CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON- STRUCTION OF CHAIRS AND COUCHES
Year: 1845

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
FREDERICK BROWNE, of William Street, Knightsbridge, in the County of
Middlesex, Surgeon, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Eighth day of March (One thousand eight hundred and
forty-five) in the eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs, and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Robert Frederick Browne, my
exors, admiors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and
authority, that I, the said Robert Frederick Browne, my exors, admors, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Robert Frederick Browne, my exors,
adñiors, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter, during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, my. Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION OF CHAIRS AND COUCHES;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso obliging me, the said Robert Frederick Browne, to particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, and to cause the same to be inrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of

page_text: Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of
the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Robert Frederick Browne, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be fully described
and set forth in and by the following statement and Specification thereof,
reference being had to the accompanying Drawings (which Drawings I
declare to belong to-and-to-form-part of such Specification), by the letters
and numeral figures marked thereon, for the purpose of such reference, that
is to say:
The nature of my said Invention consists in and has reference to an
improved method of constructing and arranging chairs and couches by means
of certain new devices of their forms and component parts, and the materials
of the same, and the arrangement or application of such forms and component
parts in the compound construction, as regards. their mechanical action or
dependency with or upon each other, such compound construction, so pro-
duced, composing the article of domestic furniture known under the general
designation of easy or reclining chair or couch, and such said improved con-
struction and arrangement producing the same of more perfect 'and' useful
character for its general and ordinary applications, and affording applications
of the same to a more extended range of useful purposes for easy or reclining
chairs or couches than heretofore the same has been done; and I declare
the manner in which the same is to be performed or carried into practical
effect to be as follows:-
".
The Drawings hereunto annexed; which are respectively marked Drawing
No. 1 and Drawing No. 2, represent in different Figures and in different
points of view the forms, constructions, and combinations under which I
perform the same. --
2.
In the Drawing No. 1, the Figure 1 shews a view in side elevation of the
organization of my said Invention, the forms, construction, and combination
which in practice I find a full and efficient mode of carrying out the same;
and the Figure 2 shews a view in a front elevation of the construction
represented in side elevation in the Figure 1. With reference to the Figures
1 and 2 of the Drawing No. 1, I will proceed to describe the construction and
mechanical action of the same: A, A, is one side of a supporting frame,
which forms the lower portion or base of the structure. B.; B, are two of four
pedestal legs, on which it stands, and it is moveable from place to place in
the usual manner of massive furniture on castors b, b, which' are made of

page_text: peculiar construction' with reference to an especial purpose, both which are
herein-after described. On the frame A, A, are fixed metal brackets or scrolls
C, C; these support a vertical frame D, through the upper end of which a
vertical rod E passes, and which at its upper extremity is made the centre or
point of suspension of a framework, composed of the circular arch F, F; F,
a radial bar G, and a second circular arch' H; concentric with the arch FF, F.
On the opposite extremities f,f; of the circular arch F, F, F, and the upper
extremity of the radial bar G, are fixed the side frames or arm pieces I, I, I,
of that portion of the structure which forms the body of the chair; the partsi
marked" respectively C, C, D, E, F; F, F, G, H, H, and I, I, I, 'collectively
forming or composing a frame or cradle; in which the body of the chair is
freely suspended on journals, which are set at the centre of metal radial bars,
which stretch across and between the extremities f, f, of the circular arches
F, F, F, and H, H, beneath the arm framing I, I, I, and such journals resting
in bearings formed on the upper extremity of the fixed vertical standard D.
It will be obvious, by reference to the view of the structure. shewn in the
Figure 2, that the parts herein-before described as of the Figure 1 are in the
actual structure repeated at its further or removed side. The central point of
support, or centre of suspension of the chair, is thus at the point E, and it has
also two other points of support given by the rollers R, R, which are set in
short holding arm's upon the inner face of the circular arch F, F, F,' at the
opposite extremities of that arch. The point of suspension of the chair is at
the upper extremity of the vertical rod E, which by its lower extremity rests
upon the upper end of a helical spring e, and by the elastic reaction of which, the
chair, with its incumbent weight, receives an easy vertical motion. K, K, is a
frame forming one side of the back of the chair; at its lower extremity K* it
is jointed to the frame L, which forms one side of the seat of the chair. This,
at its forward or front edge L* is also jointed to a third frame M, M, which
forms a support for the legs of the occupant of the chair in any of his adjust-
ments of position or configuration, as will be herein-after described. At the
lower extremity of the frame M, M, a footboard is placed for an upward
support to the feet of the sitter ; or a fourth frame, shewn at the Figure 7, is
slided into and beneath the frame M, M, for the purpose of an occasional
further extension of its length through the extent of the first frame, or the
back K, K, the second frame, or the seat L, L, and the third frame, or the
seat extension M, M. The usual cushioning and padding is marked O on
each of those compartments of the chair. P shews one of the usual sup❤
porting pieces for the head of the sitter.
The articulation of the collective extent of the chair in its longitudinal direc

