This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. ยง 119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 107147385 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Dec. 27, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to folding chairs and, more particularly, to a folding chair not only capable of being folded and stored but also capable of being unfolded and used.
A conventional folding chair consists of a frame, two legs, a pad and a back rest. The legs movably cross the frame to fit thereto. The pad movably fits to the frame. The back rest is mounted on the top of the frame. Therefore, the legs and the pad are unfolded on one side of the frame such that a sitter can sit on the pad. Alternatively, the legs and the pad can press against each other toward the frame, thereby allowing the folding chair to be folded.
However, the conventional folding chair has drawbacks described below. Folding the conventional folding chair involves pressing the legs and the pad against each other toward the frame; as a result, the width of the frame and the width of the pad remain unchanged, regardless of whether the conventional folding chair is folded or unfolded, and thus the conventional folding chair takes up much space and is not portable. Furthermore, after the folding chair has been unfolded, only the bottom of the frame and the legs are in contact with the ground to bear the weight of the folding chair, thereby compromising the stability and load-bearing capability of the folding chair.
Therefore, it is imperative to provide a folding chair which can be folded up like an umbrella and thus takes up little space and is portable and can be unfolded to demonstrate high stability and high load-bearing capability.
In view of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, it is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a folding chair which can be folded up like an umbrella and thus takes up little space and is portable and can be unfolded to demonstrate high stability and high load-bearing capability.
In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present disclosure provides a folding chair comprising a left lateral folding mechanism, a left handrail mechanism, a right lateral folding mechanism, a right handrail mechanism, a front supporting mechanism, a rear supporting mechanism and a load-bearing structure. The left lateral folding mechanism comprises a left frame rod, a left frame rotating element, a left rear leg sliding element, a left rear leg rod, a left rear leg fixing element, a left back rest rod, a left back rest rod sliding element, a left front leg rod, a left front leg terminal, a left connecting rod and a left rear leg terminal. The left frame rotating element being movably coupled to the vicinity of one end of the left frame rod, the left rear leg sliding element being movably coupled to the other end of the left frame rod, the left rear leg rod being movably, penetratingly disposed at the left rear leg sliding element, the left rear leg fixing element being movably coupled to one end of the left rear leg rod, the left back rest rod having one end movably coupled to the left frame rod, the left rear leg fixing element being disposed at the vicinity of one end of the left back rest rod, the left back rest rod sliding element being movably fitted to the left back rest rod, the left front leg rod having one end movably coupled to the left back rest rod sliding element, the left front leg terminal being movably coupled to the other end of the left front leg rod, the left connecting rod having one end movably coupled to the left rear leg rod, the left connecting rod having the other end movably coupled between the left frame rod and the left front leg rod, the left rear leg terminal being movably coupled to the other end of the left rear leg rod; the left handrail mechanism being connected to the left lateral folding mechanism, the left handrail mechanism comprising a left handrail rod, a left handrail fixing element, a left handrail supporting rod and a left supporting rod sliding element, the left handrail rod having one end movably coupled to the left back rest rod, the left frame rotating element being disposed at the left handrail supporting rod, the left handrail fixing element being disposed at the vicinity of the other end of the left handrail rod, the left handrail supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the left handrail fixing element, the left supporting rod sliding element being coupled to the other end of the left handrail supporting rod, the left supporting rod sliding element being movably fitted to the left front leg rod; the right lateral folding mechanism being opposingly disposed on one side of the left lateral folding mechanism, the right lateral folding mechanism comprises a right frame rod, a right frame rotating element, a right rear leg sliding element, a right rear leg rod, a right rear leg fixing element, a right back rest rod, a right back rest rod sliding element, a right front leg rod, a right front leg terminal, a right connecting rod and a right rear leg terminal, the right frame rotating element being movably coupled to the vicinity of one end of the right frame rod, the right rear leg sliding element being movably coupled to the other end of the right frame rod, the right rear leg rod being movably, penetratingly disposed at the right rear leg sliding element, the right rear leg fixing element being movably coupled to one end of the right rear leg rod, the right back rest rod having one end movably coupled to the right frame rod, the right rear leg fixing element being disposed at the vicinity of one end of the right back rest rod, the right back rest rod sliding element being movably fitted to the right back rest rod, the right front leg rod having one end movably coupled to the right back rest rod sliding element, the right front leg terminal being movably coupled to the other one end of the right front leg rod, the right connecting rod having one end movably coupled to the right rear leg rod, the right connecting rod having the other end movably coupled between the right frame rod and the right front leg rod, the right rear leg terminal being movably coupled to the other end of the right rear leg rod; the right handrail mechanism being connected to the right lateral folding mechanism and opposing the left handrail mechanism, the right handrail mechanism comprising a right handrail rod, a right handrail fixing element, a right handrail supporting rod and a right supporting rod sliding element, the right handrail rod having one end movably coupled to the right back rest rod, the right frame rotating element being disposed at the right handrail supporting rod, the right handrail fixing element being disposed at the vicinity of the other end of the right handrail rod, the right handrail supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the right handrail fixing element, the right supporting rod sliding element being coupled to the other end of the right handrail supporting rod, and the right supporting rod sliding element being movably fitted to the right front leg rod; the front supporting mechanism being disposed between the left lateral folding mechanism and the right lateral folding mechanism, the front supporting mechanism comprising a first front supporting rod and a second front supporting rod, wherein the first front supporting rod and the second front supporting rod cross each other so as to be movably coupled together, the first front supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the left frame rotating element, the first front supporting rod having the other end movably coupled to the right front leg terminal, the second front supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the right frame rotating element, the second front supporting rod having the other end movably coupled to the left front leg terminal; the rear supporting mechanism being disposed between the left lateral folding mechanism and the right lateral folding mechanism, the rear supporting mechanism comprising a first rear supporting rod and a second rear supporting rod, wherein the first rear supporting rod and the second rear supporting rod cross each other so as to be movably coupled together, the first rear supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the left back rest rod sliding element, the first rear supporting rod having the other end movably coupled to the right rear leg terminal, the second rear supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the right back rest rod sliding element, the second rear supporting rod having the other end movably coupled to the left rear leg terminal; the load-bearing structure being disposed at the left lateral folding mechanism and the right lateral folding mechanism.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the left frame rotating element has a first pivotal connection portion and a first straddling portion, the first straddling portion being disposed on the top surface of the first pivotal connection portion, the first front supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the first pivotal connection portion, and the left frame rod being movably coupled to the first straddling portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the left rear leg sliding element has a first fitting portion and a second pivotal connection portion, the second pivotal connection portion being disposed at one end of the first fitting portion, the left rear leg rod being movably, penetratingly disposed at the first fitting portion, and the left frame rod having the other end movably coupled to the second pivotal connection portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the left rear leg fixing element has a second securing portion and a third pivotal connection portion, the second securing portion being disposed at one end of the third pivotal connection portion, the second securing portion being coupled to the vicinity of one end of the left back rest rod, and the left rear leg rod having one end movably coupled to the third pivotal connection portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the left back rest rod sliding element has a second fitting portion, a fourth pivotal connection portion and a fifth pivotal connection portion, the fourth pivotal connection portion being disposed at one end of the second fitting portion, the fifth pivotal connection portion being disposed on one side of the second fitting portion, the left back rest rod being movably, penetratingly disposed at the second fitting portion, the left front leg rod having one end movably coupled to the fourth pivotal connection portion, and the first rear supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the fifth pivotal connection portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the right frame rotating element has a sixth pivotal connection portion and a second straddling portion, the second straddling portion being disposed on the top surface of the sixth pivotal connection portion, the second front supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the sixth pivotal connection portion, and the right frame rod being movably coupled to the second straddling portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the right rear leg sliding element has a third fitting portion and a seventh pivotal connection portion, the seventh pivotal connection portion being disposed at one end of the third fitting portion, the right rear leg rod being movably, penetratingly disposed at the third fitting portion, and the right frame rod having the other end movably coupled to the seventh pivotal connection portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the right rear leg fixing element has a fourth securing portion and an eighth pivotal connection portion, the fourth securing portion being disposed at one end of the eighth pivotal connection portion, the fourth securing portion being coupled to the vicinity of one end of the right back rest rod, and the right rear leg rod having one end movably coupled to the eighth pivotal connection portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the right back rest rod sliding element has a fourth fitting portion, a ninth pivotal connection portion and a tenth pivotal connection portion, the ninth pivotal connection portion being disposed at one end of the fourth fitting portion, the tenth pivotal connection portion being disposed on one side of the fourth fitting portion, the right back rest rod being movably, penetratingly disposed at the fourth fitting portion, the right front leg rod having one end movably coupled to the ninth pivotal connection portion, and the second rear supporting rod having one end movably coupled to the tenth pivotal connection portion.
In an embodiment of the folding chair, the load-bearing structure comprises a sitting portion and a back rest portion, the sitting portion being disposed at the left frame rod and the right frame rod, the back rest portion being disposed at the left back rest rod and the right back rest rod, and the back rest portion being connected to the sitting portion.
Therefore, the folding chair of the present disclosure can be folded up like an umbrella and thus takes up little space and is portable and can be unfolded to demonstrate high stability and high load-bearing capability.
Objectives, features, and advantages of the present disclosure are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments, depicted with drawings, and described below.
Referring to
The left lateral folding mechanism 10 comprises a left frame rod 101, a left frame rotating element 102, a left rear leg sliding element 103, a left rear leg rod 104, a left rear leg fixing element 105, a left back rest rod 106, a left back rest rod sliding element 107, a left front leg rod 108, a left front leg terminal 109, a left connecting rod 110 and a left rear leg terminal 111. The left frame rotating element 102 is movably coupled to the vicinity of one end of the left frame rod 101. The left rear leg sliding element 103 is movably coupled to the other end of the left frame rod 101. The left rear leg rod 104 is movably, penetratingly disposed at the left rear leg sliding element 103. The left rear leg fixing element 105 is movably coupled to one end of the left rear leg rod 104. The left back rest rod 106 has one end movably coupled to the left frame rod 101. The left rear leg fixing element 105 is disposed at the vicinity of one end of the left back rest rod 106. The left back rest rod sliding element 107 is movably fitted to the left back rest rod 106. The left front leg rod 108 has one end movably coupled to the left back rest rod sliding element 107. The left front leg terminal 109 is movably coupled to the other end of the left front leg rod 108. The left connecting rod 110 has one end movably coupled to the left rear leg rod 104. The left connecting rod 110 has the other end movably coupled between the left frame rod 101 and the left front leg rod 108. The left rear leg terminal 111 is movably coupled to the other end of the left rear leg rod 104.
The left handrail mechanism 20 is connected to the left lateral folding mechanism 10. The left handrail mechanism 20 comprises a left handrail rod 201, a left handrail fixing element 202, a left handrail supporting rod 203 and a left supporting rod sliding element 204. The left handrail rod 201 has one end movably coupled to the left back rest rod 106. The left frame rotating element 102 is disposed at the left handrail supporting rod 203. The left handrail fixing element 202 is disposed at the vicinity of the other end of the left handrail rod 201. The left handrail supporting rod 203 has one end movably coupled to the left handrail fixing element 202. The left supporting rod sliding element 204 is coupled to the other end of the left handrail supporting rod 203. The left supporting rod sliding element 204 is movably fitted to the left front leg rod 108.
The right lateral folding mechanism 30 is opposingly disposed on one side of the left lateral folding mechanism 10. The right lateral folding mechanism 30 comprises a right frame rod 301, a right frame rotating element 302, a right rear leg sliding element 303, a right rear leg rod 304, a right rear leg fixing element 305, a right back rest rod 306, a right back rest rod sliding element 307, a right front leg rod 308, a right front leg terminal 309, a right connecting rod 310 and a right rear leg terminal 311. The right frame rotating element 302 is movably coupled to the vicinity of one end of the right frame rod 301. The right rear leg sliding element 303 is movably coupled to the other end of the right frame rod 301. The right rear leg rod 304 is movably, penetratingly disposed at the right rear leg sliding element 303. The right rear leg fixing element 305 is movably coupled to one end of the right rear leg rod 304. The right back rest rod 306 has one end movably coupled to the right frame rod 301. The right rear leg fixing element 305 is disposed at the vicinity of one end of the right back rest rod 306. The right back rest rod sliding element 307 is movably fitted to the right back rest rod 306. The right front leg rod 308 has one end movably coupled to the right back rest rod sliding element 307. The right front leg terminal 309 is movably coupled to the other end of the right front leg rod 308. The right connecting rod 310 has one end movably coupled to the right rear leg rod 304. The right connecting rod 310 has the other end movably coupled between the right frame rod 301 and the right front leg rod 308. The right rear leg terminal 311 is movably coupled to the other end of the right rear leg rod 304.
The right handrail mechanism 40 is connected to the right lateral folding mechanism 30 and opposes the left handrail mechanism 20. The right handrail mechanism 40 comprises a right handrail rod 401, a right handrail fixing element 402, a right handrail supporting rod 403 and a right supporting rod sliding element 404. The right handrail rod 401 has one end movably coupled to the right back rest rod 306. The right frame rotating element 302 is disposed at the right handrail supporting rod 403. The right handrail fixing element 402 is disposed at the vicinity of the other end of the right handrail rod 401. The right handrail supporting rod 403 has one end movably coupled to the right handrail fixing element 402. The right supporting rod sliding element 404 is coupled to the other end of the right handrail supporting rod 403. The right supporting rod sliding element 404 is movably fitted to the right front leg rod 308.
The front supporting mechanism 50 is disposed between the left lateral folding mechanism 10 and the right lateral folding mechanism 30. The front supporting mechanism 50 comprises a first front supporting rod 501 and a second front supporting rod 502. The first front supporting rod 501 and the second front supporting rod 502 cross each other so as to be movably coupled together. The first front supporting rod 501 has one end movably coupled to the left frame rotating element 102. The first front supporting rod 501 has the other end movably coupled to the right front leg terminal 309. The second front supporting rod 502 has one end movably coupled to the right frame rotating element 302. The second front supporting rod 502 has the other end movably coupled to the left front leg terminal 109.
The rear supporting mechanism 60 is disposed between the left lateral folding mechanism 10 and the right lateral folding mechanism 30. The rear supporting mechanism 60 comprises a first rear supporting rod 601 and a second rear supporting rod 602. The first rear supporting rod 601 and the second rear supporting rod 602 cross each other so as to be movably coupled together. The first rear supporting rod 601 has one end movably coupled to the left back rest rod sliding element 107. The first rear supporting rod 601 has the other end movably coupled to the right rear leg terminal 311. The second rear supporting rod 602 has one end movably coupled to the right back rest rod sliding element 307. The second rear supporting rod 602 has the other end movably coupled to the left rear leg terminal 111.
The load-bearing structure 70 is disposed at the left lateral folding mechanism 10 and the right lateral folding mechanism 30. The load-bearing structure 70 is made of a soft material, such as fabric or plastic.
Referring to
In the course of folding or unfolding the folding chair, the left front leg terminal 109, the left rear leg terminal 111, the right front leg terminal 309 and the right rear leg terminal 311 provide protection to the left front leg rod 108, the second front supporting rod 502, the left rear leg rod 104, the second rear supporting rod 602, the right front leg rod 308, the first front supporting rod 501, the right rear leg rod 304 and the first rear supporting rod 601, respectively, to not only prevent them from coming into direct contact with the ground and thus getting damaged, but also render them resistant to slipping such that the left lateral folding mechanism 10 and the right lateral folding mechanism 30 demonstrate high stability and high load-bearing capability.
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The present disclosure is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present disclosure only, but shall not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present disclosure. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present disclosure shall be defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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107147385 A | Dec 2018 | TW | national |
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