Underwater Furniture

Abstract

The present invention is an underwater chair to support a person at least partially submerged in a body of water. The chair comprises a main structure ( 10 ) and a seat ( 40 ) connected thereto; the main structure having a leg portion ( 12 ), that in use rests on the bottom of the body of water, a head portion ( 11 ) and an arm portion ( 16 ). The seat comprises a flexible sheet ( 41 ) that is attached to the head portion and the arm portion, and a buoyant member ( 30 ) that is connected to the sheet between the points at which the seat is attached to the main structure. The person is supported on that part of the seat that extends between the buoyant member and the arm portion in such a way that movement of the person on the seat can alter the seating position.

1 . An underwater chair comprising a main structure and a seat connected thereto to support a person at least partially submerged in a body of water having a bottom; the main structure having a leg portion, that in use rests on said bottom of the body of water, a head portion and an arm portion, the seat comprising a flexible sheet that is attached to the head portion and the arm portion, and a buoyant member that is connected to the sheet between points at which the seat is attached to the main structure, whereby the person is supported on that part of the seat that extends between the buoyant member and the arm portion in such a way that movement of the person on the seat can alter the seating position. 
   
   
       2 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the leg portion includes a first bar that rests on the bottom of the body of water. 
   
   
       3 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the head portion includes a second bar that is parallel to the first bar of the foot portion. 
   
   
       4 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the arm portion includes a third bar that is parallel to the first and second bars. 
   
   
       5 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the seat attaches to the second and third bars. 
   
   
       6 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the main structure comprises a generally rectangular frame defining both the head portion and the leg portion, and a U-shaped sub-frame defining the arm region and connected by the free ends thereof to oppose sides of the frame. 
   
   
       7 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the frame comprises two generally U-shaped components, one telescopically mounted within the other. 
   
   
       8 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the connection of the sub-frame to the frame is adjustable. 
   
   
       9 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the configuration of the leg portion, the configuration of the head portion, the configuration of the arm portion, and the position of the arm portion relative to the head or leg portions is adjustable. 
   
   
       10 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the seat has sleeves provided thereon and connects to the main structure by the location of parts of the head and arm regions in the sleeves. 
   
   
       11 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the length of the seat between the points at which it is attached to the main structure is adjustable. 
   
   
       12 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the seat has a plurality of sleeves formed thereon; and the effective length of the seat between the connections to the main structure may be adjusted by locating a suitable pair of sleeves around parts of the head and arm regions. 
   
   
       13 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the buoyant member is an inflatable bladder. 
   
   
       14 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the buoyant member locates in a pocket formed in the seat. 
   
   
       15 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the main structure is predominantly formed from metal or plastics material. 
   
   
       16 . An underwater chair as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the seat is predominantly formed from a flexible textile material.