FOLDING CHAIR

Abstract

A folding chair includes a front leg frame, a rear leg frame and a backrest frame pivotally coupled to a seat. The rear leg frame is slidably coupled to a pair of spaced apart slots on a bottom portion of the seat. Each component is positioned such that in an open configuration the backrest frame is supported by the front leg frame, and the rear leg frame engages front ends of the slots such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame, and in a folded configuration the front leg frame, rear leg frame, backrest frame and seat are positioned substantially co-planar to each other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending PCT Application Nos. PCT/CN2010/078722, filed on Nov. 15, 2010, and PCT/CN2011/070166, filed on Jan. 11, 2011, both of which claim priority to and benefit of China Application No. 201020147009.2, filed on Mar. 23, 2010. This application claims priority to and benefit of all of the above mentioned applications which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to chairs and, more particularly, relates to a folding chair.

Compared to other seating devices, folding chairs offer the advantages of being compact and lightweight. Generally, folding chairs are easier to store and transport than are non-folding chairs. Further, folding chairs may often be purchased at a lower cost than non-folding chairs.

Folding chairs are designed and manufactured in a variety of forms. Typically, however, a folding chair consists of a seat, a backrest, and foldable support structures, including front and rear legs. In an open configuration, the seat supports the weight of a person while the backrest provides support for the person's back, so the person may comfortably lean back while seated. In a folded configuration, the components fold together, often overlapping, for storage and/or transport.

In most conventional foldable chairs, as shown for example in FIGS. 1-3, the front legs 3′ extend upwardly to receive or form at least a portion of a backrest 4′, the seat 1′ and the front legs 3′ are hinged together, and the seat 1′ is slidably connected with the rear legs through a connecting device. In earlier versions of this type of foldable chair, when folded, the seat is pivoted upwardly toward to the backrest so that the seat and backrest overlap, while the front legs and the rear legs abut against each other. In improved versions of this type of foldable chair, as shown for example in FIGS. 1-3, when folded, the seat 1′ is pivoted upwardly toward the backrest 4′ but the seat 1′ is positioned in a space beneath the backrest 4′ so that the seat 1′ and backrest 4′ are substantially co-planar. However, the front legs 3′ and back legs overlap and cannot be collectively positioned co-planar with the backrest 4′ and seat 1′. Moreover, the overall length of the chair cannot be reduced due to the front legs 3′ being integral to the backrest 4′. Thus, problems with storage and transport, including the requirement of increased shelf space in retail stores and inefficient packaging for shipping, often arise because of the thickness as well as the overall length of the folded chair.

What is needed, therefore, is a folding chair that is stable and secure when unfolded and in use, which folds into a substantially flat, compact package with reduced length for more convenient transport and storage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description that is presented later.

