Improvements in Dental Chairs.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Dental Chairs.
I, ARTHUR WILLIAM BROWNE, of Prince's Bay, in the County of Richmond
and State of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, 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:-
-
f
My invention relates to head-rests for dental chairs, and consists in certain
improvements, which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed, in head-
rests proper and also in supports for the same. The object of the invention is,
first, to provide a head-rest that is self-adjusting and comfortable to patients,
and, second, to provide a head-rest support that is susceptible of a very wide
range of adjustment and that can be quickly and easily adjusted and firmly locked
in position.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate two different forms of my
improved head-rest, together with certain modifications thereof, Figure 1 is a
view in side elevation of the back of a dental chair having attached thereto a
head-rest and its support constructed in accordance with my invention;
Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a rear or back view of the parts shown in Fig. 1 on an
enlarged scale as compared with said Fig. 1;
Fig. 3, Sheet 3, is a vertical central sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, Sheet 4, are horizontal sectional views on the lines 4-4,
5-5, 6-6 and 7-7, respectively, of Fig. 2;
Fig. 8, Sheet 5, is a view in rear elevation of the head-rest proper detached;
Fig. 9, Sheet 5, is a bottom or inverted plan view of the head-rest supporting-
bar detached and the head-rest pads removed;
Fig. 10, Sheet 5, is a longitudinal central section through one of the head-rest
pads;
I
Fig. 11, Sheet 5, is a sectional view of one of the spring rings used in the head-
rest pads;
Fig. 12, Sheet 5, is a side view of a similar ring used upon the head-rest
supporting-bar;
Fig. 13, Sheet 5, is a view on a reduced scale of a head-rest constructed accord-
ing to my invention and provided with a dentist's arm-rest;
Fig. 14, Sheet 5, is a view in rear elevation; and
Fig. 15, same sheet, a view in side elevation of a head-rest supporting-bar of
modified form;
Fig. 16, Sheet 6, is a view in rear elevation of the back of a dental chair with
another form of head-rest constructed according to my invention, applied thereto;
Fig. 17, Sheet 6, is a view in side elevation of the same;
Fig. 18, Sheet 7, is a view in rear elevation, on an enlarged scale as compared
with views 16 and 17 of the head-rest proper, one of the pads of which is shown
in section, and the supporting-arm being broken away;
Fig. 19, Sheet 7, is a sectional view of one of the pads, the sections being drawn
at a right angle to the section shown in Fig. 18;

page_text: Figs. 20, 21 and 22, Sheet 7, are different views of the ball member of one of
the ball and socket joints for the head-rest pads;
Fig. 23, Sheet 8, is a horizontal section through the chair back and head-rest
support on the line 23-23 of Figs. 16 and 17;
Figs. 24 to 32, inclusive, Sheet 8, are detail views of the separate parts of the
clamp for the head-rest supporting-arm, Fig. 24 being a view in elevation of the
inner side of one member of the clamp;
Fig. 25, a sectional view of said clamp member on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24;
Fig. 26, an edge view of one section of the clamp-shoe;
Fig. 27, a face view thereof, and Fig. 28 a cross sectional view of the same;
Fig. 29, a face view of one side of the other member of the clamp-shoe;
Fig. 30, a face view of the opposite side thereof;
Fig. 31, a side view; and Fig. 32 a section of the same on the line 32-32 of
Fig. 29.
I will first describe the form of my improved head-rest illustrated on Sheets 1
to 5, inclusive, of the drawings.
The head-rest proper consists of four pads A A A A mounted upon a supporting-
bar B, carried at the upper end of a supporting arm 0, forming part of the head-
rest support which will be hereinafter more fully described. The supporting-
bar B is provided with two similar arms or branches B¹ B₁ projecting upwardly
or inwardly from its opposite ends. To the extremity of each arm or branch B
of the supporting-bar, there is pivoted a carrier C for the head-rest pads. Each
carrier is pivoted centrally or midway its length to one branch of the supporting-
bar, the pivot preferably consisting of a screw bolt D tapped at d in a socket in
the carrier and turning in an opening in the upper end of the branch of the
supporting-bar. The carriers C C are exact duplicates of each other and their
pivotal connections with the supporting-bar are in alignment, whereby the carriers
are adapted to be turned about a common axis, which, it should be observed, is
parallel with the longitudinal axis of said supporting-bar. The carriers are
each bent or curved on opposite sides of their pivotal connection with the support-
bar to bring their opposite ends inward or toward the ends of the other carrier,
and substantially parallel with each other and also with said pivotal connection.
A bent or spring washer J is preferably interposed between each carrier and the
branch of the supporting-bar to which it is connected, for the purpose of exerting
frictional tension upon the carriers, whereby they may be yieldingly supported
in any position to which they may be turned. A pair of the four head-rest
pads A A A A is mounted upon each of the carriers, one pad being pivoted.on
one of the four ends of the two carriers, by means of universal joints. The universal
connection between each pad and its carrier is shown as consisting of a ball-and-
socket joint preferably constructed as follows:
Each pad is composed of a wood block A' (see Fig. 10) to the back of which is
attached a metal base plate E by means of screws e, the pad being provided with
the usual upholstery F. The base plate E is formed with a central depressed
cylindrical portion E which fits in an opening in the wood block, and centrally
located in the bottom of the depressed portion of the base plate is a semi-spherical
socket E2, in which is seated a ball C¹ on the extremity of that end of the carrier C
to which the pad is connected. The socket in which the ball C₁ is seated is com-
pleted by a cone-piece G loosely fitted in the depressed portion of the base plate
and surrounding the ball C. A cylindrical adjusting nut or exteriorly-threaded
collar H engaging threads on said depressed portion and provided with notches h
(see Figs. 1 and 2) for the engagement of a spanner wrench, serves as a means
for forcing the cone-piece G upon the ball to clamp the same with the desired
amount of pressure. A spring consisting of a bent or spring washer I is prefer-
ably interposed between the cone-piece and the adjusting nut, and exerts a spring
pressure upon the hall for the purpose of yieldingly holding the pad in any
position to which it may be adjusted, while leaving it free to be moved in any

page_text: direction when pressure is applied to it. By screwing the adjusting nuts H in or
out any desired frictional pressure may be brought to bear upon the balls C¹.
The pads, it will be seen, are supported by their carriers in pairs upon opposite
ends of the supporting-bar; that each pair of pads is adapted to be independently
rocked transversely of the supporting-bar about a pivot extending parallel with
the length of said bar; and that each pad may be independently rocked on its
carrier in any direction. It will further be noted that the axis of the ball-and-
socket joint between each pad and its carrier is located inside of the pad substan-
tially midway between its front and back surfaces and centrally thereof, thus
bringing said joint near the upholstered surface of the head-rest for a purpose
further on to be explained.
In order to enable the head-rest proper to be adjusted laterally relatively to
its support and to the chair back, the supporting-bar is formed on the lower edge
with a dovetail guide rib or projection B2 adapted to have sliding connection with
a transverse guideway groove 02 in a cross piece 0% on the top of the supporting-
arm 0, of the support for the head-rest.
:
A set screw o in the cross piece 03 may be employed for locking the head-rest
supporting-bar in any lateral position to which it may be adjusted. The trans-
verse movement of the head-rest may be limited in opposite directions by the
ends of a groove 63 coming in contact with a lug formed by a screw 03 on the
cross piece 0³.
