# US 9,039,473 B1 · Elongated recreational flotation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,473 B1 - Document ID: US9039473B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/444,545 - Filed: 2014-07-28 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-28 - Applicants: Jaclyn Wachter - Inventors: Jaclyn Wachter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039473B1 ## CPC - A63H 23/10: Other water toys, floating toys, or like buoyant toys - B63B 34/50: Body-supporting buoyant devices, e.g. bathing boats or water cycles (swimming aids A63B31/00) - A63B 2225/605: Floating - A63H: TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A flotation device includes an elongated and flexible member with a channel extending between longitudinal ends of the flexible member. The flexible member is configured to support an individual within water during a recreational activity. The flexible member can include at least one cut-out defining a handle. A sleeve having a body member is dimensioned to fit over the flexible member and act as the flexible member's skin. The sleeve can includes at least one cut-out which substantially aligns with the at least one cut-out of the flexible member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flotation device comprising: an elongated and flexible member including a channel extending between longitudinal ends of the flexible member, the flexible member being configured to support an individual in a body of water at the water surface; a sleeve comprising a body member dimensioned to be fit over the flexible member, wherein at least one end of the body member overlays a cross-sectional side of the flexible member and does not overlay at least a central portion of at least one opening of the channel, the sleeve having a pocket on at least one end of the body member; and a circular disc at least partially embedded within the pocket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the body member acts as the flexible member's skin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member has at least one cut-out defining a handle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member has two cut-outs, one cut-out near one longitudinal end of the flexible member and another cut-out near the other longitudinal end of the flexible member, and wherein each cut-out defines a respective handle and substantially aligns with a respective cut-out of the sleeve. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the body member is a fabric material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the circular disc is separate and apart from the sleeve and the elongated body member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flotation device according to claim 1, further comprising a cap having a shaft suitably dimensioned to fit within the channel of the flexible member to secure the cap to the flexible member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The flotation device according to claim 7, wherein the cap is a ball cap comprising a substantially rounded ball. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein the circular disc is configured for making at least one end of the sleeve rigid. ### Claim 10 A flotation device comprising: an elongated and flexible member including a channel extending between longitudinal ends of the flexible member, the flexible member being configured to support an individual in a body of water at the water surface; a sleeve comprising an elongated body member dimensioned to be fit over the flexible member and act as the flexible member's skin, wherein at least one end of the body member overlays a cross-sectional side of the flexible member and does not overlay at least a central portion of at least one opening of the channel; and a member positioned at least one end of the sleeve and configured for making the at least one end of the sleeve rigid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The flotation device according to claim 10, wherein the flexible member has at least one cut-out defining a handle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The flotation device according to claim 10, wherein the flexible member has two cut-outs, one cut-out near one longitudinal end of the flexible member and another cut-out near the other longitudinal end of the flexible member, and wherein each cut-out defines a respective handle and substantially aligns with a respective cut-out of the sleeve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The flotation device according to claim 10, wherein the body member is a fabric material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The flotation device according to claim 12, further comprising a pocket on at least one end of the sleeve, wherein the member is at least partially embedded within the pocket. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The flotation device according to claim 10, further comprising a cap having a shaft suitably dimensioned to fit within the channel of the flexible member to secure the cap to the flexible member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The flotation device according to claim 15, wherein the cap is a ball cap comprising a substantially rounded ball. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The flotation device according to claim 10, wherein the member is a circular disc. ### Claim 18 A flotation device comprising: an elongated and flexible member including a channel extending between longitudinal ends of the flexible member, the flexible member being configured to support an individual in a body of water at the water surface, wherein the flexible member has at least one pair of cut-outs, wherein a first cut-out of the at least one pair of cut-outs is across a second cut-out of the at least one pair of cut-outs such that the channel is between the first and second cut-outs, each cut-out of the pair of cut-outs defining a handle, a sleeve having a body member dimensioned to be fit over the flexible member, the sleeve having a pocket on at least one end of the body member; and a circular disc at least partially embedded within the pocket. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The flotation device according to claim 18, wherein the at least one cut-out includes a first cut-out near one longitudinal end of the flexible member and a second cut-out near the other longitudinal end of the flexible member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The flotation device according to claim 18, further comprising a ball cap securable to the flexible member, the ball cap comprising a substantially rounded ball and a shaft protruding from a flat surface of the substantially rounded ball, the shaft is suitably dimensioned to fit within the channel of the flexible member to secure the ball cap to the flexible member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The flotation device according to claim 18, wherein the sleeve includes at least one cut-out which substantially aligns with the at least one cut-out of the flexible member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The flotation device according to claim 18, wherein the circular disc is configured for making at least one end of the sleeve rigid.