Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to furniture and to a method of constructing an item of furniture. In particular, the present invention relates to street furniture and specifically an outdoor stool and to a method of constructing street furniture and specifically outdoor stools.

Background of the Invention

Items of street furniture are generally provided in parks, playgrounds, shopping precincts etc. to enable users to sit down and rest. Such seats must be weather resistant and must also be anchored to the ground to prevent the seats being easily moved, for example, to prevent the street furniture being moved by the wind or by children. In general, the seats are placed on a specially prepared foundation surface which may comprise paving slabs or the like. These paving slabs must be arranged to provide a flat surface and the seat or legs of the seat may then be anchored to the foundation surface using bolts or similar anchor members. The preparation and provision of a foundation surface significantly increases the cost and expense of the provision of the seating. In addition , the necessity for a foundation surface increases the installation time since the materials used within the foundation surface may be required to cure over a prolonged period prior to the seat being installed and anchored.

Once installed, the seating arrangement and configuration is relatively permanent and it generally requires a significant amount of time and expense to rearrange the seating plan or the seating configuration. For example, all of the installed seats would need to be unanchored from the ground and new foundation surfaces would need to be installed at the new positions. This would again require further building materials being transported to the site. In addition, the new foundation surface

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 would again have to be allowed time to set and cure prior to the seats being anchored at the new positions.

At the present time, it is preferred to use materials that are sustainable and are preferably recycled. In particular, building materials such as concrete and cement can have a significant environmental impact and many developers prefer or require a certain proportion of recycled and/or sustainable material to be used in the apparatus and installations. It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with prior art whether the referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an item of furniture comprising an inner core and an outer covering , the inner core comprising a lower face and a peripheral wall and the outer covering comprising a peripheral wall and an upper surface wherein the peripheral wall of the outer covering is moulded to the peripheral wall of the inner core, the item of furniture comprising an inner hollow chamber and a sealable opening wherein a ballast is arranged, in use, to be inserted through the opening into the inner hollow chamber in order for the ballast to anchor the item of furniture.

Preferably the inner core comprises a part cylindrical inner core.

Preferably the inner core comprises a cylindrical inner core. Preferably the inner core comprises an upper face. Preferably the outer covering comprises a part cylindrical outer covering. Preferably the outer covering comprises a cylindrical outer covering.

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 Preferably the outer covering comprises a lower face.

Preferably the upper face of the outer covering is moulded to the upper face of the inner core.

Preferably the lower face of the outer covering is moulded to the lower face of the inner core. Preferably the peripheral wall of the outer covering is moulded to the peripheral wall of the inner core.

Preferably the item of furniture comprises a closure member which is arranged, in use, to engage over the sealable opening in order to retain the ballast within the inner chamber. The closure member may comprise a bung.

The inner core may comprise a recycled liquid chemical drum. The inner core may comprise a recycled steel drum or may comprise a recycled plastic drum. The inner core may comprise a recycled 200 litre mild steel drum.

Preferably the inner core comprises a recycled drum and more preferably comprises a recycled oil drum. Preferably the inner core com prises a cut down recycled drum and more preferably comprises a cut down recycled oil drum.

Preferably the inner core comprises a metal and more preferably comprises steel. The inner core may comprise a recycled metal. The inner core may comprise rolled steel.

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 The height of the item of furniture may be less than 1000mm and preferably is less than 700mm and more preferably is less than 600mm. The height of the item of furniture may be substantially 500mm.

The height of the item of furniture may be greater than 100mm and preferably is greater than 300mm and more preferably is greater than 400mm. Preferably the item of furniture is cylindrical with a lateral circular cross-section.

The diameter of the item of furniture may be less than 1000mm and preferably is less than 800mm and more preferably is less than 700mm. The diameter of the item of furniture may be substantially 600mm.

The diameter of the item of furniture may be greater than 100mm and preferably is greater than 300mm and more preferably is greater than 400mm. The sealable opening may be substantially circular.

The diameter of the sealable closure may be less than 100mm and preferably is less than 70mm . The diameter of the sealable closures may be substantially 50mm. The diameter of the sealable closure may be greater than 10mm and preferably is greater than 20mm and more preferably is greater than 40mm.

The thickness of the outer covering may be less than 40mm and preferably is less than 30mm and more preferably is less that 20mm. The thickness of the outer covering may be substantially 10mm. The thickness of the outer covering may be greater than 3mm and preferably is greater than 5mm and more preferably is greater than 8mm.

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 Preferably the outer covering comprises a thermosetting material.

Preferably the outer covering comprises a thermosetting material. The thermosetting material may comprise polyurethane or epoxy. More preferably, the outer covering is produced from a two-part polyurethane. The two parts of the polyurethane consist of a resin component and an isocyanate component. The resin component may comprise renewable materials, and may comprise polyols which may be produced from vegetable oils. The polyols may be produces from a variety of vegetable oils includ ing castor oil , sunflower oil , peanut oil etc. Preferably the polyol is produced from rapeseed oil and more preferably from locally-produced rapeseed oil. The resin component may also contain fillers such as sand, chal k or fly-ash. Alternatively, these fillers can be added as a third component rather than being part of the resin component. Preferably the outer covering comprises a polyurethane based on rapeseed oil polyols.

The outer covering may comprise polyurethane. The outer covering may comprise a painted surface which may comprise a two- part polyurethane paint.

The ballast may comprise a granular material. The ballast may be sourced from a location adjacent to the installation site of the seat. Preferably the ballast comprises a renewable and/or recyclable material.

Preferably the ballast comprises sand, soil or the like. The outer covering may have printed matter adhered thereto. For example, the outer covering may have a vinyl transfer applied thereto.

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing an item of furniture comprising moulding an outer covering to an inner core wherein the inner core comprises a lower face and a peripheral wall and the outer covering comprises a peripheral wall and an upper surface, the method further comprising providing an inner hollow chamber with a sealable opening, the method further comprising inserting a ballast through the sealable opening into the inner hollow chamber in order to anchor the item of furniture.

The method may comprise collecting ballast material from the site adjacent to the installation site of the item of furniture.

The method may comprise inverting or at least partially inverting the item of furniture whilst filling the inner hollow chamber with ballast material. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with the reference to the figures that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a seat in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a seat in accordance with the present invention.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides an item of furniture and, in particular, an item of street furn iture. In the preferred embod iment, the item of street furn iture comprises a stool 10.

The present invention provides an interior chamber 1 1 into which a ballast 15 can

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 be located in order to weigh the stool 10 down. This ballast 15 inhibits the easy movement of the stool 10 and, in particular, prevents the inadvertent movement of the stool 10. In the preferred embodiment, the stool 10 is a very simple and plain stool which is essentially a cylinder.

The stool 10 is very versatile and comprises a simple cylindrical shape. The stool 10 can be quickly and easily installed at any suitable location and, in particular, can be included in outside areas, for example, parks, school playgrounds and shopping precincts. At these locations, several stools 10 can be provided which can be arranged in any pre-determined pattern or configuration, for example a snake like line.

The stool 10 is provided in a selected bright colour and can also be manufactured with emblems and/or logos moulded onto the surface or may be provided with externally applied transfers.

The stool 10 is both practical and has environmental benefits with respect to prior art stools. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the stool 10 is essentially a cylinder having a lower circular face 1 6, an upper circular face 1 2 and a peripheral wall 1 4 connecting the respective edges of the upper face 12 and lower face 16. In use, the lower face 16 rests on the ground and supports the stool 10. The upper face 12 provides the seating surface for users.

The stool 10 includes an inner hollow chamber 1 1 in which a ballast 15 can be contained in order to anchor the stool 10 to the ground and inhibit easy movement of the stool 10. The ballast thereby provides the stool with significant stability. The stool 10 includes a sealable opening 18 over which a closure member 19 can be engaged. In particular, a ballast 15 can be inserted through the opening 18 and the closure member 19 can be engaged in order to retain the ballast 15 within

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 the inner hollow chamber 1 1 . The opening 18 is provided on the lower face 16 of the stool 10 and is, therefore, concealed in normal use.

Accordingly, the stool 10 is relatively lightweight when the inner hollow chamber 1 1 is empty but when the inner hollow chamber 1 1 is filled or partially filled with a ballast 1 5 the stool 1 0 is relatively heavy. The amount of ballast 15 directly influences the weight of the stool 10 and, the user can directly and easily select an appropriate amount and weight of ballast for the particular circumstances. Since the stool 10 is lightweight, the cost and ease of transportation of the street furniture in accordance with the present invention is greatly improved with respect to prior art street furn iture. In addition, the inner hol low chamber 1 1 and associated opening 18 mean that a ballast 15 can be easily included at the final location. The ballast 15 is preferably a granular type material selected from the final site. In particular, sand, soil and the like may be sourced from the site in order to quickly and easily weigh the stool 10 down.

Furthermore, when the life cycle of the stool 10 is complete and it is to be removed from the site, the ballast 15 can be quickly and easily returned to the original source and, therefore, this provides an effective recycling pattern. In addition, the removal of the ballast 1 5 means that the stool 1 0 can be quickly and easily removed without the requirement of removing a specially prepared foundation surface or with the problem of leaving a specially prepared foundation surface which may provide a hazard or risk.

In use, a user can simply transport a number of stools 10 to a site and these can be quickly and easily manually moved to the appropriate location. Once at the selected location, the stool 1 0 can be inverted, or at least partially inverted, in order for the opening to be accessible and located at a raised position. The ballast 15 may comprise sand and/or soil sourced from the site which can be quickly and easily transported to the final location in a wheel barrow or other appropriate apparatus. The ballast 15 is then inserted through the opening 18 and a funnel or

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 other similar implement may be used for this purpose. Once the appropriate volume or amount of ballast 15 is contained in the inner hollow chamber 1 1 , the bung 19 can be firmly engaged in the opening 18 in order to retain the ballast 15 in the inner hollow chamber 1 1 . The stool 10 can then be orientated in order for the lower face 16 to rest on the ground and for the upper face 12 to provide a level and horizontal seating surface.

As shown in Figure 2, the cylindrical stool 10 comprises an inner core and an outer covering. The inner core is essentially cylindrical and comprises an upper face 22, a lower face 26 and a peripheral wall 24 connecting the respective edges of the upper face 22 and the lower face 26. The inner core defines the inner hollow chamber 1 1 at the stool 10.

The inner core provides the strength for the stool 10. The inner core comprises a metal and in the preferred embodiment the inner core is steel and specifically rolled steel. The steel may be recycled steel.

The steel conforms to British Standard BS 4848 and is cold formed to CFA 1 . The steel is protected against corrosion by coating or galvanising.

I n particu lar, the i n ner core is a conventional 200 litre mild steel drum, manufactured with no specific contents in mind. The drum is ideally a recycled drum. In one embodiment the inner core may comprise a recycled oil drum. The oil drum is a conventional and standard 210 litre oil drum which is cut down in size.

The inner core is formed from the drum and the peripheral wall of the drum is cut twice in order for a section to be removed. The two remaining parts including the upper and lower faces are then welded or otherwise secured together in order to provide an inner core member having a height of approximately 600 mm.

The drum also provides an opening which can serves as the opening for the ballast in the final stool 10.

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 Once cleaned and cut down, the outer covering can be applied to the inner core. The outer core comprises a thermosetting material which is moulded on to the inner core. In particular, an outer covering of approximately 10 mm thickness is moulded to the upper face 22, lower face 26 and peripheral wall 24 of the inner core. The outer covering is also provided with an opening 38 which corresponds with the opening 28 of the inner core in order to provide the ballast entry opening in the stool 10. The thermosetting material proves a tough and weather resistant material which can withstand rain , wind and su n without any sig n ificant deterioration or degradation.

The outer covering comprises a thermosetting material such as polyurethane or epoxy. The outer covering is produced from a two-part polyurethane. The two parts of the polyurethane consist of a resin component and an isocyanate component. The resin component comprises renewable materials, these are termed polyols which may be produced from vegetable oils. A variety of vegetable oils can be used in this process including castor oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil etc. However, the preferred embodiment uses locally-produced rapeseed oil for this purpose. The resin component may also contain fillers such as sand, chalk or fly- ash. Alternatively, these fillers can be added as a third component rather than being part of the resin component. As mentioned above, the thermosetting material comprises a resin including chemical(s) derived from a renewable source(s). In particular the chemical(s) are derived from rapeseed oil. The resin has two important fillers contained within it. In an embodiment, the fillers are waste fly-ash from power stations and granulated rubber from waste tyres. Accordingly, it can be seen that the present invention is manufactured from recycled materials and renewable materials.

The outer covering comprises a environmental polyurethane and/or a "green"

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 polyurethane. The outer covering comprises a pigmented material which uses an environmentally friendly rapeseed oil with the capacity to colour the polyurethane casting material to complement the product paint colour. The material of the outer covering may comprise a rigid polyurethane foam.

The material of the outer covering is an engineering grade polyurethane based on rapeseed oil polyols. This material has the following characteristics:

Once the thermosetting material has been applied, the assembly is painted using a high quality two-part polyurethane paint. This gives a bright, glossy finish which does not chip and does not fade under bright lighting conditions. The present invention is designed to withstand long-term ageing in an outside environment.

The thermosetting material is covered with a heavy duty coating which includes a primer coat of pain . The item incl udes a h igh gloss fin ish with a two-part polyurethane paint to RAL/BS specification. This provides ultimate levels of weathering, colour retention, solvent resistance, abrasion resistance and wide- ranging chemical resistance leading to minimal maintenance costs.

The outer surface of the stool 10 can be finished with any suitable decorative material, for example, transfers, as required by the end user.

Overall, the stool 10 and is environmentally friendly and is manufactured using recycled and sustainable materials and is anchored using a locally sourced

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1 sustainable ballast material.

The preferred embodiment of the item of furniture in accordance with the present invention is a stool although other items of furniture could be manufactured and provided, for example a table.

The item is rust proof and is impact resistant and is resistant to chipping and the item has excellent strength. The item will not shatter and is still lightweight which makes it easy to install . The items are removable and weigh less than 25 kg which mean that the item is suitable for one man to lift.

The polyurethane casting material is coloured to complement the final paint colour. Any design can be incorporated and emblems, crests and logos can be easily incorporated.

The final item may be individually bubble wrapped for transportation.

P5996PC specification as filed

24 March 201 1