Buoyant Pool Lounge Chair Frame and Buoyant Pool Lounge Chair Using the Same

Abstract

A buoyant pool lounge chair frame and buoyant pool lounge chair using the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool lounge chair for supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, frame members collectively form an open chair frame including a back frame and leg frame pivotally coupled thereto. Buoyant cushions are attached to the frame members to form a chair seat, a backrest, and a leg rest. A pair of rear pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies are coupled to the seat frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of recline of the back frame relative to the seat frame. Similarly, a pair of front pivotal coupling and clutch assemblies coupled to the leg frame and to the back frame to adjust and fix the angle of extension of the leg frame relative to the seat frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A buoyant pool lounge chair for supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, comprising:
 frame members collectively forming an open chair frame, the frame members including a seat frame having a front end and a rear end, the seat frame having a top side and a bottom side;   the frame members including a leg frame pivotally coupled to the front end of the seat frame, the leg frame consists of first and second leg support members having respective first and second leg segments projecting therefrom;   buoyant cushions attached to the frame members, the buoyant cushions forming a chair seat, a backrest, and a leg rest; and   a front pivotal coupling assembly coupling only the seat frame and the leg frame, the front pivotal coupling assembly including an actuator that is releasable to permit pivotal movement of the leg frame relative to the seat frame, and engageable to fix the angle of extension of the leg frame relative to the seat frame.   
     
     
         2 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the front pivotal coupling assembly permits pivotal movement of the leg frame relative to the seat frame such that the leg frame is in proximate contact with the bottom side of the seat frame. 
     
     
         3 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the front pivotal coupling assembly cooperates in pivotal movement to provide a storage configuration wherein the seat frame and the leg frame is in proximate contact with the bottom side of the seat frame. 
     
     
         4 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a left arm frame including an arm support riser that is laterally offset from the seat frame and an arm rest segment that is vertically offset from the seat frame; and   a right arm frame including an arm support riser that is laterally offset from the seat frame and an arm rest segment that is vertically offset from the seat frame.   
     
     
         5 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising buoyant cushions attached to the left arm frame and the right arm frame forming left and right arms rests. 
     
     
         6 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the seat frame further comprises first and second parallel seat support members. 
     
     
         7 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant cushions attached to the frame members include a head support cushion positioned at an upper portion of the backrest to provide head support in a semi-reclining position. 
     
     
         8 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of cup holders integrated into the left and right arm rests, respectively, wherein each cup holder is designed to retain a beverage container in a secure, accessible position while the chair is floating. 
     
     
         9 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the front pivotal coupling assembly further comprises:
 a fixed clutch member attached to the seat frame;   a movable clutch member attached to the leg frame, the movable clutch member being movable from an engaged position in which the fixed clutch member and the movable clutch member are in contact with each other, to a disengaged position in which the fixed clutch member and the movable clutch member are separated from each other; and   the actuator being movable in a first direction for driving the movable clutch member into engagement with the fixed clutch member and movable in a second direction for releasing the movable clutch member to permit separation of the clutch members and rotation of the leg frame relative to the seat frame.   
     
     
         10 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the frame members are constructed from corrosion-resistant materials selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), stainless steel, and closed-cell polyurethane foam, ensuring durability in a water environment. 
     
     
         11 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the rear pivotal coupling assembly includes a manually adjustable locking mechanism to selectively secure the backrest at multiple angles relative to the seat frame, allowing customizable reclining positions for the person. 
     
     
         12 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the actuator of the front pivotal coupling assembly further comprises an adjustment knob. 
     
     
         13 . A buoyant pool lounge chair for supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, comprising:
 frame members collectively forming an open chair frame, the frame members including a seat frame having a front end and a rear end, the seat frame having a top side and a bottom side;   the frame members including a leg frame pivotally coupled to the front end of the seat frame, the leg frame consists of first and second leg support members having respective first and second leg segments projecting therefrom and intersecting respective ends of a leg segment; and   a front pivotal coupling assembly coupling only the seat frame and the leg frame, the front pivotal coupling assembly including a manually operable actuator that is releasable to permit pivotal movement of the leg frame relative to the seat frame, and engageable to fix the angle of extension of the leg frame relative to the seat frame.   
     
     
         14 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the front pivotal coupling assembly permits pivotal movement of the leg frame relative to the seat frame such that the leg frame is in proximate contact with the bottom side of the seat frame. 
     
     
         15 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the front pivotal coupling assembly, with pivotal movement, provides a storage configuration wherein the seat frame and the leg frame is in proximate contact with the bottom side of the seat frame. 
     
     
         16 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a left arm frame including an arm support riser that is laterally offset from the seat frame and an arm rest segment that is vertically offset from the seat frame; and   a right arm frame including an arm support riser that is laterally offset from the seat frame and an arm rest segment that is vertically offset from the seat frame.   
     
     
         17 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the seat frame further comprises first and second parallel seat support members. 
     
     
         18 . A buoyant pool lounge chair for supporting a person while the buoyant pool chair is floating in water, comprising:
 frame members collectively forming an open chair frame, the frame members including a seat frame having a front end and a rear end, the seat frame having a top side and a bottom side;   the frame members including a leg frame pivotally coupled to the front end of the seat frame, the leg frame consists of first and second leg support members having respective first and second leg segments projecting therefrom and intersecting respective ends of a leg segment;   buoyant cushions attached to the frame members, the buoyant cushions forming a chair seat, a backrest, and a leg rest;   a front pivotal coupling assembly coupling only the seat frame and the leg frame, the front pivotal coupling assembly including an actuator that is releasable to permit pivotal movement of the leg frame relative to the seat frame, and engageable to fix the angle of extension of the leg frame relative to the seat frame; and   the front pivotal coupling assembly permits pivotal movement of the leg frame relative to the seat frame such that the leg frame is in proximate contact with the bottom side of the seat frame in a storage configuration.   
     
     
         19 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a left arm frame including an arm support riser that is laterally offset from the seat frame and an arm rest segment that is vertically offset from the seat frame; and   a right arm frame including an arm support riser that is laterally offset from the seat frame and an arm rest segment that is vertically offset from the seat frame.   
     
     
         20 . The buoyant pool lounge chair as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the seat frame further comprises first and second parallel seat support members.