HYDRATING DEVICE

Abstract

Hydration devices are disclosed, which overcome the drawbacks inherent to conventionally sunbathing in the absence of a nearby body of water. A hydration device includes a seat or lounger, two side panels, and a water port. The seat and the side panels are configured to retain water, at least up to a water level. The water port may be adapted to accept water to fill the hydration device, and may be disposed on the seat. Another hydration device includes a seat, a water port, a support structure, and a water impervious layer. The support structure includes two lateral bars disposed substantially parallel to each other and joined by two horizontal bars. The seat is disposed on the water impervious layer, which is disposed over the support structure. The water port is disposed on the seat and is configured to accept water to fill a fillable portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/529,186 filed on Aug. 30, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Sunbathing can provide both a means of relaxation and a source of vitamin D. However, excessive exposure to the sun without access to a nearby body of water is often uncomfortable and unsafe. Heat generated by the sun is accumulated in a person's body, and typically does not dissipate adequately to maintain a healthy body temperature. Extreme heat may thus result in significant discomfort. Moreover, a sufficiently high body temperature may increase the risks of hyperthermia and heat stroke.

To prevent hyperthermia, body heat may be dissipated by cooling a person's skin surface through contact with water, which has a high heat capacity. While sunbathing, heat dissipation is conventionally accomplished by using a swimming pool.

However, the cost, space restraints, and effort involved in obtaining and maintaining a swimming pool render this option often undesirable.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the hydration device may include a seat, two side panels, and a water port. The seat and the side panels may be configured to retain water, at least up to a certain water level. The water port may be adapted to accept water to fill the hydration device, and may be disposed on the seat.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the hydration device may include a seat, a water port, a support structure, and a water impervious layer. The support structure may include two lateral bars disposed substantially parallel to each other and joined by two horizontal bars. The water impervious layer may be disposed over the support structure, and the seat may be disposed on the water impervious layer. The water port may be disposed on the seat and configured to accept water to fill a fillable portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hydration device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a hydration device including a support structure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view and a lateral cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a hydration device including a hose connection and a hose;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a hydration device including a foldable seat;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a hydration device including a lounger; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a hydration device including a water impervious layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description, discussion of several terms used herein follows.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

Embodiments disclosed herein describe a hydrating device that may provide a means of sunbathing comfortably and safely, even with limited or no access to a nearby pool. The hydrating device may facilitate the dissipation of heat accumulated by a person's body while sunbathing, thereby reducing the risks of hyperthermia and heat stroke.

The hydrating device may include a seat and may be filled with water from a conventional hose outlet. Alternatively, the hydrating device may retain water poured in or otherwise supplied with or without a hose.

The hydrating device may be adapted to allow a user to be comfortably and safely submerged in a sufficient amount of water for heat dissipation.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment 100 of a hydrating device. The hydrating device may include a seat 102, two side panels 104, and a water port 110. Alternatively, the hydrating device may include one or any number of side panels 104, and one or any number of water ports 110.

In the exemplary embodiment 100, the seat 102 and the side panels 104 may be configured to retain water, at least up to a water level 106. The water port 110 may be adapted to accept water to fill the hydration device, and may be disposed on the seat. Water may be enclosed within an inward surface of the side panels 104 and an upper surface of the seat 102.

In the exemplary embodiment 100, the seat 102 may be a typical lawn chair, a lounger, an sofa, or any other type of seat known in the art. The seat may accommodate one or any number of occupants. The side panels 104 may be flat, curved, or of any suitable shape to allow water to be secured by the seat 102 and the side panels 104. The water port 110 may be resealable using any sealing means known in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment 100, the seat 102 and the side panels 104 may be made of nonporous plastic, metal, wood, or any other material known in the art capable of retaining water.

Alternatively, the seat and the side panels may be molded in one piece to fit over a standard or existing chair, lounger, sofa, or any other type of seat known in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment 100, water may be dispensed through the water port 110, at an appropriate flow rate, down a top portion of the hydration device, eventually filling a portion of the hydrating device up to the water level 106. The water port 110 may be sealed. Alternatively, water may be poured into the hydrating device by any pouring means known in the art.

In operation, one or more users may sit in the seat of the hydrating device. The fillable portion may be filled with water prior to or after sitting down. The fillable portion may be filled with water by directly pouring water into it by any means known in the art, or through the water port, for example using a hose connected to the water port through a hose connection. Alternatively, water may be poured in through the water port without using a hose.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary embodiment 200 of the hydration system. Many components of embodiment 200 are the same or similar to those of embodiment 100, and are identified by similar numerals. Such components should be understood to have substantially similar characteristics and functionality in both embodiments. As in exemplary embodiment 100, the hydrating device may include a seat 202, two side panels 204, and a water port 210. The seat 202 and the side panels 204 may be configured to retain water, at least up to a water level 206. The exemplary embodiment 200 may further include a support structure 220. Alternatively, the hydrating device may include one or any number of support structures 220. The support structure 220 may be constructed from any rigid material known in the art.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exemplary embodiment 300 of the hydration system. Many components of embodiment 300 are the same or similar to those of embodiment 200, and are identified by similar numerals. Such components should be understood to have substantially similar characteristics and functionality in both embodiments. As in exemplary embodiment 200, the hydrating device may include a seat 302, two side panels 304, a water port 310, and a support structure 320. The seat 302 and the side panels 304 may be configured to retain water, at least up to a water level 306. The exemplary embodiment 300 may further include a hose connection 312, and a hose 314.

In the exemplary embodiment 300, water may be poured into the hydrating device by any pouring means known in the art, with or without using the hose 312 and/or the hose connection 310.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment 400 of the hydration system. Many components of embodiment 400 are the same or similar to those of embodiment 200, and are identified by similar numerals. Such components should be understood to have substantially similar characteristics and functionality in both embodiments. As in exemplary embodiment 200, the hydrating device may include a seat 402, two side panels 404, a water port 410, and a support structure 420. The seat 402 and the side panels 404 may be configured to retain water, at least up to a water level 406. In the exemplary embodiment 400, the seat 402 may be a foldable seat.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary embodiment 500 of the hydration system. Many components of embodiment 500 are the same or similar to those of embodiment 200, and are identified by similar numerals. Such components should be understood to have substantially similar characteristics and functionality in both embodiments. As in exemplary embodiment 200, the hydrating device may include a seat 502, two side panels 504, a water port 510, and a support structure 520. The seat 302 and the side panels 504 may be configured to retain water, at least up to a water level 506. In the exemplary embodiment 500, the seat 502 may be a lounger.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment 600 of the hydration system. Many components of embodiment 600 are the same or similar to those of embodiment 200, and are identified by similar numerals. Such components should be understood to have substantially similar characteristics and functionality in both embodiments. The exemplary embodiment 600 may include a seat 602, a water port 610, a support structure 620, and a water impervious layer 630.

In the exemplary embodiment 600, the support structure 620 may include two lateral bars 622 disposed substantially parallel to each other and joined by two horizontal bars 624. Alternatively, the support structure 620 may include one or any number of lateral bars 622 and one or any number of horizontal bars 624.

In the exemplary embodiment 600, the water impervious layer 630 may be disposed over the support structure 620, and the seat 602 may be disposed on the water impervious layer 630, supported by the horizontal bars 624 of the support structure 620. Alternatively, the seat 602 may be supported by any part of the support structure 620.

The water impervious layer 630 may be coupled to the support structure 620 by the sheer weight of the seat 602 against it, or alternatively in a press-fit mechanism between the seat 602 and the support structure 620. Alternatively or additionally, the water impervious layer 630 may be coupled to the support structure 620 using screws, bolts, nails, snaps, an adhesive, a hook-and-eye closure mechanism, or any other coupling means known in the art.

Moreover, the water impervious layer 630 may alternatively or additionally be press-fitted to or snapped onto the seat 602, or otherwise coupled to the seat 602 using screws, bolts, nails, a zipper, an adhesive, a hook-and-eye closure mechanism, or any other coupling means known in the art.

Furthermore, the seat 602 may alternatively or additionally be press-fitted to or snapped onto the support structure 620, or waterproofly or otherwise imperviously coupled to the support structure 620 using screws, bolts, nails, a hook-and-eye closure mechanism, or any other waterproof or otherwise impervious coupling means known in the art. For example, the seat 602 may be waterproofly bolted to the support structure 620 through the water impervious layer 630.

In the exemplary embodiment 600, the lateral bars 622 may be arc-shaped or of any other suitable shape to allow water to be secured by the seat 602 and/or the water impervious layer 630.

In the exemplary embodiment 600, water may be secured by the water impervious layer 630 up to a water level 606.

Alternatively or additionally, water may be secured by the seat 602 and the water impervious layer 630, at least up to a water level 606. Water may be enclosed within an inward surface of the water impervious layer 630 and an upper surface of the seat 602. The water impervious layer 630 may be press-fitted to or snapped onto the seat 602, or waterproofly or otherwise imperviously coupled to the seat 602 using screws, bolts, nails, adhesive, a hook-and-eye closure mechanism, or any other waterproof or otherwise impervious coupling means known in the art.

Alternatively, the hydration device may further include one or any number of side panels coupled to the seat, such that water may be enclosed within an inward surface of the side panels and an upper surface of the seat 602, at least up to a water level 606.

In the exemplary embodiment 600, the support structure 620 may be constructed from any rigid material known in the art. The water impervious layer may be constructed from any waterproof or otherwise impervious material known in the art. The water impervious layer 630 may be a tarp, a plastic sheeting, or any waterproof or otherwise impervious material known in the art capable of being draped over or otherwise cover a structure.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hydrating device comprising:

a seat;

at least one side panel coupled to the seat; and

at least one water port disposed on the seat and configured to accept water to fill a fillable portion enclosed by an inward surface of at least one of the at least one side panel and an upper surface of the seat.

2. The hydrating device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one water port is resealable.

3. The hydrating device of claim 1, wherein the seat is disposed on at least one support structure.

4. The hydrating device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one hose connection coupled to at least one of the at least one water port; and

at least one hose coupled to the at least one hose connection.

5. The hydrating device of claim 1, wherein the seat is one of a chair, a lounger, and a sofa.

6. The hydrating device of claim 1, wherein the seat is a foldable seat.

7. A hydrating device comprising:

a support structure comprising a plurality of lateral bars disposed substantially parallel to each other and joined by at least one horizontal bar;

a water impervious layer disposed over the support structure;

a seat disposed on the water impervious layer; and

at least one water port disposed on the seat and configured to accept water to fill a fillable portion.

8. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the fillable portion is enclosed by the water impervious layer.

9. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the fillable portion is enclosed by an inward surface of the water impervious layer and an upper surface of the seat.

10. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the fillable portion is enclosed by an upper surface of the seat and an inward surface of at least one side panel coupled to the seat.

11. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the water impervious layer is at least one of coupled to the support structure, coupled to the seat and imperviously coupled to the seat.

12. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the seat is at least one of coupled to the support structure and imperviously coupled to the support structure.

13. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of lateral bars is arc-shaped.

14. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least one water port is resealable.

15. The hydrating device of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one hose connection coupled to at least one of the at least one water port; and

at least one hose coupled to the at least one hose connection.

16. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the seat is one of a chair, a lounger, and a sofa.

17. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the seat is a foldable seat.

18. The hydrating device of claim 7, wherein the water impervious layer is a tarp.