AU2016101555A4 - Customisable chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A chair is provided, which includes a seat portion, and where a back portion is defined by a boardsports board, such as a surfboard. In particular, a support configured to receive the boardsports board, and the support may be adjustable, to enable different types of boards to be used. 4-- 15 130 k V~~> 115 Figure 1

Description

CUSTOMISABLE CHAIR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to chairs. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to outdoor chairs that can be easily customised by a person.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] For many people, their choice of furniture is a strong indicator of their personality. For example, conservative people may be drawn to traditional furniture, whereas others may be drawn to unique furniture.

[0003] In recent years, personalised furniture has become more popular. In particular, personalised furniture may be designed with personalised input from a purchaser. Such personalisation may include colour, shape, style, size or the like.

[0004] A problem with personalised furniture is that it is generally expensive. In particular, it is time consuming and expensive to customise furniture to suit the needs of each individual. Furthermore, personalised furniture is generally made to order, and as such, there is generally a significant delay between the time of purchase and when the furniture is provided to the purchaser.

[0005] Another trend in recent years has been to incorporate recycled material into furniture. As such, furniture can be provided which is unique due to the incorporation of different recycled material into different items of furniture. A problem with such furniture of the prior art is that it is difficult to manufacture furniture featuring recycled material of different sizes. In particular, the furniture must often be build around the recycled material, which is time consuming.

[0006] As such, there is clearly a need for improved furniture and chairs.

[0007] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed to chairs, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0009] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a chair comprising: a seat portion; and a support, coupled to the seat portion, wherein the support is configured to receive a boardsports board to define a back portion of the chair.

[0010] Preferably, the board is a surfboard.

[0011] Preferably, the support is configurable to receive different sized or shaped surfboards.

[0012] Preferably, the support comprises a rung, for supporting a fin of a surfboard, wherein the rung is adjustable in at least a height direction.

[0013] Preferably, the support includes a frame, the frame comprising an upper support rung, for supporting a body of the surfboard in a horizontal direction.

[0014] Preferably, the frame defines stiles, with the surfboard defining a seat back (splat) between the stiles.

[0015] Preferably, the chair is configured to receive the surfboard in an upright position.

[0016] Preferably, the support is configured to hold the board in place using gravity.

[0017] Preferably, the board is removable once installed. Alternatively, may be permanently attached.

[0018] Preferably, the seat portion is supported by a base comprising side portions, which are supported by front legs and rear legs. The seat portion may be defined by a plurality of slats that extend between the side portions. The side portions may be curved along their respective lengths to provide curved seat.

[0019] Preferably, the rear legs extend diagonally from a rear of the side portions, to prevent the chair from tipping backwards.

[0020] The support may include a padded dowel, for supporting the surfboard.

[0021] The chair may be formed of timber. The chair may be an outdoor chair.

[0022] The board may comprise a stand-up paddle (SUP) board, a windsurfing board, a bodyboard, a kneeboard, a wakeboard, a longboard (skateboard), a kitesurfing board, a skysurfing board or the like.

[0023] In another form, the present invention resides broadly in an item of furniture including a seat portion; and a support configured to receive a boardsports board to define a back portion of the item of furniture.

[0024] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0025] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: [0027] Figure 1 illustrates a right side perspective view of a chair, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0028] Figure 2 illustrates a right side view of the chair of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0029] Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of the chair of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0030] Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the chair of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [0031] Figure 5 illustrates a rear perspective view of the chair of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Figure 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a customisable chair 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The chair 100 includes an interchangeable chair back in the form of a surfboard, which allows people to create unique and personalised pieces of furniture. The surfboard may be decommissioned (and thus repurposed into the backrest of the chair), or removable from the chair 100 for use.

[0034] The chair includes a base 105 comprising side portions 110, which are supported by front legs 115 and rear legs 120. A plurality of slats 125 extend between the side portions 110, to define a seat of the chair 100.

[0035] The side portions 110 are curved along their respective lengths to provide curved seat, for comfort. In particular, the seat is curved downwards at a front, to provide comfort against the rear of the knees of someone sitting in the chair, and a curved downwards in a central portion, to provide comfort to a backside of the person.

[0036] The rear legs 120 extend diagonally from a rear of the side portions 110, to provide support to the chair, and in particular to prevent the chair from tipping backwards when someone leans backwards on the chair.

[0037] The chair 100 further includes a rear frame 130, which extends upwardly from the rear legs 120, to support a surfboard 135, which at least partly defines a seat back of the chair 100. As such, the chair 100 is customised using a surfboard of the choosing of a user.

[0038] As best illustrated in Figure 5, an adjustable lower rung 140 extends between the rear legs 120, to support fins 145 of the surfboard 135, and thus support the surfboard 135 vertically. An upper fixed rung 150 extends between opposing upper portions of the rear frame 130, to support a body 135A of the surfboard 135, and thus support the surfboard 135 in a horizontal direction (i.e. prevent the surfboard from falling backwards).

[0039] The lower rung 140 is positioned near a base of the chair, to allow for quick and easy placement and removal of the surfboard 135, as described in further detail below.

[0040] The rear frame 130 includes stiles 130a, with the surfboard 135 defining a seat back (or splat) between the stiles. As such, the surfboard 135 and rear frame 130 provide a chair back including traditional features (splat and stiles), while using non-traditional materials (i.e. a surfboard).

[0041] The chair 100 further includes armrests 155, which extend from an upper end of the front legs 115 to the rear frame 130. The armrests 155 support arms of a person sitting in the chair, and include decorative channels. Corresponding decorative channels are provided in the legs 115, 120 and the frame 130.

[0042] As best illustrated in Figures 2, the rear legs 120 include apertures 160, which enable the lower rung 140 to be adjusted in height. This enables the chair 100 to be adapted for different fin shapes and/or board sizes.

[0043] The top aperture 160 is particularly suited to tri-fin surfboards, as it raises a central rear fin sufficiently from the ground. In particular, the two forward fins of the surfboard sit on the lower rung 140, while the rear fin is positioned under the rung 140. The centre aperture 160 is particularly suited to twin-fin surfboards, where both fins sit on the support rung 140. The lower aperture 160 is particularly suited to single fin surfboards, where the fin sits on the support rung 140.

[0044] As best illustrated in Figure 4, the rungs 140, 150 comprise dowel portion 140a, 150a, and a padding portion 140b, 150b. This provides an inexpensive and strong support for the surfboard 135 that is also soft, to prevent damage to the surfboard 135. The padding portion may be formed of neoprene, to provide a surf feel to the chair 100.

[0045] The rungs 140, 150 are linear. The skilled addressee will, however, readily appreciate that any suitable shape may be used for the rungs. For example, the rungs 140, 150 may be formed to guide the surfboard into a particular position.

[0046] In use, the surfboard can be quickly and easily installed into and removed from the chair, as described below.

[0047] To install the surfboard 135 onto the chair 100, the lower support rung 140 is removed from the chair 100. The surfboard 135 is then positioned in a gap formed behind the seat of the chair 100, with the top surface of the board 135 facing forwards, and the fins 145 facing rearwards and lower than the seat.

[0048] The surfboard 135 is then held in position, while the lower rung 140 is inserted back through one of the three apertures 160 and across to the corresponding aperture 160 on the opposite leg 120. This may be performed by sliding the dowel 140a through the apertures 160 and through the padded portion 140b simultaneously.

[0049] The board 135 may then be rested onto the upper rung 150, and the chair is ready for use.

[0050] Removal of the surfboard 135 from the chair is the opposite to the installation. Furthermore, the height of the surfboard 135 relative to the chair 100 can be adjusted by repeating the above installation process, but using a different aperture 160.

[0051] According to alternative embodiments, the apertures 160 may comprise more or less than three per side, enabling more or less adjustment.

[0052] According to alternative embodiments, u-brackets or pipe-brackets may be placed over the upper and lower support rungs 140, 150 and screwed into the board, to prevent accidental removal or movement of the surfboard 135. This is particularly useful if an old surfboard 135 is repurposed for a chair, and removal of the surfboard 135 from the chair is not required.

[0053] The surfboard 135 can be easily installed into the chair, which enables an end user to install the surfboard into the chair in his or her home. This is particularly useful as the chair 100 with the surfboard attached may be particularly bulky. Similarly, when not permanently attached, the surfboard 135 can be lifted out of the chair in a few seconds, which is convenient when makes it convenient when the surfboard is used.

[0054] While the above description and referenced drawings disclose a surfboard, the skilled addressee will readily appreciate that any suitable sized boardsport board may be used. As an illustrative example, a chair according to embodiments of the present invention may be used with a stand-up paddle (SUP) board, a windsurfing board, a bodyboard, a kneeboard, a wakeboard, a longboard (skateboard), a kitesurfing board, a skysurfing board or the like.

[0055] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0056] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0057] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (5)

1. A chair comprising: a seat portion; and a support, coupled to the seat portion, wherein the support is configured to receive a boardsports board to define a back portion of the chair.

2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the board is a surfboard.

3. The chair of claim 2, wherein the support is configurable to receive different sized or shaped surfboards.

4. The chair of claim 3, wherein the support comprises a lower rung, for supporting a fin of a surfboard, wherein the lower rung is adjustable in at least a height direction.

5. The chair of claim 4, wherein the support includes a frame, the frame comprising an upper rung, for supporting a body of the surfboard in a horizontal direction.