Inflatable flotation device

• US 6,554,669 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Planet Toys Inc.
• Original Assignee: Stephen J. Motosko
• Inventors: Motosko, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BASINGER, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/023,492
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 441/88, 441/106, 441/108, 441/129, 472/129
• US Class Current: 441/129
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/155 inflatable

Abstract

An elongated inflatable tubular device bendable about spaced apart folds in multiple directions about the longitudinal axis. Spaced apart bendable folds are formed across the tubular member by attaching only the central areas of opposite portions of the side walls. Air within the tubular member is thus free to flow through each fold to balance air pressure. The central attached portions are sized in length along the longitudinal axis such that the outer unattached portions of each fold inflate and expand sufficiently to resiliently resist bending and stiffen the device while still allowing useful flexing of the device. The ends of the device may be cooperatively shaped having a central aperture formed therethrough to pliably receive the other end of the device. One or more of the central areas may also be open to alternately receive one of the ends in the same manner.

Claims

1. An elongated inflatable flotation device which is bendable when inflated, comprising:

an elongated tubular member having a sealed side wall and sealed at each end thereof to form a sealed inflation air chamber;

spaced apart bendable folds each extending across said tubular member and having a central attached portion and unattached end portions, each said attached portion formed by attachment of opposite surfaces of said side wall thereby allowing air within said tubular member to freely flow through each end portion of each said fold to balance air pressure within said tubular member during inflation, deflation and bending thereof;

each particular said fold angularly oriented from each said fold adjacent thereto when viewed along a longitudinal axis of said tubular member thereby allowing said flotation device to be bent in more than one direction radially about said longitudinal axis;

each said central attached portion having a length along a longitudinal axis of said tubular member such that said unattached end portions sufficiently inflate to resiliently resist bending and to stiffen said device while still allowing useful flexing of the entire said device.

2. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each said end of said tubular member includes a central aperture formed transversely therethrough and is sized to be pliably fitted through and be retained in the opposite said central aperture whereby said flotation device becomes somewhat ring-shaped.

3. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

at least one of said central attached portions is open to pliably receive and retain one said end of said tubular member.

4. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

each said central attached portion is somewhat oval-shaped and having a width-to-length ratio with respect to a width of said tubular member in a range of about 1 to 2 to 4, respectively.

5. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

each said unattached and portion has a length with respect to a width of said tubular member in a range of at least about 1 to 3.

6. An elongated inflatable flotation device which is bendable when inflated, comprising:

an elongated tubular member having a sealed side wall and sealed at each end thereof to form a sealed inflation air chamber;

spaced apart bendable folds each extending across said tubular member and having a central attached portion and unattached end portions, each said attached portion formed by attachment of opposite surfaces of said side wall thereby allowing air within said tubular member to freely flow through and expanding each end portion of each said fold to balance air pressure within said tubular member during inflation, deflation and bending thereof;

each particular said fold orthogonally oriented from each said fold adjacent thereto when viewed along a longitudinal axis of said tubular member thereby allowing said flotation device to be bent in more than one direction about said longitudinal axis;

at least one of said central attached portions is open to pliably receive and retain one said end of said tubular member.

7. An elongated inflatable flotation device which is bendable when inflated, comprising:

an elongated tubular member sealed at each end thereof to form a sealed inflation air chamber;

spaced apart bendable folds each extending across said tubular member and having a central attached portion and unattached end portions, each said attached portion formed by attachment of opposite surfaces of a side wall of said tubular member thereby allowing air within said tubular member to freely flow through and expanding each end portion of each said fold to balance air pressure within said tubular member during inflation, deflation and bending thereof;

each particular said fold extending across a longitudinal axis of said tubular member and having a varying radial orientation thereby allowing said flotation device, when inflated, to be bendable about one or more said folds and, thereby, in multiple directions about said longitudinal axis;

each said central attached portion having a length along the longitudinal axis of said tubular member such that said unattached end portions sufficiently inflate to resiliently resist bending and to stiffen said device while still allowing useful flexing of the entire said device.

8. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 7, wherein:

each said end of said tubular member includes a central aperture formed transversely therethrough and is sized to be pliably fitted through and be retained in the opposite said central aperture whereby said flotation device becomes somewhat ring-shaped.

9. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

at least one of said central attached portions is open to pliably receive and retain one said end of said tubular member.

10. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

each said central attached portion is somewhat oval-shaped and having a width-to-length ratio with respect to a width of said tubular member in a range of about 1 to 2 to 4, respectively.

11. An inflatable flotation device as set forth in claim 8, wherein:

each said unattached and portion has a length with respect to a width of said tubular member in a range of at least about 1 to 3.