US2163751A - Seat construction - Google Patents

Description

June 27, 1939. H. c. FLINT SEAT CONSTRUCTION 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 15,

J1me 27, 1939. c FLINT SEAT CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 27, 1939. v H. c. FLINT SEAT CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 15, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 27, 1939 UNITED STATES SEAT CONSTRUCTION Hyland 0. Flint, Royal Oak, Mich., alsignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Patent Sales, Inc., a corporation of Michigan Application January 15, 1936, Serial No. 59,265

9 Claims.

This invention relates to aseat construction and has special reference to a seat of the socalled unison type for use in chairs, davenports, vehicle seats or other constructions wherein it is 6 desired to provide a synchronization of the substantially vertical movement of the back rest with the seat in order to effect a somewhat floating support for the user.

More particularly, this invention relates to a seat construction having a forward rigid support fixed relative to a supporting surface, with a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured'adjacent one end thereof to the rigid support, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame being pivotally connected to the free end of the seat frame for movement responsive to the movement of the seat frame. The back rest is also permitted a substantially horizontal movement through resilient means engaged between the back rest and a second substantially vertically extending rear support which latter is fixed relative to the supporting surface, the resilient means resisting rearward movement of the back rest.

The present invention contemplates the positive location of certain of the pivotal points in the seat construction-to obtain as nearly a true path of travel of the back rest as is possible with relation to the plane of the back rest so that a movement of the seat frame describing an arc with respect to the pivotal point adjacent one edge will have the least possible movement out of the true path of travel lying parallel to the normal plane of the back rest. This application is predicated upon and is a development of structures shown in applicants Patent No. 1,940,853 issued December 26, 1933; copending application Serial No. 739,144, filed August 9, 1934, an another copending application Serial No. 28,181, filed June 24, 1935. The present invention develops that there are very definite limits in which may be obtained the correct movement of the back rest frame and seat frame in order to obtain a maximum amount of comfort in a correct sitting position, in conformity with the plane or angle of recline of the back rest and plane or angle of inclineof the seat.

While the above noted patent and pending applications have to do with the seat construction in its broader aspects, the present invention is more particularly directed to the-fixing of the up and down or substantially vertical movement of the back rest in its normal plane. It can be understood that a back rest that moves verti- Cally in unison with the s t m v ment would prevent back rub and severe jolting to the person seated. However, it would introduce an unpleasant forward and backward movement of the top ,of the back rest if the pivot at the bottom described an are that varied to a marked "5 degree from the plane of the back rest.

In the location of the pivotal connection for the seat frame on a rigid support ina plane at substantially right angles to the plane of the back rest frame at a point midway of the ex- 10 tremities of movement of the pivotal connection between the back rest frame and the seat frame, the back rest is permitted an up and down movement substantially in the normal plane of the back rest, the movement out of such plane being almost negligible.

Further, the present invention contemplates obviating side sway of the seat construction in the provision of a seat frame which is pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to a rigid support, the seat frame comprising, in one form of this invention, a pair of sheet metal plates havingspaced medial portions with portions adjacent at least a pair of opposed edges thereof connected together, the substantially vertically extending back rest frame being pivotally connected to the free end of the seat frame. The pivotal connection for the sheet metal plates extends over a substantial portion of the width of the seat frame, and by reason of the rigidity imparted to the frame by the truss-like construction thereof, the seat frame is held against substantial movement outside the path of normal vertical movement.

It is also contemplated in this application to provide for an adjustment of seat tension in order'to develop a desired resistance against the weight of differently sized individuals. For ex ample, a heavy person requires a greater resistance in spring tension than a lighter person and therefore the seat tension provided herein is readily adjustable to suit the needs of any desired weight resting thereon and such adjustment may be fully automatic or it may be desirable to provide a simple adjustment in addition thereto.

It is therefore one of the objectsof this invention to provide aseat construction of a type above described in which the back rest may obtain approximately a true path of travel in an up and down movement with relation to the plane of the back rest.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a seat construction of the character indicated above in which an automatic adjustment of spring. 55

resistance to the weight of different sized individuals may be obtained.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a seat construction of the above noted type in which the seat frame is so constructed and arranged as to prevent side sway.

Another object of this invention isto provide a seat construction as herebefore set out which is comparatively simple and inexpensive and yet obtains a maximum of comfort in use.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of the invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a seat construction embodying the features of this invention, the upholstery being omitted therefrom;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a rear fragmentary portion of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1 showing the upholstery thereon in section;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan elevational view of the forward portion of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the seat frame shown in Fig. 1 showing a cushioning element mounted in position thereon;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the seat frame showing changed positions thereof with respect to the rigid supporting members;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of the rigid support and connected means for resisting rearward movement of the back rest frame;

Fig. 8 is a rear elevational view of the resilient supporting means for the seat and the back rest;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of seat construction embodying the features of this invention, the upholstery being omitted therefrom; a

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of Fig. 9 from a different angle;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the pivotal connections between the forward rigid support and the seat frame;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side elevational view partially in section of one of the pivotal connections between the free end of the seat frame and the back rest frame.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the construction of this invention is shown in one form as comprising a supporting surface or base l0 which, in this instance, is shown as a wooden platform of substantially rectangular shape spaced from the floor by means of a fixed bracket II and pivotal brackets II. This particular seat construction may be identified as a vehicle seat of the type commonly used as a front seat in the coach type of automobile wherein it is desirable to pivot the seat forwardly and out of the way of a passenger of the rear seat. The pivotally supporting brackets I! are for accommodation of the pivotal movement of the seat as a whole. However, this construction is shown merely for illustrative purposes and either no feet or any type of feet may be used as desired.

A pair of rigid supports l3 are mounted in a spaced relation on the forward portion of thesupporting platform [0 adjacent the edges thereof. The rigid supports are fixed relative to the supporting surface of the platform l0 and are pref erably of channel-shape for purposes of rigidity. A seat frame I4 is pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to the rigid supports l3, and as shown more particularly in Fig. 4, the seat frame is provided with apertures I! of substantially rectangular shape through which the ends of the rigid supports l3 may project, the projecting portions of the rigid supports being provided with registering apertures for receiving pins l6 extending therethrough and a substantial distance therebeyond for engagement with hearing members I! suitably secured as by means of riveting, spot-welding, or the like, to one face of the seat frame which, as will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out, is preferably formed of sheet metal.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 5 of the drawings, the seat frame I4 is shown as comprising a pair of sheet metal plates'l8 and I9 having spaced medial portions 20 with the portions adjacent the peripheries thereof connected together as by means of spot-welding, riveting or the like. Such a construction affords a maximum strength and rigidity which is desired in this construction particularly to prevent side sway of the seat and connected members movable therewith, the seat being limited in its movement in a vertical plane only. It may be desirable to form a peripheral edge of one of these plate members in such a manner as to provide a flanged pan for receiving cushioning means 2! over which the usual padding 22 and upholstery 23 may be disposed. The cushioning means 2| may be of a size and shape to fit within theflanges of the pan shaped plated member forming a portion of the seat frame l4 and in this manner may be held against displacement.

A substantially vertically extending support 24 is fixed agzinst movement to the supporting platform I 0 as, for example, by means of being secured to an angle bracket 25, which latter, in turn, is fixed as by means of bolts 26 to the platform Ill. The substantially vertically extending support or upright 24 may preferably comprise a pair of members forming a Y-shape in cross section, to the upper end of which, as seen more particularly in Fig. 7, a spring unit 21 is fixed.

The spring unit 21 comprises a rocker 28 pivotally secured between the spaced arms of the Y-shape cross section of the rigid support as by means of a pin 29, the rocker having a central aperture therethrough for slidably receiving one end of the pin 30, the other end of the pin 30 slidably engaging an aperture in another rocker member 28 pivotally secured to a housing portion SI of the back rest 32 by means of a pin 33. The slidable pin 30 is provided at each end thereof with cotter pins to limit the movement of a compression spring 34, the latter, of course, resisting movement of the back rest 32 rearwardly or in a direction toward the rigid support. Upon the compression of the spring 34, the pin 30 merely slides or floats in the supporting apertures therefor. However, when the compression spring 34 is relieved, the latter returns the back rest to an initial position wherein the cotter pins prevent relative movement of the rocker members beyond a certain point and thus limit the forward movement of the back rest. The floating pin 30 also holds the spring on the rockers under slight compression before this portion is assembled in the seat.

