US2756806A - Foldable chairs - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1956 A. SPRIGMAN 2,756,806

FOLDABLE CHAIRS Filed Jan. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 12 35 42"" 2' 4 I7 [972 1 P (f 4- 7 7 5 42 Z9 76/ INVENTOR. 4077/0? s/w/a/yfiw BY ,g gagw;

United States Patent FOLDABLE CHAIRS Arthur Sprigman, New York, N. Y.

Application January 14, 1955, Serial No. 481,727

10 Claims. (Cl. 155-448) This invention relates to folding chairs, and more particularly to a type which can be readily produced from lightweight metal, such as aluminum or Duralumin and can be collapsed and folded to an extent to permit complete portability while occupying relatively little space.

The fact is appreciated that collapsible and foldable chairs have been heretofore made, but in most instances the extent to which the chairs have collapsed and folded has been relatively small, with the result that the folded chair was often found lengthy, cumbersome and bulky to transport as well as difiicult to store in small spaces such as an automobile. Often also the chairs of known construction were not of sufllcient lasting strength.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a folding chair which will not only be of light Weight but exceptionally rigid and will be foldable and collapsible to such an extent as to greatly enhance its portability while enabling the chair to be stored in very small space.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a chair in which the hingedly-connected elements are so arranged that substantial reinforcement at, and adjacent to the hinge points will be provided; in which adjustability for the back of the chair and arms therefor will be present, and in which locking means for preventing inadvertent folding movement of parts of the seat will be employed to result in a sturdy, rigid seat.

With these and other objects to be hereinafter set forth in view, I have devised the arrangement of parts to be described and more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein an illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed,

Fig. l is a top plan view of a chair made according to the invention, certain parts thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the chair in a partly folded condition;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational View of a portion of the seat frame and one of the legs;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 77 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of one of the arm rests showing how the same engages with one of the arm supports;

Fig. 9 shows the chair in its folded or collapsed condition ready for carrying;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view through the chair frame and the fabric covering forming the chair seat, and

Fig. 11 is a side view of the chair with the upper cross member of the back and a portion of the fabric shown in section.

2,756,8llfi Patented July 31, 1956 ice The chair includes a substantially rectangular seat frame generally indicated at 1, and which consists of two similar front and rear bars respectively indicated at 2 and 3, and two side bars respectively indicated at 4 and 5. Each of the front and rear bars 2 and 3 consists of a substantially channel-shaped member composed of aluminum or other suitable strong, but light, metal. Each of the side bars 4 and 5 is composed of two pivotally-connected sections 6 and 7, which sections are hingedly connected, as shown at 8 by a hinge having a vertical pivot and which permits the sections to swing inwardly when desired, as shown in Fig. 2. As will be seen in Fig. 3, the section 6 is provided at one end with a reduced portion 9 which fits within the channel of the bar section 7 when the chair is in its open position, thus producing an overlap at the pivot and strengthening the joint between the two sections 6 and 7. The end of the reduced portion 9 is formed with the ears 11 which prevent the pivotal movement of the two sections 6 and 7 in an outward direction, but permit the same to pivot inwardly as shown in Fig. 2, when it is desired to collapse or fold the chair.

At each corner of the rectangular frame that constitutes the seat frame of the chair, is provided a channel-shaped corner bracket. The brackets at the front of the chair seat frame are indicated at 11, while those at the rear thereof are shown at 12. A pivot pin 13 extends through each of the brackets 11 and passes through the sections 6 of the side bars 4 and 5 and also passes through the front bar 2. Spacing washers 14 are employed on the pin 13 between the meeting parts to permit of easy pivotal movement of the bars through which the pin passes.

Each of the rear brackets 12 is provided with a pivot pin 15 which extends through the bar sections 7 of the side bars 4 and 5, and also passes through the rear bar 3. Washers 14 are also provided on these pins for the purpose above mentioned. Also pivotally mounted at the top of each of the pins 15 is a U-shaped bracket 16, and pivotally mounted on the pin or rivet 18 in the bracket 16 is the lower end of one of the tubular back frame members 17. The brackets 16, being pivotally mounted on the pins 15, and the back frame members being pivotal on the pins or rivets 13, provide a universal pivotal movement for the back frame members 17 so that the same may be folded down on the seat frame when the chair is collapsed to facilitate the formation of the chair into a relatively small and compact parcel such as shown in Fig. 9, for very easy storage or carriage.

When the chair is in its erected position, as shown in Fig. 11, the upper ends of the two back frame members 17 are connected by a U-shaped tubular cross piece 19 which has reduced diameterends 20 tightly, but removably, fitted into the upper ends of the two back frame members 17, said members being tubular and hence receiving the reduced end portions 20 of the cross piece 19.

Secured on the lower end of each of the pivot pins 15 is a spring clip 21 into which the reduced end portions 20 of the cross piece 19 are fitted when the cross piece is detached from the back frame members 17 and when the chair is in its collapsed condition. These clips thus hold the cross-piece of the chair only when the chair is in such collapsed condition, and being inoperative when the chair is erected, as will be apparent from Fig. 11.

The four legs on which the chair is supported are shown at 22, each of said legs being provided at its lower end with the rubber tip 23. At its opposite end each leg is pivoted on pin 24 in one of the brackets 11 or brackets 12. Outward pivotal movement of each leg 22 is restricted by its contact with the flange 25 on the bracket on which the leg is pivoted, and inward pivotal movement is normally restrained by a detent 26 formed in the vertical portion of each of the brackets in which the legs are pivoted. This arrangement is such that when the legs are agrsasoe extended to supporting position, as shown in Figs. 3, 10 and 11, the legs splay outwardly to a slight extent, but may be readily folded inwardly to lie adjacent to the seat frame, so that when desired, the chair may be used as a legless chair with the seat frame supported directly on the ground or on the beach, rather than supported by the legs.

Secured in each of the side bar sections 6 is a box reinforcement 27, and a pivot bolt 28 extends through the side bar section 6 as well as through the reinforcement 27. Pivotally mounted upon the pivot bolt 28 is an arm sup-- port or post 29 which is preferably composed of channelshaped stock and has one of its flanges extended, as indicated at 39, to form a lug for entry into a slot 31 provided in the lower flange 32 of the reinforcement 27. This arrangement serves to hold the arm support or post 29 securely in its vertical position until it is desired to fold it downwardly for the collapse of the chair, as shown in Fig. 2. This lock also serves to hold the side bar sections 6 and '7 against inward fold upon the hinge 8 until the posts 29 are deliberately folded down.

At its upper end, each of the arm supports or posts 29 is formed with outwardly-extended ears 33 which fit within the channel 34 of one of the arms 35 of the chair. As will be seen in Fig. 11, each of the two arms 35 is pivoted at 36 in a collar 37 fixed by the pin 38 around one of the back frame members 17. Adjacent to its forward end, each of the arms 35 is channeled as indicated at 34-, which channel portion is formed at its lower end with a plurality of inwardly-extended spaced-apart lugs 39. Adjacent to the forward end of each of the arms, the lugs 39 are widely spaced apart as indicated at 41, which spacing 41 is suflicient to enable the arm support or post 29 to pass between the lugs 39 and position the cars 33 thereon above the lugs 39.

Located below the ears 33 on the arm support 29 is a pair of detents 4-2 arranged to fit between the lugs 39 and normally hold the arm 35 against longitudinal sliding movement along the top of the support 29 relatively to said support. This is shown in Pig. 8. The arrangement of the chair arms and their relationship to the supports or posts 29 is such that by the construction described, the back of the chair may be positioned and maintained at a desired or selected angle relative to the seat. In coupling the arms 35 to the supports or posts 29, the arms are first brought down upon the upright supports 29, and the cars 33 are passed through the spaces ll on the arms until the ears 33 are positioned above the lugs 39 on the arms. The arms 35' may now he slid along longitudinally on the tops of the supports or posts 29 until the desired inclinatic-n of the back is secured. The detents 42, positioned in any one of the spaces between the lugs 39 will hold the arms against rearward shifting movement and retain the back in any selected angular position.

The seat and back of the chair is preferably composed of a lengthy strip 59 of canvas or other suitable strong textile or other fabric. As will be seen in Fig. 10, the fabric strip is looped around the front and rear members 2 and 3 of the seat frame to form a double-thickness seat 53, and then extended upwardly as shown at Sl to form the back of the chair. At its upper end, the fabric strip ft is looped around the cross piece 19 as indicated at 52, (Fig. 11), the fabric strip remaining attached to said cross piece.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the chair will be readily apparent. in its open position, the chair appears as shown in Figs. 1, 3, l0 and 11. In this position, the arm supports or posts 29 are vertically disposed and extend upwardly from the side bar sec tions 6. and the lug portions 3d are entered in the slots 31 so that the arm supports or posts 25 are thus held against inadvertent downward folding movement in a direction toward the back of the chair. The arms 35 are engaged with the upper ends of the supports 29' as previously described and as shown in Figs. 4, 7 and 8 so that the back of the chair is securely supported at the desired angle of inclination for either sitting upright or reclining in a number of angular positions.

When it is desired to collapse the chair for transportation or storage, the legs 22 are folded upwardly on their pivots 24 and the side bars 4 and 5 folded inwardly on their pivots 8 after the arms have been detached from the supports 29 and said supports have been folded down on top of the side bar sections 6 to the positions shown in Fig. 2. When the side bars 4 and 5 are folded inwardly as above described, they will bring the front and rear bars 2 and 3 toward one another and the collapsed or folded side bars will then fit within the loop portions 53 of the seat fabric. The cross piece 19 is detached from the upper ends of the back frame members 17, and these members may be swung on the universal pivots 15, 18 to position them down against the collapsed seat frame 1. The back portion 51 of the fabric strip Si? is now wrapped around the folded seat frame, arms, legs and arm supports until the reduced ends 23 on the cross piece lid can be fitted into the clips 21 to thereby produce the compact arrangement of the collapsed chair, as shown in Fig. 9. In this collapsed form, the chair can be easily carried or stowed away in small space in an automobile. Since all of the metal parts of the chair may be made of aluminum or other lightweight metal, the chair will be of very light weight and easily carried whether open or in its collapsed, compacted condition. When erected the chair is a strong, rigid structure.

Having described a single embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. A foldable chair having a seat frame composed of front and rear bars connected by side bars, each of the side bars being composed of two sections joined by a vertical pivot whereby the two side bars are collapsible centrally to bring the front and rear bars toward one another, an arm support pivoted adjacent to the pivot of each side bar, locking means operative when the arm supports are in an erect position to prevent collapsing pivotal movement of the side bars, a back pivotally mounted adjacent to the rear of the seat frame, arms pivotally attached to the back, and selective interengaging means on the arms and arm supports to thereby determine the inclination of the back.

2. In a foldable chair, a seat frame, a back attached to the same, arms pivoted at one end to the back, arm supports attached to the seat frame and extending vertically upwardly from the same for engagement with the arms, the seat frame including two-part side bars, the parts thereof being pivotally connected and permitting inward collapse of the side bars, and locking means of which portions of the arm supports form a part, for preventing inward collapse of the side bars.

3. In a foldable chair, a seat frame, legs pivotally mounted at the corners of the frame, the frame including a pair of side bars, each bar being composed of two sections pivotally connected at the center of the bar, the bar being collapsible on said pivot, whereby the two bars may be collapsed inwardly and toward one another, the frame including front and rear bars extending between the collapsible side bars and which front and rear bars are brought toward one another upon collapsing movement of the side bars, arm supports carried by the side bars, a back pivotally mounted on the frame, arms pivoted at one end to the back and having their other ends adjustably engaging the arm supports, said arm supports being pivoted at their lower ends, and locking means adjacent to the lower ends of the arm supports for preventing collapsing movement of the side bars.

4. A foldable chair having a seat frame composed of front and rear bars connected by collapsible side bars, said side bars being collapsible on central vertical pivots, arm supports pivoted to one section of each of the side bars, said arm supports having lock elements for holding the side bars against collapsible movement, a back, armrests pivoted thereon, and means for detachably engaging the forward ends of the arm rests with the upper end portions of the arm supports when said arm supports are disposed in erect position.

5. A foldable chair having a rectangular seat frame composed of front and rear bars and side bars connecting the same, the side bars each being composed of two pivotally-connected sections whereby said side bars can be collapsed inwardly on their pivots to thereby bring the front and rear bars toward one another, an arm support having one end pivoted to one of the sections of each side bar, a back composed of a pair of rods connected at the top by a removable cross-piece, said rods having their lower ends pivotally attached at one end to each of the rods, the arms being adjustably connected at their forward ends to the tops of the arm supports.

6. In a foldable chair as provided for in claim 5, including a strip of fabric extended around the seat frame in loop formation to form a seat of double thickness, the strip being extended upwardly from the seat to form a back for the chair, the upper end of said strip being looped about the cross piece.

,7. In a foldable chair, a seat frame composed of a plurality of pivotally-connected bars, some of said bars being composed of inwardly-pivotal connected sections, legs pivotally mounted on the bars and foldable to either vertical position or to a position to lie adjacent and substantially parallel to the seat frame bars, a back frame consisting of a pair of tubular rods extending upwardly from the seat frame, said bars having their lower ends pivotally attached to the seat frame, the rods being connected at the top by a removable cross piece, arms pivotally attached at one end to the rods, arm supports pivotally attached to the seat frame and normally extending vertically and upwardly therefrom, interengaging detachable means for adjustably coupling together the arms and the upper ends of the arm supports, and a fabric strip looped around the seat frame and forming a doublethickness seat thereon, said strip having an upwardlyextending portion forming a back for the chair, the end of said portion of the strip being looped about the crosspiece.

8. A collapsible chair comprising a seat frame composed of four pivotally-connected bars, two of said bars being each composed of two hingedly-joined sections permitting said bars to be each inwardly collapsed and the two sections of each bar brought together into meeting relationship, the frame being rectangular and provided at each of its four corners with a pivoted leg movable to substantially vertical seat-supporting position, said legs being foldable on their pivots to lie adjacent to the bars of the seat frame, arm supports pivotally mounted on the collapsible bars of the seat frame, said arm supports being foldable to either a vertical position or else to a downfolded position to lie adjacent to the respective bars on which they are pivotally mounted, back supports consisting of rods pivoted at their lower ends at two of the pivots of the seat bars, arms pivotal at one end to the back supports, said arms having free ends for selective engagement with the upper ends of the arm supports to thereby determine the angle of inclination of the back supports, a cross-piece detachably connecting the upper ends of the back supports and a fabric panel attached to said cross-piece and connected to bars of the seat frame to thereby form a seat and back for the chair.

9. In a collapsible chair, a foldable rectangular seat frame, back supports pivoted thereon, arm rests pivoted to the back supports, arm rest supports pivoted to the frame and detachably and adjustably engaging the arm rests, legs pivoted at their upper ends to the frame, said legs comprising two front legs and two rear legs, the two front legs being foldable toward one another and into overlapping relation at the front of the seat frame, the two rear legs being similarly foldable at the rear of the seat frame and to overlapping position, the seat being capable of flatwise support upon the ground without interference from the folded legs.

10. In a foldable chair, a foldable seat frame, legs pivotally mounted at the corners of the frame, arm supports pivoted on the frame and movable to either a vertical position with respect to the frame or to a position substantially parallel to the plane of the frame, a back frame having side members pivotally mounted on the frame, arms pivoted at one end to the side members of the back frame, said arms having means for detachably and adjustably engaging the upper ends of the arm supports, a cross-piece detachably secured between the side members of the back frame, and clips provided at the bottom of the seat frame to receive parts of the crosspiece when the chair is in a collapsed condition.

UNITED STATES PATENTS References Cited in the file of this patent 318,368 Gitt May 19, 1885 383,058 Kree May 15, 1888 1,188,499 Simmons June 27, 1916 1,939,568 Panhorst Dec. 12, 1933 2,071,084 Nolan Feb. 16, 1937

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