Help with the 1950s Theo A. Kochs Swivel Brake

GOOGLE-search for shops specializing in "restorations."

Some pictures would be helpful....and by brake, do you mean lock? as in rotational lock? This is usually just pulling back on the lever to set the lock...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Theo-A-Kochs-Antique-Barber-Chair-Brake-/323443346739

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kochs-barber-chair-seat-brackets/173560923270?hash=item2869098486:g:owEAAOSwb8Va4zar

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Barber-Chair-Parts-Theo-A-Kochs-3-Hole-Armrest-Bracket-Rear-Left-Side-Only-853/263475230542?hash=item3d5858f74e:g:xLYAAOSwmRFadeiV

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kochs-barber-chair-armrests-Part-440-442/302892666126?hash=item4685cf4d0e:g:PKwAAOSwvylbVLAm

Yes, the rotational lock. Pulling back on the handle does not lock it in place. There appears to be nothing on the pump shaft that would create the friction needed to lock it in place once the handle is pulled all the way back.

What kind of pictures would be of the most help? I can take pictures but I'm not sure what to take to provide the necessary help at this point.

Thanks for the reply though.

Most of these locks were removed at some point...they would wear out and replacements were not available...people would just remove them....There are 2 types used, one is adjustable, one is not, you want the adjustable...that is if you think you need the lock....do you? really?

You could search for the original patent...

...or you could buy a base with the lock in it...

...or you could take it to somebody who restores these chairs...

As if we need another indication that we, collectively, are dumbing ourselves down.

Compare the patent application drawing for the Kochs mechanism to the patent app drawing for a new and useful improvement for a shopping cart, here:

https://www.cbinsights.com/research/walmart-patent-biometric-shopping-cart/

In another 75 years, what will we have become?

Lockless?

That sketch of stick figures completely misrepresents the average Walmart shopper who is morbidly obese and out of shape.

That's better.

Snoopy the store associate. Too funny!

...and just when you think you've seen it all...

... it gets really weird...

I’ve just come here off of a three hour yewtoob binge.

Combining that series of eye blistering, banal, and intelligently vacant rubbish with your images, I can only weep for our children and their children. Societal decay is advancing at an astounding rate.

We have met the enemy, and he is us.

Oh, and to our OP, I hope you get your barber chair squared away.

Thanks for the info. When I'm home and at a PC, I’ll take a better look at the links you were kind enough to provide.

As for the question of if I really need the lock or not; I think it may be more of a want than a “need”. One thing I've noticed with this chair is that it does rotate fairly easily. Just a slight touch and it begins to spin a little. If I’m sitting in it and pump it up, it will rotate on its own after I stop pumping. That may be because where the base is sittting currently isn’t 100% level, and once I get it where I want it, it may be fine.

Thanks for the help SolarEagle, I appreciate it very much.

Well, after doing a lot more searching, I found that my chair doesn't use the butterfly style lock. It looks like it's very similar to the oblong piston brake for Paidar chairs, only instead of being 2 inches long, the space for the lock is only an inch long.

I did some more searching and found one. i have ordered it and am waiting for it to arrive. Now all I have to do is figure out if the 1406 armrest bracket can be fixed via welding or if I can find one online to replace the broken one I have.

Here are a couple pictures of the part as it should look and how it broke.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Koch-Barber-Chair-Brake/163261613583?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Thanks to everyone who gave information pertaining to this question.

https://cr4.globalspec.com/search/cr4search?query=barber%27s+chair&newSearch=new

I don't understand the information provided for you on here. Of course you NEED the brake, you need to lock the chair in place when entering or exiting the chair so you don't end up on the floor. If the chair rotates when you are sitting down, it can spin out front under you, same when standing up. Yes, it is called a BRAKE and people did not remove them due to wear, they got lost due to improper moving of the chair. Many people lifted the seat from the base to make it lighter to move, in doing so the brake fell out and was lost. There is a small slit the brake fits into on the cylinder and when you pull the handle back it creates pressure on the drum and stops the seat from moving. It is not a lock, it is a brake and it attaches to the cylinder. The brake is Not In The Base! It is attached to the cylinder and great care should be taken when lifting the seat off of the base as the brake unit can easily slide out and get lost. By the way, did you check the oil in the reservoir? Sometimes the brake falls into the reservoir when lifting the seat off......if your lucky you will find it submerged in the oil. Also FYI when moving Barber Chairs, jack them all the way up and apply the brake to lock in position, this will stop the oil from running over and making a mess of things. Good luck. The arm attaches to the back at the hole provided on the bracket on the edge of the back, just like the one on the other side. Sure like to see pictures of the chair to see what your issues are. 58 years in the business and I use to rebuild chairs