U.S. patent application number 09/768998 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for rigid portable folding chair.
Invention is credited to Jacoway, Gregory L..
Application Number | 20010045763 09/768998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26876301 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010045763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacoway, Gregory L. |
November 29, 2001 |
Rigid portable folding chair
Abstract
This invention provides a portable folding chair, comprising a
back section and a seat section, both formed of impact-resistant
material. The back section includes a storage compartment or space
for other devices. When open, the back section can be adjusted to a
desired angle. In one embodiment, two leg sections attach to the
bottom of the seat section. The leg sections can fold against the
bottom of the seat section, and the back section can fold into the
seat section, to carry or store the chair.
Inventors: |
Jacoway, Gregory L.;
(Albuquerque, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John H. Morrison
2001 Westheimer Rd. #81
Houston
TX
77098
US
|
Family ID: |
26876301 |
Appl. No.: |
09/768998 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60180423 |
Feb 4, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/16.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 3/16 20130101; A47C
4/04 20130101; A47C 4/52 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/16.1 |
International
Class: |
A47D 001/02; A47C
004/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A chair comprising: a seat section including arm rests,
constituting a single body formed of an impact-resistant substance;
a back section constituting a single body formed of an
impact-resistant substance; and a hinging mechanism connecting the
seat section with the back section, allowing the back section to
rotate into the seat section, wherein a large portion of the back
section is between the arm rests when the back section is rotated
into the seat section.
2. A folding chair as in claim 1, further comprising: two leg
sections; means for connecting the leg sections to the seat
section, enabling the leg sections to rotate against or away from
the seat section.
3. A folding chair as in claim 1, further comprising: support bar
for the back section; and means for connecting the support bar to
the back section.
4. A folding chair as in claim 4, wherein the means for connecting
the support bar to the back section includes: an opening in the
back section allowing the support bar to slide in or out the back
section; and means for locking the support bar at a desired
position in the opening.
5. A folding chair as in claim 1, incorporating storage space in an
armrest in the seat section.
6. A folding chair as in claim 1, incorporating storage space in
the back section.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to portable folding chairs, in
particular to a chair in which the seat and back fold to form the
top and bottom of the carrying case, and the legs fold against the
bottom.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A variety of designs for portable folding chairs are
available to the public for uses such as beach outings and sports
events. Some of these designs incorporate a carrying case, storage,
or both into the chair. These designs typically use weak fabric or
webbing material, stretched between wooden or aluminum frames. The
material can wear or corrode easily, and can be adversely affected
by the environment, such as sun, sand, wind, rain. Often the seat
is not elevated very high off the ground, and the storage space
offered is inadequate. Also, setting up and dismantling the chair
often proves cumbersome.
[0003] The following issued patents relate to the field of this
invention:
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,178 discloses a portable chair in which
a flexible seat is stretched between two rigid semi-cylinders. The
semi-cylinders come together to form a cylindrical carrying
case.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,426 discloses a carrying case
combination that opens to form a seat resting on the ground, and a
backrest.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,445 discloses a portable chair with seat
and backrest formed with fabric material, on a frame.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,792 discloses a backpack that can be
converted to a beach chair. When opened out as a chair, the seat
and back consist of a webbing stretched out over a metallic
frame.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,882 discloses a portable chair with seat
and backrest formed from webbing material.
[0009] The object of this invention is to provide a rigid
lightweight portable folding chair, capable of support without
tearing, corrosion, or peeling. The seat may be elevated off the
ground, and the back may be inclined at a desired angle. The
armrests and the back may provide secure storage space, or have
additional devices built into the chair.
[0010] A further object is to provide a chair with a minimum number
of separate parts, allowing for ease of manufacture, and ease of
setting up and closing down for the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] This invention provides a portable folding chair, comprising
a back section and a seat section, both formed of impact-resistant
material. The back section includes a storage compartment or space
for other devices. When open, the back section can be adjusted to a
desired angle. In one embodiment, two leg sections attach to the
bottom of the seat section. The leg sections can fold against the
bottom of the seat section, and the back section can fold into the
seat section, to form the chair's carrying case for transportation
or storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows the Chair in its open position. The angle
between the seat section 1 and the back section 2 may be adjusted
with the support bar 4. The leg sections 3 are open to their
maximum extent. A beverage holder 6 and a storage panel 7 are in
its right armrest 5.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows the Chair in its folded position from the
perspective of the bottom side. The back section 2 is folded into
the seat section 1. The two leg sections 3 are folded into the
bottom of the seat section 1, and the support bar 4 is slid to its
maximum extent up into its sleeves 11 in the back section 2.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows the Chair in its folded position from the
perspective of the back side, the side opposite to FIG. 2. The
extending flaps 9 press against the arm rests 5 and cover the
beverage holder 6 and the arm rest storage panel 7. The storage
panel 10 in the back section 1 is also shown.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an end view of the Chair in its folded position,
showing the hinging mechanism 8, the sleeves 11 for the support bar
4 in the back section 2, and the rivets 13, leg blocks 16, and leg
sections 3 against the bottom of the seat section 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows the support bar 4, having substantially the
shape of a square letter U.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the Chair in its open position,
with the adjustable support bar 4 and its sleeve 11 extending up
into the back section 2.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a leg section 3 and a rivet 13. The rivet 13
passes through holes indicated by dashed lines at the three ends 17
of the leg section 3.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows the bottom of the seat section 1, with leg
blocks 16 and recessions 14 matching the leg sections 3 and rivets
13. Between the recessions at the three leg ends of each leg
session, are two protrusions 15 that secure the rivets to the
bottom of the seat section. Holes in the protrusions 15 line up
with holes in the ends 17 of the leg sections 3, for the rivets 13
to pass through and connect the leg sections 3 to the seat section
1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] This invention may be understood from the following
description of the preferred embodiment, in conjunction with the
figures.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a generic view of the chair of the preferred
embodiment in its open position. The chair features a seat section
1, a back section 2, two leg sections 3, and a back support rod 4.
These elements are preferably made of high density polyethylene,
poly vinyl chloride, or other high-impact-resistant plastic. The
plastic is preferably hollow and filled with foam.
[0022] The chair is designed to be folded together, to form its
carrying case. FIG. 2 shows the chair in its folded position, with
the leg sections 3 folded against the bottom of the seat section 1.
FIG. 3 shows the chair in its folded position, with the back
section 2 folded into the seat section 1. The support rod 4 is slid
up as far as possible in the back section 2.
[0023] The seat section 1 includes two armrests 5, both of the same
height. As shown in FIG. 1, the right armrest 5 is wider than the
left armrest 5, and has a beverage holder 6 and a panel 7 opening
to a storage area for small valuables.
[0024] A hinging mechanism 8, shown in FIG. 4, connects the back
section 2 to the seat section 1. The back section 2 is designed to
fold into the seat section 1, with plastic sections 9 extending
beyond the main part of the back section 2 lying flush against the
armrests 5. These extensions 9 secure the storage space in the
armrest 5 when the chair is in its folded position. The chair is
secured closed with mechanism such as a plastic grooved nipple at
the top of the back section 2, fastened into a reciprocating
grooved indentation in the front of the seat section 1.
[0025] FIG. 4 also shows the ends of the sleeves 11 in the back
section 2, to hold the support rod 4, shown in FIG. 5. The support
rod 4 is substantially a square U-shaped rod, of preferably
substantially circular cross section. The support rod 4 slides
freely into or out of the sleeves 11, and is fixed at a desired
position with locking nuts 12. The angle of inclination of the back
section 2 depends on the degree the support rod 4 is slid out of
the sleeves 11; the farther out the support rod 4, the farther
forward will the back section 1 incline. When the chair is in its
closed position, the supporting bar is slid as far in as possible,
to avoid interference with handling the chair, as shown in FIG. 2
and FIG. 3.
[0026] A panel 10 on the rear of the back section 2 (shown in FIG.
3) opens to access a larger storage compartment, for items such as
towels and deflated air mattress. The panel 10 may be secured shut
with a snap or other locking mechanism. The two sleeves 11 for the
support bar are on either side of the storage space.
[0027] Each leg section 3, illustrated in FIG. 7, is an integral
body. A looping rod forms two outer legs and the bottom part, and a
third leg extends up from the middle of the bottom part. The leg
section 3 pivots about a removable rivet 13, that slides through
openings at the end 17 of each leg. The bottom of the seat section
1, shown in FIG. 8, has recessions 14 to fit each leg section 3 and
rivet 13. The rivets 13 pass through protrusions 15 in the seat
bottom 1, interleaved between the leg ends 17, to secure the leg
sections 3 to the seat bottom 1. Leg blocks 16 limit the angle to
which the leg sections 3 may open, and the weight of the seat and
occupant maintains that angle.
[0028] The recessions 14 are shaped to hold the leg sections 3
secure in the seat section 2. The openings to the recessions are a
little smaller than the width of the rods forming the leg sections.
The edges of the openings bend to accept the leg sections when the
leg sections are pressed into the recessions, and then snap back
over the leg sections.
[0029] The leg sections 3, support bar 4, and rivets 13 are of
substantially circular cross section. Edges and corners should be
rounded to reduce the possibility of injury. An opening in the top
of the back section 2 has an opening to allow a person to grip and
carry the chair. Alternatively or additionally, a shoulder strap
may be attached to the chair.
[0030] The chair is designed to be easily set up and closed. To
open the chair, grasp the two leg sections 3 and pull them outward
from their retracted positions against the seat section 1. Rotate
the legs to the leg blocks 16, then set the chair down with the
legs on the ground. Open the storage compartment in the back
section 2 to remove desired items, and securely close the
compartment with the remaining items inside. Loosen the locking
nuts 12 on the support bar until they turn freely. Unsnap the back
section 2 and rotate it away from the seat section 1. When the back
section 2 is vertical, the support bar slides out. Adjust the
support bar to support the back section 2 at its desired
inclination, and tighten the locking nuts 12.
[0031] Reverse the above procedure to fold the chair back into its
closed position.
[0032] The chair may be hosed clean, wiped, and set outdoors to
dry.
[0033] It should be understood that those skilled in the art may
vary the invention from this description of the preferred
embodiment, without departing from the spirit of the invention. For
example, the left armrest (or both armrests, or neither), may have
a beverage holder or storage space. The space for the storage
compartment in the back section 2 could be used to design other
items into the chair, such as a solar panel or other power source.
The chair could be wired for electricity.
[0034] An alternative form of support could replace the two leg
sections 3 with, for example, short and thick legs formed in the
seat section 1. Hooks or other connecting mechanism could attach
to, or even replace, the leg sections 3 to connect the chair to
bleachers of a sports stadium.
[0035] Thus, the description of the preferred embodiment
illustrates the invention, and does not limit the scope of the
claims based on the invention.
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