US2590504A - Chair having resiliently mounted seat and back - Google Patents

Chair having resiliently mounted seat and back Download PDF

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US2590504A
US2590504A US654531A US65453146A US2590504A US 2590504 A US2590504 A US 2590504A US 654531 A US654531 A US 654531A US 65453146 A US65453146 A US 65453146A US 2590504 A US2590504 A US 2590504A
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seat
frame
chair
seat frame
webbing
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US654531A
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Orville S Caesar
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47CCHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
    • A47C7/00Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
    • A47C7/02Seat parts
    • A47C7/28Seat parts with tensioned springs, e.g. of flat type
    • A47C7/282Seat parts with tensioned springs, e.g. of flat type with mesh-like supports, e.g. elastomeric membranes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to improvements in seats or chairs and has for its main object to provide a chair, the body weight-supporting portions of which can be adjusted to obtain greater comfort for the occupant.
  • the invention is directed to a chair specially adapted for use in vehicles such as buses where it is most advantageous to havel an optimum condition in which there is passenger comfort, along with maximum seating capacity and with maximum spacing between the seats.
  • varying Adegrees of comfort can be had for the occupant of one seat without discomforting the occupant in the seat behind.
  • Another and important object is to provide a chair so constructed that when the chair is submitted to bouncing motion as, for example, on a vehicle, such bouncing motion will not be transmitted to the body-supporting part of the seat in such manner as to inch the clothing of the sitter upwardly, nor unduly muss thc clothing.
  • This object is accomplished by so relating the backand seat-forming portions of the chair that there is reciprocal or compensatory movement between these two portions, whatever position a sitter may take in the chair.
  • inching of the upholstery material is prevented, and it is possible to use a single length of upholstery niaterial and to attach it by Very simple means.
  • Another object of the'invention is to provide a seat cushion construction which can be applied to any chair.
  • webbing to obtain cushion eifects by using twoway-stretch metal webbing and by so yieldably connecting such webbing as to very substantially supplement its own inherent cushioning effects; to so connect nonstretchable webbing as to make it act as a cushion; to provide latching means adapted when unlatched to so support a movable cushion seat as to enhance the cushioning action of the cushion means of the seat; to use a single length of any suitable material including metal webbing and to so attach it to.
  • a frame as to adapt it for adjustment from one position in which the sitter is more upright, to another position in which the sitter is less upright and in a position of greater comfort; to provide means whereby the height of the back of -the chair is lessened when force is applied against the back.
  • Fig. l is a side elevation of a completed chair constructed according to the teaching of this invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the chair showing the seat portion of the chair in its upper position and with the chair unloaded and with the webbing represented by a heavy line;
  • Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the chair adj-usted for reclining with the elements positioned when loaded;
  • Fig. 4 is a plan section of the seat frame taken approximately on line #i--d of Fig. 2, showing the relation the metal webbing to the seat frame,
  • Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, with parts broken away to illustrate the latching mechanism
  • Fig. 6 is a face view of one corner of the upper part of the back of the chair showing how the metal webbing is swingingly connected at the top thereof by passage of a bar through the webbing.
  • a skeleton base frame composed of tubular elements is supported by a pedestal I, on which is mounted a suitable horizontally arranged su-pport 2 providing arms 3.
  • a suitable horizontally arranged su-pport 2 providing arms 3.
  • two U-shaped -frame elements generally designated 4, 5.
  • the bottoms 6 of the Us are suitably secured to the arms 3 as by bolts.
  • the opposite upright elements 'I of the Us are suitably attached as by welding to the two horizontal side members 8, 9 of the seat portion of the skeleton frame. Any suitable base frame may be used.
  • the rearwardly slightly downwardly slanting side members 8, 9 of the skeleton base frame are continuous with the corresponding upwardlly and rearwardly slanting side members I 0, I I of the back of the frame.
  • Rising from the members 8 and 9 are arm structures, each comprising an upright portion I2 and a horizontal arm rest portion I3.
  • the inner end of the arm rest I3 is suitably welded to the corresponding back upright and the lower part of the front member I2 is 4rthe arm I3 there are tubular elements I B, I'I
  • the top of the back of the skeleton fra-me is formed by an arched member generally indicated 25.
  • the sides 2B of this arched member are each provided with a tubular ⁇ extension 21 which telescopes in the upper end of a, corresponding back element I0, II.
  • This extension 2'I abuts a coil spring 28, which in turn abuts cross-pin 29. This arrangement permits the arched portion to move downwardly, under conditions presently to be described.
  • a seat frame is pivoted to move -up and down between the side elements 3 and 9 of the skeleton frame.
  • This seat frame comprises a tubular vfront member 3i) suitably pivoted as by trunnions
  • the seat frame l telescopically slidable therein.
  • Each cf these tubular extension sections is cut out on the top, to be open as at 35 and these extension sections are cross-connected by a bar 36.
  • Fixed by one end as by welding within each extension is a ilexible member 33, in this insta-nce formed of a spring tightly coiled. These springs can flex upwardly through the open regions 35.
  • the outer end of each spring has formed thereon an eye 39 -and through these eyes is passed a bar 49 suitably secured by nuts 4I.
  • This bar therefore cross- 4 connects the elements 33 of the U-shaped seat frame because the parts 34 and 33 are extensions of said arms.
  • the springs 38 constitute elements which can be flexed upwardly when the seat frame is
  • the cushioning elements of the back and seat are formed by a single length of suitable material.
  • a material known as wire mesh fencing is well adapted for a new use shown herein.
  • This material is 0f itself resilient and can stretch in two directions. It is strong and mak-es an excellent cushioning material, as I use it and attach it. To facilitate and make for clarity, this material has in most instances been represented by a single heavy black line.
  • the upper end of the webbing is connected to a crossbar 43 suitably secured in the upper part of the arched element 25 of the 'back of the skeleton frame. This material is then attached to the bar 49 as shown, to provide a cushion back 44 for the chair. It will be noted by reference to Figs.
