Swing-Away Bunk

Field of the Invention

This invention pertains to storable bunks in automotive truck cabs.

Modern truck cabs are occasionally provided with two bunks. It is necessary to provide an upper bunk, therefore, which is easily pulled from a rearward storage position into the horizontal occupant position and yet is clearly out of the way of the driver or his assistnat when not in the horizontal position.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a swing-away bunk which stores flat against the vertical rear wall of a truck cab.

It is another object of this invention to provide a swing-away bunk which is easily moved from a vertical storage position into a horizontal position by a single person.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a swing-away bunk which is easy to store and safe to be occupied.

Basically, these objects are obtained by swingably mounting a frame assembly to the rear wall of a cab in such a manner that it will pivot and swing downwardly into a vertical position tight against the rear wall of the cab and yet with an upward pull, can be swung forwardly into a horizontal position where it is supported front and rear. In the preferred embodiment, cam surfaces are provided to guide the rear portion of the frame assembly forwardly and upwardly to clear rear support brackets so that a sharp, forward pull on the bunk from its vertical storage position will provide momentum to make the bunk clear the rear support brackets and then swing by gravity on pivotal links back down into a secured, horizontal position.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric of a truck cab illustrating a bunk made according to the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the truck cab shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical section of the bunk.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary front elevation of one of the pivotal links supporting the bunk.

A truck cab is provided with a rear sleeping compartment 10 and includes a rear wall 12 and forward, vertical support members 14. A frame assembly 16 includes a flat metal plate 17, a forward frame member 18 (FIG. 3) and a rearward frame member 19. The rearward frame member is provided with a rolled edge or cam follower 20 to be described. The forward frame member is provided with a pair of tubular handles 22. A conventional foam mattress 24 is securely retained to the plate 17.

In the horizontal position, the frame assembly is carried by two forward supports 26 and two rearward supports 28. Each forward support is provided with a resilient grommet 30 having an aperture 31 which receives a tapered pin 32 attached to the forward frame member 18 of the frame assembly. The tapered pins seat and are held by friction within the grommets serving to cushion the impact of the bunk when it is placed in a horizontal position and preventing lateral movement when the bunk is occupied.

The rear supports 28 each have a cam surface 34 which has an extension 34a along the rear wall of the cab. Cam surface 34 guides the rolled edge 20 of the rear frame member 19 during downward or upward movement of the bunk. The cam surface is forwardly and upwardly directed so that by pulling sharply forwardly on the bunk when in the vertical position, the bunk will swing forward and the rear surface will slide over the cam surface 34 with the momentum of the bunk moving the rear frame member 19 past the upper surface of the support member 28. The weight of the bunk will then cause the bunk to swing downwardly and rearwardly into a seated position on the rear support members 28.

In order to cause pivotal movement of the bunk, the bunk is provided with lower, pivotal links 36 which are pivotally connected to the frame assembly on opposite ends of the bunk and to upper links 38 which are pivotally connected to the rear wall of the cab at points spaced vertically above the vertical supports 28. The lower links are each provided with an extension 36a that stops over-center movement of the center pivot between the links. The links connect to the bunk just forward of the fore and aft midpoint so that the bunk rear end will naturally swing down first into the suspended vertical position as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2. As the bunk is pulled sharply into the horizontal position, the bunks will swing about the pivot arm formed by the links 36 and 38 causing the bunk to first reach an elevation slightly higher than position A shown in FIG. 2 in phantom lines and then falling back as it swings further about the links 36 and 38 into the seated position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. This combined pivoting and sliding on the cam surfaces 34 facilitates bringing the bunk from its vertical storage position into the horizontal position and makes a convenient operation for one person. Similarly, to return the bunk to the storage position the person need only to grasp the handles and pulling sharply upwardly and forwardly until the rearward end of the frame assembly swings clockwise (FIG. 2) about the links 36 and 38 clear of rear supports 28 and then downwardly onto the cam surfaces 34 where the weight of the bunk will then return the bunk to its vertical position.

In the preferred embodiment, retractable belts or safety straps 42 are provided and uniquely pass through the handles 22 when the bunk is in a horizontal position. The belts are retracted conventionally from above and below and are releasably secured for occupant restraint at about their midpoints. The use of the handles for the dual purpose of the belt restraint and pulling handles uniquely assures that a single belt can serve both the bottom occupant and the upper occupant of the sleeping compartment without the need for separate restraint belts for each.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described it should be understood that variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the principles expressed herein. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the specific form illustrated in the drawing.