US2233201A

US2233201A - Chair seat

Info

Publication number: US2233201A
Application number: US248585A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles M Drinkwater
Original assignee: WABASH SCREEN DOOR CO
Current assignee: WABASH SCREEN DOOR CO
Priority date: 1938-12-30
Filing date: 1938-12-30
Publication date: 1941-02-25
Anticipated expiration: 1958-02-25

Description

Feb- 25, 1941- c M. DRINKWATER 2,233,201

CHAIR SEAT Filed DeC. 30, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Figi v 'Z5 I ZO Fell 25, 1941- c. M. DRINKWATER 2,233,201

CHAIR SEAT Filed Dec. 50, 1938 5 Sheets-h-Sheet 2 1, f4" ''tll M11 Feb. 25, 1941.

c. M. DRINKWATER CHAIR SEAT Filed Dec. so. 1938 2 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 aaien Patented Feb. 25, 1.941'

UiTfED STATES PATENT .OFFICE CHAIR SEAT Application December 30, 1938, Serial No. 248,585

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a chair seat and the like.

An object of the invention is to equip a chair or the like with a seat of extremely simple and inexpensive construction and in which the seat may be quickly assembled, the seat providing a yielding support automatically accommodating persons of light or heavy weight. A further object is to provide a yielding seat member which yields initially predominantly in one direction and then at a second stage yields simultaneously in two directions. Another object is to provide a chair seat having a resilient seat member which of itself yields under weight but which is buttressed at certain points with yielding spring supports whereby an extremely comfortable seat is produced. Another object is to provide a yielding seat structure wherein edges thereof which are initially free are brought into contact with supports spaced below whereby the edges are pressed against further movement so as to produce different directional yielding o-f the seat member. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

'Ihe invention is illustrated, in preferred embodiments, by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front View in elevation of a chair equipped with a seat embodying my invention;

3 Fig. 2, a side View in elevation, the seat portion being shown in longitudinal section; Fig. 3, a top plan view; Fig. 4, an enlarged detail sectional view, the section being taken as indicated 'at line 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, an enlarged detail sectional view,the section being taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a top plan view of a modied form of structure embodying my invention; Fig. 7, a 'sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 1 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a top plan view of a second modified form of seat structure embodying my invention; and Fig. 9, a sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 9 of Fig. 8.

In the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inelusive, A designates a frame; and B, a yieldable seat carried by the chair frame.

The chair frame may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, it 'comprises legs I0, the rear legs I0 being connected by slats II. 'Ihe four legs are joined near the bottom by stretchers I2. Above stretchers I2 is the front stretcher or round I3, the rear stretcher I4, and

l the two side stretchers I5. Y

The 'seat stricture B is 'preferably hinged :at

its front end upon some suitable portion of the chair frame A. In the illustration given, I provide a block I6 having a concave lower surface I1 resting upon the stretcher I3. The parts are locked together by means of a metal clamp I8 having one perforated vend secured to the block by a screw I9.

The seat member 2i), which is secured to the block I6, may be of any suitable material having high resilient qualities and considerable 10 strength. I have found that such a seat member may be satisfactorily formed of presswood, that is wood which is formed of wood fibers pressed and bonded together so as to form an extremely sturdy but resilient support. It will 15 be noted that the board 2D is received within a recess 2I formed in block I6 rearward of the stretcher I3.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 5, I provide spring means for supporting the seat mem- 20 ber 20 at a spaced distance above the rear stretcher I4 and the side stretchers I5, the member 2D being supported also in its raised position preferably at a slight rearward inclination. The spring means comprises a loop spring 25 member 22 at each side of the board 2li, the body of the loop extending inwardly and below the member 20. The outer end of each spring 22 is perforated and secured by rivets 23 to the lateral edge portion of member 20. The lower 30 end of the spring 22 is turned to form a loop 24, freely engaging the round or stretcher I5. In the operation of the device, the seat 2i) swings upon the forward pivot portion I'I downwardly against the force of springs 22. The rear 5 side of the seat member 20 then engages the rear stretcher I4 and this causes the yieldable member 20 to bend transversely under the weight imposed. Further movement causes the lateral edges of the seat member 2D to engage the side stretchers I5 and this causes the seat to bend or yield under further pressure about Van imaginary longitudinal axis running from front to rear of the member 20. Thus, in the lower po- 45 sition, the natural resilience `of the presswood board 20 is utilized to insure further downward movement of the seat by engagement of the stationary supports I4 and 22 with the rear and lateral edges of the board. The result is a con- 5'0` cave bending of the board, providing an extremely comfortable seat and one that readily adapts itself t0 a person of light weight as well as to a person of heavy weight.

is a simple operation to slip the loop portions 24 of springs 22 about the stretchers I5. The clamp I8 is then placed in position after the curved portion I 1 of block I6 rests upon stretcher I3. After the single screw I9 is threaded into position, the seat is firmly secured in position.

Should the seat structure B or any portion thereof break or should it become necessary to repair the same, it is only necessary to withdraw screw I9 and clamp I8, whereby the seat B can be replaced, repaired, and it or the new seat again secured in position.

It will be noted that the spring member 22 and the loop portion 24 thereof freely engage the side rounds I5 so that during the swinging movement of the seat board 20, the loop vportion23 is free to creep or rotate upon the bar I5.

