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US 8,136,181 B2Granted
System and method for retractable furniture unit
OwnerEmmett James Roepkeinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A retractable bed is disclosed which can be raised and lowered in a vertical fashion. The retractable bed includes a frame for holding a mattress; and a counterbalance system to raise and lower the bed through vertical displacement. When the bed is in the lowered configuration it will come into contact with the floor thereby permitting a person to sleep on the bed. When the bed is in the raised configuration it will be near the ceiling thereby permitting a person to pass under the bed. The counterbalance system provides a convenient way to take the bed down and to put it away.
Claims10
A retractable bed, comprising:
- a bed including a frame adapted to accommodate a mattress and legs;
- support lines secured at one end to the frame at four support points of the frame;
- a first block assembly disposed away from the frame and a second block assembly disposed above the frame, the second block assembly guiding the support lines from above the frame to the first block assembly;
- and
- a counterweight system neutrally weighted to the weight supported at a distal end by the support lines, the counterweight system being disposed separately from the bed and moving the bed through vertical displacement, and the counterweight system including
- a drive cable mechanically driven by a crank,
- an adjustable weight connected to the support lines through the first block assembly and connected to the drive cable,
- vertical rails confining the weight to translate along the vertical rails when the drive cable is driven by the crank.
5 more elements
A retractable bed, comprising:
- a bed including a frame adapted to accommodate a mattress and legs;
- support lines secured at one end to the frame at four support points of the frame;
- a first block assembly disposed away from the frame and a second block assembly disposed above the frame, the second block assembly guiding the
- support lines from above the frame to the first block assembly;
- and
- counterweight means for moving the bed through vertical displacement disposed separately from the bed, the means being neutrally weighted to the weight supported at a distal end by the support lines.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.