MURPHY BED CHEST

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/712,011 filed Oct. 25, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of folding beds, and more particularly to folding beds that, in the stored position, are enclosed in a cabinet or similar furniture.

Traditional beds take up a large amount of floor space in the room that the bed is placed. When the beds are not used frequently, and/or when the bed is located in a small room or a room in which the space for the bed could be otherwise utilized, a folding bed is one solution to allow for other use of the space in the room when the bed is not needed.

Some folding beds are folded away into a cabinet or other similar furniture article when not in use. Such cabinet beds are attractive pieces of furniture when the bed is in a folded position, and a comfortable bed when needed and transformed into an opened position where at least a portion of the furniture article is a sleeping platform supportive of a mattress. Some cabinet beds, however, are heavy, are cumbersome to move between the closed position and the opened position, and offer limited storage or limited access to storage, especially when the bed is in the opened position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one exemplary embodiment, a folding chest bed system includes a chest assembly, including a base supported by a plurality of legs, two opposing side panels spaced apart by a distance and secured to the base, and a front panel assembly connected to the base by one or more primary hinges, the front panel assembly movable between an upright closed position and an opened position, such that when in the opened position the front panel assembly is configured to be at least partially supportive of a mattress. The front panel assembly includes a top folding leg rotatably connected to the front panel assembly. The top folding leg extends from and is supportive of the front panel assembly when the front panel assembly is in the opened position. A frame includes a main frame portion, a footboard frame connected to the main frame by one or more secondary hinges, and a footboard leg extending from the footboard frame and supportive of the footboard frame when the front panel assembly is in the opened position. The plurality of legs extend vertically below the opposing side panels, and a lower side panel separate and distinct from the opposing side panels is positioned between opposing legs of the plurality of legs vertically below the opposing side panels.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the lower side panel is installed into a leg groove formed in a leg of the plurality of legs.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a lower side panel retainer is installed to the opposing legs vertically below the lower side panel to retain the lower side panel.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a latch assembly is secured to the side panel and to the top folding leg. The latch assembly is configured to retain the front panel assembly in a closed position to the side panels and to retain the top folding leg in a closed position to the front panel assembly.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the base includes one of a plurality of base slats or a base panel or a plurality of panels.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the front panel assembly includes a plurality of panel slats extending nonparallel to the plurality of base slats.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a guide assembly extends between the top folding leg and a panel body of the front panel assembly to limit movement of the top folding leg relative to the panel body.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the guide assembly includes a guide arm pivotably secured to the top folding leg. The guide arm includes an arm slot extending at least partially along a length of the guide arm. A guide pin is secured to the panel body and extends through the guide slot.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments an overall width of the chest bed system is in the range of 50 inches to 65 inches.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a length of the chest bed system in the opened position is in the range of 72 inches to 80 inches.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a top panel assembly is secured to a top of the side panels and extends between the two side panels.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the top panel assembly includes a first top panel secured to the two side panels, and a second top panel connected to the first top panel by one or more top panel hinges.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a mattress is stored in the folding bed chest system when the front panel assembly is in the closed position.

In another exemplary embodiment, a folding chest bed system includes a cabinet assembly including a base supported by a plurality of legs, two opposing side panels spaced apart by a distance and secured to the base, and a front panel assembly connected to the base by one or more primary hinges. The front panel assembly is movable between an upright closed position and an opened position, such that when in the opened position the front panel assembly is configured to be at least partially supportive of a mattress. The front panel assembly includes a top folding leg rotatably connected to the front panel assembly. The top folding leg extends from and is supportive of the front panel assembly when the front panel assembly is in the opened position. A latch assembly is secured to the side panel and to the top folding leg. the latch assembly is configured to retain the front panel assembly in a closed position to the side panels and to retain the top folding leg in a closed position to the front panel assembly. The plurality of legs extend vertically below the opposing side panels, and a lower side panel separate and distinct from the opposing side panels is installed between opposing legs of the plurality of legs vertically below the opposing side panels.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the lower side panel is installed into a leg groove formed in a leg of the plurality of legs.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a lower side panel retainer is installed to the opposing legs vertically below the lower side panel to retain the lower side panel.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the base includes one of a plurality of base slats or a base panel or a plurality of panels.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments the front panel assembly includes a plurality of panel slats extending nonparallel to the plurality of base slats.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments an overall width of the chest bed system is in the range of 50 inches to 65 inches.

Additionally or alternatively, in this or other embodiments a length of the chest bed system in the opened position is in the range of 72 inches to 80 inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a murphy bed chest in an opened position;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a murphy bed chest in an opened position with a mattress installed;

FIG. 4 is a partially disassembled view of an embodiment of an attachment of a side panel to a base;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a back panel assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a top panel assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of installation of a plurality of legs and a lower side panel of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest;

FIG. 7A is another illustration of installation of a plurality of legs and a lower side panel of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of a drawer assembly of a murphy bed chest;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of installation of a drawer assembly to a murphy bed chest;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of a murphy bed chest with a front panel assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of an embodiment of a murphy bed chest with a front panel assembly in an open position;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a guide arm of a murphy bed chest; and

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a murphy bed chest in a partially opened position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown is an embodiment of a murphy bed chest 10 shown in a closed position. The cabinet bed 10 includes a top panel assembly 12, opposing side panels 14, and a back panel assembly 16, shown better in FIG. 2. The murphy bed chest 10 further includes a hinged front panel assembly 18 positioned between the opposing side panels 14. The side panels 14 and the front panel assembly 18 are connected to a base 20, and the base 20 is, in turn, connected to a plurality of chest legs 22, which support the murphy bed chest 10. Opposing lower side panels 21 extend between the chest legs 22 beneath the side panels 14.

The front panel assembly 18 is connected to the base 20 via one or more primary hinges 19. Generally, and as will be explained in greater detail below, when moved to the opened position by rotating the front panel assembly 18 using the primary hinges 19, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the front panel assembly 18 and the base 20 together define a supported platform 24 for placement of a folding mattress 26, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the folding mattress 26 is stored inside the cabinet bed 10 when the murphy bed chest 10 is in the closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the side panels 14 each include a lower side panel rail 28 extending inwardly from an inner side panel surface 30. Similarly, the base 20 includes a base side rail 32 at each lateral side of the base 20 to which each lower side panel rail 28 is secured via one or more side panel fasteners 34, such as bolts, extending through the lower side panel rail 28 and at least partially into the base side rail 32. As shown, in some embodiments the base 20 includes a base frame 36 defining a perimeter of the base 20. The base frame 36 includes the base side rails 32 and also a base front rail 38 and a base rear rail 40 extending between the base side rails 32 defining a front and rear of the base 20, respectively. A plurality of base slats 42 extend from the base front rail 38 to the base rear rail 40, and are spaced apart between the base side rails 32.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the back panel assembly 16 includes multiple pieces. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the back panel assembly 16 includes an upper back panel 44, a lower back panel 46 and a back panel rail 48 positioned between the upper back panel 44 and the lower back panel 46. In some embodiments, the lower back panel 46 and the upper back panel 44 are identical in shape and size, while the back panel rail 48 differs in size from both the upper back panel 44 and the lower back panel 46. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate, however, that this configuration is merely exemplary and that other combinations of panels and rails may be utilized in the back panel assembly 16. The side panels 14 each include side panel grooves 50 into which the back panel assembly 16 components slide to assemble the upper back panel 44, the lower back panel 46 and the back panel rail 48 to the side panels 14. Additionally, the back panel assembly may be secured in place via one or more back panel fasteners 52, such as one or more screws or bolts, extending through the side panel 14 and at least partially into the back panel assembly 16. Additionally in some embodiments the back panel rail 48 includes back panel grooves 54 into which the upper back panel 44 and the lower back panel 46 are received to secure the upper back panel 44 and the lower back panel 46 to the back panel rail 48.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the top panel assembly 12 includes a first top panel 54 and a second top panel 56 connected by one or more top panel hinges 58, illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring again to FIG. 6, the first top panel 54 is secured to the side panels 14 at an upper side panel rail 60 that extends inwardly from the inner side panel surface 30. The first top panel 54 is secured to the upper side panel rails 60 via one or more top panel fasteners 62, for example, bolts or screws, that extend through the upper side panel rails 60 and at least partially into the first top panel 54. While the first top panel 54 is fixed in position by securing to the upper side panel rails 60, the second top panel 56 is free to move relative to the first top panel 54 via a the top panel hinges 58. In some embodiments, the second top panel 56 is movable to atop the first top panel 54 when the murphy bed chest 10 is opened, as shown in FIG. 3. This provides added head room for a person using the murphy bed chest 10. While in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the top panel assembly 12 is hinged, in other embodiments, the top panel assembly 12 is fixed and may be a single top panel 57 secured to the upper side panel rails 60.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the chest legs 22 are secured to the base 20 via one or more leg fasteners (not shown), which in some embodiments are screws or bolts extending at least partially into the base 20 from the chest legs 22. While four chest legs 22 are illustrated in FIG. 7, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other quantities of chest legs 22, for example, 5 or 6 chest legs 22 may be utilized to support the murphy bed chest 10. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, with continuing reference to FIG. 7, the chest legs 22 include a leg groove 23. A lower side panel 21 is inserted in leg grooves 23 of opposing chest legs 22. A lower side panel retainer 25 extends between the leg grooves 23 and is installed vertically beneath the corresponding lower side panel 21. The lower side panel retainer 25 is secured in position by one or more retainer fasteners 27 extending into the chest legs 22, thereby securing the lower side panels 21 in position vertically beneath the respective side panels 14.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the murphy bed chest 10 includes a drawer assembly 70 installed in a drawer opening defined between the opposing lower side panels 21, illustrated in FIG. 9. An embodiment of a drawer assembly 70 is shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, the drawer assembly 70 is connected to the murphy bed chest 10 by a drawer slide or rails, while in other embodiments the drawer assembly 70 is freely movable into and out of the drawer opening, and is not connected to the murphy bed chest 10. The drawer assembly 70 includes a drawer face 72, two opposing drawer side panels 74, a drawer rear panel 76 and a drawer bottom panel 78. In some embodiments the drawer assembly 70 includes a bottom support 80 extending between the drawer face 72 and the drawer rear panel 76 to support the drawer bottom panel 78. Additionally, one or more corner supports 82 may be secured to the drawer face 72, the drawer side panels 74 and/or the drawer rear panel 76 to support the corners of the drawer assembly 70.

Illustrated in FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of the front panel assembly 18. The front panel assembly 18 includes a panel body 84 and a top folding leg 86 connected to the panel body 84 via a folding leg hinge 88. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in some embodiments when the front panel assembly 18 and the top folding leg 86 are in a closed position, the front panel assembly 18 includes ornamental features to give the front panel assembly 18 the appearance of a plurality of drawers.

When the front panel assembly 18 is moved to the open position and the top folding leg 86 is moved to an extended position such as shown in FIG. 11, the top folding leg 86 rests on a floor 90 or other surface in which the murphy bed chest 10 is placed, and provides support to the front panel assembly 18. The top folding leg 86 is further connected to the panel body 84 via a guide arm 92 located at a lateral end of the top folding leg 86. In some embodiments, a guide arm 92 is included at each lateral end of the top folding leg 96. As best illustrated in FIG. 12, the guide arm 92 is pivotably connected to the top folding leg 86 and includes an arm slot 94 extending at least partially along a length of the guide arm 92. A guide pin 96 is secured to the panel body 84 and extends through the guide slot 94. In some embodiments, the guide pin 96 includes a pin head 98 that overlaps at least one edge of the guide slot 94 to prevent removal of the guide arm 92 from the guide pin 96. As the top folding leg 86 is moved to the extended position as illustrated in FIG. 12, the guide arm 92 slides relative to the guide pin 96 in a path defined by the arm slot 94. The guide slot 94 includes a locking feature such as a slot recess 100 or other change in shape of the guide slot 94 such that when the top folding leg 86 is at the extended position the guide pin 96 may be urged into the slot recess 100 to lock the top folding leg 86 in the extended position. When it is desired to return the top folding leg 86 to the closed position, the guide arm 92 may be pivoted to remove the guide pin 96 from the slot recess 100, thus allowing the top folding leg 96 to be moved to the closed position.

Referring again to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the murphy best chest 10 includes a front panel latch 102, which when in the engaged position prevents extension of the top folding leg 66 and also secures the front panel assembly 18 directly to the side panels 14, thus preventing opening of the murphy bed chest 10. The murphy bed chest 10 includes a charging station 104, which in some embodiments is surface mounted to one or more of the lower side panels 21. The charging station 104 may include, for example, one or more electrical power outlets and/or one or more USB ports for connection of electronic devices (not shown) for, for example, charging of the electronic devices. This configuration allows for flexibility in the mounting locations of the charging station 92, while not requiring other changes, such as mounting holes, braces or the like, to the structure of the murphy bed chest 10 to accommodate the charging station 92. It is to be appreciated that in other embodiments the charging station 92 may be located at, for example, the top panel assembly 12 a side panel 14 of the murphy bed chest 10, or other location of the murphy bed chest 10.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the front panel assembly 18 includes a footboard frame 106 connected to the panel body 84 at a back side 108 of the panel body 84. The footboard frame 106 is connected to the panel body 84 via one or more secondary hinges 110 secured to the base 20 that allow for rotation of the footboard frame 106 toward an extended position as shown in FIG. 2. The footboard frame 106 includes a plurality of footboard frame slats 112, that are in some embodiments arranged parallel to the plurality of base slats 42. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 13, the panel body 84 includes a plurality of panel slats 114. Together, the base slats 42, the footboard frame slats 112 and the panel slats 114 define the supported platform 24. In some embodiments, the plurality of panel slats 114 are arranged non-parallel to the base slats 42 and the footboard frame slats 112, and in one embodiment perpendicular to one or more of the base slats 42 and the footboard frame slats 112. It is to be appreciated that the described orientations of base slats 42, footboard frame slats 112 and panel slats 114 is merely exemplary, and that other relative orientations thereof are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, in other embodiments, one or more of the base slats 42, the footboard frame slats 112 and the panel slats 114 may be replaced by solid panels to define the supported platform 24.

Further, as best shown in FIG. 2, a footboard leg 116 is connected to the footboard frame 106 via one or more tertiary hinges 118, and the footboard leg 116 is rotated toward the floor when opened to provide support for the footboard frame 106. When in the open position, such as shown in FIG. 2, the panel body 84 is supported by the base 20, the top folding leg 86 and the footboard leg 116.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the murphy bed chest 10 has a chest width 120 and a chest length 122, when in the opened position. In some embodiments, the chest width 120 is in the range of 50 inches to 65 inches. In one exemplary embodiment the chest width 120 is 55.12 inches, while in another exemplary embodiment the chest width 120 is 62.40 inches. In some embodiments, the chest length 122 is in the range of 72 inches to 80 inches. In one exemplary embodiment, the chest length 122 is 74.57 inches, while in another exemplary embodiment the chest length 122 is 79.29 inches. Additionally, the murphy bed chest 10 has a chest height 124. In some embodiments, the chest height 124 is in the range of 38 inches to 42 inches. In one embodiment, the chest height 124 is 39.17 inches, while in another embodiment the chest height 124 is 40.75 inches.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. 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” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.