A Pennsylvania company that manufactures beach chairs, portable backpack chairs and patio furniture is suing a competitor for patent infringement, claiming it unveiled a strikingly similar backpack chair at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas last week.
Rio Brands LLC, which has been in business since 1947, claims its foldable backpack chair is protected by patent RE39,022. In a 35-page federal lawsuit filed May 12, Rio Brands said it became aware that Connecticut-based GCI Outdoor Inc. allegedly infringed its patent when GCI showed a similar product called the SunShade Backpack Beach Chair in Las Vegas. The suit also claims GCI sold another model in Las Vegas called GCI Waterside.
