Improved lounger

Abstract: IMPROVED DECKCHAIR , made up of an ergonomic structure with blunt and no sharp edges, including a monobloc chassis (1) with reinforcements, a foldable back (2) and an adjustable support frame (3). It is provided with a series of projections (9) with a series of attachments on "lock eye" orifices (10) made on the chassis (1). The foldable back (2) has butts (13) underneath the area in front of it which, when the back is in the folded position, rest on the chassis (1) and provide a safety area that prevents the fingers of the user becoming jammed between the folded back and the chassis. The surface of the deckchair bed is composed of small replaceable planks (14) that alternate with a fabric (16) attached to the chassis by means of buttonholes or hooks (17) which are attached, in turn, to elastic cords (18) arranged in zigzag around stubs (19) projecting out from the profile of the chassis of the deckchair.

Description: PURPOSE This request for Invention Patent is for an improved lounger that provides various advantages as regards the function for which it is intended, to be explained later on, apart from others inherent to its organization and constitution. HISTORY At present and as a reference to the state-of-the-art, mention should be made that loungers of the type described are known, consisting of a framework that includes two basic parts, one permanent consisting of the feet and the bed, and the other which is movable and associated to the former consisting of an adjustable backrest with position handles on each side. The European patent application EP 0 344 718 A1 discloses a stackable lounger consisting of a structure comprising a chassis, a backrest and a frame for selectably supporting the backrest in a plurality of inclinations, whereby the bottom portion of the backrest is articulated to the chassis so as to permit pivoting of the backrest throughout the plurality of inclinations up to a limit where it extends to form a substantially flat support surface, whereby the upper portion of the adjustable support frame is pivotally attached to the backrest and the bottom portion is selectively engageable with the chassis, the material of the structure being composed of synthetic resins, the chassis having on each of its longitudinal sides two support elements being shaped as a symmetric "V", whereby the support surface of the lounger is formed by transverse planks replaceable with a transpirable and highly resistant fabric, whereby the adjustable support frame for the backrest comprises a plurality of projections being selectively engageable with a series of corresponding apertures present in the chassis so as to ensure blocking of the backrest in its selected inclination. The loungers of which the present state-of-the-art is composed have certain structural and functional inconveniences. Amongst these, mention should be made of the means that provide the optional adjustment for tilting the back until a flat angle is formed. At present, these means generally consist in an articulated bridge provided on both sides with a series of teeth that form a series of attachments on a crosspiece. These means have the inconvenience that when the user sits on the lounger the canvas tightens and causes the backrest to rise. Likewise, there is a structural inconvenience which arises from the shape of the supports of the lounger, in the form of two "V"-shaped parts that have an angular and symmetric opening on the sides which cause one or another end of the lounger to rise when the user does not sit in the middle of it. A structural and functional inconvenience is caused by the adjustable back when one sits on the lounger lowered and coplanar with the bed. In this position the upper side of the back rests on the transversal side of the frame or framework of the bed, with the risk of jamming the fingers of the user causing injury. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The improved lounger, purpose of this invention, introduces improvements in the manufacture of stackable loungers, that advantageously resolve the inconveniences mentioned briefly in the above paragraph. Said lounger is built according to a light but resistant structure based on reinforcements, ergonomic and stackable, with blunt and no sharp edges, consisting of three consistent parts in a monobloc chassis with reinforcements, a backrest and an adjustable support frame of the backrest, in such a way that the backrest has been placed in the completely vertical position and its adjustable support frame in the completely horizontal position with the result that both are trapped if an effort is made to extract either one in any other position. The adjustable support system of the backrest consists of an articulated frame that establishes a series of T-shaped attachments in corresponding housing in the form of keyhole-shaped apertures in the chassis of the lounger. These attachments facilitate blocking of the backrest thus avoiding it being raised, usually when the user sits on the lounger and causes the canvas to be tightened. Likewise, the lounger has two support elements on each longitudinal side, each being shaped as an asymmetrical "V" with truncated vertices and provided with synthetic resin nonskid support wedges that affect the stability of the lounger and prevent unbalancing when the weight of the user is not centered. Furthermore, the risks of accident such as jamming the fingers between the folding backrest and the frame of the lounger are eliminated by providing a backrest with butts which, in the folded position of the backrest, rest on the frame of the lounger providing room between both so that the fingers cannot be jammed between the backrest and the chassis of the lounger. Finally, apart from the mentioned advantages, the invention provides other substantial improvements in the general idea of the frame of the lounger that facilitate mounting the canvas, its tautening and retautening by means of hooks that are joined to the canvas with clinches, although this could also be done with buttonholes; shaping the surface of the bed with a highly resistant transpirable and electro-welded fabric, manufactured with high tensile strength polyester thread, plasticized and resistant to ultraviolet rays, in various colors and which serves as a support for any serigraphed logo; manufacture of the frame in metallic materials such as iron, aluminum and others, as well as synthetic resin; and the obtaining of an alternative surface of the bed and backrest based on small planks in various colors and easily replaced. To complement the description which follows and in order to help with a better understanding of its characteristics, this descriptive report includes a set of drawings the figures of which represent the most significant details of the invention in an illustrative but not limiting way. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DESIGNS Figure 1 shows an upper ground plan of the lounger. Figure 2 shows a side view of the lounger. Figure 3 shows a similar view as in figure 2 in which the piling up of various loungers is indicated. Figure 4 shows a similar view as in figure 2 in which various positions of the backrest of the lounger are indicated. Figure 5 shows a view in perspective of the lounger without the support surface of the bed. Figure 6 shows a view in perspective of the lounger with the support surface composed of small planks. Figure 7 shows a view in perspective of the lounger with the support surface composed of a canvas made of a special fabric. Figure 8 shows a section view of a detail of the lower part of a lounger leg, in which its support means are indicated. Figure 9a shows a detail view of the attachment means used to attach the canvas to the structure of the lounger. Figure 9b shows a section indicated by A-A in the above figure 9a. Figure 10 shows the coupling of a small plank to the structure of the lounger. Figure 11 shows a detail view indicated as "A" in figure 2. Figure 12 shows a detail view indicated as "B" in figure 2. Figure 13 shows a partial view in posterior perspective of the lounger in which the adjustable support system of the backrest is indicated. Figure 14 shows a detail view of the lounger in which the positioning of the parts of which it consists are indicated. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED PERFORMANCE In view of the figures indicated above and in accordance with the numbering used, a preferred although not limited performance of the invention can be seen. This consists of a stackable lounger, composed of an ergonomic structure with 5 blunt and no sharp edges and includes a monobloc chassis -1- with reinforcements, a foldable backrest -2- and an adjustable support frame -3- of the backrest, with joints that allow the positioning of the backrest to be completely vertical, whilst the positioning of the adjustable support frame is completely horizontal (figure 14), so that neither can be extracted in any other position. The chassis -1- constitutes the supports -4- and -5- of the lounger. These have an angular, asymmetric "V" shape so that each branch of the "V" forms a different angle of incidence with the floor, with said "V" shapes truncated in their vertices according to the straight sections -6- and -7-, provided with synthetic resin nonskid support wedges 8 (figure 8), thus avoiding raising or sliding of the chassis by one or another of its ends when the weight of the user is not centered. The adjustable support frame -3- of the backrest -2- is located behind the latter and provided with a series of projections -9- that establish a series of attachments on some orifices -10- in the form of keyholes suitably made on the chassis -1- to permit pivoting of the backrest througout the plurality of inclinations up to a limit where it extends from a substantially flat support surface, whereby the upper portion of the adjustable support frame is pivotally attached to the backrest and the bottom portion is selectively engageable with the chassis. This has the peculiarity that said orifices -10- in keyholes facilitate blocking the backrest in order to prevent it from accidentally raising due to tightening of the canvas when, for example, the user sits on the lounger. Likewise, and for this purpose, the backrest -2- in its joining with the adjustable support frame -3- has a butt -11-that is received under pressure in a housing -12- of the chassis -1- of the lounger, thus facilitating blocking of the backrest -2- when this is completely folded on the chassis -1-, as indicated in figure 2 and in detail in figure 12. The lounger is provided with a safety system to prevent damage usually caused when the fingers of the user become jammed between the chassis -1- and the foldable backrest -2- of the lounger, consisting in butts -13- placed under the area in front of the backrest -2-. These, in the folded position of the backrest, rest on the chassis -1- of the lounger and leave a safety space between the chassis and folded back, as shown in figure 2 and in detail in figure 11. The support surface of the lounger can be composed of successive small interchangeable planks -14- with elastic projections -15- that are connected under pressure in housing arranged along the profile of the chassis -1- of the lounger as indicated in figures 6 and 10, or by a material -16-consisting of a transpirable fabric made of plasticized polyester resistant to ultraviolet rays that includes an anti-fungus protection and prevents the stains caused by humidity. This fabric is made by heat-welding, thus preventing it from being torn, and offers easy cleaning and a high degree of comfort and recovery, thanks to a securing system on the chassis -1- of the lounger composed of buttonholes or hooks - 17- joined to the fabric with clinches, attached to elastic cords -18- which are arranged in zigzag around stubs -19-projecting out from the profile of the chassis -1- of the lounger (figure 5), allowing perfect tautening of the fabric as indicated in figures 7, 9a and 9b. Furthermore, the edge of the fabric adapts perfectly to the profile of the lounger chassis, as indicated in figure 7, due to the fact that grooves of a horseshoe shape have been provided in order to suitably house the canvas around the legs of the lounger.

Claims: Stackable lounger, consisting of a structure comprising a chassis (1), a backrest (2) and a frame (3) for selectively supporting the backrest (2) in a plurality of inclinations, whereby the bottom portion of the backrest is articulated to the chassis (1) so as to permit pivoting of the backrest (2) throughout the plurality of inclinations up to a limit where it extends to form a substantially flat support surface, whereby the upper portion of the adjustable support frame (3) is pivotally attached to the backrest (2) and the bottom portion is selectively engageable with the chassis (1), the material of the structure being either metal or composed of synthetic resins, whereby the support surface of the lounger is formed by transverse planks (14) replaceable with a transpirable and highly resistant fabric (16) which optionally provides a support means for any serigraphed logo characterized in that the chassis (1) having on each longitudinal side of the chassis two support elements (4, 5), each being shaped as an asymmetrical "V" where each branch of the "V" forms a different angle of incidence with the floor, in that the adjustable support frame (3) for the backrest (2) comprises a plurality of T-shaped projections (9) being selectively engageable with a series of corresponding keyhole-shaped apertures (10) present in the chassis (1) so as to ensure blocking of the backrest (2) in its selected inclination, thereby preventing accidental raising of the backrest (2) caused by shifting of body weight acting on the support surface, and in that the fabric (16) is heat-welded and composed of high tensile strength polyester yarn, plasticized and resistant to ultraviolet rays. Stackable lounger according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the backrest (2) comprises two stub axles (11) located at the pivotal attachment between backrest (2) and adjustable support frame (3), said stub axles (11) being suitable to be received by clamping in a housing (12) of the lounger chassis (1), thus blocking the backrest (2) when this is completely folded on the chassis (1). Stackable lounger according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the chassis (1) comprises abutments (13) placed under the area in front of the top portion of the backrest (2) when folded down which, when the backrest (2) is in the folded position, rest on the lounger chassis (1) and provide a space between the folded backrest (2) and the chassis (1), thus avoiding that the fingers of the user become jammed between one and the other. Stackable lounger according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the fabric (16) is attached to the chassis (1) of the lounger by means of buttonholes or hooks (17) joined to the fabric with clinches (16), suitable for attachment to elastic cords (18) which are arranged in zigzag around stubs (19) projecting out from the profile of the chassis (1) of the lounger, so that the edge of the fabric (16) is adapted on said profile allowing tautening of the fabric (16). Stackable lounger according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it includes an ergonomic structure with blunt and no sharp edges and a monobloc chassis (1) with reinforcements, with joints that allow the positioning of the backrest (2) to be completely vertical, whilst the positioning of its adjustable support frame (3) is completely horizontal, so that neither can be extracted in any other position. Stackable lounger according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the supports (4, 5) of the lounger have their vertices truncated according to straight sections (6, 7) provided with synthetic resin nonskid support wedges (8).

Inventors: BALLIU FALGUERAS CARME, BALLIU FALGUERAS, CARME
Applicants: BALLIU FALGUERAS CARME, BALLIU FALGUERAS, CARME
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A47C1
IPC codes: A47C3, A47C1