GB2486246A

GB2486246A - Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion with a weather-resistant air-impermeable outer housing

Info

Publication number: GB2486246A
Application number: GB1020859.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gillian Frettsome
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-09
Filing date: 2010-12-09
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2030-12-09
Also published as: GB201020859D0; GB2486246B

Abstract

A self-inflatable cushion 10 comprises a flexible outer housing 12 having at least two spaced primary chambers 14, at least one smaller secondary chamber 16 interposed between the primary chambers 14, the secondary chamber 16 extending across a lateral extent of the outer housing 12, a hinge element 34 between the primary chambers 14, a head rest chamber 18, and compressible foam material (20, figure 2) which fills the chambers 14, 16, 18, and a valve 22 for controlling air in and out of the chambers 14, 16, 18. All the chambers 14, 16, 18 are fluidly interconnected. The secondary chamber 16 is provided at the hinge element 34 between the primary chambers 14. In use, air is expelled from the chambers 14, 16, 18 when the housing 12 is compacted for storage, and is automatically drawn in to the chambers 14, 16, 18 when the housing 12 is unfurled.

Description

Self-Inflatable Outdoor Furniture Cushion This invention relates to a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion, particularly but not exclusively for a sun-lounger and/or a hammock.

Inflatable mattresses are known, and are typically used when camping. These typically comprise a hollow air inflatable housing, and a valve attachable to a manual or electric pump. To inflate, the pump is connected to the valve and operated to force air into the housing. To deflate, the valve is opened and the air is released.

This type of mattress is not convenient for transport, since the pump also has to be carried. If an electric pump is used, an electricity supply must also be available.

A further problem occurs since the known mattress, once inflated is relatively rigid and flat, and thus cannot conform to the shape of a piece of furniture.

In regards to padded supports specifically for outdoor furniture, only cushions are known. These are bulky and non-inflatable, thereby requiring a significant amount of storage space when not in use.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion comprising a flexible weather-resistant air-impermeable outer housing having at least two spaced fluidly-interconnected primary chambers, at least one secondary chamber interposed between and in fluid communication with the primary chambers, the secondary chamber having a volume which is less than the primary chambers and extending across or substantially across the lateral extent of the outer housing, a hinge element between the primary chambers, a compressible foam material which fills or substantially fills the chambers, and a valve for controlling the ingress and egress of air to and from the chambers, the said at least one secondary chamber being provided at the hinge element between the primary chambers, air being expellable through the valve from the chambers and foam material when the outer housing is compacted for storage, and air being automatically drawable through the valve to the chambers and foam material when the outer housing is unfurled.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 15, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a sun-lounger having a supporting frame and a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and which is provided on the frame.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a hammock having a flexible fabric support for a user, and a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and which is provided on the flexible fabric support.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and provided on a sun-lounger; Figure 2 shows an enlarged partially cutaway portion of the cushion; Figure 3 shows a rear view of the cushion with the sun-lounger partially cutaway for clarity; Figure 4 shows the cushion removed from the sun-lounger and partially rolled; and Figure 5 shows the cushion in its fully compacted storage condition.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion 10 which comprises an outer housing 12 having a plurality of chambers 14, 16, 18 defined therewithin, a compressible foam material 20 within the chambers 14, 16, 18, and a user-operable two-way valve 22 at one edge.

The outer housing 12 is formed of resilient flexible weather-resistant air-impermeable material. An outer surface 24 of the outer housing 12 is textured to provide a comfortable feel. Typically, the outer surface 24 has a soft nap preferably providing a luxurious velour type appearance and/or feel. A rear surface 26 of the outer housing 12 also includes a layer 28 of grippier material having a high coefficient of friction than a front surface 30. The grippier material layer 28 is preferably rubber or a polymeric material, and extends the entire or substantially entire longitudinal extent of the outer housing 12.

The chambers 14, 16, 18 are defined by the shape of the outer housing 12, typically projecting upwards from the rear surface 26 of the outer housing 12, and include a plurality of primary chambers 14 which are spaced from each other but which fluidly intercommunicate, a plurality of secondary chambers 16 which are interposed between adjacent primary chambers 14, and a head rest chamber 18 at one end of the outer housing 12. In this embodiment, three primary chambers 14 are provided, but two or more than three can be utilised as necessity dictates. Each primary chamber 14 extends across the lateral extent of the outer housing 12, and approximately one third of the longitudinal extent. As such, each primary chamber 14 has a substantially square-shaped area. The outer housing 12 beneficially includes quilting 32 on its front surface at each primary chamber 14 to increase comfort for a user.

The outer housing 12 has a living hinge element 34, which is a unitary hinge integrally formed as one-piece from a portion of the material of the outer housing 12. The hinge element 34 resides between adjacent primary chambers 14, allowing hinging of the primary chambers 14 relative to each other. The secondary chambers 16 are provided at or on the hinge elements 34 of the outer housing 12. In this embodiment, two said secondary chambers 16 are provided at or on each hinge element 34, but one or more than two can be utilised. The primary chambers 14 fluidly communicate with each other via the secondary chambers 16 and through the hinge elements 34.

Each secondary chamber 16 is elongate, having a longitudinal extent which extends across or substantially across the entire lateral extent of the outer housing 12. The two secondary chambers 16 at each hinge element 34 are slightly spaced apart and extend in parallel with each other.

The head rest chamber 18 is fonned to extend from one edge of an adjacent primary chamber 14, and has a rectangular shaped area. With the outer housing 12 flat, the primary and secondary chambers 14, 16 all lie in substantially the same plane.

However, the head rest chamber 18 projects slightly proud of the plane of the primary and secondary chambers 14,16 in order to provide comfortable user head support.

Each chamber 14, 16, 18 is filled or substantially filled with the compressible foam material 20. In this case, the foam material 20 is a low-density visco-elastic polyurethane foam, but other types of foam can be envisaged, if suitably compressible.

Preferably, the foam material 20 is a low-density memory foam'.

The valve 22 is provided along an upper or top edge of the outer housing 12, typically directly communicating with the head rest chamber 18.

The cushion 10 also includes a plurality of releasable straps 36, conveniently utilising a hook and loop fastening device, such as Velcro RTM, or other fastening device, for example, press-studs. A first releasable strap 38 preferably in use extends in parallel with the longitudinal extent of the outer housing 12, preferably from a top edge of the head rest chamber 18 to a bottom edge of the immediately adjacent primary chamber 14 or first hinge element 34. A further strap 40 or straps may also extend laterally across the rear surface 26 of the outer housing 12 to hold other portions of the outer housing 12 in place, such as the intermediate and lower primary chambers 14.

To store the cushion 10, the valve 22 is simply released to allow the expulsion of air, and the outer housing 12 is tightly rolled up along its longitudinal extent from its lower or bottom in use edge. As rolling proceeds, air is expelled from the chambers 14, 16, 18 and the foam material 20 through the valve 22. Once rolling is complete, the valve 22 is closed, preventing the re-entry of air, and one or more of the straps 36 are used to secure the rolled outer housing 12. A neat compact cushion 10 is thus achievable for transportation and/or storage.

To use, the valve 22 is opened, the or each strap 36 is released, and the cushion 10 is unfurled. Due to the foam material 20 wanting to expand, air is quickly and automatically drawn into the chambers 14, 16, 18 due to the pressure differential created by the expanding foam material 20, and the outer housing 12 inflates. Once inflated, the S valve 22 is closed to prevent the escape of air, and the cushion 10 is ready for use.

The self-inflated cushion 10 is ideal for use with a sun-lounger 42, hammock or other outdoor furniture. A sun-lounger 42 typically comprises a chair frame 44 for supporting a user away from the ground. The cushion 10 accommodates the angles of the chair frame 44 due to its hinges 34, thus providing a primary chamber 14 at a user's back, one at the user's backside and upper legs, and one at a user's calves and feet.

When used with a hammock, the cushion is provided on the flexible fabric support which spans between two rigid supports. The hinges of the cushion again allow the outer housing to easily conform to the shape of the fabric support.

The cushion can also easily be used with other types of garden furniture, such as garden chairs or benches. The cushion preferably has a length which approaches that of an adult.

Although convenient, the backing layer and/or straps are preferably optional, as is the head rest and quilting.

The term cushion' is used herein and throughout, and is intended to encompass a padded support for use with outdoor furniture. The term mattress' may also be considered to fall within the meaning of a padded support'.

It is thus possible to provide a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion which is simple to transport and store, without requiring the use of a separate pump. It is also possible to provide a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion which easily conforms to a piece of furniture.

The embodiment described above is provided by way of example only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion comprising a flexible weather-resistant air-impermeable outer housing having at least two spaced fluidly-interconnected primary chambers, at least one secondary chamber interposed between and in fluid communication with the primary chambers, the secondary chamber having a volume which is less than the primary chambers and extending across or substantially across the lateral extent of the outer housing, a hinge element between the primary chambers, a compressible foam material which fills or substantially fills the chambers, and a valve for controlling the ingress and egress of air to and from the chambers, the said at least one secondary chamber being provided at the hinge element between the primary chambers, air being expellable through the valve from the chambers and foam material when the outer housing is compacted for storage, and air being automatically drawable through the valve to the chambers and foam material when the outer housing is unfurled.
2. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a backing layer on or formed as part of a rear surface of the outer housing, the backing layer having a coefficient of friction which is greater than that of the front surface of the outer housing.
3. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in claim 2, wherein the backing layer is rubber.
4. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the backing layer extends the entire or substantially entire longitudinal extent of the outer housing.
5. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer housing includes three said primary chambers and a said hinge element interposed between adjacent primary chambers.
6. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein two said secondary chambers are provided at the hinge element.
7. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in claim 6, wherein the said two secondary chambers extend in parallel with each other.
8. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one strap for attaching the cushion to a piece of furniture.
9. Self-inflatable outdoor fumiture cushion as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strap has two parts which are releasably connectable to each other to hold the cushion in a compacted storage condition.
10. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foam material is a low-density visco-elastic foam.
11. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foam material is polyurethane.
12. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer housing includes a head rest chamber.
13. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in claim 12, wherein the valve is provided at the head rest chamber.
14. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer housing includes quilting at the primary chambers.
15. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve is manually openable and closable by a user.
16. Self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. A sun-lounger having a supporting frame and a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and which is provided on the frame.
18. A hammock having a flexible fabric support for a user, and a self-inflatable outdoor furniture cushion as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 and which is provided on the flexible fabric support.