FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to recreational flotation devices, and particularly to inflatable recreational flotation devices.
BACKGROUND
Recreational flotation devices are among the most popular beach and pool recreational devices. Improvements to these devices are generally desired.
SUMMARY
A recreational flotation device is generally described according to one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, the recreational flotation device comprises an inflatable member having a polygonal shape and surrounding and defining an inner region. The inflatable member may comprise a plurality of inflatable portions. Each of the inflatable portions may correspond to a side of the polygonal shape. The plurality of inflatable portions may include first and second inflatable portions positioned substantially opposite to each other and configured such that, when fully inflated, the first inflatable portion has a greater volume than the second inflatable portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a drawing of a bottom view of a recreational flotation device, according to one or more embodiments;
FIG. 2 is a drawing of a side view of a recreational flotation device, according to one or more embodiments;
FIG. 3 is a drawing of a bottom view of a recreational flotation device, according to one or more embodiments;
FIG. 4 is a drawing of a side view of a recreational flotation device, according to one or more embodiments;
FIG. 5 is a drawing of a top view of a recreational flotation device, according to one or more embodiments;
FIG. 6A is a drawing of a side view of a recreational flotation device, according to one or more embodiment, while being used in a sit-up mode; and
FIG. 6B is a drawing of a side view of a recreational flotation device, according to one or more embodiment, while being used in a lay-down mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of a recreational flotation device 1 in a fully inflated state, according to one or more embodiments. The device 1 comprises an inflatable member 10 having a polygonal shape (e.g., a hexagon). The inflatable member 10 surrounds and defines an inner region 15. The inflatable member 10 comprises a plurality of inflatable portions 11a-11f. Each of the inflatable portions 11a-11f corresponds to a side of the polygonal shape (in the illustrated embodiment, a hexagon). Among the inflatable portions 11a-11f are a first inflatable portion 11a and a second inflatable portion 11d that are positioned substantially opposite to each other. As used herein, the phrase “substantially opposite” refers to sides that are directly opposite to each other, in the case of a shape having an even number of sides. In the case of a polygon having an odd number of sides, the phrase “substantially opposite” refers to either of the two sides nearest to being opposite of the given side. In their fully inflated states, the first inflatable portion 11a has a greater volume than the second inflatable portion 11d, as indicated by the width 12a of the first inflatable portion 11a being greater than the width 12d of the second inflatable portion 12d.
The difference in size between the first inflatable portion 11a and the second, opposite inflatable portion 11d is further indicated in FIG. 2, which shows a side view of the recreational flotation device 1. As can be seen from this side view, the height 13a of the first inflatable portion 11a is greater than the height 13d of the second inflatable portion 11d. FIG. 2 also shows that the height of the inflatable member 10 tapers downwardly from the first inflatable portion 11a toward the opposite, second inflatable portion 11d, according to one or more embodiments.
The extent of tapering is reflected in the difference between the heights and volumes of the first and second portions. In some embodiments, the height of the second inflatable portion is between 20% and 90% of the height of the opposite, first inflatable portion, when fully inflated. In some embodiments the height of the second inflatable portion is between 50% and 75% of the height of the opposite, first inflatable portion, when fully inflated.
In some embodiments, each of the inflatable portions 11a-11f of the inflatable member 10 are in fluid communication with each other. In such embodiments, the inflatable member 10 has only one inflation valve 17, as shown in FIG. 3.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, the device 2 further comprises a support member 18 positioned within the inner region 15 and attached to the inflatable member 10. The support member 18 may comprise a mesh layer. The device 2 further comprises a reinforcement layer 19 made from a suitable material. The support member 18 is attached to the inflatable member 10 along an entire perimeter of the inner region 15. The device 2 further comprises a pair of handles 20 positioned on the inflatable member 10 for a user to hold onto. The inflatable member 10 may be made from a suitable material such as PVC. As one example of potential dimensions for the floatation device 2, according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, the width 12a and height 13a of a first inflatable portion 11a is 4.5 inches. The width 12d and height 13d of a second, opposite, inflatable portion 11d is 2.75 inches. The width where additional portions 11b and 11c, or 11e and 11f, abut is 4 inches. The entire length from a far end of the first inflatable portion 11a to a far end of the second inflatable portion 11d is 37 inches. The entire width as measured from where a far end of portions 11e and 11f meet and where a far end of portions 11b and 11c meet is 39 inches. These dimensions are by way of illustration and only may be adjusted, as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art, and still fall within the scope of the disclosed invention.
Providing opposite inflatable portions of different sizes alters the relative buoyancy of the sides of the inflatable member 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, because the second inflatable portion 11d has a smaller volume and thus is filled with less air than the first inflatable portion 11a, it is more disposed or biased toward submersion in water 25 than the first inflatable portion, when a user is positioned on the support member 18. As a result, a user, may easily place himself into a seated position when on the support member 18 of the device 2 with his head or back resting on or near the first inflatable portion 11a and his legs on or near the second portion 11d, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, also referred to as a “sit-up mode.” As used herein, the term “seated position” refers to a position in which a user is supported by the flotation device, and the bottom side of the inflatable member 10 forms an angle (shown as angle 22 in FIG. 6A) with the water surface 25 of from 30 degrees to 90 degrees. A user may also operate the flotation device 2 in a “lay-down mode,” as illustrated in FIG. 6B, in which the bottom side of the inflatable member 10 of the device 2 is in line with, or parallel to, the water line 25.
In some embodiments, the polygonal shape is a regular-polygonal shape. As used herein, the term “regular polygon” refers to a polygon that is substantially equiangular (all interior angles are within 10% of the largest interior angle) and substantially equilateral (all sides are within 10% in length of the longest side, as measured from an interior edge). While the embodiments shown have a hexagonal shape, other shapes are possible.
From the description of at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, various alternations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting.
Patent Grant
10029767
