WO2017175242A1

WO2017175242A1 - A portable seating arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2017175242A1
Application number: PCT/IN2017/050129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Akhil VARGHESE; Chenkara Mohammed RIYAZ; Vaibhav Rajesh GORADIA; Shubham Abhaykant SHAH; Nitin P. UNNITHAN
Original assignee: Varghese Akhil; Riyaz Chenkara Mohammed; Goradia Vaibhav Rajesh; Shah Shubham Abhaykant; Unnithan Nitin P
Priority date: 2016-04-07
Filing date: 2017-04-04
Publication date: 2017-10-12

Abstract

The present invention discloses a portable seating arrangement (100). The portable seating arrangement (100) includes a top frame (110), at least one middle frame (120), a base frame (130), at least one sliding member (140) and a seat 5 (160). The frames having sequential decreasing diameter are engaged with one another in a concentric manner such that the base frame (130) having largest dimensions is positioned at a base and the top frame (110) having smallest dimensions is positioned at a top. The top frame (110) has at least one guideway (140). The base frame (130) has the at least one sliding member (140) configured 10 thereon. The middle frame (120) has the at least one guideway (140) and the at least one sliding member (140) configured thereon. The sliding member (140) of one frame slides in the guideway of adjacent frame thereby facilitating extension, retraction and locking of the portable seating arrangement (100) at a desired position. 15

Description

A PORTA BL E SEAT ING A R RA NG E M E NT

F ield of the invention

The present invention relates generally to seating arrangements and more particularly, to a portable seating arrangement.

Background of the invention

¾ Sitting is a comfortable posture for human body. Seating arrangements include chairs, stools, benches, sofas and the like. The seating arrangements are needed at private as well at public places like homes, offices, workshops, bus stops and the like. The seating arrangements may be categorized as fixed seating arrangements and portable seating arrangements. The fixed seating arrangements

¾ include benches, seats or chairs fixed to ground or to furniture. The portable seati ng arrangements i ncl ude f ol dabl e or retractabl e stool s, chai rs and the I i ke.

The portable seating arrangements are preferred at public places such as bus stops, railways station or the places where one has to wait in queue or for long time. The portable seating arrangement should have light weight and easy

¾ handling ability to satisfy the purpose of portability. Various attempts have been made to manufacture such portable arrangements. For example, in one of the conventional portable seating arrangements, a portable stool having a seat positioned on a telescopic leg is provided. A desired height of the seat is achieved by a spring loaded in the telescopic leg according to the weight applied on the ttl seat. The seat gets locked at the desired height by stress and strain applied on the spring. The portable seat does not include a reliable locking mechanism in case of failure of the spring. Further, the portable seat lacks compactness and is difficult to carry due to its shape and size.

The conventional portable or foldable seats fail to have a compact shape t& and cannot be f ol ded i n a desi red shape. F urther, the conventi onal portabl e seati ng arrangements do not provide easy handling due to their bulkiness. Moreover, they fail to include specific locking mechanism to facilitate locking of the seats at desired height without chances of collapsing. Therefore, there is a need of a seating arrangement that is compact, easy to handle and that achieves variable heights by using a locking mechanism.

Summary of the invention

¾ The present invention relates to a portable seating arrangement comprising a top frame and a base frame arranged in a concentric manner. The portable seating arrangement further includes at least one middle frame concentrically positioned between the top frame and the base frame. The top frame and at least one middle frame have at least one guideway configured on lateral surface thereof.

¾ Advantageously, in one of the preferred embodiments the top frame and the middle frame have two guideways configured on lateral surface thereof. The base frame and the at least one middle frame have at least one sliding member configured on lateral surface thereof. The sliding member of preceding frame slide in the guideway of the succeeding frame thereby facilitating extension,

¾ retracti on and I ocki ng of the portabl e seati ng arrangement. T he gui deway are of L shape having a vertical slot acting as a sliding slot and a horizontal slot acting as a locking slot. The guideway facilitate sliding of the sliding member in vertical and horizontal direction thereby facilitating height adjustment and locking of the portable seating arrangement at desired position respectively. The sliding member ttl includes a pin receivable in at least one hole configured on the lateral surface of the base frame and the at least one middle frame. The portable seating arrangement may be used by engaging the top frame with the base frame by matching outer diameter of the top frame with the inner diameter of the base frame.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable seating arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a top frame of the portable seating arrangement of FIG 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a middle frame of the portable seating arrangement of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present ¾ invention;

FIG. 2C is a front view of the middle frame of FIG. 2B in accordance with an embodi ment of the present i nventi on;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a sliding member of the portable seating arrangement of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present ¾ invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the sliding member of FIG. 3A in accordance with an embodi ment of the present i nventi on;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a seat of the portable seating arrangement of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

¾ FIG. 4B is a side view of the seat of FIG. 4A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an engagement of the middle frames of the portable seating arrangement of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; ttl FIG. 5B is a perspective view of an engagement of the middle frames FIG. 5A in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a front view of a close position of the portable seating arrangement of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention

Although specific terms are used in the following description for sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define ¾ or I i mit the scope of the i nventi on.

References in the specification to ^'one embodiment_, or ^'an embodiment_, mean that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase Ίη one embodiment_, in various places ¾ i n the specif i cati on are not necessari ly al I ref erri ng to the same embodi ment.

In general aspect, the present invention discloses a portable seating arrangement that includes a predefined arrangement of a top frame, at least one middle frame and a base frame. The base frame, at least one middle frame and the top frame respectively having sequentially decreasing diameter are engaged with

¾ one another in a concentric manner. The top frame includes a seat attached thereto. The seat includes a handle configured thereon. The top frame and the middle frame have at least one of guideway configured on lateral surface thereof. The middle frame and the base frame have at least sliding member configured on lateral surface thereof. The sliding member of an outer adjacent frames slide in the ttl guideway of an inner adjacent frame thereby facilitating extension, retraction and locking of the frames. The desired height of the seating arrangement is achieved by extending the concentric frames in an axial direction and locking the seat at the desired height by rotating the top frame by a predefined angle and in a predefined direction through the guideways. The portable seating arrangement may be used t& by engaging the top frame with the base frame. The portable seating arrangement may be used at all achievable heights in-between and including fully retracted and fully extended positions thereof. The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers in brackets indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2C, a portable seating arrangement (100) in ¾ accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The portable seating arrangement (100) includes a top frame (110), at least one middle frame (120) (hereinafter ^'the middle frames (120) _), a base frame (130), at least one sliding member (140) (hereinafter ^'the sliding member (140) _) and a seat (160). The top frame (110), the middle frames (120) and the base frame (130) have a ¾ predefined shape. In the preferred embodiment, the top frame (110), the middle frames (120) and the base frame (130) have a cylindrical shape of a uniform thickness. The base frame (130), the middle frames (120) and the top frame (110) respectively have sequentially decreasing diameters and are engaged in a concentric manner. The base frame (130) having largest dimension is positioned ¾ at a base. The base frame (130) includes a rim (132) defined at a bottom plane thereof. The rim (132) provides stability to the portable seating arrangement (100).

The top frame (110) has smallest dimension and includes the seat (160) removably attached at a top plane thereof. The top frame (110) and the middle ttl frames (120) have at least one guideway (112) (hereinafter ^'the guideway 112_) configured on lateral surface thereof. The middle frames (120) and the base frame (130) have at least one hole (122) (hereinafter ^'the hole ( 122) _) configured on lateral surface thereof. The hole (122) receives the sliding member (140) therein. The sliding member (140) of outer adjacent frame (120) (130) slide in the t& guideway (122) of inner adjacent frame (110), (120) thereby facilitating extension, retraction and locking of the portable seating arrangement (100). The guideway (112) facilitate the movement of the top frame (110) and the middle frame (120) in a vertical and a horizontal direction. Referring to FIG. 2A, the top frame (110) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The top frame (110) has a cylindrical profile. The inner side of the top frame (110) has a polygonal profile

(111) . In an embodiment, the inner side of the top frame (110) has a hexagonal ¾ prof i I e ( 111 ) . T he top frame ( 110) i ncl udes a predef i ned number of the gui deways

(112) equi distantly configured thereon. The number of guideways (112) on the top frame (110) matches with the number of guideways (112) on each of the middle frames (120) of the portable seating arrangement (100). However, it will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the inner and outer profiles

¾ of the top frame (110) and number of guideways (112) may vary in alternative embodiments of the present invention. The top frame (110) facilitates attachment of the seat ( 160) at top plane thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 2B-2C, the middle frame (120) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Each middle frame (120) has a

¾ predefined number of extended portions 124 equi distantly configured on a top plane thereof. The profile of the middle frame (120) matches with the profile of the base frame (130). The extended portions 124 on the top plane of the middle frames (120) and the base frame (130) define a wave profile. In an embodiment, each middle frame (120) and the base frame (130) includes three extended ttl porti ons ( 124) havi ng angl e of about 120 degrees therebetween. T he wave prof i I e of the middle frames (120) and the base frame (130) provide strength and rigidity to the frames (120), (130). The extended portions (124) accommodate the sliding members (140). Three numbers of extended portions (124) are necessary to avoid interference and wobbling of the sliding members (140) with adjacent frames. t& However, it will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the profiles, dimensions, number and locations of the extended portions (124) on the frames (120), (130) may vary in another embodiment of the present invention.

T he mi ddl e frames ( 120) have at I east one gui deway (112) and at I east one hole (122) configured on lateral surface thereof. In the preferred embodiment, ffl, three guideways (112) and three holes (122) are configured on the middle frames (120). The angular distance between two consecutive guideways is less than 180 . In an embodiment, the number of guideways (112) and the holes (122) matches with the number of extended portions (124) of the middle frames (120) and the base frame (130). The extended portions (124) accommodate the hole (122) and ¾ the guideways (112). The holes (122) receive the sliding members (140) therein.

In an embodiment, each guideway (112) has a predetermined shape defining a sliding slot and a locking slot. A vertical slot (112A) acts as the sliding slot and a horizontal slot (112B) acts as the locking slot. The vertical slot (112A) includes a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end of the vertical slot (112A)

¾ acts as an open end for the horizontal slot (112B). The horizontal slot (112B) has a slight inclined profile towards closed end thereof. The angle between the sliding slot and locking slot is less than 90°. However the shape of the guideways (112) may include but not limited to shapes such as C, T I, Z, F, E and G in other embodiments. The holes (122) have a protruding surface. The protruding surface

¾ has a frustum (126) configured thereon. The holes (122) receive the sliding members (140) therein. The frustum (126) facilitates fixing of the sliding member (140) received in the hole (122). However, it is understood here that shape, number and positions of the guideways (112) and the holes (122) may vary in another alternative embodiment of the present invention. ttl Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the sliding member (140) with reference to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sliding member (140) includes a head (142) and a shank (144). The head (142) has a circular shape and the shank (144) has a cylindrical shape. The shank (144) has a first end and a second end. The first end of the shank (144) is attached to an inner side of the t& head (142). The head (142) has a radially inward knife edge projection (146) configured on an inner surface thereof. The dimensions of the shank (144) match with the dimensions of the inner surface of the holes (122). The shank (144) of the si idi ng member ( 140) is i nserted i n the hoi es ( 122) to fix the si i di ng member ( 140) in the holes (122). The radially inward knife edge projection (146) of the head ffl, (142) is fixed on the frustum (126). The second end of the shank (144) protrudes from the holes (122) to engage with the guideways (112). However, it will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the shape and configuration of the sliding member (140) may vary in other embodiments of the present invention. The sliding member (140) may include a spring, a shank configured on ¾ the inner lateral surface of the middle frame (120) and the base frame (130) and the like.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the seat (160) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The seat (160) is removably attached to a top edge of the top frame ( 110) . T he seat ( 160) i ncl udes a curvi I i near

¾ slot (162), a circular slot (164) configured thereon. The seat has at least one connecting member fixed thereon. In an embodiment, the seat (160) has the connecting members (166) and (168) fixed at a bottom plane thereof. The connecting member (166) facilitates attachment of the seat (160) on the top frame (110). The connecting member (168) is adapted to engage with the head (142) of

¾ the sliding member (140) of the base frame (130) in completely retracted configuration. In an embodiment, the seat (160) has an oval profile. The curvilinear slot (162) and the circular slot (164) are configured on the seat act as a handle. The handle is used for applying axial force required during extension and retraction of the portable seating arrangement (100). However, it is understood ttl here that prof i I es of the seat ( 160) and handl e may vary i n another embodi ment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the arrangement of the middle frames (120) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The middle frames (120) are arranged such that the top end of the vertical slot (112A) of the t& guideway (112) of one middle frame (120) receives the sliding member (140) of the other adjacent middle frame (120). The vertical slot (112A) facilitates the sliding of the sliding member (140) in a vertical direction. The horizontal slot (112B) allows sliding of the sliding member (140) in a horizontal direction thereby facilitating locking of the middle frames (120). Referring to FIGS. 1, 5A and 5B, for extending the portable seating arrangement (100), the top frame (110) and the middle frames (120) are extended in axial direction till the sliding member (140) of the adjacent middle frame (120) are received in the bottom end of the vertical slot (112A) of the guideways (112)

¾ of the top frame (110) and the sliding member (140) of the base frame (130) are received in the bottom end of the vertical slot (112A) of the guideways (112) of the inner adjacent middle frame (120). Thereafter, the top frame (110) and the middle frames (120) are rotated in the horizontal direction till the closed ends of the horizontal slots (112B) of the guideways (112) of the top frame (110) receive

¾ the sliding members (140) of the adjacent middle frames (120) and the closed ends of the horizontal slots (112B) of the guideways (112) of the inner adjacent middle frame (120) receive the sliding members (140) of the base frame (130). The inclination provided to the horizontal slot (112B) avoids sliding of the sliding member (140) during locked position. The inclination of the horizontal slot

¾ (112B) provides resistance to rotation of the frames thereby avoiding sudden retraction of the portable seating arrangement (100) in a loaded configuration.

