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(11) | EP 1 425 991 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Folding deckchair |
| (57) A folding deckchair (10), comprising a frame (11) that forms, in the unfolded configuration,
the perimeters of a backrest (12) and of a leg support (16), both of which are pivoted
to a portion of the frame that forms the perimeter of a seat (13). The deckchair is
completed by a first sheet-like element (21) that is associated by way of removable
connecting means (24a, 24b, 24c) of the Velcro type with the seat (13) and with the
leg support (16) so as to act as a support, and by a second sheet-like element (22),
which is associated by way of a pocket (25) with the perimeter of the backrest (12),
so as to act as a support and as a covering. The second sheet-like element (22) is
associated with the rest of the frame with a covering function. |
[0002] Folding deckchairs are currently known which comprise a frame that forms, in the unfolded configuration, the perimeters of a backrest and a leg support, both of which are pivoted to a frame portion that forms the perimeter of a seat.
[0003] Sheet-like supporting elements for a user are stretched within said perimeters by way of elastic connections, such as for example helical springs.
[0004] A canvas element acting as a covering, for example of the padded type, is further associated with said frame.
[0005] Such deckchairs have a vast market thanks to their high versatility, light weight, easy handling and therefore easy transport and low cost.
[0006] They are particularly suitable for all periods of leisure and relaxation, especially in places such as camping sites, beaches and gardens, where one stays temporarily and it is essential to enjoy maximum comfort with the minimum expenditure of energy and time (for transport and setup).
[0007] Deckchairs as described above, although known commercially for many years, have aspects that can be perfected.
[0008] One drawback is, for example, the presence of elastic means for connection between the sheet-like supporting elements for the user and the frame. These elastic connecting means are arranged in wide bands that are internally adjacent to the various perimeters defined by the frame, making said regions highly different from the supporting element and therefore detectable by the user as a source of permanent discomfort even through the padded lining.
[0009] Another drawback is that said helical springs, being in a position that can be accessed easily by the user, despite the presence of the sheet-like covering element, can cause injuries to said user who inadvertently is pinched or cut by them both during transport and use.
[0010] These elastic means, such as for example helical springs, further have a significant production cost, both in terms of purchase and in terms of assembly.
[0011] The aim of the present invention is to provide a folding deckchair that is comfortable and safe.
[0012] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a folding deckchair that is lightweight, compact in its folded configuration, and easy to assemble.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding deckchair that has a low constructive complexity, with a consequent reduction of production costs.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a folding deckchair that is easy to maintain.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a deckchair that can be manufactured with known technologies.
[0016] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a folding deckchair, comprising a frame that forms, in the unfolded configuration, the perimeters of a backrest and of a leg support, both of which are pivoted to a portion of said frame that forms the perimeter of a seat, said deckchair being completed with a first sheet-like supporting element and with a second sheet-like covering element, said deckchair being characterized in that said first sheet-like element, which closes by way of removable connecting means, is associated with said seat and leg support perimeters so as to act as a support, and in that said second sheet-like element is fixed by means of a pocket to the perimeter of said backrest, so as to act as a support and as a covering, said second sheet-like element being associated with the rest of the frame with a covering function.
[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the description of an embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a bottom perspective view of the folding deckchair according to the invention, in the unfolded configuration, comprising said second sheet-like element;
Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the folding deckchair according to the invention, in the unfolded configuration, without said second sheet-like element.
[0018] With reference to the figures, a folding deckchair according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
[0019] The folding deckchair 10 comprises a frame 11 that forms, in the unfolded configuration, the perimeters of a backrest 12, of a seat 13 and of a leg support 16.
[0022] The perimeter of the leg support 16 is constituted by a tubular element 16a that has a substantially rectangular shape.
[0023] The tubular elements 12a and 16a are pivoted to the tubular element 13a and are interconnected by means of longitudinal elements 17.
[0024] The frame 11 also comprises a second U-shaped tubular element 14 for resting on the ground, which is connected to said tubular elements 12a and 13a by way of a double joint 20; a third U-shaped tubular element 15 also for resting on the ground, which is rigidly coupled to the tubular element 13a; and armrests 18 that are pivoted by one end to the first U-shaped element 12 and are associated with the U-shaped resting elements 14 and 15 by means of upper kinematic pairs 19.
[0026] Said supporting element is constituted, as a whole, by a first sheet-like element 21, made of a material such as raffia.
[0027] The sheet-like element 21 is composed of two parts: a first portion 21a, which is associated particularly with the tubular element 13a, and a second portion 21b, which is associated particularly with the tubular element 16a.
[0028] The portion 21a of the sheet-like element 21 wraps around the tubular element 13a laterally, with longitudinally symmetrical wings that are joined together in a lower region by way of first removable connecting means 24a and at the rear by way of a flap that closes onto itself with a second removable connecting means 24b.
[0029] The portion 21b is connected, at the front, to the tubular element 16a by means of a flap that closes onto itself with a third removable connecting means 24c.
[0030] The portion 21b is further fixed to the portion 21a with a fourth removable connecting means 24d.
[0032] The deckchair further comprises a covering element, which in the described example is constituted by a second sheet-like element 22.
[0034] The second sheet-like element 22 is associated with the first tubular element 12 by means of a pocket 25, inside which the upper portion of the first element 12 is inserted.
[0035] The pocket 25 wraps around the tubular element 12 from its upper element to the vicinity of the coupling of the armrests 18.
[0036] The second sheet-like element 22, moreover, is fixed to the tubular element 16 by means of elastic belts 26.
[0037] In the folding deckchair thus configured, the tubular element 12 forms the perimeter of a backrest, the tubular element 13 outlines the perimeter of a seat, and the tubular element 16 defines the perimeter of a leg support.
[0038] In such folding deckchair, the first sheet-like element 21, associated with the tubular elements 13 and 16, acts as a support, while the second sheet-like element 22 acts both as a support and as a covering where it is associated with the tubular element 12, and acts only as a covering where it is associated with the tubular elements 13 and 16.
[0039] In practice it has been found that the intended aim and objects of the present invention have been achieved.
[0040] The limitations and drawbacks of known folding deckchairs, caused by the presence of elastic connecting means of the helical spring type, have in fact been eliminated.
[0041] In practice, the materials used may be any according to requirements, so long as they are compatible with the contingent use.
[0042] The disclosures in Italian Utility Model No. PD2002U000081, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.
[0043] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
1. A folding deckchair (10), comprising a frame (11) that forms, in the unfolded configuration,
the perimeters of a backrest (12) and of a leg support (16), both of which are pivoted
to a portion of said frame that forms the perimeter of a seat (13), said deckchair
being completed with a first sheet-like supporting element (21) and with a second
sheet-like covering element (22), said deckchair being characterized in that said first sheet-like element (21), which closes by way of removable connecting means
(24a, 24b, 24c), is associated with said perimeters of the seat (13) and leg support
(16) so as to act as a support, and in that said second sheet-like element (22) is associated by means of a pocket (25) with
the perimeter of said backrest (12), so as to act as a support and as a covering,
said second sheet-like element (22) being associated with the rest of the frame with
a covering function.
2. The deckchair according to claim 1, characterized in that said removable connecting means (24a, 24b, 24c) are of the Velcro type and are arranged
on perimetric flaps of said first sheet-like element (21).
3. The deckchair according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising armrests
(18) connected to said backrest perimeter, characterized in that said pocket (25) covers said backrest perimeter (12) from the upper end to the vicinity
of the armrests (18).
4. The deckchair according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second sheet-like element (22) is of the padded type.
5. The deckchair according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first sheet-like element (21) can be disassembled into a first portion (21a)
and into a second portion (21b), the first portion being associable with said seat
(13), the second portion being associable with said leg support (16).
6. The deckchair according to claim 5, characterized in that said two portions (21a, 21b) are connected by removable connecting means (24d).
7. The deckchair according to claim 6, characterized in that said removable connecting means (24d) are of the Velcro type.