Abstract:
A recreational floatation apparatus. The apparatus has a generally square frame having several floatation cylinders are attached. Additional floatation cylinders are added at the front and back for further cushioning and floating power. The apparatus can include a pull rope or chain so that the apparatus can be pulled or connected to another apparatus to create a longer floatation device or, if propped, a lounger.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   I. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of recreational activities and more particularly to a floatation apparatus. 
   II. Description of the Related Art 
   Present recreational floatation devices are typically a single elongated piece manufactured of Styrofoam or other suitable material that floats. Other recreational floatation devices are inflatable. While these devices are suitable for use in pools and other calm water, their use in the ocean, where waves are present is typically not desirable. The single piece floatation devices offer the disadvantage that as waves pass by the device, the device tends to be carried along with the wave or be capsized. These devices do not offer any locations through which the water can pass and leave the device in a relatively stable position. As such, lying out or calmly floating on rough water can be interrupted by the presence of waves. 
   SUMMARY 
   In general, the invention features a floatation apparatus. The apparatus has a generally square frame having several cross ropes or chains onto which individual floating cylinders are attached. The frame is typically PVC pipes with elbows at appropriate connection sections. In another embodiment, chains can be used as the frame. Additional floatation cylinders are added at the front and back for further cushioning and floating power. The apparatus includes a pull rope or chain so that the apparatus can be pulled or connected to another apparatus to create a longer floatation device or, if propped, a lounger. By having several separate floatation cylinders, the apparatus better handles the water by allowing water to pass through the spaces in between the floatation cylinders while still providing floatation. In particular, as waves in the ocean pass over the apparatus with a user on the apparatus, the apparatus better maintains an upright orientation by allowing the force of the waves pass through the spaces. 
   In general, in one aspect, the invention features a floatation apparatus, including a generally polygonal frame having an upper tube parallel to a lower tube, and two parallel side tubes, a plurality of generally adjacent and parallel floatation cylinders located within the frame, generally perpendicular to the side tubes and parallel to the upper and lower tubes, each cylinder having a hollow center along a longitudinal axis and an elongated connection tie connecting each of the floatation cylinders to the frame. 
   In one implementation, the apparatus further includes an additional floatation cylinder surrounding the upper tube. 
   In another implementation, the apparatus further includes an additional floatation cylinder surrounding the lower tube. 
   In another implementation, the elongated tie is a band connected end to end forming a continuous loop that is disposed through the hollow center of each floatation cylinder and looped around each of the side tubes. 
   In another implementation, the apparatus further includes an elbow located at each corner of the frame. 
   In another implementation, the apparatus further includes an elongated rod located within the each of the side tubes. 
   In still another implementation, the side tubes comprise a plurality of holes aligned with an adjacent hollow center of an adjacent floatation cylinder. 
   In yet another implementation. the elongated tie is a rope connected end to end forming a continuous loop located within the hollow center of each floatation cylinder and through a corresponding hole on each of the side tubes, and further looped around the elongated rods within the side tubes. 
   In another implementation, the hollow cylinders are closed cell polyethylene foam. 
   In another aspect, the invention features a recreational system, including a first floatation apparatus, including, a generally polygonal frame having an upper tube parallel to a lower tube, and two parallel side tubes, a plurality of generally adjacent and parallel floatation cylinders located within the frame, generally perpendicular to the side tubes and parallel to the upper and lower tubes, each cylinder having a hollow center along a longitudinal axis and an elongated connection tie connecting each of the floatation cylinders to the frame, a second floatation apparatus connected to the first floatation apparatus, the second apparatus including a generally polygonal frame having an upper tube parallel to a lower tube, and two parallel side tubes, a plurality of generally adjacent and parallel floatation cylinders located within the frame, generally perpendicular to the side tubes and parallel to the upper and lower tubes, each cylinder having a hollow center along a longitudinal axis and an elongated connection tie connecting each of the floatation cylinders to the frame. 
   In one implementation, the first and second apparatuses are hingably connected to one another at first ends of the frames by ties. 
   In another implementation, second ends of the frames are connected to one another by elongated ties. 
   In another implementation, the elongated ties are adjustable to fix an angular orientation between the two apparatuses. 
   In another implementation, the elongated ties adjust to a length such that the apparatuses are arranged in an angular orientation sufficient to allow a user to sit in a lounged position. 
   In another implementation, the system further includes a planar adjustment plate connected to ends of each elongated tie. 
   In still another implementation, the planar adjustment plate includes three holes, the elongated ties being knotted at one end and threaded through a first hole through an upper surface of the plate, through a second hole through a lower surface of the plate and through a third hole through the upper surface of the plate. 
   In yet another implementation, the plate is triangular. 
   In another implementation, the ties are nylon rope. 
   In another implementation, the elongated ties are nylon rope. 
   In still another aspect, the invention features a recreational floatation apparatus, including a rectangular tubular frame, means for floating the frame located within the frame, and means for retaining the means for floating the frame within the frame. 
   One advantage of the invention is that waves can pass through the several openings present in the apparatus. 
   Another advantage of the invention is that it can be converted to a lounger. 
   Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention are apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of two floatation apparatuses connected together to form an embodiment of a lounger apparatus in an open position; 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a planar adjustment plate; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of two floatation apparatuses connected together to form an embodiment of a lounger apparatus in a fully open position; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of two floatation apparatuses connected together to form an embodiment of a lounger apparatus in a fully closed position; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective close up view of an embodiment of single floatation cylinder; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a single floatation cylinder; and 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a close up top view of another embodiment of a single floatation cylinder. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, reference is made first to  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of two floatation apparatuses  100 ,  200  connected together to form an embodiment of a recreational system  300  or lounger apparatus in an open position. Each apparatus generally includes a generally polygonal frame  105 ,  205  having an upper tube  110 ,  210  parallel to a lower tube  115 ,  215 , and two parallel side tubes  120 ,  220 . Each apparatus  100 ,  200  further includes a plurality of generally adjacent and parallel floatation cylinders  125 ,  225  located within the frame  105 ,  205 . The cylinders  125 ,  225  are generally perpendicular to the side tubes  120 ,  220  and parallel to the upper tubes  110 ,  220  and lower tubes  115 , 215 , each cylinder  125 , 225  having a hollow center along a longitudinal axis. 
   Each apparatus  100 ,  200  typically includes an elongated connection tie  130 ,  230  connecting each of the floatation cylinders  125 ,  225  to the respective frame  105 ,  205 . The elongated connection ties  130 ,  230  are discussed in further detail in the description below. In addition, each apparatus  100 ,  200  includes an additional floatation cylinder  135 ,  235  surrounding the upper tubes  110 ,  210  and an additional floatation cylinder  140 ,  240  surrounding the lower tubes  115 ,  215 . Since it is desirable that the apparatuses  100 ,  200  alone and combined as the system  300 , float, the cylinders are a material that is capable of floating, light weight and resistant to absorbing water. In a typical embodiment, the cylinders are closed cell polyethylene foam. It is understood and appreciated that the cylinders can be other materials in other embodiments. 
   The apparatuses  100 , 200  typically further include an elbow  145 , 245  located at each corner of the frames  105 ,  205 . It is appreciated that the elbows  145 ,  245  connect all of the respective tubes together to form the frames  150 ,  205  that are typically rectangular. It is further appreciated that although other shapes are contemplated, the rectangular shape allows a user to lie on either apparatus  100 ,  200  individually as a single floatation device or as shown in the figure as a lounger. Different lengths of the apparatuses  100 ,  200  are further contemplated in other embodiments to accommodate users of varying heights. In a typical embodiment, the frames  105 ,  205  (including all respective tubes and elbows) are a light weight and durable material such as plastic. For example, the frames  105 , 205  can be poly vinyl chloride (PVC). Suitable adhesive or other glues can be used to connect together the constituent pieces of the frames  105 ,  205 . 
     FIG. 1  further illustrates that the system  300  includes short ties  305  that hingably connect the first and second apparatuses  100 ,  200  to one another at the ends of the frames  105 , 205  that are adjacent one another. In addition, the other ends of the frames  105 ,  205  are also connected to one another by elongated ties  310 . The shorter ties  305  are used to create a pivot point for the apparatuses  100 ,  200  so that different lounge positions can be chosen. The elongated ties  310  are used to fix the angular orientation of the apparatuses  100 ,  200  with respect to each other. In general, the elongated ties  310  adjust to a length such that the apparatuses are arranged in an angular orientation sufficient to allow a user to sit in a lounged position. A planar adjustment plate  315  is connected to ends of each elongated tie  310  so that the length of the elongated ties  310  can be adjusted. 
     FIG. 1A  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a planar adjustment plate  315 . The planar adjustment plate  315  generally includes three holes  316 ,  317 ,  318 . The elongated ties  310  are typically knotted at one end and threaded through the first hole  316  through an upper surface of the plate  315 , through the second hole  317  through a lower surface of the plate  315  and through the third hole  318  through the upper surface of the plate  315 . A user can therefore easily adjust the length of the ties  310  by loosening the ties  310  at the plate  315  and adjusting the length as needed. The frictional forces between the ties  310  and the holes  316 ,  317 ,  318  of the plate  315  keep the ties  310  fixed in a desired position. In a typical embodiment, the plate  315  is triangular that allows the holes  316 ,  317 ,  318  to have an angular orientation with respect to the elongated ties  310  that, in turn, aids in increasing the frictional forces. In addition, the elongated ties  310  are typically nylon rope that aids in increasing the frictional forces and yet typically does not fray. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of two floatation apparatuses  100 ,  200  connected together to form an embodiment of a lounger apparatus, or recreational system  300  in a fully open position. As described above, each apparatus  100 ,  200  generally includes a generally polygonal frame  105 , 205  having the upper tube  110 , 210  parallel to the lower tube  115 ,  215 , and two parallel side tubes  120 ,  220 . Each apparatus  100 ,  200  further includes a plurality of generally adjacent and parallel floatation cylinders  125 ,  225  located within the frame  105 ,  205 . The cylinders  125 ,  225  are generally perpendicular to the side tubes  120 ,  220  and parallel to the upper tubes  110 ,  220  and lower tubes  115 ,  215 , each cylinder  125 ,  225  having a hollow center along a longitudinal axis. 
   Each apparatus  100 ,  200  typically includes an elongated connection tie  130 ,  230  connecting each of the floatation cylinders  125 ,  225  to the respective frame  105 ,  205 . In addition, each apparatus  100 ,  200  includes the additional floatation cylinder  135 ,  235  surrounding the upper tubes  110 ,  210  and an additional floatation cylinder  140 ,  240  surrounding the lower tubes  115 ,  215 . The apparatuses  100 ,  200  typically further include the elbow  145 ,  245  located at each corner of the frames  105 ,  205 . It is appreciated that the elbows  145 ,  245  connect all of the respective tubes together to form the frames  150 ,  205 . 
   The system  300  includes short ties  305  that hingably connect the first and second apparatuses  100 ,  200  to one another at the ends of the frame  1005 ,  205  that are adjacent one another. The elongated ties  310  are not shown since the system  300  is in the fully open position. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of two floatation apparatuses  100 ,  200  connected together to form an embodiment of a lounger apparatus, or recreation al system  300  in a fully closed position. This closed position illustrates that the system  300  can advantageously be closed into a compact easy to carry form. As described above, each apparatus  100 , 200  generally includes a generally polygonal frame  105 , 205  having the upper tube  110 , 210  parallel to the lower tube  115 ,  215 , and two parallel side tubes  120 , 220 . Each apparatus  100 ,  200  further includes a plurality of generally adjacent and parallel floatation cylinders  125 ,  225  located within the frame  105 ,  205 . The cylinders  125 ,  225  are generally perpendicular to the side tubes  120 ,  220  and parallel to the upper tubes  110 ,  220  and lower tubes  115 ,  215 , each cylinder  125 ,  225  having a hollow center along a longitudinal axis. 
   Each apparatus  100 ,  200  typically includes an elongated connection tie  130 ,  230  connecting each of the floatation cylinders  125 ,  225  to the respective frame  105 ,  205 . In addition, each apparatus  100 ,  200  includes the additional floatation cylinder  135 ,  235  surrounding the upper tubes  110 ,  210  and an additional floatation cylinder  140 ,  240  surrounding the lower tubes  115 ,  215 . The apparatuses  100 ,  200  typically further include the elbow  145 ,  245  located at each corner of the frames  105 ,  205 . It is appreciated that the elbows  145 ,  245  connect all of the respective tubes together to form the frames  150 ,  205 . 
   The system  300  includes short ties  305  that hingably connect the first and second apparatuses  100 ,  200  to one another at the ends of the frames  105 ,  205  that are adjacent one another. The elongated ties  310  are not shown since the system  300  is in the fully open position. 
   It is appreciated that although the apparatuses  100 ,  200  have been shown connected together as a system  300 , an individual apparatus  100 ,  200  can be used as a single floatation device by removing the short ties  305 . It is also appreciated that additional ropes or other suitable ties can be connected to the apparatuses  100 ,  200  as leads to pull or carry the apparatuses  100 ,  200  or the entire system  300 . 
     FIGS. 4–5  illustrate close up views of an embodiment of single floatation cylinder  125 ,  225  connected to a side tube  120 ,  220 . As described above, the floatation cylinders  125 ,  225  are placed within the frame  105 ,  205  and held within the frame  105 ,  205  by elongated connecting ties  130 ,  120 . In one embodiment, the elongated connecting connection ties  130 ,  230  are bands connected end to end forming a continuous loop that is disposed through the hollow centers  126 , 226  of each floatation cylinder  125 , 225 , generally along the longitudinal axes  127 ,  227  and looped around each of the side tubes  120 ,  220 . In one implementation, these elongated bands are packing polypropylene straps. The nylon straps have the advantage of being durable and lightweight. Furthermore, many of the bands can be preformed using conventionally available poly strapping machines. Therefore, the bands can be pre-measured and heat sealed end to end, placed over the side tubes and through the cylinders. The other side tubes can then be threaded through the looped bands and the upper and lower tubes and elbows can be added subsequently. 
     FIG. 6  illustrates a close up top view of another embodiment of a single floatation cylinder  125 ,  225  connected to side tubes  120 ,  220 . In this embodiment, an elongated rod  275  is located within the each of the side tubes  120 ,  220 . In a typical implementation, the rods  275  can be plastic, fiberglass or any other suitable lightweight and durable material. In addition, the side tubes  120 , 220  include a plurality of holes  280  aligned with an adjacent hollow center  126 , 226  of an adjacent floatation cylinder  125 , 225 . In addition, the elongated connection ties  130 ,  230  are ropes connected end to end forming a continuous loop located within the hollow center  126 ,  226  of each floatation cylinder  125 ,  225  and through a corresponding hole  280  on each of the side tubes  120 ,  220 , and further looped around the elongated rods  275  within the side tubes  120 ,  220 . Therefore, one looped end of the connecting ties can be inserted into the corresponding holes on the side tubes, and the rods can be inserted into the side tubes through the loops of the connecting ties. The tines can then be inserted through the hollow centers of the cylinders and through the opposite holes on the other side tubes. The rods for those tubes can be inserted through the tubes and the loops. The upper and lower tubes and elbows can be added to complete the frames. 
   It is appreciated that the two different embodiment of the floatation cylinder elongated connecting ties can be mixed and matched as advantageously needed. 
   The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.