Mechanism for sofa beds realized in sub-assemblies

Abstract

Mechanism for sofa bed configured for the conversion between a closed configuration and an open configuration, comprising : a fixed structure; a foldable bed base (3) configured to be moved between a closed configuration in which said bed base (3) is folded and the mechanism has the shape of a sofa, and an open configuration, in which said bed base (3) is deployed in a flat configuration and the mechanism takes the configuration of a bed; two four-bar linkages (1, 2) configured to be fastened, opposite to said foldable bed base (3), to said fixed structure and said foldable bed base (3) and to guide the movement of said bed base (3) between the closed configuration and the open configuration, said four-bar linkages (1, 2) comprising a series of mobile elements (13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 110, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 210) to said structure and said bed base (3), characterized in that the fastening of said four-bar linkages (1, 2) to said fixed structure and to said foldable bed base occurs by means of fastening means (11, 12, 17, 111, 112, 113, 21, 22, 27, 211, 212, 213), which are pre-assembled to the respective four-bar linkages (1, 2), which while functioning are respectively integral to said fixed structure and said foldable bed base (3), and to which respective mobile elements of the four-bar linkages (13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 110, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 210) are hinged.

Description

[0001] MECHANISM FOR SOFA BEDS REALI ZED IN SUB-ASSEMBLIES

[0002] The present invention relates to a mechanism for soba bed optimi zed to allow the transport in subassemblies which can be assembled easily, to optimi ze the spaces - and so the costs - during transport . The present invention provides also a sofa bed comprising such mechanism .

[0003] State of the art

[0004] At the state of the art , many embodiments of mechanisms for sofa beds are known .

[0005] These are mechanisms allowing a bed base to be folded so that it can be converted from a closed configuration, in which it is folded and the piece of furniture can be used as sofa, to an open configuration, in which the bed base is deployed in a flat configuration and the piece of furniture can be used as bed .

[0006] An example in this field has been yet provided by the present inventors in the Italian Patent 102017000053693 , where it is described a mechanism for sofa beds in which the foldable bed base is fastened to the fixed structure by means of a double four-bar linkage mechanism . In particular, as it is clear from its description of the figures , the double four-bar linkage mechanism is directly hinged to the fixed structure . In other words , hinged couplings are provided between the fixed structure and the bars .

[0007] This solution, common to all the embodiments known at the state of the art , requires that the assembly between the four-bar linkage and the fixed structure has to be necessarily carried out by the manufacturer, and so that the mechanism has to be delivered completely assembled . In fact , i f third parties are asked to carry out the assembly of the four-bar linkage to the fixed structure , there could be mounting errors ( such for example an excessive tightening) which could impair the four- bar linkage functioning . Moreover, in order to assemble the four-bar linkage speci fic tools are needed, whose presence is j usti fied for high volumes .

[0008] Besides , once the assembly tools are provided, the direct connection of the four-bar linkage to the fixed structure , according to what known at the state of the art , is the fastest and cheapest assembly method . Technical problem

[0009] Even with the j ust described advantages , the mechanisms for sofa beds known at the state of the art have the drawback of being cumbersome, and so of having high costs, for the transport.

[0010] For example, as it is shown in figure 22, only 120 mechanisms for sofa beds measuring 162 cm can be loaded in a 40-foot standard container. Similar considerations can be made for assembled mechanisms of different dimensions. It is clear that the transport cost affects significantly.

[0011] With the device according to the invention instead, as it is shown in figure 23, 420 disassembled mechanisms of the same measure can be transported in a 40-foot standard container: so, the incidence of transport costs for the single mechanism is reduced by 3.5.

[0012] Aim of the invention

[0013] Therefore, aim of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for sofa beds which overcomes the limits linked to the embodiments known at the state of the art, and which can be transported disassembled without causing problems in the assembly step, even if the assembly is carried out by not specialized personnel and only with common use tools, such for example an adjustable wrench.

