Patent Abstract:
A folding chair device having a seat that is mounted atop a seat support, wherein the bars of the seat support interconnect to form a border around the edges of the seat, with pivot mechanisms disposed in the support bars that engage the seat support, wherein the pivot mechanisms pivotally connect the support bars, having hinges disposed in the support bars allow the bottom portion to be folded upwardly, having sleeves on the support bars adapted to slide along the support bars and temporarily cover the hinges to prevent the hinges from folding, and a second frame with braces joining the sides, with pivot mechanisms in the braces which engage the side bars to pivotally connect the side braces respectively to the seat support, having hinges which allows the bottom portion to be folded upwardly or inwardly and sleeves adapted to slide and temporarily cover the hinges to prevent folding.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a chair, more particularly to a folding chair, more particularly to a chair adapted to provide comfort to those individuals during services at mosques. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Islam is one of the most popular religions in the world. According to one of the five pillars of Islam, prayers must be performed multiple times a day. As such, many Muslim individuals have back pain or knee pain due to sitting or kneeling on hard floor surfaces during prayers or other services in mosques (e.g., lectures). The present invention features a novel folding chair device that can provide a more comfortable prayer environment for Muslims. The folding chair device of the present invention is lightweight and easy to fold and unfold. The present invention is not limited to use in a mosque but may be used for any other purposes. For example, the chair device of the present invention may be used by individuals when traveling or by individuals with small living quarters. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention features a novel folding chair device  100 . In some embodiments, the device  100  comprises a seat  110 , a seat support  120 , a first frame  210 , and a second frame  310 . The seat  100  has a first side edge, a second side edge, a front edge, and a back edge. 
     The seat support  120  comprises a first side bar  121 , a second side bar  122 , a front bar  123 , and a back bar  124 . The seat  110  is mounted atop the seat support  120 . The bars  121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  124  of the seat support  120  interconnect to form a border around the edges of the seat  110 . The front bar  123  and the back bar  124  can fold via a first seat seam  190   a  and a second seat seam  190   b , respectively. 
     The first frame  210  comprises (i) a first side support bar  220   a  having a first end and a second end, a second side support bar  220   b  having a first end and a second end, a top support bar  220   c  having a first end and a second end, and a bottom support bar  220   d  having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the top support bar  220   c  joins the first end of the first side support bar  220   a , the second end of the top support bar  220   c  joins the first end of the second side support bar  220   b , the first end of the bottom support bar  220   d  joins the second end of the first side support bar  220   a , and the second end of the bottom support bar  220   d  joins the second end of the second side support bar  220   b ; (ii) a first pivot mechanism  260   a  disposed in the first side support bar  220   a  and a second pivot mechanism  260   b  disposed in the second side support bar  220   b , wherein the first pivot mechanism  260   b  engages the first side bar  121  of the seat support  120 , and the second pivot mechanism engages the second side bar  122  of the seat support  120 , wherein the first pivot mechanism  260   a  and second pivot mechanism  260   b  pivotally connect the first side support bar  220   a  and the second side support bar  220   b , respectively, to the seat support  120 ; (iii) a first hinge  230   a  disposed in the first side support bar  220   a  below the first pivot mechanism  260   a  dividing the first side support bar  220   a  into a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the first hinge  230   a  allows the bottom portion to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion; a first sleeve  240   a  disposed on the first side support bar  220   a  adapted to slide along the first side support bar  220   a  and temporarily cover the first hinge  230   a  to prevent the first hinge  230   a  from folding; (v) a second hinge  230   b  disposed in the second side support bar  220   b  below the second pivot mechanism  260   b  dividing the second side support bar  220   b  into a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the second hinge  230   b  allows the bottom portion to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion; (vi) a second sleeve  240   b  disposed on the second side support bar  220   b  adapted to slide along the second side support bar  220   b  and temporarily cover the second hinge  230   b  to prevent the second hinge  230   b  from folding; (vii) a third hinge  230   c  disposed in the top support bar  220   c , wherein the third hinge allows the top support bar  220   c  to be folded such that the third hinge  230   c  moves inwardly in the direction of the bottom support bar  220   d ; (viii) a third sleeve  240   c  disposed on the top support bar  220   c  adapted to slide along the top support bar  220   c  and temporarily cover the third hinge  230   c  to prevent the third hinge  230   c  from folding; (ix) a fourth hinge  230   d  disposed in the bottom support bar  220   d , wherein the fourth hinge  230   d  allows the bottom support bar  220   d  to be folded such that the fourth hinge  230   d  moves inwardly in the direction of the top support bar  220   c ; and a fourth sleeve  240   d  disposed on the bottom support bar  220   d  adapted to slide along the bottom support bar  220   d  and temporarily cover the fourth hinge  230   d  to prevent the fourth hinge  230   d  from folding. 
     The second frame  310  comprises (i) a first side brace  320   a  having a first end and a second end, a second side brace  320   b  having a first end and a second end, and a bottom brace  320   c  having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the bottom brace  320   c  joins the second end of the first side brace  320   a  and the second end of the bottom brace  320   c  joins the second end of the second side brace  320   b ; (ii) a third pivot mechanism  260   c  disposed in the first side brace  320   a  and a fourth pivot mechanism  260   d  disposed in the second side brace  320   b , wherein the third pivot mechanism  260   c  engages the first side bar  121  of the seat support  120  near the back bar  124  and the fourth pivot mechanism  260   d  engages the second side bar  122  of the seat support  120  near the back bar  124 , wherein the third pivot mechanism  260   c  and fourth pivot mechanism  260   d  pivotally connect the first side brace  320   a  and the second side brace  320   b , respectively, to the seat support  120 ; (iii) a fifth hinge  230   e  disposed in the first side brace  320   a  below the third pivot mechanism  260   c  dividing the first side brace  320   a  into a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the fifth hinge  230   e  allows the bottom portion to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion; (iv) a fifth sleeve  240   e  disposed on the first side brace  320   a  adapted to slide along the first side brace  320   a  and temporarily cover the fifth hinge  230   e  to prevent the fifth hinge  230   e  from folding; (v) a sixth hinge  230   f  disposed in the second side brace  320   b  of the second frame  310  below the fourth pivot mechanism  260   d  dividing the second side brace  320   b  into a bottom portion and a top portion, wherein the sixth hinge  230   f  allows the bottom portion to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion; (vi) a sixth sleeve  240   f  disposed on the second side brace  320   b  adapted to slide along the second side brace  320   b  and temporarily cover the sixth hinge  230   f  to prevent the sixth hinge  230   f  from folding; (vii) a seventh hinge  230   g  disposed in the bottom brace  320   c  of the second frame  310 , wherein the seventh hinge  230   g  allows the bottom brace  320   c  to be folded such that the seventh hinge  230   g  moves inwardly in the direction of the seat  110 ; (viii) a seventh sleeve  240   g  disposed on the bottom brace  320   c  adapted to slide along the bottom brace  320   c  and temporarily cover the seventh hinge  230   g  to prevent the seventh hinge  230   g  from folding; (ix) an eighth hinge  230   h  connecting the first end of the first side brace  230   a  to the first side support bar  220   a  above the first pivot mechanism  260   a ; and (x) a ninth hinge  230   i  connecting the first end of the second side brace  320   b  to the second side support bar  220   b  above the second pivot mechanism  260   b.    
     The chair device  100  can move between at least an unfolded position wherein the first hinge  230   a , the second hinge  230   b , the third hinge  230   c , the fourth hinge  230   d , the fifth hinge  230   e , the sixth hinge  230   f , the seventh hinge  230   g , the first seat seam  190   a  and the second seat seam  190   b  are not folded (e.g.,  FIG. 1 ), and a folded position wherein the first hinge  230   a , the second hinge  230   b , the third hinge  230   c , the fourth hinge  230   d , the fifth hinge  230   e , the sixth hinge  230   f , the seventh hinge  230   g , the first seat seam  190   a , and the second seat seam  190   b  are folded (e.g.,  FIG. 7 ). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the folding chair device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the folding chair device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a back view of the folding chair device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the folding chair device of the present invention, wherein the side support bars and the side braces are folded at the hinges. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the folding chair device of the present invention, wherein the side support bars and the side braces are folded at the hinges and the top support bar and the seat are folded toward each other. 
         FIG. 6  is a back view of the folding chair device of the present invention, wherein the side support bars and the side braces are folded at the hinges and the top support bar and the seat are folded toward each other. 
         FIG. 7  is a back view of the folding chair device of the present invention, wherein the side support bars and the side braces are folded at the hinges, the top support bar and the seat are folded toward each other, and the hinges in the top support bar and bottom support bar are folded. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , the present invention features a novel folding chair device that can provide a more comfortable prayer environment for Muslims. The chair device  100  can move between multiple positions including but not limited to an unfolded position (e.g., see  FIG. 1 ) and a folded position (e.g., see  FIG. 7 ). 
     The folding chair device  100  comprises a seat  110  having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side edge, a second side edge, a front edge, and a back edge. 
     The seat  110  is mounted atop a seat support  120 . In some embodiments, the seat support  120  has a first side bar  121 , a second side bar  122 , a front bar  123 , and a back bar  124  that together form a border around the edges of the seat  110  (e.g., on the bottom surface of the seat  110 ). The front bar  123  and the back bar  124  can fold via a first seat seam  190   a  and a second seat seam  190   b , respectively (see  FIG. 7 ). 
     The folding chair device  100  further comprises a first frame  210 . The first frame  210  is generally rectangular in shape, however the first frame  210  is not limited to this shape. The first frame  210  comprises a first side support bar  220   a  having a first end and a second end, a second side support bar  220   b  having a first end and a second end, a top support bar  220   c  having a first end and a second end, and a bottom support bar  220   d  having a first end and a second end. Together, the support bars  220  form the first frame  210  (e.g., the first end of the top support bar  220   c  pivotally joins the first end of the first side support bar  220   a , the second end of the top support bar  220   c  pivotally joins the first end of the second side support bar  220   b , the first end of the bottom support bar  220   d  pivotally joins the second end of the first side support bar  220   a , the second end of the bottom support bar  220   d  pivotally joins the second end of the second side support bar  220   b ). The top support bar  220   c  and top portions of the side support bars  220   a ,  220   b  provide back support to a user. The bottom support bar  220   d  and bottom portions of the side support bars  220   a ,  220   b  function as front legs for the chair device  100 . 
     The first frame  210  is pivotally attached to the seat support  120 . For example, a first pivot mechanism  260   a  is disposed on the first side support bar  220   a  and a second pivot mechanism  260   b  is disposed on the second side support bar  220   b . The first pivot mechanism engages the first side bar  121  of the seat support  120  and the second pivot mechanism engages the second side bar  122  of the seat support  120 . 
     A first hinge  230   a  is disposed in the first side support bar  220   a  of the first frame  210 , for example below the first pivot mechanism  260   a , about halfway between the first end and the second end of the first side support bar  220   a , near the first end of the first side support bar  220   a , near the second end of the first side support bar  220   a , etc. The first hinge  230   a  divides the first side support bar  220   a  into a bottom portion and a top portion. The first hinge  230   a  allows the bottom portion of the first side support bar  220   a  to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion of the first side support bar  220   a  (e.g., see  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, a first sleeve  240   a  is disposed on the first side support bar  220   a  of the first frame  210 . The first sleeve  240   a  is adapted to slide along the first side support bar  220   a  and temporarily cover the first hinge  230   a . When the first sleeve  240   a  covers the first hinge  230   a , the first sleeve  240   a  prevents the first hinge  230   a  from folding. 
