GAME PLATFORM FOR FOLDING CHAIR

Abstract

A game platform may have a playing surface and an opposing back surface. The game platform may be rigid or pliable. Fasteners may be used to connect the game platform to the legs of an inverted chair. The fasteners may be in the form of clamps mounted on the back surface of the game platform, or in the form of clamps applied to the playing surface of the game platform. The fasteners may be removable from the game platform.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. non-provisional application claims priority under 35 USC § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/376,212 filed Aug. 17, 2016, and 62/384,637 filed Sep. 7, 2016, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates in general to game platforms that may be applied to folding chairs, and more particularly to a game platform that may be applied to an inverted folding chair.

2. Description of Related Art

Folding chairs, e.g., beach chairs, provide portable seating that can be used at the beach, sporting events, tailgating parties, and other gatherings. A conventional folding chair has a collapsible folding frame that supports a seat and a back. Compartments may also be provided to hold drinks, a phone, sunscreen, and other small items. Some folding chairs are very low to the ground and may be reclined to various positions by lifting the arms to preset reclining angles. They are designed to be compact and light weight to make it easier to carry and transport.

The frame of a folding chair may be in the form of tubular members fabricated from metal, plastic, and other materials. The tubular members may be connected together using rotatable joints (or other mechanical linkages) that allow some parts of the chair to move and pivot relative to other parts. For example, the legs of the chair may pivot about joints and relative to the seat. It will be appreciated that the frame members can be solid, hollow, or of any design or shape.

The seat and the back can be fabricated from numerous and varied materials that are well known in this art to create a functional chair for support and comfort of the user when the frame is unfolded.

Folding chairs have been provided with an integrated game platform. For example, the back of the chair may be provided with a hole that serves as a game target for a flying object, such as a bean bag or disc. In some cases, the structure can be articulated between (1) an upright condition in which the back is supported at a steep angle to function as a chair, and (2) a collapsed condition in which the back is reclined toward the ground to function as a playing surface for playing Cornhole, for example.

A fabric game platform has also been provided as a separate piece and intended to universally fit different chairs. Here, fasteners such as bungee cords, tie strings, clips, and straps can be used to attach the game platform to the chair. Specifically, one end of the game platform is attached to the top of the back, and the other end of the game platform is attached to the front of the seat.

Although conventional game platforms are generally thought to provide acceptable performance, they are not without shortcomings. For example, the integrated game platform is dedicated to a particular chair. As such, it cannot be applied to another chair that might have been previously purchased. And the separately provided game platform attaches to the back and the seat of the chair. This causes the platform to be steeply inclined and elevated, which may present a playing surface that deviates from a more standardized playing surface resulting in inconsistent play and reducing the enjoyment of the experience.

SUMMARY

According to a non-limiting embodiment, a kit may include a game platform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface. The back surface may support a backing that defines a plurality of receptacles. At least one fastener may be provided having a base and a pair of elastically deflectable arms extending from the base. The base may be removeably insertable into the receptacles.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a gaming structure for a folding chair is provided. The gaming structure may include a game platform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface. The structure may also include means for fastening the game platform to distal ends of legs of the chair.

According to another non-limiting embodiment, a combination of a gaming structure applied to a chair may be provided. The combination may include an inverted chair, and a game platform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface. Fasteners may connect the game platform to distal ends of legs of the chair.

The above and other features, including various and novel details of construction and combinations of parts will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the details of the example embodiments are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limiting of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a game platform according to a non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a top view of a game platform with a hole for accepting bean bags, according to another non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a game platform according to another non-limiting embodiment. Game example; Beer Pong.

FIG. 3B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a top view of a game platform according to another non-limiting embodiment. Game example; Cans/Washer Toss.

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the game platform of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional folding chair.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 5, reclined and inverted.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 5, with a game platform attached using fasteners.

FIG. 8 is top view of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an assembly of a game platform attached to a folding chair next to a game platform.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional folding chair.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the game platform of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fastener according to a non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the game platform of FIG. 11 being applied to an inverted chair.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the game platform of FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of a game platform according to another, non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fastener according to a non-limiting embodiment.

FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

Throughout this disclosure, terms relating to spatial directions (e.g., upper, top, lower, bottom, front, forward, rear, rearward, proximal, distal, etc.) are used for convenience in describing features or portions thereof, as shown in the figures. These terms do not, however, require that the disclosed structure be maintained in any particular orientation.

This disclosure is directed to a game platform for a folding chair. Numerous and varied folding chairs are well known in this art. But the invention is not limited to any particular type of folding chair. FIG. 10 illustrates one example of a conventional folding chair that includes a seat 4, a back 5, a front leg 7, a rear leg 6, an adjustable arm 9, and a back supporting leg 8. The arm 9 can be lifted to adjust and recline the back 5 to a horizontal position, for example. When reclined, the back supporting leg 8 may contact the ground (or other surface) and support the back 5. In this condition, the distal ends of the legs 6, 7, 8 contact the ground.

The folding chair may serve as a base for the attachment of a game platform. Here, the chair may be reclined and turned upside down. The game platform may be attached to the tubular members (e.g., the distal ends of the legs 6, 7) of an inverted folding chair for the purpose of playing a game, such as bean bag toss, Beer Pong, Cans/Washers, and other games to be defined.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 1-4

FIG. 1A is a side view of the game platform 12. The game platform 12 has a playing surface 15 (the upward facing surface) and an opposed, downward facing surface 16. A plurality of fasteners 10, 11, which extend from the surface 16, allow the game platform 12 to be mounted and retained on top of the inverted chair.

In this example embodiment, the fasteners 10, 11 are in the form of clamps having spaced apart arms for receiving the tubular members of the chair. As a clamp is pressed onto a tubular member, the arms of the clamp elastically deflect apart to receive the tubular member and then return toward their initial condition to retain the tubular member.

FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the game platform 12 with the fasteners 10, 11 mounted on the game platform 12. The fasteners 10, 11 may be fixed to the surface 16 of the game platform using any conventional means, such as adhesives, staples, rivets, screws, nails, welds, etc.

The game platform 12 would attach to the folding chair when the folding chair is inverted. Here, the back surface 16 would face toward the inverted chair, and the playing surface 15 would face away from the chair. The fasteners 11 would connect to the distal end of the upstanding rear leg 6 or back supporting leg 8, and the fasteners 10 would connect to the distal end of the upstanding front leg 7. The invention is not limited to any particular number of fasteners.

In this example embodiment, the game platform 12 can be fabricated from wood, plastic, metal, or fabric, but the invention is not limited in this regard.

The game platform 12 may have several game variations. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the game platform 12 may have a through hole 18 that serves as a game target for a flying object, such as a bean bag for playing Cornhole. As shown in FIGS. 3A-B, the game platform 12 may have a plurality of through holes 18. Cups (not shown) may be placed in the through holes 18 for receiving a flying object, such as a ball for playing Beer Pong. As shown in FIGS. 4A-B, the game platform 12 may have a playing surface 15 that supports a box 19 and a circular target 20 for receiving a flying object, such as a washer for playing Cans/Washer Toss. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the fasteners 10, 11 are fixed to the game platform 12, and extend from the surface 16, which faces away from the playing surface 15.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 5-9

FIG. 5 illustrates a folding chair in an upright position. FIG. 6 illustrates the folding chair with the back reclined and inverted (turned upside down) to accept the game platform 12. In these embodiments, the game platform 12 may be fabricated from a pliable material, such as fabric or vinyl for example, and the fasteners (or clamps) may be loosely and separately provided from the game platform 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates the folding chair with the game platform 12 attached to the front leg 7 and a tubular member spanning across the back of the chair. Here, the game platform 12 spans across rear leg 6. Also, the back supporting leg 8 is adjusted downward to lie flat against the back of the chair. FIG. 8 is a top view of the folding chair with the game platform 12 attached to the front leg 7 and the tubular member spanning across the back of the chair.

As shown in FIG. 9, the game platform 12 may be attached to the front leg 7 and the back supporting leg 8. Here, the back supporting leg 8 is adjusted to an upright position. The game platform 12 is shown beside the beach chair as an example.

The clamps 10, 11 depicted in FIGS. 7-9 may be loosely (and separately) provided from the game platform 12. Here, the game platform 12 would be positioned around the tubular member, and then the clamp 10, 11 would be applied over the game platform 12, such that the game platform 12 is captured between the clamp and the tubular member (as shown in FIGS. 7-9). By way of example only, the clamps may be c-shaped in cross section, but the invention is not limited in this regard. The clamps may be fabricated from plastic, or numerous and varied alternative materials that are well known in this art.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 11-15

A non-limiting embodiment may implement a more rigid game platform 12 (similar to the ones depicted in FIGS. 1-4) in combination with separately provided fasteners (similar to the ones depicted in FIGS. 7-9).

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the game platform 12 has a playing surface 15 and a back surface 16. The back surface 16 is provided with a backing 25 in the form of partitions that define receptacles 26. The receptacles 26 are shaped and sized to receive and retain fasteners 30. FIG. 12 illustrates four fasteners 30, but the invention is not limited to any particular number of fasteners. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that each fastener 30 may be removed from one receptacle 26 and reinserted into another receptacle. In this way, the fasteners 30 may be located on the back surface 16 of the game platform 12 to universally fit different chairs.

Turning to FIG. 13, the fastener 30 may include a base 32 that supports a clamp 35 having spaced apart arms for receiving the tubular members of the chair. The base 32 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the receptacles 26. The base 32 may support one or more tabs 33 that can respectively cooperate with one or more recesses in a wall of the receptacle 26, such that that fastener 30 can be appropriately retained on the game platform 12. But the invention is not limited in this regard. It will be readily appreciated that numerous and varied mechanisms may be suitably implemented to serve such a retention function, including hook and loop fasteners, clips, snaps, and/or pins, for example. Furthermore, the walls of the base 32 may interact with the walls of the receptacle 26 to provide an interference fit.

In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacle 26 and the base 32 have a square shape, but the invention is not limited in this regard as any corresponding shapes may be suitably implemented. Furthermore, the receptacle and base may have different shapes so long as the fastener can be retained on the back of the game platform 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates 4 fasteners 30 inserted into corresponding receptacles on the back of the game platform 12. In the condition shown, the fasteners 30 are aligned with the distal ends of upstanding legs 6, 7, 8 of an inverted chair. The application of downward pressure to the game platform 12 will cause the arms of the fasteners 30 to elastically deflect apart to receive the legs (or tubular members). Once the legs are received, the arms return toward their initial condition to retain the legs.

As shown in FIG. 15, the game platform 12 may be divided along its width to facilitate storage and transport. Here, one section of the game platform 12 may be provided with tabs 40, and the other section may be provided with slots 42. The tabs 40 may be inserted into corresponding slots 42 to assemble the game platform 12. In alternative embodiments, the two sections of the game platform 12 may be hinge coupled together, instead of employing tabs and slots.

Example Embodiments—FIGS. 16-18

As shown in FIG. 16, the back surface 16 of game platform 12 may be provided with a backing 25 in the form of partitions that define receptacles 26. The receptacles 26 are shaped and sized to receive and retain fasteners 30. In this embodiment, the receptacle 26 and the fastener 30 (i.e., the base 32) have a hexagonal shape, but the invention is not limited in this regard.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the base 32 of the fastener 30 supports a clamp 35 having spaced apart arms for receiving the tubular members of the chair. As in the previous embodiments, the arms may elastically deflect apart to receive the legs (or tubular members) of the chair. Once the legs are received, the arms return toward their initial condition to retain the legs.

The base 32 may also support one or more arms 50. One end of the arm 50 is provided with a tab 53 that can respectively cooperate with one or more recesses in a wall of the receptacle 26, such that that fastener 30 can be appropriately retained on the game platform 12. The other end of the arm 50 is provided with a finger grip 52.

To attach the fastener 30 to the game platform 12, the base 32 is aligned with and inserted into a receptacle 26. During insertion, a wall of the receptacle 26 enters into the space between the tab 53 and the base 32 (see arrow a), and elastically deflects the tab 53 outward and away from the base 32. Upon further insertion of the base 32, the tab 53 will become aligned with a recess in the wall of the receptacle 26, such that the tab 53 can elastically return back toward the base 32 to its initial condition, thereby locking the base 32 in the receptacle 26.

To remove the fastener 30, the finger grip 52 is pressed inward and toward the clamp 35 to rotate the arm 50, such that tab 53 moves away from the base 32 and out of the recess in the receptacle wall. The fastener 30 can then be withdrawn from the receptacle 26. It will be appreciated that the rotation of the arm 50 is facilitated by the elastic deformation of the material interconnecting the arm 50 and the base 32.

Although the foregoing description is directed to preferred embodiments of the present teachings, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and which may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present teachings. For example, the invention is not limited to fasteners in the form of clamps. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous and varied securing mechanisms may be suitably implemented, including hook and loop fasteners, clips, snaps, and/or pins, which are well known in this art. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that game platforms may be designed to have several game variations in addition to those mentioned herein.

The foregoing detailed description of the various embodiments of the present teachings has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present teachings to the precise embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present teachings and their practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the present teachings for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the present teachings be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A kit comprising:

a game platform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface, the back surface supporting a backing that defines a plurality of receptacles; and

at least one fastener having a base and a pair of elastically deflectable arms extending from the base;

wherein the base is removeably insertable into the receptacles.

2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the game platform is provided with one or more through holes.

3. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the game platform is fabricated from wood, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof.

4. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is fabricated from plastic.

5. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the receptacles have a square shape.

6. The kit according to claim 1, wherein the base of the fastener has a square shape.

7. A gaming structure for a folding chair, the gaming structure comprising:

a game platform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface; and

means for fastening the game platform to distal ends of legs of the chair.

8. The gaming structure according to claim 7, wherein the means for fastening is positioned on the back surface of the game platform.

9. The gaming structure according to claim 8, wherein the means for fastening includes clamps that are removeably mounted on the back surface of the game platform.

10. The gaming structure according to claim 7, wherein the means for fastening includes clamps applied to the playing surface of the game platform.

11. A combination of a gaming structure applied to a chair, the combination comprising:

an inverted chair;

a game platform having a playing surface and an opposing back surface; and

fasteners connecting the game platform to distal ends of legs of the chair.

12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the fasteners are clamps mounted on the back surface of the game platform.

13. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the fasteners are clamps; and

wherein the game platform is compressed between the clamps and the distal ends of the legs of the chair.