US2010290A

US2010290A - Stool

Info

Publication number: US2010290A
Application number: US650687A
Authority: US
Inventors: James A Campbell
Original assignee: CHARLES T CAMPBELL
Current assignee: CHARLES T CAMPBELL
Priority date: 1933-01-07
Filing date: 1933-01-07
Publication date: 1935-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 1952-08-06

Description

1935- J. A. CAMPBELL y 2,010,290

STOOL Filed Jan. 7, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 1526055. I i CZ Ccvr ZeZZ -Aug. 6, 1935. J. A. CAMPBELL STOOL Filed Jan. '7, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mas c2. cwgpzfzz 1935- J. A. CAMPBELL 2,010,290

STOOL Filed Jan. 7, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 iv, //I i W m 0 0'0 Zflzfzzeaa JcE/vzea CZ. (6277505612 Patented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,010,290 s'roor.

James A. Campbell, Kewaunee, Wis, assignor of one-half to Charles '1. Campbell, Kewaunee,

Wis.

Application January 7,

10 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in supports for stools, chairs, tables and similar articles, More particularly the invention relates to improvements in supports for stools, chairs or the like wherein the length of the pedestal or seat supporting members are extensible within predetermined limits in combination with means for automatically locking such members against possibility of collapseunder their weight or the weight of an occupant thereof.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved extensible support for stools, chairs or the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved locking means for. extensible supports of the kind described, said means being operable to prevent decreasing the length of the support under load and yielding under tension to permit further extension of the support between predetermined limits. 3

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved fastening means for extensible supports of the kind described.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of improve-d means for locking extensible supports against collapse under compression exerted thereon and which will permit extensibility of the support under tensile force applied thereto when in normal vertical, inverted, or any intermediate position.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

In the drawings, wherein like reference charaoters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a stool embodying the rinciples oi the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another form of stool embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device shown in looking position;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 with the looking portion in released position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig; 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line 66 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an element forming a portion of the locking device; 1

Fig. 8 is a view of a fragmentary portion of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

1933, Serial No. 650,687 (01. 94

Fig. 91s a fragmentary sectional view of another form of the invention;

Fig. 10 is ,a View along the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9.; and

Fig. 11 is a View along the line I I| I of Fig. 9.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l8 designates a seat and the numerals l2 and I5 respectively designate the outer and inner telescoping members of an extensible support for the seat. The stool shown in Fig. l is supported by a single extensible pedestal wherein the member I2 is preferably fastened to the floor by a base member l3 and bolts Hi. The inner member comprises a. locking rod l5 telescopically mounted in a locking box or housing 2i sin-mounting the member 12. The member [2 is preferably cylindrical and the rod [5 extends substantially the full length thereof when the support is contracted to minimum height. The seat ill is fixedly mounted on the rod- IS, the latter ,being provided'for that purpose with a stem IE on its upper end which projects through an opening in a member I! forming the bottom of the seat. The end portion of the stem i5 is upset to form a riveted connectionof the stem with the member H, such connection serving to fixedly fasten the seat to the rod IS.

The locking boxor housing 2| has its lower end portion interiorly threaded for connection with an exteriorly threaded stem 22 projecting from the member l2. The upper portion of the housing 2| has its inner periphery beveled as shown to provide a frusto-conical. chamber 29. The upper end of the housing 2| is closed by a cap 24, preferably formed of sheet metal or the removal from the housing but yields sufliciently L to permit removal by the application of force for that purpose. A pair of oppositely positioned grooves l8 extend the full length of the rod l5 for a purpose hereinafter more particularly described. The cap 24 is provided with inwardly projecting key members 21 which close the slots for all extended and retracted positions of the rod l5, thereby preventing the possibility of articles dropping in or being inserted into the chamber 29 which might clog orotherwise interfere with the proper operation of the looking or retaining mechanism located in the chamber.

The inner periphery of the housing is shown as cylindrical adjacent to the beveled periphery 28 to provide a cylindrical surface having a diameter somewhat greater than that of the rod l5 extending therethrough. The diameter of the inner periphery of the housing 2| is substantially reduced at the lower end of the surface 36, thereby providing a shoulder 3i and below the shoulder for a short distance, the housing has an inner periphery 32 of a still smaller diameter providing a close sliding fit for the rod HE. A lug 20 projects from the peripheral sur-- face 32 into a groove H9 in the rod 95' and provides a key preventing rotation of the rod relative to the housing 2!. The groove i9 is so positioned and of such a length as to permit the necessary telescoping movement of the rod i5 relative to the housing 2i and the member E2. The rod 95 has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the inner periphery of the member l2 and near its lower end is provided with an annular groove 4G in which an expansible spring band M is mounted. The frictional contact 01' the band ll with the inner periphery of the member I? is such as to require substantial force to move the rod 55 relative to the member 52 and thereby permits the stool to be lifted and carried by grasping the seat without movement of the rod in the member l2; the weight of the housing 2i, member 52 and the supporting base i3 being insufiicient to overcome the resistance due to the frictional contact of the band M with the inner surface of the member l2.

Means is located in the chamber 29 for retaining the rod it locked against downward movement in all extended positions up to the maximum and which permits extension of the support by movement of the rod l5 outwardly. The retain ing means comprises a spring band or collar 33 located with its upper end in the chamber 29 and its lower end in sliding fit with the cylindrical surface 39 of the housing. The collar 33 is shown in perspective in Fig. '7 as comprising a cylinder out along the longitudinal line 43. The collar 33 normally has a slightly larger diameter than that of the peripheral surface 39 and is slightly contracted when mounted therein. The tendency of the collar 33 to expand provides frictional contact with the surface 39 suiiicient to require substantial force to move the band longitudinally of the housing.

A plurality of recesses 34 are provided in the upper end of the collar 33, each providing a seat for one of a plurality of ball bearings 36. The bottoms of the recesses 3 are inclined slightly downwardly and inwardly towards the rod 55 and the spacing of the collar 33 from the rod is such that gravity causes the balls to ride in the recesses in point contact with the rod. The lower end of the collar 33 has inwardly turned lugs or keys 35 extending into the oppositely positioned grooves in the rod l The balls are held in their position of contact with the rod 15 by a ring washer 3'! resting against and held in position on the tops of the balls by a compressive spring 38. The compressive force exerted by the spring 38 is less than the resistance of the collar 33 to movement by reason of its frictional contact with the cylindrical peripheral surface 39.

The position of the collar 33 as shown in Fig. 3 is such that the balls 35 are in contact both with the rod i5 and the beveled surface 28 of the housing 2!, in which position the balls lock the rod l5 against movement inwardly of the housing but permit movement outwardly as desired to increase the length of the support. The retaining means is shown in Fig. 4 in released position, wherein the collar 33 has been moved towards the outer end of the housing an amount suificient that the balls 35 no longer contact with the beveled surface 28. In this position of the collar 33 and the balls 3%, the rod I5 can be moved in either direction. The movement of the collar 33- .from locking to released position and vice verse:

is accomplished by a pair of pins 39 and ill mount-' ed on the rod 55 with their ends projecting into the oppositely positioned grooves l3. In Fig. 4, it will be observed that the rod i5 has been moved outwardly to a point where the spring band ii is in contact with a shoulder in the housing 2! at the lower end of the peripheral surface 32. In this position of the rod 15, the pin M? is brought into contact with the lugs 35 on the collar 33 and thus moves the collar outwardly an amount sufiicient to release the balls 35 from contact with the housing. In order that the collar 33 be moved to operative locking position,

it is then necessary to move the rod l5 inwardly until the upper pin 39 contacts with the lugs 35 and returns the band to its original position as shown in Fig. 3. The locking position of the retaining means is thereby obtained as described by moving the rod l5 inwardly the maximum 1 allowable amount and the releasing position is obtained by moving the rod outwardly the maximum allowable amount with the retaining means in locking position. Obviously the length of the support can be extended in any desired amount up to the maximum by merely exerting a pull tending to separate the upper and lower portions of the support, the retaining means meanwhile remaining in looking position and preventing any downward movement. In the event it is desired to shorten the length of the support, this is accomplished pulling the rod i5 out the maximum amount and then moving the rod inwardly the maximum allowable amount and then moving the rod outwardly to the desired point.

Fig. 2 illustrates a plurality of extensible supports as hereinbefore described providing a mounting for an unattached stool, the members 62 each being supported by a lug M as shown. Upper and lower cross braces hold the supporting members in fixed relation. The upper cross member $5 is shown in Figs. 3 and l as clamped between the lower end of the housing 2i and a shoulder on the upper end of the member l2. Stools of this character are portable and are generally carried from place to place by grasping the seat iii. The frictional contact of the band ii with the inner periphery of the member i2 permits the lifting of the stool in this manner without danger of the members is being pulled outwardly.

