With an article of this type one must strike a balance between ease of use, low cost, adequate strength, mattress storage, the height of a working surface above the ground, when in the desk mode, and the maximum length of the article in the bed mode.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides an article of furniture which can be converted between a desk mode and a bed mode and which, in the desk mode, includes a central planar section which is adjacent the ground, a first substantially vertically extending planar section which is pivotally attached to one end of the central section and which is movable relatively thereto at least through 90°, a planar, substantially horizontal work surface which is attached to an upper end of the said first vertical section and which overlies the central planar section, and a second substantially planar section which extends generally vertically and which is pivotal relatively to a second end of the central planar section which opposes the first end, and wherein, in a bed mode, the first vertical section, the central planar

section, and the second vertical section are positioned substantially in line and horizontally, with the work surface extending substantially vertically.

The article of furniture may include support means which is pivotally attached to one end of the second vertical planar section and to the said second end of the central planar section.

The second vertical planar section may be pivotal through at least 90° relatively to the support means and the support means, in turn, may be pivotal through approximately 180° relatively to the central planar section.

A mattress which may be a three part mattress folded in a zig-zag manner, may be provided between the surfaces of the first vertical planar section and the second vertical planar section which oppose one another when the article of furniture is in the desk mode.

In a variation of the invention the article includes a terminal section which is pivotally attached to the second planar section and which is disposed at 90° relatively to the second planar section, positioned below the central planar section, in the desk mode, and which is horizontal, in line with the second planar section, forming a foot for the bed, in the bed mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates an article of furniture according to a first form of the invention in a desk mode, Figure 2 illustrates the article of furniture of Figure 1 in a bed mode, Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to the views of Figures 1 and 2 of an article of furniture according to a second form of the invention, Figures 5 and 6 shows an article according to a third form of the invention, and Figure 7 illustrates a mattress for use with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate an article of furniture 10 according to the invention in a desk mode and in a bed mode respectively.

The article of furniture includes a planar work surface 12 which, in the mode shown in Figure 1, forms a desk surface, a first vertical planar section 14, a second vertical planar section 16, a central planar section 18, an end board member 20, and a mattress 22.

The central planar section 18 is mounted on four castors 24. The first vertical section 14 is pivotally attached to a right hand end, in Figure 1, to the central planar section 18 at a pivot point or axis 26.

The planar work surface 12 is fixed to an upper end 30 of the first section 14. The work surface 12 overlies the central planar section 18 which is close to and opposes the floor on which the castors 24 rest.

The second vertical planar section 16 is attached, at what is its upper end 32 in Figure 1, to the end board 20.

A lower end 36 of the second vertical planar section is pivotally attached by means of hinges 38 to support members 40 which rest, in the table mode, on the central section 18. Opposing ends of the members 40 are attached by means of hinges 42 to the central planar section.

The mattress 22 is a three-part device and includes sections 22A, 22B, and 22C respectively which are hingedly fixed to one another at hinge points 44 and 46, respectively see Figure 7. Although the hinge points are preferred it is to be understood that these sections 22A, 22B and 22C could be separate from each other.

Stay sections 48 are fixed to upper sides (in the desk mode) of the member 40 and with the article in the Figure 1 mode the stay sections abut respective vertical surface of the section 16, thereby preventing the section from pivoting abut the hinges 38 in an anti-clockwise direction. This ensures that the assembly is kept in a stable configuration, in the desk mode.

To convert the article to a bed mode the first planar section 14 is pivoted downwardly, through 90°, as is indicated by means of an arrow 50 in Figure 1. In this way the planar section is moved to an orientation which is substantially horizontal and in line with the central planar section 18. The work surface 12 on the other hand is brought to a vertical orientation as is shown in Figure 2.

The second vertical planar section 16 and the end board 20 can then be pivoted as is indicated by means of an arrow 52 in Figure 1, about the hinges 42. At the same time the planar section 16 is moved upwardly and is pivoted relatively to the members 40 in a clockwise direction about the hinges 38. In this way the members 40 and the second support section are substantially horizontal and in line with the sections 14 and 18. The end board 20 is moved to a vertical orientation. It is to be noted that the members 40 pivot, relatively to the section 18, through 180° when moved

between the desk and bed modes.

