Reconfigurable chair
OwnerMerrill-Lee Petersoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable chair which, when assembled, supports a user in the prone position and comprises inter-fitting parts allowing the chair assembly to be reconfigurable, adjustable, collapsible and easy to transport. Two side panels are pivotally connected at a straddle edge into which a seat member slidably attaches for supporting the panels in a stable splayed open position. Optional and additional support members inter-fit through corresponding openings in the side panels. Elbow and arm rests removeably attach to the side panels. The hinged connection allows the side panels to rotate between a collapsed to a parallel, closed position to the open position. The various seat member, support members and arm rests removeably attach to an inner wall of the collapsed side panels for easy transportation as one unit.
Claims19
A portable chair assembly adapted for support on a surface comprising:
- at least two side panels, each panel having at least a first base edge adapted to engage the supporting surface and a straddle edge, the panels being pivotally joined at the straddle edges enabling the panels to fold between a parallel, closed position and a splayed, open position;
- at least a first pair of panel slots extending from the straddle edges in each panel, the first pair of panel slots being aligned when the panels are in the closed position;
- and
- a seat member having a pair of seat stops complementary to the first pair of panel slots so that when the panels are in the open position, the pair of seat stops slidably mate with the first pair of panel slots for coupling the seat member with the straddle edges of the panels, the seat member further supportably spacing the panels in the open position,
- wherein a weight is supported by the seat member;
- and
- wherein the straddle edges are contoured for forming diverging edge portions when the side panels are in the open position.
A method for supporting a user for a massage comprising:
- providing a seat member and at least two side panels pivotally joined at a straddle edge and each panel further comprising a base edge, the seat member being releasably coupled with the side panels so that when coupled, the seat member spaces the panels in a splayed position;
- opening the panels to the splayed position, supported on each panel's base edge;
- and
- mating the seat member with the straddle edges of the panels, the seat member supportably spacing the panels in the open position so as to be adapted for supporting the user straddling the straddle edge in a prone position,
- wherein the weight of the user is supported by the seat member.
A portable chair assembly adapted for support on a surface comprising:
- at least two side panels, each panel having at least a first base edge adapted to engage the supporting surface;
- a straddle edge extending at an acute angle relative to the base edge, the straddle edge pivotally connecting the at least two side panels for enabling the panels to fold between a parallel, closed position and a splayed, open position;
- at least a first pair of panel slots extending from the straddle edges in each panel, the first pair of panel slots being aligned when the panels are in the closed position;
- and
- a seat member having a pair of seat stops complementary to the first pair of panel slots so that when the panels are in the open position, the pair of seat stops slidably mate with the first pair of panel slots for coupling the seat member with the straddle edge of the panels, the seat member further supportably spacing the panels in the open position,
- wherein a weight is supported by the seat member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.