  • the tubular element 46 engages a compression spring 48 which in turn abuts a tubular plug 49, in turn held againstrearward movement by pin 50.
  • Each extension element 34 at its forward end abuts a coil spring 5I which in turn abuts a tubular element 52, which in turn abuts the pin 50.
  • the cushioning eiects are due in this instance to the arrangement of the spring 48, 5I in relation to the elements 36 and 45 and to the natural resilience of the two-way-stretch metal webbing. This is important because it is accomplished without the multiplicity of vertically arranged coil springs usually used for seat cushions, and the seat cushion herein is of one piece with the back cushion 44.
  • the present device by providing a seat frame which can swing up and down, and by connecting the back of that frame with a back material that can' move bodily down against yielding resistance, does away with the need of spring-equipped cushions, and yet provides against jar ina very efficient manner.
  • Each latch element 59 is pivoted as at G0 to a follower element 6l which slides vertically in tubes I5 and I1.
  • the element 50 passes thro-ugh a vertical slot 62 and coil springs resist downward movement of 5
  • a cushion spring 54 is arranged in the tube l1 beneath the follower 6
  • the seat-frame may be considered as a lever fulcrumed at its forward end to the front of the base frame.
  • the lever is sup-ported at its rear by the back-forming part of the webbing and its connection with the webbing is by means of elements which are capable of flexing to allow downward motion of the seat frame.
  • a curvature of the webbing occurs f to conform and give close support to a greater area of the body in direction of body length.
  • the arrangement is therefore such as to ⁇ permit the sitter to assume various comfortable positions, in each of which the webbing takes a certain degree of curvature, but in each of which positions close body support is provided as the body moves toward the fulcruming point.
  • the springs of the latching means provide additional cushioning action both initially and after the latches are released.
  • This latching means therefore forms part of the cushioning system for the seat frame.
  • This latch element 66 is in turn supported upon a coil spring 68 which extends down to the element 8.
  • the latch element 66 is thus suspended between two springs, and when the seat frame moves down- Wardly the terminal hook portion 1l) of the link 59 is engaged 'by the bottom surface of the corresponding seat frame element 33 and the springs G4 and 38 are put under downward compression.
  • the bar 'Il is spring-pressed towards the shoulder 61 by a spring 'i3 held at one end by pin Hi carried by the tube 15 through which the rod il slides.
  • the opposite end of the spring is attached to pin 'i6 which passes through a slot 'H of the tube 'I5 and into the rod 1
  • the seat frame can only move to the position of Fig. 3 after the latch element 1
  • cushioning effects are provided by the metal webbing, by the spring connections of the webbing with the seat frame, and by the spring supports of the links 59.
  • Fig. 2 represents the position of the flexible weightsupporting material before the weight of a person is applied thereto.
  • the seat frame may be slightly raised.
  • reciprocal and compensatory cushioning action is obtained due to the pressure of the persons back against the element 44.
  • the flexible elements 38 are bent upwardly, the angular relation of the back material 44 to the seat material 41 changes and the lower portion of the back material and the rear portion of the seat material assume a curved non-angular position to conform to the configuration of the body of the seated person. That portion of the webbing which extends between the bars 36 and 4Q assumes a curved configuration to permit this comfortable lounging position. It is noted that the back Imaterial 34 projects rearwardly only slightly beyond the uprights l I of the skeleton frame.
  • the flexible weight-supporting material is so arranged in the chair frame, and the backand seat-forming portions are so connected that motion of either is followed automatically by reciprocal or compensatory motion of the other. It is conceivable that this function can be carried out in other wa'ys than by the use of the eXible elements 38, although the use of such elements is claimed.
  • An important phase of this invention relates to the manner of attaching the lower end of the back fabric 44 and the rear end of the seat fabric 41 to a common means 4G which can move downwardly and forwardly against resilient resistance when weight is applied to the seat fabric 4l.
  • a common means 4G which can move downwardly and forwardly against resilient resistance when weight is applied to the seat fabric 4l.
  • 44 moves rearwardly and downwardly.
  • load is applied to the fabric 41 and it moves downwardly and 40 and/or 3S move forwardly and the seat frame can also move downwardly.
  • the result of these motions is to widen the angle A as in Fig. 3.
  • This widening is partly due to application of the load in a rearward direction above the point 40 and to the simultaneous application of the load downwardly against the fabric 47.
  • a compensatory movement of 46 occurs which draws it forwardly against resilient action while the lower end of 44 moves forwardly with 40, while at the same time the upper part of 44 moves rearwardly and downwardly.
  • Fig.y l. terial in this instance comprises a single length 80 of kapok laid upon the webbing. and extending from the top of the back to the front of the seat. Any other suitable material may be used.
  • Any other suitable material may be used.
  • the swing-back type of chair it was necessary to provide quite complicated upholstery structures, both for the back and for the seat.
  • the seat cushions were constructed with coil springs and sometimes coil springs are introduced also in the back.
  • the padding As well as the entire frame, may be covered by suitable upholstery cloth which can be very simply attached.
  • the structure herein including the upholstery is simple, very strong and ecient, and can be manufactured at very much less cost than chairs now in use which are provided with reclining The upholstering mabacks.
  • the weight-supporting elements of the back and seat are adapted for automatic reciprocal adjustment in varying degrees conformably to changes of position of the user, and for all positions can provide adequate cushioning support.
  • the latching elements are so related to the seat frame that, following unlatching when the user leaves the seat, the seat frame automatically again assumes the upper latched position.
  • the seat frame is initially always in its raised position.
  • the uppermost portion of the back of the base frame can be made downwardly movable by any suitable means and be made downwardly movable against the action of any suitable resilient means or means which will restore the uppermost part of the back to its original higher position, when a user ceases to apply force.
