GB2446121A

GB2446121A - Foldable and collapsible deck chair

Info

Publication number: GB2446121A
Application number: GB0701938A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Crispin Osborne
Original assignee: SAMUEL DAVID OSBORNE
Current assignee: SAMUEL DAVID OSBORNE
Priority date: 2007-02-01
Filing date: 2007-02-01
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-01
Also published as: GB2446121B; GB0701938D0

Abstract

A deck chair has separate head and foot frame portions which may be folded to lie adjacent a middle frame portion and which may also be collapsed to reduce the overall width of each portion. The deck chair comprises: first and second head pivots 2,3; first and second head frame parts 6,8, each connected to a respective one of the first and second head pivots 2,3 and being pivotally connected to one another; first and second foot pivots 4,5 connected to the first and second head pivots respectively by first and second middle frame parts; first and second foot frame parts 15, 16 each pivotally connected to a respective one of the first and second foot pivots 4,5 and pivotally connected to each other; leg parts 23, 25, 27, 28 for supporting the first and second head pivots 2,3; and first and second foot pivots 4,5 above ground, wherein the first and second head frame parts 6,8 and first and second foot frame parts are movable from a folded position to an open position, wherein, in the folded position, first and second head frame parts 6,8 each lie adjacent to one another and adjacent to the middle frame parts and the first and second foot frame parts 15,16 lie adjacent to one another and adjacent to the middle frame parts.

Description

FOLDABLE DECK CHAIR

Introduction

The present invention relates to a foldable deck chair frame and a foldable deck chair.

Foldable deck chairs are well known, and typically have a pair of open square frames that cross one another at a pivot to provide, in an open position, support for a cloth seat which extends between respective edges of the two frames. In the folded position, the chair adopts a flat, planar, configuration. There is a desire to provide a design of deck chair which can be folded into a smaller configuration than the conventional deck chair.

WO 02/43530 discloses a deck chair provided with side frames having cross pieces interconnected in an X shape, in which the side frames are hinged together at their backs on a rear upright to form, when in use, an isosceles triangle. To close the chair, the cross pieces are slid up a longitudinal slot in the upright so that they become flat. The chair can be folded away into a very small size.

However, the support provided for the cloth seat is relatively low, which reduces the comfort and stability of the design. There is also a desire to provide a deck chair which can be used for lying as well as sitting.

The present inventor has therefore set out to provide a foldable deck chair which can be folded away to a very small size, which provides a well shaped support for a fabric for a user to rest on, which is stable in use and can be used for lying on as well as sitting.

The present inventor has realised that a middle part of the deck chair frame may be defined by four pivot points, connected by pivotable head and foot frames which can be folded in, to lie next to one another and on top of the middle part of the chair.

Brief description of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a foldable deck chair frame, comprising: first and second head pivots, first and second head frame parts, each connected to a respective one of the first and second head pivots, and being pivotally connected to one another, first and second foot pivots, connected to the first and second head pivots respectively, first and second middle frame parts, first and second foot frame parts, each pivotally connected to a respective one of a first and second foot pivots and pivotally connected at a foot end to each other, leg parts for supporting the first and second head pivots and first and second foot pivots, the first and second head frame parts and first and second foot frame parts being movable from a folded position to an open position, wherein, in the folded position, the first and second head frame parts lie adjacent to one another and adjacent to the middle frame parts and the first and second foot frame parts lie adjacent to one another and adjacent to the middle frame parts.

The present invention further provide a foldable deck chair comprising a foldable deck chair frame according to the invention, with a fabric for a user to rest on, attached thereto.

The present invention allows a foldable deckchair frame to be folded on the horizontal axis as well as the vertical axis, allowing the frame to folded up in a very small volume.

The first and second head pivots and the first and second foot pivots (hereinafter the pivots') define four corners of a quadrilateral, suitably a substantially rectangular or square figure, which can provide a good support for a fabric. The pivots are supported above the ground by the legs. The head frame parts together can provide a support for a fabric which can support the head. The middle frame part can provide a support for a fabric for resting or sitting on. The foot frame parts together can provide a support for a fabric which can support the legs and feet.

These fabrics may be separate or connected.

Preferred and optional features of the present invention will be described further below.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The pivots of the present invention may be formed in any suitable way. Suitably, they comprise a first pivot element which lies adjacent to and moveable with respect to a second pivot element. The first and second pivot elements may be connected by a shaft element or journal to form a stable pivot. One pivot element may be in the form of a clevis, having two arms between which the other pivot element is received.

A pivotal connection between two frame parts of the present invention may be formed of a single pivot or more than one pivot.

