Year: 1886

page_text: 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 Gilbert King
Phillips and Elmer William Dickerman, both of Westfield, County of Hampden,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Manufacturers) 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 improvements in Reclining Chairs, the object being to
provide in a chair of this class, improvements in the construction and relative
arrangement of the parts thereof whereby: The connections between the X frame
and the arms are improved and strengthened; an improved construction is pro-
vided for the swinging frame and its pivotal connections with the X frame; the
manner of constructing, combining, and rendering the swinging frame, the seat, and
back, and leg rest co-operative for the greater comfort of the sitter, is improved;
the construction of the seat and back is so improved as to obviate any rigid leg-
bearing across the front edge of the former, and both seat and back are caused to
adapt themselves to the form of the sitter; the direct connection of the seat with
the x frame is so improved that it permits it to be so adjusted to the weight of
the sitter as to properly distribute the weight of the latter, and contribute to the
equilibrium of the swinging and pivoted reclining parts of the chair when occupied
by a person; the relative arrangement and combined action of the leg-rest, seat
and swinging frame are improved; and the construction of said leg-rest adapts it
to so co-operate with the swinging frame as to enable the sitter, by use thereof to
control the degree of incline of the said reclining parts of the chair.
jo
In the drawing forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view
of a reclining chair-constructed according to the invention. Figure, 2 is a per-
spective view of the under side of the lower part of the leg-rest and the lower end

page_text: of the swinging frame. Figure 3 is a perspective sectional view of the lower part
of the leg-rest. Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of one of the arms of the chair,
showing one end of the X frame, a section of the hinge connecting the latter and
the arm, and the joint strap under the arm. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the
rear end of one of the arms, the upper end of one of the X frame parts, the arm-
connection with the latter, a part of the joint or hinge between the x frame and
the swinging frame, and the spring extending between the two latter. Figure 6
illustrates the joint parts of the upper and lower portions of the swinging frame.
In the drawing, a, a¹, indicate the leg and upright parts of an ordinary pivoted
✗ frame, common to folding chairs, and possessing that feature in this construction.
The said parts of the X frame are provided with the usual connecting rounds, as
shown.
.
The arms b, b, serve both as arm-rests and as means for preventing the spread of
the X frame under the weight of a person, and by a peculiar connection between
the arms and X frame; as below described, the folding of the said frame is
facilitated and great strength is given to said connection.
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate clearly said connection, which consists of a hinge, c,
secured on the end of the X frame a, an iron strap 14, secured on the under side
of the arm, b, partly over-lapping the groove 15, in the latter, and having one
end bent around the pintle of said hinge, whereby the front end of arm b, is
connected to the X frame; and the rear end of the arm is connected with the
X frame by a book 16, on the rear end of said strap 14, which engages with wrist-
piece or sleeve 18, on a bolt 17, the latter being secured to and projecting inwardly
on the end of the X frame a¹, said hook 16, being sufficiently open to allow the
wrist piece and bolt 17, with said end of frame a¹ to swing towards the hinge c
when the frame is folded, the end of frame a¹, being held in engagement with the
arm after swinging away from hook 16, by the hook-piece 19, which is loosely
secured on the end of bolt 17, and extends into the groove 15, in the arm and hooks
over the edge of said iron strap 14, as shown in Figure 5.
By, reason of the above described connections between the X frame and the arms,
the great weight of the sitter which comes mostly upon the rear ends a¹ of the
frame, when he swings back in the chair as hereinafter set forth, is amply supported,
and when the chair is folded the rear ends of the arms swing downward lying
against the rear edges of the frame.
A swinging frame D, of the form shown in Figure 1, and having the rounds d, d¹,
uniting its lower ends is pivoted on the upper rear ends of the x frame, on the
parts a', thereof, the pivot-bolts being at e¹, (see Figures 1 and 5) said bolts being
secured in side-plates 20, secured on the sides of the X frame parts as shown. The
joint formed as above described between the swinging frame D and the end of the
frame-piece a¹, is sufficiently open, as shown, to allow the flat spring c³, whose
lower end is secured to the frame-piece, to project through between the frame D,
and part a¹, having a bearing on the latter but its free end projecting beyond it.
Opposite spring c², on frame D, is a bearing-plate, 21, of metal having a boss 22, on
its end, provided with a friction-roller or not, as may be desired, which provides a
bearing point on frame D, when the latter swings back under a load, to an inclined
position or when a person reclines in the chair, said spring then preventing any
shock which might be produced if frame D should swing against the end of the
X frame a¹.
Said frame D, for convenience in folding the chair when desired, has its upper
and lower parts jointed together by the hinges e, said upper part being adapted to
swing forward in folding towards the chair-seat. For retaining the upper end of
frame D, in the upright position shown in Figure 1, the spring strap 22, Figure 6,
is secured to one part of said frame, and extending across the joint, engages with a
pin on the other part of the frame, as shown. The end of the strap is easily lifted
to disengage the latter from the pin.
The swinging frame D, the seat of the chair, and the leg-rest, are constructed,
connected, and have a co-operative action, as below set forth.

page_text: The lower round or cross-bar d, of the swinging frame carries thereon the.
metallic leg-rest connections i, i, Figures 2 and 3, which are free to turn on bar d,
and have a groove on their upper side in which the grooved leg-rest bars ƒ lie, and
inwardly projecting lips i, on said connections engage in the grooves 5, on opposite
sides of the bar f, whereby the latter and the connection i are attached one to the
other and the leg-rest is attached to the frame D, but the swinging motion of the
frame is imparted to the lower end of the leg-rest, the connections i sliding on
the bars f, or vice versa, during said motion to various positions under said rest
relative to the hinge-connections of the latter with the seat of the chair, and
whereby, when a person is reclining in the chair and having his legs extended upon
the rest, the bearing point of the latter relative to the frame D, changes with each
swinging movement of the latter, the lever power of the leg-rest upon the frame D,
increasing as the latter swings more and more backward and the weight of the
sitter becomes greater against the upper part of the frame D, and vice versa, and
thereby the said arrangement of the leg-rest enables the sitter with great ease, to
swing frame D to any desirable position by the action of the feet and legs, and
owing also to other peculiarities of the construction and hanging of the leg-rest,
seat and back of the chair as below described.
The U-shaped seat-frame h, made preferably of bent wood, has a seat therein
consisting of elastic strips or slate o of tough wood preferably, supported on
suitable yielding metal straps o³, extending transversely across frame h, and having
their ends looped around the latter and firmly secured thereto, in any suitable
manner.
The slats o are suitably secured to the straps o³, and their rear ends o³, extend
rearwardly beyond the rear strap 02, and have no connection with any part of the
frame, beyond the latter, but are left free to be deflected by the weight of the
sitter and obviate the contact of the latter with any rigid point on the seat.
The front edge of the seat consists simply of the ends of the slats o, which yield
under the weight of the sitter and obviate the inconveniences arising from a rigid
front edge on a seat, on which the legs bear more or less.
The chair-seat is suspended in the X frame by adjustable swinging connections 8,
and 12, near the front end of the seat, and the rear end of the latter is suspended
to the upper end of the frame D, by the cords K, K, the latter being suitably
secured to the-seat and frame, and flexible cross-slats of tough wood m secured to
said cords constitute the back of the chair, capable of being folded with the frame
parts thereof, and forming a back which adapts itself to the form and position of
the sitter.
The above-named connections by which the seat is hung within the X frame
consist of the link 8, pivoted on the inner side of the frame-part a at 10 and free
to swing back and forth, and the open, notched link-bar 12, secured on the seat-
frame and passing through the link. The latter is engaged with either of the
notches in the bar, thereby securing the link at any desired fulcrum-point on
the bar, whereby the proper equilibrium of the seat is established, (according to the
weight of the sitter), in connection with the swinging frame and the leg-rest; the
seat, for a person of light weight being hung at the extreme forward position, for
a very heavy one, at the extreme opposite position, and thereby causing the
reclining elements of the chair, namely, leg-rest, seat, and swinging frame to rest
in any inclined position to which they may be swung by the sitter, or in other
words, said parts adjust themselves to the proper centre of gravity of the person
reclining in the chair and in this chair no device is needed for securing the
reclining parts in any position, for they retain the latter by reason of their above-
described pivoted and balanced construction.
The aforesaid link-connection of seat and X frame permits the seat to move
rearwardly when the sitter settles far back in the chair, and in so doing its front
end rises, causing the link 8 to swing rearwardly to nearly a horizontal position,
and thus the seat automatically takes a proper position relative to the incline of the
back, greatly to the convenience of the sitter,

page_text: The leg-rest frame consists of the side-bars 10, the above-described bars f, and
a series of transverse slats, preferably of tough wood, properly secured to said
bars and side bars. A foot board, in two sections w, w³, is hinged to the lower
edge of the leg-rest, said sections being hinged one to the other by leather hinges
or straps in the well known way, whereby the two sections may be brought from
the positions shown in Figure 1, to a flat one on the face of the leg-rest, and back
again, said position being partly shown in Figure 3, the part w, of the foot-board
there shown being held in an inclined position by the spring side-bars
which is shown in that Figure), but said part w is brought flat against the face of
the leg-rest by the weight of the legs when the latter are extended thereon. The
foot-board is carpeted as shown.
(one of
The part w, of the foot-board is hinged to the leg-rest by a folding hinge con-
sisting of the plate 22 secured to the board, the part a secured to the end of the.
bar f, on the leg-rest, and the intermediate strap z, hinged to the parts z³ and x, and
capable of assuming a folded position as shown in Figure 3, or that shown in
Figure 2.
