Ground based portable seat

Abstract

A ground based portable seat which is capable of elevating the user up and off the ground and provides for a variable seating position independently or in combination with an object on terrain of varying slopes and undulating surfaces. A frame structure includes first and second generally U-shaped frame members pivotally attached to each other at their open ends and with a sling member suspended between the distal lateral closed ends. The sling member is shorter than a length that allows the pivotal connections to be opened to a pivot angle of 180 degrees magnitude. Placing the two pivotal connections on the ground for use of the seat, makes two point contact with the ground as a base. A third, stabilizing point of ground contact is provided by the user's foot.

1 . A ground based portable seat comprising: 
 a first frame member and a second frame member, wherein each frame member is formed in a generally “U”-shaped configuration having an open end and a closed end, and having first and second generally parallel and equal length longitudinal side sections joined at the closed end by a lateral end section that is longitudinally opposite to first and second frame ends that are at the open end of the frame member;    a pivotal connection of the first frame end of the first frame member to the first frame end of the second frame member;    a pivotal connection of the second frame end of the first frame member to the second frame end of the second frame member; and    a seat comprising a flexible sling member that extends from an attachment near the closed end of the first frame member to an attachment near the closed end of the second frame member, wherein the length of the sling member is less than a length that allows the pivotal connections to be opened to a pivot angle alpha of 180 degrees magnitude.    
   
   
       2 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first frame member is greater in length than the second frame member.    
   
   
       3 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a support strap that extends from an attachment on the first side section to an attachment on the second side section of a one of the first and second frame members.    
   
   
       4 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the support strap is configured to prevent spreading apart of the first and second side sections between which it extends.    
   
   
       5 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the support strap is affixed to the sling member.    
   
   
       6 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the support strap is attached on the first and second side sections near the pivotal connections; and    the support strap is flexible.    
   
   
       7 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a transport strap loosely extending from an attachment near the closed end of a frame member to an attachment near the open end of the same frame member.    
   
   
       8 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the transport strap can be moved to a position on either side of the plane within which the respective frame member lies.    
   
   
       9 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a retaining strap extending from an attachment on the first frame member to an attachment on the second frame member.    
   
   
       10 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 at least one of the attachments is removable.    
   
   
       11 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the retaining strap has two portions that are separably connected by a joint member.    
   
   
       12 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a vest that is integral with the sling member, wherein the sling member has a side panel with an arm hole therethrough.    
   
   
       13 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the side panel is detachable.    
   
   
       14 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 a storage compartment attached to the sling member.    
   
   
       15 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the storage compartment is removable.    
   
   
       16 . A ground based portable seat as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a storage compartment attached to the sling member.    
   
   
       17 . A method for supporting a sitting person's buttocks above ground level using a portable seat, the method comprising the steps of: 
 creating a buttocks-supporting seat portion by attaching a flexible sling member between two distal lateral ends of a longitudinally extended oblong support frame that has two longitudinal side frame sections and two distal lateral ends;    providing a pivotal connection in each of the longitudinal sides;    making the sling member shorter than a length that allows the pivotal connections to be opened to a pivot angle alpha of 180 degrees magnitude;    placing the two pivotal connections on the ground for use of the seat, thereby making two point contact with the ground as a base.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of: 
 the sitting person using a foot as a stabilizing third point of ground contact; and    the sitting person controlling the pivot angle by positioning a thigh at a desired angle with respect to the ground and by positioning his/her back at a desired angle with respect to the thigh.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the steps of: 
 the sitting person leaning the frame against a stationary object that extends above the elevation of the pivotal connections on the ground; and    the sitting person controlling the pivot angle by positioning a thigh at a desired angle with respect to the ground.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of: 
 providing a support member that prevents lateral movement of the longitudinal sides with respect to the sling member.