A pivot may allow pivoting about more than one axis. This can be useful in the present invention, where the chair is folded in at least two dimensions. For example, the pivot may comprise a first pivot unit for pivoting around a first axis and a second pivot unit for pivoting around a second axis at an angle to the first axis. Alternatively, the pivot may comprise a ball and socket joint.

Preferably, at least some of the first and second head pivots, first and second foot pivots and the pivots between the first and second head frame part and the pivot between the first and second foot frame parts allow respective pivoted parts to move with respect to one another in only one plane. Preferably, planes in which adjacent pivots allow respective frame parts to move are not parallel nor at 90 , as will be explained further below. Preferably, respective pivots lie at an angle of about 30700, more preferably 45- 60 with respect to adjacent pivots, when the frame is in the open position. Where it is stated that the first and second foot frame part are pivotally connected to each other at a foot end, it is meant that, in the open position, they are pivotally connected at a position which will be horizontally displaced from the first and second foot frame pivots.

The pivot units may be joined together by a short shaft, which is significantly shorter than the frame parts.

At least one pivot clamp may be provided, for clamping a pivot in the folded or open position, for stability. The pivot clamp may comprise any suitable design, for example a ratchet. The ratchet may, in a first configuration, permit movement in a first direction only, movement in the opposite direction only being permitted when the pivot has accomplished full travel in the first direction. The clamp may comprise a friction clamp, for example comprising two clamp surfaces which are urged towards one another, for example by a first screw threaded part being rotated with respect to a second screw threaded part.

Further frame parts may be provided for connecting the pivots, these frame parts, if present, being capable of folding to allow the chair to adopt the folded position. For example, they may comprise a plurality of arm sections pivotally connected to one another. The further frame parts preferably extend laterally in the open position.

Further frame parts may constrain the middle frame parts to lie in substantially the same plane, thereby preventing undesirable twisting of one side of the frame with respect to the other side.

At least one of further frame part may comprise a toggle arrangement, for example one in which two arm sections can rotate with respect to one another until stop parts on the respective arm sections abut one another, the arm sections being arranged to, so that in use, loads will tend to force the stop parts into contact, folding being achieved by moving the arm sections in the direction which moves the stop parts away from one another.

Such a toggle arrangement can be used to lock the deck chair in the open position.

Preferably, at least one toggle arrangement joins the first and second head pivots.

Further frame parts may be in the form of lazy tongs, preferably comprising first and second members, pivotally connected at their ends to frame parts or parts connected to the frame parts and pivotally connected at their other ends to third and fourth members which are themselves pivotally connected together and which are pivotally connected at their far ends to frame parts or parts connected to the frame parts.

Pivots allow respective pivoted members to move in a plane. As different pivots will require different members to move in different planes, depending upon which configuration the chair is in, it may be necessary to provide means for allowing the plane of rotation of one pivot to rotate with respect to the plane of rotation of another pivot. In a preferred embodiment, frame parts, preferably the middle frame parts, comprise first and second frame part members which extend in substantially the same direction but which can rotate with respect to one another around an axis which is substantially parallel to their direction of extension, the frame members being rigidly connected at their respective ends to respective pivots.

In order that the chair shall fold in its folded state to a closely folded condition, it is preferred that, if the plane of a pivot (which may be defined as a plane normal to the axis about which rotation occurs) is at an angle to the axis of at least one frame part, the axis of a corresponding frame part which is joined to the first frame part at the pivot lies at substantially the same angle to the plane of the pivot.

Preferably, the frame parts are of substantially the same length. In this way, when folded up, all of the frame parts lie adjacent to one another, allowing the minimum folded length for a given overall length in the unfolded state.

The leg parts are provided for supporting the first, second, third and fourth pivots. The leg parts contact the ground in use. They support the first, second, third and fourth pivot at a suitable distance above the ground for example, in excess of 10 cm, more preferably in the range 15-50 cm. The leg parts may be integral with a respective frame part. They may be pivoted with respect to adjacent frame parts. The leg parts may be pivoted at the pivots with respect to frame parts. Means may be provided for locking the leg parts in a desired position for stability. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one leg part comprises two leg members, pivotally connected together as a first end and each pivotaHy connected to a respective frame part, the frame parts being themselves pivotally connected at a pivot. In this way, when the frame parts are pivoted with respect to one another to adopt the open configuration, the leg members are moved into the desired position for supporting the pivot above the ground. Preferably, no other action is required by the user to move the leg parts into this position. If the frame parts are locked with respect to one another, for example by a pivot clamp, the leg part is automatically locked in the desired position.

At least one leg brace may be provided between a leg part and at least one other component, for example transverse members such as further frame parts, the leg braces may be pivotally connected at suitable points.

The foldable deck chair frame of the invention may be supplied with at least one fabric cover for providing the seat. Preferably, the fabric cover is removably attachable to the frame. In this way, the seat can be removed for washing, replacing etc. Preferably, the fabric seat extends, in the open position, for substantially the whole length of the chair.

Fabric support points may be provided on at least some of the frame parts for supporting the fabric. Preferably, there are fabric support points at the end which, in the open position, is at to the top end and at the end which, in the open position, is at the bottom end.

The elements of the foldable deck chair may be made of any suitable material, for example wood, synthetic material such as thermoplastic or composite materials, metal such as steel or aluminium or any combination of any of these materials.

The present invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a sketch plan view, not to scale, of a foldable deck chair frame according to the present invention, in the open position.

Fig. 2 is a sketch perspective view of a deck chair frame according to the present invention, in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a sketch perspective view of the deck chair according to the invention in a closed position.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a head pivot, viewed from the inside of the frame, in the open position.

Fig. 5 shows a sketch perspective view of the head pivot of Figure 4 during the folding operation.

Detailed descriDtiOn of the drawings Fig. I shows a sketch plan view of a foldable deck chair frame according to the present invention in an open position.

It comprises first and second head pivots 2, 3 and first and second foot pivots 4, 5.

The head pivot 2 provides a pivot point between a first head frame part 6 and a first middle frame part member 7. The second head pivot 3 provides a pivot point between a second head frame part 8 and a second middle frame part 9. The first and second head frame parts 6 and 8 are pivoted to one another at a top pivot 10.

The first middle frame part member 7 is connected to a second middle frame part member 11 by a hinge 12 which allows the first and third middle frame part members to twist with respect to one another about an axis which is substantially coincident with their axes. The second middle frame part member 11 is pivoted at first pivot 4 to a first foot framepart 15.

Together, the first middle frame part member 7 and second middle frame part member II define the first middle frame part. The first and second middle frame part members extend along substantially the same axis.

On the other side, in exactly the same way, the third middle frame part member is hingedly connected at hinge 14 to a fourth middle frame part member 13 which is itself pivoted at foot pivot 5 to a second foot frame part 16. The third middle frame part member and fourth middle frame part member 13 together form the second middle frame part. The first and second foot frame parts 15 and 16 are pivoted to one another ata lower pivot 17.

It can be seen from Fig. I and Fig. 2 that each of the pivots 2, 3, 4, 5 is formed of a web (for example 18 at pivot 2) which extends upwardly from the respective frame (in this case, middle frame part member 7) and an adjacent web (19 in the case of pivot 2) which extends upwardly from the respective frame part, in this case first head frame part 6. The plane in which these webs 18 and 19 slide over one another defines the plane of the pivot. The pivot further comprises a brass structure having a pivot shaft (not shown) extending between pivot heads 20. At one end, the pivot shaft is screw threaded and engages a threaded bore in a lever 21. By rotating the lever 21, locking pressure can be brought to bear on the pivot 2 to lock it in the open or folded position.

The web 18 comprises a further pivot 22. This pivot 22 is made of brass and comprises a pair of pivot heads. At the pivot 22, the head of a first head leg element 23 is pivoted to the web 18. The second web 19 similarly comprises a further pivot 24 at which a second leg element is pivoted to the web 19. The first and second head leg elements 23 and 25 are themselves pivotally connected together at a leg pivot 26, which can be seen in Fig. 2. An exactly corresponding structure (in mirror image form) is reproduced at the second head pivot 3.

Further corresponding structures are reproduced at the first and second foot pivots 4 and 5, where foot leg elements 27, 28 are pivotally connected to respective webs 29 and 30.

The foot end leg elements 27 and 28 are themselves pivotally connected to one another at a pivot 31 as shown in Fig. 2.

It can be seen in Fig. 1 that the plane of the pivot 10 is different to the planes of the pivots 2 and 3. The planes of the pivots 4 and 5 are also different to the plane of the pivot 17. In order that the points generally defining the vertices A, B, C and D of the structure shall lie together, at least approximately, in the closed position, it is required that the head frame part 6, middle frame part 7 also lie at angle to the plane of the pivot 2, being the same as the angle between the plane of the pivot 20 and the plane of the pivot 10.

Similar comments apply to the arrangement of the planes of pivots 17 and 4.

A lateral brace 32 is provided at the head end, comprising a first brace part 34 which is pivotally connected at one end 33 to the web 18 and is pivotally connected at the other end 34 to a second brace part 35. The brace parts 34 and 35 are configured as a toggle arrangement. This will explained further below in relation to Figs. 4 and 5. In the lower, locked position, the brace parts 34 and 35 keep the pivots 2 and 3 at a fixed distance from one another, adding to the stability of the structure. By moving in the unlocking direction, folding of the structure is permitted.

