Cabinet Bed

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.

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.

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. Some cabinet beds, however, are heavy, are cumbersome to move between the closed position and the opened position, and offer limited storage or limited access to storage, especially when the bed is in the opened position.

In one exemplary embodiment, a folding cabinet bed system includes a cabinet assembly having a base supported by a plurality of legs, 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 top folding leg rotatably connected to the front panel assembly. The top folding leg extends from and is supportive of the front panel assembly when the front panel assembly is in the opened position. The front panel assembly further includes a frame having a main frame portion, a footboard frame connected to the main frame by one or more secondary hinges, and a footboard leg extending from the footboard frame and supportive of the footboard frame when the front panel assembly is in the opened position.

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

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.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the front panel assembly includes a plurality of panel slats extending nonparallel to the plurality of base slats.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a guide assembly extends between the top folding leg and a panel body of the front panel assembly to limit movement of the top folding leg relative to the panel body.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the guide assembly includes a guide arm pivotably secured to the top folding leg. The guide arm includes an arm slot extending at least partially along a length of the guide arm. A guide pin is secured to the panel body and extends through the guide slot.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the guide pin includes a pin head that overlaps at least on slot edge of the guide slot.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the guide slot includes a slot recess receivable of the guide pin to lock the position of the top folding leg when the guide pin is in the slot recess.

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.

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.

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

In another exemplary embodiment, a folding cabinet bed system includes a cabinet assembly including a base supported by a plurality of legs, 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 top folding leg rotatably connected to the front panel assembly. The top folding leg extends from and is supportive of the front panel assembly when the front panel assembly is in the opened position. A latch assembly is secured to the side panel and to the top folding leg. The latch assembly is configured to retain the front panel assembly in a closed position to the side panels and to retain the top folding leg in a closed position to the front panel assembly.

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.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the front panel assembly includes a plurality of panel slats extending nonparallel to the plurality of base slats.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a guide assembly extends between the top folding leg and a panel body of the front panel assembly to limit movement of the top folding leg relative to the panel body.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the guide assembly includes a guide arm pivotably secured to the top folding leg. The guide arm includes an arm slot extending at least partially along a length of the guide arm. A guide pin is secured to the panel body and extending through the guide slot.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the guide pin includes a pin head that overlaps at least on slot edge of the guide slot.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the guide slot includes a slot recess receivable of the guide pin to lock the position of the top folding leg when the guide pin is in the slot recess.

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.

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.

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.

Referring now to, shown is an embodiment of a cabinet bedshown in a closed position. The cabinet bedincludes a top panel assembly, opposing side panels, and a back panel assembly, shown better in. The cabinet bedfurther includes a hinged front panel assemblypositioned between the opposing side panels. The side panelsand the front panel assemblyare connected to a base, and the baseis, in turn, connected to a plurality of cabinet legs, which support the cabinet bed.

The front panel assemblyis connected to the basevia one or more primary hinges. Generally, and as will be explained in greater detail below, when moved to the opened position by rotating the front panel assemblyusing the primary hinges, as illustrated in, the front panel assemblyand the basetogether define a supported platformfor placement of a folding mattress, as shown in. In some embodiments, the folding mattressis stored inside the cabinet bedwhen the cabinet bedis in the closed position.

Referring now to, the side panelseach include a lower side panel railextending inwardly from an inner side panel surface. Similarly, the baseincludes a base side railat each lateral side of the baseto which each lower side panel railis secured via one or more side panel fasteners, such as bolts, extending through the lower side panel railand at least partially into the base side rail. As shown, in some embodiments the baseincludes a base framedefining a perimeter of the base. The base frameincludes the base side railsand also a base front railand a base rear railextending between the base side railsdefining a front and rear of the base, respectively. A plurality of base slatsextend from the base front railto the base rear rail, and are spaced apart between the base side rails.

Referring now to, in some embodiments, the back panel assemblyincludes multiple pieces. For example, in the embodiment of, the back panel assemblyincludes an upper back panel, a lower back paneland a back panel railpositioned between the upper back paneland the lower back panel. In some embodiments, the lower back paneland the upper back panelare identical in shape and size, while the back panel raildiffers in size from both the upper back paneland the lower back panel. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate, however, that this configuration is merely exemplary and that other combinations of panels and rails may be utilized in the back panel assembly. The side panelseach include side panel groovesinto which the back panel assemblycomponents slide to assemble the upper back panel, the lower back paneland the back panel railto the side panels. Additionally, the back panel assembly may be secured in place via one or more back panel fasteners, such as one or more screws or bolts, extending through the side paneland at least partially into the back panel assembly. Additionally in some embodiments the back panel railincludes back panel groovesinto which the upper back paneland the lower back panelare received to secure the upper back paneland the lower back panelto the back panel rail.

Referring now to, the top panel assemblyincludes a first top paneland a second top panelconnected by one or more top panel hinges, illustrated in. Referring again to, the first top panelis secured to the side panelsat an upper side panel railthat extends inwardly from the inner side panel surface. The first top panelis secured to the upper side panel railsvia one or more top panel fasteners, for example, bolts or screws, that extend through the upper side panel railsand at least partially into the first top panel. While the first top panelis fixed in position by securing to the upper side panel rails, the second top panelis free to move relative to the first top panelvia a the top panel hinges. In some embodiments, the second top panelis movable to atop the first top panelwhen the cabinet bedis opened, as shown in. This provides added head room for a person using the cabinet bed. While in the embodiment of, the top panel assemblyis hinged, in other embodiments such as illustrated in, the top panel assemblyis fixed and may be a single top panelsecured to the upper side panel rails.

Referring now to, the cabinet legsare secured to the basevia one or more leg fasteners, which in some embodiments are screws or bolts extending at least partially into the basefrom the cabinet legs. While four cabinet legsare illustrated in, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other quantities of cabinet legs, for example, 5 or 6 cabinet legsmay be utilized to support the cabinet bed.

Illustrated inis an exemplary embodiment of the front panel assembly. The front panel assemblyincludes a panel bodyand a top folding legconnected to the panel bodyvia a folding leg hinge. As illustrated in, in some embodiments when the front panel assemblyand the top folding legare in a closed position, the front panel assemblyincludes ornamental features to give the front panel assemblythe appearance of a plurality of drawers. When the front panel assemblyis moved to the open position and the top folding legis moved to an extended position such as shown in, the top folding legrests on a flooror other surface in which the cabinet bedis placed, and provides support to the front panel assembly. The top folding legis further connected to the panel bodyvia a guide armlocated at a lateral end of the top folding leg. In some embodiments, a guide armis included at each lateral end of the top folding leg. As best illustrated in, the guide armis pivotably connected to the top folding legand includes an arm slotextending at least partially along a length of the guide arm. A guide pinis secured to the panel bodyand extends through the guide slot. In some embodiments, the guide pinincludes a pin headthat overlaps at least one edge of the guide slotto prevent removal of the guide armfrom the guide pin. As the top folding legis moved to the extended position as illustrated in, the guide armslides relative to the guide pinin a path defined by the arm slot. The guide slotincludes a locking feature such as a slot recessor other change in shape of the guide slotsuch that when the top folding legis at the extended position the guide pinmay be urged into the slot recessto lock the top folding legin the extended position. When it is desired to return the top folding legto the closed position, the guide armmay be pivoted to remove the guide pinfrom the slot recess, thus allowing the top folding legto be moved to the closed position.

Referring now to, the cabinet bedincludes a front panel latch, which when engaged prevents extension of the top folding legand also prevents opening of the front panel assemblyrelative to the side panels. As illustrated in, a front panel latchis includes at each side panel. The front panel latchincludes a latch bodysecured to the side paneland including a latch triggerand a latch ring. A complimentary latch hookis secured to the top folding leg. When the front panel assemblyis in the closed position, the front panel latchis operated such that the latch ringengages the latch hook, such as shown in. This prevents opening of the front panel assemblyand also prevents extension of the top folding leg. When, however, the front panel latchis operated to disengage the latch ringfrom the latch hookas shown in, the front panel assemblymay be moved toward the open position, and the top folding legmay be moved toward the extended position. Referring to, in some embodiments the cabinet bedincludes a charging stationincluding, for example, one or more electrical power outlets and/or one or more USB ports for connection of electronic devices (not shown) for, for example, charging of the electronic devices. In the embodiment of, the charging stationis surface mounted, and secured to the basevia one or more fasteners. This configuration allows for flexibility in the mounting locations of the charging station, while not requiring other changes, such as mounting holes, braces or the like, to the structure of the cabinet bedto accommodate the charging station. It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments the charging stationmay be located at, for example, the top panel assemblya side panelof the cabinet bed, or other location of the cabinet bed.

Referring now to, the front panel assemblyincludes a footboard frameconnected to the panel bodyat a back sideof the panel body. The footboard frameis connected to the panel bodyvia one or more secondary hingessecured to the basethat allow for rotation of the footboard frametoward an extended position as shown in. The footboard frameincludes a plurality of footboard frame slats, that are in some embodiments arranged parallel to the plurality of base slats. Additionally, as shown in, the panel bodyincludes a plurality of panel slats. Together, the base slats, the footboard frame slatsand the panel slatsdefine the supported platform. In some embodiments, the plurality of panel slatsare arranged non-parallel to the base slatsand the footboard frame slats, and in one embodiment perpendicular to one or more of the base slatsand the footboard frame slats. It is to be appreciated that the described orientations of base slats, footboard frame slatsand panel slatsis merely exemplary, and that other relative orientations thereof are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, in other embodiments, one or more of the base slats, the footboard frame slatsand the panel slatsmay be replaced by solid panels to define the supported platform.

Further, as nest shown in, a footboard legis connected to the footboard framevia one or more tertiary hinges, and the footboard legis rotated toward the floor when opened to provide support for the footboard frame. When in the open position, such as shown in, the panel bodyis supported by the base, the top folding legand the footboard leg.

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.

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.

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.