Seating Device

Abstract

A new seating device where users can sit facing each other. The structure of the present invention comprises a first and second backrests that are attached on the opposite side of seating platform. The seating platform comprises two seats and may include a midsection. Users sit facing each other on the seating device with their backs resting against their respective backrests allowing for an intimate experience.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit from a U.S. provisional application No. 62053199 filed on Sep. 21, 2014. The entire disclosure of the application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a seating device and, in particular, to a portable seating device on which users may be seated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional seating devices such as sofas and loveseats compromise a single backrest. The users sitting on conventional seating devices must sit in an orientation where they have to rotate their heads for more intimate conversations and interactions. For example, U.S. Design Patent No. 371252 describes an inflatable sofa for users to sit on; however, the users must rotate their heads to have intimate conversations and interactions while seated on the inflatable sofa because they must use the same backrest.

Other seating devices are known to allow two users to sit on the same device at one time and use different backrests. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,127, contains two backrests that allows two users to use the seating device at one time. The users sit facing each other in the chair, however, one member of the couple must be seated in the lap of the other member.

Because of the above mentioned problems in the prior art, it is therefore desirable to have a seating device where users sit facing each other without having to rotate their heads, while the users sit on separate seats on the same seating device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a seating device upon which users can sit facing each other without having to rotate their heads.

To achieve the above objective, the below technical solution is implemented in the present invention.

The seating device preferably includes a seating platform and two backrests. The seating platform is narrow enough for users to sit with legs straddling each side of the seating platform. Users may also sit with both legs on the same side of the seating device. The seating platform compromises of two seats and may also compromise of a midsection in between the two seats. The two backrests are attached on opposite sides of the seating platform at or near the lateral ends in such a manner that users can sit facing each other without having to rotate or tilt their heads.

Several embodiments of the present invention are for an inflatable seating device. The inflatable embodiments contain one or more valves that are required to inflate and deflate the seating device with the aid of a powered air pump. Multiple valves may be placed on the seating device to make it easier to inflate and deflate the seating device.

However, several other embodiments for the seating device are made of solid materials in a manner known to those skilled in the art for comfort of the users. The solid materials could be, but are not limited to, padding, wood, plastics, aluminum or steel.

Another inflatable embodiment of the seating device has barriers in the interior space that is created by the outer chamber. The barriers create separate compartments in which air pressure may be varied. For example, it may be desirable to have higher pressure in the seating platform and lower pressure in the backrests. The variation in pressure may provide increased comfort for the user by having a softer surface to rest their back against. This embodiment would require separate valves for each compartment.

Other embodiments of the device contain midsections of varying lengths, widths and shapes. For example, one possible embodiment may have a very short midsection so that the seats are very close together, whereas another embodiment may have a long midsection so that the user can sit at a comfortable distance and additional users may sit on the midsection. In another embodiment, the midsection is narrow with respect to the seats creating a design that some users may find more aesthetically pleasing.

Another embodiment of the seating device contains a seating platform comprising two seats and a midsection but with only one backrest. One user has their back against the backrest and the second user sits on their seat without the aid of a backrest.

Other embodiments of the seating device contain a seating platform that is higher. These embodiments may contain one or more footrests for the comfort of the users. The footrests may be for only one user, or the footrest may be elongated such that multiple users may use the elongated footrest simultaneously. To further stabilize the users, the seating device may also contain armrests for one or more users.

Other embodiments of the seating device contain backrests of varying angles and varying points of attachment to the seating platform. The backrest may be attached on the lateral end of the seating platform or the backrest may be attached near the lateral end but not at the extremity of the seating platform. Also, the backrest may be made in such a manner that the users can adjust the angle of the backrest to meet their preference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Perspective view of the first embodiment of the seating device

FIG. 2: Top view of the first embodiment of the seating device

FIG. 3: Side view of the first embodiment of the seating device

FIG. 4: Perspective view of the second embodiment of the seating device.

FIG. 5: Perspective view of the third embodiment of the seating device.

FIG. 6: Perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the seating device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is explained in further detail below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

The seating device 100 in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, achieves the objectives of the present invention in a form of a seating device 100 that is inflatable. This embodiment is made of specifically shaped plastic sheets joined together by a manner known to those skilled in the art. This inflatable embodiment of the seating device 100 has an outer surface that defines the shape and size of the seating device 100. The outer surface has an interior space that is inflated with air and allows the air inside the seating device 100 to flow among different portions of the seating device 100.

The seating device 100 comprises a seating platform 101, first and second backrests 102, 103 and valves 104, 105, 106. The seating platform 101 comprises a first and second seat 107,108, a midsection 109, and a first and second lateral end 110,111. However it is within the scope of the present invention that midsection 109 be absent from another embodiment of the seating device 100. The valves 104,105,106 are provided at predetermined suitable positions on the seating device 100 for filling air into an interior space enclosed by the plastic sheets.

