Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FURNITURE OBJECTS FOR STORING FOLDABLE BEDS
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority
under 35 U.S.C.
120/121 to U.S. Application No. 17/738,382, filed on May 6, 2022, which is a
continuation of U.S. Application No. 15/828,913, filed on December 1, 2017,
the
disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] Example embodiments relate generally to furniture objects configured
to store
foldable beds.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background information
related to
example embodiments and may not constitute prior art.
[0004] Often, furniture apparatuses capable of more than one function are
used in
environments (e.g., residential, commercial, etc.) where space is limited. For
example, foldable beds, such as sofa beds, futon beds or other like, may be
used in
such environments as sitting furniture (e.g., couches, sofas, etc.) and lying
and/or
sleeping furniture (e.g., beds, etc.). In such environments, these foldable
beds may
make more efficient use of the limited space and may relieve the need for
additional furniture. However, even these foldable beds may take up too much
space in certain environments.
SUMMARY
[0005] Some example embodiments relate to a chest configured to transition
between an
open position and a closed position, the chest forming an enclosure configured
to
store a foldable mattress.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0006] In some example embodiments, the chest includes a top panel, a front
panel, and
side panels, the top panel configured to be manually lifted off of the chest
to form
a lower portion of a sleeping platform, the front panel including an upper
front
panel hingedly connected to a lower front panel; and a back panel hingably
connected to the side panels.
[0007] In some example embodiments, the back panel is hingably connected to a
rear
portion of the side panels, and at least the lower front panel is connected
between
a front portion of the side panels such that at least the lower front panel
holds the
side panels in a position perpendicular to the back panel.
[0008] In some example embodiments, the back panel is a headboard when the
chest is in
the open position.
[0009] In some example embodiments, the top panel includes legs extending in a
direction perpendicular to a top surface of the top panel such that the top
surface
and the legs are liftable as one unitary piece off of the chest, wherein the
legs of
the top panel are configured to support the lower portion of the sleeping
platform.
[0010] In some example embodiments, the chest further includes a folding slat
deck
within the enclosure, the folding slat deck configured to transition between
an
unfolded state and a folded state such that the folding slat deck separates
the
enclosure into a top portion and bottom portion when the folding slat deck is
in
the unfolded state, and combines the top portion and the bottom portion of the
enclosure into a single usable space when the folding slat deck is in the
folded
state.
[0011] In some example embodiments, the folding slat deck forms an upper
portion of the
sleeping platform when the folding slat deck is in the unfolded state.
[0012] In some example embodiments, the foldable mattress is storable in
the single
usable space when the folding slat deck is in the folded state.
[0013] In some example embodiments, the chest further includes the foldable
mattress,
the foldable mattress configured to transition between a folded position and
an
unfolded position based on whether the chest is in the closed position and the
open
position, respectively.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0014] In some example embodiments, the foldable mattress is in the folded
position
when stored in the enclosure, and the foldable mattress is in the unfolded
position
when the foldable mattress is supported by the sleeping platform.
[0015] In some example embodiments, the front panel is configured to
transition between
an upward position and a downward position, the front panel configured to form
a
middle portion of the sleeping platform when the front panel is in the
downward
position.
[0016] In some example embodiments, the upper front panel is configured to
transition
between the upward position and the downward position.
[0017] Some example embodiments relate to a kit configured to form a chest
that
transitions between an open position and a closed position.
[0018] In some example embodiments, the kit includes a first portion including
a back
panel and side panels hingably connected thereto; a front panel including an
upper
front panel and a lower front panel, the lower front panel configured to
connect
between a front portion of the side panels such that at least the lower front
panel
holds the side panels in a position perpendicular to the back panel, the upper
front
panel being hingedly connected to the lower front panel such that the upper
front
panel is transitionable between an upward position and a downward position;
and
a top panel configured to be manually placed on top of at least the back panel
and
the side panels to form an enclosure to store a foldable mattress when the
upper
front panel is in the upward position, and to be manually lifted off the chest
to
form a lower portion of a sleeping platform along with the lower front panel
when
the lower front panel is in the downwards position.
