Patent Publication Number: US-2023133483-A1

Title: Furniture having load-bearing or non-load bearing structures for storage of water or other material

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of commonly assigned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/693,732, which was filed on Mar. 14, 2022, by Tonia Walstad Miller for FURNITURE HAVING LOAD-BEARING OR NON-LOAD BEARING STRUCTURES FOR STORAGE OF WATER OR OTHER MATERIAL, which is a continuation of commonly assigned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/218,874, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2011, by Tonia Walstad Miller for FURNITURE HAVING LOAD-BEARING OR NON-LOAD BEARING STRUCTURES FOR STORAGE OF WATER OR OTHER MATERIAL, the applications of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to furniture and, more specifically, to furniture which incorporates load-bearing or non-load bearing structures in which water or other material may be stored. 
     Background Information 
     In preparation for possible emergency situations such as natural disasters, power outages and the like, public safety agencies often recommend that residents keep a supply of potable water stored in a readily accessible location. In an emergency in which a loss of power or contamination renders the normal water supply (municipal or private) unusable, residents who have made such preparations will have sufficient drinking water to sustain them for at least a brief time. 
     One problem that often arises in connection with creating an emergency water supply of sufficient capacity is inadequate storage space. For example, FEMA recommends storing at least a three-day emergency water supply which includes at least one gallon of water per person per day just for drinking. Following that recommendation with some additional allowance for unforeseen needs, a family of four persons would need to store at least 15 gallons of water. Further, the same family of four would need to store on the order of 35 gallons of water (e.g., 7 five-gallon containers) to be prepared for an emergency lasting about one week. Thus, storage of a reasonable emergency water supply for even a few people quickly translates into significant storage space. In addition, while it is desirable to store an emergency water supply such that is readily accessible, most people will also want to avoid moving heavy containers of water frequently or at all. Also, in order to avoid detracting from the atmosphere and décor of their homes, most people will prefer that their emergency water supplies be stored in a way that is inconspicuous and aesthetically acceptable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In brief summary, the present invention provides a variety of furniture pieces which incorporate load-bearing or non-load bearing structures in which water or other material may be stored. By integrating such storage capacity within furniture, a user may take advantage of space that would otherwise be unused or unusable to unobtrusively and conveniently store an emergency water supply or other desired material. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more reusable water storage containers are used as a load-bearing structure for a chair, table or other furniture piece. In other embodiments, one or more reusable water storage containers may be used as a non-load bearing structure in a furniture piece. In still other embodiments of the present invention, one or more reusable water storage containers having a particular shape and dimensions may be used as either a load-bearing or non-load bearing structure in a furniture piece. 
     In some further embodiments of the present invention, in order to draw water or other material, a user may gain access to the storage container by removing a table top or chair seat or taking other action. In other embodiments, a pump assembly may be integrated with the furniture piece such that a user is able to draw from the storage container even when the furniture piece is in a normal position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG.  1 A  is a front elevation view of a task chair whose load-bearing base includes a storage container which may be used to store an emergency water supply in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  1 B  is a side elevation view of the chair shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 C  is a rear elevation view of the chair shown in  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2 A  is an elevation view of a round table whose load-bearing base includes three storage containers; 
         FIG.  2 B  is a top plan view of the table shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIG.  2 C  is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the tabletop shown in  FIG.  2 A ; 
         FIGS.  2 D- 2 F  are elevation views of table height extenders which are compatible with the tabletop of  FIG.  2 C ; 
         FIG.  3 A  is an elevation view of a square table whose load-bearing base includes four storage containers in a decorative enclosure; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a top plan view of the table shown in  FIG.  3 A ; 
         FIG.  4 A  is an elevation view of a rectangular table whose load-bearing base includes five storage containers in a decorative enclosure; 
         FIG.  4 B  is a top plan view of the table shown in  FIG.  4 A ; 
         FIG.  5 A  is a perspective view of a round table having a hollow pedestal-type base; 
         FIG.  5 B  is a perspective view of a storage container which may be housed within the hollow pedestal of the table shown in  FIG.  5 A ; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 E  are perspective views of armchairs whose bases house storage containers; 
         FIG.  7 A  is a perspective view of an upholstered chair and ottoman each of which may accommodate a storage container; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a cross-section of the chair shown in  FIG.  7 A  showing a storage container which is housed beneath the seat of the chair; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a perspective view of a load-bearing storage container for storing water or other material which may be adapted for use with a variety of furniture types; 
         FIGS.  8 B- 8 H  are perspective views of a variety of chairs and tables that incorporate the storage container shown in  FIG.  8 A ; 
         FIG.  9 A  is a perspective view of a load-bearing storage container for storing water or other material which may be adapted for use with a variety of furniture types; 
         FIGS.  9 B- 9 H  are perspective views of a variety of chairs and tables that incorporate the storage container shown in  FIG.  9 A ; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a rectangular table having a top which includes a recessed area for housing one or more storage containers that may be used to store water or other material; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a chair whose seat includes a recessed area for housing one or more storage containers that may be used to store water or other material; 
         FIG.  12 A  is a partially exploded view of a table whose load-bearing base includes a storage container and pump assembly; 
         FIG.  12 B  is a side elevation of the table shown in  FIG.  12 A  fully assembled; 
         FIG.  13 A  is an elevation view of a table having a cabinet base in which storage containers are housed; 
         FIG.  13 B  is a perspective view of a table having a cabinet base with doors; 
         FIGS.  14 A- 14 C  show an ottoman having an interior compartment in which a storage container is housed; 
         FIG.  15    is an elevation view of a table having a pedestal support made of stackable, load-bearing storage containers; and 
         FIGS.  16 A- 16 B  are elevation views of cabinets which either support or are supported by storage containers. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , a task chair  100  includes a seat and seatback assembly  102 . An upper end of a support  108  is mechanically secured to a bottom surface of assembly  102 . A lower end of support  108  is shaped and dimensioned to engage with and bear upon a storage container  104  while also keeping the bottom surface of assembly  102  clear of a spout  110 . Storage container  104  is preferably a reusable, plastic container of appropriate capacity, dimensions and strength to both support normal loads (e.g., a seated person) expected for task chair  100  and provide appropriate height. Preferably, either assembly  102  is detachable from support  108  or support  108  is detachable from storage container  104  to allow a user ready access to spout  110 . The bottom of storage container  104  is secured in an optional wheeled base  106  which permits task chair  100  to roll freely. 
     Storage container  104  functions as a load-bearing structure of task chair  100 . In addition, storage container  104  may function as a store for water or other material. As a result, the space normally occupied by a conventional chair is advantageously converted into an emergency water store or other desired store while preserving the chair&#39;s original function. 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 B  show a table  200  having a round tabletop  202  which is supported by three storage containers  204  which together form a pedestal. Storage containers  204  together bear the load of tabletop  202  as well as any loads placed on the tabletop. A bottom surface  208  of tabletop  202  includes three recesses  210   a ,  210   b  and  210   c  which are located and dimensioned to accommodate the spouts of storage containers  204  respectively. Alternatively, tabletop  202  may be secured to storage containers  204  by a variety of conventional arrangements, such as brackets, clips or sockets, which preferably allow tabletop  202  to be removed in order to gain access to the spouts. Storage containers  204  are secured in an optional wheeled base  206 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2 C , as an alternative to placing recesses in the tabletop, a bottom surface of a tabletop  212  is fitted with three round receptacles  214   a ,  214   b  and  214   c . Each of receptacles  214   a - 214   c  is shaped and dimensioned to receive an upper end of a table height extender  216 ,  218  and  220  shown in  FIGS.  2 D- 2 F . Each lower end of height extenders  216 ,  218  and  220  is adapted to mechanically engage a spout of a storage container  204 . Height extenders  216 ,  218  and  220  may be implemented with a simple slide-on friction fitting, a threaded connection or other arrangement which is convenient and compatible with a particular spout design. Alternatively, other support structures which are adapted to mechanically engage storage containers  204  or the floor (or both) and capable of bearing the expected loads may be used. For example, scissor legs could be adapted to mechanically engage storage containers  204  while providing a convenient way to adjust the height of table  200 . 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 B  show a table  300  having a square tabletop  302  which is supported by a square hollow pedestal  304 . A bottom surface of tabletop  302  rests on a top edge of pedestal  304 . Arranged within pedestal  304  are four storage containers  306 . Access to spouts  310  of storage containers  306  may be gained by lifting tabletop  302  off of pedestal  304 . Alternatively, pedestal  304  may include a side panel door (not shown) which provides access to storage containers  306  without removal of tabletop  302 . Either pedestal  304  or storage containers  306  may be arranged to solely bear the load of tabletop  302  or, alternatively, the load may be shared. Similar arrangements may be made with respect to other embodiments described herein. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  show a table  400  having a rectangular tabletop  402  which is supported by a rectangular hollow pedestal  404 . A bottom surface of tabletop  402  rests on a top edge of pedestal  404 . Arranged within pedestal  404  are five storage containers  408 . Access to spouts  410  of storage containers  408  may be gained by lifting tabletop  402  off of pedestal  404  or, alternatively, providing a side panel door (not shown) in pedestal  404 . 
       FIG.  5 A  shows a table  500  having a round tabletop  502  which is supported by a round hollow pedestal  504 . Pedestal  504  is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a cylindrical storage container  506  which is shown in  FIG.  5 B . Storage container  506  includes a filling port  508  on its top surface. Thus, by removing tabletop  502 , a user may gain access to either fill or draw from storage container  506 . Storage container  506  may be either load-bearing or non-load bearing depending upon its height, the height of pedestal  504  and the material chosen for the container. 
       FIG.  6 A  shows an armchair  600  having at least one removable armrest  602  which provides access to a compartment  604 . Compartment  604  houses one or more storage containers  606 . Armrest  602  includes a panel  608  which is shaped and dimensioned to frictionally engage with compartment  604 . 
     In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG.  6 B , an armchair  610  has a removable armrest  612  which includes blocks  614 . Blocks  614  are shaped and dimensioned to mate with slots  616  when armrest  612  is attached to armchair  610 . A compartment  618  houses one or more storage containers  620  and may be accessed by a door  622 . 
     In another alternative embodiment shown in  FIG.  6 C , an armrest has been removed from each of two armchairs  610  which have been mechanically secured to form a bench or loveseat  624 . Loveseat  624  is secured by a rear clip  626  ( FIG.  6 D ) which is shaped and dimensioned to engage with slots  628  located on an upper back corner of each armchair  610 . A front clip  630  ( FIG.  6 E ) is similarly shaped and dimensioned to engage with slots  632  located on a lower front corner of each armchair  610 . 
     Containers  606  and  620  may be either load-bearing or non-load bearing depending upon their dimensions and the material chosen for the containers. 
       FIG.  7 A  shows an upholstered chair  700  and ottoman  702 . As shown in  FIG.  7 B , a storage container  704  having an optional wheeled base  706  is shaped and dimensioned to fit within a cavity  708  beneath chair  700 . Storage container  704  may be either load-bearing or non-load bearing depending upon its height, the height of cavity  708  and the material chosen for the container. Access to storage container  704  may be gained by turning chair  700  on its side or, alternatively, lifting chair  700  off of the storage container. Alternatively, or in addition, another storage container (not shown) of appropriate shape and dimensions could be disposed in a cavity beneath ottoman  702 . In both cases, storage container  704  provides water storage in a convenient and unobtrusive way that does not detract from a user&#39;s décor. 
       FIG.  8 A  shows an alternative design for a load-bearing storage container  800  which includes a support  802  mounted on a hollow base  804 . As shown in  FIGS.  8 B,  8 D and  8 E , storage container  800  is adaptable to serve as a load-bearing and storage structure for a variety of chairs  806 ,  808  and  810 . Similarly, as shown in  FIGS.  8 C,  8 F,  8 G  and  8 H, storage container  800  is adaptable to serve as a load-bearing and storage structure for a variety of tables  812 ,  814 ,  816  and  818 . 
