U.S. patent application number 14/716065 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-27 for folding stool.
The applicant listed for this patent is HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to CHUN-JUNG CHANG, WEN-HSIUNG CHANG, BO HUANG, YUE-JIAN LI, CHEN-SHEN LIN, JUN-XIAO LIU, HONG-ZHAO QI, CAI-HUA WANG.
Application Number | 20160309903 14/716065 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57147083 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160309903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUANG; BO ; et al. |
October 27, 2016 |
FOLDING STOOL
Abstract
A folding stool includes a pair of table surface sections, a
pair of leg sections, and a pivot member. The pair of table surface
sections is connected to each other by the pivot member, and the
pair of leg sections supports the pair of table surface sections.
Each leg section includes a bottom and a top, and the top resists
against the table surface section. The folding stool is made of
aluminum and magnesium alloy, further includes a plurality of first
connecting members and a plurality of second connecting members.
Each table surface section includes a first connecting hole and a
second connecting hole, and each leg section includes a third
connecting hole and a fourth connecting hole. The first connecting
member is connected between first connecting hole and the third
connecting hole, and the second connecting member is connected
between second connecting hole and the fourth connecting hole.
Inventors: |
HUANG; BO; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; LIU; JUN-XIAO; (Shenzhen, CN) ; QI;
HONG-ZHAO; (Shenzhen, CN) ; WANG; CAI-HUA;
(Shenzhen, CN) ; LI; YUE-JIAN; (Shenzhen, CN)
; LIN; CHEN-SHEN; (New Taipei, TW) ; CHANG;
WEN-HSIUNG; (New Taipei, TW) ; CHANG; CHUN-JUNG;
(New Taipei, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD. |
Shenzhen
New Taipei |
|
CN
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
57147083 |
Appl. No.: |
14/716065 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 4/28 20130101; A47C
4/04 20130101; A47C 9/10 20130101; A47C 12/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47C 12/00 20060101
A47C012/00; A47B 3/087 20060101 A47B003/087; A47C 4/04 20060101
A47C004/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 21, 2015 |
CN |
201510189832.7 |
Claims
1. A folding stool comprising: a pair of table surface sections; a
pivot member; and a pair of leg sections configured to support the
pair of table surface sections; wherein the pair of table surface
sections is connected with each other by the pivot member, each leg
section comprises a bottom and a top opposite to the bottom, and
the top resists against the corresponding table surface section;
wherein each table surface section comprises a first connecting
hole away from the pivot member and a second connecting hole
adjacent to the pivot member, the top of each leg section defines a
third connecting hole, and a fourth connecting hole is positioned
between the top and the bottom; and wherein the folding stool
further comprises a plurality of first connecting members and a
plurality of second connecting members, two ends of each first
connecting member are rotationally connected to the first
connecting hole and the third connecting hole respectively, and two
ends of each second connecting member are rotationally connected to
second connecting hole and the fourth connecting hole
respectively.
2. The folding stool as claimed in claim 1, wherein each table
surface section further comprises a top plate and two sidewalls
perpendicular to top plate, and two ends of each sidewall,
respectively define a first connecting hole and a second connecting
hole.
3. The folding stool as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bottom
comprises a standing surface configured for contacting the ground
and a plurality of parallel strengthening portions, and the
plurality of parallel strengthening portions are perpendicularly
connected to standing surface.
4. The folding stool as claimed in claim 3, wherein each
strengthening portion is substantially triangular, and a side of
the strengthening portion is attached to the standing surface.
5. The folding stool as claimed in claim 4, wherein the top
comprises two protuberances configured to abut the top plate.
6. The folding stool as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third
connecting hole is positioned on the top adjacent to the
protuberances, and engaged with the first connecting hole.
7. The folding stool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fourth
connecting hole is sandwiched between the bottom and the top, and
engaged with the second connecting hole.
8. The folding stool as claimed in claim 1, wherein each leg
section further comprises a handle adjacent to the top.
9. The folding stool as claimed in claim 8, wherein a holding
portion is defined on an inner surface of the handle, and the
holding portion is ergonomically designed.
10. The folding stool as claimed in claim 1, wherein an angle
between the two leg sections is in correlation with relationship
between the first connecting member and the second connecting
member.
11. The folding stool as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of
the second connecting member is larger than that of the first
connecting member.
