TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a chair canopy.

BACKGROUND

Canopies have been provided for chairs for many years. Canopies are particularly useful for outdoor seating, such as camp chairs, to protect a user from the elements, such as sun, wind or rain.

Modern examples exist, such as one having a resilient flexible continuous curved pole supporting a fabric canopy, similar in operation to collapsible sunshades for automobiles that fold down to a thin disc. For storage, the flexible pole is twisted to fold down the canopy to a disc to fit into a bag. In use, the canopy is opened out by allowing flexible pole to resiliently unfold to expand and tension the fabric of the canopy. The canopy includes a rear sleeve that slides down over the back of a common type of collapsible camp chair and the overhead portion of the canopy then attaches to sleeve uprights in the form of short upright poles. Side edges of the canopy are attached to respective arms of the chair by adjustable straps. This type of canopy has at least one disadvantage in that it must be removed from the chair in order to fold down the canopy for storage due to the way that the resilient continuous peripheral pole frame has to be collapsed by twisting.

With the aforementioned in mind, it has been found desirable to provide a chair canopy that is collapsible for storage whilst mounted to a collapsible chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides in one aspect a chair canopy for a collapsible chair, the chair incorporating a collapsible frame supporting a seat and back support for a user, the chair frame being collapsible for storage or opened out for use and including horizontally spaced rear uprights that close towards each other when the chair is collapsed and separated when the chair is opened out for use, the canopy including a canopy fabric on a canopy support frame, the canopy support frame, in use, collapsing with collapsing of the chair frame or storage and opening out with opening out of the chair frame for use.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a chair canopy for attachment to a collapsible chair, the chair having a collapsible tubular frame with horizontally spaced rear uprights, the canopy including a support frame supporting a canopy fabric and a mounting means to attach a respective elongate member of the support frame to respective each said rear upright of the chair frame, wherein the elongate members of the canopy close towards each other with the rear uprights of the chair for storage of the canopy mounted in situ on the collapsible chair.

Thus, advantageously, the canopy can remain on the collapsible chair yet be closed for storage or opened out for use without needing to remove the canopy from the chair.

The canopy may include corresponding canopy support frame uprights each inline with a respective rear upright of the chair frame, and canopy fabric overhead section support members, the canopy support frame uprights closing towards each other with closing together of the rear uprights of the chair, and the overhead section support members folding or retracting to collapse a roof section of the canopy as the chair is collapsed.

The canopy mounting means may be permanently attached, semi permanently attachable (such as by bolts or other fastening means that are not intended to be readily undone or removed), or may be removably attachable for ready attachment or detachment from the chair (such as where storage space is limited or the chair is required for use without a canopy).

The mounting means may be in the form of a bracket attachable to a respective rear upright of the collapsible chair. Each bracket may retain a respective said elongate member of the canopy frame, which may be retained for slideable extending movement with respect to the upright, whereby the canopy frame may be height extended to support canopy fabric at a chosen height above a seat of the chair. This can be particularly useful for storage purposes because the canopy elongate members may be slideably retracted to a length similar to that of the respective chair rear uprights, the canopy collapses for storage within a similar profile of the collapsed chair. Also, by having the elongate members of the canopy retractable, there is an option to use the chair with or without the canopy extended overhead. This option provides a significant advantage where others may be seated behind a chair fitted with a canopy otherwise obscuring a view but allowing the user to raise the canopy overhead for protection in the event of inclement weather (wind and/or rain/snow/hail) or strong sunshine.

The canopy may include the canopy fabric having a rear relatively upright section for deploy above a backrest fabric of the chair, and an overhead section. The overhead section may have one or more side shades arranged to depend therefrom. One or more of the side shades may be retractable (such as by rolling up) when side protection for a user is not required on one or both sides.

The overhead section may be supported by one or more forward extension members of the canopy frame, such as a forward extension member at each lateral side of the canopy extending forward from the rear towards the front. Each forward extension member may be connected to a respective rear upright elongate member of the canopy frame. One or more of the forward extension members may be permanently, semi-permanently, or removably attached to the respective elongate rear member, and may be pivotably connected thereto. Such arrangement allows the canopy frame to collapse smaller for storage taking less space - which increases practicality particularly when transporting the chair and canopy in a small vehicle.

