IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FOLDING SEATS

Improvements in and relating to folding seats

Field of invention

This invention concerns folding seats which can be used by fishermen while fishing and which are adapted to convert to a bed for sleeping during night fishing sessions. Such seats are commonly referred to as bed chairs.

Background to the invention

Bed chairs typically comprise a tubular metal frame with a padded elongate cushion which extends over the whole frame when the latter is fully extended, with springs or other resilient supports stretched across the frame to support the cushion.

Bed chairs have been supplied for some years which fold into three sections, in much the same way as a sun lounger can fold, to facilitate transportation by car, and carrying in person to the riverbank.

The problem with such bed chairs is that since they need to be of the order of 200 cm overall length when fully extended, the smallest maximum dimension when folded into three sections tends to be approximately 78 cm, and this is rather too long to conveniently fit the collapsed frame into a small or medium sized car.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bed chair which can be folded so that its maximum dimension is of the order of 63 cm.

Whilst a 15 cm reduction in the maximum folded dimension is not at first sight very much, in fact it makes all the difference when trying to fit a folded bed chair through the rear door opening of a small to medium sized vehicle or into the boot of such a vehicle. Summary of the invention

According to the present invention a folding bed chair unit comprises a frame over which cushioning can be stretched and supported and having pairs of legs secured thereto which in use support the frame clear of the ground, at least some of which are pivotally attached to the frame to allow them to be folded parallel to the latter when the unit is to be folded up, wherein the frame is divided into at least four sections, two end sections and two intermediate sections, each of which is hingedly joined to an adjoining section to allow the two intermediate sections each to pivot through approximately 90° and each end section to be folded through approximately 180° relative to its adjoining intermediate section, so that as the frame sections are pivoted so as to fold up the unit, it approximates to the shape of a letter W when viewed from the side.

Preferably the frame sections are formed from metal tubing.

In practice, cushioning is fitted to the frame.

In one embodiment the four frame sections are substantially equal in size so that each has substantially the same length as the others, so that in use the overall length of the frame when the frame is opened out and the sections substantially aligned, is approximately 200 cm, so that when folded the longer dimension of the folded frame will be of the order of 50 cm.

In another embodiment the two intermediate frame sections are longer than the two end sections, so that the longer dimension of the folded frame will tend to be 60 cm., and when fitted with cushioning which will normally overhang the ends of the frames and where the latter includes extensions to accommodate hinges, the longer dimension of the unit when folded will be the order of 63 cm.

In a further preferred embodiment the frame is divided into five sections comprising two intermediate sections of equal length, two shorter end sections and a much shorter central section which is hingedly joined at its opposite ends to the inboard ends of the two intermediate sections.

While the presence of the central section will increase the spacing between the two intermediate sections when they are folded towards one another, the resulting space created by the central section can accommodate at least one pair of the legs.

Preferably the legs are arranged in pairs at a plurality of spaced apart positions along the length of the frame, and the two legs of each pair are joined by cross bracing means, and each pair forms a single pivoting leg assembly.

Preferably the hinging joints between the legs and the frame sections are adapted in use to maintain the legs in their folded out, ground engaging positions, when the bed is subjected to the weight of a person lying or sitting thereon, whereby in use there is little tendency for a seat, formed if the frame sections are only partially unfolded, or a bed, formed by fully unfolding the frame sections, to collapse.

Preferably the legs are constructed from metal tubing similar to that from which the frame sections are constructed.

At at least some of the leg assemblies may be pivotally joined to the tubular frame section side members, so that when the frame sections are folded for conveyance or storage, the leg assemblies can be accommodated within the collapsed structure.

Preferably the legs and side members of the frame occupy the same plane which in use will be generally vertical, to reduce the risk of the frame tipping as can occur if the width of the leg assemblies is less than the transverse spacing between the side members of the frame. In this event, when folded up, the legs will lie parallel to and adjacent the side members of the frame to which they are hinged. Preferably one leg assembly is pivotally joined to each intermediate frame section at or close to the hinge point between the outboard end of the intermediate frame section and the end section joined thereto.

Preferably the central frame section prevents the intermediate frame sections from hinging in an outward sense through more than 90°, so that when both are so hinged they all extend in a straight line.

Releasable locking means may be provided to lock the intermediate and central frame sections in the straight line configuration.

Preferably the hinges joining the two leg assemblies to the intermediate frame section are adapted to allow each leg assembly to be pivoted towards the other, so that both can be folded up so as to lie along the underside of the respective intermediate frame section, before the two intermediate frame sections are hinged so as to lie parallel to each other.

Preferably the length of each of the hinging legs is less than the distance between its hinge point and the inboard end of the intermediate frame section to which it is joined, so that when folded up the legs do not extend beyond the said inboard end thereof.

Where the frame is comprised of five sections, preferably the distance between the hinge points of the central section is selected so that it is at least equal to the total space needed to accommodate two intermediate frame sections together with the two leg assemblies joined thereto, when the two leg assemblies are folded so as to be parallel to their intermediate frame sections and the two intermediate frame sections are each pivoted through approximately 90° to lie parallel to each other and at right angles to the length dimension of the central section, whereby the central frame section allows the two intermediate sections to be hinged relative to the central section so as to extend perpendicularly therefrom and parallel to each other, separated by, and in contact with, the two folded up leg assemblies. Where the frame and legs are formed from similar tubing, and the two end sections are hingeable in use relative to the intermediate sections so as to be substantially parallel and in contact with the outer faces of the two intermediate sections so that with cushioning attached to the frame and folded-up therewith the overall width of such an assembly when so folded will approximate to six times the diameter of the tubing plus four times the thickness of the cushioning.

Where the frame is comprised of five sections, a third leg assembly may be provided which extends from the central frame section, to support the latter when in use.

The third leg assembly may be attached mid-way of the ends of the central section, so that when the frame sections are folded it extends between and parallel to the two other folded leg assemblies, so that the overall width of the folded up unit corresponds to seven tube diameters plus four thicknesses of cushioning, and the length of the central section is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the leg assembly attached thereto plus the thickness of the leg assemblies attached to the two intermediate frame sections and the hinge joints between them and the inboard ends of the two intermediate sections.

Alternatively the third leg assembly may be located off-centre of the central section so that one part of the central section can accommodate the thickness of one of the intermediate section leg assemblies between it and the relevant intermediate frame section, and the other leg assembly is shaped so as to fit between the legs of the said third leg assembly when the frame sections are folded, so that the overall width of the folded unit is now equivalent to six tube diameters plus four cushioning thicknesses.

Where the frame is comprised of five sections, preferably both leg assemblies attached to the intermediate frame sections are adapted to fit within the side members of their intermediate frame sections when folded up, and the overall width of the folded up unit is thereby reduced to five tube diameters plus four cushioning thicknesses. Typically each of the legs is telescopically extendable. This enables each leg to be reduced in length to facilitate folding the assembly for storage and/or transportation, and/or to be adjusted in length to accommodate uneven terrain.

Advantageously the ground-engaging end of each leg comprises a foot which is pivotally joined to the end of the leg to further accommodate uneven terrain and/or to allow the foot to be folded parallel to its leg to facilitate folding the legs to the frame for storage and/or transportation.

Where the frame includes a third leg assembly, this may be rigidly secured to or integrally formed with the central frame section.

Each of the central section side members may be in the form of a U-shaped channel which extends beyond the hinge point between the central section side member and the tubular side member of the adjoining intermediate frame section hinged thereto, so that when the frame parts are straightened out, the tubular side member of the intermediate section enters the U-shaped channel and is prevented thereby from pivoting further.

In such an arrangement and the central section is straight, the channel sections ensure that the two intermediate sections, when folded out from their collapsed condition, extend in alignment with the central section, so that all three frame sections will extend in linear alignment.

Similar overhanging channel sections may be provided between one of the end sections and its adjoining intermediate section, to ensure that these cannot pivot beyond alignment. Typically the pivoting of the said one end section is in an opposite sense to that between the intermediate sections and the central section, and the U-shaped channel extensions of the intermediate section side members are upwardly open instead of downwardly open.

Preferably the hinge connection between the other end section and its adjoining intermediate section is adapted to be locked in a plurality of different positions, so that the said other end section can be secured either in line with the remainder of the frame, or at a variety of angles relative thereto, to serve as a back rest or head rest.

Preferably the tubing is constructed from aluminium.

Preferably a strap is provided which in use is securable around the exterior of a folded bed-chair assembly embodying the invention and which includes a securing buckle by which the ends of the strap can be secured together to form an endless loop around the bed-chair assembly, and thereafter be tensioned to draw the frame sections closer and squeeze the cushioning sandwiched between the frame sections.

In practice it has been found advantageous to locate the points of attachment of at least some of the leg assemblies close to the hinge points between the different frame sections, and irrespective of the position of any other leg assemblies along the length of the frame, preferably one leg assembly is pivotally joined to each intermediate frame section at or close to the hinge point between the outboard end of the intermediate frame section and the end section joined thereto.

Although it has normally been considered preferable for the width of the frame not to be greater than the width of the leg assemblies, it will be noted that in the five section frame, if the central section and the leg assembly associated therewith is equal to the width of the intermediate frame sections there will be little tendency in practice for the assembled frame to tip sideways due to the user sitting too close to the side edge of the frame. Therefore the presence of the central section and the leg assembly extending therefrom increases the stability of the device and allows the width of the other leg assemblies to be reduced if desired so as for example to accommodate them between the side members of the intermediate frame sections, when folded up, to reduce the overall width of the folded up unit. The position of the central leg assembly also further stabilises the unit when serving as a seat since it supports the frame centrally of where the user will tend to exert their weight when sitting down.

Since these bed-chairs may be used on soft land close to a river or lakeside, it is advantageous for all the feet to have large area pads which are preferably hinged to the legs so that they can be folded up parallel to their respective legs to reduce the space requird by the feet when the unit is folded for transportation or storage. The large area pads reduce the risk of the legs sinking into soft soil.

When located in a hemispherical tent or Bivvy, which is popular with fishermen, so that the length dimension of the frame is generally parallel with the bank of the river or lake, the central section of the frame will be located approximately midway of the opening in the Bivvy. The central leg assembly thus supports the frame centrally of the region on which the fisherman will tend to sit while fishing.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Fig 1 is a side perspective view of a bed chair embodying the invention shown with the two end frame sections in a raised position,

Fig 2 is a similar view with the two ends partially folded inwardly, at the start of folding up the unit,

Fig 3 is a similar view in which the legs have been folded up below the two intermediate frame sections, ready for the final stages of the folding-up process,

Fig 4 is a perspective view from below and one side showing how the right hand end legs can be shortened so as to fit below the cross bracing of the central legs, Fig 5 is a similar view with the intermediate sections folded almost into contact, showing even more clearly how the right hand end legs can occupy the spaces within the cross bracing of the central legs,

Fig 6 shows the bed chair almost completely folded up, and

Fig. 7 shows the bed chair fully folded and secured by a strap.

As shown in the drawings and referring in particular to Figs 1 and 4 the bed chair comprises a cushioned mattress 10 which overlies a tubular metal frame and includes flaps such as 12 which are wrapped around the frame and which are perhaps best seen in Fig 4. The frame is made up of four main sections each made up of two side members with transversely extending closures at the ends of the two outboard end sections. The nearside members of each section are denoted by reference numerals and these reference numerals are also used to identify the different sections. Thus there are two end sections 14, 16, two intermediate sections 18, 20 and a short central section 22 which joins the two intermediate sections 18, 20. The ends 14, 16 are hinged to the outboard ends of the respective intermediate sections 18 and 20 respectively at 24 and 26 and the inboard ends of the intermediate sections 18, 20 are hinged to the opposite ends of the central section at 28 and 30.

As best seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 the flaps such as 12 are stretched below the respective frame sections and secured by lacing and the ends are secured by cord lacing to the ends of the end sections 14,16 as best seen in Figs. 6 and 7.

Since each side of the frame is a mirror image of the other the corresponding side members on the far side of the frame as shown in the drawings have been identified (where necessary) by using the same reference numeral followed by the letter A. Thus the far side member of frame section 18 is denoted by 18 A. Two telescopic leg assemblies are hinged to the underside of the intermediate frame sections and a central telescopic leg assembly extends from the central frame section 22, 22 A. As before the nearside parts of the leg assemblies are identified by reference numerals which in turn are used to denote the leg assembly concerned.

Thus leg assemblies 32 and 34 are hinged to the intermediate frame sections at 36 and 38 and leg assembly 40 is rigidly secured to or integrally formed with the central section 22.

In the same way as the frame section parts are denoted, the far side legs are denoted by 32A, 34A and 40A. The far side hinge between 14 and 18 is denoted by 24A.

Cross bracing at 42, 44 and 46 is provided between the pairs of legs making up each of the leg assemblies.

As best seen in Fig 4 the upper ends of the two legs 40, 40 A of the central leg assembly are welded to the two central section parts 22, 22 A and in the embodiment shown the point of attachment is closer to the right hand end of the central section parts 22, 22A than to their left hand end. In other embodiments the point of attachment may be mid- way of the length of the parts 22, 22A.

Again as best seen in Fig 4, when fully collapsed the telescopic legs 34, 34A can fit below the cross bracing 44 of the central leg assembly 40, 40A, so that as the intermediate frame section 20, 20 A is hinged into the position shown in Fig 4, the legs 34, 34 A can be accommodated wholly within the space occupied by the leg assembly 40, 40A. This is most clearly seen in Fig 5.

In the embodiment shown, no attempt is made to similarly accommodate the legs 32, 32A of the left hand leg assembly, but instead (as again best seen in Fig 5), as the bed chair becomes fully folded (substantially as in Fig 6) the left hand end legs 32, 32A simply occupy the space between the central section legs 40, 40A and the left hand intermediate section sides 18, 18A. This space is created by the offset position of the legs 40, 40A relative to the central section 22, 22 A.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the legs 32, 32A and 34, 34A may be attached inboard of the side members 18, 18A and 20, 20 A respectively so that on being folded up (substantially as shown in Fig 3) they fit between the side member of and become co- planar with, the intermediate sections to which they are hinged. In this arrangement (not shown) the central legs 40, 40 A now may be attached mid- way of the central section and the overall length of the side members 22, 22A can in fact be reduced, so that when fully folded legs 32, 32A and 34, 34A become parallel to and can touch 40, 40A.

The hinges 24, 24 A allow the end section 14, 14A in use to extend at any one of a number of different angles relative to the intermediate section 18, 18A and to be locked in the chosen angular position. This permits these two frame sections to be clamped in the fully folded position shown in Fig 6.

Similar lockable hinges could be provided between side members 16, 18A of the other end frame section and side members 20, 20A of the right hand intermediate frame section, but as shown simple non-locking hinge joints are provided at 26, 26A. The frame sides 20, 20A are extended beyond the hinge points 26, 26A at 48, 48A to prevent pivoting of 20, 20A beyond the in-line position. Rubber buffers 50, 50A, which include a concave channel in their upper face to receive the side members 16, 16A respectively, are fitted to the ends of the extensions 48, 48A. The side members 20, 20A are preferably a snap-fit in the channels. When so snap-fitted the right hand end frame section extends generally in alignment with the intermediate section.

In a similar manner, the central section side members 22, 22A extend as channel section stops beyond the hinge points 28, 28 A and 30, 30A so that when hinged outwardly and upwardly from the positions shown in Fig 3, the intermediate frame sections 18, 18A and 20, 20 A engage in the channel extensions and are prevented from rotating past the aligned position shown in Figs 1 and 2. By providing for individual adjustment of the length of each of the legs 32, 32A, 34, 34A and 40, 40A so the bed chair legs can be lengthened or shortened as required to allow at least the central and intermediate sections of the frame to be supported generally horizontally, even if the ground below the legs is neither horizontal nor flat.

It will be seen from the drawings accompanying UK Patent Application No. 0329395.8 that the feet attached to the legs 32, 32A in those drawings are hinged in such a way that they can be pivoted through 90° so as to lie flush against the leg when not in use. When so folded up, this allows the lower end of each of those legs to be accommodated between the pairs of legs 18, 18A and 40, 40 A as best seen in Figures 5 and 6.

Although not shown in UK Patent Application No. 0329395.8, but now shown in the accompanying drawings the feet fitted to all the other legs 34, 34A and 40, 40A can be replacd by hinging feet such as are shown fitted to the lower ends of the legs 32, 32 A in 0329395.8. This allows the frame to be collapsed even more effectively, and further accommodates uneven ground.

Additionally the large area flat plates constituting the feet hingedly joined to the legs 32, 32A etc., further assist in preventing the legs from sinking into soft ground as can be found on a river bank or lake side.

As shown in Fig. 7, the folded up bed chair can be held tightly collapsed so as to occupy the minimum overall thickness, by a strap having a buckle by which its two ends can be secured to form an endless loop around the framework, and by which the loop can be tightened therearound for storing and/or transportation.