12. A folding stool comprising: first and second table surface
sections pivotally mounted to each other; first and second leg
sections each having a top and bottom, and pivotally connected to
the first and second table surface sections, respectively; and the
first and second table surface sections and the first and second
leg sections being moveable relative to each other to establish at
least first, second, third and fourth positions, wherein: the first
position is a deployed position in which said first and second
table surfaces are substantially parallel, the first and second leg
sections abut the first and second tables surface sections, and the
tops of the first and second table leg sections are closer together
than the bottoms. the second position is a first partially
collapsed position in which the tops of the first and second leg
sections are spaced from the first and second table surface
sections, and the bottoms of the first and second table leg
sections are closer together than the tops; the third position is a
second partially collapsed position in which the first and second
leg sections are parallel to the first and second table surface
sections, respectively, and the bottoms of the first and second
table leg sections are closer together than the tops; and the
fourth position is a fully collapsed position, in which the first
and second leg sections and the first and second table surfaces are
all parallel, and the first and second table surface sections abut
each other.
13. The folding stool of claim 12, wherein in the third and fourth
position the tops of the first and second leg sections extend
beyond the table surfaces and define a grip by which the folding
stool can be carried.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The subject matter herein generally relates to an apparatus
upon which to sit or stand or support an object, and particularly
to a folding stool.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is often desirable to have a foldable and portable stool
that may be easily transported from one place to another and used
in a variety of outdoor conditions. It is also convenient to
provide a portable stool that may be reduced to a small size for
ease of carrying and storage. Folding stools have been developed in
the past.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Implementations of the present technology will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached
figures.
[0004] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a folding
stool.
[0005] FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the folding stool
of FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the folding stool, showing
the initial folding state of the folding stool of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the folding stool, showing
the middle folding state of the folding stool of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the folding stool, showing
the final folding state of the folding stool of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been
repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or
analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described
herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, methods, procedures and components have not been
described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant
feature being described. Also, the description is not to be
considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described
herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the
proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better
illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.
[0010] Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure
will now be presented.
[0011] The term "substantially" is defined to be essentially
conforming to the particular dimension, shape or other word that
substantially modifies, such that the component need not be exact.
For example, substantially cylindrical means that the object
resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a
true cylinder. The term "comprising" when utilized, means
"including, but not necessarily limited to"; it specifically
indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described
combination, group, series and the like.
[0012] The present disclosure is described in relation to a folding
stool.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an embodiment of a
folding stool 100. The folding stool 100 can include a pair of
table surface sections 10, a pair of leg sections 20, a plurality
of connecting members 30, and a pivot member 40. The pair of table
surface sections 10 can have a same shape, first and second table
surface sections 10 can be pivotally mounted to each other by the
pivot member 40. The pair of leg sections 20 can have the same
shape, and can be configured to support the corresponding table
surface sections 10. First and second leg section 20 can be
pivotally connected to the first and second table surface sections,
respectively. The table surface section 10 can be connected to the
leg section 20 by the plurality of connecting members 30. In the
illustrated embodiment, there is an acute angle between the pair of
leg sections 20, when the folding stool 100 is unfolded. The
folding stool 100 can be stable, and the folding stool 100 can have
a larger bearing capacity than traditional stools.
[0014] The FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded, isometric view of the
folding stool 100. Each table surface section 10 can include a top
plate 11, and two sidewalls 12 perpendicular to top plate 11. The
top plate 11 can be substantially rectangular, and the two
sidewalls 12 can be respectively corresponding to two parallel
edges of the top plate 11. Two ends of each sidewall 12,
respectively define a first connecting hole 121 and a second
connecting hole 122. The first connecting hole 121 can be adjacent
to the pivot member 40 (shown in FIG. 1), and the second connecting
hole 122 can be positioned apart from pivot member 40 (shown in
FIG. 1) and opposite to the first connecting hole 121.
[0015] Each leg section 20 can be substantially rectangular, and
include a bottom 21, a top 22 opposite to the bottom 21, a third
connecting hole 23, and a fourth connecting hole 24. The bottom 21
can include a standing surface 211 configured for contacting the
ground and a plurality of parallel strengthening portions 212. The
plurality of parallel strengthening portions 212 can be
perpendicularly connected to standing surface 211. Each
strengthening portion 212 can be substantially triangular, and a
side of each strengthening portion 212 can be attached to the
standing surface 211. The top 22 can include two protuberances 221
configured to abut the top plate 11. The third connecting hole 23
can be positioned on the top 22 adjacent to the protuberances 221,
and can be engaged with the first connecting hole 121. The fourth
connecting hole 24 can be sandwiched between the bottom 21 and the
top 22, and can be engaged with the second connecting hole 122. The
width of the leg section 20 can be less than the distance between
the two sidewalls 12, therefore the leg section 20 can
diametrically resist against the top plate 11. Further, the leg
section 20 can be latched between the two sidewalls 12, which can
improve the stability of the folding stool 100.
[0016] Each leg section 20 can further include a handle 25 adjacent
to the top 22, making it convenient to carry the folding stool 100
when in its collapsed position (FIG. 5). A holding portion 251 can
be defined on an inner surface of the handle 25, and the holding
portion 251 can be ergonomically designed , to make the folding
stool 100 be comfortably carried.
[0017] The plurality of connecting members 30 can be divided into
two parts, a plurality of first connecting members 31 and a
plurality of second connecting members 32. Each first connecting
member 31 and each second connecting member 32 can be substantially
bar-shaped. Two ends of the each first connecting member 31 can be
rotationally connected to the first connecting hole 121 and the
third connecting hole 23, and two ends of the second connecting
member 32 can be rotationally connected to second connecting hole
122 and the fourth connecting hole 24. The plurality of connecting
members 30 can be connected to an inner surface of the sidewalls
12, the plurality of connecting members 30 can be covered by the
sidewalls 12 upon the folding stool 100 being folded, so the
folding stool 100 can have a good appearance.
[0018] A length of the second connecting member 32 can be larger
than that of the first connecting member 31. The angle between the
two leg sections 20 can be in correlation with relationship between
the first connecting member 31 and the second connecting member 32.
So any angle between the two leg sections 20 can be achieved, just
by adjusting the relationship between the first connecting member
31 and the second connecting member 32.
[0019] The folding stool 100 can further include a plurality of
rivets (not shown), and an diameter of each rivet can be
respectively equal to the first connecting hole 121, the second
connecting hole 122, the third connecting hole 23, and the fourth
connecting hole 24. The plurality of connecting members 30 can be
connected to the table surface sections 10 and the leg sections 20
by the plurality of rivets. The folding stool 100 can be made of
the aluminum and magnesium alloy, so the folding stool 100 can be
lighter than traditional folding stools.
[0020] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate that two handles 25 can be pulled away
from each other by a user, if the folding stool 100 needs to be
folded. The leg sections 20 can be attached to the corresponding
top plates 11. The first connecting member 31 can be rotated 180
degrees around the first connecting hole 121, and the second
connecting member 32 can be rotated a predetermined angel around
the second connecting hole 122. The second connecting member 32 can
be adjacent to the inner surface of the corresponding sidewall 12.
Then, two table surface sections 10 can be rotated opposite to each
other, and the two table surface sections 10 can be contacted. Two
handles 25 can be aligned with each other, and it is convenient to
carry the folding stool 100.
[0021] If the folding stool 100 needs to be unfolded the user can
pull two handles 25 in opposite directions. The two table surface
sections 10 can rotated away from each other, and the angle of the
two table surface sections 10 can be 180 degrees. Then, the leg
sections 20 can be oriented away from the corresponding top plates
11, and the protuberance 221 of the top 22 can press against the
top plates 11. The first connecting member 31 can be adjacent to
the inner surface of the corresponding sidewall 12.
[0022] The first and second table surface sections 10 and the first
and second leg sections 20 can be moveable relative to each other
to establish at least first, second, third and fourth positions.
The first position is a deployed position in which said first and
second table surfaces 10 are substantially parallel, the first and
second leg sections 20 abut the first and second tables surface
sections 10, and the tops 22 of the first and second table leg
sections 20 are closer together than the bottoms 21. The second
position is a first partially collapsed position in which the tops
22 of the first and second leg sections 20 are spaced from the
first and second table surface sections 10, and the bottoms 21 of
the first and second table leg sections 20 are closer together than
the tops 22. The third position is a second partially collapsed
position in which the first and second leg sections 20 are parallel
to the first and second table surface sections 10, respectively,
and the bottoms 21 of the first and second table leg sections 20
are closer together than the tops 22. The fourth position is a
fully collapsed position, in which the first and second leg
sections 20 and the first and second table surfaces 10 are all
parallel, and the first and second table surface sections 10 abut
each other. In the third and fourth position, the tops 22 of the
first and second leg sections 20 extend beyond the table surfaces
10 and define a grip by which the folding stool 100 can be
carried.
[0023] A volume of the folding stool 100 can be same as that of two
table surface sections 10, the folding stool 100 is folded, so it
can be easily carried by a user. The folding stool 100 only
includes three kinds of structural elements, so it is easy to
assemble the folding stool 100. As the folding stool 100 is made of
the aluminum and magnesium alloy, the folding stool 100 can be
lighter than traditional folding stools, and it can also increase
the weight bearing capacity of the folding stool 100.
[0024] The embodiments shown and described above are only examples.
Many details are often found in the art such as the other features
of a folding stool. Therefore, many such details are neither shown
nor described. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages
of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing
description, together with details of the structure and function of
the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and
changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape,
size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the
present disclosure up to, and including, the full extent
established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the
claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments
described above may be modified within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *