GB2460135A

GB2460135A - Folding chair with grooved frames for receiving decorative strips and leg caps

Info

Publication number: GB2460135A
Application number: GB0901093A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mei Chuen Lin; Tzu Mei Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-23
Filing date: 2009-01-23
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-23
Also published as: GB2460135B; GB0901093D0

Abstract

The front and rear leg frames 1,2 of a folding chair are grooved 15 such that they can receive a decorative strip 6,61,62,63, and a plurality of leg caps 8, which may be provided with wheels. The chair further comprises a winged reinforcing bar [7, Figure 15] mounted as an extension of each rear leg frame [12, Figuue 7]; a horizontal seat support bar 4 with J-shaped ends 41,42 which is connected to and extends between front legs 1; and two supporting pieces 10 coupled to the front legs 1 and arranged to engage the ends of the seat support bar 4. Each leg cap comprises a pad 8 having cavities [811, Figure 8] and a slanted fixing portion [821, Figure 8] having a slit [823, Figure 8]. A leg frame 1,2 is fitted in the slit of the leg cap and the curved ridges 12 of the groove 15 are received in the cavities.

Description

FOLDING CHAIR

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding chair, and in particular to a folding chair having a decoration strip engaged in a leg frame, a plurality of leg caps and a seat supporting rod that is easy to weld.

2. The Prior Arts

[0002] Referring to Figs. 1A and 1B, a conventional folding chair has a decoration strip B engaged in a leg frame A to enhance the aesthetics and quality. The leg frame A includes a continuous frame base Al and two curved ridges A2 symmetrically disposed at both edges of the frame base Al. The frame base Al and the curved ridges A2 are integrally formed as one piece. The cross section of the curved ridge A2 is in an arch shape. The inner lower side of the curved ridge A2 close to the frame base Al is slanted toward a center line of the frame base Al. The angle between the frame base Al and the curved ridge A2 is obtuse. A continuous engaging groove is formed between the frame base Al and the curved ridges A2 for receiving the decoration strip B. The shape of the decoration strip B is corresponding to that of the engaging groove of the leg frame A. The decoration strip B includes a top surface B 1, a bottom surface B2 and two slightly curved side surfaces B3. Adhesive is applied on the bottom surface B2 of the decoration strip B, and then the decoration strip B is stuck into the engaging groove. Because the shape of the decoration strip B is corresponding to that of the engaging groove, the side surfaces B2 is closely contacted with the curved ridges A2 of the leg frame A. Therefore, the decoration strip B is engaged with the leg frame A. However, the sticking of the decoration strip B has the following disadvantages. First of all, if the adhesive is not applied evenly on the decoration strip B, part of the decoration strip B is warped and disengaged from the engaging groove of the leg frame. Secondly, the adhesive gradually deteriorates after a long time use, and the decoration strip B will be fallen off from the leg frame A. [0003] The inventor had designed a leg cap mounted at lower ends of a leg frame as shown in Fig. 2. The leg cap includes a rubber pad C and a U-shaped metal fixing portion D engaged with the pad C. The fixing portion D includes two wavy rods. The leg frame corresponding to the leg cap includes a frame base and two tube-like curved ridges. When the leg cap is mounted on the leg frame, the wavy rods of the leg cap are forced into tubes El of the leg frame E. The wavy rods of the fixing portion D are coupled with the inner surface of the tubes El of the leg frame E, thereby connecting the leg cap with the leg frame. Therefore, the inventor's design can prevent the leg cap from easily falling off from the leg frame. However, when the tubes El are coupled with the wavy rods for practical use, ends of the tubes El can not reach to contact with a top surface of the pad C. The tubes El are suspended and without support. Instead of transmitting the weight of the user and the chair through the pad C to the floor, the weight is transmitted through the tubes El to the wavy rods D. Thus, the wavy rod is easily fractured due to the weight it bears. On the other hand, the rubber pads C will show signs of wear after repeatedly rubbing against the floor. Thus, after a long time use, the worn out pads C can not be in full contact with the floor, and the folding chair will be shaky during seating. Moreover, thermal expansion coefficient and surface tension of the rubber pad C are different from those of the metal fixing portion D. After exposed under the sun for a long period of time, the fixing portion D and the pad C will have different degrees of deformation and a gap between the fixing portion D and the pad C will be generated. Thus, the coupling of the pad C and the fixing portion D is loosening up.

