US921466A - Convertible folding couch. - Google Patents

Description

G. L. RUEHS.

CONVERTIBLE FOLDING COUCH. APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 14, 1908.

Patented May 11, 1909.

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0. L. RUBHS. GONVBBTIBLE FOLDING COUCH. IAPPLIOATION FILED NOV. 14, 190B.

Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETSSHBET 2.

CHARLES L. RUEHS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONVERTIBLE FOLDING COUCH.

No. 921,4ee.

Application filed November 14, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. Runns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in'the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Inn provements in Convertible Folding Couches, of which the following is specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in convertible folding couches.

The object of the invention is to produce an improved couch which may be readily folded up to occupy a comparatively small space, or which may be readily converted into a chair.

Another object is to simplify and otherwise improve upon structures of this character and to such ends this invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement, a description of which will be found in the following specification and the essential features of which will be more particularly defined in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the drawings furnished herewith, in which Figure 1 is a side view of the device extended to form a couch, Fig. 2 is an underplan view thereof, Fig. 3 is a side View of the device converted into a chair, Fig. 4 is an un-- derplan view showing the device collapsed laterally and lying on its back, Fig. 5 is a side view of the device with the end legs folded down,

Fig. 6 is a side view showing the device completely folded up, 7 is a longitudinal section through one of the side frames illustrating the manner of hinging the legs to the side frames, 8 is a detail section taken on the line 88 of 7, and Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7. I

The preferred form of this device has been illustrated in the drawings and as shown consists in general of two sections A, B, the section A, being adapted for use as a head rest of acouch, oraseat of a chair, and the section B, being adapted for use as the body of a couch or the back of a chair. The sections comprise longitudinal side frames 1, between which are stretched sheets of canvas or other like fabric 2. Each side frame preferably comprises two longitudinally extending members 4, 5, that are hinged together at their adjacent ends and from which project legs 6, 7, 8, which are preferably hinged to the members so as to be capable of being folded up against the same.

The preferred form of hinge between the members 4, 5, of the sections A, B, is best Specification of Letters Patent.

E'atented May 11, 1909.

Serial No. 462,565.

illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and as shown con sists in a T shaped plate 9, which is connected to the members 4, 5, by pivot pins 10, 11. Said members 4, 5, are forked upon their ends to receive the plate 9, and said plate plays in the notches between the two members of the fork. ()ne arm 12, of said plate 9, is secured in the upper end of the leg 7, which leg is also forked upon its upper end to receive the arm 12.

It is apparent that either member 4 or 5 may be swung upon the plate independent of the other member, so as to change the position of said members with respect to each other, either for the purpose of converting the couchinto a chair or for folding one section upon the other. One of the end legs is shown in Fig. 7, and the connection between said leg and member 5, may be in the form of an L shaped plate 13, secured in the upper end of said leg, and said plate has an arm 14, which is pivoted to the member 5, as by a pin 15. As shown, the end of the member upon which the leg 8, is pivoted may also be forked and the arm 14, placed between the two members of the fork so as to play between them. The upper end of the leg has a shoulder 16, adapted to abut against the lower side of the member 5, so as to limit the outward movement of the leg, and inasmuch as said shoulder is positioned beyond the pivot of the log, it is evident that no other locking means is required to maintain the leg in its extended position, inasmuch as the weight of the body of the de vice upon it will tend to hold it in such position. The legs 6, and the pivotal connection between said legs and the members 4, are preferably constructed in the same manner as the legs 8, and their connections with the members 5.

Inasmuch as the members 4, and 5, are free to swing upon the legs 7, mechanism has been provided for maintaining these parts in proper relation with each other when the de vice is in use either as a couch or as a chair. As shown, two brace members 17, are provided for this purpose. Each brace preferably contains an arm 18, whichis pivoted to one of the members 4, or 5, here shown as pivoted at 19 to the member 4, and the brace is free to be swung upon said pivot so as to bring it into proper relation with the legs 7, and the members 4, 5. Each brace 17, further contains a member 20, which may be readily secured to the member 5, and the leg 7. As shown, the member 20, is are shaped in form, and contains a number of perforations 21, 22, which are adapted to be brought into register with one of a number of holes 23, 24, in the member 5. lit also contains perforations 25, 26, which may be brought into register with either one of two holes 27, 27 formed in the leg 7. Pins 23, 29, are provided which may be thrust through the perforations in the brace members and secured in the proper p rforations in the member 5, or legs 7. The arrangement of the perforations in the brace members 17, and leg 7, is such that by placing the pins in the proper perforations the device will be braced so as to maintain the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, in which case it acts a couch, or to maintain the parts in the position shown in Fig. 3, where it acts as a chair.

