FOLDABLE FLOATING MATTRESS

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to recreational flotation devices, and particularly to floating mattresses or lounges.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Floating mattress or lounges are among the most popular beach and pool recreational devices. They are typically inflatable and may comprise a bladder or buoyant member with an outer covering of fabric or mesh. Inflatable floating mattresses suffer from various disadvantages. For example, a user is usually required to inflate an inflatable floating mattress prior to each use. To inflate the inflatable floating mattress, the user must utilize lung power or bring an air pump to a desired location of use. Further, inflatable floating mattresses are often manufactured of thin plastic sheeting which is subject to rips or punctures which render them useless as flotation devices.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a floating mattress. The floating mattress comprises a plurality of sections having upper surfaces, lower surfaces, and side surfaces defining a compartment within at least one of the plurality of sections configured to retain a buoyant material therein, a mesh section defined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections and configured to provide for the passage of water into and out of the compartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections, and a joint between a pair of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections configured to provide for the adjacent sections to rotate relative to one another about an axis defined by a widthwise extent of the joint. The floating mattress may be configured to buoyantly support a human user in a body of water with at least a portion of the human user supported above a surface of the body of water.

In some embodiments, the upper surfaces and lower surfaces of the plurality of sections are impermeable to the passage of water.

In some embodiments, the mesh section may extend substantially along an entire length of the side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections.

In some embodiments, the joint is configured to provide for a first of the plurality of sections to rotate relative to a second of the plurality of sections into a position in which the upper surface of the first of the plurality of sections contacts the upper surface of the second of the plurality of sections.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress comprises a center section, a first end section coupled by a first joint to a first side of the center section, and a second end section coupled by a second joint to a second side of the center section opposite from the first side. The first joint may be configured to provide for the first end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the first end section contacts the upper surface of center section. The second joint may be configured to provide for the second end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the second end section contacts the upper surface of center section.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a handle coupled to the first end section. The handle may include a handle band, a panel secured to the handle band, and releasable fasteners included in the panel and configured to releaseably secure a first portion of the panel to a second portion of the panel.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a strap secured between the center section and the second end section. The panel may be configured to engage the strap and retain the floating mattress in a folded configuration in which the second end section is disposed between the first end section and the center section.

In some embodiments, the compartment is at least partially filled with the buoyant material.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a floating mattress. The floating mattress comprises a plurality of sections having water impermeable upper surfaces, water impermeable lower surfaces, and water permeable side surfaces defining a compartment within each of the plurality of sections configured to retain a buoyant material therein and a joint between a pair of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections configured to provide for the adjacent sections to rotate relative to one another about an axis defined by a widthwise extent of the joint. The floating mattress may be configured to buoyantly support a human user in a body of water with at least a portion of the human user supported above a surface of the body of water.

In some embodiments, the floating mattress further comprises a mesh section defined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections and configured to provide for the passage of water into and out of the compartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the lower surfaces is formed of a different material than the upper surfaces. The material of the portion of the lower surfaces may be stronger and more resistant to mechanical damage than a material of the upper surfaces.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of sections has a different length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a floating mattress;

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a mesh section included in a portion of a side wall of an embodiment of a floating mattress;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view of the lower surface of the floating mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a first side view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a second side view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1 arranged in a first configuration;

FIG. 8 is a view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1 arranged in a second configuration;

FIG. 9 is a view of the floating mattress of FIG. 1 arranged in a third configuration;

FIG. 10 illustrates details of a handle of the floating mattress of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 11 illustrates the floating mattress of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

Embodiments of a floating mattress disclosed herein overcome various disadvantages of conventional inflatable floating mattresses. Rather than achieving buoyancy through inflation, embodiments of a floating mattress disclosed herein includes a plurality of chambers at least partially filled with a buoyant material, for example, a plurality of pieces or beads of a polymeric foam. Embodiments of the floating mattress are reconfigurable such that a user may be supported by the floating mattress in a plurality of different positions. Embodiments of the floating mattress include features for easily folding and transporting the floating mattress.

An embodiment of a floating mattress in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated in perspective view in FIG. 1, generally indicated at 100. The floating mattress 100 includes a plurality of connected sections 105, 110, and 115. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the floating mattress 100 includes three connected sections, however, in other embodiments, a floating mattress may have more than three sections, for example, four or five connected sections, or may include only two connected sections. The three sections 105, 110, 115 of the floating mattress 100 of FIG. 1 are illustrated as being connected in a linear manner, however, in other embodiments, a first section and a second section may be connected to a common third section at an angle relative to one another. For example, in some embodiments in addition to sections 105 and 115, additional sections may be connected to the sides of center section 110 to form, for example, arm rests or snack or beverage holders.

Each section 105, 110, 115 includes an upper surface 120 configured to support a human user while the floating mattress is positioned in a body of water so that at least a portion of the body of the human user is above the surface of the body of water. The upper surfaces 120 are formed from a compliant material which adapts to the shape of a body of a user supported on the floating mattress 100. The upper surfaces 120 may be formed from, for example, acrylic or polyester fabric, although embodiments of the floating mattress 100 are not limited to any particular materials of construction. In some embodiments, the material of the upper surfaces 120 is a strong, flexible, and waterproof material that is weather resistant and resistant to mildew and to damage by chlorine and ultraviolet light. The upper surfaces 120 of the floating mattress are, in some embodiments continuous or substantially continuous over the respective sections 105, 110, 115 so that water does not pass through the upper surfaces. In other embodiments, one or more of the upper surfaces 120 may include one or more portions formed in a mesh-like structure which allows the passage of water therethrough.

Each section 105, 110, 115 also includes a bottom surface 125 and side surfaces 130. The upper surface 120, bottom surface 125, and side surfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 define a compartment internal to each section. In some embodiments, the upper surface 120, bottom surface 125, and/or side surfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 may include multiple layers of material, for example, an inner layer of material defining the compartment internal to each section and an outer layer which protects the inner layer. The inner and outer layers may be formed from the same or different materials.

The compartment is, in use, at least partially filled with a buoyant material, for example, multiple pieces of polymeric foam, polymeric beads, hollow plastic spheres, or other buoyant material. In some embodiments, the buoyant material includes or consists of expanded virgin polystyrene beads 200 (visible behind mesh structure in FIG. 2). The beads 200 may be regular or irregularly shaped and may have diameters of, for example, between about 1 mm and about 10 mm, or between about 3 mm and about 5 mm, although embodiments of the floating mattress 100 are not limited to having beads 200 of any particular size or composition.

The side surfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 includes a mesh structure 135, shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. The mesh structure 135 includes a plurality of fibers 140 defining a plurality of apertures 145. The apertures 145 are sized to retain the buoyant beads 200 within the compartments within each section 105, 110, 115. For example, if the buoyant beads include polystyrene beads with diameters of about 5 mm, the apertures will have greatest widths that are less than about 5 mm across, for example, less than about 4 mm or less than about 3 mm across. The apertures 145 provide for water to enter and exit the compartments within each section 105, 110, 115.

The mesh structure 135 may be formed from a flexible mesh fabric material, for example, polyester. The material of the mesh structure 135 is desirably strong, flexible, and waterproof, and weather resistant and resistant to mildew and to damage by chlorine and ultraviolet light. The mesh structure may be formed from a same or a different material as the material of the upper surfaces 120 and/or lower surfaces 135 of the sections 105, 110, 115. The mesh structure 135 may occupy the entirety of the side surfaces 130 of each section 105, 110, 115 or, in other embodiments, may occupy only a fraction of the surface area of the side surfaces 130. The side surfaces 130 may include additional material, for example, a polyester or acrylic fabric surrounding the mesh structures 135. The mesh structures 135 may be joined to the additional material of the side surfaces 130 and/or directly to the upper surfaces 120 and/or bottom surfaces 125 of each section 105, 110, 115 by sewing, plastic welding, or any other method known in the art.

