IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FOLDING CHAIRS, STOOLS, AND OTHER ARTICLES TO SIT OR
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louisa Monzani, Widow and Administratrix of
Willoughby Theobald Monzani, late of 9, St.' James Terrace, Blue
Anchor Road, Bermondsey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF FOLDING CHAIRS, STOOLS, AND OTHER ARTICLES TO SIT OR
Sealed the 22nd December 1854, and dated the 30th June 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Willoughby Theobald
Monzani at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 30th June 1854.
I, WILLOUGHBY THEOBALD MONZANI, of 9, Saint James Terrace, Blue
Anchor Road, Bermondsey, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF FOLDING CHAIRS, STOOLS, AND OTHER
ARTICLES TO SIT OR RECLINE UPON," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists of improved combinations of parts in the manufacture
of folding chairs, stools, and other articles to sit or recline on. For this
purpose, in constructing a folding chair two frames are used, which in use
cross each other, and move on an axis, in a similar manner to a camp stool; one
of these frames is connected at the upper end by a bar or rail, which constitutes
the front rail of the chair, and to which canvass or strong fabric or flexible
material, which is fixed, to produce the seat and back. The other frame is
made of two parts, hinged or connected together in such manner as to fold or
assume different positions in respect to each other and to the other frame.
The upper rail, which connects the two sides of this frame, has connected to it
the other end of the canvass or flexible material, which is arranged by its being

page_text: wound on a roller or otherwise, so as to increase or decrease the length
between the front rail and the upper rail of the back of the chair. The two
parts constituting the back frame of the chair are, combined, larger than the
frame forming the front of the chair; hence, the back frame rises higher than
the front rail of the seat of the chair, and by reason of the larger frame being
capable of folding, the back may be placed and held at different inclinations, to
suit the desire of the person using the chair. There is a back rail (moveable
or fixed) to the seat of the chair, under which the fabric or flexible seat and
back passes, and the positions assumed by the folding of the double frame is
governed by pins or stops, or projections, or by eyelet-holes, and holding
instruments. By these arrangements, the folding chair may be made not only
to assume different positions or forms, as a chair, but it may be made to
assume the form of a stool, and also such a form as to be suitable to recline
In making folding camp stools, in order that they may fold into a less
compass than heretofore, the frame or legs, which have the front and back rails
fixed to them, are formed with an axis, or hinges or axes, by which the side
frames are each capable of folding in respect to themselves, as well as in
respect to each other, in place of the two frames, of which a camp stool is
usually formed, simply opening and folding, by crossing each other and moving
on an axis. And in making camp stools with backs three frames are used,
capable of folding one within the other, so that not only may the two inner
frames forming the stool be folded into each other, but also that these two
frames may be folded into the frame constituting the back, and the whole lic
flat, and pack in less compass than when the frame for the back is shorter than
the other two frames; and in fixing the canvass or other flexible material to
the front rail, the front rail is in some cases so formed or beut as to have the
fabric or material fixed from side to side, and so as to support the person
without resting on the front rail.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Louisa Monzani in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
30th December 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, LOUISA
MONZANI, Widow and Administratrix of Willoughby Theobald Monzani, late
of 9, St. James's Terrace, Blue Anchor Road, Bermondsey, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her

page_text: reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Louisa Monzani, Her special licence that 1, the said Louisa Monzani,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Louisa
Monzani, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE
OF FOLDING CHAIRS, STOOLS, AND OTHER ARTICLES TO SIT OR RECLINE UPON," (being
a communication from my late husband, Willoughby Theobald Monzani,)
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Louisa Monzani, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe
and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Louisa Monzani, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof (that is to say):-
:-
The chief object of this Invention is so to arrange parts that a bedstead shall
be partly constructed of the box or case which when the bedstead is packed
and out of use contains it. For this purpose a box or packing case is con-
structed in two parts; one part is fitted up as a portmanteau or box, for carrying
garments and other articles; the other part of the box or case is arranged for
receiving the parts constituting the bedstead, which is formed in the following
manner: The two parts of the box or case are connected at the ends of a
strong fabric or sacking, suitable when stretched out to receive the bedding;
and the two parts of the box or case are also connected by means of straps or
cords, which, when the bedstead is stretched out and formed, come near the
ground; and in order to keep the two parts of the box or case separated, and
the sacking or fabric distended for use as a bedstead, stretching bars are used
on either side, which enter grooves or sockets formed at either end of the parts
of the box or case, and by means of keys or wedges these parts are more
completely separated and held secure. It is not essential that the two parts
constituting the head and foot of the bedstead should be parts of a box or case,
as only one or neither may be so. There is provision made for a head to the
bedstead for preventing the pillow falling out. When the whole is packed for
carriage the parts assume the exterior character of a simple box or case.

page_text: Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to
describe the manner of performing the same.
The box or case is to be made in two parts, each part having connected
therewith, and by preference permanently fixed thereto, some of the parts
which go to form a bedstead. The two parts of which the box or case consists,
it is preferred, should be made alike in exterior form, but this is not essential;
and it is preferred that the opening into them should be on one side, and that
that side should be the one uppermost when made up into a bedstead; and for
facility of carriage it is desirable that the two parts of the box or case may go
together when out of use as a bedstead, and be made as one package; or, when
to be carried by a mule or other animal, that they should be capable of being
so complete when severed as to present two separate yet complete packages.
The sacking or webbing, or other form of flexible surface which is to form
the upper surface of the bedstead, it is preferred, should be fixed permanently
to one of the two parts of the box or case, and to fold into it and be only
connected to the other part of the box or case when made up into a bedstead;
and this may be done by straps and buckles, or by other convenient attach-
ments, which will facilitate the keeping of the sacking or other flexible upper
surface of the bedstead in a state of tension. The arrangement of side
stretchers which is preferred for keeping the two parts of the box or case
separate, and the sacking or upper surface stretched between them, are such as
are shewn by the Drawing, though others may be used. These stretchers or
bars are made into rectangular frames, which enter sockets or grooves made
to receive them at the ends of the boxes or cases, and they are keyed or
wedged, so as to keep the parts separated and secure, and these frames or
stretchers pack within the box or case; or the stretchers may be hinged at the
ends to the boxes or cases, and fold and pack within the recesses formed to
receive them; and in order to keep the side stretchers separate and parallel, a
central cross stretcher is used, which at each of its ends has fixed buttons, which
enter slotted holes in the side stretcher bars, and retain all parts correct. The
interior of the boxes or cases may be fitted up in any convenient manner for
receiving garments, bedding, and other articles. When the side stretcher bars
are separate from the two parts of the box or case, and are connected by
entering sockets, it is desirable to have a strap or straps at the bottom to draw
the two parts of the box or case towards each other, and thus to resist the
tension of the sacking or flexible top to the bedstead; but when the side
stretchers are hinged to the parts of the box or case these may be dispensed
with.
The Urawing annexed shows, at Figure 1, a perspective view of a bedstead;

page_text: and at Figure 2 one of the parts is shewn separately. a, b, are the two parts
of a box or case; the sides which face each other when made into a bedstead
are recessed, to admit of the side stretcher c, c, being placed or folded therein,
and so as to admit of those two sides being brought together, and, by straps or
other fastenings, held as one package; or when to be carried on either side of
a mule or other animal, each part a or b, is to form a separate package, by the
stretchers c being retained in the recess formed to receive them. The parts a
and 6 are made to open at d, d, and the flap or cover to each of such openings
is made capable of being retained in a slanting position, so as to prevent the
pillow falling off at the end of the bedstead.
Ilaving thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the
combination herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louisa Monzani, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
JAMES GLASS,
19A, Church Row,
Newington.
LOUISA MONZANI. (L.S.)