Abstract:
A portable back rest is provided having a U-shaped frame formed from two vertical segments joined with a horizontal segment. Points on the end of each vertical segment are adapted to pierce and become submerged in soil or sand and hold the frame upright where the horizontal segment will support fabric such as a towel as a back support. Fins may be positioned adjacent the points on the ends of the vertical segments to further stabilize their engagement with soil or sand and provide a contact point for a foot during insertion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/165,722 filed on May 22, 2015 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto. 
     
    
       [0002]    The present device relates to seats and back rests. More particularly, the disclosed device, creates a lightweight and portable back rest configured to support the upright positioning of a seated user, which is adapted for easy engagement with soil or sand. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A large number of the outdoor activity and event venues, such as picnic sites, beaches and camping grounds, do not offer adequate seating or in many cases any seating for visitors. While there is frequently plenty of space in parks and other recreation areas for visitors to sit or lay directly upon the ground, there generally is a lack of upright seating for such visitors. Consequently, visitors to such venues, for example the beach, are left to their own devices should they desire to have a back support and upright seating to as to be able to sit and enjoy the view during a visit. 
         [0004]    Employing a picnic blanket or towel upon the grass of a park or the sand at the beach helps keep the user clean and separated from the soil or sand on the ground. However, such planar covers only allow a user placing them on the ground to lay upon them face down or face up. As such, the ground-positioning of such towels and blankets offer no upright or vertical support and thus will not provided comfortable support for the user to lounge or rest in an upright or seated position while relaxing, sun bathing, talking or eating. While a prone position may be sufficient for a portion the time spent visiting an outdoor venue, visitors wishing to view other people, the water or surf, and the surrounding area or activity, are unable to easily and comfortably do so when laying flat on the ground or sand. 
         [0005]    In attempting a solution to this problem, users may generally shop to pick from an array of portable chairs. Such chairs are generally composed of a jointed seat back and a bottom for sitting upon. In many instances such chairs may have longer or shorter legs to hold the user elevated a distance above the support surface or ground while seated. A multitude of such outdoor seating devices have been developed to allow the user to sit upright during outdoor visits to their favored recreational areas. 
         [0006]    Such chairs are also generally formed of textile fabric or webbing which is operatively engaged to the framework which is formed of metal or plastic. In some modes of conventional portable chairs, mechanisms are included in the framework which allow the user to select the angle between the chair back and a generally horizontally deployed bottom or seat. This chair back is adapted to support their upper body in a variety of angled positions relative to the soil or sand support surface. 
         [0007]    However, the bulk and size required for the framework and associated mechanisms of such portable chairs which enables them to support the weight of the user, often renders these portable chairs heavy or cumbersome to transport. Additionally, such chairs tend to corrode and invariably the fabric engaged therewith will wear from use. As a result, these fabric covered chairs and seats are usually rendered inoperable over time by the failure of the support fabric engaged to the framework. 
         [0008]    As such, there is a specific and unmet need for a lightweight and simple portable back rest and support device, which is easily transported. Such a device should provide the user with supported positioning of their back, in an upright position, with their body concurrently separated from the underlying soil or sand during use. Such a device in addition to being light weight, should be easily broken down into smaller components which are easily assembled to allow for easy and compact transport. Finally such a device should enable the user or the provider to outfit the seating support with their own fabric or textile supporting surfaces, to allow for customization or employment of favored decorative towels and blankets if desired, as well as providing an easily changed fabric or textile support surface and avoid the obsolescence of conventional chairs which occurs when the permanently engaged fabric become inoperable. 
         [0009]    The forgoing examples of related art and limitation related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat back support, which requires minimal skeletal support through the employment of distal ends adapted for insertion into loose ground, and a frame adapted to engage with a towel or blanket of choice, to provide back support to the user. 
         [0011]    It is an additional object for the device to allow the user to employ their own towel or textile fabric as the back support which is easily yet securely engaged to the supporting structure. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is the provision of such a back support which is formed of easily disengaged components to allow for easy and compact transport, but which can be configured to remain connected in a disengaged state. 
         [0013]    These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a device configured as a portable back rest support. 
         [0015]    The device includes a framework formed of a solid or preferably a hollow tubular frame having an axial passage running therethrough. The framework may be formed using tubular members with bends at only two points along the framework, to thereby form two opposing vertical segments connected by a horizontal cross member section. 
         [0016]    The distal ends of both vertical segments are adapted for secure but easy engagement with underlying soil or sand, and so engaged will support the horizontal segment. In an assembled configuration, all the included segments may have axes which are coplanar with an axial passageway running the length of the assembled frame. So assembled, the vertical segments are congruent and symmetric about the middle segment bisecting plane. 
         [0017]    In all preferred modes of the device, the assembled tubular frame employs a pair of vertical segments, each having a respective distal end which is configured with a point or spear engaged thereon. The point allows for easy device penetration into loose ground or sand. Formation of the pointed ends for the assembled frame can be accomplished by angle cutting, crimping, cold forming or through affixing a conical pointed-end component on each distal end. 
         [0018]    The tubular structure may have a uniform outer diameter of between 0.125 and 1 inches, and can be formed from engageable sections of tubing having rectangular, circular or geometrical cross sections. Additionally, the tubular vertical segments, and horizontal segment can range between 10 to 48 inches, and 10 to 24 inches long respectively, depending upon the size of the intended occupant. 
         [0019]    At an engagement point of each of two ends of the horizontal member to one end of the vertical members, the angle should be between 80 to 110 degrees with a current favored mode being substantially 90 degrees. As noted this angled engagement may be accomplished by forming the entire frame of a single member and bending the single member to form the corners, or more preferably, forming the frame from a plurality of elongated member portions which connect at engageable corner components adapted for a frictional or other removable engagement with the horizontal segment and two vertical segments. Forming the framework of the device from multiple engageable components allows it to be dissembled and formed to a smaller storage configuration. 
         [0020]    In a particularly preferred mode of the device, the pointed ends positioned at the distal ends of each vertical segment will include adjacently positionable stabilizing projections extending radially therefrom. Currently, such projections are provided by employing between 1 to 5 stabilization fins which project radially from and around the axis of each vertical member and which taper toward the pointed end upon the vertical members. These fins are employable for both pushing the vertical member into the sand or soil by pushing upon them with a foot. Once engaged with the soil or sand, the fins also help secure the ends to a fixed position in the soil or sand. 
         [0021]    So engaged with soil or sand, the preferred radially projecting fins provide for increased rigidity of the assembled frame by preventing traverse movement of the distal ends. Further they provide resistance to disengagement from the soil or sand during use when the user may be leaning upon the textile fabric the vertical members support. The stabilization fins in a current preferred mode or of a length of between 0.25 and 5 inches and project radially from the circumference of the vertical member between 0.25 and 5 inches. 
         [0022]    To employ the device herein and position it to an as-used position engaged with underlying soil or sand, the user will assemble the components if formed of multiple components. With the frame assembled, the user will force downward on the tubular frame vertical sections using their hands and body weight, or if fins are engaged, by stepping on the rear of the fins to force the vertical member into the soil or sand. This force causes a piercing of the sand or soil by the pointed distal ends of each vertically disposed member. The force is continued until the vertical members and if employed, the radially projecting fins are buried below ground level of the soil or sand. 
         [0023]    If fabric is not pre-engaged to the vertically disposed members, once the frame is in an engaged position, with soil or sand covering the pointed ends, the user may roll or tie a towel over the horizontal segment of the frame and drape the towel down between the vertical exposed sections of the tubular frame segments, and onto the loose ground. A frictional engagement surface or textile engagement surface may be optionally positioned upon the surface of the horizontal segment. Further, draping a towel or blanket so that the user is sitting upon both ends underneath the seat of the user, will create a taught backrest to allow the user to lounge in comfort. 
         [0024]    In another preferred mode of the device the sections forming the tubular structure may be disengageable for easy packing, storage, and transportation. In this mode, the device should contain one or a combination of rigid, temporary segment coupling means such as mating threads, pins, spring pins, slots, interference fits, snaps, clasps, collars, bands or ties. 
         [0025]    To prevent tubular structure segment loss, and to increase the rigidity of the assembled frame, this mode of the device may optionally employ a joining string or elastic band, or a combination thereof, which is engaged at both ends of the assembled frame and communicates through an axial passage running the length of the frame and any other permanent, nonrigid segment joints or flexible or slip fit tubes. 
         [0026]    Additionally, in other modes of the device, one or more clips on the vertically disposed members of the tubular frame can be positioned to temporarily engage with a towel, or blanket, or other textile to the ground-engaged frame of the device. The clip in this mode of the device can, for example, include one or a combination of clips from a group including thumb clips, clasps, bungee straps, clinch straps, bands, hook and loop fasteners or ties. 
         [0027]    The tubular structure in all modes should preferably be composed of a durable, lightweight material such as aluminum, or plastic if sufficiently strong. However, it might also be formed of one or a combination of other materials from a group of materials including wood, steel, carbon fiber, fiberglass, resin or polymeric materials. Additionally, a horizontal splat can be made of any durable, sun-resistant, flexible woven or non-woven material. Such may be formed of one or a combination of textile materials including nylon, cotton, polyester, denim, plastic, synthetic yarns, or wool. 
