailed description of the crosspieces 130 and 140, each crosspiece 130, respectively 140, is foldable on itself and for this purpose comprises two crosspiece rods 131 and 132, respectively 141 and 142, which are rectilinear and rigid. The two crosspiece rods 131 and 132, respectively 141 and 142, are hingedly connected to each other by a crosspiece joint 150, respectively 160, which is adapted to pass between a deployed configuration, which is illustrated in [Fig. 2] and in which the crosspiece joint 150, respectively 160, positions the two crosspiece rods 131 and 132, respectively 141 and 142, aligned with each other along the longitudinal direction of these crosspiece rods, and a configuration folded, which is not shown as such and in which the crossbar joint 150, respectively 160, positions the two crossbar rods 131 and 132, respectively 141 and 142, juxtaposed longitudinally against each other. The cross member rod 131 extends from the cross member joint 150 to junction A. The cross member rod 132 extends from the cross member joint 150 to junction B. The cross member rod 141 extends from the cross member joint 160 to junction C. The cross member rod 142 extends from the cross member joint 160 to junction D. In the deployed state of the frame 100, the cross member joints 150 and 160 are in their deployed configuration, while in the folded state of the frame 100, the cross member joints 150 and 160 are in their folded configuration.

[0028] Each cross member articulation 150, respectively 160, defines a hinge axis X150, respectively X160, around which the two cross member rods 131 and 132, respectively 141 and 142, pivot relative to each other to pass between the deployed configuration and the folded configuration of the cross member articulation 150, respectively 160. This hinge axis XI50, respectively XI60, is substantially perpendicular to the geometric plane P: each cross member 130, respectively 140, is thus foldable / unfoldable on itself substantially in the geometric plane P, passing between the deployed and folded configurations by pivoting around the hinge axis X150, respectively X160, as illustrated by arrows F131 and F132, respectively F141 and F142, it being understood that the arrows F131, F132, F141 and F142 illustrate the respective corresponding pivotings of the cross rods 131, 132, 141 and 142.Advantageously, the crossbar joint 150, respectively 160, passes from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration by means of its manual driving towards the inside of the frame 100, as indicated by an arrow F150, respectively F160 in [Fig.2] and as illustrated in dotted lines in [Fig.3] only for the crossbar joint 150: in this way, in the folded configuration of the crossbar joint 150, respectively 160, the two crossbar rods 131 and 132, respectively 141 and 142, are arranged between the housings 110 and 120.

[0029] In the embodiment considered here, and as more specifically shown in Figures 3 to 5, the cross member articulation 150 advantageously comprises a base 151, which is kinematically connected to the cross member rod 131, for example by being fixedly secured to the latter, and a plate 152, which is kinematically connected to the cross member rod 132, for example by being fixedly secured to the latter. The base 151 and the plate 152 are movable in rotation relative to each other around the articulation axis XI50, for example being guided in rotation by a shaft, not shown, which is centered on the articulation axis X150 and which extends between the base 151 and the plate 152. The base 151 and the plate 152, as well as, where appropriate, the aforementioned shaft, jointly form a hinge mechanism.

[0030] In addition, the crosspiece joint 150 comprises a drawer 153 which is mounted between the base 151 and the plate 152 in a sliding manner along a sliding axis X153 which extends perpendicularly to the articulation axis X150. The drawer 153 is thus movable in translation along the sliding axis X153 between two opposite positions along this sliding axis, namely a locking position, in which the drawer 153 is linked in rotation about the articulation axis X150 to both the base 151 and the plate 152, and an unlocking position, in which the drawer 153 is linked in rotation about the articulation axis X150 to the base 151 but is free to rotate about the articulation axis X150 relative to the plate 152.Thus, when the drawer 153 is in the locking position, it prevents the base 151 and the plate 152 from rotating about the articulation axis X150 relative to each other, thus locking the relative position of the base 151 and the plate 152 relative to the articulation axis XI50. Within the cross member joint 150, the drawer 153 is thus designed to, when the cross member joint 150 is in the deployed configuration, lock the cross member joint 150 in this deployed configuration, preventing the cross member joint 150 from moving from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration, when the drawer 153 is in its locking position. To move the cross member joint 150 from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration, the drawer 153 must first move from its locking position to its unlocking position.

