Patent ID: 7192082
Filing Date: 2007-03-20
Classification: A47C

Abstract:
1. A portable seating device comprising: a) at least two horizontal seating members having respective coupling ends along which such members may be joined to serve as a seat, such horizontal seating members each respectively having an upper, seating, surface, and an underside surface; b) connecting means at the coupling ends of the respective horizontal seating members by which such members may be connected to provide an extended seating surface, such connecting means permitting the two horizontal seating members to be positioned adjacent to each other for ready transportation; c) vertical support containment means located on the underside surfaces of each respective horizontal seating member, proximate to their respective coupling ends, to localize the upper end of a central vertical support to be placed against the underside surfaces of the two horizontal seating members, overlapping their connected coupling ends, and d) a central vertical support dimensioned to be placed against the underside surfaces of the two horizontal seating members, overlapping their connected coupling ends and contained within said vertical support containment means, whereby a portable bench seating system is provided which may be deployed by placing the vertical support on the ground beneath the two horizontal seating members, aligned for engagement by the containment means on the respective underside surfaces of the horizontal seating members when such horizontal seating members are joined at their connecting ends to serve as a seat and complete the containment of the central vertical support; and wherein the central vertical support has a generally cylindrical form which extends from a base at one end upwardly to a seat-engaging end for abutting against portions of the underside surfaces of both of the horizontal seating members, in combination with a plurality of additional vertical supports dimensioned to underlie further portions of the underside surfaces of the horizontal seating members, such underside surfaces being provided with additional vertical support containment means to localize the additional vertical supports in position when they are deployed for seating.