US3450432A

US3450432A - Folding chair

Info

Publication number: US3450432A
Application number: US727411A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence D Minsker
Original assignee: LAWRENCE D MINSKER
Current assignee: LAWRENCE D MINSKER
Priority date: 1968-05-08
Filing date: 1968-05-08
Publication date: 1969-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 1986-06-17
Also published as: DE1923628A1

Description

June 1 7,1969 L. D. MINSKER 3,450,432

FOLDING CHAIR Filed May 8, 1968 Sheet of s INVENTOR. LAWRENCE D.MlN$KER BY 1151115, Ho {mannTFl 5ML l-{einkb ATTORNEYS.

Juhe 17, 1969 L... D. MINSKER FOLDING CHAIR Filed May a. 1.968

F'IGAA INVENTOR. LAWRENCE D.M|NSKER BY LU'dfilS HofimannTHShflbi Heinllm ATTORNEYS.

Juhe 17, 1969 D. MINSKER FOLDING CHAIR Sheet Filed May 8. 1968 FIGS INVENTOR. LAWRENCE D.M|NSKER BY Wolfsfi-[OflmqMFSMiHdnkb ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent Oihce 3,450,432 Patented June 17, 1969 3,450,432 FOLDING CHAIR Lawrence D. Minsker, Raadman/steins Alle 22, Copenhagen, Denmark Filed May 8, 1968, Ser. No. 727,411 Int. Cl. A47c /10; A47d 1/02 U.S. Cl. 297-17 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A folding chair including first and second supporting structures pivotally connected together, a seat, and a back each pivotally connected to one of the support strucrtures. The back and seat are disposed at a slight obtuse angle with respect to each other when the chair is in its erected condition and are pivotally movable with respect to the supporting structures about a common axis. The back and seat are disposed in a substantially parallel relationship with each other when the chair is in its folded condition. The seat is interconnected with one of the supporting structures so that as the seat portion is moved between its positions wherein the chair is erected and folded, respectively, the one of the support structures is pivoted so that in a folded condition of the chair, the back, the seat, :and support structures are all disposed in substantially parallel planes to facilitate storage and carrying.

Background 0 the invention Field of the inven tion.The present invention relates to a folding chair and more particularly relates to a folding chair which in its folded condition occupies a relatively flat rectangular volume.

The prior art-The prior art proposals for folding chairs have in many cases provided a chair which is foldable or collapsible into a folded condition having a vertical height which is greater than the erected chair. While chairs of the type refer-red to are relatively easily stacked for storage, the folded assembly takes up rather large volumes of storage space and are relatively cumbersome and inconvenient when carried by an individual for any substantial distance.

Such chairs generally include a unitary back and floor engaging support member with a seat portion pivotally connected to the back and floor engaging member. A second floor engaging member is also usually pivoted to the mentioned member. Other prior art proposals have provided chairs which can be folded up into a box-like structure resembling a suitcase. Typically the legs of chairs are interconnected by linkages which :are composed of numerous sheet metal parts connected at their ends by rivets etc. Additionally such chairs often include a belt or strap which maintains the structure in the folded condition.

Still other proposals have suggested the use of telescoping legs etc. which pivot relative to the seat of the chair by breaking sheet metal links interconnecting the legs, seat, or back of the chair as the case may be.

While such proposals have provided folding chairs which can be carried by an individual and which can be stored in a relatively small space, such structures:

(1) Have been relatively unsightly due to the large number of sheet metal links interconnecting the various portions of the chair, or due to the telescopic nature of various parts of the assembly;

(2) Have been relatively bulky in the folded condition;

l( 3) Difficult to correctly erect and fold; and

(4) Have been unattractive.

Furthermore, due to the large number of parts which must be provided in the great majority of prior art chairs of the type referred to such chairs have been relatively expensive to the consumer as well as ditlicult to manutacture rand fabricate.

Summary of the invention The present invention provides a new and improved folding chair which in its erected condition is essentially devoid of visible linkages or supporting parts interconnecting the legs, back and seat, thus providing a stylish :and clean appearance. This chair, in its folded condition, occupies :a relatively narrow rectangular volume and is easily and conveniently stored and transported.

The present invention further provides a folding chair which is constructed of relatively few parts, many of which are formed by sheet metal stampings, land is particularly suited for use with upholstered backs and seats. The chair, in its folded condition, protects the upholstered portions of the seat and back.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification.

Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the chair in FIG. 1 and shown on a larger scale than the scale of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is 'a sectional view seen from the plane indicated by the line 2A-2A of FIG. 2 and shown on a larger scale than the scale of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the portion of the chair of FIG. 1 within the line 3, shown on a scale which is larger than the scale of FIG. 1 and with parts removed;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 at one condition during folding of the chair;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 in a lfOldCd condition; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the portion of the chair in FIG. 4 within the line 5, and having parts removed.

Description of the preferred embodiment A folding chair embodying the present invention is shown generally at 10, FIG. 1. The chair 10 includes a pair of ground engaging support .

structures

11, 12, a seat structure 13 and back structure 14. The seat structure 13 includes a generally fiat, rectangular cushion or pillow 15. The disclosed cushion 15 has a foam-like pad 16 and a plywood backing member 17. The pad 16 is covered by a suitable upholstering fabric 18, FIGS. 3-5. The back structure 14 includes a cushion 20 which is constructed identically to the cushion 15.

When the chair 10 is in its erected condition, the cushion 15 is disposed at a slight angle with the horizontal. The front end of the cushion 15 is elevated slightly above the back of it, that is the end of the cushion adjacent the back structure 14. The

cushions

15, 20 are preferably disposed with their major surfaces at a slight obtuse angle as is usual in the construction of chairs.

As is best seen in FIG. 2 the support structure 11 is a unitary member including a pair of supporting

legs

22, 23 connected at their lower ends by a floor contacting lateral 24. Each of the

legs

22, 23 has an enlarged body portion 25 at its upper end as is described in greater detail presently.

The support structure 12 includes

legs

26, 27 which are interconnected at their lower extremities by a floor contacting lateral 28 and at their upper ends by a lateral 30. The lateral member 30 is fixed to

arms

33, 34 which are formed integrally with the

legs

26, 27 respectively. The

arms

33, 34 each include an aperture 35 alignable with a corresponding aperture 36 formed in each of the leg bodies 25. Axially aligned hinge pins 37 each extend through one of the apertures 35 and an aligned one of the apertures 36. The hinge pins 37 permit the

structures

11, 12 to rotate relative to each other about the axis of the pins. In the erected condition the

structures

11, 12 lie generally in planes forming an acute angle which is of suflrcient size that the chair is stable.

The

legs

22, 23; 26, 27 and the

laterals

24, 28 are preferably of tubular construction and typically include nested sheet metal channels (see FIG. 2A) WhICh are suitably fixed together as by welds. In the preferred embodiment the legs taper proceeding toward their lower extremities. The legs and many of the other structural elements of the chair are preferably of steel or aluminum stampings.

The seat structure 13 includes a pair of seat supports 40, 41 in the form of sheet ;metal .angle members. The seat supports 40, 41 each have a generally horizontally extending flange 42 and a vertically extending flange 43. The horizontal flanges 42 are provided with suitable apertures so that the

supports

40, 41 can be connected to the cushion 15 by screws inserted through the apertures of the flanges 42 and threaded into the backing 17.

Each of the vertical flanges 43 includes an enlarged end portion 45 having an opening 46. Axially allgned pivot pins 47 project through apertures in the body 25 and the flange openings 46. The seat structure 13 is rotatable about the axis of the pins 47. When the chair is in its erected condition the

members

40, 41 rest upon the lateral 30 to support the seat structure 13 in the erected condition. The seat structure is rotatable about the axis of the pins 47 away from the lateral 30 in a generally counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1, as is described more fully presently.

The back structure .14 includes back supports 55, 56 supporting the cushion 20. The back supports 55, 56 are formed by sheet metal angles each having a side flange 60 and a rear flange 61. The rear flanges 61 are provided with suitable openings for the reception of screws which are screwed into the backing of the cushion 20 so that the cushion is nested in the flanges of the

angles

55, 56.

The lower extremities of the

angles

55, 56 are defined by arcuately

curved arms

62, 63 each of which extends from the cushion 20 toward the bodies 25. Ends 65, 66 of the

arms

62, 63 are provided with openings 70, 71 which receive the pivot pins 47 so that the entire back structure 14 is pivotal about the axis of the pins 47.

Each of the

ends

65, 66 includes a shoulder 72 at its lower side. The end shoulders are respectively engageable with a support shoulder 73 on the horizontal flanges 42. When the seat 13 and back 14 are in their positions illustrated in FIG. 1, the

shoulders

72, 73 of the seat 13 and back 14 are engaged to prevent rotation of the back 14 away from the seat 13. The seat 13 is free to rotate in a generally clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 about thte axis of the pivot pins 47 into parallel relationship with the seat 13.

