Abstract:
A reclining chair has a frame capable of folding from an deployed condition to a collapsed condition transportable in a carrier bag. The carrier bag is compressible so that when compressed the carrier bag can be stored in a receptacle of the reclining chair to provide a cushioned headrest to the reclining chair.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
       [0001]    The invention relates to folding furniture. Particular embodiments of the invention relate to folding chairs. 
       Discussion of Art 
       [0002]    Beach and lawn chairs adapted to be folded for transportation and/or storage typically have a frame fabricated from elongated structural members, preferably metal. The frames of such chairs have transversely spaced apart left hand and right hand frame side assemblies that are substantially parallel to each other. In a set-up condition, each side frame assembly has a front leg member extending in a generally vertically upward direction and a rear leg member pivotally connected at its upper end directly or indirectly to an upper end of the front leg member and which is rearwardly and downwardly inclined from the upper end of the front leg member. Such side frame assemblies also include an upwardly extending chair back support member which is pivotally connected at its lower end to the rear leg member intermediate the ends of the rear leg member by an over-the-center linkage that positions the back support member so that it is supported at its lower end on the rear leg member and inclined upwardly and rearwardly therefrom when the chair is unfolded from its closed or flatly folded storage condition to its open or set-up condition for use. Such side frame assemblies also include a seat support member generally supported by the front and rear leg members in a generally horizontal condition when the chair is in its set-up condition. 
         [0003]    Conventional beach and lawn chairs of the prior art having the left hand and right hand frame side assemblies such as hereinbefore generally described also commonly have transversely extending rigid connecting members providing fixed connection between the front leg members, the rear leg members, and often the back support members as well. Additional rigidly fixed transverse connecting members may also extend between the structural members that support the seat of such a chair. The aforesaid rigid or non-collapsible transversely extending connecting members are generally horizontally disposed when such a conventional prior art chair is in its set-up condition. Thus, it should be immediately apparent that conventional folding chairs of a prior art type as hereinbefore described are foldable to only one storage and/or transport condition, namely a flatly folded condition. 
         [0004]    Such prior art chairs provide the convenience of easy fold-up, and are lightweight so as to permit easy transportability. Common uses for such chairs are at the beach or at a picnic where easy set-up and break-down, as well as the ability to carry the chair along with other things, is desirable. However, even though such chairs are foldable for easy transport, they typically still cover a wide area and thus take up a lot of space when folded, which makes packing or storing the chairs difficult, especially when they must be crammed into a space such as the trunk of a car with a number of other objects such as a cooler, blankets and bags. That is, most prior art beach and lawn chairs are foldable only in one direction—typically front to back. For example, the back support and the seat support of the chair are folded towards each other so the frame, when folded, lies flat in an essentially rectangular shape. When packing the folded chair into a car, the folded chair must be laid flat, thereby occupying a wide footprint in the car. 
         [0005]    Other chair designs have been developed that can be folded to a collapsed or bundled state occupying less storage space. For example, some chair designs can be folded in multiple directions, reducing at least the front/back and left/right dimensions between an unfolded set-up condition and a folded, storage condition. However, these chair designs are typically not suitable for certain outdoor uses, such as at the beach or at a picnic, where a reclinable backrest is desired. Heretofore, multi-directional foldable chairs have not been capable of reclining due to the complexity of the means of connecting the various frame members constituting the chair frame. 
         [0006]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a chair with a reclining back support when in a set-up condition that can be collapsed in multiple directions in order to reduce the space occupied by the chair in a folded and completely collapsed condition. Further, there is a need for such a chair that can be folded to a completely collapsed, bundled condition with minimal effort, without limiting or compromising the structural features permitting reclining of the chair&#39;s backrest support. Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a unifoldable reclining chair with a headrest design that overcomes the problems and drawbacks associated with reclinable folding chairs, and therefore significantly improves the utility of such a chair in the set-up condition while permitting easy transportation and/or storage in a completely collapsed condition. 
         [0007]    In general, there is a need for a reclinable and collapsible chair with a headrest that can be easily folded by a user with minimal effort. In this regard, a desirable folding chair design reduces the number of folding steps. It is a general object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a chair that can be easily folded and collapsed in multiple directions, essentially front to back and left to right, with a single folding action—e.g., inward force on the armrests of the chair. In this regard, such a chair design that can be folded from its set-up condition to a completely collapsed and bundled condition with a single folding action is herein referred to as a unifoldable chair. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique foldable reclining chair frame structure that is lightweight, easily transportable, easily storable, and easy to operate between its set-up condition and its collapsed condition. 
         [0009]    Applicant previously has disclosed (in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/840,915) a unifoldable chair that collapses into a bundle suitable for stowage in a carrier bag. Such chairs are widely popular. However, while such a chair is in its deployed condition for use, there is a problem what to do with the carrier bag. Solutions vary. For example, sometimes the bag is draped over the arm of the chair. Sometimes it is left on the ground under the chair. Occasionally the carrier bag is lost during use of the chair, for example due to wind, uncontrolled pets, or other causes. 
         [0010]    Also there is a problem with comfort in unifoldable chairs, which for ease of quick folding to a bundle have conventionally lacked headrests. Although a headrest would be convenient during use of a chair, a headrest is not convenient while a chair is folded for storage in a carrier bag; instead, a headrest thwarts efforts to collapse a chair into a minimal bundle. 
         [0011]    The present invention addresses these issues, and provides a means to circumvent the associated drawbacks of prior art foldable chair designs. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0012]    Thus, it is desirable to provide a folding chair (preferably a unifoldable chair) that has a headrest while in use. Also it is desirable to provide a folding chair (preferably a unifoldable chair) that has a carrier bag, which does not get lost during use of the chair. 
