Patent Application
20220071407
The present invention relates generally to the field of lawn and patio furniture, such as lounge chairs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lounge chair that has been designed for use by pregnant women in order to provide additional comfort. The maternity lounge chair features a midsection opening and a top section opening to accommodate the abdomen and the face of the pregnant women while lying face down on the chair. Additionally, each of the openings can have a zip or snap-style cover which is attached from the underside of the chair to alleviate any discomfort while lying on one's back or face up or adjusting the chair from upright to reclining. The maternity lounge chair has an adjustable backrest that can be stabilized to enable users to sit in the chair if desired, and allows the chair to fold compactly for convenient storage and transportation. The improved design of the maternity lounge chair offers a comfortable alternative lounge chair for pregnant women, that allows them to suntan or just more readily relax or rest while enjoying the outdoors during their pregnancy. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, various kinds of lawn furniture, beach chairs such as beach lounge chairs, canopy beach chairs, folding chairs, backpack beach chairs, beach hammock and camp chairs, and others are often used by individuals to rest and relax near beaches or outdoors. From the aforementioned beach chair types, the beach lounge chairs provide the utmost comfort to the people on the beach in that they allow a person to lay in a prone position. The lounge chairs are similar to folding chairs and are elongated compared to other types, and provide more legroom to the individuals lying on the chair. Additionally, the lounge chair ensures a good body rest position and allows people to comfortably lie down on the chair while resting or engaging in other activities such as tanning on the beach. Lounge chairs also allow a user sit up with their legs out in order to enjoy the sight of the surf and their surroundings as well as to watch others engaging in recreational activities.
Although most individuals enjoy relaxing in a lounge chair while laying down or in a seated position, pregnant women may be unable to lay down in the prone position comfortably on the lounge chair. While lying face down on the lounge chair, pregnant women may have difficulties due to their enlarged abdomen, as their belly or “baby bump” is pressed against the chair surface, making laying down difficult. This generally makes pregnant women uncomfortable, and in the case of a pregnant woman lying face down on a chair for a longer time, the prolonged pressing on the belly bump may lead to pregnancy complications as well. Further, some lounge chairs may also be uncomfortable to sit on if pregnant. Pregnant women may be unable to fully relax while enjoying lounge chairs, pools, spas and more.
Also, other people may be uncomfortable while lying face down on the lounge chairs, as their face is pressed against the lounge chair surface, and generally while lying face down on the beach lounge chairs, people are required to keep their face either towards the left side or the right side. People may desire to keep their face down while relaxing on the beach lounge chairs to enjoy their beach experience. However, this is not possible in the currently available beach lounge chairs and people are uncomfortable in lying face down on the lounge chairs as there is no place for a person to position their face other than to the sides of the chair.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a beach lounge chair that allows the pregnant women to comfortably lie face down on the lounge chairs while relaxing on the beach or enjoying time outside with others. There is also a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that prevents the abdomen or belly of pregnant women from being pressed against the lounge chair surface, and thus helps alleviates individuals from suffering any pregnancy complications due to prolonged pressing of the abdomen against the surface of the chair. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that is designed to aid in the comfort of pregnant women. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that allows the pregnant women to comfortably lie face down on the chair while relaxing, sleeping or engaging in other activities such as tanning on the beach, and enhances their experience while they are outdoors. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that allows individuals to lie face down without keeping their face on the left or right side, and provides a comfortable, relaxing experience for all users. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that allows the pregnant women to comfortably sit as well. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved lounge chair that can completely fold up for storage and transportation.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a lounge chair for women who are pregnant or others that may have abdominal issues which require them to avoid pressure on their abdominal region. The lounge chair includes a frame having an upper section, a middle section and a lower section, wherein each section has a fabric fastened or secured to the edges of the frame sections with which the fabric is associated. More specifically, the chair is configured to be elongated, thereby allowing an individual to lie in a prone or a supine position. The upper section having a facial opening for receiving the face of the individual when lying in the prone position, the middle section having a stomach opening for receiving the stomach of the individual, and the lower section provides support to the legs.
The facial opening and the stomach opening can be covered using zip, hook and loop or snap covers allowing the individual to lie in supine position. The chair is further configured to be a beach chair wherein the individual can sit on the lower section using the middle section as a backrest. A first pair of collapsible legs are attached to the upper section and a second pair of collapsible legs are attached to the lower section to support the individual in a prone and supine position and the chair can be folded inwards to collapse easily. The chair can also be collapsed to use the middle section as a backrest for use as a beach chair.
In this manner, the novel lounge chair of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively comfortable and safe alternative lounge chair for pregnant women and other individuals having abdominal issues while lying face down or sitting on the lounge chair. The improved lounge chair of the present invention prevents the pressing of the abdominal region against the lounge chair surface, and prevents any risks/complications due to prolonged pressing against the abdomen. Additionally, the lounge chair provides a comfortable experience for others as people can comfortably lie face down on the lounge chair, without requiring to keep their face on the left or right side.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a lounge chair configured for use by individuals during pregnancy or others that may have abdominal or stomach issues, or an enlarged stomach or belly. The lounge chair is configured to provide comfort to a woman during pregnancy or to a person with an extended abdomen when lying in a prone position. The lounge chair further comprises a rigid frame having a main frame with three sections; namely, an upper section, a middle section and a lower section. Each section has a fabric poisoned there along for the individual to lie upon, a leg frame having a pair of identical legs and a second pair of identical legs to support the main frame. The upper section has a facial opening for receiving the face of the individual when the individual lies in prone position, the middle section having a stomach or abdominal opening for receiving the stomach or belly region of the user, and the lower section provides support to the legs of the individual. The upper section is pivotable to the middle section and the middle section is pivotable to the lower section, such that the middle section is pivoted in a reclined position and the upper section adheres or secures to a rear surface of the middle section, thereby allowing a user to sit on the lower section using the middle section as a backrest.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a lounge chair for use during pregnancy or for others with abdominal or stomach issues is disclosed. The lounge chair includes a frame having an upper section, a middle section and a lower section, wherein each section has a fabric fastened to the edges of the respective sections to form the individual sections. The chair is configured to be elongated, thereby allowing an individual to lie in a prone or a supine position. The upper section having a facial opening for receiving the face of the individual when the individual lies in a prone position, the middle section having a stomach opening for receiving the stomach of the individual, and the lower section provides support to the legs of the individual. The facial opening and the stomach opening can be covered over using zip, hook and loop fasteners or snap covers, thereby allowing the individual to lie in a prone or supine position. The chair is further configured to be a beach chair such that the person can sit on the lower section using the middle section as a backrest. A first pair of collapsible legs are attached to the upper section and a second pair of collapsible legs are attached to the lower section to support the individual in a prone or supine position, and can be folded inwards to collapse the chair.
In one embodiment, the upper section is pivotably connected to the middle section, and the middle section is pivotably-connected to the lower section. The middle section is pivoted in a reclined position and is locked for the security of the user of the chair and the upper section adheres to or is applied against a rear surface of the middle section, thereby allowing a user to sit on the lower section using the middle section as a backrest.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, to completely fold the lounge chair for easy carrying, pair of tubular legs attached to the upper section are folded inwards to touch the rear surface of the upper section. Then, the second pair of tubular legs is attached to the lower section and are folded inwards to touch rear surface of the lower section. Thereafter, the middle section is hingedly-connected to the upper section and is pivoted to the rear portion of the lower section, such that the middle section and the upper section adhere to, or are applied against, the lower section, thereby reducing the length of the chair 100 to about half in comparison to the elongated length of the chair.
The advantage of the present invention is that it provides an adjustable lounge chair device for pregnant women as well as people with a large or extended abdomen, stomach or someone needing to avoid pressure on their stomach area such as someone recovering from surgery. The chair can be used in an expanded configuration for laying down or a compact configuration for sitting. The adjustable backrest ensures comfort when in a seated position. The chair can be folded compactly for convenient storage and transportation. The chair can be used in a variety of ways, for both prone and supine positions and also for sitting.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a beach lounge chair that allows the individuals with enlarged abdominal areas, such as pregnant women or others recovering from stomach surgery, to comfortably lie face down on the lounge chairs while relaxing on the beaches, or engaging in other outdoor activity. There is also a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that prevents the belly of pregnant women from pressing against the lounge chair surface, to help avoid suffering from any pregnancy complications due to the prolonged pressing of the belly. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that is designed while keeping in mind the comfort of those with enlarged abdominal areas. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair device that allows pregnant women and others with stomach issues to comfortably lie face down on the chair while tanning on the beach, relaxing outdoors or by the pool, and enhances their experience when engaging in such activities as well. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that allows the individuals to lie face down without keeping their face to the left or right side, and provides a comfortable relaxing experience. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a lounge chair that allows individuals with abdominal issues and pregnant women to comfortably sit as well. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved lounge chair that can completely fold up for storage and transportation.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel lounge chair. The lounge chair is configured to provide comfort during pregnancy or to a person with an extended abdomen or other stomach issues when lying in a prone position. The lounge chair further comprises a main frame having three sections; an upper section, a middle section and a lower section. Each section has fabric fastened along the edges for the individual to lie on the fabric, a leg frame having a pair of identical legs and a second pair of identical legs to support the main frame, the upper section has a facial opening for receiving face of the individual when that person lies in prone position. The middle section has a stomach opening for receiving the stomach or abdominal region of the individual, and the lower section which provides support to the legs of the person using the lounge chair. The upper section is pivotably-attached to the middle section and the middle section is pivotably-attached to the lower section such that the middle section is pivoted in a reclined position and the upper section adheres to or otherwise removably attaches to a rear surface of the middle section, thereby allowing a user to sit on the lower section using the middle section as a backrest. The fabric applied to each section is removable so as to be washable and may be made from any suitable material such as natural, synthetic, renewable or recycled fibers.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The frame may be made from aluminum, aluminum alloys, plastic, fiber glass or other suitable materials which are sufficiently strong to hold the weight of an adult as well, as to be lightweight enough to allow the easy transportation of the chair. The tubular leg frame has a first pair of identical legs connected to the upper section 102 and a second pair of identical legs connected to the lower section 106. The upper section 102 is hingedly-connected to the middle section 104 via a first pair of hinges 116. Each of the tubular leg section may be provided with wheels or castors 133 to facilitate the movement of the lounge chair from place to place. The first pair of hinges 116 allows the upper section 102 to rotate from a position in alignment with the middle section 104 (as shown in
The other end of the middle section 104 is connected to the lower section 106 via a second pair of hinges 118. The second pair of hinges 118 can be similar or different than the first pair of hinges 116. The second pair of hinges 118 has a locking mechanism to rotate and lock the middle section 104, while the lower section 106 remains horizontal. The locking mechanism can have mechanical fasteners or any other locking mechanism to lock the middle section 104 in a stable, angular position or reclining position, thereby allowing an individual to sit on the lower section 106 using middle section 104 as a backrest.
The upper section 102 has a facial opening 112 configured and dimensioned in a circular shape to receive a user's face. The facial opening 112 allows the user to lie in a prone position with his or her face comfortably resting in the facial opening 112. The facial opening 112 permits the user to rest in a relaxed breathing position.
The middle section 104 has an abdomen/stomach opening 114 configured and dimensioned in a circular shape to receive the user's stomach. The abdomen opening 114 allows the user to lie in a prone position with his or her stomach comfortably resting in the stomach opening 112. The opening 114 is also showing with a covering 137 which is provided to cover the opening 114 when the opening is not in use such as when the person is lying on his or her back or the lounge chair is positioned in the sitting position. The abdomen opening 114 can also be created based on the size of the individual, so that the opening is not too large and keeps the user comfortable.
The lower section 106 has a complete layer of fabric 120 with no opening allowing the user to comfortably place his or her legs. The upper section 102, middle section 104 and the lower section 106 can have the same fabric layer allowing the user to comfortably lie in prone position. Any or all of the sections have a removable or retractable accessory platform 139 where a user may place a beverage, book or other convenience item. The lower section 106 is also shown with a graphic 135 which may include any sort of trademark, trade name, design element or the like so that the lounge chair can be personalized for each user.
The facial opening 112 and the abdomen opening 114 have a zip or snap-style cover 137 attached from the underside of the lounge chair 100 allowing the user to lie in a supine position on the lounge chair 100. The zip, hook and loop fasteners or snap-style covers can cover the openings 112, 114 such that the user feels comfortable in a supine position or during sitting when the middle section 104 is used in a reclining position.
The lounge chair 100 allows a pregnant woman or another individual with an abdominal issue to maintain correct posture while lying in both prone and supine positions. The chair 100 is useful for reclining comfortably as well for a pregnant women or other individual. The lower section 106 acts as a footrest and the middle section 104 acts as a backrest and supports the individual's stomach safely and comfortably. The middle section 104 accommodates the bulge of the abdomen with continuity of support.
The lounge chair 100 is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation. The lounge chair 100 can be used in both an extended position for lying down, and a more compact position for seating. The lounge chair 100 is dimensioned for a pregnant woman or other individual with abdominal issues, however, it can be used by any individual having an enlarged belly or stomach area.
The upper section 102 has a rectangular frame on which the fabric is fastened, secured or sewn. The upper section 102 has a pair of tubular legs 108 which are configured to be placed on a surface and can be folded inward to meet the rear surface of the upper section 102. To easily carry the chair 100, the upper section 102 has an attached handle 122. The handles 122, 124 form part of the main frame of the chair 100.
The lower section 106 is the longest section of the chair 100 and is generally rectangular in shape. The lower section 106 is designed to act as a footrest for a user lying on the chair 100. The lower section 106 has a second pair of tubular legs 110 along the longitudinal edges of the lower section 106. The second pair of tubular legs 110 can be folded inward to meet the rear surface of the lower section 106. The first pair of tubular legs 108 and the second pair of tubular legs 108 are unfolded to elongate the chair 100 and can be folded to make the chair 100 compact. The lounge chair 100 is also collapsible at a first set of hinges 116 and at a second set of hinges 118. The hinges 116, 118 are adjustable and movable hinges known in the art, and allow the hinged movement of the upper section 102 and the middle section 104.
The chair 100 is ideal for sunbathing, tanning, relaxing, napping and other restful activities. The facial opening 112 also permits the user to comfortably read a book or novel while sunbathing or otherwise lying face down on the lounge chair. The fabric of the maternity chair 100 is stretchy, soft and flexible. The zip covers for openings 112, 114 are also made up of the same material as the fabric. Along each section of the lounge chair 100, the fabric is a continuous sheet and does not have any holes or small openings.
The fabric used with the lounge chair 100 is preferably breathable and heavy-duty, and can be made of a quick-drying polyester, natural or other synthetic materials, or recycled or renewable fibers. The tubular leg members are durable, rust-resistant and can be made up of lightweight aluminum, other metal alloys, plastic, fiberglass and the like. The frame ensures durability over a long period of time and ease of transport. It should be noted that each of the upper section 102, the middle section 104 and the lower section 106 have fabric. A user lies on the top surface of the fabric, and the top surface of the fabric is the top surface of all the sections. Each section further comprises a rear surface where the tubular legs are folded inwards.
The facial opening and the stomach opening are dimensioned to easily and comfortably receive the face 204 and the bulging stomach 202, respectively, of the user 200. The stomach opening for the abdomen has a cover that can be expanded to conform to the size and shape of the user's abdomen 202 and can conform to the abdomen of the pregnant woman 200 throughout the pregnancy.
The upper section 102, middle section 104 and lower section 106 are dimensioned to allow the user 200 to comfortably lie on the fabric. A first handle 122 attached to the upper section 102 and a second handle 124 attached to the lower section 106 are used for carrying the chair 100 comfortably. It should be appreciated that the fabric of the chair 100 can be replaced when worn out due to repeated usage. In one embodiment, the height of the chair 100 in an elongated position can be increased using a telescoping mechanism 153 in the tubular legs 108, 110 or frame 106.
As stated earlier, a first pair of hinges 116 connects the upper section 102 and the middle section 104 allowing the upper section to pivot along the first pair of hinges 116 to an exemplary decline position 102. The pivot allows the upper section 102 to adhere to or be adjacent to the rear surface of the middle section 104. Similarly, the middle section 104 and the lower section 106 are connected using the second pair of hinges 118 allowing the middle section to pivot with respect to the lower section 106. In the preferred embodiment, the lower section 106 is fixed, remains horizontal and cannot be pivoted.
The lower section 106 provides adequate space to the legs 206 of the user 200. During use for lying on the top surface of the main body, the tubular legs 108, 110 are unfolded allowing a stable and secure positioning of the chair 100 on any plane surface. Additionally, the tubular legs 108, 110 provide support and prevent tilting of the chair 100 during use.
Also, the stomach opening of the middle section 104 is covered with a zip, hook and loop or snap-style cover. The stomach opening when enclosed by the cover 137 (see
The lower section 106 remains horizontal, fixed and stable on the tubular legs 110, allowing the user 200 to sit comfortably. The lower section 106 supports the user 200 in a sitting position. The hinges 116, 118 lock the sections of the main body of the lounge chair 100 and do not allow the movement of the upper section 102, middle section 104 and lower section 106 with respect to each other.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “maternity lounge chair”, “maternity chair”, “chair”, “lounge chair” and “maternity beach chair” are interchangeable and refer to the maternity lounge chair 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the maternity lounge chair 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the maternity lounge chair 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the maternity lounge chair 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the maternity lounge chair 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the maternity lounge chair 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/074,501, which was filed on Sep. 4, 2020, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63074501 | Sep 2020 | US |
