Sports ball chair

Abstract

A sports ball chair in the form of a spherically shaped lounge chair and an ottoman shaped to fit into the seat portion of the lounge chair so that the ottoman completes the spherical shape. The ottoman has a removable top cover and an insulated hollow open topped food and drink storage container. A preferred embodiment includes the spherical lounge chair and the mating ottoman fit together to make a spherical shape having external graphic patterns that make the resulting spherical shape look like a representation of a sports ball such as a soccer ball or baseball or basketball.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of seating devices and more specifically to a sports ball chair and ottoman.

Lounge chairs of many shapes and sizes have been in use for hundreds of years. These chairs usually have an internal rigid frame surrounded by padding and then upholstered with a flexible material such as fabric or leather. Some lounge chairs have been designed to look like a representation of a sports ball, such as the Soccer Ball Chair and Ottoman manufactured by Coaster Inc. Other chairs have been designed that incorporate audio speakers such as the video gaming chair shown in patent application 2008/0111408.

However, there is a deficiency in the prior technology in that none of the prior art shows a novel sports ball lounge chair and ottoman where the ottoman portion can nest within the chair portion to make an approximately spherical shape.

Additionally, none of the prior art shows a sports ball chair with built in features such as an insulated storage box integrated into the ottoman, a plug in reading lamp, internal speakers and an audio device holding side shelf shelf, all of which create an enhanced lounge chair experience for the sports enthusiast.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a lounge chair and ottoman that when assembled together form a spherical shape in the form of a sports ball.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lounge chair and ottoman that provides an internal cooler.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lounge chair and ottoman that includes built in speakers and audio system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lounge chair and ottoman that includes a built in lighting device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lounge chair and ottoman that includes a built in drink holder.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a lounge chair and ottoman that includes a built in MP3 holding shelf.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed sports ball chair comprising: a spherical lounge chair, an ottoman shaped to fit into the seat portion of said lounge chair so that said ottoman completes said spherical shape, and said ottoman having a removable top cover and an insulated hollow open topped food and drink storage container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the ottoman nested into the seat area.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the ottoman as it is about to be installed onto the lounge chair seat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lounge chair and ottoman in the normal use position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lounge chair showing the lamp attachment and can holder.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the lounge chair showing the lamp attachment ready to be inserted into a socket in the lounge chair.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the ottoman showing the insulated beverage and food retaining container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of the sports ball lounge chair 4 of the present invention with the ottoman portion 2 nested into the seat portion 10 of the chair 4 so that the resulting shape resembles a soccer ball. Other sports balls can be graphically represented such as a baseball or a basketball. Alternately, the outer shape of the lounge chair can be football shaped, where the ottoman nests into the chair portion in a similar fashion. Referring back to FIG. 1, graphic pattern 42 indicates a soccer ball design. The graphic shapes are usually filled in with a black color, but are not colored in these Figures for clarity purposes.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the ottoman 2 removed from the lounge chair 4 showing how the ottoman nests into the chair portion 10. Base portion 44 allows the lounge chair 4 to swivel in a standard way. Side tray 6 is fixedly mounted to the side of the chair 4 and can hold a standard audio playing device such as an MP3 player. Jack 16 allows the audio playing device to be plugged into a standard audio amplifier and speakers mounted in the hollow spaces within the chair 4. Apertures 12 and 36 allow sound from speakers located inside the chair to project out to the listener sitting in the chair 4. The chair 4 is constructed in a standard manner including a rigid inner frame, foam padding and an outer layer of flexible upholstery such as fabric or leather. Sound control knob 18 lets the user adjust the sound level. Alternate audio jacks 20 allow full size audio plugs to be inserted. Ottoman 2 includes a top cover 14 and an open topped insulated food or beverage storage container as can be clearly seen in the exploded view in FIG. 6 where the insulated open topped container can be seen.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the chair 4 and ottoman 2 in their normal use position, allowing a person to sit in the chair 4 and prop his or her feet up on ottoman 2. A removable and replaceable lamp 22 attaches to the chair as will be explained below. The lamp 22 includes a hollow shaft portion 28, a bendable neck portion 24 and a lamp and lamp shade portion 26. In the preferred embodiment, the lamp shade 26 is also shaped like a sports ball.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the right side of the chair which features a built in insulated beverage holder 32 that can removably retain at standard beverage can or bottle. Also shown is a reading lamp 22 that is plugged into a mating socket 30. These combination of features allows a person sitting in the chair 4 to have a complete entertainment experience including audio entertainment, directed illumination and beverage cooling all in the comfort of the sports ball lounge chair 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the lamp portion 22 as it plugs into socket 30 as shown by dotted line 32. Contact rings 52 engage mating contacts within the chair in a standard way. Electrical cord 30 and wall plug 40 allows the chair 4 to be plugged into normal 110 VAC house current to power the electronics within the chair 4 and the lamp 22 that is plugged into the chair.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. sports ball chair comprising:

a spherically shaped lounge chair;

an ottoman shaped to fit into the seat portion of said lounge chair so that said ottoman completes said spherical shape; and

said ottoman having a removable top cover and an insulated hollow open topped food and drink storage container.

2. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spherically shaped lounge chair is constructed of a frame portion, internal padding portions and an outer covering portion so that hollow portions are created within said lounge chair.

3. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hollow portions of said spherically shaped lounge chair retain a standard audio amplification system and one or more audio speakers.

4. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spherically shaped lounge chair includes a recessed electrical connection located on the top portion of said chair to plug in an electric lamp.

5. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said said spherically shaped lounge chair includes an insulated side pocket for removably retaining a standard beverage can or bottle.

6. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spherically shaped lounge chair includes an externally mounted shelf for holding a standard audio playing device.

7. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spherically shaped lounge chair includes an external input jack and audio control knobs for plugging said audio device into said lounge chair audio amplification system.

8. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spherically shaped lounge chair and said mating ottoman include external graphic patterns that make the resulting spherical shape look like a representation of a sports ball.

9. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spherically shaped sports ball is made to look like a soccer ball.

10. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spherically shaped sports ball is made to look like a baseball.

11. A sports ball chair as claimed in claim 8 wherein said spherically shaped sports ball is made to look like a basketball.

12. An alternate version of said sports ball chair as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lounge chair and ottoman combination is football shaped rather than spherical shaped.