In either of the stool constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the adjustment of the height can be obtained with the stool in vertical or in any other position merely by exerting the necessary force tending to pull the rod or rods l5 outwardly. The released position of the retaining means is accomplished in either construction by extending the rods it the maximum allowable amount. The locking position of the rods i5 is also obtained in either of the described constructions by pushing the rod or rods inwardly the maximum amount as hereinbefore described.

An alternative form of retaining means is shown in Fig. 8 wherein is provided a spring band P or collar 46 which is similarin all respects to the spring band or collar 33 except that the balls (it are positioned in circular apertures 41 and a slightly modified form of housing 48 is used. The apertures i'l have inwardly diverging bounding walls whereby gravity seeps the balls in the apertures in contact with the rod iii. This embodiment of the invention is manipulated in the same manner for extending the rod l5 and for releasing the retaining mechanism as hereinbefore described in connection with the spring band or collar 33.

Still another form of retaining means is shown in Figs. 9, i and 11 comprising a housing 56 of slightly larger diameter than shown for the housings 2! and 48 already described. The housing 56 provides a chamber 5! in which is mounted a collar E l having an annular flange 55. The chamber 5i is bounded by downwardly converge ing side walls terminating in a shoulder 52 and a cylindrical surface 85 of a diameter substantially greater than that of the locking rod lb. The cylindrical surface 55 terminates in a shoulder providing a support for a spring band or sleeve 59 of a construction similar to the collar 33. The sleeve 59 has a plurality of stems 59 projecting from its upper end contacting with the flange 55 and thereby providing a support for the collar li t. The sleeve has a pair or oppositely positioned lugs 5'? positioned in the grooves 53 of the rod iii. The groove 53 of the rod [5 is positioned adjacent one of the grooves l8 as best shown in Fig. and provides a runwayfior a key projecting from the collar E l. The spacing between the stems registers with the apertures and provides room for contact of the balls 3% with the rod I5.

The device is shown in Fig. 9 with the balls in contact with the housing lit, in which position the rod is locked against downward movement. This I" rm of the device is manipulated in the same manner as already described for the embcdiments shown in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive. The device is released from locking position by moving the rod l upwardly to its maximum extended position, thereby bringing the pin 35 into Contact with the lugs 5i and raising the sleeve 59 and the collar 5 against the resistance of the spring 38. The frictional contact of the sleeve to with the housing 55 prevents the spring 38 from moving the collar 54 and sleeve 59 downwardly when the d vice is in released position. The lower edges of the apertures 56 are inclined inwardly and downwardly the collar 54 projects beyond the center of the balls 36 sufiiciently that gravity tends constantly to hold the balls in contact with the rod 55 when the device is in released position.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an extensible supporting device for stools, and the like, and automatic locking means therefor which enables the supporting device to be extended any amount up to a predeterminedmaximum, the device being automatically locked against inward movement at any intermediate position and released from looking position by extending the support its maximum amount, and is again returned to locking position only upon complete retraction of the support.

Having thus described the invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same; hence I do not limit myself to the exact form, construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and. desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An extensible member of the kind described comprising inner and outer telescoping members,

casing mounted on one end of the outer member and having a chamber with side walls converging towards the inner member,a collar having one end projecting into the chamber and its other end in frictional contact with the casing adjacent the small end of the chamber, said innermember extending through said chamber and collar, the projecting end of said collar provided with a plurality of recesses, a plurality of ball bearings mounted one in-each of said recesses, means maintaining said ball bearings in their respective recesses in constant contact with said inner member, means operable upon movement of said inner member to its extreme inward position to move said collar to a position wherein the ball bearings also contact'with said side walls, and means operable to move said collar to a position wherein the ball bearings clear said side walls upon outward movement of said inner member to its extreme outward position.

' 2. In an adjustable stool having a seat, an extensible support for the seat comprising a lower member and an upper member telescoping within the lower, a casing on the upper end of the lower member having a chamber bounded by downwardly converging walls, a collar frictionally engaging the casing below and projecting into the chamber, said upper member extending through said chamber and collar, said collar having a plurality of recesses in said projecting end, a plurality of ball bearings each mounted in one of said recesses in contact with said upper member, means operable by inward movement of ber bounded by downwardly converging side walls,

a collar frictionally engaging the casing below and projecting into the chamber, said upper member extending through said chamber and collar, said collar providing a plurality of recesses in its projecting end, a plurality of ball bearings mounted one in each of said recesses in contact with said upper member, said upper member provided with means for moving the collar at substantially the end of the travel of the inner member in either direction, whereby said ball bearings are released from contact with said converging side walls when the upper member is drawn to its extreme outward position and re main in released position until the upper member has been retracted to the limit of its inward movement, and means operable to move said collar to a position wherein the ball bearings contact with said converging side walls upon retraction of said upper member to the limit of its inward movement.

