Portable seat with storage

Abstract

A portable seat is provided for use typically in outdoor environments, such as hunting, camping, sporting events, and the like. The portable seat includes a seat base with one or more internal storage chambers, some of which may remain open for convenient access, and some of which may be fitted with removable drawers or storage compartments that may be opened and closed as needed. A collapsible leg assembly allows the seat base to be positioned at a comfortable height above a support surface, and the legs may be collapsed to a stowed configuration in which they are positioned against or generally along a bottom portion of the seat base. A strap is used to attach the seat to a user for hands-free transport, and may also secure the storage drawers or covers (when so equipped) in their closed positions.

1 . A portable seat comprising:
 a seat base;   a storage chamber at said seat base;   a strap coupled to said seat base and configured to releasably secure said portable seat to a wearer; and   a plurality of collapsible legs disposed along said bottom of said seat base;   wherein said collapsible legs are positionable at (i) a retracted position in which said legs are positioned along said seat base, and (ii) a deployed position in which said seat base is spaced above a support surface when said portable seat is positioned on the support surface.   
     
     
         2 . The portable seat of  claim 1 , wherein said storage chamber is generally tubular in shape, and defines an opening near a forward edge of said seat base. 
     
     
         3 . The portable seat of  claim 2 , wherein said storage chamber is at least partially defined by said seat base. 
     
     
         4 . The portable seat of  claim 1 , wherein said seat base comprises a retainer element that is configured to releasably secure said collapsible legs in the retracted position. 
     
     
         5 . The portable seat of  claim 1 , wherein said collapsible legs comprise a first leg having an upper end portion pivotally coupled to said seat base near a forward edge or a rearward edge thereof, and a second leg having an upper end portion that is releasably securable to said seat base near the other of said forward edge or said rearward edge thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The portable seat of  claim 1 , further comprising an openable cover that is selectively positioned over an access opening of said storage chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The portable seat of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said collapsible legs inhibits access to said opening to said storage chamber when said collapsible leg is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         8 . The portable seat of  claim 1 , wherein said strap comprises a quick-release buckle for releasably securing said strap to the wearer. 
     
     
         9 . A portable seat comprising:
 a seat base;   a storage chamber having an opening that is accessible near a forward portion of said seat base; and   a plurality of collapsible legs disposed along said bottom of said seat base;   wherein said collapsible legs are positionable at (i) a retracted position in which said legs are positioned generally along said seat base and at least one of said legs covering at least a portion of said opening of said storage chamber, and (ii) a deployed position in which said seat base is spaced substantially above a support surface when said portable seat is positioned at the support surface.   
     
     
         10 . The portable seat of  claim 9 , further comprising a seatback pivotally coupled to said seat base. 
     
     
         11 . The portable seat of  claim 10 , further comprising an adjustable-length strap extending between said seatback and said seat base, wherein said adjustable-length strap is configured to limit the extent to which said seatback can pivot relative to said seat base. 
     
     
         12 . The portable seat of  claim 9 , wherein said storage chamber is generally tubular in shape and configured to receive at least one chosen from (i) a beverage container, or (ii) a rolled article of clothing. 
     
     
         13 . The portable seat of  claim 9 , further comprising a seat cushion removably coupled to said seat base. 
     
     
         14 . The portable seat of  claim 13 , further comprising a strap coupled to said seat base and configured to releasably secure said portable seat to a wearer. 
     
     
         15 . The portable seat of  claim 14 , wherein said strap comprises a quick-release buckle for releasably securing said strap to the wearer. 
     
     
         16 . The portable seat of  claim 9 , further comprising a leg-retaining member extending from said seat base, wherein when said collapsible legs are in the retracted position, said leg-retaining member releasably engages at least one of said collapsible legs to retain said collapsible legs in the retracted position. 
     
     
         17 . The portable seat of  claim 16 , wherein said leg-retaining member comprises a downwardly-extending resilient member having a concave surface configured to engage said at least one of said collapsible legs. 
     
     
         18 . The portable seat of  claim 9 , wherein said collapsible legs comprise a first leg having an upper end portion pivotally coupled to said seat base near a forward edge or a rearward edge thereof, and a second leg having an upper end portion that is releasably securable to said seat base near the other of said forward edge or said rearward edge thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The portable seat of  claim 18 , wherein said seat base comprises a forward bracket to which said first leg is pivotally coupled, and a rearward bracket to which a portion of said second leg is removably inserted. 
     
     
         20 . The portable seat of  claim 19 , wherein said forward and rearward brackets are unitarily formed with said seat base.