US20060214476A1

US20060214476A1 - Adjustable configuration seating

Info

Publication number: US20060214476A1
Application number: US11/087,641
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Rojas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-24
Filing date: 2005-03-24
Publication date: 2006-09-28
Also published as: US20070252415A1; US7416248B2

Abstract

The adjustable configuration seating has a pair of opposed lateral rigid frame members with a continuous web or sling type seat and back panel extending therebetween. The seat and back panel is secured in place between the two frame members by a series of crossmembers extending between the frame members, with a single adjustably positionable tension crossmember also extending between the frame members to hold the seat and back panel taut. Conversion between relatively upright and reclining configurations is accomplished by repositioning the tension crossmember between the frames, and turning the assembly ninety degrees to position the selected seating surface to face generally upwardly. The seating surface for the other configuration is a separate side or surface of the seating web or sling. The seat may be folded by hinging the crossmembers together and folding the web or sling between the two frame members as they are drawn together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to adjustable chairs and seating. More particularly, the adjustable configuration seating is a dual configuration chair having web or sling type seating and back panels which may be quickly and easily converted from a generally upright seating position using one side of the seating and back panels, to a more reclined seating position using the opposite side of the seating and back panels.
2. Description of the Related Art
The desirability and need for chairs and seating surfaces having multiple configurations has been recognized for some time. Seating which is convertible between a relatively upright position and a reclining position is desirable due to its versatility and the ability to combine two (or more) different types of seating configurations into a single unit, thereby saving space and expense.
Most such adjustable configuration chairs or seats are relatively large, heavy, and immobile units, offering excellent comfort but also being relatively heavy and bulky. Lighter weight and more compact chairs have also been manufactured which provide portability for camping, beach use, etc. Most such portable seating is foldable for compact storage and transport, and many of these portable chairs are also convertible between relatively upright and reclining positions, as desired. However, all such convertible and portable chairs of which the present inventor is aware require some articulation of the lateral frame members, which results in a weaker frame than is achievable in a rigid, fixed structure. Moreover, none of the chairs and seats known to the present inventor makes use of both sides of a web or sling seating panel.
An example of such a chair is described in the drawings and English abstract of Swiss Patent No. 662,258, published on Sep. 30, 1987, which describes a folding chair that is convertible between relatively upright reclining positions by means of the articulation of the lateral frame assemblies.
Another folding chair is shown in Japanese Patent No. 6-98,816, published on Apr. 12, 1994. This chair is formed of relatively thick support and seating components, with a generally U-shaped back portion having a relatively shallow depth. The seat folds into the back portion between the shallow arms, with the forward portions of the sides and arms folding inwardly across the front of the assembly.
Another portable, folding seat is found in Japanese Patent No. 6-197,821, published on Jul. 19, 1994. This device has a configuration somewhat like that of a so-called “director's chair,” in which the legs are diagonally braced. The upper ends of the diagonals have collars that slide along the four uprights, allowing the uprights to be drawn together for folding the chair. This chair appears to have only a single seating configuration when deployed for use.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, adjustable configuration seating solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The adjustable configuration seating is convertible between relatively upright and reclining configurations. Two opposed lateral frames are used to support a continuous, flexible web or sling type seating and back panel therebetween. The lateral frames are rigid, rectangular units, and do not fold, articulate, or disassemble in any way. The seating web or sling is tautly secured between the two frames by a series of seating panel support crossmembers and a single tension crossmember. Conversion between the two seating configurations is accomplished by moving the lateral tension crossmember from a first to a second location across the two frames, thereby altering the path of the seating web or sling between the two frames. The entire assembly is then rotated ninety degrees to position the selected seating surface to face generally upwardly, with the'seating surface for the other configuration positioned generally below the selected seating surface.
The present adjustable configuration seating may be folded for storage or transport by removing all of the lateral seating surface crossmembers and the single tension rod, thereby allowing the seating web or sling to be removed and the two frames to be placed together. The two lateral frames may include means for folding, if so desired, for even more compact storage and shipping. Alternatively, the seating surface support crossmembers may be provided with hinges or the like and means for locking the hinges rigidly when the chair is deployed. Folding is accomplished by unlocking the support crossmembers and removing the tension crossmember, thereby allowing the two frames to be drawn together and folding the seating surface therebetween. Additional versatility may be provided by elongating the crossmembers and widening the panel surfaces to provide seating for more than one person, and/or providing additional intermediate frame members for additional support between each seating panel, as desired.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adjustable configuration seating according to the present invention, with the chair shown in an upright position and an optional headrest shown exploded therefrom.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjustable configuration seating of the present invention in an intermediate or transition configuration, the tensioning member being exploded to show conversion from the upright configuration of FIG. 1 to the reclining configuration of FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reclining configuration of the adjustable configuration seating of the present invention, also showing an optional removably attachable armrest accessory exploded therefrom.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable configuration seating of the present invention in a partially folded state, with the crossmembers partially folded.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable configuration seating of FIG. 4 in a completely folded state.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of optional cushions that may be removably attached to and used with the adjustable configuration seating of the present invention with the seating in an upright orientation.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises various embodiments of a seating device having an adjustable or variable configuration, and also optionally providing for lateral folding or collapsing with the two lateral frame members remaining in their rigid, unfolded state. The seat or chair utilizes a web or sling member for the seating and back surfaces, with opposite sides or surfaces of the web or sling being used for the different seating configurations.
FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates the present adjustable configuration seating in its generally upright seating configuration. The seat or chair 10 includes laterally opposed first and second rigid lateral frame members, respectively 12 a and 12 b, with a series of crossmembers supporting a web or sling type panel therebetween. The two lateral frame members 12 a and 12 b are each rigid, non-foldable units which retain their shapes at all times; no folding or articulation is provided for either of the lateral frame members 12 a and 12 b, per se. While the two frame members 12 a and 12 b are shown as having open rectangular configurations, it will be seen that these two frame members may comprise continuous panels having closed interior areas, if so desired. The interiors of the frame members 12 a and 12 b may be closed by solid, rigid structure, or covered using fabric or other non-structural material, as desired.
Each frame member 12 a, 12 b includes four sides, respectively 14 a through 20 a for the first frame member 12 a, and 14 b through 20 b for the second frame member 12 b. It will be noted that the sides 14 a, 14 b and 18 a, 18 b are somewhat shorter than the sides 16 a, 16 b and 20 a, 20 b. The sides of each frame member form four corners, respectively 22 a through 28 a for the first frame member 12 a and 22 b through 28 b for the second frame member 12 b. It is not absolutely essential that the corners 22 a through 28 b of the frame members be comprise acute corners as shown in the drawings; the corners may be rounded, beveled, chamfered, etc., as desired. The two frame members 12 a, 12 b may be formed of any suitable rigid and sturdy material, e.g., wood, metal, dense plastic, etc., or some composite combination thereof in either solid or hollow tubular form, as desired.
