Portable, collapsible stadium seat with safety latch

Abstract

A portable and collapsible stadium seat comprises a seat bottom support, a back support, and a safety latch for properly positioning the seat in place relative to a stadium bleacher seating surface or bench. The seat bottom support and back support are interconnected for movement between an operative, or set-up, condition defining a seating surface and a back support surface, and a collapsed, or bundled, condition designed for easy transport and storage of the seat. The safety latch is movably connected on underside of the seat bottom support, preferably towards the forward end thereof, and provides a stop and an arm facilitating proper and safe positioning of the seat on a bleacher or bench surface for use. The seat preferably includes a carrying strap or handle for transporting the collapsed and bundled seat, for example, over the user's shoulder or via a hand grasp.

Claims

1. A portable and collapsible stadium seat adapted to be mounted on a bleacher bench for use, said bleacher bench including a horizontal seating surface and a front face, said stadium seat comprising: a seat bottom support; a back support; and a safety latch mounted to the seat bottom support; wherein the seat bottom support and the back support are interconnected for movement between a set-up condition defining a seating surface and a back support surface for receiving a seated user, and a collapsed condition where the seat bottom support and the back support are generally parallelly disposed adjacent to one another; wherein the safety latch includes a first stop having a generally flat first stop surface defined in part by a curved edge, said first stop surface being adapted to abut the front face of the bleacher bench to position the stadium seat relative to the seating surface of the bleacher bench for use of the stadium seat in its set-up condition; and wherein further the first stop inhibits the ability of the stadium seat to sit flush on the seating surface of the bleacher bench if the stadium seat is positioned too far back on said seating surface, the curved edge of said first stop causing the stadium seat to wobble when said curved edge contacts the seating surface of the bleacher bench.

2. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 1, wherein the first stop is mounted to the underside of the seat bottom support.

3. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 2, wherein the first stop extends beyond a lower plane of the seat bottom support.

4. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 2, wherein the safety latch is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

5. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 4, wherein the safety latch is pivotally movable between the retracted position and the extended position.

6. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 4, wherein the safety latch is spring-biased to its retracted position.

7. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 4, wherein the safety latch further comprises a rearwardly extending arm that can project through an opening in the front face of the bleacher bench when the safety latch is in its extended position and the stadium seat is placed atop the seating surface of the bleacher bench, wherein the rearwardly extending arm is normally disposed relative to the first stop surface.

8. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 7, wherein the safety latch further comprises a second stop projecting normally from the first stop and in an opposite direction from the rearwardly extending arm, said second stop adapted to interact with the seat bottom support to control movement of the safety latch between the retracted and extended positions thereof.

9. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of armrests being pivotable with movement of the seat bottom support and back support between the set-up and collapsed conditions of the stadium seat.

10. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 1, further comprising a carrying strap for transporting the stadium seat in its collapsed condition.

11. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 10, wherein the carrying strap comprises opposite ends connected to the lateral sides of the seat bottom support and wrapped around the back support, such that, when the stadium seat is in its set-up condition, the strap positions and supports the back support relative to the seat bottom support.

12. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 11, wherein the back support further comprises at least two loops provided on the back of the back support at spaced apart points of operable connection, said strap being routed through said loops and freely movable relative to said back support at said points of operable connection between back support retaining and carrying conditions.

13. A portable and collapsible stadium seat adapted to be mounted on a bleacher bench for use, said bleacher bench including a horizontal seating surface and a front face, said stadium seat comprising: a seat bottom support; a back support; a pair of armrests; and a safety latch mounted to the underside of the seat bottom support for movement between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the seat bottom support and the back support are interconnected for movement between a set-up condition defining a seating surface and a back support surface for receiving a seated user, and a collapsed condition where the seat bottom support and the back support are generally parallelly disposed adjacent to one another; wherein the pair of armrests are pivotable with movement of the seat bottom support and back support between the set-up and collapsed conditions of the stadium seat; wherein the safety latch includes a first stop having a generally flat first stop surface defined in part by a curved edge, said curved edge being generally downwardly facing when said safety latch is in its retracted position and said curved edge being generally transversely facing when said safety latch is in its extended position, said first stop surface being adapted to abut the front face of the bleacher bench to position the stadium seat relative to the seating surface of the bleacher bench for use of the stadium seat in its set-up condition whether the safety latch is in its retracted position or its extended position; and wherein further the first stop inhibits the ability of the stadium seat to sit flush on the seating surface of the bleacher bench when the safety latch is in its retracted position if the stadium seat is positioned too far back on said seating surface, the curved edge of said first stop causing the stadium seat to wobble when said curved edge contacts the seating surface of the bleacher bench.

14. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 13, wherein the first stop extends beyond a lower plane of the seat bottom support when the safety latch is in its retracted position.

15. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 13, wherein the safety latch further comprises a rearwardly extending arm that can project through an opening in the front face of the bleacher bench when the safety latch is in its extended position and the stadium seat is placed atop the seating surface of the bleacher bench, wherein the rearwardly extending arm is normally disposed relative to the first stop surface.

16. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 15, wherein the safety latch further comprises a second stop projecting normally from the first stop and in an opposite direction from the rearwardly extending arm, said second stop adapted to interact with the seat bottom support to control movement of the safety latch between the retracted and extended positions thereof.

17. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 13, further comprising a carrying strap for transporting the stadium seat in its collapsed condition.

18. A portable and collapsible stadium seat adapted to be mounted on a bleacher bench for use, said bleacher bench including a horizontal seating surface and a front face, said stadium seat comprising: a seat bottom support; a back support: a carrying strap for transporting the stadium seat; and a safety latch mounted to the underside of the seat bottom support for movement between a retracted position and an extended position; wherein the seat bottom support and the back support are interconnected for movement between a set-up condition defining a seating surface and a back support surface for receiving a seated user, and a collapsed condition where the seat bottom support and the back support are generally parallelly disposed adjacent to one another and can be transported via the carrying strap; wherein said strap comprising opposite ends connected to the lateral sides of the seat bottom support and wrapped around the back support when the stadium seat is in its set-up condition such that, in said set-up condition, the strap positions and supports the back support relative to the seat bottom support; wherein the safety latch includes a first stop having a generally flat first stop surface defined in part by a curved edge, said curved edge being generally downwardly facing when said safety latch is in its retracted position and said curved edge being generally transversely facing when said safety latch is in its extended position, said first stop surface being adapted to abut the front face of the bleacher bench to position the stadium seat relative to the seating surface of the bleacher bench for use of the stadium seat in its set-up condition whether the safety latch is in its retracted position or its extended position; and wherein further the first stop inhibits the ability of the stadium seat to sit flush on the seating surface of the bleacher bench when the safety latch is in its retracted position if the stadium seat is positioned too far back on said seating surface, the curved edge of said first stop causing the stadium seat to wobble when said curved edge contacts the seating surface of the bleacher bench.

19. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 18, wherein the back support further comprises at least two loops provided on the back of the back support at spaced apart points of operable connection, said strap being routed through said loops and freely movable relative to said back support at said points of operable connection between back support retaining and carrying conditions for supporting said back support relative to the seat bottom support when said strap is in its back support retaining condition relative to said stadium seat and for moving said stadium seat from its set-up condition to its collapsed condition in response to a lifting force applied to the strap to move said strap to its carrying condition.

20. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 18, wherein the safety latch further comprises a rearwardly extending arm that can project through an opening in the front face of the bleacher bench when the safety latch is in its extended position and the stadium seat is placed atop the seating surface of the bleacher bench, wherein the rearwardly extending arm is normally disposed relative to the first stop surface.

21. The portable and collapsible stadium seat according to claim 20, wherein the safety latch further comprises a second stop projecting normally from the first stop and in an opposite direction from the rearwardly extending arm, said second stop adapted to interact with the seat bottom support to control movement of the safety latch between the retracted and extended positions thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a portable and collapsible stadium seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention shown in a set-up condition.

(2) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a side planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 with a safety latch in accordance with the present invention in a down or extended position.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 with the safety latch in its down or extended position.

(5) FIG. 5 is a rear planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 with the safety latch in its down or extended position.

(6) FIG. 6 is a bottom planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 with the safety latch in its down or extended position.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a safety latch in accordance with the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a side planar view of the safety latch of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is a front planar view of the safety latch of FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 with the safety latch in its up or retracted position incorrectly positioned on a bleacher bench. The seat panel has been removed for illustration purposes.

(11) FIG. 11 is a front view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 as positioned in accordance with FIG. 10.

(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 with the safety latch in its up or retracted position as correctly positioned on a bleacher bench. The seat panel has been removed for illustration purposes.

(13) FIG. 13 is a side planer view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 as positioned in accordance with FIG. 12.

(14) FIG. 14 is a front planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 as positioned in accordance with FIG. 12.

(15) FIG. 15 is a bottom planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 as positioned in accordance with FIG. 12.

(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 with the safety latch in its down or extended position as correctly positioned on a bleacher bench. The seat panel has been removed for illustration purposes.

(17) FIG. 17 is a side planer view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 as positioned in accordance with FIG. 16.

(18) FIG. 18 is a front planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 as positioned in accordance with FIG. 16.

(19) FIG. 19 is a bottom planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 as positioned in accordance with FIG. 16.

(20) FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the stadium seat of FIG. 1 shown in a collapsed condition.

(21) FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a portable and collapsible stadium seat in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention shown in a set-up condition.

(22) FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the stadium seat of FIG. 21.

(23) FIG. 23 is a side planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 21 with a safety latch in accordance with the present invention in its up or retracted position.

(24) FIG. 24 is a bottom planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 21 with the safety latch in its up or retracted position.

(25) FIG. 25 is a side planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 21 with the safety latch in its down or extended position.

(26) FIG. 26 is a bottom planar view of the stadium seat of FIG. 21 with the safety latch in its down or extended position.

(27) FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the stadium seat of FIG. 21 shown in a collapsed condition.

(28) FIG. 28 is a side planar view of the collapsed stadium seat of FIG. 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(29) Turning now to the drawings, a portable and collapsible stadium seat embodying the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 10, is shown in FIGS. 1-2 in its operative, or set-up, condition and in FIG. 20 in its collapsed, or bundled, condition. The seat 10 is especially suitable for use in arenas and stadiums for spectator events, such as sporting events and concerts, where preexisting seating accommodations typically comprise level surfaces, such as bleachers and benches, that are hard and have little or no back support. Still further, the seat 10 can be used on other level surfaces, such as the ground or a floor, to provide a seat with sufficient back support for enjoying a variety of spectator events, such as sporting events, concerts, and fireworks displays, and a variety of other activities such as camping, boating, hunting, fishing and the like, where such events and activities normally lack any adequate preexisting seating accommodations.

(30) The seat 10 generally comprises a seat bottom support 12 and a back support 14 interconnected together for movement between the set-up and collapsed conditions. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 10 has a foldable frame 16 comprised generally of a seat bottom frame 18 defining a seating surface and a back support frame 20 defining a back support surface, which respectively support flexible seat and back panels 22 and 24 made from fabric, padding, or other suitable material (preferably including a material that is durable and waterproof). Accordingly, as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the seat bottom support 12 comprises the seat bottom frame 20 and the seat panel 22 attached thereto. Similarly, the back support 14 comprises the back support frame 20 and the back panel 24 attached thereto. Alternate designs of either the seat bottom support 12, or the back support 14, or both, are available without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. For example, instead of a fabric panel for the seating and/or back supporting surfaces, a padded support can be used.

(31) As further shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the seat 10 further comprises two armrests 26 pivotally connected to the seat bottom frame 18 and the back support frame 20 for movement relative thereto and for collapsing with the seat 10.

