AN IMPROVED CHILDREN'S CHAIR WHICH ALSO FORMS CARRIAGE
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Williams Benn, of Nº 65, City Road, London, in
the County of Middlesex, Designer and Master Cabinet Maker, for the
Invention of AN IMPROVED CHILDREN'S CHAIR WHICH ALSO FORMS
CARRIAGE."
"
Sealed the 20th May 1879, and dated the 27th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Williams Benn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1878.
JOHN WILLIAMS BENN, of No; 65, City Road, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Designer and Master Cabinet Maker. "AN IMPROVED CHILDREN'S
CHAIR WHICH ALSO FORMS CARRIAGE."
Figure 1 shews the chair in an upright position for use at the table. To keep
the same in position spring catches are placed at A and button rests for seat (under
framing) at B. Upon liberating these the upper part falls into the lower and
becomes in,-
Figure 2 a safe and convenient children's carriage. To prevent same falling
backwards an automatic hook is placed under seat at C, which hooks over rail D
and keeps chair in carriage position. The shape of this hook as shewn in section H
causes it to act automatically.
Figures 3 and 4 shew the two parts of the chair. E, the hole through which
axle C passes (upon which the upper part turns up or down at pleasure); F, the
novel application of the wheels to this shape of chair.
The novelties claimed for this chair are,-
Firstly. The application of wheels to this shape of chair.
Secondly. The falling forward into the lower framework and resting on cross
rails as applied to this or any children's chair.
Thirdly. The button rests which support seat when in an upright position.
Fourthly. The automatic hook over cross rail D which keeps chair from falling
back when used as a carriage.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Williams Benn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th May
1879.
JOHN WILLIAMS BENN, of 65, City Road, London, in the County of Middlesex,
Designer and Master Cabinet Maker. "AN IMPROVED CHILDREN'S CHAIR WHICH
ALSO FORMS CARRIAGE."
My Invention relates to an improved children's chair which is so constructed
and made adjustable that it may be used either as a high chair or as a nursery
carriage.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which,-
Figure 1 is a perspective view shewing the said chair adjusted for use in a vertical
position to suit the height of an ordinary table.
Figure 2 is a perspective view shewing the said chair adjusted to serve as a
nursery carriage.
'
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate details of the construction of the said chair. Like
letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
A
a is the seat of the said chair, and b is the framing consisting of four legs b¹ with
suitable cross rails. The said seat is pivoted or jointed to the framing at c.
spring catch d is attached to the said scat in such a manner that when the same is
adjusted into the position shewn in Figure 1, the said catch by engaging with the
stud d' will hold the said seat securely locked or fastened so that it cannot be
accidentally turned down, but this catch is easily operated to liberate and allow the
seat to fall or turn down on its pivots when its adjustment is desired, or I may use
two of these spring catches.
In combination with the said spring catch or catches and to assist in supporting
the seat a, I provide the frame b, within which the seat fits, with buttons e or
similar devices which may be readily adjusted to project under the seat and hold it,
or may be turned outward or away from the seat to leave the latter free to fall
down within the framing as hereinafter described.
The framing b is provided with four wheels or rollers ƒ placed in such positions
as to permit the chair to move freely thereon when used as a nursery carriage and
so that they do not interfere with its proper use as a high chair.
The aforesaid spring catch is so arranged that when the said chair is adjusted to
the position shewn in Figure 2 it engages with a stud d² on the bar or rail b*, and
thereby holds the seat so that it cannot turn back on its pivots. In some instances
I use for this purpose an automatic hook placed under the seat and arranged to
engage with one of the cross-rails; or I may use any other suitable device for this
purpose.
It will be seen by reference to the Drawing that in adjusting or altering the said
chair from its position in Figure 1 to the position shewn in Figure 2 the seat or
upper part a falls or turns forward on its pivots or joints within the sides of the
lower framing or frame, the bottom of the seat then resting on the cross rail 6². . This
arrangement is a novel and peculiar feature in such chairs, and in combination with
the other improvements herein specified renders my improved chair extremely
simple in its construction, and affords the means for supporting the seat in a very
secure manner in both positions, while at the same time its adjustment may be
readily effected.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same; I wish it understood that I do not claim broadly the making of a
children's chair adjustable, so that the same can be used as a high chair and as a
nursery carriage at will, as I am well aware that adjustable chairs have been for
a long time publicly known and used. Furthermore I have obtained former
Letters Patent, dated the 5th November, A.D. 1877 (No. 4102); and the 28th
February, A.D. 1878 (No. 816), for various improvements in adjustable chairs, and
I am aware that other Letters Patent have been granted for Inventions relating to

page_text: such chairs. And I also wish it understood that I do not claim as my present
Invention any of the parts or devices of such chairs except those which form
the novel features of my said Invention as herein specified, that is to say, I
claim,―
First. In an adjustable chair for children the construction and arrangement of
parts whereby when the chair is to be adjusted to form a nursery carriage the seat
falls or folds forward within the lower framing and rests on the cross rail or rails of
the said framing, as above set forth.
Second. In an adjustable chair for children, supporting the seat (when adjusted
to serve as a high chair) by spring-catches or by buttons, or by both of these devices,
as and for the purpose specified.
Third, A children's chair which consists of the seat or upper part and the
framing or lower part pivoted or jointed together so that the said seat is adjust-
able on its pivots in the peculiar manner described, which chair is provided with
the means or devices for supporting the seat and retaining it in place in either
position, and with wheels or rollers, all as shewn in the accompanying Drawing, and
as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Williams Benn, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.