A series of seat and back panel retaining crossmembers extend between the two frame members 12 a and 12 b, and support a seat and back panel thereon. Each of the crossmembers may comprise a rigid, inflexible rod, bar, or tube, or may alternatively provide for folding, as desired. A first panel retaining or support crossmember 30 extends between the two second sides 16 a, 16 b of the two frames and generally medially between the two corners 22 a, 24 a and 22 b, 24 b, with a second panel retaining crossmember 32 extending between the two corners 28 a, 28 b of the frame members, and a third crossmember 34 extending between the two frame sides 18 a, 18 b, crossmember 34 being closer to corners 26 a, 26 b than corners 24 a, 24 b. A fourth, selectively positionable seat and back panel tensioning member 36 also extends between the two lateral frame members, with the tensioning member 36 installed between the fourth sides 20 a, 20 b of the frame members in the upright seating configuration of FIG. 1, tensioning member 36 being closer to frame corners 26 a, 26 b than corners 28 a, 28 b.
A continuous, thin, flexible seat and back panel is secured to the various panel retaining crossmembers 30 through 34 and wraps partially around the tensioning member 36. The seat and back panel comprises three general portions. A first, large portion 38 extends from the first panel retaining crossmember 30, with a second, relatively short portion 40 extending from the second panel retaining crossmember 32 and a third large portion 42 extending from the third crossmember 34 and wrapping partially about the tension crossmember 36. The various panel portions 38, 40, and 42 are all joined together (e.g., stitched or bonded for fabrics, etc.) along a common lateral seam 44.
Any suitable thin, flexible, substantially inelastic (slight stretching may be acceptable) sheet material may be used to form the panel and its three portions 38 through 42 as desired, e.g., woven fabric; plastic; leather or metal screen or mesh; continuous, impervious sheet materials (plastic, leather, etc.); large gauge mesh materials (e.g., knitted or knotted cord or rope as in a hammock), etc., as desired. It will be noted that in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 and in FIG. 6, that the three panel portions 38 through 42 actually each comprise two substantially parallel sheet surfaces or plies, i.e., plies 38 a, 38 b for the portion 38, plies 40 a, 40 b for the portion 40, and plies 42 a, 42 b for the panel portion 42. Each portion 38 through 42 extends from the common seam 44 to wrap about the respective crossmember 30 through 34 and extend back to the seam 44. In this manner, a finished surface always faces outwardly and is exposed as the seat and back surface for the seat or chair 10, regardless of its orientation and configuration. Alternatively, each portion of the back and seating surfaces may comprise a single sheet or ply of material secured about its respective crossmember 30 through 34 by means of a tubular hem, if so desired. Such a single ply embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, illustrating the lateral folding action of the foldable or collapsible embodiment of the present seating, discussed further below.
FIG. 3 provides an illustration of the second, reclining configuration for the present seating, with FIG. 2 illustrating an intermediate configuration as the seating is reconfigured from its generally upright configuration shown in FIG. 1 to its reclining configuration shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 2, the tensioning member 36 for the seating panels 38 through 40 has been removed from its position in the upright chair configuration, thereby removing tension in the panel portion 42, which serves as the tensioning panel in the upright configuration. The other two panels 38 and 40 also slacken, due to their common seam 44 with the slackened panel 42. All three of the seat and back panel retaining crossmembers 30 through 34 remain in position across the two lateral frame members 12 a and 12 b, and continue to secure the seat and back panels 38 through 42 therebetween. The seating 10 has also been turned or rotated clockwise by about 45° in FIG. 2 from its upright orientation in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 3, the seating 10 is rotated 90° clockwise from its upright orientation in FIG. 1, with the tension crossmember 36 reinstalled across the two frame sides 16 a, 16 b, generally opposite its installation across the sides 20 a, 20 b for the upright configuration of FIG. 1. In the reclining configuration of FIG. 3, the tension member extends across the first panel portion 38 of the seating and back panel, i.e., the panel portion used as the seating portion in the upright seating configuration. This panel 38 is positioned in the lower portion of the chair 10, beneath the other panel portions 40 and 42 in FIG. 3, due to the clockwise rotation of the assembly by 90° between FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. Accordingly, the third panel portion 42, which was the tension panel in FIG. 1, becomes the seating portion for the reclining configuration shown in FIG. 3.
