Chairs and seats – Collapsible chair; i.e. – relatively folding bottom – back,... – Relatively collapsible bottom – rear legs – and integral back...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-01-27
2002-03-12
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Collapsible chair; i.e., relatively folding bottom, back,...
Relatively collapsible bottom, rear legs, and integral back...
C297S018000, C297S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06354657
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field
The invention is in the field of portable collapsing or folding rocking chairs and chaise lounges for use indoors and outdoors such as for camping and which chair may also function as a backpack, cart, wheelchair, or cot.
2. State of the Art
Portable collapsing rocking chairs of the type which have a flexible rectangular seat supported at opposite ends by oppositely inclined, diagonally disposed frames interconnected by a pair of upper and lower chains are well known. The frames of these chairs each typically have a pair of parallel elongate side members interconnected and held in a spaced relationship by at least one cross member, one frame nesting within the other. The pairs of upper and lower chains interconnect the respective side members intermediate the ends thereof to form what is called a saddle hinge which allows the chair to be oscillated or rocked since there is no fixed pivot between the respective frames. Likewise, wheeled carts, and wheeled chairs are well known.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,064 issued to Robeson is disclosed a wooden rocking chair wherein the upper ends of the elongate side members and the ends of cross members of each frame are held together by means of interfitting wedge and groove connections which allow disassembly of the frames so as to form a compact bundle for transport or storage. A stool of similar construction is also disclosed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,969,313 issued to C. E. Meeker is disclosed a wooden rocking chair wherein the elongate side members and the cross members of each frame are held together by means of the upper end of each side member being tapered to mate with tubular sockets at the ends of the upper cross members. One frame also has a lower cross member pivotally and releasibly connected at respective ends thereof to the lower portion of one frame such that the chair can be disassembled and the lower cross member folded to form a compact bundle for transport or storage.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,905 issued to Buickerood et al. is disclosed a two-wheeled, non-rocking chair which has four U-shaped tubular metal frame members which form a folding frame. The individual frame members pivot relative to one another so as to additionally form a wheeled cart with elevated handle, a carrier for elongate objects, or be collapsed into a more compact unit for storage.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,345 issued to Pierce et al. is disclosed a backpack having a wooden frame, a pack, and shoulder straps, wherein the frame unfolds to form a reclining chair which also functions as a stand for holding the pack in an upright position. The chair does not oscillate nor rock and has fixed reclining positions.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,992 issued to Cerchione is disclosed a backpack having a tubular metal folding frame, a pack, and shoulder straps, wherein the frame unfolds to form a sleeping cot with the pack stowed there below. The frame has two elongate sections hingedly connected together by a short section with a flexible sleeping surface stretched therebetween. When used as a backpack one elongate section to which the shoulder straps are connected fits against the back of the user with the other long section to which the pack is attached spaced from and parallel thereto, the two being interconnected by the short section over the top of the pack.
Various types of chaise lounges having a single elongate seat which supports person head to foot are also known but none having the construction and features of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a folding rocking chair and chaise lounge of the type having a pair of oppositely inclined, diagonally disposed frames, one frame being of such width as to nest one within the other with the frames interconnected at the sides thereof by a pair of upper and lower siderails. Each frame has a pair of elongate side members held in a fixed, spaced relationship by one or more cross members. A rectangular, longitudinally flexible seat extends between and is connected at opposite ends thereof to cross members at the upper ends of the respective frames. A folding footrest may also be provided which likewise nests within the frames and which forms a chaise lounge when an extra-long seat is utilized. The nesting of the frames allows the chair to be folded into a compact rectangular unit about two and one half inches thick for storage or transport, with the unit being maintained in the folded position by pins which fit into corresponding apertures in the respective frames.
The first frame, or backrest frame, comprises a pair of elongate side members laterally connected by one or more cross members, typically both upper and lower cross members, the upper portion of the backrest frame being adapted for receiving and supporting a user's back in conjunction with the flexible seat, and a lower portion which functions as the front legs of the chair. The second frame, or seat frame, comprises a pair of elongate side members laterally connected by one or more cross members, typically both upper and lower cross members, the upper portion of the seat frame being adapted for receiving and supporting a user's buttocks and legs in conjunction with the flexible seat, and a lower portion which function as the rear legs of the chair. The backrest frame and the seat frame are typically constructed from naturally finished or unfinished wood, particularly hardwoods such as oak or maple for strength and rigidity. The members of each frame are joined together such as by corrosion resistant stainless steel or zinc plated metal screws and may also be glued together for added strength. The frames may alternatively be made from metal, plastic, composites, or other similarly rigid types of material available in solid or tubular sections. The frames can also each be made from metal tubing or bar stock bent into a U-shape such that the side members and one or more cross members are integral therewith.
The backrest frame and seat frame are maintained in the oppositely inclined, diagonally disposed orientation by means of a pair of upper and a pair of lower siderails. The siderails are typically substantially rigid wooden members constructed from naturally finished or unfinished wood, particularly hardwoods such as oak or maple though metal, plastics, and composite materials may also be used. Each upper siderail is connected such as by using bolts and nuts or sleeved rivets, at one end to a mid-portion of the respective backrest frame side member and at the opposite end to an upper portion of the respective seat frame side member. Each lower siderail is connected such as by using bolts and nuts or sleeved rivets, at one end to a lower portion of the respective backrest frame side member and at the opposite end to a lower portion of the respective seat frame side member. The substantially rigid upper and lower siderails are typically all the same length with their connection points to the respective frame side members in the same longitudinal position on the side members of the respective frames for the pair of upper siderails and for the pair of lower siderails. This configuration allows the chair to fold properly into a compact unit. While substantially rigid siderails are preferable, flexible siderails such as metal chains, nylon rope, and cables may be used, though the chair will not fold as easily and extra retaining pins may be necessary to hold the chair in the folded position. When flexible siderails are used such as chains, the effective length thereof can easily be changed such as by attachment at the desired number of links of the chain between a pair of hook connections attached to the respective frame side members. This allows the various chair positions to be achieved without having the multiple alternate attachment points for the siderails.
Since the backrest frame and the seat frame are not pivotally connected at a fixed point such as where the frames cross, a saddle hinge is formed wherein the effective pivot point can move relative to the frames so as to allow
Nelson Gregory G.
Nelson Lynn H.
Cuomo Peter M.
Mallinckrodt & Mallinckrodt
Rayve Brian R.
Vu Stephen
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