Patent Publication Number: US-8123291-B1

Title: Chair with misting apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of water misting devices are known in the prior art. However, what is needed is a chair with misting apparatus including a liquid dispenser assembly which provides a plurality of 360-degree adjustable nozzles disposed within the seat and backrest portions of the chair, each nozzle having a flow control switch connected to a tank mounted underneath the chair, the tank supplying liquid to the nozzles via conduit disposed within a channel in both the seat and backrest portions of the chair, and for which alternative embodiments include either an electric pump or a manual pump, and a non-foldable or foldable chair or any combination thereof. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a chair with a water misting apparatus, and more particularly, to a chair with misting apparatus which includes a chair and a liquid dispenser assembly which provides a plurality of 360-degree adjustable nozzles disposed within the seat and backrest portions of the chair, each nozzle having a flow control switch connected to a tank mounted underneath the chair, the tank supplying liquid to the nozzles via conduit disposed within a channel in both the seat and backrest portions of the chair, and with either an electrical or manual pump pumping the liquid from the tank into the nozzles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present chair with misting apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a chair with misting apparatus which has many novel features that result in, a chair with misting apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. To accomplish this, the present chair with misting apparatus includes a chair and a liquid dispenser assembly which dispenses a mist in a direction relative to the chair. The chair includes a seat portion, a backrest portion, a pair of armrest portions, and legs. The backrest portion may be fixedly attached to the seat portion in one embodiment, but pivotally attached to the seat portion in another embodiment as further described hereinbelow. One of each of the armrest portions is attached between each of the seat portion right side and the seat portion left side and the backrest portion first side and second side, respectively. 
     The liquid dispenser assembly provides liquid misting spray 360-degree rotatable nozzles mounted to seat portion and to the backrest portion. Each of the nozzles is manually adjustable relative to the chair to change the direction of flow of mist from each of the nozzles. A control switch selectively operationally engages each of the nozzles for manually adjustment of each nozzle to change the amount of mist flowing therefrom in a range from High, Medium, and Low to Off. The adjustability of the control switches allows a user to determine the direction of the mist as well as the amount of mist dispensed from each nozzle. The liquid dispenser assembly also includes an insulated tank, which may be transparent and has a water gauge, attached to the seat portion bottom side adjacent to the backrest portion. The transparency of the tank allows a user to view how much liquid remains in the tank as measured by the water gauge. A drain aperture having a removable drain cap is disposed within a lower wall of the tank to allows the tank to be drained more easily than a drain aperture located elsewhere on the tank, thus allowing a user to replace the tank with fresh liquid. A fill spout, having a spout cap removably disposed over an opening thereto, is disposed on the tank, the fill spout protruding outwardly away from the rearward side of the backrest portion. The position of the fill spout relative to the rearward side of the backrest portion places the fill spout in a position on the tank to allow maximum capacity of liquid to be stored within the tank and allows a user easy access to fill the tank. A cord may be provided to connect the spout cap to the fill spout to prevent the loss of the spout cap. 
     A sealed electric pump, in operational communication with the tank, is disposed adjacent to the tank on the bottom side of the seat portion. The location of the electric pump on the bottom side of the seat portion protects the electric pump from environmental conditions which are adverse to an electric pump, such as heat, and also hides the electric pump from view, thus making the apparatus more aesthetically pleasing than an apparatus with an visually exposed electric pump. The electric pump circulates liquid from the tank into each of the nozzles. An on-off switch, which alternately activates and deactivates the electric pump, is disposed near the electric pump and the armrest portion. The location of the on-off switch adjacent to the armrest portion allows a user to more easily access the on-off switch while sitting in the chair to more easily activate the apparatus than an on-off switch which is disposed in a location farther away from the backrest portion or as part of a stand-alone dispensing assembly. A waterproof gasket surrounds the on-off switch. The gasket prevents seepage of liquid out of the tank. 
     A conduit is disposed within a channel disposed within the seat portion and backrest portion of the chair. The conduit runs continuously from the fill spout and operationally interconnects the nozzles with the tank thereby supplying the nozzles with liquid. Because the conduit is disposed within the channel, the conduit is hidden away and is more aesthetically pleasing than conduit attached to the exterior of a chair and thus subject to viewing. 
     One embodiment of the present apparatus includes a chair which is foldable. The foldable chair includes a front end of the seat portion, a back end of the seat is portion disposed nearer to the backrest portion than the front end, and a midsection disposed between the front end and the back end. A first hinge pivotally attaches the midsection to each of the front end and the back end. A second hinge pivotally attaches the backrest portion to the seat portion which allows the backrest portion to pivot backwardly in an upright position and to pivot forwardly to attain a folded position. A support member runs continuously between the armrest portions adjacent to the rearward side of the backrest portion. The support member supports the backrest portion in an upright position. Thus, the backrest portion selectively folds over the back end and the back end selectively folds over the front end. The foldable embodiment of the chair may also include a foldable leg brace member which is disposed between each of the legs nearest the front end of the seat portion and the bottom side of the seat portion. The leg brace member is foldable so that each of the legs disposed nearest the front end can fold against the bottom side of the seat portion. The foldable chair embodiment allows a user to easily move and store the chair. 
     To use the present chair with misting apparatus, a user fills the tank by pouring liquid into the fill spout after removing the spout cap. The user replaces the spout cap onto the fill spout after pouring liquid into the tank. The user turns each nozzle in a desired direction relative to the chair. The user also turns each control switch for the desired amount of mist dispensed from each nozzle. To activate and deactivate the liquid dispenser assembly, the user presses the on-off switch alternately. To empty the tank, the user removes the drain cap from the drain aperture. Before filling the tank, the user seals the drain aperture with the drain cap. When using a foldable chair embodiment, to place the backrest portion in an upright position, the user pushes the backrest portion away from the seat portion and toward the support member. To fold the chair, a user folds the backrest portion over the back end of the seat portion, folds leg brace member against the bottom side of the front end and each of the legs nearest the front end toward the bottom side of the front end, and then folds the front end of the seat portion over the backrest portion. 
     Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the present chair with misting apparatus and method so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
     Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present chair with misting apparatus will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, examples of the present chair with misting apparatus and method when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current examples of the present chair with misting apparatus and method in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other examples and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the chair with misting apparatus and method. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Objects of the present chair with misting apparatus and method, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the chair with misting apparatus and method, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the chair. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric detail view of a nozzle. 
         FIG. 3  is a right elevation view of the chair. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the chair. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a control switch for electric pump and manual pump embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of an embodiment with a manual pump. 
         FIG. 7  is a right elevation of a foldable chair embodiment in an extended position. 
         FIG. 8  is a right elevation of a foldable chair embodiment in a folded position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 8  thereof, example of the instant chair with misting apparatus employing the principles and concepts of the present chair with misting apparatus and generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8 , the present chair with misting apparatus  10  is illustrated. The chair with misting apparatus  10  includes a chair  20  and a liquid dispenser assembly  45  which dispenses a mist  120  in a direction relative to the chair  20 . The chair  20  includes a seat portion  22 , a backrest portion  32  and a pair of armrest portions  41 . The seat portion  22  has a top side  24 , a bottom side  25 , a front side  27 , a back side  29 , a right side  30 , and a left side  31 . The backrest portion  32  has a forward side  34 , a rearward side  36 , a first side  38 , and a second side  39 . The backrest portion  32  may be fixedly attached to the seat portion  22  in one embodiment, but pivotally attached to the seat portion  22  in another embodiment as further described hereinbelow. A channel  40  is disposed within the seat portion  22  and the backrest portion  32 . One of each of the armrest portions  41  is attached between each of the seat portion  22  right side  30  and the seat portion  22  left side  31  and the backrest portion  32  first side  38  and second side  39 , respectively. A plurality of legs  42  support the seat portion  22 , the backrest portion  32 , and each armrest portion  41 . 
