Folding chair

A folding chair, comprising two sets of link assemblies that are connected to each other and are respectively located at two sides of the folding chair, wherein the link assembly comprises a least a backrest tube (2), an armrest (4), a seat tube (7), a front foot tube (8), a rear foot tube (9), a connecting tube (10) and a connecting portion, wherein the armrest (4) is rotatably connected with the backrest tube (2), wherein the connecting tube (10) is connected with the backrest tube (2), wherein the connecting tube (10) is rotatably connected with the backrest tube (2), wherein the connecting tube (10) is rotatably connected with the front foot tube (8), wherein a top end of the front foot tube (8) is rotatably connected with a top end of the rear foot tube (9), wherein the top end of the front foot tube (8) and/or the top end of the rear foot tube (9) is connected with the armrest (4), wherein the seat tube (7) is rotatably connected with the backrest tube (2) and the front foot tube (8), wherein the seat tube (7) and/or the backrest tube (2) is slidably connected with the rear foot tube (9) or the connecting tube (10), wherein the connecting portion is rotatably connected with the connecting tube (10), and wherein the connecting portion is connected with the rear foot tube (9).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application of PCT/EP2019/084616, filed on Dec. 11, 2019, claiming the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. 201822077295.9, filed on Dec. 11, 2018, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present application relates to the technical field of chairs, and more particularly to a folding chair.

A folding chair is a chair that is portable and can be folded together. The folding chair is easily carried and is space-saving.

There are various kinds of folding chairs in the market. Generally, one end of a rear cross tube of the folding chair is connected to a rear foot tube of the folding chair, and another end of the rear cross tube is connected to a backrest of the folding chair. In this case, the size of the folding chair after being folded is large. In addition, for a folding chair in a small packaging size, when the folding chair is folded, one end of the rear cross tube slides on the backrest tube, and one end of the backrest tube slides on the rear foot tube. The size of this kind of folding chair is only reduced to a certain degree.

In summary, how to further reduce the size of the folding chair after being folded is an urgent technical problem to be solved by those skilled in the art.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a folding chair, which has a small size after being folded and is easily carried and stored.

In order to achieve the above object, a folding chair is provided according to the present disclosure. The folding chair includes two sets of link assemblies that are connected to each other and are respectively located at two sides of the folding chair. The link assembly includes a backrest tube, an armrest, a seat tube, a front foot tube, a rear foot tube, a connecting tube and a connecting portion, where the armrest is rotatably connected with the backrest tube; the connecting tube is arranged at the bottom of the backrest tube, the connecting tube and the backrest tube are rotatable, the connecting tube is rotatably connected with the front foot tube, and the connecting tube is located at an inner side of the rear foot tube; a top end of the front foot tube is rotatably connected with a top end of the rear foot tube, the top end of the front foot tube or the top end of the rear foot tube is connected with the armrest; the seat tube is rotatably connected with both the backrest tube and the front foot tube, and one of the seat tube and the backrest tube is slidably connected with the rear foot tube or the connecting tube; and the connecting portion is rotatably connected with the connecting tube, and the connecting portion is connected with the rear foot tube.

Preferably, the connecting portion is a flip tube. One end of the flip tube is rotatably connected with the rear foot tube, and anther end of the flip tube is rotatably connected with the connecting tube. The flip tube is located at an outer side of the rear foot tube. One of the seat tube and the backrest tube is slidably connected with the connecting tube.

Preferably, the folding chair further includes two rear cross tubes that are crosswise to each other; and two supporting tubes that are crosswise to each other, where the two rear cross tubes and the two supporting tubes are arranged to connect the two sets of link assemblies; a top end of the rear cross tube is rotatably connected with the backrest tube, and a bottom end of the rear cross tube is rotatably connected with the connecting tube; a top end of the supporting tube is rotatably connected with the seat tube, and a bottom end of the supporting tube is rotatably connected with the front foot tube; and when the folding chair is folded, the two rear cross tubes and the two supporting tubes rotate relatively, and the two sets of link assemblies move towards each other.

Preferably, the front foot tube is provided with a connector hinged to the bottom of the supporting tube, the front foot tube is sleeved with a front foot slider located above the connector and slidable relative to the front foot tube, and a bottom end of the supporting rod is hinged to the front foot slider.

Preferably, the seat tube is provided with a front cross tab. The front cross tab includes a fixing plate and a hinge plate that are integrally formed with each other. The hinge plate extends towards a direction of the supporting tube. The fixing plate is fixedly connected with the seat tube, and the hinge plate is hinged to the supporting tube.

