POOL NOODLE CONNECTOR

Abstract

A pool noodle connector includes a central web which has living hinges at each edge to which extending legs are formed. Pool noodles may be attached by inserting a leg within an opening in each noodle used. The living hinges allow one or more legs to be folded back to change the possible configurations available and to provide a more rigid joint, as desired.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toys for children and adults, and more particularly for a device for forming interlocked structures of the elongated cylindrical foam materials used as water toys, and frequently referred to as foam pool noodles.

Pool noodles are foam tubes which float in the water and are used for recreation in and out of the water. Foam pool noodles typically have a hollow core. In Leemon, U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,677 a building kit is shown to connect foam tubes together to make play structures. In Samlaska, U.S. Pat. No. 9,272,226 a constructible water toy is shown with connectors and large links to interconnect noodles.

The art described in this section is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention, unless specifically designated as such. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a) exists.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a unique connector for connecting foam pool noodles together to enable an individual to combine a plurality of foam pool noodles into a structure of a desired shape. A single connector may be manipulated into a 4-way connector, a 3-way “T” connector, a 2-way corner connector or a straight connector as desired by an individual. The connector may be formed of a plastic, typically polypropylene material having a square central web to which living hinges are disposed at up to all 4 sides, which in some embodiments form up to 4 legs. Each leg may have simple bar-like projections which facilitate the retention of a leg of the connector for retention within the interior of a pool noodle. The projections deter separation of the leg of the connector from the pool noodle following insertion therein.

The living hinge may be formed by simply compressing the plastic at a desired location proximate to the central web establishing a joint/hinge which has a reduced thickness dimension. The joint/hinge is flexible to bend back and forth. Once a leg is folded over upon another portion of the connector, the manipulated leg reinforces the opposing leg by covering the bendable joint of the opposing leg, therefore strengthening it. Legs which are not folded may articulate in a desired direction relative to the central web. In some embodiments the non-folded legs may be articulated to a position all the way back against the central web.

In some embodiments, two connectors may also be joined together to form an eight way connector. A hole in the center/hub of the connector allows for a fastening method such as a bolt or rivet. This singular mounting point allows each connector to rotate individually relative to each other. Also two connectors may be inserted into the end and central hollow area in the same pool noodle.

The foam pool noodle has an elongate hole extending through the center of the pool noodle. One or more legs of the connector may slide into the hole. The connectors combined with the pool noodles allow structures to be formed. These structures can be used indoors, outdoors, or within water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the connector;

FIG. 3 is a top view showing one leg folded back forming a 3-way Tee connector;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing two legs folded back to form a corner connector;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing four legs folded to form a straight connector;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing connector legs inserted into a pool noodle;

FIG. 7 is an end view of a pool noodle with a leg inserted into the pool noodle;

FIG. 8 is a view of a connector connected to two pool noodles;

FIG. 9 is a view showing two connectors affixed together through a central web opening;

FIGS. 10 shows a structure which may be formed the connectors of the invention.

FIGS. 11 shows a structure which may be formed the connectors of the invention.

FIGS. 12 shows a structure which may be formed the connectors of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a connector 10 which includes a central web 12 having four edges. Each respective edge includes a first living hinge 14, a second living hinge 16, a third living hinge 18 and a fourth the hinge 20. Attached to and extending from the living hinges are legs 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d. One or more of the legs 22a-d are designed to be inserted and secured within an opening 32 of a pool noodle 30 as best shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. The legs 22a-d may be sized to friction fit in the opening 32 of a pool noodle and may include projections 24 which may be in the form of barbs or other projections which would tend to dig into the interior of the opening 32 in the pool noodle 30 material to increase the holding force. The connector 10 and legs 22a-d are releasably engaged to a pool noodle 30. In some embodiments, the projections 24 include a ramp surface 34 and a vertical grasping surface 42. The ramp surface 34 facilitates insertion of a leg 22a-d, and the grasping surface 42 deters the outward separation of the legs 22a-d, from the interior of the pool noodle 30, once the legs 22a-d are inserted within the opening 32.

FIG. 2 shows the connector 10 with four legs 22a-d. The connector 10 of FIG. 2 may have one leg 22a folded back against itself represented by arrow 38, through the use of the living hinge 14, as shown in FIG. 3, to effectively become a 3-way “T” connector capable of being simultaneously secured to three separate pool noodles 30. Two legs 22a and 22b may be folded as represented by arrows 38 and 40 through the use of living hinges 14 and 16 as shown in FIG. 4, to make a corner connector 10 in which two pool noodles 30 may be secured.

In some embodiments the thickness of the connector 10 proximate to the living hinges 14-20 allows more than one leg 22a-d to be inserted within an opening 32 in a pool noodle 30.

As may be seen in FIG. 5 a first leg 22a may be folded upwardly via the living hinge 14 and a third leg 22c may be folded upwardly via living hinge 18 to be substantially parallel to the first leg 22a. The first and third legs 22a and 22c may then be inserted into a single opening 32 of a pool noodle 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, the legs 22a-d may be folded to provide a straight connector 10 in which two pool noodles 30 are secured longitudinally. This configuration may also occur when the second leg 22b is folded rearwardly via the living hinge 16 and the fourth 22d is folded rearwardly via the living hinge 20 to be substantially parallel to the second leg 22b. The second and fourth legs 22b and 22d may then be inserted into a second opening 32 in a second pool noodle 30 as longitudinally aligned to the first pool noodle 30.

In this manner, the attachment is quite rigid since the living hinges 14-20 do not provide much flex once they are disposed in a folded configuration. Also, when one leg is folded onto another leg as in FIG. 4, it forms a much more rigid joint which may be desired for some constructions/configurations of pool noodles 30.

FIG. 6 shows a connector 10 in a 3-way configuration being inserted into an opening 32 in a pool noodle 30. In the configuration of the connector 10 in FIG. 6 the second leg 22b is folded by the living hinge 16 towards and over the central web 12, and a portion of the fourth leg 22d. The second leg 22b and fourth leg 22d may then be inserted into the opening 32 of a pool noodle 30 as a 3-way “T” connector.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the first leg 22a is folded over central web 12 and partially over third leg 22c via the living hinge 14. The second leg 22b is folded over a portion of the first leg 22a, the central web 12, and a portion of the fourth leg 22d to form an “L” shaped corner connector 10. (Please also see FIG. 8)

The remaining legs 22a and 22c may then be secured into two additional pool noodles 30. FIG. 7 shows an end view of a pool noodle 30 with a connector leg 22a-d inserted within opening 32. FIG. 8 shows the connector 10 of FIG. 4 in a corner configuration attached to two pool noodles 30.

In the figures, optional openings 36 may be formed in the legs 22a-d which would decrease the amount of plastic used as well as to reduce weight of the connector 10. A central opening 44 may be formed within central web 12 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9. Opening 44 may be used to join one connector 10 to a second or subsequent connector 10 by a rivet, bolt or even string to interconnect the connectors 10 to each other, forming an 8 legged connector 10. In some embodiments any number of legs may be used in the formation of a connector 10 and the number of legs identified herein has been provided for purposes of illustration of the numerous alternative configurations for the connectors 10.

FIGS. 10-12 show some of the structures which may be formed from pool noodles 30 and connectors 10 of the invention. It should be noted that an almost infinite number of configurations of pool noodles 30 may be formed through the use of a plurality of connectors 10.

In one embodiment, polypropylene may be used to form the connector 10. Other alternative materials may be used provided the same provide a suitable living hinge 14-20. In some embodiments, the connectors 10 may be molded in a single step with compression on each corner of central web 12, to thin out the plastic to form a living hinge 14-20.

Although the central web 12 of the connector 10 is shown in each of the figures with all four possible legs, the connectors may be formed with fewer than four legs, or the legs may be removed by being cut off as desired. It is also noted that the central web 12 may have only three edges and at least two living hinges. It is possible to have a central web 12 with more than four edges and living hinges although interference with adjacent pool noodles may be an issue as the number increases.

In a first embodiment a connector for pool noodles comprises a central web having at least three edges and at least two of the edges including a living hinge and a leg extending from the living hinges.

In a second embodiment according to the first embodiment, the central web has four edges and four living hinges, each of the living hinges having a leg extending therefrom.

In a third embodiment according to the second embodiment, each of the legs comprises a plurality of grasping members.

In a fourth embodiment according to the third embodiment, the legs have a first position and a second position, at least one of the legs extending outwardly from the central web in the first position and at least one of the legs being disposed over the central web and at least partially over another of the legs in the second position.

In a fifth embodiment according to the fourth embodiment, at least one of the legs is in the second position and the connector is “T” shaped.

In a sixth embodiment according to the fifth embodiment, at least one of the legs is manipulated from the first position to the second position about the living hinge.

In a seventh embodiment according to the sixth embodiment, at least one of the legs having a first position and a second position, at least one of the legs extending outwardly from the central web in the first position and at least one of the legs extending perpendicularly outward from the central web in the second position.

In a eightieth embodiment according to the seventh embodiment, two legs extend perpendicularly outward from said central web in a first direction.

In a ninth embodiment according to the eightieth embodiment, two legs extend perpendicularly outward from said central web in a second direction.

In a tenth embodiment according to the ninth embodiment, the first direction is offset from the second direction by 180 degrees.

In an eleventh embodiment according to the tenth embodiment, the first direction is offset from said second direction by 90 degrees.

In a twelfth embodiment according to the third embodiment, the connector further comprises a first leg, a second leg, a third leg and a fourth leg, wherein the first leg has a first position and a second position, the first leg extending outwardly from the central web in the first position and the first leg being disposed over the central web and at least partially over the third leg in the second position.

In a thirteenth embodiment according to the twelfth embodiment, the second leg has an extended position and a folded position, the second leg extending outwardly from the central web in the extended position and the second leg being disposed partially over the first leg, the central web and at least partially over the fourth leg in the folded position.

In a fourteenth embodiment according to the thirteenth embodiment, the legs are folded to form the connector in the shape of an “L”.

In a fifteenth embodiment according to the third embodiment, the connector further comprises a second connector engaged to the central web of the connector.

In a sixteenth embodiment according to the fifteenth embodiment, the second connector is rotatably engaged to the central web of the connector.

In a seventeenth embodiment according to the sixteenth embodiment, the second connector is offset from the connector by 90 degrees.

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.

Claims

1. A connector for pool noodles said connector comprising: a) a central web having at least three edges; andb) at least two of said edges including a living hinge and a leg extending from said living hinges.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said central web has four edges and four living hinges, each of said living hinges having a leg extending therefrom.

3. The connector of claim 2, each of said legs comprising a plurality of grasping members.

4. The connector of claim 3, wherein said leg has a first position and a second position, said leg extending outwardly from said central web in said first position and said leg being disposed over said central web and at least partially over another of said legs in said second position.

5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said legs is in said second position further wherein said connector is “T” shaped.

6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein at least one of said legs is manipulated from said first position to said second position about said living hinge.

7. The connector according to claim 3, wherein said legs have a first position and a second position, said legs extending outwardly from said central web in said first position and said legs extending perpendicularly outward from said central web in said second position.

8. The connector according to claim 7, wherein two legs extend perpendicularly outward from said central web in a first direction.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein two legs extend perpendicularly outward from said central web in a second direction.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein said first direction is offset from said second direction by 180 degrees.

11. The connector according to claim 9, wherein said first direction is offset from said second direction by 90 degrees.

12. The connector of claim 3, comprising a first leg, a second leg, a third leg and a fourth leg, wherein said first leg has a first position and a second position, said first leg extending outwardly from said central web in said first position and said first leg being disposed over said central web and at least partially over said third leg in said second position.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein said second leg has an extended position and a folded position, said second leg extending outwardly from said central web in said extended position and said second leg being disposed partially over said first leg, said central web and at least partially over said fourth leg in said folded position.

14. The connector according to claim 13, wherein said legs are formed in the shape of an “L”.

15. The connector of claim 3, further comprising a second connector engaged to said central web of said connector.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein said second connector is rotatably engaged to said central web of said connector.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein said second connector is offset from said connector by 90 degrees.