Patent Publication Number: US-9834286-B2

Title: Buoyant pool float

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT &amp; CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/274,656, entitled “Buoyant Pool Float” and filed on Jan. 4, 2016, in the name of Ulyss Ray Rubey; which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates, in general, to swimming pool recreational accessories and, more particularly, to a buoyant pool float for supporting a person in a sitting or reclining position, for example, while the buoyant pool float is floating in the water. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Swimming pools offer recreation and relaxation in a variety of settings, including private homes, apartment complexes, motels, resorts, and country clubs. Various flotation devices, including buoyant chairs, rafts, water wings, floating cushions, body floats and air mattresses are used by swimmers as an aid for floating and relaxing on the surface of the water, while remaining in a seated or reclining position, with varying degrees of submergence. These items of pool furniture include flotation cushions made of a buoyant material such as open cell foam, closed cell foam, cork, kapok, fiberglass or balsa wood, which are sealed within a protective outer coating. Special care should be taken in the construction of buoyant lounge chairs to provide sufficient buoyance material to maintain a stable upright orientation, while the occupant is in a semi- or fully-reclining orientation. As can be appreciated, the buoyant pool float may overturn in response to shifting of its center of buoyancy as the occupant turns or moves about and, as a result, there is a continuing need for improved design. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would be advantageous to achieve a buoyant pool float serving as a swimming pool recreational accessory for a swimmer in an upright, semi-reclining, sitting, or reclining position, for example, that would improve upon existing limitations in stability and functionality. It would also be desirable to enable a mechanical solution that would mitigate or eliminate the chances of the buoyant pool lounge chair being overturned in response to shifting of its center or buoyancy. Further, it would be desirable to enable a mechanical solution that provides a buoyant pool lounge chair while providing improved value engineering and construction. To better address one or more of these concerns, a buoyant pool float is disclosed. 
     In one embodiment, the buoyant pool float includes a body having a four-piece construction including an upper flotation member and a lower flotation member having a sidewall and bulkhead interposed therebetween. The upper flotation member is generally flat and sized to accommodate a human in a semi-reclining or reclining position, for example. Further, the upper flotation member is superposed above the lower flotation member, which is sized to correspond to a front end of the upper flotation member. The sidewall is positioned about the exterior of the body and the bulkhead within the interior of the body such that two sealed air holds are provided within the buoyant pool float. The two sealed air holds contribute to stability and buoyancy. Additionally, two areas that extend from the upper flotation member contribute to stability and buoyancy. 
     In another embodiment, the buoyant pool float includes a body having a two-piece construction including an upper flotation member and a sidewall extending downward therefrom. The upper flotation member is generally flat and sized to accommodate a human in a semi-reclining or reclining position, for example. The upper flotation member may be generally half-diamond shaped in plan or oval shaped in plan, for example. The sidewall is positioned about the exterior of the body from which it extends and shaped to provide an unsealed air hold that contributes to stability and buoyancy. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front top perspective view of one embodiment of a buoyant pool float according to the teachings presented herein that is floating in water; 
         FIG. 2  is a front bottom perspective view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front top exploded view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a right side cross-sectional view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a buoyant pool float according to the teachings presented herein; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a left side elevation view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a left side cross-sectional view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a further embodiment of a buoyant pool float according to the teachings presented herein; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a left side elevation view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a left side cross-sectional view of the buoyant pool float depicted in  FIG. 9 ; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 , therein is depicted one embodiment of a buoyant pool float  10 , which is schematically illustrated and designed. As shown, the buoyant pool float  10  floats on water W and includes a body  12  including an upper flotation member  14  and a lower flotation member  16  having a sidewall  18  interposed therebetween. Both the upper flotation member  14  and the lower flotation member  16  may be substantially flat. 
     The upper flotation member  14  includes a top  20 , a bottom  22 , a front end  24 , a rear end  26 , a side  28 , and a side  30 . In one embodiment, the upper flotation member  14  is generally diamond shape in plan with the front and rear ends  24 ,  26  rounded. The sides  28 ,  30  may be extended to accommodate respective arms  32 ,  34  extending toward the rear end  26 . As depicted, the upper flotation member  14  includes a longitudinal axis  36  and a transverse axis  38  with the respective arms  32 ,  34  being proximate to the transverse axis  38 . The upper flotation member  14  is sized for a human oriented in a semi-reclining or reclining position, for example, such that the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14  includes a size to accommodate a human head and the rear end  26  of the upper flotation member  14  includes a size to accommodate human feet. 
     In one implementation, the lower flotation member  16  includes a top  50 , a bottom  52 , a front end  54 , a rear end  56 , a side  58 , and a side  60 . The lower flotation member  16  may be generally half-diamond shape in plan with the front end  54  being rounded. The rear end  56 , on the other hand, is truncated. As shown, the sides  58 ,  60  are flared outward from the front end  54  to the rear end  56  and a forward edge  62  curves around the sides  58 ,  60 , the front end  54 , and the rear end  56 . As such, the lower flotation member  16  is approximately half the size of the upper flotation member  14 . 
     In one embodiment, the sidewall  18  includes a generally U-shaped ramp  70  having feet  72 ,  74  at the rear end  26  of lower flotation member  16  proximate to the transverse axis  38  of the upper flotation member  14 . The generally U-shaped ramp  70  may include a rise  76  from the feet  72 ,  74  to a peak  78  at the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14  and the front end  24  of the lower flotation member  16 . The generally U-shaped ramp  70  has an upper edge  80  and a lower edge  82 . The upper edge  80  contacts the upper flotation member  14  and the lower edge  82  is coincident with the forward edge  62  of the lower flotation member  16 . As illustrated, the arms  32 ,  34  of the upper flotation member  14  extend beyond the lower flotation member  16 . 
     A bulkhead  90  is located in a crossbar position across the generally U-shaped ramp  70  and forms a sealed air hold  92  and a sealed air hold  94 . Each of the sealed air holds  92 ,  94  contain air A. The sealed air hold  92  is proximate the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14  and the front end  24  of the lower flotation member  16 . The sealed air hold  94  is proximate the transverse axis  38  of the upper flotation member  14  and the rear end  26  of the lower flotation member  16 . The sealed air hold  92  and the sealed air hold  94  include non-inflatable designs. It should be appreciated that although two sealed air holds  92 ,  94  are depicted, the buoyant pool float  10  may have a single sealed air hold or more than two sealed air holds. As shown, the sealed air hold  92  is positioned under the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14  such that the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14  is inclined and elevated relative to the rear end  26  of the upper flotation member  14 . This arrangement further assists the buoyancy by providing inclined support to the head, shoulders, and torso of the individual or human utilizing the buoyant pool float  10 . A loop hanger  100  may extend from the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14 . The loop hanger  100  facilitates hanging of the buoyant pool float  10  for storage. 
     As constructed, in one embodiment, the buoyant pool float  10  may be designed as a continuous form of a pliable foam material of constant or appropriately varying density that varies in thickness with a coating applied thereon to provide the upper flotation member  14 , the lower flotation member  16 , the sidewall  18 , and the bulkhead  90 . The construction may include molded foam being provided by a single or multiple molding process, and, in one embodiment, may include void spaces of select shapes to accommodate cup holders or the like. In one embodiment, the construction includes slabs of closed cell polyurethane foam, such as closed cell polyurethane foam, having a density in the range of approximately 1 lbs/ft 3  (16 kg/m 3 ) to approximately 6 lbs/ft 3  (96 kg/m 3 ). Further, by way of example, the upper flotation member  14  may be made by a partially or fully blow molded process depending on volumes. During construction, the sealed air holds  92 ,  94  are constructed by closing ambient air therein during assembly. 
     By way of example and not by way of limitation, the buoyant pool float  10  may be constructed such that the length along the longitudinal axis  36  is over about 6.5 feet (1.98 m) from the rear end  26  of the upper flotation member  14  to the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14 . The width of the buoyant pool float  10  may be about 38 inches (965.2 mm) from the arm  32  to the arm  34  across the transverse axis  38  of the upper flotation member  14 . The front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14  may have a width of about 17.5 inches (444.5 mm) and the upper flotation member  14  may have a width of about 27 inches (685.8 mm), distal to the arms  32 ,  34  that tapers down further toward the rear end  26  of the upper flotation member  14 . The height of the body  12  at the front end  24  of the upper flotation member  14  and the lower flotation member  16  may be about 6.5 inches (165.1 mm). It should be appreciated that although a particular construction and materials are presented herein, the construction of the buoyant pool float  10  presented herein may vary according to the particular application and other constructions and choices of materials are within the teachings presented herein. 
     As previously alluded, special care should be taken in the consideration of buoyant lounge chairs to provide sufficient buoyancy material to maintain a stable upright orientation while the occupant is in a semi-reclining, seated, or reclining orientation, for example. Such special care is warranted as any buoyant lounge chair or buoyant pool float can overturn in response to shifting of its center of buoyancy as the occupant turns or moves about. In one embodiment of the buoyant pool float  10 , buoyancy sufficient to support an adult occupant having a body weight of 250 lbs (113 kg) is provided by the construction. In particular, buoyance may be achieved through the four-piece construction including the upper flotation member  14  and the lower flotation member  16  having the sidewall  18  and the bulkhead  90  interposed therebetween. 
     As discussed, the upper flotation member  14  is generally flat and sized to accommodate a human. Further, the upper flotation member  14  is superposed above the lower flotation member  16 , which is sized to correspond to the front end  24 , beyond the transverse axis  38 , of the upper flotation member  14 . The sidewall  18  is positioned at the exterior of the buoyant pool float  10  and the bulkhead  90  within the interior thereof such that two sealed air holds  92 ,  94  are provided within the buoyant pool float  10 . The two sealed air holds  92 ,  94  contribute to stability and buoyancy. Moreover, the extended arms  32 ,  34  add to the stability and buoyancy of the buoyant pool float  10  too. In one exemplary prototype constructed according to the teachings presented herein, the buoyant pool float  10  required 20 percent less material to construct than an equivalent sized regular buoyant pool float  10  using existing construction designs and techniques. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  through  FIG. 8 , therein is depicted another embodiment of a buoyant pool float  110 , which is schematically illustrated and designed. As shown, the buoyant pool float  110  floats on water like the buoyant pool float  10  and includes a body  112  including an upper flotation member  114  and a sidewall  118  extending downward therefrom. The upper flotation member  114  may be substantially flat. 
     The upper flotation member  114  includes a top  120 , a bottom  122 , a front end  124 , a rear end  126 , a side  128 , and a side  130 . In one embodiment, the upper flotation member  114  is generally half-diamond shape in plan with the front end  124  rounded. The sides  128 ,  130  may be extended to accommodate respective arms  132 ,  134  extending toward the rear end  126 . As depicted, the upper flotation member  114  includes a longitudinal axis  136  and a transverse axis  138  with the respective arms  132 ,  134  being proximate to the transverse axis  138 . The rear end  126  may be straight with respective concave curve members  150 ,  152  joining the arms  132 ,  134  to the rear end  126 . The upper flotation member  114  is sized for a human oriented in a semi-reclining or reclining position, for example, such that the front end  124  of the upper flotation member  114  includes a size to accommodate a human head and the rear end  126  of the upper flotation member  114  includes a size to accommodate human feet. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the upper flotation member  114  includes support for at least a portion of the lower body of a human utilizing the buoyant pool float  110 . 
     In one embodiment, the sidewall  118  includes a generally U-shaped ramp  170  having feet  172 ,  174  at the rear end  126  of upper flotation member  114  subjacent to the transverse axis  138  of the upper flotation member  114  on the bottom  122 . The generally U-shaped ramp  170  may include a rise  176  from the feet  172 ,  174  to a peak  178  at the front end  124  of the upper flotation member  114 . The generally U-shaped ramp  170  has an upper edge  180  and a lower edge  182 . The upper edge  180  contacts the upper flotation member  114  on the bottom  122  and the lower edge  182  extends from the bottom  122  of the upper flotation member  114 . 
     The U-shaped ramp  170  forms an unsealed air hold  192  that is proximate the front end  124  of the upper flotation member  114 , whereby air is contained within the unsealed air hold  192  between the buoyant pool float  110  and the water during operation. This arrangement further assists the buoyancy by providing inclined support to the head, shoulders, and torso of the individual or human utilizing the buoyant pool float  110 . A grommet and rope hanger  200  may extend from the front end  124  of the upper flotation member  114 . The grommet and rope hanger  200  facilitates hanging of the buoyant pool float  110  for storage. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9  through  FIG. 12 , therein is depicted another embodiment of a buoyant pool float  210 , which is schematically illustrated and designed. As shown, the buoyant pool float  210  floats on water like the buoyant pool floats  10 ,  110  and includes a body  212  including an upper flotation member  214  and a sidewall  218  extending downward therefrom. The upper flotation member  214  may be substantially flat. 
     The upper flotation member  214  includes a top  220 , a bottom  222 , a front end  224 , a rear end  226 , a side  228 , and a side  230 . In one embodiment, the upper flotation member  214  is generally oval shape in plan. As depicted, the upper flotation member  214  includes a longitudinal axis  236  and a transverse axis  238 . The rear end  226  may be truncated and straight subjacent to the transverse axis  238 . The upper flotation member  214  is sized for a human oriented in a semi-reclining or reclining position, for example, such that the front end  224  of the upper flotation member  214  includes a size to accommodate a human head and the rear end  226  of the upper flotation member  214  includes a size to accommodate human feet. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the upper flotation member  214  includes support for at least a portion of the lower body of a human utilizing the buoyant pool float  210 . It should be appreciated that the upper flotation member  214  may be any elongated geometric shape, including the aforementioned half-diamond and oval shapes. Further, the construction and sizing of the buoyant pool floats  110 ,  210  may be similar construction and sizing of the buoyant pool float  10 . 
     In one embodiment, the sidewall  218  includes a generally U-shaped ramp  270  having feet  272 ,  274  at the rear end  226  of upper flotation member  214  subjacent to the transverse axis  238  of the upper flotation member  214  on the bottom  222 . The generally U-shaped ramp  270  may include a rise  276  from the feet  272 ,  274  to a peak  278  at the front end  224  of the upper flotation member  214 . The generally U-shaped ramp  270  has an upper edge  280  and a lower edge  282 . The upper edge  280  contacts the upper flotation member  214  on the bottom  222  and the lower edge  282  extends from the bottom side  222  of the upper flotation member  214 . 
     The U-shaped ramp  270  forms an unsealed air hold  292  that is proximate the front end  224  of the upper flotation member  214 , whereby air is contained within the unsealed air hold  292  between the buoyant pool float  210  and the water during operation. This arrangement further assists the buoyancy by providing inclined support to the head, shoulders, and torso of the individual or human utilizing the buoyant pool float  210 . A grommet and rope hanger  300  may extend from the front end  224  of the upper flotation member  214 . The grommet and rope hanger  300  facilitates hanging of the buoyant pool float  210  for storage. 
     The order of execution or performance of the methods and manufacturing operations illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and manufacturing operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution. 
     While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.