GB2316303A - Folding stool - Google Patents

Abstract

The stool comprises frames 10, 11 pivotally connected together in X-shaped configuration, each frame comprising two elongate spaced side members 12, 13 connected by cross members 15, 17 which provide an anchorage for one end of a flexible seat 21 which extends between the frames. The side members 12 of one frame lie inside the side members 13 of the other frame at the pivotal connection 14 between the frames, but the spacing between the side members 12 of the inner frame is increased at the location of its upper cross member 15 so that the upper cross members 15, 17 of the two frames are of the same length. Since these members are of the same length, the flexible seat 21 may be of the maximum width allowed by the length of the cross members, thus allowing the width of the seat to be increased without significantly increasing the overall dimensions of the stool.

Description

"Improvements in or relating to folding stools" The invention relates to folding stools of the kind comprising two frames pivotally connected together in a generally X-shaped configuration, each frame comprising two elongate spaced side members connected by one or more cross members, including an upper cross member which provides an anchorage for one end of a flexible seat element which extends between the frames.

When the stool is in its open, X-shaped configuration, the flexible seat element is stretched out horizontally between the upper cross members on the two frames so that a person may sit on it. When the stool is not required for sitting on, the two frames are pivoted together so that one frame overlies the other, and the flexible seat element then hangs downwards in a loop from the two cross members, which have been brought close to one another as a result of the folding.

In known folding stools of this type the side members of one frame normally lie inside the side members of the other frame at the location of the pivotal connection between the frames. The side members of both frames are generally straight and parallel except that in some cases the lower ends of the side members may be splayed out for added stability. However, the side members are normally parallel above the pivotal connection so that the distance between the side members of the inner frame is less than the distance between the side members of the outer frame.

The upper cross members usually lie in the same general plane as their respective frames, opposite ends of each cross member being connected to inwardly facing surfaces on the respective side members of the frame. Accordingly, the upper cross member on the narrow inner frame is shorter than the upper cross member on the outer frame. The flexible seat element is usually in the form of an elongate rectangular strip of canvas or similar material opposite ends of which are looped around the respective upper cross members and stitched to the main portion of the seat element. Accordingly, in these existing designs, the maximum width of the seat element is determined by the length of the shorter upper cross member, that it to say the cross member on the inner frame, and the width of the seat element does not therefore extend across the full length of the longer cross member on the outer frame.

Accordingly, with existing designs the flexible seat element may be too narrow for seating comfort and yet to increase the width of the seat element it is necessary to increase the size of both frames, which makes the folded stool larger, heavier and more unwieldy for transport.

The present invention provides an improved design of folding stool where this disadvantage of existing designs may be overcome.

According to the invention there is provided a folding stool comprising two frames pivotally connected together in a generally X-shaped configuration, each frame comprising two elongate spaced side members connected by one or more cross members, including an upper cross member which provides an anchorage for one end of a flexible seat element which extends between the frames, characterised in that said upper cross members are of substantially the same length.

Since, in the improved design, the upper cross members are of substantially the same length, the flexible seat element may be of the maximum width allowed by the length of the cross members and this may allow the width of the seat element to be increased without significantly increasing the overall dimensions of the two frames.

Thus, in the case where the side members of one frame lie inside the side members of the other frame at the location ofthe pivotal connection between the frames, the spacing between the side members of said one frame may be increased at the location of its upper cross member to allow the upper cross members of the two frames to be of substantially the same length.

Each upper cross member preferably lies in the same general plane as the frame on which it is mounted, opposite ends of the cross member abutting, and being connected to, inwardly facing surfaces on the respective side members of the frame.

Preferably each end edge ofthe flexible seat element extends along substantially the whole length of the upper cross member to which it is attached. The end edge of the seat element may be formed with a loop portion which encircles the cross member and is connected to a main portion of the seat element.

Each frame may include a top member connecting the upper ends of the side members ofthe frame. Preferably the top member is integral with the side members, the side members and top member being bent from a single length of material. Preferably each top member is convexly curved upwardly as it extends between the side members.

When the stool is in the folded condition, with one frame lying against the other frame, the top member on one frame is preferably spaced below the top member of the other frame whereby the folded stool may be carried by holding only the uppermost top member. The upper part of one or both frames may be bent at a small angle from the rest ofthe frame so that the uppermost top member is disposed directly above the other top member when the stool is in a folded condition.

Each cross member may be in the form of a hollow tube, for example of circular cross section, there being located in each end of the tube a connecting plug having a projecting portion which is shaped partly to embrace the adjacent side member of the frame. In this case, the plug may be formed with a peripheral skirt portion which overlies a small portion ofthe outer surface ofthe end ofthe tubular cross member. The skirt then covers the cut end of the tubular cross member and protects the user from any rough edge or burr on the cross member.

The following is a more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one form of stool in accordance with the invention, the stool being shown in the position unfolded for use, Figure 2 is a side elevation of the stool in the folded condition, and Figure 3 is a part section through the junction between a cross member and a side member of the stool.

Referring to Figure 1, the folding stool comprises two frames 10 and 11 pivotally connected together in a generally X-shaped configuration. The side members 12 of the frame 11 lie inside the respective side members 13 of the frame 10 and are pivotally connected thereto bolts 14.

The inner frame 11 comprises an upper cross member 15 and a lower cross member 16, the side members 12 being splayed apart below the cross member 16 for stability. Similarly the outer frame 10 comprises an upper cross member 17 and a lower cross member 18, the side members 13 again being splayed out below the lower cross member 18.

The side members of each frame are integrally formed by bending a single length of tubular, circular cross section aluminium, the upper ends of the side members being integral with a curved top member 19 on the frame 10 and a similar curved top member 20 on the frame 11.

A canvas seat strip 21 extends between the upper cross members 15 and 17, the ends of the strip being folded around the cross members and stitched.

The side members 13 on the frame 10 are parallel above the pivot axis between the frames, and in prior art stools of this general type the same would also be true of the inner frame 11. The maximum width of the canvas seat strip 21 would therefore be determined by the shorter length of the upper cross member 15 on the frame 11. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, however, the side members 12 of the frame 11 do not remain parallel above the pivot bolts 14 but are bent first outwardly and then inwardly, as indicated at 22, so that the distance between the side members 12 is increased at the location of the cross member 15 so as to be the same as the distance between the parallel side members 13 ofthe frame 10. Thus, the cross member 15 is the same length as the cross member 17.

As a result of this configuration, the width of the canvas seat strip 21 may be increased, as shown, so that it extends across substantially the whole length of both of the cross members 15, 17. This increased width of the seat strip makes the seat more comfortable and yet, as may be seen from Figure 2, the overall size of the seat, when folded, is not increased.

As best seen in Figure 2 the top member 20 on the inner frame 11 lies below the top member 19 on the outer frame, when the stool is in the folded condition, so that the folded stool can readily be carried by gripping the upper top member 19 alone. This is by contrast to prior art arrangements where the two top members come into abutting relationship when the stool is folded so that the stool must be carried by gripping both top members together, which may be awkward and uncomfortable. Furthermore, as best seen in Figure 1, the top part 19 of the outer frame 10 is slightly inclined with respect to the rest ofthe frame such that the top member 19 lies directly above the top member 20 on the frame 11. This again makes the folded stool more convenient to carry since it will then hang substantially vertically below the top member 19 being gripped.

In order to hold the stool in the folded position a Velcro (Registered Trade Mark) strap 30 is sewn to the seat 21 adjacent the cross member 17, and may be folded over the two cross members 17, 15 when they are brought together and engaged with another Velcro strip adjacent the cross member 15. Alternatively, the end of the strap 30 may be secured by a buckle, press stud or other connecting device.

Figure 3 shows in greater detail an improved form of connection for connecting each end of a cross member to its associated side member. Figure 3 shows, by way of example, the connection between one end of the upper cross member 15 to one of the associated side members 12. A connecting element 23 is moulded from nylon or other suitable plastics material and includes at one end a circular cross section plug portion 24 which is a force fit within the open end of the tubular aluminium cross member 15. The surface of the element 23 facing away from the cross member is part-cylindrically curved, as indicated at 25, so as to mate with the cylindrical surface of the side member 12. In order to secure the end of the cross member to the side member, a screw 26 passes through registering holes in the side member 12 and connection element 23 and threadedly engages two or more "Starlock" conical push-on fasteners 27 wedged within the end of the tube 15.

The connection element 23 is formed with a peripheral skirt 28 which is spaced from the plug portion 24 so as to define an annular recess into which the cut end of the tube 15 is received. Accordingly, the skirt 28 covers the cut end of the tube 15. This not only serves to provide a neater joint between the connection element 23 and the tube 15, but also removes any risk of any roughness or burr on the cut end of the tube 15 causing damage to the user of the stool, for example by snagging in clothing.

Claims (13)

1. A folding stool comprising two frames pivotally connected together in a generally X-shaped configuration, each frame comprising two elongate spaced side members connected by one or more cross members, including an upper cross member which provides an anchorage for one end of a flexible seat element which extends between the frames, characterised in that said upper cross members are of substantially the same length.

2. A folding stool according to Claim 1, wherein the side members of one frame lie inside the side members of the other frame at the location of the pivotal connection between the frames, the spacing between the side members of said one frame being increased at the location of its upper cross member to allow the upper cross members of the two frames to be of substantially the same length.

3. A folding stool according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein each upper cross member lies in the same general plane as the frame on which it is mounted, opposite ends of the cross member abutting, and being connected to, inwardly facing surfaces on the respective side members of the frame.

4. A folding stool according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein each end edge of the flexible seat element extends along substantially the whole length of the upper cross member to which it is attached.

5. A folding stool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the end edges of the seat element are formed with loop portions which encircle the cross members respectively and are connected to a main portion of the seat element.

6. A folding stool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each frame includes a top member connecting the upper ends of the side members of the frame.

7. A folding stool according to Claim 6, wherein the top member is integral with the side members, the side members and top member being bent from a single length of material.

8. A folding stool according to Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein each top member is convexly curved upwardly as it extends between the side members.

9. A folding stool according to any of Claims 6 to 8, wherein when the stool is in the folded condition, with one frame lying against the other frame, the top member on one frame is spaced below the top member of the other frame whereby the folded stool may be carried by holding only the uppermost top member.

10. A folding stool according to Claim 9, wherein the upper part of one or both frames is bent at a small angle from the rest of the frame so that the uppermost top member is disposed directly above the other top member when the stool is in a folded condition.

11. A folding stool according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each cross member is in the form of a hollow tube there being located in each end of the tube a connecting plug having a projecting portion which is shaped partly to embrace the adjacent side member of the frame.

12. A folding stool according to Claim 11, wherein each plug is formed with a peripheral skirt portion which overlies a small portion of the outer surface of the end of the tubular cross member.

13. A folding stool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.