Improvements in Invalids' or other Convertible Couches or Chairs.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1887
Complete Left, 30th Apr., 1888
Complete Accepted, 1st June, 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Invalids' or other Convertible Couches or Chairs.
I JESSE MOLE of 47 Seel Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster Manufacturer
of Invalids Furniture do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a couch occupying as little space as
possible, both when in use and when packed which may be adjusted in its several
parts to suit the taste of the occupant, and be quickly and readily converted into a
chair, a stool, or a chair with leg-rest.
In carrying out the invention the base framing which is held at the desired height
above the ground by means of legs or supports is provided with a back hinged thereto
about the middle of its length, the said back being held at any desired inclination by
means of a support.
The base framing is provided with another frame sliding in it the same or nearly
the same length. This sliding frame is formed in two parts hinged together at the
ends and both frames are further hinged at or about the middle of their length. The
upper part of this double sliding frame may be cushioned or caned as desired. The
When the said double frame is
lower part may conveniently be an open frame.
pushed home the ends are flush with the ends of the base frame and with the aforesaid
back forms a chair.
The lower part of this double sliding frame may be provided at its end with castors.
When drawn out of the framework the under portion of said double frame being no
longer supported by the framework falls down on its hinges so that the castors rest
on the floor. In this position a chair is formed with a sloping leg-rest, the seat of the
chair being formed by the other end of the sliding frame. The back of the chair can
either be supported by the sliding frame or by the main framework.
The upper portion of the double sliding frame can be raised from the lower portion

page_text: by means of the before mentioned hinges and held at a level or any other position by
means of supports resting in notches in the lower part of said double frame. In this
position a chair with level leg-rest, or couch is formed.
The other end of the double sliding frame is provided with similar supports so
that the portion which forms the seat of the chair (when the frame is drawn out)
may be raised so as to form a sloping instead of a flat surface. The back which is
hinged to the main framework can be lowered so that the whole may form a perfectly
flat or nearly flat surface suitable for a bed.
Datod this 28th Tul, 1887

page_text: Improvements in Invalids' or other Convertible Couches or Chairs.
I JESSE MOLE of 47 Seel Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturer
of invalids chairs, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide a couch, occupying as little space as
possible, both when in use and when packed, which may be adjusted in its several
parts, to suit the taste of the occupant, and be quickly and readily converted into a
chair, a couch, or a chair with leg-rest."
The mode of carrying out the invention may be illustrated by reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved couch.
Figure 2 is a similar view showing the couch when used as a chair with a leg rest.
Figure 3 is a similar view showing couch converted into a chair.
Figure 4 is a detail of foot board.
The base framing A, which is held at the desired height above the ground by
means of legs or supports B, is provided with a back C, hinged thereto at c, about
the middle of its length, or rather nearer the front end thereof, the said back being
held at any desired inclination by means of one or more supports c¹. The supports
are hinged at their upper ends to the back C, their lower ends being retained in
position by notches in the frame D, D1, D2, D3, hereinafter described, when the
couch is used as a chair, and in notches in the lower ledge a of the base framing A,
when the said frame is drawn out to form a leg-rest or couch.
The base framing A is provided with another frame D, D1, D2 D3 sliding in it,
supported on the ledges a, a, and being of the same or nearly the same length as the
said framing. This sliding frame is formed in two parts D D1 and D2 D³ hinged
together at their rear ends d, and both frames are further hinged at or about the
middle of their length as at d¹². The upper part D D₁ of this double jointed sliding
frame may be cushioned or caned as desired. The lower part D2, D3 may con-
veniently be an open frame as shown. When the said double frame is pushed home,
the ends are flush with the ends of the base frame A as in Figure 3, and, with the
aforesaid back C, forms a chair.
'
The lower part D2 D3 of this double sliding frame may be provided at its outer end
with casters b. When drawn out of the framework, the outer portion D D2 of said
double frame, being no longer supported by the ledges a, a, falls down on its
hinges d' d², so that the casters brest on the floor. In this position a chair is formed
with a sloping leg-rest (as in Figure 2) the seat of the chair being formed by the
other end D D³ of the sliding frame.
The upper portion D D₁ of the double sliding frame can be raised from the lower
portion D2, D3, by means of the before mentioned hinges d d', and held in a level or

page_text: other position, by means of supports e e¹ resting in notches e², e³, in the lower part D D³
of said double frame. In this position a chair with level leg-rest, or a couch, is formed
as desired.
The back C, which is hinged to the main framework, can be lowered so that the
whole may form a perfectly flat or nearly flat surface suitable for a bed. By
lowering the back and pushing in the frame D, D', D2, D³, a stool or bench is
formed.
A foot board F is also provided at the lower end of the frame D. As shown in
Figure 4, this has two pegs f, which are inserted in holes f' in the said frame, or
the board may be attached to the frame in other ways. This board serves to support
the feet or cushions, when the frame is inclined, and it can be stowed away in any
convenient part of the framing A.
If desired, arms G may be provided. These are so constructed as to fold down
against the side of the framing A, when the back C is laid flat.
. Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
.
1. A convertible chair or couch consisting of a horizontal base framing suitably
supported, an adjustable back hinged transversely to the upper side of said framing,
and at or about the centre thereof and a double jointed sliding frame, such
as D, D¹, D², D³, within said framing, capable of being partially withdrawn therefrom,
and having its upper portions DD' adjustable upon its lower parts D2, D3, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
2. In combination with a chair, couch or like article, either with or without an
adjustable back, a sliding frame as D, D', D2, D³, supporting the seat of such article,
the said frame consisting of two superposed parts hinged together at their rear ends,
each of said parts being jointed transversely at or about their centres, and the upper
jointed parts being adjustable upon the lower ones, whereby the said seat may be
lengthened, or the inclination thereof adjusted as desired, substantially as set forth.
Dated thin 28th day of April 1888
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.