US2110519A - Folding chair - Google Patents

Description

J. J. CROFT FOLDING CHAIR March 8, 1938,

Filed May 18, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3mm mam f,

L flaw v (7 5343 March s, 1938. ,1, J, CROFT 2,110,519

FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 18, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L M 1195 ciahn 7; Cryfi,

- l91% W 1 HH UQHIIWHIIHMH 5 Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE FOLDING CHAIR Application May 18,

1 Claim.

This invention relates to folding chairs, and the primary object thereof is to provide simplified means for securely and positively retaining the chair both in operative and folded positions, against accidental movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chair of this type which can be economically manufactured; which embodies a minimum of parts, and one wherein the folding and unfolding operations may be easily and quickly performed.

The invention has still further and other objects which will be later set forth. and manifested in the course of the following description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View of the in-- vention, in operative position;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the invention in folded position;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the guide and wear plate. Y

In proceeding in accordance with the present invention, a back I is provided having legs 2; a seat 3 being pivoted to the back by means of brackets 4. Front legs 5 are pivotally connected to the seat by means of brackets 9. The seat is provided on its under side face with side rails or members 1, which latter have longitudinal grooves 8 formed on their confronting or inner side faces. The grooves 8 have right angular end portions 9 which extend toward the seat.

Combined guide and wear plates ID are secured to the inner side faces of the rails l, for example by means of screws ll. As depicted in Figs. 1 and 3, the lower side edges of the plates 19 aline or register with the upper side walls of the grooves 8, or otherwise stated, register with the side walls of the grooves adjacent the seat. The plates l0 are likewise formed with right angular recesses l2, adjacent their end parts, which register with the right angular end portions 9 of the grooves 8.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3 it will be seen that a rod I3 is disposed transversely beneath the: seat and has rollers l4 mounted on its ends which are receivable in the grooves 8 and the recesses 9 and I2, the rollers engaging against the undersides of the plates l9. Short braces l5 are pivoted at H5 at their outer ends to the front legs 5 and at their inner ends pivoted to the rod l3. Rear braces I! are pivoted at I8 1936, Serial No. 80,459

to the rear legs 2 and have their inner ends offset and pivoted to the rod I3. For the purpose of holding the braces l5 and I! against movement inwardly of the rod 43, means, for example, the sleeve I9 is mounted on the rod l3 and has its ends abutting the braces ll. It will be noted that the rollers H! are disposed closely adjacent to the braces l5, so that same as well as the braces l! are held against movement longitudinally and outwardly of the rod it. Referring now to Fig. 1 it will be seen that when the chair is in operative position the rollers M are engaged in the front recesses ll. of the plate it, which recesses constitute keepers for the rollers, and in such position of the parts it will be apparent that the chair is elfectively and rigidly held in operative position. In order to fold the chair it is merely necessary to grasp the back I in one hand and then move the seat 3 with the other hand upwardly toward the back, whereupon the two rollers M will ride against the lower side edges of the plates in until they reach the registering recesses 9 and l2, whereupon the rollers will enter the latter as shown in Fig. 5 thus positively holding the chair in folded position and against accidental opening. The plates I 0 function to provide an edge against which the rollers ride, thereby preventing wear on the walls of the recesses i5, and further act to assume all strains and stresses to which the rollers I 4 may be subjected due to the weight of the occupant of the chair. By virtue of the grooves 8 being formed in the depending portions l at the sides of the seat it will be seen that a greater bearing is afforded for the rollers 14, thus adding to the stability of the chair when in operative position. The plates, in addition, act to reinforce and strengthen the side rails l of the seat and still further act as abutments against which the braces l5 may engage to thus prevent the latter from engaging and consequently wearing away the Wood or other non-metallic material of which the depending members i are generally formed. It is particularly to be noted that the instant invention involves a minimum of parts that are compactly assembled, and can be easily oper ated, and by virtue of the location of the braces l5 and I7 closely adjacent to the front and rear legs a more stabilized structure is provided and one which maintains the chair at a maximum of rigidity when in its operative position.

Obviously, the rollers may be dispensed with, if desired, but are preferably used to constitute a part of the rod I3 in order to facilitate sliding movement of the latter.

What is claimed is:

In a folding chair or like device, a back having legs, a seat pivoted to the back and having depending members at its sides, each formed with a longitudinal groove having substantially right angular end parts, which latter extend toward the seat, front legs pivoted to the members, a rod extending transversely of the seat and having rollersonv its ends slidab le in the grooves and receivable in the end parts. of the latter, a guide plate secured on the inside of each of the depending members. and having downwardly opening recesses forming keepers to receive the rollers at the ends of the rod, which recesses register with the said end parts of the grooves, said guide plate further having a side edge which registers with the side wall of the groove adjacent the seat, and against which edge the rollers engage, a pair of braces at each end of the rod having inner ends pivoted to the rod and having outer ends pivoted to the rear and front legs respectively, and a sleeve on'the rod having ends which engage the inner ends of the adjacent braces and which hold the said inner ends of the adjacent braces against the inner ends of the otherbraces thereby to hold the latter against the plates and to prevent sliding of the rollers on the rod.

JOHN J. CROFT.

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