US2669289A

US2669289A - Folding chair

Info

Publication number: US2669289A
Application number: US47304A
Authority: US
Inventors: John A Usher; John R Usher; James F Usher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-09-01
Filing date: 1948-09-01
Publication date: 1954-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 1971-02-16

Description

Feb. 16, 1954 J. A. USHER El'AL 2,669,289

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Sept. 1, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I Feb. 16,1954 JQA. USHER E'I'AL FOLDING CHAIR Filed Sept. 1, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jade/250.

FIG. I2 55 fiizzas Jay/2v Feb. 16, 1954 USHER ETAL I 2,669,289

FOLDING CHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 1, 1948 fd/zzaj J? ((Jier 69 3; u M M ziarzcyi Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDIN G CHAIR John A. Usher, John R. Usher, and James F. Usher, =Ghicago, Ill.

Application September 1, 1948, Serial N0.'47,304 23 Claims. (Cl. 155-.140)

.1 @ur invention :relates to chairs or the regular pr wheelityp'e which are designed to fold by the gathering of their sides. Chairs :of this type often employ crossed diagonal braces on the portion of the chairsuch as the seat supportto take up the increased height of the :braces as they told together, and a further object of the present invention is to provide means to keep the over-all height of the braces constant at all points in their range of adjustment, so that no raising 'or leeway need be provided for in the body of framework of the chair for changes in the height of the braces.

Another object of the invention is to limit the height of the basic chairwhether open or foldedm the approximate level of its seat,v and --no higher than the wheels in case the chair is of the wheel type, in order that the .forward part of the chair may not be too high to slide or :roll under a table and seat the occupant close to the same.

An additional object of the invention is to provide the basic chair with independently mounted and collapsible arm rest and back members, designed to reduce the folded chair to a size to .fit, when the back is folded down, into a large suitcase or the luggage compartment of an automobile.

Another object of the invention is to build the chair with a unitary set of upright frames which are rigid and form a permanent support for a chair seat or for atop or superstructure in case the frames are used for a table, sectional scat-fold or other skeleton-type supporting structure.

Anv important object-of the invention is to construct the chair of few and simple parts and for easy handling and adjustment.

.With the above objects in view and any others which-may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompany-mg drawings, in which- -1 is a side elevation 'of a wheelchair incorporating the features of the invention; a

- fabric seat element and the-front wheel-on'the inside, the :folding of the braces accomplishing 2 near side being omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a detail, taken on the line 3-3-of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the chair not quite fully gathered or collapsed;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the chair;

Fig. 6 is a duplication of the diagonal brace showing of Fig- 2, on an enlarged scale and in complete form, representing the maximum width of the chair;

Fig. 7 :is a. top Fig. 6;

Fig. -8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7, on a still larger scale;

Fig. 9 is a duplication of the bottom portion of Fig. 8 on a highlymagnified scale;

Fig. 10 .is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the diagonal braces partly folded to represent a reduced width of the chair Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, showing the diagonal braces completely ioded in the representation of the fuly gathered or collapsed form of the chair;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged section of one diagonal brace, taken'on the line 12-42 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section of a seat attachin device, taken on the line I 3-43 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 14 is a front elevation showing the invention applied to a camp chair or stool;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the showing in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 14, showing the chair collapsed; and v Fig. '17 is another view similar to Fig. 14, showing a modification.

Referring specifically to the drawings, it is apparent that the body of the chair includes a pair -01 identical, laterally-spaced side frames of plan view of the showing in substantially square form and tubular construction, the frames ha-ving frontal uprights t5, rear uprights t6, top rails H and bottom rails 18. To forma wheel chair the frames are extended from the rear with caster brackets 19 for the small rear wheels "20; and the frontal uprights it are also extended rearwardly with brackets 2| carryingoutwardly projectedshafts 22 to receive the is a pair of tubular rails 25 designed to serve as arm rests. The rails 25 have downward terminal legs 25 which enter the front uprights l and the tubes 24 of the chair frames as shown in Fig. full lines indicating the collapsed position of the rails 25. However, these maybe raised to any position, such as either of the dotted line positions shown, to serve as arm rests. A spring-pin latch 21 carried by each of the frontal uprights l5 and the tubes 24 is applicable to properly-located holes or depressions in the frontal arm rest legs 26 to station the arm rests 25 in the raised and collapsed positions; or any other suitable means may be employed for the adjustment of the arm rests.