Briefly stated, in one aspect, the present invention provides a folding chair configurable into an open configuration and a folded configuration, the folding chair comprising: a front leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart front legs in a substantially parallel arrangement; a rear leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart rear legs in a substantially parallel arrangement, the front and rear leg frames pivotally coupled to each other; a seat comprising opposing top and bottom portions, and a pair of opposing side portions, a pair of opposing side members each extending from a corresponding side portion, the bottom portion comprising a pair of spaced apart slots extending between front and rear portions of the seat, upper ends of each rear leg slidably coupled to a corresponding slot; and a backrest frame comprising a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members in a substantially parallel arrangement, lower ends of each upper backrest support member connected by a lower backrest support member, a backrest disposed on upper portions of each upper backrest support member, lower portions of each upper backrest support member and upper portions of each corresponding front leg collectively fixedly pivotally coupled to a rear portion of each side member of the seat; wherein in the open configuration the backrest is substantially upright and the lower backrest support member contacts the front leg frame, and each rear leg upper end engages a front end of a corresponding slot such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame, and wherein in the folded configuration the backrest frame pivots toward and overlaps with the seat, each rear leg upper end engages a rear end of a corresponding slot such that the front and rear leg frames are pivoted toward each other to a substantially parallel arrangement, and the overlapped backrest and seat are further collectively pivoted toward and overlap with the substantially parallel front and rear leg frames.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a folding chair configurable into an open configuration and a folded configuration, the folding chair comprising: a front leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart front legs in a substantially parallel arrangement; a rear leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart rear legs in a substantially parallel arrangement, the front and rear leg frames pivotally coupled to each other; a seat comprising opposing top and bottom portions, the bottom portion comprising a pair of spaced apart slots in substantially parallel arrangement, each slot extending between front and rear portions of the seat, upper ends of each rear leg slidably coupled to a corresponding slot, upper ends of each front leg pivotally coupled to the seat; and a backrest frame comprising a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members in a substantially parallel arrangement, the backrest frame being independent and separate from the front and rear leg frames, lower ends of each upper backrest support member having a lower backrest support member extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, lower portions of each upper backrest support member pivotally coupled to the seat.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a folding chair configurable into an open configuration and a folded configuration, the folding chair comprising: a front leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart front legs in a substantially parallel arrangement; a rear leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart rear legs in a substantially parallel arrangement, the front and rear leg frames pivotally coupled to each other; a seat comprising opposing top and bottom portions, and opposing side portions, the bottom portion comprising a pair of spaced apart slots in substantially parallel arrangement, each slot extending between front and rear portions of the seat, upper ends of each rear leg slidably coupled to a corresponding slot, upper ends of each front leg pivotally coupled to the seat; and a backrest frame comprising a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members in a substantially parallel arrangement, the backrest frame being independent and separate from the front and rear leg frames, lower ends of each upper backrest support member having a lower backrest support member extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, lower portions of each upper backrest support member pivotally coupled to the seat; wherein in the open configuration the backrest frame is substantially upright and each lower backrest support member contacts the front leg frame, and upper ends of each rear leg engages a front end of a corresponding slot such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame, and wherein in the folded configuration the backrest frame pivots toward and overlaps with the top portion of the seat, each rear leg upper end engages a rear end of a corresponding slot such that the front and rear leg frames are pivoted toward each other to a substantially parallel arrangement, and the overlapped backrest frame and seat are further collectively pivoted toward and overlap with the substantially parallel front and rear leg frames such that the front leg frame, the rear leg frame, the backrest frame and the seat side portions are positioned substantially co-planar to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To better understand the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary folding chair of the prior art in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 1 in a partially folded configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 1 in a fully folded configuration;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a folding chair of the present invention in an open configuration;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 4 in an open configuration;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 4 in a partially folded configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 4 in another partially folded configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the folding chair of FIG. 4 in a fully folded configuration; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a bottom portion of the folding chair of FIG. 4.

