Abstract:
A floating assembly for suspending a person on water has a sheet material that defines the periphery for the floating assembly. A plurality of floatation devices are attached to the periphery. The plurality of floatation devices includes a top floatation device that forms a head pillow, a first side floatation device, and a second side floatation device positioned opposite to the first side floatation device. A first arm space is defined between the top floatation device and the first side floatation device, and a second arm space is defined between the top floatation device and the second side floatation device. The periphery can also be defined by a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to collapsible structures, and in particular, to collapsible floating assemblies which offer multiple uses, and which may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the assembly to facilitate convenient storage and use.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Collapsible objects have recently become popular with both adults and children. Examples of such collapsible objects are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,812 (Norman), U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,794 (Zheng) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,385 (Zheng) in the form of collapsible structures. These structures can be used as play structures, shelters, tents, and storage structures, among other uses. These structures may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the structures to facilitate convenient storage and use. As such, these structures are being enjoyed by many people in many different applications.  
         [0005]     Other examples of collapsible objects include blanket, mat and floating assemblies as illustrated in one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,283 (Zheng), U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,100 (Le Gette et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,391 (Le Gette et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,353 (Zheng). These assemblies can be used as blankets, floor mats, and floating mats. These blankets and mats may be twisted and folded to reduce the overall size of the blanket or mat to facilitate convenient storage and use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a floating assembly that offers increased flexibility in use.  
         [0007]     In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, there is provided a floating assembly for suspending a person on water, the floating assembly having a sheet material that defines the periphery for the floating assembly. A plurality of floatation devices are attached to the periphery. The plurality of floatation devices includes a top floatation device that forms a head pillow, a first side floatation device, and a second side floatation device positioned opposite to the first side floatation device. A first arm space is defined between the top floatation device and the first side floatation device, and a second arm space is defined between the top floatation device and the second side floatation device.  
         [0008]     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the periphery can be defined by a foldable frame member that has a folded and an unfolded orientation. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a floating assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention shown in use in its expanded configuration.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A thereof.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate how the assembly of  FIG. 1  can be twisted and folded for compact storage.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective of a floating assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates the assembly of  FIG. 4  in use by a user.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates the assembly of  FIG. 4  after it has been folded in half.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates the assembly of  FIG. 6  in use by a user.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the floating assembly of  FIG. 4  configured in a different shape. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention provides a floating assembly  20  that can assume any configuration, such as circular, oval, or rectangular, square, trapezoidal, or irregular. The assembly  20  has a peripheral edge  22  that extends all the way around the assembly  20 . A peripheral frame retaining sleeve  24  is provided along and traverses the peripheral edge  22 , and a frame member  26  is retained or held within the frame retaining sleeve  24  such that the frame member  24  extends completely around the peripheral edge  22 .  
         [0019]     The frame member  26  may be provided as one continuous loop, or may be a strip of material connected at both ends to form a continuous loop, or can be a strip of material having opposite ends that are adjacent to (but not connected to) each other. The frame member  26  is preferably formed of flexible coilable steel, although other materials such as plastics may also be used. The frame member  26  should be made of a material which is relatively strong and yet is flexible to a sufficient degree to allow it to be coiled. Thus, the frame member  26  is capable of assuming two positions, an open or expanded position such as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a folded position (see  FIG. 3D ) in which the frame member is collapsed into a size which is much smaller than its open position. The frame member  26  may be merely retained within the frame retaining sleeve  24  without being connected thereto. Alternatively, the frame retaining sleeve  24  may be mechanically fastened, stitched, fused, or glued to the frame member  26  to retain the frame member  26  in position.  
         [0020]     In addition, a protective covering  28  can be provided to cover the frame member  26 . The protective covering  28  can be the same as that which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,697 to Zheng, whose entire disclosure is incorporated by this reference as though set forth fully herein. The protective covering  28  can be effective in preventing the metallic frame member  26  from rust and damage due to its anticipated exposure to water.  
         [0021]     Sheet material  30  extends across the interior space defined by the sleeve  24 , and is held taut by the frame member  26  when the sheet material  30  is in its open position. The term “sheet material” is to be given its broadest meaning and should be made from strong, flexible yet lightweight materials and may include woven fabrics, sheet fabrics, meshed fabrics or even films. The sheet material  30  can be water-resistant and durable to withstand the wear and tear associated with extended use, and rough treatment by adults and children. The sheet material  30  can also allow water to pass therethrough (e.g., such as a meshed material).  
         [0022]     As illustrated best in  FIG. 2 , the sleeve  24  may attached to the sheet material  30  by a stitching  38 . The stitching  38  can also operate to enclose the sleeve  22 . Alternatively, the sleeve  24  can be a part of or an extension of the sheet material  30 , where the outer edge of the sheet material  30  is wrapped around the frame member  26  to enclose the frame member  26 , and then a stitching  38  is applied to enclose the sleeve  24 .  
         [0023]     A plurality of floatation devices  50  are provided in spaced-apart manner about the peripheral edge  22 . Each floatation device  50  includes a separate floatation sleeve  32  that can be stitched to the sleeve  24  by a stitching  40 . Thus, the floatation devices  50  can be permanently attached (e.g., by stitching  40 , welding or fusing), or removably attached (e.g., by hooks, VELCRO™ pads, etc.), to the peripheral edge of the sleeve  24 . The floatation device  50  can be embodied in any desirable structure, including but not limited to one or more foam pieces, or one or more inflatable bags  42 , housed inside the floatation sleeve  32 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the use of an inflatable bag  42  which has a hollow interior that is adapted to receive an inflation medium (e.g., air or liquid) via a port  52  that extends through the floatation sleeve  32 .  
         [0024]     As an alternative, the sleeve  32  can be omitted and the inflatable bag  42  can be stitched directly to the sheet material  30  or the sleeve  24 .  
         [0025]     The floatation devices  50  are spaced-apart about the peripheral edge  22  so as to define an open space between each pair of adjacent floatation devices  50 . In particular, at least four separate floatation devices  50   w,    50   x,    50   y,    50   z  are provided to define four separate open spaces  60 ,  62 ,  64  and  66  between each other. Each of these spaces  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  is provided along the peripheral edge  22 , and each is adapted to receive part of a human limb when a user is lying on the sheet material  30 . For example, when the user lies on the sheet material  30  with the head resting on the top floatation device  50 x (which can function as a head pillow), part of each of the user&#39;s arms can extend through one of the spaces  60  and  62 , and part of each of the user&#39;s legs can extend through one the spaces  64  and  66 , which are separated by a bottom floatation device  50 w.  FIG. 5  illustrates the positioning of a user&#39;s limbs through these spaces  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  in connection with a modification of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3F .  
         [0026]     In use, the user can inflate the floatation devices  50  and then place the assembly  20  into a body of water (e.g., swimming pool, beach, lake, etc.). The user can then climb on to the top surface of the assembly  20  and then lie on the assembly  20  as the assembly  20  floats on the water, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Extending the user&#39;s arms and legs through the spaces  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  will enhance the user&#39;s comfort because the arms and legs can be maintained relatively flat with respect to the rest of the user&#39;s body. Otherwise, the user&#39;s arms and legs would have to be supported directly on an inflated floatation device  50 , which is less comfortable because the inflated floatation device  50  would cause the arms and legs to be raised.  
         [0027]     To store the assembly  20 , the user first deflates the floatation devices  50  so that the entire assembly  20  can have a generally flat profile. The assembly  20  can then be folded and collapsed into a compact configuration for storage, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3F . In the first step illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the opposite border  70  of the assembly  20  is folded in (see arrow  72 ) to collapse the frame member  26  with the sheet material  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , the next step is to continue the collapsing so that the initial size of the assembly  20  is reduced.  FIG. 3C  shows the next step with the frame member  26  and sheet material  30  collapsed on each other to provide. for a small essentially compact configuration having a plurality of concentric frame members  26  and layers of the sheet material  30  so that the collapsed assembly  20  has a size which is a fraction of the size of the initial assembly  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3D .  
         [0028]     In addition, a retaining member or strap  74  (shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E  only) may be attached to the peripheral edge  22 . As shown in  FIGS. 3D and 3E , the strap  74  may be used to tie or hold the collapsed assembly  20  in the collapsed position. Alternatively, a bag (not shown) may be used to store the collapsed assembly  20 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3F  illustrates the closed loop of the frame member  26  in the collapsed position. The structure of each closed loop essentially consists of two sets of three concentric rings intertwined to lie flat. In the collapsed position, the structure will have a significantly reduced diameter which makes it easy to store the collapsed assembly  20 . This reduced size is especially convenient when the assembly  20  is to be used away from the home, such as during travel or at the beach where the assembly  20  can be easily and conveniently packed, stored and transported.  
         [0030]     The assembly  20  can be expanded again by opening the coiled frame member  26 . The bias and resiliency of the frame member  26  will cause the frame member  26  (and the attached sheet material  30 ) to automatically open out to the expanded position shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates another floating assembly  20   a  according to the present invention. The assembly  20   a  is essentially the same as the assembly  20  of  FIG. 1 , so the same numeral designations will be used for both the assemblies  20  and  20   a,  except that an “a” is added to the designations in  FIG. 4 . The assembly  20   a  is essentially the same as the assembly  20  of  FIG. 1 , except that (i) the assembly  20   a  does not have a peripheral frame member  26 , and (ii) each of the two side floatation devices  50   y  and  50   z  are now divided into two separate floatation devices. Thus, the floatation device  50   y  in  FIG. 1  is now divided into two separate floatation devices  80  and  82  that are separated by a small gap  84  therebetween, and the floatation device  50   z  in  FIG. 1  is now divided into two separate floatation devices  86  and  88  that are separated by a small gap  90  therebetween. The gaps  84  and  90  are aligned by a dividing line D that extends from one gap  84  to the other gap  90 . In addition, since the frame member  26  and its sleeve  24  are now omitted, the periphery of the sheet material  30   a  can be hemmed to prevent it from splaying.  
         [0032]     The assembly  20   a  can be positioned in several different configurations for use, thereby enhancing its utility to the user. For example, the user can use the assembly  20   a  in the same manner described above for the assembly  20 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the assembly  20   a  can be folded in half about the dividing line D as shown in  FIG. 6 , so that the floatation devices  82 ,  88  and  50   a  are positioned under the floatation devices  80 ,  86  and  50   x,  respectively. The folded assembly  20   a  can then be floated on the water, and the user can rest his/her upper body on the folded assembly  20 a, with the user&#39;s lower body submerged in the water, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The user&#39;s arms can still extend through the spaces  60   a,    62   a,  with the head rested against the floatation device  50   x.  However, the user&#39;s lower body can now be submerged in the water, which can be desirable on warmer days. In addition, the folded assembly  20   a  can also function as a backrest for a user in a swimming pool, where the folded assembly  20   a  can be urged against a wall of a swimming pool, and the user standing in the pool and resting the user&#39;s back against the assembly  20   a  as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0033]     To store the assembly  20   a,  the user first deflates the floatation devices  50  so that the entire assembly  20   a  can have a generally flat profile. The sheet material  30   a  of the assembly  20   a  can then be folded a compact configuration for storage.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  illustrates the assembly  20   a  of  FIG. 4  configured in a different shape, such as oval. Otherwise, the assembly  20   a  in  FIGS. 4 and 8  can be the same.  
         [0035]     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.