Abstract: A portable ground platform seat for supporting a user above a ground surface. The apparatus includes a platform member supported upon a plurality of adjustable pedestals that provides an area upon which a hunter or the like may quietly move upon and further provides an insulating barrier between the hunter and a frozen ground surface. A folding seat assembly is pivotally secured to the platform member and may be erected to provide seating for the user. In addition, the platform seat further includes a plurality of platform cavities into which a plurality of support posts may be positioned that are each operable to support a rifle, a fishing pole, or the like. The apparatus is constructed of a foam core covered by a rugged exterior skin to provide a light-weight assembly which may be easily carried by the user.

Abstract: A lightweight, collapsible compact chair with back support for outdoor backpacking use is described. The chair is an improvement in stability and weight to a prior art compact chair disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,211. The improved chair version comprises a triangular sling fastened to the ends of three frame support members which are joined to form an inverted wye for placing on the ground. The two front support members are angled 90 degrees apart for optimum seated stability. A removable backrest is placed against the top of the sling and held by an adhesive. Each of the three frame support members may be easily connected or disconnected without need of screws or clamps. When placed closely together for packing together with the sling, the package weighs less than 24 ounces, which is very suitable for back-packing.

Abstract: A back pack folding chair is provided by three simple, U-shaped frames and has one of the panels of a back pack acting as the fabric seat for the folding chair. Back pack side pockets conveniently hang from the arms of the chair. The three U-shaped frames form a seat frame, arm frame and a back frame hinged together to allow the chair to fold into a neat compact package. One of the side pockets attached to the arm frame is removable for use as a waist or "fanny" pack. Shoulder straps and a belt allow the back pack folding chair to be easily carried on the shoulders.

Abstract: The seat comprises a front end and a back end interconnected by foldable sides and a top which can be swung into a vertical position and inserted into the back end when the seat is collapsed. The ends are shallow, rectangular boxes with their smaller surfaces oriented top and bottom when the seat is erected. The seat further comprises two handles detachably attached to the back end and stored inside the front end when the seat is collapsed. The sides are hinged such that their centers fold inward when the seat is collapsed, allowing the ends of the seat to move together and be latched together. There are four casters, one at each corner of the bottom of the erected seat and a foot rest which swings or pivots out of the front of the seat. The casters are lockable to prevent the seat from rolling when desired. A carrying handle is attached to the front end of the top of the seat and is accessible for carrying the seat when the seat is collapsed with the top inserted and locked into the back end.

Abstract: Pair of foldable lounge seats are connected along their respective inboard sides to a table panel positioned between the two lounge seats. Convex depression in the top of each lounge seat panel accommodates collapsing of hinged seat back rest. Lounge seats and table panel are foldable into a compact rectangular shape. Carrying strap is provided for transporting the collapsed device. Opening through table panel accommodates umbrella pole, which is used to secure device to ground when in use. Umbrella retaining straps are provided on the outboard surface of the collapsed device for easy transporting of the device together with an umbrella.

Abstract: A portable chair includes a first container for retaining items, the first container having an inclined top wall for use as a back rest. The chair may additionally include a second container for retaining items, the second container having an inclined top wall and being hingedly connected to the first container such that the first container can pivot onto the inclined top wall of the second container, such that the inclined top wall of the second container can be pivoted into alignment with the inclined top wall of the first container, for use together as a back rest, and a third container for retaining items, the third container having a substantially horizontal top wall and being connected to the second container such that the second container can pivot together with the first container onto the substantially horizontal top wall of the third container. An access opening is preferably provided in at least one container. A canopy assembly is optionally provided over the containers.

Abstract: The seat comprises a front end and a back end interconnected by foldable sides and a top which can be swung into a vertical position and inserted into the back and when the seat is collapsed. The ends are shallow, rectangular boxes with their smaller surfaces oriented top and bottom when the seat is erected. it further comprises two handles detachably attached to the back end and stored inside the front end when the seat collapsed. The sides are hinged such that their centers fold inward when the seat is collapsed, allowing the ends of the seat to move together and be latched together. There are four casters, one at each corner of the bottom of the erected seat and a foot rest which swings out of the front of the seat. The casters are lockable to prevent the seat from rolling when desired. A carrying handle is attached to the front end of the top of the seat and is accessible for carrying the seat when the seat is collapsed with the top inserted and locked into the back end.

Abstract: A compact folding seat, that can also be used as a satchel for carrying picnic or beach items, includes a folding frame having two interconnected wire frame members. Torsion springs are provided for spreading the wire frame members apart from a carrying position to a seating position. The folding frame is surrounded by a fabric that forms a back portion, a seat portion, and at least one triangular-shaped seat side. The folding seat is maintained in the carrying position by securing a pair of adjustable straps to a pair of releasable securing retainers. A pair of handles can be provided for carrying the folding seat.

Abstract: A foldable stadium seat (10) is disclosed which is manufactured from a pair of first and second generally planar seat members (11) and (12), which are both products of the same mold. This is made possible by a specific configuration of hinges wherein a first hinge half of a first hinge is attached at one end of the rear edge of the seat member and a second hinge half of a second hinge is positioned at a second end of the rear edge of the seat member. Each of the hinge halves are positioned along the rear edge such that when the rear edge of a second seat member is placed juxtaposition the rear edge of the first seat member, the hinge halves on the two seat members will interfit and can be engaged by a suitable hinge pin (14). Radial stops are formed along the rear edge of both seat members (11) and (12) to provide a radial stop for the foldable single mold stadium seat (10) when it is in the open position, having a first and second seat members (11) and (12) generally perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: The portable case which can be converted into a chair comprises two separable half-shells (1, 2) capable of being fitted back-to-back in an adjustable manner by complementary assembly structure. One of the half-shells (2) comprises two articulated elements (7, 8) mounted about parallel hinges situated on two opposite sides of the half-shell so as to form, in the folded-out position, support surfaces of the chair thus assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus including a torso support housing, with a first and second leg support housing mounted longitudinally and pivotally relative to one another to permit interfolding of the structure during periods of transport and storage. The torso support housing includes a support leg receiving cavity to receive a pivotal support leg therewithin to enhance compactness of the organization in a stored and interfolding configuration. The organization further includes pneumatic chambers mounted coextensively with top surfaces of each support housing and selectively inflatable for enhanced comfort of an individual. A cup support holder and handle are retractably mounted within the torso support housing.

Abstract: A folding item of furniture of the box-bench type possesses an operating device for a member which is movable in rotation relative to a frame. The movable member comprises a first panel alternately forming the backrest of the bench in the open position and the lid of the box in the closed position, and a second panel, perpendicular to the first, forming a seat part in the open position. A third panel forms the other seat part and is articulated relative to the second. An operating member mounted pivotably on the movable member has an active locking position in which it maintains the movable member in the open position. Three cushions are provided, the first and second cushions being fixed respectively to the first and thirst panels and the third cushion lying on the second cushion so as to be slidable relative thereto. The seat outfitted with cushions can thereby be closed with the cushions stored under the first panel, without the cushions being crushed.

Abstract: A canopy attachment is provided for a lawn chair, notably of the folding type, and has a frame mountable on the chair via detachable connection to the cross rod that appears in the chair at the junction of the chair seat and seat back. The canopy frame is made up of a plurality of relatively foldable parts for compact dispostion when detached from the chair. In addition to the detachable connection to the cross member of the chair, the canopy support frame has a further connection to the chair in upwardly spaced relation to the cross member, plus a roof projecting forwardly from the upper end of the support.

Abstract: A beach lounge which may be folded up to form a carrying case with two separate compartments and a handle. The lounge includes two pairs of identically formed shell members pivotally connected in series to one another. The shell members are vented and have notches for gripping a towel cover to the lounge. A shade/support assembly may be adjusted to support the upper two shells in various positions to provide a frame for draping a towel to provide shade and to provide a handle when the lounge is folded into the carrying case position.

Abstract: A convertible backpack assembly for carrying items therewithin, yet provides a readily adaptable assembly for conversion to a "beach"-type chair. The assembly includes a frame base and forward and rearward frame portions each attached to the frame base by a ratchet arrangement. A pair of leg members extend downwardly from the frame base. The forwardmost leg member is pivotably attached to the frame base so as to be swingable away from the lower back of the carrier of the convertible backpack assembly. Envelopes of webbed material may be disposed over the frame portions and across the frame base, to define the front and back of the backpack as well as the back, seat and leg support portions of the "chair". The seat portion may have its tension adjusted under the frame base, to allow greatest sitter comfort. A pair of side panels of webbed material are removably disposed between the forward and rearward frame portions to define the sides of the backpack assembly.

Abstract: A seating element adapted to be arranged in rows of like seating elements for seating in halls, stadiums, stands, etc., consists of a seat section, which may be mounted to a support structure by way of a joint row attachment device, and a back-rest section movably linked to the seat section such that it can be laid down on the seat section in a covering position. The back-rest section is attached to the seat section in such a way that it falls back automatically into the covering position in the absence of counter lifting forces and rests on the seat section. This arrangement is compact, prevents the seat back-rests from being obstructions which would hamper evacuation in a panic situation, and is readily cleanable.

Abstract: The seat comprises a front end and a back end interconnected by foldable sides and a top which can be swung into a vertical position and inserted into the back and when the seat is collapsed. The ends are shallow, rectangular boxes with their smaller surfaces oriented top and bottom when the seat is erected. It further comprises two handles detachably attached to the back end and stored inside the front end when the seat is collapsed. The sides are hinged such that their centers fold inward when the seat is collapsed, allowing the ends of the seat to move together and be latched together. There are four caster, one at each corner of the bottom of the erected seat and a foot rest which swings out of the front of the seat. The casters are lockable to prevent the seat from rolling when desired. A carrying handle is attached to the front end of the top of the seat and is accessible for carrying the seat when the seat is collapsed with the top inserted and locked into the back end.

Abstract: A folding chair comprises lower and upper frame sections formed generally as U-shaped members, each having a pair of legs and a central portion between the pair of legs. The ends of the central section are connected to the legs by a pair of curved frame portions curved in planes such that the central frame portions have longitudinal axes displaced away from the legs. The frame sections are preferably formed to be generally identical except that the legs of one frame section may be longer than the legs of the other. The ends of the frame sections are connected together by hinges. A flexible material formed generally as a sling is mounted to the central portions of the upper and lower frame sections to support the weight of a person sitting in the chair. The frame and the hinges the legs cooperate to retain the angle between the upper and lower frame sections at an value determined by the position of the user in the chair.

Abstract: A collapsible beach chair having a seat made of parallel tubular members and a webbing stretched across to support the occupant, a pivoted back made of parallel tubular members with a webbing stretched across to support the back of the occupant, and identical end pieces to support both ends of the seat and the top of the back. Provision is made to permit the chair to be collapsed both transversely and by folding the back onto the seat after the end pieces are removed. The whole collapsed assembly will fit conveniently into a zippered bag with a shoulder strap.

Abstract: A folding chair construction comprising a plurality of substantially U-shaped portions, each having a pair of parallel side sections connected by a right angle corner member to a medial section, providing back and seat portions and front and rear legs hingedly connected for movement between a folded position, wherein all of the U-shaped portions are superposed with one another, and an erected position, wherein the U-shaped portions are relatively angularly disposed. The side sections of the back and seat portions and the medial sections of all portions are formed of tubular members connected for relative, telescoping movement between extended and retracted positions when the chair is in the unfolded and folded positions, respectively. A flexible fabric support portion is permanently secured to the back and seat portions by outwardly extending portions of the fabric which are looped around the side and medial sections and stitched to themselves.

Abstract: A combined table and bench assembly for indoor and outdoor use, capable of being assembled and disassembled without tools. The component parts of the assembly fit together solely with interlocking notches and/or protrusions. The assembly is sturdy and will withstand rugged use. Yet, it is light enough to be easily transported. The parts of the assembly may be conveniently stored and transported in a compact wheeled carrier.

Abstract: A fabric protective garment for the purpose of, but not restricted to, use in an outdoor stadium for enclosing the back torso, lap and leg portions of the user.

Abstract: A portable table and chairs therefor which may be foldable for carrying, but used in the extended mode as a table primarily for the outdoors, such as at the beach, etc. The table having chairs attached includes folding arms which are connected to legs of the folding chairs and also includes a supporting rod to enable the folding of the legs. It also highlights a foldable supporting element which connects table and folding chairs to each other. Protected hinges are provided to allow half-folding of table sections and locking means therefor are provided to maintain, with the hinges the shape of a container when table sections may be half-folded.

