GB2430149A - Folding chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding seat comprising a plurality of flat panels 3-8, with hinges that couple adjoining panels so that they are foldable to define the folding seat. The front 7 and back 4 panels of the base are linked on each side by a pair of adjoining panels inwardly hinged to define two juxtaposed V seat supports 5 and 6, 3 and 8 and a seat panel 12-14 which hinges off the back panel into an a position where it is supported by the V seat supports. There may be locking flaps to hold the seat together when constructed (see 9 and 15 figure 1). Preferably the seat panel has two flaps 13 14 that fold off the side of the seat panel to reinforce it. Preferably, the back panel extends above the other panels to form a backrest 16. The seat may be constructed from cardboard or a plastics material.

Description

Folding seat.

This invention relates to folding seats.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding seat, which will fold flat, be inexpensive to fabricate, and which is light and therefore easy to carry.

According to the present invention a folding seat comprises a plurality of flat panels, hinges which serve to couple adjoining panels so that they are foldable with respect to each other to define the folding seat, wherein six adjoining panels mutually linked by hinges are folded around to define a closed figure which serves as a base, and wherein front and back panels of which base are linked on each side thereof by a pair of adjoining panels inwardly hinged to define two juxtaposed V' seat supports, and a seat panel which hinges to extend between the front and back panels so as to be supported by the V' seat supports.

Panel' when used herein, includes panels having cuts-outs within the periphery thereof, as may be desirable to reduce the weight of a folding seat or for aesthetic purposes, and/or cuts-outs in one or more edges. In this latter case cut-outs may be included to define legs for

example.

A folding seat according to the present invention has the advantage that it can be folded flat with minimal thickness and can thus be easily carried. Additionally it lends itself to fabrication using very lightweight materials.

The folding seat may comprise locking means, which serve to hold it together when unfolded for use.

The seat panel may be hinged to extend from the back panel to the front panel, the seat panel having a hinged locking flap, which serves to hold it in position.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the seat comprises a stool having a generally rectangular seat panel which is hinged along one side to the base back panel, the other three sides of the seat panel having hinged flaps, wherein the flap on the side opposite the back panel is the locking flap and wherein the other two juxtaposed flaps are arranged to fold under the seat panel effectively to double its thickness thereby to strengthen it. Any flaps folded in this way mentioned herein as strengthening, may or may not be required depending on the thickness of the panel and the nature of the material e.g. plywood.

The front panel may also be provided on one side thereof with a strengthening flap, which is folded over so as effectively to double its thickness.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the seat comprises a chair wherein the base back panel extends to provide a back rest support panel, hinged to a back rest panel, which itself is hinged to a seat panel, the back rest support panel having side cheeks which fold to provide supports for the back rest panel.

The backrest panel and the seat panel may each be provided with juxtaposed flaps, which fold under for strengthening purposes.

The panels, which define the base, may have hinged thereto further locking flaps, which serve to lock the assembled panels together.

The seat is preferably made of cardboard or a plastics material, the hinges being formed integrally by means of folds in the material.

The seat may be made from a flat blank of such material.

The blank may be cut from a single sheet or comprise two or more parts joined together.

Alternatively the seat may comprise a plurality of individual panels, which are hinged by means of separate hinges such as piano hinges, attached thereto.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are somewhat schematic and not to scale, wherein corresponding parts of the various Figures bear the same designations and wherein: Figure 1, is a plan view of a stool blank, Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d, are perspective views showing progressive stages in assembly of the stool from the blank as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3, is a plan view of a chair blank and, Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e, are perspective views showing progressive stages in assembly of the chair from the blank as shown in Figure 3.

Referring now to Figure 1, a stool blank 1, cut from strong cardboard sheet material, is perforated, scribed, compressed or otherwise treated along broken lines 2, to facilitate folding along these lines to provide hinges. The blank 1, comprises six panels 3, to 8, which are linked by mutually parallel hinges 2a to 2f, and folded around so as to define a closed figure, thereby to form a base 10, for the stool, the panel 3 having a flap 9, which is glued to the panel 8, as shown most clearly in Figures 2b and 2c.

The panel 4, which forms a back panel of the base 10, is hinged to a seat panel 11, having flaps 12, 13, and 14, hinged thereto by hinges 2g, 2h, and 2i respectively. The flaps 13, 14, are folded back onto the seat panel 11, so as effectively to double its thickness for strengthening purposes. Similarly, the panel 7, which serves as a front panel for the base 10, is provided with a flap 15, hinged thereto by means of a hinge 2j, which is folded over for strengthening purposes.

The flap 12, is arranged to fold down so as to serve as a locking flap.

Although in this embodiment the flap 12, serves as integral locking means, it will be readily apparent that in alternative embodiments any suitable locking means may be used as necessary to hold the unfolded stool together ready for use.

As shown most clearly in Figures 2b and 2c, the hinges 2a and 2d, fold inwardly to define juxtaposed V' supports for the seat panel 11, so that its flaps 13, 14, are contiguous therewith.

The stool, as just before described is easy to unfold, light weight, robust and has the important advantage that it folds flat enough to be carried under the arm.

An alternative embodiment of the invention comprises a chair, which will now be described with reference to Figure 3, and Figures 4a to 4f. The chair is constructed in a similar manner to the stool as just before described but has a backrest panel 16.

Referring now to Figure 3, the chair comprises a blank 17, cut from strong cardboard sheet material, which is perforated, scribed, compressed or otherwise treated along broken lines 18, to facilitate folding along these lines to provide hinges. The blank 17, comprises six panels 19, to 24, which are linked by mutually parallel binges 18a to 1 8f, and folded around so as to define a closed figure, thereby to form a base for the chair, the panel 19 having a flap 25, which is glued to the panel 24.

The back panel 16, is hinged to a seat panel 26, having flaps 27, 28, and 29, hinged thereto by hinges 18g, 18h, and 18i respectively.

The flaps 27, 29, are folded back onto the seat panel 26, so as effectively to double its thickness for strengthening purposes.

Similarly, the panel 23, which serves as a base front panel, is provided with a flap 30, hinged thereto by means of a hinge 18j, which is folded over for strengthening purposes. The flaps 31, and 32, are arranged to fold down and interlock so as to serve as locking flaps.

The panel 20, in this embodiment is extended to provide support for the back rest panel 16, and is provided with side cheeks 33, 34, which form part of the panels 19, and 21, respectively, against which the back rest panel 16 is supported. Hinged flaps 35, 36, are provided which are folded so as effectively to double the thickness of the back rest panel 16, for strengthening purposes.

The chair, as just before described is easy to fold or unfold, light weight, robust and has the important advantage that it folds flat enough to be carried under the arm.

Various modifications may be made to the seats described herein without departing from the scope of the invention and for example they may be made of a plastics material, plywood, or any other material suitable for furniture. Additionally, although the panels may be hinged integrally, separate hinges may alternatively be used. Also although the panels just before described have no cut-outs, they may be included to reduce weight according to the material used, and/or to define feet, or simply for aesthetic or decorative purposes.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS.

1. A folding seat comprises a plurality of flat panels, hinges which serve to couple adjoining panels so that they are foldable with respect to each other to define the folding seat, wherein six adjoining panels mutually linked by hinges are folded around to define a closed figure which serves as a base, and wherein front and back panels of which base are linked on each side thereof by a pair of adjoining panels inwardly hinged to define two juxtaposed V' seat supports, and a seat panel which hinges to extend between the front and back panels so as to be supported by the V' seat supports.

2. A folding seat as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the said six adjoining panels are linked by six mutually parallel hinges, and wherein the front and back panels of the base are mutually parallel.

3. A folding seat as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising locking means, which serve to hold the said seat together when unfolded for use.

4. A folding seat as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the seat panel is hinged to extend from the back panel to the front panel, the seat panel having a hinged locking flap, which serves to hold it in position.

5. A folding seat as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises a stool having a generally rectangular seat panel which is hinged along one side from the base back panel, the other three sides of the seat panel having hinged flaps, wherein the flap on the side opposite the back panel is the locking flap and wherein the other two flaps are juxtaposed and arranged to fold under the seat panel effectively to double its thickness thereby to strengthen it. /

6. A folding seat as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the front panel is provided on one side thereof with a strengthening flap, which is folded over so as effectively to double its thickness.

7. A folding seat as claimed in Claim 1., to Claim 4, comprising a chair wherein the base back panel extends to provide a back rest support panel, hinged to a back rest panel, which itself is hinged to a seat panel, the back rest support panel having side cheeks which fold to provide supports for the back rest panel.

8. A folding seat as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the back rest panel and the seat panel are each provided with juxtaposed flaps which fold under for strengthening purposes.

9. A folding seat as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the panels, which define the base, have hinged thereto locking flaps which serve to lock the assembled panels together.

10. A folding seat as claimed in any preceding claim, made of cardboard or a plastics material, wherein the hinges are formed integrally.

11. A folding stool substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, and 2, of the accompanying drawings.

12. A folding chair substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3, and 4, of the accompanying drawings.