Device for indicating that a chair is reserved

Abstract

The present invention is a device for removable application to a seat or chair which incorporates a visual indication that the seat or chair is reserved or taken. Visual indication of chair reservation is achieved by incorporating one or more reservation indicators into the device such as color, wording, artwork or the like thereby providing a distinguishing reservation indicator. The chair reservation device may also support the reception and display of adornments and/or accessories for personalizing the chair reservation device. In one form, the present chair reservation device is formed as a material hood or hat that is received over and onto an upper portion of a back of a chair. Through the incorporation of one or more distinguishing reservation indicators, the present chair reservation device provides a distinctly discernable indication to a potential user that the particular chair is reserved or taken.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for indicating whether a seat or chair is reserved or taken and, more particularly, is directed to a hood or cover that is receivable over a back of a seat and which includes indicia indicating and/or identifying that the seat is reserved or taken.

2. Background Information

There are many times and/or situations when a seat or chair is or needs to be reserved. Such situations include concerts, sporting events, social gatherings, theaters, airplanes, restaurants and/or the like. Another typical situation is the selection and use of lounge and/or deck chairs such as those used around a swimming pool, at a resort, hotel or on a cruise ship deck. In all situations, when the seat or chair is physically occupied by an individual it is, of course, easy to determine that the seat or chair is taken. However, when the seat or chair is not physically occupied by an individual, something must be used to indicate that the seat or chair is taken or reserved.

In some situations it is easy to rope off a number of seats or chairs to indicate that the seats or chairs are reserved. In other situations, such as in indoor venues, it is easy and/or convenient to place an item on the seat or chair in order to indicate that the seat or chair is reserved. In cases, however, when a seat or chair has been occupied by a user but the user has temporarily left the chair, the user may leave one or more personal items on or about the chair in order to indicate to others that the chair is taken but that the user is currently gone. Depending on the situation, leaving one or more personal items on the seat or chair is not a recommended solution. Personal items are subject to theft or may simply blow away in outdoor venues. Use of a towel strewn on the chair or a placard placed on the chair may also blow away in outdoor venues.

Leaving too few items on or around the seat or chair when unoccupied leaves the impression that the seat or chair is not reserved or taken and thereby prompting someone to take over the chair. Also, because the number and/or desirable location of chairs are limited, arguments may ensue as to whether a chair is actually taken or reserved. In order to alleviate or prevent such arguments, it would be desirable to have an unambiguous manner or way of indicating that a chair or seat is taken without the need to leave various personal items on or around the chair. Moreover, it would be desirable if the unambiguous manner or way of indicating whether a chair or seat is reserved or taken was easy to use. It is furthermore desirable if the unambiguous manner or way of indicating whether a chair or seat is reserved or taken was also not subject to being blown away by wind or air currents.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that is used with a seat or chair for indicating whether the seat or chair is reserved or taken.

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for a seat or chair (collectively, chair) that provides a visual indication that the chair is reserved or taken. The chair reservation device is removably received on and/or around a back of the chair. Visual indication of chair reservation is achieved by incorporating one or more reservation indicators into the device. A reservation indicator may be one or more of color, indicia, pattern, symbol, wording, emblem, marks and/or artwork. The chair reservation device may also support the reception and display of adornments and/or accessories for personalizing the chair reservation device.

In one form, the present chair reservation device is formed as a hood, cover or “hat” (collectively, hood) that is received over, onto and/or about an upper portion of a back of a chair. The chair reservation hood incorporates one or more reservation indicators that are distinguishable from one or more sides of the chair reservation hood. The chair reservation hood is thus configured to slip over, onto and be held by the top end of the back of the chair. Preferably, the chair reservation hood extends about only an upper portion of end of the chair back. In this manner, the chair reservation hood provides a distinctly discernable indication to a potential user that the particular chair is reserved or taken.

The hood may be fashioned from a stretchable material such as, but not necessarily, a polyester, nylon, spandex and/or other similar material that allows for flexibility in fitting various sized chairs. The ability to stretch allows the present chair reservation hood to fit snugly about the end/end area of the chair back. However, various sizes will be made to accommodate all types and sizes of chairs. It should be appreciated that additional types of material for the chair reservation hood may be cotton or other natural cloth/material or blend, a synthetic cloth/material or blend, or a natural/synthetic cloth/material or blend depending on the internal or external use of the chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features, advantages and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a lounge chair on which is disposed a device for indicating that the chair is reserved and/or taken and, particularly on which is disposed an embodiment of a chair reservation hood or device having and/or incorporating an indicator or indicia for visually indicating that the chair is reserved and/or taken;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the lounge chair and chair reservation hood of FIG. 1 with the chair reservation hood in exploded view relative to the lounge chair for showing the manner in which the present chair reservation hood is received onto the chair;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the chair reservation hood of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a chair on which is disposed a chair reservation hood as in FIGS. 1-3 but having different chair reservation indicator and which additionally incorporates an adornment or accessory receptor; and

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 4 wherein an adornment and/or accessory is received in the adornment/accessory receptor of the chair reservation hood.