  • Another phase of the invention relates to the marginal reenforcement of the flexible loadsupporting material.
  • Such marginal reenforcement is particularly applicable to wire mesh fencing material, but is useful with other kinds of material.
  • this fencing material the strands are so put together as to form loops throughout the body of the material to produce what may be called a hollow structure.
  • the strands are inter-connected by eyes 35 (see Figs. 4 and 6) at the terminals of the strands.
  • the eyes are aligned lengthwise of the material and through these eyes I run a suitable reenforcing strand 86, preferably ine airplane cable.
  • this cable has been represented by a single line, and it is suitably attached or anchored to the bars 43 and 45, and
  • the eye-interlocking of the ends of the strands 81 in the manner above mentioned leaves marginal terminal triangular structures 88 which might, if not reenforced, be separately moved by pressure in a direction transverse to the weightsupporting face of the material as used for forming the weight-supporting back and seat elements of the chair.
  • the strand 86 also prevents lateral entry of cushioning material into the recesses 89 formed between the triangular portions 88.
  • a chair comprising a base frame, a seat frame comprising a front element and two side elements, compression springs in the side elements, means pivoting the front element to the front of the base frame so that the seat frame can move up and down at its rear end, each side element having at the rear a telescopic extension engaging one of the springs to compress it when the extension moves forwardly, said extension in turn having a rear flexible terminal portion, a single length of ilexible material, a rst crossbar connected to a rear upwardly extending portion of the base frame to which the upper end of the material is connected to form the back of the chair, a second cross-bar at the front of and slidable in said side elements of the seat frame and engaged with said springs to compress them when the bar is moved rearwardly, the forward portion of the webbing material being connected to said second cross-bar, a third cross-bar connecting and movable with said telescopic extensions and attached to said material, and a fourth cross-bar connecting the terminals of said rear flexible portions of said extension
  • a device of the class described comprising, a frame providing back and seat portions, a rigid seat section and means pivoting its forward end to the front of the seat portion of the frame for up and down motion of the rear end of the seat section, a continuous backand seat-forming element of ilexible material, means connecting the upper end of said material to the top of the back portion of said frame, a cross-member movable in said rigid seat section from front to rear to which the front of said flexible material is connected, spring means for yieldably resisting such motion, said seat frame having at each opposite side a exible extension and means cross-connecting said extensions and attached to said flexible material.
  • a chair comprising base" frame having a downwardly swingable seat frame, ilexible material providing backand seat-forming portions, means securing the back-forming portion of said material to the base frame for yielding downward motion, means securing said back-forming portion of the material to the rear of the seat frame to be moved downwardly thereby, and means securing the seat portion of the material to the seat frame to form a seat.
  • a chair comprisingl a base frame, a single length oi metal webbing capable of cushioning action and providing baclcand seat-forming portions, means securing the bach-forming portion of said webbing to the frame for downward motion against cushioned resistance, a seat frame and means pivoting the seat frame to the base frame so that the rear end oi" the seat frame can move up and down, means securing the front of the webbing to the front of the seat frame, and means securing the rear of the seat-forming portion of the webbing to the rear of the seat frame and the lower part of the baclbforming webbing to the rear of the seat frame.
  • a seat comprising a base frame providing back and seat portions, a rigid seat frame pivoted to the forward side of the base frame so that it can move up and down at its rear end, a continuous backand seat-forming element of twoway stretch metal webbing, and plural means so connecting said webbing to the back portion of the base frame and to the rear and front of the seat frame as to provide backand seat-forming regions which are initially disposed at a certain angle in relation to one another before weight is applied to the seat frame by a sitter, and which are adapted to automatically move to increase said angular relation in those regions when a sitters weight is thus applied.
  • a device of the class described comprising, a base frame having seat and back sections, a seat frame and means pivoting it by its forward side to the forward side of the seat section of the base frame so that it can move up and down at its rear end, a first cross-bar at the forward Number Name Date 195,468 Waterhouse Sept. 25, 1877 323,206 Rich July 28, 1885 445,012 Dicks Jan. 20, 1896 1,409,212. Behr Mar. 14, 1922 1,571,858 Massacese Feb. 2, 1926 1,649,013 Bell Nov. 15, 1927 1,816,802 Verts July 28, 1931 1,959,696 Todd May 22I 1934 1,974,948 Brown Sept. 25, 1934 2,020,207 Platter Nov.
  • a device of the class described comprisingy a skeleton base frame providing seat and back sections, a seat frame pivoted by its forward side to the forward side of the seat section of the base frame, first and second cross-bars and means slidably mounting them in the seat frame respectively to move rearwardly from the front of the frame and to move forwardly from the rear thereof, a third cross-bar and means slidably mounting it in the back portion of the base frame to move downwardly from its top, cushion means associated with each bar for yieldably resisting motion of the bar in the direction mentioned, and backand seat-forming fabric connected only to said bars.
  • a device ci the class described comprising, a rigid skeleton frame providing an upright back section and a seat section, a seat frame and means pivoting its front portion to the front portion of the seat section so that the seat frame can swing up and down at its rear end, back-forming fabric, seat-forming fabric, means connecting the upper end of the back fabric to the back section in a manner to resiliently resist its downward motion, means connecting the forward end of the seat fabric to the swingable frame, and common means connecting the lower end of the back fabric and the rear end of the seat fabric to the rear portion of said swingable seat frame in a manner to resiliently resist forward motion of said seat fabric.
  • a chair comprising, a base frame having seat and back sections, a seat frame pivoted on the seat section to leave its rear end free to move up and down, backand seat-forming material, and plural means securing the material only to the back section and seat frame, so that downward movement of the back material by the seat frame can occur when weight is applied to the seat frame, inciuding cushion means against the restraining action ofwhich the said back material is downwardly moved.

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  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Description

March 25, 1952 o. s. cAEsAR CHAIR HAVING RESILIENTLY MOUNTED SEAT AND- BACK Filed March 15. 194e 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 25, 1952 o, s. cAEsAR 2,590,504
CHAIR HAVING RESILIENTLY MOUNTED SEAT AND BACK Filed March 15. 1946 ZZ ajar.
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March 25, 1952 O. S. CA ESAR CHAIR HAVING RESILIENTLYMOUNTED SEAT AND BACK Filed March 15, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 NN El Nv March 25, 1952 I o. s. c-AEsAR CHAIR HAVING RESILIENTLY MOUNTED SEAT ANDBACK 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed March 15'. l1946 Patented Mar. 25, 1952 OFFICE CHAIR HAVING RESILIENTLY MOUNTED SEAT AND BACK Orville S. Caesar, Barrington, lll.
Application March 15, 1946, Serial No. 654,531
This invention relates to improvements in seats or chairs and has for its main object to provide a chair, the body weight-supporting portions of which can be adjusted to obtain greater comfort for the occupant. The invention is directed to a chair specially adapted for use in vehicles such as buses where it is most advantageous to havel an optimum condition in which there is passenger comfort, along with maximum seating capacity and with maximum spacing between the seats.
It is now common practice to provide seats with adjustable backs for reclining, but when the baci: of such a seat is in reclining position it is taking up the space of the seat behind it. Thus, while the swinging back to some extent solves the problem of comfort, it poses another problem in regard to spacing between the seats.
It is therefore one of the objects of this invention to overcome the spacing difculty by providing a type of seat which has a movable back which does not encroach on the space between the seats, but which nevertheless provides means whereby the back-supporting portion of the chair and the seat portion of the chair can be auto-l matically and reciprocally adjusted by the application of the weight of a person to the seat, in a manner to substantially obtain that degree of comfort which is obtainable by the adjustment of a reclining back. By this means varying Adegrees of comfort can be had for the occupant of one seat without discomforting the occupant in the seat behind.
Another and important object is to provide a chair so constructed that when the chair is submitted to bouncing motion as, for example, on a vehicle, such bouncing motion will not be transmitted to the body-supporting part of the seat in such manner as to inch the clothing of the sitter upwardly, nor unduly muss thc clothing. This object is accomplished by so relating the backand seat-forming portions of the chair that there is reciprocal or compensatory movement between these two portions, whatever position a sitter may take in the chair. By this same means, inching of the upholstery material is prevented, and it is possible to use a single length of upholstery niaterial and to attach it by Very simple means.
Another object of the'invention is to provide a seat cushion construction which can be applied to any chair.
Other objects of the invention are: To obtain comfort-adjustment and cushion effects in a chair structure by means of suitable webbing material and without the use of coil springs usually needed; to obtain cushion effects by hanging and attaching metal webbing in a new manner; to use Wire mesh fencing in a chair as a weight- Supporting element; to obtain such cushion effects by using a flexible two-way-stretch metal 9 Claims. (Cl. 155-53) webbing; to obtain cushion eifects by using twoway-stretch metal webbing and by so yieldably connecting such webbing as to very substantially supplement its own inherent cushioning effects; to so connect nonstretchable webbing as to make it act as a cushion; to provide latching means adapted when unlatched to so support a movable cushion seat as to enhance the cushioning action of the cushion means of the seat; to use a single length of any suitable material including metal webbing and to so attach it to. a frame as to adapt it for adjustment from one position in which the sitter is more upright, to another position in which the sitter is less upright and in a position of greater comfort; to provide means whereby the height of the back of -the chair is lessened when force is applied against the back. and/or when adjustment is made to allowY the person to assume a lounging position; to provide a chair in which comfort comparable to that obtained by the use of a swinging back can be obtained without the use of such a back and thereby avoid the objectionable results of narrowing the space between the back of one chair and a chair at the rear thereof, as on a passenger vehicle; to provide a back and seat which always move in unison, instead of independently as is usually the case when the vehicle undergoes a bouncing` motion; to provide a body weight-supporting and an upholstery-supporting surface as a single continuous element; to provide a very simple and cheap structure which will take less padding upholstery than is generally required for chairs; to provide a type of chair in, which the upholstery padding and covering can be easily and quickly applied and simply fastened; to provide a chair which lends itself to the use of slip covers, and particularly to provide a type of chair in which the amount of upholstery padding and upholstery finishing material is substantially reduced over that required for any such structures known to me.
Objects, features and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in a description of the drawings, and in said drawings:
Fig. l is a side elevation of a completed chair constructed according to the teaching of this invention;
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the chair showing the seat portion of the chair in its upper position and with the chair unloaded and with the webbing represented by a heavy line;
Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the chair adj-usted for reclining with the elements positioned when loaded;
Fig. 4 is a plan section of the seat frame taken approximately on line #i--d of Fig. 2, showing the relation the metal webbing to the seat frame,
- tion, and for cushioning the s-eat section.
3 and showing how the seat cushioning effects are obtained;
Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 4, with parts broken away to illustrate the latching mechanism; and
Fig. 6 is a face view of one corner of the upper part of the back of the chair showing how the metal webbing is swingingly connected at the top thereof by passage of a bar through the webbing.
Now referring to the drawings. A skeleton base frame composed of tubular elements is supported by a pedestal I, on which is mounted a suitable horizontally arranged su-pport 2 providing arms 3. On these arms 3 are mounted two U-shaped -frame elements generally designated 4, 5. The bottoms 6 of the Us are suitably secured to the arms 3 as by bolts. The opposite upright elements 'I of the Us are suitably attached as by welding to the two horizontal side members 8, 9 of the seat portion of the skeleton frame. Any suitable base frame may be used.
The rearwardly slightly downwardly slanting side members 8, 9 of the skeleton base frame are continuous with the corresponding upwardlly and rearwardly slanting side members I 0, I I of the back of the frame. Rising from the members 8 and 9 are arm structures, each comprising an upright portion I2 and a horizontal arm rest portion I3. The inner end of the arm rest I3 is suitably welded to the corresponding back upright and the lower part of the front member I2 is 4rthe arm I3 there are tubular elements I B, I'I
which form supports for parts of latching devices -(-presently to be described) for holding a swingable seat section of the chair in an upper posi- The latching mechanism is shown in detail in Fig. 5.
The top of the back of the skeleton fra-me is formed by an arched member generally indicated 25. The sides 2B of this arched member are each provided with a tubular` extension 21 which telescopes in the upper end of a, corresponding back element I0, II. This extension 2'I abuts a coil spring 28, which in turn abuts cross-pin 29. This arrangement permits the arched portion to move downwardly, under conditions presently to be described.
A seat frame is pivoted to move -up and down between the side elements 3 and 9 of the skeleton frame. This seat frame comprises a tubular vfront member 3i) suitably pivoted as by trunnions The seat frame l telescopically slidable therein. Each cf these tubular extension sections is cut out on the top, to be open as at 35 and these extension sections are cross-connected by a bar 36. Fixed by one end as by welding within each extension is a ilexible member 33, in this insta-nce formed of a spring tightly coiled. These springs can flex upwardly through the open regions 35. The outer end of each spring has formed thereon an eye 39 -and through these eyes is passed a bar 49 suitably secured by nuts 4I. This bar therefore cross- 4 connects the elements 33 of the U-shaped seat frame because the parts 34 and 33 are extensions of said arms. The springs 38 constitute elements which can be flexed upwardly when the seat frame is swung downwardly.
Now referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The cushioning elements of the back and seat are formed by a single length of suitable material. I have discovered that a material known as wire mesh fencing is well adapted for a new use shown herein. This material is 0f itself resilient and can stretch in two directions. It is strong and mak-es an excellent cushioning material, as I use it and attach it. To facilitate and make for clarity, this material has in most instances been represented by a single heavy black line. The upper end of the webbing is connected to a crossbar 43 suitably secured in the upper part of the arched element 25 of the 'back of the skeleton frame. This material is then attached to the bar 49 as shown, to provide a cushion back 44 for the chair. It will be noted by reference to Figs. 4 and 6 that bars 40 and 43 pass through the meshes of the material so that the material is relatively xed in relation to the bars. The material then passes forwardly and its meshes are traversed by the bar 33 (see Fig. 4) in the same manner in which it is traversed by the bars 49 and 43'. The material then passes forwardly and is attached to a bar 45, which bar is supported in tubular slides 45 of the seat-frame elements 33. The bar slides in longitudinal slots of the elements 33 as shown. That portion of the webbing which is disposed between and attached to the bars 4D, 36 and 45 constitutes the seat of the chair, and is generally designated 41. The structure of the webbing is shown in Figs. 4 and 6, where only small portions have been illustrated.
The tubular element 46 engages a compression spring 48 which in turn abuts a tubular plug 49, in turn held againstrearward movement by pin 50. Each extension element 34 at its forward end abuts a coil spring 5I which in turn abuts a tubular element 52, which in turn abuts the pin 50. It will therefore be noted that the seatforming portion 4l of the webbing material is stretched by being attached to the bars 36 and 45, and thus is adapted for cushioning action. The cushioning eiects are due in this instance to the arrangement of the spring 48, 5I in relation to the elements 36 and 45 and to the natural resilience of the two-way-stretch metal webbing. This is important because it is accomplished without the multiplicity of vertically arranged coil springs usually used for seat cushions, and the seat cushion herein is of one piece with the back cushion 44.
The initial positions of the back material 44 and seat frame are shown in Fig. 2. At this initial Iposition of the seat frame the latching means prevents any but relatively slight downward movement of the seat frame, which slight movement results in slight exing of the elements 38.
Although 'some emphasis has been placed on the lounging phase of this invention, which is concerned with the automatic adjustment and widening and rounding of the angle between the back-forming and the seat-forming material as weight is applied to the seat and the back,.yet means has also been shown for assuring the positive downward motion of the whole of the 'back-forming material with the downward motion of the rear-end of the seat frame. The seat frame, pivoted as it is only vby its forward side to the forward side ofthe seat portion of the skeleton base frame, has a cantilever action when the users weight is applied to the seat fabric. This is due to the connecting of the back-forming material to the stiff bar 36 which crossconnects the stii side members of the seat frame. This connection operates to move the back material down against yieldable resistance, even though the springs 38 be omitted. This down movement of the back material is also accomplished, even though the elements 34 are not made to move lengthwise in the'tubular, side pieces 35.
-These connections of the back fabric with the back section of the skeleton frame and with swinging seat frame acting as a cantilever, in themselves serve to materially lessen jar to a seated person due to 'bouncing action of a wheeled vehicle when on a rough road, and are structurally important. In bus travel one of the most diiiicult problems to overcome is to make the seats comfortable against bouncing motions of the vehicle due to rough roads. Most devices of this kind depend on the cushioning eiects, of springs in the seat cushions. The springs are commonly of the coil type with their axes vertically arranged. This structure is not only expensive but requires frequent replacement or repair. The present device by providing a seat frame which can swing up and down, and by connecting the back of that frame with a back material that can' move bodily down against yielding resistance, does away with the need of spring-equipped cushions, and yet provides against jar ina very efficient manner.
Each latch element 59 is pivoted as at G0 to a follower element 6l which slides vertically in tubes I5 and I1. The element 50 passes thro-ugh a vertical slot 62 and coil springs resist downward movement of 5|. A cushion spring 54 is arranged in the tube l1 beneath the follower 6|.
