Straddle-type pool float

An inflatable float for use in water by persons to float therein comprising a first and second air chambers each having a top and bottom side, a submerged air chamber interposed between the first and second air chambers forming a saddle capable of being straddled by a person, and a pair of support members connecting the submerged air chamber to the bottom sides of the first and second air chambers. The support members are connected to the bottom side of each of the first and second air chambers such that substantially the entire length of both bottom sides remain in floating contact with the surface of the water. The first and second air chambers may be shaped to form the head and tail of an animal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a float used in water and, more 
particularly, to an inflatable float to be straddled by a person while in 
water. 
2. Description of the Background Art 
Presently, most commercially available water floats are well known and are 
in wide use today throughout the water-related industry. Many of the known 
floats are inflatable and are designed to be placed around the waist or 
both upper arms of the swimmer. These types of floats are dependant upon 
the swimmers ability to remain within the circumference of the float. 
Often, a swimmer may slide through the float and into the water or the 
swimmer's arms may slip out of the their floats. Also, the use of these 
floats are often dependant upon their diameter as well as the size of the 
swimmer. Most currently available water floats are not suitable for the 
diversity in shapes and sizes of most swimmers. 
Moreover, common life vests that position around a swimmer's neck and then 
rest upon the swimmer's shoulders are well known. However, these life 
vests only keep the swimmer's head above water and require that the life 
vest be secured around the waist. This limits the visibility of the 
swimmer as well as restricts the swimmer's movements. 
Consequently, the swimmer's ability to remain within the float and the 
float's restrictive nature are key features in the design of water floats. 
In response to the realized inadequacies of these earlier water floats, it 
became clear that there is a need for a straddle-type water float that may 
be used by swimmers or bathers with many different body sizes. Currently 
available straddle-type floats comprise of two air chambers joined by a 
non-inflatable member in the center. However, these straddle-type floats 
are not well suited for use by a swimmer for long periods of time. These 
known straddle-type floats do not have an inflatable seat and, therefore, 
fail to continuously provide a stable means for a swimmer to straddle 
because the seat becomes folded between the swimmer's legs. 
A new device must also provide a means for floating a swimmer while 
maintaining the swimmer's visibility and movement. In as much as the art 
consists of various types of water floats, it can be appreciated that 
there is a continuing need for and interest in improvements to water 
floats, and in this respect, the present invention addresses these needs 
and interests. 
Therefore, the principal object of this invention is to provide an 
improvement which overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior 
art devices and provides an improvement which is a significant 
contribution to the advancement of the inflatable float art. 
Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved water 
float which has all the advantages and none of the disadvantages of the 
earlier water floats. 
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an 
inflatable float that incorporates an inflatable saddle such that the 
person straddles the seat and, therefore, may rest and recline. 
Another objective is to provide an inflatable float that incorporates an 
inflatable saddle that is substantially spread apart between the swimmer's 
legs. 
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an inflatable 
float that is lightweight and easily transported to other locations for 
use after deflating and folding up thereof. 
Still a further objective of the present invention is to provide an 
inflatable float where one size of float fits all swimmers and keeps them 
afloat. 
Yet a further objective is to provide an inflatable float that is more 
stable and allows the swimmer or bather to use less energy to keep afloat. 
An additional objective is to provide an inflatable float that maintains 
the swimmer's head and shoulder's above the water. 
Another objective is to provide an inflatable float that is easily 
manufactured and assembled. 
Even yet another objective is to provide an inflatable float that allows 
for greater movement by the swimmer while in the water. 
Still yet another objective is to provide an inflatable float where 
substantially the entire bottom surface of the float remains in contact 
with the surface of the water. 
A further objective is to provide an inflatable float for use in water by 
persons to float therein, the inflatable float comprising: a first and 
second means for flotation each having a top side and a bottom side; a 
submerged air chamber interposed between said first and second means for 
flotation and forming a saddle to be straddled by a person's legs, said 
saddle supporting the person when the person is seated within; and means 
for coupling said submerged air chamber to said first and second means for 
inflation, said means for coupling suspending said saddle in the water. 