The support for the head-rest proper consists of an arm 0 curved throughout
its length in a line with the front and back of the chair, and hinged or pivoted at
its lower end to a slide P by means of a pivot Q. The slide P is provided on
its opposite sides with longitudinal guide grooves pp adapted to slide upon
tongues or guide ribs r r of a back pad carrier R, whereby the slide has vertically
sliding connection with the said back pad carrier. The slide P is cut away at Pi
from its upper end to the shoulder 2, for the purpose of exposing the outer sur-
faces of the guide ribs of the back pad carrier, and a clamp piece S is fitted
upon the cut away portion of the slide, with its lower edge resting upon the
shoulder 2. Portions St S₁ of the clamp piece are adapted to bear upon the
exposed surfaces of the guide ribs and dowel pins ss on said clamp piece
engaging sockets in the slide serve to prevent endwise and sidewise movement of
the clamp piece relatively to the slide, while permitting it to play in and out or
toward and away from said slide. Upon the outer surfaces of the portions S S
of the clamp piece are sectors S2 S2 adapted to be borne upon by a pair of brake
shoes or blocks T T having curved inner faces corresponding with the curvature
of the sectors S2 S upon which they are adapted to move in the arc of a circle,
about the pivot Q. The brake shoes or blocks are preferably connected by a
pivot pin T whereby they may rock independently of each other. The short
arm of a clamping lever U, which is pivoted by a bolt U to the supporting-arm
near the lower end thereof, bears upon the brake shoes T T, and a lug or lugs u
on the clamping lever engaging recesses tt on the brake shoes prevents them
from falling out of place, while leaving them free to be moved in or out relatively
to the sectors S2 S. A screw V provided with a handle or knob V and working
in a threaded opening in the upper end of the long arm U2 of the clamping lever
bears at its inner end upon a cross piece 01 of the supporting-arm. By screwing
the screw. Vinward the clamping lever is rocked to force the brake shoes upon
the sectors S2 S2 of the clamp piece S and said clamp piece upon the guide ribs rr
of the back pad carrier. In this way the slide P may be firmly locked to the
back pad carrier in any position to which it may be vertically adjusted thereon,
and the supporting-arm firmly locked to said slide in any position to which it
may be rocked, by the manipulation of a single clamp screw. By unscrewing
this, screw the slide P may be freely moved up and down upon the back pad
carrier from one end thereof to the other, and the supporting-arm freely rocked
toward and away from the the chair back.
In order to increase the frictional clamping action between the brake shoes

page_text: and the sectors, the contacting surfaces of said parts are grooved or provided with
alternate V-shaped grooves and ribs extending in the direction of movement
of said brake-shoes; or if preferred the surfaces of these parts may be of any
suitable character. The upward movement of the slide P is limited by a small
lug formed by a screw p¹ on the side of the slidė coming in contact with a lug
formed by a screw ol on the back pad carrier.
The screw W and handle or knob W are for clamping the back pad carrier in
its position of vertical adjustment, and the pivoted detent X is for adjusting
the back. pad X' to and from its carrier, the back pad being hinged to the top
of the carrier at Z. As these parts relate to the back pad and its carrier and form
no part of my present invention, detailed description of them is unnecessary.
That
From the above description it will be seen that with a head-rest support con-
structed according to my invention, the head-rest is susceptible of a very wide
range of adjustment, the support being vertically adjustable practically the entire
length of the chair back and capable of being rocked in the arc of a circle in a line
from front to rear of the chair about a vertically adjustable hinge or pivot.
the extent of this rocking movement from front to rear is very great; whereby
the head-rest may occupy an extreme forward position as shown in Fig. 3, and
also in dotted lines, Fig. 1; a rearward position as shown in dotted lines Fig. 1,
or it may occupy a position low down in which it rests upon the top of the back
pad, as shown in full lines, Fig. 1. Obviously the head-rest may be caused to
assume a great variety of intermediate positions to suit the convenience and
comfort of patients seated in the chair to which the head rest may be attached.
It will further be seen that the head-rest proper is practically self-adjusting
or automatic in accommodating itself to any size and shape head, the pads yielding
to accommodate themselves to varying conditions and firmly supporting the head
the instant the correct position has been attained. In practice, it is only nécessary
to loosen the clamp screw V to unlock the support which may then be moved
up or down and swung forwardly or rearwardly to bring the head-rest to the
proper position, and then firmly locked in position by simply tightening the
single clamp screw. The pads will then take care of themselves and assume the
necessary positions for affording the proper support to the patient's head, without
the manipulation of any clamps, screws, or other locking devices for the head-rest
proper. This self-adjustment is attained by the herein before described peculiar
construction of the head-rest proper, it being understood that as a pad on one
end of each carrier is moved in any given direction by the patient's head, the pad
on the opposite end of the carrier is moved to compensate for the movement of
the first-mentioned pad, until both pads of the carrier come in contact with the
head, when the pair of pads is arrested from further movement and the head
firmly supported. It will also be understood that as each pad is independently
and universally connected to its carrier, and the ball-and-socket connection inside
of the pad and near its upholstered surface, each pad will yield when the head
comes in contact with any point of it until the opposite ends or four corners of
the pad come in contact with the head, when all movement of the pad ceases:
After the pads have been moved until their entire surfaces, or at least their endts
or corners, according to the shape of the pads, are brought in contact with the
head, they cannot be moved further by the head, no matter how much pressure
is brought to bear upon them. This is true until the head is turned in 'any
direction, when the pads immediately yield, as before described, to accommodate
themselves to the new position of the head.
