US20020101099A1

US20020101099A1 - Chair apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20020101099A1
Application number: US09/772,131
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-29
Filing date: 2001-01-29
Publication date: 2002-08-01

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention is a chair apparatus having the shape of a religious symbol, such as a Buddha. The chair functions as both an apparatus to be sat upon and a symbol that a user may incorporate in his or her manner of worship. Preferably, the chair apparatus is inflatable via an air tube that communicates with the different parts of the chair, such as a headrest, backrest, base and armrests.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a chair apparatus, and more particularly to an inflatable chair that, when fully inflated, has the shape of a religious symbol, such as a Buddha.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many different styles of chairs to accommodate the preferences and needs of the people that use them. Some of the needs which a person considers when designing, purchasing or using a chair, are comfort, portability and aesthetic appeal. However, most chairs are only designed for a specific purpose—namely to be sat upon by a user. Thus, the need exists for a chair that provides additional functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a chair apparatus having the shape of a religious symbol, such as a Buddha. The chair functions as both an apparatus to be sat upon and a symbol that a user may incorporate in his or her manner of worship.

Preferably, the chair apparatus is inflatable via an air tube that communicates with the different parts of the chair. For instance, the chair apparatus may comprise a headrest, which has the shape of a Buddha's head and face. The chair may also comprise a backrest having the shape of a Buddha's torso, a base having the shape of a Buddha's legs, and armrests having the shape of a Buddha's arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: [0005]
FIG. 1 shows a front view of the chair apparatus of the present invention, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; [0006]
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the apparatus when in use, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, the present invention is a chair apparatus having the shape of a religious symbol, such as a Buddha. Thus, the chair functions as both an apparatus to be sat upon and a symbol that a user may incorporate in his or her manner of worship. Preferably, the chair apparatus is inflatable (as explained in detail below), although this need not be the case. [0008]
FIG. 1 illustrates an [0009] inflatable chair 10 which is configured to be sat upon by a user (an illustration of chair 10 in use, being sat upon by a user, is shown in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1, chair 10 comprises a headrest 12, which is configured to support the head of a user. Preferably, when chair 10 is fully inflated, headrest 12 has the shape of the head and face of a religious symbol, such as the head and face of a Buddha.
[0010] Chair 10 also comprises a backrest 14, which is configured to support the back of a user. Preferably, when chair 10 is fully inflated, backrest 14 has the shape of the torso of a religious symbol, such as the torso of a Buddha.
[0011] Chair 10 also comprises a seat 16, which is configured to support the legs and buttocks of a user. Seat 16 is preferably the top surface of a base 18, which provides the requisite stability for chair 10 not to tip over while in use. Preferably, when chair 10 is fully inflated, base 18 has the shape of the legs of a religious symbol, such as the crossed legs of a Buddha, and seat 16 is formed by the upper surface of the legs.
[0012] Chair 10 also comprises armrests 20, which are configured to support the arms of a user. As shown, there are preferably two such armrests 20, disposed on the opposite sides of base 18, and extending forward from backrest 14. Preferably, when chair 10 is fully inflated, armrests 18 have the shape of the arms of a religious symbol, such as the arms of a Buddha.
[0013] Chair 10 also comprises an air tube 22, which permits air (or any other type of material, such as another type of gas, water, etc.) to be introduced into chair 10 in order to inflate the chair. In addition, air tube 22 allows air (or other material) to escape from inside of chair 10 in order to deflate the chair for storage or portability. Advantageously, air tube 22 has a sealing device which prevents air from escaping unintentionally, as is well known in the art. Furthermore, for reasons of safety, air tube 22 may also comprise a pressure relief valve which prevents chair 10 from being overinflated.
Preferably, [0014] chair 10 is constructed of plastic having a thickness able to withstand being inflated and sat upon by a user, as is well known in the art. Advantageously, chair 10 is configured such that air (or other material) introduced via air tube 22 is communicated to headrest 12, backrest 14, base 18 and armrests 20. Thus, the pressure within chair 10 is equal throughout the chair and each part of the chair does not need to be separately inflated. However, the present invention also contemplates that each part of chair 10 may be separately inflatable.
Thus, the preferred embodiment of the present invention satisfies the needs of the typical designers, purchasers and users of chairs. For instance, [0015] chair 10 provides comfort, because it conforms to the shape of a user, giving support for the user's head, back, buttocks, legs and arms. In addition, chair 10 provides portability because it may be deflated to a smaller size for moving or storage. Chair 10 also provides a pleasing aesthetic appearance. Significantly, chair 10 additionally functions as a symbol of religious worship and may be employed as part of a person's religious practices.
As previously mentioned, [0016] chair 10 need not be inflatable. Instead, according to another embodiment of the invention, chair 10 is filled with a substantially solid material such as foam, plastic, goose down, or any other conceivable filling material. In addition, it is noted that, while the religious symbol of a Buddha is discussed throughout this application, chair 10 may have the shape of any symbol having religious significance.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention. [0017]

Claims

I claim:

1. A chair apparatus configured to be sat upon by a user, wherein said chair apparatus has a shape of a religious symbol.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said religious symbol is a Buddha.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said chair apparatus is inflatable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a headrest configured to provide support for a user's head.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said headrest has a shape of the head and face of a religious symbol.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said headrest has a shape of the head and face of Buddha.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a backrest configured to provide support for a user's back.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said backrest has a shape of the torso of a religious symbol.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said backrest has a shape of the torso of Buddha.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a base configured to provide stability to said chair, wherein said base has an upper surface forming a seat.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said base has a shape of the legs of a religious symbol.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said base has a shape of the legs of Buddha.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises armrests configured to provide support for a user's arms.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said armrests have a shape of the arms of a religious symbol.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said armrests have the shape of the arms of Buddha.

16. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus further comprises an airtube for permitting air in and out of said chair apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said airtube comprises a sealing device for retaining said air in said chair apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said airtube comprises a pressure relief device.