US2182915A - Invalid chair - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 122 1939. F, W CONNOLLY 2,182,915

` INVALID CHAIR Filed Feb. 23, 1937 l 4 Sheets-Sheet l ffiawmw@ @WMA/144' F. W. coNNoLLY INVALID CHAIR Filed Feb. 23, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gum/MAAS.

Dec. 12, 1939.. F. W. coNNoLLY INVALID CHAIR Filed Feb. 25, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 Sheets-Sheetl 4 INVALID CHAIR F. W. CONNOLLY Fild Feb. 23, 1937` Dec. 1?, 1939.

3 y WCM ln/vA ederic W 001717015/ I I l Lv u M y Patented Dec. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES ArtNr OFFICE g 8 Claims.

The invention relates to invalid chairs and especially to those of the type mounted on wheels and adapted to be propelled from place to place by an occupant of the chair.

The chair of the present invention has been designed especially for use by invalids or patients who are unable to stand, or walk, or both; and the principal general object is to provide a chair which will enable such a person to move from place to place with security and to adjust the parts of the chair to comfortable positions, all with minimum, if any, assistance from an attendant.

Other and more specic objects also realized by the invention will be apparent and readily understood from the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and from the description which follows.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a sidevelevation of the wheel chair shown in a xed position with the legs resting on the oor, pavement, ground or the like;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same with some of the parts shown in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a transverse Vertical sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing the hinge connections between the running gear frame and the seat section; y

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the parts of the chair in rolling position with the legs raised `from the floor;

Fig.` 5 is a top 4and arm rests omitted and in transverse section;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one corner of the seat section and particularly showing a storage receptacle hinged thereto;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the swinging member to which the arm rests are secured;

Fig. 8 is a detail longitudinal vertical central sectional view of part of Fig. 5; v

Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views in side elevation showing respectively the position of the parts with the legs resting on the floor and with the legs elevated from the floor;

Figs. `11 to 14 inclusive illustrate a collapsible form of invalid chair embodying the present invention,

Fig. 11 being a side elevation;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view (with the cushioning of the seat section omitted) of the same chair in collapsed condition, that is, with the back section removed from its normal upright position shown plan view with the seat cushion the back section shown in Fig. 1l and slid into the space between the side rails of the frame of the bottom section; n Fig. 13 is a longitudinal vertical central section of Fig. l2, with parts shown in elevation; and l Fig. 14 is a vertical transverse section on line 5' l4-l4 of Fig. 11. Y

Generally the construction shown in Figs. l to 10 comprises (l) a running gear, (2) a seat section, (3) a back or back-rest section, v(4) arm rests and a carrier therefor; and (5) a foot-rest 10 section extending forward from legs at the forward end of the seat section.

The running gear comprises a frame having two side bars 26, 2l, fitted together edge to edge at their forward ends and divergng at their rear 15 ends (Fig. 5), thus giving the frame a V-shape. At its rear end the upper surface of each bar 20, 2l is slightly inclined and carries an upwardly projecting bumper 22 (of rubber or equivalent material), the purpose of which will presently 20 appear.

At their forward ends, bars 20, 2l are secured together by bolts 23, 23 and two blocks 24, 25 and at their rear ends, they are rigidly joined by a transverse brace or bar 26 of considerable width. An axle 2l for two rear wheels 28 and 29 is rotatable in two journal members 30, 30 secured respectively to the under faces of the rear ends of the two bars 20, 2l. Each wheel 28, 29 has a hand-rim 3i secured directly to the wheel rim by 30 spaced lugs 32. The running gear includes a single front wheel 33 vertically swivelled in a bracket member 34 secured to the forward end of the running gear frame. Transversely across the upper ace of each end of bar 26 there is secured 35 a hinge member 35 having two upstanding side .members or lugs 36, 36 forming an intervening channel (see Fig. 3). The purpose of these hinge members will appear later. As shown, the bars 2i), 2 l, blocks 24, 25 and brace 26 are of wood; but they may be made of other suitable material, such as metal, preferably of light weight.

The seat section comprises a rectangular frame composed of two side bars 4B, 40, a cross-bar 4l at the front end, a cross-bar 42 at the rear end. 45 A bottom 43, a transverse upright partition 44 between the side bars, a cover 45 hinged to said partition, provide a storage compartment at the rear end of the seat section and to the rear of the back section. The lower edges of the two 50 side bars 46, 40, fit respectively in the grooves between the lugs 36, 36 of the hinge members 35, 35, and a hinge pin or bolt 46 passes through each bar 40 and the lugs 36, 36 between which it fits. In this manner the seat section is hingedto tilt 55 about the common axis of the two hinge pins 46, 46. A cross-bar il also connects side bars 40, 4i) intermediate the ends of the latter, said bar (il being somewhat inclined from the vertical and having therethrough two openings @8, 158 (only one of which shows in the drawings) and in its under edge a notch 39. A metal rod 50 also extends between side bars d, lill, near the lower edges thereof. A bar secured across the rear end of the seat frame constitutes a projecting ange or ledge 5l. The purposes of the aforesaid openings 48, 48, notch da, bar liil, and flange or ledge 5i will appear later. An upholstered seat 52 has a bottom frame which removably ts upon and is supported by the top edges of side bars 4H, lil and cross-bar di and extends rearwardly to the back section presently described.

A receptacle 53, interiorly divided into compartments by vertical partitions, is hinged, by hinges 5ft, 54 (Fig. 6), to the outer face of the right-hand side bar lil at its forward end and provides for storage of miscellaneous articles readily accessible to an occupant of the chair. In its normal closed position, shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the top of the receptacle 53 ts under the overhanging edge of the upholstered seat 52 and is closed thereby. When swung to the dotted line position, shown in Fig. 6, the receptacle 53 is open for ready access to any articles stored therein. Receptacle is retained in its closed position (shown in full lines Fig. 6) by frictional engagement of its upper edge with the under-side of the overhanging seat and particularly with the lower edge of the upholstery which depends slightly below the frame of the seat. Any suitable stop means may be used to prevent excess movement of the receptacle when it is moved to its open position (shown in dotted lines Fig. 6). For example a short chain 55 may be employed, connected at one end to an eyelet projecting from the end of the receptacle and at its other end to an eyelet projecting from bar 40. A knob 5l' projecting from the front face of the receptacle may be gripped to swing it to its open or closed position.

Two depending legs 58, 59 are secured at their upper ends to the forward corners respectively of the frame of the seat section. The location of the axis of hinge pins d6, i6 is such that normally the center of gravity of the seat section and the occupant of the chair is slightly to the rear of said axis. When the seat section is in its lowermost approximately horizontal position, as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 9, the lower ends of said legs rest upon the ioor, pavement, ground, or the like, and thus support much of the weight of the occupant of the chair and at the same time, by frictional grip upon the floor or the like, prevent any rolling movement of the chair. But when the seat section is tilted upward at its forward end to the position shown in Figs. 4 and l0, the legs 58, 59 are elevated out of engagement with the oor or the like and the weight or" the occupant of the chair is supported entirely by the wheels so that the chair may be readily rolled about without interference from the legs.

Means are provided whereby an occupant of the chair may shift or change the position of the parts of the toggle latch from their latched position shown in Fig. 10, to an unlatched or released position to enable the seat section to be lowered to its approximately horizontal position shown in Fig. 9 and with the legs in engagement with the oor or the like. Referring particularly to Fig. 8, a rotary shaft l extends transversely across the frame of the seat section and is journaled at its ends respectively in side bars 6G, 50. At its ends outside of side bars fit1, shaft 'i6 has fixed thereto knobs ll, ll, or other means for manually rotating the shaft. Two spaced chains l2, "d3 are connected to eyelets cn block Sil, extend through the before-mentioned openings G8, in cross-bar it?, and at their ends are secured to and adapted to be wound in one direction about shaft by rotation of the latter. Another and shorter chain 'i-l is secured at one end to and wound about shaft 'lil and at its other end is connected to one end oi a coiled spring T5, the other end of whichis connected to an eyelet T6 on cross-bar 25. It follows that an occupant of the chair, by grasping one or both knobs 7|, l and rotating shaft 'lil clockwise, may wind the chains l2, 'i3 and ifi upon shaft in opposition to spring 'l5 and thereby lift the toggle-latch to released position. The weight of the occupant, being centered slightly forward of the axis, the hinge members 35, 35, as previously described, will tilt the seat section forward to its approximately horizontal position until legs 58 and 59 engage the floor or the like as shown in Fig. 9.

