Improvements in Folding and other Adjustable Chairs.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1890-Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding and other Adjustable Chairs.
I, JOHN THOMAS MOORE of Langley, Macclesfield, Chair Manufacturer 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:
This invention refers first to improvements in folding chairs whereby the same are
rendered more comfortable in use and can be self-actingly adjusted at any desired
angle and consists in constructing the same as illustrated on the accompanying
drawing.
Fig. 1 shews my improved chair in its most upright position whilst Fig. 2. illustrates
it in a more inclined position.
The feature of novelty consists in constructing the seat carrier a at the front of
shorter radius than the one b (which forms part of the hack c). This arrangement
enables me to produce a more comfortable adjustable seat by reason of the front
rising to a greater extent than the back and thus counteracting the tendency to slip
forwards the more the back is inclined.
A similar effect may be produced by employing a back support as indicated by
letter d in diagram view Fig. 3 connected or jointed at one extremity to the back
lege and at the other to the back of the folding chair but in this case the back is
provided with a slot fand so forming a sliding connection with the framework. The
dotted lines shew the reclining position.
Or the front suspenders may be dispensed with and the front may then rest upon a
spindle or other support attached to the sides.
Another modification is illustrated in diagram view Fig. 4 and consists in employing
a metal link g connected or jointed at one extremity to the top of the leg hand at
the other extremity to the centre of the arm i so that the more the tops of the legs
diverge or separate from each other the more horizontal becomes the arm i.
These chairs as illustrated are self-adjusting at any desired angle but in case of
requiring to be fixed rigidly at any angle I employ a ratchet-pawl or its equivalent
upon the frame and taking into a rack upon the seat or other suitable mechanism
for locking the parts together.
Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2 I sometimes divide and hinge the arm rail k
in the centre and also hinge the front end of the said arm to the carrier a (in this
case dispensing with the knob m) and thus enabling me to fold the chair into the
smallest possible compass.
Although only shewn as applied to a folding chair it will be apparent that the
improvements are equally applicable to arm and other chairs constructed with rigid
frames.
This invention also relates to improvements in the back and seat of that description
of folding chair illustrated by perspective view Fig. 5 and side view Fig. 6 and
consists in constructing the same with a rigid framed back and seat hinged together
and the back provided with a cross rail which affords a greater support to the
back of the sitter whilst the improved construction also renders the seat firmer than
heretofore.
In performing my invention I construct the back a of wood framed together in a
rectangular form as illustrated. This back is hinged to the framed seat and top
rail c in the ordinary manner. d is a back rail or its equivalent for the better support
of the small of the back of the user. In some cases I dispense with the cross bars e
and f. I connect the seat on its under side to the extremities of the bearers f¹ by
small metallic brackets g.

page_text: In applying my improved grip described in my specification of Letters Patent
No. 4666 and dated 3rd April 1886 to this description of folding chair and to other chairs
of like character to facilitate the adjustment of the angle of the back and seat of
the same I line the inside of the adjustable grip with leather or other suitable
material and so prevent the grip scratching or injuring the frames upon which
they slide.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The improved constructions and arrangements of folding chairs substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying
drawing.
2nd. In a folding chair constructing the seat with the front support of shorter
radius than the back or with an equivalent back support substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
3rd. The improved construction of framed back and seat substantially as and
for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
4th. The improvement in the grip employed in folding chairs as and for the
purposes herein before described.
Data: 0-1 1
1000
JOHN G. WILSON,
Patent Office, 55, Market Street, Manchester, Agent for the Applicant.