GB2025213A - Folding chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding chair comprising a seat member 2 of flexible material and a foldable support structure 3 therefor. The support structure comprises a ground-engaging base member 4 to which first and second struts 8, 20 are connected to lie in a vertical plane when the chair is erected. Each of the struts is inclined to the horizontal when the chair is erected and at least one of them 20 is angularly movable in said plane relative to the other. The free end of the first strut 8 has two mutually inclined legs 14 and two mutually inclined seat support props 13 pivotally attached thereto and together adopting an x-shaped configuration when the chair is erected. The flexible seat is releasably attached to the upper end of the second strut 20 (which is a telescopic tube) and to the upper ends of the two seat support props 13. To fold up the chair, the flexible seat 2 is removed, and the support structure folded up by pivoting the two legs 14 and the two props 13 towards one another and generally alongside said first strut 8, and by pivoting the two struts 20, 8 towards one another. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Folding chair This invention relates to folding chairs, i.e. chairs that can be folded up from an erected state so as to occupy a reduced space for storage and/or transportation, and in particularto a known type of folding chair which comprises a seat member of flexible material and a foldable support structure therefor.

Folding chairs of this type proposed in the past have been constituted by numerous parts and have therefore been costly to produce. Furthermore many of these parts have often been of small size and had to be removed for folding up the chair, such removal giving rise to the possibility that the parts might be lost.

It is therefore desirable to provide a folding chair that can overcome these and/or other drawbacks of the prior art folding chairs.

According to this invention there is provided a folding chair comprising a seat member of flexible material and a foldable support structure therefor, the support structure being characterised by a base supportto engage the ground, first and second struts connected to the base support so as to be mutually inclined in a non-horizontal, preferably vertical, plane when the folding chair is in its erected state, leg means to engage the ground connected to the free end of the first strut remote from the base support, and seat support means connected to the free end of the first strut remote from the base support, the folding chair being further characterised in that the seat member is attached, preferably removably, to the support structure so as to extend between the free end of the second strut and the seat support means, in that at least one of the struts is angularly movable in said plane relative to the other for folding up the chair, and in that the leg means and/or the seat support means are angularly movable relative to said first strut for folding up the chair.

Preferably the leg means and the seat support means are angularly movable as aforesaid towards one another to be directed towards said base support.

Preferably the leg means comprise two legs.

Preferably the two legs are mutually inclined and directed away from one another as they extend away from the free end of the first strut when the chair is in its erected state.

Preferably the seat support means comprise two seat props.

Preferably the two seat props are mutually inclined and directed away from one another as they extend away from the free end of the first strut when the chair is in its erected state.

Conveniently the angle of mutual inclination of the two legs is substantially the same as the angle of mutual inclination of the two seat props. The legs and seat props thus adopt an x-shaped configuration when the chair is in its erected state.

Preferably the two legs and the two seat props are arranged to lie in substantially the same common plane when the folding chair is in its erected state.

Preferably the said one of the struts is angularly movable as aforesaid in a direction to overlie the other strut. Conveniently said one strut is the said second strut.

Advantageously the said second strut comprises an extensible member, e.g. a telescopic tube.

By way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of this invention will now be described with refer ence to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a folding chair according to this invention in its erected state; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the foldable support structure of Fig. 1 in its erected state; Figure 3 is a side view of the support structure in its folded-up state; Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but on an enlarged scale, of part of the support structure in its folded-up state; Figure 5 is a partly-sectioned perspective view of other parts of the support structure in its folded-up state; Figure 6 is a partly-sectioned side view of the parts of the support structure shown in Fig. 4 when the support structure is in its erected state; and Figure 7 is a partly-sectioned side view showing still further parts of the support structure in its erected state.

The illustrated folding chair 1 comprises a seat 2 supported by a foldable support structure 3. The support structure 3 comprises a ground-engagable base 4 that is of generally oval shape in plan view.

The base 4 has two blind bores 5, 6 formed therein with their axes in a common vertical plane and each inclined to the horizontal, e.g. at approximately 25 and 70" respectively so as to have an included angle between them of approximately 85" (Fig. 7). A hollow spigot 7 is fitted and secured in the bore 6 to project therefrom and be fast with base 4; and a first hollow strut 8 has one end fitted and secured in the bore 5 to project therefrom and be likewise fast with base 4.

