Cushion Assembly for Outdoor Furniture

The present technology relates to cushion assemblies, and more specifically cushion assemblies for outdoor furniture.

Outdoor cushions are an essential component of outdoor furniture, offering comfort and aesthetic appeal to the outdoor furniture. However, these cushions frequently encounter challenges related to moisture accumulation due to exposure to rain, dew, and humidity. When cushions absorb water and do not dry efficiently, they become susceptible to various issues that compromise their usability and lifespan. Specifically, the inability of cushions to dry properly often results in situations where the user cannot sit on the cushions while they are wet due to discomfort and potential for water to transfer to the user's clothing. Prolonged wetness can lead to growth of mold and mildew, which not only deteriorates the material of the cushion but poses health risks to users. Additionally, cushions that remain damp for extended periods can develop unpleasant odors, fabric discoloration, and/or degrade the cushion materials which may lead to increase maintenance, drying, and cleaning by the user.

Therefore, there is a desire for a cushion assembly without at least some of the inconveniences described above.

It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a cushion assembly for outdoor furniture. The cushion assembly includes a cushion having a liner, the 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.

In some embodiments, the liner defines a liner opening for accessing the liner cavity; and the liner includes a liner zipper for selectively closing the liner opening.

In some embodiments, the at least one liner side surface defines the liner opening.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover defines an exterior cover opening for accessing the exterior cover cavity; and the exterior cover includes at least one exterior cover zipper for selectively closing the exterior cover opening.

In some embodiments, 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.

In some embodiments, the at least one side of the exterior cover mesh section includes a first side of the exterior mesh section; the at least one adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom includes 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.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover mesh section is a rectangle; the at least one exterior cover zipper includes three exterior cover zippers; the at least one side of the exterior cover mesh section includes three sides; the at least one adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom includes 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 includes 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.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover further includes 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.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover further includes 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.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover further includes a fastener disposed on the exterior cover bottom surface for optionally fastening the exterior cover bottom surface to a portion of a seat.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover entirely surrounds the cushion when the insert assembly is housed in the exterior cover cavity.

In some embodiments, the cushion further includes a magnet connected to the padding insert and disposed in between the padding insert and the liner mesh section.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover is composed of a UV-treated fabric.

In some embodiments, the exterior cover is composed of a water-protection treated fabric.

In some embodiments, the liner is composed of a polyester fabric and the liner further includes a coating of polyurethane.

In some embodiments, the liner mesh and the exterior cover mesh are composed of polyvinyl chloride.

In some embodiments, the cushion assembly is one of a seat bottom cushion assembly and a seat back cushion assembly.

According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a seat including at least one cushion assembly.

In some embodiments, the seat further includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The at least one cushion assembly includes a seat bottom cushion assembly disposed on the seat bottom; and a seat back cushion assembly disposed on the seat back.

In some embodiments, 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.

For purposes of this application, terms related to spatial orientation such as front, back, top, bottom, left, and right, are as they would normally be understood by a user sitting normally on an outdoor furniture seat.

Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

It should be noted that the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

depict embodiments of a cushion assemblyof the present technology. The cushion assemblyis described with reference to its use in an outdoor seat, such as an outdoor sofa. 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.

With reference to, a plurality of cushion assembliesare provided on the outdoor sofa. Specifically, the outdoor sofaincludes two sets of a seat bottom cushion assemblyand a seat back cushion assembly. For each set, the seat bottom cushion assemblyis disposed on a seat bottomof the outdoor sofaand the seat back cushion assemblyis disposed on a seat backof the outdoor sofa. It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the outdoor sofamay only include a single set of cushion assemblies, more than two sets of cushion assemblies, and/or that a single cushion assemblymay be provided per sitting position on the outdoor sofa(i.e., one of the seat bottom cushion assemblyor the seat back cushion assembly). It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, each set of cushion assembliescould have more than two cushion assemblies.

With reference to, one of the seat bottom cushion assemblieswill be described in further detail. As both seat bottom cushion assembliesare the same, only one of them will be described in detail. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the seat bottom cushion assembliescould have differences.

In this embodiment, the seat bottom cushion assembly(hereinafter the cushion assembly) is rectangular-shaped. However, in alternative embodiments, the cushion assemblymay be any other suitable shape, for example square, circular, trapezoidal, etc.

With specific reference to, the cushion assemblyincludes a cushionhaving a linerand a padding insert.

