Folding chair

Abstract

A folding chair includes a front leg frame, a rear leg frame and a backrest frame pivotally coupled to a seat. The rear leg frame is slidably coupled to a pair of spaced apart slots on a bottom portion of the seat. Each component is positioned such that in an open configuration the backrest frame is supported by the front leg frame, and the rear leg frame engages front ends of the slots such that the front leg frame forms an X-shape with respect to the rear leg frame, and in a folded configuration the front leg frame, rear leg frame, backrest frame and seat are positioned substantially co-planar to each other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of pending PCT Application Nos. PCT / CN2010 / 078722, filed on Nov. 15, 2010, and PCT / CN2011 / 070166, filed on Jan. 11, 2011, both of which claim priority to and benefit of China Application No. 201020147009.2, filed on Mar. 23, 2010. This application claims priority to and benefit of all of the above mentioned applications which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to chairs and, more particularly, relates to a folding chair.[0003]Compared to other seating devices, folding chairs offer the advantages of being compact and lightweight. Generally, folding chairs are easier to store and transport than are non-folding chairs. Further, folding chairs may often be purchased at a lower cost than non-folding chairs.[0004]Folding chairs are designed and manufactured in a variety of forms. Typically, however, a folding chair...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In another aspect, the present invention provides a folding chair configurable into an open configuration and a folded configuration, the folding chair comprising: a front leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart front legs in a substantially parallel arrangement; a rear leg frame comprising a pair of spaced apart rear legs in a substantially parallel arrangement, the front and rear leg frames pivotally coupled to each other; a seat comprising opposing top and bottom portions, the bottom portion comprising a pair of spaced apart slots in substantially parallel arrangement, each slot extending between front and rear portions of the seat, upper ends of each rear leg slidably coupled to a corresponding slot, upper ends of each front leg pivotally coupled to the seat; and a backrest frame comprising a pair of spaced apart upper backrest support members in a substantially parallel arrangement, the backrest frame being independent and separate from the front and rear leg frames, lower ends of each upper backrest support member having a lower backrest support member extending substantially perpendicular therefrom, lower portions of each upper backrest support member pivotally coupled to the seat.

[0003]Compared to other seating devices, folding chairs offer the advantages of being compact and lightweight. Generally, folding chairs are easier to store and transport than are non-folding chairs. Further, folding chairs may often be purchased at a lower cost than non-folding chairs.

Problems solved by technology

However, the front legs 3′ and back legs overlap and cannot be collectively positioned co-planar with the backrest 4′ and seat 1′.

Moreover, the overall length of the chair cannot be reduced due to the front legs 3′ being integral to the backrest 4′.

Thus, problems with storage and transport, including the requirement of increased shelf space in retail stores and inefficient packaging for shipping, often arise because of the thickness as well as the overall length of the folded chair.

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