US210628A - Improvement in convertible car seats and couches - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. A. PIGOIO'LI. Convertible Gar Seat and Couch.

Patented Dec.10, 1878.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. A.\PICGIOLI. A Convertible Gar Seat andouch. No..210,\628. Pateln'feclDec.10,1878.

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CHARLES A PIOCIOLI, OF MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONVERTIBLE CAR SEATS AND COUCHES.

Specilieation forming part of Letters Patent No. 210,628, dated December l0, 1873; application filed October 16, 1878.

To all lwhom it mayA concern:

Beit known. that I, OHARLEs A. Piccioni, of Montgomery, in the county of Montgomery and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Appliances for Converting Gar-Seats into Reclining- Couches; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invent-ion relates to an improvement in appliances for converting car-seats into reclining-couches, the object being to provide a device of such construction that it may be folded into small compass and packed in an ordinary traveling satchel, and when unfolded and placed in proper position it shall serve to support one end of a car-seat cushion in an inclined position, thus converting the seat into a reclini 11g-couch for the occupant of the seat.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of a railway-car seat provided with my improved support. Fig. 2 represents the portable device in a folded position. Fig. 3 shows the same when open. 'Fig 4 is a view, in perspective, of a car-seat with the portable support in position for retaining the seat-cushion at the proper inclination. Figs. 5 and 6 are modifications.

A represents the removable cushion of an ordinary car-seat. B is the inner, and O the outer, end of the seat. D represents my improved portable car-seatcushion support 5 and consists of the cross-bar a, constructed with a groove, b, formed in one edge thereof. b b are folding standards, which are pivoted to the opposite ends of the bar a, and adapted to be folded into the groove b iiush with the edge of the bar, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this form the support D occupies very little space, and may be carried in an Ordin ary travelin g-satchel. When required for use, the standards b b are turned outward and beneath the cross-bar a until the upper ends of the standards abut against the shoulders c c of the cross-bar. The lower ends of the folding standards are provided with shoulders d d', which t the top and inner sides of the seat-frame pieces e c', as

shown in Fig. l. The cushion is supported atY one end upon the cross-bar a, while the opposite end rests against the other end of the seat. A pillow may be placed at the head or upper end of the cushion, as illustrated in Fig. 4, thus constituting a reclining-couch for the occupant ofthe seat.

The traveler may provide himself with a rubber pillow, which maybe packed into small compass and packed away in a satchel during the day, or when not needed for use; and by lling the cushion with air it is rendered of proper size and shape to answer the desired purpose.

From the foregoing it will be observed that every traveler may be provided with a comparatively inexpensive device for use in traveling, and one that requires but little space in transportation, While by its aid any ordinary car-seat may be readily converted into a reclining-couch, thus enabling a traveler to secure substantially the same comforts and rest that obtain in Pullman cars.

Man-y improvements have been madein head rests for car-seats 5 but such 'devices only partially serve the wants of travelers, as only the head is retained in a comfortable position for sleepin g, no provision being made for supporting the body of the traveler in an easy and comfortable position for gaining the vdesired rest.

My improvement can be manufactured at slight initial cost, and thus brought within the reach of all railway-travelers. It is adapted to be folded and packed in small compass, and when applied for use it serves to trailsform an ordinary car-seat into a comfortable reclining-couch.

'Ihe portable support may be made of wood or metal, as desired. The lower ends of the standards may be pronged, so that by a slight pressure they will be firmly secured to the seat-frame.

The cross-bar a may be made in two sections, hinged together by a rule or knuckle hinge, and the standards also each made of two' sections, hinged in a similar manner. This latter construction would enable the sup-- port to be folded into a very short package, so that it might be inserted in a very small traveling satchel or case.

Again, the cross-bar may be provided with short heav5T spiral springs, which may be at taehed to plates and hinged at opposite ends ot' the bar, so that when not in use they may be folded within suitable grooves in the crossbar; and when the support is to be employed, the springs may be turned up at right angles thereto and serve to support one end of the oar-seat cushion in a yielding manner.

Itis evident that many slight changes in the construction and arrangement ofthe parts of a portable support may be devised Without departing from the spirit of my invention-as, for instance, the support may be hinged or pivoted to the frame of the car-scat, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. When the support is not employed it is turned down between the seat-frame, as represented in Fig. 6, and when desired for use it is turned up to rest against the end ot the seat, as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, it desired, the seats of a ear may be provided with head supports permanently attached thereto, and which will prove ot' great value and comfort to travelers on through-lines. I

i Having fully described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A folding support consisting,` of a cross-v set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 5th day ot' October, 1878.

4CHARLES A. PICCIOLI.

1Witnesses:

J. S. IRWIN, Il. (j. Mosns.

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