Portable, compact folding furniture pieces

摘要

A portable, compact folding furniture piece (10) constructed as a seat or table is configured for convenient storage. The folding furniture piece comprises an object support assembly (24) that is configured for operative connection to a mounting structure (12) and includes a spring mechanism (40, 42) securing together as a flexible unit a support mount (36), an articulated vertebral column (26), and a support base (38). The spring mechanism exhibits flexibility properties such that the object support assembly assumes at rest an unfolded state and, in response to an externally applied bending force, assumes a folded state. In the unfolded state, the vertebral column is substantially straight to provide a closed support surface (44). In the folded state, the vertebral column is curved to provide a raised, open support surface on which an object can rest. Depending on the embodiment of the furniture piece, the object can be a person or thing.

主权项

1. A portable, compact folding furniture piece configured for convenient storage, comprising:
an object support assembly including an articulated vertebral column positioned between a support mount and a seat base and including a spring mechanism the seat base comprising a sitting surface; the articulated vertebral column comprising multiple vertebral members arranged in lengthwise parallel alignment with one another and operatively connected to one another by multiple connecting members and the spring mechanism; the spring mechanism comprising multiple spaced-apart spring mechanism components that cooperate with the operatively connected vertebral members to form a flexible unit including the support mount, the vertebral column, and the seat base; the support mount being mounted on an upstanding mounting structure such that the support mount is positioned below the seat base in a normal position of use; the seat base having opposite ends between which is located the sitting surface, one end of the seat base connected to the vertebral column, and the other end of the seat base constituting a free end of the sitting surface; and the multiple spring mechanism components exhibiting flexibility properties such that when the support mount is mounted on the upstanding mounting structure, the object support assembly assumes at rest an unfolded state in which the vertebral column is substantially straight to provide a closed sitting surface and, in response to an externally applied bending force, assumes a folded state in which the vertebral column is curved to provide a raised, open sitting surface on which an object can rest.