Patent Description:
Portable chairs are commonly used during events and activities where seating is desirable, but not always provided, such as tailgating, camping, going to the beach, and other outdoor activities. In most cases, the chairs may be uncomfortable and have limited ability to adjust the seating position. Additionally, the chairs may have poor durability reducing the long-term viability of the chair. Accordingly, overall user satisfaction with some portable chairs is low and the frequency of replacement is high. Known chairs are disclosed by <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The following presents a simplified summary of various aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claims. The following summary merely presents some concepts in a simplified form as an introductory prelude to the more detailed description provided below. The invention as claimed is defined in the attached independent claim. Further, optional features are defined in the sub-claims appended thereto.

This disclosure may relate to a portable chair that includes a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled; a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled; a seat frame that includes a forward rail, a rear rail opposite the forward rail, a first seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail, and a second seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail opposite the first seat side rail, and a back frame including a top rail, a first back side rail extending downward from the top rail, and a second back side rail extending downward from the top rail opposite the first back side rail. The chair also includes a fabric member releasably connected to the seat frame and the back frame, where the fabric member extends from the forward rail to the top rail, and an armrest that includes an armrest body that is pivotally connected to the back frame at a rear end portion, and a control assembly. The control assembly may be connected to the armrest body and include a sliding pivot that is pivotally attached to the first front leg and the first back leg and is also slidably engaged with the armrest. A rearward movement of the sliding pivot may cause the portable chair to move from an upright position to a reclined position, and the chair may have a folded position and an unfolded position. The sliding pivot may include a first set of engaging teeth that engage with a second set of engaging teeth to secure the sliding pivot in a fixed location relative to the armrest body. In addition, the control assembly may also include a side paddle that is pivotally attached to the armrest body such that when the side paddle is rotated inward, the second set of engaging teeth disengage from the first set of engaging teeth to allow the sliding pivot to move relative to the armrest body. The side paddle may also include an actuation portion that receives contact from a user, a receiver that defines a rotational axis and receives a pin, and an engaging portion, where the actuation portion and engaging portion are positioned substantially perpendicular to each other. The second set of engaging teeth may be attached to the engaging portion of the side paddle. The side paddle may be positioned on an outboard side of the armrest. The sliding pivot may slide along a guide rail positioned along a bottom of the armrest body. In some instance, the guide rail is integrally formed with the armrest body.

Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a portable chair that includes a first back leg extension is positioned between the first back leg and the back sled and a second back leg extension is positioned between the second back leg and the back sled, where the first back leg extension extends in a different direction than the first back leg. The first back leg extension may form an obtuse angle with the first back leg. In some examples, the fabric member may include a plurality of side portions, where each side portion of the plurality of side portions is secured to one of the first side seat rail, the second side seat rail, the first back side rail, and the second back side rail using a plurality of fabric retention members. The plurality of fabric retention members may include a plurality of complementary mechanical fasteners, where each complementary mechanical fastener includes a first mechanical element and a second mechanical element that connect together to form a releasable connection. The first side seat rail may include a first set of first mechanical elements and the second side seat rail includes a second set of first mechanical elements that face each other.

Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a portable chair that includes a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled; a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled; a seat frame including a forward rail, a rear rail opposite the forward rail, a first seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail, and a second seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail opposite the first seat side rail, and a back frame including a top rail, a first back side rail extending downward from the top rail, and a second back side rail extending downward from the top rail opposite the first back side rail. The chair may have a fabric member releasably connected to the seat frame and the back frame, where the fabric member extends continuously from the forward rail to the top rail. The fabric member may be connected to the seat frame and to the back frame using a plurality of complementary mechanical fasteners. The chair may also include an armrest that includes an armrest body that is pivotally connected to the back frame at a rear end portion, and a control assembly connected to the armrest body. The control assembly may include a sliding pivot pivotally attached to the first front leg and the first back leg and also slidably engaged with the armrest, where the sliding pivot includes a first set of engaging teeth. The control assembly may also include a side paddle pivotally attached to the armrest body, where the side paddle includes a second set of engaging teeth that engages with the first set of engaging teeth to secure the sliding pivot in a fixed location relative to the armrest body. In addition, at least one resilient member may be positioned between the side paddle and the armrest body, where the at least one resilient member exerts a force on the side paddle to keep the second set of engaging teeth in contact with the first set of engaging teeth. When the side paddle is rotated inward, the second set of engaging teeth may disengage from the first set of engaging teeth to allow the sliding pivot to move relative to the armrest body causing the portable chair to move from an upright position to a reclined position. The second set of engaging teeth may have at least one tooth with a chamfered outboard edge.

A portable chair according to the invention is comprising a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled, a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled, a seat frame pivotally engaged with the first front leg and the second front leg, where the seat frame including a forward rail, a rear rail opposite the forward rail, a first seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail, and a second seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail opposite the first seat side rail. A fabric retention member is attached to the seat frame, where the fabric retention member includes a rounded exterior surface, a first interior cavity, and a second interior cavity. The first interior cavity of the fabric retention member engages a portion of the seat frame. A fabric member has a first end secured to the seat frame by the fabric retention member, where the fabric member wraps around the rounded exterior surface of the fabric retention member before extending across an unsupported region of the seat frame. The first end of the fabric member is secured in a second interior cavity of the fabric retention member, where the first end of the fabric member may have a loop that receives a rod to secure the fabric member in the fabric retention member. The first interior cavity has a partial cylindrical shape and the second interior cavity has a partial cylindrical shape, and wherein the first interior cavity has a larger radius than the second interior cavity. In addition, the first interior cavity may have a partial cylindrical shape that when measured in a cross-sectional view extends between a range of <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees.

Additional aspects of this disclosure may relate to a portable chair having a fabric retention member where the first interior cavity of the fabric retention member may include a first opening that extends an overall length of the fabric retention member, and a second interior cavity that includes a second opening that extends the overall length of the fabric retention member of the second inner. An angle may be formed by a line segment extending from a center of the second interior cavity through a midpoint of the second opening and a line segment extending through a center of the first interior cavity through a midpoint of the first opening, where the angle is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. The first end of the fabric member may have a loop that receives a rod to secure the fabric member in the fabric retention member, and where a width across the second opening is less than a diameter of the rod. An outboard edge adjacent the second opening may have a substantially rounded shape, where a radius of the outboard edge is at least ten times a thickness of the fabric member. The fabric member may wrap around the outboard edge and also around the rounded exterior surface before extending across an unsupported region of the back frame.

Other aspects of this disclosure may also relate to a portable chair comprising a back assembly, wherein the back assembly includes a second fabric member secured to the back frame by a second fabric retention member and a back frame comprising a top rail, a first back side rail extending from the top rail, and a second back side rail extending from the top rail opposite the first side back rail. The portable chair may also comprise an armrest having a sliding pivot attached to the first front leg and the first back leg that is slidably engaged with the armrest, and the armrest having a back end pivotally connected to the back frame, where a rearward movement of the sliding pivot causes the portable chair to move from an upright position to a reclined position.

Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a portable chair comprising a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled, a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled, a seat frame including a forward rail, a rear rail opposite the forward rail, a first seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail, and a second seat side rail extending between the forward rail and the rear rail opposite the first seat side rail, and a first fabric retention member attached to the seat frame, where the first fabric retention member secures a first fabric member to the seat frame. The chair may have a back frame including a top rail, a first back side rail extending downward from the top rail, and a second back side rail extending downward from the top rail opposite the first rail, a second fabric retention member attached to the back frame, where the second fabric retention member secures a second fabric member to the back frame, and where each fabric retention member of the first and the second fabric retention members include a rounded exterior surface. The first fabric member may wrap around the rounded exterior surface of the first fabric retention member before extending to an unsupported region of the seat frame, and the second fabric member may wrap around the rounded exterior surface of the second fabric retention member before extending to an unsupported region of the back frame. The chair may further include an armrest having a sliding pivot attached to the first front leg and the first back leg that is slidably engaged with the armrest, and a back end pivotally connected to the back frame, wherein a rearward movement of the sliding pivot causes the portable chair to move from an upright position to a reclined position. The sliding pivot may include a plurality of engaging teeth that engage with a plurality of engaging teeth located on a bottom surface of the armrest to secure the sliding pivot in a fixed location relative to the armrest. In addition, the armrest may include a side paddle that is pivotally attached to the armrest such that when the side paddle is rotated inward, the plurality of engaging teeth located on the bottom surface of the armrest disengage from the plurality of engaging teeth on the sliding pivot to allow the sliding pivot to move relative to the armrest. The first fabric retention member may comprise a first interior cavity, and a second interior cavity, where the first interior cavity engages a portion of the seat frame. The first interior cavity may include a first opening that extends an overall length of the fabric retention member, and the second interior cavity may include a second opening that extends the overall length of the fabric retention member of the second inner. An angle may be formed by a line segment extending from a center of the second interior cavity through a midpoint of the second opening and a line segment extending through a center of the first interior cavity through a midpoint of the first opening, where the angle is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees.

Yet in other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a portable chair comprising a first front leg and a second front leg connected by a front sled, a first back leg and a second back leg connected by a back sled, and a first armrest pivotally connected to a first armrest support near a forward end of the first armrest and wherein a rear end of the first armrest is pivotally connected to a back frame; wherein the first armrest support comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally connected to the first armrest and the second end is pivotally connected to a seat frame. The back frame may include a top rail, a first back side rail extending downward from the top rail, and a second back side rail extending downward from the top rail opposite the first rail. A fabric retention member may be attached to the back frame, where the fabric retention member includes a rounded exterior surface, a first interior cavity, and a second interior cavity, where the first interior cavity engages a portion of the back frame. A fabric member may comprise a first end secured to the back frame by the fabric retention member, where the fabric member wraps around the rounded exterior surface of the fabric retention member before extending across an unsupported region of the back frame. The first interior cavity may include a first opening that extends an overall length of the fabric retention member, and the second interior cavity includes a second opening that extends the overall length of the fabric retention member of the second inner. An angle is formed by a line segment extending from a center of the second interior cavity through a midpoint of the second opening and a line segment extending through a center of the first interior cavity through a midpoint of the first opening, where the angle is between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. The first end of the fabric member has a loop that receives a rod to secure the fabric member in the fabric retention member, and wherein a width across the second opening is less than a diameter of the rod. An outboard edge adjacent the second opening has a substantially rounded shape, where a radius of the outboard edge is at least ten times a thickness of the fabric member and where the fabric member wraps around the outboard edge and around the exterior rounded surface before extending across an unsupported region of the back frame.

In the following description of various example structures, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the disclosure. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made. The invention as claimed is defined by the attached independent claim.

Also, while the terms "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "side," "rear," and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Additionally, the term "plurality," as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. The term "pivotally connected" or "pivotally joined" as used herein, indicates that the components or features are joined such that the components can rotate relative to each other while still being connected. Examples of a "pivotally connected" or "pivotally joined" may include a pin inserted into an opening arranged in each of the components to "pivotally connect" the components. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Generally, this disclosure generally relates to a portable chair that has an unfolded or use position and a folded or transport position. The portable chair may be easily folded and carried by a user to any location and then easily be unfolded to provide comfortable seating.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the portable chair <NUM> may comprise a first front leg <NUM> and a second front leg <NUM> connected by a front sled <NUM>, a first back leg <NUM> and a second back leg <NUM> connected by a back sled <NUM>, a seat assembly <NUM>, and a back assembly <NUM>. The seat assembly <NUM> may further include front leg attachment portions <NUM>, <NUM> to pivotally connect and/or fasten the front legs <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, to the seat assembly <NUM>. In addition, the portable chair <NUM> may include a first armrest <NUM> that is a pivotally connected to the first front leg <NUM> and the first back leg <NUM> at a sliding pivot <NUM> near the front end <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> and also pivotally connected to the back assembly <NUM> at a second connection point <NUM> near the rear end of the first armrest <NUM>. Similarly, a second armrest <NUM> may also be pivotally connected to the second front leg <NUM> and the second back leg <NUM> at a sliding pivot <NUM> near the front end <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> and also pivotally connected to the back assembly <NUM> at a second connection point <NUM> the rear end of the second armrest <NUM>. Additionally, chair <NUM> may be of a symmetric construction where components on a left side of the chair <NUM> (i.e. front leg <NUM>) may be mirrored to the components of the right side of the chair <NUM> (i.e. front leg <NUM>).

The seat assembly <NUM> may include a seat fabric member <NUM> and a seat frame <NUM>, where the seat frame <NUM> includes a forward rail <NUM>, a rear rail <NUM> opposite the forward rail <NUM>, a first side seat rail <NUM> extending between the forward rail <NUM> and the rear rail <NUM>, and a second seat side rail <NUM> extending between the forward rail <NUM> and the rear rail <NUM> opposite the first side seat rail <NUM>. The back assembly <NUM> may include a back fabric member <NUM> and a back frame <NUM>, where the back frame <NUM> includes a top rail <NUM>, a first side back rail <NUM> extending downward from the top rail <NUM>, and a second side back rail <NUM> downward from the top rail <NUM> opposite the first side back rail <NUM>.

The seat fabric member <NUM> and the back fabric member <NUM> may be secured to the seat frame <NUM> and the back frame <NUM> respectively with a plurality of fabric retention members <NUM>. For example, the seat fabric member <NUM> may have a plurality of sides <NUM>, such that each side <NUM> has an end portion <NUM> that is secured to each of the forward rail <NUM>, rear rail <NUM>, the first side seat rail <NUM>, and the second side seat rail <NUM> respectively using a fabric retention member <NUM>. Similarly, the back fabric member <NUM> may have a plurality of sides <NUM>, such that each side <NUM> has an end portion <NUM> that is secured to each of the top rail <NUM>, the first side back rail <NUM>, and the second side back rail <NUM> using fabric retention member <NUM>.

The chair <NUM> may be easily converted from the use position shown in <FIG> to a folded position shown in <FIG> for easy transport to another location or for storage. Through actuation of the rotational and pivotable interfaces, portable chair <NUM> may be folded into a portable position as shown in <FIG> and unfolded into a seating position as shown in <FIG>. While in the folded portable position, the chair <NUM> may be locked and/or sustained in the folded portable position by one or more detents. The one or more detents may provide resistance against the opening of the chair <NUM> from the folded portable position into the unfolded seating position. While in the unfolded seating position, the one or more detents may additionally provide resistance against the closing of the chair <NUM> from the unfolded seating position into the folded portable position.

For further example, chair <NUM> may be configured to open from a folded portable position into an unfolded seating position. In the folded portable position, the front legs <NUM>, <NUM> may be substantially parallel to back legs <NUM>, <NUM> and seat assembly <NUM> may be substantially parallel to back assembly <NUM>. Additionally and/or alternatively, the one or more detents may be included in the attachment interface between front legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the front leg attachment portions <NUM>, <NUM>.

The two front legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the two back legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the front sled <NUM>, the back sled <NUM> along with the rails of the seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM> may be cylindrical rods, tubes, and/or shafts, or other hollow shape. The front legs <NUM>, <NUM> and front sled <NUM> may be formed as a single member. Similarly, the back legs <NUM>, <NUM> and back sled <NUM> may be formed as a single member. These components may be made of, for example, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, polymers, composites, carbon fiber, and/or wood, such as bamboo. In instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of the two front legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the two back legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the front sled <NUM>, the back sled <NUM> along with the rails of the seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM>, the metallic components may be hydroformed, cast, or formed by another method known to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, the metallic components may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals and alloys used in the fabrication of the legs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the sleds <NUM>, <NUM>, and the rails of the frames <NUM>, <NUM> may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and 5B, each fabric retention member <NUM> may include a first end <NUM>, a second end <NUM>, a rounded exterior surface <NUM> extending between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>, a first interior cavity <NUM> extending between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>, and a second interior cavity <NUM> adjacent the first interior cavity <NUM> and extending between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. Each of the first interior cavity <NUM> and the second interior cavity <NUM> may be curved forming a partial cylindrical shape that creates an opening <NUM>, <NUM> respectively into each interior cavity <NUM>, <NUM>. The openings <NUM>, <NUM> may extend the entire length of fabric retention member <NUM>. The fabric members <NUM>, <NUM> may be secured to the fabric retention members <NUM> by inserting an end portion <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective fabric members <NUM>, <NUM> into the opening <NUM> of the second interior cavity <NUM>. Each end portion <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise a loop <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The loop <NUM> may be secured within the second interior cavity <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM> by a rod <NUM> that is inserted through one of the ends <NUM>, <NUM> and simultaneously through of the loop <NUM> of the respective fabric member <NUM>, <NUM>. The width of the opening <NUM> may be less than the diameter of the rod <NUM>, thereby securing the respective fabric member <NUM>, <NUM> in place. Additionally, the radius of the second interior cavity <NUM> may be greater than the diameter of the rod <NUM>.

The fabric retention member <NUM> may be removably coupled to its respective rail of the seat frame <NUM> and the back frame <NUM>. For example, the first interior cavity <NUM> of each fabric retention member <NUM> may engage and partially extend around the forward rail <NUM>, the rear rail <NUM>, the first side seat rail <NUM>, the second side seat rail <NUM>, the top rail <NUM>, the first side back rail <NUM>, and the second side back rail <NUM>. The fabric retention member <NUM> may then be additionally secured to the respective rails of the seat frames <NUM>, <NUM> using mechanical fasteners, or other means known to one skilled in the art.

As discussed above, the fabric retention member <NUM> may have a rounded exterior surface <NUM>, where the exterior rounded surface <NUM> has a cross-sectional shape that has a constant radius from a central axis. Alternatively, the rounded exterior surface <NUM> may be defined by a combination of multiple radii or a spline forming a smooth curved surface. The first interior cavity <NUM> and the second interior cavity <NUM> may also have partial circular cross-sectional shapes where the first interior cavity <NUM> has a radius, R1, may be substantially the same as the radius of the rails of the seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM>. Additionally, the radius, R1, of the first interior cavity <NUM> may be larger than the radius, R2, of the second interior cavity <NUM>. Additionally, since the first interior cavity <NUM> has only a partial circular cross-section, the first interior cavity <NUM> may extend approximately <NUM> degrees around from a first opening edge <NUM> along the surface of first interior cavity <NUM> to a second opening edge <NUM>, or the first interior cavity <NUM> may extend within a range of <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. In addition, the second interior cavity <NUM> may extend approximately <NUM> degrees around from an inboard opening edge <NUM> along the surface of the second interior cavity to an outboard opening edge <NUM> or the second interior cavity <NUM> may extend within a range of <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. Also, the fabric retention member <NUM> may have a substantially constant cross-sectional shape along the length.

As shown in <FIG> and 5B, the opening <NUM> of the first interior cavity <NUM> may be positioned at an angle relative to the opening <NUM> of the second interior cavity <NUM>, where the angle <NUM> is defined in the cross-section (or side view) of the fabric retention member <NUM> by a first line segment extending from the center of the first interior cavity <NUM> to a midpoint of the opening <NUM> and a second line segment extends from the center of the second interior cavity <NUM> through a center of the opening <NUM>. The angle <NUM> may be acute angle of approximately <NUM> degrees, or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, or within a range of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees. As another option, the angle <NUM> may be an angle with a range of approximately <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees.

The fabric retention member <NUM> may further include a rounded outboard edge <NUM> of the opening <NUM> where the outboard edge <NUM> may be defined by a radius, R3, where R3 is at least <NUM> times the thickness of the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>), or in some embodiments at least <NUM> times the thickness of fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>), or in some embodiments at least <NUM> times the thickness of fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>). As an end portion <NUM> (<NUM>) of the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) exits the opening <NUM>, the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) wraps around the rounded outboard edge <NUM> and then continues to wrap around the rounded exterior surface <NUM> before the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) extends across an unsupported region between the rails of the back frame <NUM> (or seat frame <NUM>). The fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) may wrap around at least <NUM> percent of the length of the rounded exterior surface <NUM> before extending into an unsupported region, or the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) may wrap around the entire exterior rounded surface <NUM>. As another option, the amount the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) wraps around the exterior surface <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM> before being unsupported may be defined by angle <NUM>. The angle <NUM> is defined by a first line segment extending from the center of the first interior cavity <NUM> to the second opening edge <NUM> and a second line segment extending from the center of the first interior cavity <NUM> to the rounded outboard edge <NUM> of the opening <NUM> where the second line segment is tangent to the outboard edge <NUM>. The angle <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> degrees, or within a range of <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. By wrapping the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>), around the rounded outboard edge <NUM> and/or the rounded exterior surface <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM> helps to relieve the stress on the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) at the opening <NUM>. By relieving the stress on the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) at the exit of the opening <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM>, the durability and life of the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) may be greatly increased.

In an alternate embodiment shown in <FIG>, the second interior cavity <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM> may be located where the center of the second interior cavity <NUM> is approximately <NUM> degrees from the second opening edge <NUM> of the first interior cavity <NUM>. Similar to the embodiment described above, the amount the fabric member wraps around the exterior surface <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM> before extending into an unsupported region may be defined by angle <NUM>. In this alternate embodiment, the angle <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> degrees, or within a range of <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. By wrapping the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>), around the rounded outboard edge <NUM> and/or the rounded exterior surface <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM> helps to relieve the stress on the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) at the opening <NUM>. By relieving the stress on the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) at the exit of the opening <NUM> of the fabric retention member <NUM>, the durability and life of the fabric member <NUM> (<NUM>) may be greatly increased.

The fabric retention member <NUM> may be formed from a metallic material, such as aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, or a non-metallic material such as a polymer or composite material. Because the fabric retention member <NUM> may have a constant cross-sectional profile throughout its length, it may be formed by an extrusion process if it is metallic or non-metallic. Alternatively, the fabric retention member <NUM> is formed from a metallic material, the retention member <NUM> may be formed by a forging, casting, machining, or other near net shape forming process. If the fabric retention member <NUM> is formed from a non-metallic material, it may be formed using an injection molding process, resin transfer molding, machining, or other molding process.

The fabric members <NUM>, <NUM> may be a weave-type and/or mesh-like fabric. Additionally, the fabric members <NUM>, <NUM> may be composed of any of a number of materials including, but not limited to, armored fabric cloth, sail fabric, awning fabric, Kevlar, tarp canvas, vinyl coated polyester, nylon mesh, neoprene, aluminized nylon, and/or cotton canvas. In some embodiments, the material may be treated to provide increased UV stabilization and weathering resistance, fire resistance, abrasion and tear resistance, and waterproofing. In some instances, the fabric members <NUM>, <NUM> may be composed of a similar materials such that the fabric member <NUM> of the seat assembly <NUM> is the same as the fabric member <NUM> of the back assembly <NUM>. However, in some cases, the fabric member <NUM> of the seat assembly <NUM> may be a different material than fabric member <NUM> of the back assembly <NUM>. For example, fabric member <NUM> may be made of a first material and/or combination of materials, and fabric member <NUM> may be made of a second material and/or combination of materials different than the first material and/or combination of materials.

In addition, the portable chair <NUM> may be arranged in multiple seating positions from an upright position to multiple reclined positions. As shown in <FIG>, the portable chair <NUM> may be adjusted from an upright position shown in <FIG> to the reclined position illustrated in <FIG>. In the upright position, the seat assembly <NUM> and the back assembly <NUM> may form an angle of approximately <NUM> degrees, while in the fully reclined position the seat assembly <NUM> and the back assembly <NUM> may form an angle of approximately <NUM> degrees. Accordingly, the chair <NUM> may have angular difference of approximately <NUM> degrees between the upright position and the fully reclined position.

The adjustment of the portable chair <NUM> may be controlled by the relative position of the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> that are connected to the front legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the back legs <NUM>, <NUM>. As discussed above, the front legs <NUM>, <NUM> and back legs <NUM>, <NUM> may be pivotally attached to the armrests <NUM>, <NUM> at their respective sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM>. Each of the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> may be slidably engaged with its respective armrest <NUM>, <NUM>. As the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> move along their respective armrests <NUM>, <NUM>, the back assembly <NUM> of the chair <NUM> may adjust from an upright position to a reclined position. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the sliding pivot <NUM> (<NUM>) is slid rearward relative to the armrest <NUM> (<NUM>), the distance from the sliding pivot <NUM> (<NUM>) to the rear end <NUM> (<NUM>) of the armrest <NUM> is decreased causing the back assembly <NUM> to move forward and moving the chair <NUM> into the upright position. Similarly, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the sliding pivot <NUM> (<NUM>) is slid forward relative to the armrest <NUM> (<NUM>), the distance between the sliding pivot and the rear end <NUM> (<NUM>) is increased causing the back assembly <NUM> to move forward adjusting the chair <NUM> into a reclined position.