One or more of the forward extension members may include a cross brace member, which, in use, provides additional lateral bracing to help rigidity the canopy frame and/or tension the canopy fabric.

The side shade(s) may include a window, either of transparent material or an aperture. One or more window covers may be provided, such as a fold or roll down, or separately attachable, opaque fabric.

The canopy fabric may be formed of or include a waterproof, water resistant and/or UV resistant material.

The overhead and/or rear section may include a window with or without a window cover of similar arrangement as optionally provided for the side shade(s).

The canopy may include one or more tethers for attachment between the canopy frame and the chair frame, each preferably connected between a respective forward extension member of the canopy frame and a connection to an arm support or seat support portion of the chair frame. The one or more tethers may be permanently or removably attached to the canopy and/or chair, and may be length adjustable and may be or may include a flexible member, such as as chord, rope, string or webbing. The tether(s) act to tension and stabilise the canopy and/or secure the overhead portion of the canopy, such as for use in strong winds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1 a to 1 f show respective side, front, rear, plan, rear perspective and front perspective views of a collapsible canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention fitted to a collapsible camp chair.

Figure 2 shows the canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in figures 1 a to 1 f in close up perspective and attached to a collapsible camp chair.

Figures 3a to 3f show features of a bracket for mounting the canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention to a chair.

Figures 4a to 4d show features of support frame of a canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5a shows features of the canopy support frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 5b to 5d show detail of features marked B, C and D in figure 5a. In particular:

B in figure 5b shows the laterally spaced forward extension arm support and pivot means;

C in figure 5c shows a front brace central connector; and

D in figure 5d shows a height adjuster mounting bracket.

Figures 6a and 6b show respective perspective views of a chair with a canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 7a to 7f show respective side, front, rear, top, front perspective and rear perspective views of a chair with a canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 8a to 8d show respective rear, side, front and top views of a canopy frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 shows the canopy frame of figures 8a to 8d in perspective.

Figures 10a to 10d show various stages of a canopy according to an embodiment of the present invention mounted to a collapsible chair, the combination being collapsed from a fully erected state to a fully collapsed state for storage or transport.

Description of Preferred embodiments

One or more preferred forms of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying figures. However, the specificity of the following description should not be taken as limiting the generality of the present invention.

Figures 1 a to 1 f show various views of an embodiment of the present invention. A collapsible camp chair 10 is fitted with a collapsible canopy 12 embodying the present invention. The chair 10 is of a common type of readily portable camp chair often used for temporary seating at picnics, sports events, at the beach etc. The chair 10 has a tubular frame with spaced rear uprights 14a,14b forming the two rear legs and supporting the fabric backrest 16 stretched therebetween. The canopy has a support frame including rear elongate members 18a,18b mounted to the seat rear uprights by respective brackets 20a,20b. In this embodiment, the brackets are attached to the rear uprights by fasteners, particularly bolts or screws; however, the elongate members 18a,18b can be permanently attached, such as forming part of the rear uprights i.e. integral with or continuing as an extension of the rear uprights) or otherwise attached, such as by rivets, welding, shear bolts, one way screws etc. In this embodiment, the brackets 20a,20b allow the elongate members 18a, 18b to extend upwards by sliding movement relative to the rear uprights, thereby extending the height of the canopy from a stored position to a usable canopy height. Alternatively, the brackets might slide with the elongate members on the rear uprights. Position setting means, such as a grub screw, locking screw, locking nut, detent, clamp or the like can be used to retain the canopy at a desired height. The canopy 12 has a rear panel 22 in upper 22a and lower 22b sections. The upper section includes part of a window 24 extending down from the overhead section 26. This window 24 has an optional cover 28 shown rolled. The cover 28 can be released from a retaining means 30 and used to cover the window.

The overhead section 26 includes a front valance 32 with side skirts 34a,34b. Side shades 36a,36b can optionally be provided, and are shown in rolled up configuration.

The overhead section 26 is held in place supported on forward extension members 38a,38b pivotably connected to the upper end of each respective elongate member 18a, 18b. The pivot connection allows the forward extension members to be folded away when collapsing the canopy. These can be detachable or permanently attached. In the case of detachable forward extension members, a pivot connection need not be used; rather, other attachment means, such as a releasable ball and socket, pin and aperture, snap fit or the like connection could be used.

The front of the overhead section of the canopy 12 is stabilised by tethers 40a,40b connecting the overhead section under tension to the frame of the seat adjacent the arms thereof.

