US20020009934A1

US20020009934A1 - Subfloat (submersable floating water chair)

Info

Publication number: US20020009934A1
Application number: US09/898,615
Authority: US
Inventors: Reggie Watler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-05
Filing date: 2001-07-02
Publication date: 2002-01-24

Abstract

The present invention is a one-piece lightweight, yet very durable submersible-floating device that affords various positions for sitting or reclining or hanging suspended in water. The one-piece construction makes this device relatively effortless to utilize.

A length of schedule 40 PVC pipe is heated and incased in polyethylene foam, and then formed in a “jig” to create six ninety-degree angles. The two ends are coupled and sealed to make the unit watertight.

The device is used as a chair to sit or recline while floating mostly submerged in water with the head, neck, and a small part of the shoulders remaining above water. This “floating while submerged” capability allows the user to stay cool, in the water, out of the intense heat of the sun.

This invention can be used as a float to lie back in the water. It can be used to just prop and hang in the water. The device is lightweight, compact and easy to carry and store.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. [#60/215,784] filed [Jul. 5, 2000].[0001]

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

Relaxing in the water during the hot summer season is a favorite pastime. There are times when it is so hot, that the only place to be comfortable is submerged in the water. There are many floats and lounge chairs on the market that allow a person to float on the surface and enjoy the sun; but there were no satisfactory products that allowed a person to relax suspended and submerged. This invention is a device that allows the user to sit mostly submerged and suspended in water to relax or to perform various recreational activities beneath the water line and out of the heat of the sun.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Placing an ordinary lawn chair in shallow water, yet deep enough to allow the occupant to remain submerged, has often been attempted; however one tends to float out of the lawn chair due to the bodies natural buoyancy. There are products that tend to allow a person to sit submerged by incorporating a foam, floating toy called a “noodle” with a net strapped around it. This item is difficult to use and requires constant adjustment while in use. It does not allow for multiple positions or various flotation applications. Another item that has been developed incorporates a horseshoe shaped component molded of Styrofoam with straps attached to form a seat. This product is difficult to use and does not allow for multiple positions or various flotation applications. The Styrofoam component is subject to breakage and it tends to “shed” Styrofoam particles.

SUMMARY INCLUDING OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The “Subfloat” (water chair) is a lightweight,durable device that allows the user to sit, recline or lay down while remaining mostly submerged and suspended in water out of the intense heat of the sun. It is easy to handle, carry and store.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:

1) the one piece light weight construction make it easy to use in the water.

2) the schedule 40 pipe and polyethylene foam components make it durable.

3) the unique flotation characteristics make it a “one size fits all” device.

4) the ability to sit submerged and suspended in water enhances water recreation on very hot days.

5) the “subfloat” has many different applications and uses.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying photographs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the “subfloat” invention. It is twenty-two inches wide by twenty-two inches long and nine and one half inches deep, when laid flat. The diameter of the tubing is two and three quarter inches. The dimensions are not critical and can be changed to accommodate different applications. [0012]
FIG. 2 shows my invention in relation to a user that is approximately five feet six inches tall and weighing one hundred and twenty pounds. [0013]
FIG. 3 is a photograph showing prior art that has a similar use as the “subfloat”. [0014]
FIG. 4 is a photograph of prior art that has a similar use as the “subfloat”. [0015]
FIG. 5 is a photograph of the “subfloat” used in the sitting position. [0016]
FIG. 6 is a photograph of the “subfloat” being used in a reclining position. [0017]
FIG. 7 is a photograph of the “subfloat” being used in the prone position. [0018]

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, it can be seen that the “subfloat” (water chair) is useful as well as convenient and unique. [0019]
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Various other embodiments and ramifications are possible within it's scope. For example, the dimensions can be modified to create various water accessaries like loungers or swim aids. [0020]
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. [0021]

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT—DESCRIPTION

A standard “subfloat” would be manufactured by cutting a piece of 1 inch I. D. Schedule 40 PVC to a length of 79 inches. This is heated to soften and make flexable. A polyethylene foam tube with a 1⅜ I. D. and a 2¾ O. D. is cut to a length of 79 inches. The pipe is inserted into the tubing. [0022]
This pipe with foam covering is then placed in a folding jig to form six 90 degree angles and allowed to cool. [0023]
The now rigid again pipe with foam covering now has two open ends that butt. These are coupled with a 6 inch PVC coupling, using a solvent cement and the foam is sealed to make the unit water tight. [0024]
The remaining seam is wrapped with a vinyl label to cover the seam and provide product information. [0025]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. The “subfloat” invention is a submersible, floating device made of a plastic frame completely covered with polyethylene foam; then shaped into multiple ninety-degree angles to form a chair with various use applications. The “chair” allows the user to remain mostly submerged in the water. It works along with the bodies natural flotation characteristics causing it to be a “one size fits all” with virtually no weight restrictions. The device is manufactured by heating a length of PVC pipe and then sliding the same length of polyethylene foam tubing over the pipe. Then it is placed in a “jig”, to form and shape the “chair”, and allowed to cool. The two ends are coupled and sealed with a solvent cement.