For further stability, a leg brace 36 extends from a pivot 37 on the first brace part 34 to a position on the first leg element 23. A corresponding structure appears on the other side.

At the foot end, a lazy tongs' arrangement is provided 39, extending between the web 29, leg element 28 and corresponding structures on the opposite side. This provides additional support for the leg element 28 and guidance during unfolding.

In order to fold the deck chair structure, the lateral brace 32 will be moved from its locked position, upwards (towards the viewer in the plane of Fig. I) and any locked pivots will be released. Then, in a first movement, the head frame parts 6 and 8 are folded in a direction extending out of the plane of Fig. I towards the viewer, to lie on top of the middle frame part members 7 and 9. Similarly, the foot frame parts 15 and 16 are folded in a direction normal to the plane of Fig. I away from the viewer to lie on the opposite side of the middle frame part members 7 and 9.

In a second step, the head frame parts 6 and 8 are brought together, the middle frame part members 7 and 9 are brought together and the foot frame parts 15 and 16 are brought together to yield the compact closed structure shown in Fig. 3. Any torsional twisting applied by the various movements to the middle frames and can be absorbed by the hinges 12 and 14.

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the head end leg, in the open position. Fig. 4 may be taken as a view of the leg from the inside of the structure looking out. Fig. 4 provides a further view of the structure of the lateral brace element 32, the brace 36 and the action of the toggle lock. It can be seen that, at the hinge point 34, the respective ends 40 of the brace elements 34 and 35 will abut, acting as stop parts, preventing further rotation of the brace parts 34 and 35 in the downward direction of Fig. 4. That is, the brace parts are locked in the position shown in Fig. 4. They can be released by being pushed in the direction of the arrow A shown in Fig. 5. In this direction, which will be the upward direction, hence directed away from natural gravitational loads, the toggle arrangement can break so that the brace elements 34 and 35 can be folded towards one another. Fig. shows the positions of various elements as the head frame part 6 is moved towards the middle frame part member 7. It can be seen that the leg elements 23 and 24 are also folded. Their inner peripheries are designed so that they will not bind or foul on the outer edges of the webs 18 and 19 as they enter the folded position.

The present invention has been described above by way of example only and modifications can be made within the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: I. A foldable deck chair frame, comprising: first and second

head pivots, first and second head frame parts, each connected to a respective one of the first and second head pivots, and being pivotally connected to one another, first arid second foot pivots, connected to the first and second head pivots respectively by first and second middle frame parts, first and second foot frame parts, each pivotally connected to a respective one of the first and second foot pivots and pivotally connected at a foot end to each other, leg parts for supporting the first and second head pivots and first and second foot pivots.

the first and second head frame parts and first and second foot frame parts being movable from a folded position to an open position, wherein, in the folded position, the first and second head frame parts lie adjacent to one another and adjacent to the middle frame parts and the first and second foot frame parts lie adjacent to one another and adjacent to the middle frame parts.
2. A foldable deck chair frame according to claim 1, further comprising at least one pivot clamp, for clamping a pivot in the folded or open position.
3. The foldable deck chair frame according to claim I or 2, wherein at least two pivot points are further connected by further frame parts, the further frame parts being capable of folding.
4. A foldable deck chair frame according to claim 3, wherein the further frame parts extend laterally, when the chair is in the open position.
5. A foldable deck chair frame according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a further frame part comprises a toggle arrangement.
6. A foldable deck chair frame according to claims 3 to 5, wherein a further frame part comprises lazy tongs.
7. A foldable deck chair frame according to any preceding claim, wherein means are provided for allowing the plane of rotation of one pivot to be rotatably adjusted with respect to the plane of rotation of another pivot.
8. A foldable deckchair frame according to claim 7, wherein at least one frame part comprises first and second frame part members which extend in substantially the same direction and which can rotate with respect to one another around an axis which is substantially parallel to their direction of extension.
9. A foldable deck chair frame according to claim 8, wherein the first and second middle frame part members together define a middle frame part.
10. A foldable deck chair frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the leg parts are pivoted at the pivots.
11. A foldable deck chair frame according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one leg part comprises two leg members pivotally connected together at a first end and each pivotally connected to a respective frame part, the frame parts being themselves pivotally connected at a pivot.
12. A foldable deck chair frame according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one leg brace.
13. A foldable deck chair, comprising a foldable deck chair frame according to any preceding claim and a fabric cover mounted on the frame.
14. A foldable deck chair according to claim 13, wherein the fabric cover is removably attached to the foldable deck chair frame.
IS. A foldable deck chair frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. A foldable deck chair substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.