Abstract:
A convertible backpack chair device is disclosed. The device has a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The two portions are independent of one another and are able to be slip fitted in a chair mode, a reclining mode, and a backpack mode. In the backpack mode, the second frame portion nests within the first frame portion for convenient carrying and storage. Backpack straps may also be present to facilitate convenient carrying.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to portable furniture, and more particularly to chairs that are able to be carried on a wearer&#39;s back. 
     Background Information 
     Many different types of chairs exist which are convertible from a backpack or carrying mode to a sitting or chair mode. 
     For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,975 to Asato shows a convertible backpack chair. The Asato chair has two frame portions joined by a pivot. 
     Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,939 to Kobasic shows a multipurpose chair structure. The Kobasic chair is used in a chair mode by leaning a single frame against a tree or other support. 
     Varanakis, U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,029, shows a folding chair/backpack. The Varanakis chair folds through use of a pivot. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,686, to Griffith, shows a convertible pack and chair. The Griffith device has a pair of frames pivotally connected to one another. 
     Another U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,345, to Pierce et al., shows a backpack chair. The Pierce chair has multiple pivots. 
     Dixon, U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,598, shows a convertible backpack chair. The Dixon chair has a pivoting backrest. 
     Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,449, to Woodman, discloses a convertible camping pack frame. The Woodman frame pivots from one mode to another. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,760 to Pielocik discloses an interconvertible backpack and chair apparatus. The Pielocik apparatus uses pivots to move from one mode to another. 
     What is needed is a convertible chair device having a pair of separate frame portions that are able to be connected together so as to form a sitting chair mode and connected together differently to form a backpack mode, where assembly of such modes is quick, easy and requires no tools. 
     Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description as follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a convertible backpack chair. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the convertible backpack chair consists of a back frame and a seat frame. This seat frame is able to nest inside the back frame in a backpack mode, and the seat frame is able to be denested and attached or slid into the back frame for converting the chair into a chair mode. 
     The back frame comprises a pair of generally parallel back legs. These back legs have a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top end, and a bottom end. The sides define a back frame front, a back frame back, a back frame first side, a back frame second side, a back frame top end, and a back frame bottom end. The back legs are preferably concavely curved on their front side and convexly curved on their back side. 
     The back frame additionally has a plurality of parallel cross pieces spanning across or between the back legs. These cross pieces are normal to the back legs and attach to the front side of the back legs. The back frame also has a lower support piece which spans between the back legs. This lower support piece is parallel to the cross pieces and attaches to the back side of the back legs. 
     The seat frame is made of a pair of generally parallel seat legs. These seat legs have a front, a back, a first side, a second side, a top end, and a bottom end. These surfaces define a seat frame front, a seat frame back, a seat frame first side, a seat frame second side, a seat frame top end, and a seat frame bottom end. 
     It is preferred that these seat legs be concavely curved on their back side and convexly curved on their front side. The seat frame further comprises a plurality of parallel cross pieces which span between the seat legs. The seat frame cross pieces are normal to the seat legs and the seat frame cross pieces attach to the back side of the seat legs. It is preferred that the distance between the seat legs be such that allows the seat legs to nest between the back legs, being slid from the top end of the device to the bottom end of the device. This is so the back side of the seat frame nests with the back side of the back frame. 
     The seat frame attaches to the back frame in a nested fashion through the cross piece member located closest to the seat frame&#39;s bottom end resting upon the top surface of the lower support piece. Thus, the seat legs are held between the lower support piece and the bottom piece member located on the back frame to form a generally flat form for a carrying mode. In this mode, the seat frame is held attached to the back frame through friction and gravity. 
     It is also preferred that at least one shoulder strap attach to the backpack chair for allowing the chair to be carried on the user&#39;s back. In the preferred embodiment, the shoulder strap attaches to the back frame of the device. 
     The device can be converted into a cantilevered chair sitting mode by insertion of the ends of the seat legs through the back frame, so that the bottom end of the seat legs form the rear legs of the chair and the bottom ends of the seat legs form the front ends of the chair. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the convertible chair device is convertible from a chair mode to a carrying mode as well. The device of this embodiment has a first frame portion and a second frame portion. 
     The first frame portion has at least one elongated leg that extends therefrom. The first frame portion also has a first support portion for receiving therethrough at least one second frame portion elongated leg. Such receipt would be perpendicular so that the second frame portion is attached perpendicularly to the first frame portion. The first frame portion also has a second support portion, allowing at least one second frame portion elongated leg to be received therethrough. Such receipt will be in a generally parallel fashion. 
     The second frame portion is completely separate from the first frame portion. The second frame portion is not fixedly attached to the first portion. The second frame portion has at least one elongated leg extending therefrom. This elongated leg is for interfitting relationship with said first frame portion, either at the first support portion or the first frame portion second support portion. 
     The device is convertible to a sitting mode by insertion of the second frame portion elongated leg through the first portion of the first frame portion. 
     The device is convertible to a reclining mode by insertion of the second frame portion elongated leg beneath the lower support of the first frame portion. 