         [0013]    Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a folding chair that is storable in a carrier bag, which can be converted into a headrest during use of the chair. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a foldable reclining chair with the chair in a set-up condition and the back support of the chair at its most forward and deployed condition. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the reclining chair of  FIG. 1  with the back support of the chair in a reclined position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the reclining chair design of  FIG. 1  with the flexible seat support panel and the flexible backrest support panel removed. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the chair design of  FIG. 3  with the back support of the chair in a reclined position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the chair design of  FIG. 3 , with the back support of the chair at its most forward and deployed condition. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the chair design of  FIG. 3 , with the back support of the chair in a reclined position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the chair design of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8A  is a partial perspective view of a guide rail assembly used in the chair design of  FIG. 1  for enabling and accommodating reclining adjustment of the back support. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of the guide rail assembly of  FIG. 8A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the chair design of  FIG. 3  in a completely collapsed condition. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the completely collapsed chair shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second unifoldable reclining chair design with the seat support panel and the backrest support panel removed and with the back support of the chair at its most forward and deployed condition. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the unifoldable reclining chair design of  FIG. 11  with the back support in a reclined position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the chair design of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the chair design of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is perspective view of a third unifoldable reclining chair design with the seat support panel and the backrest support panel removed and with the back support of the chair at its most forward and deployed condition. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the unifoldable reclining chair design of  FIG. 15  with the back support in a reclined position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a side view of the chair design of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the chair design of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 19A  is a perspective view of an armrest design for use with a reclining chair design. 
           [0034]      FIG. 19B  is an exploded perspective view of the armrest design of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 20  shows the folding chair of  FIG. 1 , with its pillow pocket folded over to form a headrest, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Although embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described as relating to folding chairs, aspects of the invention more generally may be applicable to other folding furniture having carrier bags, e.g., collapsible cots. 
         [0037]    In the drawings and in the description that follows the present invention is illustrated and described with reference to a foldable reclining chair that has a headrest while in use. A chair, generally designated as reference numeral  10 , is shown, for example, in  FIG. 1  in a set-up condition ready for use. The chair  10  includes a frame  12  that carries a flexible generally rectangular seat support panel  14  and a flexible generally rectangular backrest support panel  16 . The frame  12  is shown more particularly in  FIG. 3  with the seat panel  14  and the backrest panel  16  removed. The frame  12  is comprised of several frame members pivotally, slidably and/or telescopically connected together to define the chair frame  12  and permit folding and collapsing of the frame  12  to a bundle suitable for easy transportation and storage. Preferably, the frame members are fabricated from a durable lightweight material such as a tubular metal or high-strength plastic. Various elongated structural parts or members that comprise the chair frame  12  are preferably constructed from cylindrical tubular material. Alternatively, tubing of noncircular cross-section, such as, for example, aluminum tubing having oval or elliptical cross-section, is employed for making the major elongated structural components of the chair frame  12 , which in certain embodiments of the present invention restricts binding of the frame  12  when a person is sitting in the chair  10 . 
         [0038]    The seat panel  14  preferably provides a 17-inch seat height for the chair  10  when in a set-up condition for use. The backrest panel  16  preferably provides a high profile capable of supporting the user&#39;s upper back, neck and head, though various dimensions for the backrest panel  16  may be used without affecting operation of the chair  10  in accordance with the present invention. Further, the seat panel  14  and backrest panel  16  can be formed from a single piece of material with a transition section at the rear of the seat and the bottom of the backrest. The seat and backrest panels  14  and  16  may be made from fabric or other suitable flexible, durable and weather resistant sheet material. 
         [0039]    The frame  12  has a pair of side assemblies comprised of frame members and having substantially identical construction, but of opposite hand, indicated generally at  18 L and  18 R. The left and right frame side assemblies  18 L and  18 R are disposed in laterally or transversely spaced apart and generally parallel relation to each other when the chair  10  is in its set-up condition. Considering now a typical frame side member assembly  18 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , an axially elongated tubular front leg member  20 , a rigid rear leg member  22 , a back support member  24 , a seat support member  26 , and an armrest  28  are provided. Such frame members for the side frame assembly  18  are preferably disposed within generally parallelly extending vertical planes and connected each to another for pivotal movement relative to each other about generally transversely extending pivot axes. In general, respective pivot axes on the left and right side frame assemblies  18 L and  18 R are aligned for proper use and operation of the chair  10 . 
