Patent Application
20110067608
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus to sit upon or support an object, and more specifically to portable and foldable stools and tables.
There are commercial and residential uses for stools, step ladders, and portable tables of varying sizes. Problems inherent to all of these types of devices are storage, stability, and manufacturing costs, as well as “pinch points” associated with folding the devices.
A compact area for storing a stool, step ladder, or portable table is critically important to its utility. The need to minimize the device's size for storage purposes often results in the stool becoming unstable and unsafe for use. While there is an ever present demand to lower manufacturing costs, the structural integrity of the apparatus should not be compromised. Thus, there is a need for a cost-effective, lightweight, foldable stool, table or step ladder that is stable and can be stored in a compact manner.
Stools, tables and step ladders are known in the art that have three and four points of support and the ability to fold. The problem with most three-legged stools, however, is that they do not fold, making them difficult to store. With some existing three-legged stools, the seat is removable, and thus it can become lost during transit. In addition, some seats can become detached during use if not originally positioned properly, which could result in serious injury for the user. Thus, there is a need for a compact, foldable stool that uses three members for support and has a seat that remains attached and also folds to minimize storage. Furthermore, there is a need for a foldable stool or table which eliminates pinch points to avoid injury to fingers and other appendages during folding or unfolding.
Four-legged stools of the prior art are generally expensive to manufacture and are quite bulky, even in a folded or collapsed state. In addition, foldable stools with steps are typically bulkier and less stable. Thus, there is a need for a relatively compact four-legged stool that provides one or more steps and is relatively light weight and easily portable.
There is also a need for providing a portable table that provides a relatively stable base and is easily collapsible. In addition, there is a need for portable table that provides handy storage for items such as cups or utensils.
It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a cost-effective, lightweight, portable stool. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by using a foldable, three-legged design that minimizes materials, reduces manufacturing costs, and is both lightweight and portable.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a stable stool, which can be opened and closed between a first position of use and a second position of storage. In one embodiment, the stool has three support members that are hingedly interconnected, two that are rigid and a third that is foldable. This configuration allows the stool to compactly fold while maximizing the stability of the stool with the addition of a third member. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a foldable, three-legged stool is provided, comprising:
(a) a seat with a first half hingedly interconnected to a second half;
(b) a first member having a top side, a bottom side, and two opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween;
(c) a second member having a top side, a bottom side, and two opposing lateral edges positioned therebetween;
(d) a hinge means interconnecting the first member and the second member along one of the two opposing lateral edges;
(e) a third member having a left half hingedly interconnected to a right half, the left half further hingedly interconnected to the second member along one of the two opposing lateral edges, and the right half hingedly interconnected to the first member along one of the two opposing lateral edges; and
wherein, a bottom surface of the first half of the seat is hingedly interconnected to the top side of the first member, and a bottom surface of the second half of the seat is hingedly interconnected to the top side of the second member, wherein the foldable, three-legged stool may be selectively positioned between a first position of use and a second folded position of storage.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a four-legged stool with two foldable support members and two non-foldable support members.
It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable stool that has at least one step positioned between a ground surface and upper platform. In one embodiment, the stool has a semi-circular aperture in at least one leg that thereby forms a step. An optional board or platform can also be secured horizontally across the leg of the stool in order to provide more support for the step. Alternatively, a foldable table or stool is provided, wherein the table or stool may preferably comprise one or more built-in shelves or steps. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, a shelf or step is forwardly-offset relative to a front surface of its support member.
Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a foldable device is provided for placement on a substantially horizontal underlying surface, the foldable device comprising:
wherein the device is collapsible from the use position to a storage position.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the first and second folding support members comprise first and second lateral portions, wherein:
It is a separate aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable stool having a plurality of steps. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a foldable stool is provided, the foldable stool comprising:
wherein the stool is collapsible from a use position to a storage position. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the first and second lateral portions of the first and second folding members comprise at least one projection for reception within a corresponding at least one receptacle located in a bottom surface of the first and second upper portions of the upper member. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the second non-folding support member comprises at least one step. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the at least one step of the second non-folding support member includes a side-to-side oriented centerline that is forwardly-offset relative to a front surface of the second non-folding support member. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a distance from a front edge of the steps to the front surface of the first non-folding support member at a top surface of the respective step is at least three times greater than a distance from the front surface of the first non-folding support member at the top surface of the respective step to a back edge of the respective step. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a total thickness of the stool in a collapsed position is no greater than about 4.5 inches. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a handle is formed when the stool is in a collapsed position, the handle comprising opposing apertures in the collapsed position, wherein a first aperture is in said first upper portion and second aperture is in said second upper portion. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, said first and second lateral portions of said first and second folding members comprise at least one projection for reception within a corresponding receptacle located in the bottom surface of the first and second upper portions of said upper member.