The back rest 32 may preferably comprise a sheet metal plate having a pair of opposed edges thereof bent back upon themselves to form the housings 3| for enveloping the fixed substantially vertically extending support 24 and the compression unit 21 for resisting the movement of the back rest. The housings 3| in this manner are spaced although connected to provide a recess therebetween adapted to receive the cushioning means 38.

The back rest is provided preferably at each housing portion with a strap 38 which may be formed integrally with the housing portion, or, as shown in the drawings, may be secured to the housing portion 3|, the strap extending therefrom for pivotal engagement with the rear edge of the seat frame I. As shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 3, the pivotal connection may comprise .a rod 31 extending across the full width of the seat frame and therebeyond to be received in an aperture of each of the straps 38, the cotter pins, or any other securing means, being employed for preventing displacement of the rod 31 from the apertures of the straps 38.

Resilient means are provided for movably supporting the back rest frame 32 and the seat frame M for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane. In a strict sense, the term in a substantially vertical plane; as employed, is somewhat unsatisfactory, since the back rest frame and movement thereof are preferably, as shown in the drawings, inclined in an angle to the vertical plane for accommodating a restful or reclining position of the body. However, the term will be meant to include an up and down movement such as is shown in the drawings or at any angle approximating the vertical so long as movement is in an up and down direction.

The resilient means for movably supporting the back rest and seat frames may :comprise a plurality of compression springs 38, 38, 38 and 38. The compression springsmay preferably be mounted between members 39 and 88, the member 39 comprising, for purposes of illustration, a wooden supporting block having recesses therein for receiving the ends of the respective compression spring members and the member 48 likewise comprising a wooden block having recesses for receiving the other ends of the compression spring members. The springs 38 and 38", being under compression to a slight extent in a normal unoccupied condition, are held against displacement by means of the recesses into which they are disposed, the compression springs 38 and 38 being fastened at one end thereof within their respective recesses in the supporting member 39 since they are not at all times under compression and, in a normal unoccupied condition do not extend to engage the co-operating member 48.

The spring 38 is preferably not as long as the compression springs 38 and 38 and in a normal unoccupied position of the seat frame does not extend to engage the upper member 48. Likewise the compression spring 38 does not extend to engage the member 40 during a normal unoccupied condition of the seat frame and is preferably substantially shorter than the compression spring 38". These springs may be readily interchangeable with springs of different sizes, although for purposes of illustration, I have shown the springs of the same gauge and differing merely in length. Such a construction provides for an automatic adjustment of seat tension or resistance against weight disposed on the seat. For example, alighter person, in sitting on the seat frame, may compress springs 38 and 38" only without bringing the compression springs 38 and 38 into action. A heavier person may bring the spring 38 into action with the compression springs 38 and 38, and a still heavier personmay bring all four-springs into action. Thus, resistance is automatically provided in a suflicient amount to accommodate th different weights of various individuals.

It may also be desirable where the seat is occupied consistently by an individual of substantially heavy weight to assist in the control of the spring action by initially overcoming the resistance of springs 38 and 38 to a substantial degree and bringing the compression spring 38 into immediate play. A manually adjustable means is provided for accommodating this action and may consist in a threaded pin ll having an apertured enlarged head 42 for receiving one end of a spring 43, the other end-of the spring being attached to the member 83. The pin extends through an aperture in the supporting member ill for receiving'on the extended end a nut and locking nut which,'upon being threaded in one direction, will draw the pin downwardly and with it the tensionspring 83 to overcome a portion of the compression of the springs 38 and 38. A threading of the nuts in the other direction will permit movement in the opposite direction to relieve the spring 43 and thus relieve the added compression on the springs 38 and 38. Thus a full automatic control or an automatic control combined with a manual control may be employed to give, when the seat is employed in a vehicle, what might be termed ride control. The vibrations set up in the car during use may be absorbed to any desired amount by the occupant of the seat depending upon the weight of the occupant and upon his personal desire in having a maximum flexing of the springs or a minimum flexing thereof. This stepped system of springing, while accommodating persons of a wide range of weights and preventing very heavy persons from driving the free end of the seat down so as to strike base l8 when a severe jolt of a vehicle is encountered. also allows a light weight person to have a soft floating ride which he could not enjoy if all springs were in contact and calculated to care for the person of maximum weight.

In order that the substantially vertical movement of the back rest be confined to the substantial plane of the back rest so that vibration and movement set up in the car to be absorbedbv the vertically. extending springs is not 'appreciably translated to horizontal movement of the back rest. a very definite relation of the pivotal connections of the movable members is brov derl.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 6. the seat frame It is shown in full lines in a normal unoccupied position at the up rmost limit of i s movement in one direction. The dotted l ne AB is drawn to pass through the center of the rod 1 and the center of the pin "5. the former bein the pivotal connection between the back re t frame and the seat frame and the latter be ng the pivotal connection between the seat fram and the rig d support l3. Th s dotted line positi n is therefore the extreme of movement in one d rection. A second dotted line CD is drawn throu h the extreme of movement of the seat frame H. the dotted line passing through the center of the same pivotal connections. The pivotal connec tion I8 is fixed and the pivotal connection 31 is movable on the arc EF. The plane of the back rest frame 32 is indicated by the dot-dash line Passing the dot-dash line GH through the pivto the dot-dash line GH at a point midway between the extreme positions of the pivotal connection 31 will pass directly through the center of the pivotal connection [6. Therefore the pivotal connection l6 between the seat frame l4 and the rigid support l3 lies in a. plane at substantially right angles to the plane of the back rest, indicated by the dot-dash line GH, at a point midway of the extremities of movement of the pivotal connection 31 between the back rest frame and the seat frame. By having a pivotal connecsides thereby enclosing the fixed uprights 48 tion It located in this manner, a very minimum of substantially horizontal movement is obtained in the back rest due to the movement of the seat frame in substantially the plane of the back rest. Any departure from this particular location will increase the amount of substantially horizontal movement that will be imparted to the back rest frame by movement in a substantially vertical direction of the seat frame.

By reason of the pivotal connection l6 being fixed and located a substantial distance above the point of the pivotal connection 31 at its extreme upper movement, it is possible to locate a drawer 44 between the rigid supports 8 3 and beneath the seat frame 14. The upholstery 23, which may be preformed and slipped over the seat construction, may be detachable and provided with flaps. having the usual snap fasteners 45 and 46 at the bottom edges thereof in order to permit access readily to the spring units or to the drawer 44.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 9 to 13, inclusive of the drawings, a modified form of construction is shown embodying the features of this invention wherein the frame work is built in substantially its entirety of steel tubing in three parts, namely, the main frame, the floating back rest frame and the seat frame.

The main frame may preferably comprise a single steel tubing having spaced base or supporting portions 41 for resting on a surface and portions 48 extending upwardly therefrom at the rear end thereof, the latter portions being connected together at the upper ends thereof by a portion 49 in the form of a cross bar located centrally of the length of the tube. The forward ends of the supporting portions 47 have upwardly extending portions 50 connected together near the upper ends thereof by a separate cross bar The seat frame comprises a pair of substantially horizontally extending spaced portions 52 coextensive with the bent end portions till of the main frame and being connected together by a cross bar 53 which preferably is an intermediate portion of the tube forming the substantially horizontally extending portions 52. The forward ends of the portions 52 are connected together by a cross bar 54, the cross bar preferably being formed of tubular stock and being welded 'or otherwise secured to the main seat frame.

Both cross bars 53 and 54 extend below the plane of the spaced portions 52 for the reception of cushioning means.

The floating back rest frame comprises preferably a single length of tubing including spaced portions 55 connected together at the upper ends thereof by a cross bar 56 which is an intermediate portion of the tube forming the portions 55. The upper ends of the substantially vertically extending tubular portions 55 are preferably bent rearwardly so that the cross bar 56 lies substantially in the plane of the horizontally extending cross-bar portion 51 of the back rest. The

cross bar 51 is connected between the lower ends of the substantially vertically extending portions 55, the cross support being secured as by welding. or otherwise, to the portions 55 and extending rearwardly therefrom behind the substantially vertically extending fixed portions 48 of the main frame. In this manner of construction it is possible to attach a sheet preferably of metal, fiber board or other suitable material from the cross bar 5'! to the portion 56 of the back rest. The sheet may also be bent to form 1 of the main frame in a box-like structure so that the back rest and seat may be upholstered by a preformed continuous strip entirely enclosing the same.

The upwardly extending portions 50 and substantially horizontally extending end portions 5|! forming a part of the main frame, act as rigid supports to which, at the end portions thereof, one end of the seat frame is pivotally connected. The tubular end portions 5i! are fixed relative to a supporting surface or to the base portions 41, and as shown more particularly in Figs. 11 and 12, are each provided with a male member 58 forming together with a female member 59 a pivotal connection between the rigid support and the seat frame. The connecting members 58 and 59 include head portions 58 and 59 with shank portions 58 and 59 respectively, extending therefrom, the shank portions being inserted in the ends of the respective tubes 50 and- 52 and fixed therein in any desired manner.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 13, a pivotal connection is shown for use between the free end of the seat frame and the lower end of the back rest frame, the pivotal connection preferably comprising an insert 60 fixedly disposed within the lower end of the tube and having a longitudinally extending slot 6| therein registering with a longitudinally extending slot 62 of the tubular member 55. A connecting member is disposed between the insert 50 and the tubular members 52 of the seat frame and comprises a head portion 63 for loosely fitting in the slot GI and extending outwardly through the slot 62, the head portion having an aperture for receiving a pin 64. The latter pin extends on opposite sides of the head portion 63 and is seated in opposed apertures formed in the sleeve 60. A reduced shank portion 65 extending from the head 63 passes through apertures formed in the tubular member 52, the outer end of the reduced shank portion 65 having an aperture for receiving a cotter pin 66 to prevent displacement of the shank from the tubular member 52.

In order to provide a resistance for the rearward movement of the floating back rest frame and to limit the forward movement thereof, a spring unit is fixed between the upwardly extending rigid supporting portions 48 and the back rest frame, the spring units each comprising, as in the previously described embodiment, a rocker 61 pivotally secured to a pillow block 68, which latter is secured to the substantially vertically extending portion 48 and a second rocker 59 pivotally secured to a pillow block 10 fixed to the substantially vertically extending portion 55 of the back rest frame. Each of the rockers has a central aperture therethrough for slidably receiving one end of a pin, each end of the pin being provided with cotter pins to .limit the movement of a compression spring H. The compression spring, of course, resists movement of the back rest rearwardly or in a direction toward the rigid support. Upon the compression of the spring II, the pin merely slides or floats 'in the supporting apertures therefor in the rockers 61 and 69-. However, when the compression spring H is relieved, the latter returns the back rest to an initial forward position as limited by the cotter pins.

The upwardly extending portions 48 of the main frame are spaced substantially closer together than the portions 55 of the floating back rest frame so that the spring units Ii are required to lie in converging planes. Since the spring unit H is a relatively stifl flexible supporting means for the back rest, it is possible to obtain the maximum degree of resistance necessary to overcome sidesway of the back rest since the resistance set up in the spring is transmitted substantially directly down the axis. of the coils of the spring. Also, inthis manner the spring unit will occupy a minimum space in a rearward direction so that the back rest will be of a minimum thickness.

Substantially the same resilient means are provided for movably supporting the back rest frame and the seat frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane. The resilient means may preferably comprise a plurality of compression springs 12, 12, 12 and 12. The compression springs may preferably be mounted between the channel bars 13 and 14, the channel bar 13 being fixedly mounted between the portions 41 of the main frame and the channel bar 14 be-'- ing mounted on the back rest and preferably on the rearwardly extending portions of the cross bar 51.

As in the previously described embodiment, the

springs I2 and '12 are under compression to a slight extent in a normal unoccupied condition of the seat frame and are held against displacement by the recesses formed by the channel members into which they are disposed. The compression springs l2 and 12 are preferably fastened at one end thereof within the channel of the supporting member 13 since they are not at all times under compression and, in a normal unoccupied condition of the seat, do not extend to engage the co-operating member H.

The relation of the pivotal connections between the back rest frame and the seat frame and the rigid support at the forward end of the seat construction is the same as that described in the previous embodiment, the pivotal connection betweenthe seat frame 52 and the rigid support 50 lying in a. plane at substantially right angles to the plane of the back rest at a point midway of the extremities of movement of the pivotal connection between the back rest frame and the seat frame. Thus a minimum of substantially horizontal movement is obtained in the back rest due to the movement of the seat frame in substantially the plane of the back rest.

Upholstery may be fitted to the construction just described in the same manner as that previously described, the cover being preformed in a continuous strip and slipped over the assembled unit.

While two embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a rigid support fixed relative to a supporting surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame pivotally connected, to the free end of said seat frame, means for movably supporting said back rest frame and seat frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane, a second substantially vertically extending support fixed relative to said supporting surface, and means engaging said back rest frame and said second fixed support for resisting rearward movement of said back rest and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat frame, the pivotal connection between said seat frame and said rigid support lying in a plane at substantially right angles to the plane of said back rest frame at a point midway of the extremities of movement of the pivotal connection between said back rest frame and said seat frame.

2. In a device of the character described, a rigid support fixed relative to a supporting. surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame pivotally connected to the free end of said seat frame, means for movably supporting said back rest frame and seat frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane, a second substantially vertically extending support flxed relative to said supporting surface, and means engaging said back rest frame and said second fixed support for resisting rearwardmovement of said back rest and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat frame, said back rest includinghollow edge portions enclosing said vertically extending fixed support and. the resisting means for said back rest whereby said seat frame and said back rest frame are adapted to be upholstered by a preformed continuous strip entirely enclosing the same.

3. In a device of the character described, a rigid support fixed relative to a supporting surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame pivotally connected to the free end of said seat frame, means for movably supporting said back rest frame and said seat frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane, said back rest frame comprising spaced connected housings providing a recess therebetween adapted to receive a cushioning means, a second substantially vertically extending support fixed relative to said supporting surface for each of said housings and enclosed therein, and means within each of said housings engaging said back rest frame and said second fixed support for resisting rearward movement of said back rest and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat frame.

4. In a device of the character described, a rigid support fixed relative to a supporting surface, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame pivotally secured adjacent one end thereof to said rigid support, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame pivotally connected to the free end of said seat frame, means for movably supporting said back rest frame and said seat frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane, said back rest frame com- 'prising a sheet metal support having opposed 5. In a device of the character described, a base,

a substantially horizontally extending seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame pivotally connected to the rear of said seat frame, means for movably supporting said back rest frame and seat frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane and for permitting movement in a direction forwardly and rearwardly relative thereto, substantially vertically extending supports fixed relative to said base, and means engaging said back rest frame and said fixed support for resisting rearward movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat frame, saidback rest including hollow edge portions enclosing said vertically extending fixed supportsand the resisting means for said back rest.

6. In a device of the character described, -a base, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame pivotally connected to the rear of said seat frame, means for movably supporting said back rest frame and seat frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane and for permitting movement in a direction forwardly and rearwardly relative thereto, substantially vertically extending supports fixed relative to said base, and means engaging said back rest frame and said fixed support for resisting rearward movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat frame, said back rest comprising spaced connected housings providing a recess therebetween adapted to receive a cushioning means, said housings enclosing said vertically extending fixed supports and the resisting means for said back rest.

7. In a device of the character described, a base, a substantially horizontally'extending seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame, means for resiliently supporting said seat frame and said back rest frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane, a substantially vertically extending fixed support extending from said base, and resilient means connected to said fixed support and to said back rest frame for resisting rearward and sidewise movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement thereof with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat frame, the connections of said resilient means to said back rest frame being spaced a greater distance than the connections of said resilient means to saidfixed support.

8. In a device of the character described, a

base, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame including spaced uprights, means for resiliently supporting said seat frame and said back rest frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane, a pair of spaced substantially vertically extending fixed supports extending from said base, said spaced uprights of said back rest being spaced a greater distance than said spaced fixed supports, and coil springs pivotally connected between adjacent uprights and fixed supports for resisting rearward and sidewise movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement thereof with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat frame.

9. In a device of the character described, a base, a substantially horizontally extending seat frame, a substantially vertically extending back rest frame pivotally connected to the rear of said seat frame, means for resiliently supporting said seat frame and said back rest frame for movement thereof in a substantially vertical plane, a substantially vertically extending rigid support extending from said base and lying in a plane to the rear of said back rest frame, a cross bar secured to opposite sides of said back rest frame and extending in the rear of said rigid support, and resilient means connected between said fixed support and said back rest frame to resist rearward movement of said back rest frame and for permitting vertical movement thereof with respect to said fixed support responsive to the movement of said seat fame, said back rest frame extending upwardly above the top of said fixed support and rearwardly to the substantial vertical plane of said cross bar.

HYLAND C. FLINT.

Images