Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6739652
-
Patent Number
6,739,652
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, April 16, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, May 25, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Cuomo; Peter M.
- Harris; Stephanie
Agents
- Blakely Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman LLP
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 297 118
- 297 129
- 297 18814
- 297 18815
- 297 1882
- 248 3451
- 248 3112
- 248 314
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
An apparatus including receptacle having an opening with dimensions suitable for accommodating a beverage container having a volume suitable for consuming of a beverage in a single seating; and a fastening member coupled to the receptacle and having a protruding portion representatively adapted to be coupled to an armrest of a chair.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field
The invention relates to a container unit and apparatus including a container unit.
2. Background
In recent years, the convenience and utility arose for having a folding chair that can be carried around to different locations such as the beach, the park, and sporting events. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,172 describes a folding chair made up of preferably lightweight U-shaped metal alloys or plastic with straps coupled to a panel to allow a user to wear the chair on his or her back. A pouch is also coupled to the same or another support panel to allow a user to carry or store articles in the pouch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a side, partial perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus suitable for use as a beverage holder.
FIG. 2
is a top side perspective and partial cut-away view of the apparatus of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is a top view of the apparatus of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 4
is a top view of the apparatus of
FIG. 1
coupled to a front side view of an embodiment of the backpack unit.
FIG. 5
is a side view of the assembly of FIG.
4
.
FIG. 6
is a magnified, side view of the apparatus of
FIG. 1
coupled to an armrest of a backpack unit.
FIG. 7
is a magnified, side view of a second embodiment of the apparatus coupled to an armrest of a folding chair.
FIG. 8
is a magnified, side view of a third embodiment of the apparatus coupled to an armrest of a folding chair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus, in one embodiment, is suitable for use as a beverage holder comprising a material formed in a body having an opening with dimensions suitable for accommodating a beverage container. In one embodiment, the dimensions are suitable for a beverage container having a volume suitable for consuming a beverage in a single seating, such as a 12 or 16 ounces (oz.) can of soft drink or juice. The apparatus also includes a fastening member coupled to the body material and having a protruding portion adapted, in one embodiment, to be connected (directly or indirectly) to an armrest of a chair.
FIG. 1
,
FIG. 2
, and
FIG. 3
show an embodiment of an apparatus suitable for holding or storing a beverage container. Apparatus
100
in this one embodiment is suitable for use in conjunction with an adjustable position chair. Apparatus
100
includes receptacle
110
. Receptacle
110
is preferably lightweight and is deformable (e.g., collapsible), such that its shape may be established by containing an article within receptacle
110
, but when empty, the shape may be modified (e.g., deformed). Suitable material for receptacle
110
includes, but is not limited to, a polymer such as a nylon or polyester fibers or cloth fibers. Alternatively, receptacle
110
may be of a hard plastic material or other solid body material that is not collapsible or not readily collapsible. Receptacle
110
is formed in the shape of a container having body portion
120
and base portion
130
. Body portion
120
is formed in a tubular configuration having dimensions suitable, in one example, to hold a typical beverage container, such as a cup, a 12 or 16 ounce (oz.) soda can, or a juice or water bottle. Receptacle
110
also includes, in one embodiment, base or bottom portion
130
. Base or bottom portion
130
is of a similar material as body portion
120
and, in the case of cloth or other collapsible polymer material, body portion
120
and base portion
130
may be coupled together though stitching with a suitable durable thread. Alternatively, base portion
130
may be of a different material than body portion
120
or, in the case of a cloth or polymer fiber, may be of a different weave. For example, body portion
120
may be constructed of fibers woven together tightly as a unitary body, while base portion
130
may be constructed of fibers woven together more loosely to form a web with openings therethrough. Collectively, body portion
120
and base portion
130
define interior volume
140
for containing a portion of a receptacle.
Collectively, body portion
120
and bottom or base portion
130
define a volume
140
suitable for containing a portion of a beverage container. Representatively, body portion
120
is cylindrical in shape and has a length on the order of about three to four inches and a diameter on the order of about three to four inches.
FIG. 1
also shows body portion
120
having lip portion
115
formed by folding over a superior portion (as viewed) of body portion
120
and stitching the folded over portion to the remainder of body portion
120
. In one embodiment, stiffner
116
is placed within the fold of lip portion
115
. Stiffner
116
is, for example, a hard plastic material.
Referring to
FIG. 1
,
FIG. 2
, and
FIG. 3
, the beverage holder apparatus also includes a fastening member to, for example, fasten the material portion to a suitable object. One suitable object is an outdoor chair, such as a folding chair with adjustable seating positions provided at the armrests. An example of a suitable object is a folding chair that can be carried as a backpack, such as the backpack chair disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,172. Referring to the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1
, FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
, the apparatus is suitable, in one embodiment, for coupling to an armrest of the described backpack chair.
Fastening member
150
is, in one embodiment, of a hard plastic or metal material formed, as viewed, of an inverted L-shaped body having, horizontal or base portion
160
and vertical portion
170
. At one end of fastening member
150
and coupled to base portion
160
and vertical portion
170
is lateral or side portion
180
. An angle between vertical portion
170
and lateral or side portion
180
is representatively 90°, and an angle between vertical portion
170
and horizontal or base portion
160
is representatively 90°. One side of lateral or side portion
180
provides a face for coupling to body portion
120
of receptacle
110
. In one embodiment, horizontal or base portion
160
, vertical portion
170
and lateral or side portion
180
are formed as a single unit by, for example, molding a hard material such as a metal (e.g., steel or aluminum) or a hard (dense) plastic or polymer material. In the case of a metal, such as aluminum or steel, the portions may be formed as individual components and coupled together through welds or similar means.
Fastening member
150
is coupled to material portion
100
(through body portion
120
) by one or more screws or rivets between body portion
120
and lateral or side portion
180
. FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
show, as an example, rivets
190
separated (exploded) from coupling body portion
120
of receptacle
110
to lateral or side portion
180
of fastening member
150
. In one embodiment, screws or rivets
190
are placed from inside (interior volume
140
) out—through body portion
120
, through stiffner
116
, through lip portion
115
, through lateral or side portion
180
. Fastening member
150
further includes, in one embodiment, openings
165
on horizontal portion
160
, to fasten the apparatus to a suitable object.
FIG. 4
shows a planer top view of a backpack unit that may be used as a chair.
FIG. 5
shows a side view of the backpack unit of FIG.
4
. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
4
and
FIG. 5
, the backpack unit has the apparatus described with reference to
FIG. 1
, FIG.
2
and
FIG. 3
coupled to an armrest (e.g., fastening member
150
is coupled to an armrest by screws (wood screws) through openings
165
in base portion
160
).
In the embodiment shown in FIG.
4
and
FIG. 5
, backpack unit
210
consists of a frame in the form of a folding chair. The frame is of a lightweight material including, but not limited to, metal alloy or plastic.
Suitable metal alloys include but are not limited to aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, and steel alloy. The frame includes U-shaped seat frame
216
pivotally coupled at its ends to the ends of U-shaped back frame
215
through cross-member
218
. In this manner, U-shaped back frame
215
is adapted to rotate about cross-member
218
. Cross-member
218
is for example a lightweight metal alloy rod that extends the width of U-shaped back frame
215
and is coupled to the ends of U-shaped back frame
215
and U-shaped seat frame
216
. The frame also includes U-shaped front leg frame
225
coupled at its ends to the ends of U-shaped back leg frame
220
through separate cross-members
222
to form a rotational axis. Cross-members
222
are, for example, cylindrical rivets, screws, bolts, or other suitable fasteners. Cross-members
222
are coupled at respective ends of U-shaped front leg frame
225
and U-shaped back leg frame
220
. In one embodiment, each of back frame
215
, seat frame
216
, and back leg frame
220
have different widths and the width of front leg frame
225
and back frame
215
are substantially similar. In this manner, in a folded state, each of the components of the frame are substantially parallel and adjacent to one another with back leg frame
220
being widest, followed by back frame
215
and front leg frame
225
, and seat frame
216
.
