Patent Application
20250040713
Portable chairs are known to be used to provide seating for outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, fishing, spectator events (e.g., sporting events, fireworks, concerts, airshows, fairs, etc.), bird watching, picnics, and/or the like. For example, folding chairs commonly known as lawn chairs fold about the length of an axis (e.g., approximately in-half) to provide a portable chair that can be carried to the location of the activity.
The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its sole purpose is to present a selection of concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
According to a first aspect there is a chair that includes a frame configured to expand radially outward and collapse radially inward relative to a central longitudinal axis between a folded position and an open position. The frame includes front legs and at least one rear leg. A length of each of the front legs is independently adjustable between a first position and a second position that is longer than the first position. The chair includes a seat bottom held by the frame such that an angle of the seat bottom relative to a level plane is selectively adjustable between at least two different angles by adjusting the length of at least one of the front legs.
According to a second aspect there is a chair that includes a frame configured to expand radially outward and collapse radially inward relative to a central longitudinal axis between a folded position and an open position. The frame includes front legs and at least one rear leg. A length of each of the front legs is independently adjustable between at least two different lengths. The chair includes a seat bottom held by the frame such that an angle of the seat bottom relative to a level plane is selectively adjustable between a first angle and a second angle by adjusting the length of at least one of the front legs. At least one of the first angle or the second angle extends obliquely to the level plane.
According to a third aspect there is a chair that includes a frame configured to expand radially outward and collapse radially inward relative to a central longitudinal axis between a folded position and an open position. The frame includes front legs and at least one rear leg. A length of each of the front legs is independently adjustable between a first position and a second position that is longer than the first position. The front legs include leg members and feet held at corresponding end portions of the leg members such that the feet are configured to pivot relative to the corresponding leg member. The chair includes a seat bottom held by the frame such that an angle of the seat bottom relative to a level plane is selectively adjustable between at least two different angles by adjusting the length of at least one of the front legs.
Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.
The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present examples are constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the examples and the sequence of operations for constructing and operating the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “upward,” and/or the like are used to describe implementations of the present application, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed such that the spatial and directional terms apply differently, for example if the structure is flipped 180°: a top side becomes a bottom side; upward becomes downward; a left side becomes a right side; vice versa; and/or the like. Moreover, and for example, vertical may become horizontal when the structure is rotated 90°.
Portable chairs are known to be used to provide seating for outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, fishing, spectator events (e.g., sporting events, fireworks, concerts, airshows, fairs, etc.), bird watching, picnics, and/or the like. For example, folding chairs commonly known as lawn chairs fold about the length of an axis (e.g., approximately in-half) to provide a portable chair that can be carried to the location of the activity. However, a disadvantage relates to a lack of adaptability to sloping and uneven support surfaces, which are often encountered outdoors. For example, it may be difficult for a hunter to hold a gunsight in a desired orientation on uneven ground, for example while seated in the chair over a period of time.
Certain implementations provide a chair wherein the length of each of the front legs of the chair is independently adjustable between at least two different lengths. The adjustability of the front legs enables the chair to accommodate (e.g., function as a seat on, provide seating on, support a person in a seated position on, etc.) uneven ground (e.g., terrain, etc.). Moreover, and for example, the adjustability of the front legs enables the angle of a seat bottom of the chair to be selectively adjustable between at least two different angles. The lengths of the front legs may be adjusted to the select an orientation of the seat bottom that provides a predetermined seating position. For example, the orientation of the seat bottom may be selected to provide a seating position that enables a hunter to more easily hold a gunsight in a desired orientation (e.g., level, etc.) on an uneven ground segment.
