Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to buoyant cushions for use in a pool and being adaptable for use as outdoor furniture or in cooperation with outdoor furniture. The physical properties of 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 compliment outdoor furniture or to be used independently.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/098,382, filed Sep. 19, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to buoyant cushions for use in 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 at a swimming pool, a river, or a lake 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 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 
       [0007]    The present invention relates generally to a buoyant cushion for use in a pool 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 compliment outdoor furniture or to be used independently. 
         [0008]    The buoyant cushion includes a mechanically compliant exterior covering and defines a mechanically compliant chamber. The chamber containing a plurality of buoyant beads. These buoyant beads enabling the buoyant cushion to support the weight of a subject in a body of liquid to the extent that at least a portion of the subject is maintained above the surface of the liquid. Additionally, because of the properties of the buoyant cushion the cushion is adapted to serve as a weatherproof cushion that compliments a piece of outdoor furniture or to serve as an independent furniture-type device when the buoyant cushion is not being used as a flotation 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 at lines  3 - 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of the buoyant cushion defining a cup holder and a cooler; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the buoyant cushion cooperating with a lounge chair. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention relates generally to a buoyant cushion for use in a pool and being adaptable for use as outdoor furniture or in cooperation with outdoor furniture. More specifically, the buoyant beads enable the buoyant cushion to support the weight of a subject in a body of liquid to the extent that at least a portion of the subject is maintained above the surface of the liquid. Additionally, the buoyant cushion is adapted to serve as a weatherproof cushion that compliments a piece of outdoor furniture or to serve as an independent furniture-type device. 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 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates 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. 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 coupleable such that said exterior covering may be replaced. The exterior covering  12  is constructed of a compliant or 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 Sunprella® 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. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the buoyant cushion  10  that defines 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 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the rim  14  extends from the exterior covering  12  by two inches and thereafter includes additional seams to reinforce the rim  14 . 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. 
         [0018]    Furthermore,  FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of the buoyant cushion  10  that includes at least one grommet  16  at the rim  14 . In one embodiment, the grommet  16  is defined by reinforced stitching so as not to include an additional eyelet made of, for example, metal, plastic, or rubber. In another embodiment, the buoyant cushion  10  including a first grommet and a second grommet 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. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the grommets  16  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, such as a tree or hammock stand, the buoyant cushion  10  is suspended in the same manner as would be a conventional hammock. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the chamber  22  defined by the buoyant cushion  10  housing a plurality of buoyant beads  24 . The buoyant beads  24  provide the buoyant cushion  10  with its buoyancy, enabling the buoyant cushion  10  to support a subject, 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 define cracks or separations. As a result, the beads are not prone to collecting 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 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of the buoyant cushion  10 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the outer covering  12  defines at least one cup holder  26  and a cubby  28  for holding a small cooler or personal items, such as keys. The chamber 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 . In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the cup holders  26  and the cubby  28  extend past the chamber thereby allowing the cups to obtain some thermal insulation from the liquid 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. 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  illustrates yet another embodiment of the buoyant cushion  10  contoured and dimensioned as a lounge pillow to cooperate with conventional poolside and 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. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the outer covering  12  being amendable such that the buoyant cushion  10  conforms to the lounge chair, namely a rectangular portion of the lounge chair where a person is received. 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  46  and a storage compartment, a standard chair, a hanging chair frame, a porch swing, and a bench seat cabana. 
         [0023]    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 the intention of the applicant 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 applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.