In Swimming Pool Chair with Adjustable Angle and Height

Abstract

A swimming pool chair for use within a pool has a base that interfaces with the floor of the pool. A seat portion of the swimming pool chair has an adjustable height and an adjustable angle to compensate for variations in water depth and variations in pool floor angles, thereby providing a comfortable seating position for the user in many locations within the pool.

Description

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of in swimming pool furniture and more particularly to in swimming pool furniture with adjustable angle and height.

BACKGROUND

Furniture has existed for as long as individuals wanted to avoid sitting on the ground, or have a place to rest their possessions. The field of in swimming pool furniture is not as old and consists generally of items that either float on the surface of the water or attach to the side wall of a swimming pool. Pool furniture which floats is unstable and susceptible to the waves of the pool or weight of the individual occupying the furniture. Moreover, in swimming pool furniture that attaches to the wall of the swimming pool is inferior because it is non-adjustable and requires the user to remain affixed to the wall. Swimming pool furniture designed for use near the swimming pool functions poorly when placed into the pool, with some examples sinking to the bottom in deep water where a user cannot sit.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,587 to Bosnich discloses a counter-weighted chair with a threaded shaft. The Bosnich chair is poorly suited for a pool because the chair cannot be locked at a specific angle. The chair disclosed in Bosnich adjusts its angle without user input, subjecting it to any force present that will change the seat angle. This may be a minor issue when used above water because of the minimal forces exerted by air, but within the water the forces of current are significant. A rocking or tipping motion caused by the force of the water would cause user discomfort. Additionally, the base is not a weighted base appropriate for use within a pool. Rather than weighting the base, weights are hung below the seat. When the angle of the seat relative to the base is severe, the center of gravity moves outside of the area of the base, increasing the tendency of the chair to tip over.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,433 to Stanley discloses a floating stool for use in a pool. The stool has a single leg that ends in a gripping tip. Because the stool has only a single leg, it cannot remain upright without either the user, or an anchor bar connecting the stool to the side of the pool. A weighted base is not disclosed, and therefore, if the stool were placed in the water it would either float, supported by the buoyancy of the seat and post, or sink to the bottom, lying on its side. Even in use, the device relies on “the weight of a person sitting on [the] stool” to keep the tip from slipping, as well as a person's balance to prevent the chair from tipping over. Additionally, because the stool floats, it cannot remain in a single location if not held in position. Instead, it will float around the pool on the surface of the water.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,878 to Oettinger discloses a self righting chair for use in an office. The chair has a rounded base to allow the user to adopt many different seated positions. The base is weighted to return the post to a vertical position when the user is not seated. The base is not designed for use in a pool because it does not have the flat bottom surface required for stability. The Oettinger device requires constant user input to remain upright when the user is seated. While the Oettinger device itself is self-righting when not in use, when a user is seated, the goal is to “encourage[ ] constant muscle use in the back and abdominal areas . . . ” Thus the user must constantly work to keep the chair in a specific position, or risk tipping over. This is not practical in a pool environment where the motion of the water would cause the user fatigue, rather than providing relaxation by allowing the user to rely on the chair for stability.

U.S. Patent Application 2011/0095586 to Fernandez discloses a chair that can be tipped in any direction. The Fernandez chair has a flexible base that absorbs downward force from the weight of the user, as well as angular forces from the user tipping the seat in different directions. The Fernandez chair lacks the ability to lock the angle of the seat relative to the floor. As a result, the seat cannot comfortably accommodate a user on a sloped surface because a constant force is required to keep the seat tilted relative to the base. The instability that is intentional when the chair is used in an office is detrimental when the chair is used in the water. The rocking or tipping motion caused by the force of the water will cause user discomfort and a constant need for correction.

What is needed is in swimming pool furniture for use in multiple locations throughout a pool, each with a different water depth and pool bottom angle (relative to horizontal) while providing a stable base for use.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a system is disclosed including an xxx.

In another embodiment, a method of xxx is disclosed including xxx.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for XXX is disclosed including xxx.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a first embodiment, fully retracted with the seat parallel to the base.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second front view of a first embodiment, with the telescoping portion extended and placed on an angled surface.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third view, showing the components of a first embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, a front view of the in swimming pool chair 1 embodiment is shown. This embodiment has a seat 2, the seat 2 having a seat base 6 and a seat back 4. In other embodiments the seat 2 is similar to a stool, with only a seat base 6 and no seat back 4.

The seat 2 is mounted to a joint. In the preferred embodiment the joint is a ball-and-socket joint. In other embodiments the joint is any known joint such as an ellipsoidal joint, a saddle joint, a hinge joint, or a pivot joint. As shown in the figures, the ball portion 12 is mounted to the seat 2 but it is also anticipated that the socket portion 15 be mounted to the seat 2. The ball portion 12 is slidably mounted to rails 8 on the bottom of seat base 6, allowing adjustment from front to back. Using the rails, the seat 2 position is adjustable for different user conditions, allowing the seat 2 to be located in a position that creates stability. In other embodiments, the in swimming pool chair 1 does not have rails, and the ball portion 12 is mounted directly to the bottom of seat base 6. In other embodiments, the ball portion 12 is mounted to the seat back 4, with the ball portion projecting outward from the seat back 4. In still other embodiments, the ball portion 12 is integrated with the seat base 6, rather than being a separate part.

