Portable, flexible cushion for poolside use
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.
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 INVENTIONBathing 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.
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 INVENTIONThe 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.
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.
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.
The invention also includes certain ornamental designs of a flexible human bathing cushion.
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 DRAWINGSThe 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:
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.
One feature of the present invention shown in
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 28, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 3, 2006
Inventors: Carney McGuire (Wilton, NY), Julie Johnson (Saratoga Springs, NY), Angela Reynolds (Ballston Spa, NY)
Application Number: 11/046,051
International Classification: A47K 3/02 (20060101);