Collapsible support and methods of using the same

• US 6,926,355 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Spin Master Incorporated (Spin Master Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kelsyus LLC (Spin Master Corp.)
• Inventors: Reeb, David, Le Gette, Brian Edward, Werner, Justin Saul, Alesina, Inna, Tipp, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/367,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20030222484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 297/16.2, 297/17, 297/45
• US Class Current: 297/16.2
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/40 Umbrella, stick, or glove holders attached to a bag
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0086 comprising a plurality of separable elements which can be used independently of one another
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 4/02 Sacks or packs convertible into other articles or into objects for other use
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/286 foldable side to side and front to back, e.g. umbrella type
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/282 with mesh-like supports, e.g. elastomeric membranes
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/66 Means to protect against weather

Abstract

A support including a frame having a tension member coupled to the frame is disclosed. The frame has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The tension member is disposable in a first position to provide support for an arm of a user and a second position to be carried on a shoulder of the user.

Claims

1. A support, comprising:

a frame, said frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, said frame including a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration; and

a seat membrane, said seat membrane being coupled to said frame, said seat membrane including a retainer, said retainer being configured to retain said frame in said collapsed configuration, said retainer includes a first flap fixedly coupled to said seat membrane and a second flap fixedly coupled to said seat membrane.

2. The support of claim 1, wherein said seat membrane includes a perimeter, said first flap being coupled proximate to a first portion of said perimeter, and said second flap being coupled proximate to a second portion of said perimeter.

3. The support of claim 2, wherein said first portion of said perimeter is on an opposite side of said seat membrane from said second portion of said perimeter.

4. The support of claim 2, wherein said seat membrane includes a binding disposed along said perimeter, and each of said first flap and said second flap is coupled to said seat membrane within said binding.

5. The support of claim 2, wherein said first flap includes a first coupler and said second flap includes a second coupler, said first coupler being configured to engage said second coupler to removably couple said first flap and said second flap.

6. The support of claim 5, wherein said first coupler is one of a hook type fastener and a loop type fastener, and said second coupler is the other of said book type fastener and said loop type fastener.

7. A support, comprising:

a frame, said frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, said frame including a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion having a first member and a second member, the first member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the second member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the first member of the first side portion being pivotally coupled to the second member of the first side portion; and

a seat membrane, said seat membrane being coupled to said frame, said seat membrane including a retainer, said retainer being configured to retain said frame in said collapsed configuration, said retainer includes a first retainer portion and a second retainer portion, said first retainer portion and said second retainer portion being configured to be coupled together to retain the frame in said collapsed configuration.

9. The support of claim 7, wherein said retainer is coupled to said seat membrane.

10. The support of claim 7, wherein said retainer is integrally formed with said seat membrane.

11. The support of claim 7, wherein said retainer is disposed rearwardly when the frame is in the expanded configuration.

12. The support of claim 7, wherein said retainer is one of a cord, a rope, an elastic member, and an elongate member.

13. The support of claim 7, wherein said retainer is configured to enclose a portion of said frame.

8. A support, comprising:

a frame, said frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and frame including a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion having a first member and a second member, the first member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the second member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the first member of the first side portion being pivotally coupled to the second member of the first side portion; and

a seat membrane, said seat membrane being coupled to said frame, said seat membrane including a retainer, said retainer being configured to retain said frame in said collapsed configuration, said retainer includes a piece of material coupled to said seat, said piece of material having a first end and a second end, said piece of material being configured to enclose a portion of said frame, and said first end being configured to be coupled to said second end to retain said piece of material around said frame.

14. A support, comprising:

a frame, said frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, said frame including a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion having a first member and a second member, the first member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the second member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the first member of the first side portion being pivotally coupled to the second member of the first side portion; and

a membrane, said membrane being coupled to said frame, said membrane including a body portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, said first side portion of the membrane being configured to be coupled to said second side portion of the membrane to retain said frame in said collapsed configuration.

15. The support of claim 14, wherein said body portion includes a perimeter, said first side portion is coupled to said body portion along a first portion of said perimeter, and said second side portion is coupled to said body portion along a second portion of said perimeter.

16. The support of claim 15, wherein said first portion of said perimeter is on an opposite side of said body portion from said second portion of said perimeter.

17. The support of claim 14, wherein said first side portion includes a first coupler and said second side portion includes a second coupler, said first coupler being configured to engage said second coupler and retain said first side portion and said second side portion together.

18. The support of claim 14, wherein said body portion, said first side portion and said second side portion are formed together.

19. The support of claim 14, wherein said first side portion and said second side portion are disposed rearwardly when the frame is in the expanded configuration.

20. The support of claim 14, wherein each of said first side portion and said second side portion is configured so that said first side portion and said second side portion extend around said frame when said frame is in said collapsed configuration.

21. A support, comprising:

a frame, said frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, said frame including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, said frame including a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration; and

a seat, said seat being coupled to said front frame portion and to said rear frame portion, said seat including a means for retaining said frame in said collapsed configuration, said means for retaining being configured to retain said front frame portion and said rear frame portion in said collapsed configuration, said means for retaining said frame being monolithically formed with said seat.

22. The support of claim 21, wherein said means for retaining said frame includes a first flap and a second flap, and each of said first flap and said second flap is coupled to said seat.

23. The support of claim 21, wherein said means for retaining is coupled to said seat and is configured to enclose a portion of said frame when said frame is in said collapsed configuration.

24. A method of retaining a support in a collapsed configuration, the support including a frame and a seat, the frame having a deployed configuration and the collapsed configuration, said frame including a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration wherein larger than the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the seat being coupled to the frame and including a retainer, said method comprising:

disposing the frame in its collapsed configuration by moving the rear portion of the frame with respect to the front portion of the frame and moving the first side portion of the frame with respect to the second side portion of the frame;

moving the retainer around a portion of the frame; and

securing the retainer to retain the frame in its collapsed configuration.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the retainer includes a first flap and a second flap, the first flap being coupled to the seat and the second flap being coupled to the seat, and said moving the retainer includes moving the first flap around a portion of the frame and moving the second flap around another portion of the frame.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said moving the second flap includes moving the second flap to a position proximate to the first flap.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the retainer includes a first portion, a second portion, a first coupler coupled to said first portion and a second coupler coupled to said second portion, and said securing the retainer includes engaging the first coupler to the second coupler to couple the first portion and the second portion together.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the retainer includes a first portion and a second portion, and said securing the retainer includes:

enclosing a first portion of the frame with the retainer first part; and

enclosing a second portion of the frame with the retainer second part.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first part of the retainer includes a first flap, and said enclosing a first portion of the frame includes moving the first part of the retainer around the first portion of the collapsed frame.

30. The method of claim 29, the second part of the retainer includes a second flap, and said enclosing a second portion of the frame includes moving the second part of the retainer around the second portion of the collapsed frame.

31. The method of claim 24, said securing the retainer includes securing a first part of the retainer to a second part of the retainer.

32. A frame for a support, said frame being selectively disposable in a first configuration and in a second configuration, said frame comprising:

a front frame portion;

a rear frame portion, said rear frame portion being selectively disposable in a first position and in a second position, said rear frame portion including a first leg portion, a second leg portion and a connector portion, said connector portion extending between said first leg portion and said second leg portion; and

a base, said base being configured to receive a portion of said rear frame portion, said rear frame portion having a range of motion with respect to said base, said base including a biasing mechanism coupled thereto, said biasing mechanism being coupled to said rear frame portion to bias said rear frame portion with respect to said base into its second position, said base defining a slot therein, said connector portion of said rear frame portion being disposed in said slot for movement along said slot.

33. The frame of claim 32, wherein said slot includes a front end and a rear end, said rear frame portion is in its second position when said connector portion is proximate to said rear end and in its first position when said connector portion is proximate to slid front end.

34. The frame of claim 32, further comprising:

a first side leg, said first side leg extending from said rear frame portion to said front frame portion; and

a second side leg, said second side leg extending from said rear frame portion to said front frame portion, said base including a first extension configured to receive an end of said first side leg and a second extension configured to receive an end of said second side leg.

35. The frame of claim 32, further comprising:

a tension member, said tension member being coupled to said rear frame portion, said tension member being selectively disposable in a first position coupled to said front frame portion and in a second position de-coupled from said front frame portion,

said base including a connector coupled thereto, said base connector being configured to be coupled to said tension member so that said tension member can be used as a carrying strap to carry the frame.

36. The frame of claim 32, wherein said biasing mechanism includes an elastic member.

37. A method of adjusting the inclination of a support, the support including a frame and a seat coupled to the frame, the frame being selectively disposable in an upright configuration and in a reclined configuration, the frame including a front frame portion, a rear frame portion, and a recline mechanism, the rear frame portion being movable between a first position and a second position, the recline mechanism including a base and a biasing mechanism coupled to the base, the biasing mechanism being coupled to the base and configured to engage the rear frame portion, and the biasing mechanism being configured to bias the rear frame portion into its upright position, the frame includes a base, the base defining a slot therein, the rear frame portion engaging the slot and being slidably coupled to the base, said method comprising:

deploying the frame in its upright configuration; and

moving the rear frame portion against the biasing mechanism to its second position by moving the rear frame portion along the slot in the base, thereby disposing the frame in its reclined configuration.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the rear frame portion includes an upper end, a lower end and a pivot point located therebetween, the biasing mechanism engages the lower end, and said method further comprises:

moving the upper end of the rear frame portion forwardly about the pivot point; and

moving the lower end of the rear frame portion rearwardly along the slot in the base.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said moving the upper end of the rear frame portion occurs substantially simultaneously with said moving the lower end of the rear frame portion.

40. A support for use in supporting a user, said support comprising:

a base, said base being configured to engage a support surface on which said support is placed, said base including a biasing mechanism coupled thereto, said base determines a slot therein, said slot includes a first end and a second end, said frame portion engages said slot; and

a frame, said frame including a seat membrane configured to support a user, said frame having a first configuration and a second configuration, a portion of said frame being movable between a first position corresponding to said first configuration and a second position corresponding to said second configuration, said frame portion being movably coupled to said base and having a range of motion between said first position and said second position, said biasing mechanism being coupled to said frame portion, said biasing mechanism biasing said frame portion into said first position, said frame portion is in its first position when said frame portion is proximate to said first end of said slot, and said frame portion is in its second position when said frame portion is proximate to said second end of said slot.

41. The support of claim 40, wherein said biasing mechanism biases said frame portion toward said first end of said slot.

42. The support of claim 40, wherein said frame portion is a rear frame portion, said rear frame portion includes a first leg portion, a second leg portion and an elongate member coupled thereto, and said busy defines a slot therein, said elongate member engaging and moving along said slot.

43. The support of claim 42, wherein said biasing mechanism has a first end and a second end, each of said first end and said second end being coupled to said base, said biasing mechanism being coupled to said rear frame portion.

44. The support of claim 40, wherein said biasing mechanism includes one of an elastic elongate member, a spring, and a flexible member.

45. A support, comprising:

a frame, said frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, said frame including a front portion, a rear portion, a first side portion, and a second side portion, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear portion being disposed a distance from the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the rear portion and the front portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the first side portion being disposed a distance from the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the distance between the first side portion and the second side portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration, the first side portion having a first member and a second member, the first member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the second member of the first side portion extending between the front portion of the frame and the rear portion of the frame, the first member of the first side portion being pivotally coupled to the second member of the first side portion, said frame including a retainer; and

a seat membrane, said seat membrane being coupled to said frame, said retainer being configured to retain said frame in said collapsed configuration, said retainer including a first retainer portion and a second retainer portion, said first retainer portion and said second retainer portion being configured to be coupled together to retain the frame in said collapsed configuration.

46. The support of claim 45, wherein said retainer coupled to said frame and is configured to extend around a portion of said frame to retain said frame in said collapsed configuration.

47. A frame for a support, comprising:

a base having a slot;

a front frame portion;

a rear frame portion including a first leg, a second leg, and a connecter, the connector having a first portion coupled to the first leg and a second portion coupled to the second leg, the connector being movably coupled to the base, the connector extending through the slot and being configured to slide within the slot from a first position to a second position.

48. The frame of claim 47, further comprising:

a biasing member;

coupled to the base and to at least one of the connector, the first leg, and the second leg to bias the connector to its first position.

49. A frame for a support, said frame being selectively disposable in a first configuration and in a second configuration, said frame comprising:

a front frame portion;

a rear frame portion, said rear frame portion being selectively disposable in a first position and in a second position;

a base, said base including a connector and being configured to receive a portion of said rear frame portion, said rear frame portion having a range of motion with respect to said base, said base including a biasing mechanism coupled thereto, said biasing mechanism being coupled to said rear frame portion to bias said rear frame portion with respect to said base into its second position; and

a tension member, said tension member being coupled to said rear frame portion, said tension member being selectively disposable in a first position coupled to said front frame portion and in a second position de-coupled from said front frame portion,

said base connector being configured to be coupled to said tension member so that said tension member can be used as a carrying strap to carry the frame.

50. The frame of claim 49, wherein said biasing mechanism includes an elastic member.

51. A support for use in supporting a user, said support comprising:

a base, said base being configured to engage a support surface on which said support is placed, said base including a biasing mechanism coupled thereto; and

a frame, said frame including a seat membrane configured to support a user, said frame having a first configuration and a second configuration, a portion of said frame being movable between a first position corresponding to said first configuration and a second position corresponding to said second configuration, said portion of said frame being movably coupled to said base and having a range of motion between said first position and said second position, said biasing mechanism being coupled to said portion of said frame, said biasing mechanism biasing said portion of said frame into said first position, said portion of said frame including a rear frame portion having a first leg portion, a second leg portion, and -an elongate member coupled thereto, said base defining a slot therein, said elongate member engaging and moving along said slot.

52. The support of claim 51, wherein said biasing mechanism has a first end and a second end, each of said first end and said second end being coupled to said base, said biasing mechanism being coupled to said rear frame portion.