An Improved Carrying-chair for the Use of Invalids and others.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1895-Accepted, 27th Apr., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Carrying-chair for the Use of Invalids and others.
I, CHARLES EDWARD TROUGHTON, of Addington Street, Margate, Kent,
Superintendent, St. John's Ambulance Brigade, Margate Corps, do hereby
declare the nature of the said 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 an improved carrying-chair for the use of invalids and
others requiring to be carried from place to place, the improved chair being equally
applicable for use in the hospital or in like institutions, or in the house or for
outdoor use, and being available as a sitting chair, a carrying chair and a wheeling
chair, and may also be used as a stretcher.
The improved chair possesses several advantages which no existing chair or
apparatus used for any of such purposes possesses in combination, and which is
due to the improved combination of the parts thereof, which are respectively
arranged and adapted to operate as hereinafter described with reference to the
accompanying drawings-on which―
Fig. 1, represents the improved chair in use or usable as a sitting chair.
Fig. 2, represents the same usable as a carrying or wheeling chair.
Fig. 3, represents the same closed up, in full lines; and usable as a stretcher-
with the handles turned in, or turned out as in dotted lines, and-
Fig. 4, represents a plan view, partly in section.
The improved chair is made with a main frame a, preferably of the curved
formation represented in the side views Figs. 1 to 3, adapted. with an adjustable
seat-frame b, a closable leg or supporting frame c, a front wheel-base d, closable
back handles e, closable front handles, and a carpet, canvas or other flexible
combined back-rest and seat g, all as hereinafter more particularly referred to.
I prefer that the frame a, the seat frame b, the leg frame c and the handles e, f,
should each be made with an iron centre or core (distinguished by an added, in
each case, vide Fig. 4) lined with wood on one or both sides screwed or otherwise
suitably secured thereto, as, by such construction, I obtain the necessary strength
and avoid any liability of fracture when carrying corpulent and heavy persons or
bodies, with lightness of weight, smallness of size of the parts and elegance of
appearance; but such frames and parts a, b, c, e, f, may be made wholly of iron or
other suitable metal or wholly of wood.
The frames b, c, and the handles e, f, are respectively connected to the frame a,
by ruler-joints h, which permit of these parts being set out in their desired relative
positions, vide Figs. 1 and 2, or of their being closed to the frame a, vide Figs. 2
and 3. The frames b, c rotate on the same centres h¹.
The seat-frame b, has pivotally connected at b', to each of its sides an adjustable
strut, the two whereof are connected by a cross-bar 63 which is adapted to engage
with any of the notches a', made in the frame a, according to the desired position
of the seat, vide Figs. 1 and 2. Wheu closed to the frame a, vide Fig. 3, the ends
of the cross bar 68, rest thereon, and the strut 63, supports the frame b.
The sides of the leg supporting frame c, are also connected by a cross-bar c³.
When the frame c, is in use supporting the chair frame a (vide Fig. 1,) it is
adapted to bear against a cross bar a', connecting the side frames a, and when it
is closed up to the frame a, (vide Figs. 2 and 3) it abuts against a pin a³, projecting

page_text: from the frame a, and is held in position by a pin c² projecting from it and engaging
with a catch a projecting from the frame a.
The handles e, f, are respectively fast on cross-bars e', ƒ³, which also serve to
connect the side frames a, which latter are thus rigidly connected at the back by the
cross-bar e', at the front by the cross-bar f¹, and about centrally of their length by
the cross-bar a', whereby the construction is rendered very rigid without being
cumbersome.
The wheels d, may, with advantage, be rubber-tyred, but may be ordinary wood
or metal wheels, and are mounted loosely on the cross-bar f'. The flexible back-
rest and seat g, is stitched around, nailed to or otherwise connected in any suitable
manner to the cross-bar e', and to the front rail of the seat frame b, vide Fig. 4.
Besides being serviceable for the several purposes above indicated, the improved
construction of the chair is of especial advantage in the use of the chair as a
carrying or lifting chair, as the handles e, f, enable a firm hold to be taken of
projecting parts of the chair, when in use as a chair or as a stretcher, while if a
confined corner has to be turned as in a narrow stair-case, all the handles can be
turned under (vide Fig. 3), whereby the length of the chair will be materially
reduced, thus facilitating the turning of the coruer, as the chair can then be
supported by the cross-bars e¹, f. Further, the leg frame, being closable
permits of the chair being carried more conveniently and without liability of the
leg-frame striking the floor, and facilitates the lifting of the chair over any
projecting banisters or the like in narrow stairways. Further, the provision of the
front wheel-base enables the chair to be more easily shifted in position. Further,
the facility of all the parts closing to the frame a, enables the chair to be used as a
stretcher on an emergency with the handles turned out or inturned, and when out
of use, enables the chair to be stowed away in much less room than an ordinary
carrying chair requires.
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. The improved carrying chair hereinbefore described with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a carrying chair of the nature aforesaid, the combination of the frame a,
with the frames b, c, handles e, f, wheel-base d, and flexible back-rest and seat g,
respectively adapted and arranged to operate as set forth.
3. In a carrying chair, a frame a, adapted with a wheel base d, and with front
and rear handles f, e, fast on handle bars, e', connecting the sides of the frame a,
and closable to the frame a, and with adjustable seat and leg supporting frames
hinged to the frame a, and closable in relation thereto, as set forth.
Dated this 19th day of March 1895.
DAY, DAVIES, & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.