         [0040]    The chair frame  12  is generally adapted to rest on a generally horizontally oriented supporting surface, such as a floor or the ground, in a set-up condition. The front leg members  20  and rear leg members  24  are provided with front feet  30  and rear feet  32 , respectively, for stabilizing the chair  10  on the supporting surface. In the set-up condition, the flexible seat panel  14  defines a generally taut chair seat support and the flexible backrest panel  16  defines a generally taut chair back support, for collectively accommodating an deployed seated or reclined chair occupant. The seat panel  14  and the backrest panel  16  are secured to portions of the chair frame  12  that help define and provide the seat support and the back support for the occupant. In a preferred design, the rear leg member  24  also acts as a frame member for supporting the seat panel  14  of the chair  10 , and thus comprises a rear portion acting as the rear leg and a forward portion acting as the seat support member  26 . As shown, each rear leg member  22  includes a transition area, such as bend  34 , at a location intermediate the front and back portions of the leg member  22 . The transition area generally corresponds with the rear of the seat panel  14  and thus essentially defines the back of the seating area. As shown, the back support members  24  are preferably pivotally mounted to the rear leg members  22  proximate the region of the intermediate bend  34 . The front leg members  20  and the rear leg members  22  are directly connected to each other for pivotal movement relative to each other about a transverse pivot axis. More particularly, the point of connection between the leg members  20  and  22  is in the upper portion of the former and in the forward portion of the latter, as shown more clearly in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0041]    In alternate designs of the frame side member assembly  18 , the rear portion and the forward portion of the rear leg member  22  can be independent members connected together by a fixed or flexible joint. In such a design, therefore, there would be a separate rear leg member  22  and seat support member  26 . The back support member  24  can be pivotally connected to the joint, the rear portion of the seat support member  26 , or the top portion of the rear leg member  22 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 and 7 , the chair frame  12  includes the pair of frame side member assemblies  18 L and  18 R of opposite hand. The frame side member assemblies  18 L and  18 R are joined each to the other, to enable, in part, transverse, or left-right, folding of the frame, by a pair of movable X-frame connector assemblies, namely a foldable front connector assembly  36  and a foldable rear connector assembly  38 . As noted, the connector assemblies  36  and  38  enable and facilitate transverse folding of the chair frame  12  between an open, or set-up, condition, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , and a collapsed, storage condition, as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . The connector assemblies  36  and  38  also provide support for the chair frame  12  in the open, set-up condition by balancing and redistributing the forces exerted on the chair frame  12  by a person seated on the seat panel  14  and leaning back on the backrest panel  16 . It should be noted that in accordance with a “unifoldable” folding operation whereby the chair  10  of the present invention is collapsed in multiple directions to a completely collapsed condition with a single folding action, the chair  10  cannot be folded only and exclusively in the transverse direction, but that transverse folding is conducted in combination with folding of the chair  10  in other directions, such as front-back. 
         [0043]    As noted above, the chair  10  of the present invention is designed so that the back support is reclinable. In  FIGS. 3-6 , the back support is generally designated as reference numeral  40  and a seat support is generally designated as reference numeral  42 . In particular, the angle of the back support  40  relative to the seat support  42  can be adjusted to a number of reclined positions. In  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the chair  10  is illustrated with the back support  40  at its most forward and deployed condition.  FIGS. 4 and 6  illustrate the chair  10  with the back support  40  reclined to its most reclined position. In accordance with the present invention, the back support  40  can be reclined to and held at any of a number of reclined positions between the most deployed condition ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) and the most reclined position ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ). As can be seen, the rear connector assembly  38  is connected between the rear leg members  22  of the chair  10  and the back support members  24  to provide support for the back support  40  in its reclined positions. The rear connector assembly  38  comprises two transversely disposed frame connectors  44  that preferably form a pivotable X-frame, discussed in more detail below, which opens into the shape of an “X” when the chair  10  is opened to the set-up condition, and which collapses when the chair  10  is folded up. The rear X-frame connectors  44  preferably adjust position along with movement of the back support  40  so as to provide adequate support to a person sitting in the chair  10  and leaning back on the backrest panel  16 . 
         [0044]    The structure of the chair  10  enables the chair frame  12  to be adjusted between an deployed seated condition and any of a number of reclined seated conditions while the chair  10  remains in its set-up condition. More particularly, the back support  40  is adapted to be reclined relative to the seat support  42  without affecting the arrangement of the front leg members  20  or the rear leg members  22 . In accordance with the present invention, the rear connector assembly  38  is movably attached between the rear leg members  22  and the back support members  24  to enable and accommodate angular adjustment of the back support  40 . More specifically, the rear connector assembly  38  can be pivotally, slidingly, and/or telescopically attached to the rear leg members  22  and/or the back support members  24  for movement between at least first and second positions, where such positions correspond to respective first and second reclined positions of the back support  40 . Even more specifically, the back support  40  may be adjusted to one of many predefined angularly reclined positions between a forward-most deployed condition and a fully reclined position, whereby the positioning of the rear connector assembly  38  moves to a different position to accommodate each back support position. Various embodiments of the mechanisms for attaching the rear connector assembly  38  to the back leg members  22  and the back support members  24 , and for adjusting the positioning of the rear connector assembly  38  are discussed hereinafter. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate a preferred means for enabling adjustment of the back support  40  without affecting the set-up condition of the chair  10 . A guide rail assembly, general designated as reference numeral  46 , comprises a guide rail  48  preferably mounted on the inwardly facing side of the rear leg member  22  and defining a slot  50 , and a slide  52  disposed within the slot  50  of the guide rail  48  for movement along the length of the guide rail  48 . Preferably, the slide  52  has a complementary shape to the slot  50  to facilitate the movement of the slide  52  within the guide rail  48  during reclining of the back support  40  as well as during set-up and collapsing of the chair  10 . A generally U-shaped “universal” mounting bracket  54  is pivotally attached to the slide  52  and is adapted to receive the lower terminal end of a rear connector  44  for pivoting relative to the slide  52 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , the mounting bracket  54  is pivotally mounted on the inwardly facing side of the slide  52  by a pin fastener  56  that forms part of the slide  52  once assembled. The pin fastener  56  passes through an opening  58  in the throat  60  of the bracket  54 , as shown more clearly in  FIG. 8B . Outwardly extending ears  62  on the mounting bracket  54  have apertures  64  for receiving a pivot pin  66  for securing the terminal lower end of the connector  44  to the mounting bracket  54 . Accordingly, when the back support  40  is reclined by the user in a manner to be described below, the slide  52  moves along the guide rail  48  and the connector  44  pivots relative to the slide  52  to enable and accommodate the adjustment of the back support  40  without affecting the positioning of the rear leg member  22  or any other stationary portion of the chair frame  12 . 
         [0046]    The movement of the slide  52  relative to the guide rail  48  is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . For example, in  FIG. 3 , which corresponds to a set-up condition of the chair  10  with the back support  40  at its most forward and deployed condition, the slide  52  is shown at a first position, generally at the top of the guide rail  48 . As the back support  40  is reclined, the slide  52  begins to slide downwardly within the slot  50  along the length of the guide rail  48 . In  FIG. 4 , which corresponds to a set-up condition of the chair  10  with the back support  40  at its most reclined position, the slide  52  is shown at a second position. Thus, the slide  52  moves between its first position and its second position along the guide rail  48  as the back support  40  is moved to relative reclined positions. Inasmuch as the back support  40  can be reclined to and held at any of a number of reclined positions, the slide  52  will move to a corresponding location to accommodate and support the reclined position of the back support  40 . The slide  52  also moves with respect to the guide rail  48  when the chair frame  12  is being set-up and collapsed. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIGS. 11-14 , the support frame connectors  44  between the rear leg members  22  and the back support  40  are pivotally connected at one end to the back support members  24  and at the other end to linkages  68  pivotally connected to the rear leg members  22 . More particularly, as the back support  40  is reclined backwards, each linkage  40  pivots downward. The upper terminal ends of the frame connectors  44  are pivotally attached to the back support members  24  via generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets  70 . Though permitting pivoting movement of the connectors  44  relative to the back support members  26 , the mounting brackets  70  are fixed in location on the back support members  26 . The lower terminal ends of the frame connectors  44  are pivotally attached to the linkage  68  via generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets  72 . The mounting brackets  70  and  72  have the same general design as mounting bracket  54  described above and shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . As the back support  40  is reclined, the frame connectors  44  pivot relative to the linkage  68 —which is pivoting downward—to maintain requisite structural integrity for the back support  40  and to brace the chair frame  12  in the reclined position. The linkages  68  also pivot with respect to the rear leg member  22  when the chair frame  12  is being set-up and collapsed. 
         [0048]    The movement of the linkage  68  is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . For example, in  FIG. 13 , which corresponds to a set-up condition of the chair  10  with the back support  40  at its most forward and deployed condition, the linkage  68  is shown at a first position. As the back support  40  is reclined, the linkage  68  on each side of the frame  12  begins to pivot downwardly along the path illustrated by arrow A. In  FIG. 14 , which corresponds to a set-up condition of the chair  10  with the back support  40  at its most reclined position, the linkage  68  is shown at a second position. Thus, the linkage  68  moves between its first position and its second position along the path of arrow A as the back support  40  is moved to relative reclined positions. Inasmuch as the back support  40  can be reclined to and held at any of a number of reclined positions, the linkage  68  will pivot to a corresponding location to accommodate and support the reclined position of the back support  40 . Though shown as pivoting under the rear leg member  22 , the linkage  68  can be mounted for pivoting above the rear leg member  22  without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention. In such an alternate design of the linkage set-up, the linkage  68  will pivot with reclining movement of the back support  40  along a path generally mirroring that illustrated by arrow A. 
         [0049]    In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIGS. 15-18 , the rear frame connectors  44  between the rear leg members  22  and the back support  40  may alternatively be pivotally connected to the back support  40  at one terminal end and slidably mounted to the rear leg members  22  at the other terminal end. More particularly, the frame connectors  44  may be pivotally attached to sleeves or collars  74  slidingly mounted on the rear leg members  22 . As the back support  40  is reclined backwards, the sleeves  74  slide downward along the rear leg members  22  towards the rear feet  32  and the frame connectors  44  pivot on both the sleeves  74  and on the back support members  24  via generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets  76  and  78  to brace the chair frame  12  in the reclined position. The sleeves  74  also slide along the rear leg member  22  when the chair frame  12  is being set-up and collapsed to accommodate pivoting movement of the rear leg members  22  relative to the other frame members and frame connectors of the chair frame  12 . 
         [0050]    Further alternate designs may be used to support the back support  40  in a reclined position. For example, the rear frame connectors  44  can be pivotally connected, but fixed in location, to the rear leg members  22  and slidingly connected to the back support members  24 . Alternatively, the frame connectors  44  can have telescoping sections and be pivotally mounted at both ends to fixed locations on the rear leg members  22  and the back support members  24 , respectively, whereby reclining of the back support  40  would cause the frame connectors  44  to pivot at each end and telescope to accommodate and support the selected angular position of the back support  40 . 
         [0051]    The front leg members  20  of the chair frame  12  are preferably formed by a pair of axially elongated telescopically connected front leg sections  20   a  and  20   b . When the chair  10  is in its set-up condition each telescopic front leg member  20  extends in a generally upward direction. The forward portion of the rear leg member  22 , acting as the seat support member  26 , extends essentially horizontally back from the connection point with a respective front leg member  20  to the intermediate bend  34 . The rear portion of the rear leg member  22  is downwardly and rearwardly inclined from the intermediate bend  34 . Pivoting of the front leg members  20  relative to the rear leg members  22  enables folding of the chair frame  12  in a front-back direction, as shown in  FIG. 9 . When the chair  10  is so collapsed, each front leg member  20  telescopes outwardly, as generally shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , so that the chair frame  12  can be collapsed tightly without the length of the front leg  20  inhibiting inward folding motion as is the case with a front leg having fixed dimension. It should be noted that in accordance with a unifolding operation in accordance with the present invention, whereby the chair  10  can be folded in multiple directions to a completely collapsed condition with a single folding action, the chair  10  cannot be folded only and exclusively in the front-back direction, but that front-back folding in conducted in combination with folding of the chair  10  in other directions, such as transversely, or side-to-side. 
