chair

Abstract

A folding chair comprising a frame, brackets, and a seat. The chair may be assembled by the steps of connecting a first bracket to a first surface of the frame and connecting a second bracket to a second surface of the frame. The seat may be connected to the brackets by the steps of inserting the downward-extending portion of the seat into the upper part of the bracket and pushing the seat downward toward the lower part of the bracket. The seat may be connected to at least a substantially assembled frame, and the seat may be attached to the brackets while the frame is in a folded position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application generally relates to furniture, and more particularly to chairs.

Background Art

[0002] Conventional chairs typically include a chair seat and a backrest. The seat and backrest of the chair can be separate structures or part of a single structure. The chair typically includes legs for supporting the seat and backrest on a surface such as the floor.

[0003] Chairs can be constructed from a variety of materials such as wood, metal, and molded plastic. Conventional chairs can have a variety of designs depending on factors such as intended use, ergonomics, and appearance. In addition to this, chairs can have various functional considerations such as size, weight, durability, portability, and desired seating position.

[0004] Chairs can be constructed for additional comfort that can facilitate longer-term chair use. For example, the seat and backrest of the chair can be contoured, padded, and constructed from flexible materials.

[0005] Folding chairs are also known, and folding chairs can be arranged in a deployed or use position and a folded or collapsed position. Since less space is required when the chair is in the folded position, it can be easier to transport and store folding chairs. Folding chairs can also facilitate transportation and storage because alignment and placement of the folded chair can be easier.

[0006] Folding chairs are frequently used in assembly halls, banquet halls, convention centers, hotels, schools, churches, and other places where large numbers of people gather. Folding chairs can be arranged in various configurations and arrangements for seating. When the chairs are no longer needed for seating, the chairs can be folded for transportation or storage.

[0007] Folding chairs are typically lightweight, portable chairs used when permanent seating is impossible, impractical, or undesirable. Folding chairs may be used during outdoor or indoor events such as performances, presentations, and sporting events. They may also be used at home when extra seating is needed for parties, games, and temporary seating for guests.

[0008] Conventional folding chairs have pivotally connected front and rear legs that allow the chair to move between a folded and unfolded position. Unfortunately, some known folding chairs are not very sturdy, rigid, durable, or well-made. In addition, some known folding chairs can be difficult to use and may be difficult to fix in the use position or folded position. Also, some known folding chairs are difficult to manufacture, and some known folding chairs are relatively flimsy. Furthermore, some known folding chairs are uncomfortable to use, and some known folding chairs may develop one or more pinch points. These problems can be particularly significant for lightweight and relatively inexpensive chairs.

[0009] Conventional folding chairs may not be able to support heavy weight or force. Furthermore, conventional folding chairs can be quite time-consuming to assemble. For example, some known folding chairs may have numerous individual parts that need to be carefully assembled, which can unnecessarily increase the time required to manufacture the chair. In addition, the manufacturing process may be relatively complex and involve multiple steps, and the manufacturing process may require that some parts of the chair be assembled before others, which can make the process more difficult and tedious. [Overview of the project]

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a chair that eliminates or reduces the above-mentioned shortcomings and problems. One embodiment is a chair which may comprise a seat and a chair back or backrest. The frame may connect the seat and the backrest. The frame may comprise one or more legs which support the seat and backrest at a desired height or distance from a surface such as the floor. The legs may be attached to the seat and backrest, if desired. The frame may comprise a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs. The legs may be pivotably connected, thereby allowing the chair to move between a folded or retracted position and an extended or usable position.

[0011] Another embodiment is a chair that can be constructed from plastic, at least partially. For example, the seat and / or backrest may be constructed from plastic, such as blow-molded or injection-molded plastic. The seat and backrest may be separate components or may be integrally formed as part of a single-piece structure. The plastic components may be manufactured quickly and efficiently. The plastic components may have different shapes, sizes, configurations, and / or arrangements, for example, depending on the intended use of the chair. A chair comprising one or more plastic components may be durable, lightweight, easy to manufacture, impact-resistant, and strong, etc. It is understood that all or part of the chair may be constructed from plastic, and the plastic components may be manufactured by any suitable process or method, such as blow molding, injection molding, or rotational molding. It is also understood that all or part of the chair may be constructed from other materials having suitable properties and characteristics, such as metal. For example, the frame may be constructed from metal, such as steel, aluminum, or alloy.

[0012] Another aspect is a chair that may be lightweight and easily portable. Advantageously, this may allow the chair to be used in a wide variety of situations and environments. This may also increase the chair's potential uses and allow it to be used for multiple different purposes.

[0013] Another embodiment is a chair that may have a frame, which may allow the chair to support a significant amount of weight or force. For example, the frame may be constructed from a relatively durable material such as metal. In exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the frame may be constructed at least partially from a metal tube, such as a steel tube, which may have a substantially circular, oval, elliptical, elongated, round, or other desired configuration.

[0014] Another embodiment is a chair that may be a folding chair, which may be movable between a closed position, a folded position, or a retracted position and an open position, an unfolded position, or a use position. The folding chair may have pivotally connected legs. For example, the chair may have a front leg and a rear leg, which may be pivotally connected. In an exemplary embodiment, the right front leg may be pivotally connected to a right rear leg which may be located on the right side of the chair, and the left front leg may be pivotally connected to a left rear leg which may be located on the left side of the chair. The upper portion of the front leg may be connected to a backrest.

[0015] A further embodiment is a folding chair that may have legs that are substantially aligned and / or positioned in a substantially parallel configuration when folded. For example, when the chair is in the folded position, at least a portion of the front legs and at least a portion of the rear legs may be positioned in substantially aligned adjacent positions. In an exemplary embodiment, when the chair is in the folded position, the rear legs may be positioned inside the front legs, and when the chair is in the folded position, at least a portion of the rear legs and at least a portion of the front legs may be positioned in a substantially parallel side-by-side configuration. In addition, when the chair is in the folded position, the rear legs may be positioned at least substantially between the front legs. Because the rear legs may be positioned at least substantially between the front legs when the chair is in the folded position, this can facilitate the alignment and / or close spacing of the chair in the folded position, which may allow the chair to be stored and / or transported in a smaller space.

[0016] Another further embodiment is a char which may comprise one or more brackets, the brackets may be mounted to a frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the brackets may be pivotally mounted to a frame, such as pivotally mounted to a front leg. An exemplary bracket may have a substantially U-shaped configuration having an outer portion such as an outer wall, a lower portion such as a bottom wall, and an inner portion such as an inner wall. The bracket may be sized and configured to accommodate a portion of the seat, such as the outer wall, side walls, and / or lip of the seat. For example, the seat may have downward-extending portions such as lip and / or side walls, the downward-extending portions may be at least partially positioned on the bracket. For example, at least a portion of the downward-extending portion of the seat may be positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall of the bracket. The lower portion of the downward-extending portion may be in contact with the lower portion of the bracket. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer portion, inner portion, and / or lower portion of the bracket may be in contact with the outer portion, inner portion, and / or lower portion of the downward-extending portion of the seat.

[0017] Another embodiment is a chair that may include a bracket having one or more mounting portions, the mounting portions being sized and configured to facilitate connection between the bracket and the seat. For example, the bracket may include one or more inwardly extending mounting portions, such as tabs, which may be sized and configured to be at least partially positioned within a mounting portion, such as a housing portion in the seat. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner portion of the bracket may include one or more inwardly extending mounting portions, such as two inwardly extending mounting portions. In this example, one inwardly extending mounting portion may be positioned toward a first portion of the bracket, and another inwardly extending mounting portion may be positioned toward a second portion of the bracket. The inwardly extending mounting portions may be sized and configured to allow the seat to be inserted downward into the bracket, and the inwardly extending mounting portions may be sized and configured to prevent the seat from being inadvertently removed from the bracket. For example, when the seat is inserted into the bracket, a portion of the inwardly extending mounting and / or housing portion of the seat may bend or deform, and then the inwardly extending mounting and / or housing portion of the seat may at least partially restore and / or elastically return to its original configuration. The bracket and seat may be dimensioned and configured to allow the seat to be inserted downward into the upper portion of the bracket to connect the bracket and the seat. That is, in an exemplary embodiment, the bracket may be dimensioned and configured to allow an outer portion of the seat, such as the side wall, to be inserted downward into the upper portion of a substantially U-shaped bracket, rather than a sliding connection of the seat and bracket along the length of the bracket. In addition to or instead of this, the axis may be aligned with the height of the bracket, the height measured between the lower and upper portions of the bracket, and the seat and bracket may be aligned along the axis when the seat is connected to the bracket.

