U.S. patent application number 13/635613 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for chair canopy.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKOLIC IT PTY LTD. The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel Nikolic. Invention is credited to Daniel Nikolic.
Application Number | 20130069400 13/635613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44648359 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130069400 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nikolic; Daniel |
March 21, 2013 |
CHAIR CANOPY
Abstract
A chair canopy 12 for a collapsible chair 10, the chair
incorporating a collapsible frame with rear uprights 14a,14b. The
canopy 12 includes a fabric rear panel 22, and overhead section 26
with front valance 32 and sides 34a,34b. The fabric is supported on
a canopy frame having rear uprights 18a,18b slidably attached to
the rear uprights of the chair, and front extension members 38a,38b
pivotably attached to the rear uprights 18a,18b. Brackets 20a,20b
mount the canopy support frame to the chair frame. The brackets
have releasable adjustment means to allow the canopy uprights to
slide downward for stowage or upright when erecting the canopy. The
adjustment means locking the canopy uprights in place at a selected
position. The canopy support frame, in use, collapses with
collapsing of the chair frame or storage, and opens out when
erecting the chair for use.
Inventors: |
Nikolic; Daniel; (Canning
Vale, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nikolic; Daniel |
Canning Vale |
|
AU |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIKOLIC IT PTY LTD
South Perth
WA
|
Family ID: |
44648359 |
Appl. No.: |
13/635613 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
March 18, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2011/000302 |
371 Date: |
November 27, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/184.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 9/10 20130101; A47C
4/44 20130101; A47C 7/66 20130101; A47C 4/286 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/184.15 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/66 20060101
A47C007/66; A47C 4/00 20060101 A47C004/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 18, 2010 |
AU |
2010901131 |
Claims
1. A chair canopy for a collapsible chair, the chair incorporating
a collapsible frame supporting a seat and back support for a user,
the chair frame being collapsible for storage or opened out for use
and including horizontally spaced rear uprights that close towards
each other when the chair is collapsed and separated when the chair
is opened out for use, the canopy including a canopy fabric on a
canopy support frame, the canopy support frame, in use, collapsing
with collapsing of the chair frame or storage and opening out with
opening out of the chair frame for use.
2. A canopy according to claim 1, further including corresponding
canopy support frame uprights each inline with a respective rear
upright of the chair frame, and canopy fabric overhead section
support members, the canopy support frame uprights closing towards
each other with closing together of the rear uprights of the chair,
and the overhead section support members folding or retracting to
collapse a roof section of the canopy as the chair is
collapsed.
3. A chair canopy according to claim 2, the chair having a
collapsible tubular frame with horizontally spaced rear uprights,
the canopy including mounting means to attach a respective elongate
member of the support frame to a respective each said rear upright
of the chair frame, wherein the elongate members of the canopy
close towards each other with the rear uprights of the chair for
storage of the canopy mounted in situ on the collapsible chair.
4. A chair canopy according to claim 3, wherein the canopy mounting
means may be permanently attached, semi permanently attached or
removably attachable for ready attachment or detachment from the
chair.
5. A chair canopy according to claim 3, wherein the mounting means
includes a bracket attachable to a respective rear upright of the
collapsible chair or to the respective elongate member of the
canopy support frame, each bracket retaining a respective said
elongate member of the canopy frame to a respective rear upright of
the chair.
6. A chair canopy according to claim 5, wherein each bracket is
arranged for retaining the respective elongate member for slideable
extending movement with respect to the upright, whereby the canopy
frame is height extendable to support canopy fabric at a chosen
height above a seat of the chair.
7. A chair canopy according to claim 1, the canopy including canopy
fabric having a rear relatively upright section for deploy above a
backrest fabric of the chair and an overhead section.
8. A chair canopy according to claim 7, the overhead section
including one or more retractable side shades arranged to depend
therefrom.
9. A chair canopy according to claim 7, the overhead section being
supported by one or more forward extension members of the canopy
frame, such as a forward extension member at each lateral side of
the canopy extending forward from the rear towards the front.
