Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 89.djvu/691

{{rh||Popular Science Monthly|677 Sitting Down in Comfort on a Painter's Job

{{di|T}}he simple skill of the sailor evolved a seat in which he could paint the sides of his ship or repair his topmost rigging. It was merely a notched board set into a looped rope-end — a child's swing, except that it depended from one line instead of two. It was an uncomfortable, one-handed affair at best; yet it was, and is still, used by steeple-jacks, painters and such like, with small variation The inventive mind had passed it by until recently, when an employee of a New York electric company trans- formed the old swing into an aerial easy-chair.

Adjustable stirrups hang from the front of the chair and enable the painter to stand up when he wishes

The chains are braced just above the waist-line by a steel bar

Short chains to hold pots and brushes depend from the back of the seat

The seat is a form-fitting, pressed-steel affair suspended at four points to insure balance. The chains are braced at a point just above the waistline by a steel bar. This prevents pinching and gives the chair a better "hang." .Adjustable chair-stirrups hang from the front of the chair

and prevent the cramping strain of the weight of the legs and feet upon the under-thigh muscles. They also add tremendously to the flexibility of action. With these stirrups it is possible to straighten the body into a standing pos- ture and to maintain bal- ance. A belt fastens around the waist through the tri- angular links at the brace- bar and allows two-handed action under the most try- ing conditions.

This belt makes accidental falling out of the chair an utter impossibility. The suspension-ring is equipped with a hook designed to simplify the hitching of the hauling-rope, and holds the hitch securely. Short chain.; depend from the back of the seat, on which pots, brushes or tool-kits may be hooked. These chains arc equipped with "sister" or trap-hooks to secure the articles carried.

The painter simply ad- justs the seat, buckles the strap and pulls himself up to the desired height