Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BII~CI~GROUND OF T~IE INVENTION~
.
1. Field of the Invention:
Tllis invention relates to portable, collapsible
furniture such as might be used for camping, sports events,
or furnishing in casual areas of the home. More
particularly, the folding chair relates to hinged frame
chairs with foldable fabric webs ~hich fold to compact size
for storage and transport.
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2. General Back~round:
I~lding chai,rs are used in a ~ide variety of
applications whenever seating must be compacted for
transport or storage and erected for use in different
locations. Folding chairs have proven useful for such
activities as camping, viewing parades, and extra seating
abut the home. Portable folding chairs allo~ persons of
advanced age or those with medical infirmities greater
mo~ility and enjoyment in attending activities a~ay from
home simply because personal seating is available when
desire~.
t~any types of folding chairs have been developed in the
past but have proven to be less than satisfactory due to
their uncomfortable nature ~hen erect. Many chairs have
; small seat or back surfaces which make sitting for even
short periods uncomfortable. Often seat and back surfaces
of ~olding chairs are perched upon small base frames whlch
place the occupant in peril of capsize ~ith even the
sliglltest movement. Folding chairs are also difficult to
erect or collapse without consiaerable a~k~ard time
consuming effort by one or more persons. Folding chairs
~hich manage to overcome these disadvantages usually fold
. ~
; into unusual shapes which are difficult to transport or
store due to their size or loose dangling components. The
geometric configuration of a number of folding chairs also
fails to allo~ the use of materials of sufficient size and
shape to prevent even slight overloading, unavoidable
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misuse, or ~ear from severly damaging the folding or seating
cl~aracteri~tics of;the chair.
I~or example, U. S. Patent No. 1,977,766 teaches the use
of a single standard to support the seat and bac}; of the
chair. This allows for an awkward seating position due to
the mallner in ~hich the back must be positioned over the
se~t. The single standard design further requires that the
folded chair be of considerable length for storage and of
unstable geometric design.
The Arnold U.S. Patent No. 2,871,921, entitled
"Collapsible Folding Chair," shows a airector-type chair
having a fabric-type seat having A-frame-type side portions.
l'he French Patent No. i,ll2,257 shows a chair having four
cross brace frames. Other patents which show generall~
chair constructions include the Bauer U.S. Patent No,
1,808,201; the ilarber U.S. Patent No. 2,638,970; the
Moreland U.S. Patent No. 2,B20,509; the Crandall U.S. Patent
No. 398,943: the Dryden U.S. Patent No. 3,000,667: the
Watkins U.S. Patent No. 4,118,065) the Roher et al. U.S.
Patent No. 3,635,520; the Connor U.S. Patent No. 2,192,672~
the ~1cQuilkin U.S. Patent No. 2,713,385: and the Lorenz U.S.
Patent No. 2,894,564.
The above paragraph lists patents which ~ere cited
during the prosecution o~ the parent application of this
applicationl U.S. Serial No. 818,213, filed January 13,
l9B6, and now U.S. Patent No. 4,717,201, issued January 5,
l9B8.
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A construction in accordance with the present
invention which comprises a folding chair which can be
collapsed for storage and erected to provide seating
and the like. The folding chair comprises left and
right frames r each comprising front and rear legs which
are connected together at their upper level portions
with a pivot connection; tensile means for defining the
degree of rotation of each leg about the pivot
connection; fore and aft, folding cross braces, each
forming connections respectively between the front legs
of each side frame and the rear legs of each side frame
and including cross brace jointed struts that can fold
upon each other and simultaneously shorten so that the
cross bracing means and side frames can simultaneously
fold together with a bundle defining a folded position
which generally aligns both legs of each side frame and
both cross braces of each cross brace. Handle means are
provided which are attached at spaced positions when
unfolded to the fore and aft cross bracing respectively
for folding the cross bracing and the side frames into
the "folded" storage position. A seat is supported by
the side frames, and includes means for locking the
jointed cross braces into an operative position when
the chair is in use.
More specifically the folding chair of the
invention solves the aforementioned problems by a
unique hinged A-frame structure with a seat and back
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attached to the A-frame. The structure provides a
spacious, comfortable seat and back positioned between
the A-frames so that the A-frames provide an arm rest
and enhanced stability. The seat rotates about the
A-frame to provide substantially compact storage within
the length of the A-frames. Once the seat is rotated on
the A-frames the chair may be folded simply by lifting
a strap connected to cross bracing between the
A-frames. The cross bracing features two longer braces
connected near a central point. Each cross brace is a
two-part strut having a smaller upper portion which
folds to shorten the overall brace when the chair
folds. During folding, the cross braces pivot and
collapse into linear alignment with each A-frame which
also collapses into linear alignment. The geometric
configuration of the chair allows the strength of
materials in each member of the seat, cross bracing and
A-frames to be used to optimum advantage. This leads to
further stability of the chair in the erected position,
greater endurance, greater resistance to overloading,
and decreased weight.