In order to control the position of the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM>, at least one or both of the armrests <NUM>, <NUM> or may include an armrest body <NUM>, <NUM> and a control assembly <NUM> for locking the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> in a fixed location so that the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> may only move when actively disengaged by a user to allow the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> to move relative to the armrest body <NUM>, <NUM> of the respective armrest <NUM>, <NUM>. As described herein, chair <NUM> may include one of the different control assembly examples <NUM> (200A-200E) shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. In addition, each control assembly <NUM> may be described with relation to the configuration of the control assembly <NUM> that works the same on either armrest <NUM> or <NUM>. It is understood that the control assembly <NUM> of armrest <NUM> may be arranged in a mirrored configuration on armrest <NUM>. As described and shown in the examples herein, the control assembly <NUM> may be described as it is arranged on armrest <NUM> with the understanding that the control assembly <NUM> on armrest <NUM> positioned opposite armrest <NUM> may be arranged in a similar manner as armrest <NUM>, but in a mirrored configuration about a central plane of the chair <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an armrest <NUM>, <NUM> with control assembly 200A configured to control the position of the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM>. The control assembly 200A may include sliding pivot 186A if the control assembly 200A is on armrest <NUM> (or sliding pivot 192A if the control assembly 200A is on armrest <NUM>), a guide rail or plurality of guide rails 202A positioned on a bottom side of the armrest body <NUM>, where the sliding pivot 186A is slidably engaged with the guide rails 202A, a set of engaging teeth 204A positioned adjacent the guide rail(s) 202A, a side paddle 206A that includes or is connected to the engaging teeth 204A, and a resilient member 208A (or plurality of resilient members). As shown in <FIG>, the sliding pivot 186A may have a set of engaging teeth 210A that engage a set of engaging teeth 204A on the side paddle 206A to keep the sliding pivot 186A locked in place. In addition, the resilient member(s) 208A may apply a force against the engaging teeth 204A to keep them engaged with the engaging teeth 210A located on the sliding pivot 186A. When a user wants to adjust the chair <NUM> from an upright to fully reclined position, or any position in between, the user applies an inward force on side paddle 206A, which causes the side paddle 206A to rotate upward. As the side paddle's movement overcomes the force applied by the resilient member(s) 208A, the engaging teeth 204A move upward to disengage from the engaging teeth 210A on the sliding pivot 186A. Once the engaging teeth 204A, 210A are disengaged from one another, the sliding pivot 186A may slide freely along the guide rail(s) 202A, thereby adjusting the position or angle of the back assembly <NUM> relative to the armrest <NUM>. Once the user releases the side paddle 206A, the resilient member(s) 208A again applies the force necessary for the engaging teeth 204A, 210A to contact one another, locking the sliding pivot 186A securely in place.

The sliding pivots 186A, 192A may include a clevis 219A on the lower end with an opening to receive a pin that extends though the clevis 219A and the respective front and back legs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to rotatably attach the legs to the respective armrest <NUM>, <NUM>. The sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> may also include a slide member 221A positioned opposite the clevis 219A to engage and at least partially wrap around the guide rail(s) 202A. In some examples, the sliding pivot 186A may include a bushing 217A that engages each guide rail <NUM> to provide smooth movement of the sliding pivot <NUM> along the guide rail <NUM>. In addition, the sliding pivots 186A, 192A may also include an engaging portion 223A that supports the engaging teeth 201A. The engaging portion 223A may be located adjacent the clevis 219A, such that the engaging teeth 210A are located outboard of the connection of the front and back legs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The guide rail 202A may have a fixed length with stops 225A on each end to prevent the sliding pivots <NUM>, <NUM> from traveling beyond the length of the guide rail(s) 202A. In some examples, guide rail(s) 202A may be members configured to allow the pivot 186A to slide freely. The guide rails 202A may have a cylindrical shape, rectangular shape, or other geometric shape to allow the pivot 186A to slidably engage the guide rails 202A. In some examples, the guide rails 202A may be integrally formed with the armrest body <NUM> (<NUM>), while in other examples, the guide rails 202A may be formed separately and attached to the armrest. In addition, the overall amount of travel of the sliding pivots 186A, 192A may be expressed as a ratio of the length of the sliding pivot. For instance, the overall travel of the sliding pivots 186A, 192A may be approximately <NUM> times the length of the pivot or within a range of <NUM> and <NUM> times the length of the pivot. The length of the pivot may be defined as a distance from a forward end to a rearward end of the slide member 221A of the sliding pivot 186A, where the length is oriented in a direction from a front to a rear of the armrest <NUM>, <NUM>.

The multiple teeth on each set of engaging teeth 204A, 210A allow the adjustment of multiple reclining positions for the chair <NUM>. The sets of engaging teeth 204A, 210A may be arranged linearly and have coarse arrangement. For example, the teeth may have a frequency of approximately <NUM> teeth per centimeter of length or within a range of <NUM> and <NUM> teeth per centimeter. This coarse arrangement may help the teeth have the adequate strength to support the loads while also providing a variety of reclining positions for a user. In addition, each tooth of engaging teeth 204A may have a chamfered edge 205A on the upper portion of the tooth. Each chamfered edge 205A may be on the side of the tooth nearest the actuation portion 207A of the side paddle 206A (i.e. outboard side of the engaging teeth 204A). In some instances, the engaging teeth 204A on the side paddle 206A may be arranged in an offset configuration with the engaging teeth 210A of the sliding pivot 186A, i.e. the centerline of the two sets of teeth 204A, 210A are spaced apart from each other, while in other instances, the centerline of both sets of engaging teeth 204A, 210A may be aligned with each other. In addition, the length of the engaging teeth 204A on the sliding pivot 186A may be expressed as a relationship of the overall length of the engaging teeth 210A on the armrest <NUM>. For examples, the length of the engaging teeth 204A may be approximately <NUM> times the overall length of the engaging teeth 210A on the armrest <NUM>, or within a range of <NUM> times and <NUM> times the overall length of the engaging teeth 210A on the armrest <NUM>, where the length is oriented in a direction from a front to a rear of the armrest <NUM>, <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the side paddle 206A may be located on an outboard side of armrest <NUM> or <NUM> and be used to control the recline angle of the chair <NUM>. The side paddle 206A may include an actuation portion 207A that receives the contact or force from a user, a receiver 209A that defines a rotational axis 212A and receives a pin 213A, and an engaging portion 211A extending from receiver 209A that includes an the engaging teeth 204A. The receiver 209A may be positioned between the actuation portion 207A and the engaging portion 211A. Engaging teeth 204A may be either integrally formed with the side paddle 206A or formed as a separate member and attached to the engaging portion 211A. Actuation portion 207A and engaging portion 211A may be substantially perpendicular to each other or arranged within a range of <NUM> and <NUM> degrees to each other. As discussed above, the side paddle 206A may be pivotally connected to the armrest <NUM> via pin 213A that engages a receiver 209A on the side paddle 206A and a receiver 215A on armrest <NUM>, such that a force applied to the actuation portion 207A of the side paddle 206A causes the actuation portion 207A to move inward and causes the engaging teeth 204A to simultaneously move upward as the side paddle 206A rotates about the hinged attachment axis 212A. Additionally, the actuation portion 207A of the side paddle 206A may have a width that extends downward beyond the bottom of the armrest <NUM>, while the teeth 204A extend generally horizontal such that the actuation portion 207A of the side paddle 2016A is oriented substantially perpendicular to the teeth 204A. This perpendicular configuration may be beneficial to use the width of the actuation portion 207A to act as a lever to help minimize the force needed by the user to overcome the force applied by the resilient member(s) 208A. The resilient member(s) 208A may be a single compression spring or a plurality of evenly spaced compression springs as shown in <FIG>.

As another feature, the armrest body <NUM> may have a substantially smooth top surface with a plurality of ribs <NUM> arranged on the bottom side of the armrest <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> may be arranged in a honeycomb pattern as shown in <FIG> and be positioned aft of the teeth 204A and extend to the rear end <NUM> of the armrest <NUM>. The ribs <NUM> may help to increase the stiffness of the armrest <NUM>, while helping to minimize its weight. In some examples, the ribs <NUM> may extend an entire length of the armrest. For example, the ribs <NUM> may have varying height such that the forward ribs 214A may be beneath the guide rails 202A.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate alternate control assembly 200B. The operation of control assembly 200B is generally similar to control assembly 200A illustrated in <FIG>, however, the engaging teeth 210B on the sliding pivot 186B are positioned along the side of the sliding pivot 186B such that a user may lift the handle 206B upward to disengage the engaging teeth 204B from the engaging teeth 210B, which allows the sliding pivot 186B to move freely along the guide rail 202B. The resilient member 208B may be a torsion spring to apply a force to keep the engaging teeth 210B engaged with the teeth 204B of the sliding pivot 186B.

<FIG> illustrate alternate control assembly 200C. The operation of control assembly 200C is generally similar to control assembly 200A illustrated in <FIG>, however, the button 206C is moved upward to disengage the engaging teeth 204C from the teeth 210C located on the top of the sliding pivot 186C. Once the teeth 210C are disengaged from the engaging teeth 204C, the sliding pivot 186C may move freely along the guide rail 202C. The resilient member 208C may be a compression spring (or plurality of compression springs) oriented to apply a force to keep the engaging teeth 210C engaged with the teeth 204C of the sliding pivot 186C.

<FIG> illustrate alternate control assembly 200D. The operation of control assembly 200C is generally similar to control assembly 200A illustrated in <FIG>, except in control assembly 200D, sliding pivot 186D has engaging teeth 210D secured within a pocket on top of the sliding pivot <NUM>. The engaging teeth 210D may be free to move vertically within the pocket to engage and disengage the teeth 210D from the teeth 204D on the armrest <NUM>. A resilient member 208D may be placed within the pocket on the sliding pivot 186D to apply the necessary force to keep the teeth 210D engaged to the teeth 204D of the armrest. The handle 206D may be directly attached or unitarily formed with the engaging teeth 210D, such that when a user pushes downward on the handle, the engaging teeth 210D move vertically away from the teeth 204D to disengage the teeth 210D and allow the pivot 186D to slide freely along the guide rail 202D.

<FIG> illustrate alternate control assembly 200E. Control assembly 200E may include engaging teeth 204E pivotally arranged on a lever handle 206E extending from a forward end of the armrest <NUM>. The sliding pivot 186E may have engaging teeth 210E on top of the pivot 186E to engage the engaging teeth 204E on the armrest <NUM>. A resilient member 208E, which may be a compression spring, applies a vertical force to the engaging teeth <NUM> to keep them engaged with the teeth 210E. To disengage the teeth, a user may pull upwards on the lever 206E, then the sliding pivot 186E may be free to slide along the guide slot 202E located in the inner surface of the armrest <NUM>. Once the lever is released by the user, the resilient member 208E applies the necessary force to engage the teeth 204E, 210E to lock the pivot 186E in place. Thereby securing the chair <NUM> in the desired position.

For the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the features are referred to using similar reference numerals under the "3xx" series of reference numerals, rather than "1xx" as used in the embodiments of <FIG>. Accordingly, certain features of the chair <NUM> that were already described above with respect to chair <NUM> of FIGS. <NUM> may be described in lesser detail, or may not be described at all. <FIG> illustrate alternate chair <NUM>. Chair <NUM> comprises a different leg configuration than chair <NUM> that allows chair <NUM> to recline into a substantially flat position. In other words, the seat assembly <NUM> and the back assembly <NUM> may be substantially coplanar as shown in <FIG> when in a fully reclined position. Chair <NUM> may have fabric retention members <NUM> and fabric members <NUM>, <NUM> that are similar to fabric retention members <NUM> and fabric members <NUM>, <NUM> as discussed above.

Chair <NUM> may comprise a front leg <NUM> and a second front leg <NUM> connected by a front sled <NUM>, a first back leg <NUM> and a second back leg <NUM> connected by a back sled <NUM>, a seat assembly <NUM>, and a back assembly <NUM>. The front legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the back legs <NUM>, <NUM> may be pivotally attached to the seat assembly <NUM>. In addition, the portable chair <NUM> may include a first armrest <NUM> that is pivotally connected to the first armrest support <NUM> near the forward end <NUM> of armrest <NUM> and also pivotally connected to the back assembly <NUM> near a rear end <NUM> of the armrest <NUM>. The first armrest support <NUM> may be connected to the armrest <NUM> at the forward connection point, <NUM> and may be pivotally connected to seat assembly <NUM> at the second end <NUM> of the armrest support <NUM>. Similarly, a second armrest <NUM> may be pivotally connected to a second armrest support <NUM> near the forward connection point <NUM> of armrest <NUM> and that has a first end <NUM> pivotally connected to seat assembly <NUM> also pivotally connected to the back assembly <NUM> near a rear end <NUM> of the armrest <NUM>. A cam or other locking device may be located at the connection points <NUM>, <NUM> to secure the chair <NUM> in the use position. The second armrest support <NUM> may be connected to the armrest <NUM> at the first end <NUM> and may be pivotally connected to seat assembly <NUM> at the second end <NUM> of the armrest support <NUM>. Additionally, chair <NUM> may have a symmetric construction where components on a left side of the chair <NUM> (i.e. front leg <NUM>) may be mirrored to the components of the right side of the chair <NUM> (i.e. front leg <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, chair <NUM> may be easily converted from the use position shown in <FIG> to a folded position shown in <FIG> for easy transport to another location or storage. Through actuation of the rotational and pivotable interfaces, portable chair <NUM> may be folded into a portable position as shown in <FIG> and unfolded into a seating position as shown in <FIG>. While in the folded portable position, the chair <NUM> may be locked and/or sustained in the folded portable position by one or more detents. The one or more detents may provide resistance against the opening of the chair <NUM> from the folded portable position into the unfolded seating position. While in the unfolded seating position, the one or more detents may additionally provide resistance against the closing of the chair <NUM> from the unfolded seating position into the folded portable position.

