Folding Chair Back-Leg Leveling for Stable Seating on Slopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding chairs fail to provide a comfortable, horizontal seating surface on angled or sloped ground surfaces, as their legs do not anchor properly, leading to an uncomfortable sitting position and potential slipping.
Innovation Solution
A folding chair design featuring telescoping back legs with locking mechanisms that adjust to maintain a horizontal seating surface on inclined ground, using pivotally connected frames and locking mechanisms with leveling springs to secure the chair in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional folding chairs are placed on angled surfaces, then the chair structure remains simple and portable, but the seating surface becomes non-horizontal and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements telescoping back legs with adjustable lengths, transforming the static chair structure into a dynamic one that can adapt to different ground conditions. The back legs can be extended or retracted to compensate for ground slope, maintaining a horizontal seating surface regardless of the ground angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the length parameter of the back legs to adapt to angled surfaces. By adjusting the length of the telescoping back legs, the chair can compensate for ground inclination and maintain proper seating geometry, transforming a fixed-parameter structure into a variable-parameter system.
2Reliability
If folding chairs are placed on sloped surfaces, then portability is maintained, but the legs do not anchor properly causing the chair to slip
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms provide dynamic stabilization by allowing the chair to adapt its leg configuration to the ground slope while maintaining firm anchoring. The mechanisms can engage or disengage based on whether the chair is in use or being transported, providing stability when needed without compromising portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanisms are designed to automatically engage when the telescoping back legs are extended, providing self-stabilization. The user simply extends the legs to the desired length, and the locking mechanism automatically secures them in place, eliminating the need for separate anchoring actions.
3Reliability
If telescoping back legs with locking mechanisms are added to maintain horizontal seating on slopes, then seating comfort and stability improve, but the chair structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The back legs are segmented into telescoping sections that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows the chair to adapt to different ground conditions by varying the length of individual leg sections, providing stability without requiring a complete redesign of the entire chair structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping and locking mechanism transforms the static back leg structure into a dynamic one that can adjust its length. This dynamic capability allows the chair to maintain stability on varied terrain while keeping the adjustment mechanism relatively simple and integrated into the existing chair design.
Data Source
AI summary
A chair is provided that is configurable to provide a substantially horizontal seating surface when the chair is disposed on an angled ground surface. The chair comprises a back frame having a pair of telescoping back legs including an upper back leg tube and a lower back leg tube slidingly disposed within the upper back leg tube. The chair additionally includes a pair of locking mechanisms comprising a locking key that includes a locking aperture through which the respective lower back leg tube extends. Each locking mechanism is structured and operable to selectively position the respective locking key in an engaged position that binds the lower back leg tube such that the lower back leg tube cannot slide into the upper back leg tube, and a disengaged position that allows the lower back leg tube to freely slide within the upper back leg tube.