Patent Publication Number: US-8113396-B2

Title: Chair and pack frame combination

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     When engaging in various activities, such as hunting, camping, hiking, attending sporting events, and picnicking, it is common to employ a folding chair or other form of collapsible seating. Often these types of activities take place outdoors on uneven terrain, such that a chair must be adaptable for a user to sit comfortably in a stable position. Moreover, many participants of these activities also utilize a pack or other type of bag, which is more easily transported with a frame securable on a user&#39;s back. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed-description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     There is now provided in an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a chair and pack frame combination, which is variable between a sitting configuration and a carrying configuration. In one embodiment, the combination includes telescoping front legs, which are connected together at a top end. The front legs are rotatably coupled near the top end to telescoping back legs, such that the back legs are spreadable from the front legs to form a sitting configuration. For example, when the back legs are spread away from the front legs, a pod-like structure is formed to stably support a load. In another aspect the back legs are pivoted towards the front legs, thereby collapsing the legs to form a carrying configuration. The front legs are also rotatably coupled near a mid-section to a seat frame, the seat frame being adjustable between an up and a down position. When the seat frame is in a down position and the legs are spread, the front legs might also function as a backrest frame. In an alternative configuration, when the legs are collapsed for carrying, the seat frame might function to support a load. 
     The frame also includes a cushion, which is positionable in different configurations. For example, in a sitting configuration, the cushion might be positioned against the seat frame and backrest frame. Alternatively, in a carrying position, the cushion is positionable between a user and the combination. Moreover, the frame includes carrying straps. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective and partially exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the various drawings, wherein a chair and pack frame combination is referenced generally by the numeral  10 . A general description of one embedment is first provided, where the combination  10  includes front legs  25   a  and  25   b , which are connected at a top end by a top cross member  21 , thereby forming a u-shaped frame. The front legs  25  are rotatably coupled near the top end to telescoping back legs  50   a  and  50   b . In a further aspect, a seat frame  40  is rotatably coupled to the front legs  25   a  and  25   b . The combination  10  might also include a cushion  90 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , which is positionble atop the seat frame in a seated arrangement and positionable between a user and the frame in a carrying arrangement. In a further aspect, the combination  10  includes carrying straps  60 , also shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one embodiment, the present invention includes a set of telescoping legs. For example, the invention might include two front telescoping legs  25   a  and  25   b  and two back telescoping legs  50   a  and  50   b . Telescoping legs generally include components for selectively setting a length. For example, a telescoping leg  25   a  might include a bottom tube  29 , which includes a bottom end  31  for resting on a ground surface and an insertion end  30 , shown in  FIG. 2 . (While the following description of a telescoping leg references front leg  25   a , the same description might apply to one or more of front leg  25   b  and back legs  50   a  and  50   b .) The bottom end  31  might be capped, such as with a rubber plug, plastic plug or cover. Alternatively, the bottom end  31  might be hollow to facilitate insertion of the combination into a ground surface, e.g., mud, thereby helping to stabilize the frame in place. The bottom end  31  of bottom tube  29  serves as a bottom end for front chair leg  25   a . In embodiments of the invention, bottom tube  29  includes holes  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ,  32   d  . . .  32   m  and  32   n . Each hole  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ,  32   d  . . .  32   m  and  32   n  corresponds with an opposing hole (not shown) on the opposite side of bottom tube  29 , such that a pin (or other elongated member) can be passed through and secured within both corresponding holes at the same time. For example, if bottom tube  29  is substantially square, hole  32   c  would correspond to a hole directly across from hole  32   c  on the opposing side of bottom tube  29 . The bottom tube  29  might include various shapes or angles. For example,  FIG. 1  shows bottom tube  29  as being substantially straight. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , bottom tube  29  has a bent configuration. 
     Insertion end  30  ( FIG. 2 ) of bottom tube  29  is for communication with a top tube  26 . For example, insertion end  30  might be inserted into an open end of top tube  26 , such that a portion of bottom tube  29  is arranged inside top tube  26 . In one aspect, both bottom tube  29  and top tube  26  have a substantially similar cross-sectional shape to facilitate easier communication. For example, both tubes might be substantially square or rectangular. Top tube  26  also includes a set of two opposing apertures (not shown) arranged such that a pin  75  can be passed through and secured within both opposing apertures at the same time. In one embodiment, pin  75  is a wire lock pin. In aspects of the invention, holes  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c ,  32   d  . . .  32   m  and  32   n  of bottom tube  29 , and apertures of top tube  26  are alignable when bottom tube  29  is inserted into top tube  26 . By removing pin  75  and sliding bottom tube  29  unobstructed either further inside or further removed from top tube  26 , and then re-inserting pin  75 , bottom tube  29  is securable at various lengths with respect to top tube  26 . Because the lengths of chair legs  25   a ,  25   b ,  50   a , and  50   b  are adjustable (as described with reference to bottom tube  29 ), combination  10  can be stably positioned on both even and uneven terrain. Furthermore, by adjusting bottom tubes of chair legs  25   a ,  25   b ,  50   a , and  50   b , a height of seat frame  40  (further described below) can be raised or lowered. 
     In further aspects of the invention, top tube  26  extends away from the bottom end  31  and towards a top end of the front chair leg  25   a . Accordingly, embodiments include a middle portion  22   a  of front chair leg  25   a , the middle portion  22   a  being between the bottom end  31  and top end of front chair leg  25   a . As shown in  FIG. 1 , both front chair legs  25   a  and  25   b  include a middle potion  22   a  and  22   b , which extend towards the top end in a near parallel arrangement. The middle portions  22   a  and  22   b  terminate at a top cross member  21 , which joins the two middle portions  22   a  and  22   b . In one aspect of the invention, both middle portions  22   a  and  22   b  and the top cross member  21  include a bent tube made of a rigid material, such as steel. As will be further described below, middle portions  22   a  and  22   b  might also serve as a backrest frame for the combination  10 , such as when seat frame  40  is in a down position. 
     In other aspects of the invention, coupled to both middle portions  22   a  and  22   b  is a mounting plate  35 , which serves as a base onto which seat frame  40  might be rotatably coupled. In an embodiment, mounting plate  35  comprises a flat elongated member  36 , which terminates at bent ends. For example, mounting plate  35  includes a bent left end  38  and a bent right end (not shown). In one aspect, the bent left end  38  and bent right end serve to at least partially fit around outer edges of the front legs  25   a  and  25   b . In one arrangement, bent left end  38  and bent right end fit around middle portions  22   a  and  22   b . The mounting plate  35  might be coupled to the front legs  25   a  and  25   b  in a variety of ways, such as by welding the mounting plate  35  to the front legs  25   a  and  25   b . Alternatively, mounting plate  35  might be coupled to the front legs with fasteners. 
     Mounting plate  35  serves as a base to pivotally couple seat frame  40  to the middle portions  22   a  and  22   b . For example, in one aspect seat frame  40  includes a cross bar  41 , which terminates in a left arm  42   a  and right arm  42   b  extending from the respective sides of the cross bar  41 . Seat frame  40  might include a single tube which is bent to create cross bar  41 , left arm  42   a , and right arm  42   b . To pivotally couple seat frame  40 , in one arrangement the left arm  42   a  receives a fastener  44 , which also engages bent left end  38  of mounting plate  35 . Likewise, right arm  42   b  receives a fastener (not shown), which also engages bent right end of mounting plate  35 . In one aspect the fasters are bolts, which serves as an axis on which the left arm  42   a  and right arm  42   b  rotate relative to mounting plate  35 . In aspects of the invention, left arm  42   a  and right arm  42   b  include a bend  46   a  and  46   b  respectively. Bends  46   a  and  46   b , in combination with other elements of the frame  10 , enable seat frame  40  to extend from front legs  25   a  and  25   b  in a plane that positions a user that is sitting on seat frame  40  in a recline position. In a further embodiment, the combination  10  includes a stop bar  43  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) for the seat frame&#39;s range of motion downward. Stop bar  43  is coupled to an underneath side of seat frame  40 , such that when seat frame  40  is rotated downward, stop bar  43  abuts front legs  25   a  and  25   b  to prevent further rotation. In one arrangement, stop bar  43  abuts middle portions  22   a  and  22   b  of the front legs. As will be further described below, the stop bar  43  might also serve as a location on the combination  10  for tying down carrying straps  60 . 
     In a further embodiment of combination  10 , each back leg  50   a  and  50   b  is pivotally coupled to the front legs  25   a  and  25   b  by a channel mounting component  80 . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , channel mounting component  80  includes a left tab  85  and a right tab  86  for pivotably mounting the channel mounting component  80  to front legs  25   a  and  25   b . For example, tabs  85  and  86  might each include a hole that aligns with corresponding holes in front legs  25   a  and  25   b . In one arrangement, holes in front legs  25   a  and  25   b  are positioned along middle portions  22   a  and  22   b  near the top end of the front legs. As shown in  FIG. 5 , hole  96  of tab  86  is alignable with holes in front leg  25   b , such that a fastener  88 a and  88 b can engage both tab  86  and front leg  25   b . Extending between and connecting tab  85  and tab  86  is a channel portion of the channel mounting component  80 , including a top plate  81 , back plate  82   a , and front plate  82   b , which from a channel  83 . 
     In an aspect of the invention, channel mounting component  80  is rotatable around fasteners that connect tabs  85  and  86  to front legs  25   a  and  25   b . For example, fastener  88   a  and  88   b , in addition to a similar fastener (not shown) for tab  85 , might serve as an axis around which channel mounting component  80  rotates. A rotatable configuration enables channel mounting component  80  (and back legs  50   a  and  50   b  coupled thereto) to be positionable in a same or similar plane as front legs  25   a  and  25   b .  FIG. 6  depicts an illustrative embodiment in which channel mounting component  80 , in combination with back legs  50   a  and  50   b , is positioned in a substantially same plane as front legs  25   a  and  25   b . Collapsing legs  25   a ,  25   b ,  50   a , and  50   b  in such a manner forms part of a carrying configuration. 
     In other aspects, channel mounting component  80  is rotatable, such that channel mounting component (and back legs  50   a  and  50   b  coupled thereto) is positionable in a plane outside the plane of front legs  25   a  and  25   b , i.e., the bottom ends of the legs are spread apart. For example,  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict an illustrative embodiment in which channel mounting component  80 , in combination with back legs  50   a  and  50   b , is rotated outside of a plane of front legs  25   a  and  25   b . Rotating the channel mounting bracket  80  outside the plane of front legs  25   a  and  25   b  creates a reclined sitting configuration for the combination. For example,  FIG. 2  shows that the backrest portion  20 , is in a reclined configuration. The further the channel mounting bracket  80  (and back legs  50   a  and  50   b  coupled thereto) is rotated outside the plane of front legs  25   a  and  25   b , the greater the recline of backrest  20 . 
     As previously described, in an illustrative embodiment, back legs  50   a  and  50   b  are coupled to channel mounting bracket  80 . In aspects of the invention, top ends of each back leg  50   a  and  50   b  attach in channel  83 . For example, back plate  82   a  includes holes (not shown) that correspond with and are aligned with holes  84   a  and  84   b  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). Moreover, back leg  50   b  includes corresponding holes (not shown) in a top portion that are alignable with hole  84   a  and its corresponding hole in back plate  82   a , such that a fastener  87  can be secured through both the channel mounting component  80  and back leg  50   b . Accordingly, fastener  87  both couples back leg  50   b  to the channel mounting bracket  80  (and indirectly to front leg  25   b  ) and serves as an axis on which back leg  50   b  can pivot within the plane of channel  83 . In aspects of the invention, back leg  50   a  is pivotally coupled to channel mounting bracket  80  in a similar fashion to back leg  50   b . Accordingly, both back legs  50   a  and  50   b  are pivotable within the plane of channel  83 , such that the bottom ends of back legs  50   a  and  50   b  can be spread apart from each other or collapsed towards one another. In a further embodiment, the combination  10  includes stop pins for preventing back legs  50   a  and  50   b  from pivoting beyond a certain point. For example, stop pin  89  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) prevents back leg  50   b  from pivoting beyond a certain point. A similar stop pin is provided for back leg  50   a . As previously indicated, although  FIG. 5  only shows back leg  50   b , in aspects of the invention back leg  50   a  is pivotally coupled in a similar fashion. 
     In aspects of the invention, the combination  10  is capable of various configurations. For example, in seating configurations shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the back legs  50   a  and  50   b  are both spread away from front legs  25   a  and  25   b  and are spread away from each other, thereby creating a stable frame upon which a user might sit when seat frame  40  is in a down position. In a seating configuration, front legs  25   a  and  25   b  and back legs  50   a  and  50   b  might be independently telescopically lengthened or shortened to adjust to terrain that is uneven and/or slanted. The present combination  10  also includes a carrying configuration. In a carrying configuration, shown in  FIG. 6 , the back legs  50   a  and  50   b  are pivoted towards one another and are rotated close to front legs  25   a  and  25   b , such that back legs  50   a  and  50   b  are positionable between front leg  25   a  and  25   b . Seat frame  40  might be positioned downward so as to support a load. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention comprises a releasably attachable cushion  90 . In an illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the releasably attachable cushion  90  comprises both a back cushion  91  and seat cushion  92 . In one embodiment the back cushion  91  and seat cushion  92  are hingedly attached, such as by a seam  93 . In addition, the releasably attachable cushion  90  comprises a fastener for releasably attaching the cushion  90  to a portion of the combination  10 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the fastener for releasably attaching the cushion  90  to a frame of the invention attaches to channel mounting component  80 . In one aspect, the fastener for releasably attaching the cushion  90  comprises one or more flexible extensions  95  securely attached at one end to the cushion  90  and a releasable mechanism  96  attached to the flexible extension  95 . In one embodiment the flexible extension  95  is sewn at one end to the cushion. In a further embodiment, the releasable mechanism  96  includes hook and loop strips, snaps, clips, or similar mechanism. The releasably attachable cushion  90  might be designed to have a shape or coloration that is specific to the intended use of the combination  10 . For example, cushion  90  might include camouflage, sport themes, team insignia, etc. The cushion  90  is positionable in various configurations depending on the configuration of the frame. As exemplified in  FIG. 4 , the cushion is positionable over the seat frame and front legs to serve as a sitting surface. In another aspect, as exemplified in  FIG. 6 , the cushion  90  is positionable between a user and the frame. In an alternative embodiment, one or more cushions are integrally constructed with portions of the frame. 
     In a further embodiment, the present invention includes one or more carrying straps  60 . In one embodiment, the carrying straps  60  releasably attach to a frame portion of the combination  10 . For example, the carrying straps  60  might tie or otherwise attach at one terminating end to top cross member  21 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 , two carrying straps  60  extend from a terminating end, which attaches to top cross member  21 , such that the carrying straps  60  can be worn similar to a back pack. Carrying straps  60  might include padding  61 . Padding  61 , or other portions of the carrying straps might also include design or coloration specific to an intended use of the combination. In another aspect, the carrying straps  60  attach at an opposing terminal end onto the stop bar  43  or to the mounting plate  35 . In some aspects, carrying straps  60  may releasably attach to frame portions of the combination, such as by snaps, hook and loop strips, or similar devices. 
     Based on the foregoing description, the combination  10  might include various configurations. In one aspect, a chair and pack frame combination  10  includes a set of front telescoping legs  25   a  and  25   b , each including a stabilizing end  26  for communicating with a ground surface and an opposing top end. A seat frame  40  is rotatably coupled to the front telescoping legs. Also, a set of back telescoping legs  50   a  and  50   b  are rotatably coupled near the top end of the front telescoping legs. The combination also includes at least one carrying strap  60 , and a releasably attachable cushion  90 . 
     In another configuration, the combination  10  includes a set of front telescoping legs  25   a  and  25   b , each including a stabilizing end  26  for communicating with a ground surface and an opposing top end. Each front telescoping leg extends from its respective stabilizing end near parallel to the other front telescoping leg in the plurality. Also, a mounting bracket  35  is coupled to the plurality of front telescoping legs and a seat frame  40  is rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket  35 . When the seat frame is in a downward orientation it forms a load bearing surface, and when the frame is used as a seat, portions of the front legs form a backrest  20 . One or more back telescoping legs  50   a  and  50   b  are rotatably coupled near the top ends of the plurality of front telescoping legs, wherein the one or more back telescoping legs each terminate at an opposing stabilizing end  56  and wherein rotation of the stabilizing end of away from the plurality of front telescoping legs reclines the backrest. In addition, a configuration might include at least one carrying strap  60  and a releasably attachable cushion  90 . 
     In another aspect the present invention includes a chair and pack frame combination  10  variable between a sitting configuration and a carrying configuration. For example, the combination might comprise two front telescoping legs  25   a  and  25   b , each front telescoping leg comprising: a stabilizing end  26  for communication with a ground surface; a top end opposing the stabilizing end; and a middle portion  22   a  and  22   b  extending between the stabilizing end and the top end. Moreover, a seat frame  40  might be rotatably coupled to the middle portion of each front telescoping leg  25   a  and  25   b , wherein the seat frame  40 , when in a downward orientation, forms load bearing support, such that in the sitting configuration the middle portion  22   a  and  22   b  of each front telescoping leg forms a backrest  20 . Furthermore, a channel mounting component  80  might be rotatably coupled near the top end of each front telescoping leg, the channel mounting component comprising: a left tab  85  for pivotable attachment to a left front telescoping leg  25   a  and a right tab  86  for pivotable attachment to a right front telescoping leg  25   b  ; and a channel  83  extending between and connecting the left tab and the right tab. In an exemplary aspect, two back telescoping legs  50   a  and  50   b  are pivotally attached at a top end in the channel. Each back telescoping leg terminates at a stabilizing end  56  for communicating with a ground surface, wherein in the sitting configuration rotation of the stabilizing end away from the front telescoping legs reclines the backrest when all stabilizing ends are communicating with the ground surface. Also included are at least one carrying strap  60  and a cushion  90 . The cushion  90  is positionable over the seat frame  40  and backrest  20  when the combination is in a sitting configuration and is positionable between a user and the combination in a carrying configuration. 
     Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.