GB2331233A

GB2331233A - A collapsible combined sun-bed and deck-chair

Info

Publication number: GB2331233A
Application number: GB9723964A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Truss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-11-14
Filing date: 1997-11-14
Publication date: 1999-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2017-11-14
Also published as: GB2331233A9; GB2331233B; GB2331233A8; GB9723964D0

Abstract

A collapsible combined sun bed and deck chair comprises a rectangular frame 1-10, cross members 36,37 joining opposite sides of the frame, legs 11-14 and a cover. The frame sides 1-3 and 6-8 each comprise three pivotally connected portions, with each end portion 1,3,6,8 being foldable onto the central portion 2,7. The frame ends 4,5,9,10 and cross members 36,37 each comprise two pivotally connected portions which can be folded to allow the two frame sides to move together. Each leg is connected to the side frame through pivotable couplings 15-18 and has a telescopic extension 31-34 allowing its height to be adjusted. Each leg carries a lockable collar 29, connected to the side frame outer ends 1,3,6,8 by struts 25-28, which can be locked in selected positions along the height of the respective leg to adjust the angle of the side frame outer ends.

Description

2331233 1 FOLDABLE ITEMS OF FURNITURE This invention relates to

collapsible or foldable items of furniture and more especially to a combination sun-bed and deck-chair which can selectively be folded to define either a sun-bed or a chair and which can be collapsed into a compact rectangular structure for ease of carriage and storage.

Conventionally collapsible sun-beds and deck-chairs are marketed as separate items. These generally comprise a framework of, for example, lightweight tubing or struts covered with a cloth of suitable quality. The height of a sun-bed when assembled is generally less than that of a deckchair and normally has selectively inclinable foot and head rest sections. The seating section of a deck-chair generally requires to be at a greater height above the ground and does not normally have a foot-rest section. Both sun-beds and deck-chairs may or may not include arm-rests.

Deck-chairs and sun-beds serve similar but different purposes. The structure of each is such that its size even when folded causes difficulties for both carriage and storage.

The present invention sets out to provide a combined collapsible sun- 2 bed and deck-chair which can be selectively folded to define either a sunbed or deck-chair and which can be collapsed to a compact structure for ease of carriage and storage.

In one aspect, the invention provides a combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair which comprises a covered foldable frame, the frame comprising a plurality of pivotably connected tubular frame pieces which together define the sides and ends of the frame, a plurality of pivotably connected cross-members which connect the frame sides together, and a plurality of legs for supporting the frame whose length can selectively be varied, each side of the frame comprising three pivotably connected frame members which can be folded so that the end side members fold over and onto the central side members, each frame end comprising two pivotably connected frame members which pivot inwardly to enable the frame sides to move together, and each cross-member comprising two pivotably connected members which fold together to enable the frame sides to move together.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame of a combined sun-bed and deck- chair in accordance with the invention when assembled to define a sunbed; Figure 2 shows the combined sun-bed and deck-chair of Figure 1 when covered with a material; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame illustrated in Figure 1 when folded to define a deck-chair; Figure 4 shows the frame illustrated in Figure 3 when covered; 3 Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of the frame illustrated in Figure 1 and partially and fully folded; Figure 7 shows a frame during folding; and Figures 8 and 9 show the frame fully folded with and without arm rests.

The frame of a combined sun-bed and deck-chair in accordance with the invention will now be described with particular reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the drawings.

As will be seen from Figure 1 of the drawings, the frame is bordered by a series of pivotably connected tubular frame members 1 to 10 supported by tubular legs 11 to 14. Each leg is connected to its respective frame member through pivotable couplings 15 to 18. Thus coupling 15 connects leg 11 to frame members 1, 2; coupling 16 connects leg 12 to frame members 2,3; coupling 17 connects leg 13 to frame members 6, 7; and coupling 18 connect leg 14 to frame members 7, 8. Each coupling is constructed to enable its connected frame members and leg to pivot with respect to one another. Frame members 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 define the sides of the frame and frame members 4, 5 and 9, 10 define the ends of the frame. Frame members 4, 5 and 9, 10 are respectively connected by central pivots 19, 20 and the frame members 4, 5, 9, 10 are connected respectively to frame members 3, 6, 8 and 1 through pivots 21 to 24. The pivots 19 to 24 enable the frame members 4, 5, 9, 10 to fold inwards from the position shown in Figure 1 to positions shown in Figures 5 and 6.

