GB2580261A

GB2580261A - Compact folding stool

Info

Publication number: GB2580261A
Application number: GB2004091.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Garcia Mahiques Vicente
Original assignee: Casa Vigar SL
Current assignee: Casa Vigar SL
Priority date: 2017-09-21
Filing date: 2018-09-17
Publication date: 2020-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-17
Also published as: CA3078257A1; KR20200057733A; WO2019058012A1; GB2580261B; PT2019058012B; JP2020534107A; ES1192885U; AU2018335449A1; ES1192885Y; GB202004091D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a folding stool that is very compact since the lateral sides of the stool are inserted between the front sides of the stool when the stool is in the folded configuration. The stool is folded and extended by a single hand movement. The stool has openings in the horizontal surface thereof which can be used as a transport handle when the stool is folded. The horizontal surface has non-slip properties because of its texture. The supporting elements of the stool, i.e. the legs, have ribs to ensure high mechanical strength, while also being very lightweight and requiring less raw material to produce.

Description

Title of the invention

Compact folding stool

Technical field of the invention

The present invention belongs to the technical field of ancillaries or accessories for home or work. In particular, the invention comprises a compact folding stool that can be used to help reach at elevated places, to serve as seat or temporary support, for example, when going on a pic-nick, camping, fishing, etc. The folding stool object of the invention can be used in multiple applications and is a convenient element in any household, place of work or vehicle, given that, by being foldable, once it needs to be stored or put away, this occupies a very reduced and flat space, by virtue of it being able to be folded in a flat and compact shape, very easily, with a single hands movement. The stool unfolding is equally carried out with a single hands movement.

Background to the invention

Folding stools are known, but sometimes their folding is difficult and leading to the fingers being trapped between the folding elements. Another drawback of the known folding stools is that once they are folded, they use to have irregular and non-parallel surfaces which do not allow placing other objects on said folded stools in a safe and stable way.

Summary of the invention

An aspect of the present invention provides a folding stool that comprises: - a folding flat seat element, of quadrilateral shape; - two folding flat support elements, which extend from two parallel ends of the folding flat seat element, respectively, essentially perpendicularly or quasi-perpendicularly to the folding flat seat element; and - two non-folding flat support elements, which extend from two parallel ends of the folding flat seat element, respectively, essentially perpendicularly or quasi-perpendicularly to the folding flat seat element and are perpendicular or quasi-perpendicular to the folding flat support elements; wherein the folding flat seat element is foldable upon an axis parallel to one of its sides; the folding flat support elements are perpendicular to the folding axis of the folding flat seat element and are foldable upon perpendicular or quasi-perpendicular axis co-planar to the folding axis of the folding flat seat element; said folding flat support elements being movably connected at their ends to the non-folding flat support elements and the non-folding flat support elements being movably connected to two opposed ends of the folding flat seat element, respectively, in such a way that upon folding the folding flat seat element upon its folding axis, the folding flat support elements fold upon their folding axis and the non-folding flat support elements come closer to each other until they abut to each other and all elements remain parallel to each other, thus forming a flat folded stool with parallel exterior surfaces.

A folding stool such as the one previously described has the advantage that it is easily foldable with a single movement, given that when folding the flat seat element, the remaining elements are connected in such a way that they simultaneously fold until they forma flat folded stool. This simplicity in its folding is an advantage given that it avoids the possibility of the fingers being trapped between folding elements. Another advantage is that the stool, in its folded form, has all its elements parallel to each other and in a flat shape, thus making its storage easier when it is not in use, for two reasons: a) by being folded, it occupies less space, and b) by being flat and its elements parallel to each other, other heavy objects can be stored on the folded stool in a stable and lasting way, without fearing that said objects become unbalance and fall or that the stool breaks, given that by having all elements parallel, the folded stool can withstand a greater load balanced on itself.

Optionally, the non-folding flat support elements define a recess in its inner surface in order to house the folding flat support elements when the stool is in its folded form. In this way, the volume occupied by the folded stool is less and a more compact folded stool is achieved that occupies less volume.

Optionally, the folding flat seat element defines two grooves, one at each side of its folding axis. The piece of flat element remaining between both grooves has the function of a handle or grip to facilitate the stool folding when pulling therefrom and to facilitate transporting the stool once folded.

Optionally, the folding flat seat element comprises an anti-slip external surface.

In this way, a greater safety is achieved when using the stool as a support element or when standing upon it to reach high places because it reduces the possibility of slipping on the seat surface. The anti-slip external surface may comprise a texturised surface, for example roughened, with net or diamond patterned reliefs, or with parallel reliefs, etc. The anti-slip surface may also comprise elastomeric type anti-slip elements, for example, a relief with rubber dots (similar to a goalkeeper's glove) or another similar or equivalent configuration. The anti-slip surface may comprise combinations of textures and polymeric materials.

Optionally, the flat support elements define holes or empty spaces without affecting its mechanical resistance. In this way, the total stool weight and the material needed for its manufacture are reduced without affecting its mechanical resistance to withstand loads on its seat.

Optionally, the flat support elements and/or the flat seat element comprise thin-wall elements reinforced with multiple ribs. This type of construction of the elements allows a stool weight and manufacture material reduction without prejudice of its mechanical properties to withstand a load in its seat.

Optionally, the flat support elements comprise an anti-slip material at their base. In this way, the accident probability by unwanted stool slipping when there is somebody standing on it is reduced. As an anti-slip material example, the support elements may comprise rubber pads at their base.

The folding flat support elements and/or the folding flat seat element preferably comprise hinges and pins to implement their folding.

The flat seat element is preferably connected to the non-foldable flat support 10 elements by means of hinges and pins.

The flat folding and non-folding support elements are preferably connected by means of live hinges, located on the inner side of said flat elements. In this way, the folded stool is more compact and easy to store, given that said live hinges do not protrude from the flat support elements when the stool is folded. Another incentive for providing live hinges is that the stool is aesthetically more stylised and sleek.

Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a folding stool according to the present invention, in an unfolded 20 configuration.

Figure 2 shows the folding stool of Figure 1 in a folded configuration.

Detailed description of the figures

Figure 1 shows a folding stool (1) that comprises a folding flat seat element (3), of quadrilateral shape; two folding flat support elements (5), which extend from two parallel ends (7) from the folding flat seat element (3), respectively, essentially perpendicularly or quasi-perpendicularly to the folding flat seat element (3); and two non-folding flat support elements (9), which extend from two parallel ends (11) of the folding flat seat element (3), respectively, essentially perpendicularly or quasi-perpendicularly to the folding flat seat element (3) and are perpendicular or quasi-perpendicular to the folding flat support elements (5).

The folding flat seat element (3) is foldable upon an axis (13) parallel to one of its s sides.

The folding flat support elements (5) are perpendicular to the flat seat element (3) folding axis (13) and are foldable upon axis 915) perpendicular or quasi-perpendicular an co-planar to the folding axis (13) of the flat seat element (3) Said folding flat support elements (5) are connected with live hinges at their ends to the non-folding flat support elements (9) and the non-folding flat support elements (9) are connected with hinges (17) to two opposed ends (11) of the folding flat seat element (3), respectively, in such a way that upon folding the folding flat seat element (3) upon its folding axis (13), the folding flat support elements (5) fold upon their folding axes (15) and the non-folding flat support elements (9) come closer to each other until they abut to each other and all elements remain parallel to each other, thus forming a flat folded stool (1') with parallel exterior surfaces (19) (See Figure 2).

The non-folding flat support elements (9) define a recess (21) in its inner surface in order to house the folding flat support elements (5) when the stool is in its folded form.

The folding flat seat element (3) defines two grooves (23), one at each side of its folding axis (13). The piece of flat element (25) remaining between both grooves (23) has the function of a handle or grip to facilitate the stool (1) folding when pulling therefrom and to facilitate transporting the stool (1') once folded.

