Floatation device for a pregnant woman

• US 8,303,361 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2010
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellyflopz, LLC
• Original Assignee: Bellyflopz, LLC
• Inventors: Green, Gina
• Primary Examiner(s): VENNE, DANIEL V
• Application Number:
  US12/822,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20110081815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 441/35, 441 40- 54, 441 65- 67, 441/74, 441/79, 441/80, 441/88, 441129-131, 441/135, 441/136, 563/1, 573/5, 571/0, 572/2, 601/11
• US Class Current: 441/129
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/50 Boards characterised by their constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/52 Inflatable or partly inflatable

Abstract

A floatation device for a pregnant woman is formed from a panels of an air impermeable material defining an inflatable chamber having an abdomen cavity passing there through to allow a pregnant woman rest on the floatation device while lying in a prone position. The unique torso cavity shape and cover encasing the chamber functionally combine to provide the woman an improved level of comfort when using the device. Internal structural support features, handles, and appropriate device dimensions can further combine to increase the level of comfort provided to the user.

Claims

1. A floatation device comprising:

an inflatable chamber having a forward end, a rearward end, sides, an upper surface, and a lower surface, the inflatable chamber comprising at least one major panel and at least one cavity panel; and

a cover,

wherein the major panel surrounds the cavity panel and the major panel joins the cavity panel at cavity seams;

wherein the cavity panel defines an abdomen cavity extending through the upper and lower surfaces of the inflatable chamber, the abdomen cavity defining a base end adjacent the rearward end of the inflatable chamber and a tapered end adjacent the forward end of the inflatable chamber, wherein the abdomen cavity is symmetrical about a longitudinal centerline of the inflatable chamber so as to define a first half extending clockwise between the base end and the tapered end and a second half extending counterclockwise between the base end and the tapered end, and wherein the first half and the second half each defines a shape that transitions from a first major radius at the base end to a first minor radius to a second major radius to a second minor radius at the tapered end; and

wherein the cover is fitted about the abdomen cavity.

2. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the at least one panel includes two major panels joined at seams and the at least one cavity panel includes two cavity panels joined to the major panels.

3. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the major panel and the cavity panel comprise a generally air impermeable material.

4. The floatation device of claim 3, wherein the generally air impermeable material comprises vinyl.

5. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of cover panels joined at cover seems.

6. The floatation device of claim 5, wherein the cover material comprises Nylon.

7. The floatation device of claim 5, further comprising one or more handles coupled to the cover along the sides.

8. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the abdomen cavity is generally centrally located relative to the sides and the abdomen cavity is located closer to the forward end than the rearward end of the inflatable chamber along a length of the inflatable chamber.

9. The floatation device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of internal support structures coupled between the upper surface and the lower surface to contour the floatation device, wherein the plurality of internal support structures are configured to contour the floatation device and provide shape integrity.

10. The floatation device of claim 9, wherein the internal support structures are positioned to provide a leg portion at the rearward end of the inflatable chamber, and an upper body portion at the forward end of the inflatable chamber.

11. The floatation device of claim 1, further comprising one or more handles located on the sides.

12. The floatation device of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed within a panel of the inflatable chamber for inflating and deflating the floatation device.

13. The floatation device of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of cover panels joined at cover seems, and the cover seams are arranged so the cover seams do not overlap the cavity seams.