RECLINING MECHANISM FOR A FOLDING CHAIR

Abstract

A reclining mechanism is connected to the frame of a folding chair to allow the back of the folding chair to move relative to a seat portion of the chair. The mechanism has a tension spring that resists the movement of the back of the chair in a rearward motion and may assist in returning the back portion to a more upright position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A chair back that can recline relative to the other parts of a chair can make a sitting experience much more comfortable. However, it is more difficult to make a reclining chair that is also foldable. The mechanisms that can be used for the reclining make the chairs bulkier and more difficult to fold and store. Many attempts involve the adding of springs to the feet of the chair. Others have added curved members to the legs of the chairs. Such chairs do not fold very well if at all and are difficult to store.

Thus, a folding chair has a reclining mechanism to allow the back of the folding chair move relative to a seat portion of the chair. The mechanism has a tension spring that resists the movement of the back of the chair in a rearward motion and may assist in returning the back portion to a more upright position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a folding chair having a back rotatably connected to a seat that includes a frame having a seat portion and a back portion, the back portion rotatable relative to the seat portion, a first reclining mechanism attached to a first side of the seat portion and a first side of the back portion, a second first reclining mechanism attached to a second side of the seat portion and a second side of the back portion, each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further includes a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to the back portion of the folding chair, a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover and a support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position.

In some embodiments, each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further includes a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover, and a mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair.

In some embodiments, each of the reclining mechanisms includes a second cover attached to the first cover, the second cover extending from the rear end of the first cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism.

Each of the reclining mechanisms may also include a support wall attached to the first cover and wherein the second cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the second cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member.

In some embodiments, the support wall in each of the reclining mechanisms has a sliding guide secured in the second opening to guide the first cover along a portion of the support member.

According to the present invention, the folding chair may be one of a beach chair, a tension chair, and a bi-folding chair.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a reclining mechanism for a folding chair, the folding chair having a frame, the reclining mechanism includes a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to a back portion of the folding chair, a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover, and a support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position.

The reclining mechanism may also include a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover, the mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair.

There may also be a bottom cover attached to the first cover, the bottom cover extending from the rear end of the arm rest cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism.

In some embodiments, the reclining mechanism may also include a support wall attached to the first cover, wherein the bottom cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the bottom cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member.

There may be two of the reclining mechanisms attached to the folding chairs.

In yet another aspect, there is a reclining mechanism for a folding chair, the folding chair having a frame, and the reclining mechanism includes a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to a back portion of the folding chair and a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover, a support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position, a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover, a mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair, and a bottom cover attached to the first cover, the bottom cover extending from the rear end of the first cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism.

The reclining mechanism may also include a support wall attached to the first cover, wherein the bottom cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the bottom cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member.

In some embodiments, the reclining mechanism may include two reclining mechanisms, the two reclining mechanisms being mirror images of each other and disposed on opposite sides of the folding chair.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tension chair having one embodiment of a reclining mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a closer perspective view of the reclining mechanism and connection to the tension chair in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tension chair and reclining mechanism with the first cover lifted off of the reclining mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the reclining mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reclining mechanism with the first cover lifted off and in a reclining position;

FIG. 6 is a cross section elevational view of the reclining mechanism of FIG. 1 in a resting position;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a cross section of the reclining mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a cross section of the reclining mechanism of FIG. 6 cut along a different position;

FIG. 7 is a cross section elevational view of the reclining mechanism of FIG. 1 in a reclining position;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a cross section of the reclining mechanism of FIG. 7;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of a cross section of the reclining mechanism of FIG. 7 cut along a different position;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a connector at the rear of the reclining mechanism in FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a connector according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is perspective view of a second (bi-fold) chair having two of the reclining mechanisms of FIG. 1 with the cover lifted off one of the retaining mechanisms;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bi-fold chair and reclining mechanism with the first cover lifted off of the reclining mechanism; and

FIG. 12 is perspective view of a third (beach) chair having two of the reclining mechanisms of FIG. 1 with the cover lifted off one of the retaining mechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a tension or folding chair 100 with one embodiment of a reclining mechanism 102 according to the present invention on a right side 104 and a left side 106 thereof. It should be noted that the reclining mechanism 102 is the same on both the right side 104 and the left side 106. FIGS. 1-5 show a reclining mechanism 102 on the right side 104 and FIGS. 6-7B show a reclining mechanism 102 on the left side 106. As noted below, however, the connector 108 is flipped 180 degrees between the right side 104 and the left side 106. Cf. FIGS. 3 and 6B.