[0031] The drawer 153 advantageously tends to be held in its locking position by a spring 154 of the crosspiece articulation 150, which acts along the sliding axis XI53.

[0032] To move the drawer 153 from its locking position to its unlocking position, if necessary by counteracting the force of the spring 154, the crosspiece joint 150 comprises a pull rod 155 which is kinematically connected to the drawer 153 at least in translation along the sliding axis XI53, for example by being fixedly secured to the latter. The pull rod 155 thus controls the position of the drawer 153 along the sliding axis X153 between the locking and unlocking positions, by being manually actuable by means of a movement of the pull rod 155, relative to the frame 100, in translation parallel to the sliding axis X153. This movement of the pull rod 155 is indicated by an arrow F155 in [Fig.3]. When the pull tab 155 is not activated, the drawer 153 occupies the locking position, being held there, if necessary, by the spring 154.When the pull rod 155 is activated, by being manually driven according to the aforementioned movement, the drawer 153 is driven by the pull rod 155 into its unlocked position where the drawer 153 does not prevent the crossbar joint 150 from passing from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration. The pull rod 155 thus proves to be particularly practical and effective for . order the unlocking of the crossbar joint 150.

[0033] In practice, the cross member articulation 150 is not limited to the embodiment detailed above, but can have multiple other embodiments.In particular, the crossbar joint 150 comprises, as a variant, a locking member other than the drawer 153, while associating with this locking member a control pull, similar to the pull 155 detailed above: as long as this control pull is not actuated, the locking member is designed to prevent the crossbar joint 150 from moving from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration, typically by blocking the relative pivoting between the crossbar rods 131 and 132 around the crossbar joint axis 150, while to actuate the control pull and thus no longer prevent the locking member from moving the crossbar joint 150 from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration, the pull is to be moved manually, relative to the frame 100, in translation parallel to the geometric plane P, in particular according to the translational movement indicated by the arrow F155.

[0034] Whatever the embodiment of the locking member, such as the drawer 153, the movement of the control pull, such as the pull 155, to actuate this control pull is advantageously oriented towards the outside of the frame 100. This is thus the case for the embodiment envisaged in the figures, in which the movement indicated by the arrow F155 is oriented towards the outside of the frame 100, as clearly visible in [Fig. 3]. This orientation makes the actuation of the pull 155 particularly practical, in particular being intuitive. This orientation proves to be particularly interesting since it is associated with the fact that the crossbar articulation 150 passes from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration by means of the manual driving of this crossbar articulation 150 towards the inside of the frame 100, as mentioned above and as illustrated by the arrow F150: in fact, as indicated in dotted lines in [Fig.3], it is then particularly convenient for the user to use the same hand to, with one or more fingers of the latter, actuate the pull 155 by moving it in translation following the movement indicated by the arrow F155, while manually driving, with the rest of his hand, the crossbar joint 150 following the movement indicated by the arrow F150 to move this crossbar joint 150 from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration.

[0035] Similarly, whatever the embodiment of the locking member of the crossbar articulation 150, such as the drawer 153, the control pull, such as the pull 155, is advantageously arranged projecting on one side of the frame 100, which is turned downwards when the frame 100 in the deployed state is supported by the feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D. This makes it possible, among other things, to limit the risks of actuation involuntary for the control pull.

[0036] Of course, everything that has just been described in detail for the crossbar articulation 150 is applicable to the crossbar articulation 160, these two crossbar articulations 150 and 160 advantageously having similar characteristics, in particular each including a locking member, such as the drawer 153, and a control pull, such as the pull 155.

