WO2016188535A1 - A portable chair - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable chair (10) with an extended supporting state, where the chair can support a normal person in a standing position by telescopically arranged support elements (5, 50), and a non-extended, compact state. Two seating elements (20a, 20b) forms both a seating bar (20) in the extended, supporting state of the chair, and a cover for the supporting elements in a non-extended, compact state of the chair. The portable chair is mechanically locked in the extended state by relative turning a first and a second adjacent support element in a transverse direction of the portable chair. Thereby a simple and compact portable chair is provided, which can be manufactured in a cost- effective way, in particular using injection moulding. Moreover, the chair is very user friendly because the chair is quickly transformed from the compact to the extended state and locked in this state.

Description

A PORTABLE CHAIR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable chair, the chair having an extended, supporting state where a normal person can use the portable chair for support in a standing position, and the chair having a non-extended, compact state where a person can easily carry the portable chair, preferably in a large pocket. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable chairs find application in various situations such as camping, outdoor arrangements with many people (e.g. spectators), hunting, commuting etc.

Particularly, for older people or people with limited possibility/ability for sitting, as well as normal healthy people of course also can have a limited standing capability if required to stand for a prolonged period of time, e.g. for a concert or waiting for a train or bus. Likewise, portable chairs find application in situations where frequent moving from spot to spot for spectating or watching events such as concerts, shows, and other events makes carrying existing foldable seating equipment inconvenient.

DE 20 2007 016 631 discloses one example of a portable chair being extendable via a telescopic system to a standing supporting position, and being collapsible to a more compact configuration where the two seating elements are used as a casing for the telescopic system. However, the seating elements are sustained in the supporting position in a complex and not reliable manner, and the telescopic system, though not described in much detail, is apparently also not very stable in view of the weight to be supported during use. Size and dimensions of this particular portable chair are likewise not reliable compared to the purpose of having a device that enables the user to use it as a upright resting device, with the presumed locking mechanisms, the chair will apparently not be able to extend to a relevant height compared to its locked state.

Hence, an improved portable chair would be advantageous, and in particular a more efficient and/or reliable portable chair would be advantageous. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the prior art.

In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide a portable chair that solves the above mentioned problems of the prior arts with complex and/or unstable portable chairs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the above described object and several other objects are intended to be obtained in a first aspect of the invention by providing a portable chair, the chair having an extended supporting state, where the chair can support a normal person in a standing position, and a non-extended, compact state, the chair comprising :

-a first plurality (N) of telescopically arranged support elements, and -two seating elements, the two seating elements being pivotally arranged on an uppermost support element, the two seating elements forming :

- a seating bar in the extended, supporting state of the chair, and

- a cover for the supporting elements in a non-extended, compact state of the chair, wherein a first support element and a second support element from the first plurality of support elements are adjacent support elements, the second support element having a second (M) plurality of peripherally positioned locking sections positioned on an exterior part of the second support element, each locking section further having a third (L) plurality of locking protrusions, the second (M) plurality of locking sections being arranged for sliding in a corresponding number of sliding recessions in an interior part of the first support element, the first and second support elements being arranged for relative movement in a longitudinal direction of the chair by sliding said locking sections in said corresponding sliding recessions so as to transform the chair from said non-extended, compact state to said extended, supporting state, the sliding recessions each having an end part defining the maximum longitudinal extension of the first and second support element, and

wherein the portable chair is further arranged for mechanically locking the first and second support elements relative to each other by relative turning the first and second support elements in a transverse direction of the portable chair, the end part of the sliding recessions having a corresponding number of locking indentations for receiving the third (L) plurality of locking protrusions upon relative turning of the first and the second support elements.

The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous for obtaining a simple and compact portable chair that can be manufactured in a cost-effective way, in particular using injection moulding. Moreover, the chair is very user friendly as compared to other available portable chairs; the chair according to the present invention is quickly transformed from the compact to the extended state, e.g. in less than 10 seconds, for an experienced user probably even faster. This is possible because the chair can be locked by twisting the entirety of the extended leg in opposite direction, with one movement, and the chair be can be adjusted in height by collapsing one or more support member into the above member. In a collapsed state, the chair will keep all the support members inside the outermost support member without protruding the length of the largest member, thereby making the design very compact.

It may be noted that the portable chair according to the present invention may be particularly advantageous for a disabled person or a moving impaired person, such as an elderly person, especially a person who is standing and/or walking impaired, because of the portable resting support provided by the portable chair, and the fact that the portable chair can be easily transported and quickly transformed from the compact to the extended state, when rest is needed. It is further contemplated that the portable chair according to the invention may be modified for use by a disabled person. Thus, the portable chair may have a modified seating element(s) and/or base part touching the ground specifically adapted for the type of disabled person. The seating element could be padded with soft material for better comfort, and/or high friction material to avoid the disabled person in sliding off the chair while resting. The seating element could, additionally, be modified in shape or form to provide a more ergonomic resting support. It is also contemplated that auxiliary seating elements could possibly be attached to the seating element for some disabled persons. For some disabled persons, the base part of the portable chair touching the ground may be manufactured with a particularly high friction (material and/or topographic pattern) against the ground to avoid sliding of the chair when in use. It is also contemplated that some auxiliary base elements could possibly be attached to the base part for some disabled persons to avoid the chair sliding against the ground during use. Especially during winter and/or rainy periods, these modifications of the base part of the chair may be advantageous on slippery surfaces. It is further contemplated that some disabled persons may use the portable chair for resting their arms on top of the chair and/or use the chair for supporting their armpit during use of the chair, the extendable length of the chair may be correspondingly higher.

In context of the present invention, it is to be understood that the term 'portable chair' is to be considered a chair easily transportable by a normal adult person in a non-extended compact state. The concept of a portable chair will be familiar to a skilled person within furniture and/or manufacturing e.g. injection moulding techniques, the concept being particular applicable for use in the context of camping, outdoor arrangements (such as concerts, assemblies, markets, or other large assemblies of people), hunting, commuting and other instances where seating facilities are typically sparse and/or limited relative to the number of people. Thus, a portable chair could be considered a sitting and/or resting device. Particularly, the total volume of the chair may be less than 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.5 litres in the non-extended, compact state. Additionally or alternatively, the weight of the chair may be less than 3, 2, 1, 0.75, 0.5 or 0.25 kilograms (kg). In the following, it will be understood that a chair is implicitly a portable chair unless otherwise stated.

In context of the present invention, it is to be understood that the term 'support a normal person in standing position' relates to the situation where a person is standing on his legs while simultaneously having a part of his total weight, say around 20%, 30% or 40%, but not limited to these values, supported via the coccyx by the portable chair according to the present invention. In context of the present invention, it is to be understood that the term

'telescopically arranged support elements' means that the support elements can be displaced relative to each other by sliding within an adjacent support element, the adjacent element having a slightly larger inner diameter so as to contain the support element as the skilled person in mechanical construction will readily comprehend. Similarly, it may be noted about the term 'telescopic' may be defined as; "able to become longer or shorter by having sections that slide inside one another" according to the dictionary Merriam Webster.

In context of the present invention, it is to be understood that the uppermost support element is uppermost in the sense that said support element - in an extended state of the portable chair - will be the uppermost support element by being the support element closest to the seating bar. It is further to be

understood that the two seating elements may be pivotally arranged in various ways on the uppermost support element, e.g. directly on the said element or indirectly via other intermediate elements. Thus, in one embodiment the uppermost support element may have a structure supporting a common hinge on which the seating elements may both pivot, cf. Figure 8 for further details. In other embodiments, the seating elements may have separate hinges, one for each seating element.

In context of the present invention, it is to be understood that there is a technical equivalence with respect to the operation, functionality, and/or result of the mechanically interacting indentations and protrusions in so far as their meshing cooperation may be viewed oppositely, i.e. that the area between indentions are viewed as protrusions, and similarly for the protrusions. In context of the present invention, it is also to be understood that there is a technical equivalence with respect to the operation, functionality, and/or result of the mechanically interacting locking sections and corresponding sliding recessions, i.e. the locking sections may be implemented as a recession in a support member if the recession is instead a corresponding protrusion.

In one embodiment, the first support element may have a larger cross-sectional diameter relative to the second support element. If the first support element is also the uppermost support element the support elements will have a decreasing diameter going away from the seating bar, which may be advantageous for mechanical stability. However, the present invention may alternatively be implemented with the opposite design, i.e. by having an increasing diameter of the support elements going away from the seating bar.

In another embodiment, the said locking sections may be arranged for sliding in said corresponding number of sliding recessions in the interior part of the first support element thereby restricting said first and second support elements to displacement substantially in at least substantially longitudinal direction of the portable chair i.e. the sliding recessions being parallel with the longitudinal direction of the chair. In a general way, this is not always the case for the present invention. In some embodiments, the said locking indentations for receiving the third (L) plurality of locking protrusions may have a contracted area relative to the corresponding locking protrusions so as to increase mechanical locking upon relative turning of the first and the second support element. By mechanical locking it is primarily understood that the chair is locked in a longitudinal direction by not allowing relative sliding of the support elements i.e. the height is fixed, but secondarily also that the support elements will not, suddenly or gradually, be unlocked, except if the user intends to transform the chair into the compact state. Alternatively or additionally, the said third (P) plurality of locking protrusions may have a wedge-like profile relative to the corresponding locking indentations so as to increase mechanical locking upon relative turning of the first and the second support element when the chair is to stay in the extended state. Preferably the first (N), second (M) and/or the third (L) plurality may be 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, etc. depending on the visual design, mechanical load considerations, the applied polymer composition, user friendliness, etc. Notice also that the number (M) of locking sections may vary from one support element to another support element but that the locking sections should of course match the corresponding sliding recessions to fit. Similarly, the number (L) of locking protrusion may vary from one support element to another support element, and even within a single support element, but that the locking protrusions should of course match the corresponding locking indentation to fit and be capable of mechanically locking the support elements.

In another advantageous embodiment, the said locking indentations for receiving the third (L) plurality of locking protrusions - upon relative turning of the first and second support elements - may receive the locking protrusions in direction less than orthogonal relative to the longitudinal direction of the chair, preferably around 45-85 degrees, more preferably around 70-82 degrees, with the

longitudinal direction of the chair, for improved mechanical engagement when the chair is to stay in the extended, supporting state.

Normally, the support elements may be co-axially arranged relative to each other, and the support elements further being confined within each other in a

consecutive order in the non-extended, compact state of the portable chair, preferably the support elements being coaxially arranged with an uppermost support element having the largest cross-sectional diameter. As mentioned above, the support element having the largest diameter may alternatively be the lowermost element. In a further embodiment of the invention, the plurality of support elements may have on their outer surface illustrations and/or protrusions, such as lines, dots or any other shape, which serve the purpose of indicating to which point the relative turning of a first and a second support element should be made. In this way, the illustrations will show when the mechanical locking of the support elements has been carried out successfully. Additionally, there may be further illustrations and/or protrusions on the outer surface of the support elements or other parts of the portable chair, such as arrows, which indicate the direction in which a given support element should be turned or otherwise displaced relative to other parts of the portable chair during assembly of the portable chair. These or other

illustrations may be applied to the support elements and/or other parts of the portable chair after manufacture using tampon printing, pad printing or other printing processes allowing images to be applied to 3D surfaces.

In particularly beneficial embodiments, the first plurality of telescopically arranged support elements are manufactured in a polymer composition. In some embodiments, only one or more support elements are made in a polymer composition. The polymer composition may be reinforced with components for increasing the mechanical strength, e.g. fibres or similar. Fibres suitable for this use may include basalt fibre, aramid fibre, carbon fibre or glass fibre. Some particularly advantageous polymer compositions may include:

• PC (polycarbonate)

• ABS (akrylonitril-butadien-styren)

• PA (polyamid)

• PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate)

· POM (polyoxymethylen)

• PEEK (polyether ether ketone)

• PP (polypropylene)

• PE (polyethylene)

• PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

· PS (polystyrene)

• PPA (polyphthalamide)

• Polyphthalamide reinforced with glass fiber, such as Grivory®

Combinations or derivatives thereof are also contemplated as the skilled person in polymer will readily understand. Also the seating elements may be manufactured in a suitable polymer composition, preferably a polymer composition suitable for the dual function of both being a cover and a seating bar in the extended state. The said solution can also be adapted to other types of production, such as metal injection moulding.

Alternatively, the portable chair, or parts of the portable chair, may be machined in metal alloys, or even polymer elements suitable for machining.

In an embodiment of the invention, a number of slots or slits, such as e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 slots, are present in the top of the support elements. These slots serve the purpose of simplifying manufacturing of the support elements, when for instance manufacturing the support elements from a polymer composition. In such case, the slots can make it easier to release the support elements from the mould without the need for additional collapsible core technology. Collapsible core technology is a way to construct the core in the mold to make it possible to release parts with undercuts or inner geometries etc. from the mold, which in other cases would not be possible or difficult to release from the mold. Collapsible cores works by collapsing to a smaller diameter when the mold is opened, and therefore enables the part to be released from the core, even though the geometry would not be releasable from a normal solid core. Furthermore, the slots facilitate easy assembly of the portable chair, hereby making the design even more user-friendly. The slots may be designed in different ways, e.g. as a straight indentation or cut into the edge of the support element or, alternatively, as an indentation having a first straight portion and a second straight portion, the two portions being parallel but deflected.

Preferably, the portable chair may further comprise a seat locking member, the seat locking member being displaceably arranged along a longitudinal direction of the portable chair, the seat locking member having a non-locking position and a locking position, and in said locking position the two seating members are mechanically locked by the seat locking member to form said seating bar in the extended, supporting state of the chair for easy fixation of the chair in this state. Preferably, the seat locking member may form a displaceable cylindrical element around the uppermost support element.

More particularly, the uppermost support element may have a fourth (O) plurality of peripherally positioned locking sections positioned on the exterior part of the uppermost support element, each locking section further having a fifth (P) plurality of locking protrusions, the fourth (O) plurality of locking sections being arranged for sliding in a corresponding number of sliding recessions in the interior part of the seat locking member, preferably the fourth (O) and/or the fifth (P) plurality being 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, etc. depending on the visual design, the mechanical load considerations, the applied polymer composition, user

friendliness, etc. Advantageously, the seat locking member may have a

corresponding number of locking indentations for receiving the fifth (P) plurality of locking protrusions upon relative turning of the seat locking member and the uppermost support element, the chair being arranged for mechanically locking the seat locking member in the said locking position by relative turning the seat locking member and the uppermost support element in a transverse direction of the portable chair. Preferably, the seating elements may be arranged pivotally around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being positioned at an upper position on the uppermost supporting element. More advantageously, the seating elements may each have the shape of a half-pipe, but not limited to this shape, the two seating elements forming a cylindrical cover surrounding the telescopic elements when the portable chair is in the non-extended, compact state, preferably the cylindrical cover thereby resembling a standard beverage can, more preferably a 0.5 L can having a height of approximately 168 mm and a body diameter of approximately 52 mm, or another can with a height of approximately 170 mm and a (body) diameter of approximately 66 mm, or another can with a height of approximately 180.1 mm and a (body) diameter of approximately 635 mm. Preferably, the cover is a protective cover by protecting the elements of the chair in the compact state from impacts and/or dust/dirt.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a computer program product having instructions, such as dimensions of a three-dimensional (3D) model, being adapted to enable a computer system comprising at least one computer having data storage means in connection therewith to control a manufacturing system or device, preferably an additive manufacturing system or device or a three- dimensional (3D) printing system or device, for producing a portable chair according to the first aspect of the invention. This computer program product, or possibly elements thereof, may be stored and downloaded from a database, a digital warehouse, a content repository, a search engine or a piece of software. The suitable manufacturing device includes, but is not limited to, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, powder bed fusion and laser sintering incl. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) using automated or robotized devices like 3D printing devices and similar. Thus, the invention in the second aspect may be considered a kind of manufacturing method. The definitions according to ASTM International Standard F2792 may be used within the context of the present application.

This aspect of the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, advantageous in that the present invention may be accomplished by a computer program product having instructions for enabling a manufacturing system or device for producing a portable chair according to the first aspect of the invention when down- or uploaded into the corresponding computer system. Such a computer program product may be provided on any kind of computer readable medium, or through a network, e.g. via the internet. This aspect of the invention may, by way of example, comprise a computer program product, such as a database, which makes content, such as a file containing a three-dimensional (3D) drawing, e.g. computer aided design (CAD), available to users, for instance through a network, e.g. the internet. Once a user accesses, e.g. downloads, this content, the user will be able to manufacture a portable chair according to the first aspect of the invention by connecting to, e.g. transferring data to, a device, such as a 3D printer or any additive manufacturing technology according to ASTM International Standard F2792.

The first and second aspect of the present invention may each be combined with any of the other aspects. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The portable chair according to the invention will now be described in more detail with regard to the accompanying figures. The figures show one way of

implementing the present invention and is not to be construed as being limiting to other possible embodiments falling within the scope of the attached claim set. Figure 1 shows various drawings of a portable chair in an extended, supporting state according to the present invention,

Figure 2 shows various drawings of a portable chair in a compact, non-extended state according to the present invention,

Figure 3 shows various drawings of support element from a portable chair according to the present invention,

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the support elements in a compact state of the portable chair according to the present invention, Figure 5 shows various drawings of the movement of the support elements during the transition from a compact, non-extended state to an extended, supporting state of a portable chair according to the present invention,

Figure 6 shows two cross-sectional drawings of the two support elements in an extended, supporting state of a portable chair according to the present invention,

Figure 7 shows two drawings of the support elements in an extended, supporting state of a portable chair according to the present invention,

Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the portable chair in an extended, supporting state according to the present invention, and Figure 9 is a flow-chart of a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 shows various drawings of a portable chair 10 in an extended, supporting state according to the present invention.

