U.S. patent number 3,843,197 [Application Number 05/342,619] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-22 for football helmet stool.
Invention is credited to Thomas E. Wright.
United States Patent |
3,843,197 |
Wright |
October 22, 1974 |
FOOTBALL HELMET STOOL
Abstract
This invention relates to the provision of a stool adapted for
multi-use such as for seating persons under a wide range of uses.
It is particularly made to provide a seat shell of a shape
resembling a football helmet which is mounted on the top end of a
vertical column structure to swivel thereon to accommodate the
comfort and convenience of a person seated on the shell. It also
provides a foot rest which is mounted on said column structure
independently of, but coacting with, the seat shell. The foot rest
carries the foot weight and body thrust of the person seated on the
seat shell in a manner not to distort the shape of the seat shell.
The invention provides novel coaction between the seat shell and
the foot rest whereby the foot rest weight of the person seated on
the shell is independent of the weight of such person on the shell
whereby to avoid any distortion of the shell due to varying weight
pressures on the foot rest. The seat shell is mounted for
adjustment to different vertical positions on the column and the
foot rest coacts with the seat shell in such different positions
and swivels therewith.
Inventors: |
Wright; Thomas E. (Hinsdale,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
23342568 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/342,619 |
Filed: |
March 19, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/423.38;
297/181; 248/425 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
3/18 (20130101); A47C 9/007 (20130101); A47C
3/34 (20130101); A47C 7/50 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
7/50 (20060101); A47C 3/20 (20060101); A47C
7/00 (20060101); A47C 3/34 (20060101); A47C
3/18 (20060101); A47C 3/00 (20060101); A47c
007/50 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/415,416,425
;297/181,423,429,431,437,461 ;272/32 ;273/54X,55 ;60/74X |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nunberg; Casmir A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McCanna; John F.
Claims
I claim:
1. A football helmet stool comprising a base, a vertical tubular
column fixed to the base and open at its top end, a football helmet
shaped shell having a seat portion at its top and an open bottom at
the face of its lower front a second tubular column open at its top
end and slidable vertically in the first mentioned column through
the open top thereof, means fixed to the underside of the seat
portion of the shell and extending into the open top of the second
mentioned column and serving to support the football helmet shell
on said column with the shell adapted to swivel about the axis of
said column, an abutment on the first mentioned column, a foot rest
unit extending through said bottom open face in the shell and
mounted on the first mentioned column to swivel thereon while
resting on said abutment and having engagement with the shell
whereby the shell and the foot rest swivel together.
2. A stool as set forth in claim 1, in which the seat supporting
means includes a shaft telescoping into the open top of the second
mentioned column part, and a bearing sleeve interposed between the
shaft and the second mentioned column part.
3. A stool as set forth in claim 1, in which the shell is supported
entirely on the column structure and the foot rest unit is
supported entirely on said column structure independently of the
shell whereby the foot weight carried on the foot rest is
independent of the direct body weight of the person seated on the
shell.
4. A stool of the character described comprising a hollow seat
shell body, a foot rest unit, the seat shell body having a top
portion adapted to support a seat and depending side portions
shaped to define a lower front opening for reception of the foot
rest unit, a base, a vertical column structure having telescoping
parts, one such part being a hollow sleeve fixed to the base and a
second part telescoping at its lower end into the first mentioned
column part, means at the upper end of the second mentioned column
part fixed to the seat portion of the shell body for supporting the
shell body on the column structure with the shell body adapted to
swivel about the axis of the column strucure, an abutment pin
extending diametrically through said column parts adjacent to the
lower end of said depending side portions of the shell body, and a
sleeve on the periphery of the first mentioned column part adapted
for movement rotatably and lengthwise thereon and resting at its
lower end on said abutment, the foot rest unit being fixedly
mounted on said sleeve and supported thereby in a position
extending through said lower front opening of the shell body, the
foot rest unit adapted to swivel on the column structure and having
engagement with each depending side portion of the shell body
whereby swivel movement of shell body is imparted to the foot rest
unit and whereby foot weight pressure on the foot rest unit is
carried by the foot rest unit independently of the weight of a
person seated on the shell body.
5. A stool as set forth in claim 4, in which the abutment pin is
adapted to be repositioned at different height levels spaced
lengthwise of the column structure for supporting the shell body
and the foot rest unit at different levels.
6. A stool comprising a hollow shell body, a foot rest unit, the
shell body having a top seat portion and depending side portions
shaped to define a lower front opening for reception of the foot
rest unit, a base, a vertical column structure having telescoping
parts, one such part being a hollow sleeve fixed to the base and a
second part telescoping at its lower end into the first mentioned
column part, the seat shell body being mounted on the second
mentioned column part with the shell body adapted to swivel about
the axis of the column structure, a sleeve on the periphery of the
first mentioned column part adapted for movement rotatably and
lengthwise thereon, the foot rest unit being fixedly mounted on
said sleeve and supported thereby in a position extending through
said lower front opening in the shell body, the foot rest unit
adapted to swivel on the column structure by rotary movement of its
supporting sleeve on the colmun structure and having engagement
with each side portion of the shell body whereby swivel movement of
the shell body is imparted to the foot rest unit and whereby foot
weight pressure of a person seated on the shell body is carried by
the foot rest unit independently of the weight of said person
carried by the column structure, and means for setting the second
mentioned column part and the sleeve with its foot rest unit at any
of different height levels on the first mentioned column part to
adapt the stool to different levels for adult uses and juvenile
uses.
7. A stool comprising a hollow shell body, a foot rest unit, the
shell body having a top seat portion and depending side portions
shaped to define a lower front opening for reception of the foot
rest unit, a base, a vertical column structure having telescoping
parts, one such part being a hollow sleeve fixed to the base and a
second part telescoping at its lower end into the first mentioned
column part, the seat shell body being mounted on the second
mentioned column part with the shell body adapted to swivel about
the axis of the column structure, and a sleeve on the periphery of
the first mentioned column part adapted for movement rotatably and
lengthwise thereon, the foot rest unit being fixedly mounted on
said sleeve and supported thereby in a position extending through
said lower front opening in the shell body, the foot rest unit
adapted to swivel on the column structure by rotary movement of its
supporting sleeve on the column structure and having engagement
with each side portion of the shell body whereby swivel movement of
the shell body is imparted to the foot rest unit and whereby foot
weight pressure of a person seated on the shell body is carried by
the foot rest unit independently of the weight of said person
carried by the column structure.
8. A stool comprising a seat shell having a top portion forming the
seat proper on which a person sits and side portions depending from
peripheral portions of the top portion and adapted to give lateral
support to the legs of the person sealed on the shell, the side
portions defining an opening at the front of the stool, a vertical
column centrally within the seat shell, the seat shell mounted on
the column to swivel by motion of the person seated on the shell, a
base on which the column is mounted and which serves to support the
column in vertical position, and a foot rest unit having an inner
end mounted to swivel on the column, the foot rest unit extending
through said opening and having a foot rest proper at its outer end
beyond the seat shell and having side portions interposed between
the depending side portions of the shell and having engagement
therewith, whereby the foot weight pressure of the person seated on
the shell is cattied by the foot rest unit independently of the
weight of the person seated on the shell and whereby swivel
movement of the shell is imparted to the foot rest unit by said
engagement of the side portions of the foot rest unit with the
depending side portions of the shell.
Description
This invention provides a stool which is comfortable and practical
for multi-use in a wide variety of conditions. The invention is
characterized by the combination of a seat shell designed to
simulate a football helmet and a sturdy foot rest which swivels
with the seat rest but is so mounted as to take the full foot
weight pressures without support from the seat shell. This phase of
my invention enables the manufacture of a practical and economical
seat shell simulating a football helmet together with a foot rest
simulating the visor protector at the face of a football helmet.
The invention provides such coactive relationship between the seat
shell and the foot rest that the foot rest carries the heaviest of
body weights usually applied to foot rests particularly when the
person gets on and off the stool. According to my invention these
weights are free and apart from the seat shell so as not to impart
pressures or stresses on the seat shell which could deform the seat
shell and the shape thereof.
One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved stool
of the character described above. This is particularly advantageous
because a seat shell of such a stool has side walls spaced apart
and any foot weight pressures on said side walls would tend to
deform the shape of the seat shell.
Another object of my invention is to provide a football helmet
stool adapted by simple adjustments to serve a wide variety of uses
such as may be termed adult uses and juvenile uses. For example,
adult uses apply to the seat stool in its highest setting, for use
in game rooms, dens, patios, offices, private and public bars and
lounges, and for general application. And juvenile uses apply to
the seat stool in lower settings more comfortable and adapted for
juveniles. In both said settings the relationship between the seat
stool and the foot rest is maintained.
Another object is to provide a football helmet stool with simple
and practical adjustments to accommodate the range of uses referred
to above and described below in detail.
Another object is to provide a stool of the character described
wherein the seat portion of the shell may be removed for repair or
replacement and also wherein the removal of the seat portion
converts the stool to a cocktail table or the like.
Another object is to provide an improved stool construction for
general use .
Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by
reference to the following description when considered in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view, front and quarterly, of a football
helmet stool embodying my invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear view of a lower portion of the seat shell, the
foot rest, and the vertical supporting column; and
FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the section line 3 --
3 of FIG. 1.
Referring now to a more detailed description of the drawings and
the invention, it will be noted that a seat shell body designated
generally by the reference numeral 6, is shaped to simulate a
football helmet. This shell has a main circular body 7 closed at
its top by a seat supporting portion 8 and having side portions 9
and 11. The bottom of the shell is open and the lower front
provides a wide opening 12 resembling the face opening of a helmet.
A foot rest unit designated generally by 13 extends through this
opening 12 and is mounted on a vertical column structure formed by
telescoping columns 14 and 15. The lower column is a sleeve fixed
at its lower end to a base 16 which in turn is fixed to four
equally spaced legs, 17.
The shell body 6 is formed to the football helmet shape by any
suitable means and of a material having sufficient strength to
withstand normal use in supporting a person seated thereon. In
actual practice I prefer to make this shell of what is known as
fiber glass. The body of this shell is formed by laminating sheets
of fiber glass layed up in a mold of the shell shape and a suitable
resin is used as a bonding agent which acts on the laminating
sheets to complete the body configuration of the seat shell body.
The seat 18 is made of flexible and resilient material. In actual
practice I use what is known as skin formed urethane foam molded to
the desired seat configuration. A flat plywood sheet 19 provides a
base for the seat and is detachably connected to a metal plate 21
by screws 22 as shown in FIG. 3. This metal plate 21 is seated
against the under side of the flat top portion 8 of the shell body
and is detachably connected thereto by wing bolts 23. The plate 21
is reinforced at its underside by a metal plate 24 to which is
welded a shaft 25 which telescopes into the top open end of the
hollow column part 15. A plastic bearing sleeve 26 is interposed
between the shaft 25 and the column 15 to provide a bearing on
which the seat shell is adapted to swivel on the fixed column part
15. A small split retainer ring 27 fits in a groove in the shaft 25
and yieldingly engages the lower end of the bearing sleeve 26
sufficiently to retain the seat shell in position but permitting
withdrawal of the seat shell and its shaft 25 by upward pull on the
seat shell sufficient to overcome the retainer ring 27. An abutment
pin 28 extending diametrically through the column parts 14 and 15
holds these parts in fixed relation one with respect to the other.
This pin supports the seat shell in its highest setting and also in
the lower settings as will presently be described. This highest
setting shown in FIG. 3 is for the adult position above-mentioned.
The seat shell may be lowered to either of two juvenile height
positions by withdrawing the pin 28 and sliding the support column
15 down into the fixed column part 14 until the pin holes 29 in the
column part 15 register with the pin holes 31 in the column part
14, or until the pin holes 29 in the column part 15 register with
the pin holes 32 in the column part 14. The pin 28 will then be
inserted in either set of holes 31--31 or 32--32. This positions
the abutment pin at either of two lower positions and at the same
time permits the seat shell and the foot rest to be lowered to
either of said lower positions in which they will be held by
inserting the pin 28 in either of said sets of holes 31--31 or
32--32.
It will now be noted that the metal foot rest 13 is formed as a
single unit by transversely extending metal rods 34 and 35 which
are welded to a sleeve 36 which fits on the column part 14 to have
movement both rotatably and lengthwise thereon. The rod 34 is bent
forwardly at each end to provide side rod portions 37 which are
joined by a front circular portion 38. The rod 35 which is at a
lower level than the rod 34 is bent upwardly and forwardly to
provide side rod portions 39 which also are joined by a front
circular portion 41. The upper and lower rod portions 38 and 41 are
joined by vertical rods 42 and 43. The rod members of the foot rest
are securely welded together and to the sleeve 36. This sleeve
rests on the abutment pin 28 as shown in FIG. 3 and is thus
supported on the central column structure independently of the seat
shell. It will be noted that the foot rest is not connected to the
seat shell but its side rods 37 have engagement with the inner
sides 9 and 11 of the shell as shown in FIG. 2. Because of this
engagement between the footrest and the seat shell the foot rest
unit will swivel around the central column together with the seat
shell when the latter is swiveled by action of the person sitting
on the seat shell.
This construction is important because the foot weight or pressure
imposed on the foot rest unit (which weight sometimes is
considerable) is not transmitted to the seat shell body and
particularly to the side walls thereof whereby not to distort the
shape of the seat shell body.
It will also be observed that any weight or pressure on the foot
rest unit from the person seated on the stool is carried entirely
by the sleeve 36 which rests at its bottom end on the end portions
of the pin 28 at all settings of the seat slide on the center
column, and that this weight or pressure is carried through the
sleeve 36 independently of the weight of such person carried by the
seat shell directly by the center column.
It will be understood that the invention is not limited to sizes
and shapes of the parts and to the means for adjusting the height
level of the seat shell body and the foot rest settings, but that
the invention contemplates broadly the constructions and
combinations defined in the appended claims, in which:
* * * * *