The foregoing has outlined some of the pertinent objects of the invention. 
These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the 
more prominent features and applications of the intended invention. Many 
other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the disclosed 
invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the 
scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a more 
comprehensive understanding of the invention may be obtained by referring 
to the summary of the invention, and the detailed description of the 
preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention defined by 
the claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is defined by the appended claims with the specific 
embodiment shown in the attached drawings. The present invention is 
directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for a straddle-type water 
float that may be used by swimmers or bathers with many different body 
sizes. This device must also provide a means for floating a swimmer while 
maintaining the swimmer's visibility and movement. For the purpose of 
summarizing the invention, the invention comprises a first and second 
means for flotation each having a top and bottom side. Also, a submerged 
air chamber is interposed between the first and second means for 
floatation. This submerged air chamber is to form a saddle which is to be 
straddled by a person's legs. The saddle supports the swimmer or bather 
when the person is straddling the saddle while in the water. A means for 
coupling the submerged air chamber to the first and second means for 
flotation suspends the saddle in the water. 
In one embodiment, the first and second means for flotation form 
substantially the shape of an animal. For example, the first means for 
flotation forms a portion of an animal and the second means for flotation 
forms another portion of an animal. More particularly, the first means for 
flotation forms an alligator head and the second means for flotation forms 
an alligator tail. 
In one embodiment, the saddle of the present invention is substantially 
hourglass-shaped and comprises a center air chamber positioned 
substantially in the center of the submerged air chamber and a transverse 
pair of substantially crescent-shaped air chambers on opposite sides of 
the center air chamber. The center air chamber and transverse pair of 
crescent-shaped air chambers expand the saddle such that the saddle is 
spread apart between the person's legs. Also, the transverse pair of 
substantially crescent-shaped air chambers may extend onto the support 
members. During use, this saddle provides a stable seat for a swimmer and 
keeps the swimmer afloat. The swimmer straddles the submerged air chamber 
such that the saddle holds the person's shoulder's and head up and out of 
the water. The swimmer may then rest and recline or preserve energy 
otherwise utilized to keep afloat. Moreover, a straddle-type float allows 
the swimmer to be free of any other restraints or restriction upon the 
upper body. This allows the swimmer or bather to have freer movement and 
to float more comfortably. 
Alternatively, the saddle of the present invention is substantially 
hourglass-shaped and comprises a center air chamber positioned 
substantially in the center of the submerged air chamber and a 
longitudinal pair of end air chambers on opposite ends of the center air 
chamber. The center air chamber and the longitudinal pair of end air 
chambers expand the saddle such that the saddle is spread apart between 
the person's legs. This embodiment holds the swimmer up and out of the 
water while providing a stable seat for the swimmer to relax or rest in. 
In another embodiment, the means for coupling of the present invention 
comprises a pair of support members that have a first end and a second 
end. The first end of one of the support members is integrally connected 
to the first means for flotation and the first end of the other support 
member is integrally connected to the second means for flotation. Then, 
the second end of both support members is integrally connected to the 
submerged air chamber. One advantage this embodiment is its simple 
construction and relative ease in manufacturing. 
In another embodiment, the first and second means for flotation both have a 
circumferential edge. The means for coupling comprises a pair of support 
members where each have a first and second end. The second end of both 
support members is integrally connected to the submerged air chamber. One 
of the first ends of the pair of support members is connected to the first 
means for flotation. The other first end of the pair of support members is 
also connected to the second means for flotation. The first and second 
means for flotation are connected at a distance away from the 
circumferential edge of each means for flotation such that substantially 
the entire length of the bottom sides of the first and second means for 
flotation remain in floating contact with the water. 
