US2943672A - Folding chair - Google Patents

Description

y 1960 J. 'r. HOOK ETAL 2,943,672

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Oct. 31, 1957 2 Sheets-Sh et, 1

FIG-

INVENTORS JOHN 7. HOOK Y R/CHARD G MACK ATTORNEYv July 5, 1960 Filed 001:. 31, 1957 FOLDING CHAIR J- T. HOOK ETAL 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTORS JOHN 7. HOOK RICHARD G. MACK A T TOPNE V United States Patent FOLDING CHAIR John T. Hook, 807 Ocean View Ave., Monterey, Calif.,

and Richard G. Mack, Box 305, Dolores St. and Franciscan Way, Carmel, Calif.; said John T. Hook, assignor to Richard G. Mack Filed Oct. '31, 1957, Ser. No. 693,778

1 Claim. Cl. 155-139 This invention relates to improvements in folding portable chairs, but more particularly to collapsible chairs which are light in weight and scientifically designed to provide the maximum rest with proper posture.

It is well-known that mountain climbers, explorers, and even the usual vacationers, are limited both as to space and weight in the amount of equipment which can be carried. In all such endeavors the individual involved undergoes great physical exertion, and while the amount expended by each may be comparative, nevertheless the body requires rest before undergoing further physical endeavors. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an easily portable miniature contour or rest chair which complies with the limits of space and weight, while at the same time providing maximum rest.

It is a further object to provide a collapsible, lightweight chair which is reduced to fundamental essentials with respect to angles and shapes to provide an individual with the maximum of rest and relaxation.

It is also an object to provide a collapsible, lightweight seat which will induce a relaxed seating posture, requiring no muscular effort, and at the same time providing the required support for optimum rest.

Shape, of course, is important in the therapeutic value of relaxed sitting, so it is a further object to provide a form of collapsible chair with a suitably shaped back support for comfortable, relaxing rest.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible chair which has a low center of gravity and is close to the ground, and because of this, to additionally provide the proper angle of the seating to give optimum relaxation and rest.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible chair which has great strength, with a minimum of weight and suitable to support any adult. Additionally, to provide achair small enough to give proper support and posture when used by children and light enough in weight to be carried by a young child, either in the open or in the closed position.

Another object is to provide a folding chair which can easily be set up by a child and with a low center of gravity so that it may be used with safety and confidence.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy and ease of assembly and disassembly, and also such further objects advantages and capabilities as will fully appear and as are inherently possessed by the device and the invention described herein.

The invention further resides in the combination, c011- struction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment thereof and a small modification, it is to be understood that the same are illustrative of the invention and that the invention is capable of modification and change, and comprehends other details of construction without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the chair of this invention, in open operative position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the chair shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the chair in folded position;-

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the chair in folded position;

Figured is a fragmentary front elevational view illustrating the modification of individual front legs; and

Figure 6 is a detail of the bracket unit;

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail in plan of a back brace suitable for, permanent attachment to the frame.

Referring more particularly to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views, the base or seat of the chair comprises a U-shaped frame 10 which is preferably made of lightweight tubular material in a continuous, formed piece, with the bottom of the U becoming the front edge 11 of the seat. The leg portions of the U-shape form the sides 12 and 14 of the seat frame. As the side portions 12 and 14 extend rearwardly, they each curve downwardly in a vertical plane adjacent the open end of the U-frame as at 15. The are of the downward turn is less than so as to leave an upwardly angled plane for the seat level, but turned far enough so that the axes of these ends are substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface 16, on which the seat is intended to be placed. The down ward curvature of these end portions produces the short rear legs 17 and 18 for the chair, and as will be observed, the rear legs are continuations of the seat frame 1.0, and a part thereof.

The back frame 29 of the chair is also substantially U-shaped, but in this instance the legs 21 and 22 of this U-shaped frame are spread apart to make the opening wider than the top. The bottom of the U-shape forms the top of the back 23. The frame for the back 20 of the chair is also preferably made from a single length of tubular material, bent to the required shapes so that the same will be all in one piece. The ends of the side members 21 and 22 are flattened as at 25 so as to provide a suitable fiat tab for attachment to the seat til, as will hereinafter be explained. The top portion of the U-shaped back frame 20 is bent backwardly as at 26, adjacent the top 23 away from the plane of the remainder of the frame in order to accommodate the physical structure of a human being in a comfortable and correct position. If the top portion of the back frame member were made straight and kept in the same plane as the rest of the frame, it would be quite impossible for any individual to sit comfortably in the chair and all therapeutic advantages would be dissipated.

The manner of attaching the back frame member 20 t the seat frame member 10 is accomplished by special brackets 27. These brackets are so formed from a single stamping of a tough and rigid material that the lower portion 28 thereof is provided with a radius adapted to partially encircle the tubular frame 10. The upper portion of the bracket is provided integrally with two parallel walls 30 with one end 31 closed therebetween. The bracket 27 is secured to the frame 10 in any suitable manner, such as by rivets 32, to prevent rotation or lateral movement. The flattened ends or tabs 25 of the back frame 20 are inserted between the side walls 30 of the bracket 27 with the bracket opening forward and the solid wall 31 to the rear. The flattened ends or tabs 25 are pivotally held therein by pivots 35. It is apparent that since the closed portion of the bracket 27 is substantially perpendicular to the sides 12 and 14 of the seat frame 10, that rotation of the back frame 20 on the pivots 35 will be stopped and held in a plane perpendicu lar to the plane of the seat by the wall 31. Forward rotation of the back frame is made to bring about the closed position shown in Figures 3 and 4 and the movement describes an arc of substantially .90-. However, it is to be observed that When the chair is in the open operative position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the brackets .27 hold the back frame firmly against rotation and in proper position with respect to the seat level.

Since the positioning of the brackets 27 on the frame 10 determines the depth of the seat, the depth may be generally defined as being substantially in the ratio of three to five in relation to the height of the back. While this distance may appear unusually short for the depth of any seat, nevertheless .it represents the minimum required as support for the buttocks and upper legs. To assure a firm back support in the open operative position, and relieve the brackets 27 of excessive strain, each of the side members 21 and 22 may be provided with a hanging, pivoted brace member 37, pivoted at 38 and notched at the opposite end with notch 40. In the open position the notch 40 engages a stud 41 and locks the back frame 20 in the open position. As a safety measure the direction of the notch 40 is substantially parallel to the supporting surface 16 when engaged, so that the weight is directed transversely thereto. Since the notch 40 opens rearwardly, forward pressure on the braces 37, when no weight is "carried by the chair, is sufficient to release them for folding the chair to the collapsed position shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Since the vertical axis of the legs 17 and 18 of the seat frame 10 involves a turn of less than 90, it is obvious that when this axis is perpendicular to the support level 16, the plane of the seat angles upwardly and forwardly. Accordingly, the seat frame requires suitable support at its forward portion. This may be accomplished by a shallow U-shaped member 42, which may also be a continuous tubular member, with the bottom of the U presenting a continuous front support 43. The short upturned legs 44 and of the U member 42 are flattened at their ends to provide tabs 46. Brackets 27 are used to attach this support 42 to the frame 10 of the seat at a point adjacent the front portion 11 of the seat, only in this inst-ance the brackets 27 are directed downwardly with the solid wall portion 31 placed forwardly with respect to the chair frame. The leg portions 44 and 45 with their flattened tabs 46 are pivoted in the forward brackets 27 by means of pivots 35, but because of the back stop 31 of the bracket 27, the open position is the full forward movement as shown in Figures 1 and 2, while the closed position is back against the under portion of the seat as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Also as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bottom portion 43 of the U-shaped member 42 acts as the front support for the chair and gives continuous support all across the front thereof. The short leg members 44 and 45 are preferably bent as at 48 so that the upper portion thereof is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the seat frame 10 with the lower portion substantially perpendicular to the plane 16 on which the chair is intended to rest. Thus, both the supporting portions, front and rear, are substantially perpendicular to the surface 16 on which the chair is intended to rest.

As shown in Figure 5, the front legs may be individual members 44a and 45a, and separately pivoted by pivots 35. They are, of course, bent at 48 as described above.

The frame covering, forming the back and seat of the chair may be a single piece of fabric 50, such as army duck or any other suitable material. The back portion thereof, 51, stretches between the leg members '21 and 22 of the back frame and may be cut out at either side as at 52 in order to provide hand holes for carrying or easy access to the braces 37, if the occasion demands. Above the bend in the back frame, as at 27, the fabric is bent back on itself and stitched along the edges as at 53 in order to provide a pocket or envelope 54 which is shaped to fit over and be retained by the top portion of the back frame 20. The seat portion 55 has three flaps, the front flap being designated 56, and the two side flaps 57. The front flap 56 folds over the front seat frame 11 while the side fiaps 57 pull over the side members 12 and 14 between the front and rear brackets 27. Each of the tabs 56 and 57 are preferably provided with grommets 58 adjacent their marginal edges so that they may be laced together as shown in Figure 4, by a suitable cord or line 60, which not only holds the seat portion in proper place but permits a suitable adjustment of the tension of the seat material 55. It is apparent, therefore, that by merely loosening the lacing of the cord 60, the depth of the seat portion 55 may be increased.

Each of the individual leg members 17, 18, 44a and 45a may be provided with caps or treads 62, not only to cover the ends of the tube, but to provide frictional resistance against movement of the chair in the open, functional position.

By referring to Figures 3 and 4, it will be seen that by releasing the brace members 37 from the studs 41, the back frame 20 may be moved forwardly and folded against .the seat frame 10. Likewise, the front support portion 42 may be folded rearwardly on pivots 35 against the under portion of the seat frame '10. If the structure is like that shown in Figure 5, the individual leg portions 44a and 45a are each folded or moved rearwardly. This provides the storage or packing position which is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, and amply demonstrates the compact disposition of the chair, when not required for functional use. The ease of attaching and detaching the fabric forming the back and seat for this chair amply provides for quick replacement, washing, or even changing the color of the seat material with a substitute covermg.

In Figure 7 a variant form of the back brace is illustrated. In this form the brace 37a is pivoted to the back frame 20 as previously described, but does not hang freely or require engagement with the stud or rivet 41. Instead the brace 37a is permanently attached at its lower end by the stud 41 which rides'freely in the internal slot 60.

Reference is here made to the copending application of one of the joint inventors, Richard G. Mack, which was filed May 3l, 1955, under Serial No. 511,859, now Patent No. 2,822,117.

It is therefore evident that not only are each and all of the objectives accomplished by the structure of this chair but many others which will'readily occur to those skilled in this art.

We claim:

A lightweight collapsible chair comprising in combination a continuously formed tubular U-shaped seat frame, the closed portion of which forms the front of the seat, said frame ends being turned downwardly at an angle less than to form the back legs of said chair having axes perpendicular to the supporting surface for said chair, a continuously formed tubular Ll-shaped back frame the closed portion of which forms the top of the back, said frame ends being pivotally mounted for independent movement on said seat frame above the horizontal center'line thereof, said back frame also being bent rearwardly adjacent the top thereof, brackets secured to the seat frame adjacent the said back legs pivotally mounting the ends of said back frame with restricted movement of 90 forward toward the front of the seat to the collapsed position said brackets having a supported stop for said back frame in the operative position, releasable brace members associated with said back frame and said seat frame for additionally securing the chair in the open. functional position, a pair of separately pivotally mounted front leg supports, said legs each being bent rearwardly so that the axes of the lower portions thereof will be perpendicular to the supporting surface for said chair, said front leg supports being greater in height than the References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS De Coninck July 14, 1936 ON'eill June 10, 1952 Lo Vico Dec. 10, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain July 1, 1935 Canada May 1, 1956 France Sept. 10, 1956

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