Patent Abstract:
An assembly for use in water activities is provided. The assembly comprises a first flexible member and a second flexible member. A spring mechanism is secured between the first flexible member and the second flexible member for urging the first flexible member and the second flexible member into a substantially flat configuration.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to toy devices for use in swimming pools or other bodies of water and, more particularly, it relates to pool toy device which can be used and manipulated under the surface of the water, i.e., underwater, for underwater surfing and other related activities. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Swim and play activities in a swimming pool or other body of water is a popular activity for exercise and recreation for both adults and children. Typical water bodies include, but not limited to, beaches, lakes, ponds, water pools, streams, etc. One particular type of water body where persons can swim and play is a designated water park. Water parks have substantially increased in popularity in recent years due to the wide variety of water related activities available to the public including, but not limited to, water slides, wading pools, wave pools, swimming pools, etc. 
     In the wave pools of the water parks, appropriate wave making equipment creates a wave or series of waves, i.e., to simulate a beach environment, for swimmers to enjoy in variety of manners. Some swimmers enjoy simply standing still as the waves pass them by. Others enjoy body surfing in the waves, typically with a body surfing board which allows a swimmer to surf on top of the water surface and “ride” the wave as the wave travels and eventually dissipates. In general, the typical body board is a short, stiff, non-flexible board designed to receive the swimmer&#39;s torso only as the swimmer lies upon the body board. Due to its short, small size and inflexibility, the body surfing board is understandably not capable of supporting an adult&#39;s entire body weight upon the water surface. Furthermore, the body surfing board, due to its shortness and rigidity, does not allow a swimmer to position the body board under the water surface and stand on the body board with any degree of comfort or control. The body board, while underwater, is very unstable and, due to its high buoyancy, any underwater surfing with the prior art body board is virtually impossible. 
     In the past, there have been pool toys, typically called “noodles” which allow a swimmer to support his or her body weight by laying across the pool toy with the pool toy under the arms of the swimmer. The “noodle” is an elongated, flexible device which tends to bend about the swimmer&#39;s body. Due to the flexibility of the “noodle”, it is not possible for the swimmer to stand on the “noodle” under the water&#39;s surface and move with the waves. The “noodle” simply folds about the swimmer&#39;s body thereby compromising the swimmer&#39;s ability to effectively use the “noodle” for underwater surfing activities and the like. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a pool toy device for underwater surfing and other activities which allows a swimmer to stand on the pool toy device when the pool toy device is beneath the water&#39;s surface. Additionally, a need exists for a pool toy device for underwater surfing and other activities which allows a swimmer to not only stand on the pool toy device when the pool toy is beneath the water&#39;s surface, but also to move with the waves or other current and surf while standing on the pool toy device. Furthermore, there exists a need for a pool toy device for underwater surfing and other activities which combines elongation with controlled flexibility allowing the swimmer to maneuver the pool toy device to perform underwater surfing activities and the like. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is a pool toy device for allowing underwater surfing activities. The pool toy device comprises a water-resistant, flexible element. A resilient member is connected to the flexible element with the resilient member maintaining the flexible member in a substantially flat configuration. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being secured to the second layer. Preferably, the first layer is secured to the second layer by a fastening means selected from the group consisting of stitching, ultrasonic welds, and heat welds. Furthermore, preferably, the resilient member is secured between the first layer and the second layer with an area about a perimeter of the first layer and the second layer which is free from the resilient member. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the first layer has a first section secured to a second section and the second layer has a first section secured to a second section. The first section of the first layer is secured to the first section of the second layer and the second section of the first layer being secured to the second section of the second layer. 
     In still another embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element is constructed from an extruded foam material. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the resilient member is constructed from a substantially flat, elongated plastic material. 
     In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element has a first side edge having a first taper and a second side edge having a second taper. The first taper tapers in a general direction toward the second side edge and the second taper tapers in a general direction toward the first side edge. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the flexible element has a first surface having a third taper and a second surface having a fourth taper, the third taper tapering in a general direction toward the second surface and the fourth taper tapering in a general direction toward the first surface. 
