U.S. patent application number 12/410918 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for cushion that converts into an ottoman.
Invention is credited to Ming Chiang.
Application Number | 20100244501 12/410918 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42783211 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100244501 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiang; Ming |
September 30, 2010 |
CUSHION THAT CONVERTS INTO AN OTTOMAN
Abstract
A cushion that converts into an ottoman includes a collapsible,
hollow, rectangular container and a rigid, hollow, rectangular
container including padding. The top of the collapsible container
is open. The bottom of the rigid container is open, and a top and
all sides of the rigid container are closed. The padding is
disposed on the top of the rigid container. The collapsible
container is configured to mate with the hollow portion of the
rigid container when the collapsible container is collapsed to
generate a cushion. The top of the collapsible container is
configured to mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container
when the ottoman is un-collapsed to generate an ottoman.
Inventors: |
Chiang; Ming; (Woodbury,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
F. CHAU & ASSOCIATES, LLC
130 WOODBURY ROAD
WOODBURY
NY
11797
US
|
Family ID: |
42783211 |
Appl. No.: |
12/410918 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 13/00 20130101;
A47C 16/02 20130101; A47C 3/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/118 |
International
Class: |
A47C 13/00 20060101
A47C013/00; A47C 9/00 20060101 A47C009/00; A47C 7/02 20060101
A47C007/02; A47C 7/50 20060101 A47C007/50 |
Claims
1. A cushion that converts into an ottoman, the cushion comprising:
a collapsible, hollow, rectangular container, wherein the top of
the container is open; and a rigid, hollow, rectangular container
including padding, wherein the bottom of the rigid container is
open, and a top and all sides of the rigid container are closed,
wherein the padding is disposed on the top of the rigid container,
wherein the collapsible container is configured to mate with the
hollow portion of the rigid container when the collapsible
container is collapsed to generate a cushion, and wherein the top
of the collapsible container is configured to mate with the hollow
portion of the rigid container when the ottoman is un-collapsed to
generate an ottoman.
2. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the collapsible container
includes a rigid plate attached on a first one of its edges to an
inside edge of the collapsible container, wherein the inside edge
is adjacent to a first side and a bottom of the collapsible
container.
3. The cushion of claim 2, wherein the rigid plate is removably
attached to the edge and the removed rigid plate is configured to
serve as a divider between the pairs of rigid plates.
4. The cushion of claim 2, wherein a second edge and third edge of
the rigid plate that are both substantially perpendicular to the
first edge are flush with a second and third side of the
collapsible container.
5. The cushion of claim 2, wherein a fourth edge of the rigid plate
that opposes the first edge includes a handle that enables the
rigid plate to swing from a first position flush with the bottom of
the collapsible container to a second position flush with the first
side of collapsible container.
6. The cushion of claim 1, wherein a first side of the collapsible
container includes a first pair of rigid plates, a second side of
the collapsible container that opposes the first side includes a
second pair of rigid plates, a third side of the collapsible
container includes a first single rigid plate, a fourth side of the
collapsible container that opposes the third side includes a second
single rigid plate, and each pair of rigid plates are substantially
perpendicular to one of the single rigid plates.
7. The cushion of claim 6, further comprising a divider wall that
is configured to be fitted between the pairs of rigid plates such
that a first edge of the divider rests in a gap between the first
pair of rigid plates and a second opposing edge of the divider
rests in a gap between the second pair of rigid plates.
8. The cushion of claim 6, wherein the first and second pair of
rigid plates and the first and second single rigid plates are
encapsulated by a fabric.
9. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the collapsible
container is covered by a fabric.
10. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the top and each side of the
rigid container respectively comprises single rigid plates.
11. The cushion of claim 10, wherein the rigid plates of the rigid
container are encapsulated by a fabric.
12. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the height of the collapsible
container when un-collapsed is at least four times greater than the
height of the rigid container.
13. The cushion of claim 1, wherein each side of a pair of opposing
sides of the collapsible container includes a handle.
14. A cushion that converts into an ottoman, the cushion
comprising: a collapsible, hollow, rectangular container having an
open top, the collapsible container comprising: first, second,
third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth rigid walls
encapsulated by a flexible material, wherein the first and second
walls oppose one another, the third, fourth, and fifth walls oppose
the sixth, seventh, and eighth walls, wherein the first wall is
substantially perpendicular to the fourth wall, wherein the fourth,
fifth, seventh and eighth walls are substantially the same size,
wherein the third and sixth walls are substantially the same size,
and wherein the length of the fourth wall ranges between four to
eight times the length of the third wall; a rigid, hollow,
rectangular container including a padded top, wherein the bottom of
the rigid container is open, and a top and all sides of the rigid
container are closed, wherein the collapsible container is
configured to mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container
when the collapsible container is collapsed to generate a cushion,
and wherein the top of the collapsible container is configured to
mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container when the
ottoman is un-collapsed to generate an ottoman.
15. The cushion of claim 14, wherein the length of the fourth wall
ranges between seven to eight times the length of the third
wall.
16. The cushion of claim 14, wherein the collapsible container
includes a rigid plate attached on a first one of its edges to an
inside edge, wherein the inside edge is adjacent to a first side
and a bottom of the collapsible container.
17. The cushion of claim 15, wherein the rigid plate is configured
to swing through a range of about 90 degrees.
18. The cushion of claim 15, wherein the ottoman is un-collapsed
when the rigid plate is flush with the bottom of the collapsible
container.
19. A cushion that converts into an ottoman, the cushion
comprising: a collapsible, hollow, rectangular container, wherein
the top of the collapsible container is open; and a rigid, hollow,
rectangular container including padding, wherein the bottom of the
rigid container is open, and a top and all sides of the rigid
container are closed, wherein the padding is disposed on the top of
the rigid container, wherein the collapsible container is
configured to mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container
when the collapsible container is collapsed to generate a cushion,
wherein the collapsible container includes a divider wall attached
at one end to a side wall of the collapsible container to enable
the wall to swing and an opposing end of the divider wall includes
a first part of a fastener to be attached to a second part of the
fastener on an opposing side of the collapsible container, and
wherein the top of the collapsible container is configured to mate
with the hollow portion of the rigid container when the ottoman is
un-collapsed to form an ottoman.
20. The container of claim 19, wherein the fastener is Velcro.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a cushions and ottomans,
and more particularly to a cushion that convert into an
ottoman.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0004] The seat of a chair, for example, a wooden kitchen chair, is
made more comfortable by placing a cushion on the seat. An ottoman
is a cushioned footstool that is typically of a height that
corresponds to the resting portion of a corresponding couch. A
typical ottoman has a rigid frame for supporting weight. While the
typical cushion may have a height on the order of a few inches, the
typical ottoman may have a height on the order of a few feet,
typically higher than the backing of the chair that the cushion
rests on. While the ottoman has a cushioned surfaced, due to its
excessive height, it would be impractical to use the ottoman as a
cushion for the chair. Accordingly, individuals need to own both a
cushion and an ottoman to receive the benefits of both items.
[0005] For those living in a small apartment or those having a room
in a home or office where space is minimal, it is not always
possible to furnish such an apartment or room with many different
pieces of furniture. Furniture that is convertible from one
structural configuration to another may be used to maximize
existing space. By way of example, folding sofas, which provide
seating, are known to be convertible to a bed for sleeping.
Accordingly, a user can gain the benefits of multiple functions
from the same piece of furniture, without having to own more than a
single piece.
[0006] Therefore, it would be beneficial for some apartment
dwellers and home owners to have access to single pieces of space
conserving furniture, which can be folded or collapsed to establish
different structural configurations having correspondingly
different functions, but without the expense and requirement that
individual pieces be purchased and used to perform the same
functions.
[0007] Thus, there is a need for a cushion that can be converted
into an ottoman.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a
cushion that converts into an ottoman. The cushion includes a
collapsible, hollow, rectangular container and a rigid, hollow,
rectangular container including padding. The top of the collapsible
container is open. The bottom of the rigid container is open, and a
top and all sides of the rigid container are closed. The padding is
disposed on the top of the rigid container. The collapsible
container is configured to mate with the hollow portion of the
rigid container when the collapsible container is collapsed to form
a cushion. The top of the collapsible container is configured to
mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container when the
ottoman is un-collapsed to form an ottoman.
[0009] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a
cushion that converts into an ottoman. The cushion includes a
collapsible, hollow, rectangular container having an open top and a
rigid, hollow, rectangular container including a padded top. The
collapsible container includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh, and eighth rigid walls encapsulated by a flexible
material. The first and second walls oppose one another, and the
third, fourth, and fifth walls oppose the sixth, seventh, and
eighth walls. The first wall is substantially perpendicular to the
fourth wall. The fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth walls are
substantially the same size. The third and sixth walls are
substantially the same size. The length of the fourth wall ranges
between four to eight times the length of the third wall. The
bottom of the rigid container is open, and a top and all sides of
the rigid container are closed. The collapsible container is
configured to mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container
when the collapsible container is collapsed to generate a cushion.
The top of the collapsible container is configured to mate with the
hollow portion of the rigid container when the ottoman is
un-collapsed to generate an ottoman.
[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a
cushion that converts into an ottoman. The cushion includes a
collapsible, hollow, rectangular container and a rigid, hollow,
rectangular container including padding. The top of the collapsible
container is open. The bottom of the rigid container is open, and a
top and all sides of the rigid container are closed. The padding is
disposed on the top of the rigid container. The collapsible
container is configured to mate with the hollow portion of the
rigid container when the collapsible container is collapsed to
generate a cushion. The collapsible container includes a divider
wall attached at one end to a side wall of the collapsible
container to enable the wall to swing and an opposing end of the
divider wall includes a first part of a fastener to be attached to
a second part of the fastener on an opposing side of the
collapsible container. The top of the collapsible container is
configured to mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container
when the ottoman is un-collapsed to generate an ottoman. The
fastener may be Velcro.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the invention can be understood in
more detail from the following descriptions taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a cushion that can be converted into an
ottoman according an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible
container of the cushion of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a
collapsible container of the cushion of FIG. 1 according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a cushion that according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in different
forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a cushion 100 that can be converted into
an ottoman 400 according an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 1 is broken up into FIGS. 1A-E to more clearly
illustrate the constituent elements of the cushion 100 and how the
cushion 100 may be converted into the ottoman 400.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 1A, the cushion 100 includes a
collapsible, hollow, rectangular container 300 and a rigid, hollow,
rectangular container 200 including padding. The padding is
disposed on the top of the rigid container. The collapsible
container 300 may include a pair of handles 306, where each is
disposed on an opposing side of collapsible container 300.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the cushion 100 can be
separated into the collapsible container 300 and the rigid
container 200 by lifting the rigid container 200. The bottom of the
rigid container 200 is open, and a top and all sides of the rigid
container are closed. When compressed flat or substantially flat,
as shown in FIG. 1B, a side of the collapsible container 300 is
dimensioned to be received by and mated with the hollow portion of
the rigid container 200 using the top opening of the rigid
container 200. The bottom surface 303 of the collapsible container
300 is made of a flexible fabric such as canvas, polyester,
etc.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1D and 1E, when completely un-collapsed,
the collapsible container 300 forms a rectangular or square
container. The top of the collapsible container 300 is open and is
dimensioned to mate with the hollow portion of the rigid container
200 using the opening of the rigid container 200 to form the
ottoman 400.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the
collapsible container 300 of FIG. 1. The collapsible container
300-1 of FIG. 2 includes a supporting rigid plate 304 attached on a
first one of its edges to an inside edge of the collapsible
container 300-1. The inside edge of the collapsible container 300-1
may be adjacent a first side 301A and a bottom side 303 of the
collapsible container 300-1. The supporting rigid plate 304 can be
swung away from the first side 301A to be flush with the bottom
side 303, which offers structural support to the collapsible
container 300-1. The supporting plate 304 may be configured to
swing through a range of about 90 degrees. The shape and size of
the supporting plate 304 is substantially the same as the bottom
side 303. An opposing edge of the supporting plate 304 may include
a handle 307, which enables a user to pull the supporting plate 304
back towards the first side 301. The collapsible container 300-1
may be un-collapsed when the supporting plate 3-4 is flush with the
bottom side 303.
[0022] The collapsible container 300 or 300-1 includes opposing
side walls 301A and 301B, and opposing pairs of side walls (302A-1
and 302A-2) and (302B-1 and 302B-2), that are each substantially
perpendicular to the side walls 301A and 301B. The opposing side
walls 301A and 301B respectively include a first and second rigid
plate. Each side wall of the first pair of side walls (302A-1 and
302A-2) respectively includes a third and a fourth rigid plate.
Each side wall of the second pair of the side walls (302B-1 and
302B-2) respectively includes a fifth and sixth rigid plate.
[0023] When the supporting plate 304 is not flush with the bottom
side 303, application of pressure to the space between each pair of
side walls (302A-1 and 302A-2) and (302B-1 and 302B-2) can be used
to inwardly collapse the walls until the collapsible container 300
is substantially flat (see e.g., FIG. 1C and FIG. 1B). The first
through sixth rigid plates may be encapsulated by a flexible
material such as canvas or polyester. The encapsulating material
may include a pair of creases 305A and 305B, where each crease
corresponds to the above described spaces. The creases 305A and
305B may make it easier to collapse collapsible container 300 or
300-1. Each of the plates of the pairs of side walls 301A and 301B
may be substantially the same size. Each of the plates of the pairs
of side walls (302A-1 and 302A-2) and (302B-1 and 302B-2) may be
substantially the same size. Each of the plates of the side walls
301A and 301B may be substantially the same size.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting
plate 304 is configured to be removably attached to the inside edge
of the collapsible container 300-1, for example, by Velcro. The
removed supporting plate 304 can then serve as divider and
structural support when placed between opposing side walls of the
collapsible container 300-1. The divider wall may be fitted between
the pairs of rigid plates such that a first edge of the divider
rests in a gap (or crease) between plates of side walls 302A-1 and
302A-2 and a gap (or crease) between plates of opposing sides
302B-1 and 302B-2.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the
collapsible container 300 of the cushion of FIG. 1 according to
another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to
FIG. 3, the collapsible container 300-2 includes a first rigid wall
301A, a second rigid wall 301B, third-fifth rigid walls 320A-322A,
and sixth-eighth rigid walls 320B-322B encapsulated by a flexible
material or fabric such as canvas, polyester, etc.
[0026] The fabric may include creases 325A and 325B respectively at
areas between the fourth-fifth rigid walls 321A-322A and between
the seventh-eight rigid walls 321B-322B. The fabric may also
include creases respectively between the third-fourth rigid walls
320A-321A and the sixth-seventh rigid walls 320B-321B.
[0027] The first and second rigid walls 301A and 301B oppose one
another and the third-fifth rigid walls 320A-322A oppose the
sixth-eighth rigid walls 320B-322B. The first and second rigid 301A
and 301B walls are substantially perpendicular to third-fifth rigid
walls 320A-322A and the sixth-eighth rigid walls 320B-322B. The
fourth-fifth rigid walls 321A-322A and seventh-eighth rigid walls
321B-322B are substantially the same size as one another. The third
and sixth rigid walls 320A and 320B are substantially the same size
as one another.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
length of the fourth-fifth rigid walls 321A-322A and seventh-eighth
rigid walls 321B-322B range between four to eight times the length
of the third-fourth rigid walls 320A-320B. In another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the length of the fourth-fifth
rigid walls 321A-322A and seventh-eighth rigid walls 321B-322B
range between seven to eight times the length of the third-fourth
rigid walls 320A-320B.
[0029] The collapsible container 300-2 is configured to mate with
the hollow portion of the rigid container 200 when the collapsible
container 300-2 is collapsed to form a cushion 100. When
un-collapsed, the top open portion of the collapsible container
300-2 is configured to mate with the hollow portion of the rigid
container to form an ottoman. Each of the rigid walls includes a
rigid plate.
[0030] Although not shown in FIG. 3, the collapsible container
300-2 may include the supporting plate 304 that is attached at one
edge to an inside bottom edge of the container 300-2. The inside
edge may be adjacent the back rigid wall 301A and a bottom flexible
side 303 of the container 300-2. The supporting plate 304 has a
thickness that is less than the length of the first and second
rigid walls 320A and 320B. The first and second rigid walls 320A
and 320B do not collapse, and thus when the supporting plate 304 is
flush with the back wall 301A, and the container 300-2 is collapsed
inward at creases 325A and 325, an area is left for the supporting
plate 304. This area may be configured such that it is large enough
to include a divider that can be placed between the creases 325A
and 325B.
[0031] The cushions/ottomans of FIG. 1-3 are illustrated as being
square-like. However, all major sides of an ottoman/cushion of the
present invention need not be the same size, as the ottoman can
have any rectangular configuration. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates
a cushion that converts into an ottoman 400-1 according to
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which has a longer
length than those illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, the ottoman 400-1 includes a
rectangular collapsible container 300-3 and a rigid container
200-1. Other than being longer, the collapsible container 300-3 and
rigid container 200-1 are similar to the collapsible container and
rigid container FIG. 2. For example, the collapsible container
300-3 may be collapsed inwardly by application of pressure to
creases 325A and 325B until substantially flat. The flattened
container 300-3 may then be inserted into the bottom opening of the
rigid container 200-1, enabling the combination to be used as a
cushion.
[0033] The collapsible container 300-3 includes a rigid divider
wall 308 attached at one end to a side wall of the collapsible
container 300-3 to enable the divider wall 308 to swing a range of
about 180 degrees. An opposing end of the divider wall 308 includes
a fastener 309, which allows the divider wall 308 to be fastened to
the opposing side wall. The divider wall 308 serves as a divider
and also gives structural support to the container. The fastener
309 may be made out of a first fastening part from Velcro. A second
fastening part of the Velcro may be attached to the opposing side
wall so that the first fastening part may be attached to the second
fastening part. For example, FIG. 4A shows the divider wall 308
un-attached to the opposing side wall, while FIG. 4B shows the
divider wall 308 attached to the opposing side wall.
[0034] Although not shown in FIG. 4, the collapsible container
300-3 may instead include the supporting plate 304 attached at one
edge to an inside bottom edge of the container 300-3. The inside
edge may be adjacent to a back rigid wall and a bottom flexible
side of the container 300-3.
[0035] The collapsible containers (300, 300-1, 300-2, or 300-3),
when un-collapsed have a height that is substantially greater than
the height of the rigid containers (200, or 200-1). In an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the height ranges between 3 to
5 times the height of the rigid container (200 or 200-1).
[0036] The rigid plates/walls may be made of any rigid material,
such as wood, cardboard, metal, plastic, etc. In another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention the height of each of the walls
of the collapsible container (300, 300-1, 300-2, or 300-3) varies
between about 10 to about 36 inches.
[0037] Although illustrative embodiments have been described herein
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood
that the present invention is not limited to those precise
embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may
be affected therein by one of ordinary skill in the related art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All
such changes and modifications are intended to be included within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *