Portable folding chair

• US 6,871,906 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2003
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Original Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Inventors: Haney, Thayne B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K.
• Application Number:
  US10/390,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20030184131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 297/46, 297/55, 297/16.1, 297/440.1, 297/440.13, 297/440.14, 297/440.15, 297/440.19, 297/440.22, 297/452.65, 297/463.1, 297/447.1, 297/447.2, 297/447.4, 297/450.1, 297/451.13, 297/57, 297/DIG.2
• US Class Current: 297/55
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/20 with legs pivotably connected to seat or underframe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/02 Molded

Abstract

A lightweight, inexpensive folding chair may have a seat with an interference fit support bracket may be provided. The seat may have a lightweight seat member constructed of a lightweight material, such as a blow-molded plastic, that is generally supported by two such support brackets. The support brackets may be affixed to the lightweight seat member by sliding the lightweight seat member into interference engagement with the support brackets. Thus, the lightweight seat member is supported against bending when the chair is in use, in a way that does not concentrate stresses in the lightweight seat member to cause deformation and failure. The support brackets may have an enclosing shape so that the lightweight seat member is unable to move laterally or transversely out of engagement with the support brackets. The support brackets may thus have lips extending into the lightweight seat member to provide the enclosing shape. The support brackets may also have an arcuate shape to strengthen the support brackets against bending.

Claims

1. A folding chair that is capable of being moved between a first position for supporting a person and a second position for storage, the folding chair comprising:

a first leg assembly;

a second leg assembly;

a chair seat constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface, a lower surface generally spaced apart from the upper surface, and a generally hollow interior;

a first support bracket connected to the first leg assembly, the first support bracket including a first attachment portion with an inwardly extending lip and a second attachment portion with an inwardly extending lip, at least a portion of the first attachment portion being sized and configured to abut a first portion of the chair seat and the inwardly extending lip being sized and configured to be inserted into a groove in the first portion of the chair seat, at least a portion of the second attachment portion being sized and configured to abut a second portion of the chair seat and the inwardly extending lip being sized and configured to be inserted into a groove in the second portion of the chair seat; and

a second support bracket connected to the second leg assembly, the second support bracket including a first attachment portion with an inwardly extending lip and a second attachment portion with an inwardly extending lip, at least a portion of the first attachment portion being sized and configured to abut a third portion of the chair seat and the inwardly extending lip being sized and configured to be inserted into a groove in the third portion of the chair seat, at least a portion of the second attachment portion being sized and configured to abut a fourth portion of the chair seat and the inwardly extending lip being sized and configured to be inserted into a groove in the fourth portion of the chair seat.

2. The folding chair as in claim 1, further comprising one or more depressions in a lower surface of the blow-molded plastic chair seat that extend generally towards an upper surface of the blow-molded plastic chair seat, the depressions being sized and configured to increase the strength of the blow-molded plastic chair seat.

3. The folding chair as in claim 2, further comprising an end of each of the one or more depressions, the end being sized and configured to contact the upper surface of the chair seat.

4. A folding chair that is capable of being moved between a first position for supporting a person and a second position for storage, the folding chair comprising:

a first leg assembly including a front leg and a rear leg;

a first link connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the first leg assembly;

a first support bracket connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the first leg assembly, the first support bracket including a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion;

a second leg assembly including a front leg and a rear leg;

a second link connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the second leg assembly;

a second support bracket connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the second leg assembly, the second support bracket including a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion; and

a chair seat constructed from blow-molded plastic and including a generally hollow interior, the blow-molded plastic chair seat including a first part with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the blow-molded plastic chair seat including a second part with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion of the first support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the first attachment portion of the first part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat and the second attachment portion of the first support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the second portion of the first part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat, the first attachment portion of the second support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the first attachment portion of the second part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat and the second attachment portion of the second support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the second attachment portion of the second part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat.

5. The folding chair as in claim 4, further comprising one or more depressions in a lower surface of the blow-molded plastic chair seat that extend generally towards an upper surface of the blow-molded plastic chair seat, the depressions being sized and configured to increase the strength of the blow-molded plastic chair seat.

6. The folding chair as in claim 5, further comprising an end of each of the one or more of depressions, the end being sized and configured to contact the upper surface of the chair seat.

7. The folding chair as in claim 4, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the first support bracket are positioned at an angle of about 90°

; and

wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the second support bracket are positioned at an angle of about 90°

.

