US2894561A - Nesting desk-chair combination - Google Patents

Description

July 14, 1959 c. MACKINTOSH 9 I NESTING DESK-CHAIR COMBINATION Filed Aug. 3. 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 4% C4 Z Q- Q ATTORNEYS July 14, 1959 C. MACKINTOSH NESTING DESK-CHAIR COMBINATION Filed Aug. 3. 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 2a I 53 6 1 3d 7 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS July 14, 1959 Filed Aug 3. 1955 c. MACKINTOSH uas'rmc DESK-CHAIR COMBINATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 MM M,%M V

ATTORNEYS July 14, 1959 c. MACKINTOSH NESTING DESK-CHAIR COMBINATION 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 3. 1955 CMW mum w 27M U ATTORNEYS July 14, 1959 c. MACKINTOSH ,5

NESTING DESK-CHAIR COMBINATION Filed Aug. 3. 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENT OR MzzM BYZ M M MY'W0516 ATTORNEY S United States Patent NESTING DESK-CHAIR COMBINATION Charles Mackintosh, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application August 3, 1955, Serial No. 526,244

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-2) This invention relates to desk and chair combinations, and more particularly to desk and chair combinations which are designed so that a plurality of the combinations may be nested in a relatively small place.

In designing desks and chairs, particularly for classroom use, it is desirable to provide a desk and chair combination which is built as a single unit. The desks and chairs can, of course, be manufactured and used as separate pieces of furniture but when thus used they need constant rearranging. In addition, separate desks and chairs are objectionable for classroom use because of the natural tendency of students to lean their chairs backward and otherwise shift them around during the class to cause undesirable activity and noise. In some cases desks and chairs have been manufactured as separate pieces of furniture and then permanently attached to the floor by screws, but this arrangement is not satisfactory because it mars the floor and makes it impractical to rearrange the furniture.

Accordingly, it has been proposed that a desk and chair combination for classroom use be made as a single unit. One objection to such construction, however, is that the desk and chair unit occupies a relatively large space which makes storing of the units a distinct problem. This storage problem is particularly critical in classroom use where it is often desirable to move the furniture to one end of the room to provide a large space for group activities, or to permit cleaning and waxing of the floor.

Therefore, the main purpose of this invention is to provide desk and chair combinations in which each combination is constructed as a unit and yet a plurality of such units may be stored in a relatively small area. In order to accomplish this purpose, the invention contemplates the design of desk and chair combinations in which each combination is nestable with another desk and chair combination of the same design.

In order to accomplish close nesting of the desk and chair combinations, it is a further purpose of the invention to design the combinations so that each major element of one combination will be nestable with the same element of another combination of the same design. More specifically, a purpose of the invention is to provide a chair and desk combination in which the desk portion of one combination is nestable with the desk portion of another combination, the chair portion of one combination is nestable with the chair portion of another combination and the structure for connecting the chair and desk of one combination is nestable with the same structure in another combination.

When a desk and a chair are combined in a unit, they form a relatively heavy piece of furniture. Accordingly,

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a further purpose of the invention is to provide desk and chair combinations which may be nested without lifting them oif of the floor.

Nesting of the desk and chair combinations contemplated by the invention is accomplished simply by Slide ing one combination longitudinally into nested relation with another combination. During such nesting action the desk portion of one combination must pass over the top of the chair portion of the next combination. No great problem is thus presented in regard to the chair seat because it is normally lower than the desk, but a problem is presented in connection with the chair back because it normally extends above the level or the desk. Accordingly, a further purpose of the invention is to provide a desk and chair combination in which the chair back is adjustable to a position below the bottom of the desk. I

The need for chair and desk combinations which may be nested without lifting them ofi the floor also presents a problem in connection with nesting of the chair seat of one combination with the chair seat of the next combination. Accordingly, a further purpose of the invention is to provide desk and chair combinations in which the chair seats are pivotally supported and thus may be tilted to accomplish nesting. Another purpose of the invention is to provide arrangements whereby the tilting of the chair seats is automatically accomplished by the longitudinal nesting movement of one combination relative to another.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a unitary desk and chair combination which is particularly simple and inexpensive to manufacture and yet is sturdy in construction and pleasing in apearance. More specifically, a purpose of the invention is to provide a unitary desk and chair combination in which the main supporting structure for each side of the desk and chair is provided by a single strip of material.

Other and further purposes, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a nesting desk and chair combination showing in dashed lines the chair back and seat in the adjusted positions which they assume upon nesting;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the desk and chair combination shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the desk and chair combination shown in Figure 1 and shows in dot-dash lines the main portions of another combination in nesting position;

Figure 4 is a vertical view substantially along the longitudinal center line of Figure 3 showing two desk and chair combinations in nested relation, one of the combinations being shown in dashed lines;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detailed view showing a front view and a side view of a pivotal arrangement which accomplishes simultaneous adjustment of the chair seat and back;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of desk and chair combination showing portions of the chair in section and showing in dashed lines the forward portion of another such modified combination in nested position;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the seat back taken along line 7--7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation taken longitudinally of another modified form of chair and showing the front portion of a second such modified chair approaching nesting position;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a modified form of desk and chair combination showing a portion of the chair in section;

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of the combination shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 11-11 in Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a modified desk and chair combination showing a portion of the chair in section;

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1313 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of a modified desk and chair showing in dashed lines an adjusted position for the chair and showing in dot-dash lines a second desk and chair combination in nested position;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the desk and chair combination shown in Figure 14 and shows in dashed lines the main portions of a second combination in nesting position;

Figure 16 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 16-16 in Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a side elevational view of a modified des. and chair in which the seat is hinged to the seat support showing in dashed lines an adjusted position for the chair in nested position; and

Figure 18 is a top plan view of the desk and chair combination shown in Figure 17 and shows in dot-dash lines the main portions of a second combination in nesting position.

Referring in more detail to the drawings, the desk and chair combination of the invention comprises a desk por tion indicated generally at 10 and a chair portion indicated generally at 12. The desk portion comprises a desk panel 14 which is supported on each side by desk supporting means comprising front desk legs 16 and 17, and rear desk legs 19 and 20. The front desk legs are made from a one-piece tube or rod having the shape of an inverted U and including the upper horizontal portion 22 to which the forward edge of the desk panel 14 is screwed or otherwise secured. The rearward portion of desk panel 14 rests on the upper ends of legs 19 and 21 to which it may be attached by means of screws.

The chair portion 12 consists of a seat panel 24 which is supported on each side by supporting means comprising front legs 26, 27; rear legs 29, 30; and rails 32, 33, which rails extend respectively between the front and rear legs 26, 29 and between the front and rear legs 27, 30. The seat panel 24 is not directly attached to the rails 32, 33 but simply rests loosely on the top thereof. However. a horizontal hinge rod 35 is welded or otherwise secured at its opposite ends to the rails 32, 33 at the points at which the rails join the legs 26, 27, respectively. A pair of binge brackets 36, 37 are secured to the under surface of seat panel 24 and encircle rod or tube 35. Thus, it will be seen that the hinge rod 35 and the hinge brackets 36, 37 provide a pivotal connection between the forward edge of seat panel 24 and the supporting means for the panel. Rails 32, 33 are shown as being inclined downwardly from front to rear, but they could also be horizontal as will be explained hereinafter.

The chair portion 12 also comprises a back panel 4-0 supported on each side by back supporting members, which members are indicated generally at 42, 43 and extend upwardly from the rear chair legs 29 and 30, respectively. The back supporting members 42 and 43 comprise a pair of lower members 45, 46 and a pair of upper members 48, 50. As shown in detail in Figure 5, the upper members 48, 50 are pivotally connected by pins 52 and 53 to their respective lower members 45, 46 so that the upper members, together with the back panel 40, may

be rotated downwardly to the nesting position as shown in Figure 4 and also shown in dashed lines in Figure 1. In addition to providing means for rotating the back panel 41) downwardly, means are provided for raising the rear of seat panel 24 as a result of the downward rotation of the back panel. The structure for accomplishing this automatic raising of the seat 24 consists of links 56 and 57 which extend between the upper supporting members 48, 50 and the rear edge of seat 24. The upper end of link 56 is pivotally connected to the end of support member 43 by means of pin 60, and the upper end of link 57 is pivotally connected to the end of support member 50 by means of the pin 61. The lower end of link 56 is pivotally connected to the rear edge of seat 24 by means of a bracket 63 and a pin 64, and the lower end of link 57 is pivotally connected to the rear edge of seat 24 by means of the bracket 65 and pin 66.