         [0052]    Referring further to  FIGS. 3-4 and 7 , the front connector assembly  36  comprises axially elongated front connectors  80  that are each attached to both the right and left front legs  20 , which comprise part of the frame side assemblies  18 L and  18 R. The upper terminal end of each of the front frame connectors  80  is pivotally connected to an associated front leg member  20  by a pivot mount fitting  82  mounted in fixed position on the front leg member  20 . Each mount fitting  82  extends inwardly immediately below the front-end portion of an associated seat portion of the rear leg member  22 . The upper terminal end of each of the front connectors  80  is secured by an associated pivot pin to pivot on an associated mount fitting  82 . The lower terminal end of each of the front connectors  80  is secured in a recess  84  defined by the front foot  30  mounted in a fixed position on the lower end of the lower telescoping leg member  20   b . Each sliding leg member  20   b  is telescopically coaxially received in the lower end of the associated upper front leg member  20   a  to slide within and relative to that leg member  20   a  based, in part, on forces exerted by the front frame support connectors  80  during collapsing of the chair  10 , as best shown in  FIGS. 9-10  and for a purpose to be hereinafter evident. 
         [0053]    Alternate designs for the leg members  20  and  22  can be used without departing from the focus of the present invention. For example, in the preferred embodiment shown, the rear leg members  22  extend to form the seat support member  26  of the frame  12  for the seating portion of the chair  10 . Indeed, the seat panel  14  is attached to the rear leg members  22  to support a person using the chair  10 . In alternate designs, the seat support member  26  can be a separate piece from the rear leg member  22 . The two members  22  and  26  can be rigidly attached to each other, or flexibly attached to each other to provide some give to accommodate the person&#39;s weight when seated on the seat panel  14 . 
         [0054]    Referring back to  FIGS. 5-6 , each of the frame side member assemblies  18 L and  18 R also includes the axially elongated back support member  24  for supporting the backrest panel  16 . Each back support member  24  is pivotally mounted on an associated rear leg member  22  proximate the intermediate bend  34  thereon. The back support members  24  are capable of adjustment when the chair  10  is in a set-up condition—i.e., with the seat support  42  generally horizontally disposed—so that the back support  40  and the backrest panel  16  can be reclined to a desired position. When the back support  40  is reclined, the seat support  42  and the seat panel  14  remain in position—i.e., essentially horizontal. Accordingly, when the back support  40  is reclined, the angular relationship between the seat support  42  and the back support  40  changes without affecting the set-up condition of the chair  10 . The various frame members and connector members discussed above, their arrangement relative to one another, and their means of interconnection, be it fixed, pivoting, sliding or telescoping, permit the chair  10  to be stable in its set-up condition while permitting easy adjustment of the back support  40  to various reclined positions. 
         [0055]    Adjustment of the back support members  24  is enabled by the armrests  28 , the rear ends of which are pivotally mounted to an associated back support member  24  and the forward ends of which interact with the top of an associated front leg member  20  in a preferred design. An exemplary armrest  28  for use with the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19B . In a preferred embodiment of the armrest  28 , the forward portion of each armrest  28  is provided with notches  86 —e.g., a plate  88  carried by the armrest  28  defines a downwardly open series of sawtooth notches  86 —associated with desirable angularly reclined positions of the back support  40 . The top of the front leg member  20  preferably has a projection (not shown) adapted to engage the notches  86  in the armrest  28 . When so engaged, the positions of the back support  40  and backrest panel  16  are secured so that they cannot slip under the weight of a user sitting in the chair  10 . To adjust the positions of the back support  40  and the backrest panel  16 , the armrest  28  is lifted to disengage the projection of the front leg member  20  from the notch  86  in which it had been residing. The armrest  28  may be moved forward or backwards while the user is seated in the chair  10  to adjust the reclined positions of the back support  40  and the backrest panel  16  accordingly. When a desired position for the back support  40  is selected, the armrest  28  is moved downward so that the projection of the front leg member  20  engages the closest notch  86  in the armrest plate  88  to secure the back support  40  at the selected reclined position. Continued downward force on the armrest  28 , be it by the user resting her arms on the armrest  28  or merely by the action of gravity when the chair  10  is in its set-up condition, maintains the engagement between the projection and the notch  86  in which it is residing and prevents incidental forward and backward movement or slipping of the armrest  28  that would affect the reclined position of the back support  40 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19B , the armrest  28  may be generally planar, and can also include a handgrip  90  and a stem glass holder feature  92 . A forward portion of the armrest  28  can also be inwardly projecting to provide added support for a seated user&#39;s arms. The armrest  28  shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19B  can be constructed from wood, plastic or a lightweight metal. Alternate designs of the armrest may be used without departing from spirit and principles of the present invention. For example, an alternate armrest design is shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , where the armrest  28  is preferably constructed from a plastic or lightweight metal, such as aluminum. This design includes a stem glass holder feature  92  as well. Another alternate design of the armrest  28  may provide multi-planar support surface, which may allow for use of a longer armrest without affecting the size of the collapsed chair  10 . The armrest  28  may also be constructed from a molded plastic to facilitate various contoured or multi-planar designs as desired. 
         [0057]    Further considering the front and back X-frame connector assemblies  36  and  38  and the manner in which these assemblies are connected to the frame side member assemblies  18 L and  18 R, the front X-frame connector assembly  36  includes a pair of axially elongated tubular connectors  80  generally centrally joined each to the other for limited pivotal movement about a pivot axis. As shown for example in  FIG. 15 , each of the tubular connectors  80  may have offset central portions  80   a —one forwardly offset, the other rearwardly offset—so that all the terminal end portions in the connector assembly  36  may be generally planar. Alternatively, one of the tubular connectors  80  may comprise a substantially axially straight member whereas the terminal end portions of the other connector member  80  are offset so that the axes of the four end portions of the front X-frame connector assembly  36  lie within a common plane for attachment to the chair frame  12 , as generally shown in  FIGS. 3-4 . 
         [0058]    As noted above, each leg  20  and  22  has a foot  30  or  32  mounted in fixed position thereon. As shown in  FIG. 7 , each front foot  30  extends for some distance inwardly toward the corresponding foot on the transversely opposite leg. The lower terminal end of each of the front X-frame connectors  80  is pivotally connected to an inwardly projecting portion  94  of an associated one of the feet  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , an extra support member  96  can be provided on each side of the chair frame  12  connecting each forward leg member  20  to the seat support portion  26  of the rear leg member  22 . More particularly, one end of the support member  96  is pivotally connected to the backside of the inwardly projecting portion  94  of an associated one of the front feet  30 . The other terminal end is pivotally connected to an associated rear leg member  22  at a position along the seat support portion  26  thereof between the forward end and the intermediate bend  34  of the rear leg member  22 . 
         [0059]    Most of the pivotal connections to the chair frame  12  are to brackets or fittings rigidly secured to the chair frame  12 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , the terminal ends of the rear X-frame connectors  44  are pivotally connected at each end to frame members by way of mounting brackets  54  and  98 . The ends of the front X-frame connectors  80  are likewise pivotally connected to the chair frame  12  by way of mount fitting  82  on the upper end and foot recess  84  on the lower end. Similarly designed brackets and fittings are utilized in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 11-14  (using linkage  60 ) and  15 - 18  (using sleeve  74 ). The various movable connections for the chair frame  12  herein discussed are provided by the mounting brackets and fittings, which may be molded from a suitable durable plastic material or cast from metal and which allow necessary folding and unfolding movement of the various movable parts of the chair  10  as discussed. 
         [0060]    The mount fittings  82  for the upper end of each of the front X-frame connectors  80  are mounted in fixed position at the pivotal connection spot between the front leg members  20  and the rear leg members  22 , as shown for example in  FIG. 3 . Each mount fitting  82  extends inwardly for some distance in the direction of the corresponding mount fitting  82  fixedly attached to the opposite side of the frame  12 . As with the mounting brackets  54  used for pivotally connecting the rear X-frame connectors  44  to the guide rail assembly  46 , the mount fittings  82  may include generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets adapted to receive the upper terminal ends of the front X-frame connectors  80  for pivoting. The mounting bracket is pivotally mounted on an inwardly facing surface of a saddle  100  at the pivotal connection spot by an associated pivot fastener that passes through an opening in the throat of the bracket, as well as the saddle  100 , the front leg member  20  and the rear leg member  22 , to support the bracket to pivot about a inwardly extending pivot axis relative to the saddle  100  that carries it. The pivot axis for the mounting bracket is also the pivot axis for the front leg member  20  relative to the rear leg member  22 . As with the design of the mounting bracket  54  discussed above, outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket have apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal upper end of an associated one of the connectors  80  that comprise the front X-frame connector assembly  36 . 
         [0061]    Further, and as previously noted, in a preferred embodiment, each front leg  20  comprises a telescopic assembly that includes an upper section  20   a  and a lower section  20   b , as best shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . Each lower telescoping section  20   b  is received at the lower end within an associated front foot  30  and is movable between an extended position wherein it projects for some distance from the upper front leg section  20   a  and a retracted position wherein it is substantially disposed within the associated upper front leg section  20   a . In an alternate design, the telescoping front leg design can be replaced by a two-piece front leg assembly, where a first frame support member extends from the front foot  30  to the back part of the seat support  42  and a second frame member extends from the 20 forward portion of the armrest  28  to a sleeve or collar slidingly mounted on the first frame member. In each embodiment of the chair design, the lower end of each of the front X-frame connectors  80  are pivotally mounted to a front foot  30  or the front leg member  20  proximate to the front foot  30 . In a preferred design illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the inward projecting portion  94  of the front foot  30  includes a recess  84  defining a mount fitting for receiving the lower terminal end of a corresponding front connector  80 . The front connector  80  is held in place for pivoting movement by a pivot pin extending through the foot  30 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0062]    As previously discussed, the rear X-frame connector assembly  38  includes a pair of axially elongated tubular connectors  44  generally centrally joined each to the other for limited pivotal movement about a pivot axis. Like the front X-frame connector assembly  36 , the connectors  44  of the rear X-frame connector assembly  38  are centrally pivotally connected for pivotal movement between an open position wherein the connectors  44  cross each other and present an X-shaped configuration and a closed position wherein the connectors  44  are in near side-by-side relation to each other. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the upper terminal ends of the rear frame connectors  44  can be pivotally attached via a pivot fastener to a generally L-shaped mounting bracket  98  secured to the backrest support member  24 . 
         [0063]    Alternatively, the mounting bracket  98  may take the form of a generally U-shaped “universal” mounting bracket as described above, which is pivotally mounted to a mounting boss fixed to the rear surface of each backrest support member  24 , wherein the boss includes an integral saddle that extends through an opening in the backrest panel  16 , and rests on the surface of an associated support member where it is secured in fixed position by blind rivets, generally illustrated in  FIGS. 15-18 . In such an alternate design, the saddle projects rearwardly from the backrest support member  24  and the U-shaped mounting bracket is pivotally mounted on a inwardly facing surface of the saddle by an associated pivot fastener which passes through an opening in the throat of the bracket to support the bracket to pivot about an inwardly extending axis relative to the saddle that carries it. Outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket include apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal upper end of an associated one of the connectors  44  that comprise the rear X-frame connector assembly  38 . 
