US2857954A - Adjustable chair - Google Patents

Description

J. E. VOELKER ET AL Oct. 28, 1958 I ADJUSTABLE CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 4, 1951 h l w INVENTORS Oct. 28, 1958 J. E. VOELKER ET AL 2,857,954

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR Filed April 4, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 3-! 39 34 INVENTORS I l] JHNEE. Vozuzse 32 DWF7D 02- met-a2 5 J'o/m/ m asap/as.

Oct. 28, 1958 J. E. VOELKER EI'AL ADJUSTABLE CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 4, 1951 INVENTORS' JAM/E E. I/OELKEB 1958 J. E. VOELKE'R' ETAL 2,

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 4, 1951 INVENTORS \jfiA/E E VOELKER 501M420 M. l oEL kEE JL /W MK 56 5536 I ATT RNEY United States Patent" ADJUSTABLE CHAIR Jane Eleanor Voelker and Edward M. Voelker, New Salem, Mass., and John W. Sabbagh, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignors to Inventors Enterprises, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation ofNew York Application April 4, 1951, Serial No. 219,137

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-106) This invention relates to chairs wherein a person may sit in either an upright or reclining position and shift from one position to the other at will without leaving the chair.

This application is a continuationdn-part of application Serial No. 163,904, filed May 24, 1950, which matured into Patent No. 2,549,869, on April 24, 1951, and which latter application was a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 11,118, filed February 26, 1948 (formally abandoned).

The primary object of this invention is to provide a chair useful in hospitals for disabled veterans. Many of these ex-soldiers are crippled so badly that they cannot sit comfortably in an ordinary chair and when occupying conventional hospital chairs haveto be helped when they desire to shift from an upright sitting posture into a reclining position, and vice versa. Most hospital chairs which permit of these two positions are of complicated character, requiring the services of an attendant.

The present invention, in contradistinction, provides a simple, economical and highly sanitary chair, easy to keep clean and capable of manipulation into its various positions of adjustment by a person sitting therein without appreciable physical effort.

Chairs adapted to partake of either sitting or reclining positions have heretofore been suggested, but for one reason or another they have not been found satisfactory for hospital use. They are either too complicated or they are so hard to manipulate that a cripple or person weakened by illness cannot shift positions without undue exertion. The chair of the present invention has been found by actual use in hospitals to meet all requirements of the ill and crippled because of its simplicity and ease of adjustment. The patient is well adapted to change position without harmful effort, for the balance, due to the particular characteristics of the construction, is such that the slightest movement on the patients part will bring about the change of posture desired. This balance is accomplished through the particular shaping of the parts and placing of the pivots by which said parts are adapted to articulate for movement of the patient from a reclining to a sitting position, and vice versa, as will hereinafter be more fully explained.

Features of the invention, other than those adverted to, will be apparent from the hereinafter detailed description and appended claim, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate different practical embodiments of the invention, but the constructions therein shown are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

; Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of primary elements of the chair of this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the preferred form of chair.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of such chair arranged so as to show the front and one side thereof. In this view, as in Figure 2, the cushions, with which the chair is ordinarily provided, are omitted.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the chair as viewed from the opposite side and illustrating in addition a modified form of construction whereby the chair may be locked in any position of adjustment.

Figure 5 is a fragmental side elevation of the locking means illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a modified form of chair wherein a number of the chair parts are formed from bent tubing.

Figures 7 and 8 are fragmental side elevations of parts of the chair shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a chair showing apparatus for electrically manipulating the chair into difierent positions at the will of the operator.

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the chair of Figure 9 with certain parts omitted in the interest of clearness.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the base panel of the control box housing the electrical equipment for regulating the chair.

Figure 12 is a fragmental section on the line 12-12 of Figure 11.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows the primary elements of the chair of this invention. In this figure,- 1 indicates a seat bar, 2 a tie bar, and 3 a supporting frame having upstanding side members. 4 designates a leg rest provided with a foot rest step 5, and 6 indicates a back rest.

The base frame is provided at its back and intermediate its top and bottom with a forwardly extending bracket 7, while a correspondingly placed bracket 8 extends rearwardly from the front portion of the base frame. The bracket 7 carries near its outer end a pivot 9 while the bracket 8 carries a pivot 10.

The lower portion of the back rest 6 is provided with a forwardly extending pivot plate 11 below which plate the back rest is curved forwardly at 17 and is secured at its lower end by a pivot 12 to the seat bar 1. That seat bar extends forwardly and its forward end. is turned up,

at 13, and permanently secured by a pivot 14 to the leg rest 4. The distance between the pivots 10 and 14 is the same as the distance between the pivots 9 and 12.

