Abstract:
A folding chair with a bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. A chair back support frame pivotally attached to seat support frame covered with user support fabric or webbing. The X-frame chair has pivotal forward and rearward leg frames. A terminal vertical fore-leg end has a bulbous cap thereon. Armrest frames pivot on back support frame and the adjustment mechanism includes the bulbous cap and a yoke (stem and tines). The stem pivots on the armrest. The tines pivot on the bulbous cap and fore-leg end. The bulbous cap encloses the U-shaped tine space and substantially fills the U-shaped space such that armrest rotation relative to the forward leg frame causes yoke to swing forward and rearward and move back support frame up-and-back. The cap enclosed U-shaped tine space avoids finger pinch.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention relates to a folding chair and, more particularly, a folding beach chair with a bulbous chair adjustment mechanism which avoids or significantly reduces finger pinch accidents. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Folding chairs typically include forward facing legs (“forward” being relative to the ground plane or relative to the feet of the user) and rearward facing legs (the rearward legs being on the ground behind the forward legs which are near the user&#39;s feet). Generally the forward legs and the rearward legs form a folding X-frame structure with an upper region of the forward facing legs forming aback support frame. A seat frame is typically pivotally attached to the rearward facing legs and is pivotally attached at an intermediate position to the forward facing legs in a manner such that if the user lifts up the forward most portions of the seat frame while maintaining the back support frame relatively stable, the chair collapses and the forward leg frames are moved such that they are adjacent the rearward leg frames. 
         [0003]    Additionally, users oftentimes want to adjust the reclining position of the back support frame with respect to the seat support frame. Simple mechanisms enable the user to “sit up” and to move the back support rearward to obtain a fully or partly reclined position wherein the user “lays back.” However a problem has arisen regarding finger pinch accidents in the chair adjustment mechanism typically disposed between the armrest frame and either the forward facing legs or the rearward facing legs. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding chair with a bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. 
         [0005]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding beach chair which eliminates or substantially reduces the occurrence of finger pinch accidents with a bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. 
         [0006]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a bulbous chair mechanism with a yoke as a single integral unit made of plastic wherein the bulbous portion of the adjustment mechanism is attached atop the terminal end of the forward leg frame (or the terminal end of the rearward leg frame) and the adjustment mechanism has a yoke structure pivotally attached to the bulbous member. 
         [0007]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a chair adjustment mechanism with a yoke having yoke tines spaced apart such that the bulbous cap on the forward leg frame (or rearward leg frame) substantially encloses the spaced apart region between the parallel, opposing yoke tines. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The folding chair, preferably a beach chair, has a bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism can either be in combination with an X-frame folding chair or the chair can encompass, as a single unit, the bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. The chair has a back support frame upon which is mounted a flexible back support to support the back of a seated person or user. The flexible back support (and seat support) may be cloth or nylon or any type of useful webbing. The chair has a seat support frame which upon which is mounted a flexible seat for the seated person. The seat support frame is hinged to the back support frame. The chair has a forward leg frame with at least one substantially vertical first member pivotally attached at an intermediate location between a ground plane and a terminal vertical fore-leg end to the seat support frame. Stated otherwise, the pivot is intermediate the terminal fore-leg end and the ground. Typically, the leg frames are U-shaped and have two vertical fore-leg ends. The chair has a rearward leg frame having at least one substantially vertical second member pivotally attached at an intermediate location between a ground plane and a terminal vertical rear-leg end to one or the other or both the seat support frame and the back support frame. Typically two vertical rear-legs are employed. The pivot mechanism is between the seat support frame and the back support frame and usually has an intermediate swing bar member. The chair has at least one arm rest frame (typically two arm rests) having a free terminal end and an opposing rear end pivotally coupled to the back support frame. 
         [0009]    The chair adjustment mechanism has a bulbous cap and a yoke. The bulbous end cap is attached to the terminal fore-leg end. The yoke has a stem and opposing yoke tines. The yoke stem is pivotally coupled to the armrest frame at an intermediate location (between the two armrest ends). The yoke tines are pivotally coupled to the bulbous end cap and the terminal fore-leg end such that the bulbous cap encloses the spaced apart yoke tines. In this manner, the rotation of the armrest frame relative to the forward leg frame causes the yoke to swing forward and rearward. The arm rest moves the back support frame relative to the seat support frame. 
         [0010]    Further details of the preferred embodiments include the following features. The yoke tines form a substantially U-shaped space (the tines are spaced apart parallel each other) and the bulbous cap is cross-sectionally sized to substantially fill the U-shaped tine space. The bulbous cap has a rounded pillow shape extending vertically above the yoke tines. The yoke is a single, integral component made of plastic. The stem has a yoke terminal end which is pivotally attached to the arm rest frame. The tines and the stem are disposed in a single plane which rotates about the conjoined yoke and arm rest frame pivot. The terminal vertical rear-leg end abuts the arm rest frame and forms a stop for the yoke at either end of rotation about the yoke and arm rest frame pivot. 
