BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a floating seat and table configuration.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a seat and table configuration shown upside down.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a floating seat and table configuration shown in use on the water with a umbrella feature.
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 with a user seated at the table.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view showing construction of an alternative embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Turning to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a floating seat and table configuration. The table top 12 is attached to seat component 14 by table braces 16. The table top 12 is spaced in a raised position respective to seat component to allow one to comfortable put their legs through such space. Further, the seat component 14 is positioned outwardly from the perimeter of the table top 12 so as to allow comfortable posture and placement of hands and/or arms over table when seated. Shown is a seat component 14 which comprises a continuous bench seat that surrounds the perimeter of the table top 12. The seat component may comprise a continuous bench, which allows maximum number of users around the table top 12, or may comprise discrete seats spaced around the table top 12. The buoyancy component 18 is positioned below the horizontal plane of the seat component 14. Putting the buoyancy component 18 in a position where the table top 12, which is attached at a raised position relative to the seat component, stays above the water surface when in use. The buoyancy component 18 may comprise any suitable floating device. Shown in FIG. 1 is a plastic barrel braced beneath the seat component 14 engaged by buoyancy brace 19. An additional feature of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, is that buoyancy potential of the barrel can be adjusted by allowing water (or other dense material) to fill the barrel to a desired level. This can be achieved by a portal defined in the wall of the barrel. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other floating devices can be implemented in view of the teachings herein, including but not limited to, foam based materials.
The table may be any suitable shape. Shown is an octagonal configuration, but the table may be round, triangular, square, hexagonal, or any other suitable geometric shape as will be appreciated in view of the teachings herein.
FIG. 2 shows the seat portion 14 and table 12 partially constructed, as well as attachment of one of the buoyancy components 18 buoyancy brace 19.
FIG. 3 shows an embodiment 30 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 that is floating on the water. The embodiment comprises an umbrella holder 32 provided in the center of the table and an umbrella disposed therein 34.
FIG. 4 shows the embodiment 30 with a person 40 sitting thereon. Note that the person's legs are able to soak in the water while the table stays well above the water surface, thereby adding to the superior enjoyment of being in the water but not being disrupted by disturbances on the water. However, should the person wish to sit further down in the water, the buoyancy potential of the buoyancy component can be adjusted as discussed above.
FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment 50 being constructed comprising a bracing array 52 provided below a table top 54. This embodiment 50 represents an earlier embodiment which was found to be less preferred due to the bracing array 52 interfering with the comfortable placement of users' legs.
In most embodiments, the table top and seat components may be comprised of any suitable material including, but not limited to, metal, wood, resins, plastics or a combination thereof.
The buoyancy component may comprise a plurality of components or one continuous component that is associated with the seat component. In a specific embodiment, the buoyancy component comprises a hollow container which displaces more water than it weighs. The buoyancy of the hollow container may be adjusted by adding water, sand or other material through a portal in the hollow container. Such portal is seen in FIG. 2. The portal is a hole into which a removable plug 17 is inserted. In alternative embodiments, the buoyancy component comprises a floating material such as foam, light wood, or other buoyant material recognized in the art.
In one embodiment, the subject invention pertains to a floating seat and table configuration comprising a table top; a seat component rigidly engaged to said table top such that said table top is in a fixed, raised, generally parallel (i.e., within 45 degrees of deflection between the angle of the seat component and angle of the table top, preferably within 15 degree angle of deflection) position relative to said seat component thereby defining a space between said table top and said seat component, wherein at least a portion of said seat component extends outward from the perimeter of the table top; and at least one buoyancy component engaged to and positioned beneath the horizontal plane of said seat component. In a specific embodiment, the floating seat and table configuration comprises an umbrella holder attached to or defined in said table top. In another specific embodiment, the seat component is a continuous bench component surrounding the majority of the perimeter of the table top. In an alternative specific embodiment, the seat component comprises a plurality of seats spaced around the perimeter of the table top.
The disclosures of the cited patent documents, publications and references are incorporated herein in their entirety to the extent not inconsistent with the teachings herein. It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application.
Patent Application
20080003901