In another version, the first and second means for flotation of the present 
invention further comprises rope eyelets attached to the bottom side of 
each means for flotation. Rope then attaches both means for flotation to 
the means for coupling by placing the rope through the rope eyelets 
attached to the bottom sides. In another embodiment of the invention, the 
means for coupling further comprises at least one hole positioned so as to 
facilitate free flow of water between the swimmer and the inflatable 
float. Also, in an alternative embodiment, at least one of the means for 
flotation includes at least one hand hold so that a swimmer may grasp the 
inflatable float during use in the water. 
Alternatively, the first and second means for flotation are first and 
second air chambers that are inflatable. The first and second air chambers 
as well as the submerged air chamber each may be in direct fluid 
communication with a valve means for selective inflation and deflation. 
Some of the advantages of any one of these embodiments, or any in 
combination, are that the inflatable float is lightweight and may be 
easily transported to other location for use after deflating and folding 
up and that may be straddled by a swimmer while in the water so that the 
swimmer may rest and conserve energy. Also, these embodiments have other 
advantages as previously identified. 
An important feature of the present invention is that the inflatable float 
maintains the swimmer's head and shoulders above the water in a stable 
manner and that the swimmer can not slip through the float. Another 
feature of some of the embodiments of the present invention is that while 
the swimmer is straddling the inflatable float, that both bottom sides of 
the first and second means for flotation remain entirely in floating 
contact with the surface of the water. Therefore, it can be readily seen 
that the present invention provides a means to sit on a water float in a 
straddled position in a stable manner while in the water. Thus, a 
straddle-type inflatable float would be greatly appreciated. 
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly, the more pertinent and important 
features of the present invention. The detailed description of the 
invention that follows is offered so that the present contribution to the 
art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention 
will be described hereinafter. These form the subject of the claims of the 
invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the 
conception and the disclosed specific embodiment may be readily utilized 
as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out 
the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by 
those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart 
from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended 
claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 
thereof, a new and improved inflatable float embodying the principles and 
concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the 
reference numerals 10 and 11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the 
inflatable float 10 comprises a first means for flotation 12 and a second 
means for flotation 14. Interposed between the first and second means for 
flotation 12 and 14 is a submerged air chamber 30 forming a saddle 30. The 
submerged air chamber 30 is coupled to the first and second means for 
flotation 12 and 14 by a means for coupling 20. The submerged air chamber 
30 may be in direct fluid communication with a valve means 58 for 
selective inflation and deflation thereof. 
In one version of the present invention, the first and second means for 
inflation 12 and 14 form substantially the shape of an animal. More 
particularly, the first means for inflation 12 forms substantially a 
portion of an animal and the second means for floatation forms 
substantially another portion of an animal. For example, the first means 
for floatation 12 may be shaped substantially in the form of an alligator 
head and the second means for flotation may be shaped substantially in the 
form of an alligator tail. 
In another version of the present invention, the saddle 30 is substantially 
hourglass-shaped and comprises a center air chamber 32 and a transverse 
pair of substantially crescent-shaped air chambers 38 on opposite sides of 
the center air chamber 32. The center air chamber 32 and transverse pair 
of substantially crescent-shaped air chambers 38 expand the saddle 30 so 
that the saddle 30 is spread apart between a swimmer's legs. Also, in a 
similar embodiment, the transverse pair of substantially crescent-shaped 
air chambers 38 extend onto the coupling means 20 to provide additional 
stability. This particular configuration of the saddle 30 is illustrated 
in FIG. 4 of the inflatable float 11. 
In an alternative version, the saddle 30 is substantially hourglass-shaped 
and comprises a center air chamber 32 positioned substantially in the 
center of the submerged air chamber 30 and a longitudinal pair of end air 
chambers 34. The longitudinal pair of end air chambers 34 are on opposite 
ends of the center air chamber 32. The center air chamber 32 and the 
longitudinal pair of end chambers 34 expand the saddle 30 so that the 
saddle 30 is spread apart between a swimmer's legs. This particular 
configuration of the saddle is illustrated in FIG. 3. 
