U.S. patent application number 12/022281 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-30 for folding chair.
Invention is credited to Chang Chen Lin, Cheng-Hsien WU.
Application Number | 20090189419 12/022281 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43569479 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090189419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WU; Cheng-Hsien ; et
al. |
July 30, 2009 |
Folding Chair
Abstract
A folding chair includes two side boards, a foldable paper
beehive structure, and a positioning device. The foldable paper
beehive structure includes a plurality of paper boards
interconnected with one another. The paper beehive structure
includes two sides to which the side boards are mounted to form a
chair body. A plurality of polygonal holes are formed between two
paper boards adjacent to each other. The polygonal holes extend
perpendicularly to a ground on which the paper beehive structure is
placed. The positioning device is made of rigid material and
coupled with the side boards when the paper beehive structure is in
an extended state to fix a width of the chair body.
Inventors: |
WU; Cheng-Hsien; (Guanmiao
Township, TW) ; Lin; Chang Chen; (Tainan County,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dr. BANGER SHIA;Int''l Patent Office of Bang Shia
102 Lindencrest Ct
Sugar Land
TX
77479-5201
US
|
Family ID: |
43569479 |
Appl. No.: |
12/022281 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/16.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 4/02 20130101; A47C
17/02 20130101; A47C 4/022 20130101; A47C 11/00 20130101; A47C 4/03
20130101; A47C 5/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/16.2 |
International
Class: |
A47C 4/00 20060101
A47C004/00; A47C 5/00 20060101 A47C005/00 |
Claims
1. A folding chair comprising: two side boards; a foldable paper
beehive structure including a plurality of paper boards
interconnected with one another, with the paper beehive structure
including two sides to which the two side boards are mounted to
form a chair body, with a plurality of polygonal holes being formed
between two of the plurality of paper boards adjacent to each
other, with the plurality of polygonal holes extending
perpendicularly to a ground on which the paper beehive structure is
placed; and a positioning device made of rigid material, with the
positioning device being coupled with the two side boards when the
paper beehive structure is in an extended state to fix a width of
the chair body.
2. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with the two side
boards being made of a material selected from a group consisting of
wood, iron, and plastics.
3. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with the paper beehive
structure including a plurality of first through-holes, with each
of the two side boards including a plurality of second
through-holes and a plurality of coupling holes, with the
positioning device including a plurality of connecting rods, a
plurality of coupling members, and a plurality of bolts, with each
of the plurality of connecting rods extending through one of the
plurality of first through-holes of the paper beehive structure in
the extended state and one of the plurality of second
through-holes, with each of the plurality of connecting rods
including two ends each having a coupling portion with a screw
hole, with each of the plurality of coupling members including a
pressing portion having a length larger than a diameter of each of
the plurality of second through-holes, with the pressing portion
including a plurality of engaging holes and a threaded section
extending from an inner side thereof, with the threaded portion of
each of the plurality of coupling members being engaged with the
screw hole of one of the two ends of one of the plurality of
connecting rods, and with each of the plurality of bolts extending
through one of the engaging holes of one of the coupling members
and one of the coupling holes of one of the two side boards.
4. The folding chair as claimed in claim 3, with each of the
plurality of connecting rods including a plurality of sections
detachably connected with one another.
5. The folding chair as claimed in claim 3, with the plurality of
first through-holes including three first through-holes defined in
three end portions of the paper beehive structure, and with the
plurality of second through-holes including three second
through-holes defined in three end portions of each of the two side
boards.
6. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with each of the two
side boards including a plurality of coupling holes, with the paper
beehive structure including a plurality of grooves each having two
ends each of which is in communication with one of the coupling
holes, with the positioning device including a plurality of
connecting rods and a plurality of coupling members, with each of
the plurality of connecting rods including two ends each having a
coupling portion with a screw hole, with each of the plurality of
coupling members including a pressing portion having a length
larger than a diameter of each of the plurality of coupling holes
and a threaded portion extending from an inner side of the pressing
portion, with the plurality of connecting rods being directly
inserted into the plurality of grooves of the paper beehive
structure in the extended state, with the threaded portion of each
of the plurality of coupling members being extended through one of
the plurality of coupling holes of one of the two side boards into
the screw hole of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods,
with the pressing portion pressing against an outer side of the
side board.
