Some patents quietly support everyday convenience. Others capture interest because the ideas they protect are foundational to products we see everywhere. US9867466B2 falls into the latter category.
Currently referenced in the matter of Shenzhen Hanyi Technology Co Ltd v. Shelterlogic Corp and Nice Choice Inc. v. Shelterlogic Corp., this patent has surfaced in discussions surrounding portable outdoor furniture innovations. Specifically, it introduces a folding chair design that utilizes a guided cradle system, allowing frame elements to seamlessly transition into compact, storable forms.
In this article, we turn to the Global Patent Search (GPS) platform to trace related innovations. Instead of diving into legal proceedings, we’ll focus on uncovering patents that echo the structural ingenuity found in US9867466B2. Whether you’re a product developer, IP strategist, or simply curious about the mechanics behind modern foldable furniture, this is a technical deep dive backed by data.
Understanding Patent US9867466B2
US9867466B2 describes an improved design for a foldable chair that enhances stability, safety, and ease of use during setup and takedown. At its core, the invention enables frame elements to move smoothly into position with the help of guide members and cradles, reducing the risk of user injury and structural misalignment.
Its four key features are
#1. Frame integration via movement: A first frame element moves from a remote position to align adjacent to or against a second frame element.
#2. Cradle with guide member: The chair includes a cradle featuring a guide member that directs the first frame element into a specifically shaped recess.
#3. Recess-shaped frame compatibility: The cradle’s recess is contoured to receive and secure the first frame element in a snug and stable manner.
#4. Safety-focused guide elements: Curved or rounded guide elements are designed to space components apart, reducing the likelihood of finger pinching during chair deployment.
This patent addresses structural alignment and user safety in collapsible furniture. Its design principles are echoed across several similar patents in the portable seating category.
Similar Patents As US9867466B2
To explore the innovation landscape surrounding US9867466B2, we analyzed it using the Global Patent Search tool. Below is a quick glimpse of the GPS tool in working:
Source: Global Patent Search
This surfaced a collection of patents with overlapping themes in guided frame positioning, structural safety, and collapsibility mechanisms. Below is one such example that reflects how foldable seating designs have progressed:
#1. KR20090001434U
This Korean patent, KR20090001434U, published in 2009, describes a collapsible chair that enhances the folding operation through the use of integrated guide rails. These rails ensure that frame elements follow a defined path during folding, minimizing variation and improving reliability in real-world use.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Guide rail alignment: A dedicated rail system directs movement during the folding process to ensure structural consistency.
- Precision folding control: The design emphasizes accurate folding mechanics that minimize user error and misalignment.
- Integrated seat-rail connection: A structural link between the seat plate and rear support legs improves overall chair stability.
How it connects to US9867466B2?
US 9867466 B2 also utilizes guided motion between frame elements to enhance folding reliability and minimize the risk of pinching or misalignment. Both patents:
- Focus on guided mechanical interaction between chair components
- Aim to improve folding precision and deployment consistency
- Reduce operational risks through predictable folding behavior
Why this matters?
KR20090001434U highlights an early solution to the same challenge tackled by US9867466B2: ensuring smooth, safe, and accurate folding in portable chairs. It helps place US9867466B2 within a continuum of innovations focused on mechanical guidance and user-centered design.
#2. JP3050856U
This Japanese patent JP3050856U, published in 1998, details a positioning device for folding chairs that enhances locking stability through the interaction of grooved hooks and protruding pillars. The design aims to prevent accidental collapse while maintaining frame alignment during deployment.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Groove-and-pillar locking system: A hook groove locks into a fixed pillar to securely join the seat and backrest frames.
- Accidental collapse prevention: The locking mechanism minimizes the risk of unintended folding during use.
- Dynamic localization effect: The system maintains structural positioning through targeted engagement points.
- Simplified positioning during setup: The mechanism allows users to quickly and securely lock the chair in an open position.
How it connects to US9867466B2?
US9867466B2 and JP3050856U share a core goal of securing frame elements during folding operations. Both designs:
- Utilize mechanical locks or guides to prevent accidental movement
- Enhance user confidence through stable positioning
- Focus on controlled folding and deployment
Why this matters?
JP3050856U contributes to the long-standing effort to make foldable chairs safer and easier to use by focusing on locking engagement. This mechanical approach complements the guide-based structure in US9867466B2, reinforcing the importance of frame stability in folding chair innovations.
#3. CN203416982U
This Chinese patent, CN203416982U, published in 2014, presents a foldable chair seat frame assembly that leverages a sliding rivet system with an integrated limiting baffle and chute mechanism. The design focuses on structural locking and guided motion to ensure the chair’s front leg stays securely aligned during folding and unfolding operations.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Sliding rivet connection: A sliding rivet guided within a chute allows controlled, repeatable movement of the folding components.
- Integrated limiting baffle: A fixed baffle with a precision notch locks the rivet in place and prevents disconnection during use.
- Elastic engagement system: An elastic mechanism ensures the sliding rivet maintains pressure against the chute, reinforcing structural integrity.
- Stable leg alignment: The front leg of the chair is held firmly in place during folding transitions, reducing wobble and misalignment.
How it connects to US9867466B2?
Both US9867466B2 and CN203416982U use guided component interaction to manage folding transitions and improve structural safety. These patents:
- Emphasize precision folding through guided hardware
- Prevent accidental misalignment or detachment of key frame parts
- Reinforce stable deployment and collapse through mechanical engagement
Why this matters?
CN203416982U offers a hardware-centric approach to folding precision that complements the cradle-and-guide design of US9867466B2. Together, they illustrate a broader engineering trend toward foldable furniture designs that minimize user error while maximizing mechanical reliability.
#4. TWM316029U
This Taiwanese patent, TWM316029U, published in 2007, introduces a linking apparatus for folding chairs that utilizes a guiding rod and sliding through-hole mechanism to facilitate controlled folding. It aims to reduce mechanical friction and improve structural coordination during the open-close cycle of the chair.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Guiding rod mechanism: A rod inserted through a dedicated hole allows smooth movement of the rear leg frame during folding.
- Interlocking sleeve and connector: Contact between a connecting member and a sleeve ensures synchronized motion between front and rear legs.
- Deflection-controlled seat cushion: Pulling down the seat cushion triggers displacement of the leg frames for easier unfolding.
- Wear-reducing design: The system is designed to avoid jerky folding actions that could damage connecting rods or joints over time.
How it connects to US9867466B2?
Both patents aim to refine the mechanical interaction between frame components for safer, smoother folding. Specifically, they:
- Use guided movement paths to align structural elements
- Address durability by preventing excessive force during transitions
- Rely on linked frame coordination to maintain stability
Why this matters?
TWM316029U demonstrates a mechanical approach to folding coordination that reduces user effort and enhances product lifespan. Its use of rod-based guidance parallels the cradle and guide member strategy in US9867466B2, reinforcing a shared design priority in collapsible seating: smooth, intuitive transformation with minimal strain.
#5. TW585056U
This Taiwanese patent TW585056U, published in 2004, reveals an improved foldable chair structure that centers on precise positioning blocks and interlocking components. The design helps maintain the chair in a compact, securely folded state while ensuring horizontal alignment of the seat cushion during use.
What this patent introduces to the landscape?
- Positioning block design: A block integrated near the foot section ensures a snug horizontal seat alignment.
- Recessed-constrained leg movement: The rear legs are controlled by recesses positioned to receive specific limiting protrusions, maintaining proper fold geometry.
- Protruding card slot system: A rear card slot aligns with the cushion to form a secure structural closure when folded.
- Tightly closed folding function: The combination of fitment elements results in a stable, compact form during storage.
How it connects to US9867466B2?
TW585056U and US9867466B2 both implement structural constraints and targeted recesses to manage folding transitions. In particular, they:
- Focus on the alignment of the seat and leg structures during folding
- Utilize interlocking mechanisms to enhance closure integrity
- Promote space-efficient, user-safe folding
Why this matters?
TW585056U represents a foundational step in achieving foldable chairs that maintain their shape, alignment, and safety in both folded and unfolded configurations. It adds valuable context to US9867466B2’s approach, where guided engagement and frame control work toward the same functional goals.
How to Find Related Patents Using Global Patent Search?
Understanding the broader innovation landscape around a patent can be essential for industrial design strategy, competitive analysis, or identifying alternative technical pathways. The Global Patent Search (GPS) tool streamlines this effort by helping users uncover similar structural or mechanical solutions across global filings. Here’s how it works:
1. Enter the patent number into GPS: Simply input the patent number, and GPS transforms it into a natural language, AI-assisted query. Users can fine-tune this with additional technical terms or keywords tailored to their investigation.
2. Explore conceptual snippets: Instead of relying on legal jargon, GPS provides curated text snippets that highlight functional parallels between the target patent and other filings.
3. Identify related inventions: The system flags patents with comparable frame mechanisms, locking strategies, or foldable architectures, offering a richer view of how similar challenges have been addressed.
4. Compare system-level designs: Without interpreting legal claims, users can review design concepts and structural features to detect innovation trends and potential overlaps.
5. Accelerate insight across industries: Whether researching outdoor gear, interior furniture, or transportable equipment, GPS delivers faster, more targeted results for technical professionals.
With these capabilities, Global Patent Search equips researchers, designers, and IP analysts to discover connected technologies and navigate the foldable design landscape with confidence, all without the guesswork of traditional manual searches.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.
