The present invention relates to a seating device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a seating device operable for use in a modular bench and a modular bench comprising at least two of the seating devices.

Seating is commonly used at events to provide relief from standing without having to sit on the floor. At sporting events, and in particular amateur sporting events such as junior football matches, the provision of sufficient fixed seating, or indeed any fixed seating, may not be feasible, for example if the field has multiple uses.

In such circumstances portable seating must be provided. The seating may be in the form of individual chairs and/or benches.

It has been found that known portable seating can be difficult to carry and assemble, and can provide little flexibility. For example, benches can be large and cumbersome, making them difficult to carry and store. In addition, where protection from the elements is required, multiple benches may be required in order to fit differently sized shelters. Furthermore, such benches are generally suitable for use on the immediately local playing field as transporting the benches to other areas is not normally feasible. It is therefore an object of aspects of the present invention to address one or more of the above mentioned or other problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a seating device for use in a modular bench, the seating device comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and receiving means, wherein the linking member of the seating device is operable to link the seating device with a further seating device by detachable attachment of the linking member of the seating device to a receiving member of the further seating device, wherein the linking member permits the sitting surface of the seating device and the sitting surface of the further sitting device to be spaced apart by up to at least 5cm when linked, and wherein the receiving member of the seating device is operable to be detachably attached to a linking member of a yet further seating device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a seating device for use in a modular bench, the seating device comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and receiving means, wherein the linking member of the seating device is operable to link the seating device with a further seating device by detachable attachment of the linking member of the seating device to a receiving member of the further seating device, wherein the linking member is flexible, and the receiving member of the seating device is operable to be detachably attached to a linking member of a yet further seating device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular bench comprising at least two detachably attached seating devices, the seating devices each comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and receiving means, wherein the at least two seating devices are detachably attached in series such that the linking member of a first seating device is attached to the adjacent receiving member of a second seating device, and wherein the attached linking member permits the sitting surface of the adjacent seat to be spaced apart by up to at least 5cm.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular bench comprising at least two detachably attached seating devices, the seating devices each comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and receiving means, wherein the at least two seating devices are detachably attached in series such that the linking member of a first seating device is attached to the adjacent receiving member of a second seating device, and wherein the linking members are flexible. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular bench apparatus comprising at least two detachably attachable seating devices, each of the seating devices comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and a receiving member, wherein the seats are attachable in series such that the linking member of a first seating device is attached to the adjacent receiving member of a second seating device, and wherein when attached the linking member permits the sitting surfaces of the adjacent seat to be spaced apart by up to at least 5cm. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular bench apparatus comprising at least two detachably attachable seat seating devices, each of the seating device comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and a receiving member, wherein the seating devices are attachable in series such that the linking member of a first seating device is attached to the adjacent receiving member of a second seating device, and wherein the linking members are flexible.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising at least one seating device comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and receiving means, wherein the linking member of the seating device is operable to link the seating device with a further seating device by detachable attachment of the linking member of the seating device to a receiving member of the further seating device, wherein when attached the linking member permits the sitting surface of the seating device and the sitting surface of the further sitting device to be spaced apart by up to at least 5cm, and wherein the receiving member of the seating device is operable to be detachably attached to a linking member of a yet further seating device, and a carry case. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising at least one seating device comprising a sitting surface, a linking member and receiving means, wherein the linking member of the seating device is operable to link the seating device with a further seating device by detachable attachment of the linking member of the seating device to a receiving member of the further seating device, wherein the linking member is flexible, and wherein the receiving member of the seating device is operable to be detachably attached to a linking member of a yet further seating device, and a carry case.

All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination.

Typically, the seating devices are attachable in linear series.

Typically, the linking member is operable to space the sitting surface of the seating device by at least 10cm, more preferably at least 15cm, optionally at least 20cm from the sitting surface of the further seating device. The width of the sitting surface generally corresponds to the width of an average human's hips. Typically, the width of the sitting surface may be less than 60cm, more typically less than 50cm, yet more typically less than 40cm, most typically less than 30cm.

The length of the sitting surface may be any length suitable to provide the desired level of comfort. Typically, the length of the sitting surface may be less than 50cm, more typically less than 40cm, most typically less than 30cm.

Generally the width of a person's shoulders is greater than that of their hips. When designing a compact portable chair it is advantageous to minimise size and weight. As such generally the chair will have a width that corresponds to the width of average sized hips. This means that the additional width of the shoulders is not considered. Advantageously, a seating device according to the present invention allows for the formation of a bench with rigidity in combination with permitting space between sitting surfaces thus affording improved comfort. Furthermore, the bench may be transported in component parts thus improving portability. Further still, where shelter from the elements is required, the size of the bench may be altered depending on the size of the shelter.

The linking member may be flexible. A flexible linking member may allow the distance between the sitting surface of the seating device and the sitting surface of a linked further seating device to the varied without requiring the link to be broken. Typically, the flexible linking member comprises a bendable material, such as fabric or a plastic sheet.

Advantageously, a flexible linking member allows for the distance between the sitting surfaces and thus the size of the modular bench to be adjusted whilst still providing rigidity. This provides the further advantage of permitting fine tuning of the size of the bench by reducing the overall width of the bench without reducing the number of sitting surfaces or dismantling the bench. This may be beneficial when an extra person requires seating in a shelter wherein the bench already occupies the whole width of the shelter. In such circumstances the width of the bench may be reduced, without breaking up the bench, to allow the addition of a further seating device. The linking member may provide increased surface area in use. As such, the linking member may be in the form of a sheet. Typically the linking member is in the form of a substantially continuous sheet. Optionally, the linking member may be in the form of a webbed sheet.

It will be appreciated that the term "sitting surface" refers to the intended sitting surface of the seating device when not in a connected arrangement to one or more further seating devices, i.e. the primary sitting surface. Optionally, the linking member when attached may form a secondary sitting surface. Preferably, the secondary sitting surface provided by the linking member is not a continuation of the primary sitting surface of the seating device. For example, the sitting surfaces have vertically separated horizontal planes and/or there may be a dividing member, such as a ridge, arranged between the sitting surfaces. Optionally, the ridge and/or vertically separated planes may only be present in use, for example when a user is sat on the primary sitting surface the surface may curve downwards while a stationary portion of the seating device does not, revealing a ridge. Typically, the surface provided by the linking member when attached is not suitable as a sitting surface. If it is considered that the distance between the sitting surfaces of the seating device and the further seating device is determined by the width of the linking member, then the linking member may have a length that is at least 10% the length of the sitting surface of the seating device, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 40%, or 50%, yet more preferably at least 60%, most preferably at least 75% of the length of the sitting surface. The length of the linking member may be longer than the length of the sitting surface, however, typically the length of the linking member is between 20 to 100% of the length of the sitting surface, more preferably between 40 to 100%, most preferably between 60 to 100%. The width of the linking member is the width required to permit the sitting surface of the seating device and the sitting surface of the further sitting device to be spaced apart by at least 5cm. The sitting surface of the seating device may not form the periphery of the seating device, as such the width of the linking member may be at least 2cm, preferably at least 5cm, more preferably at least 10cm. The width of the linking member may be between 2 to 100cm, preferably, between 5 to 90cm, more preferably between 10 to 50cm, most preferably between 10 to 30cm The linking member in use may increase the surface area provided by the seating device by 5 to 200%, preferably 10 to 100%, more preferably by 20 to 100%, most preferably by 40 to 100%.

Advantageously, by providing a linking member in the form of a sheet, a modular bench is provided that further has increased surface area compared to the component seating devices considered independently. When the linking member is in a planar configuration, the sitting surface and the planar linking member may be on substantially the same substantially horizontal plane. Optionally, the planar linking member may be within 5 cm, preferably 2 cm of vertical separation from the same substantially horizontal plane as the sitting surface. The receiving means of the seating device may be any means operable to form a reversible attachment between a linking member and the receiving means. Preferably, the receiving means comprises one component of a two-component fastening system, such as the loops of a hook and loop system. In such an arrangement, the corresponding other component of the fastening system would be arranged on the linking member, preferably towards the distal end of the linking member from the attachment point to the respective seating device.

Preferably, the components of the fastener system are substantially not visible during normal use after attachment of the linking member to the receiving means. When the linking member comprises one component of a two-component fastener system, preferably the component are arranged on the underside face of the linking member.

The seating device may be a collapsible seating device. The seating device may be collapsible from a first open position to a second collapsed position wherein in the second collapsed position the seating device has a reduced width and/or length and/or height.

The seating device may comprise a frame. The frame may comprise a first support member and a second support member. Typically, the seating device may be collapsible by moving the first support member towards the second support member. Preferably the first and second support members are pivotally joined such that the first support member may be pivoted towards the second support member to collapse the seating device. Advantageously, a collapsible seating device further provides improved portability.

The support members may comprise support bars. The support bars of the support members may extend substantially horizontally and provide one or more attachment points for the sitting surface, the linking member and/or the receiving means to the seating device.

Preferably, when the seating device is in the second collapsed position the support bar of the first support member is arranged substantially above the support bar of the second support member.

Suitably, the support members may be in the general form of an inverted U- shape. In such a configuration the support bar may comprise a horizontal linker between the legs, preferably the uppermost substantially horizontal linker. It will be appreciated that U-shaped support members may comprise further linkers in order to improve the strength of the support. The further linkers may extend between the legs of the support and/or between the upper linker and the legs. Preferably, each support member is substantially rigid and/or comprises substantially no moving parts. Typically, the frame may be formed of a lightweight material. Suitably, the frame may be substantially hollow. Preferably, the frame is formed of a durable material able to withstand exposure to the elements. The frame may be formed of, for example, metal, such as aluminium, or plastic. The sitting surface may be at least partially delineated by a component of the seating device. Typically, the sitting surface is at least partially delineated such that when the seating device is linked to further seating device the sitting surface of the seating device can be seen. As such, preferably, the sitting surface is at least partially delineated along the side edges, i.e. the edges in proximity to the linking member and/or receiving means. The delineation may be provided by ridges extending above the sitting surface. The support bars of the support members may delineate the sitting surface by providing a ridge along at least part of the periphery of the sitting surface. Advantageously, delineation of the sitting surface even when linked allows ease of use of the modular bench by ensuring that users are appropriately spaced apart. Preferably, the linking member and the receiving means are arranged towards opposing edges of the seating device.

The sitting surface may comprise a flexible material, preferably a bendable material. Typically, when the seating device is in the first open position the sitting surface is substantially taut and planar. As such, suitably tension in the sitting surface is provided by spacing apart support members of the frame. Nevertheless, the sitting surface in the first open position may be reversibly extensible such as to bend from a substantially planar position to a rounded position when subject to a load. Advantageously, a flexible sitting surface provides improved compactness and portability. Furthermore, not requiring a solid non-deformable surface reduces weight.

Typically, the carry case comprises a member operable to be wrapped around the seating device(s) when the seating device is in the closed position. Suitably, the wrapping member may be operable to be wrapped around the portion of the support members to which the sitting surface and/or the linking member is attached. Preferably, the linking member is operable to wrap around a portion of the frame of the seating device, more preferably around the support member to which the sitting surface is attached.

The wrapping member of the carry case may wrap around the sitting surface and the linking member such that in use these components are not readily visible and/or are shielded from the elements. Preferably, the carry case does not wrap around the legs of the frame of the seating device(s).

Typically, the carry case may, in use, prevent the seating device(s) from moving from a closed position to an open position. Preferably, the seating device does not comprise an integral catch or the like operable to prevent the seating device moving from a closed position to an open position. For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a seating device according to a first embodiment of a seating device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the seating device of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the seating device of figure 1 being linked to a further seating device according to a first embodiment of a seating device according to the present invention. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a modular bench formed from the seating device of figure 1 linked to the further seating device of figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the modular bench of figure 4 extended by the attachment of two further seating devices.

Figure 6 shows a side view of modular bench formed of seating devices according to a second embodiment of a seating device according to the present invention. Figure 7 shows a side view of modular bench formed of seating devices according to a third embodiment of a seating device according to the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a side view of modular bench formed of seating devices according to a fourth embodiment of a seating device according to the present invention.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a carry case according to the seventh and eighth aspect of the present invention being wrapped around the seating devices of figure 5. Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a carry case according to the seventh and eighth aspect of the present invention being wrapped around the seating devices of figure 5. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a carry case according to the seventh aspect of the present invention in position around the seating devices of figure 5.

Figures 1 and 2 show a seating device 102 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Seating device 102 has frame 104, sitting surface 114, receiving means 1 16 and linking member 118. Frame 104 is formed of two metal inverted U-shaped support members: first support member 106 and second support member 108. Each support member 106 and 108 has an upper substantially linear and horizontally orientated support bar, and extending downwardly from each end of the support bars of each support member 106 and 108 are substantially linear legs. The corners where the support bar and legs meet are rounded. A first leg of support member 106 is pivotally joined to a first leg of support member 108 with pivot 110, located at about the half way point up the leg, such that the first leg of support member 106 is arranged outside of the first leg of support member 108. A second leg of support member 106 is pivotally joined to a second leg of support member 108 with a pivot (not shown), located at about the half way point up the leg, such that the second leg of support member 106 is arranged outside of the second leg of support member 108. The support members 106 and 108 are orientated such that the support members may pivot from a first closed position (not shown) wherein the upper support bar of support member 106 is arranged in proximity to and above the support bar of support member 108 to a second open position wherein the support bars are spaced apart (shown). Attached to the base of each leg of support members 106 and 108 are plastic caps 1 12.

Sitting surface 1 14 is formed of a flexible rectangular shaped piece of fabric. Sitting surface 1 14 is attached along the first shorter edge to the support bar of the first support member 106 and attached along the second shorter edge to the support bar of the second support member 108. When the support members 106 and 108 are in the open position the sitting surface 1 14 is generally taut and planar (shown). Conversely, when the support members 106 and 108 are in the closed position the sitting surface 114 is slack and folded (not shown). Receiving means 116 is formed of a rectangular strip which has attached thereon a plurality of hooks suitable for use in a hook and loop fastener system. The strip of the receiving means 1 16 is arranged longitudinally across the upper face of the support bar of support member 108.

Linking member 118 is formed of a flexible rectangular shaped piece of fabric. Linking member 1 18 is attached along the first long edge to the upper face of the support bar of support member 106. Linking member 118 further has attachment means 120. Attachment means 120 is in the form of a rectangular strip arranged parallel to but space slightly inwardly from the second long edge of the linking member 118. Attachment means 120 has attached thereon a plurality of loops.

Figures 3 and 4 show the attachment of linking member 1 18 to the receiving means 116a of seating device 102a to form modular bench 122. In use, seating device 102 is placed in the open position parallel and adjacent to seating device 102a, which is also in the open position. The attachment means 120 of linking member 1 18 are then placed in contact with receiving means 1 16a in direction X to link the seating devices to from modular bench 122. The space between the seating devices may then be varied by moving a seating device away or towards the other seating device in direction A or B whilst maintaining a link between the devices.

Figure 5 shows modular bench 122 extended longitudinally by the addition in series of seating device 102b and seating device 102c. The extended modular bench is formed by attaching linking member 1 18a to the receiving means 116b of seating device 102b, and then attaching linking member 1 18b of seating device 102b to the receiving means 1 16c of seating device 102c. In figure 5 all the seating devices 102, 102a, 102b and 102b have been spaced from the respective adjacent seating devices such that flexible linking members 118, 118a and 118b are taut and planar. The horizontal plane of linking members 118, 1 18a and 118b is slightly higher than the horizontal plane of sitting surfaces 114, 114a, 1 14b and 1 14c.

Figures 6 to 8 show modular benches 222, 322 and 422. These benches are generally the same as the modular bench of figure 5 except that the linking members and receiving means are attached to different areas of the respective support bars. In figure 6, the linking members are attached to the lower face of the respective support bar. For example, linking member 218 of seating device 202 is attached to the lower face of the support bar of support member 206. In use, the link formed between the seating device and the adjacent seating device 202a has an upward gradient upwards towards the receiving member of the adjacent seating device.

In figure 7, the linking members and receiving means are attached to the outward side face of the respective support bars. For example, linking member 318 of seating device 302 is attached to the outer side face of the support bar of support member 306 and receiving means 316a is attached to the outer side face of support bar 308a of seating device 302a. In use, the link formed between the seating device and the adjacent seating device is substantially horizontal and planar, with the linking members and the sitting surface being in generally the same horizontal plane. In figure 8, the linking members and receiving means are attached to the lower face of the respective support bars. For example, linking member 418 of seating device 402 is attached to the lower face of the support bar of support member 406 and receiving means 416a is attached to the lower face of support bar 408a of seating device 402a. In use, the link formed between the seating device and the adjacent seating device is substantially horizontal and planar, with the horizontal plane of the linking members being slightly lower than the horizontal plane of the sitting surfaces.

Figures 9 to 1 1 show the process of attaching case carry 124. Carry case 124 has wrapping member 126, interacting attachment means 128 and 130, and carry strap 132. Wrapping member 126 is formed of a rectangular piece of fabric having attached thereto interacting attachment means 128 and 130. Attachment means 128 is arranged on the lower face of wrapping member 126 and is in the form of a rectangular strip arranged parallel to but spaced slightly inwardly from the first short edge of wrapping member 126. Attachment means 128 has attached thereon a plurality of hooks suitable for use in a hook and loop fastening system. Attachment means 130 is arranged on the upper face of wrapping member 126 and is in the form of a rectangular strip arranged parallel to but space slightly inwardly from the second short edge of wrapping member 126. Attachment means 130 has attached thereon a plurality of loops suitable to interact with the hook of attachment means 128 such as to form a reversible attachment. Carry strap 132 is in the form of a ribbon and is attached at either end to the upper face of wrapping member 126. In use, seating devices 102, 102a, 102b and 102c are pivoted to the closed position and placed in aligned contact with each other. Wrapping member 126 of carry case 124 is passed under the support bars of the seating devices such that the lower face of the wrapping member is in contact with the seating devices. The second shorter edge of the wrapping member 126 is passed round a first side face of the support bars in direction Y and then then placed on the upper surfaces of the support bars to expose attachment means 130. The first short edge of the wrapping member 126 is passed round the opposing second side face of the support bars in direction Z until it meets with the second short edge at which time attachment means 128 may contact attachment means 130 and form a reversible attachment to produce a sealed loop around the support bars of seating devices 102, 102a, 102b and 102c.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s).

The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.