KJERNSVIK, Anna (Surbrunnsgatan 50, 1tr, Stockholm, S-113 48, SE)
LINDQUIST, Krister (Engelsbergsvägen 47, Rönninge, S-144 62, SE)
KARLSSON, Olov (Hjortronvägen 7, Södertälje, S-152 52, SE)
KJERNSVIK, Anna (Surbrunnsgatan 50, 1tr, Stockholm, S-113 48, SE)
LINDQUIST, Krister (Engelsbergsvägen 47, Rönninge, S-144 62, SE)
Claims
1. A bunk device for a vehicle, which bunk device (2) comprises a foldable bunk (4) in a vehicle cab (12), which foldable bunk (4) is movable between a sleeping position (A) and at least one further position (B, C), characterised in that the bunk device (2) further comprises bunk brackets (28, 30) arranged at each end of the foldable bunk (4) and wall brackets (36, 38) arranged in the sidewalls (32, 34) of the vehicle cab (12), in which the bunk brackets (28, 30), which are fixed to the foldable bunk (4), are pivotably suspended relative to the wall brackets (36, 38) about an axis (40) which runs across the vehicle cab (12) and which is situated below the foldable bunk (4) when the bunk device (2) is in the sleeping position (A), the foldable bunk (4) being movable between a sleeping position (A) and at least one further position (B, C) by pivoting about said axis (40).
2. A bunk device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , characterised in that the foldable bunk (4) is substantially horizontal when the bunk device (2) is in the sleeping position (A).
3. A bunk device for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that when the bunk device (2) is in the sleeping position (A) the aforesaid axis (40) running across the vehicle cab (12) is situated below the foldable bunk (4) along a vertical line (E) which runs close to or directly through the centre of gravity (5) of the foldable bunk (4).
4. A bunk device for a vehicle according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the pivotable suspension is effected by the bunk brackets (28, 30) comprising spigots (42, 44) which fit in corresponding recesses (46, 48) in the wall brackets (36, 38).
5. A bunk device for a vehicle according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that a further position is the driving position (B) in which the foldable bunk (4) is arranged between the rear wall (18) of the vehicle cab (12) and persons (22, 24) when they are in the vehicle cab (12).
6. A bunk device for a vehicle according to claim 5, characterised in that the foldable bunk (4) in the driving position (B) is rotated approximately 100° relative to the sleeping position (A) of the bunk device (2) in order to provide a comfortable slope on the underside of the foldable bunk (4) when it is to be used as a backrest for a further seat.
7. A bunk device for a vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the middle portion of the underside of the foldable bunk (4) is arranged as a seatback (23), thereby providing a further seat in the vehicle cab (12) when the bunk device is in the driving position (B).
8. A bunk device for a vehicle according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the bunk device (2) comprises a further bunk (10) arranged in the lower portion of the vehicle cab (12) and that the foldable bunk (4) is arranged above said further bunk (10).
9. A bunk device for a vehicle according to claim 8, characterised in that a further position is the resting position (C) in which the foldable bunk (4) is arranged between the rear wall (18) of the vehicle cab (12) and the persons (22, 24) when they are in the vehicle cab (12), and is also at such a distance from the lower bunk (10) as to make resting in the lower bunk (10) possible.
10. A bunk device for a vehicle according to claim 9, characterised in that the foldable bunk (4) in the resting position (C) is rotated approximately 90° relative to the sleeping position (A) of the bunk device (2).
11. A bunk device for a vehicle according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the underside of the foldable bunk (4) is provided with storage spaces (60).
12. A bunk device for a vehicle according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that a locking device (54) can lock the foldable bunk (4) in at least the sleeping position (A) of the bunk device (2).
13. A bunk device for a vehicle according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that at least one extreme-position stop (50, 54) is arranged in at least one of the sidewalls (32, 34) of the vehicle cab (12) and limits movement of the foldable bunk (4) in the direction of movement of the vehicle. |
BED ARRANGEMENT FOR VEHICLES
Technical field
The present invention relates to a bunk device for a vehicle.
Background
Many vehicle cabs, e.g. for trucks, are provided with at least one bunk arranged in the transverse direction of the vehicle cab behind the driver's seat to make it possible to rest or overnight in the vehicle cab. It is also common practice to arrange above a lower bunk an upper foldable bunk across the vehicle cab above the lower bunk so that more than one person can rest or overnight in the vehicle cab, e.g. during long journeys.
A problem with foldable bunks in vehicle cabs is that, owing to the limited inside height of a vehicle cab, they are often fastened to the vehicle cab by complicated hinge systems comprising many parts to make it possible to raise and lower the bunk in order to provide a foldable bunk of sufficient width while at the same time ensuring that the distance between any lower bunk and a foldable bunk is not too small when the bunks are in their position of use. Said hinge systems and their fastenings in the vehicle cab also need to be very strong to prevent the upper bunk from becoming detached from the vehicle cab in a collision.
An example of a foldable bunk device in a railway vehicle is referred to in GB 1 566 941 A, in which a bunk serves in a raised position as an upper bunk and in a lowered position as a backrest for a lower bunk.
