EP1487303A4

EP1487303A4 - Compact folding chair

Info

Publication number: EP1487303A4
Application number: EP03710616A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shing Chi Tsang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-03-12
Filing date: 2003-03-10
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Also published as: WO2003075717A1; AU2003214785A1; AU2003214785B2; US20050140182A1; CA2479101A1; NZ535669A; EP1487303A1

Abstract

A compact folding chair comprises a sitting base (19) pivotally connected to a backrest (17), which is supported by two sets of legs (20, 21) and locking mechanism (14, 15, 16). A set of level blocks (39), a pair of sliding bars (26) and a pair of tie bars (36) are arranged so that the chair can be compactly folded. In an alternative embodiment, the backrest is divided into two portions (17a, 17b) and incorporates arm rests (18) having a track (22) with a plurality of stoppers such that the angle of the upper backrest portion (17a) can be adjusted. In this embodiment, a second set of level blocks (37), sliding bars (35), and tie bars (25) are used.

Description

Compact Folding Chair

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a folding chair that has an improved folding manner for easy transport and with less space of storage in the said folded position.

Background of the Invention

Chairs are widely used in daily activities. A conventional type of chair will not able to provide comfort for user and often not stored after used. It is therefore the foldable chairs have the advantage of being folded and for easy transport and storage.

The use of folding chairs is known in the prior art. Folding chairs are devised and utilized for the purpose of providing a seat that folds up for easy storage and transport. It is basically consist of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the most prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

There are varieties of folded chairs have been made in the market. Those folding chairs normally acquire big volume of space during transportation and storage. This will lead to the increase in the storage space as well as the transportation fee and space.

It is therefore an object of the present invention is to provide all the advantages of the prior art folding chairs and none of the disadvantages. It is the general object of the present invention is to provide compact folding chair to facilitate transport and storage of the folding chair.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide locking element where the chair will lock automatically once the chair is in opened out position. The opened out position which is extremely stable and eliminates the possibility of collapsing when the chair is being placed into such position of use.

The further object of the present invention is to provide improved multi position chair having an adjustable inclined backrest to enable user to adjust desirable position according to their comfortability.

Summary of Invention

The preferred embodiment of present invention essentially comprises of a sitting base being pivotally connected to the backrest by a plurality of connecting means and supported by a plurality of legs. The said legs consist of a pair of rear legs and a set of front legs, whereby the upper end of the front legs are connected to the said sitting seat by connecting means.

A sliding bar is place to connect the said backrest and said rear legs by a plurality of connecting means in order to the said backrest to be rested on the said rear legs. The opening and closing of the chair is governed by a tie bar which link the lower part of the said backrest and said front legs, wherein to prevent the said backrest from expanding to further unstable position. A set of blocks is placed between the said sliding bar and the said tie bar in order to parallel the connecting of the said backrest to the said front legs.

The said two pair of legs, sitting base, backrest, tie bars, sliding bars and blocks can be brought together thereby producing an extremely compact folded position to the chair for less space during transport and storage.

The said chair is locked automatically when in opened position by a locking mechanism comprises of a locking bar which is mounted on the underside of the said sitting base. The locking must be manually moved into release position in order to unlock and fold the chair.

The alternative embodiment of the present invention comprises of a backrest, whereby the said backrest is cut into two to form an upper portion and a lower portion, and connected by a bracket having at least two holes in order to provide inclined position for the said upper portion of backrest; and a sitting seat base being pivotally connected to the said lower portion of backrest by a plurality of connecting means and supported by a plurality of legs. The said legs consist of a pair of rear legs and a pair of front legs.

A pair of armrests is pivotally connected to the said upper portion, wherein the said each armrest having a track with plurality of stoppers at the lower side of the said armrest.

The said rear legs is pivotally connected to the front end side of the said sitting base by connecting means and to the said lower portion of backrest by a set of sliding bars with connecting means. The said pair of front legs is pivotally connected to the front end side of the said sitting base with connection means. The upper end side of the said front leg is attached with a connector, whereby the said connector is served as a guide element to slide within the said track to enable the user to adjust positions in relation of comfortability to the horizontal plane or the seat of the chair.

A first set of sliding bars is pivotally connected at the lower end side of said backrest and to the said rear legs in order to slide the backrest to rest on the said rear legs when in open out position. A second set of sliding bars is pivotally connected at the front end side of the said sitting base and to the second set of tie bars.

A first set of level blocks is mounted at the first set of the said sliding bars with connecting means. A second set of level blocks is mounted at the said rear legs with connecting means. Both sets of the said level blocks are used to provide parallel level for the connection of two components.

A first set of tie bars is pivotally connected to the said front legs and to the first set of the said block; so as to keep the said backrest resting on the said rear legs when in open out position. A second set of tie bars is pivotally connected to the second set of the said sliding bars and to the first set of said block in order to provide stability of the said sitting base in open out position.

Brief Description of the Drawing

Figure 1 is a side view of the folding chair according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in its open condition. Figure 2 is a front view of the sitting base.

Figure 3 illustrates the locking mechanism with the locking bar in its locking position.

Figure 4 illustrates the locking mechanism with the locking bar in its release position.

Figure 5 is a side view of the folding chair according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention in its folded condition.

Figure 6 is a side view of the folding chair according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention in its open condition.

Figure 7 is a side view of the folding chair according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention in its folded condition.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Figure 1 shows the compact folding chair of the preferred embodiment. The sitting base (2) being pivotally connected to the backrest (1) with inclined surface at the lower end with connection means (10) which could be nuts and bolt assemblies, fasteners, screws, snaps, clamps, clips or other such equivalents that could be used to secure one surface to another.

A pair of inclined rear legs (3) is pivotally connected to the front end side of the said sitting base (2) with connecting means (11) , whereby the said inclined surface of the said backrest (1) is rested on the said rear legs (3) when in open out position. A pair of inclined front legs (4) is pivotally connected to the front end side of the said sitting base (2) with connecting means (11) .

A set of sliding bars (7), wherein one end of the said sliding bar (7) is pivotally connected at the lower end side of the said backrest (1) with connecting means (6) and the other end is pivotally connected to the said rear legs (3) with connecting means (8) to enable the said backrest (1) to be rested on the said rear legs (3) when in open out position. A set of level blocks (5) is mounted at the said sliding bars

(7) with connecting means (6) at the same position with the said sliding bars (7) and the said backrest (1) . A sets of tie bars (9), wherein one end of the said tie bars (9) is pivotally connected at the said front legs (4) and the other end is pivotally connected to the said blocks (5) in order to prevent the said backrest (1) from collapse and retract to folded position.

Figures 2,3 and 4 show the said sitting base (2) and a locking bar (14). The locking mechanism in this embodiment comprises a locking bar (14) extending laterally across the width of the said sitting base (2) and mounted on the underside of the said sitting base (2) . In the locked condition, the said locking bar (14) is loosely located in substantially triangular-shape recesses (15) and biased into the locking position shown in Figure 3 under the action of gravity, as represented by the arrow (13) . In order to close the chair, the user must temporarily dislodge the said locking bar (14) by moving the said locking bar (14) into release position, as shown by the arrow (16) in Figure 4.

In the operation of opening the chair, slide the front leg to the front direction. As the end of the said front leg (4) approach the final position wherein the said tie bar (9) is parallel to the said sitting base horizontally, the said locking bar (14) drops down to the locking position in which the lower edge of the said locking bar (14) located within the said recesses (15) . The chair is now on the locked condition shown in Figure 3. The said backrest (1) is prevented from collapse to the folded position.

In order to close the chair, the user must temporarily dislodge the locking bar (14) from the said recesses (15) by moving the said locking bar (14) into the release position.

The said front legs (4) are then free to move to close the chair. Once the said front legs (4) have passed the locking bar (14), the latter will drop back under the action of gravity. The chair is now in folded position with the size of the said backrest (1) and the said rear legs (3) from the side view as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 6 and 7 showed the alternative embodiment of the folding chair of the present invention. A backrest (17) comprises of upper portion (17a) and lower portion (17b) having inclined surface at the lower end which are connected by a bracket (24) having at least two holes. The said upper portion (17a) is connected to the said bracket (24) by connecting means (28) and the said lower portion (17b) is connected to the said bracket (21) by connecting means (29) . A pair of ulti position armrest (18) having a track (22) at the bottom surface of the said armrest (18) is connected to the lower end side of the said upper portion (17a) by connecting means (27) .

A pair of inclined rear legs (20) is pivotally connected to the front end side of the said sitting base (18) with connecting means (33) , whereby the said inclined surface of the said lower portion (17b) is rested on the said rear legs

(20) when in open out position. A pair of inclined front legs

(21) is pivotally connected to the front end side of the said sitting base (18) with connecting means (33) . The upper end side of the said front leg is attached with a connector (23) , whereby the said connector (23) is served as a guide element to slide within the said track (22) so as to enables each armrest (18) to pull forward and push backward when the chair is in its open out position. The said track (22) having plurality of stopper which cooperates with the said connector (23) to enable user to have various of backrest desired inclined position by simply adjust the both armrest.

Two sets of sliding bars, two sets of tie bars and two sets of level blocks are used in the preferred embodiment. First set of sliding bars (26) , wherein one end of the said first set of sliding bar (26) is pivotally connected at the lower end side of the said lower portion (17b) with connecting means (31) and the other end is pivotally connected to the said rear legs (20) with connecting means (32) to enable the said lower portion (17b) to be rested on the said rear legs (20) when in open out position. Second set of sliding bars (35) , wherein one end of the said second set of sliding bar (26) is pivotally connected at the front end side of the said sitting base (18) with connecting means (33) and the other end is pivotally connected the first set of tie bars (36) with connecting means (38).

First set of level blocks (39) is mounted at the said first set of sliding bars (26) with connecting means (31) at the same position with the said sliding bars (26) and the said lower portion (17b) to parallel the level between the said first set of sliding bars (26) and the second set of tie bars (36) . The said first set of tie bars (36) , wherein one end of the said first set of tie bar (36) is pivotally connected at the lower end side of the said lower portion (17b) with connecting means (31) and the other end is pivotally connected to the said second set of sliding bars (35) . Second set of the said tie bars (25) , wherein one end of the said second set of tie bar (25) is pivotally connected at the said front legs (21) with connecting means (34) and the other end is pivotally connected at the said lower portion (17b) with connecting means (38) in order to provide stable condition and avoid collapse of the chair.

The locking mechanism of the alternative embodiment is the same as the preferred embodiment.

In the operation of opening the chair, slide the front leg to the front direction. As the end of the said front leg (21) approach the final position wherein the said first set (36) and second set of tie bar (25) is parallel to the said sitting base horizontally, the said locking bar (14) drops down to the locking position in which the lower edge of the said locking bar (14) located within the said recesses (15). The chair is now on the locked condition. The said backrest (17) is now prevented from collapse to the folded position.

In order to close the chair, the user must temporarily dislodge the locking bar (14) from the said recesses (15) by moving the said locking bar (14) into the release position. The said front legs (21) are then free to move to close the chair. Once the said second set of tie bars (35) have passed the locking bar (14), the latter will drop back under the action of gravity. The chair is now in folded position with the size of the said backrest (1) and the said front legs from the side view as shown in Figure 7.

Claims

1. A compact folding chair comprising of:

A backrest with inclined surface at the lower end of the said backrest;

A sitting base wherein said sitting base is pivotally connected to the back end side of the said sitting base to the said backrest; A pair of rear legs having inclined surface at its lower end is pivotally connected to the front end of the said sitting base; whereby the said inclined surface of the said backrest is rested on the said rear legs when in open out position; A pair of front legs having inclined surface at its lower end is pivotally connected to the front end of the said sitting base; and

A locking mechanism comprises of a locking bar extending laterally across the width of the said sitting base as to provide stable condition and prevent the chair from accidentally collapse or retract to its folded position.

2. The chair according to claim 1, further comprising of a set of sliding bars, wherein one end of the said sliding bar is pivotally connected at the lower end side of said backrest and the other end is pivotally connected to the said rear legs in order to slide the said backrest to rest on the said rear legs when in open out position.

3. The chair according to any of claim 1 to 2, further comprising of a set of level blocks is mounted at the said sliding bars with connecting means in order to level the connection between a set of tie bars with the said front legs.

4. The chair according to any of claim 1 to 3, further comprising of a set of said tie bars, wherein one end of the said tie bars is pivotally connected to the said front legs and the other end is pivotally connected to the said blocks; so as to stable the said front legs, backrest and rear legs when in open out position.

5. The chair according to any of claim 1 to 4, wherein the opposite ends of said locking bar are loosely trapped in respective recesses of a triangular shape which permits movement of the bar between locking position under the action of gravity and release position.

6. A compact folding chair comprising of:

A backrest wherein the said backrest is cut into two portions to form upper portion and lower portion having inclined surface at the lower end; wherein connected by a bracket means;

A sitting base wherein said sitting base is pivotally connected to the back end side of the said sitting base to the said lower portion; A pair of armrests is pivotally connected to the said upper portion, wherein the said each armrest having a track with plurality of stoppers at the lower side of the said armrest to enable the connector means to stop at various positions so as to permit the said backrest to have desired inclined positions;

A pair of rear legs having inclined surface at its lower end is pivotally connected to the front end of the said sitting base; whereby the said inclined surface of the said lower portion is rested on the said rear legs when in open out position;

A pair of front legs having inclined surface at its lower end is pivotally connected to the front end of the said sitting base and attached to the said track of the said armrest by the said connectors so as the user can adjust the positions in relation to the said sitting base according to their preferences; and

7. The chair according to the claim 6, further comprising of:

A first set of sliding bars, wherein one end of the first set of the said sliding bar is pivotally connected at the lower end side of said backrest and the other end is pivotally connected to the said rear legs in order to slide the backrest to rest on the said rear legs when in open out position; and A second set of sliding bars, wherein one end of the second set of the said sliding bar is pivotally connected at the front end side of the said sitting base and the other end is pivotally connected to a second set of tie bars.

8. The chair according to any of claim 6 to 7, further comprising of:

A first set of level blocks is mounted at the first set of the said sliding bars with connecting means at the same position with the connection between the first set of the said sliding bars and the said backrest; and A second set of level blocks is mounted at the said rear legs with connecting means at the same position with the connection between the said sitting base and the said rear legs.

9. The chair according to any of claim 6 to 8, further comprising of:

A first set of tie bars, wherein one end of the first set of the said tie bars is pivotally connected to the said front legs and the other end is pivotally connected to the first set of the said block; so as to keep the said backrest resting on the said rear legs when in open out position; and A second set of tie bars, where in one end of the second set of the said tie bars is pivotally connected to the second set of the said sliding bars and the other ^' end is pivotally connected to the first set of said block.

10. The chair according to any of claim 6 to 9, wherein the opposite ends of said locking bar are loosely trapped in respective recesses of a triangular shape which permits movement of the bar between said locking position under the action of gravity and said release position.

11. The chair according to any of claim 6 to 10, wherein the said bracket means comprises of at least two holes in order to connect the upper portion and lower portion of the said backrest by connecting means in order to allow movement of the upper portion during adjustment of the said armrest.