A desired height of the seat (160) is achieved by positioning the preferred number of middle frames (120) between the top frame (110) and the base frame (130). In fully extended configuration of the portable seating arrangement (100), ttl the sliding members (140) of each middle frame (120) and the base frame (130) are in the horizontal slots (112B) of the top frame (110) and the adjacent middle frame (120) respectively. In this embodiment, the portable seating arrangement (100) includes six middle frames (120), one top frame (110) and one base frame (130). However, it will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that t& the number of mi ddl e frames ( 120) may vary. T he portabl e seati ng arrangement i s used by engaging the top frame (110) with the base frame (130). The sliding member (140) of the base frame (130) is slid into the guideways (112) of the top frame (110) thereby facilitating extension, retraction and locking of the portable seati ng arrangement ( 100) . Referring FIG. 6, completely retracted configuration of the portable seating arrangement (100) is shown. For retracting the portable seating arrangement (100) in accordance with the present invention, the middle frames (120) and the top frame (110) are rotated in a predefined horizontal direction till ¾ the sliding member (140) of the outer adjacent middle frame (120) and the base frame (130) are received at the bottom end of the vertical slot (112A) of the guideways (112) of the top frame (110) and the inner adjacent middle frame (120) respetively. Further, the sliding members (140) are slid in the vertical slot (112A) of the guideways (112) of the adjacent middle frame (120) and the top frame n (110) up to the top end of the vertical slot (112A) of the guideways (112). In fully retracted configuration of the portable seating arrangement (100), the sliding members (140) of each adjacent middle frame (120) and the base frame (130) are at the top end of the vertical slot (112A) of the top frame (110) and the inner adjacent middle frame (120) respectively.

¾ The portable seating arrangement (100) may be used in fully extended, fully retracted configuration (as shown in FIG. 6) or at any desired height there between. The height of the portable seating arrangement (100) is varied by varying number of the middle frames (120) positioned between the top frame ( 110) and the base frame ( 130) . T he portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100) may al so ttl be used by engaging top frame (110) having appropriate dimensions with the base frame (130). In an embodiment the portable seating arrangement (100) has a vertical configuration. However, it will be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the portable seating arrangement (100) may be used in other configurations in other alternative embodiments of the present invention. t& The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of ffl, equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Claims

C LAIM S

1. A portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100), comprisi ng: a top frame (110) having at least one guideway (112) configured ¾ on a lateral surface thereof, each guideway (112) has a predetermined shape defining a sliding slot and a locking slot; and a base frame (130) arranged coaxially with the top frame (110), the base frame (130) having a sliding member (140) corresponding to each guideway (112),

¾ the si i di ng member ( 140) engages with the gui deway and si i des al ong the si i di ng slot of the guideway for extending and retracting the portable seating arrangement and locks at a predetermined position on rotation in the locking slot of the guideway.

¾ 2. The portable seating arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one middle frame (120) arranged coaxially between the top frame (110) and the base frame (130), each middle frame (120) having at least one guideway (112) and at least one sliding member (140) configured thereon.

ttl

3. The portable seating arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the si i di ng member ( 140) of the base frame ( 130) engages with the gui deway ( 112) of inner adjacent middle frame (120) and the sliding member (140) of the middle frame (120) adjacent to the top frame engages with the guideway (112) of the top frame (110) for further extending, retracting and/or locking the portable seating t& arrangement ( 100) at the predetermi ned hei ght.

4. The portable seating arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the base frame (130) and middle frames have at least one hole (122) configured on the lateral surface thereof, the hole (122) receiving the sliding member ( 140) therei n.

5. T he portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100) as cl ai med i n one of the precedi ng claims 1, 2 and 4, wherein the sliding member (140) is a pin having a head (142) and a shank (144).

6. T he portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100) as cl ai med i n one of the precedi ng claims 1-5, wherein the top frame (110), the middle frame (120) and the base frames (130) have a cylindrical shape.

7. T he portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100) as cl ai med i n one of the precedi ng claims 1-6, wherein the middle frame (120) and the base frame (130) have wave profile with a predefined number of extended portion (124).

tfrl 8. The portable seating arrangement (100) as claimed in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a seat (160) removably attached to a top edge of the top frame (110).

9. The portable seating arrangement (100) as claimed in one the preceding claims 1-8, wherein the predetermined shape of the guideway is an L -shape with a t& vertical slot (112A) acting as the sliding slot and a horizontal slot (112B) acting as the locking slot.

10. T he portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100) as cl ai med i n cl ai m 9 wherei n the angle between the sliding slot and locking slot is less than 90°.

¾ 11. T he portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100) as cl ai med i n one of the precedi ng claims 1-10, wherein each frame comprises two guideways (112) at an angular distance less than 180°.

12. T he portabl e seati ng arrangement ( 100) as cl ai med i n one of the precedi ng ¾ claims 1-10, wherein each frame preferably comprises three guideways.