Abstract:
A method for covering a fireplace hearth includes: lifting a hearth guard, said hearth guard comprising a frame having at least four inner surfaces including a first inner surface, a second inner surface, a third inner surface, and a fourth inner surface; and placing the hearth guard on a fireplace hearth having at least four outer surfaces; wherein the first inner surface faces an opposing direction as the second inner surface; wherein the third and the fourth inner surfaces are orthogonal to each other and to the first and the second inner surfaces; and wherein when hearth guard is configured to be placed on the fireplace hearth such that each of the four surfaces of the frame faces an opposing direction of a respective outer surface of the fireplace hearth.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Fireplace hearths are typically made of concrete and/or bricks and are therefore uncomfortable to sit on and pose a hazard to children that might fall and hit their heads on such hearths. Therefore there exists a need for systems and methods that address these and/or other problems related to fireplace hearths.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0002]     Systems and methods for protective seating are provided. An embodiment of a method for covering a fireplace hearth includes: lifting a hearth guard, said hearth guard comprising a frame having at least four inner surfaces including a first inner surface, a second inner surface, a third inner surface, and a fourth inner surface; and placing the hearth guard on a fireplace hearth having at least four outer surfaces; wherein the first inner surface faces an opposing direction as the second inner surface; wherein the third and the fourth inner surfaces are orthogonal to each other and to the first and the second inner surfaces; and wherein when hearth guard is configured to be placed on the fireplace hearth such that each of the four surfaces of the frame faces an opposing direction of a respective outer surface of the fireplace hearth.  
         [0003]     An embodiment of a method for providing a hearth guard includes: measuring a length of a fireplace hearth; and providing a hearth guard having dimensions that are responsive to dimensions of the fireplace hearth, said hearth guard comprising a frame having at least four inner surfaces including a first inner surface, a second inner surface, a third inner surface, and a fourth inner surface; wherein the heart guard also comprises a padding layer and a protective later, said padding layer being located between the frame and the protective layer; and wherein the protective layer covers at least a portion of the hearth guard exterior; wherein the first inner surface faces an opposing direction as the second inner surface; wherein the third and the fourth inner surfaces are orthogonal to each other and to the first and the second inner surfaces; wherein a distance between the first and the second inner surfaces is greater than or equal to the length of the fireplace hearth; and wherein when hearth guard is configured to be placed on the fireplace hearth such that each of the four surfaces of the frame faces an opposing direction of a respective outer surface of the fireplace hearth.  
         [0004]     A system for covering a fireplace hearth includes: a frame having at least four inner surfaces including a first inner surface, a second inner surface, a third inner surface, and a fourth inner surface, said system configured to at least partially cover the fireplace hearth; a padding layer; and a protective layer; wherein said padding layer is located between the frame and the protective layer; wherein the protective layer covers at least a portion of the system&#39;s exterior; wherein said fireplace hearth has at least four outer surfaces; wherein each of said four outer surfaces is orthogonal to two surfaces of said four outer surface; wherein the first inner surface faces an opposing direction as the second inner surface; wherein the third and the fourth inner surfaces are orthogonal to each other and to the first and the second inner surfaces; wherein said system is configured to be placed on the fireplace hearth such that each of the four inner surfaces of the frame faces an opposing direction of a respective outer surface of the fireplace hearth.  
         [0005]     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the claims (currently or subsequently presented).  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  depicts a conceptual block diagram of a protective seating system prior to placement on a fireplace hearth.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1B  depicts a conceptual block diagram of a protective seating system on a fireplace hearth.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2A  depicts an exterior perspective view of an example embodiment of a protective seating system.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2B  depicts an interior perspective view of an example embodiment of a protective seating system.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3A  depicts an embodiment of a protective seating system and a fireplace hearth.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3B  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system on a fireplace hearth.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4A  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system prior to placement on a fireplace hearth.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4B  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system on a fireplace hearth.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4C  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system prior to placement on a fireplace hearth.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4D  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system on a fireplace hearth.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of the layers of a protective seating system.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  depicts a method for manufacturing a protective seating system.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  depicts a method for implementing a protective seating system.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  depicts a method for utilizing a protective seating system.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  depicts a method for lifting a protective seating system off of a fireplace hearth.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     As will be described in greater detail herein, an embodiment of the present invention comprises systems and methods for a protective seating system on a fireplace hearth. The protective seating system protects against fire via a fire resistant protective layer, protects against the hard surface of the fireplace hearth via a padding layer, and provides a seat on top of the fireplace hearth. The protective seating system is placed on top of the fireplace hearth. The protective seating system uses the fireplace hearth for support for seating while providing a protective cover against fire and the hard surface. The protective system may be manufactured to be substantially equal to the fireplace hearth and is placed on top of the hearth.  
         [0023]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1 A  depicts a conceptual block diagram of a protective seating system  10  prior to placement on a fireplace hearth  11 . The fireplace hearth  11  is the part of a fireplace that extends out on the ground. The fireplace hearth  11  may, for example, comprise bricks, rocks, concrete, or any other suitable material.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  depicts a conceptual block diagram of a protective seating system  10  on a fireplace hearth  11 . The protective seating system  10  is configured to fit on the fireplace hearth  11  opposite the surfaces of the fireplace hearth  11 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  depicts an exterior perspective view of an example embodiment of a protective seating system  10 . The protective seating system  10  comprises a top  27 , a front  26 , a side  25 , and an opposite side  24  ( FIG. 2B ). The top  27  may, for example, be shaped as a ‘U’ to expose a portion of the top surface of a fireplace hearth, or it may, for example, substantially cover the top surface of a fireplace hearth.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  depicts an interior perspective view of an example embodiment of a protective seating system  10 . The protective seating system  10  comprises a top  27 , a front  26 , a side  24 , and a side  25 . The protective seating system  10  comprises an interior length  22 , a height  23  and a depth  21 . The interior length  22  of the protective seating system  10  may be substantially greater than the depth  21  or the height  23 . The length  22 , the height  23 , and the depth  21  of the protective seating system  10  may be measured and set responsive to the dimensions of a fireplace hearth.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3A  depicts an embodiment of a protective seating system  10  and a fireplace hearth  11 . The fireplace hearth comprises a top  31 , a front  32 , and a side  33 . The fireplace hearth  11  has dimensions of a length  34 , a height  35 , and a depth  36 . The protective seating system  10  comprises a top  27 , a front  26 , and a side  25 . The depth  21  ( FIG. 2B ) of the protective seating system  10  may be set substantially equal to the depth  36  of the fireplace hearth  11 . The height  23  ( FIG. 2B ) of the protective seating system  10  may be set substantially equal to or less than the height  35  of the fireplace hearth  11 . The interior length  22  ( FIG. 2B ) of the protective seating system  10  may be set substantially equal to the length  34  of the fireplace hearth  11 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 3B  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system  10  on a fireplace hearth  11 . In this example, the protective seating system  10  covers at least a portion of the front and the sides of the fireplace hearth  11  with an opening on the top of the protective seating system  10  to expose a portion of the top surface of the fireplace hearth  11 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 4A  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system  10 - 1  prior to placement on a fireplace hearth  11 . The fireplace hearth  11  extends out from a fireplace  41  and may, for example, comprise brick, rock, concrete, and/or any other suitable material. The protective seating system  10 - 1  may have a length, a depth, and a height customized based on the dimensions of the fireplace hearth  11 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4B  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system  10 - 1  on a fireplace hearth  11 . The protective seating system  10 - 1  has surfaces that respectively oppose the top, the front, and the sides of the fireplace hearth  11 . The fireplace hearth  11  provides support for the protective seating system  10 . The interior length, depth, and height of the protective seating system  10 - 1  may be set such that the protective seating system  10 - 1  fits tightly on the fireplace hearth  11 . A top view of the protective seating system  10 - 1  may depict a U shape that exposes a portion of the top surface of the fireplace hearth  11 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4C  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system  10 - 2  prior to placement on a fireplace hearth  11 . The fireplace hearth  11  extends out from a fireplace  41  and may, for example, comprise bricks, rock, concrete, and/or any other suitable material. The protective seating system  10 - 2  may have a length, a depth, and a height customized based on dimensions the fireplace hearth  11 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 4D  depicts an example embodiment of a protective seating system  10 - 2  on a fireplace hearth  11 . The protective seating system  10 - 2  has surfaces that respectively oppose the top, the front, and the sides of the fireplace hearth  11 . The fireplace hearth  11  provides support for the protective seating system  10 - 2 . The interior length, depth, and height of the protective seating system  10 - 2  may be set such that the protective seating system  10 - 2  fits tightly on the fireplace hearth  11 . The top surface of the protective seating system  10 - 2  covers substantially the entire top surface of the fireplace hearth  11 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  depicts an embodiment of the layers of a protective seating system  10 . The protective seating system  10  comprises a protective layer  51 , a padding layer  52 , and a support layer  53 . The protective layer  51  may comprise flexible material such as, for example, leather, cloth, or vinyl. In one embodiment the protective layer  51  may comprise a fire resistant material. The padding layer  52  may comprise compressible material such as, for example, foam, sponge, or any other suitable material. The support layer  53  may comprise relatively inflexible material such as, for example, wood. The padding layer  52  is located between the support layer  53  and the protective layer  51 . The protective layer  51  may be attached to the support layer  53  (e.g., stapled) to enclose the padding layer  51 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  depicts a method  60  for manufacturing a protective seating system. The method  60  comprises providing a support layer (e.g., wood) (step  61 ); placing a padding layer (e.g., foam or sponge) on top of the support layer (step  62 ); placing a protective layer (e.g., leather, cloth, vinyl) on top of the padding layer (step  63 ); and attaching a protective layer to the support layer (step  64 ).  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  depicts a method  70  for implementing a protective seating system. The method  70  comprises measuring a length of a fireplace hearth (step  71 ) and manufacturing a protective seating system such that the interior length of the protective seating system is substantially equal to a length of the fireplace hearth (step  72 ).  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  depicts a method  80  for utilizing a protective seating system. The method  80  comprises placing the protective seating system on a fireplace hearth (step  81 ), and sitting on the protective seating system (step  82 ).  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  depicts a method  90  for lifting a protective seating system off of a fireplace hearth. The method  90  comprises placing the protective seating system on a fireplace hearth (step  91 ), and lifting the protective seating system off the fireplace hearth (i.e., when desired or when no longer utilized) (step  92 ).  
         [0038]     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples, among others, of the implementations, setting forth a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the disclosure and present invention.