         [0064]    In an alternate embodiment of the chair  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 11-14 , the lower terminal ends of the rear X-frame connectors  44  are attached to the linkages  60  arranged to pivot relative to the rear leg members  22  when the back support  40  is reclined or when the chair  10  is set-up or collapsed. More particularly, the rear X-frame connectors  44  are attached to the linkages  60  via the generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets  54  pivotally mounted on the inner side of each linkage  60  by an associated pivot fastener that passes through an opening in the throat of the bracket  54  to support it for pivoting relative to the linkage  60 . Outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket  54  have apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal lower end of an associated one of the rear X-frame connectors  44 . 
         [0065]    In another alternate embodiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 15-18 , the lower terminal ends of the rear X-frame connectors  44  are attached to sliding sleeves or collars  74  that are constructed and arranged to slide axially along the rear leg members  22  at opposite sides of the chair frame  12 . As previously noted, the rear leg members  22  may be formed with circular or non-circular cross-section, for example, elliptical or oval cross-section. The sleeves  74  are adapted to slidably travel on the leg members  22 , and thus preferably have interior slide bores that complement the cross-sectional configuration of the leg members on which they are mounted. The generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets  54  are pivotally mounted to the sleeves  74  by an associated pivot fastener that passes through an opening in the throat of the bracket  54  to support it for pivoting relative to the sleeve  74  on which it is mounted. Outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket  54  have apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal lower end of an associated one of the rear X-frame connectors  44 . 
         [0066]    In accordance with the present invention, the back support  40  is intended to be reclinable. It should be apparent that the weight of a person seated in the chair  10  and resting against the backrest panel  16  will tend to cause the chair back to hinge in a rearward direction about its horizontal pivotal support axis if rearwardly directed force is acting upon the back support  40 . The force exerted on the chair frame  12  will also be translated into downwardly directed forces applied to the rear mounting brackets  54  and  98  with resulting torque applied to the rear leg members  22  by the forces outwardly acting on the brackets  54  and  98 . Various means can be used to prevent such collapsing, buckling, or bowing actions. For example, such actions can be prevented by using a rear X-lock assembly  102 , which generally comprises a lock bar  104  extending between upper ends of the rear X-frame connector assembly  38 , as described in more detail below. Alternatively, a combination of the rear X-lock assembly  102  and non-circular legs interacting with complementary shaped sliding sleeves or collars  74  may restrict buckling of the frame  12 . In other embodiments, circular legs with correspondingly shaped sliding sleeves  74  can be used, with an X-lock assembly  102  provided to compensate for the user&#39;s weight and prevent inward buckling. Still alternately, the X-lock assembly  102  need not be used, but where buckling is accommodated for with the structure of guide rail assemblies  46  or the pivoting linkages  60  on the rear leg members  22  that permit the rear X-frame connectors  44  to maintain adequate structural integrity to support a seated person. Still alternately, other shapes for the frame members can be used, including circular tubing with a guide rail mounted thereon and a complementary shaped slide collar comprising a circular opening with a key-way to accommodate the guide rail and prevent twisting of the slide collar. 
         [0067]    As noted, the afore-described back support collapse problem can also be overcome by the provision of a collapsible X-lock assembly  102  that is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the rear X-frame connector assembly  38 . The collapsible lock bar  104  is comprised of two distinct lock bar sections  104   a  and  104   b . Each section  104   a  and  104   b  extends inwardly from an associated rear X-frame connector  44  and toward the other bar section. One of the bar sections can further extend outward past its associated X-frame connector to form a handle extension for facilitating locking and unlocking of the lock assembly  102 . The inner ends of the two bar sections  104   a  and  104   b  are pivotally connected to each other in spaced apart relation and arranged for click or snap engagement to releaseably retain the sections  104   a  and  104   b  in a locked position wherein the lock bar  104  is substantially straight and extends between the rear X-frame connectors  44 . One or both connectors  44  which provide pivotal connection between the outer ends of the lock bar sections  104   a  and  104   b  may also be designed to permit click or snap engagement with the lock bar  104  to assure that the X-lock assembly  102  maintains the two X-frame connectors  44  in pivoted spaced-apart relation when the chair  10  is in its set-up condition. Light pressure on the handle extension, if provided, or, alternatively, light pressure applied to the central connection point of the lock bar sections  104   a  and  104   b  is sufficient to collapse the lock bar  104  so that it may be folded to a fully collapsed condition wherein the two sections  104   a  and  104   b  of the lock bar  104  are disposed in generally side-by-side relation when the chair frame  12  is moved to its collapsed condition as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . Thus, the X-lock assembly  102  provides an effective means for stabilizing the back support  40  and preventing the back support members  24  on a chair  10  with a reclinable back from moving toward each other when a reclining user is seated in the chair  10 . 
         [0068]    The X-lock assembly  102  can be positioned at different heights relative to the back support  40  or the rear legs  22 , depending on the maximum weight the chair  10  is expected to handle. For example, the embodiment of the X-lock assembly  102  illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6  is mounted on the lower portions of the rear frame connectors  44  beneath the centrally located pivot point of the rear connector assembly  38 .  FIG. 7  illustrates this version of the X-lock assembly  102  in a disengaged condition. In an alternate embodiment of the X-lock assembly  102  illustrated in  FIGS. 15-16 , the lock bar  104  is mounted as the upper portions of the rear frame connectors  44  above the centrally located pivot point of the rear connector assembly  38 . 
         [0069]    The X-frame connector assemblies  36  and  38  need not be in the form of an X. Alternate designs providing substantial support include vertical parallel support braces, H-shaped assemblies, and variations of X- and H-shaped assemblies. 
         [0070]    When the chair  10  is not in use, it may be prepared for storage or transportation by folding it into its collapsed condition. The chair  10  can be folded from the set-up condition to the completely collapsed condition with a single folding action—preferably by grabbing a portion of the chair frame  12  on each side of the seat panel  14  (e.g., grabbing the armrests  28 ) and pressing inward and lifting upwards at the same time. The frame members of the chair  10  will collectively pivot, slide, fold and/or telescope to move the various frame members towards a vertical center axis to collapse the frame in multiple directions, including left-to-right and front-to-hack. Prior to collapsing the frame  12 , the X-lock assembly  102 , if used, must be disengaged. The end result will be a compact bundle wherein the various axially elongated structural members will be disposed in relatively closely spaced apart side-by-side relation to each other and have a common general direction of axial extent, as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . It will be noted that the X-lock assembly  102  connected to the rear X-frame connectors  44  is disposed in a collapsed condition when the chair  10  is collapsed, and the seat panel  14  and the backrest panel  16  have a flaccid condition and form part of the collapsed bundle. 
         [0071]    As discussed herein, the structure of the chair  10  in accordance with the present invention provides a simple approach for folding the chair  10  to a collapsed condition where the chair  10  can be folded from a conventional set-up condition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to a completely collapsed and bundled condition, as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , with a single folding action. That is, where the user of the chair  10  desires to fold the chair  10  into a compact, bundled condition for easy transportation and/or storage, the user can simply press inwardly on the chair frame  12 , for example, on the armrests  28  of the chair  10 . This inwardly directed force causes the frame members and frame connectors to move substantially in unison and in multiple directions relative to each other while undergoing multiple changes of angular position relative to each other. For example, the inwardly directed folding force causes the frame side assemblies  18 L and  18 R to move toward each other. As a lateral pressure is exerted on the chair frame  12 , the X-frame connector assemblies  36  and  38  elongate, with each connector  44  or  80  of the respective X-frame moving relative to the other toward parallel relationship. With the elongation of the front X-frame connectors  80  about a central pivot point, the front leg members  20  are caused to telescope—i.e., the movement of the connectors  80  influences the telescoping lower front leg section  20   b  within the upper front leg section  20   a  to telescope outwardly—to thereby effectively lengthen the front leg members  20  of each frame side assembly  18 L and  18 R. 
         [0072]    The lengthening of the front leg members  20  causes the front and rear leg members  20  and  22  to pivot and move toward each other and toward a parallel relationship. Since the extra support member  96  is fixed to the front foot  30  on the frame side assemblies  18 L and  18 R, telescoping movement of the front foot  30 , along with the lower front leg section  20   b  to which it is secured, exerts a downward directing force on the support member  96 . The support member  96 , however, is fixed at its other end to the seat support portion  26  of the rear leg member  22 . Thus, the downwardly directed force exerted on the support member  96  causes it to pull the front leg member  20  and the rear leg member  22  towards each other—i.e., in a front-back folding manner. The movement of the support member  26  thereby influences movement of the rear leg member  22  about the pivot therebetween and into a folded condition. The overlying result of this linkage design is that the front and rear leg members  20  and  22  move and are folded together as the frame side assemblies  18 R and  18 L move laterally together, ending in a completely bundled chair assembly, as shown in  FIGS. 9-10 . As so collapsed, the frame members and frame connectors end up with generally common directions of extent. As shown, for example, the frame members and frame connectors all lie in generally parallel condition. 
         [0073]    Another available embodiment of a chair design in accordance with the present invention can utilize a support member connected between the front leg member  20  and the seat frame portion  26  of the rear leg member  22 . In such an embodiment, the front leg  20  is angularly disposed in an open, set-up condition between the front foot  30  and the back of the seating area. The support member is pivotally mounted between the forward end of the seat frame member  26  and to the lower end of the front leg member  20  and is generally vertically disposed when the chair is in an open, set-up condition. More particularly, the support member may be pivotally mounted to a collar or sleeve slidingly mounted on the front leg member  20 . As the chair is folded to its completely collapsed condition, the sleeve slides up the front leg member  20  as the support member pivots, so that the chair frame  12  can be collapsed tightly. In such a design, the front leg member  20  need not telescope during folding of the chair. Instead, the movement of the sleeve allows the frame members to collapse to a bundled condition without the lengths of any of the frame members inhibiting the collapsing action. The seat panel  14  and the backrest panel  16  will be in a flaccid condition and form a part of the bundle. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , when the chair  10  is in its set-up condition, the flexible seat panel  14  and backrest panel  16  will be held tautly on the frame. A receptacle  110  (e.g., a pocket) containing the carrier bag  116  can be folded over an upper edge  112  of the backrest panel  16 , thereby providing a pillow  114  that is stuffed with the carrier bag  116  (as well as any other soft personal effects of an occupant, e.g., jacket, socks, etc.) The occupant, seated on the chair  10 , can thereby enjoy head and neck support not previously available as an integral aspect of collapsible chairs. In other embodiments, the receptacle  110  may be a sleeve or a strap stitched onto the seating surface of the backrest panel  16 . In other embodiments, the receptacle may have only one end or side permanently attached to the backrest panel. Rather than stitching or other permanent attachment as gluing, the receptacle  110  may instead be removably attached, e.g., by hook and loop fasteners or reusable adhesives or the like. 
         [0075]    Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to attached drawings, those skilled in the art will apprehend various changes in form and detail consistent with the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.