(32) As shown in FIGS. 12-19, the seat 10, when set-up, may sit atop the preexisting seating surface (e.g., a stadium bleacher or bench, generally designated by reference numeral 200), and define a seating accommodation for the user that improves upon the comfort of the preexisting seating surface of the bleacher 200, for example, by preferably providing a comfortable seat bottom support 12, a back support 14 that the user can lean on, and two armrests 26, that are not generally provided as part of the standard stadium bleacher 200. These components of the seat 10 are interconnected for easy and simple folding to a collapsed and bundled condition, such as shown in FIG. 20, for easy transport and storage. The interconnection of the seat components, as generally described and shown herein, further facilitates easy and simple set-up of the seat 10 for use.

(33) Various materials and construction methods may be employed in making the foldable stadium seat 10 of the present invention. However, in accordance with presently preferred embodiments, the seat bottom frame 18 and the back support frame 20 are formed from durable lightweight tubular metal. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the seat bottom frame 18 comprises a generally U-shaped tubular bottom frame which includes a pair of parallel side portions 28 and a transverse front portion 30 integrally connected to the forward ends of said side portions 28 and extending laterally therebetween. As further illustrated, the front portion 30 is preferably downwardly bent so that the seating portion of the seat bottom frame 18namely, where the seat panel 22 is extended between the parallel side portions 28 of the seat bottom frame 18is suspended above the surface on which the seat 10 is positioned. The free rearward ends of the side portions 28 are pivotally attached to the back support frame 20, as further discussed below.

(34) As best shown in FIG. 5, a generally U-shaped rear frame member 32 extends downwardly from the free rearward ends of the side portions 28 and defines two rear support legs 34 and a transverse connecting portion 26 connected to and extending between the lower ends of the rear support legs 34. The rear frame member 32 is connected to the transverse front portion 30 of the seat bottom frame 18 by parallel supports 38 running front-to-back, which, in use, rest on the horizontal surface on which the seat 10 is positioned, such as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 13. These parallel supports 38 are braced with a cross-member 40 to which a safety latch 42 in accordance with the present invention is pivotally attached, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

(35) The back support frame 20 comprises a generally U-shaped tubular back frame member similar to the seat bottom frame member and includes a pair of back side members 44 integrally connected at their respective upper ends by a transverse upper connecting member 46. This upper connecting member 46 can be arched backwards, as illustrated in FIG. 3, so as not to interfere with the comfort of a seated user, especially when leaning back on the back support 14. The free lower end portions of the U-shaped back support frame side members 44 generally abut or straddle the free rearward end portions of the U-shaped seat bottom frame side portions 28 and are pivotally connected thereto by pivot brackets 48 to facilitate movement of the back support 14 relative to the seat bottom support 12.

(36) As noted, the back support 14 of the seat 10 is pivotally disposed relative to the seat bottom support 12. In the operative set-up condition of the seat 10, the back support 14 extends generally upwardly from a rear portion or edge of the seat bottom support 12 and is capable of pivotal movement relative to the seat bottom support 12 for collapsing the seat 10 to its collapsed condition. As previously noted, a set-up condition of the seat 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, while a collapsed condition of the seat 10 is illustrated in FIG. 20. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the armrests 26 are pivotable with movement of the back support 14 between the collapsed condition and the set-up condition. In this regard, each armrest 26 is pivotally connected at a rear end to the back support 14 and at a forward end to the seat bottom support 12 via a support member 27.

(37) Referring to FIGS. 7-9, a preferred embodiment of the safety latch 42 in accordance with the present invention for positioning the seat 10 on and relative to a stadium bleacher or bench is illustrated. The safety latch 42 is pivotally attached to the seat bottom frame 18, generally to the underside thereof and more preferably at a forward end thereof for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. More preferably, the safety latch 42 is pivotally attached to the seat bottom frame 18 via a pivot pin 50. Referring to FIG. 6, the safety latch 42 is pivotally attached to the cross-member 40 of the seat bottom frame 18.

(38) As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6, the latch 42 is centrally located under the seat bottom frame 18 between the sides of the seat 10 so as to best position the seat 10 relative to an expected user's center of mass. As so positioned and attached, the latch 42 can move between its two preferred operational modes or positionsa first up or rest or retracted position; and a second down or extended position. Optimally, the safety latch 42 can be used in either position, as stadium bleachers and benches come in various designs, so that the seat 10 with safety latch 42 in accordance with the present invention has utility regardless of the type of stadium bleacher or bench it is used with. The first up position is the preferred position of the latch 42 when the seat 10 is folded, collapsed and generally not in use. However, this first position can also be used to position the seat 10 on bleacher designs that do not have an opening in the front face. A first stop or projection 52 is provided on the latch 42 that projects downward from the seat bottom frame 18 when the latch 42 is in the retracted position and is laterally aligned (side-to-side) with the seat 10 in its set-up condition. The first stop 52 can abut the front face of the bleacher bench 200 when the seat 10 is positioned thereon for use. Ideally, the seat 10 is placed on the horizontal seating surface of the bench 200 and slid back until the first stop 52 contacts the front face and restricts further backward movement of the seat 10. This position of the seat 10 is an optimal location to account for the weight and center of mass of a seated user, even if leaning back on the back support 14 when seated.

(39) In a preferred embodiment, the first stop 52 projects downwardly from the seat bottom frame 18 beyond the support plane of the seating and support frames. In this regard, if the seat 10 is placed on the bleacher surface 200 too far back, the first stop 52 will inhibit the seat 10 from sitting flush on the bleacher 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 10-11making the seat 10 wobble and uncomfortable to sit in. This wobbling alerts the user that the seat 10 is not in an optimal or safe position, and essentially requires the user to reposition the seat 10 properly (and possibly make use of the safety latch 42 if the bleacher design will accommodate it in its down or extended position).

(40) Referring to FIG. 7, a second stop 54 is provided on the safety latch 42 normally disposed from the first stop 52 for helping support the safety latch 42 on the seat bottom frame 18 and for restricting the freedom of pivotal motion of the latch 42 in use. Additionally, the second stop 54 essentially secures or locks the latch 42 in its two positions for useup and downby engaging the cross-member 40 on the underside of the seat bottom support 12, and prevents the latch 42 from digging into the seat panel 22 above. For example, one position of the second stop 54 engaging the cross-member 40 in the retracted position of the latch 42 is illustrated in FIG. 12. The other position of the second stop 54, engaging the cross member 40 when the latch 42 is moved to its extended position, is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 16.

(41) Referring to FIGS. 7-8, the safety latch 42 includes a rearwardly extending arm 56 for use in the down or extended position of the latch 42. In use, this arm 56 is adapted to extend through an opening in the front face of a bleacher bench 200 and further to extend beneath the underside of the bleacher bench 200 to grasp onto the bleacher bench 200 to secure the seat 10 in place. In use, when the latch 42 is pivoted down, the seat 10 can be slid back until the surface of the first stop 52 (reoriented 90 degrees) contacts the front face of the bleacher bench 200. At this position, the arm 56 is positioned under the bleacher bench 200, with the bleacher bench 200 essentially being sandwiched between the arm 56 and the seat bottom frame 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 16-19. The first stop 52 and the arm 56 work to hold the stadium seat 10 in its desired position and further helps prevent the seat 10 from tipping backwards, especially when a seated users leans back on the back support 14. In embodiments of the present invention, the latch 42 can further be spring-biased to its up and rest retracted position so that when it is used in its down and extended position, it grabs onto the bleacher bench 200 and helps hold the stadium seat 10 in place.

(42) In FIGS. 16-19, the seat 10 is shown set-up and positioned on a bleacher bench 200 with the safety latch 42 in its down and extended position. As noted, the seat 10 can also be safely used with the safety latch 42 in its up and rest retracted position simply by sliding the seat 10 back until the first stop 52 contacts the front face of the bleacher bench 200. For example, FIGS. 12-15 illustrate the seat 10 in a set-up condition and properly positioned on a bleacher bench 200 with the latch in its up and rest retracted position. By comparison, FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a situation where the seat 10 is positioned on a bleacher bench 200 with the safety latch 42 is its retracted position but located too far back on the seating surface of the bleacher bench 200, and thus not safely positioned. In accordance with the present invention, the extension of the first stop 52 inhibits the seat 10 from sitting flush on the seating surface when improperly positionedthe resultant wobble and lack of comfort alerts the user that the seat 10 must be repositioned.

(43) Referring to FIGS. 21-28, an alternate embodiment of a stadium seat 110 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, similar components to the stadium seat 10 shown in FIG. 1 and described above are provided with similar reference numerals for ease of description. FIGS. 21-22 generally illustrate the seat 110 in a set-up condition. FIGS. 23-24 illustrate the seat 110 in the set-up condition with the safety latch 142 in its up or rest retracted position. FIGS. 25-26 illustrate the seat 110 in the set-up condition with the safety latch 142 in its down and extended position. FIGS. 27-28 illustrate the seat 110 in a collapsed condition.

(44) In this alternate embodiment, the armrests 26 from the preferred embodiment are replaced with a strap 160 wrapped around the back support 114 of the seat 110 in the set-up condition. This strap 160 is similar to the strap design shown and described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,314, entitled Collapsible Multi-Purpose Chair, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. When the seat 110 is in a folded and collapsed condition, the strap 160 is relaxed and can be used as a carrying strap, such as like a shoulder strap, to easily transport the collapsed seat 110. When the seat 110 is in its set-up or operative condition, as it appears in FIGS. 21-22, the back support 114 of the seat 110 is held and supported by the strap 160.

(45) In a preferred embodiment, the strap 160 preferably comprises an assembly of two parts joined by a suitable adjustable fastener or buckle 162. The end portions of the strap assembly are respectively connected to opposite lateral sides of the seat bottom frame 118 by pivot pins 164. The strap 160 is then wrapped around the back support 114 when the seat 110 is in its set-up condition. The buckle 162 is preferably located in a readily accessible position at the side of the seat 110. A person seated in the seat 110 may adjust the angular position and tension of the back support 114 of the seat 110 from a seated position by releasing the buckle 162 and pulling in on or letting out the free end of a strap 160 to change the angular position of the back support 114 relative to the seat bottom support 112.

(46) FIG. 22 illustrates loops 166 used to attach the strap 160 to the seat 110. As illustrated, at least two loops 166 are provided on the back of the back support 114 at spaced apart points of operable connection. The strap 160 is routed through the loops 166 and freely movable relative to the back support 114 at the points of operable connection between a back support retaining condition and a carrying condition. When the seat 110 is its set-up condition, the strap 160 becomes taut and acts to help support and position the back support 114, especially when a seated user leans back on the back support 114. When force is applied on the loops 166, which preferably are provided on the back of the back support 114, and more preferably at the top of the back support 114, as illustrated, the back support 114 is tensioned by the tautness of the strap 160. When the seat 110 is collapsed, the strap 160 relaxes and can be used as a carrying strap, such as like a shoulder strap.

(47) When the seat 110 is resting on a seating surface (e.g., bleacher bench 200) in its set-up condition, it may be automatically collapsed to its collapsed condition by grasping a central portion of the strap 160 at the rear of the back support 114 and applying a lifting force to the strap 160 to move it to its carrying condition. When the seat 110 is lifted by the strap 160, the weight of the seat 110 borne by the strap 160 causes the seat bottom support 112, where the ends of the strap 160 are connected, to be pulled toward the back support 114. Thus, as the seat 110 is brought to a shoulder carrying position, it is automatically collapsed into a compact bundle, which may be easily supported and transported on the shoulder via the strap 160. Moreover, the weight of the seat 110 acting upon the strap 160 maintains the seat 110 in this compact bundle as long as it remains in a carrying condition. The seat 110 may be rapidly deployed from such a carrying condition to its set-up condition by reversing the motions generally afore-described. That is, when the seat 110 is unslung from the user's shoulder and grounded, the seat 110 may be readily opened by releasing the strap 160 and grasping the upper portion of the back support 114 and moving the back support 114 to a preferred position relative to the seat bottom support 112 to define a seating accommodation for the user.

(48) The carrying strap 160 may also be used in a design of the stadium seat having armrests 26 without departing from the spirit and principles of the present invention.

(49) The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. The embodiments described were chosen to best illustrate the principles of the invention and practical applications thereof to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated.