Patent GB-524834-A (GB)
Title: An improved folding structure
IPC: A47C4/46
Filed: 1939-02-08
Abstract: 524,834. Folding structures. MULLER, J. Feb. 8, 1939, No. 4165. Convention date, Feb. 8, 1938. [Classes 52 (ii) and 52 (iii)] [Also in Group XXXII] Relates to a folding structure for use as a chair bed, ladder, bridge, stretcher, gymnastic apparatus, support for an ironing board, or as a device for securing baggage to the roof of a vehicle. The structure comprises transverse bars 12, 14 connecting two longitudinal frame members each of which consist of two long bars 1, 2 and a short bar 3 pivoted together. The bars 12, 14 are pivotally attached at their ends to the bars 1, 2 and the bars 3 respectively by slidable sleeves 13, which can be clamped -in adjusted position by hand screws. Feet or supporting struts 17, Fig. 4, screwed at either end may be passed completely within the internally screwed bars 1, 2 when not in use or mounted in the ends as shown at c or laterally as at a or b in the screwed sockets 27. A wingnut 24 is provided on the end of each foot 17 for turning it. The ends of the bars 1 ... 3 are flattened at 6, 5, 4 and perforated to receive a hollow pin 8, which screws into a tubular extension 4a of the bar 3. A spring 10 surrounds the part 4a and bears on one side of the flat 6 to release the bars when the hand wheel 7 is slackened. To hold the bars together when the pin is tightened the wheel 7 is provided with a flange 6a and the contacting faces of the flats 4 ... 6 are radially corrugated. When the structure is to be used as a chair, a cloth or fabric strip 15 is mounted between the bars 1, 2 and laced thereto. The upper pair of feet 17 are mounted to extend forwards and upwards and the strip 15 is passed under the upper bar 12 and attached to another bar connecting the ends of the feet 17, thus providing an awning. For use as a stretcher the frame is opened out horizontally, all feet extending downwardly and the cloth strip is attached to bar 12. The ends of the bars 1, 2 form handles. To serve as a ladder, the strip 15 is removed, feet 3 and bar 14 are folded in to lie between bars 1, 2 and the feet 17 are mounted to form extensions of the bars. 1, 2. If the cloth strip is retained this ladder may be used to bridge a brook or trench. The device can be used as an horizontal bar or support for an ironing board by folding the structure until the angle 18 is approximately 45‹ and standing the frame upon the ends of the bars 1, 2. The bars 12 are moved down as near the sockets 27 as possible and the bar 14, which forms the horizontal bar is adjusted in height by moving the sleeves 13 along the feet 3. To serve as a baggage retaining device the frame is extended and the feet 17, 3 are screwed or otherwise mounted in sockets in the roof of a motor vehicle. In the case of a small car, the feet 17, 3 of the frame members 1 are so mounted and the members 2 are folded to lie over them. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 states also that in the case of a particularly wide roof the frame members are separated, folded at right angles and laid on their sides to form a square: The feet 3 are also separated from the parts 1, 2 and are mounted in the pins 8 and in sockets on the car roof. This subjectmatter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.