Patent Publication Number: US-2002009934-A1

Title: Subfloat (submersable floating water chair)

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. [#60/215,784] filed [Jul. 5, 2000]. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002] Relaxing in the water during the hot summer season is a favorite pastime. There are times when it is so hot, that the only place to be comfortable is submerged in the water. There are many floats and lounge chairs on the market that allow a person to float on the surface and enjoy the sun; but there were no satisfactory products that allowed a person to relax suspended and submerged. This invention is a device that allows the user to sit mostly submerged and suspended in water to relax or to perform various recreational activities beneath the water line and out of the heat of the sun.  
       BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART  
       [0003] Placing an ordinary lawn chair in shallow water, yet deep enough to allow the occupant to remain submerged, has often been attempted; however one tends to float out of the lawn chair due to the bodies natural buoyancy. There are products that tend to allow a person to sit submerged by incorporating a foam, floating toy called a “noodle” with a net strapped around it. This item is difficult to use and requires constant adjustment while in use. It does not allow for multiple positions or various flotation applications. Another item that has been developed incorporates a horseshoe shaped component molded of Styrofoam with straps attached to form a seat. This product is difficult to use and does not allow for multiple positions or various flotation applications. The Styrofoam component is subject to breakage and it tends to “shed” Styrofoam particles.  
       SUMMARY INCLUDING OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0004] The “Subfloat” (water chair) is a lightweight,durable device that allows the user to sit, recline or lay down while remaining mostly submerged and suspended in water out of the intense heat of the sun. It is easy to handle, carry and store.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0005] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:  
       [0006] 1) the one piece light weight construction make it easy to use in the water.  
       [0007] 2) the schedule 40 pipe and polyethylene foam components make it durable.  
       [0008] 3) the unique flotation characteristics make it a “one size fits all” device.  
       [0009] 4) the ability to sit submerged and suspended in water enhances water recreation on very hot days.  
       [0010] 5) the “subfloat” has many different applications and uses.  
       [0011] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying photographs.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 is a photograph of the “subfloat” invention. It is twenty-two inches wide by twenty-two inches long and nine and one half inches deep, when laid flat. The diameter of the tubing is two and three quarter inches. The dimensions are not critical and can be changed to accommodate different applications.  
     [0013]FIG. 2 shows my invention in relation to a user that is approximately five feet six inches tall and weighing one hundred and twenty pounds.  
     [0014]FIG. 3 is a photograph showing prior art that has a similar use as the “subfloat”.  
     [0015]FIG. 4 is a photograph of prior art that has a similar use as the “subfloat”.  
     [0016]FIG. 5 is a photograph of the “subfloat” used in the sitting position.  
     [0017]FIG. 6 is a photograph of the “subfloat” being used in a reclining position.  
     [0018]FIG. 7 is a photograph of the “subfloat” being used in the prone position.  
    
    
     CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE  
     [0019] Accordingly, it can be seen that the “subfloat” (water chair) is useful as well as convenient and unique.  
     [0020] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within it&#39;s scope. For example, the dimensions can be modified to create various water accessaries like loungers or swim aids.  
     [0021] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.  
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—DESCRIPTION  
     [0022] A standard “subfloat” would be manufactured by cutting a piece of 1 inch I. D. Schedule 40 PVC to a length of 79 inches. This is heated to soften and make flexable. A polyethylene foam tube with a 1⅜ I. D. and a 2¾ O. D. is cut to a length of 79 inches. The pipe is inserted into the tubing.  
     [0023] This pipe with foam covering is then placed in a folding jig to form six 90 degree angles and allowed to cool.  
     [0024] The now rigid again pipe with foam covering now has two open ends that butt. These are coupled with a 6 inch PVC coupling, using a solvent cement and the foam is sealed to make the unit water tight.  
     [0025] The remaining seam is wrapped with a vinyl label to cover the seam and provide product information.