In the structure shown in Figs. 6 and?, the

resilient seat 2|]a is provided centrally on its' lower side with a spring metal strap `25, the strap being secured to the board 20a at the two points indicated by rivets `2li. The AVfront end of the spring member 25 is turned downwardly and forwardly at its end to form a spring arm 21 engaging the front stretcher I3. The rear end of the spring member 25 is turned downwardly to provide a spring arm 28 'adapted to extend under and engage the rear stretcher I4. I prefer to turn the end of the arm `28 slightly forwardly at 29 so as to facilitate the assembly of the seat with the chair. If desired, however, the shape of the

arms

21 and 28 may be reversed. It will be observed that in this structure also, the sides of the resilient member 28a extend well over the side stretchers I5 and are spaced thereabove, y

In the operation of the structure shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the member 20a, reinforced by spring 25, yields under weight, the bending being transversely of the seat until the sides of the member 2|)a strike the stretchers I 5 spaced therebelow. Further movementI of the member 252L causes the member to bend not only transversely but longitudinally so that again a dished eifect is produced, thus producing a sturdier support for the member 28 under the increasedweight while at the same time affording greater comfort. If .desired, a substantial portion of the vmetal spring 25 between the rivets 2B may be eliminated and the pressed board 20a relied upon for the resilience and support desired. The structure still provides the

arms

21 and 28 by which the board is secured upon stretchers I3 and I4. With the arms arranged as shown, it will be observed that the ends of the board 2l!a can freely pivot about the stretchers I3 and I4. Y `v In the assembly operation, it is only necessary to thrust the arm 21 below the forward stretcher I3 and then to draw the rear arm 28 forwardly so as to permit it to slide under and below the stretcher I4. The operation is extremely simple and one that can be carried on with great speed in an assembly plant. Likewise, the structure can be readily disassembled, the arm 28 being drawn forward to permit the rear portion of seat 20a to be lifted 01T to round I4 and theseat 2!)a may then be drawn rearwardly to remove lit from engagement with stretcher I3. In the modification shown in Figs. Sand 9, the resilient board 2l!h is secured at its front end to the stretcher I3 andl at its rear end to the stretcher I4, over-sized holes 3D being formed in the board 2l)b for receiving the attachment screws 3l. 'Ihe enlarged openings 30 are sufciently large .to permit exing of `the1board 2l)b when the board is depressed lthrough the pre-y determined distance. The lateral edges of the board 2Gb then engage the stretchers I5 and further downward movement produces a ilexure which is not only transverse of the board but longitudinal thereof. The enlarged openings 30 accommodate both directional movements.

In all the modifications, the structure employed is extremely simple, permitting rapid assembly and ready removal for repair or substitution, while at the same time affording a two-stage iexure of the seat structure affording greater strength for the resilient seat board and providing greater comfort for the occupant. be noted that the side stretchers I5 which are illustrated as below the stretchers I3 and I4 may just as readily be placed above the stretchers I3 and I4, whereby the resilient seatlboard would be initially supported by the stretchers I5 and come into contact with the other stretchers only after the rst bending phase of movement. Other similarA reversals of arrangements ,and other It Will' changes in details may be madewithin relatively s pivotally supported upon'the front stretcher, re-

leasable clamping means for securing said seat member upon said front stretcher, and spring members secured to said seat member and having loop portions engaging said'. side stretchers for supporting the rear edge of said seat member above said rear stretcher.

2. In combination with a chair frame, having front, rear and sidestretchers, a block member having a curved portion and extending over said frontstretcher, aclarnp member extending Vunder said stretcher andv releas'ably secured to said block, a resilient seat member secured to said block member and extending rearwardly over Isaid side. and rear stretcher members, land a loop spring on each side of 'said rseat member and secured to the bottom portion thereof, said spring having a curved portion engaging a side stretcher, the main loop portion .of said spring extending inwardly of said stretchers. k

3. In combination with a chair frame, having Y front, rear and side stretchers, itwo of said when .in engagement with Vsaid-lower stretchers.-

4. In combination with a chair frame, a pair of parallel stretchers spaced below'and at leastV one stretcher thereabove, a resilient-seat board support pivotally supported upon said framel and engaging saidftop stretcher, `said board support being sufficiently flexible under the weight of the occupant to bring the side edges thereof into engagement with said lower stretchers and yielding both transversely and longitudinally when in engagement with said lower stretchers.

5. In combination with a chair frame, having at least one upper stretcher and a pair of stretchers spaced therebelow, a resilient presswood seat board supported upon said stretchers for pivotal movement thereon, said board being sufficiently flexible under the weight of an occupant to bring the said edges thereof into engagement with said lower stretchers and yielding both transversely and longitudinally when in engagement with said lower stretchers.

6. In combination with a seat frame, a pair of parallel stretchers spaced below and at least one stretcher thereabo-ve, a resilient seat board support pivotally supported upon said frame and engaging said top stretcher, said board support being sufficiently flexible under the weight of the occupant to bring the side edges thereof into engagement with said lower stretchers and yielding both transversely and longitudinally when in engagement with said lower stretchers, and a spring strap secured to the bottom portion of said seat board :and having spring end portions engaging oppositely disposed parallel stretchers to lock said board thereon.

CHARLES M. DRllNKWATER.