7. The folding chair as claimed in claim 6, with each of the
plurality of connecting rods including a plurality of sections
detachably connected with one another.
8. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with each of the two
side boards including a plurality of first coupling holes, with the
paper beehive structure including a plurality of grooves each
having two ends each of which is in communication with one of the
first coupling holes, with each of two ends of each of the
plurality of grooves including an enlarged section, with the
positioning device including a plurality of connecting rods and a
plurality of bolts, with each of the plurality of connecting rods
including two ends each having a coupling portion and a bracket
mounted to the coupling portion, with the bracket including a first
side having a second coupling hole and a second side received in
the enlarged section of one of the plurality of grooves, with each
of the plurality of bolts extending through one of the first
coupling holes of one of the two side boards and the second
coupling hole of one of the brackets.
9. The folding chair as claimed in claim 8, with each of the
plurality of connecting rods including a plurality of sections
detachably connected with one another.
10. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with each of the two
side boards further including at least one rectilinear groove and
at least one outer stop flange located outside said at least one
rectilinear groove, with the folding chair further comprising, in
combination: two armrests respectively mounted to the two side
boards, with each of the two armrests including at least one
protrusion formed on an inner side thereof and removably received
in said at least one rectilinear groove of one of the two side
boards.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a folding chair and, more
particularly, to a chair that can be folded to reduce the volume
when not in use and that can be extended and retained in a certain
width to provide enhanced stability and enhanced safety.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Conventional chairs include a frame or board of a fixed
width that can not be folded to reduce the volume when not in use,
resulting in occupation of a larger space and difficult transport
as well as an increase in transport. Furthermore, the chairs are
generally made of wood, plastics, or metal, which are heavy and,
thus difficult to move.
[0005] Folding chairs made of metal or wood have been proposed to
allow folding and easy transport. However, these folding chairs
still suffer from heavy weight and difficulties during unfolding.
Paper chairs are light but not as stable as those made of wood,
plastics, or metal. Particularly, the paper chairs in the extended
state lack stability and safety.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A folding chair according to the preferred teachings of the
present invention includes two side boards, a foldable paper
beehive structure, and a positioning device. The foldable paper
beehive structure includes a plurality of paper boards
interconnected with one another. The paper beehive structure
includes two sides to which the side boards are mounted to form a
chair body. A plurality of polygonal holes are formed between two
paper boards adjacent to each other. The polygonal holes extend
perpendicularly to a ground on which the paper beehive structure is
placed. The positioning device is made of rigid material and
coupled with the side boards when the paper beehive structure is in
an extended state to fix a width of the chair body.
[0007] The side boards are preferably made of a material selected
from a group consisting of wood, iron, and plastics.
[0008] In an embodiment, the paper beehive structure includes a
plurality of first through-holes, and each side board includes a
plurality of second through-holes and a plurality of coupling
holes. The positioning device includes a plurality of connecting
rods, a plurality of coupling members, and a plurality of bolts.
Each connecting rod extends through one of the first through-holes
of the paper beehive structure in the extended state and one of the
second through-holes. Each connecting rod includes two ends each
having a coupling portion with a screw hole. Each coupling member
includes a pressing portion having a length larger than a diameter
of each second through-hole. The pressing portion includes a
plurality of engaging holes and a threaded section extending from
an inner side thereof. The threaded portion of each coupling member
is engaged with the screw hole of one of the ends of one of the
connecting rods. Each bolt extends through one of the engaging
holes of one of the coupling members and one of the coupling holes
of one of the side boards.
[0009] In another embodiment, each side board includes a plurality
of coupling holes. The paper beehive structure includes a plurality
of grooves each having two ends each of which is in communication
with one of the coupling holes. The positioning device includes a
plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of coupling members.
Each connecting rod includes two ends each having a coupling
portion with a screw hole. Each coupling member includes a pressing
portion having a length larger than a diameter of each coupling
hole and a threaded portion extending from an inner side of the
pressing portion. The connecting rods are directly inserted into
the grooves of the paper beehive structure in the extended state.
The threaded portion of each coupling member is extended through
one of the coupling holes of one of the side boards into the screw
hole of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods, with the
pressing portion pressing against an outer side of the side
board.
