Futon furniture frame having a single panel of elastomeric support fabric

Abstract

A futon style sofa bed, preferably made from a metal frame, and having an elastomeric material stretched to cover the frame. The elastomeric material obviates the need for support slats, as well as cushions or a mattress. In a preferred embodiment, the frame members are made from steel tubing, and the fabric is oriented within the frame so that the warp direction (the direction of primary stretch) runs from front to back or from side to side in the seat frame, and also in the seat back. Adjusting means is disclosed, for adjusting the length and/or width of the frame, thus adjusting the tension of the fabric stretched about the frame.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An adjustable seating apparatus comprising: 
 a substantially rectangular first frame having a pair of longitudinal members and a pair of transverse members;    a substantially rectangular second frame having a pair of longitudinal members and a pair of transverse members, said second frame pivotally attached to said first frame along a longitudinal side thereof so that said second frame may be positioned between a substantially horizontal and a substantially vertical position;    a fabric stretched across both said first and second frames; and    a base frame attached to said first frame for disposing said first frame in a generally horizontal orientation.    
     
     
         2 . The structure set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fabric has elastomeric qualities.  
     
     
         3 . The structure set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said fabric includes a hem along each longitudinal side thereof, and wherein each said longitudinal frame member is disposed within a corresponding longitudinally disposed fabric hem.  
     
     
         4 . The structure set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said fabric also includes a hem along each transverse side thereof, and wherein each said transverse frame member is disposed within a corresponding transversely disposed fabric hem.  
     
     
         5 . The structure set forth in  claim 1 , further including securing means for locking said second frame member into either a substantially horizontal position, or a position substantially perpendicular to said first frame.  
     
     
         6 . The structure set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second frame members are adjustable in a transverse direction, allowing tension on said fabric to be adjusted in a transverse direction.  
     
     
         7 . The structure set forth in  claim 4 , wherein said first and second frame members are adjustable in the longitudinal direction, allowing tension on said fabric to be adjusted in a longitudinal direction.  
     
     
         8 . An adjustable seating apparatus comprising: 
 a generally rectangular, horizontally oriented first frame member having a pair of longitudinal portions connected to a pair of transverse portions;    a U-shaped frame member pivotally connected to each end of one of said longitudinal portions of said first frame member;    a continuous fabric attached to both longitudinal portions of said first frame member, and also attached to a longitudinal portion of said U-shaped frame member; and    a base member attached to said first frame for supporting said first frame in an elevated, generally horizontal position.    
     
     
         9 . The structure set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said fabric has elastomeric qualities.  
     
     
         10 . The structure set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said fabric includes a hem along each longitudinal side thereof, and a centrally positioned, longitudinally disposed hem on an underside thereof, wherein said longitudinal frame portions of said first frame and said U-shaped frame are disposed within said longitudinally disposed fabric hems.  
     
     
         11 . The structure set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said fabric also includes a hem along each transverse side thereof, and wherein said transverse portions of said first frame member and said U-shaped frame member are disposed within said transversely disposed fabric hems.  
     
     
         12 . The structure set forth in  claim 8 , further including securing means for locking said U-shaped frame member into either a substantially horizontal position, or a position substantially perpendicular to said first frame.  
     
     
         13 . The structure set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said first frame and said U-shaped frame are adjustable in a transverse direction, allowing tension on said fabric to be adjusted in a transverse direction.  
     
     
         14 . The structure set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said first frame and said U-shaped frame are adjustable in the longitudinal direction, allowing tension on said fabric to be adjusted in a longitudinal direction.  
     
     
         15 . A method of attaching a fabric material to a rigid frame, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pair of U-shaped frame members in pivotal relation, each having two transverse sides and one longitudinal portion therebetween;    positioning said U-shaped frame members perpendicularly with respect to each other;    attaching a fabric material to said longitudinal portions of each said U-shaped frame member;    positioning said U-shaped frame members in a horizontal plane with each other;    positioning a straight tube member above said fabric in a longitudinal direction; and    attaching each end of said straight tube member to the point of attachment between said U-shaped members, so that when said U-shaped members are placed in a perpendicular position, said straight tube causes said fabric to assume a similar perpendicular position.    
     
     
         16 . A method of attaching a fabric material to a rigid futon frame, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pair of U-shaped frame members in pivotal relation, each having two transverse sides and one longitudinal portion therebetween;    positioning said U-shaped frame members perpendicularly with respect to each other;    attaching a fabric material to said longitudinal portions of each said U-shaped frame member;    attaching a straight tube member to a central portion of said fabric on an underside thereof, running between and parallel to said longitudinal portions of said U-shaped members; and    attaching each end of said straight tube member to the point of attachment between said U-shaped members, so that when said U-shaped members are raised to a perpendicular position, said straight tube causes said fabric to assume a similar perpendicular position.