Patent Publication Number: US-2005127721-A1

Title: Foldable seat

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to chairs, stools, benches, pews, and other styles of seats. In particular, the present invention relates to seats that are foldable when not in use.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Bariatric patients and other people of uncommonly large size and weight, such as those over weighing over 300 lbs, need special equipment that may not be required by others. One such piece of special equipment is a seat. A special seat is needed because the traditional chairs, sofas, and the like found in numerous places where such items are needed tend to be too small to manage a large person and are often too weakly built to support a person of large weight. Accordingly, a need exists for a seat that is dimensioned to accommodate a large person and is well-braced to support a large weight.  
      But a seat that is larger than normal may also take up an undesirably large amount of space in small living quarters. And, a seat that is larger than normal may be quite difficult to maneuver through doorways and to transport in general. Accordingly, a further need exists for a seat that is foldable for purposes of storage and/or transportation.  
      Moreover, since adequate seating for people of uncommonly large size and weight is generally difficult to find while moving from one place to another, the routine transporting of an adequate seat is a prudent precaution. And, if one lives in small quarters where a seat is folded for storage when not in use, the setting-up of a seat for use and tearing-down of a seat for storage becomes routine. If such a seat is frequently used, then it is often manipulated into place, often setup or otherwise made usable, and often torn-down or otherwise made suitable for transportation or storage. Accordingly, a further need exists for a foldable seat that is easily placed in a usable mode for sitting and easily placed in a mode for transporting or storing.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an advantage of the present invention that an improved foldable seat is provided;  
      Another advantage is that a foldable seat is provided that is suitable for use by bariatric patients.  
      Another advantage is that a foldable seat is provided that is easily opened for use and easily folded for storage or transportation.  
      These and other advantages of the present invention are realized in one form by an improved foldable seat. The foldable seat includes a brace and a top. The brace has front and rear U-shaped leg assemblies, with ends of the U-shaped leg assemblies forming feet. The brace also has at least two side-support bodies formed from U-shaped pipes. The side-support bodies pivotally couple to the front and rear leg assemblies through four pipe-shaped connectors. The connectors are fixed to the leg assemblies, and two ends of each of the side-support bodies are inserted into and held within two of the four connectors. The side-support bodies are held within the connectors by spring fasteners located proximate the ends of the side-support bodies. Each of the connectors includes a horizontally-extending slide notch within which the spring fastener moves as the support bodies pivot relative to the leg assemblies. The top removably couples to the brace.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:  
       FIG. 1  shows a first preferred embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention in a fully opened position;  
       FIG. 2  shows a foldable frame assembly of the foldable seat of  FIG. 1  in a fully closed position;  
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded, disassembled structure of the seat of  FIG. 1  in an open position;  
       FIG. 4  shows details of a connector used to couple side-support bodies and legs;  
       FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  shows a third embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  shows details of a connection to an extendible pipe at the bottom of the foldable seat shown in  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 9  shows a fifth embodiment of a foldable seat configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIGS. 1-4  depict a first embodiment of a foldable seat  10  configured in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 1  depicts an open position for seat  10 ;  FIG. 2  depicts a foldable brace or frame assembly  1  of seat  10  in a closed or folded condition;  FIG. 3  depicts an exploded, disassembled view of seat  10  in the open position; and  FIG. 4  depicts details of a connector  3  used to couple side-support bodies and legs for seat  10 . In general, seat  10  includes brace or frame assembly  1  and a top  2 .  
      While not limited to such use, seat  10  is particularly suited for use by bariatric patients. Accordingly, dimensions for seat  10  are desirably somewhat larger than might by used for more conventional seats, and materials are chosen so as to safely support a greater weight than is supported by more conventional seats.  
      Brace  1  includes a front leg assembly  11 , a rear leg assembly  12 , and four side-support bodies  13 . Leg assemblies  11  and  12  and side-support bodies  13  are formed from circular-cross-section tubes or pipes, and are preferably formed of steel to provide sufficient strength for a bariatric patient. Front leg assembly  11  and the rear leg assembly  12  are each configured into an inverse ‘U’ shape, with the open end of each ‘U’ shape providing two legs, and with the ends of the open ‘U’ shape being supported by the ground or floor. A strengthening pole  111  is fixed in the opening of the front leg assembly  11  and a strengthening pole  121  is fixed in the opening of the rear leg assembly  12 . The two ends of front leg assembly  11  are covered with plastic coverings  112  and the two ends of the rear leg assembly  12  are covered with plastic coverings  122  to protect the floor from being marred by leg assemblies  11  and  12 .  
