Designing Summer Fun

You know what we don't do a lot of in this blog? Look at design patents. Sure, they've been touched on in one or two previous posts (like Donut Day Innovation) but they've largely been overlooked in favor of plant and utility patents and various marks. In retrospect, no reasons for their exclusion stand out.

How about some summer fun design patents?

The on-site display has featured a water slide (D983,303) and a Birkenstock sandal (D963,303). What else can we find?

There are many design patents for bathing or swimming suits, but only two are featured here. The first, D087,531, was selected because it is among the first design patents that looks modern. The second, D918,531, was chosen because it has interesting innovative drop-down modesty panels, creating a suit and cover-up all-in-one. 

1931 Swimming suit, pat. no. D087,376

Swimsuit and cover-up in one, pat. no. D918,531

Of course, if you're headed to the beach, just a suit isn't enough--you need a beach chair and umbrella. Grab the Combined Portable Beach Chair and Umbrella Therefore, D219,377. It's an excellent product for those who like to eliminate extra burdens and crave visible efficiency. 

D219,377 includes fun nautical decorations on the seat and umbrella storage pocket

Don't care for the beach? Enjoy some swimming pool designs! Quite a few of these exist, going back decades, but one of the better, in this blogger's opinion, is D870,918. After all, it's made from a shipping container and it has a viewing window. 

D870,918: Keep an eye on those swimmers enjoying their upcycled pool!

For either a beach or pool visit, follow Douglas Adams' advice and bring a towel. Even better, get one with pockets. D708,870 can keep belongings tucked away and stored, and is designed to drape over a poolside lounge chair.

D708,870 features a folded edge to fit on a lounge chair

If you dislike the suit of D918,531, you can still skip an extra garment when you bring along D741,575, Cover Up Towel. Wait, that's just a towel with a cinching edge! Did it really deserve its own patent?

D741,575 seems a little obvious

And, last, stay hydrated when frolicking in summertime heat. Always bring water in something stylish like D987,379; Drinkware invented and owned by Houstonians. We truly understand the need for well-designed water bottles right now. 

Invented by Colton Bryan Haas and assigned to Vinglace LLC

Remember your pets and grab Springer Pets' water mug D989,560. (The patent doesn't say it is for pets, but I've assumed it is because the assignee looks like a pet company. Read the whole patent and decide for yourself.)

Water mug body, pat. no. D989,560