Patent Abstract:
A multipurpose folding chair is disclosed. The chair includes a frame that may be configured for a variety of applications. Locking mechanisms may secure leg portions, a backrest portion, and a footrest portion of the chair in multiple positions relative to a seat of the chair. The chair may be configured to receive a container such as a backpack. In the container receiving configuration, a shoulder strap of the container may be used to carry both the container and the chair. The chair may be equipped with wheels to facilitate portability. The chair includes an integral lumbar support element to support the back of the user. The chair may be optionally equipped with a footrest, armrests, and/or a headrest.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to chairs. The invention more particularly is a combined folding chair, backpack, and luggage. The device includes a lumbar support element that is utilized when the device is used as a chair. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art folding chairs are cumbersome and require users to carry their chairs and backpacks separately. Most prior art folding chairs also require the user to carry their food, drinks, and other paraphernalia separately from their chair. Most folding chairs require separate storage bags to carry the chair itself, or they may require the user to use a free hand to grab an exposed frame section in order to hold the chair itself. Sometimes the prior art folding chairs require the user to hold a dangerously exposed or protruding bar of the chair in order to transport it. The prior art folding chairs tend to unfold in a multitude of ways from a multitude of locations while being carried or transported. 
     Beach chairs are typically constructed with a plurality of lightweight metallic tubular members with a fabric or plastic webbing stretched across the members in order to form a seat section and a back section. Generally, these chairs are changeable from a closed position to an extended deployed position. The closed position typically minimizes the amount of storage space required when the chair is not in use, and facilitates portability. The extended position allows a backrest portion, a seat portion, and a leg assembly portion to be deployed or extended from the folded position of the frame. This type of chair is carried to a desired location by grasping some part of the chair or by packing the closed chair into a storage container bag that generally includes straps. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a chair that provides improved lumbar support, greater ease of transport and use, and greater carrying capacity. The chair should have a lightweight construction, fewer non-functional attributes, and more functional applications to adequately meet user needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention include a frame that is adjustable between a closed position and at least one deployed position. The frame is configurable to a plurality of modes, each mode being adapted to a desired function. The chair may include a seat bottom, a seatback, and a compartment to secure a container. The chair may also include an integral lumbar support element, the lumbar support element being formed at least in part by a portion of the frame. The chair may further include a footrest that moves between a deployed position and a stowed position. The chair device may further include one or more armrests that may include cup holders. The seatback portion of the frame pivots to a plurality of positions relative to the seat portion of the frame. The legs of the chair may also be made to pivot to a plurality of positions, thereby allowing the chair to be configured to provide multiple seating elevations to accommodate varying user heights. 
     Other embodiments of the present invention may include a chair and container device in combination. In the combination device, the device includes a frame that is adjustable between a closed position and at least one deployed position. The frame is configurable to a plurality of modes, each mode being adapted to a desired function. The frame also includes a seat bottom portion and a seatback portion, the seat bottom portion and the seatback portion being configurable to form a compartment that receives the container. The combination device may further include a clamping assembly to removably attach the container to the frame. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It will be noted that corresponding reference numbers in the drawings indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multi-function chair as described herein. 
         FIGS. 2A-C  are detail views of a hinging and positioning mechanism. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an adjustable positioning mechanism. 
         FIG. 3A  is a detail view of a snap button. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the chair with a footrest. 
         FIG. 5  shows a mechanism for attaching a backpack to the chair. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a chair/backpack combination. 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of a chair/backpack combination. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the chair deployed as rolling luggage. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a chair/backpack combination with the leg assemblies of the chair extended. 
         FIG. 10  shows another perspective view of the chair/backpack combination. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a view of the chair in a fully closed position. 
         FIG. 12  shows the chair in a carrier mode. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates the chair deployed in a rickshaw mode. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the chair deployed in a lawn chair mode. 
         FIG. 15  shows the chair in a yoga or beach chair mode. 
         FIG. 16  shows the chair/backpack combination with a footrest deployed as a stand. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates the chair being used as a recliner. 
         FIG. 18  shows the chair/backpack combination with cup holders. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates the chair/backpack combination with one footrest element being used as a stand and one footrest element being used as a handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention disclose a combined backpack-luggage-chair. The device may be configured to perform multiple functions, and is easily transportable. In various configurations, the device may be used as a beach chair, campsite chair, a picnic chair, lawn chair, rickshaw chair, and carry-on luggage, to mention but a few examples. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a multi-function, transportable chair  100  includes a seatback frame portion  105 . The seatback frame  105  is pivotally attached to a seat bottom frame  110 . In various embodiments of the invention, one or more adjusting brackets  115  may be utilized to secure the seatback frame  105  at a desired variable angle relative to the seat bottom frame  110 . The operation of the adjusting brackets  115  is described in further detail below. When the chair  100  is configured in a standard seat mode as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the seatback frame  105  may be deployed at an approximately 90 degree angle to the seat bottom frame  110 . In this position, the chair  100  has an ergonomically efficient and lumbar supportive “L” shaped seating position. With the use of adjusting brackets  115  the chair may also be made to accommodate the heights of various users by raising and lowering the seat bottom frame  110  via the adjusting brackets  115 . 
     The chair  100  may include left and right armrests  120  rotatably attached to the seatback frame  105 . Armrest positioners  125 , along with brackets  130 , may be used to limit the rotation of the armrests  120  relative to the seatback frame  105  and to hold the armrests  120  in a desired position relative to the seatback frame  105 . The operation and construction of the positioners  125  and brackets  130  are illustrated in further detail in  FIGS. 2A-C . 
     The positioners  125  may be rotatably mounted in a bracket  130  and constructed substantially as an irregular three-dimensional polygon. By constructing the positioners  125  so that the distances between the center pivot points and the edges of the positioners  125  vary, the positioners  125  can be used to support the armrests  120  in multiple positions.  FIG. 2A  shows the positioner  125  in a position that provides a maximum separation distance and angle between the armrests  120  and the seatback frame  105 , so that the armrests  120  may be positioned horizontal and parallel to the seat bottom frame  110  regardless of the recline angle of the seatback frame  105 , which is nearly upright in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2B  shows a medium position in which the seatback frame  105  is partially reclined, and  FIG. 2C  shows a position in which the seatback frame  105  is fully reclined. Note that in all three positions, the armrest  120  is held in a substantially horizontal orientation. 
     The armrests  120  may be constructed with an opening at a distal end that is sized and shaped to receive cup holders  135 . The cup holders  135  are secured in the openings of the armrests  120  by a friction fit. If desired, a user may remove the cup holder  135  from the armrest  120  to accommodate drinking glasses or cups that are too large for the receptacles in the cup holders  135 . With the cup holder  135  removed, the larger cups are received directly in the opening in the end of the armrest  120 . 
     At or near the pivot point of the seatback frame  105  and the seat bottom frame  110  a rear leg assembly  140  is pivotally attached. At or near a front end of the seat bottom frame  110 , a front leg assembly  145  is pivotally attached. The rear and front leg assemblies  140 ,  145  may be U-shaped as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , but any configuration that provides adequate support and stabilization for the chair  100  can be utilized. 
     The rear and front leg assemblies  140 ,  145  are attached to the seat bottom frame  110  by one or more adjusting brackets  115 . As with the seat back frame  105  and the seat bottom frame  110 , the adjusting brackets  115  allow the angle of the leg assemblies  140 ,  145  relative to the seat bottom frame  110  to be varied as desired and as is appropriate for a given configuration of the chair  100 . Various configurations of the chair  100  will be described in further detail below. 
     Various mechanisms for the adjusting brackets  115  can be chosen by the user. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , and in greater detail in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , the adjusting brackets  115  are provided with a series of holes  305  that receive a head  310  of a snap button  315 . The angle at which the two connected elements are fixed is determined by which of the holes  305  receives the head  310 . The snap button  315  is held in place by a doubled-over base strip  320  that may be formed from a flexible metal. The doubled-over portion of the base strip  320  fills the interior of the tubular frame member, thereby holding the snap button  315  in place. The position of the snap button  315  is further secured by a pin head  325  that is received in a corresponding hole in the tubular member in which the snap button  315  is being employed. Pressure generated by the doubled-over portion of the base strip  320  urges the pin head  325  into the corresponding hole in the tubular member. To change the position of the tubular member, the user simply pushes the pin head  325  of the snap button  315 , which moves pin head  310  out of the hole  305  in which it had been secured, thereby allowing the user to move the tubular member to the desired position, at which point the pin head  310  of the snap button  315  is received in an appropriate hole  305 . 
     A supporting positioner  330  may be utilized to assist in the positioning function of the adjusting brackets  115 . The supporting positioner  330 , as is the case with the positioner  125 , may be rotatably mounted on the adjusting bracket  115  and constructed substantially as an irregular three-dimensional polygon. By constructing the supporting positioners  330  so that the distances between the center pivot points and the edges of the supporting positioners  330  vary, the supporting positioners  330  can be used to support the two tubular members being joined (typically the leg assemblies  140 ,  145  to the seat bottom frame  110 ) in multiple angles relative to each other. 
     One or more transverse frame braces  150  may be installed in the frame of the chair  100 . The frame braces  150  add to the structural integrity of the frame of the chair  100 , and also serve as convenient attachment points for various elements as described below. A pair of reinforcing bars  155  may also be added at the lower end of the seatback frame  105 . It should be noted that the lower end of the seatback frame  105  may be arced to provide superior lumbar support as compared to prior art chairs. The reinforcing bars  155  may span the lumbar support region of the seatback frame  105  to provide structural strength to the frame. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the chair  100  with a footrest  400  added to the seat bottom frame  110 . The frame  405  of the footrest  400  may be a U-shaped member like the other frame elements, or the footrest frame  405  may simply include a pair of extendable rods. The footrest  400  may be attached to the seat bottom frame  110  or the front leg assembly  145 . 
     A set of wheels  160  may be installed on the frame brace  150  at or near the pivot point of the seatback frame  105  relative to the seat bottom frame  110 . The frame brace  150  serves as an axle for the wheels  160 . The wheels  160  may be utilized to provide greater mobility to the chair  100  in various embodiments as described below. Skate wheels are but one example of a wheel suitable for this purpose. 
     The seatback frame  105 , the seat bottom frame  110 , and the footrest elements  405  may each be covered either partially or completely by a fabric element. A footrest fabric cover  410 , which may be constructed so as to be removable, may include an opening  415 . Either the opening  415  or the footrest  405  may serve as a handle to pull or carry the chair  100  in various configurations. 
     A seat bottom cover  165  may be used on the seat bottom frame  110 , and a seatback cover  170  may be used on the seatback frame  105 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any or all of the fabric elements may include pockets for storage and Velcro sections to assist in securing the fabric elements to the frame of the chair  100  or to other elements, or for securing external elements to the chair  100 . 
     A clamping assembly constructed with one or more clamping bars  175  may be utilized to further secure the fabric elements, or a backpack, to the frame of the chair  100 . The clamping bars  175  are typically removably attached to the frame, but can be permanently secured by an adhesive or the like if desired by the user. In various embodiments, the clamping bars  175  will be secured by easily removable elements so that the clamping bars  175  can easily be removed and installed by hand from the seatback frame  105 . 
       FIG. 4  also illustrates a combination of the chair  100  with a backpack  420 . While it is envisioned that a backpack generally be deployed in the device, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any type of luggage or other container may be utilized herein. While for purposes of clarity and ease of description, the device will be described herein with reference to a backpack, the description is in no way intended to limit the device to only a backpack. Any object with a storage area may be utilized. 
     As illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 5 , the top of the backpack  420  may be secured by temporarily removing/releasing one side of the clamping bar  175 , placing shoulder straps  425  over the top of the seatback frame  105 , and replacing the clamping bar  175 . The clamping bar  175  may then be secured to the seatback frame  105 . If desired, the clamping bar  175  and may be permanently secured with an appropriate adhesive, so that the backpack  420  is permanently attached to the chair  100 . 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the chair  100  in combination with the backpack  420  as the combination might be used in a backpack mode. The user slips his arms through the shoulder straps  425  and fastens the belt  430  around his waist. The seatback frame  105  rests on the back of the user, protected by the seatback cover  170 . When the backpack  420  is installed in the chair  100 , lateral motion of the backpack  420  is inhibited by the reinforcing/clamping bars  155  attached to the seatback frame  105 . Many, if not most, backpacks also include a waist belt  430 . The belt  430  may be threaded through the opening between the reinforcing bars  155  and the seatback frame  105  to further secure the backpack  420 . Alternatively, the clamping bars  155  may also be threaded through the loops made between the stitches  185  of the backpack, and then mounted to seatback frame  105 , so as to secure the lower part of the backpack to the frame. With these connections in place, the backpack  420  is very securely fastened to the chair  100 . 
