Patent Publication Number: US-2022225774-A1

Title: Foldable seat

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to German Application 10 2021 100 889.1 filed on Jan. 18, 2021 the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     SPECIFICATION 
     The present invention relates to a foldable seat. 
     Foldable seats are used as a seat in a use position. In a storage position in a folded state of the seat, the seat requires little volume and can therefore be easily transported and stored. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,861 discloses a foldable stool comprising a seat surface and a side surface. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,638 A shows a foldable structure for gaming purposes. End walls are formed on the foldable structure with adjacent edges, which are connected to hinges on the sides. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 3,107,023 A shows a stackable container. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,861 A reveals a collapsible chair. 
     The EP 3 284 688 A1 shows a folding seat. The seat with a top wall and four sidewalls is in use position in the geometry and shape of a cube. In a less advantageous way, the seat without floor wall, i.e. open at the bottom, cannot be used in a 180° swivel state for the storage and custody of objects, because it is always possible to swivel the two top wall parts of the top wall to each other outwards with a top wall hinge. 
     SUMMARY 
     The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a foldable seat in which the seat can also be used as a storage box for storing objects. 
     This object is achieved with a foldable seat, which is foldable between a use position for use as a seat and a storage position for storage and transport of the seat, comprising a two-part top wall for the direct or indirect formation of a seating surface on an upwardly oriented top surface of the top wall and a bottom surface of the top wall is aligned inwards and opposite to the top surface of the top wall in the use position, two two-part A-sidewalls to support the top wall on a floor, two B-sidewalls to support the top wall on a floor, two top wall parts, which are swivelable to each other outwards with a top wall hinge, and form the top wall, each two A-sidewall parts per A-sidewall, which are jointly connected to each other with a sidewall hinge and are swivelable to each other, and each two A-sidewall parts form an A-sidewall, two top wall connection hinges and with each one top wall connection hinge one top wall part is jointly connected to one B-sidewall, so that the top wall parts are swivelable to the B-sidewalls, four sidewall connection hinges and with each one sidewall connection hinge one A-sidewall part is jointly connected to one B-sidewall, so that the A-sidewall parts are swivelable to the B-sidewalls, whereby the foldable seat comprises at least one locking device for locking of the two top wall parts in the use position of the seat and in the locked state of at least one locking device a swiveling of the two top wall parts with the top wall hinge is blocked to each other to the outside to absorb compressive forces on the bottom surface of the top wall, so that the foldable seat additionally forms a storage box for storing objects on the bottom surface of the top wall with an orientation of the foldable seat with the bottom surface of the top wall upwards. Preferably, in the use position, the two top wall parts are in the main parallel and/or at an angle of substantially 180° to each other aligned and/or in the storage position the two top wall parts are aligned at an acute angle to each other. Conveniently, the acute angle is between 3° and 30°. In the main parallel and/or in the main aligned at an angle of 180° or 90° to each other means preferably with a deviation of less than 30°, 20° or 10°. 
     In a further embodiment, with the at least one locking device additionally the swiveling of the two top wall parts to each other is blocked inwards. 
     In a further variant, with the at least one locking device the top wall is detachably fixed form-fitting and/or force-locking at an A-sidewall or at both A-sidewalls in the use position. 
     In a supplementary embodiment, with a first locking device the top wall is detachably fixed at a first A-sidewall and preferably with a second locking device the top wall is detachably fixed at a second A-sidewall in the use position. 
     In a further embodiment, the at least one locking device comprises each at least one form-fitting element and each at least one counter form-fitting element and in the locked state each of one locking device the at least one form-fitting element is form-fitting connected to at least one counter form-fitting element. 
     Preferably, the at least one form-fitting element is formed at the top wall and the at least one counter form-fitting element is formed at the A-sidewall or vice versa. 
     In a supplementary embodiment, each of the one form-fitting element has a support surface and each of the one counter form-fitting element has one counter-support surface and in the locked state each of the one support surface bears on each of the one counter-support surface. 
     In a supplementary variant, each of the one form-fitting element is formed as a locking nose formed at the top wall or as a locking bolt formed at the top wall and each of the one counter form-fitting element is an area of the A-sidewall with the counter-support surface or is formed as a stub with a locking recess, in particular locking bore, formed at the A-sidewall or each of the one form-fitting element is formed as a locking nose formed at the A-sidewall or as a locking bolt formed at the A-sidewall and each of the one counter form-fitting element is an area of the top wall with the counter-support surface or is formed as a stub with a locking recess, in particular locking bore, formed at the top wall. 
     In a further embodiment, each of the one form-fitting element is stationary and immovably connected to the top wall or the A-sidewall and each of the one counter form-fitting element is movably connected by each one locking mechanism with the top wall or the A-sidewall or each of the one form-fitting element is movably connected by each one locking mechanism with the top wall or the A-sidewall and each of the one counter form-fitting element is stationary and immovably connected to the top wall or the A-sidewall. 
     In a further embodiment, each of the one support surface and/or at least one counter-support surface is in the use position at least partially aligned in the main perpendicular to the A-sidewall. In the main vertical means preferably with a deviation of less than 30°, 20° or 10°. 
     In a supplementary variant, the geometry of the each one form-fitting element and the each one counter form-fitting element are complementary to each other. A complementary geometry of the form-fitting element and counter-form-fitting element enables a secure form-fitting connection at low maximum forces, in particular compressive forces, on the support surface and counter-support surface. A in the main punctual transfer of forces can thus be avoided. 
     In a further embodiment, when used as a foldable storage box in the use position, the compressive force applied on the bottom surface of the top wall without a contact of the seat, in particular the top wall, with a floor at least partially applies as a compressive force between each of the one support surface and each of the one counter-support surface. For example, when carrying the storage box with a carrying handle, the compressive forces of objects applied to the bottom surface of the top wall are transferred as compressive forces between the support surface and counter-support surface. 
     Preferably, at the end regions of the A-sidewall parts, which are connected by the sidewall hinges jointly, hinge bores are formed and each one sidewall hinge is formed by a hinge axis arranged in the hinge bores of two A-sidewall parts. 
     In a further embodiment, the seat in the use position is in the main cuboid-shaped, in particular in the main cube-shaped, without floor wall and the bottom surfaces of the A-sidewalls and B-sidewalls function for support on a floor. In the main cuboid-shaped means that the seat with a deviation of less than 30%, 20% or 10% with regard to the length and/or width and/or height is formed as a cuboid, in particular cube. 
     In a further variant, in the use position each of two A-sidewall parts per A-sidewall are in the main parallel to each other and/or at an angle of in the main 180° to each other and/or are arranged in one plane and with at least one limit stop a swiveling of each of the two A-sidewall parts per A-sidewall is blocked from this position to the outside. 
     In a further embodiment, in the use position the A-sidewalls and B-sidewalls are in the main perpendicular to the top wall. Preferably, in the use position the opposite A-sidewalls are in the main aligned parallel to each other. Preferably, in the use position the opposite B-sidewalls are in the main aligned parallel to each other. Conveniently, in the use position the A-sidewalls and B-sidewalls are in the main aligned perpendicular to each other. In the main perpendicular and/or parallel aligned to each other means preferably with a deviation of less than 30°, 20° or 10°. 
     Preferably, the volume of the seat in the storage position is less than 50% or 30% or 20% of the volume of the seat in the use position. 
     In a further variant, the top wall and/or the A-sidewalls and/or B-sidewalls is bending resistant and/or at least partially, in particular completely or at least 70% by volume or mass, 80% by volume or mass or 90% by volume or mass, are made of plastic and/or at least partially, in particular completely or at least 70% by volume or mass, 80% by volume or mass or 90% by volume or mass, made of metal. 
     In an additional embodiment, the top wall and/or the A-sidewalls and/or the B-sidewalls are formed as, preferably flat, preferably rigid, grid and/or grill and/or framework and/or plate with or without openings. 
     In a further variant, at the inner surfaces and/or outer surfaces of the top wall and/or A-sidewalls and/or B-sidewalls stiffening ribs are formed. The inner surface of the top wall is the bottom surface of the top wall and the outer surface of the top wall is the top surface of the top wall. 
     In a further embodiment, each one locking nose is formed with a support surface, in particular undercut. 
     In one variant, the locking nose is fixed at the top wall and in the locked state the support surface of the locking nose bears on the counter-support surface of the A-sidewall or vice versa. 
     Conveniently, the support surface and/or counter-support surface is in the main aligned parallel to the top wall in the use position and/or is in the main aligned perpendicular to the A-sidewall in the use position. In the main perpendicular and/or parallel aligned means preferably with a deviation of less than 30°, 20° or 10°. 
     In a supplementary variant, in the use position an end as form-fitting element of each one hinge axis is arranged in a recess as counter form-fitting element at the top wall, so that a swiveling of each two A-sidewall parts, especially inwards, is blocked. 
     In an additional embodiment, the each one hinge axis is in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the hinge axis and/or swivel axis of the sidewall hinge is movably supported, so that in a locked position in the locked state of the at least one locking device of the hinge axis, the hinge axis is arranged in the recess and in a unlocked position in the unlocked state of the at least one locking device, the hinge axis is arranged outside the recess, so that in the unlocked position the two A-sidewall parts are swivelable to each other, in particular inwards. 
     In a further variant, in the locked position the each one hinge axis is fixable with a fixing means, in particular in the use position of the seat or the storage box. 
     Preferably, the at least one locking device, in particular exclusively, is integrated in the top wall hinge. 
     In a supplementary embodiment, at least one latching nose is fixed to a first top wall part as a form-fitting element movable between a locked position and a unlocked position and in a second top wall part at least one locking recess is formed as a counter form-fitting element and in the use position the at least one latching nose is positioned in the locked position, so that the at least one locking nose is arranged in the at least one locking recess and the swiveling of the two top wall parts to each other is blocked and in the unlocked position of at least one latching nose, the at least one locking nose is positioned outside the locked position and the two top wall parts are swivelable to each other. 
     In a further embodiment, the locking device is integrated in the top wall, in particular the top wall hinge, and/or is integrated in at least one A-sidewall, in particular at least one side wall hinge. 
     In a further embodiment, the seat comprises a wrapping and in the use position the wrapping covers the top wall completely and the A-sidewalls and B-sidewalls at least partially, in particular completely. Conveniently, the wrapping is made of a fabric and/or a film. Preferably, the wrapping is attached with at least one strap, in particular tightening strap, at the A-sidewall and/or B-sidewall and/or top wall. 
     In a further embodiment, in the storage position the seat is locked with a holding device in the storage position, so that the seat is not foldable from the storage position to the use position without releasing the holding device. 
     In a further variant, in the locked state of at least one locking device, a swiveling of the two top wall parts with the top wall hinge to each other to the outside is blocked by at least one top wall connection hinge, which is blocked or locked with the at least locking device. Due to the kinematics of the seat and/or the storage box, the top wall hinge is thus also locked due to the locking of the at least one top wall connection hinge. 
     In a further embodiment, the at least one form-fitting element is stationary and immovably formed at the top wall and the at least one counter form-fitting element is stationary and immovably formed at the A-sidewall, so that no relative movement between the at least one form-fitting element at the top wall is executable and no relative movement between the at least one counter form-fitting element and the A-sidewall is executable or the at least one counter form-fitting element is stationary and immovably formed at the top wall and the at least one form-fitting element is stationary and immovably formed at the A-sidewall, so that no relative movement between the at least one counter form-fitting element at the top wall is executable and no relative movement between the at least one form-fitting element and the A-side wall is executable. 
     In a further variant, the two top wall parts have the in the main same size, in particular in the main the same length and/or width. In the main means preferably with a deviation of less than 30%, 20% or 10%. 
     In a further variant, two A-sidewall parts each have the in the main same size, in particular in the main the same length and/or width. In the main means preferably with a deviation of less than 30%, 20% or 10%. 
     In a further variant, the two A-sidewalls have the in the main same size, in particular in the main the same length and/or width. In the main means preferably with a deviation of less than 30%, 20% or 10%. 
     In a further variant, the two B-sidewalls have the in the main same size, in particular in the main the same length and/or width. In the main means preferably with a deviation of less than 30%, 20% or 10%. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
       It shows: 
         FIG. 1  a perspective view of a foldable seat in a use position when used as a seat, 
         FIG. 2  a perspective view of the foldable seat according to  FIG. 1  in an intermediate position between the use position and a storage position, 
         FIG. 3  a perspective view of the foldable seat according to  FIG. 1  in the storage position, 
         FIG. 4  a detailed view of a sidewall hinge of the foldable seat according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 5  a perspective view of the foldable seat according to  FIG. 1  in a use position when used as a storage box, 
         FIG. 6  a detailed view from the outside of an A-sidewall with two A-sidewall parts of the foldable seat according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 7  a detailed view of a locking device in a first embodiment at a top wall hinge and a part of the A-sidewall in the area of the locking device in an interior view of the foldable seat according to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 8  a cut through the locking device according to  FIG. 7  with a cutting plane parallel to a swivel axis of the top wall hinge and perpendicular to the top wall, 
         FIG. 9  a cut through the locking device with a cutting plane parallel to a swivel axis of the top wall hinge and perpendicular to the top wall of a folding seat in a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 to 8  show a first embodiment of a foldable seat  1 . The foldable seat  1  is foldable between a use position for use as a seat and a storage position for storage and transport of seat  1 . The foldable seat  1  comprises a top wall  3 , two A-sidewalls  4  and two B-sidewalls  5 . The top wall  3 , the two A-sidewalls  4  and the two B-sidewalls  5  are formed as in the main flat, rigid plates without openings. Different from this, the top wall  3 , the two A-sidewalls  4  and the two B-sidewalls  5  can also be formed as a flat, rigid grid, grill, framework or plate with openings. The top wall  3 , the two A-side walls  4  and the two B-side walls  5  are formed at the inside surfaces with stiffening ribs and the stiffening ribs are shown only in  FIG. 4 . The top wall  3  is in the use position in the main square and in the main horizontally aligned with a top surface  6  and a bottom surface  7 . The top surface  6  functions as a direct seat surface or as an indirect seat surface, if on the top surface  6  a seat cushion (not shown), preferably elastic, is arranged. For fastening the seat cushion, 4 fastening elements, in particular lugs  37  or hooks, are formed at two opposite edge areas near the A-sidewalls. In the use position, the two opposite A-sidewalls  4  are in the main square and in the main vertically aligned. In the use position, the two opposite B-sidewalls  4  are also in the main square and in the main vertically aligned. The top wall  3  is in the use position in the main horizontally aligned. A lower end of the A-sidewalls  4  and B-sidewalls  5  serve as support surfaces  46  to place the seat  1  on a floor. Seat  1  may be enclosed by a wrapping (not shown). The wrapping not shown is fastened with elastic tightening straps and to guide the tightening straps around the support surfaces  46 , on the support surfaces  46  recesses  38  are formed. At the recesses  38 , the lower ends of A-sidewalls  4  and B-sidewalls  5  do not function as support surfaces  46  on a floor. 
     The top wall  3  is designed in two parts with two top wall parts  8 . The two top wall parts  8  have the in the main the same size, i.e. length and width, and are swivelable with a top wall hinge  9  around a swivel axis  11  to each other, so that in the storage position ( FIG. 3 ) the two top wall parts  8  are aligned almost parallel to each other at a very small acute angle of about 10°. The top wall hinge  9  is formed by teeth  10  and a not shown hinge axis as a hinge bolt. At the edge of the two top wall parts  8  teeth  10  are formed, which interlock, and in the teeth  10  aligned hinge bores (not shown) are incorporated. The hinge axis is arranged in the hinge bores, so that the swivel axis  11  of the top wall hinge  9  corresponds to a centric longitudinal axis of the hinge axis respectively the hinge bore. The two top wall parts  8  are by each one top wall connection hinge  15  swivelable around a swivel axis  17  and are jointly connected to the B-sidewalls  5 . The top wall connection hinge  15  is formed by teeth  16 . The teeth  16  are provided with aligned hinge bores (not shown). A hinge axis (not shown) is arranged in the hinge bores, so that the swivel axis  17  of the top wall connection hinge  15  corresponds to a centric longitudinal axis of the hinge axis respectively the hinge bolt. 