[0010] In a further embodiment, each side board includes a
plurality of first coupling holes, and the paper beehive structure
includes a plurality of grooves each having two ends each of which
is in communication with one of the first coupling holes. Each end
of each groove includes an enlarged section. The positioning device
includes a plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of bolts.
Each connecting rod includes two ends each having a coupling
portion and a bracket mounted to the coupling portion. The bracket
includes a first side having a second coupling hole and a second
side received in the enlarged section of one of the grooves. Each
bolt extends through one of the first coupling holes of one of the
side boards and the second coupling hole of one of the
brackets.
[0011] In still another embodiment, each side board further
includes at least one rectilinear groove and at least one outer
stop flange located outside the at least one rectilinear groove.
The folding chair further includes two armrests respectively
mounted to the side boards. Each armrest includes at least one
protrusion formed on an inner side thereof and removably received
in the at least one rectilinear groove of one of the side
boards.
[0012] The present invention will become clearer in light of the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of
this invention described in connection with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The illustrative embodiments may best be described by
reference to the accompanying drawings where:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair
of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the
present invention with a paper beehive structure of the folding
chair in a folded state and with positioning members of the folding
chair in exploded state.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the folding
chair of FIG. 1 with the positioning members in an assembled
state.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG.
1 with the paper beehive structure in an extended state.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a partial, cross-sectional view of the folding
chair of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair
of a second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the
present invention with a beehive structure of the chair in a folded
state.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG.
5.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair
of a third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG.
7.
[0022] FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair
of a fourth embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of
FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 11 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a
folding chair of a fifth embodiment according to the preferred
teachings of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of
FIG. 11.
[0026] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic
teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the
Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and
dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be
explained or will be within the skill of the art after the
following teachings of the present invention have been read and
understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional
proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and
similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art
after the following teachings of the present invention have been
read and understood.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] FIGS. 1 through 4 show a folding chair according to the
preferred teachings of the present invention. The folding chair
includes two side boards 1, a paper beehive structure 2, and a
positioning device 3. The side boards 1 are made of materials that
are not easy to deform, such as wood, metal, or plastics. Each side
board 1 includes a plurality of through-holes 11 and a plurality of
coupling holes 12.
[0028] The paper beehive structure 2 includes a plurality of paper
boards 21 interconnected with one another. A plurality of polygonal
holes 22 (FIG. 4) are formed between a pair of paper boards 21
adjacent to each other and extend perpendicularly to the ground
when the paper beehive structure 2 is in an extended state. The
paper beehive structure 2 can be folded or extended in a horizontal
direction parallel to the ground. The paper boards 21 placed on the
ground provide support in the vertical direction. The paper beehive
structure 2 includes two sides 23 to which the side boards 1 are
engaged by bonding or other suitable methods to form a body of the
folding chair. The paper beehive structure 2 includes a plurality
of through-holes 11 aligned with the through-holes 24 of the side
boards 1.
[0029] The positioning device 3 includes a plurality of connecting
rods 331, a plurality of coupling members 32, and a plurality of
bolts 33. Each connecting rod 31 can consist of a plurality of
sections (three sections in this embodiment) detachably connected
with one another. Furthermore, the connecting rod 31 extends
through the through-holes 11 of the side boards 1 and the
through-holes 24 of the paper beehive structure 2. Each connecting
rod 32 includes a coupling portion 311 on each of two ends thereof.
Each coupling portion 311 includes a screw hole 312. Each coupling
member 32 includes a pressing portion 321 having a length larger
than a diameter of the through-hole 11 and a threaded section 322
extending from an inner side of the pressing portion 321. The
pressing portion 321 further includes a plurality of engaging holes
323. The threaded section 322 can be threadedly engaged with the
screw hole 312 of an end of one of the coupling rods 31. Each bolt
33 is extended through one of the engaging holes 323 of the
pressing portion 321 and one of the coupling holes 12 of one of the
side boards 1.
[0030] When not in use, the paper beehive structure 2 is folded to
reduce the volume, and the connecting rods 31 are dismantled. In
assembly, the paper beehive structure 2 is extended in the
transverse direction. The connecting rods 31 are extended through
the through-holes 11 of the side boards 1 and the through-holes 24
of the paper beehive structure 2. The threaded portion 322 of each
coupling member 32 is engaged with the screw hole 312 of one of the
ends of one of the connecting rods 31. Each bolt 33 is extended
through one of the engaging holes 323 of one of the coupling
members 33 and one of the coupling holes 12 of one of the side
boards 1. Thus, the positioning device 3 fixes the width of the
body of the folding chair in the extended state and prevents the
extended paper beehive structure 2 from shrinking inward, providing
enhanced stability and enhanced safety. The positioning device 3,
the side boards 1, and the paper beehive structure 2 can be easily
disengaged from one another to allow subsequent folding of the
paper beehive structure 2, providing convenient folding.
[0031] There are three through-holes 11, 24 in each of the side
boards 1 and the paper beehive structure 2 respectively at three
end portions in the first embodiment. Corresponding number of the
positioning rods 32 and the coupling members 32 are provided to
engage with the side boards 1 and the paper beehive structure 2 to
enhance the assembling stability.
[0032] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a folding chair of a second embodiment
according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. In
the second embodiment, the paper beehive structure 2 can be
extended to form an arcuate structure. The connecting rods (now
designated by 41) of the positioning device (now designated by 4)
are also arcuate and extended through the through-holes 11 of the
side boards 1 and the through-holes 24 of the paper beehive
structure 2 and then coupled with associated coupling members (now
designated by 42) and associated bolts 43 to retain the paper
beehive structure 2 in the extended state.
[0033] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a folding of a third embodiment according
to the preferred teachings of the present invention. In the second
embodiment, each side board (now designated by 5) includes a
plurality of coupling holes 51. The paper beehive structure (now
designated by 6) includes a plurality of grooves 61. Each of two
ends of each groove 61 is in communication with one of the coupling
holes 51. The positioning device (now designated by 7) includes a
plurality of connecting rods 71 and a plurality of coupling members
72. A coupling portion 711 is provided on each of two ends of each
connecting rod 71 and includes a screw hole 712. Each coupling
member 72 includes a pressing portion 721 having a length larger
than a diameter of the coupling hole 51 and a threaded portion 722
extending from an inner side of the pressing portion 721. After the
paper beehive structure 6 is extended, the connecting rods 71 are
directly inserted into the grooves 61. The threaded portion 722 of
each coupling member 72 is extended through one of the
through-holes 51 of one of the side boards 5 into the screw hole
712 of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods 71, with the
pressing portion 721 pressing against an outer side of the side
board 5 to retain the paper beehive structure 6 in the extended
state.
[0034] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a folding chair of a fourth embodiment
according to the preferred teachings of the present invention that
is substantially the same as the third embodiment. The only
difference between the third and fourth embodiments is that the
positioning device 8 includes a plurality of connecting rods 81 and
a plurality of bolts 82. A coupling portion 811 is provided on each
of two ends of each connecting rod 81. A bracket 812 is fixed to
each coupling portion 811 and includes a first side with a coupling
hole 813 and a second side. The paper beehive structure 6 includes
a plurality of grooves 61 for directly receiving the connecting
rods 81. Each groove 61 has two ends each having an enlarged
section 62 for receiving the second side of one of the brackets
812. After the paper beehive structure 6 is extended, the
connecting rods 81 are directly inserted into the grooves 61. The
brackets 812 are coupled with the side boards 5. Particularly, a
width of each side board 5 is held between the first and second
sides of each bracket 812. Each bolt 82 is extended through the
coupling hole 813 of one of the brackets 812 and one of the
coupling holes 51 of one of the side boards 5 to retain the paper
beehive structure 6 in the extended state.
[0035] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a folding chair of a fifth embodiment
according to the preferred teachings of the present invention that
is substantially the same as the first embodiment. The only
difference resides in that the fifth embodiment includes an armrest
91 attached to each of the side boards 1. Each armrest 91 includes
a plurality of hanger pieces 90 each having a rectilinear groove
901 and outer stop flanges 902 located outside the rectilinear
grove 901. Each armrest 91 includes a plurality of protrusions 911
on an inner side thereof. Each protrusion 911 is received in one of
the rectilinear grooves 901 and retained in place by the outer stop
flanges 902. The armrests 91 can be easily detached from the side
boards 1 to provide assembling convenience.
[0036] Thus, the folding chairs according to the preferred
teachings of the present invention are light and easy to fold and
extend while providing enhanced stability and enhanced safety in
the extended state.
[0037] Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general
characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated,
the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all
respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by
the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *