Convertible commode chair

Sept. 13, 1966

G. Μ. H. PEFFLEY

CONVERTIBLE COMMODE CHAIR Filed May 13, 1964

3,271,784

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United States Patent Office

3,271,784

Patented Sept. 13, 1966

3,271,784

CONVERTIBLE COMMODE CHAIR

Geneat Medley Harvey Peffley, Rte. 2, Covington, Ohio Filed May 13,1964, Ser. No. 367,014

Claim. (Cl. 4—134)

The present invention relates to high chairs for infants and in particular to one which is converted from a high chair to a low chair having a toilet seat therein.

Another object of the present invention is to provide in a high chair, means for using the chair in a low chair condition and attaching the same to an automobile seat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a high chair for an infant which has a detachable tray, a detachable imitation automobile steering wheel, and safety belt means for retaining the child in the chair when in use in an automobile.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the annexed drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the high chair of the present invention,

FIGURE 2 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken on line 2—2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a tray for use with the high chair shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a hanger element for attaching the chair to an automobile seat back,

FIGURE 5 is a view taken on the line 5—5 of FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a seat panel,

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the seat of the high chair, FIGURE 8 is a view taken on the line 8—8 of FIGURE 7, and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the high chair with the lower leg sections removed, the dotted line showing indicating an automobile seat and automobile seat back supporting the converted high chair.

Referring to the drawing in detail in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the reference numeray 10 designates generally the chair of the present invention and which comprises a seat panel 12 extending over the upper ends of a pair of front legs 14 and a pair of rear legs 16. The seat panel 12 is provided with threaded openings receiving the upper end portions of the front and rear legs 14 and 16, respectively.

Centrally of the seat panel 12 is an opening 18 and extending about the opening 18 is a recess 20 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 2. Conformably shaped to fit the recess 20 is a toilet seat 22 connected by a hinge 24 to the seat panel 12.

Depending from the under face of the seat panel 12 is a formed sheet of metal providing support means for a toilet bowl 26, the sheet of metal being designated by the numeral 28.

A seat 30 having a cover 32 normally rests upon the upper face of the seat panel 12 and is removably secured thereto by means of spring clips 34 (FIGURE 8) which depend from the seat 30 on each side of the latter. The clips 34 are received in slots 36 provided in the side edge portions of the seat panel 12 and they secure the seat 30 to the seat panel 12.

Also shown in FIGURE 6 are the holes 38 for receiving the end portions of the legs 14 and 16.

The present invention provides a pair of horizontally disposed U-shaped supports 40 disposed adjacent each of the side edges of the seat panel 12 and having their one leg 42 secured to the underside of the front edge portion of the seat panel 12 as shown in FIGURE 2. The bight 44 of the supports 40 extend vertically and the other legs

46. are disposed above and parallel to the legs 42 and are lodger than the legs 42.

The legs 46 form arm rests for the seat or chair 10 and the free end portions of the legs 46 are bent upwardly ₅ and are secured to the rear face of a seat back structure 50. As shown most clearly in FIGURE 9, secured to the rear face of the seat back 50 is a strap member 52 having an offset portion 54 centrally thereof. The end portions 56 of the strap member 52 are secured by rivets or other suitable means to the seat back 50. The offset portion 54, forms with the adjacent part of the seat back 50, a slot to receive therethrough one end of an upright post element 58.

An inverted U-shaped hanger element 60 has one of its legs secured to the lower end of the post element 58 as shown most clearly in FIGURE 4. The hanger element 60 is conformably shaped to fit over the upper end portion of a seat back 62 of an automobile seat 64, the seat 64 and seat back 62 being shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 9.

In FIGURE 3 is shown a tray 66 having clips 68 which are receivable in slots 70 provided in the legs 46 of the supports 40, the tray 66 being shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1.

A continuous resilient gasket 72 is seated in a groove provided on the underface of the seat 30 and bears against the adjacent portion of the seat panel 12 when the seat 30 is in place resting upon the seat panel 12.

A slanted threaded hole 74 is provided in the seat 30 for the reception therein of a simulated steering column 76 having a simulated steering wheel 78 on the upper end thereof.

A seat belt 80 is provided on the present invention extending about the support leg portions or legs 46.

Leg extensions 82 and 84 are provided for the front legs 14 and the rear legs 16, respectively, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. The leg extensions 82 and 84 are with ease and facility attached to the respective legs 14 and 16 so as to extend the height of the chair from the low position shown in FIGURE 9 to the high chair position shown in FIGURE 1.

From the foregoing description it will be seen therefore that the chair of the present invention has many uses, that of a toilet seat, that of an automobile seat for a child, and that as a high chair for feeding and play of the child in the conventional manner.

It is intended that the chair be fabricated of lightweight material such as metal tubing, wood panels, sheet metal panels, or the like and that all of the surfaces of the seat and seat back be padded and provided with a plastic washable covering as desired and in such colors as will be found practical.