Sliding Lounger

Abstract

A sliding lounger comprises a seating portion having seating slats and seating spaces between the seating slats, a back support portion having back slats and back spaces between the back slats, the back slats being receivable within the seating spaces and the seating slats being receivable within the back spaces, and a foot support portion having foot slats and foot spaces between the foot slats, the foot slats being receivable within the seating spaces, and the seating slats being receivable within the foot spaces. The back portion and foot support portion move between an open position where the back and foot slats are not received within the seating spaces and a compact position where the back and foot slats are received within the seating spaces.

Claims

1. A sliding lounger comprising: a seating portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel seating slats and seating spaces between the seating slats; a back support portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel back slats and back spaces between the back slats, the back slats being receivable within the seating spaces and the seating slats being receivable within the back spaces; a foot support portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel foot slats and foot spaces between the foot slats, the foot slats being receivable within the seating spaces, and the seating slats being receivable within the foot spaces; wherein the back support portion is movable between an open position in which at least a part of the back slats are not received within the seating spaces and a compact position in which the back slats are substantially received within the seating spaces; and wherein the foot support portion is movable between an open position in which at least a part of the foot slats are not received within the seating spaces and a compact position in which the foot slats are substantially received within the seating spaces.

2. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the back slats are substantially fully received within the seating spaces when in the compact position.

3. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foot slats are substantially fully received within the seating spaces when in the compact position.

4. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seating spaces comprise a width which is sufficient to accommodate the back slats and the foot slats.

5. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the back slats are receivable within the slat spaces and the seat slats are receivable within the back spaces by sliding each into the other when coplanar with each other.

6. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foot slats are receivable within the slat spaces and the seat slats are receivable within the foot spaces by sliding each into the other when coplanar with each other.

7. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the back support portion is angularly pivotable relative to the seating portion to a selected angular position.

8. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 7 wherein the back support portion is selectively placed at any angular position.

9. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foot portion is angularly pivotable relative to the seating portion to a selected angular position.

10. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a back support frame in which the back support portion is located, the back support frame being slidable with the back support portion between an open position and a closed position, the back support frame being adjacent the seating portion when in the closed position.

11. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 10 wherein the seating portion is pivotable relative to the back support frame.

12. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a bracket mounted on the back support portion and notches formed in the back support frame, the bracket being selectively engageable with one of the notches so as to maintain the back support portion at a selected angular position.

13. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a foot support frame in which the foot support portion is located, the foot support frame being slidable with the foot support portion between an open position and a closed position, the foot support frame being adjacent the seating portion when in the closed position.

14. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the back support portion is connected to the seating portion so as to be pivotable and rotatable relative thereto between an open and closed position.

15. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 wherein the foot support portion is connected to the seating portion so as to be pivotable and rotatable relative thereto between an open and closed position.

16. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of legs for supporting the seating portion, back portion and foot support portion.

17. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 16 wherein the legs are movable between an extended position for supporting the sliding lounger and a compact or folded position.

18. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a back support frame and a foot support frame, a first pair of leg supports on the back support frame foldable between an open and a compact position, and a second pair of leg supports on the foot support frame foldable between an open and a compact position.

19. A sliding lounger comprising: a seating portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel seating slats and seating spaces between the seating slats; a back support portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel back slats and back spaces between the back slats, the back slats being receivable within the seating spaces and the seating slats being receivable within the back spaces; and wherein the back support portion is movable between an open position in which at least a part of the back slats are not received within the seating spaces and a compact position in which the back slats are substantially received within the seating spaces.

20. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 19 wherein the back slats are receivable within the slat spaces and the seat slats are receivable within the back spaces by sliding each into the other when coplanar with each other.

21. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 19 further comprising a foot support portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel foot slats and foot spaces between the foot slats, the foot slats being receivable within the seating spaces and the seating slats being receivable within the foot spaces.

22. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 21 wherein the foot slats are receivable within the slat spaces and the seat slats are receivable within the foot spaces by sliding each into the other when coplanar with each other.

23. The sliding lounger as claimed in claim 18 wherein the back support frame and the foot support frame are movable between a first open position and a second closed position, the back support portion moving with the back support frame and the foot support portion moving with the foot support frame, the back support frame and the foot support frame surrounding the seating portion when in the second closed position and abutting each other, the back support frame and the foot support frame being away from the seating portion when in the first open position and distanced from each other.

24. A method of making an operating a sliding lounger, the method comprising: providing a seating portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel seating slats and seating spaces between the seating slats; providing a back support portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel back slats and back spaces between the back slats, the back slats being receivable within the seating spaces and the seating slats being receivable within the back spaces; providing a foot support portion comprising a plurality of substantially parallel foot slats and foot spaces between the foot slats, the foot slats being receivable within the seating spaces, and the seating slats being receivable within the foot spaces; moving the back support portion between an open position in which at least a part of the back slats are not received within the seating spaces and a compact position in which the back slats are substantially received within the seating spaces; and moving the foot support portion between an open position in which at least a part of the foot slats are not received within the seating spaces and a compact position in which the foot slats are substantially received within the seating spaces.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a lounger in accordance with the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the lounger as shown in FIG. 1 of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 is a front and side perspective view of the lounger is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, including dimensions for a preferred configuration; and

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a standard size carton used for transportation, the lounger of the invention being collapsible into parts and components which are designed to fit within such carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which show embodiments of a lounger 10 in accordance with the invention. Note that other embodiments of loungers 10 may be provided within the scope of the invention, and the height, lengths, widths, frame design, use of slats and slat configuration, and other features may be adjusted or varied in accordance with the invention.

[0036] The figures show a lounger 10 comprising a support structure 12. The support structure 12 is supported by a plurality of support legs 14, and there are four such support legs 14 illustrated in the embodiment shown in the figures. These legs 14 are foldable between an open position as shown in the figures, and a closed position in which they are moved to be received within the support structure 12, or adjacent to it. The legs 14 shown in this embodiment are generally U-shaped brackets, but other types of legs 14 or support structure 12 supports may be used in the lounger 10 of the invention and fall within the scope of the invention.

[0037] The support structure 12 is generally rectangular in shape, and comprises a central seating portion 16, which will in use constitute the seating section of the lounger 10. The support structure 12 further comprises a back support portion 20 and a leg support portion 18. The central seating portion 16 has a first end 22, which connects to the back support portion 20, as will be described, and also a second end 24, which connects to the leg support portion 18, as will also be described. The back support portion 20 may be pivoted to adjust its orientation relative to the central seating portion 16, while the leg support portion 18 may be pivoted to adjust its orientation relative to the central seating portion 16. Both the back support portion 20 and the leg support portion 18 are potentially pivotable relative to the central seating portion 16 so that they are able to move between a position in which they are folded against or within the central seating 16, and a fully extended portion in which they been moved through approximately a 180° angle, or have been slid or telescoped relative thereto, as will be described.

[0038] A back support frame 30 is provided at one end of the lounger 18, while a leg support frame 32 is provided at the other end of the lounger 10. The back support frame 30 is designed to accommodate the back support portion 20, while the leg support frame 32 is designed to accommodate the leg support portion 18. Both of the back support frame 30 and the leg support frame 32 may also be pivotally or slidably mounted relative to the central seating portion 16 so that these frame 30 and 32 can also be moved between a substantially compact position on the one hand, and an extended position on the other.

[0039] The central seating portion 16 comprises a plurality of substantially parallel slats 40. Each of the slats 40 is separated from its adjacent slat 40 by a slat space 42. Each slat space 42 is substantially of the same width as a slat, or just slightly larger, so that other slats in the lounger 10, to be described, can be received within the slat spaces 42 when the lounger 10 is moved into a compact position for storage or transportation.

[0040] The slats 40 of the central seating portion 16 are mounted on one or more crossbeams 46, which keeps the slats 40 secure and properly spaced from each other.

[0041] The back support portion 20 is also comprised of a series of slats 50, which are essentially parallel to each other, and have slat spaces 52 between them. The back support portion 20 has a lower end 54 and an upper end 56. The slats 50 at the lower end 54 are accommodated within the slat space 42 between the slats 40 of the central seating portion 16. At the upper end 56, the slats 50 are mounted on a crossbeam 58. Each of the slats 50, at the lower end 54 thereof, can move pivotally or rotatably within the slat spaces 42, between the slats 40, so that the back support portion 20 can be rotated between a closed position, in which all of the slats 50 a substantially fully accommodated within the slat spaces 42, and the slats 40 of the central seating portion 16 are substantially accommodated within the slats spaces 52 of the back support portion 20. The back support portion 20 may be positioned at any selected orientation through these extreme positions.

[0042] The back support frame 30 surrounds the back support portion 20 when the back support portion 20 is in the fully extended position and coplanar with the central seating portion 16.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the central seating portion 16 and the back support portion 20 can, in one embodiment, be connected to each other by a rod or shaft which extends between registering apertures near the first end 22 of the slats 40, and near the lower end 54 of the slats 50 of the back support portion 20. In this way, the back support portion 20 is able to pivot or rotate about such rod or shaft, so that it can be angularly oriented with respect to the central seating portion 16 to a desired position selected by the user.

[0044] The leg support portion is also comprised of a plurality of parallel slats 60 which define therebetween slat spaces 62. The slat spaces 62 are dimensioned so that they are able to accommodate and receive slats 40 therein, from the central seating portion 16. Each of the slats 60 has an inner end 64 and an outer end 66. The slats 60 are mounted on one or more cross pieces 68, which supports them and maintains their spaced apart configuration to ensure that they can properly receive the slats 40 of the central seating portion 16. The leg support frame 32 surrounds the various slats 60.

[0045] In one preferred embodiment, the central seating portion 16 and the leg support portion 18 can be connected to each other by a rod or shaft which extends between registering apertures near the second end 24 of the slats 40 and the inner end 64 of the leg support portion 18. In this way, the leg support portion 18 is able to pivot or rotate about such rod or shaft, so that it can be angularly oriented with respect to the central seating portion 16 to a desired position selected by the user.

[0046] The leg support portion 18 may be moved into a closed position, wherein each of the slats 60 is substantially fully received within the slats spaces 42 of the central seating arrangement, and, correspondingly, the slats 40 are received within the slat spaces 62 of the leg support portion 18. The leg support portion 18 may be rotated or pivoted about the shaft or rod, and moved to a position in which it is extended outwardly, whether coplanar or at an angle, thereby providing support for the legs of the user. The leg support 18 may, in one embodiment, be angularly positioned at any specific point between opposing positions.

[0047] The leg support frame 32 is fixed with respect to, and moves with, the plurality of slats 60 which form the leg support portion 18. Independent rotational movement of the slats 62 relative to the leg support frame 32 is thus not possible in this embodiment of the invention. However, it will be seen that the back support portion 20 is movable relative to the back support frame 30. The back support frame 30 may also be rotated or pivoted between the open position, as shown for example in FIG. 1, so that it moves through approximately 180° to a closed position in which the leg support frame 32 overlies a part of the central seating portion 16. The leg support frame 32 is constructed so that it will not inhibit or prevent the receipt of the slats 40 within the slat spaces 62.

[0048] The back support frame 30 may be separate from the back support portion 20, and independently movable relative thereto. This allows the back support frame 30 to move between its position as shown in FIG. 1, in which it is extended, and a folded or compacted position in which it is rotated and pivoted over a part of the central seating portion 16, or slidably received within the slats and slats spaces. The back support frame 30 defines a space 70, which is able to receive the slats 40, so that the back support frame 30 can be fully folded. Independently, the back support portion 20 is movable so that it can be positioned at any angular desired point without requiring that the back support frame 30 be in a position other than the extended position as shown in FIG. 1. Attached to the back support frame 20 is a bracket 74 including a locking bar 76. The back support frame 30 includes a plurality of notches 78, and the locking bar 76 can be located in any one of the notches 78 so that the back support portion will be at the best desired angle relative to the central seating portion 16. Various other methods for securing the back support frame 20 in a desired angular position will also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] A further embodiment of the lounger 10 is one where the back support portion 20 and the leg support portion 18 do not rotate to close, but operate on a sliding principle. Therefore, the leg support portion 18 will in this embodiment not rotate, but may slide over in a coplanar manner such that the slats 60 are received within the slat spaces 42 of the central seating portion 18. The slats 40 of the central seating portion 16 will slide into the slats spaces 62 of the leg support portion 18. In this embodiment, a ledge 80 is provided within the central seating portion 16 so that the outermost slats 60 on the leg support portion 18 will slide along the ledge 80. At the same time, the leg support frame 32 will slide with the movement of the slats 60.

[0050] In a sliding embodiment, the back support portion 20 may also close in a sliding motion rather than a rotating motion. When the slats 50 on the back support portion 20 are substantially horizontal, the back support portion 20 is a slidably moved so that the slats 50 are received within the slat spaces 42 of the central seating portion 16. At the same time, the slats 40 are received within the slat spaces 52 of the back support portion 20. The back support frame 30 may also slide to the closed position, in which it overlies the outermost slats 40 of the central seating portion 16.

[0051] The back support portion 20 and the leg support portion 18 are positioned such that both can be received, or substantially received by the central seating portion 20. The back support frame 30 and the leg support frame 32 will slide toward each other when the lounger 10 is being closed or compacted, and their ends will abut each other when each is in the fully closed position.

[0052] As noted above, the lounger 10 has four legs 14. Two of the legs are positioned at substantially opposing ends of the leg support frame 32, while the other two legs 14 are positioned at substantially opposing ends of the back support frame 30. All of the legs 14 have side posts 90 and a base 92. All of the legs 14 can be pivoted, rotated or otherwise moved so as to be in the extended position as shown in the figures, and a compact position in which the legs 14 are folded up against the back support frame 30 and the leg support frame 32 respectively. Preferably, when in the extended position, the legs 14 may have a releasable locking mechanism to keep them open or extended and operational, to ensure that the lounger 10 does not inadvertently collapse. There may also be locks or catches to hold the legs 14 in position once they are in the folded and tucked away position, to prevent them once more from inadvertently opening.

[0053] FIG. 4 of the drawings shows a carton 100, preferably of standard size used by courier services and transportation companies, and the lounger 10 of the invention may be folded, either by sliding as described above or rotation is also described above, so that the various slats thereof fit within the corresponding slat spaces, and the legs are received within the support frames 30 or 32.

[0054] Variations of the lounger 10 4 within the scope of the invention. Some lounges 10 may have a back support portion 20, but no lower leg support portion 18. The converse may also be true, wherein a leg support portion 18 is provided, but no back support portion 20. In the sliding embodiment of the invention, the lounger 10 can be easily collapsed by simply sliding both the back support portion 20 and its surrounding back support frame 30 into the spaces which are provided on the central seat portion 16, and the leg support portion 18 may be slid in the same manner, both comprising a type of telescoping motion. Prior to compacting, the legs 14 would be moved from the open locked position to a closed locked position to further minimize the amount of space which the lounger 10 would occupy when in the compacted condition.

[0055] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

[0056] As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. As used herein, a “set” of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.