Abstract:
A seat with a backrest with an adjustable height is disclosed. The seating arrangement comprises an extension portion and a base portion separated by a fold line. Further, the seating arrangement has at least two positions; a first position, where the extension portion extends upwardly, and a second position where the extension portion is folded downwardly. The seating arrangement can be used in many applications, including the use of canoes and kayaks. The seating arrangement may also include a seat or bottom portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an adjustable seat backrest. Specifically, the present invention relates to an adjustable backrest in which the height of the backrest is adjustable between high and low positions. Further, embodiments of this invention relate to seating arrangements for kayaks, canoes and other watercrafts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is desirable to have simple and light weight adjustable seating arrangements to fit different size users and for different uses of the vehicle in which it is located. For example, it is desirable for kayak seats to be adjustable from a low backrest position to a high backrest position. A low backrest is often preferable for entering the kayak, paddling at speed, using a spray cover or reentering the kayak from the back deck in the event of a deep water rescue. On the other hand, a high backrest is often more comfortable for relaxing in the kayak or for recreational paddling. Consequently, a seat back that is adjustable between a low and a high backrest position is desirable. 
         [0003]    Various seating arrangements have attempted to capture the benefits of a high and a low backrest in one adjustable seat by providing adjustments for the backrest. However, these backrest adjustments are generally complicated, and utilize rigid systems. These prior art systems have employed a variety of rigid tracks in the manner of an automobile headrest, complex webbing and locking mechanisms that are difficult to use, and add weight to the watercraft. Thus, what is needed is a seat back that can be easily converted to and from high and low backrest positions and that is easy to use, light and flexible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a seating arrangement that provides an adjustable height backrest, wherein the backrest is comprised of a base portion and an extension portion that are connected at a fold line. The invention further comprises a first position, where the extension portion extends upwardly, and a second position, where the extension portion is folded downwardly. The change in positions allows the seating arrangement to mimic a low backrest and a high backrest. 
         [0005]    An embodiment of the present invention also includes a cutout along the fold line. The cutout can extend through the base portion and the extension portion or partially through the base portion and the extension portion. The cutout can also improve the folding ability of the extension portion. 
         [0006]    An embodiment of the present invention also includes a seat bottom that can be used in conjunction with the backrest in a conventional manner. 
         [0007]    The seat back of the present invention may be used in conjunction with various watercraft, such as kayaks or canoes, to provide a more comfortable backrest depending on the use of the watercraft. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows the seating arrangement in a kayak with the backrest in the first position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows the seating arrangement in a kayak with the backrest in the second position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the backrest in the first position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the backrest in the second position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of the backrest in the first position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the backrest in the second position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The present invention is referred to herein as a “seating arrangement” or a “backrest.” For example, the seating arrangement may be for a kayak or a canoe, but is not limited to those vehicles. The seating arrangement is comprised of a backrest  1 , which has an extension portion  2 , a base portion  3 , and a fold line  4 . Some embodiments of the invention have a cutout  5  along the fold line  4 . 
         [0015]    The extension portion  2  may be made of any material that is rigid enough to support the back of an occupant. In one embodiment, the extension portion  2  is made of a waterproof, flexible material that has a curved shape or a curvable ability that roughly contours to the shape of the occupant&#39;s back. The base portion  3  can be made of the same material as the extension portion  2 . Both portions ( 1  and  2 ) may be made of composite materials and have layers of materials as is known in the art. In one embodiment, the base portion  3  and extension portion  2  are made of vacuum formed foams, composite with a denser backing pad or foams sewn into a fabric cover. The base portion  3  and extension portion  2  may be made of any material that is commonly used for kayak seats including polyethylene, ads, composites of glass, kevlan and carbon fiber reinforced resin systems, or solid foam. Foamed materials are advantageous due to their light weight, toughness and ability to float in water, among a number of other attributes known in the art. As such, the backrest can be removed from the watercraft and used as a floatation device as well. In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension portion  2  and base portion  3  are connected to each other along a fold line  4 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the extension portion  2  and base portion  3  are formed from at least one contiguous piece of material. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the base portion  3  and extension portion  2  are concave in shape so that the sides of both portions are curved inwardly to contour to the back and sides of the occupant&#39;s body. 
         [0017]    In addition, the seating arrangement has a first position and a second position. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 , the seating arrangement is in the first position when the extension portion  2  is extended upwardly above base portion  3 . The concave contour of the backrest  1  and its semi-rigid composition helps to retain the extension portion  2  in the first position. This is enhanced by pressure from the occupant&#39;s back against the backrest  1 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6 , the seating arrangement is in the second position when the extension portion  2  is folded down to a stowed position, along fold line  4  and behind bottom portion  3 . In the second, stowed position, the fold line  4  is the highest point of the backrest. 
         [0018]    The seating arrangement allows the occupant to select between the first position, where the seating arrangement mimics a high backrest ( FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 ), and the second, stowed position, where the seating arrangement mimics a low backrest ( FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  6 ). The seating arrangement achieves the second position by folding along a fold line  4  in between the extension portion  2  and the base portion  3 . The fold line  4  refers to the area where the folding occurs. The fold line  4  can be curved, straight or any other suitable geometry. The fold line  4  may be an area in a contiguous backrest  1 , wherein the fold line is an area of a decreased thickness than base portion  3  and extension portion  2 . In one embodiment, the fold line  4  is half the thickness of the other portions of backrest  1 . The fold line can also consist of an open area between base portion  3  and extension portion  2  wherein, base portion  3  and extension portion  2  are connected by one or more hinges or the like. Further, the base portion  3  is supported in any conventional way known in the art that allows the extension portion  2  to fold downwardly. In one embodiment, the backrest  1  is attached to the seat  6 . The backrest  1  may also be attached by the sides of base portion  2  being attached to either side of the kayak or canoe by bolts and/or a seat tower. The base portion may alternatively be attached to the kayak or canoe by means of indentations, depressions, bolts or other attachments formed into the cockpit coaming. It may also be attached by means of chines. The backrest  1  may also be “free floating” from a strapping arrangement to the cockpit rim, seat or hip pad areas. In the first position, the extension portion  2  extends upwardly roughly in line with the base portion  3  and is supported by the pressure exerted by the occupant&#39;s back and its connection to the base portion  3 . In the first position, the top end of the extension portion  2  is the highest point of the backrest  1 . In the second position, the extension portion  2  is folded downwardly along the fold line  4 , and folded behind base portion  3 . In the second position, the fold line  4  is at or near the high point of the backrest  1 . The extension portion  2  may also be folded downwardly in front of the base portion  3 . 
         [0019]    In another, embodiment a cutout  5  along the fold line  4  aids the top portion  2  in folding down. 
         [0020]    The seating arrangement can also include a seat portion  6  of any compatible variety known in the art. Further, the seating arrangement can be affixed to or removable from the vehicle. 
         [0021]    The  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the seating arrangement in a kayak but in no way does this limit the application of the seating arrangement to kayaks. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the backrest  1  may be formed from multiple layers, and the fold line  4  is the area where less than all of the layers extend continuously between extension portion  2  and base portion  3 ; in other words, in such embodiment, fold line  4  is of a decreased thickness because one or more layers are absent along such line. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows the seating arrangement in a kayak with the extension portion  2  in the first position. The base portion  3  is also shown. The fold line  4  connects the extension  2  and base  3  portions. The base portion  3  of the seating arrangement is attached to a seat portion  6  in any conventional manner or to the cockpit coaming or seat towers. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows the same seating arrangement shown in  FIG. 1 , but the extension portion  2  is folded downwardly into the second position. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows the front of the seating arrangement when removed from the vehicle and shows the base portion  3 , the extension portion  2  in the first position and the fold line  4 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows the same view of the seating arrangement in  FIG. 3 , but it shows the extension portion  2  in the second position. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  represents a back view of the backrest  1  removed from the vehicle. The Figure shows a cutout  5  along the fold line  4 . The cut out  5  can help the extension portion  2  fold into the second position. In addition, the cutout  5  can extend through the entire backrest  1  or extend part way through the backrest  1 . In the embodiment shown, the cutout  5  is elliptical in shape, but may be cut in different shapes. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows the back view of the embodiment in  FIG. 5 , but it shows the extension portion in the second position.