The upper portion of the pivot plate 11 forwardly of the back rest carries a pivot 15 to which is secured the rear end of the tie bar 2, while the other end of this tie bar is secured by a pivot 16 to the upper end of the leg rest. The distances between the pivots 10 and 16 and the pivots 9 and 15 are the same, but said distances are somewhat less than the distance between the pivots 8 and 14 and 9 and 12. The four pivots 12, 15, 16 and 14 are thus placed, in effect, at the four corners of a parallelogram,

. although the seat bars 1 are not parallel to the tie bars 2.

It will be noted from Figure 1 that the leg rest 4 is substantially parallel to that portion of the back rest above the pivot, but that the lower end of the back rest is curved forwardly at 17 to carry the pivot 12. The base frame 3 extends appreciably above the tie bar 2 so as to form an arm rest at the side of the .chair and the upper surface of this arm may be faced with leather, fibre, wood or any other suitable material or padded, as indicated at 18 in Figure 1, so as to be more comfortable to the user.

It will be understood that the elements shown in Figure 1 are duplicated for both sides of the .chair and that corresponding elements are tied together by suitable transverse supports adapted to support the weight of the patient.

When a chair is so constructed, it will support a patient with the weight in remarkable balance so that-the patient may, by the slightest effort, bring about adjust ment of the chair from a sitting position to a reclining position or to an intermediate position according to his desire. The exact reason for this is not fully apparent, but it has been found to be true.' The present chair is a result of numerous models and a great many tests and it is made as shown in Figure 1 in the manner specified because it is the only arrangement of parts which we have found to give accurate balance and ease of adjustment. It is for this reason that it has met with such universal commendation by all who have used it; I

The preferred formof chair embodying this invention; as shown in Figure 1, is shown in Figures 2 and 3. In these figures, the two sides of the base frame 3 are made of flat metallic strips bent into the shape shown and-they are secured together transversely by braces 19 and 20. The braces 19 are straight while the brace 20 is longitudinally curved to clear the patient and the moving parts.

Extending across the leg and back rests are transverse curved braces 21 and between the seat bars are curved braces 22. Also across these parts are resilient ribbons 23, the opposite ends of each of which are perforated for attachment with coil springs 24 which hook into holes in the seat bars, leg rest and back rest. Cushions are laid over these ribbons-which constitute the body supports. These cushions are indicated in dotted lines by the reference character C. The foot support is shown in Figures 2 and 3 as hinged to the bottom of the leg support 4 and the inclination of this foot support may be regulated by adjustment of slotted links 25 held in adjustment by bolts 26.

With the chair, as thus far described, the parts are at all times free for adjustment by the occupant. ever, in Figures 4 and 5 I have shown a modified form of constructionwhereintheparts may be locked in any desired adjustment. In this showing the back rest 6 is provided at one side with a fixed pin 27 which projects laterally at the right hand side of the chair. In this construction the bracket 7 is replaced by a plate 7a somewhat larger than the bracket 7 shown in the preceding figures and on this bracket is mounted a pivot 28 which supports a ratchet 29, the slots 30 of which are adapted for cooperation with the pin 27.

To the ratchet is secured a stud 31 projecting through a slot 32 in the bracket plate 7a to permit of pivotal movement of the ratchet into and out of engagement with the pin 27 The stud 31 is connected by a link 33 to an operating lever 34.- The lever 34 is pivoted at 35 and it extends upwardly through a slot formed in the horizontal flange 36 of an angle piece 37. The slot 38 of this angle piece has formed therein teeth or notches to lock the lever 34 in either of two positions of adjustment, one that wherein the ratchet is engaged with the pin and the other that wherein the ratchet is withdrawn from the pin. A compression spring 39 coiled around the pivot 35 between the head of the pivot and the lever 34 normally holds the lever in engagement with either notch in which it may bepositioned. The upper end of the lever is provided with a handle 40 which'the operator may grasp for the purpose of shifting the lever to engage or disengage the ratchet with the pin. When the ratchet is engaged with the pin, the parts of the chair will be locked in adjusted position. When disengaged from the pin, the ratchet will permit adjustment of the chair at the will of the occupant.

In the chair of Figures 4 and 5, the leg rest embodies upper and lower adjustable sections 4a and 4!), respectively, so that the rest may be shortened or lengthened to adjust the foot rest to the requirements of the occupant. Both of these sections are slotted and bolts 41 are passed through the slots to permit the sections to be locked in the desired position of adjustment. The chair in these figures, moreover, is provided with cushions which may be removed for cleaning and replaced thereafter. This chair is also provided with castors 42 so that the chair may be readily rolled from place to place. These castors may be swiveled ornotas desired and they may be provided onall' thechairs of this invention, if desired.

In Figures 6-8, the chair is shown as constructed in part from bent tubular stock. A chair so constructed is more applicable to uses other than hospital use, such as ona porch or patio.- For such use, the step may be readiIy dinountable and it is shown in these figures as formed How- - approved speed reducing gearing.

4 from sheet metal with hooks 43 to detachably hook over. the U-shaped leg rest of thisparticular chair.

The chair shown in Figures 9-11 is the same as that shown in Figures 1-5, inclusive, with the exception that the means for locking the chair in its various positions of adjustment is omitted in Figures 9-1l, although it may be incorporated if desired. The chair, however, is adapted to be adjusted by power derived from an electric motor instead of by power applied by the patient. The structure of the chair of these latter figures isprimarily intended for use by paralytics, paraplegics, polio patients and other patients who are either too weak to manually operate the chair or are crippled or paralyzed in a manner to make such operation impossible or undesirable.

In the showing of Figures 9 and 10, the resilient ribbons 23 and coil springs 24 of the preceding figures have been omitted in the interest of clearness, but it will be understood that they are employed as well in this chair.

In adapting the chair of this invention to electrical operation, the base frames 3 are preferably stiffened by" gusset braces 45. Supporting bars 46 are secured trans-' versely of the chair across the lower horizontal reaches 46a of the base frame and serve to support a control box 47'within the frame and below the seat. This control box is preferably of sheet metal and made so that it may be" readily opened up to expose its contents for maintenance and repair. It is provided with a horizontal base panel 48 shown in Figure 11. This panel is secured to the bars 46. On the panel are mounted a storage battery 49', a trickle charger 5t), and a driving motor 51 having a pulley and belt connection 52 with a gear box 53 containing any This speed reducing gearing is adapted to drive a toothed rack 54, guided in any suitable manner to maintain it in mesh with the driven gear 53a of the gear box, as by a yoke 5312' on the shaft of said gear. The rack extends upwardly, and forwardly through an opening 55 in the front wall of the control box 47, as shown in Figure 10, and is connected by any appropriate pivotal connection 54a with a cross bar 21a on the leg rest 4 to permit of articulation betweenthe rack 54 and the leg rest.

Electric current is adapted to be fed from any suitable source through an electric cable 56 to the trickle charger so that the battery 49 may be charged from time to time and permit operation of the motor by the patient when desired. This motor is of the reversible type and it is provided with a control cable 57 leading from the motor to a control switch 58 which may be mounted in any appropriate position at either the right or left side of the chair. It is shown in the drawings as mounted on the right hand side of the chair and on the under side of the arm, with two push buttons 59 and 59a adapted to respec-. tively control the direction of rotation of the motor. In addition to control through the cable 57 as described, the motor may have an additional circuit control cable 60 with a micro switch therein for controlling the motor. In either case, the occupant of the chair may cause the motor to rotate in either direction at will.

When the motor rotates in one direction, it acts through the gear box and rack to tilt the leg rest 4 in one direction with consequent tilting of the back rest and movement of the seat in a corresponding direction. Rotation of the motor in the opposite direction may cause a reversal in direction of these movements. Thus, the occupant of the chair may, without any muscular effort whatsoever save that required to press a push button switch, adjust the chair to his particular requirements or desires. As long as he keeps his finger on the push button, the movement of the parts will continue, within of course the limits of theirmovement, and when the finger is removed from the push button, the motor will stop and the parts will be locked in position by virtue of the intermeshin'g gears of the gear box which preferably include worm and worm wheel elements. It will of cou'rse be understood that any conventional speed reducing gear box may be employed.

The foregoing detailed description sets forth the invention in its preferred practical form, but the invention is to be understood as fully commensurate with the appended claim.

Having thus fully described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A chair comprising: a supporting frame having upstanding side members laterally spaced apart and the tops of which constitute stationary arm rests, a back rest pivoted in spaced relation to its lower end on supporting pivots on said frame, a leg rest pivoted in spaced relation to its upper end on supporting pivots also on said frame, tie bars below the arm rests with their forward ends pivoted to the upper end of the leg rest and their rear ends pivoted to the back rest, and seat bars pivoted at their rear end to the lower end of the back rest with their forward ends pivoted to the leg rest below the supporting pivots of the latter, in combination with a locking pin extending laterally from one side of the back rest, a pivoted pawl mounted on the frame to coact with said locking pin, an operating lever on the frame having a link connection with said pivoted pawl to move it into and out of engagement with the locking pin, and means to detachably secure the operating lever in a position to hold the pawl in engagement with the locking pin or in a position to hold said pawl disengaged from said pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 688,443 Siccardi Dec. 10, 1901 993,634 Ashton May 30, 1911 1,329,142 Ritter et al Jan. 27, 1920 1,984,397 Dalyze Dec. 18, 1934 2,053,852 Tracy Sept. 8, 1936 2,500,741 Taylor Mar. 14, 1950 2,508,109 Glasco May 16, 1950 2,541,938 Rideout Feb. 13, 1951 2,549,869 Voelker et al Apr. 24, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 711,928 France July 8, 1931

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