Patent ID: 6161901
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: A47B,A47C

Abstract:
A foldable furniture structure for supporting a load above a floor, the structure comprising:(a) a base formed as a closed, foldable structure including:(i) two substantially parallel end sheets, each having a lower edge for resting on the floor, an upper load-bearing edge, and first and second side edges, and(ii) a first side hingdely attached to both of said first side edges of said two end sheets, and a second side hingedly attached to both of said second side edges of said two end sheets, both said first and second sides being foldable along at least three intermediate vertical hinges,such that said base is foldable in a bellows-type motion between a closed state in which said two parallel end sheets are brought together with said first and second sides folded therebetween, and an open state in which said two parallel end sheets are pulled apart;(b) a load bearing sheet hingedly attached to each of said upper edges of said two end sheets, said load bearing sheet being foldable along at least one intermediate hinge deployed parallel to said upper edges, a dimension of said load bearing sheet between said attachments to said upper edges being chosen to delimit a fully open configuration of said base such that said first and second sides are opened to a bellows angle of no more than about 90.degree.; and(c) an intermediate vertical sheet positioned between and parallel to said two end sheets, said intermediate vertical sheet being hingedly connected to one of said at least three intermediate hinges of each of said first and second sides and to said load bearing sheet said intermediate vertical sheet being configured to provide a lower edge positioned for resting on the floor.