Primarily, the chair is designed to be gathered or collapsed from a position where its side frames have a maximum spacing-such as 18 inches-to a point where they meet, as indicated in Fig. 11. The frames thus become compactly assembled, and the chair is fully collapsed. A fabric back 28 is disposed between the hinged upper portions lBa of the rear uprights it, such back preferably being formed with a vertical hem 29 at one side and with a series of such hems 29a at the other side, the hem 29 and a selected one of the hems 290. according to the spacing of the side frameprovided uprights It being slidably mounted on the same. A similarly mounted fabric seat 30 shown only in Figs. 2, 5 and 13 is disposed between the top rails l1, and it will be understood that the back 28 and seat 30 will fold between the frames when these are collapsed, Fig. 4 showing the folding action of the back 23. The seat 30 is deleted in Fig. 4 for the sake of clarity.

Referring to Fig. 13, each side of the seat 3!! of Figs. 2 and 5 is removably secured to the top rail ll of the adjacent side frame by means of a bar 3012 received in a seat hem 30a. Screws 30.12 are employed to fasten bar 3% and an intermediate rail-seating saddle 300 to rail H. The side of the seat 30 which is shown in Fig. 13 has a number of hems 30a as is also indicated in Fig. 5, and the related bar 30b will be located in the proper seat hem 30a for the selected spacement of the side frames as will be presently explained.

The frames are connected across by a pair of diagonal braces. While crossed diagonal braces are not basically novel in a folding chair, those employed by us have been improved with novel features to adapt them to the chair frames described above and render th chair adjustable to several widths. As mentioned in an early section, conventional folding chairs are commonly used or handled only in the fully open or collapsed positions, not being constituted to be set at or adjustable to intermediate positions. However, we have found it of advantage to set the chair at different widths, wherefore only one size of chair need be manufactured, as the same chair is usable for persons of different ages or sizes by being set to the desired width. Also, the chair can be contracted to less than its ordinary width for facility in rolling it through a narrow theatre or railroad car aisle to the place where the occupant is seated, to receive him and enable him to be wheeled out without appreciable discomfort.

It is noted that the top and bottom rails l1 and I8 of the side frames are fixedly spaced and cannot be connected by diagonal braces whose upper ends fall as the braces open, and rise as the braces close. In our novel embodiment the height of the braces 3|, 32 is the same at all points in their folding and unfolding movements, enabling the ends of the braces 3|, 32 to be connected between the fixedly spaced top and bottom rails i1 and I8 of the side frames. The constant height of the diagonal braces 3|, 32 is made possible by constructing each of them in two major parts, these being a lower tube 3| and an upper tube 32 partly telescoped in the lower one. The tube 3| has its lower end secured to a sleeve 33 rotatably mounted on the bottom rail iii of one of the chair frames, while the tube 32 has its upper end secured to a sleeve 3i rotatably mounted on the top rail ll of the other chair frame. The other diagonal brace is similarly mounted in relation to the other rails l1 and I3, so that the braces are in longitudinal alinement when the frames are fully gathered-as shown in Fig. 1l-and open in crossed relation when the frames are separated, as shown in Fig. 2. It is now apparent that the lengths of the tube assemblies 3|-32 will change by telescopic action in adaptation to the gathered and spread positions of the chair frames.

In order to coordinate the action of the diagonal braces 3|, 32 so that their effect on the side chair frames may be uniform or balanced, the braces are primarily set close from front to rear-as seen in Fig. l-and connected in a manner to make the chair frames adjustable to two or more widths between the maximum one and the fully collapsed form, as well as to coordinate the positions and movements of the frames at all times.

The connections between the diagonal braces 3|, 32 actually extend only from the lower tubes 3| thereof. Thus, each of these has a longitudinal series of studs 35-four are shown-extending inwardly and identically spaced. The studs are tubular to make them lighter, but may be of solid construction if desired. With the pair of diagonal braces 3!, 32 closely set--as in Fig. lit is possible to aline the top stud 35 of one brace with that of the other brace; and a sleeve 36 is positioned to receive and span the alined studs 35, locking them against relative lateral movement, as shown in Fig. 8.

The locations of the studs 35 are determined by the desired spacing of the chair frames. Thus, the maximum spacing thereof positions the diagonal braces 3|, 32 as in Fig. 6. The uppermost studs 35 are therefore positioned where the tubes 3| cross; and the crossing point of the tubes 3| is necessarily at mid-height because of the parallelism and fixed height of the frames.

Now, when the chair frames are gathered to a certain extent, the condition just specified must still obtain, which requires the pivot to be assumed by a second pair of matching studs 35 set lower on the tubes 3|. A third set of studs 35 serves for the next adjustment; and Fig. 10 shows the final adjustment with the chair in the narrowest position of use and that a fourth or lowermost set of matching studs 35 serves in such event.

It is now apparent that the studs 35 may be paired according to the desired chair width, and the intersection of the lower brace tubes 3| fixed by the application of the retaining sleeve (it. However, the set width of the chair frames cannot be fixed or relied upon as long as the upper tubes 32 are freely slidable in the lower ones. In other words, it is still possible, after the tubes 3| have been pivotally anchored, for the chair frames to be gathered by imparting telescoping or retracting movement to the tubes 32. It is thus necessary to lock these tubes 32 against sliding movement in the tubes 3| every time the width of the chair has been tentatively set by means of the matching studs 35. We have found by experiment, incidentally, that the locking of only one tube 32 is sufiicient to fix the chair at a chosen width; and means for accomplishing this are carried by the frontal tube 3|, with a control readily accessible from the outer or frontal side thereof.

The means just referred to consist in part of an aperture 43 made in the frontal wall of the tube 32, and a longitudinal series of openings ll made in the frontal wall of the tube 3|, as shown in .Fig. 12. The positions of these openings are governed by the predetermined width settings of the chair frames. Thus, when the frames are parallel and at maximum width the first or uppermos't opening 4| is made to register with the aperture 40, as .shown in the same figure. Now,

when the chair is :adjusted to the next lesser width, the second opening 4| will be located to register with the aperture 40, and so on for the still lesser widths of the chair-as indicated in Fig. 10. Of course, the maximum folding of the frames places the diagonal braces 3 32 abreastas in Fig. 11and does not make use of the aperture '40 or openings 4|.

A conventional type of spring pin ES-clearly shown in Fig. 9-is employed .to lock the

tubes

32 and 3| at any longitudinal adjustment of use made in the manner just described. A single spring pin is made to su-ffice for all the adjust ments by making the spring pin 35 assembly movable to any of the openings 4|. For this purpose the front wall of the tube 3| is reinforced by an outer plate 46 made with tapped bores 41 opposite the openings 4|. The spring pin 45 .is carried by a housing 48 formed with a threaded nipple 49. Fig. 12' shows that the housing 48 has been screwed with its nipple 49' into the first or uppermost bore 41, and that the spring pin aprojects into the aperture 43 of the tube 32. Thus,

when telescoping the tube 32 into the tube 3 I, the

pin 45 is retracted slightly to clear the end of the tube 32 and allowed to snap into the aperture when the latter comes in line with the pin. Likewise, when the chair is to be set for the next lesser width, the pin housing 48 is unscrewed and applied to the next tapped bore 41. Now, when the tube 32 is telescoped further, it looks automatically, as before. Consequently, the spring pin need only be withdrawn slightly--by means of a finger knob 50 easily reached from the frontwhen the chair is again to be widened or the diagonal braces 3|, 32 taken apart. The braces 3|, 32 can be readily taken apart after the seat 30' and the seat back 28 have been removed from one side frame by simply spreading the side frames to pull the brace members 32 out of the sleeves 3|. Disconnection of the braces 3|, 32 affords a convenient means for re-locat-ing the pivot sleeve 36 when the widths of the seat 30 and back 28 are to be changed as would be the case when a major change in the width of the chair frame spacement is to be affected. This will be explained later on.

The

terminal sleeves

33 and 34 of the tubes 3| and 32 are of course slidable on the frame rails l1 and I8 in order to enable the diagonal braces to be properly located and separable sufiiciently to permit the insertion or removal of the intermediate sleeve 36 when a change of the matching studs 35 is made without changing the width of seat 36 and its back 28. The rails carry limiting collars 5| in relation to the sleeves 33and 34.; and the collars have removable pins 52 to permit the separation of the collars from the said sleeves when the diagonal bracesrare to .beseparated. It,

will be apparent that the collars 5| acting through the braces 3|, 32 serve to maintain the front and rear members l5, I6 of the side frames in alignment when the sections 3|, 32 of the respective braces are telescopically connected. In this connection his to be noted that when the seat 30 and back .28 have been disconnected from one side frame to conform to a new spacing of the side frames it is not necessary to move any of the collars 5| in order to properly relocate the pivot sleeve 36 of Figs. 1 and 7 for the new spacing of the side frames. This naturally follows from the fact that when the seat 3!) and back .28 are disconnected at oneside, the side frames can be swung'outwardly to pull brace sections 32 en-- tirely out of brace sections 3| and admit of the necessary bodily lateral movement of the side frames for relocation of pivot sleeve 36 on the proper pair of studs 35. It is then a simple matter to re-telescope the brace sections 32 into their companion sleeves 3| and re-connect the free side of the seat 30 and back 28 to the related side frame. By leaving collars 5| fixed no trial and error adjustment of same is necessary to achieve alignment of the ends I5, I6 of the side frames (see Fig. 1) after a side frame spacement change has been made.

The bottom rails 8 are extended forward as shown in Fig. 1 to serve as supports for a pair of foot-rests 5|a. These are pivotally mounted on the rails to be foldable from the positions of use shown in Figs. 2 and 5 to those indicated in Fig. 4. Suitable stops may be provided to limit the swing of the foot-rests to the extreme positions indicated, and it is not believed necessary to illustrate any particular type of stop.

. It will be evident from the above description that we have provided a chair which is not only foldable from the open to the closed position but adjustable by positive means to a suitable number of widths. Therefore, the chair need not be made in different sizes or widths, since one size of chair is adjustable to persons of different sizes. This feature not only makes for economy in manufacture, but eliminates the keeping of certain chairs idle while others are in use. Further, in the case of a child the chair is of proper initial width when purchased, and can be kept in use as the occupant grows by the mere adjustment to greater width. Also, as mentioned before, the adjustability of the chair is of benefit to the person using it when passage through a narrow aisle or space is desired. Further, the adjusting mechanism is compactly assembled below the chair seat, taking up little room and presenting a handy control. Further, the telescopic diagonal braces 3|, 32 are confined between the fixed top and bottom rails l1, l8 of the chair frames, leaving the space above the latter to be used as desired, such as for the application of the independent arm rests 25. Thus, in the case of a wheel chair the arm rests may be in use at any desired .height or dropped to the bottom positions to enable the forward portion of the chair to roll under a table, all without prejudice to or interference by the chair adjusting mechanism. Further, the latter only serves to connect and space the chair frames and at no time bears any of the weight imposed on the chair, as is the case in camp chairs or other structures formed with diagonal braces or legs. In the improved chair, only the upright framesbear the weight of the occupant or other superimposed object, relieving thediagonal braces 3|, 32 of strain and enabling them. to be made of light material. Further, each adjustment of the frontal lower tube 3| with its upper tube 32 creates a fixed triangle between the bottom rails Id of the chair frames, the locked diagonal brace 3|, 32 and the chair frame rail l1 connecting with the top of

such brace

31, 32; and such triangle maintains the chair frames properly adjusted without necessitating an additional control for the companion tube 32. Finally, it is apparent that the simple nature of the adjusting mechanism plus the tubular construction usable for most of the parts making up the chair render the same light, strong and easy to handle.