     The device is convertible to a carrying mode by insertion of the second frame portion elongated leg through the second support portion to form a cantilevered chair. 
     The device is also able to attach to a standard backpack, so that the wearer of the device could carry a backpack on the outside surface of the seat portion. 
     Still other advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein we have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental view of the one embodiment of the present invention being worn by a user in its backpack mode. 
     FIG. 2 a  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in its backpack mode. 
     FIG. 2 b  is another perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 a.    
     FIG. 3 a  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in its sitting chair mode. 
     FIG. 3 b  is another perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a.    
     FIG. 3 c  is a partial side view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 a - 3   b.    
     FIG. 4 is back side view of one embodiment of the first frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 a  is a side view of one embodiment of the first frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 b  is a side view of another embodiment of the first frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a front side view of one embodiment of the first frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is another side view of another embodiment of the first frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of one embodiment of the first frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the first frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a back side view of one embodiment of the second frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of one embodiment of the second frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a front side view of one embodiment of the second frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a side view of one embodiment of the second frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a top view of one embodiment of the second frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the second frame of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention in its backpack mode. 
     FIG. 17 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention in its reclining mode. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
     The present invention is a convertible backpack chair. The device allows a user to take a chair and to carry it to a location to be used on the user&#39;s back. For instance, a hiker could strap on the backpack chair, hike up to a camp site and then set up the chair to sit in while at the camp site. This is very important in having both a dry and comfortable place to sit. 
     FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention  10  being worn on a user&#39;s back. In this embodiment, the device is being used in its backpack position. 
     FIG. 2 a  further shows the invented device  10  in its backpack position. The device  10  has a first frame portion or back frame  12  having a first outer leg  16  and a second outer leg  18 . This back frame  12  has, extending between the legs  16 ,  18 , a plurality of cross piece members  27 . Also extending between the two legs are a lower support  24  and an upper support  26 . The conjunction of the lower support  24 , the upper support  26 , the first outer leg  16  and the second outer leg  18  combine to form a first support position and a second support position. 
     The second frame portion or seat frame  14  has a first inner leg  20  and a second lower leg  22 . Extending between these legs  20 ,  22  are a plurality of cross piece members  28 . 
     As can be seen in this figure, the distance between the first inner leg  20  and the second inner leg  22  are such that the two legs  20 ,  22 , will be able to jointly fit between the first outer leg  16  and the second outer leg  18 . 
     When used in the backpack mode, as shown in FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , the ends  21  of the first inner leg  20  and the second inner leg  22  are slid into the second support position by sliding the seat frame  14  in a nested fashion so that the ends  21  and the inner legs  20 ,  22  slide between the upper support  26  and the lower support  24  in a generally parallel fashion with the first outer leg  16  and the second outer leg  18 . 
     FIG. 3 a  shows the present invention  10  in the sitting chair mode. In this mode, the ends  21  of the first inner leg  20  and the second inner leg  22  are inserted through the opening between the first outer leg  16 , the second outer leg  18 , the lower support  24 , and the upper support  26 . This opening is better referred to as the second support portion  42 . In such a configuration, the legs  20 ,  22 , of the seat frame  14  are generally perpendicular to the length of the outer legs  16 ,  18 . In this arrangement, the back cushion  30  and seat cushion  32  face one another to cooperate to form a seat on which the user will be able to sit. 
     FIG. 3 b  is generally an opposite side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 a.    
     As can be seen in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b , the back cushion  30  (if present) is supported by the cross piece members  27  and the seat cushion  32  (if present) is supported by the cross piece members  28 . 
     FIG. 3C shows a partial view of the embodiments of FIGS. 3A-3B. In the seat mode, the configuration of the invented device  10  results in a cantilevered seat where the weight exerted downwards on the seat is transferred to both the lower support  24  and the upper support  26 , thus resulting in a comfortable and stable seat. In such an arrangement, the legs  16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  are able to contact the ground of other surface. 
     FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the first or back frame  12 . The preferred embodiment of the back frame  12  is comprised of a pair of legs  16 ,  18  that are fixed in a generally parallel relationship through connections with cross piece members  27 , lower support  24 , and an upper support  26 . Such an arrangement results in the formation of a first support portion  40  (as shown in FIG. 8) and a second support portion  42 . In the preferred embodiment, this second support portion  42  is essentially an orifice for receiving the inner legs  20  and  22  of the second or seat frame  14 . This orifice  42  is generally defined as the area bounded by the inner surface  17  of the first outer leg  16 , the inner surface  19  of the second outer leg  18 , the bottom surface  23  of the upper support  26 , and the top surface  25  of the lower support  24 . 
     Preferably extending between the legs  16 ,  18  will be a plurality of cross piece members  27 . These cross piece members  27  will be located on the back side surface  45  (shown in FIG. 6) of the outer legs  16 ,  18 . Likewise, a lower support  24  is also located attached to the back side  45  of the outer leg. This back side  45  is shown in FIG.  6 . The upper support  26  is attached to the front side  46  of the outer legs  16 ,  18 . The lower support  24 , the upper supports  26  and the cross piece members  27  are all generally parallel to one another and perpendicular to the outer legs  16  and  18 . 
     The back frame  12  preferably also comprises a back cushion  30 . This back cushion  30  is located on the back side of the back frame  12 , as shown in FIG.  4 . This back cushion  30  attaches to the back frame preferably through use of a releasable connection means such as hook and loop type fasteners  31 . In the preferred embodiment, these hook and loop fasteners wrap around and secure to at least one of the cross piece members  27 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the back frame  12  also comprises at least one shoulder strap  44  (shown in FIG. 5A) for allowing the device  10  to be worn as a backpack. The shoulder straps  34  will preferably attach to the back frame  12  through use of shoulder strap first connections  36  and shoulder strap second connections  37 . It is preferred that the shoulder straps  34  will be adjustable through use of a standard backpack adjustment device  35  so that a wearer will be able to adjust the device  10  for size. Also envisioned is providing a hand hold  38  for allowing the device  10  to be more easily carried. 
     Referring now to FIG.  5 A and FIG. 5B, additional embodiments of the back frame  12  are shown. As shown in FIG. 5A, the first outer leg  16  and the second outer leg  18  are preferably slightly curved, so as to comfortably fit on a wearer&#39;s back. This curvature is also shown in FIGS.  5 B and FIG.  7 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5B, also envisioned is detaching the seat cushion  32  from the seat frame (as discussed infra) and attaching the seat cushion  32  through use of a releasable connection means  33  to the lower support  24 . Such a connection would create a much more comfortable backpack for the wearer. 
     FIG. 6 shows a front side view of another embodiment of he back frame  12  of the present invention  10 . This view more fully shows one embodiment of the envisioned shoulder straps  34 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the first support portion orifice  40  can be clearly shown. It is into this first support portion  40  that the ends  21  of the first inner leg  20  and the second inner leg  22  can be inserted when the device  10  is being converted into the backpack mode. 
     FIG. 9 generally shows the backpack frame  12  from a bottom view. 
     Now referring to FIG. 10, shown is the preferred embodiment of a seat frame  14 . The preferred embodiment of the seat frame comprises a first inner leg  20  parallel to a second inner leg  22 . These legs  20 ,  22  are fixed in place through their connection with cross piece members  28 . These cross piece members  28  are preferably parallel to one another, and oriented perpendicularly with the legs  20  and  22 . Attaching to the front side of the seat frame  14 , is preferably a seat cushion  32 . Such connection is done through releasable connection means  33 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 13, side views of one embodiment of the seat frame  14  of the present invention are shown. As with the back frame  12 , the seat frame  14  legs  22  (and  20 ) are preferably generally slightly curved. Such curvature allows for proper fit with the curved legs  16 ,  18  of the back frame  12 . 
     FIG. 12 shows a front side view of the preferred back frame  12 . FIG. 14 shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of seat frame  14 . FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of seat frame  14 . 
     FIG.  16 . shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention  10 . This view shows the present invention  10  in its backpack mode, where the seat frame  14  nests inside the back frame  12 . This view particularly shows the spacing of the inner legs  20 ,  22 , in view of the spacing of the outer legs  16 ,  18 . FIG. 17 further shows a bottom view of an embodiment of the present invention  10 . This embodiment not having an attached seat cushion when in the backpack mode. 
     Generally, the present invention  10  has a first frame portion  12  and a second frame portion  14 . These frame portions are separate units able to be fitted together so as to create both a backpack mode and a sitting chair mode. Such assembly requires no tools. 
     While the preferred embodiment uses two inner legs and two outer legs, other embodiments may be possible using as few as one outer leg or one inner leg, or a plurality of inner and outer legs. 
     There are two modes that the present invention is generally used in. The first is the backpack mode. In a backpack mode usage, the ends  21  of the first inner leg  20  and the second inner leg  22  are inserted through the second support portion or orifice  42  located within the back frame  12 . Preferably the seat frame  14  will be slid into the back frame in a nested fashion so that the seat frame  14  is held nested in the back frame  12 . 
     The second is the sitting chair mode. In the sitting chair mode, the ends  21  of the first inner leg  20  and the second inner leg  22  are inserted through the first support portion  40  in a manner that nests the inner legs  20 ,  22  with the outer legs  16 ,  18  of the back frame  12 . Such a nesting is shown in FIGS. 1-2B, as well as in FIGS. 16-17. 
     FIG. 18 shows one embodiment of the present invention used in the recliner mode. In this mode, the first and second inner legs  20 ,  22  are inserted below the upper support  26 , and below the lower support  24  so that the end of the first and second outer legs  16 ,  18  rest against the seat frame cross piece members  27 . This position is referred to as the third support position. In such an embodiment, the top and bottom ends of the first inner leg  20  and the second inner leg  22  serve as the legs of the recliner mode chair. 
     While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.