It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a method of using the step stool of the present invention. Thus, a method of using a collapsible step stool is provided, comprising:
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a seat that is interconnected to the stool to prevent against loss and is also foldable to minimize storage space. In one embodiment, the stool has a seat that is divided into one or more portions, such as halves, wherein the seat portions are interconnected by a hinge mechanism. The two seat portions are also preferably interconnected to the support members by a similar hinge mechanism. This configuration allows the seat to fold along with the support members that include the legs that contact the underlying surface. In other embodiments, the stool may comprise a rigid seat that is interconnected to just one of the rigid members. This configuration also allows the stool to fold and provides an interconnected seat.
It is also a further aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable stool that uses a non-pinchable hinge mechanism. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention comprise a stool having piano-type hinges that do not pose a safety risk for small children, the elderly, or others more susceptible to injury. Although piano-type hinges are preferred, as appreciated by one skilled in the art, other hinge mechanisms may be used, including barrel and pin hinges, ball and socket hinges, and living hinges.
It is still yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable stool that has two legs and one or more restraining or tension members, and can carry a higher load capacity than conventional two-legged stools. In one embodiment, the stool has two legs that are hingedly interconnected to a seat and crisscrossing restraining members that limit the range of motion of the two legs and increase the overall load capacity of the stool. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a foldable stool is provided, the stool comprising:
It is also a further aspect of the present invention to provide a foldable stool that can be positioned relatively close to a vertical surface when in its use position. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a foldable stool is provided, the foldable stool collapsible from a use position to a storage position, the foldable stool comprising:
Various embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the attached figures and in the detailed description of the invention as provided herein and as embodied by the claims. It should be understood, however, that this Summary of the Invention may not contain all of the aspects and embodiments of the present invention, is not meant to be limiting or restrictive in any manner, and that the invention as disclosed herein is and will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to encompass obvious improvements and modifications thereto.
Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following discussion, particularly when taken together with the accompanying drawings.
As described in detail below, various embodiments of the present invention include novel configurations of stools or tables, some comprising one or more steps and/or other features. Referring now to the drawings,
Referring now to
Referring again to
The seat 14 can be interconnected to the first and second support members 18 and 22 in at least two different manners. In one embodiment, as shown in
Referring now to
In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, the seat may also be comprised of a one piece member instead of having the first and second portions as described above. In this configuration, the seat is interconnected to either the first support member 18 or the second support member 22 in either of the manners described above. The main difference between this configuration and the embodiment with first and second portions is how the seat folds; the seat of the one piece model merely folds upward when the stool is folded. Regardless of the configuration, all of the previously described embodiments contemplate that the seat remains interconnected to the stool when the stool is folded for storage.
Regardless of the interconnection of the seat 14 to the first and second support members 18 and 22, the seat 14 may include one or more apertures 86 in each of the first and second portions 30 and 34 of seat 14, wherein the apertures 86 provide a handle for moving the stool 10, 10′ when the stool 10, 10′ is folded, as shown in
The first, second, and third support members 18, 22 and 26 can be made in various shapes and sizes. The only constraint on the outlining shapes of the first and second support members 18 and 22 is that the shapes generally mirror each other, which thereby ensures that the first and second support members 18 and 22 will properly fold. While the third support member 26 need not be identical in shape to the first and second support members 18 and 22, it must be the same height as the first and second support members 18 and 22 in order to provide a level seat 14 for the user.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the first and second support members 18 and 22 are each made in a substantially trapezoidal shape that may optionally further comprise an open area, such as an arch structure 90 along its bottom side 42 and 58. The arch structure 90 provides for a support member with a weight-reducing configuration. In another embodiment, the trapezoidal first support member 18 is further comprised of an aperture 94 as shown in
As shown in
In addition, the first, second, and third support members 18, 22 and 26 do not have to be solid members. The first, second, and third support members 18, 22 and 26 simply need to be formed in a shape with at least two parallel edges—one edge to support the seat 14 and the other to maintain level contact with an underlying surface. For example, the first and/or second support members 18 and 22 may comprise the shape of a flattened arch, a trapezoid, or a triangle. Similarly, the third support member 26 could be comprised of a tubing that forms a perimeter shape of a trapezoid as well as other shapes. If tubing is used, steps 102 can be created by stringing horizontal rails or tubes across the first and/or second support members 18 and 22 in a manner that replicates the rungs of a ladder. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the resultant stool is comprised of two rigid first and second support members 18 and 22 that are moveably interconnected to each other as well as to a foldable third support member 26.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, and third support members 18, 22 and 26 generally form the shape of an equilateral triangle. As long as the first and second support members 18 and 22 are similar in shape and width, the third support member 26 can be made in a similar shape, but with a larger or smaller width than the first and second support members 18 and 22, thereby generally creating the shape of an isosceles triangle. Again, all three support members are substantially the same height in order to provide a safe and level seat 14.
While it is preferable to use piano-type hinges for these hinged interconnections, other means that moveably or rotatably interconnect these various components are also considered within the scope of the invention. Preferably, means for interconnecting the various components comprises a non-pinching mechanism. Such other mechanisms may, for example, comprise a single hinge mechanism positioned on a lower surface of the first and second halves of the seat, and such mechanism could be utilized and positioned in such a manner to reduce any possible pinch points. Various springs or other types of biasing devices could be used in conjunction with any of the previously described hinged interconnections to assist with the opening or closing of the stool. For example, springs, metallic band springs or other similar devices commonly known in the art could be used for the same purpose. If the first, second, and third support members 18, 22 and 26 are made out of tubular materials, various hinges, rings, bands (e.g., rubber), or other non-pinching means for moveably or rotatably interconnecting these components may be used as appreciated by one skilled in the art. Of course, biasing means such as those described above, may also be used in conjunction with these moveable or rotatable interconnections. Also, multiple latches can be used to lock the seat 14 and the first, second, and third support members 18, 22 and 26 in a first position of use. Although discussed with regard to stool 10 and 10′, it is to be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding the means for interconnecting the components applies to all foldable devices described herein.
In order to minimize weight without sacrificing strength and stability, the stool 10, 10′ is preferably made out of plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, or other rigid, non-brittle material, which is durable and not likely to wear or break during continual use. However, as appreciated by one skilled in the art, other materials such as wood, metal or other materials, or a mixture thereof may additionally be used. Again, although discussed with regard to stool 10 and 10′, it is to be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding the materials used to form the foldable stool 10 and 10′ applies to all devices described herein.
The foldable stool 10, 10′ of the present invention generally has two positions, including a first position of use and a second position of storage. As shown in
Referring now to
The folding stool 200 also includes an upper member 240 comprising a first upper portion 244 and a second upper portion 248 that are hingedly interconnected by upper hinge 252. The first upper portion 244 is also hingedly interconnected by upper edge hinge 256 to the first non-folding support member 204, and the second upper portion 248 is hingedly interconnected by another upper edge hinge 256 to the second non-folding support member 208. The upper hinge 252 and upper edge hinges 256 are preferably a piano type hinge. In addition, portions of the hinges 252 and 256 form part of the upper surface 258 of the upper member 240, so that if a person stands or sits on the upper member 240, they may contact portions of the hinges 252 and 256. The first and second upper portions 244 and 248 preferably include apertures 254 to provide a handle for carrying the stool 200.
Referring still to
The step depth D as defined herein comprises a front depth d1 plus a back depth d2. As further defined herein, the front depth d1 is the distance from the front edge 268 of the step 260 to the front surface 276 of the first non-folding support member 204 at the intersection location between the upper surface 264 of the step 260 and the front surface 276 of the first non-folding support member 204. The back depth d2 is the distance from the front surface 276 of the first non-folding support member 204 to the back edge 272 of the step 260. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of d1 to d2 (that is, d1÷d2) is greater than 1.0, such that the step 260 is eccentrically positioned relative to the front surface 276 of the first non-folding support member 204. More preferably, the ratio of d1 to d2 is between about 1.5 to 4.0, and more preferably yet, between about 2.0 and 3.5, and still more preferably yet, about 3.0. Accordingly, a greater portion of the depth of the step is projected forward of the front surface 276 of the first non-folding support member 204. Thus, as used herein, “eccentrically” means not centered, so that the step comprises a side-to-side oriented centerline dividing the depth of the step in two, wherein the side-to-side centerline is forward or forwardly-offset of the front of the surface 276 of the first non-folding support member 204. This advantageously allows the stool 200 to be folded into a thinner profile than if the ratio of d1 to d2 was around 1.0. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the total thickness of the step stool in a collapsed position is less than about 6 inches, and more preferably, less than about 5 inches, and more preferably yet, equal to or less than about 4.5 inches.
Utilization of an eccentrically positioned or forwardly-offset step 260 is accommodated by the configuration of the step 260 relative to the front surface 276 of the first non-folding support member 204. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, step 260 comprises a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a side elevation view, such as that shown in
As best seen in
Referring now to
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the stool 200 is preferably formed of a material capable of supporting an adult, whether the adult is standing or sitting on the stool 200. Thus, by way of example and not limitation, the stool 200 may comprise a metal or metal alloy, a plastic other synthetic material, a hard rubber, or combinations of the foregoing.
