Patent Publication Number: US-9888777-B2

Title: Foldable bench

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/541,705, filed Oct. 7, 2015, titled “Foldable Bench.” 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of furniture. More particularly, this disclosure relates to furniture, including benches and chairs, having foldable sides and seats. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above and other needs are met by a foldable chair with a backrest, front support members rotatably mounted to the backrest configured to rotate between a folded position where the first front support member is disposed adjacent to the backrest and an unfolded position where the first front support member extends outwardly from the backrest, and a seat extending between the front support members and rotatably mounted to the backrest and configured to rotate between a folded position where the seat is disposed adjacent to the backrest and an unfolded position where the seat extends outwardly from the backrest. A first seat support extends from an inside surface of the first front support member. A first receiver is located on a side surface of the seat and engages the first seat support when the seat is rotated to the unfolded position for supporting the seat in the unfolded position. A latch including a latch extension is mounted to a front support member. A latch receiver is located in a side surface of the seat and is configured to receive the latch extension when the seat is in the unfolded position to prevent the seat from rotating with respect to the backrest. 
     In certain embodiments, a second seat support extends from an inside surface of the second front support member. A second receiver is located on a side surface of the seat and is configured to engage the second seat support when the seat is rotated to the unfolded position for supporting the seat in the unfolded position. The first front support member may include a first front leg and a substantially horizontal lower rail having a first end that is rotatably mounted to the first side of the backrest and a second end that is fixedly mounted to the first front leg. The second front support member may include a second front leg and a substantially horizontal lower rail having a first end that is rotatably mounted to the second side of the backrest and a second end that is fixedly mounted to the second front leg. The first and second front legs are configured to contact a ground surface. In some embodiments, the first front support and the second front support each have an arm rest and a lower horizontal rail that is rotatably mounted to corresponding upper and lower first and second extensions extending outwards from the backrest. A rotating latch may be mounted to a bottom surface of the lower horizontal rail of the first or second front support member. 
     The first seat support may be mounted to a bottom surface of the lower horizontal rail of the first front support member. The foldable chair may also include a second seat support mounted to a bottom surface of the lower horizontal rail of the second front support member. A second receiver located on a side surface of the seat engages the second seat support when the seat is rotated to the unfolded position for supporting the seat in the unfolded position. The first and second seat supports may each form an elongate L having a top and a side connected together at an angle. The top of each seat support being mounted to the bottom surface of the lower horizontal rail of the respective front support member. The side of each seat support mounted to a rearward-facing surface of the respective front leg. 
     In certain embodiments, the seat includes a seat support frame and a seat top mounted to a top surface of the seat support frame. The seat support frame extends between the first and second front support members. It is rotatably mounted to the backrest and is configured to rotate vertically between the folded position and the unfolded position. The seat support frame has a first side and a second side and an open middle defined by front and back members, a first side member and a second side member connected to the front and back members proximate the first and second side, respectively. At least one middle support member is connected to the front and back members and is located between the first and second side members. The seat top may be formed from blow molded plastic. The seat top may include one or more downward projections that may be connected to the seat support frame by connectors that pass through seat support frame and into the downward projection to connect the seat support frame to the seat top. For example, a first downward projection of the seat top may extend into the middle of the support frame between the first side member and the first middle support. Also, a second downward projection of the seat top may extend into the middle of the support frame between the second side member and the second middle support. Connectors pass the middle supports and into the downward projection to connect the seat support frame to the seat top. 
     In certain embodiments, the front support members are rotatably mounted to first and second extensions extending outwards from the backrest. An inside corner of the first and second extensions may be rounded to facilitate rotation of support members with respect to the extensions. The front supports may each have an arm rest and a lower horizontal rail that is rotatably mounted to corresponding upper and lower first and second extensions extending outwards from the backrest. 
     In certain embodiments, the latch is a rotating latch and the latch extension is configured to selectively engage the latch receiver when the latch is rotated. The latch receiver may be an opening disposed in a side surface of the seat configured to receive the latch extension. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further advantages of the disclosure are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front exploded view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a left side elevation view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side elevation view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a foldable bench in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a foldable bench in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a left side elevation view of a foldable bench in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear elevation view of a foldable bench in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a right side elevation view of a foldable bench in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of a foldable bench in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of a foldable bench in a folded configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a front elevation view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a right side elevation view of a latch according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of a foldable bench in an unfolded configuration and including a detail view of a latch mechanism in a latched position according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the description that follows, various embodiments of a foldable bench are described. The terms “chair”, “bench” or “seat” or other similar terms may be used in this description interchangeably.  FIGS. 1-7  provide various views of a bench  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in an unfolded position for use.  FIGS. 8-17  provide various views of the bench  100  in a folded position for storage. 
     The bench  100  includes generally a backrest  102 , a first front support member  104  and a second front support member  106  that are mounted to the backrest, and a seat  108  that is located between the front support members and that is mounted to the backrest. The front support members  104 ,  106  are rotatably mounted to the backrest and can rotate laterally inwards to a folded position where the front support members are substantially parallel with the backrest or outwards to an unfolded position where the front support members are substantially perpendicular to the backrest. The seat  108  is connected to the backrest  102  and is vertically rotatable between a vertical folded position and a horizontal unfolded position. When the seat  108  is unfolded, it prevents the front support members  104 ,  106  from rotating inwards to the folded position. Furthermore, as discussed in more detail below, the seat may be prevented from rotating upwards by a latch  136 . On the other hand, in the folded position, the front support members  104 ,  106  prevent the seat  108  from rotating downwards. To deploy the bench  100 , the front support members  104 ,  106  are first rotated outwards to the unfolded position and then the seat  108  is rotated downwards and latched in the unfolded position. To stow the bench  100 , the latch  136  is disengaged from the seat  108 , the seat  108  is rotated upwards towards the backrest  102  and then the front support members  104 ,  106  are rotated inwards. 
     The backrest  102  has a front surface  110 , a back surface  112 , a first side  114 , a second side  116  and a middle  115  located between the first and second sides. In this particular embodiment, the backrest  102  is formed in an inverted U-shape that includes an upper section  102 A where an occupant&#39;s back might rest while occupying the bench  100  and a lower section  102 B that includes first and second rear legs  118 ,  120 . The upper section  102 A may have a number of horizontal ribs  121  that extend between the first and second sides  114 ,  116  of the backrest  102  to strengthen the backrest  102  as well as make it more comfortable for an occupant. Alternatively, the ribs  121  may be replaced by a solid or partially solid back section for contacting an occupant&#39;s back. 
     The upper and lower sections  102 A,  102 B may be joined together at an angle α that may be between 135° and 180°. Preferably the angle α is approximately 160-175°. While the upper section  102 A is substantially vertical, the lower section  102 B is angled slightly outwards behind the rear of the bench  100  so that the rear legs are angled rearwardly away from the back surface  112  in order to give the bench additional stability and to prevent it from turning over. 
     The front support members  114 ,  116  are preferably configured such that the front surface  110  of the backrest  102  includes one or more mounting locations for mounting to the front support members. In this particular embodiment, lower and upper left extensions  122 ,  124  and lower and upper right extensions  126 ,  128  are located on the front surface  110  near the first and second sides  114 ,  116  of the backrest  102 . The extensions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  extend outwards from the backrest  102  and provide convenient mounting locations for the first and second front support members  104 ,  106  as well as the seat  108 . The first and second front support members  104 ,  106  are rotatably mounted to extensions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  and may rotate inwards to the folded position, as depicted in  FIG. 8 , or outwards to an unfolded position, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . An inside corner  138  of each of the extensions  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  is rounded to facilitate the rotation of the front support members  104 ,  106  between the unfolded and folded positions. 
     The front support members  104 ,  106  include mounting locations that correspond with the mounting locations of the backrest  102 . In the embodiment shown, the first and second front support members  104 ,  106  each include a lower rail  130  having a first end  130 A that is rotatably mounted to the lower left extension  122  or lower right extension  126 . A mounting plate  140  is fixedly secured to a bottom surface of the lower rail  130 . A threaded connector  142  passes through an opening in the mounting plate  140  and is then secured in a threaded opening located in a bottom surface of the lower left and right extensions  122 ,  126 . A second end  130 B of the lower rail  130  is fixedly mounted to a vertical leg  132  of the front support member  104 . One end of the vertical leg  132  contacts the ground. The opposite end of the vertical leg  132  extends upwards past the lower rail  130  and is joined to an armrest  134 . In this particular embodiment, the intersection between the leg  132  and the armrest  134  is rounded for added safety and comfort of the occupant. The armrest  134  has a first end  134 A that is rotatably mounted to the upper left extension  124  or upper right extension  128 . A mounting plate  140  is fixedly secured to a bottom surface of the armrest  134  in the same manner as described above for the lower rail  130 . 