For further example, chair <NUM> may be configured to open from a folded portable position into an unfolded seating position. To fold the chair <NUM>, the front legs <NUM>, <NUM> may fold inward towards the back legs <NUM>, <NUM> and the back legs <NUM>, <NUM> may fold inward towards the front legs <NUM>, <NUM>. In the folded position, the front legs <NUM>, <NUM> may be substantially parallel to back legs <NUM>, <NUM> and seat assembly <NUM> may be substantially parallel to back assembly <NUM> as the back assembly folds onto the seat assembly <NUM>.

To adjust chair <NUM> from an upright position to a reclined position, the cam or other locking device at the connection points <NUM>, <NUM> may be loosened to allow the back assembly <NUM> to rotate away from the seat assembly <NUM>. In an upright position, the back assembly <NUM> may be arranged at an angle to the seat assembly <NUM> of approximately <NUM> degrees and in a fully reclined position, the back assembly <NUM> may form an angle with the seat assembly <NUM> of approximately <NUM> degrees or even greater than <NUM> degrees. The chair <NUM> may also be adjusted to a partially reclined position such that the back assembly <NUM> may form any angle between <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees with the seat assembly <NUM>. When moving to a reclined position the legs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be in an extended position as shown in <FIG> or in a retracted or folded position as shown in <FIG>. When the legs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are in the folded position, the chair <NUM> may rest on the forward rail <NUM> of the seat frame <NUM> and the top rail <NUM> of the back frame <NUM>. The seat side rails <NUM>, <NUM> may have a portion near the forward rail <NUM> that is curved downward and also a portion near the rear rail <NUM> that is curved downward. By curving the seat side rails downward, the forward rail <NUM> and the rear rail <NUM> may act as support surfaces for the chair <NUM> in some arrangements. Similarly, the side back rails <NUM>, <NUM> may also have a portion that is curved rearward near the top rail <NUM>. This rearward curving portion allows the top rail <NUM> to act as a support surface in a fully reclined position as shown in <FIG>.

For the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the features are referred to using similar reference numerals under the "4xx" series of reference numerals, rather than "1xx" as used in the embodiments of <FIG>. Accordingly, certain features of the chair <NUM> that were already described above with respect to chair <NUM> of FIGS. <NUM> may be described in lesser detail, or may not be described at all. <FIG>-<NUM> illustrate alternate chair <NUM>. Chair <NUM> includes a similar leg configuration to chair <NUM> except chair <NUM> has a back leg extension <NUM> between the back legs <NUM>, <NUM> and a back sled <NUM>, where the back leg extension(s) <NUM> extends in a different direction than the back legs <NUM>, <NUM>. Optionally, chair <NUM> may have a single, unitary fabric member <NUM> that connects to the seat frame <NUM> and to the back frame <NUM>, where the fabric member <NUM> extends from the forward rail <NUM> of the seat frame <NUM> to the top rail <NUM> of the back frame <NUM> of chair <NUM>. In addition, chair <NUM> may include a different fabric retention method than described above, where the fabric member <NUM> that is releasably connected to the seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM> as described in more detail below. Armrests <NUM>, <NUM> of chair <NUM> may each include any of the control assemblies 200A-200E described above to control chair <NUM> moving from an upright to a reclined position.

As shown in <FIG>, portable chair <NUM> may comprise a first front leg <NUM> and a second front leg <NUM> connected by a front sled <NUM>, a first back leg <NUM> and a second back leg <NUM>. Each back leg <NUM>, <NUM> may include a back leg extension <NUM> that extends outward away from an end of the back legs <NUM>, <NUM> and connects to the back sled <NUM>. Chair <NUM> may also include a seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM>. The seat frame <NUM> may further include front leg attachment portions <NUM>, <NUM> to pivotally connect and/or fasten the front legs <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, to the seat frame <NUM>. In addition, portable chair <NUM> may include a first armrest <NUM> that is a pivotally connected to the first front leg <NUM> and the first back leg <NUM> at a sliding pivot <NUM> near the front end <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> and also pivotally connected to the back assembly <NUM> at a second connection point <NUM> near the rear end of the first armrest <NUM>. Similarly, a second armrest <NUM> may also be pivotally connected to the second front leg <NUM> and the second back leg <NUM> at a sliding pivot <NUM> near the front end <NUM> of the armrest <NUM> and also pivotally connected to the back assembly <NUM> at a second connection point <NUM> the rear end of the second armrest <NUM>. Additionally, chair <NUM> may be of a symmetric construction where components on a left side of the chair <NUM> (i.e. front leg <NUM>) may be mirrored to the components of the right side of the chair <NUM> (i.e. front leg <NUM>).

As discussed above, the back legs <NUM>, <NUM> may each include a back leg extension <NUM>. The back leg extension <NUM> may extend rearwardly from a rearmost end of the back legs <NUM>, <NUM>. Each back leg extension <NUM> may extend substantially parallel to a ground plane when the chair is in an unfolded configuration and may form an obtuse angle <NUM> with its respective back leg <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, as shown <FIG>, angle <NUM> may be a supplementary angle (i.e. the sum of the two angles equals <NUM> degrees) with angle <NUM> that is formed between a ground plane and either of the back legs <NUM>, <NUM>. Accordingly, back leg extension <NUM> may assist in supporting the chair and may provide additional rear support when the chair <NUM> in in a fully reclined position as shown in <FIG>. In some examples, the back leg extension <NUM> may have a length <NUM> defined as a percentage of the overall length <NUM> defined as the distance between a forwardmost end of the front sled <NUM> to a rearmost end of the back sled <NUM> when the chair <NUM> is in an unfolded configuration. For instance, the back leg extension <NUM> may have a length <NUM> that is approximately <NUM> percent of the overall length <NUM> or may be within a range of <NUM> percent and <NUM> percent of the overall length <NUM>. The length <NUM> of the back leg extension <NUM> may be defined as the distance from the rearmost end of the back sled <NUM> to a center of the radius or transition between the back leg <NUM> and back leg extension <NUM>.

The two front legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the two back legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the front sled <NUM>, the back sled <NUM> along with the rails of the seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM> may be cylindrical rods, tubes, and/or shafts, or other hollow shape. The front legs <NUM>, <NUM> and front sled <NUM> may be formed as a single member. Similarly, the back legs <NUM>, <NUM>, back leg extensions <NUM>, and back sled <NUM> may be formed as a single member. These components may be made of, for example, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, metal alloys, polymers, composites, carbon fiber, and/or wood, such as bamboo. In instances in which aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, scandium, and/or metal alloys are used in the fabrication of the two front legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the two back legs <NUM>, <NUM>, the back leg extensions <NUM>, the front sled <NUM>, the back sled <NUM> along with the rails of the seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM>, the metallic components may be hydroformed, cast, or formed by another method known to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, the metallic components may be treated through anodizing, plating, painting, powder coating, and/or the application of enamel in order to prevent corrosion induced by environmental conditions such as salt spray. Additionally, the metals and alloys used in the fabrication of the legs <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the sleds <NUM>, <NUM>, back leg extensions <NUM>, and the rails of the frames <NUM>, <NUM> may be treated through annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, normalizing, and/or quenching in order to increase hardness, toughness, and tensile and shear strength.

Chair <NUM> may have a chair fabric member <NUM> that releasably connects to both the seat frame <NUM> and the back frame <NUM>. The fabric member <NUM> may extend from the forward rail <NUM> of the seat frame <NUM> to the top rail <NUM> of the back frame <NUM>. The fabric member <NUM> may also extend across from the first side seat rail <NUM> to the second side seat rail <NUM> opposite of the first side seat rail <NUM> of the seat frame <NUM> and also extend across the first side back rail <NUM> to the second side back rail <NUM> opposite the first side back rail <NUM>.

The chair fabric member <NUM> may be secured to the seat frame <NUM> and the back frame <NUM> respectively with a plurality of fabric retention members <NUM> that are located along the seat frame <NUM> and back frame <NUM>. In some examples, the plurality of fabric retention members <NUM> may be a plurality of complementary mechanical fasteners, wherein each complementary mechanical fastener <NUM> may include a first mechanical element 451A and a second mechanical element 451B that connect together to form a releasable connection as shown in <FIG>. For example, the complementary mechanical fasteners <NUM> may be snaps, buttons, screws, quarter-turn screws, quarter-turn cams, or other quick release fastener known to one skilled in the art. For example, the fabric retention members <NUM> may be snaps, as shown in <FIG>, where a plurality of a female portions of the snaps <NUM> are permanently attached to the fabric member <NUM> and these female portion of the snaps <NUM> releasably connect to a plurality of corresponding male portions of snaps <NUM> permanently attached to the seat frame <NUM> and the back frame <NUM>. The releasable connection may allow a user to easily remove the fabric member <NUM> to clean the fabric separately from the chair <NUM> or replace a fabric member <NUM> if it has become damaged. Fabric member <NUM> may have a plurality of side portions <NUM> along with forward and top portions <NUM>, where each side portion <NUM> may be secured to one of the first side seat rail <NUM>, the second side seat rail <NUM>, the first side back rail <NUM>, and the second side back rail <NUM> using a plurality of mechanical fasteners <NUM>. The side portions <NUM> of the fabric member <NUM> may include one of a first mechanical element 451A or a second mechanical element 451B of the fabric retention members <NUM>. Fabric member <NUM> may include forward and top portions <NUM> that form a sleeve or pocket that receive the forward rail <NUM> and top rail <NUM> respectively. Alternatively, the forward and top portions <NUM> may releasably connect to the forward rail <NUM> and top rail <NUM> similarly to releasable connection of the side portions <NUM> of fabric member <NUM> using a plurality of mechanical fasteners <NUM>.

In addition, one of a first mechanical element 451A or a second mechanical element 451B of the fabric retention members <NUM> may be arranged on an inner surface of the first side seat rail <NUM>, the second side seat rail <NUM>, the first side back rail <NUM>, and the second side back rail <NUM>. In some examples, the first or second mechanical elements 451A, 451B may be evenly spaced apart along the first side seat rail <NUM>, the second side seat rail <NUM> of the seat frame <NUM> and also evenly spaced apart along the first side back rail <NUM>, and the second side back rail <NUM> of the back frame <NUM>. In addition, a first set of fabric retention members <NUM> positioned on the first side seat rail <NUM> may face and also be aligned with a second set of fabric retention members <NUM> positioned on the second side seat rail <NUM>. Similarly, a third set of fabric retention members <NUM> positioned on the first side back rail <NUM> may face and be aligned with a fourth set of fabric retention members <NUM> positioned on the second side back rail <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A portable chair (<NUM>) comprising:
a first front leg (<NUM>) and a second front leg (<NUM>) connected by a front sled (<NUM>);
a first back leg (<NUM>) and a second back leg (<NUM>) connected by a back sled (<NUM>);
a seat frame (<NUM>) pivotally engaged with the first front leg (<NUM>) and the second front leg (<NUM>), wherein the seat frame (<NUM>) includes a forward rail (<NUM>), a rear rail (<NUM>) opposite the forward rail (<NUM>), a first seat side rail (<NUM>) extending between the forward rail (<NUM>) and the rear rail (<NUM>), and a second seat side rail (<NUM>) extending between the forward rail (<NUM>) and the rear rail (<NUM>) opposite the first seat side rail (<NUM>);
a fabric retention member (<NUM>) attached to the seat frame (<NUM>), wherein the fabric retention member (<NUM>) includes a rounded exterior surface (<NUM>), a first interior cavity (<NUM>), and a second interior cavity (<NUM>), wherein the first interior cavity (<NUM>) engages a portion of the seat frame (<NUM>), wherein the first interior cavity (<NUM>) has a partial cylindrical shape and the second interior cavity (<NUM>) has a partial cylindrical shape, and wherein the first interior cavity (<NUM>) has a larger radius than the second interior cavity (<NUM>); and
a fabric member (<NUM>) having a first end secured to the seat frame by the fabric retention member, wherein the first end of the fabric member (<NUM>) is secured in the second interior cavity (<NUM>) of the fabric retention member (<NUM>), and the fabric member (<NUM>) wraps around a portion of the rounded exterior surface (<NUM>) of the fabric retention member (<NUM>) before extending across an unsupported region of the seat frame (<NUM>).