Abstract:
The present invention is floating lounge that provides a central corridor between two lounge portions and a floating base supporting said lounge. The two lounge portions each have a concave channel extending along the length of each lounge portion on the underside of the cabana.

Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/232,095 filed Aug. 7, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/371,362 filed Aug. 6, 2010 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The recreation industry is replete with articles intended to improve the comfort and convenience of sunbathers, pool patrons, and beachgoers. The simple beach lounge has evolved into the central component of floating lounges. Typically, floating lounges are single and double units. A double unit usually includes a broad area for two persons to lounge side by side. While these floating lounges have provided greater service and convenience to their users they still have shortcomings. One particular shortcoming is that a user is required to enter and leave the floating lounge portion on the outermost edges of the elongated side. Another difficulty is the floating lounges do not generally provide for any removable shade devices. 
     The present invention addresses these problems. The floating lounge of the present invention provides a central corridor or passage through which the user may enter and lie down or sit on either lounge portion and the lounge has incorporated shade devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment the present invention provides a novel configuration for a floating lounge. The floating lounge provides for two users to have individual lounge chair type portions. Further the configuration of the present invention has a passageway between the individual lounge chair portions and provides the ability of a person to enter and leave in the area between the two lounge chair portions. 
     In one embodiment the floating lounge of the present invention may be described as: 
     A floating lounge comprising: 
     (a) a single base constructed and arranged to float while supporting up to 700 lbs.; 
     (b) two lounge portions on said base; 
     (c) a passage between said lounge portions sufficient to allow a user to pass; wherein said passage is adjacent to each of said portions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the floating cabana. 
         FIG. 2 . is a top perspective view of the floating cabana base portion. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the floating cabana base portion inner support structure. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the floating cabana base portion depicting placement of inner support structure therein. 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of the floating cabana base portion depicting placement of inner support structure therein and covered with the base cover. 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the floating cabana base portion with base cover closed thereon. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the floating cabana. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the floating cabana. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the floating cabana. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section along line A-A from  FIG. 1  showing the curvature of the base on the underside of the lounge portions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The floating cabana or lounge  10  of the present invention is a floating lounge/cabana combination. Cabana  10  provides for a single base assembly  12 . Base  12  may be made of any acceptable material such that the frame supports the desired weight and floats. Acceptable material must be such that it can support the weight at least 2 adults. Preferably, the base should be able to support 600 to 700 pounds. 
     Two lounge portions  14  and  16  extend outward from a platform area  20  such that the overall configuration is of a simplified squared letter “U.” The area between each of lounge portions  14  and  16  are constructed and arranged such that passage  18  is formed therebetween. Passage  18  allows a user to move within the area of passage  18  or at least come within the cabana area in the center passage. 
     Base  12  is preferably formed of a vacuum molded shell. Base  12  may be formed of a single piece or a plurality of pieces. 
     Sizes, weights, and dimensions provided herein represent a preferred configuration for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the configuration. Additionally, the figures presented herein are for illustrative purposed and not necessarily drawn to scale. In one embodiment, base  12  is formed of 3/16th inch UV resistant plastic. UV refers to ultraviolet light. Base  12  is approximately twelve inches high and weighs between 80-100 lbs. Foam pads  15  and  17  are secured to base  12  by adhesive. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , base  12  is constructed and arranged with an interior cavity  40 . Base structural support assembly  42  is positioned in interior cavity  40 . Base lid  50  is affixed to base  12  in any acceptable manner to create an air tight seal of base lid  50  on base  12 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  7 ,  8 , and  9 , base  12  has platform area  20  on one end and each of first lounge portion  14  and second lounge portion  16  extend in the same direction from platform area  20 . 
     A particular difficulty arises in successfully configuring the cabana  10  of the present invention. Typical water vessels having elongated side flotation portions and a portion between the side flotation portions, such as a sailboat or catamaran, have the central portion substantially centered between the ends of the flotation portions. The present invention is configured with platform area  20  at one end of the vessel. This configuration in a substantial block u-shaped configuration represents engineering challenges. The article must be configured such that a person in the water can enter of depart either lounge portion  14  or  16  in either central cavity  18  or from the outer sides of either lounge portion  14  and  16  while cabana  10  maintains relative horizontal stability and does not tip over in the water. 
     In order to achieve the desired stability, each lounge portion is similarly configured with a concave curvature extending from the front end of each lounge portion  14  and  16  along the length thereof and extending though platform area  20  such that the curvature extends substantially along the entire length of each side of cabana  10 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 8 , front face  60  of lounge portion  16  is configured with a base having a length  62 , extending inward from inner wall  70  and outer wall  72 . A curved portion  66  defines a curved cavity  76  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) which extends the length of each side of cabana  10 . Curved portion  66  has a maximum height  64  defined when cabana  10  is placed on a flat surface. The distance of lengths  62 , height  64 , and degree of curvature of curved portion  66  have been arrived at through careful experimentation and engineering such that a person entering cabana  10  from either passage  18  or from the outside of either lounge  14  or  16  does not tip over cabana  10  in the water. 
     The engineering of curved cavity  76  imparts the desired stability such that any displacement of cabana  10  from a substantially horizontal plane, when cabana  10  is in the water, does not tip over or capsize cabana  10 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 10 , the curvature can be described as having a constant radius curve defined by each of curved portions  66  and  66 ′ under each of lounge portions  16  and  14  respectively. In one embodiment, the constant radius curve is a 13.5 inch constant radius curve. For illustrative purposes, axis  92  represents the horizontal plane in which the lowest points of base  12  lie. Base  12  has an outer curved inflection point  82  and  82 ′ that curve inward towards central axis line  110 . Outer radius curve points  84  and  84 ′ lie in plane  92  and represent the point at which the constant radius curve defined by each of curved portions  66  and  66 ′ begin. Peak points  86  and  86 ′ represent the peak of the constant radius curve. In one embodiment, peak points  86  and  86 ′ have a peak height or amplitude  88  and  88 ′ being a vertical distance above plane  92 . In one embodiment, base  12  has an overall height above plane  92  of approximately ten inches and amplitude  88  and  88 ′ is approximately 2.25 inches. Inner radius curve points  90  and  90 ′ define the length of the radius curve as being curvature along curve portion  66  and  66 ′ from outer radius curve points  84  and  84 ′. Each of inner radius curve points  90  and  90 ′ lie in plane  92 . The horizontal length in relation to base  12  of each radius curve is defined by distance  100  and  100 ′ being the horizontal distance along plane  92  from  84  to  90  and  84 ′ to  90 ′ respectively. 
     Each of inner radius curve points  90  and  90 ′ represent a point of inflection wherein the curvature of base  12  continues inward until a horizontal bottom  112  of platform area  20  is reached. Horizontal bottom  112  has a height  96  from plane  92  to bottom of platform  20  at bottom point  94  of approximately 2 inches. 
     The present invention provides a floating cabana  10  with stability in the water such cabana tilts from sided to side when a person goes on or off either of lounge portions  14  or  16  such that the side to side tilting does not turn over or capsize the cabana. 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.