U.S. patent application number 10/665454 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for resin molded folding chair.
Invention is credited to Adams, William E., Goodworth, Matthew W..
Application Number | 20040066063 10/665454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28453651 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040066063 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adams, William E. ; et
al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Resin molded folding chair
Abstract
A molded resin folding chair having a pair of uprights generally
parallel to and spaced apart from each other being connected by at
least one cross piece forming a backrest. At least a portion of
each upright has a generally C-shaped channel. A seat has a rear
portion and opposite sides thereof provided with a tab that is
slidably engaged in the C-shaped channel of a respective upright. A
pair of struts each have an upper end rotatably attached to the
seat and a medial region rotatably attached to respective uprights.
The folding chair is folded by sliding the rear of the seat
upwards, causing the front portion to move downwards, via the tabs
sliding in the C-shaped channels. The struts rotate about the
rotatable attachments to the seat and uprights, such that the
uprights, struts and the seat fold as flat as possible.
Inventors: |
Adams, William E.;
(Portersville, PA) ; Goodworth, Matthew W.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lynn J. Alstadt
Buchanan Ingersoll, P.C.
One Oxford Centre, 20th Floor
301 Grant Street
Pittsburgh
PA
15219
US
|
Family ID: |
28453651 |
Appl. No.: |
10/665454 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10665454 |
Sep 19, 2003 |
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10113661 |
Mar 29, 2002 |
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6682138 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/56 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 4/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/056 |
International
Class: |
A47C 004/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A molded resin folding chair comprising: a. a pair of uprights
generally parallel to and spaced apart from each other being
connected by at least one cross piece forming a backrest; b. at
least a portion of each upright having a generally C-shaped
channel; c. a seat having a rear portion and opposite sides of said
rear portion, each of said opposite sides having a tab slidably
engaged in said C-shaped channel of respective ones of said pair of
uprights; d. a pair of struts each having an upper end rotatably
attached to said seat, each of said pair of struts further
rotatably attached to a respective one of said uprights; and e.
wherein said folding chair is folded from an open position to a
folded position by lifting said rear portion of said seat upwardly
causing a front portion to move downwards via said tabs sliding in
said C-shaped channel, said struts rotating about said rotatable
attachments to said seat and said uprights such that said pair of
uprights and struts and said seat assume generally parallel
positions.
2. The folding chair of claim 1 further comprising each of said
uprights having an upper backrest and a lower leg portion molded at
an angle to said backrest.
3. The folding chair of claim 2 further comprising said backrest
tapering from a greater width at a junction of said backrest and
leg portions to a narrower width at a top of said backrest.
4. The folding chair of claim 2 further comprising said leg portion
having a curvature from a junction of said backrest and leg
portions to a bottom of said leg portion.
5. The folding chair of claim 1 further comprising transverse ribs
at spaced apart locations within said C-shaped channel.
6. The folding chair of claim 1 wherein the chair is made of a
material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene,
polyethylene, and polystyrene and any of these plastics containing
at least one filler.
7. The folding chair of claim 1 wherein said upper end of each of
said pair of struts rotatably attached to said seat further
comprises: a. a pair of channel formations at spaced apart
locations on an underside of said seat; b. a first side of each
channel formation having a hole therethrough; c. a second side of
each channel formation having a notched portion; and d. said upper
end of each of said pair of struts having opposing sides and a pin
member projecting from each of said opposing sides, said pin member
on each of said opposing sides being rotatably disposed in
respective ones of said hole and said notched portion such that
said upper end of each of said pair of struts is rotatably engaged
in respective ones of said pair of channel formations on said
underside of said seat.
8. The folding chair of claim 1 further wherein each of said pair
of uprights and said pair of struts having a lower end and
comprising flanges attached to each of the lower ends.
9. The folding chair of claim 8 wherein: a. adjacent sides of said
lower ends of said uprights and struts having overlapping portions
when said folding chair is in a folded position; b. said
overlapping portions of said lower ends having no flanges, said
overlapping portions having projections from said adjacent sides,
said projections on respective adjacent sides of said uprights and
struts being aligned with each other such that said projections
must be forced over each other to achieve said folded position of
said folding chair; and c. said projections further being offset
from each other such that once forced over each other, said folding
chair is held in said folded position by abutment of said
projections and said open position can be achieved only by forcing
said projections back over each other.
10. The folding chair of claim 1 further comprising a protrusion
formed on an inner leg of said C-shaped channel of at least one of
said pair of uprights, said protrusion located on said at least one
upright at a position just prior to full movement of said tab in
said folded position of said chair, said protrusion inhibiting said
tab from sliding back down said C-shaped channel after said folding
chair has been moved to said folded position.
11. The folding chair of claim 1 further comprising a backrest
attached to the pair of uprights, the backrest having a front
portion and a top extending away from the front portion and a
plurality of gussets extending from the top to the front
portion.
12. An improved folding chair of the type having a seat positioned
between and attached to a pair of uprights, a backrest attached to
the uprights and a pair of struts attached to the seat wherein the
improvement comprises the uprights being curved and the seat,
uprights, backrest and struts being sized and positioned so that
the chair has a center of gravity located to enable the chair to
stand alone when in a folded position on ends of the uprights and
the struts.
13. The folding chair of claim 12 wherein the chair is made of a
material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene,
polyethylene, and polystyrene and any of these plastics containing
at least one filler.
14. The folding chair of claim 12 wherein the backrest is comprised
of a front portion, a top extending away from the front portion and
a plurality of gussets extending from the top to the front portion.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to folding chairs, and more
particularly, to a molded resin folding chair.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Folding chairs are well known in the art, but are most
commonly made from metal or wood, and are thus more costly to
manufacture. A folding chair typically is constructed of a pair of
uprights which are generally parallel and spaced apart from each
other, being joined together by one or more cross pieces, which
also form the seat back. Other parts of the folding chair include a
pair of struts, also generally parallel, spaced apart from each
other, and joined by one or more cross pieces. Upper ends of the
struts are engaged with the seat whereas the lower ends of the
struts support the folding chair in conjunction with the lower ends
of the uprights. At points generally intermediate the upper and
lower ends, the struts are rotatably attached to the uprights. A
back region of the seat is engaged with the uprights at points
intermediate the backrest and the lower ends of the upright.
Depending on the configuration of the particular folding chair, the
seat may be slidably engaged with the uprights to facilitate
folding the chair into a configuration wherein the seat, struts,
and uprights assume a somewhat parallel relationship with each
other so the that chair will fold as flat as possible.
[0003] With the advances in the plastic molding industry in recent
times, it has become possible to mold many items from resins, such
as polypropylene, at a much lower cost than manufacturing the item
from metal or wood. However, such resins are generally not as rigid
as metal or wood. Wood, for example, is about 10 times more rigid
than polypropylene. Rigidity is understandably important in the
manufacture of folding chairs since the chair must support the
weight of a person resting on the seat.
[0004] Making a folding chair from resin can be also more difficult
because of problems particularly associated with resin molding
processes. Since molded resin is generally less rigid than metal or
wood, the frame members of the chair must be configured for
structural rigidity. However, molding shapes which have good
structural rigidity can present manufacturing problems. For
example, one known prior art plastic folding chair utilizes tubular
legs having a channel formed adjacent the tubular portion. Although
this structure has good structural rigidity, there can be
significant problems associated with the molding of tubular legs.
In particular, for example, a hollow tubular chair leg can require
the use of a core member about which the tube is molded. After
molding the tubular part this core member must be removed, which
requires a relatively long "prong" member to perform the removal. A
prong member of such length can create significant maintenance
problems. Another problem with molding tubular parts is that
shrinkage and warping commonly occur after the tubular part is
removed from the mold and begins cooling. Typically, this results
because some parts or sides of the tube will cool faster than
others, causing the sides of the tube to shrink at different rates.
This results in warping of the tube. These and other problems must
be dealt with when molding chairs from resin, including
polypropylene which is commonly used because of its low cost.
[0005] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a resin molded
folding chair which is strong, lightweight, and avoids
manufacturing problems such as frequent mold maintenance,
shrinkage, and warping.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A molded resin folding chair is provided having uprights
which are molded with a generally C-shaped channel, in which tab
portions on either side of the seat of the folding chair are
slidably captured. The uprights are joined by one or more cross
pieces positioned at or near the bottom and at or near the top,
wherein one or more top cross pieces form a backrest for the
folding chair. The chair further has struts which, at an upper end,
are rotatably attached to the base or sides of the seat and, at
points intermediate the upper and lower ends, are also rotatably
attached to the uprights. The struts can also include a cross piece
at or near the lower ends thereof. The chair folds by, for example,
lifting the back of the seat upwards, causing the tabs on either
side of the seat to slide upwards in the C-shaped channel in each
of the uprights. In this manner, the front of the seat rotates
downwards and the struts rotate inward. The struts rotate about the
attachments to both the uprights and the seat, rotating into a
position where the struts are as much as possible parallel to the
uprights when the chair is folded. The struts can be similarly
formed in a simple C-shape. For increased strength, the uprights,
and the struts, can further be formed with transverse ribs
positioned in, and at spaced apart locations along, the C-shaped
channels. In the pertinent locations along the uprights, the
transverse ribs can be sized so as not to interfere with the
sliding engagement of the seat tabs in the C-shaped channels.
Additionally, the uprights preferably have a molded-in curvature.
For example, the upper part of the uprights can be formed at an
angle to the lower part, with the apex located generally at the
point where the seat attaches. This can be done not only to provide
a backrest which is more perpendicular when the folding chair is
unfolded for use, but also because the built-in curvature can
reduce problems associated with shrinkage and warping. Furthermore,
the uprights can be tapered from the apex towards the backrest. The
curved uprights and position of the seat, backrest and struts
enable the chair to stand alone when the chair is in a folded
position. The curved shape also provides comfort to the user and
strength to the chair.
[0007] Other details, objects, and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings figures of certain embodiments thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0008] A more complete understanding of the invention can be
obtained by considering the following detailed description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a presently preferred
embodiment of a folding chair in an open position.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of the folding chair in FIG. 1 shown
in a folded, standing position.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross section view taken along line III-III in
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken along line IV-IV in
FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross section view similar to FIG. 3 except
illustrating a prior art configuration.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded view, partially in section,
illustrating the connection of the struts to the seat.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially cut away,
illustrating the attachment of the struts to the uprights.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a view taken through line VIII-VIII in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring now to the drawing figures wherein like reference
numbers refer to similar parts throughout the several views, a
presently preferred folding chair 10 molded from resin is shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 having a pair of uprights 13, 16, generally parallel
to each other and spaced apart, a backrest 19 and lower cross piece
22 connecting the uprights 13, 16 together. The backrest 19 is
shown being a pair of cross pieces 25, 28 with the lower one 28
having a cut out portion 31 at generally the middle thereof. We
prefer to provide gussets 18 in the top cross piece 25 between the
top 15 and front portion 12 of the top cross piece. These gussets
strengthen the top edge of cross piece 25 reducing the likelihood
of breakage should something hit the top of the cross piece,
particularly during storage or shipment. A pair of struts 34, 37,
also generally parallel, spaced apart, and connected by a cross
piece 40 have a top end 43 (only one side visible) which is
rotatably attached to the bottom of the seat 46, such as by a pin
49. Each strut 34, 37 is also rotatably attached, such as by a pin
52, to the uprights 13, 16 at about the middle of each strut 34,
37. The exact location of the pin 52 is dependent on the length of
the strut 34 and the uprights 13 and the location of the pinned
attachment of the top end 43 of the strut 34 to the seat 46. The
location of the pins 49, 52 also depend on the requisite geometry
for the chair 10, both for use as a comfortable chair to sit on and
in order to fold as flat as possible when it is not being used.
Although pin 52 could be variously configured we prefer the shape
shown in FIG. 1. Having a single male prong extending from a round
body ensures that the legs will be assembled only one way and the
correspondingly shaped opening is less likely to cause cracking
than a rectangular slot.
[0018] Each upright 13, 16 is formed in a generally C-shaped
channel configuration as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The outer leg 55
of the C-shaped channel is formed longer than the inner leg 58.
Transverse ribs 61 can be formed in the base 62 of the C-shaped
channel to increase the stiffness of the uprights 13, 16. Each
corner 64, 67 of the seat is slidably engaged in the C-shaped
channel by a tab 70 provided adjacent the uprights 13, 16. Each tab
70 is a generally L-shaped protrusion which, in conjunction with
each side of the seat 46 from which the tab 70 extends, forms a
second generally C-shaped channel. The outer leg 76 of each tab 70
is slidably engaged in the C-shaped channel formed in each upright
13, 16. The sliding engagement between the seat 46, tab 70 and the
uprights 13, 16 permits the seat 46 to be folded as flat as
possible against the uprights 13, 16. The seat tab 70 is restrained
from falling out the open end of the C-shaped channel by extending
the sides 47 of the seat 46 out over the front surfaces 14, 17 of
the uprights 13, 16. The sides 47 of the seat 46 loosely abut the
front surfaces 14, 17 of the uprights the through the entire range
of movement of the seat as tab 70 travels in the C-shaped channel.
This arrangement maintains the seat tab 70 securely engaged in the
C-shaped channel. Additionally, a notch 71 can be provided in the
inner leg 58 of the C-shaped channel, in which the seat tab 70 can
be received when the chair 10 is in a completely unfolded position.
The notch 71 can help retain the seat tab 70, and thus the seat 46,
in a more stabilized unfolded position until the back of the seat
46 is intentionally manipulated to return the chair 10 to a folded
position.
[0019] The transverse ribs 61 formed in the base 62 of the C-shaped
channel in the uprights 13, 16, particularly in the region wherein
the tabs 70 on each side of the seat 40 are slidably engaged, can
be of minimal height such that the transverse ribs 61 do not
interfere with the sliding action of the seat tabs 70 in the
C-shaped channel when the chair 10 is folded or unfolded.
Furthermore, the transverse ribs 61 can be formed with an arcuate
edge 72 which extends further towards the edge of the outer leg 55
of the C-shaped channel. This shape provides greater reinforcement
of the uprights 13, 16, without interfering with the sliding
movement of the seat tab 70. Similarly to the uprights 13, 16, the
struts 34, 37 can also be formed as a generally C-shaped channel,
and also have strengthening transverse ribs 73 formed in the base
of the channel.
[0020] The present chair can be molded polypropylene, polyethylene
or polystyrene with or without mineral agents or other fillers.
Prior art wooden chairs or metal folding chairs are much stronger
than molded resin chairs. For example, wood is about ten times
stronger than the polypropylene from which the folding chairs
according to the invention are preferably made. As a result, it is
important to have as much mass in the chair legs as possible, and
to have a minimum of holes, slots, grooves, or other weakening
perforations that are common in folding chairs made from metal or
wood. The design of the uprights according to the invention has a
simple generally C-shaped channel that runs uninterrupted from the
top of the uprights to the bottom, with no right angles or other
weak points.
[0021] In one known prior art type plastic folding chair, the
upright 80 is a tubular member 83 with a third leg 86, forming a
channel 92 adjacent the tube 83, as shown in FIG. 5. A tab 89, on
either corner of the seat 95, is slidably engaged in the channel 92
formed by the third leg 86. One problem with this tubular upright
80 is that it can be very difficult to maintain, since pulling the
core from the tubular upright 80 necessitates a male prong about
two inches long, a significant maintenance problem. The C-shaped
channel of the uprights 13, 16 made according to the invention
provides a strong enough upright without using a tube. The present
design utilizes an open channel for strength, but avoids problems
inherent in molding hollow tubular parts. The present design is
further strengthened by the addition of the transverse ribs 61 in
the base of the C-shaped channel. The transverse ribs 61 can be
short enough to allow for the tabs 70 on the seat 46 to ride in the
C-shaped channel without the need for the third leg in the prior
art upright 80. Thus, uprights 13, 16 formed from a single C-shaped
channel avoid manufacturing problems associated with molding
tubular members, such as maintenance of lengthy prongs needed to
remove the core of the tubular member, and also reduces problems of
warping and shrinkage.
[0022] As can be seen best in FIGS. 1 and 2, the uprights 13, 16
are also molded with a significant built-in curvature. The addition
of curvature means there will be less drag on the part when it is
injected. The reduction in drag is achieved because the curve in
the uprights 13 and 16 uses less width in members 13 and 16. Less
width can be used because the uprights are stronger when bent than
when straight. Less drag means that the part doesn't bend or twist
when it is ejected, which causes wear places where strength is
vitally necessary. Curvature can also add strength to the part. In
particular, the upper part 90 of the uprights 13, 16 can be formed
at an angle to the lower part 93, with the apex 96 located
generally at the point where the seat attaches. This can be done
not only to provide a backrest 19 which is more perpendicular to
the seat 46 when the folding chair 10 is unfolded for use, but also
because the built-in curvature can reduce problems associated with
shrinkage and warping. Commonly, the uprights of folding chairs are
generally straight from top to bottom. Furthermore, according to a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention, both the upper 90
and lower 93 portions of the uprights 13, 16 can individually have
molded-in curvature. The upper portion can also be tapered from the
apex 96, i.e., approximately where the seat tabs 70 engage the
uprights 13, 16, to the top most portion where the backrest 19 is
located. Since the most strength is needed where the seat 46
engages the uprights 13, 16, this taper permits a reduction the
amount of material needed to mold the chair 10, without sacrificing
strength. The lower portion 93 of the uprights 13, 16 can be curved
from the apex 96 to the to the bottom of the uprights 13, 16. The
struts 34, 37 can also have molded-in curvature for the same
reasons explained above.
[0023] As explained above, this curvature can be molded into the
shape of the uprights 13, 16 and struts 34, 37 in order to minimize
drag during injection, problems with warping and shrinkage, and to
add strength. For example, it has been a problem with molding
straight tubes or channels, that the some sides of the channel or
tube can cool at a rate uneven with other sides, thus causing the
channel or tube to warp. However, it has been discovered that if
curvature is molded in, the result can be that the curved member
will straighten out somewhat, but still be generally curved. This
presents less problems than with parts which are desired to be
straight but end up warped.
[0024] The top end 43 of each strut 34, 37 is rotatably attached to
the underside of the seat 46, as shown best in FIG. 6. On the
underside of the seat, at spaced apart locations at either side
thereof, a raised channel formation 100 is provided for rotatably
attaching the top end of each strut 34, 37. The raised channel
formation 100 has an inner side 102 with a notched portion 104 and
an outer side 106 with a hole 108 through which the pin 49 is
disposed. The notched portion 104 receives the shank 110 of a
second pin member 112 on the opposite side of the strut 34. The pin
member 112 could have an enlarged head or cap on the distal end of
the shank. But we prefer to have no cap. The shank 110 rotates
freely in the lower part 116 of the notched portion 104, as does
the pin 49 in the hole 108. The opposite end of each strut 34, 37
is configured to support the folding chair 10 on a generally flat
surface in conjunction with the bottom of the uprights 13, 16.
[0025] The struts 34, 37 are also rotatably pinned to the uprights
13, 16 at approximately the midpoint of the struts 34, 37. In a
preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the lower portion of
the uprights 13, 16 is also formed as a C-shaped channel. The
inside wall of the channel has an opening 120, through which is
inserted a correspondingly shaped pin or projection 122 formed on
the outside wall of the strut members 34, 37. The projection 122 is
first inserted through the correspondingly shaped opening 120 in
the upright 13, and then rotated to lock the strut 34 adjacent the
upright 13. The exact location at which the struts 34, 37 and
uprights 13, 16 are pinned is determined in accordance with several
considerations, including a desire for the chair 10 to sit
generally level when unfolded and that it can be folded as flat as
possible when not in use.
[0026] The chair can be configured such that the rear of the seat
46 is slidably engaged with the uprights 13, 16 wherein the chair
10 folds by sliding the rear of the seat 46 upwardly. Also, a
protrusion 126, shown in FIG. 1, can be formed on the inner leg 58
of the C-shaped. channel, of one or both uprights 13, 16, at the
highest point of sliding travel of the seat tab 70 in the C-shaped
channel, e.g., just below the backrest 19, when the chair 10 is
folded. This protrusion 126 can help keep the seat tab 70 from
inadvertently sliding back down the C-shaped channel after the
chair 10 is folded. In a presently preferred embodiment, e.g., as
shown in the drawing figures, the front of the seat 46 moves
downwards during folding and the struts 34, 37 rotate forward into
a nearly parallel position adjacent the uprights 13, 16.
Alternatively, however, the chair 10 could be configured such that
the rear of the seat 46 slides downwards and the front of the seat
46 moves upwards during folding.
[0027] Additional features can include configuring the rear portion
of the seat 46 with a downwardly depending "dip" 99 such that when
the seat folds 46 against the uprights 13, 16, the rear of the seat
46 folds snugly against the backrest 19, permitting the chair 10 to
fold more flat, making storage easier. Also, the cut-out portion 31
of the backrest 19 conveniently provides clearance for a person's
hand when raising the back of the seat 46 up to fold the chair 10.
A further feature is that the bottoms of each of the uprights 13,
16 and struts 34, 37 can have outwardly depending flanges 130, 133
which help support the chair 10 in a more stable fashion and
prevent the bottoms of the uprights 13, 16 and struts 34, 37 from
sinking into soft ground. Moreover, referring particularly to FIG.
8, in order to facilitate keeping the chair 10 in a closed position
once folded, a portion of the sides 142, 145 of the bottoms of the
uprights 13, 16 and struts 34, 37 which are adjacent each other,
and overlap each other in the folded position, can be left without
flanges. Instead, a projection 136, 139 is provided on each of the
otherwise generally flat adjacent/overlapping surfaces 142, 145.
The projections 136, 139 can be aligned, but offset such that the
projections 136, 139 initially collide when the chair 10 is folded
and the surfaces 142, 145 overlap. But, due to a degree of
deformability of the overlapping molded plastic, surfaces 142, 145
will slide past each other when the chair 10 is forced closed.
However, the projections 136, 139 are offset only slightly such
that they remain in abutment with each other when the chair 10 is
fully closed thus keeping the surfaces 142, 145 in an overlapped
relationship. In this manner the chair 10 cannot be unfolded
without applying enough force to again displace the projections
136, 139 back past each other, thus inhibiting the chair 10 from
inadvertently unfolding.
[0028] The uprights 13, 16, cross piece 22, 25, 28, and the
backrest 19, are preferably molded as a single piece, as are the
struts 34, 37 and associated cross pieces 40. Each of the uprights
13, 16 and the struts 34, 37 preferably have a molded-in C-shaped
channel. Specifically in regard to the uprights, the C-shaped
channel has an outer leg 55 longer than the inner leg 58, at least
in the region along the uprights 13, 16 wherein the seat tabs 70
are engaged in the C-shaped channel for sliding movement therein.
The seat 46 with tabs 70 on either side thereof can also be molded
as a single part. The folding chair 10 is preferably designed such
that, in a folded position as shown in FIG. 2, the chair will stand
alone on the outer edges of the ends of the uprights 13 ands 16.
Furthermore, the legs and seat are designed to distribute the
weight and position the center of gravity of the chair so that the
chair is stable when standing in the upright position. This makes
storage more convenient by reducing problems common with prior art
folding chairs falling over, or having to be leaned up against
something and then sliding down if not positioned just right. This
feature also makes it easy to package these chairs in shipping
cartons and display them at a retail store.
[0029] Although certain embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that various modifications to those details could be developed
in light of the overall teaching of the disclosure. Accordingly,
the particular embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be
illustrative only and not limiting to the scope of the invention
which should be awarded the full breadth of the following claims
and any and all embodiments thereof.
* * * * *