Portable stool

A portable stool that is configured to provide support for a user in an upright position wherein the present invention further provides controlled rotational movement for the user. The present invention includes a seat member wherein the seat member is supported by leg members. The leg members are adjustable in length and placed at an angle so as to angularly position the seat member at an angle of approximately thirty degrees when the portable stool is in its deployed state. The seat member includes a base member wherein the base member is rotationally coupled to a top portion of the seat member. Movement members are operably coupled to the base member and top portion of the seat member and provide a biased return to a neutral position ensuing the top portion of the seat member being rotatably moved. Light modules are present on the leg members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sitting apparatus, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a portable stool that is configured to be deployed for various uses and in alternate locations wherein the present invention provides various safety features as well as a rotatable seat member.

BACKGROUND

Various professional careers require those involved therein to remain on their feet for extended periods of time. Positions such as but not limited to traffic police officers can be on their feet for hours without a break. The standing required for these types of jobs can result in worker fatigue, lower back pain and pain in other areas such as but not limited to foot pain. While most of these workers will typically invest in a high quality shoe to address some of the aforementioned issues, the shoes are unable to completely remove all of the physical inconvenience of performing the job duties.

Some professions will try to incorporate various support apparatus such as but not limited to stools or other chairs but these conventional sitting implements are often deficient in delivering enough utility for the professions. Flaggers and police officers will often have additional equipment such as but not limited to flashlights, flags and other items that require handling and storage. Conventional sitting implements are not configured to assist in handling of these objects. Additionally, for applications such as but not limited to traffic direction, conventional sitting apparatus do not have elements beneficial for such applications such as but not limited to safety lighting. Furthermore, conventional sitting apparatus are not configured to facilitate various body movements such as but not limited to rotational movements.

Accordingly, there is a need for a sitting apparatus that is configured to be deployed for various applications such as but not limited to traffic direction wherein the present invention is operable to provide features such visual safety, user support and movement and further include handling of handheld elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable stool that is configured to provide support for a user wherein the present invention includes a seat member having legs operably coupled thereto wherein the legs are pivotally mounted to the seat member and are telescopic.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable sitting apparatus that is configured to be deployed for applications such as but not limited to traffic direction wherein the seat member of the present invention includes a rotatable portion.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable stool that is configured to provide support for a user wherein the seat member includes a biasing members that provide controlled rotation of the upper seat portion.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable sitting apparatus that is configured to be deployed for applications such as but not limited to traffic direction wherein the present invention includes at least one implement retention member configured to receive and store a handheld implement.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable stool that is configured to provide support for a user wherein the leg members of the present invention further include high visibility lights.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable sitting apparatus that is configured to be deployed for applications such as but not limited to traffic direction wherein the seat member is placed in an angular orientation when the portable sitting apparatus is in its deployed position.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable stool that is configured to provide support for a user wherein the present invention includes an integrated power supply and at least one charging port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the portable stool 100 includes leg members 10. Leg members 10 include a first end 11 and a second end 12 and in a preferred embodiment are manufactured to be adjustable in length. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the leg members 10 could be manufactured utilizing numerous techniques to achieve the desired functionality of being adjustable in length. The leg members 10 includes light modules 20 integrally formed therewith. The light modules 20 in a preferred embodiment are high visibility LED lights that can be configured to illuminate in alternate colors. The light modules 20 are operable to be employed for certain use applications of the portable stool 100 such as but not limited to road side applications. While the portable stool 100 has six light modules 20 illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the portable stool 100 could have as few as one light module 20 or more than six light modules 20. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the light modules 20 could be manufactured in alternate sizes and shapes. While the portable stool 100 is illustrated herein as having four leg members 10, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the portable stool 100 could be manufactured with fewer or more than four leg members 10.

The first end 11 of the leg members 10 are operably coupled to the connection members 25 that are secured to the bottom surface 31 of the base portion 30 of the seat member 40. The connection members 25 are formed to have a portion of the leg member 10 journaled thereinto. In a preferred embodiment the connection members 25 are manufactured from C-channel metal and include a pivot pin member 26 that facilitates the pivotal movement of the leg members 10. While a C-channel shape is preferred, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the connection members 25 could be manufactured in alternate shapes and sizes in order to achieve the desired objective discussed herein. The connection members 25 further include apertures 27,28 that are operable to have a pin or similar element journaled thereinto engaging the upper end of the leg member 10 to retain in either the deployed or stored position. While not particularly illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the upper ends of the leg member 10 would have an aperture or similar element to operably engage a pin or similar type fastener.

The connection members 25 have the leg members 10 movably coupled thereto so as to facilitate the positioning of the leg members 10 in the angular orientation as is illustrated herein in FIG. 2. The front leg members 9 are positioned so as to be at an obtuse angle with respect to the seat member 40 wherein the rear leg members 8 are positioned by the connection members 25 to be generally perpendicular to the seat member 40 when the portable stool 100 is in its deployed state. The aforementioned angles of the seat member 40 placed the seat member 40 at an angle of approximately thirty degrees. The angular orientation of the seat member 40 is preferred for the desired applications of the portable stool 100 wherein the angular orientation of seat member 40 allows the user to be supported while in a modified standing position. While the preferred angle of the seat member 40 is thirty degrees, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the seat member 40 could be oriented at alternate angles in order to achieve the desired objective discussed herein.

The seat member 40 includes a base portion 30 having a top portion 50 rotatably coupled thereto. The top portion 50 includes padded section 57 configured to have a user superposed thereon. The upper surface 33 of the base portion 30 has apertures 34 formed therein wherein the apertures 34 are opposedly located with respect to the mounting member 60. The apertures 34 are configured to be operably coupled to the ends 71 of the movement members 70 in order to facilitate rotational movement of the top portion 50 as is further discussed herein. The mounting member 60 is annular in shape and is operably coupled to the mounting member 65 so as to facilitate a rotatable connection between the base portion 30 and top portion 50. It should be understood the rotatable movement between the base portion 30 and top portion 50 could be accomplished employing various alternate elements. The movement members 70 are secured to the bottom surface 51 of the top portion 50 wherein the ends 73,74 are opposedly located with respect to the mounting member 65. The movement members 70 have adjacently mounted thereto guide members 81,82. The guide members 81,82 provide directional support for the movement members 70 ensuring the maintenance of the shape thereof so as to enable proper movement of the top portion 50. Protruding upward from the upper surface of the base portion 30 are rotational limit members 91,92. The rotational limit members 91, 92 are manufactured from a rigid material such as but not limited to metal and are operable to limit the rotational travel distance of the top portion 50.

The aforementioned location of the ends 73,74 facilitate a biased rotational movement towards a neutral position of the top portion 50. As a user operates the seat member 40, a clockwise rotation or counterclockwise rotation is performed wherein the movement members 70 will expand to permit either rotational movement. The movement members 70 apply a bias force subsequent expansion so as to facilitate a return to a neutral position wherein both movement members 70 are contracted and no expansion force is imposed thereon. Depending on the direction of the rotation, a movement member 70 will be extended and as such upon a desire to return to the starting neutral position the movement member will facilitate the return rotational movement with little to no effort required by the user of the portable stool 100. While the movement members 70 are illustrated herein as springs, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the movement members 70 could be manufactured from various alternate elements configured to provide the desired functionality described herein. While two movement members 70 are illustrated and discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the portable stool 100 could employ less than two movement members 70 or more than two movement members 70 in order to facilitate the desired rotational movement discussed herein.

The portable stool 100 further includes retention members 80, 85. The retention members 80,85 are operably coupled to the seat member 40 extending downward therefrom. The retention members 80,85 are manufactured from a lightweight durable material such as but not limited to plastic. The retention members 80,85 include support members that are arranged in a manner so as to receive and store items such as but not limited to flashlights and beverage containers. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the retention members 80,85 could be manufactured in numerous alternate shapes and sizes in order to receive and store various different items. While not particularly illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the portable stool 100 includes an integrated power supply that is configured to provide power for the light modules 20 as well as supply power for accessories such as but not limited to USB charging ports (not illustrated herein). While the seat member 40 has been illustrated herein as being annular in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the seat member 40 could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes.