Abstract:
The invention is a unique ergonomic personal flotation device suitable for comfortably supporting a human user while floating in a fairly calm water-based environment such as a swimming pool, lake or other natural body of water that allows a person using the flotation device to comfortably lie on their stomach, in order to provide even tanning on their backside. Likewise, the person can also comfortably lie on their back to get tanning on the front of their body. The ergonomic flotation device is comprised of a number of separate air chambers that provide an overall comfortable ergonomic experience when in use by a person. When lying on their stomach, there is provided an opening for the person&#39;s face with side air channels around the opening for comfort. When lying on their back, there is provided a separately inflatable lower back support chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
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     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
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     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
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     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
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     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The field of the invention is that of individual consumer flotation devices for home and resort use. In particular, the field for a device which is an ergonomically designed inflatable raft with unique features. 
     (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
     Utility U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,229, Date of Patent: Oct. 10, 1989, discloses a waterproof inflatable massage air mattress having an inflatable head cushion portion that is spaced a predetermined distance from its inflatable body cushion portion. In the space there between is formed a vibrator cushion portion. The vibrator cushion portion has a chamber closed at its rear end and its front end is opened and closed by a water impermeable linear seal. A vibrator assembly is removably received within the chamber and it is formed from a tubular foam core within which is positioned a vibrator unit. The vibrator unit has a vibrator motor and batteries that are electrically connected together and also connected to a button switch that is mounted in the rear end wall of the tubular foam core. A primary flap and a secondary flap provide protective cover for the water impermeable linear seal. 
     Utility U.S. Pat. No. 7,818,842, Date of Patent: Oct. 26, 2010, discloses a foldable mattress having an integral carrying pouch into which the mattress may be folded when not in use. Preferably, the mattress is at least partly inflatable so as to be floatable, and may have a mesh central portion surrounded by an inflatable portion. An inflatable pillow or headrest that is either fixed in place or detachable may be included. The pouch itself is preferably made, at least in part, of nylon mesh material. 
     Utility U.S. Pat. No. 5,049,102, Date of Patent: Sep. 17, 1991, discloses a recreational raft apparatus which comprises an inflatable, floatable body portion, and at least one closable pocket in association with the body portion of the raft. The raft may further comprise an inflatable pillow which is attached to the body portion, as well as handles attached to the body portion of the raft for carrying the raft. A towel may be attached to the top side of the raft by clips. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a unique personal flotation device that allows a person using the flotation device to comfortably lie on their stomach, in order to provide even tanning on their backside. Likewise, the person can also comfortably lie on their back to get tanning on the front of their body. The ergonomic flotation lounge is comprised of a number of separate air chambers that provide an overall comfortable ergonomic experience when in use by a person. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG.  1 —shows a simple version of the invention with all the ergonomic features 
       FIG.  2 —shows a more elaborate and decorative version of the invention with all the ergonomic features 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference Numerals 
     
         
           10 —flotation lounge is a unique personal flotation device that allows a person using the flotation device to comfortably lie on their stomach, in order to provide even tanning on their backside. Likewise, the person can also comfortably lie on their back to get tanning on the front of their body. The flotation lounge  10  is comprised of a number of separate air chambers that provide an overall ergonomic experience in use by a person. 
           12 —inflated outer-tube is an air chamber that supports the flotation lounge  10  while in the water to provide stability and buoyancy in the water. The inflated outer tube is comprised of a durable non-porous material, such as plastic, that can retain compressed air, and allows the user to rest arms comfortably out of the water. 
           14 —mesh arm rests are typically extra wide and provide for comfort of the person&#39;s arms while using the flotation lounge  10 . The arm rests allow for arms to be by the user&#39;s side, or overhead. In the alternative, if the person wants to keep their arms dry, they can rest their arms on the inflated outer tube  12 . In mesh format the material would be comprised of nylon or other sturdy porous mesh material allowing water to pass freely through the mesh interstices. 
           16 —expandable mid-section is a separate air chamber comprised of a durable non-porous material, such as plastic, that can retain compressed air. This expandable mid-section  16  is attached underneath the floatation lounge  10 , and can be separately expanded by infusing air to raise the top level of the expandable mid-section  16  so that the person, while lying on their stomach or on their back on the flotation lounge  10  will have proper support of the back and spine. 
           18 —side-support chambers are located on each side of the flotation lounge  10  and below the mid-point of the flotation lounge  10 . The side support chambers are inflated with air and provide extra stability and buoyancy in the water when the flotation lounge  10  is in use by a person. 
           20 —central-support chambers are located for some embodiments in the center of the flotation lounge  10  and can also be on the top portion of the flotation lounge  10  above the expandable mid-section  16  and below the expandable mid-section  16 . 
           22 —foot tapered ends are mesh fabric tapered ends. These twin foot tapered ends  22  afford the person the opportunity to support their ankles with feet allowed to be in or out of the water, so that their legs are then level with their body, adding to the comfort of using the flotation lounge  10 . The mesh fabric allows for cooling from the water, to the ankles and/or feet. 
           25 —convertible face-opening is a oval-shaped opening in the shoulder support area  30  positioned toward the top of the shoulder support area  30  that has a sealed or mesh bottom portion such that water is not allowed into the convertible face opening  25  from below. Thus, a person can lie comfortably with their face positioned over and inside the convertible face opening  25  and still breathe comfortably while the flotation lounge is floating on the water. The convertible face opening  25  can be converted into a convenient head pillow by inflating an external head pillow  28  that is then inserted into the convertible face opening  25  chamber such that the person&#39;s head can then lie comfortably on the external head pillow  28  now protruding above the convertible face opening  25  and the level of the shoulder support area  30 . 
           28 —external head pillow is a separate inflatable oval shaped air chamber that can then be inserted into the convertible face opening  25  chamber such that the person&#39;s head can then lie comfortably on the external head pillow  28  now protruding above the convertible face opening  25  and the level of the shoulder support area  30 . 
           30 —shoulder-support area is a single smooth faced air-filled chamber roughly triangular in shape at the top of the central support chambers  20  and inside the inflated outer tube  12  that provides comfortable support for the person&#39;s shoulders while reclining on their back and support for their chest while reclining on their stomach. 
           32 —air vents are openings dispersed around the convertible face opening  25  to allow the air to pass through openings inside the interior lining of the convertible face opening  25  to allow the person to breathe comfortably when their face is inserted into the convertible face opening  25 . 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG.  1 —is a top view that shows a simple version of the invention with all the ergonomic features of the flotation device  10 , which is described as a flotation lounge  10  that allows a person using the flotation device  10  to comfortably lie on their stomach, in order to provide even tanning on their backside. Likewise, the person can also comfortably lie on their back to get tanning on the front of their body. The flotation lounge  10  is comprised of a number of separate air chambers  12 ,  20  that provide an overall ergonomic experience when in use by a person. When lying face down, the flotation device provides a convertible face-opening  25  that is an oval-shaped opening in the shoulder support area  30  positioned toward the top of the shoulder support area  30  that has a sealed or mesh bottom portion such that water is not allowed into the convertible face opening  25  from below. Dispersed around the interior lining of the convertible face opening  25  are air vents  32  which are openings to allow the air to pass through them to allow the person to breathe comfortably when their face is inserted into the convertible face opening  25 . An external head pillow  28  is provided for the person lying on their back, and is a separate inflatable oval shaped air chamber that can then be inserted into the convertible face opening  25  chamber such that the person&#39;s head can then lie comfortably on the external head pillow  28  now protruding above the convertible face opening  25  and the level of the shoulder support area  30 . Also shown is the expandable mid-section  