page_text: tion, as herein-before stated, by describing the joints at the lower termination
of the back E, E, E, where it is joined by the seat L, L, L, the joints at the
front of the seat where the seat is joined by the lengthening portion M; M;
and I will now describe the use to which such system of articulation is applied,
or the means it affords of adjusting the several distinct portions of which the
chair is composed to the positions they are respectively required to assume
relatively to each other and amongst themselves.
In the Figure 1 of the Drawing No. 1, the angle of inclination of the
back of the chair I make in practice about thirty degrees back from the
vertical position; the angle of inclination of the seat with the back is adjustable
within certain limits, as herein-after explained in the Figure 1; the seat is
horizontal, or forming with the back an angle of about one hundred and
twenty degrees, the portion M, M,. hanging in a vertical position. The
Figure 2 represents the chair in the position as it is shewn in the Figure 1;
but seen in a front view, the corresponding parts being marked with the same
letters of reference in both Figures. In the Figure 3 the back of the chair
is made to lay at an angle. of about forty degrees back from the vertical
position, whilst the seat is so much elevated as to form an angle with the back
of about eighty degrees, or inclining upwards from the horizontal position
about fifty degrees. In the Figure 4 the back of the chair is made to take
an angle of about sixty degrees back from the vertical position, whilst the seat
is so much elevated as to form an angle with the back of about one hundred
and fifty degrees, or taking a position as nearly horizontal as the angular
quantities here mentioned, for the inclination of the back from the perpen-
dicular, and the angle between the back and the seat, have been observed. In
this Figure the portion M, M, is made to lay at an angle of about thirty
degrees below the horizontal line. In the Figure 5 the back, the seat, and
the piece M, M, are made to form small angles with each other, and each so
much depressed as that the line of general or aggregate inclination is suffi-
ciently near to the horizontal position to accommodate the chair sufficiently for
all the ordinary purposes of a recumbent position of the body. By reference
to the several component parts of the chair and their respective adjustments,
as the same are shewn in the several Figures of the Drawing No. 2, in
detached and separate views, and the description herein-after given of the
same, it will be obvious that the means of adjustment afforded thereby will
enable the chair to assume any degrees of inclination that may be desired,
or to give any required angle of inclination to any of the three principal parts.
separately, or so as to form any required combination of such said angles of
inclination to suit the varying circumstances of the requirements of the case,

page_text: such angular variations between each of the contiguous parts being within the
limits of the action of the joints by which such contiguous parts are connected.
In the Drawing No. 2 the Figure 1 exhibits the arched portion of the
chair shewn in the Drawing No. 1, and is here shewn detached for the pur-
pose of exposing to view more clearly the several parts affixed thereto. Simi-
lar letters of reference are also placed upon and denote corresponding parts
to those shewn at the several Figures of the Drawing No. 1. The Figure 2
exhibits a top plan view of the framing shewn in the Figures of the
Drawing No. 1, together with its standards, and the mode of suspending the
chair therefrom, for which purpose the back and seat of the chair in the
Drawing No. 1 are removed, similar letters of reference being also placed
upon and denoting corresponding parts to those shewn at the Figures of the
Drawing No. 1. The Figure 3 exhibits two views of one of the handles
shewn in the Figure 2, and the mode of attaching them to the framing A, A,
by the thumb screws b. The Figure 4 exhibits a side elevation of one of the
stretching bars or rods marked c in Figure 2, as detached from the holes 1
and 2 in the Figure 2, he intention of this bar being to prevent any side
movement of the handles upon their fulcra, except at will, when these bars or
rods may be readily removed, as for instance, in passing the angles of a stair-
case or doorway. The Figures 5 and 6 exhibit two views of a castor, as
shewn applied to the legs B of the framing marked A, A, in the several
Figures of the Drawing No. 1. The construction of this castor is as
follows:-A, A, marks that part to be attached to the article of furniture;
B, B, a revolving wheel, mounted upon an axis affixed to the forked piece C.
This piece is attached to the upper part A, and has liberty of motion around a
thumb screw D inserted into a hole tapped in the part A to receive it, as
shewn at the Figure 6. The intention of this arrangement is to admit of the
ready disengagement of the revolving wheels B, B, when it is required to
keep the chair steady, to secure which a projecting pin E is attached to the
under side of each castor, as shown at the last-mentioned Figures.
The Figure 7 exhibits au arrangement for dividing the portion of the chain
marked M, M, in Drawing No. 1, where the piece is shewn undivided. A, A,
mark the hinges, which are peculiarly constructed, as shewn by the enlarged
views, at the Figures 8 and 9, where B marks a ratchet piece attached to the
hinge, as shewn. C, a pall, one end of which is kept in the teeth of the:
ratchet by pressure of the spring D, fixed to the other end of the said 'pall.:
By this arrangement the angle which the portion M, M, makes, with the:
seat L, L, may be varied at pleasure. Moreover, by making the portion!
M, M, in two parts, the relative positions of the two may be varied, as

