US2018825A

US2018825A - Chair

Info

Publication number: US2018825A
Application number: US757438A
Authority: US
Inventors: Glenn D Wood
Original assignee: POSTURE RES CORP
Current assignee: POSTURE RES CORP; POSTURE RESEARCH Corp
Priority date: 1934-12-14
Filing date: 1934-12-14
Publication date: 1935-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 1952-10-29

Description

G. D. WOOD Oct. 29, 1935.

CHAIR Filed Dec. 14, 1934 Patented Oct. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT orric CHAIR ration of Indiana Application December 14, 1934, Serial No. 752,438

1 Claim.

permits comfortable relaxation in conference or dictation, and which also permits correct body posture for the occupant whether in working or relaxed position. '1

Another objectof the invention is to provide a chair of this kind having a novel connection between the seat and back rest, which permits the occupant, while seated in the'chair, to move the back rest rearwardly away from its-normal position by a force exerted thereon by the occupants back, the back rest returning to its normal position when such force is discontinued.

- A further object of the invention is to provide achair of this kind which includes a novel cushioning structure between the seat and back rest, which permits of a rearward swinging movement of the back rest and which thereafter restores the same to said normal position.

i The above mentioned objects of the invention as well as others, together with the several advantages thereof, will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective view "of a chair embodying the preferred form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail view in side-elevation of the seat and back rest with the connecting members therebetwe en.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale through a certain telescopically yieldable link or brace embodied in the chair and which will be more fully referred to later.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the drawing:

5 indicates the .base of an oflice chair and 6 indicates the seat fixed upon the top end of a post 1 that has a swivelling adjustable engagement axially in the central part of the base.

8 indicates the back rest of the chair, the front 'of the back rest preferably having a vertically curved formation approximating the curve of the lumbar regions of the back of the person to occupy the chair. As shown herein, the seat and back rest are upholstered and while thisis not essential, it is preferable.

At each. side of the seat, and spaced laterally bottom thereof, an inwardly extending flange H therefrom, isa substantially upright member 9 and on the top end of each member is mounted an arm rest Ill, preferably upholstered. Each member is made as a casting and includes at the for attachment to the bottom surface of the .5 adjacent side of the seat. Along each bottom corner of each side of the seat, is secured an angle bar 82, with the upright flange E3 of each bar formed with a plurality of openings M in its w front end.

The back rest 8 is disposed between the top ends of a pair of downwardly and forwardly curved arms I5. A screw it carried by the top end of each arm is operatively engaged with the. associated side of the back rest to provide a pivotal connection therefor. Each arm also carries a second screw l'l, spaced below the first mentioned one for engagement in the desired hole in a plate l8 fixed to each side of the back rest. 20 By means of this structure, the back rest may be adjusted into the desired angular position with respect to the arms ii. In the bottom end of each arm are spaced openings 99. A bolt 2c is inserted through one of said holes to be threaded into a hole inthe rear end of the associated flange l3 to provide an adjustable pivotal connection for the arms I5, and back rest 8 with respect to the seat.

Associated with each back rest supporting arm is a yielding telescopic brace or link 2|, the construction of which is best shown in Fig. 3.

Eachlink includes a tube 22, the top end of which is flattened to form an ear 23 through which a rivet or bolt 26 extends pivotally to connect the top end of the brace or link, as a whole,

to the associated back rest supporting arm l5 at a point between its ends;

In the bottom end of the tube is secured a bushing 25 through which slides a rod 26. Preferably the bushing has a threaded engagement in the associated end of the tube. It is provided with openings 25a to receive a nail or the like, used in turning the bushing as when applying or removing the same. The bottom end of said rod is formed 5 to provide an eye 21 through which a'bolt 28 is inserted andthen suitably fixed in the desired hole I4 in the flange IS. The other end of the rod 26 which extends a considerable distance into the tube, is there threaded to receive a nut and 59 washer 29. Surrounding that portion of the rod between the bushing 25 and nut and washer 29 is an expansive helical spring 30. It is apparent that by the construction described, the brace or link, as a whole, is extensible and contractible 5g due to the relative longitudinal movement between the tube and rod.

When the link, as a whole, is in position on the chair, it is apparent that the spring will hold the link in its shortest length or condition and this will determine the normal position of the back rest with respect to the seat. This shortest length or condition of said link "or brace is afforded by the engagement of the eye 21 with the end of the bushing 25. When an occupant is seated in the chair and leans back against the back rest. a force is exerted, tending to swing the back rest rearwardly against the action of the spring 30. In thus leaning back against the back rest, the brace or link 2| will tend to elongate, thereby placing the spring under compression.

When the occupant leans forwardly or moves forwar'dlyon theseat, the pressure on the back rest islrleas'e'd. and the'springs 30 tend to expand and to shorten up the links to return the back rest to its normal position.

To adjust the position of the back rest, the

bolts

20 and 28 are removed, after which the bolt 20 is reinserted through the desired hole l9, into the hole in the rear end of the flange l3. The bolt 28 is then replaced in the desired hole I! in the front end of the flange i3. It is apparent that the engagement of the

bolts

20 and 28, in the associated holes mentioned, determines the position ofthe back rest with respect to the seat. By removing the bolts l1 and'swinging the back rest 8 into the desired angular position, with respect to the arms l5, and then replacing the bolts in the corresponding hole in the plates l8, the back rest and seat may be relatively adjusted to fit any occupant regardless of the physical characteristics of the occupant.

This invention has especial advantages as an ofilce chair in that it induces a correct posture of the occupant, without his knowledge as it gives a firm and positive back support while the occupant is in a working position.

It is known that in occupying an omce chair, relaxation and change of position is often desired. This is manifested by leaning back against the 5 back rest. ,With the construction described, the back rest yields rearwardly under the pressure of such leaning action. When the pressure is discontinued, the back rest returns to its normal position. Thus the torso may swing back and forth 10 from the hips, exerting a stretching and'contracting action on the abdominal muscles. This stretching and contacting action serves to provide a gentle massage of the abdominal organs that is indeed beneficial to the occupant. In this s way fatigue is greatly reduced and the working efliciency of the occupant considerably increased.

While in describing the invention, I have referreddn detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the various parts thereof, the same :0

is to be considered only in the illustrative sense so that I do not wish to be limited theretoexcept as may be specifically set forth in the appended claim.

r I claim as my invention:

A chair comprising a seat, a back for the seat. a pair of arms on either side of the seat and back. means for pivotally securing the back to the arms. adjusting means for securing the back in an adjusted position about the pivots on the arms, 30 means for pivotally securing the other ends of the arms to the seat at points toward the rear thereof and for adjusting the arms relative to the-seat, resilient devices, each secured at one end to the corresponding arm and at its other end adjustabl! connected at spaced points on the seat forwardly of the arm and means included in the resilient devices for lengthening and shortening the resilient devices for adjustments intermediate the spaced points.

GLENN D. WOOD.