Murphy bed chest

Abstract

A folding chest bed system includes a chest assembly having a base, two opposing side panels spaced apart by a distance and secured to the base, and a front panel assembly. When the front panel assembly is in the opened position, it is at least partially supportive of a mattress. The front panel assembly includes a front panel, a footboard frame connected to the front panel by one or more secondary hinges, and one or more secondary feet extending from the footboard frame and supportive of the footboard frame. The one or more secondary feet each include a foot base positioned at and secured to the footboard frame, and a foot body extending from the foot base. The foot body includes a fulcrum surface having a curvilinear profile configured to lift the footboard frame into position when the chest assembly is moved from the closed position to the opened position.

Description

MURPHY BED CHESTBACKGROUND

[0001] Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of folding beds, and more particularly to folding beds that, in the stored position, are enclosed in a cabinet or similar furniture.

[0002] Traditional beds take up a large amount of floor space in the room that the bed is placed. When the beds are not used frequently, and / or when the bed is located in a small room or a room in which the space for the bed could be otherwise utilized, a folding bed is one solution to allow for other use of the space in the room when the bed is not needed.

[0003] Some folding beds are folded away into a cabinet or other similar furniture article when not in use. Such cabinet beds are attractive pieces of furniture when the bed is in a folded position, and a comfortable bed when needed and transformed into an opened position where at least a portion of the furniture article is a sleeping platform supportive of a mattress.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a folding chest bed system includes a chest assembly having a base, two opposing side panels spaced apart by a distance and secured to the base, and a front panel assembly connected to the base by one or more primary hinges. The front panel assembly is movable between an upright closed position and an opened position, such that when in the opened position the front panel assembly is configured to be at least partially supportive of a mattress. The front panel assembly includes a front panel, a footboard frame connected to the front panel by one or more secondary hinges, and one or more secondary feet extending from the footboard frame and supportive of the footboard frame when the front panel assembly is in the opened position. The one or more secondary feet each include a foot base positioned at and secured to the footboard frame, and a foot body extending from the foot base. The foot body includes a fulcrum surface having a curvilinear profile configured to lift thefootboard frame into position when the chest assembly is moved from the closed position to the opened position.

[0005] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the fulcrum surface has a curvilinear profile with a constant radius.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the one or more secondary feet are positioned at a first end of the footboard frame, and one or more end feet are positioned at a second end of the footboard frame opposite the first end.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the footboard frame includes a first footboard rail positioned at a first end of the footboard frame, a second footboard rail positioned at a second end of the footboard frame opposite the first end, and a plurality of footboard rails extending between the first footboard rail and the second footboard rail.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the one or more secondary feet are secured to the first footboard rail.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a latch assembly is secured to the side panel and to the front panel assembly. The latch assembly is configured to retain the front panel assembly in a closed position to the side panels.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the base includes one of a plurality of base slats or a base panel or a plurality of panels.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a top panel assembly is secured to a top of the side panels and extending between the two side panels.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the top panel assembly includes a first top panel secured to the two side panels, and a second top panel connected to the first top panel by one or more top panel hinges.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a mattress is stored in the folding bed chest system when the front panel assembly is in the closed position.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the front panel includes two or more panel rails and one or more panel portions extending between the two or more panel rails.

[0015] In another exemplary embodiment, a folding chest bed system includes a chest assembly having a base, two opposing side panels spaced apart by a distance and secured to the base, and a front panel assembly connected to the base by one or more primary hinges. The front panel assembly is movable between an upright closed position and an opened position, such that when in the opened position the front panel assembly is configured to be at least partially supportive of a mattress. The front panel assembly includes a front panel, a footboard frame connected to the front panel by one or more secondary hinges, and one or more secondary feet extending from the footboard frame and supportive of the footboard frame when the front panel assembly is in the opened position. The one or more secondary feet each include a foot base positioned at and secured to the footboard frame, and a foot body extending from the foot base. The foot body includes a fulcrum surface having a curvilinear profile configured to lift the footboard frame into position when the chest assembly is moved from the closed position to the opened position. The footboard frame includes a first footboard rail positioned at a first end of the footboard frame, a second footboard rail positioned at a second end of the footboard frame opposite the first end, and a plurality of footboard rails extending between the first footboard rail and the second footboard rail.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the fulcrum surface has a curvilinear profile with a constant radius.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the one or more secondary feet are positioned at the first footboard rail, and one or more end feet are positioned at the second footboard rail.

