Abstract:
A gardening chair configured to facilitate increase access to the area proximate thereto for a user. The gardening chair further includes a stationary base that is configured to provide structural support. Pivotally attached to the base is a sitting platform configured to receive a user thereon. Pins are utilized to pivotally connect the sitting platform and the base. The gardening chair further includes two pivot pins mounted to the sitting platform functioning to engage with the base and control the amount of pivotal movement of the sitting platform.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a sitting aid, more specifically a chair having a base and a support structure with the support being pivotally secured to the base to facilitate a increase user&#39;s ability to reach objects in an area proximate the chair. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Home improvement is a multi-billion dollar a year industry in the United States. Homeowners engage in many facets of home improvement. One area of home improvement that millions of homeowners engage in is gardening or landscaping. Homeowners routinely plant trees, shrubs and utilize flower beds to create a desired look around their home. 
   Whether it is the maintenance of existing landscaping or gardens or the installation of new foliage, routinely this type of work involves a great deal of time that is usually spent on the ground in a bent over position. Homeowners routinely remain in one position while they work in the area proximate to them within their reach performing the necessary tasks that are needed to accomplish the gardening or landscaping project. This usually involves forward movement of their torso outside of its general axial alignment, or rested position, as well as reaching in the proximate area with their arms. These movements can create a significant amount of discomfort for any individual engaging in these tasks for a long period of time. One problem in performing these tasks is that a user is required to constantly move as they perform work in the area proximate to them. While there are many current devices that provide a user a suitable horizontal support structure to engage with while performing gardening or landscaping task, no current device has been shown the ability to increase the area in which a user can work in without having to move. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can provide a suitable support structure for a user to engage therewith while performing tasks such as gardening or landscaping that can increase the area in which a user can reach without the requirement for moving the support structure. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the object of the present invention to provide a support structure for a user to engage therewith during such tasks as gardening for providing an ability to substantially increase the area in which the user can perform tasks in without the requirement for moving the support structure. 
   Another object of the present invention to provide a support structure for use in performing tasks such as gardening that comprises a base portion and a top portion. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a support structure wherein the top portion is pivotally secured to the base portion facilitating movement thereof. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a support structure having a pivotal top portion that has the ability to pivot up to twenty five degrees. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a support structure for use in tasks such as gardening that is light weight and inexpensive. 
   To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith wherein the various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein like elements are designated with like reference numerals throughout the figures and in particular to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of a gardening chair  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
   The gardening chair  100  comprises a base portion  105  and a top portion  110 . Base portion  105  includes a wall  115  that is contiguously formed with two opposing side walls  120  and  122  proximate lateral edges  116  and  118  of wall  115  to form base portion  105 . Base portion  105  has an upper section  130  that is generally arcuate in shape. The base portion  105  includes four legs members  145  which are contiguously formed therewith and function to engage a suitable support surface such as the ground. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes leg members  145  that are adjustable in length to facilitate adjustment of the height of the sitting surface  150 . With such adjustable leg members  145 , good results have been achieved utilizing leg members  145  that adjust to allow the height of chair  100  to be approximately thirteen to fifteen inches. 
   The upper section  130  of the base portion  105  is formed into an arcuate shape to allow the top portion  110  that is movably secured to the base portion  105  to pivot without restriction or interference from the base portion  105 . While no particular radius of the upper section  130  is required, good results have been achieved utilizing a wall  115  having an upper section  130  that has approximately a six inch radius. The base portion  105  further functions to provide the structural support needed for the movably engaged top portion and a user engaged therewith. The base portion  105  is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as but not limited to plastic or aluminum. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the base portion  105  could be manufactured with numerous different amounts of walls and still be formed into a desirable shape achieving the functionality as described herein. It should also be recognized that different amounts of leg members  145  could be utilized to engage a suitable support surface. 
   Two pivot holes  140  and  142  are journaled through each of the two opposing side walls  120  and  122 , respectively, below the center points of the side walls  120  and  122  and are generally annular in shape. Pivot holes  140  and  142  are of sufficient diameter to receive therein pivot pins  160  and  162 . Pivot pins  160  and  162  (see  FIG. 3 ) function to movably connect the top portion  110  to the base portion  105  and function to allow the top portion  110  to pivot around the base portion  105 . Pivot pins  160  and  162  are shaped to be matebaly inserted into the pivot holes  140  and  142 . Pivot pins  160  and  162  are manufactured from suitable durable materials such as but not limited to plastic or aluminum. It is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the pivot pins  160  and  162  could be manufactured as single pin of sufficient in length to fit both pivot holes  140  and  142  at the same time. 
   Two pivot slots  135  and  137  are positioned above pivot holes  140  and  142 , respectively, and are journaled through each of the two side walls  120  and  122 . The pivot slots  135  and  137  are generally arcuate in shape and are sufficient in size in order to receive pivot pins  165  and  167  of top portion  110 . Pivots slots  135  and  137  function to control the movable range of the top portion  110  subsequent to being secured to the base portion  105 . Pivot slots  135  and  137  are located generally parallel to each other on each of the two opposing side walls  120  and  122  to allow the top portion  110  to move without binding or restriction. The length of pivot slots  135  and  137  function to control the degrees of tilt of the movably connected top portion  110 . While no particular length of pivot slots  135  and  137  is required, good results have been achieved utilizing pivot slots  135  and  137  having sufficient in length to allow the top portion  110  to rotate between a vertical upright position and a tilted position approximately twenty five degrees from vertical. 
   Pivot slots  135  and  137  are generally arcuate in shape and positioned so as to allow the movably connected top portion  110  to tilt in one direction a number of degrees as controlled by the length of the pivot slots  135  from an initially upright or vertical position. This tilting of the top portion  110  facilitates a user sitting on chair  100  to extend their reach therefrom. Although the pivot slots  135  are illustrated in the drawings submitted herewith as being shaped to allow the movably connected top portion  110  to tilt in one direction, it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the pivot slots could be shaped to facilitate the tilting of the movably connected top portion  110  in two directions. 
   The top portion  110  includes two side members  155  and  157  with seat portion  150  interposed the two side members  155  and  157  and integrally formed therewith. The top portion  110  is manufactured of suitable durable materials such as but not limited to plastic or aluminum. The top portion  110  is of sufficient size to be superposed the base portion  105  and movably connected thereto. The bottom edge of each side members  155  and  157  is generally arcuate in shape to facilitate the top portion  110  to tilt with respect to the base portion  105  without interference or restriction from the support surface on which the garden chair  100  is placed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the bottom edge  170  of the side members  155  could be shaped in numerous different shapes in order to achieve the functionality as described herein. 
   Pivot apertures  141  and  143  are journaled through each side member  155  and  157 , and function to receive pivot pins  160  and  162  thereby movably securing the top portion  110  to the base portion  105 . The top portion  110  is superposed on the base portion  105  such that the pivot holes  140  and  142  and the pivot apertures  141  and  143  are in general alignment in order to facilitate receiving pivot pins  160  and  162 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3  the space  175  between top portion  110  and base portion  105  allows the top portion  110  to tilt with respect to the base portion  105  as described herein substantially eliminating contact between the top portion  110  and the base  105 . While no particular distance is required for the mounting space  175 , good results have been achieved with a mounting space  175  that is at least one-eighth of an inch. 
   Mounting pins  165  and  167  are mounted generally parallel to each other and engage pivot slots  135  and  137  on side walls  120  and  122 . The mounting pins  165  and  167  function to control the degree of tilting of the top portion  110  with respect to the base portion  105  as the mounting pins  165  and  167  traverse within the pivot slots  135  and  137 . 
   A description of the operation of the gardening chair  100  is as follows. In use, a user will position the gardening chair  100  in a desired location and assume a sitting position thereon. The sitting surface  150  is configured in a substantially horizontal manner with top portion  110  being generally vertical. While performing the desired task a user can extend their reach by leaning or applying pressure to the edge of the top portion  110 . As top portion  110  tilts at an angle with respect to the base portion  105  the user can extend their reach in the area proximate the gardening chair  100 . The pivot rod  160  functions to facilitate the tilting or pivoting movement of the top portion  110 . The user will apply pressure to the edge  185  of top portion  110  until the desired extended reach is achieved or until the mounting pin  165  and  167  engage the ends of povot slots  135  and  137 . Pivot slot  135  and  137  function to control the range of movement of the top portion  110  within the range of approximately zero (being vertical) to twenty five degrees from vertical. This process is repeated as needed to reach objects or into the area proximate the gardening chair  100 . 
   It is contemplated to be in the scope of this invention that alternative embodiments of the present invention can be made and still be within the scope of this invention. In particular in one alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that pockets or compartment areas could be incorporated into chair  100  to receive items such as tools or used for storage. Such compartment areas could include an area on one side of chair  100  or could be removable side pockets that attach with to chair  100  with hooks or tongue and groves. In yet another embodiment, it is contemplated that a locking/unlocking mechanism could be incorporated into chair  100  to permit the operating of chair such that top portion  110  could be locked in preset positions, or unlocked to permit uninhibited movement. In still yet another embodiment, it is contemplated that chair  100  could have incorporated therein a handle, such as in top portion  110 , to facilitate easier handling by a user. 
   In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawing that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.