Convertible Multi-Functional Furniture

Abstract

Convertible, multi-functional furniture is disclosed that has at least a standard configuration and a converted configuration, the standard and converted configurations providing different uses for the convertible furniture.

1 . Convertible furniture comprising:
 a piece of furniture having a standard configuration and a first converted configuration;   wherein the standard configuration has a first furniture use and the first converted configuration has a second furniture use and wherein the first furniture use and the second furniture use differ;   wherein in the standard configuration the first converted configuration is at least partially hidden so that on casual observance the second furniture use is not readily apparent from the first furniture use.   
   
   
       2 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is a nightstand in the standard configuration and is a nightstand having an extendible work surface in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       3 . The convertible furniture of  claim 2 , wherein conversion between the standard configuration and the first converted configuration occurs by a top of the nightstand rising in conjunction with the work surface to expose the work surface that was previously hidden under the top. 
   
   
       4 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is a headboard in the standard configuration and wherein conversion to the first converted configuration occurs via a moveable panel that moves to reveal a hidden chamber. 
   
   
       5 . The convertible furniture of  claim 4 , wherein the hidden chamber houses a reclining support that folds out onto a bed adjacent the headboard. 
   
   
       6 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is a bed having an under-bed storage in the standard configuration and wherein conversion to the first converted configuration occurs via lifting a foot end of a mattress of the bed, whereby lifting of the foot end of the mattress causes the under-bed storage to transition between a substantially-horizontal position hidden under the mattress to a substantially-vertical position displayed at the foot end of the bed. 
   
   
       7 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is an ottoman in the standard configuration and is a seat with a back in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       8 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises a bi-fold top that hides a seat under the bi-fold top in the standard configuration and that folds during conversion to the first converted configuration to reveal the hidden seat. 
   
   
       9 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises:
 a back edge;   a fixed rear filler piece that does not move during conversion between the standard configuration and the first converted configuration;   a top cushion having a front end that rotates up and back during conversion between the standard configuration and the first converted configuration; and   a seat cushion that moves forward during conversion between the standard configuration and the first converted configuration;   whereby in the standard configuration and in the first converted configuration, no portion of the ottoman extends backward past the back edge.   
   
   
       10 . The convertible furniture of  claim 9 , wherein no portion of the ottoman extends backward past the back edge at any point during conversion between the standard configuration and the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       11 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises a top portion hingedly connected to a bottom portion, wherein conversion between the standard configuration and the first converted configuration comprises opening the top portion to expose a seat of the bottom portion. 
   
   
       12 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises:
 a top cushion on a top end; and   a seat having a back rest and arms on a bottom end opposite the top end;   wherein when the top end is upward, the back rest and arms support the ottoman and wherein when the top end is downward, the seat is available to receive a user in a sitting position.   
   
   
       13 . The convertible furniture of  claim 12 , further comprising a skirt attached around a vertical midpoint of the ottoman, wherein when the top end is upward, the skirt hangs downward and hides an opening corresponding to the seat, and wherein when the ottoman is flipped top end downward, the skirt flips to hang downward again and the seat is revealed for sitting. 
   
   
       14 . The convertible furniture of  claim 13 , further comprising a headrest attached to the back rest by a fabric hinge/snap strip. 
   
   
       15 . The convertible furniture of  claim 13 , wherein the top cushion and the seat comprise vacuum-molded pieces. 
   
   
       16 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises:
 a topcushion/backrest comprising:
 a skirt attached thereto, wherein the skirt is attached around a lower edge of the topcushion/backrest when the topcushion/backrest is viewed in a horizontal position; and 
 a lower back edge where a portion of the skirt is attached; 
   a base portion hingedly connected to the topcushion/backrest at a location on the topcushion/backrest centrally disposed away from the lower back edge of the topcushion/backrest; and   a cutout on at least one of the topcushion/backrest and the base portion adjacent the hinged connection between the topcushion/backrest and the base portion, whereby the cutout permits the topcushion/backrest to rotate around the hinge between a substantially-horizontal position and a position substantially past vertical.   
   
   
       17 . The convertible furniture of  claim 16 , wherein when the topcushion/backrest is in the substantially-horizontal position, the skirt hangs vertically down and hides the cutout, wherein the ottoman thereby resembles a standard ottoman, and wherein when the topcushion/backrest is in the position substantially past vertical, the skirt hangs backward out of the way of the seat with the back. 
   
   
       18 . The convertible furniture of  claim 16 , wherein the ottoman further comprises a speaker. 
   
   
       19 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises a cube shape and further comprises:
 a fold-out leg portion; and   a fold-out head portion, whereby the fold-out leg portion and the fold-out head portion comprise a lounge in the first converted configuration.   
   
   
       20 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises:
 a pop top comprising a top cushion of the ottoman and an upper portion of a seat back; and   a base comprising:
 a seat; 
 arms; and 
 a lower portion of the seat back; 
   wherein when the pop top is in a horizontal position over the base, the pop top hides the seat and wherein when the pop top is in a vertical position at a back end of the base, the upper portion of the seat back and the lower portion of the seat back are substantially aligned to form a complete seat back.   
   
   
       21 . The convertible furniture of  claim 20 , further comprising a protrusion on one of the base and the pop top and a receptacle for the protrusion on the other of the base and the pop top. 
   
   
       22 . The convertible furniture of  claim 20 , wherein the pop top is removable from the base. 
   
   
       23 . The convertible furniture of  claim 20 , wherein the pop top is attached to the base by a mechanism that rotates the pop top from the horizontal position to the vertical position. 
   
   
       24 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman comprises:
 a top cushion;   a base; and   pop-up arms that pop up as the ottoman is converted to the first converted configuration.   
   
   
       25 . The convertible furniture of  claim 24 , wherein the top cushion comprises a cushion frame, the base comprises a base frame, the ottoman further comprises a leg frame, and wherein the cushion frame, the base frame, and the leg frame are connected via a movement linkage mechanism that causes the base to move forward as a front portion of the top cushion is rotated upward and backward, and that causes the pop-up arms to pop up as the base moves forward. 
   
   
       26 . The convertible furniture of  claim 25 , wherein the movement linkage comprises:
 a fixed plate fixedly attached to the base frame;   two cushion linkage arms hingedly attached to the fixed plate and hingedly attached to the cushion frame; and   a leg frame linkage arm hingedly attached to one of the cushion linkage arms and hingedly attached to the leg frame.   
   
   
       27 . The convertible furniture of  claim 24 , wherein the ottoman further comprises a speaker. 
   
   
       28 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman further comprises a tray accessible from behind the ottoman when the ottoman is in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       29 . The convertible furniture of  claim 7 , wherein the ottoman is a dividable flip ottoman comprising a pair of low-profile theater seats, each low-profile theater seat comprising:
 a back;   a seat;   arms; and   a flat front edge comprising front edges of the arms and the seat;   wherein the two low-profile theater seats may be connected at their flat front edges and be flipped over to form the dividable flip ottoman.   
   
   
       30 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is an ottoman in the standard configuration and a massage table in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       31 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is an ottoman in the standard configuration and is a foot massage unit in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       32 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is an ottoman in the standard configuration and wherein the furniture comprises a playpen in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       33 . The convertible furniture of  claim 32 , wherein the furniture further comprises a changing table in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       34 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is a treadmill ottoman that is an ottoman in the standard configuration and a treadmill in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       35 . The convertible furniture of  claim 34 , wherein the treadmill ottoman comprises a weighted rotating base that facilitates rotating the treadmill ottoman approximately ninety degrees during conversion between the standard configuration and the first converted configuration, whereby the treadmill ottoman may be rotated from a position parallel a couch to a position facing a television. 
   
   
       36 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , further comprising a second converted configuration having a third furniture use that differs from the first furniture use and the second furniture use. 
   
   
       37 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is a endtable in the standard configuration and is an endtable with a pull-out seat in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       38 . The convertible furniture of  claim 37 , wherein the endtable comprises a shell unit that substantially encloses three sides of the pull-out seat, and wherein the pull-out seat comprises a panel configured to match the shell unit. 
   
   
       39 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is an ottoman in the standard configuration and is a gaming controller storage unit in the second configuration. 
   
   
       40 . The convertible furniture of  claim 39 , wherein the gaming controller storage unit comprises a connection mechanism connecting a gaming controller to the gaming controller storage unit. 
   
   
       41 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is an ottoman in the standard configuration and is a fold-out stage in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       42 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is a coffee table in the standard configuration, and wherein the furniture comprises a plurality of pads that may be pulled out to form the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       43 . The convertible furniture of  claim 42 , wherein the first converted configuration comprises one of:
 a seat with a back;   a footrest; and   a horizontal support surface suitable for use as a bed.   
   
   
       44 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is a sofa in the standard configuration and is a home theater sofa in the first converted configuration, wherein the home theater sofa comprises central armrests that are not visible in the standard configuration. 
   
   
       45 . The convertible furniture of  claim 1 , wherein the furniture is an armoire in the first configuration and includes a piece of exercise equipment in the first converted configuration. 
   
   
       46 . An ottoman that converts into a treadmill and back into an ottoman comprising:
 a continuous track contained in a housing, wherein the housing has an open top that exposes an upper surface of the continuous track and wherein the continuous track is appropriately sized to serve as a treadmill;   a heavy pivot attached to the housing underneath the continuous track that permits rotating the housing and the continuous track about the rotational axis of the pivot to change the direction of movement of the continuous track; and   a hinged cover attached to an upper portion of the housing at one end of the housing, wherein the hinged cover comprises an ottoman surface such that when the hinged cover is closed, it completely covers the continuous track and the ottoman surface and sides of the housing combine to hide the continuous track and provide the appearance of a typical ottoman.   
   
   
       47 . The ottoman of  claim 46 , further comprising means for rotating the housing attached to the housing to assist with pivoting the housing and the continuous track about the rotational axis of the pivot. 
   
   
       48 . The ottoman of  claim 47 , wherein the means for rotating comprises one of:
 a wheel;   a caster; and   a low-friction foot.   
   
   
       49 . The ottoman of  claim 47 , wherein the means for rotating is retractable. 
   
   
       50 . The ottoman of  claim 49 , wherein the means for rotating is automatically extended when the hinged cover is opened to expose the continuous track. 
   
   
       51 . The ottoman of  claim 46 , wherein the hinged cover comprises two sections hingedly connected to each other and wherein one of the hinged sections is hingedly connected to the housing. 
   
   
       52 . The ottoman of  claim 46 , further comprising treadmill controls. 
   
   
       53 . The ottoman of  claim 52  wherein the treadmill controls are located on the hinged cover. 
   
   
       54 . The ottoman of  claim 46 , further comprising handrails attached to at least one of the housing and the hinged cover. 
   
   
       55 . An ottoman that converts into seating having a backrest, comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a bottom; 
 sides; and 
 a seating surface for supporting the weight of a sitting individual; and 
   a backrest and top combination comprising:
 a top surface that serves as the top surface of the ottoman; 
 sides; and 
 a bottom surface that serves as the front surface the backrest of the seating having the backrest; 
   wherein the backrest and top combination is connected to the base so that the base and the backrest and top combination form an ottoman configuration when the backrest and top combination is in a substantially horizontal position and wherein the backrest and top combination may be flipped up and open so that the base and the backrest and top combination form a seating configuration having the backrest.   
   
   
       56 . The ottoman of  claim 55  wherein the sides of the base comprise armrests for the seating having a backrest. 
   
   
       57 . The ottoman of  claim 55  wherein, in the ottoman configuration, the ottoman is disguised so that the capability to assume the seating configuration is not readily apparent upon casual observation. 
   
   
       58 . The ottoman of  claim 55 , further comprising hardware attaching the base to the backrest and top combination. 
   
   
       59 . An ottoman that converts into seating having a backrest and armrests and back by flipping the ottoman 180 degrees comprising:
 an ottoman top surface;   a weighted skirt surrounding the sides of the ottoman and bisecting the ottoman from top to bottom, wherein the weighted skirt extends from halfway down the ottoman to the bottom of the ottoman;   ottoman side surfaces extending from the ottoman top surface halfway down the sides of the ottoman to the weighted skirt;   a seat surface configured to support the weight of a user when the ottoman is flipped so that the ottoman top surface is downward;   a backrest extending from the skirt and the seat surface in a direction away from the ottoman top surface; and   armrests connected to the backrest and extending from the skirt and the seat surface in a direction away from the ottoman top surface.   
   
   
       60 . The ottoman of  claim 59 , wherein when the ottoman is flipped so that the ottoman top surface is upward, the backrest and the armrests rest upon the ground and the weighted skirt extends downward to cover the armrests, the backrest, and the seat surface, and wherein when the ottoman is flipped so that the ottoman top surface is downward, the weighted skirt extends downward to cover the ottoman side surfaces. 
   
   
       61 . The ottoman of  claim 59 , wherein the ottoman top surface, the ottoman side surfaces, and a first surface of the skirt comprise a first material, and the seat surface, the backrest, the armrests, and a second surface of the skirt comprise a second material. 
   
   
       62 . The ottoman of  claim 59 , further comprising:
 a headrest hingedly attached to the backrest that extends the backrest in a deployed position; and   a reversible stowing mechanism that secures the headrest in a stowed position within the space defined by the seat surface, the armrests, and the backrest.   
   
   
       63 . An ottoman that converts into seating having a backrest and headrest comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a bottom; 
 sides; 
 a backrest; 
 a seating surface for supporting the weight of a sitting individual; and 
 alignment holes; and 
   a removable top piece comprising:
 a top surface that serves as the top surface of the ottoman; 
 sides; 
 a headrest; and 
 alignment prongs configured to engage the alignment holes; 
   wherein the removable top piece may be placed on the base in a substantially horizontal fashion to form an ottoman configuration and wherein the removable top piece may be placed on the base in a substantially vertical position with the headrest upward to form a seating configuration with the alignment prongs engaging the alignment holes and with the headrest of the removable top piece at the top of the backrest of the base.