IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCKING AND RECLINING CHAIRS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Ezekiel Emerson, of Trenton, New Jersey,
United States of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, for
T
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Ezekiel Emerson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 22nd March 1869.
I, JAMES EZEKIEL EMERSON, of Trenton, New Jersey, United States
of America, now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCKING AND RECLINING
CHAIRS," to be as follows:-
The ordinary rocking chair, though a very useful and comfortable
article of domestic furniture, is clumsy, unsightly, and inconvenient.
The principle of its action requires it to be supported upon rockers
extending in front and behind far beyond the body of the chair. The

page_text: space occupied and required by these rockers would alone be a very
great objection to the use of the chair, especially in small houses, but
this is not so serious as the liability of the rockers to injure the carpets
and other floor coverings, and other articles of furniture with which they
come in contact. These projecting rockers are also not unfrequently
the cause of injury to children and others, as they occupy such a position
that persons walking in the room are liable to have their feet caught
and to be thrown down or otherwise hurt thereby.
The object of my Invention is the construction of a chair which shall
have the peculiar comfortable nature of a rocking chair without these
objectionable and inconvenient features, which will not only be a
convenient and comfortable article of household furniture, but which
can also be used in the saloons of steam ships and other vessels where it
would be impossible to use an ordinary rocking chair, and which more.
over will serve as a fixed reclining chair, capable of adjustment to any
desired angle or inclination to meet the requirements of invalids or
other persons.
The nature of my said Invention consists chiefly in the application to
the chair, between the seat and the supporting stand or legs, of a spring
which allows the seat or upper portion of the chair to rock or oscillate
freely upon an axis or centre below the seat, but which by its resistance
to expansion and contraction confines the motion of the chair within
proper limits in either direction.
The said Invention also consists in the peculiar construction of the
fixed and moving parts of the chair, whereby the same is at all times
supported upon a base of sufficient extent to keep the chair firm,
without occupying an inconvenient amount of space; also in the
devices whereby the movable part of the chair is locked to the fixed
part or stand at any desired angle, so as to form an agreeable and
convenient reclining chair for invalids or others.
The said Invention also consists in the application to the front legs
of the chair, between the feet and the floor, of spiral springs which when
the chair is used as a reclining chair will give it a very elastic and
comfortable support, and will allow it to rock upon its hind legs. These
spiral springs may also be readily applied to the legs of any ordinary chair,
to render the same more comfortable for nursing, and other
purposes.

page_text: My improved chair may be constructed of mahogany, walnut, or
other wood commonly used for such purposes, or of metal, or partly of
both materials. The lower part or feet of the stationary part or stand
should not extend beyond the seat in front of the chair, and need only
extend slightly beyond the said seat at the back of the chair, and as
this lower part is the widest portion of the stand, it will be seen that no
inconvenience will be occasioned as in ordinary rocking chairs by the
projection of the rockers. The back and front legs of the stand at a
short distance from the bottom are connected by cross bars, on which
are fixed the bearings for the axis or centre whereon the upper part of
the chair rocks or oscillates. I prefer that the chair should rock upon
rounded points, the bearings for the same being in the form of cups or
sockets, but if desired ordinary journals and bearings may be used.
The top of the stand forms part of a circle struck from these pivots or
journals, and the seat rocks to and fro over this curved portion in close
proximity to its surface. I prefer to employ a spiral spring to connect
the two parts of the chair, the said spring being attached to the bottom
of the seat at about the centre thereof, while its other end is attached.
to the front part of the stand. The said spring is so arranged that when
at rest or in its normal condition it holds the seat of the chair in about
the usual position of a chair seat, or in the position an ordinary rocking
chair would assume when stationary, but when the chair is used the
said spiral spring will allow the whole upper part of the chair to rock
freely upon the pivots or bearings. The spring is so formed with
regard to its capability of expansion and compression as to allow the
desired extent of movement in either direction, and this motion will be
at all times easy and comfortable. If desired two or more of these
spiral springs may be employed, or instead of spiral springs I may use
elliptical or other suitable springs. A projecting part attached to the
bottom of the seat is provided with a series of holes, and at the side or
other convenient part of the stand is a pin or bolt in such a position
that as the seat is moved upon its bearings either of the holes can be
brought opposite to the bolt. When it is desired to use the chair as a
fixed reclining chair the seat is adjusted to the desired angle, and then
by means of the said bolt is firmly locked in such position. It is obvious
that the bolt may be fixed on the bottom of the chair, and the holes
made in a part of the stand if desired, and that a spring catch, or button,
or other suitable device may be substituted for the said bolt. When
used on board a steam boat or ship the legs of the chair may be secured

page_text: to the floor of the saloon or cabin in the same manner as other articles
of furniture.
The springs for the feet of the chair are short spiral or coiled springs
of a conical form, the part which rests on the ground being of larger
diameter than the upper part, so that when the spring is compressed
the coils will lie one within the other, and will not occasion any noise
or other inconvenience. The top of the spring is provided with a cup
or socket to receive the leg of the chair. I prefer to attach these springs
to the leg by means of an ordinary screw passed through the socket
into the end of the leg. The said springs may be covered with cloth
or other material, and will be found a very convenient means for
obtaining at a very slight expense the comfort of the ordinary rocking
chair without its inconveniences,
-SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Ezekiel Emerson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th September 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
EZEKIEL EMERSON, of Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America,
now of No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of March, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the
thirty-second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said James Ezekiel Emerson, Her special
licence that I, the said James Ezekiel Emerson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said James
Ezekiel Emerson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ROCKING AND RECLINING CHAIRS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James Ezekiel Emerson,

page_text: my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, 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 James Ezekiel Emerson, 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, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawing forming a part of this Specification.
The
The ordinary rocking chair, though a very useful and comfortable
article of domestic furniture, is clumsy, unsightly, and inconvenient.
The principle of its action requires it to be supported upon rockers ex-
tending in front and behind far beyond the body of the chair.
space occupied and required by these rockers would alone be a very
great objection to the use of the chair, especially in small houses, but
this is not so serious as the liability of the rockers to injure the carpets
and other floor coverings, and other articles, with which they come in
contact. These projecting rockers are also not unfrequently the cause of
injury to children and aged persons, who through inattention or defec-
tive sight in walking may have their feet caught by the said rockers,
and are liable to be thrown down or otherwise hurt thereby.
The object of my Invention is the construction of a chair which shall
have the peculiar comfortable nature of a rocking chair without these
objectionable and inconvenient features, which will be a convenient and
comfortable article of household furniture, and which can also be used.
in the saloons of steam ships and other vessels, where it would be im-
possible to use an ordinary rocking chair, and which, moreover, will serve
as a fixed reclining chair, capable of adjustment to any desired angle or
inclination to meet the requirements of invalids or other persons.
The nature of my said Invention consists chiefly in the application
to the chair, between the seat and the supporting stand or legs, of a
spring which allows the seat and upper portion of the chair to rock or
oscillate freely upon an axis or centre below the seat, but which by its
resistance to expansion and contraction confines the motion of the chair
within proper limits in either direction.
in the peculiar construction of the fixed
The said Invention also consists
and moving parts of the chair,

page_text: whereby the same is at all times supported upon a base of sufficient
extent to keep the chair firm, without occupying an inconvenient
amount of space; also in the devices whereby the movable part of the
chair is locked to the fixed part or stand at any desired angle, so as to
form an agreeable and convenient reclining chair for invalids or others.
My Invention may also be advantageously applied to sofas, couches, or
lounges, and will be found to render either of them far superior in point
of comfort and convenience to such articles of furniture as usually
constructed, and the said Invention also affords the means whereby cots
and cradles for children may be rendered greatly superior with regard to
comfort, convenience, and safety than when constructed as hertofore,
the motion being more easy and natural than that of the ordinary
rockers, which even when properly made and adjusted are liable to be
impeded by uneveness in the carpets or other, floor coverings, or by
articles lying thereon, or other peices of furniture coming in contact
with the extended rockers. The ordinary cradle is, moreover, liable to
overturn either through the restlessness of the child or the carelessness
of its attendant, but such an accident could not happen with a cradle
constructed according to my Invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved rocking chair;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same; Figure 3 is a vertical section
on the line x, x, Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view illustrating a
modification of part of my Invention. Like letters indicate the same
parts throughout the Drawing.
The stand a and body 6 of the said chair may be constructed of ma-
hogany, walnut, or other wood commonly used for such purposes, or of
metal or partly of both materials. The base or feet of the stationary
part or stand a should not extend beyond the seat b¹ in front of the chair,
and need only extend slightly beyond the said seat at the back of the
chair, and as this part is the widest portion of the stand a it will be
seen that no inconvenience will be occasioned, as with ordinary rocking
chairs, by the projection of the rockers beyond the body of the
chair. The back and front legs a¹ of the stand at a short distance from
the bottom are connected by cross bars a² on which are fixed the bear-
ings c, for the axes or centres whereon the upper part of the chair
rocks or oscillates. I prefer that the chair should rock upon rounded

page_text: points or edges d, the bearings for the same being in the form of cups
or sockets, as shown in Figure 3, but if desired ordinary journals, such
as studs or pins, with correspondingly formed bearings may be used. The
shape and inclination of the back 6' may be varied, and the chair may
be constructed with or without the arms b*.
The top of the stand a forms part of a circle struck from the point of
these pivots or journals d, and the seat & rocks to and fro over this
curved portion in close proximity to its surface, I prefer to employ a
spiral spring e to connect the two parts of the chair, and to produce the
desired elastic resistance to the motion of the seat, the said spring being
preferably attached to the bracket f, which is secured to the stand at
about the centre thereof, while its other end is attached to the front part
of the seat at g. The said spring is so arranged that when at rest or in
its normal condition it holds the seat 6 of the chair in about the usual
position of a chair seat, or in the position an ordinary rocking chair would
assume when stationary as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, but when the chair
is used as the said spiral spring forms the only means of restraint to the
turning of the seat downward in either direction, it is obvious that the
upper part 6 of the chair will rock freely upon the bearings c. The
spring is so formed with regard to its capability of elongation and com-
pression as to allow the desired extent of movement in either direction
according to the force exerted in rocking, and this motion will be at all
times easy and comfortable. If desired two or more of these spiral springs
may be employed instead of one spring fixed in the centre of the chair,
as shown, the number of such springs being unimportant so long as
their united force is so proportioned to the requirements of the chair
that the same will rock or oscillate easily on its journals within such
limits as will render it comfortable and convenient, and instead of spiral
spring I may use elliptical or other suitable springs.
The ordinary rocking chair from its incapability of being locked or
fixed in any position can only be used for the one purpose, whereas my
improved chair may be readily changed from a rocker to a fixed chair,
and will serve as a reclining chair for invalids and for many other useful
purposes. A plate his attached to the bottom of the scat b, and is
provided with a series of holes. At the side or other convenient part of
the stand a is a pin or bolt i, in such a position that as the seat is moved
upon its bearings these holes will pass over the end of the said pin,
and either of the said holes can be brought and stopped exactly opposite

page_text: to the bolt. The latter has a small spiral spring coiled around it, which
tends always to force the bolt upward, the bolt being, however, retained
by two spiral inclines which hold the head of the bolt. When it is
desired to use the chair as a fixed reclining chair, the seat is adjusted to
the desired angle, the bolt is then released and enters the hole opposite
to it, and the seat is thereby firmly locked in such position. It is obvious
that the bolt may be fixed on the bottom of the chair, and the holes
made in a part of the stand, if desired, and that instead of the spring
bolt above described other suitable devices, such as a bolt fitted to slide
in a slot, as shewn in Figure 4, may be substituted for the said spring
bolt.
I have shown my improved chair provided with castors k, whereby it
is rendered easy to move upon the floor, as should be the case with all
domestic furniture, but when my improved chair is used on board a
steamboat or other vessel the legs of the chair are secured to the floor
of the saloon or cabin in the same manner as other articles of furniture
and fittings in sea-going ships or vessels. By this means I am enabled
to provide passengers on such ships or vessels with an additional comfort,
which will be highly appreciated by ladies, invalids, and other persons,
who may thus rest comfortably, even in the roughest weather, upon scats
which are perfectly firm and secure, while at the same time free from the
uncomfortable rigidity of the ordinary seats used on board steam ships
and vessels.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
said Invention, I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to or
claim any peculiarity in the shape of the seat or back of the chair, or
to any of the details of construction thereof; but I claim,―
First. A chair whose upper part consisting of the seat and back will
rock or oscillate upon a stationary stand or lower part, substantially as
set forth.
Second. Providing such upper part of the chair with pivots or journals
which support the said upper part, so that the same will rock freely over
the upper surface of the stand (which forms the segment of a circle),
substantially as set forth.
Third. A spring or springs placed between the upper and lower or
oscillating and stationary parts of the said chair, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.

page_text: Fourth. The combination of the stand or stationary part a, the body
or oscillating part b, spring or springs e, journals or pivots c, and bearings
or steps d, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. Constructing the said chair in such a manner that the two
parts a and b can be locked or secured together by the spring bolt i, or
other suitable means, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. A rocking chair, constructed as herein shewn and described,
which when used in a steam ship or other vessel may have its stand or
lower part secured to the floor, so that while retaining its property of
oscillation or rocking it is rendered perfectly firm and secure during
rough weather, as herein-before specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Ezekiel Emerson, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.
J. E. EMERSON. (L.S.)