FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a frame structure for a furniture and to a furniture having such frame structure, said frame structure at least having a first support frame, a second support frame and a third support frame, and said frame also having lateral supports. All of said support frames functions as a surface for lying down in a first position of the furniture, and at least one of said support frames functions as a surface for sitting in a second position of the furniture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Furniture of today suited both as furniture for lying down in an extended state and for sitting in a collapsed state exhibits many different modes of extending and collapsing the furniture. Each of the different modes has their advantages and disadvantages.

Some furniture are extended and collapsed by puling or pushing frame elements of the furniture. Often, such furniture have guide rails for guiding the extension and the collapsing the frame of the furniture during pulling and pushing. A disadvantage may be high frictional forces occurring when pulling or pushing the frame element along the guide rails. Another disadvantage may be that the frame elements incidentally lock because the pulling or pushing result in an uneven extension and collapsing, thereby exhibiting torques between the different guide rails along each of the lateral sides of the furniture.

Other furniture are extended and collapsed by pivoting frame elements of the furniture. Often such furniture has to be handled from the side of the furniture in order for extending or collapsing the furniture. A disadvantage may be that it is not always that the furniture may be accessible from the side when placed in a home of a user. Another disadvantage may be that separate upholstery has to be removed, placed or displaced when the furniture is to be collapsed or when the furniture has been extended, respectively. Still another disadvantage is that fingers may be squeezed during extension or collapsing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a furniture capable of functioning as a furniture for lying down in a first position of the furniture and a furniture for sitting up in a second position of the furniture, and where the furniture is easy and safe to handle, both during extension and during collapsing between the two positions, and with a limited number of mechanical elements.

This object is obtained by a frame structure at least having a first support frame, a second support frame and a third support frame, and said frame also having lateral supports,

- said first support frame being pivotably connected to the lateral supports, said second support frame also being pivotably connected to the lateral supports, and said third support frame being pivotably connected to the second support frame,

- said support frames having a first position as a couch or a bed, in which first position the first support frame is positioned flat with a top surface facing upwards and a bottom surface facing downwards, where

- the second support frame is positioned flat, outwards from and in immediate extension of the first support frame and with a top surface facing upwards and a bottom surface facing downwards, and where

- the third support frame is positioned flat, outwards from and in immediate extension of the second support frame and with a top surface facing upwards and a bottom surface facing downwards, - said support frames having a second position as a sofa or a chair, in which second position the first support frame is positioned upright with the top surface facing rearwards and the bottom surface facing outwards, where

- the third support frame is positioned flat and with the top surface facing upwards and with a bottom surface facing downwards, - and in which second position the second support frame is positioned underneath the bottom surface of the third support frame and with the top surface of the second support frame facing downwards and the bottom surface of the second support frame facing upwards. A frame structure having these different support elements being configured in the first position and the second position as mentioned result in an easy, reliable and handy method of extending and collapsing the furniture. Also, there is no need for re-arranging the support surfaces or any upholstery after having extended or collapsed the furniture. In the first position, the furniture is readily available as a bed or a couch without further re-arrangement of the upholstery. And in the second position, when having collapsed the furniture, the furniture is readily available as sofa or as a chair without further re-arrangement of the upholstery.

In a preferred embodiment, at least the third support frame is at least substantially manufactured from wood. Manufacturing the third support frame result in the extension of the furniture from the second collapsed position or the first extended position is made easier, because wood is a material having less mass than e.g. metal. Metal is often used for support frames for extendable and collapsible furniture because of the superior structural strength of metal.

Preferably, the first support frame is positioned upright with the top surface facing rearwards and the bottom surface facing outwards by pivoting the first support frame approximately 90 degrees, perhaps up to 145 degrees, preferably not more than 135 degrees. The first support frame is in an easy, reliable and handy manner pivoted from the flat first position to the second upright position.

According to a possible method of extending or collapsing the furniture from the first position to the second position or vice versa, respectively, the second support frame is pivoted between and including 165 degrees and 225 degrees, preferably between and including 180 degrees and 195 degrees when pivoted from the first position to the second position of the second support frame.

According to the possible method of extending or collapsing, the furniture from the first position to the second position or vice versa, respectively, the third support frame is pivoted between and including 0 degrees and 45 degrees, preferably between and including 0 degrees and 15 degrees when pivoted from the first position to the second position of the third support frame. The third support frame does not need much, if any at all, pivoting between the collapsed and extended position. The second support frame is pivoting approximately 180 degrees, but the pivoting of the second support frame takes place automatically when extending or collapsing the third support frame, however, the third support frame only needing to be pushed rearwards or pulled forwards during collapsing and extension, respectively, of the furniture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the drawings, where

Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a frame for a bed or like furniture in a first position where the furniture is a couch or a bed, but without upholstery

Fig. 2 is a plane side schematic view of the furniture functioning as a couch or bed or like furniture in the first position when provided with upholstery

Fig. 3 is a plane side schematic view of the furniture functioning as a sofa or a chair or like furniture in the first position when provided with upholstery Fig. 4 is a perspective schematic view of the furniture functioning as a sofa or a chair or like furniture in the first position when provided with upholstery

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a frame structure for furniture. The frame structure comprises three individual support frames 1,2,3 and the frame structure is in a first position. The frame structure is intended for holding a support element made from solid material such as wood or other material and/or an upholstery 1A,2A,3A such as foam or other cushioning material and possible a fabric, a leather or another cover for using the frame with upholstery as a couch or a bed.

The frame structure, as mentioned, comprises a first support frame 1, a second support frame 2 and a third support frame 3. The frame structure also comprises lateral supports 4,5. The lateral supports 4,5 have a longitudinal bar 13 and downward extending front bar 14 and rear bar 15 constituting legs of the furniture. The rear bar 15 of the lateral supports 4,5 is provided with an extension 16 extending from the rear bar 15 towards the front bar 14. The frame furthermore comprises a sideways extending bar 17 extending between the extensions 16 of the two lateral supports 4,5, and where each end of the sideways extending bar 17 being secured, in any suitable manner, to the extensions 16. Finally, the frame comprises U-shaped support bars 18,19 also constituting legs of the furniture, however only when the furniture is in a first position. The U-shaped support bars 18,19 is mounted to and extend from the bottom of the third support frame 3 via hinges 20,21. In fig. 1 showing the furniture in the first position, the support bars 18,19 are shown in an extended state, contrary to a collapsed state where the support bars 18,29 are flush with the bottom of the third support frame 3.

The first support frame 1 is provided with a sideways extending first axle 22 of the frame. The first axle 22 extends along the entire sideways extension of the first support frame 1. The first support frame 1 itself is suspended in the first axle 22 by bushings 23 between the first support frame 1 and the first axle 22. The first support frame 1 is pivotable in relation to the first axle 22 around the bushings 23. which is a material having less mass than e.g. metal. The first support frame and the second support frame is preferably made of metal, but one or both of the first and second support fraes may also be manufactured from wood.

The second support frame 2 is provided with a sideways extending second axle 24 of the frame. The second axle 24 extends along the entire sideways extension of the second support frame 2. The second support frame 2 itself is suspended in the second axle 24 by bushings 25 between the second support frame 2 and the second axle 24. The second support frame 2 is pivotable in relation to the second axle 24 around the bushings 25.

The first support frame 1 and the second support frame 2, in an assembled state, is fastened to the lateral supports 4,5 by threaded bolts 26,27 extending through holes 28,29 in the lateral supports 4,5 and engaging with a corresponding internal threading (not shown) in the bushings 23,25 of the first axle 22 and the second axle 24, respectively. Other fastening means are capable of being used than threaded bolts and corresponding internal threading in the bushings. E.g. nuts engaging with an outer threading of ends of the axles may be used. Also, a bayonet fitting, a screw fitting or other fitting between one fastening means of the lateral supports and a corresponding fastening means in the end of the axles may be used. Also welding, soldering or brazing of the ends of the axles to the lateral supports may be used.

The first support frame 1 is independent from the second support frame 2 and the third support frame 3. The second support frame 2 and the third support frame 3 are mutually connected along abutting longitudinal edges of the second support frame 2 and the third support frame 3, respectively. The connection between the second support frame 2 and the third support frame 3 is provided by hinges (see fig. 2). The third support frame 3 is preferably at least partly manufactured from wood which is a material having less mass than e.g. metal. The first support frame 1 and the second support frame 2 are preferably made of metal, but one or both of the first and second support frames may also be manufactured from wood. The third support frame 3 may however also be made from metal.

The first support frame 1 is provided with stops 30 mounted on pins 31 on each transversal edge of the first support frame 1. The stops 30 mounted on the first support frame 1 are intended for supporting the first support frame 1 in the first position of the furniture (see also fig. 2).

The third support frame 3 is also provided with stops 32 mounted on pins 33 on each transversal edge of the third support frame 3. The stops 32 mounted on the third support frame 3 is intended for supporting the third support frame 3 in the second position of the furniture (see fig. 3).

Fig. 2 is a side schematic view of the furniture in an extended first position, where the furniture functions as a couch or a bed having a support surface for lying down.

The first support frame 1 is flat and is suspended in the lateral supports 4,5 by the bushings 23 of the first axle 22 and by the stops 30 (see also fig. 1). A top surface 6 of the upholstery of the first support frame 1 is extending upwards and a bottom surface 7 of the first support frame 1 is extending downwards.

The second support frame 2 is suspended in the lateral supports 4,5 by the bushings 25 of the second axle 24 and at a longitudinal edge abutting the third support frame 1, along which longitudinal edge the second support frame 2 is pivotally connected to the third supporting frame 3 by one or more hinges 34. A top surface 8 of the upholstery of the second support frame 2 is extending upwards and a bottom surface 9 of the second support frame 2 is extending downwards.

The third support frame 3 is suspended by the support bars 18,19 extending from the third support frame 3 and is suspended along a longitudinal edge abutting the second support frame 2, along which longitudinal edge the third support frame 3 is pivotally connected to the second support frame 2 by the one or more hinges 34. A top surface 10 of the upholstery of the third support frame 3 is extending upwards and a bottom surface 11 of the third support frame 3 is extending downwards.

The first support frame 1, the second support frame 2 and the third support frame 3 are all provided with upholstery 1A,2A,3A and constitute, in the first position shown, a single couch or bed, and where the upholstery 1A,2A,3A of all three support frames 1,2,3 constitutes the surface to lie upon.

Fig. 3 is a side schematic view and Fig. 4 is a perspective schematic view of the furniture in a collapsed second position, where the furniture functions as a sofa or a bed.

The first support frame 1 is pivoted approximately 90 degrees counter-clockwise around the first axle 22 from the flat position in Fig. 1 to a raised position as shown. Thus, in the raised position, the top surface 6 of the upholstery of the first support frame 1 is facing rearwards, i.e. to the left in the drawing, and the bottom surface 7 of the first support frame 1 is facing forwards, i.e. to the right in the drawing. The first support frame 1 is suspended in the lateral supports 4,5 by the bushings 23 of the first axle 22. The sideways extending member 17 functions as a stop limiting the pivoting of the first support frame 1 by means of the bottom surface 7 of the first support frame 1 abutting the sideways extending member 17 when having been pivoted approximately 90 degrees counter-clockwise.

The second support frame 2 is pivoted approximately 180 degrees counterclockwise around the second axle 24 from the flat position in Fig. 1 to an upside- down position as shown. Thus, in the upside-down position, the second support frame 2 is positioned underneath the third support frame 3 with the bottom surface 9 of the second support frame 2 facing upwards and with the top surface of the upholstery of the second support frame 2 facing downwards. The second support frame 2 is suspended in the lateral supports 4,5 by the bushings 25 of the second axle 24 and at the longitudinal edge abutting the third support frame 2, and along which longitudinal edge the second support frame 2 is pivotally connected to the third supporting frame 3 by the one or more hinges 34 (see fig. 2).

The third support frame 3 is only pivoted slightly in relation to the position shown in Fig. 2, from the flat position in Fig. 1 to the slightly inclined position as shown. Thus, in the slightly inclined position, the top surface 10 of the upholstery of the third support frame 3 is still facing upwards, and the bottom surface 11 of the third support frame 3 is still facing downwards. However, in relation to the second support frame 2, the third support frame 3 is pivoted 180 degrees around the one or more hinges 34 (see fig. 2). The third support frame 3 is suspended in the stops 33 abutting the lateral supports 4,5 and along the longitudinal edge abutting the second support frame 2, and along which longitudinal edge the third support frame 3 is pivotally connected to the second support frame 2 by the one or more hinges 34.

The inclination of the third support frame 3 is adjusted or is determined by the position of the stops 32. If the stops 32 are positioned more towards the top surface 10 of the upholstery of the third support frame 3, the inclination of the third support frame 3 is greater, and vice versa, in the position of the furniture as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Before the third support frame 3 is pivoted in relation to the second support frame

2 around the one or more hinges 34 (see fig. 2), the U-shaped support bars 18,19 constituting legs of the furniture when functioning as a bed or a couch in the first position (see fig. 1 and fig. 2) are pivoted via the hinges 20,21 (see fig. 1) mounted to the bottom of the third support frame 3 such that the bars 18,19 lie flat against the bottom surface of the third support frame 3, and such that the bars 18,19 are lying flush with and within the third support frame 3. Thereby, in the second position the support bars 18,19 are not obstructing an abutment between the downwards facing bottom surface 11 of the third support frame 3 and the upwards facing bottom surface 9 of the second support frame 2.

The first support frame 1, the second support frame 2 and the third support frame

3 are all provided with upholstery 1A,2A,3A and constitute, in the second position shown, a sofa or couch, but where only the upholstery 3A of the third support frame 3 constitutes the surface to sit upon.