Low-profile seat with relocatable backrest

ABSTRACT

The invention is a foldable chair for use by hunters and outdoorsmen. The chair is equipped with folding leg elements positioned at opposite ends of a frame-mounted seating surface. The leg assemblies have different heights, allowing the chair to be positioned on uneven terrain. Additionally, the chair is provided with a relocatable backrest, which may be pivoted from one side of the seating surface to the other. A carrying strap is provided for facilitating carrying of the chair.

INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the described embodiment consistent with the invention in its unfolded condition.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention, showing the seat back in its two alternative positions when the chair is in use.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in its folded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention as transported by the user.

PREFERRED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following embodiment will best be understood by reference to FIGS. 1-3. The low-profile seat with a relocatable backrest includes two major sub-assemblies, the base assembly and the back assembly .

The base assembly , on which the user sits, is provided with a lightweight, flexible seating surface , typically fabricated from Dacron, cotton or other woven fabric. The base assembly frame is comprised of two seat frame sides and two seat frame cross-members which form a roughly rectangular framework on which seating surface is attached. Seating surface may be attached to seat frame sides and cross-members by fasteners, adhesives and the like, or may be provided with sleeves through which pass the seat frame sides and cross-members . Cross-members are affixed to seat frame sides by well known means, which may include fasteners. Likewise, cross-members may be inserted into openings (not shown) in seat frame sides , and held in position by the tension provided by seating surface when it is secured to frame sides . Each end of seat frame sides are provided with sockets designed to accommodate the back assembly in a manner to be described herein.

Pivotably attached to the seat frame sides proximate the ends of sides are a first leg assembly and a second leg assembly which serve to elevate the seat frame sides , cross-members and seating surface from the ground when the seat is in use.

Back assembly comprises an upper backrest , a lumbar support , a pair of opposed uprights and a pair of diagonal supports . Upper backrest is, in one embodiment, manufactured from fabric material similar to the material used for seating surface and affixed to uprights . Additionally, lumbar support is affixed to uprights and is provided with a pad and is likewise covered with a fabric material comparable to the fabric material of upper backrest and seating surface . In one embodiment, the fabric material so provided is pre-printed with a camouflage pattern or other patterns designed to make the entire assembly blend easily into the background environment. Alternatively, the fabric may be of high contrast material, such as hunter's orange in hunting situations where high visibility may be desirable.

To facilitate carrying the seat to and from the hunting site, the seat is provided with a pair of shoulder straps fitted with adjusters so that the seat may be carried in the manner of a knapsack or strapped to other equipment being carried by the hunter.

The reconfiguration of the seat is best understood by reference to FIG. and FIG. . Diagonal supports are pivotably connected at the center point of each seat frame side at diagonal lower pivot point . The opposite end of diagonal support is pivotably connected to each upright at the diagonal upper pivot point . Each upright is further provided with a pin , adapted to be engageable with socket located in each seat side frame . In this fashion, the back assembly may be repositioned from one end of the base assembly to the other, by lifting the back assembly to disengage pins from sockets on one end of the seat frame sides , and rotating the back assembly from position C to position D as shown in FIG. 2, and re-engaging the pins at the bottom of uprights into sockets at the opposite end of seat frame sides .

Also shown in FIG. 2, second leg assembly and first leg assembly are of different heights, as depicted by the dimensions “A” and “B”. Each leg assembly and comprises a pair of legs interconnected by cross-members . Leg assemblies and are mounted to the seat frame sides at leg pivots to allow leg assemblies and to be folded flat against the base assembly . Leg assemblies and are further provided brackets with stops which engage, by interference fit, the outer surface of seat frame sides , thereby holding the leg assemblies and in the extended position as shown in FIG. 2 when the seat is in use. Brackets are secured to leg assemblies and by fasteners , such as rivets. Since leg assembly is of a different height than leg assembly , it can be appreciated that it will be possible to place the seat on a sloping site, and to position back assembly in the appropriate relationship to the base assembly to provide the hunter with a substantially horizontal seating surface , and a relatively comfortable backrest and lumbar support , in relation to the overall slope of the ground.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the assembly is readily collapsible to a substantially flat package for transport. By rotating back assembly parallel to the seating surface , and lowering the diagonal supports to position nearly parallel to seat frame sides , the back assembly and base assembly are brought into contact. Thereafter, leg assembly and leg assembly may be pivoted inward and upward toward the underside of seating surface , thereby reducing the overall thickness of the folded package. Shoulder straps permit the completed package to be conveniently carried by the user as shown in FIG. .

CLAIMS

1. A foldable chair, comprising: a base assembly further comprising a first frame and a seating surface supported by said first frame; a backrest assembly further comprising a second frame and a back support surface supported by said second frame; a pair of pivoting diagonal supports connected to said base assembly and said backrest assembly, whereby said backrest assembly may be selectively positioned to have a first and second seating direction wherein said first seating direction is substantially opposite to said second seating direction; a first leg assembly attached to said first frame comprising a pair of legs having a first dimension; a second leg assembly attached to said first frame having a second pair of legs having a second dimension, which second dimension is different from said first dimension.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first leg assembly and said second leg assembly are pivotally attached to said first frame.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said backrest assembly further comprises a separate lumbar support affixed to said second frame.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said backrest assembly further comprises a separate lumbar support affixed to said second frame.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first pair of legs are interconnected and wherein said second pair of legs are interconnected.

6. The invention of claim 1, wherein said chair further comprises a carrying strap.

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