IMPROVEMENTS IN CHAIRS, WHEREBY THEY ARE RENDERED MORE PORTABLE AND CAN BE CONVERTED A DICING OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Ellisdon, of London, Designer and
Cabinet Maker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CHAIRS,
WHEREBY THEY ARE RENDERED MORE PORTABLE AND CAN BE CONVERTED
A DICING OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
Sealed the 25th March 1854, and dated the 26th September 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Ellisdon
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 26th September 1853.
I, JOSEPH ELLISDON, of London, Designer and Cabinet Maker, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
CHAIRS, WHEREBY THEY ARE RENDERED MORE PORTABLE AND CAN BE CON-
VERTED INTO OTHER USEFUL ARTICLES OF HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE," to be as
follows (that is to say):
The several parts of chairs constructed upon this plan are so arranged
that they can be packed into a small space, and may be converted into
a settee or a lounge when required. This is accomplished by taking
four legs of any suitable shape or design, upon which is mounted a

page_text: (square or otherwise) suitably shaped frame of iron or other suitable
material. The legs may be attached thereto by being screwed into the
frame, or jointed thereto, so as to fold underneath or any other conve-
nient way. Three sides of the (seat) frame are thicker than the fourth,
which is placed so as to be at the front of the chair. There are two (or
any convenient number of) ribs extending across the frame from the
thinner (or front) side to the opposite or back one. These ribs are
broader for some inches from the front than at the back part of the
rails, for the purpose of acting as a stop to a frame or leg rest that
slides thereon. This slide or leg rest is formed by means of two frames
jointed together, one of them being, say two thirds, and the other one
third the size of the superficial space between the three higher sides of
the seat frame already described. The smaller of these frames is made
deeper on the back or opposite side to the one on which it is attached
to the other, so as to allow notches to be cut into the lower edge
thereof to admit the narrow portion of the ribs or rails.
By this
arrangement it will be seen that if these frames are placed so as to slide
upon the ribs the larger one can be drawn out beyond the face of the
principal frame of the chair, and, being jointed, can be placed at any
angle required; but it is proposed to put a stop upon the joint, so that
the front of the frame will take a position or stop a little above the
floor. On the upper side of this frame is an upholstered frame jointed
to the top thereof at its back edge so that it can be raised up from its
support, and being provided with crutches or supports working on
pivots at one end and resting in notches on the other, it can be placed
at any convenient inclination. A bar of wood or metal is placed across
the front of the chair resting upon or fixed to the upper corners of the
principal frame, so as to allow the leg rest to slide underneath it. To
this bar is secured the front of the web or net work, upon which the
cushion of the seat is supported, the other sides being secured to the
upper edges of the principal frames. Suitable arms, if required, can be
attached to the principal frame. The back of the chair is formed by
jointing to the hinder part of the principal frame a suitable frame with
web or net work to support a cushion. To the top of this frame

page_text: is attached by a strong rule joint another similar frame, but which is
provided (at the lower or reverse end to which it is jointed to the other
frame) with a set of feet or legs jointed so as to fold into a recess at
the back of the frame formed to receive them when not in use. On
the inner sides of the back of the principal frame there are stops of
catches of a cresent shape for the lower edge of the back frame to
rest upon, to prevent the two frames forming the back of the chair fall-
ing backwards. These stops are attached to the frame by a pin at one
end, and by small thumb screws at the other, so that the slope of the
back of the chair can be regulated. By this arrangement it will be
seen that the back of the chair can be folded down on to the seat of
the chair, and formed a raised seat; or by lifting the back frame off the
catches upon which it rests, it can be carried backwards, by which
operation the front frame of the back to which it is jointed will be drawn
down backwards to an horizontal position, and the set of folding legs
will fall down towards the ground, and, taking a perpendicular position,
will support the extreme ends of the frames, so that the chair is con-
verted into a "settee" or "lounge." The foot board or leg rest can
be turned up to form the head of the settee," and held in an upright
position by means of small bolts or catches at the end of the arms or
any other convenient mode.
This Invention will be readily understood by reference to the annexed
Drawings, of which Figure 1, is a side elevation; Figure 2, is a plan
of the principal (or scat) frame drawn to half the size of Figure 1.
Like letters refer to similar parts.
A, principal (or seat) frame of the chair; B, front frame of the back;
C, hinder frame of the back; D, rule joint by which the two back
frames are attached; E, position of folding legs; F, position of stop
or rests to regulate the slope of the back of the chair; G, leg rest or
slide; g, the upholstered frame on top of slide; g', crutch to regulate
ditto; H, (Figure 2,) ribs or rails upon which the leg rest slides
, the bar upon which the front edge of the web work is fixed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in. pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Ellisdon in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 25th March 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
JOSEPH ELLISDON, of London, Designer and Cabinet Maker, send
greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-sixth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, and in the
eighteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Ellisdon, Her special license
that I, the said Joseph Ellisdon, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Ellisdon, my executors,
administrators; and assigns, shall at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times hereafter during the term
herein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CHAIRS, WHEREBY THEY ARE RENDERED MORE PORTABLE, AND CAN BE
CONVERTED INTO OTHER USEFUL ARTICLES OF FURNITURE," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Joseph Ellison, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
.describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Ellisdon, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement (that is to say):
.
The several parts of chairs constructed upon this plan are so arranged
that they can be packed into a small space, and may be converted into
a settee, lounge, or bed, when required. This is accomplished by
taking four legs of any suitable shape or design, upon which is mounted

