U.S. patent application number 13/999973 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-16 for folding swivel chair.
The applicant listed for this patent is Craig A. Hills, Michael Obolewicz. Invention is credited to Craig A. Hills, Michael Obolewicz.
Application Number | 20140306493 13/999973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51686286 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140306493 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Obolewicz; Michael ; et
al. |
October 16, 2014 |
Folding swivel chair
Abstract
A swiveling folding chair is provided. The chair swivels
independently of the legs of the chair. The chair includes a
drawstring to fold the arms or legs of the chair.
Inventors: |
Obolewicz; Michael;
(Gilbert, AZ) ; Hills; Craig A.; (Gilbert,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Obolewicz; Michael
Hills; Craig A. |
Gilbert
Gilbert |
AZ
AZ |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51686286 |
Appl. No.: |
13/999973 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13134917 |
Jun 20, 2011 |
8714643 |
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13999973 |
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12655401 |
Dec 30, 2009 |
8272684 |
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13134917 |
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61966579 |
Feb 26, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/16.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 3/18 20130101; A47C
4/286 20130101; A47C 4/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/16.2 |
International
Class: |
A47C 4/28 20060101
A47C004/28; A47C 3/18 20060101 A47C003/18 |
Claims
1. A folding chair comprising (a) a plurality of structural members
selected from a group consisting of arms and legs, said structural
members movable between at least two operative positions, (i) a
folded stowed position, and (ii) an unfolded deployed position; and
(b) a drawstring extending between at least two of said structural
members to move (i) said structural members from said unfolded
deployed position to said folded stowed position, and (Ii) said
structural members toward one another, when said drawstring is
manually grasped and pulled when said chair is in said unfolded
deployed position.
2. The folding chair of claim 1 wherein said chair (a) a plurality
of ground engaging legs; (b) a seat rotatably mounted on said
legs.
3. The folding chair of claim 2 including a control tree.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/966,579 filed Feb. 26, 2014. This is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/134,917 filed Jun.
20, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
12/655,401, filed Dec. 30, 2009.
[0002] This invention pertains to chairs.
[0003] More particularly, the invention pertains to a folded chair
which, when unfolded and deployed, has a seat that swivels
independently of the legs of the chair.
[0004] Folding chairs have long been marketed. A folding chair
having a seat which can, after the chair is unfolded, swivel does
not appear to be readily available and to have successfully
penetrated the market.
[0005] Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an
improved folding chair.
[0006] Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to
provide a swiveling folding chair.
[0007] These and other, further and more specific objects and
advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following
detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with
the drawings, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the chair of the
invention in the deployed orientation;
[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the
char of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the chair of the
invention in the stowed orientation;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the
chair of the invention in the deployed orientation and the mode of
operation thereof;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view illustrating the control
tree of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is top perspective view illustrating two components
of the control tree of FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view further illustrating the
components of FIG. 5;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view further illustrating one
of the components of FIG. 5;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view further illustrating the
component of FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a top view of an apparatus utilized to test and
define linkage dimensions in the chair of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an alternate
construction of support members 25 to 28 and collar 60;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a bottom view further illustrating an alternate
construction of support members 25 to 28 in conjunction with a new
chair foot structure and with an alternate construction of legs 20
to 23;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side view further illustrating the alternate
construction of support members 25 to 26, illustrating the new
chair foot structure; and, illustrating the alternate construction
of legs 20 to 23;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective elevation view illustrating the
fabric seat and back construction in conjunction with an audio
speaker system integrate therewith;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a diagram further illustrating the audio speaker
system integrally formed with the fabric seat and back construction
of the chair of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 15 is a side elevation view illustrating an alternate
construction of collar 80;
[0024] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view illustrating an alternate
construction of collar 70;
[0025] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view illustrating an alternate
assembly method for the upper end of shaft 40, of collar 50, and of
cap 21;
[0026] FIG. 18 is a perspective view further illustrating the
construction of a foot and associated leg and support member;
[0027] FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a deployed
folding chair equipped with a drawstring/carry strap;
[0028] FIG. 20 is a perspective view illustrating the chair of FIG.
19 in a folded configuration for transport;
[0029] FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating another deployed
folding chair equipped with a drawstring/carry strap;
[0030] FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a further
deployed folding chair equipped with a drawstring/carry strap;
[0031] FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating the chair of FIG.
22 after the drawstring on the chair is initially pulled outwardly
to begin folding the chair from its deployed configuration;
[0032] FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating the chair of FIG.
22 after the drawstring on the chair has been pulled outwardly an
amount sufficient to nearly completely fold the chair; and,
[0033] FIG. 25 is a top view illustrating the drawstring apparatus
of the chair illustrating in FIG. 21 illustrating the mode of
operation thereof.
[0034] Briefly, in accordance with our invention, we provide an
improved folding chair comprising a control tree including a
control member including an elongate shaft. The shaft includes an
elongate centerline; an upper end; a lower end; and, a central
section intermediate the upper end and the lower end. The control
member also includes a first control collar. The collar includes an
upwardly extending body, and a first aperture formed therethrough.
The collar is mounted on the control member with the shaft slidably
extending through the first aperture. The control member also
includes a second control collar. The collar includes a second
aperture formed therethrough. The second collar is mounted on the
first control member with the body slidably extending through said
second aperture to slide along the shaft simultaneously with the
first control member, and rotate about the body and centerline
independently of the first control member. The control member also
includes a third control collar mounted on the upper end of the
shaft to rotate about the upper end and the centerline. The control
member also includes a fourth control collar fixedly mounted on the
lower end of the shaft. The chair also includes at least three legs
each including a proximate end pivotally attached to the first
control member; at least upwardly extending support arms each
including a proximate end pivotally attached to the second control
member; a pliable foldable seat structure attached to the support
arms; at least three elongate support members each operatively
associated with a different one of the legs and including a first
distal end pivotally attached to the leg and a second proximate end
pivotally attached to the fourth control collar; at least three
elongate brace members each operatively associated with a different
one of the arms and including a primary distal end pivotally
attached to the arm and a secondary proximate end pivotally
attached to said the control collar. The shaft of the control
member is slides through the first aperture between at least two
operative positions, a first operative position with the chair
stowed and folded, with the fourth control collar upwardly
displaced toward the first control collar such that the second
proximate ends are positioned above the first distal ends, and with
the third control collar upwardly displaced away from the first
control collard such that the secondary proximate ends are
positioned above the primary distal ends; and, a second operative
position with the chair deployed and unfolded, with the fourth
control collar downwardly displaced away from the first control
collar such that the second proximate ends are generally positioned
level with or below the first distal ends, and with the third
control collar downwardly displaced toward the first control collar
such that the secondary proximate ends are generally positioned
level with or below the primary distal ends.
[0035] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, we
provide an improved method of producing a swivel chair. The method
comprises the initial step of providing a folding chair (10). The
chair includes a first control tree including a first control
member including an elongate shaft (40). The shaft includes an
elongate centerline, an upper end, a lower end, and a central
section intermediate the upper end and the lower end. The control
tree also includes a first control collar (70) including an
upwardly extending body (76), and a first aperture formed
therethrough. The collar is slidably mounted on the first control
member with the shaft slidably extending through the first
aperture. The control tree also includes a second control collar
(80) with a second aperture formed therethrough and mounted on the
first control member with the body slidably extending through the
second aperture to slide along the shaft simultaneously with the
first control collar, and rotate about the body and centerline
independently of the first control collar. The control tree also
includes a third control collar (50) mounted on the upper end of
the shaft (40) to rotate about the upper end and the centerline.
