Improvements in Seats for Scholastic and other Purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Seats for Scholastic and other Purposes.
I, LINUS PETZELT, of No. 17, Mühlenstrasse, Wollstein, in the Province of
Posen, in the German Empire, Schoolmaster, 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:-
This invention relates to seats for scholastic and other purposes and to improved
means for rendering them adjustable.
The present invention has for its object to provide an adjustable seat which is
capable of being quickly opened out for use, and which, on the occupant rising
therefrom, is caused to assume a closed position by the pressure of the legs exerted
in straightening the same. The person, when standing, is thus enabled to occupy
the space on the floor over which, while sitting, the seat projected; a material
saving in floor space being thereby effected.
If a number of the improved seats be arranged in rows or groups, a convenient
passage will be formed between the seats, when out of use, the several parts of
which in the closed position are confined to the vertical planes of their uprights or
supports.
Seats adapted to accomplish the above object may be constructed in two forms
the seat in one form being pliable and similar in action to a window blind, and in
the other form rigid; the seat in both instances being supported by brackets.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figs. 1 to 4. illustrate one mode of constructing a seat in accordance with this.
invention; Fig. 1 being a front elevation showing the seat opened out for use,
Figs. 2 and 3 respectively a vertical section and a plan, and Fig. 4 a plan showing
the seat in its closed position.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a modified construction of seat, the same being
shown in position for use.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section thereof.
Fig. 7 is a plan corresponding with Fig. 5; and
Fig. 8 is a plan showing the position the seat assumes when out of use.
Fig. 9 is a vertical section of a further modification in which the seat is divided
longitudinally and furnished with hinges, whereby a portion can be turned down
when not required for use.
According to the improved mode of construction as represented in Figs. 1 to 4,
the seat portion k is constructed in a manner similar to that of a revolving shutter
or window blind. It is adapted to slide partly into and out of the grooves or
slots i, one of which is formed in each of the vertical uprights or supports, and, in
so moving, to carry with it the brackets W. These brackets are pivoted at 1, and
are furnished at the outer extremity of their horizoutal part with antifriction
rollers g whereby the movement of the brackets is facilitated, and friction between
the parts reduced to a minimum. The extremity of the part A carrying the
rollers g is caused to travel in a groove or recess in the cross-bar d and thereby
permits the seat to be supported at each end by the brackets W, as shown clearly
in the sectional view Fig. 2, and in dotted lines in Fig. 3. A rail or flange d¹ is
provided on the bar d for the purpose of retaining the rollers g in the groove.
1.
In operating a seat constructed according to this arrangement, if it be desired
to extend the seat k so as to bring it into the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,
the bar d is pulled forward and with it the brackets W carrying the rollers g;
the arm-rests A (shown in dotted lines) which may be formed in one with the
brackets W being caused to take up their position in or about the vertical plane of
the said brackets. The seat is now in position for use. If it be desired to close

page_text: the seat or put it out of use, the pressure exerted by the legs of the occupant, in
rising, against the bar d, causes a portion of the seat to slide into the grooves i of
the vertical uprights or supports; the brackets W and arm-rests A at the same
time moving into the plane of the said uprights or supports. By these means all
the parts assume a position in the vertical plane.
In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8, the seat portion k is
of a rigid or unpliable character. In moving, the seat carries with it the
brackets W and the arm-rests A, as in the previously described arrangement.
In some cases I provide additional brackets W₁, shown in dotted lines in Figs. 6,
7 and 8, by means of which, when the seat has been pushed back out of its
original position, it may, if desired, be again utilised as a seat in its extreme
backward position. The seat in the latter case will be supported by the
brackets Winstead of the brackets W.
According to a further modification illustrated in Fig. 9 and intended to be
employed when the seat is not required for use in the backward position, the
seat is hinged at kl, the back portion gravitating to a vertical position when
the seat is pushed back.
•
In the two latter arrangements the parts are caused to move into the vertical
plane by the action of the occupant on rising from the seat, and none of the
parts will project on either side of the seat.
When a number of seats as above described are arranged in rows or groups, they
will be found to occupy very little of the available space, and a free passage or
thoroughfare will be afforded on all sides, and in all directions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
.1. In seats for scholastic and other purposes, the improved means for facilitating
their conversion into and out of use, substantially as described with reference to.
Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings; the same comprising a pliable seat
portion guided in slots in the framing and supported by brackets (W) which move
with the seat, and, when the latter is withdrawn, maintain it in a horizontal
position.
2. In seats for scholastic and other purposes, the means for facilitating their
conversion into and out of use substantially as described with reference to
Figs. 5 to 8 of the accompanying drawings; the same comprising a rigid seat
portion k, adapted to slide in a horizontal plane, and supported and guided by
brackets (W).
3. In seats such as characterised under the last preceding claiming clause, the
employment of additional brackets such as W₁ for supporting the seat when the
latter has been pushed into its extreme backward position and whereby the seat is
rendered available for use in both forward and backward positions.
4. The combination with the seat portion k, of the brackets W furnished with
arms A. moving in concert therewith, substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
5. A seat constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to
Fig. 9, wherein the seat portion k is hinged at k', the same being supported by
pivoted brackets carried by the uprights or supports.
6. In seats for scholastic and other purposes, the combination, with the seat
portion k, of brackets W pivoted to the uprights or supports, antifriction rollers at
the extremities of the horizontal part of said brackets, and arm rests A,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
301
ד
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.