Attic conversions   

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to attic conversions.

With the current high costs associated with moving house, there is an increasing requirement for providing additional living space in the attic or loft of a dwelling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of effecting an attic conversion.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided a method of effecting an attic conversion, the method including providing a bed base and a headboard, forming an opening in a wall of the attic, attaching the headboard to the wall of the attic above the opening, providing and installing a track and so mounting the bed base on the track that it can be moved between a position in which it projects substantially wholly from the opening and a position in which only a minor part of the bed base projects from the opening.

When the bed base projects substantially wholly from the opening, the combination of the headboard and the bed base can be used as a bed whereas, when only a minor part of the bed base projects from the opening (and the majority of the bed base is contained within the opening) the combination of the headboard and the bed base can be used as a settee.

Rollers are preferably mounted on the bed base and arranged for engagement with the track, and the bed base is preferably provided with leg formations at the end thereof which projects from the opening.

When installing the components in an attic (or loft) having an appropriate wall, the opening is first formed in the wall and then a box is preferably inserted in the opening, the box having an internal space of such size that it can receive the major part of the bed base.

The present invention thus enables a room in an attic (or loft) to be converted from a sitting room or lounge (containing a settee) into a bedroom (containing a bed).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an attic or loft bed settee,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the attic or loft bed settee, and

FIG. 3 comprises a number of views showing different positions of the bed settee.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a convertible bed settee installed in an attic or loft (hereinafter referred to for convenience as a loft). An opening is formed at the bottom of a wall 10 in the loft and a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic box 11 is inserted in the opening. The box 11 has an upwardly projecting flange that abuts against the upper edge of the opening in the wall 10 and the box 11 is covered with expanded foam insulation material. The box 11 contains a plywood base 12 that has a downwardly flange at its forward end that abuts against the lower edge of the opening in the wall 10. The box 11 also has outwardly projecting flanges at its sides that bear against the sides of the opening in the wall 10. A draught-proof arrangement is thus provided.

A padded headboard/backrest 13 is attached to the wall 10 so as to cover the upper part of the projecting portion of the box 11 and a pair of tracks are contained within the interior of the box 11. The tracks are engaged by rollers 14 mounted on a frame 15 forming part of a bed base 16 that has a depending leg structure 17 at its forward end.

The bed base 16 is movable between an outer position in which it projects substantially completely from the interior of the box 11 and a stowed or inner position in which the major part thereof is contained within the interior of the box 11. When the bed base 16 is in its outer position, a bed is provided and the room in the loft can be used as a bedroom. When, however, the bed base 16 is in its stowed or inner position, a settee is provided and the room in the loft can be used as a lounge or sitting room.

The present invention thus enables a loft conversion operation to be carried out in a way that provides a room usable as either a bedroom or a sitting room, depending on whether the bed base 16 is in its outer position or in its inner position.

It is to be appreciated that the terms “loft” and “attic” as used herein are intended to cover any form of habitable roof space in a building.