      The four side-support bodies  13  include two top side-support bodies  131  and two foot side-support bodies  132 . Each side-support body  13  is a U-shaped pipe. Four connectors  3  are rigidly fixed to leg assemblies  11  and  12 , with one connector  3  fixed to each leg. Connectors  3  are fixed using an attachment technique suitable for bariatric applications, such as welding or soldering. In particular, each connector is fixed in a location so that when seat  10  is in its open condition it is located on the side of its respective leg that points along the edge of seat  10  and faces the other leg assembly  11  or  12 . Each connector  3  is a straight pipe having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the pipes from which side-support bodies  13  are formed.  
      Near each of the eight ends of the four side-support bodies  13  a hole is formed as one part of each of eight spring fasteners  130 . Spring fasteners  130  also include a spring-loaded pin that is urged through the hole from inside the pipe which forms each side-support body  13 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in this type of spring fastener  130 , the pin is fixed to an end of a linear spring that is folded inside the pipe, with the pin projecting out of the hole, radially outward from the axis of the pipe. The pin can be pushed toward the interior of the pipe against the spring, but will pop out when it meets no resistance to outward movement. The interior wall of the pipe stops the spring and pin from moving beyond a predetermined outward distance.  
      Spring fasteners  130  cooperate with corresponding slide notches  31  formed in connectors  3 , near the ends of each connector  3 . Each slide notch  31  extends horizontally for a distance of approximately  900  around the circumference of its connector  3 . The ends of side-support bodies  13  are placed within corresponding connectors  3  by depressing the pins of the spring fasteners  130  to permit the ends to fit within connectors  3 . Then, the ends of side-support bodies  13  are vertically positioned within connectors  3  so that the pins of spring fasteners  130  are aligned with slide notches  31 . When this happens, the pins of spring fasteners  130  pop outward into slide notches  31 . The pins from spring fasteners  130  project beyond the outer walls of the pipes from which side-support bodies  13  are formed well into and preferably through slide notches  31  within connectors  3 .  
      The phase of the 90° circumferential extent for each slide notch  31  is established to accommodate the closed/folded and open/unfolded configurations of seat  10 . In particular, when in the open configuration, spring fasteners  130  are positioned at the extreme clockwise position of each slide notch  31 , and in the closed configuration, spring fasteners  130  are positioned away from this extreme clockwise position, preferably near the extreme counter-clockwise position. In order to reconfigure seat  10  between its closed and open positions, without top  2  being attached, frame assembly  1  is twisted so that side-support bodies  13  pivot within connectors  3 . During this operation, spring fasteners  130  slide within slide notches  31 .  
      A plastic covering  4  acts as a bushing that resides between the outer wall of each side-support body  13  and the inner wall its corresponding connector  3 . Plastic covering  4  exhibits a thickness that causes side-support bodies  13  to tightly fit within connectors  3  and eliminate wobble. Plastic covering  4  also protects against rusting an scratching. Plastic coverings  4  are desirably configured with a slide notch that matches slide notch  31 . In a preferred embodiment, plastic coverings  4  include a tab (not shown) that fits within a notch in connectors  3  to register plastic covering  4  so that the respective slide notches align.  
      Top  2  is desirably configured as a blow-molded panel, of which a bottom surface  23  has a concave dent in which there are several ribs  24 . The concave dent and associated ribs  24  structure is desirably configured to reduce weight while still maintaining sufficient strength for a bariatric application.  
      Several attachment clips  21  and  22  are fixedly attached on bottom surface  23  of top  2 . Clips  21  are configured to attach to the top portion of leg assemblies  11  and  12 , and clips  22  are configured to attach to the top portions of top side-support bodies  131 . Clips  21  and  22  may be attached to top  2  at its bottom surface, but are preferably integrally molded into bottom surface  23  when top  2  is formed. A cross-section of clips  21  and  22  resembles a portion of a circle having a diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter of the leg assemblies  11  and  12  and top side-support bodies  131  to which they respectively attach. Clip material covers more than 180° of this circle so that the clip material must deflect to snap onto leg assemblies  11  and  12  and support bodies  131 , then return to its resting shape due to a natural resilience of the clip material. Any number of clips  21  and  22  may be present on bottom surface  23 .  
      In use, top  2  may be removed from frame assembly  1  and side-support bodies  13  may be removed from connectors  3  for the most space-efficient storage and shipment solution. In this solution, leg assemblies  11  and  12  and side-support bodies  13  may be laid together and packaged with top  2 , for transportation. This greatly reduces the volume needed to box seat  10  and increases the number of seats  10  that may be stocked at a store or transported in a given amount of space.  
      When purchased by a user, the user can press spring fasteners  130  at the ends of side-support bodies  131  and  132  and insert these ends to the corresponding connectors  3  on the front and rear leg assemblies  11  and  12 . As each spring fastener  130  moves vertically within its connector  30 , it eventually encounters a slide notch  31 . When a slide notch  31  is encountered, the spring fastener  130  pops radially outward, vertically locking the side-support body  13  to the respective leg assembly  11  or  12 . While the side-support body  13  cannot move vertically relative to its respective leg assembly  11  or  12 , it can nevertheless pivot or move horizontally for a distance defined by the phase over which slide notch  31  circumferentially extends within its connector  3 . Thus, the side-support body  13  can pivot relative to its connector  3 , completing the assembly of the brace  1 .  