Preferably, the seat tube is rotatably connected with the backrest tube via a U-shaped piece. The U-shaped piece includes a fixing ring sleeved on the backrest tube and two connecting walls connected to the fixing ring. The two connecting walls extend towards a direction away from the backrest tube. One end of the seat tube is rotatably connected between the two connecting walls. A slider can be fixed to the bottom of the backrest tube, and the slider can be sleeved on the connecting tube to cause the connecting tube to slide relatively to the slider.

Preferably, an armrest supporting member is arranged on a lower surface of the armrest. The armrest supporting member is connected with the top end of the rear foot tube via a shaft that is rotatably connected with a U-shaped weld piece. Two wings of the U-shaped weld piece are respectively welded to two opposite sides of the top end of the front foot tube.

Compared with the conventional technology, in the folding chair provided in the present disclosure, the seat tube and the backrest tube are rotatably connected with each other, and the armrest is rotatable relative to the backrest tube. The top end of the front foot tube and the top end of the rear foot tube are connected to the armrest, and the top end of the front foot tube and the top end of the rear foot tube are rotatable. The seat tube and the backrest tube as a whole are slidably connected with the rear foot tube or the connecting tube. The connecting portion is rotatably connected with the connecting tube, and the connecting portion is connected with the rear foot tube. When the folding chair is folded, the bottom end of the front foot tube and the bottom end of the rear foot tube move towards each other, and the top end of the seat tube and the top end of the backrest tube move towards each other. No matter whether the connecting portion rotates or slides relative to the rear foot tube, the connecting portion drives the connecting tube to rotate towards a direction close to the rear foot tube, and the seat tube and the backrest tube move towards a direction close to the rear foot tube relative to the connecting tube. When the folding chair is unfolded, the bottom end of the front foot tube and the bottom end of the rear foot tube move away from each other, the top end of the seat tube and the top end of the backrest tube move away from each other, and the connecting portion and the connecting tube move towards a direction away from the ground relative to the rear foot tube. That is, the backrest tube is closer to the rear foot tube due to the movement of the connecting portion relative to the rear foot tube, and the seat tube is closer to the backrest tube. In other words, the seat tube, the backrest tube and the rear foot tube are closer to each other compared with the conventional technology, thereby reducing the size of the folding chair after being folded, and causing the folding chair to be easily carried and used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are described clearly and completely hereinafter in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Apparently, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments according to the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in the present disclosure without any creative work fall into the protection scope of the present disclosure.

In order to make those skilled in the art understand the technical solutions of the present disclosure better, the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and the embodiments of the present disclosure.

A folding chair is provided according to the present disclosure. As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, the folding chair includes two sets of link assemblies. The two sets of link assemblies are respectively located at two sides of the folding chair in the same arrangement. The two sets of link assemblies are connected to each other to form the folding chair. Reference is made toFIG. 2, which shows a position relationship and a connection relationship of a set of link assembly. Three different embodiments of the rob assembly are described hereinafter.

Each set of link assembly includes: a backrest tube2, an armrest4, a seat tube7, a front foot tube8, a rear foot tube9, a connecting tube10, a flip tube11, and a supporting rod13. In a case that the folding chair is unfolded, the armrest4is used to support an arm. The seat tube7is located at an outer side of a leg and is used to bear a weight. A bottom end of the front foot tube8and a bottom end of the rear foot tube9are in contact with the ground to support the chair. The flip tube11functions as a connecting portion.

Each of the bottom end of the front foot tube8and the bottom end of the rear foot tube9may be provided with a foot cover19to reduce abrasion. A seat cushion is provided between two seat tubes7, and a backrest is provided between two backrest tubes2. Each of the seat tube7and the armrest4may be implemented by a rigid tube, to further improve the user experience.

The armrest4is rotatably connected with the backrest tube2. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, a left end of the armrest4is suspended in the air, and a right end of the armrest4is rotatably connected with the backrest tube2via an armrest connector5. The armrest connector5may be arranged in a conventional manner, as long as the right end of the armrest4is rotatable relative to the backrest tube2.

The connecting tube10is arranged at the bottom of the backrest tube2. The connecting tube10and the backrest tube2are slidably connected with each other and are rotatable. That is, the backrest tube2and the seat tube7as a whole are slidably connected with the connecting tube10. The seat tube7may also be slidably connected with the connecting tube10, so that the backrest tube2and the seat tube7(the backrest tube2is rotatable relative to the seat tube7) as a whole are slidably connected with the connecting tube10.

The connecting tube10is rotatably connected with the front foot tube8. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, in the case that the folding chair is unfolded, the connecting tube10is located below the backrest tube2. A left end of the connecting tube10is rotatably connected with the front foot tube8. The connecting tube10is slidable leftwards and rightwards relative to the backrest tube2or the seat tube7, and the connecting tube10is rotatable relative to the backrest tube2or the seat tube7. As shown inFIG. 2, the front foot tube8is rotatably connected with the seat tube7. In the case that the folding chair is unfolded, a joint between the front foot tube8and the seat tube7is above a joint between the connecting tube10and the front foot tube8.

A top end of the front foot tube8is rotatably connected with a top end of the rear foot tube9. As shown inFIG. 2, the top end of the front foot tube8or the top end of the rear foot tube9is fixedly connected with the armrest4.

One end of the seat tube7is rotatably connected with the backrest tube2, and another end of the seat tube7is rotatably connected with the supporting rod13. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, a right end of the seat tube7is rotatably connected with a bottom end of the backrest tube2. The seat tube7is rotatable relative to the backrest tube2. A top end of the supporting rod13is rotatably connected to a part of the seat tube7close to a left end of the seat tube7.

Two ends of the supporting rod13are respectively connected with the seat tube7and the front foot tube8, and the supporting rod13is slidably connected with the front foot tube8. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the top end of the supporting rod13is rotatably connected with the seat tube7, and a bottom end of the supporting rod13may rotate or slide relative to the front foot tube8.

One end of the flip tube11is rotatably connected with the rear foot tube9, and another end of the flip tube11is rotatably connected with the connecting tube10. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, in the case that the folding chair is unfolded, a top end of the flip tube11is rotatably connected with the connecting tube10, and a bottom end of the flip tube11is rotatably connected with the rear foot tube9.

In the case that the folding chair is unfolded, referring toFIG. 2, an angle between the front foot tube8and the rear foot tube9reaches the biggest. The connecting tube10and the seat tube7are not parallel to each other. The connecting tube10inclines leftwards relative to the seat tube7. The flip tube11and the rear foot tube9are substantially parallel to each other. The supporting rod13supports the seat tube7. The rear cross tube3and the supporting rod13are respectively located at two sides of the backrest tube2. The connecting tube10is located at an inner side of each of the front foot tube8and the rear foot tube9. The flip tube11is located at an outer side of the rear foot tube9, and is connected with the connecting tube10. In this case, the flip tube11and the connecting tube10may be connected with each other via a flip connector12. When the flip tube11flips to a position as shown inFIG. 2, the flip connector12may prevent the flip tube11from continuing to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. In this case, the connecting tube10is in a fixed position, and the front foot tube8and the rear foot tube9are in fixed positions, the armrest4, the backrest tube2and the seat tube7are all fixed under the effect of the front foot tube8and the connecting tube10. All components shown inFIG. 2are in a stationary state, and the chair is ready for being seated.

When the folding chair is folded, referring toFIG. 4, the bottom end of the front foot tube8and the bottom end of the rear foot tube9move towards each other. A top end of the seat tube7and a top end of the backrest tube2move towards each other. The flip tube11and the connecting tube10rotate towards a direction close to the ground relative to the rear foot tube9. The seat tube7and the backrest tube2slide towards a direction close to the flip tube11relative to the connecting tube10. The supporting rod13slides towards a direction close to the armrest4relative to the front foot tube8. When the folding chair is unfolded, the bottom of the front foot tube8and the bottom of the rear foot tube9move away from each other. The top end of the seat tube7and the top end of the backrest tube2move away from each other. The flip tube11and the connecting tube10rotate towards a direction away from the ground relative to the rear foot tube9. The supporting rod13slides towards a direction away from the armrest4relative to the front foot tube8. The supporting rod13supports the seat tube7at the front foot tube8.

The folding chair further includes two rear cross tubes3that are crosswise to each other and two supporting tubes20that are crosswise to each other. The two rear cross tubes and the two supporting tubes are arranged to connect the two sets of link assemblies. As shown inFIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a top end of the rear cross tube3is rotatably connected with the backrest tube2, and a bottom end of the rear cross tube3is rotatably connected with the connecting tube10. A top end of the supporting tube20is rotatably connected with the seat tube7, and a bottom end of the supporting tube20is rotatably connected with the front foot tube8. When the folding chair is folded, the two rear cross tubes3and the two supporting tubes20rotate relatively, and the two sets of link assemblies move towards each other, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.

The top end of the rear cross tube3may be rotatably connected with the backrest tube2via a backrest connector1. The backrest connector1may be arranged in a conventional manner.

As shown inFIG. 1, the rear cross tube3is hinged to the connecting tube10via a rear cross tab22. The rear cross tab22is in a bent shape. One bent edge of the rear cross tab is hinged to the connecting tube10, and another bent edge of the rear cross tab extends inwards and is hinged to the bottom end of the rear cross tube3. The rear cross tab22is arranged at the flip connector12. When the folding chair is folded, the rear cross tube3and the connecting tube10are driven by the flip tube11to rotate relative to the rear foot tube9, and the two sets of link assemblies move towards each other. A direction of an arrow shown inFIG. 4illustrates a direction of movement of the folding chair when being folded.

The front foot tube8is provided with a connector hinged to the bottom end of the supporting tube20. The front foot tube8is sleeved with a front foot slider18located above the connector. The front foot slider18is slidable relative to the front foot tube8. The bottom end of the supporting rod13is hinged to the front foot slider18, as shown inFIG. 4. The top end of the supporting rod13may be provided with a supporting rod cover17to protect a hand from hurting.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 3, the seat tube7is provided with a front cross tab16. The front cross tab16includes a fixing plate and a hinge plate that are integrally formed with each other. The front cross tab16may be formed by bending a metal plate. The hinge plate extends towards a direction of the supporting tube20. The fixing plate is fixedly connected with the seat tube7. The hinge plate is hinged to the supporting tube20. That is, the supporting tube20is connected with the seat tube7via the front cross tab16.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the seat tube7is rotatably connected with the backrest tube2via a U-shaped piece14. The U-shaped piece14includes a fixing ring and two connecting walls. The fixing ring is sleeved on a sidewall of the backrest tube2. The two connecting walls are connected with the fixing ring. The two connecting walls extend towards a direction away from the backrest tube2. The fixing ring and the two connecting walls form a structure having an approximately U shape. One end of the seat tube7is rotatably connected between the two connecting walls. A slider15is fixed to the bottom of the backrest tube2. The slider15is sleeved on the connecting tube10, so that the connecting tube10can slide relative to the slider15.

An armrest supporting member6is arranged on a lower surface of the armrest4. The armrest4is fixedly connected with the armrest supporting member6. The armrest supporting member6is connected with the top end of the rear foot tube9via a shaft. The shaft is rotatably connected with a U-shaped weld piece21. Two wings of the U-shaped weld piece21are respectively welded to two opposite sides of the top end of the front foot tube8. That is, the front foot tube8may rotate in synchronism with the armrest4, the armrest supporting member6and the rear foot tube9.

FIG. 7shows the folding chair as described above according toFIGS. 1 to 6. The folding chair according toFIG. 7differs from the folding chairs as shown inFIGS. 1 to 6in the connection of the seat tube7and the front foot tube8. It has been found that the stability of the connection between the supporting tube20and the front foot tube8is stable enough so that the supporting rod13can be omitted. Thus, the folding chair according toFIG. 7is not provided with a supporting rod13.

FIGS. 8 and 9show a further development of the folding chair as shown inFIG. 7. The backrest of the folding chair is provided with a rear tube folding arrangement23comprising a middle tube24arranged between the backrest tubes2and the folding tubes25. The folding tubes25are rotatably connected to the middle tube24and to the backrest tubes2. The rear tube folding arrangement23replaces the rear cross tubes3.

In order to fold the folding chair, the middle tube24is moved upwards parallel to the backrest tubes2. When moving the middle tube24, the backrest tubes2and the folding tubes25move along a parallelogram so that the chair folds. Due to the rear tube folding arrangement23it is easy to fold the folding chair.

It should be noted that, relationship terminologies such as “first” and “second” in this specification are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another, rather than to necessitate or imply that the actual relationship or order exists between the entities or operations.

The folding chair according to the embodiments of the present disclosure has been described in detail. The principle and the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by means of specific examples. The above description for the embodiments is only used for helping to understand the present disclosure. It should be noted that, various alternations, and modifications may be made to the technical solutions of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle of the present disclosure, which also fall into the protection scope of the claims of the present disclosure.