Collapsible Chair

Description

REFERENCES CITED

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (SECTION PARA-PHASED FROM U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,253)

There have been many attempts in the prior art to fabricate lightweight chairs and other furniture items from Lightweight, disposable, recyclable material. While the resulting prior art are products that provide light weight structures, they due not provide the structural strength and durability that the current invention can provide through the assembly of the rectangular chair segments.

There is no prior art in the field of foldable, collapsible, and disposable chairs that provide an ease of assembly, provide structure support to support a person of substantial size, and provide ease of disassembly. The invention described unfolds and needs only one latch type connection to be in the fully unfolded state. The prototype of the invention described was able to support the inventor with a weight of 240 pounds and with the feet and legs completely elevated from the floor. The invention described was returned to its folded state with only the connecting latch assembly detached.

In the current marketplace, there is no single-use, lightweight, portable chair which is fabricated from a single, material to form a chair that is inexpensive, simple to manufacture, can be easily set up and knocked down, is easy to carry, and is ergonomically comfortable.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide such type of chair which is economic even from a single-use point of view for outdoor festivals, special events, or any other situation in which large crowds gather for a relatively short period of time where there is no immediate seating readily available. Such use extends to campgrounds, parks, garden parties, barbecues, picnics, beach usage, and the like, where it is desirable to provide inexpensive seating for limited use and which may be conveniently disposed-of when desired, or knocked down to flat form for transport and storage. Another important use is for children's furniture as children, during growth years, needs various sizes of furniture before being able to be comfortable in adult-sized furniture. In addition, this type of furniture would be useful in children's playrooms or parties as it will save wear and soiling of other household furniture.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of furniture, and more particularly to folding, collapsible, recyclable and portable chairs and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an article of furniture, and more particularly to a lightweight chair made from sheet material which is collapsible for easy storing and carrying, yet which is simple to manufacture and set up and sufficiently inexpensive to be disposable, preferably in a manner in which its materials can be recycled. The unfolded, erected condition which includes a seat and a back support.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved folding, collapsible, disposable and recyclable chair that provides improved structural support and comfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—Collapsible Chair in Unfolded State

FIG. 2—Collapsible Chair in Folded State

FIG. 3—Collapsible Chair in Partially Unfolded State

• • FIG. 4—Collapsible Chair in Unfolded State showing:
    • Chair Segment (1),
    • Seat Top Assembly (2),
    • Seat Structure (3),
    • Back Support Assembly (4),
    • and Latch Connection (5)

FIG. 5—Folded Chair Segment

FIG. 6—Partially Unfolded Chair Segment, Showing Cross Member Panel

FIG. 7—Unfolded Chair Segment

FIG. 8—View of the Connection of Chair Structure Segments

FIG. 9—Top View of Chair Structure

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 a collapsible, foldable, disposable, recyclable chair in accordance with the invention is composed of a plurality of chair segments (1), an attached seat platform (2) a completed chair base (3), a back support structure (4), and a latch interlocking structure (5).

Referring to FIG. 8 the present invention is based on a plurality of chair segments that exists in a folded state (FIG. 2) and transition to an unfolded operational state (FIG. 4). Referring to FIG. 7, the chair segment is a rectangular panel structure with a diagonal cross member. In the unfolded state, the chair segment can resist a compressive force applied parallel to the cross member section. The chair segments are arranged to have cross section members are perpendicular and provide support to parallel and perpendicular expansive and compressive forces applied to the sides of the chair segment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the present invention in presented in the folded state when not in use and for transport. Referring the FIG. 3, the present invention is presented in a transition state showing the arrangement of the chair segment to form the chair structure. Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention is in the unfolded state as to show the latch mechanism that completes the transition to the unfolded state.

Referring to FIG. 4, the present invention has a back support structure (4) attached to the chair structure.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the chair segments are shown in the manner of the connecting segments to create the chair structure in the partially unfolded state referring to FIG. 3.

From the above description, it is noted that the invention has the following advantages:

• • • 1. The chair structure provides a high degree of strength and stability for the thin walled material that can be used in the construction of the present invention.
    • 2. The user's weight can be evenly distributed among the chair segments that comprise the chair structure.
    • 3. The present invention can be constructed from a variety of materials (plastic, cardboard, etc.)