EP1061834A2

EP1061834A2 - Bed

Info

Publication number: EP1061834A2
Application number: EP99907640A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ari Häkkinen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-11
Filing date: 1999-03-10
Publication date: 2000-12-27
Also published as: FI980550A; AU2730299A; RU21335U1; FI980550A0; WO1999045824A8; CN1292661A; KR20010002198U; WO1999045824A1; JP3077529U

Abstract

The invention relates to a bed, which can be lowered and raised in a horizontal position, between a use position and a storage position. The bed is installed in, and supported by a vertical frame construction, which has the characteristic of being able to stand freely, allowing it to be located freely in a room.

Description

Bed

The present invention relates to a bed, which is based on a baseboard, which is supported by a vertical support structure, and which can be lowered and raised in an essentially horizontal position between a use position and a storage position.

The basic construction of this type of bed structure is known per se, the relevant details being disclosed in publications such as WO 92/0572 and EP- A1-0 593 388. The intention is to release the space required in a dwelling by a bed for other purposes, when the bed is not in use. The beds disclosed in the aforementioned publications are such that the baseboard, which forms the base of the bed, is arranged to be raised and lowered using a frame construction, which supports at least three of the corners of the baseboard.

These constructions have the drawback that they can only be sensibly installed in a corner of a room, where the frame construction can also, if necessary, be secured to the wall to ensure stability. A bed according to the invention does not have this drawback, its essential characteristics being that the frame structure supports the baseboard by at least one of its edges, the dimensions of the frame structure being such that, when the structure stands freely, it will resist the overturning load imposed on it by the baseboard, at least if the latter is in the storage position. This solution creates the advantage that the bed can be located freely within a room, though naturally taking the space available into account. In addition, the frame construction can incorporate items of furniture for other purposes, such as bookshelves or similar. If necessary, a structure of this kind can also act as a room divider.

One option is to install, on the opposite side of the frame construction, some other object or item of furniture, such as a table, which has a daily pattern of use opposite to that of the bed. If this object is combined with the operating mechanism of the bed, the object will move, supported by the frame, in the opposite direction to the bed, thus acting as part of the necessary counterweight, both in the lifting and lowering movement, and to balance the overturning effect.

The invention is described in greater detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of one embodiment of a bed according to the invention, Figure 2 shows an end view of the bed according to Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows a top view of the bed,

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic side view of another embodiment of a bed according to the invention, and

Figure 5 shows a support solution that can be incorporated in a bed according to the invention.

The bed comprises two basic components, i.e. a baseboard 1 and a frame construction 2. The frame construction is formed as a metal framework, which is dimensioned primarily to provide a sufficient depth, i.e. the dimension A - A in Figures 1 and 4, to allow the frame construction to support the baseboard 1 , and the bedclothes on top of it, when the baseboard is in the raised storage position. When the base board is in the lowered position, it is supported from the floor by hinged legs 3, which are not shown in the embodiments in Figures 1 and 2. As the dimension of the width of the frame construction 2 is not as critical in terms of the location of the bed structure as the dimension of its depth A - A, it can be selected with greater freedom to provide sufficient lateral support for the frame. It is preferable to extend the frame construction laterally, so that it can incorporate some useful piece of furniture, such as shelves, a cabinet or similar. The height of the frame construction 2 is dimensioned according to the available room height, so that baseboard 1 can be raised to as high a storage position as possible, thus releasing the use of a corresponding floor area. The frame construction 2 is preferably shaped according to Figure 4, i.e with trapezium-shaped ends, thus promoting the stability of the frame construction.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the legs 3 at the outer edge of the baseboard are hinged to swing at the edge of the baseboard. This hinged movement is preferably implemented mechanically controlled supported by an axle 4. The axle 4 extends inside baseboard 1 to the connection with frame component 2, the axle being equipped, at its end adjoining the frame component 2, with a suitable power transmission device, which operates in conjunction with a device located in frame component 2. These devices are arranged to operate together, so that the position of feet 3 is determined by the level of the baseboard. When the baseboard is in its upper storage position, feet 3 are correspondingly in their storage position, from where they swing to their support position, when the baseboard 1 is lowered. A step is preferably created in foot or feet 3.

The construction should preferably incorporate a mechanism intended to lighten the movement of baseboard 1. In its simplest form, this mechanism is a counterweight, which an arrangement of cables and pulleys moves in the opposite direction to the baseboard 1. The space for the counterweight is preferably arranged inside the frame construction 2, where it can be concealed. Other possible mechanisms are powered by springs, or even an electric motor.

Claims

1. A bed, comprising a baseboard (1 ), which is supported by a vertical frame construction (2) and can be lowered and raised in an essentially horizontal position between a use position and a storage position, characterized in that frame construction (2) supports the baseboard by one of the latter's edges and is dimensioned so that it can stand freely and support baseboard (1 ) against the overturning effect acting on the frame construction, at least when baseboard (1 ) is in its storage position.

2. A bed according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the support construction includes at least one frame component that has a trapezium- shaped cross-section parallel to the depth dimension of the frame construction.

3. A bed according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame construction (2) includes devices, such as a counterweight mechanism, to lighten baseboard (1 ).

4. A bed according to one of the above Claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the frame construction incorporate a piece of furniture, such as a set of shelves.