Foldable chair

Abstract

A foldable chair includes first and second leg frames intersecting each other, and having left and right legs respectively formed with brackets, a pivot rod having opposite ends extending oppositely through the brackets, two extension rods telescopically inserted into the left and right legs of the second leg frame, and a seat frame pivoted to top ends of the left and right legs of the first leg frame and top ends of the extension rods. Each of the legs of the second leg frame has a tongue member mounted thereon, which is movable between an engaging position, in which the tongue member engages a through-hole in a respective extension rod, and a disengaging position, in which the tongue member disengages from the through-hole.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a chair, more particularly to a foldable chair.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A conventional foldable chair generally includes first and second leg frames, tubular left and right extension rods, a seat frame, and left and right spring-biased tongue members.

[0005] Each of the first and second leg frames has opposite left and right legs 12 (see FIG. 1). The left and right legs 12 of the first leg frame are respectively pivoted to the left and right legs 12 of the second leg frame such that the second leg frame is turnable relative to the first leg frame. Each of the left and right legs 12 of the second leg frame is formed with a plurality of engaging holes 121 (see FIG. 1) along the length thereof. The left and right extension rods 11 are telescopically and respectively inserted into the left and right legs 12 of the second leg frame, and have top ends exposed therefrom. The seat frame is disposed above the first and second leg frames, and has a lower part pivoted to top ends of the left and right legs 12 of the first leg frame, and an upper part pivoted to the top ends of the left and right extension rods 11. The left and right spring-biased members 13 are respectively disposed within the left and right extension rods 11, and have engaging tongues 131 respectively extending into and engaging selected ones of the engaging holes 121 in the left and right legs 12 of the second leg frame.

[0006] It is relatively inconvenient to compress the engaging tongues 131 so as to release the left and right legs 12 of the second leg frame therefrom. Moreover, the mechanical strength of the left and right legs of the second leg frame is weakened by the engaging holes formed therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a foldable chair that is capable of overcoming the aforesaid disadvantage of the prior art.

[0008] According to the present invention, a foldable lawn chair includes: first and second leg frames, each of which includes opposite left and right legs, the left legs of the first and second leg frames intersecting each other to define a left intersection, the right legs of the first and second leg frames intersecting each other to define a right intersection, each of the left and right legs having top and bottom ends and being formed with a bracket adjacent to a respective one of the left and right intersections, each of the left and right legs of the second leg frame being formed with a first through-hole adjacent to the top end thereof; a pivot rod having opposite left and right ends that extend oppositely and respectively through the brackets of the left legs of the first and second leg frames and the brackets of the right legs of the first and second leg frames such that the second leg frame is turnable relative to the first leg frame; tubular left and right extension rods telescopically and respectively inserted into the left and right legs of the second leg frame, and having top ends protruding outwardly and respectively from the top ends of the left and right legs of the second leg frame, each of the left and right extension rods being formed with a plurality of second through-holes along the length thereof; a seat frame pivoted to the top ends of the left and right legs of the first leg frame and to the top ends of the left and right extension rods; left and right adjusting units, each of which includes a spring-biased tongue member mounted on a respective one of the left and right legs of the second leg frame and movable in a transverse direction relative to the length of a respective one of the left and right legs of the second leg frame between an engaging position, in which the tongue member extends through the first through-hole in a respective one of the left and right legs of the second leg frame to engage a selected one of the second through-holes in the respective one of the left and right extension rods so as to immobilize the left and right extension rods relative to the left and right legs of the second leg frame, and a disengaging position, in which the tongue member is disengaged from said selected one of the second through-holes in the respective one of the left and right extension rods, thereby permitting sliding movement of the left and right extension rods relative to the left and right legs of the second leg frame; and a seating sheet mounted securely on the seat frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Other features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view, illustrating how an extension rod engages a leg of a leg frame of a conventional foldable chair;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the preferred embodiment of a foldable chair according to the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating how a tubular extension rod extends outwardly from a leg of a leg frame; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a side view of the preferred embodiment in a folded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the preferred embodiment of a foldable chair according to the present invention is shown to include first and second leg frames 2, a pivot rod 3, tubular left and right extension rods 25, a seat frame 5, left and right adjusting units 6, and a seating sheet 7.

[0017] As illustrated, each of the first and second leg frames 2 includes opposite left and right legs 21,22. The left legs of the first and second leg frames 2 intersect each other to define a left intersection (A). The right legs of the first and second leg frames 2 intersect each other to define a right intersection (A). Each of the left and right legs 21,22 has top and bottom ends, and is formed with a bracket 23(24) adjacent to a respective one of the left and right intersections (A). Each of the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2 is formed with a first through-hole 220 (see FIG. 5) adjacent to the top end thereof.

[0018] The pivot rod 3 has opposite left and right ends that extend oppositely and respectively through the brackets 23,24 of the left legs 21,22 of the first and second leg frames 2, and the brackets 23,24 of the right legs 21,22 of the first and second leg frames 2 such that the second leg frame 2 is turnable relative to the first leg frame 2.

[0019] The left and right extension rods 25 are telescopically and respectively inserted into the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2, and have top ends 250 protruding outwardly from the top ends of the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2. Each of the left and right extension rods 25 is formed with a plurality of second through-holes 251 along the length thereof.

[0020] The seat frame 5 has an upper part formed with two upper brackets 53, and a lower part formed with two lower brackets 55. The seat frame 5 is pivoted to the top ends of the left and right legs 21 of the first leg frame 2 through two pivots 56 which respectively extend through the lower brackets 55, and to the top ends of the left and right extension rods 25 through two pivots 54 which respectively extend through the upper brackets 53.

[0021] Each of the left and right adjusting units 6 includes a spring-biased tongue member 62 (FIG. 5) that is mounted on a respective one of the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2 and that is movable in a transverse direction relative to the length of the respective one of the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2 between an engaging position, in which the tongue member 62 extends through the first through-hole 220 in the respective one of the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2 to engage a selected one of the second through-holes 251 in a respective one of the left and right extension rods 25 so as to immobilize the left and right extension rods 25 relative to the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a disengaging position, in which the tongue member 62 is disengaged from the selected one of the second through-holes 251 in the respective one of the left and right extension rods 25, thereby permitting sliding movement of the left and right extension rods 25 relative to the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2, and folding of the second leg frame 2 relative to the first leg frame 2, as best shown in FIG. 6.

[0022] The seating sheet 7 is mounted on the seat frame 5.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, each of the left and right adjusting units 6 further includes a casing 61 that is fixed on a respective one of the left and right legs 22 of the second leg frame 2. Each of the spring-biased tongue members 62 includes an engaging rod 620 extending through the casing 61 and having an engaging end 622 that extends into the selected one of the second through-holes 251 when the spring-biased tongue member 62 is disposed at the engaging position, an annular flange 623 disposed in the casing 61 and extending radially and outwardly from the engaging rod 620, and an urging member 63 disposed in the casing 61, sleeved around the engaging rod 620 and urging the annular flange 623 so as to permit movement of the tongue member 62 between the engaging and disengaging positions.

[0024] The engaging rod 620 further has an opposite end 621 which is opposite to the engaging end 622 and which is exposed from the casing 61 to facilitate movement of the tongue member 62 from the engaging position to the disengaging position. A sheath 64 is sleeved on the opposite end 621 of the engaging rod 620 to facilitate gripping of the latter.

[0025] By virtue of the spring-biased tongue member 62 of the left and right adjusting units 6, and the brackets 23(24), the aforesaid disadvantage of the prior art can be eliminated.

[0026] With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that the invention be limited only as indicated in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foldable chair comprising:

first and second leg frames, each of which includes opposite left and right legs, said left legs of said first and second leg frames intersecting each other to define a left intersection, said right legs of said first and second leg frames intersecting each other to define a right intersection, each of said left and right legs having top and bottom ends and being formed with a bracket adjacent to a respective one of said left and right intersections, each of said left and right legs of said second leg frame being formed with a first through-hole adjacent to said top end thereof;

a pivot rod having opposite left and right ends that extend oppositely and respectively through said brackets of said left legs of said first and second leg frames and said brackets of said right legs of said first and second leg frames such that said second leg frame is turnable relative to said first leg frame;

tubular left and right extension rods telescopically and respectively inserted into said left and right legs of said second leg frame, and having top ends protruding outwardly and respectively from said top ends of said left and right legs of said second leg frame, each of said left and right extension rods being formed with a plurality of second through-holes along the length thereof;

a seat frame pivoted to said top ends of said left and right legs of said first leg frame and to said top ends of said left and right extension rods;

left and right adjusting units, each of which includes a spring-biased tongue member mounted on a respective one of said left and right legs of said second leg frame and movable in a transverse direction relative to the length of the respective one of said left and right legs of said second leg frame between an engaging position, in which said tongue member extends through said first through-hole in the respective one of said left and right legs of said second leg frame to engage a selected one of said second through-holes in a respective one of said left and right extension rods so as to immobilize said left and right extension rods relative to said left and right legs of said second leg frame, and a disengaging position, in which said tongue member is disengaged from said selected one of said second through-holes in the respective one of said left and right extension rods, thereby permitting sliding movement of said left and right extension rods relative to said left and right legs of said second leg frame; and

a seating sheet mounted securely on said seat frame.

2. The foldable chair as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said left and right adjusting units includes a casing mounted on a respective one of said left and right legs of said second leg frame, each of said spring-biased tongue members including an engaging rod extending through said casing and having an engaging end that extends into said selected one of said second through-holes when said spring-biased tongue member is disposed at said engaging position, an annular flange disposed in said casing and extending radially and outwardly from said engaging rod, and an urging member disposed in said casing, sleeved around said engaging rod and urging said annular flange so as to permit movement of said spring-biased tongue member between said engaging and disengaging positions.