The linerhas a liner top surface, a liner bottom surface, and a plurality of liner side surfaces including a liner front side, a liner back side, a liner right side, and a liner left side. The linerdefines a liner cavity() for selectively housing the padding insert. In some embodiments, the linermay be composed of a polyester fabric. In some embodiments, the linermay 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.

As seen in, a portion of the liner bottom surfaceis defined by a liner mesh section. The liner mesh sectionfacilitates drainage and quick drying of the cushion. In this embodiment, the liner mesh sectionis rectangular in shape. The liner mesh sectionextends from a back edge of the liner bottom surfacepartially towards a front edge of the liner bottom surfaceand partially spans between right and left edges of the liner bottom surface. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, the liner bottom surfacemay be defined entirely by the liner mesh section. In further alternative embodiments, the liner mesh sectionmay be a different shape, such as a square, a circle, a trapezoid, etc. In other alternative embodiments, the liner bottom surfacemay be defined by a plurality of distinct liner mesh sections. In some embodiments, the liner mesh sectionmay be composed of polyvinyl chloride.

With reference to, the linerdefines a liner openingfor accessing the liner cavity. In this embodiment, the liner openingis defined on the liner back side. It is contemplated that the liner openingmay be different in other embodiments. It is further contemplated that the liner openingmay be defined on one or more surfaces of the liner.

The linerfurther includes a liner zipperfor selectively closing the liner opening. In some embodiments, the liner zippermay be composed of a corrosion-resistant material. It is contemplated that the liner openingmay be selectively closed using other closing features, such as a hook-and-loop fastener and/or buttons.

With reference to, the padding insertincludes a padding top surface, a padding bottom surface, and a plurality of padding sides including a padding front side, a padding back side, a padding right side, and a padding left side. The padding insertincludes a bodyand a wadding layer. The wadding layeris disposed on the padding top surface, and the padding front, back, right, and left sides,,,(). The padding bodyis composed of a material which allows water to pass through and facilitates quick-drying, while maintaining comfort and durability. In some embodiments, the padding bodyis composed of a foam, such as a polyurethane foam or a cell foam. In some embodiments, the wadding layermay be omitted. As discussed above, the padding insertis selectively housed within the liner cavity. The padding insertis inserted and removed via the liner opening. When the padding insertis housed in the liner cavity, the linerentirely surrounds the padding insert.

With reference to, the cushion assemblyincludes an exterior cover. The exterior coverhas an exterior cover top surface, an exterior cover bottom surface, and a plurality of exterior cover sides including an exterior cover front side, an exterior cover back side, an exterior cover right side, and an exterior cover left side. The exterior coverdefines an exterior cover cavityfor selectively housing the cushion. In some embodiments, the exterior coveris composed of a water-protection treated fabric and/or a UV-treated fabric.

As depicted in, a portion of the exterior cover bottom surfaceis defined by an exterior cover mesh section. The exterior cover mesh sectionfacilitates drainage and quick drying of the exterior cover, as well as the cushionwhen housed within the exterior cover cavity. In this embodiment, the exterior cover mesh sectionis rectangular in shape. The exterior cover mesh sectionextends from a back edge of the exterior cover bottom surfacepartially towards a front edge of the exterior cover bottom surfaceand partially spans between right and left edges of the exterior cover bottom surface. It is contemplated that, in alternative embodiments, the exterior cover bottom surfacemay be defined entirely by the exterior cover mesh section. In further alternative embodiments, the exterior cover mesh sectionmay be a different shape, such as a square, a circle, a trapezoid, etc. In other alternative embodiments, the exterior cover bottom surfacemay be defined by a plurality of distinct exterior cover mesh sections. In some embodiments, the exterior cover mesh sectionmay be composed of polyvinyl chloride.

The exterior coverdefines an exterior cover opening() for accessing the exterior cover cavity. In this embodiment, the exterior cover openingis defined in the exterior cover bottom surface. The exterior cover mesh sectionis configured to selectively cover the exterior cover opening.

The exterior coverfurther includes at least one exterior cover zipper to selectively connect a side of the exterior cover mesh sectionwith an adjacent portion of the exterior cover bottom surface, thereby closing the exterior cover openingwith the exterior cover mesh section. As depicted in, this embodiment of the exterior coverhas three exterior cover zippers,,. The zippers,,are disposed along three sides,,of the exterior mesh cover section. Specifically, each zipper,,is disposed on one of the three sides,,of the exterior mesh cover section. Each zipper,,selectively connects the respective side,,of the exterior cover mesh sectionwith a corresponding adjacent portion,,of the exterior cover bottom surface. In some embodiments, the zippers,,may be composed of a corrosion-resistant material. As depicted in, the exterior cover mesh sectionis fixedly connected, by stitches for example, along a remaining sideof the exterior cover mesh section(that is, a fourth sidewhich does not include one of the zippers,,), such that the exterior cover mesh sectionforms a fold-over flap. It is contemplated that other closure features may be used in other embodiments instead of the zippers,,, such as a hook-and-loop fastener and/or buttons.

As discussed above, the cushionis selectively housed in the exterior cover cavity. The cushionis inserted and removed via the exterior cover opening. When the cushionis housed in the exterior liner cavity, the exterior cover mesh sectionat least partially aligns with the liner mesh sectionto facilitate drainage and quick drying of the cushionand exterior cover. In this embodiment, when the cushionis housed in the exterior liner cavity, the exterior coverentirely surrounds the cushion. When the cushionis housed within the exterior cover cavity, the liner zippercannot be seen through the exterior cover mesh section.

With reference to, the exterior coverfurther includes an additional portion of fabric to facilitate positioning and retaining the cushion assemblyonto a portion of the sofa. Specifically, the exterior coverof the cushion assemblyincludes a bandconnected at both ends to the back sideof the exterior cover, such that a slotis defined between the bandand the back sideto optionally receive the seat backof the outdoor sofa, thereby retaining the cushion assemblyon the outdoor sofa. In alternative embodiments, the exterior coverof the cushion assemblymay be retained on the outdoor sofausing other retaining features such as a strip of hook-and-loop fastener, fabric ties, etc. It is contemplated that the cushion assemblymay simply be positioned on the seat bottomof the outdoor sofawithout any retaining features.

In this embodiment, the seat bottomof the outdoor sofaincludes a plurality of slatswhich define slotstherebetween. When the cushion assemblyis disposed on the seat bottom, the exterior cover mesh sectionand the liner mesh sectionare aligned with the slotsto facilitate drainage and quick-drying of the cushion assembly.

In some embodiments, the exterior coverof the cushion assemblymay further include a strap disposed on the exterior cover bottom surface. In this instance, one end of the strap may be fixedly connected to the bottom surfacewhile the other end is free. The free end of the strap may loop around the slatsand connect to a portion of the exterior cover bottom surface. Alternative the free end of the strap may pass through a slotand connect to a portion of the outdoor sofa, such as one of the slats, using a magnet, buttons, hook- and loop fastener, and/or a zipper.

With reference to, one of the seat back cushion assemblieswill be described in further detail. As both seat back cushion assembliesare the same, only one of them will be described in detail. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, the seat back cushion assembliescould have differences.

In this embodiment, the seat back cushion assembly(hereinafter the cushion assembly) has a substantially rectangular-shaped with a rounded top. It is noted that the cushion assemblyhas generally the same construction as the cushion assembly(including the cushionhaving the padding insertand liner, as well as the exterior cover), but differs in shape, so only the differences will be described.

As depicted in, the exterior coverof the cushion assemblyincludes a sheetpositioned on the back sideand defining a pocket to optionally receive and retain the seat backof the outdoor sofa. It is contemplated that in some embodiments the exterior coverof the cushion assemblymay be retained on the outdoor sofausing other retaining features such as a strip of hook-and-loop fastener, fabric ties, etc. It is contemplated that the cushion assemblymay simply be positioned on the seat backof the outdoor sofawithout any retaining features.

As depicted in, the liner openingof the cushion assemblyis defined by the liner bottom surface. The liner mesh sectionis configured to selectively cover the liner opening. In this embodiment, the liner zipperis positioned around three sides (only one side is shown in) of the liner mesh sectionto selectively connect the sides of the liner mesh sectionwith respective adjacent portions of the liner. It is contemplated that in some embodiments, multiple liner zippers may be used. The liner mesh sectionis fixedly connected, by stitches, for example, along a remaining side of the liner mesh section, such that the liner mesh sectionforms a fold-over flap. It is contemplated that other closure features may be used in other embodiments instead of the liner zipper, such as a hook-and-loop fastener and/or buttons.