The field of this disclosure relates generally to collapsible chairs, and more particularly, to collapsible chairs having a removable, cushioned seat pad.
Known collapsible chairs are popular because they can be readily folded, transported, and stored. Such features enable collapsible chairs to be transported and used during outdoor recreational activities, such as sporting events, concerts, etc. Spectators at such events often use collapsible chairs while engaging in social activities in a venue's parking areas (such as “tailgating”) before and/or after the event. At least some known collapsible chairs include a frame that is selectively moveable between a collapsed or folded configuration when the chair is not in use and an extended configuration during use. Such collapsible chairs are significantly large when in use (i.e., in its extended configuration) as compared to its collapsed configuration. Many venues do not allow spectators to bring in such collapsible chairs because seating is often provided.
Bleacher-type seating is provided at many venues for spectators of sporting events, concerts, etc. While bleacher-type seating can provide simple, convenient seating for a large number of spectators, it does not generally provide comfortable seating. To improve the comfort of bleacher-type seating, spectators sometimes bring their own portable seats or cushions. A spectator who chooses to participate in tailgating activities and who chooses to use his or her own portable cushion in the venue is required to bring two of their own devices to the event, which requires additional storage room in a vehicle. Therefore, there is a need to provide convenient, portable, and comfortable seating for the spectator both inside and outside of the venue.
In one aspect, a collapsible chair generally comprises a frame selectively moveable between a collapsed configuration of the chair and an extended configuration of the chair. The chair also includes a seat that is coupled to the frame. The seat includes a first material layer and a second material layer, the first layer and the second layer cooperatively defining a seat pocket. A seat pad is selectively moveable between a stored configuration, wherein the seat pad is located in the seat pocket, and a portable configuration, wherein the seat pad is removed from the seat pocket and usable as a portable seat pad.
In another aspect, a method of using a collapsible chair having a removable seat pad generally comprises moving a frame from a collapsed configuration of the chair to an extended configuration of the chair. A seat is coupled to the frame and defines a seat pocket configured to receive a seat pad. The method also includes moving the seat pad between a stored configuration wherein the seat pad is located in the seat pocket and a portable configuration wherein the seat pad is removed from the seat pocket to provide a user a portable seat pad.
Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects, alone or in any combination.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
As seen in
In the exemplary embodiment, the frame 12 includes a plurality of connecting structures 20 coupled between a pair of outer frames 22. A seat 24, a back support 26, and a foot support 28 are coupled to the frame 12. More specifically, the back support 26 and the foot support 28 are coupled between the outer frames 22, and the seat 24 is coupled between the two connecting structures 20. Accordingly, during use of the collapsible chair 10, the user may be seated on the seat 24, may position his or her back against the back support 26, and may position his or her feet on the foot support 28. In the exemplary embodiment, the seat 24 and the back support 26 are formed as separate pieces. It is understood, however, that the seat 24 and the back support 26 may be formed as a single-piece.
In the illustrated embodiment, each outer frame 22 is generally rectangular in shape and comprises a pair of horizontal members, i.e., a lower horizontal member 30 and an upper horizontal member 32, and a pair of vertical members, i.e., a front vertical member 34 and a rear vertical member 36. The rear vertical member 36 includes an upward extending portion 38 that extends beyond the upper horizontal member 32. Each of the front vertical members 34 includes a lower foot peg 46 extending forward, transverse to the vertical member 34. As seen in
In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting structures 20 are pivotably coupled to the outer frames 22. More specifically, each connecting structure 20 has a pair of connecting legs 40 and a horizontal member 42. Each connecting leg 40 is pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the respective vertical member 34, 36 of the outer frame 22. Furthermore, the connecting structures 20 are pivotably coupled to each other in a crisscrossed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion of each connecting leg 40 of one connecting structure 20 is pivotably coupled to a central portion of each connecting leg 40 of the other connecting structure 20, such that in the extended configuration 14, the connecting structures 20 form an X-shaped structure 44. The seat 24 is coupled to the horizontal members 42 of the connecting structures 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 24, the back support 26, and the foot support 28 each comprise at least one layer of a suitable material. For example, the seat 24, the back support 26, and the foot support 28 may be made from a wide selection of materials, such as, but not limited to, synthetic materials (for example, polyester or polypropylene materials), natural materials (for example, wood or cotton materials), and/or a combination of natural and synthetic materials.
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, a seat pad 70 (
The seat pad 70 is also configured to be used separate from the collapsible chair 10 to provide a portable, comfortable seat for the user. With reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the filling material 74 is fully enclosed within the covering 72 by the lower panel 76, the upper panel 78, and the side panels 82. The side panels 82 are connected to the upper panel 78 and the lower panel 76, and cooperatively extend around the periphery of the upper panel 78 and the lower panel 76. In one suitable embodiment, the filling material 74 comprises foam for providing cushioning to the user. Examples of suitable foam include a closed-cell polyolefin foam, a polyethylene foam, a low-resilience polyurethane foam, a foam with a negative Poisson's ratio, and other similar foams. In addition, the filling material 74 may include a single density material, or a material made from a plurality of different density materials, such as, without limitation, a dual-density foam. In another suitable embodiment, the filling material 74 may include air, whereby the covering 72 is configured as an inflatable air bladder, configured to be selectively inflated and deflated.
In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket panel 80 of the covering 72 overlaps at least a portion of the upper panel 78. The pocket panel 80 includes a free edge 88, i.e., the free edge 88 is not coupled to the upper panel 78, thus forming a substantially rectangular-shaped pocket 90 in the seat pad 70.
As seen in
Referring again to
The plate 112 is sized and shaped to enable the user to rest a dish of food (e.g., a paper or plastic disposable plate) while eating a meal while sitting in the collapsible chair 10. While the illustrated plate 112 is rectangular in shape, it should be appreciated that the plate 112 can have any suitable shape. The plate 112 may be fabricated from plastic, metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.), or any suitable material that enables the tray assembly 110 to function as described herein. It is also contemplated that an upper surface 118 of the plate 112 may be formed by or coated with a material (e.g., an elastomeric material, a rubber material, etc.) to increase friction between the plate 112 and objects placed thereon.
The cup holder 114 comprises a substantially circular pocket 116 defined within the upper surface 118 of the plate 112. The pocket 116 extends a predetermined depth below the upper surface 118 of the plate 112. Accordingly, a cylindrical object (e.g., a cup, a can, a bottle, etc.) may be positioned within the pocket 116. It is contemplated that in some embodiments of the collapsible chair 10, the tray assembly 110 can be omitted.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, 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.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, 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 languages of the claims.
This nonprovisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/904,635, filed on Nov. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Deluxe Oasis Zero Tipping Stadium Seat W/One Removable Soft Stadium Cushion, http://www.amazon.com/Oasis-Removable-Cushion-5-Warranty-High-Product-Buy/dp/B002ZW5XBW, Aug. 22, 2014. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20150137566 A1 | May 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61904635 | Nov 2013 | US |