US20120098320A1

US20120098320A1 - Collapsible Chair

Info

Publication number: US20120098320A1
Application number: US12/910,101
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Marion Martin, JR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-22
Filing date: 2010-10-22
Publication date: 2012-04-26

Abstract

A chair that can be collapsible, folded and disposable and comprising of a series of sub-segments that are arranged to provide stability and support to the person sitting on the chair. The segments are attached to each other in a way that they create an interdependent support structure. The chair segment comprise of a rectangular shape that has a diagonal cross member that provides static support to a force that is parallel to the cross member support and collapsible to a force perpendicular to the cross member support. The series of chair segments are attached in an arrangement as to provide static support to the force parallel and perpendicular to the arrangement of the cross member sections. The chair segments are arranged so that one interlocking mechanism between the chair segments arrangement is requirement to complete the functional state of the chair.

Description

REFERENCES CITED


U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,556,253	December 1985	Geneve et al.
D555,925	November 2007	Mercs
6,193,307	February 2001	Lin
6,899,383	May 2005	Hwang
6,896,322	May 2005	Foy
6,755,468	June 2004	Pan
6,547,321	April 2003	Wu
6,394,541	May 2002	Wegner
6,364,409	April 2002	Saul et al.
6,106,056	August 2000	Wegner

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

	CN201115537	September 2008	Bingwei Tan

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (SECTION PARA-PHASED FROM U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,253)

There have been many attempts in the prior art to fabricate lightweight chairs and other furniture items from Lightweight, disposable, recyclable material. While the resulting prior art are products that provide light weight structures, they due not provide the structural strength and durability that the current invention can provide through the assembly of the rectangular chair segments.
There is no prior art in the field of foldable, collapsible, and disposable chairs that provide an ease of assembly, provide structure support to support a person of substantial size, and provide ease of disassembly. The invention described unfolds and needs only one latch type connection to be in the fully unfolded state. The prototype of the invention described was able to support the inventor with a weight of 240 pounds and with the feet and legs completely elevated from the floor. The invention described was returned to its folded state with only the connecting latch assembly detached.
In the current marketplace, there is no single-use, lightweight, portable chair which is fabricated from a single, material to form a chair that is inexpensive, simple to manufacture, can be easily set up and knocked down, is easy to carry, and is ergonomically comfortable.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide such type of chair which is economic even from a single-use point of view for outdoor festivals, special events, or any other situation in which large crowds gather for a relatively short period of time where there is no immediate seating readily available. Such use extends to campgrounds, parks, garden parties, barbecues, picnics, beach usage, and the like, where it is desirable to provide inexpensive seating for limited use and which may be conveniently disposed-of when desired, or knocked down to flat form for transport and storage. Another important use is for children's furniture as children, during growth years, needs various sizes of furniture before being able to be comfortable in adult-sized furniture. In addition, this type of furniture would be useful in children's playrooms or parties as it will save wear and soiling of other household furniture.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of furniture, and more particularly to folding, collapsible, recyclable and portable chairs and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an article of furniture, and more particularly to a lightweight chair made from sheet material which is collapsible for easy storing and carrying, yet which is simple to manufacture and set up and sufficiently inexpensive to be disposable, preferably in a manner in which its materials can be recycled. The unfolded, erected condition which includes a seat and a back support.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved folding, collapsible, disposable and recyclable chair that provides improved structural support and comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—Collapsible Chair in Unfolded State

FIG. 2—Collapsible Chair in Folded State

FIG. 3—Collapsible Chair in Partially Unfolded State

- FIG. 4—Collapsible Chair in Unfolded State showing:
  - Chair Segment (1),
  - Seat Top Assembly (2),
  - Seat Structure (3),
  - Back Support Assembly (4),
  - and Latch Connection (5)

FIG. 5—Folded Chair Segment

FIG. 6—Partially Unfolded Chair Segment, Showing Cross Member Panel

FIG. 7—Unfolded Chair Segment

FIG. 8—View of the Connection of Chair Structure Segments

FIG. 9—Top View of Chair Structure

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 a collapsible, foldable, disposable, recyclable chair in accordance with the invention is composed of a plurality of chair segments (1), an attached seat platform (2) a completed chair base (3), a back support structure (4), and a latch interlocking structure (5).
Referring to FIG. 8 the present invention is based on a plurality of chair segments that exists in a folded state (FIG. 2) and transition to an unfolded operational state (FIG. 4). Referring to FIG. 7, the chair segment is a rectangular panel structure with a diagonal cross member. In the unfolded state, the chair segment can resist a compressive force applied parallel to the cross member section. The chair segments are arranged to have cross section members are perpendicular and provide support to parallel and perpendicular expansive and compressive forces applied to the sides of the chair segment.
Referring to FIG. 2, the present invention in presented in the folded state when not in use and for transport. Referring the FIG. 3, the present invention is presented in a transition state showing the arrangement of the chair segment to form the chair structure. Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention is in the unfolded state as to show the latch mechanism that completes the transition to the unfolded state.
Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention has a back support structure (4) attached to the chair structure.
Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the chair segments are shown in the manner of the connecting segments to create the chair structure in the partially unfolded state referring to FIG. 3.
From the above description, it is noted that the invention has the following advantages:

- - 1. The chair structure provides a high degree of strength and stability for the thin walled material that can be used in the construction of the present invention.
  - 2. The user's weight can be evenly distributed among the chair segments that comprise the chair structure.
  - 3. The present invention can be constructed from a variety of materials (plastic, cardboard, etc.)

Claims

1. A chair composed of a seat portion that provides a flat surface for a sitting person and a back support portion that provides additional back rest support to a sitting person comprising of a plurality of collapsible and foldable rectangular structures incorporating diagonal cross panels that provide static structure support for compressive force applied parallel to the cross member panel segments arranged and attached so as to create a stable-support structure for a sitting person in the unfolded state.

2. The Chair according to claim 1 is composed of collapsible and foldable structural segments that are arranged and attached in a manner that are compact in the folded state and provide static structural support to expansive and compressive forces in three axis when completely deployed to the unfolded state when a locking latch panel is engaged.