Adirondack chair with double fulcrum

Collapsible chairs and related chair systems. An exemplary chair includes a base member comprising a seat surface configured to support a user sitting thereon, a back supporting member behind the seat surface configured to support a user's back when a user is seated, and parallel first and second side members each including first and second fulcrums. The first fulcrums connect the side members to the base member disposed therebetween. The second fulcrums connect the side members to the back supporting member disposed therebetween. The side members define a frame within which the back supporting member and the base member may be rotated about their respective fulcrums. The fulcrums allow the chair to be collapsed to a more compact configuration (e.g., for storage).

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to chairs and related seating systems.

2. Background and Relevant Art

Chairs have provided people with a support for sitting for centuries. Such chairs are available in a myriad of styles, designs, and with various features. One chair that is often used outdoors is the so-called Adirondack chair, which was developed by Thomas Lee and Harry Bunnell in the Adirondack Mountains area of New York around the turn of the 19thto the 20thcentury. Adirondack chairs are often made of wood, having something of a “rustic” appearance, and may include a high back and/or wide armrests.

SUMMARY

The invention generally relates to collapsible chairs and related systems including at least one chair. Terms such as front, back, top, bottom, forward, behind, above, and below as used herein when referring to components of the chair or related chair systems generally refer to the relative location when the chair is in an opened, uncollapsed configuration unless otherwise stated. According to one embodiment, the chair includes a base member comprising a seat surface configured to support a user sitting thereon, and a back supporting member behind the seat surface, the back supporting member being configured to support a user's back when a user is seated on the seat surface. The chair further includes first and second side members each including spaced apart first and second fulcrums, the first side member being connected to a first side of the base member through the first fulcrum and the first side member being connected to the same first side of the back supporting member through the second fulcrum. The second side member is similarly connected on the opposite side of the chair, so that the second side member is connected to a second opposite side of the base member through the first fulcrum of the second side member and the second side member is also connected to the same second side of the back supporting member through the second fulcrum of the second side member.

The base member and back supporting member are not directly connected to one another, and the first fulcrums of the side members are aligned with one another, such that the base member is pivotable about the first fulcrums. Similarly, the second fulcrums of the side members are aligned with one another such that the back supporting member is also pivotable about the second fulcrums. The side members are parallel to one another, and define a frame within which the base member and the back supporting member can be pivoted relative to the frame provided by the parallel side members.

Because the base member and back supporting member are pivotable within the frame provided by the side members, the chair is collapsible. For example, beginning from the opened uncollapsed chair configuration, the back supporting member may be pivoted about the second fulcrum between the side members in a direction so that the top of the back supporting member pivots towards the base member. The back supporting member continues to be pivoted until it becomes substantially aligned with the longitudinal plane of the frame defined by the two side members. Similarly, the base member is simultaneously allowed to drop towards the floor as the base member and side members pivot about the first fulcrum until the base member is also collapsed so as to be substantially aligned with the longitudinal plane of the frame defined by the side members. Once both the back supporting member and base member have been fully rotated to be substantially aligned with the longitudinal plane of the frame, the chair is in a collapsed condition. Of course, because the chair includes two fulcrums, different collapsed configurations are possible depending on the direction of rotation about each fulcrum (i.e., rotation of the back supporting member or base member may be in an opposite direction). In any case, when collapsed, the base member, the back supporting member, and the frame of the side members are substantially aligned in similar longitudinal planes so as to be significantly more compact than when the chair assumes a configuration for use.

The first fulcrums may be disposed within a central portion (e.g., at about the center) of each side member. The second fulcrums may be disposed near a top end of each side member, and oppositely disposed bottom ends of each side member serve as front legs of the chair. In one embodiment, both the first and second fulcrums may be disposed at a location about ⅓ the length from the leading edge of the seat member of the base member and about ⅓ the length from the top of the back supporting member.

The base member may be substantially straight, and include a front end, a central portion, and a back end. The seat surface may be disposed at the front end of the base member. The first and second side members (which may also be straight) may be connected to the central portion of the base member through the first fulcrums, and the back end of the base member may serve as back legs of the chair.

Another embodiment of the chair comprises a lounge chair including the base member, back supporting member, and side members as described above, and that further includes a leg rest assembly hingedly connected to the base member so that the leg rest member is disposed in front of the seat surface of the base member when in the opened, uncollapsed configuration. The lounge chair may also include opposing arm rest assemblies connected to and extending outwardly from the side members. Each arm rest assembly may include a substantially horizontal arm rest member extending between a free first end and an opposite second end that is connected to a respective side member at the second fulcrum. Each arm rest assembly may further include a selectively positionable support member having a free first end that is positionable within a slot near the free first end of the corresponding arm rest member to support the arm rest member in the substantially horizontal position. An oppositely disposed second end of the support member may be connected to a respective side member at the first fulcrum.

Another embodiment of a related system includes both a chair and a lounge chair as described above, and wherein the collapsible chair and collapsible lounge chair become nested together when collapsed. For example, the collapsed chair and lounge chair may be oriented head-to-foot relative to one another, with the front legs of the chair defining an inside width into which a bottom of the back supporting member of the lounge chair nests. The front legs of the lounge chair define an inside width into which a bottom of the back supporting member of the chair nests, interlocking the chair and the lounge chair together in a compact, collapsed configuration.

One embodiment of the system further includes a collapsible table that when collapsed, fits within the inside width between the back legs of the chair so that the chair can be trapped or nested between the chair and the lounge chair. The entire system may be stored within a portable bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to collapsible chairs and related chair systems. An exemplary chair includes a base member comprising a seat surface configured to support a user sitting thereon, a back supporting member behind the seat surface configured to support a user's back when a user is seated, and parallel first and second side members each including first and second fulcrums. The first fulcrums connect the side members to the base member disposed therebetween. The second fulcrums connect the side members to the back supporting member disposed therebetween. The side members define a frame within which the back supporting member and the base member may be rotated about their respective fulcrums. The fulcrums allow the chair to be collapsed to a more compact configuration (e.g., for storage).

In another embodiment of a related system, a lounge chair similar to the chair as described above and also including a leg rest assembly hingedly attached to the base member and optional arm rest assemblies connected to the side members is also provided. The chair and lounge chair are configured so that when both are collapsed and oriented head-to-foot relative to one another, the front legs of the chair define an inside width into which a bottom of the back supporting member of the lounge chair nests, while the front legs of the lounge chair similarly define an inside width into which a bottom of the back supporting member of the chair nests. Thus, a system including both the chair, a lounge chair, and an optional table (which may be nested in between the chair and lounge chair) can all be collapsed to a compact configuration, and may be further stored within a portable bag.

II. Exemplary Chairs with Dual Fulcrums

FIGS. 1A-1Cshow an exemplary collapsible chair100including dual fulcrums. Chair100includes a base member102including a seat surface104configured to support a user sitting thereon. Chair100also includes a back supporting member106disposed behind seat surface104. Back supporting member106is configured to support a user's back when a user is seated on seat surface104. First and second parallel side members108and110, respectively are also provided. Side members108and110provide a frame for hinged attachment of base member102and back supporting member106, and may be substantially straight and parallel to one another. Each side member108,110includes a first fulcrum112near a center of the side member by which the respective side member is pivotally connected to the base member102. Similarly, a spaced apart second fulcrum114, disposed near a top end of each side member108,110connects the side members to back supporting member106.

In one embodiment, the first fulcrum112is disposed within about 25% of the center of each side member, more preferably within about 10% of the center of each side member, and most preferably within about 5% of the center of each side member.

First fulcrums112are aligned with one another so that base member102is able to pivot about fulcrums112, within the frame provided by side members108and110disposed on either side of base member102. Similarly, second fulcrums114are aligned with one another so that back supporting member106is able to pivot about fulcrums114within the frame provided by side members108and110disposed on either side of back supporting member106.

FIG. 1Ashows chair100in an opened, uncollapsed configuration ready for use. Back supporting member106includes a pair of opposed edge members116and118disposed at the side edges or ends of back supporting member106, oriented towards side members108and110, respectively. Side members108and110may be connected to back supporting member106through edge members116and118, respectively, as shown. Members116and118extend generally upwardly in a direction similar to that of the remainder of back supporting member106. Members116and118may be oriented to have a width greater than the remainder of back supporting member106, as shown, so as to provide an engaging surface at the bottom of each member116and118for resting on supporting surfaces120of base member102.

Seat member104may be supported by a pair of base members102aand102bdisposed below seat member104. In such an embodiment, base member102includes opposing base members102aand102b. Seat member104may act as a stop against which edge members116and118of back supporting member106may abut when pivoted to the open, uncollapsed configuration shown inFIG. 1A. Furthermore, each base member102aand102bmay comprise a flat, horizontal support surface120against which the bottom of edge members116,118are supported when chair100is opened. In other words, back supporting member106is rotated so that edge members116and118abut against the back of seat member104, while simultaneously resting on support surfaces120of base members102a,102bon either side of the chair100.

As seen inFIG. 1C, back supporting member106may further include lateral braces107extending between opposing edge members116and118, to which the individual slat members of back supporting member106may also be connected. One lateral brace107may be substantially aligned with second fulcrum114, while the other lateral brace107is disposed near the bottom of back supporting member106. The slats of back supporting member106may extend upwards beyond the upper lateral brace107. As shown, lateral braces107may be curved, resulting in the slats of back supporting member106also providing a curved configuration, which better corresponds to a user's back. Such a configuration may also provide a space between the bottom of the curved central portion of back supporting member106and a substantially straight seat surface104, as shown inFIG. 1A.

In the illustrated configuration the bottom ends122of each of side members108and110serve as front legs of the chair to support the chair on a surface (e.g., the ground). As shown, the back end of each of base members102aand102bserve as back legs123to also support the chair on a surface.

In one embodiment, the base member may be substantially straight, as shown inFIG. 1A. In another embodiment, the base member may be curved, for example, curving approximately 90° between a substantially vertical back end (e.g., back legs123) and a substantially horizontal front end (e.g., seat member104). In such an embodiment the seat member may be generally horizontal, rather than angled downward towards back supporting member106, as is shown inFIG. 1A. Other embodiments including a curved base member are also possible, for example, the angle of the curved portion may be greater than 90° (e.g., greater than 90° and less than about) 135°, so that the back end (e.g., less123) contact the ground at an angle less than vertical. Various other configurations will be apparent to one of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.

Because of dual fulcrums112and114, the chair100is collapsible by disengaging the locking mechanism described above by which edge members116and118abut seat member104and rest on support surfaces120. This may be accomplished by slightly lifting back supporting member106, which causes or allows rotation of base member102about fulcrum112. This action disengages edge member116and118from resting on support surface120, allowing back support member106to be rotated in either direction about fulcrum114. If rotation is in a direction so that the top of back support member106is rotated forward, towards seat member104while fulcrum112is simultaneously allowed to collapse the angle between the side members108,110, and base member102, the chair assumes a collapsed configuration as shown inFIG. 1C. If the collapsed chair is turned over, the configuration is as shown inFIG. 1B. As seen chair100may include another lateral brace121extending between central portions of side members108and110, the brace121being substantially aligned with first fulcrums112.

As will be readily apparent, the back supporting member106and base member102are not directly connected to one another, but are each independently rotatable about their respective fulcrums114and112, respectively, within the frame defined by side members108and110. Because members102and106are not directly connected to one another, they are able to pivot independently, and the chair is able to be collapsed.

The first fulcrums may be disposed within a central portion (e.g., at about the center) of each side member108or110. The second fulcrums may be disposed near a top end of each side member108or110, and oppositely disposed bottom ends of each side member108and110serve as front legs of the chair. In one embodiment, both the first and second fulcrums112and114, respectively, may be disposed at a location about ⅓ the length from the leading edge of seat member104of base member102and about ⅓ the length from the top of the back supporting member106. In one embodiment, the respective fulcrum is within about 25% of the described location, about 10% of the described location, or about 5% of the described location.

FIG. 1Dillustrates a modification to chair100, in which the chair comprises a rocker. Rocking chair100further comprises opposed curved rocking members126extending between first end128and second end130. Slot132is formed in each rocking member126near first end128and is configured to receive front legs122of chair100. A slot134is formed in each curved rocking member126near second end130and is configured to receive back legs123so that chair100is rockingly supported on opposed curved rocking members126. Slots132and134may be formed into the top surfaces of each rocking member126, or alternatively may be formed into either side of the rocking members126. In order to maintain the collapsibility of the chair100, it may be possible to insert and subsequently remove the legs from the slots, so as to disengage the legs from rocking members126. Where slots132and134are formed into a side of rocking members126, attachment may be by bolts or other suitable fasteners. Various connection mechanisms will be apparent to one of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2Cillustrate a lounge chair200that is similar to chair100, but which is configured as a lounge chair. Lounge chair200similarly includes a base member202, a back supporting member206, and first and second side members208and210, respectively. Back supporting member206may be similar to back supporting member106of chair100, although the length of the slats defining the back supporting member206are shown as being substantially longer than those of chair100. Lounge chair200further includes a leg rest assembly236and a pair of opposing arm rest assemblies238. Leg rest assembly236includes a leg rest member240hingedly connected to base member202so that leg rest member240may be folded rearwardly, under seat member204. Leg rest assembly236further includes opposing support legs242. Each support leg242includes a free end244and an opposite second end that is hingedly connected to the leg rest member240so that when the free ends244are pivoted downward as shown inFIG. 2Athey serve as legs of assembly236to support the free end of the leg rest member240.

As shown, the leg rest member240may be of a width that is less than seat member204, so as to allow it to be folded up under seat member204, between the individual base members of base member202. For example, leg rest member240may have a width approximately equal to the width defined between the individual base members of base member202.

Each arm rest assembly238is connected to the corresponding side member208or210at two points (e.g., at fulcrums212and214). Each assembly238includes a substantially horizontal arm rest member246extending between a first free end248and an opposite second end250connected to the respective side member208or210(e.g., at second fulcrum214). Each assembly238further includes a selectively positionable support member252having a free first end that is positionable within a slot253(seeFIG. 2B) formed into a bottom surface, near the first free end248of each arm rest member246. An oppositely disposed second end of support member252is connected to a respective one of corresponding side members208or210at first fulcrum212.

The arm rest assemblies238are also configured to be collapsible. For example, as the support member252is pulled out of slot253, arm rest member246is able to rotate about fulcrum214so as to collapse to be substantially in-line and longitudinally aligned with its respective side member208or210. Similarly, support member252is able to rotate about fulcrum212so as to collapse to be substantially in-line with its respective side member208or210.

Lounge chair200is able to be collapsed in a similar manner as described above relative to chair100, while the leg rest assembly236and arm rest assemblies238are also able to be collapsed to a more compact configuration as shown inFIGS. 2B and 2C. For example, arm rest assemblies may be collapsed by lifting arm rest member246so as to disengage support member252, and these components may be allowed to pivot so as to be aligned with their respective side member208or210, as described above. For leg rest assembly236, support legs242may be pivoted upward, under leg rest member240, while leg rest member240is pivoted underneath seat member204of base member202.FIG. 2Bshows lounge chair200in one collapsed configuration, whileFIG. 2Cshows the opposite side (i.e., flipped over) so as to better illustrate the relationship and orientation between the various components.

Although the arm rest assemblies238and leg rest assembly236are shown in conjunction with lounge200, it will be understood that various features may be combined from the various illustrated and described embodiments. For example, an arm rest assembly or leg rest assembly may be provided with chair100.

FIG. 3Aillustrates a small side table that may be associated with any of the collapsible chairs. Table260includes a table top member262and a pair of opposed scissoring legs264. Each scissoring leg includes a first leg266and a second leg268which are pivotally connected to one another at a central portion of each leg266and268. The lower free end of each leg266and268serves to support the table on a surface (e.g., the ground or floor). The upper end of each leg266is hingedly connected to the bottom surface near an end270of table top member262, while the upper end of each leg268is also free, and can be abutted against a stop (not shown) disposed on a bottom surface of table top262at an end272opposite where the ends of legs266are hingedly connected at270. In other words, both ends of legs268may be free, while only the bottom end of legs266are free. This allows the upper end of legs268to be lifted out of abutment with table top262at272, and scissor legs266and268may then be folded down adjacent to and in line with table top262, in a configuration as seen inFIG. 3B. As shown inFIG. 3B, in one embodiment both of legs268may be on the “inside” while both legs266are on the “outside”.

FIGS. 4-6show how the chair100, the lounge chair200, and the collapsible table260comprise a system300that may be collapsed and nested together for storage or transport. For example, as shown inFIG. 4, chair100is collapsed. As shown inFIG. 5, collapsed table260may be stacked on collapsed chair100so that the table top member262abuts against lateral brace121of chair100, preventing table260from sliding longitudinally past brace121. As shown inFIG. 6A, lounge chair200may be lowered over chair100such that lounge chair200and chair100nest together relative to one another. In particular, the chair100and lounge chair200are oriented head-to-foot relative to one another, as seen inFIGS. 4 and 5. Front legs122of chair100define an inside width into which the bottom of back supporting member206(i.e., edge members216and218) of lounge chair200nest, while front legs222of lounge chair200define an inside width into which the bottom portion of back supporting member106(i.e., edge members116and118) of chair100nests, interlocking the chair100and lounge chair200together into a compact, collapsed configuration. As seen inFIG. 6B, a portable zipper closure bag275(e.g., formed of canvas, heavy duty nylon, or other suitable fabric) may be provided into which the nested chair100and lounge chair may be portably stored. Bag275may include a handle274to facilitate easy carrying of the system300.

The system components (including the chairs and table) may be made of any suitable material, such as any type of wood, including engineered wood. Other materials may include, but are not limited to, plastics (e.g., plastic molded to have the appearance of wood lumber), metal, or composite materials. In one embodiment, the chair is either made of wood, or made of a material made to look like wood (e.g., plastic lumber or engineered composite lumber). In another embodiment, the chair may be formed of metal or plastic and provided with a more contemporary appearance.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the words “including,” “having,” and variants thereof (e.g., “includes” and “has”) as used herein, including the claims, shall be open ended and have the same meaning as the word “comprising” and variants thereof (e.g., “comprise” and “comprises”).