Abstract:
A portable chair is configurable to serve various utilitarian needs. In one embodiment, the portable multifunctional chair includes a frame, a seat attached to the frame and an adjustable seat flap fixed to the seat. The seat has an inner edge that encloses a seat opening. The adjustable seat flap is approximately flush with the seat when the seat flap is secured to the seat in a closed position in which the seat flap covers the opening. The multifunctional chair has at least one transverse dimension that is less than 25% of the longitudinal length when the multifunctional chair is configured in a portable state.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/913,225, filed Apr. 20, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to outdoor activities and more particularly to a multifunctional portable chair. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There exist many types of portable chairs that serve a variety of functions. Portable chairs are manufactured for fisherman, hunters, campers, and hikers. These chairs may have accessories that accommodate various needs associated with such activities. For example, a portable hunting or fishing chair may include pouches, straps, or other accessories that add to the utility of the chair. A portable chair used for recreational purposes may have cup holders and retractable arm rests. 
     Occasionally, outdoor enthusiasts need to address bodily functions away from the conveniences afforded by sanitary facilities. Since the dawn of time, humans have responded to biological necessity by squatting and depositing. This type of activity not only places undue stress on a person&#39;s knees, lower back, and other joints and muscles, but requires in some cases a balancing act in which failure is not an option. 
     It would be desirable to have a device that addresses space and weight concerns of the typical outdoor enthusiast, serves the user in a multifunctional capacity, and alleviates conventional inconveniences of making a biological deposit in the great outdoors. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The invention provides a portable chair configurable to serve various utilitarian needs. In one embodiment, the portable multifunctional chair includes a frame, a seat attached to the frame and an adjustable seat flap having a first surface, a second surface, an anterior portion and a posterior portion. The posterior portion is permanently fixed to the seat. Furthermore, the seat has an inner edge that encloses a seat opening. 
     In another embodiment, the portable multifunctional chair further includes a seat back attached to the frame and the seat. The seat back includes a seat back tab. In yet another embodiment, the seat flap includes a seat flap tab for interlocking with the seat back tab to secure the seat flap in an open position. 
     In another embodiment, the seat includes a seat locking strip attached adjacent to the inner edge of the seat. In one embodiment, the seat flap includes a seat flap locking strip attached to the second surface of the seat flap for interlocking with the seat locking strip to secure the seat flap to the seat in a closed position. 
     In one embodiment, the portable multifunctional chair has at least one transverse length that is less than 25% of a longitudinal length when the multifunctional chair is portably configured. 
     In yet another embodiment, the adjustable seat flap extends less than one quarter of an inch above the seat when the seat flap is secured to the seat in a closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an anterior isometric view of a portable multifunctional chair in a closed-seat functional configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an overhead isometric view of the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an anterior isometric view of the seat back of the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an overhead isometric view of an open-seat functional configuration of the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a portable configuration of the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a posterior isometric view of the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIG. 1  with waste collection receptacle, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an anterior isometric view of a portable multifunctional chair in a closed-seat functional configuration, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an anterior isometric view of an open-seat functional configuration of the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIG. 7 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an anterior isometric view of an open-seat, arm-down functional configuration of the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIG. 7 , according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary flowchart of method steps for using the portable multifunctional chair illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an anterior isometric view of a portable multifunctional chair  100  in a closed-seat functional configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. The multifunctional chair  100  comprises a frame  105 , a seat  110 , a seat back  115  and an adjustable seat flap  120 . The adjustable seat flap  120  includes a posterior portion  125 , an anterior portion  130 , and a first surface  132 . In addition, the seat back  115  includes a seat back tab  135 .  FIG. 2  is an overhead isometric view of the portable multifunctional chair  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the adjustable seat flap  120  includes a seat flap tab  140 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the adjustable seat flap  120  is secured to the seat  110  in a closed position. In operation, a user may advantageously secure the adjustable seat flap  120  in one of two positions (i.e., closed or open). In one embodiment, the posterior portion  125  of the adjustable seat flap  120  is permanently and rotatably fixed to the seat  110 , while the anterior portion  130  is removably fixed to the seat  110 . For example, a user may apply a force to the adjustable seat flap  120  to disengage the anterior portion  130  of the adjustable seat flap  120  from the seat  110 , thus rotating the adjustable seat flap  120  about the posterior portion  125  that is permanently fixed to the seat  110 . Upon lifting the adjustable seat flap  120 , a user may secure the adjustable seat flap  120  in an open position by engaging the seat flap tab  140  with the seat back tab  135 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the seat back tab  135  and the seat flap tab  140  are hook and loop tabs, such as Velcro™ tabs. The user may secure the adjustable seat flap  120  in the open position by interlocking the Velcro™ seat flap tab  140  with the Velcro™ seat back tab  135 . However, the scope of the present invention includes other means know in the art for removably securing two pieces of fabric together. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the frame  105  is composed of metal rods. However the scope of the present invention covers all types of portable chair frames, including plastic and wood, for example. The frame  105  may be of a conventional tubular design, configured to fold together for portability. For example, the frame  105  may be composed of rods that are attached to one another via fastening devices that allow the rods to rotate and translate with respect to each other when the portable multifunctional chair  100  is placed into a portable configuration. The portable configuration of the multifunctional chair  100  will be discussed further below in conjunction with  FIG. 5 . The seat  110 , the seat back  115  and the adjustable seat flap  120  may be constructed of canvas or vinyl. In other embodiments of the invention, the seat  110 , the seat back  115  and the adjustable seat flap  120  may be constructed of any durable and preferably water resistant material, such as plastic, for example. 
       FIG. 3  is an anterior isometric view of the seat back  115  of the portable multifunctional chair  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the seat back tab  135  is sewn to the seat back  115  via a stitching line  145 . However, the scope of the present invention covers all other types of conventional methods for permanently securing two pieces of fabric to each other. 
       FIG. 4  is an overhead isometric view of the portable multifunctional chair  100  in an open-seat functional configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the seat flap tab  140  ( FIG. 2 ) is engaged with the seat back tab  135  ( FIG. 1 ) to secure the adjustable seat flap  120  in an open position. The seat flap  120  includes a second surface  150  having an outside circumferential portion  155  and a seat flap locking strip  160 . The seat flap locking strip  160  is fastened to the outside circumferential portion  155  of the second surface  150  of the seat flap  120 . 
     The seat  110  includes an inner edge  165  that encloses a seat opening  170  located in a central portion of the seat  110 . In addition, the seat  110  includes a seat locking strip  175 . The seat locking strip  175  is fastened to the seat  110  adjacent to the inner edge  165 . The seat locking strip  175  is fastened to the seat  110  via any conventional means of permanently securing two pieces of natural or artificial fabric or other types of material, such as plastic for example. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the seat flap locking strip  160  engages the seat locking strip  175  to secure the adjustable seat flap  120  to the seat  110  in a closed position ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment of the invention, the strips are composed of Velcro™. However, strips composed of natural fabrics, artificial fabrics, plastics or any combination of these or other fastening means are within the scope of the present invention. 
     The adjustable seat flap  120  may be secured in one of two positions. When a user rotates the adjustable seat flap  120  from an open position ( FIG. 4 ) to a closed position ( FIG. 1 ) about the posterior portion  125  that is permanently fixed to the seat  110 , the seat flap locking strip  160  interlocks with the seat locking strip  175 , and the chair  100  is enabled to be used as a conventional chair. However, if the user wishes to use the portable multifunctional chair  100  as a portable toilet, the user applies a force to the adjustable seat flap  120  to disengage the seat flap locking strip  160  from the seat locking strip  175 . The user then lifts the adjustable seat flap  120  (i.e., rotates the adjustable seat flap  120  about the posterior portion  125  that is permanently fixed to the seat  110 ) such that the seat flap tab  140  interlocks with the seat back tab  135 , thus securing the adjustable seat flap  120  in an open position. The user may now utilize the portable multifunctional chair  100  as a toilet. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the portable multifunctional chair  100  in a portable configuration, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the portable multifunctional chair  100  may be folded to facilitate portability and ease of storage. In one embodiment, the portably configured multifunctional chair  100  has a longitudinal length that exceeds one or more of the transverse lengths. 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the portable multifunctional chair  100 , according to another embodiment of the invention. The portable multifunctional chair  100  includes a waste collection receptacle  180 . As illustrated, the waste collection receptacle  180  is removably attached to the frame  105 . In one embodiment, spring fasteners  185  connect the waste collection receptacle  180  to the frame  105  at two or more fastening sites. In another embodiment, the waste collection receptacle  180  includes a locking ring (not shown) fastened along an upper edge  190  of the receptacle  180 . In operation, the locking ring interlocks with the seat locking strip  175  ( FIG. 4 ) to secure the waste collection receptacle  180  to the seat  110 . Waste flowing through the seat opening  170  ( FIG. 4 ) is deposited directly into the waste collection receptacle  180 . The user may then detach the waste collection receptacle  180  from the seat  110  by applying a force to separate the locking ring of the waste collection receptacle  180  from the seat locking strip  175 . In one embodiment, the locking ring is a Velcro™ strip. 
     In another embodiment, the waste collection receptacle  180  is a plastic bag having a locking strip mounted around a perimeter of an open end of the bag for attaching the waste collection receptacle  180  to the seat locking strip  175  of the seat  110 . In yet another embodiment, the waste collection receptacle  180  is a plastic bag that is inserted through the seat opening  170 . A portion of an open end of the bag rests upon the seat  110 . A portion of the closed end of the bag may be supported by any surface upon which the chair  100  sits. 
       FIG. 7  is an anterior isometric view of a portable multifunctional chair  200  in a closed-seat functional configuration, according to another embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the multifunctional chair  200  includes an arm  202  having a posterior portion  204  and an anterior portion  206 . In one embodiment, the posterior portion  204  of the arm  202  includes a grommet  208  for securing the posterior portion  204  of the arm  202  to a posterior segment of the frame  210 . 
     In one embodiment, the anterior portion  206  of the arm  202  includes a sleeve  212 . As illustrated, the sleeve  212  slips over an anterior segment of the frame  214 . The sleeve  212  and the anterior segment of the frame  214  may include a snap button fastener or other fastening means to removably secure the sleeve  212  to the anterior segment of the frame  214 . 
     In one embodiment, the portable multifunctional chair  200  includes a seat flap strap  216  attached to the adjustable seat flap  120 . Furthermore, the chair  200  may include a seat strap (not shown) attached to an underside of the seat  110 . A user may engage the straps to facilitate separation of the adjustable seat flap  120  from the seat  110 . In one embodiment, the seat flap strap  216  may include a tab  218  for interlocking with the seat back tab  135  ( FIG. 1 ). In an alternate embodiment, the seat back tab  135  is attached to a side of the seat back  115  ( FIG. 1 ) facing away from the seat  110 . 
       FIG. 8  is an anterior isometric view of the portable multifunctional chair  200  in an open-seat functional configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. The seat locking strip  175  is fastened to an outer portion  166  of the seat  110 . 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the seat flap locking strip  160  engages the seat locking strip  175  to secure the adjustable seat flap  120  to the seat  110  in a closed position ( FIG. 7 ). In one embodiment of the invention, the strips are composed of Velcro™. However, strips composed of natural fabrics, artificial fabrics, plastics or any combination of these or other fastening means are within the scope of the present invention. 
     A user may remove the sleeve  212  from the anterior segment of the frame  214  to place the chair  200  in an arm-down configuration. For example, after the user makes a biological deposit, the user may wish to reconfigure the chair  200  in an arm-down configuration to facilitate the use of toilet paper.  FIG. 9  is an anterior isometric view of the portable multifunctional chair  200  in an open-seat, arm-down functional configuration, according to one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the user may use the anterior segment of the frame  214  as a toilet roll holder by sliding a roll of toilet paper onto the anterior segment of the frame  214 . In one embodiment of the invention, the arm  202  ( FIG. 8 ) is comprised of fabric, however, the scope of the invention covers arms comprised of wood, plastic, metal, or other materials known to one of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 10  is an exemplary flowchart of method steps for using the portable multifunctional chair as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 . The method steps apply to the portable multifunctional chair  100  and  200 , however, the method steps are described in conjunction with chair  100  for ease of illustration. In step  305 , assuming that the chair  100  is initially portably configured ( FIG. 5 ), the user unfolds the multifunctional chair. If a user wishes to use the chair as a means of relaxation, the user will configure the chair in a closed-seat functional configuration ( FIG. 1 ). For example, if the adjustable seat flap  120  is not fastened to the seat  110  (i.e., the seat flap  120  is not closed), then in step  310  the user rotates the adjustable seat flap  120  about the posterior portion  125  of the seat flap  120  (that is permanently fixed to the seat  110 ) until the seat flap locking strip  160  ( FIG. 4 ) interlocks with the seat locking strip  175  ( FIG. 4 ). The user may now sit in the portable multifunctional chair  100  ( FIG. 1 ) for purposes of relaxation or other utilitarian needs. 
     If the user wishes to use the portable multifunctional chair  100  ( FIG. 1 ) as a portable toilet, the user will reconfigure the chair  100  into an open-seat configuration. For example, in step  315 , the user applies force to disengage the seat flap locking strip  160  from the seat locking strip  175 . The user then rotates the adjustable seat flap  120  about the posterior portion  125  of the seat flap  120  (that is permanently fixed to the seat  110 ) until the seat back tab  135  ( FIG. 1 ) interlocks with the seat flap tab  140  ( FIG. 2 ), thereby securing the adjustable seat flap  120  in an open position ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. The present invention may readily be implemented using configurations other than those described in the exemplary embodiments above. Therefore, these and other variations upon the exemplary embodiments are covered by the present invention.