Swinging seat frame for mounting to any supportive vertical surface
A swinging seat frame of the type deriving support from a mounting bracket attached to a vertical surface. Frame to bracket connection is pivotal allowing the legless frame to swing laterally in relation to vertical surface. Mounting bracket (3.a) communicates with seat frame, using frame member (1.a) as axle receiver, secured to bracket (3.a) by axle (2.j) there by completing the pivotal mounting. Frame is constructed of materials that are structurally capable of supporting frame and occupant along with stresses related to swing motion. The mounting bracket (3.a) may be of two independent pieces to conform to an irregular mounting surface. Frame may use an exterior bracket (7.d) affixed to the frame. Frame bracket (7.d) is a mirror image of vertical surface mounting bracket (3.a) allowing frame bracket to rest on horizontal portions of bracket (3.a). Vertical surface mounting bracket (3.a) is secured to frame bracket (7.d) using axle (1.a) with retaining nuts (2.f and 2.g)
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/998,956, filed Jul. 14, 2014 by the present inventor.
FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCHNot Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNot Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of Invention
This invention provides legless seating that mounts on a vertical surface allowing occupant to swing laterally.
Prior Art
Traditional seating requires solid surfaces to support the legs of chairs and stools. The vertical surface mounting aspect of swinging seat frame eliminates this handicap. All that is needed is a solid vertical surface for support of the frame. The swinging seat frame allows occupants to change the proximity to adjacent occupants with ease. The swing motion is an arc determined by the length of the frame, which in turn is determined by the size of the table top. By the very nature of the arc movement, a circular table maintains a seat to table edge clearance over a longer range of the frames swinging motion making it ideal. Occupants can swing together, to one side of the table, apart, or any combination desired by the occupants. The rotating seats additionally allow face to face or back to back orientation, while the swinging motion allows seating proximity of each to be adjusted to any distance within the swinging limitations of frame, bracket and mounting. The design of this frame seat creates additional advantages beyond the novelty of its motion. Soft sand of the beach, coarse gravel, uneven turf, cobble stone, brick pavers, and textured concrete all have surfaces and or densities that present problems for seating with legs. The swinging legless design additionally has time and money saving benefits. Legs are obstructions restricting access for cleaning under seats and tables, a simple swing allows unrestricted access for sweeping and debris removal from underneath, repositioning after use or cleaning, and increasing open space when not in use by swinging to the side. The time saving features equate into cost savings in a commercial setting. A few minutes saved, several times per day is substantial. Its mounting to a wide variety of vertical surfaces allows an increase in seating inside and out at minimal cost. A single post erected in any supportive substrate will provide an increase of 4 to 6 seats. Interior or exterior walls in conjunction with a simple wall mounted counter top makes an economical option to increase seating, limited only by the length and strength of the structure. Food vendors using trucks and trailers would benefit by mounting frames to the side of their units allowing use without regard to the surface they park upon. Sandy areas around beach side restaurants and bars are prime areas to make use of this low environmental impact seating. They can be produced in many configurations and sizes to accommodate most any table size and application. Paint schemes and patterns along with decorative shapes can be added to enhance the decor in which the seating is placed. The open center of the frames may be used to display advertisements, art work, and logos with the insertion of support structure that meets the requirements of the addition(s). This adds value beyond the primary purpose of the swinging seat. Materials used for the seat may be of any substance sound enough to support both occupant and mount attachment, by post or post and plate. I see this in settings from the sandy beaches to restaurants, just about anywhere, in configurations to allow a seat with back rest or a saddle and stirrups. Movement while seated brings a smile to young and old alike, be it a swing in a park or a rocking chair on a porch. It's about fun.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGESAccordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are;
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- (a) to provide seating that is unaffected by soft and uneven terrain by eliminating legs;
- (b) to provide an economical solution to increase commercial seating;
- (c) to provide a fun seating option with curb appeal that attracts people to sit;
- (d) to provide seating than saves labor/time of repositioning for clean up;
- (e) to provide seating that will not be relocated by patrons;
- (f) to provide seating that needs no solid floor, reducing environmental impact;
- (g) to provide seats that allow occupants to swing together for intimate conversation;
- (h) to provide a near anywhere seating option, posts, walls, trees, vehicles, boulders, etc.;
- (i) to provide seats where occupants may swing, for a better view, for photographs;
- (j) to provide seating adaptable to a wide range of decorative motifs;
Further objects and advantages are the wide variety of surface treatments including but not limited to, paint, powder coat, textures, and anodizing colors available to meet artistic requirements. Use of industry standard seat mounting pattern, allows seat availability in a wide variety materials and colors, including private and licensed logos. The open areas of the frame lend it to be used for signs, art work, logos or novelties. The frame mounts being independent of the frame allow for customization to conform to any intended mounting surface. The frame is of simple design and uses structural internal braces placed at the most advantageous positions, with secondary braces that may be adjusted for appearance where structural integrity is not compromised.
SUMMARYIn accordance with the present invention Swinging seat frame designed to mount to any surface structurally sound enough to support seat and occupant, allowing lateral movement to adjacent seats as well as directional rotation.