     The liquid dispenser assembly  45  includes a plurality of spaced-apart liquid misting spray nozzles  50  mounted to the front side  27 , the right side  30 , and the left side  31  of the seat portion  22  and to the first side  38  and the second side  39  of the backrest portion  32 . Each of the nozzles  50  is manually adjustable relative to the chair  20  to change the direction of flow of mist  120  from each of the nozzles  50 . Each of the nozzles  50  is rotatable in 360 degrees. 
     A control switch  52  selectively operationally engages each of the nozzles  50 . Each control switch  52  is manually adjustable relative to each nozzle  50  to change the amount of mist  120  flowing from each nozzle  50 . The control switch  52  is also manually adjustable relative to each nozzle  50  to selectively change the amount of flow of mist  120  from each nozzle  50  in a range from High  57 , Medium  58 , and Low  59  to Off  60 . The adjustability of the control switches  52  allows a user to determine the direction of the mist  120  as well as the amount of mist  120  dispensed from each nozzle  50 . 
     The liquid dispenser assembly  45  also includes an insulated tank  56  which is attached to the seat portion  22  bottom side  25  adjacent to the backrest portion  32 . The tank  56  may be transparent with a water gauge  63  disposed on the tank  56 . The transparency of the tank  56  allows a user to view how much liquid remains in the tank  56  as measured by the water gauge  63 . A drain aperture  64  having a removable drain cap  68  is disposed within a lower wall  54  of the tank  56 . The location of the drain aperture  64  within the lower wall  54  allows the tank  56  to be drained more easily than a drain aperture  64  located elsewhere on the tank, thus allowing a user to replace the tank  56  with fresh liquid. A fill spout  70  is disposed on the tank  56 . The fill spout  70  protrudes outwardly away from the rearward side  36  of the backrest portion  32 . The position of the fill spout  70  relative to the rearward side  36  of the backrest portion  32  places the fill spout  70  in a position on the tank  56  to allow maximum capacity of liquid to be stored within the tank  56  and allows a user easy access to fill the tank  56 . A spout cap  72  is removably disposed over an opening  71  within the fill spout  70 . The fill spout  70  receives liquid therethrough and forwards the liquid to the tank  56 . A cord  74  may be provided to connect the spout cap  72  to the fill spout  70  to prevent the loss of the spout cap  72 . 
     A sealed electric pump  75  is disposed adjacent to the tank  56  on the bottom side  25  of the seat portion  22 . The electric pump  75  is in operational communication with the tank  56 . The location of the electric pump  75  on the bottom side of the seat portion  22  protects the electric pump  75  from environmental conditions which are adverse to an electric pump, such as heat, and also hides the electric pump  75  from view, thus making the apparatus  10  more aesthetically pleasing than an apparatus with an visually exposed electric pump. The electric pump  75  circulates liquid from the tank  56  into each of the nozzles  50 . An on-off switch  76  is disposed near the electric pump  75  and the armrest portion  41 . The on-off switch  76  is in operational communication with the electric pump  75  and thus, when the on-off switch  76  is pressed, the electric pump is activated or alternately deactivated. The location of the on-off switch  76  adjacent to the armrest portion allows a user to more easily access the on-off switch  76  while sitting in the chair  20  to more easily activate the apparatus  10  than an on-off switch  76  which is disposed in a location farther away from the backrest portion  32  or as part of a stand-alone dispensing assembly. A waterproof gasket  78  surrounds the on-off switch  76 . The gasket  78  prevents seepage of liquid out of the tank  56 . 
     A conduit  80  is disposed within the channel  40  within both the seat portion  22  and backrest portion  32  of the chair  20 . The conduit  80  runs continuously from the fill spout  70  and operationally interconnects the nozzles  50  with the tank  56  thereby supplying the nozzles  50  with liquid. Because the conduit  80  is disposed within the channel  40 , the conduit  80  is hidden away and is more aesthetically pleasing than conduit attached to the exterior of a chair and thus subject to viewing. 
     One embodiment of the present apparatus  10  substitutes the electric pump  75  with a manual pump  90 , which is in operational communication with the tank  56 . The manual pump  90  includes a hose  92  connecting the manual pump  90  to the tank  56 . A handle  94  is disposed on an opposite end of the manual pump  90  from the hose  92 , the handle  94  being in operational communication with the manual pump  90 . Pushing the handle  94  toward the manual pump  90  activates the manual pump  90 . An on-off switch  76  is disposed on the handle  94 , the on-off switch  76  being in operational communication with the manual pump  90 . When the manual pump  90  is activated, the manual pump  90  circulates liquid from the tank  56  into each of the nozzles  50 . In the manual pump  90  embodiment, the conduit  80  runs from the tank  56  and into the channel  40 . The conduit  80  operationally interconnects the nozzles  50  and the tank  56  to supply the nozzles  50  with liquid from the tank  56 . A manually-operated valve  96  is disposed on the conduit  80  near the tank  56  wherein the valve  96  controls the flow of liquid from the tank  56  to the nozzles  50 . 
     Another embodiment of the present apparatus  10  includes a chair  20  which is foldable. The foldable chair  20  includes a front end  100  of the seat portion  22 , a back end  102  of the seat portion  22  disposed nearer to the backrest portion  32  than the front end  100 , and a midsection  104  disposed between the front end  100  and the back end  102 . A first hinge  106  pivotally attaches the midsection  104  to each of the front end  100  and the back end  102 . A second hinge  108  pivotally attaches the backrest portion  32  to the seat portion  22  which allows the backrest portion  32  to pivot backwardly in an upright position and to pivot forwardly to attain a folded position. A support member  110 , which may be cylindrical as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , runs continuously between the armrest portions  41  adjacent to the rearward side  36  of the backrest portion  32 . The support member  110  supports the backrest portion  32  in an upright position. Thus, the backrest portion  32  selectively folds over the back end  102  and the back end  102  selectively folds over the front end  100 . The foldable embodiment of the chair  20  may also include a foldable leg brace member  112  which is disposed between each of the legs  42  nearest the front end  100  of the seat portion  22  and the bottom side  25  of the seat portion  22 . The leg brace member  112  is foldable so that each of the legs  42  disposed nearest the front end  100  can fold against the bottom side  25  of the seat portion  22 . The foldable chair  50  embodiment allows a user to easily move and store the chair  50 . 
     Use: 
     To use the present chair with misting apparatus  10 , a user fills the tank  56  by pouring liquid into the fill spout  70  after removing the spout cap  72 . The user replaces the spout cap  72  onto the fill spout  70  after pouring liquid into the tank  56 . The user turns each nozzle  50  in a desired direction relative to the chair  20 . The user also turns each control switch  52  for the desired amount of mist  120  dispensed from each nozzle to  50 . To activate and deactivate the liquid dispenser assembly  45 , the user presses the on-off switch  52  alternately. To empty the tank  56 , the user removes the drain cap  68  from the drain aperture  64 . Before filling the tank  56 , the user seals the drain aperture  64  with the drain cap  68 . 
     When using a foldable chair  50  embodiment, to place the backrest portion  32  in an upright position, the user pushes the backrest portion  32  away from the seat portion  22  and toward the support member  110 . To fold the chair  50 , a user folds the backrest portion  32  over the back end  102  of the seat portion  22 , folds leg brace member  112  against the bottom side  25  of the front end  100  and each of the legs  42  nearest the front end  100  toward the bottom side  25  of the front end  100 , and then folds the front end  100  of the seat portion over the backrest portion  32 . 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present chair with misting apparatus to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Directional terms such as “front”, “back”, “in”, “out”, “downward”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like may have been used in the description. These terms are applicable to the examples shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for the purpose of description in connection with the drawings and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the present invention may be used. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.