     The backpack  420  is received in a compartment bounded by the wheels  160 , and/or the backside of the seat bottom frame  110 , the upper end of the seatback frame  105 , and the backside of the seatback frame  105 . The other frame elements of the chair  100 —the footrest  400 , the front leg assembly  145 , the rear leg assembly  140 , and the seat bottom  110 —are folded against the back of the backpack  420 . The result is a compact package that takes little more space than the backpack itself, yet allows the user to transport a multi-purpose folding chair as well as forming a protective structure for the contents of the backpack  420 .  FIG. 6  also shows that if desired by the user, the armrests  120  and cup holders  135  may be utilized while the device is in backpack mode.  FIG. 7  illustrates that the wheels  160  do not significantly add to the footprint of the device. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the chair/backpack combination as employed in rolling luggage mode. In this mode, the front leg assembly  145  is extended to serve as a handle. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  show the chair/backpack combination in beach chair mode.  FIG. 9  also displays the Velcro flap, between the wheels  160 , that secures the seat cover  165  and opens and closes the seat container formed within the chair fabric  165 . The leg assemblies  140 ,  145  are extended to support the chair. The backpack  420  may remain in position affixed to the chair  100 . Armrests  120  may then be employed as shown in  FIG. 1 , with the backpack  420  seated between the square armrest brackets  130 . 
       FIG. 11  shows the chair  100  in a closed configuration in which storage space is minimized. The chair/backpack combination is thereby configured so that it is readily received in overhead storage compartments of airplanes. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the chair  100  in a partially open stroller luggage mode in which an item to be transported may be placed in an open space between the seat bottom frame  110  and the seatback frame  105 . If the footrest fabric element is removed, then the footrest frame elements  405  may be operated independently, allowing the footrest to be used as a stand for the stroller luggage mode or as a handle. When removed, the footrest fabric cover  410  may be stowed within the container beneath the seat shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates the chair  100  in a rickshaw mode. In this mode, a person seated in the chair  100  may be transported by another person. The tubular members of the footrest  405  may be extended to provide the transporting person with convenient hand grips. A headrest  1305  may be added to the chair  100  if desired by the user. The headrest  1305  may be secured by Velcro, straps, or any other convenient fastening mechanism. 
       FIG. 14  shows the chair in an “equilibrium” lawn chair mode in which the rear leg assembly  140  is folded up underneath the seat bottom frame  110 . The rear leg assembly  140  may be held in place with external straps. The opening  415  in the footrest cover  410  may be used as a handle for moving the chair in this mode or for moving the luggage in the stroller luggage mode. 
       FIG. 15  shows the chair in a yoga or beach chair mode. In this mode, the footrest  400 , the front leg assembly  145 , and the rear leg assembly  140  are all folded to a position generally parallel to the seat bottom frame  110 . In this mode, the seat bottom frame  110  essentially rests on the ground, separated from the ground only by the stowed footrest  405 , front leg assembly  145 , and rear leg assembly  140 . 
       FIG. 16  shows the chair with the U-shaped footrest element  405  utilized as a stand. 
       FIG. 17  shows the chair used as a recliner with the two footrest elements  405  extended and covered over by footrest cover  410 . The opening  415  in footrest cover  410  may be used as a handle. 
       FIG. 18  shows the chair/backpack combination with armrests  120  deployed to free the hands of the user. The cup holders  135  and armrests  120  may be used to carry drinks or other paraphernalia. 
       FIG. 19  shows the backpack carrier with two separate footrest elements  405  without the fabric cover  410 . Without the footrest fabric cover  410 , the footrest frame elements  405  may be operated independently, allowing one frame element  405  to be used as a stand for the stroller luggage mode while the other is used as a handle. The footrest fabric cover  410  may be stowed within the container beneath the seat shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The frame members of the chair  100  are typically formed from tubular aluminum. It will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art that other materials and shapes may be utilized to construct the chair  100  as described herein. The fabric elements covering the frame members may similarly be constructed from a variety of suitable materials. While the fabric elements may generally be constructed from Nylon, plastic, or Polyester, other materials may be utilized with equal facility. 
     The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the present invention. As these embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to illustrations, various modifications or adaptations of the methods and or specific structures described may become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the descriptions and illustrations herein. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the present invention, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to only the embodiments illustrated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0