Chairs and seats – Simulation; e.g. – animal or vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-27
2002-11-12
Crown, Peter R. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Simulation; e.g., animal or vehicle
C297S232000, C297S463200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06478370
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to furniture, and more particularly to benches with different types of ground supports.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Furniture for sitting, both for indoor and outdoor use, is well known and in widespread use. For example, many different kinds of chairs and stools have been developed.
A particularly desirable type of sitting furniture for many situations is a bench. Benches are commercially available in numerous sizes and shapes, and they are especially suited for outdoor use. Benches usually have a relatively long seat such that more than one person can sit on them with comfort. The benches also normally have back rests, as well as stationary uprights that support the seat and back rest off the ground. A wide variety of ornamental designs have been incorporated into prior benches.
Some benches are not supported off the ground by stationary uprights. Rather, benches in the form of swings are supported by long ropes or chains that are hung from a support located above the bench. The supports are often part of a complete swing package.
Other benches are designed for back and forth movement by using relatively short swingable arms. Such benches, often called gliders, have supports that are stationary on the ground. First ends of the arms are pivotally connected to the bench at a low level on it. The other ends of the arms pivotally connect to the stationary supports at a higher level, but normally not higher than the back rest.
Despite the numerous kinds of benches in existence, there nevertheless is room for further developments to them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a bench is provided that incorporates wagon wheels into a frame that supports the bench on the ground. This is accomplished by interposing the wagon wheels between a seat and ground-contacting frame members.
The seat can be as long as desired. The frame includes a long beam that underlies the seat and that protrudes past the seat ends. Hubs of the wagon wheels mount over both of the beam protruding ends. Accordingly, any weight on the seat is transferred through the beam to the wagon wheel hubs. The wagon wheel spokes are flush against and are fastened to the ends of the seat. For that purpose, the seat ends are recessed to receive the wagon wheel hubs. The seat recesses are covered with decorative face blocks.
The frame further comprises support blocks that support the wagon wheels off the ground. According to one aspect of the invention, a top surface of the support block has an arcuate groove of the same diameter as the wagon wheel rim. The wagon wheel is received in the support block groove and fastened to the support block. In that manner, the wagon wheel bench is stationarily supported on the ground by the support blocks and the rest of the frame.
It is an important feature of the invention that a back extends between and is joined to the two wagon wheels. For that purpose, the ends of the back are formed with notches. One notch at each end fits over a wagon wheel rim. Another notch fits over a wagon wheel spoke. The result is a very attractive but sturdy stationary bench that presents a rustic appearance.
Further in accordance with the present invention, the wagon wheel bench can be made as a swing. The swing-type wagon wheel bench comprises a seat and a beam with similar constructions as those of the stationary wagon wheel bench described above. The frame of the swing-type wagon wheel bench also includes a wagon wheel at each end of the seat. A back with notched ends is joined to the wagon wheels.
Instead of the stationary support blocks, however, the swing-type wagon wheel bench has a crossbeam above the seat. The crossbeam is supported above the ground by one or more posts. A pair of chains hang the wagon wheels from the crossbeam. First ends of the chains are attached to the crossbeam. Second ends of the chains are attached to the wagon wheels. In the preferred embodiment, the second ends of the chains are branched. Two branches are attached to the rims of the wagon wheels. An optional third branch is attached to the wagon wheel hubs. The wagon wheels are thus supported off the ground by the chains and crossbeam.
The method and apparatus of the invention, using a frame with wagon wheels for supporting a seat and back, thus combines versatility with attractive appearance. The wagon wheel bench is exceptionally sturdy, even though the frame can be chosen to provide either a stationary or a swing-type wagon wheel bench.
Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 270023 (1883-01-01), Crandall
patent: 2710659 (1955-06-01), Moederle
patent: 5971483 (1999-10-01), Brenneman
patent: 6152461 (2000-11-01), Dunks
Cayen Donald
Crown Peter R.
Wagon Wheels Unlimited, LLC
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