SEATING DEVICE

Abstract

A seating device has a body providing an integral handle and a substantially planar seat pad. The seat pad is arranged with two short sides and two long sides. The seating device also has leg members at peripheral locations of the body adjacent both the long and the short sides. The leg members are extended out from the body to provide support for elevation of the seat pad.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to GB patent application no. 1407900.8 filed May 5, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a seating device, in particular a device for provision of temporary seating; more particularly but not exclusively a portable seating solution such as for use in a line.

BACKGROUND

Increasing affluence and consumer choice in many countries has led to increasing pressures on goods, services or entertainments, as well as rising levels of unfitness.

As a consequence there is often over-subscription of popular entertainments or services and users are forced to compete for receipt of such goods, services or entertainments.

A raised standard of comfort expectation conflicts with a need for patience in receipt, and often users endure discomfort in lines or other waiting scenarios, for example being required to stand in line for excessive lengths of time when not physically able.

PRIOR ART

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Chinese utility model CN 201 814 170 (CHUANWEN) discloses a folding stool, belongs to the field of furniture and mainly solves the problem that a common stool is inconvenient to carry. The folding stool comprises a stool face and four stool legs and is characterized in that the stool face is rectangular, the four stool legs are mounted at the four corners below the stool face, a horizontal cross rod is connected between the central positions of two stool legs on the same side, a connection strip is arranged between the two cross rods, the stool legs are connected with the stool face through movable hinges, and the distance between the positions of the two movable hinges on one side and the long side of the stool face is equal to the width of one stool leg. The folding stool has the characteristics of simple structure and portability, thereby having high application and popularization value.

Granted European patent EP 2 028 974 (FRITSCH et al) discloses a foldable rest support comprising: a frame including at least four sections articulated together about an axis to which is associated a bearing surface, two of said sections constituting the suspension arms, two other of said sections constituting the feet of said support present each one a truncated V shape, and in that said bearing surface links said sections constituting the suspension arms in order to at least partially covering at least one of the side faces of said foldable support.

Chinese utility model CN 2 080 784 (JIANBAO) relates to a portable chair capable of being folded into a handbag shape, which discloses a chair for daily and traveling use. The utility model is folded in the simplest cross structure and is combined with the appearance function of a handbag into a whole. The utility model has the characteristics of small structure, light weight, convenient suspension, portability and convenient manufacture, transportation and use. When the chair is unfolded, the part for containing objects is below a seat, and an opening is in the front, which is favorable to store, fill in and take off objects. The chair can be used as a stool by detaching a chair back. The utility model is a portable chair for travel and family life.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided a seating device comprising: a body providing an integral handle and a substantially planar seat pad, which body is arranged with two short sides and two long sides, leg members at peripheral locations of the body adjacent both the long and the short sides; which members are extended out from the body to provide support for elevation of the seat pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the seating device with leg members extended;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with leg members stowed;

FIG. 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show side views of the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in previous Figures;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show plan views of the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively;

FIG. 9 shows a view from underneath of the device with leg members stowed; and

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show isometric detail views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments of the seating device, at least one back member may extend from the body or a side or the seat pad, for example extending, pivoting, hinging, or folding out from below the seat pad. Such back member may comprise a cover or lid for the leg members during storage, and a substantially orthogonal extension when folded out or deployed, suitable to provide a seat back. Such seat back may be locked or lockable in use. Such back member typically has a hinge that is bolted on the side of the seat pad that when stored lays under the leg members. And when used said back member swings out and upward to create a seat back. In this way a seat back is provided to ensure the device is as to make a fully functioning chair.

Preferably the members substantially retract within the body. Advantageously the leg members are arranged at corners in order to provide preferable footprint size commensurate with body dimensions.

In this way a lightweight seating device is provided for users who expect to be forced to stand for some time in line and wish to be equipped with an easily portable seating solution. The device advantageously compacts to dimensions defined by the body.

Preferably the body is formed from a plastics material such as polyethylene or abs (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic.