     The present invention additionally includes an assembly for use in water activities. The assembly comprises a first flexible member having a configuration selected from the group consisting of elongated, square, round, and oval and a second flexible member having a configuration substantially identical to the first flexible member. Spring means are secured between the first flexible member and the second flexible member for urging the first flexible member and the second flexible member into a substantially flat configuration. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the first flexible member is secured to the second flexible member by a fastening means selected from the group consisting of stitching, ultrasonic welds, and heat welds. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the resilient member is constructed from a substantially flat plastic material having a configuration substantially identical to the first and second flexible members. 
     In still another embodiment of the present invention, the combined first flexible member and second flexible member has a first side edge having a first taper and a second side edge having a second taper. The first taper tapers in a general direction toward the second side edge and the second taper tapers in a general direction toward the first side edge. 
     In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the first flexible member has a third taper and the second flexible member has a fourth taper. The third taper tapers in a general direction toward the second flexible member and the fourth taper tapers in a general direction toward the first flexible member. 
     The present invention further includes a method for constructing a pool toy. The method comprises providing a water-resistant, flexible element, and connecting a resilient member to the flexible element with the resilient member maintaining the flexible member in a substantially flat configuration. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises providing the flexible element with a first layer and a second layer and securing the first layer to the second layer. Preferably, the method further comprises securing the resilient member between the first layer and the second layer. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises providing the flexible element with a first side edge having a first taper and a second side edge having a second taper, tapering the first taper in a general direction toward the second side edge, and tapering the second taper in a general direction toward the first side edge. 
     In still another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises providing the flexible element with a first surface having a third taper and a second surface having a fourth taper, tapering the third taper in a general direction toward the second surface, and tapering the fourth taper in a general direction toward the first surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is top plan view illustrating the pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating the pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating the pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities taken along line  4 — 4  in FIG. 2, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is another perspective view illustrating the pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities, constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the pool toy device being used by a surfer; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a round pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities, constructed in accordance with the present invention: 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a square pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an oval pool toy device for underwater surfing and related activities, constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     The pool toy device  10  can be a variety of sizes and shapes. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pool toy device can be an elongated shape. It should be noted, however, that the size and shape of the pool toy device  10  can be any size and shape including, but not limited to, round (as illustrated in FIG.  8 ), oval (as illustrated in FIG.  10 ), square (as illustrated in FIG.  9 ), rectangular (as illustrated in FIG.  7 ), etc. 
     The pool toy device  10  of the present invention is designed to maintain its substantially flat configuration, even with the weight of the person thereupon. Preferably, the pool toy device  10  will maintain the head and shoulders of the user above the surface of the water when the user is standing on the pool toy device  10 , regardless of whether the user is an adult or a child, as illustrated in FIG.  7 . The inventor of the pool toy device  10  of the present invention believes that the optimum dimensions of the pool toy device  10  to support a person weighing between approximately one hundred and fifty (150 lbs.) and approximately two hundred (200 lbs.) pounds is approximately thirty-six (36″) inches in length, approximately six (6″) inches in width, and approximately two (2″) in thickness and the optimum dimensions of the pool toy device  10  to support a person weighing between approximately eighty (80 lbs.) pounds and approximately one hundred and fifty (150 lbs.) pounds is approximately twenty-eight (28″) inches in length, approximately five (5″) inches in width, and approximately two (2″) in thickness. The pool toy device  10  is designed to flex with the current of the water and the actions of the user, but will be urged back toward its original substantially flat configuration by the spring member  16 . The user can maneuver and “surf” underwater, as desired. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention is a pool toy device, indicated generally at  10 , for underwater surfing and other related activities. The pool toy device  10  allows a swimmer (not shown) to stand upon the pool toy device  10  when the pool toy device  10  is under the water&#39;s surface (not shown) to maneuver and manipulate the pool toy device  10  in any desired direction while maintaining his or her position upon the pool toy device  10 . 