Specifically, the first ply 42 a, which was facing outwardly away from the tension member in the upright configuration of FIG. 1, becomes the upwardly facing seating portion in the reclining configuration of FIG. 3. The back panel 40 serves the same function in both chair configurations, but the first ply 40 a serves as the back contact panel in the upright configuration of FIG. 1, while the second ply 40 b serves as the back contact panel in the reclining configuration of FIG. 3. The panels 38 through 42 of the seating 10 provide a much more reclined orientation in the configuration of FIG. 3 as opposed to the upright configuration of FIG. 1, due to the reorientation of the rectangular lateral frame members 12 a and 12 b to rest upon two of their longer sides in FIG. 3 and the adjustment of the geometry of the three panel portions 38 through 42 due to the repositioning of the tension member 36.
It will be noted that the chair or seating 10 of FIGS. 1 through 3 may also include a backrest or headrest cushion 46 removably secured thereto. The cushion 46 may extend somewhat higher than shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, and may provide further head and/or back support in addition to the relatively low backrest panel 40 of the chair 10. The crossmember attachment edge of the backrest panel 40 includes a cutout 48 therein, as do the other panel portions 38 and 42. The cushion 46 includes a pair of crossmember attachments 50, e.g., openable fabric loops removably secured by snaps, mating hook and loop fabric material, etc., which secure removably about the second panel retaining crossmember 32 within the panel 40 edge cutout 48.
As this crossmember 32 serves as the uppermost structural member of the seating 10 to support the upper edge of the backrest panel 40 in both seating configurations, the cushion 46 need only be flipped over from one side of the backrest panel 40 to the other as the chair configuration is changed, to provide a head or upper back cushion in either configuration. Alternatively, the cushion 46 may be flipped to the unused surface of the backrest panel, if the user of the seating 10 does not wish to use the cushion or the cushion may be removed completely by opening the attachment straps 50 securing it to the crossmember 32, if so desired. While the cushion 46 may serve primarily as a head or upper back cushion, it will be seen that it may be secured about either of the other two crossmembers 30 or 34 for use thereon, if so desired.
FIG. 3 also illustrates another accessory that may be provided with the present adjustable configuration seating. In FIG. 3, an armrest accessory 52 (e.g., cupholder, ashtray or other tray, etc.) is shown separated from the upper edge or arm 20 a of the first or right frame member 12 a. A pair of pins 54 extends from the accessory 52, with one of the pins inserting removably into the existing hole or passage 56 for the tension member 36 when the seating is in its upright configuration and the other pin fitting into a specially provided accessory attachment hole 58. It will be seen that an additional left side attachment hole is also provided in the second frame member 12 b, and that additional accessory attachment holes (not shown) may be provided for installation of the accessory 52 at a convenient location when the seating 10 is oriented in its upright configuration, if so desired.
While the two lateral frame members 12 a and 12 b do not fold, collapse, or articulate in any manner, the present adjustable configuration seating may be constructed to provide laterally inwardly folding or collapsing of the crossmember structure for compact storage, if so desired. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the folding of a folding embodiment of the present seating. It has been noted further above that all of the three panel retaining members 30 through 34 may comprise rigid, unitary lengths of material, if so desired, and may be made to be removable from the two side frames 12 a and 12 b to permit the chair or seating to be collapsed for storage.
However, the panel retaining members 30 through 34 may be constructed with end hinges 30 a, 30 b, 32 a, 32 b, and 34 a, 34 b for the respective frame 12 a, 12 b attachment ends of the three crossmembers 30 through 34. Central hinges 30 c, 32 c, and 34 c are also provided respectively along each of the crossmembers 30 through 34, to permit them to fold or collapse inwardly, thereby allowing the frames 12 a and 12 b to draw together for compact storage of the seating unit 10. Examples of hinges and pivots which may be used with the present seating are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,650 issued on Dec. 29, 1987 to Cary Berman et al., titled “Fully Collapsible Portable Chair,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Locking sleeves 60 (shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2) slide over the central hinge assemblies 30 c through 34 c to hold each of the respective pivotally connected panel retaining member components as straight, rigid assemblies when the chair is being used. The single tension member 36 is removed from between the two lateral frame members 12 a and 12 b before folding the seating 10, as the tension member 36 is removed and repositioned in any event according to the seating configuration desired.
The seating assembly in FIGS. 4 and 5 is shown in its upright orientation, i.e., with the longer sides or legs 16 a, 16 b and 20 a, 20 b of the two lateral frames 12 a, 12 b oriented generally vertically. In FIG. 4, the three locking sleeves 60 have been moved axially from their positions over their respective hinges 30 c, 32 c, and 34 c of the three panel retaining members 30 through 34, allowing the crossmembers 30 through 34 to hinge or fold at their central hinge points and at their end hinge attachment points to the two lateral frame members 12 a and 12 b as well. The seating assembly 10 is shown partially folded in FIG. 4, with complete folding shown in FIG. 5.
The various panel portions are illustrated as single thicknesses in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 for clarity in the drawings, and as an alternative embodiment as well. The same nomenclature used to describe the panel portions in FIGS. 1 through 3 is used in FIGS. 4 and 5, with it being understood that the panel references refer to opposite surfaces of a single ply in FIGS. 4 and 5, rather than to two generally parallel plies, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3.
In FIG. 4, the first crossmember 30 is folding downwardly, i.e., with its central hinge 30 c moving toward the plane between the two lower sides 18 a, 18 b of the two frames 12 a, 12 b. This results in the first panel 38 folding downwardly as well, with its first surface 38 a folding inwardly and its opposite second surface 38 b (the lower surface when the seating is deployed as shown in FIG. 1) facing outwardly to each side of the central fold.
Simultaneously with the above, the second crossmember 32, which supports the upper edge of the back panel 40, is hinging forwardly, with its central hinge 32 c moving toward the plane between the two forward edges 16 a and 16 b of the two frame members 12 a, 12 b. This results in the upper edge of the back panel 40 forming an inwardly V-shaped fold, while its lower edge, i.e., the edge along the panel assembly seam 44, folds downwardly, as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5.
At the same time, the third crossmember 34 is folding, with its central hinge 34 c moving forwardly and passing slightly beyond the plane defined by the two lower sides 18 a and 18 b of the two lateral frames 12 a and 12 b. This results in the lower, outer portions of the first face 42 b of the third panel 42 folding to face outwardly, with the remainder of the first face 42 b of the third panel 42 folding inwardly to capture the rearward portion of the first panel 38 therebetween. The result is a compactly folded structure with the two lateral frames 12 a and 12 b disposed closely adjacent and parallel to one another, separated only by the thicknesses of the folded crossmembers 30 through 34 and the thickness of the folded panel portions 38 through 42, as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings.
The present adjustable configuration seating in its various embodiments provides a quite comfortable, compactly storable, and versatile seating arrangement. Even more comfort may be achieved by providing one or more cushions, which not only cushion the seating, but may also add some additional support as well. FIG. 6 provides an exploded perspective view of such cushioning, applied to the upright seating configuration of FIGS. 1 and 4. Three cushions 62 a, 62 b, and 62 c are provided, with a thin, rigid panel 64 shown in broken lines within the first cushion 62 a. The rigid panel 64 may be included optionally in the other cushions 62 b and 62 c as well, if so desired. The rigid panel 64 provides additional support when a larger cushion is cantilevered to extend beyond the panel retaining crossmember between the edges of the frame members, as would be the case with the larger first cushion 62 a when placed against the back panel 40. The cushion 62 a also includes a pair of ties 66 or the like (e.g., hook and loop fastener straps, snaps, etc.) for removably securing the cushion 62 a to the sides of the two frame members 12 a and 12 b.
The ties 66 or the like enable the entire assembled series of cushions 62 a through 62 c to be flipped over from one side of the seating surface to the other when the seating unit is converted from one configuration to the other. Alternatively, the cushion 62 a may be equipped with a pair of crossmember attachment loops, e.g. loops 50 as shown with the single cushion 46 of FIGS. 1 through 3. The configuration of the cushion assembly 62 a through 62 c results in the smallest cushion 62 c extending beyond the crossmember 30 when the seating is in its most upright position, as shown in FIG. 6, with both cushions 62 b and 62 c resting atop the longer opposite seating surface 42 when the seating is in its lower, more reclined configuration. Another alternative allows the cushions 62 b and 62 c to be removed from the cushion 62 a, and the single separate cushion 62 a to be flipped from one side of the backrest to the other during conversion of the seating.
Each cushion 62 a through 62 c also preferably includes some means for securing the cushions to one another along their mating edges. For example, the mating edges of the cushions may be provided with mating zipper teeth, e.g., 68 a along one edge of the first cushion 62 a and 68 b along the mating edge of the second cushion 62 b. The opposite edge of the second cushion 62 b may be provided with zipper teeth or other attachment means 68 a identical to the attachment 68 a of the first cushion 62 a, with the third cushion 62 c having attachment means 68 b along a mating edge. In this manner, two or more such cushions may be assembled together as desired, with the first cushion 62 a attaching directly to the third cushion 62 c, or other arrangements or configurations as desired.
The cushion assemblies may also be reversed to place the cushions in the opposite order from that shown in FIG. 6, if so desired, depending upon the configuration of the seating assembly 10. When the cushions 62 a through 62 c are secured to one another as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the smaller cushion 62 c depends over or covers the crossmember 30, depending upon the chair configuration, thereby providing additional comfort for the user of the chair. Many other cushion configurations are possible, limited only in accordance with the desires of the user.
For example, the smaller cushion 62 c may be used separately as a lumbar support in either seating configuration. Alternatively, the smaller cushion 62 c may be secured to the intermediate or back cushion 62 a, and folded over to double the thickness of the two cushions 62 a and 62 c along one edge thereof. The smaller cushion 62 c, when placed along the upper edge of the back cushion 62 a in this manner, serves as an upper shoulder or neck support, particularly when the seating is in the reclining configuration. Another alternative is the placement of the seat cushion 62 b along the backrest area, for additional back support. The smaller cushion may be attached to the seat cushion 62 b and used in the manner described immediately above, if so desired. It should be noted that the above described cushion arrangements are not limiting, but are merely examples of a vast array of configurations and arrangements that may be formed.
In conclusion, the present adjustable configuration seating in its various embodiments provides superior versatility for different seating configurations and storage, in comparison to conventional seating. The present seating may be constructed to provide relatively light weight for portability, yet provides a sturdy and solid structure by means of its rigid lateral members. The structure of the present seating is relatively economical, thus providing for use in many environments where large numbers of durable yet comfortable chairs or seating must be provided, e.g., resorts, hotels and motels, etc.
The unique concept that gives this seating its ability to convert from use for relaxing, e.g. living room, terrace or poolside, etc., to use for dining or other more upright seating environment, is the precise calculation of the lengths of the three portions of the flexible seating surface in combination with the two precise locations of the tension bar across the assembly. This precise combination of lengths and placements determines the important seat angles and depths of each position for maximum comfort while being used for the desired purpose. For relaxing, the seat back is at a more reclined angle, the seat bottom slopes down at the back, and the depth of the seat is deeper. For dining or other more formal, upright seating, the seat back is more erect, the seat bottom is more horizontal, and the seat depth is shorter.
The adjustable configuration seating provides a change in the height of the seating position due to the rotation of the frame during the configuration change. This provides a higher and more upright seating position compatible with a conventional table or the like, e.g., for dining, desk work or any other situation requiring upright seating, while providing a lower, more reclined seating position and orientation due to the lower frame disposition when the present seat is in its reclining configuration.
The present seating will also find favor among dorm students and owners and renters of studio apartments or other small quarters, as the versatility enables the present seating to serve dual purposes or functions while requiring no more room than a single small conventional chair. Even greater versatility may be provided by elongating the crossmembers and widening the panel surfaces to provide seating for more than one person, and/or providing additional intermediate frame members for additional support between each seating panel. Accordingly, the present seating in its various embodiments will prove to be extremely popular among a great number of people of different needs and backgrounds.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Adjustable configuration seating, comprising:

a first and a second rigid lateral frame member;

a plurality of seat and back panel retaining crossmembers extending between said first and said second frame member;

a rigid seat and back panel tensioning member repositionably extending between said first and said second frame member; and

a continuous, thin, flexible seat and back panel secured to said seat and back panel retaining crossmembers and extending about said seat and back panel tensioning member, said seat and back panel having a first configuration seating surface and a second configuration seating surface separate from said first configuration seating surface.

2. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 1, wherein each of said seat and back panel retaining crossmembers further includes:

a first end pivotally attached to said first frame member;

a second end pivotally attached to said second frame member; and

a central hinge connecting the first and second end, said seat and back panel folding when said seat and back panel tensioning member is removed from between each said frame member and said seat and back panel retaining members are folded together to draw said first and said second frame member together.

3. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 1, further including at least one cushion selectively attached to one said seating surface.

4. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 3, wherein said at least one cushion comprises a plurality of mutually selectively attached cushions.

5. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 1, wherein said seat and back panel comprises:

a first ply having said first seating surface disposed thereon; and

a second ply having said second seating surface disposed thereon.

6. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 1, wherein said seat and back panel comprises a single ply having said first and said second seating surface disposed separately from one another thereupon.

7. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 1, further including a selectively attached armrest accessory.

8. Adjustable configuration seating, comprising:

a first and a second rigid lateral frame member;

a plurality of seat and back panel retaining crossmembers extending between said first and said second frame member, each of said seat and back panel retaining crossmembers having:

a first end pivotally attached to said first frame member;

a second end pivotally attached to said second frame member; and

a central hinge connecting the first and second ends;

a rigid seat and back panel tensioning member removably extending between said first and said second frame member; and

a continuous, thin, flexible, and folding seat and back panel secured to said seat and back panel retaining crossmembers and extending about said seat and back panel tensioning member, said seat and back panel folding when said seat and back panel tensioning member is removed from between each said frame member and said seat and back panel retaining members are folded together to draw said first and said second frame member together.

9. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 8, wherein said rigid seat and back panel tensioning member is repositionably disposed between said first and said second frame member, said seat and back panel further including:

a first configuration seating surface; and

a second configuration seating surface separate from said first configuration seating surface.

10. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 9, further including at least one cushion selectively attached to one said seating surface.

11. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 10, wherein said at least one cushion comprises a plurality of mutually selectively attached cushions.

12. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 8, wherein said seat and back panel includes:

a first ply having said first seating surface disposed thereon; and

a second ply having said second seating surface disposed thereon.

13. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 8, wherein said seat and back panel comprises a single ply having said first and said second seating surface disposed separately from one another thereupon.

14. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 8, further including a selectively attached armrest accessory.

15. Adjustable configuration seating, comprising:

a first and a second rigid lateral frame member;

a continuous, thin, flexible seat and back panel secured to said seat and back panel retaining crossmembers and extending about said seat and back panel tensioning member, said seat and back panel having a first seating surface and a second seating surface separate from said first configuration seating surface; and

at least one cushion selectively attached to one said seating surface.

16. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 15, wherein each of said seat and back panel retaining crossmembers further includes:

a first end pivotally attached to said first frame member;

a second end pivotally attached to said second frame member; and

a central hinge connecting the first and second ends, said seat and back panel folding when said seat and back panel tensioning member is removed from between each said frame member and said seat and back panel retaining members are folded together to draw said first and said second frame member together.

17. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 15, wherein said at least one cushion comprises a plurality of mutually selectively attached cushions.

18. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 15, wherein said seat and back panel includes:

a first ply having said first seating surface disposed thereon; and

a second ply having said second seating surface disposed thereon.

19. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 15, wherein said seat and back panel comprises a single ply having said first and said second seating surface disposed separately from one another thereupon.

20. The adjustable configuration seating according to claim 15, further including a selectively attached armrest accessory.