The folding flat seat element (3) comprises an anti-slip external surface (27) texturised with a cell network relief.

The flat support elements (5, 9) define holes or empty spaces (29) without prejudice to their mechanical resistance. In this way, the total stool weight and the material needed for its manufacture are reduced without affecting its mechanical resistance to withstand loads on its seat.

The flat support elements (5, 9) and/or the flat seat element (3) comprise thin-wall elements (31) reinforced with multiple ribs (33) in a honeycomb pattern.

The flat support elements (5, 9) comprise rubber pads (35) at their base as anti-slip material.

The folding flat support elements (5) and/or the flat seat element (3) preferably comprise hinges and pins (37) to carry out their folding.

The flat seat element (3) is preferably connected to two non-folding flat support elements (9) by means of hinges and pins (37).

The folding flat support elements (5) and the non-folding flat support elements (9) are preferably connected by means of live hinges, located on the inner side of said flat elements (5, 9).

All elements of this folding stool are manufactured by injection moulding of high-impact polystyrene, in this case, although other thermoplastics and even other materials and manufacturing methods are also feasible.

Claims

Claims 1 Folding stool (1) that comprises: - a folding flat seat element (3), of quadrilateral shape; - two folding flat support elements (5), which extend from two parallel ends (7) of the folding flat seat element (3), respectively, essentially perpendicularly or quasi-perpendicularly to the folding flat seat element (3); and - two non-folding flat support elements (9), which extend from two parallel ends (11) of the folding flat seat element (3), respectively, essentially perpendicularly or quasi-perpendicularly to the folding flat seat element (3) and are perpendicular or quasi-perpendicular to the folding flat support elements (5); wherein the folding flat seat element (3) is foldable upon an axis (13) parallel to one of its sides; the folding flat support elements (5) are perpendicular to the folding axis (13) of the folding flat seat element (3) and are foldable upon perpendicular or quasi-perpendicular axis (15) co-planar to the folding axis (13) of the folding flat seat element (3); said folding flat support elements (5) being movably connected at their ends to the non-folding flat support elements (9) and the non-folding flat support elements being movably connected to two opposed ends of the folding flat seat element (3), respectively, in such a way that upon folding the folding flat seat element (3) upon its folding axis (13), the folding flat support elements (5) fold upon their folding axis (15) and the non-folding flat support elements (9) come closer to each other until they abut to each other and all flat elements (3, 5, 9) remain parallel to each other, thus forming a flat folded stool (1') with parallel exterior surfaces (19).
2. Folding stool (1) according to claim 1 wherein the non-folding flat support elements (9) define a recess or volume (21) in its inner surface in order to house the folding flat support elements (5) when the stool is in its folded form (1').
3. Folding stool (1) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the folding flat seat element (3) defines two grooves (23), one at each side of its folding axis (13) and the piece of flat element (25) remaining between both grooves (23) has the function of a handle or grip to facilitate the stool (1) folding when pulling therefrom and to facilitate transporting the stool, once folded (1').
4. Folding stool (1) according to any precedent claim wherein the flat seat element (3) comprises an anti-slip external surface (27).
5. Folding stool (1) according to any precedent claim wherein the flat support elements (5, 9) define holes or empty spaces (29).
6. Folding stool (1) according to any precedent claim wherein the flat support elements (5, 9) and/or the flat seat element (3) comprise thin-wall elements (31) reinforced with ribs (33).
7. Folding stool (1) according to any precedent claim wherein the flat support elements (5, 9) comprise at their base an anti-slip material.
8. Folding stool (1) according to any precedent claim wherein the flat support elements (5, 9) and/or the flat seat element (3) comprise hinges and pins (37).
9. Folding stool (1) according to any precedent claim wherein the flat seat element (3) is connected to the non-folding flat support elements (9) by means of hinges and pins (37).
10. Folding stool (1) according to any precedent claim wherein the folding flat support elements (5) and the non-folding flat support elements (9) are connected with live hinges located in the inner face of said flat elements.