(under the class definition) Device wherein by removal, reorientation, or addition of one or more components, there is formed another and different structure, (1) which if claimed alone would be classifiable in another class, or (2) which if claimed separately would be classified in different subclasses in this class (297).
(1) Note. The mere adjustment of one or more body supporting parts of a seat relative to another either in body supporting range or to and from a storage position, has not been considered convertible for this and the indented subclasses unless such adjustment destroys the utility of such part as a body support. Such patents have been classified above or below with the particular adjustment claimed. See the search notes to this subclass for the loci of such art. However, if the relative adjustment destroys the utility of the device for supporting an occupant, the device is convertible and classified here. For example, if a
back is moved to be coplanar with a bottom, such movement is considered mere adjustment; however, if both parts are then elevated to become a table, the elevation may be considered to destroy the utility of the device as a body support, and such art has been classified below.
(2) Note. In general, the addition or reorientation requirement of the definition of this subclass entails the employment of a member which has utility in one type of device but no utility in the other type of device to which it is converted. For example, as pointed out in (1) Note above, a back which is pivoted to move with respect to the bottom has been classified elsewhere. However, if the back pivots and moves forwardly of the bottom so that the previously unused rear surface of the back becomes a support surface such as a table, the device is considered convertible and is classified here.
(3) Note. A removably mounted body rest, although "converting", for example, an armchair to an armless chair has not been considered to render the device convertible within the scope of this and the indented subclasses. Such removable body rests have been classified with the particular rest. See the search notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
2, for a seating device rotatable to expose a nonseating device for use. 16.1+, for a chair having components foldable relative to each other.
68+, for a seating device wherein the back and leg rest are concurrently adjustable to various rest positions.
105+, for a device having a supplemental body support extensible from a displaceable bottom to "convert" a chair to a bed by arranging a series of coplanar panels.
112+, for a back having a stored supplemental panel which is coextensible with the back to form a bed or table.
115+, for a seating device having an armrest movable to plural body supporting positions, some of which positions permit the device to be used as a bed.
119+, for adjustment of a back and bottom, (e.g., to become a table), that destroys the utility of the device as a body support.
316+, for a seating device wherein the back and bottom are interconnected for relative, concurrent movement.
354.1+, for a seating device having a back adjustable to plural use positions, particularly subclasses 354.12+ for those with means to hold the back in selected positions of
use.
411.23+, for an armrest removably clamped on a seat.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
5, Beds, 12.1+, for devices known in the trade as "sofa beds" convertible to seating devices. In general, where the sofa converts to a bed by merely moving the armrests, the patent is in this class (297) subclass 116. Where the sofa converts to a bed by moving the back to a horizontal position, the device is a "sofa bed" for Class 5. The division of art is primarily historical.
182, Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold,
33+, for a ladder convertible to a chair or stool.
280, Land Vehicles, appropriate subclasses for seats combined with a vehicle, particularly
7.1+, for a velocipede convertible to other devices or to some other type of vehicle, e.g., walker to stroller; subclasses 30+ for vehicles convertible from wheeled vehicles to nonvehicular structures; subclass 47.18 for convertible hand-propelled tiltable vehicles; subclasses 415.1+ for convertible articulated vehicles.
296, Land Vehicles: Bodies and Tops,
69, for a seat in a vehicle body where the seat is convertible to another device.
441, Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,
25+, for furniture which is designed to be used as life-saving devices.