Figure 1A shows a perspective drawing of the chair 10 ready for supporting a standing person (not shown). The person can rest of the seating bar 20 formed by the two seating elements 20a and 20b. The seating elements are mechanically locked in this state by the seat locking member 31, the seat locking member being engaged by the uppermost support element 50 as will be more explained in more detailed below in connection with Figure 8. The telescopically arranged support elements 5 below the uppermost element 50 have a suitable length for supporting a standing normal adult person (of height 160-190 cm), e.g. around 60-90 cm, but variants for children or very tall persons are also envisioned. The telescopically arranged support elements 5 define the longitudinal direction of the chair. Notice that the chair may only be partly extended, and therefore adjustable, to people with a low height. At the lowermost supporting element, a base part 40 is shown. The base part may be manufactured with a relatively high friction (material and/or topographic pattern) against the ground to avoid sliding of the chair when in use.

Figures IB and 1C are to side views of the chair shown in Figure 1A, the two side views being at perpendicular angle to each other as seen on the seating bar 20. Figure ID shows the chair in a top view, the seating bar 20 being the only visible element because the supporting elements are below the seating bar 20. The seating bar 20 is thus perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the chair.

In Figures IB and 1C, a first support element 5' and a second support element 5" are an arbitrary selection of adjacent support element from the plurality of support elements 5.

In Figures IE and IF, the portable chair 10 is an extended state and in use by persons being supported in a standing position. In Figure IE, the person is standing and being partly supported by the chair while the longitudinal direction of the chair is at angle with the vertical direction towards the ground. Figure IF shows the same portable chair but used by two different persons, where the right chair 10 is not fully extended i.e. one or more support elements are not used for extending the longitudinal length of the chair thereby making the supporting level of the seating bar 20 adjustable depending on the person's height, or other preferences.

Figure 2 shows various drawings of a portable chair in a compact, non-extended state according to the present invention.

Figure 2A shows a perspective drawing of the two seating elements 20a and 20b that are forming a cover for the supporting elements in a non-extended, compact state of the chair, the supporting element therefore not being visible in this state. Figures 2B and 2C shows two different side views of the chair in the compact state, the two views being at perpendicular views relative to each other. Figure 2D is a corresponding top view in the compact state.

From Figure 2, it is evident that the portable chair may - in the non-extended, compact state - be designed so that the cylindrical cover resemble a standard beverage can, such as a 0.5 L can having a height of approximately 168 mm and a diameter of approximately 52 mm, or a height of approximately 170 mm and a diameter of approximately 66 mm, or a height of approximately 180.1 mm and a diameter of approximately 63.5 mm. Other dimensions are also contemplated for the portable chair in a compact state resembling other easy-to-handle

dimensions.

Comparing Figure 1 with Figure 2, it is seen that the two seating elements 20a and 20b have two functions; the two seating elements forming :

1) a seating bar 20 in the extended, supporting state of the chair, cf.

Figure 1, and

2) a cover for the supporting elements in a non-extended, compact state of the chair, cf. Figure 2. Figure 3 shows various drawings of a support element 5 from a portable chair 10 according to the present invention.

Figure 3A is a perspective drawing of a support element 5. The support element has the overall structure of a hollow cylinder with a planar surface on the middle part 51, whereas the upper part 52 and the lower part 53 has mechanical elements that facilitate mechanical locking of the chair 10 in the extended state.

On the upper part 52, the support element has a second (M) plurality of peripherally positioned locking sections 5al and 5a2 positioned on the exterior part of the support element, each locking section further having a third (L) plurality of locking protrusions, L here being 3.

In the interior part of the support element 5, there are provided sliding recessions for movement of locking section of another support element (not shown here) in a longitudinal direction of the chair, the sliding recessions each having an end part 5dl and 5d2 defining an end of the sliding recessions in the inner part of the support element 5, the end parts being positioned at the lower end 53 of the support element 5. The support elements are typically not perfectly cylindrically shaped because manufacturing by injection moulding of such geometry is not easy, the support element therefore being slightly conical towards one end, e.g. with a few degrees inclinations. It will therefore be understood that the support elements 5 are substantially cylindrical.

Figure 3B is a cut-out cross-sectional drawing of the support element 5 similar to Figure 3A, where the interior part of the substantially cylindrically shaped support element is well shown, in particular the sliding recessions 5cl, 5c2, and 5c3 from the top to the bottom of the support element 5, the sliding recessions each having a corresponding end part 5dl and 5d2 (5d3 not being visible) that defines the maximum longitudinal extension of the support element 5 relative to another support element having locking sections (not shown) sliding in these recessions. In particular, the end part of the sliding recessions have a corresponding number of locking indentations 5el, 5e2, and 5e3 for receiving the a corresponding plurality of locking protrusions upon relative turning of these two interacting support elements.

Figure 3C is a side view of the support element 5 shown in Figures 3A and 3B. In this view, three locking sections 5al, 5a2, and 5a3 are visible. Each locking section has, in turn, three locking protrusions for mechanical engaging with corresponding locking indentation of another support element (not shown here).

Figures 3D, 3E, 3F and 3G show an embodiment of the invention, in which a number of slots or slits 6 are present in the top of the support element 5. In the embodiment shown, the slots are shown as indentations having a first straight portion and a second straight portion, the two portions being parallel but deflected. Figure 3D is a cross-sectional drawing of the support element similar to Figure 3B showing a slot 6. Figure 3E is a side view of the support element 5 similar to Figure 3C but additionally showing a slot 6. Figure 3F is a perspective drawing showing an upper part of the support element 5 with a slot 6. Figure 3G is a cross-sectional view of the support elements 5 in a compact state of the portable chair according to the present invention in the embodiment comprising slots 6. Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the support elements 5 in a compact state of the portable chair according to the present invention. In this view, the locking sections 5a are also visible as they protrude outwardly from each element. The support element all have six locking sections in this embodiment. The support elements 5 and 50 are generally co-axially arranged relative to each other, and the support elements are further confined within each other in a consecutive order in this non-extended, compact state of the portable chair, the support elements 5 particularly being coaxially arranged with an uppermost support element 50 having the largest cross-sectional diameter. The uppermost support 50 has locking sections 50a 1, 50a2, 50a3, 50a4, and 50a5 for interacting with a seat locking member, cf. Figure 8 for further details.

Figure 5 shows various drawings of the movement of the support elements 5 during the transition from a compact, non-extended state to an extended, supporting state of a portable chair according to the present invention.

In Figure 5A, the support elements 5 are in a compact state as seen in the upper part of the figure. In the lower part of Figure 5A, it schematically shown how the locking sections 5"a of a second support element 5" is positioned in the sliding recession 5'c of a first support element 5.

In Figure 5B, the support elements 5', 5", 5"', and 5"" are in transition from the compact state shown in Figure 5A to a fully extended state shown in Figure 5C. The transition is schematically shown by an arrow in both the upper and lower part of Figure 5B. In the lower part of Figure 5B, it is seen how the locking sections 5"a of the second support element 5" is now being displaced in the sliding recession 5'c of a first support element 5.

In Figure 5C, the locking section 5"a has arrived at the end of part 5'd of the sliding recession of the first support element 5' and is now mechanically locked in this longitudinal position by relative transverse turning of the support elements 5 as indicated by the arrows in both the upper and the lower part of Figure 5C.

Thus, the portable chair is further arranged for mechanically locking the first and second support elements 5' and 5" (and all the other adjacent support element) relative to each other by relative turning the first and second support elements in a transverse direction of the chair, the end part of the sliding recession 5'd having a corresponding number of locking indentations for receiving the locking protrusions, cf. 3B and 3C, upon relative turning of the first and the second support elements. As indicated by the direction of the transverse arrows, the chair is preferably locked by turning the lowermost support element 5"" with a right hand in a counter-clockwise direction for the optimum user friendliness, at least for high-handed users, while the upper part of the chair is held in a fixed positioned, or turned in the opposite direction. The present invention may of course be implemented with the transverse locking direction being both counter- clockwise and clockwise. Preferably, the transverse locking direction of the support elements are all the same for quick locking of the entire chair. More preferably, the locking direction of the support elements may be opposite the transverse locking direction of the seat locking member, cf. Figure 8, for increased mechanical stability of the chair in the extended state.

Figure 6 shows two cross-sectional drawings of the two support elements 5' and 5" in an extended, supporting state of a portable chair according to the present invention. Figure 6A shows a cut-out cross-sectional view where the first 5' and second 5" support element are mechanically locked to each other by the locking protrusions 5"a being received by the corresponding locking indentations 5'd. Figure 6B shows an exploded side view where the locking protrusion 5"a are highlighted for clarity. Notice also how the diameter of the first 5' and second 5" support element are slightly different. Figure 7 shows two drawings of four support elements 5', 5", 5"' and 5"" in an extended, supporting state of a portable chair according to the present invention. Figure 7A is similar to Figure 6A, whereas Figure 7B shows only the visible part of the support elements. Experiments and modelling performed by the present inventors have indicated that the overlap in the longitudinal direction of the chair between adjacent support elements for optimizing the mechanical stability and strength is between 15-25%, preferably 17-22%, of the length of each support element. More particularly, the lower segments may have a higher degree of overlap because of the slight lower diameter. Thus for a support elements of 140 mm length for the two upper support elements, the overlap between them may be 23.5 mm, whereas the five lower support element with a length of 140 mm may have a mutual overlap of 31 mm. Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the portable chair in an extended, supporting state according to the present invention.

The seating elements 20a and 20b are arranged pivotally around a common rotational axis 35, the common rotational axis being positioned at an upper position on the uppermost supporting element 50.

A seat locking member 31 forms a displaceable cylindrical element around the uppermost support element 50. The seat locking member is displaceable arranged along a longitudinal direction of the portable chair between a non-locking position and a locking position, and in said locking position the two seating members 20a and 20b are mechanically locked by the seat locking member 31 as an

intermediate ring 32 is pushed upwards by seat locking member 31 and fixating 20a and 20b on the upwards angled locking protrusions to form said seating bar in the extended, supporting state of the chair as shown in Figure 8. An intermediate locking ring 32 is thus applied between the seat locking member 31 and the seating elements 20a and 20b.

The uppermost support element 50 has a peripherally positioned locking sections 50al and 50a2 positioned on the exterior part of the uppermost support element, each locking section further having four locking protrusions, the locking sections being arranged for sliding in a corresponding number of sliding recessions in the interior part of the seat locking member 31, similar to the mutual mechanical arrangement between the support elements 5. The uppermost support element 50 can be supported with a section having increased wall thickness (not shown in the figure), for example at the lower part of the element. Thus, the seat locking member has a corresponding number of locking indentations for receiving the locking protrusions 50bl, 50b2, 50b3, and 50b4 upon relative turning of the seat locking member and the uppermost support element 50, the chair is thereby arranged for mechanically locking the seat locking member 31 in the said locking position by relative turning the seat locking member 31 and the uppermost support element 50 in a transverse direction of the portable chair. This can take place while holding and transverse turning one of the support elements 5 in the opposite direction. The locking of the seat is thus quite similar to the mutual mechanical arrangement between the support elements 5.

Figure 9 is a flow-chart of a manufacturing method according to the invention. This can be implemented by a computer program product being adapted to enable a computer system comprising at least one computer having data storage means in connection therewith to control a manufacturing device for producing a portable chair in the following steps (not in any particular order) :

SI Providing a first plurality (N) of telescopically arranged support elements 5, and 50, and S2 Providing two seating elements 20a and 20b, the two seating elements being pivotally arranged on an uppermost support element 50, the two seating elements forming :

- a seating bar 20 in the extended, supporting state of the chair, and

- a cover for the supporting elements in a non-extended, compact state of the chair, wherein a first support element 5' and a second support element 5" from the first plurality of support elements are adjacent support elements, the second support element having a second (M) plurality of peripherally positioned locking sections 5a positioned on the exterior part of the second support element, each locking section further having a third (L) plurality of locking protrusions 5b, the second (M) plurality of locking sections being arranged for sliding in a corresponding number of sliding recessions 5c in the interior part of the first support element 5', the first and second support elements being arranged for relative movement in a longitudinal direction of the chair by sliding said locking sections 5a in said corresponding sliding recessions 5c so as to transform the chair from said non- extended, compact state to said extended, supporting state, the sliding recessions each having an end part 5d defining the maximum longitudinal extension of the first and second support element, and S3 facilitating that the portable chair is further arranged for mechanically locking the first and second support elements relative to each other by relative turning the first and second support elements in a transverse direction of the portable chair, the end part of the sliding recessions 5d having a corresponding number of locking indentations 5e for receiving the third (L) plurality of locking protrusions 5b upon relative turning of the first and the second support elements.

In short, the present invention relates to a portable chair 10 with an extended supporting state, where the chair can support a normal person in a standing position by telescopically arranged support elements 5 and 50, and a non- extended, compact state. Two seating elements 20a and 20b forms both a seating bar 20 in the extended, supporting state of the chair, and a cover for the supporting elements in a non-extended, compact state of the chair. The portable chair is mechanically locked in the extended state by relative turning a first and a second adjacent support element in a transverse direction of the portable chair. Thereby a simple and compact portable chair is provided, which can be

manufactured in a cost-effective way, in particular using injection moulding.

Moreover, the chair is very user friendly because the chair is quickly transformed from the compact to the extended state and locked in this state.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the specified embodiments, it should not be construed as being in any way limited to the presented examples. The scope of the present invention is set out by the accompanying claim set. In the context of the claims, the terms "comprising" or "comprises" do not exclude other possible elements or steps. Also, the mentioning of references such as "a" or "an" etc. should not be construed as excluding a plurality. The use of reference signs in the claims with respect to elements indicated in the figures shall also not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, individual features mentioned in different claims, may possibly be advantageously combined, and the mentioning of these features in different claims does not exclude that a combination of features is not possible and advantageous.

Claims

1. A portable chair (10), the chair having an extended supporting state, where the chair can support a normal person in a standing position, and a non- extended, compact state, the chair comprising :

-a first plurality (N) of telescopically arranged support elements (5, 50), and

-two seating elements (20a, 20b), the two seating elements being pivotally arranged on an uppermost support element (50), the two seating elements forming :

- a seating bar (20) in the extended, supporting state of the chair, and

- a cover for the supporting elements in a non-extended, compact state of the chair, wherein a first support element (5') and a second support element (5") from the first plurality of support elements are adjacent support elements, the second support element having a second (M) plurality of peripherally positioned locking sections (5a) positioned on an exterior part of the second support element, each locking section further having a third (L) plurality of locking protrusions (5b), the second (M) plurality of locking sections being arranged for sliding in a

corresponding number of sliding recessions (5c) in an interior part of the first support element (5'), the first and second support elements being arranged for relative movement in a longitudinal direction of the chair by sliding said locking sections (5a) in said corresponding sliding recessions (5c) so as to transform the chair from said non-extended, compact state to said extended, supporting state, the sliding recessions each having an end part (5d) defining the maximum longitudinal extension of the first and second support element, and wherein the portable chair is further arranged for mechanically locking the first and second support elements relative to each other by relative turning the first and second support elements in a transverse direction of the portable chair, the end part of the sliding recessions (5d) having a corresponding number of locking indentations (5e) for receiving the third (L) plurality of locking protrusions (5b) upon relative turning of the first and the second support elements.

2. A portable chair (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first support element (5') have a larger cross-sectional diameter relative to the second support element (5").

3. A portable chair (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said locking sections are arranged for sliding in said corresponding number of sliding recessions in the interior part of the first support element (5a) thereby restricting said first and second support elements to displacement substantially in a longitudinal direction of the portable chair.

4. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the said locking indentations (5e) for receiving the third (L) plurality of locking protrusions have a contracted area relative to the corresponding locking protrusions (5b) so as to increase mechanical locking upon relative turning of the first and the second support element.

5. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said third (P) plurality of locking protrusions (5b) have a wedge-like profile relative to the corresponding locking indentations (5e) so as to increase mechanical locking upon relative turning of the first and the second support element.

6. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said locking indentations (5e) for receiving the third (L) plurality of locking protrusions (5b) - upon relative turning of the first and second support elements - receives the locking protrusions in direction less than orthogonal relative to the longitudinal direction of the chair, preferably around 70-82 degrees with the longitudinal direction of the chair.

7. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support elements (5, 50) are co-axially arranged relative to each other, and the support elements further being confined within each other in a consecutive order in the non-extended, compact state of the portable chair, preferably the support elements being coaxially arranged with an uppermost support element (50) having the largest cross-sectional diameter.

8. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first plurality of telescopically arranged support elements (5) are manufactured in a polymer composition.

9. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the portable chair further comprises a seat locking member (31), the seat locking member being displaceably arranged along a longitudinal direction of the portable chair, the seat locking member having a non-locking position and a locking position, and in said locking position the two seating members (20a, 20b) are mechanically locked by the seat locking member (31) to form said seating bar in the extended, supporting state of the chair.

10. A portable chair (10) according to claim 9, wherein the seat locking member forms a displaceable cylindrical element around the uppermost support element (50).

11. A portable chair (10) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the uppermost support element (50) has a fourth (O) plurality of peripherally positioned locking sections (50a) positioned on the exterior part of the uppermost support element, each locking section further having a fifth (P) plurality of locking protrusions, the fourth (O) plurality of locking sections being arranged for sliding in a

corresponding number of sliding recessions in the interior part of the seat locking member (31).

12. A portable chair (10) according to any of claims 9-11, wherein the seat locking member has a corresponding number of locking indentations for receiving the fifth (P) plurality of locking protrusions upon relative turning of the seat locking member and the uppermost support element, the chair being arranged for mechanically locking the seat locking member (31) in the said locking position by relative turning the seat locking member (31) and the uppermost support element (50) in a transverse direction of the portable chair.

13. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the seating elements (20a, 20b) are arranged pivotally around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being positioned at an upper position on the uppermost supporting element (50).

14. A portable chair (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the seating elements (20a, 20b) each has the shape of a half-pipe, the two seating elements forming a cylindrical cover surrounding the telescopic elements when the portable chair is in the non-extended, compact state, preferably the cylindrical cover thereby resembling a standard beverage can, more preferably a 0.5 L can having a height of approximately 168 mm and a diameter of approximately 52 mm, or a can with a height of approximately 170 mm and a diameter of approximately 66 mm, or a can with a height of approximately 180.1 mm and a diameter of approximately 63.5 mm.

15. A computer program product being adapted to enable a computer system comprising at least one computer having data storage means in connection therewith to control a manufacturing system or device, preferably an additive manufacturing system or device or a three-dimensional (3D) printing system or device, for producing a portable chair according to any of the preceding claims.