US2728376A

US2728376A - Folding lounge chair

Info

Publication number: US2728376A
Application number: US466979A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas E Halde
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-11-05
Filing date: 1954-11-05
Publication date: 1955-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 1972-12-27

Description

Dec. 27, 1955 T. E. HALDE 2,728,376

FOLDING LOUNGE CHAIR Filed Nov. 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. T112944 E. HALDE AGENT Dec. 27, 1955 T. E. HALDE FOLDING LOUNGE CHAIR Filed Nov. 5, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent C) p FOLDING LOUNGE CHAIR Thomas E. Halde, Los Angeles, Calif; Application November 5, 1954, Scrial'No. 466,979 15 Claims. (Cl. 155-417) This invention relates to folding or portable chairs, especially to portable lounge chairs of the contour type having a curvature which conforms to the natural curvature of the human body either when seated or reclining. More particularly this invention relates to an improved, light weight, folding contour lounge chair which is simple in construction and operation, and folds most readily into a compact package for storage when not in use.

There have been previously developed a wide variety of folding chairs of the reclining type, and for the most part these have proven to be unsatisfactory for any one or more of several reasons. Many of them are fabricated with as many as six or eight elements pivotally connected which are therefore complex in construction and difiicult to fold and unfold. Others have the disadvantage that when folded for storage the folded package is not sufficiently regular in shape or compact and consequently storage of the folded chairs is wasteful of space. In some lounge chairs, the folded chair forms a package which is from three to six times the thickness of any single element, which also complicates the storage problem. In a many of such devices, the construction requires the use or" a plurality of support elements having end pins which slide in slots routed out of other elements whereby the manufacture of the product is unduly complicated.

The present invention is directed to a novel and improved device of the folding lounge chair type described which is free of all of the above mentioned disadvantages, is simple in construction and in operation, and is characterized by an extreme compactness when folded for storage.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide an improved and simplified folding contour chair of the lounge or deck chair type.

Another object of this invention is to provide in such a portable lounge chair a considerably simplified construction which permits quick and easy folding of the chair into a compact slightly curved package having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of only one of the elements from which it is constructed.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a folding contour chair constructed of three principal elements or members pivotably connected to each other, which is readily folded and unfolded, and which collapses for storage into a package which is approximately one-half the length of the device when open for use and which in thickness measures substantially the same as the thickness of only one of the principal elements.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description and illustration thereof proceed.

Briefly the present invention comprises a foldable or collapsible chair of the lounge or deck type which consists of three U-shaped members pivotably connected to each other at their open ends to form the seat, back, and bottom leg elements of the chair. Each of theseelements is ea'ch provided with a curvature which is identical with I 2,728 ,376 Patented Dec.. 27, 1955 that-of the other elements, so that upon release of a locking device, more fully described hereinafter, the three elements may be folded by rotating them about the common pivot axis to bringthem into the collapsed or folded position.

One essential aspect of the construction and upon which the compactness of the folded package depends involves the relative widths and radial lengths from the pivot axis to the closed end of the U-shaped members. The narrowest member has the shortest radial length, the widest member has the longest radial length, and the element'of intermediate width is provided with a radial length intermediate those of the other two elements. Thus, the three elements may be folded together, with the narrow element enclosed within the intermediate element, which in turn is enclosed within the wide element. form ing a collapsed package which in thickness is substan tially equal to the thickness of a single element only.

The elements are U-shaped in one plane, but in the transverse plane or elevation are provided with a curvature which may comprise a smooth curve, or may comprise a straight portion terminating in a short curved portion adjacent the open end or pivot end of the element. Each of these modifications of curvature will be describedin connection with an illustration below, but such curvature in combination with the U-shape of the elements provides a frame upon which is supported a canvas, cloth, plastic or other type of seating material. The surface formed by such material is of such a shape or contour that it comfortably supports a human body in either a reclining or setting position because of the curvature of the elements.

The seat and back U-shaped members are locked with their openends together to form the rigid frame upon which the seating material is suspended, the bottom leg member constituting a back support. The locked mem bers form with each other a smooth, substantially S- shaped orcubiccurve following the general contour of the body as indicated in the figures in the attached drawing. Although not an absolute essential, it is preferable from a stability standpoint that the widest and longest element comprise the bottom or back leg element to provide support for the head end of the chair, the intermediate element comprises the seat element, the closed end of which rests'upon the ground and provides support for the foot of the chair. The element of narrowest width and shortest length therefore comprises the back element of the chair.

The back element is supported at each side upon the bottom leg element by a pair ofsupport rods or members which are secured in apertures on the upper surface of or otherwise on' the bottom leg element and pivotably connected on the narrowest or back element when the lounge is unfolded-for use. A- pair of clamps is also provided so that these support members may be pivoted into a parallel position between adjacent U-shaped elements or within the inside element and secured in this way when the-device is folded for storage.

The actual details of construction of the portable contour lounge chair of the present invention will be more readily understood hy reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

Figure l is an isometric view of the lounge frame when unfolded into position for use and showing the three principal U-shaped elements,

Figure 2 is an elevation view of the lounge when unfolded and indicating the identical transverse curvature of all three elements as well as the differing radial lengths between the common pivot point and the closed ends of each U-shap'ed member, and the general S-shaped or cubic curve curvature of the interlocked back and seat elements,

Figure 3 is a plan view of the lounge frame indicating the dilfering widths and lengths of the three principal elements,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the device when the three elements are folded into a compact package as for storage,

Figure 5 is a view transverse to that shown in Figure 4 and which indicates the compact nature of the device when folded in that its total thickness is substantially equal to that of only one of the three principal elements,

Figure 6 is an elevation view of another modification of the contour of the U-shaped elements in which the contour is a smooth curve, with no linear portion,

Figure 7 shows an elevation view analogous to that shown in Figure 2 but in which the curved elements of Figure 6 have been substituted, the back support element is modified, and the back element is hinged at intermediate points to permit the person to use the lounge in a sitting position,

Figure 8 is a detail view of a suitable hinge and block clement used to hinge and support the back element in the sitting position as shown in Figure l, and

Figure 9 is a detail view of a suitable lock element indicated generally in the previous drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1, an isometric view of the lounge of this invention is given showing the essential elements of the frame. The webbing or fabric has been omitted for sake of clarity in the illustration. The three essential elements are the back element 10, seat element 12, and bottom leg element 14. As shown, these are generally U-shaped members pivotably connected at

common pivots

16 and 18 adjacent the open ends of each member along common pivot axis 17. A U-shaped cross brace element 20 is also provided extending across the device between the pivot points.

The seat member 12 overlaps back member 10 by a short distance adjacent the pivot points and a suitable locking device, such as a pin, clamp, or the like such as is detailed in Figure 9 is provided at 22 and 24. This locking device is unfastened or released when the device is to be folded for storage but may also be used to lock all three elements together, and when the device is set up for use this lock is fastened whereby the back and

seat elements

10 and 12 respectively are locked together forming a single rigid member upon which the fabric or webbing support material is distended.

The back element 10 is supported from the ground through a pair of support tubes, rods, or other structural members-26 and 28. These are hinged or pivotably connected at their upper ends to the back element 10 at

points

30 and 32, and extend downwardly into

apertures

34 and 36 provided in the upper surface of bottom leg element 14. If desired, a plurality of such apertures may be provided along the bottom leg element as shown at 34, 34", 36, and 36". Preferably, the

support members

26 and 25 are pivoted on the inner side of the back element, and a pair of

clamps

38 and 40 are provided also on the inner side to receive the lower ends of the

support members

26 and 28 when the lounge is folded for storage. In this way, the support elements are pivoted into a parallel position inside the back element, clamped, and the seat and bottom leg elements folded into a thin, compact package. Another modification involving the back support elements permits them to be located on the outer surface of the seat element. The clamps 38 and 49 are also so located, and spacers are provided at the

pivots

16 and 18 whereby the back support elements may be pivoted and clamped between back element 10 and seat element 12 when the device is folded for stor-' age. This modification is indicated in Figure 3 described below. 7

Referring now to Figure 2, a side elevation or transverse view of the unfolded lounge is shown. The elements herein shown which are the same as those described in connection with Figure 1 are indicated by the same areas-re numbers. The transverse or elevation contour of the back, seat, and bottom leg elements is clearly shown in this figure. This contour consists in a straight portion extending along the side of each element from adjacent the closed end of the U and terminates adjacent the pivot point 18 in a curved portion at the open end of the U. The transverse contour of each of the elements is identical so that when folded the three elements appear from the side as is shown in Figure 5 described below.

A modification of the back, seat, and bottom leg contours, which may be employed to obtain a different manner of lounge adjustment as regards height of the back from the ground and hence the slope, involves the use of elements whose transverse contours consist entirely of a curve, e. g., no straight portion is employed as is shown in the modification of Figure 2. In this modification, detailed in Figures 6 and 7 only the closed end of seat element 12 and two points on the curved portion of element 14 rest upon the ground. Then by changing the location of

support elements

26 and 28 in the

apertures

34 and 36, 34' and 36, etc. described to receive them, the slope of the lounge is readily varied. The curvature of each of the elements is identical, so that the same compactness for storage is obtained as with the element contour of Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 3, a plan view of the device of Figure 2 is shown. Herein the same elements are again indicated with the same numbers. As stated previously, this view shows the back support elements attached to the outer surface, of back element 10 and clamps 38 and 40 are located on the same surface. In order to provide space for the support elements between the back element 10 and seat element 12 when the lounge is folded, the relative widths of the U-shaped elements are adjusted to permit the placement of washers or

spacers

46 and 48 between

elements

10 and 12 on

pivot rods

16 and 18 respectively.

Figure 3 also clearly indicates the relative widths and lengths from common pivot axis 17 of the three essential elements of the lounge. shown in this figure, e. g., that in which back element 10 as the smallest width W1 and the shortest radius R1, the seat element 12 has width W2 and radius R2 of intermediate values and bottom leg element 14 has the greatest width W: and the longest radius R3. The radii are also indicated in Figure 2 measured from the pivot axis to the outside surface of the closed end of each U. The outline 50 of the webbing or fabric covering of the lounge is also indicated by broken lines.

The covering for the lounge may be made of fabrics such as light duck or canvas, muslin, or other woven materials such as rubberized plastics and other waterproofed materials. Other suitable materials include webbings of canvas, rope, or light plastic tape woven onto the frame to form durable light weight coverings. The woven plastic tapes are preferably used and can be obtained in all colors and in widths of from 0.5 inch to 5.0 inches.

Referring back briefly to Figure 2, the procedure for folding the lounge is shown and is described. The back support element 28 is disengaged from aperture 36 and engaged in clamp 40. The same is done with support element 26 which is indicated in Figure 1. Lock 24 is released, as is lock 22 'shown in Figure 1, permitting back element 10 to rotate relative to seat element 12 and back element 10 is lowered to the ground as indicated by arrows 42, so that it is then enclosed within bottom leg element 14. Then the seat element 12 is pivoted upwardly and over the

other elements

10 and 14 in the direction indicated by arrows 44 and lowered onto the ground between back element 10 and bottom leg element 14. Any simple form of strap or snap fastener may be employed to link the three U-shaped elements at the closed ends to hold them together for .storage in a compact package as indicated in Figure. 4.

The preferred design is One preferable mode of locking the three elements for storage is detailed in Figure 9 described below.

In Figure 4 showing a plan view of the device folded as just described, it is seen that the back, seat, and bottom leg elements nest together when folded into a very compact package. This of course is due to the relative widths and radius from the pivot axis of each element. The element having the smallest width also has the smallest radial extent to the closed end from the pivot axis 17 whereby the three elements fit together in the manner shown.

Locks

22 and 24 are herein shown locking

elements

10, 12 and 14 in the folded position as briefly indicated above.

In Figure 5 is indicated a transverse view of the folded device and it is readily apparent that the package is very compact and only as thick as any one of the elements of the lounge. Because the contour of all elements is identical, the folded contour is exactly the same and thus the lounges when folded may be stood on their ends in rows where they are readily accessible.

Opening 19 may be provided at the end of bottom leg element 14 at a distance from pivot 18 which is equal to the distance of

locks

22 and 24 in elements and 12 from

pivots

16 and 18. Opening 17 is equivalent to 19 in the other side of element 14 as indicated in Figure 1. In this manner, as detailed and further described subseqnently in connection with Figure 9, locks 22 and 24 may be adapted not only to lock the

elements

10 and 12 in the open position when the lounge is set up for use as shown in Figure l, but also they may be used to lock all three

elements

10, 12, 14 in the closed or storage position, as indicated in Figure 4.

Referring now to Figure 6, an elevation view similar to that of Figure 5 is shown, but which illustrates the modified contour of the U-shaped bottom leg element 14a referred to briefly above, the back and seat elements not shown have curvatures identical to that shown. It will be noted that no linear portion is used in the ele ments and that the contour is a smooth curve.

Referring now to Figure 7, an elevation view of the entire device is shown in which the second contour has been used in fabricating the U-shaped elements and it is seen that the points of contact with the ground include the closed end of seat element 12a, and two points only along the curvature of element 14a. In this modification also, the support element 28 (and 26 as well, indicated in Figures 1 and, 3) is given a curvature like the U-shaped elements and has been moved slightly relative to the clips for them as described. Clips have been placed nearer the closed end of element 10a. and the support element pivots 32 have been placed nearer the common pivot 18 at the open end. In this way, a relatively large adjustment in the height of the back element 10a from the ground can be attained.

Also in Figure 7 is indicated generally a hinge 60 linking the lower portion 10a from the upper or closed portion 10a" of back element 10a. In the manner detailed below, the back element. can thus be raised above the reclining position indicated in Figures. 1 and 2 to a sitting position as indicated in Figure 7. Otherwise all of the elements are as described in connection with the other figures.

in Figure 8 is detailed one desirable form of the hinge and back lock mechanism. Herein the two parts 10a and 10a" of back element are shown, attached by hinge 69 which is welded, sweat soldered, riveted or otherwise secured to the back element parts. A separate support wedge 62 is employed to hold the back element apart at the desired angle for a sitting posture. This element comprises a truncated wedge 62 with eye 63 for attachment to the device by a cord or chain. The converging faces of the wedge 65 and 67 are provided respectively with

projections

64 and 66 which are of such a diameter or' thickness as to fit into the open" end's'of back element parts 10a and Na whereby pressure of the back of the user in a sitting position applies a compressive force through hinge 60 and back element part 10a" to wedge 62. The wedge resists this force andmaintains the back elements in the relative position shown in Figure 7. When cylindrical or tubular U-shaped elements are used, these projections are cylindrical. Projection 64 preferably extends several inches into element 10a, but projection 66 need not extend nearly that far and is provided with a curved part 69 to permit easy insertion and removal of the support wedge by folding back element 10a" forward to form a 90 angle at hinge 60 whereby projection 66' is entirely disengaged from element 10a" and the wedge 62 and projection 64 can be removed. Of course other types of lock hinges may be employed in this service, and in any case each is preferably provided with a snap lock or latch not shown to retain elements 10a and 10a" tangent to each other when block 62 is not used.

Referring finally to Figure 9, a detailed view of a spring loaded pin type lock suitable for the locks indicated generally as 22 and 24 in Figures l-S and 7' is shown. In this modification, thelocks are also adapted to lock all three U-shaped elements together in their collapsed position in addition to locking the leg and back elements into a rigid structure. Herein the detail is of the upper left hand corner of Figure 4 and

U-shaped elements

10, 12, and 14 are shown together with cross brace element 20. Extending through all three

elements

10, 12, and 14 at a point closer to the open ends of the elements than the common pivot pin 70 is lock pin 72 having spring retainer flange 78, loading spring 76,

handle on its inner end, and a transverse locking pin 74 at its outer end. Bottom leg element 14 and seat element 12 and back element 10 are slotted at 82, 84, 86, 88, and so that by gripping handle 80' and pressing it from left to right as shown against the pressure of retainer spring 76, the transverse locking pin 74 is moved to the right from a longitudinal depression on the outer surface of bottom leg element 14, not shown but which conforms to the contour of transverse locking pin 74. Lock pin 72 is then rotated about 90 and moved to the left thereby moving the transverse locking pin- 74 successively through

slots

82 and 84 thereby releasing the bottom leg 14. Further movement of the lock pin 72 moves the transverse. locking pin 74 through slots 86 and 88 into slot 90 whereby seat element 12 is released and the three U-shaped elements may be rotated about pivot axis 17 in the reverse manner to that shown in Figure 2 so that the chair may be set up. Back element 10 is rigidly fastened to seat element 12 after a rotation of element 12 by slipping lock pin 72 through aperture 91 in element 12 whereby transverse locking pin 74 passes from slot 90 through slots 92 and 94, and then rotating the lock' pin 72 about 90 to drop pin 74 into a similar set of longitudinal depressions.

The relation of the apertures in seat element 12 through which the locking pin- 72 passes is indicated in Figure 1 in which the lock pin in the set up position is indicated at 24 to the left of pivot 18, and the aperture through which the lock pin 72 passes in element 12 in the collapsed position is indicated at 25. When locked with bottom leg element 14 in the collapsed position, lock pin 72 also passes through aperture 19 in Figure 1. Of course, similar apertures are used on the other side of the device to receive lock pin 22, e. g., an aperture not shown in leg element 12 and aperture 17 in element 14.

The modification shown in Figure 9 is one in which all three elements may be locked in the closed position by means of lock pin 72. If desired, other means may be used to accomplish this, such as snap fasteners, etc., and lock pin 72 used only to lock back element 10 to seat" element in the open or set up position. In such 'a

case slots

90, 92 and 94 only are required and lock pin 72 is constructed only two-thirds as long as it is shown in Figure 9. In such a structure,

slots

82, 84, 86, and 88 may be eliminated, and no aperture through

elements

12 and 14 at these points is needed.

The lounge of this invention may be constructed of any of the commonly available materials such as steam bent wood, iron or aluminum alloy rod or tubing, and the like. The preferable material has been found to be aluminum alloy tubing with thin walls and having outside diameters of from about 0.50 inch to 2.0 inches. This is probably the strongest structure per unit of weight. For stronger and heavier modifications, thicker walled aluminum alloy conduit or tubing may be used, or even steel conduit or solid rod etc. The material selected is also preferably finished to protect it from the weather; spar varnish being suitable if wood is employed, enamels and similar automotive finishes being proper for steel tubing structures, and with the aluminum tubing an anodized finish is preferable.

The size of the device may be varied, that is, under sizes may be made which are suitable for children, and oversizes may be made for larger people. On the average, production models suitable for general use are sized as follows: 1.0 inch 0. D. aluminum alloy tubing is used, the back member is 21.875 inches in outside width and 35.875 inches radius to the outer surface from the pivot axis, the seat member is 24 inches in width and 38 inches radius from the pivot axis, and the bottom leg member is 26.125 inches in width with a 40.125 inch radius from the pivot axis. The radii at the corners of the closed end of the U are also graduated accordingly so that the elements will nest properly when folded. Typical radii at these points are about 2 inches inside radius for the back member, 3 inches for the seat member, and 4-inches for the bottom leg member.

Additional attachments may be provided for the lounge described above. If desired, pockets may be sewn or otherwise attached into the canvas or plastic seating material to receive a pillow at the end of the back element. The widest element, which in the modification shown above was the bottom leg element, may be provided with a metal handle suitable for carrying the folded lounge chair. The ends of the bottom leg element, which extend upwardly a short distance at the pivot points when the lounge is set up, may be left open and adapted to receive the support elements for a tray extending across the middle portion of the lounge above the leg of the user to hold table service, papers, magazines, etc. These open ends are also adaptable to receive the supporting:

element for small trays on either side of the lounge suitable for holding ash trays, coasters, and the like.

A particular embodiment of the present invention has been hereinabove described in considerable detail by way of illustration. other modifications and adaptations thereof may be made by those skilled in this particular art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A foldable contour lounge chair which comprises a U-shaped seat frame element, a U-shaped back frame element, and a U-shaped bottom leg frame element, said frame elements being pivotably connected to each other adjacent the open ends of the U, said frame elements further being curved in the plane transverse to said U at least adjacent said open ends thereof, a pair of lock elements detachably connecting said seat and back elements together at points spaced adjacent the pivotable connection and in combination therewith adapted to lock said 7 seat and back elements into a rigid frame structure having in said transverse plane a generally S-shaped curvatnre conforming to that of the reclining human body, a pair of back support legs connecting each side of said back frame element to the corresponding side of said bot- It should be understood that various;

torn leg frame element to support said back element therefrom, and a body supporting material connected at its periphery to said seat and back frame elements.

2. A lounge chair according to claim 1 wherein said U-shaped back, seat, and bottom leg frame elements have diiferent Widths and different radial distances between the axis of the pivotable connection and the closed end of each U-shaped element whereby said elements may be rotated about said axis and nested together, one inside the other, to form a collapsed package having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of only one of said elements.

3. A lounge chair according to claim 1 wherein said back support legs connecting said back and bottom leg elements are pivotably connected at one end one to each side of one of said elements, in combination with a fastener attached to the same element and adapted to receive and secure the other end of said back support element when the lounge is folded as for storage.

4. A lounge chair according to claim 3 wherein said back support legs are pivotably connected and said fasteners are attached to the inside surface of the U-shaped back element.

5. A lounge chair according to claim 1 wherein the curvature of said U-shaped frame elements in said plane transverse to the U comprises a straight portion extending from the closed end of each frame element and terminating in a curved portion adjacent the open and pivotably connected ends of each frame element.

6. A lounge chair according to claim 1 wherein the curvature of said U-shaped frame elements in the plane transverse to the U comprises a smooth curve extending substantially entirely from the closed end to the open ends of each of said elements.

7. A portable contour lounge chair which comprises three U-shaped frame elements pivotably connected to each other adjacent the open ends of each of said U-shaped elements providing respectively a seat, back, and bottom lcgof said lounge, a U-shaped cross brace element eX- tending across between the pivot located at each open end of said frame elements, each of said frame elements having a different width between the arms of the U and a proportionately long radius from the axis of said pivots to the closed end of the U so as to permit said frame elements to be rotated about said pivots and nested together to form a folded package substantially the same thickness as one of said elements only, a pair of back support legs connected at one end to each side of said back frame element and adapted at the other end to be engaged with each side of said bottom leg element, said U-shaped frame elements each having substantially the same curvature in the plane transverse to the U, a pair of lock elements'adapted to detachably connect said seat element to said back element at a point thereon adjacent said pivots to form rigid unit having a generally S-shaped elevation, and a body-supporting cover material attached at its periphery to said U-shaped seat and back frame elementsj 8. A lounge chair according to claim 7 wherein said back element has the smallest width and radius, said bottom leg element has the greatest width and radius, and

the seat element has a width and radius whose values are intermediate those of'said back and bottom leg elements.

9. A lounge chair according to claim 7 wherein each of said U-shaped back and seat frame elements are provided with two openings extending therethrough in a directo lock said elementstogether as said rigid S-shapcd unit.

10. A lounge chair according to claim 9 wherein the bottom leg element and one-of said seat and back frame elements are each further provided with two openings extending therethrough in a direction parallel with said pivots and spaced apart therefrom an equal distance in each frame element so that said openings are aligned with said openings in the other of said seat and back frame elements when all of said frame elements are nested together in a folded condition, and said locking pin is sulficiently long to extend through said openings in all three of said frame elements to lock them together in the folded condition.

11. A lounge chair according to claim 7 wherein at least said seat and back frame elements are provided with openings extending therethrough at points spaced equidistant from each of said pivots, and each of said lock elements comprises in combination with said frame elements and said openings therein a pin adapted to extend through said openings when aligned, a transverse locking pin extending through one end of said locking pin, a flange and a gripping handle at the other end of said locking pin, and a loading spring disposed around said locking pin between said flange and the nearest frame element, said loading spring biasing said locking pin toward the disengaged position in which said back and seat elements are free to rotate relative to each other about said pivots, and said transverse locking pin being adapted to engage the frame element nearest thereto and hold said locking pin in the engaged position in which said seat and back elements are locked together as said rigid S-shaped unit.

12. A foldable contour lounge chair which comprises a U-shaped seat frame element, a U-shaped bottom leg frame element, and a U-shaped back frame element having a closed portion and two separate lower arm portions adjacent the open ends of the U, said frame elements being pivotably connected to each other adjacent their open ends, said frame elements further being curved in the transverse plane at least adjacent the open ends thereof, a pair of lock elements detachably connecting said seat and back elements together at points spaced adjacent said pivotable connection and in combination adapted to lock said seat and back elements into a rigid frame structure having in said transverse plane a generally S-shaped curvature conforming to that of the reclining human body, a pair of back support legs connecting each side of said back frame element to the corresponding side of said bottom leg frame element to support said back element therefrom, a body supporting material connected at its periphery to said seat and back frame elements, a pair of hinges one each connecting said closed portion of said back frame element to one of said separate lower arm portions whereby said closed portion of said back frame element may be raised into a position adapted to support the back of the user in a sitting position, and a lock disposed substantially at each of said hinges to support said closed portion of said back frame element in the sitting attitude.

13. A lounge chair according to claim 12 wherein said hinges are disposed on the upper surface of said back frame element as the chair is normally used, and said lock associated with each of said hinges comprises a wedge insertable into the wedge-shaped space between adjacent ends of said lower arm and closed portions of said back frame element, engaging means adapted to secure each converging face of said wedge to one of said adjacent ends of said back frame element at said hinge, whereby said back frame element is supported in said sitting attitude.

14. A lounge chair according to claim 13 wherein said back support legs extend from each side of the bottom leg element upwardly to each side of said back frame elements at points thereon along the length of said separate arm portions thereof.

15. A lounge chair according to claim 13 wherein said engaging means comprises a pair of projections extending from the converging faces of said wedge, each projection being insertable into a recess in the adjacent ends of said back frame element at said hinge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,989,146 Ogden, Jr Jan. 29, 1935 2,696,869 Schlaak Dec. 14, 1954 2,704,115 Freedman et al. Mar. 15, 1955 2,710,050 DuBois June 7, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 445,794 Italy Feb. 24, 1949