Like reference numerals indicate the same or similar parts throughout the several figures.

A detailed description of the features, functions and/or configuration of the components depicted in the various figures will now be presented. It should be appreciated that not all of the features of the components of the figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussed features as well as discussed features are inherent from the figures. Other non discussed features may be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures and, particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a lounge or deck chair 10 on which is disposed an embodiment of a chair reservation device 30 fashioned in accordance with the present principles. The lounge chair 10 is representative of a type of seat or chair on which the present invention may be used. It should thus be appreciated that the present invention may be used on any type of seat or chair such as but not limited to chairs typically used in theaters, sports arenas, airplanes, restaurants and/or the like as well as stand-alone and/or free standing seats or chairs.

The lounge chair 10 has a seat 12 and a back 20 that extends from a rear of the seat 12. The seat 12 is formed of a seat or lower frame 13 onto which is provided a support 14. The support 14 is shown as a material support such as a mesh material but may be of any suitable design and/or structure. The lower frame 13 is bent slightly downward to provide a foot rest or foot rest area 15. A leg 16 is attached to the lower frame 13 and is configured to support and elevate the seat 12. First and second wheels 18 and 19 are connected to ends of the frame 13 for allowing easier movement of the chair 10.

The back 20 is formed of a back or upper frame 21 onto which is provided a support 22. The support 22 is shown as a material support (e.g. a mesh material) but may be of any suitable design and/or structure. The upper frame 21 is fashioned in a generally U-shape and is oriented relative to the lower frame 13 to create a generally supine orientation for a user of the chair 10. The upper frame 21 may or may not be changeable in orientation relative to the lower frame 13.

Referring additionally to FIG. 3 the chair reservation device 30 is formed by a body 31 configured as a hood, cap, cover, sleeve, hat or the like (collectively, chair reservation hood 30) that defines an opening 36 and interior 41, the interior 41 forming a pocket. The chair reservation hood 30 is preferably, but not necessarily, made of polyester, nylon, spandex and/or other similar material which allows for flexibility in fitting various sized chairs. Flexibility allows the chair reservation hood 30 to fit snugly about the end and/or end area of the chair back 20. Flexibility also allows one size of the present chair reservation hood to accommodate a wide variety of chairs. Other materials, of course, may be used for the body 31 such as cotton or other natural fiber, cloth or material, a synthetic fiber, cloth, or material or a natural/synthetic fiber, cloth or material.

The chair reservation hood 30 defines a front side or face 32 and a back side or face 34, top 37, as well as first and second lateral sides 38 and 39. The front side 32 has a reservation indicator 33 embodied as the word “RESERVED”. The back side 34 has a reservation indicator 35 embodied as the word “RESERVED”. Other words, wording, phrases or sayings in any language may likewise be used to provide a reservation indicator as well as symbols, emblems, indicia, pattern, marks and/or artwork. In the current embodiment 30, the reservation indicator “RESERVED” may be applied to the body 31 in various manners such as printing, transfer, sewing, embroidering or the like. Color may also be used by itself as a reservation indicator or in conjunction with another reservation indicator.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the chair reservation hood 30 is shown in an exploded rear perspective view for illustrating how the chair reservation device is placed onto a chair (and in a reverse manner removed from the chair). The chair reservation hood 30 fits onto the upper portion (i.e. from the top 37 of the back 20 downward toward the seat 12) of the back 20 of the chair 10 by placing the pocket 41 onto and over the top end 37 of the back of the chair. The top 31 of the hood 30 thus rests on the top 37 of the chair back 20 while the length of the hood 30 extends only a short distance downward. This distance is preferably, but not necessarily, about ⅓ of the total length of the chair back but may be from ½ to ⅓ of the total length of the chair back. The chair reservation hood 30 thus extends only a portion of the way down the back 20.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a typical free standing chair 50 on which is disposed a variation of the chair reservation hood 30. The chair 50 is defined by a seat 52 that is retained in an elevated position by first and second lateral legs 54 and 55. A back frame 57 in the shape of a “U” connects to the first and second legs 54, 55. A cushioned back 58 is connected to the back frame 57.

The variation of the chair reservation hood 30 as shown in FIG. 4 may or may not have a color or colors, a pattern, identifying indicia or the like as a reservation indicator, but does as shown have a reservation indicator 33 in the form of a phrase “fuhgettabout it . . . it's Reserved” on the front side 32 of the hood 30. This phrase is a humorous chair reservation phrase that provides a humorous but clear indication that the chair is reserved. Various other humorous words or phrases may be used as well as other genres of words or phrases to convey the reserved status of the chair. Additionally, the “fuhgettabout it . . . it's Reserved” chair reservation indicator incorporates a stylized element (i.e. the second “r” in the word “Reserved” is in the form of a pistol). The chair reservation hood 30 may have the same wording on the back side 34 of the hood 30 as the front side 32, or there may be other wording thereby providing a front message and a rear message.

The chair reservation hood 30 also includes an opening 42 that may take the form of a button hole or the like. The opening 42 may include a grommet or the like. Variations are contemplated. Alternatively, 42 may represent a button, snap, hook or the like (receptor). The hood 30 may also include more than one opening or receptor 42 placed anywhere in or on the hood 30. In any case 42 is for receiving and holding an adornment or accessory. Referring additionally to FIG. 5, an adornment or accessory 90 is shown received in or by the opening 42 through the use of a hook configuration attached to the body of the adornment or accessory 90. Other configurations may be used. The reservation indicator wording is also absent from the hood 30 to emphasize the use of personalization adornments or accessories as reservation indicators for the hood or as an additional, personalized reservation indicator. These adornments or accessories are provided separately and are offered in a multitude of shapes to allow personalization of the chair reservation hood. In FIG. 5, the adornment or accessory 90 is shaped like a dragonfly for someone who likes dragonflies. Other items such a musical instruments, sports equipment or the like provide personalization through themes, symbolism or the like.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative but not restrictive in character, it being understood that only a preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A device for indicating that a particular lounge chair is in use, the device comprising:

a body having a front side defined by a front layer of material and a rear side defined by a rear layer of material that are connected to each other at lateral sides and a top thereof and open at a bottom thereof so as to extend over and about only a top portion of a back of a particular lounge chair, the body configured to present the front side thereof on a front side of the particular lounge chair such that the front side of the body is viewable from the front side of the particular lounge chair when the body is situated on the particular lounge chair; and

an in-use indicator incorporated onto the front layer of material body and providing a visual indication to someone near the lounge chair that the particular lounge chair is in use.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is formed of a flexible material.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is formed of a stretchable material.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the body front and rear sides define a hood that extends over such that the top thereof rests on an upper end of the back of the particular lounge chair.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the in-use indicator comprises one or more of color, wording and artwork.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the in-use indicator comprises wording incorporated onto the front layer of material and onto the back side layer of material of the body.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a receptor incorporated into the body and configured to removably receive an accessory.

8. A device for indicating that a particular lounge chair is in use reserved, the device comprising:

a body defining a hood having a front side of a front layer of material and a rear side of a rear layer of material that are connected to each other at lateral sides and a top thereof with an opening at a bottom thereof so as to be received over and rest onto a top portion of a back of a particular lounge chair, the hood configured to present the front side thereof on a front side of the particular lounge chair; and

an in-use indicator incorporated onto the front layer of material and providing a visual indication to someone near the lounge chair that the particular lounge chair is in use.

9. The device of claim 9, wherein the body is formed of a flexible material.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the in-use indicator comprises one or more of color, wording and artwork.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the in-use indicator comprises wording incorporated onto the front layer of material and onto the back layer of material of the body hood.

12. The device of claim 9, further comprising a receptor incorporated into the hood and configured to removably receive an accessory.

13. A device for indicating that a particular lounge chair is in use, the device comprising:

a body defining a cap having a closed top, closed first and second sides and an opening forming a pocket therein, the cap made from a flexible material and configured to be received over, onto and around only an end portion of a back of a particular lounge chair, the cap configured to present the first side thereof on a front side of the particular lounge chair such that the first side of the cap is viewable by someone near the particular lounge chair when the body is situated on the particular lounge chair; and

an in-use indicator incorporated onto the first side of the cap and providing a visual indication to someone near the particular lounge chair that the seat particular lounge chair is in use.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the in-use indicator comprises one or more of color, wording and artwork.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the in-use indicator comprises wording incorporated onto the first side of the body and onto a second side of the cap.

16. The device of claim 13, further comprising a receptor incorporated into the body and configured to removably receive an accessory.