4. In an adjustable stool having a seat, an extensible support for the seat comprising a. lower member and an upper member telescoping within the lower, a casing mounted on the upper end of the lower member and having a chamber bounded by downwardly converging side walls, a collar frictionally engaging the casing below and projecting into the chamber, the upper member extending through said chamber and collar, a plurality of ball bearings mounted in said chamber, said collar having a plurality of recesses in its projecting end each providing a mounting for one of said ball bearings, means maintaining said ball bearings in contact with said upper member, means operable by retraction of said upper member to its extreme inward position to move said collar to a position where said ball bearings contact with said converging side walls, and means operable upon movement of the upper member to its extreme outward position to move said collar to a position wherein the ball bearings are disengaged from said side walls.

5. In an extensible construction, the combination of a supporting shaft movable axially for adjustment, a retainer fixed in position and embracing said shaft and having an inner surface angularly arranged with respect to said shaft, a free rolling member arranged between the angularly disposed face of the retainer and the presented face of the shaft and normally maintained contact with said faces so that movement of the shaft in one direction moves said free rolling member into wedged locking position to restrain movement of the shaft in said direction while permitting movement in the other, and means located within the retainer for moving said free rolling member to inoperative position to permit movement of the shaft in the first mentioned direction, said shaft having a part for moving said means to release said free rolling member at the end of the shaft movement.

6. In an extensible construction, the combination of a supporting shaft movable axially for adjustment, a retainer fixed in position and embracing said shaft and having an inner surface angularly arranged with respect to said shaft, a free rolling member arranged between the angularly disposed face of the retainer and the presented face of the shaft and normally maintained in contact with said faces so that movement of the shaft in one direction moves said free rolling member into wedged locking position to restrain movement of the shaft in said direction while permitting movement in the other, a sleeve arranged between said retainer and said shaft and adapted to move in between the converging faces of said shaft and retainer to move said free rolling member out of locking engagement therewith, means operable by the shaft in its movement for moving said sleeve at the end of the shaft movement in each direction, and means holding said sleeve in assumed positions.

7. In an adjustable stool and the like, the combination of a tubular casing having a chamber Whose interior walls converge downwardly, a support slidably mounted in said casing, a free rolling member in said chamber engaging its converging wall and the presented surface of said support and adapted to be moved into wedged locking relation between said wall and said support upon downward movement of said support, unlocking means relative to which said support is movable for lifting said free rolling member out of locking engagement with said support, and means on said support actuating said unlocking means as said support is lifted to its upper limit to permit lowering of said support.

8. In an adjustable stool and the like, the combination of a tubular casing having a chamber whose interior walls converge downwardly, a support slidably mounted in said casing, a free rolling member in said chamber engaging its converging wall and the presented surface of said support and adapted to be moved into wedged locking relation between said wall and said support upon downward movement of said support, unlocking means separate from said support for lifting and supporting said free rolling member out of locking position to permit lowering of said support, and means operating as said support is moved to its uppermost position for actuating said unlocking means.

9. In an adjustable stool and the like, the combination of a tubular casing having a chamber whose interior walls converge downwardly, a support slidably mounted in said casing, a free rolling member in said chamber engaging its converging wall and the presented surface of said support and adapted to be moved into wedged locking relation between said wall and said support upon downward movement of said support, means mounted for sliding movement in said casing for lifting and sustaining said free rolling member during lowering movement of said support, and means on said support operable at the end of its upward movement for actuating said sliding means.

19. In an extensible construction, the combination of a supporting shaft movable axially for adjustment, a retainer fixed in position and embracing said shaft and having an inner surface angularly arranged with respect to said shaft, a free rolling member arranged between the angularly disposed face of the retainer and the presented face of the shaft and normally maintained in contact with said faces so that movement of the shaft in one direction moves said free rolling member into wedged locking position to restrain movement of the shaft in said direction while permitting movement in the other, a sleeve arranged between said retainer and said shaft, means operable by the shaft at the end of the movement of the shaft in one direction for moving said sleeve in between the converging faces of said shaft and retainer to move said free rolling member out of locking engagement therewith, and means operable by the shaft at the end of the movement of the shaft in an opposite direction for moving said sleeve from between said converging faces and said shaft, to permit said free rolling member to move into locking engagement with said shaft.

JAMES A. CAMPBELL.