Abstract:
A recreational flotation device ( 10 ) is provided which is designed to support a user (S) floating in water while affording a convenient holder for beverage containers. The device ( 10 ) comprises an elongated body ( 12 ) formed of synthetic resin material and having a density such that the body will float in water (e.g., extruded polyethylene). The body ( 12 ) presents a pair of opposed butt ends ( 14, 16 ), with at least one of the butt ends ( 14,16 ) being recessed to define a receptacle ( 18 ) integral with the body ( 12 ) for receiving a beverage container ( 24 ) therein. A preferred alternative device ( 110 ) is provided wherein the body ( 112 ) includes a pair of differently dimensioned receptacles ( 118,120 ) respectively located at the ends ( 114, 116 ) and integrally formed with the body ( 112 ).

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 10/248,457 filed Jan. 21, 2003, bearing the same title and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention is broadly concerned with recreational flotation devices commonly used by swimmers and bathers in pools, lakes and oceans. More particularly, the invention is concerned with such devices which are formed as integral bodies from a suitable low-density synthetic resin material so that the bodies will float and including at least one receptacle integrally formed in a butt end of the bodies for receipt of a beverage container such as a can or bottle.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Recreational flotation devices have long been available for the enjoyment of water sport enthusiasts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,561 describes a pool float of generally U-shaped configuration supporting central netting. This reference suggests that upright beverage holders be attached as add-on accessories. Other types of flotation devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,947,782, 5,971,823, 6,276,979, 5,476,404, 3,324,488, 4,721,216, and 205,617.  
           [0006]    Notwithstanding the diversity of prior flotation devices, none have heretofore been designed both for flotation and with the provision of integrally formed endmost beverage container receptacles allowing the user to have ready access to a drink.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides an improved recreational flotation device and comprising an elongated body formed of synthetic resin material having a density such that the body will float in water. The body also presents a pair of opposed butt ends with at least one of the butt ends being recessed to define a receptacle integral with the body for receiving a beverage container therein.  
           [0008]    In preferred forms, the body is formed of a cellular synthetic resin material such as extruded polyethylene that is both yieldable and shape-retaining. Other suitable materials include polyurethanes and polycarbonates. Moreover, preferred devices of the invention are equipped with differently configured beverage container-receiving recesses adjacent the respective butt ends thereof. This would permit a single device to accommodate, for example, both a standard aluminum beverage can and/or an upright glass, or plastic bottle for storing water, soda, beer or the like.  
           [0009]    The devices of the invention can be of any virtually desired size or shape as dictated by desired end usage. In one preferred embodiment, the device is an extruded polyethylene body which is generally arcuate or U-shape in configuration, with each butt end of the body being recessed to define integral, differently dimensioned beverage container receptacles configured to securely receive at least two differently dimensioned beverage containers having dimensions commonly utilized in the beverage industry. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a recreational floatation device constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention including a recessed beverage container receptacle integrally formed in one end and shown in a typical use by a user;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and illustrating the recessed beverage container receptacle integrally formed in one end and shown with a conventional beverage can (shown in phantom) received within the recessed receptacle;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a recreational floatation device constructed in accordance with a preferred alternative embodiment of the present invention including differently dimensioned recessed beverage container receptacles integrally formed in both ends; and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating one of the integrally formed recessed beverage container receptacles and shown with a conventional beverage bottle (shown in phantom) received therein. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a recreational floatation device  10  constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention and configured for supporting a user in the water. For example, the device  10  as illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown supporting an adult swimmer S partially submerged in a body of water (e.g., a pool, a lake, an ocean, etc.). For reasons that will subsequently become apparent, the device  10  is configured to support at least a portion of the swimmer S above the water line while still allowing at least one end of the device  10  to extend above the water line for supporting a beverage container therein. Except as indicated below, the principles of the present invention are not limited to a particular shaped floatation device nor any particular use thereof and equally apply to most personal floatation devices and virtually any traditional uses thereof. The illustrated device  10  includes an integral body  12  presenting a pair of opposed butt ends  14  and  16  and defining a receptacle  18  integral with the end  14  of the body  12  and configured for receiving a conventional beverage container (e.g., a can or a bottle) therein (see FIGS. 1 and 2).  
         [0016]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated body  12  is an elongated body presenting a substantially cylindrical shape. The body  12  is tubular and provides a continuous, central passageway  20  extending substantially the full length of the body  12  and communicating with the receptacle  18  and the opposite end  16  (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The body  12  is configured to support the swimmer S at least partially above the water line. In this regard, the body  12  preferably presents an outer diameter (i.e., a maximum cross-sectional dimension) ranging from about two and one-half to twelve inches, more preferably from about three and one-half to six inches, and most preferably around four inches. The passageway  20  presents a diameter of preferably less than about two inches and more preferably less than about one inch. The overall length of the body  12  is likewise variable and preferably ranges from twelve to seventy-two inches, and more preferably from about thirty-six to sixty inches.  
         [0017]    As previously indicated, the body  12  is configured to support the swimmer S at least partially above the water line. In this regard, the body  12  is preferably fabricated from a suitable synthetic resin material, such as extruded cellular polyethylene, having a density such that the body will float in water. The synthetic resin material preferably has a density from about 1.5-2.5 pounds per cubic foot and more preferably from about 1.8-2.0 pounds per cubic foot. In addition, the material from which the body  12  is fabricated is preferably both yieldable and shape-retaining. In this manner, the body  12  may be substantially straight or gently arcuate as shown in FIG. 2, or may be yielded to have a more pronounced arcuate shape as shown in FIG. 1, such that the body  12  presents an arcuate intermediate bight section  22  between the butt ends  14 , 16  thereof.  
         [0018]    It is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize variously configured sizes, shapes and materials for the body of the recreational floatation device. For example, virtually any cross-sectional configuration, such as square, triangular or polygonal, can be employed for the body. However, it is important that the body be operable to support a user at least partially submerged in water.  
         [0019]    As previously indicated, the receptacle  18 , integrally formed in the end  14  of the body  12 , is configured for receiving a conventional beverage container (e.g., a can or a bottle) therein. In more detail, and as shown in FIG. 3, the illustrated receptacle  18  is designed so as to frictionally receive, and maintain in position, a standard beverage can  24 , such as a metal, twelve ounce container for soda or beer, or a similarly configured plastic container for water. In this regard, the receptacle  18  defines a central bore extending only partially into the end  14  and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the central passageway  20 . In this manner, the receptacle  18  presents a ledge  26  recessed in the body  12 . The diameter of the receptacle  18  is preferably configured to frictionally engage the can  24  received therein to generally prevent the can  24  from inadvertent or accidental removal therefrom. The diameter of the receptacle  18  is preferably about two and one-half inches and more preferably 2.6 inches. The ledge  26  is preferably sufficiently recessed within the body  12  to support the can  24  mostly within the body  12  while allowing a portion of the can  24  to protrude out of the end  14  to enable the swimmer S to comfortably remove the can  24  from the body  12  without spilling the contents from the can  24 . In this regard, the ledge  26  is preferably recessed into the body  12  from three to four inches, and more preferably about three and one-half inches. It is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize various alternative configurations for the receptacle  18 . For example, the receptacle could be sized and configured to retainingly receive other standard beverage containers other than the conventional twelve ounce metal can (e.g., plastic or glass bottles, etc.). Additionally, the body could include identical or differing receptacles formed in each end. However, it is important that the receptacle be integrally formed in the body of the device. In this manner, the device is easily and cost-effectively manufactured while providing the user with ready access to the beverage container received therein.  
         [0020]    Returning now to FIG. 1, the device  10  is depicted in a typical use in accordance with the invention. As shown, the beverage can  24  is received within the butt end  14  for ready removal. In this instance, the swimmer S grasps the body  12  adjacent the ends  14 ,  16  with the bight section  22  passing between the swimmer&#39;s legs. It will be appreciated that the device  10  provides for personal recreational floatation while enabling the swimmer S to have constant and ready access to a refreshing beverage as is often desired when recreating in and around the water. It will be appreciated, that the device  10  can be used in various alternative manners (e.g., the bight section  22  positioned under both legs of the swimmer S rather than between them so that the ends  14 , 16  extend upwards adjacent each side of the swimmer S, etc.). Additionally, alternative shapes for the body may dictate additional or different particular modes of use.  
         [0021]    As previously indicated, it is within the ambit of the present invention to utilize various alternative configurations for the recreational floatation device. One such suitable alternative is the recreational floatation device  110  illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The device  110  is similar in many respects to the previously described device  10  as detailed above and includes an elongated body  112 , formed of the synthetic resin material described previously, and presenting opposed butt ends  114  and  116 . However, unlike the device  10 , the device  110  includes beverage container receptacles  118  and  120  integrally formed in each of the corresponding ends  114 , 116 , respectively. The body  112  further includes a continuous central passageway  122  extending substantially the full length of the body  112  and communicating with the endmost receptacles  118 , 120 . The receptacle  118  is virtually identical to the previously described receptacle  18  and thus will not be further described.  
         [0022]    Turning to FIG. 5, the illustrated receptacle  120 , differs from the receptacle  118  and presents a smaller diameter and a greater length that is designed to frictionally receive and maintain a standard beverage bottle  124 , such as a glass, twelve ounce long-neck-type soda or beer container or a similarly configured plastic bottle for water. In this regard, the receptacle  120  defines a central bore extending only partially into the end  116  and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the central passageway  122 . In this manner, the receptacle  120  presents a ledge  126  recessed in the body  112 . The diameter of the receptacle  120  is preferably configured to frictionally engage the bottle  124  received therein to generally prevent the bottle  124  from inadvertent or accidental removal therefrom. The diameter of the receptacle  120  is preferably less than two and one-half inches and more preferably about 2.35 inches. The ledge  126  is preferably sufficiently recessed within the body  112  to support the bottle  124  partly within the body  112  while allowing a portion of the bottle  124  to protrude out of the end  116  to enable the user to comfortably remove the bottle  124  from the body  112  without spilling the contents from the bottle  124 . In this regard, the ledge  126  is preferably recessed into the body  112  from four to five inches, and more preferably about four and one-half inches. The multiple, differing receptacles  118 , 120  of the device  110  enable the device  110  to be used to store a variety of varying beverage containers when in use by the user. For example, if the user desires to store a standard beverage can (such as the can  24  described above) the user simply inserts the can into the end  114 . If, however, the user desires to store a standard beverage bottle, such as the bottle  124 , the user simply inserts the bottle  124  into the end  116 .  
         [0023]    The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0024]    The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.