Patent Publication Number: US-9414687-B2

Title: Collapsible seat and storage apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor is an amateur fisherman and recognized the difficulty of carrying fishing supplies from a home or parking space to a beach or other fishing location. He further recognized that once in a fishing location, the fisher needed a convenient way to organize and use these supplies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a collapsible seat and storage apparatus that allows a person to easily transport supplies and provides seating. The apparatus comprises a back part with a first side and a second side wherein said first side and said second side are generally parallel to one another; a first side part movably coupled to said first side of said back part; a second side part movable coupled to said second side of said back part; a seat movably coupled to said back part; a shelf movably coupled to said back part wherein said shelf is positioned below said seat; at least one leg movably coupled to at least one of said back part, said first side part, said second side part, and said shelf; wherein said first side part, said second side part, said seat, said shelf and said at least one leg move independently from an open position to a closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the invention in its open position. 
         FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the invention in its closed position. 
         FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the invention with a first side part in its open position. 
         FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the invention with a second side part in its open position. 
         FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the invention with a seat and shelf in their open positions. 
         FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the invention with a retention part in use. 
         FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the invention in use as a seat. 
         FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the invention fully opened being carried on shoulders. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This detailed description describes one embodiment of the invention. It should be recognized that there are alternative configurations that are encompassed by the claimed invention. In particular, although this apparatus was originally designed for recreational activity, it is equally useful for work and other activities. The apparatus is collapsible from its fully open position, shown in  FIG. 1 , to a closed position, shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of the invention  100  in its fully open configuration. In this embodiment, the apparatus is constructed of aluminum or some other lightweight material. The apparatus may also be constructed of plastic, fabric, or some combination of materials. Back part  109  forms the frame for the apparatus. First side part  101  is connected to back part  109  via a hinge in this embodiment. The hinge connection allows first side part  101  to swing from a closed position to its pictured open position. Second side part  102  is connected to back part  109  via a hinge in this embodiment. The hinge connection allows second side part  102  to swing from a closed position to its pictured open position. Seat  103  is connected to back part  109  via a hinge in this embodiment. Seat  103  may advantageously be constructed of fabric in order to provide a more comfortable support. Alternatively, a rigid seat  103  may be covered, with a cushion. The hinge connection on seat  103  allows the seat  103  to swing from a closed position to its pictured open position. Shelf  104  is connected to back part  109  via a hinge in this embodiment. The hinge connection allows the shelf  104  to swing from a closed position to its pictured open position. Legs  105  are connected via a hinge to one or more of first side part  101 , second side part  102 , and back part  109 . The hinge connections allow legs  105  to swing from a closed position to the pictured open position. In the pictured open position, legs  105  support the apparatus. In this position, shelf  104  functions to hold supplies. Carrying supports  108  swing from a closed position to the pictured open position. Carrying supports  108  may be cushioned in order to more comfortably sit on a person&#39;s shoulders. Carrying supports  108  may alternatively be a flexible material to form a strap. This could include a pair of straps connected to at least one of the back part, the first and second side parts, or a combination of these parts. Also, a single, diagonal strap may function as a carrying support  108 . 
       FIG. 2  shows and embodiment of the apparatus in its fully closed position. A person may carry the apparatus in this position if no supplies are needed. Seat  103  and shelf  104  fold up to rest partially against back part  109 . Second side part  102  folds inward to rest partially against seat  103  and shelf  104 . First side part  101  folds inward to partially rest against second side part  102 . The folded parts may be held in place by any means know in the art such as friction, tension, or a fastener. This embodiment includes four legs  105 : one attached to first side part  101 , one connected to second side part  102 , and two connected to back part  109 . In another embodiment, two legs  105  are connected to said first side part  101  and two legs are connected to said second side part  102 . It should be recognized that although the embodiment shown includes four legs  105 , any number of legs that can support the apparatus would suffice. Further, the legs could extend in other manners, such as telescopically. A single leg in the center of shelf part  104  extending downward could support the apparatus if driven into the ground or equipped with a plate that contacts the ground and provides enough surface area to prevent the apparatus from toppling in normal conditions. 
       FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the apparatus in the first stage of unfolding from its closed position (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to its open position. First side part  101  swings from its closed position (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to the open position at approximately a right angle with respect to back part  109 . Second side part  102  remains in its closed position. 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the apparatus in the second stage of unfolding from its closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to its open position. Second side part  102  swings from its closed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) to its open position at approximately a right angle with respect to back part  109 . Seat  103  and shelf  104  remain in their closed positions. When folded down (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), the edges of seat  103  and shelf  104  come into contact with tabs  401 . Tabs  401  support seat  103  and shelf  104  to ensure stability. It should be recognized that any means of holding seat  103  and shelf  104  in place would suffice. 
       FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the apparatus with all parts open and extended except for legs  105 . This is a configuration that may be used for a person to sit on seat  103  while performing an activity, whether recreational or work-related. When the legs are extended or open, the apparatus is in its open position shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the apparatus in its closed position. This embodiment includes retention parts  107 . In this embodiment, the retention parts are a set of rings aligned so that a tube  601  may be inserted. This allows a person to insert an object, such as a fishing rod, into tube  601  and have it held upright. It should be noted that the retention part could be a single part (as opposed to a set). This figure shows five sets of retention parts positioned on first side part  101  and second side part  102 . It should be recognized that any number of retention parts could be included and that retention parts may be included on back part  109 . 
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the apparatus in a partially open position with a person sitting on seat part  103 . This figure also shows legs  105  and optional handles at the end of each leg  105 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the apparatus in its open position. Carrying parts  108  rest on a person&#39;s shoulders to allow for portability. This also allows the apparatus to remain upright so a person can store and carry supplies on seat  103  and shelf  104 . 
     The embodiments described and shown in figures are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the claims.