Abstract
An outdoor furniture item (1) includes at least one seating and/or lying unit (3), a first shell element (5), and a second shell element (7). The first shell element (5) and/or the second shell element (7) can be selectively rearranged into a first configuration and into a second configuration with respect to the respective other shell element (7, 5). In the first configuration, the first shell element (5) and the second shell element (7) are at least partly nested in one another. In the second configuration the first shell element (5) and the second shell element (7) together enclose an essentially closed inner space, in which the at least one seating and/or lying unit (3) is located.
Claims
1. An outdoor furniture item comprising: at least one seating and/or lying unit; a first shell element; a second shell element, wherein the first shell element and/or the second shell element can be selectively rearranged into a first configuration and into a second configuration with respect to the respective other shell element, wherein in the first configuration the first shell element and the second shell element are at least partly nested in one another and in the second configuration the first shell element and the second shell element together enclose an essentially closed inner space, in which the at least one seating and/or lying unit is located; and a sauna heating stove in the first shell element or in the second shell element.
2. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the first shell element defines a first semi-space which is open to a front side of the first shell element, and wherein the second shell element defines a second semi-space which is open to the front side of the second shell element, wherein the first shell element and the second shell element with regard to shape and size correspond to one another in a manner such that in the first configuration the first shell element essentially fills out the second semi-space.
3. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 2, wherein in the second configuration, the first semi-space and the second semi-space together form the essentially closed inner space, wherein the front side of the first shell element and the front side of the second shell element bear on one another directed toward one another.
4. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 2, wherein the second semi-space is wider and/or higher than the first semi-space.
5. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, further comprising: a panel which runs transversely to a front side and which in the second configuration closes the inner space at the transition between the shell elements.
6. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seating and/or lying unit is movable with respect to the first shell element and/or the second shell element.
7. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the second shell element comprises a base which is rearrangeable or can be folded over and which in the first configuration bears on a surface on a rear side and/or side wall of the second shell element and in the second configuration forms a base part of the essentially closed inner space.
8. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the first shell element and/or the second shell element comprises an outwardly opening door in a side wall thereof.
9. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein in the first configuration the at least one seating and/or lying unit covers the sauna heating stove and in the second configuration the at least one seating and/or lying unit is arranged in the second shell element remotely from the sauna heating stove and is directed towards the sauna heating stove.
10. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the sauna heating stove is arranged in a corner region which is formed by a first side wall of the first shell element with a rear side of the first shell element, wherein a second, other side wall of the first shell element which lies opposite the first side wall comprises a door.
11. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the first shell element and/or the second shell element comprises walls with at least two solid body layers and at least one metal foil which lies between the solid body layers, and reflects radiant heat.
12. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 11, wherein an air gap lies between the solid body layers.
13. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the first shell element and/or the second shell element comprise essentially vertically running side walls, a rear side which is inclined to the rear by an angle β in the range of 3° to 15° and a sloped roof which is inclined to the rear by a roof inclination γ in the range of 5° to 20°.
14. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 13, wherein the roof inclination γ is larger than the angle β.
15. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein a front side of the first shell element is shouldered with a step shape such that a lower section of the front side of the first shell element projects with respect to an upper section of the front side of the first shell element.
16. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 15, wherein a front side of the second shell element is shouldered with a step shape corresponding to the front side of the first shell element such that a lower section of the front side of the second shell element is set back with respect to an upper section of the front side of the second shell element.
17. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 1, wherein the at least one seating and/or lying unit is movable with respect to the first shell element and/or the second shell element, including being insertable or rearrangeable into the first shell element and/or the second shell element as a separate unit.
18. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 10, wherein the door is configured to open to an outside.
19. An outdoor furniture item according to claim 11, wherein the at least one metal foil forms a vapor block, wherein the solid body layers are comprised of wood.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view upon an exemplary first embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in the first configuration;
(3) FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view in the xy-plane through an exemplary first embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in the first configuration;
(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view upon an exemplary first embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in the second configuration;
(5) FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view in the xz-plane through an exemplary first embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in the first configuration;
(6) FIGS. 5 to 10 are perspective views upon an exemplary first embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in different phases of a stepwise conversion from the first configuration into the second configuration;
(7) FIG. 11 is a perspective view upon an exemplary second embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in the first configuration;
(8) FIG. 12 is a perspective view upon an exemplary second embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in the second configuration; and
(9) FIG. 13a-f are schematic longitudinal section views in the xz-plane through an exemplary second embodiment of the outdoor furniture item which is disclosed herein, in different phases of a stepwise conversion from the first configuration into the second configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(10) Referring to the drawings, an outdoor furniture item 1 is shown in FIG. 1 in a first configuration, concerning which the outdoor furniture item 1 is optically and functionally similar to a beach chair. For an improved orientation, a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system is shown in the figures in each case, concerning which the x-axis runs in the depth direction, the y-axis in the width direction and the z-axis in the height direction. Here, the x-axis is randomly selected such that it corresponds to a viewing direction upon a front side of the outdoor furniture item 1 in the first configuration. The y-axis here is randomly selected such that given a viewing direction upon the front side of the outdoor furniture item 1 in the first configuration, it runs from the right to the left. From this it results that the z-axis runs vertically from the bottom to the top. The term “front side” or “front” is herein selected for all parts of the outdoor furniture item 1 such that what is meant herewith it is the side or direction which faces or points in the negative x-direction in the first configuration. In a second configuration of the outdoor furniture item 1 however, a “front side” of a movable part can face in the positive x-direction. Analogously, the term “rear side” or “rear” is herein selected for all parts of the outdoor furniture item 1 such that what is meant by this is the side or direction which faces or points in the positive x-direction in the first configuration. In a second configuration of the outdoor furniture item 1 however, a “rear side” of a movable part can face the negative x-direction.
(11) The outdoor furniture item 1 comprises a seating and/or lying unit in the form of a two person seating bench 2, a first shell element 5 and a second shell element 7. The first shell element 5 forms a first semi-space 9 which is open to the front and in which the two-person seating bench 2 is arranged and which is directed to the front towards the opening in the negative x-direction. The first shell element 5 similarly to a beach chair forms a rain wind and/or sun protection from the rear, from the sides and from above, for a person who is positioned on the two-person seating bench 3. The second shell element 7 is movable with respect to the first shell element 5 and is placed onto the first shell element 5 in the manner of a hood. The first shell element 5 and the second shell element 7 are therefore nested in one another, wherein the first shell element 5 almost completely fills out a second semi-space 11 which is formed by the second shell element 11 (see FIG. 4). The second shell element is designed as lightweight and stiff in bending as possible, in order to be able to be removed and to be repositioned with respect to the first shell element 5 by one or two persons by hand by way of grips 13.
(12) The longitudinal section in the xz-plane, shown in FIG. 2, shows the nesting of the shell elements 5, 7 within one another in the first configuration in a clearer manner. The inner-lying first shell element 5 essentially forms a pentahedral polyhedron which is open towards a first front side 14, with a first sloped roof 15, a first rear side 17, a first base 19 and two first side walls 21, 23 (not visible in FIG. 2, but in FIGS. 1 and 5). The outer-lying second shell element 7 in the first configuration essentially forms a tetrahedral polyhedron which is open to a second front side 24 as well as to the bottom, with a second sloped roof 25, a second rear side 27 and two second side walls 29, 31 (not visible in FIG. 2, but in FIGS. 1 and 5). In the first configuration, a second base 33 of the second shell element 7 is folded up or set upright on the second rear side at the inner side, so that in the first configuration it lies between the first rear side 17 and the second rear side 27 essentially parallel to these.
(13) The sloped roofs 15, 25, the rear sides 17, 27 as well as the side walls 21, 23, 29, 31 each lie parallel to one another in the first configuration. The side walls 21, 23, 29, 31 herein run essentially vertically. The rear sides 17, 27 are inclined to the rear by an angle ß in the range of 3° to 15°, preferably by 6°, so that the optical impression of the beach chair is achieved and the rear sides 17, 27 are exposed less to the rain. The sloped roofs 15, 25 are inclined to the rear by a roof inclination γ in the range of 5° to 20°, preferably by 13° and in the first configuration form a lean-to roof, on which rainwater flows away to the rear. The first front side 14 is shouldered in a stepped manner such that a lower section 41 of the first front side 14 projects with respect to an upper section 43 of the first front side 14. As can be easily recognized from FIG. 1, the second front side 24 in a manner corresponding thereto is shouldered in a stepped manner such that a lower section 45 of the second front side 24 is accordingly set back with respect to an upper section 47 of the second front side 24. The first front side 14 here is formed by a frame-forming panel 34 which extends perpendicularly to the xz-plane and which to the rear partly covers the view onto the second front side 24. In the second configuration, the panel 34 serve as a stop for the front side 24 of the first shell element 7 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Due to the front sides 14, 24 of the shell elements 5, 7 which are stepped in a manner corresponding to one another, the panel 34 here forms a horizontal section, on which the second shell element 7 lies in the second configuration. By way of this, the stability and the statics of the outdoor furniture item 1 is improved in a second configuration. In the first configuration, the horizontal section of the panel 34 contributes to the beach-chair-like overall appearance and can serve as a placement surface, for example for drinks or tableware.
(14) The first rear side 17 comprises a window 35, which preferably comprises thermally-insulating double or triple glazing. The window 35 can have one or more panes which comprise glass and/or transparent plastic. The window 35 can have a discretion layer for tinting the view, in particular from the outside to the inside.
(15) The two-person seating bench 3 in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 10 stands on the first base 19 and is movably displaceable in the first shell element 5 and can even be taken out (see FIG. 5). A back rest 37 of the two-person seating bench 3, as is shown in FIG. 2, is adjustable in its inclination to the rear in a stepped or continuous manner. Herein, a seating surface 39 of the two-person seating bench 3 can be displaced horizontally to the front (in the negative x-direction) or the complete two-person seating bench 3 can be positioned further to the front in the first shell element 5, in order to have more space at the rear for the rearward positioning of the back rest 37. A calf support can be pushed out and folded up at the front on the seating surface 30 of the two-person seating bench 3 for a lying function, said calf leg support possibly projecting out of the first front side 14.
(16) A sauna heating stove 49 which can be electrically operated via a conventional 230V electricity mains connection is arranged below or behind the seating surface 39 of the two-person seating bench 3 in a hidden manner. The sauna heating stove 49 is not envisaged for operation in the first configuration according to FIGS. 1 and 2, but is only stowed for the use in the second configuration according to FIGS. 3 and 4. Here, the sauna heating stove is arranged in a corner region which is formed by the right first side wall 21 with the first rear side 17. The left first side wall 23 which lies opposite the right first side wall 21 herein comprises a preferably outwardly opening door 51 (see FIG. 3).
(17) In FIG. 2, the hollow chamber structure of the second shell element 7 is shown in a detailed section. The first shell element 5 can have the same hollow chamber structure and/or a hollow chamber structure which is shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the sloped roofs 15, 25, the rear sides 17, 27 as well as the side walls 21, 23, 29, 31 all comprise a hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 4. The hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 2 comprises two wooden layers 52, 55 with a stagnant air gap 57 which lies therebetween. A metal foil, preferably comprising aluminum and reflecting radiant heat is arranged on the wooden layers 53, 55 towards the air gap 57. Herewith, the loss or radiant heat is reduced by stagnant air gap 57, additionally to the thermal insulation, and the heating-up procedure is greatly shortened with regard to time, so that the energy consumption is reduced. Furthermore, one can make do without fibre isolation materials which on the one hand are heavier and on the other hand can become damp and herewith lose their insulating effect and can have a tendency to form mould. The metal foils 59, 61 furthermore act as a vapor block, so that condensation water can run down on the metal foils and at the lower side can be led to the outside in a controlled manner for evaporation or for dripping away. Compared to the hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 4, the hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 2 has the advantage that the respective shell element 5, 7 can be designed more lightweight and in particular is suitable for the shell elements 5, 7 to be repositioned (here the second shell element 7).
(18) For simplifying the repositioning of the shell elements 5, 7, these here are designed in a rollable manner on rollers 63, 65. The first shell element 5 stands with the first base 29 on four first rollers 63, and the second shell element 7 stands with the second rear side 27 or the second side walls 29, 31 on two second rollers 65.
(19) FIGS. 3 and 4 show the outdoor furniture item 1 in a second configuration, concerning which the outdoor furniture item 1 is optically and functionally similar to a sauna cabin or a garden shed. The first semi-space 9 and the second semi-space 11 in the second configuration together form a closed inner space which can be entered via the door 51. The first front side 14 and the second front side 24 herein bear on one another in a manner directed to one another. Herein, the second shell element 7 is suspended on the front-side panel 34 of the first shell element 5 by way of holders 66. The holders 66 comprise a male part on the front side panel 34 of the first shell element 5 in the form of upwardly obliquely tapering hooks. Corresponding to the male part on the front-side panel 34 of the first shell element 5, the second shell element 7 on the second front side 24 comprises female parts of the holders 66 in the form of downwardly obliquely tapering receivers. The holders 66 can be shaped such that a wedging takes place due to corresponding obliquely tapering surfaces and/or the second shell element 7 is pressed by its intrinsic weight onto the first shell element in the x-direction. A sealing lip (not shown) can run along the second front side, said sealing lip in the first configuration being covered at least partly by the panel 34 and being protected from sun radiation and in the second configuration sealingly bearing on the panel 34 at the front side, in order to thermally seal the inner space which is formed by the shell elements 5, 7, to an improved extent. Such a sealing lip can also serve as an elastic protection cushion, in order to avoid a scratching of the panel 34 by the second front side 24.
(20) The slightly different size of the shell elements 5, 7 is compensated by the frame-forming panel 34. In order for the second shell element 7 to be able to be placed onto the first shell element 5 in the first configuration, the second side walls 29, 31 have a greater distance to one another than the first side walls 21, 23. The second semi-space 11 in the y-direction is therefore wider than the first semi-space, so that the formed closed inner space has an offset. By way of the frame-forming panel 34 which extends perpendicularly to the xz-plane, this offset is closed in the second configuration. In the second configuration, the second base 33 is folded down or placed downwards and in the horizontal position supplements the first base 29 into an essentially closed total base of the inner space.
(21) In the second configuration, the movable two-person seating bench 3 is now pushed into the second shell element 7 and is directed to the window 35 in the first shell element 5 to the rear (in the x-direction). The alignment of the two-person seating bench 3 can be changed for example by a 180° rotation about a vertical axis (z-axis), after the two-person seating bench 3 has been removed from the shell elements 5, 7 (see FIG. 6). Alternatively or additionally to this, the seating and/or lying unit can comprises a back rest which can be repositioned or folded over, so that one can sit on the seating surface the other way round. The seating and/or lying unit then only need to be displaceable between the shell elements and does not need to be completely removed from the shell elements.
(22) The sauna heating stove 49 stands at a maximum distance to the two-person seating bench 3 and the door in a corner region of the first shell element 5. In the second configuration, the sauna heating stove can be operated for taking a sauna. For this reason, an electrical connection 67 for the electrical operation of the sauna heating stove 49 is arranged at the outside on the first rear side 17. Additionally or alternatively, a gas connection for the connection of a propane gas bottle or another gas tank can be arranged at the location if the sauna heating stove 49 is to be operated with gas.
(23) In FIGS. 3 and 4, the polyhedral shape contour of the outdoor furniture item 1 in the second configuration becomes clear, this essentially corresponding to the shape of a geometric prism with an essentially (with the exception of the offset which is closed by the panel 34) mirror-symmetrical pentagon as a base surface which is formed by the right side walls 21, 29 and the left side walls 23, 31 of the shell elements 5, 7. By way of the joining-together of the shell elements 5, 7, a garden shed with a gable roof is formed from the beach chair with a lean-to roof.
(24) The hollow chamber structure of the first shell element 5 is shown in FIG. 4 in a detail. The second shell element 7 can have the same hollow chamber structure and/or a hollow chamber structure as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, the sloped roofs 15, 25, the rear sides 17, 27 as well as the side walls 21, 23, 29, 31 all comprise a hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 4. The hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 4 comprises three wooden layers 53, 55, 69 with stagnant air gaps 57, 71 lying therebetween. A metal foil 59, 61, 73, 75 reflecting radiant heat and preferably comprising aluminum is arranged on the wooden layers 53, 55, 69 towards the air gaps 57, 71. Herewith, additionally to the thermal insulation by way of the stagnant air gaps 57, 71, the loss of radiant heat is reduced and the heating procedure can be greatly shortened with regard to time, so that the energy consumption is reduced. Furthermore, one can make do without fibre insulating materials which on the one hand are heavier and on the other hand can become damp and herewith lose their insulating effect and can tend to form mould. The metal foils 59, 61, 73, 75 furthermore serve as a vapor block, so that condensation water can run down on the metal foils and at the lower side can be led to the outside in a controlled manner for evaporation or for dripping off Compared to the hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 2, the hollow chamber structure according to FIG. 4 has the advantage that a greater insulating effect is achieved by two air gaps 57, 71 and a higher radiant heat reflection by four metal foils 59, 61, 73, 75, so that the sauna heating stove 49 can be operated with less power. In particular, this hollow chamber structure is suitable for the shell element which tends to be stationary (here the first shell element 5).
(25) FIGS. 5 to 10 in steps show the conversion of the outdoor furniture item 1 from the first configuration into the second configuration. In FIG. 5, the two-person seating bench 3 is pulled out of the first shell element 5, in FIG. 6 is rotated about the vertical z-axis by 180° outside the first shell element 5 and hence in FIG. 7 is inserted back into the first shell element 5. Herein, the two-person seating bench 3 is not inserted in depth up to the first rear side 17, but only so deep that the entry region at the door 51 is not blocked from the inside by way of the two-person seating bench 3.
(26) In FIG. 8, the second shell element 7 is then removed from the first shell element 5 by way of the grips 13 and according to FIG. 9 is rotated by 180° about the vertical z-axis and is applied from the front with the second front side 24 onto the first front side 14 which is formed by way of the panel 34. Prior to this, according to FIG. 9 the second base 33 was folded or placed downwards, so that horizontally it delimits the second semi-space 11 to the bottom. As is shown in FIG. 10, one enters the first semi-space 9 of the closed inner space which is now formed by the shell elements 5, 7, through the door 51 and pushes the two-person seating bench 3 onto the second base 33 onto the second rear side 27. The outdoor furniture item 1 is then situated in a second configuration. If the steps are carried out in the reverse direction, then the outdoor furniture item 1 can be brought back into the first configuration as a beach chair.
(27) In FIGS. 11 to 13, a second embodiment of the outdoor furniture item 1 is shown, concerning which the seating and/or lying unit 3 can be fixedly arranged in the first shell element 5. The door 51 as well as the window 35 here is arranged in the second shell element 7. The sauna heating stove 49 is also located in the second shell element 7 in this configuration. In order for the sauna heating stove 49 to be able to be accommodated in the second shell element 7 in the nestled first configuration, the second shell element 7 on the second rear side 27 comprises a rearward bulging 77, in which the sauna heating stove 49 is stowed in the first configuration. In the second configuration (see FIG. 12), the sauna heating stove 49 can be pulled out of the bulging 77 into the interior, in order to operate it as a sauna. Otherwise, the construction of the outdoor furniture item 1 in the second embodiment is very similar to the first embodiment example according to FIG. 1-10. The second base 33 in the second shell element 7 however in the second embodiment example according to FIGS. 11-13 can be installed in a fixed manner and horizontally delimit the second semi-space 1 to the bottom. This increases the stability of the second shell element 7 since this in theory can be compromised by the door 51 and the window 35. Additionally to the fixed second base 33, it is advantageous for the stability to design the second sloped roof 25, the second rear side 27 as well as the second side walls 29, 31 in a more stable manner than in the first embodiment example according to FIG. 1-10. Herewith however, the second shell element 7 also becomes heavier, so that in the second embodiment example according to FIGS. 11-13 the weight difference between the first shell element 5 and the second shell element 7 can turn out to be smaller. For this reason, for the conversion from the first configuration (see FIG. 11) to the second configuration (see FIG. 12), the first shell element together with the fixedly installed seating and/or lying unit 3 can be pulled out of the second shell element 7, rotated about a vertical z-axis by 180° and placed with the first front side 14 onto the second front side of the second shell element 7. The second shell element 7 herein remains stationary. Alternatively to this, the second shell element 7 together with the sauna heating stove 49 can be pulled from the first shell element 5, rotated 180° about a vertical z-axis and placed with the second front side 24 onto the first front side 14 of the first shell element 5. The first shell element 5 herein remains in place.
(28) FIG. 13a-f in schematic sectioned views show the steps-wise conversion from the first summer configuration (see FIG. 13a, b) into the second winter configuration (see FIG. 13e, f). The co-ordinate system which is randomly associated with the first shell element 5 here rotates between FIGS. 13b and 13c, since the first shell element 5 from FIG. 13c is rotated about the vertical z-axis by 180°. After the first shell element 5 in FIG. 13d has been placed with the first front side 14 onto the second front side 24 of the second shell element 7, the sauna heating stove 49 is pulled out of the bulging 77 into the inner space which is now formed by the hollow spaces 9, 11 of the shell elements 5, 7, in order to operate it in FIG. 13e for a sauna.
(29) The numbered indications of the components or movement directions as “first”, “second”, “third” etc. have herein been selected purely randomly so as to differentiate the components or the movement directions amongst one another, and can also be selected in an arbitrarily different manner. Hence these entail no hierarchy of significance. A designation of a component or technical feature as “first” should not be misunderstood to the extent that there must be a second component or technical feature of this type. Moreover, any method steps, inasmuch as not explicitly stated otherwise or not compelling necessary, can be carried out in an arbitrary sequence and/or in a party or completely overlapping manner with regard to time.
(30) Equivalent embodiments of the parameters, components or functions which are described herein and which appear to be evident to a person skilled in the art in light of this description are encompassed herein as if they were explicitly described. Accordingly, the scope of the protection of the claims is also to include equivalent embodiments. Features which are indicated as optional, advantageous, preferred, desired or similarly denoted “can”-features are to be understood as optional and as not limiting the protective scope.
(31) The described embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples and do not represent an exhaustive list of possible alternatives. Every feature which has been disclosed within the framework of an embodiment can be used alone or in combination with one or more other features independently of the embodiment, in which the features have been described. Whilst at least one embodiment is described and shown herein, modifications and alternative embodiments which appear to be evident to a person skilled in the art in the light of this description are included by the protective scope of this disclosure. Furthermore the term “comprise” herein is neither to exclude additional further features or method steps, nor does “one” exclude a plurality.
(32) While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
