Patent Publication Number: US-9901180-B2

Title: Convertible chair

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/942,151 filed on Feb. 20, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to convertible chairs. More specifically, the present invention relates to chairs that are adapted to transition between a conventional chair configuration and an extended configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Chairs in airports, waiting rooms, and other such locations where people are expected to potentially wait for extended periods of time are very uncomfortable to relax in while waiting. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair for an extended period of time can be uncomfortable and potentially painful. Furthermore, the waiting individuals may wish to lay down when waiting, but there may not be a feasible option for doing so. Therefore, there is a need for a device that is adapted to be comfortable to sit or lay on for extended periods of time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of convertible chairs now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a convertible chair wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when seeking to lay down when waiting for an extended period of time. The present convertible chair comprises three or more sections connected together in series. The sections comprise a chair section, one or more middle sections, and an end section. The middle sections are slidably connected to the chair section, allowing the middle sections to slide in and out from the chair section. The end section is hingedly connected to the terminal middle section. When in the extended configuration, the sections provide a contiguous comfortable support surface on which a user can lay down. When in the compact configuration, the present invention resembles and functions as a conventional chair suitable for sitting on. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention in its extended configuration. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the first stage of converting the present invention to its compact configuration. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the second stage of converting the present invention to its compact configuration, with a detail view showing the slidable connection between chair section portion of the support surface and the chair section frame. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the third stage of converting the present invention to its compact configuration. 
         FIG. 5  shows an end elevational view of the present invention in the compact configuration. 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial view of the connectors of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a partial view of the locking mechanism of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  shows a profile view of the present invention with the back in a first position. 
         FIG. 8B  shows a profile view of the present invention with the back in a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the convertible chair. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for transitioning the present invention between an extended configuration suitable for sitting or laying thereon and a compact configuration suitable for sitting thereon. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention in its extended configuration. The present invention is a convertible chair  11  that is adapted to transition between an extended configuration suitable for sitting or laying on, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a compact configuration suitable for sitting on. The present convertible chair  11  comprises a chair section  12 , a middle section  13  slidably connected to the chair section  12 , and an end section  14  hingedly connected to the middle section  13 . In the extended configuration, the chair section  12 , middle section  13 , and end section  14  create a contiguous, substantially planar support surface  51  suitable for sitting or laying thereon. The convertible chair  11  is transitioned to its compact configuration by folding the end section  14  onto the middle section  13 , then sliding the middle section  13  into the chair section  12 , which reduces the length of the support surface  51  suitable for a user to sit upon. 
     The chair section  12  of the present invention further comprises a frame  27 , one or more back legs  21  extending from the lower portion of the frame  27 , a seat portion  17  of the support surface  51  held taut between the interior edges of the frame  27 , one or more armrests  15  extending from the upper portion of the frame  27 , and a back  16  extending from the upper portion of the frame  27 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the back legs  21  are arranged in pairs; however, the present disclosure contemplates any type of arrangement for the back legs  21 . The chair section  12  further comprises one or more back lateral supports  24  extending between opposing pairs of the back legs  21 . 
     The middle section  13  comprises a frame  28 , one or more middle legs  22  extending from the bottom surface of the frame  28 , and a middle portion  18  of the support surface  51  held taut between the interior edges of the frame  28 . The middle section  13  is slidably connected to the chair section  12 , such that the legs  22  of the middle section  13  can slide between the back legs  21 , thereby allowing the middle section to slide into the chair section  12 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the middle section  13  is slidably connected to the chair section  12  via one or more middle lateral supports  25  having a first end  71  connected to one of the middle legs  22  and a second end  72  slidably connected to the back lateral supports  24  of the chair section  12 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the slidable connection between the middle lateral supports  25  and the back lateral supports  24  comprises a rail  91  disposed on the back lateral supports  24  to which the middle lateral supports  25  are slidably connected. In other embodiments of the present invention, the slidable connection between the second end  72  of the middle lateral supports  25  and the back lateral supports  24  comprises one or more ball bearings, wheels, or other such slidable connection mechanisms known in the prior art. 
