AU2012304252B2

AU2012304252B2 - Foldable chair assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2012304252B2
Application number: AU2012304252A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Maxwell William DAY
Original assignee: Leisurelife Aust Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Leisurelife Aust Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-26
Filing date: 2012-08-24
Publication date: 2017-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2032-08-24
Also published as: AU2012304252A1; WO2013029089A1

Abstract

A foldable chair assembly is disclosed operable between a folded state and an opened state. The foldable chair assembly (10) is operable between a folded state and an opened state. The foldable chair assembly (10) includes a foldable frame (20) and back support members (30 and 30") and a brace mechanism (40 and 140) which is moveable between a braced condition and a relaxed condition. The brace mechanism (40 and 140) is operably connectable to the back support members (30 and 30', and when the foldable chair assembly (10) is in the opened or unfolded state, the brace mechanism (40 and 140) may be placed in the braced condition, wherein the braced mechanism (40 and (140) substantially holds or urges the back support members (30 and 30') apart.

Description

WO 2013/029089 PCT/AU2012/000993 1

Foldable Chair Assembly

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a foldable chair assembly and a brace mechanism therefor: 5 Specifically, the present invention relates to a foldable chair assembly including die brace mechanism.

Background to the Invention

In 1959, Fredric Arnold was granted United States Patent No. 2,871,921 to an aliiminium 10 foldable chair with fabric strappings for the seating and back support area. The aluminium foldable chair introduced to the public a lightweight, semi-collapsible and portable chair that could be conveniently transported to locations where seating is not necessarily provided. Further modifications and improvements in foldable chairs have been made by others to be used in a wide variety of applications wherever seating must be compacted for 15 transport and storage, and erected for use in various locations. Foldable chairs have become convenient items for camping and other outdoor activities. Certain foldable chairs have proven to be unsatisfactory due to their uncomfortable nature m their opened state where they have small seating or back support areas, and/or may be difficult to erect or collapse without considerable effort by the user. 20

Foldable chairs are typically made from light-weight materials such as tubular aluminium or steel and where the seat and back areas are covered by a lining. Linings are usually also light weight fabrics for example, canvas of plastics materials or blends thereof. \ 25 Due to the very nature of the materials used in the manufacturing of foldable chairs, the tubing which goes to make up the skeletal structure of the chair is quite thin. Accordingly, when an adult is seated on the erected unfolded chair, there is a tendency for the upright support frame members of the back support area of chair to flex inward toward one another due to the weight or pressure applied by the seated adult resting on the back support area of 30 the chair. This tendency for the bade uprights to flex inwardly Is exacerbated by the overall length of the uprights that extend above the foldable frame which is normally the seat section of the chair. The greater the length of an upright above the seat section, the greater the flexibility of the uprights and the potential for each upright to fail or bend out of shape. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 2

To remedy this, manufacturers have generally limited the overall length of the back uprights to provide a maximum back section height of around 45 cm above the seat section. Thus, the top of the back section typically crosses at a region just below the scapula of an adult when seated in the chair.

Another option available to a manufacturer is to increase the gauge of or composition of the tubing used. However, increased thickness or using stronger materials for the upright support members comes at a cost wherein the gross weight of the chair is increased or the manufacturing costs and later the sale price of the chair has to increase to off-set the cost of the more expensive tubing involved. Increased weight has a knock on effect of increases in transport freight costs. Further, weight increases impact on the end user as the chair is heavier to carry to the location in which it is to be used.

The above described conventional back support areas have not enhanced the comfort or suppoitability of the chair to die end user, as a user is not able to support their neck and head on the back support area without having to slouch in the chair. There may be a need to support the neck and head of the user and/or to protect any exposed areas of the user when the user is seated, with the wind blowing from behind them, and their neck and head are exposed to that wind as the back support area normally does not provide that form of protection.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved foldable chair assembly that provides at least one of additional stability, strength and rigidity to the foldable chair assembly without substantially increasing its weight or imparting additional thickness to its frame. The present invention may also provide additional comfort to a user when seated on the foldable chair assembly in its opened or unfolded state.

