A collapsible chair

Abstract

There is provided a chair device. The chair device comprises a base, a seat and a backrest. The seat is at a first end of the base. The second end of the base comprises at least one foot adapted to contact the ground. The base is arranged to coaxially telescope from a first usage position where the seat is elevated to a second storage position where the seat is proximate the foot.

Description

[0001] A COLLAPSIBLE CHAIR

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to chair device, in particular a chair device for an infant; more particularly but not exclusively, a space-efficient highchair.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Many people in many societies across the world are increasingly likely to want a dedicated seating area for infants, which will typically be elevated and safe.

[0006] Such seats are generally known in the art as highchairs, and typically have backrests, armrests, tables and harnesses, to provide a safe and diverting location for an infant to be left untended, or fed.

[0007] However when not in use, such seats can be space-consuming and inconvenient, particularly with increasing demands in many locations on availability of interior or exterior space.

[0008] CN 206 630 344 describes a foldable baby highchair, having a seat, backrest, armrests and four telescopic legs.

[0009] US 2 664 143 describes a folding high chair for babies comprising a seat; telescoping legs hinged to and foldable adjacent to the seat; a back and upright side arms hinged to the seat and superposable upon the seat;; a foot rest panel detachably secured beneath the seat and intermediately linked to the front of the seat and having a folding foot rest; the panel and foot rest folded thereon being foldable to be disposed against the folded legs; and means carried by the legs and tray for holding the folded parts in folded position.

[0010] US 3 909 061 describes a collapsible portable high chair structure comprising, first and second shallow open topped box members each including a generally rectangular bottom panel and side walls mounted on and extending upwardly from the side edges of the bottom panel, hinge means, a second closure panel hingedly mounted on said second box and defining a backrest surface for the chair, said second tray and said second closure panel cooperating to define a chair back assembly having a storage compartment therein, a removable tray, means mounting said tray on said back assembly and said seat assembly, and foldable legs mounted on said seat assembly for movement between a collapsed position lying along said seat assembly and an erected position projecting downwardly from the corners thereof.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a chair device comprising a base, a seat and a backrest, wherein the seat is at a first end of the base, and the second end of the base comprises at least one foot adapted to contact the ground, wherein the base is arranged to coaxially telescope from a first usage position where the seat is elevated to a second storage position where the seat is proximate the foot.

[0013] In some embodiments the base may comprise a single columnar structure. That may reduce a number of components to be manipulated or adjusted to actuate the chair device between the first usage position and the second storage position, for example compared to a conventional highchair comprising a plurality of separate legs which may be collapsible in some manner.

[0014] In some embodiments the single columnar structure may comprise a plurality of annular parts. The annular parts configured to enable the base to coaxially telescope from the first usage position to the second storage position. The annular parts may be configured to move, for example translate and / or rotate (slide and / or twist), relative to one another, such that the base is operable between the first usage position and the second storage position. That may provide a particularly quick and convenient approach for altering the columnar structure (and in turn the chair device) between the first usage position and the second storage position.

[0015] In some embodiments, each annular part may comprise a locking means. The locking means of each annular part may be configured to secure the annular part in an extended position relative to an adjacent annular part of the columnar structure. The locking means of each annular part may comprise one or more engagement features configured to selectively engage with one or more complementary engagement features provided on an adjacent annular part of the columnar structure. That may increase a rigidity and stability of the chair device in the first usage position, and increase a load-bearing capacity of the chair device.

[0016] In some embodiments, the locking means of each annular part may be configured to be placed in a locked state in response to translation and / or rotation of adjacent annular parts of the columnar structure relative to one another (for example, caused by a user). That may simplify actuating the locking means, and reduce or remove a need to provide and / or control a separate mechanism to lock the annular parts in an extended position relative to one another.

[0017] In some embodiments, the locking means of each annular part may be actuated (for example, locked or unlocked) independently from the locking means of the other annular parts of the columnar structure. That may enable the height of the columnar structure to be adjusted incrementally between a minimum height and a maximum height of the columnar structure, increasing a flexibility of the chair device in the first usage position.

[0018] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a harness arranged to strap around an infant seated in the seat.

[0019] In some embodiments of the device the backrest is arranged to fold on the seat.

[0020] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises one or more armrest extending to the sides of the seat.

[0021] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises one or more armrest arranged to fold on the seat.

[0022] In some such embodiments of the device the armrest is connected to the backrest.

[0023] In some embodiments, the armrest may be pivotably connected to both the backrest and the seat. That may enable the armrests and the backrest to be folded on the seat as a single structure using a single mechanism. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises an armrest locking mechanism adapted to automatically lock the armrest and a release means to release the armrest to fold on the seat.

[0024] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a table.

[0025] In some such embodiments of the device the table is arranged to displace in relation to the seat.

[0026] In some embodiments of the device the table is wholly displaceable.

[0027] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a base locking mechanism to automatically lock the first position.

[0028] In some such embodiments of the device the base locking mechanism comprises a release means. In some embodiments the device comprises a release means configured to release the base locking mechanism.

[0029] The release means may be configured to cause telescopic movement of the base to release the base locking mechanism.

[0030] The release means may be configured to unlock the locking means of at least a subset of the annular parts substantially simultaneously. The release means may be configured to unlock the locking means of all the annular parts substantially simultaneously.

[0031] The release means may be configured to cause relative movement between adjacent annular parts. The release means may be configured to cause relative movement between adjacent annular parts so as to move the locking means of each annular part from a locked position towards an unlocked position. The release means may be configured to cause relative movement between adjacent annular parts in a direction substantially parallel to a telescope axis of the base.

[0032] The release means may be configured to directly engage a single one of the annular parts to cause relative movement between two or more annular parts. The release means may be configured to directly engage a single one of the annular parts to cause relative movement between two or more annular parts so as to move the locking means of the annular parts from a locked position towards an unlocked position. The release means may be configured to engage a single one of the annular parts to cause relative movement between all of the annular parts, for example substantially simultaneously. The release means may be configured to directly engage a single one of the annular parts located at an end of the base.

[0033] The release means may comprise an actuator configured to be actuated by a user, for example a button. The actuator may be operably coupled to one of the annular parts, for example directly or indirectly (such as via an intermediate structure).

[0034] The actuator, and optionally the intermediate structure, may be movably coupled to the chair device (for example, pivotably or slidably coupled to the chair device).

[0035] In some embodiments the chair device is or comprises a highchair for an infant, baby or toddler.

[0036] Features which are described in the context of separate aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used together and / or be interchangeable wherever possible. Similarly, wherever features are described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity, those features may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0038] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0039] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in a first position;

[0040] Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1;

[0041] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, in a second position; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3;

[0042] Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with base contracted;

[0043] Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 5;

[0044] Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and

[0045] Figure 8 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1.

[0046] Like reference numerals in different Figures may represent like elements.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] With reference to figures 1 to 8 there is shown an embodiment of a chair device 99 comprising a base 45, a seat 3 and a backrest 1, wherein the seat 3 is at a first end of the base 45, and the second end of the base 45 comprises a foot 5 adapted to contact the ground, wherein the base 45 is arranged to coaxially telescope from a first usage position where the seat 3 is elevated to a second storage position where the seat 3 is proximate the foot 5.

[0049] In particular reference to the pictured embodiment of the chair device 99, the embodiment comprises a singular base column 4.

[0050] The base column 4 is coaxially telescopic, comprising a plurality of coaxial cylindrical annular parts which decrease in diameter sequentially from the foot 5 to the seat 3, such that the seat 3 is located on the topmost and smallest diameter cylindrical annular part. In the embodiment shown, the base column 4 comprises nine annular parts, although it will be appreciated any suitable number of annular parts may be provided (for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 or more). The number of annular parts of the base column 4 may be selected, for example, based on a desired height of the chair device 99 in the first usage position and / or in the second storage position (wherein a greater number of annular parts may enable a more compact arrangement of the base 45 in the second storage position for a given height of the chair device 99 in the first usage position).

[0051] Each annular part of the base column 4 includes a locking means. The locking means of each annular part of the base column 4 comprises one or more engagement features or structures configured to selectively engage with one or more complementary engagement features or structures provided on an adjacent annular part of the base column 4, to lock the adjacent annular parts in an extended position or usage position relative to one another. The locking means in the pictured embodiment is provided by a plurality of vertical inverted J-shaped slots 41, spaced around the top edge of each annular part, and a plurality of T shaped studs 42 projecting from and spaced around the bottom edge of each annular part, such that the studs are inserted into the slots during assembly, and travel therein so as to extend, twist and then lock the adjacent annular parts in an extended or usage position relative to one another. The slots 41 and the studs 42 may provide a particularly convenient way to quickly lock the base column 4 in the first usage position with all the annular parts extended and locked together, by simply lifting the base column 4 by the uppermost annular part (either directly, or via the seat 3 connected to the topmost annular part of the base column 4 adjacent the first end of the base 45) and twisting it relative to the adjacent annular part. The studs 42 of the other annular parts will slide within the respective slots 41 as the annular parts fall under their own weight. As the uppermost annular part is twisted and its stud 42 locked in the slot 41 of the adjacent annular part, the twisting force or twisting motion can be transmitted through the remaining annular parts to ensure all the studs 42 are locked in the respective slots 41. In the embodiment shown, the locking means can be released or unlocked by applying the locking motion (for example, twisting and sliding movement) in reverse. Alternatively, the chair device 99 may comprise a separate release means to unlock the locking means (for example, an individual release means for each locking means, or a release means for simultaneously unlocking the locking means of each annular part of the base column 4).

[0052] It will also be appreciated the engagement features of only a subset of the annular parts of the base column 4 may be brought into engagement with the complementary engagement features of an adjacent annular part to lock the adjacent annular parts in an extended or usage position. That may enable the specific height of the base column 4 to be adjusted incrementally between a minimum height (with none of the locking means of each annular part engaged) and a maximum height (with all of the locking means of each annular part engaged).

[0053] It will also be appreciated the locking means of each annular part of the base column 4 may comprise any suitable structure or mechanism to lock adjacent annular parts in an extended position or usage position relative to one another, for example one or more sprung clip structures. The locking means of each annular part of the base column 4 may together form or provide an overall locking mechanism for the base 45 to lock the base 45 in the first usage position.

[0054] The chair device 99 also comprises a second locking means comprising wire locking keys 34, 54 which are moved by pressure on buttons 33, 52 at the rear of the seat 3 and the foot 5 respectively, which keys 34, 54 prevents sliding or twisting of the annular parts relative to the seat 3 and the foot 5 respectively. The wire locking key 34 engages the annular part adjacent and connected to the seat 3 to prevent sliding or twisting of that annular part relative to the seat 3, while the wire locking key 54 engages the annular part adjacent and connected to the foot 5 to prevent sliding or twisting of that annular part relative to the foot 5.

[0055] The wire locking key 34 is operably coupled to the button 33 which, when operated by a user, actuates movement of the wire locking key 34. In the embodiment shown, the button 33 and the wire locking key 34 form a unitary structure which is pivotably coupled to the chair device 99. Pressing the button 33 downwards causes a pivoting motion of the wire locking key 34 upwards about a pivot point. As the wire locking key 34 pivots it engages with the topmost annular part to move or lift the topmost annular part away from the second annular part adjacent the topmost annular part. That movement of the topmost annular part away from the second annular part causes the locking means of the topmost annular to disengage or move from a locked position towards an unlocked position (for example, causing relative sliding movement of the studs 42 within the slots 41 by moving the topmost annular part and the second annular part relative to one another). As the stud 42 of the topmost annular slides away from the locked position, that stud 42 engages a turning point of the J-shaped slot 41, which causes the lifting force (provided by the wire locking key 34 engaging the topmost annular part) to be transferred via the stud 42 to move or lift the second annular part away from the third annular part, and so on. In effect, therefore, continuing movement of the wire locking key 34 by a user actuating the button 33 causes a domino or chain reaction effect to effectively simultaneously disengage the locking means of all the annular parts from the locked position towards the unlocked position. The base column 4 can then be easily moved to the second storage position (or an intermediate position between the first usage position and the second storage position) after actuating the button 33 to unlock the locking means of the annular parts of the base column 4.

