GB2428220A - A folding bed in a motorised caravan - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding bed design in which a first portion 15 pivots to allow it to be moved from a horizontal in-use position to a raised stowed position while a second portion 14 slides away from the first portion 15 to allow clearance for the pivoting of the first portion. This arrangement allows the bed to remain made-up even when folded away in the stowed position. The design can also be configured to include a back support member (18, figure 3) so that the folding bed also functions as a lounger-bed or settee as well as a double bed. The latter configuration may be used when fitted into a motorised caravan with an over cab elevating roof (39, figure 5). The elevating roof and folding bed may work separately or the back support member can be linked to the elevating roof, so that as the bed unfolds, the elevating roof raises.

Description

Improvements in a fold-away bunk-bed in a motorised caravan.

Fold away over-cab bunk beds are useful in a motor caravan, because when folded or otherwise moved out of the way they allow room for the driver and any other cab passengers to more easily access their cab seats.

There are many different over-cab fold-away bunk-bed designs currently in production. Most of the designs require that at least one mattress has to be man- handled, moved or stacked before the bed frame can be either slid or pivoted away.

There is a design where the whole bed frame pivots along the front edge, that is, the forward most edge of the bed that corresponds to the front of the vehicle. This design is a partial improvement, since the bed can be left made up. When the motor caravan is converted to the travel mode, the end user simply raises the rearward lifting edge of the bed, and the whole bed frame pivots upwardly. The bed is supported in the stowed or up position by two gas springs, one each side. However, although this design solves one problem, namely that the bed can be left made-up, and it doesn't require the bed clothes or any mattress to be stacked or moved prior to raising the bed frame into the stowed position, it does leave the end user with another problem.

This other problem relates to that of driver & passenger access to the cab front seats.

Since the whole bed is pivoted along the front edge, the dimension of the bed from the front edge pivoting hinge to the rearward lifting edge is such that the bed frame can only pivot a few degrees before the rearward lifting edge touches the ceiling of the motor caravan. Hence the amount of space created for the driver & passenger to enter or leave their cab seats is more limited than with other more conventional designs where only half or part of the bed, which is relatively narrower, pivots through a greater number of degrees to leave a larger gap for cab access. See UK patent application 0B2394450.

The following describes a design that solves both these problems. It folds more completely out of the way, as with conventional designs, since the pivoting edge is 2.

approximately in the centre of what is usually a double bed. This pivoting edge is parallel & substantially midway between the most forward edge of the bed and the most rearward lifting edge of the bed. The terms forward & rearward as they apply to the bunk bed, correspond to the forward & rearward ends of the motor caravan.

Consequently, the rear-half, or the pivoting half of the bed can be lifted upwardly from the horizontal plane, to an angle that is nearer to the vertical plane, thereby allowing more room to access the front cab seats. Also, with this design, the bed can be left permanently made up. There is no man-handling of the bed clothes or any mattress before the bed frame is pivoted upwardly to fold-away, or pivoted downwardly for use.

In conventional designs, the front or forward bed frame half is fixed. So it is necessary to move either the forward or rearward mattress before the rearward bed frame can be pivoted upwardly. If an attempt were made to pivot the rearward bed frame upwardly before either of the two mattresses were removed, the rear mattress would tend to squash against the front mattress. At least one mattress has to be moved out of the way before the rear bed frame can be pivoted upwardly. This is because the hinge is below the level of the top of the mattress.

In a first embodiment, there is a movable rear bed frame which pivots, and a movable front bed frame which slides. So as the movable rear bed frame pivots upwardly, so, via a linkage, the movable front bed frame slides forwardly out of the way. Hence the forward mattress no longer provides an obstruction for the rear mattress during this operation.

In a second embodiment, there can be added to the sliding front bed frame, a support frame. Where the height of the roof of the motor caravan over the cab area is high enough or can be raised up by means to permit a user to sit upright in bed, a support frame can be mechanically linked to the bed fold-away-slide-away action. In this arrangement, the support frame will pivot downwardly & rearwardly as the front bed- frame slides forwardly & the rear bed-frame pivots upwardly & forwardly. In this 3.

arrangement1 the support frame can serve at least one of two functions.

Firstly, the support frame can be upholstered to provide a back support surface for users wishing to use the above cab bed as a lounger bed or settee seat. Secondly, if the back support is high enough when deployed, it will also serve as a useful safety means by preventing the elevating roof from lowering while the support frame is deployed in the back support position. Before the elevating roof can be lowered, the bed would need to be evacuated.

In a third embodiment, the support frame can serve as a linkage means or part of a linkage means to raise & lower an elevating roof member as the bed is deployed & stowed away.

In a fourth embodiment, the support frame can serve both as a back support surface and as a linkage means or part of a linkage means for raising & lowering an elevating roof member.

By linkage, as the rear half of the bed frame is pivoted downwardly, and the front half of the bed slides rearwardly, and the support frame pivots upwardly & forwardly, the elevating roof member will lift upwardly. The action of moving this assembly can be made easier by supporting the weight of the elevating roof member by at least one gas strut or gas spring. In a preferred embodiment1 there would be two gas springs, one each side.

The linkage between the support frame and the elevating roof member may be such that it comprises at least one and preferably two turnbuckles, so there can be a certain amount of fine-tuning in the dimension length of this linkage that will permit the assembly to work satisfactorily. The bed will be able to fully deploy & stow away, while the elevating roof member will fully open onto its opening seals & fully close onto its closing seals. 4.

Referring to figures 1 and 2.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the forward edge of rear pivoting bed-frame I has the first moving part of pivoting hinges 2 and 3 fixed to it by means, one each side. The second moving part of hinges 2 and 3 are fixed by means to over cab bed floor 4. The moving part of standard slide beams, namely slides 6a and 7a, one each side and 6b and 7b, one each side are fixed by means to front sliding bed-frame 5.

The non moving part of standard slide beams, namely slide rail 37 and 38 are fixed to the over cab bed floor 4 by means. Linkages 8 and 9, one each side, have a first pivot anchor 10 and 11, one each side attached to rear pivoting bed-frame I and have second pivot anchors 12 and 13 attached to front sliding bed-frame 5, one each side.

So as rear pivoting bed-frame I pivots upwardly & forwardly about hinges 2 and 3, so front sliding bed-frame 5 slides forwardly on slides 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b along slide rails 37 and 38. This also moves front mattress 14 forwardly to create a space for rear mattress 15 to enter when it is pivoted upwardly & forwardly. Both front mattress 14 and rear mattress 15 can be fixed to their respective bed-frames 5 and I by means, such as Velcro, to prevent them sliding about. Rear pivoting bed frame can be at least partly supported by gas springs 33 and 34, one each side. The pivoting extending end of gas springs 33 and 34 can be attached to pivot anchors 10 and 11 respectively by means. The non extending end of gas springs 33 and 34 can be attached by means to mounting brackets 35 and 36, one each side. Mounting brackets 35 and 36 can be fixed to cab bed floor 4 by means.

To prevent tampering by children, standard latch means 46 can be fixed to part of rear pivoting bed-frame 1, by means. Standard latch means 46 may comprise a standard lockable sliding door latch. Locking bolt 47 which extends from the body of standard latch means 46 may extend into a hole drilled into the sidewall (not shown) of the motorised caravan or into a Suitably positioned locking plate. 5.

Referring also to figures 3 and 4.

In a second embodiment of the invention, a support member is added to the design illustrated in figures 1 and 2. Pivoting support frame 18 can comprise a back support surface upon which to lean. Support member 18 is movably attached to front sliding bed frame 5 using hinges 16 and 17, one each side. The first part of hinges 16 and 17 is fixed to front sliding bed frame 5 by means. The second part of hinges 16 and 17 is fixed to support frame 18 by means. As sliding bed frame 5 slides forward & rearward, so hinges 16 and 17, and support frame 18 slide forward & rearward with it.

There are two linkages 19 and 20, one each side. A first part of linkage 19 and 20 is movably attached to support member 18 via pivot joints 21 and 22, one each side. A second part of linkage 19 and 20 is movably attached to anchor brackets 26 and 27 via pivot joints 23 and 24, one each side. Anchor brackets 26 and 27 are fixed by means to either the non moving over cab bed floor 4 or to the non moving slide rails 37 and 38. So pivot joints 23 and 24 are non moving. Hence when sliding bed frame 5 slides forward, hinges 16 and 17 slide forward with it, and support member 18 slides forward & pivots backwardly. The reverse is also true. when sliding bed frame 5 slides rearward, hinges 16 and 17 slide rearward with it, and support member 18 slides rearward & pivots forwardly. The second embodiment is particularly useful when there is an elevating roof above the cab. The elevating roof can be deployed when the motorised caravan is parked-up. Support member 18 can provide back or lumbar support for passengers using the above cab area as a lounger-bed.

In a third embodiment of the invention, linkage 19 and 20 can be detachable or omitted altogether. In this embodiment, support member 18 could be pivoted separately, thereby providing additional versatility. Back support member 18 can be folded rearwardly to permit such as an elevating roof to be lowered, whilst rear pivoting bed-frame I can remain horizontal for the storage of cargo. 6.

Referring also to figures 5 and 6.

In a forth embodiment of the invention, a linkage is added to the design illustrated in figures 3 and 4. Linkage 40 and 41, one each side, joins elevating roof member 39 to support member 18. In this embodiment support member 18 can be a back or lumbar support for seated passengers, or a roof support for elevating roof member 39, or can serve as both a lumbar support for seated passengers and as a roof support for elevating roof member 39.

A first part of linkage 40 and 41 is movably attached by means to support member 18 via pivoting joints 42 and 43. A second part of linkage 40 and 41 is movably attached by means to elevating roof member 39 via pivoting joints 44 and 45. Hence as support member 18 pivots forwardly, so by linkage, elevating roof member 39 raises.

Conversely as support member 18 pivots backwardly, so by linkage, elevating roof member 18 lowers.

Linkage 40 and 41 can compnse of or include turnbuckles to provide a means of length adjustment Hence adjustment can be made so elevating roof member 39 will properly engage weather seals.

Claims (21)

CLAIMS.

1. A motorised caravan having a main body connected to a cab area, the cab area containing a driver's seat, and a substantially horizontal surface mounted above the driver's seat, wherein the horizontal surface comprises a first part being movable about at least one axis, between a first lower position in which it provides a first surface for sleeping on, and a second upper position which facilitates access between the main body & the cab area, and a second part being movable between a first rearward position wherein there is provided a second surface for sleeping on, and a second forward position which facilitates the movement of the first part of the bed.

2. A motorised caravan as claimed in claim I wherein the horizontal surface comprises a bed or a lounger-bed or a seat or a bed and a loungerbed or a bed and a seat or a lounger-bed and a seat or a bed and a lounger-bed and a seat

3. A motonseci caravan as claimed in claims 1 and 2 wherein the cab area also contains at least one passenger seat.

4. A motonsed caravan as claimed in daims 1 through 3 wherein the motorised caravan also includes an elevating roof member positioned above the drivers seat or drivers and passenger's seats, the elevating roof member being movable between a first raised position to increase the internal volume of the motor caravan when parked-up and a second lower position to decrease the internal volume of the motor caravan and thereby provide an external aerodynamic profile when driving on-road.

5. A motorised caravan as claimed in claim 4 wherein there is also a support member being movable between a first upper position which provides substantially a vertical or angled surface upon which to lean or rest and a second lower position which facilitates the movement of the elevating roof.

6. A motorised caravan as claimed in claim 4 wherein there is also a support member being movable between a first upper position to provide at least in part a means of support for the elevating roof in a first raised position and a second lower position to provide at least in part a means of support for the elevating roof in a second lower position.

7. A motorised caravan as claimed in claim 4 wherein there is also a support member being movable between a first upper position to provide a means of positioning the elevating roof in a first raised position and a second lower position to provide a means of positioning the elevating roof in a second lower position.

8. A motorised caravan as claimed in claims I through 7 wherein the second part of the horizontal surface moves between the rearward position & the forward position by sliding linearly.

9. A motorised caravan as claimed in claims I through 8, wherein the first part of the horizontal surface is linked by means to the second part of the horizontal surface.

10. A motorised caravan as claimed in claims 4 through 8, wherein the first part of the horizontal surface is linked by means to the second part of the horizontal surface, and the second part of the horizontal surface is linked by means to the support member.

11. A motorised caravan as claimed in claims 4 through 8, wherein the first part of the horizontal surface is linked by means to the second part of the horizontal surface, and the second part of the horizontal surface is linked by means to the support member, and the support member is linked by means to the elevating roof member.

12. A motonsed caravan as claimed in claim 9 wherein the movement to deploy the first part of the horizontal surface from the second upper position to the first lower position, also by linkage deploys the second part of the horizontal surface from the second forward position to the first rearward position. cj

13. A motonsed caravan as claimed in claim 10 wherein the movement to deploy the first part of the horizontal surface from the second upper position to the first lower position, also by linkage deploys the second part of the horizontal surface from the second forward position to the first rearward position, also by linkage deploys the support member from a second lower position to a first upper position.

14. A motorised caravan as claimed in claim 11 wherein the movement to deploy the first part of the horizontal surface from the second upper position to the first lower position, also by linkage deploys the second part of the horizontal surface from the second forward position to the first rearward position, also by linkage deploys the support member from a second lower position to a first upper position, also by linkage deploys the elevating roof member from a second lower position to a first raised position.

15. A motonsed caravan as claimed in claim 9 wherein the movement to stow away the first part of the horizontal surface from the first lower position to the second upper position, also by linkage stows away the second part of the horizontal surface from the first rearward position to the second forward position.

16. A motorised caravan as claimed in claim 10 wherein the movement to stow away the first part of the horizontal surface from the first lower position to the second upper position, also by linkage stows away the second part of the horizontal surface from the first rearward position to the second forward position, also by linkage stows away the support member from a first upper position to a second lower position.

17. A motorised caravan as claimed in claim 11 wherein the movement to stow away the first part of the horizontal surface from the first lower position to the second upper position, also by linkage stows away the second part of the horizontal surface from the first rearward position to the second forward position, also by linkage stows away the support member from a first upper position to a second lower position, also by linkage stows away the elevating roof member from a first raised position to a second lower position.

18. A motonsed caravan as claimed in claims 9 through 17 wherein the linkage between the second part of the horizontal surface and the support member is detachable by means.

19. A motonseci caravan as claimed in claims I through 18 wherein the first part of the horizontal surface is supported in the second upper position by means of gas springs.

20. A motorised caravan as claimed in claims 1 through 19 wherein the first part of the horizontal surface is held in the first lower position by a latch means.

21. A motorised caravan Constructed & arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.