Reclining mechanism for a folding chair

Abstract

A reclining mechanism is connected to the frame of a folding chair to allow the back of the folding chair to move relative to a seat portion of the chair. The mechanism has a tension spring that resists the movement of the back of the chair in a rearward motion and may assist in returning the back portion to a more upright position.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A folding chair having a back rotatably connected to a seat comprising:
 a frame having a seat portion and a back portion, the back portion rotatable relative to the seat portion;   a first reclining mechanism attached to a first side of the seat portion and a first side of the back portion;   a second first reclining mechanism attached to a second side of the seat portion and a second side of the back portion;   each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprising:
 a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to the back portion of the folding chair; 
 a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover; and 
 a support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position. 
   
     
     
         2 . The folding chair according to  claim 1 , each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprising:
 a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover; and   a mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair.   
     
     
         3 . The folding chair according to  claim 1 , wherein the first position is an upright position and the second position is a reclining position. 
     
     
         4 . The folding chair according to  claim 2 , each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprises a second cover attached to the first cover, the second cover extending from the rear end of the first cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The folding chair according to  claim 4 , each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism further comprises a support wall attached to the first cover and wherein the second cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the second cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member. 
     
     
         6 . The folding chair according to  claim 5 , wherein in each of the first reclining mechanism and second reclining mechanism the support wall has a sliding guide secured in the second opening to guide the first cover along a portion of the support member. 
     
     
         7 . The folding chair of  claim 1 , wherein the folding chair is one of a beach chair, a tension chair, and a bi-folding chair. 
     
     
         8 . A reclining mechanism for a folding chair, the folding chair having a frame, the reclining mechanism comprising:
 a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to a back portion of the folding chair;   a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover; and   a support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position.   
     
     
         9 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover; and   a mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair.   
     
     
         10 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 8 , wherein the first position is an upright position and the second position is a reclining position. 
     
     
         11 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 9 , further comprising a bottom cover attached to the first cover, the bottom cover extending from the rear end of the arm rest cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 11 , further comprising a support wall attached to the first cover, wherein the bottom cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the bottom cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member. 
     
     
         13 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein the support wall has a sliding guide secured in the second opening to guide the first cover along a portion of the support member. 
     
     
         14 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 8 , two of the reclining mechanisms are attached to a folding chair, wherein the folding chair is one of a beach chair, a tension chair, and a bi-folding chair. 
     
     
         15 . A reclining mechanism for a folding chair, the folding chair having a frame, the reclining mechanism comprising:
 a first cover extending from a front end to a rear end, the rear end configured to be attached to a back portion of the folding chair;   a tension spring attached to the rear end of the first cover;   a support member attached to a portion of the frame and the tension spring, wherein the first cover moves along a portion of the support member between a first position and a second position;   a stop wall attached to an inside of the first cover;   a mechanical stop fixed to the support member, the engagement of the stop wall with the mechanical stop limits movement of the first cover and the back portion of the chair; and   a bottom cover attached to the first cover, the bottom cover extending from the rear end of the first cover toward the front end to seal a portion of the support member and the tension spring within the reclining mechanism.   
     
     
         16 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 15 , further comprising a support wall attached to the first cover, wherein the bottom cover has a first projection and a second projection extending upward from an inside surface of the bottom cover, the first projection aligning with the stop wall to create a first opening for the support member and the second projection aligning with the support wall to create a second opening for the support member. 
     
     
         17 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one reclining mechanism is attached to the folding chair. 
     
     
         18 . The reclining mechanism according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one reclining mechanisms comprises two reclining mechanisms, the two reclining mechanisms being mirror images of each other and disposed on opposite sides of the folding chair.