GB2555215A

GB2555215A - Folding Chair

Info

Publication number: GB2555215A
Application number: GB1713810.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yang Baoqing
Original assignee: Zhejiang Hengfeng Top Leisure Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhejiang Hengfeng Top Leisure Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-30
Filing date: 2017-08-29
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2037-08-29
Also published as: FR3055200B3; GB201713810D0; FR3055200A3; GB2555215B; DK201700011U3; NL2018128B1; DE202016104757U1; CN207444641U

Abstract

A folding chair 1 comprises a backrest 2, a seat surface 3 and a foot support 4. The seat surface 3 comprises a frame 6 formed from a profiled part 5 which comprises free ends 7 pointing in the direction of the foot support 4. The foot support 4 is releasably fastened to the seat surface 3 by inter-engagement of first connection elements 8 disposed in the free ends 7 with second connection elements 9 attached to the foot support 4. The first connection element 8 is captively held in the profiled part 5. The first connection element may include a collar 12 for engagement with an orifice (16, figure 3) in the second connection element 9.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Folding Chair

Abstract Title: Folding chair with releasable foot support (57) A folding chair 1 comprises a backrest 2, a seat surface 3 and a foot support 4. The seat surface 3 comprises a frame 6 formed from a profiled part 5 which comprises free ends 7 pointing in the direction of the foot support 4. The foot support 4 is releasably fastened to the seat surface 3 by inter-engagement of first connection elements 8 disposed in the free ends 7 with second connection elements 9 attached to the foot support 4. The first connection element 8 is captively held in the profiled part 5. The first connection element may include a collar 12 for engagement with an orifice (16, figure 3) in the second connection element 9.

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Folding chair

The present invention relates to folding chairs, more particularly folding chairs having a separately fastenable foot support.

Folding chairs of the stated type are predominantly used as camping chairs. The advantage of such folding chairs is that they can be folded up compactly and, by way of the separately fastenable foot support, provide comfortable seating. It is possible to use such a folding chair in two ways. Without the foot support and with the backrest raised, the folding chair forms a conventional chair, whereas the folding chair with the foot support suspended thereon and with the backrest folded down forms a recliner. In this respect the folding chair offers various usage possibilities.

In prior art chairs, the foot support is fastened by removing stoppers disposed in the free ends of the profiled part and fastening fixing elements at that location instead. This is carried out by the user according to requirements.

With such prior art chairs, in addition to the folding chair and the foot support, it is necessary also to carry the fixing elements and, during use as a recliner, to store the stoppers which are fastened in the free ends. If the fixing elements are lost it would no longer be possible to use the folding chair as a recliner with the foot support fastened thereto.

The object of the invention is to provide a folding chair which offers variable sitting options and which is easy to operate. Alternatively or additionally, the present invention seeks to provide an improved folding chair.

The present invention provides a folding chair comprising a backrest, a seat surface and a foot support, wherein the foot support is releasably fastened to the seat surface, wherein the seat surface comprises a frame formed from a profiled part, wherein the profiled part comprises free ends pointing in the direction of the foot support, wherein first connection elements are disposed in the free ends and are in engagement with second connection elements attached to the foot support, characterised in that the first connection elements are captively held in the profiled part.

In accordance with the invention, the first connection elements may thereby form an attachment option for the foot support and, furthermore, close the free ends of the profiled part. Accordingly, the connection elements, in a single element, may assume the function of a stopper and of a fixing element. Owing to the fact that the first connection elements are captively held in the profiled part, it may no longer be possible to remove them unintentionally.

Furthermore, it may no longer be necessary to provide separate storage for fixing elements.

Fastening elements can be disposed in the free ends of the profiled part. These are pushed into the interior of the profiled part during manufacture of the folding chair and are held therein preferably in a non-positive manner. In order to improve the fastening arrangement, the fastening elements can also be held in the profile in a positive-locking manner or the profile can be deformed in regions so as to produce a positive-locking arrangement. Owing to the fact that the fastening element is a separate component, favourable and easily-produced profiled parts are used.

The profiled parts preferably consist of a metal material e.g. aluminium.

The fastening element can be provided with an internal thread. This permits particularly simple penetration of the first connection element into the free end of the profiled part.

The first connection element can be formed as a threaded stopper and comprises a threaded portion. The formation as a threaded stopper means that the profiled part is closed in the region of the free ends so that absolutely no dirt can penetrate into the profiled part at that location. A particularly simple-to-operate first connection element is produced by the connection of the first connection element to the fastening element via a thread.

The first connection element can comprise a collar at the end protruding from the profiled part. The external diameter of the collar thus preferably corresponds to the external diameter of the profiled part so that a seamless transition is produced between the profiled part and the first connection element. A stop is produced by the collar so that the first connection element cannot be rotated into the profiled part to any random depth.

The first connection element can comprise a cross-sectional thickening at the end inserted into the profiled part. Furthermore, the first connection element can comprise a cross-sectional narrowing between the threaded portion and the cross-sectional thickening. A fixing element can be allocated to the profiled part and protrudes into the interior of the profiled part into the region of the cross-sectional narrowing.

The cross-sectional narrowing in conjunction with the threaded portion and the cross-sectional thickening form an undercut into which the fixing element engages.

In one simple embodiment, the fixing element is a screw which is screwed into a bore introduced into the peripheral wall of the profiled part.

The fixing element prevents the first connection element from being rotated completely out of the profiled part. The first connection element can be rotated out of the profiled part only until the fixing element comes into contact with the cross-sectional thickening. This position forms the second end position of the first connection element and is at the same time the receiving position into which the first connection element is brought when the foot support is to be fastened to the folding chair.

If the folding chair is to be used without the foot support, the first connection elements are rotated into the profiled part until the collar comes into contact with the profiled part. If the folding chair is to be used with the foot support, the first connection elements are rotated until the fixing elements are in contact with the cross-sectional thickening. In this position, the first connection elements can be connected to the second connection elements.

The second connection element can be formed in a U-shape. The foot support is preferably also provided with a frame which is formed from a profiled part. The second connection elements are likewise allocated to the free ends of the profiled part. Owing to the fact that the second connection elements are Ushaped, they can be placed onto the first connection elements in a particularly easy manner. In this way, the foot support can be fastened to the seat surface in a user-friendly manner.

The second connection element can comprise an orifice for receiving the collar. Thus, when the foot support is fastened to the seat surface, the collar protrudes at least partially through the orifice so that the second connection element is held on the first connection element in a positive-locking manner. In order to release the foot support it is necessary to remove the second connection element from the first connection element in the radial direction.

The first connection element and the second connection element can be formed from synthetic material. The fastening element can likewise be formed from synthetic material. It is thereby possible to produce these elements costeffectively by an injection moulding process. By selection of a suitable synthetic material such as polyamide (PA), durable elements which can withstand loading are obtained.

Description of the Drawings

Some embodiments of the folding chair in accordance with the invention will now be explained in more detail, by way of example only, with the aid of the figures. The figures illustrate, in each case schematically:

Fig. 1 a folding chair;

Fig. 2 the folding chair in the region of the first connection element and of the second connection element, wherein the first connection element is screwed in;

Fig. 3 the embodiment in accordance with figure 2, wherein the first fastening element is screwed out; and

Fig. 4 the embodiment in accordance with figure 3, wherein the second connection element is placed onto the first connection element.

Detailed Description

The figures show a folding chair 1 comprising a backrest 2, a seat surface 3 and a foot support 4, wherein the foot support 4 is releasably fastened to the seat surface 3. The seat surface 3 comprises a frame 6 formed from a profiled part 5, wherein the profiled part 5 comprises free ends 7 pointing in the direction of the foot support 4.

The folding chair 1 is composed of various U-shaped frame sections which form the backrest 2, the seat surface 3, the foot support 4 and the chair leg sections 17. The pipe sections are connected to one another via joints so that the folding chair can be folded up for transportation. The inclination of the backrest 2 can be adjusted. The inclination is adjusted via a grating attached to the armrests 18. In the present case, the profiled parts 5 are round profiled parts made from aluminium.

First connection elements 8 are disposed in the free ends 7 and are in engagement with second connection elements 9 attached to the foot support

4.

The first connection elements 8 are captively held in the profiled part 5. Fastening elements 11 are disposed in the free ends 7 of the profiled part 5 in order to receive the first connection elements 8. The fastening elements 11 are provided with an internal thread.

The first connection element 8 is formed as a threaded stopper and comprises a threaded portion 10. The first connection element 8 comprises a collar 12 at the end protruding from the profiled part 5. The collar 12 forms, on the one hand, a closure with respect to the profiled part 5 and, on the other hand, a handle for operating the first connection element 8.

The first connection element 8 comprises a cross-sectional thickening 13 at the end inserted into the profiled part 5. Between the threaded portion 10 and the cross-sectional thickening 13 the first connection element 8 is provided with a cross-sectional narrowing 14. A fixing element 15 is allocated to the profiled part 5 and protrudes into the interior of the profiled part 5 into the region of the cross-sectional narrowing 14.

In the case of the connection element 8 screwed into the profiled part 5, an annular chamber is formed in the region of the cross-sectional narrowing 14, into which chamber the fixing element protrudes.

In a first end position 19, the first connection element 8 is screwed into the profiled part 5 until the collar 12 comes into contact with the free end of the profiled part 5. In the first end position 19, the folding chair 1 is used without a foot support 4. In the second end position 20, the first connection element 8 is screwed out of the profiled part 5 until the fixing element 15 comes into contact with the cross-sectional thickening 13. The first connection element 8 cannot be screwed out of the profiled part 5 further than as far as the second end position 20. In the second end position 20, the foot support 4 can be suspended in the folding chair 1.

The second connection element 9 is formed in a U-shape and comprises an orifice 16 to receive the collar 12 of the first connection element 8.

The first connection element 8, the second connection element 9 and the fastening element 11 are formed from synthetic material and produced by an injection moulding process.

Figure 1 shows a full illustration of the folding chair 1. The backrest 2 and the seat surface 3 can be provided with upholstery or a cover, according to choice.

Figure 2 shows the folding chair in the region of the connection elements 8, 9, wherein the first connection element 8 is located in the first end position 19.

Figure 3 shows the folding chair in the region of the connection elements 8, 9, wherein the first connection element 8 is located in the second end position

20.

Figure 4 shows the folding chair 1 in the region of the connection elements 8, 9, wherein the first connection element 8 is located in the second end position 20 and wherein the foot support 4 is suspended in the seat surface 3 of the folding chair 1. It is clear that the collar 12 of the first connection element 8 protrudes partially through the orifice 16 in the second connection element 9. In this way, a positive-locking connection of the first connection element 8 and second connection element 9 is produced.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

1. Folding chair (1) comprising a backrest (2), a seat surface (3) and a foot support (4), wherein the foot support (4) is releasably fastened to the seat surface (3), wherein the seat surface (3) comprises a frame (6) formed from a profiled part (5), wherein the profiled part (5) comprises free ends (7) pointing in the direction of the foot support (4), wherein first connection elements (8) are disposed in the free ends (7) and are in engagement with second connection elements (9) attached to the foot support (4), characterised in that the first connection elements (8) are captively held in the profiled part (5).

2. Folding chair as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a fastening element (11) is disposed in the free end (7) of the profiled part (5).

3. Folding chair as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the fastening element (11) is provided with an internal thread.

4. Folding chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first connection element (8) is formed as a threaded stopper and comprises a threaded portion (10).

5. Folding chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first connection element (8) comprises a collar (12) at the end protruding from the profiled part (5).

6. Folding chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the first connection element (8) comprises a cross-sectional thickening (13) in the end inserted into the profiled part (5).

7. Folding chair as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the first connection element (8) comprises a cross-sectional narrowing (14) between the threaded portion (10) and the cross-sectional thickening (13).

8. Folding chair as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that a fixing element (15) is allocated to the profiled part (5) and protrudes into the interior of the profiled part (5) into the region of the cross-sectional narrowing (14).

9. Folding chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the second connection element (9) is formed in a U-shape.

10. Folding chair as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the second

15 connection element (9) comprises an orifice (16) for receiving the collar (12).

11. Folding chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the first connection element (8) and the second connection element (9) are formed from synthetic material.

Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows

Claims

23 03 18

1. Folding chair (1) comprising a backrest (2), a seat surface (3) and a

5 foot support (4), wherein the foot support (4) is releasably fastened to the seat surface (3), wherein the seat surface (3) comprises a frame (6) formed from a profiled part (5), wherein the profiled part (5) comprises free ends (7) pointing in the direction ofthe foot support (4), wherein first connection elements (8) are disposed in the free ends (7) and are

10 in engagement with second connection elements (9) attached to the foot support (4), characterised in that the first connection elements (8) are captively held in the profiled part (5) and the first connection element (8) comprises a cross-sectional thickening (13) in the end inserted into the profiled part (5).

3. Folding chair as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the fastening

20 element (11) is provided with an internal thread.

4. Folding chair as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first connection element (8) is formed as a threaded stopper and comprises a threaded portion (10).

5. Folding chair as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first connection element (8) comprises a collar (12) at the end protruding from the profiled part (5).

6. Folding chair as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the first connection element (8) comprises a cross-sectional narrowing (14) between the threaded portion (10) and the cross-sectional thickening (13).

7. Folding chair as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that a fixing

5 element (15) is allocated to the profiled part (5) and protrudes into the interior of the profiled part (5) into the region of the cross-sectional narrowing (14).

8. Folding chair as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that

10. Folding chair as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the first connection element (8) and the second connection element (9) are formed from synthetic material.

23 03 18

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1713810.8 Examiner: MrPaulMakin

10 the second connection element (9) is formed in a U-shape.

9. Folding chair as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the second connection element (9) comprises an orifice (16) for receiving the collar (12).