Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TRANSFORMING BED WITH A MOVABLE SLEEPING SECTION AND AN
EXTENDABLE SUPPORT
Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to beds, and more particularly to
folding beds.
Background
Beds can take up a large amount of floor space within a room. Some beds
are foldable so that when the bed is not in use less space is required.
For example, some beds include a foldable mattress support and an
extending drawer that supports part of the mattress support. Some of these
extending drawers include a front cover that extends high enough to provide
support for part of the foldable mattress support when the foldable mattress
support is horizontal.
Also, previously known extending drawers have been connected to another
part of the bed. For example, the sides of some extending drawers are
connected
via telescoping rails to sides of a lower part of the bed. Other extending
drawers
are not connected to the lower part of the bed via telescoping rails, instead
such
other extending drawers are connected to the lower part of the bed via
folding/pivoting extension panels.
Summary of Invention
The present application provides a cabinet bed that includes a movable
spacer, attached to an extendable support (e.g., a movable drawer), for
supporting a movable sleeping section and/or includes at least one laterally
extending slidable guide to maintain the extendable support in alignment with
the
movable sleeping section. For example, the cabinet bed may include the movable
spacer that is pivotably attached to the extendable support underneath the
movable sleeping section when in a horizontal position. The cabinet bed may
also
include a pair of laterally extending slidable guides extending from each side
of
the extendable support and/or a second pair of laterally extending slidable
glides
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extending toward a respective side of the extendable support to maintain the
extendable support in alignment with the movable sleeping section.
The movable spacer may move to a support position where the movable
sleeping section, when in the horizontal position, would rest on the movable
spacer. The movable spacer may allow the extendable support to easily move
from underneath a cabinet floor and provide support for the movable sleeping
section when in an extended position. Also, the movable spacer enables the
movable sleeping section to be more evenly supported than would otherwise be
provided with an extendable support without the spacer.
For example, a portion of the extendable support that is movable from a
position underneath a cabinet floor may be vertically spaced from the cabinet
floor
and the movable spacer may be movable to a position higher than the portion of
the extendable support. In an embodiment, when the movable spacer is in the
support position and the movable sleeping section is in the horizontal
position, the
top surface of the movable spacer would be coplanar with the bottom surface of
the movable sleeping section and the top surface of the movable sleeping
section
would be coplanar with the top surface of the cabinet floor.
The laterally extending slidable guides may allow the extendable support to
remain aligned with the movable sleeping section without connecting to any
part
of the cabinet bed that defines an extendable support receiving opening that
the
extendable support is disposed within when in a retracted position. The
laterally
extending slidable guides may enable the extendable support to be aligned
during
use while not connected to another part of the cabinet bed. For example, the
laterally extending slidable guides may include wheels that are rotatable
about an
.. axis parallel with a corresponding side of the extendable support.
The cabinet bed may include a pair of supports that are each pivotably
attached to a respective lateral side of the movable sleeping section. For
example, the pair of supports may be pivotable about an axis that is parallel
with a
longitudinal axis of the movable sleeping section when the movable sleeping
section is in the horizontal position.
According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for transforming
between a bed and a cabinet, comprises a rear cabinet panel, a cabinet top
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attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edge of the rear cabinet panel,
a
first cabinet side attached to the rear cabinet panel along a first side edge
of the
rear cabinet panel, a second cabinet side attached to the rear cabinet panel
along
a second side edge, of the rear cabinet panel, opposite the first side edge, a
cabinet floor, a movable sleeping section that is movable from a first
position to a
horizontal position where the movable sleeping section would be parallel with
the
cabinet floor. When the movable sleeping section is in the horizontal position
the
cabinet floor and the movable sleeping section would be arranged to together
support a mattress. The apparatus may further include a base comprising an
extendable support receiving opening, an extendable support that is movable
from
a retracted position within the extendable support receiving opening to an
extended position at least partially outside of the extendable support
receiving
opening, when in the extended position the extendable support would be
underneath the movable sleeping section when the movable sleeping section is
in
the horizontal position, and a first movable spacer that is movably attached
to the
extendable support, wherein the first movable spacer is movable from a first
position, where a topmost surface of the first movable spacer is below an
upward
facing surface of the cabinet floor, to a second position where the topmost
surface
is higher than when in the first position. When the extendable support is in
the
extended position the first movable spacer may support the movable sleeping
section when the movable sleeping section is in the horizontal position.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for transforming
between a bed and a cabinet, comprises a rear cabinet panel, a cabinet top
attached to the rear cabinet panel along a top edge of the rear cabinet panel,
a
first cabinet side attached to the rear cabinet panel along a first side edge
of the
rear cabinet panel, a second cabinet set attached to the rear cabinet panel
along
a second side edge, of the rear cabinet panel, opposite the first side edge, a
cabinet floor, a movable sleeping section that is movable from a first
position to a
horizontal position where the movable sleeping section would be parallel with
the
cabinet floor. When the movable sleeping section is in the horizontal position
the
cabinet floor and the movable sleeping section would be arranged to together
support a mattress. The apparatus may further include a base comprising an
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extendable support receiving opening, and an extendable support that is
movable
from a retracted position within the extendable support receiving opening to
an
extended position at least partially outside of the extendable support
receiving
opening. When in the extended position the extendable support would be
underneath the movable sleeping section when the movable sleeping section is
in
the horizontal position, and the extendable support includes a first laterally
extending slidable guide protruding laterally from a first side of the
extendable
support toward a first side of the base, and includes a second laterally
extending
slidable guide protruding laterally from a second side of the extendable
support
toward a second side of the base.
The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter described
in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is an oblique side view of an example of a cabinet bed in a closed
position.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 1 in the closed position.
Fig. 3 is an oblique side view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 1 in an open state.
Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the cabinet bed of Fig. in the closed position.
Fig. 5 is an oblique rear top view of a drawer of the cabinet bed of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is an oblique front view of a portion of the cabinet bed of Fig. 1
without the drawer.
Fig. 7 is an oblique top view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 1 with a cabinet top
opened and in a locked state.
Fig. 8 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 7 with the drawer
opened.
Fig. 9 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 7 including a
movable spacer between its initial position and a support position.
Fig. 10 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 9 where the
movable spacer is in the support position.
Fig. 11 is a side view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 10.
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Fig. 13 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 10 in an unlocked
state and including a movable sleeping section that is between its closed
position
and a fully open position.
Fig. 14 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 13 where the
movable sleeping section includes a cabinet front wall that is supported on
the
drawer.
Fig. 15 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 14 where support
legs of the movable sleeping section are pivoted to an extended position.
Fig. 16 is an oblique front view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 15 in a fully open
position.
Fig. 17 is a side view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 16.
Fig. 18 is a bottom view of the cabinet bed of Fig. 16.
Detailed Description
The principles of this present application have particular application to
cabinet beds, such as cabinet beds with the appearance of a large pair of
doors
and a lower drawer, and thus will be described below chiefly in this context.
It will
be appreciated that principles of this invention may be applicable to other
foldable
beds, such as having the appearance of a chest of drawers or a single upper
door
with a bottom base.
Referring now to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1-2, an example of a
cabinet bed is designated generally by reference numeral 20. The cabinet bed
20
includes an upper cabinet 22, a base 24, and a movable sleeping section 26
that
is movable into a horizontal position to support a mattress (not illustrated).
Turning to Fig. 3, the upper cabinet 22 includes a cabinet top 36, cabinet
sides 38 and 40, a rear cabinet panel 42, and a cabinet floor 44. The upper
cabinet 22 may include a central back support 46 that extends from the cabinet
floor 44 to the cabinet top 36. In an embodiment, the upper cabinet does not
include the central back support.
The cabinet top 36 may include a rear part 60 and a front part 62 that is
pivotable relative to the rear part 60. For example, the cabinet top 36
includes
hinges 64 that hingedly connect the front part 62 to the rear part 60. The
hinge 60
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may bisect the cabinet top 36. In an embodiment, only a single hinge hingedly
connects the front part to the rear part. In another embodiment, the cabinet
top is
a single rigid panel.
