US1961457A - Convertible furniture - Google Patents

Description

June 5, 1934. F; D, sCHNElDER 1,961,457

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed June so, 1932 2 sheets-snee# 1 Sil@ h n v WEA/me.-

Mumia June 5, 1934' F. b. SCHNEIDER 1,961,457

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed June 5o, 1952 n 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented June 1934 UNITED sr'rlvresA PAT ENT; OFFICE coNvEa'rmLE Frederick D. schneider, musiae, N. J., assigner to. Else Gender Schneider, Hillside, N. J.

Applicaties June so, 1932, serial No. 620,098

2o claims. (ci. 15s-'130)' e My invention pertains to convertible furni-` ture and more particularly to a' plurality of separate pieces of furniture designed s'o as to be adapted for assembly so as collectively Vto construct a single piece of furniture.

5 The drawings exemplify. embodiment of the principles of my invention in four chairs and a table which when separated will exercise their ordinary function as pieces of furniture, but

which may be compactly assembled and interstable, comfortable or ornamental for continuous appearance in the home or hotel. When 5 not in use they have required storage space which might otherwise usefully or needfully be available, especially in some modern apartments where no excess space is to be found. Accordingly, the object of my invention is to make the separate pieces of furniture convertible to alternative use With simplicity and facility of the converting operation and without involving discouraging manufacturing expense. While I have exemplified one form of my invention as 5 a conversion of a table and four chairs into a lounging chair. or the reverse, I have not lsupposed it necessary to limit my claim to such specified articles of furniture, but instead, in-

tend to cover the convertible principle whichl is not dependent upon hinges, links or other connecting or attaching devices. My familiarity with some of the prior marketed art warrants such a supposition. Nor am I dissuaded by my knowledge of the disclosure of prior patents including Horneburg No. 567,595 ,of September 15, 1896; Huether No. 654,639'01 July 31, 1900; Gauvin, Jr. and Moore No. 789,364 of May 9, 1905; Switzer No. 1,017,342 of February 13, 1912; Perry No. 1,253,141 of March 5, 1918; Austin No. 1,271,830 of July '9, 1918; Ecken- Walder No. 1,484,630 of February 26, 1924; Giard No; 1,520,641 of December 23, 1924; Scharl No. 1,535,044 of April 21, 1925; Scholnhammer No. 1,773,501 of August 19, 1930.

The drawings further exemplify three modi- Folding chairs and table have become pro ned-forms orv structural arrangements embodying principles of my invention, in two forms there being used with four chairs, a table to .interlock them while in its inverted position and according to another form using duplicate chairs with a table having hinged along one edge an element adapted alternatively to lie against the undersideof the table top or to be swung upwardly when the table is in its inverted position so as to constitute a rest for C5 a lounging chair of which the backs of the duplicate chairs shall constitute lateral arm rests; the other using two pairs of duplicate chairs and one pair of which comprises in addition .to back rests lateral arm rests, which four chairs "(duplicated in pairs) are then arrangedin closelynested position with duplicatechairs in diagonally opposite corners.

Adverting to lthe drawings: v Figure 1 is a perspective view of a separated cardtable and four chairs embodying the vfeatures of my`invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of theA sa e five units shown in Figure 1 converted into va lounging chair. Fign ure 3 an` enlarged front elevation of Figure 2`with a table flange sectioned and showing in Vdotted lines the legs of the table projecting up into the'backs of the chairs. Figure 4 is a horizontal section on line `4 4 of Figure v3. Figure 5 is a perspective view ofzone of two duplicate chairs. Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of a pair of right and left hand chairs. Figure 7 is a vertical section through a modified form of table in its inverted` position and having hinged thereto a back: rest forming element also shown in dotted lines in its alternative positionv whereby when suchv a, table is employed four duplicate chairs like the one shown in Figure 5 might be employed. Figure 8 is a broken view showing how the table modification of Figure 7`cooperates with duplicate chairs. Figure 9 isa perspective view of a second modification wherein two pairs of duplicate chairs, one pair differing'` from the other, may be rearranged on an inverted table having folding legs entering slo'ts in the edges of the chairs. -Figure 10 is a horizontal sectionof Figure 9 taken on a line above the seats. p Figure 11 is a perspective view of an altered arrangement for nesting four duplicate chairs m5 as a duplex settee.

