Collapsible support and methods of using the same

Abstract

A support including a frame having a tension member coupled to the frame is disclosed. The frame has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The tension member is disposable in a first position to provide support for an arm of a user and a second position to be carried on a shoulder of the user.

1. A support, comprising:
 a frame, the frame including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, the frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; 
 a seat membrane, the seat membrane having a first end portion being coupled to the rear frame portion and a second end portion coupled to the front frame portion, the second end portion of the seat membrane being larger in length than the first end portion of the seat membrane; and 
 a tension member having a first end portion coupled to the rear frame portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the tension member being configured to be removably coupled to the front frame portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the second end portion of the tension member being configured to be removably coupled to the rear frame portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion of the tension member is pivotally coupled to the rear frame portion. 
     
     
       3. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the seat membrane is coupled to the front frame portion at a first location and at a second location. 
     
     
       4. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the seat membrane is slideably coupled to the front frame portion at a first location and is slideably coupled to the front frame portion at a second location. 
     
     
       5. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the seat membrane includes a first opening and a second opening, a first portion of the front frame portion extending through first opening of the second end portion of the seat membrane, a second portion of the front frame portion extending through the second opening of the second end portion of the seat membrane. 
     
     
       6. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the tension member includes an opening configured to removably receive a portion of the front frame portion. 
     
     
       7. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the tension member includes a first coupler, the rear frame portion includes a second coupler, the first and second couplers being configured to engage to removably couple the second end portion of the tension member to the rear frame portion. 
     
     
       8. The support of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a shade member coupled to the support. 
 
     
     
       9. The support of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a cushion coupled to the seat member and configured to help support a head of a user. 
 
     
     
       10. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the front frame portion includes a first support member pivotally coupled to a second support member. 
     
     
       11. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a first front foot, a second front foot, and a rear foot, a first support of the front frame portion is pivotally coupled to the first foot, a second support of the front frame portion is pivotally coupled to the second front foot, a first rear support member and a second rear support member being pivotally coupled to the rear foot. 
     
     
       12. The support of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion of the tension member is configured to be removably coupled to a rear foot, a first support member of the rear frame portion and a second support member of the rear frame portion being pivotally coupled to the rear foot. 
     
     
       13. A support, comprising:
 a frame, the frame including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, the frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the frame including a first front foot, a second front foot, and a rear foot, a first support of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the first foot, a second support of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second front foot, a first rear support member and a second rear support member of the frame being pivotally coupled to the rear foot; 
 a seat membrane, the seat membrane having a first end portion being coupled to the rear frame portion and a second end portion coupled to the front frame portion; and 
 a tension member having a first end portion coupled to the rear frame portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the tension member being configured to be removably coupled to the front frame portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the second end portion of the tension member being configured to be removably coupled to the rear frame portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration. 
 
     
     
       14. The support of  claim 13 , wherein the second end portion of the tension member is configured to be removably coupled to the rear foot, a first support member of the rear frame portion and a second support member of the rear frame portion being pivotally coupled to the rear foot. 
     
     
       15. The support of  claim 13 , wherein the second end portion of the tension member includes an opening configured to removably receive a portion of the front frame portion. 
     
     
       16. The support of  claim 13 , wherein the second end portion of the tension member includes a first coupler, the rear frame portion includes a second coupler, the first and second couplers being configured to engage to removably couple the second end portion of the tension member to the rear frame portion. 
     
     
       17. The support of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a shade member coupled to the support. 
 
     
     
       18. The support of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a cushion coupled to the seat member and configured to help support a head of a user. 
 
     
     
       19. The support of  claim 13 , wherein the front frame portion includes a first support member pivotally coupled to a second support member. 
     
     
       20. A support, comprising:
 a frame, the frame including a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, the frame having a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; 
 a seat membrane, the seat membrane having a first end portion being coupled to the rear frame portion and a second end portion coupled to the front frame portion, the second end portion of the seat membrane including a first opening and a second opening, a first portion of the front frame portion extending through the first opening of the second end portion of the seat membrane, a second portion of the front frame portion extending through the second opening of the second end portion of the seat membrane; and 
 a tension member having a first end portion coupled to the rear frame portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the tension member being configured to be removably coupled to the front frame portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the second end portion of the tension member being configured to be removably coupled to the rear frame portion when the frame is in its collapsed configuration. 
 
     
     
       21. The support of  claim 20 , wherein the second end portion of the tension member includes a first coupler, the rear frame portion includes a second coupler, the first and second couplers being configured to engage to removably couple the second end portion of the tension member to the rear frame portion. 
     
     
       22. The support of claim 13, wherein the retainer includes a first retainer portion and a second retainer portion, the first retainer portion configured to releasably couple to the second retainer portion to retain the frame in its collapsed configuration. 
     
     
       23. The support of claim 13, wherein the retainer includes one of a hook, a clip or a buckle. 
     
     
       24. The support of claim 13, wherein the retainer is coupled to at least one of the frame and the seat membrane. 
     
     
       25. The support of claim 13, wherein the retainer includes at least one of a flap, an elongate member, a cord, a rope, a string, a strap and an elastic member. 
     
     
       26. The support of claim 13, wherein the retainer has a body portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the retainer includes a coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple the first side portion of the retainer to the second side portion of the retainer. 
     
     
       27. The support of claim 13, wherein the tension member is a first tension member, the first tension member being configured to support a first arm of a user when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the support further comprising:
 a second tension member coupled to the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, the second tension member configured to support a second arm of the user when the frame is in its expanded configuration.   
     
     
       28. The support of claim 13, wherein the first support member of the front frame portion is pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion,
 the frame including a side frame portion, the side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the side frame portion.   
     
     
       29. The support of claim 13, wherein the first support member of the front frame portion is pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion,
 the frame including a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion, the first side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the first side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the first side frame portion, the second side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the second side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the second side frame portion.   
     
     
       30. The support of claim 13, wherein the first support member of the front frame portion is pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion, the first support member of the front frame portion and the second support member of the front frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration,
 the frame including a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion, the first side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the first side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the first side frame portion, the first support member of the first side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the second side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the second side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the second side frame portion, the first support member of the second side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration.   
     
     
       31. The support of claim 13, wherein:
 the retainer includes a first retainer portion and a second retainer portion, the first retainer portion configured to releasably couple to the second retainer portion to retain the frame in its collapsed configuration;   the first support member of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion, the first support member of the front frame portion and the second support member of the front frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration,   the frame including a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion, the first side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the first side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the first side frame portion, the first support member of the first side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the second side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the second side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the second side frame portion, the first support member of the second side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration; and   the tension member is a first tension member, the first tension member being configured to support a first arm of a user when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the support further comprising:   a second tension member coupled to the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, the second tension member configured to support a second arm of the user when the frame is in its expanded configuration.   
     
     
       32. The support of claim 13, wherein the rear frame portion has a height when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the front frame portion having a height when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the height of the rear frame portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration being larger than the height of the front frame portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration. 
     
     
       33. The support of claim 20, wherein the retainer includes a first retainer portion and a second retainer portion, the first retainer portion being configured to engage the second retainer portion such that the retainer retains the frame in its collapsed configuration. 
     
     
       34. The support of claim 20, wherein the retainer includes one of a hook, a clip or a buckle. 
     
     
       35. The support of claim 20, wherein the retainer is coupled to at least one of the frame and the seat membrane. 
     
     
       36. The support of claim 20, wherein the retainer includes at least one of a flap, an elongate member, a cord, a rope, a string, a strap and an elastic member. 
     
     
       37. The support of claim 20, wherein the retainer has a body portion, a first side portion and a second side portion, the retainer includes a coupling mechanism configured to releasably couple the first side portion of the retainer to the second side portion of the retainer. 
     
     
       38. The support of claim 20, wherein the tension member is a first tension member, the support further comprising:
 a second tension member coupled to the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, the second tension member configured to support a second arm of the user when the frame is in its expanded configuration.   
     
     
       39. The support of claim 20, wherein the front frame portion includes a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion,
 the frame including a side frame portion, the side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the side frame portion.   
     
     
       40. The support of claim 20, wherein the front frame portion includes a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion,
 the frame including a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion, the first side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the first side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the first side frame portion, the second side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the second side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the second side frame portion.   
     
     
       41. The support of claim 20, wherein the front frame portion includes a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion,
 the frame including a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion, the first side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the first side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the first side frame portion, the second side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the second side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the second side frame portion,   the rear frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the rear frame portion being substantially parallel to the second support member of the rear frame portion.   
     
     
       42. The support of claim 20, wherein the front frame portion includes a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion, the first support member of the front frame portion and the second support member of the front frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration,
 the frame including a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion, the first side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the first side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the first side frame portion, the first support member of the first side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the second side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the second side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the second side frame portion, the first support member of the second side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration,   the rear frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the rear frame portion being substantially parallel to the second support member of the rear frame portion.   
     
     
       43. The support of claim 20, wherein the first end portion of the seat membrane defines a first opening and a second opening, a first portion of the rear frame portion extending through the first opening of the first end portion of the seat membrane, a second portion of the rear frame portion extending through the second opening of the first end portion of the seat membrane. 
     
     
       44. The support of claim 20, wherein:
 the retainer includes a first retainer portion and a second retainer portion, the first retainer portion configured to releasably couple to the second retainer portion to retain the frame in its collapsed configuration,   the first end portion of the seat membrane defines a first opening and a second opening, a first portion of the rear frame portion extending through the first opening of the first end portion of the seat membrane, a second portion of the rear frame portion extending through the second opening of the first end portion of the seat membrane,   the front frame portion includes a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the front frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the front frame portion, the first support member of the front frame portion and the second support member of the front frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the rear frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the rear frame portion being substantially parallel to the second support member of the rear frame portion,   the frame including a first side frame portion and a second side frame portion, the first side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the first side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the first side frame portion, the first support member of the first side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the second side frame portion including a first support member and a second support member, the first support member of the second side frame portion being pivotally coupled to the second support member of the second side frame portion, the first support member of the second side frame portion and the second support member of the second side frame portion collectively forming a substantially X-shape when the frame is in its expanded configuration; and   the tension member is a first tension member, the support further comprising:   a second tension member coupled to the front frame portion and the rear frame portion, the second tension member configured to support a second arm of the user when the frame is in its expanded configuration.   
     
     
       45. The support of claim 20, wherein the rear frame portion has a height when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the front frame portion has a height when the frame is in its expanded configuration, the height of the rear frame portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration is larger than the height of the front frame portion when the frame is in its expanded configuration. 
     
     
       46. The support of claim 1, wherein at least one of (1) the first end portion of the tension member is coupled to the rear frame portion, (2) the second end portion of the tension member is removably coupled to the front frame portion in the expanded configuration, or (3) the second end portion of the tension member is removably coupled to the rear frame portion in the collapsed configuration, independently of the seat membrane.