[0037] The frame 100 further comprises four corner joints 170A, 170B, 170C and 170D, which are arranged respectively at the four junctions A, B, C and D. The corner joint 170A hingedly connects the spar 120 and the cross member 130 to each other and is adapted to pass between a deployed configuration, which is illustrated in [Fig. 2] and in which the corner joint 170A positions the spar 120 and the cross member 130 substantially perpendicular to each other, and a folded configuration, in which the corner joint 170A positions the spar 120 and the cross member 130 juxtaposed longitudinally against each other. Similarly, the corner joint 180B hingedly connects the cross member 130 and the spar 110 to each other and is adapted to transition between a deployed configuration, which is illustrated in [Fig.2] and in which the corner joint 170B positions the cross member 130 and the spar 110 substantially perpendicular to each other, and a folded configuration, in which the corner joint 170B positions the cross member 130 and the spar 110 juxtaposed longitudinally against each other. Likewise, the corner joint 170C hingedly connects the spar 110 and the cross member 140 to each other and is adapted to transition between a deployed configuration, which is illustrated in [Fig.2] and in which the corner joint 170C positions the spar 110 and the cross member 140 substantially perpendicular to each other, and a folded configuration, in which the corner joint 170C positions the spar 110 and the cross member 140 longitudinally juxtaposed against each other.As for the corner joint 170D, it hingedly connects the cross member 140 and the spar 120 to each other and is adapted to pass between a deployed configuration, which is illustrated in [Fig.2] and in which the corner joint 170D positions the cross member 140 and the spar 120 substantially perpendicular to each other, and a folded configuration, in which the corner joint 170D positions the cross member 140 and the spar 120 juxtaposed longitudinally against each other.

[0038] The corner joints 170A, 170B, 170C and 170D, which are each in their deployed configuration when the frame 100 is in the deployed state, and which are each in their folded configuration when the frame 100 is in the folded state, allow the frame 100 to fold between its deployed and folded states, in the sense that when the crossmember joints 150 and 160 are moved from their deployed configuration to their folded configuration, the corner joints 170A, 170B, 170C and 170D concomitantly move from their deployed configuration to their folded configuration, and when the crosshead joints 150 and 160 have moved from their folded configuration to their deployed configuration, the corner joints 170A, 170B, 170C and 170D concomitantly move from their folded configuration to their deployed configuration.For this purpose, the corner joints 170A, 170B, 170C and 170D advantageously define respective articulation axes X170A, X170B, X170C and X170D which each extend substantially perpendicular to the geometric plane P: when the corner joint 170A passes between its deployed and folded configurations, the cross member rod 131 pivots relative to the spar 110 about the articulation axis X170A; when the corner joint 170D passes between its deployed and folded configurations, the cross member rod 132 pivots relative to the spar 110 about the articulation axis X170B; when the corner joint 170C transitions between its deployed and folded configurations, the cross member rod 141 pivots relative to the spar 110 about the hinge axis X170C; and when the corner joint 170D transitions between its deployed and folded configurations, the cross member rod 142 pivots relative to the spar 120 about the hinge axis X170D.

[0039] In practice, the embodiment of the corner joints 170A, 170B, 170C and 170D is not limiting. For example, each of these corner joints thus comprises a hinge mechanism or the like.

[0040] The folding bed 1 further comprises four connecting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and 400D which are respectively associated with the four legs 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D. These connecting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and 400D are adapted to movably connect the frame 100 respectively to the associated legs 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D. For convenience, and to the extent that each of the connecting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and 400D is independent of the other three connecting devices, the connecting device 400C will be described in detail below, in particular with regard to figures 6 and 7, and this in connection with the foot 200C, it being understood that each of the three other connecting devices 400A, 400B and 400D have arrangements identical or similar to those of the connecting device 400C, but respectively in connection with the foot 200A, the foot 200B and the foot 200D.

[0041] The connecting device 400C makes it possible to connect the frame 100 and the foot 200C to each other in a movable manner between a service position of the foot 200C, which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 and in which the foot 200C is fixed to the frame 100 by supporting this frame in the deployed state, and a storage position of the foot 200C, which is illustrated in [Fig. 7] and in which the foot 200C is free to be folded longitudinally against the frame 100, in particular against the corresponding side member, here the side member 110.

[0042] For this purpose, the connecting device 400C comprises a sleeve 401C which is integral with the frame 100, extending from the corner joint 170C in a direction transverse to the geometric plane P. The sleeve 401C internally delimits a housing 402C, indicated schematically only in [Fig.7], which is arranged at the junction C, being integral with the frame 100. The housing 402C is adapted, in particular shaped, to receive in a complementary manner the longitudinal end 202C of the foot 200C in the service position while the foot 200C in the storage position is released from the housing 402C. In practice, the longitudinal end 202C of the foot 200C has an essentially cylindrical shape which, as here, is advantageously extended, in the opposite direction to the longitudinal end 201C, by a truncated cone shape which facilitates the insertion of the longitudinal end 202C into the opening of the housing 402C.