In Figure lethere may be observed two duplicate chairs 1, having rather low back rests 2 and seat portions 3. The design` of the chairs 1 will-of course vary depending upon whether made Vholders or ash trays.

2.. of wood or steel. but it is merely of consequence to this invention that the back rests proper do not extend as high as usual above the seats and thatv the sides, fronts and backs of the chairs may be brought into close abutting relationship. The backs of the chairs l -are provided in each corner with a bore or hole 4 which is open be.

low and extends upwardly to terminate short of emergence through the top.

A pair of what I term right hand and left hand chairs shown in Figure 1 will preferably have the same height and size of 'seat and the 4same height of back rest. In`Figure 6 the right hand chair 5 includes a back" rest 6, a seat 7 and a right side arm rest 8 which is of the same height as the back rest 6. Upholstering or cushioning of the chairs will be optional., The chair 5 is similarly provided at the junction of its back with an upwardly extending hole 14 whicheorref sponds to the hole 9 inits companion chair.

A table comprises a top 15 of a predetermined shape and size for reasons which will hereinafter appear. At its four corners ythe table top carries four upwardly projecting cup-shaped members 16 adapted when so positioned to serve as glass The margin of the top is defined by a quadrilateral depending flange 17 which encloses the upper ends of four corner table legs 18 designed to fit, one pair in two of the holes 4 and the other pair in the holes 9 and 14 when the table is inverted as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In such inverted position of the table the cup-shaped members 16 will function as very short legs for the converted piece of furniture comprising the assembled units to constitute as appears in Figure 2 a lounging chair preferably to contain one or more cushions not shown.

The size of the tabl'top which is enclosed by the upwardly projecting flange 17 when the table n is inverted, is such that it very slightlyexceeds the Vcombined areas of the bases of the two chairs 1 and of the chairs 5 and 10 to permit the iiange 17 snugly to confine the bottoms of all four chairs when arranged as shown in Figures 2 and 4. In bringing the chairs of light weight to such an arrangement each is lifted high enough to permit insertion of=one tablel leg` 18v into its hole'4, 9 or 14. when: assembled as shown in Figure 2 the flange 17'vifillfpfreventdis-Y placement of the compact internes'ted chair arl rangement and the interlocked arrangement by.

reason of the occupancy by the legs 18 of four of the holes 4, 9 and 14 will prevent tipping of the chairs. The Figures yzand '4I showv the seats and the interiors ofthe back and-armrestsv upholstered as designated by the'single numeral 19 in'Figure 4. As before stated suchcushioning 4 may selectively be omitted as iixed lelements of the chairs.

cesses in the inverted table top in 'lieu of confinement by a table top nange and to, serve the equivalent function of preventing chair. displacement as well as proper initial-arrangement.

The modification of Figures 7 and 8 involves a table 20 provided with a flange 21 and convertible back rest 22 hinged at 23 along the inside of one flange section. Four duplicate chairs 24 are then arranged iront to front in pairs and side to side as other pairs after the convertible back rest 22 has been swung up to its dotted line position in Figure 7 in which it will serve as a back rest extending across one end of the composite lounging chair wherein the back rests of the four chairs 24 constitute arm rests.

The modification disclosed by Figures 9 and 10 pertains toa table 25 having tv vp, of its diagonally opposite legs 26 hinged. Two plain chairs 27 like the chair shown iniFigure 5 are arranged with their backs 28 staggered near the `middle line of the table. Two duplicate chairs 29 like the chair 10 shown in Figure 1 are arranged as shown to occupy the two opposite corners. 'Ihe chairs 29, in addition to holes at table corners, have their seat supports fashioned withJ slots 31 (see'Figure 9) .to be occupied by the two hinged legs 26 when they are folded down against the top. Such an arrangement will constitute what is known as a duplex or facefto-face conversation chair. l

Figure 11 shows an arrangement for achieving a duplex settee, wherein a table 32 has all four of its legs 33 hingedly adapted to fold iiat against the underside of the tabletop which. is enough larger in area to permit four duplicate chairs 34 of steel framing to be arranged in pairs back to back inside of the rectangle dened by the four folded table legs. Securing -pair is adapted when turned to clamp the legs of two correspondingly faced chairs after having entered through the slots 37 which are appropri i' ately positioned in two oppositely disposed sections of the table ange 36.

