IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,543,340
Granted Patent B2
US 7,543,340 · App. 11/667,573 · Granted Jun 9, 2009

Dual berth invertible bunk

Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,543,340
App. No.
11/667,573
Granted
Jun 9, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dual berth bunk ( 20 ) for a sleeper cab ( 10 ) or other confined space includes a bunk frame ( 22 ) mounted for pivoting or rotating inversion. Berths ( 25 a, 25 b ), or sleeping surfaces, are provided on the opposite sides of the bunk frame and a berth may be selectively positioned for use by pivoting or rotation of the bunk frame. A latch ( 56 ) or other device may be used to secure the bunk frame in the selected position. Retaining devices ( 104, 106 ) retain bedding in the berths when the berth in a downward inverted orientation.

Claims (23)

1. A dual berth bunk, comprising:

a bunk frame having a first berth surface and an oppositely located second berth surface;

pivot arms pivotally mountable to a support structure and connected to the bunk frame for selectively pivoting the bunk frame between a stowed position adjacent the support structure and a deployed position extended from the support structure;

mounting means for supporting the bunk frame on the pivot arms and for selectively rotating the bunk frame about an axis for positioning the bunk frame between a first position with the first berth surface in an upward facing horizontal orientation and a second position with the second berth surface in an upward facing horizontal orientation; and,

securing means for securing the bunk frame in the selected position.

2. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising retaining means for retaining a first bedding element at the first berth surface and a second bedding element at the second berth surface.

3. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said retaining means comprises flexible elements mounted to a first side of the bunk frame to extend across the berth surfaces and releasable fastening means to fasten the flexible elements to an opposite side of the bunk frame.

4. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising retraction means for retracting the flexible elements to a stored position.

5. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the axis of the means for rotating the bunk frame is a centrally located axis.

6. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the axis of the means for rotating the bunk frame is a laterally located axis.

7. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the mounting means comprises track means and the bunk frame includes follower means on a mounted side engaged with the track means for sliding movement of a mounted side between a first and a second position and pivoting of the bunk frame about the mounted side to orient one of the first berth surface and second berth surface in the selected orientation.

8. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the securing means comprises a latch to releasably inter-engage the bunk frame and mounting means.

9. The dual berth bunk as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the latch comprises a spring-loaded pin biased for engagement with a bracket of the mounting means, the pin connected to a cable and pull for selectively releasing the pin from engagement.

10. A dual berth bunk, comprising:

a bunk frame having a first berth surface and an oppositely located second berth surface;

a mounting mechanism that supports the bunk frame for selective positioning between a first position with the first berth surface in an upward facing horizontal orientation and a second position with the second berth surface in an upward facing horizontal orientation, the mounting mechanism further comprising vertical guides for moving the bunk frame vertically along the guides between a deployed position and a stowed position above the deployed position; and,

a securing arrangement that secures the bunk frame in the selected position.

11. A dual berth bunk for a truck sleeper cab, comprising:

a truck sleeper cab having walls defining an interior space;

a bunk frame having a first berth surface and an oppositely located second berth surface;

pivot arms pivotally mounted to a wall of the sleeper cab for pivoting movement between a deployed position extending from the wall into the interior space and a stowed position in proximity to the wall;

mounting means for supporting the bunk frame on the pivot arms for rotation between selectable alternative positioning of the first berth surface and the second berth surface in an upward facing horizontal orientation; and,

securing means for securing the bunk frame in the selected position.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2007
From: KENNY, ALAN JAMES; BALICKI, BRIAN DAVID
To: VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Reel/Frame 019335/0846 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070294822A1 · Dec 27, 2007