Collapsible chair

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a collapsible chair having a collapsible lateral support rod, a pair of front legs, a pair of front chair support rods, and a pair of mechanical junctions configured to couple with an associated pair of poles, such that the collapsible chair is adapted to collapse into an easy-to-carry volume. In an illustrative example, the mechanical junctions may be releasably and/or shock-cord-coupled to various support rods and/or legs. The mechanical junctions may include locking mechanisms to lock the associated poles into a fixed position relative to the mechanical junctions, for example. The collapsible chair may include gear loops for hanging of gear from the collapsible chair. In various embodiments, a collapsible chair may advantageously provide a full size, lightweight chair configured for compact storage in a stowage bag for high portability during outdoor hiking.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A collapsible chair ( 100 ) comprising:
 a collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) comprising a first end and a second end; 
 a first mechanical junction ( 130 ) adapted to couple with the first end of the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ), and adapted to releasably couple with a first base support structure component ( 115 ) that extends collinearly through the first mechanical junction; 
 a second mechanical junction ( 130 ) adapted to couple with the second end of the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ), and adapted to releasably couple with a second base support structure component ( 115 ) that extends collinearly through the second mechanical junction; 
 first and second legs ( 110 ,  110 ) releasably coupled to the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ), respectively; 
 a first and second front chair support members ( 125 ,  125 ) releasably coupled to the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ), respectively; and, 
 a flexible chair seat ( 135 ) comprising a front right section, a front left section, a top right section, and a top left section, 
 wherein when the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ) are respectively coupled with the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ):
 the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ) function as third and fourth legs, respectively, of the collapsible chair ( 100 ), and, 
 the front right section is adapted to releasably couple with the first front chair support member ( 125 ) and the front left section is adapted to releasably couple with the second front chair support member ( 125 ). 
 
 
     
     
       2. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible chair seat ( 135 ), wherein when the collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 E), a user seated in the flexible chair seat ( 135 ) creates a load path that applies a coaxial load into the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ). 
     
     
       3. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the coaxial load extends collinearly throughout the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ) and the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ). 
     
     
       4. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 3 , wherein the load path results in an alignment that reduces a 3-point bending of the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ). 
     
     
       5. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ) further comprise respective first and second apertures, such that when the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ) are respectively coupled with the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ), the first base support structure component ( 115 ) extends through the first mechanical junction ( 130 ) via the first aperture, and the second base support structure component ( 115 ) extends through the second mechanical junction ( 130 ) via the second aperture. 
     
     
       6. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) further comprises a first rod section releasably coupled to a second rod section. 
     
     
       7. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) are fixedly coupled to the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ), respectively. 
     
     
       8. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first leg ( 110 ) is shock-cord-coupled to the first mechanical junction ( 130 ), the first front chair support member ( 125 ) is shock-cord-coupled to the first mechanical junction ( 130 ), and the second front chair support member ( 125 ) is shock-cord-coupled to the second mechanical junction ( 130 ). 
 
     
     
       9. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein when the collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 A) suitable for seating a person:
 the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) and the first base support structure component ( 115 ) define a first angle (θ 3 ) between about 80 and about 100 degrees, and, 
 the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) and the second base support structure component ( 115 ) define a second angle (θ 3 ) between about 80 and about 100 degrees. 
 
     
     
       10. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 1 , wherein when the collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 A) suitable for seating a person, a footprint of the first, second, third, and fourth legs ( 110 ,  110 ,  115 ,  115 ) define a trapezoidal footprint ( 700 ). 
     
     
       11. A collapsible chair ( 100 ) comprising:
 a coaxially slidingly assembled collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) comprising a first end and a second end; 
 a first mechanical junction ( 130 ) adapted to couple with the first end of the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ), and adapted to releasably couple with a first base support structure component ( 115 ); 
 a second mechanical junction ( 130 ) adapted to couple with the second end of the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ), and adapted to releasably couple with a second base support structure component ( 115 ); 
 first and second legs ( 110 ,  110 ) releasably coupled to the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ), respectively; 
 a first and second front chair support members ( 125 ,  125 ) releasably coupled to the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ), respectively; and, 
 a flexible seat ( 135 ) comprising a front right section and a front left section, 
 wherein when the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ) are respectively coupled with the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ):
 the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ) function as third and fourth legs, respectively, of the collapsible chair ( 100 ), and, 
 the front right section is adapted to releasably couple with the first front chair support member ( 125 ) and the front left section is adapted to releasably couple with the second front chair support member ( 125 ). 
 
 
     
     
       12. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 11 , further comprising a flexible seat ( 135 ), wherein when the collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 E), a user seated in the flexible seat ( 135 ) creates a load path that applies a coaxial load into the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ). 
     
     
       13. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 12 , wherein the coaxial load extends collinearly throughout the first and second mechanical junctions ( 130 ,  130 ) and the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ). 
     
     
       14. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 11 , wherein the load path results in an alignment that reduces a 3-point bending of the first and second base support structure components ( 115 ,  115 ). 
     
     
       15. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 11 , wherein when collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 A) suitable for seating a person:
 the first leg ( 110 ) and the first front chair support member ( 125 ) define a first angle (θ 1 ) between about 135 and about 180 degrees, and, 
 the second leg ( 110 ) and the second front chair support member ( 125 ) define a second angle (θ 1 ) between about 135 and about 180 degrees. 
 
     
     
       16. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 11 , wherein when the collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 A) suitable for seating a person:
 the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) and the first base support structure component ( 115 ) define a first angle (θ 3 ) between about 80 and about 100 degrees, and, 
 the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) and the second base support structure component ( 115 ) define a second angle (θ 3 ) between about 80 and about 100 degrees. 
 
     
     
       17. A collapsible chair ( 100 ) comprising:
 a collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) comprising a first end and a second end; 
 first and second legs ( 110 ,  110 ); 
 a first and second front chair support members ( 125 ,  125 ); 
 a flexible chair seat ( 135 ) comprising a front right section, a front left section, a top right section, and a top left section; and, 
 a first means for coupling the first end of the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ), the first leg ( 110 ), and the first chair support member ( 125 ) in fixed positions relative to one another, the first means for coupling adapted to releasably couple with a third leg ( 115 ) of the collapsible chair and include a load path that resists an axial compression of the third leg; 
 a second means for coupling the second end of the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ), the second leg ( 110 ), and the second chair support member ( 125 ) in fixed positions relative to one another, the second means for coupling adapted to releasably couple with a fourth leg ( 115 ) of the collapsible chair and include a load path that resists an axial compression of the fourth leg; 
 wherein the third and fourth legs ( 115 ,  115 ) are respectively coupled with the first and second means for coupling and extend collinearly therethrough,
 the front right section is adapted to releasably couple with the first front chair support member ( 125 ) and the front left section is adapted to releasably couple with the second front chair support member ( 125 ). 
 
 
     
     
       18. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 17 , wherein the first leg ( 110 ) is shock-cord-coupled to the first means for coupling, the second leg ( 110 ) is shock-cord-coupled to the second means for coupling, the first front chair support member ( 125 ) is shock-cord-coupled to the first means for coupling, and the second front chair support member ( 125 ) is shock-cord-coupled to the second means for coupling. 
     
     
       19. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 17 , wherein when the collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 A) suitable for seating a person:
 the first leg ( 110 ) and the first front chair support member ( 125 ) define a first angle (θ 1 ) between about 135 and about 180 degrees, and, 
 the second leg ( 110 ) and the second front chair support member ( 125 ) define a second angle (θ 1 ) between about 135 and about 180 degrees. 
 
     
     
       20. The collapsible chair ( 100 ) of  claim 17 , wherein when the collapsible chair ( 100 ) is in a deployed state ( 100 A) suitable for seating a person:
 the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) and the third leg ( 115 ) define a first angle (θ 3 ) between about 80 and about 100 degrees, and, 
 the collapsible lateral rod ( 120 ) and the fourth leg ( 115 ) define a second angle (θ 3 ) between about 80 and about 100 degrees. 
 
     
     
       21. A collapsible chair comprising:
 a flexible seat comprising a front section and a back section; and,   at least one hub configured to mechanically and removably couple to a plurality of chair support members comprising at least a portion of a trekking pole, wherein the trekking pole comprises a handle, a tip, and a plurality of axially collapsible portions, the at least one hub configured such that:   when the plurality of chair support members are mechanically and removably coupled to the at least one hub, including to an end of the at least a portion of the trekking pole,   when a first at least one of the plurality of chair support members is releasably coupled to the front section, and   when a second at least one of the plurality of chair support members is releasably coupled to the back section,   then the flexible seat is supported, in a deployed state for seating a person, by the at least one hub and the plurality of chair support members.    
     
     
       22. The collapsible chair of  claim 21 , wherein at least the portion of the trekking pole comprises a handle of the trekking pole.  
     
     
       23. The collapsible chair of  claim 21 , wherein an entirety of the trekking pole is used to support the flexible seat.  
     
     
       24. The collapsible chair of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one hub comprises a first hub and a second hub and, in a deployed mode, the first hub is coupled to a first end of a lateral support member and the second hub is coupled to a second end of the lateral support member.  
     
     
       25. The collapsible chair of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one hub is further configured to couple to a plurality of legs in the deployed state.  
     
     
       26. A collapsible chair comprising:
 a frame comprising a first chair support member and a second chair support member, each having a first end and a second end;   a lateral stiffener rod having a first end and a second end; and,   a flexible seat having a front portion and a back portion comprising a first pocket configured to receive the lateral stiffener rod, wherein the back portion is configured to releasably couple to the first end of the first chair support member and of the second chair support member,   wherein, in a deployed mode, the lateral stiffener rod is releasably and entirely disposed in the first pocket and extends laterally across a top of the flexible seat such that the first end of the lateral stiffener rod is positioned above the first end of the first chair support member and the second end of the lateral stiffener rod is positioned above the first end of the second chair support member.    
     
     
       27. The collapsible chair of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a first mechanical joint coupled to the first chair support member; and,   a second mechanical joint coupled to the second chair support member.    
     
     
       28. The collapsible chair of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the first chair support member and the second chair support member comprises at least a first segment of a trekking pole.  
     
     
       29. The collapsible chair of  claim 26 , wherein the first pocket comprises:
 an aperture configured such that the lateral stiffener rod may be selectively disposed in the first pocket; and,   a first seam defining a capture pocket at an end of the first pocket such that, when the lateral stiffener rod is disposed in the first pocket through the aperture and the first end of the lateral stiffener rod is operated into the capture pocket, then the lateral stiffener rod is retained in the first pocket at least by the first seam.    
     
     
       30. A portable chair comprising:
 a frame comprising a plurality of chair support members; and,   a flexible seat comprising:
 a front portion and a back portion; 
 a first side cutout area and a second side cutout area at least partially defining:
 a seat portion extending from the front portion to the back portion; 
 a first side panel extending from the front portion to the back portion and to a first upper side of the seat portion; and, 
 
 a second side panel extending from the front portion to the back portion and to a second upper side of the seat portion opposite the first upper side; and, 
   a lower portion of the seat portion, the lower portion being free of attachment to the first side panel and the second side panel such that each cutout area comprises an aperture bounded by the corresponding side panel and the lower portion,   wherein, in a deployed mode, the plurality of chair support members are coupled to the front portion and the back portion of the flexible seat such that the seat portion, the first side panel, and the second side panel cooperate to support a person sitting in the seat portion such that, in response to a force applied by the person sitting in the seat portion:
 the lower portion of the seat portion conforms to a hip region of the person separately from the first side panel and the second side panel, and 
 the first side panel and the second side panel cooperate with the seat portion to support a lumbar region of the person.  
   
     
     
       31. The portable chair of  claim 30 , the frame comprising a collapsible frame.  
     
     
       32. The collapsible chair of  claim 21 , wherein, when the flexible seat is supported in the deployed state, the flexible seat is removably coupled to the plurality of chair support members.  
     
     
       33. The collapsible chair of  claim 32 , wherein, in the deployed state, the at least a portion of the trekking pole extends from the at least one hub to the flexible seat.  
     
     
       34. The collapsible chair of  claim 21 , wherein, in the deployed state, the plurality of chair support members are removably coupled to the at least one hub.  
     
     
       35. The collapsible chair of  claim 21 , wherein the axially collapsible portions of the trekking pole are separable.