The cabinet sides 38 and 40 may each be orthogonal to the rear cabinet
panel 42, the cabinet floor 44, and the cabinet top 36 ¨ when the cabinet top
36
is in a horizontal position. The cabinet sides 38 and 40 may be attached along
opposite side edges of the cabinet floor 44 and attached along opposite side
edges of the cabinet top 36. For example, the cabinet sides 38 and 40 are
laterally spaced from one another and attached to opposite sides of the
cabinet
floor 44 and attached to opposite sides of the rear part 60 of the cabinet top
36.
The rear cabinet panel 42 may be attached along its top and bottom edges
to the cabinet top 36 and the cabinet floor 44, respectively, and may be
attached
along its side edges to the cabinet sides 38 and 40. For example, the rear
cabinet
panel 42 is entirely circumscribed by, orthogonal to, and attached to the
cabinet
sides 38 and 40, the cabinet floor 44, and the rear part 60 of the cabinet top
36.
The base 24 may include a bottom drawer 66 with a drawer front 68, base
side panels 70 and 72 (illustrated in Fig. 6), and a base back panel 74
(illustrated
in Fig. 4). The bottom drawer 66 is movable from inside of to outside of a
drawer
receiving opening delineated by the base side panels 70 and 72, the cabinet
floor
44, and the base back panel 74. For example, when in the closed position shown
in Figs. 1 and 4, the entire part of the bottom drawer 66 rearward of the
drawer
front 68 is underneath the cabinet floor 44 and the drawer front 68 abuts the
front
of the base side panels 70 and 72. When the bottom drawer 66 is open, as
shown in Fig. 3, the drawer front 68 is spaced in front of the base side
panels 70
and 72 to provide support for the movable sleeping section 26 when in the
horizontal position.
The base 24 has a smaller footprint than the upper cabinet 22. For
example, the cabinet sides 38 and 40 are offset outside of the base side
panels
70 and 72 and the cabinet floor 44 extends laterally beyond the base side
panels
70 and 72.
The base side panels 70 and 72 may each include a joining member 80
and 82 (shown in Fig. 6) and include a lateral spacer 84 and 86 (shown in Fig.
6).
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For example, the joining members 80 and 82 and the lateral spacers 84 and 86
have rectangular prism shapes. Also, the joining members 80 and 82 attach a
top
of the corresponding base side panel 70 or 72 to the cabinet floor 44, along a
corresponding side edge of the cabinet floor 44 laterally inward from the
corresponding cabinet side 38 or 40.
Referring now to Fig. 5 in addition to Fig. 3, the bottom drawer 66 includes
the drawer front 68, the drawer side panels 90 and 92 (shown in Fig. 5),
movable
spacers 94 and 96, a drawer back panel 98, and a drawer bottom panel 100. For
example, the drawer side panels 90 and 92 are parallel to one another and
orthogonal to the drawer front 68, the drawer back panel 98, and the drawer
bottom panel 100. In an embodiment the drawer does not include movable
spacers. In another embodiment, the drawer only includes one movable spacer.
In yet another embodiment, the drawer includes more than two movable spacers.
The movable spacers 94 and 96 are movably attached to corresponding
drawer side panel 90 or 92. For example, each movable spacer 94 and 96 is a
mirror image of the other and pivotably attached by hinges 102 to the
corresponding drawer side panel 90 or 92.
Each movable spacer 94 and 96 is movable from a first position (e.g., as
shown in Fig. 8 ¨ where a topmost surface of the movable spacer 94 or 96 is
below an upward facing surface and a downward facing surface of the cabinet
floor 44) to a support position (e.g., (e.g., as shown in Figs. 5 and 10 ¨
where the
topmost surface is higher than when in the first position). When the bottom
drawer 66 is opened into an extended position, the movable spacers 94 and 96
are each in the support position, and movable sleeping section 26 is in the
horizontal position, the movable spacers 94 and 96 provide support to the
movable sleeping section 26.
For example, the movable spacers 94 and 96 are each configured to pivot
about a corresponding axis that is parallel to a length of the movable
sleeping
section 26 when the movable sleeping section 26 is in the horizontal position.
In
an embodiment, at least one movable spacer is configured to pivot about
another
axis, such as an axis perpendicular to the length of the movable sleeping
section
when the movable sleeping section is in the horizontal position
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Still referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the movable spacers 94 and 96 may each
extend along the axis that each pivots about. For example, each movable spacer
94 and 96 has a rectangular prism shape, and when in the support position each
movable spacer 94 and 96 has an upwardly facing major surface with a length
longer than its width, which is thicker than the depth of the corresponding
movable
spacer 94 and 96.
In an embodiment, at least one of the movable spacers has another shape.
Referring now to Figs. 4-6, the base 24 may include laterally extending
guides 120, 122, 124, and 126 (all illustrated in Fig. 4) that maintain the
alignment
of the bottom drawer 66 with the movable sleeping section 26. For example, the
bottom drawer 66 includes laterally extending guides 120 or 122 that protrude
laterally outward from the corresponding drawer side panel 90 and 92 and are
slidable along the corresponding base side panel 70 or 72 when the bottom
drawer 66 moves forward or backward. Also, each laterally extending guide 124
and 126 extends laterally inward from the corresponding base side panel 70 or
72
and allows the corresponding drawer side panel 90 or 92 to slide along the
corresponding laterally extending guide 124 or 126 when the bottom drawer 66
moves forward or backward.
Each laterally extending guides 124 and 126 may limit forward movement
of the corresponding laterally extending guide 120 or 122 at a predetermined
distance from the base back panel 74 of the base 24. For example, the
laterally
extending guides 120, 122, 124, and 126 are disposed within a single plane
that is
parallel with the ground. The laterally extending guides 120 and 122 are
disposed
at the rear of the corresponding drawer side panel 90 or 92 and the laterally
extending guides 124 and 126 are disposed at the front of the corresponding
base
side panel 70 or 72. When the bottom drawer 66 moves forward a predetermined
distance from its closed position the laterally extending guides 120 and 122
move
into contact with the laterally extending guides 124 and 126.
The laterally extending guides 120, 122, 124, and 126 enable the bottom
drawer 66 to be aligned with the movable sleeping section 26 when moving
rearward or forward without connecting the bottom drawer 66 to any part of the
cabinet bed 20 that defines the drawer receiving opening. For example, the
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bottom drawer 66 is not connected to the base side panels 70 and 72, the base
back panel 74, and the cabinet floor 44.
The laterally extending guides 120, 122, 124, and 126 may be identical to
one another. For example, each laterally extending guide 120, 122, 124, and
126
may include a wheel 128, 130, 132, or 134 that is contacts the corresponding
base side panel 70 or 72 or drawer side panel 90 or 92. Each wheel 128, 130,
132, and 134 may be rotatable about a respective axis (e.g., aligned with a
corresponding pin 136, 138, 140, or 142) parallel with one another and/or the
corresponding drawer side panel 90 or 92.
In an embodiment, the laterally extending guides are not identical to one
another. In another embodiment, the base does not include any laterally
extending guides. In yet another embodiment, the bottom drawer includes
laterally outwardly extending guides and does not include laterally extending
guides that protrude laterally inward from the base side panels. In another
embodiment, the base side panels include laterally inwardly extending guides
and
does not include laterally extending guides that protrude laterally outward
from the
bottom drawer.
Referring now to only Fig. 4, the bottom drawer 66 includes bottom castors
or wheels 170 to allow easy sliding along the floor when the bottom drawer 66
moves from the closed position to the open position. In an embodiment, the
bottom drawer includes another sliding mechanism. In another embodiment, the
bottom drawer does not include a sliding mechanism.
As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, the drawer front 68 and the mattress platform
26 may include decorative features. For example, the bottom drawer 66 includes
knobs or handles 172 of suitable decor, which may be chosen to match handles
174 of the movable sleeping section 26. The movable sleeping section 26
includes a decorative front contour 176 such as an inward bevel or an outward
bevel to provide the appearance that the movable sleeping section 26 is
divided
into two sections such as cabinet doors or drawers. In an embodiment, none of
the above decorative features are included. In another embodiment, the movable
sleeping section does not include the decorative front contouring. In yet
another
embodiment, two or more decorative front contours are provided to the movable
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sleeping section to provide the appearance that the movable sleeping section
is
divided into three or more sections.
