U.S. patent application number 11/046051 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-03 for portable, flexible cushion for poolside use.
Invention is credited to Julie M. Johnson, Carney J. McGuire, Angela M. Reynolds.
Application Number | 20060168721 11/046051 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36754906 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060168721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McGuire; Carney J. ; et
al. |
August 3, 2006 |
Portable, flexible cushion for poolside use
Abstract
A flexible human bathing cushion adapted for use in or near a
bathing facility, wherein the cushion is flexible and easily
rolled; the cushion not substantially buoyant; and the cushion has
a plurality of passages spread across the cushion between an upper
and lower planar surface thereof to facilitate placement and
removal from a wet surface. The cushion of the present invention is
a portable, comfortable cushion that can be easily stowed in a
beach bag or suitcase. The cushion is relatively thin, yet thick
enough to support a person and provide an adequate barrier between
the bathing suit of the person and a potentially rough surface. The
cushion is preferably made of a material which has some resilience
to water, can dry off quickly, and be very flexible. Though the
material may be buoyant, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is not particularly buoyant to facilitate its use under
water, i.e., on a submerged seat in a spa, bath tub or hot tub.
Inventors: |
McGuire; Carney J.; (Wilton,
NY) ; Johnson; Julie M.; (Saratoga Springs, NY)
; Reynolds; Angela M.; (Ballston Spa, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI PC
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Family ID: |
36754906 |
Appl. No.: |
11/046051 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/581 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 3/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/581 |
International
Class: |
A47K 3/02 20060101
A47K003/02 |
Claims
1. A cushion adapted for use in or near a bathing facility, wherein
the cushion is flexible and easily rolled; the cushion not
substantially buoyant; and the cushion having a plurality of
passages spread across the cushion between an upper and lower
planar surface thereof to facilitate placement and removal from a
wet surface.
2. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the cushion comprises a logo
embedded in the passages or its perimeter shape conveying a message
or decorative shape.
3. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of passages
comprises closely spaced passages of a plurality of different
sizes.
4. The cushion of claim 3, wherein the plurality of closely spaced
passages is spread across substantially the entire cushion, such
that 50-75% of the surface area of the upper and lower surface
comprise open space.
5. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of passages is
spread across substantially the entire cushion, such that 50-75% of
the surface area of the upper and lower surface comprise open
space.
6. The cushion of claim 1, in combination with a bag to hold the
cushion when the cushion is rolled up.
7. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the cushion is substantially not
buoyant.
8. A method for protecting clothing or skin from rough surfaces in
or around a bathing facility, the method comprising: using a
cushion; wherein the cushion is flexible and easily rolled; the
cushion not substantially buoyant; and the cushion having a
plurality of passages spread across the cushion between an upper
and lower planar surface thereof to facilitate placement and
removal from a wet surface.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cushion comprises a logo
embedded in the passages or its perimeter shape conveying a message
or decorative shape.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of passages
comprises closely spaced passages of a plurality of different
sizes.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of closely spaced
passages is spread across substantially the entire cushion, such
that 50-75% of the surface area of the upper and lower surface
comprise open space.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the plurality of passages is
spread across substantially the entire cushion, such that 50-75% of
the surface area of the upper and lower surface comprise open
space.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising rolling the cushion
and placing it in a bag for transport or using the cushion as a
pillow.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the cushion is substantially not
buoyant.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates in general to a cushion. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible human
bathing cushion with certain features to provide comfort and
protection at bathing facility locations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Bathing suits are expensive and difficult to find. When
sitting poolside, especially on concrete, the fabric wears down
quickly with runs and pulls. Similarly, sitting in a spa or hot tub
can wear down the bathing suit fabric. Sometimes a towel can be
used, but the towel itself can become wet and therefore cold and
useless for any other purpose; moreover, it is very difficult and
self-defeating to use a towel under the water in a spa or hot tub.
The skin itself can be affected by these conditions.
[0003] What is required, therefore, is a technique, including a
device and method, for protecting bathing suits, other apparel, and
skin from the adverse effects of rough surfaces in and around
swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and
additional advantages are provided by the present invention which
in one aspect is a cushion adapted for use in or near a bathing
facility, wherein the cushion is flexible and easily rolled; the
cushion is not substantially buoyant; and the cushion has a
plurality of passages spread across the cushion between an upper
and lower planar surface thereof to facilitate placement and
removal from a wet surface.
[0005] The plurality of passages may be a plurality of closely
spaced passages of a plurality of different sizes. The plurality of
closely spaced passages may be spread across substantially the
entire cushion, such that 50-75% of the surface area of the upper
and lower surface comprises open space.
[0006] The cushion of the present invention is a portable,
comfortable cushion that can be easily stowed in a beach bag or
suitcase. The cushion is relatively thin, yet thick enough to
support a person and provide an adequate barrier between the
bathing suit of the person and a potentially rough surface. The
cushion is preferably made of a material which has some resilience
to water, can dry off quickly, and be very flexible. Though the
material may be buoyant, the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is not particularly buoyant to facilitate its use under
water, i.e., on a submerged seat in a spa, bath tub or hot tub.
[0007] The invention also includes certain ornamental designs of a
flexible human bathing cushion.
[0008] Further additional features and advantages are realized
through the device and techniques of the present invention. Other
embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail
herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed at the conclusion of the
specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and
advantages of the invention are apparent from the following
detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top, planar view of a cushion in accordance with
one aspect of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of the cushion of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the cushion of FIG. 1 in its rolled
up form;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows the flexible nature of the cushion of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a use of the rolled cushion of FIG. 3 as a head
support;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows a use of cushions of the present invention at
the side of a pool;
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the use of the cushion of the present invention
on a submerged seat of a bathing facility, e.g., a hot tub;
[0017] FIG. 8 shows the cushion of the present invention rolled up
and in a dedicated bag for easy transport;
[0018] FIGS. 9-14 depict a first, ornamental aspect of the cushion
of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 15-20 depict a second, ornamental aspect of the
cushion of the present invention; and
[0020] FIGS. 21-26 depict a third, ornamental aspect of the cushion
of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] As discussed above, the present invention is directed to a
cushion for use around a bathing facility. The term "bathing
facility" is used broadly herein to connote any body of water which
people sit around and/or enter for any purpose, e.g., a swimming
pool, beach, hot-tub, bath tub, spa, etc.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a top planar view of a first example of the
present invention showing a cushion 10 having an exemplary
rectangular shape, with exemplary dimensions of 11 inches in width
(W) and 17 inches in length (L). As discussed further below, these
dimensions are adequate to support an average person when sitting
at a bathing facility, but small enough to be easily rolled up and
stowed, or rolled up and used as a head support or pillow (see
below).
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cushion of FIG. 1, showing an
exemplary thickness of about 1/8 inch--enough to provide a barrier
between a surface and a person, yet thin enough to facilitate
rolling up. This is an exemplary thickness only, and the thickness
may vary from 1/16 inch to about 2-3 inches, but not too thick to
impede its use or rolling.
[0024] One feature of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
are the plurality of passages 16 formed from the upper 12 to lower
14 planar surfaces, spread across cushion 10. Circular passages are
shown as examples only--the passages could take the form of any
geometric shapes, so long as they meet the other requirements
herein. These passages provide certain advantages. First, they
prevent any significant suction between the lower surface 14 and
the surface of the bathing facility on which the cushion is placed.
This is especially important when the facility surface is
wet--which usually will add to the suction effect on any device
having a flat, uniform surface. The passages of the present
invention allow large amounts of air through the cushion towards
its bottom surface 14, thereby minimizing any suction effects. In
one embodiment, the passages of the present invention occupy at
least 50-75% of the surface area of the cushion. There still has to
be enough solid area to provide seating comfort.
[0025] Another important advantage of the passages of the present
invention involves the way they decrease resistance to submerging
the cushion under water, i.e., towards an underwater bench of a
pool or hot tub. (See the discussion regarding FIG. 7 below.) By
providing enough passages spread across the surface area of the
cushion, its resistance to submerging is much less than if it were
solid. The edges of the passages may be beveled to provide
additional comfort and smoothness.
[0026] In that regard, the cushion of the present invention also
has another feature in one exemplary embodiment: the material
forming the cushion is not substantially buoyant (e.g., not
designed to float), and in another related embodiment the cushion
is substantially not buoyant (e.g., designed intentionally to not
float--or to sink). This non-buoyancy ensures that the cushion can
be easily submerged to underwater seating areas.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows the cushion 10 in its rolled form; FIG. 4 shows
its flexible nature over a tub; and FIG. 5 shows how the cushion 10
in its rolled form can be used as a head and/or neck support or
pillow. To provide this functionality, the cushion of the present
invention must be of a flexible, non-rigid material, and of a small
enough thickness to facilitate rolling into this type of shape.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows the use of cushions 20, 30 and 40 formed in
accordance with the present invention, along the side of a pool 42.
Here, if the surface is rough (i.e., concrete) the cushion provides
a barrier between the surface and the bathing suits and therefore
preserves the fabric of the bathing suits.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows another, exemplary use of a cushion 50 formed
in accordance with the present invention, on an underwater seat in
a hot tub 52. If the cushion is formed as discussed above with a
plurality of passages and non-buoyant, the cushion can be very
easily placed on, and removed from, an underwater seating surface,
while providing the barrier function to protect bathing suits on
even underwater seats.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows the cushion of the present invention rolled and
in a bag for easy transport.
[0031] The cushion of the present invention may have any perimeter
shape--the rectangular shape shown is one example. Also, the
pattern of the passages shown may have any distribution--the
distribution shown is one example only. The perimeter shape and/or
the passage distribution may be formed into patterns
themselves--i.e., decorative shapes, or even letters or shapes
conveying a message. Moreover, a logo/source designation could be
conveyed with the perimeter shape and/or passage pattern.
[0032] FIGS. 9-26 also depict, in other aspects of the invention,
certain ornamental designs for a flexible human bathing cushion, as
shown and described. The broken lines in the figures are for
illustrative purposes only and form no part of the claimed
invention. The geometric figures spread across the surface are in a
generally random pattern, and the exemplary patterns may limit the
invention, but may not limit the invention in other embodiments.
Nothing herein precludes the combination of features from the three
(3) exemplary designs shown.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a flexible human bathing
cushion in accordance with a first new design;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a top view thereof;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a front elevational view thereof, a rear
elevational view being a mirror image thereof;
[0036] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view thereof, an opposing side
elevational view being a mirror image thereof;
[0037] FIG. 13 is a back view thereof; and
[0038] FIG. 14 is a side view of the flexible human bathing cushion
in its rolled up form.
[0039] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a flexible human bathing
cushion in accordance with a second new design;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a top view thereof;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a front elevational view thereof, a rear
elevational view being a mirror image thereof;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view thereof, an opposing side
elevational view being a mirror image thereof;
[0043] FIG. 19 is a back view thereof; and
[0044] FIG. 20 is a side view of the flexible human bathing cushion
in its rolled up form.
[0045] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a flexible human bathing
cushion in accordance with a third new design;
[0046] FIG. 22 is a top view thereof;
[0047] FIG. 23 is a front elevational view thereof, a rear
elevational view being a mirror image thereof;
[0048] FIG. 24 is a side elevational view thereof, an opposing side
elevational view being a mirror image thereof;
[0049] FIG. 25 is a back view thereof; and
[0050] FIG. 26 is a side view of the flexible human bathing cushion
in its rolled up form.
[0051] Although preferred embodiments have been depicted and
described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the relevant art that various modifications, additions,
substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the
spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be
within the scope of the invention as defined in the following
claims.
* * * * *