The chair .10 is folded by lifting the projecting end of the seat structure 13 to rotate the seat in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 1) toward the back 14. The

shoulders

72, 73 of the back and seat structures are disengaged and the seat structure is freely movable toward the back structure until the

cushions

15, 20 are in engagement after which the back and seat structures can be rotated as a unit about the axis of the pivots 47. When the chair is fully folded, the major surfaces of the

cushions

15, 20 are disposed in planes generally parallel to the planes of the support structure 11.

With the back and seat structures related as described it is apparent that the plywood backings of the

cushions

15, 20 face outwardly of the folded back and seat structures while the padded portions of the cushions are in facing relationship. Thus, gouging, etc. of the padding is prevented when the chair is folded.

Referring to FIG. 3 the chair additionally includes structure for articulating movement of the support structure 12 in response to movement of the seat structure 13. The articulating structure 90 includes earns 91 at each side of the seat 13. The cams 91 interconnect the seat 13 and support structure 12 (FIG. 2). The cams 91 are identical in construction and function and therefore only one is described in detail.

The cam 91 is a generally planar sheet metal member having an elongated slot-like cam track 92, FIG. 3. The sides of the cam track are slidably engaged with one of the pivot pins 47. Each of the cams 91 includes an aperture 93, each aperture 93 receives a pin 94. Each pin 94 is carried by one of the arms 33. The structure 12 is pivotal with respect to the cam about the axis of the pin 94.

Each arm 91 carries a pin 95. The pins 95 respectively extend through elongated slots 96 in the flange portions 43. The pins 95 coact with the slots 96 to control relative movement of the cams and the seat structure 13. The cams 91 each have a lobe 97, FIG. 3. When the chair is in its erected position the lobes 97 engage the lateral 30 to locate the structures relatively and assist in the support of the weight of the user.

As indicated previously, the seat structure 13 is rotated in a generally counterclockwise direction from the position of FIGS. 1 and 3 to the storage position of FIG. 4. As the seat structure 13 is rotated about the axis of the pins 47, the cams 91 are lifted upwardly by engagement of the pins 95 and slots 96. This lifting causes translation and rotation of the cams relative to the pins 47 and rotation of the structure 12 about the pins 94. This lifting of the cam members 91 swings the structure 12 toward the support structure 11 as the pivot pins 94 are raised relative to the pivot pins 37. Thus the angle between the

support structures

11, 12 is reduced.

At the time when the seat structure 13 has been rotated to approximately a vertical orientation with respect to the floor, FIG. 4A, the support structure 12 has been pivoted relative to the structure 11 so that the

support structures

11, 12 lie in planes which are generally parallel. Continued rotation of the seat beyond this orientation causes further rotation of the cams 91 about the now stationary pins 94. When the seat structure 13 has been rotated about 270 and the back structure 14 and earns 91 about 180 each, the chair has been changed to its storage condition of FIG. 4. In this condition the seat and back cushions are engaged and their structures coextend with the

support structures

11, 12. Thus, the entire folded assembly forms a relatively flat rectangular box-like configuration.

During closing rotation the back and seat structures are prevented from rotating beyond the plane of the

structures

11, 12 by engagement of the

arms

62, 63 with the lateral 30. Further, since the lateral 30 is rigidly connected to the remainder of the support structure 12 the lateral rotates about the hinge pins 37 during closing movement. When the chair is fully folded and stood on the then aligned floor supports 24, 26, the lateral 30 is disposed horizontally. As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 the lateral 30 includes a centrally located handle offset 100. When the chair is folded the handle offset serves as a handle by which the chair 10 may be transported. The distance D, FIG. 5, between the handle 100 and the ends of the lateral 30 is such that the handle is substantially over the center of gravity of the chair when the chair is carried. Accordingly, the folded chair may be carried relatively easily in the manner of a briefcase or the like, and hangs in a substantially vertical orientation when so carried.

The configuration of the cams 91 are such that they are well hidden both when the chair is in its erected and folded conditions. Since the cams and parts connected to the bodies 25 do not protrude, a clean, smooth exterior appearance is provided. Further, there is little danger of 5 snagging or gouging of articles by protruding parts when the chair is carried or used.

I claim:

1. A foldable chair comprising:

(a) interconnected leg, back and seat structures;

(b) said structures having a seating position wherein the seat and back structures are disposed in transverse relation with one another whereby to provide weight and back support, respectively, and wherein the leg structures are spaced to provide support for the seat and back structures;

() said chair having a folded condition wherein the seat and back are in face-to-face relationship and nested within the leg structures to provide an overall generally box-like configuration;

(d) said seat and back structures being rotatable in the same direction from the erected position to the storage position and rotatable in the opposite direction to move from the storage position to the erected position; and

(e) articulated means interconnecting the structures and causing shifting of all of the structures from one position to the other upon rotation of the seat structure relative to the leg structures.

2. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein said articulated means includes at least one cam connected to said leg structures and at least one of said back and seat structures, said cam effecting relative movement between said leg structures in response to rotation of said one of said back and seat structures.

3. A chair as defined in claim 2 wherein said cam is connected to one of said leg structures for rotation about an axis, said one of said back and seat structures drivingly connected to said cam to effect rotation of said cam about said axis, said one of said back and seat structures driving said cam to shift said axis of rotation while rotating said cam.

4. A chair as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said leg structures includes a member defining a carrying handle for said chair when in said folded condition, said carrying handle disposed in a plane extending closely adjacent the center of gravity of said chair in the folded condition.

5. A chair assembly which is foldable into a relatively fiat rectangular configuration comprising:

(a) a first pair of supporting legs operable as a unit;

(b) a second pair of supporting legs connected for rotation as a unit with respect to said first pair of legs between a first position defining an acute angle with said first supporting legs and a second position wherein said second pair of supporting legs are substantially parallel to said first legs;

(c) a seat structure pivotally movable with respect to said first pair of legs and rotatable between a first generally horizontal position and a second position generally parallel to said first supporting legs;

(d) a back structure pivotally movable with respect to said first supporting legs, said back structure including a surface engageable with a surface of said seat structure in said first position to fix said back structure in a position defining a relatively small obtuse angle with said seat structure, and movable to a second position disposed substantially parallel to said seat structure; and

(e) a manually engageable handle forming part, said handle forming part and the center of gravity of said chair being disposed in a plane generally parallel to said pairs of said supporting legs and said back and seat structures in said second positions.

6. A folding chair as defined in claim 5 and further including linkage means for interconnecting one of said back and seat structures to said second supporting legs, said linkage means operative to move said second supporting legs to said second position as said one of said structures is moved from its first to its second position.

7. A folding chair as defined in claim 6 wherein said linkage means includes at least one cam member engaged with said second pair of supporting legs and connected for movement to said one of said back and seat structures, said cam member movable in response to movement of said one structure to effect movement of said second pair of supporting legs.

8. A chair as defined in claim 7 wherein said cam member includes a cam track for providing for rotation and translation of said cam member relative to the axis of rotation of said one structure and a pivot connection with said second support legs.

9. A chair as defined in claim 8 wherein said cam member further includes a second cam t-rack providing for rotation and translation of said cam member relative to said one structure.

10. A chair as defined in claim 7 wherein said cam member includes a lobe portion engageable with a part of one of said fi-rst and second support legs when said chair is erected to provide a support for said structure.

11. A chair as defined in claim 5 wherein said back and seat structures include load supporting members pivotally movable about a common axis, said surfaces of said structures defined by shoulders formed in said load supporting members adjacent said axis.

12. A folding chair having erected and folded conditions comprising:

(a) first and second floor or ground engaging support structures pivotally interconnected;

(b) a back structure;

(c) a seat structure; and,

(d) connecting means between said structures providing for pivotal movement of said back and seat structures with respect to said support structures and each other to provide a folded condition of said chai-r wherein said support, back and seat structures coextend with each other;

(e) said chair in said erected condition being devoid of supports extending between spaced locations on said support seat and back structures.

13. A folding chair as defined in claim- 12 wherein said connecting means includes at least one cam member connected between one of said support structures and one of said back and seat structures, said cam member rotating with respect to said one support structure connected to said other support structure for relative movement and said cam member effecting relative movement between said support members while rotating relative to said one member.

14. A chair as defined in claim 13 wherein said cam member is connected for rotation and translation with respect to said other support member and said one back or seat member, said cam member rotating through approximately degrees when said chair is operated between its folded and erected conditions and moving said one support structure through an acute angle of rotation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,976,567 10/ 1934 Kovats 297-47 2,244,399 6/1941 Kovats 297-47 2,729,276 1/ 1956 Volney 29717 DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

US Cl. X.R. 297-47