Patent Publication Number: US-8979184-B2

Title: Swivel camp chair

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to chairs. More specifically, the present invention relates to portable, temporary seating. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Temporary seating offers convenience due to the ability to be collapsed or folded into a compact configuration for portability and storage. One style of temporary seating generally referred to as a “camp chair” has gained considerable popularity for outdoor activities due, in part, to light weight and excellent portability. Some of the various activities where a camp chair may find use include sitting around a camp fire, watching a sporting event, waiting in a hunting blind, or fishing from a bank. While the sidelines of a soccer field may be relatively flat and even, the bank near a good fishing spot may be steeply inclined and/or uneven. A conventional camp chair is not well suited to be used on inclined or uneven surfaces. Additionally, the collapsible support structure of a conventional camp chair that allows the chair to collapse and become portable also dictates that the seating area remain stationary and facing in one direction. During a sporting event, the location of the action may frequently change position relative to the field of view of the spectator or the action may be concentrated in a single location for substantial periods of time punctuated by occasional and brief changes in position. In either case, the spectator will generally position the chair facing the playing field and shift in the seat to follow the action. In a special case of a sporting event where the spectator may be centrally located and the action occurs around the spectator, such as a stock car race, the spectator will be unable to easily observe the action occurring behind the spectator if the spectator remains in the chair. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The following Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Brief Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In the various embodiments, the camp chair includes a swivel assembly between the seat and the legs. The camp chair collapses into a compact portable configuration for transportation and expands into an operable seating configuration. The length of each leg is individually adjustable to allow leveling of the camp chair for use on an uneven or inclined surface. The camp chair optionally includes attachment points for connecting accessories. The swivel assembly allows the seat and any attachments to rotate freely about the vertical axis of the camp chair. When collapsed into the portable compact configuration, the camp chair can be stored in a bag or other similar container for protection and ease of portability. 
     The camp chair includes an upper frame, a lower frame, a swivel assembly, and a seat. The swivel assembly operatively connects the upper frame to the lower frame and includes a rotary bearing that allows the upper frame and the lower frame to rotate independently. An optional swivel lock selectively locks the top member to the bottom member to temporarily prevent the rotation of the top member relative to the bottom member. A number of arms connected to the top member of the swivel assembly support a seat. The arms have a curvilinear shape selected to position and support the seating surface at the proper height when the camp chair is expanded into an operational seating configuration and to minimize the effective lateral dimension of the camp chair when collapsed into a portable compact configuration. 
     Three or more legs connected to the bottom member of the swivel assembly support the camp chair. To reduce the likelihood that a leg will be inadvertently moved from the support position during use, the camp chair optionally includes a leg lock system. In order to level the camp chair on inclined or uneven surfaces, the length of each leg is individually adjustable. The outer tubular member and inner tubular member are operably connected for telescopic adjustment. A leg length lock mechanism locks to fix the axial position of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member and unlocks to allow the inner tubular member to slide axially relative to the outer tubular member. 
     The camp chair optionally includes attachment points on the swivel assembly for the mounting accessories to the camp chair. Each accessory generally includes a functional portion supported by an accessory arm configured to be selectively secured to one of the attachment points. Examples of suitable accessories include a side table, a camera mount, a fan, an umbrella mount, a gun rest, a fishing rod mount, and a television or radio mount. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements 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  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the camp chair in the operable seating configuration with an optional accessory; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the swivel assembly of the camp chair; 
         FIG. 3  shows a top plan view of one embodiment of the bottom member of the swivel assembly of the camp chair; 
         FIG. 4  shows a top plan view of one embodiment of the upper member of the swivel assembly of the camp chair; 
         FIG. 5  shows a sectional side elevation view of one embodiment of the upper member of the swivel assembly of the camp chair taken along section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 6  shows one embodiment the camp chair in the portable compact configuration. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A camp chair that levels to accommodate uneven ground and swivels, according to the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying figures. In the various embodiments, the camp chair includes a swivel assembly between the seat and the legs. The camp chair collapses into a compact portable configuration for transportation and expands into an operable seating configuration. The length of each leg is individually adjustable to allow leveling of the camp chair for use on an uneven or inclined surface. The camp chair optionally includes attachment points for connecting accessories. The swivel assembly allows the seat and any attachments to rotate freely about the vertical axis of the camp chair. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the camp chair  100  in the operable seating configuration. The camp chair  100  includes an upper frame, a lower frame, a swivel assembly  102 , and a seat  104 . The swivel assembly  102  generally includes a top member  106   a  and bottom member  106   b  configured to rotate independently of each other. The swivel assembly  102  operatively connects the upper frame to the lower frame, which allows the upper frame and the lower frame to rotate independently. The upper frame includes a number of arms  110   a ,  110   b  connected to the top member  106   a  of the swivel assembly  102 . In one embodiment, the arms  110   a ,  110   b  include a pair of front arms  110   a  and a pair of rear arms  110   b . In the illustrated embodiment, the seat  104  includes a seating surface  112 , a backrest  114 , and a pair of armrests  118 . The backrest  114  and the armrests  118  are both optional and one or both may be omitted as desired. Each front arm  110   a  engages the seat  104  proximate to the front corners of the seating surface  112  and engages each armrest  118  proximate to the front edge of the armrest  118 . Each rear arm  110   b  engages the seat  104  proximate to the rear corners of the seating surface  112  at a location behind the intersection of the seating surface  112  and the backrest  114  and engages the backrest  114  proximate to the top corners of the backrest  114 . The seat  104  is attached to each of the arms  110   a ,  110   b  in a manner that generally precludes the non-destructive removal of the seat  104  from the camp chair  110 . The attachment of the seat  104  to four arms  110   a ,  110   b  reduces the amount of force applied to each point of attachment and also allows the seating surface  112  to generally assume a traditional quadrilateral shape. 
     The lower frame includes three or more legs  120  that are connected to the bottom member  106   b  of the swivel assembly  102  and cooperatively interface with the support surface, such as the ground or a floor, to support the camp chair  100 . The camp chair  100  is easily leveled when engaging the support surface at only three points. In the illustrated embodiment, the camp chair  100  includes three legs  120  that are substantially linear. Each leg  120  is pivotally connected to the swivel assembly  102  and oriented at an angle of approximately 120° relative to the other legs  120 . To place the chair in the operable seating configuration, each leg  120  is moved from the collapsed position in alignment with the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102  to a support position. When in the support position, the legs  120  cooperatively form a tripod that supports the camp chair  100 . Each leg  120  is oriented to form an acute angle with the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102 . The size of the angle between the legs  120  and the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102  is selected to balance stability, which is directly proportional to the angle between the legs  120  and the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102 , with load capacity, which is inversely proportional to the angle between the legs  120  and the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102 . 
     To reduce the likelihood that a leg  120  will be inadvertently moved from the support position during use, the camp chair  100  optionally includes a leg lock system  122 . One embodiment of a leg lock system  122  employs bracing that selectively hold the legs  120  in the support position. The leg lock system  122  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a brace attached to each leg  120 . The opposite ends of the braces are hinged together requiring the braces, and hence the legs  120 , to be collapsed and expanded as a group. When expanded, the braces offer resistance against lateral forces that might move a leg  120  from the support position and render the camp chair  100  unstable. When collapsed, the braces tend to hold the legs  120  in the collapsed position. In an alternate embodiment, the leg lock system employs mechanical engagement between the pivot end of each leg and the bottom member  106   b  that increases the amount of force required (e.g., a ball detent) or requires physical removal (e.g., a locking pin) to dislodge each the leg from either or both of the support position and the collapsed position. 
     In order to level the camp chair  100  on inclined or uneven surfaces, the length of each leg  120  is individually adjustable. In one embodiment, each leg  120  includes an outer tubular member  124   a  and an inner tubular member  124   b . The outer diameter of the inner tubular member  124   b  is less than the inner diameter of the outer tubular member  124   a . The outer tubular member  124   a  and inner tubular member  124   b  are operably connected for telescopic adjustment. A leg length lock mechanism locks to fix the axial position of the inner tubular member  124   b  relative to the outer tubular member  124   a  and unlocks to allow the inner tubular member  124   b  to slide axially relative to the outer tubular member  124   a . In one embodiment, the leg length lock mechanism is a push button  128  lock including a plurality of holes  126  axially spaced apart along the length of the outer tubular member  124   a  and a push button  128  biased to normally extend outward from the inner tubular member  124   b . The push button  128  engages one of the holes  126  to fix the relative positions of the inner tubular member  124   b  and the outer tubular member  124   a . Pressing the push button  128  disengages the lock and allows adjustment of the relative positions of the inner tubular member  124   b  and the outer tubular member  124   a.    
     In one embodiment, each leg  120  includes a foot  130  connected to the terminal end of the leg  120 . The foot  130  increases the contact area with the surface to reduce the likelihood that the leg  120  will dig into a support surface with a soft composition (e.g., dirt or mud). In an alternate embodiment, the terminal end of leg  120  carries a foot  130  that is pivotally (e.g., by a pivot pin) or rotationally (e.g., by a ball joint) connected. The articulation of the feet  130  allows the base to conform to irregularities in the surface. 
     The curvilinear shape of the arms  110   a ,  110   b  is selected to position and support the seating surface  112  at the proper height (nominally about 16 inches) when the camp chair  100  is expanded into an operational seating configuration. The curvilinear shape of the front arms  110   a  and the rear arms  110   b  is also selected to minimize the effective width of the front arms  110   a  and the rear arms  110   b  to allow the camp chair  100  to assume an elongated profile suitable for portability when the camp chair  100  is collapsed into a portable compact configuration. 
     Each rear arms  110   b  has three elongated regions. While the elongated regions are generally linear in some embodiments, the elongated regions have some curvature in other embodiments. The first elongated region  132   a  is the pivot end that is operably connected to the top member  106   a . A first curved region  132   b  provides a transition from the first elongated region  132   a  transitions to the second elongated region  132   c . The second elongated region  132   c  provides the primary horizontal extension for each rear arms  110   b  when the camp chair  100  is in the operable seating configuration. A second curved region  132   d  provides a transition from the second elongated region  132   c  to the third elongated region  132   e . The third elongated region  132   e  provides the primary vertical extension of each rear arms  110   b  and serves as the support for the backrest  114  when the camp chair  100  is in the operable seating configuration. The rear arms  110   b  are designed such that the axis of the third elongated region  132   e  lies substantially parallel to the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102  when the camp chair  100  is in the operable seating configuration. In one embodiment, this is achieved when the angle between the third elongated region  132   e  and the second elongated region  132   c  and the angle between the first elongated region  132   a  and the third elongated region  132   e  are complimentary angles. In an alternate embodiment in which the camp chair  100  configured as a stool and omits the backrest  114  and the armrests  118 , the third elongated region  132   e  is omitted or reduced in length. 
     The front arm  110   a  is similar in configuration to the rear arm  110   b  but does exhibit some differences. Notably, the length of the third elongated region  132   e  of the front arm  110   a  is smaller. Additionally, the front arm  110   a  includes a third curved region  132   f  that provides a transition from the third elongated region  132   e  to a fourth elongated region  132   g . The fourth elongated region  132   g  extends horizontally and services as the front anchor point for the armrest  118 . In an alternate embodiment of the camp chair  100  omitting the armrests  118 , the third curved region  132   f  and the fourth elongated region  132   g  are also omitted and the third elongated region  132   e  of the front arm  110   a  is omitted or reduced in length. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side table accessory  150  suitable for attachment to the camp chair  100  at one of the optional attachment points  134  on the swivel assembly  102  The attachment points  134  are components of the swivel assembly  102  and need not be included in all embodiments of the camp chair  100 . Attachment points  134  located on the upper member allow the accessory to rotate with the seat  104 . Attachment points  134  located on the bottom member allow the accessory to remain stationary while the seat  104  rotates. The accessory generally includes a functional portion supported by an accessory arm  152 . One end of the accessory arm  152  includes a mounting plate  154  configured to be selectively secured to one of the attachment points  134 . Examples of accessories  150  include, but are not limited to, the side table shown in  FIG. 1 , a camera mount, a fan, an umbrella mount, a gun rest, a fishing rod mount, a television or radio mount. In one embodiment, the accessory is directly attached to the accessory arm. In an alternate embodiment, the accessory is selective attachable to the accessory arm allowing different types of accessories to be used without having to switch out the entire accessory and accessory arm assembly. In some embodiments, the accessory  150  is supported by more than accessory arm  152 . In other embodiments, the accessory arm mounts to more than one attachment point  134 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the swivel assembly  102  of the camp chair  100 . The swivel assembly  102  bears the primary responsibility for maintaining the proper position of each front arm  110   a , each rear arm  110   b , and each leg  120  when the camp chair  100  is in the operable seating configuration. The swivel assembly  102  includes a rotary bearing  200  disposed between the top member  106   a  and the bottom member  106   b . The rotary bearing  200  facilitates rotation by reducing friction between the top member  106   a  and the bottom member  106   b . In one embodiment, the rotary bearing  200  is a ball thrust bearing. In the illustrated embodiment, the top member  106   a  and the bottom member  106   b  cooperatively define an optional raceway  202  to receive the rotary bearing  200 . Other types of rotary bearings including, but not limited to, roller thrust bearings, fluid bearings, and magnetic bearings are also functionally suitable but may be commercially less desirable due to increased cost or other factors. 
     The top member  106   a  and bottom member  106   b  are operatively connected by a fastener positioned at the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102 . At least the top member  106   a  freely rotates about the fastener. This allows the seat  104  to rotate relative to the base of the camp chair  100 . In one embodiment, the fastener includes an elongated member  204 , which passes through an axial opening  206   a  in each of the top member  106   a  aligned with an axial opening  206   b  in the bottom member  106   b , and one or more capturing parts  208 , which dimensioned larger than the central openings. The capturing parts  208  cooperate with the elongated member  204  to secure the top member  106   a , the bottom member  106   b , and the rotary bearing  200  together while allowing the top member  106   a  and, optionally, the bottom member  106   b  to freely rotate about the elongated member  204 . An exemplary embodiment of such arrangement employs a nut and bolt to secure the top member  106   a  to the bottom member  106   b . In an alternate embodiment, the fastener passes through the axial opening in one of the top member  106   a  and the bottom member  106   b  but directly connects to the other member. In such an embodiment, only one member would freely rotate about the fastener. An exemplary embodiment of such an arrangement employs a lag bolt with the threaded portion of the bolt engaging the threaded opening of the member. Another example of such arrangement is achieved by welding one end of the fastener to one of the top member  106   a  and the bottom member  106   b . A still further example of such arrangement employs an integrally formed and centrally positioned elongated member extending from one of the top member  106   a  and the bottom member  106   b  rather than a separate part. 
     In one embodiment, the swivel assembly  102  includes an optional swivel lock selectively locks the top member  106   a  to the bottom member  106   b  to prevent the rotation of the top member  106   a  relative to the bottom member  106   b . In one exemplary embodiment, the swivel lock includes an upper swivel lock opening  210   a  defined by the top member  106   a , a lower swivel lock opening  210   b  defined by the bottom member  106   b , and a swivel lock pin  212 . To prevent rotation of the top member  106   a , the swivel lock pin  212  is inserted into both the upper swivel lock opening  210   a  and the lower swivel lock opening  210   b.    
