Chairs

Abstract

A chair includes a first support structure, a second support structure, a seat and a backrest. The backrest is attached to each of the first and second support structures. The seat is attached to each of the first and second support structures.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

A chair includes a first support structure, a second support structure, a seat and a backrest. The backrest is attached to each of the first and second support structures. The seat is attached to each of the first and second support structures.

BACKGROUND

Conventional chairs facilitate seating of a person, such as a child, for meals, play, school, and other activities.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a chair comprises a first support structure, a second support structure, a backrest, and a seat. The first support structure defines a first notch. The second support structure defines a second notch. The backrest is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure. The seat is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure. The first notch receives a portion of the second support structure adjacent to the second notch. The second notch receives a portion of the first support structure adjacent to the first notch. In use of the chair by a person, the first support structure and the second support structure are together configured to entirely support the seat and the backrest with respect to a ground surface.

In accordance with another embodiment, a chair comprises a first support structure, a second support structure, a backrest, and a seat. The backrest is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features. The seat is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features. Each of the first support structure, the second support structure, the seat, and the backrest is formed from plastic as a respective unitary member.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a chair consisting essentially of a first support structure, a second support structure, a backrest, and a seat. The first support structure is formed from plastic as a first unitary member. The second support structure is formed from plastic as a second unitary member. The backrest is formed from plastic as a third unitary member. The seat is formed from plastic as a fourth unitary member. The backrest is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features. The seat is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features.

In accordance with still another embodiment, a chair comprises a first support structure, a second support structure, a backrest, and a seat. The first support structure comprises a first base, a first upright member extending above the first base, a first leg and a second leg. Each of the first leg and the second leg extend below the first base. The second support structure is releasably interlocked with the first support structure. The second support structure comprises a second base, a second upright member extending above the second base, a third leg and a fourth leg. Each of the third leg and the fourth leg extends below the second base. The backrest is releasably attached to each of the first upright member and the second upright member. The seat is releasably attached to each of the first base and the second base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a chair in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view depicting the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view depicting the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view depicting the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view depicting the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view depicting the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view depicting the chair of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view depicting the backrest of the chair of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view depicting the seat of the chair of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments are hereinafter described in detail in connection with the views and examples of FIGS. 1-9, wherein like numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements throughout the views. A chair 10 is shown in FIGS. 1-7 to include a seat 14, a backrest 16, and support structures 20 and 40. In one embodiment, such as shown in the example of FIGS. 1-7, the chair 10 is formed substantially entirely by those four components, namely the seat 14, the backrest 16, and the support structures 20 and 40, with perhaps stickers, labels, and/or paint applied for decoration and/or marking. In other embodiments, a chair can include additional components such as, for examples, armrests, footrests, cup holders, and/or fasteners, for example. In use of the chair 10 by a person, the support structures 20 and 40 can together be configured to entirely support the seat 14 and the backrest 16 with respect to a floor or ground surface upon which the chair 10 is placed. The backrest 16 is shown to define a handle aperture 18 extending through the backrest 16 and which can be configured to facilitate convenient carrying of the chair 10 by a hand of a person.

In one embodiment, each of the seat 14, the backrest 16, and the support structures 20 and 40 can be formed from plastic as a respective unitary member such as, for example, during a blow molding process, an injection molding process, or a rotomolding or rotary molding process. However, it will be appreciated that one or more components of a chair in accordance with alternative embodiments can be formed from materials other than plastic, and/or through use of any of a variety of other processes. In one embodiment, such as when formed from plastic in a rotary molding or blow molding process, and such as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, the seat 14, the backrest 16, and the support structures 20 and 40 can each be formed with a respective interior cavity to define a respective hollow structure. In one embodiment, each of the support structures 20 and 40 can be formed from plastic having a common first color, while each of the seat 14 and the backrest 16 can be formed from plastic having a common second color, with the first and second colors being different. In alternative embodiments, respective support structures of a chair, and/or respective seat and backrest components of a chair, can have the same or different colors.

The support structure 20 is shown to include legs 24 and 26, an upright member 28, and a base 30. Each of the legs 24 and 26 is shown to extend below the base 30. The upright member 28 is shown to extend above the base 30. Likewise, the support structure 40 is shown to include legs 44 and 46, an upright member 48, and a base 50. Each of the legs 44 and 46 is shown to extend below the base 50. The upright member 48 is shown to extend above the base 50.

The support structures 20 and 40 can be releasably interlocked. For example, with reference to FIG. 7, the base 30 of the support structure 20 can define a notch 22, while the base 50 of the support structure 40 can define a notch 42. The notches 22 and 42 can be aligned to facilitate interlocking of the support structures 20 and 40. In particular, when interlocked, the notch 22 can receive a portion of the support structure 40 adjacent to the notch 42 such as, for example, a portion of the base 50. Likewise, when interlocked, the notch 42 can receive a portion of the support structure 20 adjacent to the notch 22 such as, for example, a portion of the base 30. When in this interlocked configuration, the support structures 20 and 40 can extend transversely with respect to one another as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5-6. When the support structures are interlocked, the legs 24, 26, 44, and 46 can be substantially equally spaced from one another such as, for example, shown in FIG. 6. However, in an alternative embodiment, it will be appreciated that legs of a chair might not be equally spaced.

The legs 24, 26, 44, and 46 are shown in FIG. 6 to include respective ground contacting surfaces 25, 27, 45, and 47. With reference to FIGS. 2-3 and 6, the ground contacting surfaces 25, 27, 45, and 47 can be coplanar within a ground plane 80 and can be configured to contact a floor or ground surface upon which the chair 10 is placed in use. The support structure 20 is shown in FIG. 6 to extend along a generally vertical plane 32 which intersects the ground contacting surfaces 25 and 27. Likewise, the support structure 40 is shown to extend along a generally vertical plane 52 which intersects the ground contacting surfaces 45 and 47. The generally vertical planes 32 and 52 can intersect one another and, for example, are shown in FIG. 6 to perpendicularly intersect one another. The ground contacting surfaces 25 and 27 are shown to be spaced from one another such that they are spaced from, and disposed upon opposite sides of, the generally vertical plane 52. Likewise, the ground contacting surfaces 45 and 47 are shown to be spaced from one another such that they are spaced from, and disposed upon opposite sides of, the generally vertical plane 32.

In one embodiment, such as shown in FIG. 7, the support structure 20 can include an arcuate surface 34 which extends at least partially between the legs 24 and 26, and which also extends at least partially between the ground contacting surfaces 25 and 27. Likewise, the support structure 40 can include an arcuate surface 54 which extends at least partially between the legs 44 and 46, and which also extends at least partially between the ground contacting surfaces 45 and 47. In one embodiment, substantial portions of each of the arcuate surfaces 34 and 54 can be spaced from the ground plane 80, as generally shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. In an alternative embodiment, one or more support structures of a chair might not include such an arcuate surface. In still another embodiment, ground contacting surfaces provided by respective legs of a chair might not be separated (e.g., by an arcuate surface, such as shown with respect to the chair 10 of FIGS. 1-7), but might rather be adjacent to one another.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the bases 30 and 50 of the respective support structures 20 and 40 can comprise respective seat contacting surfaces 31 and 51. The seat contacting surfaces 31 and 51 can contact the seat 14 when the seat 14 is attached to the support structures 20 and 40, and can cooperate to define a support plane (82, shown generally in FIG. 3). The support plane 82 can be generally parallel with the ground plane 80, as shown in FIG. 3, and the generally vertical planes 32 and 52 can intersect the support plane 82. In one embodiment, the generally vertical planes 32 and 52 can generally perpendicularly intersect the support plane 82.

The seat 14 can be attached to each of the support structures 20 and 40 in any of a variety of suitable configurations. More particularly, the seat 14 can be releasably attached to each of the respective bases 30 and 50 of the respective support structures 20 and 40. For example, the seat 14 can be attached to each of the support structures 20 and 40 by way of snap-fit interlocking features which can be provided in any of a variety of suitable configurations. In one embodiment, the snap-fit interlocking features can comprise at least one tab/groove combination. For example, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the support structure 20 is shown to comprise seat tabs 38 and 39 which are integral with and extend above the base 30, while the support structure 40 is shown to comprise seat tabs 58 and 59 which are integral with and extend above the base 50. The seat 14 can comprise seat grooves 60, 61, 62, and 63. The seat tabs 38, 39, 58, and 59 can respectively engage the seat grooves 63, 61, 62, and 60 in order to facilitate releasable attachment of the seat 14 to the support structures 20 and 40. While each of the support structures 20 and 40 are shown in FIG. 7 to comprise a respective pair of seat tabs (i.e., 38, 39 and 58, 59), it will be appreciated that alternative support structures can include fewer than two seat tabs, more than two seat tabs, or no seat tabs, and/or might alternatively comprise grooves configured to receive tabs provided on a seat in a snap-fit configuration.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the upright members 28 and 48 of the respective support structures 20 and 40 can comprise respective backrest contacting surfaces 29 and 49. The backrest contacting surfaces 29 and 49 can be spaced from one another and can contact the backrest 16 when the backrest 16 is attached to the support structures 20 and 40. The support structures 20 and 40 can further include respective ledges 36 and 56 extending from the respective upright members 28 and 48. The ledges 36 and 56 define respective ledge surfaces 37 and 57 which can be generally perpendicular to the respective backrest contacting surfaces 29 and 49 and can contact the backrest 16 at spaced locations. In one embodiment, the upright members 28 and 48 can be generally parallel with one another.

The backrest 16 can be attached to each of the support structures 20 and 40 in any of a variety of suitable configurations. In one embodiment, such as in the example of FIGS. 1-7, the backrest 16 can be spaced from the seat 14. However, in an alternative embodiment, the backrest 16 can contact the seat 14. The backrest 16 can be releasably attached to each of the respective upright members 28 and 48 of the respective support structures 20 and 40. For example, the backrest 16 can be attached to each of the support structures 20 and 40 by way of snap-fit interlocking features which can be provided in any of a variety of suitable configurations. In one embodiment, the snap-fit interlocking fasteners can comprise at least one tab/groove combination. For example, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the support structure 20 is shown to comprise a backrest tab 35 which is integral with and extends from the upright member 28, while the support structure 40 is shown to comprise a backrest tab 55 which is integral with and extends from the upright member 48. The backrest 16 can comprise backrest grooves 66 and 67. The backrest tabs 35 and 55 can respectively engage the backrest grooves 66 and 67 in order to facilitate releasable attachment of the backrest 16 to the support structures 20 and 40. While each of the support structures 20 and 40 are shown in FIG. 7 to comprise a respective seat tab (i.e., 35 and 55), it will be appreciated that an alternative support structure can include more than one backrest tab, or no seat tab, and/or might alternatively comprise grooves configured to receive tabs provided on a backrest in a snap-fit configuration.

It will be appreciated that the support structures 20 and 40 can have a similar shape, and can have a substantially similar outer perimeter, except with respect to differences such as with respect to the notches 22 and 42 and the seat tabs 38, 39 and 58, 59. It will also be appreciated that the chair 10 can be easily reconfigured by a person between an assembled orientation (shown in FIGS. 1-6) and a disassembled orientation (shown in FIG. 7). In one embodiment, such as with respect to the chair 10 of FIGS. 1-7, the chair 10 can be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled without use of tools, and such as through snap-fit attachment and detachment of the seat 14, the backrest 16 and the support structures 20 and 40. It will also be appreciated that, when in the disassembled orientation, the seat 14, the backrest 16 and the support structures 20 and 40 of the chair 10 can be compactly stacked to facilitate space efficient packaging, transportation, storage, and retail display of the chair 10.

In one embodiment, the seat 14 can include a reinforcement structure 90, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 9. It will be appreciated that, in an embodiment in which the seat 14 is formed as a unitary member from plastic, the reinforcement structure 90 can comprise a portion of the unitary member. However, in an alternative embodiment, a reinforcement structure can be attached to another portion of a seat such as with adhesive and/or fasteners, for example. When the chair 10 is assembled, such as shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcement structure 90 can serve as a buttress to maintain the support structures 20 and 40 in a desired position with respect to one another (e.g., to prevent folding of the support structures 20 and 40 with respect to one another). In one embodiment, screws and/or other fasteners can be inserted through the reinforcement structure 90 and into one or both of the support structures 20 and 40 to assist in attaching the seat 14 to the support structures 20 and 40.

The foregoing description of embodiments and examples of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A chair comprising:

a first support structure defining a first notch;

a second support structure defining a second notch;

a backrest attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure; and

a seat attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure; wherein

the first notch receives a portion of the second support structure adjacent to the second notch;

the second notch receives a portion of the first support structure adjacent to the first notch; and

in use of the chair by a person, the first support structure and the second support structure are together configured to entirely support the seat and the backrest with respect to a ground surface.

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein:

the first support structure comprises a first leg, a second leg, and a first upright member, the first leg comprises a first ground contacting surface, the second leg comprises a second ground contacting surface;

the second support structure comprises a third leg, a fourth leg, and a second upright member, the third leg comprises a third ground contacting surface, the fourth leg comprises a fourth ground contacting surface; and

the first ground contacting surface, the second ground contacting surface, the third ground contacting surface, and the fourth ground contacting surface are coplanar within a ground plane.

3. The chair of claim 2 wherein:

the first support structure extends along a first generally vertical plane, the first generally vertical plane intersects each of the first ground contacting surface and the second ground contacting surface;

the second support structure extends along a second generally vertical plane, the second generally vertical plane intersects each of the third ground contacting surface and the fourth ground contacting surface; and

the first generally vertical plane intersects the second generally vertical plane.

4. The chair of claim 3 wherein the first generally vertical plane is perpendicular to the second generally vertical plane.

5. The chair of claim 3 wherein:

the first support structure further comprises a first seat contacting surface;

the second support structure further comprises a second seat contacting surface;

the first seat contacting surface and the second seat contacting surface contact the seat and cooperate to define a support plane; and

the first generally vertical plane and the second generally vertical plane intersect the support plane.

6. The chair of claim 5 wherein the support plane is generally parallel with the ground plane.

7. The chair of claim 3 wherein:

the second ground contacting surface is spaced from the first ground contacting surface such that the first ground contacting surface and the second ground contacting surface are spaced from the second generally vertical plane and are disposed upon opposite sides of the second generally vertical plane; and

the third ground contacting surface is spaced from the fourth ground contacting surface such that the third ground contacting surface and the fourth ground contacting surface are spaced from the first generally vertical plane and are disposed upon opposite sides of the first generally vertical plane.

8. The chair of claim 7 wherein:

the first support structure comprises a first arcuate surface extending at least partially between the first ground contacting surface and the second ground contacting surface;

the second support structure comprises a second arcuate surface extending at least partially between the third ground contacting surface and the fourth ground contacting surface; and

substantial portions of each of the first arcuate surface and the second arcuate surface are spaced from the ground plane.

9. The chair of claim 2 wherein:

the first upright member comprises a first backrest contacting surface;

the second upright member comprises a second backrest contacting surface spaced from the first backrest contacting surface; and

each of the first backrest contacting surface and the second backrest contacting surface contacts the backrest.

10. The chair of claim 9 wherein the seat is spaced from the backrest.

11. The chair of claim 9 wherein:

the first support structure comprises a first ledge extending from the first upright member, the first ledge having a first ledge surface;

the second support structure comprises a second ledge extending from the second upright member, the second ledge having a second ledge surface;

the first ledge surface is generally perpendicular to the first backrest contacting surface;

the second ledge surface is generally perpendicular to the second backrest contacting surface; and

each of the first ledge surface and the second ledge surface contacts the backrest.

12. The chair of claim 1 wherein:

the first support structure is formed from plastic as a first unitary member;

the second support structure is formed from plastic as a second unitary member;

the backrest is formed from plastic as a third unitary member; and

the seat is formed from plastic as a fourth unitary member.

13. The chair of claim 12 consisting essentially of the first unitary member, the second unitary member, the third unitary member, and the fourth unitary member.

14. The chair of claim 1 wherein:

the first support structure comprises a first seat tab and a first backrest tab;

the second support structure comprises a second seat tab and a second backrest tab;

the seat comprises a first seat groove and a second seat groove;

the backrest comprises a first backrest groove and a second backrest groove;

the first seat tab engages the first seat groove;

the second seat tab engages the second seat groove;

the first backrest tab engages the first backrest groove; and

the second backrest tab engages the second backrest groove.

15. The chair of claim 1 wherein each of the first support structure and the second support structure is formed from plastic having a first color, each of the seat and the backrest is formed from plastic having a second color, and the first color is different than the second color.

16. The chair of claim 1 wherein the backrest defines a handle aperture extending through the backrest.

17. A chair comprising:

a first support structure;

a second support structure;

a backrest attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features; and

a seat attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features; wherein

each of the first support structure, the second support structure, the seat, and the backrest is formed from plastic as a respective unitary member.

18. A chair consisting essentially of:

a first support structure formed from plastic as a first unitary member;

a second support structure formed from plastic as a second unitary member;

a backrest formed from plastic as a third unitary member; and

a seat formed from plastic as a fourth unitary member; wherein:

the backrest is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features; and

the seat is attached to each of the first support structure and the second support structure by way of snap-fit interlocking features.

19. A chair comprising:

a first support structure, the first support structure comprising a first base, a first upright member extending above the first base, a first leg and a second leg, each of the first leg and the second leg extending below the first base;

a second support structure releasably interlocked with the first support structure, the second support structure comprising a second base, a second upright member extending above the second base, a third leg and a fourth leg, each of the third leg and the fourth leg extending below the second base;

a backrest releasably attached to each of the first upright member and the second upright member; and

a seat releasably attached to each of the first base and the second base.

20. The chair of claim 19 wherein:

the first base defines a first notch;

the second base defines a second notch aligned with the first notch; and

the first notch receives a portion of the second base and the second notch receives a portion of the first base.

21. The chair of claim 20 wherein:

the first support structure further comprises a first seat tab integral with and extending above the first base;

the second support structure further comprises a second seat tab and a third seat tab, each of the second seat tab and the third seat tab being integral with and extending above the second base; and

each of the first seat tab, the second seat tab, and the third seat tab engages a respective one of a plurality of seat grooves in the seat.

22. The chair of claim 19 wherein:

the second support structure extends transversely to the first support structure; and

the first leg, the second leg, the third leg, and the fourth leg are substantially equally spaced from one another.

23. The chair of claim 19 wherein:

the first support structure further comprises a first backrest tab integral with and extending from the first upright member;

the second support structure further comprises a second backrest tab integral with and extending from the second upright member; and

each of the first backrest tab and the second backrest tab engages a respective one of a plurality of backrest grooves in the backrest.

24. The chair of claim 19 wherein:

the first support structure further comprises a first arcuate surface extending at least partially between the first leg and the second leg; and

the second support structure further comprises a second arcuate surface extending at least partially between the third leg and the fourth leg.

25. The chair of claim 19 wherein:

the first support structure is formed from plastic as a first unitary member; and

the second support structure is formed from plastic as a second unitary member.