Abstract:
Buoyant cushions or the like are used and are adaptable for varied other uses, such cushions having physical properties that include buoyancy, weather-resistance, malleability, strength, and comfort to the user, and allows the cushion to be used dually as lounging floatations in bodies of water and as cushions adapted to compliment outdoor furniture or used as furniture. The chamber of each cushion is partially filled with polystyrene beads and the outer surface is defined primarily by a comfortable flexible fabric material to support a user and a flexible mesh fabric material to permit ingress and egress of water to the chamber, such materials being sewn together to form the cushion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of Provisional Application Ser. No. 12/563,851, filed Sep. 21, 2009. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to buoyant cushions for use in water, such as a lake or a pool and being adaptable for use as outdoor furniture or in cooperation with outdoor furniture. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Conventional floatation devices for use in water at a swimming pool, a river, a lake or the like are typically inflatable. These inflatable floatation devices, although fully capable of supporting the weight of a person, suffer from numerous shortcomings. A user of these conventional floatation devices is essentially required to inflate the device before each use. Conventional floatation devices having insufficient air pressure often results in the device sinking or suspending the user underwater. In order to inflate these floatation devices the user is required to inflate same by lung power or to bring an air pump to the desired location. Furthermore, these conventional floatation devices are typically being manufactured from thin plastic materials that are prone to scratches and punctures that consequently render them useless as a floatation device. Resultingly, these conventional floatation devices can only be used in the pool and cannot be used as outdoor furniture or in conjunction with outdoor furniture. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates generally to a buoyant cushion for use in a pool or the like and being adaptable for use as outdoor furniture or in cooperation with outdoor furniture. The buoyant cushion having physical properties that include buoyancy, weather-resistance, and malleability that allow the buoyant cushion to be used dually as a lounging floatation device, in bodies of water such as pools, lakes, or the ocean, and as a cushion adapted to complement outdoor furniture or to be used independently as, for example, a mattress. 
         [0008]    The buoyant cushion includes a mechanically compliant exterior casing or covering that defines a mechanically compliant chamber therewithin. The chamber contains a plurality of buoyant beads that enable the buoyant cushion to support the weight of a user or an object in a body of liquid to the extent that at least a portion of the user or object is maintained above the surface of the water. Additionally, because of the properties of the buoyant cushion the cushion is adapted to serve as a weatherproof cushion that complements a piece of outdoor furniture or to serve as an independent furniture-type device or piece when the buoyant cushion is not being used as a floatation device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the buoyant cushion in accordance with the various features of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the buoyant cushion having a plurality of grommets at opposing ends of the buoyant cushion; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of the buoyant cushion of  FIG. 2  taken along lines  3 - 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the buoyant cushion defining a cup holder and a cooler; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates an elongated embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the buoyant cushion cooperating with a lounge chair; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a further embodiment of the buoyant cushion according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a horizontal sectional medial view of  FIG. 6 , with the cushion above the water; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  and depicting the cushion partially immersed in water with water entering into the chamber of the cushion; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a view similar to  FIG. 8  depicting the cushion with the beads and water filling the chamber of the cushion; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  with an object or a user buoyantly supported on the cushion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention relates generally to a buoyant cushion for use in water and being adaptable for use as outdoor furniture or in cooperation with outdoor furniture or by itself as furniture. More specifically, the buoyant beads enable the buoyant cushion to support the weight of a user or object in a body of water to the extent that at least a portion of the user is maintained above the surface of the water. Additionally, the buoyant cushion is adapted to serve as a weatherproof cushion that complements a piece of outdoor furniture or to serve as furniture. One embodiment of the buoyant cushion constructed in accordance with the various features of the present invention is illustrated generally at  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the buoyant cushion  10  having a substantially rectangular contour. The buoyant cushion  10  includes a mechanically compliant exterior covering  12  and defines a mechanically compliant chamber therewithin. In accordance with one embodiment, the buoyant cushion  10  includes an internal covering and an external covering. More specifically, the internal covering defines a mechanically compliant chamber while the exterior covering provides protection to the internal covering. The internal covering and external covering may be permanently joined together or releasably connectable such that the exterior covering may be replaced. The exterior covering  12  is constructed of a compliant or strong flexible material that is water repellant and otherwise weather-resistant. For example, in one embodiment, the exterior covering  12  is constructed of an acrylic fabric, rendering the exterior covering  12  not only weather-resistant, but also UV-resistant and mildew-resistant. One example of such an acrylic fabric is the Sunbrella® fabrics manufactured by Glen Raven Mills, Inc. Additionally, the buoyant cushion  10  may be contoured and dimensioned to function as a seating cushion, small neck-supporting pillow, throw pillow, or roll-type pillow to be used, for example, at poolside. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of the buoyant cushion  10  that has a rim  14  about the perimeter of the chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim  14  includes a reinforced seam defined by the exterior covering  12 . The rim  14  may extend from the exterior covering  12  by two inches and have additional seams to reinforce the rim  14  and inhibit bursting and the escape of the beads  24 , hereinafter set forth. The rim  14  provides a user with a handle for maneuvering and/or transporting the buoyant cushion  10  in and around a body of water. 
         [0024]    Furthermore  FIG. 2  depicts at least one grommet  16  through the rim  14 . The grommet  16  may be defined by reinforced stitching so as not to include an additional eyelet made of, for example, metal, plastic, or rubber. The buoyant cushion  10  may include a first grommet and a second grommet which enables a user to tether the buoyant cushion  10  to a stationary object, such as a dock, and to fold and bind the buoyant cushion  10 , for example using a fastener, for compact transportation. 
         [0025]    In another embodiment, the grommets  16  may allow the buoyant cushion  10  to function as a hammock. More specifically, this embodiment of the buoyant cushion  10  has a contour that is substantially that of a hammock such that the buoyant cushion  10  includes a first end  18  and a second end  20 , the first end  18  being opposite the second end  20  with respect to the buoyant cushion  10 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the buoyant cushion  10  includes a plurality of grommets  16  at the first end  18  and a plurality of grommets  16  at the second end  20 . The grommets  16  are adapted to receive suspension devices, such as ropes, such that when the suspension devices are secured to a structural support(s), such as a pair of spaced trees or hammock stand, the buoyant cushion  10  is suspended in the same manner as would be a conventional hammock. The cushion  10  may be suspended from a single tree limb and the user may sit thereon and swing, if desired. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates a chamber  22  defined by the buoyant cushion  10  housing a plurality of buoyant beads  24 . The buoyant beads  24  partially fill the chamber and provide the buoyant cushion  10  with its buoyancy, enabling the buoyant cushion  10  to support a user, such as a human, in a body of water to the extent that at least a portion of the human is maintained above the surface of the water, as discussed above. In one embodiment, the buoyant beads  24  are constructed of a virgin polystyrene material. The virgin polystyrene beads do not absorb water or resins and do not expand to the extent that the beads crack or separate. As a result, the beads are not prone to collect moisture or debris, which reduces the probability of mold or mildew developing in or on the beads. The buoyant beads are small in size, such as having a 3 mm diameter, such that the buoyant cushion  10  is substantially conformable and malleable. Because the buoyant beads  24  provide the buoyant cushion  10  with its buoyancy, the buoyant cushion  10  cannot be deflated, such as by way of a puncture to the exterior covering  12 . Even a hole through the covering, if less than about 3 mm in diameter will not permit escape of the beads  24  from the chamber of cushion  10 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  depicts cushion  10  in a different form so that the outer covering  12  defines at least one cup holder  26  and a cubby  28  for holding a small cooler or even personal items, such as a wallet or keys. The chamber of cushion  12  defines the cup holder  26  and the cubby  28  by defining a recess that extends within the chamber. As a result, the buoyant beads substantially surround the recess such that the buoyant beads provide thermal insulation for the cup holders  26  and the cubby  28 . The cup holders  26  and the cubby  28  may extend past the chamber thereby allowing the cups to obtain some cooling or thermal insulation from the water below the buoyant cushion  10 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer covering  12  and the chamber define a cooler having a lid. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates the buoyant cushion  10  contoured and dimensioned as a lounge pillow to cooperate with conventional poolside outdoor furniture. Because the buoyant cushion  10  is malleable and weather-resistant, it is capable of cooperating with and withstanding the environmental exposure associated with outdoor furniture. The outer covering  12  is amendable such that the buoyant cushion  10  conforms to the lounge chair, namely a rectangular portion of the lounge chair where a user sits and/or reclines thereon. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the buoyant cushion  10  may be easily contoured and dimensioned to cooperate with a platform bed, an outdoor bed having table tops and a storage compartment, a standard chair, a hanging chair frame, a porch swing, and a bench seat cabana, or to be used by itself on the ground, poolside and/or an extra mattress. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depict a further embodiment of the invention, the buoyant cushion  30  is rectangular in form and includes a substantially weather-resistant flexible fabric material  31  that is comfortable for a human user to lay or sit on yet strong as durable for use in a number of different ways and environments, water, poolside—with or without furniture, etc. Sewn to fabric material  31  is another substantially weather-resistant flexible mesh fabric material  32 , which may extend partially to form a bottom  33  with fabric material  31 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , or may extend the full length and width of the bottom  33 . The mesh fabric material  32  is somewhat more rigid than the fabric material  31  and is not as comfortable to support a human user. The stitching lines  34 ,  35  are made to provide a rim  36  around the cushion  30  which includes a casing  37  defining an internal chamber  38  and formed by an exterior covering  39 . Additionally, double stitching lines  34 ,  35  are provided along the edges of cushion  30 , lines  34  and  35  being shown in  FIG. 7 , but line  34  only being shown in  FIG. 7 , since line  35  is an initial stitch through the wrong side of the fabric, as known to persons skilled in the sewing arts. 
         [0030]    The cushion  30  is depicted in  FIG. 8  above water  40  prior to placement thereinto. The mesh fabric material  32  has predetermined size openings  41  therethrough to permit the ingress and egress of water  40  therethrough but smaller in size to prevent passage of the buoyant expanded beads  42  therethrough. The mesh openings  41  of fabric  32  substantially retain their predetermined size and shape and the cross-threads may or may not be woven, but are glued and/or fused together to maintain such size and shape. The beads  42  are seen to only partially fill chamber  38 , so that when immersed in water as shown in  FIG. 9 , water  40  will begin flowing through mesh openings  41  illustrated by arrows  43 . While  FIG. 10  depicts the cushion  30  with water  40  generally replacing the air space  44 , likely some air does escape out of the stitching lines  34 ,  35 , air remains entrained between and among the beads  42 . In  FIG. 11 , a human user  45  is shown supported on cushion  30 , with the cushion  30  being deformed by the weight of the user in contact with cushion  30 . With the cushion  30  in water  40  and a user  45  supported thereon, the stability of the cushion  30  is enhanced, as well as the comfort of the user  45  an effect of being supported by a water bed, since water  40  is also with the beads  42  within chamber  38 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 4  embodiment of cushion  10 , the buoyant beads  24  are depicted as substantially filling the chamber of cushion  10  to enable the cup holder  26  and cubby  28  to retain the shapes intended for the cushion  10 . However, in the  FIGS. 6-11  cushion  30  embodiment, where the beads  42  only partially fill the chamber  38 , the bead fill volume should be between 65% to 80% of the total fillable volume of the cushion  30  to provide the appropriate feel and comfort to the human user  45 , as well as providing the desired buoyancy. Too much bead fill renders the large float cushions too stiff and uncomfortable and too little bead fill renders them too soggy and insufficient buoyancy. Accordingly, the preferred range is 70% to 75% to provide optimum results. 
         [0032]    As mentioned in paragraph [0009], the weather-resistant, UV-resistant and mildew-resistant fabric material  31  may be an acrylic fabric, such as Sunbrella® fabrics manufactured by Glen Raven Mills, Inc. The mesh fabric material  32  preferably has similar qualities being weather-resistant, UV-resistant and mildew-resistant and may be a polyester woven mesh coated polyester fabric such as Bondcote&#39;s TufMesh Plus® fabric, or Glen Raven&#39;s Textilene® fabrics, or Phifer Wire&#39;s Phifertex® fabrics, or other appropriate fabric material. The mesh fabric material  32  may be polyvinylchloride coated to not only enhance its physical properties, but to assist in maintaining and stabilizing the woven mesh in its intended openness factor of approximately 35%, i.e., so the square or rectangular openings retain their shape of less than 3 mm bead size in any direction. Even the thread employed to make the seams of the buoyant cushion  10  and the cushion  30 , likewise should have similar qualities, weather-resistant, UV-resistant and mildew-resistant and may be a bonded, twisted, continuous-filament polyester thread such as Coats&#39; Dabond®, heavy, recommended for canvas, tarps, etc. Not only the above qualities, but also for its strength, sewability and lasting characteristics. The thread also is bonded to resist against ply untwisting, even in zigzag sewing and other features set forth by Coats®, a well-known leader in thread technology. 
         [0033]    While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concepts.