The present invention relates to combined chair and backpack arrangements and methods and constructions for assembling, carrying, coupling and decoupling, and the carrying thereof both together and separately, and more particularly, to improved constructions, arrangements and methods to carry out all of the foregoing.
Combined backpack and chairs are known in the art, examples of which may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,548 and U.S. patent Reissue No. 39022.
These known backpack/chair combinations come in several variations and yet still have several deficiencies. For example, some prior art constructions provide the folding chair with permanently fixed (e.g. sewn) backpacks connected thereto to allow the user to carry a chair on his/her back and store goods in the storage portion on the chair while walking to his/her intended destination. Deficiencies in the embodiments when the chair and the backpack combination are not detachable include requiring the user to bring the goods to the chair when desirous of filling the storage compartment or requiring the user to bring the entire chair to the location of the goods. Further, when the chair is being used in the seating position there is limited access to the goods in storage because the pouches are usually inconveniently positioned relative to chair when in the sitting/reclining position.
Other attempts have been made to provide for combined chair and backpacks, some of which are also described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,409,291; 5,297,708; 7,775,587; and 5,819,999. However, as would be evident to one skilled in the art and despite the convenience of backpack carrying, there are still deficiencies in the construction and versatility of each of the foregoing known prior art constructions.
Therefore, improved constructions for backpack/chair combinations are desirable. For example, it would be desirous of providing a combination chair and backpack arrangement that provides a user the ability to use the backpack in the traditional sense, i.e. as a carrying vessel for beach, camping, or event items without the hassle and added bulk of a chair frame connected to it as is the case with the prior art, or if desired/needed, the user can carry the (e.g., loaded) backpack and chair frame as one unit, allowing for hands-free mobility when walking to the desired location. More importantly, it would be desirous of providing at least the foregoing advantages with a construction that permits easy coupleability and removal of the backpack to/from the chair. It is thus believed that further advances to the state of the art are both desirable and achievable, all of which are provided by the embodiments disclosed herein.
It is thus an objective of the present invention to overcome the perceived deficiencies in the prior art.
Specifically, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a combination folding chair and backpack arrangement that provides a user with the mobility to use the backpack in the traditional sense, i.e. as a carrying vessel for beach, camping, or event items while also providing a unique and advantageous coupling system and carrying arrangement that permits easy transport of the backpack and chair frame as one unit, allowing for hands-free mobility when walking to the desired location.
Another objective of the present invention to provide a combination folding chair and backpack arrangement that permits the user, once the user arrives at his/her destination, to deploy the chair and detach the backpack, thus allowing easy access to the contents of the backpack without requiring the user to leave his/her seat.
Yet another objective of the present invention to provide a combination folding chair and backpack arrangement that provides the user with the option of keeping his/her chair in place and utilizing the storage pouch of the backpack for carrying goods to and from the chair's location.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a combination folding chair and backpack arrangement that has a construction that provides for shared carrying harness straps that can be routed through and/or around the chair frame to allow the user to position the chair at the most ergonomic location for carrying on one's back, which is a significant improvement over state of the art chair/backpack combinations that provide for the chair carrying straps to be fixed to the chair frame and the chair fabric.
And still another objective of the present invention to provide a combination folding chair and backpack arrangement that provides the still further added benefit of permitting the user to carry multiple chairs, e.g. by providing a construction of the present invention that permits the routing of the harness straps through the one or more chair frames.
Other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing disclosure.
The invention accordingly comprises the features, combinations of elements and features, arrangement of parts and methods for using the same which will be exemplified in the description and illustrations hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
Therefore, to overcome the features in the prior art and to achieve the objects and advantages set forth above and below, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is, generally speaking, directed to a combination chair and backpack arrangement, the arrangement comprising the folding chair, wherein the folding chair comprises a foldable frame, a back support panel, a seat panel, at least one backpack coupler, and at least one harness coupler; the backpack, wherein the backpack comprises at least one pouch, at least one coupler releasably coupleable to the backpack coupler, and at least one harness coupler; and a harness arrangement, wherein the harness arrangement comprises a first end coupled to the backpack and a harness coupler selectively coupleable to the at least one harness coupler associated with the backpack and the at least one harness coupler associated with the folding chair; wherein when harness coupler of the harness arrangement is coupled to the at least one harness coupler associated with the backpack, the backpack is carriable independently of the folding chair; and when the harness coupler of the harness arrangement is coupled to the at least one harness coupler associated with the folding chair, the folding chair and the backpack are carriable together.
