Stool

Abstract

A folding stool with a swivel seat or rotating seat that may enhance comfort. The stool may employ a swing arm as part of its folding mechanism, In addition, the seat of the stool may be constructed from metal, wood, fabric, vinyl, leather, or plastic. The stool may have a locking mechanism to prevent its collapse when unfolded.

1 . A stool comprising:
 a seat;   a frame;   a swivel connected to the seat and the frame, the swivel configured to allow the seat to rotate relative to the frame;   a first pair of legs pivotally connected to the frame;   a second pair of legs pivotally connected to the frame, the second pair of legs pivotally connected to the first pair of legs; and   the first pair of legs, the second pair of legs, and the frame configured to fold to a folded position and to unfold to an unfolded position.   
     
     
         2 . The stool of  claim 1 , further comprising a swing arm interposed between the second pair of legs and the frame, the swing arm pivotally connected to the second pair of legs, the swing arm pivotally connected to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The stool of  claim 2 , further comprising a pin that is attachable to the frame and configured to engage the swing arm when the stool is in an unfolded position, thereby locking the stool in an unfolded position. 
     
     
         4 . The stool of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a spring connectable to the pin and configured to bias the pin toward the frame; and   a ring connectable to the pin distal to the frame.   
     
     
         5 . The stool of  claim 4 , further comprising a notch formed in the swing arm, the notch configured to engage the pin when the stool is in transition to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         6 . The stool of  claim 5 , further comprising a hole formed in the notch, the hole configured to receive the pin when the stool is in an unfolded position. 
     
     
         7 . The stool of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of rails, each rail having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion structured at substantially a right angle to the lower portion. 
     
     
         8 . The stool of  claim 1 , wherein the seat is constructed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, fabric, vinyl, leather, and plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The stool of  claim 1 , wherein the swivel is a flat swivel or a lazy susan swivel. 
     
     
         10 . A stool comprising:
 a frame having a first end, a midpoint, and a second end;   a seat;   a swivel connected to the seat and the frame, the swivel configured to allow the seat to rotate relative to the frame;   a first leg having a first end and a midpoint, the first end of the first leg pivotally connected to the first end of the frame;   a swing arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the swing arm pivotally connected to the midpoint of the frame; and   a second leg having a first end and a midpoint, the first end of the second leg pivotally connected to the second end of the swing arm.   
     
     
         11 . The stool of  claim 10 , wherein the first leg, the swing arm, and the second leg are structured and arranged such that the first end of the second leg and the second end of the swing arm are adjacent to the second end of the frame when the stool is in an open position and are adjacent to the first end of the frame and the first end of the first leg when the stool is in a folded position. 
     
     
         12 . The stool of  claim 10 , wherein the midpoint of the first leg is pivotally connected to the midpoint of the second leg. 
     
     
         13 . The stool of  claim 10 , further comprising a pin that is attachable to the frame and configured to engage the swing arm when the stool is in an unfolded position, thereby locking the stool in an unfolded position. 
     
     
         14 . The stool of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a spring connected to the pin and configured to bias the pin toward the frame; and   a ring connected to the pin distal the frame.   
     
     
         15 . The stool of  claim 14 , further comprising a notch formed in the swing arm, the notch configured to engage the pin when the stool is in transition to an unfolded position. 
     
     
         16 . The stool of  claim 15 , further comprising a hole formed in the notch, the hole configured to receive the pin when the stool is in an unfolded position. 
     
     
         17 . The stool of  claim 10 , wherein the frame comprises a pair of rails, each rail having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion structured at substantially a right angle to the lower portion. 
     
     
         18 . The stool of  claim 10 , wherein the first leg comprises a pair of legs and the second leg comprises a pair of legs. 
     
     
         19 . The stool of  claim 10 , wherein the seat is constructed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal, wood, fabric, vinyl, leather, and plastic. 
     
     
         20 . The stool of  claim 10 , wherein the swivel comprises a flat swivel or a lazy susan swivel.