[0018] Another embodiment is a bracket that may have multiple support portions or support surfaces, the support surfaces may be sized and configured to support a seat. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket may have an inner portion, such as a side wall, the inner side wall may have a first portion positioned toward the front portion of the bracket and a second portion positioned toward the rear portion of the bracket. The upper portion of the front portion of the inner side wall of the bracket and / or the upper portion of the rear portion of the inner side wall may be sized and configured to support a portion of the seat, such as the lower portion of the seat. The upper portion of the front inner portion of the bracket may have a substantially flat surface, which may be sized and configured to support the lower portion of the seat. The upper portion of the rear inner portion of the bracket may have a substantially flat surface, which may be sized and configured to support the lower portion of the seat. The lower portion of the bracket may have an inner surface, which may be sized and configured to support a portion of the seat, such as the lower portion of the side wall. The outer portion of the bracket may be sized and configured to support a portion of the seat, such as the outer wall of the seat. For example, the outer portion of the bracket may have a top surface, which may be dimensioned and configured to support the outer portion of the seat. In exemplary embodiments, the outer portion of the bracket may be at least partially positioned in a recess or opening in the outer wall of the seat. In some exemplary embodiments, the outer portion of the bracket may have mounting portions, such as inwardly extending mounting portions, which may be dimensioned and configured to connect the bracket and the seat. For example, the outer portion of the bracket may have an inwardly extending portion, which may be curved inward and / or downward. More specifically, the inwardly extending portion of the outer portion of the bracket may have a substantially rounded configuration, and the tip of the inwardly extending portion may be positioned toward the lower portion of the bracket and / or be angled inward. The inwardly extending portion of the outer portion of the bracket and / or a portion of the seat may be at least partially bent or deformed when the seat is attached to the bracket.When the seat is attached to the bracket, the inwardly extending portion of the outer part of the bracket and / or a portion of the seat may, at least partially, return to their initial configuration or elastically return to their original position, which may help connect the seat to the bracket. The inwardly extending portion of the outer part of the bracket may facilitate the quick, easy, and / or secure mounting of the bracket and the seat.

[0019] Another embodiment is a bracket that may have an opening or notch that can be located in an inner portion of the bracket, such as an inner side wall. The opening may extend longitudinally along the length of the bracket, and may extend downward relative to the upper portion of the inner side wall of the bracket. At least a portion of the top of the opening may be open or exposed. The opening may have an end that can be located toward the front portion of the bracket, and the opening may have an opposite end that can be located toward the rear portion of the bracket. In exemplary embodiments, the opening may form at least part of a guide, which may facilitate the folding and / or unfolding of the chair. For example, the opening may include a guide surface, which may have a substantially flat or smooth surface. In exemplary embodiments, the guide surface may be at least partially formed by the lower part of the opening, and the guide surface may be located toward the lower portion of the bracket. The guide surface may have an inwardly extending portion that extends toward the center or middle portion of the chair. The inwardly extending portion may have a substantially flat or smooth surface. A gap or space may be provided between the front of the guide surface and the front of the opening. In addition to or instead of this, a gap or space may be provided between the rear of the guide surface and the rear of the opening. If desired, a downward-extending notch may be provided between the rear of the guide surface and the rear of the opening. The guide may be sized and configured to accommodate at least a portion of the guide member, and the guide may help control the movement of the frame while the chair is folded and unfolded.

[0020] Another embodiment is a chair in which the seat can be attached by friction, interference, and / or snap-fit ​​configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket may be dimensioned and configured to allow the seat to be inserted downward (relative to the bracket) into the upper part of the bracket, and one or more parts of the bracket and / or seat may be dimensioned and configured to bend or deform at least partially when the seat is attached to the bracket. Once the seat is attached to the bracket, the parts of the bracket and / or seat can at least partially return to their initial configuration or elastically return to their original position, thereby enabling a connection between the seat and the bracket.

[0021] Another embodiment is a bracket that may comprise one or more mounting portions on a first portion of the bracket, such as an inner portion or inner wall, and one or more mounting portions on another portion of the bracket, such as an outer portion or outer wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner portion of the bracket may comprise one or more inwardly extending mounting portions, and the outer portion of the bracket may comprise one or more inwardly extending mounting portions. The inwardly extending mounting portions may be inclined downward toward the lower portion of the bracket, thereby facilitating the insertion of the seat portion downward toward the upper portion of the bracket and toward the lower portion of the bracket when the seat portion is attached to the bracket.

[0022] Another embodiment is a chair that may have a seat having one or more mounting parts, the mounting parts may facilitate the attachment of the seat to the frame. The seat mounting part may include one or more locking parts, engaging parts, and / or housing parts that can be dimensioned and configured to contact, abut, engage, connect, mount, and / or connect to one or more mounting parts of a bracket, for example. The seat mounting part may be dimensioned and configured to connect the seat to the frame using friction, interference, and / or snap-fitting. This allows the seat to be connected to the frame without the use of fasteners. It is understood that, if desired, one or more fasteners may be used to attach the seat to the bracket.

[0023] A further embodiment is a chair that may include brackets, which may be part of the frame or attached to the frame. In exemplary embodiments, a first bracket may be attached to a first front leg, and a second bracket may be attached to a second front leg. The first and second brackets may be complementary, and the brackets may be mirror images of each other. The first and second brackets may be positioned on either side of the seat, and the first and second brackets may have corresponding shapes, sizes, configurations, and / or arrangements. It is understood that the brackets may have other shapes, sizes, configurations, and / or arrangements, for example, depending on the intended use of the chair.

[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the bracket and seat may have one or more mounting portions, such as outward-extending portions (e.g., projections, protrusions, ridges, flanges, engagement positions, locking teeth, and teeth) and / or inward-extending portions (e.g., slots, channels, grooves, and housing portions). For example, the bracket may have one or more outward-extending portions, and the seat may have one or more inward-extending portions. Thus, the bracket and seat may have one or more mounting portions, which may be dimensionally defined and configured such as contact, abutment, engagement, linkage, mounting, and connection. After examining the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art will understand that the seat and bracket may be connected in other suitable ways, for example, depending on the intended use of the chair.

[0025] Another further embodiment is a method for attaching the seat and frame. This method may comprise the steps of connecting one or more brackets to the frame, and then connecting the seat to the brackets. Advantageously, this may allow the seat to be attached to the frame after the frame has been at least partially or at least substantially assembled. For example, among other parts and components, the frame may comprise two front legs, two rear legs, and / or two brackets. In exemplary embodiments, the front and rear legs may be pivotably connected, and the brackets may be pivotably connected to the legs, such as the front legs. For example, the rear portion of a first bracket may be pivotably connected to a first front leg, and the rear portion of a second bracket may be pivotably connected to a second front leg. In addition, one or more crossbars may be attached to the legs, such as a lower crossbar connected to the front legs and / or a lower crossbar connected to the rear legs. In addition, an upper crossbar may be connected to the legs, such as the upper portion of the rear legs. In this exemplary embodiment, the seat may be attached to the frame after the legs, brackets, and / or crossbars have been assembled. In the exemplary embodiment, the mounting portions of the seat and / or the brackets may be dimensioned and configured to allow the seat to be attached to the frame when the frame is in a folded or retracted position. For example, the seat may generally be positioned above the upper portion of the brackets, and portions of the seat, such as the outer walls and / or side walls, may be inserted into the brackets. The seat may be pressed down relative to the upper portion of the brackets so that at least a portion of the seat is positioned on the brackets. In this exemplary embodiment, the sides or side walls of the seat may be attached to the brackets, thereby allowing the seat and frame to be connected. The seat may be attached to the frame while the frame is partially or almost assembled, and / or the seat may be attached to the frame while the frame is in a folded position, which may facilitate the manufacture and / or assembly of the chair.After reviewing this disclosure, a person skilled in the art will understand that the seat does not need to be attached to a partially or nearly assembled frame, and that the seat may be attached to the frame when the frame is in an open or unfolded position.

[0026] A further embodiment is a chair that may have an upper crossbar, the upper crossbar may be connected to the upper part of the legs, such as the upper part of the rear legs. The upper crossbar may have a tubular structure and may be securely connected to the upper part of the rear legs by welding or the like. In exemplary embodiments, the upper crossbar may be movable or slidable relative to the seat, such as the bottom of the seat, while the chair is folded and / or unfolded. One or more stops may be used to control the movement of the crossbar. For example, one or more stops may be used to prevent the movement of the crossbar, and the stops may be used to maintain the chair in the folded and / or unfolded position. In addition to or instead of this, one or more guides may be used to control the movement of the crossbar, the guides may be at least partially formed by the seat and / or brackets. For example, the upper part of the guide may be at least partially formed by the underside of the seat, and the lower part of the guide may be at least partially formed by brackets. The guide may have an opening positioned between the lower part of the seat and a portion of the bracket. A guide member may be at least partially positioned in the opening of the guide and may move within the opening of the guide while the chair is folded and / or unfolded. In exemplary embodiments, the guide member may be a portion of the upper crossbar, such as the end of the upper crossbar. In addition to or instead of this, the guide member may be attached to the upper part of the upper crossbar and / or the rear leg. For example, the guide member may be connected to the end of the upper crossbar and may have outwardly extending portions such as pins, posts, connectors, and studs. In exemplary embodiments, the guide member may be a stud and may be attached to the end of the upper crossbar. The stud may have a body and an enlarged end such as a head and may be at least partially positioned in the guide. For example, the body of the stud may be positioned in the opening of the guide and the head may be positioned in a housing portion, which may help to position and / or maintain the stud within the guide.Advantageously, the studs and / or guides can assist in controlling the movement of the upper cross member and can enable the chair to be easily folded and unfolded. In addition to this, the studs can allow the guides to have small openings (such as about 6.35 mm (1 / 4 inch) or less), which can eliminate pinch points, and the studs can allow the upper cross member to move relative to the lower portion of the chair. The studs can allow the cross members to be constructed from tubes or rods of relatively large diameter, which can provide robust and important support for the seat, such as the front portion of the seat, without increasing the size of the openings in the guides. The studs can be securely connected to the cross members, such as by welding, thereby allowing the chair to support a large amount of force or weight. In contrast, conventional known folding chairs use small diameter cross members to help prevent pinch points, and the small diameter cross members require tight tolerances, which made the manufacturing and assembly processes significantly more complex. Importantly, the studs, cross members, brackets, and seats disclosed herein do not require the tight tolerances of conventional known chairs. Instead, the studs, cross members, brackets, and seats disclosed herein provide increased support for the seat and facilitate faster and easier manufacturing and / or assembly of the chair.

[0027] Yet another aspect can be a chair that can include a seat having one or more surfaces sized and configured to facilitate folding and unfolding of the chair. For example, the seat can include one or more surfaces that form portions of guides, and the lower portion of the seat can be configured to have the same overall shape and configuration as the upper cross member, which can help eliminate pinch points. After consideration of the present disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the seat and / or brackets can include other suitable features and components such as teeth, tabs, cams, buttons, protrusions, locking members, and the like.

[0028] Another embodiment is a chair that may have pivotally connected legs. For example, the chair may have a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs, the rear legs may be positioned inside the front legs. When the chair is in the folded position, the rear legs may be positioned at least substantially between the front legs. The rear legs may have offset portions, which may facilitate the folding of the chair. For example, the upper portion of the rear legs may have an inwardly extending offset portion. When the chair is in the folded position, the lower portion of the rear legs may be substantially aligned with and parallel to the lower portion of the front legs, and arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The upper offset portion of the rear legs may be substantially aligned with and parallel to the upper portion of the front legs, and the upper offset portion of the rear legs may be spaced apart from the upper portion of the front legs by a gap when the chair is in the folded position. When the chair is in the folded position, the bracket and / or a portion of the seat may be positioned in the gap between the upper offset portion of the rear legs and the upper portion of the front legs. The rear portion of the seat may have one or more notches, grooves, or receiving sections that can accommodate at least a portion of the upper offset portion of the rear legs when the chair is in the folded position. In an exemplary embodiment, in the folded position, the upper offset portion of the rear legs may be at least partially positioned in the receiving section of the seat, the bracket may be substantially aligned with the lower portion of the rear legs along the axis, and / or the bracket, the rear legs, and at least a portion of the seat may be positioned between the front legs.

[0029] Another aspect is a folding chair that may be movable between a folded position and an unfolded position. Advantageously, the frame may be assembled at least nearly or completely, and then the seat may be attached to the frame. In contrast, conventional known folding chairs required the seat to be attached before the frame was assembled nearly or completely. Some conventional known chairs required the seat to be attached to the seat bracket before the rear legs were assembled and / or attached to the frame. Attaching the seat to these conventional known chairs was often difficult because the seat was typically attached at an angle to the frame, and the seat was usually inserted longitudinally into the bracket. Attaching the rear legs after the seat had been attached to these conventional known chairs was often difficult. However, the folding chairs disclosed herein may allow the seat to be attached to a fully or at least nearly assembled frame. In addition, the seat may be attached when the frame is in the folded position. For example, if the frame is positioned in a horizontal or vertical configuration, the seat may be positioned in the corresponding horizontal or vertical configuration and aligned with the bracket. The lower portion of the seat may contact the upper portion of the bracket, and the seat may be pressed into and connected to the bracket, which may allow the seat to be attached using friction, interference, and / or snap-fit. The seat may be securely connected to the bracket by one or more mounting portions, gripping members, and / or locking members. In exemplary embodiments, the seat may not be moved longitudinally along the length of the bracket while the seat is attached to the bracket.

[0030] Yet another aspect is a folding chair that may include a backrest, a seat, and a frame. The frame may include a first leg assembly having front legs and rear legs, and the second leg assembly may include front legs and rear legs. The upper cross member may connect the upper portion of the rear legs of the first leg assembly and the upper portion of the rear legs of the second leg assembly. The first bracket may be connected to the front legs of the first leg assembly, and the second bracket may be connected to the front legs of the second leg assembly. The first bracket may form a part of a first guide, and the second bracket may form a part of a second guide. The guide may be dimensioned and configured to guide the upper cross member as the chair moves between the folded and deployed positions. The seat may also form a part of the guide. For example, the first part of the guide may be formed by a part of the seat, and the second part of the guide may be formed by a part of the bracket. The guide may include an opening and a receiving portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the end of the upper cross member may include a guide member such as a stud, and the body of the stud may be disposed within the elongate opening of the guide. The stud may have an enlarged head, and the head may be disposed within the receiving portion. Advantageously, the guide, guide member, bracket, cross member, and / or seat may enable a strong and sturdy chair to be constructed.

[0031] Another embodiment is a chair that may have a backrest attached to a frame. The backrest and / or frame may have one or more connecting members which may have locking portions, engaging portions and / or housing portions, and the connecting members may be sized and configured to contact, abut, engage, link, attach, connect, etc., to each other in order to connect the backrest and the frame. The connecting members may be sized and configured to connect the backrest and the frame using friction, interference, and / or snap-fitting. This may allow the backrest to be attached to the frame without requiring the use of one or more fasteners. However, fasteners may be used if necessary. In exemplary embodiments, the connecting members may have one or more locking, engaging, or housing portions such as projections, engaging portions, locking teeth, teeth, slots, channels, grooves, etc. One or more of the connecting members may extend from the open top of the frame, and one or more of the connecting portions may be arranged along the length of the frame. One or more connecting members may be spaced apart from the ends of the frame. For example, the upper portion of the frame, such as the upper portion of the front legs, may have slots or openings. The openings may be located on the inner surface of the upper portion of the frame, and one or more of the connecting members may be located at least near the openings. In exemplary embodiments, the backrest may have one or more connecting members that are sized and configured to contact, abut, engage, connect, attach, or otherwise connect to one or more corresponding connecting members of the frame. The connecting members may be sized and configured to bend or deform when the backrest is attached to the frame. Once the backrest is attached to the frame, the connecting members may at least partially return to their initial configuration, which may help to hold the backrest in a desired position. The connecting members may have narrowed or tapered portions that may help to fix the backrest in a fixed position. The connecting members may also have other features, such as inward and / or outward projections, dovetail portions, teeth, etc., that may help to securely attach the backrest to the frame.

[0032] A further embodiment is a method for attaching a backrest to a frame. The method may include a step of connecting a frame connector with a backrest connector. For example, a backrest connector may be positioned to contact, engage, abut, connect, and / or attach to a frame connector. In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the backrest may be inserted into an opening in the upper part of the frame. A backrest connector, such as an outward and / or inwardly extending portion, may contact, engage, abut, connect, and / or attach to a frame connector, such as a housing portion or projection. In an exemplary embodiment, a side of the backrest may be aligned with an opening, such as a slot, located in the upper part of the frame, and the backrest may be inserted and / or positioned to allow the frame connector and the backrest connector to connect to the frame. If the backrest is constructed from a plastic such as blow-molded plastic, the backrest connectors may be formed integrally with the backrest as a single, one-piece structural component. The frame connectors may be formed on the frame during the manufacturing process. The frame connectors and / or backrest connectors may be separate parts and / or components, for example, depending on the intended use of the chair. The frame connectors and / or backrest connectors may allow the backrest and frame to be connected using friction, interference, and / or snap fastening.

[0033] Another embodiment is a folding chair that can move between a folded position and an unfolded position. The folding chair may have a frame, and the seat may have one or more of a first set of storage parts that can be positioned on a first surface of the seat, and one or more of a second set of storage parts that can be positioned on a second surface of the seat. A first bracket may be attached to a first surface of the frame, and the first bracket may have one or more mounting portions that are sized and configured to engage one or more housing portions of the first set of the seat when the seat is inserted from the upper part of the first bracket toward the lower part of the first bracket, and the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket and one or more housing portions of the first set of the seat may connect the first surface of the seat to the first bracket. A second bracket may be attached to a second surface of the frame, and the second bracket may have one or more mounting portions that are sized and configured to engage one or more housing portions of the second set of the seat when the seat is inserted from the upper part of the second bracket toward the lower part of the second bracket, and the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket and one or more housing portions of the second set of the seat may connect the second surface of the seat to the second bracket.

[0034] A further embodiment is a folding chair that may comprise a frame having a right front leg attached to the right rear leg and a left front leg attached to the left rear leg, wherein the first bracket may be pivotably attached to the right front leg, the second bracket may be pivotably attached to the left front leg, and the seat may be attached to at least a substantially assembled frame. The seat may be attached to the first bracket along a first axis which can be positioned substantially perpendicular to the height of the first bracket, and the seat may be attached to the second bracket along a second axis which can be positioned substantially perpendicular to the height of the second bracket. The seat may be attached to the first bracket and the second bracket, the first bracket and the second bracket are attached to the frame, and the frame may be positioned in a folded position. The seat may be attached to the first bracket and the second bracket, the first bracket and the second bracket are attached to the frame, and the frame may be positioned in an unfolded position. The one or more mounting portions of the first bracket may extend inward and downward toward the lower surface of the first bracket, and the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket may extend inward and downward toward the lower surface of the second bracket. The seat may be connected to the first bracket and the second bracket while the frame is in a folded configuration and the frame is at least substantially assembled. The mounting portions of the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket may have tabs extending downward and inward toward the lower surface of the first bracket, and the mounting portions of the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket may have tabs extending downward and inward toward the lower surface of the second bracket, and the seat may be attached to the bracket without moving parallel to the length of the first bracket or the second bracket.The seat portion may be positioned above the upper portion of the first bracket and the upper portion of the second bracket when the seat portion is attached to the first bracket and the second bracket, one or more housing portions of the first set of the seat portion may be aligned with one or more mounting portions of the first bracket, one or more housing portions of the second set of the seat portion may be aligned with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket, one or more housing portions of the first set of the seat portion may engage with one or more mounting portions of the first bracket when the seat portion is attached to the first bracket, and one or more housing portions of the second set of the seat portion may engage with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket when the seat portion is attached to the second bracket. The first bracket may have an inner wall and an outer wall, the second bracket may have an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall of the first bracket may have two of the one or more mounting portions, the outer wall of the first bracket may have one of the one or more mounting portions, the inner wall of the second bracket may have two of the one or more mounting portions, and the outer wall of the second bracket may have one of the one or more mounting portions.

[0035] Another embodiment is a method for assembling a portion of a folding chair. The method may include the step of providing a frame having a first front leg, a first rear leg that can be connected to the first front leg, a second front leg, and a second rear leg that can be connected to the second front leg. A first bracket may be connected to the first front leg, and the first bracket may have a first axis extending upward from the lower portion of the first bracket. A second bracket may be connected to the second front leg, and the second bracket may have a second axis extending upward from the lower portion of the second bracket. A seat may be connected to the first bracket and the second bracket, and the seat may be connected to the first bracket along the first axis, and the seat may be connected to the second bracket along the second axis.

[0036] A further embodiment is a method for assembling a folding chair, the method comprising the steps of: inserting a first portion of the seat into the first bracket from the upper portion toward the lower portion of the first bracket to connect the first portion of the seat to the first bracket; and inserting a second portion of the seat into the second bracket from the upper portion toward the lower portion of the second bracket to connect the second portion of the seat to the second bracket. The method may further comprise the steps of: providing the first bracket with one or more inwardly and downwardly extending mounting portions; providing the second bracket with one or more inwardly and downwardly extending mounting portions; providing the seat with a first side wall having one or more accommodating portions sized and configured to accommodate the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket when the seat is attached to the first bracket; and providing the seat with a second side wall having one or more accommodating portions sized and configured to accommodate the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket when the seat is attached to the second bracket. The seat portion may be connected to the first bracket and the second bracket when the frame is at least substantially assembled. The seat portion may be connected to the first bracket and the second bracket when the frame is in the folded position.The method may further include the steps of positioning the seat above the upper portion of the first bracket when the seat is attached to the first bracket, and positioning the seat above the upper portion of the second bracket when the seat is attached to the second bracket, wherein the seat may include one or more mounting portions of a first set which can be aligned with one or more mounting portions of the first bracket, and the seat may include one or more mounting portions of a second set which can be aligned with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket, and the one or more mounting portions of the first set of the seat may engage with the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket when the seat is attached to the first bracket, and the one or more mounting portions of the second set of the seat may engage with the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket when the seat is attached to the second bracket. The method comprises the steps of providing an inner side wall and an outer side wall to the first bracket, wherein the inner side wall of the first bracket may have two mounting portions, and the mounting portions may have tabs extending downward and inward toward the lower surface of the first bracket; and providing an inner side wall and an outer side wall to the second bracket, wherein the inner side wall of the second bracket may have two mounting portions, and the mounting portions may have tabs extending downward and inward toward the lower surface of the second bracket. The present invention may further include the steps of: providing the seat portion with a first side wall and two mounting portions that may be positioned on the first side wall, wherein the two mounting portions of the first bracket and the two mounting portions of the first side wall may connect the seat portion to the first bracket; and providing the seat portion with a second side wall and two mounting portions positioned on the second side wall, wherein the two mounting portions of the second bracket and the two mounting portions of the second side wall may connect the seat portion to the second bracket.

[0037] Another embodiment is a method for manufacturing a part of a folding chair that can be moved between a folded position and an unfolded position. The method comprises the steps of: providing at least a substantially assembled frame, the frame may comprise a first surface having a first front leg portion and a first rear leg portion, and a second surface having a second front leg portion and a second rear leg portion; connecting a first bracket to the first surface of the frame, the first bracket may comprise one or more mounting portions extending downward toward the lower portion of the first bracket; connecting a second bracket to the second surface of the frame, the second bracket may comprise one or more mounting portions extending downward toward the lower portion of the second bracket; providing a seat, the seat may comprise a first side wall having one or more mounting portions, and a second side wall which may comprise one or more mounting portions; aligning the one or more mounting portions of the first side wall of the seat with the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket; and aligning the first mounting portions of the second side wall of the seat with the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket. The process may include: aligning one or more mounting portions with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket; positioning the first side wall of the seat portion near the upper portion of the first bracket; positioning the second side wall of the seat portion near the upper portion of the second bracket; inserting the first side wall of the seat portion into the first bracket along an axis from the upper portion of the first bracket toward the lower portion of the first bracket; inserting the second side wall of the seat portion into the second bracket along an axis from the upper portion of the second bracket toward the lower portion of the second bracket; connecting the seat portion to the first bracket by engaging one or more mounting portions of the first bracket with one or more mounting portions of the first side wall; and connecting the seat portion to the second bracket by engaging one or more mounting portions of the second bracket with one or more mounting portions of the second side wall.

[0038] A further embodiment is a method for manufacturing a part of a folding chair, comprising the step of attaching the seat to the first bracket and the second bracket when the frame is in a folded position. The one or more mounting portions of the first bracket may include portions extending inward and downward relative to the inner portion of the first bracket, the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket may include portions extending inward and downward relative to the inner portion of the second bracket, the one or more mounting portions of the first side wall of the seat may be accommodating portions that accommodate the inward and downward portions of the first bracket when the seat is connected to the first bracket, and the one or more mounting portions of the second side wall of the seat may be accommodating portions that accommodate the inward and downward portions of the second bracket when the seat is connected to the second bracket.

[0039] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following brief description of the drawings, the drawings, the detailed description of preferred embodiments, and the appended claims.

[0040] The accompanying drawings include diagrams of preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention. It is understood that these drawings only illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit its scope. In addition, the drawings may illustrate preferred sizes, scales, relationships, and configurations of the present invention, but it is understood that the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. The present invention is described and explained in more specific and detail by using the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0041] [Figure 1] An illustrative upward perspective view of a chair. [Figure 2] A downward perspective view of the chair shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Front view of the chair shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] A rear view of the chair shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Left side view of the chair shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Right side view of the chair shown in Figure 1. [Figure 7] Top view of the chair shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] A view of the bottom of the chair shown in Figure 1. [Figure 9] An illustrative upward perspective view of a chair frame. [Figure 10] An enlarged perspective view of a portion of the chair frame shown in Figure 9. [Figure 11] An enlarged front view of a portion of the chair frame shown in Figure 9. [Figure 12] An enlarged, downward-facing perspective view of a portion of the chair frame shown in Figure 9. [Figure 13] An enlarged, downward-sloping rear perspective view of a portion of the chair frame shown in Figure 9. [Figure 14] An exemplary front perspective view of a bracket. [Figure 15] A rear perspective view of the bracket shown in Figure 14. [Figure 16] Front view of an exemplary bracket shown in Figure 14. [Figure 17] Right side view of an exemplary bracket shown in Figure 14. [Figure 18] A top view of an exemplary bracket shown in Figure 14. [Figure 19] Figure 14 shows a bottom view of an exemplary bracket. [Figure 20] An exemplary upward perspective view of the seat. [Figure 21] Figure 20 shows a downward perspective view of the seat. [Figure 22] An enlarged downward perspective view of a portion of the seat shown in Figure 20. [Figure 23] Another enlarged lower perspective view of a portion of the seat shown in Figure 20. [Figure 24] Another enlarged lower perspective view of a portion of the seat shown in Figure 20. [Figure 25]A cross-sectional side view of a portion of the seat shown in Figure 20. [Figure 26] An exemplary overhead perspective view of a chair, showing the seat attached to the frame when the frame is in an assembled configuration. [Figure 27] An exemplary downward perspective view of a chair, showing the seat separated by a certain distance from the frame, and the edge of the seat aligned with the bracket. [Figure 28] An enlarged downward perspective view of a portion of the chair shown in Figure 27. [Figure 29] A side view of the chair shown in Figure 27, showing the frame in a folded configuration and the seat, which is sized and configured to be attached to the frame. [Figure 30] Figure 29 shows a cross-sectional side view of the seat and a portion of the frame, illustrating the seat being attached to the frame. [Figure 31] Figure 30 shows a cross-sectional side view of the seat and frame, illustrating the seat being attached to the frame. [Figure 32] Figure 30 shows an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the seat and a portion of the frame, illustrating the seat being attached to the frame. [Figure 33] Figure 32 shows an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the seat and a portion of the frame, illustrating the seat being attached to the frame. [Figure 34] Another enlarged cross-sectional view of the seat and a portion of the frame shown in Figure 32, indicating the seat attached to the frame. [Figure 35] An upward perspective view of another embodiment of the exemplary chair. [Figure 36] An overhead perspective view of the chair shown in Figure 35, showing the seat attached to the frame when the frame is in an assembled configuration. [Figure 37] Figure 35 is a downward perspective view of the chair, showing the seat portion separated from the frame by a certain distance, and the edge of the seat portion aligned with the bracket. [Figure 38] An upward perspective view of another embodiment of an exemplary chair seat. [Figure 39]Figure 38 shows a downward perspective view of the chair seat. [Figure 40] A front perspective view of another embodiment of the exemplary bracket. [Figure 41] A rear perspective view of the bracket shown in Figure 40. [Figure 42] An enlarged cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the chair seat attached to the frame. [Figure 43] Perspective view of the backrest and upper part of the frame. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0042] This invention generally relates to chairs. However, the principles of the invention are not limited to chairs. In light of this disclosure, it is understood that the chairs disclosed herein may have a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements. It is also understood that chairs may include any appropriate number and combination of features, components, aspects, etc. In addition, although the chairs shown in the accompanying drawings are shown to have a particular style, it is understood that chairs may have other appropriate styles and / or configurations. Furthermore, chairs disclosed herein may have other configurations and arrangements, such as glider chairs and stacking chairs.

[0043] In addition, to aid in describing various exemplary embodiments of the chair, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, right, and left are used to describe the accompanying drawings, which may not necessarily be drawn to a fixed scale. Furthermore, it is understood that the chair may be placed in a variety of desired positions or orientations and may be used in numerous locations, environments, and arrangements. A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the chair follows below.

[0044] Figures 1 to 8 show exemplary embodiments of a chair 10, which may include a seat 12. The seat 12 may have an upper portion or top surface 14 and a lower portion or bottom surface 16. The chair 10 may include a backrest or back support 18 which may have a front portion or front surface 20 and a rear portion or rear surface 22. A frame 24 may support the seat 12 and the back support 18. The frame 24 may include a right portion 26 and a left portion 28, and the frame may include one or more support parts or legs that can be used to support the chair 10 above a surface such as a floor or ground. In exemplary embodiments, the chair may include a right front leg 30, a left front leg 32, a right rear leg 34, and a left rear leg 36. The right front leg 30 and the right rear leg 34 may form a right leg assembly that can be positioned on the right side of the chair 10, and the left front leg 32 and the left rear leg 36 may form a left leg assembly that can be positioned on the left side of the chair. The right front leg 30 and the right rear leg 34 may be pivotably connected, and the left front leg 32 and the left rear leg 36 may be pivotably connected. The legs 30, 32, 34, and 36 may be pivotally connected by fasteners, pins, rivets, etc. After reviewing the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art will understand that the chair 10 may have any suitable number of legs, and that the legs may have various sizes, shapes, configurations, and arrangements, for example, depending on the intended use of the chair.

[0045] The chair 10 may have one or more other parts and components, such as brackets 38, which may be used to connect the seat 12 to the chair 10. For example, a bracket 38 may be connected to the right front leg 30, or a bracket 38 may be connected to the left front leg 32. The bracket 38 may be part of the frame 24, or the bracket may be attached to the frame. The bracket 38 may be pivotably connected to the legs 30, 32 by fasteners, pins, rivets, etc. After reviewing the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art will understand that the chair 10 may have other parts and components, such as armrests.

[0046] Chair 10 may be sized and configured for single-person use, but it can also be smaller, such as a child's chair, or larger, such as a two-person chair. Chair 10 may have other appropriate designs, for example, depending on its intended appearance, aesthetics, etc. It is understood that chair 10 can have a variety of appropriate shapes, sizes, and configurations, for example, depending on the intended use of the chair.

[0047] At least a portion of the chair 10 may be constructed from a plastic, such as blow-molded plastic. For example, the seat 12 and / or backrest 18 may be constructed from blow-molded plastic. Advantageously, blow-molded plastic seats 12 and backrest 18 may enable the rapid and efficient manufacture of a rigid, durable, and / or lightweight chair 10. The seat 12 and backrest 18 may also be formed by other methods or processes, such as injection molding, extrusion molding, vacuum forming, tumble molding, and rotational molding. The seat 12 and backrest 18 may be manufactured from different processes. For example, the seat 12 may be constructed from blow-molded plastic, and the backrest 18 may be formed from vacuum or injection-molded plastic. Those skilled in the art will understand, after reviewing this disclosure, that any suitable portion of the chair 10 may be constructed from plastic. Those skilled in the art will also understand, after reviewing the present disclosure, that the chair 10, comprising the seat 12 and backrest 18, may also be constructed from other suitable materials such as wood, fabric, leather, nylon, or acrylic.

[0048] One or more parts of the chair 10, such as the frame 24, legs 30, 32, 34, and 36, and / or racket 38, may be constructed from a strong and durable material such as metal. In exemplary embodiments, the frame 24, legs 30, 32, 34, and 36, and bracket 38 may be constructed from steel. If the frame 24, legs 30, 32, 34, and 36, and bracket 38 are constructed from steel, the chair 10 will be strong, sturdy, and able to support a significant amount of weight.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, the legs 30, 32, 34, and 36 may be constructed from hollow metal tubing, which may be bent or formed into desired shapes and configurations. For example, the legs 30, 32, 34, and 36 may have a substantially oval configuration with substantially flat or planar portions and rounded portions. The legs 30, 32, 34, and 36 may have other suitable sizes, shapes, configurations, and / or arrangements, such as circular, square, rectangular, or elliptical. The legs 30, 32, 34, and 36 may be constructed from other materials having suitable properties. After reviewing this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that the frame 24, the legs 30, 32, 34, and 36, and the brackets 38 may be constructed from other materials and have other suitable sizes, shapes, configurations, and arrangements, depending on the intended use of the chair 10, for example.

[0050] As shown in Figure 9, for example, the chair 10 may have one or more crossbars, which may be connected to parts of the frame 24 such as the legs 30, 32, 34, and 36. For example, a front lower crossbar 40 may be connected to the front legs 30, 32, and a rear lower crossbar 42 may be connected to the rear legs 34, 36. An upper crossbar 44 may be connected to the upper part of the legs, such as the upper part of the rear legs 34, 36. The exemplary crossbars 40, 42, and 44 may be attached to the legs 30, 32, 34, and 36 in fixed positions by welding or the like, and the crossbars may be formed from tubes, rods, etc. In the exemplary embodiment, the lower crossbars 40 and 42 may have a substantially tubular structure, and the ends of the crossbars may be flattened or compressed, which facilitates the attachment of the crossbars to the legs 30, 32, 34, and 36. The lower cross members 40 and 42 may form at least a portion of a stopper that can help prevent unintended movement of the chair 10. For example, the front lower cross member 40 may form a stopper when the chair 10 is folded to a retracted position.