Also, each base side panel 70 and 72 (illustrated in Fig. 4) includes
adjustable feet 180 (also identified in Fig. 6) that are configured to raise
and lower
corresponding portions of the corresponding base side panel 70 or 72. In an
embodiment, the feet may be fixed. In another embodiment, the base side panels
may not include feet.
Referring again to Fig. 3, the movable sleeping section 26 includes a front
cabinet panel 200 and an inside front panel 202. The front cabinet panel 200
is
-- pivotable relative to the cabinet floor 44 from a closed position to an
open position.
For example, the front cabinet panel 200 is hingedly attached to the cabinet
floor
44 and can move from a vertical closed position (exemplified in Fig. 1) to a
horizontal open position (exemplified in Fig. 3) where front cabinet panel 200
is
parallel with the cabinet floor 44.
The inside front panel 202 is movable relative to the front cabinet panel 200
from an inverted position (exemplified in Fig. 14) ¨ parallel with the front
cabinet
panel 200 ¨ to an upright position (exemplified in Fig. 3) ¨ parallel with the
front
cabinet panel 200. For example, the inside front panel 202 is hingedly
attached to
the front cabinet panel 200 at an end opposite the cabinet floor 44. When the
-- front cabinet panel 200 is in the horizontal open position, the inside
front panel
202 is movable to an upright horizontal position where the inside front panel
202,
the front cabinet panel 200, and the cabinet floor 44 are arranged parallel to
one
another and have coplanar upward facing surfaces to together support the
mattress (not illustrated).
The upper cabinet 22 may include locking mechanisms 210 (also illustrated
in Fig. 7), such as easy to operate latches and/or bolts such that the cabinet
sides
38 and/or 40 can be securely fastened to the inside front panel 202 and/or the
front cabinet panel 200. Securing the inside front panel 202 or the front
cabinet
panel 200 to at least one of the cabinet sides 38 and/or 40 may prevent the
front
-- cabinet panel 200 and the inside front panel 202 from falling open. In an
embodiment, a locking mechanism is disposed outside the upper cabinet instead
of or in addition to a locking mechanism disposed inside the upper cabinet.
CA 3029947 2019-01-14
In another embodiment, the inside front panel includes a handle to assist in
folding the movable sleeping section into its closed position. The handle on
inside
front panel could be positioned to face downward when the movable sleeping
section is in its horizontal position to receive the mattress, for example
positioned
such that the handle would not touch the bottom drawer or another component.
In yet another embodiment, the inside front panel is movably connected to
the cabinet front panel in a different manner and/or the cabinet front panel
is
movably connected to the cabinet floor in a different manner. In yet another
embodiment, the movable sleeping section does not include an inside panel.
Still referring to Fig. 3, the movable sleeping section 26 may include
support legs 220 and 222 that are each pivotably attached to one side of the
inside front panel 202. When the front cabinet panel 200 is in the horizontal
open
position and the inside front panel 202 is in the upright horizontal position,
the
support legs 220 and 222 are pivotable about a corresponding axis that is
parallel
to the length of the movable sleeping section 26. For example, the support
legs
220 and 22 are pivotable from a retracted position (exemplified in Fig. 14) to
a
pivoted position (exemplified in Fig. 3) where a lowermost surface of each of
the
support legs 220 and 22 is below the cabinet floor 44 and lower than when in
the
retracted position.
Fasteners 230 such as screws, glue or rivets can be used to hold various
pieces together, including hinges and panels as appropriate.
Also, additional features can be added to the cabinet bed 20 to improve
ease of use and/or reduce wear on the parts. For example, the topmost surface
of the movable spacers 94 and 96 and/or the topmost surfaces of the bottom
drawer 66 may be formed partially or entirely of felt or another soft surface,
as
exemplified in Fig. 5, to reduce sound and to reduce wear on the movable
sleeping section 26.
Figs. 7-16 illustrate the cabinet bed 20 transitioning from its closed state
shown in Fig. 1 to its fully-open state shown in Figs. 16-18 where the
mattress can
be placed on the movable sleeping section 26 for a person to sleep on.
Initially
referring to Fig. 7, the cabinet top 36 of the upper cabinet 22 may be opened
by
pivoting the front part 62 of the cabinet top 36 upward. When the front part
62 is
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lifted up, the locking mechanisms 210 may be disconnected by the user to allow
the movable sleeping section 26 to move to its horizontal position.
As shown in Fig. 8, one or more hydraulic or pneumatic pistons 240 may be
configured to hold the front part 62 in the upward position and/or to soften
opening
and closing of the front part 62. In an embodiment, the pistons are not
included,
and the front part is configured to rotate 180 from its closed position to
overlap
the rear part of the cabinet top.
Referring still to Fig. 8, before or after the front part 62 is lifted up, the
bottom drawer 66 may be pulled forward from underneath the cabinet floor 44 to
form a support for the front cabinet panel 200. As shown in Figs. 9-12, the
movable spacers 94 and 96 may be rotated about their respective hinges so that
the corresponding major surfaces are horizontal and facing upward to receive
the
front cabinet panel 200. When the bottom drawer 66 is opened, the user may
pull
out any desired items from the bottom drawer 66, such as pillows or bedding
(not
illustrated).
In an embodiment, pulling the bottom drawer forward, from its closed
position underneath the cabinet floor, includes unfolding hingedly connected
extension panels that are hingedly connected to the bottom drawer and another
part of the base. In an alternative embodiment, pulling the bottom drawer
forward
includes extending telescopic rails that are connected to the bottom drawer
and
another part of the base, for example as disclosed in U.S. Patent Number
7,574,758 issued on August 18, 2009 to Arason.
Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate the front cabinet panel 200 rotating from its
vertical closed position to its horizontal open position when the locking
mechanisms 210 are in an unlocked state. When in the horizontal open position,
the front cabinet panel 200 is supported by the drawer front 68 and the major
surface of the movable spacers 94 and 96.
When the front cabinet panel 200 is in the horizontal open position, the
front part 62 of cabinet top 36 can be moved back to its horizontal position
to
reduce the visibility obstructed by the height of the profile of the upper
cabinet 22.
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Fig. 15 illustrates the rotation of the support legs 220 and 222 relative to
the inside front panel 202 from the retracted horizontal position to the
pivoted
position.
Figs. 16-18 illustrate the cabinet bed 20 in the fully-open state where the
inside front panel 202 has been unfolded so that the mattress or other
cushioning
material suitable for sleeping on can be placed on the front cabinet panel
200, the
inside cabinet panel 202, and the cabinet floor 44 for a user to lay on. When
unfolding the inside front panel 202 to lower the support legs 220 and 222
toward
the ground, a handle (not shown) secured to the inside front panel 202 can be
gripped to assist in pivoting the inside front panel 202 toward the ground.
The mattress may be stored inside the upper cabinet 22 above the cabinet
floor 44 when the upper cabinet 22 is closed, and when the upper cabinet 22 is
opened the mattress can be pulled out of the upper cabinet 22 and unfolded
onto
the front cabinet panel 200 and the inside front panel 202. When the mattress
is
laying flat, the bed can be made by putting bedding stored in the bottom
drawer
66 on the mattress and placing pillows stored in the bottom drawer 66 on the
mattress. In an embodiment, the mattress is made of three sections which can
be
hingedly attached to one another in a chain by fabric so that the mattress
easily
folds up and unfolds in sections similar in size to the upward facing surfaces
of the
cabinet floor 44, the front cabinet panel 200, and the inside cabinet panel
200.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a
certain embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations
and
modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and
understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular
regard
to the various functions performed by the above described elements
(components,
assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to
a
"means") used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless
otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of
the
described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not
structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function
in the
herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In
addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described
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above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments,
such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other
embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular
application.
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