US2445241A - Adjustable sofa construction - Google Patents

Description

ly 13, 19 8- L. POKORNY ETAL I ADJUSTABLE SOFA CONSTRUCTiQN Filed Jan. 25, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. LOUIS POKORNY LOUIS POKORNYPJR.

13, 1948- L. POKORNY EI'AL 2,445,241

I ADJUSTABLE' SOFA CONSTRUCTIQN Filed Jan. 25. 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORJ. LOUIS POKORNY LOUIS POKORNY,JR.

L. POKORNY ETAL I ADJUSTABLE SOFA CONSTRUCTION v July 13, 1948.

. 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 25. 1947 mmvrons. LOUIS POKORNY LOUIS POKORNY JR' av ATTOQZE'X July 13, 1948.

L. POKORNY ETAL ADJUSTABLE SOFA CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 25. 1947 mmvmm LOUIS PCKORNY LOUIS y Y POKORNY,JR.

Patented July 13, 1948 ADJUSTABLE SOFA CONSTRUCTION Louis Pokorny, Ronkonkoma, and Louis Pokorny,

Jr., Lake Ronkonkoma, N. Y.

Application January 25, 1947, Serial No. 724,276 5 Claims. (01. 5-13) This invention relates generally to articles of furniture, and has particular reference to an adjustable structure which in its closed position forms a sofa or couch and which may be ad- ,iusted into an open position in which it defines a full size bed.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a construction which is more easily operated, both in opening it into the form of a bed and in closing it into the form of a sofa. A coordinate object is to provide a device which requires a minimum number of relatively simple adjustments to effect an automatic conversion from one state to the other. A more particular ob- Ject is to provide a structure which may be opened into a bed or closed into 'a sofa without the necessity for separate manipulations of legs or other supporting parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frame construction whose several sections are articulated by pivotal Joints having no inherent looseness, the improved construction being wholly devoid of slotted or similar lost-motion joints. An allied object is a frame construction which will be unusually staunch and rigid in both the closed (sofa) and open (bed) positions.

A still further object is to provide a construction of this general character, in which there is a single mattress fully folded and enclosed within the sofa when the device is in its closed position. The improved structure permit the employment of afull size innerspring mattress.

A still further object is to provide a device having these general advantages and in which a spring automatically comes into operation to assist in adjusting the device from one state to the other.

One way of achieving the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, is shown in the preferred embodiment of our invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved structure in'closed position to form a sofa as shown in dot-and-dash lines, parts being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view through the device in closed position;

Figure 3 is a similar sectional view showing the first stage of opening, with the lower horizontal section in raised position; v

Figure 3a is a fragmentary sectional view sho ing the lower horizontal section in the oblique position which it assumes between the normalv position f Figure 2 and the raised position of Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view similar to Figures 2 and 3 showing the second stage of opening, with the front vertical section and upper horizontal section to partly turned position;

Figure 5 is a similar transverse sectional view, broken off at the lower horizontal section, showing the sections in fully open position; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top view of the device in open position, showing one side of the frame.

The device is shown in Figure 1 in its closed position forming a sofa represented in dot-anddash lines and having a back 8, a left upright end 8 and a right upright end I. when fully opened, as in Figure -5, the device forms a full length bed, the frame of which is made up of four sections, three of which, designated 40,

and 20, appear in Figure 5; the fourth section,

i0, is not shown in Figure5 but appears in Figure 4 and other figures. When the frame is in closed position, these four sections i0, 2', 30,

' assume dispositions different from their horizontel disposition when opened out to form the bed, Figure 5. For facility in terminology, the four sections will be given descriptive appellations based upon their respective dispositions in closed position, Figure 2. Thus, section l0, which is nearest the back 9 of the sofa and is vertical} Figure 2, will be referred to as the "rear vertical section; section-20, which is horizontal, Figure 2, and lower (compared with section 40, which is also horizontalhwill be referred to as the "lower horizontal section; the section will be termed the upper horizontal section"; and section 30, which is vertical (like section l0), but which is at the front of the sofa, Figure 2, will be referred to as the front-vertical section."

The three sections 20, 30 and 40 are straightline members, while rear vertical section I0 is angular, having an integral arm It at right angles to the main part. Rear vertical section II v is pivotaliy articulated, at i6, Figure 2, to a short upright bar 6 which is secured, in any suitable manner, to the frame of the sofa. The lower end ofthe vertical member In is articulated, at it, to the rear end of lower horizontal section 2!. The forward end of section 20 is articulated, at 23, to the lower end 'of front vertical section ll,

the upper end of which is articulated, at 34. to

the front end of upper horizontal section ii.

The-parts Ill, 20, 30, 40 have been spoken of as "Sections rather than mere members because each section It, 20, 30,10 has a companion part or member at the respective right and left ends of the sofa, Figure l. The particular sections" i0, 20, 30, 40 of Figures 2 to 5 represent the companion parts at the right of the sofa, Figure 1, since these figures (2-5) represent views along a transverse plane looking towards the right upright end 1 of the sofa. The corresponding parts of the section at the left side of the sofa (left uprightend 8, Figure 1) bear corresponding reference characters except that these are primed. Preferably all section parts, l0, i0, 20, 30, 40, 40, are fabricated of angle iron. The angle irons are oriented so that one setof flanges, designated iOa, 20a, 30a, llla liesin a vertical plane. The other fianges, designated Illb, 20b, 20b, 40b, face inwardly, i. e., the flanges at one side of the sofa face toward those at the other side.

To recapitulate, and referring to Figure 1, the rear ver tical section is comprised of vertical angles III, III, having short horizontal arms l5, ll (these legs are bars, not angles); the distal ends of arms i5, I! are articulated, respectively, at it, it, to bars 5, 6', which are secured at the right and left ends of the sofa. The left and right parts of the rear section are integrated by a longitudinal angle. iisecured at the angular junctures of the respective parts i0, i0 and I5, II." The lower horizontal section comprises angle members 20 and 20'; the front vertical section comprises angle members 30 and 30'. Similarly, the upper horizontal section comprises angle members 40 and 4 0'. The distal (rearmost, Fig-v ure 2') ends of the upper horizontal section 40, 40' are integrated by a rod 4i.

The device includes also a pair of middle legs, one associated with the set of members ill, 20',

30', and the other associated with set of members In, 20, 30, 40; the latter is the only one of the two legs to appear in Figure 2-5, and is designated 50. As best seen in Figure 2, middle leg 20 is a plate or casting of somewhat irregular shape. If desired. a small roller or caster (not shown) may be mounted at its lower end. Front verticalsection 20 has a forwardly extending arm 32 whose end 35 is articulated to the leg 50. In the closed position of the device, Figure 2, the rear edge 53 of middle leg 50 abuts against the flange 20b of the front vertical member 20, and is maintained thereagainst by a means presently to be described. A front board if extends longitudinally along the sofa, and is secured at its ends to the front edges of the middle legs, as shown in Figure 2 with respect to leg 50. The front lower part of leg 50 preferably curves rearwardly as shown at 52, to save weight and to provide clearance for the front, longitudinal frame member I! of the sofa, upon which the front board if rests in tie closed condition of the device (see Figure The device is opened by lifting the front board Ii in any desired way, and pulling it upwardly and away from the sofa. To accomplish this, the board Il may be grasped directly, or, as is preferred. it is pulled upwardly by means of a strap (not shown) which is adapted to be normally hidden by the seat cushion of the finished and upholstered device, This causes a turning of rear section it about fixed pivot II, and brings about a raising of the lower horizontal section 2|! (and also the front vertical section 30, middle leg 50, and upper horizontal section 40) from its lower position of Figure 2 (device closed) to the upper horizontal position of Figure 3, which represents the first stage of opening. Referring to the latter figure, it will be observed that lower horizontal section 20 is pivotally supported by an elevator arm 22 which is articulated to it at 2 I; elevator arm 22 is itself pivotally mounted at 25 to a fixed plate 5, which is secured, in any suitable manner, to the sofa, more particularly, to the upright sofa end I. In the closed position of the frame, as shown in Figure 2, elevator arm 22 is horizontal and aligned with the lower horizontal section 20. When the frame is moved-by grasping or otherwise lifting front board H, as described abovefrom its closed position, Figure 2. to the first stage of opening, Figure 3, the rear vertical section III and the elevator arm 22 turn on fixed pivots l6 and 25 respectively; more particularly, rear vertical section it turns about fixed pivot it from its vertical orientation in Figure 2 to the horizontal orientation in Figure 3, while the lower horizontal section 20 moves along a curved path determined by the swing f the elevator arm 22 about fixed pivot 25 from its horizontal disposition in Figure 2 to its inclined disposition in Figure 3. The swing of elevator arm 22 is limited by a stop lug 4 tongued out of plate 5, against which arm 22 abuts. During this movement, lower horizontal section 20 is raised from its lower position, Figure 2, to its raised position in Figure 3, in which it is aligned with section i0, which is now horizontal. It will be noted, see Figure 2, that at the rear end of section 20, i. e., at the end articulated to rear vertical section II. a small part 20:: is cutaway from the flange. 20b. This is to provide clearance for the turning of the articulated end of section It, and to enable the end of flange lib to abut squarely against the end of cut away flange 20b in the aligned position of sections III and 20, Figure 3. The juncture of the two ends is designated 2:. and this serves as a positive stop, maintaining the two sections in precise alignment.

The opening of the frame from closed position, Figure 2, to the first stage of opening, Figure 3. is aided by a tensile spring 2 which is anchored at one end to an angle 3 secured to the plate I. The angle 3 extends across the frame, see Figure 6, and is also secured to the companion plate I. The other end of spring 2 is connected to an extension 20 of elevator arm 22. When the sections it and 20 and the elevator arm 22 are in their "open position, Figure 3. the spring 2 is under no. or little, tension; when the frame is moved back into the sofa. i. e.. to th closed position of Figure 2, the elevator arm 22 turns in a counter-clockwise sense (see its intermediate position in Figure 3a) with the distal end of extension 26 moving away from spring anchor 3, thus tensioning the spring. In the closed position of the parts, Figure 2, spring 2 is under greatest tension. In this way, the spring. by tending to turn elevator arm in a clockwise sense, aids in opening the device to first stage of opening, Figure 3. and also serves to cushion the fall of the frame during the closing operation.

It will be observed from Figure 2 that the angle 3, to which the tensile springs 2 at each end of the sofa are secured, also serves to support the lower horizontal section 20 (and its companion 20', not shown) in the closed condition of the frame.

As already mentioned, the device is opened to the first stage, Figure 3, by lifting front board 5|. It is further opened by then grasping the bed spring I, Figure 6, or the cross rod 4|, to turn front vertical section 30 (together with the upper horizontal section II and associated parts),

about the pivotal connection 23 between sections 2! and Il, from the vertical position of 20, Figure 3. to its horizontal position, Figure 5, in alignment with the lower horizontal section 2|, It will be observed from Figure 3 that the front end of flange b at its articulation to front vertical section ill is cut away at 20 so that the ends of flanges 20b and 80b abut at 1!, Figure 5, to fur-. nish a positive stop with the two sections 2| and II in alignment.

The position of the middle leg 50 in the closed condition of the device, Figure 2, and in the first stage of opening, Figure 3 v(in both of 'which positions it is parallel to the front vertical section should be compared with its position in the fully open condition of the device, Figure 5, in

to the section 30. In the ositions of Figures 2, 3, and 4, the front leg 43 is aligned with the upper horizontal section 40. When section 40 is turned on its pivot 34 (from the position of Figure 4 to which the middle leg 58 is perpendicular to front vertical section III, the leg having been turned 90 about its pivotal connection 35 to section 30. This turning of leg 50 is automatically achieved by that of Figure 5), the front leg 43 is turned on its pivotal connection 42, by means of the link. This turning of front leg 43 continues until it is perpendicular to section in the open bed .position of Figure 5.- a

In closing the device from the position of Figure 5 to that of Figure 1, these procedures are reversed. Section 40 is first folded upwardly on ure 3 (during which the leg ill reaches a position 1 abutting' against section 30). z The section" (together with the already folded sections 40 and means of three links 28, 48, 58 (see Figure 4), two

of which (28 and 48) constitute toggle links articulated together at 24. Toggle link 28, which will be referred to as the "rear toggle link,ls pivotally connected at its other end to section 20, while the link 48, which will be referred to as the front" toggle link, is articulated to the section 4|. The third link 58 is a tie link and is pivotally connected at 5! to the rear toggle link 28, with its other end pivotally connected at 59 to leg 50.

