Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 10th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1899-Accepted. 23rd Sept. 1899
Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 10th Aug., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1899-Accepted. 23rd Sept. 1899
I, WILLIAM JOHN SENG, of 1044, School Street, in the City of Chicago, County
of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of America, Mechanic, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
11
My invention relates to a novel construction in a reclining chair fixture for the
type of reclining chair known as Morris chairs, the object being to provide a
simple device whereby the occupant will be enabled to adjust the back to any
desired position without leaving the chair, and which will enable an infinite
number of adjustments to be attained, and consists in the features of construction
and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention;
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a chair provided with a fixture constructed in
accordance with my invention.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the clutch I employ showing the clutch member
in two positions with the rod to be clutched passing therethrough.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with the rod removed.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a slightly modified form of clutch.
Referring now to said drawings, A indicates a chair having a pivoted back 13
and arms C. On the lower face of each of said arms C a clutch device D is
mounted which is adapted to engage a rod E pivotally secured to said back B.
The said clutch device D consists of two members F and G, said member F
comprising a plate provided adjacent its ends with countersunk holes H for the
passage of screws by means of which it is secured to the arm of the chair, and
provided at its middle portion with parallel flanges or ears I. Said flanges or
ears I are cach rounded off at one corner, as at J, to form a rounded or curved
edge and are square on the other corner, so as to leave the lower edges partially
horizontal to form a stop for the member G. Said ears are each perforated
adjacent said curved edge, but eccentric thereto, for the passage of a pin K which
likewise passes through perforations in the flanges or ears L of the member G,
thereby forming the pivotal connection between said members.
Said member G of said clutch device comprises a plate provided with said
ears L which are parallel and are preferably curved on their edges. Said plate

page_text: is of sufficient width to so space said ears L as to enable the ears I of said mem-
ber F to be received between the same, whereby said plate is brought into engage-
ment with the lowermost edges of said ears I to limit its pivotal motion in one
direction. The perforations in said ears L are preferably made adjacent
the edges thereof, that is, eccentric to said ears whereby the latter move
eccentrically, thereby causing said plate to rotate free of said rounded corners J
of said ears I and be brought into full contact with the horizontal portions of
the lower edges of the latter.
Said plate is further provided with a downwardly extending flange or ear M
extending practically at right angles to said plate and to said ears L, said flange
or ear M being provided with a central opening or perforation N through which
the free end portion of said rod E is adapted to pass, and in which it is adapted
to be clutched.
Said rod E is preferably of sufficient length to be bent to a U-shape and pass
across said back B to which it is pivotally secured by means of plates O. The
free ends thereof pass through said perforations N in said flange or ear M of said
clutch member G and are provided with knobs P, which enhance the appearance
of the device and serve to enable the occupant of the chair to more firmly grasp
said rod to adjust said back B.
Said clutch device D is so mounted on the arms Cof the chair, that the rounded
corners J of the ears I face the back, and the ear M of said member G can swing
freely toward said back. The weight of the rod ends will cause said member G
to normally swing into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and in such
position the edges or corners of said perforations N will bind upon said rod E
and liold same against moving rearwardly, thus supporting said back B. In order
to adjust said back the occupant of the chair drops his or her hands over the
arms C and grasps the ends of said rod E and raises same. This causes the mem-
ber G of said clutch to move into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2,
thus releasing said rod E and permitting the same to be moved forward or back-
wards to adjust said back B. When the latter has been so adjusted the rod E is
released by the occupant, whereupon it is again clutched and locked in position.
The device is extremely simple and effective, besides being cheap and orna-
mental. It is also very easily operated, requiring no exercise of strength, and
effectually limiting the movement of the back.
The said clutching device D can be made in numerous ways and in Fig. 4 I
have shown another form of same. In this form the members are both cast, the
member F having two ears Q between which a central rib R on the member G is
pivoted, the motion of said member G being limited by the contact of said rib R
with the plate of said member F.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. In a reclining chair, the combination with the chair body and arms rigid
therewith, of a pivoted back, a rod pivotally connected with said back, and clutch
mechanism mounted on said arms and adapted to engage said rod to hold said
back in the position to which it has been adjusted.
2. In a reclining chair, the combination with the chair body having arms rigid
therewith, and clutch devices mounted on said arms, of a pivoted back, and rods
pivotally connected with said back and having their free ends passing through
said clutch devices and adapted to be engaged thereby to hold said back in the
position to which it may be adjusted.
3. In a reclining chair, the combination with the chair body, arms thereon, and
a clutch on each of said arms comprising a plate, a member pivotally secured
thereto and provided with a downwardly extending flange, and a perforation in
said flange, of a back pivotally mounted on said chair body and provided with
arms pivotally connected therewith, said arms being adapted to pass through said

page_text: perforation in said pivoted member of said clutch and to be engaged thereby,
whereby said back is held in any position to which it has been adjusted.
4. In a reclining chair, the combination with the chair body having arms, and
clutch devices mounted thereon, said clutch devices consisting of a plate adapted
to be rigidly secured to said arm and provided with a downward extension, a
member pivotally secured to said downward extension and adapted to engage a
part of said plate to limit its pivotal motion in one direction, a downwardly
extending flange on said pivoted member, and a perforation in said flange, of a
back pivotally mounted on said chair body, and arms pivotally mounted on said
back and adapted to pass through said perforation in said pivoted member of said
clutch and to be engaged thereby when said arms are free to hold said back in
any position to which it may be adjusted, and to release said arms when the
latter are raised to turn said pivoted member to the limit of its movement to per-
mit the position of said back to be changed.
3000
Dateu
To way of buy
WILLIAM JOHN SENG.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.