[0014] According to another aim, the present invention provides a mechanism for sofa beds reaching the previous aim and which is also optimized to reduce dimensions during transport and for easiness of assembly .

[0015] Brief description of the invention

[0016] The invention realizes the prefixed aims since it is a mechanism for sofa bed configured for the conversion between a closed and an open configuration, comprising: a fixed structure; a foldable bed base (3) , configured to be moved from a closed configuration, in which said bed base (3) is folded and the mechanism has the shape of a sofa, and an open configuration, in which said bed base (3) is deployed in a flat configuration and the mechanism takes the configuration of a bed; two four-bar linkages (1, 2) configured to be fastened, opposite to said foldable bed base (3) , to said fixed structure and to said foldable bed base (3) and to guide the movement of said bed base (3) between the closed configuration and the open configuration, said four-bar linkages (1, 2) comprising a series of mobile elements (13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 110, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 210) to said structure and said bed base (3) , characterized in that the fastening of said four- bar linkages (1, 2) to said fixed structure and to said foldable bed base occurs through fastening means (11, 12, 17, 111, 112, 113, 21, 22, 27, 211, 212, 213) which are pre-assembled to respective four-bar linkages (1, 2) , which while functioning are respectively integral to said fixed structure and said foldable bed base (3) and to which respective mobile elements of the four-bar linkages (13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 110, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 210) are hinged.

[0017] Description of the figures

[0018] Figures 1 to 6 show a series of side views of the movement of the mechanism according to the invention, in various steps from the closed configuration to the open one. Figure 7 shows a view of the mechanism for sofa beds disassembled, in the various sub-assemblies in which it is transported; figures 8 and 9 show views of the two side four-bar linkages in closed configuration, shown in open configuration in figures 15 and 16; figures 10 to 13 show the side edges and the spacers; figure 14 shows the mattress stop element; figure 17 shows an exploded view of the mechanism in assembly step, one particular thereof being shown in figure 18; figures 19 and 20 show two views of the assembled mechanism, respectively in closed and open configuration; figure 21 shows a detail of the assembly of the spacer to the side edge. Figures 22 and 23 show the comparison between the dimensions inside a container of an assembled mechanism for sofa beds and of the disassembled elements of a mechanism for sofa beds.

[0019] Reference numbers

[0020] I - right side four-bar linkage

[0021] II - first fastening of the four-bar linkage to the side edge, to be connected to the right side edge (4) in assembly step)

[0022] 12 - second fastening of the four-bar linkage to the side edge, to be connected to the right side edge (4) in assembly step)

[0023] 13 - mobile element, hinged to the first fastening (11) and to the third fastening means (111) , in turn integral to the head portion (31) of the bed base (3)

[0024] 14 - intermediate control between the two mobile elements (13, 15) hinged, by means of fastening means, to the side edge (4)

[0025] 15 - mobile element hinged to the second fastening means (12) and to the fourth fastening means (17) , in turn integral to the intermediate portion (32) of the bed base (3)

[0026] 16 - intermediate control bar to the articulation element (15) with the fifth fastening means (113)

[0027] 17 - fourth fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base (3) , to be connected to the intermediate portion (32) of the foldable bed base (3) in assembly step

[0028] 18 - first element of the intermediate control from the intermediate portion (32) to the end portion (34) of the bed base

[0029] 19 - second element of the intermediate control from the intermediate portion (32) to the end portion (34) of the bed base and intermediate control of the foot (110) . The element (19) has three fulcra: the central one pivots on the intermediate portion (32) of the bed base (3) by means of the sixth fastening means (113) , to act on the foot (110) which acts in turn - by means of the sixth fastening means (112) - on the end portion

[0030] (34) of the bed base to close or open it.

