Back Strap Chair Carrier

Abstract

The back strap chair carrier is adapted to be mounted on a folding chair having chair frame elements. The chair carrier includes upper and lower carrier webs with upper and lower, left and right upper sling straps. Each sling strap includes an adjustment buckle and can be attached to the upper chair frame elements via terminal end chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps. The chair carrier web via the sling members can be tightly mounted over the chair frame when the frame hooks or frame wrap straps are attached to the chair frame elements and when the user adjusts the respective span of the upper and lower web straps via the adjustment buckles. The carrier includes backpack shoulder straps attached to the chair carrier web.

Description

This is a regular patent application claiming the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/849,115 filed Oct. 3, 2006.

The present invention relates to a carrier for folding chairs typically used by beach goers or others wanting to carry small folding chairs to various events.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a small, light weight carrier which uses backpack straps.

It is another object of the present invention to employ a web carrier which quickly attaches and detaches from the chair frame (when the chair is in a collapsed, non-operable mode) such that the carrier can be attached and the chair carried on the back of a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The back strap chair carrier is used in connection with a folding chair. The folding chair has chair frame elements that, when the chair is in a collapsed, non-operable chair position, define opposing left side and right side chair frame elements. The back strap chair carrier includes a chair carrier web with left and right upper sling straps. Preferably, each sling strap includes an adjustment buckle such that the upper portion of chair carrier web can be attached to corresponding respective opposing left side and right side upper chair frame elements via a pair of chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps at the terminal ends of each sling strap. These chair frame attachment systems attach each sling strap to the corresponding respective opposing left side and right side upper chair frame elements.

The chair carrier web also includes left and right lower sling straps, each with lower adjustment buckles and chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps at the terminal ends of each sling strap. The lower web system, defined by the adjustable sling straps, enable the lower web section to attach to corresponding respective opposing left side and right side lower chair frame elements.

The chair carrier web can be tightly mounted over the chair frame elements when the chair is in said collapsed position and said chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps are attached to the chair frame elements and when the user adjusts respective span of the upper and lower web straps via the adjustment buckles.

The back strap carrier includes a pair of backpack shoulder straps attached to the chair carrier web whereby said collapsed foldable chair is carried by said backpack shoulder straps and the carrier web when said web is mounted to said chair frame via said four chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which include:

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates the back strap carrier mounting a folded chair on the back of a user;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the carrier mounted on the folded chair;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the carrier and its various elements and features; and

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates the clip on hook and swivel as one attachment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a carrier for folding chairs typically used by beach goers or others wanting to carry small folding chairs to various events.

The present invention permits a user to easily carry collapsed folding beach chairs or lawn chairs while keeping the user's hands free and clear of the folded chair. Some chairs include shoulder straps but these straps are not adjustable nor attachable to other chairs. Further, there is a tendency for these “built-in” chair straps to slide off the user's shoulder as the user moves or walks. Chairs with built-in straps also hang by the user's side, therefore making it difficult for the user to carry other items with his or her hands since these other items interfere with the carrying of the chairs.

Similar numerals designate similar items throughout all the drawings. The description set forth below refers to FIGS. 1-4 concurrently unless otherwise specified.

The back strap chair carrier 10 includes strap assembly 12 with backpack shoulder straps 14a, 14b that fit over a user's shoulder like a common backpack. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, the backstrap chair carrier 10 contains four adjustable-length chair sling straps 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b (generally defining a carrier web) with snap hooks 20 at the strap terminal ends of each sling strap that attach to the chair frame 70 of the collapsed folding beach or lawn chair. FIG. 2 shows the collapsed chair carried by the user via the back strap carrier 10.

Once the snap hooks 20 are attached to the chair frame 70 (more particularly, the chair frame elements), the adjustable sling straps 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b can be tightened simply by pulling on the strap buckles 22. The span of the sling straps is adjusted by the adjusting means which is, in FIG. 2 and 3, strap buckles 22. The adjustable-length backpack shoulder straps 14a, 14b slide over the user's shoulders and the chair carrier, forming a chair carrier web relatively tightly mounted on the chair frame, is carried by the user like a backpack, as illustrated in FIG. 1. If the carrier web is loosely mounted on the chair frame, the web may move causing the chair to be unstable.

The backpack shoulder straps can be adjusted via adjustment system or buckles 44 and can be padded or cushioned with pads 13 for additional comfort. Additional padding or cushioning for the carrier web can be added, see padding 40 at the lower carrier web sling 41, to the entire assembly for additional comfort. A pad can be added to upper carrier web sling 43.

The trigger snap hooks 20 as illustrated in FIG. 4 open wide enough such that the snap hook mouth 25 fits around the diameter of aluminum tubing 72 that is used as the framing for most folding beach and lawn chairs. Typically, the tubing is 1 inch in diameter. The jaws 27a, 27b on the snap hooks 20 can be flat (see thickness 28), rather than tubular, so the jaws are thin enough to fit into any tight spots that are present in the framing of any particular folding chair. The adjustable-length chair sling straps 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b (forming the carrier web with upper and lower sling elements 41, 43) as well as the versatile frame attachment systems, shown as snap hooks 20, make this back strap chair carrier 10 fit and attach to virtually any folding beach chair or lawn chair regardless of size, style, material, design or construction method used.

The adjustable-length chair sling back straps 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b and the back pack shoulder straps make it possible for virtually any size person to easily carry any size folding beach chair or lawn chair.

One of the many important aspects of this invention is the adjustable nature of the web assembly formed by upper and lower sling elements 41, 43 (see chair slings and adjustment buckles 22) that easily attach to the chair frame 70 of any style folding beach chair or lawn chair, with adjustable backpack straps 14a, 14b that attach to the carrier web assembly, or make it possible for anyone to carry the chair on their back, as a backpack.

Rather than snap hook 20, the chair frame attachment means could use various attachment systems such as a snap hook, a hook, U or and S clip, a tie-off strap, a tie-off rope, a chain loop and clip, wrap around strap with a toggle bar insertable in one of a plurality of holes in said sling strap, or a wrap around strap with a strap buckle or a belt loop buckle. The snap hooks 20 could be replaced by tie-off straps, tie-off ropes, chains which loop around and clip onto itself (with a hook, or snap hook or clip). The carrier web can be strap material such as a cloth or plastic strap, braided material or braided wire strap or belt. The span adjustment for the upper and lower carrier web slings can be snap hook, a hook, a tie-off strap, a tie-off rope, a chain loop and clip, a clip, a toggle bar insertable in one of a plurality of holes in said sling strap, a strap buckle or a belt loop buckle.

A single span adjustment buckle or system may be used for the upper carrier web sling, and a second for the lower carrier web sling.

The buckle or belt loop span adjustment is one of many important features of the invention. The buckle may be replaced with multiple snaps on the web slings 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b or may be protruding lock bars (t-bars or balls atop a stem bar) which fit within one of many holes in the terminal end of the wrap around frame strap.

The embodiment described above, and illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, is the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, the invention could also be made of chains instead of straps, or a combination of straps, and/or ropes, and/or chains, and/or fabric or canvas or other sheet material, along with snaps or hooks of any type whatsoever.

The chair frame attachment systems (shown as snap hook 20) may include a swivel 42 for ease of use.

Also, one or more additional chairs could be carried with this backstrap chair carrier simply by securely attaching the additional chair or chairs to the chair with the backstrap chair carrier, by using straps or rope or chains or sheet material or snaps or hooks of any type.

Also, the two adjustable span chair sling back straps 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b could be incorporated right into the chair during the chair's manufacturing process, so that they are permanently attached to the chair itself, and thus are manufactured as part of the chair.

The upper chair sling back straps 18a, 18b may be connected to folding chair 72 at various locations. The chair 72 is always carried in a collapsed, non-operable chair position, that is, the person cannot sit in the chair when in the collapsed, non-operable chair position. As shown in the drawings, snap hook clip 20 attaches to the pivot pin connecting one chair frame element to a second chair frame element at point c. Alternatively, the snap hook 20 could clip around opposing chair frame elements at points d, c, b or a1. As noted in FIG. 2, right side chair frame element of tube at point a1 is opposite left side chair frame tube element a2. When the chair sling strap 18a, 18b is attached to opposing chair frame elements at opposing points a1, a2 (or other points b, c, or d (opposing points unnumbered)) and the sling straps 18a, 18b are tightened by adjusting buckles 22, then the upper chair sling web forms part of the back strap chair carrier 10. Preferably, folding chair 72 is carried upside down. Also preferably, the lower chair sling straps have snap hooks with attach to the positioning cut-out holes typically beneath the arm rest of the folding chair. Alternatively, the lower snap clips could attach to other lower, opposing chair frame elements. These cut-out holes are considered part of the chair frame.

The double buckles 22 on the upper chair sling strap and the lower chair sling strap may be replaced with a single adjustment buckle, one on the upper sling strap and one on the lower sling strap.

The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. In combination with a folding chair having foldable chair frame elements that, when in a collapsed, non-operable chair position, define opposing left side and right side chair frame elements, a back strap chair carrier comprising:

opposing, left and right upper sling straps and opposing, left and right lower sling straps, each with a terminal means for attaching to a corresponding opposing left side and right side chair frame element, said opposing upper sling straps forming an upper carrier support for the back strap chair carrier, said opposing lower sling straps forming a lower carrier support for the back strap chair carrier;

an upper means for adjusting the length of said upper carrier support by changing the span of said opposing upper sling straps, and a lower means for adjusting the length of said lower carrier support by changing the span of said opposing lower sling straps;

whereby said upper and lower carrier supports can be tightly mounted as a web over said opposing left side and right side chair frame elements when said chair is in said collapsed position by adjusting said length of said upper and lower carrier supports with respective means for adjusting; and

a pair of backpack shoulder straps attached to said upper and lower carrier supports whereby said collapsed foldable chair is carried by said backpack shoulder straps when said upper and lower carrier supports are mounted as said web over said opposing left side and right side chair -frame elements.

2. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sling straps are chair sling straps made of cloth webbing, plastic webbing, braided material, braided wire, mesh webbing, or a chain.

3. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching is a snap hook, a hook, a tie-off strap, a tie-off rope, a chain loop and clip, a clip, a wrap around strap with a toggle bar insertable in one of a plurality of holes in said sling strap, a wrap around strap with a strap buckle or a wrap around strap with a belt loop buckle.

4. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shoulder straps include padding.

5. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower sling strap includes padding.

6. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for attaching includes a swivel attachment to said sling strap.

7. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said shoulder straps include strap adjusters.

8. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein each sling strap has a means for adjusting thereon.

9. In combination with a folding chair having foldable chair frame elements that, when in a collapsed, non-operable chair position, define opposing left side and right side chair frame elements, a back strap chair carrier comprising:

a chair carrier web having left and right upper sling straps each with upper adjustment buckles;

said chair carrier web having left and right lower sling straps each with lower adjustment buckles;

four chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps at the terminal ends of each sling strap which respectively attach each sling strap to a corresponding respective opposing left side and right side, upper and lower chair frame element;

whereby said chair carrier web can be tightly mounted over said opposing left side and right side chair frame elements when said chair is in said collapsed position and said chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps are attached to said corresponding respective opposing left side and right side, upper and lower chair frame element by adjusting respective adjustment buckles; and

a pair of backpack shoulder straps attached to said chair carrier web whereby said collapsed foldable chair is carried by said backpack shoulder straps and said chair carrier web when said web is mounted to said chair frame via said four chair frame hooks or chair frame wrap around straps.

10. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 9 wherein said sling straps are chair sling straps made of cloth or plastic webbing.

11. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 9 wherein said shoulder straps include padding.

12. In combination with said folding chair, the back strap chair carrier as claimed in claim 9 wherein said lower sling strap includes padding.