GB2412305A

GB2412305A - Flat folding chair

Info

Publication number: GB2412305A
Application number: GB0406467A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Mediwake
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-23
Filing date: 2004-03-23
Publication date: 2005-09-28
Also published as: GB0406467D0

Abstract

A Folding chair made of four parts A,B,C,D fixed together by two hinges E, F and which can be folded into a totally flat form. The chair uses a locking device when in the open position. The chair may have an extra support. The chair may not have a backrest so as to form a stool.

Description

1 24 1 2305

FLAT FOLDING CHAIR

The invention relates to a folding chair that has a unique way of folding into a flat position, resulting easy to store and transport, and which is based on locking elements to create its upright position.

Folding chairs are widely used in daily activities, but a conventional type of folding chair will not be able to be folded in such a minimum space in a totally flat position.

The object of this chair is that it can be folded to the flattest position and to use locking mechanisms to remain open.

This chair consists of three or four basic panels joined together by a locking mechanism.

A specific embodiment of the invention will be now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a general view of the folding chair fully open.

Figure 2 shows a side angle of the chair fully opened.

Figure 3 shows a side angle of the chair once the backrest is folded.

Figure 4 shows a side angle of the chair once the backrest and the seat are folded.

Figure 5 shows a side angle of the chair fully folded into the flat position.

As shown in Figure this chair consist of four main parts A, B. C and D which will fold into one all together (Figs). These parts are fixed together using two main locking devices E and F. When the chair is fully open the joints E and F will support the parts of the chair together at an angle and hold the recommended weight through its locking mechanism.

For extra weight security it is possible to add two supports as in Figure 19.

The chair operates as follows: In the Figure 2 the backrest D has a movement to fold from the locked position (fully open chair), down to the sitting position, remaining totally flat.

In the next movement, explained through Fig 3 to Fig 4, the seat of the chair (section C) will move from the locked position up and down to the leg B. to be totally flat. (Fig 4) The figures 4 to 5 illustrate how the base A of the chair has a movement to fold from the locked position down and up to the leg B. finishing then as a fully flat structure ready to store or transport.

The following figures show further explanation of the folding system through a plan view and side view of the chair as it folds: Figure 6: Plan view of the chair when the backrest D is folded. The chair has been moved forward while the base remains stationary.

Figure 7: side view as described in Fig 6.

Figure 8: plan view where the backrest D and sitting area C have been folded.

Figure 9: side view as described in Fig 8.

Figure 10: plan view of the chair once it is totally folded.

Figure 11: side view of the chair totally folded like figure 10.

Figure 12: side view of the chair with the backrest D fixed to the other side of the seat C. An important feature of the folding chair is it's locking mechanism. E and F are similar. (Fig 13,14,15,16,17,18) The locking device of this chair keeps the seating position at a

comfortable angle

The figures 13 to 18 show the mechanism of the hinges in the chair.

Figure 13:shows the internal mechanism of hinge E, linking parts A and B. Figure 14: side angle showing hinge E. On this drawing G = external tube fixed to base A and leg B. H = details of the middle tube which has a section to increase or decrease the angle of the chair.

I = the central tube that keeps all three tubes fixed together.

In Figure 14 J + J controls the angle of the chair opening or locking.

When the leg goes up and down it goes into a closed position like Figure 14.1.

Figure 15 is a top view of the middle tube.

Figure 15:1 A three dimensional view of H Figure 16 shows the central tube I which holds all the parts together.

L = spring M= washer N= nut (outer nuts keep all parts of the hinge E together.

Figure 17 shows tubes H and I together without G on top.

Figure 18 illustrates a plan view of joint E. K=the nuts which fix G and H into a static position.

Claims

I. A folding chair which folds flat and in its opened position utilises a locking device.
2. A folding chair as claimed in Claim 1, which includes an extra support in any part of the body of the chair.
3. A folding chair as claimed in Claim or Claim 2 that can be constructed in any variety of materials including metal, wood, leather, plastic or other.
4. A folding chair as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, which does not have a backrest, as a stool.
5. A folding chair as claimed in any preceding claim, which uses a method of using 2,3,4 or more plates linked together by hinges with locking devices suggesting a zigzag shape.
6. A folding chair as claimed in claim 4, which has longer legs, as a high chair, or any folding chair which proportion might vary in many different ways.
7. A folding chair substantially as described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.