Flotation device utilizing cylindrical foam tubes

A flotation device that converts an existing flexible round foam flotation piece into a flotation aid for recreational and/or exercise purposes. The flotation device is water resistant, lightweight, flexible and easy to carry and store. The round flotation piece, commonly known as a noodle, is inserted through a sleeve in the flotation device wherein the floating seat then takes shape. Due to the flexible characteristics of the invention, a wide range of body shapes and sizes provide a comfortable and stable flotation aid that allows the user to remain mostly submerged in the water with unrestricted movement of the arms and legs. In addition to a floating chair, other configurations utilizing the round flotation piece are possible by utilizing a reconfigured attachment device. For example, a flotation device can be made to form a floating raft by using a plurality of sleeves to mate with three round flotation pieces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to water flotation devices designed to support a 
human for recreational and/or exercise purposes. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
There are several types of flotation devices for the pool and other various 
types of bodies of water. These devices typically include floating chairs, 
inflatable rafts, inner-tubes and large rigid foam pieces. 
These flotation devices are cumbersome, rigid and limit one's movement in 
the water. For instance, devices requiring inflation necessitate the need 
for either an external air pump or a person to manually inflate the device 
with air from their lungs. This proves to be cumbersome and in the latter 
case, exhausting. Once the device is inflated, pin hole leaks can develop 
which allow air to escape causing them to deflate and gradually become 
less effective in their continued use, at which point the flotation device 
must either be re-inflated or the hole must be patched. Other drawbacks to 
existing flotation devices are that they hold the majority of one's body 
above the surface of the water which reduces the effect of the water on 
the body. This would allow one's body to become very hot while also 
greatly reducing the movement of the body for propulsion and/or exercise 
purposes. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,561, issued to Langenohl on May 28, 1996, discloses 
making a pool float from a generally rectangular sheet of netting which is 
deformed to form sleeve segments in which a foam tube can be inserted. The 
shape of the flotation device that is obtained is limited. 
Swim Ways Corp. of Virginia Beach, Va. markets a chair-like flotation 
device known as the FANNY FLOATER. In this design, permanently U-shaped 
foam block having a rectangular-shaped cross-section is fitted with three 
indentations which serve to hold in position three sleeves that are 
positioned around the foam block. A seat is provided by having a section 
of material extend from the left arm to the right arm and one section from 
the rear of the U-shaped block extending forward, thus forming a T-shaped 
seat. This design is limited to this particular shape. Further, the foam 
block is permanently shaped so that the device cannot be stored easily. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,036, issued to Hannigan on Nov. 5, 1996, discloses a 
flexible tube floating sling. In this design, a very long single foam tube 
is folded about itself in a U-shape and inserted in a pair of sleeves that 
support a sling-like structure. Again, this method of manufacture limits 
the shape that can be obtained. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,527, issued to Schober on May 3, 1994, discloses a pool 
chair adapted to be partially submerged in a swimming pool. The chair is 
designed to rest along the perimeter of the pool so that it is held in an 
upright, stationary position in order to allow a user to sit on the seat 
with the user's lower torso and legs submerged in the water while the 
user's head is above the water. Not withstanding the fact that the pool 
chair overcomes the limitation of holding the majority of one's body above 
the surface of the water, nonetheless, it is accomplished with a 
cumbersome and rigid construction which limits one's mobility throughout 
the pool due to the chair's dependency on the edge of the pool. 
With respect to inner-tube type recreational devices, U.S. Pat. No. 
5,295,885, issued to Karl on Mar. 22, 1994, discloses an 
attachable/detachable hammock-like seat designed to engage the central 
opening of the inner-tube to support users as they sit across the 
inner-tube's central opening. A user's head, arms and shoulders are over 
one end of the tube, with the feet over the other end. Unlike the Schober 
patent, this invention holds the majority of one's body above the surface 
of the water. In addition, the inflatable inner-tube device is subject to 
pin hole leaks which would allow air to escape, thus presenting a problem 
to the user; either re-inflate the inner-tube or patch the hole for 
continued use. 
It would be an improvement on the current art to create a flotation device 
that is not cumbersome, rigid or limits one's movement in the water while 
holding the majority of one's body below the surface of the water. A 
benefit of holding one's body below the surface of the water would be to 
increase the effect of the water on the body such as preventing one's body 
from becoming very hot and to also increase the movement of the body for 
propulsion and/or exercise purposes. A device that overcomes the 
shortcomings as just described for a flotation device is not disclosed in 
the prior art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device to form a 
floating seat that is adaptable to a cylindrical foam water flotation toy 
that can be easily inserted for use and that can be easily removed for 
storage. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device to form 
a floating seat that overcomes the problem of air leaks. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that 
can utilize readily available ETHAFOAM or similar closed cell cylindrical 
foam flotation materials such as products sold under the trademark WATER 
NOODLE. 
