Foldable chair

Abstract

A foldable chair includes a support member formed by two intersecting frame members. A backrest member and a seat member are disposed on the frame members at a determined angle. A shaft passes through ends of the backrest member and the seat member that intersect, and also passes through the intersecting ends of the frame members. The distal end of the seat member has a closable connecting element fixedly provided thereon. The other end of the connecting element passes around the backrest member and the support member to be secured on the frame members. Furthermore, the distal end of the seat member that is not pivotally connected to the shaft and the frame member opposed thereto are provided with inter-engageable retaining elements. In use, the seat member, backrest member and the support member are erected and extended on the floor with a determined shape due to limited posed by the connecting element and the retaining elements. During folding, since the connecting element can be closed, the seat member, the backrest member and the frame members forming the support member can be arranged side by side with the shaft as center so as to minimize size of the foldable chair.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A foldable chair comprising: 
 a support member including intersecting frame members;    a backrest member erected on said support member at a determined inclined angle;    a seat member erected on said support member at a determined angle from said backrest member;    a shaft passing through intersecting ends of said frame members, said backrest member and said seat member to couple said frame members, said backrest member and seat member together;    a connecting element having one end secured on said seat member distal to said shaft, with the other end passing around the ends of said backrest member and said frame members that are distal to said shaft to be secured on a respective one of said frame members that is most distal to said backrest member, said connecting element being provided with securing portions that are respectively secured on said support member, said backrest member, and said seat member, said securing portions being suitably spaced apart from one another;    whereby, in use, said seat member, said backrest member and said support member, with said shaft as center and being limited by said connecting element and said securing portions thereof, form the foldable chair; and during folding, with the folding of said connecting element, said seat member, said backrest member and said frame members of said support member are arranged together with said shaft as center so as to minimize size of the foldable chair.    
     
     
         2 . The foldable chair of  claim 1 , wherein said backrest member and said seat member have a sheet member which is secured on said shaft disposed therebetween, said sheet member having two ends respectively secured on the distal ends of said backrest member and said seat member to serve as backrest and seat pad.  
     
     
         3 . The foldable chair of  claim 1 , wherein the ends of said seat member and said frame members that are distal to said shaft are provided with inter-engageable retaining elements such that said seat member and said frame members can be secured in position by means of said retaining members, thereby preventing closing of said seat member onto said backrest member.  
     
     
         4 . The foldable chair of  claim 1 , wherein said frame members, said backrest member and said seat member are generally U-shaped frames.  
     
     
         5 . The foldable chair of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting element is a band member.