Patent Publication Number: US-8979192-B2

Title: Portable collapsible camp chair with heated seat and back

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/535,915, entitled “PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE CAMP CHAIR WITH HEATED SEAT AND BACK”, filed Aug. 5, 2009, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/086,370, entitled “PORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE CAMP CHAIR WITH HEATED SEAT AND BACK,” filed Aug. 5, 2008, the contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to portable, collapsible camping chairs and more particularly to collapsible chairs with heated seats and backs. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable, collapsible chairs that can be rolled up for easy storage and transport are well known. Chairs of this type are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,164,726 to Reeves et al., 6,755,462 to Zheng, and 6,382,715 to Tang. 
     A conventional collapsible chair comprises a foldable chair frame constructed by metal tubes and a seat fabric. The foldable chair frame comprises a plurality of construction tubes to construct a back frame and a seat frame for supporting the fabric seat. The fabric seat of the conventional collapsible chair is preferably made of durable fabric, such as twilled nylon or other mixing material such as polyurethane. 
     Because conventional collapsible chairs can be quickly and easily unfolded for use and folded into a compact fold-up structure for transport, the user can carry the collapsible chairs to all kinds of outdoor activities, such as camping and sporting events. However, conventional collapsible chairs are not ideal for winter use because the nylon material of the fabric seats does not accumulate heat so that the user has to tolerate the cold air on his backside. Even though the body temperature of the user may warm up the upper contacting surface of the fabric seat, the bottom surface immediately wicks away the body heat to the cold environment below. 
     Folding stadium seats are also well known, and some even incorporate a heating element for warming the user&#39;s back and seat. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,007,572 to Baldwin and 6,848,746 to Gentry disclose folding stadium seats with heating elements. However, these types of seats are uncomfortable and are typically used on the bench seating typical of sports stadiums. Folding stadium seats are not practical or comfortable for use while camping or watching outdoor events where no stadium seating is provided. 
     What is needed is a stand-alone, collapsible, portable chair that warms the user&#39;s body and is comfortable and easy to transport. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide a portable, collapsible chair that includes a heating element in the seat and back that keeps a user warm when using the chair outside, particularly during the winter. 
     The heated portable collapsible chair includes a frame having four legs, a chair back support, and a pair of arm members. A fabric human contact sheet has a seat portion and a chair back portion. The fabric human contact sheet is typically provided with a plurality of orifices for receiving portions of the frame. Fabric armrests may also be provided. 
     A fabric backing portion is provided with fabric receptacles for receiving upper ends of the chair back support. The fabric backing portion is affixed to and is adjacent to the seat portion and the chair back portion of the fabric human contact sheet. 
     A heating pad is secured to a back or under surface of the human contact sheet. The heating pad includes a fabric backing sheet and heating elements. For purposes of this invention, both the fabric backing sheet and the heating elements are flexible to facilitate the collapsing of the chair, in particular the collapse of the human contact sheet when the chair is configured for storage. Heat generated by the heating elements passes through the human contact sheet to warm a user. 
     A fabric chair backing portion provides an attractive cover so that the heating pad is not visible. A battery enclosing compartment is affixed to the fabric chair backing portion at a location that is adjacent to the chair back portion of the human contact sheet. A battery is located in the battery enclosing compartment. The battery is in electrical communication with the heating element of the heating pad. A heat activation switch, preferably provided on the battery, is in electrical communication with the heating element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fully assembled portable collapsible chair of the invention with broken away portions to reveal heating pads. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view showing a top surface of the heating pad and a perspective view of a battery pack for use with the chair of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is side view of the chair of  FIG. 1  with the heating pad showing in phantom lines. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the chair of  FIG. 1  showing a battery enclosing compartment affixed to a fabric chair backing portion and showing the heating pad in phantom lines. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the chair of  FIG. 1  shown in an unfolded or use configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of the chair of  FIG. 1  shown in a partially collapsed or storage configuration. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a chair bag having an extendable blanket in a stored configuration, an opened zippered edge and showing the chair of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the chair bag of  FIG. 7  having a closed zippered edge. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the chair bag of  FIG. 7  shown in an opened configuration with the interior blanket in an extended position. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the chair bag of  FIG. 7  in use to cover the legs of the user with the extended blanket for covering the torso of a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention discloses a portable, collapsible camping chair that has a heated seat and back. The chair has a self-contained rechargeable electrical power source, such as a battery, for operating an electrical heating element. The heating element is made from a flexible material so that the chair can be folded and collapsed into a compact configuration for locating in a cylindrical bag for storage and transport. An external charger is used to charge the batteries prior to use so that the portable camping chair can be used in locations not accessible by electrical power. The chair includes a power switch that controls the heating element so the operator has the option of off, low or high temperature for their comfort. The battery may be located in an attached pouch that is water resistant. 