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a flotation device that can 
utilize the commercially available WATER NOODLE or similar products and 
incorporate them into the flotation device without requiring cutting or 
otherwise altering the WATER NOODLE. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device such as 
a seat or raft that is flexible to accommodate a wide variety of body 
shapes and sizes. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that 
forms a floating seat which provides the user with a range of body 
positions from sitting upright to supine. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that 
forms a floating seat that allows unrestricted use of a user's arms and 
legs for propulsion and exercise purposes. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that 
forms a floating seat that allows the user's body to float while being 
mostly submerged in the water, thereby obtaining an even greater cooling 
effect on the user. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that 
forms a floating seat having excellent stability to accommodate user 
comfort. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that 
can be mass produced using readily available material. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that is 
durable and long lasting. 
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a floatation device that is 
very easy to get into and out of. 
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device 
that can be easily stored compact yet readied for use without the need for 
filling the device with air. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that is 
inexpensive to produce. 
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that is 
lightweight yet sturdy. 
It is a final aspect of the invention to provide a flotation device that is 
inherently buoyant due to the insertion of one or more cylindrical tubes 
of a closed cell foam. 
The invention is a flotation apparatus. At least one cylindrical foam tube 
is positioned within a sleeve that is attached to a flexible fabric having 
a predetermined shape so that once said foam tube has been inserted into 
said sleeve, the shape of a flotation aid is obtained. The flexible fabric 
can be fashioned in a wide variety of shapes such as a chair or a raft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Recently, a new water toy has found its ways to beaches and swimming pools 
that even adults found fun to use. The WATER NOODLE and its progeny is a 
foam cylindrical tube, approximately 25/8 inches in diameter and about 64 
inches long, that is used to provide a swimmer with positive flotation. 
Most of the products are made from ETHAFOAM, the closed cell foam 
manufactured by Dow Chemical, or other closed cell foam that can provide 
positive flotation and withstand the rigors of children using it as a toy. 
It was recognized by the inventor that this device could be used for the 
construction of commonly used water flotation devices such as a chair or a 
raft. By enabling the use of foam tubes to provide buoyancy, the resulting 
structures were immune from the effects of pin-hole punctures. Given the 
inherent durability of ETHAFOAM, only severe punishment might result in 
some of the foam material tearing loose. In fact, this type of foam is 
approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for use in life vests due to excellent 
buoyancy and durability properties. 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the flotation 
device 10 fitted with a single foam tube 20 to form a floating seat. Other 
configurations of device 10 are addressed below. Furthermore, other 
conceivable variations not included in this specification using in 
combination a reconfigured flotation device 10 and one or more foam tubes 
20 are within the scope of the invention. 
Flotation device 10 is preferably made out of a water resistant mesh 
material that is lightweight while allowing for flexibility and strength. 
A polyester mesh material is preferable because of its availability, cost 
and resistance to UV light and pool chemicals. A close hole pattern of 
about 1/8 inches is preferred to avoid accidental catching of bathing suit 
buttons, fingers, etc. However, other materials such as canvas or nylon, 
that can be easily fabricated into shapes disclosed herein and are 
suitable for use in marine environments would be acceptable. 
Foam tube 20 is inserted into preformed sleeve 12 through opening 90. 
Sleeve 12 is sized to allow easy insertion of piece 20 which is to be 
inserted until both ends 21 are extending out from opening 90 at 
approximately equal distances while forming a general U-shape. Under 
sizing the length of sleeve 12 compared to tube 20 also accounts for 
variations in length of tube 20 that may occur from brand to brand. The 
dimensions of sleeve 12 are not critical but should be sized so that tube 
20 can be easily inserted and removed, even when device 10 is wet. The 
preferred diameter of sleeve 12 is approximately 3 inches with the total 
length less that the usual length of a typical tube 20 such that several 
inches of tube 20 extend equidistantly on either side of device 10. 
Seat bottom 14 prevents spreading of floatation device 10 by holding sleeve 
12 in a U-shaped pattern, which in turn holds flotation device 10 in the 
same U-shaped pattern because of its general U-shape configuration. Once 
the chair is formed and placed in the water, the user can then sit in 
device 10 as if it were a chair as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In addition to 
using the device in an upright position, the user may also lay on the top 
of invention 10 in a supine position and still be supported as shown in 
FIG. 7. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 again, while in an upright position, 
the user has unrestricted use of arms and legs for propulsion and/or 
exercise purposes because device 10 allows the user's body to float while 
being mostly submerged in the water. 
FIG. 2 is a side view of the flotation device 10 fitted with foam tube 20 
to form a floating seat. With respect to sides 16 of seat back 64 (shown 
in FIG. 1), the depth of edge 22 in relation to edge 42 is selected so 
that the user's knees are slightly above the buttocks when positioned in 
the water. This position allows the user's body to bend in its natural 
places providing comfort while also placing the body's center of gravity 
in a desirable location for stability. Edge 24 represents where side 16 
and seat bottom 14 are joined together. The length of edge 24 is selected 
to permit the user's knees to hang over the front section of seat bottom 
14 while the user's backside is resting against seat back 64. The flexible 
characteristics of the material used in construction allow invention 10 to 
accommodate a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. Edge 24 is preferably 
about 20 inches; edge 22 is preferably about 14 inches; edge 42 is 
preferably about 1 inch; front edge of seat 14 is preferably about 24 
inches; and the back edge 25 is preferably about 14 inches. However, these 
dimensions are not critical and can be changed substantially without 
adversely affecting the overall performance of the device. 
FIG. 3 is a top view of attachment device 10 fitted with tube 20 to form a 
floating seat. As viewed from this position, seat bottom 14 is generally 
of a trapezoid shape. A trapezoid shape allows seams 24 and 25 to be 
attached in a straight seam, thus permitting easier assembly. The U-shape 
dimensions of invention 10 allow foam piece 20 to naturally conform to the 
user's sides and provides a buoyant support located between the mid to 
upper back of the user. 
FIG. 4 is an unassembled view of attachment device 10. Device 10 is 
preferably made up of three pieces; seat bottom 14, sleeve 12, and seat 
back 64. However, seat back 64 has two sides 16 extending from it. Sleeve 
12, as an alternative method may be part of seat back 64 section. In other 
words, sleeve 12 could be formed out of the material extending from the 
top of seat back 64. To form sleeve 12, side 72 is joined with side 70 and 
then sewn in place with binding tape. Preferably, all sewn seams as well 
as all edges use binding tape to ensure durability. Likewise, side 76 is 
joined with side 74 and then sewn in place. The remaining two sides to be 
joined together and sewn are sides 80 with sides 82. This completes the 
construction of attachment device 10 so that foam piece 20 is now ready to 
be inserted through sleeve 12 to form the floating chair. The preferred 
method of sewing is to use a folding attachment that folds the edges 
together and covers the edges with binding tape that is also folded over 
the edge by use of the folder. A polyester thread such as a 90 series type 
is preferred. This type of thread is frequently used to stitch together 
luggage. A close locked stitch using 8 stitches per inch provides a good 
solid seam. Acceptable alternatives to sewing would be heat sealing, 
gluing and ultrasonic fusion. 
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of device 10 
fitted with a plurality of cylindrical foam tubes 20 to form a floating 
raft. Two of the three foam pieces 20 are not visible because they are 
inserted through openings 100 of float sleeves 101. Ends 103 of sleeves 
101 are enclosed to prevent foam tubes 20 from being inserted too far 
through sleeves 101. Foam tube 20' is used in its full length as a 
headrest pillow and is bent in order to insert through headrest sleeves 
120. Headrest sleeves 120 are approximately 12 to 18 inches long and are 
sized to allow easy insertion of foam piece 20. Optional headrest sleeve 
121 can be used to held hold foam tube 20' in place and keep it within 
sleeves 120. Positioning of headrest sleeves 120 allows bend 21 to be 
approximately even with end 132 of floating bed 130. Furthermore, headrest 
sleeves 120 are attached to float sleeves 101 and float bed 130 with the 
use of binding tape 150. All sleeves are cut out individually. As shown in 
FIG. 8a, sleeve 101 is cut into a piece approximately 11 by 68 inches. 
This piece is folded and run through a folder attachment on sewing machine 
at the same time as bed portion 130, thereby connecting the two pieces. As 
the progression up the edge occurs, sleeve 120 is inserted in its desired 
location with binding tape 150. Rather than use sleeves 120 and 121, loops 
421 could be substituted as shown in FIG. 8 B. Preferably binding tape 150 
is the type manufactured by Bechik Products, Inc. The 11/4 inch tape 
provides a finished edge that is approximately 11/16 of an inch. This type 
of tape is frequently used in the mattress industry to provide the edges 
of a mattress. This tape is very durable with a high strength to weight 
ratio. The binding tape is applied by an automatic feed attachment that is 
fastened to the sewing machine. The mesh material and binding tape are 
folded together and stitched in one motion. These sewing techniques are 
well known in the art. 
Float bed 130 is approximately equal in length to foam tube 20, that is 
about 64 inches long. The width of floating bed 130 is wide enough to 
allow for a wide range of body shapes and sizes, preferably about 22 
inches. This size of device 10 provides a comfortable and stable flotation 
aid for most people. Binding tape is applied along top end 132 and bottom 
end 134 as protection for the mesh material used in the construction of 
attachment device 10. 
Floating sleeves 101 are approximately equal in length to foam tube 20. 
Sleeves are separate pieces of material and are sized to allow for easy 
insertion of foam tube 20 as in the preferred embodiment. Floating end 
caps 103 are part of floating sleeves and are necessary to prevent foam 
tubes 20 from sliding completely through after being inserted through 
opening 100. Likewise, binding tape 150 is used to secure floating sleeve 
101 to floating bed 130. Also, binding tape 150 is used to enclose endcap 
103. 
FIG. 9 is an unassembled view of the alternative embodiment of the 
flotation device 10. Device 10 in this configuration is made up of six 
pieces; floating bed 130, a left and right floating sleeve 101, and a 
left, right floating sleeve 120 and optional top sleeve 120'. The six 
pieces are all attached with binding tape 150. 
FIG. 10 is an assembled view of a variation of the alternative embodiment 
of the floatation device shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, which is 
preferable with respect to simplicity of manufacture and user comfort, 
bent foam tube 20' is eliminated. However, a user would have to cut a foam 
tube 20 to fit sleeve 630 which is approximately 22 inches. Sleeve 630 is 
also fitted with end cap 103' which functions the same as floating end 
caps 103. 
FIG. 11 is alternative embodiment of the floating seat apparatus. In this 
embodiment, a single piece of flexible fabric, substantially rectangular 
shaped, is fashioned into seat 200 with a left sleeve 202 and right sleeve 
204. A single foam tube 20 is bent in a U-shape so that the apparatus 
forms a chair-shape. While it is preferable that sleeves 202 and 204 are 
formed from the same piece of material, sleeves 202 and 204 could be made 
separately and then attached to seat 200. Also, sleeves 202 and 204 are 
shown as extending in a single section the entire width of seat 200. 
However, each sleeve could be divided into two or more smaller sections 
which would also hold foam tube 20 properly in position. 
FIGS. 12A and 12B are another alternative embodiment of the floating seat 
apparatus. In this variation, foam tube 20 is again bent into a U-shape. 
While one foam tube 20 is preferable, the use of two tubes is also 
acceptable, providing that the two tubes are butted together within sleeve 
206. As before, sleeve 206 could be made up of a plurality of smaller 
sections provided that the U-shape could be obtained. Seat 208 and sleeve 
206 could be made from a single piece of material with puckers and pleats 
210 provided in the seat 208 and puckers and pleats 210 provided in sleeve 
206. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, sleeve 206 is preferably 
made from the same piece of flexible material that is used to make seat 
208, however, sleeve 206 could be made separately and then attached to 
seat 208. 
Still another variation is shown in FIG. 13. In this embodiment of the 
floating seat apparatus, a single foam tube 20 is preferable. Triangular 
seat 212 is attached to foam tube 20 via sleeve sections 214, 216, and 
218. Preferably, the sleeve sections are strap-like, however, as above, 
variations on the width and numbers of sleeve sections, whether the sleeve 
sections are continuous or discrete, can be made provided that the desired 
shape is still obtained. 
FIG. 14 is another variation of the floating seat apparatus. In this 
design, seat 220 is made from a plurality of intersecting straps or web 
material, as in a typical lawn chair, with the ends of some of the straps 
fashioned in sleeves to hold foam tube 20. This type of construction can 
also be used in any of the designs shown. 
A raft-like flotation aid as shown in FIG. 15 can be made using a series of 
foam tubes 20 having fabric 232 between the sleeves 230. As above, the 
number and length of sleeves can be adjusted as long as the overall shape 
is provided. 
FIG. 16 is another alternative embodiment of a raft apparatus. In this 
design, three foam tubes 20 are placed within sleeves 242 which are 
attached to float bed 240, thereby forming a raft-shaped structure. By the 
use of two foam tubes 20 placed within sleeves 252 which are positioned at 
opposing ends of float bed 252, another raft-like structure is obtained as 
shown in FIG. 17. 
FIGS. 18A and 18B are another variation of a floating seat apparatus. In 
this design, sleeve 270 and the attached seat section 270 are formed to 
provide a substantially circular-shaped structure when foam tube(s) 20 are 
inserted within sleeve 270. Leg holes 270 enable a user to sit on seat 
section 270 with his/her legs dangling through leg holes 270. 
While there have been described what are at present considered to be the 
preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those 
skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made 
therein without departing from the invention and it is, therefore, aimed 
to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit 
and scope of the invention.