Summary of the Invention

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable chair assembly including a brace mechanism that substantially provides additional strength, rigidity and/or comfort compared to a foldable chair assembly without the brace mechanism. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 3

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable chair assembly that incorporates a brace mechanism which is moveable between a braced condition and a relaxed condition. 5 It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable chair assembly which is designed for portability and/or use in locations where seating is not available. *

Accordingly, the present invention is to a foldable chair assembly operable between a folded state and an opened state, the foldable chair assembly including: a foldable frame 10 and back support members; and a brace mechanism which is moveable between a braced condition and a relaxed condition; wherein the brace mechanism is operably connectable to the back support members, and when the foldable chair assembly is in the opened or unfolded state, the brace mechanism may be placed in the braced condition, wherein the brace mechanism substantially holds or urges the back support members apart. Preferably 15 the foldable frame forms the skeleton of the chair seat section.

One advantage offered by the present invention ts the improved stability and strength gained by the back support area of the chair, as a result of the brace mechanism holding the back support members apart and thus lining at the back support area is more taut, which in 20 turn provides greater support to the back of the user when seated and resting against the back support area lining. 1

Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

The brace mechanism is operably connectable, preferably located adjacent to and links, the 25 back support members of the foldable chair assembly to enable a user to operatively select the condition of the brace mechanism between the braced condition and relaxed condition. Preferably, in the relaxed condition, the back support members are not purposefully being held apart and rely upon their own inherent strength to remain apart, when a user is seated on the chair assembly. When in the relaxed condition, the back support area lining is more 30 giving in that it is not held as tight or taut. The ability to select between the braced condition and the relaxed condition provides improved stability and comfort.

In one embodiment, the brace mechanism is articulated. Preferably, the brace mechanism includes a hub mounted between two limbs. In this preferred embodiment, there are PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 4 provided two limbs which are pivotally connected to the hub to form a pivotable mechanism. Preferably, the hub can be locked in the braced condition when the hub is moved from a central position to an upper, over-centre position. The brace mechanism may also include a locking mechanism which substantially prevents the brace mechanism 5 from independently or accidentally moving from the upper, over-centre position (i.e., from the braced condition) to the central or lower, under-centre position, which is the relaxed condition, by virtue of increased tension to the back support members when a user sits on the foldable chair assembly. In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism may be at least one assisted catch means which operates with, at least one releasable fixing means on 10 each limb. Each releasable fixing means can interact with its coiresponding or complimentary catch means on the hub to further help in holding the brace mechanism in the braced condition when the hub is moved to the upper, over-centre position. Each releasable fixing means is usually located towards the end on its limb that is pivotally attached to the hub. Preferably, the assisted catch means are openings/holes in the hub into 15 which the releasable fixing means, preferably pressure-loaded or releasably urged pins can engage. By disengaging the pins from the openings in the hub, the brace mechanism can be placed into the relaxed condition.

In a second embodiment, the bracing mechanism includes two limbs which are pivotally connected to one another to form a pivotable mechanism. At least one of the limbs includes 20 a catch means while the other limb includes a releasable fixing means. Preferably, both limbs include a catch means and a releasable fixing means. In either form, the catch means and/or the releasable fixing means are positioned towards the proximal or free end of the or each limb. Preferably, the releasable fixing means is at or adjacent the proximal or free end of the or both limbs. The catch means being located away from die proximal or free end or 25 preferably extends as a zone from behind the releasable fixing means partially back towards the distal end of the or each limb. The catch means and/or releasable fixing means form a detachably connectable zone on the or each limb.

The pivot point of the brace mechanism is preferably located closer to the proximal or free end of the or each limb and within the detachably connectable zones. 30 When each limb has a catch means and a releasable fixing means, the catch means on one limb is adapted to co-operate with the releasable fixing means on the other limb, while the PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 5 releasable fixing means of the one limb co-operates with the catch means of the other limb. When the or each catch means co-operates with its complimentary releasable fixing means, the brace mechanism is in the braced condition. By releasing the catch means from its releasable fixing means, the brace mechanism is placed into its relaxed condition. 5 Therefore, the user is able to operably select the condition of the brace mechanism between the braced condition and the relaxed condition.

The catch means comprises a complimentary shaped receiving channel oi recess formed in the body of the or each limb. More preferably, the catch means is formed by inwardly 10 collapsing, squeezing or pinching a portion of a wall of the or each limb along its longitudinal axis to form a channel or recess that is suitably sized to substantially retain or accommodate the releasable fixing means, whilst the releasable fixing means is formed at or adjacent to the proximal or free end of the body of the limb. 15 The brace mechanism is operably connectable to the back support member by a pivotable mechanism. Preferably, the pivotable mechanism can be established by fastening (he distal end of a limb to connection means on the back support member. Preferably the connection means is in the form of a stirrup or bracket which itself can be either integral or fixable to the back support member. Thus the stirrup or bracket can be fastened to the back support 20 member by fastening means such as through a screw, nut and bolt, rivet or permanently fastened by welding it to the back support member. More preferably, the stirrup or bracket may be mounted on a stepped bush to provide improved pivotal movement

In another preferred embodiment, the pivotable mechanism can be established by fastening 25 the distal end of a limb to the back support member. In this embodiment, the distal end of the or each limb may be fastened to the respective back support member by a suitable fastening means such as for example a screw, nut and bolt rivet or the like, and may also optionally include a washer, spacer and/or the like. Preferably, a portion of the surface area of the back support member is substantially fiat in order to allow increased surface area 30 contact between the distal end of the or each limb and the back support member pivotally connected thereto. Preferably, the distal end of the or each limb is substantially flat to maximise the contact area between the limb and the bade support member. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 6

In a third embodiment, the brace mechanism can be a unitary member capable of holding the back support members apart. In this embodiment, a distal end of the unitary member is preferably pivotally connected to one of the back support members whilst the proximal end is removably connectable to the other back support member. One advantage provided by 5 incorporating a unitary member is the requirement for fewer parts to form a brace mechanism compared to a brace mechanism formed from two limbs with or without a hub. In use, each end of the unitary member is connected to a respective back support member to substantially hold the back support members apart when a user is seated in the chain When the removable other end of the Unitary member is disconnected from its back 10 support member, the unitary member can be pivoted at its distal end so that it substantially aligns with the back support member to which it is connected to enable the foldable chair assembly to be folded.

In one embodiment, the foldable chair assembly includes two bade support members IS orientated substantially parallel to each other and in a substantially vertical orientation relative tp the surface upon which the assembly in its unfolded state will stand. In another preferred embodiment, the foldable chair assembly includes two back support members orientated slightly away from each other. In this preferred embodiment, at least a part of each of the two back support members is substantially angled outwardly. In this form, the 20 back support members when view from behind or from the front have the general appearance of a “winged-back”-type back section. Such an embodiment provides a greater back support area to the chair and thus offers improved protection and comfort to the user.

Each back support member is connected to a foldable frame of the foldable chair assembly. 25 While the frame and thus the back support members are preferably tubular in a more preferred form they are made of suitable sized and thickness hollow rods, pipe or tubing. More preferably, each back support member can include or have fixed to it an extension piece. These extension pieces act to increase the overall length of the back support members and thus the height of the top of the back support area. Through the extension 30 pieces the height of the back support area can be higher than the top of the head of the user when seated in the chair. In this way, the shoulders, neck and even the head of the seated user is provided with better protection, for example, from wind when blowing from behind and/or direct sunlight from behind. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 7

The extension pieces can be made telescopic relative to the bade support member within which or over which they are located. In this way the user can decide to either withdraw or extend the back support members. Further, being telescopic, rather than separate pieces 5 minimises the possibility of losing or inadvertently displacing the extension pieces relative to the remainder of the foldable chair assembly. Thus the extent to which the extension pieces can be withdrawn from within or over the support member in which they are located in or on can dictate the overall height of the chair assembly when unfolded. However, the height of the chair assembly when in its folded configuration and with the extension pieces 10 being held substantially within the back support members, there is little, if any, difference in the length of the folded chair assembly compared to one which does not contain extension pieces. *

In certain embodiments, a plurality of brace mechanisms may be present and co-operate 15 with the back support members of the foldable chair assembly to improve at least one of stability, strength and overall rigidity when the brace mechanisms are in the braced condition. Each brace mechanism may be the same or different embodiments as herein described. 20 In addition, connecting the brace mechanism to the back support members of the foldable chair assembly does not substantially increase the number of manipulation steps required to assemble or fold the foldable chair assembly. Accordingly, the user of the foldable chair assembly is provided with at least one of increased stability, strength, rigidity and comfort without substantially increasing the number of manipulation steps required to assemble or 25 fold the foldable chair assembly.

It would be understood by those skilled in the art that the bade support members may take the form of any suitable, length or shape, wherein each back support member is connected to die foldable frame of the foldable chair assembly. 30

The foldable frame of the foldable chair assembly includes a plurality of support legs connected by connecting means. In one embodiment, the support legs of the foldable chair assembly fold in a scissor action. In this embodiment, the foldable frame includes a PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 8 plurality of criss-crossed support leg sets, the foldable frame including two side sets, a rear set and a front set, and a plurality of connecting means adapted to connect the plurality of support leg sets to allow movement between an opened state and a folded state, the folded state being an elongated structure. In one embodiment, the connecting means is in the form 5 of a connector plate that is adapted to connect the ends of adjacent support legs to allow pivotal movement of the support legs between the folded and opened states. In one preferred embodiment, the support legs are connected to the connector plate by means of a fastener means, for example rivets, passing through apertures on the connector plate. Preferably, each end of the support legs terminates in an aperture, which is aligned to a 10 similarly shaped aperture on the connector plate. Once the apertures are aligned, the rivet is passed through the aligned apertures and the support legs are connected. This type of connecting arrangement is known by the skilled person in the art and suitable variations thereof, to perform the same function, would be readily apparent. The connecting means also acts to hold and maintain the ends of the support legs in the criss-crossed orientation IS as described above when the foldable chair assembly is in the opened state.

The support legs of each set of the foldable frame are connected in a criss-crossed manner substantially about the centre of each support leg and connected by a rotatably moveable rivet, nut and bolt, screw or the like. It would be apparent that the support legs rotate from 20 an angularly disposed position when the foldable chair assembly is in the opened state to a substantially parallel, and if upright, vertically disposed position when the foldable chair assembly is in the folded state.

On the sides of the rear set, there are back support members, preferably in the form of a 25 tubular rod, pipe or tubing extending from each bottom comer through and beyond each respective top comer of the rear set. The back support members extend substantially upwardly from the bottom comers of the rear set to form a back support frame. The tubular rods that make up the back support frame may be straight and when connected to the rear set of the foldable frame, are orientated substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, 30 each rod is kinked or bent intermediate its length. The kinked or bent rod allows the bade support frame to increasingly widen apart to form the “winged-back”-type back support frame. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 9

In the opened state, the preferred foldable chair assembly is structurally supported by four movable criss-crossed support leg sets. These sets include a front set of support legs, a rear set of support legs and two side sets of support legs, for the left side and right side. The support legs of each set are adapted to fold in a scissor-like manner along the same plane. 5 That is, the front set and rear set fold along each respective plane parallel to each other, and similarly, the side sets fold along each respective plane parallel to each other. The upper ends of the support legs of each set are pivotally connected to the adjacent upper end of the support leg of the adjacent set Similarly, the lower ends of the support legs of each set are pivotally connected to the adjacent lower end of the suppon leg of the adjacent set 10

In order to fold the foldable chair assembly, the back support members are moved towards each other resulting in the two side sets, front set and rear set of the foldable frame pivoting and collapsing. This results in the support legs of the foldable frame being substantially brought into contact or at least adjacent to each other to form an elongated 15 structure.

In one preferred embodiment, the support legs are made of a substantially rigid material, such as metal tubes made of aluminium or steel, which is capable of withstanding the weight of the user. In certain embodiments, the support legs may be made of plastic or 20 carbon fibre, and in other embodiments, the support legs may be painted or powder coated.

At least one lining, preferably as a removable body support material, is adapted to connect to the foldable chair assembly. The upper ends of each of the back support members fix the body support material at a predetermined location on the back support member. At various 25 locations on the body support material there may be fixing means adapted to connect the body support material to the foldable frame and back support members. The fixing means may be pockets, clamps, apertures, Velcro®-type materials or a mix of any combinations thereof. 30 Preferably, the body support material at a first end, being the upper end, includes at least one pocket, more preferably, two pockets, for insertion of the upper ends of each of the back support members to connect and hold the upper end of the body support material in its predetermined location. At the second end, being the lower end of the body support PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 10 material, there may be provided apertures therein for passing there through the front set of die support legs. Intermediate the length of the body support material there may also include apertures through which the back support members may pass. 5 In one preferred embodiment, the foldable chair assembly is provided with a pah: of back support members, each back support member having a bearing member. The bearing member is located intermediate its length and may be made integrally with the back support member or may be a separate member which is fixedly attached to the back support member. The bearing member may be a ring for bearing a back portion of a 10 removable arm rest.

In one preferred embodiment, the foldable chair assembly includes arm rests. Preferably, cadi arm rest is made of a distinct single elongated piece of material, preferably made from the same material as the body support material. In other embodiments, the arm rests may 15 be integral to the body support material. In an alternative arrangement, the foldable chair assembly does not include arm rests. When an arm rest is present, in one preferred arrangement, the support legs of the front set of the foldable frame are longer than the support legs of the remaining support legs of the foldable frame and extend upwardly. In this arrangement, the front end of the elongated piece of material is connected to the 20 extended portion of the support legs of the front set and the back end of the elongated piece of material is connected to the back support members at the bearing member, to form an arm rest. In certain embodiments, the arm rests includes at least one cup holder. The cup holder may be formed from a cup-shaped aperture through the elongated piece of material with a substantially cylindrical shaped netting stitched about the perimeter of the cup-25 shaped aperture.

When the foldable chair assembly is opened, the foldable chair assembly forms a chair frame and the body support material is made substantially taut to form a scat base and back support. In a preferred embodiment, the body support material is a single piece of strong 30 fabric made of canvass or other light weight and preferably substantially water-proof material. In an alternative embodiment, the body support material may be formed of two or more pieces of material. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 11

Various types of material or material combinations may be used as the body support material such as cloth and/or plastic, including synthetic and natural materials. Preferably, the body support material is substantially water-proof. 5 Further arrangements and combinations will be apparent to the skilled addressee on the basis of the above.

The present invention provides a foldable chair assembly having a brace mechanism, which can be moved to a braced condition to substantially hold or urge the back support 10 members apart when the foldable chair assembly is unfolded to an operative sitting state. The foldable chair assembly allows the back support material to be operatively selected between a substantially taut and slack condition so that the seated user can be supported upright or held snuggly, as desired. It is envisioned that the foldable chair assembly when the back support material is in its slack condition would adjust in response to the contours 15 of the user’s back. This condition may effectively substantially shield the back of the user from windy conditions or direct sunlight and provide additional support and comfort.

For a better understanding of the invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 is a rear view of one embodiment of a foldable chair assembly according to the present invention. f' 25 Figure 2 is a diagram of a brace mechanism of the foldable chair assembly of Figure I.

Figure 3 is a diagram of the pivotable mechanism between the brace mechanism and a back support member as shown in Figure 1. 30 Figure 4 is a diagram of another embodiment of a brace mechanism of the foldable chair assembly according to the present invention when in the braced condition.

Figure 5 is a diagram of the foldable chair assembly with the brace mechanism of Figure 4. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 12

Figure 6 is a diagram of one of the limbs of the brace mechanism as shown in Figure 4 . with Figures 6A and 6B being cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A and B-B respective. 5

Figure 7 is an underside view of the limb of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a diagram of the other limb of the brace mechanism as shown in Figure 4 with Figures 8A and 8B being cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A and B-B respective. 1°

Figure 9 is an underside view of the limb of Figure 8.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to all the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or 15 corresponding parts throughout the several views. The following description refers to the specific, illustrated embodiment of the present invention and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific, illustrated embodiment.

According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1, 20 there may be provided a foldable chair assembly 10. The foldable chair assembly 10 is operable between a folded state and an opened state. The foldable chair assembly includes a foldable frame 20, two back support members 30 and 30’, and a brace mechanism 40. The brace mechanism 40 is articulable and moveable between a braced condition and a relaxed condition (not shown) and located adjacent to and links the bade support members 25 30 and 30'. When the foldable chair assembly 10 is in the opened state and the brace mechanism 40 is in the braced condition, the brace mechanism 40 aids in substantially holding or urging the back support members 30 and 30’ apart.

As shown in more detail in Figure 2, the brace mechanism 40 of Figure J includes a hub 41 30 mounted between a first limb 42 and a second limb 42’. The proximal or free end of the first limb 42 is pivotally connected to the hub 41 with a rivet 43, and the second limb 42’ is pivotally connected to the hub 41 with a rivet 43’. In use, the brace mechanism 40 is moveable to the braced condition from the relaxed condition by moving the hub 41 to an PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 13 upper, over-centre position where it is locked as shown in Figure 2. The locked position prevents die brace mechanism 40 from independently or inadvertently moving to the relaxed condition. By electing to move the brace mechanism from the upper, over-centre position to the centre, or under over-centre position, the mechanism is able to be folded by 5 virtue of hub 41 pivoting about rivets 43 and/or 43’. Therefore, the brace mechanism when folded is able to also neatly collapse upon itself. \

Figure 3 shows the components used to form a pivotable mechanism between die brace mechanism 40 and back support members 30 and 30’. The pivotable mechanism is 10 established by mounting and fastening the brace mechanism 40 with a screw 30 at one end of the back support 30 to a stirrup or bracket 51. The stirrup or bracket 51 is mounted on a stepped bush 52 and fastened with a screw 53 to the back support member 30.

Figures 4, S, 6 and 7 show another embodiment of a brace mechanism 140 of the foldable 15 chair assembly. The brace mechanism 140 includes a first limb 144 and a second limb 160. Preferably the limbs are formed from suitably gauged light weight tubing, pipe or rod and which can be deformed, bent or kinked as required by rolling, pinching or squeezing, limb 144 is kinked 145 intermediate its length and includes a proximal or free end 146 and a distal end 147. Limb 144 also includes a waisted region 148, and aperture 149. The waisted 20 region 148 is a suitably shaped receiving channel or recess 150 as shown in Figure 6B. At distal end 147 of limb 144 the limb tapers to form a substantially flat surface 151 having an aperture 152 into which a fastening means 153 such as a rivet (see Figure 4) is receivable. The proximal free end 146 forms the releasable fixing means of limb 144. 25 Limb 160 of Figures 4, 8 and 9 is kinked 161 intermediate its length and includes a proximal or free end 162 and a distal end 163. Limb 160 also includes a waisted region 164, and aperture 165. The waisted region 164 is a suitably shaped receiving channel or recess 166 as shown in Figure 8B. At distal end 163 of limb 160 the limb tapers to form a substantially flat surface 167 having an aperture 168 into which a fastening means 153 (not 30 shown) such as a rivet is receivable. The proximal free end of limb 160 forms the releasable fixing means of limb 160. PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 14

The hatchings shown in Figures 6A, 6B, 8A and 8B do not indicate that the limbs are solid rods, but rather that the limbs as illustrated may be solid or hollow.

Aligning aperture 149 of limb 144 and aperture 16S of limb 160 are suitably shaped to S permit a pivot means such as a rivet, bolt or the like there through to enable the limbs to pivot relative to each other. In this way, the brace mechanism 140 is moveable to the braced condition from the relaxed condition by securing the proximal end or releasable fixing means of each limb in the channel or recess of the other limb as can be seen in Figure 4. To place the brace mechanism in the relaxed condition the releasable fixing 10 means are removed from the catch means by disengaging them by pivotal movement from their respective complimentary channel or recess.

The braced condition prevents the brace mechanism 140 from independently or inadvertently moving to the relaxed condition. By electing to move the brace mechanism 15 140 from the braced condition to the relaxed condition by disengaging the limbs 144 and 160, the brace mechanism 140 is able to substantially align with back support members 30 and 30’ by virtue of the flat surface 151 and 167 pivoting about its connection to the back support members 30 and 30’. 20 Returning to Figure 1, the foldable chair assembly 10 will now be described in further detail. The foldable frame 20 of the foldable chair assembly 10 includes a front set, a rear set and two side sets. The rear set includes two support legs 21 and 21’ pivotally connected by a rivet 22 passing through aligned apertures located substantially central to the length of each support leg 21 and 2F. The two support legs of each respective front and two side 25 sets are similarly connected to allow movement in a scissor-like manner (not shown). In the assembled state as shown in Figure 1, rear support legs 21 and 21’ are disposed such that support leg 21 has an upper end 23 and a lower end 24. Similarly, rear support leg 2Γ has an upper end 23’ and a lower end 24’ in the assembled state. The upper ends 23 and 23’ of the rear set are pivotally connected to the adjacent upper ends of the support legs of 30 the adjacent side set. Similarly, lower ends 24 and 24’ of the rear set are pivotally connected to the adjacent lower end of the support legs of the adjacent side set. Further, the lower ends of die support legs located on the side sets are similarly pivotally connected to the lower ends of the front set. However, in the case of the front set, the front support legs PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 15 have an extended portion where each upper end of the side support legs are pivotally connected at a location intermediate the length of the front support legs. The pivotal connection is in the form of a connector plate 25 that is adapted to connect to an end of a support leg to allow pivotal movement of the support legs between die folded and opened 5 states. £ach end of the support legs terminates in an aperture, which is aligned to a similarly shaped aperture on the connector plate 25. Once the apertures are aligned, a rivet is passed through the aligned apertures and the support legs are connected.