Legs 11 to 14 are respectively connected to frame members 1, 3, 6 and 8 through pivotabie struts 25 to 28. Each leg carries a lockable collar 29 which can be locked in a selected position along the height of the respective leg through a spring loaded pin operated by a catch 30 which 4 engages in a selected one of a series of holes formed in each leg. Thus the angle at which the frame members 1, 8 and 3, 6 are inclined to the central frame members 2, 7 can be adjusted.

Frame members 1 and 8 to 10 define a foot rest area of the combined sunbed and deck-chair, the frame members 2 and 7 define a seating area and frame members 3 to 6 define a head rest area.

Each tubular leg 11 to 14 has an internally mounted telescopic tubular extension 31 to 34 respectively (see Figures 3 and 4). The height of the seating area of the frame above the ground can therefore be adjusted simply by selectively moving each extension leg relative to the leg within which it is housed. The extension legs are locked in position by pegs or the like which locate within complementary holes formed in the legs and the extensions.

The legs 11 and 14 carry at their upper ends brackets 35 to which are pivotably connected links 36, 37 respectively. Links 36 and 37 are themselves connected through a pivot 38. The links 36, 37 are interconnected through crosslinks 39, 40 the latter having a bridge 41 which prevents folding of the crosslinks in a downwardly direction. An identical arrangement of crosslinks connect legs 12 and 13 together. These links enable the frame to fold inwardly to the positions shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The legs 11, 14 and 12, 13 are connected at their lower ends through pairs of parallel cross struts 42, 43. Each strut comprises a pair of half struts connected through pivots 44; the struts 42, 43 are connected for pivotable movement to brackets secured to the legs. Stops 45, 46 are secured to the struts 42, 43 to ensure that, when assembled, the struts adopt the positions shown in Figure 1.

The pivots 44 are also connected through brackets 47 to a central lengthwise extending strut 48 which is secured at its ends through pivots 49 to the brackets 47. When in the positions shown in Figures 1 to 4, strut 48 prevents relative movement between the legs 11 to 14.

The struts 42, 43 fold upwardly as shown in Figure 5 to enable the side frame pieces to move to the positions shown in Figure 6.

Foldable arm rests 50 are secured to the frame members 6, 7 and 2, 3 through pivotable struts 51 and pivots 52.

As will be seen from Figure 2, the frame is covered in a generally conventional manner with a fabric 53.

The frame is shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a position in which it defines a sun-bed. Conversion of frame to the deck-chair assembly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is accomplished simply by lowering the telescopic extension legs 31 to 34 and locking these in the selected positions. The foot rest area of the frame can then be lowered and the head rest area raised.

When the frame is to be collapsed, the frame sides are simply moved inwardly as shown in Figure 5 until these reach the fully folded positions shown in Figure 6. In this position it will be seen that the crosslinks 42, 43 are folded upwardly between the legs 11 to 14 with the central strut 48 lying between the side frame members 2, 7. The folded frame members 3 to 6 are then folded in the direction of arrow A of Figure 6 and the folded frame members 1, 8, 9 and 10 are folded downwardly in the direction of arrow B of Figure 6. When so folded, the frame takes the position illustrated in Figure 7. The legs 11 to 14 are then folded inwardly in the directions of arrows C and D of Figure 7 to produce the compact structure illustrated in Figure 8. If no arm rests are provided then the final compact structure is as shown in Figure 9.

e 6 It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of collapsible combined sun-bed and deck-chair assemblies in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

J 7

Claims

A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair which comprises a covered foldable frame, the frame comprising a plurality of pivotably connected tubular frame pieces which together define the sides and ends of the frame, a plurality of pivotably connected cross-members which connect the frame sides together, and a plurality of legs for supporting the frame whose length can selectively be varied, each side of the frame comprising three pivotably connected frame members which can be folded so that the end side members fold over and onto the central side members, each frame end comprising two pivotably connected frame members which pivot inwardly to enable the frame sides to move together, and each cross-member comprising two pivotably connected members which fold together to enable the frame sides to move together.
A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein the legs are connected to frame members through pivotable struts.
3.

A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each leg carries a lockable collar which can be locked in selected positions along the height of the respective leg through a spring-loaded pin operated by a catch.
A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each leg is of tubular cross-section and includes an internally mounted telescopic extension whose height within the respective leg can be adjusted.
5. A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein each leg carries at its upper end a bracket to 8 which are pivotably connected links, the links being interconnected through cross-links having a bridge which prevents folding of the crosslinks in a downward direction.
6. A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair wherein pairs of legs are connected at their lower ends through pairs of cross-struts.
7. A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair further comprising foldable arm rests secured to frame members through pivotable struts and pivots.
8. A combined collapsible sun-bed and deck-chair substantially as herein 1.

described and as described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.