A Murphy bed (a North American term only), also called a wall bed, pull down bed or fold-down bed is an American invention by William Lawrence Murphy (1876–1959). It is a bed that is hinged at one end to store vertically against the wall, or inside a closet or cabinet. To achieve this, the mattress is attached to the bed frame, often with elastic straps. Murphy beds are used for space-saving purposes, much like a trundle bed. Most Murphy beds do not have box springs. Instead, the mattress usually lies on a wood platform or wire mesh and is held in place so as not to sag when in a closed position.
Murphy beds are popular where floor space is limited, such as small homes, apartments, mobile homes and college dormitories. In recent years, Murphy bed units have included options such as lighting, storage cabinets, and office components.
In 1989, a court ruled that the term "Murphy Bed" had entered common usage so thoroughly that it was no longer eligible for trademark protection.
Read more about Murphy Bed: Variations, In Film
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