page_text: (a square or otherwise) suitably shaped framed of iron or other suitable
material. The legs may be attached thereto by being screwed into the
frame, or jointed thereto so as to fold underneath, or any other conve-
nient way. Three sides of the (seat) frame are thicker than the fourth,
which is placed so as to be at the front of the chair. Thère. are two
(or any convenient number of) ribs extending across the frame from
the outer or front side to the opposite (or back) one. These ribs are
broader for some inches from the front than at the back part of the
rails when the chairs are constructed with a leg rest, as hereafter
described, for the purpose of acting as a stop to the frame of the leg
rest that slides thereon. This slide or leg rest is formed by means of
two- frames jointed together, one of them being, say, two thirds, and
the other one third the size of the superficial space between the three
higher sides of the seat frame already described. The smaller of these
frames is made deeper or on the bank or opposite side to the one on
which it is attached to the other, so as to allow notches to be cut into
the lower edge thereof to admit a narrow portion of the ribs or rails.
By this arrangement it will be seen that if these frames are placed so
as to slide upon the ribs the larger one can be drawn out beyond the
face of the principal frame of the chair, and being jointed can le
placed at any angle required; but it is proposed to put a stop on the
joint so that the front of the frame will take a position or stop a little
above the floor... On the upper side of this frame is an upholstered
frame jointed to the top thereof at its back edge, so that it can be
raised. up from its support, and being provided with cutches working
on pivots at one end, and resting in notches at the other, it can be
placed. at any convenient inclination. A bar of wood, or metal is
placed across the front of the chair, resting upon and fixed to the upper
corners of the principal frame so as to allow the leg to rest to slide
underneath it. To this bar is secured the front of the webb or net
work upon which the cushion of the seat is supported, the other sides
being secured to the upper edges of the principal frame.
Should it be preferred to construct chairs according to this Invention
without.leg rests; it can be done by using only a single bar to form the
front edge of the seat of the chair, and jointing the "head-board"

page_text: thereto so that it can be folded to lay under the cushion of the seat.
Suitable arms, if required, are attached to the principal frame.
use.
The back of the chair is formed by jointing to the hinder part of the
principal frame as suitable frames with webb or net work to support the
cushion. To the top of this frame is attached by a strong rule joint
another suitable frame on which is placed another cushion. This
frame is provided (at the lower or reverse end to which it is jointed to
the other frame) with a set of feet or legs jointed so as to fold into a
recess at the back of the frame formed to receive them when not in
On the inner sides of the back of the principal frames there are
stops or catches of a crescent shape for the lower edge of the back
frame to rest upon to prevent the two frames forming the back of the
chair falling backwards. These stops are attached to the frame of
the chair seat by pins at one end, and by small thumb screws at the
other, so that the slope of the back of the chair can be regulated at
pleasure. By this arrangement it will be seen that the two cushions
and frames forming the back can be folded down on to the seat of the
chair and form a raised seat; or by lifting the back frame off the catches
upon which it rests when forming a chair, it can be carried backwards;
by which operation the front frame of the back to which it is jointed
will be drawn down backwards to un horizontal position, and the set of
folding legs will fail down towards the ground, and taking a perpen-
dicular position will support the extreme end of the frames so that the
chair is converted into a settee or lounge. If constructed with a leg
rest it can be turned up to form the head of a settee, and held in the
required position by means of small bolts or catches connecting with
the ends of the arms of the chair or any other convenient mode. If a
leg rest is not fitted to the chair the frame (or "head-board ") herein-
before described can be used.
That this Invention may the more readily be understood I have
hereunto annexed Drawings of chairs constructed upon this principal.
(Like letters refer to similar parts.)
.
Figure 1, is a perspective view of the frame of a chair constructed
according to my Invention, having the frame or "head-board" folded
down, shewing its position when not in use. Figure 2, a perspective

page_text: view of a chair complete, with leg rest drawn out. Figure 3, a
perspective view of a chair converted into a settee or bed by having
the back let down, and raising the frame (E) to form the "head-
board." Figure 4, a perspective view of a chair converted into an
ottoman by throwing the frames and cushions forming the back forward
on to the seat of the chair. Figure 5, a view of the same with jointed
legs folded underneath so as to occupy little space. Figure 6, side
view of leg rest. Figure 7, back view of the slide of the leg rest.
Figure 8, side view of the rest or stop used to support and regulate
the slope of the frames forming the back of the chair.
A, seat frame; to which is jointed, at a, B a frame to support the
front cushion of the back; to which is jointed, at b, C a frame to sup-
port the hinder cushion of the back; and to which are jointed, D the
folding legs used when the chair is converted into a settee or bed.
E, leg rest. E', crutch to elevate cushion of leg rest. F, frame used
to form the "head-board," shewn in use by Figure 3, and turned down
(out of use) at Figure 1. G, cushion of the seat of the chair. H,
front cushion of the back of the chair. I, hinder cushion of the back
of the chair. K, legs upon which the chair is supported.
Having now described my Invention, and the mode in which it may
be performed, what I claim is, the combination of the various parts
substantially and in the manner herein-before described and set forth,
or any mere modification of the same.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Ellisdon, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of March, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-
four
Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER.
JOSEPH (L.s.) ELLISDON.