Collapsible webbing between the A-frames
prevents the legs of the A-frames from spreading
beyond a certain distance during erection and use
of the chair. Members supporting collapsible
material of the seat connect to the A-frame
on each side when the seat is erected so that the
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~eb of the seat will support the weight of a person and
retain its erect shape.
~lhe manner in which the A-frames, cross bracing, and
seat combine provide a chair which is more stable, more
easily collapsible, more easily portable, and of a greater
strengtll to ~eight ratio than to other folding chairs.
The present invention provides an improved folding
chair having a locking arrangement ~hich rigidly affixes the
cross bracing of the chair when the seat portion of the
chair is folded into an operative sitting position. ~n
improved construction allows a camber or inclination to be
incorporated into the legs of the chair so that heavier
loads can be carried.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~INGS:
better understanding of the invention can be o~tained
~hen the detailed description of the preferred embodiment
set forth below is considered in conjunction ~itl- the
following drawings, in which:
l~ig. 1 is a perspective view of the folding chair in
the erect position;
.; ~.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the folding chair
illustrating the manner in ~hich the seat and back pivot on
the A-frame as the chair is folded;
Yig, 3 illustrates the manner in which the cross
bracing and A-frames fold;
.,
;
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Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, perspective view ~hich
illustrates the catch bet~een the seat frame members and the
legs of the frame:
Fig. 5 is a perspective view ~hich illustrates the
preferred embo~iment of the apparatus of the -present
invelltion in the folded position;
Fig. 6 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of
tlle appar~tus of the pre~ent invention~
Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of the preferred
em~odiment of the apparatus of the present invention
illustrating the cross brace strut in a locked position: and
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the preferred
embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention in a
collapsed-unlocked position.
DÆSCI~IPTION OF TI~E PnEFERRED EMBODIMENT:
Figures 1-3 and 5-6 generally depicts the folding chair
10 of the instant invention. Folding chair 10 has a left 12
an~ right 14 A-frame ~hich are held apart in the erected
position by front 16 and rear 18 cross braces. A surface 20
for sitting and the like is made of a seat 22 and back 24
wllicll are pivotally connected to the A-frame 12, 14. In the
pxeferred embodiment the pivotal connection at the cro~n of
each A-frame 12, 14, forms an arm rest 30. For purposes of
illustration, the arm rest 30 is only shown on the A-frame
2512. Each A-frame 12, 14 has an arm rest 30.
~.ach arm res~ 30 has a top surface 32 made of ~ood or
_ . . .
other materials comfortable for use as an arm rest. As
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il]ustrated in Fig. 3, a flange 34 protrudes from the bottom
of the u~)per surfa~e 32 to which the front 26 and rear 28
leg oE each A-frame 12, 14 is pivotally attached. The
~-frames 12, 14 and arm rests may be attached to the flange
34 by common means such as threaded nuts and bolts. ~ebbing
36 is connected between the front 26 and rear 28 leg of each
~-frame 12, 14 at a preferred position belo~ seat 22.
Webbing 36 is a foldable, fiexible, generally inextensible
material ~llich can be attached to tlle front leg 26 and rear
ley 2B by appropriate means known in the art.
The front cross brace 16, comprises a first strut
member 38 and second strut member 40. The rear cross member
18 comprises a first strut member 42 an second strut member
44. The strut members 38, 40, of front 16 cross brace are
pivotally connected near their mid-portions at a pinned
conllection by suitable means such as a nut and bolt at
pivotal connection 46. The lo~er end of first member 38 is
pivotally connected to the lower end of the front leg 26 of
left A-frame 12. Similarly, the lower end 40a of second
strut member 40 of front cross brace 16 is pivotally
conllected to the lower end of the front leg 26 of right
~-frame 14. Likewise, the lower end 42a of first strut
member 42 is pivotally connected to the lower end of left
~-frame 12, and the lower end 44a of second strut member 44
of rear cross brace 18 is pivotally connected to the lower
end of the rear leg 28 of ri~ht A-frame 14.
The upper strut ends 38b, 42b, 40b, 44b are links
_ . .
forming a connection between the A-frames 12, 14 and the
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lec3s generally opposite tl~e lower strut ends 38a, ~Oa, 42a,
44a.
Seat 22 is comprised of ~oldable material S2 affixed to
spaced apart seat frame members 54. Back 24 is composed of
fol~lable material 56 affixed to two back frame members 58.
The seat frame members 5~ are pivotally joined to the back
frame members 58 by suitable means such as pin 60. Pin 60
places the pivot point of the seat 22 to the rear of the
~-~rames 12, 14. Back frame members 58 are connected
pivotally at the bottom to the rear A-frame legs 28 by using
lot~er back sleeve 62. Lower back sleeve 62 can easily slide
up and down A-frame leg 28, and is attached to leg 28 by
appropriate means known in the art. The back frame members
5~ are also connected pivotally to the front A-frame legs 26
by using back sleeve 64. The upper back sleeve can easily
slide up and down the back frame member 58. The pivotal
connection between upper back sleeves 64 and the front
A-frame le~s 26 at the front fastener of brace 34. Members
5~ align with the rear A-frame members 28 when the seat 22
an~ back 24 slide do~n along the A-frame members 28 so the
chair may be fully collapsed. Also the elongated bar 66
serves as a supportive member when the chair is erected in
keeping the back frame members 58 from moving inward or
backward when pressure is applied to the back 24.
Each of the seat support frame members 54 also have a
catch 68 which allows each seat frame member to be attached
to tlle front leg 26 and the rear leg 28 of the ~-frame
_,
proximate to each seat support frame member 54. Figure 4
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130i6;~3
more clearly illustrates lock-catch 68 comprising a large
head bolt 68a. Thie bolt 68a is placed on the seat frame
mem~er 54 such that its head 68b will fit into and engage a
slot 68c in lock 68. A portion of the leg 26 is recessed
bellilld the sleeve-lock 48 in order to accommodate tlle scre~
head 68b. The catches 68 retain seat support frame members
54 in a position near the left 12 and right 14 A-frame when
~eiyht is applied to seat 22 and allow seat 2~ to be
released so that it will rotate on pin 60 to the storage
position. The seat members 54 lock the upper strut members
38b, 40b, 42b, 44b in an operative position as shown in
Fi~ure 7 so that the upper and lo~er strut portions are
generally aligned. In Figure 8, a inoperative position is
sho~n as the strut portions 38a, 38b are being folded.
Struts 40, 42, 44 similarly fold as the strut 38 illustrated
in Figure 8.
The rotational alignment of seat frame members 54, back
frame members 58, and arm rest 32 should be noted. Arm rest
32 prevents rotation of bac~ support frame members 58 to~ard
tlle cro~n of the left 12 and right 14 A-frames once the back
56 reaches a generally vertical and upright position. Tlle
distance bet~een seat frame members 54 is narrower than the
~,idth bet~een the left 12 and 14 A-frames. Seat support
members 54 are free to rotate past the crown of left 12 and
right 14 A-frames to a horizontal position so that they can
be locked by catches 68 on the front legs 26 and rear leg 28
_ of the A-frames 12, 14.
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In order to fold the chair from the erect position
illustrated in Figùre 1 to the compact position illustrated
in Figures 3 and 5 one initially releases the seat support
frame members 54 upwardly and rotates the seat support frame
clock~ise as illustrated in Figure 3. The seat 22 and back
24 as a unit ~ill then slide do~n the rear A-frame legs 28
to tlle storage position as illustrated in Figure 5. The
struts 38, 40, 42, 44 are then folded as sho~n in Figures 3
alld 8. Note that the length of seat support frame members
54 and back support frame members 58, and cross bracing
members 38, 40, 42, 44 is such that in the storage or folded
position they do not extend in length beyond the legs 26, 2B
of the A-frames 12, 14 for compact storage. The cross brace
struts 38, 40, 42, 44 do not need to be as long as the legs
26, 28, so that the the chair 10 can be more compact and
more stable. The chair seat width can be greater as
compared to the length of the legs and a camber or
inclination can be imparted to the legs ~Figure 6).
A 1exible handle 70, extends between opposite members
of tl~e front 16 and rear 18 cross braces. As illustrated in
~igure 3, flexible handle 70 extends bet~een the upper
portion of the second cross member 40 and the upper portion
of the first strut cross member 42, but may extend between
members 38 and 44. Lifting the flexible handle 70
vertically causes the front 16 and rear 18 cross members to
collapse ~hile drawing the left 12 and right 14 ~-frames
_ together, and further drawing the front 26 and rear 28 legs
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of ~he ~-frame together. When collapsed, the folding chair
assulnes the positio~ illustrated in Figure 5.
In order to erect the chair from the collapsed position
of Fi~ure 5 an operator need merely grasp the handles 32 and
separate the left 12 and right 14 A-frames the maximum width
allo~ed by tlle front 16 and rear 18 cross braces and the
flexi~le fabric of seat 22 and back 24. The operator then
spreads the front legs 26 and rear legs 28 of the A-frames
12, 14 to the extent allowed by A-frame webbing 36.
Yinally, the operator lifts the seat 22 and back 24 into the
position of Figure 1, such that back frame members 58 press
against arm rest 32 and seat support frame members 54 lock
itl tlle upper strut portions 38b, 40b, 42b, 44b (See Figure
7 )
The folding chair as illustrated is composed of wood
and fabric materials, and connected by nuts and bolts.
~o~ever, the foregoing disclosure and description of the
invention are illustrative and explanatory, and various
changes in size, shape and materials, as ~ell as in the
details of the illustrated method o folding and erecting
the chair, ard details of construction, may be made witllout
departing from the spirit of the invention. ~11 such
changes and variations are contemplated as falling ~ithin
the scope of the appended claims.
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