Multiple use device

Abstract

Multifunctional device can be used, inter alia, as a stool, table, bench, or toilet, and can be carried on one's back. There are also many accessories that, in embodiments, are added to the basic structure, such as a back rest, a shooting stick with adjustable height, an umbrella, a hunting blind attachment, a privacy skirt, and toilet paper holders. The basic structure contains, in embodiments, shaped functionality for propping elongate items, e.g., a rifle or fishing pole.

Claims

1. A multiple use device, comprising: a bench seat and a bench back having a similar length, width and substantially rectangular periphery; the bench back hinged to the bench seat along the length; foldable legs for supporting the bench seat above the ground; means for securing the bench back flat against the seat; means for raising and maintaining the bench back to at least one non-zero angle about the hinge relative to the bench seat; snap fittings arrayed about the periphery to engage mating fittings on accessories; at least one accessory pole support port through the bench seat and bench back which lines up when the bench back is flat against the bench seat; at least one accessory pole; a cushion frame and a cushion attachable to at least one accessory pole; means for stabilizing the orientation of the at least one accessory pole below the at least one accessory pole support port; a toilet seat hole through the bench seat; a hinged toilet lid on top of the bench seat normally covering the toilet seat hole; the toilet lid having at least one lid cut-out hole coincident with the toilet seat hole; and the bench back having at least one bench back cut-out hole coincident with the lid cut-out hole.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a skirt comprising mating snap fittings to engage said snap fittings on said periphery.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: an umbrella attachment; and a blind attachment shaped for engaging the umbrella attachment.

4. A multiple use device, comprising: a bench seat and a bench back having a similar length, width and substantially rectangular periphery; the bench back hinged to the bench seat along the length; foldable legs for supporting the bench seat above the ground; means for securing the bench back flat against the seat; means for raising and maintaining the bench back to at least one non-zero angle about the hinge relative to the bench seat; at least one accessory support pole; at least one pair of accessory pole support ports through said bench seat and said bench back which line up when said bench back is flat against said bench seat; and means for stabilizing the orientation of at least one accessory pole below at least one accessory pole support ports.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising: a cushion frame and a cushion attachable to said at least one accessory pole.

6. The device of claim 4, further comprising: a toilet seat hole through said bench seat; a hinged toilet lid on top of said bench seat normally covering the toilet seat hole; the toilet lid having at least one lid cut-out hole coincident with the toilet seat hole; and said bench back having at least one bench back cut-out hole coincident with the lid cut-out hole.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 1. Top perspective of present invention in folded configuration.

(2) 2. FIG. 1 with the legs unfolded.

(3) 3. FIG. 2 with the bench-back in the raised position.

(4) 4. FIG. 3 with the toilet seat open.

(5) 5. View of a person with the folded bench portable strapped to his back. Accessories can be seen strapped to the back of the folded bench using Velcro straps, rope, or the like.

(6) 6. View of a person using the gun rest.

(7) 7. Perspective view of the bench with the legs unfolded showing the accessory back rest, drink holder, and umbrella.

(8) 8. Rear detail of FIG. 7 highlighting the umbrella mounting as well as how the back rest support pole nests between the leg struts giving it stability.

(9) 9. Front view of bench with the legs down and the bench-back up.

(10) 10. rear view of FIG. 9.

(11) 11. Side view of folded bench.

(12) 12. Side view of FIG. 9.

(13) 13. Top view of FIG. 9.

(14) 14. Bottom view of FIG. 9.

(15) 15. Bottom perspective view of the bench with the legs down and the bench-back up.

(16) 16. Detail of leg lock components.

(17) 17. Top view of bench in folded configuration.

(18) 18. Front view of FIG. 17.

(19) 19. Bottom view of FIG. 17.

(20) 20. Bottom perspective view of FIG. 17.

(21) 21. View showing the accessory support pole and the gun rest support apart.

(22) 22. View showing the support pole and the gun rest assembled.

(23) 23. View showing the back rest support pole and back rest cushion apart.

(24) 24. View showing the back rest support pole and back rest cushion assembled.

(25) 25. Perspective view showing the accessory hunting blind draped over the bench and umbrella.

(26) 26. Perspective view showing the accessory skirt ready to be assembled to the bench.

(27) 27. Perspective view showing skirt assembled to bench.

(28) 28. Perspective view showing a rifle and a fishing pole resting in the rests cut into the bench.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(29) Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements among the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of the first embodiment 10 of the present invention, folded configuration. Features visible in this view are bench seat 40, bench back 50, fabric or flexible plastic bench back support folds 110 when bench is in the back down configuration, auxiliary gear bags 120 and straps 130 for fastening same to legs (not visible in this view), and carrying handle 140. Straps with snaps 150 ensure that bench-back remains secured to bench seat when in back down configuration. Shoulder straps 160 to be used for carrying like a backpack are shown here. Also visible are cup holder ports 190 (in bench back only), accessory male snap fittings 200 for skirt, blind, etc. (see below), accessory pole support ports 180 in bench seat and bench back (which can be used for lamp hangers, tiki or insect repellent torches) and gun and fishing rod rests 290, which are cut into both the bench seat and the bench back.

(30) FIG. 2. shows the features of FIG. 1 with legs 70 unfolded for use as a second embodiment 20.

(31) Legs 70 are deployed using leg brace 80 and leg strut 90 restrained by leg lock ring 100. An accessory bucket 170 and gear bags 120 are also visible, fastened to legs 70 with, e.g., Velcro straps 130.

(32) FIG. 3. shows FIG. 2 with the bench-back 50 in the raised position in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. Hinged toilet lid 230 is visible, which normally fully covers the toilet opening (see FIG. 4). However, lid 230 is equipped with a trash or game cut-out 260 separate from the toilet which can be used for disposing trash or putting away game while seated anywhere on the bench 40. Seat back cut-out 280 aligns vertically with cut-out 260 to allow trash or game to be handled with the seat back down. Bench-back hinges 240 are also visible in this view. Support struts 210 and 215 are shown here holding rolls of toilet paper 250 but they may be used to support gun or fishing rod racks. Additional male snap fittings 270 are also visible, placed for use in securing accessories as described below.

(33) FIG. 4. shows FIG. 3 with hinged toilet seat lid 230 raised making toilet cut-out 220 available. Toilet lid hinge 300 is shown as well.

(34) FIG. 5. is a view of a person 310 with the portable folded bench first embodiment 10 strapped to his back. Accessories such as, by example and not limitation, support pole 350, gun rest 360, back rest cushion 320, and umbrella 410 can be seen strapped to the back of the folded bench using Velcro or other straps, rope, or cords 500.

(35) FIG. 6. is a view of a person 310 using a specially-arranged version of the second embodiment 20 after having mounted the gun rest 360 in it. It is inserted into support pole 350 and secured to the desired height by height adjustment means 370. Person 310, using rifle 340, may lean back against back rest cushion 320, which is in turn supported by back rest support pole 330.

(36) FIG. 7. is a perspective view of the special arrangement of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6. Back rest frame 380 is visible from this angle, showing the accessory back rest cushion 320 secured to the frame 380 by straps 390. Frame 380 is supported in turn by support pole 330 passing through support port 180. A drink holder 190 (with cup 420) and an umbrella 410 are in use. Umbrella 410 is secured by accessory support loop 400. Note that rifle 340 is placed on struts 210.

(37) FIG. 8. is a rear detail of the special arrangement of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7 highlighting the umbrella mounting as well as how the back rest support pole 330 nests between the leg struts 190 giving it stability.

(38) FIG. 9 is a front view of bench with the legs down and the bench-back up (third embodiment 30).

(39) FIG. 10 is a rear view of third embodiment 30.

(40) FIG. 11 is a side view of folded bench (first embodiment 10).

(41) FIG. 12 is a side view of third embodiment 30.

(42) FIG. 13 is a top view of third embodiment 30.

(43) FIG. 14 is a bottom view of third embodiment 30 showing seat frame 60.

(44) FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of the third embodiment 30. Leg securing straps 430 are visible in this view.

(45) FIG. 16 is a detail of leg lock components. Frame mounting screw 440 is visible here.

(46) FIG. 17 is a top view of bench in folded configuration (first embodiment 10).

(47) FIG. 18 is a front view of first embodiment 10.

(48) FIG. 19 is a bottom view of first embodiment 10.

(49) FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of first embodiment 10.

(50) FIG. 21 is a view showing the accessory support pole 350 and the gun rest support 360 apart.

(51) FIG. 22 is a view showing the support pole 350 and the gun rest 360 assembled.

(52) FIG. 23 is a view showing the back rest frame 380 and back rest cushion 320 apart.

(53) FIG. 24 is a view showing the back rest frame 380 and back rest cushion 320 assembled.

(54) FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the accessory hunting blind 450 of the present invention draped over the special arrangement of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

(55) FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the accessory skirt 460 ready to be assembled to the bench. The accessory skirt drapes over the bench and snaps to male snap fittings on bench seat (not shown) using female snap fittings 470 attached to skirt.

(56) FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing skirt 460 assembled to second embodiment 20.

(57) FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a rifle 340 and a fishing pole 490 resting in the rests 290 cut into the bench.

(58) It is clear from the above description and figures that there can be many uses in addition to those mentioned, such as for hobby work (e.g., providing a measuring and/or cutting surface, seating for gardening) and leisure (sunbathing, napping, outdoor eating) or whatever else the various possible arrangements bring to mind.