US20150313330A1

US20150313330A1 - Portable Seating Device

Info

Publication number: US20150313330A1
Application number: US14/702,182
Authority: US
Inventors: Sue Stevens; Lynn Chock; Dane Bjerklie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-05-01
Filing date: 2015-05-01
Publication date: 2015-11-05

Abstract

A portable seating device for outdoor use. The present invention includes a seat removably attachable to a pair of poles, such as hiking poles, via connectors disposed on opposing ends of the seat. In one embodiment, the connectors are closed loop straps. In operation, the poles are placed into the ground at an angle relative to the ground and the connectors are secured to the top portions of the poles, thereby suspending the seat therebetween. When a user is seated on the seat, the user's weight prevents the poles from shifting, holding the seat in place.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/986,993 filed on May 1, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a seating device. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a portable seat that can be easily transported and stored. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a seat that is suspendable between a pair of poles, such as hiking poles. The portable seat can be easily assembled and disassembled so that it can be conveniently used in outdoor settings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding outdoor chairs are widely used by outdoor enthusiasts when camping, attending sporting events, hunting, and partaking in other outdoor activities. Individuals travel with folding chairs because seating areas are not readily available and the individuals can become tired from standing or walking for an extended period of time.
Many folding chairs include a heavy frame and a seating portion that can be heavy and bulky to carry. This can be particularly inconvenient if the individuals are also carrying other equipment for outdoor activities. Thus, the individuals must make several trips to transport their chairs and other equipment. Additionally, most folding chairs are dimensioned so that they fold out to be a full-sized chair. In this way, these chairs can be difficult to store and transport as they take up too much space. Thus, it would be highly advantageous for the individuals to have a compact folding chair that can be easily assembled and disassembled to increase convenience during outdoor use.
Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that claim seating devices for use while outdoors. Some of these devices disclose walking sticks that are adapted to support a hammock-like seat. Other devices disclose trekking poles that can be arranged for providing a frame for a seat. These devices disclosed in the prior art have several known drawbacks. These devices are limiting due to their bulkiness in structure and size. The prior art devices include a walking stick having a seat portion and support structures pivotally attached thereto. Thus, the users must carry the walking stick, the seat portion, and the support structures together. This can be inconvenient because the seat portion and the support structures add weight and bulkiness to the walking stick.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of seating devices for outdoor use present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved portable seating device wherein the same can be utilized for sitting in an outdoor setting.
The present invention provides a portable seating device. The present invention includes a seat removably attachable to a pair of poles, such as hiking poles, via connectors disposed on opposing ends of the seat. In one embodiment, the connectors are closed loop straps. In operation, the poles are placed into the ground at an angle relative to the ground and the connectors are secured to the top portions of the poles, thereby suspending the seat therebetween. Accordingly, the seat is hammock-like in structure when suspended between poles.
The closed loop straps are wrapped or tied around the handles of the poles and are preferably secured above the notch or the protrusion thereon. The positioning of the closed loop straps above the notch or the protrusion prevents the closed loop straps from sliding downward along the poles when the user is sitting on the seat. Additionally, the poles are preferably inserted into the ground in an angled manner so that the lower end of the poles are positioned directly below the seat and the upper end of the poles are pointed outward. This allows the seat to be in an open configuration so as to allow the user to sit in an upright position.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved portable seating device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable seating device that can be easily set up and disassembled.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable seating device that can be stored and transported in a convenient manner.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable seating device that can be used by a wide variety of individuals.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable seating device that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention suspended between a pair of poles.

FIG. 3 shows a close up view of the present invention suspended between a pair of poles.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the present invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable seating device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for sitting in an outdoor setting. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention. The present invention comprises a portable seating device 21. In the illustrated embodiments, the seating device 21 includes a seat 25 that is substantially rectangular in shape. The seat 25 comprises a planar sheet of fabric having a first end 28 opposite a second end 29. The fabric may be a durable fabric that is water resistant and that can be washed. It is preferred that the seat 25 is composed of a durable, flexible fabric material so that the seat 25 can conform to the user when the user is seated thereon. Each of the first and second ends 28, 29 comprises a closed loop strap 27, wherein the closed loop strap 27 comprises a cord, a rope, or the like.
Each of the first and second ends 28, 29 is looped through the closed loop strap 27 and folded onto itself, then stitched in place in order to form a channel 32 through which the closed loop straps 27 are disposed. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the channels 32 further comprise a reinforced lining to assist in supporting the weight of the user and prevent deformation of the seat 25 when a user is sitting thereon. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforced lining is a rigid tubular member. The rigid tubular member comprises metal, such as steel, or another such suitable material. In another embodiment of the present invention, the reinforced lining is integral to the channels 32 of the seat 25.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there are shown perspective and close up views of the present invention suspended between a pair of poles. The portable seating device 21 is suspendable between a pair of poles 22, such as conventional hiking poles as are known in the prior art. Each of the poles 22 between which the present invention can be suspended is elongated and comprises an upper end and a lower end. The upper end of the pole 22 comprises a handle 23 integral thereto. The closed loop straps 27 are removably securable to the handles 23. In the illustrated embodiments, the closed loop strap 27 is wrapped around the handle 23 and then threaded through itself. Alternatively, the closed loop strap 27 may be tied to the handle 23 in a usual manner. Preferably closed loop strap 27 is secured above the notch or the protrusion 30 so that the closed loop strap 27 is prevented from sliding downward.
The lower ends of the poles 22 comprise a tip 26 that is tapered to a point. In this way, the lower end of the poles 22 can be partially inserted into the ground, similar to a stake. When the seating device 21 is configured for use, one pole 22 is secured to the first and second ends 28, 29 of the seat 25 and the poles 22 are inserted into the ground so that the seat 25 is substantially hammock-like. The handles 23 are pointed outward and the tips 26 are pointed inward, directly below the seat 25. The poles 22 can be attached to or detached from the closed loop strap 27 of the seat 25 as needed. As such, the present invention can be easily set up or disassembled for storage and transportation.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of the present invention in use. The seating device 21 is set up so that the pole 22 is angled relative to the ground or a horizontal surface on which it is placed. Specifically, the pole 22 is positioned so that the upper end, or the handle 23, of the pole 22, is pointed outward or away from the seat 25. Conversely, the lower end or the tip 26 is pointed inward so that the tips 26 are directly below the mid portion of the seat 25. In this way, the seat 25 is in an open configuration so as to allow the user to sit thereon.
When the user 31 is seated on the seat 25, the user's weight pulls the closed loop straps and the seat 25 down so that the closed loop straps 27 and the seat 25 are taut. The closed loop straps 27 rest directly on the notch or the protrusion on the handle so that they are prevented from sliding downward when the user is seated on the seat 25. Additionally, the user's weight anchors the seating device 21 in place so that the poles 22 are prevented from moving. Accordingly, it is contemplated that the pole 22 is configured to support the user's weight. When seated, the user places his or her feet on the ground so as to balance himself or herself, while preventing himself or herself from falling forward or backward.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) A portable seating device, comprising:

a seat comprising a first end and a second end;

a first channel disposed at the first end;

a second channel disposed at the second end;

a first closed loop disposed through the first channel;

a second closed loop disposed through the second channel.

2) The portable seating device of claim 1, wherein the first closed loop and the second closed loop are removably securable to at least one pair of poles, thereby allowing the seat to be suspended therebetween.

3) The portable seating device of claim 1, wherein the first channel and the second channel comprise a reinforced lining.

4) The portable seating device of claim 3, wherein the reinforced lining is fabricated from a material, the material comprising steel.

5) The portable seating device of claim 1, wherein the seat is fabricated from a fabric material.

6) The portable seating device of claim 5, wherein the fabric material is water-resistant.

7) The portable seating device of claim 1, wherein the seat is a monolithic, planar sheet of a material.

8) The portable seating device of claim 1, wherein:

the first channel is formed via the first end being folded onto itself and then stitched thereto;

the second channel is formed via the second end being folded onto itself and then stitched thereto.

9) The portable seating device of claim 1, wherein the closed loop comprises a cord.

10) The portable seating device of claim 1, wherein the seat is rectangular in shape.