FURNITURE WITH INTEGRATED STORAGE FOR WATER OR OTHER MATERIAL

Furniture pieces which include integrated storage capacity for storing water or other material. By incorporating such storage capacity within furniture, a user may take advantage of space that would otherwise be unused or unusable to unobtrusively and conveniently store an emergency water supply or other desired material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to furniture and, more specifically, to furniture which is capable of storing water or other material within its structure.

Background Information

In preparation for possible emergency situations such as natural disasters, power outages and the like, public safety agencies often recommend that residents keep a supply of potable water stored in a readily accessible location. In an emergency in which a loss of power or contamination renders the normal water supply (municipal or private) unusable, residents who have made such preparations will have sufficient drinking water to sustain them for at least a brief time.

One problem that often arises in connection with creating an emergency water supply of sufficient capacity is inadequate storage space. For example, FEMA recommends storing at least a three-day emergency water supply which includes at least one gallon of water per person per day just for drinking. Following that recommendation with some additional allowance for unforeseen needs, a family of four persons would need to store at least 15 gallons of water. Further, the same family of four would need to store on the order of 35 gallons of water (e.g., 7 five-gallon containers) to be prepared for an emergency lasting about one week. Thus, storage of a reasonable emergency water supply for even a few people quickly translates into significant storage space. In addition, while it is desirable to store an emergency water supply such that is readily accessible, most people will also want to avoid moving heavy containers of water frequently or at all. Also, in order to avoid detracting from the atmosphere and decor of their homes, most people will prefer that their emergency water supplies be stored in a way that is inconspicuous and aesthetically acceptable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In brief summary, the present invention provides a variety of furniture pieces in which water or other material may be stored. The furniture pieces include tables and chairs having hollow, load-bearing bases or frames which are liquid tight and provide integrated storage capacity for water or other material. The bases or frames may be configured for filling from the top or bottom with access provided for drawing water or other material out. The furniture pieces also include a table in which water or other material may be stored in a bladder or other structure which is suspended beneath the tabletop. The furniture pieces further include a lamp having a liquid tight globe and a base which both supports and illuminates the globe.

In some embodiments of the present invention, in order to fill or draw water or other material, a user may simply remove a tabletop, chair seat or other structure and thereby gain access to a port. In alternative embodiments, a pump assembly may be used with the port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1shows a bench-type chair100having a seat102supported by a pedestal104, and a cushion106. Seat102or pedestal104or both are preferably substantially hollow and constructed of one or more materials that provide suitable load-bearing strength, are liquid-tight and safe for storing water or other material that is intended for human consumption. Such materials include a wide variety of commercially available plastics which may also serve as the finish surface of chair100or may be covered with wood veneer, cloth or other material for decorative purposes.

Access for filling chair100with water or other material, as well as drawing from the chair, may be provided in a variety of ways. For example, a user access port having a simple screw cap, stopper or other closing mechanism (not shown) may be located at an advantageous position on seat102. Depending upon the location of the port and weight of chair100, a user may be able to pour from the port, either by gravity or by tipping the chair, or alternatively may insert a hose (not shown) and siphon from the port. A pump like the one described below in connection withFIG. 8Bmay be also used to draw water or other liquid from such a port in chair100. Depending upon the overall dimensions of chair100and with consideration to the weight of the chair when it is filled with water or other material, chair100provides integrated capacity for storing on the order of at least several gallons of water if not more.

FIG. 2shows a lounge-type chair200having a cushion204disposed on a seat202supported by legs206. Seat202is preferably substantially hollow and constructed in manner like that described above. Access for filling or drawing from the integrated storage capacity provided by chair200may be provided in a manner similar to that described above.

FIG. 3Ashows globe302removed from base304. A neck301has a stopper303and provides a port on for filling or drawing from globe302.FIG. 3Bshows base304in cross-section. An illumination element305is disposed around a recess306which is shaped to hold neck301.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bshow a table400having a removable top402and a pedestal404. Pedestal404is preferably substantially hollow and constructed in manner like that described above. Access for filling table400or drawing from the table may be provided in a manner similar to that described above.

FIG. 5shows a chair500having a seat502supported by a pedestal504. Seat502or pedestal504or both are preferably substantially hollow and constructed in a manner, including user access for filling and drawing, similar to that described above.

FIG. 6shows a chair600having a seat602supported by legs604, and a back606. Some or all of seat602, legs604and back606may be substantially hollow and constructed in a manner, including user access for filling and drawing, similar to that described above.

FIGS. 7A-7Fshow a series of end tables having hollow bases which provide integrated storage capacity for water or other material. An end table700has a top702, which may include one or more drawers706, which is supported by a base704. Base704is preferably substantially hollow and liquid-tight. Bases706,708and710provide a variety of geometries as well as varying storage capacities. As shown inFIGS. 7eand7F, access for filling or drawing from bases704-710, as well as bases712and714, may be gained by simply removing top702and accessing a port716. An optional wheeled base718may be used in conjunction with any of bases704-714.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bshow a table800having a removable top802, a bearing surface804on which top802normally rests, a pedestal806, a port808, a removable pump assembly810and a base812. Pedestal806is preferably substantially hollow and constructed in a manner similar to that described above to provide integrated storage capacity for water or other material. Port808, which may be constructed in a manner similar to that described above, provides access for filling pedestal806and for installing removable pump assembly810.

In an alternative embodiment, port808may be located on the bottom surface of base812. In such an embodiment, it would be necessary to invert the table to gain access to either fill or draw from the pedestal. However, top802would no longer need to be removable.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bshow a chair900having a removable seat902, a pedestal904, a base906and a back908. When seat902is removed, a user would gain access to port (not shown) like port808in order to fill or draw from pedestal904which is preferably substantially hollow. A removable pump assembly like assembly810may be used to draw from pedestal904.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bshow a table1000having integrated storage capacity for water or other material. Table frame1002supports a top1004as well as a storage volume1006which is disposed beneath top1004and attached to frame1002or top1004or both. Access for filling or drawing from storage volume1006is provided by a port1008located near one corner of top1004but which may be located elsewhere for convenience. Additional access for filling or drawing from storage volume1006is provided by a valve1010which is preferably located at or near the lowest point of storage volume1006. Valve1010may be implemented with any of a variety of structures including a screw cap, snap cap, push button valve and the like.

Storage volume1006may be constructed in a variety of ways including a bladder, a saucer, an inverted pyramid or other structure each of which is substantially hollow and liquid-tight. Storage volume1006may be shaped and dimensioned such that even when full it is substantially hidden when viewing table1000from above as shown inFIG. 10A.

FIGS. 11A and 11Bshow a chair1100having integrated storage capacity for water or other material. Chair1100has a back1102, legs1104, a removable seat cushion1106and a storage volume1108disposed beneath seat surface1112. Storage volume1108is preferably constructed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to storage volume1006. When seat cushion1106is removed, access for filling or drawing from storage volume1108is provided by way of a port1110.

FIGS. 12A and 12Bshow a sculpture1200having integrated storage capacity for water or other material. Sculpture1200is preferably substantially hollow, liquid-tight and constructed of a material that is safe for storing water or other material that is intended for human consumption. A port (not shown) for filling and drawing may be located on a bottom surface of a base1202.

The hollow structures and storage volumes described above may also be adapted to include a mechanism for automatically releasing a purifying chemical or a mechanism to provide a visual reminder to a user to replenish a purifying chemical or take other action. As an alternative to storing water, the hollow structures and storage volumes described above may be used to store other liquids, powders, grains or other objects.