TWI866870B - Folding chair - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding chair includes a bracket and a linkage mechanism. The bracket includes a fixing part and a seating part, wherein the seating part is pivotably connected to the fixing part. The seating part is adapted to pivot to a storage position to be folded at the fixing part and adapted to pivot to an operational position to expand from the fixing part. The linkage mechanism includes a linkage assembly and an adjustable component, wherein the linkage assembly is connected between the fixing part the seating part and is adapted to support the seating part in the operational position. The adjustable component is disposed on the linkage assembly. When a force applied to the adjustable component and the adjustable component retracts inwardly relative to the linkage assembly, the seating part is pivoted from the operational position to the storage position.

Description

Folding Chair

The present invention relates to a chair, and in particular to a folding chair.

As living space becomes smaller and smaller, the shoe-changing chairs currently on the market that cannot be stored take up too much space, blocking indoor passages. In addition, the shoe-changing chairs currently on the market with storage functions are complicated and not ergonomic when users unfold or fold them. Therefore, how to reduce the space occupied by shoe-changing chairs and allow users to operate them simply in an ergonomic way is a problem that this field is committed to exploring.

The present invention provides a folding chair that allows a user to operate the chair simply and quickly in an ergonomic manner.

The folding chair of the present invention comprises a support and a linkage mechanism. The support comprises a fixed portion and a seat portion, wherein the seat portion is pivoted to the fixed portion, and the seat portion is adapted to pivot to a storage position and be folded in the fixed portion and pivot to a use position and be unfolded in the fixed portion. The linkage mechanism comprises a connecting rod assembly and a telescopic member, wherein the connecting rod assembly is connected between the fixed portion and the seat portion and is adapted to support the seat portion in the use position, and the telescopic member is arranged on the connecting rod assembly, and when the telescopic member is subjected to force and retracts relative to the connecting rod assembly, the seat portion pivots from the use position to the storage position.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linkage mechanism further includes a first elastic member disposed between the connecting rod assembly and the telescopic member. The telescopic member is adapted to resist the elastic force of the first elastic member and retract relative to the connecting rod assembly and is adapted to be reset by the elastic force of the first elastic member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the above-mentioned connecting rod assembly is operated in a retracted state, the seat is in a storage position, and when the connecting rod assembly is operated in an extended state, the seat is in a use position, the telescopic member is suitable for limiting the connecting rod assembly to the extended state, and the telescopic member is suitable for retracting and releasing the connecting rod assembly so that the connecting rod assembly moves from the extended state to the retracted state.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic member has a stopper, which is suitable for stopping the connecting rod assembly to prevent the connecting rod assembly from moving from the expanded state to the retracted state. When the telescopic member is retracted relative to the connecting rod assembly, the stopper releases the connecting rod assembly.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the linkage mechanism further comprises at least one positioning assembly, and the at least one positioning assembly is disposed on the connecting rod assembly. When the connecting rod assembly is in an unfolded state, the at least one positioning assembly positions the stopper.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one positioning assembly includes a positioning block and a second elastic member, the second elastic member is connected between the positioning block and the connecting rod assembly, and the positioning block is suitable for positioning the stopper portion by pushing the stopper portion against the connecting rod assembly by the elastic force of the second elastic member and rotating relative to the connecting rod assembly.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the stopper has at least one positioning groove, and at least one positioning assembly is adapted to be inserted into the at least one positioning groove.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned connecting rod assembly includes a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod and a frame, one end of the first connecting rod is pivoted to the fixed part, the other end of the first connecting rod is pivoted to the frame, one end of the second connecting rod is pivoted to the seat, the other end of the second connecting rod is pivoted to the frame, and the telescopic member is slidably arranged on the frame. When the connecting rod assembly is in the expanded state, the stop portion stops the other end of the first connecting rod and the other end of the second connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod assembly from moving from the expanded state to the retracted state.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the connecting rod assembly is in an expanded state, the other end of the first connecting rod and the other end of the second connecting rod block each other to limit the maximum expansion angle of the connecting rod assembly.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the telescopic member has a supporting portion. When the telescopic member is retracted relative to the connecting rod assembly, the supporting portion abuts against the connecting rod assembly to limit the retraction amount of the telescopic member.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the folding chair further comprises a kick plate, wherein the kick plate is disposed on the telescopic member and is adapted to receive force to cause the telescopic member to retract relative to the connecting rod assembly.

Based on the above, the folding chair of the present invention supports the seat in the use position by means of a connecting rod assembly, and a retractable member is provided in the connecting rod assembly. When the user wants to fold the folding chair, the user can use the back heel to kick backward to apply force to the retractable member, so that the retractable member retracts relative to the connecting rod assembly and releases the support of the connecting rod assembly on the seat, so that the seat can pivot to the storage position. Accordingly, the user does not need to fold the folding chair by hand. Therefore, the folding chair of the present invention allows the user to operate simply and quickly in an ergonomic manner.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding chair according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are side views of the operation process of the folding chair of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D, the folding chair 100 of this embodiment includes a support 110, a cushion 120, and a linkage mechanism 130. The support 110 is used to support the cushion 120 and is used to switch between the states shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2D by the operation of the linkage mechanism 130.

Specifically, the support 110 includes a fixing portion 111 and a seat portion 113. The folding chair 100 can be fixed to a wall through the fixing portion 111 to serve as a shoe-wearing chair, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The seat portion 113 is pivoted to the fixing portion 111, and the seat portion 113 is adapted to pivot to a storage position as shown in FIG. 2D and be folded in the fixing portion 111 to reduce the indoor space occupied, and the seat portion 113 is adapted to pivot to a use position as shown in FIG. 2A and be unfolded in the fixing portion 111. The seat cushion 120 is disposed on the seat portion 113 and is provided for the user to sit in the state as shown in FIG. 2A. The linkage mechanism 130 includes a connecting rod assembly 131 and a telescopic member 133. The connecting rod assembly 131 is connected between the fixed portion 111 and the seat portion 113 and is suitable for supporting the seat portion 113 in the use position shown in FIG. 2A. The telescopic member 133 is disposed on the connecting rod assembly 131. When the telescopic member 133 is subjected to force and retracts relative to the connecting rod assembly 131, the seat portion 113 pivots from the use position shown in FIG. 2A to the storage position shown in FIG. 2D.

When the connecting rod assembly 131 is operated in the folded state shown in FIG. 2D , the seat 113 is located in the storage position shown in FIG. 2D . When the connecting rod assembly 131 is operated in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2A , the seat 113 is located in the use position shown in FIG. 2A , and the telescopic member 133 is suitable for limiting the connecting rod assembly 131 to the unfolded state. When the telescopic member 133 is retracted as shown in FIG. 2B and the connecting rod assembly 131 is released, the folding chair 100 is automatically folded by gravity, and at this time, the connecting rod assembly 131 is actuated from the state shown in FIG. 2B to the state shown in FIG. 2C to the folded state shown in FIG. 2D .

The operation process of the folding chair 100 is described in detail below.

When the user wants to unfold the folding chair 100, the user pulls the seat 113 to pivot relative to the frame 110, so that the folding chair 100 moves from the storage position shown in FIG. 2D to the use position shown in FIG. 2C. Conversely, when the user wants to fold the folding chair 100, the user can apply force to the retractable member 133, so that the retractable member 133 is retracted into the connecting rod assembly 131 as shown in FIG. 2B, and the connecting rod assembly 131 is released, and the folding chair 100 is automatically folded to the storage position shown in FIG. 2D by gravity.

As described above, the folding chair 100 of the present embodiment supports the seat 113 in the use position shown in FIG. 2A by means of the connecting rod assembly 131, and a retractable member 133 is provided on the connecting rod assembly 131. When the user wants to fold the folding chair 100, the user can use the back heel to kick backward to apply force to the retractable member 133, so that the retractable member 133 retracts relative to the connecting rod assembly 131 and releases the support of the connecting rod assembly 131 on the seat 113, so that the seat 113 can be pivoted to the storage position shown in FIG. 2D. Accordingly, the user does not need to fold the folding chair 100 by hand. Therefore, the folding chair 100 of the present invention allows the user to operate simply and quickly in an ergonomic manner.

The structure of the linkage mechanism 130 of this embodiment is described in detail below.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the folding chair of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 shows the linkage mechanism of the folding chair of FIG. 1 . In order to clearly show the structure of the linkage mechanism 130, the first link 1311 and the second link 1312 of FIG. 4 are shown in perspective. Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the linkage assembly 131 includes a first link 1311, a second link 1312 and a frame 1313. One end 1311a of the first link 1311 is pivoted to the fixing portion 111, and the other end 1311b of the first link 1311 is pivoted to the frame 1313. One end 1312a of the second link 1312 is pivoted to the seat portion 113, and the other end 1312b of the second link 1312 is pivoted to the frame 1313. The telescopic member 133 is slidably disposed on the frame 1313. The telescopic member 133 has a stopper 1331. When the linkage mechanism 130 is in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 4, the stopper 1331 stops the connecting rod assembly 131 to prevent the connecting rod assembly 131 from moving from the unfolded state shown in FIG. 2A to the retracted state shown in FIG. 2D.

Specifically, when the connecting rod assembly 131 is in the expanded state, the stopper 1331 stops the end 1311b of the first connecting rod 1311 and the end 1312b of the second connecting rod 1312 to prevent the connecting rod assembly 131 from moving from the expanded state shown in FIG. 2A to the retracted state shown in FIG. 2D . When the telescopic member 133 is retracted relative to the connecting rod assembly 131 as shown in FIG. 2B , the stopper 1331 releases the connecting rod assembly 131.

In this embodiment, the second connecting rod 1312 is connected to the seat portion 113 through a rod 1131, for example, and the first connecting rod 1311 is connected to the fixing portion 111 through a rivet 1132, for example, but not limited thereto.

Please refer to FIG4 , when the connecting rod assembly 131 is in the unfolded state, the two sides of the end 1311b of the first connecting rod 1311 and the two sides of the end 1312b of the second connecting rod 1312 respectively block each other to limit the maximum unfolding angle A of the connecting rod assembly 131. Specifically, when the connecting rod assembly 131 moves from the folded state shown in FIG2D to the unfolded state shown in FIG2A , the first connecting rod 1311 rotates counterclockwise relative to the frame 1313, and the second connecting rod 1312 rotates clockwise relative to the frame 1313. When the extension direction of the first connecting rod 1311 is the same as the extension direction of the second connecting rod 1312, the end 1311b of the first connecting rod 1311 and the end 1312b of the second connecting rod 1312 are connected to each other to block each other, so as to prevent the user from continuing to rotate the first connecting rod 1311 counterclockwise relative to the frame 1313 and to prevent the user from continuing to rotate the second connecting rod 1312 clockwise relative to the frame 1313, so that the connecting rod assembly 131 is fixed at its maximum expansion angle A. In this embodiment, the maximum expansion angle A of the connecting rod assembly 131 is, for example, 180 degrees, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 5A shows some components of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 4 . FIG. 5B is a front view of some components of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5A . FIG. 5C is a side view of some components of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5A . FIG. 6 shows the operation of the telescopic member of FIG. 5A . Referring to FIG. 5A to FIG. 6 , the linkage mechanism 130 further includes a first elastic member 135 , and the telescopic member 133 further has three columnar portions 1332 a and 1332 b. The first elastic member 135 is sleeved on the columnar portion 1332 a, and the first elastic member 135 is disposed between the frame 1313 of the connecting rod assembly 131 and the telescopic member 133 . The retractable member 133 is adapted to resist the elastic force of the first elastic member 135 and retract relative to the connecting rod assembly 131 along the direction D as shown in FIG6 , and is adapted to be restored to the position shown in FIG5A by the elastic force of the first elastic member 135. In this embodiment, the number of the first elastic member 135 is one, but the present invention does not limit the number of the first elastic member 135. In addition, the present invention does not limit the configuration of the first elastic member 135.

Please refer to FIG. 6 , the telescopic member 133 has two abutting portions 1333, and the two abutting portions 1333 are respectively arranged on the columnar portions 1332b on the left and right sides. When the telescopic member 133 is retracted relative to the connecting rod assembly 131, the abutting portions 1333 abut against the frame 1313 of the connecting rod assembly 131 to limit the amount of retraction of the telescopic member 133. The present invention does not limit the configuration of the abutting portions 1333. In addition, in other embodiments, the number of abutting portions can also be other numbers, and the present invention does not limit the number of abutting portions 1333.

FIG. 7A is a partial enlarged view of the area Z of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 2C . FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C are schematic diagrams of the operation process of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 7A to the unfolded state. In order to clearly illustrate the structure of the linkage mechanism 130, the first connecting rod 1311 and the second connecting rod 1312 of FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C are illustrated in perspective. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C , the linkage mechanism 130 further includes four positioning components 137, two positioning components 137 are disposed on both sides of the end 1311b of the first connecting rod 1311 of the connecting rod assembly 131, and the other two positioning components 137 are disposed on both sides of the end 1312b of the second connecting rod 1312 of the connecting rod assembly 131. When the connecting rod assembly 131 is in the unfolded state, the positioning components 137 position the stopper 1331 as shown in FIG. 7C to prevent the user from accidentally touching the telescopic member 133 when wearing shoes, causing the stopper 1331 to slide relative to the frame 1313, thereby causing the connecting rod assembly 131 to be released.

Please refer to FIG. 7C , specifically, each positioning assembly 137 includes a positioning block 1371 and a second elastic member 1372, and the second elastic member 1372 is connected between the positioning block 1371 and the first connecting rod 1311 of the connecting rod assembly 131 or between the positioning block 1371 and the second connecting rod 1312. Both ends of the stopper 1331 have a positioning groove 1331a as shown in FIG. 7A . The positioning block 1371 is pivotally connected to the end 1311b of the first connecting rod 1311 or the end 1312b of the second connecting rod 1312. The positioning block 1371 is suitable for pushing the stop portion 1331 by the elastic force of the second elastic member 1372 and rotating relative to the end 1311b of the first connecting rod 1311 or the end 1312b of the second connecting rod 1312 of the connecting rod assembly 131 to engage in the positioning groove 1331a to position the stop portion 1331, as shown in FIG. 7C.

The following is a detailed description of the operation process of the positioning assembly 137 being inserted into the positioning groove 1331a.

Figures 8A to 8C are side views of the linkage mechanism of Figures 7A to 7C, respectively. Figures 9A to 9C are top views of the linkage mechanism of Figures 7A to 7C, respectively. Figure 10 shows a partial structure of the linkage mechanism of Figure 9C. In the process of the linkage mechanism 130 being unfolded from the folded state to the unfolded state, first, the positioning assembly 137 does not correspond to the positioning groove 1331a as shown in Figures 7A, 8A and 9A. Then, as the first connecting rod 1311 and the second connecting rod 1312 pivot relative to the frame 1313, the positioning block 1371 of the positioning assembly 137 and the stop portion 1331 will contact each other as shown in Figures 7B and 9B. Finally, when the first connecting rod 1311 and the second connecting rod 1312 are moved to the unfolded state, the positioning block 1371 corresponds to the positioning groove 1331a and the positioning block 1371 is inserted into the positioning groove 1331a inside the stopper 1331 by the elastic force of the second elastic member 1372 as shown in FIG9C and FIG10. The positioning assembly 137 can position the stopper 1331 as described above.

When the linkage mechanism 130 is in the state shown in FIG. 7C , the surface 1331b of the stop portion 1331 (shown in FIG. 7A ) stops the surface 1311b1 (shown in FIG. 7A ) of the first link 1311, and the surface 1331c of the stop portion 1331 (shown in FIG. 7A ) stops the surface 1312b1 (shown in FIG. 7A ) of the second link 1312, so that the stop portion 1331 prevents the connecting rod assembly 131 from moving from the expanded state shown in FIG. 2A to the retracted state shown in FIG. 2D as described above.

The following is a detailed description of the operation process of the stopper 1331 retracting to release the connecting rod assembly 131.

FIG. 11A shows the stopper of FIG. 8C in action. FIG. 11B shows the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod of FIG. 11A in action. Referring to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, when the user applies an external force to the telescopic member 133, the telescopic member 133 will slide relative to the frame 1313 of the connecting rod assembly 131 as shown in FIG. 6, and the stopper 1331 will move away from the first connecting rod 1311 and the second connecting rod 1312 as the telescopic member 133 slides as shown in FIG. 11A. 1312 (shown in FIG. 7A ) no longer blocks the surface 1311b1 (shown in FIG. 7A ) of the first link 1311 and the surface 1312b1 (shown in FIG. 7A ) of the second link 1312, thereby releasing the blocking of the first link 1311 and the second link 1312 by the blocking portion 1331. Then, the first link 1311 and the second link 1312 can pivot relative to the frame 1313 as shown in FIG. 11B . Finally, the linkage mechanism 130 moves to the retracted state as shown in FIG. 2D .

Referring to FIG. 1 , the folding chair 100 further includes a kick plate 140, which is disposed on the telescopic member 133 and is adapted to receive force to cause the telescopic member 133 to retract relative to the frame 1313 of the connecting rod assembly 131. In this embodiment, the surface of the kick plate 140 has, for example, a non-slip rubber pad, so that the user can stably apply force to the kick plate 140, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the kick plate 140 can also be designed with other non-slip effects to stabilize the force applied by the user.

In summary, the folding chair of the present invention supports the seat in the use position by means of a connecting rod assembly, and a retractable member is provided in the connecting rod assembly. When the user wants to fold the folding chair, the user can use the back heel to kick backward to apply force to the retractable member, so that the retractable member retracts relative to the connecting rod assembly and releases the support of the connecting rod assembly on the seat, so that the seat can pivot to the storage position. Accordingly, the user does not need to fold the folding chair by hand. Therefore, the folding chair of the present invention allows the user to operate it simply and quickly in an ergonomic manner.

100: folding chair 110: bracket 111: fixing part 113: seat 120: seat cushion 130: linkage mechanism 131: connecting rod assembly 133: telescopic member 135: first elastic member 137: positioning assembly 140: kick plate 1131: rod 1132: rivet 1311: first connecting rod 1312: second connecting rod 1313: frame 1311a, 1311b, 1312a, 1312b: end parts 1311b1, 1312b1: surface 1331: stopper 1331a: positioning groove 1331b, 1331c: surface 1332a, 1332b: columnar part 1333: abutment part 1371: positioning block 1372: second elastic member A: angle D: direction Z: area

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a folding chair of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D are side views of the actuation process of the folding chair of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the folding chair of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 illustrates the linkage mechanism of the folding chair of FIG. 1 . FIG. 5A illustrates some components of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 4 . FIG. 5B is a front view of some components of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5A . FIG. 5C is a side view of some components of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 5A . FIG. 6 illustrates the actuation of the telescopic member of FIG. 5A . FIG. 7A is a partial enlarged view of the area Z of the linkage mechanism of FIG. 2C . FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C are schematic diagrams of the actuation process of the connecting rod mechanism of FIG. 7A to the unfolded state. Figures 8A to 8C are side views of the linkage mechanism of Figures 7A to 7C, respectively. Figures 9A to 9C are top views of the linkage mechanism of Figures 7A to 7C, respectively. Figure 10 shows a partial structure of the linkage mechanism of Figure 9C. Figure 11A shows the actuation of the stopper of Figure 8C. Figure 11B shows the actuation of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod of Figure 11A.

100: Folding chair

110: Bracket

111:Fixed part

113: Seat

120: Chair cushion

130: Linkage mechanism

131: Connecting rod assembly

133: Telescopic parts

135: First elastic member

140: Kick board

1131: Rods

1132: Rivets

1311: First connecting rod

1312: Second connecting rod

1313:Frame

1311a, 1311b, 1312a, 1312b: Ends

1333: Abutment

Claims (11)

A folding chair comprises: a bracket, comprising a fixed portion and a seat portion, the seat portion is pivoted to the fixed portion, the seat portion is adapted to pivot to a storage position and be folded in the fixed portion and pivot to a use position and be unfolded in the fixed portion; and a linkage mechanism, comprising a connecting rod assembly and a telescopic member, wherein the connecting rod assembly is connected between the fixed portion and the seat portion and is adapted to support the seat portion in the use position, the telescopic member is arranged on the connecting rod assembly, and when the telescopic member is subjected to force and retracts relative to the connecting rod assembly, the seat portion pivots from the use position to the storage position. A folding chair as described in claim 1, wherein the linkage mechanism further includes a first elastic member, the first elastic member is arranged between the connecting rod assembly and the telescopic member, the telescopic member is suitable for resisting the elastic force of the first elastic member and retracting relative to the connecting rod assembly and is suitable for returning to its original position by the elastic force of the first elastic member. A folding chair as described in claim 1, wherein when the connecting rod assembly is operated in a folded state, the seat is located in the storage position, and when the connecting rod assembly is operated in an extended state, the seat is located in the use position, the telescopic member is suitable for limiting the connecting rod assembly to the extended state, and the telescopic member is suitable for retracting and releasing the connecting rod assembly so that the connecting rod assembly moves from the extended state to the folded state. A folding chair as described in claim 3, wherein the telescopic member has a stop portion, which is suitable for stopping the connecting rod assembly to prevent the connecting rod assembly from moving from the expanded state to the folded state, and when the telescopic member is retracted relative to the connecting rod assembly, the stop portion releases the connecting rod assembly. A folding chair as described in claim 4, wherein the linkage mechanism further includes at least one positioning component, and the at least one positioning component is disposed on the connecting rod assembly, and when the connecting rod assembly is in the unfolded state, the at least one positioning component positions the stop portion. A folding chair as described in claim 5, wherein the at least one positioning assembly includes a positioning block and a second elastic member, the second elastic member is connected between the positioning block and the connecting rod assembly, and the positioning block is suitable for positioning the stop portion by pushing the stop portion against the elastic force of the second elastic member and rotating relative to the connecting rod assembly. A folding chair as described in claim 5, wherein the stop portion has at least one positioning groove, and the at least one positioning assembly is suitable for being snapped into the at least one positioning groove. A folding chair as described in claim 4, wherein the connecting rod assembly includes a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod and a frame, one end of the first connecting rod is pivoted to the fixed portion, the other end of the first connecting rod is pivoted to the frame, one end of the second connecting rod is pivoted to the seat portion, the other end of the second connecting rod is pivoted to the frame, the telescopic member is slidably disposed on the frame, and when the connecting rod assembly is in the expanded state, the stop portion stops the other end of the first connecting rod and the other end of the second connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod assembly from moving from the expanded state to the folded state. A folding chair as described in claim 8, wherein when the connecting rod assembly is in the unfolded state, the other end of the first connecting rod and the other end of the second connecting rod stop each other to limit the maximum unfolding angle of the connecting rod assembly. A folding chair as described in claim 1, wherein the telescopic member has a supporting portion, and when the telescopic member is retracted relative to the connecting rod assembly, the supporting portion abuts against the connecting rod assembly to limit the retraction amount of the telescopic member. The folding chair as described in claim 1 further includes a kick plate, wherein the kick plate is disposed on the telescopic member and is suitable for receiving force to cause the telescopic member to retract relative to the connecting rod assembly.

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