Figs. 14 to 16 show the application of the invention to a camp chair or stool. In such a case a single pivoting assembly 55 is employed between the sleeve members 55a of the diagonal slidably telescoping braces 55a, 55?), since the chair is used only at full width. A sectional seat 56 is secured by clips 51 to the top rails of the U-shaped side frames 56a, 55b and serves to maintain the spacing of these, particularly when the seat is occupied. In addition, the sections of the seat 55 are pivoted at 58 midway between the side frames and therefore foldable as indicated in Fig. 16 when the frames are gathered to collapse the chair.

Fig. 17 shows a modification of the structure of Fig. 14 when it is used as a support for a table top or scaffold. Such a top or scaffold 59 is shown deposited on the frame structure. In this case a simple link Eli pivoted at (H to one leg of one of the side frames 53 hooks on a pin 62 carried by the corresponding leg of the other side frame 63, fixing the spacing of the side frames 63. The Fig. 1'7 structure has a single pivoting assembly 55 and telescoping braces corresponding to those indicated 55a, 55b of Figs. l4, l and 16.

The structures of Figs. 14 and 17 serve to further illustrate the fact that whatever part or assembly is mounted on the frame structure, it is fully supported by the upright side frames thereof, relieving the interconnecting diagonal braces of strain, pressure or service as supports.

While we have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes or further refinements, such as the substitution of sliding overlapping bars for the telescoping tubes, may be made therein without departing from its principle, and we desire to consider all such changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A structure having a pair of upstanding side frames, a pair of crossed diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames and with ends pivotally secured to the latter, each brace composed of a pair of sections adjustable longitudinally relative to each other, and means to fix the sections of each brace at given points of adjustment comprising an aperture in one section, a series of openings in the other section spaced according to said points and selectively registerable with said aperture by the corresponding adjustment of the sections, a stop pin movable by way of the registering opening to enter the aperture and fix the sections against relative movement, a carrier for the stop pin, and means to attach the carrier to the other section adjacent to any of said openings with said stop pin in operative position relative to the same.

2. The structure of claim 1, said means comprising tapped recesses in said other section forming entrances to said openings, and a nipple extended from said carrier and adapted to thread into the recess of the opening to which the car rier is applied.

3. A structure having a pair of upstanding side frames, a pair of crossed diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames and with ends pivotally secured to the latter, each brace composed of a pair of sections adjustable longitudinally relative to each other, series of longitudinally spaced cooperaive elements carried by similarly positioned ones of said sections to connect them pivotally to each other, said elements being adapted to register in pairs at the crossing point of the braces according to changes in the spacing of the frames, and means to fix the sections of each brace at given points of adjustment comprising an aperture in one section, a series of openings in the other section spaced according to said points and selectively registerable with said aperture by the corresponding adjustment of the sections, a stop pin movable by way of the registering opening to enter the aperture and fix the sections against relative movement, a carrier for the stop pin, and means to attach the carrier to the other section adjacent to any of said openings with said stop pin in operative position relative to the same.

4. A structure having a pair of upstanding side frames including horizontal elements in the top and bottom regions, and a pair of crossed and longitudinally adjustable diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames and with ends pivotally and slidably secured on said elements, whereby to enable the frames to be fully gathered as the braces fold to positions abreast of each other, removable pivot means connecting corresponding portions of said braces and disposed between the same, said pivot means being accessible when the braces are laterally separated.

5. A structure of the class described, having a pair of upstanding side frames, a pair of crossed and longitudinally adjustable diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames, means pivotally securing the ends of the braces to said frames, a series of longitudinally spaced studs carried by each of the braces, said series of studs being disposed in opposition to each other, different studs of each series being adapted to register as a pair at the crossing point of the braces according to changes in the spacing of the frames, collar means receiving registering ones of said studs for pivotally connecting said braces, and said pivot means disposing the braces adjustably along said frames in directions to gather and separate matching studs of said series for the application of said sleeve.

6. The combination set forth in claim 5, and said pivot means comprising sleeves; on the ends of said braces, and horizontal bars provided by said frames on which said sleeves are slidably mounted.

7. A structure of the class described having a pair of upstanding side frames, a pair of crossed diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames, means pivotally securing the ends of the braces to said frames for relative lateral sliding movement, whereby said braces may be moved bodily toward and away from one another, each brace comprising a pair of sections adjustable longitudinally relative to each other, corresponding sections of each brace having a series of longitudinally spaced pivot element receiving means, a pivot element positionable to connect opposed ones of said pivot element-receiving means for pivotally connecting said braces together, corre- 1 s'po'nding'ones of said pivot element receiving means, registering at the crossing point of the braces according to changes in the lateral spacement of the frames, and means for preventing lateral sliding of said braces on said frames and with respect to one another.

8. A structure of the class described having a pair of upstanding side frames, crossed extensible braces pivotally connecting said side frames, pivot means wholly interposed between corresponding portions of said braces for pivotally connecting the same, said pivot means comprising a lineally spaced series of pivot receivers on each of said aforementioned brace portions, and'a connector selectively engageable with opposed ones of said receivers which are brought into registry with one another at different spacements of said side frames.

Y 9. The combination set forth in claim 8 and the pivotal connection between at least one of said braces and said frames admitting for at least limited bodily lateral movement of said brace whereby to provide access to said connector for release of same.

10., The combination set forth in claim 8 and said conncctor'being a fioating one and retained in place by proximity of said braces, and the pivot connection between at least one 'of said braces and said frames admitting of limited lateral bodily sliding movement of said brace whereby; to provide access to said connector for removal of same.

11. The combination set forth in claim 8 and said connector being a floating one and retained in place by proximity of said braces, and the pivot connection between at least one of said braces and said frames admitting of limited lateral bodily sliding movement of said brace whereby to provide access to said connector for removal of same, and means carried by one of said particularly mentioned braces and the frame for retaining said brace against lateral movement.

12. A structure having a pair of upstanding side frames having fixedly spaced upper and lower portions, a pair of crossed diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames and with ends pivotally secured to; said frame portions, each brace composed of a pair of sections adjustable longitudinally relative to each, other, series of longitudinally spaced pivot-providing elements carried by similarly positioned ones of said sections to connect them pivotally to each other, said elements being adapted to cooperatively register in pairs at the crossing point of the braces according to changes in the spacing of the frames, means to fix the sections of each brace at given points of adjustment and cooperating with the operatively functioning pair of pivot-providing elements to hold the side frames in an adjusted relationship, said means including an aperture in one section of one brace only, a series of openings in the other section of said particularly mentioned brace and spaced according to said points and selectively registerable with said aperture by the corresponding adjust ment of the sections of said particularly mentioned brace, and a stop pin movable by way of the registering opening to enter the aperture and fix the sections against relative movement.

13. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of upstanding side frames having fixedly spaced upper and lower portions, adjacent crossed and extensible braces pivotally connecting said side frames and connected to different ones of said fixed upper and lower frame portions,

each brace comprising separable slidably connected' sections, selectively cooperable pivot-providing means for connecting said braces and arranged in series longitudinally of opposed sides of corresponding sections of said braces, whereby to be disposed between the latter, individual ones of said pivot-providing means of each series being brought into cooperation with one another at different, spacements of said side frames, means cooperating with the operatively functioning ones of said pivot-providing means to hold said side frames in fixed spacement and comprising relative movement-preventing means operatively associated with the sections of one brace only, and means retaining at least. one section of one of said braces aganist shifting movement axially of said pivot-providing frame portions, whereby to maintain said side frames in alignment when the brace, sections are connected.

14. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of upstanding side frames having fixedly spaced upper and lower portions, adjacent crossed and extensible braces pivotally connecting said side frames and connected to different ones of said fixed upper and lower frame portions, each brace comprising separable slidably connected sections, selectively cooperable pivotproviding means for connecting said braces and arranged in series longitudinally of opposed sides of corresponding sections of said braces whereby to be disposed between the latter, individual ones of said pivot-providing means of each series being brought into cooperation with one another at different spacements of said side frames, and means retaining at least one section of one of said braces against shifting movement axially of said pivot-providing frame portions whereby to maintain said side frames in alignment when the brace sections are connected.

15. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of upstanding side frames having fixedly spaced upper and lower portions, adjacent crossed and extensible braces pivotally connect.- ing saidside frames and connected to different ones of said fixed upper and lower frame portions, each brace comprising separable slidably connected sections, selectively cooperable pivotproviding means for connecting said braces and arranged in series longitudinally of opposed sides of corresponding sections of said braces, whereby to be disposed between the latter, individual ones of said pivot-providing means of each series being brought into cooperation with one another at different spacements of said side frames, and means cooperating with the operatively functioning ones of said pivot-providing means to hold said side frames in fixed spa-cement and comprisin relative movement-preventing means operatively associated with the sections of one brace only.

16. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of upstanding side frames having fixedly spaced upper and lower portions, crossed braces between said frames, said brace includ-- ing extensibly connected sections, means including said fixedly spaced frame portions for pivotally connecting outer ends of said brace sections to said side frames, pivot means associated with corresponding ones of said brace sections and operable to pivotally connect the same at longitudinally spaced points, and means independent of said pivot means and carried by one brace only for locking the sections thereof against relative movement, and said independent means cooperating with said pivot means and fixedly spaced frame portions to retain said side frames in predetermined spacement and the sections of the other brace against relative movement.

17. The combination set forth in claim 16 and means mounting at least one of said braces for bodily shifting movement toward and away from the other brace to facilitate connection and disconnection of same, and means carried by at least one of the related fixedly spaced frame portions for preventing such movement whereby through said braces to retain said side frames in alignment.

18. A structure of the class described having a pair of upstanding side frames including horizontal elements in the top and bottom regions, a pair of crossed diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames, each brace comprising separable longitudinally adjustable sections, means pivotally securing the outer brace ends on said frame elements, removable pivot means connecting corresponding sections of said braces and disposed between the same whereby to admit of said side frames being brought into contiguous engagement with one another while said pivot remains in place, at least one of said braces bein laterally slid-able on the related horizontal frame elements, whereby to afford access to said pivot means when the braces are separated laterally from one another.

19. A structure of the class described comprising a pair of upstanding side frames having fixedly spaced upper and lower portions, adjacent crossed and extensible braces pivotally connecting said side frames and connected to different ones of said fixed upper and lower frame portions, stop means on said upper and lower frame portions and engaging said pivoted brace ends to prevent longitudinal shifting of the braces thereon, each brace comprising separable slidably connected sections, selectively cooperable pivot-providing means for connecting said braces and arranged in series longitudinally of opposed sides of corresponding sections of said braces, whereby to be disposed between the latter, individual ones of said pivot-providing means of each series eing brought into cooperation with one another at different spacements of said side frames, and said side frames being bodily shiftable upon disconnection of said brace sections to admit of pivot connection change between said particularly mentioned brace sections without shifting of said stop means.

20. The combination set forth in claim 19, and means cooperating with the operatively functioning ones of said pivot-providing means to hold said side frames in fixed spacement and comprising relative movement-preventing means operatively associated with the sections of one brace only.

21. A structure comprising a pair of upstanding side frames, a pair of crossed and longitudinally adjustable diagonal braces extending transversely between the frames and with ends pivoted to the latter, and a free swinging movement-permitting pivot means connecting the braces at their crossing point to facilitate the coordinated gathering and separation of the side frames and to admit of contiguous engagement of said side frames while said pivot is in place.

22. A folding variable width seat or the like comprising a pair of upstanding side frames, a pair of crossed adjacent diagonal braces extending transversely between the side frames and with ends pivoted to the latter, means preventing axial movement of the pivoted ends of said braces on said frames, each brace comprising separable longitudinally adjustable sections, one section of each brace providin a longitudinally extending guideway open at its inner end and receiving at least a portion of the companion section, brace-connecting pivot means interposed between the same and selectively connecting corresponding sections at longitudinally spaced points, said pivot means retained in place by the proximity of said braces, and said frames bein bodily movable upon separation of said brace sections to admit of relocation of said pivot means.

23. The combination set forth in claim 16-, the sections of at least one of said braces being separable and the section thereof having brace connection pivoting means associated therewith being shiftable axially of the related one of the fixedly spaced side frame portions whereby brace sections which have the brace connecting pivot means can be laterally separated to facilitate engagement and disengagement of said brace section connecting pivot means.

JOHN A. USHER. JOHN R. USHER. JAMES F. USHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS