US3053569A - Seat structure - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 11, 1962 A. B. CLARK, JR

SEAT STRUCTURE Filed March 9, 1961 INVENTOR.

ALEXANDER B. CLARK, UR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent I 3,053,569 Patented SeP 1 1 3,053,569 SEAT STRUCTURE Alexander B. Clark, Jr., Rte. 4, Box 2012, Hendersonville, NC. Filed Mar. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 94,520

6 Claims. (Cl. 297-111) This invention relates to seat structure and more es pecially to a stadium seat constructed essentially of corrugated cardboard and the like.

While stadium seats of various types have been constructed employing a single cardboard blank, none have been constructed using reinforcing tape to make it possible for the cardboard thus reinforced to support the weight of the user without the use of more expensive materials. The invention is also concerned with the providing of a useful cardboard seat construction which could be used for advertising purposes or sold inexpensively at outdoor events such as football and baseball games.

An important object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an inexpensive stadium seat of simple construction which may be made essentially of cardboard and yet effectively support the weight of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stadium seat of light construction which may be easily folded and carried by the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide an expandable stadium seat which may be used as an advertising medium.

Yet another important object of the invention is the provision of a stadium seat which may be constructed of cardboard and so reinforced that a uniform resilient support is provided for the back of the user. 5

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

@The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view illustrating a blank from which a stadium seat constructed in accordance with the present invention is made,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view illustrating a seat structure in accordance with the present invention in sitting position,

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation illustrating a seat in accordance with the present invention in folded position, and

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation illustrating the seat in folded position.

\Referring more especially to the drawing, a cardboard seat structure is illustrated as being formed of a single elongated substantially rectangular blank having longitudinal fluting or corrugations. A transverse score A in the blank separates the blank into a back rest portion B and a seat portion C. A pair of substantially V-shaped inwardly extending opposed cutout portions D are provided in the marginal portions of the blank. It will be noted that the apex of the V-shaped cutout portions are adjacent the transverse score A. Scores E intersect adjacent each such apex forming marginal flaps and reinforcing means in the form of tape F joins the flaps across the V-shaped cutout portions so that the seat and the back are biased toward closed position. Thus, when the back and seat portions, B and C, respectively, are open the flap portions are yieldingly pulled inwardly thus urging the back portion B resiliently against the back of the user. A plurality of spaced elongated reinforcing means G are inserted into the fluting adjacent the rear of the seat portion C, preferably in a second seat portion H which is suitably scored and folded under the seat portion C to provide extra thickness for the seat.

[FIGURE 1 illustrates a blank which may be formed by stamping same out of cardboard with the fluting or corrugations running longitudinally thereof. The scored line A divides the blank into a b ack portion B and a seat portion C. The back portion B has a cutout por tion 10 for accommodating a tab 11 (FIGURE 2) which is attached to the reinforcing tape F for securing the back and seat portion together in folded position. When in seating position, the tab 11 is accommodated within a cutout portion 13 in the seat portion C. It will be noted that'the V-shaped cutout portions 'D are provided with recesses 14 adjacent their outside ends for accommoclating the reinforcing tape F. The reinforcing tape F may be of any suitable type and one suitable type has been found 'to be Scotch brand filament tape No. 880 supplied by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, of Saint 'Paul, Minnesota. The scores E, which run generally longitudinally of the blank, include scores 15 which extend at right angles to the transverse score A. Intermediate scores 16 are further provided in the back B so that the flaps defined by the scores along the marginal portion of the blank, more nearly conform to the back of the user.

A second bottom portion H is illustrated in the drawing for providing additional thickness and it is folded under the seat portion C. Should the rear portion of the seat C extend a little beyond the rear of the stadium seat the reinforcing means G, provided in the form of elongated flat nails inserted in the fluting 17, prevent crushing of the carboard. The second thickness H is provided with a slit score 1701 and is suitably glued to the seat C as at 18. Suitable scores 16a are provided conforming to the scores 16 within the seat portion C. An opening '19 opposite the openings 10 and 13, is provided for inserting a linger of the user for carrying the seat.

It is apparent that, when in use, the pressure exerted by the back of the user against the back B and the seat C will cause the flaps defined by the scores E to move inwardly against the resiliency of the cardboard affording extra support for the body of the user. Scuffing 20 may be applied to the seat to prevent slipping of the user thereon. If desired, a foam rubber cushion (not shown) could be glued into the seat to provide further comfort for the user. The seat structure of the present device may be used to carry literature and the like for mailing purposes with slight modification. The mailing package may then be used as a seat by the recipient of the literature, thus enhancing its value as an advertising piece.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

*1. A folding cardboard seat structure including, an elongated substantially rectangular blank having longitudinal fluting, a transverse score in said blank forming a seat and a back portion, a pair of substantially V-shaped inwardly extending opposed cutout portions in the marginal portions of said blank, the apex of each of said V-shaped cutout portions being adjacent said transverse score, longitudinal scores intersecting adjacent each such apex and forming marginal flaps in said blank, and reinforcing means joining said flaps across said V-shaped cutout portions, whereby when the back and seat portions are opened to form a seat the flap portions are pulled inwardly across the reinforcing means and biased tow d closed position.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, in which said reinforcing means is reinforcing tape extending entirely across the rear of said seat from the medial free end of the seat portion adjacent the outer edge of said flaps to the medial end of the back portion, whereby when the seat is closed the tape lies flat against the cardboard.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, in which said scores include, a score perpendicular to said transverse score spaced from each edge of the seat, and a score intermediate each perpendicular score and the adjacent edge of the seat.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, in which a tab is cut from said blank adjacent one end thereof, attached to said blank and received by a corresponding opening adjacent the other end of said blank.

5. The structure set forth in claim 2, in which spaced elongated reinforcing members are inserted in the seat corrugations adjacent said transverse score, whereby support is provided should the rear of the seat move off its support.

6. A folding cardboard seat structure including an elongated substantially rectangular blank having 1ongitudinal fluting, a transverse score in said blank forming a seat and a back portion, said seat structure having a first transporting position wherein said seat and back are parallel with each other, and a second position wherein said seat and back are at substantial right angles, said blank having a pair of substantially V-shaped inwardly extending opposed cut-outs along the marginal portion of said blank, the apex of each of said V-shaped cut-out portions being adjacent said transverse score, adjacent longitudinal scores intersecting each apex and forming marginal flaps in said blank, and connecting means affixed to said seat and back portions spanning each of said cutouts for holding the respective edges of each of said cutouts in substantially fixed relationship With each other as the seat is folded from said first position to said second position, the flap portions are pulled inwardly because of said connecting means, whereby a bucket-type seat is formed in which the back and seat are biased toward closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,270,598 Morgan Jan. 20, 1942 2,607,400 Witz Aug. 19, 1952 2,759,527 Myrick Aug. 21, 1956 2,806,514 Smith Sept. 17, 1957 2,825,391 Underhill Mar. 4, 1958 2,940,511 Gomes June 14, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 459,000 Great Britain Dec, 31, 1936

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