In another version of the present invention, the means for coupling 20 
comprises a pair of support members 20 each having a first end 24 and a 
second end 26. The first end 24 of one of the pair of support members 20 
is integrally connected to the first means for flotation 12 and the first 
end 24 of the other of the pair of support members 20 is integrally 
connected to the second means for flotation 14. The second end 26 of each 
of the pair of support members 20 is also integrally connected to the 
submerged air chamber 30. One of the many advantages of this version of 
the invention is that this version is easily manufactured and easily 
assembled. 
Also, in another version, the first and second means for floatation 12 and 
14 each include a circumferential edge 19. The means for coupling 20 
comprises a pair of support members 20 each having a first end 24 and a 
second end 26. Both of the second ends 26 are integrally connected to the 
submerged air chamber 30. One of the first ends 24 of one of the pair of 
support members 20 is connected to the first means for floatation 12 and 
the other first end 24 of the pair of support members 20 is connected to 
the second means for floatation 14. Both first and second means for 
floatation 12 and 14 are connected at a distance away from the 
circumfrential edge 19 of each of the first and second means for 
floatation 12 and 14 such that the entire length of the bottom sides 15 
and 17 remain in floating contact with the water. 
This provides a more stable float than if the floatation means 12 and 14 
were connected on the ends of each which would put substantally all of the 
weight of the swimmer on the ends of the flotation means and, thus, cause 
one of the ends of the flotation means to be pulled underneath the surface 
of the water and the opposite end of the same flotation means to be raised 
into the air. One feature of the present invention, is that the weight of 
the swimmer is spread out over the length of the first and second means 
for flotation 12 and 14 and, therefore, provides a more stable inflatable 
float 11. In a variation of this latest version, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 
and 6, a pair of rope eyelets 50 are attached to the bottom sides 15 and 
17. A length of rope 52 is then threaded through each pair of rope eyelets 
50 to connect the pair of support members 20 to the first and second means 
for floatation 12 and 14. 
In another version of the present invention, the means for coupling 20 has 
at least one hole 33 positioned so as to facilitate the free flow of water 
between the swimmer and the means for coupling 20. Also, at least one of 
the means for floatation may include a hand hold 60 for the swimmer to 
grasp while straddling the inflatable float 11 while in the water as shown 
in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
In one version of the present invention, the first and second means for 
flotation 12 and 14 are first and second air chambers 12 and 14. The first 
and second air chambers 12 and 14 may be in direct communication with a 
valve means 58 for selective inflation and deflation. 
In the first preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the first 
and second means for flotation 12 and 14 comprises of first and second air 
chambers 12 and 14. The first air chamber 12 has a top side 16 and a 
bottom side 15. The second air chamber 14 has a top side 18 and a bottom 
side 17. The first embodiment, as shown in detail in FIG. 3, further 
comprises of the submerged air chamber 30 forming a saddle 30 that is 
substantailly hourglass-shaped and comprises a center air chamber 32 
positioned substantially in the center of the submerged air chamber 30 and 
a longitudinal pair of end air chambers 34. The longitudinal pair of end 
air chambers 34 are on opposite ends of the center air chamber 32. As 
illustrated in FIG. 3, the center air chamber 32 may comprise of a 
pluality of segmented air chambers capable of being inflated to make up 
the center air chamber 32 itself as well as the form of the saddle 30. 
The coupling means in the first preferred embodiment of the present 
invention comprises of first and second support members 20 each having a 
first end 24 and a second end 26. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end 
24 of one of the pair of support members 20 is intregally connected to the 
first air chamber 12 and the first end 24 of the other support member 20 
is intregally connected to the second air chamber 14. The second end 26 of 
both of the pair of support members 20 is intregally connected to the 
submerged air chamber 30. 
In the first preferred embodiment, each of the pair of support members 20 
has a plurality of holes 33 through each of the pair of support members 
20. Also, in the first preferred embodiment the first and second air 
chambers 12 and 14, as well as the submerged air chamber 30, each are in 
direct fluid communication with a valve means 58 for selective inflation 
and deflation thereof. 
While a person is straddling the inflatable float 10, where one of the 
person's legs is positioned on opposite sides of the submerged air chamber 
30, the center air chamber 32 and the longitudinal pair of end air 
chambers 34 expand the saddle 30 between the person's legs. The saddle 30 
supports the person while the person is in the water and seated upon the 
inflatable float 10. 
In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention of the 
inflatable float 11, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the present invention 
comprises of the first and second air chambers 12 and 14, the submerged 
air chamber 30, and the pair of support members 20. The first air chamber 
12 substantially forms an alligator head and the second air chamber 14 
substantially forms an alligator tail. The first air chamber 12 includes 
two hand holds 60 in order for a swimmer to grasp the inflatable float 11 
while in the water. The first air chamber 12 has a bottom side 15 and a 
top side 16. The second air chamber 14 has a bottom side 17 and a top side 
18. Also, each of the first and second air chambers 12 and 14 have a 
circumferential edge 19 on each said bottom side 15 and 16. Each bottom 
side 15 and 17 further include a pair of rope eyelets 50 attached to each 
bottom side 15 and 17. 
The submerged air chamber 30 of the second preferred embodiment forms an 
hourglass-shaped saddle 30 to be straddled by a person's legs and 
comprises a center air chamber 32 positioned substantially in the center 
of the submerged air chamber 30 and a transverse pair of substantially 
crescent-shaped air chambers 38 on opposite sides of the center air 
chamber 32. The transverse pair of substantially crescent-shaped air 
chambers 38 extend on to the pair of support members 20. As illustrated in 
FIG. 4, the center air chamber 32 may comprise of a plurality of segmented 
air chambers capable of being inflated to make up the center air chamber 
32 itself as well as the form of the saddle 30. The center air chamber 32 
and the transverse pair of crescent-shaped air chambers 38 expand the 
saddle 30 between the swimmer's legs so that the stability of the 
inflatable float 11 is maintained. 
The second end 26 of the pair of support members 20 are integrally 
connected to the submerged air chamber 30. The first end 24 of one of the 
pair of support members 20 is connected by rope 52 to the first air 
chamber 12. A length of rope 52 is threaded through each pair of rope 
eyelets 50 on the bottom side 15. Each length of rope 52 is then treaded 
through an eyelet on the first end 24 of one of the pair of support 
members 20. The first end 24 of the other of the pair of support members 
20 is also connected by rope 52 to the second air chamber 14. A length of 
rope 52 is threaded through each pair of rope eyelets 50 on the bottom 
side 17. Each length of rope 52 is then threaded through an eyelet on the 
first end of the other of the pair of support members 20. 
An important feature of the second preferred embodiment of the present 
invention is that the pair of rope eyelets 50 are positioned upon the each 
of the bottom sides 15 and 17 at a distance away from the circumferential 
edge 19 on each bottom side 15 and 17 so that substantially the entire 
length of the bottom sides 15 and 17 remain in floating contact with the 
water. This configuration is illustrated in FIG. 6. Thus, the saddle 30 is 
suspended between the first and second air chambers 12 and 14 and supports 
the person while the person is seated upon the inflatable float 11 in the 
water. Therefore, more of the first and second air chambers 12 and 14 
remains in contact with the surface of the water and provides a more 
stable inflatable float 11 for a swimmer to rest upon. 
The previously described embodiments of the present invention have many 
advantages including eliminating any restrictions upon the upper body in 
order to use the inflatable float 10 or 11 as well as maintaining the 
swimmer's head and shoulders above the surface of the water such that the 
swimmer has increased movement and visibility. 
The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as 
well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has 
been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of 
particularity, it should be understood that the present disclosure of the 
preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous 
changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement 
of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the invention.