To raise said legs from the i'ioor and return the toggle latch to latched position, the occupant momentarily shifts his balance to the rear of he of the i nge pins (it, 6. This may be accomplished either by slightly shifting his weight ba `:wai-d, or by gripping the hand rims Si, 3i of the rear wheels and exerting a sudden forward thrust thereon, or by both. The seat section will thus be tilted backwardly sumciently to enable toggle latch to snap into latched position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. The action of spring 65 will then hold the toggle latch in latched position with the legs 58, 59 held clear of the door.

The back section includes an upright rectangular frame composed of side bars 85, connected by cross-bar 8l at their lower ends and by crossbars 32 (shown only in dotted lines in Fig. l) at their upper ends. A rigid back panel S3 (Figs. 2 and 4), which may be of thin wood, or sheet metal is secured to the forward edges of side bars 88, 8G and supports cushioning upholstery which includes a suitable covering 8d, as of leather or other suitable material, which covering is carried down the back of the hack section and secured, as by tacks, to the rear edges of the side bars 8G, 8D.

An upright bar 85, preferably of fiat metal, is rigidly secured in the back section to two crossrods 86 and 37 (Figs. 2 and 4) extending between the side bars 8d, Sil, and each passing through an opening in bar 85. The ends of rod 8? extend through the side bars (56, fl-t of the frame of the seat section, whereby the back section is pivotally connected to the seat section and may be adjusted about said pivotal connection to different uprig .t angular positions in relation to the seat section, as will be explained. Below the rod 37 the lower portion of upright bar 8E is bent at an angle relative to its upper portion, and extends downward through a notch 38 in the cross-bar 8l of the frame of the back section. A lock-bar 89, also preferably of flat metal, is pivotally connected at its forked lower extremity to the lower end of bar 85, and extends upward and forward in an inclined position (Figs. l, 2 and 4 having in the under edge of its upper end a series of notches 9U adapted to engage over the before-mentioned rod 50 of the seat section) to lock the back section in any one of `a series of positions of inclination with reference to the seat section. Two coiled springs 9|, 9|, connected at their forward ends to bar 85 and at their rear ends to the bottom of the seat section, tend to tilt the back section forward on its pivotal axis constituted by rod 81. A coiled spring 92, connected at its forward end to downwardly projecting member 93 secured to the under side of the running gear frame and `at its rear endto lock bar 89, tends to swing said lock bar 89 downward and hold one of the notches 90 thereof in engagement with rod 50. The upper extremity of lock-bar 89 loosely engages in, and in its longitudinal movement is guided by, the before-mentioned notch 49 in the cross-bar 41 of the'frame of the seat section. A flexible, or other suitable connection such as a small rope 94, extends downward from one of the arm rests (say that at the right-hand side of the chair) and is vsecured at its lower end through an openn ing in the lock-bar 89. l v

To adjust or change the inclination or position of the back section with reference to the seat section, say from the position of the back section shown in full lines in Fig. 2 to that shown in dotted lines inthe same figure, the occupant of the chair pulls upward on rope 94 thereby swinging lock-bar 89 upward until its uppermost notch 90 is disengaged from rod 50. The occupant then leans backward until the back section reaches the dotted line position, Fig. 2, whereupon pull on rope 94 is released and the lowerrnost notch 90 engages rod 50 to lock the back section in the corresponding position of inclination. Similarly one of the intermediate notches 90 may bev brought into engagement with rod 50 to llock the back section in the corresponding position of inclination.

Arm-rests 95 and 99 are secured to a frame or carrier which is preferably made from a continuous metal rod (solid or tubular) bent to the shape best shown in perspective in Fig. 7 and having an eyelet 91 at each end. When in place said frame or carrier spans the back section of the chair, with the intermediate portion 93 extending across the rear side of said back section and said eyelets 91 engaged by the opposite screw-threaded ends respectively of the beforementioned rod B1. A nut (Fig. 1) on each screwthreaded end of the rod prevents disengagement of the eyelets. In normal position the frame or carrier, parts 99, 99, thereof are approximately horizontal. Bolts or screws (Fig. 4) pass through openings |0| (Fig. '7) in the parts 99 to secure the arm-rests 95, 96 thereto. Rearwardly projecting hooks |02, |02 secured respectively to the outer faces of the side bars 80, 80 of the frame of the back section, engage the intermediate part 98 of the arm-rests frame to secure the same in operative position. To swing the arm rests and their frame to an out-of-the-way or inoperative position, rearward pull on said rests springs the intermediate portion 98 of said frame out of' engagement with the hooks |02, |02 and the frame (with the arm-rests) swings back ward around rod 81 to the dotted line position shown` in Fig. 1, with the part 98 of the frame resting on the before-mentioned flange or ledge 5|,

- The foot rest section comprises a foot rest proper |05, which may be a short length of board of suitable dimensions, angle plates |06 and |01 secured respectively to opposite end edges of board |05, as by screws,.so that in normal position the board |05 is inclined upward. An angle plate |09, has a vertical arm secured to leg 58 as by screws or bolts I l, and a horizontal arm secured at its outer end to the inner end of angle plate |06 by a pivot |08. A lug ||2, preferably formed integral with the outer end of the horizontal arm of angle plate |09 at its outer end, extends under the inner end of angle plate |06 and acts as a stop to limit the downward movement of angle plate |06 about pivot |08. An angle plate H0, similar to |09, is rsecured to leg 59 by bolts or screws and has a forwardly extending horizontal arm connected by a pivot pin |08 to the inner end of angle plate |01. angle plate ||0 also has a lug ||2 similar to and for the same purpose as the other lug ||2.

The foot rest is shown in normal position of use in Figs. l and 2 with the legs 58 and 59 engaging the oor or the like; or in Fig. 4 with the legs elevated from the floor. When it is not desired to use the foot rest, it may be swung upward, around pivots |08, |08 to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 4.

Further with reference to the use and operation of the chair shown in Figs. 1 to 10, it will be understood that with the parts thereof in the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 the Weight of an occupant of the chair is distributed between and supported by the two rear wheels and the two legs at the front. A considerable part of the weight is carried by the legs and holds them in such firm Igripping engagement with the oor 0r the like as to eliminate or minimize danger of movement of the chair, even when the supporting surface is somewhat inclined or irregular. Should the occupant of the chair desire. to dispense with use of the arm rests 95, 95, he can swing them to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 in the manner hereinbefore described. Later he may if desired swing them back to full line position, Fig. 1. Also should the chair occupant desire to change the inclination of the back rest section he may do so in the manner hereinbefore explained. Should the occupant desire to roll the chair about, or move it to another position, he swings the seat section upward to locked position, in the manner previously described, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10. The legs thus being elevated from the floor or the like, the entire weight of the occupant is carried by the front and rear wheels and by gripping` the hand rims 3|, 3|, he may rotate the rear wheels 28, 29 to propel the chair in any direction. When it again becomes desirable to fix the chair against rolling movement, this may be readily accomplished in they manner hereinbefore described by shifting the toggle latch to released position and the seat section back to approximately horizontal position with the legs engaging the iioor or the like. By rolling the chair alongside a bed or couch, lowering the seat section until the legs engage the licor, and swinging the arm rests to their dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, the user of the chair may shift to the bed or couch; and vice versa.

As before stated, Figs. 11 to 14 show the invention as embodied in collapsible form to better adapt the chair for shipment or transportation. There is a running gear section substantially like that shown in Figs. 1 to 10, including a frame having side bars 20, 2|, secured together at their forward ends by bolts 23, 23, cross bars 24, 25, 26, an axle 21 rotatable in journal members 30, rear wheels 28 and 29 carried by axle 21, a hand-rim 3| for each wheel secured to the wheel rim by lugs 32, hinge members 35, 35 secured to oppo- The outer end of y site ends of cross-bar 26, each member 35 having two upstanding lugs 36 between which a side bar of the frame of the seat section fits and is pivoted by a hinge pin 4B. At the rear end of each side bar 4D is a bumper 22. Front wheel 33 is swiveled in bracket 34.

The bottom section is somewhat diiferent from that shown in Figs. 1 to 10. It comprises two side bars |29, E2G, front cross-bar |2|, the ends of which project beyond the side-bars; cross-bars |22 and |23 notched into the under edges of the side-bars; and four rods connecting the side bars, two of said rods |24, |24 being located near the upper edges of the side bars and two of said rods |25, |25 being located near the lower edges of said sidebar-s. Legs E8, 59 depend from the forward corners respectively of the frame of the seat section. rlwo supplementary side bars |26, |21 carry respectively outwardly projecting convexly curved cam plates |28 and |29, preferably made of rigid sheet metal and formed with a notch at about the middle of its convexly curved cam edge. A lever E3B is pivoted at I3? (Fig. 12) in a notch in side bar |29 and extends transversely of the seat frame through slots |35 and |32 in side bar |23 and supplementary side bar |25, respectively, the end of the lever projecting beyond bar |26 in a position to be readily gripped by an occupant of the chair. A coiled spring |32, connected at one end to an eyelet on cross bar |21 is connected at its other end to lever i3!) through an opening therein and tends to hold said lever swung forward on its pivot in the position shown in Fig. 12. A toggle joint latch is provided similar to that shown in Figs. 1-10 and operating in the same manner and for the same purpose. 1t includes blocks d and 6| hinged together at G2, the block 60 being hinged at t3 to cross bar |2| and the block 6E hinged at 64 to cross bar 25. A coiled spring 55 connects blocks 6B and 6|. A single chain 't2 (instead of two chains l2 and 13, as in Figs. 1 10) extends from an eyelet on block 6U to lever |3. By pulling on lever i3d and swinging it on its pivot li against the tension of spring i3d, the toggle latch may be released as shown in Fig. 13.

1n this instance the arm rests |38, |35 are secured respectively to the upper ends of two carrier rods |38 and |39 which bend inwardly and horizontally at their lower ends. Rod |33 is of reduced diameter at its under end E40 where it telescopes into the tubular inner end of carrier rod |32 (Fig. 14). Rod |39 passes through horizontal openings in side bars i2? and |26; and rod |38 passes through similar openings in side bars |26 and |25. Coiled springs |4| and |42 on rods |39 and |88 respectively tend to force them inwardly with the vertical portions of the rods engaged in the notches ofv the cam plates $29 and |28 respectively, to thus hold the arm rests with their carrier rods in normal or operative positions. To swing either arm rest, say that at the right-hand side, forward and downward to an out-of-the-way position, such as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11, the occupant pushes forward on the armrest; the carrier rod |38 moves along the edge of cam plate |28 out of the notch therein and until it completely disengages the plate and nally reaches the dotted line position. In this movement the arm rest |35 and its carrier rod |38, pivot on the lower horizontal portion of said rod, which at the same time is longitudinally movable in its bearing openings through side bars |26 and 20 under the iniiuence of coiled spring |42. The arm rest at the left and its carrier rod |39 may be similarly swung to an outof-the-way position. Swinging of the arm rests and their carrier rods forward and upward again restores the arm rests to their normal operative positions shown in full lines, Fig. 11, and with the carrier rod |38 and |39 engaged in the notches in the cam plates |28 and |29 respectively.

The back rest section includes a frame having two slightly curved side bars |43, |44 and a suitable covering |fi5 (such as leather) extending across the space between said bars at the front edges thereof and secured thereto, as by upholstery tacks. When the back section is in operative position, the lower ends of side bars |43, hifi engage between the rods |24, |24 of the upper pair of rods and rods |25, |25 of the lower pair, as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 11 and 13, to rigidly hold the back section in proper upright position.

The foot rest section is of the same construction as shown in Figs. 1-10, and includes board 85 (shown in Fig. 11 but omitted in Fig. 12), angie plates and |91 (the latter not showing), angle plates |519, HE), pivots |68, |03 and lugs ||2, Eli. 1n this instance, wing nuts are used (Fig. il) on the bolts which secure angle plates Ei-Ei and |19 to the legs 58 and 59 respectively. The foot rest section is shown in its folded up out-of-the-way position in full lines in Fig. l1; its extended operative position is shown in dotted lines in said gure.

Referring further to the use and operation of the chair shown in Figs. 11 to 14, it will be understood that the lowering and raising of legs 58 and 9 to and from the iioor or the like is eifected in the same manner as previously described with reference to the chair shown in Figs. 1-10, with the exception that lever |30 is used in the collapsible model for releasing the toggle latch in place of shaft lil and knobs To reduce the chair of Figs. 11 to 14 to a collapsed, compacted or knock-down condition for storage, transportation or the like, the back section is lifted from the position in which it is .shown in Fig. 11 to disengage the lower ends of its side bars |43 and |44 from engagement between the pairs of rods |24, |24 and |25, |25. Thus released said back section is slid into the rear open end of the frame of the seat section between the side bars |20, |29 thereof, above the bottom cross-bars |22 and |24 and the cross-rods |25, |25 thereof, and beneath the cross-rods |24, |24, to the approximate position in which said back section is shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The arm rests are lowered to the dotted line positions shown in Fig. 11 and the foot rest is folded upward to the full line position in which it is shown 1n said gure.

The invention is susceptible of other embodiments and the specic structure and details of construction as shown in the drawings may be varied within wide limits.

What is claimed is:

1. An invalid chair having forward and rearward supporting wheels; a seat section movable about an approximately horizontal axis located between said forward and rearward wheels; and one or more legs carried by said seat section forward of said axis-said seat section being movable about said axis under control of an occupant of the chair to thereby shift said leg or legs from an active position to an inactive position and vice versa.

2. An invalid chair including a running gear 75 section having forward and rearward supporting wheels; a seat section carried by said running gear section; and one or more supporting legs carried `by said seat section-said seat section being movable up and down with relation to said running gear section under control of an occupant of the chair to thereby shift said leg or legs from an active to an inactive position, and vice versa.

3. An invalid chair including a running gear section having forward and rearward supporting wheels; a seat section carried by said running gear section and movable relatively thereto about an approximately horizontal axis located between the forward and rearward wheels; and one or more supporting legs carried by said seat section forward of said axissaid seat section being movable up and down on said running gear section about said axis under control of an occupant of the chair, to thereby shift said leg or legs fromv an active to an inactive position and vice versa.

4.*An invalid chair including a running gear section having forward and rearward supporting wheels; a seat section carried by said running gear section and movable relatively thereto about an approximately horizontal axis located between said forward and rearward wheels; one or more supporting legs carried by said seat section forward of said axis-said seat section'being movable up and down ron said running gear section f about said axis under control of an occupant of the chair to thereby shift said leg or legs from an active to an inactive position and vice versa; means for locking said leg or legs in the inactive position thereof; and means under control of an occupant of the chair for releasing said locking means.

5. An invalid chair having rearward and for- Ward supporting wheels; a seat portion, means supporting said seat portion on said wheels providing for up and down movement of said seat portion relative to said wheels under control of an occupant of said seat portion; one or more supporting legs movable up and down from an active to an inactive position; and connections between said leg or legs and said seat portion to transmit up and down movement of said seat portion to said leg or legs and thereby move the latter from an active to an inactive position and vice versa.

6. An invalid chair having rearward and forward supporting wheels;y a seat portion, means supporting said seat portion on said wheels providing for up and down movement of said seat portion relative to said Wheels under control of an occupant of said seat portion by shifting his Weight while seated therein; one or more supporting legs movable up and down from an active to an inactive position and connections between said leg or legs and said seat portion to transmit up and down movement of said seat portion to said leg or legs and thereby move the latter from an active to an inactive position and vice versa.

'7. An invalid chair having rearward and forward supporting wheels; a seat portion, means supporting said seat portion on said wheels providing for. up and down movement of said seat portion relative to said wheels under control of an occupant of said seat portion; one or more supporting legs movableup and down from an active to an inactive position; connections between said leg or legs and said seat portion to transmit up and down movement of said seat portion to said leg or legs and thereby move the latter from an active to an inactive position and vice versa; and means for holding lsaid leg or legs in said inactive position.

8. An invalid chair having rearward and forward supporting wheels; a seat portion, means supporting said seat portion on saidwheels providing for upand down'movement of said seat portion relative to said wheels under control of an occupant of said seat portion; one or more supporting legs movable up and down from any active to an inactive position; connections betweensaid leg or legs and said seat portion to transmit up and down movement of said seat portion to said leg or legs and thereby move the latter from an active to an inactive position and vice versa; means for holding said leg or legs in Y said inactive position; and means under control of anv occupant of the chair for releasing said holding means.

` FREDERICK W. CONNOLLY.

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