Foldable chair with assisted deployment

Abstract

An assisted unfolding folding chair includes a support unit, a sliding seat, and a seating unit. The support unit includes a pivot seat and a main support rod. The sliding seat is slidably sleeved on the main support rod. The seating unit includes a seating group and a linkage group. The seating group is connected with the sliding seat and the linkage group to switch between a folded state and an unfolded state. The linkage group has a first linkage pivoted to the pivot seat, a second linkage pivoted between the first linkage and the sliding seat, and an elastic retaining member arranged at a pivoting position of the pivot seat and the first linkage. The elastic retaining member can push the first linkage to keep a tendency of the first linkage away from the main support rod, so that the seating group can be easily operated to the unfolded state. Thus, the folding chair is convenient to operate and can be stably seated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a chair, and more particularly to a folding chair that can be unfolded with assistance. Background Technology

[0002] See Figure 1 A folding chair (Taiwan Patent Certificate No. TWI483694) is disclosed, comprising a support unit 11, a folding unit 12, and a seat unit 13. The support unit 11 has a mounting rod 111. The folding unit 12 has a positioning seat 121 sleeved on the mounting rod 111, an upper sliding seat 122 slidably sleeved on the mounting rod 111 and located above the positioning seat 121, and two folding rods 123 whose bottom ends are pivotally connected to the positioning seat 121. The seat unit 13 has a main seat 131 pivotally connected to the upper sliding seat 122, two side seats 132 pivotally connected to both sides of the main seat 131, and two tracks 133 located at the bottom of the side seats 132 and slidably disposed at the top ends of the folding rods 123. Each track 133 has an unfolded end point 134 and a folded end point 135. When the upper sliding block 122 slides along the mounting rod 111, the seat unit 13 and the folding unit 12 can switch between an unfolded position and a folded position relative to the support unit 11. In the unfolded position, as... Figure 1 As shown, the folding rod 123 is located away from the mounting rod 111 and intersects it at an angle. The top ends of the folding rod 123 are respectively located at the unfolded end points 134 of the track 133. The main seat 131 and the side seat 132 are arranged side by side and intersect the mounting rod 111 at an acute angle, providing seating space. In the folded position (not shown), the main seat 131 and the side seat 132 are substantially parallel to the mounting rod 111. The upper slide 122 is located away from the positioning seat 121. The folding rods 123 are close to each other and near the mounting rod 111. The top ends of the folding rods 123 are respectively located at the folding end points 135 of the track 133.

[0003] Although existing folding chairs can achieve multiple uses, when the upper sliding seat 122 is slid along the mounting rod 111 to change the seat unit 13 and the folding unit 12 from the folded position to the unfolded position, the tip of the folding rod 123 is prone to getting stuck between the folding end point 135 and the unfolded end point 134 during the process of sliding from the folding end point 135 to the unfolded end point 134. External force is required to move the folding rod 123 to the unfolded end point 134. This not only increases the inconvenience of operation during use, but also, if the tip of the folding rod 123 is stuck between the folding end point 135 and the unfolded end point 134, the existing folding chair cannot stand stably on the ground because it is not fully unfolded. If the user does not pay attention and sits directly on the seat unit 13, the user may fall. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a folding chair that can be unfolded with assistance, which can overcome the shortcomings of existing designs.

[0005] The present invention discloses an assisted unfolding folding chair, comprising a support unit, a slide, and a seating unit. The support unit includes a pivot, a main support rod passing through the pivot, and at least two secondary support rods pivotally connected to the pivot. The slide is slidably fitted onto the main support rod. The seating unit includes a seating assembly connected to the slide, and a linkage assembly connected to the pivot and actuated by the seating assembly. The seating assembly can link the slide and the linkage assembly between a folded state (closed relative to the main support rod) and an unfolded state (unfolded relative to the main support rod and intersecting at an angle). The linkage assembly has a first link pivotally connected to the pivot, a second link pivotally connected between the first link and the slide, and an elastic retainer disposed at the pivot point between the first link and the pivot. When the seating assembly is in the folded state, the first link and the second link are positioned relative to each other against the main support rod, and the elastic retainer accumulates elastic force due to the movement of the first link, pushing against the first link so that the end of the first link opposite to the pivot seat maintains a tendency to move away from the main support rod. When the seating assembly is in the unfolded state, the end of the first link opposite to the pivot seat abuts against the bottom of the seating assembly.

[0006] The present invention provides an assisted unfolding folding chair, wherein the pivot seat has an upwardly extending pivot column for pivoting with a first connecting rod, the connecting rod assembly also has a pin passing through the pivot column and the first connecting rod for pivoting, the elastic retaining member is a torsion spring, and has a body sleeved on the pin, a first leg connected to the body and elastically abutting against the pivot column, and a second leg connected to the end of the body opposite to the first leg and elastically abutting against the inner wall of the first connecting rod.

[0007] The present invention provides an assisted unfolding folding chair, wherein the bottom of the seating assembly has a guide rail extending along its own length direction, the guide rail having a folding end adjacent to the slide and an unfolding end away from the slide, and the linkage assembly further having a slider connected to the end of the first linkage opposite to the pivot and slidable along the guide rail. When the seating assembly is in the folded state, the slider is located at the folded end, and the elastic retainer accumulates the elastic force to push against the first linkage, causing the slider to maintain a constant tendency to slide towards the unfolding end. When the seating assembly is in the unfolded state, the slider is located at the unfolding end.

[0008] The present invention provides an assisted unfolding folding chair, wherein the slide has a sleeve slidably fitted onto the main support rod, a pivot block protruding from one side of the sleeve, and a pivot lug protruding from the other side of the sleeve, and the second connecting rod is pivotally connected between the first connecting rod and the pivot lug.

[0009] The present invention provides an assisted unfolding folding chair, wherein the seating assembly has a main chair member pivotally connected to the pivot block, and two side chair members respectively pivotally connected to both sides of the main chair member.

[0010] The present invention provides an assisted unfolding folding chair, wherein the main chair component has a first end adjacent to the main support rod, a second end opposite to the first end along its own length direction, a main support surface extending from the first end to the second end, a main bottom surface opposite to the main support surface, and a pair of pivot plates disposed at the first end and pivotally connected to the pivot block.

[0011] The folding chair that can be unfolded with assistance according to the present invention has an inner edge adjacent to the main chair, an outer edge opposite to the inner edge, a side support surface extending from the inner edge to the outer edge, a side bottom surface opposite to the side support surface and for supporting the top end of one of the auxiliary support rods, and a blocking block formed on the side bottom surface adjacent to the outer edge for locking and positioning the top end of the auxiliary support rod.

[0012] The present invention provides an assisted unfolding folding chair, wherein one of the side chair components has a buckle plate disposed on the outer edge, and the other of the side chair components has a buckle ring disposed on the outer edge and capable of engaging with the buckle plate.

[0013] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by providing the elastic retaining member at the pivot joint between the first connecting rod and the pivot seat, the end of the first connecting rod opposite to the pivot seat is kept moving away from the main support rod. When the operator wants to move the riding assembly from the folded state to the unfolded state, the riding assembly can be smoothly and completely unfolded, improving the convenience of operation and providing a stable riding experience. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A 3D view of an existing folding chair;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional composite view of an embodiment of the folding chair that can be unfolded with assistance according to the present invention in its unfolded state;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a bottom-view perspective view of the embodiment in its unfolded state.

[0017] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of a pivot, a pin, a resilient retainer, and a first link in the embodiment described above.

[0018] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment in its unfolded state;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional composite diagram of the embodiment in the folded state;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the embodiment in the folded state;

[0021] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment in the folded state;

[0022] Figure 9 This is a side view of the embodiment in its unfolded form;

[0023] Figure 10 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the described embodiment in its unfolded form. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0025] See Figure 2 and Figure 3 An embodiment of the folding chair 2 that can be unfolded with assistance according to the present invention includes a support unit 3, a slide 4, a seating unit 5, a brake 6, and a positioning unit 7.

[0026] The support unit 3 includes a pivot 31, a main support rod 32 passing through and pivotally connected to the pivot 31, and two auxiliary support rods 33 pivotally connected to the pivot 31 and pivotally connected to the main support rod 32. The pivot 31 has an upwardly extending pivot column 311. The main support rod 32 has a first bottom end 321, a first top end 322 opposite to the first bottom end 321, and a handle 323 mounted on the first top end 322. Each auxiliary support rod 33 has a second bottom end 331 and a second top end 332 opposite to the second bottom end 331.

[0027] See Figure 5 The slide block 4 has a sleeve 41 slidably sleeved on the main support rod 32, a pivot block 42 protruding on one side of the sleeve 41, and a pivot lug 43 protruding on the other side of the sleeve 41.

[0028] See Figures 2 to 5 The seating unit 5 includes a seating assembly 51 pivotally connected to the slide 4, and a linkage assembly 52 connected to the pivot column 311 and driven by the seating assembly 51. The seating assembly 51 has a main seat member 53 pivotally connected to the pivot block 42, two side seat members 54 respectively pivotally connected to both sides of the main seat member 53, and a guide portion 55 disposed on the main seat member 53. The seating assembly 51 can drive the slide 4 and the linkage assembly 52 to switch between a retracted state relative to the main support rod 32 and an extended state relative to the main support rod 32 and intersecting at an angle.

[0029] The main chair component 53 has a first end 531 adjacent to the main support rod 32, a second end 532 opposite to the first end 531 along its own length direction, a main support surface 533 extending from the first end 531 to the second end 532, and a main bottom surface 534 opposite to the main support surface 533 (see...). Figure 7 The system includes a pair of pivot plates 535 disposed at the first end 531 and pivotally connected to the pivot block 42, and a guide rail 536 extending along its own length direction. The guide rail 536 is recessed by the main bottom surface 534, and its cross-section perpendicular to its own length direction is inverted T-shaped, and has a retractable end point 537 adjacent to the first end 531 and an extended end point 538 adjacent to the second end 532.

[0030] Each side chair member 54 has an inner edge 541 adjacent to the main chair member 53, an outer edge 542 opposite to the inner edge 541, a side support surface 543 extending from the inner edge 541 to the outer edge 542, a side bottom surface 544 opposite to the side support surface 543 and supporting the second tip 332 of one of the auxiliary support rods 33, and a blocking block 545 formed on the side bottom surface 544 adjacent to the outer edge 542 for positioning the second tip 332 of one of the auxiliary support rods 33. Additionally, one of the side chair members 54 has a buckle plate 546 disposed on the outer edge 542, and the other of the side chair members 54 has a buckle ring 547 disposed on the outer edge 542 and capable of engaging with the buckle plate 546.

[0031] The guide portion 55 is a groove parallel to the main support surface 533 and is adjacent to the first end 531.

[0032] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 The linkage assembly 52 includes a slider 521 that can slide along the guide rail 536, a first link 522 pivotally connected between the slider 521 and the pivot post 311, a pin 523 passing through the connection between the first link 522 and the pivot post 311 for pivoting, an elastic retainer 524 sleeved on the pin 523 and springing against the first link 522 and the pivot post 311, and a second link 525 pivotally connected between the first link 522 and the pivot lug 43 of the slide block 4. The elastic retainer 524 is a torsion spring and has a body 526 sleeved on the pin 523, a first leg 527 connected to the body 526 and elastically abutting against the top surface of the pivot post 311, and a second leg 528 connected to the end of the body 526 opposite to the first leg 527 and elastically abutting against the inner wall of the first link 522. See Figures 6 to 8 When the seating assembly 51 is in the folded state, the slider 521 is located at the folded end point 537. The first connecting rod 522 is relatively abutted against the main support rod 32. The second support leg 528 is moved slightly parallel to the main support rod 32 by the first connecting rod 522, and the body 526 accumulates an elastic torque, so that the second support leg 528 pushes against the first connecting rod 522, causing the slider 521 to maintain a constant tendency to slide towards the unfolded end point 538. (See also...) Figure 5 When the seating assembly 51 is in the unfolded state, the slider 521 is located at the unfolded end point 538.

[0033] See Figure 5One end of the brake member 6 is pivotally connected to the pivot block 42, and the other end of the brake member 6 is slidably inserted through the guide part 55.

[0034] See Figure 3 The positioning unit 7 includes a locking part 71 disposed on the main support rod 32 and a engaging part 72 disposed on the slide block 4. The locking part 71 and the engaging part 72 are complementary in shape, with the locking part 71 and the engaging part 72 separating from each other when the seating assembly 51 is in the folded state, and nesting together when the seating assembly 51 is in the unfolded state.

[0035] To further understand the effects of the combination of the components of this invention, the technical means employed, and the expected results, the following explanation will be provided, which should lead to a deeper and more specific understanding of this invention.

[0036] See Figures 6 to 8 When the seating assembly 51 is in the folded state, the main support rod 32 and the secondary support rod 33 are abutted against each other and are substantially parallel, and the seating unit 5 is abutted against the support unit 3. The second end 532 of the main seat member 53 approaches the pivot seat 31, and the side seat member 54 pivots relative to the main seat member 53, and together with the main seat member 53, surrounds the main support rod 32, the secondary support rod 33, the first connecting rod 522, and the second connecting rod 525, and is fastened by the buckle plate 546 and the buckle ring 547, making the seating assembly 51 generally U-shaped. The slider 521 is located at the folded end point 537, and the first connecting rod 522 abuts against the main support rod 32 and is substantially parallel. At this time, the second leg 528 is compressed by the first connecting rod 522, causing the body 526 to accumulate an elastic torque. This causes the second leg 528 to push against the first connecting rod 522, causing the slider 521 to maintain a constant tendency to slide towards the unfolded end point 538. However, because the side chair member 54 and the main chair member 53 surround the first connecting rod 522 and are fastened by the buckle plate 546 and the buckle ring 547, the slider 521 is positioned at the folded end point 537, and the seating assembly 51 can be maintained in the folded state.

[0037] When the operator unfastens the buckle 546 and the buckle 547, and applies a slight downward push to the first end 531 of the main chair component 53, the elastic torque stored in the body 526 causes the second leg 528 to push against the first connecting rod 522, thereby causing the slider 521 to slide to the unfolded end point 538. (See also...) Figure 9 and Figure 10As the slider 521 slides from the retracted end point 537 to the extended end point 538, the second end 532 of the main chair 53 gradually moves away from the pivot seat 31. The main chair 53 then pivots relative to the slide seat 4, and the slide seat 4 is pivotally connected to one end of the brake member 6. The other end of the brake member 6 is slidably inserted through the guide portion 55. The brake member 6 rotates while translating along the guide portion 55, thereby causing the side chair 54 to pivot outward relative to the main chair 53, so that the side chair 54 and the main chair 53 are arranged side-by-side. The second top end 332 of the auxiliary support rod 33 abuts against the side bottom surface 544 of the side chair 54 and is respectively engaged with the corresponding blocking block 545 (see...). Figure 3 This arrangement ensures that the side seat member 54 remains parallel to the main seat member 53 without pivoting relative to it, allowing the seating assembly 51 to remain in an unfolded state where the operator can sit comfortably. At this time, the engaging portion 72 on the slide 4 and the locking portion 71 on the main support rod 32 nest together, providing positioning stability of the seating assembly 51 relative to the main support rod 32.

[0038] Conversely, when the operator wishes to move the seating assembly 51 from the unfolded state to the folded state, the first end 531 of the main seat component 53 must be pulled upwards to cause the slide 4 to slide upwards along the main support rod 32. Simultaneously, the slide 4 slides upwards, which in turn activates the second connecting rod 525, causing the first connecting rod 522 and the slider 521 to slide from the unfolded end point 538 towards the folded end point 537. This allows the second end 532 of the main seat component 53 to gradually approach the pivot 31, and the engaging part 72 to disengage from the locking part 71. Thus, the seating assembly 51 can be moved from the unfolded state to the folded state. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The state gradually switched to Figures 6 to 8 The state of the seat assembly 51 is adjusted so that it returns to the folded state.

[0039] The aforementioned operating principle of using the aforementioned brake 6 to link the riding assembly 51 to generate folding and unfolding has been disclosed in Taiwan Patent Certificate No. TWI736504, therefore, the detailed structure and operation will not be explained further.

[0040] Therefore, the present invention utilizes the elastic retaining member 524 disposed at the pivot joint between the pivot column 311 and the first connecting rod 522, so that when the riding assembly 51 is in the retracted state, the slider 521 is positioned at the retracted end point 537, the first connecting rod 522 is moved by the slider 521 and abuts against the main support rod 32, and the second support leg 528 is pushed against the inner wall of the first connecting rod 522 and compresses the body 526, so that the body 526 accumulates an elastic torque, so that the second support leg 528 pushes against the first... The connecting rod 522 drives the slider 521 to maintain a constant tendency to slide towards the unfolded end point 538. When the operator unfastens the buckle 546 and the buckle 547, only a slight downward push is needed on the first end 531 of the main chair 53. The elastic torque stored in the body 526 will cause the second leg 528 to push against the first connecting rod 522, thereby driving the slider 521 to slide to the unfolded end point 538. This allows the seating assembly 51 to unfold smoothly and completely, providing a stable seating position.

[0041] It is worth noting that in other embodiments of the present invention, the guide rail 536 and the slider 521 are not present. When the seating assembly 51 is to be operated from the folded state to the unfolded state, the elastic torque stored in the body 526 causes the second support leg 528 to push against the first connecting rod 522 and move away from the main support rod 32. The first connecting rod 522 is linked to the second connecting rod 525, and the second connecting rod 525 is linked to make the slide 4 slide on the main support rod 32 until the engaging part 72 and the locking part 71 are nested together. At this time, the first connecting rod 522 is restricted by the second connecting rod 525 and stops moving away from the main support rod 32, and abuts against the main bottom surface 534 of the main seat 53, so that the seating assembly 51 can be maintained in the unfolded state. In this way, the same purpose and effect as the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0042] In summary, the folding chair 2 of the present invention, which can be unfolded with assistance, is more convenient to operate and can be fully unfolded to stand stably on the ground, thus achieving the purpose of the present invention.

[0043] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the claims and description of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A folding chair that can be unfolded with assistance, characterized in that: Include The support unit includes a pivot seat, a main support rod passing through the pivot seat, and at least two auxiliary support rods pivotally connected to the pivot seat; A sliding block, slidably fitted onto the main support rod; and The seating unit includes a seating assembly connected to the slide seat, and a linkage assembly connected to the pivot seat and linked by the seating assembly. The seating assembly can switch between a retracted state (closed relative to the main support rod) and an extended state (extended relative to the main support rod and intersecting at an angle). The linkage assembly has a first linkage pivotally connected to the pivot seat, a second linkage pivotally connected between the first linkage and the slide seat, and an elastic retaining member disposed at the pivot point between the first linkage and the pivot seat. The first linkage is slidably pivotally connected to the seating assembly. The seating assembly can be activated by pivoting with the slide seat and by the first linkage... The pivoting motion between the rod and the pivot seat, the pivoting motion between the first connecting rod and the seating assembly, and the sliding motion of the slide relative to the main support rod and the connecting rod assembly are converted. When the seating assembly is in the retracted state, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod are relatively close to the main support rod, and the elastic retainer is driven by the first connecting rod to accumulate elastic force to push against the first connecting rod so that the end of the first connecting rod opposite to the pivot seat always maintains a tendency to move away from the main support rod. When the seating assembly is in the unfolded state, the end of the first connecting rod opposite to the pivot seat abuts against the bottom of the seating assembly.

2. The folding chair with assisted unfolding according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pivot has an upwardly extending pivot column for pivoting the first connecting rod. The connecting rod assembly also has a pin that passes through the pivot column and the first connecting rod for pivoting. The elastic retainer is a torsion spring and has a body sleeved on the pin, a first leg connected to the body and elastically supported against the pivot column, and a second leg connected to the end of the body opposite to the first leg and elastically supported against the inner wall of the first connecting rod.

3. The folding chair that can be unfolded with assistance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the seating assembly has a guide rail extending along its own length. The guide rail has a retractable end adjacent to the slide and an extended end away from the slide. The linkage assembly also has a slider connected to the end of the first linkage opposite to the pivot and slidable along the guide rail. When the seating assembly is in the retracted state, the slider is located at the retractable end, and the elastic retainer accumulates the elastic force to push against the first linkage, causing the slider to maintain a tendency to slide towards the extended end. When the seating assembly is in the extended state, the slider is located at the extended end.

4. The folding chair that can be assisted in unfolding according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slide has a sleeve slidably fitted onto the main support rod, a pivot block protruding from one side of the sleeve, and a pivot lug protruding from the other side of the sleeve. The second connecting rod is pivotally connected between the first connecting rod and the pivot lug.

5. The folding chair with assisted unfolding according to claim 4, characterized in that: The seating assembly has a main seat pivotally connected to the pivot block, and two side seats pivotally connected to both sides of the main seat.

6. The folding chair with assisted unfolding according to claim 5, characterized in that: The main chair component has a first end adjacent to the main support rod, a second end opposite to the first end along its own length direction, a main support surface extending from the first end to the second end, a main bottom surface opposite to the main support surface, and a pair of pivot plates disposed at the first end and pivotally connected to the pivot block.

7. The folding chair with assisted unfolding according to claim 5, characterized in that: Each side of the chair has an inner edge adjacent to the main chair, an outer edge opposite to the inner edge, a side support surface extending from the inner edge to the outer edge, a side bottom surface opposite to the side support surface and for supporting the top of one of the secondary support rods, and a blocking block formed on the side bottom surface adjacent to the outer edge for locking and positioning the top of the secondary support rod.

8. The folding chair that can be assisted in unfolding according to claim 7, characterized in that: One of the side chair components has a buckle plate disposed on the outer edge, and the other of the side chair components has a buckle ring disposed on the outer edge and capable of engaging with the buckle plate.

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