GB2044606A - A collapsible seat assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A seat assembly (1, 21) is collapsible to a condition in which the detachable seat (8, 31) lies against the framework (2, 22). The seat (8, 31) can be secured to the framework (2, 22) at a desired height by means of framework engaging means (9, 10; 34, 36) which abut front and rear surfaces of the framework, the occupants' weight increasing abutment pressure. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to seats This invention relates to seat assemblies which are collapsible from an operative into a collapsed condition.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat assembly which is collapsible from an operative, in-use, condition into a collapsed condition in which the seat assembly can be readily carried to its next place of use or stored as required.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is thus provided a seat assembly collapsible from an operative condition to a collapsed condition and having a framework including collapsible supporting means and a seat movable relative to said framework to lie thereagainst in the collapsed condition, said seat including a framework engaging means which can, in the operative condition, abut both front and rear surfaces of the framework such that weight applied to the seat increases the pressure of abuttment and hence enhances the secured ment of the seat to the framework.

Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example of preferred embodiments of the invention and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein; FIGURE 1: shows a perspective line diagram of a seat assembly according to one embodiment of the invention in its assembled condition.

FIGURE2: shows the seat assembly of Figure 1 in side elevation in its collapsed condition.

FIGURE2A: shows a view in greater detail along arrow A of Figure 2.

FIGURE3: shows a side elevational view of the seat assembly of Figure 1 in its operative condition.

FIGURE4: shows a side elevational view of a seat assembly according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE4A: shows an enlarged view of part X of Figure 4.

FIGURES: shows a view from the rear of the seat assembly of Figure 4.

FIGURESA: shows an enlarged rear elevational view of the seat assembly of Figures 4 and 5.

FIGURE 6: shows a side elevational view of the seat assembly of Figures 4 and 5 in its collapsed condition.

Referring to Figure 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings a collapsible seat or chair assembly referenced generally by arrow 1 has a main frame work 2 providing a first set of legs 19 and a secondary framework 4 pivotally connected at 6 to the main framework 2 providing a second set of legs 20, the legs 19 and 20 thereby forming a collapsible supporting means for the seat assembly 1.

The sets of legs 19 and 20 may each be provided with non-slip coverings of for example rubber or plastics.

The framework 4 has a lateral member 5 connected thereacross to strengthen same.

At its upper end the framework 4 includes a further lateral member 7 which acts as a stop member in abutting against a rear surface of the main framework 2, as will be particularly seen from referenceto Figure 3.

The main framework 2 has a plurality of lateral members 3 connected thereacross to strengthen same and for the purpose as hereinafter described in greater detail.

The generally open main framework 2 has connectable therewith a seat 8. The seat 8 includes a framework engaging means comprising at one end and on either side thereof a rear abutment member 9 which in the operative position abuts against a rear surface of the main framework 2. Also included is a further and front abutment member 10 which is adapted to abut, in the operative position, a front surface of the main framework 2 and more particularly a front surface of a selected one of the lateral members 3, referenced 3A.

It will be appreciated from the drawings that the framework engaging means of the seat 8 can in this embodiment be inserted into the main framework 2 at any required height such that the height of the seat8 can be adjusted as required. For this purpose the main framework 2 includes a plurality of lateral members 3 one of which at a substantially central portion is for clarity identified by alternative reference 14.

The seat 8 includes at its corners respective hollow tray support members 13 which are adapted to accommodate a pin 12 or 1 2A downwardly depending from two sides of a tray member 11. The tray 11 can thus be mounted so as to be positioned at a desired corner of the seat 8 as will be most convenient for the person sitting on the seat 8. The pair of pins 12, 12A provided for the tray 11 also have a further function as will be clear from the description hereinafter.

It will be appreciated particularlyfrom reference to Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawings that upon pressure being applied to the seat 8 when a person sits thereon the secu rement of the seat 8 to the main framework 2 is enhanced by the manner in which the abutment members 9 and 10 abut with the rear and front surfaces respectively of the main framework 2 upon such pressure being applied.

Also it will be appreciated that for working near to the floor, as is quite often the case with many trades such as electricians installing plugs and the like, a suitable lower one of the lateral members 3 can be selected as desired, the number and spacing of the lateral members 3 being provided as required.

A substantially central lateral member 14 of the main frame work 2 has a pair of spaced apart apertures 15 extending therethrough which, when the seat assembly 1 is in its collapsed condition, accommodate the pair of pins 12 and 1 2A of the tray 11. These pins 12 and 1 2A also extend through suitable apertures provided through the seat 8 such that the tray 11 and seat 8 are securable to the main framework 2 in this collapsed condition. A plate 16 mounted on the rear surface of the lateral member 14 is pivoted by pin 17 and has a pair of oppositely directed channels 18 which, upon movement of the plate 16 in the direction indicated by arrows B in Figure 2A, engage about grooves provided around the ends of the pins 12 and 12Ato lock thetray 11 and seat8 in this collapsed condition.

In this collapsed condition, as will be particularly seen from Figure 2, the seat assembly 1 can then be lifted up and carried to its place of storage or new position for use.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings an alternative embodiment of a seat assembly, referenced generally by arrow 21 is shown.

This seat assembly 21 includes a framework 22 and a base support 23.

The base support 23 in Figure 4 is shown in the position in which it will engage the floor and forthis purpose is shown having ground engaging members 24 which may for example be of rubber or plastics or the like.

The base support 23 is collapsible from the position shown in Figure4 and for this purpose is pivoted to the framework 22 as is shown more clearly in the enlarged view of Figure 4A.

Thus referring now to Figure 4A the base 23 with its ground support members 24 is shown having a cross-bar 25 which, in the operative position of the seat assembly 21, will abut the framework 22.

A locking pin 26 extendible through the framework 22 into the base 23 will lockthe base 23 in its operative position in respect of framework 22 until collapse of the seat assembly 21 is required when the pins 26 on either side of the framework 22 can be removed. As will be seen from Figure 5 the pins 26 may for safe keeping be chained, 27, or otherwise secured to the crossbar 25.

The base 23 is pivotally connected to the framework 22 on either side thereof and this may be by means of a nut and bolt arrangement 28 extending through respective apertures 29 and 30 in the base 23 and framework 22.

Upon release of the pins 26 and the raising of the framework 22 from the ground the base 23 can be pivoted about its pivoting arrangement 28 relative to the framework 22 into the position shown in Figure6 and as will hereinafter be described in greater detail.

With the framework 22 in its substantially vertical position as shown in Figures 4 to 5 a seat 31 having framework engaging means 32 can be positioned at the required height on the framework 22. The framework engaging means 32 can thus be moved along the framework 22 in the direction indicated by arrows A until the desired height has been obtained at which time engagement of the engaging means 32 with the framework 22 can be effected.

As will be seen particularly with reference to Figure 5A the framework 22 along its rearsurface has a plurality of apertures 33.

The framework engaging means 32 of the seat 31 includes a rear cross bar 34 having an inwardly extending pin 35 which at a desired height can engage within one of the apertures 33 and with pressure applied to the seat 31 the pressure of abuttment of the rear cross bar 34 against the framework 22 will increase.

Correspondingly the abuttment pressure of a front cross bar 36 of the framework engagement means 32 on the framework 22 will also increase upon pressure being applied to the seat 31.

To strengthen the framework 22 lateral cross bars 37 will generally be provided.

When it is required to place the seat assembly 21 into its collapsed position the arms 38 of the engagement means 32 linking the cross bars 36 and 34 can be lifted up over the framework 22 and the seat 31 then turned over as will be seen in Figure 6, the pins 35 then engaging into the outer edge 39 of the base 23 which has been pivoted from its position shown in Figure 4 into its position shown in Figure 6.

The framework 22, the seat 31 and the base 23 are now secured together and the collapsed seat assembly 21 can be lifted up in this collapsed position and stored or transported to its next position of use.

It is to be appreciated that any suitable material or materials can be used in the construction of the collapsible seat assembly of the present invention and in this regard an aluminium tubing and die cast construction or a welded metal construction may be used.

Whilst the seats (8,31) have been described in respect of the accompanying drawings as being used with particular support frameworks (2,22) it is to be appreciated that these seats could equally be used in other situations for example to engage with front and rear surfaces of an existing framework such as that of a ladder.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that other forms of framework engaging means (9, 10; 35,36) could be used, for example, the abuttment members 9 and 10 of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 may be replaced by a rubber sleeve provided on both sides of the seat 8 in sliding engagement along the sides of the framework 2 with the sleeves being compressed at their top and bottom portions against the sides of the framework 2 in securing the seat 8 at a desired height on the framework 2.It is to be appreciated that by the use of such rubber sleeves the seat 8 will not then require to be removable from the framework 2 as in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 but instead, in placing the seat into the inoperative condition can merely be bent over to lie against the framework 2 when the seat has been moved towards the bottom for example of the framework 2 by means of the resilience of the rubber sleeves interconnecting the seat 8 with the framework 2.

Where in the aforegoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates then such known equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to one embodiment thereof it is to be understood that modifications and improvements may be madetheretowith- out departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. A seat assembly collapsible from an operative condition to a collapsed condition and having a framework including collapsible supporting means and a seat movable relative to said framework to lie thereagainst in the collapsed condition, said seat including a framework engaging means which can, in the operative condition, abut both front and rear surfaces of the framework such that weight applied to the seat increases the pressure of abuttment and hence enhances the securement of the seat to the framework.

2. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said framework has a main framework pivotally connected with a secondary framework, legs provided on each of the respective frameworks to form said collapsible supporting means.

3. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said framework engaging means comprises, on either side of said seat at one end thereof, a front abuttment member and a rear abuttment member to abut the front and rear surfaces respectively of the framework.

4. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said framework engaging means comprises, on either side of said seat at one end thereof, a sleeve of an at least partially resilient material slidable along the framework and compressible thereagainst when weight is placed on the seat.

5. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein said front abuttment member abuts a selected one of a plurality of lateral members extending across the main framework, a substantially central one of said lateral members being adapted for engagement with said seat when said assembly is in its collapsed condition.

6. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which said substantially central lateral member includes a pair of spaced apart apertures, a corresponding pair of apertures being provided through said seat, a tray having a pair of pins depending downwardly therefrom either one of which pin can be used to engage with a tray support member provided on said seat in the operative condition but which pins can be used to extend through said apertures in said seat and said substantially central lateral member in securing said tray and said seat to said framework in the collapsed position.

7. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 6 in which said pins each have a groove at the respective free end thereof and a locking member pivoted on said substantially central lateral member is provided with groove engagement means at either end thereof to engage with said pins extending through said lateral member in the collapsed condition.

8. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said collapsible supporting means comprises a base support pivotally connected at a bottom end of said framework to extend substantially orthogonally thereto in the operative position but to be pivotable thereabout to lie alongside the framework in the collapsed condition, said framework engaging means comprising spaced apart front and rear cross bars extending transversely of said seat to abut the front and rear surfaces of said framework in the operative condition.

9. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the rear surface of the framework has a plurality of spaced apart apertures and said rear cross bar of said seat has aperture engaging pins securable in respective apertures at a desired height for the seat on the framework and wherein in the collapsed position the seat can lie substantially parallel with the framework and the collapsed base support, with the pins of the rear cross bar of the fastening means now engageable within the free edge of the base support so as to hold the seat and base support in their collapsed position relative to the framework.

10. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 in which ground engaging support members extend outwardly from said base support and locking means secures the base support and said framework together in the operative condition.

11. A seat assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.