Referring now to
As will be described below, the length of each of the front legs 106 is independently adjustable between at least two different lengths (e.g., a first length and a second length that is longer than the first length, etc.). For example, the adjustability of the front legs 106 enables the chair 100 to accommodate (e.g., function as a seat on, provide seating on, support a person in a seated position on, etc.) uneven ground (e.g., terrain, etc.). Moreover, and for example, the adjustability of the front legs 106 enables the angle of the seat bottom 110 relative to a level plane 200 (
Referring now to
Referring now to
The frame 102 includes one or more arm rests 128. The exemplary implementation of the arm rests 128 are formed by corresponding frame members 124b. In other implementations, one or more of the arm rests 128 is formed by a discrete structure in addition or alternative to the frame member 124b. Although shown as being fixed in position, in some other implementations, one or more of the arm rests 128 are adjustable in one or more directions (e.g., height, width, side-to-side, front to back, etc.). Optionally, one or more of the arm rests 128 is padded, for example as is shown in
In addition to the frame members 124b, the front legs 106 also include leg members 130. In the exemplary implementation, the frame members 124b and the leg members 130 cooperate to enable the length of the front leg 106 to be adjusted. Although any other arrangement, geometry, structure, means, and/or the like may be used, the exemplary implementation includes a telescoping arrangement between the frame members 124b and the leg members 130. For example, an end portion 132 of the leg member 130 is received into an open end portion 134 of the frame member 124b such that the leg member 130 is configured to telescope (e.g., slide, move axially relative to the frame member 124b, etc.) inwardly and outwardly along a central longitudinal axis 136 of the front leg 106 between the at least two different lengths. In some other implementations, the end portion 134 of the frame member 124b is received into the end portion 132 of the leg member 130.
Although only two different lengths of each front leg 106 are shown herein, each front leg 106 may be independently adjustable between any number of different lengths and/or positions (e.g., three different lengths, four different lengths, a continuous and/or full range of adjustment along a finite length, etc.). In the exemplary implementation,
Each front leg 106 is selectively adjustable between the first length L1 and the second length L2. The exemplary implementations of the front legs 106 include corresponding latch pins 138 that hold the front legs 106 in the positions of the first length L1 and the second length L2. The latch pins 138 are spring-loaded pins that extend outward from the leg member 130 and cooperate with corresponding openings 140 within the frame member 124b to hold the front legs 106 in the respective first and second lengths L1 and L2. The latch pins 138 are biased to extend through the corresponding openings 140 of the frame member 124b to hold the front legs 106 in the first length L1 or the second length L2. Each latch pin 138 can be pushed back through the opening 140 to enable adjustment of the front leg 106 to the position that corresponds to a different length. In addition or alternative to the latch pins 138 and/or the openings 140, any other arrangement, geometry, structure, means, and/or the like may be used. For example, a clamp (not shown) may be used to hold the front legs 106 in the positions of the first length L1 and the second length L2. In some examples, a clamp and/or other mechanism may enable the front legs 106 to be held at any position along the length thereof between the first length L1 and the second length L2 (e.g., enable a continuous and/or full range of adjustment from the first length L1 to the second length L2 and vice versa, etc.).
In the exemplary implementation, the lengths of each of the rear legs 108 is fixed. In other words, the lengths of the exemplary rear legs 108 are not selectively adjustable. In other implementations, the length of one or more of the rear legs 108 is independently adjustable between at least two different lengths (e.g., a first length and a second length that is longer than the first length, etc.). Providing adjustment of the lengths of one or more of the rear legs 108 may enable the chair 100 to accommodate especially uneven ground (e.g., rocky terrain, etc.).
The front legs 106 and the rear legs 108 of the frame 102 include corresponding feet 142. For example, the feet 142 are positioned at respective end portions 144 and 146 of the front legs 106 and the rear legs 108. The leg members 130 of the front legs 106 include the end portions 144, and thus the feet 142. The feet 142 are configured to pivot relative to the corresponding leg 106 and 108. For example, the feet 142 of the front legs 106 are configured to pivot relative to the leg member 130 of the corresponding front leg 106 about at least one axis. In the exemplary implementation, the feet 142 of the front legs 106 pivot about an axis 148. The exemplary implementation of the feet 142 of the rear legs 108 pivot about an axis 154. In other implementations, the foot 142 of one or more of the front legs 106 and/or the foot 142 of one or more of the rear legs 108 pivot about at least two different axes (e.g., two axes, three axes, four axes, etc.).