A spigot 9 that projects from and is fast with a generally spherical nodule 10, is fitted and secured in the free other end of strut 8 (Figs. 2 and 6). The nodule 10 is also provided with two upwardly directed mutually inclined spigots 11 and two downwardly directed mutually inclined spigots 12 (Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 6) that are fast therewith. The spigots 11, 12 lie substantially in the same common plane, generally at right angles to the axis of strut 8 and spigot 9. The angle of mutual inclination of the spigots 11 is equal to that of the spigots 12 and each of these angles is bisected by the vertical plane through the axes of bores 5 and 6.Two seat support props 13 are pivotally attached to the upwardly directed spigots 11, and two legs 14 are pivotally attached to the downwardly directed spigots 12 such that, when in the erected state (Figs. 1,2 and 6), the props and legs adopt an x-shaped configuration. To provide the pivoted attachment, each of the props 13 and legs 14 comprises an elongate hollow tubular part fitting over the associated spigot 11 and 12, and housing a coiled tension spring 15 (Figs. 2 and 6) connected between an internal cross-pin 16 and the bight of a U-shaped bracket 17, the limbs of the bracket being disposed one each side of two parallel flats 111 and 112 atthe ends of spigots 11 and 12, and being connected thereto by pivot a pin 113 and 114 respectively (see Fig. 4).

Each of the seat support props 13 can thus be "folded-up" by pulling it upwardly (against the tension in its spring 15) until the tubular part thereof is clear of the spigot 11, and then rotating the prop about its associated pivot pin 113 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 6. Similarly, each of the legs can be "folded-up" by pulling it downwardly (against the tension in its spring 15) until the tubular part thereof is clear of the spigot 12, and then rotating the leg about its associated pivot pin 114 in an opposite direction to that of the arrow in Fig. 6. Figs. 3 and 4 show both the two props 13 and the two legs 14 in their "folded-up" state.

The portion of spigot 7 projecting from bore 6 in base 4 is provided with a longitudinal cut-out or slot 18 facing towards the strut 8. A second strut 20, in the form of a two-section telescopic tube, is pivotally attached to the spigot 7. The pivotal attachment is by means of the mechanism now to be described, regard being had to Figs. 5 and 7. A bracket 21 of inverted U-shape has its limbs 22 pivotally connected to the spigot 7 by a pivot pin 23 such that the bracket 21 can extend through the cut-out or slot 18.

A long wire 24 of extended U-shape has its limbs 25 connected to the bracket's limbs 22. A pin 26 extends between the wire's limbs 25 and into diametrically opposite holes 27 in the inner section 31 of the two section telescopic strut 20. The inner section 31 is provided with another pair of diametrically opposite holes 28 longitudinally adjacent the holes 27, the holes 28 being alignable with a pair of diametrically opposite, externally chamfered, holes 29 in the outer section 32 of the telescopic strut 20. A U-shaped spring member 30 is disposed between the wire's limbs 25 and is resiliently compressed by the wall of telescopic section 31.Each limb 33 of spring member 30 has an outwardly directed projection 34 extending into one of the holes 28, the projections 34 being capable of extending also into the holes 29 when the holes 28 and 29 are brought into alignment upon full extension of the telescopic strut 20.

The telescopic strut 20 can thus be "folded-up" by depressing the projections 34 to force them out of the holes 29, sliding inner section 31 downwardly.

into section 32, and then pulling the outer section 31 upwardly until its bottom end clears the top of spigot 7. The strut 20 can then be rotated in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 7 towards a position in which it lies substantially alongside the first strut 8.

To erect the folding chair, the support structure 3 is "unfolded" from its "folded-up" state shown in Fig. 3, the reverse sequence of operations to that for "folding-up" being performed on the strut 20, the legs 14 and the seat support props 13, and the seat 2 is attached thereto.

As shown in Fig. the seat 2 comprises a rectan gular strip 35 of flexible material, e.g. canvas, having its upper end attached to a rod 36. For Example, the rod 36 may pass through a seamed hem at said upper end of the strip. A short sleeve 37 encom passes the rod 36 centrally and is provided with a depending spigot 38 adapted to be received slidingly into the upper end of telescopic strut 20. The lower end of strip 35 is provided with corner reinforce ments having oval eyelets 39 therein. These eyelets are adapted to receive releasably lug fasteners 40 provided at the upper ends of the props 13.

It will be appreciated that in its erected state, the above described and illustrated folding chair 1 is dynamically stable in use since body weight is supported by the widely spaced two feet ofthe legs 14 and the single base 4. Accordingly it is feasible for the tubular members employed for its construction to be of light weight- whereby the chair, in its folded-up state, is easy to carryalthough if necessary portions of some tubular members may be reinforced by encompassing sleeves. Such reinforcing sleeves are illustrated in Figs. 1-3 for the legs 14 and in Fig. 7 for the outer section 32 of the telescopic strut 20.

To "fold-up" the erected chair 1, the seat 2 is taken off the support structure 3 by disengaging the lugs 40 from eyelets 39 and lifting off the backend of the strip by sliding spigot 38 out of the strut 20. The structure 3 is then "folded up" in the manner described above and can be wrapped up in the flexible seat 2 and/or placed in a bag container (not shown) for carrying and/or transportation and/or storage.

In an alternative construction, strut 8 can be pivotally attached to the base 4 instead of, or as well as, strut 20.

Furthermore, in a modified version of the abovedescribed and illustrated embodiment, two struts 20 are provided instead of just one, the two struts 20 being mutually inclined and directed away from one another as they extend away from the base 4, their included angle being bisected by the vertical plane through the strut 8. The free ends of the, two mutually inclined struts 20 remote from base4 can thus releasably engage the upper corners ofthe seat 2, and the parts 36 and 37 may be omitted.

CLAIMS 1. Afolding chair comprising a seat member of flexible material and a foldable support structure therefor, the support structure being characterised by a base support to engage the ground, first and second struts connected to the base support so as to be mutually inclined in a non-horizontal, preferably vertical, plane when the folding chair is in its erected state, leg means to engage the ground connected to the free end of the first strut remote from the base support, and seat support means connected to the free end of the first strut remote from the base support, the folding chair being further characterised in that the seat member is attached, preferably removably, to the support structure so as to extend between the free end of the second strut and the seat support means, in that at least one of the struts is angularly movable in said plane relative to the other for folding up the chair, and in that the leg means and/orthe seat support means are angularly movable relative to said first strut for folding up the chair.

2. A folding chair according to Claim 1, wherein the leg means and the seat support means are angularly movable as aforesaid towards one another to be directed towards said base support.

3. A folding chair according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the leg means comprise two legs.

4. A folding chair according to Claim 3, wherein the two legs are mutually inclined and directed away from one another as they extend away from the free end of the first strut when the chair is in its erected state.

5. Afolding chair according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the seat support means comprise two seat props.

6. Afolding chair according to Claim 5, wherein the two seat props are mutually inclined and directed away from one another as they extend away from the free end of the first strut when the chair is in its erected state.

7. Afolding chair according to Claim 4 and Claim 6, wherein the angle of mutual inclination of the two legs is substantially the same as the angle of mutual inclination of the two seat props.

8. Afolding chair according to Claim 3 and Claim 5, wherein the two legs and the two seat props are arranged to lie in substantially the same common plane when the folding chair is in its erected state.

9. Afolding chair according to any preceding Claim, wherein the said one of the struts is angularly movable as aforesaid in a direction to overlie the other strut.

10. Afolding chair according to any preceding Claim, wherein the said one strut is the said second strut.

11. A folding chair according to any preceding Claim, wherein the said second strut comprises an extensible member.

12. A folding chair according to Claim 11, wherein the extensible member is a telescopic tube.

13. A folding chair substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Application No.29869/78 New claims or amendments to claims filed on 29.11.78

Claims (15)

1. A folding chair comprising a seat member of flexible material and a foldable support structure therefor, wherein the support structure comprises a base support to engage the ground, first and second struts connected to the base support so as to be mutually inclined in a non-horizontal, preferably vertical, plane when the folding chair is in its erected state, leg means to engage the ground connected to the free end of the first strut remote from the base support, and seat support means connected to the free end of the first strut remote from the base sup port, wherein the seat member is attached, prefer ably removably, to the support structure so as to extend between the free end of the second strut and the seat support means, wherein at least one of the struts is angularly movable in said plane relative to the other for folding up the chair, and wherein the leg means and/or the seat support means are connected to said free end of the first strut by pivot means such as to be angularly movable relative to said first strut for folding up the chair.

2. A folding chair according to Claim 1, wherein the leg means and the seat support means are angularly movable as aforesaid towards one another to be directed towards said base support.

3. A folding chair according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the leg means comprise two legs.

4. A folding chair according to Claim 3, wherein the two legs are mutually inclined and directed away from one another as they extend away from the free end of the first strut when the chair is in its erected state.

5. A folding chair according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the seat support means comprise two seat props.

6. A folding chair according to Claim 5, wherein the two seat props are mutually inclined and directed away from one another as they extend away from the free end of the first strut when the chair is in its erected state.

7. A folding chair according to Claim 4 and Claim 6, wherein the angle of mutual inclination of the two legs is substantially the same as the angle of mutual inclination of the two seat props.

8. Afolding chair according to Claim 3 and Claim 5, wherein the two legs and the two seat props are arranged to lie in substantially the same common plane when the folding chair is in its erected state.

9. A folding chair according to any preceding Claim, wherein the two struts are connected to the base support so as to be mutually inclined as aforesaid at only one discrete angle.

10. Afolding chair according to any preceding Claim, wherein the said one of the struts is angularly movable as aforesaid in a direction to overlie the other strut.

11. A folding chair according to any preceding Claim, wherein the said one strut is the said second strut.

12. A folding chair according to any preceding Claim, wherein the said second strut comprises an extensible member.

13. Afolding chair according to Claim 12, wherein the extensible member is a telescopic tube.

14. A folding chair according to Claim 13 when dependent from Claim 11, wherein the telescopic tube comprises a first telescoping section to engage the base support when the chair is in its erected state, a second telescoping section to project upwardly from the first section when the chair is in its erected state, and means within the first section operatively linking said second section to the base support such as to pivotally connect the telescopic tube to the base support.

15. Afolding chair substantially as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.