Folding Sling Chair With Internal Hinges to Prevent Fabric Wear

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional folding sling chairs face issues with fabric wear, user discomfort, risk of pinching injury, and aesthetic impairment due to exposed hinges, and they either lack effective side support or introduce complexity in design and manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

The use of internally mounted, 'invisible' hinges within the chair frame members allows for a single piece of fabric to be used without special adaptations, providing a uniform surface and minimizing the visibility of the hinge structure, thus avoiding the complications of exposed hinges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If exposed hinges are used in folding sling chairs, then the chair can be folded and stored, but the hinge structure causes fabric wear, pinching injury risk, and aesthetic impairment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoidfabric wear and pinching injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is nested within the frame members themselves, with the hinge pin housed inside a cavity in the frame. This internal mounting conceals the hinge mechanism, eliminates exposed moving parts that cause fabric wear and pinching, while preserving the folding capability of the chair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A fabric loop or channel acts as an intermediary element that connects the sling fabric to the internal hinge mechanism. This intermediary protects the fabric from direct contact with the hinge pin and moving parts, preventing fabric wear and pinching injuries while allowing the folding function to operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If conventional exposed hinges are used, then the chair structure is simple, but the hinge visibility impairs aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge structure simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge mechanism is nested within the frame members, with the hinge pin housed inside a cavity and the fabric loop concealing the moving parts. This internal mounting conceals the hinge mechanism, eliminating visual clutter while maintaining the structural simplicity needed for folding functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sling fabric is adapted with cutouts or multiple pieces to accommodate hinges, then the hinge can function, but the fabric design becomes complex and requires separate storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge accommodationVSAvoidfabric design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adapting the fabric to accommodate the hinge (cutouts, multiple pieces), the approach is inverted: the hinge is concealed within the fabric loop/channel, allowing the fabric to remain as a single continuous piece without complex adaptations, eliminating the need for separate fabric storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7192091B1Folding sling chair

Publication Date: 2007.03.20 AGIO INT

AI summary

A folding sling chair is provided in which members of the chair frame incorporate internally mounted hinges, preferably invisible hinges. When an invisible hinge is in a neutral or stop position, only a seam or dividing line is visible; the internally mounted hinge structure is invisible. In operation, the hinge structure of the invisible hinge is less likely to interfere with a pliable fabric sling than in conventional designs. For example, the side rails of a seat of a folding sling chair may fold at invisible hinges mounted internally within the side rails, which can be angled to create an adjustable backrest. Various other applications of the present invention include angled and adjustable foot rests, head rests, chaise lounge arrangements, folding task chairs, etc.