For purposes of explanation'the seat-frame may be considered as a lever fulcrumed at its forward end to the front of the base frame. The lever is sup-ported at its rear by the back-forming part of the webbing and its connection with the webbing is by means of elements which are capable of flexing to allow downward motion of the seat frame. When the weight of a person is applied to the seat frame and the frame moves downwardly a curvature of the webbing occurs f to conform and give close support to a greater area of the body in direction of body length. The arrangement is therefore such as to` permit the sitter to assume various comfortable positions, in each of which the webbing takes a certain degree of curvature, but in each of which positions close body support is provided as the body moves toward the fulcruming point.
The springs of the latching means provide additional cushioning action both initially and after the latches are released. This latching means therefore forms part of the cushioning system for the seat frame. There are two link elements 59, one on each side, and each is associated with spring elements respectively in corresponding members it, i'i. @nly one of the link elements is directly controlled by a latch. That element 59 which is associated with the tube I'I has the spring B4 and the link velement 59 associated with tube i5 is controlled by the latching mechanism which comprises (see Fig. 5) a coil spring G5 below and engaged by the follower Si to which the hold-up element 59 is pivoted. This spring $5 is in turn supported upon a slidable latch element 5S having a down-facing latch shoulder 51. This latch element 66 is in turn supported upon a coil spring 68 which extends down to the element 8. The latch element 66 is thus suspended between two springs, and when the seat frame moves down- Wardly the terminal hook portion 1l) of the link 59 is engaged 'by the bottom surface of the corresponding seat frame element 33 and the springs G4 and 38 are put under downward compression.
When the seat frame is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 5 there is a slight space between the upper surfaces of the hooks 'IU and the lower surfaces of the side elements 33 of the seat frame, so that the seat can have a slight downward movement before it engages the hooks and begins to p ull downwardly on the link elements 59. After the seat frame elements 33 engage the hooks, the seat frame cannot move downwardly any farther until a latch bar 'Il (see Fig. 5) is moved toward Athe left in the gure to release its inner end from the shoulder 6l. This bar 'Il has a hand knob i2 accessible at the front of the chair'as shown. The bar 'Il is spring-pressed towards the shoulder 61 by a spring 'i3 held at one end by pin Hi carried by the tube 15 through which the rod il slides. The opposite end of the spring is attached to pin 'i6 which passes through a slot 'H of the tube 'I5 and into the rod 1|.
The seat frame can only move to the position of Fig. 3 after the latch element 1| is released from the shoulder El, but after this release the seat frame is held suspended on links 59, in turn suspended on their spring supports so that for every position of the seat frame their cushioning effect is active. Thus, cushioning effects are provided by the metal webbing, by the spring connections of the webbing with the seat frame, and by the spring supports of the links 59.
An important phase of this invent-ion resides in the structure by which comfort can be obtained without the use of the swinging back usually employed. By comparing the positions of the weight-supporting webbing in Figs. 2 and 3 the cushioning, reciprocal cushioning, and configurating action can be seen. For example, Fig. 2 represents the position of the flexible weightsupporting material before the weight of a person is applied thereto. When a. person leans with sufficient force against the back 44 and the while the seat frame is held against full downward motion, the seat frame may be slightly raised. Thus reciprocal and compensatory cushioning action is obtained due to the pressure of the persons back against the element 44. When the seat frame is released and moves to the `position of Fig. 3 the flexible elements 38 are bent upwardly, the angular relation of the back material 44 to the seat material 41 changes and the lower portion of the back material and the rear portion of the seat material assume a curved non-angular position to conform to the configuration of the body of the seated person. That portion of the webbing which extends between the bars 36 and 4Q assumes a curved configuration to permit this comfortable lounging position. It is noted that the back Imaterial 34 projects rearwardly only slightly beyond the uprights l I of the skeleton frame.
"It is further noted that as soon as rearward .force is applied against the back 44, the height of the back is lessened by downward movement of the arch 25. A greater downward movement may occur as the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 3. The upper arched portion 25 of the back moves downwardly lagainst the actionv of the cushion springs 28. This is a valuable feature because it enables the person in the seat behind to see over the back of the seat in front, that is, the height of the back is lessened when the person sits. This is also permitted by allowing a proper degree of initial downward motion of the seat frame, to engage the links 59.
Although it is decidedly preferable to use a single length of suitable back and seat-forming material, yet the invention can be carried o-ut,
provided that the flexible weight-supporting material is so arranged in the chair frame, and the backand seat-forming portions are so connected that motion of either is followed automatically by reciprocal or compensatory motion of the other. It is conceivable that this function can be carried out in other wa'ys than by the use of the eXible elements 38, although the use of such elements is claimed.
Referring to Fig. 2. An important phase of this invention relates to the manner of attaching the lower end of the back fabric 44 and the rear end of the seat fabric 41 to a common means 4G which can move downwardly and forwardly against resilient resistance when weight is applied to the seat fabric 4l. When the load is applied to 44 above the point 40 or 36, 44 moves rearwardly and downwardly. At the same time load is applied to the fabric 41 and it moves downwardly and 40 and/or 3S move forwardly and the seat frame can also move downwardly. The result of these motions is to widen the angle A as in Fig. 3. This widening is partly due to application of the load in a rearward direction above the point 40 and to the simultaneous application of the load downwardly against the fabric 47. A compensatory movement of 46 occurs which draws it forwardly against resilient action while the lower end of 44 moves forwardly with 40, while at the same time the upper part of 44 moves rearwardly and downwardly.
^ Referring to Fig.y l. terial in this instance comprises a single length 80 of kapok laid upon the webbing. and extending from the top of the back to the front of the seat. Any other suitable material may be used. There is considerable advantage in having a construction which can use a single length of material as herein shown, and because of the reciprocal actions of the back and seat-forming portions of the webbing, it is unnecessary to provide any but the simplest covering means 8l for holding the upholstering padding material in place. Heretofore in the swing-back type of chair it was necessary to provide quite complicated upholstery structures, both for the back and for the seat. The seat cushions were constructed with coil springs and sometimes coil springs are introduced also in the back. In the present instance all that is necessary is to provide padding of the necessary thickness and then simply lay it on the webbing and suitably secure it by covering. This is a valuable feature of this invention. As can be seen, this is a great advantage over the various complicated schemes now used to provide upholstery for chairs.
After the padding material is placed, the padding, as well as the entire frame, may be covered by suitable upholstery cloth which can be very simply attached.
The structure herein including the upholstery, is simple, very strong and ecient, and can be manufactured at very much less cost than chairs now in use which are provided with reclining The upholstering mabacks. The weight-supporting elements of the back and seat are adapted for automatic reciprocal adjustment in varying degrees conformably to changes of position of the user, and for all positions can provide adequate cushioning support.
In this embodiment the latching elements are so related to the seat frame that, following unlatching when the user leaves the seat, the seat frame automatically again assumes the upper latched position. Thus, the seat frame is initially always in its raised position.
Various changes may be made in the structural details without departing from the invention.
Insofar as I am aware, I am the rst to conceive of causing automatic lessening of the height of the back of a chair by application of a sitter, and therefore the rst to nd a practicable way by which the height of the back of a chair can be thus reduced. It is to be noted that this back-lowering action can be independent of any lowering action of the seat-forming portionof the chair, and also that in one embodiment this back-reducing movement is obtained in greater degree when the seat is lowered to lounging position. It is further to be noted that the uppermost portion of the back of the base frame can be made downwardly movable by any suitable means and be made downwardly movable against the action of any suitable resilient means or means which will restore the uppermost part of the back to its original higher position, when a user ceases to apply force.
Another phase of the inventionrelates to the marginal reenforcement of the flexible loadsupporting material. Such marginal reenforcement is particularly applicable to wire mesh fencing material, but is useful with other kinds of material. In this fencing material the strands are so put together as to form loops throughout the body of the material to produce what may be called a hollow structure. At the margins of two opposite sides the strands are inter-connected by eyes 35 (see Figs. 4 and 6) at the terminals of the strands. The eyes are aligned lengthwise of the material and through these eyes I run a suitable reenforcing strand 86, preferably ine airplane cable. For convenience this cable has been represented by a single line, and it is suitably attached or anchored to the bars 43 and 45, and
may pass either above or below the bars 36 and 40, and be suitably secured thereto.
The eye-interlocking of the ends of the strands 81 in the manner above mentioned leaves marginal terminal triangular structures 88 which might, if not reenforced, be separately moved by pressure in a direction transverse to the weightsupporting face of the material as used for forming the weight-supporting back and seat elements of the chair. The strand 86 also prevents lateral entry of cushioning material into the recesses 89 formed between the triangular portions 88.
What I claim is:
1. A chair comprising a base frame, a seat frame comprising a front element and two side elements, compression springs in the side elements, means pivoting the front element to the front of the base frame so that the seat frame can move up and down at its rear end, each side element having at the rear a telescopic extension engaging one of the springs to compress it when the extension moves forwardly, said extension in turn having a rear flexible terminal portion, a single length of ilexible material, a rst crossbar connected to a rear upwardly extending portion of the base frame to which the upper end of the material is connected to form the back of the chair, a second cross-bar at the front of and slidable in said side elements of the seat frame and engaged with said springs to compress them when the bar is moved rearwardly, the forward portion of the webbing material being connected to said second cross-bar, a third cross-bar connecting and movable with said telescopic extensions and attached to said material, and a fourth cross-bar connecting the terminals of said rear flexible portions of said extension and attached to said material.
2. A device of the class described comprising, a frame providing back and seat portions, a rigid seat section and means pivoting its forward end to the front of the seat portion of the frame for up and down motion of the rear end of the seat section, a continuous backand seat-forming element of ilexible material, means connecting the upper end of said material to the top of the back portion of said frame, a cross-member movable in said rigid seat section from front to rear to which the front of said flexible material is connected, spring means for yieldably resisting such motion, said seat frame having at each opposite side a exible extension and means cross-connecting said extensions and attached to said flexible material.
3. A chair comprising base" frame having a downwardly swingable seat frame, ilexible material providing backand seat-forming portions, means securing the back-forming portion of said material to the base frame for yielding downward motion, means securing said back-forming portion of the material to the rear of the seat frame to be moved downwardly thereby, and means securing the seat portion of the material to the seat frame to form a seat.
4. A chair comprisingl a base frame, a single length oi metal webbing capable of cushioning action and providing baclcand seat-forming portions, means securing the bach-forming portion of said webbing to the frame for downward motion against cushioned resistance, a seat frame and means pivoting the seat frame to the base frame so that the rear end oi" the seat frame can move up and down, means securing the front of the webbing to the front of the seat frame, and means securing the rear of the seat-forming portion of the webbing to the rear of the seat frame and the lower part of the baclbforming webbing to the rear of the seat frame.
5. A seat comprising a base frame providing back and seat portions, a rigid seat frame pivoted to the forward side of the base frame so that it can move up and down at its rear end, a continuous backand seat-forming element of twoway stretch metal webbing, and plural means so connecting said webbing to the back portion of the base frame and to the rear and front of the seat frame as to provide backand seat-forming regions which are initially disposed at a certain angle in relation to one another before weight is applied to the seat frame by a sitter, and which are adapted to automatically move to increase said angular relation in those regions when a sitters weight is thus applied.