Advantageously this allows the body to be injection moulded as a single-shot piece to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Preferably in some embodiments the seat pad includes or consists of a resiliently deformable cushion part, for example inset gel or fabric padding.

Preferably the handle is arranged along one long side.

Preferably the handle comprises an indentation or lacuna in the side.

Advantageously the handle is provided on the long side in a location to aid in balanced carrying of the device when in a stored attitude, for example wherein the handle is equidistant the seat pad face and opposing faces, or arranged on one of the faces such that weight of the device is advantageously biased to angle away from the user during carrying.

Advantageously this allows the handle to occupy no more space than absolutely necessary, and ensures that the handle does not extend beyond the pad's footprint.

Preferably the device comprises two leg members, however in further embodiments four such leg members may be envisaged. Typically however the leg members comprise four legs provided on two continuous U shaped lengths.

In some embodiments the leg members may include wheels or castors so as to allow movement of the seat in use, advantageously for example as a queue moves. Such wheels may be sprung in other embodiments, for example to retract when subject to weight, advantageously in order that a seated user is not unstable.

Such wheels allow the device to move while a user is sitting down, so that the user can move with the device without having to stand up.

In preferred embodiments the wheels are embedded into the flat metal leg members which are in contact with the ground.

In some further embodiments the members may comprise panels, for example arranged parallel along short sides so as to fold out, or other foldable or extendable arrangement such as telescopic or concertina.

Advantageously the form of the U shape leg members allows superior longitudinal and lateral strength leading to lighter weight construction.

Preferably the two leg members are comprised of three orthogonal sides joined at two joints and having two ends arranged to connect with the body. The preferred embodiments comprise two such leg members, with one describing a narrower U than the other, wherein the leg members are hinged at the same or similar hinge points of the body.

Preferably the leg members are able to fold in or stow simultaneously, wherein the leg members nest or occupy two halves of the underside of the seat pad. In preferred embodiments one of the leg members folds within the footprint of the other, so as to provide maximal elevation for the seat pad for minimal storage space.

Advantageously therefore only two leg members need to be folded out, making the device simple and quick to erect. Advantageously in addition or the alternative the legs or leg members are enabled to have greater integral strength wherein the continuous nature of the member militates against buckling and spreads any forces.

Preferably the ends are hinged at hinges adjacent corners between the long and short sides, namely a hinge in each corner.

Preferably the members fold into the body and against a reverse side of the seat pad, when not in use.

Preferably therefore the body includes a depending or extending peripheral rim about the seat pad, into which or behind which the members are folded. In this way the body ideally comprises a depth equivalent to greater than the width of the members and snag hazards are reduced.

Advantageously therefore the body provides a self-contained unit from a plurality of viewpoints with a depth that is less than the length or width and in this way the device is easier to store and transport, in particular wherein the handle allows the device to be carried in a stored attitude alongside a user's legs.

Preferably the seat pad is texturised or comprises raised and lowered parts, so as to advantageously provide a comfortable non-clip surface that additionally or alternatively is not liable to capture and transfer moisture to the user.

Preferably the sides intersect at corners, which corners are rounded, radiused or arcuate.

Preferably the body has rounded, radiused or arcuate edges, rim and corners.

Advantageously the device is thereby arranged so as to avoid snagging, damaging, inconvenience or discomfort during carrying.

Preferably the members have a bias or lock mechanism to avoid the members folding out without authorisation or action from the user. Such mechanism may comprise a clip, detent mechanism, friction or tolerance fit, displaceable catch or magnetic portion. Preferably the lock mechanism is automatic and reversible, advantageously minimising effort for the user.

For example securing nodules or raised studs on the members may secure the members in place when stowed, wherein resiliently deformable material of the body deforms to accept the studs past, and reforms to prevent return with deforming force.

Preferably the members include feet, stoppers or grips, wherein such feet come into contact with a subordinate surface when the members are in use. Such feet are preferably made from resiliently deformable material such as rubber, silicone or other elastomer.

Advantageously the feet act to accommodate any irregularities in subordinate surfaces, and allow usage of two U-shaped leg members in a greater spread of environments.

In some embodiments the leg members comprise continuous lengths, having no ends; so as to increase structural rigidity, wherein hinges are situated at one or two intermediate points on the members.

In some embodiments the leg members comprise continuous shapes, with more than one format of curvature, for example wherein the member is a W-shape.

Preferably the ends of the leg members rotate on the body at pivots provided on shoulders, wherein the sides are scalloped between shoulders so as to increase structural strength at the shoulders without compromising on weight and/or material costs.

The shoulders thereby provide increased structural support suitable for repeated hinging as well as a brace for folded out members. Walls inside the shoulders minimise the legs pushing out further than desired.

The shoulders advantageously allow the user to reach through (the long sides in particular) to reach the member(s), and act thereby as additional or supplemental handles or handgrips when the members are stored.

In some embodiments a carrying strap is included, or lanyard attachment point(s).

In some embodiments the members are spring-loaded to extend, and in some embodiments a catch or strap is provided to hold the members in.

Preferably the leg members are bent strip material, advantageously providing minimal chance of buckling in inappropriate directions. Such material may be powder-coated, aluminium, steel, titanium or other material with high tensile strength.

With reference to the figures, the device provides a portable, expandable seating option for a user at places such as theme parks or anywhere there may be a queue or line.

The body 10 is formed of a single piece moulding, arranged with subordinate ribs 11 and struts 12 so as to provide transverse and longitudinal rigidity within a lower face 13 and providing built-up shoulders 4 arranged to add additional support to the leg members 2,3 during load-bearing. Ribs 11 particularly support a central fanned section 14 below the seat pad 1 centre.

The seat pad 1 is texturised to comprise raised and lowered parts, so as to provide a comfortable non-slip surface not liable to capture and transfer moisture to the user's behind. The body has radiused corners 8 so as to present a snag-free organic form when collapsed. The body comprises a seat pad 1, an underside, four corners and four sides. The sides have scallops 5 between the corners, so as to minimise weight and maximise structural strength. The seat pad reaches to the body's periphery along the shorter sides, and is concave or sunken transversely, so as to accommodate spread of a user's posterior with maximal comfort, including concave shaping across two axes.

The leg members are formed of two U shaped sections of bent metal or alloy, formed in flat sections and bent to shape during manufacture. Ideally the U shape is shaped to bias to open, wherein the leg members are biased to remain on the hinges and ideally against the body in stowage.

The leg members have radiused corners 7 for strength and ease of assembly, and radiused ends 15, in order that the ends are enabled to freely rotate and remain close to the shoulder or body at all times.

Sheet metal leg members may in some further embodiments be supplemented by braces for additional support if the forces applied to the seat pad are envisaged to be too large. Some embodiments may have fold out, or hinged or braces which may clip under the members to support.

The leg members are angled when extended out, so as to extend beyond the footprint beyond the seat pad, so as to brace the seat pad, and direct downwards force outwards therefrom.

With particular reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the leg members include a lacuna 20 which receives a bar 101 within the shoulder, which bar is arranged vertically in order that the face 100 prevents rotation clockwise, avoiding damage to the seat pad or shoulder. Secondarily the bar prevents rotation beyond the defined angle for full extension by impacting face 1000 under or after counterclockwise rotation. Such faces comprise rotation blocks.

Slot 18 is a locking mechanism into which the bar locates under pressure or sliding force towards the slot 18 or downwards in use, at which point the locating stud 19 friction or tolerance fits into the shoulder or a depression in the shoulder so as to consolidate position of the leg member. To release the user will pull the member to release the bar from the slot and the stud from the shoulder, and rotate to store (clockwise in the pictured embodiment of FIG. 10A).

The studs are arranged to click into place through deformable resilience of materials involved, particularly the shoulders or body, in this way limiting chance of the members displacing and the device collapsing.

Shoulders 4 in the body act to support the force transference and strengthen the body against deformation as a result of these forces. In addition or the alternative the body is provided with a moulded form that includes bracing struts or ribs arranged to brace the body and disperse forces across the body in use.

A locking mechanism is also incorporated for locking the leg members in when collapsed, folded in or stowed. Ridges 9 tolerance fit into resiliently deformable tabs 21.

