Furniture with Integrated Storage Compartments

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/676,170, filed May 28, 2024, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/206,532, filed Jun. 6, 2023, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/846,685, filed Jun. 22, 2022, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/306,936, filed May 3, 2021, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/795,533, filed Feb. 19, 2020, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application. Ser. No. 15/962,532, filed Apr. 25, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,694,856, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/489,940, filed Apr. 25, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The subject matter described herein relates generally to embodiments of various furniture apparatuses, and more specifically to furniture apparatuses with integrated storage compartments and associated systems and methods.

Humanity has a long history of crafting and using outdoor furniture dating back to ancient Egypt, Rome, China, Mesopotamia, and other civilizations. Humanity has long enjoyed relaxing outdoors, enjoying fresh air, conversing with friends and family, eating meals, and otherwise being out in nature and crafted outdoor furniture to aid in participation in these activities. Numerous different materials have been used to construct outdoor furniture, including wood, metal, reeds, synthetics, stone, and other materials. For added comfort, humans have added many different types of cushions, pillows, blankets, towels, rugs, and other textiles as one or more layers providing comfort between the human body and harder or less forgiving surfaces.

While harder materials used to construct outdoor furniture generally degrade at a slow rate due to the elements, normal and inclement weather can cause rapid deterioration in softer materials, such as textiles. Color bleaching by exposure to the sun is common in textiles left in the sun's rays for long periods of time and repeated exposure. Fiber breakdown can cause rips and tears in textiles where repeated exposure to moisture, wind dirt, sand, mud, salt, minerals, and other naturally occurring substances and elements. Fiber breakdown can also occur due to exposure to food and drinks that are spilled on textiles and repeated use by humans and animals.

As with textiles, small objects are more likely to be damaged when left outdoors without protection. Examples are varied and can include dishes, shoes and sandals, toys, decorations, and numerous others. Objects and textiles prone to more rapid deterioration generally require indoor storage or outdoor storage in special cabinets, chests, and other storage units in order to protect them from natural elements and prolong their life cycles. Storage of items is a concern in nearly every climate and item storage may be costly or better used for other purposes in locations where storage space is at a premium.

Thus, needs exist for improved techniques by which to store articles and items for outdoor activities.

Provided herein are embodiments of systems, devices, and methods for manufacturing, building, and using outdoor furniture with integrated storage compartments.

In various embodiments disclosed herein, textiles such as cushions, pillows, and blankets and other small items can be stored within outdoor furniture pieces, protecting them from natural elements and keeping them safe, secure, dry, and clean.

Storing items within outdoor furniture pieces provides numerous advantages, including time and space savings for users. As such, users are able to take advantage of the convenient aspects of no longer having to move cushions and other items from one location to another when using or cleaning up an area. This can also remove the need for dedicated pieces of storage furniture, cabinets, boxes and other items that may take up valuable space. Additionally, time savings is increased where users do not need to transport cushions and other items from one location to another when packing up and storing items and also time when unpacking and arranging items for use.

As an example, many resort hotels are in locations that may experience heavy rain, wind, and/or snow that can cause negative effects to items left outdoors. As such, employees of these resort hotels are forced to gather all cushions and other items as quick as possible from outdoor furniture items such as lounge chairs and tables and move them to a safe, dry area. When the inclement weather ceases, the employees are then forced to transport the cushions and other items back to their previous locations, for use by guests. This activity can help to protect the assets of the resort hotels and can provide guests with dry cushions, which are highly preferable to soggy cushion or broken items. As such, time and monetary savings are vastly improved by providing outdoor furniture with integrated storage compartments. For example, there is a reduced risk of an employee falling while walking and carrying items, thus a reduced risk of insurance claims or lawsuits against the resort hotels. Additionally, where employees have to walk to a relatively remote location for storage, employees could finish their storage tasks in a reduced amount of time and with a reduced chance of breaking any items. Further, employees can finish their tasks faster and move on to other, more productive tasks.

The configuration of the devices described herein in detail are only example embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, devices, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the subject matter described herein and be protected by the accompanying claims. In no way should the features of the example embodiments be construed as limiting the appended claims, absent express recitation of those features in the claims.

Before the present subject matter is described in detail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments, but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. Further, the figures herein are not meant to be limiting based on any scale or size relation illustrated but rather are meant to be example embodiments illustrative of concepts. Although any methods, materials, and devices similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments, the preferred methods, materials, and devices are now described.

Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing furniture items with integrated storage compartments. In particular, outdoor furniture items are disclosed, although the disclosure herein is not limited to such and can be extended to indoor and hybrid indoor-outdoor furniture items, as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

show example embodiment perspective views of a prior artdedicated piece of storage furniture in a closed, open, and open with cushions inserted configurations. As shown in the example embodiments, a crate or other dedicated piece of storage furniture may be large enough to store numerous cushions for a variety of different pieces of furniture or other items. In general, these dedicated pieces of storage furniture serve no other purpose than to store cushions and other items. When in use, cushions from other pieces of furniture can be removed from the other furniture and stored in an internal storage compartment within the dedicated piece of storage furniture. However, when not in use, these dedicated pieces of storage furniture take up valuable space. As such, it would be useful to eliminate dedicated pieces of storage furniture while maximizing use of outdoor furniture space.

Examples of outdoor furniture items that can include integrated storage compartments for storing cushions and other items and which are not dedicated pieces of storage furniture can include sitting furniture, such as: sofas, sectionals, side chairs, dining chairs, lounge chairs, high chairs, bar chairs, stools, recliners and others; table furniture, such as: cocktail tables, coffee tables, dining tables, side tables, desks, and others; lying down furniture, such as beds; furniture to rest feet upon, such as ottomans; and various other types of non-dedicated storage furniture.

Although not explicitly shown or described in the example embodiments herein, additional components known for outdoor and indoor furniture can be combinable in various additional embodiments. Examples include arm rests, cup holders, ash trays, movable/adjustable/extendable platters, footrests, side tables, headrests, and other furniture related features.

In general, furniture pieces with integrated storage compartments can include an external, outer shell or base with one or more doors, lids, drawers or other movable components. These movable components can provide access to one or more internal compartments by pivoting about one or more hinges; swiveling about a fixed bolt or securing mechanism; sliding in or out of a secondary compartment; sliding sideways or up and down; or other mechanisms. In an open position, these doors, lids drawers or other movable compartments can reveal and provide access to an internal chamber of one or more interior storage compartments that are operable to house items, such as cushions. In some embodiments, these movable components may provide access to a second layer movable component constructed of the same or different materials in order to provide an additional layer of safety or security for internal compartments.

In some embodiments, whole or parts of panels can be large or sized the same as entire sections or walls of furniture pieces. As an example, a chair back that a chair user may rest against when seated that has an internal storage compartment may pivot forward about a hinge in an upward, downward, left or right revealing an internal chamber that can be used as a storage space for storing a chair cushion.

In some embodiments, the internal chamber or chambers of the storage compartments can be made of natural materials such as stone, wood, plant fibers and others. In some embodiments, they can be made of synthetic materials including plastics, various polymers, and others.

Internal chambers can be hermetically sealed in some embodiments, such that they are airtight, waterproof, water resistant, or otherwise partially, substantially or wholly sealed from external elements.

In various embodiments, cushions can include clean, minimalist lines without dangling items such as ties, without hook and loop fastener patches or other securing items. In some embodiments, cushions can be included or otherwise integrated with furniture having internal storage spaces. In some of these embodiments, cushions can have one or more internal or external magnets on or in fabric on one or more surfaces that magnetically couples with one or more magnets of the piece of furniture with integrated storage. This can allow the cushion to maintain a relatively fixed position with respect to the furniture item, while providing advantages in the form of time savings, since removal and placement are facilitated by the magnetic coupling with relative ease. Magnets can be permanent state magnets or electromagnets with on and off switches, power sources such as batteries or cord plugins, and other necessary associated components, as should be understood by those in the art.

In some embodiments, internal compartments should be sized such that they fully house a cushion for one or more furniture items within an internal chamber.

show an example embodiment of a square cocktail tableA,B,C,D with integrated storage from top and side cross-sectional views.

As shown in, an upper surfaceof the square cocktail tableA with side surfacecan be relatively or completely flat and an internal compartment, indicated by the dashed lines in the figure, may be sized such that it matches a substantial portion of the surface area of the upper surface. Square cocktail tables can be various dimensions in different embodiments. In some embodiments, dimensions of an upper surfacecan be about 23 inches wide by 23 inches long.

As shown in, a side cross-sectional view of a square cocktail tableB can have a box shape, which may extend down to one or more supporting feet or legs. In the example embodiment, the square cocktail table has exterior dimensions of about 15¾ inches from a lower edge above the legs or feet to an upper edge that is positioned below a sealable lid. A distance from a bottom edge of the legs or feetin contact with a floor, deck, ground, or other supporting surface to an upper surface of a lid can be about 17¾ inches. As such, the lidmay have a maximum thickness of slightly less than two inches from an upper surface edge to a surface edge that is flush with an upper surface edge of a wall of the square cocktail table.

As shown in, the square cocktail tableC has an interior chamberwith dimensions of about 12 inches from a supporting internal surface edge with an internal clearance of about 3¾ inches above an upper internal bottom surface edge of the base of the square cocktail table. A distance from one or multiple exterior wallsof the storage compartment to an internal wall of the base or exterior shell of the square cocktail table can be about one inch. As shown in the example embodiment, the distance from one internal wall to an opposing internal wall of the internal compartment can be about 21 inches. As shown in the example embodiment, the square cocktail tableC can have one side coupled with one or more hinges that are also coupled to the lid and allow the lid to be rotated about the hinges. In some embodiments, hinges can be internally positioned, externally positioned, or combinations of both. The base or exterior shell can be coupled with the internal storage compartmentin some embodiments, while in other embodiments the internal storage compartment may rest within a complementary or differently sized space within the external shell. These couplings can be adhesive, mechanical, or others in various embodiments. In many embodiments, the lidcan provide a watertight seal for the internal storage compartments and as such, may have one or more internal lips, protrusions or other features.

shows an example embodiment of a closed and sealed square cocktail tableD with integrated storage from front and side angled side perspective views. In some embodiments, an external shell of the square cocktail table can be a durable powder-coated steel that is covered and coupled with an all-weather resin wicker. This can provide a durable cocktail table that is weather resistant and can operable to survive many seasons, while protecting items stored in the internal storage compartment. In some embodiments, square cocktail tables can be preassembled, while in others, users may assemble one or more components themselves.

show an example embodiment of a rectangular cocktail tableA,B,C,D with integrated storage from top and side cross-sectional views.

As shown in, an upper surfaceof the rectangular cocktail table with side surfacescan be relatively or completely flat and an internal compartment, indicated by the dashed linesin the figure, may be sized such that it matches a substantial portion of the surface area of the upper surface. Rectangular cocktail tables can be various dimensions in different embodiments. In some embodiments, dimensions of an upper surface can be about 23 inches wide by about 36 inches long.

As shown in, a side cross-sectional view of a rectangular cocktail tableB can have a box shape, which may extend down to one or more supporting feet or legson the lower surface. In the example embodiment, the rectangular cocktail table has exterior dimensions of about 15¾ inches from a lower edge above the legs or feet to an upper edge that is positioned below a sealable lid. A distance from a bottom edge of the legs or feetin contact with a floor, deck, ground, or other supporting surface to an upper surface of a lidcan be about 17¾ inches. As such, the lidmay have a maximum thickness of slightly less than two inches from an upper surface edge to a surface edge that is flush with an upper surface edge of a wall of the rectangular cocktail table.

As shown in, the rectangular cocktail tableC has an interior chamber with dimensions of about 12 inches from a supporting internal surface edge with an internal clearance of about 3¾ inches above an upper internal bottom surface edge of the base of the rectangular cocktail table. A distance from one or multiple exterior wallsof the storage compartment to an internal wall of the base or exterior shell of the rectangular cocktail table can be about one inch. As shown in the example embodiment, the widthwise distance from one internal wall to an opposing internal wall of the internal compartment can be about 21 inches, while the lengthwise distance from one internal wall to an opposing internal wall of the internal compartment can be about 34 inches. As shown in the example embodiment, the rectangular cocktailC table can have one lengthwise side coupled with one or more hinges that are also coupled to the lid and allow the lid to be rotated about the hinges. In some embodiments, hinges can be internally positioned, externally positioned, or combinations of both. The base or exterior shell can be coupled with the internal storage compartmentin some embodiments, while in other embodiments the internal storage compartmentmay rest within a complementary or differently sized space within the external shell. These couplings can be adhesive, mechanical, or others in various embodiments. In many embodiments, the lid can provide a watertight seal for the internal storage compartments and as such, may have one or more internal lips, protrusions or other features.

In some embodiments, an external shell of the rectangular cocktail table can be a durable powder-coated steel that is covered and coupled with an all-weather resin wicker. This can provide a durable cocktail table that is weather resistant and can operable to survive many seasons, while protecting items stored in the internal storage compartment. In some embodiments, rectangular cocktail tables can be preassembled, while in others, users may assemble one or more components themselves.

show an example embodiment of a dining chairA,B,C,D with integrated storage from top and side cross-sectional views.

As shown in, an upper surface of the back of the dining chair with seating portionand back portioncan be relatively or completely flat and include a first internal compartment, indicated by the dashed lines in the figure, may be sized such that it matches a substantial portion of the surface area of the upper surface. In some embodiments, dimensions of an upper surface of the backof the dining chair can be about 5 inches wide by about 21 inches long. As shown, an upper seating surfacecan be about 19 inches long and about 21 inches wide and include a second internal compartment. The second internal compartmentmay be sized such that it matches a substantial portion of the surface area of the upper seating surface. A combined length of the upper seating surfaceand upper back surface can be about 24 inches. Dining chairs can be various dimensions in different embodiments.

As shown in, a front cross-sectional view of the dining chair can have a general chair shape, with one or more supporting feet or legs, a seating surface, and a back. In the example embodiment, the dining chair has total dimensions of about 36 inches from a bottom edge of the legs that is in contact with a floor, deck, ground, or other supporting surface to an upper surface of a back lid. Legs can provide clearance above the ground with an open space in between, as in the example embodiment there are four legs provided. Legs can be about 4 inches wide each and about 8 inches tall from a floor contacting surface to a bottom surface of the body of the chair located below the seating surface. The body of the chair may be about 6 inches thick from a lower suspended surface to a chair body lid. A distance from the bottom edge of the chair legs to the upper seating surface of the body lid can be about 15 inches, providing a lid thickness of about one inch. Legs can be spaced apart such that they are about 13 inches from an inner leg surface to an opposing inner leg surface on a left and right side of the chair when viewed from the front. As such, a total width of the chair from a left facing and right facing surface can be about 21 inches.

As shown in, the dining chair has a first interior back chamber with dimensions of about 3 inches wide and about 22 inches tall from a supporting internal surface edge about 13 inches above a lower surface of the back legs to a bottom surface of an upper back lid. The dining chair has a second interior chair base chamber with dimensions of about 4 inches deep and about 18 inches long from an internal surface edge aligned with the front surface of the chair back. A distance from one or multiple internal facing walls of each storage compartment to a closest external wall of the dining chair or exterior shell of the dining chair can be about one inch. Legs can be about 16 inches apart from front to back and the front facing surface of the dining chair can be about 24 inches from the backward facing surface of the back of the chair. The back of the chair can be about 35 inches from the ground facing surface of the legs to the upward facing surface below the upper lidon the back of the chair. The base of the chair below the upward facing seating surface can be about 6 inches above the downward facing surface of the chair above the legs.

Each lid is about one inch thick. As shown in the example embodiment, the dining chair internal compart lids are coupled along their widthwise back side edges with one or more hinges that are also coupled to the chair body and allow the lids to be rotated about the hinges. In some embodiments, hinges can be internally positioned, externally positioned, or combinations of both. The dining chair base or exterior shell can be coupled with the internal storage compartment in some embodiments, while in other embodiments the internal storage compartment may rest within a complementary or differently sized space within the external shell. These couplings can be adhesive, mechanical, or others in various embodiments. In many embodiments, the lids can provide a watertight seal for the internal storage compartments and as such, may have one or more internal lips, protrusions or other features.

In some embodiments, an external shell of the dining chair can be a durable powder- coated steel that is covered and coupled with an all-weather resin wicker. This can provide a durable dining chair that is weather resistant and can operable to survive many seasons, while protecting items stored in the internal storage compartments. In some embodiments, dining chairs can be preassembled, while in others, users may assemble one or more components themselves.

show an example embodiment of an armless chairA,B,C,D with integrated storage from top and side cross-sectional views.

As shown in, an upper surfaceof the backof the armless chairA can be relatively or completely flat and include a first internal compartment, indicated by the dashed lines in the figure, may be sized such that it matches a substantial portion of the surface area of the upper surface. In some embodiments, dimensions of an upper surfaceof the back of the armless chair can be about 5 inches wide by about 21 inches long. As shown, an upper seating surfacecan be about 23 inches long and about 21 inches wide. A combined length of the upper seating surfaceand upper back surfacecan be about 28 inches. Armless chairs can be various dimensions in different embodiments.

As shown in, a front cross-sectional view of the armless chair can have a general chair shape, with one or more supporting feet or legs, a seating surface, and a back. In the example embodiment, the armless chair has total dimensions of about 28 inches from a bottom edge of the legs that are in contact with a floor, deck, ground, or other supporting surface to an upper surface of a back lid. Legs can provide clearance above the ground with an open space in between, as in the example embodiment there are four legs provided. The body of the chair may be about 14 inches thick from an upper seating surface to the bottom of the legs or feet. A distance from the bottom edge of the chair body above the legs to the upward facing surface of the back of the chair can be about 26 inches, providing a lid thickness of about one inch. A front facing surface of the base of the chair can be about 23 inches from the front facing surface of the back of the chair. The back of the chair can be about 5 inches wide when viewed from the side.

The lidcan be about one inch thick. As shown in the example embodiment, the armless chair internal compart lids can be coupled along a side edge of the upper surface of the back of the armless chair with one or more hinges that are also coupled to the chair body and allow the lids to be rotated about the hinges. In some embodiments, hinges can be internally positioned, externally positioned, or combinations of both. The external chair back or exterior shell can be coupled with the internal storage compartment in some embodiments, while in other embodiments the internal storage compartment may rest within a complementary or differently sized space within the external shell. These couplings can be adhesive, mechanical, or others in various embodiments. In many embodiments, the lids can provide a watertight seal for the internal storage compartments and as such, may have one or more internal lips, protrusions or other features.

As shown in, the dining chair has an interior back chamber with dimensions of about 3 inches wide. A distance from one or multiple internal facing walls of each storage compartment to a closest external wall of the dining chair or exterior shell of the dining chair can be about one inch.

shows an example embodiment of an armless chair with integrated storage from a side angled side perspective view. In some embodiments, additional chambers can be provided, similar to those shown and described with respect to the dining chair embodiments.

In some embodiments, an external shell of the armless chair can be a durable powder-coated steel that is covered and coupled with an all-weather resin wicker. This can provide a durable armless chair that is weather resistant and can operable to survive many seasons, while protecting items stored in the internal storage compartments. In some embodiments, armless chairs can be preassembled, while in others, users may assemble one or more components themselves. Cushions can be covered with one or more of various textiles, including polyester, which may be spot cleaned, as appropriate.

show an example embodiment of a corner-style chair with integrated storage from top and side cross-sectional views.

As shown in, a corner chair can have two backs or a side and a back, depending on classification of the backs and sides. As described herein, the terms are interchangeable with respect to the embodiments shown since they have similar dimensions. As shown, an upper surfaceof the backs of the corner chair can be relatively or completely flat and include a first internalcompartment in one back and a second internal compartmentin the other back, as indicated by the dashed lines in the figure. These internal compartments may be sized such that they match a substantial portion of the surface area of the upper surface of each back. In some embodiments, dimensions of an upper surface of the first back of the corner chair can be about 5 inches wide by about 28 inches long. An upper surface of the second back of the corner chair can be about 23 inches long by about 5 inches wide. The backs can be oriented such that they are coupled or otherwise flush with each other and touching in a corner of the corner chair. As shown, an upper seating surface can be about 19 inches long and about 23 inches wide by 23 inches long. A combined length of the upper seating surface and upper back surface can be about 28 inches long by 28 inches wide. Corner chairs can be various dimensions in different embodiments.

As shown in, a front cross-sectional view of the armless chair can have a general chair shape, with one or more supporting feet or legs, a seating surface, and a first back that is perpendicular to the second back. In the example embodiment, the corner chair has total dimensions of about 28 inches from a bottom edge of the legs that is in contact with a floor, deck, ground, or other supporting surface to an upper surface of the back lids. Legscan provide clearance above the ground with an open space in between, as in the example embodiment there are four legs provided. Legs can be spaced apart and suspend the bottom of the chair above a floor surface. A distance from the bottom edge of the chair legs to the upper seating surfacecan be about 14 inches. A height of the backs of the chair from can be about 26 inches from the top of the legs or feet to the upward facing surface of the backs of the chair below the back lids.

Each lidis about one inch thick. As shown in the example embodiment, the dining chair internal compart lids are coupled along their widthwise back side edges with one or more hinges that are also coupled to the chair body and allow the lids to be rotated about the hinges. In some embodiments, hinges can be internally positioned, externally positioned, or combinations of both. The dining chair base or exterior shell can be coupled with the internal storage compartment in some embodiments, while in other embodiments the internal storage compartment may rest within a complementary or differently sized space within the external shell. These couplings can be adhesive, mechanical, or others in various embodiments. In many embodiments, the lids can provide a watertight seal for the internal storage compartments and as such, may have one or more internal lips, protrusions or other features.