Abstract: An artist's kit including an easel, a bench, and a storage compartment unit. The easel includes three legs which may be disassembled into leg segments. The seat includes detachable legs and a storage compartment. The easel leg segments and the detachable bench legs may be stored in the storage compartment of the seat. The storage compartment unit includes a plurality of pockets for storing various artist's painting and drawing supplies. The storage compartment also includes a cover and a plurality of straps for securing the storage compartment and cover to the seat bushings when the seat is disassembled. The storage compartment unit further includes a plurality of straps whereby the seat, easel, and storage compartment unit may be carried as a unitary back pack. A canvas carrying apparatus is provided for transporting a framed canvas on the back pack.

Abstract: The device consists of a stadium seat cover which is slid over the seat portion of a stadium type chair. A pouch is attached to the cover and is provided with a member which has openings for receiving cups and the like and is manually positioned between side attachments to the inside of the pouch.

Abstract: A field portable dental chair, collapsible to suitcase size, with pivotable outriggers for support, the chair including a bellows arrangement with a telescopic internal structure for raising and lowering the seat of the chair. The apparatus is formed, in part, of rigid members and, in part, flexible members contained within the rigid members for portability. Inflatable cushion members are provided for support of the head, back, seat and legs of a patient.

Abstract: A formed flat blank of corrugated paperboard or the like is peripherally contoured with wing portions or extensions, and impressed with fold lines, such that interfolding and cementing together in predetermined sequence of said wing portions provides comparatively rigid seat and back portions and foldingly interconnectible side gusset portions allowing for conversion between chair seat and carrying case modes of use.

Abstract: An improved folding chaise lounge or chair which includes a seat section having a hingedly connected back section and leg support sections which can be readily adjusted relative to each other in the unfolded position. The leg support section further includes a foot extender which is adjustably connected to extend or adjust the length of the leg support section to comfortably accommodate the comfort of persons of varying height. Included in the assembly are opposed pockets connected to the sides of the seat section which are constructed to receive, store and/or stow personal articles in either the folded or unfolded position of the chaise lounge or chair; and a handle is conveniently located to facilitate the carrying of the chaise lounge or chair in the folded position thereof.

Abstract: A foldable baby carriage is provided which is foldable to a compact, reduced volume configuration having a height and width essentially less than or equal to the height and width of the back member. In the folded configuration, two of the components, preferably the back member and rear wheels support, cooperate to form a shell which encloses the other two major components of the carriage, preferably the seat member and the front wheels support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable seat and carrying case, combined in a single article of manufacture. The seat-case comprises first and second side wall members hinged to each other and rotatable between a closed, case-fashion position and an open, seat-fashion position. The side wall members are identical. Each identical side wall member comprises at each side thereof a pair of outwardly directed, concentric circular bearing surfaces, one being formed outside a projection and the other inside a recess. The projecting bearing surface of one side matches the recessed bearing surface of the other side of each of the side wall members, and, when coupled to each other, they form a hinged connection therebetween. A bottom member forms part of and rotatably supports the side wall members in their coupled position.

Abstract: The suitcase (10) comprises two suitcase shells (12,14) which are hingedly connected to each other and adapted to be locked in folded condition. The suitcase (10) houses a head portion (16) and a foot portion (18) which are pivotably connected by double-joint hinges (22 and 24, respectively) to a narrow sidewall of the lower suitcase shell (12) such that they can be unfolded into a position for use when the suitcase is open. The two suitcase shells (12,14) can be folded together and locked even in this position for use. When the suitcase (10) is closed, the upper outside surface of the upper suitcase shell (14) presents a surface (20) to sit or lie on. The unfolded head and/or foot portion (16,18) is prevented from being swung back up to close to the lying surface (20) by an abutment surface (26,28) formed at the upper suitcase shell (14).

Abstract: A folding chair comprises left and right "A" frames which are connected by fore and aft cross braces. Each "A" frame comprises two legs, equal in length, which are pivotally connected at their upper ends. The cross braces are pivotally attached to the legs of the "A" frames at the lower end of the braces, and slidingly connected to the legs at the upper end of the cross braces. The seat and back of the chair are pivotally connected to one another. The chair folds into a bundle having a length substantially equal to that of the legs of the "A" frames.

