US3695687A

US3695687A - Stackable folding chair

Info

Publication number: US3695687A
Application number: US70817A
Authority: US
Inventors: Tim M Uyeda
Original assignee: Samsonite Corp
Current assignee: Samsonite Furniture Co
Priority date: 1970-09-09
Filing date: 1970-09-09
Publication date: 1972-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-03

Abstract

A stackable folding chair having a non-metallic back rest and non-metallic feet at the bottom of each leg to prevent metal to metal contact when two such chairs are placed side by side in use and also when two or more of such chairs are folded and stacked one on top of the other or in an upright row. A molded plastic seat has a metal guide beneath for a top bar of a rear leg frame and a depending rim engaged by an angular support which encircles the rim.

Description

United States Patent Uyeda [54] STACKABLE FOLDING CHAIR [72] lnventor: Tim M. Uyeda, South San Gabriel,

Calif.

[73] Assignec: Samsonite Corporation, Denver,

Colo.

[22] Filed: Sept. 9, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 70,817

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 753,393, Aug.

19, 1968, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl ..297/56 [51] Int. Cl ..A47c 4/24 [58] Field of Search ..297/16, 56, 57

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,760,008 5/1930 Schermerhom ..297/56 [451 Oct. 3, 1972 1,873,768 8/1932 Kux ..297/56 1,949,492 3/1934 1 Schermerhom ..297/57 2,016,385 10/1935 Molling et al ..297/57 Primary Examiner-Donald A. Griffin Attorney-Van Valkenburgh and Lowe [5 7] ABSTRACT A stackable folding chair having a non-metallic back rest and non-metallic feet at the bottom of each leg to prevent metal to metal contact when two such chairs are placed side by side in use and also when two or more of such chairs are folded and stacked one on top of the other or in an upright row. A molded plastic seat has a metal guide beneath for a top bar of a rear leg frame and a depending rim engaged by an angular support which encircles the rim.

16 Claims, 33 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 01:13 I972 SHEET 1 BF 7 mil 1" FIG. 2

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" sum 3 or 7 INVENTOR.

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INVENTOR.

Tim M. U ya do A TTORNE Y5 STACKABLE FOLDING CHAIR This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 753,393, filed Aug. 19, 1968 now abandoned.

This invention relates to stackable folding chairs.

Conventional stackable folding chairs have front and rear legs, with the front legs extending upwardly past a pivot point to a top bar, to form a main frame, and a metal back rest attached to the upper end of the main frame. The rear legs also extend upwardly and forwardly past the pivot point, for interconnection with a metal seat which folds into the general plane of the main frame and the rear leg frame, when collapsed. Such chairs are quite sturdy and have a relatively long life but require repainting or touching up at intervals, the frequency of such intervals depending upon the amount of use. The points at which the paint or finish tends to wear off are those points which contact adjacent chairs, as when the unfolded chairs are placed side by side, as in a row, or when a series of such chairs, after folding, are stacked one atop the other or stacked against each other in a generally upright row. In addition, when stacked atop one another or against one another in an upright row, such chairs tend to slide on each other. This tendency to slide requires either a special support or carrier for a stack of folding chairs one atop the other, or a special post or the like, to prevent an upright row of chairs from sliding down onto the floor or the like. This tendency of the chairs to slide also presents difficulties in handling the chairs, not only when erecting a large number of chairs, as in an auditorium or the like, but also when taking down the chairs and moving them to a place of storage. A number of such chairs can be carried with an arm of a workman hooked under the back rests, but the number of chairs which can be carried in this manner is often limited by the tendency of the chairs to slide along one another. Also, each time a number of chairs is carried in this manner, the rubbing of the points of contact between one chair and each adjacent chair further increases the maintenance problems.

Such conventional chairs also have a tendency, when folded and placed in upright position against a wall or the like, to fall over. This produces not only inconvenience, but also increases considerably the time required to set up or remove any given number of chairs.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel stackable folding chair; to provide such a chair which reduces the maintenance problems, as in repainting or touching up, due to metal to metal contact with adjacent chairs, either when placed side by side in position for use, or when folded and stacked one atop another, or folded and stacked against each other in an upright row; to provide such a chair which is sturdy in construction but may be made so as to be relatively light in weight; to provide such chairs which interfit, when stacked together in folded position, thereby overcoming the tendency for chairs to slide against each other, as when a number of chairs is being carried to or from a point of use; to provide such a chair, the center of gravity of which is such that it may be placed, when folded, in an upright position against a wall or the like, with little tendency to fall over; and to provide such chairs which are relatively easy to manufacture and are neat in appearance.

Additional objects and the novel features of this invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying'drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a chair constructed in accordance with this invention, in position for use;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of two such chairs placed in side by side relation, as in a row;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, on a slightly enlarged scale, of the chair of FIG. 1 in folded position and placed upright against a wall, the latter being shown diagrammatically;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation,'on an enlarged scale, of two chairs of FIG. 1 in folded position and placed horizontally on a floor or support, indicated diagrammatically, but in vertically stacked relation;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a frame of the chair of FIG. 1, in folded position corresponding to that of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale and partly in longitudinal section, of a tubing cap for the lower ends of the legs of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a central longitudinal section of a molded foot which fits onto the tubing cap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view, on a further enlarged scale, of a back rest of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a transverse section of the back rest, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the back rest of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a central vertical section, taken along line 11-11 ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a vertical section, taken adjacent one side of the back rest along line 12-12 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary bottom plan view, on a further enlarged scale, of one end of the back rest;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 8 but showing a back rest of an alternative construction of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the back rest of FIG. 14, corresponding to FIG. 10, but showing in dotted lines the back rest of an interfitting chair;

FIG. 16 is a vertical section, taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a back rest of a further alternative construction of this invention, corresponding to FIG. 10;

FIG. 19 is a transverse section of the further alternative back rest, taken along line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a central vertical section, taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a vertical section, taken adjacent one side of the back rest along line 21-21 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a seat of the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 23 is a vertical section, taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a transverse vertical section, taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a transverse vertical section, taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 27-27 of FIG. 22 but showing also a slide track and a top bar of a leg frame which moves along the slide track;

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary front elevation, on a further enlarged scale, showing a portion of a leg frame and a pivot pin for the seat, with an edge of the seat and a pivot support for the seat shown in section;

FIG. 29 is a side elevation of the seat pivot support of FIG. 28; 4

FIG. 30 is a condensed side view, on an enlarged scale, of a tubing stiffener for a side of the frame of FIG. 5;

FIG. 31 is an end view, on a further enlarged scale, of the stiffener of FIG. 29;

FIG. 32 is a transverse section, on a further enlarged scale, taken along line 32-32 of FIG. 30; and

FIG. 33 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 33-33 of FIG. 5.

A chair constructed in accordance with this invention as shown in unfolded or use position in FIG. 1, may include a main or front leg frame F, on the upper rear end of which is mounted a back rest B, with a seat 8 pivoted to the main frame F approximately centrally thereof and adjacent the rear of the seat. A rear leg frame R is connected by a pivot pin 10 of FIG. 5 to each side of the main frame F and is slidably interconnected with the underside of the seat S, as by a slide L of FIG. 2, so that when the seat is to be folded, the front edge of the seat S may be pivoted upwardly, until both the seat and the rear leg frame R are aligned generally with the main frame F. Such chairs, in unfolded or use position, may be placed side by side in rows, as in FIG. 2. In folded position, such a chair may be placed in upright position, as in FIG. 3, against a wall 11 while resting on a floor or other supporting surface 12, while additional folded chairs may be placed in upright position against the chair of FIG. 3 to form an upright row. As will be evident from FIG. 3, when the folded chair is placed in upright position with the front of back rest B and the lower end of main frame F against wall 11, the lower end of rear leg frame R will engage the floor 12 at a position spaced farther from the wall 11 than the center of gravity of the chair, thereby preventing the chair shown, as well as other chairs stacked against it, from falling over. Such chairs, when folded, also may be stacked one atop another, as in FIG. 4, on a floor 12 or other supporting surface, such as a truck or dolly.

In accordance with the present invention, both the back rest B and seat S are formed of non-metallic material, such as molded plastic, polypropylene being suitable, and the lower end of each of the legs is provided with a molded foot 14 also formed of a nonmetallic material, such as a molded plastic composition as polypropylene. Also, the chairs are so constructed that non-metallic surfaces only will abut when two chairs are placed side by side or folded and stacked, either in an upright row or in a vertical stack, thereby eliminating contact and particularly rubbing between painted metal surfaces. Thus, as in FIG.'2, when the chairs are placed side by side in a row, the sole abutting surfaces are the edges of the back rest B adjacent the top and the molded feet 14, so that there is no metal to metal contact, since all contact with adjacent chairs, when so placed, will be between non-metallic material. Each non-metallic back rest B is formed, as in the manner described later, so as to'interfit with the back rest B of each adjacent chair, not only when the chairs are stacked one atop another, as in FIG. 4, but also when stacked against each other in an upright position, e.g. when in the upright position of FIG. 3. This interfitting of the back rests B, assisted by the interfitting of one pair of molded feet 14 with a pair of legs of an adjacent chair, as will be described later, not only maintains the chairs in a vertical stack, as in FIG. 4, without sliding around, but also facilitates the handling of several folding chairs simultaneously. Each back rest B is also provided with a forwardly extending, non-metallic lug or abutment 15 at each side, which will engage the rear of the back rest or frame F of the chair beneath, when stacked vertically as in FIG. 4 and similarly when stacked in an upright row. The lugs 15 and the molded feet 14 thus space the frame and seat of each folded chair from the frame and seat of the next folded chair, so that again there is no metal to metal contact between adjacent chairs.

