Portable folding chair

The portable folding chair is a compact, folding multi-functional chair providing storage for, and interconnection with, a wide variety of auxiliary gear. The portable folding chair includes a seat, a backrest pivotally joined to a rear end of the seat, and a pair of sidewalls respectively secured to a pair of side edges of the seat. An upper edge of each sidewall has a substantially arcuate contour. A substantially U-shaped frame having opposed open and closed ends is provided, with the closed end being adapted for supporting a user's feet. The open end is pivotally secured to respective front edges of the sidewalls. A rear surface of the backrest and the substantially U-shaped frame are each substantially arcuate such that the rear surface of the backrest and the substantially U-shaped frame are positioned adjacent to, and in substantial alignment with, the upper edges of the pair of sidewalls when folded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to collapsible, transportable furniture, and particularly to a portable folding chair provided with storage and attachments for auxiliary gear.

2. Description of the Related Art

Portable folding chairs, such as, for example, poolside chaise lounges, are well known. Such chairs are typically relatively simple structures, including two or more panels, a pair of arms, and a folding frame structure. Since such folding chairs are often carried by hand, they are designed to be as simple and lightweight as possible. Unfortunately, because of this design requirement, any additional equipment or gear must be carried separately, either by hand or in separate luggage. It would be desirable to provide a multi-functional folding chair, providing the convenience and ease of transport as a conventional folding chair with the ability to store, transport and attach additional gear. Thus, a portable folding chair addressing the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of a portable folding chair provide a compact, folding multi-functional chair providing storage for, and interconnection with, a wide variety of auxiliary gear. The portable folding chair includes a seat, a backrest pivotally joined at a lower end thereof to a rear end of the seat, and a pair of sidewalls respectively secured to a pair of side edges of the seat. Desirably, an upper edge of each sidewall has a substantially arcuate contour. A substantially U-shaped frame having opposed open and closed ends is further provided, with the closed end thereof being adapted for supporting a user's feet. The open end thereof is pivotally secured to respective front edges of the pair of sidewalls. A rear surface of the backrest and a side contour of the substantially U-shaped frame are each desirably substantially arcuate such that the rear surface of the backrest is positioned adjacent to, and in substantial alignment with, the upper edges of the pair of sidewalls when the backrest is in a folded configuration, and a pair of side members of the substantially U-shaped frame are respectively positioned adjacent to, and in substantial alignment with, the upper edges of the pair of sidewalls.

Also, desirably, at least one sidewall defines at least one storage compartment. At least one cover is provided for releasably covering a corresponding at least one storage compartment defined in a corresponding sidewall. At least one solar panel can be mounted on an upper surface of at least one cover for electrical communication with at least one electrical outlet mounted on at least one of the sidewalls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of a portable folding chair, such as a portable folding chair100, are compact, folding multi-functional chairs providing storage for, and interconnection with, a wide variety of auxiliary gear. As best shown inFIGS. 1,2,5and9, the portable folding chair100includes a seat21, a backrest22pivotally joined at a lower end22athereof to a rear end21bof the seat21, and a pair of sidewalls20respectively secured to a pair of side edges21aof the seat21. It should be understood that the pivotal connection (shown generally as 50 inFIGS. 5 and 9) between seat21and backrest22can be any suitable type of pivoting connection or fixture, such as a hinge or the like.

It should also be understood that the structural elements of the portable folding chair100can be made from any of various suitable and desired materials, such as, for example, a lightweight, weather resistant, rust resistant, resilient fiberglass material or the like, as can depend on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Further, it should be understood that the overall contouring and relative dimensions of the portable folding chair100can be varied, dependent upon the particular needs and desires of the user, or the particular use or application, for example.

Desirably, an upper edge52of each sidewall20has a substantially arcuate contour, such as illustrated inFIGS. 1,2and5, for example. A substantially U-shaped frame24having opposed open and closed ends54,56, respectively, is further provided, with the closed end56being adapted for supporting feet of a user of the portable folding chair100. The open end54is pivotally secured to respective front edges58of the pair of sidewalls20. As shown inFIGS. 1,4and10, a rear surface60of the backrest22and a side contour of the substantially U-shaped frame24are each desirably substantially arcuate such that the rear surface60of the backrest22is positioned adjacent to, and in substantial alignment with, the upper edges52of the pair of sidewalls20when the backrest22is in a folded configuration, and a pair of side members62of the substantially U-shaped frame24, when in a folded configuration, are respectively positioned adjacent to, and in substantial alignment with, the upper edges52of the pair of sidewalls20, as shown in the configuration ofFIG. 1.

It should be understood that the substantially U-shaped frame24can be constructed of any of various suitable materials, such as, for example, conventional tubular materials commonly used in folding chairs and the like, as can depend on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Also, the portable folding chair100typically can be designed to store and carrying various types of items, such as coolers, umbrellas, a relatively small auxiliary chair or seat, towels, fishing gear, various personal items etc., for example; and can be designed to support various weight capacities, such as approximately a 250 pound (lb.) seating capacity and approximately a 50 lb. storage capacity, for example, as can depend on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense.

Referring toFIGS. 1,5and6, at least one sidewall20, and desirably each sidewall20, defines at least one storage compartment64. At least one cover37is provided for releasably covering a corresponding at least one storage compartment64defined in a corresponding sidewall20. At least one solar panel66can be mounted on an upper surface of at least one cover37for electrical communication, such as through suitable, known power conversion/storage devices and connections, with at least one electrical outlet34mounted on at least one of the sidewalls20. The at least one electrical outlet34can be provided for providing power to a mobile device charger or other electric device charger or the like, or for lights that can attach to an umbrella47, as will be described in greater detail below.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 10, at least one rear storage compartment60acan be defined in the backrest22covered by a door23as can be defined in the rear surface60of the backrest22. As shown inFIGS. 1,5,6and10, the storage compartments60aand64can be provided in various differing numbers and sizes, as can depend upon the particular needs and desires of the user, as also can depend on the use or application, for example. As will be described in greater detail below, the relatively larger storage compartment64shown in the example ofFIG. 6can be used for storage of an umbrella, table and/or fishing gear, for example.

Further, in addition to the substantially U-shaped frame24forming a foot rest, a front support member26can be additionally provided. The front support member26includes a substantially U-shaped front supporting frame71having opposed open and closed ends70,72, respectively, with the closed end72being adapted for contacting a support surface, such as a ground surface, and the open end70being pivotally secured to respective ones of the front edges58of the pair of sidewalls20. Desirably, a first pair of pivotal friction locks28are respectively mounted on the front edges58of the pair of sidewalls20, such that both the open end54of the substantially U-shaped frame24and the open end70of the substantially U-shaped front supporting frame71are pivotally secured to the front edges58of the pair of sidewalls20by the first pair of pivotal friction locks28.

It should be understood that any suitable type of pivots and/or pivoting locks can be utilized, and that pivotal friction locks28, actuated by respective keys29, are shown for exemplary purposes only, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. First and second retaining members25,27, respectively, are mounted on the rear surface60of the backrest22for respectively receiving and releasably securing the closed ends56,72, respectively, of the substantially U-shaped frame24and the substantially U-shaped front supporting frame71. As shown, cuffs24a,26acan be additionally respectively provided on the substantially U-shaped frame24and on the substantially U-shaped front supporting frame71for additional frictional engagement with retaining members25,27, and further for engagement with the support surface, such as a ground surface. Cuff24acan also be used as a padded foot rest for the feet of a user of the portable folding chair100.

As best shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of wheels32are rotatably mounted to respective rear edges74of the pair of sidewalls20. Desirably, each of the pair of wheels32are rotatably held within a respective pair of wheel brackets303secured to the rear edges74of the pair of sidewalls20. It should be understood that the wheels32shown inFIG. 2are shown for exemplary purposes only, and that any suitable type of wheels and corresponding brackets or retainers can be utilized, as can depend on the use or application, and should not be construed in a limiting sense. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a rear support member31is further provided. The rear support member31includes a substantially U-shaped rear supporting frame75having opposed closed and open ends76,78, respectively. The closed end76is adapted for contacting a support surface, such as a ground surface, and the open end78is pivotally secured to respective ones of the pair of wheel brackets303.

A second pair of pivotal friction locks80, actuated by respective keys81, similar to the first pair of pivotal friction locks28and the keys29, are respectively mounted on the pair of wheel brackets303, such that the open end78of the substantially U-shaped rear supporting frame75of the rear support member31is pivotally secured to the pair of wheel brackets303by the second pair of pivotal friction locks80. As shown, retaining members82, similar to retaining members25,27, can be mounted on the rear surfaces74of the sidewalls20for releasably securing legs79of the substantially U-shaped rear supporting frame75. A retractable pulling arm30can be attached to the portable folding chair100through a recess88in the chair seat21, enabling the user to pull the portable folding chair100as it rolls on the wheels32.

Also, as shown inFIG. 3, at least one carrying strap33can be secured to a lower surface84of the seat21. InFIG. 3, two such straps33are shown so that the folding chair100can be carried like a backpack when in the folded configuration. As noted above, the relative overall dimensions of the folding chair100can be varied, and desirably the wheels32can be relatively widely spaced apart for optimal stability on uneven surfaces, such as sandy beaches and the like, for example. Further, it should be understood that the wheels can be varied or manufactured dependent upon particular applications, such as, for example, the usage of rugged, relatively wide or large wheels, such as, for example, balloon type wheels, for an exemplary beach environment.

As best shown inFIGS. 5 and 7, an umbrella receptacle, such as an umbrella locking collar and sleeve arrangement35, extends from the upper surface52of one of sidewalls20to provide a releasable friction fitting for an umbrella connecting rod45of the umbrella47, and further provide a pivotal fitting for a relatively small table44. As shown inFIG. 7, the table44includes an elongate support rod90terminating in an attachment ring43that fits over the collar and sleeve arrangement35. The connecting rod45of the umbrella47is broken into parts which extend into adjustable adapters46, which are desirably in the form of friction locking mechanisms allowing for rotation and locking of the umbrella47in any of various directions, along with tilting to any of various angles desired by the user, for example, A headrest48is desirably further disposed in the backrest22to assist in increasing ergonomic comfort of a user of the portable folding chair100.

As noted above, one of the storage compartments64can be sized so as to store the umbrella47and the table44. Further, as best shown inFIG. 8, a hollow cylindrical fishing rod holder38can be provided to extend from a coupler39, which can be coupled via bores39awhich align with corresponding attachment bores42disposed in the cuff24aon the substantially U-shaped frame24, as can also form a foot rest, as described, allowing for angular adjustment of a fishing pole41inserted into the holder38and affixed with a coupler key40as the coupler key40is inserted through the aligned bores. This arrangement can also be used for attachment of the umbrella connecting rod45.FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate the portable folding chair100deployed with both the auxiliary umbrella47and table44attachments and the auxiliary fishing rod41attachment, for example.