GB2501262A

GB2501262A - A top allowing attachment of a chair

Info

Publication number: GB2501262A
Application number: GB201206701A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond John Hamilton; Karen Myra Hamilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-04-17
Filing date: 2012-04-17
Publication date: 2013-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-04-17
Also published as: GB201206701D0; GB2501262B

Abstract

A top has at least torso-covering material and a plurality of item compartments and is characterised in that the material allows attachment of a portable folding chair. The top may include straps for holding a chair in a position for transportation that is higher than a position for deployment. The top or material may include support to maintain the shape of the top whilst carrying a chair. Preferably a shoulder portion of the top can be opened to allow a user to stand from an attached chair without removing their arms from the top. The top may be used with a chair that comprises a frame having material extension tags to aid unfolding of the chair. The top may be used for activities such as fishing or camping.

Description

PATENT APPLCATION

OF

RAYMOND JOHN HAMILTON AND KAREN MYRA HAMILTON

FOR

ATOP

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a top, more particularly for outdoor activities.

BackQround When engaging in outdoor activities such as fishing and camping there is often a requirement for a number of pieces of equipment to be carried. Often a person can not drive to the exact location where they will be based when conducting the activity, and therefore must carry all required equipment to the location, perhaps as well as whilst engaging in the activity.

Typically a variety of bags have been developed to carry different types of equipment required and therefore a person may need to carry a number of separate bulky items.

However, it can be difficult for an individual to carry all items at once. Often larger equipment such as a chair or table must be carried separately as traditional bags do not have means of carrying such an item. Specially adapted backpacks can be used to carry such equipment however these often do not have the appropriate stowage for other pieces of equipment and may be heavy.

A number of pieces of clothing have been developed to include multiple compartments for carrying a users equipment thus reducing the requirement for an additional bag however, the compartments typically only cater for the smaller items meaning that larger items must still be carried meaning that the user may have to make multiple trips to collect their required equipment at the desired location.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been tiled in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following: Granted United States patent US 2010 059 558 (ROBINSON) discloses a multipurpose backpack and pillow apparatus, comprising: a substantially rectangular body formed of at least two layers of fabric material, said body having a first side surface opposite a second side surface; said body having a central portion and two adjoining side portions extending to two respective side edges; said body having an upper edge and a lower edge both extending between said two side edges; said body having a first configuration, substantially planar with no folds and forming a blanket; said body configurable to a second configuration as a poncho-like garment, when in said first configuration, over the shoulders of a user, with said central portion adjacent to said user's back and with said second side surface adjacent to said user, by: folding said two side portions around said user until edge portions, of each receptive side portion achieve a contact with each other along said respective edge portions; and employing means to secure said edge portions to each other to hold said edge portions in said contact; said body in said first configuration being configurable to a third configuration, substantially forming a seat cushion, by: folding said two side portions to a stacked positioning upon said central portion; with said body in said stacked positioning, placing said lower edge upon said body substantially equidistant between said upper edge and said lower edge, to form a double stacked position upon substantially one half of said center section; and folding said one half of said central section upon a remaining half of said central section, thereby yielding said seat cushion substantially one third the size of said central section.

Granted United States patent US 7 118 172 (PATTISON-SHEETS) discloses a backpack chair unit comprising: a collapsible chair frame wherein the frame opens into a chair and collapses into a backpack frame; at least one seat panel attached to the collapsible chair frame;a pack container having at least one opening, said pack container attached to the chair a pair of shoulder straps attached to the chair so that the pair of shoulder straps are directly opposite the pack container when the collapsible chair frame is collapsed; and a pack container flap having at least two stays coupled to edges of the flap, the flap being moveable between a closed position wherein the flap covers at least one opening of the pack container, and an extended position wherein the flap is rotated over a portion of the frame and each stay has sufficient stiffness and holds the position it is set in while extending the flap over the chair, the stays maintaining the flap over the chair in a self-sustained, substantially horizontal position to provide shade over the chair when the collapsible chair frame is open.

Granted United States patent US 6 997 507 (RHEE) discloses a rucksack, comprising a back wall to contact with a back of a user, a bag body to have a large volume, a plurality of pockets respectively provided at predetermined portions of the bag body and having small volumes, and a pair of shoulder straps each sewn on upper and lower portions of the back wall so that the user carries the rucksack on shoulders of the user, the rucksack further comprising: a Velcro fastener comprising a pile piece and a hook piece, one of the pile piece and the hook piece constituting a fixed part which is provided at an upper portion of the back wall to have a predetermined area, while a remaining one of the pile piece and the hook piece constituting a movable part which is detachably fastened to the fixed part; a folding chair having the movable part of the Velcro fastener at a predetermined portion thereof, the folding chair being longer than the back wall by a predetermined length: a cover to cover the folding chair while exposing a predetermined portion of the folding chair to an outside, with a slide fastener being provided along each of both side edges of the back wall and an associated side edge of the cover to fasten the cover to the back wall; a spacer provided on a predetenTlined position of the cover to contact with the back and a waist of the user, the spacer thus spacing the cover from the back and the waist of the user to prevent the exposed portion of the folding chair from contacting with a body of the user; and a spacer guide pad extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of the cover, with the spacer mounted to the spacer guide part so as to move along the spacer guide part.

Granted United States patent US 7 651 016 (STEWART) discloses a combination pack and protective device or article for outdoor activities comprising: a sheet of stretchable, water-resistant, padded andlor insulating material having at least three panels: a top panel, a middle panel, and a bottom panel, where, the panels are structured and adapted to be folded along transverse crease regions: a first crease region between top and middle panel and a second crease region between the middle panel and bottom panel, wherein, the crease regions are structured and positioned to permit the top and bottom panels to be folded over the middle panel, attachments (securing means) fixed to at least two of said panels to secure the panels together when said top and bottom panels are in a position folded over the middle panel, and a waistband extending laterally from at least one of said panels to provide means for attaching the combination pack and protective accessory to the waist of a person.

Granted United States patent US 6 547 324 (AMMANN) discloses a combination chair and backpack comprising: a pair of seat support frames hingably joined for rotating the seat support frames between a first mutually aligned position for carrying the combination, and a second spread apart position for sitting; a seat means joining the pair of seat support frames and providing an upwardly facing surface when the seat support frames are in the second spread apart position, whereby the support frames are self supporting on a support surface for placing the sitting means at a convenient height; a back support frame hingably joined to one of the pair of seat support frames and rotatable between an upwardly extending position for establishing a back rest, and a laid-over position wherein the back support frame abuts the sitting means; a back pack removably joined to the back support frame; a shoulder mounting means attached to the pair of seat support frames such that with the pair of set support frames placed into the mutually aligned position, and with the back support frame placed into the laid-over position, the combination is mountable onto a person's back for carrying thereon.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of simplifying a user's experience whilst engaging in outdoor activities, particularly but not exclusively such as fishing.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a top having at least torso-covering material and providing a plurality of item compartments; and characterised in that said material allows attachment of a portable, folding chair.

In the preferred embodiment the top is sleeveless and includes a plurality of compartments. The size and shape of the compartments can be varied depending upon use, for example if fishing, one compartment may be designed to stow a fishing reel or to hold a fishing rod.

The part of the top that covers the user's back is adapted to receive a chair on a side distal from the back.

In the preferred embodiment the iop has attachment loops on the external facing side of the back of the top that accept the chair. Typically the loops can be opened and closed around the chair supporting frame by means of hook and loop attachment such as VELCRO (Trade Mark), clip, buckle, push fitting or alike. It is envisaged that the chair can be slide up and down through the loops to achieve the preferred position on the back of the user.

In further embodiments the chair may be included or integrated into the material.

The chair is attached to the top at a height that will not interfere with a user's limbs when they are walking, cycling or undertaking other common physical activity. It is envisaged the chair is positioned in a higher location whilst being transported and when it is ready to be deployed the chair may be released to lower the chair to its optimal orientation for deployment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the top includes straps. And in some embodiments the chair is held in the higher position by straps that can be opened to receive the chair and closed to secure it in place. It is envisaged that these straps will be position on the shoulder of the top and may include means of hook and loop attachment such as Velcro (Trade Mark), push fitting, buckle or alike.

According to a third aspect of the invention the top or material includes support enabling it to maintain its shape whilst carrying the chair.

The top may contain removable battens that provide structured support to the top, or may include foam integrated supports that are embedded into the material of the top to maintain the structure and to provide support to the spine of the user.

In another embodiment the top may include support by means of inflatable sealed sections that have a value so that the pressure can be adjusted to control the level of support provided.

The chair includes a hinged frame and fabric seat. It is envisaged that a plurality of folding chair structure embodiments may be available, such as a lour legged chair or a chair using crossed legs.

In the preferred embodiment the chair has four hinged legs and a main hinge where the chair back frame meets the chair seat frame. The chair seat frame is hingeably attached at the distal point of the chair back frame and ideally the chair has additional hinges for each arm rest to connect to the chair back frame and chair seat frame.

In the preferred embodiment a piece of fabric such as waterproof canvas, vinyl or alike is hung between the outer parts of the chair seat support frame to create the seat. The fabric may connect across the width or depth of the chair seat support frame according to the frame design.

A separate piece of fabric is hung between the chair back support frame to provide the back support for the user. The fabric may connect across the width or height of the chair back support frame dependant upon chair design.

It is envisaged that the material may include cut away portions to enable to user to reach the frame to assist with folding up or deploying said chair. Typically the fabric can be removed if required for example to be cleaned.

In any chair embodiment, when not in use, the frame can be folded flat so that when attached to the top it is mutually aligned, parallel to the spine of the user.

It is envisaged that as an alternative to folding legs the chair may have telescopic legs.

In the preferred embodiment the chair attaches to the top so that the chair can be folded up and deployed whilst the top is worn.

Typically the back of the chair is parallel and situated closest to the user's spine when stowed so that it is in the correct orientation for the user when the chair is deployed. When the chair is not in use and is folded up all aspects of the chair such as the seat and legs are mutually aligned with the back.

In the preferred embodiment it is envisaged that to deploy the chair the user will first release the chair legs (before rotating the seat portion of the chair) so that the chair legs are easily accessible to the user whilst the top is worn. After the chair legs are released the chair seat support is rotated around the main hinge, away from the spine of user until in position (typically passing through an angle of at least 270 degrees).

In another embodiment wherein the top houses a crossed legged chair it is envisaged the chair is opened by pulling the chair legs in a downwards direction that opens crossed legs that support the chair seat and chair back.

In a further embodiment and according to a fourth aspect the fabric may include at least one compartment wherein the user can safely keep equipment when the chair is in use, and when in the stowed position.

In another embodiment and according to a fifth aspect the hinges on the chair may be sprung. The sprung hinges are locked in place when not in use and when in the deployed orientation. It is envisaged that a locking mechanism for sprung hinges may enable the chair back to be reclined when in use.

According to a sixth aspect a shoulder portion of the top can be opened to allow the user to stand from the seat without a requirement to remove arms from the top, thus improving ease of use and safety. It is envisaged that the shoulder opening may be by means of zip, buckle, clip or alike.

In another embodiment and according to a seventh aspect the chair supporting frame has material extension tags attached so that if the user has difficulty reaching behind to reach for example a leg or pad of the frame they can instead reach the material extension tag and pull it to unfold pad of or the entire chair.

It is envisaged that the distal end of a tag may be attached to the front of the top when not in use so that it can be easily located. Typically the tags will be attached to the top by means of hook and loop attachment such as VELCRO (Trade Mark), push fitting, clip or alike. The tags can be detached from the front of the top and pulled to unfold part of or the entire chair. Each tag may include a label to indicate which part of the chair it relates to.

In another embodiment the chair may include a stowage tag that can be pulled to engage the folding up mechanism. When the user is standing the stowage tag is pulled and the chair folds and is lifted into its stowed position without requirement for the user to remove the top.

In another embodiment and according to a eighth aspect the chair is electronically mechanised so that the chair can be deployed without requirement of the user to unfold the chair manually. It is envisaged in such embodiments that the top houses a small battery to power the mechanism in one of its compartments.

It is envisaged that any type of front opening, upper body clothing can be adapted to carry a chair or similar item.

In another embodiment the top can be adapted to perform the carrying of other large equipment such as a travel table, stall, bench or tent.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figures 1 show isometric views of the top with chair stowed and chair in use; Figures 2 show views from above the top with chair stowed and chair in use; Figure 3 shows a side view of the top with chair in use; and Figures 4 show rear isometric views of the top with chair stowed and chair in use.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the top is an item of clothing aimed at fishing enthusiasts and people who enjoy the outdoors. It is a body warmer with multiple pockets for fishing gear, reducing the amount that the user has to carry. It has a seat incorporated into the back panel that can be folded quickly and easily.

The pictured embodiment is an item of clothing aimed at fishing enthusiasts and people who enjoy the outdoors. The top is a body warmer with multiple pockets for fishing gear, reducing the amount that the user has to carry. It has a seat incorporated into the back panel that can be folded quickly and easily.

The top is styled on a traditional body warmer and the material of the top is waterproof and durable and is well insulated to keep the user warm when they are sat still for lengthy periods of time in the chair.

The top has multiple pockets for storage of fishing gear and potentially a fishing rod.

The chair is ideally easily detachable from the top element. The chair needs to be sturdy and take weight.

Users interested in or who take part in fishing, shooting, camping, walking, hiking, spectator sports, long outdoor open air events, festivals etc. It has a seat incorporated into the back panel that can be folded out and away quickly and easily.

The frame is constructed from lightweight aluminium.

Ideally there are straps for securing fishing rods and other equipment. Cut outs in the seat fabric allow the user to get a hold on the horizontal tubes in the frame to aid them further when unfolding the chair on their back.

When stored, the chair sits comfortably against a user's back, or spine. The ends of the frame tubes are capped off with plastic blanks and feet of the chair are capped off in a similar way however, on the feet caps a thread pattern has been built into the underside face, for grip.

On the side seat tubes, there are cup holders which also act as a handle to aid the user in deploying the chair.

The frame unfolds and then locks in position with push locks, as illustrated.

The action of deploying the chair is quick and easy; the user simply releases the hinge locks and folds it up behind them.

The top can be left with the chair if the user wishes to stand up. The top can then act as a storage point at a good height from the ground. If the top needs to be washed, it can be separated from the chair's frame.

Claims

Claims 1. A top having at least torso-covering material and providing a plurality of item compartments; and characterised in that said material allows attachment of a portable, folding chair.
2. A top according to claim 1 wherein the top includes straps.
3. A top according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the top or material includes support enabling itto maintain its shape whilst carrying the chair.
4. A top according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the chair includes fabric that may include at least one compartment.
5. A top according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein hinges on the chair may be sprung.
6. A top according to a preceding claim wherein a shoulder portion of the top can be opened to allow a user to stand from the chair without a requirement to remove arms from the top.
7. A top according to a preceding claim wherein the chair has a frame that has material extension tags attached so that if a user has difficulty reaching behind to reach for example a leg or part of the frame they can instead reach the material extension tag and pull it to unfold part of or the entire chair.
8. A top according to a preceding claim wherein the chair is electronically mechanised so that the chair can be deployed without requirement to unfold the chair manually.Amendments to the claims have been as follows Claims 1. A top arranged to be worn having material adapted to cover a torso comprising attachment loops and providing a plurality of item compartments; and a portable chair, adapted to be stowed for transport and deployed for sitting upon while the top is worn, that is slidably attached to the material by the attachment loops thereby permitting the chair to slide up to a higher position for transport and slide down to a lower position for deployment while the top is worn.2. A top according to claim I in which the material is adapted to further cover shoulders and there are straps positioned on the material near the shoulders by which the chair is held in the higher position.3. A top according to claim 2 in which the straps may be opened to receive the chair and closed to secure it in place.4. A top according to any preceding claim in which the chair comprises a frame comprising frame tubes.5. A top according to claim 4 in which the chair comprises a seat attached to the frame by a hinge.6. A top according to claim 5 in which while the top is worn the seat is situated * 20 closest to wearer's spine when stowed and is rotated around the hinge away from the spine of the user until in position for sitting when deployed.7. A top according to any preceding claim in which the loops can be opened and closed around the chair.*:c 8. A top according to any preceding claim in which the chair has four hinged *. 25 legs that fold-up whilst the top is stowed.
9. A top according to claim 8 in which the legs are telescopic.
10. A top according to claims 8 or 9 in which the legs are aligned with the back when the chair is stowed.A top according to any preceding claim in which the torso covering material and the chair are separable.
11. A top according to any preceding claim wherein the top or material includes support enabling it to maintain its shape whilst carrying the chair.
12. A top according to any preceding claim wherein the chair includes fabric that may include at least one compartment.
13. A top according to any preceding claim wherein hinges on the chair may be sprung.
14. A top according claims 2 to 13 wherein the material further adapted to cover shoulders can be opened to allow a user to stand from the chair without a requirement to remove arms from the top.
15. A top as herein described by the description and figures. * * * * *0***0e * 0 0* * 0 * 0** * 0* *0 * * S*S * .0