Abstract: A convertible lounge chair-tote bag is disclosed which provides for a container carrying tote bag which can be converted into a lounge chair. This is accomplished by having the sides of the bag in releasable relation to the sides of the back and leg support, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention in its preferred embodiment comprises a combination pack and frame, which is convertible to a chair. The frame includes a generally rectangular shaped back section fixedly connected to the pack and a generally rectangular seat section that is indirectly connected to the pack and pivotally connected to the back section. The back and seat sections contain back and seat support panels, respectively, that are integrally formed with the material of which the pack is constructed. Each of two adjustable shoulder straps is attached at one of its ends to the front portion of the seat section and at its opposite end to the bottom portion of the pack and which, in the chair mode, wrap around the chair legs to give the legs added support.

Abstract: A foldable, inexpensive, easily assembled recreation chair-pad combination can be folded into a compact manually carried luggage piece. Basically, an exterior, double folded cover is separately formed into three closed compartments and a cover extension. Each compartment is formed and separately secured by the three doubled cloth hinges, which are secured by securing means such as multiple grommets disposed and secured along the three hinge lines. A foam pad two inches thick by about 15.times.15 inch square is disposed and secured in one first end compartment. Similarly, a 1/4 inch thick plywood backing sheet, and a 2 inch thick foam pad of equal area to the above are disposed in the two adjacent compartments. Velcro matching fastener strips are adaptively sized, placed and secured on the opposed sides of the cover, positioned to cohere to each other on folding the chair-pad into a multiple folded piece of luggage, folded at the three hinge lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable chair adapted to be folded from its active position in which the back and the leg elements are substantially in vertical position, the seat (buttocks support) being in horizontal position, towards a compact, retracted position, characterized in that the seat and the back are articulated on each other and are foldable to occupy retracted positions (folded one against the other) along adjacent, parallel planes, the seat and the back are furthermore fast with lateral leg elements themselves mounted to pivot on a lower support or box, the fact of pivoting the leg elements taking the chair constituted by the back, the seat and the leg elements in parallel horizontal planes brought substantially to floor level. The invention is more particularly applicable to equipping halls which may be used empty with a bare floorboard, or filled with rows of chairs.

Abstract: A foldable portable reclining chair composed of a soft material tent-type chair face and a stable chair frame body, wherein said stable chair frame body is composed of a plurality of support racks each in a proper length to be connected with a retractable joining device. Thus, when the user wants to fold and pack the chair up, he may draw the support racks along the pre-set direction away from the joining seat of the support rack body, fold the frame up and set the connection support racks parallelly to each other against the support rack body. The folded frame can be tied together into a smaller volume. Thus, the carrying or transporting and folding of the reclining chair become simpler and easier than that of the conventional reclining chairs.

Abstract: A portable chair that includes seat support members that can be folded together, a pair of X-configured leg sections pivotally connected to the seat support members, the pivotal connections permitting change of the leg sections from a person support function to a folded up condition wherein the leg members move through an angle of 270.degree. so as to lie in adjacent parallel planes with each other and with the folded together seat support members.

Abstract: A convertible utility chair includes a frame structure comprising a number of frame elements of preselected shapes for providing, when folded, a compact, transportable carry-all including ample open volume for storage purposes. Frame elements are joined to one another by rivets and subassemblies that allow the conversion from chair to carry-all configuration by a simple application of manual pressure.

Abstract: A pocket chair has two sections which are pivoted by a pivot axle to each other and which can be swung open to an aligned condition to define a seating surface. Legs are extended from the sections to support the seating surface above the ground. Each chair section has a portion which carries the pivot axle. The remaining portions of each section are movable in an extending manner relative to the axle-carrying portions, whereby the seating area can be enlarged. The legs can comprise a plurality of U-shaped pieces which fold into one another. Further, the legs of one section can be inserted into the legs of the other section when the chair is folded up.

Abstract: A device for transporting infant supplies and for supporting an infant includes a main body that has upright walls extending from a base for forming a central cavity. The top of the cavity is closed by an upper support surface. A portion of at least two of the walls extend above the upper support surface, and the infant support member of two table members hinged relative to each other are mounted on the infant support surface. The shafts about which the tables hinge extend outward and engages slots in portions of the upright walls above the support surface. The table members slide through their connection with the hinge shafts through the slot. At one end of the slot when the table members are folded over each other, the table members are nested above the main body. At the other end of the slot, when the table members are open, the central pivot is generally centrally located on the main body to prevent tipping of the device.

Abstract: The present wheel chair, especially for invalids, is foldable in a vertical irection rather than horizontally to transform the chair into a very compact package. For this purpose all foldable components of the chair are equipped with journals having journal axes extending perpendicularly to a vertical central plane of symmetry of the chair. Further, the seat is vertically liftable and also horizontally guided on guide tracks (18) extending in parallel to the plane of symmetry of the chair. The guide tracks (18) are movable back and forth on guide rail sections (17) which are pivoted to the top of the support structure (4) of the chair. Hydraulic piston cylinder drives are connected to all chair components which are movable under a loaded condition with a person sitting in the chair. The chair seat is also divided so that the chair may be moved directly over a toilet seat, for example.

Abstract: A backpack is disclosed which is provided with shoulder straps and a back rest. The shoulder straps and back are independent of the pack container whereby to permit distribution of the weight to be carried and to facilitate the carrying of heavy loads. The frame is formed of a series of sub-frames which unfold to form a structure which can serve as a chair and as a stand for holding and retaining the pack container in upright position when the pack is not being carried.

Abstract: A portable multi-component reclining examination chair comprises a contai wherein the chair's components can be stored for transportation. When removed from the container, the components attach to the container for assembly of the chair. Assembled, the chair uses the container as a stabilizing base to which are attached leveling legs, an adjustable seat having a reclinable back rest, a head rest, removable arm rests and either a leg rest or a foot rest depending on the particular use of the chair.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a performer's chair are disclosed including a seat element having an elongated portion for supporting one leg, the oppositfe side of the chair being angularly cut away in order to permit freedom of movement for the performer and to facilitate positioning and manipulation of an instrument such as a guitar. A preferred embodiment includes a back rest for the performer, the seat cushion being hinged and one of three legs being formed by a hinged gate-leg to permit the chair to be folded up when not in use. Another embodiment includes a similar chair combined with a case for a musical instrument or the like.

Abstract: Hingedly connected seat and back portions of a padded shampoo chair have storage recesses in corresponding sides thereof into which folding legs of the seat portion and a folding shoulder and head rest and arm rests of the back portion are nested when the chair is folded for carrying with its cushion surfaces arranged outwardly. Simplicity and compactness are included in an economical structure.

Abstract: A high chair having a seat and back which are both hollow and are hinged together to fold and close against each other to form a carrying case, with a handle which locks the case in closed position. Telescopically adjustable legs are attached to the seat by compound hinges, which allow the legs to spread to a wide stable stance when erected, while enabling the legs to be compactly folded into the seat. A tray is attached to the back on adjustable arms and, when not in use, is stored within the hollow back, the tray being the only part which is completely detached for storage. In the collapsed condition only the tray supporting arms are outside the case and they are folded into recesses along the sides of the back. The chair is easily erected and collapsed without tools.

Abstract: An improved chair and storage unit is provided, which is particularly suitable for use as a fishing seat and storage means for fishing equipment. A chair seat is supported on a foundation that includes a first and a second side compartment that flank the seat. The side compartments form arm rests or side tables for the seat, and open along their tops, outwardly of the seat, so as to be readily accessible to a seated person. The seat has a bottom cushion and an adjustable back cushion that compacts to form a portable box-like structure with the other portions of the unit. Storage areas for bait and tackle are provided in one side compartment. The other side compartment has a cooler. An elongate storage area for fish rods and reels is also provided.

Abstract: A combination carrying case and folding seat. The device is arranged to be disposed directly on a supporting surface, such as the ground and comprises first and second shell-shaped members. The members are pivotably connected together at their rear by a hinge. The first shell member is generally hollow in shape for storage of items therein and includes a generally planar bottom portion. The generally planar bottom portion serves as the base for the device when disposed on the ground as a seat. The device also includes a third member removably mounted over the first member and closing the hollow interior of the first member. The third member forms a seating surface of the device. The second member includes an inner surface and is pivotable relative to the first member from a closed position wherein the members contact each other to an open position wherein the inner surface of the second member extends at an angle of at least 90.degree. to the seating surface to form a back rest for the seat.