Tent chair

Abstract

The tent chair includes a folding frame supporting a folding cover, with the frame attached to a folding or portable chair. The chair has a single rearward frame bow which is radially flexible but rigid orthogonal to the lateral bow pivot axis of the chair. A series of similar bows is pivotally attached at or toward the front of the chair. The axially orthogonal rigid rearward bow supports the cover and prevents the forward bows from collapsing the cover forwardly as it is pulled taut. One use of the device is as a hunting blind, with a quick release optionally allowing the cover to be rapidly opened. Other configurations provide for use as a photography blind, a privacy shelter for camping or beach use, ice fishing, as a wheelchair or beach lounge chair cover, etc., and may have sufficient room for more than one person.

1 . A tent chair, comprising: 
 a chair having at least a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a seating surface extending between the left and right sides, and a back support with an upper edge, the back support extending upwardly from the seat support;    at least one rear cover support bow extending above the upper edge of the back support and laterally from the left side to the right side thereof, said at least one rear cover support bow comprising a thin, flat length of unidirectionally flexible material oriented to flex axially while remaining rigid laterally; and    a cover extending from the at least one rear cover support bow and over the at least one forward cover support bow, the cover being secured to and at least partially covering each of the bows.    
   
   
       2 . The tent chair according to  claim 1 , further including at least one forward cover support bow pivotally attached to the left side and right side of the chair and extending laterally thereacross, the forward cover support bow pivots defining a lateral bow pivot axis, said at least one forward cover support bow comprising a thin, flat length of unidirectionally flexible material oriented to flex radially along the lateral bow pivot axis of said chair while remaining rigid orthogonal to the lateral bow pivot axis.  
   
   
       3 . The tent chair according to  claim 2 , further including at least one resilient tensile member extending from said chair to said at least one forward cover support bow, the tensile member urging said at least one forward cover support bow pivotally toward said at least one rear cover support bow when said at least one forward cover support bow is moved to either side of a neutral position.  
   
   
       4 . The tent chair according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said at least one rear cover support bow comprises a single bow selectively deployed above the upper edge of said back support, and rigidly and immovably attached thereto when deployed; and    said at least one forward cover support bow comprises a plurality of bows.    
   
   
       5 . The tent chair according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover further includes at least one opening therein, said at least one opening further including a closure selectively installed thereover.  
   
   
       6 . The tent chair according to  claim 1 , wherein said cover has a lower periphery lying closely adjacent an underlying surface of said chair when said cover is deployed and extends to completely conceal said chair.  
   
   
       7 . The tent chair according to  claim 6 , further including a floor extending beneath said chair and spanning the lower periphery of said cover.  
   
   
       8 . A tent chair, comprising: 
 a chair having at least a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a seating surface, and a back support with an upper edge;    at least one rear cover support bow extending above the upper edge of said back support and laterally from the left side to the right side thereof;    at least one forward cover support bow pivotally attached to the left side and right side of said chair and extending laterally thereacross, the forward bow pivots defining a lateral bow pivot axis;    a cover extending from at least said at least one rear cover support bow and over said at least one forward cover support bow, secured to and completely covering each said bow; and    at least one resilient tensile member extending from said chair to said at least one forward cover support bow and urging said at least one forward cover support bow pivotally toward said at least one rear cover support bow when said at least one forward cover support bow is moved to either side of a neutral position.    
   
   
       9 . The tent chair according to  claim 8 , wherein each said cover support bow comprises a thin, flat length of unidirectionally flexible material oriented to flex radially along the lateral bow pivot axis of said chair while remaining rigid orthogonal to the lateral bow pivot axis.  
   
   
       10 . The tent chair according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 said at least one rear cover support bow comprises a single bow selectively deployed above the upper edge of said back support, and rigidly and immovably attached thereto when deployed; and    said at least one forward cover support bow comprises a plurality of bows.    
   
   
       11 . The tent chair according to  claim 8 , wherein said cover has at least one opening therein, said cover further including a closure selectively installed over the opening.  
   
   
       12 . The tent chair according to  claim 8 , wherein said cover has a lower periphery lying closely adjacent the underlying surface of said chair when said cover is deployed and extends to completely conceal said chair.  
   
   
       13 . The tent chair according to  claim 12 , further including a floor extending beneath said chair and spanning said lower periphery of said cover.  
   
   
       14 . A tent chair, comprising: 
 a chair having at least a left side, a right side opposite the left side, a seating surface, and a back support with an upper edge;    a single, selectively deployed rear cover support bow extending above the upper edge of said back support, laterally from the left side to the right side thereof and rigidly and immovably attached thereto when deployed;    a plurality of forward cover support bows pivotally attached to the left side and right side of said chair, and extending laterally thereacross, the forward bow pivots defining at least one lateral bow pivot axis; and    a cover extending from at least said rear cover support bow and over each of said forward cover support bows, secured to and completely covering each of said bows.    
   
   
       15 . The tent chair according to  claim 14 , wherein each said cover support bow comprises a thin, flat length of unidirectionally flexible material oriented to flex radially along the lateral bow pivot axis of said chair while remaining rigid orthogonal to the lateral bow pivot axis.  
   
   
       16 . The tent chair according to  claim 14 , further including at least one resilient tensile member extending from said chair to a forwardmost of said forward cover support bows and urging the forwardmost of said forward cover support bows pivotally toward said rear cover support bow when said forwardmost of said forward cover support bows is moved to either side of a neutral position.  
   
   
       17 . The tent chair according to  claim 14 , wherein said cover further includes at least one opening therein.  
   
   
       18 . The tent chair according to  claim 17 , wherein said opening further includes a closure selectively installed thereover.  
   
   
       19 . The tent chair according to  claim 14 , wherein said cover further includes a lower periphery lying closely adjacent the underlying surface of said chair when said cover is deployed, and extends to completely conceal said chair.  
   
   
       20 . The tent chair according to  claim 19 , further including a floor extending beneath said chair and spanning the lower periphery of said cover.