[0019] In some example embodiments, the kit includes a folding slat deck
configured to
pivotably connect to each of the side panels such that the folding slat deck
pivots
in a second direction opposite a first direction in which the side panels are
configured to pivot with respect to the back panel.
[0020] In some example embodiments, when the folding slat deck is pivotably
connected
to each of the side panels, the folding slat deck is configured to transition
between
an unfolded state and a folded state such that the folding slat deck separates
the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
enclosure into a top portion and bottom portion when the folding slat deck is
in
the unfolded state, and combines the top portion and the bottom portion of the
enclosure into a single usable space.
[0021] In some example embodiments, the folding slat deck forms an upper
portion of the
sleeping platform when the folding slat deck is in the unfolded state.
[0022] In some example embodiments, the kit further includes a foldable
mattress,
wherein the foldable mattress is storable in the single usable space when the
folding slat deck is in the folded state.
[0023] In some example embodiments, the foldable mattress is in folded when
stored in
the enclosure, and the foldable mattress is unfolded when the foldable
mattress is
supported by the sleeping platform.
DRAWINGS
[0024] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and
are not
intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a front, left perspective view of a chest 100
configured to store a
foldable bed 200 (also referred to as a foldable mattress 200) in a closed
position
(also referred to as a folded position) according to some example embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a chest in a closed position
(also referred to as
a folded position) according to some example embodiments,
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a hinge according to some example embodiment
[0028] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a chest in a closed position
(also referred to as
a folded position) according to some example embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a front view of a chest in a closed position (also
referred to as a folded
position) according to some example embodiments;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a front, left exploded view of a first portion of the
chest in the open
and/or unfolded position according to some example embodiments;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a front left perspective view of a second portion of the
chest in the open
and/or unfolded position according to some example embodiments;
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0032] FIG. 8 is a side view of the second portion of the chest in the open
and/or
unfolded position according to some example embodiments;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a side view of the first portion of the chest in the open
and/or unfolded
position according to some example embodiments;
[0034] FIGS. 10 to 27 illustrate a method of unfolding a chest from a
closed position to
an open position according to example embodiments;
[0035] FIGS. 28 to 41 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments;
[0036] FIGS. 42 to 63 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments;
[0037] FIGS. 64 to 84 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments;
and
[0038] FIGS. 85 to 91 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments.
DESCRIPTION
[0039] The following description is merely an example and is not intended
to limit the
present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that
throughout
the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding
parts and features.
[0040] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being
"connected" or
"coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the
other
element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element
is
referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another
element,
there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the
relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g.,
"between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent,"
etc.).
[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. 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," "comprising," "includes" and/or
"including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features,
integers,
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence
or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,
elements,
components and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes
any
and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0042] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third
etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, portions, and/or
sections, these elements, components, regions, portions, and/or sections
should not
be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one
element,
component, region, portion, or section from another element, component,
region,
portion, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, portion, or
section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, portion,
or
section without departing from the scope of the example embodiments.
[0043] Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only,
and thus is not
intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as "upper," "lower," "above,"
"below," "top," "bottom," "upward," "downward," "upwardly," "downwardly,"
"forward," "rearward," and the like refer to directions in the drawings to
which
reference is made. Terms such as "front," "back," "rear," "bottom," "side,"
and
the like describe the orientation of portions of the component within a
consistent
but arbitrary frame of reference which is made clear by reference to the text
and
the associated drawings describing the component under discussion. Such
terminology may include the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives
thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms "first," "second,"
and
other such numerical terms referring to structures do not imply a sequence or
order unless clearly indicated by the context.
[0044] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to
the
accompanying drawings. Example embodiments may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the
example
embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided
so
that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the example
embodiments to those skilled in the art.
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0045] Example embodiments relate to a furniture object configured to store
a foldable
bed. Example embodiments provide that the furniture object may be a chest,
cabinet, coffer, trunk or any other like furniture object configured and/or
adaptable to store a foldable bed. The furniture object described herein may
be
constructed, manufactured, or otherwise built in a variety of shapes include
any
rectangular shape, square shape, and/or any other like shape. The furniture
objects described herein may be constructed, manufactured, or otherwise built
using a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, metal, minerals and/or
any
combination thereof.
[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a front, left perspective view of a chest 100
configured to store a
foldable bed 200 (also referred to as a foldable mattress 200) in a closed
position
(also referred to as a folded position) according to some example embodiments,
FIG. 2 is a side perspective view, FIG. 4 is a top perspective view, and FIG.
5 is
a front view of the same according to some example embodiments, and FIG. 3
illustrates a hinge according to some example embodiment.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the chest 100 includes a top panel (also
referred to as a lift
top) 110, a front panel 120, side panels 140, and back panel 150 (see FIG. 6),
which may be visible when the chest 100 is in the closed position.
[0048] The top panel 110 includes one or more handles 111, for example two
handles
111, used to manually lift the top panel 110 onto or off of the chest 100 to
transition to the chest between the open position and the closed position. The
handles 111 may be any type of handle, knob, latch, hook or and/or any other
like
protrusion or void that allows an operator to manually grip the top panel 110.
[0049] The top panel 110 may have legs 112 extending in a direction
perpendicular to the
surface of the top panel 110. The top panel may have a one piece design.
[0050] The front panel 120 includes an upper front panel 120A and a lower
front panel
120B. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the upper front panel 120A and the lower front
panel 120B may be connected via one or more hinges 121 or any other like
mechanism, that connects the upper front panel 120A and the lower front panel
120B.
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0051] The upper front panel 120A may be configured to transition between an
upward
position in which the upper and lower front panels 120A, 120B are parallel,
and a
downward position in which the upper front panel 120A is perpendicular to the
lower front panel 120B. The front panel may include one or more handles 123
that
assist the operator opening the upper front panel 120A to the downward
position.
The handles 123 may be any type of handle, knob, latch, hook or and/or any
other
like protrusion or void that allows an operator to manually grip the top panel
110.
[0052] Further, as discussed below with reference to FIG. 15, a folding leg
assembly 130
may be locked to the upper front panel 120A in an unfolded state via one or
more
fastening members 122.
[0053] The side panels 140 may be connected to the lower front panel 120B and
the back
panel 150 (see FIG. 6). A height of the side panels 140 may be less than a
height
of the front panel 120 such that a sum of the height of the side panel 140 and
the
legs 112 of the top panel equals the height of the front panel 120.
[0054] The chest 100 in the closed position is configured store the
foldable mattress 200
(see FIG. 14) in an enclosure formed by the front panel 120, side panels 140,
the
back panel 150, and bottom slats 170 (see. FIG. 6). The foldable mattress 200
(see FIG. 14) may be in a folded position when stored in the enclosure.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a front, left exploded view of a first portion of the
chest 100 in the open
and/or unfolded position according to some example embodiments. FIG. 7 is a
front left perspective view of a second portion of the chest 100 in the open
and/or
unfolded position. FIG. 8 is a side view of the second portion of the chest
100 in
the open and/or unfolded position, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the first
portion of
the chest 100 in the open and/or unfolded position.
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 6-9, in addition to the top panel 110, front
panel 120, side
panels 140, and back panel 150, which may be visible when the chest 100 is in
the
closed position, the chest 100 may further include a folding leg assembly 130,
a
folding slat deck 160, and bottom slats 170.
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0057] As discussed below, in the unfolded position, a sleeping platform may
be arranged
that includes an upper sleeping platform, a middle sleeping platform, and a
lower
sleeping platform, with a portion of the back panel 150 forming a headboard.
[0058] The folding leg assembly 130 may be connected to the front panel 120.
For
example, the folding leg assembly 130 may be connected to the upper front
panel
120A of the front panel 120 via one or more or more hinges 124 or any other
like
mechanism that connects the folding leg assembly 130 to the front panel 120.
[0059] The folding leg assembly 130 may include legs 131 and handles 132. The
handles
132 may be configured to assist in transitioning the upper front panel 120A
between a raised and lowered state, and also folding and unfolding the folding
leg
assembly 130.
[0060] In regards to the middle sleeping platform, the folding leg assembly
130 is
configured to switch between a folded state and an unfolded state depending on
whether the chest 100 is in the closed or open position such that, in the
unfolded
position, the folding leg assembly 130 and the inside of the upper front panel
120A may extend horizontally on the same plane to form the middle sleeping
platform.
[0061] In the unfolded state, the legs 131 may be configured to rest on a
floor to support
the middle sleeping platform. In the folded state (see FIG. 11), the legs 131
may
be configured to rest within the enclosure such that the legs 131 are
positioned
180 degrees with respect to the upper front panel 120 as compared to the
position
of the legs 131 when the folding leg assembly 130 in the unfolded state. A
height
of the front panel 120A and position of the folding leg assembly 130 may be
such
that the top panel 110 is configured to cover and hide the folding leg
assembly
130 when the chest 100 is in the folded position.
[0062] In some example embodiments, the height of the chest 100 may be reduced
while
still including a sleeping platform long enough to accommodate a conventional
queen or king size mattress (e.g., 80 inches in length) by including the
folding leg
assembly 130 that is able to transition between the folded and unfolded
states.
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0063] The folding slat deck 160 may include a plurality of slats 161
running in the
lengthwise direction of the chest 100. The folding slat deck 160 may be
pivotally
connected to the side panels 140 via protrusions 142 protruding from the rear
of
side panels 140 connected to respective openings 162 in the rear of the
folding slat
deck 160. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto, for example,
in other example embodiments, the protrusions 142 may be in the slat deck 160
and the openings 162 may be in the side panels 140. Further, in other example
embodiments, the folding slat deck 160 may simply be manually liftable and/or
foldable without including any pivotable connection between the folding slat
deck
160 and the side panels 140.
[0064] By having the folding slat deck 160 foldable between the folded
position and the
unfolded position, the mattress 200 may sit substantially deeper in the
enclosure
until needed, thus, substantially reducing the height of the chest 100.
[0065] In regards to the upper sleeping platform, the folding slat deck 160
may transition
between a folded position (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and an unfolded position (see
FIG. 23), where the folding slat deck 160 may rest against supports 141 on the
inside of the side panels 140 in the unfolded position to form the upper
sleeping
platform. The supports 141 may extend towards an interior of the enclosure an
amount such that the supports 141 do not interfere with placement of the
mattress
200 in the enclosure when the mattress 200 is in the closed position.
[0066] The bottom slats 170 may be connected between the rear panel 150 and
the front
panel 120, for example, between a lower rear panel 150B and the lower front
panel 120B. The bottom slats 170 may be arranged as several discrete slats 170
that allow for a light weight design while providing stability and hold the
weight
of the foldable mattress 200 when the mattress 200 is in the closed position,
or
alternatively, the bottom slats 170 may be one solid platform on an opposite
side
of the enclosure from the top panel 110.
[0067] In regards to the lower sleeping platform, the top panel 110 when
manually lifted
and removed from the enclosure, may be positioned against or near the front
panel
120 in the unfolded state to form the lower sleeping platform.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0068] Thus, the sleeping platform may be formed simply and without the costs
associated with telescoping rails by having the top panel 110 manually
removable
from enclosure by simply lifting the same and placing the top panel 110 on the
floor to form the lower sleeping platform, folding the upper front panel 120A
down and the folding leg assembly 130 out to form the middle sleeping
platform,
and lowering the folding slat deck 160 onto the supports 141 to form the upper
sleeping platform.
[0069] FIGS. 10 to 27 illustrate a method of unfolding a chest from a
closed position to
an open position according to example embodiments.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 27, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 14, first
the top panel
110 may be lifted off of the chest 100 by the handles 111 and placed on the
floor
to expose the folding leg assembly 130.