Returning to FIG. 1, the floating mattress 100 further includes a handle 150 connected to section 105 and a strap 155 connected to another portion of the floating mattress, for example, to an area between sections 110 and 115. The handle 150 and strap 155 may cooperate to facilitate handling and transport of the floating mattress 100 as is explained in further detail below. Each section 105, 110, 115 is connected to an adjoining section 105, 110, 115 by a joint 160. The joints 160 provide for adjacent sections 105, 110, 115 to rotate about a widthwise axis of the joints 160 relative to one another. In some embodiments, the joints 160 are formed from thinned portions of the sections 105, 110, 115. For example, the joints 160 may be formed by coupling upper surfaces 120 to lower surfaces 135 of the floating mattress 100 at the regions defining the joints by stitching, plastic welding, or other methods known in the art. In other embodiments, the joints 160 are formed from sheets of material bonded to a first section at a first end and a section adjacent to the first section at a second end. The sheets of material or thinned portions of the sections 105, 110, 115 forming the joints 160 may be continuous such that water does not pass through the joints 160, or may be formed from a mesh which is permeable to water. In other embodiments, the joints are formed from a plurality of strips of material extending from one section 105, 110, 115 to an adjacent section 105, 110, 115.

The floating mattress 100 is illustrated in plan view in FIG. 3. The floating mattress 100 is dimensioned to comfortably accommodate a supine human being 165. In some embodiments, the floating mattress 100 has a length L of about 72 inches (183 cm) and a width W of about 32 inches (81 cm), although embodiments of the floating mattress 100 are not limited to having any particular dimensions. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the different sections 105, 110, and 115 each have different lengths, L₁, L₂, and L₃, respectively and the same widths W. In other embodiments, two or all of the sections 105, 110, and 115 may have similar or the same lengths and widths and in some embodiments, the widths of one or more of the sections 105, 110, 115 may be different from one or more other of the sections 105, 110, 115. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 the joints 160 extend entirely across the widths of the sections 105, 110, 115, although in other embodiments, the joints 160 may extend only partially across the widths of the sections. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the strap 155 is bonded to the joint 160 between sections 110 and 115. The strap 155 may be bonded to the joint 160 by sewing, plastic welding, or other methods known in the art.

The bottom surface 125 of the floating mattress 100 is shown in the view of the underside of the floating mattress 100 illustrated in FIG. 4. The bottom surface 125 of the floating mattress 100 may include or be formed from a material 170 that is the same or different than a material of which the upper surface 120 is formed. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 125 of the floating mattress 100 includes or is formed from a material 170 that is thicker and/or stronger than a material of which the upper surface 120 is formed. The material 170 is, in some embodiments, less flexible than a material of which the upper surface 120 is formed, but tougher and more resistant to mechanical damage than the material of which the upper surface 120 is formed. For example, in some embodiments, a material of which the upper surface 120 is formed includes or consists of an acrylic fabric while the material 170 of the bottom surface includes or consists of a polyester fabric. In some embodiments, the material 170 covers the entirety of the bottom surface 125 of the floating mattress 100. In other embodiments, the material 170 covers only a portion of the bottom surface 125 of the floating mattress 100. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 the bottom surfaces of sections 105 and 115 are formed partially of the same material 175 as the upper surfaces of these sections and partially of the material 170. In other embodiments, the bottom surface(s) 125 of one or more of the sections 105, 110, 115 is formed entirely of one of materials 170, 175, while the bottom surface(s) 125 of one or more other of the sections 105, 110, 115 is formed entirely of the other of the materials 170, 175.

An embodiment of the floating mattress 100 is illustrated in side views in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mesh structures 135 may extend substantially along the entirety of the lengths of the side surfaces 130 of the sections 105, 110, 115. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the mesh structures 135 may be formed as a single structure in each of the side surfaces 130 of the sections 105, 110, 115, however, in other embodiments, one or more of the side surfaces 130 of one or more of the sections 105, 110, 115 may include multiple discrete mesh structures 135, for example, shaped as squares, circles, ovals, or any other desired shape and separated from one another by portions of the material of the side surfaces. Also illustrated in FIG. 5 is a zipper 180 located in the side surfaces 130 of each of the sections 105, 110, 115. Each of the sections 105, 110, 115 may include its own zipper 180. Each of the sections 105, 110, 115 may include more than one zipper 180 each. The zippers 180 may be used to access the compartments within each of the sections 105, 110, 115 to add, remove, or replace buoyant material within the compartments as desired. In some embodiments, the zippers 180 may be augmented with, or replaced by one or more other forms of sealing mechanisms, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, tie strings, or other fasteners known in the art. The zippers 180 are illustrated in FIG. 5 as being located at a border between the mesh structures 135 and other material of the side surfaces 130 of each of the sections 105, 110, 115. When located in the positions illustrated, the zippers 180 may be hidden from view by the mesh structures 135 and/or material of the side surfaces 130 of each of the sections 105, 110, 115. In other embodiments, the zippers 180 or other sealing mechanisms may be located in any convenient location on the sections 105, 110, 115.

