Abstract:
A buoyant, submersible chair that is comprised of a framework of buoyant foam tube sections and a support assembly of rope and buoyant foam tube sections that may be broken down into smaller units that is used to float a user in a body of water. The present invention is lightweight, buoyant, adjustable for personal preference of flotation and comfort, and can be carried on the back in a way that is similar to a back-pack. The present invention is proposed in several different embodiments, each style having numerous seating positions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Provisional Patent application No. 61/753,315 precedes this non-provisional application. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM, LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to the field of swimming pool accessories and more specifically the present invention relates to buoyant or floating chairs. There are a number of devices for sale on the market that use an inflatable air bladder to float a user as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,344. These devices are easily manufactured and inexpensive but are always in danger of being popped or leaking air. There are many devices that float a user above the water line that should not be compared to the present invention since the present invention floats the majority of the user&#39;s body below the water line. There are some inventions that incorporate buoyant closed cell foam tubing over a rigid frame as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,998,031, but do not incorporate lengths of rope that affix to the rigid frame members that are weaved through the hollow of straight, rigid, tube members and or closed-cell foam tube sections to form a flexible and adjustable support assembly that serve to cradle and support the weight of a user as the back and seat of a reclined chair would. Other inventions such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,561 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,036 use a buoyant pool noodle inserted into a fabric webbing with no structural members. Any fabric webbing has the disadvantage of having to be cut, sewn and seamed which means more manufacturing time will be necessary in production. The obvious benefits that all of these products would strive to be able to offer, are ease of manufacturing, use of inexpensive materials, small or collapsible size for shipping, design appeal, functionality and durability as well as variations in style, function and characteristics that create wide ranging appeal. Most, if not all of the conventional floating chairs are missing at least one of the afore-mentioned benefits. 
         [0005]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an easily built and inexpensive floating chair. It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible floating chair for easy storage and shipment. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a floating chair with variations in style and function that would better appeal to a wide market. It is finally an object of the present invention to provide a functional and durable floating chair that is designed to be customized by the user, to that user&#39;s own specifications. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification. The present invention consists of two main parts, wherein part one is a rigid frame that is buoyant due to the closed cell foam tubing sections that wrap and surround the rigid frame members and part two is a support assembly that is comprised of length(s) of rope that weave through support sections that are comprised of additional members of rigid tube and or buoyant foam tube sections and attach to the rigid frame members to form a flexible, comfortable and customizable support. The additional features such as the ability to break down for shipment, customizability, the variety of models and user seating modes and suggestive selling products such as the optional headrest set it apart from the prior art. The present invention addresses all seven of the afore mentioned obvious benefits that a product in the current field of scope should offer by incorporating inexpensive materials in its production, ease of assembly with the use of few if any power tools which leads to a low carbon footprint, it can be packaged substantially flat or be broken down into smaller components for shipment, each of the similar yet different models are well designed for form and function, and will not pop or lose buoyancy. The present invention also offers the benefit of being available in different styles with different flotation characteristics and each style can be used in several different seating modes, each having the ability to be manipulated by the user to create customized comfort positions to fit any body type. The ability to carry the product on the shoulders leaves hands free to carry other pool or beach supplies. A total product weight of less than 2 pounds allows any user to carry the product regardless of size. All of these aspects combine to offer an original product that the marketplace has not seen, at the premium product level, with a substantial reduction in price. The invention is used by placing the floating chair in a body of water and sat or laid upon by a user, with the head of the user usually placed upon the headrest. The invention may be flipped over and the support assembly can adjusted to offer the user many different seating positions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0007]    Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from the side showing a substantially flat and rectangular version of the present invention with the support sections pushed near to each other causing slack in the flexible members. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view from the side that shows the same apparatus in  FIG. 1  depicting the support sections pushed apart toward the outer ends of the frame which removes the slack from the flexible members. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a depiction of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  shown with all of the buoyant foam sections removed to make the rigid frame members and support members visible. In this view the knot or rope crimp becomes visible at the four points where flexible members are attached to the frame members. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  is a cross section view of the rectangular apparatus of  FIG. 1A  that cuts through buoyant foam headrest, rigid frame members with sleeved buoyant foam sections, and the four support assembly members with the support flexible members weaved through the hollows of support members. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a style variation of the apparatus in  FIG. 1  in which the two lateral buoyant foam sections of  FIG. 1  and underlying frame members of  FIG. 1B  have been changed to create the “armchair” version of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  shows the same apparatus as in  FIG. 2  but turned upside down to form a “bucket seat” version with the two support sections pushed slightly apart to increase the tautness of the support ropes to demonstrate user customized adjustability. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the side showing a high buoyancy version of the present invention similar to the apparatus in  FIG. 2  wherein the use of and orientation of frame members, buoyant foam sections, elbow joints, mechanical fastener and headrest are shared but there is a variation in the support assembly. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view from the side depicting the same high buoyancy apparatus of  FIG. 3 , however, it is flipped upside down where the support assembly is then pushed downward to form a high buoyancy “bucket seat” version of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3  with all of the buoyant foam sections removed to expose the rigid frame members and flexible support members beneath. The path and situation of the flexible support members are visible. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows yet another version of the present invention where there is no use of rigid frame members and the buoyant foam tubes are only held together with a length of flexible member that is coursed through the hollows of said buoyant foam tubes and connected back to itself. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  shows the same apparatus of  FIG. 4  as if all of the buoyant foam members have been cut in half lengthwise and the top halves removed to illustrate the path taken by the flexible member through the hollows of said buoyant tubes. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows another version of the present invention that is similar to that of  FIG. 4  where there is no use of rigid frame members and the buoyant foam tubes are only held together with a length of flexible member that is coursed through the hollows of said buoyant foam tubes and connected back to itself. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5A  shows the same apparatus of  FIG. 5  as if all of the buoyant foam members have been cut in half lengthwise and the top halves removed to illustrate the path taken by the flexible member through the hollows of said buoyant tubes. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  Depicts a user seated in a reclined position in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  Depicts a user seated in an upright position in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
         [0024]    Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals. 
       First Preferred Embodiment 
       [0025]    Looking at  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  together, you will see a version of the preferred embodiment  10  wherein  FIG. 1  features the external members and  FIG. 1B  depicts preferred embodiment  10  with all of the buoyant foam sections removed to make the rigid frame members  13 , 17 ,  26  &amp;  27  and tubular support members  7  visible. The outline of support members  7  has been shown as a hidden line to clearly show the path taken when flexible members  4  and  5  are weaved through the hollow of the tubular support members. In this view connection point  16  is a knot and becomes visible at the four points where flexible members  4  and  5  are attached to the frame members  13  &amp;  26 . One end of each flexible member  4  &amp;  5  is attached to frame member  13  at connection points  16 , the other ends of members  4  &amp;  5  are routed through opposite hollow ends of one of the tubular support members  7 , members  4  &amp;  5  pass each other as they go through this same hollow. Note that support member  7  rests inside the hollow of support member  6 . As the ends of  4  &amp;  5  emerge from the opposite hollow ends, they are then routed through the opposing hollows of another tubular support member  7 . As the ends of  4  &amp;  5  emerge from the opposite end hollows of the second support member  7 , they are affixed to the frame member  26  at connection knots  16 . If one end of flexible member  4  was affixed to the right side of frame member  13 , then the other end of flexible member  4  will be affixed to the right side of frame member  26 . The four rigid frame members  13 ,  17 ,  26  &amp;  27  (visible in  FIG. 1B ) composed of a rigid tube such as polyvinylchloride (pvc) are obscured by corresponding buoyant foam sections  2 ,  1 ,  22  &amp;  21  that are composed of a lightweight, buoyant material such as expanded polyethylene (epe) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (eva) foam and sleeved over the said rigid frame members. The said frame members that are sleeved over with said foam sections are positioned to form a rectangle and four pvc elbow joints  3  are positioned in the four corners of the rectangle and affixed to each end of the shorter frame members  13  &amp;  26  and the longer frame members  17  &amp;  27  with a pvc cement to form a unified rectangular frame assembly. It should be noted that before assembling and gluing the parts, a larger buoyant foam tube  8  with a larger interior diameter may be fitted over one or more of the buoyant foam parts to provide additional flotation, or a headrest. The pre measured flexible members such as rope lengths  4  and  5  are affixed to the obscured frame members  13  &amp;  26  at the attachment points  16  between elbow joint  3  and foam sections  2  &amp;  22  and weaved through support sections  6  and  7  in a way that is visible in  FIG. 1B  and together make up the members of the support assembly. It should be noted that the support assembly simply falls into a lower position by way of gravity when the apparatus is flipped over and that the flexible members  4  &amp;  5  are cut to a length that is long enough to allow the support assembly to hang below said buoyant frame assembly. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view from the side that depicts the same apparatus  10  in  FIG. 1  that shows each support section pushed apart toward the outer ends of the frame which removes the slack from the flexible members  4  and  5  due to the technique used to weave the flexible members through the support sections visible in  FIG. 1B . This causes the flexible members  4  &amp;  5  to become taut to consolidate the apparatus and allow for easy storage and shipping. 
       Second Preferred Embodiment 
       [0027]    Looking at  FIG. 2 , you will see the “armchair” version  20  of the invention, a variation of the apparatus in  FIG. 1  in which the lateral buoyant foam sections  1  &amp;  21  of  FIG. 1  and underlying frame members  17  &amp;  27  visible in  FIG. 1B  are replaced with shorter frame members  14 ,  15 ,  28  &amp;  29  (Visible in  FIG. 3B ) and shorter foam sections  11 ,  23 ,  24  &amp;  31  to form lateral sides of the frame assembly. Looking now at  FIG. 3B , a forty-five degree pvc elbow joint  25  is adhered to frame member  15  with pvc cement and then attached to frame member  14  with a mechanical fastener  9 , such as a stainless steel screw, to allow the frame to be disassembled at the joint member  25  for shipping and storage. The same assembly technique used for frame members  14 ,  15 , and joint  25  are repeated with frame members  28 ,  29  and the remaining joint  25  and combined with the remaining parts of the rectangular apparatus  10  as depicted. One end of each flexible member  4  &amp;  5  are attached to frame member  13  between foam section  2  and elbow joint  3 , the other ends of members  4  &amp;  5  are routed through opposite hollow ends of one of the tubular support members  7 , they cross each other as they go through this same hollow. Note that tubular support member  7  rests inside the hollow of support member  6 . As the ends of  4  &amp;  5  emerge from the opposite end hollows, they are then routed through the opposing hollows of another support member  7 . As the ends of  4  &amp;  5  emerge from the opposite end hollows of the second support member  7 , they are affixed to the frame member  26  at connection knot  16 . If one end of flexible member  4  was affixed to the right side of frame member  13 , then the other end of flexible member  4  will be affixed to the right side of frame member  26 . 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 2A , the same apparatus  20  as in  FIG. 2  is turned upside down to form a “bucket seat” version with the two tubular support sections comprised of  6  and  7  pushed slightly apart to increase the tautness of the support ropes  4  and  5  to demonstrate user customized adjustability. The support sections can be adjusted with one at each end, both at one end, both in the middle and anywhere in between these three positions. It should be noted that the support assembly simply falls into a lower position by way of gravity when the device is flipped over and is of sufficient length to allow it to hang lower than the frame assembly. 
       Third Preferred Embodiment 
       [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the side showing a high buoyancy version  30  of the present invention similar to the apparatus  20  in  FIG. 2  wherein the frame members  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  26 ,  28 , &amp;  29  (visible in  FIG. 3B ), buoyant foam sections  2 ,  11 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  &amp;  31  elbow joints  3 ,  25 , mechanical fastener  9  and headrest  8  are shared between apparatus  20  and apparatus  30 . Flexible members  18  and  19  that attach to one short member  13  of the rigid frame, are each weaved through the hollow of a section of buoyant foam  12 , they then cross and overlap one another in the middle and each pass through another section of buoyant foam  12 , before re-attaching to the other short frame member  23  to form an “X” in the interior frame region. If one end of flexible member  18  was affixed to the right side of frame member  13 , then the other end of flexible member  18  will be affixed to the right side of frame member  26 . This forms a semi rigid, yet flexible support assembly that incorporates a larger amount of buoyant foam to offer increased flotation for those users with a body type that is high in lean muscle and low in body fat as an example. In  FIG. 3A , the same high buoyancy apparatus  30  of  FIG. 3  is flipped upside down where the support assembly of flexible members  18  and  19  within buoyant tubing  12  are pushed downward to form a high buoyancy “bucket seat” version of apparatus  30 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3B  shows all of the buoyant foam sections  2 ,  11 ,  12 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  &amp;  31  of apparatus  30  removed to expose the rigid frame members  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  26 ,  28  &amp;  29  and flexible members  18  and  19  beneath. The path and situation of the flexible members  18  and  19  are visible. The attachment area  16  may be a knot in the support rope or a rope crimp device and are attached to the frame members  13  &amp;  26 . It is important to note that the six frame members  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  26 ,  28 ,  29 , the four elbow joints  3 , along with the two forty-five degree joints  25  are used and assembled in the same way for the two similar devices depicted in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3   
       Fourth Preferred Embodiment 
       [0031]    Looking at  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 4A  together, you will see another embodiment  40  of the present invention where there is no use of rigid frame members. The six buoyant foam sections  43 , four buoyant foam sections  44 , and four buoyant foam sections  45  are joined together using at least one flexible member  42  that is routed through the hollows of all buoyant foam sections and then fastened back to itself at point  41  in the form of a knot or mechanical connecter. The said route of flexible member  42  is exposed in the section view  FIG. 4A  which shows how one end of the flexible member is routed through the hollow of a lower tube section  44  and the other end of  42  is routed similarly through a second lower tube  44 . The two ends of  42  cross each other as they are routed through opposing end hollows of a tube section  45 . As the ends of  42  emerge from the opposite end hollows of foam section  45 , they are each routed up through the hollows of two foam sections  43 . The ends of flexible member  42  repeat this routing process as illustrated in  FIG. 4A  until they are passed through the hollows of the last two buoyant foam sections  44 , it is there that the two opposing ends of flexible member  42  meet and are connected together to form a continuous loop. The flexible nature of member  42  allows the buoyant foam sections to be folded at all junctions to minimize the overall size of embodiment  40 . The resulting embodiment of the present invention is exceptionally light weight, completely flexible, can be folded into a small area for packaging and storage, and can be worn on the user&#39;s body during use in water. 
       Fifth Preferred Embodiment 
       [0032]    Looking at  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 5A  together, you will see another embodiment  50  of the present invention where there is no use of rigid frame members. The two upper buoyant foam sections  55 , two lower buoyant foam sections  58 , head rest buoyant foam sections  51 ,  52 , and hinge buoyant foam section  57  are joined together using at least one flexible member  56  that is routed through the hollows of all buoyant foam sections and then fastened back to itself using a fastening method. The preferred fastening method illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 5A  is a mechanical connecter or ring  53  and two knots  54 . Once the flexible member  56  is routed through all of the buoyant foam sections, each end of member  56  is passed through the hollow of ring  53  and an overhand knot is tied on each end of member  56 . The interior diameter of ring  53  is of sufficient size to allow only the diameters of both ends of member  56  to pass through its hollow easily but prohibits these ends from being removed once the overhand knots have been applied. This ring and knot fastener system allows for reduced packing size and shipping cost due to partial assembly during manufacture and a very easy reassembly by the end user. The said route of flexible member  56  is exposed in the section view FIG. SA which shows how one end of the flexible member  56  is routed through fastener ring  53 , down through the hollow of the left side upper tube section  55 , through hinge tube  57 , down through the right lower tube  58 , up through the left lower tube  58 , back through hinge tube  57 , up through the right side upper tube section  55 , through head rest tube section  52 , through head rest section  51 , back through head rest section  52 , and back through the other side of fastener ring  53 , where the overhand knots  54  are tied at each end of flexible member  56  effectively unifying all of these members as one preferred embodiment  50 . The hinge buoyant foam section is called so because the two lower foam sections  58  can be rotated up with member  57  acting as the pivot point, so that they nest between upper members  55  to minimize the overall size of embodiment  50 . The shape of embodiment  50  is essentially two triangles, which hold shape well without a rigid framework, which is preferable over a square shape for example. The resulting embodiment of the present invention has a minimum of parts, is exceptionally light weight, completely flexible, can be folded into a small area for packaging and storage, and can be worn on the user&#39;s body during use in water. 
       How a Person Rests in the Seat 
       [0033]    A person may rest in the seat in a variety of ways. A user would typically enter into a body of water and arrange the tubular support sections  6  &amp; 7  into the middle of the surrounding frame and place their rear end onto the support sections, with their head at one short end of the frame and their feet at the other short end of the frame and rest in a reclined position as demonstrated in  FIG. 6 . A user may shift their weight forward, placing their rear end on the lower frame members  22  &amp;  26  to sit in an upright position as demonstrated in  FIG. 7 . Some users may prefer to lay facing the apparatus. The apparatus may be flipped over, or turned upside down to provide other flotation characteristics or seating options that may be preferred by the user. 
       Method of Assembly 
       [0034]    In order to manufacture or produce the floating chair invention depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1A , first, all parts shown must be sized, cut and or otherwise procured. The optional buoyant foam headrest  8  is sleeved over the buoyant foam section  2 , then frame member  13  is inserted into the hollows of foam section  2  which carries the headrest  8 . The inside of one hollow end of a ninety-degree pvc elbow joint  3  is coated with pvc cement and applied to each end of the frame member  13 , so that the two open ends of the elbow joints  3  face in the same direction and are parallel when viewed from the side or laid onto a horizontal surface to rest on the open ends of parts  3 . This same assembly is repeated with frame member  26 , foam section  22  and the remaining two elbow joints  3  without headrest  8 . Rigid frame members  17  are inserted through the hollow of buoyant foam sections  1  and are then inserted into the remaining open ends of elbow joints  3  after coating the inside of remaining open ends of the elbow joints  3  with pvc cement. The resulting apparatus is a rectangular pvc pipe or tube frame that has all four frame members wrapped inside the hollow of buoyant foam tubing sections and are mainly obscured from sight. Looking at  FIG. 1 , one end of rope length  4  is affixed to the right side of upper frame member  13  between foam section  2  and upper right elbow joint  3  by looping the rope length  4  around frame member  13  and tying a knot or applying a rope crimp  16 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the other end of rope length  4  is passed through the right side hollow end of the topmost support assembly, (made of rigid tube member  7  inserted into buoyant tube section  6 ) and out the left side of the hollow moving from right to left. Rope length  4  is then brought down and through the hollow of the remaining support member  7  from left to right, out of the hollow and down to be attached to the right side of lower frame member  26  via a knot or rope crimp  16 . Looking again at  FIG. 1  with the headrest  8  at the top, one end of rope length  5  is affixed to the left side of upper frame member  13  between foam section  2  and upper left elbow joint  3  by looping the rope length  5  around frame member  13  and tying a knot or applying a rope crimp  16 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the other end of rope length  5  is passed through the left side hollow end of the topmost support member and out the right side of the hollow moving from left to right. Rope length  4  is then brought down and through the hollow of the remaining support member from right to left, out of the hollow and down to be attached to the left side of lower frame member  26  via a knot or rope crimp  16 . The resulting apparatus is the rectangular buoyant frame and headrest, with attached flexible members and adjustable support sections that form the support assembly, as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1A . 
         [0035]    The production and assembly of the embodiments depicted in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are substantially similar to that of the production of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1A  above. The notable differences being that instead of one long frame member inserted into one long buoyant foam tube length at each lateral side, there are two frame members inserted into two separate buoyant foam tube lengths, with the frame members being joined together by a forty-five degree pvc elbow joint  25  via pvc adhesive at one end of the elbow joint and a mechanical fastener  9  at the other. This mechanical fastener  9  makes it possible to break down the apparatus into a smaller form for shipping and storage. The apparatus should not be limited to any material types or part sizes. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.