Abstract:
A foldable chair that includes shoulder straps for transporting the chair, pockets of various sizes and shapes for storage of hunting gear and a thick seat cushion for improved comfort is disclosed. The seat cushion is made of thick, dense foam for improved comfort and includes a strap on the bottom edge to attach the seat cushion to the backpack when the cushion is not being used as a seat. The present invention further includes a pivotable frame capable of forming an angled structure when self-support is desired and capable of pivoting into a flat frame for resting against a tree or other vertical support when desired. The invention also includes a cover, mesh or otherwise, surrounding the frame that acts as a back support while the chair is in-use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a combined chair and backpack apparatus, suitable for outdoor use by hunters or naturalists. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combined chair and backpack apparatus which includes straps for facilitating transportation, pockets for easy storage of hunting gear, a cushioned seat for improved comfort and a foldable frame capable either of being self-supported or of being supported by a vertical support substrate, such as a tree.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Background Art  
         [0004]     Hunters and naturalists often need to carry a variety of gear into the field. Accordingly, there is an ongoing need for an easily transported foldable seat apparatus that is lightweight, but that can carry gear of multiple sizes in a convenient manner. There are many solutions currently available to allow such people to carry gear into the field, including both vests and backpacks, both of which continue to be popular.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, in order to increase time spent hunting there have been continuous attempts to increase comfort. This has compelled many easily transportable chairs in the form of folding chairs or seat cushions incorporated into backpacks and vests.  
         [0006]     One method of doing this is by attaching a folding chair onto backpack-like straps or to a vest to be worn by the user for transporting the chair.  
         [0007]     However, these designs have been adapted to either sit in a self-supporting manner, or to be used in conjunction with a tree or other vertical support, but not both. Therefore, a user must choose to transport either a chair that will support itself, or a chair that must be used together with a tree or similar vertical support.  
         [0008]     Examples of patents relating to known foldable chairs for use by hunters include U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,227, “Vest Garment with Pivotable Seat Member,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,110, “Universal Back Pack and Lounge Seat Combination,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,925, “Universal Hunting Pack and Turkey Hunting Vest.” Some of these references disclose folding chairs which are combined with backpacks.  
         [0009]     These folding chairs are generally effective in providing a seat that can be transported, but fail to provide a user with the option of either setting up against a tree or freestanding, without an auxiliary support. Depending on the environment encountered by a user in the field, one choice is usually easier and more practical, for a given application, than the other.  
         [0010]     An improved backpack/foldable chair apparatus is therefore needed, which would be more versatile and adaptable than the previously known chair and backpack devices. In particular, a apparatus is needed that would be able to be used either in a self-supporting mode, or alternatively, could be leaned against a preexisting vertical support such as a tree, while remaining able to transport various objects comfortably in pockets formed therein.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention provides a comfortable foldable chair apparatus that is operatively attached to a backpack. The backpack and chair apparatus hereof can be arranged to be self-supporting via an integrated frame, or alternatively, can be configured to be sustained by a vertical support. When used in conjunction with a vertical support, the chair frame can be arranged so as to support a user in a comfortably supported lounging posture, including a flexible support panel.  
         [0012]     A combined chair and backpack apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the invention may incorporate pockets of varying sizes and shapes in order to carry appropriate gear for hunting. Furthermore, a combined chair and backpack apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention may incorporate a roll-away orange or otherwise brightly colored panel, that can be unfurled for high-visibility safety use, or else can be stowed away when not needed.  
         [0013]     The frame of the combined chair and backpack apparatus according to a particular embodiment of the invention also includes a pivotable reinforcing brace, capable of forming an angled support for use as a self-supporting apparatus. The brace is also capable of pivoting into a flat arrangement against a main frame section, in order to allow the user to rest the frame against a tree or other vertical support.  
         [0014]     The apparatus also includes a relatively thick cushion member for use as a seat when the user is in the seated position, and including a layer of dense foam for comfort. The cushion is attached to one end of the main frame section via a piece of material and includes a strap at the other end for strapping the cushion to the backpack while in a stowed position such that the cushion does not hit the user&#39;s legs while walking.  
         [0015]     Furthermore, the apparatus includes shoulder straps in order to allow a user to conveniently carry the apparatus on his or her back. The apparatus may also include a waist strap, to stabilize the apparatus when worn by a user, and a chest strap to more securely attach the apparatus to a wearer&#39;s torso.  
         [0016]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the reader is referred to the following detailed description section, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description and in the drawings, like numbers refer to like parts. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1A  is a side plan view of a combined backpack and seating apparatus according to an illustrative embodiment hereof, with the apparatus set up in a first functional orientation illustrating a self-supporting deployed frame position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a side plan view of the combined backpack and seating apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with the apparatus set up in a second functional orientation, illustrating the folded flat position for use with a vertical support;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a frame which is a component part of the apparatus of  FIGS. 1A-1B , with the assembly shown in a first functional orientation illustrating the self-supporting deployed frame position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the frame of  FIG. 2A , shown in the second functional orientation, illustrating the folded flat position for use with a vertical support;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2C  is a front plan view of the frame of  FIGS. 2A-2B , illustrating the upper and lower frame components;  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is an environmental perspective view of the combined backpack and seating apparatus of  FIGS. 1A-1B , with the apparatus set up in the folded flat position, and also illustrating a strap arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a body of a user wearing the apparatus of  FIGS. 1A-1B  arranged in a transport configuration thereof, showing the seat cushion and backpack;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the apparatus with the main compartment laying open, illustrating the hook-and-loop connector piece. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     A combined backpack and outdoor seat apparatus  10 , according to a selected illustrative embodiment of the invention, will now be described in some detail, with reference to the drawings.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1A , a combined backpack and outdoor seat apparatus  10  is shown in a first functional orientation illustrating a self-supporting deployed frame position thereof. The apparatus  10  includes a frame  12 , a frame cover, and a backpack, which will each be further described herein. When the frame  12  of the apparatus  10  is in the deployed position, the frame  12  is capable of supporting the apparatus independently on open ground, without any auxiliary support mechanism.  
         [0027]     As seen best in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the frame  12  includes a main frame section  16  and a support brace  14 , which is pivotally attached to the main frame section. The frame The main frame section  16  and the support brace are each preferred to be formed from a strong metal, so that the frame  12  can support the weight of a user leaning thereon, for an extended time period, without failing.  
         [0028]     The main frame section  16  includes an inverted, U-shaped member  4 , and a crossbar  6  welded across the U-shaped member at an intermediate location thereon, so that a pair of parallel spaced apart leg portions  5 ,  5  are defined extending downwardly below the crossbar.  
         [0029]     The support brace  14  is generally provided as a second U-shaped member, and is attached to a medial portion of the main frame section  16 , above the crossbar  6 , via fasteners such as rivets  8 . The support brace  14  is pivotally attached to the main frame section  16 , so as to allow pivotal movement of the support brace  14  in relation to the main frame section. Optionally, plastic bushings  15  may be provided at the juncture between the support brace  14  and the main frame section  16 .  
         [0030]     While deployed in the self-supporting position shown in  FIG. 2A , the support brace  14  of the frame  12  extends at an angle relative to the main frame section  16 . The angle is limited via a non-adjustable strap  17 , which extends from one leg  5  of the main frame section  16 , wraps around the support brace  14 , and then attaches to the other leg  5  of the main frame section. The strap  17  is fixedly attached to the legs  5 ,  5  of the main frame section, preferably by fasteners such as rivets or nuts and screws.  
         [0031]     The apparatus  10  also includes a frame cover  20  which surrounds the main frame section  16 , and is formed out of a soft material such as mesh, as shown in  FIG. 3 . There are openings formed in the frame cover  20 , such as that shown at  22 , in order to allow access to the main frame section  16  for the attachment of straps and the like.  
         [0032]     The apparatus  10  also includes a seat  30 , which is sewn on to or otherwise attached to the frame cover  20  at the bottom edge  24  thereof. The seat  30  can be attached to the frame cover  20  by stitching a connector panel  32 , formed from a flexible piece of material, extending between the seat  30  and the frame cover  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, for increased durability, the seat  30  can be attached to the frame cover  20  by stitching the connector panel  32  on to a supportive strap  78 , shown in  FIG. 3 , that is attached to the frame cover  20 .  
         [0033]     The seat  30  includes a relatively thick, dense foam cushion of a size large enough to comfortable support a hunter in the sitting position, and a fabric envelope surrounding and enclosing the cushion, where the bottom panel of the envelope is formed from durable plastic, vinyl, an elastomer, or a similar water-impermeable material. Optionally, in order to maximize comfort, the seat cushion  36  may include a base layer of a relatively dense and resilient foam elastomer, and a top layer of a lighter, more easily compressible foam elastomer.  