Figure 2 shows the canopy of figures 1 a-1 f in close up. In particular can be seen the pivots 42a,42b connecting the forward extensions to the rear elongate members 18a,18b forming the canopy frame rear uprights. Also, the brackets 20a,20b can be seen in more detail, with the locking pin or bolt 44a,44b to retain the elongate members extended. In use, the elongate members 18a,18b are raised upwards by sliding through the brackets 20a,20b. Each elongate member has locating holes 46.1 ....n. At a selected height, the locking pin or bolt 44a,44b is inserted into a respective locating hole to lock the canopy at a chosen height. This conveniently allows for height adjustment to suit a particular user (low height for shorter people, higher for taller) or to allow people behind to see over the top of the canopy by setting it at a lower height.

Stops 46a,46b are provided on the lower ends of the elongate members 18a,18b to abut the respective bracket at maximum extension to prevent the elongate members being over extended and pulled out of the brackets. Figures 3a to 3f show detail of a bracket 20a,20b for slidably supporting one of the elongate members 18a,18b forming a supporting upright of the frame of the canopy. The bracket includes a passage 50 for receiving therein one of the elongate members of the canopy frame, and a channel 52 for receiving therein one of the rear uprights of the chair frame. It will be appreciated that the open sided channel 52 permits the bracket to clamp around the upright of the chair frame, which allows the bracket, and thus the canopy, to be fitted retrospectively to the chair. This is particularly useful in allowing the canopy to be fitted to exiting chairs. Of course, the canopy could be fitted to a chair at manufacture, prior to sale or as a kit with a chair for assembly post purchase/acquisition.

The material forming the open sided channel 52 includes apertures 54a to 54c to receive fasteners, such as screws or bolts, for tightening the channel around the upright and thereby fixing the canopy frame in position. The passage 50 includes, in this embodiment, a single aperture for attaching the bracket to the elongate member 18a. It will be appreciated that the passage and the channel may each have more or less apertures to receive fasteners for attaching the bracket, and other fastening means may be used, such as rivets, adhesive, welding, interference fit etc.

Figures 4a to 4d show a support frame 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The support frame includes a pair of brackets 20a,20b for mounting the elongate members 18a,18b to the chair frame (not shown). Forward extension members 38a,38b are mounted via pivot joints 49a,49b to respective upper ends of the elongate members. Stops 48a,48b are provided adjacent each respective pivot joint. These stops support the forward extension members 38a,38b at a predetermined position, preferably with a forward upwardly inclined angle to allow rainwater runoff towards the rear of the canopy. Adjustment for the position of the forward extension members may be provided, such as by an adjustable stop position.

Figures 4a and 4c show the position fixing apertures 46.1 , 46.2 etc along the length of each elongate member, into which the locking pin or screw projects to set the height of the canopy. These could alternatively be projections, such as spring loaded detents, to latch into one or more corresponding apertures or recesses in the bracket. A brace 62, in use, extends between the forward extending members to provide stability and optionally additional support for the overhead section of the canopy fabric. The brace 62 includes two bracing members 62a,62b releasably connected by a releasable fastener 64. The fastener 64 may be a tube simply to retain the bracing members. Alternatively, the fastener 64 may physically hold one or both of the bracing members, with at least one bracing member being releasable to allow separation of the bracing members when collapsing the canopy. Each bracing member is attached to a respective froward extending member via a flexible or pivot joint, or the like, thereby allowing each bracing member to be swung back inline with its forward extending member and preferably releasably fastened thereto for stowage.

