Chair

Abstract

A folding chair may include a seat, a backrest, and a frame connected to the seat and the backrest. The frame may include a right front leg, a left front leg, a right rear leg, and a left rear leg. The folding chair may also include a first bracket and a second bracket, as well as a first guide disposed at least proximate a lower surface of the seat and a second guide disposed at least proximate the lower surface of the seat. The folding chair may further include a cross member slidable relative to the lower portion of the seat and the first and second guides when the chair is moved between folded and unfolded positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A folding chair movable between a folded or collapsed position and an unfolded or use position, the folding chair comprising:
 a seat;   a backrest;   a frame connected to the seat and the backrest, the frame including a right front leg, a left front leg, a right rear leg, and a left rear leg;   a first bracket connected to a first side of the seat;   a second bracket connected to a second side of the seat;   a first guide disposed at least proximate a lower surface of the seat, at least a portion of the first guide formed by the first bracket;   a second guide disposed at least proximate the lower surface of the seat, at least a portion of the second guide formed by the second bracket; and   a cross member connected to an upper portion of the right rear leg and an upper portion of the left rear leg, the cross member slidable relative to a lower portion of the seat, the cross member slidable within the first guide the second guide, the cross member slidable relative to the lower portion of the seat and the first and second guides when the chair is moved between the folded and unfolded positions.   
     
     
         2 . The folding chair as in  claim 1 , further comprising a first engaging member disposed at a first end of the cross member and a second engaging member disposed at a second end of the cross member, the first engaging member at least partially disposed within the first guide, the second engaging member at least partially disposed in the second guide. 
     
     
         3 . The folding chair as in  claim 1 , wherein the cross member slides between a first position and a second position relative to the lower portion of the seat and the first and second guides when the chair is moved between the folded and unfolded positions. 
     
     
         4 . The folding chair as in  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the first guide is formed by a portion of the seat;
 wherein a second portion of the first guide is formed by a portion of the first bracket;   wherein a first portion of the second guide is formed by a portion of the seat; and   wherein a second portion of the second guide is formed by a portion of the second bracket.   
     
     
         5 . The folding chair as in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the cross member contacts a portion of the lower portion of the seat when the chair is moved between the folded and unfolded positions. 
     
     
         6 . The folding chair as in  claim 1 , wherein the right front leg and the right rear leg are pivotally connected to form a first leg assembly;
 wherein the left front leg and the left rear leg are pivotally connected to form a second leg assembly;   wherein when the chair is in the unfolded position, a lower portion of the right front leg and a lower portion of the right rear leg form two sides of a generally equilateral triangle; and   wherein when the chair is in the unfolded position, an upper portion of the right front leg and an upper portion of the right rear leg form two sides of a generally equilateral triangle.   
     
     
         7 . The folding chair as in  claim 1 , wherein a lower surface of a first end of the cross member contacts a surface of the first guide;
 wherein a lower surface of a second end of the cross member contacts a surface of the second guide;   wherein an upper surface of the first end of the cross member contacts a lower surface of the seat; and   wherein an upper surface of the second end of the cross member contacts the lower of the seat.   
     
     
         8 . A folding chair movable between a folded or collapsed position and an unfolded or use position, the folding chair comprising:
 a backrest;   a seat;   a frame connected to the backrest and the seat, the frame comprising:
 a first leg assembly including a front leg and a rear leg; and 
 a second leg assembly including a front leg and a rear leg; 
   a cross member connecting the rear leg of the first leg assembly and the rear leg of the second leg assembly; and   a guide connected to the seat, the guide sized and configured to guide the cross member as the chair is moved between the folded and unfolded positions.   
     
     
         9 . The folding chair as in  claim 8 , further comprising a groove, the groove at least partially defined by a portion of the guide and a portion of the seat. 
     
     
         10 . The folding chair as in  claim 8 , further comprising a stop, the stop maintains the chair in the unfolded position when the stop contacts the cross member. 
     
     
         11 . The folding chair as in  claim 10 , wherein the stop is part of the guide. 
     
     
         12 . The folding chair as in  claim 10 , wherein the stop includes a first flange that is sized and configured to contact the cross member. 
     
     
         13 . The folding chair as in  claim 8 , wherein the seat forms at least a portion of the guide. 
     
     
         14 . The folding chair as in  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the cross member is angled to form an engaging member; and
 wherein the engaging member is disposed in a receiving portion of the guide.   
     
     
         15 . A folding chair movable between a folded or use position and an unfolded or collapsed position, the folding chair comprising:
 a backrest;   a seat;   a frame sized and configured to support the backrest and the seat, the frame comprising:
 a first leg assembly comprising a front leg and a rear leg; and 
 a second leg assembly comprising a front leg and a rear leg; 
   a cross member connecting the rear leg of the first leg assembly and the rear leg of the second leg assembly;   a guide sized and configured to guide the cross member as the chair is moved between the folded and unfolded positions; and   a stop sized and configured to contact the cross member when the chair is in the unfolded position, the stop preventing the cross member from moving further towards a front of the chair.   
     
     
         16 . The folding chair as in  claim 15 , wherein the guide includes a groove. 
     
     
         17 . The folding chair as in  claim 15 , wherein the stop comprises a flange that is disposed generally perpendicular to a length of the cross member. 
     
     
         18 . The folding chair as in  claim 15 , wherein the seat and a bracket form at least a portion of the guide. 
     
     
         19 . The folding chair as in  claim 15 , wherein the front leg of the first leg assembly is pivotally connected to the rear leg of the first leg assembly;
 wherein the front leg of the second leg assembly is pivotally connected to the rear leg of the second leg assembly;   wherein when the chair is in the unfolded position, a lower portion of the right front leg and a lower portion of the right rear leg form two sides of a generally equilateral triangle; and   wherein when the chair is in the unfolded position, an upper portion of the right front leg and an upper portion of the right rear leg form two sides of a generally equilateral triangle.   
     
     
         20 . The folding chair as in  claim 15 , wherein a lower surface of the cross member contacts a surface of the guide; and
 wherein an upper surface of the cross member contacts a lower surface of the seat.