por appertaining to Adjustable Chairs.
Year: 1886

page_text: por appertaining to Adjustable Chairs.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster and
323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer .do hereby declare
the nature of this invention (a communication from abroad by George Francis
Child, of Springfield in the County of Clarke, State of Ohio, United States of
America, Gentleman) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
The aim of the invention is to provide a convertible and adjustable chair which
may be adapted at will for use as a stationary chair, or as a rocking chair, and the
various supporting surfaces which may be adjusted in many different relations.
To this end it consists essentially in a base-frame, a rocker-frame thereon, devices
by which the rocker-frame may be locked rigidly, a seat-frame which may slide
forward and backward on the rocker-frame and be locked in different positions,
a back jointed to the seat and composed of various sections jointed to each other
so that it may assume different forms, a leg-rest detachably hinged to the seat and
adapted to be fixed in different positions, or to be placed upon the floor, and a foot
rest adjustably connected to the leg rest as hereinafter fully explained.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a side. elevation of the chair as it appears when adjusted
for use by a person sitting in an erect position, with the foot support upon the
floor.
Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same, portions of the upholstering being
removed to expose the springs for sustaining the weight of the adjustable back and
also various other details.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the interior of the base-frame
showing the devices by which the rocker-frame is locked in position thereon.
Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the mechanism by which the movable
foot rest is locked in position when resting upon the floor.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of the chair in the position represented in Figure 1,
the foot rest being removed and a portion of the main-frame broken away at the
side to expose interior parts to view.
Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal section through the chair frame on the
line 2-2 of Figure 5, the upholstering being removed and the seat frame repre-
sented as lifted above the chair in order to expose the operative parts of the
mechanism to view,

page_text: Figure 7 is a vertical cross section on the line 3-3 of figures and o, through
the arms and attendant devices by which the back of the chair is varied in
inclination.
..
Figure 8 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figure 10, showing the details
of the clamp for locking the movable foot rest.
Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal section through the rear bar of the seat frame
on the line 5-5 of Figure 15.
Figure 10 is a side elevation of the chair as it appears when adjusted for a
recumbent position of the occupant.
Figure 11. is an end view of the foot rest and the movable side-boards employed
therewith.
Figure 12 is a top plan view of the same, a portion of the upholstering being
removed to expose the frame-work thereunder.
Figure 13 is a cross section on the line 6-6, Figures 1, 6 and 10, showing the
construction of the devices for changing the pivotal point of the back.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of one of the bearings by which the foot rest is
connected to the sent frame.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of the sliding seat frame, one end being broken
away to expose one of the bolts by which the leg rest is attached.
Figure 16 is a perspective view of the rocker-frame and the sliding bars thereon
to sustain the seat-frame.
In proceeding to construct-the chair a base frame A is provided, of any suitable
construction having in its top the two flat rails or surfaces a, to support the rocker
frame B, which consists of two vertical rockers seated on top of the base frame.
These rockers are connected with each other by means of a central metallic cross-
bar.b, the ends of which are flattened and bolted firmly to the rocker as shown in
Figure 3, this construction affording the necessary strength and leaving a free
unobstructed space in the under side of said frame to admit the back of the chair
as hereinafter explained.
As a means of locking the rocker-frame rigidly in the different positions required,
a notched sector plate c is pivoted to each side of the base frame, and the same
connected by means of a pivot link d, to the rocker-frame above.
In suitable guides on the base frame is mounted a transverse sliding bar e,
arranged to engage at its ends with the sector plates, and connected at its middle
with a hand-lever f, pivoted to the base-frame and projected at one end in position
to be conveniently operated by the occupant of the chair. The bar e, locks the
notched plates, and the latter, through the links d, hold the rocker in any position
in which it may be placed. When the bar e is disengaged the rocker is of course
left free.
The sides of the rocker-frame are flattened on the top and each provided with a
rail or slide g, secured thereto from front to rear. On these slides is mounted the
seat-frame C, which may be moved forward and backward thereon at the will of
the occupant.
The seat frame is preferably constructed in a rectangular form and provided on
the under side with metal rails or plates h, to slide on the rocker rail but any other
equivalent connections may be employed, the only requirement being that the seat
shall be free to slide forward and backward on the rockers. The rails h, have
lips ¹, which engage beneath the edges of rails g, to prevent the seat frame froin
rising. Locking devices of any appropriate character may be employed to hold
the seat in the desired position on the rocker frame, but it is preferred as shown in
Figure 7, to pass a T-shaped pin i, downward through the rail on the seat-frame,
and through a slot in the rail g, of the rocker frame, and to connect its lower end
with an eccentric formed on the shaft of a hand wheel k, which is seated in the
rocker-frame, so that by turning the hand wheel the eccentric and bolt are caused
to clamp the sliding rails firmly together.
The back of the chair is constructed in three sections D, E, F, which are jointed
to each other and connected with the chair seat in such manner that they may

page_text: tip forward and backward in order to change their relations to each other and to
the seat.'
The lower or hip section D, of the back has in addition to its tipping motion a
vertical sliding motion for the purpose of enabling the entire back to be raised
or lowered so as to vary its length above the seat as the height of the occupant
may require. This section D is supported by a horizontal rod G which extends
through a slot in its back from one side of the chair to the other the ends of the
rod being supported by ears or projections on the rear ends of the seat-rails h.
The sides of the back section are provided with metal plates 1, slotted for the
passage of the rod. Between the plates 7, and the supporting rails h, friction
plates n are inserted bearing on the inner side against the plates 1, and provided
on the outer side with a journal n³, encircling the rod and bearing within the
supporting rails h, as shown in Figure 13. At one end the rod has a head, and at
the opposite end it has a hand-nut H. The head and the nut bear respectively
against the journals n¹ of the friction plate, so that when the nut is tightened
the friction plates will be forced firmly against the side plates n, of the back
whereby the latter is prevented from sliding upon the rod. As the pressure is
applied directly to the friction plates without being applied to the supporting
rails h, the back is left free to rock or tip about the rod as a centre so that its
inclination may be varied.
The rod G, is loosely encircled by a tube o, the ends of which bear against the
inner face of the plates c, to prevent them from springing inward under the strain
of the rod.
When the nut is released the back section may slide upward and downward
past the rear edge of the seat, the construction of the seat-frame being such that
the back section may slide downward into its under side when required.
To relieve the operator from the weight of the back when the latter is to be
lifted in an endwise direction, it is proposed to employ springs applied in any
suitable manner.
The use of V-shaped springs p, is recommended seated in the
back as shown in Figure 2, their upper ends resting in notches in the back, and
their lower ends bearing upon the rod G, the tube encircling the same, or, a bar
resting upon the tube as shown in Figure, 2. These springs are made of sufficient
weight to lift the whole, or substantially the whole weight of the back when the
fastening rod G, is released and they enable the operator to slide the back upward
and downward with ease.
The middle section E, of the back, commonly termed the shoulder rest, is made
of rectangular form with metal plates q secured to its sides. Each of these plates
is pivoted to the upper ends of the plates 7, on the hip section, and is provided with
a downwardly extending arm r, carrying at the lower end a fastening screw 8,
which extends through a curved slot in the plate l, as plainly shown. This con-
nection permits the section E, to be tipped forward and backward with reference
to the lower section D, and fixed in any position required by simply tightening the
nuts 8.
The top section F, usually called the head rest, is preferably made of a circular
form in cross section as shown, although other forms may be employed. It is
secured at its ends to arms_t, which are pivoted to the side plates q, of the shoulder
rest. These arms t, are extended below their pivots and provided with clamping
screws and nuts u, connected with curved slots in the top of the plates q, whereby
the head rest may be secured in different positions with respect to the shoulder
rest.
The jointed connections between the back sections admit of the latter being
presented in a flat convex or a concave form as may be required, while the jointed
and the sliding connection at the lower end admits of the entire back being raised,
lowered and tipped forward or backward with reference to the seat.
The essence of the invention consists in jointing the several sections to each
other and providing them with fastening devices to hold them in different relative
positions, and the skilled mechanic will understand that the details of the joints

page_text: and clamping-devices may be modified in many respects without departing from
the limits of the invention.
In order to lessen the labor of tipping the shoulder and head rest forward or
upward, springs w are provided connecting the hip and shoulder sections, and a
spring, connecting the shoulder and head sections. These springs may be as
shown, of a flat form secured to one section and bearing against the back of the
next, or they may be otherwise formed to the same end.
In order to secure the back as a whole in different positions, to the top of the
hip section D, or its plates l, on each side of the chair, a bar I is pivoted which is
extended forward horizontally and pivoted to the upper end of an arm or lever K,
which latter is pivoted near its lower end, preferably upon the shaft of the hand
wheel k, and attached at its lower extremity to a rod y, passing through and acting
upon a spiral spring 2, located in the rocker-frame as plainly shown in Figures 6
and 7. This spring tends to throw the upper ends of the arms K forward and the
arms in turn, through the links I, tend to pull the back of the chair forward. In
this manner the weight of the back is counterbalanced so that it may tip easily
forward and backward.
Each arm K is provided near the upper end with a pivoted spring-actuated
latch a², which engages a perforated or notched plate 62, on the side of the rocker-
frame, thus holding the back in the position in which it may be placed. The
plates b², are usually cast in one piece with or secured rigidly to the rails.g.
The arms K are commonly provided with laterally projecting handles c³, in
position to be conveniently operated by a person seated in the chair so that the
back may be raised or lowered without leaving the chair.
The bars I, give support to arın rests L, which may be secured rigidly thereto,
or connected by intermediate adjustable devices as shown. These devices consist
of two supporting rails d², and e pivoted at their upper ends to the arm and at
their lower ends to the bars I, so that the rest L, may swing upward and down-
ward without departing from its horizontal position. In order that the rest may
be placed in an inclined position at will, the links c have their pivots passed
through slots in the arm I, as seen in Figure I. To hold the rest in its desired
positions a third link fis employed pivoted at its upper end to the rest and at its
lower end to a plate g³, which slides in or upon the bar I, and which is provided
with an eccentric h³, or an equivalent locking device. The rests L, and the back
sections may have their frames constructed in any appropriate manner and
upholstered or cushioned as usual.
It is proposed to use in connection with the remainder of the chair a leg rest
adapted for attachment to the seat or for use upon the floor in connection with the
rocker frame or the base frame as desired. This leg rest M, of a rectangular or
other suitable form, appropriately upholstered and provided with castor wheels at
its corners, is provided with side plates is, the rear ends of which are fashioned into
V-shaped sockets j, with a hole therein as shown in Figures 12 and 14. The seat
frame is provided at each of its forward corners with a horizontally sliding pivot-
bolt. One end of this bolt extends outward to the side of the frame and is
encircled by a spiral spring 12, which urges it outward. The opposite or inner end
When the
is returned or bent backward upon itself in the form of a letter J.
rest M is presented with its rear edge against the front edge of the seat the bolts ³,
will ride automatically into the sockets j³, of the rest-frame and engage in the holes
therein, thus completing the pivotal or hinged connection between the leg rest and
the seat as shown in Figure 10. The rest thus hinged to the seat may be raised
and lowered and sustained wholly clear of the floor or with its forward edge resting
upon the floor as required.
It is proposed to sustain the leg rest clear of the floor by means of a rod or
brace m² pivoted to the under side of the rest and adapted for engagement with
locking devices secured to the under side of the rocker frame as shown in Figure 10.
When the seat is thus supported it will move with the seat and seat frame without
changing its relation thereto. This is an important feature when the chair is used

page_text: as a rocker. The devices for locking the rod to the seat-frame may be of any suit-
able form, a thumb-screw or equivalent device answering an excellent purpose. For
convenience of adjustment it is proposed to use the devices shown in the drawings
which may be operated from the side of the chair.
As shown in Figures 6, 8, 10 and 15 this locking device consists of a contractile
clamp n², encircling the rod m³, and split or divided on one side. This clamp is
seated in a suitable socket or supporting plate on the seat-frame and is compressed
and closed upon the rod by means of an eccentric o³, or shaft p³, which is extended
to the side of the chair and provided with a crank-arm r³, connected by a link s²,
to a hand lever ta, mounted on the seat-frame in position to be conveniently reached
by the operator. By operating the lever t, the rod sustaining the foot rest is
released so that the latter may be turned upward or downward to the desired
position. When desired the rod locking devices may remain unfastened in which
case the edge of the leg rest will drop down and ride upon the floor as shown by
dotted lines in Figure 10, the upper edge of the rest moving with the forward
edge of the seat if the chair be used as a rocker. By pressing inward on the
bolts k³, the leg rest M, may be disconnected from the chair either for removal or
to be placed upon the floor in front of the chair as shown in Figure 1. When
used on the floor it is desirable to have the rest connected with the chair so that
it may not be pushed out of position by the feet. To this end the chair is provided
with the peculiar locking devices represented in Figure 4. A standard u³, attached
to the under side of the base-frame has eyes or openings which receive and guide
a horizontal rod v³, the forward end of which carries an eye-bolt and clamping-
nut w³, by which the rod a³ may be securely but adjustably connected to the rod m²
of the leg rest. The rod x³, having an operating wheel or handle at its outer end
is mounted in bearings on the base-frame and secured at its inner end into the
bracket u², in position to bear against and hold the rod v², which in turn, through
the rod m² holds the leg rest in position. The rest may be adjusted forward 'and
backward either by releasing the rod x³, or by loosening the nut w³, so that the
rod m2, may be moved independently of the other. The two rods form jointly a
telescopic or extensible sliding connection. A single rod could be used but the
employment of the two is advantageous in that it permits a greater range of
adjustment, and a more convenient connection and disconnection of the leg rest.
For the purpose of sustaining the feet of the occupant, a foot-board N is used,
attached by adjustable supporting arms O, to the leg rest. These arms are pivoted
to the ends of the foot-board, and also pivoted to the plates a³, which slide forward
and backward in slots or upon guide rods at the sides of the leg.rest. The plates i*
on the sides of the leg rest are provided along the upper edge with a series of
notches 6 and in the forward edge with another series of notches cat different
heights. The arms O, are provided with studs which may be engaged in the
notches b³ or c³, at will so as to maintain the foot-board at different heights and
at different distances from the side of the chair as may be required.
The arms O, are provided in the lower edge with a series of notches d³, and each
of the side plates provided with a stud e³ to enter these notches. This construc-
tion affords a still further range of adjustment for the foot-board.
When the chair is to be used as a couch or for invalids, it is proposed to employ
therewith side-boards or extensions A¹, such as represented in Figures 11 and 12,
to give additional support to the bedding. These extensions consist of skeleton
frames covered with canvas or other material, and provided with downwardly
extending arms which are removably seated in holes or sockets in the frame of the
chair. Figure 12 shows the manner of applying them to the foot rest. They will
be constructed in like form and applied in like manner to the hip and shoulder
rests.
Referring again to the seat frame it is proposed to construct the same in the
manner represented in Figures 6 and 9 of two side-bars e³, bolted at their ends to
cross-bars f and g³. The front bar is made of large. size and serves to counter-
balance the weight of the back so that when the rockers are unlocked the chair will

page_text: have no tendency to tip backward. The cross-bars 93 and ƒ³ are each provided
with a wooden facing screwed or otherwise attached in order that the upholstering
or covering may be tacked thereto.
It will be observed that under this construction all the supporting surfaces of the
chair may be extended in a single plane or so as to present a flat surface. Or that
they may be adjusted in a great variety of positions with reference to each other.
It will also be observed that all the supporting surfaces are movable bodily
forward and backward upon the rocker-frame without changing their relation to
each other so that whatever form the chair may present for the time being the
centre of gravity may be brought over the middle of the rocker.
It is also to be noted that all the supporting surfaces are connected with and
sustained by the rocker so that whether used as a couch or as a chair in any of its
various forms the supporting surfaces may be moved with a rocking action.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In a chair the combination of the supporting-frame, a seat movable forward
and backward thereon, a back rest hinged to the 'rear of the seat, and means
substantially as described for securing the back at different inclinations regardless
of the positions of the seat, and without, moving the latter: whereby the back may
be changed in inclination at will, while the seat is secured firmly in any position.
2. In a chair, the supporting frame, a seat arranged to slide forward and
backward thereon, the back hinged to the rear of the seat, and independently
adjustable back supporting devices: whereby the back may be sustained in the
various positions required independently of the position of the seat.
3. In a chair, the combination of a base-frame, a rocker-frame thereon, a seat
frame arranged to slide forward and backward on the rocker frame, a back hinged
to and carried by the seat-frame, a locking device to hold the seat in different
places, and an independently adjustable locking device to hold the back in position:
whereby the weight may be balanced upon the rockers with the back in either of
its various positions.
4. In a chair, the combination of a base-frame a rocker-frame thereon, locking
devices to hold the rocker frame in different positions, a seat movable forward and
backward on the rockers, locking devices to secure the seat in place, and a back
attached to the seat: whereby the weight may be balanced upon the rockers and
the seat secured at any inclination demanded.
5. In a chair, the combination of a base frame, a rocker-frame thereon, a locking
device to hold the frame in different positions, a seat movable forward and
backward on the rocker-frame, locking devices to hold the seat in position, a back
hinged to the seat and provided with locking devices, and a leg rest hinged to the
seat and provided with locking devices: whereby the several supporting surfaces
may be placed in various relative positions shifted forward and backward in unison
to place the weight centrally on the rockers and placed at any inclination required
without changing the relative positions or disturbing the occupant.
'6. In a chair, the combination with a seat and a supporting-frame therefor, of a
back, the hip portion of which is movable substantially as described, upward and
downward past the rear edge of the seat in close proximity thereto: whereby the
seat and back may be caused to produce jointly a continuous supporting surface
with greater or less strength as occasion may require.
7. The combination of the seat, the back sustaining rod, and the back slotted
longitudinally and transversely between its upper and lower edges to receive the
rod whereby it is permitted to slide upward and downward and also to tip
forward and backward upon said rod as an axis.
8. In a chair, the base frame, the rocker-frame thereon, the sliding seat frame,
the rod H, carried by the. rear end of the seat frame, the slotted back seated on

page_text: said rod and clamping devices acting in connection with the rod, said members
combined for joint operation substantially as described and shown.
9. In combination with the sliding seat-frame and its sustaining frame, the back
hinged to the seat-frame, the arms L, pivoted to the sustaining frame, and con-
nected with the back, and springs substantially as described, acting upon the arms
to resist the rearward swinging motion of the back.
10. In combination with the hinged back, the pivoted arms L, the links K, the
springs connected to the arms below their pivots, and locking devices to hold the
parts in position.
11. In combination with the base frame and the rocker-frame, the notched
sector-plates pivoted to the base-frame, the transverse locking bar mounted in the
base-frame and engaging at its two ends in the sector-plates and the links pivoted
to the sector plates and to the rocker frame as described: whereby the rocker
frame may be securely locked at both sides.
12. In combination with the horizontal rod or axis, the slotted back arranged to
slide and swing thereon, and a spring mounted in the back to urge the same
upward in an endwise direction.
13. In combination with a chair back having both a swinging and an endwise
sliding motion, a spring-connection substantially as described acting to lift the back
bodily, and a second spring connection substantially as described, acting to swing
the back forward.
14. In combination with the slotted back and its sustaining rod H, the lifting
spring mounted therein, and sustained by the rod: whereby they are permitted to
act without impeding the swinging or tipping motion of the back.
15. A chair back composed of a plurality of transverse sections having their
horizontal edges united and maintained in close proximity by hinges: whereby
they are adapted to produce jointly a flat, a concave or a convex surface for the
occupant as may be demanded.
16. The sliding seat, in combination with the hip rest hinged thereto, and upper
rest hinged to the hip rest and independently locking devices to hold said parts in
different relative positions.
17. In combination with a chair back composed of sections united by hinged
joints or hinges, intermediate springs tending to tip the sections in a forward
direction.
18. In a chair, the combination of a seat, a hip-rest hinged thereto, a shoulder
rest hinged to the upper end of the hip rest, a head rest hinged to the top of the
shoulder rest and independent mechanism substantially as described for locking the
respective sections in different relative positions.
19. In a chair, a back section provided with slotted side frames, in combination
with a second section having side frames jointed to those of the first and provided
with clamping screws to enter their slots: whereby the sections may be secured in
different relative positions.
20. The sustaining rod h, its support and the clamping-nut at its end, in com-
bination with the slotted back mounted thereon, the plates a¹, and the tube J to
sustain the parts against compressive action.
21. In combination with sustaining bars or links K, the arm rest O, the inter-
mediate supporting links, the fastening link W, the locking devices substantially
as described for holding the latter against motion in either direction: whereby the
arm rest may be prevented from either rising or falling.
22. The bar K, the arm rest, and the two connecting links one of which has a
sliding connection with the bar, in combination with the fastening link W, and the
locking devices for the latter.
23. The seat, the pivoted tipping back, the links K, extending forward at the
sides of the seat, the levers or arms L, extending downward from the links
the springs acting upon the arms, and the locking devices also applied to the arms,
said members combined and arranged as described: whereby the occupant of the
chair is enabled to conveniently adjust the back.
بانية

page_text: '
24. In combination with a rocker-frame, a seat arranged to slide forward and
backward thereon, a leg rest hinged to the forward edge of said seat to partake of
its sliding motion, a brace or support attached to said rest, and a fastening device.
attached to the seat-frame for securing said members in different positions, whereby
the poise of the weight upon the rocker may be at all times maintained irrespective
of the leg rest.
:25. A leg rest for a chair, provided substantially as described with sustaining
wheels at its front and rear, with means for detachably hinging it to the chair seat
and with a brace or rod o³, for connection with the chair: whereby said rest may
be used with one edge hinged to the seat and the other edge upon the floor, with
its entire weight sustained upon the floor, or with one edge hinged to the seat, and
the opposite edge sustained in the air.
26. In a chair, having the back arranged to pass behind and beneath the seat,
the seat sustaining-frame having its sides united as at Figure 16, by a central
cross-bar whereby space is afforded for the passage of the back beneath the seat
proper.
27. The seat, the leg rest hinged thereto, and the rest-sustaining rod, in com-
bination with the contractile clamp to secure-said rod, and the eccentric and shaft
for actuating the clamp.
28. The seat frame consisting essentially of the side bars and the relatively
depressed cross-bars of metal with end flanges for attachment to the side-bars:
whereby the upholstery and springs are permitted to extend to the extreme front
and rear edges.
29. The seat frame having the side bars, the depressed metallic cross bars at the
front and rear, and the wooden bars or facings applied to the cross-bars, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
30. In a seat-frame for a rocking-chair, the metallic front cross-bar adapted as
described to serve as a counter balance, and provided with bearings for the support
of the leg rest as shown.
31. In combination with the leg rest provided with eyes or sockets, the seat-
frame and the spring-actuated pivot bolts f, movable transversely of the chair to
engage the eyes or sockets of the leg rest.
32. In combination with the swinging chair back the links extending downward
therefrom, the upright arms or levers to which the links are attached, and the
laterally projecting handles or hand pieces f', whereby the attendant is enabled to
adjust the back of the chair as to the inclination while seated therein.
33. The combination with a base-frame, a rocker-frame thereon, a seat frame
arranged to slide forward and backward on said rocker-frame, the leg rest hinged to
the front of the seat-frame, and the back rest hinged to the rear of the seat-frame
whereby the weight may be brought in the desired relation to the rockers
regardless of the position of the rests.
34. In combination with the chair frame and the rest M, the adjustable con-'
nection consisting of the two sliding rods and means substantially as described for
fastening them in position.
35. In combination with a chair and a rest M, adapted to sit upon the floor, a
rod or arm attached to said rest, and fastening devices connecting said rod
adjustably with the chair.