The present disclosure relates to a protective cover for a chair.
Consumer demand for outdoor furniture is at an all-time high. Outdoor furniture is a $9 billion dollar per year business in the US and is one of the fastest growing categories in the furniture market. 92% of all new single-family homes built in the US in 2017 have a patio, porch, or deck. An “outdoor living room” is a highly requested specialty room, surpassing the home office for the past six consecutive years, according to the American Institute of Architects.
Outdoor furniture is subject to environmental conditions that are much more extreme than most other furniture. These conditions include hot and cold temperatures, cycling between extreme temperatures, humidity, extremely dry air, rain, snow, sleet and other precipitation, ice, wind, UV exposure from the sun, environmental pollutants, salt, chlorine and other swimming pool chemicals, and a myriad of other environmental contaminants. Furthermore, outdoor furniture comes in contact with all types of substances that have the potential to dirty, stain, or degrade the materials of construction, including dirt, leaves, sap, pollen, and other debris from plants, bird droppings, mold, mildew, and other fungi, bacteria, pet hair, food and beverages, natural skin oils, sunscreen, body lotion, makeup, and more. To add to the challenge, these conditions vary drastically throughout different parts of the United States, throughout different countries, and across seasons. Conventional outdoor furniture is not designed for certain geographies or seasonal periods; nevertheless, conventional outdoor furniture products are used in all conditions.
To meet the requirements necessary to withstand such a wide range of harsh conditions, some conventional outdoor furniture is made from very durable materials. This durability often correlates with hard, stiff, and heavy material properties; and such materials are often high in cost. In contrast to the design of conventional furniture, customers prefer comfortable and usable products that are not too costly. Therefore, the environmental performance requirements and customer demands are often in conflict.
To balance these conflicts, traditional furniture designers take one of two approaches. The first approach is to design products that are strong, sturdy, hard, and do not absorb water. An example is a chair made entirely of aluminum. Made from a strong, lightweight, non-absorbent and relatively inert (corrosion resistant) material, an aluminum chair can withstand many seasons outside. This approach suffers from a lack of comfort and can be limited aesthetically.
The second approach is to design products that use soft, comfortable materials which require covers to protect the materials from the elements. An example of this is an outdoor sofa with foam cushions and fabric cushion covers that requires a large “rain cover” to be placed over the furniture between uses, in order to ensure the product survives many seasons. This approach requires much more user effort to maintain the furniture. Rain covers are large and bulky; they require a place for storage, and time and effort to cover the furniture after each time it is used. The covers can get wet, dirty, and often require two people to cover the furniture. Because of these inconveniences, owners of outdoor furniture frequently describe the use of a rain cover as among the most frustrating and disliked aspects of ownership (even though the use of a rain cover is often limited to just a few times per season). However, not using a rain cover dramatically reduces the lifetime of these products and makes their limited use much less enjoyable, as owners are left with wet, dirty, and often moldy furniture. This inconvenience of using a rain cover, or the lack of a cover, leads many owners to store the entire furniture or components of the furniture, such as cushions and pillows, between uses. Storage occupies valuable space in the garage, shed, cover patio, or other living spaces. Dirty stacked cushions are unsightly. And transporting the furniture or components to and from storage takes time, effort (usually multiple trips), and is unpleasant when the products are wet or dirty.
Neither of the existing design approaches results in satisfied customers. For this reason, owners of outdoor furniture frequently describe dissatisfaction with, and ultimately limit their use of, the furniture and their enjoyment of outdoor spaces.
The various examples of the present disclosure are directed towards a protective covering, which includes a cover portion, an elongated piece of fabric, a first coupling mechanism, and a second coupling mechanism. The cover portion is for a seat cushion. The elongated piece of fabric extends from the cover portion. The first coupling mechanism couples the cover portion to a first end of the elongated piece of fabric. The second coupling mechanism is configured to couple the cover portion to a second end of the elongated piece of fabric.
In some examples, the first coupling mechanism includes any of: male and female connectors, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro, an adhesive element, sewn seams, and a zipper.
In some examples, the protective cover further includes a handle, which is proximally located to the second end of the elongated piece of fabric.
In some examples, the second coupling mechanism includes a ferromagnetic rod affixed to the second end of the elongated piece of fabric. The second coupling mechanism further includes at least one magnet affixed to the cover portion. The magnet is located on the cover portion, corresponding to a location of the rod when the elongated piece of fabric is wrapped in a first direction around the cover portion.
In some examples, the magnet and the rod provide a magnetic force stronger than a gravitational weight of the cover portion, the cushion, and a second cushion.
In some examples, the cover portion is configured to receive a cushion.
In some examples, a length of the elongated cover is sufficient to wrap around both the cover portion when the cover portion has received the cushion and a second cushion.
In some examples, the protective cover includes weather resistant synthetic material.
In some examples, the first coupling mechanism includes a zipper, and the second coupling mechanism includes Velcro.
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides for a chair system, which includes a chair with a back portion and a seat portion; a seat cushion; a back cushion; and a protective covering. The protective covering can be as described above.
In some examples, the first coupling mechanism comprises a zipper, and wherein the second coupling mechanism comprises Velcro.
In some examples, the second coupling mechanism includes a rod at the second end of the elongated piece of fabric and at least one magnet at the second end of the cover.
In some examples, the magnet and the rod provide a magnetic force stronger than a gravitational weight of the cover portion, the cushion, and a second cushion.
In some examples, the cover portion is configured to receive a first cushion.
In some examples, a length of the elongated cover is sufficient to wrap around both a second cushion and the cover portion when the cover portion has received the first cushion.
In some examples, the first coupling mechanism comprises at least one of: male and female connectors, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro, an adhesive element, sewn seams, and a zipper.
In some examples, the protective covering includes a handle, which is proximally located to the second end of the elongated piece of fabric.
In some examples, the cover portion includes at least one magnet corresponding to a location of the rod when the elongated piece of fabric is wrapped in a first direction around the cover portion.
In some examples, the protective cover includes weather resistant synthetic material.
In some examples, the protective cover and the back portion are further configured to removably couple with a third coupling mechanism.
The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the novel aspects and features set forth herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
The accompanying drawings exemplify the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain and illustrate principles of the invention. The drawings are intended to illustrate major features of the exemplary embodiments in a diagrammatic manner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of actual embodiments nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and are not drawn to scale.
The present invention is described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not drawn to scale, and are provided merely to illustrate the instant invention. Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. The present invention is not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.
The present disclosure is directed to outdoor furniture apparatuses which provide comfort, durability, cleanliness, maintenance, and convenience. An exemplary apparatus of the present disclosure provides an integrated zip on/zip off cover that allows the customer to cover outdoor furniture cushions quickly and easily from the elements. When in a covering configuration, the cover covers both back and seat cushions, and can be optionally secured to the bottom of a seat cushion via a hook and loop fastener. In some examples, the cover hangs over the front the cushions. In some examples, the cover is secured in its hanging position to the front of the furniture with magnets. When not in use, the cover can be stowed behind the back cushion where it is out of sight but easily accessible to quick deployment. In some examples, stowage behind the back cushion is done by (1) rolling the cover around a rigid internal member, (2) placing the rolled cover at the upper back edge of the seat cushion, and (3) replacing the back cushion. In some examples, the cover is hung over the back of the chair or sofa.
The present disclosure therefore provides a quick and simple method of protecting the cushions from the environment without the need for a separate rain cover. Therefore, the present disclosure provides systems and apparatuses for fast and easy protection of outdoor furniture cushions from the elements.
The integrated cover apparatus 104 is configured to be put on a chair 102. The integrated cover apparatus 104 includes a cover portion for the large cushion cover 108 and an elongated piece of fabric 116. The elongated piece of fabric 116 and the cover portion for the large cushion cover 108 can have various coupling mechanisms to couple the fabric 116 to the large cushion cover 108.
For example, a first coupling mechanism can be found at location 110, at a junction between a first end of the elongated piece of fabric 118 and a first end of the large cushion cover 108. In some examples, the first coupling mechanism is a permanent or semi-permanent attachment mechanism, including glue, tape, a sewn seam, or any other permanent or semi-permanent attachment mechanism as known in the art. In other examples, the coupling mechanism is a removable coupling mechanism, including male and female connectors, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro, an adhesive element, snaps, buttons, tongue-in groove, magnets, and a zipper. The removable coupling mechanism allows the elongated piece of fabric 118 and the large cushion cover 108 to be separated for storage and/or cleaning.
