US2620018A

US2620018A - Convertible hassock

Info

Publication number: US2620018A
Application number: US191838A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph J Pagano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-10-24
Filing date: 1950-10-24
Publication date: 1952-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 1969-12-02

Description

- 1952 J. J. PAGANO CONVERTIBLE HASSOCK Filed Oct.

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Joseph J Pagano INVENTOR.

' 9 BY k M0? Dec. 2, 1952 J PAGANQ 2,620,018

CONVERTIBLE HASSOCK Filed 001- 24, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 86 84 Fig] Joseph J Pagana INVENTOR.

Dec. 2, 1952 J. J. PAGANO 2,620,018

CONVERTIBLE HAS-$00K Filed Oct. 24, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 3 Joseph J. Pagano INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in convertible furniture, and more particularly pertains to a hassock which may be converted into other articles of furniture.

An important object of this invention is to provide a discerptible hassock which includes a pair of similarly formed chair sections, which chair sections may be used as independent units, or combined to form a compact hassock.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a discerptible hassock which includes a pair of similarly formed chair sections, which chair sections may be used as independent units, which units may be arranged in juxtaposed position to form a hassock, or which may be arranged with the backs of the chair sections in endwise alignment to form a table structure.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a discerptible hassock, in accordance with the foregoing objects, which hassock has an efiicacious appearance when utilized as a hassock; as a table; or as individual chair units, and which hassock is of sturdy and simple construction.

An important feature of this invention resides in the provision of a pair of similarly formed chairs which are so shaped and constructed that they may be arranged in a juxtaposed position to form a substantially rectangular hassock.

Another important feature of this invention 7 resides in the provision of means for fastening the chairs in their hassock forming position or in their table forming position.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a pair of chair sections which are adapted to form a hassock, which chair sections have foldable legs so as to provide a more compact hassock, and which legs, when folded, have a neat appearance.

These, together with various ancillary objects and features are attained by this device, embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrating the use of the device as an end table;

Figure 2 is a perspective elevational View of one of the chair sections;

Figure 3 is a perspective elevational View of the chair sections arranged to form a relatively low coffee table;

Figure 4 is a perspective elevational view showing the chairs arranged in juxtaposed relation to form a hassock;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of one of the chair sections with the legs extended;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 66 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 1-1 of Figure 3, and showing details of the manner of fastening the chair sections together;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 88 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a perspective elevational view of a second embodiment in which the chair sections are arranged to form a hassock;

Figure 10 is a perspective elevational View of one of the chair sections of the embodiment shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective elevational view of the chair sections of the second embodiment arranged to form a coffee table; and

Figure 12 is a perspective elevational view of the second embodiment with the chair sections arranged to form a hassock.

Reference is now made more specifically to the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral It! generally denotes a chair section constructed in accordance with the objects and features of this invention so that a pair of the chair sections may be arranged to form a hassock or a coffee table, and which chair sections may be utilized as separate units in a conventional manner.

In the preferred embodiment, shown in Figures 1-8, each chair section [0 includes a base plate i2 and a back plate M, disposed perpendicular to each other, and arm rest members It secured to the back and base plates, on opposite sides thereof. As is best shown in Figure 2, the arm rest forming members 16 each have an u per edge l8 which constitutes the arm supporting surface, and a forward edge 29, which forward edge is adapted to abut the front face 22 of the side strip Ed of the other chair section, when the chair sections it are nested to form a hassock. As is apparent, the side strips 24 extend upwardly from each of the arm rest members It and are secured to the back plate M, the side strips terminating substantially flush with the upper edge L t-of theback plate.

The length of the side strips 2 5 is equal to the height of the edge is, of the arm rest members i6, above the base plate l2, the forward portion 28 of the base plate extending beyond the forward edge of the arm rest members so that when the chairs are disposed in their hassock forming position, the upper edges of the arm rests of the chair sections abut each other, and the forward edge of the arm rests of one section abut the front face of the side strips of the other section,

3 the forward portion of the base plate of each chair section overlying the upper edge of the back plate of the other section, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 4.

The inner face of the back plate is of each chair section is padded and covered to form a back cushion 32, the base plate I2 being similarly padded and covered to form a seat cushion 34. However, since the side strips 24 project forwardly of the back cushion, and since the forward portion 28 of the base plate extends forwardly of the seat cushion 34, which, as is shown in Figure 2, terminates adjacent the forward edges 20 of the arm rest members, it will be appreciated that the cushions of each chair section will not interfere with the nesting of the chair sections to form a hassock.

Since it is desired to utilize the external face of the back plates as the upper and lower faces of the hassock, one, or both of the back plates may be padded as at 36 and covered with a sheet 33, the latter being secured by tacks All or the like. Suitable knobs 42 extend from the external face of the back rest and serve to space the external padded face thereof from the floor. If desired, the remaining exposed areas of the chair section may be upholstered, or otherwise decorated.

A pair of base plate reinforcing strips M are secured to the undersurface of the base plate I2 transversely of the chair sections, the reinforcing strips being spaced from each other to define a leg brace receiving recess 45 therebetween. The reinforcing strips and undersurface of the base plate are suitably covered by a sheet of material 45, which is secured by fasteners 48 thereto, and leg members 59 are attached to the reinforcing strips, by hinges 52, the leg members being so disposed that when they are in their extended position the upper edges thereof abut the lower edges of the arm rest members It, as is best shown in Figure 3, whereby a chair section is directly supported on the leg members. When the leg members are in their folded position, shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the upper edge of the leg members 58 is spaced inwardly of the edge of the base plate a distance substantially equal to the width of the leg members, and it is accordingly intended that the side edges of the leg members be spaced inwardlyof the forward and rear edges of the base plate.

A toggle linkage brace unit 52, of conventional construction is provided to brace the leg members 50. The brace unit 52 includes first and second pivotally connected links d and 56 which are biased into locking position by a tension spring 58, which spring retains the links with their adjacent ends in abutting engagement to rig-idly brace the leg members, the links having mounting brackets 69 and 52 pivotally secured thereto, which brackets are respectively secured by fasteners 6G to the base plate I2 and to one of the leg members 50. As will be appreciated, the

toggle linkage brace unit 52 may be broken by exerting a pressure adjacent the central pivot point whereby the linkage will collapse into the recess 45 and the leg members fold into engagement with the base plate.

A hub 66 which includes a concave annular plate 68, padded as at and covered with sheet material 72, is secured as by straps id and fasteners I6 to the reinforcing strips 44. A spring biased ball catch 18 is carried by hub 66 and is adapted to engage a corresponding detent 89 carried by the lower edge of the leg members. As is shown in the drawings, the leg members are provided with semi-circular recesses which are adapted to register with the hub 66, but it is believed aparent that recesses in the leg members of other configurations, with correspondingly shaped hubs, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Knobs 82 are disposed centrally of the hub 65, and provide handles for the device, the handles terminating substantially flush with the outer face of the leg members when the latter are folded so as to not impair storage of the device on end.

It is also intended that the chair sections Ill be utilized as a coffee table, as is shown in Figure 3, and accordingly there has been provided ball headed lag screws 84 which are fastened to the upper ends of the side strips of one of the chair sections, and which screws 84 are adapted to be received in the resilient sockets 86, disposed in recesses 33 in the upper ends of the othe chair section whereby the chair sections may be arranged with the back plates in axial alignment, and with the forward portions 28 of the base plate serving as legs for the coffee table. It is also intended that the chair section, other than that to which the ball headed screws 84 are secured, be provided with similar resilient sockets in the forward portion 28 thereof, which sockets are adapted to receive'the screws 84 when the chair sections are nested in hassock forming position. A strap 92 is secured to the undersurface of base plate i2 of the chair section IEI to which the headed screws 84 are attached, which strap has an eyelet 94 therein which is adapted to receive a knob 98 secured to the upper portion of the back plate I 4 of the other chairsection. As will be appreciated, the screws 24 when disposed in the resilient sockets 9%, together with the strap 92 which is adapted to engage the knob 96, secure the chair sections I?) in their hassock forming position.

Since the leg members 50, when in their folded position and the hub 66 with the knob 82 form a substantially fiat surface, the chair sections I0, when nested as shown in Figure 1, may be disposed in an upright position, with the legs of the lower chair section extended, to thereby provide an end table or the like.

The second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 9-12 also includes a pair of similarly formed chair sections I0, each of which chair sections are L-shaped in cross section and which include a base portion I00 and a back rest portion I02.

The base portion is substantially rectangular and includes a bottom wall I04, a top seat forming wall IIJB, front and rear walls I08 and H0 respectively, and side walls H2. The back rest portion includes a back wall H4 disposed coplanar with the back wall [I0 of the base portion, a front wall IIB, side walls I I8 and a top wall I220. The length of the back rest portion I02 is equal to the height of the base portion I 06 so that when the chair sections are disposed in the nested arrangement shown in Figures 9 and 12, they form a substantially rectan gular block. It is contemplated that the chair sections be suitably upholstered and padded so as to provide both comfortable chair units and a comfort-able hassock.

Straps I22, each have one end thereof secured to the top wall I20 of the back rest portion of each of the chair sections, the straps being otherwise detachably secured to knobs I24 carried by the bottom wall of the base portion of each chair section to thereby detachably secure the chair sections in their h'assock forming position.

It is also contemplated that the chair sections be disposed, as in Figure 11, with the back portions thereof in axial alignment, to provide a relatively low coffee table. As will be appreciated, the base portions H of each of the chair sections may be weighted to support the back rest portions in cantilever fashion, thereby eliminating the necessity of any fasteners to secure the chairs in their coffee table forming position.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. A convertible hassock comprising :a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chair sections each including first and second relatively perpendicular legs and a pair of reinforcing members secured to opposite sides of the first and second legs of each chair section, said reinforcing members each having the upper edges thereof disposed intermediate the ends of said first legs whereby said upper edges of said reinforcing members constitute arm rests, said sections being adapted to be disposed with the upper edges of the reinforcing members in abutting engagement and with the first leg of each section overlying the forward edge of said reinforcing members of the other section thereby providing a substantially rectangular hassock, the forward portion of the second leg of each section overlying the upper edge of the first leg of the other section when said sections are in their hassock forming position.

2. A convertible hass'ock comprising a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chair sections each including first and second relatively perpendicular legs and a pair of reinforcing members secured to opposite sides of the first and second legs of each chair section, said reinforcing members each having the upper edges thereof disposed intermediate the ends of said first legs whereby said upper edges of said reinforcing members constitute arm rests, said sections being adapted to be disposed with the upper edges of the reinforcing members in abutting engagement and with the first leg of each section overinvention, what lying the forward edge of said reinforcing members of the other section thereby providing a substantially rectangular hassock, the forward portion of the second leg of each section overlying the upper edge of the first leg of the other section when said sections are in their h'assock forming position, cooperating means carried by the upper end of the first leg of one section and the forward portion of the second leg of the other section for detachably securing said sections to gether.

3. A convertible hassock comprising a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chair sections each including first and second relatively perpendicular legs and a pair of reinforcing members secured to opposite sides of the first and second legs of each chair section, said reinforcing members each having the upper edges thereof disposed intermediate the ends of said first legs whereby said upper edges of said reinforcing members constitute arm rests, said sections being adapted to be disposed with the upper edges of the reinforcing members in abutting engagement and with the first leg of each section overlying the forward edge of said reinforcing members of the other section thereby providing a substantially rectangular hassock, the forward portion of the second leg of each section overlying the upper edge of the first leg of the other section when said sections are in their hassock forming position, fastener means carried by the upper edge of the first leg of one section and cooperating fastener means carried by the upper edge of the first leg of the other section for detachably securing said sections together.

4. A convertible hassock comprising a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chair sections each including first and second relatively perpendicular legs and a pair of reinforcing member secured to opposite sides of the first and second legs of each chair section, said reinforcing members each having the upper edges thereof disposed intermediate the ends of said first legs whereby said upper edges of said reinforcing members constitute arm rests, said sections being adapted to be disposed with the upper edges of the reinforcing members in abutting engagement and with the first leg of each section overlying the forward edge of said reinforcing members of the other section thereby providing a substantially rectangular hassock, the forward portion of the second leg of each section overlying the upper edge of the first leg of the other section when said sections are in their hassock forming position, legs hingedly attached to the outer face of said second leg of each of said sections, and means for supporting said legs in their extended position.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the second leg of each section has a recess in the undersurface thereof for the reception of said leg supporting means when the legs are in their folded position.

6. In a convertible hassock comprising a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chairs, each of said chairs including a base and a back rest disposed perpendicularly to said base, said chairs being disposed with the corresponding inner faces of the bases facing each other and with the back rest of each chair overlying the front wall of the base of the other chair; the improvement comprising arm rests mounted on the chair bases, the upper edge of each arm rest disposed intermediate the ends of the back rest, a base extension extending beyond the arm rests whereby the top wall of the back rest of one chair will abut the base extension of the other chair.

7. In a convertible hassock comprising a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chairs, each of said chairs including a base and a back rest disposed perpendicularly to said base, said chairs being disposed with the corresponding inner faces of the bases facing each other and with the back rest of each chair overlying the front wall of the base of the other chair; the improvement comprising arm rests mounted on the chair bases, the upper edge of each arm rest disposed intermediate the ends of the back rest, a base extension extending beyond the arm rest whereby the top wall of the back rest of one chair will abut the base extension of the other chair, fastener means carried by the base extension of each chair and cooperating fastening means carried by the upper portion of the back rest of each chair.

8. In a convertible hassock comprising a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chairs, each of said chairs including a base and a back rest disposed perpendicularly to said base, said chairs being disposed with the corresponding inner faces of the bases facing each other and with the back rest of each chair overlying the front wall of the base of the other chair; the improvement comprising arm rests mounted on the chair bases, the upper edge of each arm rest disposed intermediate the ends of the back rest, a, base extension extending beyond the arm rests whereby the top wall of the back rest of one chair will abut the base extension of the other chair, legs hingedly attached to the base portion of each chair.

9 In a convertible hassock comprising a pair of symmetrical L-shaped chairs, each of said chairs including a base and a back rest disposed perpendicularly to said base, said chairs being disposed with the corresponding inner faces of the bases facing each other and with the back rest of each chair overlying the front wall of the base of the other chair; the improvement comprising arm rests mounted on the chair bases, the

upper edge of each arm rest disposed intermedi- 20 ate the ends of the back rest, a base extension extending beyond the arm rests whereby the top 8 wall of the back rest of one chair will abut the base extension of the other chair, fastener means carried by the base extension of each chair and cooperating fastening means carried by the upper portion of the back rest of each chair, legs hingedly attached to the base portion of each chair.

JOSEPH J. PAGANO.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,660,119 Decker Feb. 21, 1928 2,108,241 Wallace Feb. 15, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 454,014 Great Britain Sept. 21, 1936