Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Convertible Chair and Transport Device
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to chair devices that convert from
one mode to another and more particularly to a convertible chair, cart and
transport device.
Description of the Prior Art
Chairs with and without wheels are known in the art as are push dollies
and flat wagon type carts. Weldon in U.S. Patent No. 6,131,925 teaches a beach
chair that folds up into a cart designed to carry beach equipment. Weldon et
al.
in U.S. Patent No. 8,814,181 teach a base with wheels that accepts a foldable
beach chair. While these devices are useful, they do not serve the three-fold
purpose of acting as a multi-configured wheeled chair, a dolly and a flat
wagon
cart.
In a companion patent application published as U.S. 2018/0000252, we
teach a cart type convertible chair that resembles a commercial vertical
dolly.
It would be advantageous to have a device that overcomes the
shortcomings of the prior art foldable devices and provides all three modes of
operation.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheeled device that converts between a
multi-mode beach chair and a standard vertical dolly. It can also be used as a
flat 2-wheeled wagon. A rigid frame includes at least two parts coupled by
hinges, a first part (long part) that can fold to different lengths, and a
second part
(short part). There is a swiveling top handle on the end of the long part, and
a
swiveling bottom handle on the end of the short part. In a long chair mode,
the
long part is fully extended; in the short chair mode, it is folded and In the
dolly
mode, the short part forms the bottom of the dolly.
The present invention, in addition to being a basic convertible device, can
optionally be equipped with modern features such as a solar-powered USB port
charger. The invention also allows for different accoutrements (or models) for
specialized activities such as hunting, fishing, camping RV'ing, beach,
outdoor
sports, tailgating and the like. In the chair mode, the present invention can
have
multiple chair positions along with the ability to lie flat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
Attention is now directed to several figures that illustrate features of
embodiments of the present invention:
Figs. 1A-1B show a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention in the dolly mode. Fig. 1A shows an embodiment with rotating
hinges, while Fig. 1B shows an embodiment that telescopes.
Fig. 2 shows the long flat chair mode,
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Fig. 3 shows the short flat chair mode by folding the front section under.
Fig. 4 shows the reverse mode, long-back chair.
Fig. 5 shows the reverse mode, short back chair.
Fig. 6 shows the folded store-away mode.
Fig. 7 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in several
different modes, namely a low chair mode, a high chair mode, an upright
lounger mode and a flat lounger mode. This embodiment has wheels.
Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of Fig. 7 in an upright lounger mode,
in a reclined lounger mode.
Fig. 9 shows the embodiment of Fig. 7 in a low chair mode, in a high chair
mode.
Fig. 10 shows a top and side view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 in a flat
lounger mode.
Fig. 11 shows a side and perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 7 in
a cart mode.
Fig. 12 shows the embodiment of Fig. 7 totally folded with wheels and with
wheels removed.
Fig. 13 shows a second embodiment of the present invention in a fully
folded mode. This embodiment has no wheels.
Fig. 14 shows the embodiment of Fig. 13 in a high chair mode.
Fig. 15 shows the embodiment of Fig. 13 in a low chair mode.
Fig. 16 shows the embodiment of Fig. 13 in an upright lounger mode.
Fig. 17 shows the embodiment of Fig. 13 in a reclined lounger mode.
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Fig. 18 shows the embodiment of Fig. 13 in a flat lounger mode.
Fig. 19 shows leg attachment details for the embodiment of Fig. 13.
Fig. 20 shows the wheeled embodiment of Fig. 7 carrying several models
of the non-wheeled embodiment of Fig. 13
Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to aid in
understanding the present invention. The scope of the present invention is not
limited to what is shown in the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention relates to a convertible device that can become a
vertical dolly, a flat cart and a chair with different seat heights and
lengths. It also
relates to embodiments that have now wheels.
A first embodiment of present invention is equipped with at least two
wheels 4 attached to an elongated frame as shown in Figs. 1A, 1B and 2. The
frame can preferably be made from aluminum for lightness and strength;
however, any rigid material may be used. The long surface 11 on the frame 10
includes a canvas or other covering material. The frame includes a short chair
part 9 and a long telescoping part 9. There are two folding joints in the
frame - a
lower chair joint 7 and an upper handle joint 6. The lower chair joint 23 is
connected to a rotating leg portion 2. The upper handle joint 6 is connected
to a
rotating handle portion 4 with handle 3.
Figs. 1A-1B show what can be called the dolly mode of the device. The
preferred width of the wheel base is around 31 inches with the preferred width
of
the main frame being around 22-23 inches. While these are preferred sizes, any
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sizes are within the scope of the present invention. In the dolly mode, the
bottom
of the wheel 4 and the dolly foot 2 are flush with the ground when the dolly
is
simply standing. The dolly can be leaned backward slightly to roll forward.
Other
features shown in Figs. 1A-1B are that the handle 3 that can pivot from the
frame
on the joint 6. The device has a long surface 11 and a short surface 1.
The long surface 11 is supported by a first pair of rigid bars 10 that fold
around hinges in Fig. 1A and telescope in Fig. 1B forming a frame that is
attached to a pair of non-folding second bars 9 forming a secondary frame, and
short surface 23. The folded length of bars 10 is approximately the same as
the
length of bars 9. The non-folded length of bars 10 is approximately twice the
length of bars 9. The bars 10 and bars 9 are connected through a rotating
hinge
or joint 22 so that they can be adjusted to different angles with respect to
one-
another including completely folding the two frames flat against each other
for
storage. The wheels 4 are also rigidly attached to this joint. The long and
short
surfaces 11 and 23 respectively can be covered with a flexible material like
canvas, or they can be made from slats or any other surface material.
The first frame formed by the bars 10 connect to an approximately
rectangular handle made from bars 3 and 4 that can rotate about a hinge 6 with
respect to the bars 10. The second frame formed by the bars 9 connect to a
second approximately rectangular handle or foot made from bars 5 and 2 that
can rotate about a second hinge 24.
Fig. 2 shows the long flat chair mode. The long surface 11 forms a
continuous beach chair. The short surface 1 forms the back of the chair. What
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was the dolly foot 2 is now part of a handle along with is connector 5. What
was
the dolly handle 3 is not a front leg that swivels on front bar 12. Two arms
13 run
from the rear vertical frame forward, and are anchored by descending supports
15. The arms 13 can be optionally equipped with drink holders 14 which can
also double as ash trays.
Fig. 3 shows the short flat chair mode. The long surface 11 is split into
two parts ha and 11b, with lib folded under 11a. The frame 10, in addition to
telescoping, also rotates about a hinge 20 to form the fold. The other
features
are the same as the long flat chair mode shown in Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 shows the reverse mode, long-back chair. Here, the device is
flipped into what resembles dolly mode; however the seat 1 is higher than the
other chair mode, and the back 11 forms a long, tall back.
Fig. 5 shows the reverse mode, short-back chair mode, made by from the
long-back mode by simply folding the upper part of the long back 11 behind the
chair leaving a short chair back 11a.
Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention folded for storage or
transport. In this mode, the wheels 4 are optionally removable for
convenience.
Some embodiments have non-removable wheels. Also, in some embodiments,
the arms 13 are also removable.
Numerous accessories may be used with the present invention. They can
include, but are not limited to, the solar-powered USB charger previously
discussed; fishing rod holders; large bungee straps to hold everything on
cart;
wagon sides; hooks on back of chair to hang or hold towels/hats/etc.; storage
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compartment or compartments; shade canopy; umbrella holder; removable seat
cushions; and an extension at seat base (leg support) to convert chair to a
lounger.
In summary, in this embodiment, the device has a rigid base frame that
includes two equal length, folding approximately parallel first bar members
(10),
having a central first pair of rotatable hinges (30) allowing a folded
configuration
and an un-folded configuration, where the distance between the first bar
members in the folded configuration is approximately equal to their folded
length,
and where the unfolded length is approximately double the folded length; the
first
bar members each have a distal end and a proximal end.
The device also has a rigid secondary frame also having a proximal and
distal end that includes two equal length second parallel bar members (9) of
length approximately equal to the folded length of the first bar members
rotatably
attached to the distal ends of the first bar members through a second pair of
rotating hinges (22) at the proximal end of the second bar members. In
addition,
the device has a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to extension arms (25) that
are
rigidly attached to the first rotatable hinges (22) left and right.
The device has a dolly mode, a long flat chair mode, a short flat chair
mode, a reversed tall back chair mode, a reversed short back chair mode, and a
folded mode. In the dolly mode, the first bar members are in the un-folded
mode
forming a vertical back for the device; the second bar members are
approximately perpendicular to the first bar members, and the second handle
forms a lower foot for the device. In the long flat chair mode, the first and
second
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bar members are configured as in the dolly mode, and the second bar members
for a back for the device, while the first handle forms a lower foot for the
device.
In the short flat chair mode, the first bar members are in a folded
configuration,
the second bar members are approximately perpendicular to the first bar
members; the second bar members form a back for the device, and a pair of
descending legs (15) form a lower foot for the device. In the reversed tall
back
chair mode, the first bar members and the second bar members are configured
as in the dolly mode with the first bar members forming a long chair back for
the
device and the second handle forming a lower foot for the device. In the
reversed short back chair mode, the first bar members are in the folded
configuration forming a short chair back for the device, and the second bar
members and second handle are configured as in the tall back chair mode. In
the folded mode, the first bar members are in the folded configuration, the
second bar members are approximately parallel to the first bars, and the first
and
second handles are folded and also approximately parallel to the first bar
members.
Fig. 7 shows a different embodiment of the invention. Four different
modes of the unit with wheels can be seen, namely a low chair mode, a high
chair mode, an upright lounger mode and a flat lounger mode. Fig. 8 shows the
two configurations of the lounger mode, namely with an upright back or a
reclined
back. Fig. 9 shows the beach/field chair mode of this embodiment. These
configurations can be selected by simply flipping the folding mechanism on the
chair. Fig. 10 shows the frame of the flat lounger mode of this embodiment.
Fig.
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11 shows a cart mode for this embodiment. Finally, Fig. 12 shows this
embodiment folded.
Fig. 13 shows a different embodiment of the invention with no wheels. The
chair is fully folded in Fig. 13 and can be stored in that mode. Fig. 14 shows
this
embodiment in a high chair mode, while Fig. 15 shows it in a low chair mode.
Again, switching from one mode to another only requires moving the adjustable
hinges to different positions. Fig. 16 shows this embodiment in an upright
lounger mode, while Fig. 17 shows it in a reclined lounger mode. Fig. 18 shows
it in a flat lounger mode.
Fig. 19 shows a particular way of attaching the fixed legs of the
embodiment of Fig. 13. While this is one way of attaching them, any method or
technique for attaching the fixed legs is within the scope of the present
invention.
Fig. 20 shows the embodiment of Fig. 7 in cart mode carrying three
models of the embodiment of Fig. 13. This figure demonstrates the utility of
cart
mode.
Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid in
understanding the present invention. One with skill in the art will realize
that
numerous changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit
of the invention. Each of these changes and variations is within the scope of
the
present invention.
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