Abstract
A cushion assembly for outdoor furniture having a cushion and an exterior cover. The cushion has a liner and a padding insert. The liner has a liner top surface, a liner bottom surface, at least one liner side surface, and a liner cavity extending therebetween. The padding insert is selectively housed within the liner cavity. At least a portion of the liner bottom surface being defined by a liner mesh section. The exterior cover has an exterior cover top surface, an exterior cover bottom surface, at least one exterior cover side surface, and an exterior cover cavity extending therebetween. At least a portion of the exterior cover bottom surface being defined by an exterior cover mesh section. The cushion being selectively housed in the exterior cover cavity and being positioned such that the liner mesh section at least partially aligns with the exterior cover mesh section.
Claims
1. A cushion assembly for outdoor furniture comprising: a cushion having: a liner having: a liner top surface, a liner bottom surface, at least one liner side surface, and a liner cavity extending therebetween, at least a portion of the liner bottom surface being defined by a liner mesh section; and a padding insert selectively housed in the liner cavity; and an exterior cover having: an exterior cover top surface, an exterior cover bottom surface, at least one exterior cover side surface, and an exterior cover cavity extending therebetween, at least a portion of the exterior cover bottom surface being defined by an exterior cover mesh section, the cushion being selectively housed in the exterior cover cavity and being positioned such that the liner mesh section at least partially aligns with the exterior cover mesh section.
2. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein: the liner defines a liner opening for accessing the liner cavity; and the liner comprises a liner zipper for selectively closing the liner opening.
3. The cushion assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one liner side surface defines the liner opening.
4. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein: the exterior cover defines an exterior cover opening for accessing the exterior cover cavity; and the exterior cover comprises at least one exterior cover zipper for selectively closing the exterior cover opening.
5. The cushion assembly of claim 4, wherein: the exterior cover mesh section is configured to cover the exterior cover opening; and the at least one exterior cover zipper selectively connects at least one side of the exterior cover mesh section to at least one adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom to selectively close the exterior cover opening.
6. The cushion assembly of claim 5, wherein: the at least one side of the exterior cover mesh section comprises a first side of the exterior mesh section; the at least one adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom comprises a first adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom; and a second side of the exterior cover mesh section is fixedly connected a second adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom such that the exterior cove mesh section forms a fold-over flap.
7. The cushion assembly of claim 4, wherein: the exterior cover mesh section is a rectangle; the at least one exterior cover zipper comprises three exterior cover zippers; the at least one side of the exterior cover mesh section comprises three sides; the at least one adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom comprises three adjacent portions; each of the three exterior cover zippers selectively connect a respective side of the three sides to a respective adjacent portion of the three adjacent portions; and the exterior cover mesh further comprises a fourth side fixedly connected to a fourth adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom such that the exterior cover mesh section forms a fold-over flap.
8. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein: the exterior cover further comprises a band having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being connected to the at least one exterior cover side surface; and a portion of the band and a portion of the at least one exterior cover side surface define a slot to optionally receive and retain a portion of a seat.
9. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein: the exterior cover further comprises a sheet connected to the at least one exterior cover side surface; and the sheet and a portion of the at least one exterior cover side surface define a pocket to optionally receive and retain a portion of a seat.
10. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the exterior cover further comprises a fastener disposed on the exterior cover bottom surface for optionally fastening the exterior cover bottom surface to a portion of a seat.
11. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the exterior cover entirely surrounds the cushion when the insert assembly is housed in the exterior cover cavity.
12. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the cushion further comprises a magnet connected to the padding insert and disposed in between the padding insert and the liner mesh section.
13. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the exterior cover is composed of a UV-treated fabric.
14. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the exterior cover is composed of a water-protection treated fabric.
15. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the liner is composed of a polyester fabric and the liner further comprises a coating of polyurethane.
16. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the liner mesh and the exterior cover mesh are composed of polyvinyl chloride.
17. The cushion assembly of claim 1, wherein the cushion assembly is one of a seat bottom cushion assembly and a seat back cushion assembly.
18. A seat comprising at least one cushion assembly according to claim 1.
19. The seat of claim 18, further comprising a seat bottom and a seat back, and wherein: the at least one cushion assembly comprises: a seat bottom cushion assembly according to claim 1 disposed on the seat bottom; and a seat back cushion assembly according to claim 1 disposed on the seat back.
