Abstract:
A multiple strand pool noodle is provided. The multiple strand pool noodle has at least two strands formed of extruded foam where each of the strands has a first end and a second end. The first ends of the strands are contained in a first end member and the second ends of the strand are contained in a second end member. A length of the strands extends between the first and second end members. The strands are movable with respect to each other along the length.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/495,518, filed Sep. 24, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,457,876, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/882,765, filed Sep. 26, 2013, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set out in full. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The pool noodle is a flotation device usable in water, typically a pool. While ubiquitous today, the pool noodle has only been a water toy since about the mid 1980s. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a conventional (or original) pool noodle  100  is shown. The pool noodle  100  is formed of extruded foam, such as a polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyurethane foam. The extruded foam is cut at an appropriate length for the particular use. The extruded elongated foam element is called a “noodle” because its shape is similar and its flexibility is similar to noodles. In part, due to the extrusion process, the pool noodle  100  has a hollow bore  102  extending through the center of the pool noodle  100 . Conventionally, the pool noodle has a diameter  104  of about 2 to 4 inches and a length  106  of between 1 to 7 feet, depending often on the desired use. 
     The pool noodle  100  is highly buoyant and is often used as a personal flotation device where a swimmer holds the pool noodle  100  and the buoyancy of the pool noodle  100  supports the swimmer. The pool noodle&#39;s flexibility allows for alternative uses as well. In some embodiments, the pool noodle  100  may be formed into a square shape (either continuously or cut) to form a floating holder for a cooler of beverages in a body of water. In other instances, a rope may be threaded in the hollow bores  102  over a plurality of pool noodles  100  to a string of pool noodles. In still other instances, a pool noodle  100  may be formed into a shape, such as a U, L, or V shape and used by an individual. 
     Pool noodles  100  may also be used, in certain applications, as swords or jousting items to allow individuals to safely have a mock battle. In other non-traditional uses, the hollow bore  102  of the pool noodle  100  may be filed with fluid and used as a water gun. 
     Despite the many and varied uses for pool noodle  100 , the pool noodle  100  remains essentially a single piece of extruded foam. Thus, against this background, improved pool noodles are desirous. 
     SUMMARY 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary, and the foregoing Background, is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In some aspects of the technology, a multiple strand pool noodle is provided. The multiple strand pool noodle comprises a plurality of elongate foam members, which may be hollow, joined at each end by a cap member. The cap member may be cylindrical with opposed open ends or cylindrical with one a closed end. In some embodiments, the cap member may be circular, elliptical, oval, oblong, rectangular, square, triangular, rhomboid, or a random shape as desired to form the overall end shapes of the multiple strand pool noodle. 
     In one embodiment, the multiple strand pool noodle comprises a least two (2) strands of extruded small diameter elongate foam members that are captured in end caps at opposing ends of the strands. The ends of the two (2) strands and the cap may be bonded by melt forming the ends. 
     These and other aspects of the present system and method will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art pool noodle. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a multiple strand pool noodle consistent with the technology of the present application. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation and end view of the multiple strand pool noodle shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation and end view of a multiple strand pool noodle consistent with the technology of the present application. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of a multiple strand pool noodle consistent with the technology of the present application. 
         FIG. 6  is a view of the multiple strand pool noodle consistent with the technology of the present application. 
         FIGS. 7-13  are views of use of the multiple strand pool noodle consistent with the technology of the present application. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The technology of the present application will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology of the present application. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     The technology of the present application is described with specific reference to pool noodles. However, the technology described herein may be used for other applications outside of pools, such as, for example, use in water parks, other bodies of water, or uses outside of water, and the like. For example, the technology of the present application may be applicable to sledding, or the like. Moreover, the technology of the present application will be described with relation to exemplary embodiments. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Additionally, unless specifically identified otherwise, all embodiments described herein should be considered exemplary. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , a multiple strand pool noodle  200  is shown floating in a pool  10 . The multiple strand pool noodle  200  comprises a first end  201  and a second end  202  opposite from the first end  201 . The multiple strand pool noodle  200  comprises a first end member  204  at the first end  201  and a second end member  206  at the second end. The multiple strand pool noodle  200  comprises a plurality of strands  208 , which in this case, is seven (7) individual strands  208 . Each strand  208  is itself an extruded foam member, generally hollow in view of the extrusion process presently used, but solid strands  208  are contemplated by the technology of the present application. The strands  208  each may be a conventional pool noodle, such as the elongate foam member  100  above, having a diameter between about 2 to 4 inches. However, as shown, the multiple strand pool noodle  200  comprises elongate extruded foam members having a diameter D of approximately 1 to 3.5 inches. In certain aspects, the diameter may be between about 1.5 and 1.75 inches. In some embodiments herein, the diameters may be less than 1 inch to 1 inch. As used herein in conjunction with dimensions, approximately and about mean within manufacturing tolerances, and for this type of product may be ±10%. Also, while shown as identically sized and shaped strands, the strands  208  may be of varied sizes and shapes. For example, instead of seven (7) circular cross-section members, the strands may include other cross-sectional shapes including, circular, triangular, rectangular, star, crescent, oval, tear drop, or the like. Generally, however, the length of the strands  208  forming the single multiple strand pool noodle  200  are of about the same length to couple with the ends  204 ,  206 . 
     The first and second end members  204 ,  206  in this embodiment are formed of foam similar to the strands  208 . In this exemplary embodiment, first and second end members  204 ,  206  may be formed from extruded foam similar to the strands  208  (or  100  above). In some embodiments, the first and second end members  204 ,  206  may be formed from a sheet of foam material made in any conventional manner and wrapped about the strands  208 . If formed of a sheet of foam material, the seam (not specifically shown) would be heat fused or otherwise adhered to form the first and second end members  204 ,  206 . The seam may be otherwise adhered using glues or other weld technologies that are applicable. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , an elevation view and an end view of the multiple strand pool noodle  200  is shown. As can be seen in the end view, the first end portion  204  (and similarly second end portion  206 ), in this exemplary embodiment, is a tubular member that is open on both ends such that the strands  208  may extend from one or both sides of the first end portion  204 , which is useful in one method of constructing the multiple strand pool noodle described further below. In some embodiments, however, the first (and/or second) end portion  204  ( 206 ) may include a cover such that the ends of the individual strands are not viewable when the multiple strand pool noodle  200  is constructed. As can be seen from the end view, the strands  208  are symmetrically arranged with six (6) strands side to side about a single center strand. While shown as seven (7) strands, the multiple strand pool noodle  200  having end members with a generally circular first and second end members  204  and  206  could have as little as three (3) strands to an almost unlimited number of strands. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , a multiple strand pool noodle  400  is shown. Similar to multiple strand pool noodle  200  above, multiple strand pool noodle  400  has a first end  401  with a first end member  404  and a second end  402  opposite the first end  401  with a second end member  406 . The multiple strand pool noodle  400  further has a plurality of strands  408  that, in this exemplary embodiment, include seven (7) strands  408  although the multiple strand pool noodle may contain two (2) or more. As can be seen from the end view, the inner width D 2  of the first and second end members  404 ,  406  is approximately equal to the diameter D 1  of the strands  408 . Moreover, the inner height H of the first and second end members  404 ,  406  is approximately equal to the diameter D 1  of the strands  408  times the number of strands that are stacked, which in this case is seven (7). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the first and second end members  404 ,  406  are formed by an oblong tubular member that wraps around the top and bottom strands  408   T ,  408   B . Alternatively, as discussed above, the first and second end members  404 ,  406  may be formed from a single sheet of foam material that is wrapped about the strands  408 . In still another embodiment, the first and second end members  404 ,  406  may be formed from multiple sheets of foam  500  as shown in an elevation view in  FIG. 5 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, manufacturing the multiple strand pool noodle  200  or  400  comprises gathering the determined amount of strands  208  or  408 . The strands  208 ,  408  are placed into the first and second end members  204 ,  206  or  404 ,  406  with an excess length of the strands  208  or  408  sticking out the end. The excess length does not need to be uniform for each of the strands  208 ,  408 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , an end member  600  is shown with four (4) strands  602 . The end member  600  has an end surface  604 . The strands  602  each extend beyond the end surface  604 . The strands are organized such that the lengths are similar (although not necessarily uniform) and sticking out of the end member  600  beyond the end surface  604  by approximately ‘½’ in this exemplary embodiment. More or less of the strand ends may extend from the end member in other embodiments. The end member  600  and strands  602  are heated as a group and allowed to melt together for approximately 2-3 seconds. Subsequent to the melting, cooling may be applied to cure the multiple strand pool noodle. The individual pieces outlined above are now joined to each adjacent edge beside it such that the end member  600  and the strands for an integrated unit with a smooth end surface. Instead of melting the ends to form an integrated or monolithic unit, the strands and end members may be welded, glued, or chemically bonded. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 7 to 13 , the versatility of the multiple strand pool noodle  200  is demonstrated. First, with reference to  FIG. 7 , the multiple strand pool noodle  200  is usable as a conventional pool noodle. In this use, the swimmer grasps the multiple strand pool noodle  200  as a conventional flotation device.  FIG. 8  shows another use of the multiple strand pool noodle  200  that is similar to a conventional use of a conventional flotation device. In this application, the pool noodle is used as a seat in a U-shaped harness. With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the multiple strand pool noodle  200  is used in a seat configuration. In particular, the strands are separated to form various seat configurations. For example, in  FIG. 9 , several of the strands  208  are arranged across the back of the swimmer and several of the strands  208  are arranged across the thigh/buttocks region. The configuration of the multiple strand pool noodle  200 , in  FIG. 9 , provides a floating seat with a back support. Similarly, with reference to  FIG. 10 , the strands  208  are fanned out in a planar arrangement under the thigh/buttocks region of the swimmer. This configuration provides a stable, generally flat seating surface (similar to a sling or seat hammock) for the swimmer as opposed to the generally round surface shown by the inverted U-shaped harness of  FIG. 8 .  FIGS. 11 and 12  show a lounge configuration for a pool use of the multiple strand pool noodle  200  not possible with a conventional pool noodle  100 . With reference to  FIG. 11 , for example, a first plurality of the strands  208  are fanned out to support the upper back, neck, and head of the swimmer and a second plurality of strands  208  are fanned out to support the legs, shown in the knee region. This allows the swimmer to rest in the supine position on a single multiple strand pool noodle  200 . Similarly,  FIG. 12  shows the use of the multiple strand pool noodle  200  in another lounge configuration. In this configuration, at least one strand of the strands  208  are used on the left and right side of the supine swimmer as a sort of guard rail. The remainder of the strands  208  are fanned out and extend under the back generally parallel to the spinal column. Finally, the first (or second) end  201  (or  202 ) and the first end member  204  (or the second end member  206 ) may be used as a head rest. Finally, in  FIG. 13 , the multiple strand pool noodle  200  may be used similar to a conventional pool noodle  100  as a means of launching liquid, similar to a squirt gun. 
     Although the technology has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and materials, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and materials described. Rather, the specific aspects are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Because many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).