Flotation device
AssigneeHickory Springs Manufacturing Company
InventorsTimothy M. Schultz, Jonathan W. Godfrey, John F. Herter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a flotation device suited to teach beginner swimming techniques or provide enjoyment in an aquatic environment while providing flotation to at least a portion of the swimmer's body. The flotation device for aiding a swimmer in a body of water may comprise a body formed from an extruded foam and comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side rail, a second side rail, a leading lateral surface, and a trailing lateral surface, and wherein the extruded foam is a flexible cellular foam. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to methods of making the flotation device.
Claims20
A flotation device for aiding a swimmer in a body of water, the flotation device comprising:
- a body formed from an extruded foam and comprising:
- a top surface comprising a top skin integral with the top surface that covers substantially all of the top surface, the top skin inhibiting water from penetrating into the body through the top skin,
- a bottom surface comprising a bottom skin integral with the bottom surface that covers substantially all of the bottom surface, the bottom skin inhibiting water from penetrating into the body through the bottom skin,
- a first side rail extending along a majority of the top surface and bottom surface,
- a second side rail extending along a majority of the top surface and the bottom surface,
- a leading lateral surface comprising cut foam and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and
- a trailing lateral surface comprising cut foam and from the top surface to the bottom surface,
- and wherein the extruded foam is a flexible cellular foam.
A method of manufacturing a plurality of flotation devices comprising:
- extruding a flexible cellular polyethylene foam through a die, wherein the shape of the die corresponds to the lateral shape of the flotation device when taken perpendicularly to a longitudinal dimension of the flotation device, and
- feeding the extruded flexible cellular polyethylene foam through a rotary die cutter to thereby create the plurality of flotation devices comprising:
- the top surface having a fluid impervious skin formed on the top surface by the extrusion of the flexible cellular polyethylene foam,
- the bottom surface having a fluid impervious skin formed on the bottom surface by the extrusion of the flexible cellular polyethylene foam,
- a first side rail extending from the top surface to the bottom surface,
- a second side rail extending from the top surface to the bottom surface,
- a leading lateral surface, wherein the leading lateral surface is a cut surface formed by the rotary die cutter, and
- a trailing lateral surface, wherein the trailing later surface is a cut surface formed by the rotary die cutter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.