It is to be realized that the scope of my invention comprehends many equivalent constructions. The showing of the drawings and the particular description aremerely specific exemplincations of a plurality of mechanical embodiments and arrangements.

I claimz'- 1.-Convertible furniture comprising a pair of chairs one provided on one'side and the other one on the opposite side with a wall extending from top to bottom and an inverted table for securing said chairs in appositioned relation with front edges of said walls, considering the chairs as separated, abutting each other'and serving as -provided-l on onevside with a.l permanentV up-v `standing wall. extending. to the front edge of-its seat, apair of duplicate chairsconforming. in size and shape of seat and back rest to Asaid first mentioned pair of chairs and an inverted' table for securing said nrst mentioned'pair of chairs in appositioned relation vwith front edges of said wallsabutting each other and for secure ingsaidl last mentioned pair of chairs alongside said first mentioned pair of chairs `respectively and in apposition to each other, whereby to construct a lounging chair with' quadruple seat area 'adapted to serve as arm rests.

3. Convertible furniture comprising flve units, namely. a pair of duplicate chairs each including a seat-supporting section, seat-and back rest, said chairs being furthermore provided on one side with a wall extendingfrom front to back, a pair of duplicate chairs conforming in size and shape of seat and back rest to said flrst mentioned pair of chairs and a table adapted in itsV inverted position to secure said first mentioned pair of chairs in appositioned relation and with the front edges of said walls abutting each other and likewise adapted to secure said last mentioned pair of chairs alongside of said first mentioned pair of chairs respectively and in apposition to each other,

whereby to construct a lounging 4chair with quadruple seat area and with the back rests of all of said chairs adapted to serve as arm rests, the legs of said table and raised sections of said chairs being interfitted. v

4. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs arranged in abutting relation to form a chair assembly and having openings open at their lower ends, and an inverted table for interlocking said chairs as a unit, the legs of said table occupying said chair openings respectively.

5. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs having elongated openings extended into the backs thereof, said chairs being ar-` ranged in abutting relation to form a chair assembly and an inverted table having legs entered in said openings respectively, the top of said table when vin its normal position carrying receptacles at corners thereof, said receptacles -when the table is in its inverted position serving 7. Convertible furniture comprising four lowbacked chairs, said chair backs being fashioned with holes, and a table having legs and a top bordered'by an encompassing flange which depends during the normal table-functionating po- I sition and which flange is adapted to enclose in four corner arrangement the lowest leg por- `tionsv of said chairswhen said table is in an inverted position, said table legs occupying said h'oles respectively, two of said chairs having angularlyy disposed back and arm rests conforming to two sides of said chairs and while supported upon the inverted table being. in edge abutment with each other and with the two otherV chairs respectively whereby to constitute the composite back and composite lateral arm rests of a lounging chair.

8. vAs convertible'furniture, the combination of right and left chairs each comprising -a seat a .backrest and one lateral armrest, a pair of duplicate chairs each comprising a seat and thereabove only a backrest, certain portions of all four chairs being of the same size and shape, and a table bordered by a flange encompassing the combined fioor-adjacent sides of said `chairs and confining the chairs as an assembled unit,

with pairs of like chairs appositioned with the front edges of their seats abutting each other and with said armrests of said first-mentioned pair of chairs along one border of the assembly whereby said armrests constitute a. composite backrest for a constructed chair of quadruple seat sizeand whereby pairs of the four individual chair backs each constitute a lateral armrest for the converted chair assembly.

9. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of substantially similar furniture pieces each having a plurality of edges adapted contactually to nest together a different kind of furniturel piece when in its inverted position snugly enclosing portions of said plurality/f substantially similar pieces while in nested assembly, and,-

means'for interlocking all the pieces when in such inter-fitted relation whereby collectively to construct a distinct piece of furniture.

10. Convertible furniture comprising a plurallity of furniture pieces of like function havingl edges adapted contactually to nest together, a different kind of furniture piece bordered by a ange conforming to outer borders of said first mentioned pieces when nested, said flange snugly enclosing lower portions of said nested furniture pieces when the ange-carrying furniture piece is in its invertedV position, other portions of one kind of furniture being confined by the other kind of furniture whereby to construct a distinct article of furniturev having its constituent parts interlocked..

l1. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs, and a table having depending portions in their inverted 4position snugly enclosing said chairs while the latter are resting upon segments of said table top, said table being' provided with a hinged member adapted to be swung at an angle to said table top and to constitute an end rest extending between the back `rests of two of said chairs as a part of a compositely enlarged chair.

l2. Convertible furniture comprising a pluralits inverted position in tongue and groove connection with said chairs respectively, and a member hinged to the table and alternatively adapted to lie. against the table top or to constitute an end rest extending between the lateral edges of the spaced backrests of two of said chairs, and to constitute the backrest of `a lounging article of furniture having as armrests the backs of said chairs.

13. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs having only back vrests above their seats, a table having its top fashioned with a downwardly flanged margin snugly enclosing the bases of said chairs when the table is inverted, and a memberhinged along one edge of said table and alternatively adapted to lie against the table top or to constitute an end rest extending between the lateral edges of the spaced back rests of two of said chairs and to constitute the back rest of a lounging article of furniture having as arm rests the backs of said chairs, said chair backs being provided each with an aperture occupied by a leg of said inverted table whereby in cooperation with the table flange to secure the chairs against both tipping and base separation.

14. Convertible furniture comprising ve units,

namelyfa pair of chairs each including a seatsupporting section, seat and back rest. said chairs being furthermore provided on ons side with, a section raised above said seat. a pair of duplicate plain chairs conforming in size and shape of seat and back section to said first mentioned pairV of chairs and a table in its inverted vim position securingy said rst mentioned pair o! chairs in appositioned relation with the front edges of said raised side sections juxtaposed to each other and likewise securing said last mentioned pair of chairs alongside of said first mentioned pair of chairs respectively and in apposition to each other, whereby to construct a lounging chair with quadruple seat area and with the back rests of all of said chairs adapted to serve as arm rests, the=legs of said table and raised sections of said chairs being interiitted.

15. Convertible furniture comprising four chairs arranged in abutting relation about a central point to form a chair assembly and means comprising an inverted table having a top supporting said chairs and having up-standing edge portionsadapted to embrace said chairs'.

16. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs arranged in endless abutting relation about a central point and each chair in contact with a plurality of other chairs to form a chair assembly and an inverted table having legs, one leg interfitted with each of said chairs at outer borders of the latter whereby to unify and secure said assembly.

17. Convertible furniture comprising four chairs, adapted to nest together with their outer borders deilning a plane ligure of predetermined shape, a table having a top bordered by an encompassing iiange which depends during the normal table-functionating position and which aange-amphis encima ma mma cum when said table-itin an inverted position, the

backrest!of80111450!'laidchitlrshliiligliillletlilv to nest together and each provided with a hole, y

a table providedwith a plurality of legs and -having its top bordered by a ilange projecting in the same direction as said legs, said ilange conforming to outer borders of said chairs when nested together and when in its inverted position snugly enclosing the bases of said chairs, said table legs each adapted -to 'occupy a hole in a diiferent one of the chairs whereby a modliied, composite and interlocked chair assembly is achieved.

20. Convertible furniture comprising a table including hinged legs and a top, four chairs adapted to have Atheir seats in interiitted abutting relation and then to rest upon equal segments of said table top while the table is inverted, the b'acks of certain of said chairs being fashioned withslots for occupancy by foldedn legs respectively whereby to interlock the chairs and table as an assembly to produce a different article of furniture. t

FREDERICK D. SCHNEIDER.

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