US3817574A - Portable container and seating device - Google Patents

Abstract

A combined seating and container device including a pair of units positioned in a back-to-back relationship, each including opposing side and end walls and a bottom wall to define an opentopped container, a hinge means interconnecting the units adjacent the bottom walls, while releasable fasteners hold the opposite ends together when the unit is to be transported, allowing the units to be pivoted about the hinge means to an alternate position in which they are at an oblique angle such that one unit serves as a seat and the other as a back.

Description

United States Patent [191 McNab PORTABLE CONTAINER AND SEATING DEVICE [76] Inventor: Donald W. McNab, c/o W. Braun Company, 6912 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, Calif. 90028 221 Filed: Aug. 25, 1972 21 App1.No.:28 3,838

[52] US. Cl 297/188, D6/47, 150/12,

190/8, 297/17, 297/378 [51] Int. Cl A47c 7/62, A47c 13/00 [58] Field of Search 297/188, 191, 192, 17,

297/252, 255, 382, 378, 380, 118; 190/8, 42; 150/12, 3; 16/DIG. 13; 5/344, 341; D6/47 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 168,402 10/1885 Laumonier 190/8 2,270,598 l/1942 Morgan 190/42 X 3,092,224 6/1963 ONeil 190/8 3,323,151 6/1967 Lerman 297/378 [111 3,817,574 [4 June 18, 1974 3,346,298 10/1967 Champion 297/382 X 3 ,422,938 1/ 1969 Worcester 297/378 3,451,613 6/1969 Vande Sande .4 150/12 3,558,039 1/1971 Schmidt 150/12 3,629,901 12/1971 Wolf 16/150 3,669,496 6/1972 Chisolm 297/378 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard F. Carr 1 57 1 ABSTRACT A combined seating and container device including a pair of units positioned in a back-to-back relationship, each including opposing side and end walls and a bottom wall to define an open-topped container, a hinge means interconnecting the units adjacent the bottom walls, while releasable fasteners hold the opposite ends together when the unit is to be transported, a1- lowing the units to be pivoted about the hinge means to an alternate position in which they are at an oblique angle such that one unit serves as a seat and the other as a back.

24 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PM TE Jim W SHEET 2 0F 3 1 PORTABLE CONTAINER AND SEATING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to a combined portable container and seating device.

2. Description of the Prior Art For outings to the beach, picnics and on other occasions where seating is not available, portable backrests and seating devices frequently are used. On such occasions, it may be necessary also to transport food, drinks, towels, lotion, cameras and other items. Generally,-this requires a separate basket or other container in addition to the backrest device, with attendant inconvenience and awkwardness in taking both.

The backrest and seating devices of the prior art have lacked the combination of low cost, durability and light weight inherently desirable in such products. Some have been unduly complex and expensive and may be difficult to set up. Those of lower cost tend to be flimsy and short lived. Lack of comfort is another common shortcoming, many such devices not providing an elevated seat, and serving only as a backrest. Frequently, there is a rigid member, such as a crossbar, at the forward edge of the seat portion in a position where it is engaged by the underside of the thigh of the occupant.

This rigid crossbar soon becomes uncomfortable.

Some devices previously proposed have incorporated a receptacle arrangement in combination with a seating or backrest device. However, these have required emptying all of the contents of the receptacle at the time the deviceis set up as a backrest or seating unit. In other words, they can function either as a backrest or receptacle, but not both at the same time.

Examples of prior-art devices are found in US. Pat. Nos. 2,733,755, 2,915,154, 3,088,773, 3,179,465, 3,330,600 and Des. 167,514 and French patent 1,364,052. I

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a low-cost, yet durable, seating and receptacle device adapted for mass production but of plastic material. It converts in moments from a conveniently held portable container to a seating unit without sacrificing its capability as a receptacle. This, it can serve simultaneously as a seating and receptacle device.

The unit of this invention is made up of two identical sections, each of which has a pair of opposed sidewalls,

end walls and a bottom wall. The top of each is open so that two receptacles are provided by the two units. Beneath the bottom wall are extensions of the inner sidewalls which are interconnected outwardly of flexible portions of reduced thickness which act as a hinge arrangement. In the portable position, snap. fasteners at the upper ends of the inner sidewalls are engaged to hold the two units together. These fasteners easily are pulled apart when the unit is to be converted to the seating position. Openings through the upper ends of the sidewalls, together with a handle arrangement, allow the unit to be carried conveniently. When it is opened up, the two bottom walls, which are at acute angles to the transverse dimension, are brought into interengagement. This positions the two units at an obtuse angle, so that one can serve as theseat, while the other acts as the backrest. The outer edge of the inner BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the device of this invention in the folded position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device opened up as a seating unit;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom portion of one of the units making up the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the keying arrangement to align the two units;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, illustrating one section of the releasable fasteners;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view illustrating the hinge construction, with the assembly in the closed position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to bly opened;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a modified hinge arrangement; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the releasable fasteners to hold the assembly in the opened position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The device of this invention, as illustrated, is a twopiece assembly made up of identical sections 10 of molded plastic construction. Each section 10 includes a flat inner sidewall l l, opposite which is an outer sidewall 12 of smaller overall dimensions. Identical end walls 13 and 14 interconnect the sidewalls 11 and 12. There is, in addition, a bottom wall 15. As a result, each unit 10 defines a compartment 16 which is open at the top, as the device is shown in FIG. 1. When the assembly is in the closed position shown in this figure, the two units 10 are in a back-to-back relationship, with the sidewalls 11 in adjacency.

The two units 10 are connected together along extensions 17 of the sidewalls 11, which project downwardly beyond the bottom walls 15. As shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 6, a sonic weld 18 may be used as the means of connection. Alignment of the two sections 10 is achieved by a key 19 and keyway 20 formed on the surface 21 of each sidewall 11 at its extension 17 (see FIG. 3). The key 19 is spaced from the keyway 20, and at a spacing from the end wall 14 equal to the distance of the keyway 20 from the end wall 13. As a result, when the surface 21. of one unit 10 is superimposed on the surface 21 of the other, and the sidewalls 11 are in registry, the keys 19 enter the keyways 20, preventing relative lateral movement of the two units 10. This facilitates manufacture by helping to assure precise alignment at the time the sonic weld 18 is made.

FIG. 6, but with the assemlnwardly of the weld 18 are lateral grooves 22 in the surfaces 23 of the extensions 17, which provide reduced thickness to impart flexibility. These portions bend when the assembly is opened up from the closed position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 2.

Snap fasteners provide a temporary attachment of the units at the upper end opposite from the bottom walls 15. Each unit 10 is provided with a snap fastener socket 24 and a snap fastener protrusion 25 on the surface 21 of the sidewall 11. The snap fastener sections 24 and 25 may be molded integrally with the sidewall 11, and are equidistant from their respective adjacent side edges of the wall 11. As a result, when the two units 10 are aligned and secured together by the sonic weld 18, there is a socket 24 of one of the units 10 directly opposite the protrusion 25 of the other unit 10. Even though the parts 10 are identical, the two fastener sections will assume the proper relationship when the units 10 are assembled.

Beneath the snap fastener components 24 and 25 are laterally elongated openings 26 through the sidewalls 11 of the units 10. These openings are in registry when the unit is in its closed position of FIG. 1, permitting a hand to be extended through the openings 26 so that the unit can be carried. Rounded lateral protrusions 27, on the surfaces 23 of the sidewalls 11 immediately above the openings 26, cooperate to provide a gripping portion which is comfortably engaged by the hand when the unit is to be lifted.

When in the closed position of FIGS. 1 and 4, the device of this invention is readily carried and provides two convenient compartments 16 for transporting articles. Being made of plastic, the unit is light in weight and, therefore, easily handled. The compartments are deep and, hence, safe to carry objects without danger of their falling out.

The major portion of the outer sidewall 12 of the unit 10 diverges upwardly away from the inner sidewall 11. However, the outer sidewall 12 includes an upper edge portion 28 which is parallel to the opposite sidewall 11. This helps hold objects at the top of the compartment 16. In addition, the upper edges 29 and 30 of the end walls 13 and 14 are downwardly curved. This allows an object to be laid across the top of the unit, engaging the upper edges 29 and 30 of the end walls, and paralleling the sidewall 11 and the upper edge 28 of the sidewall 12, if the object is too long to fit within one of the compartments 16.

The unit easily converts to the seat and backrest shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. When this is done, the upper ends of the two units are separated as the snap fasteners are pulled apart. The sections 22 of reduced thickness flex as the unit is opened up, allowing the parts to be bent until the two bottom walls 15 are brought into interengagement. These walls include inset portions 31 adjacent the sidewalls 11, which provide clearance for the extensions 17 of those sidewalls. The bottom walls 15 slope downwardly from a position just above the grooves 22 to their junctures with the outer sidewalls 12. Typically, the bottom walls 15 are at a 30 angle to a plane perpendicular to the inner sidewalls 11. As a result of this construction, the two units 10 form an oblique angle when the bottom walls 15 are in abutment and the unit is opened up.

One of the units 10 rests upon the supporting surface 31, while the other is at a comfortable angle for serving as a backrest. The weight of the occupant on the sidewall 11 of the unit 10 positioned on the supporting surface 31 stabilizes the unit so that it will not tip over when the sidewall 11 of the other unit 10 is leaned against. The compartments 16 do not even need to be emptied when the unit is opened up. There is an upward inclination to the edge portion 28 of the outer sidewall 12 engaging the supporting surface 31. This helps prevent sand or dirt from being scooped into the compartment 16 of that unit when the device is moved around.

The outer sidewall 12 may be given a slight are about an axis parallel to what is the vertical dimension of this wall when the unit is standing up. This arc provides some convexity to the outer surface of the sidewall 12, and facilitates swiveling of the unit on the supporting surface 31 by reducing resistance to such movement.

The outer edge portion of the opposite inner sidewall 11 extends beyond the arcuate edges 29 and 30 of the end walls 13 and 14. This provides a cantilevered portion which is yieldable so that it will bend under the weight of the person occupying the unit. This bending occurs beneath the thigh and makes the unit considerably more comfortable, avoiding the presence of a rigid bar or other unyielding element in the support. How ever, in order to prevent the end walls 13 and 14 and the opposite sidewall 12 from experiencing excessive deformation under the weight of the occupant, ribs 32 and 33 may be formed in these walls along their inner surfaces and toward the upper edges thereof.

Following its use as the seat and backrest, the unit again is readily converted to a portable container by merely moving the two inner sidewalls 11 into adjacency and securing the snap fasteners.

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified form of the hinge, in which, instead of using a sonic weld 18, a split tube 34 is provided along the extensions of the sidewalls 11. The opposite longitudinal edges 35 and 36 of the tube 34 bear inwardly against recessed portions 37 in the outer faces of the extensions of the sidewalls 11. This retains the tube upon the device, while the recesses 37 provide areas of reduced wall thickness which will flex to allow the unit to be opened up. The tube 34 is flattened along its sides so as to be generally U-shaped in cross section. This minimizes its size and the amount of recessing of the bottom wall 15 necessary to provide clearance when the assembly is opened up.

.A releasable fastening may be included for holding the assembly in the opened position of FIG. 2. This will prevent the upwardly inclined unit 10 from pivoting about the hinge toward the closed position until it is desired for such movement to take place. The fastening for this purpose may be in the form of snap fasteners on the bottom walls 15 of the two units 10, as shown in FIG. 10. Each wall 15 is provided with an integral snap fastener protrusion 38 and socket 39. Similar to the arrangement for the snap fastener components 24 and 25, the snap fastener protrusions 38 are aligned with the sockets 39, and both have the same spacing from the outer edges of the wall 15. As a result, each protrusion 38 will mate properly with a socket 39 when the two units are assembled. The fasteners interengage when the assembly is opened up, yet are readily releasable to permit folding to the closed position.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

a duality of units,

each of said units having first and second walls in opposed relationship, and means interconnecting said opposed walls sothat each of said units defines a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, saidreleasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which said first walls are in adjacency, said. units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said first walls of said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, each of said units having an abutment means, i said. abutment means being normally remote from each other but brought into interengagement when said units are in said second position for preventing movement of said units beyond said secondv position, each of said units beingadapted for positioning said secondwall thereof on a supporting surface and bearing. theweight of an occupant seat'edon said first wall'thereof.

2; A. device as recited in claim 1 in which said units are identical.

3, Adevice as recited in claim 2 in which said hinge means includes extensions of said adjacent walls beyond said bottom ends thereof, and means connecting the outerporti'ons of said extensions together, said extensions having. flexible portions inwardly of said connecting. means.

4..A portable. seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units,

each of said units having opposed walls, and definingia compartment, hingelmeans connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, said hinge'means including extensions of said adjacent walls beyond saidbottom ends thereof, and means connecting the outer portions of said extensions together,

said extensions having sections of reduced thickness inwardly of said connecting means for providing said extensions with flexible portions inwardly of said connecting means,

and releasable fastening means connecting said unitstogether remotefrom said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in'a first position in which two of said walls'are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means uponrelease of said fastening means to a second positionin which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other. 55 A device as recited in claim 4 in which, for providmgsaid sections of reduced thickness, a groove is formedin'each of said extensions in the surface thereof remote from the other of said extensions.

6. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said units are made of plastic material, and in which said connecting means is a sonic weld.

7. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said two walls have openings therethrough remote from said bottom ends thereof, said openings being in registry when said units are in said first position to enable a hand to be extended through said openings for use in carrying said units.

8. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units,

eachof said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other,

said two walls having openings therethrough remote from said bottom ends thereof, said openings being in registry when said units are in said first position to enable a hand to be extended through said openings for use in carrying said units, I said two walls having outwardly bulging arcuate portions adjacent said openings and outwardly thereof for providing a gripping portion for use in carrying said unit.

9. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said op posed walls of each of said units include an additional wall spaced from said adjacent wall thereof, said additional walls being remote from each other, said additional walls having principal portions divergent from said adjacent walls in a direction away from said bottomends thereof, said additional walls having upper edge portions relatively less divergent from said adjacent walls than are said principal portions of said additional walls.

10. Ap'ortable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units,

eachof saidunits having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said'releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which'two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movableabout said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, said opposed walls of eachof said units including an additional wall spacedfrom said adjacent wall thereof, said additional walls being-remote'from each other,

said additional walls having principal portions divergent from said adjacent walls in a direction away from said bottom ends thereof, said additional walls having upper edge portions relatively less divergent from said adjacent walls than are said principal portions of said additional walls, each of said units including opposed end walls interconnecting said adjacent wall and said additional wall thereof, said adjacent walls having outer portions extending beyond said end walls, said outer portions being flexible for providing a yielding support for the occupant of said units when said units are in said second position thereof. 11. A device as recited in claim 10 in which the outer edges of said end walls are recessed inwardly.

12. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units,

each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, said opposed walls of each of said units including an additional wall spaced from said adjacent wall thereof, said additional walls being remote from each other, said additional walls having principal portions divergent from said adjacent walls in a direction away from said bottom ends thereof, said additional walls having upper edge portions relatively less divergent from said adjacent walls than are said principal portions of said additional walls, each of said units including a bottom wall extending between said adjacent wall and said additional wall thereof, said bottom walls, when said units are in said second position, having portions in abutment.

13. A device as recited in claim 12 in which said adjacent walls include extensions projecting away from said bottom walls, and said bottom. walls include recess means for receiving said extensions of said adjacent walls when said units are in said second position.

14. A device as recited in claim 12 in which said bottom walls are at an acute angle relative to a transverse plane substantially normal to said adjacent walls.

15. A device as recited in claim 14 in which said acute angle is approximately 30.

16. A device as recited in claim 10 including stiffening ribs on at least some of said walls of said units.

17. A device as recited in claim 16 in which said ribs are on the inner surfaces of said additional walls and said end walls.

18. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said releasable fastening means comprise snaps on said adjacent walls, one of said adjacent walls having a first socket snap portion, and a first protruding snap portion in spaced adjacency therewith, the other of said adjacent walls having a second protruding snap portion in alignment with said first socket snap portion, and a second socket snap portion in alignment with said first protruding snap portion.

19. A device as recited in claim 18 in which said first socket snap portion is adjacent a first edge of said one adjacent wall and said first protruding snap portion is adjacent an opposite edge of said one adjacent wall, said first socket snap portion being spaced from said first edge a distance equal to the spacing of said first protruding snap portion from said opposite edge of said one adjacent wall.

20. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units,

each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, said hinge means including extensions of said adjacent walls beyond said bottom ends thereof, and means connecting the outer portions of said extensions together, said extensions having flexible portions inwardly of said connecting means, each of said extensions including a spaced protrusion and recess, said protrusion of one of said extensions being received in said recess of the other of said extensions, said protrusion of said other extension being received in said recess of said one extension for thereby aligning said units.

21. A device as recited in claim 20 in which on each of said extensions said protrusion is adjacent one edge and said recess is adjacent an opposite edge thereof, said protrusion being spaced from said one edge a distance equal to the spacing of said recess from said opposite edge.

22. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of units,

each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment,

hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls,

a first releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency,

said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, and a second releasable fastening means for holding said units in said second position. 23. A device as recited in claim 22 in which each of said units has a bottom wall, said bottom walls having portions in abutment when said units are in said second position, and in which said second releasable fastening means comprise snaps on said bottom walls, one of said bottom walls having a first socket snap portion, and a first protruding snap portion in spaced adjacency therewith,

the other of said bottom walls having a second protruding snap portion in alignment with said first socket snap portion, and a second socket snap portion in alignment with said first protruding snap portion.

24. A device as recited in claim 23 in which said first socket snap portion is adjacent a first edge of said one bottom wall and said first protruding snap portion is adjacent an opposite edge of said one bottom wall, said first socket snap portion being spaced from said first edge a distance equal to the spacing of said first protruding snap portion from said opposite edge of said one bottom wall.

Claims (24)

1. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of units, each of said units having first and second walls in opposed relationship, and means interconnecting said opposed walls so that each of said units defines a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which said first walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said first walls of said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, each of said units having an abutment means, said abutment means being normally remote from each other but brought into interengagement when said units are in said second position for preventing movement of said units beyond said second position, each of said units being adapted for positioning said second wall thereof on a supporting surface and bearing the weight of an occupant seated on said first wall thereof.

2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said units are identical.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said hinge means includes extensions of said adjacent walls beyond said bottom ends thereof, and means connecting the outer portions of said extensions together, said extensions having flexible portions inwardly of said connecting means.

4. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units, each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, said hinge means including extensions of said adjacent walls beyond said bottom ends thereof, and means connecting the outer portions of said extensions together, said extensions having sections of reduced thickness inwardly of said connecting means for providing said extensions with flexible portions inwardly of said connecting means, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other.

5. A device as recited in claim 4 in which, for providing said sections of reduced thickness, a groove is formed in each of said extensions in the surface thereof remote from the other of said extensions.

6. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said units are made of plastic material, and in which said connecting means is a sonic weld.

7. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said two walls have openings therethrough remote from said bottom ends thereof, said openings being in registry when said units are in said first position to enable a hand to be extended through said openings for use in carrying said units.

8. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units, each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, said two walls having openings therethrough remote from said bottom ends thereof, said openings being in registry when said units are in said first position to enable a hand to be extended through said openings for use in carrying said units, said two walls having outwardly bulging arcuate portions adjacent said openings and outwardly thereof for providing a gripping portion for use in carrying said unit.

9. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said opposed walls of each of said units include an additional wall spaced from said adjacent wall thereof, said additional walls being remote from each other, said additional walls having principal portions divergent from said adjacent walls in a direction away from said bottom ends thereof, said additional walls having upper edge portions relatively less divergent from said adjacent walls than are said principal portions of said additional walls.

10. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units, each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means uPon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, said opposed walls of each of said units including an additional wall spaced from said adjacent wall thereof, said additional walls being remote from each other, said additional walls having principal portions divergent from said adjacent walls in a direction away from said bottom ends thereof, said additional walls having upper edge portions relatively less divergent from said adjacent walls than are said principal portions of said additional walls, each of said units including opposed end walls interconnecting said adjacent wall and said additional wall thereof, said adjacent walls having outer portions extending beyond said end walls, said outer portions being flexible for providing a yielding support for the occupant of said units when said units are in said second position thereof.

11. A device as recited in claim 10 in which the outer edges of said end walls are recessed inwardly.

12. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units, each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, said opposed walls of each of said units including an additional wall spaced from said adjacent wall thereof, said additional walls being remote from each other, said additional walls having principal portions divergent from said adjacent walls in a direction away from said bottom ends thereof, said additional walls having upper edge portions relatively less divergent from said adjacent walls than are said principal portions of said additional walls, each of said units including a bottom wall extending between said adjacent wall and said additional wall thereof, said bottom walls, when said units are in said second position, having portions in abutment.

13. A device as recited in claim 12 in which said adjacent walls include extensions projecting away from said bottom walls, and said bottom walls include recess means for receiving said extensions of said adjacent walls when said units are in said second position.

14. A device as recited in claim 12 in which said bottom walls are at an acute angle relative to a transverse plane substantially normal to said adjacent walls.

15. A device as recited in claim 14 in which said acute angle is approximately 30*.

16. A device as recited in claim 10 including stiffening ribs on at least some of said walls of said units.

17. A device as recited in claim 16 in which said ribs are on the inner surfaces of said additional walls and said end walls.

18. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said releasable fastening means comprise snaps on said adjacent walls, one of said adjacent walls having a first socket snap portion, and a first protruding snap portion in spaced adjacency therewith, the other of said adjacent walls having a second protruding snap portion in alignment with said first socket snap portion, and a second socket snap portion in alignment with said first protruding snap portion.

19. A device as recited in claim 18 in which said first socket snap portion is adjacent a first edge of said one adjacent wall and said first protruding snap portion is adjacent an opposite edge of said one adjacent wall, said first socket snap portion being spaced from said first edge a distance equal to the spacing of said first protruding snap portion from said opposite edge of said one adjacent wall.

20. A portablE seat and container device comprising a duality of identical units, each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, and releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, said hinge means including extensions of said adjacent walls beyond said bottom ends thereof, and means connecting the outer portions of said extensions together, said extensions having flexible portions inwardly of said connecting means, each of said extensions including a spaced protrusion and recess, said protrusion of one of said extensions being received in said recess of the other of said extensions, said protrusion of said other extension being received in said recess of said one extension for thereby aligning said units.

21. A device as recited in claim 20 in which on each of said extensions said protrusion is adjacent one edge and said recess is adjacent an opposite edge thereof, said protrusion being spaced from said one edge a distance equal to the spacing of said recess from said opposite edge.

22. A portable seat and container device comprising a duality of units, each of said units having opposed walls, and defining a compartment, hinge means connecting said units together adjacent the bottom ends of said walls, a first releasable fastening means connecting said units together remote from said bottom ends, said releasable fastening means holding said units in a first position in which two of said walls are in adjacency, said units being movable about said hinge means upon release of said fastening means to a second position in which said units are at an obtuse angle to each other, and a second releasable fastening means for holding said units in said second position.

23. A device as recited in claim 22 in which each of said units has a bottom wall, said bottom walls having portions in abutment when said units are in said second position, and in which said second releasable fastening means comprise snaps on said bottom walls, one of said bottom walls having a first socket snap portion, and a first protruding snap portion in spaced adjacency therewith, the other of said bottom walls having a second protruding snap portion in alignment with said first socket snap portion, and a second socket snap portion in alignment with said first protruding snap portion.

24. A device as recited in claim 23 in which said first socket snap portion is adjacent a first edge of said one bottom wall and said first protruding snap portion is adjacent an opposite edge of said one bottom wall, said first socket snap portion being spaced from said first edge a distance equal to the spacing of said first protruding snap portion from said opposite edge of said one bottom wall.

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