Patent Publication Number: US-2016242550-A1

Title: Chair Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/119,178, filed on Feb. 21, 2015. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
     The application relates generally to a chair assembly including a frame assembly and one or more removable textile members secured thereto for supporting persons thereon. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION 
     Chairs that have detachable seat arrangements are known. However, such chairs include detachable seat arrangements that are constructed for the particular purpose of operating as part of a particular chair design. A chair that may incorporate any number of readily available textile materials as a seat portion and/or back portion of the chair is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION 
     The present application is directed to a chair assembly comprising a frame member and a textile member; the frame member having a first fastening assembly for releasable securement of part of the textile member and a second fastening assembly for releasable securement of a different part of the textile member; the first and second fastening assemblies securing the textile member in a manner effective to provide a seat and back of the chair assembly. 
     The present application is also directed to a chair assembly comprising a frame member and a textile member disposed across the frame member; the frame member being operationally configured to releasably sandwich different parts of the textile member in a manner effective for the textile member to form a seat and back of the chair assembly. 
     The present application is also directed to a chair assembly comprising a frame member and a textile member; wherein the frame member includes tongue and groove assemblies for securing different parts of the textile member in a fixed position in a manner effective for the textile member to form a support surface of the chair assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a chair assembly of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a frame member of the chair assembly of the present application. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a top attachment cross member assembly of a frame member with the top attachment cross member assembly in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  is the top attachment cross member assembly of  FIG. 3  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional phantom side view of a simplified embodiment of a top attachment cross member assembly of an embodiment of a frame member. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a chair assembly including a textile member secured to the top attachment cross member assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a chair assembly including an end of a textile member secured to the top attachment cross member assembly and an opposing end disposed through the void of a front attachment cross member assembly presented in an open position. 
         FIG. 8  is a simplified illustration of an individual seated upon an embodiment of the chair assembly of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before describing the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present assembly and method are not limited to particular embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms “seat” and “back” in relation to the chair assembly discussed herein are used as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art of seating. For example, a “seat” refers to the part of a chair upon which a person sits. The “back” of a chair refers to the part of a chair that supports a person&#39;s backside typically above his/her waist area. The “seat” and “back” of the present chair assembly may collectively be referred to as the “support surface.” The phrase “ground” herein refers to the surface upon which the chair assembly of this application may be positioned for use. Without limiting the invention to any number of possible locales, the ground may include any number of indoor and outdoor surfaces and surface structures upon which chairs and the like have been positioned for use, such as the bare earth, flooring, various construction type surfaces, level type surfaces of objects, i.e., the bed of a pickup truck, or any other surface upon which a person may desire to sit using the chair assembly of the present application. 
     In one aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member operationally configured to receive one or more textile members in secured attachment thereto in a manner effective for the one or more textile members to support the weight of a user of the chair assembly. The frame member is also operationally configured to receive one or more textile members in their original condition without the need to modify any textile member for use as part of the present chair assembly. 
     In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member and a textile member that is suspendedly supported by the frame member, the textile member providing a support surface of the chair assembly for an individual using the chair assembly. 
     In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member and a textile member that is suspendedly supported by the frame member, the textile member providing a seat portion and/or a back portion of the chair assembly. 
     In another aspect, the application provides a portable chair assembly operationally configured to suspendedly support textile members such as bedding materials, towels such as bath towels and beach towels, tarp materials, flags, clothing, and combinations thereof, one or more of such textile members being operationally configured to operate as one or more support surfaces of a chair assembly. 
     In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a frame member having a seat frame portion and a back frame portion wherein the front of the seat frame portion is operationally configured to hold part of a textile member in a fixed position and the top of the back frame portion is operationally configured to hold another part of the textile member in a fixed position. 
     In another aspect, the application provides a chair assembly including a foldable frame member operationally configured to receive one or more removable textile members in attachment thereto in a manner effective for the one or more textile members to support the weight of a user of the chair assembly. 
