Patent Application
20240081545
The field of disclosure is generally directed to a backrest and more particularly relates to an outdoor backrest that is portable and adjustable to operate similar to a chair or lounger.
Cruise ships and resort hotels place chaise lounges and chairs throughout their facilities for use by their guests. People then rent or take one of the chaise lounges and chairs and place them in a specific orientation to sunbathe to provide the desired level of sun exposure. However, these devices can be cumbersome to carry and move. Also, people travel to many remote locations that may not have chaise lounges and chairs. The user is then left with two options, laying completely flat on the ground or standing. There is, therefore, a need for a portable backrest that allows users to position themselves so that they can utilize the backrest to follow the course of the sun during the day.
The present invention is directed to a backrest that was designed to overcome shortcomings in the lounge chair field that permits a user to take maximum advantage of the incident angle of the sun's rays throughout the course of a sunbathing day without having to bring a lounge chair or rent one. The invention is directed to a backrest having a frame supported by a base and adjustable backrest portions pivotally attached to the chair. When a user's wishes to use the backrest in an inclined position with their back supported, they incline the backrest members which will position the user in the most optimal position relative to the sun for sun bathing. As the sun passes overhead to a point which causes the user's exposure to the sun to be diminished, the user may adjust the backrest portion to a position of inclination which suits the user.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a backrest that can fold or collapse into a small volume and that can be transported from place to place by a strap that may be placed upon the user's shoulder. The collapsing may be accomplished without need for tools or prolonged periods of training.
The present invention will be described by way of exemplary embodiments, but not limitations, illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like references denote similar elements, and in which:
In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps, among others, are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C but also contain one or more other components.
Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility), and the method can include one or more other steps which are carried out before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
Certain terminology and derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” would refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similarly, words such as “inward” and “outward” would refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. References in the singular tense include the plural, and vice versa, unless otherwise noted.
The present invention is a wooden backrest intended to be used on the beach or other location. It contains a plurality of different angles to be adjusted and is used by burying the backrest partially or slightly into the sand over the towel replacing beach chairs on one hand and loungers on the other, giving the benefit of enjoying a day in the beach in a horizontal position as if you were on a lounger but with the benefit of mostly laying on the sand (at least the bottom half) and the possibility of taking it anywhere.
With reference now to
Backrest 100 may include base 120 made of side members 122 and 123 and back member 124. Back member 124 may be aligned horizontally between side members 122 and 123. Back member 124 may be below the plane in which the side members 122 and 123 lie, or can be nested and hence in the same plane in which the side members 122 and 123 lie. Side members 122 and 123 may be elongated in shape with a plurality of indents 128 positioned near a rear surface of side members 122 and 123. However, this is non-limiting and indents 128 may extend all along the top surface of side members 122 and 123 depending on the need for specific orientations.
Back member 124 and side members 122 and 123 may be made of one piece of wood to provide additional strength and/or aesthetic appeal to the backrest 100. However, this is not required to practice the present invention.
Backrest 100 may have a backrest portion 140 rotatably connected to base 120 in any suitable manner, such as by an adjustable mating system as shown in the illustrations. However, it is to be understood that any suitable hinge arrangement which will occur to one of skill in the art is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention. Backrest portion 140 may be made of multiple panels of panels 142. Backrest portion 140 may be made of wood or any other material suitable for the intentions of the present invention. Preferably, base 120 and backrest portion 140 are made of the same material. However, this is not required to practice the present invention.
Panels 142 are supported between two support members 144 and 146 whereby panels 142 extend across and past support members 144 and 146. In one preferred non-limiting embodiment there may be five panels 142 however this is non-limiting and may be any suitable number depending on the circumstances. Support members 144 and 146 may be in a pivotable relationship with side members 122 and 123 whereby the front end of side members 122 and 123 to a front end of support members 144 and 146. The distance between support members 144 and 146 is greater than the side members 122 and 123 such that when backrest 100 is collapsed they may be nested within one another.
Because of the pivotable relationship, support members 144 and 146 may rotate around side members 122 and 123 such that in a first configuration they are mostly parallel with one another with support members 144 and 146 on the outside and surrounding side members 122 and 123 with the side members extend more forward than the support members to a second configuration where they are perpendicular to one another to a third configuration where support members 144 and 146 extend forward side members 122 and 123 and anywhere in between the configurations.
Backrest portion 140 may have two support struts 150 and 152. A top end or near a top end of support struts 150 and 152 may be pivotally connected to support members 144 and 146, respectively. Support struts 150 and 152 are connected to the outside surfaces of support members 144 and 146 whereby they positioned between panels 142. In one or more alternate non-limiting embodiments, support struts 150 and 152 may instead be pivotally connected to panels 142.
A support frame 154 may be positioned between and connected to support struts 150 and 152 near or at a bottom end of struts 150 and 152. Support frame 154 adjustably mates with indents 128 of side members 122 and 123 of base 120 to permit the inclination of the backrest portion 140. Support struts 150 and 152 are of length such that support frame 154 when rotated may be positioned behind support members 144 and 146, and Support frame 154 mate with the base 120 in a variety of positions to permit the respective backrest portions to be releasably held in a variety of positions. An alternate embodiment may provide for one wide support strut or more than two narrow support struts. No matter what number and size of support struts 150 and 152 and support frame 154 are chosen, when employed they should be strong enough to support a large human back. In one or more non-limiting embodiments an adjustment mechanism may be connected to support struts 150 and 152 or support frame 154 to facilitate changing the positions of support frame 154 while allowing the user to remain in the same position.
A removable cover 160 or flexible backrest may extend the full length and width of the interfacing surface of backrest portion 140 whereby when positioned rests on or above side members 122 and 123. Cover 160 may have a removable cushion positioned inside, which also extends the full length and width of the chaise lounge. Cover 160 may be square rectangular in outline and have a perimeter that is folded over and seamed to form side surfaces which wrap over backrest portion 140 positioned. Cover 160 is dimensioned so that a taut, comfortable, supporting surface is provided for the back of a person seated upon backrest portion 140. One or more elastic bands may be placed in the folded over portions along the perimeter to hold cover 160 firmly in position over backrest portion 140. In other non-limiting embodiments one or more drawstrings may be placed in the folded over portions along the perimeter whereby the user may pull the drawstring or tie a knot with the drawstring to secure cover 160 to backrest portion 140.
A strap 170 may be affixed to support struts 150 and 152 whereby strap 170 may be used to transport backrest from place to place upon the shoulder of a user in the manner of a purse or sling. Strap 170 may be made of fabric, vinyl, PVC, or any other suitable material. Strap 170 may be extendable and also include an elongated pad that is sewn on a sleeve near the middle of strap 170.
During use, a user may place backrest 100 on a surface such as grass or sand. The user may slightly bury backrest 100 in the sand. The user may then pull backrest portion 140 upward from base 120. The user may then rotate support frame 154 from its stowed position to a suitable angle whereby the user may then position support frame 154 into the desired indent 128. If the user wishes to adjust backrest 100, user may then remove support frame 154 from indent 128 and place into another indent 128. The user then may place their towel over cover 160 and tuck it under backrest portion 140.
When the user wishes to collapse backrest 100, the user may remove support frame 154 from indents 128 and rotate the support frame 154 upward and rearward over the rear surfaces of support members 144 and 146. The user would then pivot backrest portion 140 downward to base 120 until backrest portion 110 and base 120 are parallel on the same plane. The user may then grab strap 170 and place it over their shoulder and carry backrest 100. Backrest 100 may also have other uses such as a table for platform while at the beach while in the collapse position.
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications suited to the use contemplated.
