The present disclosure is directed to aquatic furniture including seating devices and tables.
Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to a seating device for use in water. In some implementations, a seating device includes a body having a closed first end, an open second end and a wall running between the closed first end and the open second end, the closed first end and the wall defining a cavity that is accessible through the open second end, the closed first end defining a seating surface having one or more holes formed therethrough, the one or more holes enabling flow of a fluid therethrough as the seating device is submerged in the liquid.
In some implementations, the body includes first and second foot rests integrally formed therein, each of the first and second footrests including a surface for supporting a foot. In some implementations, the surface is a textured surface.
In some implementations, the wall includes a contoured surface, the contoured surface including a contour that accommodates human anatomical features. In some implementations, the human anatomical features include features associated with a human foot and/or ankle.
In some implementations, the seating device further includes a geometric center located half way between the closed first end and the open second end, and a center-of-gravity located between the geometric center and the open second end.
In some implementations, the body defines an end cavity disposed about a periphery of the closed second end. In some implementations, the seating device further includes a weighting material disposed within the end cavity. In some implementations, the weighting material includes stainless steel.
In some implementations, the seating surface is contoured.
In some implementations, the closed first end defines a first diameter and the open second end defines a second diameter, the first diameter being less than the second diameter.
The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Referring now to
As noted above, the first end 102 is closed. The first end 102 includes a seat 112 having a seating surface 116. The seating surface 116, and thus the seat 112, may be of any geometrical shape such as square, rectangular and circular, for example. In the illustrated implementation, the seating surface 116 is circular and includes a diameter (d3). The seat 112 further includes a wall 117. The wall 117 is connected to the wall 106 of the body 105. In the illustrated implementation, the wall 117 is convexly curved and defines the diameter (d1). The curvature of the wall 117 provides a smooth transition between the seating surface 116 and the wall 117, without sharp, angular edges. In some implementations, the seating surface 116 is provided as a substantially flat surface. In some implementations, the seating surface 116 can be provided as a curved surface (e.g., a convex surface that curves outward from the cavity 110, or a concave surface that curves inward to the cavity 110). In some implementations, the seating surface 116 can include a complex geometric pattern that generally conforms to the anatomy of a seated user. In some implementations, the seating device 100 can include a seat back that extends above the seating surface 116. The seat back can provide back support to a seated user.
One or more holes 118 are formed through the seating surface 116. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of holes 118 is provided. The holes 118 define passages to the cavity 110. In this manner, and as discussed in further detail below, air is able to freely flow between the cavity 110 and a surrounding gaseous atmosphere through the holes 118. In cases where the seating device 100 is submerged in a liquid, the holes 118 enable the flow of liquid between the cavity 110 and a surrounding liquid environment.
In some implementations, the one or more holes 118 are symmetric about the seating surface 116. In implementations including a single hole 118, the hole 118 can be formed through a center of the seating surface 116. In implementations including multiple holes 118, the holes can be arranged in a geometric pattern. Example geometric patterns include star, square, rectangular, circular, triangular and the like. In the illustrated implementation, the holes 118 are arranged in a star pattern that is symmetric across the seating surface 116.
The second end 104 includes a base member 120. The base member 120 extends generally perpendicular from the wall 106 to define the diameter (d2), and forms a generally ring-shaped structure. In some implementations, the base member 120 includes a solid cross-section. The solid cross-section of the base member 120 enables the second end 104 to be relatively heavier than the first end 102. More specifically, the solid cross-section enables a center-of-mass 200 (
In some implementations, the base member 120 includes a hollow cross-section, as illustrated in
The wall 106 includes integrally formed protrusions 122 that are provided on opposite sides of the seating member 100. The protrusions 122 include a surface 124, side walls 126, 128, and perimeter walls 130a, 130b. Surface 132 are shaped in the wall 106 above each of the protrusions 122. In some implementations, the surface 124 is substantially parallel with a plane of the seating surface 116 of the seat 112. In some implementations, the surface 124 is sloped at an angle relative to a plane of the seating surface 116. In some implementations, the angle is such that the surface 124 slopes away from a plane of the seating surface 116 in an axial direction running away from the wall 106.
In some implementations, the protrusions 122 provide foot rests for a user seated on the seating device 100. In some implementations, the surface 124 can include an integrally formed pattern to improve traction with a sole of a seated user. In some implementations, a layer of tractive material (not shown) can be applied to the surface 124. The tractive material can provide traction with a sole of a seated user. In some implementations, the surface 124 is contoured to accommodate curvature of a sole of the human foot. For example, the surface 124 can be contoured to support an arch, ball and/or heel of the human foot.
The surfaces 132 include curved surfaces that generally conform to a curve of the wall 106. The surfaces 132 generally curves to accommodate an inside surface of the human foot, above an arch of the human foot (see
The side walls 126, 128 and the perimeter walls 130a, 130b support the surface 124. In this manner, weight can be applied to the surface 124 without buckling or significant flexing of the protrusions 122. For example, a user of the seating device 100 can stand with both feet firmly supported on the protrusions 122, the weight of the standing user being supported by the seating device through the surface 124, the side walls 126, 128, the perimeter walls 130a, 130b and the wall 106.
In some implementations, the seating device 100 is used in an aquatic environment, such as a pool, lake, ocean, stream and river. For example, the seating device 100 can be submerged in a body of water with water entering the cavity 110 through the opening 108. As water flows into the cavity 110, air that is displaced by the water can exhaust from the cavity 110 through the holes 118. In this manner, substantially all of any gas within the cavity 110 can be exhausted from the cavity 110 to inhibit buoyancy of the seating device 100. In some implementations, the seating device may be partially submerged in the water, such that the cavity 110 includes air and water. In some examples, the seating device 100 is positioned against a floor such that base member 120 is in contact with the floor. For example, the seating device 100 can be positioned against a floor of a pool. A user can sit on the seating device 100, using the seating device 100 as an underwater stool, for example. The user can sit on the seat 112 and rest his/her feet on the protrusions 124.
In some implementations, the seating device 100 is formed of a non-corrosive material. Example materials can include plastic, thermoplastics, polymer, non-corrosive metals (e.g., stainless steel), and/or fiberglass. The seating device 100 can be formed from a plurality of materials. For example, the body 105 can be formed from a thermoplastic, while a weighted ring (e.g., weighting member 123 within cavity 121 (
Referring now to
In some implementations, the wall 806 is sloped to provide a substantially conical shape to the table 800. The wall 806 is connected to the interior wall 812 via a surface 822. One or more notches 824 are formed into the walls 806, 812 and surface 822. In some implementations, a plurality of notches 824 can be provided. In some implementations, the notches 824 are symmetrically positioned about the table 800. In some implementations, the notches 824 include any geometric shape.
With particular reference to
With particular reference to
The table 800 is generally provided as a hollow body having a cavity (not shown) formed therein. The cavity is provided as a sealed cavity to prevent seepage of a liquid into the cavity. In this manner, the table 800 is buoyant and can float in a liquid environment. The table 800 can support objects on the surface 808, the center member 810, and/or in the recessed portions 814 above the liquid. Further, the table 800 can provide support to one or more persons. For example, a person can lean on the table 800 for support as the table 800 floats on the liquid. The notches 824 provide outlets for liquid to flow off of the table 800. For example, splashing or other aquatic activity may result in liquid encroaching on the table 800. The liquid can run off the table 800 through the notches 824. The table 800 can be anchored using a connector, such as a rope and/or chain. In particular, and as discussed in further detail below, a connector can be connected to the connecting member 850 and an anchor.
In some implementations, the table 800 is formed of a non-corrosive material. Example materials can include plastic, thermoplastics, polymer, non-corrosive metals (e.g., stainless steel), and/or fiberglass. The table 800 can be formed from a plurality of materials, and/or can be formed from a plurality of combined components. The table 800 can be formed using a number of forming methods. Example forming methods include molding and extrusion.
A number of implementations of the present disclosure have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/US2011/066464, having an International Filing Date of Dec. 21, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/426,283, filed Dec. 22, 2010. The disclosure of the foregoing application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2011/066464 | 12/21/2011 | WO | 00 | 9/2/2013 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2012/088263 | 6/28/2012 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
89779 | MacFerran | May 1869 | A |
3669494 | Lohmeyer | Jun 1972 | A |
4109960 | Stinchfield | Aug 1978 | A |
4208072 | Iskendarian | Jun 1980 | A |
4950033 | Anderson | Aug 1990 | A |
5441433 | Stanley | Aug 1995 | A |
5505645 | Engler, Jr. | Apr 1996 | A |
5640723 | Stanek | Jun 1997 | A |
5749555 | Albrecht | May 1998 | A |
5823121 | Reiter | Oct 1998 | A |
6036563 | Walker | Mar 2000 | A |
6171160 | Skaggs et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6209147 | Wheaton | Apr 2001 | B1 |
D468116 | Champion | Jan 2003 | S |
6808434 | Park | Oct 2004 | B1 |
6878026 | Cloutier | Apr 2005 | B2 |
7261377 | Ehud | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7293840 | Schu | Nov 2007 | B1 |
7300104 | Hagedorn | Nov 2007 | B1 |
D575540 | Goldberg | Aug 2008 | S |
D589269 | Allende | Mar 2009 | S |
D594737 | Kelly | Jun 2009 | S |
D625931 | Estrup | Oct 2010 | S |
7971286 | Dillen et al. | Jul 2011 | B2 |
8057272 | Wray et al. | Nov 2011 | B1 |
D650184 | Hsu | Dec 2011 | S |
D671757 | Walker et al. | Dec 2012 | S |
20040077235 | Cloutier et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20070236060 | Switzer | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20100031437 | Giroux et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100248568 | Brindle | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20120054954 | Vandiver | Mar 2012 | A1 |
20120124733 | Roberts | May 2012 | A1 |
Entry |
---|
Authorized Officer Simin Baharlou, PCT International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2011/066464 mailed Jul. 4, 2013, 6 pages. |
Authorized Officer Jin Soo Jung, PCT International Search Report and Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2011/066464 mailed Aug. 22, 2012, 9 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20130341988 A1 | Dec 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61426283 | Dec 2010 | US |