       FIG.  9 A  shows yet another alternative design for a load-bearing water container  900 . As shown in  FIGS.  9 B,  9 D and  9 E , storage container  900  is adaptable to serve as a load-bearing and storage structure for a variety of chairs  902 ,  904  and  906 . Similarly, as shown in  FIGS.  9 C,  9 F,  9 G and  9 H , storage container  900  is adaptable to serve as a load-bearing and storage structure for a variety of tables  908 ,  910 ,  912  and  914 . 
       FIG.  10    shows a table  1000  which includes four legs  1010  and a load-bearing frame  1002  that defines a recessed area  1004 . Although omitted for greater clarity, it should be understood that a tabletop would typically overlay the entirety of recessed area  1004  and typically, but not necessarily, extend peripherally beyond the edges of frame  1002 . Recessed area  1004  accommodates a group of storage containers  1006  each of which includes a spout or inlet  1008 . Storage containers  1006  may be accessed by removing the tabletop. In alternative embodiments, legs  1010  may be replaced by a conventional pedestal structure, one of the housings or cabinet-type pedestals disclosed herein, or other suitable load-bearing structures. 
       FIG.  11    shows a chair  1100  having a load-bearing frame  1110  and a hinged or removable seat  1102  which may be lifted to gain access to a recessed area  1104 . One or more storage containers  1106 , each of which includes a spout or inlet  1108 , is shaped and dimensioned to fit within recessed area  1104 . 
       FIG.  12 A  shows a partially exploded view of a table  1200  which includes a tabletop  1202 , a pump assembly  1206 , a load-bearing storage container  1212  and an optional wheeled base  1214 . Tabletop  1202  includes a central aperture  1204  which is located and sized to accommodate an actuator  1208 . Tabletop  1202  normally rests on an annular support  1210 , thereby preferably enabling actuator  1208  to stand flush with or proud of the top surface of tabletop  1202  as shown in  FIG.  12 B . By exerting downward pressure on actuator  1208 , a user may draw water or other liquid from storage container  1212  through spigot  1216  and into glass  1218 . Thus, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  12 A and  12 B , water or other liquid stored in storage container  1212  is generally accessible for use at any time and need not be considered merely an emergency supply. 
       FIGS.  13 A- 13 B  show a table  1300  having a rectangular top  1302  and a cabinet base  1304  which houses storage containers  1306 . Cabinet  1304  may include doors  1308  to conceal storage containers  1306  or may omit such doors. Cabinet  1304  may also include an optional wheeled base  1310 . 
       FIGS.  14 A- 14 C  show an ottoman  1400  which includes a compartment  1406  for a storage container  1402 . Access to compartment  1406  and storage container  1402  may be gained through a door  1404 . 
       FIG.  15    shows a table  1500  in which a table top  1502  rests on a drawer box  1504 . A load bearing pedestal  1506  which supports table top  1502  and drawer box  1504  is formed from several stackable, load-bearing storage containers  1510 . Pedestal  1506  is supported by an optional wheeled base  1508 . 
       FIG.  16 A  shows an assembly  1600  in which a non-load bearing storage container  1602  is supported by a cabinet  1604 . In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG.  16 B , an assembly  1606  includes a load-bearing storage container  1610  which supports a cabinet  1608 . Load-bearing storage container  1610  rests in an optional wheeled base  1612 . 
     The chairs, tables and other furniture pieces described above may be constructed from a variety of conventional materials including wood, wood composites and laminates, plastic, metal, fabric, glass or various combinations of those materials or others. The storage containers described above may, where appropriate, be implemented with essentially conventional plastic, reusable water containers or may be implemented with other containers whose dimensions, shapes and materials are chosen to meet the requirements of a particular application. Such other water containers described above, which require particular dimensions or shapes to fit within particular spaces, may be constructed from plastic or other conventional materials. The storage containers described above may also be adapted to include a mechanism for automatically releasing a purifying chemical or a mechanism to provide a visual reminder to a user to replenish a purifying chemical or take other action. 
     As an alternative to the optional wheeled bases (e.g., wheeled base  106  in  FIG.  1 A ) described above, a non-wheeled base may be used and may include a bottom surface covered with felt or similar material that would allow sliding over hard floor surfaces. 
     As an alternative to storing water, the storage containers described above may be used to store other liquids, powders, grains or other objects.