US2107629A

US2107629A - Adjustable chair leg extension

Info

Publication number: US2107629A
Application number: US120204A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dallas Constance Hopkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-01-12
Filing date: 1937-01-12
Publication date: 1938-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 1955-02-08

Description

Feb. 8, 1938. c. H. DALLAS ADJUSTABLE CHAIR LEG EXTENSION Filed Jan. 12, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR: Emszfanm ifipirins Dallas,

WITNESSES:

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR LEG EXTENSION Filed Jan. 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG: Y.

W I TNESSES 1 N VEN TOR W a W Cansifanaz ifipirms Dallas Patented Feb. 8, 1938 -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

My invention relates generally to adjustable attachments for use on various articles of furniture and more particularly to adjustable extensions for chair legs.

-The use of the conventional high chair is attended with certain disadvantages. A high chair at table with the family is awkward. It generally does not match other articles of furniture; it does not lend itself to being drawn closely to lo the table; and it usually necessitates the inconvenience of a tray. Moreover, there are intermediate stages where children are too large for the average high chair yet not tall enough for chairs used by adults; and the customary practice of using cushions, books or other articles on the seat of a chair for elevating the occupant to the desired height often results in discomfort. Such a makeshift arrangement is not conducive to good manners or posture and is a distinct handicap to the child receiving his first lessons on behavior at table.

The principal object of my invention is to overcome the above difficulties by providing an adjustable chair leg extension which is simple in structure and operation and may be easily applied, removed, or adjusted, as occasion demands, with respect to any of the usual dining room or straight chairs found in the home. I am aware that other adjustable chair leg extensions are suggested in the prior art, but their intricacy and lack of capacity for easy application tothe average chair make them unsuitable for general use in the home. Furthermore, the devices heretofore suggested or employed are either unstable or so elaborate and expensive to manufacture as to be impracticable, whereas the device of this invention is characterized by extreme simplicity and economy of manufacture and at the same time possesses adequate ruggedness and durability, and when removed leaves the chair in its original useful condition.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of one example of the invention and a modification thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

Fig. I represents a perspective view of a conventional chair with attachments embodying my invention applied thereto.

Fig. II represents an enlarged side elevation of one chair leg, partially in section, showing details of one such attachment.

Fig. III represents a further enlarged perspective view of the extension member of the attachment, showing also the felt protector associated therewith.

Fig. IV represents a cross section, taken as indicated by the lines IV-IV of Fig. III.

Fig. V represents a side view of the foot portion of the extension member.

Fig. VI represents a perspective view of the holding element which is attached to the chair leg end, showing the spur which sinks into the chair leg. 10

Fig. VII represents a cross section, taken as indicated by the lines VII-VII of Fig. II; and,

Fig, VIII represents a cross section similar to that of Fig. VII, but showing a modified form of clamping means comprising a rolled metal strip 15 instead of the collars shown in Figs. I and II.

With particular reference to Figs. I and II of the drawings, there is shown a conventional chair I having legs 2, to each of which is applied an adjustable attachment of my invention. Each 20 such attachment comprises generally an extension member 3, a holding element 4 secured to the end of the chair leg 2, and clamping means in the form of collars 5. There is desirably interposed between the extension member 3 and the 25 chair leg 2, and between the collars 5 and the chair leg 2, a protective cushion of felt or like material as indicated at 6.

The extension member 3 is shown most clearly in Fig. III. It comprises in its preferred form a 30 bar of metal having vertically spaced slots 1 therein, the bar being curved transversely throughout its length to conform to the curvature of an ordinary chair leg. At its lower end, the extension member 3 has a

rounded foot

8, 5 an enlarged view of which is shown in Fig. V. The curvature of the foot 8 is of particular advantage where the chair legs are inclined at an angle to the vertical, in which case it affords a substantial surface contact with the floor. At its 40 upper end the extension member 3 has grooves 9 in the outer surface which are designed to ac commodate the collars 5 with a snug fit.

The felt protector 6 comprises a strip generally conforming to the shape of the extension mem- 45 her 3 and having holes I!) therein which register with the holes '3 of the extension member, and it includes additionally a split cylindrical portion I2 which surrounds the chair leg 2 within the collars 5. In an obvious manner the use of such 50 'a protector permits the attachment to be applied and removed or used over a long period of time, all without injury to the chair.

The holding element 4, as shown most clearly in Figs. II and VI, comprises generally a disc por- 55 ance, particularly in view of the fact that the that the attachments of my invention may be tion l3 and a hook portion l4. Within the disc portion l3 there is a countersunk aperture l5 through which a screw I6 is inserted for securing the holding element to the end of the chair leg 2. Additionally the disc portion I3 is provided with an upstanding spur II which sinks into the end of the chair leg and prevents the holding element from turning about the leg end. The hook portion l4 projects upwardly and laterally and is adapted to engage selectively any one of the holes I in the extension member 3, the engagement being such as to hold the extension member firmly against the bottom end of the chair leg 2.

The collars 5 are shown most clearly in Figs. II and VII. Each collar 5 is constructed of relatively resilient material and has flanged ends l8 secured together. by means of a screw l9 andnut 20. The collars 5 may be adapted to fit chair legs of various shapes and sizes. Inasmuch as they fit Within the grooves 9 of the extension member 3, the collars 5 are held against displacement and prevented from sliding with respect to the chair leg 2.

In Fig. VIII of the drawings, there is shown a ,modification of the invention in which rolled metal bands 5a are employed in lieu of the collars 5. Each such band comprises a continuous strip with one end 5?) bent around the extension member 3 at one of the slots 1. The strip is then passed around the chair leg 2 exteriorly of the cylindrical portion l2 of the felt protector. Desirably the stripis passed twice aroundjthe leg in the manner clearly illustrated in the drawings, with the free end 50 ultimately drawn taut ,and rolled and swaged into the slot opening '1.

Such an arrangement firmly clamps the extension member 3, it can be used on chair legsoi different crosssectional shapes. clamping means presents a very neat appearrolled end 50 may be housed within the 'slot 7 in such manner that there are no unsightly projections.

From the above description it will be apparent readily applied to and removed from the legs of diiferent kinds of chairs. Moreover, one special advantage is that the holding element 4 may be permanently applied to the leg ends of a chair,

and when it is desired to elevate the chair, the extension members 3 and clamping means 5 or,

50, may be quickly attached. In this connection it will be noted that the hook portion M oi the. holding element 4 is so constructed that it extends clear of the floor when the disc portion I3 rests on the floor.

Although the constituent elements comprising the adjustable attachments of this invention are extremely simple and may be produced at a low manufacturing cost, the attachments are nevertheless very efficient in operation and possess adequate stability. One important factor in producing such stability is that the extension members 3 are held firmly against the side of the chair leg both at the upper portion where the clamping types of adjustable clamping means, it will bev apparent that numerous changes or modifications may be made in the form of the attachments and the various parts thereof; and that. the in and it has the advantage that- Also, this form of adjustable,

vention may be applied to other articles of furniture in addition to chairs, all without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the annexed claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In combination with a leg for a chair or the like, an extension member having vertically spaced slots formed therein, and adapted to be selectively engaged, a holding element having a down-turned hook and attached to the leg end, said hook engaging said extension member through one of said slots and holding it against said leg, and adjustable clamping means securing the upper portion of said extension member against said leg. I

2. The invention of claim 1 characterized by the further fact that there is a protecting cushion between said leg and said extension member and between said leg and said clamping means.

3. In combination with a leg fora chair or the like, a transversely curved extension member having vertically spaced slots formed therein and a rounded foot formed on the end thereof, a protecting cushion attached to the inner side of said.

extension member and engagingsaid leg. said protecting cushion being formed substantially to encircle said leg atfthe top of the extension, member and having openings formed; therein to; correspond with said slots, clam'ping means se curing the upper portion of said extensionmem ber to the legand being separated from the leg by said upper part of said protecting, cushion, and holding means'screwed, to the leg end said holding means having a spur to engage said; leg

end and consisting, of a disc portion fitting over the leg end and 'a hook portion, said hook por tion extending upwardly whereby it is clear. of'

the floor when said disc portion rests on the floor.

4. In combination with a leg for a chair or the like, an extension member, havingv vertically spaced slots formed therein, and adapted to be selectively engaged, said extension member having a rounded foot and being curvedtransversely,

to'fit against said leg, a holding element attached to the leg end and engaging said extension member through one of said slots and holding it against said leg, and adjustable clamping means,

securing the upper portion of. said extension member against said leg.

5. In combination with aleg fora ehairor the,

like, an extension member having vertically spaced slots formed-therein, and adapted to be selectively engaged, a holding element attached,

to the leg end and engaging said extension member through one of said slots and holding it against said leg, said holding element having a spur which is sunk into the legend to keep said holding element from turning about the legend, and adjustable clamping means securing the upper portion of said extension member against said leg.

against said leg, said holding element including a flat disc for fitting on the leg end, and an 8H9.

gaging hook extendingup. from .said flatdisc, whereby the normal use ofthe'leg is not impaired when the extension member is removed, and ad-. justable clamping means securing theupper portion of said extension. memberagainst said leg r 7. In combination with a leg for a chair or the like, an extension member having vertically spaced slots formed therein, and adapted to be selectively engaged, a holding element attached to the leg end and engaging said extension member through one of said slots and holding it against said leg, and adjustable clamping means securing the upper portion of said extension member against said leg, said clamping means consisting of a metallic tape wrapped around the leg and through one of said engagement slots and a rolled end swaged into the slot opening provided by the thickness of the extension mem- 5 her.

CONSTANCE HOPKINS DALLAS.