The canopy support frame 60 includes a pair of elongate members 18a,18b forming the upright supports. These are attachable via mounting brackets 20,20b (per figures 3a to 3f) to the frame of a collapsible chair (not shown). Detail of a particular mounting bracket is shown in figure 5d and at D. Each mounting bracket includes a through passage for receiving one of the uprights 18a,18b of the canopy frame. Each bracket also includes a channel 52 allowing the bracket to be placed around and inline with a corresponding rear upright of the chair frame. Each bracket affixes to the chair frame but allows each upright 18a,18b of the canopy frame to be slideable for canopy height adjustment. Apertures (46.1 , 46.2... n) are provided in the canopy uprights. These receive a locking pin or bolt of the bracket. They may be internally threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded locking bolt, or may be plain apertures to receive a spring loaded or screw progressed/retracted pin. It will be appreciated that each bracket or upright could include alternative height adjustment locating means, such as a biased detent and recess arrangement or a threaded adjuster, such as a bolt 20c, 20d, with a head adapted for manual operation to rotate the bolt clockwise such that a distal end of the adjuster engages with the upright of the canopy frame and thereby prevents the upright sliding within the bracket i.e. locks the canopy at a required height adjustment, or is rotated counter-clockwise to release the distal end of the bolt from engagement with the upright to allow relative movement of the canopy frame upright with respect to the chair frame and thereby adjust the height of the canopy until locked again. Each forward extension arm 38a,38b is pivotably connected to an upper end of a respective upright 18a, 18b. Detail of the pivot arrangement is shown in figure 5b and at B. An upper end portion of each upright is curved. A respective stop member 48a,48b is arranged to support the forward extension member on the curved portion of the respective upright. This sets the preferred angle of incline for the roof of the canopy to slope rearwards, in use. This angle may be adjustable by, for example, providing an adjustable stop arrangement. For example, the position of the stop along the length of the respective forward extension arm may be adjusted forwards or backwards, or around the periphery of the arm, which would adjust the angle of the arm with respect to the pivot point 49a,49b.

Each forward extension arm may include a retainer for holding a respective bracing member when folding away the canopy frame or prior to opening out the frame. For example, a bracing member retainer 51 a,51 b is provided in the form of an open ended spring clip with an opening sufficiently wide such that resilient fingers of each clip spread apart to retain the bracing member in a recess under resilient closing pressure of the clip.

The connector 64 may include a releasable retaining means to hold a distal end of each bracing member until a released. Retention may be by interference fit in a tube, or positive connection, such as a spring biased locking means or screw thread within or on the connector.

The forward ends of these extension arms, distal from the pivot ends, are laterally braced by a brace 62. The brace includes an elongate rod with two bracing members 62a,62b. These connect via a connector 64 at respective distal ends of each bracing member, as shown in detail in figure 5c and at C. Each bracing member is pivotable attached at a proximal end thereof to a respective forward extension member 38a,38b.

In use, the canopy frame can be pre-mounted/attached to a frame of the collapsible chair, or post mounted/attached. That is, the canopy can be retro fitted or as supplied with the chair. The canopy frame can be permanently attached to the chair frame or releasably attached, such as by the brackets described above. Once mounted to the collapsible chair, the canopy is arranged to collapse down with collapsing of the chair for storing, and open out with the chair for use. The canopy does not need to be removed from the chair in order to achieve collapsing or opening out.

It would be useful to have figures showing various stages of opening out the chair and canopy from completely collapsed to completely opened out and set up.

With the canopy mounted to a collapsible camp chair, the camp chair is initially opened out in the usual way be drawing the sides laterally apart and allowing the scissor action lower support frame under the seat to open out. This spreads the four support feet of the chair apart into their support positions. The chair frame rear uprights are now also spread apart laterally. The rear elongate members forming the uprights of the canopy frame are now slid upwards in their brackets and, when at a desired position, locked to set a desired height. The upper end of each of these uprights pivotably supports the respective forward extension member. This is now rotated to a forward, slightly upwardly inclined position. Thus, the canopy roof (overhead section) is rotated over and forward from a position lying inline with the rear of the seat until it is supported in position by the stops previously described. The bracing members are undipped from their storage positions and then pivoted forwards and their distal ends connected to form the lateral brace towards the front of the canopy. Tethers are optionally attached between the forward extension members and the frame of the chair to stabilise the canopy. These tethers can be of chord, rope, string or webbing etc, and may be length/tension adjustable, particularly when the canopy height and/or roof angle is adjustable.

Collapsing the canopy with the chair is a reversal of the setting up procedure.