The control tree also includes a fourth control collar (60) mounted
on the lower end of the shaft (40). The chair also includes at
least three legs (21, 22, 23) each including a proximate end
pivotally attached to the first control collar; at least two
upwardly extending support arms (12, 13) each including a proximate
end pivotally attached to the second control collar; a pliable
foldable seat structure (100) attached to the support arms; at
least three elongate support members (25, 26, 27) each operatively
associated with a different one of the legs and including a first
distal end pivotally attached to one of the legs and a second
proximate end pivotally attached to the fourth control collar (60);
at least three elongate brace members (30, 31, 32) each operatively
associated with a different one of the arms and including a primary
distal end pivotally attached to one of the arms and a secondary
proximate end pivotally attached to the third control collar (50).
The shaft slidable through the first aperture between at least two
operative positions, a first operative position with the chair
stowed and folded; with the fourth control collar upwardly
displaced toward the first control collar such that the second
proximate ends are positioned above the first distal ends; and with
the third control collar upwardly displaced away from the first
control collar such that the secondary proximate ends are
positioned above the primary distal ends; and, a second operative
position with the chair deployed and unfolded, with the fourth
control collar downwardly displaced away from the first control
collar such that the second proximate ends are generally positioned
level with or below the first distal ends, and with the third
control collar downwardly displaced toward the first control
collard such that the secondary proximate ends are generally
positioned level with or below the primary distal ends. The method
also includes the step of providing a test apparatus. The test
apparatus includes a secondary control tree comparable to the first
control tree. The secondary control tree includes a secondary
control member comparable to the first control member and including
an elongate shaft (40). The shaft (40) includes an elongate
centerline, an upper end, a lower end, and a central section
intermediate the upper end and the lower end. The secondary control
tree also includes a primary control collar (70A) including a
primary aperture formed therethrough and slidably mounted on the
secondary control member; a secondary control collar (80A) with a
secondary aperture formed therethrough and mounted on the secondary
control member to slide along the shaft of the secondary control
member simultaneously with the primary control collar; a tertiary
control collar (50A) mounted on the upper end of the shaft of the
secondary control member; and, a quaternary control collar (60A)
mounted on the lower end of the shaft of the secondary control
member. The test apparatus also includes first and second
downwardly extending legs (21A, 23A) each including a proximate end
pivotally attached to the primary control collar; a first sleeve
(100) slidably mounted on the first leg; a second sleeve (200)
slidably mounted on the second leg; first and second upwardly
extending support arms (12A, 14A) each including a proximate end
pivotally attached to the secondary control collar; a third sleeve
(102) slidably mounted on the first arm; a fourth sleeve (103)
slidably mounted on the second arm; first and second elongate
support elements (106, 107) each having a length and operatively
associated with a different one of the first and second legs and
including a first distal end pivotally attached to a different one
of the first and second sleeves and a second proximate end
pivotally attached to the quaternary control collar; and, first and
second elongate brace elements (108, 109) each having a length and
operatively associated with a different one of the first and second
arms and including a primary distal end pivotally attached to a
different one of the third and fourth sleeves and a secondary
proximate end pivotally attached to the tertiary control collar.
The lengths of the first and second brace elements and the first
and second support elements are adjustable. The shaft of the
secondary control member is slidable through the primary and
secondary apertures between at least two operative positions, a
first operative position with the test apparatus stowed and folded,
with the quaternary control collar (60A) upwardly displaced toward
the primary control collar such that the second proximate ends of
the first and second support elements (106, 107) are positioned
above the first distal ends of the first and second support
elements, and with the tertiary control collar (50A) upwardly
displaced away from the first control collar such that the
secondary proximate ends of the first and second brace elements
(108, 109) are positioned above the primary distal ends of the
first and second brace elements; and, a second operative position
with the test apparatus deployed and unfolded, with the quaternary
control collar downwardly displaced away from the primary control
collar such that the second proximate ends of the first and second
support elements are generally positioned level with or below the
first distal ends of the first and second support elements, and
with the tertiary control collar downwardly displaced toward the
first control collar such that the secondary proximate ends of the
first and second brace elements are generally positioned level with
or below the primary distal ends of the first and second brace
elements. The method also includes the step of manipulating at
least one in a group consisting of the first and second support
elements, of the first and second brace elements, and of the first,
second, third, and fourth sleeves to determine a desired length for
each of the support elements, a desired length for each of the
brace elements, a desired position for each of the first and second
sleeves along a different one of the first and second legs, and a
desired position for each of the third and fourth sleeves along a
different one of the first and second arms. The method also
includes the steps of providing in the folding chair support
members (25, 26, 27) each generally equivalent in length to the
desired length for each of the support elements; providing in the
folding chair brace members (30, 31) each generally equivalent in
length to the desired length for each of the brace elements;
pivotally attaching the distal ends of the support members to the
legs of the folding chair at positions equivalent to the desired
position of the first and second sleeves on the legs of the test
apparatus; and pivotally attaching the distal ends of the brace
members to the arms of the folding chair at positions equivalent to
the desired position of the third and fourth sleeves on the arms of
the test apparatus.
[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, provided is an
improved folding chair. The chair comprises a primary control tree
including a first control member including an elongate shaft. The
shaft includes an elongate centerline; an upper end; a lower end;
and, a central section intermediate the upper end and the lower
end.
[0037] The control tree also includes a first control collar. The
collar includes an upwardly extending body; and, a first aperture
formed therethrough. The collar is mounted on the control member
with the shaft slidably extending through the first aperture.
[0038] The control tree also includes a second control collar with
a second aperture formed therethrough and mounted on the first
control member and the first control collar with the body slidably
extending through the second aperture to move along the shaft
simultaneously with the first control collar, and to rotate about
the body and centerline independently of the first control
collar.
[0039] The control tree also includes a a third control collar
mounted on the upper end of the shaft to rotate about the
centerline; and, a fourth control collar mounted on the lower end
of the shaft.
[0040] The chair also includes at least three legs each including a
proximate end pivotally attached to the first control collar; at
least two upwardly extending support arms each including a
proximate end pivotally attached to the second control collar; and,
a pliable foldable fabric seat structure attached to the support
arms and including a horizontally oriented seat and a vertically
oriented backing extending upwardly from the seat, the backing
including a back support area and at least one outlying portion
extending outwardly from said back support area.
[0041] The chair also includes an audio speaker mounted in the
outlying portion; and, an amplifier operatively associated with the
audio speaker. The amplifier is adapted to be connected to and to
receive and amplify audio signals from a portable media device;
and, transmit amplified audio signals to the audio speaker.
[0042] The chair also includes at least three elongate support
members each operatively associated with a different one of the
legs and including a first distal end pivotally attached to the one
of legs and a second proximate end pivotally attached to the
control collar.
[0043] The chair also includes at least three elongate brace
members each operatively associated with a different one of the
arms and including a primary distal end pivotally attached to the
different one of said arms and a secondary proximate end pivotally
attached to the third control collar.
[0044] The shaft is slidable through the first aperture between at
least two operative positions, a first operative position and a
second operative position. In the first operative position, the
chair stowed and folded; the fourth control collar is upwardly
displaced toward the first control collar such that the second
proximate ends are positioned above the first distal ends; and, the
third control collar is upwardly displaced away from the first
control collar such that the secondary proximate ends are
positioned above the primary distal ends. In the a second operative
position, the chair is deployed and unfolded; the fourth control
collar is downwardly displaced away from the first control collar
such that the second proximate ends are generally positioned level
with or below the first distal ends; and, the third control collar
is downwardly displaced toward the first control collar such that
the secondary proximate ends are generally positioned level with or
below the primary distal ends.
[0045] In still another embodiment of the invention, provided is an
improved folding chair. The chair includes a primary control tree
including a first control member. The first control member includes
an elongate shaft. The elongate shaft includes an elongate
centerline; an upper end; a lower end; and, a central section
intermediate the upper end and the lower end.
[0046] The primary control tree also includes a first control
collar including an upwardly extending body; and, a first aperture
formed therethrough. The collar is mounted on the control member
with the shaft slidably extending through the first aperture.
[0047] The primary control tree also includes a second control
collar with a second aperture formed therethrough and mounted on
the first control member and the first control collar with the body
slidably extending through the second aperture to move along the
shaft simultaneously with the first control collar, and to rotate
about the body and centerline independently of the first control
collar.
[0048] The primary control tree also includes a third control
collar mounted on the upper end of the shaft to rotate about the
centerline.
[0049] The primary control tree also includes a fourth control
collar mounted on the lower end of the shaft.
[0050] The improved chair also includes at least three feet; at
least three legs each including a proximate end pivotally attached
to the first control collar and a distal end pivotally connected to
a different one of the feet; at least two upwardly extending
support arms each including a proximate end pivotally attached to
the second control collar; a pliable foldable seat structure
attached to the support arms; and, at least three elongate support
members. Each elongate support member is operatively associated
with a different one of the legs and includes a first distal end
pivotally attached to a different one of the feet and a second
proximate end pivotally attached to the fourth control collar such
that each of the support members attached to one of the feet is
spaced apart from the leg attached to the foot.
[0051] The improved chair also includes at least three elongate
brace members each operatively associated with a different one of
the arms and including a primary distal end pivotally attached to
the different one of the arms and a secondary proximate end
pivotally attached to the third control collar.
[0052] The shaft is slidable through the first aperture between at
least two operative positions, a first operative position and a
second operative position. In the first operative position, the
chair is stowed and folded; the fourth control collar is upwardly
displaced toward the first control collar such that the second
proximate ends are positioned above the first distal ends; the
third control collar is upwardly displaced away from the first
control collar such that the secondary proximate ends are
positioned above the primary distal ends; and, each one of the
support members attached to each one of the feet is spaced apart
from the leg attached to the foot.
[0053] In the second operative position the chair is deployed and
unfolded; the fourth control collar is downwardly displaced away
from the first control collar such that the second proximate ends
are generally positioned level with or below the first distal ends;
and, the third control collar is downwardly displaced toward the
first control collar such that the secondary proximate ends are
generally positioned level with or below the primary distal
ends.
[0054] In yet still another embodiment of the invention, provided
is an improved folding chair. The chair comprises a plurality of
structural members selected from a group consisting of arms and
legs. The structural members are movable between at least two
operative positions, a folded stowed position, and an unfolded
deployed position. The chair also comprises a drawstring extending
between at least two of the structural members to move, when the
drawstring is manually grasped and pulled when the chair is in the
unfolded deployed position, the structural members from the
unfolded deployed position to the folded stowed position, and to
move the structural members toward one another.
[0055] The folding chair can include a plurality of ground engaging
legs; and, a seat rotatably mounted on said legs.
[0056] The chair can also include a control tree.
[0057] Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of
illustrating the practice thereof and not by way of limitation of
the scope of the invention, and in which like reference characters
refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG.
1 illustrates a folding swivel chair constructed in accordance with
the principles of the invention and generally indicated by
reference character 10. In FIG. 1, chair 10 is in the deployed,
unfolded configuration. Chair 10 includes legs 20 to 23 and support
arms 11 to 14.
[0058] Chair 10 includes a control member illustrated in FIG. 4.
The control member includes an elongate shaft 40, a first control
collar 70, a second control collar 80, a third control collar 50,
and a fourth control collar 60. Collar 50 is mounted on the upper
end of shaft 40. Collar 60 is mounted on the lower end of shaft 40.
Cap 21 is secured to the top of shaft 40. Shaft 40 presently has a
length L1 (FIG. 4) of eleven inches. Length L1 is preferably in the
range of ten to thirteen inches. The length of shaft 40 is
restricted by the fact that when chair 10 is in the deployed
configuration of FIG. 1, cap 21 and the top of shaft 40 preferably
must be positioned above the bottom of the seat of chair 10, and is
preferably below and spaced apart from the bottom of the seat when
an individual is sitting in the chair. Further, when chair 10 is in
the deployed configuration of FIG. 1, collar 50 must be positioned
such that brace members 30 to 33 (FIG. 1) slope inwardly downwardly
so that the apertures or pivot points 54, 54A in collar 50 are
positioned at the same or a lower elevation than the pivot points
at which members 30 to 33 are connected to arms 11 to 14. If, when
chair 10 is deployed, the pivot points 54, 54A are positioned above
the pivot points at which members 30 to 33 are connected to arms 11
to 14, then when an individual sits in chair 10 forces are
generated which tend to force shaft 40 upwardly and move chair 10
to the stowed configuration of FIG. 2.
[0059] Collar 50 is mounted on a washer (not shown) that seats in a
groove (not shown) in the upper end of shaft 40 or is otherwise
mounted on shaft 40 such that collar 50 is free to rotate about
shaft 40 and the centerline, indicated by dashed line C, of shaft
40 but can not slide along shaft 40, i.e., collar 50 is permanently
located at the upper end of shaft 40 and cannot slide downwardly
along shaft 40 toward the lower end of shaft 40. The distance
between an opposing pair of apertures, or pivot points, 54 and 54A
(FIG. 4) in collar 50 is presently equivalent to the distance L9
between an opposing pair of apertures 65, 65A in collar 60 (FIG.
4). This distance is presently two and one-half inches and is
preferably in the range of one to five inches, most preferably two
to three inches.
[0060] Collar 60 is permanently mounted on the lower end of shaft
40, does not rotate about shaft 40, and can not slide upwardly
along shaft 40 toward the upper end of shaft 40. The shape and
dimension of collar 60 is presently equivalent to that of collar
50, although that need not be the case.
[0061] As is described below in further detail, shaft 40 slides
upwardly and downwardly through apertures formed in the first 70
and second 80 collars.
[0062] Collar 70 is depicted in more detail in FIGS. 7 and 8 and
includes hollow cylindrical body 76 upwardly depending from
cylindrical base 78. Body 76 includes upper circular lip 76A.
Cylindrical aperture 92 extends through base 78 and body 76.
U-shaped grooves 77 and 77A are formed in the distal end of body
76. Spaced apart flange pairs 71-71A, 72-72A, 73-73A, and 74-74A
outwardly depend from body 76. Each flange 71, 71A, 72, 72A, 73,
73A, 74, 74A includes an aperture 75 formed therethrough. The
distance between an opposing pair of apertures, or pivot points, 75
and 75A (FIG. 7) in collar 70 is presently equivalent to the
distance L8 between an opposing pair of apertures 84B, 82B in
collar 80 (FIG. 5). This distance is presently four and one-quarter
inches and is preferably in the range of three to six inches, most
preferably three and one-half to five and one-half inches. When
distance between an opposing pair of apertures 75, 75A is less than
three inches, this increases the torque or other forces acting on
shaft 40 and body 87 of collar 80 and increases the likelihood that
shaft 40 or body 87 will be deformed when an individual sits in
chair 10. Importantly, when collars 70 and 80 have a greater
distance between opposing aperture pairs 75-75A or 84B-82B, this
appears to distribute some of the forces to the peripheral flange
portions of the collar and reduce the likelihood that shaft 40 and
body 87 will be deformed.
[0063] In FIG. 1A, which represents one preferred embodiment of the
invention, the distance L3 is in the range of twelve to sixteen
niches and is presently fourteen inches; the distance L2 is in the
range of ten to twelve inches and is presently eleven inches; the
distance L14 is presently in the range of two to three inches and
is presently two and one-quarter inches; the distance L12 is in the
range of four to four and one-half inches and is presently four and
one-half inches; the distance L15 is presently about twenty inches;
the distance L13 is in the range of ten to thirteen inches and is
presently eleven and three-fourths inches; the distance L10 is in
the range of six to seven inches and is presently six and
three-eighths inches; and, the distance L11 is in the range of six
to eight inches and is presently seven and one-quarter inches. In
FIG. 1A the distance indicated by arrows L11 is equivalent to that
indicated by arrows L5 in FIG. 4. The distance L4 indicated in FIG.
4 represents the shortest distance between an aperture 54A in
collar 50 and an apertures in collar 80 that is directly below
aperture 54A when the chair 10 is in the deployed configuration of
FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the distance indicated by arrows L6 is the
distance between the bottom of collar 50 and the top of collar 80
when chair 10 is in the deployed configuration of FIG. 1. In FIG.
3, the distance L7 is in the range of four to five inches and is
presently four and one-half inches.
[0064] Collar 80 is depicted in more detail in FIGS. 5 an 6, and
includes circular plate 81 and cylindrical body 87 upwardly
depending from plate 81. Body 87 includes upper surface 87A that is
generally perpendicular to centerline C and is generally parallel
to plate 81. Spaced apart flange pairs 82-82A, 83-83A, 84-84A, and
85-85A outwardly extend from body 87 and upwardly depend from plate
81.
[0065] Each flange 82, 82A, 83, 83A, 84, 84A, 85, 85A includes an
aperture formed therethrough.
[0066] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate how collar 80 is slidably mounted
on body 76 of collar 70 to a position adjacent the upper surface of
base 78 of collar 70. One or more washers 90 are mounted on body 76
intermediate collars 70 and 80. Once collar 80 is mounted on collar
70, a lock washer 91 prevents collar 80 from sliding from the
position illustrated in FIG. 5 and upwardly along body 76 away from
washer 90 and collar 70 toward U-shaped grooves 77, 77A.
[0067] In FIG. 3, the proximate or lower end of arm 11 is pivotally
secured intermediate flange pair 82-82A by a pin 94 that extends
through apertures 86 and through the lower end of arm 11. The
proximate end of arm 12 is similarly pivotally mounted intermediate
flange pair 83-83A; the proximate end of arm 13 is similarly
pivotally mounted intermediate flange pair 84-84A; and, the
proximate end of arm 14 is similarly pivotally mounted intermediate
flange pair 85-85A of collar 80.
[0068] In FIG. 3, the proximate or upper end of leg 21 is pivotally
secured intermediate flange pair 71-71A by a pin 95 that extends
through apertures 75 and through the upper end of leg 21. The
proximate end of arm 22 is similarly pivotally mounted intermediate
flange pair 72-72A; the proximate end of arm 23 is similarly
pivotally mounted intermediate flange pair 73-73A, and the
proximate end of arm 20 is similarly pivotally mounted intermediate
flange pair 74-74A.
[0069] Support member 25 in FIGS. 1 and 3 is pivotally secured both
at one end to leg 21 and at the other end to a flange 61 to 64 of
collar 60. Member 25 is pivotally fastened to collar 60 by a pin
extending through an aperture 65 (FIG. 4) and through one end of
member 25. Leg 21 has a length generally indicated by arrow L3 in
FIG. 1. The length of each of the other legs 20, 22, 23 is
equivalent to the length indicated by arrow L3. Support member 26
is similarly pivotally secured both at one end to leg 20 and at the
other end to a flange 60 to 63 of collar 60. Support member 27 is
similarly pivotally secured both at one end to leg 23 and at the
other end to a flange 60 to 63 of collar 60. Support member 28 is
similarly pivotally secured both at one end to leg 22 and at the
other end to a flange 60 to 63 of collar 60. Support member 28 has
a length indicated by arrows L2 in FIG. 1. The length of each of
the other support members 25 to 27 is equivalent to the length of
member 28.
[0070] Brace member 33 in FIGS. 1 and 3 is pivotally secured both
at one end to arm 11 and at the other end to a flange 51 to 53 of
collar 50. Member 33 is pivotally fastened to collar 50 by a pin
extending through an aperture 54 and through one end of member 33.
Member 33 has a length, comparable to that indicated by arrows L7,
that extends from the pivot point at one end of member 33 to the
pivot point at the other end of member 33. The length of each of
the other brace members 30 to 32 is equivalent to that of member
33. Brace member 32 is similarly pivotally secured at one end to
arm 12 and at the other end to a flange 51 to 53 of collar 50.
Brace member 31 is similarly pivotally secured at one end to arm 13
and at the other end to a flange 51 to 53 of collar 50. Brace
member 30 is similarly pivotally secured at one end to arm 14 and
at the other end to a flange 51 to 53 of collar 50.
[0071] Bushings 16 to 18 are, as illustrated in FIG. 1, each
mounted on a different one of arms 11 to 14 and function as stops
to support seat structure 100 and prevent seat structure 100 from
sliding or moving past bushings 16 to 18 toward the ground. While
seat structure 100 need not be pliable and can take on any desired
construct, seat structure 100 is presently preferably formed from a
pliable canvas-like material and includes opening formed
therethrough that permit structure 100 to slid in conventional
fashion down over the distal ends of arms 11 to 14 to the position
indicated in FIG. 1 by dashed lines 100.
[0072] The arms 11 to 14 and the legs 20 to 23 are illustrated in
the deployed unfolded configuration in FIG. 3. In the deployed
configuration of FIG. 3, collar 80 can rotate around body 76 (FIG.
6) of collar 70 and collar 50 can, simultaneously with the rotation
of collar 80, rotate about shaft 96 in the directions indicated by
arrow R1 and R2, respectively. When collars 50 and 80 rotate in the
directions indicated by arrows R2 and R1, arms 11 to 14 and a
pliable foldable seat structure 100 rotate, or swivel,
simultaneously with collars 50 and 80. Accordingly, the arms 11 to
14 and seat structure swivel independently of the legs 20 to
23.
[0073] In use, chair 10 is, as noted, in the unfolded deployed
position in FIG. 1. Chair 10 is moved to the folded stowed position
of FIG. 2 by slidably displacing shaft 40 upwardly in the direction
of arrow X while maintaining collars 70 and 80 in fixed position.
Collars 50 and 60 move upwardly simultaneously with shaft 40. When
shaft 40 moves upwardly in this manner, the proximate ends of
support members 25 to 28 move upwardly with collar 60 to draw
inwardly legs 20 to 23; and, the proximate ends of brace members 30
to 33 move upwardly with collar 50 to draw arms 11 to 14 inwardly
to the position illustrated in FIG. 2. If desired, seat structure
100 can be removed from chair 10 before chair 10 is folded into the
stowed configuration. The procedure set forth in this paragraph is
reversed to move chair 10 from the folded configuration to the
unfolded deployed configuration.
[0074] The length of shaft 40 is indicated by arrows L1 in FIGS. 1
and 4. When the chair 10 is in the deployed orientation of FIG. 1,
collar 60 is preferably, but not necessarily, at an elevation that
is equivalent to or below the elevation of the points at which
support members 25 to 28 are pivotally attached to their associated
legs 20 to 23.
[0075] In an alternate embodiment of the invention collar 50 is
fixedly attached to and rotates with shaft 40, and collar 60 is
mounted on the lower end of shaft 40 such that the lower end of
shaft 40 rotates within collar 60. In this embodiment of the
invention, when the arms 11 to 14 of the chair swivel, shaft 40 and
collars 50 and 80 simultaneously rotate with arms 11 to 14 while
collars 60 and 70 do not rotate.
[0076] When chair 10 is in the deployed configuration of FIG. 1,
the distance between collars 50 and 80 is indicated by arrows L6 in
FIG. 4. The distance between the center of an aperture in collar 50
and the center of an aperture in collar 80 is indicated by arrows
L4. The distance between an aperture in collar 70 and an aperture
on collar 60 is indicated by arrows L5 in FIG. 4.
[0077] Determining the proper sizes of chair components such that
the folding chair would operate properly was a difficult problem.
Changing the size of only one component could affect other
components and make the chair not operate properly. Consequently,
the test apparatus of FIG. 9 was developed.
[0078] FIG. 9 is a top view and illustrates the apparatus laying
substantially flat on a table top. The arms 12A and 14A and the
legs 21A and 23A generally lay in a common horizontal plane. Arms
12A and 14A are generally equivalent to the opposed diagonal arms
12 and 14 in FIG. 1. Legs 21A and 23A are generally equivalent to
the opposed diagonal legs 21 and 23 in FIG. 1.
[0079] Arms 12A and 14A have distal ends 12B and 14B, respectively.
When the chair of the invention is in the deployed configuration of
FIG. 1 the distance between the distal ends of arms 12 and 14 (or
between other selected points on arms 12, 14) is a selected
distance. This selected distance is indicated in FIG. 9 by arrows
P.
[0080] Legs 21A and 23A have distal ends 21B and 23B, respectively.
When the chair of the invention is in the deployed configuration of
FIG. 1, the distance between the distal ends of legs 21 and 23 (or
between other selected points on legs 21, 23) is a selected
distance. This selected distance between the distal ends of legs 21
and 23 is indicated in FIG. 9 by arrows Q, and is presently equal
to the distance indicated by arrows L15 in FIG. 1A.
[0081] Collars 100, 101, 102, 103 slide along legs 21A, 23A and
arms 14A, 12A, respectively. Each collar 100-103 is detachably
secured in a desired position with a set screw.
[0082] Tube 40 is slidably adjusted through collars 70A and 80A in
the directions indicated by arrows F. The configuration illustrated
in FIG. 9 is an open configuration. To move the test apparatus of
FIG. 9 to the closed configuration (in which arms 14A and 12A are
drawn together and legs 21A and 23A are drawn together), tube 40 is
slid upwardly through collars 70A and 80A such that collar 50A
moves away from collar 80A.
[0083] The lengths of each link 108 and 109 is adjustable, either
by inserting links 108, 109 of different lengths or by making links
108 and 109 that telescope to different lengths. The length of each
link 106, 107 is adjustable, either by inserting links 106, 107 of
different lengths or by making links 108 and 109 adjustable.
[0084] The position of collar 50A on tube 40 can be varied by
sliding collar 50A along tube 40 to a desired position and then
detachably fixing collar 50A in position with a set screw.
[0085] The position of collar 60A on tube 40 can be varied by
sliding collar 50A along tube 40 to a desired position and then
detachably fixing collar 60A in position with a set screw.
[0086] If desired tubes 40 of different lengths can be utilized in
the apparatus of FIG. 9.
[0087] The purpose of the apparatus of FIG. 9 is to adjust the
position or length, as the case may be, of collars 100 to 103,
links 106 to 109, collar 50A, collar 60A, and/or tube 40 until
desired distances P and Q are achieved in the open configuration
illustrated in FIG. 9, until arms 12A and 14A close to a desired
position in a stowed configuration comparable to the stowed
configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, and until legs 21A and 23A
close to a desired position in a stowed configuration comparable to
the stowed configuration illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0088] Tube 40 can not, in accordance with the invention, be overly
long because collar 50A must be spaced apart from and positioned
beneath the seat 100 when the chair 10 is in the deployed
configuration of FIG. 1. Practically speaking, for an adult
"camping" chair of conventional size it has been determined that
tube 40 must have a length L1 of less than thirteen inches,
preferably in the range of eleven to thirteen inches long. The
diameter of tube 40 is presently about one and one-quarter inches.
This diameter can also be varied, in which case the diameter and
size of a collar 50, 60, 70, 80 (FIG. 4) can be varied, and the
distance L8 (FIG. 5) between a pair of pivot points on a collar can
be varied. The outer diameter of tube 40 is generally no less than
three-fourths of an inch. As the distance L8 is reduced, the torque
generated on tube 40 increases. As the distance L8 is increased,
more of the force generated by a person sitting in the chair is
believed to transfer from collar 80 to collar 70 and legs 20 to 23
and lessen the torque that collar 80 generates against member 76
and tube 40. In the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention, the distance L8 between a pair of opposed apertures, or
pivot points, in a collar 70, 80 is in the range of three to five
and one-half inches. The distance L9 between a pair of opposed
apertures or pivot points 54, 54A or 65, 65A in a collar 50, 60 is
presently two and one-half inches and is preferably in the range of
two to three inches. Collars 70A, 80A with a distance L8 of four
and one-quarter inches between opposing pivot points in a pivot
point pair 110-111 or 112-113, and collars 50A and 60A with a
distance L9 of two and one-half inches between opposing pivot
points in a pivot point pair were used in the test apparatus of
FIG. 9 to simulate collars 50, 60, 70, 80. A tube 40 with a
diameter of one and one-quarter inches was used in the test
apparatus of FIG. 9. Consequently, collar 80A was sized so the
pivot points receiving the proximate (lower) ends of arms 12A and
14A were four and one-quarter inches apart; collar 70A was sized so
the pivot points receiving the proximate (upper) ends of arms 21A
and 23A were four and one-quarter inches apart; collar 60A was
sized such that the pivot points receiving the inner ends of links
106 and 107 were two and one-half inches apart; and, collar 50A was
sized such that the pivot points receiving the inner ends of links
108 and 109 were two and one-half inches apart. The outer end of
each link 108 and 109 is pivotally attached to its respective
collar 102, 103. The outer end of each link 106, 107 is pivotally
attached to its respective collar 100, 101. The apparatus is then
adjusted to obtain distances P and Q when the apparatus is in the
deployed orientation of FIG. 9 and to achieve a desired closed
configuration generally comparable to that of FIG. 2. Such is
adjustment is made by: [0089] 1. First positioning collar 60A at a
selected point on the lower end of tube 40. [0090] 2. Positioning
collars 100 and 101 at selected points on legs 21A and 23A. [0091]
3. Varying lengths of links 106 and 107 are tested until legs 21A
and 23A open a desired distance when the test apparatus is in the
deployed configuration of FIG. 9 and until legs 21A and 23A close
to a storage configuration that is generally comparable to that
illustrated in FIG. 2 or that is otherwise desired. If the length
of links 106 and 107 can not be varied to achieve the desired
result, the collars 100 and 101 are repositioned to different
points along legs 21A and 23A and different lengths of links 106
and 107 are tested. Links 106 and 107 correspond to members 26 and
27 in FIG. 1. [0092] 4. After an acceptable length is achieved for
links 106 and 107, collar 50A is positioned at a selected point on
the upper end of tube 40. [0093] 5. Collars 102 and 103 are
positioned at selected points on legs 14B and 12B. [0094] 6.
Varying lengths of links 108 and 109 are tested until arms 14A and
12A open a desired distance when the test apparatus is in the
deployed configuration of FIG. 9 and until arms 14A and 12A close
to a storage configuration that is generally comparable to that
illustrated in FIG. 2 or that is otherwise desired. If the length
of links 108 and 109 can not be varied to achieve the desired
result, the collars 102 and 103 are repositioned along arms 14A,
12A and different lengths of links 108 and 109 are tested. Links
108 and 109 are generally equivalent to members 30 and 32 in FIG.
1. If collars 108 and 109 can not be positioned so that links of a
particular length can be identified to position arms 14A, 12A a
desired distance apart in the deployed configuration of FIG. 1 and
at a desired located in the storage configuration, then the process
is continued by repeating steps 1 to 6. Since links 108 and 109
must necessarily be shorter than links 106, 107 so that the top of
tube 40 will be lower than the bottom of the seat of chair 10 when
chair 10 is in the deployed configuration of FIG. 1, determining
the length of links 108 and 109 allows less room for error since a
small sliding movement of tube 40 produces a greater displacement
of arms 14A, 12A than of legs 21A, 23A. Positioning collars 102 and
103 closer to collar 80A permit links 108 and 109 to be shortened.
During the adjustment process, the location of collars 50A and 60A
on tube 40 can also be adjusted. [0095] 7. After desired lengths
for links 106, 107, 108, 109 are determined; after the desired
positions for sleeves 100, 101, 102, 103 are determined; and, after
the desired positions of collars 50A and 60A are determined chair
10 can be assembled. The desired length determined for each of
links 106 and 107 corresponds to the length that is used for
members 25 to 28. The desired length that is determined for each of
links 108 and 109 corresponds to the length that is used for
members 30 to 33. The position of each sleeve 100, 101 on its
respective leg 21A, 23A corresponds to the position at which the
distal end of each member 25 to 28 is pivotally attached to a leg
20 to 23, which position is, after the proximate end of each leg 20
to 23 is pivotally secured to collar 80, a defined distance along
each leg 20 to 23 from collar 80. The position of each sleeve 102,
103 on its respective arm 14A, 12A corresponds to the position at
which the distal end of each member 30 to 33 is pivotally attached
to an arm 11-14, which position is, after the proximate end of each
arm 11-14 is pivotally secured to collar 70, a defined distance
along each arm 11-14 from collar 70.
[0096] In another embodiment of the invention, the test apparatus
of FIG. 9 is first used in the general manner noted above to
determine the length of links 108 and 109, after which the length
of links 106 and 107 is determined.
[0097] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the invention
in which the construction of shaft 40 and support member 25 to 28
is altered. The new shaft construction is indicated by reference
character 40A. The structure of the upper end of shaft 40A is
equivalent to that of shaft 40 in FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 3, and 4,
although the structure of the upper end of shaft 40A can be altered
as desired, for example, in the manner illustrated in FIG. 17 and
described below.
[0098] In FIG. 10, collar 60 is eliminated and flanges 61A, 61B
64A, 64B are instead integrally formed at the distal end of shaft
40A. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, flanges
61A, 61B, etc. need not be integrally formed in the distal end of
shaft 40A, and a collar 60 including flange pairs 61A-61B, etc. can
instead be utilized. Each flange pair 61A-61B, 64A-64B is shaped
and dimensioned to slidably receive a tongue 20. 29 therebetween.
Tongue 29 comprises the proximate end of unitary support member 28A
and includes an aperture (not visible in FIG. 9) which is in
registration with apertures formed in flange pair 64A-64B such that
fastener 66 can extend through flange pair 64A-64B and tongue 29
and pivotally secure tongue 29 in places between flange pair
64A-64B. Unitary support member 28A replaces the dual pair of arms
that comprise support member 28 in FIG. 1. Each of the other dual
pair of arms comprising a support member 25, 26, 27 would be
similarly replaced by a unitary support member equivalent to member
28A.
[0099] As is illustrated in FIG. 11, the distal end 29 of support
member 28A is pivotally secured by fastener 66A between a pair of
flanges 127-128 which comprise part of support foot 125. Fastener
66A extends through apertures (not visible in FIG. 11) formed in
flanges 127-128 and through aperture 29B (FIG. 10), which apertures
are in registration in FIG. 11. Foot 125 includes bottom 126. In
the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10, the
structure of legs 20 to 23 (although said legs are not shown in
FIG. 10) is also altered. Leg 22, is, for example, replaced by leg
22A. The structure of leg 22A is equivalent to that of leg 22
except that the distal end of leg 22A is fixedly secured in a foot
125 by a pin 129 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12. If desired,
the distal ends of leg 22A can be pivotally mounted in foot 125.
Each of the remaining legs 20, 21, 23 is replaced by a leg and foot
having a structure equivalent to that of leg 22A and foot 125.
[0100] An important advantage of the foot-leg-support structure
illustrated in FIG. 12 is that each support 28A and leg 22A are
spaced apart, which reduces the risk of serious injury occurring
when chair 10 is folded into the orientation of FIG. 2 for storage.
It is less likely that an individual's finger will be pinched
between a support 28A and leg 22A.
[0101] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an alternate construction of the
pliable foldable fabric material 100A comprising a horizontally
oriented seat 130 and a vertically oriented backing 131 extending
upwardly from the seat 130. The backing 131 includes a back support
area 150 and outlying portions, or wings, 134, 135 extending
outwardly away from the back support area 150. The back support
area 150 supports the back of an individual seated in chair 10. The
individual's back will not contact outlying portions 134, 135.
Audio speakers (or, if desired microphones) 132, 133 are mounted in
portions 134, 135. Wiring 136 interconnects speakers 132 and 133.
Wiring 136 preferably extends within fabric (or another material)
or between fabric layers so that it is not exposed, is not visible,
and is concealed in chair 10. Wiring 137 extends downwardly from
speaker 132 toward pocket 140 or toward another desired location on
chair 10. Wiring 137 extends through loops 138, 139 of fabric or
other material formed along edges of backing 131 and seat 130 so
that wiring 137 is not exposed, is not visible, and is concealed in
chair between speaker 132 and pocket 140. The end 141 of wiring 137
in pocket 140 comprises a connection shaped and dimensioned to both
(1) fit in a receptacle 147 formed in an amplifier 142 (FIG. 14),
and (2) fit in a receptacle (not visible in FIG. 145) formed in an
iTunes.TM. unit 145, iPhone.TM. unit, iPad.TM. unit, or other
desired media device that produces audio signals. Amplifier 142
also includes wiring 143 which extends to connector 144. Connector
144 is equivalent to connector 141 in that connector 144 can also
fit in an opening formed in an iTunes unit 145, iPhone unit, iPad
unit, or other desired media device that produces audio signals.
Amplifier 142 can includes a power cord (not shown) which can be
plugged into a 120 VAC outlet in a wall, can be plugged into a
cigarette lighter in a car, into a transformer, into a solar panel,
or into any other desired external power source. Or, motive power
for amplifier 142 can be provided by a battery mounted in amplifier
142, or by a solar panel mounted on the exterior of amplifier
142.
[0102] The audio apparatus of FIGS. 13 and 14 ordinarily is
utilized in one of two ways. First, amplifier 142 can be bypassed
and not utilized by simply plugging connector 141 directly into
iTune unit 145. The limited output of unit 145 typically minimizes
the volume of sound emitted by speakers 132 and 133. Second,
amplifier 142 is utilized by plugging connector 141 into receptacle
147 and by plugging connector 144 into a receptacle in iTunes unit
145. In this configuration, amplifier 142 increases the volume of
sound received from unit 145, and, consequently, increases the
volume of sound transmitted to and emitted by speakers 132 and 133.
Amplifier 142 and/or speakers 132, 133 can include a volume
adjustment knob or other device. Amplifier 142 can, if desired, be
removably stored in mesh pocket 141, or can be permanently mounted
at a desired location in chair 10, or can be at any other desired
location in or on or adjacent chair 10.
[0103] FIG. 15 illustrates an alternate embodiment, indicated by
reference character 80A, of collar 80. Collar 80A is equivalent to
collar 80 except that hollow neck 83 is incorporated in collar 80A.
This increases the strength of chair 10 because when collar 80A is
slidably mounted on body 76, the combination of neck 83 and body 76
produces a double thickness that circumscribes shaft 40 (or 40A)
that slidably extends upwardly through body 76.
[0104] FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate embodiment, indicated by
reference character 70A, of collar 70. Collar 70A is equivalent to
collar 70 except that U-shaped openings 77 are eliminated and a
flat, circular doughnut-shaped plate 179 is mounted on top of
flanges 71, 71A, 72, 72A, etc. Plate 179 circumscribes body 76 and
preferably, but not necessary, has a diameter and upper surface
area 179A which is generally comparable to the diameter and lower
surface area 81A of circular doughnut-shaped plate 81 (FIG. 6).
Circular, doughnut-shaped bearing member 120 (FIG. 16) is
interposed between and contacts surface areas 81A and 179A.
Consequently, when the seat of chair 10 rotates, collar 80A turns
over bearing member 120, and bearing member 120 frictionally
engages surface area 81A (or when collar 80A turns, member 120
turns with collar 80A and surface area 179A frictionally engages
member 120). Member 120 can be comprised of any desired material
and take on any desired structure including, for example, a race
with ball bearings. However, an important safety feature of the
invention is that the surface areas 179A and 81A are large enough
and member 120 produces sufficient frictional resistance to prevent
the seat of chair from spinning rapidly through multiple rotations.
Toward this end, member 120 preferably consists of a solid
material, possibly a polymer or a teflon coated material, that
permits the chair seat to readily rotate while preventing rapid
multiple rotations of the seat. Similarly, the diameter of surfaces
81A and 179A is sufficiently large to distribute the weight of an
individual over a large enough surface area and to produce a
desired frictional force which functions to brake rotation of the
seat of chair 10. The diameter of surfaces 81A and 179A currently
is in the range of one to twelve inches, preferably three to ten
inches. Since the diameter of body 76 is in the range of 0.5 to
four inches, the surface area of each surface 81A and 179A is
preferably in the range of approximately 0.25.pi. to 25.pi. square
inches.
[0105] FIG. 17 illustrates an alternate assembly for the upper end
of a tube 40A (or 40). Lid 21A includes a neck 21B which slides
into the proximate upper end of tube 40A. Collar 50 slides over the
proximate end of tube 40A, as does retention sleeve 122. When
sleeve 122, collar 50 and lid 21A are each in the desired position
on the upper end of tube 40A, which position is indicated by dashed
lines 122B, 50B, and 121A respectively, aperture 124 formed through
hollow Cheerio-shaped.TM. collar is in registration with aperture
125 formed through the wall of hollow tube 40A and with aperture
21C formed through the hollow cylindrical wall of lid 21A, and,
consequently, fastener 123 can be inserted through said registered
apertures to secure lid 21A and sleeve 122 in place on the
proximate end of tube 40A. When sleeve 122 and lid 21A are secured
in place, they sandwich collar 50 and prevent collar 50 from
sliding off the proximate end of tube 40A.
[0106] FIG. 18 further illustrates the foot 125-leg 22A-support
member 22A structure of FIG. 12 in combination with shaft 40A.
[0107] FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate the frame of chair 10 equipped
with a drawstring 150A. Bushings 15 to 18 are fixedly secured to
arms 14 to 11, respectively. One end of drawstring 150A is fixedly
secured to bushing 151. The other end 152 of drawstring 150A is
fixedly secured to bushing 18. The intermediate portion of
drawstring 150A extends from end 151, slidably through an aperture
(not visible) formed in bushing 16 and slidably through an aperture
(not visible) formed in bushing 17 to end 152. In use, when the
central portion 153 of drawstring 150A is grasped and manually
pulled upwardly in the direction of arrow 154 (or pulled outwardly
away in a direction away from chair 10), portions of drawstring
150A slide through the apertures in bushings 16 and 17, arm 14 is
drawn toward arm 13, arm 11 is drawn toward arm 12, arm 12 is drawn
toward arm 13, and arms 11 to 14 are foldably displaced inwardly
toward one another in the directions of arrows R1, R2, R3, and R4
to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 20.
[0108] When legs 11 to 14 are displaced outwardly from the
orientation of FIG. 20 to the orientation of FIG. 19, portions of
drawstring 150 slide through the apertures in bushings 16 and 17 so
that drawstring 150A assumes the configuration illustrated in FIG.
19. When drawstring 150A and legs 11 to 14 are in the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 20, drawstring 150A can be utilized as a carry
strap to facilitate transport of chair 10.
[0109] FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in
which a drawstring 170 is incorporated in a folding chair 160.
Chair 160 includes legs 165 and 166 pivotally attached at central
portions of legs 165 and 166 so legs 165 and 166 are, when the
folding chair is deployed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 21, in
a first "X" configuration illustrated in FIG. 21. Chair 160 also
includes legs 163 and 164 pivotally attached at central portions of
legs 163 and 164 so legs 163 and 164 are, when the folding chair is
deployed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 21, in a second "X"
configuration illustrated in FIG. 21. The first "X" configuration
comprising legs 165 and 166 is spaced apart from and generally
parallel to the second "X" configuration comprising legs 163 and
164. Chair 160 also includes rear legs 161 and 162.
[0110] Spherically shaped bushings 169 and 171 are fixedly secured
to legs 166 and 163, respectively, although in one embodiment of
the invention bushings 169, 171 can slide along legs 166 and 163,
respectively. Intermediate portions of drawstring 170 slidably
extend through arcuate apertures 176 and 177 formed through
bushings 169 and 171, respectively (FIG. 25). Each aperture 176,
177 permits intermediate portions of drawstring 170 to slide back
and forth through the aperture in the manner indicated by arrows N1
and N2 in FIG. 25. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the
art, legs 166 and 163 can be constructed in any desired manner or
any desired supplemental structure can be incorporated in or with
or attached to a leg 163, 166 to facilitate intermediate portions
of a drawstring 170 sliding around or past or through a leg 163,
166.
[0111] One end 168 of drawstring 170 is fixedly secured to a bottom
portion of leg 162. The other end 167 of drawstring 170 is fixedly
secured to a bottom portion of leg 161.
[0112] Drawstring 170, 150A, 181 can comprise a rope, a cable, a
length of chain links, etc. or any other elongate pliable structure
which can slide around or through or past a leg 162, 166.
[0113] Grasping drawstring 170 at a point between legs 163 and 166
and pulling drawstring 170 outwardly and upwardly in the direction
of arrow Y1 causes (1) intermediate portions of drawstring 170 to
slide through bushings 169 and 171, (2) legs 163 and 164 to pivot
with respect to one another so that the lower ends of legs 163, 164
(i.e., the ends near the ground) move toward one another and the
upper ends of legs 163, 164 (i.e., the ends near the seat of the
chair) move toward one another, and (3) legs 165 and 166 to pivot
with respect to one another so that the lower ends of legs 165 and
166 move toward one another, and the upper ends of legs 165 and 166
move toward one another. Consequently, when drawstring 170 is used
in this fashion, it facilitates collapsing chair 160 to a folded
configuration to transport chair 160. And, drawstring can be
utilized as a strap to carry chair 160.
[0114] FIGS. 22 to 24 illustrate another embodiment of the
invention in which a drawstring 181 is utilized to facilitate the
stowing and transport of a folding chair 180. Chair 180 includes
legs 186, 187, 188, and 189. Intermediate portions of legs 186 and
187 are pivotally attached so legs 186 and 187 are, when the
folding chair is deployed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 22, in
a first "X" configuration illustrated in FIG. 22. Chair 180 also
includes legs 188 and 189 pivotally attached at central portions of
legs 188 and 189 so legs 188 and 189 are, when the folding chair is
deployed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 22, in a second "X"
configuration illustrated in FIG. 22. The first "X" configuration
comprising legs 186 and 187 is spaced apart from and generally
parallel to the second "X" configuration comprising legs 188 and
189.
[0115] Spherically shaped bushings 184 and 185 are fixedly secured
to legs 187 and 188, respectively. Intermediate portions of
drawstring 181 slidably extend through arcuate apertures formed
through bushings 184 and 185, respectively. Each aperture formed
through a bushing 184, 185 permits intermediate portions of
drawstring 181 to slide back and forth through the aperture in the
manner indicated by arrows N1 and N2 in FIG. 25 with respect to
bushing 169. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art,
legs 187 and 188 can be constructed in any desired manner or any
desired supplemental structure can be incorporated in or with or
attached to a leg 187, 188 to facilitate intermediate portions of a
drawstring sliding around or past or through a leg 187, 188.
[0116] One end 182 of drawstring 181 is fixedly secured to a bottom
portion of leg 186. The other end 183 of drawstring 181 is fixedly
secured to a bottom portion of leg 189.
[0117] Drawstring 181 (or 150A) can comprise a rope, a cable, a
length of chain links, etc. or any other elongate pliable structure
which can slide around or past a leg 162, 166.
[0118] Grasping drawstring 181 at a point between legs 187 and 188
and pulling drawstring 181 outwardly and upwardly in the direction
of arrow Y2 causes (1) intermediate portions of drawstring 181 to
slide through apertures in bushings 184 and 185, (2) legs 186 and
187 to pivot with respect to one another so that the lower ends of
legs 186, 187 (i.e., the ends near the ground) move toward one
another and the upper ends of legs 186, 187 (i.e., the ends near
the seat of the chair) move toward one another, (3) legs 188 and
189 to pivot with respect to one another so that the lower ends of
legs 188 and 189 move toward one another, and the upper ends of
legs 188 and 189 move toward one another, (4) the back of the chair
to move toward the seat of the chair in the general direction
indicated by arrow T in FIG. 22, (5) the seat to move downwardly in
the direction of arrow U in FIG. 23 and arrow W in FIG. 24, (6)
rear legs 186 and 189 to move toward front legs 187 and 188 in the
direction indicated by arrow V in FIG. 23 and arrow Z in FIG. 24.
Consequently, when drawstring 181 is used in this fashion, it
facilitates collapsing chair 180 to a folded configuration to
transport chair 180. And, drawstring can be utilized as a strap to
carry chair 180.
[0119] In FIGS. 19 to 24 the drawstring 150A, 170, 181 extends only
partially around the arm or legs of a chair 10, 160, 180,
respectively. For example, drawstring 150A does not extend from arm
14 to arm 11; drawstring 170 does not extend from leg 161 to leg
162; and, drawstring 181 does not extend from leg 186 to leg 189.
As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a drawstring
150A, 170, 181 can, if desired, extend completely around the legs
or arms of a chair, much like the drawstring on the neck of a cloth
bag extends substantially entirely around the neck of the bag. If,
for example, drawstring 150A were to circumscribe completely arms
11 to 14, then (1) drawstring 150A would, in addition to extending
around arms 14, 13, 13, and 11 in the manner illustrated in FIG.
19, also extend between arms 11 and 14, and, (2) bushings 15 and 18
would each have channels formed therethrough to permit portions of
drawstring 150A to slide back and forth through the bushings; or,
instead of bushings 15 and 18, arms 11 and 14 and/or a structure
attached to or formed in arms 11 and 14 would permit portions of
drawstring 105A to slide around or through arms 11 and 14.
[0120] A drawstring 150A, 170, 181 may also, if desired, be fixedly
attached to only two arms, say arms 14 and 12 in FIG. 19, and
slidably extend around only a single arm, which single arm in FIG.
19 could be arm 13. Such a drawstring would still function to
facilitate folding chair 10 from the deployed orientation of FIG.
19 to the stowed orientation of FIG. 20.
[0121] Further, the ends of a drawstring 150A, 170, 181 may also,
if desired, each be fixedly attached to a pair of different arms,
say arms 12 and 13, and not extend around a third arm. In this
case, pulling the drawstring in the direction of arrow 154 would
function to draw arms 12 and 13 together and could function to fold
chair 10 from the deployed orientation to the stowed orientation of
FIG. 20. A drawstring 150A, 170, 181 can, as noted, be shaped and
dimensioned to function as a carry strap when a chair 10, 160, 180
is in a folded, stowed configuration like that illustrated in FIG.
20. If, in such a circumstance, the carry strap is simply intended
to be held in one hand, the drawstring may be relatively short. If,
on the other hand, the carry strap is intended to be used as a
shoulder strap, the drawstring may necessarily be longer so that it
will comfortably extend over a user's shoulder after the drawstring
has been used to fold a deployed chair into a stowed
configuration.
[0122] Having described our invention in such terms as to enable
those of skill in the art to make and practice it, and having
described the presently preferred embodiments thereof,
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