Collapsible support structure and devices formed therefrom

A collapsible support structure for supporting a folding chair comprising two support members interconnected by a collapsible support mechanism, said support members having arcuate shaped lower ends facing each other, said collapsible support mechanism comprising:

• first and second collapsible connecting members having first ends pivotally connected to a first of said two support members and second ends pivotally connected to a second of said two support members, a first of said connecting members being formed of two substantially equal length links having ends pivotally interconnected to each other, said first of said connecting members including locking means operative in an erected position of said support structure for maintaining a predetermined angular relationship between said links, the other of said connecting members being formed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected links, outer ends of said other connecting member being shaped to mate with and be pivotally interconnected to said lower ends of said support members, at least two of the links of said other connecting member having broad, substantially flat lower surfaces for supporting and distributing the weight of said support structure on a surface;
• and
• first and second cross bars extending between and pivotally connected to said first and second connecting members in such manner that said cross bars in an erected position of said support structure form a substantially X-shape and cooperate with said locking means to hold said support members in spaced-apart upstanding positions, said cross bars having off-set portions intermediate their ends to provide clearance between components of said support structure during collapse thereof.