As in FIG. 5, the main frame F, formed principally from a metal tube bent to shape, provides the front legs 16 and 17, extensions 18 of which extend upwardly and around to an integral top bar 19, with holes 20 being provided for attachment of the back rest B, as in a manner described below. The rear leg frame R, again formed principally from a metal tube bent to shape, provides the

rear legs

21 and 22, above which tubular sections 23 angle inwardly to an integral top bar 24. A conventional brace 25 may extend across the front legs 16 and 17 and be attached to the rear side thereof in a suitable manner, as by rivets,-while a conventional U- shaped brace 26 extends between

rear legs

21 and 22 and is attached to the insides of the rear legs in a conventional manner, as by rivets, as shown.

Braces

25 and 26 are positioned on the legs so that, when folded as in FIG. 5, neither can contact the other. Each front leg of the main frame F is pivotally connected to a rear leg by picot 10, such as a rivet, while a special pivot pin P for the seat S, described in greater detail later, is mounted above each pivot pin 10 and the area between the respective pivot pins, at each side may be reinforced by a stifiener T, which will also be described in detail later. The front leg brace 25 may also be constructed as shown in FIG. 33, from tubular stock having flattened ends, each providing a curl 26 for attachment to legs 16 and 17, respectively, and a flattened section 27 which accommodates

rear legs

21 and 22 to avoid metal to metal contact.

As will be evident from FIG. 5, when the chair is folded, the

legs

21 and 22 of the rear frame R will be inside the legs 16 and 17 of the front frame F, while the

legs

21 and 22 of the rear frame R are longer, in the distance measured from the pivot pin 10, than the legs 16 and 17 of the front frame F. Thus, the feet 14 of the two sets of legs will be spaced longitudinally from each other, so that no interference between the feet will be produced and further so that, in the folded and stacked position of FIG. 4, the shorter legs of the next chair above will fit outside the longer legs of each chair in the stack, with the feet 14 of the shorter legs essentially abutting, aswith only a. slight clearance, the longer legs ofthe next chair below. Thus, the feet 14 of the shorter legs will impart lateral stability to the stack, at the foot of the stack. The interfitting of the backs B, described below, will impart lateral stability to the opposite end of the stack. When the chairs are stacked in positions reverse to that shown in FIG. 4, the same lateral stability to the stack will be produced, as will be evident by merely turning FIG. 4 upside down. Similar lateral stability will be produced for an upright stack of chairs, produced by adding folded chairs to the folded but upright chair of FIG. 3, as may be readily visualized by turning FIG. 4 through 90 in a clockwise direction. Thus, a large number of folded chairs may be stacked one atop the other on a horizontal surface or against each other in a vertical row, with the first chair abutting a wall or other upright support, without danger of lateral movement and the possibility of the stack falling over.

A metal tubing cap 30, as in FIG. 6, is conveniently mounted on the lower end of each of the front legs 16, 17 and the

rear legs

21, 22, being attached to the metal tubing of the legs by spot welding or in any other suitable manner. Tubing cap 30 may be provided with an angular base 31 and a central hole 32, which relieves air pressure inside the molded foot 14, when it is pushed over the tubing cap. Each molded foot 14, as in FIG. 7, may be provided with upwardly and inwardly tapering side walls, as shown, together with an angular base 33, which is adapted solidly to engage the angular base 31 of tubing cap 30, and an inwardly inclined, upper lip 34, which grips the leg above the tubing cap 30. Molded foot 14 is, of course, formed of non-metallic material, preferably a fairly hard plastic.

Back rest B, as in FIGS. 8-12, is provided with an arcuate rim 35 which overlaps the top bar 19 of the main frame F and also the side tubular extensions 18, as in FIG. 9. In general, the arcuate extent of rim 35 increases downwardly along the extensions 18 until, at the lower edge of the back rest, as in FIG. 13, the lower end 35' of rim 35 may encircle the corresponding tube extension 18 to an extent greater than 180, which provides protection to the painted surface most vulnerable to damage. Rim 35 permits the back rest B to be slipped downwardly from above onto the main frame F until the top of rim 35 fits against top bar 19, in which position the center of each forwardly facing lug 15, which is molded integrally with the front of rim 35 at each side, will be opposite the corresponding hole 20 in the main frame F. A screw may then be inserted, from the rear side of the main frame, through each hole 20 and into a cavity 36 formed for that purpose in lug which has a threaded metal insert installed, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 13. Back rest B also includes a forwardly extending, angular, upper flange 37, integral with the lower edge of rim 35 and a pair of side flanges 38 which extend forwardly from the inner edges of the sides of rim 35, with a downwardly and rearwardly slanting wall 39 having a dished contour to correspond generally to the shape of the back of the person sitting in the chair. Thus, at the center, as in FIG. 11, the angularity of wall 39 is more pronounced than adjacent the sides of the back rest, as in FIG. 12. The edges of wall 39 are, of course, integral with upper flange 37 and side flanges 38, while the lower edge of wall 39 is reinforced by a rearwardly extending, integral lower flange 40 which varies in width, being narrower adjacent the center, as in FIG. 11, and wider adjacent the sides of the back rest, as in FIG. 12. Adjacent each side of the back rest, at the positions indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 8, a vertical rib 41 having an angular rear edge, as in FIG. 12, provides further reinforcement between wall 39 and lower flange 40, it being noted that ribs 41 are hidden in FIG. 10 by the side flanges 38 and rim 35. A pair of upper front ribs 42 may also connect rim 35 with flange 37, as in FIGS. 8 and 10. With such a construction, the molded back rest is sufficiently strong to withstand the rigors of 'hard usage, but is readily installed on the main frame F and is particularly comfortable in use. Also, due to the placement and inward inclination of side flanges 38, as will be evident from a comparison of FIGS. 8 and 9, as well as the rearwardly downward inclination of lower flange 40, as in FIGS. 10-12, each back rest will interfit with the back rest of an adjacent chair when the folded chairs are stacked, as in FIG. 4. Side lugs 15, as well as top ribs 42 prevent adjacent back rests from wedging together, so that each chair is readily separated from a stack.

Alternative back rest 8', as in FIGS. 14-17, is provided with an arcuate rim 35 which overlaps the top bar 19 of the main frame F and also the side tubular extensions 18, in the same manner as the back rest B, as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, the arcuate rim 35 is formed in essentially the same manner as the rim 35 of back rest B, permitting the back rest B to be slipped downwardly from above onto the main frame F until the top of rim 35 fits against top bar 19. As before, the back rest B includes a forwardly extending, angular upper flange 37 integral with the lower edge of rim 35 and a pair of side flanges 38 which extend forwardly from the inner edges of the sides of rim 35, with a downwardly and rearwardly slanting wall 39 having a dished contour, as described previously. As before, the lower edge of wall 39 is reinforced by a rearwardly extending, integral lower flange 40' which varies in width, "being narrower at the center and wider adjacent the sides of the back rest, but the ends 40A of which flare rearwardly, as in FIG. 14. Back rest B is also provided with vertical ribs 41, as shown in FIG. 12, the rear ends thereof being no further rearwardly than the rear edge of rim 35, so that the ribs 41 do not produce interference between the back rest of one chair and an interfitting back rest of an abutting chair. As in FIG. 15, the lower flange 40 and its end extensions 40A of one chair fit beneath the back rest B of an abutting chair, so as to lock the two chairs against lengthwise movement, particularly when stacked in a horizontal row in folded position, as in FIG. 4.

The back rest B is not provided with the forwardly extending lugs 15 at each side, as is the back rest B, but is instead provided with a pair of upper lugs or abutments 42 which are spaced apart, so as to be positioned relatively close to the side edges of the back rest 7 and which are considerably enlarged laterally over the top ribs 42 of FIG. 8, so as to be capable of receiving the thrust of a considerable weight, particularly when a large number of chairs are stacked one atop the other, in folded position. The abutments 42 may be provided with a center reinforcing flange 43, as in FIGS. 16 and 17, while rearwardly extending nibs 43 correspond to the side edges of the abutment 42' but are concave at the rear, so as to engage the top bar 19 of the main frame F and thereby transmit the load imposed on the lugs directly to the main frame. Due to the spacing of the main frame F from the rim 35 of the interfitting chair, the abutments 42' will prevent adjacent back rests from wedging together, so that each chair is readily separated from a stack.

The further alternative back rest'B" of FIGS. l8-21 is similar to the'back rest B and B in having a dished wall 39 and reinforcing ribs 41 and to the back rest B in having a lower angular flange 40' having rearwardly extending end extensions 40A, as in FIG. 19. The upper flange 37' and side flanges 38 of'this back rest are similar to the corresponding flanges of the previous back rests, but are narrower from front to rear, since the rim 35A provides a flat ledge or abutment 42A which is adapted to engage the rear side of the frame F of an abutting chair, in order to prevent wedging of two back rests together. Rear flange 40 and its end extensions 40A function as described previously to prevent longitudinal movement between two adjacent chairs, when in stacked relation, interfitting in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIG. 15. In order to space the frame F rearwardly from the abutment 42A, the rim 35A is provided with a series of rearwardly extending, transverse flanges 44, as in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21. A suitable number of such flanges are spaced around the periphery of rim 35A, such as three at the top and two along each side. The flanges 44, as shown, are curved to engage a portion of the periphery of the frame tube and are also integral with the rim 35A and its abutment 42A, soas to transmit the load on an abutment 42A directly to the frame.

