Flotation unit for swimming pools

• US 6,139,382 A
• Filed: 04/21/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tony Jost Jr, Vincent H. Eschbacher
• Original Assignee: Tony Jost Jr, Vincent H. Eschbacher
• Inventors: Jost, Tony Jr., Eschbacher, Vincent H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Mark T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULDOON, PATRICK C
• Application Number:
  US09/295,349
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 114/264, 114/256, 114/357, 441/32, 441/136, 441/40
• US Class Current: 441/32
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/24 container type, i.e. having provision for the storage of material

Abstract

A flotation unit, for example a table, for use within water such as a swimming pool has a sufficient size and weight to be self-stable without requiring any external stabilization such as weights or extensions. The flotation unit may have an upper portion having one or more holding spaces therein and a lower portion that is substantially solid. The flotation unit may alternatively have a hollow interior. The flotation unit may include a sunshade, cup holders or electronic equipment within the holding spaces. The flotation unit is readily carried and transported.

Claims

1. A flotation unit comprised of an upper portion having more than one holding space therein and a lower portion that is substantially solid;

wherein the more than one holding spaces are located anywhere across a top surface of the flotation unit, wherein both the upper portion and the lower portion are comprised of a resilient foam and wherein the flotation unit has a sufficient size and weight to be self-stable,

wherein the upper portion and lower portion are distinct such that a substantially flat ledge comprising a part of the lower portion than extends beyond the length or width of the upper portion is present,

wherein lower portion has a bottom surface and said bottom surface is substantially flat,

wherein the lower portion has a buoyancy capable of supporting greater than the weight of lower and upper portions combined; and

,

wherein the more than one holding space are voids in the upper portion.

2. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the flotation unit has no external stabilization.

3. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the flotation unit is one piece.

4. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion and lower portion are separate pieces adhered together with an adhesive.

5. The flotation unit according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive is a silicone adhesive.

6. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the resilient foam is comprised of a lightweight, dense polyethylene foam.

7. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein a top surface of the flotation unit is flat or slopes downwards towards a periphery of the flotation unit.

8. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the more than one holding space include holding spaces that accommodate cups therein.

9. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the more than one holding space include a holding space at a center of an upper surface of the upper portion, which holding space accommodates therein a sunshade holding unit.

10. The flotation unit according to claim 9, wherein the sunshade holding unit includes an opening to accommodate a pole of a sunshade.

11. The flotation unit according to claim 10, wherein the sunshade includes lights therein that are electrically connected to a power source.

12. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the more than one holding space include holding spaces that accommodate electronic equipment therein.

13. The flotation unit according to claim 12, wherein the electronic equipment is electrically connected to a power source through wiring in passages within the flotation unit.

14. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion has a length that is less than a length of the lower portion, and the upper portion has a width that is less than width of the lower portion.

15. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the sufficient size of the flotation unit is such that the flotation unit remains self-stable regardless of a total weight placed upon the flotation unit, and wherein the sufficient weight of the flotation unit is such that the flotation unit is light enough to be carried by one individual.

16. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the resilient foam is comprised of thin layers of foam adhered together.

17. The flotation unit according to claim 1, wherein the flotation unit includes within the upper portion as one of the one or more holding space a holding space at the center of an upper surface of the upper portion, which holding space accommodates therein a sunshade holding unit from which a pole having a sunshade thereon extends.