[0071] Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17, the folding leg assembly 130
may be locked
into the unfolded state via one or more pull latches 122, which may include a
plate
attached to the upper front panel 120A and a latch attached to the folding leg
assembly 130. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto, for
example, the plate may be attached to the folding leg assembly 130 and the
latch
may be attached to the upper front panel 120A.
[0072] Thereafter, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the upper front panel
120A (having
the folding leg assembly 130 locked in the unfolded state thereto) may be
lowered
to the downward position via, for example, one or more of the handles 123,
132,
until the legs 131 rest on the floor to form the middle sleeping platform.
[0073] Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the top panel 110 may be
manually
positioned adjacent to the folding leg assembly 130 to form the lower sleeping
platform.
[0074] Thereafter, as illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, the mattress 200 may
be removed
from the enclosure and the folding slat deck 160 may be transitioned from the
folded position to the unfolded position such that the folding slat deck 160
rests on
the supports 141. By having the folding slat deck 160 pivotable between the
folded position and the unfolded position, the height of the chest 100 may be
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
reduced by allowing the mattress 200 to sit substantially deeper in the
enclosure
until needed.
[0075] Lastly, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25, the mattress 200 may be
unfolded such
that lower, middle and upper portions 200A-200C of the mattress is supported
by
the lower, middle and upper portions of the sleeping platform, respectively.
[0076] As discussed above, the sleeping platform may be formed simply and
without the
costs associated with telescoping rails by having the top panel 110 manually
removable from enclosure by simply lifting the same and placing the top panel
110 on the floor to form the lower sleeping platform, folding the upper front
panel
120A down and the folding leg assembly 130 out to form the middle sleeping
platform, and lowering the folding slat deck 160 onto the supports 141 to form
the
upper sleeping platform. Further, by having the folding slat deck 160
pivotable
between the folded position and the unfolded position, the height of the chest
100
may be reduced by allowing the mattress 200 to sit substantially deeper in the
enclosure until needed.
[0077] FIGS. 28 to 41 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments.
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 28 to 41, in some other example embodiments, the
chest 100
may include side panels 140' that include a lift tray 180 (also referred to as
a
nightstand 180) attached thereto. The lift tray 180 may be attached to one of
the
side panels 140' or both of the side panels 140'.
[0079] The lift tray 180 may include a foldable shelf 181, a foldable leg
182, a support
183, and crossbars 184, the foldable shelf 181 and foldable leg 182 may be
connected to a body of the lift tray 180 via one or more hinges 185. To setup
the
nightstand 180, the operator may raise the shelf 181 perpendicular to the side
panel 140', and move the foldable leg 182 from a folded position to the
unfolded
position to support the weight of the shelf 181 and items placed thereon. When
not in use, the nightstand 180 may be collapsed by the operator moving the
foldable leg 18 to the folded position and lowering the shelf 181 parallel
with the
side panel 140'.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
[0080] In some example embodiments, the lift tray 180 may be a separate module
that
may be optionally purchased and installed on the chest 100. However, example
embodiments are not limited thereto, and in other example embodiments, the
lift
tray 180 may be manufactured with the chest 100.
[0081] FIGS. 42 to 63 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments.
[0082] Referring to FIGS 42 to 63, a chest 200 may include a roll-out front
panel 220 that
includes a front leg assembly 230 and a rear leg assembly 232 that are rigidly
connected to the roll-out front panel 220. The front leg assembly 230 may
include
rollers 231 that allow the roll out-front panel 230 to roll on the floor.
[0083] The chest 200 may also include the top panel 110, front panel 120,
side panels
140, back panel 150, folding slat deck 160, and bottom slats 170 that are
identical
to the description of the same with regard to the chest 100. However, for the
sake
of brevity repeated description is omitted herein.
[0084] When the roll-out front panel 220 is in the upward position, the rear
leg assembly
232 may extend within the enclosure in a direction parallel to the floor, and
the
lower leg assembly 230 may rest on the floor via the rollers 231.
[0085] As illustrated in FIGS. 51 to 56, the roll-out front panel 220 may
transition
between the upward position and the downward position by simply rolling the
roll-out front panel 220 away from the chest 100 after the top panel is lifted
off of
the chest, and then tipping over the roll-out front panel 220 such that each
of the
front leg assembly 230 and rear leg assembly 232 rest on the floor to form the
middle sleeping platform.
[0086] The chest 200 including the roll-out front panel 220 may have increased
production efficiency as compared to the chest 100 that includes the hinged
front
panel 120.
[0087] FIGS. 64 to 84 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments.
[0088] Referring to FIGS. 64 to 84, a chest 300 may include top panel 310, a
hook-on
front panel 320 and side panels 340.
[0089] The top panel 310 may include a clawed edge 317, the hook-on front
panel 320
may include protrusions 325 and clawed edges 326, 327, and each of the side
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Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
panels 340 may include a divot 345 and a protrusion 346 on the front side of
the
side panels 340.
[0090] In the closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 64 to 73, the front
panel 320 may be
attached to the side panels 340 via a respective one of the protrusions 325 on
the
front panel 320 being caught in respective ones of the divots 345 on the side
panels 320.
[0091] In the open position, as illustrated in FIGS. 74 to 84, the front
panel 320 may rest
parallel with and suspended from the floor by having one end of the front
panel
320 supported by the top panel 310 and the other end of the front panel 320
supported by the side panels 340 to form the middle sleeping platform. For
example, one of the clawed edges 326, 327 of the hook-on front panel 320 may
be
hooked onto the clawed edge of the top panel 310 and the other one of the
clawed
edge 326 of the hook-on front panel 320 may be hooked onto the protrusions 346
protruding from the side panels 340 to form the middle sleeping platform.
[0092] The chest 300 including the hook-on front panel 320 may have increased
production efficiency as compared to the chest 100 that includes the hinged
front
panel 120.
[0093] FIGS. 85 to 91 illustrate a chest according to some other example
embodiments.
[0094] Referring to FIGS. 85 to 91, in some example embodiments, the chest 100
to 300
may be assembled from a kit 400 or other like grouping of components.
[0095] The kit 400 may include a first section 410 which includes the back
panel 150 and
side panels 140 connected together via one or more hinges 411 such that the
first
section 410 is initially in the folded position to reduce the size of the
disassembled
kit 400.
[0096] In some example embodiments, the back panel 150 may include end-rails
151
attached to sides thereof thereto that extend in a direction perpendicular to
the
back panel 150 and the hinges 411 may be connected between the side panels 140
and the end rails 151.
[0097] To assemble the kit 400, a user may unfold the side panels 140 from the
back
panel 150, connect the slats 170 between the back panel 150 and the lower
front
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
panel 120B and connect each of the folding slat deck 160 and the lower front
panel 120B to the side panels 110. Thereafter, the user may fold open the
folding
slat deck 160, place the mattress 200 within the enclosure, close the front
panel
120, and position the top panel 110 onto the chest 100 to assemble the chest
100
in the closed position.
[0098] By providing the kit 400 with the first section 410 having the back
panel 150 and
the side panels 140 connected via the hinges 410, the kit 4100 may be shipped
in a
compacted form while simplifying setup of the chest 100 by a user.
[0099] As discussed above, the sleeping platform may be formed simply and
without the
costs associated with telescoping rails by having the top panel manually
removable from enclosure by simply lifting the same and placing the top panel
on
the floor to form the lower sleeping platform, form the middle sleeping
platform
from the front panel, and lowering the folding slat deck onto the supports to
form
the upper sleeping platform. Further, by having the folding slat deck
pivotable
between the folded position and the unfolded position, the height of the chest
may
be reduced by allowing the mattress to sit substantially deeper in the
enclosure
until needed. Additionally, the height of the chest may be further reduced
while
still including a sleeping platform long enough to accommodate a conventional
mattress by including a folding leg assembly that is able to transition
between the
folded and unfolded states.
[00100] The description of the disclosure is merely example in nature
and, thus, variations
that do not depart from the gist of the disclosure are intended to be within
the
scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from
the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-12-11