Brief description of the invention
The problem that a hinge system to make it possible to raise and lower a foldable bunk in a vehicle cab is complicated and needs to be strong to withstand collisions is solved according to the invention by a bunk device according to claim 1.
A bunk device according to claim 1 characterised by means of moving a foldable bunk by pivoting about an axis which runs across the vehicle cab and which in the sleeping position of the bunk device is situated below the foldable bunk affords the advantage of providing a simple, stable and collisionproof bunk device which in the sleeping position constitutes a full-broad upper width and which in the driving position results in a lower centre of gravity of the vehicle cab. The device described in the dependent claims affords the further advantages that a backrest can be provided for a lower bunk which serves as a further seat in a driving position, that the bunk device provides the cab with sound insulation and that storage spaces can be provided in the bunk device.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention is explained below in more detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Figure 1 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 2 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 3 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 4 depicts schematically a bunk device in a driving position according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 5 depicts schematically a bunk device in a resting position according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 6 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position according to a second embodiment of the invention,
Description of preferred embodiments
The same reference notations are used for similar items in the various drawings.
Figure 1 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position A according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the bunk device 2 comprises a foldable bunk 4. It also depicts a driver's seat 6, a steering wheel 8, a lower bunk 10 and the roof 14, floor 16, rear wall 18 and front 20 of a vehicle cab 12. Figure 1 further depicts a person 22 sitting in the driver's seat 6, a person 24 lying in the lower bunk 10 and a person 26 lying in the foldable bunk 4. The foldable bunk 4 is preferably situated above the driver's seat 6 when the bunk device 2 is in the sleeping position A, with the possibility of the vehicle being driven while at the same time the foldable bunk 4 can be sufficiently wide. In this situation it is also possible for the lower bunk 10 to be used.
Figure 2 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position A according to the first embodiment of the invention, in which the bunk device 2 comprises a foldable bunk 4, bunk brackets 28, 30 arranged at each end of the foldable bunk 4, sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12 and wall brackets 36, 38 arranged therein. Figure 2 also depicts the roof 14 and floor 16 of the vehicle cab 12, a driver's seat 6 and a lower bunk 10 and a person 26 lying in the foldable bunk 4. The foldable bunk is pivotable about an axis 40 running across the vehicle cab 12 as a result of the bunk brackets 28, 30 which are fixed to the foldable bunk 4 being suspended pivotably relative to the wall brackets 36, 38 in the sides of the vehicle cab 12, i.e. in the sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12. The drawing shows the pivotable suspension constituted by the bunk brackets 28, 30 comprising spigots 42, 44 which fit into corresponding recesses 46, 48
in the wall brackets 36, 38, but alternatively the wall brackets may comprise spigots and the bunk brackets recesses or, as a further alternative, separate spigots may be arranged between the wall brackets and the bunk brackets. The wall brackets are preferably anchored in the frame of the vehicle cab 12, resulting in greater rigidity and strength and hence also better collision resistance.
Figs. 3 and 4 depict only the right sidewall 32 of the vehicle cab 12, as seen in the direction of movement D of the vehicle, and the portions of the foldable bunk 4 which are situated close to this right sidewall 32. The foldable bunk 4 is nevertheless preferably suspended in a similar manner in both of the sidewalls 32, 34.
Figure 3 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position A according to the first embodiment of the invention. It depicts the foldable bunk 4, a bunk bracket 28 and a wall bracket 36. It also depicts a lower bunk 10 and the roof 14, floor 16, rear wall 18 and front 20 of the vehicle cab 12. It further depicts a person 24 lying in the lower bunk 10 and a person 26 lying in the foldable bunk 4. An extreme-position stop 50 is preferably arranged in at least one of the sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12 to limit movement of the foldable bunk 4 in the direction of movement of the vehicle in order to prevent the foldable bunk 4 from becoming detached in a collision. The foldable bunk 4 is preferably further provided with a locking device 52 which locks the foldable bunk in the sleeping position A. Extreme-position stops are preferably arranged at both of the sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12. As previously mentioned in relation to Figure 2, the foldable bunk is pivotable about an axis 40 running across the vehicle cab 12 as a result of the bunk brackets 28, 30, which are fixed to the foldable bunk 4, being suspended pivotably relative to the wall brackets 36, 38 in the sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12. When the bunk device 2 is in the sleeping position A, the pivot axis 40 is situated below the foldable bunk 4 along a vertical line E which preferably runs close to or directly through the centre of gravity 5 of the foldable bunk 4, resulting in favourable loads on the bunk brackets 28, 30 and the wall brackets 36, 38 as a result of only slight leverage and hence only slight moment forces being exerted on this suspension by the load on the foldable bunk 4, e.g. by a person 26 lying on the foldable bunk 4, and by the foldable bunk 4 itself. The
foldable bunk 4 is preferably substantially horizontal in the sleeping position A of the bunk device 2 in order to provide as comfortable a rest as possible.