In a specific preferred embodiment, the present invention is, generally speaking, directed to a combination folding chair and backpack arrangement, the arrangement comprising the folding chair, wherein the folding chair comprises a frame comprising a U-shaped seat frame coupled to a U-shaped back frame, a U-shaped front leg frame and a U-shaped back leg frame, wherein the U-shaped front leg frame is (i) coupled to the U-shaped seat frame and (ii) coupled to the U-shaped back leg frame, wherein the U-shaped back frame, the U-shaped seat frame, the U-shaped front leg frame, and the U-shaped back leg frame are foldable towards each other; a pair of arm rests pivotally coupled at one end thereof to the U-shaped back frame and adjustably positionable relative to the ends of the U-shaped front leg frame and the U-shaped back leg frame; a back support panel coupled to the U-shaped back frame; a seat panel coupled to the U-shaped seat frame; at least one backpack coupler; at least one harness coupler; the backpack, wherein the backpack comprises at least one pouch; at least one coupler releasably coupleable to the backpack coupler; and at least one harness coupler; and a harness arrangement, wherein the harness arrangement comprises a first end coupled to the backpack; and a harness coupler selectively coupleable to the at least one harness coupler associated with the backpack and the at least one harness coupler associated with the folding chair; wherein when harness coupler of the harness arrangement is coupled to the at least one harness coupler associated with the backpack, the backpack is carriable independently of the folding chair; and when the harness coupler of the harness arrangement is coupled to the at least one harness coupler associated with the folding chair, the folding chair and the backpack are carriable together.
The above set forth and other features of the present invention are made more apparent in the ensuing Description of the Preferred Embodiments when read in conjunction with the attached Drawings, wherein:
Identical reference numerals in the figures are intended to indicate like parts, although not every feature in every figure may be called out with a reference numeral.
Reference is first made generally to the construction of a preferred folding chair, generally indicated at 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention. However, and to be sure, the disclosed chair 10 is only one of many folding chair configurations that can be used in connection with the present invention.
In a preferred embodiment, folding chair 10 comprises a frame comprised of metal, metal alloy, plastic and/or combinations of the foregoing, wherein the frame comprises a U-shaped seat frame, generally indicated at 12 rotatably coupled to a U-shaped back frame generally indicated at 14, a U-shaped front leg frame generally indicated at 16 and a U-shaped back leg frame generally indicated at 18. The U-shaped front leg 16 frame is pivotally coupled to the U-shaped seat frame 12 at pivot 20, and the U-shaped front leg 16 is also coupled to the U-shaped back leg frame 18 as will be disclosed below.
Folding chair 10 has a pair of arm rests 22, 24 that are pivotally coupled at respective first ends 22A, 24A to the U-shaped back frame 14 at respective pivots 25 on each side, and the arm rests 22, 24 are also adjustably positionable relative to the coupled together ends 16A, 18A of the U-shaped front leg frame 16 and the U-shaped back leg frame 18. As illustrated in
As shown exemplary in
A top/rear panel generally indicated at 34 may be integral with, stitched or otherwise connected to the top of the back support panel 30 within which is positioned the top section, generally indicated at 14A, of the U-shaped back frame 14. In a similar manner, a bottom/rear panel 44 may be integral with, stitched or otherwise connected to the end of the seat panel 40, within which is positioned the bottom section, generally indicated at 12A, of the U-shaped seat frame 12.
Lastly, a coupling assembly, generally indicated at 50, comprises a connector 51 on each side of the chair 10 to couple an end of the U-shaped back frame 14 to an end of the U-shaped seat frame 12, and together which are pivotally coupled to U-shaped back leg frame 18 by a coupler 52.
It should thus be clear that as preferably constructed, the U-shaped back frame 14, the U-shaped seat frame 12, the U-shaped front leg frame 16, and the U-shaped back leg frame 18 are foldable towards each other, as illustrated in
The foregoing should be understood to be a construction of a preferred folding chair for use in connection with the present invention. However, it should be clearly understood that other folding chairs are equally usable in connection with the present invention, such as for example and not limitation, front-to-back, side-to-side, or quad-fold style folding beach, sporting, and event chairs, whether made of metal, metal alloy, plastic, wood and/or combinations thereof.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment and exemplified in
Folding chair 10 also comprises at least one harness end coupler 80 (e.g.
The function and purpose of coupler(s) 60 and coupler 80 will be made more apparent below.
However, reference is next made to
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one backpack coupler 60 associated with the folding chair 10 comprises one of a tab 61 or a slotted “keyhole shaped” opening, while the at least one coupler 110 associated with the backpack 100 comprises the other of the tab or “keyhole shaped” slotted opening 115. In this way, the tab 61 is insertable into and removable from the slotted opening 115, preferably in a releasable “snapping” locking arrangement. For the avoidance of doubt, while the embodiment illustrated in the figures provides for the backpack coupler(s) 60 to have the tab(s) 61 and the coupler(s) 110 to have the “keyhole shaped” slotted opening 115 it is contemplated herein that the backpack coupler(s) 60 be provided with the slotted “keyhole shaped” openings 115 while the coupler(s) 110 comprises the tab(s) 61.
As should now be clear, the embodiments herein preferably include (i) a plurality of spaced apart backpack couplers 60 associated with the folding chair, each comprising one of a tab or a slotted opening, and (ii) a plurality of spaced apart couplers 110 associated with the backpack, each of which are respectively coupleable to a corresponding backpack coupler 60 and comprising the other of the tab or slotted opening that is associated with the corresponding backpack coupler.
Backpack 100 also comprises at least one strap end coupler 120, coupled to webbing 114), the function of which will be disclosed below.
However, first reference is now made to
In this way, when the harness coupler 140 of the harness arrangement 130 is coupled to the at least one strap end coupler 120 associated with the backpack 100, the backpack is carriable independently of the folding chair 10 (e.g. see
The harness arrangement 130 comprises a shoulder harness 150. The first end 135 of the harness arrangement 130 that is coupled to the backpack 100 comprises at least a first strap section 136 and a second strap section 137, and wherein (i) the first strap section 136 has a first end 136A and a second end 136B, (ii) the second strap section 137 has a first end 137A and a second end 137B, (iii) the first end 136A of the first strap section 136 is coupled to the backpack 100, (iv) the first end 137A of the second strap section 137 is coupled to the backpack 100, (v) the second end 136B of the first strap section 136 is coupled to a first end 150A of the shoulder harness 150, and (iv) the second end of 137B the second strap section 137 is coupled to a second end 150B of the shoulder harness 150.
In a preferred embodiment, the second end 136B of the first strap section 136 of the harness arrangement 130 is coupleable and lengthwise adjustable to the first end 150A of the shoulder harness 150 by using a mating male/female clip combination, generally indicated at 160 and well known in the art. The clip combination 160 can be provided with a slotted opening to permit the lengthwise adjustability of strap section 136 as also would be well known in the art. In a similar way, the second end 137B of the second strap section 137 of the harness arrangement 130 is coupleable to, and lengthwise adjustable with respect to the second end 150B of the shoulder harness 150 by using a similar mating male/female clip combination, also generally indicated at 160. Likewise, this latter mentioned clip combination 160 can also be provided with a slotted opening to permit adjustability of the length of strap section 137 as also would be well known in the art.
As illustrated e.g. in
As can now be seen by the disclosed embodiments, the present provides significant improvements and advantages over backpack/chair combinations known the in art.
For example, whether the chair used in connection with the present invention is a front-to-back folding chair and/or a quad-fold style chair, the backpack is located either on the chair back or the underside of the chair seat, but can be removed utilizing the coupling arrangements disclosed herein. However, and to be sure, other coupling arrangements can be utilized and are contemplated herein, such as hooks, clips, zippers, and the like, which allow the backpack to be removed from the chair. That is, while the preferred couplers 80, 120, 140 are shown in the figures generally and specifically in
On a side-to-side folding chair the backpack may be located on either side of the of chair when in its folded position (for example, in connection with a director's chair) and carrying straps are located on the opposing side, but likewise can be removed utilizing the disclosed coupling arrangements and/or a variety of others, such as hooks, clips, zippers, and the like, which allow the backpack to be removed from the chair. In all such chair/backpack combinations of the present invention, removal of the backpack 100 is desirable so that the user can utilize the backpack 100 without the bulk of a chair 10 attached.
In addition, the coupling arrangements and overall disclosed embodiments permit the backpack 100 to both coupled to the chair when being transported but also easily permits interaction with the backpack, (e.g.) the backpack can be disconnected from the chair to be hung on the chair arm 22, 24 or lay on the side of chair, e.g. hanging or propped against, as a handy location while the user is seated in the chair 10, thus providing for easy access to items or other goods in the pouch of the backpack.
Still further, the present invention provides for the harness arrangement 130 to serve double-duty as both the carrying straps for the backpack 100 and the chair 10 when the backpack 100 and chair 10 are carried as a unit (e.g. as shown in
As should now be appreciated, the benefits of the present invention over the prior art examples are numerous, including but not limited to:
Still further, backpack 100 can be of different embodiments. For example, the present invention contemplates backpacks that have a single storage pouch. Alternatively, the backpack can comprise a storage pouch and cooler pouch, or a backpack constructed in accordance with the present invention can be a pannier style bag that allows it to freely stand up when detached from the chair. Still further, preferred embodiments of the backpack may or may not have multiple compartments (storage and cooler sections) in one bag, be comprised of 2 separate bags that can both be detached, be comprised of 2 separate bags and one can be detached, be comprised of a single or multiple bags with hydration system and/or have rigid “legs” sewn into the seams to allow the backpack to stand up freely on the sand.
As thus should now be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention overcomes all of the aforementioned deficiencies while also providing the advantages mentioned herein as well as those advantages that should be understood by those skilled in the art.
Other advantages and objectives are deemed to be apparent from the disclosure herein. It should also be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways. While the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
To be sure, the disclosed coupler(s) 60, 80 as well as all the other couplers herein can be the same, or different as the case may be or of a different design, all as known in the art with respect to conventional couplers as the types disclosed herein.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 62/790,205 filed on Jan. 9, 2019. The subject matter of said application Ser. No. 62/790,205 is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62790205 | Jan 2019 | US |