AU2018101698A4 - A Chair - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A chair comprising: a chair frame further comprising: one or more seat frame members to form a seat with one or more downwardly extending legs for supporting the seat; one or more back frame members to form a back support positioned for supporting a back of a user seated on the seat; an armrest member fastened to the seat frame member and/or back frame member; and a retractable solar panel coupled with the armrest member wherein in an extended configuration, the solar panel can be extended outwardly relative to the armrest member to position the solar panel to receive sunlight incident thereon for charging a rechargeable battery positioned relative to the chair frame. (NN r-44 r-w LU-

Description

A CHAIR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a chair, preferably a foldable chair.

BACKGROUND

The discussion of any prior art documents, techniques, methods or apparatus is not to be taken to constitute any admission or evidence that such prior art forms, or ever formed, part of the common general knowledge.

A conventional collapsible chair comprises a foldable chair frame constructed by metal tubes and a seat fabric. The foldable chair frame comprises a plurality of construction tubes to construct a back frame and a seat frame for supporting the fabric seat. The fabric seat of the conventional collapsible chair is preferably made of durable fabric, such as twilled nylon or other mixing material such as polyurethane.

Because conventional collapsible chairs can be quickly and easily unfolded for use and folded into a compact fold-up structure for transport, the user can carry the collapsible chairs to all kinds of outdoor activities, such as camping and sporting events.

Since users of camping chairs often spend up to several hours while partaking in outdoor activities, the portable electronic device (e.g., mobile phones, satellite phones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, portable music players, or portable televisions) that users use outdoors may run out of power and need to be charged.

As a result, users may have to use portable battery packs to recharge portable electronic devices, or manually run electrical lines from a main power source out to areas where outdoor furniture is located. Battery packs are often not designed to charge larger devices, such as tablet computers, and often are not capable of charging more than one device at a time. Furthermore, battery packs have a limited amount of stored power. Once a battery pack

2018101698 15 Nov 2018 discharges, no power remains for charging portable electronic devices. Running a power line from a main power source to where users are at outdoors is often not possible where no power supply exists or is not practical where no power supply is reasonably close.

Therefore, an impetus exists for providing an improved chair which at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a chair comprising: a chair frame further comprising:

one or more seat frame members to form a seat with one or more downwardly extending legs for supporting the seat;

one or more back frame members to form a back support positioned for supporting a back of a user seated on the seat;

an armrest member fastened to the seat frame member and/or back frame member; and a retractable solar panel coupled with the armrest member wherein in an extended configuration, the solar panel can be extended outwardly relative to the armrest member to position the solar panel to receive sunlight incident thereon for charging a rechargeable battery positioned relative to the chair frame.

In an embodiment, the solar panel comprises a plurality of solar modules positioned on a collapsible frame wherein the collapsible frame is adapted to extend outwardly relative to the armrest to position the solar panel in an extended position or fold inwards and be retained in a stowed position.

In an embodiment, the rechargeable battery is positioned in the seat and/or the back support and/or the armrest.

In an embodiment, the chair further comprises an electrical connector for detachably connecting the solar panel with the rechargeable battery.

2018101698 15 Nov 2018

In an embodiment, the chair further comprises at least one USB port electrically connected with the rechargeable battery whereby power from the solar panel and/or the rechargeable battery is provided to the USB port for powering one or more portable devices.

In an embodiment, the chair further comprises one or more flexible pockets for housing said rechargeable battery in an interior space defined by the flexible pocket.

In an embodiment, the flexible pocket comprises a selectively accessible opening for accessing the rechargeable battery.

In an embodiment, one or more of said flexible pockets is positioned along the back support and/or seat member and/or armrest.

In an embodiment, the chair further comprises one or more speakers powered by said rechargeable batteries for emitting music, said speakers preferably being coupled with a signal receiving module for receiving audio signal and processing said signal and transmitting the signal to the speakers.

In an embodiment, the chair is a foldable chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a foldable chair 100.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of a foldable chair 200.

2018101698 15 Nov 2018

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figure 1, the present invention in at least a first embodiment comprises a foldable camping chair 100. The camping chair 100 includes a chair frame 50 that provides a seat 60 and a back support 70. The seat 60 and the back support 70 are constructed from a plurality of seat frame members 62 and back frame members 72 respectively. Each of the plurality of seat frame members 62 and back frame members 72 are inter-linked to allow the chair frame 50 to be readily folded for storage during periods of storage. The seat 60 and the back support 70 are formed by extending fabric between the seat frame members 62 and back frame members 72. The fabric used for forming each of the seat 60 and the back support 70 comprises loops for receiving the seat frame members 62 and the back frame member 72.

The camping chair 100 also includes a retractable solar panel 150 which is coupled with one or both of the armrest members 80. Preferably, the solar panel 150 has a capacity of 20 Watts at 12 Volts. Each of the armrest members 80 is formed continuously with the legs 90 extending downwardly from the seat 60 to support the foldable chair 100 during an in-use configuration. The solar panel 150 can be extended outwardly relative to the armrest member 80 to position the solar panel 150 to receive sunlight incident thereon. The solar panel 150 comprises a plurality of solar modules 152 positioned on a collapsible frame 154 wherein the collapsible frame is adapted to extend outwardly relative to the armrest member 80 to position the solar panel 150 in an extended position (as shown in Figure 1) or fold inwards and be retained in a stowed position.

In at least some embodiments, the angle of inclination of the solar panel 150 may be varied to maximize the efficiency of the solar modules 152 positioned on the solar panel 150. By way of example, the panel 150 may be extended in a plurality of tilted positions in order to tilt the solar panel 150 to prevent shading of the solar panel 150. Preferably, the solar panel 150 may be tilted at one of a plurality of tilting angles in between a substantially horizontal position and a substantially orthogonal position to improve solar gain as the day

2018101698 15 Nov 2018 progresses or in accordance with the position of the sun during use of the chair 100. Downwardly extending support members 154 may be provided in the form of two linked or hinged members which allow the solar panel 150

The camping chair 100 also comprises a rechargeable battery 180 that can be positioned relative to the chair frame 50. The rechargeable battery 180 may be in the form of a Lithium ion battery having a capacity of 50,000 mAh. An electrical connector is provided for detachably connecting the solar panel 150 with the rechargeable battery 180. Advantageously, the connector may be used for disconnecting the solar panel 150 from the rechargeable battery 180 during periods of non-use. One or more flexible pockets 190 are provided along one of the armrests 80 for housing the rechargeable battery 180 in an interior space defined by the flexible pocket 190. Preferably, the flexible pocket 190 is waterproof and prevents ingress of water or any moisture which may cause damage to the battery. The interior space of the flexible pocket 190 may be selectively accessible by providing a zipper which allows the opening to be closed when access into the pocket 190 is not required. It must be understood that the flexible pockets may be located at other alternative locations. By way of example, Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the foldable chair 200 (like reference numerals denote like features that have been previously described) in which the rechargeable battery 280 is positioned within a flexible pocket 290 located within the fabric that extends between back frame members 72.

At least one USB port and preferably two USB ports may be electrically connected with the rechargeable battery 180 or 290 whereby power from the solar panel 150 and the rechargeable battery is provided to the USB port for powering one or more portable devices. The provision of the USB ports allows several electrical devices to be easily charged by utilizing the energy stored in the rechargeable battery 190 or 290. Further, the provision of the solar panel 150 in conjunction with the rechargeable battery 190 or 290 implies that during periods of sunshine the battery can easily recharged for allowing users to use their camping chair for powering their electronic devices over long periods of time.

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In some embodiment, one or more speakers may also be provided within the chair. The speakers may be powered by the rechargeable battery 190 or 290 for emitting music. The speakers may be coupled with a signal receiving module for receiving audio signal from an audio source (such as the user’s mobile phone) and processing said signal and transmitting the signal to the speakers for playing music selected by the user.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (10)

1. A chair comprising:

a chair frame further comprising:

one or more seat frame members to form a seat with one or more downwardly extending legs for supporting the seat;

one or more back frame members to form a back support positioned for supporting a back of a user seated on the seat;

an armrest member fastened to the seat frame member and/or back frame member; and a retractable solar panel coupled with the armrest member wherein in an extended configuration, the solar panel can be extended outwardly relative to the armrest member to position the solar panel to receive sunlight incident thereon for charging a rechargeable battery positioned relative to the chair frame.

2. A chair in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solar panel comprises a plurality of solar modules positioned on a collapsible frame wherein the collapsible frame is adapted to extend outwardly relative to the armrest to position the solar panel in an extended position or fold inwards and be retained in a stowed position.

3. A chair in accordance with any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the rechargeable battery is positioned in the seat and/or the back support and/or the armrest.

4. A chair in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising an electrical connector for detachably connecting the solar panel with the rechargeable battery.

5. A chair in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising at least one USB port electrically connected with the rechargeable battery whereby power from the solar panel and/or the

2018101698 15 Nov 2018 rechargeable battery is provided to the USB port for powering one or more portable devices.

6. A chair in accordance with any one of the preceding claims further comprising one or more flexible pockets for housing said rechargeable battery in an interior space defined by the flexible pocket.

7. A chair in accordance with claim 6 wherein the flexible pocket comprises a selectively accessible opening for accessing the rechargeable battery.

8. A chair in accordance with any one of claims 6 or 7 wherein one or more of said flexible pockets is positioned along the back support and/or seat member and/or armrest.

9. A chair in accordance with any one of claims further comprising one or more speakers powered by said rechargeable batteries for emitting music, said speakers preferably being coupled with a signal receiving module for receiving audio signal and processing said signal and transmitting the signal to the speakers.

10. A chair in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the chair is a foldable chair.