Bunk beds are used in order to fit several beds in a same floor area. Usually, the bunk bed or at least its upper bed is unused for most of the time. Therefore, there is need to remove the upper bed from occupying space and, thus, to have the lower bed for better use. Making up the upper bed is difficult, sometimes even impossible due to its height.

Different kinds of stools can be used to help, but they are awkward and dangerous to use.

It is previously known, for example from US-patent RE 24,457, to arrange the upper and lower beds to be foldable up against a wall when they are not needed. US 1,945, 875, for its part, describes a bunk bed in which the upper bed is hanging from the ceiling of a room and can be lifted up to be hidden into the ceiling constructions, when required. Arrangements to be mounted on a wall or a ceiling require very solid, and thus expensive constructions in the wall and the ceiling. For example, ship cabins are typically built to have thin walls, and so close to each other that additional support constructions placed behind the wall and the ceiling highly hinder other techniques to be built in the same space, such as wiring and piping. Apertures that are made for the support constructions form acoustic and thermal bridges through the walls and the ceiling.

It is also known to make a bunk bed that stands mainly on its own feet, the upper bed of which can be lowered. US-patent 259,512 describes an upper bed, which is lowered sideward with the aid of hinges attached to the poles of the bed. US 2,733, 451, GB 1600866 and US 5,655, 234 all describe bunk beds having an upper bed that can be lowered downwards along a substantially linear line. All known alike solutions are cumbersome, awkward and even dangerous to use. Constructions are complicated and they break easily. None of the above solutions has come up with the idea of how to convert a bunk bed easily into a sofa having a suitable sitting height. In the known solutions, there is an empty, unutilised space under the lower bed. When moving upwards or downwards the beds of the known bunk beds, it is necessary to tilt the beds, whereby it is usually impossible to keep objects or bedclothes on the bed when it is moving. It is impossible to sit on the upper bed of the known bunk beds when moving the upper bed in a vertical direction.

The object of the present invention is to achieve a bunk bed and a method in a bunk bed as well as a ship cabin, whereby the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art are minimised.

The intention is especially to achieve a bunk bed, which can be adapted as a sofa or the like better than previous solutions in times when it is not needed for sleeping.

Furthermore, the intention is especially to achieve a bunk bed having an upper bed that is easy, light and safe to move.

The above disadvantages can be eliminated, or they can be reduced, and the above defined objects can be attained by a bunk bed and a method in a bunk bed as well as by a ship cabin according to the invention, which are characterised in what is defined in the characterising parts of the independent claims described further below.

The embodiments and advantages mentioned in this text relate both to the bunk bed and the method as well as to the ship cabin according to the invention, when applicable, even though it is not always specifically mentioned.

A typical bunk bed according to the invention comprises a frame that is at least mainly supported to a floor. A lower bed and at least one upper bed are supported to the frame. In addition, a typical bunk bed according to the invention comprises means for moving at least one upper bed and the lower bed in a substantially vertical direction in relation to the frame. A typical ship cabin according to the invention has a bunk bed like described above. In a typical method according to the invention, the upper and the lower bed of the bunk bed mainly supported to the floor are lifted or lowered along an at least substantially vertical line.

The fact that the bunk bed is supported at least mainly to the floor, means that extensive support constructions in the walls or the ceiling are not required for the bed.

Usually, the floor itself is firm enough. Thus, it is easy to arrange the bed according to the invention to be movable, in contrast to the bunk beds that are attached to the wall or the ceiling. Also, the bed according to the invention can be arranged so that it can be attached to the floor or the wall, for example, detachably, by means of some suitable fastening means. The bunk bed according to the invention can have more than two beds on top of each other. According to a typical embodiment of the invention, at least one, but possibly also all of the upper beds are arranged to be movable in a vertical direction.

One of the most important advantages of the invention is that it facilitates making up the bed. The size of the person making up the bed no longer has effect on how well and easily he or she can perform his task. Working height can easily be adjusted to suit everyone. With the help of the invention, back pain and incidents of falling are diminished. This is especially important for ship cleaners, for example, who work in a hurry and in confined work premises.

Another most important advantage of the invention is that, when not in use, the upper bed can be lowered downwards against the lower bed to a suitable sitting height, for example to the height where the lower bed is when it is used normally for sleeping.

Thus, room space can be taken for utilisation.

Yet another important advantage of the invention is, that by means of it height adjustment of a bed of the bunk bed is made easy and safe.

Yet another most important advantage of the invention is, that by means of it the installation of the bunk bed into a ship cabin, for example, does not require extensive support constructions in the room structure.

One of the most important advantages of the ship cabin according to the invention is, in addition to the previous ones, that fire safety and soundproofing are improved, because there is no need to arrange apertures into the walls or the ceiling of the cabin for the bunk bed.

According to an advantageous application of the invention, the bunk bed can be arranged at least into two different positions, that is - into an open position, where the lower bed and the upper bed are separated from each other and are available, and - into a closed position, where the upper bed is lowered down on top of the lower bed, so that normal use of the lower bed is prevented.

In the closed position, the upper bed is typically lowered into contact onto the lower bed, or at least very close, for example, at a distance of 1-5 cm from it.

More advantageously, the lower bed is arranged lower in the closed position than in the open position. If, in the closed position, the lower bed is arranged substantially a distance of its own height lower than in the open position, a very advantageous solution is easily attained, whereby the location of the upper bed in the closed position is approximately the same as the location of the lower bed in the open position. Thus, the sitting height of the bunk bed remains the same in the closed as well as in the open position. The empty, usually unused space under the bunk bed is efficiently utilised with the help of the invention. According to the advantageous example, there is space left under the lower bed also in the closed position. When desired, there can be arranged a rack for life jackets, for example.

A very advantageous bunk bed according to the invention comprises backrest means arranged on the upper bed, whereby the bunk bed can be arranged into a sofa with a backrest in the closed position. If desired, the backrest means can be detachable, for example. Fixing means, for example sticker tape, can be arranged between the backrest means and the bed in order to achieve a firm backrest.

In a very advantageous bunk bed and method according to the invention, the means for moving the beds in relation to the frame comprise telescope means. Typically, a power source, such as a spindle motor or another linear motor suitable for the purpose, is attached to the means. Power source can also be some other suitable motor, a pneumatic or hydraulic motor, for example. Telescope means are easily arranged firm and they fit into a small space when the bunk bed is in the closed position. Traditional prior art legs that stand permanently in the corners of the bunk bed are thus avoided.

In a very advantageous bunk bed and method according to the invention, the power source of the telescope means is controlled by remote control devices. This can be realised for example by mounting in the frame of the bed or in the wall of the room space a remote control unit, by which the lowering and lifting operation of the bunk bed is controlled. The remote control unit can be functionally connected to the power source with a wire or in a wireless manner. Thus, operation of the bunk bed is achieved by pressing a button. The invention thus executed is both effortless and safe.

The cleaning staff is saved from backaches and distensions. The use of the power source can be restricted only to certain people, such as ship's crew, e. g. by means of a key arrangement, code number or the like locking device connected to the control unit.

Thus, common nuisance and vandalism are avoided.

The lifting and lowering operation according to the invention is very advantageously performed in one stage so that the whole lifting and lowering operation can be accomplished by one actuation movement, such as pressing a button or turning a bar or pushing downwards from the bed. Of course, it is possible, and also apparently advantageous, that the movement stops when releasing the button of the remote control unit, for example. However, an application of this kind is easy to use. In the prior art beds it is necessary to carry out several performance stages, for example separately detaching and reattaching the fixing means of every corner of the bed. Of course, the bunk bed according to the invention could have some sort of separate safety device, such as a latch, which has to be opened separately before the lowering operation of the upper bed can be started e. g. with the remote control unit.

In the advantageous embodiment example of the invention, the lowering and lifting movements of the beds are executed by using substantially or absolutely vertical paths.

Hence, the operation of the bed requires a minimum of space in its surroundings.

Advantageously, the beds remain at least mainly, advantageously completely in level, during the lifting and lowering. Then, the structure of the bed can be arranged simple and the objects on the bed will stay on the bed when moving. For example, the prior art beds that can be turned against the wall have a problem with bedclothes slipping in the lower edge of the bed in an upright position.

The invention is now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically one example of a bunk bed according to the invention illustrated from an end in the closed position, Figure 2 shows the bunk bed of figure 1 illustrated from an end in the open position, Figure 3 shows the bunk bed of figure 1 illustrated from a side in the closed position, Figure 4 shows the bunk bed of figure 1 illustrated from a side in the open position.

In figures 1,2, 3 and 4 the advantageous bunk bed 10 according to the invention is shown schematically. The bed has load-bearing ends 12 and 14 and, attached between them, the lower bed 16 and the upper bed 18. On the lower surface of the ends there are legs 20 and 22 that are intended to be against the floor. Adjustable posts 24 are on the lower edge of the legs. They could also be replaced with wheels. Rails 26 and 28 are on the upper edge of the ends 12 and 14. Telescope means 30 and 32 are arranged inside the cover of the ends 12 and 14, which telescope means both consist of three parts 30a, 30b, 30c and 32a, 32b, 32c that are arranged inside each other in a telescopic manner. In order to keep the figures clear, the telescope means 30 and 32 are not shown in figures 1 and 3 illustrating the closed position. Spindle motors 34 arranged inside the ends 12 and 14 function as the power source of the telescope means, and they are shown in figures 1 and 2 in dashed line. In order to keep the figures clear, the spindle motors are not shown in figures 3 and 4, but both ends have advantageously at least one similar spindle motor. Operation of the spindle motors 34, and thus the operation of the telescope means 30 and 32, is controlled with the remote control unit 36, which in the example of the figure is attached to the end 12 of the bunk bed and connected to both spindle motors 34 with an electronic wire 38 for transmitting a control signal. Arrow buttons 40 and a keyhole 42 arranged in the remote control are seen in figure 2. If the security locking has been unlocked by a key that is placed in the hole 42, the movement of the bunk bed can be controlled by the arrow buttons 40.

Arranging the structure of the telescopes and that of the power source or arranging the details of the control system in the manner according to the invention is not an object of the invention as such, and therefore, the details of the structure itself are not dealt with in large detail in this text for the sake of clarity.

The bunk bed 10 according to the invention shown in figures 1-4 operates as follows.

When it is wished to move from the closed position shown in the figures 1 and 3 to the open position shown in figures 2 and 4, first, a key is pushed into the lock 42 whereby the security locking of the device is unlocked. Then, by pressing the upwards pointing arrow button 40 the spindle motors 34 begin to push the telescopes 30 and 32 open.

The lower bed 16 is attached to the lower movable parts 30c and 32c of the telescope structure, in such a way that the lower bed 16 is lifted only a part of the whole distance that the parts 30c and 32c are lifted. The lower bed 16 is arranged to ascend upwards approximately the distance of its own thickness. The upper bed 18 is attached to the innermost and thus to the highest ascending parts 30a and 32a of the telescope structures. The rails 26 and 28 are also attached to the parts 30a and 30b, whereby they ascend to the highest and form the end rails of the upper bed 18.

When moving from the open position to the closed position, the downwards pointing arrow button 40 is pressed, whereby the spindle motors 34 begin to pull the telescope means 30 and 32 together. At the same time the beds 16 and 18 attached to them move downwards until the bunk bed 10 is in the closed position again, as illustrated in figures 1 and 3.

In the advantageous example of the figures the sitting height H of the bed 10 is arranged to be the same in the closed and in the open position by moving the upper bed 16. It is thus made possible to use the bunk bed 10 as a sofa-like comfortable device for sitting when the bed is in the closed position. The ends 12 and 14, the beds 16 and 18, the rails 26 and 28 and the legs 20 and 22 are easily arranged by fastening bolts or some quick fasteners according to the technique, for example, to be attached detachably to each other, so that the parts can be detached from each other easily and quickly, if necessary. For example, if the spindle motor 34 of the end 12 breaks down, the end part 12 that comprises the spindle motor and the telescope structure can easily be detached from the rest of the bed for maintenance, and immediately be replaced with another undamaged end from a stock. Figures 3 and 4 show also the rack 46, for example for life jackets, which is arranged on the lower surface 44 of the lower bed 16.

Figures do not illustrate backrest means that could be arranged on either of the beds for arranging a sofa. Neither do the figures illustrate any mechanical additional safety device for ensuring unintended lowering of the upper bed 18. Of course, such, for example a latch, could be arranged to the bunk bed according to the invention.

Advantage of the spindle motor shown in the example, as well as that of any other power source suitable for the purpose, is that they can be arranged easily so that safety is ensured also without separate latches or the like. Also other safety devices can be mounted on the bunk bed, for example different detectors, such as weight, heat or movement detectors, which would give a warning about an object on the lower bed or otherwise too close to the bunk bed or which would even hinder the beds from moving. It should be noted, that the movement of the bunk bed between the closed and open positions can be arranged either so that the movement is always performed thoroughly from one position to another or so that the user can choose the position of the beds suitable for him.

In one of the embodiments of the invention the movement of the bunk bed according to the invention between the closed and open positions is controlled by someone other than the user of the bed. The opening can be done for example from the hotel or ship reception. In a ship cabin or a hotel room the default value for the bunk bed could be closed. The bed is opened only in case that the client who has rented the cabin or the room pays for the lower and the upper bed. Typically, the client is not able to control the operation of the bed himself in that case. In this way, it is ensured that the client cannot use a bed he is not paying for. In an unopened bunk bed the bedclothes on the lower bed remain clean. The cleaner of the room or the cabin can thus have possession of the key that enables the operation of the bed.

It is also possible to manufacture a bunk bed like described above, but in which bunk bed, however, the lower bed would not be movable. Also such bed would be very advantageous and most of the advantages mentioned in this text could be connected to it.

Only one advantageous embodiment of the invention is shown in the figures. Facts of secondary importance regarding the main idea of the invention, facts known as such or apparent for a man skilled in the art, such as support constructions possibly required by the invention, are not separately shown in the figures. It is obvious for a man skilled in the art that the invention is not limited in the above examples but the invention may vary within the limits of the claims described further below. Some possible embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, and they are not to be considered to limit the scope of protection of the invention.