US-12622526-B2 - Folding chair with detachable container

US12622526B2US 12622526 B2US12622526 B2US 12622526B2US-12622526-B2

Abstract

Portable chairs including a detachable container. The container can be insulated for keeping beverages and food cold for an extended period. The folding chair preferably is designed and constructed for the demands of the outdoors. Various detachable, reconfigurable, and/or interchangeable features including the container, carrying straps, and cup holder. The container can be easily and conveniently attached and detached from the folding chair. The container can have exterior pockets which are welded and sealed to protect items contained within. The straps can have multiple different attachment points which allow multiple different carrying styles and reconfigurations including a backpack type carrying configuration, over-the-shoulder briefcase type carrying configuration, and across the body satchel type configuration, for example. The cupholder is interchangeable from each side of the folding chair and can be designed to accommodate various different types of beverage containers including cups having a handle, a can, and a canteen, for example.

Inventors

Steven Ellis Wilcox

Assignees

PARKIT CO.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240726

Claims (20)

1 . A folding chair, comprising: a front leg frame element; a rear leg frame element; a left arm support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a right arm support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a seat support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a back support frame element pivotally connected to the seat support frame element, the left arm support frame element, and the right arm support frame element; an insulated container (i) disposed beneath the seat support frame element and (ii) coupled to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element by two or more connectors; two front couplings that pivotally connect the front leg frame element to the seat support frame element; and two rear couplings that pivotally connect the back support frame element to the seat support frame element, wherein the two front couplings and the two rear couplings pivotally connect the seat support frame element to the insulated container.
2 . The folding chair of claim 1 , wherein the insulated container is configured to detach from the folding chair.
3 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , further comprising an interchangeable cup holder connected to the front leg frame element and the seat support frame element via a rotatable frame element joint.
4 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , wherein the left arm support frame element is connected to a left arm rest and the right arm support frame element is connected to a right arm rest, wherein the left arm rest and the right arm rest are constructed from bamboo.
5 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , further comprising a seat support material extending from sides of the seat support frame element and a back support material extending from sides of the back support frame element, wherein the seat support material and the back support material comprise a woven, water-resistant polyester fabric material.
6 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , wherein the insulated container comprises a handle that allows the insulated container to be carried when the insulated container is detached from the seat support frame element.
7 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , further comprising a pivotable support rod coupled to the rear leg frame element via a rotation support frame arm, wherein the pivotable support rod allows rotation of the seat support frame element relative to the back support frame element.
8 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , wherein the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element are constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum.
9 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , wherein the insulated container comprises a plurality of straps sewn thereto, and the folding chair comprises connectors disposed proximate to opposing ends of the plurality of straps for connection to the front coupling and the rear coupling of the folding chair.
10 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , further comprising a folding chair closure retention element configured to retain the folding chair in a folded position by securing the front leg frame element to the rear leg frame element.
11 . The folding chair according to claim 1 , wherein the insulated container comprises a plurality of straps sewn thereto, and the folding chair comprises connectors disposed proximate to opposing ends of the plurality of straps for connection to front and rear couplings of the folding chair.
12 . A folding chair, comprising: a front leg frame element; a rear leg frame element; a left arm support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a right arm support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a seat support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a back support frame element pivotally connected to the seat support frame element, the left arm support frame element, and the right arm support frame element; an insulated container (i) disposed beneath the seat support frame element and (ii) coupled to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element by two or more connectors; a handle connected to two loops disposed around the back support frame element; two carrying straps having first ends and second ends, the first ends of the two carrying straps being connectable to the two loops disposed around the back support frame element, the second ends of the two carrying straps being connectable to the back support frame element via a left rear joint strap connector and a right rear joint strap connector, and the two carrying straps allowing the folding chair to be carried when the folding chair is in a folded position.
13 . The folding chair according to claim 12 , further comprising a pivotable support rod coupled to the rear leg frame element via a rotation support frame arm, wherein the pivotable support rod allows rotation of the seat support frame element relative to the back support frame element.
14 . The folding chair according to claim 12 , further comprising a folding chair closure retention element configured to retain the folding chair in the folded position by securing the front leg frame element to the rear leg frame element.
15 . The folding chair according to claim 12 , further comprising a seat support material extending from sides of the seat support frame element and a back support material extending from sides of the back support frame element.
16 . The folding chair according to claim 15 , wherein: a first side of the seat support material is configured to support a user of the folding chair; and a second side of the seat support material extends over the insulated container when the insulated container is connected to the folding chair.
17 . A folding chair, comprising: a front leg frame element; a rear leg frame element; a left arm support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a right arm support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a seat support frame element pivotally connected to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element; a back support frame element pivotally connected to the seat support frame element, the left arm support frame element, and the right arm support frame element; and an insulated container (i) disposed beneath the seat support frame element and (ii) coupled to the front leg frame element and the rear leg frame element by two or more connectors, wherein the insulated container comprises one or more exterior pockets with closure devices, the one or more exterior pockets welded to create a water-tight seam between the one or more exterior pockets and the insulated container.
18 . The folding chair according to claim 17 , further comprising an interchangeable cup holder connected to the front leg frame element and the seat support frame element via a rotatable frame element joint.
19 . The folding chair of claim 17 , wherein the insulated container is configured to detach from the folding chair.
20 . The folding chair according to claim 17 , wherein the insulated container comprises a handle that allows the insulated container to be carried when the insulated container is detached from the seat support frame element.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/828,666 filed Feb. 28, 2022 (now U.S. Design Pat. No. D1,073,346), which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/090,288 filed Nov. 5, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,259,639); and which also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 63/021,074 filed May 6, 2020 and 62/930,775 filed Nov. 5, 2019. The contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties and for all purposes. BACKGROUND In the portable seating industry, a market exists for high performance folding chairs that are capable of efficiently and effectively withstanding heavy use and servicing large audiences. These seating situations are commonly found in gymnasiums, stadiums, auditoriums, schools and churches and at outdoor events, such as picnics and concerts. Due to the common nature of the events, the performance requirements for these chairs can be extremely demanding. For example, they must be able to withstand rugged use, such as that commonly found with sports fans and concert goers. And to also provide comfort for prolonged seating periods. Many folding chairs tend be uncomfortable, especially in circumstances of extended seating time. For example, seats are commonly made of rigid materials, such as metal, plastic and/or wood. Such materials can become even more uncomfortable over time as their surface degrades and becomes weathered. Sometimes these rigid seats are covered with a layer of padding, such as foam, which may not be sufficient in thickness, resiliency and/or quality. Moreover, these seat constructions tend to ignore the contours of the human body. For example, seating surfaces are commonly one dimensional, whereas the human body plainly is not so simple. Folding chairs also tend to provide insufficient back support. One reason is that the back support is often minimized for a folding operation and for minimal storage space. For instance, backrest portions are typically much smaller than the human back. Backrests are also often made of a rigid material, such as metal, plastic or wood, which can become uncomfortable over time as previously mentioned, and ignores the contours of the human body. As with seats, backrests are sometimes covered with a layer of padding, such as foam, which may not be sufficient in every case. Also, backrests tend to be one-dimensional, as opposed to the human body. As a result, there is desire for a folding chair with a seat and backrest that provide enhanced comfort, particularly for high performance folding chairs used in preferred seating areas, and also the requisite durability for heavy and rugged use. The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention relates to a folding chair having detachable, reconfigurable, and/or interchangeable features including a detachable, reconfigurable, and/or interchangeable container, carrying straps, and/or cup holder. The container can be insulated and can be easily and conveniently attached and detached from the folding chair. While referred to herein with reference to specific container embodiments as being insulated, in each instance it should be understood that the same disclosure is relevant to embodiments where the container is not insulated. Therefore, reference to insulated containers should be understood to also reference the same embodiments, discussion, and illustrations of which the container is not insulated. The insulated container can be welded, insulated and sealed with exterior pockets which are also welded and sealed to protect items contained within. The straps can have multiple different attachment points which allow multiple different carrying styles and reconfigurations including a backpack type carrying configuration, over-the-shoulder briefcase type carrying configuration, and across the body satchel type configuration, for example. The cupholder can be interchangeable from each side of the folding chair and can be designed to accommodate various different types of beverage containers including cups having a handle, a can, and a canteen, for example. A folding chair includes a chair frame. The chair frame can include a left front leg frame element, a right front leg frame element, a l