Year: 1888

page_text: We, ARCHER EDWARDS and THOMAS GRIFFIN, both of Charles Street, Curtain Road,
in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to chairs, the several parts of which may be adjusted in any
desired position by the persons using them.
We take two side frames, one upon each side of the chair, each consisting of two
legs pivotted together at their upper ends and capable of separating at their lower
ends to a sufficient extent to ensure the necessary stability to the chair.
The two frames are arranged parallel to each other at a distance apart equal to the
width of the chair, and are preferably stayed together near their lower ends by transverse
stays, to which may also be connected one or more flexible bands by which the frames
are prevented from spreading out too far.
At some distance below the pivots upon which the upper ends of the frames turn, is
arranged the seat of the chair consisting of two side frames preferably held together
at their front and back ends by transverse stays to which the front and back edges of
a strip of sufficiently strong carpet or other material are attached, its side edges being
fixed to the upper edges of the side frames. Or, instead of a flexible seat as described,
a solid or other seat of wood or other material may be used.
Upon the outer side of each of the side frames is attached or formed a plate
preferably of metal which may be made as ornamental as desired, the outer faces of
the two plates fitting freely between the side frames of the chair first described. At
the lower edge of these plates near their.centre and front part and below the seat are
formed slots preferably curved upward at their ends into which fit studs, screws, or
sliding blocks, of metal or other suitable material fixed to the inner side of the front
legs of the frame of the chair. The plates are also provided with slots, which may
also be curved but are preferably horizontal or nearly so, extending nearly to the back
edge of the seat, into which fit corresponding studs, screws, or sliding blocks fixed to
the back legs of the side frames of the chair. The seat can therefore be moved
backward and forward upon the studs, without materially altering its horizontal
position.

page_text: To the back edge of the seat are pivotted the tower ends of the side frames of the
back of the chair, which are connected together by a sufficient number of transverse
stays or rails, and may be upholstered in carpet or other material in the usual way.
Šide rails or arms are also provided, pivotted at or near their centre to the pivots
upon which turn the upper ends of the legs which form the side frames of the chair as
first described, and pivotted at their back ends to the side frames of the back of the
chair, to which they serve as stay's.
By the method of construction and arrangement described, if the lower ends of the
side frames of the chair be brought together, the back ends of the arms turn down
upon the front pivots, taking with them the back of the chair until the latter is parallel
with and close to the legs, the seat also turning up upon the pivots at the lower ends
of the back, and the chair is then very portable and occupies little room.
By turning the seat down, and separating the lower ends of the legs until the
flexible band or stay which connects the front and back cross bars is extended, the
chair becomes perfectly firm and steady. If the person using it leans back, at the
same time taking the weight off the front edge of the seat, the back can be inclined to
any desired angle, the seat at the same time sliding forward upon the studs, screws, or
sliding blocks which fit the slots in the side frames. If the sitter lean forward, again
lifting his weight sufficiently from the front of the seat the latter can be made to slide
back, at the same time raising the back of the chair into a more vertical position. By
allowing sufficient weight to rest upon the front of the seat, the slots are prevented
from sliding upon the studs, screws, or blocks, and the chair is perfectly rigid and
steady in any position to which it has been brought.
The upper ends of the side legs may turn upon separate pivots upon a connecting
piece, instead of upon the same pivot, the arms being pivotted to one only of such
separate pivots, and in this way lateral space is saved without weakening the chair.
The cross stays between the front legs of the side frames may carry one or more
central bars or brackets the upper ends of which hold a transverse steel or other elastic
bar, the ends of which fit in guiding slots in the legs after first passing through the
front slots of the plates upon the sides of the seat, instead of the studs, screws, or
sliding blocks before described.
A similar arrangement may be used for the back legs of the chair.
Our improved chair is very simple, cheap, durable and effective, and it may be
made of any suitable materials, and may be modified more or less in the construction
and arrangement of its parts according to the purpose and circumstances under
which it is to be used.
D
.

page_text: Improvements in Adjustable Chairs.
We, ARCHER EDWARDS and THOMAS GRIFFIN both of Charles Street, Curtain
Road; in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of
our invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
-
Our invention relates to chairs, the several parts of which can be adjusted in
any desired position by the persons using them.
We take two side frames, one upon each side of the chair, each consisting of
two legs pivotted together at their upper ends and capable of separating at their
lower ends to a sufficient extent to ensure the necessary stability of the chair.
The two frames are arranged parallel to each other at a distance apart equal
to the width of the seat, and are preferably stayed together near their lower ends
by transverse stays, to which may also be connected one or more flexible bands
by which the frames are prevented from spreading out too far.
At some distance below the pivots upon which the upper ends of the side frames
turn, is arranged the seat of the chair.
Upon each of the sides of the seat is attached or formed a plate preferably of
metal which may be made as ornamental as desired.
At the lower edge of these plates near their centre and front part and below
the seat are formed slots preferably curved upward at their ends into which fit
studs, screws, or sliding blocks, of metal or other suitable material fixed to the.
inner side of the front legs of the frame of the chair. Instead of studs, screws
or sliding blocks a transverse bar may be used passing through the slots or below
the plates and having its ends fixed in the side frames of the chair. The plates
are also provided with slots which may also be curved but are preferably horizontal or
nearly so extending nearly to the back edge of the seat, into which fit corresponding
studs, screws, or sliding blocks, or a transverse bar fixed to the back legs of the side
frames of the chair. The seat can therefore be moved backward and forward upon the
studs or bars without materially altering its horizontal position.
To the back edge of the seat are pivotted the lower ends of the side frames of the
back of the chair, which are connected together by a sufficient number of transverse
stays or rails and may be upholstered in cane or other material in the usual way. Side
rails or arms are also provided, pivotted at or near their centre to the pivots upon
which turn the upper ends of the legs which form the side frames of the chair as first
described, and pivotted at their back ends to the side frames of the back of the chair,
to which they serve as stays..
By the method of construction and arrangement described, if the lower ends of the
side frames of the chair be brought together, the back end of the arms turn down upon
the front pivots, taking with them the back of the chair until the latter is parallel
with and close to the legs, the seat also turning up upon the pivots at the lower end
of the back, and the chair is then very portable and occupies little room.
By turning the seat down, and separating the lower ends of the legs until the

page_text: flexible band or stay which connects the front and back cross bars is extended, the
chair becomes perfectly firm and steady.
Or instead of a flexible stay, a curved slotted guide may be used, which limits the
extent to which the legs can open. The front of this guide may be guided in a slotted
plate fixed below the seat of the chair, and connected to a spring, by which the
movement of the back of the chair facilitated and the proper closing of the chair is
ensured.
If the person using the chair leans back, the back can be inclined to any desired
angle, the seat at the same time sliding forward upon the studs, screws, or sliding
blocks or transvers bars which fit the slots in the side frames. If the sitter leans
forward the seat can be made to slide back, at the same time raising the back of
the chair into a more vertical position.
The upper ends of the side legs preferably turn upon separate pivots upon a connecting
piece, instead of upon the same pivot, the arms being pivotted to one only of such
separate pivots, and in this way lateral space is secured without weakening the chair.
Instead of the arrangement described the crosstays between the front legs of the
side frames may carry one or more central bars or brackets the upper ends of which
hold a transverse steel or other elastic bar the ends of which fit in guiding slots in the
legs after first passing through the front slots of the plates upon the sides of the seat.
A similar arrangement may be used for the back legs of the chair.
In the accompanying drawings which are in illustration of our invention, figure 1 is
a vertical section through the chair shewing the back nearly upright, figure 2 is a
similar view shewing the back inclined backward. Figure 4 is a front view of the
chair shewn in figure 1, and figure 3 is a vertical section shewing it folded together.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 are separate views of some of the details. Figure 8 is a side view
of a somewhat modified form.
The two side frames are upon each side of the chair, each consisting of two legs a, a',
and b, b', pivotted at their upper ends to the joint plate c (shewn separate on a larger
scale in figure 6), the pivots being side by side so that when the chair is folded up as
shewn in figure 3, the legs occupy little width. The two side frames are arranged
parallel to each other at a distance apart equal to the width of the seat, as shewn in
figure 4, and they are preferably stayed together by stays d, d.
At a convenient distance below the pivots at c is arranged the seat e consisting of a
frame filled in with cane or other suitable material, or it may be solid. To each side
of the seat e is attached a plate of wood or metal f, f1 which may be made as ornamental
as desired. The lower edge of these plates at their centre and front is curved (as
shewn separarely in figure 7) and rests upon a transverse rod g, preferably a metal
tube, the ends of which are fixed in the proper position in the front legs a¹, b¹.
Instead of resting directly upon the rod 9, the plate f may rest upon a block pivotted
upon the rod, as shewn at w in figure 7.
The plates f, f, are also provided near their back ends with a slot h (figure 7),
horizontal or nearly so, extending nearly to the back of the seat e, and these
slots fit upon a second transverse rod or metal tube i the ends of which are fixed
in the proper position in the back legs a, b. In figures 1, 2 and 3, the slots h
are shewn formed by a plate or strap screwed to the plates f, f'.
The seat e can therefore be moved backward and forward upon the rods or
tubes i (as shewn in figures 1 and 2) without altering its horizontal position
more than is desirable.
To the back of the seat e are pivotted at k the lower ends of the side frames 1, 1,
of the back of the chair, which are connected together by a sufficient number of
transverse stays or rails and a back of cane or other suitable material in the usual way.
Side rails or arms m, m³ are also provided, pivotted at or near their centre to the pivot
upon which the upper ends of the legs a, b turn, and at their back ends at n, n', to
the side frames 1,, of the back of the chair.
By the method of construction and arrangement described, if the lower ends of the
legs of the side frames a, a¹, and b, b', be brought together (as shown in figure 3) the
back ends of the arms mi, m³, turn down upon their front pivots (at c) taking with

page_text: them the back of the chair until the latter is parallel with and close to the legs
(figure 3). The seat e also turns upon the pivots at the lower end of the back and the
chair is then folded up as shewn in figure 3 and is very portable and occupies little
room.
By turning the seat e down, and separating the lower ends of the legs, the chair is
brought back into the position shewn in figures 1, 2 and 4, and the person using it can
adjust the position of the back and seat as he may desire by simply leaning forward or
backward.
Instead of the ends of the transverse rods or tubes g and being fixed in the
legs a, a, b, b cross stays between them may carry one or more central bars or
brackets in which are firmly fixed transverse elastic steel rods or bars upon the free
ends of which the plates f, f¹, rest. In this way the chair seat has considerable
elasticity.
In order to limit the extent of opening of the legs and to ensure the proper
movement of all the parts of the chair when the latter is opened or closed, we prefer to use
a curved slotted guide o of wood or metal, preferably arranged at the centre of the
seat (as shewn in figure 4). The back of this guide is fitted upon the transverse rod
or tube round which it can turn, and the curved slot fits round the other bar or
tube g. The length of the slot is such that it prevents the legs from opening too wide
(as shewn in figures 1 and 2).
The front end of the slotted guide o is connected to the front of the seat e in the
manner hereinafter described, and the shape of the slot is such that when the seat is
turned up against the back for the purpose of folding (as shewn in figure 3) the front
legs a¹, are also folded against the back ones as shewn, by the action of the curved
slot against the transverse bar or tube g.
The front end of the slotted guide o is connected by a. bolt or stud P to a slotted
plate or spring (shewn separately in figure 5). The bolt p passes through the slot,
a washer of leather or other soft material being preferably placed round the bolt upon
each side of the spring r so that the bolt may move smoothly in the slot. The front
end of the plate or spring r is fixed to the front of the seat at s, and its back end to a
transverse rail t carried by the seat.
A spring u connects the rail t to the transverse bar or tube i so as to assist in bringing
the back of the chair up when the sitter leans forward, and also to ensure the legs
closing together properly.
The upper side of the sloth is preferably lined with leather in order to cause a
certain amount of friction upon the bar or tube i as the seat of the chair moves
backward and forward.
The upper ends of the legs a, a¹ and b, b' are pivotted by means of a plate shewn
upon a larger scale in figure 6, the plate being fitted into slots cut in the upper ends
of the legs (as shewn in figure 4) and the plate being retained in place by the pivots
passing through it, and by a projecting point which is driven into the bottom of the
slots in the legs a, b, (as shewn in figures 1 and 2).
Figure 8 shews in side view, the folding. chair, when it is not required that the
seat e should be adjustable backward and forward. The upper ends of the legs a, a¹
are pivotted to the joint plate at c as in the former arrangement. The seat e is
pivotted near the back upon the transverse rail d, whilst its front end rests upon the
rail d', the lower end of the back I being pivotted to the back of the seat, and the
arm m being pivotted to the back at n and resting upon the projecting pin c¹ of the
joint c, a series of notches being made under the arm as shewn, so that the position of
the back can be readily adjusted. A stud at y upon the sides of the seat e works
freely in a slot or groove z (shewn in dotted lines) in the inner side of each of the
front legs, so as by its movement in the slot to automatically open or close the legs
when the chair is opened or closed.
Our improved chair, is very simple, cheap, durable and effective, and it may be
made of any suitable materials, and may be modified more or less in the construction
and arrangement of its parts according to the purpose and circumstances under which
it is to be used.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. In adjustable chairs the legs a, a and b, b', pivotted at c, arms m, m¹ pivotted
to the legs at c and to back 1, at n, n', seat e pivotted to the lower ends of the
back 1, 1, and having plates f, f¹, resting upon the crossbars or tubes i and g (or
upon studs, screws, or sliding blocks) substantially as described and shewn.
2. The curved guide o pivotted to the bar or tube i, and having a curved slot
working upon the bar or tube g, its front end being connected by the bolt p to the
slotted plate or spring for the purposes described and shewn.
3. The spring u between the bar or tube i and the cross rail t of the seat e, for the
purpose of bringing the seat back, and the back 1,, to its upright position, and to
facilitate the closing of the chair as described and shewn.
4. The elastic transverse rods g and i, securely held at or near their centre, and
having the plates f, f¹, resting upon their free ends so as to give elasticity to the
seat e, substantially as described.
5. In folding chairs the joint c for the upper ends of the legs held in place by the
pivots through the latter end of the projecting point v, as described and shewn in
figures 1, 2, 6 and 8.
6. The legs a, a, pivotted at c, arms m pivotted to the back at n, and having
a series of notches adjustable upon the pin c, seat e pivotted upon the rail d, and
having its front resting upon the rail d, and studs fitting in grooves or slots z
in the front legs a¹, substantially as described and shewn in figure 8.
Dated this 13th day of December 1888.
Dated this 13th day of December 1888.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Patentees.