Combined carrying case and folding seat

Claim 1

A combination carrying case and folding seat for disposition directly on the ground and comprising first and second shell-shaped members having undulating external wall portions and being pivotably connected at a hinge joint and a removable third member disposed between said first and second members, said first member being generally hollow in shape for holding items therein and including a generally planar surface forming a base for said seat, the wall portion of said first member having a peripheral free edge, the inner periphery of said free edge including a peripheral ledge extending therealong, said third member being mounted over said first member and supported thereon only by said ledge, said first member having a flange projecting beyond the wall thereof adjacent to said hinge and said second member having a flange projecting therefrom adjacent to said hinge, said third member closing the hollow interior of said first member and forming a seating surface of said seat, the wall portion of said second member including a peripheral free edge, said second member having an inner surface and being pivotable relative to said first member about said hinge from a closed position wherein the free edges of said first and second members contact each other to an open position wherein the inner surface of said second member extends at an angle of at least 90° to said seating surface to form a back rest for said seat, said flanges projecting approximately the same distance to form a base for storing the seat in a vertical orientation when the seat is in said closed position, the flange of the second member serving to abut a portion of the first member when said seat is in said open position to brace the second member in said open position.