US 2008/0185889 A1 · ADJUSTABLE FURNITURE

Abstract

An item of adjustable furniture having a first support section, a second support section connected rotatably to the first support section by a pair of hinges, and a third support section connected rotatably to the second support section by a pair of hinges. Each hinge includes a pair of discs fastened rotatably to one another by a hinge pin. Each disc includes an array of apertures and a locking mechanism having an aesthetically pleasing J-shaped hook member, a knob fastened to the hook member, and a spring interposed between the knob and the pin. The hook member is removably received within the apertures of the discs when the spring is expanded, thereby locking the hinge. To unlock the hinge and allow for the rotation of the support members for the purpose adjusting the furniture, the knob is depressed to disengage the hook member from the apertures of the discs.

Claims65

Dependent claims

A hinge comprising:

a first disc and a second disc oriented rotatably relative to one another, said first disc being attachable at a portion of its periphery to a first support member of an item of adjustable furniture and said second disc being attachable at a portion of its periphery to a second support member of the adjustable furniture;
a hook member releasably engageable with said first and second discs and moveable between a locked position, in which said hook member is engaged with said discs and prevents said discs from rotating relative to one another, and an unlocked position, in which said hook member is disengaged from said discs and enables said discs to rotate relative to one another so that the first and second support members of the furniture item can be rotated relative to one another for the purpose of adjusting the shape of the furniture item.

An item of furniture, comprising:

a first support member, a second support member, and a third support member, each of said support members comprising a pair of legs, each of said pair of legs comprising a generally linear top portion and a generally arcuate bottom portion, and a plurality of crossbars attached in spaced relation along said generally linear top portions of said pair of legs;
a first hinge and a second hinge, each of which are attached to said first and second support members;
and
a third hinge and a fourth hinge, each of which are connected to said second and third support members, each of said hinges comprising,
a first disc having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof, and a plurality of apertures arranged in a circular array, each of which extends from said first surface of said first disc to said second surface of said first disc;
a second disc having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereof, and a plurality of apertures arranged in a circular array, each of which extends from said first surface of said second disc to said second surface of said second disc, said second surface of said first disc and said second surface of said second disc being juxtaposed, said first and second discs being connected to one another by a pin and being oriented rotatably relative to one another about an axis of rotation;
a J-shaped lock member having a straight long leg extending along said axis of rotation and a portion of which extending through said pin, and a curved short leg releasably engageable with said first and second discs and moveable between a locked position, in which a distal part of said short leg extends through one of said plurality of apertures of said first disc and a corresponding one of said plurality of apertures of said second disc and prevents said discs from rotating relative to one another, and an unlocked position, in which said short leg is completely withdrawn from said one of said plurality of apertures of said first disc and a corresponding one of said plurality of apertures of said second disc and enables said discs to rotate relative to one another;
a knob fastened to said long leg of said lock member;
and
a spring interposed between said knob and said pin, said spring being movable between an expanded position when said short leg of said lock member is in its locked position, and a contracted position when said short leg of said lock member is in its unlocked position;
said first disc of said first hinge being connected to one of said pair of legs of said first support member, and said second disc of said first hinge being connected to a corresponding one of said pair of legs of said second support member;
said first disc of said second hinge being connected to the other of said pair of legs of said first support member, and said second disc of said second hinge being connected to the corresponding other of said pair of legs of said second support member;
said first disc of said third hinge being connected to one of said pair of legs of said third support member, and said second disc of said third hinge being connected to a corresponding one of said pair of legs of said second support member;
said first disc of said fourth hinge being connected to the other of said pair of legs of said third support member, and said second disc of said fourth hinge being connected to the other of said pair of legs of said second support member,
such that said first and second support members of said item of furniture can be rotated relative to one another and said second and third support member of said item of furniture can be rotated relative to one another for the purpose of adjusting the shape of said furniture item.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable furniture

Life of this patent

Adjustable furniture

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims65