Collapsible and portable chair

Abstract

A collapsible and portable chair comprises an articulated chair frame that includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected elongated frame members, as well as a plurality of pivots and joints that define mutually parallel axes about which the chair can be folded from a set-up configuration to a flattened and collapsed configuration. The chair frame includes a front leg assembly, a rear leg assembly, a backrest frame assembly and two independent laterally spaced seat frame members. A fabric panel extends between members of the chair frame to define a seating panel and a backrest panel for receiving a seated user in the set-up condition of the chair. Straps can be provided to facilitate transport of the chair in its folded condition, notable as backpack straps that free up the user's hands so that other objects can be carried along with the folded chair.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible and portable chair comprising:
 an articulated chair frame comprising a front leg assembly, a rear leg assembly, a backrest frame assembly, two independent laterally spaced apart seat frame members, and two laterally disposed armrests;   a seat defined by a seating panel mounted to the seat frame members; and   a backrest defined by a backrest panel whereby the backrest is angularly disposed relative to the seat when the chair is in a set-up condition;   wherein the front leg assembly comprises a left front leg member and a right front leg interconnected by a lateral cross-connector;   wherein the rear leg assembly comprises a left rear leg member and a right rear leg member interconnected by a lateral cross-connecter;   wherein the upper ends of the left and right front leg members are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the respective left and right rear leg members;   wherein the seat frame members are each pivotally connected to respective front and rear leg members;   wherein the backrest frame assembly comprises a left backrest frame member and a right backrest frame member interconnected by a lateral cross-connector;   wherein each armrest is pivotally attached at a rear end thereof to a respective one of the left and right backrest frame members and mounted at an opposing end thereof on the pivotally connected upper ends of the front and rear leg members; and   wherein the front leg assembly, the rear leg assembly, the backrest frame assembly, the seat frame members and the armrests are pivotable relative to one another so that the chair is movable between the set-up condition and a folded condition.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the front leg assembly is reinforced. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 2 , wherein the front leg assembly is reinforced by a laterally extending cross-support member connected between the left and right front leg members and vertically upwardly spaced from the cross-connector of the front leg assembly, whereby said cross-support member is further vertically downwardly spaced from the seat frame members so as not to interfere with the seating panel. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 2 , wherein the front leg assembly is reinforced by left and right truss braces attached to the left and right sides of the front leg assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the angular position of the backrest relative to the seat is adjustable by moving the armrests relative to the pivotally connected upper ends of the front leg assembly and the rear leg assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 5 , wherein the upper ends of the left and right front leg members are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the respective left and right rear leg members via respective left and right hinge fittings, and wherein said hinge fitting are received within guides provided on the armrests having portions associated with various reclined positions of the backrest such that the hinge fittings can be set in one of said portions for use and moved therebetween to adjust the reclined position of the backrest. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one strap for carrying the chair in its folded condition. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one strap comprises two shoulder straps. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one strap comprises two strap assemblies disposed on each lateral side of the chair, each said strap assembly comprising:
 a horizontal belt portion attached at a first end to one of the rear side of the backrest panel and the backrest frame assembly, and having a second unattached end; and   a vertical strap portion having a first end attached to a respective horizontal belt portion and a second end attached to the chair frame,   whereby, when the chair is in its folded condition, the second unattached ends of the two horizontal belt portions can be connected together adjacent the front side of the folded chair.   
     
     
         10 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 1 , further comprising central pivot joints on the lateral cross-connectors of the front leg assembly, the rear leg assembly, and the backrest assembly, whereby the chair can be folded from its folded condition about the central pivot joints to a second folded condition that generally has a footprint half the size of the footprint of the chair in its folded condition. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat and the backrest are collectively defined by a single fabric panel mounted to the chair frame which comprises the seating panel and the backrest panel. 
     
     
         12 . A collapsible and portable chair comprising:
 an articulated chair frame comprising a front leg assembly, a rear leg assembly, a backrest frame assembly, two independent laterally spaced apart seat frame members, and two laterally disposed armrests, all pivotable relative to one another so that the chair is movable between a set-up condition and a folded condition;   a seat defined by a seating panel mounted to the seat frame members;   a backrest defined by a backrest panel whereby the backrest is angularly disposed relative to the seat when the chair is in the set-up condition; and   at least one strap for carrying the chair in the folded condition;   wherein the front leg assembly comprises a left front leg member and a right front leg interconnected by a lateral cross-connector, and wherein said front leg assembly is laterally reinforced;   wherein the rear leg assembly comprises a left rear leg member and a right rear leg member interconnected by a lateral cross-connecter;   wherein the seat frame members are each pivotally connected to respective front and rear leg members;   wherein the backrest frame assembly comprises a left backrest frame member and a right backrest frame member interconnected by a lateral cross-connector; and   wherein each armrest is pivotally attached at a rear end thereof to a respective one of the left and right backrest frame members and mounted on the upper ends of the front and rear leg assemblies.   
     
     
         13 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 12 , wherein the front leg assembly is reinforced by a laterally extending cross-support member connected between the left and right front leg members and vertically upwardly spaced from the cross-connector of the front leg assembly, whereby said cross-support member is further vertically downwardly spaced from the seat frame members so as not to interfere with the seating panel. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 12 , wherein the front leg assembly is reinforced by left and right truss braces attached to the left and right sides of the front leg assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper ends of the left and right front leg members are pivotally connected to the upper ends of the respective left and right rear leg members via respective left and right hinge fittings. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 15 , wherein the angular position of the backrest relative to the seat is adjustable by moving the armrests relative to the hinge fittings. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one strap comprises two shoulder straps. 
     
     
         18 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one strap comprises two strap assemblies disposed on each lateral side of the chair, each said strap assembly comprising:
 a horizontal belt portion attached at a first end to one of the rear side of the backrest panel and the backrest frame assembly, and having a second unattached end; and   a vertical strap portion having a first end attached to a respective horizontal belt portion and a second end attached to the chair frame,   whereby, when the chair is in its folded condition, the second unattached ends of the two horizontal belt portions can be connected together adjacent the front side of the folded chair.   
     
     
         19 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 12 , further comprising central pivot joints on the lateral cross-connectors of the front leg assembly, the rear leg assembly, and the backrest assembly, whereby the chair can be folded from its folded condition about the central pivot joints to a second folded condition that generally has a footprint half the size of the footprint of the chair in its folded condition. 
     
     
         20 . The collapsible and portable chair according to  claim 12 , wherein the seat and the backrest are collectively defined by a single fabric panel mounted to the chair frame which comprises the seating panel and the backrest panel.