When the dentist desires to bring the patient's head to one side or other of
the chair and nearer to or farther away from him, he has but to loosen the set
screw o and move the head-rest proper to the desired position, after which the
set screw may be tightened, although this is not necessary. With the exception
of this lateral adjustment of the head-rest proper, the head-rest and its supporting-
arm have no lateral adjustment or movement sidewise of the chair:
In Fig. 13 I have shown my improved head-rest proper provided with an

page_text: operator's arm-rest consisting of a pad K swivelled upon a rod K adapted to fit
in a socket in one branch if the head-rest supporting-bar and held therein by a
set screw k.
In Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown a modification of the head-rest supporting-bar
which is provided with a ball L instead of with the dove-tail guide rib B², before
described. This ball adapts the head-rest proper to be attached to its support by
means of a ball-and-socket connection, such for instance as is used on the well
known Wilkerson" dental chair.
I will now proceed to describe the second form of my improved head-rest illus-
trated on Sheets 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings. The head-rest proper in this instance
has two yieldingly supported or self-adjusting pads, instead of four such pads, as
before. These pads A A are counterparts of each other and are mounted upon the
opposite ends of a curved or bowed supporting-bar B carried at the upper end of
a supporting-arm O which forms part of the head-rest support further on to be
described. The opposite ends or branches of the supporting-bar are preferably
curved inwardly or extend toward each other. The connections between the pads
and the supporting-bar are ball-and-socket joints preferably constructed as
follows: Each pad is composed of a wood block to the back of which is
attached a metal base plate E by means of screws e, the pad being provided with
the usual upholstery F. The base plate E is formed with a central cylindrical
portion extending into a corresponding opening a in the wood block and constitut-
ing a socket E, in which is seated a ball G rigidly secured to the extremity of
one end or branch of the supporting-arm B, as by screw threaded connection b.
The inner end of the opening a in the wood block A' is closed by a metal
plate A The ball G, so called, is in fact only a half-ball or little more than a
hemisphere and on its inner surface is provided with a central seat or socket
concentric with the outer curved surface of the ball. A smaller ball H is seated
in the ball socket g and a rod or pin I passing through the ball H and pivoted
at its opposite ends in the base plate socket E serves to hold the parts in position.
The rod or pin I may be slightly bowed or bent, as shown, for the purpose of
causing it to act as a spring, to produce the proper amount of friction in the ball-
and-socket joint, that is to say, between the small ball H and the ball G, and
between said ball G and the socket E. Slots or grooves glare formed in the
inner surface of the ball G on opposite sides of the socket g, and the rod I which
lies in said grooves is adapted to move therein. It will therefore be seen that
each pad is capable of being rocked about the ball G in a line approximately
parallel with the supporting-bar B, or toward and away from the opposite pad, the
rod I rocking with the ball H in the grooves gl to permit this movement. Each
pad may also be rocked at an angle to the supporting-bar, the rod I turning in
or with the ball H to permit such movement. Owing, however, to the rod I
being placed in the grooves the pad cannot be rotated about the ball G, but can
only be moved as described. The movement of the pads when rocked in a line
approximately parallel with the supporting-bar is limited in either direction by
the rod I coming in contact with the bottoms of the grooves g', the limit of this
movement being indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 18. The movement of the pads
when rocked at an angle to said supporting-bar is limited in opposite directions
by the plate A2 coming in contact with the inner face of the ball G, the limit
of this movement being shown in dotted lines Fig. 19.
It will be observed that, like in my first described head-rest, the centre of each
ball-and-socket connection between each pad and its supporting-arm is inside the
pad, substantially in the centre thereof, and near its upholstered surface.
The supporting-bar B of the head-rest is formed on its lower edge with a
preferably round guide rib or projection B adapted to have horizontal sliding
connection with a transverse guideway groove in the upper end of the support-
ing-arm of the support for the head-rest. By this construction the head-rest
proper may be adjusted to one side or the other of the said supporting-arm by
moving the supporting-bar B laterally in the supporting-arm and it may also be

page_text: rocked backwardly and forwardly relatively to said arm. A set screw o' in the
supporting-arm should be employed for locking the supporting-bar in any posi-
tion to which it may be adjusted.
The support for the head-rest proper is, in this instance, constructed as follows:-
The herein before mentioned supporting-arm 0, to the upper end of which the
head-rest proper is connected, is curved throughout its length in a line with the
front and back of the chair, and is adjustably held by a clamp having vertically
adjustable connection with the chair back. This clamp is shown as consisting
of two members or side pieces PP having vertically adjustable sliding connection
with the chair-back carrying frame Q by the way of a dovetail guideway Q¹
The opposite sides of the supporting-arm are formed with a series of parallel
grooves o extending longitudinally thereof and curved to correspond therewith.
Two-part clamp shoes are interposed between the respective members of the clamp
and the adjacent sides of the supporting-arm. The outer section of each shoe
consists of a disk R having a lug or bead r across one face and which fits in a
corresponding groove ? on the inner surface of the clamp members R, a pin pl
in said groove and fitting in a notch in said lug, serving to hold the disk in
place. The opposite face of the disk is formed with a central boss 2 and con-
centric ridges surrounding said boss. The inner section S of each shoe is
preferably oblong in shape, and is formed on one side with a central sockets and
concentric grooves s¹ arranged around said socket corresponding with and adapted
to engage the boss and ridges on the shoe section R. The opposite face of the
inner section S of the shoe is formed with a series of longitudinal parallel ridges s
corresponding to the grooves on the side of the supporting-arm with which they
are adapted to engage and have sliding connection.
It will thus be seen that the clamp carrying the supporting arm is not only
capable of being adjusted up and down upon the chair-back, but that the support-
ing arm is capable of being adjusted up and down and rocked back and forth
independently of said clamp. When the supporting-arm is adjusted vertically in
the clamp it moves between the sections S of the shoe which sections are prevented
from moving with said arm by means of the engagement of the concentric grooves
of the sections of the shoe, and when said arm is rocked back and forth the
section S turns on the section R about the engaging ridges and grooves and boss
and socket.
Suitable means are provided for clamping and unclamping the clamp P, said
means preferably consisting of a headed bolt T passing through holes 12 in the
members of the clamp, and a nut U screwing upon the threaded end of the boit
which projects beyond one of the members of the clamp. The nut U is forme.!
with a handle U by the turning of which the members of the clamp may be
forced toward each other to clamp the supporting-arm in any position to which
it may be adjusted, or to force said members apart to permit said.supporting-arm
to be freely adjusted.
The grooves in the supporting-arm and the shoes not only serve to hold the
parts in their proper related positions but also serve to increase friction and firmly
hold the supporting-arm in position without liability of its being accidentally
moved by pressure applied to it by the head of a person seated in the chair to
which my improved head-rest may be applied. The pressure of the clamp
members P P on the supporting-arm is equally distributed by means of the lugs
or beads which extend across one face of each section R of the clamp shoes.
It will be seen that the last described form of head-rest has practically the same
movements as that of the first described form, with the exception that the sup-
porting-arm is adjustable up and down in the clamp which connects it to the
chair back. It will further be seen that the head rest proper having the two
pads, like the head-rest proper having the four pads, is practically self-adjusting
or automatic in accommodating itself to any size and shape head, the pads yield-
ing to accommodate themselves to varying conditions and firmly supporting the
head the instant the correct position has been attained. After the head-rest has

page_text: been adjusted to the proper position by manipulation of the single operating
handle, the pads will take care of themselves and assume the necessary positions
for affording the proper support to the patient's head, this self-adjustment of the
pads being due to the fact that they are independently supported upon the head-
rest supporting-bar by ball-and-socket joints, by reason of which construction
each pad will yield when the head comes in contact with any point of it until
the opposite ends or corners of the pad come in contact with the head, when all
movement of the pads ceases. After the pads have been moved until their entire
surfaces or at least their ends or corners, according to the shape of the pads, are
brought in contact with the head, they cannot be moved farther by the head, no
matter how much pressure is brought to bear upon them. When, however, the
head is turned in any direction the pads immediately yield to accommodate them-
selves to the new position of the head.
In this form of head-rest not only can the head-rest proper as a whole be adjusted
to one side or other of the chair, and nearer to or farther away from the dentist by
loosening the set screw o¹, but it may be adjusted angularly, relatively to the
supporting-arm.
Obviously my improved head-rest proper and the support therefor may be used
interchangeably, that is to say the head-rest proper may be used in connection
with any other suitable form of support, and the improved support may be used
in connection with head-rests of any suitable construction. Obviously, also, many
changes may be made both in the head-rest and in the support therefor without
departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I therefore do not wish
to be understood as confining myself to the particular details of construction
herein shown and described.
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. The combination in a head-rest, of a supporting-bar, four pads arranged in
pairs and each pad independently connected to said supporting-bar, and the pivotal
connection between said pads and said supporting-bar, substantially as and for
the purpose herein before set forth.
2. The combination, in a head-rest, of a supporting-bar, the branches thereof,
carriers pivoted to said branches, and extending on opposite sides of the support-
ing-bar, the pair of pads connected to each carrier, and the ball-and-socket joints
between said pads and the carriers, substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before set forth.
3. The combination, in a head-rest, of a supporting-bar, the branches thereof,
carriers having pivotal connection one with each branch of the supporting-bar,
the axis of the respective pivots of the carriers being in alignment with each other
and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the supporting-bar, and the pair of pads
supported by each carrier, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set
forth.
4. The combination, in a head-rest, of a supporting-bar, the branches thereof,
a carrier centrally pivoted to each branch on a pivot that extends parallel with
the longitudinal axis of the supporting-bar, the opposite ends of each carrier
being bent or curved inwardly to extend substantially parallel with the said pivot
and terminating in balls, the head-rest pads each provided with a socket in which
is seated one of the balls of the carriers, substantially as and for the purpose
hereinbefore set forth.
5. The combination, in a head-rest, of the pads, a supporting-bar therefor, a
ball-and-socket joint between each pad and the supporting-bar, the axis of the
ball-and-socket joint for each pad being located inside of the pad, substantially
midway between its front and back surfaces and centrally thereof, substantially
as and for the purpose herein before set forth.
6. The combination, in a head-rest, of a supporting-arm curved throughout its

page_text: length in a line with the front and back of a dental chair, and hinged to a chair
back below the top thereof and adapted to move only in a direction in a line with the
front and back of said chair and vertically, means for locking said arm in any
position to which it may be adjusted, and a head-rest carried at the upper end
of said arm, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth.
7. The combination, in a head-rest, of a slide having vertically adjustable
sliding connection with a chair back, a curved supporting-arm hinged to said
slide, below the top of said chair back, means for locking said supporting-arm
in any position to which it may be adjusted, and a head-rest carried at the upper
end of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth.
8. The combination, in a head-rest, of a slide having vertically adjustable con-
nection with a chair back, a support pivoted to said slide, a single locking device
for simultaneously locking the vertically adjustable slide and the pivoted support
in their positions of adjustment, and a head-rest proper carried at the upper end
of the support and consisting of self-adjusting pads, whereby the head-rest may
be adjusted to and locked in any desired position by the manipulation of but a
single locking device, substantially as described.
9. The combination, in a head-rest, of a slide having vertically-adjustable con-
nection with a chair back, a supporting arm pivoted to said slide, a head-rest
proper carried by said supporting-arm, a clamp piece mounted upon said slide
and provided with a sector, a brake shoe bearing upon said sector, a clamping
lever pivoted upon said supporting-arm and bearing upon said brake shoe, and
means for operating said clamping lever, whereby it may be actuated to simul-
taneously lock the slide in any vertical position to which it may be adjusted and
the supporting-arm in any position to which it may be rocked on its pivotal con-
nection with said slide, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination, in a head-rest, of a curved or bowed supporting-bar, the
two branches thereof, a head-rest pad connected directly to the extremity of each
branch of said supporting-bar, and the yielding ball-and-socket connections
between said pads and the extremities of said branches of the supporting-bar
whereby the pads are independently movable and self-adjusting, substantially
as described.
11. The combination, in a head-rest, of a curved or bowed supporting-bar, the
opposite ends or branches of which are curved to extend toward each other, and
a head-rest pad yieldingly connected directly to the extremity of each end or
branch of said supporting-bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.
12. The combination, in a head-rest, of a supporting-bar having two branches,
a head-rest pad connected to the extremity of each branch of said supporting-bar,
yielding ball-and-socket connections between said pads and the extremities of
said branches of the supporting-bar, and means for permitting the respective pads
to be independently rocked about said yielding ball-and-socket connections in a
line parallel with said supporting-bar, and also at angles thereto, but which will
not permit said pads to revolve about said branches of the supporting-bar to
which they are connected, substantially as and for the purpose described.
13. The combination, in a head-rest, of a supporting-bar, a half-ball secured to
the extremity thereof and formed on its inner flat face with a central socket and
grooves opening into said socket, a head-rest pad having a metal base plate pro-
vided with a central socket in which the said half-ball is seated, a rod secured to
said base plate socket and extending across the same and also passing through
the grooves in the half-ball, and a smaller ball fitted upon said rod and seated
in the socket of said half-ball, substantially as and for the purpose described.
14. The combination, in a head-rest, of a clamp connected to a chair back, a
supporting-arm curved throughout its length in a line with the front and back
of said chair back and having vertically sliding and backward and forward rock-
ing connection with said clamp below the top of said chair back, means for
causing said clamp to lock the supporting-arm in any position to which it may

page_text: be adjusted, and a head-rest carried at the upper end of said supporting-arm,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
15. The combination, in a head-rest, of a clamp having vertically adjustable
sliding connection with a chair back, a supporting-arm curved in a line with the
front and back of said chair back and having vertically sliding and backward
and forward rocking connection with said clamp below the top of said chair back,
means for locking the clamp and the supporting-arm in any position to which
it may be adjusted, and a head-rest carried at the upper end of said supporting-
arm, substantially as and for the purpose described.
16. The combination, in a head-rest, of a clamp adapted to be connected to a
chair back and consisting of two members movable toward and away from each
other, a supporting-arm between the members of said clamp and vertically adjust-
able therein, clamp shoes interposed between said supporting-arm and the res-
pective members of said clamp, means for moving said clamp members toward
and away from each other, and a head-rest carried at the upper end of said sup-
porting-arm, substantially as and for the purpose described.
17. The combination, in a head-rest support, of a clamp adapted to be con-
nected to a chair back and consisting of two members movable toward and away
from each other, a curved supporting-arm having longitudinally grooved sides,
a sectional clamp shoe between the respective members of the clamp and the
adjacent sides of the supporting-arm, the said supporting-arm having longi-
tudinal sliding connection with the inner sections of the clamp shoes and said
inner sections of the clamp shoes having turning connection with the outer
sections thereof, and means for moving the members of the clamp toward and
away from each other, substantially as and for the purpose described.
18. The combination, in a head-rest support, of a clamp consisting of two
members, the inner ends of which have vertical sliding engagement with a chair
back, a curved supporting-arm having vertically adjustable connection with
said clamp and also capable of being rocked backward and forward therein
relatively to said chair-back, and a single operating device for simultaneously
locking said clamp in any position to which it may be adjusted upon the chair
back and said supporting-arm in any position to which it may be adjusted
relatively to said clamp, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 28th day of September 1898.
ARTHUR WILLIAM BROWNE.