The folding chair 100 has a number of elongated tubes to make up the frame. Of particular interest are those tubes 110 that form the back portion 112 against which the occupant rests—and pushes to recline. There are also tubes 114 that are the basis for the seat portion 116 (the fabric seat portion and back portion have been omitted for clarity). In this embodiment, there are also tubes 120 that form the rear legs 122 and connect to the reclining mechanism 102. However, the reclining mechanism 102 can also be attached to other parts of the chair frame-depending on the frame of the chair 100. The reclining mechanism 102 must be attached to a portion of the frame that does not move when the occupant reclines. The back portion 112 is rotatably connected to the sear portion 116 through the rotatable connection of the tubes 110 to a bracket 126 that is secured to the seat tubes 114. See FIG. 2. Again, the manner in which the two portions are rotatably connected may take other configurations and components and still fall within the scope of the application.

The reclining mechanism 102 has a first cover 130 and a second cover 132 that contains other components of the reclining mechanism 102. The first cover and the second cover are preferable screwed to one another with screws 134. See FIG. 4. However, other means for securing the first cover 130 and the second cover 132 can be used, e.g., adhesive, ultrasonic welding, rivets, etc. The covers 130, 132 are to protect the other components of reclining mechanism 102 from accumulating sand, dirt, dust, and other unwanted contaminants. See FIGS. 6-7B. The front portion 136 of the cover 130 is open to allow for the connection of the reclining mechanism 102 with tube 120. As discussed below, the second cover 132 has projections that assist in closing off the inside of the cover 130. The rear portion 138 of the cover 130 is connected to the chair 100 by way of the connector 108. The connector 108 includes a collar 140 attached to the tubes 110 that form the back portion 112. There is a t-shaped insert 142 on an inside portion of the front cover 130 that receives two screws 144 that pass through the connector body 146, the front cover 130, and into openings 148 in the t-shaped insert 142. A longer bolt 150 passes through the connector body 146 and into the collar 140 on the frame of the folding chair 100. The washers 152 are preferably POM washers that mimic a bearing, providing some movement of the reclining mechanism 102 relative to the chair 100. The same connector 108 can be flipped 180 degrees to be used on the other side of the chair 100.

The reclining mechanism 102 has a support member 160 that is attached at a first end 162 to the frame of the chair 100. In this case, that is a bracket or extension of tube 120. Other ways of connecting the support member 160 to the frame of the chair 100 are possible. The support member 160 extends to a second end 164, which is connected to a first end 166 of the tension spring 170. A mechanical stop 172 is also attached to the second end 164 of the support member 160. The mechanical stop 172 is secured to the support member 160 with a bolt and a first end 166 of the tension spring 170 is looped around the bolt. See FIGS. 4-7B. The other end 174 of the tension spring 170 is attached to the t-shaped insert 142. See FIG. 5. A sliding guide 180 is disposed on the first end 162 of the support member 160. As discussed in detail below, the sliding guide 180 is preferably attached the first (and loosely to the second) cover 130 and the support member 160 moves axially relative thereto.

Within the first cover 130 are two partial walls, the first being a stop wall 182 and the second being a support wall 184. Both walls 182, 184, are attached to an inside surface 186 of the first cover 130. See FIGS. 6-7B. The support wall 184 is the one closest to the front portion 136 of the cover 130. The stop wall 182 is behind the support wall 184. The walls 182, 184 are partial in that there is an opening 182a, 184a to allow for the support member 160 to be placed in a circular opening 182b, 184b in the walls 182, 184. See FIG. 6B. It should be noted that the sliding guide 180 is disposed within the circular opening 184b. See FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B. To make the partial walls 182, 184 complete, there are two projections 186a, 186b on the second cover 132 that fill in the openings 182a, 184a.

In FIGS. 6A and 7A, some of the support ribs for the first cover 130 have been omitted for a clearer view of the walls 182, 184.

Turning now to FIG. 6 where the back portion 112 is in the upright position, the front portion 136 of the first cover 130 is to left of the tube 120. Also, the tension spring 170 is in its unloaded position. The stop wall 182 is to the left of the mechanical stop 172. The support wall 184 is adjacent to the sliding guide 180. See also FIGS. 6A and 6B. In FIG. 7, the chair 100 is in a reclining position. As the back portion 112 reclines, it pulls on the first (and second) cover 130 rearward and with it, the stop wall 182 and the support wall 184. The support member 160 is fixed in place relative to the chair (except for the back portion 112) and the stop wall 182 and the support wall 184 move along the support member 160. When the stop wall 182 engages the stop mechanism 172, the first cover 130 can not travel any farther rearward and the reclining will stop. Naturally, the occupant of the chair may decide not to recline as far as the chair 100 can, but the option is there.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a connector 208 that may be used with the reclining mechanism 102. The connector 208 includes a collar 240 attached to the tubes 110 that form the back portion 112. There is a t-shaped insert 242 to engage an inside portion of the front cover 130 that receives two screws 244 that pass through the connector body 246, the front cover 130, and into openings 248 in the t-shaped insert 242. A longer bolt 250 passes through the connector body 246, a ball 252 that fits within a socket 246a and into the collar 240 on the frame of the folding chair 100. There may also be a cover 254 to prevent dirt, dust and debris from entering the connector body 246 where the bolt is inserted into the connector body 246. For the connector 208 to be used on both sides of the chair, the connector 208 only needs to be flipped 180 degrees to be used on the other sides. The connector 206, as with connector 108, is a mirror image in an axis through the bolt 250.

As noted above, the reclining mechanism 102 can be attached to a number of different folding chairs. By way of examples, there are two different chairs in FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIGS. 10 and 11, there is a bi-fold chair (the frame of which is known in the art) 200 that has two reclining mechanisms 102 attached to opposite sides of the chair 200. The cover is removed to show the presence of the reclining mechanism 102. Similarly, in FIG. 12, there is a beach chair (the frame of which is known in the art) 300 that has two reclining mechanisms 102 attached to opposite sides of the chair 300. The cover is removed to show the presence of the reclining mechanism 102.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A folding chair having a back rotatably connected to a seat comprising: a frame having a seat portion and a back portion, the back portion rotatable relative to the seat portion;a first reclining mechanism attached to a first side of the seat portion and a first side of the back portion;a second first reclining mechanism attached to a second side of the seat portion and a second side of the back portion;each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprising: a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to the back portion of the folding chair;a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover; anda support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position.

2. The folding chair according to claim 1, each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprising: a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover; anda mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair.

3. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the first position is an upright position and the second position is a reclining position.

4. The folding chair according to claim 2, each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprises a second cover attached to the first cover, the second cover extending from the rear end of the first cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism.

5. The folding chair according to claim 4, each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprises a support wall attached to the first cover and wherein the second cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the second cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member.

6. The folding chair according to claim 5, wherein in each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism the support wall has a sliding guide secured in the second opening to guide the first cover along a portion of the support member.

7. The folding chair of claim 1, wherein the folding chair is one of a beach chair, a tension chair, and a bi-folding chair.

8. A reclining mechanism for a folding chair, the folding chair having a frame, the reclining mechanism comprising: a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to a back portion of the folding chair;a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover; anda support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position.

9. The reclining mechanism according to claim 8, further comprising: a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover; anda mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair.

10. The reclining mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the first position is an upright position and the second position is a reclining position.

11. The reclining mechanism according to claim 9, further comprising a bottom cover attached to the first cover, the bottom cover extending from the rear end of the arm rest cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism.

12. The reclining mechanism according to claim 11, further comprising a support wall attached to the first cover, wherein the bottom cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the bottom cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member.

13. The reclining mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the support wall has a sliding guide secured in the second opening to guide the first cover along a portion of the support member.

14. The reclining mechanism according to claim 8, two of the reclining mechanisms are attached to a folding chair, wherein the folding chair is one of a beach chair, a tension chair, and a bi-folding chair.

15. A reclining mechanism for a folding chair, the folding chair having a frame, the reclining mechanism comprising: a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to a back portion of the folding chair;a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover;a support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position;a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover;a mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair; anda bottom cover attached to the first cover, the bottom cover extending from the rear end of the first cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism.

16. The reclining mechanism according to claim 15, further comprising a support wall attached to the first cover, wherein the bottom cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the bottom cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member.

17. The reclining mechanism according to claim 16, wherein at least one reclining mechanism is attached to the folding chair.

18. The reclining mechanism according to claim 17, wherein the at least one reclining mechanisms comprises two reclining mechanisms, the two reclining mechanisms being mirror images of each other and disposed on opposite sides of the folding chair.