US2691409A

US2691409A - Convertible chair lounge

Info

Publication number: US2691409A
Application number: US247175A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alexander J Duke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1951-09-18
Filing date: 1951-09-18
Publication date: 1954-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 1971-10-12

Description

Oct. 12, 1954 D CONVERTIBLE CHAIR LOUNGE Filed Sept. 18, 1951 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. dean/V052 U. 001:5

Oct. 12, 1954 A. .1. DUKE CONVERTIBLE CHAIR LOUNGE 2 Sheets-Shget 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1951 INVENTOR. 14LEZ4NDE2 J DUKE Q4170 ruff-5 Patented Oct. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE CHAIR LOUNGE Alexander J. Duke, Los Angeles, Calif. Application September 18, 1-951, Serial No. 247,175

12 Claims.

My invention relates generally to articles of furniture that may be described as convertible chair lounges, and more particularly to such an article that, in its folded or closed position, resembles a backless chair or ottoman, and in its unfolded or open position, has a general similarity to a reclining chair or lounge.

For many years, the comfort and relaxation secured by sinking into a well upholstered chair, and raising ones feet and legs upon an ottoman, have been well known. However, comfortable chairs of this type are quite bulky, and the provision of an ottoman or footstool requires even more space. With the trend toward smaller homes, and particularly in the case of apartments, it has been difficult to provide space for such a so-called easy chair, and consequently such chairs are less frequently seen.

However, more recently there has been an interest in chairs that support a person in a more or less reclining position, such chairs supporting the legs and feet, as well as the neck and head of the occupant. Particularly, from the standpoint of comfort and relaxation, such chairs are superior to the former easy chair and ottoman, but the newer reclining chairs suffer from the disadvantage that they require substantially the same floor space as the previously discarded easy chair and ottoman. Furthermore, while the ottoman could be removed from its position in front of the chair and placed in a more convenient location when not in use, the newer reclining chairs do not have this advantage, and

thus require a large amount of floor space at all times.

Despite the materially greater space requirements of the newer reclining chairs, they are quite popular, for they offer a comfort and relaxation not possible with other forms of chairs or lounges. Additionally, with the increasing popularity of television there is a greater demand for reclining chairs that permit a more prone position than the previous styles of chairs that were intended for a more upright position, such as is desired when reading. The space requirements of reclining chairs, however, together with their relatively high cost, have prevented the use of such chairs from becoming as popular and widespread as they might be.

It is therefore a major object of my invention to provide an article of furniture that may be described as a chair lounge that overcomes most of the principal objections to the prior forms of reclining chairs.

Another object of my invention is to provide 2 a chair lounge that holds an occupant in a comfortable and relaxing position, adjusting itself to his body and position, While offering the necessary support therefor.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a chair lounge of this type that, when not in use as a reclining seat or lounge, may easily be folded into a smaller space and then appear, and be used as a backless chair or seat.

A further object of my invention is to provide a chair lounge having these advantages that may be manufactured and sold at a very low cost, approximating that of a more or less conventional chair.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a chair lounge that is an attractive piece of furniture, lending itself to almost any scheme of decorating, and capable of being constructed of any conventional furniture and upholstery materials.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, and from the drawings illustrating that form, in

' which:

shown in Fig. 1 in its unfolded or reclining position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, taken from the opposite side, and similar to Fig. 2, with the cushion removed to show the construction of the chair lounge;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cushion, removed from the chair lounge, and with the head or upper end of the cushion on the right;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the chair lounge in its unfolded position;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, showing the chair lounge illustrated in Fig. 5 in its folded position;

Fig. '7 is a cross-sectional view through the device in its folded position, taken on the line !-1 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view, taken in the area 8 of Fig. 5, showing the method of connecting the cushion to the frame of the chair lounge.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 through 4 thereof, it will be seen that my improved chair lounge Ill includes a base portion ll that provides support for the head and arms of the occupant, and a movable section I2 that provides support for the legs and feet of the occupant. The movable section I2 is connected to the base portion II by a pair of pivoted links I3, and a cushion It extends from the upper extremity of the base portion II to the opposite end of the movable section I2. The cushion It extends over the upper surface of the movable section I2 to provide a comfortable support for the lower legs of the occupant, and from the rear edge of the movable section the cushion curves downwardly and then upwardly to the upper portion of the base portion I I, thus forming a hammock-like or freely suspended portion of the cushion that supports the upper legs, back, and head of the occupant.

When the chair lounge is in its folded position, as indicated in Fig; 1, the portion of the cushion I4 extending over the upper surface of the movable section I2 acts as a padded seat,

while the opposite end of the cushion, at the uppermost part of the base portion I I, acts as a ridge or partial back, thereby forming, in effect, a cushioned backless chair or seat.

Considering the construction of the base portion II in somewhat greater detail, it will be seen that this portion includes a pair of L- shaped side members I5 held in spaced parallel relationship by a bottom It and a back I'I. At the upper ends of the side members I5, I provide a cross member I8 that, because of its position, may be designated as a headboard. The upper and lower surfaces of the headboard I8 are preferably curved, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, and preferably are substantially flush or recessed inwardly a slight distance from the corresponding edges of the side members I5.

At the corners of the base portion H, I prefer to mount slide means or buttons 29 that enable the chair to be moved over the rug or floor more easily. However, while these slides are very convenient and helpful, they are by no means essential to the design and construction of my improved chair lounge.

On the outside of each side member I5, and projecting above the upper surface of the forwardly projecting part thereof, I mount arms 2| of any convenient and comfortable shape and size. These arms, as will become apparent, act to support the arms of the occupant of the chair,

.and additionally conceal the junction 01' dividing line between the base portion I I and the movable section I2 when the latter is in its folded position. The arms 2I may be decorated or shaped, as desired, in keeping with the styling of the chair, and provide a more comfortable support for the arms of the occupant than the narrow surface provided by the relatively thin material forming the side sections I5.

The links I3 extending between the base portion II and the movable section I2 are pivotally connected to the lower forward ends of the side members I5 on the inner surfaces thereof, and extend to the upper rearward corners of the movable section. The links I3 are preferably slightly curved, in keeping with the general lines of the chair lounge, and preferably a cross-piece 22 extends between the links to hold them parallel at all times.

. The movable section I2 is of generally box-like construction, and includes a pair of side members 23 held in spaced parallel relationship by a top member 24 and a front member 25. Preferably, the side members 23 of the movable section I2 are spaced the same distance apart as the side members I5 of the base portion II, in this way providing positive and rigid support for the movable section I2 when the latter is in its folded position. In this connection, it will be realized that the arms 2I act to prevent any lateral displacement of the movable section I2, thereby preventing the side members 23 from moving off the supporting side members I5 of the base portion II. The links I3 act in the same manner, and consequently the movable section If is firmly held so that a rigid seat or backless chair is provided.

It will be noted that the front cross member 25 does not extend upwardly the entire height of the movable section I2, but instead extends part way. Parallel to the cross member 25 and spaced a slight distance from it is a cross-piece 26 that, because of its location, is designated a foot board. The upper surface of the foot board 26 is preferably aligned with the upper surface of the top 24, and the upper and lower surfaces of the foot board are curved to present a rounded surface over which the cushion I6 may be wrapped. In this manner, the entire forward surface of the movable section I2 is closed, except for a horizontally extending slot 21 between the cross-piece 25 and the foot board 26.

In a similar manner, the headboard I8 is separated a slight distance from the back IT to provide a slot 30, and the ends of the cushion I4 extend through the respective slots, as illustrated in Figs. 5 through 8. In this manner, a very simple and effective means for anchoring the cushion I4 may be provided.

As will become apparent from an inspection of the drawing, the major portion of the cushion I5 is freely suspended from the headboard I8 to the rearward edge of the movable section 23 approximately aligned with the knees of the occupant. Thus, aside from the weight of the lower legs and feet of the occupant, his entire body is suspended by the cushion it. As a result, it is necessary that the cushion I l be firmly anchored in order to provide the necessary support. While various methods of anchoring the cushion It may be used, I have found one simple and very satisfactory means to include the wrapping of the ends of the cushion about the headboard I8 and foot board 26 in a manner to provide a snubhing action. To further secure the cushion M, the ends thereof are placed through the

slots

21 and 30 as previously mentioned, and the pad then turned upwardly, against the inner surface of the corresponding headboard 18 or foot board 26, and held thereto by suitable fasteners of any desired type, such as snap fasteners 38, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Preferably, the cushion It is first attached to the headboard I8, in the manner just described, and the opposite end of the cushion is then connected to the foot board 26, whereby access may easily be had to the rear surface thereof by raising the movable member 23 without pivoting that member about the links I3.

The cushion I4 is preferably formed of a suitable upholstery-type material, and the back of the cushion is preferably one having a high tensile strength. Between the front or outer material and. the back or high tensile strength material, I provide padding of any suitable type, such as curled hair, sponge rubber, kapok, etc. Depending upon the type of material used, suitable means, such as the well known buttons, may be used to retain the padding in the desired position. It is also possible, if desired, to use a cushion I4 formed in the general manner of a nh I:

pneumatic mattress or pad, though in all cases, the cushion should be quite resilient, and soft enough to conform to the body of the occupant.

. To complete the chair lounge, I provide a door or closure member 32 attached to the forward edge of the base portion II and pivoted at the lower edge thereof. The door 32 is preferably held by spring hinges 33, these hinges acting to close the door to its vertical position. In this manner, when the chair lounge is in its closed or folded position, the door 32 extends upwardly in a plane substantially aligned with the plane of the cross member 25 of the movable section I2. As a result, the chair lounge presents an attractive appearance, with the interior construction covered and protected from dirt and dust.

' When the chair lounge is in its unfolded position, the links I3 bear against the inner or adjacent surface of the door 32 and pivot the door to a'substantially horizontal position, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. Because of the spring hinges 33, the door 32 automatically returns to its closed or vertical position when the movable section I2 of the chair lounge is returned to its closed position, shown in Fig. 6.

When the chair lounge I0 is in its folded position, indicated in Figs. 1 and 6, the movable section I2 is on top of the base portion II, and the forward end of the cushion I4 extends across the upper surface of the movable portion to provide the appearance and feeling of an upholstered seat. The headboard I8 preferably extends above the plane of the seat portion formed by the top 24, and the upper or head end of the cushion I4 is curved around the headboard to provide a cushioned ridge at the rear of the seat. The height of the seat portion is substantially equal to that of the seat of a conventional chair, and consequently, when in its folded position, the chair lounge I0 may be used as a backless seat or chair.

To unfold the chair lounge I0 and convert it into a reclining chair, the forward edge of the movable section I2 is lifted slightly and pulled forwardly, thus pivoting the movable section about the links I3, and the links in turn being pivoted with respect to the base portion II. As the links I3 are pivoted forwardly, the movable section I2 is lowered until it rests upon the floor or other supporting surface, in front of the base portion II. It is conceivable that if excessive weight were placed upon the rear edge of the movable section I2, the latter might be forced downwardly, pivoting about the links I3, and raising the forward end of that section. To preventthis, and also to assist in rendering it easy to open the chair lounge to its extended position, the links I3 are provided with stops that limit their movement with respect to the movable section I2. While various means may be used, I have found that by providing notches 34 in the upper forward ends of the links, these notches fitting against the top 24 of the movable section I2, or a brace 35 at the rear end thereof, very satisfactory results are obtained.

As the movable section I2 is placed in its extended position, the cushion I4 is caused to assume its hammock-like suspended position, shown in Figs. 2 and 5. It will be realized, of course, that the cushion I4 must be formed in a manner to provide a readily flexible device, since the cushion is intended to conform itself to the body of the occupant of the chair, rather than requiringthe occupant to conform himself to the shape 6 of the cushion. Additionallmas seen Fig. 6. the cushion I4 is folded into a rather small-space when the movable section I2 is placed on top of the base portion I I.

From the foregoing, it will'be seenthat I have provided a novel and useful chair lounge that is fully capable of securing the objects and achieving the advantages heretofore set forth. The device is particularly well adapted for use in apartments and homes where space is at a premium,

and where the use of the large, non-foldable reclining chairs raises difficult problems. Additionally, it will be found by many people that the use I of my improved chair lounge enables them to view television with greater comfort than heretofore possible, since in addition to their being in a more comfortable and relaxed position, the screen of the average television receiver will be slightly above the eye level of the occupantof the chair, so that the occupant looks up, as in a motion picture theatre, instead of down.

' While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, it will be apparent that modifications may be made therein that do not depart from the broad concept thereof. Consequently, I do not wish to be restricted to the particular form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown, except as covered by my appended claims.

I claim:

1. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top having spaced side members and a back extending above the remainder of said'base; a movable section having spaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in front of said portion and substantially spaced therefrom to a folded position thereon; and a cushion extending from the upper portion of said back of said base portion,'across said top of said movable section, to the forward edge thereof in all positions of said section.

2. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a back extending above the remainder of said base; a movable section having spaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movable section tosaid base portion for selective movement of said section from a position in front of said portion and spaced therefrom, to a position on said side members of said base portion and in front of said back, said movable section being generally parallel to the floor or supporting surface in both of said positions; and a cushion extending from the upper portion of said back of said base portion, across said top of said movable section, to the forward edge thereof.

3. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a back extending above the remainder of said base; a movable section having spaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in front of said portion to a folded position resting thereon; and a cushion located between said side members of said base, extending from the upper portion of said back of said base portion, across said top of said movable section, to the forward edge thereof, a portion of said cushion hanging freely suspended between said upper portion of said back and the rear of said top when said movable section is in its extended position, and said portion of said cushion being folded in the space between said movable section and said sides and back of said base portion when said movable section is in its folded position.

4. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a back extending above the remainder of said base; a movable section having spaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in front of said portion and resting on the same supporting surface as said portion, to a folded position on said portion with said sides of said base portion supporting said sides of said movable section in front of said back; and a cushion located between said side members of said base, extending from the upper portion of said back of said base portion, across said top of said movable section, to the forward edge thereof, a portion of said cushion hanging freely suspended between said upper portion of said back and the rear of said top when said movable section is in its extended position, and said portion of said cushion being folded in the space between said movable section and said sides and back of said base portion when said movable section is in its folded position.

5. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, located therebetween, a bottom extending between said side members, and a headboard above and generally aligned with said back and connected to said side members; a movable section having spaced side members and a top; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in front of said portion and substantially spaced therefrom, to a folded position thereon; and a cushion extending from said headboard, across said top of said movable section, to the forward edge thereof in all positions of said section.

6. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members and a back; a movable section having spaced side members, a top, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side members of said base portion and said movable section being substantially coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in front of said portion to a folded position thereon; and a cushion extending from the upper portion of the back of said back portion, across said top of said movable section, to the space between said foot board and said forward wall.

7. A. convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the'top, having spaced side members; a back, a bottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced above and generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spaced side members, a top, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side members of said base portion and said movable section being substantially coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from a position in front of said portion and spaced therefrom, to a position on said side members of said base portion and in front of said back, said movable section being generally parallel to the floor or supporting surface in both of said positions; and a cushion extending from said headboard, across said top of said movable section, to the space between said foot board and said forward wall.

8. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, a bottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced above and generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spaced side members, a top generally parallel to the plane of the supporting surface on which said chair lounge rests, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side members of said base portion and said movable section bein generally coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from a position in front of said portion and spaced therefrom, to a position on said side members of said base portion and in front of said back; and a cushion extending from said headboard, across said top of said movable section, to the space between said foot board and said forward Wall.

9. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, a bottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced above and generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spaced side members, a top generally parallel to the plane of the supporting surface on which said chair lounge rests, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side members of said base portion and said movable section being generally coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in frontv of said portion and resting on the same supporting surface as said portion, to a folded position on said portion with said sides of said base portion supporting said sides of said movable section in front of said back; and a cushion extending from said headboard, across said top of said movable section, to the space between said foot board and said forward wall.

10. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, a bottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced above and generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spaced side members, a top, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side members of said base portion and said movable section being substantially coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in front of said portion to a folded position thereon; and a cushion located between said side members of said base portion, extending from said headboard, across the top of said movable section, to said footboard, a portion of said cushion hanging freely suspended between said headboard and the rear of said top when said movable section is in its extended Dosition, and said portion of said cushion being folded in the space between said movable section and said sides and back of said base portion when said movable section is in its folded position.

11. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portion open at the top, having spaced side members, a back, a bottom extending between said side members, and a headboard spaced above and generally aligned with said back; a movable section having spaced side members, a top generally parallel to the plane of the supporting surface on which chair lounge rests, a forward wall, and a foot board spaced above and generally aligned with said forward wall, the corresponding side members of said base portion and said movable section being generally coplanar; a pivotal link connecting said movable section to said base portion for selective movement of said section from an extended position in front of said portion and resting on the same supporting surface as said portion, to a folded posi tion, on said portion with said sides of said base portion supporting said sides of said movable section in front of said back; and a cushion located between the sides of said base portion; extending from said said headboard, across the top of said movable section, to said foot board, a portion of said cushion hanging freely suspended between said headboard and the rear of said top When said movable section is in its extended position, and said portion of said cushion being folded in the space between said movable section and said sides and back of said base portion when said movable section is in its folded position.

12. A convertible chair lounge of the class described which includes: a base portionhaving an open top, a horizontal bottom member, and side members projecting upwardly from the end edges of the bottom member; a movable section; means pivotally connecting said movable section with said base portion for movement between extended and folded positions; and a cushion located between th sides of said base portion, extending from the top of said base portion, across the top of said movable section to the forward portion thereof, the portion of said cushion between said top of said base portion and the rear of said top of said movable section hanging freely suspended between said top of said base portion and said rear of said top of said movable section when the latter is in its extended position, and said portion of said cushion being folded in the space between said movable section and. the back of said base portion when said movable section is in its folded position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date 103,358 Morstatt Ma 24, 1870 580,300 Wilkins Apr. 6, 1897 1,386,819 Walton Aug. 9, 1921 2,365,026 Tyler Dec. 12, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 344,029 Great Britain Mar. 2, 1931