         [0011]    The basic chair adjustment mechanism structure, and some of these additional features, avoid or substantially eliminate finger pinch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Further objects and advantages of the present invention can be found in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  diagrammatically illustrates a folding chair and, more particularly, a folding beach chair in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  diagrammatically illustrates a side view of the chair in a reclined position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  diagrammatically illustrates the chair in an upright position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  diagrammatically illustrates a top view of the folding chair and the bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  diagrammatically illustrates a detail of the bulbous chair adjustment mechanism (top view). 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  diagrammatically illustrates aside view of the chair adjustment mechanism. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7 and 8  diagrammatically illustrate an intermediate position of the chair mechanism with the arm rest frame  60  being rotated rearward with respect to forward leg frame  32  ( FIG. 7 ) and a laid back position for the bulbous chair mechanism ( FIG. 8 ). 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  diagrammatically illustrates a top view detail of the bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  diagrammatically illustrates a bottom view of the bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  diagrammatically illustrates a detail of the bulbous chair mechanism from a viewpoint inboard the chair, that is, a view laterally outward from a point between opposing arm rest frames  60 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The present invention relates to a folding chair, and more particularly, a folding beach chair with a bulbous chair adjustment mechanism. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-4  are discussed concurrently herein. Similar numerals designate similar items throughout the drawings. The folding chair which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a folding beach chair, is designated as chair  10 . A bulbous chair adjustment mechanism  12  enables the chair to be laid-back (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) or to be configured in an upright position (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Chair  10  has back support frame  20  upon which is mounted a flexible back support  22 . Back support  22  as well as back support frame  20  is adapted to support a back of a seated person. As shown in  FIG. 1 , back support frame  20  is U-shaped and the back support frame  20  has depending legs (not numbered) and an U-shaped bar spanning the U-shaped legs (the top cross bar not numbered). Flexible back support  22  loops around the top of the U-shaped bar of back support frame  20 . The unnumbered back support frame is integral with the forward leg members in the illustrated embodiment. 
         [0025]    The chair has a seat support frame  24  with a flexible seat  26  mounted on seat support frame  24 . Similar to back support frame  20 , seat support frame  24  is U-shaped and the flexible seat  26  is wrapped around the forward facing U-shaped bar of seat support frame  24 . To provide additional support, a further flexible strap (unnumbered) extends between the U-shaped legs of the seat support frame  24 . The transverse, flexible seat strap (unnumbered) provides additional support for a seated person disposed on flexible seat  26  of chair  10 . 
         [0026]    Seat support frame  24  is hinged at pivot  32  to back support frame  20 . A backside crossbar (unnumbered) may span the rearward terminal ends of seat support frame  24  such that a transition seat element transitions from flexible seat  26  to flexible back support  22 . 
         [0027]    Forward leg frame  32  has at least one substantially vertical first member  34 . The term “forward” refers to an element near the foot of the user (as compared to other chair components) such as forward leg frame  32  which is disposed at the fore-end of chair  10  with respect to ground plane  40 . Forward leg frame  32  has a vertical first member  34  which is substantially vertical notwithstanding the fact that it is at an angle with respect to a 90° vertical plane rising above ground plane  40 . Vertical first member  34  of leg frame  32  is “substantially vertical” in that it rises above ground plane  40 . Forward leg frame  32  is pivotally attached to the seat frame at pivot point  36  at an intermediate leg frame location  38  (intermediate ground plane  40  and terminal fore leg end  42 ). The pivot at pivot point  36  is at an intermediate location  38  and rotatably joins vertical first member  34  of forward leg frame  32  with seat support frame  24 . 
         [0028]    Rearward leg frame  50  has at least one substantially vertical second member  52 . Vertical second member  52  is pivotally attached at pivot point  54  to other frame members at an intermediate location  56  between ground plane  40  and terminal rear leg end  58 . Pivot point  54  attaches rearward leg frame  50  and either seat support frame  24  or back support frame  20 . This rotational coupling between the rearward leg frame, the seat support frame and the back support frame is known in the art and may include a small pivoting bar (unnumbered). In any event, these three elements, the rearward leg frame, the seat support frame and the back support frame are all pivotally coupled together either directly or through an intermediary bar. 
         [0029]    Chair  10  also includes at least one arm rest frame  60  having a free terminal fore end  62  and an opposing rear end  64 . Opposing rear end  64  of the arm rest frame  60  is pivotally coupled at pivot point  66  to back support frame  20 . 
         [0030]    In the illustrated embodiment, the folding beach chair  10  includes two armrest frames  60  and the forward leg frame is U-shaped. Therefore, the forward leg frame  62  has two vertical first members  34  forms a U-shaped structure with a U-cross bar on ground plane  40 . In a similar manner, rearward leg frame  50  is U-shaped and has two vertical second members  52  which are pivotally attached at intermediate locations to the seat frame and the back support frame. The terminal rear leg ends  58  are pivotally attached to the top region of the fore leg ends  42 . The rear leg frame is also U-shaped.  100311  Chair adjustment mechanism  12  includes a bulbous end cap  70  and a yoke  72 .  FIG. 11  shows a detail of bulbous end cap  70 . The term “bulbous” as used herein, refers to a substantially hemispherical structure as well as a structure which is square or rectangular with all vertically and horizontally exposed edges being greatly rounded. A yoke, as used herein, is defined as “a clamp or vise that holds a machine part in place or controls its movement or that holds two such parts together. A crosshead of relatively thick cross section, that secures two or more components so that they move together.” Definition from Common Mechanical Engineering Terms, Computer-Aided Engineering—University of Wisconsin at http://homepages.cae.wise.edu/˜me349/resources/engineering terms.pdf; See also FIG. 16.2, pg. 221 showing a yoke in a knuckle joint in textbook “Mechanical Engineering Design: Principles and Concepts” by Siraj Ahmed, April 2014. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows chair adjustment end cap  70  attached to the terminal fore leg end  42 . Two adjustment mechanisms are used, one for each arm rest frame  60 , in the preferred embodiment. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are discussed concurrently herein. Chair adjustment mechanism  12  includes a yoke  72 . Yoke  72  has a stem  74  and opposing yoke tines  81 ,  82 . The stem  74  is pivotally coupled at pivot point  83  to the arm rest frame  60  at an intermediate position  85  on arm rest  60 . See intermediate position  85  in  FIG. 1 . Returning to  FIG. 5 , yoke tines  81 ,  82  are also pivotally coupled at pivot point  84  to bulbous end cap  70 . Yoke  72  as yoke tines  81 ,  82  at one end and a yoke stem  74  at the other end. Tines  81 ,  82  are pivotally attached to the end cap  70  and also to the terminal fore leg end  42 . The yoke tines  81 ,  82  are parallel each other and are spaced apart a distance  86 . The tines  81 ,  82  form a U-shaped space filled by the bulbous cap  70 . 
         [0033]    One of the several important features of the present invention is that bulbous end cap  70  substantially encloses the spaced apart region  86  between yoke tines  81 ,  82 . This enclosure feature and the rounded bulbous end cap  70  reduces or eliminates finger pinch when the arm  60  rotates above legs  32 ,  50 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6, 7 and 8  diagrammatically show rotation of the arm rest frame  60  relative to the forward leg frame  34  caused by yoke  12  swinging rearward from the upright chair position shown in  FIG. 6  to the fully laid-back chair position shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 7  shows, in dashed lines, an intermediate position between upright position in  FIG. 6  in the fully laid-back position in  FIG. 8 . The fully laid-back position in  FIG. 8  is shown in dashed lines. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows that the yoke tines  81 ,  82  form a substantially U-shaped region with the parallel spaced apart tine legs. The lateral cross-section of the bulbous end cap  70  is sized to substantially fill this U-shaped space  86 . Pivot point  84  is substantially the axial centerline of bulbous end cap  70  and cap  70  is substantially on the longitudinal centerline of the yoke  72 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , bulbous end cap  70  has a rounded pillow shape that extends vertically above the yoke tines  81 ,  82 . In a preferred embodiment, the yoke  12  is a single, integral one piece unit made of plastic. Stated otherwise, yoke  12  and stem  74  and tines  81 ,  82  are a single piece of plastic. This structure also reduces finger pinch. 
         [0037]    The yoke terminal end  90  in  FIG. 5  is pivotally attached at pivot point  83  to the arm rest frame  60 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the tines  81 ,  82  and yoke stem  74  are disposed in a single plane A. The plane formed by stem  74  and tines  81 ,  82  is shown as plane A in  FIG. 6  and the bulbous end  70  falls substantially within the yoke plane A as shown by plane B. The tines, stem and bulbous end rotate about pivot point  83  at the conjoined yoke  12  and arm rest frame pivot  83 . 
         [0038]    The terminal rear leg end  58  abuts at edge  92  in  FIG. 6  the arm rest frame  60  and forms a stop  92  for the yoke at either end of the rotation position as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . 
         [0039]    Since the bulbous end is highly rounded and the cross-section of the bulbous end substantially fills the yoke tine U-shaped space  86  ( FIG. 5 ), the chair adjustment mechanism  12  eliminates or substantially reduces finger pinch accidents. 
         [0040]      FIG. 9  shows the close abutment and complementary mating of bulbous end  70  and yoke tines  81 ,  82 .  FIG. 9  also shows the highly rounded vertical and horizontal edges of the bulbous end  70 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows a bottom view of the bulbous end and the yoke. 
         [0042]      FIG. 11  is a view from an inboard position of the beach chair  10  showing that bulbous end  70  is attached to the terminal fore leg end  42  of forward leg  32 . 
         [0043]    In an alternate embodiment, bulbous end cap  70  could be attached to the terminal rear leg end and the upper end portion of the forward leg end could act as the stop for rotation against the arm  60 . This embodiment is within the scope and spirit of the print of the present claims. 
         [0044]    The term “bulbous” as used herein refers to a substantially hemispherical structure and a structure which is square or rectangular with all vertically exposed edges being greatly rounded. 
         [0045]    The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the present invention.