Strap arrangement for a portable collapsible chair

#The present invention relates generally to collapsible, portable chairs.

#Collapsible portable chairs have enjoyed widespread popularity because of their combination of strength, lightweight design, and portable nature. One common design has a metal (e.g. aluminum) frame and a strong fabric seat, back and arm element that fits over the frame. The legs are formed by cross-linkages that collapse inward in width and depth to form a compact structure having a length comparable to the height of the chair, but with a substantially reduced width and height. Such a chair often is paired with an elongate, specially fitted cloth bag or sack into which the chair in the collapsed state can fit. The storage and transport bag often includes a shoulder strap.

#Chairs of this type are well-known. Such chairs are often referred to as camping chairs, but enjoy use at any outdoor event that does not include sufficient available seating. Such outdoor events can include parades, outdoor community events, children's sporting events, and the like.

#FIG. 1 is a rear view of a collapsible chair in the expanded state and which has a strap arrangement according to the disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a rear view of the collapsible chair of FIG. 1 in the collapsed state with the strap arrangement configured for carrying the chair.

#FIG. 3 is a wireframe perspective view of the collapsible chair of FIG. 1 in the expanded state.

#For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the embodiments described herein, reference is now made to the drawings and descriptions in the following written specification. No limitation to the scope of the subject matter is intended by the references. This disclosure also includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the described embodiments as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this document pertains.

#FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a collapsible, portable chair 10 according to one embodiment of the invention in the open or expanded position for use as a chair. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the chair 10 of FIG. 1 in the collapsed or closed position for transport. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the collapsible, portable chair 10 includes a tubular metal frame 12, a cushion fabric element 14, and a strap arrangement 16. The chair 10 in the collapsed state may be placed into a suitable chair bag, not shown, but would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art for containing collapsed portable chairs.

#FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the tubular frame 12 and strap arrangement 16 with the cushion fabric element 14 shown in phantom for clarity. With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the tubular frame 12 may have the general, known linkage structure of a plurality of linear structural tubes made, for example, of aluminum. In particular, the tubular frame 12 has two rear uprights 20, 21 and four sets of x-shaped, two-part cross-linkages 22, 24, 26 and 28. The cross-linkage 22 has two straight tubes 22a, 22b rotatably coupled to each other at their respective midpoints. The cross-linkage 24 similarly has two straight tubes 24a, 24b rotatably coupled to each other at their respective midpoints, the cross-linkage 26 has two straight tubes 26a, 26b rotatably coupled to each other at their respective midpoints, and the cross-linkage 28 has two straight tubes 28a, 28b rotatably coupled to each other at their respective midpoints. The tubes 26a, 26b further include arm extensions 27a, 27b that extend from the upper end of the respective tubes 26a, 26b.