Chair-steps.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Chair-steps.
I, JOSEPH REISS, of Violastrasse, Cosel, in Upper Silesia, Germany, Merchant,
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 follow-
ing statement:-
This invention relates to steps so arranged that each step forms a comfortable
seat for which purpose the steps are adapted to fold up and in addition they
decrease in breadth proceeding upwards. In addition to this a ladder may be
arranged upon the upper portion of the steps such ladder being susceptible of
being raised when required for use and lowered when no longer required.
In the accompanying drawing the invention is illustrated.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing the steps turned down and the ladder raised.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the steps turned down and the ladder raised,
and
Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the steps turned up and the ladder lowered.
The frame of the chair-steps consists of the four chair legs s and the crossbars 7.
In the frame are arranged upon these crossbars the fixed step a serving as a seat
and also the hinged steps b c and d which likewise serve as seats. These movable
steps are supported as shown in Fig. 3 upon the two rear legs the lowest step taking
up the whole of the space between the members of the frame whilst each step
above this extends forward to a less extent than the step immediately below it.
Upon the chair-steps proper a ladder f may if desired be pivotally arranged at
the upper portion of the rear uprights so as to serve as a continuation of the steps.
The chair-steps may likewise be used as an ordinary chair by merely turning up
the seats b c and d whereupon the part a serves as the seat; the arrangement then
resembles an easy chair. When occupying their turned up position the seats b c
and d may be held in place by means of bolts, hooks, catches, or the like.
If it is desired to use the device as steps the seats b c and d are turned down when
they form secure steps. If it is wished to ascend further than the step d admits
of the ladder f which had previously hung down freely between the hind legs of
the chair or been fastened to the same is set up and fixed by means of bolts, hooks
or the like. The front legs may be slanting in order to render the chair more
stable and to facilitate the ascent when used as steps.
The chair is readily transportable and will be found especially useful in wine
vaults as by its use it is rendered both easy and comfortable to remain at a con-
siderable height for long periods as is required in laying down bottles, filling casks
and so forth. The device exceeds all ladders as hitherto made in comfort and
utility because the feet do not rest upon small rungs but upon bread seats owing
to which the feet are not rendered sore even with long standing and where the
work will occupy any very considerable time any one of the steps at the requisite
height may be used as a seat. Danger of slipping as with ladders as hitherto
used is obviated as this chair-steps rests absolutely fixed and secure upon four
legs.

page_text: In shops of all kinds and in every household the device will be found of the
greatest utility.
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. Chair-steps constructed with four legs and having cross-bars connecting the
said legs in combination and acting in conjunction with treads such as a b c and d
the three latter of which are capable of being turned up on hinges and such treads
decreasing in breadth as they ascend to thereby form steps substantially as and
for the purposes herein before set forth.
2. Chair-steps of the character claimed in Claim 1 in which a ladder is arranged
at the upper part thereof and in combination and acting in conjunction therewith
in such a manner as to be capable of being raised when required for use and thus
serving as a continuation of the steps substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
3. Chair-steps constructed combined and arranged to act substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.
Datal thin 14th
1000
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.