Patent Publication Number: US-2018035792-A1

Title: Outdoor lounge sling seat

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to elevated, folding, collapsible, light weight outdoor lounge chair for hunters, fisherman, campers, hikers, rock climbers, photographers, bird watchers and all outdoor activities including back yard BBQs. 
     (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
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     The Outdoor Lounge Sling Seat allows for diverse installation at any part of a secure tree structure and is not limited to branchless lanky, slender trunks as the majority of North American trees have lateral branches much too close to the ground for typical elevated stands or seats and need to be cleared. This invention is unique in it&#39;s ability to adapt to even horizontal structure and is not limited to vertical support. While sling type seats and deer stands: Woodward—U.S. Pat. No. 2,851,085, Foote—U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,679, McClung—U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,891 and Wade—U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,081, are either far less sophisticated or far more cumbersome, some needing to be installed days or weeks prior to use, this invention finds the niche of comfort, portability and more diverse application. Time involved for installation and stealth exceeding the majority in at least some or all afore mentioned categories. Working prototype field tested Thursday, Jun. 27, 2013 at 10:57 AM. Extensive photo log of assembly, installation and use with 185 pound male suspended at ground level as well as at a height of about 14 feet, witnesses present. Provisional patents: U.S. 62/282,073, U.S. 61/959,515, U.S. 61/999,962 are preliminary non provisional designs void of minor improvements listed and illustrated in this application. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A Lightweight foldable elevated outdoor tree lounge seat comprised of dual “L” shaped frames with locking hinges allowing L-frame to be folded together to a parallel posture upon dismantle includes; flexible seating mesh fabric attached to L-frames wherein said L-Frame is equipped with suspension lines permanently attached to L-frames, permanent brace bars initially at a position parallel to said L-frames, braces swivel to a perpendicular location to attach to opposing L-frames left and right at two isolated strategic locations; slightly curved arched brace bars for seating comfort are ideally located to suspend both vertical partition and horizontal partition of said L-frame to parallel perspective throughout; securement of brace to L-frame utilizes simple slide lock and secures said L-frames to a comfortable 22″ width accommodating seating dimensions, mesh fabric is now stretched and taunt to form seat and backrest. 
     The outdoor lounge seat is equipped with locking hinges secure 90 degree angles of said L Frames distributing one leg of frame at a vertical position while the alternate leg is now horizontal; assembled “L” shaped seat is equipped with permanent nylon fiber marine line attached to both vertical and horizontal frame units left and right, nylon Marine Line is permanently attached via “eye bolt” to L-frame vertical and L-frame horizontal, Nylon marine line forming an inverted “V” is suspended above line of sight of the occupant by “Figure 8” climbing ring device allowing pivot point adjustment to seating pitch for comfort; metal tubing foot rest permanently attached to horizontal leg of said L-frame via a sash is now positioned in a lateral position below and parallel to a horizontal seat plane. A sash cord specific to a foot rest allows for height adjustment via a manual crimp mechanism which can be adjusted to suitable user height. 
     The lounge seat includes a carabiner clip with independent 16 ft. nylon marine lines which are available to be looped around any natural structure at any height then returned and clipped to the figure “8” ring; return line or slack marine line is then available to be woven and secured within the figure 8 climbing rings safely while a level posture is mirrored on the opposing side of said lounge seat; any and all excess line referenced in is easily coiled and/or stowed behind the back rest out of the way of the occupant, seat belt can now be secured around occupant with traditional design not intrusive and not completely relevant to invention design. 
     The present invention is a elevated lounge seat invention competes with massive far more expensive tree stands, ladder stands, permanent elevated hunting platforms and tripod boxes as well as sling seats limited to vertical natural structure applications. Traditional tree stands are limited for the most part to the main vertical structure or trunk of larger slender trees. This durable weather proof design allows for multiple locations on any given natural tree formation, is far more comfortable than stools or seats and can levitate potential occupant away from wet surfaces, insects and debris associated with outdoor foliage. Unique difference being the ability and recommendation to secure product to horizontal and or vertical supports expanding application vastly over the limited vertical trunk to the entire canopy. In addition to the previous, product is almost invisible when not occupied to hinder theft which is a real problem in isolated locations and can easily be out fitted with a bicycle lock to secure the lounge seat to permanent sturdy branches. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  Overall view of entire product including all moving parts in a static assembled posture including tie lines that are detached for transport. 
         FIG. 2  Overall view of entire product showing moving parts for folding procedure and travel, said product will easily collapse into a 24″×5″ cylinder for insertion into tote bag. 
         FIG. 3 . Overall view with dimensions to specify the physical presence of said product or 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 ; once L-frame is assembled, tie lines  1 A-B are woven, tossed or inserted between and or over branches and returned to apparatus with weighted Carabiner clip where it is secured to hardware element. known as a “Belay Device” shaped identical to the “numeral  8 ”. This device will be referred to as the Belay Device through out this detailed description. Designation of (A-B) referring to mirrored, dual or left and right hardware elements throughout invention description.  2 A-Ba  3  A-B is the opposing line(s) of the line designated by IA-B. as shown in  FIG. 1 .  4 A-B, large Belay Device climbing rings device is suitable to secure loose and/or slack line at any midpoint location and does not require a tie line termination or end point. Element  5 A-B is a permanent static line suspended from mounted “eye bolt”  6 A-B to eye bolt  13 A-B and is duplicated or mirrored for support on both left and right as frame supports to suspend total occupant weight at any level. Said line easily adjusts the pitch of the seat via loops thru Belay Device hardware element to accommodate a level horizontal seat plain or a more reclined angle for comfort.  7 A-B aluminum square tubing are vertical frame supports permanently attached to hinge  11 A-B, swinging flat bar or horizontal brace  10  for transport, and eye bolts  6 A-B.  12  is a standard seat belt or safety belt for added security with traditional adjustable clasp and/or belt loop or buckle. 
       FIG. 2 ;  9 (A thru D), are “collapsible hinge supports” which push downward eventually paralleling aluminum framing  7 A-B and  15 A-B. Said “collapsible hinge supports” push downward while displacing  14  mesh fabric which is slack, pliable and offers little resistance once braces  10  and  16  are released and swung to storage positions, said components pivot to parallel with L-frame(s).  15  A-B, horizontal aluminum tubing is mirror image of previously mention vertical tubing frames, with the exception of eyebolt placement  13  A-B.  8  is stitched mesh fabric “back rest” sewn with continuous loop around frame  7 A-B, as is  14  stitched nylon mesh fabric “seat” also sewn with left and right loops to thread horizontal frames. Seat fabric differs due to pattern cut outs to allow for  9 ,  13  hardware and  5  tie line. Cut out pattern mirror&#39;s left and right.  17  sash cord attached under frame utilizing simple bolt to synch allows  19  foot rest to be placed at optimum position and height level for added comfort with  18  line adjustment clasp or grip fastener. 
       FIG. 3 ; simple physical dimension perspective with fully locked and assembled lounge seat sling suspended below phantom natural structure or horizontal supports. Seat belt  12  pictured utilizing simple existing design, pictured in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  is omitted in  FIG. 3 . to expose dimension detail.