GB2591273A

GB2591273A - A chair device

Info

Publication number: GB2591273A
Application number: GB2000997.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: White Vivien
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-01-23
Filing date: 2020-01-23
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-23
Also published as: GB2591273B; GB202000997D0

Abstract

The convertible device has a first configuration as a contained transport bag for a folded chair, and a second configuration of a seat cover for the seat of an unfolded chair. In the second configuration a blanket panel 3 extends from the cover 1 and has a free end while being arrangeable to cover a sitting user’s lap. An outer face of the cover 1 may be waterproof. There may be two blankets 3. The blanket 3 may be removably attached to the cover 1 by poppers. A covering layer 4 may extend from a side of the cover 1 to overlay the cover 1 and blanket 3 in the first configuration. The blanket 3 may provide warmth to a user who may be elderly or infirm. The first configuration allows a carry pack to transport the chair, cover and blanket to a remote outdoor location to prevent sitting on the ground.

Description

A CHAIR DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a chair device, in particular a device for portable chairs; more particularly but not exclusively a device for use with a portable outdoor chair.

Background

Increasing numbers of people in many societies are enjoying being outdoors, and travel and picnics and associate outdoor activities.

An increasing number of these people are elderly or infirm, and may be otherwise 15 disinclined to sit on the ground.

As a result many such people are liable to use portable chairs. These can be difficult to transport when not in use.

Prior Art

WO 2010 128 180 (CANO) discloses a cover bag for folding seats embodied in the form of a padded surface with portions that cover the base and the back of the seat, and there are means for connection to said back, which is placed between two flaps.

The first flap is connected via the lateral end thereof to the part of the surface that covers the back whilst the second flap has one of the lateral ends thereof connected to the first flap. Both flaps comprise means for closure in the folded configuration and a cord for closing and gripping the bag on one of the end sides. The cover comprises means for connecting to the base of the seat, especially an elastic strap, and an extension of the part of the surface which covers said base and has at least one pocket.

US 5 326 152 (BARON) discloses a cover for a folding lawn chair is provided to allow a person to conveniently carry the folding lawn chair as well as to increase comfort 35 when the person is using the lawn chair. The cover may include an enveloped or flapped portion on each on its ends into which each end of the lawn chair can be situated. The cover thus remains in position on the lawn regardless of wind and movement by the user. The cover further includes a strap to accommodate convenient carrying of the lawn chair. The cover may finally include a pillow positioned at the head portion of the cover, a pocket for carrying magazines and other accessories, and an insulated receptacle for carrying and holding beverages such as soda and beer.

US 4 273 380 (SILVESTRI) discloses a beach accessory in the form of a combined beach towel--chair cover--tote bag, comprising an elongated strip of absorbent towelling having substantially superimposed pockets on its opposite major surfaces at one end, at least one of said pockets being large enough to store the entire length of towelling not covered by the pockets, said pockets opening inwardly of the towelling and having stringing through casings along their free edges to allow closure thereof to form a tote bag for said towelling and other articles to be carried, said free edges, when said stringing therein are not under tension, running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said towelling and being of substantially the same length as the width of said towelling adjacent said free edges, said accessary further comprising tucks in said towelling near said pockets, said tucks defining the corners of a fold adapted to fit said accessory to the back of a chair or chaise lounge, while allowing said pockets to hang from said back to provide storage, said tucks being short enough and said fold being narrow enough to allow said accessory to be placed substantially flat on a flat surface.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing 25 devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a chair device adapted to provide a contained transport bag for a folded chair when the device is in a first configuration, and a seat cover for the seat of an unfolded chair when the device is in a second configuration, characterised in that in the second configuration at least one blanket has an end associated with the cover and a free end that is arrangeable to extend parallel the seat of the chair so as to cover a user sitting in the seat.

In some embodiments the cover is arranged or arrangeable to cover the back of the unfolded chair also.

In some embodiments the cover provides padding for the seat.

In some embodiments the device comprises a securement means for the first configuration for example wherein the cover may have an opposing outer face, which may be different material sewn or bonded to the cover. The outer face may be envisaged to comprise a handle and the securement mechanism. For example the securement mechanism may comprise strapping comprising a means of securing the strapping together to maintain the device in the first configuration.

The chair may be envisaged to be a tripod or four-legged folding chair, arranged to collapse around a central axis. In this way the first configuration may be envisaged 15 to comprise a rolled position about the collapsed chair, such that the ends of the collapsed chair extend or are accessible from the open ends of the rolled device.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a means of closing one or both of the open ends such that the user is not dirtied by the chair when carried.

The outer face may further comprise handles or straps, particularly the shoulder straps, such that the shoulder straps are beneath the cover when the device is being used for a seat cover in the second configuration.

The securement mechanism may be envisaged to be used to maintain the device in the first configuration, rolled around the chair.

This securement mechanism in some embodiments may provide a substantially continuous and/or watertight bag around the folded chair.

This securement mechanism may further comprise a zipper, ferromagnetic means, press studs buttons or other temporary means to close the bag.

In some embodiments the device may comprise an attachment mechanism for 35 attachment of the device to the unfolded chair when the cover is in the second configuration.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a flexible mechanism, for example straps or similar so as to allow for variations in the chairs, which straps may comprise connectors to each other or to the chair.

In some embodiments the cover may be envisaged to be substantially rectangular, for example elongate to cover the seat and the back of the chair in the second configuration, and may roll or fold to cover the folded chair in the first configuration.

The securement means for example may comprise a zipper around the edges of the cover.

The device may substantially comprise two opposing faces which may be envisaged to comprise different materials, coatings or finishes. For example the cover, which 15 will be facing the user when seated, and the folded chair in the first configuration, may be envisaged to be arranged for contact, for example fleece.

In some embodiments the cover may be detached from the device for cleaning purposes.

The outer face of the device may be substantially provided by a waterproof or more robust finish, which contacts the chair in the second configuration and provides the outer face for the cover in the first configuration.

In some embodiments the device may comprise two blankets. The blankets may extend from a side of the cover or on the inner face, and are envisaged to be substantially parallel the cover in use.

The blankets thereby allow the user to cover over themselves when seated. In some 30 embodiments the blankets are solely related to the seat, in others the back additionally.

The blanket or blankets may be arranged to displace from the cover for cleaning purposes.

The blanket or blankets may be envisaged to comprise a closure means, which closure means allows the blanket or blankets to be closed over and/or around a user sat in the chair.

The device, cover or at least one blanket may comprise a covering layer. This covering layer may be envisaged to provide a covering layer over the cover or the blanket. In this way the covering layer may be envisaged to provide a layer between the blanket or blankets and/or the cover and the chair in the first configuration, so as to prevent soiling of the cover and/or blankets.

Additionally or alternatively the covering layer may be envisaged to provide a waterproof covering layer over the cove, blanket(s) and seated user.

The covering layer may be envisaged to be displaceable from the cover and/or 15 blanket(s), but may be permanently bonded or seamed to the outer and may comprise a fastening means for fastening the covering layer out of the way, for example rolled or folded, when the covering layer has been displaced.

The covering layer 4 may be envisaged to be a waterproof layer.

In some embodiments the device comprises one or more storage compartments. Such compartments may be envisaged to be used in any of the three configurations, and in some embodiments may be used in more than one configuration of the device. The compartments may comprise closure means, which closure means allows the user to close the compartments and may provide a locking means.

In some embodiments the compartments may comprise pockets, which pockets may be envisaged to have zipper, ferromagnetic or button closure means.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a holder for the chair in the second configuration, so as to limit its movement within the device. For example internal straps or bungees.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example 35 only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the 5 present invention flattened in the second configuration; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in the second configuration; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in the second configuration in use on a chair; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in the first configuration; And Figure 5 shows a sketch of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in a partially unfolded position.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device generally comprising a chair device 99 adapted to provide a contained transport bag for a folded chair when the device is in a first configuration as shown in Figure 3, and a cover 1 for the seat of an unfolded chair 105 when the device is in a second configuration, characterised in that in the second configuration at least one blanket 3 has an end associated with the cover 1 and a free end that is arrangeable to extend parallel the seat of the chair 105.

The embodiment pictured provides a convenient and functional wraparound carrier device for folding beach chairs and is dual-purpose; namely a carrier device in the first configuration and a seat covering device in the second configuration.

The embodiment in the second configuration has a built-in blanket 3, more particularly two blankets secured to and extending inwards from sides of the cover.

The aim of the embodiment is to make it easier for the user to carry and store the beach chair, without having to squeeze it back into a static storage bag. The embodiments are simply wrapped around a folded chair, having two open ends A,B through which the chair passes and/or is accessible when the embodiment is in the first configuration.

The embodiment can also be envisaged to be used as a beach mat if required, and has storage allowing the user to store personal items safely.

The embodiment has two parallel faces comprising different materials, sewn along the perimeters An outer face 6 has a waterproof fabric that is durable and lightweight such as 15 polyester or Nylon (RTM).

Both the inner face that provides the cover 1 and the blankets 3 are instead a soft polyester fleece. Both the cover and the blankets are temporarily attached to the outer face 6 using poppers 14, so that the cover and the blankets may be detached 20 and washed.

As seen in Figure 1 the overall shape of the embodiment, as defined predominantly by the cover 1, when laid flat in the second configuration is envisaged to be a long rectangle with a tab 2 extending above the blankets 3 at one end, to wrap around the beach chair as well as lay over the full back, seat and legs of the chair for full coverage in the second configuration.

The width of the cover 1 is enough to sit within the width of the chair as well as to fully envelop the chair when being carried, wherein the long edges of the cover 30 comprise two long blankets 3 extending inwards towards each other in use, and two covering layers 4 arranged to overlay the cover in the first configuration.

The covering layers 4 are rolled and fastened, using elastic strings 5 and toggles 10 extending from the cover one on side of the covering layer and from the outer face on 35 the other side of the covering layer, forming bulky side edges to the cover 1 when rolled to either side that advantageously provides an enclosed seating space. The layers 4 are unrolled for use to cover the blanket 3, cover 1 and user when seated in case of showers.

At one end of the device in the first configuration there is provided a cap 11, with an 5 elasticated mouth, which mouth enables the cap 11 to be placed over the feet of the collapsed chair 105 so as to ensure that the feet of the chair, which in use in the first configuration may be envisaged to point downwards from the user's back, are not capable of dirtying the user. The cap 11 is tethered to a strap, more particular looped on temporarily. The other end of the rolled device is open, but may also comprise a 10 cap 11.

The device comprises a detachable pocket (not shown) with poppers to the outer face near a side seam, for storage and transport in the second configuration, which may be displaced for use in the first configuration.

In the first configuration the outer face is rolled round the cover, blankets and covering layers, so as to form a bundle that may be secured with the securing means. The securing means comprises lateral webbing straps 7 secured at either end and longitudinal sewn webbing strapping 8. The straps 7 are discontinuous and comprise the backpack shoulder straps in the second configuration, sharing interconnecting endmost resiliently deformable clip parts 9. The straps are capable of length adjustment.

The strapping 8 is discontinuous, and predominantly sewn to the outer face 6 25 extends from the ends of the outer face sharing interconnecting endmost resiliently deformable clip parts 9, so as to enable the rolled device in the second configuration to be fastened together.

Reinforcement using these substantial webbing strapping 8 gives structure to the 30 area that the carry straps come from. This will ensure the structure of the embodiment remains intact when being used in the first configuration.

The cover 1 has two fasten-over blankets 3 sewn into its edges so that the user can remain warm and comfortable when sat in the seat.

The material colour palettes allow for individual parts to be easily differentiated.

It may be envisaged that hardware and fastening components will be predominately be in plastic e.g. adjustors, clips etc. Metal eyelets and rivets will be used where appropriate also. Fastening and securing means may comprise buttons, poppers 5 (snap-fasteners), toggles and zippers.

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 as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 10 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1 A device adapted to provide a contained transport bag for a folded chair when the device is in a first configuration, and a seat cover for the seat of an unfolded chair when the device is in a second configuration, characterised in that in the second configuration at least one blanket has an end associated with the cover and a free end that is dimensioned and arranged to extend parallel to the seat of the chair so as to cover a user when sitting in the seat.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises an outer face which is waterproof.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 comprising two blankets arranged to extend inwards from sides of the cover.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one blanket is displaceably attached to the cover using poppers.
5. A device according to any preceding claim comprising a covering layer arranged to extend from one or more sides of the cover so as to overlay the cover and at least one blanket in the first configuration.Claims 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.A device for a chair including a cover and at least one blanket, the device adapted to provide a contained transport bag for a folded chair when the device is in a first configuration, and a cover for the seat of an unfolded chair when the device is in a second configuration, characterised in that when in the second configuration the at least one blanket has an end associated with the cover and a free end that is dimensioned and arranged to extend parallel to the seat of the chair so as to cover a user when sitting in the seat and at least one covering layer arranged to extend from a side of the cover so as to overlay the cover and/or the at least one blanket.A device according to claim 1 wherein the cover comprises an outer face which is waterproof.A device according to claim 1 or 2 comprising two blankets arranged to extend inwards from opposed sides of the cover.A device according to claim 3 comprising two covering layers extending from opposed sides of the cover.A device according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one blanket is displaceably attached to the cover using poppers.
A device according to any preceding claim including a securement means for arranging the device in the first configuration.
A device according to claim 6 wherein the securement means may comprise a zipper, ferromagnetic means, press studs buttons or other temporary means to arrange the device in the first configuration.
A device according to any preceding claim wherein the cover has an outer face with a handle.
A device according to any preceding claim wherein the cover has an outer face with a strap.
10. A device according to any preceding claim including one or more storage compartments.
11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the storage compartments include closure means.
12. A device according to any preceding claim including a holder for the chair when in the second configuration, so as to limit its movement.
13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the holder comprises internal straps or bungees.