lfeans are provided bet-ween the two side frames for connecting them and bracing them while in their extended position. A number of these connections may be provid-ed between the side frames and in illustrating this device, I have shown two. A simple form of collapsible connecting device comprises links 30, which are pivoted together at one end and to the side frame by means of a pivot pin or like device 31, and links 32, which are pivoted together and to the other side frame by means of a pivot pin or the like 33. Each of the links 30, is pivoted to one of the links 32, as 3%, thus providing a lazy tongs like structure connecting the two side frames, and still per m-i'tting them to'be drawn apart or pushed together. Brace members 35, are pivoted to one pair of the links 30, 32, at their pivotal connection between each other and said brace members contain hooks 36, which may be hooked over pins 37, on the side frames to brace the two frames together. It is evident that when the side frames are drawn apart and the brace members hooked upon the pins 37, a rigid structure is provided and which is braced in all directions to resist any efl'or to move either side frame relative to the other one.

The canvas top 2, is preferably made in two sections, so as to permit of the folding together of the two sections A, B, and

' cushions 40, ll, are shown in connection with this device which cushions may be of any well known form, but I prefer to use the ordinary pneumatic cushions which may be collapsed and folded up when not in use.

When it is desired to use the device as a couch, the side frames are drawn apart and the braces 35, secured in place upon the pins 37, and the legs 7, 8, are drawn out into position and the section A is swung back. The

pins 29, are then passed through the perforations 26,- in the brace members 17, and into the perforations 27 in the legs 7.

The pins 23, are then passed through the perforations 22, in the brace members and into the perforations 23, in the side frames 5. In thi; manner the members 17, form braces between all these partsthe sections A, B, and legs7. if desired the legs 6, may be swung underneath the head rest as shown, or they may be allowed to hang from their pivotal connections therewith. Vl hen the cushions are placed on the structure so arranged, it forms a very comfortable couch.

If the device is to be used as a chair, the legs 6, are swung out from the head rest, the legs 8, swung underneath the body portion, the pins withdrawn from the perforations, allowing the head rest to drop down. so as to form the chair seat, and the body portion swung upward into position, the pins 29, inserted through the perforations 25, in the brace member 17, and into the perforations 27, in the legs 7, and the pins 28, inserted through the perforations 21, in the brace and into either one of the perforations 24, of theside frames. in this position also the braces 1.7, securely hold the sections A, B, and legs 7, in their proper relative positions.

l s hen it is desired to fold the device for shipment or transportation, the cushions are removed, the pins 23, 29, withdravm from the perforations, the device laid. out flat upon its back, the sections A, B, collapsed laterally (see- 4,) the legs 6, 8, folded down (see Fig. 5,) the head rest then swung upon the pivot pins 10, as a center, until it reaches the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, and then swung down against the body, or section B, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, the legs 7, being carried on by the movement of the head rest so as to lie between the head rest and body. It will thus be seen that the device can be folded up into very neat and compact form, and will occupy but very little space. It is proposed to make the frai re of comparatively light material, so that it may be readily transported.

If desired, the frame may be constructed of more substantial material, and the device used as an article of furniture in the household, although it is apparent that when made of light material it may be used for outing or camping furniture.

I am aware that more or less alteration or variation of the details of construction is possible without departing from the spirit of this invention, and I do not therefore desire to limit myself to the exact description shown and described.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterally collapsible body portion, a laterally collapsible head rest hinged to said body portion, end legs, and intermediate legs hinged to the body portion and to the head rest, and a single brace member on each side of the couch having means for securing the head rest, body portion and the intermediate legs in position either as a couch or as a chair.

2. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a body portion, a head rest hinged thereon and adapted to be folded up against the body portion, fOlfitlJlB legs upon the outer ends of the body portion and head rest, legs which are hinged both to the body portion and to the head rest, and a single brace member on each side of the conch having means for securing the portion, head rest and adjacent legs in proper relation with respect to each other either as a couch or as a chair.

3. In a COIDTQItllDlG folding couch, the combination of two longitudinally extending side frames, lazy tongs connecting said side mem bers, braces pivoted to said lazy tongs and adapted for engagement with pins upon the longitudinal frames to form braces between said lazy tongs and side frames, and foldable legs secured to said side frames.

4. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of two foldable side frames, connections between said side frames, foldable legs secured to the outer ends of the side frames, foldable legs hinged to the adjacent ends of each side frame, braces pivoted upon. one of each of the side members and connections between said braces and the other members of the side frames and with the second named legs.

5. In a convertible folding conch, the combination of two foldable longitudinally extending side frames, collapsible braces connecting said side frames, braces for rigidly bracing the side frames apart, ioldable end legs for said side frames, foldable legs pivoted to the side frames on the folding lines; and a single pivoted brace member on each side frame having means for maintaining the side frames and intermediate legs in proper relation with respect to each other either as a couch or as a chair.

6. in a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterally collapsible section adapted to form either the body of a couch or the back of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to form a head rest for the couch or a seat for a chair, said sections being hinged together at their adjacent ends, foldable end legs for the outer ends of both of said sections, intermediate foldable legs having hinge connections with both of said sections and brace member's connected to the sections and intermediate legs, for rigidly maintaining said sections in position as a couch or in position as a chair.

7. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterally collapsible section adapted to form the body portion of a couch or the back of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to form the head rest of a couch or the seat of a chair, end legs for both of said sections adapted to be extended out into operative position or to be folded up underneath said sections, intermediate legs having hinged connections with both of said sections and brace members pivoted to one of said sections and having means of connection with the other section and with the second named legs for bracing the sections and said second named legs.

8. In conve tible folding conch, the combination of two sections, each comprising longitudinal frames, a lazy tongs connection between the opposite frames and brace bars connecting the lazy tongs with the longitudinal frames for bracing the parts, hinged connections between said sections, 'foldablc end legs, legs connected to the hinges between the sections and brace members for bracing the sections and second named legs together.

9. in a com'ertible folding couch, the combination of two laterally collapsible sections hinged together, and adapted to be folded up, foldable end legs secured to said sections and adapted to be extended out into operative position, or to be folded up between said sections when the sections are folded together, a second set of legs hinged to both of said sections and adapted to be folded between the sections when they are folded together, brace members pivoted to one of said sections and having perforations adapted to be brought into register with perforations upon the other section and perforations in the second named legs and pins which may be seated in certain of said perforations to maintain the structure in posi tion as a couch or in position as a chair.

10. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterally collapsible section adapted to form either the body of a couch or the back of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to form a head rest for the couch or a seat for a chair, foldable end legs for each section, hinge plates pivoted to both sections, intermediate legsrigidly secured to said hinge plates, brace members attached to one section and means for rigidly connecting said brace members with the other sections, and with the intermediate legs to maintain the parts in their relative position.

11. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of a laterally collapsible section adapted to form either the body of a couch or the back of a chair, a second laterally collapsible section adapted to form a head rest for the couch or a seat for a chair, foldable end legs for each section, hinge plates pivotally connecting the sections, intermediate legs secured upon said hinge plates, brace members pivoted to one of said sections and having a perforated are shaped member, and

pins for securing said brace member upon the other section and the intermediate legs to maintain the parts in their relative position.

12'. In a convertible folding couch, the combination of two side frames, each comprising two members, and a hinge plate pirotally connecting them, collapsible brace members connecting said side frames, foldable end legs for said side frames, foldable intermediate legs secured to the hinge plates, and brace members for rigidly connecting together the tWo members of the side frames with the intermediate legs.

13. In a convertible couch the combination of two side frames, each comprising two members and a T shaped hinge plate pivotally connecting them, end legs, intermediate legs secured to the hinge plates, and brace members between the two members of the side sections and the intermediate legs.

14. In a convertible couch, the combination of a body portion, a head rest hinged thereto, end legs pivoted upon the outer ends of the body and head rest, intermediate legs hinged to the body and head rest, V

and brace members between the body, head rest and intermediate legs, said brace members being constructed and arranged to hold the body, head rest and intermediate legs in such relative positions as to form either a couch or a chair, and said body and head rest being adapted to be folded together With the legs folded between them.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my hand at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 10th day of November A. D. 1908.

CHARLES L. RUEHS.

Witnesses CHARLES O. SI-IERVEY, FANNIE F. RICHARDS.

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