Chairs and seats – Collapsible chair; i.e. – relatively folding bottom – back,... – Laterally collapsible
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-07-24
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Collapsible chair; i.e., relatively folding bottom, back,...
Laterally collapsible
C297S372000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264271
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustably reclinable folding chair, and to a removable foot rest which may be fitted thereon, or on a different folding chair. More particularly, the present invention relates to a folding chair, of a type which folds with a scissors-like folding action, which includes a pivotally jointed backrest support member which can be placed in various configurations to allow reclining movement thereof.
2. Description of the Background Art
Many different types of folding chairs are known and are commercially available. Examples of two known folding chairs, of a general type which folds with a scissors action to give a compact, vertically oriented bundle when folded, may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. D382,414, and 5,718,473. Other chairs of this scissors-type folding action are commercially available, but it is the present applicant's understanding and belief that none of the known folding chairs of the scissors-folding type include a reclining back feature, nor are any of the known folding chairs believed to have a removable foot rest. Some foldable deck chairs, which have adjustable reclining backs, are also known.
While multiple designs for foldably collapsible chairs are known, a need still exists in the art for an adjustably reclinable folding chair with a back support section which may be temporarily and disengagably fixed in a number of different positions, yet which may be folded in a scissoring action to form a compact bundle, to take up less space than the known adjustably reclinable folding chairs. A need also exists for a removable foot rest which may be used with a folding chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a folding chair, which is foldably collapsible in a scissors-like folding operation, to form a long narrow bundle which fits into a tubular bag when collapsed.
A folding chair in accordance with the present invention, generally, includes a frame assembly and a hammock-type flexible fabric seat member which is mounted on, and supported by, the frame assembly. Optionally, the chair may include a removable foot rest and/or integral arm rests.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame assembly includes a plurality of interconnected X-members. Each of the X-members includes a pair of bars which are medially pivotally joined to one another. Together, the X-members cooperate to define a cage-like structure for supporting the fabric seat member.
The preferred embodiment of the frame assembly also includes at least one pillar, operatively attached to the cage-like structure, for substantially vertical placement when the chair is in the open configuration thereof, and a backrest support bar which is pivotally attached to the upper end portion of the pillar. The backrest support bar is placeable in linear relation to the pillar when the chair back is placed into a filly upright position.
The frame assembly still further includes position fixing means for temporarily and disengagably fixing the position of the backrest support bar relative to the pillar, to allow the frame assembly to be temporarily locked in a selected orientation thereof.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the position fixing means includes a brace having a first end which is pivotally attached to a first member selected from a target group consisting of the backrest support bar and the pillar, and a second end which is slidably movable along the other, second member of the target group, in response to pivotal movement of the backrest support bar.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second end of the brace is preferably pivotally attached to an exterior portion of a hollow sleeve which surrounds the second member of the target group, and which is slidably moveable thereon. Where used, the sleeve is also preferred to include a plastic liner therein, which functions as a bushing to facilitate slidable movement of the sleeve on the second target member.
The position fixing means is also preferred to include a vertically oriented rack gear attached to the first target member and having teeth formed therein, and a spring-loaded pawl, which is pivotally attached to the sleeve, the pawl including a pointed end portion for temporary locking placement between adjacent teeth of the vertical rack.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a folding chair having an adjustably reclinable back support section when open, yet which may be folded in a scissoring action to take up a small amount of space when folded.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an adjustably reclinable folding chair of the type described, which may be placed into a long, narrow bundle when folded, which fits into a tubular bag for storage and/or transport.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a removable foot rest which may be used with the chair hereof, or which may, alternatively, be used with other folding chairs.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the several views of the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 382414 (1997-08-01), Lee
patent: 3124387 (1964-03-01), Maclaren
patent: 3635520 (1972-01-01), Roher et al.
patent: 4118065 (1978-10-01), Watkins
patent: 4717201 (1988-01-01), Barras
patent: 5718473 (1998-02-01), Lynch
patent: 5893605 (1999-04-01), Chang
patent: 5984406 (1999-11-01), Lee
Eastman, III Robert
Munn Daniel C.
Pestrue Jeffrey Allan
Blackman William D.
Carrier Joseph P.
Carrier Blackman & Associates P.C.
Jr. Milton Nelson
The Game Tracker, Inc.
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