US4369987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Folding wheeled chair/luggage carrier
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-03-16
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Granted: 1983-01-25
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Expires: 2001-03-16
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a folding wheeled chair/luggage carrier of the kind having a pair of side frames which can be folded between an erected, spaced side-by-side position and a stowage position via releasable locking means, and thereafter collapsed fan-wise into a stowage bundle, each side frame comprising pivotally connected back and base support and bracing bars and one or more struts which are pivotally connected between the free ends of said back and base support and bracing bars. A pair of seat bars are pivotally connected at corresponding intermediate positions to respective back support bars of said side frames for pivoting between a stowage position substantially in alignment with said back support bars to a use position in which their free ends extend forwardly, a fabric seat panel being fixed between the seat bars. The free ends on the seat bars are supported in their use position by releasable catches mounted on locking sleeves constituting said locking means, which sleeves are attached to the bracing bars and are maintained, via stop means, in locking positions closely embracing the pivot connections of respective struts by the weight of the occupant, thereby ensuring the struts cannot collapse in use of the chair.
Inventors
- 👤 Nancy B. Witherell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:24
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47C; A47C13/00; B; B62; B62B; B62B7/00; B62B7/04; B62B7/06; B62B7/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
335 words
A folding wheeled chair/luggage carrier having a frame structure comprising a pair of generally triangular side frames, each carrying two support wheels and each comprising pivotally connected, elongated base and back support members, an elongated strut which is pivotally connected at its ends adjacent to the free ends of said support members, each said strut being in the form of a pair of pivotally connected upper and lower strut members which can be maintained in an extended, aligned condition and releasable locking means for maintaining a desired angular relationship between said base and back support members, and lateral bracing means connecting said side frames whereby the latter are movable between an extended, use position in which they maintain the side frames in spaced parallel relationship with the four wheels at substantially the four lower corners of the frame structure, and a retracted, stowage position, wherein the improvement comprises (a) a pair of elongated strut bracing members each pivotally connected to the releasable locking means and to adjacent the pivotal connection of the base and back support members, (b) a pair of elongated seat frame members each pivotally connected to the frame structure, for pivotal movement between a stowage position and a use position, (c) seat and back support panels of foldable material extending between and fixed respectively to said seat frame members and said back support members, (d) releasable catch means for selectively retaining said seat frame members in their use position, and (e) said releasable locking means comprising a pair of sleeves slidably mounted one on each said upper strut member and stop means rigidly mounted on each said lower strut member beneath the pivotal connection whereby, in the use position of said seat members, said sleeves are held down by the occupant against their respective stop means so as to closely embrace the pivot connections between their respective strut members and positively retain said strut members in their extended, aligned condition, said bracing members being pivotally mounted to respective ones of said sleeves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
335 words
A folding wheeled chair/luggage carrier having a frame structure comprising a pair of generally triangular side frames, each carrying two support wheels and each comprising pivotally connected, elongated base and back support members, an elongated strut which is pivotally connected at its ends adjacent to the free ends of said support members, each said strut being in the form of a pair of pivotally connected upper and lower strut members which can be maintained in an extended, aligned condition and releasable locking means for maintaining a desired angular relationship between said base and back support members, and lateral bracing means connecting said side frames whereby the latter are movable between an extended, use position in which they maintain the side frames in spaced parallel relationship with the four wheels at substantially the four lower corners of the frame structure, and a retracted, stowage position, wherein the improvement comprises (a) a pair of elongated strut bracing members each pivotally connected to the releasable locking means and to adjacent the pivotal connection of the base and back support members, (b) a pair of elongated seat frame members each pivotally connected to the frame structure, for pivotal movement between a stowage position and a use position, (c) seat and back support panels of foldable material extending between and fixed respectively to said seat frame members and said back support members, (d) releasable catch means for selectively retaining said seat frame members in their use position, and (e) said releasable locking means comprising a pair of sleeves slidably mounted one on each said upper strut member and stop means rigidly mounted on each said lower strut member beneath the pivotal connection whereby, in the use position of said seat members, said sleeves are held down by the occupant against their respective stop means so as to closely embrace the pivot connections between their respective strut members and positively retain said strut members in their extended, aligned condition, said bracing members being pivotally mounted to respective ones of said sleeves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A folding wheeled chair/luggage carrier according to claim 1 wherein; (f) said seat frame members are pivotally connected at corresponding intermediate positions of respective back support members of said side frames for pivoting between a stowage position substantially in alignment with said back support members, to a use position, in which their free ends extend forwardly with respect to their said back support members, and (g) said releasable catch means are carried by said releasable locking means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A folding wheeled chair/luggage carrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein (h) said releasable catch means comprising a lug on each locking sleeve with a generally U-shaped seating for receiving the shank of a laterally extending locking knob provided at the free end of the respective seat frame member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A folding wheeled chair/luggage carrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein a luggage support panel of foldable material extends between said base support members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-24 | 1986-07-26 | 1987-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-24 | 1990-07-26 | 1991-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-24 | 1994-07-26 | 1995-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |