Patent Grant
10743670
Aspects described herein generally relate to portable chairs and a cup holder assembly for use with portable chairs. More specifically, aspects relate to portable and collapsible chairs.
Portable chairs are commonly used during events and activities where seating is desirable, but not always provided, such as tailgating, camping, and outdoor barbeques. In most cases, however, such chairs are made with cheap, low-end materials that provide for an uncomfortable seating experience, poor durability, minimal long-term viability, and susceptibility to accelerated deterioration under exposure to environmental phenomena. Accordingly, overall user satisfaction with low-end portable chairs is low and the frequency of replacement is high.
In other cases in which higher quality materials are used in the manufacture of portable chairs, extended longevity may be achievable as compared to low-end offerings. However, such high-end chairs exhibit marginal improvements in comfortability, resistance to weather-induced deterioration, and overall durability, while being offered at a substantially higher price point.
Accordingly, there exists a need for high quality, comfortable, and durable portable chairs.
The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claims. The following summary merely presents some concepts in a simplified form as an introductory prelude to the more detailed description provided below.
To overcome limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, aspects described herein are directed to a portable chair and methods of forming a portable chair.
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a portable chair may include a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled and a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled. The front sled may include a first front foot and a second front foot and the back sled may include a first back foot and a second back foot. Each of the feet attached to the front and back sleds may include retention feature holes configured to allow water to drain from the sled/foot interface. The portable chair may further include a seat of a highly-permeable, weave-type construction which may include a seat frame border. The seat frame border may be a rigid thermoplastic over-mold including a plurality of protrusions on an underside portion. The seat frame border may be rigidly attached to the seat via an injection molding process which may form the plurality of protrusions. The portable chair may also include a seat frame including a first terminal end, a second terminal end, a first seat attachment rail, and a second seat attachment rail. The plurality of protrusions on the underside portion of the seat frame border may be configured to removably engage with the first seat attachment rail and the second seat attachment rail. Additionally, the seat frame may include a carrying handle.
In some embodiments, in a state in which the seat frame border of the seat is removably engaged with the first seat attachment rail and the second seat attachment rail, the seat may be configured to slope downward at a front end portion.
In some embodiments, the portable chair may further include a first front leg joinery interface including a tubular protrusion onto which the first front leg may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via a structural adhesive. The portable chair may also include a first back leg joinery interface including a tubular protrusion onto which the first back leg may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via a structural adhesive.
In some embodiments, the portable chair may further include a first arm rest that may be configured to be rotatably fastened to the first front leg joinery interface and the first back leg joinery interface via a first front pin.
In some embodiments, the portable table chair may further include a second front leg joinery interface including a tubular protrusion onto which the second front leg may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via a structural adhesive. The portable chair may also include a second back leg joinery interface including a tubular protrusion onto which the second back leg may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via a structural adhesive.
In some embodiments, the portable chair may further include a second arm rest that may be configured to be rotatably fastened to the second front leg joinery interface and the second back leg joinery interface via a second front pin.
In some embodiments, the portable chair may further include a back of a highly-permeable, weave-type construction which may include a back frame border. The back frame border may be a rigid thermoplastic over-mold including a plurality of protrusions on a backside portion. The back frame border may be rigidly attached to the back via an injection molding process which may form the plurality of protrusions. The portable chair may also include a back frame including a first terminal end, a second terminal end, a first back attachment rail, and a second back attachment rail. The plurality of protrusions on the backside portion of the back frame border may be configured to removably engage with the first back attachment rail and the second back attachment rail.
In some embodiments, the portable chair may further include a first back joinery interface. The first back joinery interface may include a tubular protrusion onto which the first terminal end of the back frame may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via structural adhesive. The portable chair may also include a second back joinery interface. The second back joinery interface may include a tubular protrusion onto which the second terminal end of the back frame may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via structural adhesive.
In some embodiments, the portable chair may further include a first seat joinery interface. The first seat joinery interface may include a tubular protrusion onto which the first terminal end of the seat frame may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via structural adhesive. The portable chair may also include a second seat joinery interface. The second seat joinery interface may include a tubular protrusion onto which the second terminal end of the seat frame may be configured to be inserted and fastened onto via structural adhesive.
In some embodiments, each of the first front leg, second front leg, front sled, first back leg, second back leg, back sled, seat frame, and back frame may be composed of hydroformed aluminum.
Additional aspects of this disclosure may relate to a cup holder assembly comprising a cup holder having a bottom interior surface, a lip, a substantially cylindrical wall positioned between the bottom surface and the lip, and an engaging member extending from the substantially cylindrical wall. The cup holder assembly may also have a collar with a first side that releasably secures to the engaging member of the cup holder and a second side secured to a clamp member with a substantially C-shaped member, where the collar can rotate relative to the clamp member. The collar may have a plurality of flex fingers that engage a corresponding plurality of flex fingers on the engaging member of the cup holder to releasably secure the cup holder to the collar. The plurality of flex fingers on the collar may comprise an upper flex finger positioned on a top portion of the collar and a lower flex finger positioned on a bottom portion of the collar, where the upper flex finger and the lower flex finger are spaced from each other. The collar may further comprise an alignment member positioned between the upper flex finger and the lower flex finger, where the alignment member has a radially extending flange that contacts a portion of at least one of the plurality of flex fingers on the engaging member of the cup holder to prevent rotation of the cup holder relative to the collar. In addition, the lower flex finger may be larger than the upper flex finger to prevent the cup holder from improper installation on the collar. Lastly, the collar may rotate relative to the clamp member in two positions.
Still even other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a portable chair and cup holder system comprising a portable chair that includes a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled, a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled, a seat comprising a weave-type construction, and a cup holder assembly that includes a cup holder having a bottom interior surface, a lip, and a substantially cylindrical wall positioned between the bottom interior surface and the lip, and an engaging member extending from the substantially cylindrical wall of the cup holder. The engaging member may releasably connect to a collar that may be secured to a clamp member having a substantially C-shaped member, where the C-shaped member may releasably connects to either the first front leg or the second front leg. The cup holder can rotate from an outboard position to an inboard position while still being connected to the portable chair. The C-shaped member may have a portion of an upper surface and a portion of a lower surface with a rounded edge such that the rounded edge contacts a bushing extending inwardly from either the first front leg or the second front leg of the portable chair. The cup holder may further rotate relative to the clamp member. The engaging member on the cup holder may include a plurality of flex fingers that engage a plurality of flex fingers on a collar, where the collar may be slidably connected to an engaging member extending from the C-shaped member of the clamp member. The collar and the engaging member of the clamp member may each have rotation inhibiting features.
Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a cup holder assembly comprising a cup holder comprising a bottom surface, a lip, a substantially cylindrical wall positioned between the bottom surface and the lip, and an engaging member extending from the substantially cylindrical wall, a collar having a first side that releasably secures to the engaging member and a second side secured to a clamp member comprising a substantially C-shaped member, where the collar is slidably engaged with the clamp member. The cup holder assembly may be configured such that if a force exceeding 100 newtons (N) is applied to the cup holder in a vertical direction, the cup holder will release from the collar.
In addition, the collar may further comprise a plurality of rotation inhibiting features that engage a plurality of rotation inhibiting features on the clamp member to prevent inadvertent rotation of the collar relative to the clamp member. The collar can rotate relative to the clamp member, when the plurality of rotation inhibiting features on both the collar and the clamp member are disengaged by slidably moving the collar away from the clamp member. The plurality of rotation inhibiting features on the collar may comprise a plurality of bosses that are rotationally spaced apart, where one of the plurality of bosses has a first length that is greater than a second length a remainder of the bosses. Lastly, the plurality of rotation inhibiting features on the clamp member may comprise a plurality of pockets.
Yet other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a cup holder assembly comprising a cup holder having a bottom surface, an upper lip, a substantially cylindrical wall positioned between the bottom surface and the upper lip, and an attachment member extending from the substantially cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall may define a longitudinal axis. The attachment member may include a pair of substantially parallel side walls, where each of the pair of substantially parallel side walls includes a rail that extends from each of the side walls towards each other. The cup holder assembly may also include a mounting base connected to a leg of a chair, where the rails of the attachment member slide along a pair of slots on the mounting base to secure the cup holder to the mounting base. In addition, an interior of the cup holder may comprise a plurality of tiers, where each of the tiers have a different height. The plurality of tiers may comprise three tiers. Also, the cup holder may have a notch in the upper lip and be formed as a unitary component. Each rail may include a detent that extends into a pocket located in each slot of the mounting base, where the pocket may be centrally located along each of the pair of slots. The pair of substantially parallel side walls may be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the substantially cylindrical wall.
Additional aspects of this disclosure may relate to a portable chair and cup holder system comprising a portable chair having a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled, a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled, a seat comprising a weave-type construction, and a cup holder assembly. The cup holder assembly may include a cup holder having a bottom surface, an upper lip, and a plurality of cylindrically shaped portions arranged in a multi-tiered shape positioned between the bottom surface and the upper lip, where the plurality of cylindrically shaped portions are concentric around a longitudinal axis. The cup holder may also include an attachment member including a spacer portion extending from at least one of the cylindrical shaped portions and a pair of substantially parallel side walls, wherein each of the side walls includes a rail that extends from each of the side walls towards each other. The cup holder assembly may further comprise a mounting base connected to the first front leg of the portable chair, where the rails of the attachment member slide along a pair of slots on the mounting base to secure the cup holder to the mounting base. The mounting base may include at least one mounting hole and is attached to the first front leg of the portable chair using at least one mechanical fastener that extends through the at least one mounting hole. The cup holder may be releasably secured to the mounting base, wherein the cup holder may be removed from the mounting base without using a tool. Each rail may include a detent that extends into a pocket located in each slot of the mounting base, where the pocket may be centrally located along each of the pair of slots. The interior of the cup holder may include a plurality of tiers, where the tiers each have a different height.
Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a cup holder assembly comprising a cup holder having a bottom surface, an upper lip, and a plurality of cylindrically shaped portions arranged in a multi-tiered shape positioned between the bottom surface and the upper lip, wherein the cup holder comprises a notch in the upper lip, and an attachment member that may include a spacer portion extending from at least one of the cylindrical shaped portions and a pair of substantially parallel side walls. Each of the side walls may include a rail that extends from each of the side walls towards each other. The cup holder assembly may further comprise a mounting base connected to a leg of a chair, where the rails of the attachment member slide along a pair of slots on the mounting base to secure the cup holder to the mounting base. The notch may have a length within a range of 12 percent and 38 percent of a circumference of the upper lip, or may have a length of approximately 25 percent of a circumference of the upper lip. The center of the notch may be positioned approximately 90 degrees from a location of the attachment member. Lastly, the notch may have a height of within 25 percent to 75 percent of an upper tier of the cup holder.
These features, along with many others, are discussed in greater detail below.
A more complete understanding of aspects described herein and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
In the following description of the various examples and components of this disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made from the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” right, left, and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term “plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
Overview of Chair
Additionally, chair 100 may be of a symmetric construction wherein components on a left side of chair 100 (e.g., side corresponding to arm rest 150B) are mirrored on a right side (e.g., side corresponding to arm rest 150A). As such, front leg 112B may correspond to front leg 112A, arm rest 150B may correspond to arm rest 150A, and so on. Furthermore, as will be described in further detail below, components of chair 100 such as seat frame 131 and back frame 141, which extend from the left side to the right side of chair 100, may also be of a symmetric construction. For instance, seat frame 131 may include a first seat attachment rail on the left side and second seat attachment rail on the right side, back frame 141 may include a first back attachment rail on the left side and a second back attachment rail on the right side, and so on.
Legs
The portable chair 100 may include two front legs 112A and 112B and two back legs 122A and 122B. The two front legs 112A and 112B and the two back legs 122A and 122B may be cylindrical rods, tubes, and/or shafts and may be made of, for example, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, polymers, composites, carbon fiber, and/or wood, such as bamboo. In instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of the two front legs 112A and 112B and the two back legs 122A and 122B, the metals may be hydroformed and vacuum casted and may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals and alloys used in the fabrication of legs 112A, 112B, 122A, and 122B may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
The front legs 112A and 112B of portable chair 100 may be connected by front crossbar 114. Front crossbar 114 may be made of the same material as that of front legs 112A and 112B (e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo) or may be made of a different material than that of front legs 112A and 112B. In instances in which front legs 112A and 112B are made of a metal and front crossbar 114 is also made of a metal, front crossbar 114 may be welded to an inner portion of front legs 112A and 112B. Alternatively, front legs 112A and 112B and front crossbar 114 may be fabricated in a single continuous piece in a molding operation. In such instances, the fabrication may be done through hydroforming. Similarly, in instances in which front legs 112A and 112B are made of carbon fiber and front crossbar 114 is also made of carbon fiber, front legs 112A and 112B and front crossbar 114 may be fabricated in a single continuous piece in a molding operation. However, it is also contemplated that front crossbar 114 may be screwed, bolted, clamped, or otherwise fastened to an inner portion of front legs 112A and 112B, for example, in instances in which front legs 112A and 112B are made of a different material than that of front crossbar 114. Front crossbar 114 may be a low flex and low creep member and may able to support up to a 500 lb applied load. While not shown in
In some embodiments, combinations of different materials can be used to form the chair 100. For example, front legs 110A and 110B and front crossbar 114 may be made of a different material than that of back legs 120A and 120B. For example, front legs 110A and 110B and front crossbar 114 may be made of carbon fiber and back legs 120A and 120B may be made of metal. Alternatively, front legs 110A and 110B and back legs 120A and 120B may be made of a first material (e.g., metal) and front crossbar 114 may be made of a second material (e.g., carbon fiber).
In arrangements in which a back crossbar is included, similar combinations of different materials as described above may be used to form the chair 100. For example, front legs 110A and 110B and front crossbar 114 may be made of a different material than that of back legs 120A and 120B and the back crossbar. For example, front legs 110A and 110B and front crossbar 114 may be made of carbon fiber and back legs 120A and 120B and the back crossbar may be made of metal. Alternatively, front legs 110A and 110B and back legs 120A and 120B may be made of a first material (e.g., metal) and front crossbar 114 and the back crossbar may be made of a second material (e.g., carbon fiber).
Sleds and Feet
The two front legs 112A and 112B may be joined by front sled 110, which may be a continuous connecting member. As such, the two front legs 112A and 112B and the front sled 110 may be fabricated in a single continuous piece through, for example, any of the manufacturing methods described herein. Similarly, the two back legs 122A and 122B may be joined by back sled 120 and may be fabricated in a single continuous piece. The front sled 110 and the back sled 120 may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray, as well as through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
Additionally, the front sled 110 may include front foot 111A and front foot 111B, which may be plastic and/or rubber caps at a lowermost and/or bottommost portion of sled 110 to facilitate or improve the frictional engagement with an adjacent contact surface (e.g., floor, ground, etc.). The front feet can include a suitable material or texture to increase the coefficient of friction between the front feet and the surface which the chair is placed. As shown in
As shown in
Also the engagement plugs 117A, 117B can each include a series of holes 123, which provide a channel for moisture located in the frame. The series of holes 123 in combination with the retention feature holes 115A, 115B create an outlet for any moisture that collects inside the frame of the chair. In one example, a single hole or a plurality of holes can be included on the end of the engagement plugs 117A, 117B. In other examples, the engagement plugs 117A, 117B can be formed of a porous material that allows water to flow through the engagement plugs 117A, 117B to allow for water to escape through the retention feature holes 115A, 115B. It is also envisioned that separate holes can be included in the frame and in the front feet 111A, 111B to allow for water or moisture to escape out of the frame of the chair.
In other examples, the front feet 111A and 111B may be plastic and/or rubber coatings applied to front sled 110 and may be included in recessed or notched pockets (not shown) proximate to the two front legs 112A and 112B. Alternatively, the plastic and/or rubber coating may be applied along the length of the front sled 110 at a lowermost and/or bottommost portion and the first and second front engagement faces and may form a continuous front engagement face. In other examples, the plastic and/or rubber coating may be applied intermittently in uniform intervals along the length of the front sled 110 at a lowermost and/or bottommost portion. In such examples, the front feet may form an intermittent front engagement face.
Similar to front sled 110, the back sled 120 may include back foot 121A and back foot 121B, which may be plastic and/or rubber caps at a lowermost and/or bottommost portion to facilitate frictional engagement with an adjacent contact surface (e.g., floor, ground, etc.). Back feet 121A and 121B may be configured to engage with a section of back sled 120 proximate to the back legs 122A and 122B. As such, back foot 121A may be configured to engage with a section of back sled 120 proximate to back leg 122A and back foot 121B may be configured to engage with a section of back sled 120 proximate to back leg 122B.
Similar to front feet 111A and 111B, back feet 121A and 121B may each include an engagement plug and a retention feature hole. The engagement plug and retention feature hole of back feet 121A and 121B may be configured to interface with sled 120 and function in the manner described in regard to front feet 111A and 111B. Also the back feet 121A and 121B can be provided with similar draining features discussed above in relation to front feet 111A and 111B.
Again, in other examples, back feet 121A and 121B may be plastic and/or rubber coatings applied to back sled 120 and may be included in recessed pockets proximate to the two back legs 122A and 122B. Alternatively, the plastic and/or rubber coating may be applied along the length of the back sled 120 at a lowermost and/or bottommost portion and the first and second back engagement faces and may form a continuous back engagement face. In other examples, the plastic and/or rubber coating may be applied intermittently in uniform intervals along the length of the back sled 120 at a lowermost and/or bottommost portion. In such examples, the first and second back engagement faces may form an intermittent back engagement face.
Joinery Interfaces
As shown in
Front leg 112B may be configured to engage with front leg joinery interface 116B in the manner described in regard to front leg 112A and front leg joinery interface 116A (e.g., adhered and/or welded).
Similarly, at an upper and/or top proximal end portion, back leg 122A may intersect with back leg joinery interface 126A. In particular, back leg joinery interface 126A may include a tubular termination onto which back leg 122A may be configured to be inserted. Before, during, or after insertion, a binding agent and/or structural adhesive as discussed herein may be applied to the tubular termination of back leg joinery interface 126A and/or upper and/or top proximal end portion of back leg 122A to secure back leg 122A to the back leg joinery interface 126A. Additionally and/or alternatively, back leg 122A may be welded onto back leg joinery interface 126A. Back leg 122B may be configured to engage with back leg joinery interface 126B in the manner described in regard to back leg 122A and back leg joinery interface 126A (e.g., adhered and/or welded). Nevertheless, it is also contemplated that the joints discussed herein could be formed by mechanical fastening techniques, such as, friction fits, threads, ball and sockets, bayonet connections, and the like.
In certain arrangements, at an upper and/or top proximal end portion of front leg 112A, the front leg 112A may be bent in a rearward direction at an obtuse angle and may terminate at front leg joinery interface 116A. In some instances, front leg joinery interface 116A may be a continuous upper and/or top terminal end portion of front leg 110A and may be made of the same material as that of front leg 112A (e.g., aluminum, titanium, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo).
Back leg 122A may extend linearly to an upper and/or top proximal end portion and may terminate at back leg joinery interface 126A. Back leg joinery interface 126A may be a continuous upper and/or top terminal end portion of back leg 122A and may be made of the same material as that of back leg 122A (e.g., aluminum, titanium, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo).
Front leg joinery interfaces 116A, 116B may be configured to join, interface, and/or otherwise connect with back leg joinery interfaces 126A, 126B. In one example, the front joinery interfaces 116A, 116B and the back joinery interfaces 126A, 126B are configured to pivot about pins 128A, 128B such that the front legs 112A, 112B are configured to pivot relative to the back legs 122A, 122B.
Seat and Seat Frame
Portable chair 100 may include seat 130, which may be removably attached to seat frame 131. Front legs 112A and 112B may be configured to be rotatably joined and/or fastened to front leg attachment portions 170A and 170B, respectively, of seat frame 131 via pins 171A and 171B. The bushings 173A and 173B may extend between the front leg attachment portions 170A and 170B and the front legs 112A and 112B.
Seat frame 131 may be a cylindrical rod, tube, shaft, and/or extrusion I-beam and may be made of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo. In instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of seat frame 131, the material may be hydroformed and vacuum casted and may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals used in the fabrication of seat frame 131 may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
Seat frame 131 may include front leg attachment portions 170A and 170B, which may be configured to facilitate the rotatable attachment of seat frame 131 to front legs 112A and 112B, respectively, by way of pins 171A and 171B. Additionally, seat frame 131 may intersect with seat joinery interfaces 133A and 133B. In particular, seat joinery interfaces 133A and 133B may include tubular terminations onto which seat frame 131 may be configured to be inserted. Before, during, or after insertion, a binding agent and/or structural adhesive as discussed herein may be applied to the tubular terminations of seat joinery interfaces 133A and 133B and/or terminal ends of seat frame 131 to secure the seat frame 131 to the seat joinery interfaces 133A and 133B.
As shown in
Alternatively, carrying handle 172 may not form a continuous piece with seat frame 131 and, as such, may be a separate component. In such instances, carrying handle 172 may be made of either the same material as that of seat frame 131, or may be made of a different material. In either event, carrying handle 172 may be attached to seat frame 131 via adhesion, welding, mechanical fastening (e.g., nut and bolt), and the like.
First Embodiment of Seat/Seat Frame Engagement
According to a first embodiment of the seat/seat frame engagement and as shown in
Furthermore, seat frame 131 may also include seat attachment rail 172B. Seat attachment rail 172B may be positioned on an inner face of a side portion of seat frame 131 proximate to arm rest 150B, front leg 112B, and the like. Seat attachment rail 172B may be made of the same material as that of seat frame 131 (e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo). As such, seat attachment rail 172B may be manufactured as a continuous piece of seat frame 131. Thus, in instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of seat frame 131 and seat attachment rail 172B, the material may be hydroformed and vacuum casted and into seat frame 131 and seat attachment rail 172B and may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals used in the fabrication of seat frame 131 and seat attachment rail 172B may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
Alternatively, seat attachment rail 172B may not form a continuous piece with seat frame 131 and, as such, may be a separate component. In such instances, seat attachment rail 172B may be made of either the same material as that of seat frame 131, or may be made of a different material. In either event, seat attachment rail 172B may be attached to seat frame 131 via adhesion, welding, mechanical fastening (e.g., nut and bolt), and the like.
Seat attachment rail 172B may include rib engagement channels and a plurality of side attachment holes. For example, as shown in
Seat frame 131 may also include seat attachment rail 172A. Seat attachment rail 172A may be positioned on an inner face of a side portion of seat frame 131 proximate to arm rest 150A, front leg 112A, and the like. Seat attachment rail 172A may be made of the same material as that of seat frame 131 (e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo). As such, seat attachment rail 172A may be manufactured as a continuous piece of seat frame 131. Thus, in instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of seat frame 131 and seat attachment rail 172A, the material may be hydroformed and vacuum casted and into seat frame 131 and seat attachment rail 172A and may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals used in the fabrication of seat frame 131 and seat attachment rail 172A may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
Alternatively, seat attachment rail 172A may not form a continuous piece with seat frame 131 and, as such, may be a separate component. In such instances, seat attachment rail 172A may be made of either the same material as that of seat frame 131, or may be made of a different material. In either event, seat attachment rail 172A may be attached to seat frame 131 via adhesion, welding, mechanical fastening (e.g., nut and bolt), and the like.
Seat attachment rail 172A may include rib engagement channels and a plurality of side attachment holes. For example, as shown in
Referring to
The material used in the fabrication of seat 130 may be manufactured in a highly-permeable, weave-type and/or mesh-like construction and, as such, may provide for increased load capacity and user comfort. The perimeter of the weave-type and/or mesh-like fabric construction of seat 130 may be configured to interface with seat frame border 183, which may be a rigid thermoplastic over-mold. In forming the interface between seat 130 and seat frame border 183, seat frame border 183 may be over-molded onto seat 130 through a method of local injection molding. The process may form a thermoplastic feature (e.g., seat frame border 183 and components included therein) through the fabric weave along the perimeter of seat 130. After the method of local injection molding is completed, the weave-type and/or mesh-like fabric construction of seat 130 may be taut and the seat frame border 183 may be rigidly attached to seat 130. Such an attachment method may eliminate stitching in the seat fabric and, by extension, offer advantages including repeatability, durability, dimensional accuracy, frame attachment flexibility and improved aesthetics.
Seat frame border 183 may include a plurality of protrusions of various types configured to aide and/or facilitate the engagement between seat 130 and seat frame 131. In particular, seat frame border 183 may include front attachment clips 187, 187A, and 187B, seat frame corner engagement faces 189A and 189B, side attachment screw interfaces 184A and 184B, side ribs 185A and 185B, flanges 191A and 191B, and back bar groove 196.
Seat 130 may be configured to be removably attached and/or engaged with seat frame 131. In forming the removable attachment and/or engagement, the various protrusions of seat frame border 183 of seat 130 may be configured to removably connect, insert, and/or interface with specific aspects of front handle 172 and seat attachment rails 172A and 172B. For example, front attachment clips 187, 187A, and 187B and side attachment screw interfaces 184A and 184B of seat frame border 183 may be respectively configured to be removably connected, inserted, and/or interfaced with front attachment holes 177, 177A, and 177B of carrying handle 172 and side attachment holes 174A and 174B of seat attachment rails 172A and 172B. Additionally, seat frame corner engagement faces 189A and 189B and back bar groove 196 of seat frame border 183 of seat 130 may be respectively configured to removably interface with seat frame corners 179A and 179B of seat frame 131 and back bar 197.
Further, side ribs 185A and 185B and flanges 191A and 191B of seat frame border 183 of seat 130 may be configured to removably interface with rib engagement channels 175A and 175B of seat attachment rails 172A and 172B. Side ribs 185A, 185B may be load carrying ribs and may be configured to interface with rib engagement channels 175A, 175B of seat attachment rails 172A, 172B. The side ribs 185A, 185B may extend from a bottom surface of a right and left side of the seat frame border 183 and flanges 191A, 191B may be located on each side of the seat frame border 183. The series of flanges 191A, 191B can extend perpendicular to a bottom surface of the seat frame border 183 and an outer face of the side ribs 175A, 175B. The side ribs 185A, 185B and the series of flanges 191A, 191B can prevent the side ribs from twisting when the seat is loaded. As such, the side ribs 185A, 185B and the flanges 191A, 191B may relieve structural loading from the side attachment screw interfaces 184A, 184B when seat 130 and seat frame 131 are in either of an attached or detached state and may also provide a complimentary force to that provided by side attachment screw interfaces 184A, 184B in a state in which seat 130 is attached to seat frame 131. In an attached stated, the side ribs 185A, 185B may traverse the length of seat attachment rails 172A, 172B and the flanges 191A, 191B may span the horizontal area of the seat attachment rails 172A, 172B. The number of flanges 191A, 191B can be selected based on the desired threshold loading of the chair, the thickness of each flange, and the weight distribution of the chair.
Referring in greater detail to
In the manner described above, seat 130, by way of seat frame border 183 and the plurality of protrusions formed thereto, may be configured to engage with the side attachment rails 172A and 172B and carrying handle 172 of seat frame 131. In some instances, the seat frame border 183 may be secured to seat frame 131 by locating a first end (e.g., front portion) of seat frame border 183 into a first end (e.g., front portion) of the seat frame 131 and rolling and/or flexing the seat frame border 183 from the first end of the seat frame 131 to a second end (e.g., back portion) of the seat frame 131. The rolling and/or flexing of the seat frame border 183 from the first end of the seat frame 131 to the second end may cause the plurality of protrusions of the seat frame border 183 to align with the plurality of slots in the seat attachment rails and to removably attach the seat frame border 183 on the seat frame 131.
Alternatively, seat frame border 183 may be secured to seat frame 131 by inserting the rearmost side attachment screw interface 184B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 into the rearmost side attachment hole 174B of the left side attachment rail 172B and inserting the rearmost side attachment screw interface 184A on the right side of the seat frame border 183 into the rearmost side attachment hole 174A of the right side attachment rail 172A. Next, the first, second, and third middle side attachment screw interfaces 184B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the first, second, and third middle side attachment holes 174B of the left side attachment rail 172B. Similarly, the first, second, and third middle side attachment screw interfaces 184A on the right side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the first, second, and third middle side attachment holes 174A of the right side attachment rail 172A. Subsequently, the frontmost side attachment screw interface 184B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the frontmost side attachment hole 174B of the left side attachment rail 172B and the frontmost side attachment screw interface 184A on the right side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the frontmost side attachment hole 174A of the right side attachment rail 172A. Then, the seat 130, by way of the seat frame border 183, may be rolled and/or flexed at a front portion of the seat 130 in a downward direction to align and insert the front attachment clips 187, 187A, and 187B of the seat frame border 183 with the front attachment holes 177, 177A, and 177B of the carrying handle 172 and the front attachment clip on the right side of the seat frame border 183 with the front attachment hole on the right end portion of the carrying handle 172. Next, the screw access panels 195A and 195B may be removed from the side attachment rails 172A and 172B, and each of the screws 194A and 194B may be threaded into the respective side attachment screw interfaces 184A and 184B. After insertion, the screw access panels 195A and 195B may be reattached to side attachment rails 172A and 172B.
During the assembly of the seat frame border 183 to the seat frame 131, the seat frame border 183 can be rolled from a rear end to a front end. While such steps are described in a specific order from rear to front, the steps need not be performed in such an order and may be performed in any specific order.
Furthermore, in the state in which seat 130 is attached to seat frame 131, as shown in
Second Embodiment of Seat/Seat Frame Engagement
According to a second embodiment of the seat/seat frame engagement and as shown in
Returning to
Alternatively, seat attachment rail 172B may not form a continuous piece with seat frame 131 and, as such, may be a separate component. In such instances, seat attachment rail 172B may be made of either the same material as that of seat frame 131, or may be made of a different material. In either event, seat attachment rail 172B may be attached to seat frame 131 via adhesion, welding, mechanical fastening (e.g., nut and bolt), and the like.
Seat attachment rail 172B may include side openings, rib engagement channels, and a plurality of side attachment holes. For example, as shown in
Referring to
Seat 130 may be configured to be removably attached and/or engaged with seat frame 131. In forming the removable attachment and/or engagement, the various protrusions of seat frame border 183 of seat 130 may be configured to removably connect and/or interface with specific aspects of front handle 172 and seat attachment rail 172B. For example, front attachment clip 187B and side attachment clips 184B of seat frame border 183 may be configured, respectively, to be removably connected and/or interfaced with front attachment hole 177B of carrying handle 172 and side attachment holes 174B of seat attachment rail 172B of seat frame 131. Further, carrying handle side cover 188B and seat attachment rail side covers 186B of seat frame border 183 of seat 130 may be configured, respectively, to removably interface with side openings 178B of carrying handle 172 and side openings 176B of seat attachment rail 172B of seat frame 131. Additionally, seat frame corner engagement face 189B and side ribs 185B of seat frame border 183 of seat 130 may be configured, respectively, to removably interface with seat frame corner 179B of seat frame 131 and rib engagement channel 175B of seat attachment rail 172B. The aforementioned connections and/or interfacings may occur on the left side of chair 100. In a state in which seat 130 is removably attached and/or engaged with seat frame 131, such connections and/or interfacings may be proximate to front leg 112B, arm rest 150B, and the like.
Similarly, the front attachment clip, carrying handle side cover, seat frame corner engagement face, seat attachment rail side covers, side attachment clips, and side ribs on the right side of the seat frame border 183 of seat 130 may be configured to removably connect and/or interface with the front seat attachment hole and side opening on the right side of carrying handle 172, the seat frame corner on the right side of seat frame 131, and the side openings, rib engagement channel, and plurality of side attachment holes of the seat attachment rail on the right side of seat frame 131 in the manner described above.
Referring in greater detail to
Side ribs 185A, 185B may be load carrying ribs and may be configured to interface with rib engagement channels 175A, 175B of seat attachment rails 172A, 172B. The side ribs 185A, 185B may extend from a bottom surface of a right and left side of the seat frame border 183 and a series of flanges 191 may be located on each side of the seat frame border 183. The series of flanges 191 can extend perpendicular to a bottom surface of the seat frame border 183. The series of flanges 191 and the bottom surface of the seat frame border 183 can prevent the side ribs from twisting when the seat is loaded. As such, the side ribs 185A, 185B and the flanges 191 may relieve structural loading from the side attachment clips 184A, 184B and the other side attachment clips during use when seat 130 and seat frame 131 are in either of an attached or detached state and may also provide a complimentary force to that provided by side attachment clips 184A, 184B in a state in which seat 130 is attached to seat frame 131. The number of side ribs 185 can be selected based on the desired threshold loading of the chair, the thickness of each side rib, and the weight distribution of the chair. Additionally, it is also contemplated that the side ribs can be formed of an integral extending rib running the length of the channel of the attachment rails 175A, 175B.
In the manner described above, seat 130, by way of seat frame border 183 and the plurality of protrusions formed thereto, may be configured to engage with the side attachment rails and carrying handle 172 of seat frame 131. In particular, the seat frame border 183 may be secured to seat frame 131 by locating a first end (e.g., front portion) of seat frame border 183 into a first end (e.g., front portion) of the seat frame 131 and rolling and/or flexing the seat frame border 183 from the first end of the seat frame 131 to a second end (e.g., back portion) of the seat frame 131. The rolling and/or flexing of the seat frame border 183 from the first end of the seat frame 131 to the second end may cause the plurality of protrusions of the seat frame border 183 to align with the plurality of slots in the seat attachment rails and to removably attach the seat frame border 183 on the seat frame 131.
Alternatively, seat frame border 183 may be secured to seat frame 131 by inserting the rearmost side attachment clip 186B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 into the rearmost side attachment hole 176B of the left side attachment rail 172B and inserting the rearmost side attachment clip on the right side of the seat frame border 183 into the rearmost side attachment hole of the right side attachment rail. Next, the first middle side attachment clip 186B and the second middle side attachment clip 186B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the first middle side attachment hole 176B and the second middle side attachment hole 176B of the left side attachment rail 172B and the first middle side attachment clip and the second middle side attachment clip on the right side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the first middle side attachment hole and the second middle side attachment hole of the right side attachment rail. Subsequently, the frontmost side attachment clip 186B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the frontmost side attachment hole 176B of the left side attachment rail 176B and the frontmost side attachment clip on the right side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the frontmost side attachment hole of the right side attachment rail. Then, the seat 130, by way of the seat frame border 183, may be rolled and/or flexed at a front portion of the seat 130 in a downward direction to align the front attachment clip 187B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 with the front attachment hole 177B on the left end portion of the carrying handle 172 and the front attachment clip on the right side of the seat frame border 183 with the front attachment hole on the right end portion of the carrying handle 183. Next, the front attachment clip 187B on the left side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the front attachment hole 177B on the left end portion of the carrying handle 172 and the front attachment clip on the right side of the seat frame border 183 may be inserted into the front attachment hole on the right end portion of the carrying handle 172.
During the assembly of the seat frame border 183 with the seat frame 131, the seat frame border 183 can be rolled from a rear end to a front end. While such steps are described in a specific order from rear to front, the steps need not be performed in such an order and may be performed in any specific order.
Back and Back Frame
In conjunction with seat 130, portable chair 100 may include back 140, which may be removably attached to back frame 141. Back frame 141 may be a cylindrical rod, tube, shaft, and/or extrusion I-beam and may be made of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo. In instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of back frame 141, the material may be hydroformed and vacuum casted and may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals used in the fabrication of back frame 141 may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
Back frame 141 may include arm rest attachment portions, which may be configured to facilitate the rotatable attachment of back frame 141 to arm rests 150A and 150B by way of pins including pin 157B. Additionally, back frame 141 may intersect with back joinery interfaces 143A and 143B. In particular, back joinery interfaces 143A and 143B may include tubular terminations onto which back frame 141 may be configured to be inserted. Before, during, or after insertion, a binding agent and/or structural adhesive may be applied to the tubular terminations of back joinery interfaces 143A and 143B and/or terminal ends of back frame 141 to secure the back frame 141 to the back joinery interfaces 143A and 143B.
In a manner similar to that described above in regard to seat frame 131, back frame 141 may include a carrying handle and one or more back attachment rails. For example, as shown in
Furthermore, back frame 141 may also include back attachment rail 272B. Back attachment rail 272B may be positioned on an inner face of a side portion of back frame 141 proximate to arm rest 150B, front leg 112B, and the like. Back attachment rail 272B may be made of the same material as that of back frame 141 (e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo). As such, back attachment rail 272B may be manufactured as a continuous piece of back frame 141. Thus, in instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of back frame 141 and back attachment rail 272B, the material may be hydroformed and vacuum casted and into back frame 141 and back attachment rail 272B and may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals used in the fabrication of back frame 141 and back attachment rail 272B may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
Alternatively, back attachment rail 272B may not form a continuous piece with back frame 141 and, as such, may be a separate component. In such instances, back attachment rail 272B may be made of either the same material as that of back frame 141, or may be made of a different material. In either event, back attachment rail 272B may be attached to back frame 141 via adhesion, welding, mechanical fastening (e.g., nut and bolt), and the like.
Back attachment rail 272B may include rib engagement channels and a plurality of side attachment holes. For example, as shown in
Back frame 141 may also include back attachment rail 272A. Back attachment rail 272A may be positioned on an inner face of a side portion of back frame 141 proximate to arm rest 150A, front leg 112A, and the like. Back attachment rail 272A may be made of the same material as that of back frame 141 (e.g., aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, carbon fiber, and/or bamboo). As such, back attachment rail 272A may be manufactured as a continuous piece of back frame 141. Thus, in instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of back frame 141 and back attachment rail 272A, the material may be hydroformed and vacuum casted and into back frame 141 and back attachment rail 272A and may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals used in the fabrication of back frame 141 and back attachment rail 272A may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.
Alternatively, back attachment rail 272A may not form a continuous piece with back frame 141 and, as such, may be a separate component. In such instances, back attachment rail 272A may be made of either the same material as that of back frame 141, or may be made of a different material. In either event, back attachment rail 272A may be attached to back frame 141 via adhesion, welding, mechanical fastening (e.g., nut and bolt), and the like.
Back attachment rail 272A may include rib engagement channels and a plurality of side attachment holes. For example, as shown in
Referring to
In certain instances, back 140 may be composed of a similar material to that of seat 130. However, in some cases, the material used in the manufacture of back 140 may be different than that used in the manufacture of seat 130. For example, back 140 may be made of a first material and/or combination of materials, and seat 130 may be made of a second material and/or combination of materials different than the first material and/or combination of materials.
The material used in the fabrication of back 140 may be manufactured in a highly-permeable, weave-type and/or mesh-like construction and, as such, may provide for increased load capacity and user comfort. The perimeter of the weave-type and/or mesh-like fabric construction of back 140 may be configured to interface with back frame border 193, which may be a rigid thermoplastic over-mold. In forming the interface between back 140 and back frame border 193, back frame border 193 may be over-molded onto back 140 through a method of local injection molding. The process may form a thermoplastic feature (e.g., back frame border 193 and components included therein) through the fabric weave along the perimeter of back 140. After the method of local injection molding is completed, the weave-type and/or mesh-like fabric construction of back 140 may be taut and the back frame border 193 may be rigidly attached to back 140. Such an attachment method may eliminate stitching in the seat fabric and, by extension, offer advantages including repeatability, durability, dimensional accuracy, frame attachment flexibility and improved aesthetics.
Back frame border 193 may include a plurality of protrusions of various types configured to aide and/or facilitate the engagement between back 140 and back frame 141. In particular, back frame border 193 may include top attachment clips 287, 287A, and 287B, back frame corner engagement faces 289A and 289B, side attachment screw interfaces 284A and 284B, side ribs 285A and 285B, and flanges 291A and 291B.
Back 140 may be configured to be removably attached and/or engaged with seat frame 141. In forming the removable attachment and/or engagement, the various protrusions of back frame border 193 of back 140 may be configured to removably connect, insert, and/or interface with specific aspects of top handle 272 and back attachment rails 272A and 272B. For example, top attachment clips 287, 287A, and 287B and side attachment screw interfaces 284A and 284B of back at frame border 193 may be respectively configured to be removably connected, inserted, and/or interfaced with top attachment holes 277, 277A, and 277B of carrying handle 272 and side attachment holes 274A and 274B of back attachment rails 272A and 272B. Additionally, back frame corner engagement faces 289A and 289B of back frame border 283 of back 140 may be respectively configured to removably interface with back frame corners 279A and 279B of back frame 141.
Further, side ribs 285A and 285B and flanges 291A and 291B of back frame border 193 of back 140 may be configured to removably interface with rib engagement channels 275A and 275B of back attachment rails 272A and 272B. Side ribs 285A, 285B may be load carrying ribs and may be configured to interface with rib engagement channels 275A, 275B of back attachment rails 272A, 272B. The side ribs 285A, 285B may extend from a bottom surface of a right and left side of the back frame border 193 and flanges 291A, 291B may be located on each side of the back frame border 193. The series of flanges 291A, 291B can extend perpendicular to a bottom surface of the back frame border 193 and an outer face of the side ribs 275A, 275B. The side ribs 285A, 285B and the series of flanges 291A, 291B can prevent the side ribs from twisting when the back is loaded. As such, the side ribs 285A, 285B and the flanges 291A, 291B may relieve structural loading from the side attachment screw interfaces 284A, 284B when back 140 and back frame 141 are in either of an attached or detached state and may also provide a complimentary force to that provided by side attachment screw interfaces 284A, 284B in a state in which back 140 is attached to back frame 141. In an attached stated, the side ribs 285A, 285B may traverse the length of back attachment rails 272A, 272B and the flanges 291A, 291B may span the horizontal area of the back attachment rails 272A, 272B. The number of flanges 291A, 291B can be selected based on the desired threshold loading of the chair, the thickness of each flange, and the weight distribution of the chair.
Referring to
In the manner described above, back 140, by way of back frame border 193 and the plurality of protrusions formed thereto, may be configured to engage with the side attachment rails 272A and 272B and carrying handle 272 of back frame 141. In some instances, the back frame border 183 may be secured to back frame 141 by locating a first end (e.g., top portion) of back frame border 193 into a first end (e.g., top portion) of the back frame 141 and rolling and/or flexing the back frame border 193 from the first end of the back frame 141 to a second end (e.g., bottom portion) of the back frame 141. The rolling and/or flexing of the back frame border 193 from the first end of the back frame 141 to the second end may cause the plurality of protrusions of the back frame border 193 to align with the plurality of slots in the back attachment rails and to removably attach the back frame border 193 on the back frame 141.
Alternatively, back frame border 193 may be secured to back frame 141 by inserting the bottommost side attachment screw interface 284B on the left side of the back frame border 193 into the bottommost side attachment hole 274B of the left side attachment rail 272B and inserting the bottommost side attachment screw interface 284A on the right side of the back frame border 193 into the bottommost side attachment hole 274A of the right side attachment rail 272A. Next, the first, second, and third middle side attachment screw interfaces 284B on the left side of the back frame border 193 may be inserted into the first, second, and third middle side attachment holes 274B of the left side attachment rail 272B. Similarly, the first, second, and third middle side attachment screw interfaces 284A on the right side of the back frame border 193 may be inserted into the first, second, and third middle side attachment holes 274A of the right side attachment rail 272A. Subsequently, the topmost side attachment screw interface 284B on the left side of the back frame border 193 may be inserted into the topmost side attachment hole 274B of the left side attachment rail 272B and the topmost side attachment screw interface 284A on the right side of the back frame border 193 may be inserted into the topmost side attachment hole 274A of the right side attachment rail 272A. Then, the back 140, by way of the back frame border 193, may be rolled and/or flexed at a top portion of the back 140 in a backward direction to align and insert the top attachment clips 287, 287A, and 287B of the back frame border 193 with the top attachment holes 277, 277A, and 277B of the carrying handle 272 and the top attachment clip on the right side of the back frame border 193 with the top attachment hole on the right end portion of the carrying handle 272. Next, the screw access panels 295A and 295B may be removed from the side attachment rails 272A and 272B, and each of the screws 294A and 294B may be threaded into the respective side attachment screw interfaces 284A and 284B. After insertion, the screw access panels 295A and 295B may be reattached to side attachment rails 272A and 272B.
In some instances, back frame border 193 may have a plurality of back attachment clips in the manner described above in regard to seat frame border 183 as opposed to the back attachment screw interfaces 284A. In such instances, the side attachment clip may be configured to be inserted through side attachment hole 274B during the formation of the removable attachment between back 140 and back frame 141. The side attachment clip may have an extended rectangular construct with a half-arrow shaped distal end, which may allow for rotational pliability during insertion and removal, as well as for vertical force distribution during engagement. For instance, during insertion into side attachment hole 274B, a rotational force may be applied to the outer face of the half-arrow terminal end of the side attachment clip. In response to the rotational force, the side attachment clip may be configured to rotatably displace and allow for the insertion of side attachment clip into side attachment hole 274B. After insertion has been completed and the rotational force has been removed, the side attachment clip may be configured to return to a static position and an upper and/or overhang face of the half-arrow portion of side attachment clip may be configured to interface with a bottommost face of rib engagement channel 275B of back attachment rail 272B. Such an interface provided by side attachment clip, in combination with the other side and top attachment clips, may provide for the removable attachment of back 140 to back 141.
In either instance, during the assembly of the back frame border 193 to the back frame 141, the back frame border 193 can be rolled from a bottom end to a top end. While such steps are described in a specific order from bottom to top, the steps need not be performed in such an order and may be performed in any specific order. Furthermore, in the state in which back 140 is attached to back frame 141, as shown in
Arm Rests
Referring back to
Arm rests 150A and 150B may be made of plastic, rubber, metal, carbon fiber, and the like and may be configured to support up to a 500 lb load in one example. In some instances arm rests 150A and 150B may serve as buoyancy aides in preventing the submersion of portable chair 100. Similarly, in one example, arm rests 150A and 150B may be fabricated through a gas-assisted injection molding process to create a hollow cavity in the interior of the arm rests. Such a hollow cavity may serve as a buoyancy aide for chair 100.
Foldability
Referring to
For further example, chair 100 may be configured to open from a folded portable arrangement into an unfolded seating arrangement. In the folded portable arrangement, the front legs 112A and 112B may be substantially parallel to back legs 122A and 122B and seat 130 may be substantially parallel to back 140. One or more detents may be included in the attachment interfaces between the seat joinery interfaces 133A and 133B of seat frame 131. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the one or more detents may be included in the attachment interface between front leg attachment portions 170A and 170B and front legs 112A and 112B via pins 171A and 171B.
The one or more detents may provide resistance against the opening displacement of the front legs 112A and 112B and seat 130 away from back legs 122A and 122B and back 140 and, as such, may function to lock and/or maintain the chair in the folded portable arrangement. In addition to the resistance, the one or more detents may also provide intentional audible feedback to a user of chair 100 indicating that the chair 100 is in a locked position when an attempt is made to open the chair 100 from the folded portable arrangement to the unfolded seating arrangement.
While in the folded portable arrangement, when an opening force is applied to the chair 100 that is greater than the locking force and/or resistance provided by the one or more detents, chair 100 may become openable and the front legs 112A and 112B and seat 130 may rotatably displace from back legs 122A and 122B and back 140. At such a point, the chair 100 may be in an unlocked and transitory state between the folded portable arrangement and the unfolded seating arrangement. Upon the continued application of the opening force, the chair 100 may achieve a maximum opening displacement and arrive at the unfolded seating arrangement. At the unfolded seating arrangement, the front legs 112A and 112B and seat 130 may be angled relative to back legs 122A and 122B and back 140.
Additionally, the one or more detents included in the attachment interface between front leg attachment portions 170A and 170B and front legs 112A and 112B via pins 171A and 171B may provide resistance against the closing displacement of the front legs 112A and 112B and seat 130 towards back legs 122A and 122B and back 140. As such, the one or more detents may function to lock and/or maintain the chair 100 in the unfolded seating arrangement. In addition to the resistance, the one or more detents may also provide intentional audible feedback to a user of chair 100 indicating that the chair 100 is in a locked position when an attempt is made to close the chair 100 from the unfolded seating arrangement to the folded portable arrangement. While in the unfolded seating arrangement, when a closing force is applied to the chair 100 that is greater than the locking force and/or resistance provided by the one or more detents, the chair 100 may become closeable and the front legs 112A and 112B and seat 130 may rotatably displace towards back legs 122A and 122B and back 140.
Cup Holders
In either instance (e.g., rigidly attached or detachably attachable) the cup holder assembly 300 may be configured to secure a cup, bottle, thermos, glass, can, mug, or drink container of any of a plurality of sizes. For example, the cup holder 310 may secure different sizes of the YETI® Rambler, such as the 10 oz., 20 oz., 30 oz., 18 oz., and 26 oz., the YETI® Colster for either 12 oz. or 16 oz. cans, YETI® bottles, or even solo cups. The embodiment of the cup holder 310 illustrated in
Alternatively, the cup holder 310 may be a vacuum insulated cup holder, an aerogel cup holder, or may include one or more vacuum insulated panels and may be configured to maintain a temperature lower or higher than that of the ambient surrounding environment. The cup holder 310 may be configured to cool an inserted drink container and/or maintain and prolong a period of below-ambient temperature of an inserted drink container. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the cup holder may be configured to receive an ice pack and/or natural ice insert in order to aide in cooling of an inserted drink container and/or prolong a period of below-ambient temperature.
The cup holder 310 may comprise a lip 312, an interior bottom surface 313, and a substantially cylindrical wall 314 positioned between the lip 312 and the bottom surface 313. The substantially cylindrical wall 314 may have a smooth surface having the same diameter the entire height or may have an exterior shape comprising two tiers, an upper tier 315, a lower tier 316, with a step or substantially horizontal connecting wall 317 between the upper tier 315 and lower tier 316 such as the example embodiment shown in
As shown in
To connect the clamp member 360 to the collar 340, an engaging member 368 may extend from the C-shaped member 362 at a first end 370 and have a second end 372 to engage the collar 340. The engaging member 368 may have a portion that is a curved member 369 and a portion that is a straight member 371. Additionally, the first end 370 and the second end 372 may be positioned at an angle to each other. The exterior surface of the engaging member 368 may form a rounded shape or partially cylindrical shape. As shown in
As described above, the cup holder assembly 300 may releasably connect to either of the front legs 112A, 112B. In order to move the cup holder assembly 300 from one side of the portable chair 100 to the other side, the cup holder 310 may be rotated relative to the clamp member 360 as shown in
To assist the user in aligning the cup holder 310 and collar 340 in the proper position, each of the cup holder 310, the collar 340, and the clamp member 360 may have an alignment indicator 394, 396. Alignment indicator 394 may comprise having a portion positioned on each of the engaging member 318 of the cup holder 310 and the exterior surface of the collar 340. The alignment indicator 394 may align with one of two corresponding alignment indicators 396 positioned on the clamp member 360. When the alignment indicators 394, 396 are collinear, the collar 340 and the clamp member 360 are properly aligned for the cup holder assembly 300 to be one of the predetermined optimal operating positions. The alignment indicators 394, 396 may be raised surfaces, indentions, or other contrasting features to allow a user to easily identify the predetermined optimal operating positions of the cup holder assembly 300.
As shown in
In addition, to determine the range of rotation of the collar 340 to the clamp member 360, at least one of the rotation inhibiting features on the collar may limit the maximum allowable rotation. For instance, one of the plurality of bosses 341, boss 341A may have a side surface with a longer length than the other bosses 341 such that when the user pulls the collar 340 from the clamp member 360 the predetermined distance to disengage the plurality of bosses 341 from the plurality of pockets 367, the longer length of boss 341A may prevent the collar 340 from rotating beyond a maximum allowable rotation. The collar 340 may be rotated until boss 341A confronts one of two side surfaces 367A that form a portion of at least two of the plurality of pockets 367 on the clamp member 360. The surfaces 367A may also have a longer length and extend closer to the second end 372 of the engaging member 368 than the other side pocket surfaces. Side surfaces 367A may create a stop for the boss 341A to limit the amount of rotation of the collar 340 relative to the clamp member 360 and effectively set the optimal operating positions of the cup holder 310 relative to the clamp member 360. In the exemplary embodiment, the maximum allowable rotation may be approximately 144 degrees, but may be any predetermined angle.
Once the cup holder 310 is rotated to the new position, the user may detach the C-shaped member 362 of the cup holder assembly 300 from a first front leg 112A, 112B and reattach the C-shaped member 362 to a second front leg 112B, 112A. The C-shaped member 362 may have a plurality of ridges 386 that may increase the gripping force of the C-shaped member 362 on the front legs 112A, 112B. The plurality of ridges 386 may extend longitudinally within the C-shaped member 362 between the upper and lower surfaces, 364, 366. Further, the plurality of ridges 386 may be evenly spaced apart within the C-shaped member 362. Alternatively, the plurality of ridges 386 may be unevenly spaced with more ridges 386 near the open ends of the C-shaped member 362. The plurality of ridges 386 may be integrally formed with C-shape member 362. Optionally, or alternatively, the plurality of ridges 386 may have a coating to improve their gripping force. The C-shaped member 362 may require a force of 25 to 40 newtons (N) applied towards the closed end of the C-shaped member to engage the clamp member 360 to the front legs 112A, 112B.
As shown in
By adjusting the stiffness of the flex fingers 344, the connection of the cup holder 310 to the collar 340 may support the cup holder 310 under normal use of inserting and removing bottles or other devices in and out of the cup holder 310, but the flex fingers 324 on the cup holder 310 and the flex fingers 344 may be tuned that if a large force exceeding those seen during normal use is applied to the cup holder 310, the flex fingers 324, 344 may disengage from each other to allow the cup holder 310 to unsnap from the collar 340. For example, if a force exceeding 100 newtons (N) is exerted in a vertical direction on the cup holder 310, the cup holder 310 will release from the collar 340, or alternatively, if a force exceeding 115 newtons (N), or exceeding 130 newtons (N), or even exceeding 145 newtons (N), is exerted on the cup holder 310, the cup holder 310 will release from the collar 340. Since this break-away force is applied in a vertical direction, the force creates a moment around the C-shaped member 362. However, since the break-away force and moment are oriented in a different direction to the clamp-on force, the clamp member 360 may stay secured to the chair 100. The unsnapping of the cup holder 310 from the collar 340 may keep the collar 340 and clamp member 360 from breaking or suffering any permanent damage. Therefore, the cup holder 310 may be reattached to the collar 340 and ready for use again.
As discussed above, a feature of the cup holder assembly 300 is the ability of the collar 340 and cup holder 310 to rotate relative to the clamp member 360. To allow this rotation, the collar 340 may be both slidably and rotationally engaged with the clamp member 360 at a second end 346 that connects to the second end 372 of the engaging member 368 of the clamp member 360. In order to rotate the collar 340 relative to the clamp member 360, the user may apply a force to pull the collar 340 away from the clamp member 360, as shown in
The collar 340 may be permanently secured to the clamp member 360. The collar 340 may have a central protrusion 345 extending opposite the first end 342 of the collar 340. The central protrusion 345 may extend into the opening 382 of the clamp member 360. The collar 340 may then be secured to the clamp member 360 using a securing member 390 that extends through the opening 382 of the clamp member 360 and through the opening 350 that extends through the collar 340 from the first end 342 through the second end 346. The openings 350, 382 may respectively extend through the center of the collar 340 and the center of the engaging member 368 of the clamp member 360. In addition, the collar 340 may be secured to the clamp member 360 with a spring 392 positioned within the opening 350 of the protrusion 345 that is secured to the clamp member 360 by the securing member 390. The spring 392 applies a force to collar 340 to keep the interface surface 348 in contact with the mounting surface 378 of the clamp member 360 until a user applies a counter force large enough to overcome the spring force and slide the collar 340 away from the clamp member 360 along the securing member 390 disengaging the rotation inhibiting features 341, 367. Even while the rotation inhibiting features 341, 367 are disengaged, the protrusion 345 may still have a portion extending into the opening 382. The collar 340 may slidably move a predetermined distance, which may be controlled by the length of the securing member 390. The engaging member 368 may also have a shelf 384 extending around a perimeter of the second end 372. The securing member 390 may be a mechanical fastener such as a rivet where the rivet joins the collar 340 to the clamp member 360, or alternatively, the securing member 390 may be a screw that may be secured with a nut securing the collar 340 and clamp member 360.
Each of the primary components, such as the cup holder 310, the collar 340, and the clamp member 360, of cup holder assembly 300 may be formed from a metallic material, such as an aluminum alloy or nonmetallic material, such as a polymer. The polymer may be fiber-reinforced, such as carbon-fiber or glass-fiber polymer. Alternatively, the polymer may be unfilled. For instance, the cup holder 310 may be formed from a nylon or polyamide type material, while the clamp member 360 and collar 340 may be made from a polyoxymethylene (POM) or other similar material. Further, the components may be formed from an injection molding process, machining, or additive manufacturing process.
As shown in
As shown in
The cup holder 610 may have a substantially cylindrical shape or a substantially tiered cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis 602. The cup holder 610 may comprise an upper lip 612, at least one substantially cylindrical wall 614 positioned between the lip 612 and the bottom surface 616. The substantially cylindrical wall 614 may have a smooth surface having the same diameter for the entire height or may have tiered cylindrical exterior shape comprising three tiers, an upper tier 618, a middle tier 620, and a lower tier 622 as shown in the exemplary embodiment. Each of the tiers 618, 620, 622 may be concentric to each other along the longitudinal axis 602. An upper step 624 or upper connecting wall may be placed between the upper tier 618 and the middle tier 620. Similarly, a lower step 626 or lower connecting wall may be placed between the middle tier 620 and the lower tier 622. The connecting walls 624, 626 may have a generous radius that may comprise a majority of the connecting wall. The upper tier 618 may have a larger diameter than the diameter of both the middle tier 620 and the lower tier 622. In addition, the middle tier 620 may have a larger diameter than the diameter the lower tier 622. Each of the tiers 618, 620, 622 may have a different height or each of the tiers may be the same height. This multi-tiered structure may allow the cup holder 610 to support and secure different sized containers in a similar manner to the cup holder 310 described above and also shown in
Additionally, the upper lip 612 of the upper tier 618 may have a notch 628 that extends along one side of the cup holder 610 to allow the cup holder 610 to support and secure a container 21 with a handle as shown in
As shown in
The cup holder 610 may be formed as a single unitary component by a forming process such as injection molding. The embodiment of the cup holder 610 illustrated may have a single wall construction without any integrated insulation. In addition, the mounting base 650 may also be formed as a single unitary component, such as injection molding, metal injection molding, casting or other similar process or other methods described above with respect to cup holder 310. Both the cup holder 610 and mounting base 650 may both be formed of a polymer material such as a nylon based polymer. Alternatively, the mounting base may be formed from a metallic material such as aluminum.
Alternatively, the cup holder 610 may be a vacuum insulated cup holder, an aerogel cup holder, or may include one or more vacuum insulated panels and may be configured to maintain a temperature lower or higher than that of the ambient surrounding environment. The cup holder 610 may be configured to cool an inserted drink container and/or maintain and prolong a period of below-ambient temperature of an inserted drink container. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the cup holder may be configured to receive an ice pack and/or natural ice insert in order to aide in cooling of an inserted drink container and/or prolong a period of below-ambient temperature.
As described above, the cup holder assembly 600 may comprise a cup holder 610 and a mounting base 650.
Additionally,
As another option,
As yet another option,
To engage the attachment member 1030 to the mounting base 1050, a user may angle the attachment member 1030 such that the hook 1032 inserts into the undercut at the top of the pocket 1052. Once the hook 1032 is engaged into the undercut, the user may then rotate the cup holder 1010 downward until the flex finger 1038 engages the lower portion of the pocket 1052. To remove the cup holder 1010, the user may pull upward on the outside of the cup holder 1010 to disengage the flex finger 1038 and remove the cup holder 1010 from the mounting base 1050. While the various mounting bases and methods discussed here relate to attaching a cup holder, the various mounting bases and methods may also be used to attach other accessories such as a tray or fishing rod holder.
As yet another option,
As yet another option,
Optionally, the cup holders as described above may attach to the chair 100 by a multitude of mechanical connection methods, such as a threaded connection between the cup holder and the chair 100. These mechanical connection methods may be releasably or permanently engage the cup holder to the chair 100. As other possible options, the cup holder may be connected to the chair in a variety of ways, but not limited to using a ball and socket connection, a snap-fit connection, a hook and loop type connection, a plurality of flex fingers that engage the leg of the chair, a friction or press-fit a member of the cup holder to a portion of the chair, a riveted connection, a pin or plurality of pins that engage the chair 100, such as a quick release ball-lock pin, a bayonet type connection, a quarter-turn fastener or cam-type connection.
In another example, on the front leg 112A proximate to the intersection with the front leg attachment portion 170A of seat frame 131, chair 100 may include an accessory attachment interface (not shown). The accessory attachment interface may be fabricated into front leg 112A and may be configured to receive YETI® Tundra accessories including YETI® Beverage Holder, YETI® Rod Holster, YETI® Molle Zinger, and the like. Additionally, the accessory attachment interface may be configured to receive a waterproof storage compartment, anti-varmint device, fish finder, and the like.
Additionally, and/or alternatively, on the front leg 112B proximate to the intersection with the front leg attachment portion 170B of seat frame 131, chair 100 may include a rigidly attached cup holder, a detachably attachable cup holder accessory, and/or an accessory attachment interface configured to receive YETI® Tundra accessories and additional accessories as stated above.
The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/698,403 filed on Sep. 7, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/602,841 filed on May 23, 2017. This above referenced applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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| Website: Verified Designs, “Mesh Patio Chairs with Folding Chairs Ideas and Metal Chairs Materials,” visited Jan. 31, 2018, <http://verifieddesigns.com/spectacular-mesh-patio-chair-design-which-is-more-embellishing-your-home-space/mesh-patio-chairs-with-folding-chairs-ideas-and-metal-chairs-materials/>. |
| Website: Jet, “Westfield Outdoor S13-S998T FS Tan FLD Sling Chair,” visited Jan. 31, 2018, <https://jet.com/product/Westfield-Outdoor-S13-S998T-FS-Tan-FLD-Sling-Chair/0fbe30d483a248478b79e3bce8d22928>. |
| Website: Sun Prairie Blues Fest, “Reclining Patio Chair with Pull Out Ottoman,” visited Jan. 31, 2018, http://family.spbluesfest.com/foldable-reclining-patio-chair-lounge/reclining-patio-chair-with-pull-out-ottoman/. |
| Aug. 3, 2018—ISR and WO—App. No. PCT/US18/34040. |
| Website: Cheeky Rascals, Image/jpg of “Mina Accessory Cup Holder,” visited Jan. 5, 2017,<http://images.cheekyrascals.co.uk/images/product_shots/mima/mima_accessory_cup_holder.jpg>. |
| Website: 93y.ru., “Surf Silver Cross,” visited Jan. 5, 2017, <http://93y.ru/223101-podstakannik-surf-silver-cross.html>. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180338623 A1 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15698403 | Sep 2017 | US |
| Child | 15904270 | US | |
| Parent | 15602841 | May 2017 | US |
| Child | 15698403 | US |
