US2460459A - Folding article - Google Patents

Description

WM www gebJ, 1949. R M, KRASKA 2,460,459

FOLDING ARTICLES VFiled March 13, 1947 2 Sl'xeS-SheeiI l R. M. KRASKA FOLDING ARTICLES :Feb l, 1949.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y Filed March 13, 1947 Patented Feb. l, 1949 FOLDING ARTICLE Reinhold M. Kraska, Altadena, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Al R. Brooks, doing business as Aluminum Folding Crutch Company, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application March 13, 1947, Serial No. 734,352

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to folding articles of the type in which the framework thereof may be collapsed to provide a compact article for storage purposes or for carrying in an automobile. In a more narrow aspect of the present invention it relates to a folding wheel chair which may be easily and readily folded and extended.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means whereby articles such as folding wheel chairs, tables and the like may be easily and readily folded and extended as the occasion requires.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved wheel chair characterized by the improved manner in which the collapsible structure thereof may be manipulated to fold or extend the chair.

Another specic object of the present invention is to provide an improved wheel chair having a collapsible framework whereby the chair may be Work to thereby allow conversion of the wheel chair for convenient propulsion by the person in the chair or by a maid or nurse or other person who may conveniently shove the chair.

Still another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved wheel chair having the seat and back portion thereon of exible material and the manual control handle for collapsing and extending the framework of the chair at a convenient convealed position underneath the seat of the chair.

Yet another specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved collapsible wheel chair having steering handles thereon, the collapsible framework of the chair being movable from its folded or its collapsed position to its extended position by simply moving the steering handles apart.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved wheel chair, the framework of which includes a pair of steering handles and which may be easily and readily moved from its folded or collapsed position to its extended position by merely moving the handles apart; but, for safety purposes, the framework of the wheel chair may not be collapsed by movement of the steering handles, manipulation of a control member not too conveniently accessible, being necessary.

Still a further specific object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible framework for a chair, table or the like having a pair of crossed diagonal pivoted brace members which may be locked in an extended position by an improved linkage, the specific construction of which embodies certain important aspects of the present invention.

Yet a further specic object of the present invention is to provide an improved suitable wheel chair characterized by its lightness and construction of a pair of end frame members which remain parallel to one another in their movement from one another from retracted to extended positions and vice versa, whereby the Wheel chair may be propelled and collapsed and extended without much effort.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. This invention itself, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevational View of a Wheel chair in its extended position embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the front elevational view of the wheel chair shown in Figure 1 in its retracted, folded or collapsed position.

Figure 3 shows a side elevational view of the wheel chair shown in Figure 1, the propelling and caster wheels being mounted on the chair for convenient movement by a person grasping the steering handles I6.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure l.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 8`8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 9--9 of Figure 7.

Figure lO is a sectional view taken substantially on the luie ID-ID of Figure 3.

Figu' l1 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line II-II of Figure 4.

Figure 12 shows the elements in Figure ll in different positions; and

Figure 13 is a perspective View of a hinge structure shown in Figure 1.

The collapsible wheel chair comprises in general a pair of rigid side members having the general reference numerals IIJ and II which are held together in spaced parallel relationship with respect to one another in all positions thereof by the connecting pivoted linkage having the general reference numeral I2, each rigid side member having mounted thereon a caster wheel I3, a propelling wheel I4, a collapsible footrest I5, a steering handle I6 and an adjacent end of a flexible leather seat member I'I and flexible leather back member I8.

The rigid side members I and II are identical in construction and may comprise an aluminium framework made of tubing suitably assembled.

The steering handles I6 are extensions of the vertical tubing IDA, IIA of end members II), II respectively, which are either welded or plug-f1tted at points intermediate their respective ends to the combined arm rests and vertical supporting tubing IDB, I IB, the other end of such tubing IIIB, IIB being rigidly secured to the forward end of the bottom horizontal frame member IUC, I IC having its rear end rigidly secured to the bottom end of the frame member IIIA, IIA, respectively. Further, the rigid end members I0 and II have a pair of intermediately disposed horizontal tubing members IUD, IID and IE, IIE, respectively, with opposite ends thereof welded or plug-fitted to tubular frame members IIIA, IIIB and IIA, IIB, respectively. It is noted that the end frames have the general reference numerals I0 and I I and individual parts thereof have respectively, the general reference numeral with a characterizing letter appended thereto.