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pool toy device  10  of the present invention includes a top layer  12 , a bottom layer  14 , and a spring member  16  sandwiched between the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14 . The top layer  12  of the pool toy device  10  has a first front end  18 , a first back end  20 , a first right side edge  22 , and a first left side edge  24 . The bottom layer  14  of the pool toy device  10  has a second front end  26 , a second back end  28 , a second right side edge  30 , and a second left side edge  32 . With the spring member  16  therebetween, the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  are secured together along the first front end  18  and the second front end  26 , the first back end  20  and the second back end  28 , the first right side edge  22  and the second right side edge  30 , and the first left side edge  24  and the second left side edge  32 . Preferably, the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  are secured together by either stitching, ultrasonic welding, heat welds, etc., or a combination thereof, although it is within the scope of the present invention to secure the top layer  12  to the bottom layer  14  by any known means. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top layer  12  can have a first section  34  and a second section  36  and the bottom layer  14  can have a first section  38  and a second section  40 . The first section  34  and the second section  36  of the top layer  12  are preferably secured together by stitching, ultrasonic welding, heat welds, etc., or a combination thereof. Additionally, the first section  38  and the second section  40  of the bottom layer  14  are also preferably secured together by stitching, ultrasonic welding, heat welds, etc., or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the first section  34  and the second section  36  of the top layer  12  and the first section  38  and the second section  40  of the bottom layer  14  are constructed from the same material and can be different colors for aesthetic purposes. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first front end  18  of the top layer  12  and the second front end  26  of the bottom layer  14  preferably each have a first taper  42  which tapers in a generally inward direction toward a center line  44  of the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14 , respectively, defining a blunt-pointed end  46 . Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first front end  18  has a downward taper  48  and the second front end  26  has an upward taper  50  with the downward taper  48  tapering in a direction generally toward the upward taper  50 . Both the first taper  42 , the downward taper  48 , and the upward taper  50  assist in guiding the pool toy device  10  through the water during underwater surfing activities and the like by the swimmer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  of the pool toy device  10  of the present invention are identically constructed in size and shape from the same material. Preferably, the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  are constructed from a water-resistant, flexible material such as an extruded foam, manufactured by Kid Power, Brentwood, Tenn. While the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  have been described as being constructed from the same extruded foam material, it is within the scope of the present invention to construct the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  from different materials so long as the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  with the spring member  16  therebetween tends to float when positioned under or upon the water surface. 
     The spring member  16  of the pool toy  10  of the present invention is shaped identical to the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  such that upon placing the spring member  16  between the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14 , the spring member  16  does not reach the first right side edge  22  and the second right side edge  30  and the first left side edge  24  and the second left side edge  32 . Preferably, a gap  52  of approximately one-quarter (¼″) inch is present between the spring member  16  and the first right side edge  22  and the second right side edge  30  and the first left side edge  24  and the second left side edge  32 . 
     The spring member  16  is preferably constructed from a resilient plastic material which returns to a substantially flat configuration after bending or otherwise moving the spring member  16  from the flat configuration. Furthermore, the spring member  16  effectively stiffens the top layer  12  and the bottom layer  14  thereby allowing a user to stand upon the pool toy device  10  when the pool toy device  10  is under the surface of the water without having the pool toy device  10  fold or wrap about the user. 
     During use of the pool toy device  10  of the present invention, the user positions the pool toy device  10  under the water surface. The user then positions his or her feet upon the top layer  12  of the pool toy device  10 . Straps or other binding types (not shown) can be added to the pool toy device  10  to assist in maintaining the pool toy device  10  to the user&#39;s body during use. 
     The pool toy device  10  can be a variety of sizes and shapes. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pool toy device can be an elongated shape. It should be noted, however, that the size and shape of the pool toy device  10  can be any size and shape including, but not limited to, round, oval, square, rectangular, etc. 
     The pool toy device  10  of the present invention is designed to maintain its substantially flat configuration, even with the weight of the person thereupon. Preferably, the pool toy device  10  will maintain the head and shoulders of the user above the surface of the water when the user is standing on the pool toy device  10 , regardless of whether the user is an adult or a child. The inventor of the pool toy device  10  of the present invention believes that the optimum dimensions of the pool toy device  10  to support a person weighing between approximately one hundred and fifty (150 lbs.) and approximately two hundred (200 lbs.) pounds is approximately thirty-six (36″) inches in length, approximately six (6″) inches in width, and approximately two (2″) in thickness and the optimum dimensions of the pool toy device  10  to support a person weighing between approximately eighty (80 lbs.) pounds and approximately one hundred and fifty (150 lbs.) pounds is approximately twenty-eight (28″) inches in length, approximately five (5″) inches in width, and approximately two (2″) in thickness. The pool toy device  10  is designed to flex with the current of the water and the actions of the user, but will be urged back toward its original substantially flat configuration by the spring member  16 . The user can maneuver and “surf” underwater, as desired. 
     The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1