Abstract:
An adjustable poolside chair comprises a chair assembly, a height-adjustable support mechanism, and a weighted base. The chair assembly comprises an outdoor padded chair with a tilting back portion and is constructed of lightweight, waterproof materials. The weighted base comprises a pair of horizontally adjustable hooks which are extended around a lip of a pool. The base also comprises a pair of rollers for transportation of the chair. The adjustable support mechanism comprises a height adjustable pneumatic cylinder and also provides a swivel function. In use, the base is placed in a desired location and the hooks are extended around the lip of the pool and secured in place using tightening knobs, thereby providing additional stabilization of the chair in a poolside position.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Dec. 1, 2009, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to seating arrangements, and in particular, to an adjustable chair particularly adapted for use in the vicinity of a swimming pool. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Outdoor activities are particularly popular during the summer months. The warm weather is conducive to enjoying extended periods outside. An extremely popular warm weather activity is that of enjoying a swimming pool. Swimming pools are popular because of their reputation for providing comfort, recreation, cooling, and relaxation. 
     A primary attraction of swimming pools is that they allow various forms of enjoyment for different persons. While some people may enjoy active participation by entering the water for exercise, recreation, or simple in-water relaxation, many persons find the simple presence of the water to be enjoyable. Such people enjoy things such as watching other persons play, sitting or lying in the vicinity of water, and possibly simply dipping their feet in the water for cooling and comfort. 
     One (1) problem associated with pools is the difficulty of positioning for those people who do enjoy the poolside without actually entering the water. In many cases, such people may wish to gently enjoy the water while primarily relaxing out of water. However, these people are prone to inconveniences such as splashing water, need to move about in order to enjoy various aspects of the pool area, and the like. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide seating assemblies intended for waterside use. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,112, issued in the name of Garmhausen, describes a boat seat clamp for use with a bench-type boat seat along an edge of a boat deck or the like. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,009, issued in the name of Vanderminden et al., describes a collapsible lounge chair with reclining features for easy transport and use in outdoor recreational areas. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,567, issued in the name of Bauer, describes a poolside lounge chair with cushioned portions and features of adjustable angle and curvature. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such devices are not sufficiently adjustable for use at a poolside. Also, many such devices are not safe for use near the edge portions of a swimming pool. Furthermore, many such devices are not suited for a user to engage the water of a pool while lounging. Accordingly, there exists a need for a poolside chair without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means to provide a poolside chair which allows a user to enjoy proximity to water while lounging, in a manner which accommodates users with varying sizes and preferences. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise an ergonomic poolside chair to provide a comfortable and adjustable seating arrangement in the vicinity of a swimming pool. The apparatus comprises a chair assembly, a height adjusting assembly, and a base assembly. 
     Another object of the present invention is to comprise the chair assembly of waterproof padding portions suitable for extended use in proximity to water. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow the apparatus to rotate three-hundred sixty degrees (360°) via pivoting attachment of the chair assembly to the height adjusting assembly. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide vertical adjustment of the chair assembly height via the height adjusting assembly. The height adjusting assembly comprises a cylindrical pneumatic support unit which provides a means to vary the distance between the chair assembly and base assembly. The height adjusting assembly is manually adjustable via a side positioned lever. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to selectively tilt a back portion of the chair assembly via relative rotational motioning of arm portions of the chair and opposing side surfaces of the back portion. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide secure, stable positioning of the apparatus via the weighted base assembly. The base assembly comprises a heavy rectangular portion. A bottom surface of the base assembly further comprises a high traction material in order to reduce skidding. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to securely position the apparatus along a pool edge in order to facilitate hanging of feet into the pool while seated in the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a pair of insertable hook appendages which securely engage the base portion and provide a means to grip a near edge of a swimming pool. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to facilitate transportation of the apparatus via a pair of rollers located along a rear edge of the base assembly. The rollers facilitate rolling transportion of the apparatus when tilted backwards by a user. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining an instance of the apparatus, transporting it to a desired location for use, positioning the apparatus in a desired location via tilting the apparatus onto the rollers, tilting the apparatus in a desired location to securely engage a flat ground surface via the base assembly, engaging a nearby swimming pool edge via insertion and adjustment of the hook appendages if needed, rotating the chair assembly to a desired orientation, selectively tilting the back portion of the chair assembly, selectively adjusting the height of the chair to facilitate desirable positioning of a user&#39;s feet above the ground, on the ground, or within the water of a nearby pool, and relocating the apparatus as desired during periods of non-use. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a poolside chair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a close-up view of an adjustable arm portion  26  of the poolside chair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a section view of the adjustable arm portion  26  of the poolside chair  10  taken along section line B-B (see  FIG. 2   a ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a height adjusting assembly portion  40  of the poolside chair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the height adjusting assembly portion  40  of the poolside chair  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 3 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a front perspective view of a base assembly portion  80  of the poolside chair  10  depicting deployment of hook appendage portions  84 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a front perspective view of a base assembly portion  80  of the poolside chair  10  depicting a stowed state of said hook appendage portions  84 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5   c  is a rear perspective view of a base assembly portion  80  of the poolside chair  10  depicting roller portions  96 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  poolside chair 
               20  chair assembly 
               22  seat portion 
               24  back portion 
               26  arm 
               27  arm pivot 
               28  head rest 
               30  tilt aperture 
               31  threaded insert 
               32  first knob/stud fastener 
               33  covering 
               34  frame 
               36  padding 
               38  hinge 
               40  height adjusting assembly 
               42  upper cylinder 
               44  lower cylinder 
               46  swivel bearing 
               48  upper mounting plate 
               50  lower mounting plate 
               52  lever 
               54  lever bracket 
               55  lever pivot 
               56  first lever aperture 
               57  second lever aperture 
               59  valve 
               61  seal 
               62  bushing 
               64  shaft 
               80  base assembly 
               82  platform 
               84  hook appendage 
               86  hook tip portion 
               88  hook orifice 
               90  second knob/stud fastener 
               92  hook stowing orifice 
               94  non-skid pad 
               96  roller 
               97  first roller bracket 
               98  second roller bracket 
               100  fastening means 
               105  fastener aperture 
               110  threaded hole 
               150  swimming pool structure 
               155  swimming pool deck 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5   c . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of a poolside chair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The present invention describes a poolside chair (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which comprises a comfortable chair assembly  20 , a height adjusting assembly  40 , and a weighted base assembly  80 . The chair assembly  20  comprises conventional seat  22  and back  24  portions made using waterproof padded construction with a tilting back portion  24  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The height adjusting assembly  40  connects the base assembly  80  and the chair assembly  20  along a vertical center line while providing both swiveling and vertically adjustable functions. The base assembly  80  is weighted for stability and comprises a pair of extendable and lockable hook appendages  84  which wrap around an edge region of a pool structure  150  to affix the apparatus  10  thereto. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , close-up and section views of the adjustable arm portion  26  of the poolside chair  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The chair assembly portion  20  of the apparatus  10  comprises a pair of arcuate tubular arm portions  26  for resting one&#39;s arms upon. End portions of said arm portions  26  are affixed to the seat  22  and back  24  portions of the chair assembly  20  via respective arm pivots  27  (see  FIG. 3 ), and adjustable first knob/stud fasteners  32 . Said arm portions  26  provide a means to variably tilt the back portion  24  via an angularly adjustable connection between said arm portions  26  and opposing side surfaces of said back portion  24 . Said connection of each arm  26  to the back portion  24  comprises a plurality of integral tilt apertures  30 , a threaded insert  31 , and a first knob/stud fastener  32 . A desired backwardly tilting angle of the back portion  24  may be secured in position by inserting a stud portion of the first knob/stud fasteners  32  through an aligned tilt aperture portion  30  of the arm  26 , and subsequently being threadingly engaged into a threaded insert  31  being correspondingly located and stationarily mounted to the frame portion  34  within opposing side surfaces of the back portion  24 . The first knob/stud fasteners  32  comprise common knurled knobs with integral threaded studs. The rear edge of the seat portion  22  is rotatingly affixed to the bottom edge of the seat back portion  24  via a pair of common axial hinges  38  being arranged in a linear manner as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , perspective and section views of the height adjusting assembly portion  40  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an upper cylinder  42  and a lower cylinder  44  affixed between an upper mounting plate  48  and a lower mounting plate  50 . The height adjusting assembly  40  is affixed to and extends from a top surface of the base assembly  80  to a center bottom surface of the chair assembly  20  while providing both swiveling and vertically adjustable functions to the apparatus  10 . The height adjusting assembly  40  comprises a cylindrical pneumatic support unit envisioned to be similar to manually adjustable mechanisms commonly used in office chair designs. The height adjusting assembly  40  provides a full three-hundred sixty (360) degrees of swiveling motion and approximately six (6) to eight (8) inches of vertical adjustment of a distance between the chair assembly  20  and a supporting surface such as a swimming pool deck  155  or the like. 
     The upper mounting plate  48  and lower mounting plate  50  comprise rugged plastic or metal circular plates being permanently affixed thereto top and bottom surfaces of the height adjusting assembly  40  using welding or equivalent strong fastening methods. The upper  48  and lower  50  plates extend horizontally outward from upper  42  and lower  44  cylinder portions, being parallel to and providing an attachment means to respective chair  20  and base  80  assemblies using common fastening means  100  such as rivets, screws, bolts, and corresponding fastener apertures  105 . 
     The height adjusting assembly  40  provides a pneumatic lifting means via the upper cylinder  42 , a lower cylinder  44 , and an activation lever  52 . The upper cylinder  42  is snuggly inserted downwardly into the lower cylinder  44  in a telescoping manner to enable height adjustment of the chair assembly  20  by a user by motioning the lever  52  upwardly, thereby allowing a user to change an amount of air entrapped within. The lever  52  is pivotingly affixed to an outer surface of the upper cylinder  42  via an integral “U”-shaped lever bracket  54  and a pivot pin  55 . An end portion of the lever  52  extends horizontally and protrudes through a first lever aperture  56  of the upper cylinder  42  located along a side surface, and subsequently protrudes through a second lever aperture  57  of a valve  59  located internally within the upper cylinder  42 . The valve  59  comprises a hollow vertical sliding cylinder which further comprises an annular rubber seal  61  along a bottom perimeter edge which provides an airtight sliding seal against an inner bore of the lower cylinder  44 . As the lever  52  is released downwardly, the valve  59  is motioned upwardly, thereby causing the seal portion  61  of the valve  59  to trap a volume of air within the lower cylinder  44 . The trapped air acts to support the upper cylinder  42  and the attached chair assembly  20 . The valve  59  and seal  61  are accurately guided along a vertical axis via a guiding bushing  62  and shaft  64  set positioned along a vertical center line. The valve  59  is motioned vertically as the lever  52  is manipulated to allow a volume of air to pass out of or into the lower  44  cylinder, thereby positioning the upper cylinder  42  and chair assembly  20  at a user selected height. However, the height adjusting assembly  40  is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the height adjusting assembly  40  are possible without deviating from the basic concept and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     The upper cylinder portion  42  of the height adjusting assembly  40  provides an integral swivel bearing  46  located within a top portion of said upper cylinder  42 . The swivel bearing  46  allows a user to rotate the chair assembly  20  a full three-hundred sixty degrees (360°). Said swivel bearing  46  is envisioned to comprise a rugged thrust-type ball-bearing unit envisioned to comprise an aesthetic matching profile with that of the upper cylinder  42 . 
     The seat  22  and back  24  portions of the chair assembly  20  comprise rectangular padded water-resistant members further comprising a vinyl or plastic outer covering  33 , a thickness of padding material  36 , and an internal plastic or wood flat panel frame  34 . The padding  36  is envisioned to be made using a common urethane foam rubber being located between the frame portions  34  and the water-resistant covering  33  providing expected comfort to the user during normal use of the apparatus  10 . Said seat  22  and back  24  portions are envisioned to be manufactured using conventional furniture and textile assembly methods common in the industry and are to be introduced in various decorative colors and patterns. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , various perspective views of the base assembly portion  80  of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The base assembly  80  comprises a rectangular platform  82 , a pair of hook appendages  84 , a pair of tightening knobs  90 , and a pair of rollers  96 . The base assembly  80  comprises a heavily weighted rectangular platform  82  weighing approximately twenty (20) pounds and having a pair of extendable and lockable hook appendages  84  which wrap around an edge region of a pool structure  150 , thereby stabilizing the apparatus  10  upon a swimming pool deck  155  (see  FIG. 1 ). The rectangular platform  82  is to be approximately ten (10) to twelve (12) inches in length on each side and approximately three (3) inches in height. The platform  82  further comprises a non-skid pad  94  affixed to a bottom surface using common industrial adhesives to stabilize the apparatus  10  upon said swimming pool deck  155  surface during normal use. Said non-skid pad  94  is envisioned being made of a durable sheet rubber material. The platform  82  provides an attachment means to the aforementioned lower mounting plate portion  50  via four (4) threaded holes  110  using common fastening means  100 . The threaded holes  110  are arranged along a top surface of said platform  82  being correspondingly positioned with regards to the fastener aperture portions  105  of said lower mounting plate  50  (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). 
     The platform  82  provides a means to secure the apparatus to an edge portion of the swimming pool structure  150  via a pair of arcuate hook appendages  84 . The platform  82  provides an insertable attachment means thereto said hook appendages  84  via a pair of round hook orifices  88  located along a front surface being sized so as to slidingly receive a distal end portion of said hook appendages  84 . Each hook appendage  84  comprises a straight distal portion and a proximal arcuate portion which curves downwardly forming an approximate arc of two-hundred (200) degrees being formed so as to conform to an edge portion of a swimming pool structure  150 . Each hook appendage  84  further comprises a rubberized or plastic coated proximal hook tip portion  86  providing protection to the swimming pool structure  150  against scratching or ripping of pool liners or other fragile portions. Once hooked around an edge portion of the swimming pool structure  150 , the hook appendages  84  are axially and longitudinally locked in position via respective second knob/stud fasteners  90  comprising common knurled knobs with integral threaded studs. Said second knob/stud fasteners  90  are threadingly engaged into opposing side portions of the platform  82  so as to internally intersect a respective hook appendage  84  at a right angle, thereby applying a clamping and locking pressure. 
     Said platform  82  also provides a means to discreetly stow the hook appendages  84  when not being used via a pair of hook stowing orifices  92  located between the aforementioned hook orifices  88 . Said hook stowing orifices  92  are sized to insert and secure the hook tip portions  86 . 
     The base assembly  80  also comprises a pair of rollers  96  located along a rear edge enabling easy transportation and relocation of the apparatus  10 . The rollers  96 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , are supported and aligned along a single axis by a pair of outwardly positioned first roller brackets  97  and a centrally positioned second roller bracket  98 . The brackets  97 ,  98  captivate the rollers  96  and are affixed to rear vertical surface of the platform  82  using a common fastening means  100  such as screws or bolts. The brackets  97 ,  98  also provide axle-like features being rotationally engaged through a center portion of the rollers  90 . The rollers  90  are envisioned to be made using a hard plastic or metal material. During use, the rollers  90  are positioned slightly above a surface of the swimming pool deck  155 . As the apparatus  10  is tilted backward, said rollers  90  contact the surface of the deck  155 . Once tilted backward, the weight of the apparatus  10  is transferred from the platform  82  onto the rollers  90 , thereby providing easy rolling of the apparatus  10  to a different location in a similar fashion as motivating a common hand-truck device. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired exterior color or pattern; placing the apparatus  10  in a desired location along an edge area of a swimming pool deck  155 ; extending the hook appendages  84  outwardly from the hook orifices  88 ; positioning the hook appendages  84  around a lip portion of the swimming pool structure  150 ; securing the hook appendages  84  in position by tightening the second knob/stud fasteners  90 ; adjusting a height of the chair assembly  20  by lifting the lever  52  and applying or removing one&#39;s weight to the seat portion  22  until obtaining a desired height; releasing the lever  52  to secure the chair assembly  20  at a desired height; adjusting an angle of the back portion  24  of the chair assembly  20  by unscrewing and removing the two (2) first knob/stud fasteners  32  from the arms  26 ; tilting the back portion  24  to a desired angle; reinstalling the first knob/stud fasteners  32  through the tilt apertures  30  and into the threaded insert portions  31  of each arm  26 ; and, enjoying the portability and stability of the apparatus  10  while being seated at an edge of one&#39;s pool structure  150 . 
     The apparatus  10  may also be utilized at various locations away from the swimming pool structure  150  in a similar manner as a normal free-standing chair by performing the following additional steps: loosening the second knob/stud fasteners  90 ; rotating the hook appendages  84  inwardly toward each other; pushing the hook appendages  84  toward the platform  82  such that the hook tip portions  86  are inserted into the hook stowing orifices  92 ; retightening the second knob/stud fasteners  90  to secure the hook appendages  84  in the stowed position; tilting the apparatus  10  rearwardly to transfer a weight of the apparatus  10  onto the rollers  96 ; wheeling the apparatus  10  to a desired location; adjusting the height of the height adjusting assembly  40  and an angle of the back portion  24  as previously described; and, utilizing the apparatus  10  in a similar manner as a normal chair. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.