[0004] Referring to Figs. 3A and 3B, a conventional folding chair comprises a horizontal seat supporting rod F, a front leg frame A, a rear leg frame I pivotally connected with the front leg frame, a seat H pivotally connected with the front leg frame and a vertical supporting piece G having an engaging portion Gl. The load is distributed between the seat H, the front leg frame A, the rear leg I, the engaging portion Gl of the vertical supporting piece G and the seat supporting rod F. [0005] Because the seat H sustain the user's body weight, the engaging portion Gl of the supporting piece G is likely to break after a long time of use. Moreover, because the user keeps changing the sitting styles, the engaging portion Gl of the supporting piece G is likely to move horizontally to outside of the seat supporting rod F, which loosens up the connection between the seat H, the front leg frame A and the rear leg frame I. Moreover, once the engaging portion Gl moves to outside of the seat supporting rod F, the folding chair can not be folded.

[0006] Furthermore, both ends of the seat supporting rod F are in wavy shape.

Referring to Fig. 3b, the wave crest portion of the seat supporting rod F is welded around the curved ridge A2 of the front leg frame A and the wave trough portion is welded on the frame base Al of the front leg frame A. Thus, the two ends of the seat supporting rod F is welded with the front leg frame A. However, the welding is done along a curve, which is much more difficult than welding on a plane. If the welding is poorly done, the seat supporting rod F will get loose or even disconnect from the front leg frame A, which cause safety problem.

[0007] Referring to Fig. 4, a conventional folding chair include a connecting member J disposed at where the front leg frame A pivotally connect with the rear leg frame I. One end of the connecting member J is fixed with the rear leg frame I and the other end of the connecting member J is pivotally connected with a lateral side of the seat H. When the folding chair is folded, the seat H pulled by the connecting member J will align with the front leg frame A and the rear leg frame I. The connecting member J not only connects the seat H with the front leg frame A but also acts as a reinforcement to support the seat H. However, the chair manufacturers usually provide a slender connecting member J. When the user is heavy, the connecting member J is not strong enough to support the weight, which causes another safety issue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a folding chair having a decoration strip fitted in a leg frame, which overcomes the disadvantage of the conventional design that the decoration strip is easily fallen off from the leg frame.

Accordingly, the decoration strip according to the present invention uses engagement method to replace the conventional adhesive method to securely fix with the leg frame of the folding chair.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a leg cap for a folding chair, which is easy to manufacture and to be securely mounted on the leg frame of the folding chair.

[0010] Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a seat supporting rod of a folding chair capable of securely engaging with a vertical supporting piece, which overcomes the disadvantage of the conventional design that the supporting piece is likely to move to outside of the seat supporting rod due to user's changing sitting styles.

Moreover, the seat supporting rod is easy to connect with the leg frame.

[0011] Further still another objective of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing member for a folding chair, which connects the rear leg frame with the seat.

[0012] In order to achieve the objectives, a folding chair equipped with the following characteristics is disclosed. A front leg frame of the folding chair is essentially U shaped and includes a frame base and two symmetrical curved ridges. The curved ridges are disposed at both edges of the frame base, respectively. The inner lower side of the curved ridge close to the frame base is slanted away from a center line of the frame base.

The angle between the frame base and the each curved ridge is acute, and an acute corner is formed between the frame base and the each curved ridge. A continuous engaging groove is formed between the curved ridges for receiving a decoration strip. The shape of the decoration strip is corresponding to that of the engaging groove. The decoration strip includes a bottom surface and two concave side surfaces. The decoration strip includes two extended ribs disposed between the bottom surface and the two concave side surfaces, respectively. When assembling the decoration strip, the decoration strip is fitted into the engaging groove, the concave side surfaces of the decoration strip are tightly contacted with the curved ridges of the front leg frame, and the ribs are engaged with the acute corners. Thus, the decoration strip will securely engage with the engaging groove.