     The seat  108  is rotatably mounted adjacent the front surface  110  of the backrest  102  and extends between the first and second sides of the backrest. As shown in  FIG. 13 , in the folded position, the seat  108  is rotated upwards and is positioned parallel with and immediately adjacent to the backrest  102 . After the seat  108  has been rotated upwards, the left and right front support members  104 ,  106  are then rotated inwards to the folded position such that they are parallel with the backrest  102 . In the folded position, the seat  108  is sandwiched between the backrest  102  and the front support members  104 ,  106 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the seat  108  includes a seat support frame and a seat top  158 , which may be formed from blow molded plastic. The seat top includes a top surface, where an occupant of the bench  100  would sit, and a bottom surface, which is mounted to the seat support frame. The seat top  108  may include one or more downward projections  160  that may be connected to the seat support frame by connectors. As discussed in greater detail below, connectors pass through seat support frame and into one of the downward projections  160  to connect the seat support frame to the seat top  108 . 
     The seat support frame extends between the first and second front support members  104 ,  106  that are rotatably mounted to the backrest  102 . The seat frame has a first side and a second side and an open middle defined by a first side member  144  and a second side member  146 . The frame  144  also includes a front member  148  and a back member  150  that are connected between the first and second side members  144 ,  146 . Also, in certain embodiments, one or more middle supports connected to the front and back members  148 ,  150  are located between the first and second side members  144 ,  146 . In this particular embodiment, a first middle support  152  is spaced slightly apart from the first side member  144  such that an opening is formed between the first middle support and the first side member. Similarly, a second middle support  154  is spaced slightly apart from the second side member  146  such that an opening is formed between the second middle support and the second side member. Lastly, a third middle support  156  is located in approximately the center of the seat  108  between the first and second side members  144 ,  146 . 
     One function of the middle supports is to add additional rigidity and support to the seat  108 . Another function of the middle supports is to provide a convenient attachment location for the downward projections  160  of the seat top  158 . In the embodiment shown, downward projections  160  are positioned so that they may be inserted into the opening formed between the first middle support  152  and the first side member  144  as well as between the second middle support  154  and the second side member  146 . Connectors  162  are inserted through the middle supports  152 ,  160  and then into the downward projections  160  to connect the seat support frame with the seat top  158 . Another downward projection  160  is positioned alongside the third middle support  156  as well. In addition to providing a convenient mounting location, another added benefit of the downward projections is that they assist in correctly positioning the seat top  158  with respect to the seat support frame and with limiting movement of the seat top with respect to the seat support frame. 
     The seat  108  is supported in the unfolded position by one or more seat supports  164  that are fixed mounted to and extend away from the first or second front support members  104 ,  106 . In this particular embodiment, seat supports  164  are mounted to a bottom surface of the lower rail  130  of first front support member  104  and of the second front support member  106 . The seat support  164  may comprise a bar or a rod-like extension that extends inwards from the front support members  104 ,  106 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in this particular embodiment, the seat support  164  forms an elongate L having a top and a side connected together at an angle. The top of the seat support  164  is mounted to the bottom surface of the lower horizontal rail  130  of the first and second front support members  104 ,  106 . The side of each seat support  164  is mounted to a rearward-facing surface of the legs  132  of the first and second front support members  104 ,  106 . 
     A free end of each seat support  164  is received by a receiver that is disposed in or on a side surface of the seat  108 . In certain embodiments, a receiver, such as a U-shaped bracket or even a flat plate, is mounted to an outside surface along the left or right sides of the seat  108 . In the embodiment shown, a cutout  166  is formed in the left and right sides of the seat that receives the seat support  164 . In either case, the receiver is configured to contact a top of the seat support  164  when the seat is rotated to the unfolded position for supporting the seat in the unfolded position. 
     Lastly, the latch  136  is used to hold the seat  108  in the unfolded orientation. In this particular embodiment, a rotating latch  136  is mounted to the first or second front support member  104 ,  106  and is designed to selectively engage a latch opening  168  formed in the side surface of the seat  108 . In other embodiments, other types of latches, such as a deadbolt or spring latch, may be used in place of the rotating latch. A latch opening  168  may be placed on either side of the bench  100  so that the placement of the latch  136  may be changed as desired. A rotatable latch  136 , shown in  FIG. 15 , has a latch extension  170  that is configured to engage the latch opening  168 . The rotatable latch  136  is mounted to the left and right front support member  104 ,  106  by passing a connector through an opening  172  in the latch. A thumb button  174  located opposite from the latch extension  170  may be pressed by a user to easily turn the latch between a latched and an unlatched position. 
     In the embodiments discussed above, the first and second front support members  104 ,  106  include an armrest. However, in other embodiments, such as a chair or stool configuration, there is no armrest. Still, the device folds in the same manner as described above. In these alternative embodiments, rails connecting the front supports to the back rest are located at seat level and below seat level. These rails are rotatably mounted and allow the front supports to be rotated inwards to a folded position. 
     The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.