         [0034]     In the depicted embodiment, the seat  30  includes an adjustable strap  34 , located at the bottom of the cushion  36  when in view in the out-of-use position. This adjustable strap  34  can be used to attach the seat cushion  22  to the backpack  50  to keep the seat  30  from hitting the hunter&#39;s leg while in the out-of-use position.  
         [0035]      FIG. 1B  illustrates the apparatus  10  with the frame in a folded flat position, as the apparatus would be used against a naturally-occurring vertical support  2  such as a tree.  
         [0036]     The apparatus  10  also includes a backpack  50 , which attaches to the frame cover  20  via stitching running across along the bottom edge  24  of the frame cover and continuing up along the two sides of the frame cover, forming the main compartment  52  of the backpack  50 . The upper flap of the backpack  50  also removably attaches to the frame cover  20  near the top edge thereof, via two-part adjustable straps  64  that can be detached to uncover the main compartment  52  of the backpack  50  for easier access thereto, as shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0037]     The backpack  50  may be made from a camouflage material for hunting purposes, but can be made out of many materials such as waterproof and/or scent-suppressing materials.  
         [0038]     The backpack  50  also has pockets on the outside surface of the main compartment  52 .  FIG. 1  shows a small pocket  54  and a large pocket  56 , but numerous variations are possible.  
         [0039]     The backpack  50  also has an interior mesh pocket  62 , shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , behind the small pocket  54 , for storing an orange or otherwise brightly-colored visibility panel  60 , that is attached to the backpack  50 . The orange visibility panel  60  can be removed from the pocket and unrolled for safety purposes when needed, or stowed away in the mesh pocket  62  when not needed. The orange visibility panel  60  is attached to the inside of the mesh pocket  62 , and has connector straps on the end that is not attached These connector straps may be formed from a first hook-and-loop material such as that sold under the mark VELCRO. There are also corresponding fastener pieces attached to the underside of the backpack  50 , in order to secure the panel  60  to in a position covering a large portion of the backpack  50 .  
         [0040]     A looped handle strap  68  may be provided at the top of the main frame section  16  near the adjustable straps  64 , to permit easy handling of the apparatus  10  when the apparatus  10  is not being transported on a user&#39;s back. This looped strap  68 , where used, attaches to the main frame section  16  at an opening  22  in the frame cover  20 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows the apparatus  10  in the in-use position supported by a vertical support  2  illustrating the arrangement of straps. On the front side of the frame cover  20 , directly below the looped handle strap  68 , there is an upper reinforcing member  72  sewn in place. Shoulder straps  70  attach to this reinforcing member  72  via stitching. The shoulder straps  70  are equipped with loops  74  for convenient storage of hunting accessories, such as small knives, rounds and similarly-shaped objects. Further down along the shoulder straps  70 , a chest strap  76  is attached to both straps, allowing a user to connect the chest strap  76  and adjust it to tighten the apparatus  10  when worn by the user, for easier transportation.  
         [0042]     The lower ends of the shoulder straps  70  are attached to a lower reinforcing member  78  at the bottom edge  24  of the frame cover,  20  via stitching. Also attached to this lower reinforcing member  78  is a set of waist straps  80  that may be connected around the waist of the user for carrying heavy loads, thereby placing more of the weight of the load on the user&#39;s hips as opposed to the user&#39;s shoulders.  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows the apparatus in the out-of-use position with the seat cushion  20  stowed away via the adjustable strap  34  attached to the underside of the large pocket  56 . Also attached to the large pocket  56  at a slightly higher height is a set of side straps  82 . The side straps run from the large pocket  56  to the frame cover  20  and when connected can be tightened to decrease the size of the main compartment  52  in the event that only small objects are to be transported.  
         [0044]     The large pocket  56  also has a zipper  84 , shown in  FIG. 4  for easy access. However, Velcro is another possible fastening device and is used on the small pocket  54  as well on the frame cover  20 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  shows the frame and cover  20  with the backpack  50  detached at the adjustable straps  64  and with the side straps detached. This allows a user a larger opening to load the main compartment  52 . The frame cover  20  wraps around the frame  12  and is closed via a Velcro piece  86 . The Velcro piece  86  allows a user to easily remove the backpack  50  and cover  20  from the frame  12  for cleaning purposes.  
         [0046]     Although the present invention has been described herein with respect to a specific illustrative embodiment, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art will realize that many modifications of the preferred embodiment could be made which would be operable. For example, a number of variations of pockets and straps can be added or subtracted from the present invention to hold various types of gear. Also, many types of material can be used for the cover or for the backpack, such as waterproof or scent suppressing materials. All such modifications, which are within the scope of the claims, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.