COLLAPSIBLE BACKREST

Abstract

A collapsible backrest comprises a frame, at least one leg connected to the frame, and a webbing connected to the frame. The frame includes a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are spaced apart and the webbing is connected to and extends between the first frame member and the second frame member. The third frame member is hingedly connected to the first frame member, and the third frame member is releasably connected to the second frame member. The fourth frame member is hingedly connected to the second frame member, and the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the first frame member.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a backrest and, in particular, to a collapsible backrest which is moveable between a collapsed configuration and an extended configuration.

Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 1,363,697 which issued on Dec. 28, 1920, in the name of Vieira discloses a folding, or collapsible, backrest for use on lawns, beaches and the like. The collapsible backrest comprises a back frame including a pair of spaced supporting members and canvas webbing for these members. There is a supporting frame including a pair of spaced brace bars and cross braces secured to the brace bars. The cross braces include a pair of hingedly connected sections having their terminals hingedly secured to the first mentioned brace bars. Hingedly connected links are pivotally secured to the back and brace frames, adjacent the lower ends thereof. The upper terminals of the supporting member and brace bars have their edges beveled downwardly at an angle of forty-five degrees.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,189,382 which issued on Jun. 15, 1965, in the name of Fortier discloses a collapsible backrest comprising the combination of a pair of channel members, each having two ends, and an outer and inner telescopic rods in each of the channel members. The outer of each of the telescoping rods is mounted to pivot at one end of the respective channel member. The telescopic rods of one channel member have no direct rigid connection with the telescoping rods of the other channel member. A flexible membrane is carried by the telescoping rods to form the sole direct connection between said rods as well as the only support contact with the back of a user of the backrest. There is a foldable cross bracing structure fixed to the channel members for holding the channel members distal from each other.

BRIEF SUMMARY

There is provided a collapsible backrest which is moveable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. The collapsible backrest comprises a frame, at least one leg connected to the frame, and a webbing connected to the frame. The frame includes a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are spaced apart and the webbing is connected to and extends between the first frame member and the second frame member. The third frame member is hingedly connected to the first frame member, and the third frame member is releasably connected to the second frame member. The fourth frame member is hingedly connected to the second frame member, and the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the first frame member.

The third frame member may be movable between a position in which the third frame member is substantially perpendicular to the first frame member and a position in which the third frame member is substantially parallel to the first frame member. The fourth frame member is movable between a position in which the fourth frame member is substantially perpendicular to the second frame member and a position in which the fourth frame member is substantially parallel to the second frame member. The third frame member may be releasably connected to the first frame member by a tongue and groove connection. The fourth frame member may be releasably connected to the second frame member by a tongue and groove connection. There may be a first leg pivotably connected to the first frame member and there may be a second leg pivotably connected to the second frame member. The first leg may be pivotable between a position in which the first leg extends angularly from the first frame member and a position in which the first leg extends substantially parallel to the first frame member. The second leg may be pivotable between a position in which the second leg extends angularly from the second frame member and a position in which the second leg extends substantially parallel to the second frame member. There may be a first strap extending between the first leg and the first frame member and there may be a second strap extending between the second leg and the second frame member. The webbing may be releasably connected to the first frame member and the webbing may be releasably connected to the second frame member. There may be a handle to allow a user to carry the collapsible backrest when the collapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration. There may be a strap to maintain the collapsible backrest in the collapsed configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of the embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front, side perspective view of a backrest in an extended configuration;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the backrest in the extended configuration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a hinged connection of the frame of the backrest;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a releasable connection of the frame of the backrest;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing another hinged connection of the frame of the backrest;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing another releasable connection of the frame of the backrest;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the backrest in a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the backrest in a first intermediate configuration as the backrest is being moved from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the backrest in a second intermediate configuration as the backrest is being moved from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the backrest in a third intermediate configuration as the backrest is being moved from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the backrest in a fourth intermediate configuration as the backrest is being moved from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the backrest in a fifth intermediate configuration as the backrest is being moved from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the backrest in a sixth intermediate configuration as the backrest is being moved from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration.

DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 there is shown a collapsible backrest 10 which generally comprises a frame 12, a first leg 14 and a second leg 16 connected to the frame 12, and a webbing 18 connected to the frame 12. In this example, the webbing 18 is releasably connected to the frame 12 by snap connectors, for example, snap connectors 20a, 20b, and 20c. A portion 22 of the webbing 18 which is connected to the frame 12 supports a back of a user when the backrest 10 is being used. A portion 24 of the webbing 18 which extends from the frame 12 provides a ground covering for the user when the backrest 10 is being used.

The frame 12 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. The frame 12 includes a first frame member 26, a second frame member 28, a third frame member 30, and a fourth frame member 32. The first frame member 26 and the second frame member 28 are spaced apart and the webbing 18 is releasably connected to and extends between the first frame member 26 and the second frame member 28.

The third frame member 30 is hingedly connected to the first frame member 26, as best shown in FIG. 3, by a hinge 34. The third frame member 30 is releasably connected to the second frame member 28, as best shown in FIG. 4, by a male-female connector which, in this example, includes a tongue 36 extending generally perpendicular from the third frame member 30 and a groove 38 defined by a channel bracket 40 mounted on the second frame member 28. The fourth frame member 32 is hingedly connected to the second frame member 28, as best shown in FIG. 5, by a hinge 42. The fourth frame member 32 is releasably connected to the first frame member 26, as best shown in FIG. 6, by a male-female connector which, in this example, includes a tongue 44 extending generally perpendicular from the fourth frame member 32 and a groove 46 defined by a channel bracket 48 mounted on the first frame member 26. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that, in other examples, other means to releasably connect the third frame member 30 to the second frame member 28 and/or releasably connect the fourth frame member 32 to the first frame member 26 may be employed.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in this example, the first leg 14 is pivotably connected to the first frame member 26 by a first pivot pin 50, and the second leg 16 is pivotably connected to the second frame member 28 by a second pivot pin 52. In this example, there is also a first strap 54 which extends between the first leg 14 and the first frame member 26. Likewise, there is a second strap 56 which extends between the second leg 16 and the second frame member 28. The first strap 54 and the second strap 56 may be adjustable straps which allow the first leg 14 and the second leg 16 to be set at respective desired angles relative to the first frame member 26 and the second frame member 28. This in turn allows the backrest 10 to be set at a desired angle.

The backrest 10 is moveable between an extended configuration, which is best shown in FIG. 1, and a collapsed configuration which is best shown in FIG. 7. In this example, and as shown in FIG. 7, the backrest further includes a handle 58 disposed on the second leg 16 to allow a user to carry the backrest 10 when the backrest 10 is in the collapsed configuration. There is a strap 60 that may be employed to maintain the webbing 18 in a folded configuration when the backrest 10 is in the collapsed configuration. There is also a snap connector 20d which releasably connects the webbing 18 to the second leg 16. The snap connector 20d also may be employed to maintain the webbing 18 in a folded configuration when the backrest 10 is in the collapsed configuration.

Movement of the backrest 10 from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration is shown in FIGS. 8 to 13. The backrest 10 is first turned over so the first leg 14 and the second leg 16 extend upwardly as shown in FIG. 8. The first leg 14 is then pivoted between a position in which the first leg 14 extends angularly from the first frame member 26, as shown in FIG. 8, and a position in which the first leg 14 extends substantially parallel to the first frame member 26, as shown in FIG. 9. Likewise, the second leg 16 is pivoted between a position in which the second leg 16 extends angularly from the second frame member 28, as shown in FIG. 8, and a position in which the second leg 16 extends substantially parallel to the second frame member 28, as shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9, the third frame member 30 is in a position substantially perpendicular to the first frame member 26 and the fourth frame member 32 is in a position substantially perpendicular to the second frame member 28. The third frame member 30 is moved, as shown in FIG. 10, to a position in which the third frame member 30 is substantially parallel to the first frame member 26, as shown in FIG. 11, by pivoting the third frame member 30 towards the first frame member 26. Pivoting the pivoting the third frame member 30 towards the first frame member 26 also releases the third frame member 30 from the second frame member 28. Likewise, the fourth frame member 32 is moved, as shown in FIG. 10, to a position in which the fourth frame member 32 is substantially parallel to the second frame member 28, as shown in FIG. 11, by pivoting the fourth frame member 32 towards the second frame member 28. The fourth frame member 32 is initially pivoted away from the second frame member 28 to release the fourth frame member 32 from the first frame member 26. The fourth frame member 32 is then arcuately pivoted towards the second frame member 28 which allows the fourth frame member 32 to clear the third frame member 30. The webbing 18 may then be folded longitudinally, as shown in FIG. 12, until the backrest 10 is longitudinally compact as shown in FIG. 13. The webbing 18 may then be folded laterally so that the backrest 10 is in the compact position shown in FIG. 7. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the backrest is moved from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration by employing the reverse movements.

It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible backrest which is moveable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, the collapsible backrest comprising:

a frame having a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member;

at least one leg connected to the frame; and

a webbing connected to the frame, the first frame member and the second frame member being spaced apart and the webbing being connected to and extending between the first frame member and the second frame member, the third frame member being hingedly connected to the first frame member and the third frame member being releasably connected to the second frame member, and the fourth frame member being hingedly connected to the second frame member and the fourth frame member being releasably connected to the first frame member.

2. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third frame member is movable between a position in which the third frame member is substantially perpendicular to the first frame member and a position in which the third frame member is substantially parallel to the first frame member.

3. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fourth frame member is movable between a position in which the fourth frame member is substantially perpendicular to the second frame member and a position in which the fourth frame member is substantially parallel to the second frame member.

4. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third frame member is releasably connected to the first frame member by a tongue and groove connection.

5. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the second frame member by a tongue and groove connection.

6. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a first leg pivotably connected to the first frame member and a second leg pivotably connected to the second frame member.

7. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first leg is pivotable between a position in which the first leg extends angularly from the first frame member and a position in which the first leg extends substantially parallel to the first frame member, and the second leg is pivotable between a position in which the second leg extends angularly from the second frame member and a position in which the second leg extends substantially parallel to the second frame member.

8. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 6 further including a first strap extending between the first leg and the first frame member and a second strap extending between the second leg and the second frame member.

9. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 wherein the webbing is releasably connected to the first frame member and the webbing is releasably connected to the second frame member.

10. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 further including a handle to allow a user to carry the collapsible backrest when the collapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration.

11. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 1 further including a strap to maintain the collapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration.

12. A collapsible backrest which is moveable between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration, the collapsible backrest comprising:

a frame having a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member, and a fourth frame member;

at first leg pivotably connected to the first frame member and a second leg pivotably connected to the second frame member, the first leg being pivotable between a position in which the first leg extends angularly from the first frame member and a position in which the first leg extends substantially parallel to the first frame member, and the second leg being pivotable between a position in which the second leg extends angularly from the second frame member and a position in which the second leg extends substantially parallel to the second frame member; and

a webbing connected to the frame, the first frame member and the second frame member being spaced apart and the webbing being connected to and extending between the first frame member and the second frame member, the third frame member being hingedly connected to the first frame member and the third frame member being releasably connected to the second frame member such that the third frame member is movable between a position in which the third frame member is substantially perpendicular to the first frame member and a position in which the third frame member is substantially parallel to the first frame member, and the fourth frame member being hingedly connected to the second frame member and the fourth frame member being releasably connected to the first frame member such that the fourth frame member is movable between a position in which the fourth frame member is substantially perpendicular to the second frame member and a position in which the fourth frame member is substantially parallel to the second frame member.

13. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 wherein the third frame member is releasably connected to the first frame member by a tongue and groove connection.

14. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 wherein the fourth frame member is releasably connected to the second frame member by a tongue and groove connection.

15. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 further including a first strap extending between the first leg and the first frame member and a second strap extending between the second leg and the second frame member.

16. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 wherein the webbing is releasably connected to the first frame member and the webbing is releasably connected to the second frame member.

17. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 further including a handle to allow a user to carry the collapsible backrest when the collapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration.

18. The collapsible backrest as claimed in claim 12 further including a strap to maintain the collapsible backrest is in the collapsed configuration.