In some embodiments, the zipper 180 on each of the sections 105, 110, 115 is installed into the adjoining seam between the mesh structure and the other material of the side surfaces 130 of each of the sections 105, 110, 115. After the chambers in the sections 105, 110, 115 are filled with the buoyant beads 200, zipper pulls on the zippers 180 may be removed by the manufacturer, so that the zippers 180 will remain permanently closed.

The sections 105, 110, 115 may have heights H of between about 2 inches (5 cm) to about 8 inches (20 cm) or from about 4 inches (10 cm) to about 6 inches (15 cm), and the mesh structures may have heights H′ (See FIG. 2) of between about 1 inch (2.5 cm) and about 6 inches (15 cm) or between about 2 inches (5 cm) and about 4 inches (10 cm). These dimensions, however, are simply exemplary and different embodiments may have different section and/or mesh structure heights. Further, the sections 105, 110, 115 and their associated mesh structures 135 may, in some embodiments, have substantially similar or identical section and/or mesh structure heights, while in other embodiments, one or more of the sections 105, 110, 115 may have different section and/or mesh structure heights than one or more other of the sections 105, 110, 115.

As shown in FIGS. 7-9, in some embodiments, the joints 160 are sufficiently flexible and of sufficient dimensions, for example, lengths, to provide for the floating mattress 100 to assume a variety of configurations. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates that the section 115 may be flipped over so that the upper surface 120 of section 115 lies on a portion of the upper surface 120 of section 110. In such a configuration, an axis defined by the lengthwise extent of the section 115 may be parallel or substantially parallel to an axis defined by a lengthwise extent of the section 110. In the configuration shown in FIG. 7 the human 165 may utilize the section 115 as a headrest while the remainder of the human's body is buoyantly supported in a body of water by the sections 110 and 105. In some embodiments, the section 115 may be retaining in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 by one or more releasable fasteners, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties, or other fasteners known in the art provided on surfaces of one or both of section 115 and section 110.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the section 105 may be flipped over so that the upper surface 120 of section 105 lies on a portion of the upper surface 120 of section 110. In such a configuration, an axis defined by the lengthwise extent of the section 105 may be parallel or substantially parallel to an axis defined by a lengthwise extent of the section 110. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8 the human 165 may utilize the section 105 as a leg or foot rest while the remainder of the human's body is buoyantly supported in a body of water by the sections 110 and 115. In some embodiments, the section 105 may be retaining in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 by one or more releasable fasteners, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties, or other fasteners known in the art provided on surfaces of one or both of section 115 and section 105.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further configuration of the floating mattress 100. In the configurations shown in FIG. 9 both the section 105 and the section 115 are flipped over so that the upper surfaces 120 of sections 105, 115 lie on portions of the upper surface 120 of section 110. In such a configuration, axes defined by the lengthwise extent of the sections 105, 115 may be parallel or substantially parallel to an axis defined by a lengthwise extent of the section 110. In the configuration shown in FIG. 9 the human 165 may utilize the floating cushion 100 as a floating seat. The human 165 may utilize the sections 105, 115 as arm rests while the human's body is buoyantly supported in a body of water by the section 110. In some embodiments, the sections 105, 115 may be retained in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 9 by one or more releasable fasteners, for example, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties, or other fasteners known in the art provided on surfaces of one or more of sections 105, 110, 115.

The handle 150 of the floating mattress may cooperate with the strap 155 to hold the floating mattress in a configuration which facilitates transport and storage. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the handle 150 may include a handle band 175 to which is secured a panel 180. The panel 180 may be secured to the band 175 by sewing, plastic welding, or other methods known in the art. The panel 180 includes a pair of complementary releasable fasteners 185a, 185b. The releasable fasteners 185a, 185b may include hook and loop fasteners, snaps, ties, or other fasteners known in the art. To facilitate transport and storage, the floating mattress 100 may be rolled into the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11 where section 115 is positioned between sections 110 and 115. The panel 180 may be secured about the strap 155 secured to the joint 160 between sections 110 and 115 by the fasteners 185a, 185b (not visible n FIG. 11) to retain the floating cushion 100 in the folded configuration illustrated in FIG. 11.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

1. A floating mattress comprising: a plurality of sections having upper surfaces, lower surfaces, and side surfaces defining a compartment within at least one of the plurality of sections configured to retain a buoyant material therein;a mesh section defined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections and configured to provide for the passage of water into and out of the compartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections; anda joint between a pair of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections configured to provide for the adjacent sections to rotate relative to one another about an axis defined by a widthwise extent of the joint,the floating mattress configured to buoyantly support a human user in a body of water with at least a portion of the human user supported above a surface of the body of water.
2. The floating mattress of claim 1, wherein the upper surfaces and lower surfaces of the plurality of sections are impermeable to the passage of water.
3. The floating mattress of claim 2, wherein the mesh section extends substantially along an entire length of the side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections.
4. The floating mattress of claim 2, wherein the joint is configured to provide for a first of the plurality of sections to rotate relative to a second of the plurality of sections into a position in which the upper surface of the first of the plurality of sections contacts the upper surface of the second of the plurality of sections.
5. The floating mattress of claim 4, comprising: a center section;a first end section coupled by a first joint to a first side of the center section; anda second end section coupled by a second joint to a second side of the center section opposite from the first side,the first joint configured to provide for the first end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the first end section contacts the upper surface of center section,the second joint configured to provide for the second end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the second end section contacts the upper surface of center section.
6. The floating mattress of claim 5, further comprising a handle coupled to the first end section.
7. The floating mattress of claim 6, wherein the handle includes: a handle band;a panel secured to the handle band; andreleasable fasteners included in the panel and configured to releaseably secure a first portion of the panel to a second portion of the panel.
8. The floating mattress of claim 7, further comprising a strap secured between the center section and the second end section.
9. The floating mattress of claim 8, wherein the panel is configured to engage the strap and retain the floating mattress in a folded configuration in which the second end section is disposed between the first end section and the center section.
10. The floating mattress of claim 1, wherein the compartment is at least partially filled with the buoyant material.
11. A floating mattress comprising: a plurality of sections having water impermeable upper surfaces, water impermeable lower surfaces, and water permeable side surfaces defining a compartment within each of the plurality of sections configured to retain a buoyant material therein; anda joint between a pair of adjacent sections of the plurality of sections configured to provide for the adjacent sections to rotate relative to one another about an axis defined by a widthwise extent of the joint,the floating mattress configured to buoyantly support a human user in a body of water with at least a portion of the human user supported above a surface of the body of water.
12. The floating mattress of claim 11, further comprising a mesh section defined in a side surface of at least one of the plurality of sections and configured to provide for the passage of water into and out of the compartment of the at least one of the plurality of sections.
13. The floating mattress of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the lower surfaces is formed of a different material than the upper surfaces.
14. The floating mattress of claim 13, wherein the material of the portion of the lower surfaces is stronger and more resistant to mechanical damage than a material of the upper surfaces.
15. The floating mattress of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of sections has a different length.
16. The floating mattress of claim 11, comprising: a center section;a first end section coupled by a first joint to a first side of the center section; anda second end section coupled by a second joint to a second side of the center section opposite from the first side,the first joint configured to provide for the first end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the first end section contacts the upper surface of center section,the second joint configured to provide for the second end section to rotate relative to the center section into a position in which the upper surface of the second end section contacts the upper surface of center section.
17. The floating mattress of claim 16, further comprising a handle coupled to the first end section.
18. The floating mattress of claim 17, wherein the handle includes: a handle band;a panel secured to the handle band; andreleasable fasteners included in the panel and configured to releaseably secure a first portion of the panel to a second portion of the panel.
19. The floating mattress of claim 18, further comprising a strap secured between the center section and the second end section.
20. The floating mattress of claim 19, wherein the panel is configured to engage the strap and retain the floating mattress in a folded configuration in which the second end section is disposed between the first end section and the center section.

FOLDABLE FLOATING MATTRESS

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Abstract

Description

Claims