The field of the invention relates generally to chairs and more particularly to chairs having a tray assembly.
Known chairs, which are collapsible, are popular with consumers because they can be readily folded and stored. Such features enable chairs to be transported and used during recreational activities, such as during camping. Known collapsible chairs include a frame that is selectively moveable between a collapsed or folded configuration when the chair is not in use and a non-folded configuration during use. A fabric frame cover is coupled to the frame to define a back portion and a seat portion of the chair such that a user may sit on the seat portion and have his or her back positioned against the back portion. Such collapsible chairs may also include arms or armrests that have a cup holder. The cup holder enables the user to place, for example, a drinking cup within the cup holder.
However, some known collapsible chairs may not include a portion for positioning, for example, a plate thereon. As such, while a user may be able to place a drink within the cup holder during a meal, the user would need to position a plate of food on the ground or, more commonly, on his or her lap. Therefore, known collapsible chairs may not provide a convenient or comfortable setting for the user to eat from a dish (for example, a paper or plastic disposable plate) of food while sitting in the chair. Moreover, known collapsible chairs may not provide a convenient or comfortable setting that includes a tray assembly that enables a user sitting in the chair to be provided with a surface suitable for allowing a user to rest an object (for example a laptop, a mobile phone, a book, or notebook) while sitting in the chair.
A tray assembly for coupling to a chair is provided. The tray assembly includes a tray support coupled to the chair. A first support is rotatably coupled to the tray support. A second support is coupled to the first support and includes a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end. A tray is coupled to the body, wherein the first support is configured to selectively rotate within the tray support to facilitate movement of the tray through a plurality of positions relative to the chair.
A collapsible chair is provided. The collapsible chair includes a frame selectively moveable between a collapsed configuration of the chair and a use configuration of the chair. A tray assembly is coupled to the frame and includes a tray support coupled to the chair. The tray assembly further includes a first support rotatably coupled to the tray support; and, a second support coupled to the first support. The second support includes a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end. A tray is coupled to the body, wherein the first support is configured to rotate within the tray support to facilitate movement of the tray through a plurality of positions relative to the chair.
A method of manufacturing a chair is provided. The method includes coupling a tray support to a frame of the chair. A first support is rotatably coupled to the tray support. The method includes coupling a second support to the first support, wherein the second support includes a first end, a second end, and a body located between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the method includes coupling a tray to the body, wherein the first support is configured to rotate within the tray support to facilitate movement of the tray through a plurality of positions relative to the chair.
The exemplary collapsible chair and methods described herein overcome at least some known disadvantages associated with at least some known collapsible chairs. More specifically, the embodiments described herein provide a chair that includes a rotatable and removeable tray assembly that enables a user sitting in the chair to be provided with a surface suitable for allowing a user, while sitting in the chair, to rest a dish (for example, a paper or plastic disposable plate) of food while eating a meal. Accordingly, the collapsible chair provides a convenient or comfortable setting for the user to be able to eat a dish of food while sitting in the chair. Additionally, the embodiments described herein provide a tray assembly for the tray wherein the tray assembly is moveable between a use position and a storage positon. Moreover, the embodiments described herein provide a chair that includes a rotatable and removeable tray assembly that enables a user sitting in the chair to be provided with a surface suitable for allowing a user to rest an object (for example a laptop, a mobile phone, a book, or notebook) while sitting in the chair.
In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 106 includes a plurality of segments 112 that define a base portion 114 and a top portion 118. A fabric frame cover 120 is coupled to the frame 106 to define a seat portion 122, a back portion 124, and a pair of arms 126 of the chair 100. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a portion of the fabric frame cover 120 is coupled to the frame base portion 114 to define the seat portion 122 and a portion of the fabric frame cover 120 is coupled to the frame top portion 118 to define the back portion 124. Accordingly, during use, the user may be seated on the seat portion 122 and the user may position his or her back against the back portion 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat portion 122 and back portion 124 of the fabric frame cover 120 are formed as a single-piece. It is understood, however, that the seat portion 122 and back portion 124 can be formed as separate pieces.
In the illustrated embodiment, the fabric frame cover 120 includes at least one layer of suitable fabric. For example, the fabric frame cover 120 can be manufactured from a wide selection of materials, such as, but not limited to, synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (for example, wood or cotton fibers), and/or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. The fabric frame cover 120 includes a first layer of fabric, a second layer of fabric, and a padded material (none shown) sandwiched between and captured by the first and second layers of fabric. The padded material may include foam for providing cushioning to the user. Examples of suitable foam include a closed-cell polyolefin foam, a foam with a negative Poisson ratio and other similar foams. The fabric frame cover 120 may also include a binding portion 123 (or trim) that defines an outer periphery 125 of the fabric frame cover 120. The binding portion 123 of the fabric frame cover 120 may also be a textile material that can be manufactured from a wide selection of materials, such as, but not limited to, synthetic fibers (for example, polyester or polypropylene fibers), natural fibers (for example, wood or cotton fibers), and/or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.
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As shown, the tray 150 is coupled to the second support 216. In the exemplary embodiment, the tray 150 is coupled to the body 222. Alternatively, the tray 150 can couple to at least one of the first end 218 and the second end 220. The tray 150 can be integrally formed with the second support 216, can be formed separately from the second support 216 and permanently attached thereto, or can be formed separately from the second support 216 and releasably attached thereto. The tray 150 includes a circular disk 224 and an annular ridge 226 extending circumferentially about the disk 224. The dimensions, such as the diameter, of the disk 224 can be predetermined to enable at least one object, such as a food dish (not shown), to be positioned on the disk. While the illustrated tray 150 includes a circular disk 224, it will be appreciated that the tray 150 can have any suitable shape.
The 224 also includes first surface 238 (
As noted, the first support 206 of the tray support 202 is telescopically received within the outer connector 204 of the tray support 202. Thus, the first support 206 can be moved upward and downward in the longitudinal direction 1 within the outer connector 204 such that the longitudinal extent or height of the first support 206 is selectively adjustable relative to the chair 100. In an embodiment, the tray support 202 includes a stop 242. The stop 242 is configured to couple to the first support 206 and to selectively adjust the longitudinal position of the first support 206 within the tray support 202. A lock mechanism 260 (for example, a ball or pin) can be used to securely couple the first support 206 to the outer connector 204 such that the first support 206 is not movable relative to the outer connector 204. In one suitable embodiment, the telescopic connection between the tray support 202 and the first support 206 allows the height of the tray assembly 130, and more specifically the tray 150, to be adjustable. Accordingly, the user of the chair 100 can selectively adjust the height of the tray 150 relative to the chair 100.
The tray 150 includes a fastener 264 coupled to the second surface 240. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastener 264 includes a bracket having a square cross sectional area. Alternatively, the fastener 264 can include at least one of a lock and pin system, a thread system, a friction fit system, a snap fit system, a spring pin system, a ratcheting system, and a slide lock system. The fastener 264 can include any configuration to couple to the second support 216 and to the second surface 240. In the storage position 268, the user decouples the first support 206 from the tray support 202. When the first support 206 is decoupled from the tray support 202, the second support 216 is rotatably coupled to the fastener 265. More particularly, the second support 216 is configured to rotate between the use position 266 (
The square body 222 of the second support 216 is configured to rotate within the square cross section of the fastener 264 between the use position 266 (
In the use position 266, the first support 206 is configured to rotatably and removeably couple to the tray support 202 while the second support 216 is configured to suspend the tray 150 as the tray 150 moves through the plurality of positions 262. In the storage position 268, the second support 216 rotates within the fastener 264 to position the first support 206 adjacent to the second surface 240. In the storage position 268, the first support 206 is moved via the second support 216 next to the second surface 240 to conserve storage space and to prevent the first support 206 from extending outward from the second surface 240 to reduce an injury risk during non-use of the tray assembly 130. Additionally, in the storage position 268, the second support 216 rotates within the fastener 264 to move the first support 206 to facilitate next to the tray 150 to reduce space or a foot print of the tray assembly 130 for convenient and efficient storage purposes.
Exemplary embodiments of the collapsible chair and methods are described above in detail. The collapsible chair and methods are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the collapsible chair and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example, the systems may also be used in combination with other systems and methods, and is not limited to practice with only the embodiments as described herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiments can be implemented and utilized in connection with many other applications such as tables.
Although specific features of various embodiments of the disclosure may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the disclosure, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/235,023, filed on Sep. 30, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62235023 | Sep 2015 | US |