         [0028]    With respect to the above description, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The device herein described and disclosed in the various modes and combinations is also capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Any such alternative configuration as would occur to those skilled in the art is considered within the scope of this patent. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0029]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other powder and pill storage and dispensing products for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0030]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only nor exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion. In the drawings: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a mode of the device in an as-used positioning with distal ends of both vertical members, engaged with soil or sand. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a disassembled front view of the device showing a mode of the frame with separable components and an elastic member running through an axial passage extending the length of the frame. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2A  depicts a perspective view of the device in an as-used positioning, with fins radially projecting adjacent distal ends operatively engaged below ground level of the underlying soil or sand. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  displays a perspective view of a mode of the device which includes removably engaged fabric section for back support. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of another mode of the device having clips projecting from the assembled frame for engagement of the textile or other flexible supporting fabric. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  shows a mode of the fins which may be slidably engaged upon the frame, and adjusted in positioning. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  depicts pointed ends which may be operatively engaged with the distal ends of both vertical members and showing a flexible elastic member connected thereto which may run through the axial passageway running through the assembled frame to bias the components to hold engagement. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    Now referring to the drawings in  FIGS. 1-6 , wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1  the device  10  configured to an assembled configuration and ready for use as a portable back rest. In the depicted mode of  FIG. 1 , the device  10  includes a solid or hollow tubular frame  12 , which may be formed from a single member which is bent at two corners, or otherwise formed of segments which are operatively engaged at corners. In this assembled configuration, the frame  12  is substantially a U-shape and has opposing and coplanar opposing vertical segments  22  which support a horizontal segment  22  a distance above the ground or soil. By substantially U-shaped is meant that the vertical segments  22  can be parallel and engaged at a substantially right angle with the horizontal segment  22 , or may run at an angle toward or away from each other in the direction toward their respective intersection or engagement with the horizontal segment  22 . As noted this angle of engagement can be between 80 to 110 degrees. 
         [0039]    The horizontal segment  20  and the opposing vertical segments  22  with the frame  12  when formed to an assembled or as-used mode, such as in  FIGS. 1, 2   a,  and  3 - 4  are all preferably all coplanar to allow for proper positioning and support of the towel or blanket or other flexible sheet over the horizontal segment  22  where it may be supported thereby or may be held in position by an engagement surface  21  positioned on the horizontal segment  22 . Such an engagement surface for example can be hooked fabric or a gnarled surface on the horizontal segment to resist slippage of the fabric support  16 . 
         [0040]    In all preferred modes of the device  10 , the vertical segments  22  have distal ends which are pointed or have a point  23  thereon, either formed or engaged, to allow for easy penetration thereof into loose soil or sand  18 . 
         [0041]    The frame  12  in current preferred modes has a substantially uniform outer diameter of between 0.125 and 1 inches. It may be formed with circular or rectangular or geometrical cross sections. Additionally, the vertical segments  22 , may be between 10 to 48 inches in total length from points  23  to engagement with the horizontal segment  20 , and the horizontal segments  20 , 3 to 36 inches in length. A currently preferred angle between each of the vertical segments  22  at their respective intersection with the horizontal segment  20 , thereby forming the U-shaped frame  14 , is between 80 and 110 degrees. When using fittings for a removable engagement therebetween, a substantially 90 degree angle has been found to form a strong and stable structure when engaged to sand or soil. By substantially 90 degrees is meant exactly 90 degrees or plus or minus 5 degree from 90 degrees. 
         [0042]    Each vertical segment  22  preferably includes between 1 and 5 stabilization fins  14  positioned at or adjacent the distal ends of the vertical segments  22  where the points  23  are positioned. The fins  14  provided for increased resistance to disengagement from the soil or sand while supporting a user and help prevent the vertical segments from tipping when the user leans upon the towel or fabric support  16 . 
         [0043]    The stabilization fins  14  in a current preferred mode are of a length of 0.25 and 5 inches, extend radially from the center axis and exterior surface of the vertical segments  22  of the formed tubular frame  12 . The fins  14  may be positioned at or adjacent the distal ends of the vertical segments  22  as noted, or in an adjustable mode, using removably engageable fins  14  such as in  FIG. 5 , which allow for adjusting the fin  14  distance from the points  23 , to adjust for harder or softer dirt or sand and adjust the depth of insertion of the ends of the vertical segments. Further, it is preferred that the fins  14  extend a distance from the vertical segment  22  with a fin edge  15  ( FIG. 5 ) that runs perpendicular or at a slight incline to the axis of the vertical segment  22 . The forms the fin edge  15  to define a foot-engagement surface, so the user may step upon the fin edge  15  during engagement of the points  23 , fins  14  and vertical segment  22  in the soil or sand. As noted below, the fins  14  can also be engaged adjustably, to allow for more or less penetration into the soil or sand, which allows for a spacing of the fins  14  from the pint  23  and a more secure support resistant to tilting. 
         [0044]    To employ the device  10  herein, a user will force the vertical segments  22  downward thereby piercing the loose ground  18  with the points  23  positioned at the distal ends of the vertical segments  22 . The distal ends are forced below ground lever until the stabilization fins  14  are partially or preferably fully buried. As noted, the fin edge  15  of each fin  14  can also allow for a foot engagement to help force the vertical segments  22  into the sand or soil. 
         [0045]    For a device  10  configured without a permanent or removably engaged flexible fabric support  16 , the user will position a fabric support  16  such as a towel or blanket or similar planar flexible support surface held over or upon over the horizontal segment  20  of the frame  12 . The towel or blanket ends may be draped down and over or in-between the vertical segments  22 , and onto the loose ground  18 . Thereafter a user sitting on the two ends of the towel  18  or blanket providing the fabric support  16 , will secure them to the ground and leaning thereon creates a taught backrest to allow the user to lounge in comfort. 
         [0046]    In addition to, or in place of the towel  18  or blanket, the user may choose to employ one or a combination of soft collapsible and portable items including but not limited to: cloths, clothing, bags, sheets or nets. 
         [0047]    In another preferred mode of the device  10 , per  FIG. 2 , the tubular frame  12  can be formed of the vertical segments  22  and a horizontal segment  20  which are disengageable for easy packing and transportation. In this mode, the device  10  should contain one or a combination of rigid, temporary segment coupling means such as mating threads, pins, spring pins, slots, interference fits, snaps, clasps, bands, ties or slidably engageable fittings at the corners  29 . Or the corners  29  may be portions of either the ends of the horizontal segment  20  or the upper ends of the vertical segments  22  which are bent to a curve forming the engageable corner  29 . In all modes the adjacent vertical segment  22  and horizontal segment  20  will be formed to connect in a removable engagement as noted. To prevent segment loss in a disassembled mode of the frame  12 , optionally a flexible and preferably elastic joining member  24  may be employed which is axially threaded through the continuous axial passageway formed between all the connecting components. 
         [0048]    This joining member  24  can be engaged for instance to a point  23  component such as in  FIG. 6 , which will connect to the ends of the joining member  24  by crimping thereto, or engaging it with knots to an aperture in the point  23  component. If the length of an elastic joining member  24  is less than that of the axial passageway through the formed and assembled frame  12 , it will impart a biasing force to the assembled components of the formed frame  12  to help hold it assembled. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a permanent or removable horizontal splat  26  may be engaged to the vertical segments  22 . As depicted a collar is formed on both ends of the splat  26  through which vertical segments  22  are inserted. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 4  is shown a mode of the device  10  employing clips  28  positioned on the formed frame  12  such may also be employed to temporarily affix a towel  18  or blanket or the like to the device  10 . 
         [0051]    As noted,  FIG. 5  depicts an adjustably positionable fin component  31  which is slidably engageable in position upon the vertical segments  22 . The fins  14  extend radially around a collar  33  sized to slidably engage upon the exterior of the vertical segments  22 . The fin component  31  and fins  14  may be slid closer to or further from the points  23  to allow for a deeper or shallower positioning of the fins  14  in the soil or sand. A releasable connector  35 , such as a set screw or an aperture which will engage depressible balls on each vertical segment  22 , allows the collar  33  to be positioned, and then held in that position by setting the connector  35  such as a set screw. 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  depicts points  23  which may be operatively engaged with the distal ends of both vertical members  22  and showing a flexible elastic member  24  connected thereto by a connector such as a crimp  37 . A recess  39  in the exterior circumference would be sided for slidable engagement within the axial passage at the distal ends of the vertical members  22 . 
         [0053]    As noted, the frame  12  should preferably be composed of a durable, lightweight material such as aluminum, but can alternatively be made of one or a combination of materials in a list including but not limited to: wood, steel, carbon fiber, fiberglass, resin or plastic. In either a single pieced component or formed of multiple components, an axial passage running the length of the frame  12  will allow for communication of the flexible member  24  therethrough and if elastic, a biased compressive engagement of multiple components if so formed. 
         [0054]    As noted, any of the different configurations and components can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and steps in the method of production, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, or steps in formation of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
         [0055]    Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.