GB2250679A - Folding seat - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding or collapsible seat (10) comprises a seat panel (12) and a back panel (14) hinged together for relative angular movement, and retainer means (20, 22, 24) for connecting the two panels (12, 14) together to define a maximum angle between them so as to provide for an adjustable inclination of the seat's back panel. The side edges of the panels (12, 14) may be provided with engagement means such as zips to enable the folded seat to be used as a bag. <IMAGE>

Description

FOLDING SEAT DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a folding seat.

At present, folding or collapsible seats generally comprise rigid folding structures which, although providing comfort to the user once set up, are generally awkward to store, construct and transport as required. In particular, a user generally has the option of either carrying such a rigid and bulky, and often heavy, apparatus or rather carry a simple ground-sheet which, although it does not provide any particular comfort when being sat upon, can be easily used in a wet environment to provide a dry seating area and readily stored and carried. However, such ground-sheets are particularly disadvantageous in that they do not provide back support, or the like, for the user as do known folding or collapsible seats or chairs.

The present invention seeks to provide a folding or collapsible seat or chair which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of known apparatus in that it can be easily stored and transported as required.

According to the present invention there is provided a folding or collapsible seat comprising a seat panel and a back panel hinged together for relative angular movement, and retainer means for connecting the two panels together to define a maximum angle between them.

Preferably, the retainer means can be adjustable to allow a selected maximum angle between the panels and can comprise lengths of webbing or the like extending between the remote corners of the two panels.

Conveniently, the back panel or support member is pivotal relative to the seat panel or base member between stowage and the support positions along the line of engagement between the back support member and base member.

The back support member may be retained in its support position by retainer means which extend between each region of the base member and baek support member which is remote from the line of engagement between said members. Further, the retainer means may incorporate a buckle for ready engagement/release.

Preferably, the base member and back support member may be folded along a line parallel to the longitudinal dimension of each member. Thus, the base member and back support member can generally be folded along a line perpendicular to the line of engagement between the two members.

Further, at least one of the base member and back support member is formed of a pliable material which is arrange to receive support means. In particular, the support means may comprise at least one rigid batten. The rigid batten may comprise a wooden or thickened PVC member.

Advantageously, the support means are located along each side of at least one of the base member or the back support member. Rigidity of the seat of the present invention is provided along the side portions of the panels while the innermost portions are readily deformable when in use.

The pliable material may comprise a nylon fabric and further the seat may include at least one cushion panel, which panel may be provided at least partially surrounding the support means. The cushion panel may advantageously comprise a foam panel.

The outer extremities of the seat of the present invention may also include at least one handle so as to facilitate carrying of the chair/seat.

According to one particular advantageous embodiment, the base member and back support member have similar longitudinal dimensions and each has a carrying handle which are disposed in juxtaposition when the base member and back support member are in the stowage relationship.

According to a further embodiment, the base member and back support member have extension portions such that, when fully laid-out, the members form a camp bed arrangement.

Such an embodiment is particularly advantageous since, due to the length of each of the base member and back support member, when in use as a seat, the base member and back support member can be folded over so as to provide a seat having double thickness base and back support members so as to increase comfort for the user.

Further, the panels may include mutual engagement means so that a bag-type carrier can be formed from the arrangement.

The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates a seat, when in use, and embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the seat of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of another seat embodying the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a further seat embodying the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates the use of a seat according to the present invention which can be readily set up and used as required. As illustrated, the seat comprises a back support member 14 and a base member 12, which portions are maintained stationary at a maximum angular spacing relative to each other by releasable retaining means. The retaining means comprises a polypropylene webbing member 22 which extends from the back support member, which is connected by way of a buckle 24 to a polypropylene webbing member 20 which extends from the base member. Rigid supports, as will be described later, are included in the back support member and base member such that the upright nature of the back support member 14 of the seat 10, illustrated in Fig. 1, is maintained when set up as illustrated.As can be seen from Fig. 1, the seat of the present invention has the particular advantageous feature that it can be readily set up from an extremely compact condition when required and can retain the user in a conformable sitting position, providing suitable back support, as required.

Fig. 2 shows the seat of Fig. 1 in further details and as arranged for use.

As previously described, the seat 10 comprises a back support member 14 and a base member 12 which are engaged, along a fold line 18, to each other such that the members can be moved relative to one another from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a position in which the back support member 14 lies flat against the base member 12. The back support member 14 and the base member 12 can be formed from a single material piece.

In the illustrated example, the back support member 14 and the base member 12 comprise a PU-coated nylon fabric which, at the lateral region 16 thereof, include a rigid batten, formed of either hard wood or PVC material which itself is surrounded by a high density foam panel. Thus, the complete surface area of the back support member 14 and the base member 12 is comfortable to sit on or rest against as required.

In use, the rigid battens maintain the back support member 14 in its upright, or near upright position, as illustrated in Fig. 2 but retainer means 20, 20', 22, 22' are included so as to prevent further relative movement apart between the back support member 14 and base member 12 when in use. Thus, as seen in Fig. 1, the weight of the user maintains the base member in engagement with the ground over which the user is sitting and the rigidity of the battens and the strength of the retainer means maintain the back support member 14 in its supporting position as shown in Fig. 1. The respective polypropylene webbing portions 20, 22; 20', 22' are engageable by way of respective buckles 24, 26 such that the angular separation of the back support member 14 and base member 12 can be adjusted to support the user as required.Each of the webbing members 20, 20', 22, 22 is secured to the support members of the chair by way of respective material lobes 30, 28, 30', 28'. As illustrated, the webbing can be sewn onto the lobes.

Further, a pair of carrying handles 32, 32' is provided at the ends of the members 12, 14 remote from the fold line 18 such that, when the members 12, 14 are moved relative to one another as indicated by arrow A, i.e. in the stowage position, the flat formation can be readily carried by way of the handles 32, 32'.

According to a further feature, each of the members 12, 14 is arranged to be folded along a line B which is substantially perpendicular to the fold line 18 such that the seat of the present invention can more readily be folded into a compact shape and stored in a confined space, for example a rucksack.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the combined longitudinal dimension of the base member 120 and back support member 140 of a second chair 100 according to the invention can be provided similar to that of the average adult height such that, when laid flat, as in Fig. 3, the two members 120, 140, separated by fold line 180, form a suitable bed or mat apparatus.

Again, this further embodiment includes respective tags or lobes 280, 280', 300, 300' for engagement of the retaining webbing 220, 220', 200, 200' such that the back support member 140 and base member 120 can be secured in a similar attitude to that illustrated in Fig. 2. A further advantage of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3 is that, when used as a chair/seat similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2, the back support member 140 can be folded along a transverse line C-C and the base member 120 can be folded along a transverse line D-D so as to double the thickness of the back support and base regions so as to enhance the comfort for the user. The lateral edges of the base member 120 and back support member 140 include rigid support members, similar in function to the seat of Fig. 2, which provide for such folding along those lines.In other respects, the construction of the seat/chair of Fig. 3 is similar to that of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a seat 48 according to this invention which has a particularly advantageous further feature in that zip means 52-52''' are associated with respective side panels 50-60''' such that when the seat 48 is folded about line F-F, i.e. into a storage position, the zip means can be closed so as to form a bag-type carrier. Of course, other engagement means such as hook and eye fasteners, buttons or other suitable means may be employed as an alternative or in addition to the zip means 52-52''' for engagement of the sides of the carrier.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For example, any suitable material may be employed for use as part or whole of the chair of the present invention depending upon how compact the seat/chair is to become for stowage. The back support member and base member may be arranged to be folded along any required line so as to achieve optimum compaction. Also, other suitable retainer means may be employed.

Claims (11)

1. A folding or collapsible seat comprising a seat panel and a back panel hinged together for relative angular movement, and retainer means for connecting the two panels together to define a maximum angle between them.

2. A seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer means can be adjusted to allow a selected maximum angle between the panels.

3. A seat as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the retainer means comprise lengths of webbing extending between remote corners of the two panels.

4. A seat as claimed in claiml, 2 or 3, wherein the back panel is pivotal relative to the seat panel between stowage and support positions along the line of engagement of the two panels.

5. A seat as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the seat panel and back panel may be folded along a line substantially perpendicular to the line of hinged connection therebetween.

6. A seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the seat panel and back panel is formed of a pliable material.

7. A seat as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pliable material is reinforced by a stiffening member.

8. A seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the seat panel and back panel includes a handle or other carrying means.

9. A seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panels include extension portions such that the panels and portions can be laid flat to form a camp bed arrangement.

10. A seat as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panels include mutual engagement means for the formation of a bag type carrier.

11. A folding or collapsible seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.