In the structure thus far explained, the desk portion 11 and the chair portion 12 have been described as separate articles of furniture. The means for connecting said desk portion 10 and chair portion 12 will now be described. The connecting means are very simple and consist merely of a pair of runners 72 and 73 positioned on opposite sides of the desk and chair combination. Runner 72 connects desk legs 16 and 19 and chair leg 29, and runner 73 connects desk legs 17 and 20 and chair leg 30. If desired, reinforcing members 75 and 76 may be connected respectively between runner 72 and chair leg 29, and between runner 73 and chair leg 30. In addition, it will be noted from Figure 4 that even when the chair and desk combinations are in nested relation, there is ample room for a book rack 80 welded or otherwise connected at its lower end to chair legs 26, 27 and at its upper end to the rails 32 and 33.

Having thus described the construction of the desk and chair combination shown in Figures 1-5, the nesting action of such combination will now be described. In order to nest the desk and chair combinations it is simply necessary to align the combinations along their longitudinal axes and slide one into the other. As shown best in Figures 3 and 4, the construction of the desk and chair combination is such that when two or more are nested the desk panel 14 of the forward combination is partially under the desk panel of the rearward combination. The runners 72, 73 of the forward combination lie. partially inside of the runners of the rearward combination. The rails 32, 33 of the forward combination lie outside of the rails of the rearward combination, and the seat panel 24 of the forward combination lies over top of a portion of the seat panel of the rearward combination.

The automatic actuation of the chair back 40 and seat panle 24 during movement into nested position is believed to be obvious from Figure 4. It will be understood that as the rearward combination is being moved forwardly into the position shown dashed in Figure 4, the forward edge of the desk supporting member 22 will strike the rear edge of the chair back supporting members 48, 50 of the forward combination and thus rotate the supporting members and the chair back 40 forwardly around the pivot pins 52, 53 to partially raise the links 56, 57 and with them the rear edge of seat 24. The bottom rear edge of seat 24 of the forward combination is thus raised slightly above the elevation of the top front edge of the seat of the rearward combination. As the rearward combination is moved further forward, the top of the seat of the rearward combination engages the bottom of the seat of the forward combination and further raises the forward seat about its pivot 35. Such further raising action of the forward seat imparts additional raising movement to the links 56, 57 and thus rotates back 40 downwardly to the final position shown in Figure 4.

Having thus described the nesting action of the chair and desk combination shown in Figures 1-5, the more important features which contribute to such nesting action will now be described. The desk panel 14 is inclined from a horizontal position. In order to provide a comfortable writing surface, the desk panel is inclined downwardly from front to rear as shown in Figure 1. The chair seat panel 24 is tiltable so as to be inclined when in nesting position. Chair back 40 could be lower than the lowest point on the under surface of the desk panel 14 but for sitting comfort it is preferably higher as shown in Figure 1 and therefore must be adjustable to a position which is lower than the under surface of the desk panel. The front desk legs 16, 17 are outside of the side edges of the desk panel, as shown in Figure 1, in order to pass over the desk panel of another combination. If the distance between the legs 16, 17 were not greater than the width of the front edge of the desk, then the desk panel would have to be tapered inwardly from front to rear at an angle at least as great as the angle at which runners 72, 73 taper inwardly. The distance between the front desk legs 16 and 17 is greater than the distance between the rear desk legs 19 and 20, and the distance between the rear desk legs 19, 20 is greater than the distance between the rear chair legs 29, 30. The distance between the front chair legs 26, 27 is less than the distance between the rear chair legs 29, 30. The rails 32, 33 taper outwardly from front to rear. The width of the seat panel 24 is less than the distance between the support members 45, 46, and the runners 72, 73 taper inwardly from front to rear. In order to provide the most efiicient close nesting, all of the inclined members are inclined at the same angle. Obviously, the particular angle is not critical, but a preferred angle is an inclination of one inch for every six inches of length.

Figures 6, 7 and 8 show several modifications of the form of the invention shown in Figures 1-5 and primed reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts. In Figure 6 is a modified form of the invention is shown in Side elevation in solid lines, and in dashed lines the desk portion of an identical desk and chair combination 1s shown in nested position. The tube or rod members of the desk and chair combination shown in Figure 6 are symmetrically arranged on each side of the combination in the manner shown for the combination of Figures 1-5. Therefore, only the right side of the combination (as viewed from the rear) is disclosed detail in Figure 6. However, it should be understood that the same structure exists on the left side of the modification shown in Figure 6.

In the combination shown in Figure 6 a desk portion 10' comprises a desk panel 14 supported on the right side by desk supporting means comprising the front and rear desk legs 16' and 19', respectively. As previously explained, a similar leg arrangement exists on the left side of the desk panel 14'. The front desk legs on opposite sides of the desk panel are connected by a horizontal member 90 which has an angle-shaped cross section and has its horizontal flange recessed in the lower forward end of the desk panel 14'. If desired the front and rear desk legs 16 and 19 may be connected by a horizontal brace 92. In the form of the invention shown through Figures 1-5, it will be noted that the rear desk legs 19 and 20 extend straight up and are separate pieces with no connecting member at their upper ends. However, in the modification shown in Figure 6 the rear desk legs on opposite sides of desk panel 14' are interconnected at their upper ends by the horizontal member 94 extended across the undersurface of the desk panel. In the modification shown in Figure 6, the rear desk legs and the horizontal member 94 are preferably made from a one-piece tube or rod in the shape of an inverted U. In addition, the rear desk legs on opposite sides of desk panel 14' are each bent rearwardly at their upper ends. One reason for bending the upper ends of the rear desk leg-s rearwardly is to prevent the horizontal member 94 from interfering with the nesting action of desk portion 10. Figure 6 shows in dashed lines a second desk portion 10 in nested relation to the one shownsolid, and it will be noted that the rear edge of the forward desk panel is positioned forwardly of the horizontal member 94 on the rearward desk portion.

In the modification shown in Figure 6 the chair portion 12' comprises a seat panel 24' which is supported on the right side (as viewed from the rear) by supporting means comprising the front and rear chair legs 26' and 29', respectively, and the rail 32' which extends between the front and rear chair legs. As previously explained, a similar leg and rail arrangement exists on the left side of the chair panel 24'. Portions of the leg and rail arrangement on the left side of the chair panel are indicated in Figure 6 where leg 26 and rail 32' have been cut away adjacent their point of connection and thus expose parts of the left front chair leg 27' and the left rail 33. As indicated in this cutaway portion of Figure 6, a hinge rod 35 is connected at its opposite ends to rails 32, and 33' at the points at which the rails join the legs 26, 27', respectively, in a manner similar to that shown for the combination of Figures 1 through 5. Figure 6 also shows one of the hinged brackets 36 which pivotally connect the forward end of the seat panel 24 to the hinge rod 35.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, chair portion 12' also includes a back panel 40 which is supported by the back supporting members indicated generally at 42 and 43. The back supporting members 42 and 43 respectively include lower members 45, 46' and upper members 48, 50'. The lower members are welded or otherwise secured to the chair legs 29' and 30, and the upper members carry the back panel 40. The upper members are pivotally connected to the lower members by pins 52 and 53 so that the upper members together with the back 40 may be rotated downwardly to the position shown dotted in Figure 6. As distinguished from the upper members 48 and 50 in Figures 2 and 5, the upper members 48' and 50 are made from twisted strap material and are not connected to the seat panel 24. Since members 48' and 50' are not connected to the chair panel 24' a cross member 96 is connected between the members 45' and 46' in order to limit the rearward movement of the seat back 40.

It will be seen that in the modification shown in Figures 6 and 7 downward rotation of the chair back 45' does not automatically tilt the seat panel 24' upwardly around its pivot rod 35'. In Figure 6 the automatic raising of the seat panel 24' is accomplished by having the top forward edge of the seat panel positioned lower than the bottom rearward edge of the panel, so that when the modified combination is being nested in the manner shown for the preferred combination in Figure 4, the forward end of one seat will pass under and raise the rearward end of the next seat as the combinations are pushed together into nested relation.

In the construction thus far explained for the modification shown in Figures 6 and 7, the desk portion 10' and the chair portion 12' have been described as separate articles of furniture. The means employed for connecting the desk and chair portions are similar to the means employed in the form of the invention shown in Figures l-5. The connection means are very simple and consist merely of a pair of runners positioned on opposite sides of the combination. As shown in Figure 6 a runner 72' on the right side of the combination connects the desk legs 16 and 19 and the rear chair leg 29'. It will be understood that a similar runner exists on the left side of the combination and connects the left desk legs and the left rear chair leg. One of the novel features of the modifications shown in Figure 6 exists in the fact that on the right side of the combination the desk leg 16', runner 72, rear chair leg 29, rail 32, and front chair leg 26' are all formed from a single strip of ma terial such as a rod or tube. It will be understood that on the left side of the combination the similar legs, rail, and runner are also formed from a single strip of material.

It should also be understood that the modification shown in Figures 6 and 7 is nested in exactly the same manner as previously described for the combination shown in Figures 1-5 with the single exception that the downward rotation of 'back panel 40' does not raise seat panel 24'. In addition, it should be understood that the essential characteristics previously recited for the combination shown in Figures l5 also apply to the combination shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Figure 8 shows a second modified form of invention which is similar to the modification shown in Figures 6 and 7 except for the design of the seat panel. In Figure 8 the parts which are identical with those shown in Figures 6 and 7 have been given the same reference numerals that are used in Figures 6 and 7. In Figure 8 the seat panel 24" instead of being curved as in Figure 6 has its upper surface chamfered downwardly at its forward end as indicated at 98, and has its lower surface chamfered upwardly at its rearward end as indicated in 99. At the left of Figure 8 the forward end of an identical chair panel 24" is shown in the position it occupies just prior to moving forward into nesting relationship with the chair portion shown at the right of Figure 8. It will be understood that as these two chair portions move together the forward chamfer 98 of the rearward seat panel 24" will move under the rearward chamfer 99 of the forward seat panel and thus raise the forward panel.

As previously mentioned, the chair rails 32 and 33 in the form of the invention shown through Figures 1-5 are inclined downwardly from front to rear. However. it will be noted that the chair rails 32 and 33 in the modifications shown in Figures 6 and 8 are substantially horizontal. The primary characteristics to be considered in deciding Whether to incline the chair rails or make them horizontal will now be considered. In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1-5, chair rails 32 and 33 could be made horizontal. They are shown as being inclined downwardly from front to rear because this arrangement normally provides a more comfortable seat. However, there is a limit to the downward inclination, The downward inclination is limited by the fact that when back panel is rotated to a generally horizontal position as a desk panel passes over it during nesting move ment, the rearward edge of the seat panel 24 must be raised by the action of links 56 and 57 slightly above the forward edge of another seat panel which is approaching from the rear. In the modifications shown in Figures 6 and 8 the rails 32 and 33' are shown as being substantially horizontal. clined slightly downward from front to rear but the shape of the seat panels 24' and 24 must be such that the forward edge is higher than the rearward edge when the seat panel is resting on its supporting rails. In Figures 6 and 8 there is no initial raising of the seat panel as the result of the rotation of the back panel and, therefore, it would not be practical to incline rails 32' and 33 as much as rails 32 and 33 can be inclined.

Figures 9 through 18 show several modifications of the forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 8. Reference numerals in the series are used in Figures 9 through 11 to indicate parts which are simi lar to the parts numbered 11) through 99 in Figures 1 through 8. Similarly, reference numerals in the 200 series are used in the Figures l2 and I3, reference numerals in the 300 series are used in Figures 14 through 16, and reference numerals in the 400 series are used in Figures 17 and l8.

The main difference between the combination shown in Figures 9 through 11 and those shown in Figures 1 through 8 is that in Figures 9 through 11 the desk panel and the chair are each supported by a single leg on opposite sides thereof. In this modification the desk portion comprises a desk panel 11% supported on op- However, these rails could be inposite sides by the legs 119 and 1211, the forward legs 16 and 17 of Figure 1 having been omitted. Further, this modification provides for adjustment of the inclination of desk panel 114. A fitting 121 attached to each side of desk panel 114 carries a threaded stud 122, and each of these studs pass through the upper ends of upper legs 119 and 120 to receive the wing nuts 123.

In the modification shown in Figures 9 through 11 the chair portion 112 comprises a seat panel 124 supported by means of the legs 125 and 128 which are welded or otherwise attached to the rails 132 and 133. A hinge rod joins the forward ends of rails 132 and 133, and in fact rails 132 and 133 and rod 135 are formed from a single piece of material indicated generally at 134 and having a generally V-shaped plan outline as shown in Figure 11. Hinges 136 and 137 are carried by the rod 135 and pivotally support the forward end of seat 124 as in the preceding modifications.

As shown in Figures 9 through 11, chair portion 112 also includes the back panel 140 which is supported by the members and 146 that extend upwardly from the rear ends of rails 132 and 133, respectively. The pivotal arrangement for back 140 is the same as in Figures 6 through 8 and includes the members 148 and 150 are attached to panel 140 and pivotally connected by pins 152 and 153 to the members 145 and 1146, respectively.

The means employed for connecting the desk and chair portions in Figures 9 through 11 comprise a pair of runners 172 and 173 as in the preceding forms of the invention. However, in this modification, the runners are formed from a single strip of material indicated at 174 and have a generally V-shaped plan outline as indicated in Figure ll. The desk legs 119 and 1211 extend upwardly from the forward ends of runners 172 and 173, respectively, and the chair legs 125 and 128 re welded or otherwise secured to rearward portions of the runners. The desk legs 119 and 120 can be integral with the V-shaped member 174 and bent into the shape shown in Figure 9, or legs 119 and 120 can be formed separately and welded to the V-shaped member 174. The nesting action for the desk and chair combination shown in Figures 9 through 11 is the same as was previously described in connection with Figures 3 and 4, and it is believed that such nesting action for Figures 9 through 11 will be readily understood by reviewing Figures 3 and 4.

The modification shown in Figures 12 and 13 is similar to the one shown in Figures 9 through 11, the main difference being that in Figures 12 and 13 a single chair leg is substituted for the two legs used in Figures 9 through ll. Figure 12 shows the desk portion 211 comprising a desk panel 214 supported by a leg unit 219 on each side thereof. Leg units 219 each comprise a lower cylinder 219a which telescopically receives an upper cylinder or rod 219]) which is secured in any desired position in the cylinder 219a by means of set screw 2190. In place of the set screws 2190 it may be desirable in some cases to use quick operating catches. A fitting 221 connects each side of the desk panel to the upper end of the respective rod 21%. Although the adjustable tilting means 122 and 123 of Figure 10 are not shown in Figure 12 they could, of course, be included.

In the modification shown in Figures 12 and 13, the chair portion 212 comprises a seat panel 224 which is supported by means of a single leg unit 225. Leg unit 225 comprises a lower cylinder 225a telescopically rereiving an upper cylinder or rod 22517 which is secured in any desired position by means of set screw 2250. As shown best in Figure 13, a generally U-shaped member 225d is welded or otherwise secured to the top of rod 225b, and the upturned ends of member 225d are welded or otherwise connected to the rails 232 and 233. The pivot rod 235 extends between the forward ends of rails 9 232 and 233 and carries the hinge brackets, one of which is shown in 236. As in the case of Figures 9 through 11, the rails 232 and 233 are integral with rod 235 at their forward ends and extend upwardly at their rearward ends to form the support members 245 and 246 to which back 240 is connected by means of the support members and pins previously described (one such support member 248 and pin 252 being shown in Figure 12). Similarly, as in the case of Figures 9 through 11 the desk legs 219 in Figures 12 and 13 are connected to the single chair leg 225 by means of runners 272 and 273 formed from a generally V-shaped strip 274. The desk and chair modification shown in Figures 12 and 13 nests in the same manner that was described in connection with Figures 3 and 4.

Figures 14, 15 and 16 disclose a modification which is somewhat similar to the one shown in Figures 12 and 13 except that the chair seat is not pivotally supported. Accordingly, this form of the invention is not as completely nestable as are the previously described forms. Figure 14 shows in solid lines the modified desk and chair combination adjusted for occupancy. In addition, Figure 14 shows in dashed lines a position to which the chair seat is adjusted for nesting, and the figure also shows in dot-dash lines a second combination in nesting association with the one shown in solid lines.

The modification shown in Figures 14 through 16 comprises a desk portion 310 having a desk panel 314 supported on each side by a leg unit 319 which comprises a lower cylinder 319a telescopically receiving an upper cylinder or rod 31% which is secured in adjusted position by the thumb screw 31%. A fitting 321 on each side of the desk panel supports the panel on the upper ends of the leg units 319. The seat portion 312 comprises a seat panel 324 supported by means of a single leg unit 325 which consists of a lower cylinder 325a telescopically receiving an upper cylinder or rod 325b which is secured in adjusted position by means of thumb screw 3250. The upper end of rod 32512 carries a bracket 331 to which the seat panel 324 is bolted or otherwise secured. As distinguished from the previ ously described forms of the invention, neither the seat panel nor the seat back is pivotally mounted. Instead they are integrally formed from a single sheet of material. However, as in the previously described forms the desk leg units 319 are connected to the single chair leg unit 325 by means of runners 372 and 373 formed from a single strip of material 374 having a generally V-shaped plan outline as shown in Figure 16.

Storing of the modification of Figures 14 through. 16 in nested relation may be accomplished by loosening thumb screw 325a and lowering seat back 340 until its upper edge is below the under-surface of desk panel 314, as shown in dashed lines in Figure 14. In this way, a plurality of desk and chair combinations can be nested by passing the desk panel of one forwardly over the seat portion of another as indicated by the dot-dash lines in Figure 14 and the dashed lines in Figure 15. It should be understood that instead of lowering seat back 343, the relative elevations of the seat back and the desk panel may be adjusted for nesting by elevating the desk panel. The elevated position of desk panel 314 has not been shown in Figure 14 in order not to unduly complicate the showing. However, it will be apparent from Figure 14 that the chair back 340 may be left at the position shown in solid lines and the desk panel 314 elevated so that its lowermost under surface is above the top of the chair back. Naturally, the thumb screws 319:: must be loosened to permit elevation of the desk panel.

The modification of the present invention shown in Figures 17 and 18 is similar to the one shown in Figures 14 through 16, the main difference being that the single leg unit 425, which consists of a lower cylinder 425a telescopically receiving an upper cylinder or rod 425b,

is hingeably engaged with the seat panel 424 rather than fixedly secured to the seat panel as in the embodiment ofvthe irvention shown in Figures 14 through 16. Hinge 445 may be disposed close under the seat as shown in Figures 17 and 18, or alternatively, at a point lower down on the rod 425b. In either case, however, it must be disposed far enough forward to establish good stability. By this simple but unique modification, the nesting ability of the combinations is greatly enhanced and they may be nested without the nuisance of lowering the seat or elevating the desk panels.

The nesting chair-desk combination shown in Figures 17 and 18 comprises a desk portion 410 having a desk panel 414 supported oneach side by a leg unit 419. The leg unit consists essentially of a lower cylinder 419a telescopically receiving an upper cylinder. This upper cylinder or rod 41% is fixed in position by suitable securing means such as thumb screw 41%. A fitting 421 on each side of the desk panel supports the panel on the upper ends of the leg units 419. As in the previously described forms the desk leg units 419 are connected to the single chair leg unit 425 by means of runners 472 and 473 formed from a single strip of material having a generally V-shaped plan outline.

Storing of the modification shown in Figures 17 and 18 may be accomplished in any of three ways, alone or in combination. First, thumb screw 4250 may be loosened and seat back 440 lowered until its upper edge is below the under surface of desk panel 414. In this way desk and chair combinations may be nested by passing the desk panel of one forward over the seat portion of another. This method of nesting the desk-chair combinations is indicated by the dot-dash lines in Figures 17 and 18 and is identical to the nesting method shown in Figures 14 through 16.

In the second method of nesting the desk-chair combinations of Figures 17 and 18 the desk panel 414 is elevated so that it clears the chair back panel 440. This method is also identical with that disclosed for the embodiment of this invention shown in Figures 14 through 16.

In the third method of nesting these desk-chair combinations the chair is pivoted forward as shown best in Figure 17 until it assumes a position beneath the surface of desk panel 414. In this way the combination may be made fully nestable without the nuisance of lowering the seat.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference has been made to the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive language has been employed. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A nestable combination chair and desk comprising a desk having a desk panel and desk legs on opposite sides of said panel, said panel sloping downwardly from front to rear, said panel and said desk legs defining an opening for nesting reception of a similar desk and chair combination, a folding chair comprising leg means, a generally horizontal platform supported at the upper end of said leg means, a generally horizontal seat normally resting on and supported by said platform at a level substantially below said desk panel, said seat being hingedly connected to the forward edge of said platform for forward and downward swing about a horizontal axis to a folded position in a substantially vertical plane, and a normally substantially vertical chair back rigidly secured to the rear of said seat for swinging with said seat to a folded position at a level below said desk panel wherein the said chair back is inclined downwardly and rearwardly from its upper end to its juncture with the said seat, connecting means joining said desk legs With said chair leg means, said connecting means inclining inwardly from front to rear, whereby the desk and the folded chair of said combination may be passed over both the desk and the folded chair respectively of a second identical combination without lifting either C0111- bination.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 169,012 Musacco Mar. 10, 1953 1,026,140 Bauer et a1. May 14, 1912 112 Dellert Dec. 26, Konarski Dec. 20, Bornan Feb. 14, Nicol Feb. 25, Sebel Dec. 1, Munsch Jan. 25, MacWhirter Jan. 24,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Jan. 31 France Marf 7, France Feb. 17,

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