The ball portion 12 is held by a socket 15. In this embodiment the socket 15 consists of two halves, a first half 16 and a second half 14. The two halves 14/16 are clamped together using a screw 42 or other means as known in the industry. The screw 42 has a head that is large enough for a user to grip to tighten and loosen to adjust the clamping force produced by the two halves, 14 and 16. This allows the user to decrease the compressive force on the ball portion 12, freeing the ball portion 12 within the socket portion 15, allowing the seat 2 to be tilted and rotated. In some embodiments, the ball portion 12 is smooth and a reduction in compressive force allows motion in all directions. In other embodiments, the ball portion 12 has a channel that interacts with a protrusion in the socket 15, allowing the ball portion 12 to move in only a specific direction or directions. For example, if a channel runs front to back on the ball portion 12, with a corresponding protrusion running front to back in the socket 15, the seat 2 will only tilt forward and backward, but will not tip side to side or rotate. In other embodiments, the socket 15 is mounted to the seat base 6, or rails 8, and the ball portion 12 is integrated with the telescoping post 50.

In this embodiment, the second half 14 of the socket 15 is integrated with the telescoping post 50. The telescoping post 50 slides into the base adapter 18, which in turn is interfaced to the base 30. A pin 44 interacts with slots 52 (see FIG. 2) to hold the telescoping post 50 at a specific elevation.

The in swimming pool chair is intended for use within a pool, with the feet 38 in contact with a surface that is wet, and potentially slippery. Because of these conditions, in some embodiments the in swimming pool chair 1 has feet 38 made from a non-slip material such as rubber. In this embodiment, the base 30 has feet 38. In some embodiments the feet 38 are portions of the base 30, and in other embodiments the feet 38 are separate parts. A non-slip material is a material with a high coefficient of friction. Preferably, the material used for the feet 38, or the base 30 if feet 38 are not present, is non-abrasive to prevent scratches to the pool bottom.

In some embodiments, the base 30 is a hollow member. This makes the in swimming pool chair 1 lighter, and thus easier to handle during manufacturing and shipping. In such embodiments, after the device arrives at its destination, the base is filled with any material with a density equal to or greater than liquid water (generally, 1,000 kg/m³), such as sand, gravel, soil, rocks, etc. These materials provide mass, causing the in swimming pool chair 1 to rest on the bottom of the pool, thereby preventing tipping.

In other embodiments the base 30 is a solid member, and does not need to be filled with any material. In such embodiments, the base 30 has sufficient mass to keep the in swimming pool chair 1 positioned on the bottom of the pool with sufficient stability for use.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first embodiment is shown, demonstrating use on an angled surface 60. This figure shows the in swimming pool chair's 1 ability to independently change the seat 2 angle with respect to the base 30, and the seat 2 height with respect to the base 30. Depending on the location of the in swimming pool chair 1 within the pool, the water depth and bottom angle will vary. It is uncomfortable to sit on an in swimming pool chair 1 with a tilted seat 2. It is also uncomfortable to sit at certain levels in the water, such as deeper than one's shoulders, making one buoyant, or higher than waist, making one unstable. As shown in FIG. 2, the in swimming pool chair 1 compensates for both of these conditions by extending the telescoping post 50 to adjust the height, and positioning the ball portion 12 within the socket 15 to adjust the angle of the seat 2.

In order to extend the telescoping post 50, the user pulls the locking pin 44 outwardly to disengage it from the locking slots 52. The user then moves the seat 2 up or down, and pushes the locking pin 44 to once again lock it within the locking slots 52. In some embodiments, the locking pin 44 is spring-loaded and snaps back into place after being released by the user. In other embodiments, the locking pin 44 is one or more snap buttons contained within the telescoping pole 50, with a plurality of holes within the telescoping pole 50, interacting with one or more holes in the base adapter 18. In other embodiments, the telescoping pole 50 threads into the base adapter 18 and the height is adjusted by turning the telescoping pole 50 (and seat 2) in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to raise or lower the seat 2. In this embodiment, the locking pin 44 is optional, but if used, allows the height to be locked and unwanted rotation to be prevented.

The seat 2 does not require a seat back 4. In some embodiments the seat 2 has only a seat base 6, similar to a stool. In other embodiments the seat 2 has a very wide seat base 6, similar to a bench. In other embodiments, the seat 2 has arms, allowing a user to rest her arms, and avoid sliding off the seat 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first embodiment is shown in an exploded view to display the components of an exemplary in swimming pool chair 1. The screw 42 is shown, with corresponding nut 43. The nut 43 is captured within a recess of telescoping post 50 to prevent the nut 43 from rotating when the screw 42 is tightened or loosened. Capturing of a nut 43 is well known in the industry and other ways to capture the nut 43 and prevent it from turning when the thumb screw 42 is tightened are fully anticipated.

The base adapter 18 is shown, and interfaces with the base 30 through a base hole 32. The telescoping pole 50 slides into the base adapter 18 through opening 20. Other means of attaching the base adapter 18 to the base 30 are anticipated, including bolting to the base 30, threading into the base 30, welding, brazing, gluing, and other means of attachment as known in the art. In other embodiments there is no base adapter 18, and instead the telescoping pole 50 attaches directly to the base 30.

The base 30 is shown with a hole 34 and a cover 36, held by screws/bolts 46. As discussed, in some embodiments, the base 30 is shipped empty and filled at the final destination with a material denser than water. In such embodiments, the hole 34 provides a location to fill the base 30, allowing it to be sealed with the cover 36 to prevent the fill material from moving in or out. In some embodiments, the cover 36 is watertight. In other embodiments, the base 30 has openings allowing the base 30 to fill with water, releasing trapped air, and allowing the base 30 to sink. In some embodiments it is unnecessary to fill the base 30 with a negatively buoyant material because the mass of the in swimming pool chair 1 itself, when the air is removed, is sufficient to make the in swimming pool chair 1 negatively buoyant, causing it to sink.

In some situations, portions of the seat 2 will be below the surface of the water. There are multiple methods of manufacturing seat 2, including rotational molding and blow molding, which could result in the capture of air within the seat 2. To allow the air to exit the seat 2, and prevent the seat 2 from floating, in some embodiments there are fill/drain holes 53 in the seat base 6, and vent holes 54 in seat back 4. As the seat 2 submerges below the level of the water, the chair will fill with water through the fill/drain holes 53, and the trapped air vents through vent holes 54. When the seat 2 is removed from the water, the water drains from the fill/drain holes 53 and air refills the back through the vent holes 54.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and its advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

1. A chair for use within a swimming pool, the chair comprising:

a base, the base having a top and a bottom;

a base adapter, the base adapter interfaced to the top of the base;

a telescoping post, the telescoping post having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the telescoping post slidably interfaced to the base adapter;

an adjustable joint, the adjustable joint interfaced to the proximal end of the telescoping post;

a seat, the seat comprising a seat base, the seat interfaced to the adjustable joint;

whereas a height of the seat is adjusted by moving the telescoping post with respect to the base adapter, and a seat angle relative to the base is adjusted through use of the adjustable joint.

2. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, wherein the base is substantially hollow.

3. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, wherein the base is substantially solid.

4. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, the seat further comprising a seat back.

5. The chair for use within a pool of claim 4, wherein the seat further comprises arms.

6. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, wherein the seat is slidably mounted to the joint.

7. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, wherein the adjustable joint is a ball joint.

8. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises an opening and a cover.

9. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, further comprising feet interfaced to the bottom of the base, wherein the feet are comprised of a non-slip material.

10. The chair for use within a pool of claim 1, further comprising drain holes and vent holes within the seat.

11. A chair for use within a swimming pool, the chair comprising:

a base, the base having a top and a bottom;

a base adapter, the base adapter interfaced to the top of the base;

a telescoping post, the telescoping post having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the telescoping post slidably interfaced to the base adapter;

an adjustable joint, the adjustable joint interfaced to the proximal end of the telescoping post;

a seat, the seat comprising a seat base, the seat slidably mounted to the joint;

whereas a height of the seat is adjusted by moving the telescoping post with respect to the base adapter, and a seat angle relative to the base is adjusted through use of the adjustable joint.

12. The chair for use within a pool of claim 11, wherein the base is filled with a material denser than water.

13. The chair for use within a pool of claim 11, wherein the seat comprises a seat base and a seat back.

14. The chair for use within a pool of claim 11, wherein the adjustable joint is a ball joint.

15. The chair for use within a pool of claim 11, wherein the base further comprises a hole and a plate.

16. The chair for use within a pool of claim 11, further comprising feet interfaced to the bottom of the base, wherein the feet are comprised of a non-slip material.

17. The chair for use within a pool of claim 11, further comprising drain holes and vent holes within the seat.

18. A chair for use within a swimming pool, the chair comprising:

a base; the base being substantially hollow, with a top and a bottom, filled with a material denser than water;

a base adapter, the base adapter interfaced to the top of the base;

a telescoping post, the telescoping post having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the telescoping post slidably interfaced to the base adapter;

an adjustable joint, the adjustable joint interfaced to the proximal end of the telescoping post;

a seat, the seat comprising a seat base and a seat back, the seat slidably mounted to the adjustable joint;

whereas a height of the seat is adjusted by moving the telescoping post with respect to the base adapter, and a seat angle relative to the base is adjusted through use of the adjustable joint.