     The A-sidewalls  4  are each designed with two parts with two A-sidewall parts  12 . The two A-sidewall parts  12  have the in the main the same size, i.e. length and width, and are swivelable with a sidewall hinge  13  ( FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 ) around a swivel axis  14  to each other, so that in the storage position ( FIG. 3 ) the two top wall parts  8  are aligned parallel to each other and stacked. The top wall hinge  9  is designed by teeth  24 ,  25  and a hinge axis  27  as a hinge bolt  27 . First teeth  24  are formed at a first A-sidewall part  12  and second teeth  25  are formed at a second A-sidewall part  12 . At an edge of the first and second A-sidewall parts  12 , the teeth  24 ,  25  are formed, which interlock, and in the teeth  24 ,  25  are incorporated aligned hinge bores  26 . The swivel axis  27  is arranged in the hinge bore  26 , so that the swivel axis  14  each of one A-sidewall hinge  13  corresponds to a centric longitudinal axis of the hinge axis  27  respectively the hinge bolt  27 . Ends of the first teeth  24  each form a limit stop  41  ( FIG. 4 ), which in the use position ( FIG. 1 ) bear on the second A-sidewall part  12  and ends of the second teeth  25  each form a limit stop  41  ( FIG. 4 ), which in the use position ( FIG. 1 ) bear on the first A-sidewall part  12 , so that in the use position the two sidewall parts  12  are in the main not swivelable outwards, i.e. the swivel movement of each of the two sidewall parts  12  to each other is blocked outwards from the relative position to each other in the use position of seat  1 . The two A-sidewall parts  12  are thus only swivelable inwards to each other, if this is not blocked by a locking device  21 . 
     A A-sidewall part  12  is by each one side wall connection hinge  18  swivelable around a swivel axis  20  and is jointly connected to the B-sidewall  5 . The sidewall connection hinge  18  is formed by teeth  19  ( FIG. 5 ). The teeth  19  are designed with aligned hinge bores (not shown). A hinge axis is arranged in the hinge bores, so that the swivel axis  20  of the sidewall connection hinge  18  corresponds to a centric longitudinal axis of the hinge axis respectively the hinge bolt (not shown). At each one B-sidewall  5 , two A-sidewall parts  12  are by each one sidewall connecting hinge  18  jointly connected to the each of one B-sidewall  5 . In the use position in  FIG. 1 , the foldable seat  1  is in the main formed as a cube without floor walling, i.e. open at the bottom. The lower ends of the A-sidewalls  4  and the B-sidewalls  5  serve for support on the floor. The two top wall parts  8  and thus also the top wall  3  bears on two outer strip-shaped edge areas on the A-sidewalls  4 , so that compressive forces applying on the top surface  6  of the top wall  3 , because of the bearing of the stripe-shaped edge areas on the A-sidewalls  4 , are transferred from the A-sidewalls  4  to the floor. Furthermore, the two top wall parts  8  are connected by the top wall connection hinges  8  with the B-sidewalls  5 , so that the compressive forces applying on the top surface  6  of the top wall  3  are also transferred from the B-sidewalls  5  into the floor. 
     In the use position, each one end region of the top wall  3  is connected to an end region of the A-sidewall  4  by the locking device  21  in a form-fitting detachable way, so that a swiveling of the two top wall parts  8  is blocked outwards and a swiveling of the two A-sidewall parts  12  is blocked inwards. The top wall  3  is connected by a first locking device  21  at a first A-sidewall  4  in a form-fitting detachable way and is connected by a second locking device  21  at another, second opposite A-sidewall  4  in a form-fitting detachable way in the use position. Two end regions of the top wall  3  are connected to each one end region of the A-sidewall  4 , so that both A-sidewalls are connected in a form-fitting and detachable way by two locking devices  21  at the top wall  3 . On each of the last tooth  10  is a locking nose  22  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) formed as a form-fitting element  49  as an extension of the last tooth  10  with an undercut  23 . This undercut  23  bears on a counter-support surface  42  on the first tooth  24  as the uppermost tooth  24  of the sidewall hinge  13  in the use position of the seat  1 . Thus, the tooth  24  forms a counter form-fitting element  50  at the counter-support surface  42 . This first tooth  24  has a counter-support surface  42  and the undercut  23  forms a support surface  43 . Thus, the support surface  43  bears on the locking nose  22  as form-fitting element  49  on the counter-support surface  42  at the tooth  24  as counter form-fitting element  50 . The hinge axes  27  as the hinge bolts  27  are movable in the two sidewall hinges  13  in the hinge bores  26  ( FIG. 4 ) and can thus be moved between a locked position and a unlocked position. 
     In the pulled-out position, the hinge bolt  27  with constant diameter is pulled out of one or a few hinge bores  26  and is shown in this pulled out position in  FIG. 5  dashed and is thus in the unlocked position, i. e an end  44  of the hinge bolt  27  is positioned outside a recess  28  ( FIG. 6 ). At the bottom surface  7  of the top wall  3  two cylindrical jacket-shaped recesses  28  (in  FIG. 6  the two A-side wall parts  12  are slightly folded inwards, so that the recess  28  is visible) are formed. In the locked position (hinge bolt  27  with actuating element  30  shown in  FIG. 5  with solid line) of the swivel axis  27  is the end  44  of the swivel axis  27  as form-fitting element  49  in the recess  28  as counter form-fitting element  50 , so that a folding of the two A-sidewall parts  12  on each one A-sidewall  4  is blocked outwards and inwards, so that due to the blocking to the outside, the undercut  23  as the support surface  43  always bears on the counter-support surface  42  and thus the two A-sidewalls  4  are reliably locked detachably and fixed detachably at the top wall  4 . On the hinge axis  27  at one end  45  of the hinge axis  27 , opposite to the end  44 , which is located in the recess  28 , the actuating element  30  is formed as a widening or as a handle. In the locked position of the swivel axis  27 , the actuating element  30  is arranged in a bearing cavity  31  at the inner surface of an A-sidewall part  12  ( FIG. 5 ), so that a movement of the swivel axis  27  is blocked in the hinge bores  26 . The actuator element  30  and the bearing cavity  31  thus forms a fixing means  29  for temporary fixing of the hinge axis  27  in the locked position in the use position of the seat  1  and the storage box  2 . The blocking of the two A-sidewall parts  12  outwards with the limit stops  41  at teeth  24 ,  25  is usually not sufficient reliable and accurate for the reliable arrangement of the support surface  43  on the counter-support surface  42 . 
     With the locking device  21 , formed by the locking nose  22  as a form-fitting element  49  with support surface  32  and the tooth  24  as a counter form-fitting element  50  and the hinge axis  27  as a form-fitting element  49  and the recess  28  as counter form-fitting element  50  are in the use position the last teeth  10  of the top wall hinge  9  safely and reliably connected with the A-sidewalls  4 , so that in a use position with an orientation of the top surface  6  of the top wall  3  downwards ( FIG. 5 ) the foldable seat  1  also functions as a foldable storage box  2  for storing objects on the bottom surface  7  of the top wall  3  as the floor surface of the storage box  2 . The inner surfaces of the A-sidewall  4  and the B-sidewall  5  also serve as support surfaces for the objects as stored goods. The compressive forces applied by the stored goods (not shown) to the bottom surface  7  of the top wall  3  are transferred from the support surface  43  at the locking nose  22  and the counter-support surface  42  at the first tooth  24  to the A-sidewalls  4 . 
       FIG. 2  shows an intermediate position between the use position ( FIG. 1 ) and the storage position ( FIG. 3 ). To fold the seat  1  and the storage box  2  from the use position ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ) into the storage position ( FIG. 3 ), the two actuating elements  30  of the two hinge axes  27  must first be manually removed from the bearing cavities  31  and then the two hinge axes  27  are to be moved slightly out of the hinge bores  26 , so that the ends  45  of the hinge axes  27  with the actuators  30  slightly overtop the support surfaces  46  of the A-sidewalls  4  and thus the ends  44  are arranged outside the recesses  28 . Subsequently, the end regions of the A-sidewall parts  12  near the locking noses  22  are to be moved slightly outwards (this is slightly possible despite the limit stops  41  in the sidewall hinges  13 ), so that the support surfaces  43  of the two locking noses  22  no longer bear on the counter-support surfaces  42  of the first two teeth  24  of the sidewall hinge  13 . Subsequently, the two top wall parts  8  are swiveled outwards and the four A-sidewall parts  12  of the two A-sidewalls  4  are swiveled inwards ( FIG. 2 ). These movements are continued until in the storage position ( FIG. 3 ) two A-sidewall parts  12  each of one A-sidewall  4  are stacked and in the main arranged parallel to each other between two B-sidewalls  5 . The two top wall parts  8  are stacked in the storage position and aligned at an acute angle to each other. In the storage position, seat  1  and storage box  2  can be easily transported and requires a much smaller volume compared to the use position. In the storage position, with the holding device  39  as a holding clamp  40 , the two B-sidewalls  5  are connected to each other in the area of the support surfaces  46 , so that the storage position is permanently fixed until the connection between the two B-sidewalls  5  is loosened by means of a loosening of the holding clamp  40 . The top and bottom information of seat  1  and storage box  2  refers to the alignment in the use position of the seat  1 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a second embodiment of the foldable seat  1  and the foldable storage box  2 . In the following, in the main only the differences to the first embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 8  are described. The second embodiment differs in the main only by the other design of the locking device  21  from the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the limit stop  41  in the sidewall hinge is formed in such a way that the A-sidewall parts  12  are exactly and precisely not swivelable outwards, so that no locking with the end  49  of the hinge axis  27  in the recess  28  according to the first embodiment in the use position is necessary. A stub  47  is attached to an A-sidewall part  12 , i.e. not to the sidewall hinge  13 . However, the stub  47  is formed near the sidewall hinge  13 . The stub  47  is formed in one piece together with the A-sidewall part  12  or in two parts as a separate component. In the stub  47  a locking recess  35  as a locking bore  35  as a counter form-fitting element  50  is formed. The locking bore  35  is in the main aligned perpendicular to the A-sidewall  4  and/or in the main parallel to the top wall  3  in the use position. At a top wall part  8 , i.e. not on the top wall hinge  9 , a connection stub  48  is formed near the top wall hinge  9 . A locking mechanism  32  is attached to the connection stub  48 . The locking bolt  33  is connected to the locking mechanism  32  with a connecting rod  34 . The locking mechanism  32  with an actuator element not shown, in particular an actuation head, serves to move the locking bolt  33  as a form-fitting element  49  with the connecting rod  34  between a locked position ( FIG. 9 ) and a unlocked position (not shown). The connecting rod  34  and the locking bolt  33  are in the locked position and in the unlocked position fixable in a detachable way. In the locked position, the locking bolt  33  is arranged in the locking bore  35 , so that the connecting bore  35  forms the counter form-fitting element  50  and thus the A-sidewall  4  is connected to the top wall  3 , so that a swiveling of the two top wall parts  8  to the outside is blocked. The two A-sidewall parts  12  neither cannot be swiveled inwards (due to the form-fitting element  49  and the counter form-fitting element  50 ) or nor outwards (due to the limit stop  41 ). The two top wall parts  8  cannot be swiveled outwards because of the form-fitting connection between the form-fitting element  49  and the counter form-fitting element  50 . Compressive forces, applied by stored goods to the bottom surface  7  of the top wall  3 , are transferred from the support surface  43  at the locking bolt  33  as form-fitting element  49  to the counter-support surface  42  at the locking bore  35  as counter form-fitting element  50  and then from the stub  47  in the A-sidewall  4 . The top wall parts  8  cannot be swiveled inwards, because they bear on the two A-sidewalls  4 . The seat  1  and the storage box  2  is designed with two of these locking devices  21  at two opposite A-sidewalls  4 . In the unlocked position (not shown), the locking bolt  33  is arranged outside the locking bore  35  as a locking recess  35 , so that the two top wall parts  8  can be swiveled outwards and then the A-sidewall parts  12  inwards for folding the seat  1  and the storage box  2  from the use position to the storage position. In the second embodiment, two locking devices  21  are formed at each one A-sidewall  4 . 
     Overall, the folding seat  1  and the foldable storage box  2  according to the invention are associated with significant advantages. In the use position of seat  1 , the end regions of top wall  3  are detachably fixed in a form-fitting way to each one A-sidewall  4  with two locking devices  21 , so that the swiveling of the two top wall parts  8  is not blocked outwards. Inwardly, the swiveling of the two top wall parts  8  is blocked both by the two locking devices  21  and due to the bearing of the edge areas of the bottom surface  7  of the top wall  3  on the upper ends of the A-sidewalls  4 . In addition, with the two locking devices  21 , the swiveling of the four A-sidewall parts  12  of the two A-sidewalls  4  is blocked inwards and outwards. In addition, the swiveling of the four A-sidewall parts  12  of the two A-sidewalls  4  to the outside is blocked due to the constructive design of the sidewall hinges  13 . Thus, the foldable seat  1  has a greater stability in the use position, because during use as a folding seat  1  the sidewall hinges  13  cannot be unintentionally folded inwards. The locking devices  21  allows the use of seat  1  as a storage box  2 . The storage box  2  corresponds to seat  1  rotated by 180°, so that the top wall  3  forms the floor wall of the storage box  2 . Recesses  36  can be used as carrying handles  36  for seat  1  as well as for storage box  2 . 
     Accordingly, while several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.