In this embodiment of the seating device 100, the first backrest 102 is attached to seating platform 101 at the top of the first lateral end 110 and, similarly, the second backrest 103 is attached to the seating platform 101 at the top of second lateral end 111. As shown in FIG. 3, the backrests 102,103 need not be connected to the extremities of the lateral ends 110, 111. The first backrest 102 may be connected near the first lateral end 110 such that the first backrest 102 is connected to the top of the seating platform 101 in a location that is closer to the first lateral end 110 and further from the second lateral end 111. Similarly, the second backrest 103 may be connected near the second lateral end 111 such that the second backrest 103 is connected to the top of the seating platform 101 in a location that is closer to the second lateral end 111 and further from the first lateral end 110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seating platform 101 has a generally rectangular shape but the shape may vary to include other related shapes. FIG. 2 shows such a generally rectangular shape where the midsection 109 of the seating platform 101 is narrower than the first and second seats 107,108 of the seating platform 101.

The inflatable version of the seating device 100 provided by the present invention has a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost. Further, it can be quickly inflated for use and can be conveniently stored without occupying too much space after it is deflated. A powered air pump is an instrument that can achieve the inflating and deflating of the seating device 100.

A preferred method of using the seating device 100 of the present invention is as follows, a first user sits on the first seat 107 on the seating platform 101 in close proximity to the first backrest 102 such that the user's back rests against the first backrest 102 and with the user's legs straddling the seating platform 101, such that legs are on each side of the seating platform 101. A second user sits on the second seat 108 of the seating platform 101 in close proximity to the second backrest 103 such that the second user's back rests against the second backrest 103 with the second user's legs straddling the seating platform 101, such that users' legs are on each side of the seating platform 101. Both users sit facing each other, with the first backrest 102 providing support for the first user and the second backrest 103 providing support for the second user. For a more intimate experience, users may move away from the backrest and sit at different locations on the midsection 109 of the seating platform 101. Furthermore, the length of the midsection 109 may be varied or the midsection 109 may be completely removed in other embodiments to provide varying levels of proximity for the users. It is within the scope of the present invention that more than just two users can sit on the seating platform 101 with their legs straddling the seating platform 101 between the two users who are already seated on the first and second seat 107,108 of the seating platform 101. Furthermore, a user need not straddle the seating platform 101 and may alternatively sit on the seating platform 101 with both legs on the same side on the seating platform 101.

Embodiment 2

The seating device 400 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, includes seating platform 401 and a backrest 402 and a footrest 403. The seating platform 401 further comprises a first seat and second seat 404, 405 and a first and second lateral end 406, 407 with the first and second lateral ends 406, 407 being on opposite sides of each other. The backrest 402 is attached to the seating platform 401 at the top of the seating platform 401 near the first lateral end 406. This embodiment of the present invention does not have a second backrest connected at the second lateral end 407.

A preferred method of using the seating device 400 of the present invention is as follows, one (first) user sits on the first seat 404 of the seating platform 401 in close proximity to the backrest 402 such that the user's back rests against the backrest 402 with the user's legs straddling the seating platform 401, such that legs are on each side of the seating platform 401. Another (second) user sits on second seat 405 of seating platform 401 with his/her legs straddling the seating platform 401, such that legs are on each sides of the seating platform 401. Both users sit facing each other, with the backrest 402 providing support for the first user. The second user may place his/her legs on the footrest 403 for additional support since this embodiment may have a seating platform 401 that has a greater height then that envisioned in the seating device of the first embodiment 100. It is within the scope of the present invention to vary the height of the seating platform to adjust to the needs of different users.

Embodiment 3

The seating device 500 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, includes seating platform 501 and a backrest 502 and an elongated footrest 503. The seating platform 501 further comprises a first seat and second seat 504, 505, and a first and second lateral end 506, 507 with the first and second lateral ends 506, 507 being on opposite sides of each other. The backrest 502 is attached to the seating platform 501 at the top of the seating platform 501 near the first lateral end 506. This embodiment of the present invention does not have a second backrest connected at the second lateral end 507.

A preferred method of using the seating device 500 of the present invention is as follows, one (first) user sits on the first seat 504 of the seating platform 501 in close proximity to the backrest 502 such that the user's back rests against the backrest 502 with the user's legs straddling the seating platform 501, such that legs are on each side of the seating platform 501. Another (second) user sits on second seat 505 of seating platform 501 with his/her legs straddling the seating platform 501, such that legs are on each side of the seating platform 501. Both users sit facing each other, with the backrest 502 providing support for the first user. Both users may place their legs on the elongated footrest 503 for additional support because this embodiment may have a seating platform 501 that has a greater height then that envisioned in the first embodiment of the seating device 100. It is within the scope of the present invention to vary the height of the seating platform 501 to adjust to the needs of different users.

Embodiment 4

The seating device 600 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, achieves the objectives of the present invention in a form of a seating device 600 that is inflatable. This embodiment is made of specifically shaped plastic sheets joined together by a manner known to those skilled in the art. This inflatable embodiment of the seating device 600 has an outer surface that defines the shape and size of the seating device 600. The outer surface has an interior space that is inflated with air and allows the air inside the seating device 600 to flow among different portions of the seating device 600.

The seating device 600 comprises a seating platform 601, first and second backrests 602, 603 and valves 604, 605. The seating platform 601 comprises first and second seats 607, 608, and first and second lateral ends 610, 611. The valves 604, 605 are provided at predetermined suitable positions on the seating device 600 for filling air into an interior space enclosed by the plastic sheets

In this embodiment of the seating device 600, the first backrest 602 is attached on the top of the seating platform 601 near the first lateral end 610 and, similarly, the second backrest 603 is attached on top of the seating platform 601 near the second lateral end 611. The backrests 602, 603 need not be connected to the extremities of the lateral ends 610, 611. As shown in FIG. 6, the seating platform 601 has a rectangular shape.

The inflatable version of the seating device 600 provided by the present invention has a simple structure and can be manufactured at low cost. Further, it can be quickly inflated for use and can be conveniently stored without occupying too much space after it is deflated. A powered air pump is an instrument that can achieve the inflating and deflating of the seating device 600.

A preferred method of using the seating device 600 of the present invention is as follows, a first user sits on the first seat 607 on the seating platform 601 in close proximity to the first backrest 602 such that the user's back rests against the first backrest 602 and with the user's legs straddling the seating platform 601, such that legs are on each side of the seating platform 601. A second user sits on second seat 608 of the seating platform 601 in close proximity to the second backrest 603 such that the second user's back rests against the second backrest 603 with the second user's legs straddling the seating platform 601, such that legs are on each side of the seating platform 601. Both users sit facing each other, with the first backrest 602 providing support for the first user and the second backrest 603 providing support for the second user. Furthermore, a user need not straddle the seating platform 601 and may alternatively sit on the seating platform 601 with both legs on the same side on the seating platform 601.

It is within the scope of the present invention that all the embodiments of the seating platform be made of solid materials in a manner known to those skilled in the art for comfort of the users sitting on the seating device. The solid materials could be, but are not limited to, Padding, wood, plastics, aluminum or steel.

It is within the scope of the present invention that the first and second backrests in all the embodiments be made of solid materials in a manner known to those skilled in the art for comfort of the users sitting on the seating device. The solid materials could be, but are not limited to, Padding, wood, plastics, aluminum or steel.

The seating device allows air to freely flow between the compartments; however, it is within the scope of the inflatable embodiments of the present invention to have barriers within the interior space such that distinct compartments are created. This may be desirable so that users can vary the air pressure in different compartments of the seating device. For example, the user may desire high pressure in the seating platform 101 of the seating device 100 to create sturdy first and second seats 107, 108, but the user may desire lower pressure in the first and second backrests 102, 103, for comfort. If the embodiment with compartments is desired, each compartment will require a separate valve to inflate and deflate the seating device.

Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention to vary the angle of the backrests. It is also within the scope of the invention to have backrests where the backrest angle can be adjusted to give the user a desired backrest angle.

It is also within the scope of the invention that the seating device contains armrests for the users. The seating device may contain armrests for one user or for a plurality of users. The armrest is made in a manner known to those skilled in the art for comfort of the users sitting on the seating device

The present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiments and a preferred use, however, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

Claims

1: A seating device, said seating device comprising:

(a) an outer surface that defines the shape and size of said seating device, said outer surface having an interior space;

(b) a seating platform having a first seat and a second seat and further comprising a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposed thereto;

(c) a first backrest and a second backrest, said first backrest is attached to said seating platform at said first lateral end, said second backrest is attached to said seating platform at said second lateral end such that said first backrest and said second backrest are facing each other;

(d) one or more valves for inflating and deflating said interior space connected to said outer chamber.

2: The seating device as recited in claims 1 further comprising a footrest.

3: The seating device as recited in claims 1 further comprising a midsection between said first seat and said second seat.

4: The seating device as recited in claim 3 wherein said midsection is narrower than said first seat and said second seat.

5: A seating device, said seating device comprising:

(a) a seating platform having a first seat and a second seat and further comprising a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposed thereto;

(b) a first backrest and a second backrest, said first backrest is attached to said seating platform at said first lateral end, said second backrest is attached to said seating platform at said second lateral end such that said first backrest and said second backrest are facing each other.

6. The seating device as recited in claims 5 further comprising a footrest.

7. The seating device as recited in claims 5 further comprising a midsection between said first seat and said second seat.

8: The seating device as recited in claim 7 wherein said midsection is narrower than said first seat and said second seat.

9: A seating device, said seating device comprising:

(a) An outer surface that defines the shape and size of said seating device, said outer surface having an interior space;

(b) a seating platform having a first seat and a second seat and further comprising a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposed thereto;

(c) a backrest, said backrest is attached to said seating platform at said first lateral end such that it is opposite to said second lateral end;

(d) one or more valves for inflating said interior connected to said outer chamber.

10. The seating device as recited in claims 9 further comprising a footrest.

11. The seating device as recited in claims 9 further comprising a midsection between said first seat and said second seat.

12: The seating device as recited in claim 11 wherein said midsection is narrower than said first seat and said second seat.