10. A chair canopy according to claim 9, each forward extension
member connected to a respective rear upright elongate member of
the canopy frame.
11. A chair canopy according to claim 10, one or more of the
forward extension members being permanently, semi-permanently or
removably attached to the respective elongate rear member.
12. A chair canopy according to claim 11, the one or more forward
extension members including a cross brace member.
13. A chair canopy according to claim 1, the canopy including one
or more tethers for attachment between the canopy frame and the
chair frame.
14. A chair canopy according to claim 5, wherein each canopy
mounting means bracket has a catch member which, when closed,
applies pressure to maintain the canopy at a desired height
adjustment, and when released, allows the canopy to be height
adjusted, relative to the chair.
15. A chair canopy according to claim 12, wherein the cross brace
member includes a pivot or hinge joint connecting two portions of
the cross brace member between the forward extension members.
16. A chair canopy according to claim 10, wherein each forward
extension member is connected to a respective rear upright of the
canopy frame via a rotary joint.
17. A chair canopy according to claim 16, wherein the rotary joint
has rotary adjustment positions allowing the joint to be set at a
desired rotational position an support the respective forward
extension arm extending therefrom.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a chair canopy.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Canopies have been provided for chairs for many years.
Canopies are particularly useful for outdoor seating, such as camp
chairs, to protect a user from the elements, such as sun, wind or
rain.
[0003] Modern examples exist, such as one having a resilient
flexible continuous curved pole supporting a fabric canopy, similar
in operation to collapsible sunshades for automobiles that fold
down to a thin disc. For storage, the flexible pole is twisted to
fold down the canopy to a disc to fit into a bag. In use, the
canopy is opened out by allowing flexible pole to resiliently
unfold to expand and tension the fabric of the canopy. The canopy
includes a rear sleeve that slides down over the back of a common
type of collapsible camp chair and the overhead portion of the
canopy then attaches to sleeve uprights in the form of short
upright poles. Side edges of the canopy are attached to respective
arms of the chair by adjustable straps. This type of canopy has at
least one disadvantage in that it must be removed from the chair in
order to fold down the canopy for storage due to the way that the
resilient continuous peripheral pole frame has to be collapsed by
twisting.
[0004] With the aforementioned in mind, it has been found desirable
to provide a chair canopy that is collapsible for storage whilst
mounted to a collapsible chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides in one aspect a chair canopy
for a collapsible chair, the chair incorporating a collapsible
frame supporting a seat and back support for a user, the chair
frame being collapsible for storage or opened out for use and
including horizontally spaced rear uprights that close towards each
other when the chair is collapsed and separated when the chair is
opened out for use, the canopy including a canopy fabric on a
canopy support frame, the canopy support frame, in use, collapsing
with collapsing of the chair frame or storage and opening out with
opening out of the chair frame for use.
[0006] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a chair
canopy for attachment to a collapsible chair, the chair having a
collapsible tubular frame with horizontally spaced rear uprights,
the canopy including a support frame supporting a canopy fabric and
a mounting means to attach a respective elongate member of the
support frame to respective each said rear upright of the chair
frame, wherein the elongate members of the canopy close towards
each other with the rear uprights of the chair for storage of the
canopy mounted in situ on the collapsible chair.
[0007] Thus, advantageously, the canopy can remain on the
collapsible chair yet be closed for storage or opened out for use
without needing to remove the canopy from the chair.
[0008] The canopy may include corresponding canopy support frame
uprights each inline with a respective rear upright of the chair
frame, and canopy fabric overhead section support members, the
canopy support frame uprights closing towards each other with
closing together of the rear uprights of the chair, and the
overhead section support members folding or retracting to collapse
a roof section of the canopy as the chair is collapsed.
[0009] The canopy mounting means may be permanently attached, semi
permanently attachable (such as by bolts or other fastening means
that are not intended to be readily undone or removed), or may be
removably attachable for ready attachment or detachment from the
chair (such as where storage space is limited or the chair is
required for use without a canopy).
[0010] The mounting means may be in the form of a bracket
attachable to a respective rear upright of the collapsible chair.
Each bracket may retain a respective said elongate member of the
canopy frame, which may be retained for slideable extending
movement with respect to the upright, whereby the canopy frame may
be height extended to support canopy fabric at a chosen height
above a seat of the chair. This can be particularly useful for
storage purposes because the canopy elongate members may be
slideably retracted to a length similar to that of the respective
chair rear uprights, the canopy collapses for storage within a
similar profile of the collapsed chair. Also, by having the
elongate members of the canopy retractable, there is an option to
use the chair with or without the canopy extended overhead. This
option provides a significant advantage where others may be seated
behind a chair fitted with a canopy otherwise obscuring a view but
allowing the user to raise the canopy overhead for protection in
the event of inclement weather (wind and/or rain/snow/hail) or
strong sunshine.
[0011] The canopy may include the canopy fabric having a rear
relatively upright section for deploy above a backrest fabric of
the chair, and an overhead section. The overhead section may have
one or more side shades arranged to depend therefrom. One or more
of the side shades may be retractable (such as by rolling up) when
side protection for a user is not required on one or both
sides.
[0012] The overhead section may be supported by one or more forward
extension members of the canopy frame, such as a forward extension
member at each lateral side of the canopy extending forward from
the rear towards the front. Each forward extension member may be
connected to a respective rear upright elongate member of the
canopy frame. One or more of the forward extension members may be
permanently, semi-permanently, or removably attached to the
respective elongate rear member, and may be pivotably connected
thereto. Such arrangement allows the canopy frame to collapse
smaller for storage taking less space--which increases practicality
particularly when transporting the chair and canopy in a small
vehicle.
[0013] One or more of the forward extension members may include a
cross brace member, which, in use, provides additional lateral
bracing to help rigidify the canopy frame and/or tension the canopy
fabric.
[0014] The side shade(s) may include a window, either of
transparent material or an aperture. One or more window covers may
be provided, such as a fold or roll down, or separately attachable,
opaque fabric.
[0015] The canopy fabric may be formed of or include a waterproof,
water resistant and/or UV resistant material.
[0016] The overhead and/or rear section may include a window with
or without a window cover of similar arrangement as optionally
provided for the side shade(s).
[0017] The canopy may include one or more tethers for attachment
between the canopy frame and the chair frame, each preferably
connected between a respective forward extension member of the
canopy frame and a connection to an arm support or seat support
portion of the chair frame. The one or more tethers may be
permanently or removably attached to the canopy and/or chair, and
may be length adjustable and may be or may include a flexible
member, such as as chord, rope, string or webbing. The tether(s)
act to tension and stabilise the canopy and/or secure the overhead
portion of the canopy, such as for use in strong winds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIGS. 1a to 1f show respective side, front, rear, plan, rear
perspective and front perspective views of a collapsible canopy
according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted to a
collapsible camp chair.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the canopy according to an embodiment of the
present invention shown in FIGS. 1a to 1f in close up perspective
and attached to a collapsible camp chair.
[0020] FIGS. 3a to 3f show features of a bracket for mounting the
canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention to a
chair.
[0021] FIGS. 4a to 4d show features of support frame of a canopy
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5a shows features of the canopy support frame according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIGS. 5b to 5d show detail of features marked B, C and D in
FIG. 5a. In particular:
[0024] B in FIG. 5b shows the laterally spaced forward extension
arm support and pivot means;
[0025] C in FIG. 5c shows a front brace central connector; and
[0026] D in FIG. 5d shows a height adjuster mounting bracket.
[0027] FIGS. 6a and 6b show respective perspective views of a chair
with a canopy according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIGS. 7a to 7f show respective side, front, rear, top, front
perspective and rear perspective views of a chair with a canopy
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIGS. 8a to 8d show respective rear, side, front and top
views of a canopy frame according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows the canopy frame of FIGS. 8a to 8d in
perspective.
[0031] FIGS. 10a to 10d show various stages of a canopy according
to an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a collapsible
chair, the combination being collapsed from a fully erected state
to a fully collapsed state for storage or transport.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] One or more preferred forms of the present invention will
hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying
figures. However, the specificity of the following description
should not be taken as limiting the generality of the present
invention.
[0033] FIGS. 1a to 1f show various views of an embodiment of the
present invention. A collapsible camp chair 10 is fitted with a
collapsible canopy 12 embodying the present invention. The chair 10
is of a common type of readily portable camp chair often used for
temporary seating at picnics, sports events, at the beach etc. The
chair 10 has a tubular frame with spaced rear uprights 14a,14b
forming the two rear legs and supporting the fabric backrest 16
stretched therebetween. The canopy has a support frame including
rear elongate members 18a,18b mounted to the seat rear uprights by
respective brackets 20a,20b. In this embodiment, the brackets are
attached to the rear uprights by fasteners, particularly bolts or
screws; however, the elongate members 18a,18b can be permanently
attached, such as forming part of the rear uprights i.e. integral
with or continuing as an extension of the rear uprights) or
otherwise attached, such as by rivets, welding, shear bolts, one
way screws etc. In this embodiment, the brackets 20a,20b allow the
elongate members 18a,18b to extend upwards by sliding movement
relative to the rear uprights, thereby extending the height of the
canopy from a stored position to a usable canopy height.
Alternatively, the brackets might slide with the elongate members
on the rear uprights. Position setting means, such as a grub screw,
locking screw, locking nut, detent, clamp or the like can be used
to retain the canopy at a desired height.
[0034] The canopy 12 has a rear panel 22 in upper 22a and lower 22b
sections. The upper section includes part of a window 24 extending
down from the overhead section 26. This window 24 has an optional
cover 28 shown rolled. The cover 28 can be released from a
retaining means 30 and used to cover the window.
[0035] The overhead section 26 includes a front valance 32 with
side skirts 34a,34b. Side shades 36a,36b can optionally be
provided, and are shown in rolled up configuration.
[0036] The overhead section 26 is held in place supported on
forward extension members 38a,38b pivotably connected to the upper
end of each respective elongate member 18a,18b. The pivot
connection allows the forward extension members to be folded away
when collapsing the canopy. These can be detachable or permanently
attached. In the case of detachable forward extension members, a
pivot connection need not be used; rather, other attachment means,
such as a releasable ball and socket, pin and aperture, snap fit or
the like connection could be used.
[0037] The front of the overhead section of the canopy 12 is
stabilised by tethers 40a,40b connecting the overhead section under
tension to the frame of the seat adjacent the arms thereof.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the canopy of FIGS. 1a-1f in close up. In
particular can be seen the pivots 42a,42b connecting the forward
extensions to the rear elongate members 18a,18b forming the canopy
frame rear uprights. Also, the brackets 20a,20b can be seen in more
detail, with the locking pin or bolt 44a,44b to retain the elongate
members extended. In use, the elongate members 18a,18b are raised
upwards by sliding through the brackets 20a,20b. Each elongate
member has locating holes 46.1 . . . n. At a selected height, the
locking pin or bolt 44a,44b is inserted into a respective locating
hole to lock the canopy at a chosen height. This conveniently
allows for height adjustment to suit a particular user (low height
for shorter people, higher for taller) or to allow people behind to
see over the top of the canopy by setting it at a lower height.
[0039] Stops 46a,46b are provided on the lower ends of the elongate
members 18a,18b to abut the respective bracket at maximum extension
to prevent the elongate members being over extended and pulled out
of the brackets.
[0040] FIGS. 3a to 3f show detail of a bracket 20a,20b for slidably
supporting one of the elongate members 18a,18b forming a supporting
upright of the frame of the canopy. The bracket includes a passage
50 for receiving therein one of the elongate members of the canopy
frame, and a channel 52 for receiving therein one of the rear
uprights of the chair frame. It will be appreciated that the open
sided channel 52 permits the bracket to clamp around the upright of
the chair frame, which allows the bracket, and thus the canopy, to
be fitted retrospectively to the chair. This is particularly useful
in allowing the canopy to be fitted to exiting chairs. Of course,
the canopy could be fitted to a chair at manufacture, prior to sale
or as a kit with a chair for assembly post
purchase/acquisition.
[0041] The material forming the open sided channel 52 includes
apertures 54a to 54c to receive fasteners, such as screws or bolts,
for tightening the channel around the upright and thereby fixing
the canopy frame in position. The passage 50 includes, in this
embodiment, a single aperture for attaching the bracket to the
elongate member 18a. It will be appreciated that the passage and
the channel may each have more or less apertures to receive
fasteners for attaching the bracket, and other fastening means may
be used, such as rivets, adhesive, welding, interference fit
etc.
[0042] FIGS. 4a to 4d show a support frame 60 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The support frame includes a
pair of brackets 20a,20b for mounting the elongate members 18a,18b
to the chair frame (not shown). Forward extension members 38a,38b
are mounted via pivot joints 49a,49b to respective upper ends of
the elongate members. Stops 48a,48b are provided adjacent each
respective pivot joint. These stops support the forward extension
members 38a,38b at a predetermined position, preferably with a
forward upwardly inclined angle to allow rainwater runoff towards
the rear of the canopy. Adjustment for the position of the forward
extension members may be provided, such as by an adjustable stop
position.
[0043] FIGS. 4a and 4c show the position fixing apertures 46.1,
46.2 etc along the length of each elongate member, into which the
locking pin or screw projects to set the height of the canopy.
These could alternatively be projections, such as spring loaded
detents, to latch into one or more corresponding apertures or
recesses in the bracket.
[0044] A brace 62, in use, extends between the forward extending
members to provide stability and optionally additional support for
the overhead section of the canopy fabric. The brace 62 includes
two bracing members 62a,62b releasably connected by a releasable
fastener 64. The fastener 64 may be a tube simply to retain the
bracing members. Alternatively, the fastener 64 may physically hold
one or both of the bracing members, with at least one bracing
member being releasable to allow separation of the bracing members
when collapsing the canopy. Each bracing member is attached to a
respective forward extending member via a flexible or pivot joint,
or the like, thereby allowing each bracing member to be swung back
inline with its forward extending member and preferably releasably
fastened thereto for stowage.
[0045] The canopy support frame 60 includes a pair of elongate
members 18a,18b forming the upright supports. These are attachable
via mounting brackets 20,20b (per FIGS. 3a to 3f) to the frame of a
collapsible chair (not shown). Detail of a particular mounting
bracket is shown in FIG. 5d and at D. Each mounting bracket
includes a through passage for receiving one of the uprights
18a,18b of the canopy frame. Each bracket also includes a channel
52 allowing the bracket to be placed around and inline with a
corresponding rear upright of the chair frame. Each bracket affixes
to the chair frame but allows each upright 18a,18b of the canopy
frame to be slideable for canopy height adjustment. Apertures
(46.1, 46.2 . . . n) are provided in the canopy uprights. These
receive a locking pin or bolt of the bracket. They may be
internally threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded locking
bolt, or may be plain apertures to receive a spring loaded or screw
progressed/retracted pin. It will be appreciated that each bracket
or upright could include alternative height adjustment locating
means, such as a biased detent and recess arrangement or a threaded
adjuster, such as a bolt 20c, 20d, with a head adapted for manual
operation to rotate the bolt clockwise such that a distal end of
the adjuster engages with the upright of the canopy frame and
thereby prevents the upright sliding within the bracket i.e. locks
the canopy at a required height adjustment, or is rotated
counter-clockwise to release the distal end of the bolt from
engagement with the upright to allow relative movement of the
canopy frame upright with respect to the chair frame and thereby
adjust the height of the canopy until locked again.
[0046] Each forward extension arm 38a,38b is pivotably connected to
an upper end of a respective upright 18a,18b. Detail of the pivot
arrangement is shown in FIG. 5b and at B. An upper end portion of
each upright is curved. A respective stop member 48a,48b is
arranged to support the forward extension member on the curved
portion of the respective upright. This sets the preferred angle of
incline for the roof of the canopy to slope rearwards, in use. This
angle may be adjustable by, for example, providing an adjustable
stop arrangement. For example, the position of the stop along the
length of the respective forward extension arm may be adjusted
forwards or backwards, or around the periphery of the arm, which
would adjust the angle of the arm with respect to the pivot point
49a,49b.
[0047] Each forward extension arm may include a retainer for
holding a respective bracing member when folding away the canopy
frame or prior to opening out the frame. For example, a bracing
member retainer 51a,51b is provided in the form of an open ended
spring clip with an opening sufficiently wide such that resilient
fingers of each clip spread apart to retain the bracing member in a
recess under resilient closing pressure of the clip.
[0048] The connector 64 may include a releasable retaining means to
hold a distal end of each bracing member until a released.
Retention may be by interference fit in a tube, or positive
connection, such as a spring biased locking means or screw thread
within or on the connector.
[0049] The forward ends of these extension arms, distal from the
pivot ends, are laterally braced by a brace 62. The brace includes
an elongate rod with two bracing members 62a,62b. These connect via
a connector 64 at respective distal ends of each bracing member, as
shown in detail in FIG. 5c and at C. Each bracing member is
pivotable attached at a proximal end thereof to a respective
forward extension member 38a,38b.
[0050] In use, the canopy frame can be pre-mounted/attached to a
frame of the collapsible chair, or post mounted/attached. That is,
the canopy can be retro fitted or as supplied with the chair. The
canopy frame can be permanently attached to the chair frame or
releasably attached, such as by the brackets described above. Once
mounted to the collapsible chair, the canopy is arranged to
collapse down with collapsing of the chair for storing, and open
out with the chair for use. The canopy does not need to be removed
from the chair in order to achieve collapsing or opening out.
[0051] It would be useful to have figures showing various stages of
opening out the chair and canopy from completely collapsed to
completely opened out and set up.
[0052] With the canopy mounted to a collapsible camp chair, the
camp chair is initially opened out in the usual way be drawing the
sides laterally apart and allowing the scissor action lower support
frame under the seat to open out. This spreads the four support
feet of the chair apart into their support positions. The chair
frame rear uprights are now also spread apart laterally. The rear
elongate members forming the uprights of the canopy frame are now
slid upwards in their brackets and, when at a desired position,
locked to set a desired height. The upper end of each of these
uprights pivotably supports the respective forward extension
member. This is now rotated to a forward, slightly upwardly
inclined position. Thus, the canopy roof (overhead section) is
rotated over and forward from a position lying inline with the rear
of the seat until it is supported in position by the stops
previously described. The bracing members are unclipped from their
storage positions and then pivoted forwards and their distal ends
connected to form the lateral brace towards the front of the
canopy. Tethers are optionally attached between the forward
extension members and the frame of the chair to stabilise the
canopy. These tethers can be of chord, rope, string or webbing etc,
and may be length/tension adjustable, particularly when the canopy
height and/or roof angle is adjustable.
[0053] Collapsing the canopy with the chair is a reversal of the
setting up procedure.
[0054] In FIGS. 6a and 6b, a canopy 80 is mounted to a collapsible
chair 82 in a similar manner to that shown in FIGS. 1a to 1f.
However, differences include a variation to the mounting brackets
84a,84b attaching the canopy frame 86 to the chair frame 88. Each
mounting bracket 84a,84b has a friction or pressure catch 90 (see
FIG. 9). Each mounting bracket is clamped around the respective
upright 94a,94b forming the respective uprights of the canopy
frame. Fasteners (not shown) similar to those used in the bracket
of FIGS. 3a to 3f are used to clamp the bracket to its respective
canopy frame upright. Instead of having a detent projecting from
the respective slidable chair frame upright 92a,92b into an
aperture in the bracket, the friction or pressure catch 90 is
operated to allow or prevent the respective canopy upright, and
therefore the entire canopy, to be height adjusted by raising or
lowering to a desired position and then be retained in place by
closing the catches. Each catch 90 can have a cam action or over
centre action such than on closing the catch a portion of the catch
presses against the chair upright and holds the canopy uprights in
place. Releasing the catch removes clamping pressure from the chair
upright and allows the canopy upright to slide up and down for
adjustment with the bracket attached to and moving with each
respective canopy upright. However, it will be appreciated that
each bracket could be mounted to the respective chair upright and
the canopy upright being slidable within its respective bracket
until clamped. Alternatively, the brackets can be slidable with
respect to both the chair and the canopy uprights, those less
desirable.
[0055] FIGS. 7a to 7f various views of an erected collapsible chair
82 and canopy 80 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The canopy is height adjustable with respect to the
chair, as in FIGS. 6a and 6b. The canopy includes a cover fabric
100. This provides a top panel 102, rear panel 104, and left and
right sides 106a,106b. The rear panel 104 reaches down behind the
fabric back support 108 of the chair. Brackets 84a,84b and catches
90 are the same as shown in relation to FIGS. 6a, 6b and 8a-d &
9.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8a to 8d, the canopy frame 86 includes a
brace 96, similar to the brace 62 shown in FIG. 4d, which helps to
maintain separation between the canopy frame forward extension arms
98a,98b and to provide rigidity and stability to the canopy
frame.
[0057] FIG. 9 shows the brackets 84a,84b with release catches 90 in
their respective closed position to clamp the canopy frame uprights
in position to the chair uprights (not shown in FIG. 9). A rotary
joint 110a,110b is provided linking each respective canopy upright
94a,94b to a respective front extension member 98a,98b. Each rotary
joint provides a friction stop adjustment such that the canopy top
102 is held at a desired forward angle above a user's head when
seated. This is achieved by each forward extension member
projecting forward from a respective rotary joint but retained at a
desired angle, such as inclined upwards, horizontal or inclined
downwards. However, a limit of rotary motion can be provided as a
stop to prevent the forward extension members projecting downwards
below a desired angle, such as below horizontal. Each rotary joint
is preferably a friction member, which may have internally engaging
friction members, such as ramps or teeth, to provide discrete
rotary position selection. The brace 96 has a pivot or hinge joint
112 allowing the forward extension members to close together as the
chair/canopy collapses closed and providing separation when the
chair/canopy is/are opened out and erected by hinging or pivoting
to a positive stoop position so that the brace is fully extended.
The rotary joints may each have a manual release mechanism to allow
rotary adjustment. This may be a manual push button, such as
provided in the centre of a face of each joint which, when
operated, releases the friction mechanism within the joint, thereby
allowing adjustment, until the manual push button is released and
the friction mechanism reengages to hold the joint is a desired
rotary position.
[0058] The steps involved in collapsing the chair 122 and canopy
120 according to an embodiment of the present invention, from an
erected position (FIG. 10a) to a fully collapsed position (FIG.
10d) are shown in FIGS. 10a to 10d. The canopy top 124 is first
folded up an over the back 126 of the canopy. In doing so, the
forward extension arms, previously described, rotate about the
rotary joint 128 (knuckle joint) until the canopy top is overlaying
the canopy back 126. The brackets 130 have adjusters 132, such as a
threaded bolt, flip catch or detent mechanism previously described,
that are released and allow the canopy uprights to slide downwards
to retract the folded canopy. The canopy therefore now overlies the
chair back 134. The canopy uprights are attached via the brackets
to the chair rear uprights 136. Therefore, when the chair uprights
close together, the canopy uprights close together, the fabric
covering of the canopy, which may be the same or a different fabric
as the chair fabric, allows the canopy uprights to close together.
The brackets 130 retain the canopy on the chair. However, the
canopy may be removed from the chair, or a canopy retro-fitted to a
chair, by use of the brackets. Thus, a chair may be supplied with
the canopy fitted, or the chair and canopy supplied as individual
items for subsequent assembly together, or the canopy may be
provided as separate, retrofit item to suit an existing chair. It
will be appreciated that the chair may be collapsed before the
canopy is retracted, though in collapsing the chair the canopy top
will be folded closed and the canopy uprights brought towards each
other. Erecting the chair and canopy is generally a reversal of the
collapsing procedure.
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