To facilitate an understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the features shown in the figures are not drawn to scale, but are shown for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. To assist in the description of the present invention, words such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “back,” “upper,” “lower,” “right” and “left” are used to describe the accompanying figures. Also, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 4-9, a preferred embodiment of the folding chair 100 of the present invention is shown. The folding chair 100 is configurable into an open configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, and a folded configuration, as shown in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 4, the folding chair 100 includes a leg frame assembly 2 having a front leg frame and a rear leg frame. The front leg frame includes a pair of spaced apart front legs 22 in a substantially parallel arrangement. Similarly, the rear leg frame includes a pair of spaced apart rear legs 21 in a substantially parallel arrangement. The front and rear leg frames are pivotally coupled to each other intermediate upper and lower ends of each respective leg frame. In this embodiment, the rear legs 21 are further connected by a transverse leg support member 23 to provide additional stability to the rear leg frame. The front legs 22 could also be connected in similar fashion so long as the transverse support member of the front leg frame is positioned below the transverse leg support member 23 of the rear leg frame when the chair is folded (FIG. 8) to prevent the transverse leg support member of the front leg frame from interfering with the rear leg frame. Moreover, the rear leg frame is narrower than the front leg frame such that outer sides of the rear leg frame are positioned on respective inner sides of the front leg frame. This allows the leg frames to pivot to a co-planar, side-by-side position, as shown in FIG. 8, when the folding chair 100 is in the folded configuration. Referring to FIG. 9, upper ends of each rear leg 21 include an engaging member 24 extending from an inner side of the rear leg 21 substantially perpendicular thereto. The engaging member 24 is formed of a solid high-strength steel, and extends through the inner side of the rear leg 21 and welded thereto.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6 and 9, the folding chair 100 also includes a seat 1 having opposing top and bottom portions 13, 14, and a pair of opposing side portions. A pair of opposing side members 12 extends downwardly from corresponding side portions substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom portions of the seat 13, 14. In the preferred embodiment, the seat top portion 13 is slightly concave to provide a comfortable seating surface for the user but the seat top portion 13 could take on other shapes including but not limited to a flat configuration or multiple concave portions. It is also preferred that the seat 1 is light-weight and constructed of injection molded plastic but the seat 1 could also be constructed by blow molding. A plurality of reinforcement ridges 15 are integrally formed on the seat bottom portion 14 to provide additional strength to the seat 1. The reinforcement ridges 15 include a pattern of ridges on a central area of the bottom portion 14 to ensure that the weight of the user is sufficiently supported.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the reinforcement ridges 15 also include a pair of opposing longitudinal ridges 16 on each side of the seat bottom portion 14 extending between front and rear portions of the seat 1. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of integrally formed fastener receiving members 17 extend downwardly between the opposing longitudinal ridges 16 for housing a seat frame 11, which is fixed between the longitudinal ridges 16 via fasteners 18, such as screws, through the fastener receiving members 17. Each seat frame 11 includes an elongated slot 19 extending from a front end to a rear end. In the alternative, an outer longitudinal ridge 16 could extend further downward and the elongated slots 19 could be formed thereto without the seat frame 11. The engaging members 24 of each rear leg 21 are slidably coupled to a corresponding slot 19. It is preferred that a width of the elongated slot 19 at a front end is substantially similar to the diameter of the engaging member 24 and the slot width increases toward the rear end of the elongated slot 19. This allows the engaging member 24 to lock into the slot front end and slide freely toward the rear end. This engagement provides additional stability to both sides of the leg frame assembly 2 and further guides each rear leg 21 to slide in concert with each other. An outer channel 20 is also formed on each side of the seat bottom portion 14 between an outer longitudinal ridge 16 and the side member 12. The outer channel 20 has a width substantially equal to the combined width of the front and rear legs 22, 21.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, the folding chair 100 also includes a backrest frame 3 having a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members 31 in a substantially parallel arrangement. In the preferred embodiment, lower ends of each upper backrest support member 31 is connected by a lower backrest support member 32, preferably by conventional welding methods, and provides additional stability for the backrest frame 3. However, each upper backrest support member 31 could be provided with a separate and independent lower support member that does not connect to an opposing lower support member. In the preferred embodiment, lower portions of each upper backrest support member 31 and upper portions of each corresponding front leg 22 are collectively fixedly pivotally coupled to a rear portion of each side member of the seat 12, preferably by a fastener such as a screw, rivet or the like. However, the upper backrest support members 31 and front legs 22 could be separately attached to the seat 1 and could also be attached to other parts of the seat 1, including the reinforcement ridges 15. A backrest 4 is disposed on upper portions of each upper backrest support member 31, and in the preferred embodiment, a handle is integrally formed on an upper portion of the backrest 4 by way of an oversized aperture but other shapes and sized could be formed on the backrest to provide a handle. A handle could also be separately attached to the backrest by other means or the backrest could be constructed without a handle. Similar to the seat 1, it is preferred that the backrest 4 is light-weight and constructed by injection molded plastic but blow molding could be utilized as well. In the preferred embodiment, an inner portion of the backrest 4 between the upper backrest support members 31 are offset such that the inner portion of the backrest 4 is extended from a back side of the upper backrest support members 31. An incline 33 is formed on portions of the backrest 4 immediately adjacent to the upper backrest support members 31 and the inner portion is concave to provide a comfortable back support for the user. The inner portion of the backrest 4 could also be flat or take on other shapes as well.