In the closed condition, Figure 2, and also in the first stage of opening, Figure3, the rear toggle link 28 is inclined rearwardly, pulling tie-link 58 in that directionand maintaining leg in a position in which its edge 53 abuts against front vertical section 30. When front vertical section 3! together with upper horizontal section 40 is turned on pivot 23, the rear toggle link 20 turns in a.cl0ckwise sense, about its pivot 29, to the intermediate position, shown in Figure 4. This moves the leg 50 (counter-clockwise on its pivot 35) away from section 30; The clockwise turning of toggle link 28 and the counter-clockwise tuming of leg 50 continue to the open condition of Figure 5. In this position, the toggle assembly 28-48 is almost straightened out (from its knee position of Figures 2, 3), and the leg 50 is perpendicular to section 30, ready to serve as a leg' to support the opened frame sections.

It will be observed, by comparing the positions of the leg 50 in Figures 3 and 4, that during the opening procedure the lower end of the leg turns inwardly, relative to a vertical plane, 1. e., away from the shins of the person opening the device. This is a noteworthy feature since many devices heretofore made have the objectionable feature of an outwardly moving leg part which strikes the shins of the unwary.

After or during the step of turning section 30 to horizontal position, Figure 4, the upper horilies the horizontal flange 40b of section 40. Link- 48 is designed so that its .bend 41 is abutted by flange 40b and thus serves to support upper horizontal section 40. That is to say,any downward force-such as the weight of a person sitting upon the sofa-will tend to turn link 28 counterclockwise on its pivot 29; thwarted by tie link '58 which, as already described, connects link 28 and leg 50, with the result that leg 50 is pulled more firmly into abutzontal section 40 is also turned on its pivotal connection to section 30, to its horizontal position ment with vertical section 30 and thereby serves as a further stop.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a full size inner-spring mattress I8 is disposed along the sections 48, 30, 20 and Ill, and rests on the bed spring i, Figure 6. The latter extends between the left and right sections, being secured thereto by any suitable means. To furnish sufficient support for'the weight 'of bodies on the mattress, spaced cross angles i1, Figure 5, may be arranged betweenrthe left and right sets of sections (two'are shown in Figure 6); in addition, there is also available for this purpose the cross angle ll carried by the companion parts of section l0, and rod 4| at the rear end of upper horizontal section 40. When the sections are folded, in the. manner described, the mattress i8 folds with the sections so that in the closed position of thesofa, Figure 1, the mattress i8 is folded within the sections as clearly shown in broken lines in Figure 1.

In general, it will be understood that .those skilled in the-art may readily make changes in the t details herein described-and illustrated without as shown in Figure 5. In this position it is aligned 7 connected at 45 to the front end, of a link 48, the

companion members at eachside thereof con-' stituting sections, said sections including in the folded condition ofthe frame: a rear verticalother end of'which is pivotally connected at 36 II Secti having at its u per end a perpendicular This is, however,

7 arm pivoted at its distal end to the sofa body, a lower horizontal section articulated to the lower end of the first-named section, a front vertical section articulated at its lower end to said lower horizontal section, and an upper horizontal section articulated to the upper end of said front vertical section; an elevator arm pivoted at a low point of said sofa body and articulated to said lower horizontal section, said elevator arm being aligned, in said folded condition of the frame, with said lower horizontal section; said rear vertical section and said elevator arm being turnable about their respective pivots to bring the rear vertical and lower horizontal sections into a raised, aligned horizontal position; said front vertical section having a perpendicularly disposed lug, a middle leg pivoted at the distal end of said lug; a rear toggle link pivoted to the lower horizontal section and a front toggle link pivoted to the upper horizontal section, said two links being articulated to form a toggle, a tie link connecting the rear toggle link and the middle leg, said middle leg being in said folded condition of the frame in parallel abutment with the front vertical section; said section being turnable around its articulation to the lower horizontal section into horizontal alignment with the latter; a front leg pivoted to the upper horizontal section and having an extension. a link pivotally connecting the distal end of said extension and said front vertical section, said front leg being in said folded condition of the frame aligned with said upper horizontal section; said section being turnable around its articulation to the front vertical section into horizontal alignment with the latter; said front leg being turnable by its connecting link into a position perpendicular to said upper horizontal section; and said toggle links being adapted when straightened out to cause the tie link to turn the middle leg on its pivot to a position perpendicular to the front vertical section. I

2. A device for the type having a sofa body and a frame foldable for reception therein and unfoldable to form a bed, said frame comprising companion members at each side thereof constituting sections, said sections including in the folded condition of the frame: a rear vertical section pivoted at its upper end to the sofa body, a lower horizontal section articulated to the lower end of the first-named section, a front vertical section articulated at its lower end to said lower horizontal section, and an upper horizontal section l tlculfl t e pper end of said front vertical section; an elevator arm pivoted at a low point of said sofa body and articulated to said lower horizontal section, said elevator arm being aligned, in said foldedcondition of the frame. with said lower horizontal section; said rear vertical section and said elevator arm being turnable about their respective pivots to bring the rear vertical and lower horizontal sections into a raised, aligned horizontal position; a middl leg Divotally mounted on the front vertical section; a rear cause the tie link to turn the middle leg to a position perpendicular to the front vertical section; a front leg pivoted to the upper horizontal section and having an extension, 5, link pivotally connecting the distal end of said extension and said front vertical section, said front leg being in said folded condition of the frame aligned with said upper horizontal section; said section being turnable around its articulation to the front vertical section into horizontal alignment with the latter; said front leg being turnable by its connecting link into a position perpendicular to said upper horizontal section.

3. A device of the type having a sofa body and a frame foldable for reception therein and unfoldable to form a bed, said frame comprising companion members at each side thereof constituting sections; said sections including in the folded condition of the frame: a rear vertical section pivoted at its upper end to said sofa body, a lower horizontal section articulated to the lower end of the first-named section, a front vertical section articulated at its lower end to said lower horizontal section, and an upper horizontal section articulated to the upper end of said front vertical section; said front vertical section having a perpendicularly disposed lug, a middle leg pivoted at the distal end of said lug; a rear toggle link pivoted to the lower horizontal section and a front toggle link pivoted to the upper horizontal section, said two links being articulated to form a toggle; a tie link connecting the rear toggle link and the middle leg, said middle leg being in said folded condition of the frame in parallel abutment with the front vertical section; said section being turnable on its articulation to the lower horizontal section into horizontal alignment with the latter; said toggle links being adapted when straightened out to cause the tie link to turn the middle leg on its pivot to a position perpendicular to the front vertical section; said front vertical and upper horizontal sections being turnable on the articulation of the front vertical section to the lower horizontal section to fold said sections for reception in the sofa body with the upper horizontal section presented as a seat thereof; said toggle links being turnable by pressure on said seat to toggle-closing position, thereby pulling said tie link rearwardly to turn said middle leg into abutment with the front vertical section to provide a support for the seat.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3, said upper horizontal section being formed of angle stock presenting a horizontal and a vertical flange, said front toggle link being articulated to the vertical flange of the upper horizontal section and shaped to present a portion in abutment with its horizontal flange in the folded position of the frame.

5. A device of the type having a sofa body and a frame foldable for reception therein and unfoldable to form a bed, said frame comprising companion members at each side thereof constituting sections, said sections including in the folded condition of the frame: a rear vertical section pivoted at its upper end to said sofa body. a lower horizontal section articulated to the lower end of the first-named section, a front vertical section articulated at its lower end to said lower horizontal section, and an upper horizontal section articulated to the upper end of said front vertical section; means for moving said rear vertical and lower horizontal sections to raised, aligned horizontal positions; said front 9 vertical section having a perpendicularly disposed lug, a middle leg pivoted at the distal end of said lug; a' rear toggle link pivoted to the lower horizontal section and a front toggle link pivoted to the upper horizontal section, said two links being articulated to form a toggle, a tie link connecting the rear toggle link and the middle leg, said middle leg being in said folded condition of the framein parallel abutment with the front vertical section; said front vertical section being tumable on its articulation to the lower horizontal section into horizontal alignment therewith; said toggle links being adapted when straightened out to cause the tie link to turn the middle leg on its pivot to a position perpendicular to the front vertical section; a front leg associated with said upper horizontal section; said upper horizontal section beingturnable into alignment with said rear vertical, said lower horizontal, and said front vertical sections 10 when the latter are in said aligned horizontal positions.

LOUIS POKORNY. LOUIS POKORNY, Jn.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in-the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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