Portable support for seating and associated method of use

Abstract

A portable support ( 10 ) for seating including a body ( 14 ) adapted to contain beans ( 41 ), the body ( 14 ) having a first portion ( 16 ) adapted to be carried and a second portion ( 18 ) adapted to be moveable relative to the first portion ( 16 ) between a folded condition, in which the second portion ( 18 ) is stowed adjacent the first portion ( 16 ), and a deployed condition in which the second portion ( 18 ) extends from the first portion ( 16 ), wherein in the deployed condition the beans ( 41 ) are moveable between the first portion ( 16 ) and the second portion ( 18 ) thereby substantially filling second portion ( 18 ) to a useable state, the second portion ( 18 ) being shaped so as to be able to provide a substantially self supporting backrest ( 20 ) extending from the first portion ( 16 ) in the usable state. A method of use is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable support for seating including a body adapted to contain beans, the body having a first portion adapted to be carried and a second portion adapted to be moveable relative to the first portion between a folded condition, in which the second portion is stowed adjacent the first portion, and a deployed condition in which the second portion extends from the first portion,
 wherein in the deployed condition the beans are moveable between the first portion and the second portion thereby substantially filling the second portion to a useable state, the second portion being tapered toward its free end so as to provide a substantially self supporting backrest extending from and angled relative to the first portion in the usable state.   
     
     
         2 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein in the useable state the second portion has at least one of a generally conical and pyramidal shape tapering toward the free end. 
     
     
         3 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein a bean receiving volume of the second portion is less than a bean receiving volume of the first portion. 
     
     
         4 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first bean receiving volume and the second portion includes a second receiving bean volume, the first bean receiving volume being greater than the second bean receiving volume, wherein in the stowed condition the first bean receiving volume is substantially filled with the beans such that in the deployed condition a portion of the beans are moveable to substantially fill second portion with a remaining portion at least partially filling first portion. 
     
     
         5 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is a ground engaging seating portion and the second portion is a backrest portion arranged extend in a least one of a substantially upward direction and an inclined angle from the ground engaging seating portion. 
     
     
         6 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein in the useable state the angle between the first portion and second portion serves to restrict the passage of the beans escaping from the second portion. 
     
     
         7 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a squarer plan form shape in comparison to a tapered plan form shape of the second portion. 
     
     
         8 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein the second portion includes an air vent so as to allow the redistribution of air and beans within the body. 
     
     
         9 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes at least one of a carry strap and backpack style strap. 
     
     
         10 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein in the folded condition, the second portion is arranged to extend along a side of the first portion. 
     
     
         11 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , the second portion includes at least one of an attachment means, clip or toggle to releasably secure the second portion in the folded condition. 
     
     
         13 . The portable support according to  claim 1 , wherein in the stowed condition the second portion is substantially empty. 
     
     
         14 . A method for using a portable beanbag adapted to be moveable between a stowed condition and a deployed condition, the portable beanbag including a bag body at least partially filled with beans, the bag body having a first portion and a second portion foldable relative to the first portion, the method including the steps of:
 folding, from the stowed condition, the second portion outwardly from the first portion so as to extend therefrom in a deployed condition; and   elevating, in the deployed condition, the first portion so as to move an amount of the beans to substantially fill the second portion to a useable state, a remaining amount of the beans at partially filling the first portion,   placing, in the useable state, the first portion on a supporting surface with the second portion being angled relative to and extending substantially upwardly from the first portion, the second portion being tapered toward its free end so as to be self-supporting when substantially filled with the amount of beans thereby being suitable as a backrest.