In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
A preferred embodiment of the inventions frame is illustrated in
A preferred embodiment of a complete trapezoid shaped frame and mounting bracket consisting of 8 pieces of tube for the frame as shown in
The seat post preferred embodiment consist of a 6 inch by 6 inch steel plate ¼ inch thick with 4 seat mounting holes drilled 4¼ inches on center (industry standard). Post 2.n
Internal brace 1.f is attached to the top of axle tube 1.a measured at 45 degree angle to 1.a which puts its angle in relation to top tube 1.b also at 45 degrees. Internal brace 1.e is proportional to the length of the frame making its angle variable to frame length. Foot rests 1.g and 1.h may be positioned anywhere along tube 1.c's length with consideration of occupants comfort.
Frame assembly preferred embodiment
Operation—
Bracket 2.a is attached to a chosen support structure. The frame is attached to the bracket by inserting axle 2.j through the bracket 2.a while the frame tube (with flange bearings installed) is inserted into the bracket and aligned with the axle holes of the bracket and secured with retaining nuts 2.f and 2.g. Seat axle and plate with chosen seat are inserted into frame seat tube 1.d after the insertion of flange bearings 2.d and 2.e and secured with retaining nut 2.h.
Top frame tube 1.b may be cut to any length capable of supporting structure and occupant. The axle tube 1.a may be changed to any length that allows ground clearance and access to seat, while maintaining sufficient length to support the overall structure. Position and length of the other sections of the frame can be adjusted according to axle 1.a and top rail 1.b length. Material may be of aluminum and its alloys, steel, stainless steel, fiber glass, carbon fiber etc. Protective coatings may be paint, anodizing, powder coats, surface conversion treatments. The seats may be of any material that will support an occupant.
FIG. 7 Alternative EmbodimentsFrame tubing shapes may be of varied shapes such as but not limited to oval, square, rectangular, flat bar, angle and channel.
Advantages
From the description above numerous advantages of my swing seat become evident:
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- (a) Its adaptability to mount to any solid surface, existing or manufactured, mobile or stationary.
- (b) The ability to be used over areas unable to support seating with legs. On a sandy beach, gravel and stone lots, turf, or any irregular surface. The changing location of a mobile food truck is a prime example of the usefulness of this feature.
- (c) The legless feature provides unobstructed access seats, this feature facilitates clean up under and around seating.
- (d) The swinging feature provides occupants the ability to change their orientation, proximity to other occupants, their view, in a fun and easy manner, with a simple push or pull by hand or foot.
- (e) The ability to display advertising within the frames open areas, gives commercial advantages. Open areas of the frames may also be used decoratively, displaying licensed logos and trademarks.
- (f) The mounted seat in commercial settings, prevents the relocation by patrons, thus removing the time and cost of employees having to reset seating layouts. Even a few minutes a day will be substantial savings over time.
- (g) The seats lack of legs eliminates the need to alter the ground under the seating, thus lowering the environmental impact of using swinging seats.
Accordingly, the reader will see that the versatility of this swinging seat provides a wide variety of locations and uses. The uniqueness is a draw to people to sit, swing and enjoy. The near limitless choice of colors avail it to create primary decor additions, or to blend into an existing decor. Hospitality industry will find it an economical avenue to seat patrons in a wide variety of venues and locations. A post or pole gives the longest swing range, they are abundant in many desirable seating locations, such as docks and piers, poles of tiki huts, pergola supports. Additional advantages of the swinging seat frame are
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- it permits the user to place the seat in the extremely wide range of environments and locations within said environment.
- it permits seating height to be adjusted simply by altering the mounting height.
- it provides a solution for challenging seating situations.
- it provides a cost savings and timely solution often necessary to meet commercial demands.
- it is adaptable to many sizes and shapes of tables.
- it allows use of a wide range of commercially available seats and custom designed seats.
- Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example the frame size needs to protrude beyond the table edge to allow comfortable seating, thus the length of the frame must be adjusted. The use of wide seats and those with back supports necessitate the lowering of the top tube to allow ease of entry into the seat. The preferred embodiment for the frame is designed to support over 500 pounds, the structural support may be altered for aesthetic reasons within structural requirements.
- Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
Claims
1. A swinging seat frame of the type comprising a tubular frame pivotally mounted to a vertical surface
2. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein ferrous and alloys thereof are used in construction of said.
3. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein non-ferrous and alloys thereof are used in construction of said.
4. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein resin laminations are used in construction of said.
5. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein fiber reinforced plastics are used in construction of said.
6. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein axis of pivot is a integral member of said.
7. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein the axis of pivot of said is an external mounted bracket.
8. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein members of said are configured and affixed in form of a trapezoid.
9. Swinging seat frame of claim 8, wherein the parallel frame members of said serve as axle shaft receivers for frame and seat mounts respectively.
10. Swinging seat frame of claim 8, wherein the non-parallel frame members determine length of said
11. Swinging seat frame of claim 8, wherein internal bracing reinforces said.
12. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein frame consists of a single continuous member formed in “U” shape.
13. Swinging seat frame of claim 12, wherein the vertical members of said serve to mount frame to vertical surface and seat to frame respectively
14. Swinging seat frame of claim 12, wherein the horizontal member determines length of said.
15. Swinging seat frame of claim 1, wherein flanged sleeve bearings are utilized to reduce friction at pivotal points of said.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 24, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 29, 2016
Inventor: Kim Alden Horn (Eustis, FL)
Application Number: 14/748,382