       FIG. 3  illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the bottom member  106   b  of the swivel assembly  102 . The bottom member  106   b  defines a number of leg channels  300  corresponding in number to the number the legs  120 . Each leg channel  300  limits the movement of and provides lateral support for one of the legs  120 . In the illustrated embodiment, three leg channels  300  extend radially from the center of the swivel assembly  102 . Each of the three leg channels  300  is oriented at an angle of approximately 120° relative to the adjacent leg channels  300 . The end wall  302  at the radial end of each leg channel  300  serves as a stop that defines the limit of outward movement for the leg  120  and, thereby, sets the angle between the leg  120  and the vertical axis of the swivel assembly  102  when the camp chair  100  is in the operative seating configuration. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the camp chair  100  includes four legs that are shaped substantially similar to the rear arms  110   b  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; however, the four legs may vary dimensionally from the rear arms  110   b . The length of the third linear member is adjustable in a manner similar to that previously described. Each of the four legs is oriented at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the adjacent legs. In order to accommodate the additional leg, the bottom member has channels arranged substantially similar to the top member  106   a  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The addition of a leg decreases the percentage of weight carried by each leg and generally improves both stability and load capacity. However, each additional leg adds an additional point of contact that complicates the leveling process. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of the top member  106   a  of the swivel assembly  102 . The top member  106   a  is structurally and functionally similar to the bottom member  106   b . The top member  106   a  defines a number of arm channels  400 , which open upwardly and correspond in number to the number the arms  110   a ,  110   b . Each arm channel  400  limits the movement of and provides lateral support one of the front arms  110   a  or the rear arms  110   b . In the illustrated embodiment, four arm channels  400  extend radially from the center of the swivel assembly  102 . Each of the four arm channels  400  is oriented at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the adjacent arm channels  400 . In the illustrated embodiment, each attachment point  134  includes a number of fastener receptacles, e.g., threaded holes, which operatively engage the fasteners that securely mount the mounting plate  154  of the accessory arm  152  to the swivel assembly  102 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional side elevation view of one embodiment of the top member  106   a  of the swivel assembly  102 . The end wall  402  serves as a stop that defines the outer limit movement for the arm  110   a ,  110   b . When in the support position, the arm  110   a ,  110   b  engages the end wall  402  of the arm channel  400 . The end walls  402  support the arms  110   a ,  110   b  in the desired position when the camp chair  100  is in the operative seating configuration and allow the arms  110   a ,  110   b  to resist the forces applied when a user occupies the camp chair  100 . The camp chair  100  does not rely on the seat  104  to support the arms  110   a ,  110   b . More particularly, the end walls  402  effectively limit the forces applied to the attachment points of the seat  104  during use because the position of the arms  110   a ,  110   b  remains fixed by the engagement of the arms  110   a ,  110   b  with the end walls  402 . In one embodiment, at least a portion  500  of the end wall  402  is sloped or chamfered to reduce the force per unit area exerted on the arm  110   a ,  110   b  by increasing the surface area of the end wall  402  in contact with the arm  110   a ,  110   b . In another embodiment, the sloped or chamfered portion of the end wall is generally concave with an inside radius complementary to the outside radius the arm in order to further increase the surface area of the end wall in contact with the arm. It should be appreciated that end walls of the bottom member  106   b  are functionally and structurally similar to end walls of the top member  106   a .  FIG. 5  also illustrates one arm of the camp chair  100  in phantom to illustrate the pivotal movement around a pivot pin  502  between the portable compact configuration  504   a  and the operative seating configuration  504   b . For clarity, the phantom arm in the operative seating configuration  504   b  is shown slightly offset from the sloped portion  500  of the end wall  402 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the arm would directly engage the sloped portion  500  of the end wall  402  when in the operative seating configuration  504   b.    
       FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment the camp chair  100  in the portable compact configuration. In the portable compact configuration, the arms  110   a ,  110   b  and legs  120  are pivoted toward the central longitudinal axis of the swivel assembly  102 . Once collapsed into the portable compact configuration, the camp chair  100  can be stored in a bag or other similar container for protection and ease of portability. 
     A levelable and swiveling camp chair has been shown and described. The camp chair provides compact portability, level seating on uneven surfaces, and swivel action allowing the facing direction of the camp chair to be changed without repositioning the camp chair. 
     The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimed invention. The claimed invention should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the claimed invention and the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope.