Lounger

The present invention relates to a lounger and particularly, but not exclusively to a portable lounger.

Loungers typically comprise a back support and a foot rest hingedly coupled to a seat section to permit the lounger to be configured between a first position in which a user can lie in a supine or prone position, and a second position in which a user can take a more upright seated position.

However, such loungers are typically quite large and comprise a bulky frame. As a result, loungers are often too cumbersome to be carried, for example onto a beach and do not typically fold to a size which enables them to be easily transported or stored.

I have now devised a lounger which alleviates these problems.

In accordance with the present invention as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a lounger, the lounger comprising a base section and a support frame pivotally mounted to the base section by pivoting means, the base section and support frame being configurable between a first position in which the support frame is housed within the base section and a second position in which the support frame is supported by support means in one a plurality of pivoted positions with respect to the base section.

Preferably, the support frame comprises two elongate side members braced together by at least one bracing member. Preferably the base section comprises a tray like member having a substantially planar base portion and upstanding walls arranged along the periphery thereof.

The pivoting means preferably comprises at least one pivot pin which extends between aligned apertures formed within the side members of the support frame and upstanding walls of the base section.

The support frame preferably further comprises a detachable headrest which connects with the distal end of each side member via connecting means. Preferably, the connecting means comprises an aperture formed at the distal end of each side member for receiving a frame of the detachable headrest.

The base portion of the base section preferably further comprises at least one retaining bracket for retaining the detachable headrest when detached from the first frame.

The support means preferably comprises a support arm pivotally mounted between the side members of the support frame at a point intermediate opposite ends of the support frame. Preferably, the support arm cooperates with a pair of serrated rails formed on the base portion.

Preferably, the angular separation of the support frame and base section in the first position is substantially 0 degrees.

Preferably, the angular separation of the support frame and base section in the second position is less than substantially 90 degrees.

The support frame preferably comprises a first cover secured to the upper surface of the support frame and extends between the side members. The first cover enables a user to lie back against the support frame in taking up a recumbent or seated position.

The lounger may preferably comprise a second cover pivotally mounted to the lounger via a mounting rod, such that the second cover can pivot between a first

position in which it abuts the underside of the base portion and a second position in which it extends in front of the base section in substantially the same plane as the base portion.

In use the lounger is placed on the floor and the second cover is pivoted from underneath the base section to a position in front of the base section. The user then preferably sits on the second cover and leans back against the first cover.

Preferably, the first and second cover comprises a netting.

Preferably, the first and second covers are padded covers. Alternatively, the first cover preferably comprises a netting and the second cover comprises a padded cover.

Preferably, the first and second covers are formed as a single cover.

Preferably the lounger comprises a carrying strap to enable the lounger to be carried. With the lounger arranged in the first position, namely a folded position, the padded cover extends across the upper surface of the support frame and the lower surface of the base section to cushion the lounger against the user when being carried.

In accordance with this invention as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a portable seating arrangement, the arrangement comprising a lounger according to a first aspect and a carrying bag, wherein the lounger comprises a padded material arranged on its outer surface to cushion the lounger against the user when being carried in the bag.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a is a perspective view, from the front, of the lounger according to the first aspect, with the headrest secured to the base portion;

Figure 1 b is a perspective view, from the front, of the lounger according to the first aspect, with the headrest secured to the support frame;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, from the rear, of the lounger according to the first aspect;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the lounger comprising a padded cover; and,

Figure 4 is a side view of the pivoting means;

Figure 5 is an illustration of the portable seating arrangement according to the second aspect of the present invention; and,

Figure 6 is schematic illustration of the lounger of the present invention in use.

Referring to the drawings and initially figures 1 to 4, there is shown a lounger 100 according to the present invention. The lounger 100 comprises a support frame

110 and a base section 120 coupled together via pivot pins 130 which enable the support frame 110 to pivot with respect to the base section 120 between a position in which the support frame 110 is completely housed within the base section 120 and a position in which the support frame 110 resides at some angle to the base section 120.

The support frame 110 comprise two side members 140 which are braced together by lower and upper bracing arms 150, 160 respectively, which extend across the width of the lounger 100 between the side members. A netting 170 is secured between the side members 140 by fastening means (not shown) so that a user 180 can lie back against the netting 170. Accordingly, the bracing arm 150

is made arcuate while the upper arm 160 is recessed, so that the netting 170 can take the shape of the users' back, without coming into contact with the bracing arms 150, 160, which would otherwise cause discomfort to the user 180. The upper arm 160 is also arranged to pivot with respect to the side members 140 so that it can pivot substantially into the plane of the support frame 110 to enable the support frame 110 pivot into the base section 120.

The base section 120 comprises a tray like section comprising a substantially planar base portion 190 having upstanding side walls 200a, 200b, 200c arranged along the periphery thereof. The upstanding side walls 200a and 200c extending along opposite long edges of the base section 120 comprise a pair of apertures 210, 220 which are aligned in a direction substantially across the width of the base section 120. The first pair of aligned apertures 210 hold the pivot pins 130, which extend through apertures (not shown) formed at the lower end of the side members 140 of the support frame 110, to enable the support frame 110 to pivot with respect to the base section 120. The second pair of aligned apertures 220 hold a mounting rod 230 which extends across the full width of the base section 120.

The lounger 100 further comprises a padded cover 240 which may be secured to the side members 140 of the support frame 110 and covers the upper surface thereof. The padded cover 180 is looped around the mounting rod 230 and extends over the underside of the base section 120. In this manner, when the support frame 110 is completely housed within the base section 120, i.e. in the folded position, the padded cover 180 covers the lounger.

The base section 120 further comprises a pair of serrated rails 250, one arranged on each side of the base portion 180, and are arranged to cooperate with a support arm 260. The support arm 260 comprises a substantially U-shape and is pivotally mounted to the support frame 110 at a position intermediate opposite ends thereof, via a pair of eyelets 270. One eyelet 270 of the pair is arranged on

each side member 140. The support arm 260 extends between the eyelets 270 and can pivot toward the serrated rails 250 to locate with aligned pairs of serrations 280 formed within the rails 250 to support the support frame 110 at a particular inclination to the base section 120.

The positioning of the support arm 260 on the support frame 110, the length of the support arm 260, the positioning of the serrated rails 250 on the base portion 190 and the length of the rails, all determine the angular range of inclination that the support frame 110 can take with respect to the base portion 190. However, an angular range between the support frame 110 and base section 120 of between substantially 0° and 70° is found to provide the most suitable lounging position.

The lounger 100 further comprises a detachable headrest 290 which, when not in use, is retained on the upper surface of the base portion 190 via a pair of retaining brackets 300. The headrest 290 comprises a cushioned section 310 for supporting the head, mounted upon a frame 320. The headrest 290 is secured to the support frame 100 by locating the distal ends of the headrest frame 320 within apertures (not shown) formed at the distal end of the side members 140.

In use, the user 180 places the lounger 100 on the ground and the part of the cover 240b extending along the underside of the base section 120 is pivoted about the mounting rod 230 so that it extends in front of the lounger 100. The support frame 110 is then lifted from the base portion 190 to the desired angle of inclination and the support arm 260 is pivoted into the appropriate pair of serrations 280 formed on the serrated rails 250 to lock the support frame 110 with respect to the base section 120. The user 180 may then remove the headrest 290 from the base portion 190 and insert the headrest frame 320 into the apertures (not shown) formed at the distal end of the side members 140 to secure the headrest 290 thereto. A user 180 can then sit on the padded section

240b in front of the lounger 100 and lean back onto the support frame 110 and rest their head on the headrest 290.

After use, the user removes the headrest 290 from the support frame 110 and secures the headrest 290 to the base potion 180 using the retaining brackets 300. The support arm 260 is then removed from the serrated rails and pivoted into the plane of the support frame 110. The support frame 110 is then pivoted into the base section 120 to produce a substantially flat folded arrangement of the lounger 100 for ease of storage and/or transportation.

It is also envisaged that a carrying strap (not shown) may be secured to the lounger 100 to enable the lounger 100 to be carried. The padded cover 240 extending over the lounger 100 ensures that when the lounger 100 is carried, it is cushioned from the user 180 to improve user comfort. Alternatively, it is also envisaged that the lounger 100 of the present invention could also be carried in a bag 330.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the lounger of the present invention provides a simple yet effective lounging support which can be easily stored and transported.