The propelling wheels I4 may be journaled for rotation at either one of two spaced points on each one of the end frame members I0 and II, there being provided for this purpose hollow bearing members IUF, IIF and IUG, IIG, respectively in tubing members IDA, IIA and IOB, IIB. Correspondingly, in similar manner the casters I4 may be mounted at either one of two spaced points IIJH, IIH or IIlJ, IIJ, respectively on the bottom horizontal tubing members IIlC, IIC, respectively, or suitable extensions thereof.

The interchangeability of the propelling wheels I4 and caster wheels I3 in the manner indicated immediately above allows the chair to be self propelled by the occupant thereof or to be conveniently propelled by one grasping the steering handles I6. In the latter case, to facilitate the lifting of the chair over obstructions such as curbstones and the like, the rigid end members I0, II are each provided with an extension IDM, IIM, respectively. It is apparent that both the propelling wheel I4 and the caster wheel I3 as shown in the tubings, may be releasably afxed to the end members I0, II in such a manner that the chair may be converted conveniently into one for self propulsion and one for movement by a person grasping handles I6. In such case, the propelling wheel is disassembled and assembled merely by unscrewing and screwing a fastening nut and the caster wheel is correspondingly moved into position by unscrewing and screwing a plurality of fastening bolts.

The footrest I5 comprises two pivoted members I5A and I5B each pivotally mounted as a unit on the bottom ends of tubular members IDB, I IB, respectively, or extensions thereof, pivotal movement on the tubular members being limited by the faces ISC on member I 5A and pivotal movement of the members I5A and I5B with respect to one another being limited by the face I5D on member IBB.

An important factor of the present invention is the manner in which the end members I0, II are secured to one another for parallel movement from their retracted positions to their extended position and vice versa by the connecting linkage having the general reference numeral I2.

The linkage I2 comprises: a pair of diagonal members IZA, IZB pivotally mounted at one of their ends respectively on frame members IUC, I IC and at their other ends on the pivot pins I2C and I2D with an intermediate point of each of such members I2A, I 2B pivotally mounted on a common pivot pin IZE; the pivot pin I2C serves to pivotally connect adjacent ends of link members I2E, I2F, I2G and I2H, the other ends of link members I2E and I2G being pivotally mounted on the frame member IUE and the other ends of the link members I2F and I2H be pivotally mounted on the pivot pin I2J having the manually operable actuating handle I 2K aflixed to one end thereof; the pivot pin I2D serves also to pivotally connect adjacent ends of link members I2M, I2N, I2P, I2Q the other ends of link members I2M and I2P being pivotally connected to the pivot pin I2J and the other ends of the link members I2N and I2Q being pivotally connected to the frame member IIE. Stop means I2S and I2T serve to limit relative movement between link members I 2F and I2M on the one hand and I2H and I 2P on the other hand.

In order to move the parts of the wheel chair from their retracted, collapsed or folded position shown in Figure 2 to their extended positions shown in Figure l, it is necessary only that the steering handles I6 be grasped and moved apart whereupon the side frame members I 0 and II move parallel to one another by the flexible linkage I2. Then, in order to fold or collapse the chair, it is essential that the manuable operable control handle I2K be manipulated by moving it upwardly against the exible leather seat member I'I. It is noted that in the extended position of the chair, the pivot pin I2J is eifectively over its dead center position, in such case the axis of pivot pin I2J is somewhat lower than the axis of the parallel pivot pins I2C and I2D, Thus, in the extended position of the chair, essentially all of the weight of the person is transmitted from the person sitting on the chair to the supporting ground or floor directly through trie end frames Ill and II inasmuch as opposite ends of the seat member I'I are attached to the end members I0 and I I; and any equalizing force between such end members being transmitted on the one hand through link members I2N, IZQ and I 2A and on the other hand through link members I2E, I2G and I2B and to a lesser extent through the link members |211', I2M, I2H and IZP, which link members remain in their over center position.

