IMPROVEMENTS IN ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIRS
Year: 1882

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Cowan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1882.
JOSEPH COWAN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIRS"
My Invention relates to certain improvements in that class of chairs in which
the inclination of the back is adjustable in relation to the seat and to the foot rest
and consists of a certain novel arrangement of parallel motion bars by which the
chair is suspended or carried, and by which the angle of inclination between the
back of the seat can be varied at will so that the chair can be changed from a
straight back chair to a reclining back chair with great easiness and with thorough
stability, in fact, the motion allows the chair to assume a position very nearly
approaching a plane.
In constructing a chair according to my Invention, each "side" of the chair is
composed of bars, jointed together and forming a parallel action, or motion, which
enables the chair to be placed at any angle, or inclination. Each side of the chair
is composed of eight bars: the first, or upper four bars form what is technically
called the back leg and the arm. The second, or bottom four bars forming 1 seat
rail 2 and 3 front leg (one being loose and one fixed). 4 forms the connection
between the back and front legs and also the support for the foot rest. The bars
are also jointed together as to form what is known as a parallel motion The two
sides thus constructed are held together by the framing of the back, the seat and
the foot rest and additional bars where needful. At the extreme of each back leg
there is placed a wheel which facilitates the action of the chair. I also provide
long bars, which fit in sockets under the seat, so that the chair may be used as an
ambulance chair. The seat and the back of the chair may be upholstered; or
covered with cane, or lathwork, as desired.

page_text: By the general arrangement of bars, I obtain a parallel motion by which the
angle of inclination between the back and the seat can be varied at will, the weight
of the sitter serving to retain the chair in its correct position. The motion also
permits the chair back, the seat and the foot rest to be brought into, or nearly into
the same plane, thus transforming the chair into a couch, or if the chair be made
wide enough it can be used as a bed.
A chair constructed according to my Invention is particularly applicable to be
used as an invalid's chair inasmuch as the angle of recline can be altered without
having to disturb the occupant and the chair is capable of assuming positions most
suitable for performing surgical operations.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Joseph Cowan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th November 1882.
"
JOSEPH COWAN, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster IMPROVEMENTS IN
ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIRS"
My Invention relates to certain improvements in that class of chairs, in which
the inclination of the back is adjustable in relation to the seat and to the foot rest,
and consists of a certain novel arrangement of parallel motion bars by which the
chair is suspended, or carried, and by which the angle of inclination between the
back and the seat can be varied at will, so that the chair can be changed from a
straight back chair to a reclining back chair with great easiness and with thorough
stability, in fact the motion allows the chair to assume a position very nearly
approaching a plane.
In constructing a chair according to my Invention, each side of the chair is
composed of bars, jointed together and forming a parallel action or motion which
enables the chair to be placed at any angle, or inclination Each side of the chair
is composed of eight bars: the first, or upper four bars form what is technically
called the back leg and the arm. The second, or bottom four bars forming 1 seat
rail. 2 and 3 front leg, one being loose and one fixed. 4 forms the connection
between the back and front legs and also the support for the foot rest. The bars
are also jointed together as to form what is known as a parallel motion.
sides thus constructed are held together by the framing of the back, the seat and
the foot rest and additional bars where needful. At the extreme of each back
leg there is placed a wheel which facilitates the action of the chair. I also
provide long bars, which fit in sockets under the seat, so that the chair may be
used as an ambulance chair. The seat and the back of the chair may be upholstered,
or covered with cane, or lathwork, as desired.
The two
By the general arrangement of bars, I obtain a parallel motion by which the
angle of inclination between the back and the seat can be varied at will, the weight
of the sitter serving to retain the chair in its correct position. This motion also
permits the chair back, the seat and the foot rest to be brought into, or nearly into
the same plane, thus transforming the chair into a couch or if the chair be made
wide enough, it can be used as a bed.
A chair constructed according to my Invention is particularly applicable to be
used as an invalids chair inasmuch as the angle of recline can be altered without
having to disturb the occupant and the chair is capable of assuming positions most
suitable for performing surgical operations.
The beforegoing being the nature, object and purposes of this my Invention, I
will now proceed to describe more in detail how the same may be carried out into
practical effect, and for that purpose I have annexed three sheets of Drawings
illustrative thereof. The Drawings are marked with letters and figures of
reference corresponding with those in the following explanation, like letters and
figures being used to denote the same, or corresponding parts throughout the
various views and figures.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable reclining chair constructed
according to my Invention
Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1 showing the chair in upright position.
Figure 3 is a side elevation showing the chair brought into nearly a horizontal
position.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of a chair constructed according to my Invention, in
which the foot rest is dispensed with.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a chair according to my Invention when adapted
to be used as an ambulance chair. Figure 5ª is a cross section of Figure 5

page_text: REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS.
In constructing a chair according to my Invention it will be seen that each side
of the chair is composed of bars which are so jointed together as to form a parallel
motion, which enables the chair to be placed at any angle, or inclination; each side
of the chair is composed of eight bars, the upper four bars A. B. C. D. form what is
technically called the back leg and arm, the second, or bottom four bars form,
1 seat rail. 2 and 3 front leg, one (2) being loose and one (3) being fixed.
(4) forms the connection between the back and front bars C and 2 and also the
support for the foot rest E The bars 1 and 3 are rigidly stayed together by the
diagonal bar 3. The bars A B. CD and 1. 2. 3. 4 are jointed together as shown
in the Drawings and form what may be termed a parallel motion.
The two sides of the chair thus constructed are held together by the framing of
the back F, the seat H and the foot rest E and additional bars, such as G. J. K
where needful. At the extreme end of each back leg A. B. I provide a roller L to
facilitate the action of the chair. To form the chair into an ambulance chair, I
provide two carrier bars M placed one on each side of the chair and supported by
the blocks N as shown at Figures 5. 5. When it is desired that the chair should
be constructed without its footrest, the footrest 4 is dispensed with and the chair
is constructed as shown at Figure 4. In this case the front leg 3 may be hinged
to the seat rail 1 and kept rigid by the bar b. The bar 2 and the back leg and
arm have their amount of incline adjusted by the tightening screw and handle d.
It will be seen that the front leg 3 and the seat rail 1 always remain stationary,
both in the chair shown at Figure 1 and in the chair shown at Figure 4.
Movement being given to the back F, and the foot rest E moves the back leg A. B
away from the front stationary leg 3. By this movement any amount of incline
from the perpendicular to the horizontal can be imparted to the back F. The
handle 5 on the bar 2 may be held when the back F is being inclined, or brought
forward.
Having thus described my Invention and shown how the same may be put into
practical operation, I would have it understood that my Invention is not limited to
the precise design, or details of the chair shown in the Drawings as it will be
evident that the same can be altered to suit different tastes and purposes, but what
I claim as my Invention and secured to me by Letters Patent, as aforesaid is:
First In an adjustable reclining chair, a moving hind leg effected by the
backward, or forward reclining of the chair back, as herein set forth and shown in
the Drawings hereto annexed
Second The back leg and arm composed of the bars A B C and D, in combination
with the seat rail, front leg and connecting bar 1. 2. 3. 4, the whole in duplicate
being jointed and connected together substantially as herein described and shown
in Figures 1. 2 and 3 of the Drawings, hereto annexed.
Third A chair in which the back reclines, the foot rest comes up, and the hind
leg is moved by a simultaneous action, substantially as herein described and shown
in, the Drawings hereto annexed.
Fourth. The arrangement and construction of ambulance chair substantially as
herein described and shown in the Drawings hereto annexed.
In Witness whereof, I the said Joseph Cowan have hereunto set my hand
and seal this fourteenth day of November in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.