Figure 4 depicts schematically a bunk device in a driving position B according to the first embodiment of the invention. It depicts the foldable bunk 4, a bunk bracket 28 and a wall bracket 36 and also a lower bunk 10 and the roof 14, floor 16, rear wall 18 and front 20 of the vehicle cab 12. It further depicts a driver's seat 6, a steering wheel 8, a person 22 sitting in the driver's seat 6 and a person 24 sitting in the lower bunk 10. An extreme-position stop 54 is preferably arranged in at least one of the sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12 to limit movement of the foldable bunk 4 in the direction of movement of the vehicle in order to prevent the foldable bunk 4 from becoming detached in a collision. The locking device 52 may preferably be used for locking the foldable bunk in the driving position B. Extreme-position stops are preferably arranged at both of the sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12. When the bunk device 2 is in the driving position B, there is extra sound insulation of the cab rear wall 18 as a result of the foldable bunk 4 being situated between the cab rear wall 18 and the persons 22, 24 when they are in the vehicle cab 12. The middle portion of the underside of the foldable bunk 4 preferably takes the form of a seatback 23 preferably provided with a safety belt 25, thus providing a further seat in the vehicle cab 12 when the bunk device is in the driving position B. The downward movement of the foldable bunk 4 involved in changing it from the sleeping position A of the bunk device 2 to the driving position B of the bunk device 2 lowers the centre of gravity of the vehicle cab, thereby improving the vehicle's road characteristics. The driving position B of the bunk device 2 results in a very large amount of clear space in the upper portion of the vehicle cab 12, affording greater freedom of movement for the persons 22, 24 when they are in the vehicle cab 12. The underside of the foldable bunk 4 may further be provided with storage spaces 60, e.g. in the form of netting pockets, which will be accessible irrespective of the position in which the bunk device 2 is at the time. Bedding which is on the top of the foldable bunk 4 when the bunk device 2 is in the sleeping position A is held in position and concealed behind the foldable bunk 4 when the bunk device 2 is in the driving position B by retaining means 62, e.g. netting, straps, roller blinds or the like. In that situation, the foldable bunk 4 is preferably
rotated approximately 100° relative to the sleeping position A of the bunk device 2 so as to provide a large amount of clear interior space in the vehicle cab 12 and at the same time a comfortable slope of the underside of the foldable bunk 4 when the latter is used as a backrest for a further seat. Alternatively, an extendable seat may be provided in the underside of the foldable bunk 4.
Figure 5 depicts schematically a bunk device in a resting position C according to the first embodiment of the invention. It depicts the foldable bunk 4, a bunk bracket 28 and a wall bracket 36 and also a lower bunk 10 and the roof 14, floor 16, rear wall 18 and front 20 of the vehicle cab 12. It also depicts a person 24 lying in the lower bunk 10. The locking device 54 may preferably be used for locking the foldable bunk 4 in the resting position C, in which the foldable bunk 4 is preferably rotated approximately 90° relative to the sleeping position A of the bunk device 2 in order to provide a large amount of clear interior space in the vehicle cab 12 while at the same time it is still possible to rest in a lower bunk 10.
Figure 6 depicts schematically a bunk device in a sleeping position A according to a second embodiment of the invention which differs from that depicted in Figure 3 in that the wall bracket 36 has a recess 56 in which the bunk bracket 28 can be fitted for raising and lowering of the foldable bunk 4, thereby making it possible for the foldable bunk 4 to be situated closer to the rear wall 18 of the vehicle cab 12 in the sleeping position. When the foldable bunk 4 is being raised or lowered, it may follow a guide 58 in the rear wall 18 of the vehicle cab 12.
The invention thus relates to a bunk device for a vehicle, in which the bunk device 2 comprises a foldable bunk 4 in a vehicle cab 12, which foldable bunk 4 is movable between a sleeping position A and at least one further position B, C, and in which the bunk device 2 further comprises bunk brackets 28, 30 arranged at each end of the foldable bunk 4 and wall brackets 36, 38 arranged in the sidewalls 32, 34 of the vehicle cab 12, in which the bunk brackets 28, 30, which are fixed to the foldable bunk 4, are suspended pivotably relative to the wall brackets 36,38 about an axis 40 which runs across the vehicle cab 12 and which in the sleeping position of the bunk device 2 is
situated below the foldable bunk 4, the foldable bunk 4 being movable between a sleeping position A and at least one further position B, C by pivoting about said axis 40.
As mentioned above, the foldable bunk 4 is movable between at least two basic positions, one of which is the sleeping position A and the other the driving position B or the resting position C. As mentioned above, however, more than two basic positions are also possible. The foldable bunk 4 is preferably lockable in its basic positions A, B, C.
Spring forces may be applied to the foldable bunk 4, e.g. at the bunk ends, to render the bunk easier to raise and lower.
The bunk device 2 according to the invention comprises at least one foldable bunk 4 as above. The bunk device 2 further comprises preferably, but not necessarily, a lower bunk 10 as above which may be used in combination with the foldable bunk 4 in the manner described above. The lower bunk 10 may be of any desired kind, i.e. it may be fixed or movable in the vehicle cab 12, e.g. the lower bunk 10 may be adapted to being raised up against the rear wall 18 of the vehicle cab 12 when it is not needed.