The mattress sections can be folded out to the planar configuration shown in Figure 2. The mattress sections rest on and are supported by the upwardly facing surfaces of the sections 14,16 and 18.

An important aspect of the design of the article of furniture is that the articulated arrangement, achieved particularly through the use of the hinged members 40, means that the height of the article of furniture, designated H in Figure 1, is substantially conventional, of the order of 740mm, and the length L of the bed, shown in Figure 2, is approximately 1900mm. When the second section 16 is moved to the vertical orientation shown in Figure 1 it is, due to the articulated action of the hinged members 40, moved vertical and closer towards the section 14 away from an outer or left hand end of the support section 18.

The work surface 12 is suitably dimensioned to ensure that a user, seated at the desk, has adequate legroom.

The planar sections 14,16 and 18 may be made from any suitable material and may comprise particle or hardboard, solid timber, metal or plastic, in continuous or strip or slat form, or be formed from canvas or any other

sheet material which is suitable supported.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an article of furniture 70 according to a second form of the invention. Where applicable numerals which are the same as those used in Figure 1 are used to indicate parts which are substantially the same as those shown in Figure 1. Thus the article of furniture 70 includes a planar work surface 12, a first vertical extending planar section 14, a second vertically extending planar section 16, and an underlying central planar section 18 which rests on castors 24. An end board member 20 is attached directly to an upper end of the second vertical planar section 16.

The lower end 36 of the second vertical planar section 16 is attached by means of hinges 72 to a member 74 which, when the article of furniture is in the desk mode, lies on an upper surface of the central planar section 18.

Hinges 78 secure the member 74 to the section 18.

Support blocks or stays 80 are fixed to the member 74, abutting the section 16 in the desk mode, and help to keep the section vertical.

The sections 14,16 and 18 can be slatted, or formed from solid boards.

Figure 3 illustrates the article in the desk mode. When the article is converted to the bed mode, the work surface 12 and the section 14 are pivoted through 90°, as is indicated by means of an arrow 84, about hinges 85, so that the section 14 is brought to an orientation at which it is substantially horizontal and in line with the central planar section 18. The work surface 12 is thus moved to a vertical orientation. Thereafter the second planar section 16 is moved upwardly and outwardly, as is indicated by means of an arrow 86. The section 16 moves upwardly and then pivots through 90° relatively to the member 74 and in this way is brought into line with the member 74. The section and the member 74 are then pivoted so that they are brought into alignment with the central planar section 18 and hence are disposed substantially horizontally, with the surfaces which are visible in Figure 3 then resting on the castors 24. The end board 20 is thereby moved to a vertical orientation.

When the article of furniture is converted to the bed mode, the mattress 22 can be folded out to form a continuous bed surface.

When the article is converted from the bed mode to the form shown in Figure 3 the components 16 and 74 must be folded inwardly, as is indicated by an arrow 100. This type of action can be initiated, and hence assisted, by means of a spring or similar biasing device. For example the

hinges 72 and 78 can include coil springs which provide the required biasing force.

The arrangement shown in Figure 3 is compact, and inexpensive to construct.

It is to be understood that the preceding description relates to one side of the article of furniture and that the other side, not visible in the drawings, is similarly constructed.

The article shown in Figures 5 and 6 is also particularly compact and offers a construction which, in the desk mode, does not interfere with the feet of a person using the desk.

Like reference nuerais to those previously employed are used to indicate like components.

The article includes a terminal section 102 which is pivotally attached to the section 16 by means of a hinge 104. Similar hinges 106 and 108 interconnect the sections 16 and 18, and 18 and 14, respectively.

The section 102 has an end board 110 attached to it. In the desk mode the

terminal section is below the work surface 12 and the end board 110 is adjacent an upper end of the section 14.

In the bed mode support is provided by the castors 24 and lower ends of the work surface 12 and of the section 110.

The construction shown in Figures 5 and 6 thus provides a desk which, due to the folded arrangement of the various sections 14,16,18 and 100, provides a full length sleeping surface without having to unnecessarily extend the corresponding desk height.