The frame F may be secured to the inside of rim 35 of FIGS. 14 and 17 and to the inside of rim 35A of FIGS. 19-21 in any suitable manner, such as by an adhesive. If desired, a portion of abutments 42' of FIG. 14 may be thickened, so as to receive a threaded insert into which an attachment screw may be threaded. Also,

one of the side flanges 44 of FIG. 19 may similarly be thickened to receive a threaded insert for an attachment screw extending through the frame tube. As will be evident, a screw extending into the frame tube from the front of flange 35 of FIG. 14 or from the front of abutment 42A of FIG. 19 would be undesirable, since the metal head of such a screw would engage the metal frame tube of the next abutting chair. Similarly, exposed screw heads on the sides of rim 35 of FIG. 14 or rim 35A of FIG. 19 would similarly be undesirable. It will be understood, of course, that other ways of attaching the frame tubes to rim 35 of FIG. 14 or to rim 35A may be utilized, while the flange 40 of back rest B, as shown in FIG. 8, may also be provided with end extensions similar to end extensions 40A of FIGS. 14 and 19.

The seat S may be specially constructed, so as to be relatively light in weight but sufficiently strong, having a base 45 molded ,to a dished contour from front to back, as in FIGS. 23, 24 and 27, as wellas transversely, as inFlG. 26, so as to correspond generally to that portion of the anatomy of persons who will use the seat,

8 ribs comprise both transverse and longitudinal ribs, the transverse ribs including a rearwardly curved, transverserib 47 spaced from. the rear edge of the seat, three

transverse ribs

48, 49 and 50, a transverse rib 51 extending between the sides of rim 46 slightly rearwardly of the lateral center line and a forwardly offset rib 52, which is disposed adjacent the front rim 46. The rear ribs 47 to 51 are reinforced by a spaced, inner pair of longitudinal ribs 53 and an outer pair of longitudinal ribs 54, each of which extends fromthe rear rim 46 to the center transverse rib 51. An oblique rib 55, at each side, extends from the front to the corresponding rear comer of the rim 46. At the front. The seat is further reinforced by a pair of longitudinal ribs 56 of limited extent, each of which is spaced from the longitudinal center of the seat and extends rearwardly from the front rim, and a pair of angular ribs 57, each of which extends rearwardly and inwardly from the juncture between rib 52 and a corresponding rib 55. The depending ribs may vary in depth and taper upwardly toward or into the base 45, as shown, to provide a maximum of strength, together with a minimum of weight.

In order to secure the slide track L to the underside of the seat, a pair of depending lugs 58, with threaded metal inserts, spaced to each side of the longitudinal center of the seat, depend from the base 45 just rearward of rib 51, while another pair of similarlyspaced lugs 59, also with threaded metal inserts, may be formed integrally with the rib 52. The slide track L is preferably formed of metal having a width corresponding to the distance between the depending longitudinal ribs 53 and the depending longitudinal ribs 56, and

shaped to provide a central track 60, as illustrated in FIG. 27 along which the top bar 24 is adapted to move between a position in engagement with a larger front upward offset or bump 61, when the seat is in the down position, and a smaller rear upward offset or bump 62, when the top bar 24 engages with the chair in folded position. Front bump 61 provides a stop for the top bar 24, thereby eliminating the possibility of finger pinching when opening the chair, while rear bump 62 provides a detent to insure against accidental opening of the chair. To provide sufficient clearance between track and the underside of the base 45 of the seat S, the slide L is provided with an upward offset 64 at the position of rear bump 62. A front flange 65 extends upwardly into the space between rib 52 and the front rim 46, while a rear flange 66 extends upwardly behind the rear lugs 58. The slide L is attached to the underside of the seat, as by screws 67 threaded into the metal inserts in each of the lugs 58 and59, as in FIG. 27.

Each pin P, on which the seat is pivoted, may be solid or tubular. Each seat support 70 is provided with an outer flange 71 which is integral with an arcuate section 72 and the upper edge of which may be beveled at both sides, as in FIG. 29, and an inner angular flange 72, which engages the underside of the base 45 of the seat adjacent the rim 46. The depending rim 46 of the seat S is encircled by the seat support-70 and provided with a hole corresponding to the position of a shank 74 of pin P, which also extends through a pair of aligned holes 75 in the seat support, to permit the seat to pivot between the unfolded or use position of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the folded or storage position of FIGS. 3 and 4. Each seat support 70 may be assembled to the seat S by placing the seat support in position on the seat, which is then placed between the stiffeners T and the frame F and with all the holes aligned properly in the respective parts, a pin P is inserted until a head 76 engages frame F and the inner end 77 then clinched to hold the parts together.

Each stiffener T, as in FIGS. 30-32, may be formed from a semi-arcuate tube 80 having, at the position of a pin P and a pivot pin 10 of FIG. 5, an upset shoulder 81 provided with a flat surface 82, to provide a bearing area for seat support 70, and a washer encircling pivot pin 10 between frames F and R. Shoulder 81 is provided with a hole 83 through which the corresponding pin P or pivot pin 10 extends. The stiffener is formed with a central longitudinal ridge 84, as in FIG. 31, to facilitate proper drainage of metal treating solutions in the painting process, and especially when it becomes necessary for a rejected chair to be stripped of its paint and run through the paint system again.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a stackable folding chair constructed in accordance with this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. Although a preferred embodiment thereof and other embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other embodiments may exist and that various changes may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A stackable folding chair adapted to be placed in an unfolded upright position for use and a folded position for storage and the like, comprising:

a first generally metal frame providing a leg at each side;

a second generally metal frame providing a leg at each side and pivotally connected to said legs of said first frame for movement between said folded and unfolded positions, said frames in said folded position being in approximately the same plane and in said unfolded position providing forwardly and downwardly extending front legs and rearwardly and downwardly extending rear legs, one said frame in said unfolded position extending upwardly and rearwardly and including a rearwardly disposed top bar;

a back rest formed of non-metallic material and attached to the upper end of said one frame, said back rest providing non-metallic material both forwardly and laterally to each side beyond said frames;

aseat pivotally connected between the sides of said one frame;

means interconnecting the other frame with said seat for causing said seat to be disposed in a generally horizontal position when said frames are unfolded and in approximately the same plane with said frames when said frames are folded;

a non-metallic footon the lower end of each leg;

the construction and arrangement of said first frame, said second frame, said back rest and said seat being such that, with two such chairs in unfolded position placed in side by side abutting relationship, a back rest of one chair will abut a back rest of the other adjacent chair and at least one nonmetallic foot at the bottom of the legs at one side 5 folded position and stacked one atop the other, a

non-metallic back rest of one chair will abut an adjacent chair and the molded feet at the bottom of the legs of one chair will abut such molded feet of such adjacent chair;

10 whereby metal to metal contact between abutting chairs in such positions will be avoided. 2. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said legs of one of said first and second frames extend a greater distance from said pivotal connection than the legs of the other of said first and second frames to provide a longer and a shorter pair of legs, whereby in folded position and with two or more such chairs stacked one atop the other, said non-metallic feet of the shorter legs will essentially abut the longer legs of an adjacent chair at a position spaced from said feet of the longer legs of said adjacent chair to impart lateral stability to a stack of such chairs.

shorter legs with said chair in folded position,

whereby said molded feet of said shorter legs abut the outside of the longer legs of an adjacent chair when two or more folded chairs are stacked one atop'the other.

5 4. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 2,

wherein:

the sides of said back rest of one chair extend forwardly from the correspondingframe and taper inwardly, with a corresponding t'aper of the sides at the rear, whereby the front of one said back rest interfits within the rear of the back rest of an adjacent chair to provide lateral stability to the 0pposite end of said stack from said feet; and

each said back rest is provided with a forwardly extending lug outwardly from each said tapered side,

so as to abut the rear of said adjacent chair and prevent the tapered sides of said back rests of adjacent chairs from becoming wedged when said chairs are stacked one atop the other.

5. A stackable folding chair adapted to be placed in wardly and rearwardly and including a rearwardly I disposed top bar;

a seat pivotally connected between the sides of said one frame;

means interconnecting the other frame with said seat for causing said seat to be disposed in a generally horizontal position when said frames are unfolded and in approximately the same plane with said frames when said frames are folded; and A a back rest formed of non-metallic material and attached to the upper end of said one frame, said back rest providing non-metallic material both forwardly and laterally to each side beyond said v frames, said back rest having a forwardly extending abutment positioned to engage an adjacent chair with two of such chairs in folded position and placed in stacked relation. 6. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein: I

said abutment comprises a forwardly extending lug at each side. 7. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 6, wherein:

' said back rest is attached to said one frame by attaching means extending into each said lug from the rear.

' 8. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5,

wherein:

said abutment comprises a pair of laterally spaced, forwardly extending lugs at the top of said back rest.

9. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5,

wherein:

said abutment extends generally around the sides and top of said back rest. 10. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 9,

wherein: v

said abutment is provided on the rear side with transverse flanges engaging one said frame.

11. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5,

wherein:

said back rest is provided with a rim which at least partially encircles said top bar and adjacent portions of the sides of said one frame.

12. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5,

wherein:

said back rest, is provided with a generally upright wall which is concave in the front and a rearwardly and downwardly extending flange at the lower end of said wall adapted to interfit with the underside of a corresponding flange of an adjacent chair in folded, stacked position.

13. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5,

wherein said back rest includes:

a rim encircling the upper portion of one of said frames;

a top flange and side flanges extending forwardly from the inner edge of said rim;

a forwardly concave, rearwardly slanting wall having a downwardly inclined and rearwardly extending flange at the lower edge, each end of saidflange flaring rearwardly; and

a pair of spaced abutments extending forwardly from the top of said rim at eachside of said top. 14. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein said back rest includes:

a peripheral rim encircling and engaging the sides and top of the upper portion of one said frame; a forwardly facing abutment formed by said rim and s a edfromsai fr e; 1 a t'cip ange and side fi nges connected to said abutment; a

a forwardly concave, rearwardly slanting wall con nected to said top and side flanges, said wall having a rearwardly extending and downwardly inclined flange at the lower edge thereof, the ends of said flange flaring rearwardly; and

a series of transverse flanges extending between the sides and top of said rim and said abutment at spaced positions for engaging the front of said frame.

15. A stackable folding chair comprising:

a main frame having sides and a top, the lower portions of said sides providing front legs with said chair in unfolded position;

rear leg frame pivotally connected to said main frame at each side and havinga top bar of lesser width than the distance between the rear legs provided by said rear leg frame with said chair in unfolded position; 1 a back rest attached to the upper end of said main frame; I

a seat pivotally connected to and disposed between the sides of said main frame above the pivot connection with said rear leg frame, said seat being formed of non-metallic material and movable by said top bar between a position in which said chair is unfolded for use and a position in which said chair is folded, with said main frame, rear leg frame and seat disposed generally in the same plane, said seat having a depending peripheral rim;

a seat support, at the pivotal connection at each side, abutting the inside of said depending seat rim and having a lateral flange engaging the underside of said seat adjacent said rim, each said'rim support having an outer flange on the outside of said rim;

a pivot pin at each side extending from the corresponding side of said main frame and through aligned holes in said seat rim and seat support, includingsaid outer flange; and

a guide for said top bar attached tothe underside of said seat.

16. A stackable folding chair, as defined inclaim 15,

wherein said seat is provided with:

a series of intersecting, transverse and longitudinal, depending ribs, said ribs being integral with said seat; and

a series of integral, depending lugs forattachment of said guide.

Claims

1. A stackable folding chair adapted to be placed in an unfolded upright position for use and a folded position for storage and the like, comprising: a first generally metal frame providing a leg at each side; a second generally metal frame providing a leg at each side and pivotally connected to said legs of said first frame for movement between said folded and unfolded positions, said frames in said folded position being in approximately the same plane and in said unfolded position providing forwardly and downwardly extending front legs and rearwardly and downwardly extending rear legs, one said frame in said unfolded position extending upwardly and rearwardly and including a rearwardly disposed top bar; a back rest formed of non-metallic material and attached to the upper end of said one frame, said back rest providing nonmetallic material both forwardly and laterally to each side beyond said frames; a seat pivotally connected between the sides of said one frame; means interconnecting the other frame with said seat for causing said seat to be disposed in a generally horizontal position when said frames are unfolded and in approximately the same plane with said frames when said frames are folded; a non-metallic foot on the lower end of each leg; the construction and arrangement of said first frame, said second frame, said back rest and said seat being such that, with two such chairs in unfolded position placed in side by side abutting relationship, a back rest of one chair will abut a back rest of the other adjacent chair and at least one nonmetallic foot at the bottom of the legs at one side of one chair will abut a non-metallic foot At the bottom of the legs at the adjacent side of the other chair; and further such that with two or more of such chairs in folded position and stacked one atop the other, a non-metallic back rest of one chair will abut an adjacent chair and the molded feet at the bottom of the legs of one chair will abut such molded feet of such adjacent chair; whereby metal to metal contact between abutting chairs in such positions will be avoided.

2. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 1, wherein: said legs of one of said first and second frames extend a greater distance from said pivotal connection than the legs of the other of said first and second frames to provide a longer and a shorter pair of legs, whereby in folded position and with two or more such chairs stacked one atop the other, said non-metallic feet of the shorter legs will essentially abut the longer legs of an adjacent chair at a position spaced from said feet of the longer legs of said adjacent chair to impart lateral stability to a stack of such chairs.

3. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 2, wherein: said shorter legs are front legs and said longer legs are rear legs, with said longer legs being inside said shorter legs with said chair in folded position, whereby said molded feet of said shorter legs abut the outside of the longer legs of an adjacent chair when two or more folded chairs are stacked one atop the other.

4. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 2, wherein: the sides of said back rest of one chair extend forwardly from the corresponding frame and taper inwardly, with a corresponding taper of the sides at the rear, whereby the front of one said back rest interfits within the rear of the back rest of an adjacent chair to provide lateral stability to the opposite end of said stack from said feet; and each said back rest is provided with a forwardly extending lug outwardly from each said tapered side, so as to abut the rear of said adjacent chair and prevent the tapered sides of said back rests of adjacent chairs from becoming wedged when said chairs are stacked one atop the other.

5. A stackable folding chair adapted to be placed in an unfolded upright position for use and a folded position for storage and the like, comprising: a first generally metal frame providing a leg at each side; a second generally metal frame providing a leg at each side and pivotally connected to said legs of said first frame for movement between said folded and unfolded positions, said frames in said folded position being in approximately the same plane and in said unfolded position providing forwardly and downwardly extending front legs and rearwardly and downwardly extending rear legs, one said frame in said unfolded position extending upwardly and rearwardly and including a rearwardly disposed top bar; a seat pivotally connected between the sides of said one frame; means interconnecting the other frame with said seat for causing said seat to be disposed in a generally horizontal position when said frames are unfolded and in approximately the same plane with said frames when said frames are folded; and a back rest formed of non-metallic material and attached to the upper end of said one frame, said back rest providing non-metallic material both forwardly and laterally to each side beyond said frames, said back rest having a forwardly extending abutment positioned to engage an adjacent chair with two of such chairs in folded position and placed in stacked relation.

6. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said abutment comprises a forwardly extending lug at each side.

7. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 6, wherein: said back rest is attached to said one frame by attaching means extending into each said lug from the rear.

8. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said abutment comprises a pair of laterally spaced, forwardly extending lugs at the top of said back rEst.

9. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said abutment extends generally around the sides and top of said back rest.

10. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 9, wherein: said abutment is provided on the rear side with transverse flanges engaging one said frame.

11. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said back rest is provided with a rim which at least partially encircles said top bar and adjacent portions of the sides of said one frame.

12. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein: said back rest is provided with a generally upright wall which is concave in the front and a rearwardly and downwardly extending flange at the lower end of said wall adapted to interfit with the underside of a corresponding flange of an adjacent chair in folded, stacked position.

13. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein said back rest includes: a rim encircling the upper portion of one of said frames; a top flange and side flanges extending forwardly from the inner edge of said rim; a forwardly concave, rearwardly slanting wall having a downwardly inclined and rearwardly extending flange at the lower edge, each end of said flange flaring rearwardly; and a pair of spaced abutments extending forwardly from the top of said rim at each side of said top.

14. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 5, wherein said back rest includes: a peripheral rim encircling and engaging the sides and top of the upper portion of one said frame; a forwardly facing abutment formed by said rim and spaced from said frame; a top flange and side flanges connected to said abutment; a forwardly concave, rearwardly slanting wall connected to said top and side flanges, said wall having a rearwardly extending and downwardly inclined flange at the lower edge thereof, the ends of said flange flaring rearwardly; and a series of transverse flanges extending between the sides and top of said rim and said abutment at spaced positions for engaging the front of said frame.

15. A stackable folding chair comprising: a main frame having sides and a top, the lower portions of said sides providing front legs with said chair in unfolded position; a rear leg frame pivotally connected to said main frame at each side and having a top bar of lesser width than the distance between the rear legs provided by said rear leg frame with said chair in unfolded position; a back rest attached to the upper end of said main frame; a seat pivotally connected to and disposed between the sides of said main frame above the pivot connection with said rear leg frame, said seat being formed of non-metallic material and movable by said top bar between a position in which said chair is unfolded for use and a position in which said chair is folded, with said main frame, rear leg frame and seat disposed generally in the same plane, said seat having a depending peripheral rim; a seat support, at the pivotal connection at each side, abutting the inside of said depending seat rim and having a lateral flange engaging the underside of said seat adjacent said rim, each said rim support having an outer flange on the outside of said rim; a pivot pin at each side extending from the corresponding side of said main frame and through aligned holes in said seat rim and seat support, including said outer flange; and a guide for said top bar attached to the underside of said seat.

16. A stackable folding chair, as defined in claim 15, wherein said seat is provided with: a series of intersecting, transverse and longitudinal, depending ribs, said ribs being integral with said seat; and a series of integral, depending lugs for attachment of said guide.