WO2000025637A1

WO2000025637A1 - A system with connected modules that may be folded in different ways for the composition of beds and other pieces of furniture

Info

Publication number: WO2000025637A1
Application number: PCT/IT1999/000030
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luigi Baiocchi
Original assignee: Luigi Baiocchi
Priority date: 1998-11-04
Filing date: 1999-02-09
Publication date: 2000-05-11
Also published as: ITRM980690A0; ITRM980690A1

Abstract

The system with preferably rectangular triangular modules, that are connected one to the other or that may be connected along the edges, and that may be folded in different ways so as to obtain the composition of beds, sofas, armchairs, cushions and the reduction to minimum encumbrance for transport and storing according to the present invention comprises a plurality of triangular rectangle modules (1), each out of plastic and foamy material of the thickness of a cushion or, in a variant, also of minimum thickness of cloth and/or natural and synthetic materials like mats or carpets, that may be composed in different ways because they are connected in a fix manner by means of joints (2, 3) along their sides like seams or weldings or other, and/or in a temporary manner by means of velcro, zips or other, so as to allow the rotation and the overlapping of single modules and/or of composed groups for obtaining many shapes: from the most compact, consisting of a parallelepiped element (4), to the most extended one, like a mattress (P) or a carpet or similar, according to the materials used and to the thickness.

Description

"A SYSTEM WITH CONNECTED MODULES THAT MAY BE FOLDED IN DIFFERENT WAYS FOR THE COMPOSITION OF BEDS AND OTHER PIECES OF FURNITURE"

The present invention concerns a system with preferably rectangular triagular modules, that are connected one to the other or that may be connected along the edges, and that may be folded in different ways so as to obtain the composition of beds, sofas, armchairs, cushions and the reduction to minimum encumbrance for transport and storing.

It is kown that cushions and similar, which are very ornamental and extremely comfortable, being conceived for being used as single elements, immediately show - if they are used combined as a seat or a makeshift bed - their limits: their total entropy.

On the contrary, sofas and armchairs that may be used as a bed assure stability in their daily as well as in their night shape, whereby said stability is, obvi ous ly , proportioned to the weight and to the solidity o f indispensible wood and/or metal frames and to the not always rational conversion systems, provided with springs, counter-weights, handles, wheelworks and obtaining one single conversion possibility, on account of a real irremovability. Furthermore, the metal components of the night shape do not at all increase the comfortability of the day shape, and the components of the latter, which are unused during the night (the back, the arms ...), do not add any compactness to the whole.

Folding-beds are characterized in a greater degree of flexibility, but these beds have the sole function of makeshift beds: when they are not used, they change into a bulky parallelepiped.

It is the aim of the present invention to obtain a product that is practical in use and in maintenance, that has the maximum reduction of encumbrance and that is provided with a considerable versatility and adaptatio flexibility, so that it may be integrated - due to its shape, dimensions, materials employed and to the pattern that may be underlined by the shape - in the most different rooms.

The aim set forth is reached by means of the system according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of triangular rectangle modules, each out of plastic and foamy material of the thickness of a cushion or, in a variant, also of minimum thickness of cloths and/or natural and synthetic materials like mats or carpets, that may be composed in different ways because they are connected in a fix manner by means of joints along their sides like seams or weldings or other, and/or in a temporary manner by means of velcro, zips or other, so as to allow the rotation and the overlapping of single modules and/or of composed groups for obtaining many shapes: from the most compact, consisting of a parallelepiped element, to the most extended one, like a mattress or a carpet or similar, according to the materials used and to the thickness.

The advantages of the system according to the present invetion are many and considerable:

- maximum practicalness, lightness and possibility of being moved;

- maximum hygiene, because the module may be unlined for washing: the compositions that may be obtained are conceived in such a way that, once the part that mostly responds to ones taste and to the surrounding has been chosen, and according to the possible shapes, dimensions and pattern, in no case the parts that have been in contact with the floor will get into contact with the sheet that will be used in its nightly composition and, in the position of maximum compactness, the surface onto which the sheet will be laid will be completely inside, safe from dust; - ergonomy: the system according to the present invention exploits the spaces to the maximum of its physical possibilities : in the maximum compactness composition, the modular elements, without hollow spaces and projections, realize the minimum possible parallelepiped; furthermore, in the variant relized with foam-rubber or however with foamy material with a "transpiring" lining inserted in a plastic sheath, b y sucking off the air it may be further reduced in dimensions, for storing in absolutely minimum spaces;

- versatility: the system according to the pre s e n t invention may turn out in different compositions, allowing quick conversions according to the momentary needs, presenting in a moment multiple sitti ng possibilities, different levels, positions for h e a d relaxation and lifting ones feet, and so on;

- possibility of multiple use: in the variant with modules consisting of "pieces" of coconut fibre or sisal, or of a conventional carpet, puffs may be obtained that may be respectively converted into oriental 'tatamis' or real carpets; while if they are realized out of high density polyurethane they may become comfortable "mini camp puffs", which may be easily stored in ones kit-bag and that may be transformed in free camping mats, greater and more comfortable than the conventional "rolls" which are always too small when they are stretched out and too bulky when they are rolled-up on the kit-bag.

The present invention will be explained more in detail hereinbelow relating to the enclosed figures in which two embodiments are shown with different shapes.

Figures 1 , 2 show an axonometric upper ad lower view of a maximum planar extension, like a bed or similar, obtained with the modules of the system according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows the assemblage of the modules to a minimum encumbrance, for the realization of a puff or for their transport or storing.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 show some compositions respectively in the shape of an armchair, of a sofa, of a structure on three levels and of opposed armchairs.

Figures 8 and 9 show a bottom and top view of an eventual variant with joints in different positions.

Figure 1 0 shows the shape of minimum encumbrance of a modular structure with small thickness, like a mat or a carpet. The enclosed figures show a system with modules that are connected or that may be connected and folded in different manners, for the composition of beds and other pieces of furniture, consisting of:

- a plurality of triangular rectangle elements 1 of different thickness and of foamy material, or mats or carpets, all connected one to the other by means of fix joints or that may be connected by means of velcro, zips or other, so as to form a whole that may be stretched out or folded in different ways with partial overlappings of modules or groups of modules, for realizing structures of planes P without foldings, or parallelepiped structures 4, 4' with maximum folding, angle armchairs 5, sofas 6, multiple level structures 7, opposed armchairs 8 or other;

- joint means 2 between said elements 1 , so as to allow the turning over thereof, placed along the cathetus of said triangles;

- joint means 3 housed along the hypotenuses of the triangles 1 , placed in different ways on the two faces of the plane P, so as to allow the overlapping of the modules for the composition of the different pieces of furniture.

In the variant shown in figures 8 and 9, a system accoridng to the present invention is shown having on one surface all joints 2 provided along the cathetus of said modules 1 and on the opposed face all joints 3 are provided, placed along the hypotenuse, for the same purpose.

As can be seen from figure 10, when said modules 1 are out of cloths or mats or carpets of minimum encumbrance, the system according to the present invention allows a reduction to a minimum volume to a parallelepiped structure 4, 4', which is also easy in manoeuvrability and storage.

Claims

A system with connected modules that may be folded in different ways so as to obtain the composition of beds, sofas, armchairs, cushions and the reduction to minimum encumbrance for transport and storing, characterized in:

- a plurality of triangular rectangle elements (1 ) of different thickness and of foamy, soft and elastic material, all connected one to the other by means of fix joints or that may be connected by means of velcro, zips or other, so as to form a whole that may be stretched out or folded in different ways with partial overlappings of modules or groups of modules, for realizing structures of planes (P) without foldings, or parallelepiped structures (4, 4') with maximum folding, angle armchairs (5), sofas (6), multiple level structures (7), opposed armchairs (8) or other;

- joint means (2) between said elements (1 ), so as to allow the turning over thereof, placed along the cathetus of said triangles;

- joint means (3) housed along the hypotenuses of the triangles (1 ), placed in different ways on the two faces of the plane (P), so as to allow the overlapping of the modules for the composition of the different pieces of furniture.

2. A system according to claim 1 , characterized in that said elements 1 have joints that may be removed like velcro, zips or other.

3. A system according to claim 1 , characterized in that lt has on one face all joints placed along the cathetus of said modules 1 and on the opposed face al joints (3) placed along the hyppotenuse.

4. A system according to claim 1 , characterized in elements ( 1 ) realized out of cloth or mats or plastic materials with minimum ecumbrance, so as to be reduced to a minimum volume in a parallelepiped structure (4, 4'), with an unimportant encumbrance.