     In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 1 , the convertible chair  11  comprises a single middle section  13 . However, alternative embodiments of the present invention can comprise a plurality of middle sections  13  connected together in series. For these alternative embodiments, a first middle section is slidably connected to the chair section  12 , as disclosed above, and the end section  14  is hingedly connected to a terminal middle section. Additional middle sections disposed between the first middle section and the terminal middle section are slidably connected together in the same manner as disclosed above for the slidable connection to the chair section  12  or in a different manner. 
     The end section  14  is hingedly connected to the middle section  13 , or the terminal middle section for embodiments comprising one or more middle sections  13 , thereby allowing the end section  14  to transition between an extended position in which the end support  19  is with the middle support  18  in a planar manner, forming a continuous support surface  51  therewith, and a collapsed a position in which the end support  19  rests flush against the middle support  18 . 
     The end section  14  comprises a frame  29 , one or more end legs  23  extending from the undersurface thereof, and an end section  19  of the support surface  51  held taut between the interior edges of the frame  29 . The end legs  23  are hingedly connected to the end section frame  29 , such that the end legs  23  can transition between an extended position in which they are orthogonal to the end section frame  29  and a collapsed position in which they rest flush against the bottom surface of the end portion  19  of the support surface  51 . An alternative embodiment of the present invention further comprises one or more support brackets  26  connecting the end legs  23  to the end section frame  29  to provide support for the front legs  23  when they are in their extended position. In this embodiment of the present invention, the support brackets  26  are telescoping so that they do not interfere with the movement of the end section  14  when it is collapsed. The telescoping mechanism comprises any telescoping mechanism known in the prior art. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support brackets  26  comprises a slidable locking mechanism for securing the support brackets  26  in place and preventing them from collapsing when the present convertible chair  11  is in use. 
     The support surface  51  of the convertible chair  11 , which is made up of the seat, middle, and end portions  17 ,  18 ,  19 , comprises any flexible material that can be compressed or folded without causing permanent deformation to the material, thereby allowing the middle section  13  and the end section  14  to collapse without interference from the support surface  51 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the support surface  51  comprises a canvas material that is stretched taut between the frames  27 ,  28 ,  29  of the sections  12 ,  13 ,  14 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the seat portion  17  of the support surface  51  is slidably connected to the chair section frame  27  and is fixedly connected to the middle section and end section frames  28 ,  29 . The slidable connection between the seat portion  17  and the chair section frame  27  allows the seat portion  17  of the support surface  51  to fold as the middle section  13  is slid into the chair section  12  as the present invention is being transitioned to its compact configuration. When the convertible chair  11  is transitioned to its extended configuration from its compact configuration, the slidable connection allows the seat portion  17  of the support surface  51  to be unfolded and pulled taut. The canvas material is thus adapted to support the weight of an individual sitting or laying thereon, while still being able to be compressed or folded as needed. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , there are shown perspective views of the present invention being transitioned from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration. The first step for converting the present convertible chair  11  from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration is to fold the end section  14  upwardly so that the end section frame  29  rests flush against the upper surface of the middle section frame  28 . The end legs  23  are also folded downwardly so that they rest against the bottom surface of the end section frame  29 . When collapsed, the end section  14  rests compactly against the middle section  13 . 
     The next step is to slide the one or more middle sections  13  into the chair section  12 , collapsing the convertible chair  11  into a compact configuration resembling a conventional chair. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the slidable connection between the seat portion  17  of the support surface  51  and the chair section frame  27  comprises connectors  61  that are slidably disposed on a rail along the interior edge of the chair section frame  27 , which allows for the seat  17  portion of the support surface  51  to compress as the one or more middle sections  13  are slid inwardly, into the chair section  12 . In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, seat portion  17  of the support surface  51  is constructed of a compressible material. 
     When the middle section  13  and the end section  14  are fully collapsed, the cushions  31 ,  32  can then be folded downwardly to complete the conversion. The first cushion  31  is hingedly connected to the chair section frame  27  or the back  16  of the char section  12 . When the convertible chair  11  is in the extended configuration, the first cushion  31  is preferably placed a raised position against the back  16 . When the convertible chair  11  is in the collapsed configuration, the first cushion  31  is preferably placed in a lowered position, covering the chair section frame  27  and the end section  14  thereover. The hinged connection comprises a fabric hinged connection, a floating hinge connection, or another such connection that allows the first cushion  31  to be placed over the collapsed components of the end section  14  that are stacked over the chair section frame  27 . 
     The second cushion  32  is hingedly connected to the top edge of the back  16  of the chair section  12 . When the convertible chair  11  is in its extended position, the second cushion  32  is preferably raised so that it extends orthogonally from the back  16 . The second cushion  32  holds this position by resting against the top edge of the raised first cushion  31 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . When the second cushion  32  is in its raised position, extending from the back  16 , it serves as a sunshade for a user laying on the convertible chair  11 . When the convertible chair  11  is in its collapsed position and the first cushion  31  is lowered to cover the seat  17 , the second cushion is preferably lowered so that it covers the back  16 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown an end elevational view of the present invention in the compact configuration. The middle section  13  is adapted to slide between the back legs  21 , beneath the chair section  12 , when the convertible chair  11  is collapsed into its compact configuration. As such, the outer width of the middle legs  22  is less than or equal to the inner width of the back legs  21 , thereby allowing the middle legs  22  to slide between the back legs  21  without interference. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a close up view of the connectors of the present invention. An alternative embodiment of the present invention further comprises one or more first connectors  41  and one or more second connectors  42  extending from the convertible chair  11  that are adapted to engage together, thereby allowing adjacent convertible chairs  11  to be connected together in series. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the first and second connectors  41 ,  42  extend from opposing sides of the convertible chair; however, no claim is made as to the precise number, orientation, or arrangement of the first and second connectors  41 ,  42 . 
     The first and second connectors  41 ,  42  are removably connectable and are adapted to securely hold adjacent convertible chairs  11  securely together. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the first connectors  41  comprises a T-shaped member and the second connectors  42  comprise a U-shaped member adapted to receive the T-shaped member first connectors  41 . Alternative embodiments of the first and second connectors  41 ,  42  comprise clips, magnets, hooks, and any other removable connection mechanisms known in the prior art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a partial view of the locking mechanism of the present invention. The present invention further comprises a locking mechanism that is adapted to lock the middle section from being pulled out of the chair section, securing the convertible chair  11  in its compact configuration and preventing it from being transitioned to its extended configuration. In the depicted embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a locking member  121  that is slidably attached to at least one of the armrests  15 . The distal end of the locking member  121  is adapted to engage with a complimentary slot  122  disposed on the middle section frame  28 . The locking member  121  is engaged with the slot  122 , the middle section and the chair section are secured together, which prevents the middle section from being withdrawn from the chair section. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism comprises a coin-operated locking mechanism or a key-operated locking mechanism. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , there are shown profile views of the present invention with the back in a first position and a second position. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the back  106  of the convertible chair is hingedly connected  121  to the chair section  107  of the convertible chair. In this embodiment, the armrests  105  comprise a horizontal portion having a first end  111  hingedly connected to the vertical portion of the armrests  105  and a second end  112  adjustably connected to the back  106  of the convertible chair. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the second end  112  is adjustably connected to the back  106  of the convertible chair. In this way, the angle of the back  106  can be adjusted between a plurality of different positions to accommodate users&#39; preferences. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second end  112  comprises a projection and the attachment points  101 A,  101 B comprise slots adapted to accept the projection therein. In other embodiments of the present invention, the second end  112  comprises a magnet and the attachment points  101 A,  101 B comprises complementary magnets engageable with the second end  112 , or other such removable attachment mechanisms known in the prior art. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the connector comprises a horizontal bar member that extends between and connects the second ends  112  of the armrests  105 . In this embodiment, the attachment points  101 A,  101 B comprises notches or slots disposed on the rear surface of the back  106  with which the horizontal bar member can removably engage. Because the second ends  112  of the armrests  105  are connected together, this allows the armrests  105  to be adjusted simultaneously. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.