SHADED OUTDOOR CHAIR DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

A shaded chair includes a foldable chair and a canopy shade. The foldable chair may be reconfigurable between a deployed state and a stowed state. Further, the canopy shade may be configured to pivot on a pivot axis and lock in a plurality of positions. The shaded chair is useful for providing shade to a user whilst seated outside.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/416,896 filed Nov. 3, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of chairs and more specifically relates to folding outdoor chairs.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

An outdoor chair is furniture designed for use with or in a beach, pool, garden, etc. While visiting the beach or pool, some people may enjoy sitting and relaxing in a chair. Some chairs are large, bulky, and may obscure others' views. Further, it may be incredibly difficult to transport these types of chairs, especially if they cannot be folded and put in a vehicle. In addition, sunscreen and other products are typically required before venturing out into the sun. It can be expensive to maintain a specific level of sunscreen throughout the day without shade. Traditionally, people use umbrellas for shade; however, these products can be easily blown away even with a slight breeze. Some beaches may not allow umbrellas to be used close to the water line due to blocking beautiful views for other beach goers. A suitable solution is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,056 to Jacob Goldszer relates to a beach chair with movable shade. The described beach chair with movable shade includes a back support frame and a flexible back support, a seat support frame and a flexible seat, and a cross frame member pivotally mounted between the back frame and the seat support frame to provide an angular seating position for the user. A shade member includes a shade frame and a shade element. The shade member is pivotally mounted to a top portion of the back support frame. A control member coupled either to the shade frame or the back support frame establishes the angular shade position of the shade with respect to the back support and the seat support.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known chairs art, the present disclosure provides a novel shaded outdoor chair device and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an outdoor chair with an attached canopy to provide shade to a user whilst seated outdoors.

A shaded chair is disclosed herein. The shaded chair may include a foldable chair reconfigurable between a deployed state to a stowed state, the stowed state being more compact than the deployed state. The foldable chair may include a support frame, a seat coupled to the support frame, a pair of arm rests coupled to the support frame, and a back-rest coupled to the support frame, the back-rest may have an upper portion relative to the ground surface when the foldable chair is in the deployed state, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion. The foldable chair may further include a left side and a right side relative to the user while seated when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state, respectively; and a canopy shade coupled to the upper portion of the back-rest portion, the canopy shade configured to provide shade to the user while seated when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state.

A method of using shaded chair is also disclosed herein. The method of using shaded chair may comprise the steps of: providing a shaded chair as above; unfolding the foldable chair to the deployed state of the foldable chair; stabilizing the folding leg of the foldable chair on the ground surface; pivoting the canopy shade about the pivot axis to a desired predefined position and locking the canopy shade in the desired predefined position; and sitting on the seat of the foldable chair. Further steps may include, pivoting the canopy shade about the pivot axis to a collapsed state; and folding the foldable chair to the stowed state of the foldable chair.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a shaded outdoor chair device and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the shaded chair during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the shaded chair of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a canopy shade of the shaded chair locked into a predefined position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the canopy shade of the shaded chair of FIG. 2A locked into a further predefined position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the shaded chair with the canopy shade in a collapsed state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of FIG. 1 showing the shaded chair in a stowed state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for shaded chair, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a chairs and more particularly to a shaded outdoor chair device and method as used to provide shade to a user whilst seated outdoors.

Generally, disclosed is a beach chair with integrated canopy. The beach chair with integrated canopy may be foldable for storage and for transport when use is no longer desired. The integrated canopy may include a curved sunshade, and may be structured and arranged to be repositionable in a plurality of positions to provide a range between no shade and full shade when the beach chair with integrated canopy is occupied. The shaded beach chair may be easy to carry and set up without worry of obscuring another person's view while visiting the beach, a public pool, etc. It may feature a flexible, rotating canopy capable of being adjusted to almost any angle for upper body shade protection. This eliminates the need to carry or use an umbrella for shade during sunny days at the beach. It may allow individuals to simply fold the chair and carry it where desired, offering an easily portable option for sitting and relaxing at the beach. The beach chair may further reduce the amount of sunscreen and other products necessary for sun protection throughout the day.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4B, various views of a shaded chair 100.

FIG. 1 shows a shaded chair 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Illustrated, the shaded chair 100 may include a foldable chair 110 and a canopy shade 120. The foldable chair 110 may be reconfigurable between a deployed state 132 to a stowed state 403 (FIG. 4B), the stowed state 403 being more compact than the deployed state 132. In addition, the foldable chair 110 may include a support frame 111, a seat 119 coupled to the support frame 111, a pair of arm rests 112 coupled to the support frame 111, and a back-rest 113 coupled to the support frame 111.

The back-rest 113 may include an upper portion 114 (relative to the ground surface 5 when the foldable chair 110 is in use in the deployed state 132) and a lower portion 115 opposite the upper portion 114. Further, the foldable chair 110 may include a left side 116 and a right side 117 relative to the user 40 while seat seated when the foldable chair 110 is in use in the deployed state 132, respectively.

The support frame 111 of the foldable chair 110 may be made of metal. The foldable chair 110 may further include at least one folding leg 118 coupled to the support frame 111 and configured to elevate the seat 119 above the ground surface 5 when the foldable chair 110 is in use in the deployed state 132. Further, the shaded chair 100 may include a canopy shade 120 coupled to the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 portion, and configured to provide shade to the user 40 while seated when the foldable chair 110 is in use in the deployed state 132.

According to one embodiment, the shaded chair 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the kit may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the shaded chair 100 such that the shaded chair 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the shaded chair 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further illustrated in the figure is how the canopy shade 120 attaches to the foldable chair 110.

The canopy shade 120 may include a right mount 202 and a left mount 203 and the canopy shade 120 may be coupled to the right side 117 and to the left side 116 of the foldable chair 110 via the right mount 202 and the left mount 203, respectively. Further, the canopy shade 120 may include a collapsible shade 402, a first support 204, and a second support 205 configured to extend the collapsible shade 402 above the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 and between the first support 204 and the second support 205. The first support 204 may extend from the right mount 202 across the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 and return to the left mount 203. Similarly, the second support 205 may extend from the right mount 202 across the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 and returns to the left mount 203, and the first support 204 is forward of the second support 205. In an alternative embodiment, the first support 204 may extend from the right mount 202 above the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 and back to the right mount 202, and the second support 205 may extend from the left mount 203 above the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 and back to the left mount 203.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the shaded chair 100, illustrating the canopy shade 120 locked into a predefined position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the shaded chair 100 of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The canopy shade 120 may arch over the foldable chair 110 when in use to provide the shade to the user 40 (FIG. 1).

As contrasted between FIGS. 3A and 3B, the canopy shade 120 may be configured to pivot about a pivot axis 302, said pivot axis 302 extending from the right mount 202 to the left mount 203. For example, FIG. 3A illustrates the canopy shade 120 positioned at a first angle (e.g., zero or horizontal), and FIG. 3B illustrates the canopy shade 120 positioned at a second angle (e.g., positive angle or tilted back). According to one embodiment, the canopy shade 120 may be configured to pivot about the pivot axis 302 through at least 45 degrees (e.g., 45 degrees forward and/or 45 degrees back from horizontal). According to another embodiment, the canopy shade 120 may be configured to lock in a plurality of positions about the pivot axis 302. In addition, the canopy shade 120 may further be configured to lock in a plurality of predefined positions about the pivot axis 302. Further, the canopy shade 120 may further include a first hinge on the left side 116 of the canopy shade 120, and a second hinge 212 located on the right side 117 of the canopy shade. The first hinge and second hinge 212 may allow the canopy shade 120 to lock into place in order to keep the canopy shade 120 in the deployed state 132, and further, the first hinge and the second hinge 212 may easily unlock in order to return the canopy shade 120 to the stowed state 403.

According to one embodiment, the canopy shade 120 may include a collapsible shade 402, a first support 204, and a second support 205. Together, the first support 204 and a second support 205 may be configured to extend the collapsible shade 402 above the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 and between the first support 204 and the second support 205. The collapsible shade 402 may be made of canvas. In other examples, the collapsible shade 402 may be made from cotton.

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the shaded chair 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the shaded chair 100 may include a foldable chair 110 and a canopy shade 120. Further, the canopy shade 120 may include a collapsible shade 402, as illustrated here in a collapsed state. Also as shown, the first support 204 and the second support 205 may be further configured to collapse the collapsible shade below the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113.

As above, the foldable chair 110 may include a support frame 111, a seat 119 coupled to the support frame 111, a pair of arm rests 112 coupled to the support frame 111, and a back-rest 113 coupled to the support frame 111. In the preferred embodiment, the pair of arm-rests 112 may include a non-slip pad 404 on each arm, respectively, each non-slip pad 404 configured to prevent slippage when arms of the user 40 (FIG. 1) are rested on the arm-rests 112.

According to one embodiment, the seat 119 portion and the back-rest 113 may each or alternately include a padded fabric cushion (or other cushion) fixed to the seat 119 portion and the back-rest 113, respectively. The padded fabric cushion may include a cover 405 (e.g., made of canvas, cotton, nylon, etc.). The cover 405 may be waterproof and absorbent, for example, to absorb moisture such as sweat. Beneficially, the cover 405 and associated cushion provide comfort to the user 40.

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the shaded chair 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the shaded chair 100 may include a foldable chair 110 reconfigurable between a deployed state 132 (FIG. 4A) to a stowed state 403, the stowed state 403 being more compact than the deployed state 132. Shown here is the shaded chair 100 in the stowed state 403. Here, the stowed state 403 may be useful for easy transportation of the shaded chair 100.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for providing shade 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for providing shade 500 may include one or more components or features of the shaded chair 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for providing shade 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a shaded chair 100, (the shaded chair 100 including a foldable chair 110 reconfigurable between a deployed state 132 to a stowed state 403, the foldable chair 110 including a support frame 111, a seat 119 coupled to the support frame 111, a pair of arm rests 112 coupled to the support frame 111, a folding leg 118 coupled to the support frame 111, and a back-rest 113 coupled to the support frame 111, the back rest having an upper portion 114 relative to a ground surface 5 when the foldable chair 110 is in use in the deployed state 132, and a lower portion 115 opposite the upper portion 114, and a canopy shade 120 coupled to the upper portion 114 of the back-rest 113 portion and configured to pivot on a pivot axis 302); step two 502, unfolding the foldable chair 110 to the deployed state 132 of the foldable chair 110; step three 503 stabilizing the folding leg 118 of the foldable chair 110 on the ground surface 5; step four 504, pivoting the canopy shade 120 about the pivot axis 302 to a desired predefined position and locking the canopy shade 120 in the desired predefined position; and step five 505, sitting on the seat 119 of the foldable chair 110. Additional steps may include: step six 506, pivoting the canopy shade 120 about the pivot axis 302 to a collapsed state; step seven 507 folding the foldable chair 110 to the stowed state 403 of the foldable chair 110.

It should be noted that step six 506 and step seven 507 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for shaded chair 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A shaded chair for outdoor use on a ground surface by a user, the shaded chair comprising:

a foldable chair reconfigurable between a deployed state to a stowed state, the stowed state being more compact than the deployed state, the foldable chair including a support frame, a seat coupled to the support frame, a pair of arm rests coupled to the support frame, and a back-rest coupled to the support frame, the back-rest having an upper portion relative to the ground surface when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion, the foldable chair having a left side and a right side relative to the user while seated when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state, respectively; and

a canopy shade coupled to the upper portion of the back-rest portion, the canopy shade configured to provide shade to the user while seated when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state.

2. The shaded chair of claim 1, wherein the canopy shade includes a right mount and a left mount, the canopy shade coupled to the right side and to the left side of the foldable chair via the right mount and the left mount, respectively.

3. The shaded chair of claim 2, wherein the canopy shade further includes a collapsible shade, a first support, and a second support, the first support and the second support configured to extend the collapsible shade above the upper portion of the back-rest and between the first support and the second support.

4. The shaded chair of claim 3, wherein the first support extends from the right mount across the upper portion of the back-rest and returns to the left mount, the second support extends from the right mount across the upper portion of the back-rest and returns to the left mount, and the first support is forward of the second support.

5. The shaded chair of claim 3, wherein the first support extends from the right mount above the upper portion of the back-rest and back to the right mount, the second support extends from the left mount above the upper portion of the back-rest and back to the left mount.