20. The seat of claim 19, wherein: the seat bottom defines a plurality of spaces aligning with the liner mesh section and the exterior cover mesh section of the seat bottom cushion assembly.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from a front, right side of an outdoor sofa having seat bottom cushion assemblies and seat back cushion assemblies;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from a back, right side of the outdoor sofa of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a cushion of one of the seat bottom cushion assemblies of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a back side elevation view of the cushion of FIG. 3;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of a portion of the cushion of FIG. 3, with a zipper of the liner partially open to reveal a portion of the padding insert disposed therein;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of one of the seat bottom cushion assemblies of FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the seat bottom cushion assembly of FIG. 6, with zippers of an exterior cover disconnected, and an exterior cover mesh section open to reveal the cushion disposed therein;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a back portion of the seat bottom cushion assembly of FIG. 6;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of one of the seat back cushion assemblies of FIG. 1, with zippers of an exterior cover disconnected, and an exterior cover mesh section open to reveal a cushion having a magnet deposited therein;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a padding insert of the seat bottom cushion assembly of FIG. 4; and
[0039] FIG. 11 is a back side elevation view of the padding insert of FIG. 10.
[0040] It should be noted that the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] FIGS. 1 to 11 depict embodiments of a cushion assembly 100 of the present technology. The cushion assembly 100 is described with reference to its use in an outdoor seat 10, such as an outdoor sofa 10. However, it is contemplated that the present technology could be used with other outdoor furniture, such as outdoor chairs, benches, loungers, daybeds, ottomans and chaises.
[0042] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of cushion assemblies 100 are provided on the outdoor sofa 10. Specifically, the outdoor sofa 10 includes two sets of a seat bottom cushion assembly 102 and a seat back cushion assembly 104. For each set, the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 is disposed on a seat bottom 12 of the outdoor sofa 10 and the seat back cushion assembly 104 is disposed on a seat back 14 of the outdoor sofa 10. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the outdoor sofa 10 may only include a single set of cushion assemblies 100, more than two sets of cushion assemblies 100, and/or that a single cushion assembly 100 may be provided per sitting position on the outdoor sofa 10 (i.e., one of the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 or the seat back cushion assembly 104). It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, each set of cushion assemblies 100 could have more than two cushion assemblies 100.
[0043] With reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, one of the seat bottom cushion assemblies 102 will be described in further detail. As both seat bottom cushion assemblies 102 are the same, only one of them will be described in detail. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the seat bottom cushion assemblies 102 could have differences.
[0044] In this embodiment, the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 (hereinafter the cushion assembly 102) is rectangular-shaped. However, in alternative embodiments, the cushion assembly 102 may be any other suitable shape, for example square, circular, trapezoidal, etc.
[0045] With specific reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the cushion assembly 102 includes a cushion 106 having a liner 108 and a padding insert 110.
[0046] The liner 108 has a liner top surface 112, a liner bottom surface 114, and a plurality of liner side surfaces including a liner front side 116, a liner back side 118, a liner right side 120, and a liner left side 122. The liner 108 defines a liner cavity 123 (FIG. 5) for selectively housing the padding insert 110. In some embodiments, the liner 108 may be composed of a polyester fabric. In some embodiments, the liner 108 may have a water repellent coating such as a polyurethane coating. Other types of materials and coatings are contemplated. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the coating may be omitted.
[0047] As seen in FIG. 3, a portion of the liner bottom surface 114 is defined by a liner mesh section 124. The liner mesh section 124 facilitates drainage and quick drying of the cushion 106. In this embodiment, the liner mesh section 124 is rectangular in shape. The liner mesh section 124 extends from a back edge of the liner bottom surface 114 partially towards a front edge of the liner bottom surface 114 and partially spans between right and left edges of the liner bottom surface 114. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, the liner bottom surface 114 may be defined entirely by the liner mesh section 124. In further alternative embodiments, the liner mesh section 124 may be a different shape, such as a square, a circle, a trapezoid, etc. In other alternative embodiments, the liner bottom surface 114 may be defined by a plurality of distinct liner mesh sections. In some embodiments, the liner mesh section 124 may be composed of polyvinyl chloride.
[0048] With reference to FIG. 5, the liner 108 defines a liner opening 126 for accessing the liner cavity 123. In this embodiment, the liner opening 126 is defined on the liner back side 118. It is contemplated that the liner opening 126 may be different in other embodiments. It is further contemplated that the liner opening 126 may be defined on one or more surfaces of the liner 108.
[0049] The liner 108 further includes a liner zipper 128 for selectively closing the liner opening 126. In some embodiments, the liner zipper 128 may be composed of a corrosion-resistant material. It is contemplated that the liner opening 126 may be selectively closed using other closing features, such as a hook-and-loop fastener and/or buttons.
[0050] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the padding insert 110 includes a padding top surface 111, a padding bottom surface 113, and a plurality of padding sides including a padding front side 115, a padding back side 117, a padding right side 119, and a padding left side 121. The padding insert 110 includes a body 107 and a wadding layer 109. The wadding layer 109 is disposed on the padding top surface 111, and the padding front, back, right, and left sides 115, 117, 119, 121 (FIG. 11). The padding body 107 is composed of a material which allows water to pass through and facilitates quick-drying, while maintaining comfort and durability. In some embodiments, the padding body 107 is composed of a foam, such as a polyurethane foam or a cell foam. In some embodiments, the wadding layer 109 may be omitted. As discussed above, the padding insert 110 is selectively housed within the liner cavity 123. The padding insert 110 is inserted and removed via the liner opening 126. When the padding insert 110 is housed in the liner cavity 123, the liner 108 entirely surrounds the padding insert 110.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, the cushion assembly 102 includes an exterior cover 130. The exterior cover 130 has an exterior cover top surface 132, an exterior cover bottom surface 134, and a plurality of exterior cover sides including an exterior cover front side 136, an exterior cover back side 138, an exterior cover right side 140, and an exterior cover left side 142. The exterior cover 130 defines an exterior cover cavity 133 for selectively housing the cushion 106. In some embodiments, the exterior cover 130 is composed of a water-protection treated fabric and/or a UV-treated fabric.
[0052] As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, a portion of the exterior cover bottom surface 134 is defined by an exterior cover mesh section 144. The exterior cover mesh section 144 facilitates drainage and quick drying of the exterior cover 130, as well as the cushion 106 when housed within the exterior cover cavity 133. In this embodiment, the exterior cover mesh section 144 is rectangular in shape. The exterior cover mesh section 144 extends from a back edge of the exterior cover bottom surface 134 partially towards a front edge of the exterior cover bottom surface 134 and partially spans between right and left edges of the exterior cover bottom surface 134. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, the exterior cover bottom surface 134 may be defined entirely by the exterior cover mesh section 144. In further alternative embodiments, the exterior cover mesh section 144 may be a different shape, such as a square, a circle, a trapezoid, etc. In other alternative embodiments, the exterior cover bottom surface 134 may be defined by a plurality of distinct exterior cover mesh sections. In some embodiments, the exterior cover mesh section 144 may be composed of polyvinyl chloride.
[0053] The exterior cover 130 defines an exterior cover opening 146 (FIG. 7) for accessing the exterior cover cavity 133. In this embodiment, the exterior cover opening 146 is defined in the exterior cover bottom surface 134. The exterior cover mesh section 144 is configured to selectively cover the exterior cover opening 146.
[0054] The exterior cover 130 further includes at least one exterior cover zipper to selectively connect a side of the exterior cover mesh section 144 with an adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom surface 134, thereby closing the exterior cover opening 133 with the exterior cover mesh section 144. As depicted in FIG. 6, this embodiment of the exterior cover 130 has three exterior cover zippers 148, 150, 152. The zippers 148, 150, 152 are disposed along three sides 147, 149, 151 of the exterior mesh cover section 144. Specifically, each zipper 148, 150, 152 is disposed on one of the three sides 147, 149, 151 of the exterior mesh cover section 144. Each zipper 148, 150, 152 selectively connects the respective side 147, 149, 151 of the exterior cover mesh section 144 with a corresponding adjacent portion 153, 155, 157 of the exterior cover bottom surface 134. In some embodiments, the zippers 148, 150, 152 may be composed of a corrosion-resistant material. As depicted in FIG. 7, the exterior cover mesh section 144 is fixedly connected, by stitches for example, along a remaining side 145 of the exterior cover mesh section 144 (that is, a fourth side 145 which does not include one of the zippers 148, 150, 152), such that the exterior cover mesh section 144 forms a fold-over flap. It is contemplated that other closure features may be used in other embodiments instead of the zippers 148, 150, 152, such as a hook-and-loop fastener and/or buttons.
[0055] As discussed above, the cushion 106 is selectively housed in the exterior cover cavity 133. The cushion 106 is inserted and removed via the exterior cover opening 133. When the cushion 106 is housed in the exterior liner cavity 133, the exterior cover mesh section 144 at least partially aligns with the liner mesh section 124 to facilitate drainage and quick drying of the cushion 106 and exterior cover 130. In this embodiment, when the cushion 106 is housed in the exterior liner cavity 133, the exterior cover 130 entirely surrounds the cushion 106. When the cushion 106 is housed within the exterior cover cavity 133, the liner zipper 128 cannot be seen through the exterior cover mesh section 144.
[0056] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 8, the exterior cover 130 further includes an additional portion of fabric to facilitate positioning and retaining the cushion assembly 102 onto a portion of the sofa 10. Specifically, the exterior cover 130 of the cushion assembly 102 includes a band 154 connected at both ends to the back side 138 of the exterior cover 130, such that a slot 156 is defined between the band 154 and the back side 138 to optionally receive the seat back 14 of the outdoor sofa 10, thereby retaining the cushion assembly 102 on the outdoor sofa 10. In alternative embodiments, the exterior cover 130 of the cushion assembly 102 may be retained on the outdoor sofa 10 using other retaining features such as a strip of hook-and-loop fastener, fabric ties, etc. It is contemplated that the cushion assembly 102 may simply be positioned on the seat bottom 12 of the outdoor sofa 10 without any retaining features.
[0057] In this embodiment, the seat bottom 12 of the outdoor sofa 10 includes a plurality of slats 16 which define slots 18 therebetween. When the cushion assembly 102 is disposed on the seat bottom 12, the exterior cover mesh section 144 and the liner mesh section 124 are aligned with the slots 18 to facilitate drainage and quick-drying of the cushion assembly 102.
[0058] In some embodiments, the exterior cover 130 of the cushion assembly 102 may further include a strap disposed on the exterior cover bottom surface 134. In this instance, one end of the strap may be fixedly connected to the bottom surface 134 while the other end is free. The free end of the strap may loop around the slats 16 and connect to a portion of the exterior cover bottom surface 134. Alternative the free end of the strap may pass through a slot 18 and connect to a portion of the outdoor sofa 10, such as one of the slats 16, using a magnet, buttons, hook- and loop fastener, and/or a zipper.
[0059] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9, one of the seat back cushion assemblies 104 will be described in further detail. As both seat back cushion assemblies 104 are the same, only one of them will be described in detail. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the seat back cushion assemblies 104 could have differences.
[0060] In this embodiment, the seat back cushion assembly 104 (hereinafter the cushion assembly 104) has a substantially rectangular-shaped with a rounded top. It is noted that the cushion assembly 104 has generally the same construction as the cushion assembly 102 (including the cushion 106 having the padding insert 110 and liner 108, as well as the exterior cover 130), but differs in shape, so only the differences will be described.
[0061] As depicted in FIG. 2, the exterior cover 130 of the cushion assembly 104 includes a sheet 158 positioned on the back side 138 and defining a pocket to optionally receive and retain the seat back 14 of the outdoor sofa 10. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the exterior cover 130 of the cushion assembly 104 may be retained on the outdoor sofa 10 using other retaining features such as a strip of hook-and-loop fastener, fabric ties, etc. It is contemplated that the cushion assembly 104 may simply be positioned on the seat back 14 of the outdoor sofa 10 without any retaining features.
[0062] As depicted in FIG. 9, the liner opening 126 of the cushion assembly 104 is defined by the liner bottom surface 113. The liner mesh section 124 is configured to selectively cover the liner opening 126. In this embodiment, the liner zipper 128 is positioned around three sides (only one side is shown in FIG. 9) of the liner mesh section 124 to selectively connect the sides of the liner mesh section 124 with respective adjacent portions of the liner 108. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, multiple liner zippers may be used. The liner mesh section 124 is fixedly connected, by stitches, for example, along a remaining side of the liner mesh section 124, such that the liner mesh section 124 forms a fold-over flap. It is contemplated that other closure features may be used in other embodiments instead of the liner zipper 128, such as a hook-and-loop fastener and/or buttons.
[0063] With continued reference to FIG. 9, the cushion 106 of the cushion assembly 104 includes a magnet 160 connected to the padding insert 110 on the padding bottom surface 113. In some embodiments, the magnet 160 is connected to the padding insert 110 using glue. However, it is contemplated that the magnet 160 may be connected to the padding insert 110 differently in other embodiments. When the padding insert 110 is housed within the liner 108, the magnet 160 is disposed in between the padding insert 110 and the liner mesh section 124. In other embodiments more than one magnet 160 may be used.
[0064] As depicted in FIG. 10, the padding insert 110 of the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 includes a portion of ferromagnetic material 162. The ferromagnetic material 162 is positioned proximate a back edge of the padding top surface 111. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic material 162 is connected to the padding insert 110 of the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 by glue. When assembling the seat back cushion assembly 104 onto the seat bottom cushion assembly 102, the magnet 160 is attracted to the ferromagnetic material 162 to facilitate securing the seat back cushion assembly 104 to the seat bottom cushion assembly 102. Alternatively, the ferromagnetic material 162 may be a second magnet. In further alternative embodiments, the padding insert 110 of the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 may include the magnet 160 and the padding insert 110 of the seat back cushion assembly 104 may include the ferromagnetic material 162. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the sheet 158 may be omitted and that only the magnet 160 may be used to secure the seat back cushion assembly 104.
[0065] It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the padding insert 110 of the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 may include a magnet connected to the padding bottom surface 113 to couple with the seat bottom 12 of the outdoor sofa. In this instance, the seat bottom 12 may include a portion of ferromagnetic material or another magnet. Alternatively, the padding insert 110 of the seat bottom cushion assembly 102 may include the portion of ferromagnetic material and the seat bottom 12 may include the magnet.
[0066] Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting.