[0051] The upper crossbar 44 may have a substantially tubular structure and may be constructed from a metal tube having a relatively large diameter, such as between 3.175 mm (1 / 4 inch) and 6.35 mm (1 / 2 inch). In the exemplary embodiment, the upper portions of the rear legs 34, 36 may have rounded or curved portions such as notches or recesses, and the upper crossbar 44 may be at least partially positioned in the recesses. The upper crossbar 44 may be securely connected to the legs 34, 36 by welding, fusion, bonding, etc. The upper crossbar 44 may have an arc-shaped or curved structure, and the arc-shaped structure of the crossbar 44 may at least partially correspond to the curved portion of the lower surface 16 of the seat 12. For example, a portion of the lower surface 16 of the seat 12 may be curved downward, and the arc-shaped portion of the upper crossbar 44 may be curved downward. The downwardly curved portion of the upper crossbar 44 and the downwardly curved lower surface 16 of the seat 12 may be approximately the same or similar. Therefore, the nominal distance between the upper crossbar 44 and the lower surface 16 of the seat 12 may be approximately constant. The nominal distance between the upper crossbar 44 and the lower surface 16 of the seat 12 can reduce or eliminate pinch points, and the nominal distance may be small, such as 3.175 mm (1 / 4 inch) or less, so the upper crossbar may support only a portion of the seat.

[0052] The upper portions of the rear legs 34, 36 and the upper crossbar 44 may be movable relative to the seat 12. For example, the upper portions of the rear legs 34, 36 and the upper crossbar 44 may be slidable relative to the lower portion 16 of the seat 12. In exemplary embodiments, the upper portions of the rear legs 34, 36 and the upper crossbar 44 may be slidable relative to the lower portion 16 of the seat 12 while the chair 10 is being folded or unfolded. The movement of the upper portions of the rear legs 34, 36 and / or the upper crossbar 44 may be controlled, thereby allowing the chair 10 to be easily folded or unfolded.

[0053] In exemplary embodiments such as those shown in Figures 10 to 12, the upper crossbar 44 may be provided with one or more guide members 46, the guide members may be attached to each end of the upper crossbar. For example, the guide members 46 may be at least partially positioned, inserted into, or connected to the end of the upper crossbar 44, and the guide members may comprise a body 48 and an enlarged end such as a head 50. For example, the guide member 46 may be a stud, the stud may be inserted into the end of the upper crossbar 44. The stub 46 may be securely attached to the upper crossbar 44 by welding, fusion, bonding, adhesive, etc. The stud 46 may comprise a long body 48 and an enlarged head 50.

[0054] The guide member 46 may be movable or slidable within the guide 52, and the guide may be formed by at least a portion of the bracket 38 and / or a portion of the seat 12, such as a portion of the lower surface 16 of the seat that extends downward. In exemplary embodiments, when the chair 10 is folded and unfolded, the guide member 46 and the guide 52 may at least partially control the movement of the upper crossbar 44 and / or the rear legs 34, 36.

[0055] In exemplary embodiments, the bracket 38 may have a substantially U-shaped configuration having walls 54, 56 and a connecting portion 58. For example, as shown in Figures 10 to 19, wall 54 may be an outer wall, such as an outer side wall, and wall 56 may be an inner wall, such as an inner side wall. The connecting portion 58 may form the lower portion of the bracket 38. The bracket 38 may include an internal portion 60, which may be at least partially located between walls 54, 56.

[0056] The bracket 38 may have one or more mounting portions 62, which may be sized and configured to facilitate mounting of the bracket and the seat 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 14, the mounting portion 62 may have one or more inwardly extending portions, such as tabs, which may be sized and configured to be at least partially located within corresponding mounting portions, such as the housing portion of the seat 12. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the inner side wall 56 of the bracket 38 may have one or more mounting portions 62, such as two mounting portions. One mounting portion 62 may be located toward or near the front portion of the bracket 38, and another mounting portion may be located toward or near the rear portion of the bracket. The mounting portions 62 may be sized and configured to allow the seat 12 to be inserted downward into the upper portion of the bracket 38, and the mounting portions may be sized and configured to prevent the seat from being unintentionally removed from the bracket. For example, the seat portion 12 may be inserted downward into the upper portion of the bracket, and the mounting portion 62 may have an inwardly extending tab, the inwardly extending mounting portion may be positioned in a corresponding housing portion of the seat portion 12. A portion of the seat portion 12 and / or a portion of the mounting portion 62 may be bent or deformed while the seat portion is inserted into the bracket 38, and thereafter the seat portion and / or mounting portion may be able to at least partially return to their original configuration and / or elastically return, which may help to connect the bracket 38 and the seat portion 12.

[0057] The bracket 38 may have a plurality of support portions, such as support surfaces, which may be sized and configured to support the seat portion 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner side wall 56 of the bracket 38 may have a first portion 64 which may be positioned toward or near the front portion of the bracket, and a second portion 66 which may be positioned toward or near the rear portion of the bracket. The upper portion 68 of the front portion 64 of the bracket 38 may be sized and configured to support a portion of the seat portion 12, and the upper portion 70 of the rear portion 66 of the bracket may be sized and configured to support a portion of the seat portion. For example, the upper portion 68 of the front portion 64 of the bracket 38 may have an inwardly extending portion which may have a substantially flat upper surface, and the inwardly extending portion may be sized and configured to support the seat portion 12. The upper portion 70 of the rear portion 66 of the bracket 38 may have an inwardly extending portion that may have a substantially flat upper surface, and the inwardly extending portion may be sized and configured to support the seat portion 12.

[0058] The lower portion 58 of the bracket 38 may have an inner surface 72, which may be dimensioned and configured to support a portion of the seat 12, such as a downward-extending lip or the lower portion of a side wall. The outer side wall 54 of the bracket 38 may be dimensioned and configured to contact, engage, abut, connect, link, and / or mount a portion of the seat 12, such as the outer portion of the seat. For example, the outer side wall 54 of the bracket 38 may have an upper portion 74, which may be dimensioned and configured to contact, abut, connect, engage, link, and / or position a portion of the seat 12, such as a recessed portion and / or mounting portion. Thus, in exemplary embodiments, the upper portion 74 of the outer side wall 54 of the bracket 38 may be at least partially positioned in a recessed portion of the seat 10, also called a mounting portion.

[0059] The upper portion 74 of the outer side wall 54 of the bracket 38 may be positioned in a recess in the outer or side wall of the seat 12. The upper portion 74 of the outer side wall 54 of the bracket 38 may include a mounting portion 76, such as an inwardly extending portion, which may be curved inward and downward. The mounting portion 76, as shown in Figures 41-42, may be sized and configured to help connect the bracket 38 and the seat 12. For example, the mounting portion 76 may have a substantially rounded or curved configuration, and the tip of the mounting portion may be angled inward and / or toward the lower portion 58 of the bracket 38. In exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the mounting portion 76 may be sized and configured to be positioned in a mounting portion of the seat 12, such as a groove, channel, or accommodating portion. The mounting portion 76 may extend at least substantially or completely along the length of the bracket 38. The mounting portion 76 and / or a portion of the seat portion 12 may bend or deform while the seat portion is attached to the bracket 38. Once the seat portion 12 is attached to the bracket 38, the mounting portion 76 may be positioned in a mounting portion of the seat portion, such as a groove or a housing portion, and the mounting portion 76 and / or the seat portion may return to an initial configuration and / or elastically return to at least a portion of it, which may help to connect the seat portion and the bracket. The mounting portion 76 may be sized and configured to allow the seat portion 12 and the bracket 38 to be connected by friction, interference, and / or snap-fit. After reviewing the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art will understand that the mounting portion 76 may have any desired length, that the bracket may have any number of mounting portions, that the mounting portions may have other shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements, and that no mounting portions are required.

[0060] The bracket 38 may have an opening or notch 78 that can be located in the inner side wall 56 of the bracket. The opening 78 may extend longitudinally along the length of the bracket 38, and may extend downward relative to the upper portion of the bracket. The upper portion of the opening 78 may be open or exposed, and the lower portion of the opening may be spaced apart from the lower surface 16 of the seat 12 by a gap 80. The opening 78 may include a front portion 82 located toward the front portion of the bracket 38, and the opening may include a rear portion 84 located toward the rear portion of the bracket.

[0061] The opening 78 may form at least a portion of the guide 52. For example, the guide 52 may have a lower portion 86, which may have a substantially flat or smooth upper surface. The lower portion 86 of the guide 52 may have an inwardly extending portion. A gap or space may be provided between the front portion of the inwardly extending portion 86 and the front portion 82 of the opening 78. A gap or space may be provided between the rear portion of the inwardly extending portion 86 and the rear portion 84 of the opening 78. A downwardly extending notch 88 may be provided between the rear portion of the inwardly extending portion 86 and the rear portion 84 of the opening 78. The guide 52 may be sized and configured to accommodate at least a portion of the guide member 46, and the guide may facilitate the folding and unfolding of the chair 10.

[0062] In exemplary embodiments, the seat 12 and the bracket 38 may be attached by friction, interference, and / or snap-fit ​​configurations. The bracket 38 may allow the seat 12 to be inserted downward into the upper portion of the bracket, and one or more portions of the bracket and / or seat may be sized and configured to bend or deform when the seat is attached to the bracket. Once the seat 12 is attached to the bracket 38, the portions of the bracket and / or seat may return to their initial configuration or elastically return to their original position, thereby facilitating the connection between the seat and the bracket.

[0063] As shown in the attached drawings, the inner side wall 56 of the bracket 38 may have one or more mounting portions, such as mounting portions 62. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner side wall 56 of the bracket 38 may have two inwardly extending mounting portions 62. The mounting portions 62 may extend inward and may be angled downward toward the lower portion 58 of the bracket 38, thereby facilitating downward insertion of the seat portion 10 toward the upper portion of the bracket. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the bracket 38 may have a plurality of mounting portions, such as mounting portions 62, which may extend inward and downward.

[0064] The bracket 38 may have one or more support surfaces, which may be sized and configured to support the seat 12. For example, the upper portion 68 of the front portion 64 of the bracket 38, the upper portion 70 of the rear portion 66 of the bracket, the inner surface 72 of the lower portion 58 of the bracket, and / or the upper portion 74 of the outer side wall 54 of the bracket may have one or more surfaces or portions sized and configured to support the seat 12. Advantageously, multiple support surfaces may allow the seat 12 to be firmly supported.

[0065] As shown in the attached drawings, the bracket 38 may comprise one or more angled portions, such as the upper portion 68 of the front portion 64 of the bracket 38, the upper portion 70 of the rear portion 66 of the bracket, the upper portion 74 of the outer side wall 54 of the bracket, and / or the lower portion 86 of the guide 52. The angled portions 68, 70, 74, and / or 86, which may be called flanges, may increase the rigidity and stiffness of the bracket. The flanges can facilitate the mounting of the bracket 38 and the seat portion 12, for example, the flanges may be positioned in the housing portion and / or the flanges may be sized and configured to contact, engage, abut, connect, and / or mount to specific portions of the seat portion 12. Since flanges may be positioned on both sides of the bracket 38, the bracket may have considerable strength and stiffness.

[0066] The chair 10 may be provided with one or more stoppers, which may be used to control the movement of the legs 30, 32, 34, 36 and / or the upper crossbar 44 relative to the seat 12. For example, the stoppers may abut, contact, or engage with the crossbar 44 and / or guide members 46 when the chair 10 is in a particular configuration. For example, the upper crossbar 44 and / or guide members 46 may abut, contact, or engage with one or more of the stoppers when the chair 10 is in the unfolded or usable position. The upper crossbar 44 and / or guide members 46 may abut, contact, or engage with one or more of the stoppers when the chair is in the folded or retracted position. In exemplary embodiments, the front portion 82 of the opening 78 may form a stopper, for example, when the chair 10 is in the usable or unfolded position. In exemplary embodiments, the front lower crossbar 40 may form a stopper, for example, when the chair 10 is in the folded or retracted position.

[0067] As shown in Figures 20-25 and 30-34, the seat portion 12 may include a portion that extends substantially downward, such as a side wall 100, the side wall may be sized and configured to connect to a bracket 38. The side wall may include an outer surface 102, an inner surface 104, and a bottom surface 106. The side wall 100 may include one or more reinforcing portions 108, such as inwardly extending projections, the reinforcing portions may be located on the outer surface 102 of the side wall 100. The side wall 100 may include one or more mounting portions 110, the mounting portions may be accommodating portions sized and configured to accommodate at least a portion of the mounting portion 62 of the bracket 38. The lower portion 16 of the seat portion 12 may include a guide surface 112, the guide surface may extend downward. In an exemplary embodiment, the guide surface 112 may be located on the inner surface 104 of the side wall 100, and the guide surface may have a substantially flat configuration. The guide surface 112 may be spaced at a distance that can be substantially constant from the lower portion 86 of the opening 78 in the bracket so as to form at least a portion of the guide 52. Thus, the lower portion of the guide 52 may be formed by a portion of the bracket 38, such as the lower portion 86 of the opening 78, and the upper portion of the guide may be formed by a portion of the seat 12, such as the guide surface 112. After reviewing the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art will understand that any suitable portion of the bracket 38 and / or the seat 12 may be used to form all or part of the guide 52.

[0068] As shown in the attached drawings, the side walls 100 of the seat 12 may abut, contact, or engage with the bracket 38. In exemplary embodiments, the seat 12 may be inserted into the upper portion of the bracket 38. For example, as shown in Figure 26, the seat 12 may be connected to a substantially or fully assembled frame 24, and the seat may be attached to the bracket 38 when the chair 10 is in an unfolded configuration. In addition to and / or alternatively, the seat 12 may be connected to the bracket 38 when the chair 10 is in a folded configuration as shown in Figures 27 to 29. In any configuration, the mounting portion 62 of the bracket 38 may be substantially aligned with the mounting portion 110 of the seat 12, and the seat may be inserted into the upper portion of the bracket until the lower surface 106 of the side wall 100 is positioned at least near the lower portion 58 of the bracket. In this exemplary embodiment, the inwardly extending mounting portion 62 of the bracket 38 may be positioned in the housing portion of the seat mounting portion 110, which may help to secure the seat and the bracket.

[0069] As shown in Figures 30 to 34, the upper portion 74 of the outer wall 54 of the bracket 38 may be provided with a mounting portion 76, which may be sized and configured to connect to a mounting portion 114 of a seat portion 12, such as a housing portion. For example, the tip of the mounting portion 76 may extend downward and inward, and the tip of the mounting portion may be positioned in the housing portion 114 of the seat portion, which may help to connect the seat portion 10 and the bracket 38.

[0070] Those skilled in the art will understand, after considering this disclosure, that chairs may have different shapes, sizes, configurations, and / or arrangements. For example, as shown in Figures 35 to 42, the bracket 38 may have different sizes, shapes, configurations, and arrangements. In this exemplary embodiment, the bracket 38 may have a substantially U-shaped configuration having an outer portion 54 such as an outer side wall, an inner portion 56 such as an inner side wall, and a lower portion 58 such as a connecting portion. The bracket 38 may have two mounting portions 62 located on the inner side wall 56, one mounting portion may be located on a first portion 64 of the bracket, and the other mounting portion may be located on a second portion 66 of the bracket. The upper portion 68 of the first portion 64 of the bracket 38 may extend inward toward the inner portion of the seat 12, and the upper portion of the first portion of the bracket may facilitate the positioning of the bracket and / or support a portion of the seat. The upper portion 70 of the second portion 66 of the bracket 38 may extend inward toward the inner portion of the seat 12, and the upper portion of the second portion of the bracket may facilitate the positioning of the bracket and / or support a portion of the seat. The upper portion 74 of the outer side wall 54 of the bracket 38 may have a mounting portion 76, which may extend downward toward the lower portion 58 of the bracket. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the upper portion 74 of the outer side wall 54 of the bracket may have rounded corners or angled corners. In addition, the mounting portion 76 may extend along a portion of the length of the bracket 38, or the mounting portion may extend along the entire length of the bracket. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the chair 10 and its parts and components may have different shapes, sizes, configurations, and / or arrangements.

[0071] As shown in Figure 43, the backrest 18 may have one or more mounting portions 120, which may be arranged along both sides of the backrest. The frame 24 may have one or more mounting portions 122, which may be arranged on the inner portions of the right front leg portion 30 and the left front leg portion 32. The seat mounting portion 120 may be sized and configured to contact, abut, engage, connect, attach, or connect with the corresponding frame mounting portion 122 in order to connect the backrest 18 to the frame 24.

[0072] A person skilled in the art will understand, after reviewing this disclosure, that the chair 10 and its components may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements, for example, depending on the intended use of the chair. A person skilled in the art will understand that the chair 10 may include any suitable number or combination of features or embodiments, but these features or embodiments are not required.

[0073] For example, chair 10 may have other suitable embodiments, such as those shown in U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 599,168 (Agent Reference Number L1006.10723US02), filed on March 7, 2024, which are incorporated by reference in whole.

[0074] Although this invention is described in relation to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments that would be obvious to those skilled in the art are also within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined solely by the subsequent claims.

Claims

1. A folding chair that can move between a folded position and an unfolded position, Frame and, A seat comprising: one or more of a first set of housing portions arranged on the first surface of the seat; and one or more of a second set of housing portions arranged on the second surface of the seat; A first bracket attached to the first surface of the frame, comprising one or more mounting portions configured such that the seat portion engages with one or more housing portions of the first set of the seat portion when the seat portion is inserted from the upper part of the first bracket toward the lower part of the first bracket, wherein the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket and one or more housing portions of the first set of the seat portion connect the first surface of the seat portion to the first bracket, A folding chair comprising: a second bracket attached to the second surface of the frame, the second bracket having one or more mounting portions configured to engage with one or more housing portions of the second set of the seat when the seat is inserted from the upper part of the second bracket toward the lower part of the second bracket, the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket and one or more housing portions of the second set of the seat connect the second surface of the seat to the second bracket.

2. The frame comprises a right front leg attached to the right rear leg and a left front leg attached to the left rear leg. The first bracket is pivotably mounted to the right front leg, and the second bracket is pivotably mounted to the left front leg. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the seat is attached to at least a substantially assembled frame.

3. The seat portion is attached to the first bracket along a first axis which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the height of the first bracket. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the seat portion is attached to the second bracket along a second axis which is positioned substantially perpendicular to the height of the second bracket.

4. The seat portion is attached to the first bracket and the second bracket, and the first bracket and the second bracket are attached to the frame. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the frame is positioned in a folded position.

5. The seat portion is attached to the first bracket and the second bracket, and the first bracket and the second bracket are attached to the frame. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the frame is positioned in an unfolded position.

6. The one or more mounting portions of the first bracket extend inward and downward toward the lower surface of the first bracket, The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein one or more mounting portions of the second bracket extend inward and downward toward the lower surface of the second bracket.

7. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the seat is arranged in a folded configuration and is connected to the first bracket and the second bracket while the frame is at least substantially assembled.

8. The mounting portion of one or more mounting portions of the first bracket is provided with a tab that extends downward and inward toward the lower surface of the first bracket. The mounting portion of one or more mounting portions of the second bracket is provided with a tab that extends downward and inward toward the lower surface of the second bracket. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the seat portion attaches to the bracket without moving parallel to the length of the first bracket or the second bracket.

9. When the seat portion is attached to the first bracket and the second bracket, the seat portion is positioned above the upper portion of the first bracket and the upper portion of the second bracket. One or more housing portions of the first set of the seat portion are aligned with one or more mounting portions of the first bracket, One or more housing portions of the second set of the seat portion are aligned with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket. When the seat is attached to the first bracket, one or more of the first set of receiving portions of the seat engage with one or more of the mounting portions of the first bracket. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the second set of the seat portion engage with one or more of the mounting portions of the second bracket when the seat portion is attached to the second bracket.

10. The first bracket comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, The second bracket comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, The inner wall of the first bracket comprises two of the one or more mounting portions, and the outer wall of the first bracket comprises one of the one or more mounting portions. The folding chair according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the second bracket is provided with two of the one or more mounting portions, and the outer wall of the second bracket is provided with one of the one or more mounting portions.

11. A method for assembling a part of a folding chair, A step of providing a frame comprising a first front leg, a first rear leg connected to the first front leg, a second front leg, and a second rear leg connected to the second front leg, A step of connecting a first bracket to the first front leg, wherein the first bracket comprises a first shaft extending upward from the lower portion of the first bracket at an upward angle, A step of connecting a second bracket to the second front leg, wherein the second bracket comprises a second shaft extending upward from the lower portion of the second bracket at an upward angle, A method comprising the steps of connecting a seat to the first bracket and the second bracket, wherein the seat is connected to the first bracket along the first axis and the seat is connected to the second bracket along the second axis.

12. The step of inserting the first portion of the seat from the upper portion of the first bracket toward the lower portion of the first bracket is to connect the first portion of the seat to the first bracket, The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of inserting the second portion of the seat from the upper portion of the second bracket toward the lower portion of the second bracket is to connect the second portion of the seat to the second bracket.

13. The first bracket is provided with one or more mounting portions extending inward and downward, The steps include providing the second bracket with one or more mounting portions extending inward and downward, The steps include providing the seat portion with a first side wall having one or more accommodating portions that are sized to accommodate one or more mounting portions of the first bracket when the seat portion is attached to the first bracket, The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of providing the seat portion with a second side wall having one or more accommodating portions that are sized and configured to accommodate one or more mounting portions of the second bracket when the seat portion is attached to the second bracket.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the seat portion is connected to the first bracket and the second bracket when the frame is at least substantially assembled.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the seat portion is connected to the first bracket and the second bracket when the frame is in a folded position.

16. When the seat portion is attached to the first bracket, the steps include positioning the seat portion above the upper portion of the first bracket, The step of positioning the seat above the upper portion of the second bracket when the seat is attached to the second bracket is further included. The seat portion comprises one or more mounting portions of a first set which are aligned with one or more mounting portions of the first bracket, The seat portion comprises one or more mounting portions of a second set which are aligned with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket, When the seat is attached to the first bracket, one or more mounting portions of the first set of the seat engage with the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket. The method according to claim 11, wherein one or more mounting portions of the second set of the seat portion engage with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket when the seat portion is attached to the second bracket.

17. A step of providing an inner side wall and an outer side wall to the first bracket, wherein the inner side wall of the first bracket comprises two mounting portions, and the mounting portions each comprise tabs extending downward and inward toward the lower surface of the first bracket. A step of providing an inner side wall and an outer side wall to the second bracket, wherein the inner side wall of the second bracket comprises two mounting portions, and the mounting portions each comprise tabs extending downward and inward toward the lower surface of the second bracket. A step of providing the seat portion with a first side wall and two mounting portions disposed on the first side wall, wherein the two mounting portions of the first bracket and the two mounting portions of the first side wall connect the seat portion to the first bracket, The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps of providing a second side wall and two mounting portions disposed on the second side wall to the seat, wherein the two mounting portions of the second bracket and the two mounting portions of the second side wall connect the seat to the second bracket.

18. A method for manufacturing a part of a folding chair that is movable between a folded position and an unfolded position, A process of providing a frame that is at least partially assembled, wherein the frame is A first surface comprising a first front leg and a first rear leg, A process comprising a second surface having a second front leg portion and a second rear leg portion, A step of connecting a first bracket to the first surface of the frame, wherein the first bracket comprises one or more mounting portions extending downward toward the lower portion of the first bracket, A step of connecting a second bracket to the second surface of the frame, wherein the second bracket comprises one or more mounting portions extending downward toward the lower portion of the second bracket, A step of providing a seat, wherein the seat is A first side wall having one or more mounting portions, A process comprising: a second side wall having one or more mounting portions; The steps include aligning one or more mounting portions of the first side wall of the seat with one or more mounting portions of the first bracket, The steps include aligning one or more mounting portions of the second side wall of the seat with one or more mounting portions of the second bracket, The steps include: positioning the first side wall of the seat portion near the upper portion of the first bracket; The steps include: positioning the second side wall of the seat portion near the upper portion of the second bracket; The process involves inserting the first side wall of the seat portion into the first bracket along the axis from the upper portion of the first bracket toward the lower portion of the first bracket, The process involves inserting the second side wall of the seat portion into the second bracket along the axis from the upper portion of the second bracket toward the lower portion of the second bracket, A step of connecting the seat portion to the first bracket by engaging the one or more mounting portions of the first bracket with the one or more mounting portions of the first side wall, A method comprising the step of connecting the seat portion to the second bracket by engaging the one or more mounting portions of the second bracket with the one or more mounting portions of the second side wall.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of attaching the seat portion to the first bracket and the second bracket when the frame is in a folded position.

20. The one or more mounting portions of the first bracket include portions that extend inward and downward relative to the inner portion of the first bracket. The one or more mounting portions of the second bracket include portions that extend inward and downward relative to the inner portion of the second bracket, The one or more mounting portions of the first side wall of the seat portion are housing portions that accommodate the inward and downward portions of the first bracket when the seat portion is connected to the first bracket. The method according to claim 18, wherein the one or more mounting portions of the second side wall of the seat portion are housing portions that accommodate the inward and downward portions of the second bracket when the seat portion is connected to the second bracket.

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