     With reference now to a simplified illustration of the invention as provided in  FIG. 1 , a chair assembly  10  is provided including a frame member  11  and a textile member  12 . In this embodiment, the frame member  11  is defined by a seat frame assembly  14  and a back frame assembly  16 . As shown, the textile member  12  may include a planar flexible and/or stretchable textile material, or combination of textile materials, operationally configured to be communicated with the frame member  11  in a manner effective to dispose the textile member  12  across the frame member  11  to support the weight of an individual thereon. It is also contemplated that the textile member  12  may include a non-planar surface operable as a support surface of an individual using the chair assembly  10 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , a suitable seat frame assembly  14  includes a first side member  18 , a second opposing side member  19  and a front (or bottom) attachment cross member assembly  20  disposed there between and attached to a first end of the side members  18  and  19  as shown. Suitably, the bottom side attachment cross member assembly  20  is operationally configured to secure part of one or more textile members  12  in a fixed position during operation of the chair assembly  10 . As such, the bottom side attachment cross member assembly  20  operates as a first fastener of one or more textile members  12 . As  FIG. 2  depicts, the side members  18  and  19  extend front to back (1) a distance effective for the second ends of the side members  18  and  19  to provide a rear base for the chair assembly  10  operatively similar as two hind legs of a four legged chair and (2) a distance effective to form a seat frame of the chair assembly  10  when a textile member  12  is securely attached thereto during use. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the back frame assembly  16  includes opposing side members  24  and  25  and a back (or top) attachment cross member assembly  21  disposed there between and attached to a first end of the side members  24 ,  25  as shown. Suitably, the top attachment cross member assembly  21  is operationally configured to secure part of one or more textile members  12  in a fixed position during operation of the chair assembly  10 . As such, the top attachment cross member assembly  21  operates as a second fastener of one or more textile members  12 . In this embodiment, the side members  24  and  25  suitably extend top to bottom (1) a distance effective for the second ends of the side members  24  and  25  to provide a front base for the chair assembly  10  operatively similar as two fore legs of a four legged chair and (2) a distance effective to form a back frame of the chair assembly  10  when a textile member  12  is securely attached thereto during chair assembly  10  use. During operation, the top attachment cross member assembly  21  is operationally configured to secure one or more textile members  12  in a manner effective to form a top edge  71  of a back of the chair assembly  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     As  FIG. 2  further shows, the side members  18  and  19  of the seat frame assembly  14  and the side members  24  and  25  of the back frame assembly  16  are suitably pivotally attached via pivot pins  27  or the like. Although the pivot point interconnecting the side members may be located as desired, the pivot point of the side members  24  and  25  are suitably located at one or more points allowing for operable use of the chair assembly  10  as a foldable chair. In one apposite embodiment, the pivot pins  27  may be located up to about one-third from the second end of the side members  24 ,  25 . 
     In this embodiment the frame member  11  also includes brace members  30  and  32  and an adjustment member  35  disposed between the brace members  30 ,  32  for setting the angle of the back frame assembly  16  during chair assembly  10  use. As shown, the adjustment member  35  includes an elongated member defined by a longitudinal axis that may extend through each of the brace members  30 ,  32 , or is otherwise attached to each of the brace members  30 ,  32  in a fixed position effective to maintain the angle of the back frame assembly  16  during use of the chair assembly  10 . As understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art of chair design, the brace members  30 ,  32  are suitably pivotally attached to the side members  24  and  25  via pivot pins  28  allowing the adjustment member  35  to be positioned along the upper surface of the side members  18  and  19  of the seat frame assembly  14  according to the surface configuration of the upper surface of the side members  18 ,  19 , which may include a plurality of stops  37  extending out from the upper surface of the side members  18 ,  19  that are operationally configured to catch and hold the adjustment member  35 , brace members  30 ,  32  and side members  24 ,  25  in a fixed position. Said another way, the configuration of the seat frame assembly  14  is operationally configured to dictate the angle of the back frame assembly  15  during chair assembly  10  use. 
     As shown, the stops  37  disposed along each side member  18 ,  19  may be linearly aligned in opposing corresponding pairs and spaced apart in a manner effective to provide various optional angled positions of the back frame assembly  16  during chair assembly  10  use. According to one exemplary layout of the stops  37 , the set angle positions of the back frame assembly  16  may range from about 40.0 degrees to about 85.0 degrees according to the angle between the backside of the back frame assembly  16  and the ground. At a minimum, the space between stops  37  is large enough to receive the adjustment member  35  there between in abutment with the upper surface of the side members  18 ,  19 . In one embodiment, the stops  37  may include outer surfaces forming right angles with the upper surface of the side members  18 ,  19  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, the stops  37  may be angled less than ninety degrees or include curved surfaces as shown in  FIG. 8 . In still another embodiment, the upper surface of the side members  18 ,  19  may include cut out regions or grooves operationally configured to catch and hold the adjustment member  35  therein. A combination of stops  37  and cut out regions is also contemplated. Aesthetically, it may be desirable to have all stops  37 , or cut out regions, of similar kind, but size and shape may vary per individual stop  37  as desired. 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the top attachment cross member assembly  21  includes a moveable portion comprised of two opposing arm members  40 ,  41  and a first sandwiching member  42  disposed there between and attached at or near the distal ends of the arm members  40 ,  41  as shown. The top attachment cross member assembly  21  also suitably includes sleeve members  43 ,  44  or the like for receiving the arm members  40 ,  41  in a mated position therein in a manner effective for the sandwiching member  42  to be directed between a closed sandwiching position and an open non-sandwiching position as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  wherein the arm members  40 ,  41  are substantially extended out from the sleeve members  43 ,  44  forming a void  50  (see  FIG. 3 ) between the sandwiching member  42  and first and second brace members  45  and  46  of the top attachment cross member assembly  21 . 
     With attention to  FIG. 3 , when the sandwiching member  42  and arm members  40 ,  41  are set to extended open position during assembly/disassembly of the chair assembly  10 , the void  50  formed between the sandwiching member  42  and the first and second brace members  45  and  46  of the top attachment cross member assembly  21  is operationally configured to receive one or more textile members  12  there through. In one embodiment, the sandwiching member  42  may include a planar surface member for abutting the topside of the first and second brace members  45  and  46  in order to sandwich a textile member  12  there between when the sandwiching member  42  is directed to a sandwiching closed position (see Directional Arrow AA) for securing and fixing a textile member  12 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , the sandwiching effect between the sandwiching member  42  and the first and second brace members  45  and  46  may be augmented by providing a sandwiching member  42  defined by one or more elongated jut members  48  disposed lengthwise across the bottom surface of the sandwiching member  42 . In this embodiment, the one or more jut members  48  suitably extend out from the surface of the sandwiching member  42  in a manner effective to be directed between the first and second brace members  45  and  46  when the sandwiching member  42  is directed to a sandwiching closed position. As shown, the first and second brace members  45  and  46  are each spaced apart according to their locations of attachment at opposing sides of the side members  24 ,  25 , whereby part of a textile member  12  disposed through void  50  may be directed between the first and second brace members  45  and  46  via the one or more jut members  48  thereby increasing the surface area upon which a textile member  12  is sandwiched between the sandwiching member  42  and the first and second brace members  45 ,  46 . In one embodiment, one or more jut members  48  may include teeth type members extending out from the surface of the sandwiching member  42  as desired. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a suitable jut member  48  may include a rectangular tongue type member extending out from the surface of the sandwiching member  42  whereby the top attachment cross member assembly  21  is operationally configured to provide a tongue and groove assembly for securing one or more textile members  12  in a fixed position there through. In one suitable embodiment, the jut member  48  may include a rectangular member with outer surfaces operationally configured to compress one or more textile members  12  in the tongue and groove joint formed between the jut member  48  and the inner surfaces of the first and second brace members  45 ,  46  for securing one or more textile members  12  therein. 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , when the sandwiching member  42  is set to a closed position with the first and second brace members  45 ,  46 , the distal ends of the arm members  40 ,  41  suitably extend out beyond the distal ends of the sleeve members  43 ,  44  a desired distance for locking the arm members  40 ,  41 . In one apposite embodiment, one or both of the arm members  40 ,  41  may include one or more apertures  51 ,  52  there through that are exposed when the sandwiching member  42  is set to a closed position in abutment with the first and second brace members  45 ,  46  as shown. Suitably, the top attachment cross member assembly  21  may also include one or more pin members  55  (see  FIG. 5 ) such as dowel pins or other elongated members, operationally configured to be directed through one or both of apertures  51 ,  52  of the arm members  40 ,  41  thereby maintaining the top attachment cross member assembly  21  in a closed position to assist in maintaining a textile member  12  disposed there through in a secure position. In another embodiment, the sleeve members  43 ,  44  may include apertures there through that correspond to one or more apertures  51 ,  52  of the arm members  40 ,  41  for locking the arm members  40 ,  41  in place during use. 
     As shown in the simplified illustration of  FIG. 5 , one suitable pin member  55  may include cotter pin(s) operationally configured to mate with one or both of the apertures  51 ,  52  in a manner effective for maintaining the top attachment cross member assembly  21  in an abutment position for securing a textile member  12  disposed there through. Suitable cotter pins may include, but are not necessarily limited to hairpin cotter pins, bowtie cotter pins, circle cotter pins, split pins, and the equivalent, as the terms are understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. As also understood by the skilled artisan, certain cotter pin designs include a first elongated part to be inserted into one or both of the apertures  51 ,  52  and a second elongated part lying external the apertures  51 ,  52  and compressing against the outer surface of the arm members  40 ,  41 , e.g., a hairpin cotter pin.  FIG. 2  illustrates that in one embodiment a total of up to four pin members  55  may be employed for securing the arm members of the assemblies  20  and  21 . 
     In one suitable embodiment, the bottom attachment cross member assembly  20  may be constructed of an assembly of component parts similar as described above in reference to the top attachment cross member assembly  21  for providing a tongue and groove assembly for securing one or more textile members  12  in a fixed position there through. As such, in one embodiment the bottom attachment cross member assembly  20  may include a second sandwiching member  57  attached at the distal ends of opposing arm members  58 ,  59  and third and fourth brace members  60 ,  61  (see  FIGS. 2 and 6 ). Similar as described above, the second sandwiching member  57  is operationally configured to (1) abut the brace members  60 ,  61  when the top attachment cross member assembly  21  is set to a closed position as shown in  FIGS. 8  and (2) provide a void there between when the top attachment cross member assembly  21  is set to an open position as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7 . During use, the bottom attachment cross member assembly  20  is operationally configured to secure one or more textile members  12  in a manner effective to form a front edge  72  of a seat of the chair assembly  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In one suitable mode of assembling the chair assembly  10 , one or more users may direct the top attachment cross member assembly  21  to an open position forming void  50  in a manner effective to direct at least part of a first textile member  12  back to front there through (see Directional Arrows BB 1  and BB 2  in  FIG. 1 ). Once a desired length of the textile member  12  is pulled through void  50 , the top attachment cross member assembly  21  may be set to a closed position securing part of the textile member  12  in a fixed position as shown in  FIG. 6 . Although the arrangement of the one or more textile members  12  employed may vary depending on the size and kind of textile member(s) used, in one suitable embodiment the top attachment cross member assembly  21  suitably secures one or more textile members  12  at or near a distal edge of the textile member(s)  12  as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Next, the textile member  12  may be directed downward through a void  65  (see Directional Arrow CC) a distance effective to form a desired support surface of the chair assembly  10 , i.e., a distance providing a desired amount of slack in the textile member  12  to dictate the formation of the seat and back of the chair assembly  10  when a user sits atop the textile member  12 . As understood by the skilled artisan, the more slack in the textile member  12  the deeper or more sunken the seat configuration that is formed directionally toward the ground. In other words, more slack results in a user sitting with his/her buttocks closer to the ground and vice versa. Once the free end  66  of the textile member  12  is positioned through the second void  65  as desired (see  FIG. 7 ), the second sandwiching member  57  may be directed to a closed position with the third and fourth brace members  60 ,  61  in a manner effective to secure the textile member  12  against undesired directional movement, e.g., to keep the textile member  12  from slipping out from the bottom side attachment cross member assembly  20  when an individual  5  sits down upon the support surface formed by the chair assembly  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     Although the present figures illustrate assembly of a textile member  12  directionally from the top attachment cross member assembly  21  downward according to Arrows BB 1 , BB 2  and CC, in another embodiment the textile member  12  may be assembled to the frame member  11  starting at the bottom attachment cross member assembly  20  upward. Of further note, the various figures illustrate side members  18 ,  19  and side members  24 ,  25  defining an open empty space there between. As shown in  FIG. 8 , one or more textile members  12  may be disposed in this open empty space whereby the buttocks region and lower back region of an individual  5  are supported solely by one or more textile members  12 . In another embodiment, one or more cross members may be disposed between the side members  18 ,  19  and/or side members  24 ,  25  in a manner effective to assist the one or more textile members  12  in supporting the weight of an individual  5  during use of the chair assembly  10 . 
