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[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a foldable chair, more particularly to a foldable chair with armrests that can serve to keep the chair in a stretched position.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional foldable chair includes first and second legs which are pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis at middle portions thereof so as to be moved between a stretched position, where upper and lower portions of the first leg are remote from upper and lower portions of the second leg, and a folded position, where the upper and lower portions of the first leg are closer to the upper and lower portions of the second leg. A connecting shaft is disposed to interconnect the lower portions of the first and second legs. Two armrests are mounted between the upper portions of the first and second legs. Each armrest includes front and rear segments which are mounted on the upper portions of the first and second legs at distal ends thereof, and which are hinged to each other at proximate ends. Thus, the front and rear segments are foldable relative to each other when the chair is folded. However, a clearance is formed between the hinged ends of the front and rear segments in the stretched position, and can injure the user's arms. In addition, the presence of the connecting shaft can result in a higher manufacturing cost.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a foldable chair which can be folded and unfolded conveniently and safely, and which can be kept in an unfolded or stretched position by armrests thereof.
[0006] According to this invention, the foldable chair includes a first leg which includes a first lower end portion that is adapted to be supported on a ground surface, a first upper end portion that extends upwardly and forwardly from the first lower end portion, and a first intermediate portion between the first lower and upper end portions. A second leg includes a second lower end portion which is adapted to be supported on the ground surface, a second upper end portion which extends upwardly and rearwardly from the second lower end portion and which terminates at a top end edge, and a second intermediate portion between the second lower and upper end portions. The second intermediate portion is connected pivotally to the first intermediate portion about a first pivot axis. The second upper end portion has right and left lateral side ends which are disposed respectively between the top end edge and the first pivot axis, and which are opposite to each other in a transverse direction parallel to the first pivot axis. Each of right and left armrests includes a front end which is mounted pivotally on the first upper end portion about a second pivot axis in the transverse direction, a rear end which extends rearwardly from the front end towards a respective one of the right and left lateral side ends, and a keyway which is formed between the front and rear ends, which extends along a length of a respective one of the right and left armrests, and which has front and rear limits respectively proximate to the front and rear ends. Each of right and left keys includes a proximate end which is mounted securely on a respective one of the right and left lateral side ends, and a distal end which extends outwardly from the proximate end and which is inserted into and which is movable along the keyway between an unfolded position, where the distal end engages the rear limit, and where the first upper and lower end portions are respectively remote from the second upper and lower end portions, and a folded position, where the distal end engages the front limit, and where the first upper and lower end portions are respectively closer to the second upper and lower end portions.
[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013] Referring to
[0014] The first leg
[0015] The second leg
[0016] With reference to
[0017] Each of the right and left sliding members
[0018] Preferably, right and left retaining sleeves
[0019] In addition, as shown in
[0020] With the construction as such, in
[0021] As illustrated, by the sliding movement of the sliding members
[0022] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements.