IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING CHAIRS
Year: 1885

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I, MAX OTTO HUND of, the firm of Sahl & Co of. 36 Basinghall Street in the
City of London Manufacturers and Importers do hereby declare, the, nature of
said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FOLDING CHAIRS (A communication to
me from abroad by Levi 'K. 'Smedes of the Village of Mount Vernon, County of
Westchester, State of New York United States of America Inventor) and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
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The object of this invention is the production of folding, chairs which, can, be
folded up into a space not exceeding the thickness of the material of the frame
while the construction is simple and economical.
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According to this Invention the parts forming the chair are made so as to fold
up that the, seat back and legs are made to fold within the outer or back 'frame
and so that when completely folded to be flush with the said outer frame; by this
means chairs constructed according to this Invention are particularly suitable for
transport.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings. Figure 1 is a side elevation of a chair constructed according to this
Invention when opened out ready for use. Figure 2 is a front elevation of same.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section showing the chair partially closed up and
Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same chair wholly folded. Similar
letters of reference refer to like parts in all the Figures.
A, A, are the main side frames the lower ends of which form two of the legs;
B, B are the two other legs jointed and secured to the frames A A by the cross
bar C. D is the chair seat the back end of which carries studs or dowels a, a,
which travel in grooves b, b, formed in the upper end of the inner side of the main
side frames A A. These studs or dowels may be provided with washers for
guiding them in the grooves and reducing the friction. The length of these slots
is such that when the studs a, a, have travelled up the grooves the seat is brought
parallel with the inner side of the main side frames A. The fore part of the seat
framing is cut away sufficiently to allow for the width of the legs B, B, to be
D

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jointed as shown at E to the upper ends of the said legs B, B and the framing is
there bevilled as shown so that the bevilled edge acting as a stop to the legs when
the chair is open but when the seat D travels up the grooves b, b, the legs B, B,
are carried below the seat and rest parallel with the main side frame A and below
the seat D; F is the back rest jointed at top to the side frames A at d, d; G, G are
metal bars connecting the lower end of the back F with the seat frame at e, e, so
that when the seat is brought up parallel with the side frame A the back F
fits into the space beneath and between the seat frame. H is a cross bar con-.
necting two of the legs and I, I, are corresponding apertures in the opposite legs so
that when the frames are brought together the bar H enters the slots. K is a top
bar for connecting the top of side frames A, A, K¹ is a lower cross bar connecting
the other pair of legs. The seat and back may be fitted with any suitable material
such as leather canvas wood or cane but I prefer material such as imitation leather
or canvas or other fabric or perforated wood because of the small space it occupies.
To open chair take hold of the the top rail K place your foot on the bottom rail K¹
and press out, the seat D down the grooves b when the parts assume the position
shewn at Figures 3 and 1. To close up the chair the reverse action takes place
the studs or dowels a, a, travel up the grooves b, b, as shown at Figure 3 and when
the studs are at the top of the grooves the parts have assumed the position shown
at Figure 4. Chairs constructed according to this invention are well balanced and.
cannot easily be tipped up or upset. The back F extends from the seat to the top.
whereby an easy and comfortable seat is obtained which is a marked contrast to
this class of chairs of the ordinary construction. They are perfectly flat when
folded and occupying little space, they can be packed together very compactly and
securely which is of great advantage for transporation and storing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim as
the invention communicated to me is
The combination in folding chairs of the seat D travelling in grooves in the side
frames with back F jointed to the seat by rod G so that when the parts are folded
the back fits unto and against the underside of the seat and parallel with the side
frames the two legs being jointed to the seat frame and acting as stops when the
chair is opened all substantially as and for-the purposes set forth whereby the
chair folds up perfectly flat.
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