6. A device of the class described comprising, a base frame having seat and back sections, a seat frame and means pivoting it by its forward side to the forward side of the seat section of the base frame so that it can move up and down at its rear end, a first cross-bar at the forward Number Name Date 195,468 Waterhouse Sept. 25, 1877 323,206 Rich July 28, 1885 445,012 Dicks Jan. 20, 1896 1,409,212. Behr Mar. 14, 1922 1,571,858 Massacese Feb. 2, 1926 1,649,013 Bell Nov. 15, 1927 1,816,802 Verts July 28, 1931 1,959,696 Todd May 22I 1934 1,974,948 Brown Sept. 25, 1934 2,020,207 Platter Nov. 5, 1935 2,090,562 Walter Aug. 17, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,613 Great Britain June 18, 1898 224,018 Great Britain Nov. 6, 1924 450,839 Great Britain July 20, 1936 660,664 Germany Apr. 26, 1935 788,809 France July 20, 1936 side of the seat frame, a second cross-bar at the rear side of the seat frame, `a third cross-bar in the upper part of the back portion of the base frame adapted to move downwardly against yieidable resistance, and seat and back `fabric attached only to said bars.
7. A device of the class described comprisingy a skeleton base frame providing seat and back sections, a seat frame pivoted by its forward side to the forward side of the seat section of the base frame, first and second cross-bars and means slidably mounting them in the seat frame respectively to move rearwardly from the front of the frame and to move forwardly from the rear thereof, a third cross-bar and means slidably mounting it in the back portion of the base frame to move downwardly from its top, cushion means associated with each bar for yieldably resisting motion of the bar in the direction mentioned, and backand seat-forming fabric connected only to said bars.
8. A device ci the class described comprising, a rigid skeleton frame providing an upright back section and a seat section, a seat frame and means pivoting its front portion to the front portion of the seat section so that the seat frame can swing up and down at its rear end, back-forming fabric, seat-forming fabric, means connecting the upper end of the back fabric to the back section in a manner to resiliently resist its downward motion, means connecting the forward end of the seat fabric to the swingable frame, and common means connecting the lower end of the back fabric and the rear end of the seat fabric to the rear portion of said swingable seat frame in a manner to resiliently resist forward motion of said seat fabric.
9. A chair comprising, a base frame having seat and back sections, a seat frame pivoted on the seat section to leave its rear end free to move up and down, backand seat-forming material, and plural means securing the material only to the back section and seat frame, so that downward movement of the back material by the seat frame can occur when weight is applied to the seat frame, inciuding cushion means against the restraining action ofwhich the said back material is downwardly moved.
ORVILLE S. CAESAR.
,REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:
UNTED STATES PATENTS
US654531A 1946-03-15 1946-03-15 Chair having resiliently mounted seat and back Expired - Lifetime US2590504A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2865436A (en) * 1954-09-27 1958-12-23 Gen Motors Corp Seat
US4787676A (en) * 1986-04-15 1988-11-29 Marcel Neve De Mevergnies Vehicle seat, notably for motor vehicle

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US195468A (en) * 1877-09-25 Improvement in easy-chairs
US323206A (en) * 1885-07-28 Chair-back
US445012A (en) * 1891-01-20 Office
GB189813613A (en) * 1898-06-18 1899-05-06 Alfred Edmund Wale Improvements in woven Wire Cycle Saddles, and in the Manufacture of the same.
US1409212A (en) * 1920-12-10 1922-03-14 Claus F Y Behr Device for repose
GB224018A (en) * 1923-08-18 1924-11-06 John Stanley Willson Improvements relating to seats for folding chairs
US1571858A (en) * 1924-10-24 1926-02-02 Massacese Vincenzo Fabric furniture spring
US1649013A (en) * 1925-10-01 1927-11-15 Lawrence M Bell Suspension seat
US1816802A (en) * 1929-08-23 1931-07-28 Sydenham C Verts Vehicle seat
US1959696A (en) * 1933-01-21 1934-05-22 Gen Aviat Corp Chair
US1974948A (en) * 1933-01-20 1934-09-25 American Mfg Co Chair
FR788809A (en) * 1934-07-20 1935-10-18 Seat
US2020207A (en) * 1934-02-17 1935-11-05 North Vernon Ind Inc Chair
GB450839A (en) * 1935-01-18 1936-07-20 Ernest John Ford Self adjusting chair
US2090562A (en) * 1935-04-20 1937-08-17 Albert U Walter Chair or like article
DE660664C (en) * 1937-02-11 1939-04-26 Rudolf Kaiser Suspension seat for motor vehicles

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US195468A (en) * 1877-09-25 Improvement in easy-chairs
US323206A (en) * 1885-07-28 Chair-back
US445012A (en) * 1891-01-20 Office
GB189813613A (en) * 1898-06-18 1899-05-06 Alfred Edmund Wale Improvements in woven Wire Cycle Saddles, and in the Manufacture of the same.
US1409212A (en) * 1920-12-10 1922-03-14 Claus F Y Behr Device for repose
GB224018A (en) * 1923-08-18 1924-11-06 John Stanley Willson Improvements relating to seats for folding chairs
US1571858A (en) * 1924-10-24 1926-02-02 Massacese Vincenzo Fabric furniture spring
US1649013A (en) * 1925-10-01 1927-11-15 Lawrence M Bell Suspension seat
US1816802A (en) * 1929-08-23 1931-07-28 Sydenham C Verts Vehicle seat
US1974948A (en) * 1933-01-20 1934-09-25 American Mfg Co Chair
US1959696A (en) * 1933-01-21 1934-05-22 Gen Aviat Corp Chair
US2020207A (en) * 1934-02-17 1935-11-05 North Vernon Ind Inc Chair
FR788809A (en) * 1934-07-20 1935-10-18 Seat
GB450839A (en) * 1935-01-18 1936-07-20 Ernest John Ford Self adjusting chair
US2090562A (en) * 1935-04-20 1937-08-17 Albert U Walter Chair or like article
DE660664C (en) * 1937-02-11 1939-04-26 Rudolf Kaiser Suspension seat for motor vehicles

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2865436A (en) * 1954-09-27 1958-12-23 Gen Motors Corp Seat
US4787676A (en) * 1986-04-15 1988-11-29 Marcel Neve De Mevergnies Vehicle seat, notably for motor vehicle

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