16  which is a separate air chamber comprised of a durable non-porous material, such as plastic, that can retain compressed air. This expandable mid-section  16  is attached underneath the floatation lounge  10 , and can be separately expanded by infusing air to raise the top level of the expandable mid-section  16  so that the person, while lying on their stomach or on their back on the flotation lounge  10  will have proper support of the back and spine. Also shown in this figure are the central-support chambers  20  which are located on the top portion of the flotation lounge  10  above the expandable mid-section  16  and below the expandable mid-section  16 . The side-support chambers  18  are located on each side of the flotation lounge  10  and below the mid-point of the flotation lounge  10 . The side-support chambers are inflated with air and provide extra stability and buoyancy in the water when the flotation lounge  10  is in use. For extra comfort, shown are the foot tapered ends  22 , which are mesh fabric tapered ends. These twin foot tapered ends  22  afford the person the opportunity to support their ankles with feet allowed to be in or out of the water, so that their legs are then level with their body, adding to the comfort of using the flotation lounge  10 . The mesh fabric allows for cooling from the water, to the ankles and/or feet. The mesh arm rests  14  are typically extra wide and provide for comfort of the person&#39;s arms while using the flotation lounge  10 . The arm rests  14  allow for arms to be by the user&#39;s side, or overhead. In the alternative, if the person wants to keep their arms dry, they can rest their arms on the inflated outer tube  12 . 
     FIG.  2 —shows a more elaborate and decorative version of the invention with all the ergonomic features of the flotation device  10 , which is described as a flotation lounge  10  that allows a person using the flotation device  10  to comfortably lie on their stomach, in order to provide even tanning on their backside. Likewise, the person can also comfortably lie on their back to get tanning on the front of their body. The flotation lounge  10  is comprised of a number of separate air chambers  12 ,  20  that provide an overall ergonomic experience when in use by a person. When lying face down, the flotation device provides a convertible face-opening  25  that is an oval-shaped opening in the shoulder support area  30  positioned toward the top of the shoulder support area  30  that has a sealed or mesh bottom portion such that water is not allowed into the convertible face opening  25  from below. Dispersed around the interior lining of the convertible face opening  25  are air vents  32  which are openings to allow the air to pass through them to allow the person to breathe comfortably when their face is inserted into the convertible face opening  25 . An external head pillow  28  (see  FIG. 1 ) is provided for the person lying on their back, and is a separate inflatable oval shaped air chamber that can then be inserted into the convertible face opening  25  chamber such that the person&#39;s head can then lie comfortably on the external head pillow  28  now protruding above the convertible face opening  25  and the level of the shoulder support area  30 . Also shown is the expandable mid-section  16  which is a separate air chamber comprised of a durable non-porous material, such as plastic, that can retain compressed air. This expandable mid-section  16  is attached underneath the floatation lounge  10 , and can be separately expanded by infusing air to raise the top level of the expandable mid-section  16  so that the person, while lying on their stomach or on their back on the flotation lounge  10  will have proper support of the back and spine. Also shown in this figure are the central-support chambers  20  which are located on the top portion of the flotation lounge  10  above the expandable mid-section  16  and below the expandable mid-section  16 . The side-support chambers  18  are located on each side of the flotation lounge  10  and below the mid-point of the flotation lounge  10 . The side-support chambers are inflated with air and provide extra stability and buoyancy in the water when the flotation lounge  10  is in use. For extra comfort, shown are the foot tapered ends  22 , which are mesh fabric tapered ends. These twin foot tapered ends  22  afford the person the opportunity to support their ankles with feet allowed to be in or out of the water, so that their legs are then level with their body, adding to the comfort of using the flotation lounge  10 . The mesh fabric allows for cooling from the water, to the ankles and/or feet. Provided are inflated outer-tubes  12  which are air chambers that supports the flotation lounge  10  while in the water to provide stability and buoyancy in the water. The inflated outer tubes  12  allow the user to rest arms comfortably out of the water.