     The battery will preferably provide heat for 3 to 6 hours depending on the setting of the chair and the outside temperature. In one embodiment, the chair has the capability of being plugged directly into an electrical outlet. The battery may also have the capability of being charged from a car charger. 
     Referring now to the figures, shown is a heated, portable, collapsible chair designated generally  10 . Heated chair  10  includes a frame, designated generally  12 . Frame  12  includes four feet  14  connected to interconnected collapsible frame members  15 . Rear legs  16  form a chair back support. Front members  18  form a pair of arm supports. 
     A fabric human contact sheet is designated generally  20 . Fabric human contact sheet  20  is made up of seat portion  22  and chair back portion  24 . Seat portion  22  of fabric human contact sheet  20  includes a plurality of orifices  26  for receiving portions of frame  12 . 
     Left arm rest  28  is provided with rear orifice  30  for receiving one of rear legs  16  and is provided with front orifice  31  for receiving one of front members  18 . A right arm rest  32  is provided with a rear orifice  33  for receiving one of rear legs  16  and is provided with a front orifice  34  for receiving one of front members  18 . 
     Fabric chair backing portion  35  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ) has back support receptacles  36  ( FIG. 4 ) affixed thereto for receiving upper ends of chair back support  16  of frame  12 . Fabric chair backing portion  35  is adjacent to seat portion  22  and chair back portion  24  of fabric human contact sheet  20  and is preferably sewn together with fabric human contact sheet  20 . Although a single fabric chair backing portion  35  is shown, other configurations, including a chair back segment and separate chair seat segment could also be utilized. 
     A heating pad is designated generally  38 . Heating pad  38  includes heating elements  40  that are secured to a backing sheet  42 . Heating elements  40  are preferably constructed of 1 k carbon fiber, although other materials may also be used. Heating element  40  must be flexible to accommodate the collapsing of human contact sheet  20  when the chair is reconfigured from a use configuration to a collapsed or storage configuration. In particular, heating pad  38 , with attached heating elements  40  should be sufficiently flexible to fold onto itself, i.e., to touch opposite edges, to ensure that heating pad  38  is sufficiently compact not to impede collapsing of chair  10 . Backing sheet  42  is preferably constructed of a flexible, non-flammable non-woven material, although other materials may also be used. Backing sheet  42  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) is affixed to a back or under side of human contact sheet  20 , i.e. backing sheet  42  is affixed to a surface of human contact sheet  20  that faces away from a seated user. Backing sheet  42  is affixed to seat portion  22  and chair back portion  24 , preferably via an upper stitch  44 , a middle stitch  46 , and a lower stitch  48 . 
     Heat is generated by heating elements  40 . Heat generated by heating elements  40  passes through human contact sheet  20  for warming a user. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , human contact sheet  20  is substantially deformed when frame  12  is collapsed for locating chair  10  in a collapsed configuration for storage and transport. Therefore, as discussed above, heating pad  38 , which includes heating element  40  and backing sheet  42 , is designed to also be sufficiently flexible so as not to interfere with the ability of chair  10  to collapse, yet still retains the ability to provide heat to a user. 
     A battery enclosing compartment  50  is affixed to fabric backing portion  35  at a location adjacent to chair back portion  24 . Alternatively, a battery enclosing compartment  51  may be affixed to a member affixed to a side of seat portion  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . By placing battery enclosing compartment  51  on the side of seat portion  22 , a shorter power cord can be employed, i.e., the power cord need only run from compartment  51  to the portion of heating pad  38  adjacent to compartment  51 . Battery compartment flap  52  is preferably provided for enclosing battery  54  within battery compartment  50 . Flap  52  is preferably provided with fastener  58 , such as a hook and loop fastener or other fastening mechanism to secure battery  54  therein. 
     Battery  54  may be a rechargeable lithium ion battery, although other types of batteries may also be used. Battery  54  is sized for locating in battery enclosing compartment  50  or  51 . Battery  54  is in electrical communication with heating elements  40  via electrical cord  60  ( FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, battery  54  is provided with a high/low switch  62  ( FIG. 2 ) for providing a selected amount of power to heating elements  40 . In another embodiment, battery  54  is a lithium polymer smart battery that is in communication with electronic controls that monitor the power output from battery  54 . Preferably, the controls include a setting switch, e.g., enable a user to select one of four settings, thereby maximizing the life of a charge of battery  54 . 
     Collapsible chair  10  of the invention provides the benefit of a flexible, conforming heating pad  38 . Such a configuration permits chair  10  to be collapsed into a substantially cylindrical configuration for insertion in a tubular bag for ease of transportation. 
     Additionally, the flexible conforming nature of heating pad  38  permits maximum contact of heating elements  40  with a user&#39;s body as the user weights seat portion  22  and chair back portion  24  of fabric human contact sheet  20 . The fabric portions  22 ,  24  and attached heating pad  38  partially wrap around a seated user for increased heat transfer. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7-10 , a combination carrying bag and blanket device  100  is provided for use with collapsible chair  10 . Carrying bag  100  is made of a shell  102  having an outside  104 , an inside  106 , a base edge  108 , a top edge  110 , a first side edge  112 , and a second side edge  114 . Shell  102  is preferably constructed of a durable fabric such as canvas, nylon, or other suitable materials. Carrying strap  116  is affixed to outside  104  of shell  102 . 
     Liner  118  is affixed to inside  106  of shell  102 . Liner  118  also has a base edge  120 , a top edge  122 , a first edge  124 , and a second edge  126 . Liner  118  is preferably constructed of a fuzzy insulating material such as wool, fleece, or other blanket-like material. 
     A first zipper half  128  is affixed to first side edge  112  of shell  102 . A second zipper half  130  is also affixed to a first side edge  114  of shell  102 . During construction of combo carrying bag  100 , a fabric that constitutes shell  102  is folded to mate a first edge and a second edge of shell  102  to form mating edges for receiving first zipper half  128  and second zipper half  130 . The folded shell  102  then forms a folded edge  132  and a zippered edge  134 . A base seam  136  joins the base edge  108  of the folded shell  102 . Base seam  136  runs from folded edge  132  to zippered edge  134 . When first zipper half  128  and second zipper half  130  are joined, shell  102  defines a enclosure or cavity  138  for containing collapsible chair  10  when collapsible chair  10  is in a collapsed position. In one embodiment, carrying bag and blanket device  100  is 38.5″ from base edge  108  to top edge  110  and is 13.75″ from folded edge  132  to zippered edge  124 . Although the terms “folded edge” and “zippered edge” are used herein to describe one embodiment, it should be understood that folded edge  132  may be formed by a seam or other attachments and zippered edge  134  may be formed by any selectively attachable mechanism such as Velcro®, snaps, or other fastening means. 
     A tie cord channel  140  is preferably formed adjacent to top edge  110  of shell  102 . Tie cord  142  is received in tie cord channel  140 . Tie cord  142  is used to cinch up top edge  110  of combo bag  100  when combo bag  100  is in a closed configuration. 
     An extendable blanket  144  is located within cavity  138  of combo bag  100 . Extendable blanket  144  has an attached end  146  and a removable end  148  ( FIGS. 9 ,  10 ). Attached end  146  is preferably affixed to an inside  106  of combo bag  100 . Attached end  146  of extendable blanket  144  may be attached to liner  118 . Preferably, attached end  146  of extendable blanket  144  is affixed within combo bag  100  adjacent to top edge  110  of shell  102 . When not in use, extendable blanket  144  preferably maintains close contact with liner  118 , thereby insuring that cavity  138  remains suitable for receiving collapsible chair  10 . Extendable blanket  144  may be extended from combo bag  100 , i.e., removed from within cavity  138  to an extended position to provide coverage for a user when a user has positioned the unzipped combo bag  100  over his or her legs and feet as shown in  FIG. 10 . The resulting configuration is coverage of a user&#39;s legs by shell  102  and coverage of a user&#39;s torso by extended blanket  144 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the combo bag  100  has a securing means such as snaps, Velcro®, buttons, or other devices on inside  106 , i.e., preferably on an inner surface of liner  118  adjacent to base edge  120  of the liner  118  or base edge  108  of shell  102 . The shell attached securing means  150  is for mating engagement with blanket attached securing means  152  located on extendable blanket  144  adjacent to removable end  148  of extendable blanket  144 . The engagement of shell attached securing means  150  with blanket attached securing means  152  promotes close engagement of extendable blanket  144  with liner  118  to ease insertion and removal of collapsible chair  10  from combo bag  100 . 
     In one embodiment, a flexible heater pad  154  ( FIG. 8 ) may be positioned between shell  102  and liner  118  to provide heat to a user&#39;s legs when combo bag  100  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 10 , i.e., with first zipper half  128  and second zipper half  130  disengaged to accommodate a user&#39;s legs. A power cord  156  is in communication with flexible heater pad  154  on a first end of power cord  156 . A second end of power cord  156  communicates with one of chair battery  54  or with shell mounted battery  158  ( FIG. 8 ) for powering flexible heater panel  154 . Shell mounted battery  158  may be located between shell  102  and liner  118 , inside of liner  118  or mounted external to shell  102  in a pouch or compartment similar to battery enclosing compartment  50 . 
     Therefore, combo bag  100  provides increased functionality as compared to traditional collapsible chair bags by allowing for easy insertion and removal of collapsible chair  10  via selective engagement of zipper halves  128 ,  130 . Additionally, by providing liner  118 , a user may sit in collapsible chair  10  and insert his or her legs within the combo bag  100  for warmth and optionally get the benefit of flexible heated panel  154 . Further, the user may withdraw extendable blanket  144  from within cavity  138  of combo bag  100  and cover his or her torso. 
     * * * 
     Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.