GB2290227A

GB2290227A - Folding ground seat

Info

Publication number: GB2290227A
Application number: GB9412052A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antonio Jose Da Cruz Quintas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-06-16
Filing date: 1994-06-16
Publication date: 1995-12-20
Also published as: GB9412052D0

Abstract

A canvas sheet 3 of a portable seat is stretched across an invented U-shaped metal frame 1 to support the user's back, and extends beyond the frame 1 in a piece 4 for the user to sit on. Two legs 12a, 12b that are hinged (13a, 13b) to the frame-limbs support the frame 1 inclined to the ground, and arms 14a, 14b, hinged to the frame-limbs above the legs 12a, 12b, engage with selected teeth 17a, 17b on the legs 12a, 12b for adjusting the frame-inclination angle. A frame-bracing arm 10 is hinged to one limb by a universal joint 7 and engages the other limb in a flange-in-slot connection (8, 9); this connection can be broken for the frame 1 to be folded within itself about an offset-from-centre hinge 5 of the base of the U-shape. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a novel seat, and particularly to a seat which is portable for use on a beach or other outdoor environment.

It is often desirable to have a seat with a backrest on the beach and in other places. Deck chairs and sun lounges have hitherto been provided for such purposes. The inclination of the "backs" of such chairs can also be adjustable to suit the desired posture of the person in the chair. These chairs are not however portable. The invention seeks to provide a seat which has many of the advantages of such chairs, but which is also portable.

According to the present invention their is provided a seat comprising: a) a substantially rectangular frame, b) a fabric mounted on the frame, c) at two legs each attached to the longer edges of said frame, and d) means for adjusting the angle of said legs relative to the frame.

Preferably the frame is formed from a generally U-shaped member, and preferably the U-shaped member is hinged, preferably at a point just to the side of its axis of symmetry.

Preferably an arm is provided, one end of the arm is connected adjacent one end of said U-shaped member by a hinge, and the other end of said arm releasably locks onto the a point adjacent the other end of said U-shaped member.

Preferably the fabric includes an extension piece extending away from said fabric on the frame, a person using the seat sits on the extension piece and leans against the fabric on the frame.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side elevation of the seat, and Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the seat of Figure 1 half folded.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a seat having a susubstantially rectangular frame 1 formed from a U-shaped metal member 2 with a sheet of canvas fabric 3 stretched over and secured thereto. The fabric 3 has an extension piece 4. A hinge 5 hinges the U-shaped metal member 2 at a position just to the right of its axis of symmetry for reasons explained hereinafter. A metal arm 6 has one end hinged with a universal joint" hinge 7 adjacent one end of the U-shaped member 2. The other end of metal arm 6 has a flange 8 which releasably engages into a slot 9 on the other end of the U-shaped member.

In use of the seat flange 8 is engaged into the slot 9 to add rigidity to the seat. Arm 6 may be angled about its centre 10 in order to distance it from the fabric 3. The ends of the Ushaped member have widened feet portions lla,llb.

Two legs 12a,12b are hinged to the frame 1 with hinges 13a,13b.

Means are provided to adjust the angle of the legs relative to the frame by means of arms 14a,14b, each hinged at one end to the frame 1 with hinges 15a,15b. The other ends of the arms 14a,14b have projections 16a,16b which engage respectively into one of a number of teeth 17a,17b on the legs 12a,12b. The ends of the legs 12a,12b have spiked ends 18a,18b.

In use of the seat, the seat is errected as shown in Figure 1, with the flange 8 in slot 9. A person sits on the extension piece 4 and leans against the fabric 3 on the frame. With the arm 6 angled at centre 10, the fabric can bow under the weight of the person without the arm hitting the spine of the person.

The weight of the person on the extension piece 4, helps keep the person dry and clean and also prevents the frame from sliding back. The angle of the frame can be adjusted to suit the desired inclination of the person. The feet lla,llb prevent the frame from digging into the ground too much (e.g in sand or soft ground), and the spiked ends of the legs 18a,18b help prevent the frame from sliding in addition to the extension piece 4.

The seat can easily be folded when not in use making it very portable as shown in Figure 2 (the fabric 3 and extension piece is not shown in Figure 2 to facilitate comprehension of the drawing). The arm 6 is folded adjacent one side of the frame by removing flange 8 from slot 9. The two sides of the U-shaped member are brought together. Because the hinge 5 is just to one side of the axis of symmetry, with the U-shaped member completely folded, the legs 17a.17b are staggered apart making the seat thinnner in the folded state. The seat, once folded, can be placed in a bag with a carrying handle if desired.

The seat of the invention may be formed of any suitable material such as plastics or metel, e.g aluminium with a synthetic fabric.

The seat may be sold as a retail item or promotional item, and the fabric may be of any colour/s or carry printed information thereon.

Further modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A seat comprising a substantially rectangular frame, a fabric mounted on the frame, two legs attached to opposite sides of the frame, and means for selectively adjusting the angle of each leg relative to the frame.

2. A seat according to Claim 1 wherein the fabric extends beyond the frame in a piece for the user to sit on.

3. A seat according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the frame is substantially U-shaped.

4. A seat according to Claim 3 wherein the frame is hinged in the base part of the U-shape to enable the frame to be folded in upon itself, and wherein such hinging is offset from the centre of said base part.

5. A seat according to Claim 4 wherein the frame is braced by an arm that is hinged to one limb of the Ushaped frame and engages with the other limb in a connection that is selectively breakable to enable the frame to be folded upon itself.

6. A seat according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the legs are hinged to the frame.

7. A seat according to Claim 6 wherein the means for adjusting the angle of each leg relative to the frame comprises two arms that are hinged to said opposite sides respectively of the frame and engage adjustably with respective ones of the legs.

8. A seat according to Claim 7 wherein the adjustable engagement between the two arms and their respective legs is in each case of that arm within a series of teeth on the leg.

9. A seat wherein fabric is stretched across an inverted U-shaped frame for supporting the back of a user, and the fabric extends beyond the frame to provide a piece in front of the frame for the user to sit on, and wherein two legs hinged to the limbs respectively extend backwardly of the frame for supporting the frame in an upright, inclined attitude of selectively adjustable angle.

10. A seat according to Claim 9 including two arms that are hinged to the limbs respectively and engage with respective ones of the legs, the engagement with the respective leg in each case being selectively adjustable in position for varying said angle.

11. A seat according to Claim 10 wherein the engagement between each arm and its respective leg is of that arm within a series of teeth on the leg.

12. A seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.