Roller guide for foldaway bed

[opps]

A customer of mine has a bed which folds way and allows his son to have table which pops up as the bed folds away. In the process the table stays horizontal at all times.

Here is a DIY version

How to Build a Murphy Bed that Easily Transforms into a Desk

This bed quickly converts to a desk without increasing its footprint. When you switch it back to a bed, the desk stays level, so you can leave all your stuff on it!

www.familyhandyman.com

 

[foxhole]

Over complicating it ,when there are simpler solutions .

 

[opps]

Over complicating it ,when there are simpler solutions .

Possibly, but I have seen one in action, and it works, and works very well.

 

[typonaut]

How far do wish/need the bed to project from under the frnt of the Desk?

And rather than a track why not have a hinge arrangement - something like the attached?

It’s probably desirable for the bed to extend fom under desk, at least so someone can sit on the edge. I had considered various hinges, but they inevitably foul the desk (as yours would).

 

[typonaut]

I wouldn't bother with a track/guide. Just use small wheels at the bed base corners, Like this :-

If you push the bed back from the outside edge what is going to encourage the inside edge to climb up the wall.

 

[typonaut]

Over complicating it ,when there are simpler solutions .

Eagerly awaiting an example!

 

[foxhole]

Eagerly awaiting an example!

Already gave you one .

 

[magicmushroom666]

What about something like small skateboard wheels running in routed out tracks in sheets of MDF/PLY? You could even double up the thickness of wood to add depth to the tracks.

 

[Alec_t]

If you push the bed back from the outside edge what is going to encourage the inside edge to climb up the wall.

A pull-cord on the rear edge.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

What about something like small skateboard wheels running in routed out tracks in sheets of MDF/PLY? You could even double up the thickness of wood to add depth to the tracks.

MDF is extremely soft and will wear out in next to no time. I did suggest the appropriate material for either the tracks or guides above which can be routed, is load bearing, is self-lubricating and is highly durable whilst also being quiet - 1000 grade UHMW plastic (also called HDPE). It is used with steel components. It is used in industrial tracks because it is harder wearing than most nylons.

 

[typonaut]

Already gave you one .

And there is an explanation as to why that won't work.

 

[foxhole]

And there is an explanation as to why that won't work.

You totally misunderstood, I said fold lengthwise, which means a for example a 1000mm wide bed folded would be 500mm high fitting easily under your desk .

 

[Deleted member 174758]

I said fold lengthwise...

I'm beginning to think a futon would be an easier option

 

[typonaut]

You totally misunderstood, I said fold lengthwise, which means a for example a 1000mm wide bed folded would be 500mm high fitting easily under your desk .

Ok, I'll be looking out for a standard mattress that folds lengthwise… :-/

 

[typonaut]

A customer of mine has a bed which folds way and allows his son to have table which pops up as the bed folds away. In the process the table stays horizontal at all times.

There are various forms like this available commercially, I think the point at which they fail the utility test is when you have a reasonable sized monitor on the desk…