     Without limiting the invention, the frame member  12  is suitably constructed from one or more materials durable enough to maintain its basic shape during use. In particular, the frame member  12  may be constructed of one or more materials including but not necessarily limited to those materials resistant to chipping, cracking, excessive bending and reshaping as a result of ozone, weathering, heat, moisture, other outside mechanical and chemical influences, as well as various impacts and other loads placed on the frame member  12 . Likewise, the frame member  12  may comprise any color or combination of colors, or in the alternative, the chair assembly  10  may be constructed from a transparent or translucent material(s). 
     Suitable frame member  12  materials of construction may include, but are not necessarily limited to metals, plastics, rubbers, woods, bamboo, fiberglass, plexiglass, filled composite materials, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include, but are not necessarily limited to vinyl polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and combinations thereof. Suitably metals may include, but are not necessarily limited to aluminum, copper, steel, brass, and combinations thereof. Suitable woods may include those wood types common to furniture construction including, but not necessarily limited to maple, oak, hickory, ash, walnut, beech, mahogany, basswood, birch, cedar, cherry, elm, gum, lauan, pecan, pine, redwood, sycamore, teak, walnut, spruce, chestnut, and combinations thereof. 
     Without limiting the invention, a suitable textile member  12  is operationally configured to suspendedly support an adult using the chair assembly  10  as shown in  FIG. 8 , Suitable textile members  12  may be constructed from flexible and/or stretchable material, such as fabrics, resilient plastics and knitted cloths. In addition, although the textile member(s) employed may be constructed from one or more materials resistant to deterioration, decay or failure as a result of ozone, weathering, heat, moisture, other outside mechanical and chemical influences, an advantageous feature of the present chair assembly  10  allows for the substitution of one or more textile members  12  as required or otherwise desired. Therefore, textile members  12  may be changed out to alter the aesthetic qualities of the chair assembly  10  during use. For example, the overall color of the chair assembly  10  may be altered by changing the color(s), patterns, and combinations thereof, of one or more textile members  12 . For example, colored bath towels and beach towels may be employed as textile members  12  and alternated for use according to one or more purposes, e.g., holidays, sporting events, commercial marketing, etc., to change the color, appearance and/or messaging of the chair assembly  10 . 
     Although the chair assembly  10  may be built to scale, in one suitable embodiment for adult usage, the frame member  12  may include the following dimensions:
         Length of each side member  18  and  19 : about 78.7 cm (about 31.0 inches);   Length of each side member  24  and  25 : about 101.6 cm (about 40.0 inches);   Length of each brace member  30  and  32 : about 35.6 cm (about 14.0 inches);   Distance between arm members  40 ,  41 : about 52.1 cm (about 20.5 inches);   Distance between arm members  58 ,  59 : about 48.3 cm (about 19.0 inches);
 
and the textile member  12  employed may include a commercially available towel ranging in length from about 124.5 cm to about 134.6 cm (about 49.0 inches to about 53.0 inches) and ranging in width from about 49.5 cm to about 68.6 cm (about 19.5 inches to about 27.0 inches).
       

     It is further contemplated that the present chair assembly  10  may be provided with one or more additional features and/or accessory component parts. For example, the side members  18 ,  19  and/or  24 ,  25  may be operationally configured to receive arm rest members in releasable attachment thereto, e.g., the side members  18 ,  19  and/or  24 ,  25  may comprise one or more apertures for receiving part of an arm rest member in a mated position and vice versa. One suitable arm rest member may include a beverage holder as understood by the skilled artisan. The second ends of the side members  18 ,  19  and/or  24 ,  25  may also include substantially planar surfaces for maximizing the surface contact area between the second ends and the support surface (see the second ends of the side members  24  and  25  in  FIG. 1 ). Similar as other furniture items characterized by leg members, the second ends of the side members  18 ,  19  and/or  24 ,  25  may also be provided with sliders and/or glides as understood by the skilled artisan. In another embodiment, the second ends of the side members  18 ,  19  and/or  24 ,  25  may be operationally configured to receive caster wheels and the like in attachment thereto to provide a rolling chair assembly  10 . The one or more jut members  48  may include an outer surface layer comprising resilient plastic and/or rubber materials to amplify the fitting of the tongue and groove joint formed between the jut member  48  and the inner surfaces of the first and second brace members  45 ,  46  and/or third and fourth brace members  60 ,  61 . 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. 
     The embodiment(s) described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which is defined in the claims.