Patent Publication Number: US-7581788-B1

Title: Cover for lounge chair

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to towels for covering a lawn chair and, more particularly, to a fitted cover for a lawn or lounge chair of the type commonly utilized at a swimming pool or a beach. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   It is a well known and common practice for sunbathers to employ portable lawn or lounge chairs at beaches and swimming pools to lie on for relaxation. Often times, towels or sheets are used to cover the lounge chairs for comfort and sanitation purposes. However, the towels and blankets are subject to being blown away when the chair is unoccupied. 
   In addition, sunbathing activity ordinarily involves the use of various personal items such as sunglasses, beverages, suntan lotion, cellular phone, car keys, cigarettes, hats, and books. Furthermore, many sunbathers typically employ the use of an anchored umbrella or similar device to shield the sun&#39;s rays. This presents the cumbersome task of not only transporting the sheet, personal items, umbrella, and chair, but also in organizing and preventing loss or theft of the personal articles. 
   The prior art has attempted to address the aforementioned problems through the use of covers for lawn chairs, some of which providing pockets. However, the prior art has failed to provide a fitted cover for a lounge chair having a lightweight, integral shading device. 
   Accordingly, a need has arisen for a fitted cover for a lounge chair having an integral pocketed, shading device for shielding the user against sun rays in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. The development of the fitted cover for a lounge chair fulfills this need. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related. 
   The following patents disclose various covers for lounge chairs: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,353, issued in the name of Goddard; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,568, issued in the name of Greer; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,028, issued in the name of Jones et al.; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,234, issued in the name of Daniels; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,225 B2, issued in the name of Graff; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,152, issued in the name of Baron; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,094, issued in the name of Greer; 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,157, issued in the name of Kostuk; and 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,229, issued in the name of Ledford. 
   Consequently, a need has been felt for a fitted cover for a lounge chair having an integral pocketed, shading device for shielding the user against sun rays. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fitted cover for a lounge chair having an anterior pocket and a posterior pocket adapted to fit over respective U-shaped ends of a lounge chair. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a fitted cover for a lounge chair having a plurality of pockets secured along the side edges of the cover for storing personal items. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a fitted cover for a lounge chair having an auxiliary pocket for shielding a user&#39;s head or face against sun rays. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a cover constructed of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a fitted cover for a lounge chair is disclosed. The lounge chair is of the type commonly utilized at a swimming pool or a beach. The lounge chair includes a central frame section having an upper frame section and a lower frame section adjustably hinged thereto. The upper frame section, central frame section, and lower frame section are fabricated of aluminum tubing or similar material. The upper frame section and the lower frame section are adapted to be vertically tilted with respect to the central frame section, thereby allowing the upper and lower frame sections to be positioned in various desired angular orientations. 
   The lounge chair is supported on a pair of U-shaped, transversely-extending legs. User is supported atop the lounge chair by a support means comprised of contiguous transverse plastic strips suitably affixed to each frame section. 
   The fitted cover comprises an elongated, substantially rectangular panel having a perimeter defining an anterior end opposing a posterior end and a first side edge opposing a second side edge. The panel is slightly tapered at the anterior end and posterior end in order to shapely and sizably conform substantially to an outer periphery of the lounge chair. The panel is fabricated of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. 
   The cover further comprises an anterior pocket being sizably adapted to fit over one U-shaped tubular end of lounge chair, and a posterior pocket sizably adapted to fit over the opposing U-shaped tubular end of lounge chair. 
   An auxiliary pocket is provided, wherein auxiliary pocket functions to both shield user&#39;s head or face against sun rays and to allow for the storage of personal articles. The auxiliary pocket is secured via a sewing operation to the anterior end of panel about an upper end of the anterior pocket. 
   A plurality of pockets is secured thereto along the first side edge and the second side edge of cover. Each of the pockets is easily accessible by user when reclining on the lounge chair. The plurality of pockets are formed each having three closed sides and one open side. Each of the pockets defines an interior volume within which various personal articles and accessories such as sunglasses, beverages, suntan lotion, cellular phone, car keys, cigarettes, and books may be placed for safe storage. 
   An alternate embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, wherein a pair of support members are provided for supporting the auxiliary pocket in a raised position, thereby forming a canopy for shielding a user&#39;s head or face against sun rays. Upper ends of the support members are inserted within respective pockets secured to opposed upper side edges of the auxiliary pocket, and lower ends of the support members are inserted within respective pockets secured to the first side edge and second side edge of the cover, proximal to the anterior end thereof. 
   It is envisioned that the pair of support members are telescopically adjustable, thereby allowing the auxiliary pocket to be fixedly elevated in a variety of desired angular orientations. 
   The use of the present invention allows a user to removably attach a cover to a lounge chair, to store personal items in such cover, and to shield the sun&#39;s rays in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 

   
     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 a perspective view of a cover as fitted to a lounge chair, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the present invention of  FIG. 1 , according to the preferred embodiment thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the cover, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the cover, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front side elevational view illustrating the extension of the main panel of the auxiliary pocket, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front side elevational view of the auxiliary pocket, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial top side view of the cover illustrating the continuous panel of the plurality of pockets, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the cover illustrating the plurality of pockets, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a partial front side elevational view according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the pair of support members, according to the alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a fitted cover for a lounge chair  10 , hereinafter cover  10 , according to the present invention, is provided, wherein cover  10  is shown detachably fitted to the lounge chair  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , the lounge chair  20  includes a central frame section  22  having an upper frame section  25  and a lower frame section  27  adjustably hinged thereto. The upper frame section  25 , central frame section  22 , and lower frame section  27  are fabricated of aluminum tubing or similar material. The upper frame section  25  and the lower frame section  27  are adapted to be vertically tilted with respect to the central frame section  22  along longitudinal hinge lines X and Y, respectively, in order to position lounge chair  20  in desired angular orientations. The upper frame section  25  and the lower frame section  27  are adapted to be positioned at various desired angular orientations via an adjustment mechanism  30 , such as a ratchet mechanism  32 . 
   The lounge chair  20  is supported on a pair of U-shaped, transversely-extending legs  28 ,  29  being hingedly attached to adjustment mechanism  30 , adjacent longitudinal hinge lines X and Y, respectively. 
   The user is supported atop the lounge chair  20  by a support means  40  comprised of contiguous transverse plastic strips  42  being suitably affixed to each frame section  22 ,  25 , and  27 . Support means  40  further comprises spaced, longitudinal straps  44  suitably affixed between plastic strips  42  which provide partial support thereto as well as additional structural integrity concerning user support atop lounge chair  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the cover  10  comprises an elongated, substantially rectangular panel  50  having a perimeter defining an anterior end  52  opposing a posterior end  54  and a first side edge  56  opposing a second side edge  58 . The rectangular panel  50  includes an upper surface  50   a  opposing a lower surface  50   b . The panel  50  is slightly tapered at the anterior end  52  and posterior end  54  in order to shapely and sizably conform substantially to an outer periphery of lounge chair  20 . The panel  50  is fabricated of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the cover  10  of the present invention may include various ornamentation  170  or indicia being sewn, silkscreened, adhered via adhesive, appliqued or otherwise suitably attached to the fabric material thereof. The ornamentation  170  is envisioned to be decorative as shown or may carry an advertisement. 
   The cover  10  further comprises an anterior pocket  70  formed on the lower surface  50   b  at the anterior end  52  of panel  50  being sizably adapted to fit over the U-shaped tubular end  53  defining the upper frame section  25  of lounge chair  20 . The cover  10  also comprises a posterior pocket  75  formed on the lower surface  50   b  at the posterior end  54  of panel  50  being sizably adapted to fit over the U-shaped tubular end  55  defining the lower frame section  27  of lounge chair  20 . 
   The anterior pocket  70  extends transversely of the anterior end  52  of panel  50  to adjacent portions of the side edges  56 ,  58  thereof and is secured to panel  50  via a sewing operation in a manner leaving one open side  59 . The posterior pocket  75  extends transversely of the posterior end  54  of panel  50  to adjacent portions of the side edges  56 ,  58  thereof, and is secured to panel  50  via a sewing operation in a manner leaving one open side  59   a.    
   Each pocket  70 ,  75  comprises a continuous panel  71 ,  76 , respectively, fabricated of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. Preferably, pockets  70 ,  75  and panel  50  are fabricated of the same material. Each continuous panel  71 ,  76  is secured to panel  50  by conventional seams  78  (as at seam  78 ,  FIG. 4 ) via a sewing method. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2-6 , an auxiliary pocket  80  is provided, wherein auxiliary pocket  80  functions to both shield user&#39;s head or face against sun rays and to allow for the storage of personal articles. The auxiliary pocket  80  comprises a generally elongated, rectangular main panel  82  having an upper end  83  secured via a sewing operation at the anterior end  52  of panel  50  about an upper end of anterior pocket  70  along a linear portion of the seam  78  utilized for securing anterior pocket  70  to the lower surface  50   b  of panel  50 . The main panel  82  is fabricated of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. The auxiliary pocket  80  is formed by a reversely-turned extension  87  of the main panel  82 . Opposite sides  85 ,  86  of the extension  87  are secured to a lower surface  88  of main panel  82  by conventional seams  90  (as at seam  90 ,  FIG. 6 ) via a sewing method leaving one open side  89 . The extension  87  of main panel  82  is reversely-turned in a manner such that the lower end  84  of main panel  82  is positioned proximal to an elongated centerline Z of main panel  82 . In the event user desires to shield the head or face against sun rays, user simply drapes the auxiliary pocket  80  over the head or face. 
   It is envisioned that auxiliary pocket  80  is reclosable by cooperating hook-and-loop fasteners, wherein a strip of the hook portion thereof is affixed to an upper interior surface of the auxiliary pocket  80  below the open side  89  thereof, while the loop portion thereof is affixed to the upper interior surface of each pocket below the open side  89  thereof, opposed to the hook portion strip. The hook-and-loop fasteners are indicated generally by reference numeral  150  and  152 , respectively in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   Referring now more specifically to  FIGS. 1-4  and  7 - 8 , rectangular panel  50  has a plurality of pockets  100  secured thereto along the first side edge  56  and the second side edge  58  thereof. As more clearly shown in  FIGS. 4 and 8 , six pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  106  are depicted, wherein pockets  101 ,  102 , and  103  are adjacently positioned in series, and pockets  104 ,  105 , and  106  are adjacently positioned in series. Each of the pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  106  is easily accessible by user when reclining on lounge chair  20 . The pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 ,  105 ,  106  are comprised of a continuous panel  100   a  having an upper edge  116  secured by seams  160  to the first side  56  and the second side  58 , respectively, of the rectangular panel  50 . The continuous panel  100   a  is fabricated of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. The pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  106  are formed by a reversely-turned extension  111  of continuous panel  100   a . Opposite side edges  112 ,  113  of extension  111  and a longitudinal edge  115  thereof are secured to an upper surface  114  of continuous panel  100   a  by conventional seams  99  (as at seam  99 ,  FIG. 3 ) via a sewing method. The extension  111  of continuous panel  100   a  is reversely-turned in a manner such that the longitudinal edge  115  thereof is positioned just below the upper edge  116  thereof. In order to form three separate pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103  along the first side  56  of rectangular panel  50 , and three separate pockets  104 ,  105 ,  106  along the second side  58  of rectangular panel  50 , the lower surface  114   a  of extension  111  is secured to the upper surface  114  of continuous panel  100   a  by two seams  99   a  being transversely stitched spatially and equidistant. Thus, the plurality of pockets  100  are formed each having three closed sides  156 ,  157 , and  158  and one open side  159 . The plurality of pockets  100  each defines an interior volume within which various personal articles and accessories such as sunglasses, beverages, suntan lotion, cellular phone, car keys, cigarettes, hats, and books may be placed for safe storage. 
   In addition, being flexible at seams  160 , the plurality of pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106  can be easily folded atop the upper surface  50   a  of panel  50  so as to allow the cover  10  to be quickly and efficiently folded to a compact configuration, thereby facilitating transport thereof. 
   It is envisioned that each of the plurality of pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106  are reclosable by cooperating hook-and-loop fasteners, wherein a strip of the hook portion thereof is affixed to an upper interior surface of each pocket  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106  below the open side  159  thereof, while the loop portion thereof is affixed to the upper interior surface of each pocket below the open side  159  thereof, opposed to the hook portion strip. The hook-and-loop fasteners are indicated generally by reference numeral  150  and  152 , respectively in  FIG. 8 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 9-11 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, wherein a first pair of side pockets  120  and  122  is secured to the first side edge  56  and second side edge  58 , respectively, of the upper surface  50   a  of panel  50 , proximal to the anterior end  52  thereof by conventional seams  128  via a sewing method. The first pair of side pockets  120 ,  122  is fabricated of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. Each of the side pockets  120 ,  122  defines an opening  124  along the upper end thereof which provides direct passage into a small diameter interior volume. The first pair of side pockets  120  and  122  is secured to respective sides  56  and  58  of panel  50  at an angle measuring approximately 40°. 
   A second pair of side pockets  130  and  132  is secured respectively to opposed upper side edges of the auxiliary pocket  80  by conventional seams  129  via a sewing method. The continuous panel  100   a  is fabricated of a moisture absorbent fabric material such as terry cloth or cotton. Each of the side pockets  130 ,  132  defines an opening  134  along the lower end thereof which provides direct passage into a small diameter interior volume. The second pair of side pockets  130  and  132  is secured to opposed upper side edges of the auxiliary pocket  80  at an angle measuring approximately 80°. 
   A pair of support members  140 ,  142  are disclosed for supporting the auxiliary pocket  80  in a raised position, thereby forming a canopy for shielding a user&#39;s head or face against sun rays. Opposed ends  140   b ,  140   a  of first support member  140  are inserted within a first side pocket  120  of the first pair of side pockets  120 ,  122  and a first side pocket  130  of the second pair of side pockets  130 ,  132 , respectively, and opposed ends  142   b ,  142   a  of second support member  142  are inserted within a second side pocket  122  of the first pair of side pockets  120 ,  122  and a second side pocket  132  of the second pair of side pockets  130 ,  132 , respectively, thereby supporting auxiliary pocket  80  in a raised, fixed position. 
   It is envisioned that the pair of support members  140 ,  142  are telescopically adjustable, thereby allowing auxiliary pocket  80  to be fixedly elevated in a variety of desired angular orientations. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   To use the present invention, the anterior pocket  70  and the posterior pocket  75  of cover  10  are fitted over respective U-shaped tubular ends  53 ,  55  of the lounge chair  20 . User then places personal items in the plurality of pockets  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 , and  106  and auxiliary pocket  80  in an organized or desired manner. Finally, user lies atop the cover  10 . In the event user desires to shield his/her head or face against sun rays, user simply drapes the auxiliary pocket  80  over the desired area. 
   The use of the present invention allows a user to removably attach a cover to a lounge chair, to store personal items in such cover, and to shield the sun&#39;s rays in a manner which is quick, easy, and efficient. 
   Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings, would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that are anticipated within this disclosure. 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 to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, 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 intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following Claims.