The hinge-connection. between the leg-rest and the seat consists of a hinge having
three sockets, one, 3, to receive the end of the seat frame h, one, n to receive the
end of the side bar 10, of the leg-rest, and one, v, standing at an incline to the
socket n, to receive the end of the spring side-bar 4, the lower end of the latter
having a link connection with the section w of the foot-board as shown. The
said socket v of the hinge and the spring-bar 4, are in a line when the section w,
of the foot-board is at right angles to the face of the leg-rest, but when said section
is, as above-mentioned, folded against the rest, it acts against the spring-force,
bending it slightly as seen in Figure 3, and when the weight of the legs is removed
from said section the bar 4 causes the edge of the latter to be elevated as there
shown.
A person about to sit in the chair places the feet first on the foot-board and then
sits down (having first adjusted the position of the links 8, as above described),
leaning backward and assuming a reclining position I, the foot-board and leg-rest
meanwhile swinging upward by the action of the lower end of frame D, on the
latter, and to fold the foot-board and extend the legs thereon the sitter presses his
heels against the outer edge of the foot-board section w, and the latter is thereby
swung to the position shown in Figure 3, and to a flat one by the weight of the
legs, as above set forth. To bring the foot-board back to the position of Figure 1,
the sitter lifts his legs therefrom, letting the spring bars act to partially swing up
section w, and then pressing his heels at the junction of the sections w and w³, the
foot-board swings to the desired position. The above-named part x of the folding
hinge between the foot-board section w and the leg-rest has an abutment thereon
covering the end of the bar f, and the ends of the grooves 5, in the latter as shown
in Figures 2 and 3, whereby the connection 2, i³, between the bar d and the bar ƒ of
the leg-rest is prevented from sliding off the former.
As heretofore observed, the chair herein described may be folded to reduce its
bulk for transportation, the X frame the manner of connecting the arms b therewith,
the jointed swinging frame D, the flexible back, the loosely hung seat, and the
manner of connection of the leg-rest with the latter and the frame D, all con-
tributing to render said folding convenient and easy.
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 reclining and folding chair capable of being folded and having a
swinging frame, to which the back is attached, pivoted at the upper rear ends of
the frame, the combination with the latter and with said swinging frame, of the
arm of the chair hinged to the upper front end of the X frame and having an
open hook at its rear end engaging with a projecting bolt on the inner side of the
upper rear end of the X frame, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 2. In a reclining and folding chair, the arm b, thereof having the groove 15,
therein, the strap 14 secured to the arm and partly covering said groove, and having
the hook 16 thereon, the hinge c connected with the end of said strap and the upper
front end of the X frame, the bolt 17, on the rear upper end of the X frame
engaging with said hook 16, and the hook-piece 19. engaging with said strap,
combined and operating, substantially as set forth.
3. In combination, the X frame, the swinging frame D, pivoted to the upper rear
ends of the X frame and having the plate 21 thereon, provided with the boss 22,
and the springs c², secured to the X frame and extending between the latter and
the swinging frame, substantially as set forth.
4. In a reclining chair the X frame, the swinging frame D, pivoted on the latter,
the seat of the chair attached near its front end to said X frame by swinging links
adjustably engaging with link-bars on the seat frame, and the back of the chair
consisting of cords attached to the seat and said swinging frame, having transverse
slats attached thereto, combined and operating substantially as set forth.
5. In a reclining chair, the X frame, the swinging frame D, pivoted on the latter,
the seat of the chair attached near its front end to said X frame, by swinging
links adjustably engaging with link-bars on the seat frame, the back of the chair
consisting of cords attached to the seat, and said swinging frame, having transverse
slats attached thereto, the leg-rest hinged to the chair-frame and having its lower
end movably attached to the lower end of said swinging frame, combined and
operating substantially as set forth.
6. In combination with the X frame and seat of a reclining chair, the links 8
pivoted to said frame and the link-bars 12 passing through said links and secured
to the seat, substantially as set forth.
7. In a reclining chair, the seat thereof consisting of a U-shaped frame, open at
its front edge; transverse straps secured to each side of said frame and extending
thereacross, and flexible slats secured on said straps whose rear ends extend
unsupported beyond the rearmost strap, combined and operating substantially as
set forth.
8. In a reclining chair the leg-rest substantially as described, hinged to the seat
and connected with the swinging frame D, having the foot-board in two hinged
sections w, ws, the former being connected to the leg-rest by folding hinges sub-
stantially as described and having the spring bars 4, rigidly attached by one end to
the upper end of the rest, and having a link-attachment with the foot-board
section w, combined and operating substantially as set forth.
9. The combination of the X frame, the swinging frame which supports the chair
back pivoted thereto, the seat partly suspended on said swinging frame, and the
leg-rest pivoted to the seat and having a sliding connection with the said swinging
frame, substantially as described.
Dadd th1L
2006