Recreational floatation device

• US 5,304,082 A
• Filed: 07/09/1993
• Issued: 04/19/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aqua Leisure Industries Incorporated (Aqua-Leisure Industries)
• Original Assignee: Aqua Leisure Industries Incorporated (Aqua-Leisure Industries)
• Inventors: Wolfe, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Avila, Stephen P.
• Application Number:
  US08/089,728
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 114/345, 441/40, 441/129, 441/130, 441/131
• US Class Current: 441/129
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/52 Inflatable or partly inflatable

Abstract

A recreational floatation device. The floatation device includes an inflatable main body having an elongated horizontal axis and a flattened configuration. When inflated, the device has a buoyancy in water sufficient to support a plurality of users. The main body preferably has at least two openings positioned along the elongated horizontal axis. A main body valve is secured on the main body. The device also preferably includes at least two inflatable bladders, which are encompassed by the main body, positioned along the elongated horizontal axis and adjacent to the main body openings. Each of the bladders has a bladder valve which is secured on the main body. The main body and bladders are inflatable through the main body and bladder valves, respectively.

Claims

1. A recreational flotation device, comprising:

an inflatable main body having an elongated horizontal axis and a flattened configuration, said main body having at least two openings, each sized to receive a user, and positioned a predetermined distanced along said horizontal axis;

a main body valve secured on said main body; and

at least two inflatable bladders are positioned along said horizontal axis adjacent to said openings, each of said bladders having a bladder valve secured on said main body, wherein said main body and said bladders are inflatable through said main body and bladder valves, respectively, and said main body has an encompassing relationship with respect to said bladders,

said main body, when gas inflated, having a buoyancy in water sufficient to support a plurality of users.

2. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said main body is constructed of a soft, flexible, resilient material.

3. The floatation device of claim 2 wherein said material is polyvinyl chloride.

4. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said main body is constructed of a material having a thickness of between about 5 and about 15 gauge.

5. The floatation device of claim 4 wherein said material has a thickness of about 10 gauge.

6. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said openings are sized and shaped to receive the torso of a user.

7. The floatation device of claim 6 wherein said openings are positioned to allow the arms of a user to engage a body of water for maneuvering said device from one location to another in said body of water.

8. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said main body valve is a self sealing valve.

9. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said main body and bladder valves are self-sealing valves.

10. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said main body is in the shape of a fish.

11. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said main body is in the shape of an animal.

12. The floatation device of claim 1 wherein said main body is covered by a stretchable fabric material.

13. The floatation device of claim 12 wherein said material is made of synthetic fibers.

14. The floatation device of claim 13 wherein said material is made of nylon.