Abstract:
TanWings is a device, which can be added to a common style lounge chair, to promote even tanning. It is designed to provide a comfortable and even tanning means during outdoor sunbathing episodes. TanWings Plus may also provide shade and an out-of-sight compartment for picnic items or the like. It may also be used to provide a private shaded space for changing a child&#39;s diaper or allowing a child to nap while at the pool, beach or even in the back yard.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/405,445, filed Oct. 21, 2010 which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the field of outdoor lounge chair attachments and more specifically relates to an outdoor lounge chair attachment which provides a method for even tanning and a shaded protection means for items. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs often have the seat raised above floor level, supported by four legs. However, a chair can have three legs (in a triangle shape) or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or arm rests is a stool, or when raised up, a bar stool. A chair with arms is an armchair and with folding action and inclining footrest, a recliner. A permanently fixed chair in a train or theater is a seat; when riding, it is a saddle and bicycle saddle, and for an automobile, a car seat or infant car seat. With wheels it is a wheelchair and when hung from above, a swing. 
         [0007]    A chaise lounge or lounge chair is typically the size of a daybed, and it may have a raised back that can recline or alternately be rigid. Although originally developed as an ornate piece of indoor furniture, the chaise lounge comes in many forms and can be found in many locations around the house, including the bedroom, living room or outside next to the pool when a person is sun tanning or sun bathing. 
         [0008]    Sun tanning is the act of exposing the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, for the purpose of darkening skin color, either during sun bathing or using artificial sources, such as tanning beds. Tanning is a natural process in which the skin creates the brown-colored pigment called melanin, to protect it against the overexposure UV rays in sunlight. It can also be caused by artificial UV radiation. The ultraviolet frequencies responsible for tanning are often divided into the UVA and UVB ranges. Many individuals in modern society enjoy sun tanning. 
         [0009]    Currently consumers that like to sunbathe outdoors do not have a comfortable way to achieve an even tan on their arms. Comfort and even tanning is difficult to accomplish on a standard lounge chair. Also, many consumers that enjoy sunbathing would prefer to have their young children with them at the beach or other such sun tanning location. These consumers may not desire the children to be in direct sunlight for long periods of time, and a shady spot may not always be nearby. There may also be times when a sunbather may want a private compartment to shadingly-store objects. Regular lounge chairs may not offer any of these mentioned benefits. Therefore a need exists for an outdoor lounge chair that both promotes an even tan while also offering the user the option of offering shade and an out of sight compartment for picnic items is needed. 
         [0010]    Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,158,069; 7,017,215; 4,379,588; 2006/0202523; 5,443,233; and 3,336,060. This prior art is representative of support structures to promote tanning or shading. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. 
         [0011]    Ideally, an outdoor tanning device to promote even tanning adapted for use with an outdoor lounge chair should be convenient and user-friendly and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a TanWings Plus system that is designed to provide a comfortable and even tan during outdoor sunbathing episodes while also alternately providing shade and an out-of-sight compartment for picnic items and to avoid the above-mentioned problems. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known outdoor lounge chair attachments device art, the present invention provides a novel TanWings plus. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail is to promote an even and comfortable tanning means. TanWings is a device, which can be added to a common style lounge chair, to promote even tanning. It is designed to provide a comfortable and even tanning means during outdoor sunbathing episodes. TanWings Plus may also provide shade and an out-of-sight compartment for picnic items or the like. It may also be used to provide a private shaded space for changing a child&#39;s diaper or allowing a child to nap while at the pool, beach or even in the back yard. Virtually any consumer that enjoys sunbathing outdoors and prefers an even tan can benefit from this innovative device. 
         [0013]    The present outdoor tanning device to promote even tanning adapted for use with an outdoor lounge chair disclosed herein preferably comprises the following components: a pair of inwardly/outwardly foldable bendable permanently affixed tan wings, a foamed cushioned core-supported portion resting horizontally across the outdoor lounge chair; and a towel cover. 
         [0014]    The pair of inwardly foldable bendable permanently affixed tan wings may comprise PVC pipe covered with mesh and sewn onto an underside of each of the pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings to aid in supporting an arm of a user-sunbather when sun-bathing during at least one sunbathing period. Further, the pair of permanently affixed tan wings are permanently attachable to sides of the outdoor lounge chair, providing supports for the user-sunbather&#39;s arms to be positioned while tanning. The pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings are upwardly pivotable such that they are able to be pulled up into a tent-like position and securably temporarily held in vertical stasis via hook and loop fasteners or other such fastening means. 
         [0015]    The cushioned core-supported portion may comprise a cushioning surface for a back/front of the user-sunbather. The user-sunbather is thereby comfortably supported via the outdoor tanning device for even-tanning during at least one sunbathing period. 
         [0016]    The towel-cover may be used in conjunction with the pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings to form a private shaded area. The tent-like position provides the private shaded area for a child to rest out of the sun. Additionally the tent-like position provides a private shaded area for picnic items to be shadingly-stored as well. 
         [0017]    A kit is embodied herein for the TanWings Plus system comprising: the outdoor tanning device; at least one pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings; the towel-cover; and a set of user instructions. 
         [0018]    In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention a preferred method of use is disclosed herein comprising: coupling a pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings of the outdoor tanning device to an outdoor lounge chair; outwardly unfolding the pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings; optionally laying on the outdoor lounge chair; optionally sun-bathing while supported by the outdoor tanning device and thereby promoting an even tan; and/or optionally bending the permanently affixed tan wings to form a private shaded area. In this way the present invention may serve as a multi-purpose device. 
         [0019]    The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a TanWings plus system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, TanWings Plus system device constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view illustrating a TanWings Plus system in an ‘in-use’ condition according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view illustrating an outdoor tanning device folded inwardly relative to an outdoor lounge chair of the TanWings Plus system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a tent-like position providing a private shaded area for a child to rest out of the sun according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the tent-like position providing a private shaded area for picnic items to be shadingly-stored according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5 . is a flowchart illustrating a method of use according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
       [0026]    The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to outdoor lounge chairs and more specifically relate to a outdoor lounge chair attachment device which provides a method and means for even tanning. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  showing a perspective view of TanWings Plus system  100  in an ‘in-use’ condition  106  according to an embodiment of the present invention. TanWings Plus system  100  comprises outdoor tanning device  102 . Outdoor tanning device  102  preferably promotes even tanning and is adapted for use with outdoor lounge chair  110 . Further, user-sunbather  140  is comfortably supported via outdoor tanning device  102  for even-tanning during at least one sunbathing period. Outdoor tanning device  102  comprises a pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120 ; and cushioned core-supported portion  130 . 
         [0029]    Pair of permanently affixed tan wings  120  are preferably permanently attached/attachable to the sides of outdoor lounge chair  110 , thereby providing (substantially planar) supports for arms of user-sunbather  140  to be positioned for tanning. Further, pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  may comprise PVC pipe  124 . PVC pipe  124  aids in supporting an arm of user-sunbather  140  when sun-bathing during said at least one sunbathing period. PVC pipe  124  may be coupled/sewn onto an underside of each pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  to provide rigidity of the structure. PVC pipe  124  is preferred due its lightweight, and because it is cost-effective and readily available. Additionally, PVC pipe  124  of pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  may be covered with mesh. The mesh functions/serves as a deformation means for displacement upwardly and downwardly as arms of user-sunbather  140  are adjusted and cushioned customized to what is a comfortable and preferred position for each individual user-sunbather  140 . It should be noted that outdoor tanning device  102  may be used during non-sunbathing periods such as in the evening when there are no Ultra-Violet rays radiating from the sun. It should also be appreciated that mesh and PVC may be replaced with equivalent materials and achieve substantially the same result. 
         [0030]    Cushioned core-supported portion  130  preferably comprises a cushioning surface for a back and/or a front (depending on laying position) of user-sunbather  140 . Further, cushioned core-supported portion  130  preferably comprises foam, however other deformable materials may be used such as polypropylene, polyurethane, honeycomb etc. Cushioned core-supported portion  130  preferably rests horizontally across outdoor lounge chair  110  in a substantially planar position. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  showing a perspective view illustrating outdoor tanning device  102  folded inwardly  200  relative to outdoor lounge chair  110  of the TanWings Plus system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  may be folded inwardly  200  (as shown) by rotating bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  about an axis for portability such as when outdoor lounge chair  110  is being moved or adjusted. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , showing a perspective view illustrating tent-like position  300  providing private shaded area for child or infant  310  to rest out of the sun according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  are pivotable/rotatable such that they are able to be pulled/rotated about an axis up into tent-like position  300  and securably temporarily held there in vertical stasis. Preferably, tent-like position  300  is held in vertical stasis via hook and loop fasteners, however other types of securement(s) such as Velcro or elastic straps may be used and be considered equivalent as per the scope of the present invention. Towel-cover  150  may be used in conjunction with pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  to form private shaded area  320 . Towel-cover  150  may be temporarily draped over pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120  and temporarily held in vertical stasis in tent-like position  300  to provide more complete shading. In this way the present invention may be used for multiple convenient purposes. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , showing a perspective view illustrating tent-like position  300  providing private shaded area  420  for picnic items  400  to be shadingly-stored according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIG. 1 . Picnic items  400  that may benefit from being shaded may include fresh fruits or vegetables, frozen or refrigerated items such as ice cream, yogurt, or milk, along with hot or insulated beverages such as coffee or soups. In this way the present invention may provide shading means for a plurality of comestibles or other such items, rendering it as an effective shading means to preserve food for a longer duration. 
         [0034]    TanWings Plus system  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4  may comprise kit  440 . Kit  440  may comprise the following parts outdoor tanning device  102 ; at least one pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings  120 ; towel-cover  150 ; and a set of user instructions. 
         [0035]    Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 . showing a flowchart illustrating method of use  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention of  FIGS. 1-4 . A method (at least herein embodying method of use  500 ) of using outdoor tanning device  102  preferably comprising the steps of: step one  501  coupling a pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings of the outdoor tanning device to an outdoor lounge chair; step two  502  outwardly unfolding the pair of bendable permanently affixed tan wings; step three  503  laying on the outdoor lounge chair; step four  504  sun-bathing while supported by the outdoor tanning device and thereby promoting an even tan; and step five  505  bending (upwardly folding/rotating) permanently affixed tan wings to form a private shaded area. 
         [0037]    It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient. 
         [0038]    The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.