The frame of the folding chair 100, including the leg frame assembly 2 and the backrest frame 3 is preferably constructed of hollow tubular steel or steel alloy to provide strength and to minimize weight while reducing material cost. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other materials such as aluminum could be used for the overall frame to further reduce the weight of the folding chair 1 without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the open configuration the backrest frame 3 is substantially upright and the lower backrest support member 32 contacts upper portions of the front legs 22 such that the backrest frame 3 is restricted from backward pivotal movement beyond the substantially upright position and any force exerted on a front portion of the backrest 4 is supported by the upper portions of the front legs 22. Each rear leg engaging member 24 engages a front end of a corresponding slot 19 such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame. Referring to FIGS. 6-8, in the folded configuration the backrest 4 pivots toward and overlaps with the seat 1. In this position, the backrest frame 3 and the seat side members 12 are substantially co-planar with each other. Each rear leg engaging member 24 slides toward a rear portion of the seat 1 and engages a rear end of a corresponding slot 19 such that the front and rear leg frames are pivoted toward each other to a substantially parallel and co-planar arrangement. The co-planar backrest frame 3 and seat 1 are further collectively pivoted toward and overlap with the substantially parallel front and rear leg frames. In this configuration, each front leg 22 and rear leg 21 is positioned within a corresponding outer channel 20 such that the seat side member 12 is substantially co-planar with the front and rear leg frames. Thus, a substantial co-planar relationship is formed between the upper backrest support members 31, the seat 1 and the front and rear leg frames, and a substantially flat, compact folded chair with reduced length is provided for more convenient transport and storage.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A folding chair configurable into an open configuration and a folded configuration, the folding chair comprising:

a front leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart front legs in a substantially parallel arrangement;

a rear leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart rear legs in a substantially parallel arrangement, the front and rear leg frames pivotally coupled to each other;

a seat comprising opposing top and bottom portions, and a pair of opposing side portions, a pair of opposing side members each extending from a corresponding side portion, the bottom portion comprising a pair of spaced apart slots extending between front and rear portions of the seat, upper ends of each rear leg slidably coupled to a corresponding slot; and

a backrest frame comprising a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members in a substantially parallel arrangement, lower ends of each upper backrest support member connected by a lower backrest support member, a backrest disposed on upper portions of each upper backrest support member, lower portions of each upper backrest support member and upper portions of each corresponding front leg collectively fixedly pivotally coupled to a rear portion of each side member of the seat;

wherein in the open configuration the backrest is substantially upright and the lower backrest support member contacts the front leg frame, and each rear leg upper end engages a front end of a corresponding slot such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame, and

wherein in the folded configuration the backrest frame pivots toward and overlaps with the seat, each rear leg upper end engages a rear end of a corresponding slot such that the front and rear leg frames are pivoted toward each other to a substantially parallel arrangement, and the overlapped backrest and seat are further collectively pivoted toward and overlap with the substantially parallel front and rear leg frames.

2. The folding chair of claim 1, wherein the rear leg frame having a width narrower than the front leg frame, the rear leg frame positioned on an inner portion of the front leg frame.

3. The folding chair of claim 1, wherein in the folded configuration, the front leg frame, the rear leg frame, the backrest frame and the seat side members are positioned substantially co-planar to each other.

4. The folding chair of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front and rear leg frames further comprises a transverse leg support member fixedly connected to the pair of legs.

5. The folding chair of claim 1, wherein the seat is constructed by a method selected from a group comprising blow molding and injection molding.

6. The folding chair of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of reinforcement ridges formed on the bottom portion of the seat.

7. The folding chair of claim 6, wherein each slot is formed on a seat frame fixedly connected to the bottom portion of the seat between two of the plurality of reinforcement ridges.

8. A folding chair configurable into an open configuration and a folded configuration, the folding chair comprising:

a front leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart front legs in a substantially parallel arrangement;

a rear leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart rear legs in a substantially parallel arrangement, the front and rear leg frames pivotally coupled to each other;

a seat comprising opposing top and bottom portions, the bottom portion comprising a pair of spaced apart slots in substantially parallel arrangement, each slot extending between front and rear portions of the seat, upper ends of each rear leg slidably coupled to a corresponding slot, upper ends of each front leg pivotally coupled to the seat; and

a backrest frame comprising a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members in a substantially parallel arrangement, the backrest frame being independent and separate from the front and rear leg frames, lower ends of each upper backrest support member having a lower backrest support member extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, lower portions of each upper backrest support member pivotally coupled to the seat.

9. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein in the open configuration the backrest frame is substantially upright and each lower backrest support member contacts the front leg frame, and upper ends of each rear leg engages a front end of a corresponding slot such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame.

10. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein in the folded configuration the backrest pivots toward and overlaps with the top portion of the seat, each rear leg upper end engages a rear end of a corresponding slot such that the front and rear leg frames are pivoted toward each other to a substantially parallel arrangement, and the overlapped backrest and seat are further collectively pivoted toward and overlap with the substantially parallel front and rear leg frames.

11. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein each slot is formed on a seat frame fixedly connected to the bottom portion of the seat.

12. The folding chair according to claim 8, wherein a lower portion of the backrest frame and an upper portion of the front leg frame are collectively fixedly pivotally coupled to the seat.

13. The folding chair according to claim 8, wherein each lower backrest support member is connected to each other.

14. The folding chair according to claim 8, further comprising a pair of opposing side members each extending from opposing side portions of the seat.

15. The folding chair of claim 14, wherein in the folded configuration the front leg frame, the rear leg frame, the backrest frame and the seat side members are positioned substantially co-planar to each other.

16. The folding chair according to claim 14, wherein lower portions of each upper backrest support member and upper portions of each corresponding front leg are collectively fixedly pivotally coupled to a rear portion of each side member of the seat.

17. The folding chair of claim 8, wherein the rear leg frame has a width narrower than the front leg frame, the rear leg frame positioned on an inner portion of the front leg frame.

18. The folding chair of claim 17, wherein the bottom portion of the seat comprises a plurality of reinforcement ridges.

19. The folding chair of claim 18, wherein a pair of outer channels are formed by the plurality of reinforcement ridges for receiving corresponding adjacent front and rear legs in the folded configuration.

20. A folding chair configurable into an open configuration and a folded configuration, the folding chair comprising:

a front leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart front legs in a substantially parallel arrangement;

a rear leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart rear legs in a substantially parallel arrangement, the front and rear leg frames pivotally coupled to each other;

a seat comprising opposing top and bottom portions, and opposing side portions, the bottom portion comprising a pair of spaced apart slots in substantially parallel arrangement, each slot extending between front and rear portions of the seat, upper ends of each rear leg slidably coupled to a corresponding slot, upper ends of each front leg pivotally coupled to the seat; and

a backrest frame comprising a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members in a substantially parallel arrangement, the backrest frame being independent and separate from the front and rear leg frames, lower ends of each upper backrest support member having a lower backrest support member extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, lower portions of each upper backrest support member pivotally coupled to the seat;

wherein in the open configuration the backrest frame is substantially upright and each lower backrest support member contacts the front leg frame, and upper ends of each rear leg engages a front end of a corresponding slot such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame, and

wherein in the folded configuration the backrest frame pivots toward and overlaps with the top portion of the seat, each rear leg upper end engages a rear end of a corresponding slot such that the front and rear leg frames are pivoted toward each other to a substantially parallel arrangement, and the overlapped backrest frame and seat are further collectively pivoted toward and overlap with the substantially parallel front and rear leg frames such that the front leg frame, the rear leg frame, the backrest frame and the seat side portions are positioned substantially co-planar to each other.