page_text: exhibited by the Diagram at Figure 10. The Figure 11 shews a detached
view of the parts employed for raising and lowering the seat, and back. of the
chain, which are connected together by hinges, as shewn, at the Figure 6 of
the Drawing No. 1. F, F, mark the hinges, to which is attached a rod or
bar G; the extremities of this bar are secured to rectangular slides: H, having
a female screw formed therein at right angles, or nearly so, to the bar G
I, I, are square-threaded screws, situate at each side of the chair. These screws
extend in a vertical direction, and work in suitable bearings at their upper. and
lower ends, and the upper extremity of each screw is formed square to receive
a crank handle. K for actuating the said screws and parts in connection there-
with, as herein after described. The operations of the mechanical arrange
ments before mentioned and employed to vary the relative positions of the back
and seat of the chair, as shewn at the several Figures contained in the Drawing
No. 1, and the means employed for retaining the chair in a required position,
are as follows:-When the chair is in the position shewn at the Figure 3 of the
Drawing No. 1, the rectangular slide H will be at its lowest point, as shewn at
the Figure 11 of Drawing No. 2, when by turning. the crank handles.simul-
taneously in the same and in the proper direction, the slides, together.with. the
parts attached thereto, will be moved upwards, and the back and seat of the
chair being supported by the antifriction rollers R, R, shewn at the Figures 1
and 2, will slide freely thereon and thereby adapt themselves to the; required
position. In order to place the chair in the position shewn at the Figure 1, it
will only be necessary to force. down the front of the seat, and whilst in this.
position, by moving the handles I, I, in a proper direction, the bolts .S. will be
tightened against the circular arches H, H, and the uprights D, D, as shewn at
the Figure 12 of the Drawing No. 2, and the chair will thus be securely held.
To. afford easy. movement, of the seat, of the chair in. a vertical direction I
employ the following arrangement of parts:-Thé Figure 13 exhibits a
similar arrangement of parts to those shewn in the Drawing No. 1, but.
upon a
larger scale, to shew, more clearly the construction and arrange-
ment of the said. parts. d,..d, marks a metal. rod, one part of which
has a square. hole. formed. therein through which the bolt S is passed.
e, e, a helical spring passed around the said, rod and retained between the
shoulder a and the framing. A, A. The lower end of the rod d, d, is secured
to the framing A.by a nut as shewn, and the upper extremity. of the said rod
is suitably constructed to receive the. axes E, E, from which the chair is
suspended. The springs T and U, shewn at the Figure 1 of Drawing No. 2,
are employed to check the range or distance through which the circular arches
move.. It will be sufficiently obvious from the description and explanation

page_text: herein-before given with reference to the Drawings to which they refer, that
my said Invention is strictly and directly applicable to all the varied uses and
purposes of easy or reclining chairs or couches, in close accordance with its
designation. And further, that in its varied and extensive range of adjustment,
and its capabilities of taking considerable changes of form and position, that it
is also applicable to the yet higher and more important service of an apparatus
or machine for the commodious reception of patients under the process of
surgical operations.
Having now described the nature and intention of my said Invention, and
also in what manner the same is to be ascertained and performed, I now
declare that I do not claim as of my Invention therein the construction of such
of the component parts herein-before described as are in known and common
use in the ordinary mechanical constructions of chairs and couches as taken
and considered separately and by themselves. But what I do claim as of my
Invention herein are the particular modes of arrangement and the combina-.
tions of parts, together with the principles of construction upon and according
to which such particular modes of arrangement and such particular combina-
tion of parts are made, and by which the same are carried into practical
effect, such modes of arrangement, combinations of forms, and parts and
principles of construction being in the manner as I have herein-before specified,
described, and set them forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Frederick Browne, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
(L.B.) ROB FRED* BROWNE.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Eighth day of September, in
the year of our Lord 1845, the aforesaid Robert Frederick Browne, came.
before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the
Specification aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified,
in form above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped
according to the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and forty-five.