FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to folding chairs, and more particularly to a folding chair with articulated armrests, where, upon a folding of the armrests, the chair folds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Folding chairs using a scissor linkage are well known in the art, as shown inFIG. 1. These chairs are simple, and the folding scissor linkages (below the seat) give the chair greater stability as it is loaded with the weight of the user. Folding chairs with scissor linkage typically do not have rigid armrests and instead utilize an armrest of fabric. A fabric armrest is not desirable as it does not provide the stability or comfort as a rigid armrest.

In order to provide rigid armrests, another design known in the art is shown inFIG. 2. This design does provide rigid armrests, but only folds in one dimension into a flat, but still wide width, storage shape. The prior art folding chair ofFIG. 2is not as compact as is desired for true portability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a folding chair that includes an articulated armrest that mechanically folds the armrest when the chair is folded (i.e., collapsed). The armrest can have a spring-loaded, releasable coupling (or latch), where the chair will not fold inadvertently, while lifting the chair by the armrests, without release of the coupling. In addition, the folding armrests are linked to the movement of the seat structure, during a folding, or collapsing, of the chair. This releasable coupling ensures that all aspects of the chair fold (collapse) in unison.

In one aspect of the present invention, a folding chair includes four leg posts, at least one armrest, each armrest having a rigid front arm section communicating with a front post, and a rigid rear arm section communicating with a rear post, where the folding chair is configured, when the front arm section is folded relative to the rear arm section, to fold the chair.

In this aspect, the chair can further include a series of scissor linkages configured to maintain the posts parallel relative to one another during folding and unfolding of the chair. The chair could also include two seat links, each seat link being pivotally attached, at a top thereof, to one of the front or the rear arm sections, and pivotally attached, at a bottom thereof, to a side support of a seat bottom, where the seat links are configured, when the armrests are folded, to lift the side supports of the seat bottom.

The side supports of the seat bottom can be rigid, and not fold during folding of the chair. In this aspect, the chair folds in two dimensions, collapsing in each of a width and a depth dimension. During chair folding, the seat bottom moves toward a seat back.

Also, in this aspect, the chair can include a releasable coupling between the front and the rear arm sections, where, when the coupling is released, to fold the front arm section relative to the rear arm section, and to thereby fold the chair.

In another aspect of the present invention, a folding chair includes four leg posts, two rigid armrests, each armrest having a front arm section communicating with a front post, a rear arm section communicating with a rear post, and a releasable coupling between the front and the rear arm sections, where the folding chair is configured, when the coupling is released, to allow the chair to fold. Here, when the coupling is released, each rigid armrest can fold relative to the other.

In this aspect, the chair can also include two seat links, each seat link being pivotally attached, at a top thereof, to one of the front or the rear arm sections, and pivotally attached, at a bottom thereof, to a side support of a seat bottom, where the seat links are configured, when the armrests are folded, to lift the side supports of the seat bottom. The side supports of the seat bottom can be rigid and not fold during folding of the chair. In this aspect, the chair folds in two dimensions, collapsing in each of a width and a depth dimension. During chair folding, the seat bottom moves toward a seat back. The chair could also include a series of scissor linkages configured to maintain the posts parallel relative to one another during folding and unfolding of the chair.

In a further aspect, a folding chair includes four leg posts, two articulated armrests, each armrest having a rigid front arm section communicating with a front post, and a rigid rear arm section communicating with a rear post, and two seat links, each seat link being pivotally attached, at a top thereof, to one of the front or the rear arm sections, and pivotally attached, at a bottom thereof, to a side support of a seat bottom, where the chair folds when the armrests are articulated.

In this aspect, the seat links can lift the side supports of the seat bottom when the armrests are articulated. The side supports of the seat bottom can be rigid and not fold during folding of the chair. Also, in this aspect, the chair folds in two dimensions, collapsing in each of a width and a depth dimension. During chair folding, the seat bottom moves toward a seat back. The chair can further include a series of scissor linkages configured to maintain the posts parallel relative to one another during folding and unfolding of the chair.