[0013] A leg cap according to the present invention is made of aluminum. Firstly, the leg cap is integrally formed by extrusion to include a pad and a slanted fixing portion disposed on a top of the pad. The fixing portion includes a slit to divide the fixing portion into a thick section and a thin section. The top of the pad includes two cavities disposed at both sides of the fixing portion respectively. The leg caps are mounted at lower ends of front leg frames and rear leg frames. The cross section of the front leg frame is the same as that of the rear leg frame. When assembling the leg cap onto the leg frame, the frame base is inserted into the slit of the fixing portion. The thick section of the fixing portion is then disposed in the engaging groove between the curved ridges.

The thin section of the fixing portion is then in contact with an opposite side of the frame base to the engaging groove. Ends of the curved ridges is inserted into the cavities and contacted with bottoms of the cavities. Then, the fixing portion and the strip are fastened with rivets, thereby fixing the leg cap and the leg frame together.

[0014] A horizontal seat supporting rod according to the present invention includes two J-shaped ends. The J-shaped end has a protruded portion disposed close to a center of the seat supporting rod and a plate portion disposed away from the center of the seat supporting rod. The plate portion is flat and welded to an inner side of the front leg frame. Thus, the poor welding of the seat supporting rod to the front leg frame is overcome. When the folding chair is unfolded, a supporting piece is pressed against the seat supporting rod. If the user changes the sitting styles, the supporting piece can horizontally move a small distance but is blocked by the protruded portion. Thus, the supporting piece is prevented from moving to the outside of the front leg frame.

[0015] A reinforcing member according to the present invention is disposed at where the front leg frame pivotally connects with the rear leg frame. The reinforcing member according to the present invention is thicker than the conventional design. One end of the reinforcing member is fixed with the rear leg frame and the other end of the reinforcing member is pivotally connected with an outside of the seat. Both central edges of the reinforcing member are folded to form two wing portions by the curved ridges, respectively.

[0016] The folding chair according to the present invention has the following advantages. First of all, the ribs are fitted in the acute corners and the curved ridges prevent the ribs from being disengaged from the acute corners. The curved ridges are tightly contacted with the concave side surfaces of the decoration strip, and therefore the decoration strip will not be disengaged from the front leg frame easily.

[0017] Secondly, the leg cap according to the present invention includes the two cavities on the pad to receive the curved ridges of the front leg frame or the rear leg frame.

The weights of the user and the chair are evenly distributed on the cavities. The frame base of the leg frame is not only tightly fitted into the slit, but also securely riveted with the fixing portion of the leg cap. Because the curved ridges are firmly received in the cavities and the frame base is tightly fitted into the slit, the leg cap according to the present invention can bear a heavy load.

[0018] Thirdly, the seat supporting rod according to the present invention includes the flat protruded portion. Therefore, it is easier to weld the seat supporting rod to the front leg frame and the welding is much sturdy. Moreover, the protruded portion of the seat supporting rod prevents the supporting piece from moving to the lateral side of the front leg frame.

[0019] Fourthly, the reinforcing member according to the present invention is thicker than the conventional design but does not affect the flexibility thereof. Because the reinforcing member is securely connected with the rear leg frame, the folding chair provides a more steady seating. The wing portions of the reinforcing member can help the rear leg frame to support the user's weight.

BRIEF DESCRJPTION OF THE DRAWNGS

[0020] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: [0021] Fig. 1A is a cross sectional view showing a conventional leg frame of a folding chair and a decoration strip engaged therein; [0022] Fig. lB is an exploded view showing the conventional leg frame and the corresponding decoration strip; [0023] Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing a conventional leg cap and a corresponding leg frame; [0024] Fig. 3A is a perspective view showing a conventional folding chair having a seat supporting rod; [0025] Fig. 3B is a detailed view of Fig. 3A showing the conventional seat supporting rod; [0026] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a conventional folding chair having a connecting member and a detailed view showing the connecting member; [0027] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a folding chair according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0028] Fig. 6A is an exploded view showing a backrest, a front leg frame and a decoration strip according to the present invention; [0029] Fig. 6B is a cross sectional view showing the front leg frame and the decoration strip in accordance with the present invention; [0030] Figs. 7A and 7B are cross sectional views showing a sequence of assembling the decoration strip with the front leg frame; [0031] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a leg cap for the folding chair according to the present invention; [0032] Fig. 9 is an exploded view showing the leg cap and the folding chair; [0033] Fig. 10 is a side view showing the leg cap assembled with the front leg frame; [0034] Fig. 11 is a side view showing the leg caps assembled with the front leg frame; [0035] Fig. 12 is an exploded view showing a folding chair having casters according to another embodiment of the present invention; [0036] Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the folding chair of Fig. 12; [0037] Fig. 14A is a perspective view showing the folding chair according to the present invention and a detailed view showing a seat supporting rod and a supporting piece; [0038] Fig. 14B is a side view showing the folding chair of Fig. 14A; and [0039] Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the folding chair according to the present invention and a detailed view showing a reinforcing member.

DETAILED DESCRJPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0040] Referring to Fig. 5, a folding chair according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a U-shaped front leg frame 1, a rear leg frame 2 pivotally connected with the front leg frame 1, a seat 3 pivotally connected with an inner side of a middle section of the front leg frame 1, a horizontal seat supporting rod 4 (as shown in Fig. 14A) fixed below the seat 3, a backrest 5 mounted in a top section of the front leg frame 1 and a plurality of leg caps 8 mounted at lower ends of the front leg frame 1 and the rear leg frame 2. The front leg frame 1 and the rear leg frame 2 can be unfolded to stand on floor or be folded for storage. The front leg frame 1 having a decoration strip 6 engaged therein according to the present invention provides the chair with aesthetics.

[0041] Referring to Figs. 6A and 6B, the front leg frame 1 include a continuous frame base 11 and two symmetric curved ridges 12. The curved ridges 12 are disposed at both edges of the frame base 11, respectively. An engaging groove 15 is formed between the frame base 11 and the curved ridges 12. The frame base 11 and the curved ridges 12 are integrally formed as one piece. An inner lower side of the curved ridge 12 close to the frame base 11 is slanted away from a center line of the frame base 11. An angle between the frame base 11 and the each curved ridge 12 is acute, thereby forming an acute corner 16 between the frame base 11 and the curved ridge 12. The shape of the decoration strip 6 is corresponding to that of the engaging groove 15. The decoration strip 6 includes a bottom surface 62, two concave side surfaces 61, and two extended ribs 63 respectively disposed between the bottom surface 62 and the two concave side surfaces 61.

[0042] Referring to Figs. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B, the backrest 5 is fixed inside of the front leg frame 1. When assembling the decoration strip 6 and the front leg frame 1 together, first of all, the decoration strip 6 is tilted to make one of the side surfaces 61 in contact with the corresponding curved ridge 12. Secondly, the decoration strip 6 is pressed downward to make another side surface 61 in contact with the corresponding curved ridge 12. Each rib 63 is fitted into the acute corner 16 between the frame base 11 and the curved ridge 12. Because of elasticity of the decoration strip 6, the decoration strip 6 can be pressed down to be fitted into the engaging groove 15 and the ribs 63 be fitted into the acute corners 16. Also because of elasticity of the decoration strip 6, the ribs 63 can be securely engaged with the acute corners 16 and the concave side surface 61 are in tightly contact with the curved ridges 12. Therefore, the decoration strip 6 is securely engaged with the engaging groove 15 and is not likely to fallen off from the engaging groove 15 of the front leg frame 1. The engaging method used by the front leg frame 1 having the decoration strip 6 engaged therein according to the present invention is more convenient and reliable to securely assemble the front leg frame 1 and the decoration strip 6 than the conventional adhesive method.

[0043] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the leg cap 8 is integrally formed and made of aluminum. The single-piece leg cap 8 includes a pad 81 and a fixing portion 82. A bottom of the pad 81 is a plane to be in contact with the floor. The fixing portion 82 is disposed on a top of the pad 81 and is slanted at an angle corresponding to the leg frames 1 or 2 of the folding chair. The top of the pad 81 includes two cavities 811 at both sides of the fixing portion 82, respectively. Moreover, a slit 823 is made to divide the fixing portion 82 into a thick section 821 and a thin section 822.

[0044] Fig. 9 is an exploded view showing the leg caps 8 and part of the folding chair.

The cross section of the front leg frame 1 is the same as that of the rear leg frame 2.

Each of the front leg frame 1 and the rear leg frame 2 includes the frame base 11 and the curved ridges 12 disposed at both edges of the frame base 11 respectively. Because the front leg 1 and the rear leg 2 have the same cross section, the following description only uses the front leg frame 1 as an example to describe the assembling of the leg cap 8 and the leg frame 1 or 2. As shown in Fig. 10, the leg cap 8 is mounted to the front leg frame 1. When assembling the leg cap 8 and the front leg frame 1, the slanted fixing portion 82 of the leg cap 8 is aligned with the engaging groove 15 of the front leg 1. The frame base 11 of the front leg frame 1 is tightly fitted in the slit 823 of the fixing portion 82 and the thick section 821 of the fixing portion 82 is disposed in the engaging groove 15 between the curved ridges 12. The thick section 821 of the fixing portion 82 is contacted with one side of the frame base 11 and the thin section 822 of the fixing portion 82 is contacted with the other side of the frame base 11. The lower ends of the curved ridges 12 are received in and contacted with the cavities 811. Then, a plurality of rivets 83 pass through the thin section 822 of the fixing portion 82, the frame base 11 of the front leg frame 1, and the thick section 821 of the fixing portion 82, thereby fixing the leg cap 8 at the lower end of the front leg frame 1. If the fixing portion 82 is too thick, the fixing portion 82 will interfere the folding of the chair. As shown in Fig. 10, because one of the two sections of the fixing portion 82 is disposed in the engaging groove 15 of the front leg frame 1, the fixing portion 82 being divided into a thin section and a thick section can minimize the fixing portion 82 exposed outside of the front leg frame 1. Thus, the fixing portion 82 will not interfere with the folding of the chair.

[0045] Referring to Figs. 9-11, the rivets 83 connect the leg caps 8 with the front leg frame 1. The lower ends of the curved ridges 12 are in fully contact with the cavities 811 of the leg cap 8. The weight of the user and the chair is evenly distributed to the rivets 83 and cavities 811 of the leg caps 8. Therefore, the folding chair with the leg caps 8 according to the present invention can bear more load than the conventional folding chair.

[0046] Referring to Fig. 12, the leg cap 8 according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a wheel or a caster 9 for easy dragging. The bottom of the pad 81 includes a screw hole 812 at an exterior side thereof. The wheel 9 being installed at the exterior side of the leg cap 8 can prevent the folding chair from rollover due to the unbalance of center of gravity. The wheel 9 is then screwed into the screw hole 812. Fig. 13 shows the folding chair having the leg caps 8 and the wheels 9 according to the present invention.

[0047] Referring to Figs. 14A and 14B, the seat 3 has a cushion and a seat frame 31.

Both ends of the horizontal seat supporting rod 4 are connected with the front leg frame 1.

The seat supporting rod 4 is disposed below the seat frame 31 to support the seat 3. Both sides of the seat frame 31 are connected with two vertical supporting pieces 10, respectively. Both ends of the supporting piece 10 are pivotally connected with an inner side of the front leg frame 1 and a lateral side of the seat frame 31, respectively. A lower end of the supporting piece 10 extends to form an engaging portion 101. Each the end of the horizontal seat supporting rod 4 is in J shape. The J-shaped end of the seat supporting rod 4 has a plate portion 41 and a protruded portion 42 disposed between the plate portion 41 and the seat supporting rod 4. The plate portion 41 is a flat surface and welded to the inner side of the front leg frame 1. The protruded portion 42 is folded to form a curved bulge. When the folding chair is fully unfolded, the supporting piece 10 is disposed above the seat supporting rod 4 and the engaging portion 101 is pressed against the seat supporting rod 4. Because the plate portion 41 is welded to the inside of the front leg frame 1, the protruded portion 42 can prevent the engaging portion 101 from moving to outside of the front leg frame 1. Moreover, both the plate portion 41 and the inner side of the front leg frame 1 are flat so it is much easier to weld the plate portion 41 with the front leg frame 1.

[0048] Referring to Fig. 15, a reinforcing member 7 is disposed between the front leg frame 1 and the rear leg frame 2. One end of the reinforcing member 7 is fixed with the rear leg frame 2, and the other end of the reinforcing member 7 is pivotally connected with the seat frame 31. Both central edges of the reinforcing member 7 are folded to form two wing portions 71 by the curved ridges 12, respectively. When the folding chair is folded, the seat 3 is pulled by the reinforcing member 7 to move toward the front leg frame 1 and the rear leg frame 2. Although the reinforcing member 7 is solid enough to reinforce the chair structure, the reinforcing member 7 does not affect the flexibility. Because the reinforcing member 7 is connected between the seat frame 31 and the rear leg frame 2 to reinforce the structure, the folding chair according to the present invention provides a more steady seating. The wing portions 71 of the reinforcing member 7 can help the folding chair to support the user's weight.

[0049] In conclusion, the folding chair according to the present invention has the following advantages. The engaging type of the decoration strip 6 according to the present invention is more convenient than the conventional adhesive type of the decoration strip. The chair manufacturer can easily provide various colors according to customer's request. The leg cap 8 according to the present invention is made of aluminum and the conventional leg cap is made of rubber. Thus, the leg cap 8 according to the present invention overcomes the disadvantage of the conventional design that different thermal expansion coefficients cause the separation of the rubber leg cap and metal leg frame.

The curved ridges 12 of the leg frame 1 and 2 according to the present invention are received in the cavities 811, which makes the leg frames 1 and 2 securely pressed on the leg caps 8. Thus the user's weight is fully supported by the leg caps 8. The leg cap 8 may further include a wheel or a caster 9 for easy dragging. Both ends of the horizontal seat supporting rod 4 has flat plate portions 41, which makes welding the seat supporting rod 4 to the front leg frame 1 much easier and more sturdy. Moreover, the protruded portion 42 is disposed between the plate portion 41 and the horizontal seat supporting rod 4, which prevents the supporting piece 10 from moving to outside of the front leg frame 1.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A folding chair comprising a leg frame including a front leg frame and a rear leg frame pivotally connected with the front leg frame, each of the front leg frame and the rear leg frame having: a frame base; two curved ridges respectively disposed at both edges of the frame base; and an engaging groove defined between the two curved ridges and the frame base; a decoration strip fitted in the engaging groove; a back rest fixed to the front leg frame; a seat pivotally connected with the leg frame; a plurality of leg caps mounted to lowers ends of the leg frame; a horizontal seat supporting rod whose both ends are connected with the front leg frame; and two supporting pieces disposed at both lateral sides of the seat respectively, one end of the supporting piece connected with the lateral side of the seat and the other end of the supporting piece connected with the front leg frame; a reinforcing member disposed between the front leg frame and the rear leg frame; wherein an inner lower side of the each curved ridge close to the frame base is slanted away from a center line of the frame base, thereby forming an acute corner between the frame base and the curved ridge; the decoration strip includes a bottom surface, two concave side surfaces, and two extended ribs respectively disposed between the bottom surface and the two side surfaces; the ribs are respectively engaged with the acute corners and the side surfaces are respectively in tightly contact with the curved ridges; the leg cap comprises a pad having a wheel and a slanted fixing portion disposed on a top of the pad; the fixing portion comprises a slit to divide the fixing portion into two sections; the top of the pad comprises two cavities disposed at two sides of the fixing portion respectively; the frame base is fitted in the slit between the two sections; ends of the curved edges are received in and fully contacted with the cavities; both ends of the seat supporting rod is in J shape; the end of the seat supporting rod has a plate portion and a protruded portion disposed between the plate portion and the seat supporting rod; the plate portion is connected to an inner side of the front leg frame; the protruded portion is folded to form a curved bulge; the supporting piece comprises an engaging portion at a lower end thereof; when the folding chair is fully unfolded, the engaging portion of the supporting piece is blocked by the protruded portion of the seat supporting rod and is prevented from moving to a lateral side of the front leg frame; and both edges of the reinforcing member have two wing portions by the curved ridges, respectively.
2. The folding chair as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fixing portion of the leg cap is connected with the frame base of the leg frame by a rivet.
3. The folding chair as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the two sections of the fixing portion comprise a thick section and a thin section; the thick section is disposed in the engaging groove and the thin section is contacted with a side of the frame base opposite to the engaging groove.
4. A folding chair constructed and arranged substantially as described in relation to Figs. 5-15 of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the CLaims have been filed as follows WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A folding chair comprising a leg frame including a front leg frame and a rear leg frame pivotally connected with the front leg frame, each of the front leg frame and the rear leg frame having: a frame base; two curved ridges respectively disposed at both edges of the frame base; and an engaging groove defined between the two curved ridges and the frame base; a decoration strip fitted in the engaging groove; a back rest fixed to the front leg frame; a seat pivotally connected with the leg frame; a plurality of leg caps mounted to lower ends of the leg frame; a horizontal seat supporting rod whose two ends are connected with the front leg 0) is frame; and two supporting pieces disposed at both lateral sides of the seat respectively, one end CO of the supporting piece connected with the lateral side of the seat and the other end of the supporting piece connected with the front leg frame; CO two reinforcing members disposed between the front leg frame and the rear leg frame where the front leg frame pivotally connects with the rear leg frame, one end of each reinforcing member being fixed to the rear leg frame and the other end being pivotally connected to the seat; wherein an inner lower side of the each curved ridge close to the frame base is slanted away from a central plane of the frame base, thereby forming an acute corner between the frame base and the curved ridge; the decoration strip includes a bottom surface, two concave side surfaces, and two extended ribs respectively disposed between the bottom surface and the two side surfaces; the ribs are respectively engaged with the acute corners and the side surfaces are respectively in tight contact with the curved ridges; the leg cap comprises a slanted fixing portion disposed on a top of the pad; the fixing portion comprises a slit to divide the fixing portion into two sections; the top of the pad comprises two cavities disposed at two sides of the fixing portion respectively; the frame base is fitted in the slit between the two sections; ends of the curved edges are received in and fully contacted with the cavities; both ends of the seat supporting rod are of J shape; the end of the seat supporting rod has a plate portion and a protruded portion disposed between and connected to the plate portion and the remainder of the seat supporting rod; the plate portion is connected to an inner side of the front leg frame; the protruded portion is folded to form a curved bulge; the supporting piece comprises an engaging portion at a lower end thereof; when the folding chair is fully unfolded, the engaging portion of the supporting piece is blocked by the protruded portion of the seat supporting rod and is prevented from moving to a lateral side of the front leg frame; and each edge of each reinforcing member has a respective wing portion adjacent to the curved ridges of the rear leg frame to which it is fixed.0) 15 2. The folding chair as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fixing portion of each leg cap is connected with the frame base of each leg frame by a rivet.CD 3. The folding chair as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the two sections of the fixing portion comprise a thick section and a thin section; the thick section is disposed in the C0 engaging groove and the thin section is contacted with a side of the frame base opposite to the engaging groove.4. A folding chair constructed and ananged substantially as described in relation to Figs. 5-15 of the accompanying drawings.