[0031] 110 - foot, fastened to the end portion 34 of the foldable bed base by means of the sixth fastening means (112)

[0032] 111 - third fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base (3) , to be connected to the head portion (31) in assembly step

[0033] 112 - sixth fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base (3) , to be connected to the end portion (32) in assembly step 113 fifth fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base, to be connected to the intermediate portion (32) in assembly step)

[0034] 2 - left side four-bar linkage

[0035] 21 - first fastening of the four-bar linkage to the side edge, to be connected to the left side edge (5) in assembly step)

[0036] 22 - second fastening of the four-bar linkage to the side edge, to be connected to the left side edge (5) in assembly step)

[0037] 23 - mobile element, hinged to the first fastening (21) and the third fastening means (211) in turn integral to the head portion (31) of the bed base (3)

[0038] 24 - intermediate control between the two mobile elements (23, 25) hinged, by means of the fastening means, to the side edge (5)

[0039] 25 - mobile element hinged to the second fastening means (22) and to the fourth fastening means (27) , in turn integral to the intermediate portion (32) of the bed base (3)

[0040] 26 - intermediate control bar of the articulation element (25) with the sixth fastening means (213)

[0041] 27 - fourth fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base (3) , to be connected to the intermediate portion (32) of the foldable bed base (3) in assembly step

[0042] 28 - first element of the intermediate control from the intermediate portion (32) to the end portion (34) of the bed base

[0043] 29 - second element of the intermediate control from the intermediate portion (32) to the end portion (34) of the bed base and intermediate control of the foot (110) . The element (29) has three fulcra: the central one pivots on the intermediate portion (32) of the bed base (3) by means of the sixth fastening means (213) , to act on the foot (210) which acts in turn - by means of the sixth fastening means (212) - on the end portion

[0044] (34) of the bed base to close or open it.

[0045] 210 - foot, fastened to the end portion 34 of the foldable bed base by means of the sixth fastening means (112)

[0046] 211 - third fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base (3) , to be connected to the head portion (31) of the bed base in assembly step

[0047] 212 - sixth fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base (3) , to be connected to the end portion (32) in assembly step 213 sixth fastening means of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base , to be connected to the intermediate portion ( 32 ) in assembly step )

[0048] 3 - foldable bed base

[0049] 31 - head portion of the foldable bed base (vertical in closed configuration)

[0050] 32 - intermediate portion of the foldable bed base ( lower hori zontal in closed configuration)

[0051] 33 - articulation portion of the foldable bed base (vertical in closed configuration)

[0052] 34 - end portion of the foldable bed base (upper hori zontal in closed configuration)

[0053] 4 - right side edge

[0054] 5 - left side edge

[0055] 6 - rear spacer

[0056] 7 - front spacer

[0057] 8 - rear mattress edge

[0058] 9 - front mattress edge

[0059] 10 - spring

[0060] 40 - foot

[0061] Description of the invention

[0062] The mechanism for sofa bed according to the invention comprises :

[0063] - a fixed structure made up of two spacers ( 6 , 7 ) and two side edges ( 4 , 5 ) , - a foldable bed base (3) configured to be moved between a closed configuration in which in plan view it is contained inside the fixed structure and an open configuration in which the bed base (3) is in flat configuration, two four-bar linkages (1, 2) configured to be fastened to the side edges (4, 5) of the fixed structure and to the foldable bed base (3) and to guide the movement of the bed base between said closed configuration and said open configuration,

[0064] - front and rear stop elements for the mattress (8, 9) ,

[0065] - a spring (10) for each side of the mechanism.

[0066] The functioning of the mechanism is now described with reference to the appended side views. In side view there are shown the elements constituting the left side four-bar linkage (2) . It is clear that the right side four-bar linkage (1) comprises the same elements, realized so to be symmetrical to the ones of the left four-bar linkage (2) with respect to the central axis of symmetry of the bed.

[0067] As it is shown in figure 1, when the mechanism is a closed configuration, the bed base (3) is completely contained between the rear spacer (6) and the front spacer (7) . The head portion (31) of the foldable bed base (3) is positioned in vertical, in the rear portion of the sofa bed.

[0068] In this configuration, by providing the mechanism with suitable stuffed elements (not object of the present invention and so not shown) , it is obtained a configuration of the sofa bed, useful for one, two or three people sitting, according to the dimensions of the mechanism.

[0069] Figure 6 shows the open configuration of the mechanism, in which the head portion (31) , the intermediate portion (32) , the articulation portion

[0070] (33) of the foldable bed base and the end portion

[0071] (34) of the foldable bed base (3) are aligned to each other along a horizontal plane.

[0072] In this configuration, by providing the mechanism with a mattress (not object of the present invention and so not shown) , it is obtained a bed configuration, useful for one, two or three people sitting according to the dimensions of the mechanism. It is to be observed that the mattress is not shown for clarity but, it is clear, that it can be put on the bed base (3) in this configuration, positioned between the two elements (8, 9) arranged therefor, and be folded then inside the same when this is closed. The left side four-bar linkage (2) of the mechanism comprises a first (21) and a second (22) fastening means of the four-bar linkage (2) to the side edge (5) .

[0073] It is to be observed that during the functioning of the assembled mechanism, such fastening means (21, 22) are integral to the fixed structure, and the bars of the four-bar linkage are instead hinged thereto .

[0074] In other words, the coupling between the fastening means (21, 22) and the fixed structure can be carried out by means of simple bolting (see in the following for details) , without that an excessive tightening can impair in any way the functioning of the hinge between said fastening means (21, 22) and the mobile elements (23, 25) hinged thereto.

[0075] The four-bar linkage (2) comprises also a mobile element (23) hinged to the first fastening (21) and to the head portion (31) of the bed base (3) by means of a third fastening means (211) and a mobile element (25) hinged to the second fastening (22) and to a fourth fastening element (27) integral to the intermediate portion (32) of the bed base (3) .

[0076] A bar (24) is hinged between these two mobile elements (23, 25) , so that the two mobile elements (23, 25) , the bar (24) and the side edge (5) form a first four-bar linkage, which controls the movement of the first two portions (31, 32) of the foldable bed base ( 3 ) .

[0077] The four-bar linkage (2) comprises also a first intermediate control bar (26) from the second mobile element (25) to the sixth fastening means (213) of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base. The sixth fastening element (213) is integral to the articulation portion (33) of the foldable bed base (3) . To this sixth fastening means (213) it is also hinged the control element (29) of the end portion of the foldable bed base, and a second intermediate control bar (28) hinged also to the fourth fastening element (27) , fastened to the intermediate portion (32) of the foldable bed base (3) . Said control element (29) acts on a foot (210) which, with the assembled mechanism, is hinged to the end portion (34) of the foldable bed base (3) by means of a sixth fastening means (212) . These other elements control the rotation of the articulation portion (33) and of the end portion (34) of the foldable bed base (3) .

[0078] The observations made for the first and second fastening means (21, 22) are valid also for the third (211) , the fourth (27) , the fifth (213) and sixth (212) fastening means. During the functioning of the assembled mechanism, these four fastening means are integral to the foldable bed base (3) , and the bars of the four-bar linkage are instead hinged thereto.

[0079] In other words, the coupling between the fastening means (211, 212, 213, 27) and the foldable bed base

[0080] (3) can be carried out by simple bolting (see in the following for details) , without that an excessive tightening can impair in any way the functioning of the hinge between said fastening means (211, 212, 213, 27) and the mobile elements

[0081] (23, 25, 28, 29, 210) hinged thereto.

[0082] Ultimately, each four-bar linkage, in its preferred embodiment, comprises two fastening means to the fixed structure and four fastening means to the foldable bed base, one at each portion of the foldable bed base.

[0083] After explaining the functioning of the system when assembled, the assembly modes are explained now in detail .

[0084] During the transport, the mechanism is subdivided in a plurality of assemblies: the right four-bar linkage (1) , the left four-bar linkage (2) , the foldable bed base (3) , the right side edge (4) , the left side edge (5) , the rear spacer (6) , the front spacer (7) , the front mattress stop element (8) , the rear mattress stop element (9) .

[0085] In summary, the foldable bed base (3) is connected to the side four-bar linkages (1, 2) as follows:

[0086] - the end portion (34) is connected to the sixth fastening means (112, 212) ;

[0087] - the articulation portion (33) is connected to the fifth fastening means (112, 213) ;

[0088] - the intermediate portion (32) is connected to the fourth fastening means (17, 27) ;

[0089] - the head portion (31) is connected to the third fastening means (111, 211) .

[0090] The fixed structure is constituted as follows: the right (4) and left side edge (5) are connected to the spacers (6, 7) .

[0091] The fixed structure is connected to the four-bar linkages systems (1, 2) as follows:

[0092] - the right side edge (4) is connected to the first and second fastening means (11, 12, 21, 22) .

[0093] The assembly between the various elements can occur according to what shown in figures 17 and 18, by bolting .

[0094] This is possible only because all the fastening both between the four-bar linkages (1, 2) and the fixed structure and between the four-bar linkages (1, 2) and the foldable bed base (3) are realized by means of fastening means (11, 12, 111, 112, 113, 17, 21, 22, 211, 212, 213, 27) which are preassembled to the respective four-bar linkages (1, 2) , which while functioning are respectively integral to the fixed structure and to the foldable bed base (3) and to which the respective mobile elements of the four-bar linkages (13, 15, 110, 23, 25, 28, 29, 210) are hinged.

[0095] According to a preferred embodiment, as it is shown in figure 18, in each bolted coupling at least one of the two pieces which have to be assembled is provided with at least a couple of square holes, and the screws used for the connection have the end portion of the stem, immediately before the head, of square shape, so that once the screw is introduced in its seat it is not needed to keep it still, and so the connection can occur by using only one tool (the wrench used for the nut tightening) . As it is shown in figure 21, in the case of the assembly of the spacer (6) to the side edge, the square holes are conveniently realized on an end plate of the spacer.

[0096] Preferably, in the case of the fastening means (11, 12, 111, 112, 113, 21, 22, 211, 212, 213) the element which is provided with a square hole is the fastening means itself. In particular, the side edges (4, 5) and the spacers (6, 7) are assembled to form a rigid structure with rectangular plan. The right (1) and left four-bar linkage (2) are fastened to the foldable bed base (3) , and the sub-assembly thus obtained is fastened to the rigid structure, obtaining the configuration shown in figure 19. By folding the bed base (3) in closed configuration it is obtained the sofa configuration shown in figure 20.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Mechanism for sofa bed configured for the conversion between a closed configuration and an open configuration, comprising:- a fixed structure;- a foldable bed base (3) configured to be moved between a closed configuration in which said bed base (3) is folded and the mechanism has the shape of a sofa, and an open configuration, in which said bed base (3) is deployed in a flat configuration and the mechanism takes the configuration of a bed; two four-bar linkages (1, 2) configured to be fastened, opposite to said foldable bed base (3) , to said fixed structure and said foldable bed base (3) and to guide the movement of said bed base (3) between the closed configuration and the open configuration, said four-bar linkages (1, 2) comprising a series of mobile elements (13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 110, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 210) to said structure and said bed base (3) , characterized in that the fastening of said four-bar linkages (1, 2) to said fixed structure and to said foldable bed base (3) occurs by means of fastening means (11, 12, 17, 111, 112, 113, 21, 22, 27, 211, 212, 213) ,- which while functioning are respectively integral to said fixed structure and said foldable bed base (3) ,- to which respective mobile elements of the four- bar linkages (13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 110, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 210) are hinged.

2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastening means (11, 12, 17, 111, 112, 113, 21, 22, 27, 211, 212, 213) can be assembled removably to said bed base (3) and to said fixed structure .

3. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that said fastening means (11, 12, 17, 111, 112, 113, 21, 22, 27, 211, 212, 213) are configured to be bolted to said bed base (3) and said fixed structure .

4. Mechanism according to claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that said fixed structure is realized by assembly of two edges (4, 5) and two spacers (6, 7) to form a base of rectangular shape.

5. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said foldable bed base comprises a head portion (31) which isvertical in closed configuration, an intermediate portion (32) which is horizontal in closed configuration, an articulation portion (33) which is vertical in closed configuration and an end portion (34) which is horizontal in closed configuration, arranged higher than said intermediate portion (32) .

6. Mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that said head portion (31) , said intermediate portion (32) , said articulation portion (33) and said end portion (34) are aligned to each other along a horizontal plane when said mechanism is in open configuration.

7. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising mattress stop elements (8, 9) integral to said foldable bed base.

8. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said right side four- bar linkage (1) and said left side four-bar linkage (2) comprise each a first (11, 21) and a second (12, 22) fastening means of the four-bar linkage (1, 2) to the side edge (4, 5) , said fastening means (11, 21, 12, 22) being integral to said fixedstructure during the functioning, and bars (13, 15,23, 25) of the four-bar linkage (1, 2) are hinged thereto which are mobile to said fixed structure.

9. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said right side four- bar linkage (1) and said left side four-bar linkage (2) comprise each a third (111, 211) , fourth (17, 27) , fifth (113, 213) and sixth (112, 212) fastening means which, with the mechanism assembled, are respectively integral to the head portion (31) , the end portion (212) , the articulation portion (33) and to the intermediate portion (32) of said foldable bed base (3) , and bars (13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 110, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 210) of the four-bar linkage are hinged thereto.

10. Mechanism according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that each of said four-bar linkage (1, 2) comprises also a mobile element (13, 23) hinged to the first fastening means (11, 21) and to the head portion (31) of the bed base (3) by means of a third fastening means (111, 211) and a mobile element (15, 25) hinged to the second fastening (12, 22) and to a fourth fastening element (17, 27)integral to the intermediate portion (32) of the bed base ( 3 ) .

11. Mechanism according to claim 10, characterized in that between said mobile elements (13, 15, 23,25) a bar (14, 24) is hinged, so that said two mobile elements (13, 15, 23, 25) , said bar (14, 24) and said side edge (4, 5) form a first four-bar linkage, which controls the movement of the first two portions (31, 32) of the foldable bed base (3) .

12. Mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising a first intermediate control bar (16, 26) from the second mobile element (15, 25) to the fifth fastening means (113, 213) of the four-bar linkage to the foldable bed base, said fifth fastening element (113, 213) being integral to said articulation portion (33) of the foldable bed base(3) .

13. Mechanism according to claim 12, further comprising, hinged to said fifth fastening means (113, 213) , a control element (19, 29) - by means of the foot (110, 210) of the end portion (34) of the foldable bed base (3) , and a second intermediate control bar (18, 28) hinged both tosaid fourth fastening element (17, 27) integral to the intermediate portion (32) of said foldable bed base (3) and to said fifth fastening element (113, 213) integral to the articulation portion (33) of said foldable bed base (3) .

14. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a front mattress stop element (8) , a rear mattress stop element (9) .

15. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least a portion of the bolted coupling at least one of the two pieces which have to be assembled is provided with at least a couple of square holes, and the screws used for the connection have the end portion of the stem, immediately before the head, of square shape, so that once the screw is introduced in its seat it is not needed to keep it still, and so the connection can occur by means of using only one tool .

16. Mechanism according to claim 15, characterized in that in the case of fastening means (11, 12, 17, 111, 112, 113, 21, 22, 27, 211, 212, 213) , theelement which is provided with at least two square holes is the fastening means itself.

17. Sofa bed comprising a mechanism according to one of the preceding claims.

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