[0043] According to an advantageous optional arrangement, which is implemented here, the housing 402C and the longitudinal end 202C of the foot 200C are provided with respective reliefs which, when the foot 200C is in the service position, cooperate by complementarity of shapes to block the longitudinal end 202C of the foot 200C in the housing 402C in rotation around a central axis of this housing.

[0044] Whatever the embodiment of the housing 402C, the connecting device 400C also comprises an elastic cable 403C which permanently connects the frame 100, here the side member 110, and the foot 200C, in particular the longitudinal end 202C of the latter, passing both through the housing 402C and through the corner joint 170C, as clearly visible in [Fig. 7]. The elastic cable 403C is adapted, in particular dimensioned, to pull, by elastic return, the foot 200C from the storage position of the latter to the service position with respect to the housing 402C. In other words, under the effect of the traction produced by the elastic cable 403C, the foot 200C tends to be driven from its storage position to its service position, with its longitudinal end 202C being inserted “automatically” into the housing 402C.Of course, the traction exerted by the elastic cable 403C is sized to be manually surmountable so that a user who overcomes this traction forces the foot 200C to move from its service position to its storage position, by releasing the longitudinal end 202C of the foot 200C from the housing 402C and then folding the foot 200C longitudinally against the frame 100, here against the side member 110. In practice, the cable 403C is advantageously under tension both in the service position of the foot 200C and in the storage position of this foot 200C, it being understood that the cable 403C is more taut when the foot 200C is in the storage position than when the foot 200C is in the service position: in [Fig.7], the elastic cable 403C is thus drawn more taut than in figures 2 and 6, it being noted that in these figures 2 and 6, the representation of the cable 403C is schematic and does not necessarily faithfully illustrate the state of tension of the cable 403C.

[0045] In the embodiment considered here, the elastic cable 403C includes for this purpose: - an end 404C, which is secured to the frame 100, preferably to the spar 110 as here, in particular to the spar rod 112, this securing being advantageously achieved by a fastener 405C of the connecting device 400C, fixedly attached to the frame 100, here to the spar 110, preferably on a side of the latter which is turned downwards when the frame 100 in the deployed state is supported by the feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D in the service position; - an end 406C, which is opposite the end 404C along the length of the elastic cable 403C and which is secured to the foot 200C, in particular to the longitudinal end 202C of the latter, preferably being retained in a sliding manner inside this longitudinal end 202C, for example by providing that the end 406C of the elastic cable 403C is threaded inside the longitudinal end 202C of the foot 200C via a terminal passage of the latter, while knotting this end 406C on itself inside the longitudinal end 202C so that the corresponding knot is too large to pass through the aforementioned passage and thus becomes permanently trapped inside the longitudinal end 202C; and - a running part 407C, which connects the ends 404C and 406C of the elastic cable 403C to each other and which runs both in the housing 402C and through the corner joint 170C.

[0046] As the elastic cable 403C extends from the frame 100 to the foot 200C by running through the interior of the housing 402C and through the corner joint 170C, the elastic cable 403C is effectively held in position relative to the rest of the folding bed 1 both when the foot 200C is in the service position and in the storage position, in particular avoiding pinching this elastic cable, in particular by the corner joint 170C.

[0047] In practice, the position of the attachment 405C on the frame 100 is not limiting. In particular, the position of this attachment 405C along the spar 110 is not limited to what is shown in the figures. Moreover, along the spar 110, the attachment 405C is advantageously provided closer to the middle of the spar 110, here to the spar joint 115, than to the corner joint 170C, or even provided substantially in the middle of the spar 110, here adjacent to the spar joint 115. This makes it possible to distribute the stresses over a larger area of material and thus to limit the wear of the cable 403C.

[0048] According to an advantageous optional arrangement, which is implemented here, the connecting device 400C further comprises a locking member 408C which can be manually activated / deactivated. This locking member 408C is adapted to, when activated as in [Fig. 6], prevent the foot 200C from passing from its position of service to its storage position and, when this locking member 408C is deactivated as in [Fig.7], not to prevent the foot 200C from passing between its service position and its storage position.

[0049] In practice, the embodiment of the locking member 408C is not limiting, multiple embodiments being conceivable. By way of example, here, the locking member 408C is carried by the sleeve 401C in a movable manner, in particular in a tilting manner around an axis transverse to this sleeve, and is shaped so as, when the locking member 408C is activated, to mechanically interfere with a dedicated relief of the longitudinal end 202C of the foot 200C in the service position to prevent this longitudinal end 202C from being released from the housing 402C, and so as, when the locking member 408C is deactivated, to disappear with respect to the aforementioned relief and thus leave the foot 200C free to be released from the housing 402C.

[0050] Taking into account the above, it is understood that, in order to fold the folding bed 1 from its state illustrated in [Fig.l] where the frame 100 is in its deployed state and is supported on the ground by the legs 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D in the service position, it is for example possible to first move the crossbar joints 150 and 160 from their deployed configuration to their folded configuration, by means of the actuation of their respective control pull, such as the pull 155 for the crossbar joint 150, and then to move the sidebar joints 115 and 125 from their deployed configuration to their folded configuration. Before, during or after the crossmember joints 150 and 160 and the spar joints 115 and 125 are moved from their deployed configuration to their folded configuration, the legs 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D are, independently of each other, manually moved from their service position to their stowed position.The folding bed 1 is then found with its frame 100 in its folded state and with its feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D in the storage position. To return the folding bed 1 to its state in [Fig.l], reverse maneuvers are carried out. The various maneuvers for folding and unfolding the folding bed 1 are quick and easy to implement. In particular, the release and replacement of the feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D with respect to the frame 100 are particularly practical thanks to the connecting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and 400D, as detailed above. In addition, the unlocking of the crossbar joints 150 and 160 using their control pull, such as the pull 155, is also particularly practical, as described in detail above.

[0051] Finally, various arrangements and variants of the folding bed 1 described so far are also conceivable. For example: - instead of a sleeve, such as the sleeve 401C for the connecting device 400C, the respective housings of the connecting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and 400D, such as the housing 402C for the connecting device 400C, can be respectively delimited by ad hoc elements, integral with the frame 100; as mentioned above, the spar joints 115 and 125 are optional, the spars 110 and 120 not being foldable in the case where the frame 100 is devoid of such spar joints; in the case where the frame 100 includes the spar joints 115 and 125, the latter are advantageously lockable / unlockable by ad hoc means, the embodiment of which may or may not be similar to what has been described above in connection with the locking / unlocking of the crossmember joints 150 and 160; the end of the respective elastic cables of the connecting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and 400D, secured to the frame 100, such as the end 404C of the elastic cable 403C, can optionally pass through the attachment 405C and return on itself, thus forming a closed loop; and / or the end of the respective elastic cables of the connecting devices 400A, 400B, 400C and 400D, secured to the respective feet 200A, 200B, 200C and 200D, such as the end 406C of the elastic cable 403C, can optionally integrate a non-elastic ribbon, connecting the rest of the elastic cable to the associated foot, in particular to limit the wear of the elastic cable.

Claims

Claims

1. A folding bed (1), comprising a frame (100) foldable between an extended state and a folded state, the frame (100) comprising two side members (110, 120), as well as two cross members (130, 140) which each connect the two side members to each other by forming four junctions (A, B, C, D) between the two side members and the two cross members, the two side members and the two cross members extending in length substantially in the same geometric plane (P) in the extended state of the frame, in which each cross member (130, 140) comprises two cross member rods (131, 132, 141, 142) which are connected in an articulated manner to each other by a cross member hinge (150, 160) defining a hinge axis (XI50, XI60) about which the two cross member rods pivot relative to each other. the other to pass between a deployed configuration, in which the crossbar joint positions the two crossbar rods aligned with each other along their longitudinal direction,and a folded configuration, in which the cross member hinge positions the two cross member rods juxtaposed longitudinally against each other, the hinge axis being substantially perpendicular to the geometric plane (P), in which the frame (100) also comprises four corner hinges (170A, 170B, 170C, 170D), which are arranged respectively at the four junctions (A, B, C, D), each corner hinge hingeably connecting to each other that of the side members (110, 120), associated with the corresponding junction, and that of the cross members (130, 140), associated with the corresponding junction, and being adapted to pass between a deployed configuration, in which the corner hinge positions this side member and this cross member substantially perpendicular to each other, and a folded configuration, in which the corner hinge positions this side member and this cross member juxtaposed longitudinally against each other, And, wherein the folding bed (1) further comprises four elongated legs (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D), as well as four connecting devices (400A, 400B, 400C, 400D), which are respectively associated with the four legs, each of the connecting devices: - being independent of the three other connecting devices, - being adapted to connect the associated foot and the frame to each other movably between a foot service position, in in which the foot is fixed to the frame by supporting the frame in the deployed state, and a storage position of the foot, in which the foot is free to be folded longitudinally against the frame, - comprising a housing (402C), which is integral with the frame and which is adapted to receive in a complementary manner a longitudinal end (202C) of the associated foot (200C) in the service position while the associated foot in the storage position is released from the housing, the respective housings of the four connecting devices being arranged respectively at the four junctions (A, B, C, D), and - further comprising an elastic cable (403C), which permanently connects the frame and the associated foot (200C), passing both through the housing (402C) of the relevant connecting device (400C) and through the corner joint (170C) arranged at the junction (C) associated with this housing, and which is adapted to pull, by elastic return, the associated foot from its storage position to its service position with respect to the housing of the relevant connecting device.

2. A folding bed according to claim 1, wherein each connecting device (400A, 400B, 400C, 400D) comprises a sleeve (40IC), which internally delimits the housing (402C) and which extends from the corner joint (170C) associated with the connecting device in a direction transverse to the geometric plane (P).

3. A folding bed according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the elastic cable (403C) of each connecting device (400A, 400B, 400C, 400D) includes: - a first end (404C) which is secured to the frame (100), - a second end (406C) which is secured to the associated foot (200C), and - a running part (407C), which connects the first and second ends to each other and which runs both in the housing (402C) of the relevant connecting device (400C) and through the corner joint (170C) arranged at the junction (C) associated with this housing.

4. Folding bed according to claim 3, wherein the first end (404C) of the elastic cable (403C) of each connecting device (400A, 400B, 400C, 400D) is secured to the spar (110, 120) associated with the junction (A, B, C, D) at which the connecting device is arranged.

5. A folding bed according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the first end (404C) of the elastic cable (403C) of each connecting device (400A, 400B, 400C, 400D) is secured to the frame (100) by a fastener (405C) of the connecting device, which is fixedly attached to a side of the frame, which is turned downwards when the frame in the deployed state is supported by the feet (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D) in the service position.

6. A folding bed according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second end (406C) of the elastic cable (403C) of each connecting device (400A, 400B, 400C, 400D) is secured to said longitudinal end (202C) of the associated leg (200C), being slidably retained inside said longitudinal end of the associated leg.

7. A folding bed according to any preceding claim, wherein each connecting device (400A, 400B, 400C, 400D) further comprises a locking member (408C), which is manually activatable / deactivatable and which is adapted, when the locking member is activated, to prevent the associated leg (200C) from passing from its service position to its storage position.

8. Folding bed according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each crossbar joint (150, 160) comprises a locking member (153): - which is controlled by a pull tab (155) of the crossbar joint, which can be manually actuated by moving the pull tab, relative to the frame (100), in translation parallel to the geometric plane (P), and - which, when the pull tab is not actuated, prevents the crossbar joint from moving from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration.

9. A folding bed according to claim 8, wherein, for each crossbar joint (150, 160), said movement of the pull rod (155) for actuating the pull is oriented towards the outside of the frame (100) while the crossbar joint passes from its deployed configuration to its folded configuration by means of its manual drive towards the inside of the frame relative to the two crossbar rods (131, 132, 141, 142) connected by the crossbar joint.

10. Folding bed according to one of claims 8 or 9, in which each crossbar joint (150, 160) further comprises a base (151) and a plate (152), which are respectively kinematically linked to the two crossbar rods (131, 132) connected by the crossbar joint, and which are movable in rotation relative to each other around the articulation axis (X150), and in which, for each crossbar joint, the locking member of the crossbar joint is a drawer (153) which: - is mounted sliding between the base (151) and the plate (152), being kinematically linked to the pull rod (155) following said movement of the pull rod, - is linked in rotation around the articulation axis (XI50) to the base both when the pull tab is actuated and when the pull tab is not actuated, and - is linked in rotation around the articulation axis to the plate (152) when the pull rod is not actuated but is free in rotation around the articulation axis relative to the plate when the pull rod is actuated.

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