      When used, front and rear leg assemblies  11  and  12  and side-support bodies  13  are collectively pivoted or unfolded to the open position for brace  1 . During the process of unfolding, the ends of the side-support bodies  13  pivot within connectors  3 , and spring fasteners  130  move within slide notches  31 . Then, top  2  is attached to the now-open brace  1  by attaching clips  21  and  22 , and seat  10  is setup and ready to be sat upon. When the user needs to fold seat  10  to its closed position for storage or transportation, top  2  is removed by pulling upward, and the tear-down or folding operation is completed simply by causing side-support bodies  13  to pivot within connectors  3 . During this pivoting operation, spring fasteners  130  move within slide notches  31  of the connectors  3 . And, when desired, an even greater space efficiency may result from completely removing side-support bodies  13  from connectors  3  by pressing spring fasteners  130  and removing side-support bodies  13  from connectors  3 .  
       FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment of foldable seat  10 . In this second embodiment, foldable seat  10  again includes brace  1  and top  2 . One difference between the first and second embodiments is that this second embodiment adds ‘A’ shaped fixture poles  123  to front and rear leg assemblies  11  and  12 . The ‘A’ shaped fixture poles  123  extend vertically downward from the midsection of the top portion of each leg assembly  11  or  12 , and then diverge sideways as they near strengthening poles  111 . Fixture poles are rigidly attached to the respective leg assemblies  11  and  12  by welding, or the like. Fixture poles  132  provide additional strength and support for seat  10 .  
       FIG. 6  shows a third embodiment of foldable seat  10 , and  FIG. 7  shows details of a connection to an extendible pipe positioned at the foot end of this third embodiment of foldable seat  10 . This third embodiment of seat  10  is especially configured for two persons. It again includes brace  1  and top  2 . One difference between this third embodiment and the first embodiment discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1-4  is that the top of this embodiment is long enough for two or more people. In addition, strengthening poles  114  and  124  are bent poles, rather than the straight strengthening poles  111  discussed above. The midsections of the top of strengthening poles  114  and  124  are fixed to the midsections of the top portion of front and rear leg assemblies  11  and  12 . The foot ends of strengthening poles  114  and  124  are connected to the legs of the front leg assembly  11  and rear leg assembly  12 , respectively. Additionally, extension pipes  5  are set on and held to the feet-ends of front and rear leg assemblies  11  and  12 . Extension pipes  5  are made of aluminum or steel. Spring fasteners  51 , similar to spring fasteners  130  discussed above, are set at the bottom of front and rear leg assemblies  11  and  12 , and a number of vertically-spaced select spring holes  52  are set on the corresponding extension pipes  5 . Extension pipes  5  are held in place at a desired height when spring fasteners  51  mate with desired spring holes  52 .  
       FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of foldable seat  10 . The fourth embodiment is a foldable chair for one person. This fourth embodiment of seat  10  again includes brace  1  and top  2 . But one difference between this fourth embodiment and the first embodiment discussed above is that this fourth embodiment includes a back  6 , fixed on back poles  61 . Back poles  61  are provided by the ends of a ‘U’ pipe, hingedly fixed on rear leg assembly  12 . Back  6  is desirably a blow-molded panel, configured similar to top  2 . In particular, a back surface of back  6  desirably has a concave dent in which there are several ribs. In this fourth embodiment, no strengthen poles are set on front and rear leg assemblies  11  and  12 , and only two side-support bodies  13  are used. Each side-support body  13  is a single U-shaped, upwardly-extending pipe. When assembled, side-support bodies  13  extend above top  2 , forming the arms at both sides of seat  10 . Meanwhile, a support pole  23  is set on the bottom surface of top  2  and connects with top  2  instead of side-support body  13 . The ends of the support poles  23  hitch with the rear legs  12 .  
       FIG. 9  shows a fifth embodiment of foldable seat  10 . In this fifth embodiment, seat  10  is a foldable chair, especially adapted for two persons, with a back as discussed in connection with the fourth embodiment. One difference between this fifth embodiment and the above-discussed embodiment is that this fifth embodiment has two tops connected to brace  1 .  
      In summary, the present invention provides an improved foldable seat that is suitable for bariatric patients. The foldable seat is easily opened for use and easily folded for storage or transportation.  
      Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. For example the terms “top,” “bottom,” “foot,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and the like, have been used to indicate relative orientations of items during normal use of the seat. Those skilled in the art will understand that nothing requires such items to maintain such orientations at all times.