US2539919A - Chair construction - Google Patents

Description

1951 c. E. MEEK, JR, ET AL 2,539,919

CHAIR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 25, 194'? INVENTORS 00456 461; 6 Mark, JP, fl/XO h /d 09M /v. .ewgw/g J ORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1951 GHAIR CONSTRUCTION Charles E. Meek, Jr Warsaw, and William N.

Brown, Jr., Winona Lake, 1nd,. a s s ors to Arnolt Corporation, Warsaw, 1nd,, a, corporation of Indiana Application April 23, 1947, Serial No, 743,390

7 C aims This invention relates to. furniture and par! ticularly totubular metal chair frames,

It has longbeen recognized that tubular metal framed chairs could be more economically manufactured and .distributed if the elements of such chairs could be shipped in knocked down, or KD form to the ultimate retail outlet, for assembly by the retailer or the purchaser, and while an approach has been. made, to such procedure through shipment. of the seats and backs separate from the frames so as to enable nesting of the frames in shipment, this has; not been satisfactory in many instances because the requisite economy in space and packaging undersuch an arrangement is attained only when the shipments are relatively large. Moreover, under such prior arrangements, the elements of a single chair cannot be economically.- packed in a single or individual container or package, for packing in a single container would under such circum-. stances require a container of substantially the same size as a fully assembled chair.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to enable the frame for a tubular metal chair to be so formed that the several frame elements that are to make up the rigid back support, and leg structure are of relatively small size and are of substantially the same form-so that all of the frame elements for a-single chair may be nested in a compact relation in a rela-. tively small and convenient package. Another object. related to the foregoing is to enable all of the metallic f rame elements of such a chair to be so formed that they may be conveniently nested together in a group which is adapted for packing in a compact and efficient relation in a packing carton with the a an eat elements that are tobe mounted on such frame elements.

the Pa t, it has been eqegpi s l a on of h primary difi u ties a dine a KB cha r construction has centered around the difficulties of attaining rigid assembly of the separate frame unit and it is because of this, that past efforts to afford a KD chair have been confined principally to the shipment of the seats and backs separate from the chair frames. it is therefore a further and important object of the present n en i n t e b e the frame lement of such a chair w be rigidly se u rec1 to ether throu h h use of imple bolts hat be read y ap: plied y unskined workmen; and ob e t r lates to the foregoing is to enable the orm and I6 tion of the frame elements and the disposition qithe' iasteni e bolts to. cooperate to attain a 2 trussing or bracing action which assures rigidity in the assembled chair frame.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are, illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way, of mus, tration, show a preferred embodiment and the principles thereof and what we now consider to. be the best mode. in which we have contemplated applying those principles. Other embodiments of the. invention embodying the same or equiv: alent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without. departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims,

n th drawin Fig. 1 is an angular perspective view of a chair frame embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the chair;

Fig, 3 is a front perspective view of the chair;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view at an enlarged scale taken along the line 55 of Fig. 4.

For purposes ofdisclosure the invention is here-s in illustrated as embodied in a chair frame Ill comprised of three tubular metal frame elements ll, [2 and !3 that are generally similar in form so as to be adapted for convenient and compact packaging in a knocked down or KD relationship nd which a be qu ckly a d as ly assem d to aff r a ri id and extremely u ged and stro g chair frame. The three frame elements II, I; and I3 are, in general form, what have been termed hairpin bend elements in that they are each generally L l-shaped in form. It will be ob-. served, however, that at the closed end of its ,U-. shaped form, each element is bent to a plane generally perpendicular to the side members of t e u t for conne tin po ons n wit s arrangement, the connecting portions of the three ra e e e ent arentil z i o enab e the t a s elements to be connected together in locations that will be concealed beneath the chair seat 7 so as to'thereby form the chair frame.

Thus, the frame element H is made from a single steel tube and comprises straight mounts or connecting arms I Hi joined by a rounded or arq iate bend llBfand to the opposite ends of the arms HA, legs HL are joined by rounded or arcuate bends HC. Similarly, the frame element I2 is made from a single steel tube to afford a pair of mounting or connecting arms l 2A joined by an arcuate or rounded bend i213, and having ess i l at e 'a n Joined thereto by res was IZC? h time is.

3 ment I3 is also formed from a single steel tube to afford mounting or connecting arms I 3A joined by an arcuate or rounded bend I3B and having back supports I3S that are joined by rounded bends I3C to the other ends of the arms I3A.

Thus, the arms HA and the connecting bend. I'B afford a generally V-shaped connecting portion for the frame element II; the arms IZA and the rounded bend I 23 afford a generally V-shaped connecting portion for the frame element I2 and the arms I 3A and th rounded bend I3B afford a generally V-shaped connecting portion for the frame element I3. In the assembly of the chair frame, the connecting portions of the frame elements II and I2 are disposed in a common plane with the rounded bends HE and IZB in opposed external contact, and in this relationship, openings I5 formed in the rounded bends IB and I2B are disposed in alignment. A fastening bolt I6 is then extended through the openings I5 and a nut I1 is threaded onto the bolt I 6 so as to draw the bends HE and I2B tightly together, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

When the frame elements I I and I2 are thus connected, the arms HA and I2A thereof are disposed in a generally cruciform relation so as to afford an angle between the two rear arms I'A and I2A, and the connecting portion of the frame element I3 is disposed within this angle and in the aforesaid common plane so that the arms I3A are disposed along the rear sides of the rear arms I IA and I2A and are firmly connected thereto.

Thus, the rear arms HA and I2A each have a pair of openings formed therethrough, similar to the openings I5 and spaced longitudinally of such arms, and correspond ng openings are formed in the arms I3A so as to be aligned with the openings in the rear arms I IA and IZA when the frame element I3 is positioned as aforesaid. The interconnection of the frame elements is completed by extending fastening bolts I8 through such aligned openings in the arms I3A and the rear arms HA and I 2A, and tighten ng nuts I9 thereon so as to draw the opposed pairs of bars tightly together.

7 With the chair frame that is thus afforded, an exceptional degree of rigidity is attained despite the simplicity of the fastening means. This rigidity results from the use of two fastening bolts I8 for securing each of the frame members or elements II and I2 to the common frame member I3 and from the further fact that the bolt I6 fastens the frame elements II and I2 together at a point which is located forwardly of the intersection of the planes which pass through the lines of contact of the members HA and I-2A with the members I3A. By virtue of this manner of connection, any tendency of one of the frame elements HA or I 2A to rock about its line of contact with the frame element I3 is resisted by the connection afforded by the bolt I6. This action is due at least in part to the fact that the points at which the bolt IB engages the frame element I2A for example, are located laterally with respect to the axis upon which any such rocking movement might tend to take place, and in practice it has been found that the chair frame as thus provided is extremely rigid and effectually withstands the forces usuall applied to chair frames.

It will be observed that as herein disclosed, the three frame elements II, I2 and I3 are of the hairpin bend type so that the leg structures are afforded on the two frame elements II and I2 while the back supports are afforded on the frame element I3. Through this arrangement, the frame elements are adapted for packing in an unusually small package which affords room beside the longitudinal elements IIL, I 2L and I 38 for the seat and the back elements of the chair. This arrangement of course enables the packing of all the elements of a chair in a single package of relatively small size. It will be evident however that where this advantage of small size of the packing unit may be eliminated, the rear leg elements might well extend downwardly from the elements I3A and the seat supports might well extend upwardly from the elements IIA and I2A respectively. In such an instance, the advantages insofar as convenience of assembly and rigidity would be attained.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the present invention enables a chair frame to be shipped in a convenient and compact individual package, and it also enables such individual frame elements to be conveniently assembled to afford a rigid chair frame.

Thus, while we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a chair frame, a seat support comprising three tubular elements each bent to a generally V-shaped form and affording in each element a pair of straight arm portions joined by an arcuate portion, two of said elements being disposed in a common plane with said arcuate portions in external contact, a bolt extending through said engaged arcuate portions to conmeet the same, the other of said elements being disposed in said plane with the portions thereof paralel to and engaged respectively with corresponding arms of the said first two of said elements, a pair of fastening bolts extended through each pair of parallel arms at spaced points spaced longitudinaly thereof, a pair of tubular legs extended integrally from one arm of each of said pairs of arms, a tubular back support extended integrally in a direction generally oppo-f site to said legs from each of the other arms of said pairs of arms, and a tubular leg extended, integrally from each of the other arms of said first mentioned two of said elements.

2. In a chair frame, a seat support comprising of parallel arms at spaced points spaced longi-;

tudinally thereof, a pair of tubular legs extended integrally from each of the arms of said two ele-, ments, and tubular back supports extended inte-' grally in a direction generally opposite to said} legs from each of the arms of said third frame element.

' 3. In a chair frame adapted to be shipped knocked down :fo'rm, Ithree tubular elements adapted to afford a seat support and each bentby an arcuate portion, two of said elements being ada ted to be disposed'ina common plane with'said arcuate portions in external contact and said two elements having fastening, openings formed in a ignment therein in said arcuate portions to receive a fastening bolt in a position wherein it extends through said engaged arcuate portions to connect the same, the other of said elements being ada ted to be disposed in said plane with the portions thereof parallel to and engaged res ectively with corresponding arms of the said first two of said elements, said pairs of arms having a igned openings therein at spaced points soaced longitudinally thereof to receive fastening bolts for securing said pairs of arms to ether, a pair of tubular legs extended integral y from one arm of each of said pairs of arms, a tubular back s port extended integrally 'in a direct on generally opposite to said legs from each of t e ot er arms of said a rs of arms, and a tubular leg extended integra ly from each of the oth r arms of said first mentioned two of said elements.

4. In a c air frame, three frame elements each formed from a single metal tube to afford in each frame e ement a V-s aned conn cting portion affordin connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at t e ang e of the V and integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends of the res ective conn cting bars and extended generally at ri ht an les with res ect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, the rounded bends of two of said connecting portions being dis osed in opposed relation to disnose said connecting portions of said two connecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arranged in substantial y a cruciform relationship,

a bolt extended through the on'oosed rounded bon s, the connecting portion of t e other frame element bein dis osed in said common plane in the angle between corresponding connecting bars of said two frame elements, and a pair of connectinq bolts extending through each connecting bar of said other frame element at points s aced longitudina ly of such bar and extending through the ad acent connecting bar of said two frame elements to secure the three frame elements together, the relationship of said frame elements being such that four of said support bars extend generally in the same direction from said common plane to afford chair legs. while two of said support bars extend in t e other direction from said common plane to afford back supports.

-5. In a chair frame, three frame elements each formed from a single metal tube to afford in each frame element a V-shaped connecting portion affording connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at the angle of the V and integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends of the respective connecting bars and extended generally at right angles with respect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, the rounded bends of two of said connecting portions being disposed in opposed relation to dispose said connecting portions of said two connecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arranged in substantially a cruciform relationship, a bolt extended through the opposed rounded bends, the connecting portion of the third frame element being disposed in said common plane in the angle between corresponding connecting bars 6 of said :two'frame elements, and a'pair of" 6011-, meeting bolts extending througheach connecting barroffsaid third frame elementat points spaced longitudinally of such bar and'extending'thr'ough' the adjacent connecting bar of said two frame elements tosecure the three frame elements together, the relationship of said frame elements bing such that the 'foursupport bars of said two frame elements extend generally in the same direction from said common plane to -afford --chain legs, while the two support bars of said third frame element extend in the other direction from said common plane to afford back supports.

6. In a chair frame, three frame elements each formed from a single metal tube to afford in each frame element a V-shaped connecting portion affording connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at the angle of the V and integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends of the respective connecting bars and extended generally at right angles with respect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, the rounded bends of two of said connecting portions being disposed in opposed relation to dispose said connecting portions of said two connecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arranged in substantially a cruciform relationship, means connecting the opposed rounded bends, the connecting portion of the other frame element being disposed in said common plane in the angle between corresponding connecting bars of said two frame elements, and means connecting each connecting bar of said other frame element atpoints spaced longitudinally of such bar to the adjacent connecting bar of said two frame elements to secure the three frame elements together, the relationship of said frame elements being such that four 'of said support bars extend generally in the same direction from said common plane to afford chair legs, while two of said support bars extend in the other direction from said common plane to afford back supports.

'7. In a chair frame, three frame elements each formed from a single metal tube to afford in each frame element a V-shaped connecting portion affording connecting bars joined by a rounded bend at the angle of the V and integral support bars joined by rounded bends to opposite ends of the respective connecting bars and extended generally at right angles with respect to the plane of said V-shaped connecting portion, the rounded bends of two of said connecting portions being disposed in opposed relation to dispose said connecting portions of said two connecting portions in a common plane with the connecting bars arranged in substantially a cruciform relationship, a first bolt extended through the opposed rounded bends, the connecting portion of the other frame element being disposed in said common plane in the angle between corresponding connecting bars of said two frame elements, and a pair of connecting bolts extending through each connecting bar of said other frame element at points spaced longitudinally of such bar and extending through the adjacent connecting bar of said two frame elements to secure the three frame elements together, the relationship of said frame elements being such that four of said support bars extend generally in the same direction from said common plane to afford chair legs while two of said support bars extend in the other direction from said common plane to afford back support, and said first bolt being disposed so that the center point thereof is disposed in spaced relation to theline of intersection of 7 planes that are perpendicular to said common plane and passed through the lines of contact of said third frame element with the bars of said two frame elements.

CHARLES E. MEEK, JR. WILLIAM N. BROWN, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,125,985 Bond Aug. 9, 1938 2,134,639 McGowen Oct. 25, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 148,106 Austria Dec. 28, 1936

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