Folding Chair

Abstract

A folding chair includes two side boards, a foldable paper beehive structure, and a positioning device. The foldable paper beehive structure includes a plurality of paper boards interconnected with one another. The paper beehive structure includes two sides to which the side boards are mounted to form a chair body. A plurality of polygonal holes are formed between two paper boards adjacent to each other. The polygonal holes extend perpendicularly to a ground on which the paper beehive structure is placed. The positioning device is made of rigid material and coupled with the side boards when the paper beehive structure is in an extended state to fix a width of the chair body.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a folding chair and, more particularly, to a chair that can be folded to reduce the volume when not in use and that can be extended and retained in a certain width to provide enhanced stability and enhanced safety.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventional chairs include a frame or board of a fixed width that can not be folded to reduce the volume when not in use, resulting in occupation of a larger space and difficult transport as well as an increase in transport. Furthermore, the chairs are generally made of wood, plastics, or metal, which are heavy and, thus difficult to move.

Folding chairs made of metal or wood have been proposed to allow folding and easy transport. However, these folding chairs still suffer from heavy weight and difficulties during unfolding. Paper chairs are light but not as stable as those made of wood, plastics, or metal. Particularly, the paper chairs in the extended state lack stability and safety.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A folding chair according to the preferred teachings of the present invention includes two side boards, a foldable paper beehive structure, and a positioning device. The foldable paper beehive structure includes a plurality of paper boards interconnected with one another. The paper beehive structure includes two sides to which the side boards are mounted to form a chair body. A plurality of polygonal holes are formed between two paper boards adjacent to each other. The polygonal holes extend perpendicularly to a ground on which the paper beehive structure is placed. The positioning device is made of rigid material and coupled with the side boards when the paper beehive structure is in an extended state to fix a width of the chair body.

The side boards are preferably made of a material selected from a group consisting of wood, iron, and plastics.

In an embodiment, the paper beehive structure includes a plurality of first through-holes, and each side board includes a plurality of second through-holes and a plurality of coupling holes. The positioning device includes a plurality of connecting rods, a plurality of coupling members, and a plurality of bolts. Each connecting rod extends through one of the first through-holes of the paper beehive structure in the extended state and one of the second through-holes. Each connecting rod includes two ends each having a coupling portion with a screw hole. Each coupling member includes a pressing portion having a length larger than a diameter of each second through-hole. The pressing portion includes a plurality of engaging holes and a threaded section extending from an inner side thereof. The threaded portion of each coupling member is engaged with the screw hole of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods. Each bolt extends through one of the engaging holes of one of the coupling members and one of the coupling holes of one of the side boards.

In another embodiment, each side board includes a plurality of coupling holes. The paper beehive structure includes a plurality of grooves each having two ends each of which is in communication with one of the coupling holes. The positioning device includes a plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of coupling members. Each connecting rod includes two ends each having a coupling portion with a screw hole. Each coupling member includes a pressing portion having a length larger than a diameter of each coupling hole and a threaded portion extending from an inner side of the pressing portion. The connecting rods are directly inserted into the grooves of the paper beehive structure in the extended state. The threaded portion of each coupling member is extended through one of the coupling holes of one of the side boards into the screw hole of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods, with the pressing portion pressing against an outer side of the side board.

In a further embodiment, each side board includes a plurality of first coupling holes, and the paper beehive structure includes a plurality of grooves each having two ends each of which is in communication with one of the first coupling holes. Each end of each groove includes an enlarged section. The positioning device includes a plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of bolts. Each connecting rod includes two ends each having a coupling portion and a bracket mounted to the coupling portion. The bracket includes a first side having a second coupling hole and a second side received in the enlarged section of one of the grooves. Each bolt extends through one of the first coupling holes of one of the side boards and the second coupling hole of one of the brackets.

In still another embodiment, each side board further includes at least one rectilinear groove and at least one outer stop flange located outside the at least one rectilinear groove. The folding chair further includes two armrests respectively mounted to the side boards. Each armrest includes at least one protrusion formed on an inner side thereof and removably received in the at least one rectilinear groove of one of the side boards.

The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair of a first embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention with a paper beehive structure of the folding chair in a folded state and with positioning members of the folding chair in exploded state.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 1 with the positioning members in an assembled state.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 1 with the paper beehive structure in an extended state.

FIG. 4 shows a partial, cross-sectional view of the folding chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair of a second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention with a beehive structure of the chair in a folded state.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair of a third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a folding chair of a fourth embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a partially exploded perspective view of a folding chair of a fifth embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 11.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 4 show a folding chair according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. The folding chair includes two side boards 1, a paper beehive structure 2, and a positioning device 3. The side boards 1 are made of materials that are not easy to deform, such as wood, metal, or plastics. Each side board 1 includes a plurality of through-holes 11 and a plurality of coupling holes 12.

The paper beehive structure 2 includes a plurality of paper boards 21 interconnected with one another. A plurality of polygonal holes 22 (FIG. 4) are formed between a pair of paper boards 21 adjacent to each other and extend perpendicularly to the ground when the paper beehive structure 2 is in an extended state. The paper beehive structure 2 can be folded or extended in a horizontal direction parallel to the ground. The paper boards 21 placed on the ground provide support in the vertical direction. The paper beehive structure 2 includes two sides 23 to which the side boards 1 are engaged by bonding or other suitable methods to form a body of the folding chair. The paper beehive structure 2 includes a plurality of through-holes 11 aligned with the through-holes 24 of the side boards 1.

The positioning device 3 includes a plurality of connecting rods 331, a plurality of coupling members 32, and a plurality of bolts 33. Each connecting rod 31 can consist of a plurality of sections (three sections in this embodiment) detachably connected with one another. Furthermore, the connecting rod 31 extends through the through-holes 11 of the side boards 1 and the through-holes 24 of the paper beehive structure 2. Each connecting rod 32 includes a coupling portion 311 on each of two ends thereof. Each coupling portion 311 includes a screw hole 312. Each coupling member 32 includes a pressing portion 321 having a length larger than a diameter of the through-hole 11 and a threaded section 322 extending from an inner side of the pressing portion 321. The pressing portion 321 further includes a plurality of engaging holes 323. The threaded section 322 can be threadedly engaged with the screw hole 312 of an end of one of the coupling rods 31. Each bolt 33 is extended through one of the engaging holes 323 of the pressing portion 321 and one of the coupling holes 12 of one of the side boards 1.

When not in use, the paper beehive structure 2 is folded to reduce the volume, and the connecting rods 31 are dismantled. In assembly, the paper beehive structure 2 is extended in the transverse direction. The connecting rods 31 are extended through the through-holes 11 of the side boards 1 and the through-holes 24 of the paper beehive structure 2. The threaded portion 322 of each coupling member 32 is engaged with the screw hole 312 of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods 31. Each bolt 33 is extended through one of the engaging holes 323 of one of the coupling members 33 and one of the coupling holes 12 of one of the side boards 1. Thus, the positioning device 3 fixes the width of the body of the folding chair in the extended state and prevents the extended paper beehive structure 2 from shrinking inward, providing enhanced stability and enhanced safety. The positioning device 3, the side boards 1, and the paper beehive structure 2 can be easily disengaged from one another to allow subsequent folding of the paper beehive structure 2, providing convenient folding.

There are three through-holes 11, 24 in each of the side boards 1 and the paper beehive structure 2 respectively at three end portions in the first embodiment. Corresponding number of the positioning rods 32 and the coupling members 32 are provided to engage with the side boards 1 and the paper beehive structure 2 to enhance the assembling stability.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a folding chair of a second embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the paper beehive structure 2 can be extended to form an arcuate structure. The connecting rods (now designated by 41) of the positioning device (now designated by 4) are also arcuate and extended through the through-holes 11 of the side boards 1 and the through-holes 24 of the paper beehive structure 2 and then coupled with associated coupling members (now designated by 42) and associated bolts 43 to retain the paper beehive structure 2 in the extended state.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a folding of a third embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention. In the second embodiment, each side board (now designated by 5) includes a plurality of coupling holes 51. The paper beehive structure (now designated by 6) includes a plurality of grooves 61. Each of two ends of each groove 61 is in communication with one of the coupling holes 51. The positioning device (now designated by 7) includes a plurality of connecting rods 71 and a plurality of coupling members 72. A coupling portion 711 is provided on each of two ends of each connecting rod 71 and includes a screw hole 712. Each coupling member 72 includes a pressing portion 721 having a length larger than a diameter of the coupling hole 51 and a threaded portion 722 extending from an inner side of the pressing portion 721. After the paper beehive structure 6 is extended, the connecting rods 71 are directly inserted into the grooves 61. The threaded portion 722 of each coupling member 72 is extended through one of the through-holes 51 of one of the side boards 5 into the screw hole 712 of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods 71, with the pressing portion 721 pressing against an outer side of the side board 5 to retain the paper beehive structure 6 in the extended state.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a folding chair of a fourth embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention that is substantially the same as the third embodiment. The only difference between the third and fourth embodiments is that the positioning device 8 includes a plurality of connecting rods 81 and a plurality of bolts 82. A coupling portion 811 is provided on each of two ends of each connecting rod 81. A bracket 812 is fixed to each coupling portion 811 and includes a first side with a coupling hole 813 and a second side. The paper beehive structure 6 includes a plurality of grooves 61 for directly receiving the connecting rods 81. Each groove 61 has two ends each having an enlarged section 62 for receiving the second side of one of the brackets 812. After the paper beehive structure 6 is extended, the connecting rods 81 are directly inserted into the grooves 61. The brackets 812 are coupled with the side boards 5. Particularly, a width of each side board 5 is held between the first and second sides of each bracket 812. Each bolt 82 is extended through the coupling hole 813 of one of the brackets 812 and one of the coupling holes 51 of one of the side boards 5 to retain the paper beehive structure 6 in the extended state.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a folding chair of a fifth embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present invention that is substantially the same as the first embodiment. The only difference resides in that the fifth embodiment includes an armrest 91 attached to each of the side boards 1. Each armrest 91 includes a plurality of hanger pieces 90 each having a rectilinear groove 901 and outer stop flanges 902 located outside the rectilinear grove 901. Each armrest 91 includes a plurality of protrusions 911 on an inner side thereof. Each protrusion 911 is received in one of the rectilinear grooves 901 and retained in place by the outer stop flanges 902. The armrests 91 can be easily detached from the side boards 1 to provide assembling convenience.

Thus, the folding chairs according to the preferred teachings of the present invention are light and easy to fold and extend while providing enhanced stability and enhanced safety in the extended state.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A folding chair comprising:

two side boards;

a foldable paper beehive structure including a plurality of paper boards interconnected with one another, with the paper beehive structure including two sides to which the two side boards are mounted to form a chair body, with a plurality of polygonal holes being formed between two of the plurality of paper boards adjacent to each other, with the plurality of polygonal holes extending perpendicularly to a ground on which the paper beehive structure is placed; and

a positioning device made of rigid material, with the positioning device being coupled with the two side boards when the paper beehive structure is in an extended state to fix a width of the chair body.

2. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with the two side boards being made of a material selected from a group consisting of wood, iron, and plastics.

3. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with the paper beehive structure including a plurality of first through-holes, with each of the two side boards including a plurality of second through-holes and a plurality of coupling holes, with the positioning device including a plurality of connecting rods, a plurality of coupling members, and a plurality of bolts, with each of the plurality of connecting rods extending through one of the plurality of first through-holes of the paper beehive structure in the extended state and one of the plurality of second through-holes, with each of the plurality of connecting rods including two ends each having a coupling portion with a screw hole, with each of the plurality of coupling members including a pressing portion having a length larger than a diameter of each of the plurality of second through-holes, with the pressing portion including a plurality of engaging holes and a threaded section extending from an inner side thereof, with the threaded portion of each of the plurality of coupling members being engaged with the screw hole of one of the two ends of one of the plurality of connecting rods, and with each of the plurality of bolts extending through one of the engaging holes of one of the coupling members and one of the coupling holes of one of the two side boards.

4. The folding chair as claimed in claim 3, with each of the plurality of connecting rods including a plurality of sections detachably connected with one another.

5. The folding chair as claimed in claim 3, with the plurality of first through-holes including three first through-holes defined in three end portions of the paper beehive structure, and with the plurality of second through-holes including three second through-holes defined in three end portions of each of the two side boards.

6. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with each of the two side boards including a plurality of coupling holes, with the paper beehive structure including a plurality of grooves each having two ends each of which is in communication with one of the coupling holes, with the positioning device including a plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of coupling members, with each of the plurality of connecting rods including two ends each having a coupling portion with a screw hole, with each of the plurality of coupling members including a pressing portion having a length larger than a diameter of each of the plurality of coupling holes and a threaded portion extending from an inner side of the pressing portion, with the plurality of connecting rods being directly inserted into the plurality of grooves of the paper beehive structure in the extended state, with the threaded portion of each of the plurality of coupling members being extended through one of the plurality of coupling holes of one of the two side boards into the screw hole of one of the ends of one of the connecting rods, with the pressing portion pressing against an outer side of the side board.

7. The folding chair as claimed in claim 6, with each of the plurality of connecting rods including a plurality of sections detachably connected with one another.

8. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with each of the two side boards including a plurality of first coupling holes, with the paper beehive structure including a plurality of grooves each having two ends each of which is in communication with one of the first coupling holes, with each of two ends of each of the plurality of grooves including an enlarged section, with the positioning device including a plurality of connecting rods and a plurality of bolts, with each of the plurality of connecting rods including two ends each having a coupling portion and a bracket mounted to the coupling portion, with the bracket including a first side having a second coupling hole and a second side received in the enlarged section of one of the plurality of grooves, with each of the plurality of bolts extending through one of the first coupling holes of one of the two side boards and the second coupling hole of one of the brackets.

9. The folding chair as claimed in claim 8, with each of the plurality of connecting rods including a plurality of sections detachably connected with one another.

10. The folding chair as claimed in claim 1, with each of the two side boards further including at least one rectilinear groove and at least one outer stop flange located outside said at least one rectilinear groove, with the folding chair further comprising, in combination: two armrests respectively mounted to the two side boards, with each of the two armrests including at least one protrusion formed on an inner side thereof and removably received in said at least one rectilinear groove of one of the two side boards.