In the exemplary implementation, the pivoting action of the feet 142 is provided by a corresponding hinge 160. For example, the hinge 160 extends along the corresponding axis 148 or 154 such that the hinge 160 enables each foot 142 to pivot about the corresponding axis 148 or 154. Any other arrangement, geometry, structure, means, and/or the like may be additionally or alternatively used to provide the pivoting action of the feet 142, such as, but not limited to, a clevis, a pin, a spherical rod end, a ball joint, and/or the like.
Referring now to
Accordingly, the front legs 106a and 106b support and hold the seat bottom 110 in a stable orientation (e.g., relative to the level plane 200, etc.) that is capable of supporting a person in a seated position on the ground segment 162. For example, in the exemplary implementation, the different lengths of the front legs 106a and 106b enable the chair 100 to be supported on the ground segment 162 with the seat bottom 110 extending approximately level from side-to-side. In other words, the seat bottom 110 is shown in
The lengths of the front legs 106a and 106b may be adjusted to the select an orientation of the seat bottom 110 that provides a predetermined seating position. For example, the orientation of the seat bottom 110 may be selected to provide a seating position that enables a hunter to more easily hold a gunsight in a desired orientation (e.g., level, etc.) on the uneven ground segment 162.
Referring now to
In
The adjustability of the front legs 106 between the first length L1 and the second length L2 enables the angle of the seat bottom 110 relative to the level plane 200 to be selectively adjustable between a first angle A1 (shown in
The angle of the seat bottom 110 relative to the level plane 200 may be selected to provide an orientation of the seat bottom 110 that provides a predetermined seating position. For example, the orientation of the seat bottom 110 may be selected to provide a seating position that enables a hunter to more easily hold a gunsight in a desired orientation (e.g., level, etc.) on the uneven ground segment 168.
Optionally, the lengths of the front legs 106 extend obliquely relative to the level plane 200. For example, in the exemplary implementation the lengths of the front legs 106 are angled at an oblique angle A3 that extends at approximately 60° relative to the level plane 200. However, the lengths of the front legs 106 may extend at any other angle relative to the level plane 200, such as, but not limited to, between approximately 30° and approximately 80° relative to the level plane 200, approximately perpendicular to the level plane 200, and/or the like. In some implementations, an oblique angle of the lengths of the front legs 106 relative to the level plane 200 enables may expand the range of adjustment of the angle of the seat bottom 110 relative to the level plane 200.
Referring again to
The chair 100 optionally includes a carrying strap 180 that enables a user to carry the chair 100 one their person, for example by looping the carrying strap 180 over the user's shoulder. In the exemplary implementation, the carrying strap 180 hangs from the frame member 124b, but the carrying strap 180 may additionally or alternatively be connected to the chair 100 at any other location along the frame 102, the seat 104, and/or the like. Although only one is shown, the chair 100 may include any number of the carrying straps 180.
An optional flap pocket 188 is provided in the exemplary implementation of the chair 100. For example, the flap pocket 188 hangs from the front of the seat bottom 110 and is connected to frame members 124c and 124d of the frame 102. Accordingly, the flap pocket 188 is located at the front of the chair 100 in the exemplary implementation. However, the flap pocket 188 may have any other location along the chair 100 in addition or alternatively to the front. The chair 100 may include any number of the flap pockets 188, even though only one is shown herein.
The following clauses describe further aspects:
As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.
Any range or value given herein can be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one implementation or can relate to several implementations. The implementations are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the present application illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the application can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.) is within the scope of aspects and implementations of the application.
The term “comprising” is used in this specification to mean including the feature(s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts. The terms “comprising.” “including.” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there can be additional elements other than the listed elements. In other words, the use of “including.” “comprising.” “having.” “containing.” “involving.” and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. Accordingly, and for example, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, implementations “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property can include additional elements not having that property. Further, references to “one implementation” or “an implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of”.
When introducing elements of aspects of the application or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” Accordingly, and for example, as used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps.
The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.” The phrase “and/or”, as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one implementation, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list. “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either” “one of” “only one of” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of.” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.
Having described aspects of the application in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the application as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the application, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described implementations (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various implementations of the application without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various implementations of the application, the implementations are by no means limiting and are example implementations. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various implementations of the application should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose the various implementations of the application, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various implementations of the application, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various implementations of the application is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