A single handle 6 allows the device to be transported with ease although a carry strap may also be incorporated. The handle comprises a rounded elongate lacuna in the seat pad through which the user can reach to carry the device either over the members or body.

In some other embodiments the lacuna is both in the seat pad and the body sidewall 16, or in other embodiments just the sidewall. In yet further embodiments the lacuna may be for example in an extending loop from the sidewall.

The lacuna has rounded edges to ensure carriage of the device is not uncomfortable. In some further embodiments the body may be moulded to provide a rounded and/or widened edge for contact with the user's hand. The scallops 5 further scallop in to augment the shoulders and provide concave sides for comfort purposes.

In the pictured embodiment the user is envisaged to primarily grip through the lacuna and around the leg members during use of the handle. In this way a large surface area is provided to grip.

The leg members fold in or stow simultaneously, wherein the leg members occupy two halves of the underside of the seat pad and nest together when stowed with leg stowed parallel alongside one another.

In other embodiments the hinges comprise holes at the shoulders or in shoulder walls upstanding from the body, and projecting barrels on the member ends. The leg members, and in part the shoulders, supply sufficient deformability to deform to allow the barrels to place into the holes and resist return or displacement, whilst allowing the barrel to turn. The barrels pass through two spaced apart walls of the shoulder, in order that the hole(s) do not bear excessive weight.

Nylon® washers may be further used at the hinges, aiding in self-lubrication of the rotation needed for the seat to fold out.

Rubber stoppers provide a gripped and/or stable support base to the members. In addition or the alternative the stoppers accommodate a variety of subordinate surfaces. Some embodiments may include silicone, elastomer, felt or other resiliently deformable material stoppers.

Width of the seat pad is approximately 17 inches, depth around 12 inches and height with the members folded out is approximately 16 inches. Embodiments may range from size ranging from 8 inches height to 20 inches height when in use.

Various semi-translucent mouldings of body may be produced to offer the user product variation. The seat pad is formed in single-shot moulded polyethylene and the members are inserted into it at manufacture, retail or use.

The underside of the body includes inner shoulders 17 and outer shoulders 4 for inner and inner and outer leg members. The inner shoulders are standalone and are braced by a bracing base to the middle, with the outer shoulder situated comparatively nearer to the corners, and braced by a bracing base to the periphery.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A seating device comprising: a body providing an integral handle and a substantially planar seat pad, which body is arranged with two short sides and two long sides, leg members at peripheral locations of the body adjacent both the long and the short sides; which members are extended out from the body to provide support for elevation of the seat pad.

2. (canceled)

3. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the handle is arranged along one long side of the body.

4. A seating device according to claim 3 wherein the handle comprises a lacuna into the body.

5. A seating device according to claim 1 further comprising two leg members.

6. A seating device according to claim 5 wherein the leg members are arranged to nest.

7. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the leg members are bent strip material.

8. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein ends of the leg member(s) rotate on the body at pivots provided on or at shoulders.

9. A seating device according to claim 8 wherein the sides are scalloped between shoulders.

10. (canceled)

11. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the extended leg members locate into position consolidation slots under downward urging.

12. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the leg members include feet.

13. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the leg members include wheels.

14. A seating device according to claim 13 wherein the wheels are sprung.

15. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the leg members have a bias or lock mechanism to avoid the members folding out without authorisation or action from the user.

16. A seating device according to claim 15 wherein the lock mechanism is automatic and reversible.

17. A seating device according to claim 16 wherein securing studs on the leg members secure the leg members in place when stowed, wherein resiliently deformable material of the body deforms to accept the studs past.

18. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a depending or extending peripheral rim about the seat pad, into which or behind which the members are folded.

19. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the body comprises a depth equivalent to greater than the depth of the leg members.

20. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein the leg members are hinged at hinges adjacent corners between the long and short sides, namely a hinge in each corner.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein at least one back member provides a seat back in use.

25. A seating device according to claim 24 wherein the back member(s) provide(s) a cover over the leg members in storage.

26. (canceled)