Abstract:
An apparatus for sitting is provided including a semi-flexible fulcrum band having an inner surface, the inner surface integrally including at least one penetration member, wherein the semi-flexible fulcrum band is configured to hold together a plurality of leg members having different varieties, permitting the plurality of leg members to spread above and below the fulcrum band into a supporting position. The apparatus further includes a flexible seat portion containing a plurality of pockets, each pocket configured to receive an upper end of one of the plurality of leg members when the plurality of leg members are in the supporting position, whereby the flexible seat portion is adapted for supporting a person sitting on said flexible seat portion. Finally, the at least one penetration members is configured to penetrate at least one of the plurality of leg members when the person sits in the flexible seat portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to a method and apparatus for sitting. More particularly, the subject matter relates to compact and lightweight outdoor stool components. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When camping, hiking, or the like it is desirable to minimize the weight and carrying size of supplies which must often be carried for long distances and across many types of terrain. Stools and chairs have been considered for use in these outdoor activities which utilize lightweight flexible fabric seats and collapsible legs. These features allow the stool or chair to fold into a compact carrying position. These folding chairs, however, remain substantially heavy and cumbersome due to the inherent weight and volume required by the structural supports, such as leg members and back rest members, of the chair. Some foldable chair designs limit this deficiency by using lightweight materials for the structural supports. However, even the lightest of these foldable chairs require structural supports having a considerable weight and bulk as a consequence of the amount of weight that the structural supports must be suitable to support. 
         [0003]    Thus, an apparatus and method for sitting that eliminates the weight and bulk of the structural supports required to be carried to the sitting destination would be well received in the art. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for sitting is provided including a fulcrum band having an inner surface, the inner surface integrally including at least one penetration member, wherein the fulcrum band is configured to hold together a plurality of leg members having different varieties, permitting the plurality of leg members to spread above and below the fulcrum band into a supporting position. The apparatus further includes a flexible seat portion containing a plurality of pockets, each pocket configured to receive an upper end of one of the plurality of leg members when the plurality of leg members are in the supporting position. Finally, the at least one penetrations member is configured to penetrate at least one of the plurality of leg members when downward force is applied to the flexible seat portion. 
         [0005]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for sitting comprises providing a plurality of leg members, inserting the plurality of leg members into a fulcrum band, spreading the plurality of leg members above and below the fulcrum band into a supporting position, inserting an upper end of each of the plurality of leg members into a pocket of a flexible seat portion, whereby the flexible seat portion adapted to support a person, and penetrating at least one of the plurality of leg members with at least one penetration member integrally located on an inner surface of the fulcrum band when the person sits in the flexible seat portion. 
         [0006]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for sitting comprises a semi-flexible fulcrum band having an inner surface, the inner surface integrally including at least one penetration member, wherein the semi-flexible fulcrum band is configured to hold together a plurality of leg members and permitting the plurality of leg members to spread above and below the fulcrum band into a supporting position, a flexible seat portion containing a pocket configured to receive an upper end of a leg member when the plurality of leg members are in the supporting position, whereby the flexible seat portion is adapted for supporting a seated person, wherein the fulcrum band and the flexible seat portion are configured to permit the use of tree branches of a variety of shapes and sizes as one of the leg members, and wherein the at least one penetration member is configured to penetrate the tree branch when the person sits in the flexible seat portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a stool assembly in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of a fulcrum band attached in ring shape with an attachment mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts a top view of an inner surface of the fulcrum band in  FIG. 2 , prior to attachment into a ring shape in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a cross sectional view of the fulcrum band in  FIG. 3 , taken at arrows  4 - 4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of the bottom side of a flexible seat portion having pockets in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the flexible seat in  FIG. 5  wrapped in the fulcrum band of  FIGS. 2-4  for compact transportation in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of the fulcrum band and the flexible seat of  FIG. 6 , after the fulcrum band is flattened and folded in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
         [0016]    Referring firstly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an assembled stool  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The assembled stool  10  includes a fulcrum band  12 , a flexible seat portion  14 , and a plurality of leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20 . The leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  are fashioned together to form a crisscrossed tri-pod. The fulcrum band  12  acts as a fulcrum point, holding the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  in close proximity within the fulcrum band  12 . The fulcrum band  12  is integrated with a plurality of penetration members  22  on an inner surface  24 . The plurality of penetration members  22  are designed to penetrate leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  to prevent the fulcrum band  12  from sliding along the axis of the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  when a person sits in the seat portion  14 . In the embodiment shown, the seat portion  14  comprises a flexible fabric and includes a plurality of pockets  26 , each pocket  26  being configured to receive the upper end of one of the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20 . The novel features of the fulcrum band  12  in combination with the seat portion  14  provide an apparatus for sitting  40  which allows a camper or hiker to scavenge around for a variety of suitable leg members upon reaching a sitting destination, rather than requiring them to be carried during a hike. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus for sitting  40  may use all varieties of rod-like members such as a tree branch  16 , a walking cane  18  and a ski pole  20 . Examples of other acceptable varieties of leg members include, but are not limited to, tent poles, metal rods, baseball bats, bamboo limbs, lacrosse sticks, golf clubs and hockey sticks. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts a more detailed perspective view of the fulcrum band  12  attached at both ends to form a collar, while  FIG. 3  depicts the inside surface of the fulcrum band  12  prior to attachment. The fulcrum band  12  has an inner surface  24 , an outer surface  28  and a thickness  29 . An appropriate thickness  29  may be used to maximize the contact surface between the inner surface  24  and the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  during use of the stool  10 . The appropriate thickness  29  may be between 1 inch and 6 inches, depending on factors such as the flexibility of the fulcrum band and the size and shape of the intended leg members. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment depicted in the figures, the fulcrum band  12  is made of a semi-flexible material. The fulcrum band  12  may be flexible enough to deform when the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  apply radial pressure on the inner surface  24 , thereby increasing the contact area between the inner surface  24  and the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20 . However, the fulcrum band  12  may also be rigid enough to hold the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  together as a fulcrum point. For example, the fulcrum band  12  may be nylon, Kevlar, thick canvass, a wide leather belt strap or any other material having a similar flexibility and toughness. It is even contemplated that the fulcrum band  12  may be roll of duct tape having only a small amount of tape left on the outer surface  28 , the small amount of tape providing the flexible cardboard inner surface  24  of the duct tape roll additional strength. As an example, the fulcrum band  12  may have a Young&#39;s modulus between 0.005 and 0.2 GPa. 
         [0019]    Fulcrum band  12  is shown to also include an attachment mechanism to couple longitudinal ends  30 ,  32  together, thereby forming the fulcrum band  12  into a band or collar shape. In the embodiment depicted in the figures, the attachment mechanism is a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes  34  extending from a first longitudinal end  30 . The longitudinally spaced holes  34  are adapted to receive a pin  36  that is located on the inner surface  24  of the fulcrum band  12  and in close proximity to a second longitudinal end  32 . The pin  36  may be curved so that when it is inserted into one of the holes  34  the attachment holds upon the application of radial force to the inner surface  24  of the fulcrum band  12 . Additionally, the plurality of longitudinally spaced holes allows the fulcrum band to fit tightly around leg members of a variety of different shapes and sizes. It should be understood that this embodiment only exemplifies the attachment mechanism, but the attachment mechanism is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the attachment mechanism may be a hole and metal clasp arrangement of a traditional belt, buttons, Velcro or any other attachment mechanism that would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Alternately, the fulcrum band  12  may not require any attachment mechanism, but instead may simply be a single unbroken collar shape. For example, the fulcrum band  12  may be a Kevlar ring. 