6. The shaded chair of claim 3, wherein the canopy shade is configured to pivot about a pivot axis, said pivot axis extending from the right mount to the left mount.

7. The shaded chair of claim 6, wherein the canopy shade is further configured to pivot about the pivot axis through at least 45 degrees.

8. The shaded chair of claim 6, wherein the canopy shade is further configured to lock in a plurality of positions about the pivot axis.

9. The shaded chair of claim 6, wherein the canopy shade is further configured to lock in a plurality of predefined positions about the pivot axis.

10. The shaded chair of claim 1, wherein the foldable chair further includes at least one folding leg coupled to the support frame and configured to elevate the seat above the ground surface when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state.

11. The shaded chair of claim 1, wherein the canopy shade is made of canvas.

12. The shaded chair of claim 11, wherein the canopy shade is further configured to arch over the foldable chair when in use.

13. The shaded chair of claim 11, wherein the support frame is made of metal.

14. The shaded chair of claim 11, wherein the seat portion and the back-rest portion further include a padded fabric cushion.

15. The shaded chair of claim 14, wherein the padded fabric cushion includes a canvas cover.

16. The shaded chair of claim 1, wherein the pair of arm-rests include a non-slip pad on each arm, respectively, each non-slip pad configured to prevent slippage when arms of the user are rested on the arm-rests.

17. A shaded chair for outdoor use on a ground surface by a user, the shaded chair comprising:

a foldable chair reconfigurable between a deployed state to a stowed state, the stowed state being more compact than the deployed state, the foldable chair including a support frame, a seat coupled to the support frame, a pair of arm rests coupled to the support frame, and a back-rest coupled to the support frame, the back-rest having an upper portion relative to the ground surface when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion, the foldable chair having a left side and a right side relative to the user while seated when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state, respectively; and

a canopy shade coupled to the upper portion of the back-rest portion, the canopy shade configured to provide shade to the user while seated when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state; and

wherein the canopy shade includes a right mount and a left mount, the canopy shade coupled to the right side and to the left side of the foldable chair via the right mount and the left mount, respectively;

wherein the canopy shade further includes a collapsible shade, a first support, and a second support, the first support and the second support configured to extend the collapsible shade above the upper portion of the back-rest and between the first support and the second support;

wherein the first support extends from the right mount across the upper portion of the back-rest and returns to the left mount, the second support extends from the right mount across the upper portion of the back-rest and returns to the left mount, and the first support is forward of the second support;

wherein the canopy shade is configured to pivot about a pivot axis, said pivot axis extending from the right mount to the left mount;

wherein the canopy shade is further configured to pivot about the pivot axis through at least 45 degrees;

wherein the canopy shade is further configured to lock in a plurality of positions about the pivot axis;

wherein the foldable chair further includes at least one folding leg coupled to the support frame and configured to elevate the seat above the ground surface when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state;

wherein the canopy shade is made of canvas;

wherein the canopy shade is further configured to arch over the foldable chair when in use;

wherein the support frame is made of metal;

wherein the seat portion and the back-rest portion further include a padded fabric cushion;

wherein the padded fabric cushion includes a canvas cover; and

wherein the pair of arm-rests include a non-slip pad on each arm, respectively, each non-slip pad configured to prevent slippage when arms of the user are rested on the arm-rests.

18. The shaded chair of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and

wherein the shaded chair is arranged as a kit.

19. A method for providing shade, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a shaded chair including a foldable chair reconfigurable between a deployed state to a stowed state, the foldable chair including a support frame, a seat coupled to the support frame, a pair of arm rests coupled to the support frame, a folding leg coupled to the support frame, and a back-rest coupled to the support frame, the back rest having an upper portion relative to a ground surface when the foldable chair is in use in the deployed state, and a lower portion opposite the upper portion, and a canopy shade coupled to the upper portion of the back-rest portion and configured to pivot on a pivot axis;

unfolding the foldable chair to the deployed state of the foldable chair;

stabilizing the folding leg of the foldable chair on the ground surface;

pivoting the canopy shade about the pivot axis to a desired predefined position and locking the canopy shade in the desired predefined position; and

sitting on the seat of the foldable chair.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

pivoting the canopy shade about the pivot axis to a collapsed state; and

folding the foldable chair to the stowed state of the foldable chair.