A second coupling mechanism includes a pair of mechanism at locations 112 and 120 and couples a second end of the elongated piece of fabric 116 to the large cushion cover 108. In some examples, the coupling mechanism includes a rod at location 112 on the elongated piece of fabric 116. The rod is made of a ferromagnetic material. In some examples, the rod is a steel rod spanning the entire width of the integrated cover 104 and sewn into the front edge of the elongated piece of fabric 116. The steel rod has a powder coated finish to prevent rusting. In other examples, the rod is made from plastic. In other examples, the rod is a flat plate or a plurality of small weights.
The second coupling mechanism further includes one or more magnets at location 120, on a bottom portion of the large cushion cover 108. In some examples, the magnets are embedded into an underside of the large cushion cover 108 and are parallel to a front edge 108a. Location 120 is located such that an end of the elongated piece of fabric 116 is directly adjacent to location 120, when the elongated piece of fabric has wrapped around the small cushion 106 and the large cushion cover 108. Therefore, this magnetic coupling mechanism allows convenient coupling between the elongated piece of fabric 116 and the large cushion cover 108 through automatic magnetic coupling.
In other examples, the second coupling mechanism is any removable coupling mechanism as known in the art, including male and female connectors, hook and loop fasteners, Velcro, an adhesive element, snaps, buttons, tongue-in groove, magnets, and a zipper.
The large cushion cover 108 receives a cushion, for example, through a zipper along the receiving portion 118. The large cushion cover 108 can receive a seat cushion. The small cushion 106 can be a back seat cushion.
The elongated piece of fabric 116 is a length of fabric with dimensions that allow for full coverage of the width and depth of the large cushion cover 108 and small cushion 106. For example, a length from a first end (e.g., location 110) to a second end (e.g., location 112) of the elongated piece of fabric 116 is long enough to: (1) wrap over the small cushion 106 and the large cushion cover 108 (when a cushion has been received); (2) cover a front portion 108a of the large cushion cover 108; and (3) wrap under the large cushion cover 108 enough to secure the second end of the elongated piece of fabric 116 to coupling mechanism located on the large cushion cover 108 at location 120. In some examples, the elongated piece of fabric 116 is secured by simply a weight of small cushion 106 and a cushion housed in cover 108.
In some examples, a width of the elongated piece of fabric 116 is wider than a width of the large cushion cover 108 and a height 108 of the large cushion cover 108 and the small cushion 106. Referring momentarily to
In some examples, the elongated piece of fabric 116 and the large cushion cover 108 have a coating that is water resistant and highly stain resistant. The small cushion 106 is made from the same fabric. In some examples, the fabric is a solution-dyed fabric that is fade resistant, mold resistant, and mildew resistant. In some example, the fabric is woven from recyclable, solution-dyed olefin polymer yarn; this yarn resists fading from UV exposure and is wear resistant, stain resistant, mold resistant and mildew resistant. In other examples, the fabric includes decorative designs, or contains text/graphic instructions, or other visual cues to enhance user experience. In some examples, lower cost materials are used for the fabric that are not recyclable or as resistant to fading, wear, and/or staining. In some examples, the fabric is made from synthetic materials including any of acrylic, polyester, nylon, and any combination thereof.
In some examples, a bottom portion of the large cushion cover 108 (i.e., the portion of the large cushion cover 108 which directly abuts chair 102) is coated with a waterproof material, such as polyurethane or rubber.
Therefore,
Therefore,
In some examples, the elongated piece of fabric 116 is configured to automatically retract into configuration 200A when the elongated piece of fabric 116 is not coupled in another position (for example, coupled at locations 122 or 120, as shown in
In some examples, the handle 114 is made from the same fabric as the elongated piece of fabric 116. In other examples, the handle 114 is made from webbing, plastic, or another material. In some examples, the handle is a rigid component, which could have additional features built in. In other examples, the handle is laminated or adhered to the elongated piece of fabric 114.
Therefore, configuration 400 shows how the integrated cover 104 can be used as a carrying case so that users can easily carry the cushions 106 and 108, thereby minimizing the number of trips to and from the storage location when the user needs to store multiple integrated cover 104. Configuration 400 further shows that during storage, the elongated piece of fabric 116 protects the small cushion 106 and the large cushion cover 108 from getting dirty. Configuration 400 additionally helps keep a plurality of systems 100 organized in a neat and uniform way. In some examples, the integrated cover 104 is hung by the handle 114.
Although particular chair apparatuses are shown in
Chaise Sectional Component
Table Apparatus
The cover housing 706 attaches underneath the table top 702. The cover portion 708 is completely stored within cover housing 706.
As shown in
In some examples, (not shown) the cover portion 708 attaches along the outside edge of the table top 702 to one of several places. In a first example, the cover portion 708 attaches underneath the table top 702 (similar to attaching under the chair cushion as shown in
As shown in
Users often prefer to keep a table surface clean, especially is the surface sensitive to the environmental conditions. The cover apparatuses as shown in
Ottoman
For example, the cover portion 906 is attached to the underside of the cushion portion 902. A user can lift cushion portion 902 to access stowed cover portion 906. A user can wrap around and secure the cover portion 906 to a bottom of an edge of the cushion portion, or simply hang the cover portion 906 over a side of the cushion portion 902 (as shown in
In some examples, of system 900 (not shown) the cover portion 906 is a two-piece cover that meets in the middle and fastens together with hook and loop (Velcro). For storage, the cushion portion 902 can be flipped over, then a first piece of the cover portion 906 can be laid flat and a second piece of the cover portion 906 can be laid over the first piece and secured with Velcro or removable coupling elements.
In some examples, as shown in
Any additional examples of ottoman system 900 can include the characteristics and features as discussed above with respect to the chair systems of
Poolside Lounge Chair
The rolled fabric cover 1016 can be similar to the elongated piece of fabric 116, as discussed above. For example, the rolled fabric cover 1016 can be long enough to cover the entire chair. In some examples, the rolled fabric cover 1016 rolls up and stows in a pocket, or on hooks/shelves on the backside of the headrest area (not shown).
The cushions 1002, 1004, 1006 couple together with a mechanical coupling mechanism, including, for example, hook and loop, Velcro, zipper, male and female connectors, snaps, magnets, or a sewn seam.
Cushion Storage System
The present disclosure further provides a cushion storage system 1100, as shown in
System 1100 provides for the quick and easy set up and take down of furniture in hotel and resort settings, and reduces the amount of time needed by hotel staff to deploy and store cushions. Conventional resorts with pool or beachfront on their properties have hundreds of outdoor seating options for their guests. Each morning, the pool staff must set up each chair by putting the cushion on each chair. In the evenings, they must remove each cushion and store it securely for the next day's use. System 1100 improves the efficiency of setting up each chair and also incorporates the gathering and storage of the cushions into one transportable unit.
Storage container 1102 is a cushion storage unit on casters. As users set up each chair for the day, users remove a cushion set 1000C from the rolling storage unit 1102; open up the cushions that are enclosed by the integrated cover; and place the cushion on the seat to provide system 1000A. At the end of the day, users follow the reverse process. First, users use the disclosed integrated cover to fold up/pack up the cushions (1000C), and either hang the cushion on a rod or place it on a shelf in the storage container 1102.
Storage container 1102 includes wheels and can be rolled around to speed up the deployment and retrieval of the cushions. In addition, storage container 1102 can be used as a lockable storage unit.
In some additional embodiments of the disclosed cover apparatus, a single cover spans the width of several cushions to provide protection for the cushions. Such an apparatus provides more complete protection than separate covers on each cushion because separate covers would include gaps between each cover.
In some examples, the present disclosure contemplates several extra wide covers that overlap and optionally attach together to eliminate gaps between multiple covers.
Altogether,
Some conventional furniture covers are made using a 5-panel fabric construction, including front, back left, right, and top panels. The present disclosure contemplates a unique 7 panel construction technique, including front, back, left, right, and top panels; and additionally, two wedge shaped panels that would form a water shedding angle to the top panel. These wedge-shaped panels provide a more tailored weather cover for furniture, and act as a design feature that helps rain to flow off of the weather cover.
The present disclosure further contemplates full rain cover with a zipper on one edge that makes the cover easy to align and secure. The zipper allows a user to orient the direction of the cushion using the unzipped edge and place it over the furniture. Once aligned, the cover can be zipped shut by pulling the zipper down. In some examples, the cover is slightly tapered to ensure a tighter fit as the cover is fully zipped closed.
While various examples of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed examples can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described examples. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,” “having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof, are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
This application claims priority to International Application No. PCT/US19/32299 entitled “PROTECTIVE COVER FOR OUTDOOR APPARATUS,” and filed on May 14, 2019, which in turn claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/671,347, entitled “Outdoor Apparatus and Integrated Protective Cover,” and filed on May 14, 2018. The contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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Number | Date | Country |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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62671347 | May 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2019/032299 | May 2019 | US |
Child | 16750305 | US |