     A second hinge  230   b  is disposed in the second side support bar  220   b  of the first frame  210 , for example below the second pivot mechanism  260   b , about halfway between the first end and the second end of the second side support bar  220   b , near the first end of the second side support bar  220   b , near the second end of the second side support bar  220   b , etc. The second hinge  230   b  divides the second side support bar  220   b  into a bottom portion and a top portion. The second hinge  230   b  allows the bottom portion of the second side support bar  220   b  to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion of the second side support bar  220   b . In some embodiments, a second sleeve  240   b  is disposed on the second side support bar  220   b  of the first frame  210 . The second sleeve  240   b  is adapted to slide along the second side support bar  220   b  and temporarily cover the second hinge  230   b . When the second sleeve  240   b  covers the second hinge  230   b , the second sleeve  240   b  prevents the second hinge  230   b  from folding. 
     A third hinge  230   c  is disposed in the top support bar  220   c  of the first frame  210 , for example about halfway between the first end and the second end of the top support bar  220   c , near the first end of the top support bar  220   c , near the second end of the top support bar  220   c , etc. The third hinge  230   c  allows the top support bar  220   c  to be folded, for example the third hinge  230   c  moves inwardly in the direction of the bottom support bar  220   d  and the first end of the top support bar  220   c  moves toward the second end of the top support bar  220   c . In some embodiments, a third sleeve  240   c  is disposed on the top support bar  220   c  of the first frame  210 . The third sleeve  240   c  is adapted to slide along the top support bar  220   c  and temporarily cover the third hinge  230   c . When third sleeve  240   c  covers the third hinge  230   c , the third sleeve  240   c  prevents the third hinge  230   c  from folding. 
     A fourth hinge  230   d  is disposed in the bottom support bar  220   d  of the first frame  210 , for example about halfway between the first end and the second end of the bottom support bar  220   d , near the first end of the bottom support bar  220   d , near the second end of the bottom support bar  220   d , etc. The fourth hinge  230   d  allows the bottom support bar  220   d  to be folded, for example the fourth hinge  230   d  moves inwardly in the direction of the top support bar  220   c  and the first end of the bottom support bar  220   d  moves toward the second end of the bottom support bar  220   d . In some embodiments, a fourth sleeve  240   d  is disposed on the bottom support bar  220   d  of the first frame  210 . The fourth sleeve  240   d  is adapted to slide along the bottom support bar  220   d  and temporarily cover the fourth hinge  230   d . When the fourth sleeve  240   d  covers the fourth hinge  230   d , the fourth sleeve  240   d  prevents the fourth hinge  230   d  from folding. 
     The folding chair device  100  further comprises a second frame  310 . The second frame  310  is generally U-shaped, however the second frame  310  is not limited to this shape. The second frame  310  comprises a first side brace  320   a  having a first end and a second end, a second side brace  320   b  having a first end and a second end, and a bottom brace  320   c  having a first end and a second end. The first end of the bottom brace  320   c  pivotally joins the second end of the first side brace  320   a  and the second end of the bottom brace  320   c  pivotally joins the second end of the second side brace  320   b . The second frame  310  functions as back legs for the chair device  100 . 
     A third pivot mechanism  260   c  is disposed in the first side brace  320   a  and a fourth pivot mechanism  260   d  is disposed in the second side brace  320   b . The third pivot mechanism  260   c  engages the first side bar  121  of the seat support  120  (e.g., near the back bar  124 ) and the fourth pivot mechanism  260   d  engages the second side bar  122  of the seat support  120  (near the back bar  124 ). In some embodiments, the third pivot mechanism  260   c  engages the first side bar  121  of the seat support  120  (e.g., near the back bar  124 ) via a first seat connection hinge  150   a , and the fourth pivot mechanism  260   d  engages the second side bar  122  of the seat support  120  (near the back bar  124 ) via a second seat connection hinge  150   b.    
     The first end of the first side brace  320   a  is attached to the first side support bar  220   a  (above the first pivot mechanism  260   a ) via an eighth hinge  230   h . The first end of the second side brace  320   b  is attached to the second side support bar  220   b  (above the second pivot mechanism  260   b ) via a ninth hinge  230   .    
     A fifth hinge  230   e  is disposed in the first side brace  320   a  of the second frame  310 , for example below the third pivot mechanism  260   c . The fifth hinge  230   e  divides the first side brace  320   a  into a bottom portion and a top portion. The fifth hinge  230   e  allows the bottom portion of the first side brace  320   a  to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion of the first side brace  320   a  (e.g., see FIG.  4 ). In some embodiments, a fifth sleeve  240   e  is disposed on the first side brace  320   a . The fifth sleeve  240   e  is adapted to slide along the first side brace  320   a  and temporarily cover the fifth hinge  230   e . When the fifth sleeve  240   e  covers the seventh hinge  230   g , the fifth sleeve  240   e  prevents the fifth hinge  230   e  from folding. 
     A sixth hinge  230   f  is disposed in the second side brace  320   b  of the second frame  310 , for example below the fourth pivot mechanism  260   d . The sixth hinge  230   f  divides the second side brace  320   b  into a bottom portion and a top portion. The sixth hinge  230   f  allows the bottom portion of the second side brace  320   b  to be folded upwardly in the direction of the top portion of the second side brace  320   b . In some embodiments, a sixth sleeve  240   f  is disposed on the second side brace  320   b . The sixth sleeve  240   f  is adapted to slide along the second side brace  320   b  and temporarily cover the sixth hinge  230   f . When the sixth sleeve  240   f  covers the sixth hinge  230   f , the sixth sleeve  240   f  prevents the sixth hinge  230   f  from folding. 
     A seventh hinge  230   g  is disposed in the bottom brace  320   c  of the second frame  310 , for example about halfway between the first end and the second end of the bottom brace  320   c , near the first end of the bottom brace  320   c , near the second end of the bottom brace  320   c , etc. The seventh hinge  230   g  allows the bottom brace  320   c  to be folded, for example the seventh hinge  230   g  moves inwardly in the direction of the seat  110  and the first end of the bottom brace  320   c  moves toward the second end of the bottom brace  320   c . In some embodiments, a seventh sleeve  240   g  is disposed on the bottom brace  320   c . The seventh sleeve  240   g  is adapted to slide along the bottom brace  320   c  and temporarily cover the seventh hinge  230   g . When seventh sleeve  240   g  covers the seventh hinge  230   g , the seventh sleeve  240   g  prevents the seventh hinge  230   g  from folding. 
     The chair device  100  can move between multiple positions including but not limited to an unfolded position (e.g., see  FIGS. 1-3 ) and a folded position (e.g., see  FIG. 7 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first side support bar  220   a  and the second side support bar  220   b  can be folded via the first hinge  240   a  and the second hinge  240   b , respectively. The first side brace  320   a  and the second side brace  320   b  can be folded via the fifth hinge  240   e  and the sixth hinge  240   f , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the top portions of the side support bars  220  and the top support bar  220   c  can be moved toward the seat  110  (e.g., the front bar  123  of the seat  110 ). As shown in  FIG. 7 , the top support bar  220   c , the bottom support bar  220   d , and the bottom brace  320   c  can be folded via the third hinge  240   c , the fourth hinge  240   d , and the seventh hinge  240   g , respectively. 
     The chair device  100  of the present invention may be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, in some embodiments, the seat  110  is constructed from a material comprising canvas. In some embodiments, the first frame  210  and the second frame  310  are constructed from a material comprising wood, plastic, metal, the like, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned materials. 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the first side support bar is about 5 feet in length includes a first side support bar that is between 4.5 and 5.5 feet in length. 
     The disclosures of the following U.S. patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,591; U.S. Pat. No. 2,587,543; U.S. Design Pat. No. D432,325; U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,356; U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,473; U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,972. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. 
     The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0