[0018] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a latch assembly is secured to the side panel and to the front panel assembly. The latch assembly is configured to retain the front panel assembly in a closed position to the side panels.

[0019] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the base includes one of a plurality of base slats or a base panel or a plurality of panels.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a top panel assembly is secured to a top of the side panels and extending between the two side panels.

[0021] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the top panel assembly includes a first top panel secured to the two side panels, and a second top panel connected to the first top panel by one or more top panel hinges.

[0022] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a mattress is stored in the folding bed chest system when the front panel assembly is in the closed position.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the front panel includes two or more panel rails and one or more panel portions extending between the two or more panel rails.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

[0025] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest in a closed position;

[0026] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a murphy bed chest in an opened position;

[0027] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a murphy bed chest in an opened position with a mattress installed;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a partially disassembled view of an embodiment of an attachment of a side panel and top panel of a murphy bed chest;

[0029] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a front panel assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest;

[0030] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a footboard frame assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest;

[0031] FIG. 7 is an illustration of installation of an exemplary embodiment of a secondary leg of a murphy bed chest;

[0032] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest in a partially opened position

[0033] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a latch of a murphy bed chest.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is an embodiment of a murphy bed chest 10 shown in a closed position. The cabinet bed 10 includes a top panel assembly 12, opposing side panels 14, and a back panel assembly 16, shown better in FIG. 2. The murphy bed chest 10 further includes a hinged front panel assembly 18 positioned between the opposing side panels 14. The side panels 14 and the front panel assembly 18 are connected to a base 20, which support the murphy bed chest 10.

[0036] The front panel assembly 18 is connected to the base 20 via one or more primary hinges 22. Generally, and as will be explained in greater detail below, whenmoved to the opened position by rotating the front panel assembly 18 using the primary hinges 22, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the front panel assembly 18 and the base 20 together define a supported platform 24 for placement of a mattress, which in some embody ents is a folding mattress 26, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the folding mattress 26 may be stored inside the cabinet bed 10 when the murphy bed chest 10 is in the closed position.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, the side panels 14 each include a lower side panel rail 28 secured to the base 20 via one or more side panel fasteners 30, such as bolts, extending through the lower side panel rail 28 and at least partially into the base 20. As shown, in some embodiments the base 20 includes a base frame 32 defining a perimeter of the base 20. The base frame 32 includes a base front rail 34 and a base rear rail 36 defining a front and rear of the base 20, respectively. A plurality of base slats 38 extend from the base front rail 34 to the base rear rail 36, and are spaced apart between the side panels 14. While base slats 38 are shown in the illustrated embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that in other embodiments the base slats 38 may be omitted and a solid base platform may extend from the base front rail 34 to the base rear rail 36.

[0038] In some embodiments, the back panel assembly 16 includes multiple pieces. For example, the back panel assembly 16 may include an upper back panel 40, a lower back panel 42 and a back panel rail 44 positioned between the upper back panel 40 and the lower back panel 42. In some embodiments, the lower back panel 42 and the upper back panel 40 are identical in shape and size, while in other embodiments that sizes of the back panels 40 and 42 differ in size. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate, however, that this configuration is merely exemplary and that in other embodiments, the back panel assembly 16 may include a single back panel.

[0039] In some embodiments, the top panel assembly 12 includes a first top panel 46 and a second top panel 48 connected by one or more top panel hinges 50, illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0040] Referring again to FIG. 4, the first top panel 46 is secured to the side panels 14 at an upper side panel rail 52 that extends inwardly from an inner side panel surface of the side panel 14. The first top panel 46 is secured to the upper side panel rails 52 via one or more top panel fasteners 54, for example, bolts or screws, that extend through the upper side panel rails 52 and at least partially into the first top panel 46. While the first top panel 46 is fixed in position by securing to the upper side panel rails 52, the second top panel 48 is free to move relative to the first top panel 46 via a the top panel hinges 50. In some embodiments, the second top panel 48 is movable to atop the first top panel 46 when the murphy bed chest 10 is opened, as shown in FIG. 3. This provides added head room for a person using the murphy bed chest 10. While in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the top panel assembly 12 is hinged, in other embodiments, the top panel assembly 12 is fixed and may be a single top panel secured to the upper side panel rails 52.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, the front panel assembly 18 includes a two opposing end rails 56 and 58, with a first end rail 56 connected to the base 20 via the primary hinges 22 (as shown in FIG. 2) and a second end rail 58 spaced apart from the first end rail 56. A plurality of divider rails 60 extend between the end rails 56 and 58. The end rails 56, 58 and the divider rails 60 together define a plurality of panel openings 62 in which a plurality of front panels 64 are installed.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 6 and with continuing reference to FIG. 2, a footboard frame 66 is connected to the front panel assembly 18 via one or more secondary hinges 68. The footboard frame 66 includes two footboard rails 70 with a plurality of footboard slats 72 extending between the footboard rails 70. The secondary hinges 68 are located at a first footboard rail 70a for connection to the front panel assembly 18. One of more secondary feet 74 are located at the first footboard rail 70a. While the embodiment of FIG. 6 includes three secondary feet 74, other embodiments may include other quantities of secondary feet 74, such as 2 or 4 secondary feet 74. Referring now to FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of a secondary foot 74 is illustrated. The secondary foot 74 includes a foot base 76, that in some embodiments is flat and planar, located at and connected to the first footboard rail 70a. A foot body 78 of the secondary foot 74 extends from the foot base 76, when the murphy bed chest 10 is inthe open position toward a floor 80, with a foot end 82 contacting the floor 80. The foot body 78 includes a fulcrum surface 84, which in some embodiments has a curvilinear profile. In some embodiments the fulcrum surface 84 has a curvilinear profile with a constant radius, while in other embodiments the curvilinear profile may vary along a length of the fulcrum surface 84. In some embodiments, the fulcrum surface 84 extends from the foot base 76 a distance of about 3 inches. One skilled in the art, however, will recognize that this is merely exemplary, and in other embodiments the fulcrum surface 84 may extend, for example 6 inches from the foot base 76. The taller fulcrum surface 84 allows for more creative base design, when the side panels do not extend all the way to the floor.

[0043] As the murphy bed chest 10 is moved to the open position, the fulcrum surface 84 slides along the floor 80 thus lifting the footboard frame 66 away from the floor 80 until the foot end 82 rests on the floor 80 thus supporting the footboard frame 66 at the first footboard rail 70a. Referring again to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the footboard frame 66 includes one or more end feet 86 disposed at and secured to a second footboard rail 70b. While in the embodiment of FIG. 6, three end feet 86 are included, other embodiments may utilize other quantities of end feet 86, such as two or four end feet 86. When the murphy bed chest 10 is in the open position, the end feet 86 rest on the floor 80, thus supporting the footboard frame 66 at the second footboard rail 70b.

[0044] Referring again to FIG. 2 and, in some embodiments, the murphy best chest 10 includes a front panel latch 88, which when in the engaged position prevents moving of the front panel assembly 18 from the closed position to the open position, and secures the front panel assembly 18 directly to the side panels 14. While in some embodiments, the latch 88 is utilized, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that this is merely exemplary. In other embodiments, other means such as a safety chain or the like, may be utilized to secure the front panel assembly 18 in the closed position.

[0045] The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

[0046] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and / or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and / or groups thereof.

[0047] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A folding chest bed system, comprising:a chest assembly, comprising:a base;two opposing side panels spaced apart by a distance and secured to the base; anda front panel assembly connected to the base by one or more primary hinges, the front panel assembly movable between an upright closed position and an opened position, such that when in the opened position the front panel assembly is configured to be at least partially supportive of a mattress, the front panel assembly, including:a front panel;a footboard frame connected to the front panel by one or more secondary hinges; andone or more secondary feet extending from the footboard frame and supportive of the footboard frame when the front panel assembly is in the opened position;wherein the one or more secondary feet each include:a foot base disposed at and secured to the footboard frame; anda foot body extending from the foot base, the foot body including a fulcrum surface having a curvilinear profile configured to lift the footboard frame into position when the chest assembly is moved from the closed position to the opened position.

2. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, the fulcrum surface has a curvilinear profile with a constant radius.

3. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, wherein the one or more secondary feet are disposed at a first end of the footboard frame, andfurther comprising one or more end feet disposed at a second end of the footboard frame opposite the first end.

4. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, wherein the footboard frame includes:a first footboard rail disposed at a first end of the footboard frame;a second footboard rail disposed at a second end of the footboard frame opposite the first end; anda plurality of footboard rails extending between the first footboard rail and the second footboard rail.

5. The folding chest bed system of claim 4, wherein the one or more secondary feet are secured to the first footboard rail.

6. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, further comprising a latch assembly secured to the side panel and to the front panel assembly, the latch assembly configured to retain the front panel assembly in a closed position to the side panels.

7. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, wherein the base includes one of a plurality of base slats or a base panel or a plurality of panels.

8. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, further comprising a top panel assembly secured to a top of the side panels and extending between the two side panels.

9. The folding chest bed system of claim 8, wherein the top panel assembly includes:a first top panel secured to the two side panels; anda second top panel connected to the first top panel by one or more top panel hinges.

10. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, wherein a mattress is stored in the folding bed chest system when the front panel assembly is in the closed position.

11. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes two or more panel rails and one or more panel portions extending between the two or more panel rails.

12. A folding chest bed system, comprising:a chest assembly, comprising:a base;two opposing side panels spaced apart by a distance and secured to the base; anda front panel assembly connected to the base by one or more primary hinges, the front panel assembly movable between an upright closed position and an opened position, such that when in the opened position the front panel assembly is configured to be at least partially supportive of a mattress, the front panel assembly, including:a front panel;a footboard frame connected to the front panel by one or more secondary hinges; andone or more secondary feet extending from the footboard frame and supportive of the footboard frame when the front panel assembly is in the opened position;wherein the one or more secondary feet each include:a foot base disposed at and secured to the footboard frame; anda foot body extending from the foot base, the foot body including a fulcrum surface having a curvilinear profile configured to lift the footboard frame into position when the chest assembly is moved from the closed position to the opened position;wherein the footboard frame includes:a first footboard rail disposed at a first end of the footboard frame;a second footboard rail disposed at a second end of the footboard frame opposite the first end; anda plurality of footboard rails extending between the first footboard rail and the second footboard rail.

13. The folding chest bed system of claim 12, the fulcrum surface has a curvilinear profile with a constant radius.

14. The folding chest bed system of claim 12, wherein the one or more secondary feet are disposed at the first footboard rail, andfurther comprising one or more end feet disposed at the second footboard rail.

15. The folding chest bed system of claim 12, further comprising a latch assembly secured to the side panel and to the front panel assembly, the latch assembly configured to retain the front panel assembly in a closed position to the side panels.

16. The folding chest bed system of claim 12, wherein the base includes one of a plurality of base slats or a base panel or a plurality of panels.

17. The folding chest bed system of claim 12, further comprising a top panel assembly secured to a top of the side panels and extending between the two side panels.

18. The folding chest bed system of claim 1 , wherein the top panel assembly includes:a first top panel secured to the two side panels; anda second top panel connected to the first top panel by one or more top panel hinges.

19. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, wherein a mattress is stored in the folding bed chest system when the front panel assembly is in the closed position.

20. The folding chest bed system of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes two or more panel rails and one or more panel portions extending between the two or more panel rails.

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