Folding chair

Nov. 30, 1965

3,220,764

F. L. DUER

FOLDING CHAIR

<img file="US3220764A_D0001.tif" />

Nov. 30, 1965

3,220,764

F. L. DUER

FOLDING CHAIR

<img file="US3220764A_D0002.tif" />

Nov. 30, 1965

F. L. DUER

3,220,764

FOLDING CHAIR

<img file="US3220764A_D0003.tif" />

3,220,764

Patented Nov. 30, 1965

United States Patent Office

3.220,764

FOLDING CHAIR

Frederick L. Duer, 2810 Madison St., Bellwood, HI.

Substituted for abandoned application Ser. No. 291,055, June 27,1963. This application Feb. 24,1965, Ser. No. 441,950

Claim. (Cl. 297—56)

This invention relates to improvements in chairs of the folding type, oftentimes referred to as “bridge chairs” thereof, and limited to such indicated usage, particularly the folding type of chair such as illustrated and described in my now abandoned application for patent, Serial No. 291,055, filed June 27, 1963.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a folding chair wherein the legs, back and seat can be conveniently and easily moved into a folded condition with these components in compact and substantially parallel relation, and when thus arranged, assure a solid and suitable vertical positioning or standing of the chair on its legs, hence, facilitating its storing in out-of-the-way and limited space; moreover, affording convenience and ease in subsequent handling thereof.

An equally important object of the invention is to provide a folding chair of such construction and components assembly as will enable a user to quickly and positively fold it with a minimum of physical effort.

A further object of the invention is to provide a chair of the stated character in which the movably interconnected components thereof can and will be conveniently and quickly adjusted (“unfolded”) to an “open” and secure seating position without the annoyance of binding, inoperative jamming, or other malfunctioning of said components.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel form of seat bracing and supporting construction for the folding chair which with attachment of the seat thereto, will securely and solidly support the same, being especially advantageous for receiving seats made of plastic materials, particularly, those which when subject to atmospheric, load or stress conditions may be expected to, or will flex or become malformed.

Yet another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and economical form of means for securing the chair seat to the aforesaid seat supporting construction, and in some instances, the chair back rest to the chair back, being such that it will eliminate the need for bolts, rivets, screws and/or similar connecting devices, as well as effecting a material saving of assembling labor and time.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and meritorious teaching of my invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the forms of the invention presented herein are precise and what are now considered to be the best mode of embodying its principles, but that other modifications and changes may be made in specific embodiments without departing from its essential features.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my improved folding chair in “opened” or seating position, with the chair seat shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view wherein the chair is shown in folded or “closed” position, again with the chair seat shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the chair in its “opened” or seating position, with the seat shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the same in partially “opened” position.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the chair and seat in “closed” or folded position.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in top view illustrating the manner in which the seat supporting arms and guide brackets (one of each) are welded or otherwise connected to the rotatable horizontal supporting member carried by the combined back and legs frame (first frame).

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detail vertical section taken on the line 7—7 of FIGURE 6, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, partially in section, showing one of the anchoring studs which are employed to connect the chair seat or back rest to the tubular chair frame.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the chair in “opened” position illustrating a modified form of chair seat and the manner in which it is pivotally connected to the rotatable horizontal supporting member of the combined back and legs frame (first frame), and the connection of guide brackets to and longitudinally of the seat, a portion of which has been broken away.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of said modified form wherein the chair components are shown in folded or “closed” position, and,

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmental detail view in elevation, with parts broken away and in section, illustrating one of the ways in which the aforesaid rotatable horizontal supporting member is rotatably mounted on and connected to an adjacent side portion of the chair frame back.

Referring to the drawings in detail, particularly, to the FIGURES 1-8 and 11, the improved folding chair, generally, comprises two frames herein identified as a first frame 1 and a second frame 2. Both are of inverted U-shaped form and are made, in the instant embodiment, of bent tubular metal.

The first frame 1 is of length greater than that of the frame 2. Its upper portion constitutes a back 3, the upper portion of which has a suitable form of back rest 4 spanning and connected to its opposite sides, as at 5, while its lower portion constitutes legs 6 whose lower extremities or portions are curved outwardly or forwardly, as at 7, to provide adequate supporting feet.

Inwardly disposed and relatively opposed horizontal bearing pintles 8, or their equivalents, are fixedly connected to corresponding medial inner side portions of the frame 1 and rotatably receive the opposite ends of a tubular horizontally disposed supporting member 9 affording a support for the normally inner end of the chair seat 10, hereinafter more fully described.

Seat receiving and supporting means in the form of tubular arms 11 of complemental shape and size, whose inner portions are inwardly or upwardly curved, as at 12, to form pockets for receiving the horizontal or basal portion of the second frame 2 and end-flattened at 12', are inwardly fixedly connected, as by welding, in substantially spaced and parallel relation to the horizontal supporting member 9. They are of lengths sufficient to receive the seat 10 thereon, as shown in FIGURES 1-5 of the drawings. To effect permanent connection or anchorage of the seat on said tubular arms, it is here noted that the seat of the presently described embodiment is made of a suitable plastic material. The under side thereof is formed with a plurality of relatively spaced downwardly or outwardly disposed bosses or pins 13, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 8. Correspondingly arranged or placed holes of diameters similar to those of the bosses or pins are punched in the normally upper sides of the tubular

3,220,764 ³ arms 11 forming, by reason of the punching, inwardly disposed and tapering jaws or lips 13'. Thus, with placement of the seat in proper position on the tubular arms, the pins 13 will be aligned with the holes and when driven or forced thereinto the illustrated position, will be securely gripped and retained against upward or outward disengagement. Thereby, the need for securement of the seat by bolts, rivets, screws, or like devices, will be eliminated; also, beneficial economics as to labor, materials and time will be effected.

It should also be noted that the above described means or method of securing may be used for securing the back rest 4 to the back portion 3 of the first frame 1.

The bent tubular metal second frame 2 is of a length less than that of the first frame 1, being of such length that when it is in an “opened” or seating position, its horizontal or basal portion will be in a horizontal plane corresponding to that of the rotatably mounted supporting member 9, for an obvious reason. The width of said frame 2 is slightly less than that of the frame 1. Consequently, it will be received between the leg portions thereof with said leg portions or sides substantially parallel thereto, as shown. Like the frame 1 legs, the lower portions of its legs are curved outwardly, as at 14.

With the frames 1 and 2 in assembled relation, permanent pivotal connection therebetween is made by engaging suitable pivot bolts or pins 15 through medial portions of their adjacent legs. Hence, with “opening” of the chair for seating, the pivotally interconnected legs of the frames will be arranged in X-like crossed relation, while when in folded or “closed” position, they will be in substanitally parallelism with their oppositely curved lower extremities affording a secure and stable support for storage convenience.

In order that the extent of relatively outward pivotal movement between the frames 1 and 2 shall be limited, for obvious reasons, also, that the arms 11 with the seat 10 Will be moved automatically to horizontal and seating position when said frames are “opened” (see FIGURES 1 and 3) and moreover, will be assured of free and smooth movement, longitudinally disposed guide brackets 16 are provided to and below the arms 11 in substantially parallel relation. Their normally outer angularly extended ends are welded or otherwise permanently connected to outer portions of said arms, while their correspondingly formed normally inner ends are likewise connected to adjacent portions of the rotatable horizontal member 9. The basal or horizontal body portion of the frame 2 is received within or above the brackets and is movable between them and their respective carrying arms 11 with and upon pivotal movement of the frames.

When the chair is in a folded position, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, said basal or horizontal body portion of the frame 2 will have been entered into and received in the pockets 12 of the tubular arms 11. Thereby, said frame 2 will be removably retained against outward pivotal or swinging movement until it is purposely moved, as when the chair is opened for seating usage.

Conversely, as and when inward pivotal movement of the frames 1 and 2 occurs, as with folding or “closing” of the chair to that position shown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings, the aforesaid basal or body portion of the frame 2 will be moved to a position adjacent the inner angularly extended ends of the guide brackets 16 and engaged in the aforesaid pockets 12. In such position, said frame, the seat 10 and the arms 11 will be in substantially parallel relation. Moreover, free and unimpeded pivotal movement between the frames 1 and 2, the seat 10, and arms 11 to this compact relationship will be assured. It will also be appreciated that with folding of the chair, it will remain in a firm standing position, as shown in FIGURE 2, because of the opposite or outward curvature of the legs of the frames 1 and 2,

By reason of the mounting of the arms 11 and guide brackets 16 on the rotatable horizontal supporting member 9, a counter-balancing effect will occur as and when the chair frames 1 and 2 are pivoted to their folded or “closed” position, causing the same and the seat 10 to pivot or swing downwardly into the aforesaid parallel relation, hence, avoiding the necessity of manual operation or urge.

In the FIGURES 9 and 10 of the drawings, I have shown a modified mounting of the chair seat 10'. Herein, and for purpose of attaining certain production economies, the seat supporting arms 11 are eliminated. Instead, the normally rearward ends of the guide brackets 16' are welded or otherwise permanently connected, in spaced relation, to the rotatable horizontal supporting member 9', while their forward ends are permanently connected, as at 17, to the underside of a plywood or other form of seat base or body which, if desired, may be suitably upholstered or otherwise covered. The normally rearward or inner end of the seat is fixedly connected to portions of the supporting member 9', as at 18.