Foldable bench
OwnerJohn S. Thomasinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foldable bench having at least a pair of seat sections pivotally connected together. Pivotally mounted to the other side of each seat section is a leg assembly that is movable from a folded position to an extended position. When the bench assumes an unfolded position a strut extends from a point to a respective leg assembly and when the bench carries a load each strut is held in compression. An interconnecting member connects the two leg assemblies and is generally held in tension when the bench assumes an unfolded position and carries a load.
Claims19
A foldable bench comprising:
- a. at least two seat sections wherein the seat sections are movable between an extended position and a folded position;
- b. at least two legs that are mounted to each respective seat section and movable between a foldable position and an extended position;
- c. a pair of first connectors connecting the respective seat sections to the respective legs when the seat sections assume an extended position;
- d. wherein when the bench supports a load when in the extended position, the first connectors are in compression,
- e. a second connector for connecting the two legs when the two legs assume an extended position;
- and
- f. wherein when the bench supports a load when in the extended position and the second connector is connected between the two legs, the second connector is in tension.
A foldable bench movable between a folded position and an erect position, comprising:
- a pair of seat sections wherein the seat sections are movable between a folded position and an extended position, a pair of foldable legs, each leg adapted to extend from one seat section and movable from a folded position to an erect position;
- wherein when the bench assumes the erect position, the legs assume the extended position but are inclined at least slightly inwardly such that each leg extends downwardly and inwardly from a respective seat section;
- a strut connected between each leg and a respective seat section when the bench is in the erect position, each strut is held in compression when the bench supports a load when in the erect position;
- and an interconnecting member interconnected between the two legs such that when the bench is in the erect position and supporting a load, the interconnecting member is held in tension.
A method of unfolding and erecting a foldable bench having at least two seat sections, comprising:
- a. moving the seat sections from a folded position to an unfolded position
- b. moving a pair of legs from a folded position to an unfolded position;
- c. stationing the legs in an unfolded position by connecting a strut to each leg and extending the strut towards a respective seat section;
- d. in response to a load being placed on the bench when the bench is in the unfolded position, the struts are in compression;
- and
- e. interconnecting the legs with an interconnecting member and maintaining the interconnecting member in tension when the bench carries a load when in the unfolded position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.