US2053471A - Kneeling bench - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 8, 1936. E. F. FROST KNEELING BENCH Filed'Feb. 12, 1955 w 0 m y 2 L f 2 l m fav M a. 3, G, Q Il?? m. l., m

- ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 8, i936 .lKNEELING BENCH Elmer F. Frost, Chicago, lill., assigner to Frost Rubber Works, Chicago, Ill., a partnership consisting of 1F. S. Frost and IF. M. Netzel Application February 12, 1935, Serial No. 6,207

I Claim.

My invention relates to improvements in f benches and similar devices.

My invention relates more particularly to kneeling benches of the type ordinarilyfound in Catholic, Episcopalian and other churches.

Most of the kneeling benches found in the `places I have mentioned are ordinary. pine or other board benches.

After long and intensive use the tops of these lo boards become worn and unattractive in appearance. They also accumulate dust and dirt which gradually becomes imbedded in the grain of the Wood and when men in white ilannels or women in light dresses kneel in worship upon these benches their clothes are invariably soiled and dirtied, even though the benches are subject to frequent cleaning and dusting.

Another result of the use of a wooden board that has a rough surface is to cause damage to womens dresses, silk stockings, and other wearing apparel, thus making it both unpleasant and unprotable to kneel upon benches of this type.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an improved kneeling bench of the character described, that is highly improved in appearance and also much more comfortable in use than the benches of the prior art.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved kneeling bench having a resilient upper surface.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved kneeling bench having a resilient upper surface and a decorative covering thereon.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved kneeling bench having a decorative and attractively appearing covering thereon and also being provided with cushioning means on the upper surface thereof. Other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying sheet of drawing upon which,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of my improved kneeling bench;

Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view'showing the manner in which the decorative covering is placed thereon;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating the .manner in which the sponge rubber and decorative covering are applied to the bench; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View illustrating the manner in which the sponge rubber cushion is mounted upon the board.

The kneeling bench which I have chosen to illustrate my invention may be generally similar in appearance to the benches now employed throughout the churches of the land. Accordingly, I provide a bench Ill of indeterminate length provided with supports I2 at regular intervals as desired. A brace member I4 may also be provided or omitted as desired. The ordinary kneeling bench is complete when it is provided with the top or platform I6 and the supports I2. However, in providing the form of my invention illustrated, I place a cushion or layer I8 of sponge 10 rubber or similar material upon the platform I6. The layer I8 may be the same size as the platform I6, and be connected thereto throughout its length by the application of adhesive 20 such as rubber cement or similar material 'which will ef- 15 fectively seal the layer I8 to the upper surface 22 of the platform I6.

After the resilient layer I 8 has been securely fastened to the platform I6, I provide a flexible decorative covering 24 adapted to enclose the 20 upper wall of the platform and the sidewalls 26 and 28 thereof, said decorative covering terminating in a portion 30 underlying the lower side of platform I6. At this point to provide a decorative trim and to assist in securely fastening 25 the decorative covering in place, I provide a gimp trim strip 32. Suitable round headed tacks 34 are then driven into platform I6 effectively fastening the covering 2li over the entire platform.

As thus constructed, a highly improved and 30 much more comfortable kneeling bench has been provided. The cushion I8 which has been provided is soft enough to yield comfortably to the pressure of the knee and the weight of the person kneeling in worship. After the rubber cushion 35 has been fitted to the length and breadth of the bench, it is held rigidly in place by any suitable adhesive which holds the sponge rubber firmly to the wood, thus" eliminating the use of tacks. The decorative covering may be comparatively heavy 40 and capable of long use and is not easily torn or removed because of the fact that it is fastened underneath the Wooden top. It will, of course, be understood that these decorative covers may come in any suitable or desirable style or color to 45 meet the requirements of different churches or to comply with individual taste.

While I have illustrated and described a specic embodiment of the invention, it will, of course, be understood that changes and modifications may be made in the particular details shown and I do not Wish to limit myself in any particular. Rather, what I desire to secure and protect by Letters Patent of the United States is: 55

A kneeling bench of the class described comprising a. rigid rectangularly shaped, elongated wooden base member, a similarly shaped piece of sponge rubber adhesively secured to the top the bottom of said base member, and a decora- 5 surface thereof, and a flexible decorative covertive binder strip over said covering. '5

ing member, said covering memberextending ELMER F. FROST.

over the upper surface of said sponge rubber membenthe side surfaces of both said sponge rubber and said base member, and a, portion of

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