Chair shelter

• US 20090039685A1
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nature Vision Inc. (SoOum Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Nature Vision Inc. (SoOum Corp.)
• Inventors: Zernov, Jeff
• Application Number:
  US12/231,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20090039685A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/16.200
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 29/006 Mosquito nets
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/286 foldable side to side and front to back, e.g. umbrella type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/66 Means to protect against weather
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/666 of enclosure type with side panels
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/003 Bathing or beach cabins

Abstract

A collapsible user support coupled to a collapsible, walled shelter. Individual and multi-occupant chairs provide a sling chair having a number of pivoting frame pieces that are trained through grommets at a fabric seat and backrest. An independently collapsible shelter or cover framework includes frame pieces that pivot under tension about the collapsible chair. Washer-like members splay the frame pieces away from the chair. The shelter framework supports a surrounding, collapsible fabric cover that can include windows, panel voids and/or doors and/or vents. The chair, shelter framework and fabric cover are organized to collapse and deploy to conditions that partially and completely cover the chair. The fabric cover can be constructed of netting and/or solid and/or three-dimensional fabric panels containing sleeves and pockets to support resiliently bowed stays.

Claims

1. A shelter comprising:

a) a chair including a framework comprised of a plurality of frame pieces and a plurality of fabric members mounted to said frame pieces to define a seat, a backrest and first and second armrests including first and second pivot axles that project from distal ends of said first and second armrest defining frame pieces;

b) a plurality of flexible struts mounted to said first and second pivot axles to span said framework and pivot about said first and second pivot axles; and

c) a fabric cover supported by said struts to rotate between a transport condition wherein said chair and cover collapse together to a generally elongated, cylindrical configuration and a deployed condition wherein said struts and cover rotate to enclose and completely cover said chair.

2. A shelter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second pivot axles include first and second pivot pieces respectively mounted to radiate about said first and second pivot axles and engage said first and second flexible struts to splay said flexible struts outward and away from said chair.

3. A shelter as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second pivot pieces each comprise an annular member having a bore through which one of said first and second pivot axles extends and wherein said pivot pieces exhibit a diameter substantially greater than the width of said struts.

4. A shelter as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fabric cover comprises a gathered material having a plurality of gathers defining a cover surface that exhibits a three dimensional relief and including a plurality of members fitted to the surface to prevent the expansion of said gathers.

5. A shelter as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fabric cover comprises a material defined by a surface including a plurality of permanent wrinkles.

6. A shelter as set forth in claim 5 wherein said enclosure is comprised of a plurality of sewn panels, wherein said struts are secured to said cover, and including a plurality of members fitted to cover to maintain a tension on said cover without removing said gathers.

7. A shelter as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second pivot axles includes means for selectively containing a portion of at least one of said struts to prevent the rotation thereof.

8. A shelter comprising:

a) a folding chair including a framework comprised of a plurality of frame pieces and a plurality of fabric members mounted to said frame pieces to define a seat, a backrest and first and second armrests including first and second pivot axles that project from distal ends of first and second armrest defining frame pieces;

b) a plurality of flexible struts mounted to said first and second pivot axles, span said framework, and pivot about said first and second pivot axles in a fashion to displace said struts away from said framework; and

c) a fabric cover fastened to said struts to rotate between a transport condition wherein said chair and cover collapse to a generally elongated, cylindrical configuration and a deployed condition wherein said struts and cover rotate to enclose and completely cover said chair and wherein said fabric cover comprises a gathered material having a plurality of gathers defining a cover surface that exhibits a three dimensional relief and including a plurality of members fitted to the cover surface to maintain a tension on said cover yet retain said gathers in a relaxed condition.

9. A shelter as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second pivot axles include first and second pivot pieces respectively mounted to radiate about said first and second pivot axles and engage said flexible struts to splay said flexible struts outward and away from said chair.

10. A shelter comprising:

a) a chair including a framework comprised of a plurality of frame pieces mounted to define and support a seat portion and wherein said framework supports first and second pivot axles and first and second pivot pieces having bores through which said first and second pivot axles project;

b) a plurality of flexible struts mounted to said first and second pivot axles to span said framework, pivot about said first and second pivot axles and engage said first and second pivot pieces to displace said struts away from said framework; and

c) a fabric cover fastened to said struts to rotate between a transport condition wherein said chair and cover collapse to a generally elongated, cylindrical configuration and a deployed condition wherein said struts and cover rotate to enclose and completely cover said framework and wherein said fabric cover comprises a material having a plurality of permanent wrinkles defining a cover surface that exhibits a three dimensional relief and including a plurality of members fitted to the surface to maintain a tension on said cover yet retain said wrinkles in a relaxed condition.

11. A shelter as set forth in claim 10 including means for selectively preventing the rotation of at least one of said plurality of struts to maintain an exposed condition of said chair.

12. A shelter as set forth in claim 10 wherein said struts include a plurality of sections that align collinearly with one another.

13. A shelter as set forth in claim 10 wherein a portion of said cover comprises a screen material.

14. A shelter comprising:

a) a chair including a framework comprised of a plurality of frame pieces and a plurality of fabric members mounted to said frame pieces to define a seat, a backrest and including first and second pivot axles that project from said frame pieces;

b) a plurality of flexible struts mounted to said first and second pivot axles to span said framework and pivot about said first and second pivot axles; and

c) a fabric cover supported by said struts to rotate between a transport condition wherein said chair and cover collapse together to a generally elongated, cylindrical configuration and a deployed condition wherein said struts and cover rotate to enclose and completely cover said chair.

15. A shelter as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first and second pivot axles include first and second pivot pieces respectively mounted to radiate about said first and second pivot axles and engage said flexible struts to splay said flexible struts outward and away from said chair.

16. A shelter as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first and second pivot axles include first and second pivot couplers respectively mounted to radiate about said first and second pivot axles and wherein said first and second pivot couplers each comprise upper and lower pieces secured to the first and second axles on opposite sides of the struts 102 to splay said flexible struts outward and away from said chair.

17. A shelter as set forth in claim 14 wherein a skirt radiates from a bottom peripheral edge of said cover to lie on the ground.

18. A shelter as set forth in claim 17 wherein said skirt includes at least one member to secured to said skirt to minimize the lifting of the cover with wind.