In one embodiment, front leg frame
225
is rotatably coupled to seat frame
216
at point
227
substantially between the ends and the apex of front leg frame
225
and the ends and apex of seat frame
216
. In one embodiment, concave-shaped rollers
219
extend from the end of cross-member
218
. Concave-shaped rollers
219
are configured to abut back leg frame
220
when back frame
215
of the frame is in an unfolded state. In this manner, cross-member
218
supports back frame
215
by displacing a downward force onto back leg frame
220
to limit the rotation of back frame
215
about cross-member
218
. Support members
228
may be added to either side of the back leg frame
120
and coupled to cross-member
218
to further support back frame
215
when the frame is in an unfolded state.
The frame of the backpack unit of the invention also includes a pair of armrests
230
pivotally coupled at one end to back frame
215
and positionally coupled to the ends of back leg frame
220
and front leg frame
225
. The armrests are made of a durable material that is comfortable to the exposed arms of a user. Suitable material includes, but is not limited to, plastic and wood. In one embodiment, inferiorly extending plates are coupled to the base of each armrest
230
and individually coupled to cross-members
222
between the outer back leg frame
220
and the inner front leg frame
225
. As illustrated in
FIG. 5
(and magnified in FIG.
6
), at least one of the plates is a beverage holder apparatus such as apparatus
100
. Apparatus
100
includes vertical portion
170
of fastening member
150
having opening
134
substantially extending about vertical portion
170
with a plurality of laterally extending openings
136
branching from opening
134
at an approximate 30°-90° angle (see angle ∝, FIG.
5
). Optionally, openings need not extend at the same angle. Referring to
FIG. 6
, for example, the opening closest to receptacle
110
defines a smaller angle, β, than the other openings in vertical portion
170
(β<α) so that back frame
215
reclines more in this position than in another position. Base portion
160
of apparatus
100
is fastened to one armrest
230
by, for example, one or more screws through openings
165
. One cross member
222
may be disposed through opening
134
(or one opening
136
) to position back frame
215
. In this example, receptacle
110
includes or contains a beverage container, such as a 12 oz. soft drink container
300
. In an embodiment where only one of the plates is a beverage holder apparatus, the other plate may be formed as an inverted L-shaped member with a base portion coupled to a second armrest
230
and a vertical portion having an opening(s) corresponding to opening
134
and openings
136
of apparatus
100
similar to the plate(s) shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,172.
Armrests
230
are rotatably coupled substantially about midpoint a between the apex and ends of back frame
215
. The rotatable coupling allows armrests
230
to collapse and be rotated so that when the chair is in a folded state, armrests
230
are substantially parallel to back frame
215
.
In addition to the frame of the backpack unit, the unit includes at least one panel to support a user seated within the frame. In one embodiment, the panel is made of a durable material such as canvas (e.g., 600 Denier canvas), or polyester, or other cloth or cloth-like material. The panel is coupled to the apex of back frame
215
and the apex of seat frame
216
. The coupling may be accomplished by looping the panel material, for example, over the apex of back frame
215
and sewing the looped portion to the back side of the panel. A similar sewing procedure may be used to couple the panel to the apex of seat frame
216
. In one embodiment, the panel is made up of seat panel
235
and back panel
240
. Seat panel
235
is coupled, such as described above, to the apex of seat frame
216
. Seat panel
235
is also coupled at its other end (
237
) in a similar fashion to cross-member
218
and is coupled at a tension to support an average user of the frame as a chair. Back panel
240
is coupled, such as described above, to the apex of back frame
215
and is coupled at its other end to seat panel
235
, such as for example, by sewing. Back panel
240
and seat panel
235
are coupled at a tension to support an average user of the frame as a chair.
In one embodiment, a head rest is provided along the apex of back frame
215
. Head rest
278
is, for example, a foam such as a polystyrene foam, extending above the apex of back frame
215
and beneath back panel
240
. Head rest
278
cushions the head or shoulder of a user seated in the frame. Optionally, head rest cushion
279
of a pillow, sized to support the head of a user and filled with a polystyrene foam or other suitable material, may be coupled to the front side of back panel
240
at a position suitable for contacting the head of an individual reclining within the frame.
Coupled to the back side of back panel
240
, in one embodiment, is container unit
245
. In one embodiment, container unit
245
is made of the same material as the panel (i.e., seat panel
235
and back panel
240
). Container unit
245
is configured to provide an opening between container unit
245
and the back side of back panel
240
. In one embodiment, container unit
245
contains a sufficient cavity or container to allow the storage and transport of various goods, such as sporting equipment and picnic supplies. Overlying container unit
245
and coupled, in one embodiment, to back panel
240
is container flap
250
. Container flap
250
should be of a sufficient area to extend over the opening defined by container unit
245
. In one embodiment, container flap
250
may be detachably coupled to container unit
245
by providing releasable fasteners such as male/female snap-release buckles
247
connected or coupled, such as for example, by sewing to each of container flap
250
and container unit
245
.
Coupled to a back side of seat panel
235
(as viewed), in this embodiment, are a pair of adjustable straps
260
. In one embodiment, the top of the straps
260
are coupled such as, for example, by sewing at a point adjacent the apex of seat frame
216
. A second end of straps
260
are coupled adjacent to the apex of front leg frame
225
. Straps
260
typically have a cushion element and a strap element
263
. Straps
260
are adjustable through a conventional buckle
265
such as used in other lightweight backpack configurations. Straps
260
allowed the chair to be carried as a backpack, over the shoulders of an individual, which the chair is in folded state.
In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4-6
, one end of fastening member
150
(with lateral or side portion
180
) is aligned roughly with an end of one armrest
230
. In this manner, receptacle
110
is located adjacent, and appears to extend from, armrest
230
. Representatively, the superior surface of body portion
120
(e.g., lip portion
115
) is linearly aligned with a superior surface of armrest
230
. In another embodiment, fastening member
150
may be adjustable, such as providing fastening member
150
of a multi-component unit with, for example, base portion
160
and vertical portion
170
coupled together as one piece and lateral portion
180
having an adjustable tongue portion extending along a length of base portion
160
and capable of hooking into protruding notches on the inferior side of base portion
160
, such as by a key-hole lock assembly. It is also appreciated that fastening member
150
need not serve as a plate having openings (e.g., opening
134
and opening
136
) to provide for adjustment of a back frame of a folding chair (e.g., back frame
215
). In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 4-6
, for example, fastening member
150
may be connected (possibly detachably connected) to a separate plate having the openings for adjustment of back frame
215
.
FIG. 7
shows another embodiment of a beverage holder apparatus coupled to a portable folding chair. In this embodiment, apparatus
300
includes receptacle
310
and fastening member
320
. Receptacle
310
may be as described above with regard to receptacle
110
. Fastening member
320
is an L-shaped body having base portion
325
and length portion
330
. Receptacle
310
is coupled to one side of base portion
325
(the side opposite length portion
330
) by, for example, a rivet, screw, or adhesive. Length portion
330
, in this example, is coupled to one side of vertical portion
370
that is positioned between, for example, ends of a U-shaped back leg frame and a U-shaped front leg frame, and has diagonal openings for positioning a back frame of a chair. In this embodiment, length portion is coupled to vertical portion
370
by screws or rivets
335
. Vertical portion
370
having recline slots is coupled to armrest
350
. In another embodiment, where, for example, the chair does not have a recline mechanism (e.g., no positioning portion with recline slots), the base portion of the fastening member may be coupled to the underside of an armrest similar to connecting fastening member
150
to arm rest
230
in FIG.
5
and FIG.
6
.
FIG. 8
shows still another embodiment where armrest, a vertical portion, and a fastening member for a receptacle are formed of a single piece of material such as a single piece of molded plastic. In this embodiment, armrest
430
, vertical portion
470
having recline slots, and fastening member
425
are formed of a single material. Vertical portion
470
is positioned between, for example, ends of a U-shaped back frame and a U-shaped front leg frame. Fastening member
425
includes a portion, in this example, extending out of the page as viewed, providing an area for receptacle
410
to be coupled to fastening member
425
by screw, rivet, or adhesive.
By making an apparatus suitable as a beverage holder of a collapsible, light-weight, durable material, the apparatus is suitable for carrying, along with the chair, via a backpack unit as described. It is appreciated, however, that the apparatus described as a beverage holder may be made of other heavier or non-flexible material and used in a similar manner, perhaps with a backpack unit such as shown or a stationary chair. It is also appreciated that apparatus
100
may have a variety of uses beyond a place to store beverages. Such uses include, storing other goods like writing utensils, lotions, snack foods, and other items.
In another embodiment, container
110
may enclose, within a body of container
110
(and possibly base
130
) an insulated material to insulate beverages.
In the preceding detailed description, the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims
- 1. A backpack unit comprising:a frame of a material selected from one of a metal alloy and a plastic in the form of a folding chair including a U-shaped seat frame pivotally coupled at its ends to ends of a U-shaped back frame through a cross-member, a U-shaped front leg frame pivotally coupled to the seat frame and pivotally coupled at its ends to ends of a U-shaped back leg frame, the frame capable of being folded such that the back frame, the seat frame, the front leg frame, and the back leg frame fold substantially parallel and adjacent to one another; a pair of armrests pivotally coupled to the back frame and positionally coupled along a first diagonal between the ends of the front leg frame and the back leg frame, the pair of armrests each having a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the first side is positioned so that the first side may come in contact with an arm of a person seated on the seated frame; a fastening member coupled to the second side of the one of the pair of armrests, and including an end portion extending beyond an end of the one of the pair of armrests; a receptacle coupled to the end portion of the fastening member, the receptacle having an opening with dimensions suitable for accommodating a beverage container having a volume suitable for consuming a beverage in a single seating; a first support panel coupled about the back frame and the seat frame and associated with the cross-member; a second support panel coupled to the first support panel; shoulder straps coupled to the second support panel; and a container having a forward wall panel coupled to the back side of the first support panel adjacent the back frame.
- 2. The backpact unit of claim 1, wherein the fastening member comprises an L-shaped body, a base of which is coupled to the armrest and a portion orthogonal to the base is aligned with and extends a portion of a length of the one of the pair of armrests.
- 3. The backpack of claim 2, wherein the cross-member is a first cross-member and the apparatus further comprising a pair of second cross-members respective ones of the pair of second cross-members coupling the ends of the U-shaped front leg frame and the ends of the U-shaped back leg frame,wherein the portion of the fastening member orthogonal to the base is disposed between the U-shaped front leg frame and the U-shaped back leg frame and has an opening therethrough, and one of the pair of second cross-members is disposed through the opening.
- 4. The backpack unit of claim 1, wherein the cross-member is a first cross-member and the apparatus further comprises:a pair of second cross-members respective ones of the pair of second cross-members coupling the ends of the U-shaped front leg frame and the ends of the U-shaped back leg frame, wherein the fastening member is disposed between the U-shaped front leg frame and the U-shaped back leg frame, wherein the fastening member has at least one opening therethrough, and wherein one of the pair of second cross-members is disposed through the at least one opening.
- 5. The backpack unit of claim 4, wherein the fastening member comprises a first fastening member, the apparatus further comprising a second fastening member coupled to the other of the pair of armrests and disposed between the U-shaped front leg frame and the U-shaped back leg frame, the second fastening member having at least one opening therethrough,wherein the other of the pair of second cross members is disposed through the at least one opening of the second fastening member.
- 6. The backpack unit of claim 5, wherein the pair of second cross members are linearly aligned.
US Referenced Citations (14)