Utility bench

Abstract

A utility bench that may be collapsed and easily transported, having a seating pad, upper frame, lower frame, and multiple support struts. The frames and struts comprise a plurality of strong lightweight tubular components connected by joint components. The bench is easy to assemble and folds compactly for storage. In a first preferred embodiment, the lower frame contains storage connectors for receiving and retaining the support struts when the bench is in a collapsed condition. In a second preferred embodiment, the frame structure is opened along one end of a set of struts, laid flat, and folded in a map-like closed position. The hollow rectangular design of the utility bench provides storage for additional items inside the bench frame such as a wheeled canopy case or other container, thus providing a rolling base for the frame to easily transport the utility bench, canopy, and / or gear to the desired location.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit under Title 35 United States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 677,455 filed May 4, 2005.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to portable furniture. The present invention more specifically relates to a lightweight, collapsible, easily transportable bench which can also be used to facilitate the transport of sports gear and accessories. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Portable furniture fulfills many functions for active people. Benches are commonly used to provide compact seating for indoor or outdoor youth activities, such as sports activities, church events, or family gatherings. While seating may be the primary use for these benches, they are also useful for gear such as refreshment dispensers, sports equipment, or first aid supplies. Simple durable construction makes this type of seating ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] The utility bench of the present invention provides multi-person portable seating that can easily be collapsed and readily transported to the playing field or other location. The bench device is lightweight and easy to carry, yet sturdy and durable in design and construction. Additionally, the utility bench can be used to facilitate the transport of sports gear, refreshments, and accessories to and from the event site. The device is easy to assemble and disassemble and folds compactly for transport and storage.

[0015] The open box design of the utility bench allows the user to position additional items inside the bench frame such as a typical portable canopy and carrying case, thus allowing the user to transport a canopy and seating simultaneously. The utility bench is designed to be compatible with various commercially available sun / rain canopies. The device can fit around a wheeled canopy case, as is known in the art, thus improving transport efficiency. By placing the wheeled case inside the frame of the present invention, the user may easily transport the utility bench, canopy, gear bags, refreshment coolers, water jugs, etc. on top of or attached to the bench and roll the combined load to the desired location. Moreover, the present invention is so lightweight and simple in design that it can be lifted by a child and readily assembled.

[0017] In a first embodiment of the present invention, the bench is collapsed by removing the supports from the top frame and bottom frame and inserting them into open joints on the bottom frame for transport and storage. The seating pad, top frame, and bottom frame are placed on top of one another compactly for storage. When the bench is reassembled, the supports are quickly removed and easily inserted between the top frame and bottom frame. The seating pad is then positioned on the top frame and securely attached.

Problems solved by technology

Because seating is often limited or nonexistent at youth activities, such as soccer, baseball, or track events, individuals typically bring their own lawn chairs, portable stools, and blankets.

While there are various types of collapsible seating on the market, there remain a number of unmet needs in the prior art.

However, these devices often sacrifice any lightweight advantage for increased weight-bearing strength.

It has flexibility in that it can act as single-person seating at the location of the event, but cannot support multi-person seating.

While this device attempts to address multiple person seating and collapsibility, its complexity increases its weight.

In addition, the bench is not designed to assist with the transport of additional items.

Other prior art addresses the issue of multi-person seating where the transporting automobile is present, but rely on the vehicle for operation and will not function or are less effective at an event that is remote from the vehicle.

Multi-person seating is provided but is attached to the vehicle and has little utility for those activities at which a vehicle is not permitted near the event location.

The bench remains physically attached to the interior of the vehicle, thereby interfering with the free use of the vehicle when the bench is not in use.

As can be seen in the prior art, attempts have been made to provide methods for outdoor seating, but these devices fall short in addressing the need for multi-person seating that can easily be collapsed and transported to the playing field.

Moreover, none of the devices are designed to conform and integrate with commonly used collapsible shelters.

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