The present invention relates to a method to convert a room in an object, an establishment, construction or similar, preferably with restricted space, as in a vehicle or a craft, by change of fittings from one funct¬ ion into another and by that the fittings can close an opening or form a wall, whereby an arrangement comprises a seat member and with the seat member one or more connecting back members forming a seat structure.

There is a need of a method permitting a better utilization of space, especially within restricted areas or volumes. Furthermore, there is a need to be able to divide a space or close a more or less open space. In this respect it would be to the space's advantage if the space could be converted from one function into another. It is often proposed solutions in saving space or improved utilization of the existing, restricted space, which exists in for example vehicles, such as a caravan and a mobile-home, or crafts, such as a boat and a plane. There is often sufficient space for installation of devices for a comfortable stay on board with high standard of living in for example larger crafts. In smaller crafts installations for such devices must be emitted as there is lack of room. There is also a need of better utilization of a craft in form of a boat so it can be used in greater extent. However, it exists at this a limitation in that fact that a far too large or long boat cannot be transported on shore or road carried by a trailer or a trailer for a boat and behind a vehicle in form of an ordinary vehicle for passenger service. Thus, there exists a limit¬ ation when a boat shows a length of five meters.

However, a method in accordance with the present invention can fulfil the requirements made and the disadvantages of corresponding objects, estab¬ lishments, constructions or similar can be eliminated. Thus, a craft can in form of for example a boat of smaller type or in a length overall under five meters be shaped or provided with equipment and installations for a higher standard of living and a more comfortable stay on board than what is customary in corresponding crafts. In a method in accordance with the invention spaces and fittings can thus be changed from one use and equipment into another use and at this with adapted equipment. In other words, in a method in accordance with the invention a space within a certain surface is utilized and certain fittings are shaped for more than one purpose and utilization. Such a change-over of a space and fittings can be carried out

in a simple way when using a method in accordance with the invention. Besides, it is possible to use such a said boat or its facilities in transportation or on travelling or on journey on shore, when the boat is carried by a trailer. Thus, the space on board a boat can not only be utilized in a more effective way but also in other situations than usual. The method in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the arrangement and/or seat member and back member are arranged to be able to take a first position in the shape of a seat structure and at least a seco position, in which the arrangement and/or seat member and back member at least close an opening above the arrangement, seat member and/or back memb or form a wall or a part of a wall, whereby the seat member and back membe are brought to take a position vertically or substantially vertical in the said opening. The back member is brought at this to extend from the seat member in the said opening and in the direction of a roof, upper part of a stand or similar.

Thus, in employment of the method a space can be divided and/or a partly open space be closed. As the said and in the method used arrangement can comprise a base for the seat member, the base is arranged to extend from th seat member to a foundation for the arrangement according to one embodiment of the method in accordance with the invention. In the said second position of the arrangement and/or seat member and back member, when the seat member and back member close said opening or the opening above the seat member, th base can together with the seat member and back member form a wall extendin right from the foundation for the arrangement.

Futhermore, the base can comprise installations of various kinds and there¬ fore, a space can be changed from one function into another, when the arrangement and/or seat member and back member are taken the said second position.

The present invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the method, whereby the arrangement comprises a base or similar for a seat member and a back member, which is intended to connect with the seat member, and in a first position taken by the arrangement and/or seat member and bac member form a seat structure. The seat member shows a back edge and a front edge and the back member an upper edge and a lower edge. The arrangement is characterized in that the seat member and back member are arranged turnable around or in an axis each, a link each or similar in order to be able to

take from the said first position at least a second position for the arrangement and/or seat member and back member and at this close an opening situated above the seat member or form a wall, a part of a wall or similar. In a second position for the arrangement and/or seat member and back member the seat member and back member are arranged to extend vertically or substantially vertical from the base and in the direction of a roof, an upper part of the arrangement or similar, while the base is arranged to rest on a foundation, for example a floor, a deck or similar.

In an embodiment of the arrangement in accordance with the invention the back edge of the seat member and the upper edge of the back member are arranged adjacent to a vertically extending support bearing links for the turning of the seat member and back member from the said first position to the said second position, in which the lower edge of the back member is arranged to connect with the roof, upper part or similar, while the front edge of the seat member is arranged to connect with the said upper edge of the back member. By that the seat member and back member close the said opening, form a wall, a part of a wall or together with the base and the upper part or similar form a wall.

According to another embodiment of the arrangement in accordance with the invention the seat member shows a depth, which corresponds or substantially corresponds to the distance from the upper side of the base and the axis or similar of the back member or its attachment to the vertical support, while the back member shows a height, which corresponds or substantially corres¬ ponds to the distance between the axis or similar of the back member or its attachment to the vertical support and the roof, upper part or the surface, edge or similar of the upper part facing the said opening.

Further characteristics of, and advantages with the method and arrangement in accordance with with the invention will in the following description of the invention be apparent by embodiment examples, whereby a simultaneous reference will be made to the accompanying, schematic drawings, of which Fig. 1 shows from one side one embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention arranged in a space, Fig. 2 shows in a perspective view the arrangement according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows in a side view the arrangement according to Fig. 1 under conversion from a seat structure into another function, Fig. 4 shows in a side view the arrangement according to Fig. 1 in a changed position for another function and forming a wall, Fig. 5 shows in

a perspective view one embodiment of an arrangement in accordance with the invention in a converted position or in a corresponding position as the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 shows from one side an arrangement in accordance with the invention according to another embodiment and arranged in an exemplified space or in a boat, Fig. 7 shows the arrangement in Fig. 6 in an enlarged view and a part of the boat in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 shows from above the boat and the arrangement in Fig. 6 but with the arrangement in a second position.

Reference designation 1 in the figures shows arrangements according to the invention which are arranged in a space 7 in an object, an establishment, a construction or similar. The arrangement 1 is especially advantageous when used within spaces 7 with restricted area or volume, such as in a vehicle, for example in a caravan or a mobile-home, or in a craft, for example a boat or a plane. Other examples are rooms in different kinds of buildings or in other arrangements where one wishes to divide or delimit a space and/or where one _Ls reduced to using small and limited areas and volumes, whereby a space is desired to be used for different purposes. Such an example could be a space 7 in a boat which space, for example, is used as a cockpit and by that is desired to be an open space and in mooring or when the boat is not going as for example a toilet, whereby a closed space is desired.

The arrangement 1 comprises a base 2 forming a support for a seat member 4. According to one embodiment the base 2 is shaped as a box or similar, in which various arrangements, means and equipments can be installed. With the seat member 4 connects back members 5 or in accordance with the embodiment examples a back member 5. The seat member 4 and back member 5 are turnably arranged to a support 6 which preferably extends vertical in the space 7 and bears a link 8, axis or similar, for example in the shape of a hinge, in or around which the seat mariber 4 can turn and a link 9, axis or similar, also for example in the shape of a hinge, in or around which the back member 5 can turn. The support 6 can consist of a stand 3 or side members 13 of the stand which is comprised in the arrangement 1 according to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 - 5. An upper part 23 is arranged to connect with or extend between the side members 13. The support 6 can also consist of adjacent devices 30 or objects of the arrangement 1, such as walls, partitions, boards, bulkheads, etc. or attachment elements 35 arranged on them, such as frames, posts or the like, for example as the case is in the embodiment of the arrangement which is shown in Figs. 6 - 8.

The seat mariber 4 shows a back edge 14 facing, bordering on or connecting with the said support 6 and further a front edge 15. The back member 5 shows similarity an upper edge 15 facing or connecting with the said support 6 and further a lower edge 25. According to one embodiment the seat member 4 and back member 5 comprise a cushion 18 and 19, respectively, pad, upholst¬ ery or the like arranged to a basis 16 and 17, respectively, for example in the shape of a panel, plate or the like. The basis 16, 17 of the seat member 4 and back member 5 shows a width corresponding to the width of the support 6 or the distance between those surfaces or side edges of the attachment elements or side members 13, which are turned away from each other. The cushions 18, 19 or similar show a width which is short of the said basis 16, 17 of the seat member 4 and back member 5 or a width corresponding to the distance between the attachment elements, side members 13 or similar, whereby the said basis of the seat member and back member shows portions 33 beside the cushions 18, 19, which portions can lie against the vertical support 6, attachment elements, side maribers 13 or similar.

In Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the arrangement 1 and/or seat mariber 4 and back mariber 5 are shown in a first position 11 and are in the shape of a seat structure 21. Above the arrangement 1, seat member and/or back member 5 exist at this an opening 10 which, according to the embodiment examples, extends from the seat member 4 or back member 5 to a ceiling 22 or similar, the said upper part 23 or a beam 34 or similar which protrudes some from the ceiling 22. The opening 10 is thus circumscribed by the arrangement 1, seat mariber 4, stand 3, side members 13, upper part 23, beam 34, adjacent attachment elements 35, side walls 30, bulkheads or similar. To close that opening 10 and/or from a wall 20, see for example Figs. 4, 5 or the broken lines in Figs. 6 and 7, the arrangement 1 and/or seat member 4 and back mariber 5 can be brought to take a second position 12, whereby the seat mariber and back mariber are brought to turn in or about their axes 8 and 9, respectively, or similar by the fact that they are lifted towards the open¬ ing 10, see the arrows 31 and 32 in Fig. 3 or 7, to take a vertically or substantially vertical position in the arrangement 1. This can be carried out by means of a couple of manipulations and the seat member and back member can in applicable cases be locked in their vertical positions by means of locking devices, for example a hook, pin or similar. However, the seat member 4 and back member 5 are to a certain extent self-locking in the vertical position by the engagement or interference of the front edge 24 of the seat member 4 against the upper edge 15 of the back member 5 and the

engagement or interference of the lower edge 25 of the back member 5 agains the lower surface or side edge 26 of the upper part 23, said beam or simila or against the surface or side edge of the upper part, said beam or similar facing the opening 10.

The seat member 4 and back member 5 thus close the said opening 10, form a wall 20, a part of a wall 20 or together with the base 2 and upper part 23, said beam 34 or similar form a wall 20, which delimits or divides a space 7 or closes a space. According to one embodiment, the cushions 18, 19 of the seat mariber 4 and back member 5 extend at this out of the opening 10, while the portions 33 shown by their bases 16, 17 lie. against the vertical suppor 6, side members 13, attachment elements 30, 35 or similar, preferably in such a way that the seat portion 4 and back portion 5 or their: bases 16, 17 cover or substantially cover the support.

The arrangement 1 rests on a foundation 27, for example a floor, a deck or similar and extends against or in the direction of the roof 22.

The seat mariber 4 shows a depth which corresponds or substantially corres- ponds to the distance from the upper plane of the base 2 and to the axis 9 or similar of the back member 5 or its attachment to a support 6, 13, while the back mariber 5 shows a height which corresponds or substantially corres¬ ponds to the distance between the axis 9 or similar of the back member 5 or its attachment to a support 6, 13 and the roof 22, upper part 23 or similar.

As it is appears from Figs. 5 and 8 and according to the embodiment example, the base 2 is, besides to form a support for a seat member 4 or a stand in the arrangement 1, also arranged to be shaped, provided or equipped as an arrangement for another use and with one or more devices or installations for, for example, sanitary use and by that be provided with for example a washstand, wash-hand basin 28, a basin, a toilet 29, pipes, pump or similar for water supply, etc. Besides as a toilet room, the space 7 could be able to be convertible into for example a kitchen, pantry or caboose, whereby the base 2 or a part of it can comprise a stove or similar, such as a liquid gas stove, a sink with basin, etc. In the second position 12 of the arrangement 1 and/or seat mariber 4 and back mariber 5 is thus the space 7 converted for another or supplementary function and use. In a boat the space 7 can thus be designed as a cockpit or a cabin, whereby a seat mariber 4 or a seat structure 21 is desirable. In this respect, it is a desirability

that the space 7 is open towards for example a seating area 36. In lying still, for example in harbour or in a temporary mooring, etc., other funct¬ ions are desired, whereby the space 7 is changed by conversion of the arrangement 1 from the said first position 11 or a seat structure 21 to the said second position 12, whereby cushions or the like simultaneously will face the seating area 36, which cushions consist of the cushions 18, 19 of the seat mariber 4 and back member 5.

When the arrangement 1 is going to be brought from the said first position 11 to the said second position 12 the lower edge 25 of the back member 5 is first lifted upwards so it reaches the lower edge 26 of the stand 3, upper part 23, beam 34 or similar and in applicable cases is attached in that, whereby the cushion 19 or similar of the back member 5 will be directed opposite the direction it had in the previous position, see the arrow 31 in Fig. 3. Then the seat member 4 is lifted upwards and the front edge 24 of which fits in the upper edge 15 of the back mariber 5 which now forms a lower edge and in applicable cases said front edge is attached.

Without exceeding the scope of the concept of the invention, modifications of the method and the arrangement in accordance with the invention should be possible. Thus, the space can be arranged or intended for convertibility between other functions and uses than what has previously been evident, whereby the base can be equipped with other devices, installations, etc. A convertible space in accordance with the invention could probably also be utilized in other arrangements than in a vehicle or a craft, such as for example in cabins of different kind, such as for staying, stop overnight, rest, etc., in smaller leisure houses, etc. The space would for example be able to be arranged for convertibility into a shower-room, seating area, bed recess, cab, etc. besides the previous exemplified kitchen and toilet. Furthermore, the extension or volume and location of the space can be different than what has been evident from the embodiment examples and, for example, the space would in the shape of an open locality of staying with for example two seat members be able to be changed to a closed space, whereby in this case both existing seat members can be arranged to form two walls, etc. which limit the space. The method and the arrangement are thus not restricted to what has been evident from the shown and described embodiment examples but soley by the following claims.