Referring now to 13, although not required, the legs 304 of the non-folding support members 204 and 208 optionally include a friction enhancing structure. In one embodiment, the friction enhancing structure comprises an insert or plug 308 that includes a bearing surface 312 for contacting an underlying surface that the stool 200 is placed on. By way of example and not limitation, the plug 308 may comprise a material (such as a soft rubber or plastic) having a relatively high coefficient of friction when contacting typical flooring materials. In accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention, the legs 304 include receptacles 316 for receiving and holding the plugs 308. The receptacles 316 may further comprise a window 320, wherein if a plug 308 has a color contrasting with the color of the leg 304 of the non-folding support members 204 and 208, then the user can more easily identify if a plug 308 is missing from a leg 304, wherein such a feature improves the safety of the stool 200.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
When folded in the second position of storage, the various stools of the present invention have a width that varies according to the materials used and the stool geometry and size. Generally, the width of stool 10, 10′, 200, 200′ and 348 in a folded position measures 3 to 7 inches, and more preferably, the width of stool is no greater than about 4 inches.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
The various foldable devices described herein, including stools and tables, may be formed of a variety of planar materials. Alternatively, the components of the devices may be formed of tubular materials. In addition, such components may be formed in various shapes, e.g., A-shaped, H-shaped, triangular, trapezoidal, rectangular, etc.
In a separate aspect of the invention, various embodiments of the present invention may comprise stools and portable tables that use one or more tension members. Referring now to
In one embodiment, two sets of tension members 404 are crisscrossed, with the first set of tension members 404 being interconnected to a bottom surface 408 of the upper member 388 and an interior surface 412 of the first support member 392, and the second set of tension members 404 being interconnected to a bottom surface 408 of the upper member 388 and an interior surface 416 of the second support member 396. In this configuration, the first and second support members 392 and 396 are prevented from rotating outwardly, thereby giving the foldable stool or table 384 stability and load carrying capacity. As a result, the foldable stool or table 384 can be made out of lighter and thinner materials than other two-legged stools that do not have any restraining members. Similar to the other embodiments described above, the foldable stool or table 384 can be made out of plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, other durable, lightweight materials, or a combination thereof.
Still referring to
Alternatively, the first and second support members 392 and 396 can each be further comprised of a horizontal cross-tube that interconnects the first and second legs 420 of each first and second support members 392 and 396. In this embodiment, two tension members 404 are crisscrossed with one tension member 404 interconnected to the bottom surface 408 of the upper member 388 and the middle of the horizontal cross-tube of the first support member 392, and the other tension member 404 being interconnected to the bottom surface 408 of the upper member 388 and the cross-tube of the second support member 396.
In yet a further embodiment, four independent, tube-like legs could be moveably interconnected to the bottom surface 408 of the upper member 388. As previously described, four crisscrossing tension members 404 may be used to restrict the outward movement of the four legs 420 in a manner similar to that described above. Of course, it is also contemplated that just two tension members 404 could be used in the manner described above if two horizontal cross-bars were used to connect the two respective pairs of the four legs 420 of the foldable stool or table 384.
As shown in
Referring now to
Regardless of whether or not a box 428 has replaced the upper member 388, the foldable stool or table 384, 384′ has two positions—a first position of use and a second position of storage. Thus,
Referring now to
Referring in detail now to
Referring to
Referring now to
Referring now to
By way of example and not by limitation, and in accordance with this embodiment, the stool 200′″ is comprised of a one-piece upper portion 440 that measures approximately 14 inches along its major axis (from the side adjacent the first folding support member 212 to the side adjacent the second folding support member 216 when the stool is in its use position) and measures approximately 10 inches along its minor axis (from the side adjacent the first non-folding support 204 member to the side adjacent the second non-folding support member 208 when the stool is in its use position). While in its use position, the stool 200″′ measures approximately 24 inches tall, and while in its stowed position measures approximately 34 inches tall.
The following components and numbers associated thereto are provided for clarity purposes:
A number of variations and modifications of the invention can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the invention without providing others. For example, in one alternative embodiment, a portable table may be provide with an upper member not subdivided into first and second portions. In another alternative embodiment, three-legged stool may comprise an eccentrically positioned built-in step.
As used herein, “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.
The present invention, in various embodiments, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the present invention after understanding the present disclosure. The present invention, in various embodiments, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost of implementation.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the invention.
Moreover though the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights that include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/681,430, filed Mar. 2, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Design Pat. application No. 29/236,509, filed Aug. 16, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. D566,856, entitled “Folding Stool With Step,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11681430 | Mar 2007 | US |
| Child | 12958590 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29236509 | Aug 2005 | US |
| Child | 11681430 | US |
