Patent Publication Number: US-10780321-B2

Title: Head and neck floating support device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This present patent application claims benefit and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/270,620 filed Oct. 11, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/405,553 filed Oct. 21, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a water floating support device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a water floating device designed to support the user&#39;s head or neck for recreational or exercise purposes. 
     In recent years, water exercises have increased in popularity because the buoyancy of water takes the weight off the spine and legs while still allowing vigorous exercise. A variety of flotation devices are known in the art to allow a person to float while relaxing or practicing water exercises. Unfortunately, current flotation devices do not provide support for the swimmer&#39;s head or neck when swimming or practicing water exercises. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a water floating device that provides support for the swimmer&#39;s head or neck when swimming or practicing water exercises. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a floating support device includes a unitary piece body made of a floating and waterproof material; the unitary piece body has a U-shape including a curved central section having a first leg on a first end and a second leg on a second end; the first leg and the second leg project from the curved central section; and the first leg and the second leg angle inwardly to one another. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front view of a floating support device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the floating support device in use; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed view of the floating support device of  FIG. 1  showing the floating support device placed around the neck of a user; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective front view of the floating support device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom view of the floating support device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the floating support device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-section view of the floating support device taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a water floating device that offers support for the head or neck of a user when swimming or practicing water exercises. 
       FIGS. 1-6  show a floating support device  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The floating support device  10  may be used to support a head  24  and neck  22  of a user  20  while swimming or exercising in the water  18 . 
     The floating support device  10  may include a unitary piece body  12 . The unitary piece body  12  may be made of a floating and waterproof material  16  that may float on water. The unitary piece body may be made of, for example, rubber, plastic, encapsulated expanded polystyrene, foam, polyethylene foam, closed cell foam, recycled foam, vinyl covered foam, polymer, resin, or composite material. In some embodiments, the unitary piece body  12  may be made of foam, rubber, or polyethylene foam. The size of the unitary piece body  12  may depend on the size of the neck  22  and the head  24  of the user  20 . The floating support device  10  may come in different sizes, for example, X-small, small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large, or xxx-large. 
     The unitary piece body  12  may be a solid body or a hollow body. When using a hollow body, the unitary piece body may be filled with a viscoelastic gel or fluid. The fluid may be, for example, air, oxygen, or CO 2 . 
     The unitary piece body  12  may have a shape that may cradle the neck  22  and support the head  24  of the user  20 . The unitary piece body  12  may have, for example, a U-shape. The U-shape may include a curved central section  13   a  having a pair of legs  13   b  projecting from the curved central section  13   a . The pair of legs  13   b  may angle inwardly to one another. The outside contour of the curved central section  13   a  may have different shapes. The different shapes may be, for example, a geometrical shape, heart shape, flower shape, animal shape, fish shape, dolphin shape, or holiday motives. The user  20  may spread apart the legs  13   b  in order to introduce the neck  22  on a hole  30  formed between the legs  13   b . The configuration of the unitary piece body  12  may be designed to inherently grip and support the neck  22  of the user  20 . 
     A coating layer  14  may be applied to the unitary piece body  12 . The coating layer  14  may help protect the unitary piece body  12 . The coating layer may include a waterproof material. The waterproof material may be, for example, poly-vinyl. 
     A cover  40  may be placed over the unitary piece body  12 . The cover  40  may be made of a waterproof soft material. The waterproof soft material may be, for example, fabric, cloth, terry cloth, neoprene, nylon, plastic, or vinyl. The cover  40  may include a space (not shown) to insert a small cushion, pillow, or extra piece of foam. 
     A pocket  39  may be added to the cover  40 . The pocket  39  may allow the user  20  to store small objects, for example, keys, money, or credit cards. 
     Advertising materials  26  may be placed around the surfaces of the unitary piece body  12  or over the cover  40 . The advertising materials may be, for example, logos, slogans, holiday motives, or art. 
     An instruction label  28  may be placed around the surfaces of the unitary piece body  12  or over the cover  40 . The instruction label  28  may include, for example, warning information or instructions on how to use the floating support device  10 . 
     The bottom face  34  of the unitary piece body  12  may include a textured surface  36 ,  38 . The texture surface may include, for example, peaks and valleys. The textured surface may allow the user to securely grip the unitary piece body  12  when using the hands or head on the unitary piece body  12 . In addition, the textured surface may aid in preventing slipping off the unitary piece body  12 . The textured surface may be more aesthetically pleasing than a plain solid surface. 
     A connection device  42  may be placed on the unitary piece body  12  or the cover  40 . The connection device  42  may be, for example, a loop or ring. The connection device  42  may allow the user  20  to attach a leash, rope, or handle to tow or carry the floating support device  10 . 
     A flashlight (not shown), lights (not shown), or fluorescent strips (not shown) may be attached to the unitary piece body  12  or the cover  40 . 
     Handles (not shown) may be attached to the floating support device  10 . 
     In some embodiments, the floating support device  10  may be constructed by joining two pieces of foam. 
     The user  20  may place the floating support device  10  around his/her neck  22  such that the legs  13   b  of the unitary piece body  12  may surround the neck  20  and the curved central section  13   a  may support the head  24  of the user  20 . Then, the user  20  may place his/her torso  32  above the surface of the water  18 . 
     In addition, the user  20  may place the floating support device  10  around his/her neck  22  with the legs  13   b  extending towards the back of the neck  22 , resting his/her chin on the curved central section  13   a.    
     Furthermore, the user  20  may use the floating support device  10  as a chair, a cushion, a kickboard, or a head cushion. 
     The floating support device may include a leg or arm support (not shown). The user  20  may place his/her leg, ankle, arm, or hand inside the leg or arm support (not shown). 
     When use as a cushion, the user  20  may be sitting on the floating support device  10  in the water with or without holding on with hands. Out of the water, the user  20  may place the floating support device  10  directly on a chair seat or side of pool or on the ground. 
     The floating support device  10  may be used as a kneeling pad or as a back support cushion out of the water, on a chair, against a wall, or inside the car. 
     The floating support device  10  may provide the user  20  with a comfortable water experience, including water fitness, recreation, and relaxation by supporting a person&#39;s neck and head. 
     The floating support device  10  may be used in the field of Aquatic Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.