         [0020]    The fulcrum band  12  further includes a plurality of penetration members  22 . The penetration members  22  are shown more clearly in  FIG. 4 . Penetration members  22  are designed to penetrate leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20 . The grip provided by the penetration members  22  to the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  also prevents the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  from sliding radially outward, and the fulcrum band  12  to slide upward, when the stool  10  is employed on a low friction surface such as rock or ice. The penetration members  22  may be a wood file, cheese grader grips, spikes, shark teeth, tacks, nails or the like. In other embodiments, the fulcrum band includes a single penetration member, such as being encircled by chicken wire or sandpaper. The penetration members  22  may be configured to penetrate the surface of a leg member as a downward force is applied to the seat portion, such as when a person sits in the stool  10 , forcing the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  against the penetration members  22 . The penetration members  22  may thus be configured to penetrate wooden, or other such surfaces having a Janka hardness between 100 and 4500 in such a fashion. Furthermore, the penetration members  22  are integrally formed and/or located on the inside surface  24  the fulcrum band  12  so that the fulcrum band  12  does not require screws, nails or spikes or other such loose gripping pieces that could be easily lost on an outdoors expedition. Additionally, penetration members  22  may be integrated onto the surface  24  in any pattern or form, as it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the pattern shown in the figures. 
         [0021]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a bottom side  34  of the flexible seat portion  14  is shown. The flexible seat portion  14  may be made of nylon or any other appropriate fabric or flexible material that is comfortable for a person to sit on. The flexible seat portion may be generally triangular shaped and has three pockets  26 , one at each corner. Each pocket  26  is configured to receive a top end of one of the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  during assembly. Therefore, openings  37  of the pockets  26  and the overall size of the pockets  26  are such that they are capable of receiving leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  having a variety of sizes and shapes. Furthermore, the pockets may be reinforced by an extra layer of fabric or the like in order to prevent the legs from piercing through the fabric. 
         [0022]    While the depicted seat portion  14  is configured with three pockets  26  which accept three leg members  16 ,  28 ,  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , four or more leg member configurations are contemplated. For example, the flexible seat portion  14  may include four corners with pockets in order to accept four leg members. In alternate embodiments, the flexible seat portion  14  may include one continuous pocket around the entire perimeter of the seat portion  14 . 
         [0023]    An additional feature that may be included on the bottom side  34  of the seat portion  14  is at least one tie mechanism  36 . The flexible seat portion is shown with on of the tie mechanisms  38  for each of the pockets  26 . The tie mechanisms  36  may be used to secure each of the plurality of leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  within the respective pockets  26  of the flexible seat portion  14 . The tie mechanisms  36  may employ Velcro, buttons or may simply be tied with a knot by the user. The tie mechanisms  36  prevent the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20  from being pulled from the pockets  26  when a person to lifts the stool  10  from the seat portion  14 , which people are typically accustomed to doing. 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the apparatus for sitting  40  is shown in compact form for transportation and storage. The flexible seat portion  14  is shown wrapped within the fulcrum band  12 . The tendency for the flexible seat portion  14  to expand radially after being wrapped up helps to retain the flexible seat portion  14  within the fulcrum band. Furthermore, the tie mechanism  38  of the flexible seat portion  14  is shown tied around the fulcrum band  12  for added support. Additionally, once the flexible seat portion  14  is stored within the fulcrum band  12  in this way, the fulcrum band  12  may be configured to collapse together and then folded into a wallet-shape, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Ultimately, a camper could thereafter carry the apparatus for sitting  40  within a pocket while hiking or camping. 
         [0025]    Thus, a camper or hiker need only may pack this small, lightweight, and fully integrated apparatus for sitting  40  in order to assemble the stool  10  upon reaching a sitting destination in almost any camping or hiking environment. As long as any rod-like structures are available to act as the leg members  16 ,  18 ,  20 , the compact apparatus for sitting  40  can be assembled into a sturdy and secure stool  10 . 
         [0026]    Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and their derivatives are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The terms “first” and “second” are used to distinguish elements and are not used to denote a particular order. 
         [0027]    While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.