In addition to the brace mechanism 40 or 140 being pivotally linked to the two back 10 support members 30 and 30’, the two back support members are linked to the foldable frame 20 through the connector plates 25 disposed on the rear set of support legs. The two back support members 30 and 30’ each have extension pieces that are telescopic and lockable at their extended positions with lock pin 32. The back support members also include an integral bearing member 33 located below the lock pin 32 to hold the rear 15 portion of an arm rest material 60. The front portion of the arm rest material 60 has a pocket for inserting an extended portion of the front support leg to hold the front portion of the arm rest material 60 (not shown). The arm rest 60 has an aperture 61 with netting material stitched about the perimeter of the aperture 61. The netting material is substantially cylindrical in shape. 20 A removable body support material (lining) 70 is mounted on the foldable chair assembly 10. The upper ends of each of the back support members are inserted into respective pockets disposed at an upper end of the body support material 70. At a lower end of the body support material 70, there are two apertures to allow the extended portion of the 25 support legs of the front set to pass through. Intermediate the length of the body support material 70, there are two apertures to allow the back support members to pass. These pockets and apertures on the back support material 70 allow the back support material to be held securely to the foldable chair assembly 10. 30 In order to fold the foldable chair assembly 10, each back support member 30 and 30’ is moved towards each other. This action results in the foldable frame 20 to pivot and collapse. The telescopic back support member may optionally be contracted to improve storage characteristics. When folded, the support legs of the foldable frame 20 are PCT/AU2012/000993 WO 2013/029089 16 substantially brought into contact or at least adjacent to one another and a narrow and elongated structure is formed.

The addition of the brace mechanism, the presence of extension pieces and the increase in 5 the area of the lining do not add any real substantial weight to the conventional foldable chair assembly, given die brace mechanism and the extension pieces would normally be made of the same materials as the rest of the foldable frame itself. Thus there is essentially minimal impact on transportation freight costs and it still lends itself to be easily carried by the user. 10 .

With the folded chair assembly of the present invention even with its additional extension pieces, it is found that it can be accommodated in the same carry holder or duffle bag and thus occupies the same surface area as is now used or found with conventional foldable chairs. As a result there is substantially no adjustments necessary to the freighting 15 contractor in stacking or loading and delivering the chairs, nor does the store holder have to alter its display and storage of the product and likewise even for the end user.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other forms of foldable chair assemblies may be used with die brace mechanism described above. 20

Where the terms "include”, “includes”, “included”, “including”, “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprised” or “comprising” are used in this specification, they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components referred to, but not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature, integer, step, 25 component or group thereof.

Claims

The Claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A foldable chair assembly operable between a folded state and an opened state, the foldable chair assembly including: a foldable frame and back support members; and a brace mechanism comprising a hub, the brace mechanism moveable between a braced condition and a relaxed condition; wherein the brace mechanism is operably connectable to the back support members, and when the foldable chair assembly is in the opened or unfolded state, the brace mechanism may be placed in the braced condition, wherein the braced mechanism substantially holds or urges the back support members apart.
2. The foldable chair assembly of Claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism is comprised of at least one limb, each limb having a proximal end and a distal end.
3. The foldable chair assembly of Claim 2, wherein each limb includes a catch means intermediate the proximal and distal ends.
4. The foldable chair assembly of Claim 2 or 3, wherein the distal end of each limb is pivotally mounted to its back support member.
5. The foldable chair assembly of any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the bracing mechanism is comprised of one limb.
6. The foldable chair assembly of any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the bracing mechanism is comprised of two limbs.
7. The foldable chair assembly of any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the proximal end of each limb includes a releasable fixing means.
8. The foldable chair assembly of Claim 7, wherein the releasable fixing means is adapted to be releasably retained by the catch means when the bracing mechanism is in the braced condition.
9. The foldable chair assembly of any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the hub is mounted between the proximal ends of each limb.
10. The foldable chair assembly of any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the or each back support member further includes an extension piece which is telescopic.