Patent Application
20130178124
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The disclosure generally relates to a flotation device and a method of using the same, and more specifically to a double pillow flotation device designed to make it easier for users to turn over on the flotation device without falling off.
Individuals often use floatation devices, such as inflatable rafts, to support their weight as they float in a body of water, such as a pool. A typical inflatable raft includes a plurality of elongated, substantially cylindrical air chambers that are attached together in a side-by-side arrangement. In some cases, the raft may include an inflatable pillow adjacent one end of the raft to support a user's head as they lie on the raft.
After lying on a raft in a particular position for a period of time, users often wish to reposition their body on the raft. For example, when sunbathing, a user may wish to “flip” from a first position, in which the user is lying face up in the raft, to a second position, in which the user is lying face down on the raft. To do this, users often try to roll over on the raft. Because rafts are often narrow and unstable, this often causes the raft to tip over, which may cause the user to fall into the water.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved flotation rafts, and other floatation devices, that allow users to turn over on the raft without falling off the raft and into the water.
Accordingly, a feature of the double pillow flotation device is its ability to be easy to setup.
Another feature of the double pillow flotation device is its ability to be easy to use.
Still another feature of the double pillow flotation device is its ability to be relatively easy to manufacture.
Yet another feature of the double pillow flotation device is its ability to allow the user to turn over without falling in the water.
Yet another feature of the double pillow flotation device is its ability to be easily reconfigured.
These and other features of the double pillow flotation device will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and Claims when read in light of the accompanying Detailed Drawings.
The present double pillow flotation device will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the disclosure.
In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
Referring now to
Float Base Portion
In the embodiment shown in
In other embodiments, floatation device 10 is an inflatable raft. In such embodiments, float base portion 20 may comprise at least one inflatable air chamber that is adapted to maintain a volume of air within its interior, which causes the air chamber to float on water. In various embodiments, the at least one air chamber may comprise a valve or other suitable mechanism to allow user 50 to selectively inflate or deflate the inflatable air chamber. In other embodiments, the inflatable air chamber may be substantially permanently (e.g., permanently) inflated. In particular embodiments, float base portion 20 comprises a plurality of elongated, substantially cylindrical air chambers that are attached together in a side-by-side arrangement.
In certain embodiments, the float base portion 20 is substantially rectangular (e.g., rectangular) and substantially planar (e.g., planar).
First Head Support
In particular embodiments, first head support 30 may comprise any support that is suitable for supporting the head of a user who is lying on floatation device 10. In a particular embodiment, first head support 30 comprises an inflatable air chamber. In various embodiments, the air chamber may comprise any suitable number of valves or other suitable mechanisms for allowing a user to selectively inflate and/or deflate the air chamber. In certain embodiments, the inflatable air chamber may comprise, or be substantially covered by (e.g., covered by) a material, which may, for example, comprise a suitable waterproof material (e.g., canvas, rubber, or plastic).
In other embodiments, first head support 30 may be substantially solid (e.g., solid), and may, for example, comprise any suitable material that is adapted to float (e.g., foam, plastic, or rubber). In other embodiments, first head support 30 may comprise a material that is not adapted to float. In such embodiments, and in other embodiments, first head support 30 may be disposed adjacent float base portion's top surface 26, which may be adapted to support first head support 30 when flotation device 10 is floating.
In the embodiment shown in
Second Head Support
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In various embodiments, first head support 30 and second head support 40 are positioned so that, when a user of average height lies on the floatation device and positions their head on first head support 30, the user's feet are adjacent, but do not reach, second head support 40.
Similarly, first head support 30 and second head support 40 may be positioned so that, when a user of average height lies on the floatation device and positions their head on second head support 40, the user's feet are adjacent, but do not reach, first head support 30.
Exemplary Use of the Reversible Flotation Device
In various embodiments, flotation device 10 is adapted to float on a liquid surface (e.g., water) and is further adapted to support user 50 on floatation device 10.
As may be understood from
As may be understood from
To move from the second position to the first position, the user may simply reverse the steps outlined above.
Alternative embodiments of the flotation device may comprise, for example, components that are, in some respects, similar to the various components described above. Selected distinguishing features of various alternative embodiments are discussed below.
Selectively Removable and/or Adjustable Head Supports
In particular embodiments, one or both of the first and second head support may be adapted to allow a user to selectively remove them. For example, in various embodiments, the first and second head supports may comprise hook and loop fastener segments that are adapted to selectively attach to hook and loop fastener segments disposed adjacent the ends of the elongated float. In other embodiments, the head supports may comprise other suitable mechanisms, such as zippers, for allowing a user to selectively remove the head supports from the flotation device, and/or for adjusting the position of the head supports between different positions on the flotation device.
Integrated Head Rests
Although the head rests are described above as being separate from the float base portion, in other embodiments, at least one of the head rests and float base portion may be part of a single float structure.
Flotation Devices with Additional Features
In particular embodiments, the flotation device may comprise handles disposed adjacent the elongated tube or head supports. In other embodiments, the elongated tube may define cup holders on the elongated tube's top surface. In other embodiments, the flotation device may further comprise any suitable back rest that is adapted to allow the user to sit upright on the flotation device. Other embodiments of the flotation device may include arm rests, or other additional supports for various other parts of the user's body (e.g., foot rests). Further embodiments may include a bag (e.g., a net/mesh bag) for carrying items such as sunglasses or suntan lotion.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.
The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and full benefit of, provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/583,867, entitled “DOUBULE PILLOW FLOTATION DEVICES,” filed on Jan. 6, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61583867 | Jan 2012 | US |
