Backpack frame and chair conversion kit
A rigid frame type backpack and a kit of tubular segments for use therewith and convert the same to a chair. The kit includes a plurality tubular segments that can be detachably inter-connected by elastic cord means into a rigid assembly that includes a chair seat and a pair of chair front legs with such assembly being detachably securable to the backpack frame. The lower portion of the backpack frame provides the rear legs of the chair and above that a backrest for the occupant of the chair.
This invention relates generally to hikers rigid frame backpacks and more particularly one that converts into a chair by connecting thereto a plurality of interconnectible tubular segments secured internally be elastic cord means.
BACK GROUND OF INVENTIONBackpack users in want of a comfortable place to rest has given rise to proposals of combining a backpack and a chair. One such proposal is found in Bradbury U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,548. Disclosed in this patent is a tubular frame fold up chair with a soft sided backpack attached thereto. The primary component is the chair while the backpack is secondary. This is common to a number of different proposals.
SUMMARYThe present invention provides for a rigid planar frame type backpack and kit tubular members or segments that interconnect into an assembly securable to the rigid frame converting the backpack to a chair. The kit comprises, consists essentially of or consists of a first segregated group of longitudinal members and includes a first coupling means detachably interconnecting the longitudinal members into respective first and second generally rigid L-shaped units in which one leg of the respective units provides a chair seat side rail and the other a chair front leg. The kit also contains a second segregated group of longitudinal members connecting to a second coupling means detachably connecting the cross members to the chair side rails thereby forming an assembly of a chair seat and pair of front legs. A third coupling means detachably connects the assembly to a backpack rigid frame and together with at least two elongate rigid cross members extending between the legs parallel therewith provide a chair readily assembled in situ. A fourth cross member extending between and normal to the legs provide lateral support to the chair frame. A cushion, such as an expandable air cushion can be supported by upon the frame providing a scat.
An object of the present invention is to provide a backpack and chair combination in which the backpack is the principal component with the chair being assembled in situ at the time of need from segments stowed in a compartment of the backpack.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a backpack chair using a plurality tubular members that are readily detachably interconnected in situ into an assembly that is detachably securable to the backpack frame.
In keeping with these objects there is provided in accordance with the present invention a kit for use with a rigid frame type backpack wherein the kit comprises a plurality tubular segments that can be detachably inter-connected into an assembly that includes a chair seat and a pair of chair front legs with such assembly being detachably securable to the backpack frame in which the lower portion thereof provides the rear legs of the chair and above that a backrest for the occupant of the chair.
Another object of the present invention is to utilize one or more elastomeric cords to hold individual lengths of tubular members together as a group using a selected length of flexible material such as a piece of cord, a bungy cord wire, string or the like.
It is another object of the present invention to utilize elastomeric cords as a means of holding short lengths of tubular members together to form modular frame components.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of interconnecting short lengths of tubing capable of being carried in a pouch that would typically fit in a conventional backpack and preferably less than 2 feet long, more preferably less than 18 inches long, more preferably less than 14 inches long and most preferably less than 12 inches long while providing a means for connecting engaging the short tubular members together in combination with a backpack frame to provide a camping chair.
It is another object of the present invention to use elastomeric cord as a means of attachment of the individual tubular members providing means for organizing the segments in a quick and easy assemble able unit minimizing search time necessary to find the parts, and assists in holding the tubular members together with a contracting force facilitating connection and construction of the modular unit.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.
A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein:
Illustrated is an external frame type backpack 10 with an assembly 30 detachably secured thereto to provide a chair. The assembly 30 comprises a number of detachably interconnected tubular segments forming the chair seat and pair of front legs. Tubular members for the frame assembly are segregated into modular groups, for example by being interconnected into selected groups linked together by an elastomeric cord to facilitate constructing the assembly in situ and storing the segments in a bag or compartment of the backpack.
The conventional backpack comprises a soft sided storage bag 11 mounted on a U-shaped frame 12. The frame comprises light weight tubular members forming spaced apart legs 14 (, 15) interconnected at an upper end thereof by a bridge portion 16 and spaced downwardly therefrom by cross members 17. The backpack has a pair of padded shoulder straps 18 and a padded, adjustably variable in size, waist band 19. A fabric band 20 and/or the cross members 17 in-fills at least a portion of the space between the frame legs 14(, 15) and, as will become apparent hereinafter, forms the backrest portion of the chair. It is contemplated that the present invention could be utilized with any frame member having similar components to the backpack such as longitudinal members or other support members having attachments points thereon to provide a horizontal support structure to be used in combination with the present invention.
A conventional backpack bag is made of tough durable light weight material, for example nylon, normally has a main compartment for larger objects and a number of smaller compartments strategically located on (or in) the side walls of the bag. Access openings to the compartments are covered for example by tie down flaps. The make up and arrangement of the backpack is not material to the present invention other than having a rigid frame to which applicants chair forming kit of pieces can be detachably secured opposite the bag for converting the backpack to a usable chair.
A backpack frame and chair conversion kit 50 includes several modular frame units comprising a plurality of short tubular members or segments shown in differing stages in
The backpack frame and chair conversion kit segments include lengths of tubular aluminum or the like light weight hollow material in order to internally contain cord for connecting the members together in a group or module. Graphite fiber tubing or even fiberglass tubing may be utilized as well for the tubular members having mating end diameters of larger or smaller diameters in order for the end of one segment to provide a male or female fitting for connecting one to another. It is contemplated that short hollow sleeves could be used instead of or as a means of support and reinforcement in combination with the hollow tube members. Moreover, the reinforcement members extending between the legs could be solid longitudinal members as well.
A first group of segments 51, 52, 53 connect one to the next in end-to-end relation and when connected define a rigid generally L-shaped first unit 54(see
The seat cushion side supporting portion of the frame and integral front legs assembly are constructed of elongated tubular members including segments 51, 52, 53 of unit 54 which are connected and held together as a group by an elastomeric cord such as a bungee cord 56, string, wire or the like passing there through with one end being anchored to piece 51 as for example by a pin 57 and at the other end anchored to piece 53 as for example by a pin 58. Similarly segments 51, 52, 53 of unit 55 are held together as a group by another selected length of flexible material such as a piece of cord, a bungy cord wire, string or the like. Attachment of the individual tubular members by an elastomeric cord provides means for organizing the segments in a quick and easy assemble able unit minimizing search time necessary to find the parts, and assists in holding the tubular members together with a contracting force facilitating connection and construction of the modular unit.
The chair side rail and leg connecting piece 52 maybe a separate element as illustrated or integrally formed with one or the other of the chair side rail piece 51 or chair leg piece 53. The connecting or knee piece 52 maybe sharply or gently curved and if gently curved one end portion of the curved piece serves as part of the chair seat side rail and a portion of the other end serves as an upper portion of the chair front leg.
Connection of the segments one to the next is via an end portion of one having an outer diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the other. Referring to
The pair of modular units 54, 55 are interconnected by two or more cross members 60 and provide the seat portion of the chair. Each such cross member maybe a single elongate piece or two or more segments that can be detachably connected in end-to-end relation. In either event there is a threaded stud 61 projecting from each of opposite ends of the cross member 60. The studs are securely anchored to the member associated therewith and pass through holes strategically located in the segments 51 i.e. the chair seat side rails. Wing nuts (62) 68 thread onto an end portion of the stud part protruding through the chair side rails for securely anchoring the cross member to the side rails. It is contemplated that the cross members may be hollow tubular members, solid longitudinal members or combinations thereof.
In the embodiment shown in
The straps 70 maybe a single length member or two segments 73, 74 connected by a hinge pin 75 with any well known means (over center knee joint lock) to lock the hinge connection when the two segments are essentially in an extended state. Obviously additional cross members 60 could be used as substitutes for the pair of straps 70.
Sitting comfort on the chair is provided by an optional air inflated cushion 80 shown on the chair seat in
The cross members 60 shown in the drawings each comprise segments 62, 63 that are loosely held together as a group by a bungee cord 64 passing there through and anchored at one end, as for example by pin 65, to member 62 and at the other end to piece 63 by pin 66. The elastomeric bungee cord(s) can be of a selected length to provide a contracting force to aid in holding the tubular members in position if desired. While various means maybe devised to interconnect the tubular segments one to the next in end-to-end relation applicant prefers having an end portion of one tubular piece slip fit into an end portion of the other. Referring to
Should separation of the interconnected elements (for example forming the seat) be of concern locking means comprising a cooperating L-shaped slot and pin arrangement on the respective members can be provided with locking occurring by twisting one member relative to the other.
As best illustrated in
Moreover, an alternate method of attaching the chair side rail members 51 the backpack legs (14, 15) by a pair of brackets 190 is best shown in
The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplifications presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A backpack frame and chair conversion kit, comprising:
- a rigid backpack frame;
- a first segregated group of longitudinal members;
- a second segregated group of longitudinal members;
- first coupling means in the respective first and second groups detachably interconnecting the longitudinal members into respective first and second generally rigid L-shaped units in which one leg of the respective units provides a chair seat side rail and the other a chair front leg;
- at least two elongate rigid cross members;
- second coupling means detachably connecting said cross members to the chair side rails thereby forming an assembly of a chair seat and pair of front legs; and
- third coupling means detachably connecting said assembly to the backpack rigid frame and together therewith providing a chair readily assembled in situ.
2. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit as defined in claim 1 including additional elongate rigid brace members and coupling means associated therewith detachably inter-connecting the chair legs.
3. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit as defined in claim 2 wherein the longitudinal members in the respective first and second groups connect one to the next in end-to-end relation.
4. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit as defined in claim 3 wherein said first coupling means comprises having an end portion of one piece removably insertable in snug fit relation into an end portion another piece of the same group.
5. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit as defined in claim 1 including means loosely interconnecting the longitudinal members in the respective groups and thereby providing segregation of the same.
6. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit as defined in claim 1 including a flexible cord like member interconnecting the longitudinal members.
7. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit as defined in claim 6 wherein said cord like member comprises a bungee cord.
8. A backpack frame and chair conversion kit, consisting essentially of:
- a rigid planar frame;
- a first segregated group of tubular longitudinal members;
- a second segregated group of tubular longitudinal members;
- first coupling means in the respective first and second groups detachably interconnecting the longitudinal members therein into a generally rigid L-shaped unit in which one leg of the unit provides a chair seat side rail and the other a chair front leg;
- at least two elongate rigid cross members;
- second coupling means detachably connecting respective opposite ends of said cross members to the chair side rails, said cross members being spaced apart from one another thereby forming an assembly of a chair seat and pair of front legs; and
- third coupling means detachably connecting said assembly to the backpack rigid frame at a position spaced upwardly from a lower end thereof whereby the frame portion there below provides rear legs of the chair and at least a portion there above a backrest.
9. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit as defined in claim 8 wherein said first coupling means in each of the respective first and second groups of longitudinal members comprises having an end portion of one piece insertable in close fit relation into an end portion of the next adjacent piece.
10. The backpack frame and chair conversion kit of claim 8 wherein said rigid planar frame comprises a backpack having a rigid inverted U-shaped frame.
11. 8. A backpack frame and chair conversion kit, consisting of:
- a backpack having a rigid planar frame;
- a first and second group of said tubular longitudinal members providing a pair of chair seat side rails and a pair of chair front legs;
- means flexibly interconnecting the longitudinal members one to the next in the respective groups and thereby segregating such longitudinal members from other chair forming longitudinal members;
- means interconnecting the longitudinal members in the respective groups providing a pair of rigid generally L-shaped members;
- at least first and second cross members securely detachably interconnecting said side rails; and
- means detachably securely anchoring said chair side rails to said backpack frame legs at a position spaced upwardly from a lower end thereof whereby the backpack frame below and above such position provide respectively a pair of rear chair legs and a chair back.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 23, 2011
Publication Date: May 23, 2013
Inventor: Craig H. Savage, SR. (Smithville, KY)
Application Number: 13/373,625
International Classification: A45F 4/02 (20060101);