8. The folding chair as in claim 4, further comprising a lip extending from the first attachment portion of the first support bracket and a lip extending from the second attachment portion of the first support bracket;

and further comprising a first groove disposed proximate the first attachment portion of the first part of the chair seat that is sized and configured to receive the lip extending from the first attachment portion of the first support bracket and a second groove disposed proximate the second attachment portion of the first part of the chair seat that is sized and configured to receive the lip extending from the second attachment portion of the first support bracket.

9. The folding chair as in claim 4, further comprising a lip extending from the first attachment portion of the second support bracket and a lip extending from the second attachment portion of the second support bracket;

and further comprising a first groove disposed proximate the first attachment portion of the second part of the chair seat that is sized and configured to receive the lip extending from the first attachment portion of the second support bracket and a second groove disposed proximate the second attachment portion of the second part of the chair seat that is sized and configured to receive the lip extending from the second attachment portion of the second support bracket.

10. The folding chair as in claim 4, wherein no mechanical fasteners are required to connect the blow-molded plastic chair seat to the first support bracket or to the second support bracket.

11. The folding chair as in claim 4, further comprising a first tab that extends generally inward from the first support bracket and a second tab that extends generally inward from the second support bracket;

and further a first receiving portion in the blow-molded plastic chair seat and a second receiving portion in the blow-molded plastic chair seat, wherein the first tab is sized and configured to be inserted into the first receiving portion and the second tab is sized and configured to be inserted into the second receiving portion to prevent the unintended removal of the chair seat from the first and second support brackets.

12. The folding chair comprising:

a first front leg;

a first rear leg;

a first link pivotally connected to the first front leg and the first rear leg;

a first support bracket pivotally connected to the first front leg and the first rear leg, the first front leg, the first rear leg, the first link and the first support bracket forming at least part of a four-bar, four pivot linkage that allows the folding chair to be moved between a use position and a storage position;

a second front leg;

a second rear leg;

a second link pivotally connected to the second front leg and the second rear leg;

a second support bracket pivotally connected to the second front leg and the second rear leg, the second front leg, the second rear leg, the second link and the second support bracket forming at least part of a four-bar, four-pivot linkage that allows the folding chair to be moved between the use position and the storage position; and

a blow-molded chair seat connected to the first support bracket and the second support bracket, the blow-molded chair seat including an upper surface, a lower surface generally spaced apart from the upper surface and a generally hollow interior.

13. The folding chair as in claim 12, further comprising one or more depressions in the lower surface of the blow-molded chair seat that extend generally towards the upper surface of the blow-molded chair seat.

14. The folding chair as in claim 12, further comprising a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion on a first portion of the blow-molded plastic chair seat;

and further comprising a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion of the first support bracket, the first attachment portion of the first support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the first attachment portion of the blow-molded plastic chair seat and the second attachment portion of the first support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the second attachment portion of the blow-molded plastic chair seat.

15. The folding chair as in claim 14, wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion on the first portion of the blow-molded plastic chair seat are positioned at an angle of about 90°

.

16. The folding chair as in claim 14, wherein the first attachment portion of the first support bracket and the second attachment portion of the first support bracket are positioned at an angle of about 90°

.

17. The folding chair as in claim 14, further comprising a first lip extending from the first attachment portion of the first support bracket and a second lip extending from the second attachment portion of the first support bracket;

and further comprising a first groove in the blow-molded chair seat that is sized and configured to receive the first lip extending from the first attachment portion of the first support bracket and a second groove in the blow-molded chair seat that is sized and configured to receive the second lip extending from the second attachment portion of the first support bracket.

18. The folding chair as in claim 12, further comprising a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion on a second portion of the blow-molded plastic chair seat;

and further comprising a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion of the second support bracket, the first attachment portion of the second support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the first attachment portion of the blow-molded plastic chair seat and the second attachment portion of the second support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the second attachment portion of the blow-molded plastic chair seat.

19. The folding chair as in claim 12, wherein no mechanical fasteners are required to connect the blow-molded plastic chair seat to the first support bracket and to the second support bracket.

20. The folding chair as in claim 12, further comprising a first tab that extends generally inward from the first support bracket and a second tab that extends generally inward from the second support bracket;

and further comprising a first receiving portion in the blow-molded plastic chair seat and a second receiving portion in the blow-molded plastic chair seat, wherein the first tab is sized and configured to be inserted into the first receiving portion and the second tab is sized and configured to be inserted into the second receiving portion to prevent the unintended removal of the chair seat from the first and second support brackets.

21. A folding chair that is capable of being moved between a use position and a storage position, the folding chair comprising:

a first leg assembly including a front leg and a rear leg;

a first link connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the first leg assembly;

a first support bracket connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the first leg assembly, the front leg of the first leg assembly, rear leg of the first leg assembly, first link and first support bracket forming at least a part of a four-bar, four pivot linkage that allows the folding chair to be moved between the use position and the storage position, the first support bracket including a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion;

a second leg assembly including a front leg and a rear leg;

a second link connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the second leg assembly;

a second support bracket connected to the front leg and the rear leg of the second leg assembly, the front leg of the second leg assembly, rear leg of the second leg assembly, second link and second support bracket forming at least a part of a four-bar, four pivot linkage that allows the folding chair to be moved between the use position and the storage position, the second support bracket including a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion;

a chair seat constructed from blow-molded plastic and including an upper surface that is generally spaced apart from a lower surface, the blow-molded plastic chair seat including a first part with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the blow-molded plastic chair seat including a second part with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first attachment portion of the first support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the first attachment portion of the first part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat and the second attachment portion of the first support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the second attachment portion of the first part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat;

the first attachment portion of the second support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the first attachment portion of the second part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat and the second attachment portion of the second support bracket being sized and configured to contact at least a portion of the second attachment portion of the second part of the blow-molded plastic chair seat; and

one or more depressions formed in the lower surface of the blow-molded chair seat and extending generally towards the upper surface of the blow-molded chair seat.

22. A folding chair that is capable of being moved between a use position and a storage position, the folding chair comprising:

a first leg assembly;

a first link connected to the first leg assembly;

a first support bracket connected to the first leg assembly and including a first attachment portion that is disposed at an angle relative to a second attachment portion;

a second leg assembly;

a second link connected to the second leg assembly;

a second support bracket connected to the second leg assembly and including a first attachment portion that is disposed at an angle relative to a second attachment portion;

a chair seat constructed from blow-molded plastic connected to the first support bracket and the second support bracket, the blow-molded plastic chair seat including an upper surface, a lower surface generally spaced apart from the upper surface, a first attachment portion that is attached to the first attachment portion of the first support bracket, a second attachment portion that is attached to the first attachment portion of the second support bracket, a third attachment portion that is attached to the second attachment portion of the first support bracket, and a fourth attachment portion that is attached to the second attachment portion of the second support bracket.

23. A folding chair that is capable of being moved between a first position for supporting a person and a second position for storage, the chair comprising:

a first front leg;

a first rear leg;

a first link connected to the first front leg and the first rear leg;

a second front leg;

a second rear leg;

a second link connected to the second front leg and the second rear leg;

a chair seat including an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side wall and a second side wall, the chair seat constructed from blow-molded plastic and including a generally hollow interior portion;

a first bracket including a first connecting portion that is connected to a first connecting portion of the chair seat and a second connecting portion that is connected to a second connecting portion of the chair seat so that the first bracket is securely connected to the chair seat, the first bracket connected to the first front leg and the first rear leg; and

a second bracket including a first connecting portion that is connected to a first connecting portion of the chair seat and a second connecting portion that is connected to a second connecting portion of the chair seat so that the second bracket is securely connected to the chair seat, the second bracket connected to the second front leg and the second rear leg;

wherein a portion of the first front leg, a portion of the first rear leg, the first link and the first bracket form at least part of a four-bar linkage; and

wherein a portion of the second front leg, a portion of the second rear leg, the second link and the second bracket form at least part of a four-bar linkage.

24. The folding chair as in claim 23, further comprising a lip on the first connecting portion of the bracket and a groove in the first connecting portion of the chair seat, the lip being inserted in the groove when the bracket is attached to the chair seat.

25. The folding chair as in claim 23, further comprising a lip on the second connecting portion of the bracket and a groove in the second connecting portion of the chair seat, the lip being inserted in the groove when the bracket is attached to the chair seat.

26. The folding chair as in claim 23, further comprising a pair of fasteners that connect the first front leg and the first rear leg to the first bracket.

27. The folding chair as in claim 23, further comprising one or more depressions formed in the lower surface of the chair seat and extending towards the upper surface of the chair seat, each of the one or more depressions including an end that is sized and configured to contact the upper surface of the chair seat.

28. The folding chair as in claim 23, further comprising one or more depressions formed in the lower surface of the chair seat and extending towards the upper surface of the chair seat, each of the one or more depressions including an end that is disposed near the upper surface of the chair seat.

29. A folding chair that is capable of being moved between a first position for supporting a person and a second position for storage, the chair comprising:

a first front leg;

a first rear leg;

a first link connected to the first front leg and the first rear leg;

a second front leg;

a second rear leg;

a second link connected to the second front leg and the second rear leg;

a chair seat including an upper surface and a lower surface, the chair seat constructed from blow-molded plastic as a unitary, one-piece structure, the chair seat including a generally hollow interior portion;

a first groove formed in the chair seat as part of the unitary, one-piece structure;

a second groove formed in the chair seat as part of the unitary, one-piece structure;

a third groove formed in the chair seat as part of the unitary, one-piece structure;

a fourth groove formed in the chair seat as part of the unitary, one-piece structure;

a first bracket including a first lip that is at least partially inserted into the first groove in the chair seat and a second lip that is at least partially inserted into the second groove in the chair seat, the first bracket being connected to the first front leg and the first rear leg; and

a second bracket including a first lip that is at least partially inserted into the third groove in the chair seat and a second lip that is at least partially inserted into the fourth lip in the chair seat, the second bracket being connected to the second front leg and the second rear leg.

30. The folding chair as in claim 29, wherein a portion of the first front leg, a portion of the first rear leg, the first link and the first bracket form at least portion of a four-bar linkage;

and wherein a portion of the second front leg, a portion of the second rear leg, the second link and the second bracket form at least a portion of a four-bar linkage.

31. The folding chair as in claim 29, further comprising one or more depressions formed in the lower surface of the chair seat and extending towards the upper surface of the chair seat, each of the one or more depressions including an end that is sized and configured to contact the upper surface of the chair seat.

32. The folding chair as in claim 29, further comprising one or more depressions formed in the lower surface of the chair seat and extending towards the upper surface of the chair seat, each of the one or more depressions including an end that is disposed near the upper surface of the chair seat.

33. A folding chair that is capable of being moved between a first position for supporting a person and a second position for storage, the chair comprising:

a first front leg and a second front leg;

a first rear leg and a second rear leg;

a first link interconnecting the first front leg and the first rear leg, and a second link interconnecting the second front leg and the second rear leg;

a first bracket including a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the first bracket interconnecting the first front leg and the first rear leg, a portion of the first front leg, a portion of the first rear leg, the first link and the first bracket forming at least a portion at a four-bar linkage;

a second bracket including a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, the second bracket interconnecting the second front leg and the second rear leg, a portion of the second front leg, a portion of the second rear leg, the second link and the second bracket forming at least a portion of a four-bar linkage; and

a chair seat constructed from blow-molded plastic and including a generally hollow interior portion, the chair seat including a first side with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, and a second side with a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion;

wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the first bracket are sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the first side of the chair seat; and

wherein the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the second bracket are sized and configured to engage at least a portion of the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion of the second side of the chair seat.

34. The folding chair as in claim 33, further comprising one or more depressions formed in the lower surface of the chair seat and extending towards the upper surface of the chair seat, each of the one or more depressions including an end that is sized and configured to contact the upper surface of the chair seat.

35. The folding chair as in claim 33, further comprising one or more depressions formed in the lower surface of the chair seat and extending towards the upper surface of the chair seat, each of the one or more depressions including an end that is disposed near the upper surface of the chair seat.

36. The folding chair as in claim 33, further comprising a lip on the first attachment portion of the first bracket and a groove in the first attachment portion on the first side of the chair seat, the lip being inserted in the groove when the first bracket is attached to the chair seat.

37. The folding chair as in claim 33, further comprising a lip on the second attachment portion of the first bracket and a groove in the second attachment portion on the first side of the chair seat, the lip being inserted in the groove when the first bracket is attached to the chair seat.

38. The folding chair as in claim 33, further comprising a lip on the first attachment portion of the second bracket and a groove in the first attachment portion on the second side of the chair seat, the lip being inserted in the groove when the second bracket is attached to the chair seat.

39. The folding chair as in claim 33, further comprising a lip on the second attachment portion of the second bracket and a groove in the second portion on the second side of the chair seat, the lip being inserted in the groove when the second bracket is attached to the chair seat.