One feature of the present invention is that the chair may be extended rather smartly with a snap action by tilting upwardly on the steering handles in Figure 2 to raise the propelling 'bil wheels I4 and then by sharply moving the handles I6 apart whereupon the linkage |211', I2M, I2H and LZP is moved to overcenter position.

Needless to say the chair cannot be collapsed while a person is sitting thereon inasmuch as he interferes with movement of the handle I2K, the upward movement of which is essential to collapsing the chair.

The seat member I'I and back member I8 may be of flexible material such as leather. The seat member I'I may be yfastened to the frame members I0 and II at opposite edges thereof by providing loops at such edges through which the tubular portions IUD and I ID are slipped through, these tubular members IllD and IID are preferably semi-permanently mounted by screws or the like to the tubular members IUB and I IB, respectively, whereby the seat member II may be easily replaced. The back members I8 may be fastened to the tubular members IDA and IIA by looping opposite ends thereof and maintaining such ends in looped position by means of snap fasteners or the like thereby to also allow the back member I8 to be easily replaced as desired.

While I have described my invention in detail with respect to a folding wheel chair, it is understood, as is apparent to one skilled in the art that certain features of the wheel chair in particular, the pivoted link structure I2 may be incorporated in other chairs, folding invalid walkers, camping equipment, lawn, steamer and patio chairs, as well as in picnic, card and tennis tables and similar articles.

While the particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. In folding articles of the character described, a pair of end frame members, a pivoted linkage connecting said end frame members, said pivoted linkage including a pair of diagonal brace members, each having one of their ends pivotally connected to an adjacent end member and being pivotally connected at a point intermediate i-ts ends to said other diagonal brace member, the other end of each diagonal brace member being pivotally mounted on a respective pivot pin, a pair of link members each pivoted to a corresponding one of said pivot pins and also being pivotally mounted on the corresponding frame member, and a second pair of link members having their adjacent ends pin connected and their other ends pivotally connecting to a corresponding one of said pivot pins.

2. In folding articles of the character described, a pair of ered frame members, a pivoted link structure connecting said end frame members and providing parallel movement of the frame members when and as said frame members are moved relative to one another, said pivoted link structure comprising: a pair of diagonal brace members each having one of their ends pivotally connected to a corresponding frame member, said diagonal brace members being pivotally connected at a point intermediate their ends, the free ends of said diagonal brace members each being pivotally mounted on a corresponding pair of link pins, a pair of link members each having one of their ends pivotally connected to a different frame member and the other one of their ends connected to a different link pin, a pair of link members extending between and pivotally attached to said pair of link pins and being pivotally mounted on a third link pin, and an operable handle affixed to said third link pin.

3. In folding articles of the character described, a pair of spaced frame members, a pivoted linkage interposed between said frame members to provide parallel movement of one frame member with respect to one another from an extended position to a retracted position and vice versa, said pivoted linkage comprising: four pivoted link members serially connected between the frame members, each of the said four link members being pivotally mounted with respect to the adjacent one thereof, a pair of diagonal brace members, each having one of their ends pivotally connected to a different frame member and being pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said other diagonal brace member, the free ends of said diagonal brace members each being pivotally connected at intermediate pivotal points on said four serially connected link members.

4. In folding articles of the type described, a pair of spaced frame members, two pairs of link members serially connected between said frame members, adjacent ends of said link members being pivotally mounted with respect to one another, a manually operable handle member REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,381,136 Ribeiro June 14, 1921 1,900,653 Machisella Mar. '7, 1933 2,104,255 Garbaccio Jan. 4, 1938 2,133,540` Jacobs Oct. 18, 1938 2,402,085 Rideout June 11, 1946 2,414,856 Cox Jan. 28, 1947

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