US2103874A - Folding chair - Google Patents

Description

B. SHWAYDER FOLDING CHAIR Dec. 28, 1937.

Filed F eb. 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l MEEZ -Dec.28 ,1 937 B. $HWAYDER 2,103,374

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Feb. 27, 1936 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 5m dfiw/rmm.

' A TTORNE Y Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a folding chairand has for its object the provision of a folding chair which will be simple in structure, economical of man- 5 ufacture, durable and highly efiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a folding chair whereby the legs ma:

be folded into compact relation so that the chair will occupy a minimum amount of space when l0 folded. 1

Another object of the invention is the-pro vision of a folding chair so constructed and arranged that in its movement from folded to unfolded position and vice versa the actionwill be ranged that when in unfolded position the sup-- porting legs will be extended diagonally to each other and so that when moving from folded to.

unfolding position and vice versa one pair of legs will swing on a 'swingable-member pivotally mounted on the other pair of legs.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a folding chair of this class 'of means 1 for pivotally mounting the seat between a pair of legs and utilizing the mounting means for spacing the side of the chair from the legs.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a folding chair of this class of a hinge mem- 35 her doubled upon itself and having one doubledover portion so constructed as to form a pivot and the other so constructed as' to prevent pivoting thereon when cooperating with a suspended part. I

Another object of the invention is the pro- 'vision in a tubular folding chair of rte-enforcing rails projected between the tubular parts of the chair and re-enforced by rods or cores extended therethrough.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a chair of this class of re-enforcing rods extended-therethrough and welded at opposite ends to the re-enforcing portions.

' Another object of the invention .is the proportion so'constructed and arranged that it may be easily and quickly mounted in position and removed therefrom and so constructed and ar-' ranged that the upholstering thereon may be 55 easily and quickly attached thereto;

vision in a chair 'of this class of a back-forming Another object of the invention is the provision in a chair of a seat Supporting member and a 'seat so constructed and arranged that the seat may be easily and quickly mounted in position and removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a chair seat of a supporting frame so constructed and arranged as to engage the holding frame in such a manner as to require a minimuin amount of strength in the attaching parts used. a

Another object of the invention is the provision ,in a chair seat of a seat frame so constructed and arranged as to lend itself to an easy and inexpensive method of upholstering.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a folding chair having a seat of means carried between said portion and one of the legs adapted for cooperating and resisting-swingable movement of the seat in one direction beyond a predetermined distance Another object of the invention is the provision in a chair'having tubular supporting legs or other parts so constructed and arranged as to be easily and quickly closed with suitable closing tips.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a chair so constructed and arranged that distortion or swaying resulting from side strains delivered to the chair is reduced to a minimum so that a rigid structure is provided.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision in a chair of a removable back so ar ranged and constructed that the uphol'stering may be very easily and quickly locked thereon.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which,

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying certain features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention in folded form with parts broken away. and parts shown in section. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, on line3- -3 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is 'a fragmentary, sectional view taken on linel-lofFig. 1.

Fig. 5. is a fragmentary view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

sectional view, taken Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on.- line 8-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line of Fig. 6.

on line I2l2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line I 3-l3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a further modified form.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the frame used in the invention.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line l6|6 of Fig. 14.

In the drawings I have illustrated the inven- I tion applied particularly to a tubular folding chair, that is a chair in which the supporting parts are formed from tubes. Experience has shown that this type of structure provides a chair which is light and possessed of a maximum amount of strength. There are features of the invention, however, which will appear from the description which may be used to equal advantage With parts other than tubular parts and, of course, as to these features 1 do not wish to limit myself to a tubular chair construction.

In the drawings I have illustrated a chair having supporting legs formed from a tubular piece of material doubled upon itself to provide the U shaped structure and form the supporting legs 24 and 25 connected at their top by the bight 26 of the U shaped structure, this bight 26 forming-the upper railof the chair back and the legs 24 and 25 above the seat portion forming the back supporting side rails. formed by doubling a piece of tubular material upon itself to provide a U shaped structure, each of the legs 2'l of the U shaped structure forming U the side rails of the seat supporting structure and the bight 28 forming the front rail of the seat supporting structure. Each of the side rails of the seat frame is pivotally mounted in the same manner as shown in Fig. 4. Projected through the supporting leg 24 or 25, as the case may be, is a pin 29 which is upset as at 30 at one end to rivet the pin in position on the supporting leg. Formed preferably integral with this pin 29 is a boss 3|,

which serves as aspacing body to space the supporting leg 24 or 25, as the case may be, from the side'rail 21 of the seat supporting frame. This pin 29 atthe opposite side of the boss 3| projects through the side rail of the seat sup-'.

porting frame and is upset as at 32 to rivet the pin in position and thus pivotally mount the seat supporting frame between and spaced from the legs 24 and 25.v I

Rear or bracing legs 33 and 34 are provided and each of these legs is connected at its upper end to its respective side supporting leg 24 or 25,

the connection in each-case being the same. In' Fig. 2 and Fig. 9 this form of connection is believed clearly shown. To make the connection I use a U shaped, hinge-forming clip comprising the bight 35 and the legs 36 and 31. The leg 36 is projected through the supporting leg .24 or 25 and upset as at 38' to rivet the structure in position. This leg 36 is preferably circular in cross section and serves as a pivot on which the clip tube forming the leg 33 or 34.

A seat supporting frame is may swing on the supporting leg 24- or 25. The

.opposite leg 31 is provided with the fiat portions 39 and 40 and is projected through the leg 33 or 34, adjacent the upper end. The opening in the leg 33 or 34 through which the leg 37 is projected is also provided with oppositely disposed flat edges, so that the leg 33 can not pivot on the leg 31 of the clip. The upper ends of the legs 33 and 34 are closed by a suitable cap which comprises the semi-spherical portion 4i and the tubular neck 42 which is insertable into the end of the The opening formed in the cap through which the leg 3'! of the U shaped clip projects is also provided with .fiat edges to assist in preventing rotation of the leg 33 or 34 on the leg of the U- shaped clip. The leg 31 of the U shaped clip is also upset as at 43 so that the device is securely riveteddn position. This method of attaching the legs 33 and 34 to the legs 24 and 25, respectively, performs an important function in the invention so far as obtaining a structure which will fold into compact form is concerned. The legs 33 and 34 are illustrated in Fig. 2 as folded into engagement with the legs 24 and 25 and it will be noted that the legs 33 and 34 when in this folded, compact position engage and lie in engagement throughout their lengths with the legs 24 and 25. When swinging in this position the hinge forming clip swings on the leg 36 as a pivot. In moving the legs 33 and 34 from the folded position as shown in Fig. 2 to the operative position as shown in Fig. 1, the bight of the clip will swing upwardly so that the legs 33 and 34 will move bodily outwardly from the legs 24 and 25 for a short distance, and at the same timemove upwardly, the bight 35 moving toward the position at which it would extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the leg 24 or 25 as the case may be. It is obvious that further upward swinging will effect a tilting of the legs 33' and 34 tothe respective legs on which they are mounted. It will be noted that the bight 35 of the U shaped clip always extends at an inclination to the longitudinal axis of the leg 33 or 34 to which it is attached, but its angularity to the leg 24 or 25 to which it isattached varies as the legs 33 and 34 are moved relatively to the legs 24 and 25.

Projecting outwardly from the outer surface of each of the frame rails, adjacent the rear end thereof, is a stop plug 44 which is a head formed on the end of the pin 45 whichprojects through ends riveted to the seat side rail 21. A stop arm 46 is angularly turned at its ends in opposite directions, one of the angularly turned ends being projected through the side rail 21 and riveted, and the other angularly turned end 41 being projected through the leg 33 or 34, as the case may be,-and riveted, this arm 46 being free to swing on either of its angularly turned ends. The arm is'ofiset as at 48. The construction is such that as the seat frame'moves into the operative position shown in Fig. 1, the arm 46 will engage the plug 44 and thus the parts will be limited against further swinging movement.

The lugs 41 serve to limit the thrust of the member 41 as shown in Fig. 16.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 14 the arm 46', which corresponds to '46, is doubled upon itself as at 48'. The mounting of the arm otherwise is the same.

This doubled-over portion 48 serves to engage thev seat frame rather than a stop plugcarried by the frame.

Extending between the legs 33 and 34 to re this tube 49 is a rod 50 which is spot welded at points to the tube 49. This rod projects through the legs between which it is positioned, as clearly shown in Fig. 12, and is upsetat its outwardly projecting end to rivet-the structure firmly together.

In the structure shown in Fig.. 1 I have illustrated the seat supporting frame provided with an upholstered seat. This seat comprises a frame preferably formed of wood. The frame is of the closed frame type and the side rails and front rails are of the structure shown in Fig. 3. Each of the side rails and the front rails comprises the body which is concaved as at 52 to provide the overhanging lip 53. This concavity conforms to the curvature of the tubes or the material from which the seat supporting frame is made so that the lip 53 will overhang the seat supporting frame. Screws 54 are projected through the frame rails 21 to secure the seat in position. A covering 55 is also held securely inposition by the frame to retain the upholstering 56 and such spring arrangement as maybe desired for a cushion of this kind. In Fig. 15 I have 'shown the seat provided with the spring members |5I which are connected to oppositely disposed side rails and span the space therebetween. Thus, there is provided a seat for a folding chair which is upholstered and provided with .a spring cushion. The seat supporting frame is, of course, open at its rear so that the seat may be slid inwardly from the rear and secured in position, Since the overhanging tongue 53 bears down upon the frame it is obvious that a strong and rigid support for the seat is thus provided.

It is also obvious that the seat itself may be very easily and quickly removed and replaced, thus facilitating such operations as might become necessary for upholstering or redecorating.

In both of the forms illustrated I have indicated a back to the seat which comprises a panel 59 which is suitably formed to conform to the curvature of the persons back. In the form shown in Fig. 11 which is the back indicated in Fig. 10,

. no upholstering is used but in the form shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 8 uphoistering is used. In both instances, however, the back panel itself is formed substantially the same. The lower edge of the back panel 59 is curled upon itself to provide a knuckle or sleeve 60. The other edges of the panel 59 are doubled backwardly and this doubled backwardly portion 68 is curved to conform to the rail 26 which is the bight of the U shaped structure of which the supporting legs 2% and 25 form a part. Intermediate the edges of this curved, rearwardly extended portion 6| there is pressed a trough shaped structure 62. Suit able screws 63 may be projected through the rearwardly turned portion into the bight 26 and the upper portion of the legs 24 and 25 to secure the back in position. By removing these screws the back may be very 'easily and quickly removed as a unit and replaced in position. It will be noted that by forming the rearwardly-turned portion in this manner, there i s provided the part 6| which engages in front of the bight 26 and the upper portions of the legs 24 and 25 so that pressure exerted upon the back is thus directed against against the tubes.

. countersinking so that there and this layer is secured at its lower edge to the cord 61 which is slipped into the sleeve or knuckle 60. The layer 66 of the upholstering is then drawn around the upper edges of theback and the side edges of the back and laid over'the trough 62 into which this layer of upholstering.

may be pressed by forcing the cord strip 68 into position. This cord strip will serve to lock this upholstering in position and securely engage it while at the same time the upholstering may be very easily and quickly removed by removing the locking strip so that it is a very simple matter to reupholster a seat constructed in this manner. The'layer 65 is held in position in the same man'- nerasis the layer 66.

The bottoms of the tubular members are also closed with caps 4|, each having the inwardly projecting neck 42 which inserts into the tube. In eachof these necks there is provided an opening 12 in which is adapted to engage the tongue 13 whichis punched inwardly from the lower end of the tube in which the cap is inserted. If desired, the tongue 1.3 may be forced inwardly with a punch after'it has snapped into a hole 12. Thus the mounting of these closures is a simple and easy operation which provides the rounded ends for the open tubes.

In Fig. I have illustrated the seat frame formed from flat metal and embodying the side rails-2i' and the front rail or bight 26. In this frame is mounted the seat 14 which may be upholstered or not, as desired. -In Fig. 14 I have illustrated a slightly different form of-brace in which a straight rod 15 is projected into the oppositely disposed legs with which used but not through these legs, the inner ends abutting The rod 15 is re-enforced by a rod 16 which is upwardly offset, intermediate its ends and welded to the rod 15 at its centralportion i'l, thus forming a combined truss and beam arrangement. The ends of this rod 16 also project through openings formed on the inner side of the tubular legs and the ends of the rods are welded to the tube with which used. This is a, slightly modified form of bracing but it has been found that this form, as well as the form shown in Fig. 1 and'Fig. 10, is most effective in resisting side strains' and preventing a weaving of the chair when placed under side strains.

As shown in the drawings I prefer to use a tubular body in which the edges are overlapped, as clearly appears in Fig. 12 and bound together at 18. However; any sort of tube may be used. The outer side of the tube is provided with a channelor groove)!!! which serves as a countersink for the screw heads. It is believed obvious that if it is notdesired toform the groove, the tube may be impressed at the definite locations of the screws to form the necessary space for is no obstruction projecting outwardly from the surface of the chair. 7 This prevents catching of the clothes on the chair and adds .considerably to the appearance.

While I have illustratedand described the preferred form of construction, I do not wish to limit modifications as may appear within the sco of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a folding chair, a pair of spaced support- I ing legs, a seat positioned between and pivotally mounted, intermediate its ends, on said legs, a second pair of spaced legs adapted, when in use, to extend at an angle to said first mentioned pair of legs, means for connecting the upper end of each of said second pair of legs to one of said first mentioned legs at a point above the position of mounting of said seat, said connecting means comprising a U-shaped clip inwardly of the legs and having one arm thereof pivotally attached to one of said first mentioned legs and the other arm thereof fixed to one of said second mentioned legs, an arm pivoted at one end thereof to said seat and pivotally mounted at its opposite end to one of said second pair of legs, and an abutment member carried by said seat for engaging said arm upon swinging movement of the front of said seat downwardly a predetermined distance.

BEN SHWAYDER.

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