In figures 6a and 6b, a canopy 80 is mounted to a collapsible chair 82 in a similar manner to that shown in figures 1 a to 1 f. However, differences include a variation to the mounting brackets 84a,84b attaching the canopy frame 86 to the chair frame 88. Each mounting bracket 84a,84b has a friction or pressure catch 90 (see figure 9). Each mounting bracket is clamped around the respective upright 94a,94b forming the respective uprights of the canopy frame. Fasteners (not shown) similar to those used in the bracket of figures 3a to 3f are used to clamp the bracket to its respective canopy frame upright. Instead of having a detent projecting from the respective slidable chair frame upright 92a,92b into an aperture in the bracket, the friction or pressure catch 90 is operated to allow or prevent the respective canopy upright, and therefore the entire canopy, to be height adjusted by raising or lowering to a desired position and then be retained in place by closing the catches. Each catch 90 can have a cam action or over centre action such than on closing the catch a portion of the catch presses against the chair upright and holds the canopy uprights in place. Releasing the catch removes clamping pressure from the chair upright and allows the canopy upright to slide up and down for adjustment with the bracket attached to and moving with each respective canopy upright. However, it will be appreciated that each bracket could be mounted to the respective chair upright and the canopy upright being slidable within its respective bracket until clamped. Alternatively, the brackets can be slidablewith respect to both the chair and the canopy uprights, those less desirable.

Figures 7a to 7f various views of an erected collapsible chair 82 and canopy 80 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The canopy is height adjustable with respect to the chair, as in figures 6a and 6b. The canopy includes a cover fabric 100. This provides a top panel 102, rear panel 104, and left and right sides 106a,106b. The rear panel 104 reaches down behind the fabric back support 108 of the chair. Brackets 84a,84b and catches 90 are the same as shown in relation to figures 6a,6b and 8a-d & 9.

As shown in figures 8a to 8d, the canopy frame 86 includes a brace 96, similar to the brace 62 shown in figure 4d, which helps to maintain separation between the canopy frame forward extension arms 98a,98b and to provide rigidity and stability to the canopy frame.

Figure 9 shows the brackets 84a,84b with release catches 90 in their respective closed position to clamp the canopy frame uprights in position to the chair uprights (not shown in figure 9). A rotary joint 1 10a,1 10b is provided linking each respective canopy upright 94a,94b to a respective front extension member 98a,98b. Each rotary joint provides a friction stop adjustment such that the canopy top 102 is held at a desired forward angle above a user's head when seated. This is achieved by each forward extension member projecting forward from a respective rotary joint but retained at a desired angle, such as inclined upwards, horizontal or inclined downwards. However, a limit of rotary motion can be provided as a stop to prevent the forward extension members projecting downwards below a desired angle, such as below horizontal. Each rotary joint is preferably a friction member, which may have internally engaging friction members, such as ramps or teeth, to provide discrete rotary position selection. The brace 96 has a pivot or hinge joint 1 12 allowing the froward extension members to close together as the chair/canopy collapses closed and providing separation when the chair/canopy is/are opened out and erected by hinging or pivoting to a positive stoop position so that the brace is fully extended. The rotary joints may each have a manual release mechanism to allow rotary adjustment. This may be a manual push button, such as provided in the centre of a face of each joint which, when operated, releases the friction mechanism within the joint, thereby allowing adjustment, until the manual push button is released and the friction mechanism reengages to hold the joint is a desired rotary position.

The steps involved in collapsing the chair 122 and canopy 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention, from an erected position (figure 10a) to a fully collapsed position (figure 10d) are shown in figures 10a to 10d. The canopy top 124 is first folded up an over the back 126 of the canopy. In doing so, the forward extension arms, previously described, rotate about the rotary joint 128 (knuckle joint) until the canopy top is overlaying the canopy back 126. The brackets 130 have adjusters 132, such as a threaded bolt, flip catch or detent mechanism previously described, that are released and allow the canopy uprights to slide downwards to retract the folded canopy. The canopy therefore now overlies the chair back 134. The canopy uprights are attached via the brackets to the chair rear uprights 136. Therefore, when the chair uprights close together, the canopy uprights close together, the fabric covering of the canopy, which may be the same or a different fabric as the chair fabric, allows the canopy uprights to close together. The brackets 130 retain the canopy on the chair. However, the canopy may be removed from the chair, or a canopy retro-fitted to a chair, by use of the brackets. Thus, a chair may be supplied with the canopy fitted, or the chair and canopy supplied as individual items for subsequent assembly together, or the canopy may be provided as separate, retrofit item to suit an existing chair. It will be appreciated that the chair may be collapsed before the canopy is retracted, though in collapsing the chair the canopy top will be folded closed and the canopy uprights brought towards each other. Erecting the chair and canopy is generally a reversal of the collapsing procedure.