Folding lawn chair with tray-supporting arms

Abstract

A folding chair having a frame constructed to allow a generally planar seat part and a generally planar back part to fold from a working position in which they are generally at right angles to each other to a stored position in which the seat part and the back part are generally parallel, the folding chair having arms, and arm extensions attached to the chair arms, the chair extensions being constructed to support a tray between them at a tray position at least substantially forward of the chair arms, the arm extensions being moveable to a position at which they do not extend substantially beyond the chair arms.

1 . In combination,
 a folding chair having a frame constructed to allow a generally planar seat part and a generally planar back part to fold from a working position in which they are generally at right angles to each other to a stored position in which the seat part and the back part are generally parallel, the folding chair having arms, and   arm extensions attached to the chair arms, the chair extensions being constructed to support a tray between them at a tray position at least substantially forward of the chair arms, the arm extensions being moveable to a position at which they do not extend substantially beyond the chair arms.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the arm extensions are telescoped into housings which are attached to the chair arms or are the chair arms. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the arm extensions are constructed and arranged to allow a user to extend the arms, place a tray on them, sit, and access an item on the tray without external aid. 
     
     
         4 . In combination, a chair having arms and arm extensions attached to the chair arms, the chair extensions being constructed to support a tray between them at a tray position at least substantially forward of the chair arms, the arm extensions being moveable to a position at which they do not extend substantially beyond the chair arms, the arm extensions being either:
 telescoped into housings which are attached to the chair arms or are the chair arms, or   hinged to a forward end of the chair arm or to a supplemental arm attached to the chair arm.   
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4  comprising supplemental arms held to the chair arms by quick connect connectors, the supplemental arms being removable and attachable by a user by hand without the use of tools, the arm extensions being held by the supplemental arms for movement toward and away from the supplemental arms. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the arm extensions are telescoped into a housing. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6  wherein the housing is attached to the chair arms. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the arm extensions are hinged to the forward ends of the arms or supplemental arms. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein the arm extensions are U-shaped in cross section, the arm extensions having sides connected by a web, the sides embracing the arms or supplemental arms when the arm extensions are retracted. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 9  further comprising a support for holding the arm extension when the arm extension is extended. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein the support comprises a tongue on the arm extension, the tongue being configured to engage an underside of the chair arm or the supplemental arm. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the arm extensions comprise a protrusion on an outboard side of each arm extension, the protrusions being sized to engage a foot on the tray and prevent the tray from sliding forward on the arm extensions. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the arm extensions are constructed and arranged to allow a user to extend the arms, place a tray on them, sit, and access an item on the tray without external aid. 
     
     
         14 . A foldable chair comprising a seat, a back, two arms, and legs, the chair further comprising arm extensions slidably mounted with respect to the arms, the arm extensions being slidably extendible to hold a tray between them forward of the arms. 
     
     
         15 . The foldable chair of  claim 14  comprising arm housings attached to the chair generally parallel with the arms and outboard of the arms, the arm housings telescopically supporting the arm extensions. 
     
     
         16 . The foldable chair of  claim 15  further comprising secondary housings attached between legs and extending generally parallel to the back, each secondary housing telescopically holding a secondary arm extension, the secondary arm extensions being extendible to a side of the chair to hold a side tray between them. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable chair of  claim 16  further comprising a back pack attached to an upper end of the back and extending behind the back, the back pack being sized to hold the tray and the side tray. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable chair of  claim 15  further comprising a lock mechanism which locks the extendible arm in a fixed position with respect to the arm housing when the arm extensions in an extended position. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable chair of  claim 14  wherein each arm extension includes a tray-retaining protrusion at its forward end, the protrusion extending above an upper surface of the arm. 
     
     
         20 . The foldable chair of  claim 14  wherein the arms are immovable with respect to the seat when the chair is in an unfolded use position and wherein upper surfaces of the arm extensions are generally coplanar with upper surfaces of the arms when the arm extensions are in an extended position forward of the seat.