US20120080461A1

US20120080461A1 - Chair

Info

Publication number: US20120080461A1
Application number: US13/376,268
Authority: US
Inventors: Peter E. Drollinger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-03
Filing date: 2010-03-24
Publication date: 2012-04-05
Also published as: WO2010139378A1; EP2437635A1; RU2011153270A; AU2010256073A1; DE202009005146U1

Abstract

A chair (1) having at least one base (5 a, 5 b) and a seating surface (2 a), wherein at least part of the base (5 a, 5 b) is designed as stowage space (3).

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a chair comprising at least one base and one seating surface.
Many types of chairs are known from prior art. They span from a one-legged chair essentially exhibiting a T-shaped profile, to three-legged, folding camping chairs, with their legs essentially forming a triangle at their ends facing towards the ground and the seating surface being stretched when unfolded, to common four-legged chairs with a seating surface and a back rest for the interior area.
In the prior art chairs, it is disadvantageous that particularly for activities outside the house in the camping field the chair only serves seating purposes.

SUMMARY

The objective of the present invention is therefore to expand the potential utilization of the chair without considerably aggravating its production and simultaneously not essentially increasing the dimensions of the chair.
This objective is attained in a chair comprising at least one base and one seating surface such that at least a part of the base is embodied as stowage space.
In the embodiment according to the invention, at least a portion of the base is a stowage space so that the potential ways of use are considerably increased. The stowage space may serve to receive various small parts to be used during the outdoor activities, such as fishing hooks, pocket knives, medication, etc. Simultaneously it is not necessary to separately carry the above-mentioned objects, which particularly reduces the chance of loss of the objects during transportation.
Beneficially, the stowage space is embodied in the form of a hollow cylinder, which can be closed particularly in a water tight and/or airtight fashion. The form of the hollow cylinder is advantageous in various aspects. On the one hand, the form of the base which commonly has an essentially annular cross-section is unchanged, and on the other hand, the form of the hollow cylinder is also very stable. Finally, the round circumferential surface of the hollow cylinder prevents any injuries from projecting edges, as occurring for example in a base partially angular in its cross-section. When the hollow cylinder is additionally embodied in a water tight and/or airtight fashion the objects located in the hollow cylinder are also protected from environmental impact, such as rain, snow, dirt, etc.
Beneficially, the stowage space comprises an insert, particularly with recesses to accept objects. Using this insert any objects required and located inside the stowage space can simply be pulled out of it. The recesses ensure that the objects are not loosely present in the stowage space and for example can damage each other by contact during the transportation of the chair.
In order to allow the transportation of the chair in a simple fashion it is beneficial for the chair to be embodied as a folding chair. By a folding motion, for example of the seating surface by 90° in reference to the base, the chair can be folded together in a space-saving fashion. “Folding” in the sense of the invention also includes a telescopic insertion, i.e. it is here also possible that the base, at least partially, can be pushed together in a telescopic fashion or can itself be folded via joints.
In order to ensure a secure placement of the chair and simultaneously to embody the chair itself more stable it is further advantageous that the chair comprises at least two essentially rectangular frames, preferably pivotal in reference to each other.
In order to set a certain angle of the two pivotal frames relative to one another, it is beneficial that means are provided to fix the two pivotal frames. The means for fixation may comprise wing screws with corresponding nuts, for example, which during the pivoting of the frame are in a released position. When the frame has been pivoted into its end position for sitting on the chair, the wing screws are fixed by a rotary motion. Of course, the means for fixation are not limited, here, for example tape with VELCRO closures, belts, or strings with respective hooks and corresponding loops are possible as means for fixation, as well.
It is particularly advantageous when the means for fixation comprise the seating surface. This way, additional means, like the above-mentioned screws or belts are unnecessary, which renders the production more cost-effective and overall allows a simplified handling.
In order to further improve the development and thus also the stance of the chair on the ground it is advantageous for the frames to be arranged pivotal in reference to each other at essentially half of the length of their longitudinal sections.
Beneficially, the stowage space is arranged lowered in the vertical direction in reference to the seating surface. When a person sits on the seating surface it is avoided, that their legs come into contact with the upper section of the stowage space and thus reduce the comfort of the chair. Simultaneously the opening of the stowage space is also more easily accessible for a person, because the accessibility of the opening is then not hindered by the legs of the person.
In order to allow an even easier transportation of the chair it is advantageous that at least a part of the frame includes a carrying handle. Due to the fact that the stowage space is essentially determined by the type, length, etc. of the base it is advantageous that the chair comprises an additional stowage space. This way, additional objects can be stowed in the other stowage space; the flexibility of the chair is therefore further increased.
The invention also relates to a backpack. According to the invention the backpack comprises a chair. This way, the flexibility of the backpack is essentially improved and the comfort of the backpack overall is improved. In this way a person can use the backpack also as a chair, for example, to rest when hiking.
In order to increase the stiffness of the backpack and simultaneously minimize the space required for the chair it is beneficial for the chair to be embodied as a part of the frame of the backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional advantages and features of the invention are discernible from the description of an exemplary embodiment based on the drawings. Shown are:

FIG. 1 a chair according to the invention in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 a chair according to the invention in a perspective view according to FIG. 1 rotated essentially in the clockwise direction by 90° about its vertical axis;

FIG. 3 another embodiment of the chair according to the invention in a perspective view;

FIG. 4 a view of a chair according to the invention according to FIG. 3, rotated essentially counter-clockwise by 90° about its vertical axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a chair 1 according to the invention. The chair 1 comprises two essentially rectangular frames 5 a, 5 b, which are pivotable in reference to each other essentially at half the length of the longer edges of the respective rectangular sections of the frame 5 a, 5 b. Here, the two frames 5 a, 5 b comprise one or more metal and/or plastic rods and/or tubes, which may also be telescopic in reference to each other. The two sections of the frame 5 b extending from the bottom left towards the top right are here each embodied in the form of hollow cylinders 3, which also perform a supporting function for the chair 1. At the respectively upper ends the hollow cylinders 3 comprise an opening which can be closed in a water-tight fashion by a closure 3 a.
Furthermore, the frame 5 a has in the area 4 on each of the two sides extending to the ground B essentially at half the vertical height, a bulge 8 a that faces inwardly, which serves to compensate for the larger diameter of the hollow cylinder 3 in reference to the diameter of the rods of the frame 5 a so that the chair 1 can be embodied overall in a compact fashion, in spite of the arrangement of the hollow cylinders 3.
At its upper side O, the chair 1 comprises a flexible seating surface 2 a, made from a nylon cloth, for example. Here, the cloth comprises not only the seating area 2 a but extends beyond the upper section of the frame 5 b arranged parallel in reference to the ground B in a perpendicular direction towards the bottom (section 2 b) to the area of a recess 8 of the section of the frame 5 a resting on the ground and then further essentially parallel go the ground B with a section 2 c. The section 2 b is finally arranged at the section (shorter section) of the frame 5 b extending parallel in reference to the ground.
Additionally, two carrying belts 9 extend, off-set in reference to each other, from the section of the frame 5 b arranged parallel in reference to the ground B essentially parallel to the hollow cylinders 3 diagonally upwards and are here connected fixed to the section 2 b in the upper section of the frame 5 b. A backpack 6 is arranged at the outside of the section 2 b, which in its lower section is arranged at a recess 8 of the frame 5 a where it is secured with a fastening tape 7. In FIG. 1, the hollow cylinders 3 each extend over the entire longitudinal edge of the frame 5 b from the bottom left to the top right. Here, the hollow cylinders 3 are part of the frames 5 a, 5 b of the chair 1 and thus serve supporting functions.
FIGS. 3 and/or 4 show another embodiment of the chair 1 according to the invention. Contrary to FIGS. 1 and 2, here the frame 5 b has in its upper section, i.e. in the area of the seating surface 2 a, an essential vertically effective drop A so that the hollow cylinder 3 no longer extends over the entire edge of the rectangular frame 5 b from the bottom left to the top right.
In the area of the drop A the frame 5 b is essentially embodied as in the areas extending parallel in reference to the ground. Simultaneously, the backpack 6 is fastened at the section 2 b such that an additional holding tape 7, as shown in FIGS. 1 and/or 2, is no longer required. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the drop A is embodied symmetrical at both sides. Here, the scope of the invention includes to embody the drop A with different dimensions at the respective side such that for example the hollow cylinder 3 at the left side of FIG. 4 is shorter and for example embodied wider, while the hollow cylinder 3 at the right side in FIG. 4 is embodied longer but narrower. Of course, the scope of the invention includes providing the recesses 8 a shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 also for the embodiments according to FIGS. 3 and 4. Simultaneously, it is inversely possible to provide the drops A (in the frame) according to FIGS. 3 and 4 also for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The same also applies for the holding tape 7 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
Here, the scope of the invention also includes not closing the hollow cylinder at its respective end but to embody it in a foldable and/or closable fashion parallel in reference to its longitudinal extension such that the cylinders at least partially can be accessed over their length from the outside by a person.
FIGS. 1 through 4 do not show the inserts for the hollow cylinders. Such inserts are also embodied essentially cylindrical and comprise recesses in their surfaces according to the requirements for the respective objects to be received so that the objects can be entirely inserted therein. Subsequently the inserts can be inserted via the openings 3 a into the hollow cylinders 3. In order to remove the inserts then loops, tapes, particularly foldaway handles or the like are provided.
The seating surface 2 commonly comprises a seating width of approx. 15 cm to 50 cm and ensures that when a person sits on the seating surface 2 a the maximum angle by which the two frames 5 a, 5 b are pivotal in reference to each other is defined by the longitudinal extension of the seating surface, defining the maximum distance between the upper parallel section of the frame 5 a, 5 b extending parallel in reference to the ground B. The height of the seating surface 2 a in reference to the ground B commonly amounts from approx. 30 cm to approx. 1 m, depending on specifications.
The hollow cylinders 3 usually have a diameter from approx. 20 mm to approx. 100 mm. Overall the total weight of the chair without the stowage space is less than 4 kg, and particularly no more than 2.5 kg.
Of course, the scope of the invention includes embodying the backpack 6 such that the chair 1 including the seating surface 2 a, the frames 5 a, 5 b, and the hollow cylinders 3 can be received entirely within the backpack 6.
Summarizing, the invention provides the advantage that the flexibility and simultaneously the handling of chairs is improved without essentially increasing the production costs.

Claims

1. A chair comprising at least one base (5 a, 5 b) and one seating surface (2 a), and at least one part of the base (5 a, 5 b) is a stowage space (3).

2. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stowage space (3) comprises hollow cylinders (3) that can be closed in at least one of a water-tight or airtight fashion.

3. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stowage space (3) further comprises an insert with recesses.

4. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chair (1) is a folding chair.

5. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chair (1) comprises at least two frames (5 a, 5 b) that are essentially rectangular and pivotal in reference to each other.

6. A chair (1) according to claim 5, wherein means (2 a) are provided for fixing the two frames (5 a, 5 b) at a certain angle relative to one another.

7. A chair (1) according to claim 6, wherein the means for fixation include the seating surface (2 a).

8. A chair (1) according to claim 5, wherein the frames (5 a, 5 b) are essentially arranged pivotal in reference to each other at half a length (4) of their longitudinal sections.

9. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stowage space (3) is arranged lowered in a vertical direction in reference to the seating surface (2 a).

10. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the frame (5 a, 5 b) comprises a carrying handle (8).

11. A chair (1) according to claim 2, wherein the chair (1) comprises additional stowage space (6).

12. A chair (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chair is a part of a backpack.

13. A backpack (6) according to claim 12, wherein the chair (1) is embodied as a part of a frame (5 a, 5 b) of the backpack (6).