[0056] It will be appreciated the wire locking key 54 is operably coupled to the button 52 in a similar manner such the pressing the button 52 causes a similar movement of the annular parts of the base column 4 (albeit initiating the lifting movement from the lowermost annular part rather than the topmost annular part). It will also be appreciated the chair device 99 may be provided with only one of the wire locking keys 34, 54 and its respective button 33, 52, and / or that each button 33, 52 may be actuated individually or in combination with the other button 33, 52. Each button 33, 52, in combination with the respective locking key 34, 54 with which it operates, forms a single or overall release means or release mechanism for simultaneously unlocking the individual locking means of each annular part of the base column 4 (or at least a subset of the annular parts of the base column 4). In alternative arrangements, the chair device 99 may comprise a release mechanism having any suitable structure or configuration to substantially simultaneously unlock the locking means of each annular part of the base column 4, which may be provided separately from or independently of the wire locking keys 34.

[0057] In the embodiment shown, the annular parts of the base column 4 remain connected to one another in the second storage position, such that the base column 4 is still capable of bearing load even in the second storage position. That is due to the studs 42 being limited to travel between opposing end positions within the slots 41. Once each stud 42 is in end position in its respective slot 41 with the base column 4 in the second storage position, such that each stud 42 cannot travel any further in the slot 41, load can be transferred from the seat 3 through the base column 4 (with the studs 42 transferring load between adjacent annular parts of the base column 4) to the foot 5. That may allow the chair device 99 to still be used for seating (for example, to support an infant) even with the base 45 in the second storage position. The annular parts are formed in a rigid plastic such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The seat 3 comprises a moulded plastic part with a substantially rectangular planar central section, with a raised lip to either edge, and a rear raised edge. It will be appreciated the seat 3 may have any suitable generally planar construction. It will also be appreciated the annular parts of the base column 4, and the seat 3, may alternatively be formed from any suitable material, for example a plastic or polymeric material, a metal or metal alloy material, or a wood material, or a composite material.

[0058] A strap slot 32 is located towards the front edge of the seat 3, for passage of a central harness strap 10 for an infant seated in the chair device 99.

[0059] The seat 3 comprises two laterally extending handles 31 from the side edges.

[0060] Along the rear edge of the seat 4 is a hinge for the backrest 1. The backrest 1 comprises a substantially planar part formed in rigid plastic, although it will be appreciated any suitable material may alternatively be used.

[0061] The top edge of the backrest 1 comprises an oblong cutout forming a handle 11, although backrest may comprise a handle having any suitable form (for example, a cutout having an alternative shape such as circular, oval etc., or a structure extending or projecting from the backrest 1 rather than a cutout).

[0062] Two slots 12 to either side of the backrest 1 provide passage for straps 10 of the harness, and the sides of the backrest 1 provide two pivots 21 for armrests 2. In this way two armrests 2 are enabled to extend from the sides of the backrest 1. These armrests 2 comprise an arm portion and a support portion, joined by a second pivot 22. The arm portion is pivotally connected to the backrest 1 by the pivot 21, and the support portion is pivotally connected to the seat 3 by a third pivot 23 located on the seat 3. In the embodiment shown, the arm portion and the support portion of each armrest 2 are laterally offset from one another (rather than being substantially in-line with one another) such that the arm portion and the support portion can pivot via the pivot 22 to be substantially parallel to one another. However, that is not essential.

[0063] A locking means is provided to lock the armrests 2 in the usage position (in which the armrests 2 support an arm of a user), which is released by a sprung locking button. The locking means for locking the armrests 2 in the usage position may comprise any suitable structure or mechanism.

[0064] The third pivot 23 is located at the front of the sides of the seat 3. The second pivot 22 comprises the locking and release button, and in this way the armrests 2 may be folded up and down with the backrest 1. The linkage of the backrest 1, the armrests 2 and the seat 3 via the respective pivots 21, 22, 23 may enable the armrests 2 and the backrest to be folded towards the seat 3 as a single structure using a single mechanism. That may enable the upper section of the chair device 99 (that is, above the base 45) to be quickly, simply and conveniently collapsed into a more compact configuration suitable for storage and / or transport.

[0065] In the pictured embodiment the embodiment is provided with a table 6, which extends between the armrests 2 as shown and is supported thereby. The table 6 is wholly displaceable from or releasably connectable to the armrests 2, for example via a sprung clip structure or snap-fit connection provided on the table 6 and / or on the armrests 2. In the embodiment shown, the table 6 and the backrest 1 are configured such that as the backrest 1 and the armrests 2 collapse down (as described above) via the pivots 21, 22, 23, the backrest 1 is substantially received in the space defined between the table 6 and the armrests 2 to allow the backrest 1 to be folded on to the seat 3. That may enable the chair device 99 to be placed into a compact configuration even without disassembling the table 6 from the remainder of the chair device 99. The backrest 1 and the table 6 may therefore be substantially aligned and parallel with one another in the collapsed position to form a substantially continuous surface, although that is not essential.

[0066] In the embodiment shown, the foot 5 comprises four wheels in two sets 51,55. The first set 51 of wheels may be locked by a pedal 53. It will be appreciated the foot 5 may not comprise wheels. In the embodiment shown, the foot 5 extends laterally wider than the base column 4. The foot 5 comprises a central portion adjacent and connected to the lowermost annular part of the base column 4, with a plurality of outer portions extending laterally away from the central portion (for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a telescopic axis of the base column 4). The outer portions may increase a lateral span of the foot 5 relative to the base column 4, which may increase a stability of the chair device 99 in the first usage position. That may be particularly beneficial for use of the chair device 99 as an infant highchair, by increasing safety without compromising the ease and convenience of the base 45 in allowing the chair device 99 to quickly move between the usage position and the storage position. In the embodiment shown, the foot 5 comprises a width or diameter that is between approximately 2 and 3 times greater than a width or diameter of the largest annular part of the base column 4, although that is not essential. A space or cutaway region may be provided between the respective outer portions of the foot 5. That may enable the foot 5 to provide a wider span whilst minimizing a weight of the foot 5, which may provide increased stability of the chair device 99 in the usage position whilst enabling the chair device 99 to be easily manoeuvred or transported (for example, when the base 45 is in the storage position).

[0067] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A chair device comprising a base, a seat and a backrest, wherein the seat is at a first end of the base, and the second end of the base comprises at least one foot adapted to contact the ground, wherein the base is arranged to coaxially telescope from a first usage position where the seat is elevated to a second storage position where the seat is proximate the foot.

2. A chair device according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a single columnar structure.

3. A chair device according to claim 2, wherein the single columnar structure comprises a plurality of annular parts.

4. A chair device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of annular parts are configured to move relative to one another such that the base is operable between the first usage position and the second storage position.

5. A chair device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein each annular part comprises a locking means configured to secure the annular part in an extended position relative to an adjacent annular part.

6. A chair device according to claim 5, wherein the locking means comprises one or more engagement features configured to selectively engage with one or more complementary engagement features provided on an adjacent annular part.

7. A chair device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the locking means of each annular part is configured to be actuated independently from the locking means of the other annular parts of the columnar structure.

8. A chair device according to any preceding claim comprising a harness arranged to strap around an infant seated in the seat.

9. A chair device according to any preceding claim wherein the backrest is arranged to fold on the seat.

10. A chair device according to any preceding claim comprising one or more armrest extending to the sides of the seat.

11. A chair device according to claim 10, wherein the one or more armrests is arranged to fold on the seat.

12. A chair device according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the armrest is connected to the backrest.

13. A chair device according to claim 12, wherein the armrest is pivotably connected to both the backrest and the seat.

14. A chair device according to any of claims 10 to 13 comprising an armrest locking mechanism adapted to automatically lock the armrest and a release means to release the armrest to fold on the seat.

15. A chair device according to any preceding claim comprising a table.

16. A chair device according to claim 15 wherein the table is arranged to displace in relation to the seat.

17. A chair device according to claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the table is wholly displaceable.

18. A chair device according to any preceding claim comprising a base locking mechanism to automatically lock the first position.

19. A chair device according to claim 18 comprising a base locking mechanism release means.

Images