COLLAPSIBLE SUIT CHAIR

Abstract

A collapsible suit chair (10) formed from a collapsible chair frame structure (14) and a body suit (12) is disclosed. The collapsible chair frame structure (14) is capable of being moved between a stored position and an open position. The body suit (12) may be formed from at least one layer of material forming a seat portion (20), a backrest portion (24), armrest portions (22), and leg portions (26) hanging from the seat portion (20). The body suit (12) may include graphics resembling a race car driver suit, an athlete's uniform, a worker's uniform, or another design.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of folding chairs, and more particularly to collapsible chairs.

BACKGROUND

Folding chairs and related temporary chairs are known and used to provide temporary seating for a variety of events and activities where permanent seating is insufficient or when additional seating is otherwise necessary. Examples where such seating is used are large gatherings, including sporting events, cultural events and religious events. In addition, such chairs can be used is private homes or offices for hosting gathering social gatherings like parties, card games, or dinners. As a result, folding chairs are generally designed for purely utilitarian purposes, such as storage in a stack, row, or a specially designed cart or dolley.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention is drawn to a collapsible suit chair. The collapsible suit chair can include a collapsible chair frame structure capable of being moved between a stored position and an open position and a body suit. The body suit can be formed from at least one layer of material having a seat portion, a backrest portion, armrest portions, and leg portions hanging from the seat portion.

The body suit can be formed from material comprising a fabric stitched together to form a continuous suit. The body suit can be formed from material formed from a single piece of material. The leg portions can be formed from two legs. Each leg can include at least one pocket on an outer surface with an opening facing outwardly. The body suit can also include arms that connect the armrest portions to the backrest portion. The body suit can include a collar extending upwardly from an upper edge of the backrest portion.

The body suit can contain graphics such that the body suit resembles a suit worn by racing car drivers. The body suit can be selected from the group consisting of racing car driver suits, football uniforms, baseball uniforms, soccer uniforms, basketball uniforms, cricket uniforms, and hockey uniforms.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A fuller understanding of the present invention and the features and benefits thereof will be obtained upon review of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a collapsible suit chair described herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the collapsible suit chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a second embodiment of a collapsible suit chair described herein.

FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of the collapsible suit chair of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the collapsible suit chair 10 is configured to be moved between an open, usable position and a closed, storable position. The collapsible suit chair 10 may also include a body suit 12 that forms multiple aspects of the collapsible chair and resembles an athlete's suit, a uniform, or the like.

The collapsible suit chair 10 may be formed from a collapsible chair frame structure 14 capable of being moved between a stored position and an open position. The collapsible frame structure 14 may be formed from rigid members capable of supporting the weight of a person sitting on the collapsible suit chair 10. In at least one embodiment, the collapsible chair frame structure 14 may be formed from tubular, metal components that are rotatably coupled together with movable cross braces 16 extending between corner support members 18. The corner support members 18 may support a seat portion 20 and may extend generally vertically above the seat portion 20. The corner support members 18 may support armrests 22 and portions of the backrest 24. The armrest 22 may include a built in cup holder 23.

The body suit 12 may be formed from at least one layer of material forming the seat portion 20, the backrest portion 24, the armrest portion 22, and leg portions 26 hanging from the seat portion 20. The body suit 12 may be formed from material formed from pieces of fabric stitched together to form a continuous suit. The body suit 12 may be formed from a single piece of material or multiple pieces of material. The material may be a woven or a non-woven. The material may be a fabric, including, but not limited to, CORDURA and SUNBRELLA.

The leg portions 26 may be formed from two legs 28. The legs 28 may be separate. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg portions 26 may hang from the seat portion 20 toward the ground and terminate without touching the ground. Each leg 28 may include at least one pocket 30 on an outer surface 32 with an opening 34 facing outwardly. In other embodiments, the leg portions 26 may include more than one pocket 30 on each leg 28 and may include pockets 30 on front or rear surfaces, or both. For example, a hidden pocket may be provided in an embodiment where at least one leg 28 includes at least one pocket 30 on a rear surface of the leg 28 with an opening 34 facing inward. The body suit 12 may contain graphics such that the body suit 12 resembles a suit worn by racing car drivers. The body suit 12 may include graphics resembling racing car driver suits, football uniforms, baseball uniforms, soccer uniforms, basketball uniforms, hockey uniforms, cricket uniform, and the like. The body suit 12 may include graphics resembling a work uniform such as, but not limited to, uniforms worn by the military or employees of Federal Express or UPS.

The body suit 12 may also include other portions that resemble portions of a uniform worn by athletes or workers. In particular, the body suit 12 may include arms 36 that connect the armrest portions 22 to the backrest portion 24. The body suit 12 may also include a collar 38 extending upwardly from an upper edge 40 of the backrest portion 24.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the body suit 12 may include two separate legs 28. The legs 28 may extend from the level of the seat portion 20 to the floor or other surface upon which the collapsible suit chair 10 rests.

The backrest 24 or arm rest 22 may include an opening in the outer surface and the opening can lead to a pocket. The opening and pocket in the backrest 24 can be of similar configuration to that shown for the opening 34 and pocket 30 in the legs 28 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The pocket in the backrest 24 can be large and configured for storing rain gear, such as ponchos, or blankets.

The pockets disclosed herein can be open or closable using zippers, hook-and-loop materials, such as that sold under the VELCRO mark, buttons, flaps, or combinations thereof. In addition, the collapsible suit chair 10 can include clear pouches or mesh pockets configured to store name cards or other similar placards.

The collapsible suit chair 10 can include additional pockets for storage of items associated with the theme of the suit 12. For example, the pockets can be configured for storing magazines, news papers, event programs, team statistics, or other items associated with the theme of the suit 12.

The collapsible suit chair 10 can also include at least one drink holder 23, for example in the armrest 22 portion, a collapsible cooler, or both. In some embodiments, the collapsible suit chair can include an electronic device, such as a radio, a fan, or both. The electronic device can be battery powered, solar powered, or a combination of both.

The collapsible suit chair 10 provides a unique way for an individual to watch their favorite sport, team or player. Because of the unique features of the collapsible suit chair 10, the collapsible suit chair 10 provides additional enjoyment to the fan and improves the atmosphere surrounding any event, whether the viewer is actually at the event or at home. Similarly, the collapsible suit chair 10 can be used at any event at any level, whether professional, college, high school, or purely recreational.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible suit chair (10), comprising:

a collapsible chair frame structure (14) capable of being moved between a stored position and an open position;

a body suit (12) formed from at least one layer of material forming a seat portion (20), a backrest portion (24), armrest portions (22), and leg portions (26) hanging from the seat portion (20).

2. The collapsible suit chair (10) of claim 1, wherein the body suit (12) is formed from material comprising a fabric stitched together to form a continuous suit (12).

3. The collapsible suit chair (10) of claim 1, wherein the body suit (12) is formed from material formed from a single piece of material.

4. The collapsible suit chair (10) of claim 1, the leg portions (26) are formed from two legs (28), where each leg (28) includes at least one pocket (30) on an outer surface (32) with an opening (34) facing outwardly.

5. The collapsible suit chair (10) of claim 1, wherein the body suit (12) contains graphics such that the body suit (12) resembles a suit worn by racing car drivers.

6. The collapsible suit chair (10) of claim 1, wherein the body suit (12) is selected from the group consisting of racing car driver suits, football uniforms, baseball uniforms, soccer uniforms, basketball uniforms, cricket uniforms, and hockey uniforms.

7. The collapsible suit chair (10) of claim 1, wherein the body suit (12) further comprises arms (36) that connect the armrest (22) portions to the backrest portion (24).

8. The collapsible suit chair (10) of claim 1, wherein the body suit (12) further comprises a collar (38) extending upwardly from an upper edge (40) of the backrest portion (24).